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PEOPLES BANCORP INC - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)


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

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
  ☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
            For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
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
pebo-20210331_g1.jpg
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
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (740)373-3155
 Not Applicable 
 (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) 
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

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 fileroAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated fileroSmaller 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 Exchange Act). Yes No  ☒

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 19,649,961 common shares, without par value, at April 28, 2021.


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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)(Unaudited)
Assets  
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and due from banks$55,319 $60,902 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks145,056 91,198 
Total cash and cash equivalents200,375 152,100 
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $859,120 at March 31, 2021 and $734,544 at December 31, 2020) (a)
865,347 753,013 
Held-to-maturity investment securities, at amortized cost (fair value of $161,983 at March 31, 2021 and $68,082 at December 31, 2020) (a)
166,230 66,458 
Other investment securities34,026 37,560 
Total investment securities (a)1,065,603 857,031 
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs (b)3,409,676 3,402,940 
Allowance for credit losses (44,897)(50,359)
Net loans 3,364,779 3,352,581 
Loans held for sale2,194 4,659 
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation58,721 60,094 
Bank owned life insurance72,037 71,591 
Goodwill171,260 171,260 
Other intangible assets12,747 13,337 
Other assets (c)195,336 78,111 
Total assets$5,143,052 $4,760,764 
Liabilities  
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing$1,206,034 $997,323 
Interest-bearing3,098,195 2,913,136 
Total deposits4,304,229 3,910,459 
Short-term borrowings67,868 73,261 
Long-term borrowings110,295 110,568 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 81,767 90,803 
Total liabilities4,564,159 4,185,091 
Stockholders’ equity  
Preferred shares, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
— — 
Common stock, no par value, 24,000,000 shares authorized, 21,200,940 shares issued at March 31, 2021 and 21,193,402 shares issued at December 31, 2020, including shares held in treasury
422,370 422,536 
Retained earnings 199,321 190,691 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of deferred income taxes(4,962)1,336 
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,630,243 shares at March 31, 2021 and 1,686,046 shares at December 31, 2020
(37,836)(38,890)
Total stockholders’ equity578,893 575,673 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$5,143,052 $4,760,764 
(a)    Available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity investment securities are presented net of allowance for credit losses of $0 and $182,000, respectively, as of March 31, 2021 and $0 and $60,000, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
(b)    Also referred to throughout this document as "total loans" and "loans held for investment."
(c)    At the close of business on March 31, 2021, Peoples closed on the business combination under which Peoples Bank acquired assets comprising North Star Leasing's ("NSL") equipment finance business and assumed from NSL certain specified liabilities. Please see Note 11 "Acquisitions" for more detail.


See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)20212020
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans$35,737 $34,588 
Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities2,574 5,383 
Interest on tax-exempt investment securities611 655 
Other interest income 40 236 
Total interest income38,962 40,862 
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits2,817 4,629 
Interest on short-term borrowings100 1,039 
Interest on long-term borrowings467 558 
Total interest expense3,384 6,226 
Net interest income35,578 34,636 
(Recovery of) provision for credit losses(4,749)16,969 
Net interest income after (recovery of) provision for credit losses40,327 17,667 
Non-interest income:
Insurance income5,221 4,130 
Electronic banking income3,911 3,280 
Trust and investment income3,845 3,262 
Deposit account service charges1,985 2,820 
Mortgage banking income1,140 750 
Bank owned life insurance income446 582 
Commercial loan swap fees60 244 
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(27)(87)
Net (loss) gain on investment securities(336)319 
Other non-interest income658 437 
Total non-interest income16,903 15,737 
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefit costs20,759 19,918 
Professional fees3,468 1,693 
Net occupancy and equipment expense3,327 3,154 
Data processing and software expense2,454 1,752 
Electronic banking expense1,894 1,865 
Marketing expense911 473 
Franchise tax expense855 882 
Amortization of other intangible assets620 729 
FDIC insurance premium463 (5)
Other loan expenses462 578 
Communication expense282 280 
Other non-interest expense2,492 3,006 
Total non-interest expense37,987 34,325 
Income (loss) before income taxes19,243 (921)
Income tax expense (benefit)3,780 (156)
Net income (loss)$15,463 $(765)
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic$0.80 $(0.04)
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted$0.79 $(0.04)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - basic19,282,665 20,367,564 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted19,436,311 20,538,214 
Cash dividends declared$6,833 $7,038 
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.35 $0.34 

See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
    
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Net income (loss)$15,463 $(765)
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Gross unrealized holding (loss) gain arising during the period(12,578)22,268 
Related tax benefit (expense)2,642 (4,676)
Reclassification adjustment for net loss (gain) included in net income336 (319)
Related tax (benefit) expense(71)67 
Net effect on other comprehensive (loss) income(9,671)17,340 
Defined benefit plans:
Net gain (loss) arising during the period(365)
  Related tax (expense) benefit(1)76 
Amortization of unrecognized gain and service cost on benefit plans30 28 
Related tax expense(7)(6)
Recognition of gain due to settlement and curtailment— 368 
Related tax expense— (77)
Net effect on other comprehensive income 27 24 
Cash flow hedges:
Net gain (loss) arising during the period4,236 (9,730)
  Related tax (expense) benefit(890)2,043 
Net effect on other comprehensive income (loss)3,346 (7,687)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax(6,298)9,677 
Total comprehensive income$9,165 $8,912 

See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total Stockholders' Equity
Common SharesRetained EarningsTreasury Stock
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2020$422,536 $190,691 $1,336 $(38,890)$575,673 
Net income— 15,463 — — 15,463 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax— — (6,298)— (6,298)
Cash dividends declared— (6,833)— — (6,833)
Reissuance of treasury stock for common share awards(1,740)— — 1,740 — 
Reissuance of treasury stock for deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors— — — 
Repurchase of treasury stock in connection with employee incentive plan and under compensation plan for Boards of Directors— — — (911)(911)
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan288 — — — 288 
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Boards of Directors53 — — 141 194 
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan35 — — 82 117 
Stock-based compensation1,198 — — — 1,198 
Balance, March 31, 2021$422,370 $199,321 $(4,962)$(37,836)$578,893 
See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements




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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Net cash provided by operating activities$18,322 $18,218 
Investing activities:
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Purchases(228,162)(72,942)
Proceeds from sales25,015 5,620 
Proceeds from principal payments, calls and prepayments74,377 61,701 
Held-to-maturity investment securities:
Purchases(101,177)(8,404)
Proceeds from principal payments1,115 1,354 
Other investment securities:
Purchases(282)(5,376)
Proceeds from sales3,878 957 
Net increase in loans held for investment(7,749)(32,265)
Net expenditures for premises and equipment(311)(1,028)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned— 50 
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance contracts— 109 
Business acquisitions, net of cash received(117,000)(839)
Proceeds from (investment in) limited partnership and tax credit funds(15)
Net cash used in investing activities(350,292)(51,078)
Financing activities:  
Net increase in non-interest-bearing deposits208,711 56,058 
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits185,059 50,905 
Net decrease in short-term borrowings(5,393)(57,316)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings— 50,000 
Payments on long-term borrowings(311)(372)
Cash dividends paid(7,080)(6,918)
Purchase of treasury stock under share repurchase program— (10,226)
Purchase of treasury stock in connection with employee incentive program and compensation plan for Boards of Directors to be held as treasury stock
(911)(812)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares286 — 
Contingent consideration payments made after a business acquisition(116)— 
Net cash provided by financing activities380,245 81,319 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents48,275 48,459 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period152,100 115,193 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$200,375 $163,652 
Supplemental cash flow information:
     Interest paid4,199 6,634 
Supplemental noncash disclosures:
     Transfers from loans to other real estate owned— 66 
Lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lessee operating lease liabilities14 27 
 
 See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its 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.) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, these financial statements do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 ("Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K").
The accounting and reporting policies followed in the presentation of the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are consistent with those described in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Peoples’ 2020 Form 10-K, as updated by the information contained in this Form 10-Q.  Management has evaluated all significant events and transactions that occurred after March 31, 2021 for potential recognition or disclosure in these unaudited consolidated financial statements.  In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly such information for the periods and at the dates indicated.  Such adjustments are normal and recurring in nature.  Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2020, contained herein, has been derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet included in Peoples’ 2020 Form 10-K. 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year, due in part to seasonal variations and unusual or infrequently occurring items. Peoples' insurance income includes performance-based insurance commissions that are recognized by Peoples when received, which typically occurs, for the most part, during the first quarter of each year. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount of performance-based insurance commissions recognized totaled $2.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements: From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by Peoples as of the required effective dates. The following should be read in conjunction with "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Peoples’ 2020 Form 10-K. 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") 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying US GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. This update is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Per the guidance, Peoples is continuing to evaluate the impact of ASU 2020-04 on Peoples' consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
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" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K.
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

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liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the periods presented.
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 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets by level in the fair value hierarchy.
 Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Assets:   
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Obligations of:   
  U.S. government sponsored agencies$— $18,471 $— $— $5,363 $— 
  States and political subdivisions
— 218,484 — — 114,919 — 
Residential mortgage-backed securities— 596,181 — — 623,218 — 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 27,481 — — 4,783 — 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities— 4,730 — — 4,730 — 
Total available-for-sale securities— 865,347 — — 753,013 — 
Equity investment securities (a)136 194 — 107 192 — 
Derivative assets (b)— 16,355 — — 27,332 — 
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities (c)$— $24,179 $— $— $39,395 $— 
(a)    Included in other investment securities on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. For additional information, see "Note 3 Investment Securities" of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)    Included in other assets on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. For additional information, see "Note 8 Derivative Financial Instruments" of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)    Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. For additional information, see "Note 8 Derivative Financial Instruments" of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value within other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively. The fair value for derivative 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 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets by level in the fair value hierarchy.
 Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Other real estate owned ("OREO")$— $— $134 $— $— $134 
Servicing rights (a)(b)$— $— $2,515 $— $— $2,591 
(a) Included in other intangible assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or market value.
(b) Peoples established a valuation allowance on servicing rights of $16,000 as of March 31, 2021 and $161,000 as of December 31, 2020, as the fair value of the servicing rights was less than the carrying value.

Other Real Estate Owned: OREO, included in "Other assets" on the Unaudited 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

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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 or 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 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 Fair Value Measurements of Other Financial Instruments
(Dollars in thousands)Fair Value Hierarchy LevelMarch 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents1$200,375 $200,375 $152,100 $152,100 
Held-to-maturity investment securities:
   Obligations of:
U.S. Government sponsored agencies230,211 28,517 — — 
States and political subdivisions292,436 89,518 35,139 35,484 
Residential mortgage-backed securities224,878 25,552 25,890 26,742 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities218,705 18,396 5,429 5,856 
        Total held-to-maturity securities166,230 161,983 66,458 68,082 
Other investment securities:
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock 218,046 18,046 21,718 21,718 
Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") stock213,311 13,311 13,311 13,311 
Nonqualified deferred compensation21,975 1,975 1,867 1,867 
Other investment securities2365 365 365 365 
Other investment securities (a)33,697 33,697 37,261 37,261 
Net loans33,364,779 3,357,005 3,352,581 3,408,373 
Loans held for sale22,194 2,242 4,659 4,733 
Bank owned life insurance 372,037 72,037 71,591 71,591 
Liabilities:
Deposits2$4,304,229 $3,982,200 $3,910,459 $3,773,602 
Short-term borrowings267,868 68,403 73,261 74,170 
Long-term borrowings2110,295 113,934 110,568 117,364 
(a)     Other investment securities, as reported on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, also includes equity investment securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, which are reported in the Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis table above and not included in this table.

 For certain financial assets and liabilities, carrying value approximates fair value due to the nature of each financial instrument.  These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, demand and other non-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 and 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 due to restrictions placed on their transferability (Level 2).

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Net Loans: The fair value of portfolio loans assumes 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 1-4 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 represents 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 that are not included in the above information.  Accordingly, the above fair values are not intended to represent the aggregate fair value of Peoples.

Note 3 Investment Securities 

Available-for-sale
The following table summarizes Peoples' available-for-sale investment securities:
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
March 31, 2021    
Obligations of:    
U.S. government sponsored agencies$18,611 $324 $(464)$18,471 
States and political subdivisions218,621 3,632 (3,769)218,484 
Residential mortgage-backed securities589,047 12,872 (5,738)596,181 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities28,145 97 (761)27,481 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities4,696 217 (183)4,730 
Total available-for-sale securities$859,120 $17,142 $(10,915)$865,347 
December 31, 2020    
Obligations of:    
U.S. government sponsored agencies$4,960 $403 $— $5,363 
States and political subdivisions110,401 4,642 (124)114,919 
Residential mortgage-backed securities609,865 15,377 (2,024)623,218 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities4,622 161 — 4,783 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities4,696 192 (158)4,730 
Total available-for-sale securities$734,544 $20,775 $(2,306)$753,013 

The gross unrealized losses related to residential mortgage-backed securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were attributed to changes in market interest rates and spreads since the securities were purchased.

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The gross gains and losses realized by Peoples from sales of available-for-sale securities for the periods ended March 31 were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Gross gains realized$339 $319 
Gross losses realized675 — 
Net (loss) gain realized$(336)$319 
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.
The following table presents a summary of available-for-sale investment securities that had an unrealized loss:
 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
March 31, 2021        
Obligations of:
U.S. government sponsored agencies
$11,684 $464 $$— $— $— $11,684 $464 
States and political subdivisions116,444 3,769 47 — — — 116,444 3,769 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
227,145 5,502 40 10,603 236 20 237,748 5,738 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
23,155 761 — — — 23,155 761 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
— — — 1,817 183 1,817 183 
Total$378,428 $10,496 97 $12,420 $419 22 $390,848 $10,915 
December 31, 2020        
Obligations of:
States and political subdivisions$17,651 $124 $— $— — $17,651 $124 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
156,659 1,795 45 9,892 229 13 166,551 2,024 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
494 1,848 152 2,342 158 
Total$174,804 $1,925 51 $11,740 $381 15 $186,544 $2,306 

Management evaluates available-for-sale investment securities for an allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis.  At March 31, 2021, management concluded that no individual securities at an unrealized loss position required an allowance for credit losses. At March 31, 2021, 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were largely attributable to changes in market interest rates and spreads since the securities were purchased, and were not credit related losses. Accrued interest receivable is not included in investment securities balances, and is presented in the “Other assets” line of the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, with no recorded allowance for credit losses. Interest receivable on investment securities was $4.7 million at March 31, 2021 and $2.7 million at December 31, 2020.
At March 31, 2021, approximately 99% of the mortgage-backed securities with a market value 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. Neither of the two positions had a fair value of less than 90% of its book value. Management analyzed the underlying credit quality of these mortgage-backed securities and concluded the unrealized losses were primarily attributable to the floating rate nature of these investments and the low remaining number of loans underlying 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 March 31, 2021 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 March 31, 2021.  The weighted-average yields are based on the amortized cost.  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$— $6,248 $2,500 $9,863 $18,611 
States and political subdivisions7,019 28,186 52,478 130,938 218,621 
Residential mortgage-backed securities4,909 52,451 531,686 589,047 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 2,324 8,980 16,841 28,145 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities— — 4,696 — 4,696 
Total available-for-sale securities$7,020 $41,667 $121,105 $689,328 $859,120 
Fair value     
Obligations of:     
U.S. government sponsored agencies$— $6,566 $2,467 $9,438 $18,471 
States and political subdivisions7,069 29,240 53,660 128,515 218,484 
Residential mortgage-backed securities4,986 52,907 538,287 596,181 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 2,368 8,737 16,376 27,481 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities— — 4,730 — 4,730 
Total available-for-sale securities$7,070 $43,160 $122,501 $692,616 $865,347 
Total weighted-average yield2.56 %2.50 %2.06 %1.98 %2.02 %

Held-to-Maturity
The following table summarizes Peoples’ held-to-maturity investment securities:
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit Losses Gross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
March 31, 2021    
Obligations of:   
 U.S. government sponsored agencies$30,211 $— $— $(1,694)$28,517 
States and political subdivisions92,618 (182)437 (3,355)89,518 
Residential mortgage-backed securities24,878 — 676 (2)25,552 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities18,705 — 289 (598)18,396 
Total held-to-maturity securities$166,412 $(182)$1,402 $(5,649)$161,983 
December 31, 2020    
Obligations of:    
States and political subdivisions$35,199 $(60)$510 $(165)$35,484 
Residential mortgage-backed securities25,890 — 852 — 26,742 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities5,429 — 427 — 5,856 
Total held-to-maturity securities$66,518 $(60)$1,789 $(165)$68,082 

There were no gross gains or gross losses realized by Peoples from sales of held-to-maturity securities for any of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Management evaluates held-to-maturity investment securities for an allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. The majority of Peoples' held-to-maturity investment securities are obligations of state and political subdivisions with the remaining securities issued by U.S. government sponsored agencies. Peoples analyzed these securities using cumulative default rate averages for investment grade municipal securities. As a result, at March 31, 2021, Peoples recorded $182,000 of allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities, compared to $60,000 at December 31, 2020.

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The following table presents a summary of held-to-maturity investment securities that had an unrealized loss:
 Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)Fair
Value
Unrealized LossNo. of SecuritiesFair
Value
Unrealized LossNo. of SecuritiesFair
Value
Unrealized Loss
March 31, 2021        
Obligations of:
U.S. government sponsored agencies$28,517 $1,694 — — — $28,517 $1,694 
States and political subdivisions79,334 3,355 29 — — — 79,334 3,355 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
622 — — — 622 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
12,832 598 — — — 12,832 598 
Total$121,305 $5,649 38 $ $  $121,305 $5,649 
December 31, 2020        
Obligations of:
States and political subdivisions$18,662 $165 $— $— — $18,662 $165 
Total$18,662 $165 5 $ $  $18,662 $165 

The table below presents the amortized cost, fair value and total weighted-average yield of held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity at March 31, 2021.  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$— $— $— $30,211 $30,211 
States and political subdivisions— 988 2,511 89,119 92,618 
Residential mortgage-backed securities— — 2,488 22,390 24,878 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 368 3,710 14,627 18,705 
Total held-to-maturity securities$ $1,356 $8,709 $156,347 $166,412 
Fair value     
Obligations of:     
U.S. government sponsored agencies$— $— $— $28,517 $28,517 
States and political subdivisions— 1,141 2,795 85,582 89,518 
Residential mortgage-backed securities— — 2,593 22,959 25,552 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities— 374 3,968 14,054 18,396 
Total held-to-maturity securities$ $1,515 $9,356 $151,112 $161,983 
Total weighted-average yield %0.62 %2.98 %2.13 %2.16 %
Other Investment Securities
Peoples' other investment securities on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets consist largely of shares of FHLB of Cincinnati and FRB of Cleveland stock.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of Peoples' other investment securities:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
FHLB stock$18,046 $21,718 
FRB stock13,311 13,311 
Nonqualified deferred compensation1,974 1,867 
Equity investment securities330 299 
Other investment securities365 365 
Total other investment securities$34,026 $37,560 
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, Peoples redeemed $3.7 million of FHLB stock during the first quarter of 2021.

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During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, Peoples recorded the change in the fair value of equity investment securities held during the period, in other non-interest income, resulting in unrealized gain of $31,000 and and unrealized loss of $31,000, respectively.
At March 31, 2021, 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 has 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 has also pledged available-for-sale investment securities to secure additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and the FRB.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of Peoples' pledged securities:
 Carrying Amount
(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Securing public and trust department deposits, and repurchase agreements:
     Available-for-sale$660,261 $547,244 
     Held-to-maturity108,047 28,287 
Securing additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and the FRB:
     Available-for-sale2,359 2,175 

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, central and eastern Kentucky and west central West Virginia. Peoples also originates insurance premium finance loans nationwide through its premium finance division.
The major classifications of loan balances (in each case, net of deferred fees and costs) excluding loans held for sale, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31, 2020
Construction$78,699 $106,792 
Commercial real estate, other965,249 929,853 
Commercial and industrial964,761 973,645 
Premium finance110,590 114,758 
Residential real estate573,700 574,007 
Home equity lines of credit117,426 120,913 
Consumer, indirect519,749 503,527 
Consumer, direct79,204 79,094 
Deposit account overdrafts298 351 
Total loans, at amortized cost$3,409,676 $3,402,940 
Peoples began participating as a Small Business Administration ("SBA") Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") lender during the second quarter of 2020. Peoples originated PPP loans of $130.8 million in first quarter of 2021 and $488.9 million of PPP loans during the full year of 2020. At March 31, 2021, the PPP loans had an amortized cost of $349.9 million, and were included in commercial and industrial loan balances. As of March 31, 2021, deferred loan origination fees, net of deferred origination costs, totaled $9.3 million. During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples recorded amortization of net deferred loan origination fees of $4.7 million on PPP loans. The remaining net deferred loan origination fees will be amortized over the life of the respective loans, or until forgiven by the SBA, and will be recognized in net interest income.
Accrued interest receivable is not included within the loan balances, but is presented in the “Other assets” line of the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, with no recorded allowance for credit losses. Interest receivable on loans was $10.1 million at March 31, 2021 and $10.9 million at December 31, 2020.

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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 amortized cost of loans on nonaccrual status and loans delinquent for 90 days or more and accruing were as follows:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual (a)
Accruing Loans 90+ Days Past Due
Nonaccrual (a)
Accruing Loans 90+ Days Past Due
Construction$$— $$— 
Commercial real estate, other8,421 55 9,111 — 
Commercial and industrial6,101 — 6,192 50 
Premium finance— 109 — 204 
Residential real estate8,246 662 8,375 1,975 
Home equity lines of credit780 180 867 82 
Consumer, indirect1,031 24 1,073 39 
Consumer, direct161 14 171 17 
Total loans, at amortized cost$24,744 $1,044 $25,793 $2,367 
(a) There were $1.1 million of nonaccrual loans for which there was no allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2021 and $1.3 million at
December 31, 2020.

During the first quarter of 2021, nonaccrual loans decreased compared to December 31, 2020, mostly due to three commercial loans being charged-off coupled with two consumer loan payoffs. As of March 31, 2021, Peoples had made short-term modifications, such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment for current borrowers, which were insignificant. Under the CARES Act, borrowers that are considered current are those that are less than 30 days past due on their contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented. As such, these modifications made under the CARES Act are not included in Peoples' nonaccrual or accruing loans 90+ days past due as of March 31, 2021. During first quarter of 2021, accruing loans, 90+ days past due decreased due to several real estate loans becoming less than 90 days past due during the quarter.
The amount of interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $352,000.


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The following table presents the aging of the amortized cost of past due loans:
Loans Past Due
Current
Loans
Total
Loans
(Dollars in thousands)30 - 59 days60 - 89 days90 + DaysTotal
March 31, 2021
Construction$24 $889 $$917 $77,782 $78,699 
Commercial real estate, other1,875 127 8,040 10,042 955,207 965,249 
Commercial and industrial3,079 11 6,092 9,182 955,579 964,761 
Premium finance212 130 109 451 110,139 110,590 
Residential real estate5,687 944 3,983 10,614 563,086 573,700 
Home equity lines of credit393 117 784 1,294 116,132 117,426 
Consumer, indirect1,927 350 297 2,574 517,175 519,749 
Consumer, direct207 26 106 339 78,865 79,204 
Deposit account overdrafts— — — — 298 298 
Total loans, at amortized cost$13,404 $2,594 $19,415 $35,413 $3,374,263 $3,409,676 
December 31, 2020
Construction$— $344 $$348 $106,444 $106,792 
Commercial real estate, other1,943 283 8,643 10,869 918,984 929,853 
Commercial and industrial567 552 4,535 5,654 967,991 973,645 
Premium finance928 1,073 204 2,205 112,553 114,758 
Residential real estate6,739 2,688 5,512 14,939 559,068 574,007 
Home equity lines of credit309 58 780 1,147 119,766 120,913 
Consumer, indirect4,362 733 348 5,443 498,084 503,527 
Consumer, direct424 43 123 590 78,504 79,094 
Deposit account overdrafts— — — — 351 351 
Total loans, at amortized cost$15,272 $5,774 $20,149 $41,195 $3,361,745 $3,402,940 
Delinquency trends remained stable, as 99.0% of Peoples' portfolio was considered “current” at March 31, 2021, compared to 98.8% at December 31, 2020.
Pledged Loans
Peoples has pledged certain loans secured by one-to-four family and multifamily residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit and commercial real estate loans under a blanket collateral agreement to secure borrowings from the FHLB. Peoples also has pledged eligible commercial and industrial loans to secure borrowings with the FRB. Loans pledged are summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Loans pledged to FHLB$730,422 $740,584 
Loans pledged to FRB111,701 107,340 

Credit Quality Indicators
As discussed in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K, Peoples categorizes the majority of its loans into risk categories based upon an established risk grading matrix using a scale of 1 to 8. 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 at least 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 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 reviewed on a quarterly basis. A description of the general characteristics of the risk grades used by Peoples is as follows:
“Pass” (grades 1 through 4): Loans in this risk category involve borrowers of acceptable-to-strong credit quality and risk who have the apparent ability to satisfy their loan obligations. Loans in this risk grade would possess sufficient mitigating factors, such as adequate collateral or strong guarantors possessing the capacity to repay the loan if required, for any weakness that may exist.

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“Special Mention” (grade 5): Loans in this risk grade are the equivalent of the regulatory definition of “Other Assets Especially Mentioned.” 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 a secondary source of repayment. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in noticeable deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in Peoples' credit position.
“Substandard” (grade 6): Loans in this risk grade are inadequately protected by the borrower's current financial condition and payment capability or the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have one or more well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly repayment of the loan. 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 grade 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 the loan as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined.
“Loss” (grade 8): Loans in this risk grade are considered to be non-collectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This does not mean a 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 credit losses are taken during the period in which the loan becomes uncollectible. Consequently, Peoples typically does not maintain a recorded investment in loans within this category.
Consumer loans and other smaller-balance loans are evaluated and categorized as “substandard,” or “loss” based upon the regulatory definition of these classes and consistent with regulatory requirements when they meet those criteria. All other loans not evaluated individually, nor meeting the regulatory conditions to be categorized as described above, would be considered as being “pass" for disclosure purposes.

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The following table summarizes the risk category of loans within Peoples' loan portfolio based upon the most recent analysis performed at March 31, 2021:
(Dollars in thousands)20212020201920182017PriorRevolving LoansRevolving Loans Converted to Term
Total
Loans
Construction

  Pass$5,669 $35,741 $32,155 $178 $670 $1,864 $163 $981 $76,440 
  Special mention— — — 738 — 141 — — 879 
  Substandard— — — 84 177 1,070 49 — 1,380 
     Total5,669 35,741 32,155 1,000 847 3,075 212 981 78,699 
Commercial real estate, other

  Pass37,694 144,707 157,739 99,426 122,459 323,719 15,395 4,515 901,139 
  Special mention— 238 2,771 619 4,544 19,216 — 54 27,388 
  Substandard— — 4,447 922 2,405 28,661 211 74 36,646 
  Doubtful— — — — — 76 — — 76 
     Total37,694 144,945 164,957 100,967 129,408 371,672 15,606 4,643 965,249 
Commercial and industrial
  Pass172,691 333,486 96,285 72,607 35,886 113,683 104,507 15,304 929,145 
  Special mention662 651 544 1,164 337 1,448 7,255 11 12,061 
  Substandard22 2,718 3,487 3,004 2,126 4,402 6,042 1,120 21,801 
  Doubtful— — — — — 1,754 — 187 1,754 
     Total173,375 336,855 100,316 76,775 38,349 121,287 117,804 16,622 964,761 
Premium finance
Pass110,590 — — — — — — — 110,590 
Total110,590 — — — — — — — 110,590 
Residential real estate
  Pass40,343 51,102 43,026 24,681 31,366 368,742 — — 559,260 
  Substandard— — — — — 14,263 — — 14,263 
   Loss— — — — — 177 — — 177 
     Total40,343 51,102 43,026 24,681 31,366 383,182 — — 573,700 
Home equity lines of credit
  Pass4,791 19,303 14,516 12,536 12,941 53,297 42 3,480 117,426 
     Total4,791 19,303 14,516 12,536 12,941 53,297 42 3,480 117,426 
Consumer, indirect
  Pass65,246 227,871 94,890 72,642 38,982 20,118 — — 519,749 
     Total65,246 227,871 94,890 72,642 38,982 20,118 — — 519,749 
Consumer, direct
  Pass9,732 32,384 16,177 10,974 4,302 5,635 — — 79,204 
     Total9,732 32,384 16,177 10,974 4,302 5,635 — — 79,204 
Deposit account overdrafts298 — — — — — — — 298 
Total loans, at amortized cost$447,738 $848,201 $466,037 $299,575 $256,195 $958,266 $133,664 $25,726 $3,409,676 
At March 31, 2021, Peoples had a total of $1.3 million of loans secured by residential real estate mortgages that were in the process of foreclosure.

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Collateral Dependent Loans
Peoples has certain loans for which repayment is dependent upon the operation or sale of collateral, as the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The underlying collateral can vary based upon the type of loan. The following provides more detail about the types of collateral that secure collateral dependent loans:
Commercial real estate loans can be secured by either owner occupied commercial real estate or non-owner occupied investment commercial real estate. 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. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans are generally secured by office buildings and complexes, retail facilities, multifamily complexes, land under development, industrial properties, as well as other commercial or industrial real estate.
Residential real estate loans are typically secured by first mortgages, and in some cases could be secured by a second mortgage.
Home equity lines of credit are generally secured by second mortgages on residential real estate property.
Consumer loans are generally secured by automobiles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and other personal property. Some consumer loans are unsecured and have no underlying collateral.
The following table details Peoples' amortized cost of collateral dependent loans:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Construction$344 $— 
Commercial real estate, other8,854 8,467 
Commercial and industrial6,793 6,333 
Residential real estate1,667 1,670 
Home equity lines of credit400 403 
Total collateral dependent loans$18,058 $16,873 
The increase in collateral dependent loans at March 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020, was due to one commercial construction relationship that became collateral dependent in first quarter 2021, coupled with smaller commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loan relationships.

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The following tables summarize the loans that were modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31:
Three Months Ended
Recorded Investment (a)
(Dollars in thousands)Number of ContractsPre-ModificationPost-ModificationRemaining Recorded Investment
March 31, 2021
Construction$344 $344 $344 
Residential real estate170 174 172 
Home equity lines of credit46 46 46 
Consumer, indirect78 78 78 
Consumer, direct18 18 18 
   Consumer96 96 96 
Total12 $656 $660 $658 
March 31, 2020
Commercial real estate, other$265 $265 $265 
Commercial and industrial145 145 145 
Residential real estate452 483 481 
Home equity lines of credit41 41 41 
Consumer, indirect11 175 175 175 
Consumer, direct57 57 57 
   Consumer15 232 232 232 
Total22 $1,135 $1,166 $1,164 
(a) 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.
On March 22, 2020, federal and state government banking regulators issued a joint statement, with which the FASB concurred as to the approach, regarding accounting for loan modifications for borrowers affected by COVID-19. In this guidance, short-term modifications, made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19, to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not considered TDRs. This includes short-term modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment which are insignificant. Under the guidance, borrowers that are considered current are those that are less than 30 days past due on their contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented. In addition, modification or deferral programs mandated by the U.S. federal government or any state government related to COVID-19 are not in the scope of accounting for troubled debt restructurings, as defined in ASC 310-40.
Peoples did not have any loans that were modified as a TDR during the last twelve months that subsequently defaulted. Peoples had no commitments to lend additional funds to the related borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in a TDR.




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Allowance for Credit Losses
Changes in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are summarized below:
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning Balance,
December 31, 2020
(Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses (a)Charge-offsRecoveries
Ending Balance, March 31, 2021
Construction$1,887 $(1,058)$— $— $829 
Commercial real estate, other17,536 455 (157)— 17,834 
Commercial and industrial12,763 (2,362)(293)— 10,108 
Premium finance1,095 81 (16)— 1,160 
Residential real estate6,044 (991)(133)15 4,935 
Home equity lines of credit1,860 (358)(12)1,494 
Consumer, indirect8,030 (108)(505)105 7,522 
Consumer, direct1,081 (101)(36)26 970 
Deposit account overdrafts63 31 (103)54 45 
Total$50,359 $(4,411)$(1,255)$204 $44,897 
(a)Amount does not include the provision for unfunded commitment liability.
Peoples recorded a recovery of credit losses during the first quarter of 2021 due to the decline in the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2021 resulting from improved economic forecasts at the end of March 2021 utilized within the CECL model. The economic forecasts utilized within the CECL model include the following economic factors: U.S. unemployment, Ohio unemployment, Ohio Gross Domestic Product, and the Ohio Case Shiller Home Price Indices. The PPP loans originated during 2021 and 2020 are guaranteed by the SBA, and therefore, had no impact on the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
As of March 31, 2021, Peoples had recorded an unfunded commitment liability of $2.4 million, a decrease compared to $2.9 million at December 31, 2020. The total amount of unfunded commitments had increased compared to December 31, 2020, but the improved economic forecast resulted in a lower unfunded commitment liability at March 31, 2021. The unfunded commitment liability is presented in the “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” line of the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.


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Note 5 Stockholders’ Equity 

The following table details the progression in Peoples’ common shares and treasury stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021:
 Common Shares
Treasury
Stock
Shares at December 31, 202021,193,402 1,686,046 
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:  
Release of restricted common shares— 26,776 
Cancellation of restricted common shares— 2,133 
Exercise of stock appreciation rights— — 
Grant of restricted common shares— (76,819)
Grant of unrestricted common shares— (4,897)
Changes related to deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors:
Purchase of treasury stock— 2,394 
Disbursed out of treasury stock— (81)
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan7,538 — 
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Boards of Directors
— (1,789)
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan
— (3,520)
Shares at March 31, 202121,200,940 1,630,243 
On January 28, 2021, Peoples' Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $30.0 million of its outstanding common shares, replacing the February 27, 2020 share repurchase program which had authorized Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40.0 million of its outstanding common shares. As of March 31, 2021, Peoples had not repurchased any common shares under the share repurchase program authorized on January 28, 2021.
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 March 31, 2021, Peoples had no preferred shares issued or outstanding.
On April 19, 2021, Peoples' Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per common share, payable on May 17, 2021, to shareholders of record on May 3, 2021. The following table details the cash dividends declared per common share during the first and second quarters of 2021 and the comparable periods of 2020:
20212020
First quarter$0.35 0.34 
Second quarter0.36 0.34 
Total dividends declared$0.71 $0.68 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The following table details the change in the components of Peoples’ accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
(Dollars in thousands)Unrealized Gain on SecuritiesUnrecognized Net Pension and Postretirement CostsUnrealized Loss on Cash Flow HedgeAccumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Balance, December 31, 2020$14,592 $(3,872)$(9,384)$1,336 
Reclassification adjustments to net income:
  Realized gain on sale of securities, net of tax265 — — 265 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of reclassifications and tax
(9,936)27 3,346 (6,563)
Balance, March 31, 2021$4,921 $(3,845)$(6,038)$(4,962)

Note 6 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 certain 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 of health benefits 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.
The expected long term rate of return on plan assets, which was determined as of January 1, 2021 is 7.0%. The following tables detail the components of the net periodic cost for the plans described above, which is included in salaries and employee benefit costs on the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
Pension Benefits
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Interest cost$67 $94 
Expected return on plan assets(174)(200)
Amortization of net loss31 30 
Settlement of benefit obligation— 368 
Net periodic (income) loss$(76)$292 

Postretirement Benefits
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Interest cost$— $
Amortization of net gain(1)(2)
Net periodic income$(1)$(1)
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 fair value of plan assets are required to be remeasured in order to determine the settlement gain or loss.
Peoples did not record a settlement charge for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Peoples recorded a $368,000 settlement charge during the three months ended March 31, 2020 under the noncontributory defined benefit pension plan.


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Note 7 Earnings Per Common Share 

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per common share data)20212020
Distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders$6,777 $6,943 
Undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders8,617 (7,782)
Net earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders$15,394 $(839)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding19,282,665 20,367,564 
Effect of potentially dilutive common shares153,646 170,650 
Total weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding19,436,311 20,538,214 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic$0.80 $(0.04)
Diluted$0.79 $(0.04)
Anti-dilutive common shares excluded from calculation:
Restricted shares — 37,284 

Note 8 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 the other assets and the accrued expenses and other liabilities lines in the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets and cash activity related to these derivatives is included in the activity in the net cash provided by operating activities in the Unaudited 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 values of which are 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 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 March 31, 2021, Peoples had entered into seventeen interest rate swap contracts 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 March 31, 2021, the interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges of $110.0 million in overnight brokered deposits, which are expected to extended every 90 days

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through the maturity dates of the swaps. The remaining $50.0 million of interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges of 90-day brokered deposits, which are also expected to be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") related to derivative financial instruments will be reclassified to interest income or expense as interest payments are made or received on Peoples' variable-rate liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, Peoples had reclassifications of losses to interest expense of $802,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, Peoples had reclassifications of gains to interest expense of $118,000.
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 AOCI (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 is recognized directly in earnings. Peoples assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the hedging derivative financial instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transaction. The reset dates and the payment dates on the funding associated with 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 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:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Notional amount$160,000 $160,000 
Weighted average pay rates2.18 %2.18 %
Weighted average receive rates0.77 %0.38 %
Weighted average maturity4.1 years4.4 years
Pre-tax unrealized losses included in AOCI$(7,825)$(11,879)
The following table presents net losses or gains recorded in AOCI and in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the cash flow hedges:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Amount of loss (gain) recognized in AOCI, pre-tax$4,236 $(9,730)
The following table reflects the cash flow hedges, which are included in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value:
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)Notional AmountFair ValueNotional AmountFair Value
Included in "Other assets":
Interest rate swaps related to debt$10,000 $135 $— $— 
Total included in other assets$10,000 $135 $ $ 
Included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities":
Interest rate swaps related to debt$150,000 $7,960 $160,000 $12,063 
Total included in accrued expenses and other liabilities$150,000 $7,960 $160,000 $12,063 

Non-Designated Hedges
Peoples maintains an interest rate protection program for commercial loan customers, which was established in 2010. Under this program, Peoples originates variable rate loans with interest rate swaps, where the customer enters into an interest rate swap with Peoples 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 operations or financial condition as of or for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and as of or for the year ended December 31, 2020.

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The following table reflects the non-designated hedges, which are included in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value:
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)Notional AmountFair ValueNotional AmountFair Value
Included in "Other assets":
Interest rate swaps related to commercial loans$411,704 $16,355 $415,044 $27,332 
Included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities":
Interest rate swaps related to commercial loans$411,704 $16,355 $415,044 $27,332 

Pledged Collateral
Peoples pledges or receives collateral for all interest rate swaps. When the fair value of Peoples' interest rate swaps is in a net liability position, Peoples must pledge collateral, and, when the fair value of Peoples' interest rate swaps is in a net asset position, the counterparties must pledge collateral. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Peoples had zero  and $41.0 million, respectively, of cash pledged, while the counterparties had no amount of cash pledged at either date. Cash pledged was included in "interest-bearing deposits in other banks" on the Audited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020. Peoples had pledged $37.1 million and $0 in investment securities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Note 9 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 2019 and 2020, Peoples granted unrestricted common shares to non-employee directors (in addition to their directors' fees paid in common shares) and to full-time and part-time employees who did not already participate in the 2006 Equity Plan. 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 the first three months of 2021, Peoples granted an aggregate of 76,819 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.
The following table summarizes the changes to Peoples’ restricted common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
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 167,758 $23.71 250,992 $33.36 
Awarded— — 76,819 31.48 
Released2,000 35.32 73,611 35.43 
Forfeited500 34.75 1,633 33.31 
Outstanding at March 3165,258 $23.27 252,567 $32.18 
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the total intrinsic value for restricted common shares released was $2.4 million compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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Stock-Based Compensation
Peoples recognizes stock-based compensation, which is included as a component of Peoples’ salaries and employee benefit costs, for restricted and unrestricted common shares and performance unit awards, as well as purchases made by participants in the employee stock purchase 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 recognized stock-based compensation over the performance period, based on the portion of the awards that was 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 15%. The following table summarizes the amount of stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefit recognized for each period:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Employee stock-based compensation expense:
Stock grant expense$1,198 $1,380 
Employee stock purchase plan expense17 15 
Performance unit benefit— (12)
Total employee stock-based compensation expense1,215 1,383 
Non-employee director stock-based compensation expense195 182 
Total stock-based compensation expense1,410 1,565 
Recognized tax benefit(296)(329)
Net stock-based compensation expense$1,114 $1,236 
Restricted common shares were the primary form of stock-based compensation awards granted by Peoples in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The fair value of restricted common share awards on the grant date is the market price of Peoples' common shares on that date. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted common share awards was $3.6 million at March 31, 2021, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
In addition to the portion of directors' fees paid in common shares, non-employee director stock-based compensation expense included $135,000 during the first three months of 2021, and $120,000 during the first three months of 2020, reflecting separate grants of unrestricted common shares aggregating 4,347 and 3,680 common shares, respectively.

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Note 10 Revenue

The following table details Peoples' revenue from contracts with customers:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Insurance income:
Commission and fees from sale of insurance policies (a)$3,177 $2,692 
Fees related to third-party administration services (a)94 147 
Performance-based commissions (b)1,950 1,291 
Trust and investment income (a)3,845 3,262 
Electronic banking income:
Interchange income (a)3,046 2,401 
Promotional and usage income (a)865 879 
Deposit account service charges:
Ongoing maintenance fees for deposit accounts (a)810 980 
Transactional-based fees (b)1,175 1,840 
Commercial loan swap fees (b)60 244 
Other non-interest income transactional-based fees (b)144 218 
Total revenue from contracts with customers$15,166 $13,954 
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time$11,837 $10,361 
Services transferred at a point in time3,329 3,593 
Total revenue from contracts with customers$15,166 $13,954 
(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 fulfillment of performance obligations, but has not yet been received related to electronic banking income and certain insurance 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 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 related to electronic banking income. As of March 31, 2021, there were no material changes to Peoples' revenue contracts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were no changes to the likelihood of collectability under the contracts.
The following table details the change in Peoples' contract assets and contract liabilities for the period ended March 31, 2021:
 Contract AssetsContract Liabilities
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2021$1,247 $5,224 
     Additional income receivable125 — 
     Recognition of income previously deferred— (448)
Balance, March 31, 2021$1,372 $4,776 


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Note 11 Acquisitions

On March 29, 2021, Peoples announced that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 26, 2021 (“Merger Agreement”) with Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. (“Premier”). The Merger Agreement calls for Premier to merge into Peoples and for Premier’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Premier Bank, Inc., and Citizens Deposit Bank and Trust, Inc., which combined operate 48 branches in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, to merge into Peoples’ wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank. The transaction is anticipated to close during the third quarter of 2021.
Peoples Bank entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 24, 2021 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), with NS Leasing, LLC, which is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, and does business as “North Star Leasing” (“NSL”). Peoples Bank acquired assets comprising NSL’s equipment finance business and assumed from NSL certain specified liabilities for consideration of approximately $116.6 million, plus a potential earnout payment to NSL of up to $3.1 million. Peoples Bank acquired approximately $85.8 million in leases and satisfied, on behalf of NSL, certain third-party debt in the amount of approximately $69.1 million. NSL originates, underwrites and services equipment leases to businesses throughout the United States. The transaction closed after the end of business on March 31, 2021 and Peoples Bank began operating the acquired business as a division of Peoples Bank on April 1, 2021. Consideration totaling $116.6 million related to the purchase price was reflected in other assets as of March 31, 2021.
Note 12 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 March 31, 2021, 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 Accounting Standards Codification 842 - Leases ("ASC 842"). 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 Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations:
 Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
Operating lease expense$330 $334 
Short-term lease expense72 76 
Total lease expense$402 $410 
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.
The following table details the ROU asset, the lease liability and other information related to Peoples' operating leases:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
ROU asset:
Other assets$6,404 $6,522 
Lease liability:
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities$6,673 $6,776 
Other information:
     Weighted-average remaining lease term12.3 years12.4 years
     Weighted-average discount rate3.11 %3.14 %

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During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, Peoples paid cash of $320,000 and $321,000 for operating leases, respectively.
The following table summarizes the maturity of remaining lease liabilities:
(Dollars in thousands)Balance
Remaining nine months ending December 31, 2021$1,028 
Year ending December 31, 20221,097 
Year ending December 31, 2023898 
Year ending December 31, 2024638 
Year ending December 31, 2025502 
Thereafter4,218 
Total undiscounted lease payments$8,381 
Imputed interest$(1,708)
Total lease liability$6,673 


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ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) represents an overview of the results of operations and financial condition of Peoples for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following data should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis that follows:
 At or For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 (Dollars in thousands, expect per share data)20212020
Operating Data
Total interest income$38,962 $40,862 
Total interest expense3,384 6,226 
Net interest income35,578 34,636 
(Recovery of) provision for credit losses (4,749)16,969 
Net (loss) gain on investment securities(336)319 
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(27)(87)
Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses (a)17,266 15,505 
Total non-interest expense37,987 34,325 
Net income (loss) (b)15,463 (765)
Balance Sheet Data
Total investment securities $1,065,603 $1,046,497 
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs ("total loans")3,409,676 2,911,437 
Allowance for credit losses 44,897 42,833 
Goodwill and other intangible assets184,007 177,447 
Total assets5,143,052 4,469,120 
Non-interest-bearing deposits1,206,034 727,266 
Brokered deposits168,130 133,522 
Other interest-bearing deposits2,930,065 2,537,642 
Short-term borrowings67,868 259,661 
Junior subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trust7,650 7,491 
Other long-term borrowings102,645 125,300 
Total stockholders' equity578,893 583,721 
Tangible assets (c)4,959,045 4,291,673 
Tangible equity (c)394,886 406,274 
Per Common Share Data
Earnings (loss) per common share – basic$0.80 $(0.04)
Earnings (loss) per common share – diluted0.79 (0.04)
Cash dividends declared per common share0.35 0.34 
Book value per common share (d)29.49 28.69 
Tangible book value per common share (c)(d)$20.12 $19.97 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic19,282,665 20,367,564 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted19,436,311 20,538,214 
Common shares outstanding at end of period (d)19,629,633 20,346,843 
Closing share price at end of period (d)$33.17 $22.15 

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 At or For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 (Dollars in thousands, expect per share data)20212020
Significant Ratios   
Return on average stockholders' equity (e)10.86 %(0.52)%
Return on average tangible equity (e)(f)16.45 %(0.18)%
Return on average assets (e)1.28 %(0.07)%
Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items (e)(g)1.48 %(0.05)%
Average stockholders' equity to average assets11.76 %13.61 %
Average total loans to average deposits82.80 %85.93 %
Net interest margin (e)(h)3.26 %3.51 %
Efficiency ratio (i) 70.37 %66.64 %
Efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items (j)65.19 %65.55 %
Pre-provision net revenue to total average assets (k)1.23 %1.45 %
Dividend payout ratio (l)(m)44.19 %NM
Total loans to deposits (d)79.27 %85.74 %
Total investment securities as percentage of total assets (d)20.72 %23.42 %
Asset Quality Ratios   
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans (d)(n)0.76 %0.93 %
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets (d)(n)0.50 %0.61 %
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans and OREO (d)(n)0.76 %0.94 %
Criticized loans as a percent of total loans (d)(o)3.41 %3.12 %
Classified loans as a percent of total loans (d)(p)2.23 %2.36 %
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans (d)1.32 %1.47 %
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of nonperforming loans (d)(n)174.10 %158.49 %
(Recovery of) provision for credit losses as a percent of average total loans(0.57)%2.37 %
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans 0.13 %0.07 %
Capital Information (d)  
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (q)12.42 %13.91 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio12.65 %14.16 %
Total risk-based capital ratio (tier 1 and tier 2)13.78 %15.38 %
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.00 %10.06 %
Common equity tier 1 capital$418,089 $415,768 
Tier 1 capital425,739 423,259 
Total capital (tier 1 and tier 2)463,872 459,727 
Total risk-weighted assets$3,365,637 $2,988,263 
Total stockholders' equity to total assets11.26 %13.06 %
Tangible equity to tangible assets (c)7.96 %9.47 %
(a)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 under the caption "Efficiency Ratio (Non-US GAAP)."
(b)Net income includes non-core non-interest expense totaling $2.8 million for the first three months of 2021, and $552,000 for the first three months of 2020. Additional information regarding the non-core non-interest expense can be found under the caption "Core Non-Interest Expense (Non-US GAAP)."
(c)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 Non-US GAAP financial measures can be found under the caption “Capital/Stockholders’ Equity.”
(d)Data presented as of the end of the period indicated.
(e)Ratios are presented on an annualized basis.
(f)Return on average tangible equity ratio 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 Non-US GAAP financial measure can be found under the caption “Return on Average Tangible Equity Ratio (Non-US GAAP).”
(g)Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items ratio represents a Non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the after-tax impact of all gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, COVID-19-related expenses and a Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution included in earnings. Additional information regarding the calculation of this Non-US GAAP financial measure can be found under the caption "Return on Average Assets Adjusted for Non-Core Items Ratio (Non-US GAAP)."
(h)Information presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis.
(i)The efficiency ratio is defined as total non-interest expense (less amortization of other intangible assets) as a percentage of fully tax-equivalent 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

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intangible assets, and all gains and losses included in earnings, and uses fully tax-equivalent net interest income. Additional information regarding the calculation of this Non-US GAAP financial measure can be found 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 fully tax-equivalent net interest income plus core non-interest income excluding all gains and losses. This amount represents a Non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the impact of all gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, COVID-19-related expenses and a Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution included in earnings, and uses FTE net interest income. Additional information regarding the calculation of this Non-US GAAP financial measure can be found 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 (recovery of) provision for credit losses and all gains and losses included in earnings. This measure is a key metric used by federal bank regulatory agencies in their evaluation of capital adequacy for financial institutions. Additional information regarding the calculation of this Non-US GAAP financial measure can be found under the caption “Pre-Provision Net Revenue (Non-US GAAP).”
(l)The dividend payout ratio is calculated based on dividends declared during the period divided by net income for the period.
(m)NM = not meaningful.
(n)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.
(o)Includes loans categorized as special mention, substandard and doubtful.
(p)Includes loans categorized as substandard and doubtful.
(q)Peoples' capital conservation buffer was 5.78% at March 31, 2021 and 7.38% at March 31, 2020, compared to 2.50% for the fully phased-in capital conservation buffer required at January 1, 2019.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 10-Q, which are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are identified by the fact they are not historical facts and include 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.
These forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on all information available to management and its knowledge of Peoples' business and operations. Additionally, Peoples' financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, but are not limited to:
(1)the ever-changing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic - the duration, extent and severity of which are impossible to predict, including the possibility of further resurgence in the spread of COVID-19 - on economies (local, national and international) and markets, and on our customers, counterparties, employees and third-party service providers, as well as the effects of various responses of governmental and nongovernmental authorities to the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health actions directed toward the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic (such as quarantines, shut downs and other restrictions on travel and commercial, social and other activities), the development, availability and effectiveness of vaccines, and the implementation of fiscal stimulus packages, which could adversely impact sales volumes, add volatility to the global stock markets, and increase loan delinquencies and defaults;
(2)changes in the interest rate environment due to economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other factors and/or the fiscal and monetary policy measures undertaken by the U.S. government and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board") in response to such economic conditions, which may adversely impact interest rates, the interest rate yield curve, interest margins, loan demand and interest rate sensitivity;
(3)the success, impact, and timing of the implementation of Peoples' business strategies and Peoples' ability to manage strategic initiatives, including the completion and successful integration of planned acquisitions, including the pending merger with Premier and the recently-completed acquisition of NSL, expansion of commercial and consumer lending activities, in light of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customers' operations and financial condition;
(4)Peoples' ability to obtain governmental approvals of the proposed merger of Peoples with Premier on the proposed terms and schedule, and approval of the merger and adoption of the merger agreement by shareholders of Peoples or of Premier may be unsuccessful;
(5)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 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;
(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

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the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated under the CARES Act, and the follow-up legislation enacted as the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, 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 changes in 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)Peoples may issue equity securities in connection with future acquisitions, including the proposed merger of Peoples and Premier, if consummated, which could cause ownership and economic dilution to Peoples' current stockholders;
(10)changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, levels of nonperforming assets, delinquent loans, charge-offs, and customer and other counterparties' performance and creditworthiness generally, which may be less favorable than expected in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and adversely impact the amount of interest income generated;
(11)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;
(12)changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or procedures may adversely affect Peoples' reported financial condition or results of operations;
(13)the impact of assumptions, estimates and inputs used within models, which may vary materially from actual outcomes, including under the CECL model;
(14)the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other reference rates which may result in increased expenses and litigation, and adversely impact the effectiveness of hedging strategies;
(15)adverse changes in the conditions and trends in the financial markets, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related responses by governmental and nongovernmental authorities to the pandemic, 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;
(16)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;
(17)Peoples' ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries;
(18)Peoples' ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity;
(19)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;
(20)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;
(21)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;
(22)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;
(23)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 (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), legislative or regulatory initiatives (including those in response to the COVID-19 pandemic), or other factors, which may be different than anticipated;
(24)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;
(25)the impact on Peoples' businesses, personnel, facilities, or systems, of losses related to acts of fraud, theft, or violence;

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(26)the impact on Peoples' businesses, as well as on the risks described above, of various domestic or international widespread natural or other disasters, pandemics (including COVID-19), cybersecurity attacks, system failures, civil unrest, military or terrorist activities or international conflicts;
(27)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;
(28)risks and uncertainties associated with Peoples' entry into new geographic markets and risks resulting from Peoples' inexperience in these new geographic markets;
(29)Peoples' ability to integrate the NSL acquisition and any future acquisitions, including the pending merger of Premier into Peoples, which may be unsuccessful, or may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;
(30)the risk that expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the proposed merger of Peoples and Premier may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame;
(31)the risk that customer and employee relationships and business operations may be disrupted by the proposed merger of Peoples and Premier;
(32)Peoples' continued ability to grow deposits;
(33)the impact of future governmental and regulatory actions upon Peoples' participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic;
(34)uncertainty regarding the impact of changes to the U.S. presidential administration and Congress on the regulatory landscape, capital markets, elevated government debt, potential changes in tax legislation that may increase tax rates and the response to and management of the COVID-19 pandemic; and,
(35)other risk factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to time in Peoples' reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including those risk factors included in the disclosures under the heading "ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS" of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q 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-Q 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.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and Notes thereto, contained in Peoples’ 2020 Form 10-K, as well as the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, ratios, statistics and discussions contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
Business Overview
The following discussion and analysis of Peoples’ Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements is presented to provide insight into management’s assessment of the financial condition and results of operations.
Peoples offers diversified financial products and services through 88 locations, including 76 full-service bank branches, and 85 Automated Teller Machines ("ATMs") in northeastern, central, southwestern and southeastern Ohio, central and eastern Kentucky, and west central West Virginia through its financial service units – Peoples Bank and Peoples Insurance Agency, LLC ("Peoples Insurance"), a subsidiary of Peoples Bank.  Peoples Bank also offers insurance premium finance lending nationwide through its premium finance division and, as of April 1, 2021, offers lease financing offered through its North Star Leasing division. Peoples Bank is subject to regulation and examination primarily by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions (the "ODFI"), the Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") of Cleveland and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"). 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. Peoples Insurance is subject to regulation by the Ohio Department of Insurance and the state insurance regulatory agencies of those states in which Peoples Insurance may do business.
Peoples’ products and services include a complete line of banking products, such as deposit accounts, lending products and trust services.  Peoples provides services through traditional offices, ATMs, mobile banking and telephone and internet-based banking.  Peoples also offers a complete array of insurance products and premium financing solutions, and makes available custom-tailored fiduciary, employee benefit plan and asset management services.  Brokerage services are offered by Peoples exclusively through an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer located at Peoples Bank's offices.


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Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies of Peoples conform to US GAAP and to general practices within the financial services 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 materially differ from those estimates.  Management has identified the accounting policies that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to understanding Peoples’ Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis at March 31, 2021, which have been updated in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in this Form 10-Q, and should be read in conjunction with the policies disclosed in Peoples’ 2020 Form 10-K.
Summary of Recent Transactions and Events
The following is a summary of recent transactions and events that have impacted or are expected to impact Peoples’ results of operations or financial condition: 
On March 26, 2021, Peoples and Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. (“Premier”), signed a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Peoples will acquire, in an all-stock merger, Premier, a bank holding company headquartered in Huntington, West Virginia, and the parent company of Premier Bank, Inc. (“Premier Bank”) and Citizens Deposit Bank & Trust, Inc. (“Citizens”). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Premier will merge with and into Peoples (the “Merger”), and Premier Bank and Citizens will subsequently merge with and into Peoples’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank, in a transaction valued at approximately $292.3 million. The merger is expected to close during the third quarter of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the approval of the shareholders of Peoples and Premier. At that time, the financial services offices of Premier Bank and Citizens will become branches of Peoples Bank.

Peoples Bank entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 24, 2021 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), with NS Leasing, LLC, which is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, and does business as “North Star Leasing” (“NSL”). Peoples Bank acquired assets comprising NSL’s equipment finance business and assumed from NSL certain specified liabilities for consideration of approximately $116.6 million, plus a potential earnout payment to NSL of up to $3.1 million. Peoples Bank acquired approximately $84 million in leases and satisfied, on behalf of NSL, certain third-party debt in the amount of approximately $69.1 million. NSL originates, underwrites and services equipment leases to businesses throughout the United States. The transaction closed after the end of business on March 31, 2021 and Peoples Bank began operating the acquired business as a division of Peoples Bank on April 1, 2021. Consideration totaling $116.6 million related to the purchase price was reflected in other assets as of March 31, 2021.

Peoples began originating loans during the second quarter of 2020 under the loan guarantee program created under the CARES Act, called the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"). These loans were targeted to provide small businesses with support to cover payroll and certain other specified types of expenses. Loans made under the PPP are fully guaranteed by the Small Business Administration ("SBA"). Additional information can be found later in this discussion under the caption “FINANCIAL CONDITION - COVID-19 Loan Impacts." Peoples originated PPP loans of $130.8 million in first quarter of 2021. As of March 31, 2021, Peoples had $349.9 million in PPP loans outstanding, which were included in commercial and industrial loan balances, compared to $366.9 million at December 31, 2020. Peoples recognized interest income of $4.7 million for deferred loan fee/cost accretion and $869,000 of interest income on PPP loans during the first quarter of 2021, compared to $3.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Peoples provided relief solutions to consumer and commercial borrowers, including forbearance and modifications, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information can be found later in this discussion under the caption “FINANCIAL CONDITION - COVID-19 Loan Impacts."
On January 29, 2021, Peoples announced that on January 28, 2021, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $30 million of its outstanding common shares. This program replaced the share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40 million of its outstanding common shares, which Peoples' Board of Directors had authorized on February 27, 2020 and which was terminated on January 28, 2021.
During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples recorded a recovery of credit losses of $4.7 million, compared to a recovery of credit losses of $7.3 million in the linked quarter and a provision for credit losses of $17.0 million in the first quarter of 2020. The changes in the amount of the (recovery of) provision for credit losses compared to the linked quarter and first quarter of 2020, were related to the impact of COVID-19 on economic forecasts utilized in the CECL model.

For the first quarter of 2021, Peoples recorded $292,000 of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to $126,000 for the fourth quarter of 2020. These expenses were primarily related to a software application to assist with PPP loan origination and forgiveness, donations made to community food banks and pantries, as well as contributions to funds to support employees.

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During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples incurred $1.9 million of acquisition-related expenses, compared to $77,000 in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $31,000 in the first quarter of 2020. The acquisition-related expenses in 2021 were primarily related to the NSL acquisition and the pending merger with Premier. The acquisition-related expenses in 2020 were primarily related to the Triumph Premium Finance acquisition.
Peoples incurred no pension settlement charges for the first quarter of 2021, $4,000 for linked quarter and $368,000 for the first quarter of 2020, in each of the latter two periods, 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.
Effective July 1, 2020, Peoples completed the business combination under which Peoples Bank acquired the operations and assets of Triumph Premium Finance (referred to as "premium finance acquisition"), a division of TBK Bank, SSB. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the division operating as Peoples Premium Finance continues to provide insurance premium financing loans for commercial customers to purchase property and casualty insurance products through its growing network of independent insurance agency partners nationwide. Peoples Bank acquired $84.7 million in loans, at acquisition date, after fair value adjustments. Peoples also recorded $4.3 million of other intangible assets and $5.5 million of goodwill. As of March 31, 2021, Peoples Premium Finance loans had grown to $110.6 million.
On February 27, 2020, Peoples' Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40.0 million of Peoples' outstanding common shares. This program replaced the share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $20.0 million of Peoples' outstanding common shares, which Peoples' Board of Directors had approved on November 3, 2015 and which was terminated on February 27, 2020. During the first quarter of 2020, Peoples repurchased 436,137 of its common shares through its share repurchase program for a total of $10.2 million.
During the first quarter of 2020, Peoples recognized an additional $109,000 in bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") income related to tax-free death benefits.
In an effort to stimulate an economy that was being adversely impacted by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve first lowered the benchmark Federal Funds Target Rate by 50 basis points on March 3, 2020, then lowered the target rate another 100 basis points at the next FOMC meeting on March 15, 2020. The Federal Funds Target Rate range was 0% - 0.25% as of March 31, 2020 and maintained this rate as of March 31, 2021. According to the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Funds Target Rate is not likely to drop below this range. However, the Federal Reserve does have other tools available that it can employ and has expressed an intention to do so in order to maintain a targeted level of liquidity. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve has indicated it is committed to a target 0% - 0.25% range for Federal Funds through at least 2023.
The impact of these transactions and events, where material, is discussed in the applicable sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Peoples recorded net income of $15.5 million for the first quarter of 2021, or earnings of $0.79 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $20.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, and net loss of $0.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020. Non-core items contained in net income included gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, a donation to Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. and COVID-19-related expenses. Non-core items negatively impacted earnings per diluted common share by $0.11 for the first quarter of 2021, by $0.07 for the fourth quarter of 2020, and by $0.02 for the first quarter of 2020. Net income in the first quarter of 2021, was largely affected by the recovery of credit losses recorded during the quarter. The recovery of credit losses was lower than in the linked quarter due to the changes in economic developments and forecasts used in the CECL model. The recovery of credit losses was calculated under the CECL accounting methodology in accordance with ASU 2016-13, which is sensitive to future economic projections. Additional information regarding the provision for credit losses can be found later in this discussion under the caption “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Provision for Credit Losses.”
Net interest income was $35.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, up 4% compared to $34.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, and an increase of 3% compared to $34.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net interest margin was 3.26% for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 3.13% for the fourth quarter of 2020, and 3.51% for the first quarter of 2020. The increases in net interest income and net interest margin in the first quarter of 2021 were positively impacted by PPP loan forgiveness payments received during the first quarter. Net interest income and net interest margin continue to be impacted by the low interest rate environment caused by COVID-19 that continued throughout the first quarter of 2021. The increase in net interest income compared to the first quarter of 2020 was driven by PPP loan income, premium finance loan income and a reduction of 35 basis points on the cost of funds, which were offset partially by a reduction in the yield on loans, other than PPP and premium finance loans, and investment securities.

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Accretion income, net of amortization expense, from acquisitions was $383,000 for the first quarter of 2021, $207,000 for the fourth quarter of 2020, and $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, which added 4 basis points, 2 basis points, and 11 basis points, respectively, to net interest margin.
During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples recorded a recovery of credit losses of $4.7 million, compared to a recovery of credit losses of $7.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and a provision for credit losses of $17.0 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2021 were $1.1 million, or 0.13% of average total loans annualized, compared to net charge-offs of $899,000, or 0.10% of average total loans annualized, for the linked quarter and net charge-offs of $498,000, or 0.07% of average total loans annualized, for the first quarter of 2020. Changes in the amount of (recovery of) provision for credit losses compared to the linked quarter and the first quarter of 2020 were primarily due to the impact of economic assumptions used in the CECL model and Peoples' own credit portfolio developments related to COVID-19.
For the first quarter of 2021, total non-interest income increased $402,000, or 2%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and $1.2 million, or 7%, from the first quarter of 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, insurance income increased $2.1 million, due to the annual performance-based insurance commissions recognized in the first quarter of each year, along with growth in all lines of insurance business. The increase in insurance income was offset partially by decreases in mortgage banking income, deposit account service charges, commercial loan swap fees and other non-interest income. Non-interest income was up $1.2 million, or 7%, compared to the first quarter of 2020. Insurance income increased $1.1 million, trust and investment income increased $583,000, electronic banking income increased $631,000 and mortgage banking increased $390,000 on a quarter versus quarter basis.
Total non-interest expense increased $4.7 million, or 14%, for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and $3.7 million, or 11%, compared to the first quarter of 2020. Compared to the linked quarter, salaries and employee benefit costs were up as a result of increases of $757,000 in payroll taxes, $586,000 in stock-based compensation expense and $538,000 for an annual contribution to employees' HSA accounts. Total non-interest expense in the first quarter of 2021 contained non-core expenses including acquisition-related expenses of $1.9 million, a $500,000 contribution to Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc., $292,000 in COVID-19-related expenses and $49,000 in severance expenses. During the last quarter of 2020, non-core expenses included severance expenses of $771,000, COVID-19-related expenses of $126,000 and acquisition-related expenses of $77,000. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, total non-interest expense increased primarily due to an increase in acquisition-related expenses of $1.9 million, salaries and employee benefits of $841,000 and FDIC insurance premiums of $468,000. Acquisition-related expenses increased in the first quarter of 2021 due to the announced acquisition of NSL and the pending merger with Premier. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was due to higher sales-based commissions paid and higher employee benefits related to an increase in the annual contribution to employees' HSA accounts. FDIC insurance premiums increased as a result of the credits that Peoples had recognized at the beginning of 2020, which were fully utilized in the second quarter of 2020.
Peoples' efficiency ratio, calculated as total non-interest expense less amortization of other intangible assets divided by fully tax-equivalent ("FTE") net interest income, plus total non-interest income, excluding all gains and losses, for the first quarter of 2021 was 70.4%, compared to 62.4% for the fourth quarter of 2020, and 66.6% for the first quarter of 2020. The change in the efficiency ratio compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to the increase in total non-core non-interest expense mentioned above. The efficiency ratio, when adjusted for non-core items, was 65.2% for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 60.5% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 65.5% for the first quarter of 2020.
Peoples recorded income tax expense of $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $4.3 million for the linked quarter and an income tax benefit of $156,000 for the first quarter of 2020. The variance between each of the comparative periods was the result of changes in pre-tax income in 2020 related to the variability in the allowance for credit losses recorded during the first three months of 2021, compared to the linked quarter and the first quarter of 2020.
At March 31, 2021, total assets were $5.14 billion, compared to $4.76 billion at December 31, 2020. The 8% increase compared to December 31, 2020 was driven by investment securities growth of $208.6 million, which was primarily the result of purchases made during the quarter to reinvest excess cash resulting from sales as part of a reorganization of a portion of the investment securities portfolio. Period-end total loan balances at March 31, 2021 increased $6.7 million, compared to December 31, 2020. The increase was driven by increases in commercial real estate balances of $7.2 million, consumer indirect loan balances of $16.2 million and commercial and industrial loan balances of $8.1 million, excluding PPP loans. The allowance for credit losses decreased to $44.9 million, or 1.32% of total loans, compared to $50.4 million and 1.48%, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Total liabilities were $4.56 billion at March 31, 2021, up $379.1 million since December 31, 2020. The increase in total liabilities during the first three months of 2021 was primarily due to an increase in deposits of $393.8 million, or 10%, compared to December 31, 2020. The increase was driven by a growth in non-interest bearing checking accounts of $208.7 million, seasonal growth in governmental deposits of $126.6 million and an increase in savings deposits of $48.2 million, offset partially by decreases in retail and brokered certificates of deposit. The overall increase in non-interest bearing checking accounts was the result of recent economic stimulus payments to consumers and new PPP loan disbursements provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
At March 31, 2021, total stockholders' equity was $578.9 million, an increase of $3.2 million compared to December 31, 2020. The increase in total stockholders' equity was driven by net income for the quarter, offset partially by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $6.3 million and dividends paid to shareholders of $6.8 million. The change in accumulated other comprehensive income was the result of the changes in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities during the period.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense, remains Peoples' largest source of revenue.  The amount of net interest income earned by Peoples each quarter is affected by various factors, including changes in market interest rates due to the Federal Reserve’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. 
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 interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  FTE net interest income is calculated by increasing interest income to convert tax-exempt income earned on obligations of states and political subdivisions and tax-exempt loans to the pre-tax equivalent of taxable income using a federal corporate income tax rate of 21%.  
The following table details the calculation of FTE net interest income:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income$35,578 $34,308 $34,636 
Taxable equivalent adjustments257 251 272 
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income$35,835 $34,559 $34,908 



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The following tables detail Peoples’ average balance sheets for the periods presented:
 For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2021December 31, 2020March 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Average BalanceIncome/ ExpenseYield/CostAverage BalanceIncome/ ExpenseYield/CostAverage BalanceIncome/ ExpenseYield/Cost
Short-term investments $146,957 $40 0.11 %$79,685 $26 0.13 %$73,798 $236 1.29 %
Investment securities (a)(b):     
Taxable833,769 2,620 1.26 %794,237 1,922 0.97 %928,182 5,428 2.34 %
Nontaxable106,698 773 2.90 %96,421 737 3.06 %106,934 829 3.10 %
Total investment securities940,467 3,393 1.44 %890,658 2,659 1.19 %1,035,116 6,257 2.42 %
Loans (b)(c):      
Construction114,204 994 3.48 %106,181 1,227 4.52 %97,839 1,251 5.06 %
Commercial real estate, other879,335 8,602 3.91 %874,248 8,715 3.90 %837,602 10,057 4.75 %
Commercial and industrial941,625 10,592 4.50 %1,022,086 10,047 3.85 %649,437 7,424 4.52 %
Premium finance107,390 1,297 4.83 %109,228 984 3.53 %— — — %
Residential real estate (d)614,692 6,672 4.34 %630,755 6,657 4.22 %665,737 8,371 5.03 %
Home equity lines of credit121,864 1,187 3.95 %124,218 1,253 4.01 %131,673 1,775 5.42 %
Consumer, indirect509,845 5,203 4.14 %496,846 5,298 4.24 %415,986 4,409 4.26 %
Consumer, direct79,022 1,239 6.36 %79,835 1,308 6.52 %76,707 1,354 7.10 %
Total loans3,367,977 35,786 4.26 %3,443,397 35,489 4.06 %2,874,981 34,641 4.80 %
Allowance for credit losses (49,854)(57,725)(27,548)
Net loans3,318,123 35,786 4.33 %3,385,672 35,489 4.13 %2,847,433 34,641 4.84 %
Total earning assets4,405,547 39,219 3.57 %4,356,015 38,174 3.46 %3,956,347 41,134 4.14 %
Goodwill and other intangible assets184,253  185,093 177,984  
Other assets322,276  296,870 247,296  
    Total assets
$4,912,076  $4,837,978 $4,381,627 
Interest-bearing deposits:      
Savings accounts$646,750 $35 0.02 %$610,876 $35 0.02 %$522,893 $74 0.06 %
Governmental deposit accounts
429,503 594 0.56 %402,605 555 0.55 %328,407 715 0.88 %
Interest-bearing demand accounts
700,160 65 0.04 %676,133 70 0.04 %628,677 248 0.16 %
Money market accounts564,836 132 0.09 %555,188 145 0.10 %476,477 673 0.57 %
Retail certificates of deposit439,819 1,123 1.04 %455,552 1,295 1.13 %488,948 2,059 1.69 %
Brokered deposits (e)175,326 868 2.01 %252,007 818 1.29 %191,955 860 1.80 %
Total interest-bearing deposits
2,956,394 2,817 0.39 %2,952,361 2,918 0.39 %2,637,357 4,629 0.71 %
Borrowed funds:      
Short-term FHLB advances (e)20,000 88 1.78 %39,511 204 2.05 %206,283 994 1.94 %
Repurchase agreements and other51,089 12 0.09 %49,962 12 0.10 %47,351 45 0.38 %
Total short-term borrowings71,089 100 0.57 %89,473 216 0.96 %253,634 1,039 1.65 %
Long-term FHLB advances102,753 390 1.54 %103,167 399 1.54 %101,804 447 1.77 %
Other borrowings7,631 77 4.04 %7,592 82 4.32 %7,471 111 5.94 %
Total long-term borrowings110,384 467 1.71 %110,759 481 1.73 %109,275 558 2.05 %
  Total borrowed funds181,473 567 1.26 %200,232 697 1.39 %362,909 1,597 1.77 %
      Total interest-bearing liabilities
3,137,867 3,384 0.44 %3,152,593 3,615 0.46 %3,000,266 6,226 0.83 %
Non-interest-bearing deposits1,110,993   1,021,586 708,512  
Other liabilities85,628   97,507 76,603   
Total liabilities4,334,488   4,271,686 3,785,381   
Total stockholders’ equity577,588   566,292 596,246   
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$4,912,076   $4,837,978 $4,381,627   
Interest rate spread (b) $35,835 3.13 %$34,559 3.00 % $34,908 3.31 %
Net interest margin (b)3.26 %  3.13 %  3.51 %




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(a)Average balances are based on carrying value.
(b)Interest income and yields are presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate.
(c)Average balances include nonaccrual and impaired loans. 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.
(d)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.
(e)Interest related to interest rate swap transactions is included in interest expense on short-term FHLB advances and interest expense on brokered certificates of deposit.


Average total loan balances were impacted during the first quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020 due to the PPP loans and the premium finance loans acquired.

The following table provides an analysis of the changes in FTE net interest income:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to
(Dollars in thousands)December 31, 2020March 31, 2020
Increase (decrease) in:RateVolume
Total (a)
RateVolume
Total (a)
INTEREST INCOME:
Short-term investments $(27)$41 $14 $(857)$661 $(196)
Investment Securities (b):
Taxable598 100 698 (2,301)(507)(2,808)
Nontaxable(191)227 36 (54)(2)(56)
Total investment income407 327 734 (2,355)(509)(2,864)
Loans (b):
  
Construction(722)489 (233)(1,245)988 (257)
Commercial real estate, other(40)(73)(113)(4,225)2,770 (1,455)
Commercial and industrial4,601 (4,056)545 (259)3,427 3,168 
Premium finance424 (111)313 — 1,297 1,297 
Residential real estate723 (708)15 (1,089)(610)(1,699)
Home equity lines of credit(30)(36)(66)(461)(127)(588)
Consumer, indirect(578)483 (95)(823)1,617 794 
Consumer, direct(49)(20)(69)(352)237 (115)
Total loan income4,329 (4,032)297 (8,454)9,599 1,145 
Total interest income$4,709 $(3,664)$1,045 $(11,666)$9,751 $(1,915)
INTEREST EXPENSE:  
Deposits:  
Savings accounts$(6)$$— $(129)$90 $(39)
Governmental deposit accounts10 29 39 (1,022)901 (121)
Interest-bearing demand accounts(18)13 (5)(356)173 (183)
Money market accounts(29)16 (13)(1,298)757 (541)
Retail certificates of deposit(122)(50)(172)(744)(192)(936)
Brokered deposits1,311 (1,261)50 373 (365)
Total deposit cost1,146 (1,247)(101)(3,176)1,364 (1,812)
Borrowed funds:  
Short-term borrowings(25)(91)(116)(128)(811)(939)
Long-term borrowings(6)(8)(14)(135)44 (91)
Total borrowed funds cost(31)(99)(130)(263)(767)(1,030)
Total interest expense1,115 (1,346)(231)(3,439)597 (2,842)
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income $3,594 $(2,318)$1,276 $(8,227)$9,154 $927 
(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 change in each.
(b)Interest income and yields are presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate.

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Net interest income increased 4% compared to the linked quarter, as the PPP loan income and premium finance loan income, coupled with higher investment income, benefited net interest income. PPP loan income during the first quarter of 2021 included $4.7 million related to the accretion of net deferred loan fees, which was largely driven by the forgiveness of loans by the SBA, as the fees are recognized over the life of the loans, or until forgiven by the SBA. Net interest margin grew 13 basis points to 3.26% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 3.13% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The higher net interest margin was mainly driven by the increased PPP income related to the accretion of net deferred loan fees.
Compared to the first quarter of 2020, net interest income grew 3%, as the income from PPP and premium finance loans, coupled with lower funding costs, offset the impact of reductions in variable rate loan income and increased premium amortization on investment securities, which were driven by higher prepayment speeds. In late March of 2020, the Federal Reserve lowered the Federal Funds effective target range 150 basis points to 0.00% to 0.25%. The majority of Peoples' variable rate loan portfolio is tied to LIBOR or a prime rate, which continued to be lower than historical levels. Net interest margin declined 25 basis points from 3.51% for the first quarter of 2020, largely due to the lower loan and investment yields, which were partially offset by reduced funding costs.
Accretion income, net of amortization expense, from acquisitions was $383,000 for the first quarter of 2021, $207,000 for the linked quarter and $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, which added 4 basis points, 2 basis points and 11 basis points, respectively, to net interest margin.
Additional information regarding changes in the Unaudited 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 "FINANCIAL CONDITION - Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity."

(Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses
The following table details Peoples’ (recovery of) provision for credit losses:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
(Recovery of) provision for other credit losses$(4,780)$(7,373)$16,824 
Provision for checking account overdraft credit losses31 96 145 
(Recovery of) provision for credit losses$(4,749)$(7,277)$16,969 
As a percentage of average total loans (a)(0.57)%(0.84)%2.37 %
(a) Presented on an annualized basis.
The (recovery of) provision for credit losses recorded represents the amount needed to maintain the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses based on management’s quarterly estimates. During the first quarter of 2021, the recovery of credit losses was driven by the economic forecasts utilized within Peoples' CECL model, which predicted lower levels of defaults due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the current quarter. Changes in the recovery of credit losses compared to the level of recovery of credit losses during the linked quarter and the provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2020 were primarily due to the impact of economic assumptions used in the CECL model and Peoples' own credit portfolio developments related to COVID-19. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2021 were $1.1 million, or 0.13% of average total loans annualized, compared to $899,000, or 0.10% of average total loans annualized, for the linked quarter and $498,000, or 0.07% of average total loans annualized, for the first quarter of 2020.
Additional information regarding changes in the allowance for credit losses and loan credit quality can be found later in this discussion under the caption “FINANCIAL CONDITION - Allowance for Credit Losses.”


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Net Losses Included in Total Non-Interest Income
Net 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 Peoples’ net losses:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Net loss on investment securities$(336)$(751)$319 
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions:
Net loss on other assets$(27)$(109)$(70)
Net loss on OREO— (119)(17)
Net gain on other transactions— 175 — 
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions$(27)$(53)$(87)
During the first quarter of 2021 and fourth quarter of 2020, Peoples recognized net losses on investment securities related to the sale of investment securities in order to reinvest proceeds into higher yielding investment securities, while also reducing sensitivity to prepayment speeds. For the first quarter of 2020, Peoples sold several investment securities in order to recognize gains.
During the linked quarter, net loss on other assets included a market value write-down of $108,000 related to closed offices that were held for sale. Net loss on OREO during the linked quarter included a loss of $140,000 on the sale of a leasehold interest. These losses were partially offset by the net gain on other transactions due to receiving $174,000 in funds from a limited partnership investment.
During the first quarter of 2020, net loss on other assets was driven by a net loss of $95,000 on repossessed assets, which was partially offset by a net gain on the sale of a closed branch.

Total Non-Interest Income, Excluding Net Gains and Losses
For the first quarter of 2021, insurance income comprised the largest portion of Peoples' total non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses. The following table details Peoples' insurance income:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Property and casualty insurance commissions
2,755 2,616 2,590 
Performance-based commissions
1,950 20 1,291 
Life and health insurance commissions
422 403 102 
Other fees and charges
94 74 147 
Insurance income$5,221 $3,113 $4,130 

Insurance income grew 68% compared to the linked quarter, which was largely driven by annual performance-based insurance commissions that are received during the first quarter of each year. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, insurance income increased 26%, and was due to higher annual performance-based insurance commissions, which grew $659,000, coupled with increased property and casualty insurance commissions.
Peoples' electronic banking ("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. The following table details Peoples' e-banking income:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
E-banking income$3,911 $3,678 $3,280 
Peoples' e-banking income is derived largely from ATM and debit cards, as other services are mainly provided at no charge to customers. The amount of e-banking income is largely dependent on the timing and volume of customer activity. The increases in e-banking income compared to each of the linked quarter and prior year quarter were driven by the increased usage of debit cards by customers, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Peoples' fiduciary and brokerage revenues continued to be based primarily upon the value of assets under administration and management, with additional income generated from transaction commissions, cross-selling of products and additional retirement plan services business. The following tables detail Peoples’ trust and investment income and related assets under administration and management:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Fiduciary income$1,902 $1,794 $1,622 
Brokerage income1,337 1,236 1,160 
Employee benefits fees606 619 480 
Trust and investment income$3,845 $3,649 $3,262 
Fiduciary income is driven by managed asset balances, which grew 6% compared to the linked quarter and 17% compared to the first quarter of 2020. Increased market values of assets under administration and management, coupled with additional accounts drove the increases compared to the prior periods. Brokerage income is also driven by assets under administration and management balances, and was positively impacted by the increased market values of assets under management and new accounts compared to the linked quarter and prior year quarter.
The following table details Peoples' assets under administration and management:
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Trust$1,916,892 $1,885,324 $1,609,270 $1,552,785 $1,385,161 
Brokerage
1,071,126 1,009,521 921,688 885,138 816,260 
Total
$2,988,018 $2,894,845 $2,530,958 $2,437,923 $2,201,421 
Quarterly average$2,927,458 $2,663.485 $2,510,978 $2,351,701 $2,425,849 
The increase in assets under administration and management at March 31, 2021, compared to each period end for 2020, was largely driven by recovery of market values, coupled with increases related to new accounts opened.
Deposit account service charges are based on the recovery of costs associated with services provided. The following table details Peoples' deposit account service charges:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees$997 $1,332 $1,649 
Account maintenance fees810 896 980 
Other fees and charges178 195 191 
Deposit account service charges$1,985 $2,423 $2,820 
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 cost recovery fees to ensure they are reasonable based on operational costs and similar to fees charged in Peoples' markets by competitors. Deposit account service charges were negatively impacted during the first quarter of 2021 compared to both the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2020, mostly due to continued fiscal stimulus payments and PPP loan proceeds provided to customers, along with changed customer spending habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following table details the other items included within Peoples' total non-interest income:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage banking income1,140 2,153 750 
Bank owned life insurance income446 463 582 
Commercial loan swap fees60 474 244 
Other non-interest income658 1,352 437 
Mortgage banking income is comprised mostly of net gains from the origination and sale of real estate loans in the secondary market, and, to a lesser extent, servicing income for loans sold with servicing retained. 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

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secondary market. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, mortgage banking income declined 47% as customer demand fell, and refinancing activity slowed. Mortgage banking income was 52% higher than the first quarter of 2020, as lower interest rates during the first quarter of 2021 resulted in higher customer demand than in the prior year quarter.
In the first quarter of 2021, Peoples sold $17.2 million in loans to the secondary market with servicing retained and sold $9.6 million in loans with servicing released, compared to $33.3 million and $26.7 million, respectively, in the linked quarter, and $22.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, in the first quarter of 2020. The volume of sales has a direct impact on the amount of mortgage banking income.
Commercial loan swap fees are largely dependent on timing, interest rates, and the volume of customer activity. Commercial loan swap fees declined compared to both the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2020, as there had been increased volume of transactions during 2020 as interest rates declined early in the year.
Bank owned life insurance income was relatively flat compared to the linked quarter, but was 23% lower than the first quarter of 2020. During the first quarter of 2020, bank owned life insurance was positively impacted due to a $109,000 tax-free death benefit recognized, which was not duplicated during the first quarter of 2021.
Other non-interest income declined compared to the linked quarter as Peoples recognized $680,000 of income during the fourth quarter of 2020 in connection with the sale of restricted Class B Visa stock. The growth in other non-interest income compared to the first quarter of 2020 was due to a $152,000 increase in SBA banking income.

Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefit costs remain Peoples' largest non-interest expense, accounting for over one-half of total non-interest expense.  The following table details Peoples' salaries and employee benefit costs:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Base salaries and wages$12,765 $13,527 $12,696 
Sales-based and incentive compensation3,428 2,880 2,662 
Employee benefits2,898 2,039 2,544 
Payroll taxes and other employment costs1,493 786 1,383 
Stock-based compensation1,215 622 1,362 
Deferred personnel costs(1,040)(806)(729)
Salaries and employee benefit costs$20,759 $19,048 $19,918 
Full-time equivalent employees:   
Actual at end of period887 894 898 
Average during the period891 895 898 
Base salaries and wages decreased 6% compared to the linked quarter and increased 1% compared to the first quarter of 2020. The decrease for the first quarter of 2021 compared to linked quarter was primarily due to severance expense of $771,000 recognized in the fourth quarter of 2020. The key driver of the increase for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 was the annual merit increases.
The increase in sales-based and incentive compensation for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily due to overall company performance measures used in calculating incentive awards, partially offset by lower sales-based compensation related to mortgage banking reflecting the reduced volume of real estate loans sold in the secondary market.
The increase in employee benefits for the first quarter of 2021, compared to the linked quarter, was primarily due to annual contributions to employee health benefit accounts which resulted in expense of $538,000. These contributions occur primarily in the first quarter of each year.
Stock-based compensation is generally recognized over the vesting period, which generally ranges from immediate vesting to vesting at the end of three years, adjusted for an estimate of the portion of awards that will be forfeited. At the vesting date, an adjustment is made to increase or reverse expense for the amount of actual forfeitures compared to the estimate. Stock grants to retirement eligible grantees are expensed either immediately or over a shorter period than three years. The majority of Peoples' stock-based compensation is attributable to annual equity-based incentive awards to employees, which are awarded in the first quarter of each year and are based upon Peoples achieving certain performance goals during the prior year. Stock-based compensation for the

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first quarter of 2021 increased $593,000 compared to the linked quarter, which included $376,000 of expense related to stock grants of retirement eligible individuals, and $210,000 of expense related to the annual vesting of prior stock grants.
The increase in payroll taxes and other employment costs, compared to linked quarter, included higher social security and unemployment taxes. Certain higher earners reached their individual taxable earnings limit for social security and unemployment taxes prior to or during the fourth quarter of 2020. Those limits reset at the beginning of the new calendar year, resulting in a higher expense during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
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 period corresponds directly with the volume of loan originations, coupled with the average deferred costs per loan that are updated annually at the beginning of each year. The increase in deferred personnel costs compared to prior periods was driven by the recognition of $328,000 in deferred personnel costs during the first quarter of 2021 related to the origination of PPP loans.
Peoples' net occupancy and equipment expense was comprised of the following:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Depreciation$1,371 $1,436 $1,455 
Repairs and maintenance costs943 763 757 
Net rent expense340 333 305 
Property taxes, utilities and other costs673 588 637 
Net occupancy and equipment expense$3,327 $3,120 $3,154 
Compared to the linked quarter and the first quarter of 2020, net occupancy and equipment expense was impacted by increased expenses for repairs and maintenance costs related to inclement weather.
The following table details the other items included in total non-interest expense:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Professional fees$3,468 1,665 $1,693 
Data processing and software expense2,454 2,097 1,752 
E-banking expense1,894 1,938 1,865 
Marketing expense911 540 473 
Franchise tax expense855 861 882 
Amortization of other intangible assets620 909 729 
FDIC insurance premiums463 585 (5)
Other loan expenses462 329 578 
Communication expense282 277 280 
Other non-interest expense2,492 1,881 3,006 
Professional fees increased $1.8 million from each of the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to investment banking fees and other acquisition-related expenses totaling $1.9 million for the purchase of NSL and the merger with Premier. Professional fees included acquisition-related expenses of $63,000 for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $15,000 for the first quarter of 2020.
The increase in data processing and software expense compared to prior periods was driven by systems and software upgrades, annual contractual increases and overall growth, which included: the implementation of enhanced functionalities for Peoples' core banking system, including making certain mobile banking tools available to customers; software upgrades; and additional network capacity and security features.
E-banking expense was down slightly compared to the linked quarter, from a reduction in bankcard processing fees, which offset higher costs associated with increased usage by customers.
Marketing expense increased compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2020 due to a one-time donation of $500,000 to Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. in the first quarter of 2021.
Peoples is subject to state franchise taxes, which are based largely on Peoples' equity, in the states where Peoples has a physical presence. 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

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proportion to the taxpayer's gross receipts in Ohio as of the most recent year-end. Expenses related to state franchise taxes, which includes Ohio FIT, were flat in the first three months of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2020 due to equity remaining relatively flat at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020.
Peoples' amortization of other intangible assets is driven by acquisition-related activity. Amortization of other intangible assets for the first quarter of 2021 was down compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 as a result of the annual reduction included in the amortization schedules for prior acquisitions, which reset at the beginning of each fiscal year. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, amortization of other intangible assets declined due to the reduced amortization from previous acquisitions.
Peoples FDIC insurance premiums declined compared to the linked quarter, as PPP loans, which are included in the leverage ratio calculation on which the FDIC insurance premiums are calculated, decreased compared to December 31, 2020. The FDIC insurance premiums during the first quarter of 2020 were impacted by credits used by Peoples to offset its FDIC insurance premium. The FDIC insurance credits were related to the level of the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF") that had continued to be above the target threshold for banks with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion to recognize credits. Peoples utilized the remaining credits that had been issued to it in the second quarter of 2020.
Other loan expenses increased slightly compared to the linked quarter due to higher expenses associated with business loans. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, other loan expenses declined mostly due to lower expenses associated with real estate loans and home equity lines of credit.
Other non-interest expense increased $611,000 compared to the linked quarter, and was mostly due to higher acquisition-related expenses offset by pension settlement charges that had been incurred in the fourth quarter of 2020. Peoples did not recognize pension settlement costs during the first quarter of 2021, however, Peoples did recognize $4,000 of pension settlement costs during the fourth quarter of 2020, and $368,000 for the first quarter of 2020.

Income Tax Expense
Peoples recorded income tax expense of $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to income tax expense of $4.3 million for the linked quarter and an income tax benefit of $156,000 for the first quarter of 2020. The income tax expense during the first quarter of 2021 was driven by pre-tax income of $19.2 million, which was impacted by the $4.7 million recovery for credit losses recorded during the quarter. Income tax expense during the first quarter of 2021, the linked quarter and the first quarter of 2020 was heavily related to the amount of pre-tax income recognized during each period.
Additional information regarding income taxes can be found in "Note 12 Income Taxes" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K.

Pre-Provision Net Revenue (Non-US GAAP)
Pre-provision net revenue ("PPNR") has become a key financial measure used by state and federal bank 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. 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. This ratio represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the provision for credit losses and all gains and losses included in earnings.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP financial measure to the amounts reported in Peoples' Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:    
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Pre-provision net revenue:
Income (loss) before income taxes$19,243 $24,836 (921)
Add: provision for credit losses — — 16,969 
Add: loss on OREO— 119 17 
Add: loss on investment securities 336 751 — 
Add: loss on other assets27 — 70 
Less: recovery of credit losses4,749 7,277 — 
Less: gain on investment securities— — 319 
Less: gain on other assets— 66 — 
Pre-provision net revenue$14,857 $18,363 $15,816 
Total average assets$4,912,076 $4,837,978 $4,381,627 
Pre-provision net revenue to total average assets (annualized)1.23 %1.51 %1.45 %
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted19,436,31119,442,284 20,538,214
Pre-provision net revenue per common share - diluted$0.76 $0.94 $0.77 

The decrease in PPNR compared to the linked quarter was mostly due to higher non-core expenses, coupled with increased expenses typically recognized during the first quarter of each year associated with stock-based compensation, contributions to employees' flexible spending and health savings accounts, and higher payroll taxes. The decline in PPNR compared to the first quarter of 2020 was related to increased non-core costs recognized during the first quarter of 2021.

Core Non-Interest Expense (Non-US GAAP)
Core non-interest expense is a financial measure used to evaluate Peoples' recurring expense stream. This measure is non-US GAAP since it excludes the impact of all acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, COVID-19-related expenses and a Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution.
The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP measure to the amounts reported in Peoples' Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Core non-interest expense:
Total non-interest expense$37,987 $33,250 $34,325 
Less: acquisition-related expenses1,911 77 31 
Less: pension settlement charges— 368 
Less: severance expenses49 771 13 
Less: COVID-19-related expenses292 126 140 
Less: Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution500 — — 
Core non-interest expense$35,235 $32,272 $33,773 

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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 fully tax-equivalent 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 losses included in earnings, and uses fully tax-equivalent net interest income.
The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP financial measure to the amounts reported in Peoples' Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Efficiency ratio:
Total non-interest expense$37,987 $33,250 $34,325 
Less: amortization of other intangible assets620 909 729 
Adjusted total non-interest expense$37,367 $32,341 $33,596 
Total non-interest income$16,903 $16,501 $15,737 
Less: net gain on investment securities— — 319 
Add: net loss on investment securities(336)(751)— 
Add: net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(27)(53)(87)
Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses$17,266 $17,305 $15,505 
Net interest income$35,578 $34,308 $34,636 
Add: fully tax-equivalent adjustment (a)257 251 272 
Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis$35,835 $34,559 $34,908 
Adjusted revenue$53,101 $51,864 $50,413 
Efficiency ratio70.37 %62.36 %66.64 %
Efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items:
Core non-interest expense$35,235 $32,272 $33,773 
Less: amortization of other intangible assets620 909 729 
Adjusted core non-interest expense$34,615 $31,363 $33,044 
Core non-interest income excluding net gains and losses$17,266 $17,305 $15,505 
Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis35,835 34,559 34,908 
Adjusted revenue$53,101 $51,864 $50,413 
Efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items65.19 %60.47 %65.55 %
(a) Based on a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate.
The change in the efficiency ratio compared to the linked quarter was partially due to the increase in total non-core non-interest expense illustrated above, coupled with higher expenses typically incurred during the first quarter of each year.


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Return on Average Assets Adjusted for Non-Core Items Ratio (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 adjusted for non-core items ratio represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the after-tax impact of all gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, COVID-19-related expenses and a Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution.
The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP financial measure to the amounts reported in Peoples' Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Annualized net income adjusted for non-core items:
Net income (loss)
$15,463 $20,573 $(765)
Add: net loss on investment securities
336 751 — 
Less: tax effect of net loss on investment securities (a)
71 158 — 
Less: net gain on investment securities
— — 319 
Add: tax effect of net gain on investment securities (a)
— — 67 
Add: net loss on asset disposals and other transactions
27 53 87 
Less: tax effect of net loss on asset disposals and other transactions (a)
11 18 
Add: acquisition-related expenses
1,911 77 31 
Less: tax effect of acquisition-related expenses (a)
401 16 
Add: pension settlement charges
— 368 
Less: tax effect of pension settlement charges (a)
— 77 
Add: severance expenses49 771 13 
Less: tax effect of severance expenses (a)10 162 
Add: COVID-19-related expenses292 126 140 
Less: tax effect of COVID-19-related expenses (a)61 26 29 
Add: Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution
500 — — 
Less: tax effect of Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. contribution
105 — — 
Net income (loss) adjusted for non-core items (after tax)
$17,924 $21,981 $(512)
Days in the period90 92 91 
Days in the year365 366 366 
Annualized net income (loss)
$62,711 $81,845 $(3,077)
Annualized net income (loss) adjusted for non-core items (after tax)
$72,692 $87,446 $(2,059)
Return on average assets:
Annualized net income (loss)
$62,711 $81,845 $(3,077)
Total average assets4,912,076 4,837,978 4,381,627 
Return on average assets
1.28 %1.69 %(0.07)%
Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items:
Annualized net income (loss) adjusted for non-core items (after tax)
$72,692 $87,446 $(2,059)
Total average assets
4,912,076 4,837,978 4,381,627 
Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items
1.48 %1.81 %(0.05)%
(a) Based on a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate.

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The return on average assets and the return on average assets adjusted for non-core items both declined during the first quarter of 2021, compared to the linked quarter. The decreases were driven by the reduction in the amount of the recovery of credit losses and higher total non-interest expense recognized during the first quarter of 2021, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The return on average assets and the return on average assets adjusted for non-core items both grew compared to the first quarter of 2020, and was mostly due to the recovery of credit losses recorded during the first quarter of 2021, compared to a high provision for credit losses recorded during the first quarter of 2020. For additional information related to the changes in the (recovery of) provision for credit losses, refer to the sections in this discussion titled “(Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses" and "Allowance for Credit Losses.”
Return on Average Tangible Equity Ratio (Non-US GAAP)
The return on average tangible equity ratio is a key financial measure used to monitor performance. This ratio is calculated as annualized net income (less the after-tax impact of amortization of other intangible assets) divided by average 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.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Annualized net income excluding amortization of other intangible assets:
Net income (loss)
$15,463 $20,573 $(765)
Add: amortization of other intangible assets
620 909 729 
Less: tax effect of amortization of other intangible assets (a)
130 191 153 
Net income (loss) excluding amortization of other intangible assets
$15,953 $21,291 $(189)
Days in the period
90 92 91 
Days in the year
365 366 366 
Annualized net income (loss)
$62,711 $81,845 $(3,077)
Annualized net income (loss) excluding amortization of other intangible assets
$64,698 $84,701 $(760)
Average tangible equity:
Total average stockholders' equity
$577,588 $566,292 $596,246 
Less: average goodwill and other intangible assets
184,253 185,093 177,984 
Average tangible equity
$393,335 $381,199 $418,262 
Return on average stockholders' equity ratio:
Annualized net income (loss)
$62,711 $81,845 $(3,077)
Average stockholders' equity
$577,588 $566,292 $596,246 
Return on average stockholders' equity
10.86 %14.45 %(0.52)%
Return on average tangible equity ratio:
Annualized net income (loss) excluding amortization of other intangible assets
$64,698 $84,701 $(760)
Average tangible equity
$393,335 $381,199 $418,262 
Return on average tangible equity
16.45 %22.22 %(0.18)%
(a) Based on a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate.
The return on average stockholders' equity and average tangible equity ratios continued to be impacted by the (recovery of) provision for credit losses during each of the respective periods.
For additional information related to changes in the (recovery of) provision for credit losses, refer to the sections in this discussion titled “(Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses" and "Allowance for Credit Losses.”

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FINANCIAL CONDITION
Cash and Cash Equivalents
At March 31, 2021, Peoples' interest-bearing deposits in other banks increased $53.9 million from December 31, 2020. The total cash and cash equivalents balance included $120.0 million of excess cash reserves being maintained at the FRB of Cleveland at March 31, 2021, compared to $25.1 million at December 31, 2020. 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, coupled with increased liquidity needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the first three months of 2021, Peoples' total cash and cash equivalents increased $48.3 million as Peoples' net cash used in investing activities of $350.3 million was less than the sum of net cash provided by financing and operating activities of $380.2 million and $18.3 million, respectively. Peoples' investing activities reflected a net increase of $7.7 million in loans and $329.3 million in purchases of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities, which were partially offset by $100.5 million in net proceeds from sales, principal payments, calls and prepayments on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities. Financing activities included a $393.4 million net increase in deposits offset partially by a decrease of $5.4 million in short-term borrowings, as well as no purchase of treasury stock under the share repurchase program and $7.1 million of cash dividends paid.
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:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:    
Obligations of:     
U.S. government sponsored agencies$18,471 $5,363 $5,383 $5,396 $6,361 
States and political subdivisions218,484 114,919 104,126 107,032 108,812 
Residential mortgage-backed securities596,181 623,218 726,992 748,867 823,893 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities27,481 4,783 10,568 12,157 17,061 
Bank-issued trust preferred securities4,730 4,730 4,633 4,399 4,708 
Total fair value$865,347 $753,013 $851,702 $877,851 $960,835 
Total amortized cost$859,120 $734,544 $829,899 $853,072 $932,179 
Net unrealized gain $6,227 $18,469 $21,803 $24,779 $28,656 
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost:
Obligations of:
US government sponsored agencies$30,211 $— $— $— $— 
States and political subdivisions (a)92,436 35,139 3,539 3,538 $3,838 
Residential mortgage-backed securities24,878 25,890 26,926 28,075 29,070 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities18,705 5,429 5,678 5,754 5,830 
Total amortized cost$166,230 $66,458 $36,143 $37,367 $38,738 
Other investment securities$34,026 $37,560 $40,715 $42,656 $46,924 
Total investment securities:
Amortized cost$1,059,376 $838,562 $906,757 $933,095 $1,017,841 
Carrying value$1,065,603 $857,031 $928,560 $957,874 $1,046,497 
(a) Amortized cost is presented net of the allowance for credit losses of $182,000 at March 31, 2021, $60,000 at December 31, 2020 and $6,000 at each of September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020.
At March 31, 2021, the fair value of available-for-sale securities increased $112.3 million, or 15%, compared to December 31,
2020. The increase compared to the prior quarter-end was driven by an increase in available-for-sale commercial-mortgage backed securities that were purchased during the first quarter of 2021, coupled with purchases of available for sale and held-to-maturity obligations of state and political subdivisions. During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples increased the relative size of its investment portfolio as a percent of total assets as it experienced an influx in cash from higher deposit balances.

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Additional information regarding Peoples' investment portfolio can be found in "Note 3 Investment Securities" of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Loans
The following table provides information regarding outstanding loan balances:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Originated loans:
     
Construction
$75,189 $103,169 $103,948 $105,493 $106,415 
Commercial real estate, other
832,399 780,324 752,480 738,292 707,339 
     Commercial real estate
907,588 883,493 856,428 843,785 813,754 
Commercial and industrial
935,150 943,024 1,029,613 1,032,970 611,791 
Premium finance109,129 100,571 60,908 — — 
Residential real estate
306,440 281,623 284,645 285,407 293,078 
Home equity lines of credit
92,540 93,296 91,701 90,612 91,344 
Consumer, indirect
519,749 503,526 491,663 450,296 418,022 
Consumer, direct
75,998 75,591 75,106 74,614 71,230 
    Consumer
595,747 579,117 566,769 524,910 489,252 
Deposit account overdrafts
298 351 519 592 610 
Total originated loans
$2,946,892 $2,881,475 $2,890,583 $2,778,276 $2,299,829 
Acquired loans (a):
Construction
$3,510 $3,623 $4,103 $4,460 $4,450 
Commercial real estate, other
132,850 149,529 160,759 176,128 190,478 
     Commercial real estate
136,360 153,152 164,862 180,588 194,928 
Commercial and industrial
29,611 30,621 34,396 37,356 42,739 
Premium finance1,461 14,187 43,217 — — 
Residential real estate
267,260 292,384 304,804 327,677 332,288 
Home equity lines of credit
24,886 27,617 30,234 32,772 36,667 
Consumer, indirect
— 36 38 44 
Consumer, direct
3,206 3,503 3,953 4,312 4,942 
    Consumer
3,206 3,504 3,989 4,350 4,986 
Total acquired loans
$462,784 $521,465 $581,502 $582,743 $611,608 
Total loans
$3,409,676 $3,402,940 $3,472,085 $3,361,019 $2,911,437 
Percent of loans to total loans:
  
Construction
2.3 %3.1 %3.1 %3.3 %3.8 %
Commercial real estate, other
28.3 %27.3 %26.3 %27.2 %30.8 %
     Commercial real estate
30.6 %30.4 %29.4 %30.5 %34.6 %
Commercial and industrial
28.3 %28.6 %30.6 %31.9 %22.5 %
Premium finance3.2 %3.4 %3.0 %— %— %
Residential real estate
16.8 %16.9 %17.0 %18.2 %21.5 %
Home equity lines of credit
3.5 %3.6 %3.5 %3.7 %4.4 %
Consumer, indirect
15.3 %14.8 %14.2 %13.4 %14.4 %
Consumer, direct
2.3 %2.3 %2.3 %2.3 %2.6 %
    Consumer
17.6 %17.1 %16.5 %15.7 %17.0 %
Total percentage
100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
Residential real estate loans being serviced for others
$469,788 $485,972 $490,170 $491,545 $503,158 
(a)    Includes all loans acquired, and related loan discount recorded as part of acquisition accounting, 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).
Period-end total loan balances at March 31, 2021 increased $6.7 million compared to December 31, 2020. The increase compared to December 31, 2020 was mostly driven by increases in commercial real estate balances of $35.4 million, commercial and industrial loan balances of $8.1 million, excluding PPP loans, and consumer indirect loan balances of $16.0 million. These increases were partially offset by a decline in construction loan balance of $28.0 million, due to construction projects being completed and construction loans then converting to permanent financing. PPP loans decreased $17.0 million, due to the amount of loans forgiven exceeding new loan originations during the first quarter of 2021. Excluding the PPP loan balances, Peoples' originated loans grew by 3% annualized compared to December 31, 2020.

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Loan growth in recent quarters has been negatively impacted by lower than usual line of credit utilization rates, both for commercial and consumer lines of credit. Compared to December 31, 2020, the declining utilization rate on line of credits resulted in a $28.8 million decrease in aggregate outstanding balances of lines of credit.
The increase compared to March 31, 2020 was largely due to the increases in PPP loans and premium finance loans, and growth in consumer indirect loans. These increases were partially offset by decreases in residential real estate loans, construction loans and lines of credit. Residential real estate loans declined due to refinance activity driven by the low-rate environment. Acquired loan balances decreased due to loans being paid off or re-underwritten, at which point Peoples no longer considers the loans acquired.
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, continued to comprise the largest portion of Peoples' loan portfolio. The following tables provide information regarding the largest concentrations of commercial construction loans and commercial real estate loans within the loan portfolio at March 31, 2021:
(Dollars in thousands)Outstanding BalanceLoan CommitmentsTotal Exposure% of Total
Construction:    
Apartment complexes$45,392 $120,670 $166,062 63.0 %
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes11,457 19,006 30,463 11.6 %
Land only13,146 14,797 27,943 10.5 %
Lodging and lodging related1,875 8,966 10,841 4.1 %
Mixed-use facilities1,933 7,915 9,848 3.7 %
Storage facility 205 5,804 6,009 2.3 %
Other (a)4,691 7,853 12,544 4.8 %
Total construction$78,699 $185,011 $263,710 100.0 %
(a) All other outstanding balances are less than 2% of the total loan portfolio.

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(Dollars in thousands)Outstanding BalanceLoan CommitmentsTotal Exposure% of Total
Commercial real estate, other:    
Office buildings and complexes:  
Owner occupied$73,312 $1,720 $75,032 7.5 %
Non-owner occupied66,595 3,918 70,513 7.1 %
Total office buildings and complexes139,907 5,638 145,545 14.6 %
Retail facilities:
Owner occupied38,945 399 39,344 4.0 %
Non-owner occupied57,920 250 58,170 5.9 %
Total retail facilities96,865 649 97,514 9.9 %
Apartment complexes91,523 2,140 93,663 9.4 %
Mixed-use facilities:
Owner occupied54,807 1,593 56,400 5.7 %
Non-owner occupied35,789 786 36,575 3.7 %
Total mixed-use facilities90,596 2,379 92,975 9.4 %
Light industrial facilities: 
Owner occupied56,619 1,319 57,938 5.8 %
Non-owner occupied21,406 1,088 22,494 2.3 %
Total light industrial facilities78,025 2,407 80,432 8.1 %
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes74,693 1,011 75,704 7.6 %
Warehouse facilities:
Owner occupied37,391 1,400 38,791 3.9 %
Non-owner occupied27,457 12 27,469 2.8 %
Total warehouse facilities64,848 1,412 66,260 6.7 %
Lodging and lodging related:
Owner occupied12,295 — 12,295 1.2 %
Non-owner occupied39,960 — 39,960 4.0 %
Total lodging and lodging related52,255 — 52,255 5.2 %
Education services:
Owner occupied15,477 98 15,575 1.6 %
Non-owner occupied26,093 4,000 30,093 3.0 %
Total education services41,570 4,098 45,668 4.6 %
Gas station facilities:
Owner occupied18,878 22 18,900 1.9 %
Non-owner occupied5,005 — 5,005 0.5 %
Total gas station facilities23,883 22 23,905 2.4 %
Other (a)211,084 9,028 220,112 22.1 %
Total commercial real estate, other$965,249 $28,784 $994,033 100.0 %
(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 March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
COVID-19 Loan Impacts
Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program
In March 2020, the CARES Act created a new loan guarantee program called the PPP targeted to provide small businesses with support to cover payroll and certain other specified expenses. Loans made under the PPP are fully guaranteed by the SBA. The PPP loans also afford borrowers forgiveness up to the principal amount of the PPP covered loan, plus accrued interest, if the loan proceeds are used to retain workers and maintain payroll and/or to make certain mortgage interest, lease and utility payments, and certain other criteria are satisfied. The SBA will reimburse PPP lenders for any amount of a PPP covered loan that is forgiven, and PPP lenders will not be held liable for any representations made by PPP borrowers in connection with their requests for loan forgiveness.
Peoples is a PPP participating lender, and as of March 31, 2021, Peoples had aggregate outstanding principal balances of PPP loans of $349.9 million included in commercial and industrial loans. Peoples also recorded deferred loan origination fees related

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to the PPP loans, net of deferred loan origination costs, which totaled $9.3 million at March 31, 2021. For the first quarter of 2021, Peoples recorded amortization of net deferred loan origination fees of $4.7 million on PPP loans. The net deferred loan origination fees will be amortized over the life of the respective loans, or until forgiven by the SBA, and will be recognized in net interest income.
Payment Relief and Loan Modifications
Peoples is also providing relief solutions to consumer and commercial borrowers. For consumer borrowers, Peoples is providing interest-only payment options to customers for a period of up to 90 days, with the ability to extend if needed. Peoples is also providing forbearance to its consumer borrowers which allows them to defer their principal and interest payments for up to 90 days for non-residential real estate consumer loans and up to 180 days for residential real estate consumer loans. In addition, for commercial borrowers who meet certain criteria, Peoples is providing interest-only payment options, principal and interest deferrals, and increased financing. Peoples continues to prudently work with borrowers and review any additional requests for deferment more closely. These requests are maintained within the CARES Act guidance and have not exceeded twelve consecutive months of deferred payment.
At March 31, 2021, Peoples had approximately $13.0 million of deferments outstanding. Of this total, commercial loan deferments comprised approximately $12.0 million, while consumer loans totaled approximately $1.0 million. Subsequent to March 31, 2021, one larger hotel operator requested additional payment relief beyond the original three months previously provided. Peoples granted an additional three months of interest-only payments to the borrower, which increased Peoples' total deferments to $31.0 million as of March 31, 2021.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The amount of the allowance for credit losses at the end of each period represents management's estimate of expected losses from existing loans based upon its quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio. While this process involves allocations being made to specific loans and pools of loans, the entire allowance is available for all losses expected within the loan portfolio.
The following details management's allocation of the allowance for credit losses:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Commercial real estate$18,663 $19,423 $21,549 $21,810 $13,884 
Commercial and industrial10,108 12,763 13,099 10,106 8,743 
     Total commercial28,771 32,186 34,648 31,916 22,627 
Premium finance1,160 1,095 986 — — 
Residential real estate4,935 6,044 5,988 6,380 5,744 
Home equity lines of credit1,494 1,860 1,797 1,755 1,695 
Consumer, indirect7,522 8,030 12,772 12,293 10,878 
Consumer, direct970 1,081 1,861 1,941 1,803 
    Consumer8,492 9,111 14,633 14,234 12,681 
Deposit account overdrafts45 63 76 77 86 
Allowance for credit losses$44,897 $50,359 $58,128 $54,362 $42,833 
As a percent of total loans1.32 %1.48 %1.67 %1.62 %1.47 %
During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples decreased its allowance for credit losses due to the recent developments related to COVID-19 and the resulting impact on the economic assumptions used in estimating the allowance for credit losses under the CECL model, offset by an increase in specific reserves of $3.5 million related to five commercial relationships compared to December 31 2020.
During much of 2020, Peoples increased its allowance for credit losses based on CECL model results, which incorporated economic forecasts that included the impact of COVID-19 on certain economic factors. These forecasts included higher unemployment rates nationally and in Ohio, and lower Ohio Gross Domestic Product, which are the key assumptions within the CECL model, compared to prior periods. During the third quarter of 2020, Peoples also recorded allowance for credit losses associated with the loans acquired from Triumph Premium Finance on July 1, 2020, which included $84.7 million in loans at the acquisition date.
The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was negatively impacted by PPP loans, for which there is an SBA guarantee and no related allowance for credit losses is recorded. At March 31, 2021, PPP loans negatively impacted the allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans by 15 basis points, compared to 18 basis points at December 31, 2020, 26 basis points at September 30, 2020 and 23 basis points at June 30, 2020.
Additional information regarding Peoples' allowance for credit losses can be found in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K and "Note 4 Loans" of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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The following table summarizes Peoples’ net charge-offs and recoveries:
Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Gross charge-offs:  
Commercial real estate, other$96 $274 $109 $135 $10 
Commercial and industrial293 465 146 15 937 
Premium finance16 — — 
Residential real estate133 98 121 16 118 
Home equity lines of credit12 80 — 14 
Consumer, indirect505 498 370 336 721 
Consumer, direct36 59 15 51 62 
    Consumer541 557 385 387 783 
Deposit account overdrafts103 139 202 119 213 
Total gross charge-offs$1,194 $1,614 $965 $681 $2,075 
Recoveries: 
Commercial real estate, other$(61)$74 $$$116 
Commercial and industrial— 512 — 805 1,204 
Premium finance— — — — — 
Residential real estate15 45 100 100 57 
Home equity lines of credit
Consumer, indirect105 41 64 72 125 
Consumer, direct26 12 13 10 14 
    Consumer131 53 77 82 139 
Deposit account overdrafts54 30 47 49 60 
Total recoveries$143 $715 $230 $1,050 $1,577 
Net charge-offs (recoveries):  
Commercial real estate, other$157 $200 $105 $129 $(106)
Commercial and industrial293 (47)146 (790)(267)
Premium finance16 — — 
Residential real estate118 53 21 (84)61 
Home equity lines of credit79 (2)13 
Consumer, indirect400 457 306 264 596 
Consumer, direct10 47 41 48 
    Consumer410 504 308 305 644 
Deposit account overdrafts49 109 155 70 153 
Total net charge-offs (recoveries)$1,051 $899 $735 $(369)$498 
Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans (annualized):
Commercial real estate, other0.02 %0.02 %0.01 %0.02 %(0.01)%
Commercial and industrial0.04 %(0.01)%0.02 %(0.11)%(0.04)%
Premium finance— %— %— %— %— %
Residential real estate0.01 %0.01 %— %(0.01)%0.01 %
Consumer, indirect0.05 %0.05 %0.03 %0.03 %0.08 %
Consumer, direct— %0.01 %— %0.01 %0.01 %
    Consumer0.05 %0.06 %0.03 %0.04 %0.09 %
Deposit account overdrafts0.01 %0.02 %0.02 %0.01 %0.02 %
Total0.13 %0.10 %0.08 %(0.05)%0.07 %
Each with "--%" not meaningful.
Net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2021 were 0.13% of average total loans on an annualized basis. The higher net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2021, compared to the linked quarter and the first quarter of 2020, were related to recoveries of $508,000 for the fourth quarter of 2020 and of $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, on a single commercial loan relationship that had been previously charged-off.


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The following table details Peoples’ nonperforming assets: 
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Loans 90+ days past due and accruing:     
Commercial real estate, other$55 $— $80 $130 $— 
Commercial and industrial— 50 74 — 806 
Premium finance109 205 — — — 
Residential real estate662 1,975 2,548 1,618 557 
Home equity lines of credit180 82 27 46 143 
Consumer, indirect24 39 86 57 — 
Consumer, direct14 17 — 29 37 
   Consumer38 56 86 86 37 
Total loans 90+ days past due and accruing$1,044 $2,368 $2,815 $1,880 $1,543 
Nonaccrual loans: 
Construction$$$$$99 
Commercial real estate, other8,084 8,744 8,762 9,413 9,167 
   Commercial real estate8,088 8,748 8,766 9,417 9,266 
Commercial and industrial4,067 4,017 4,067 4,745 4,408 
Residential real estate6,182 6,080 6,027 8,867 6,156 
Home equity lines of credit624 708 754 687 978 
Consumer, indirect825 883 801 802 637 
Consumer, direct146 160 148 208 122 
   Consumer971 1,043 949 1,010 759 
Total nonaccrual loans$19,932 $20,596 $20,563 $24,726 $21,567 
Nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs"):
Commercial real estate, other$337 367 $772 $265 $410 
Commercial and industrial2,034 2,175 2,250 — 602 
Residential real estate2,064 2,295 2,481 38 2,484 
Home equity lines of credit156 159 165 — 174 
Consumer, indirect206 190 160 — 197 
Consumer, direct15 11 45 — 48 
   Consumer221 201 205 — 245 
Total nonaccrual TDRs$4,812 $5,197 $5,873 $303 $3,915 
Total nonperforming loans ("NPLs")$25,788 $28,161 $29,251 $26,909 $27,025 
OREO: 
Commercial$— $— $145 $145 $145 
Residential$134 $134 $148 $91 $81 
Total OREO$134 $134 $293 $236 $226 
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs")$25,922 $28,295 $29,544 $27,145 $27,251 

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(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Criticized loans (a)$116,424 $126,619 $123,219 $105,499 $90,881 
Classified loans (b)76,095 72,518 76,009 66,567 68,787 
Asset Quality Ratios:
NPLs as a percent of total loans (c)(d)0.76 %0.82 %0.84 %0.80 %0.93 %
NPAs as a percent of total assets (c)(d)0.50 %0.59 %0.60 %0.54 %0.61 %
NPAs as a percent of total loans and OREO (c)(d)0.76 %0.84 %0.85 %0.80 %0.94 %
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of NPLs (c)(d)174.10 %180.14 %198.72 %202.02 %158.49 %
Criticized loans as a percent of total loans (a)(c)3.41 %3.72 %3.55 %3.14 %3.12 %
Classified loans as a percent of total loans (b)(c)2.23 %2.13 %2.19 %1.98 %2.36 %
(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 period indicated.
(d)    Nonperforming loans include loans 90+ days past due and accruing, TDRs and nonaccrual loans. Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans and OREO.
During the first quarter of 2021, nonperforming assets decreased $2.3 million compared to December 31, 2020. This decline was mostly due to several small relationships in both loans 90+ days past due and accruing and nonaccrual loans. The nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans and nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets ratios both decreased compared to December 31, 2020, due to the lower amount of nonperforming loans at the end of the first quarter of 2021.
Criticized loans, which are those categorized as special mention, substandard or doubtful, decreased $10.2 million, or 8%, compared to December 31, 2020 and increased $25.5 million, or 28%, compared to March 31, 2020. The decrease in the amount of criticized loans compared to December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the upgrade of four commercial relationships, totaling $3.9 million, paydowns of $5.6 million, and $1.8 million of normal amortization. Compared to March 31, 2020, the increase in the amount of criticized loans was largely due to the downgrades of a few commercial relationships based on updated information on the borrowers that became available. Classified loans, which are those categorized as substandard or doubtful, grew $3.6 million, or 5%, compared to December 31, 2020, and were up $7.3 million, or 11%, compared to March 31, 2020.
On March 22, 2020, federal and state government banking regulators issued a joint statement, with which the FASB concurred as to the approach, regarding accounting for loan modifications for borrowers affected by COVID-19. In this guidance, short-term modifications, made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19, to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not considered TDRs. This includes short-term modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment which are insignificant. Under the guidance, borrowers that are considered to be current are those that were less than 30 days past due on their contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented. In addition, modification or deferral programs mandated by the U.S. federal government or any state government related to COVID-19 are not TDRs within the scope of ASC 310-40.
On August 3, 2020, federal and state banking regulators issued a joint statement, encouraging financial institutions to consider prudent accommodation options to mitigate losses for the borrower and financial institution beyond the initial accommodation period. In this guidance, institutions should also provide consumers with available options for repaying missed payments at the end of their accommodation to avoid delinquencies, as well as options for changes to terms to support sustainable and affordable payments for the long term. These considerations should also include prudent risk management practices at the financial institution based on the credit risk of the borrower. Peoples is actively working with its customers to address any further accommodation needs while carefully evaluating the associated credit risk of the borrowers.



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Deposits
The following table details Peoples’ deposit balances:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Non-interest-bearing deposits (a)$1,206,034 $997,323 $982,912 $1,005,732 $727,266 
Interest-bearing deposits: 
Interest-bearing demand accounts (a)722,470 692,113 666,134 666,181 637,011 
Savings accounts676,345 628,190 589,625 580,703 527,295 
Retail certificates of deposit ("CDs") 433,214 445,930 461,216 474,593 487,153 
Money market deposit accounts586,099 591,373 581,398 598,641 485,999 
Governmental deposit accounts511,937 385,384 409,967 377,787 400,184 
Brokered deposits168,130 170,146 260,753 321,247 133,522 
Total interest-bearing deposits3,098,195 2,913,136 2,969,093 3,019,152 2,671,164 
  Total deposits$4,304,229 $3,910,459 $3,952,005 $4,024,884 $3,398,430 
(a)The sum of amounts presented is considered total demand deposits.
At March 31, 2021, period-end deposits increased $393.8 million, or 10%, compared to December 31, 2020, and increased $905.8 million, or 27%, compared to March 31, 2020. The increases in total deposits compared to December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, were related to increases in non-interest bearing deposits due to customers maintaining higher balances, as a result of PPP loan proceeds, fiscal stimulus payments and changes in customer spending habits in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In prior quarterly periods in the table above, Peoples experienced increases in most low-cost deposit categories.
In the prior third and fourth quarters of 2020 noted in the table above, Peoples had reduced its reliance on higher-rate brokered deposits, which included one-way buy Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services. The change in brokered deposits was partially offset by the issuance of 90-day brokered deposits to fund interest rate swaps. The swaps will pay a fixed rate of interest while receiving three-month LIBOR, which offsets the rate on the brokered deposits. As of March 31, 2021, Peoples had seventeen effective interest rate swaps, with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million, of which $110.0 million were designated as cash flow hedges of overnight brokered deposits, 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 hedged 90-day brokered deposits, 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.
Total demand deposit accounts comprised 45% of total deposits at March 31, 2021, compared to 43% at December 31, 2020, and 40% at March 31, 2020. Peoples continues its deposit strategy of growing low-cost core deposits, such as checking and savings accounts, while utilizing brokered deposits as a funding source when necessary.




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Borrowed Funds
The following table details Peoples’ short-term and long-term borrowings:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Short-term borrowings:
     
Overnight borrowings
$— $— $— $— $64,000 
FHLB 90-day advances
— — 110,000 110,000 110,000 
Current portion of long-term FHLB advances
20,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 45,000 
Retail repurchase agreements
47,868 53,261 47,063 42,912 40,661 
Total short-term borrowings
$67,868 $73,261 $182,063 $177,912 $259,661 
Long-term borrowings:
 
FHLB advances
$102,645 102,957 $103,815 $105,005 $125,300 
Junior subordinated debt securities
7,650 7,611 7,571 7,531 7,491 
Total long-term borrowings
$110,295 $110,568 $111,386 $112,536 $132,791 
Total borrowed funds
$178,163 $183,829 $293,449 $290,448 $392,452 
Borrowed funds, in total, which include overnight borrowings, are mainly a function of loan growth and changes in total deposit balances. Total borrowed funds declined 3% compared to December 31, 2020, as Peoples utilized cash and cash equivalents, coupled with paydowns and proceeds from maturities from its investment securities portfolio to satisfy most of its liquidity needs. The decline in borrowed funds at March 31, 2021, compared to March 31, 2020 was mostly due to the reduced need of overnight borrowings to fund liquidity needs as Peoples experienced an influx in deposit balances during the period, which was mostly related to PPP proceeds and government fiscal stimulus payments.
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased $9.0 million, or 10%, compared to December 31, 2020 and $12.8 million compared to March 31, 2020. The decreases were due to changes related to the fair value of swap derivatives as of March 31, 2021. These decreases were partially offset by increases in accrued interest payable and other liabilities. Additional information regarding Peoples' interest rate swaps can be found in "Note 8 Derivative Financial Instruments" of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital/Stockholders’ Equity
At March 31, 2021, capital levels for both Peoples and Peoples Bank remained substantially higher than the minimum amounts needed to be considered "well capitalized" institutions under applicable banking regulations. These higher capital levels reflect Peoples' desire to maintain a strong capital position. 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 of 2.50%, which applies to the common equity tier 1 ("CET1") ratio, the tier 1 capital ratio and the total risk-based capital ratio. At March 31, 2021, Peoples had a capital conservation buffer of 5.78%. As such, Peoples exceeded the minimum ratios including the capital conservation buffer at March 31, 2021.
The following table details Peoples' risk-based capital levels and corresponding ratios:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Capital Amounts:     
Common Equity Tier 1$418,089 $409,400 $398,553 $408,619 $415,768 
Tier 1425,739 417,011 406,124 416,150 423,259 
Total (Tier 1 and Tier 2)463,872 456,384 445,101 454,641 459,727 
Net risk-weighted assets$3,365,637 $3,146,767 $3,106,817 $3,072,178 $2,988,263 
Capital Ratios:
Common Equity Tier 112.42 %13.01 %12.83 %13.30 %13.91 %
Tier 112.65 %13.25 %13.07 %13.55 %14.16 %
Total (Tier 1 and Tier 2)13.78 %14.50 %14.33 %14.80 %15.38 %
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.00 %8.97 %8.62 %8.97 %10.06 %
During the first quarter of 2021, Peoples' net income of $15.5 million exceeded dividends declared of $6.8 million, which increased Peoples' capital levels. Net risk-weighted assets also grew compared to December 31, 2020, due to loan and investment

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growth. The NSL acquisition negatively impacted the regulatory capital ratios at March 31, 2021, as the purchase price was included in net risk-weighted assets and there was no capital issued in connection with the acquisition.
During 2020, Peoples repurchased common shares during each quarter of the year, which reduced regulatory capital levels. Peoples also completed the premium finance company acquisition on July 1, 2020, which impacted regulatory capital levels due to the recognition of goodwill and intangibles associated with the acquisition. Peoples did not purchase any common shares in the first quarter of 2021.
In addition to traditional capital measurements, management uses tangible capital measures to evaluate the adequacy of Peoples' stockholders' equity. Such ratios represent non-US GAAP financial measures since their calculation removes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on amounts reported in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 similar level of intangible assets 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' Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements:
(Dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Tangible equity:     
Total stockholders' equity
$578,893 $575,673 $566,856 $569,177 $583,721 
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets
184,007 184,597 185,397 176,625 177,447 
Tangible equity
$394,886 $391,076 $381,459 $392,552 $406,274 
Tangible assets:
 
Total assets
$5,143,052 $4,760,764 $4,911,807 $4,985,819 $4,469,120 
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets
184,007 184,597 185,397 176,625 177,447 
Tangible assets
$4,959,045 $4,576,167 $4,726,410 $4,809,194 $4,291,673 
Tangible book value per common share:    
Tangible equity
$394,886 $391,076 $381,459 $392,552 $406,274 
Common shares outstanding
19,629,633 19,563,979 19,721,783 19,925,083 20,346,843 
Tangible book value per common share
$20.12 $19.99 $19.34 $19.70 $19.97 
Tangible equity to tangible assets ratio:
Tangible equity
$394,886 $391,076 $381,459 $392,552 $406,274 
Tangible assets
$4,959,045 $4,576,167 $4,726,410 $4,809,194 $4,291,673 
Tangible equity to tangible assets
7.96 %8.55 %8.07 %8.16 %9.47 %
Tangible book value per common share grew to $20.12 at March 31, 2021, compared to $19.99 at December 31, 2020. The improvement in tangible book value per common share was mostly due to higher capital levels as net income exceeded dividends declared, which was net of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss caused by the change in fair value of investment securities, during the first quarter of 2021.
The tangible equity to tangible assets ratio declined at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020. This decline was driven by higher tangible assets related to increases in investment securities, cash and cash equivalents, and other assets. The increase in other assets was driven by the NSL acquisition, for which the purchase price was paid and recorded on March 31, 2021. The declines in the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio during much of 2020 was due to reduced equity as Peoples recorded higher provision for credit losses during the second and third quarters of 2020, while it recorded a recovery of credit losses during the fourth quarter of 2020. Peoples also repurchased common shares in each quarter of 2020, contributing to the decline in the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio during those periods and did not repurchase any common shares during the first quarter of 2021.

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 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

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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 its Asset-Liability Committee (the “ALCO”), which has established an IRR management policy that sets minimum requirements and guidelines for monitoring and managing the level of IRR. The methods used by the ALCO to assess IRR remain largely unchanged from those disclosed in Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K.
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 Rate
Estimated Increase (Decrease) in
Net Interest Income
Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Economic Value of Equity
(in Basis Points)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
300$20,996 15.8 %$22,034 17.3 %$58,993 6.8 %$117,235 15.7 %
20014,620 11.0 %15,899 12.5 %49,661 5.7 %95,189 12.7 %
1008,008 6.0 %8,981 7.1 %35,670 4.1 %60,384 8.1 %
(100)(9,098)(6.8)%(7,030)(5.5)%(107,184)(12.4)%(116,205)(15.5)%
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, as well as assumptions regarding prepayment speeds on mortgage-backed securities. These and other modeling assumptions are monitored closely by Peoples on an ongoing basis.
With respect to investment prepayment speeds, the assumptions used are the results of a third-party prepayment model which projects the rate at which the underlying mortgages will prepay. These prepayment speeds affect the amount forecasted for cash flow reinvestment, premium amortization, and discount accretion assumed in interest rate risk modeling results. This prepayment activity is generally the result of refinancing activity and tends to increase as longer term interest rates decline, much like the current environment. The assumptions in the interest rate risk model could be incorrect, leading to either a lesser or greater impact on net interest income.
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 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 March 31, 2021, consideration of the bear steepener and bull flattener scenarios provide insights which were not captured by parallel shifts. These scenarios were evaluated as the current environment suggests these may be possible outcomes for the trajectory of interest rates.
The bear steepener scenario highlights the risk to net interest income and the economic value of equity when short-term rates remain constant while long-term rates rise. In such a scenario, Peoples' deposit and borrowing costs, which are correlated with short-term rates, remain constant, while asset yields, which are correlated with long-term rates, rise. Increased asset yields would not be offset by increases in deposit or funding costs; resulting in an increased amount of net interest income and higher net interest margin. At March 31, 2021, the bear steepener scenario resulted in an increase in both net interest income and economic value of equity of 1.7% and 7.0%, respectively.
The bull flattener scenario highlights the risk to net interest income and the economic value of equity when short-term rates remain constant while long-term rates fall. In such a scenario, Peoples’ deposit and borrowing costs, which are correlated with short-term rates, remain constant while asset yields, which are correlated with long-term rates, fall. Asset yields driven lower by increased investment securities premium amortization would not be offset by reductions in deposit or funding costs; resulting in a

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decreased amount of net interest income and lower net interest margin. At March 31, 2021, the bull flattener scenario resulted in a decrease in both net interest income and economic value of equity of 1.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Peoples was within the policy limitations for this alternative scenario as of March 31, 2021, which sets the maximum allowable downside exposure as 5.0% of net interest income and 10.0% of economic value of equity.
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 March 31, 2021, Peoples had entered into 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 8 Derivative Financial Instruments” of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
At March 31, 2021, Peoples' Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet was positioned to benefit from rising interest rates in terms of the potential impact on net interest income and the economic value of equity. The table above 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 decrease in economic value of equity asset sensitivity, as measured, from December 31, 2020 was largely attributable to increased effective duration in the investment securities portfolio.
Liquidity
In addition to IRR management, another major objective of the ALCO is to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity. The methods used by the ALCO to monitor and evaluate the adequacy of Peoples Bank's liquidity position remain unchanged from those disclosed in Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K.
At March 31, 2021, Peoples Bank had liquid assets of $179.6 million, which represented 3.1% of total assets and unfunded loan commitments. Peoples also had an additional $207.5 million of unpledged investment securities not included in the measurement of liquid assets.
Management believes the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, anticipated investment portfolio cash flows and the availability of other funding sources, will allow Peoples to meet anticipated cash obligations, as well as special needs and off-balance sheet commitments.
Peoples is authorized to utilize the Federal Reserve's Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility ("PPPLF") to fund originations under the PPP; however, Peoples did not use this borrowing line during the first quarter of 2021 and had no outstanding balance at March 31, 2021.
Since March 31, 2020, there has been an increase in deposit balances due to the influx of funds from the government fiscal stimulus, the PPP and other government actions. Peoples anticipates that these deposit balances will decline over time as the funds are used for intended business purposes; however, this deposit outflow should be partially offset as the associated PPP loans are forgiven and loan reimbursement is received. At the same time, we have experienced a decrease in the utilization rate for commercial lines of credit. This decrease is related to the receipt of PPP loan proceeds and other increased cash flows to certain companies. Peoples expects the commercial line of credit utilization percentage to revert back to more historical averages as time progresses. The utilization percentage for consumer line of credit products has been relatively steady.

Off-Balance Sheet Activities and Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, Peoples is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk necessary to meet the financing needs of Peoples' customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contract amounts of these instruments express the extent of involvement Peoples has in these financial instruments.
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 performance of an obligation or service. Historically, most loan commitments and standby letters of credit expire unused. Peoples Bank's 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 Bank 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.
Peoples Bank routinely engages in activities that involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk that are not reflected in whole or in part in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. These activities are part of Peoples Bank's normal course of business and include traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments, interest rate contracts and commitments to make additional

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capital contributions in low-income housing tax credit investments. Traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments continue to represent the most significant off-balance sheet exposure.
The following table details the total contractual amount of loan commitments and standby letters of credit:
 (Dollars in thousands)
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
Home equity lines of credit$124,027 $117,792 $113,185 $116,634 $113,605 
Unadvanced construction loans190,715 141,009 123,338 113,119 97,153 
Other loan commitments555,102 535,250 498,472 426,776 413,515 
Loan commitments$869,844 $794,051 $734,995 $656,529 $624,273 
Standby letters of credit$10,295 $14,342 $13,177 $12,280 $12,883 
Management does not anticipate that Peoples Bank’s 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.

ITEM 3 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information called for by this Item 3 is provided under the caption “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity” under “ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 4 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of March 31, 2021.  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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 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 Peoples' fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 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 management's current knowledge and after consultation with legal counsel, management believes these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of Peoples.


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ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS
The disclosure below supplements the risk factors previously disclosed under “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of Part I of Peoples’ 2020 Form 10-K.  Those risk factors are not the only risks Peoples faces.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to management or that management currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect Peoples’ business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Changes in the federal, state, or local tax laws may negatively impact our financial performance. On March 31, 2021, President Biden unveiled his infrastructure plan, which includes a proposal to increase the federal corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% as part of a package of tax reforms to help fund the spending proposals in the plan. The Biden plan is in the early stages of the legislative process, which is expected to proceed this year due to the Democratic Party's majority in both houses of Congress. If adopted as proposed, the increase of the corporate tax rate would adversely affect our results of operations in future periods.

ITEM 2 UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
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 March 31, 2021:
Period
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Common Share
 
 
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)

Maximum
Number ( or Approximate Dollar Value) of Common Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
January 1 – 31, 2021— 

$— 

— $11,431,179 
February 1 – 28, 202126,426 (2)$31.34 (2)— $11,431,179 
March 1 – 31, 20211,010 
(2)(3)
$31.81 
(2)(3)
— $11,431,179 
Total27,436  $31.36   $11,431,179 
(1)On January 29, 2021, Peoples announced that on January 28, 2021, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $30 million of its outstanding common shares. This program replaced the share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40 million of its outstanding common shares, which Peoples' Board of Directors had authorized on February 27, 2020 and which was terminated on January 28, 2021. There were no shares repurchased under either plan during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
(2)Information reported includes: an aggregate of 26,426 common shares and 380 common shares withheld to satisfy income taxes associated with restricted common shares which were granted under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan and vested during February and March, respectively.
(3)Information reported includes 660 common shares purchased in open market transactions during March 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.

ITEM 3 DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.

ITEM 5 OTHER INFORMATION
None



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ITEM 6 EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 26, 2021, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.+
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples") on Form 8-K dated and filed on March 31, 2021 (File No. 0-16772)
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 Peoples' Registration Statement 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 Peoples' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Peoples’ Current Report 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 Peoples’ Current Report 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 Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 0-16772)
3.2(a) 
Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. P
 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Peoples’ Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on 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
 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 Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 0-16772)
 +Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K. 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 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 Peoples’ Current Report 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, 2010 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2(e) to Peoples’ Quarterly Report 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 the 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 Peoples' Current Report 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
4.1Notice of Removal of Administrator and Appointment and Replacement, dated February 11, 2021, 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 4.3(c) to Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K")
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, 2021]Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K
Summary of Perquisites for Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K
Summary of Base Salaries for Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K
Summary of Compensation for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Peoples' 2020 Form 10-K
 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
     
 Section 1350 Certifications Furnished herewith
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document ##Submitted electronically herewith #
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
104Cover 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 of Peoples Bancorp Inc. are the following documents formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; (iv) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; and (vi) Notes to the Unaudited 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 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:April 29, 2021By: /s/CHARLES W. SULERZYSKI
  Charles W. Sulerzyski
  President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:April 29, 2021By: /s/KATIE BAILEY
  KATIE BAILEY
  Executive Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


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