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WILSON BANK HOLDING CO - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

wbhc20190930_10q.htm
 

 

Table of Contents



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 0-20402

 


 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

 


 

Tennessee

 

 

62-1497076

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

623 West Main Street

Lebanon

TN

37087

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

(Zip Code)

 (615) 444-2265

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

☐ 

Smaller reporting company

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Common stock outstanding: 11,084,022 shares at May 7, 2021



 

 

 

 

Part I:

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements.

3

 

 

 

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets — March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings — For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings — For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity — For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

7

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

32

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosures required by Item 3 are incorporated by reference to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures.

46

 

 

 

 

Part II:

 

OTHER INFORMATION

47

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings.

47

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors.

47

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

47

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

47

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures.

47

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information.

47

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits.

47

 

 

 

 

Signatures

48

   

EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO

 

EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO

 

EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO

 

EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO

 

EX-101.INS

 

EX-101.SCH

 

EX-101.CAL

 

EX-101.DEF

 

EX-101.LAB

 

EX-101.PRE

 

EX-104  

 

 

 

 

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

  

(Unaudited)

  

(Audited)

 
  March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020 
  

(Dollars in Thousands Except Share Amounts)

 

Assets

        

Loans

 $2,334,329  $2,321,305 

Less: Allowance for loan losses

  (39,330)  (38,539)

Net loans

  2,294,999   2,282,766 

Available-for-sale, at market (amortized cost $616,063 and $570,842, respectively)

  613,932   580,543 

Loans held for sale

  28,635   19,474 

Interest bearing deposits

  411,491   304,750 

Restricted equity securities

  5,089   5,089 

Federal funds sold

  675   675 

Total earning assets

  3,354,821   3,193,297 

Cash and due from banks

  44,363   33,431 

Bank premises and equipment, net

  57,680   58,202 

Accrued interest receivable

  7,933   7,516 

Deferred income tax asset

  10,158   7,089 

Other real estate

  183    

Bank owned life insurance

  35,401   35,197 

Other assets

  33,161   30,067 

Goodwill

  4,805   4,805 

Total assets

 $3,548,505  $3,369,604 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

        

Deposits

 $3,140,826  $2,960,595 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     3,638 

Accrued interest and other liabilities

  26,452   25,250 

Total liabilities

  3,167,278   2,989,483 

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, $2.00 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 11,083,997 and 10,993,404 shares, respectively

  22,168   21,987 

Additional paid-in capital

  98,150   93,034 

Retained earnings

  262,483   257,935 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes of $557 and $2,536, respectively

  (1,574)  7,165 

Total stockholders’ equity

  381,227   380,121 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $3,548,505  $3,369,604 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  

(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Interest income:

        

Interest and fees on loans

 $28,493  $27,276 

Interest and dividends on securities:

        

Taxable securities

  1,692   2,040 

Exempt from federal income taxes

  323   242 

Interest on loans held for sale

  100   108 

Interest on federal funds sold

     56 

Interest on balances held at depository institutions

  108   316 

Interest and dividends on restricted securities

  26   49 

Total interest income

  30,742   30,087 

Interest expense:

        

Interest on negotiable order of withdrawal accounts

  211   443 

Interest on money market and savings accounts

  540   1,359 

Interest on time deposits

  2,149   3,041 

Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances

  133   151 

Total interest expense

  3,033   4,994 

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

  27,709   25,093 

Provision for loan losses

  827   1,469 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

  26,882   23,624 

Non-interest income:

        

Service charges on deposit accounts

  1,325   1,675 

Brokerage income

  1,398   1,189 

Debit and credit card interchange income

  2,529   2,003 

Other fees and commissions

  518   316 

Income on BOLI and annuity contracts

  204   183 

Gain on sale of loans

  3,606   911 

Gain on sale of securities

     158 

Gain on sale of other assets

  1    

Total non-interest income

  9,581   6,435 

Non-interest expense:

        

Salaries and employee benefits

  13,300   11,132 

Occupancy expenses, net

  1,291   1,150 

Advertising & public relations expense

  487   616 

Furniture and equipment expense

  826   768 

Data processing expense

  1,387   1,169 

ATM & interchange expense

  1,090   873 

Directors’ fees

  157   158 

Audit, legal & consulting expenses

  189   180 

Other operating expenses

  2,944   2,656 

Total non-interest expense

  21,671   18,702 

Earnings before income taxes

  14,792   11,357 

Income taxes

  3,648   2,326 

Net earnings

 $11,144  $9,031 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-basic

  11,079,350   10,864,866 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-diluted

  11,108,566   10,886,456 

Basic earnings per common share

 $1.01  $0.83 

Diluted earnings per common share

 $1.00  $0.83 

Dividends per common share

 $0.60  $0.60 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  

(In Thousands)

 

Net earnings

 $11,144  $9,031 

Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of tax:

        

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes of $3,093 and $1,493, respectively

  (8,739)  4,220 

Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) on the sale of securities included in net earnings, net of taxes of $0 and $41, respectively

     (117)

Other comprehensive earnings (losses)

  (8,739)  4,103 

Comprehensive earnings

 $2,405  $13,134 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited) 

 

  

Dollars In Thousands

 
  Common Stock  Additional Paid-In Capital  Retained Earnings  Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities  

Total

 

Three months ended:

                    

March 31, 2021

                    

Balance at beginning of period

 $21,987   93,034   257,935   7,165   380,121 
Cash dividends declared, $.60 per share        (6,596)     (6,596)
Issuance of 83,442 shares of common stock pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan  167   4,735         4,902 
Issuance of 7,151 shares of common stock pursuant to exercise of stock options, net  14   262         276 
Share based compensation expense     119         119 
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities during the period, net of taxes of $3,093           (8,739)  (8,739)
Net earnings for the quarter        11,144      11,144 

Balance at end of period

 $22,168   98,150   262,483   (1,574)  381,227 
                     

March 31, 2020

                    

Balance at beginning of period

 $21,586   82,249   232,456   693   336,984 
Cash dividends declared, $.60 per share        (6,476)     (6,476)

Issuance of 91,471 shares of common stock pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan

  183   4,825         5,008 

Issuance of 7,202 shares of common stock pursuant to exercise of stock options, net

  14   225         239 

Share based compensation expense

     108         108 

Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities during the period, net of taxes of $1,452

           4,103   4,103 

Net earnings for the quarter

        9,031      9,031 

Balance at end of period

 $21,783   87,407   235,011   4,796   348,997 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(Unaudited) 

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  

(In Thousands)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Consolidated net income

 $11,144  $9,031 
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities        
Provision for loan losses  827   1,469 
Deferred income taxes provision (benefit)  24   (46)
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment  1,055   998 
Net amortization of securities  1,285   771 
Net realized gains on sales of securities     (158)
Gains on mortgage loans sold, net  (3,606)  (911)
Stock-based compensation expense  418   178 
Loss on sale of repossessed assets  1    
Increase in value of life insurance and annuity contracts  (330)  (97)
Mortgage loans originated for resale  (78,769)  (34,451)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans  73,214   31,358 
Gain on lease modification     (30)
Right of use asset amortization  96   88 
Change in        
Accrued interest receivable  (417)  (1,082)
Other assets  (1,655)  (23)
Accrued interest payable  (815)  (600)
Other liabilities  4,161   4,131 
TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS  (4,511)  1,595 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES  6,633   10,626 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        
Activities in available for sale securities        
Purchases  (91,686)  (53,458)
Sales     19,998 
Maturities, prepayments and calls  45,180   52,323 
Net increase in loans  (14,773)  (76,025)
Purchase of buildings, leasehold improvements, and equipment  (533)  (465)
Proceeds from sale of other assets  69    
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES  (61,743)  (57,627)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        
Net change in deposits - non-maturing  182,391   79,718 
Net change in deposits - time  (2,160)  (11,786)
Net change in Federal Home Loan Bank Advances  (3,638)  (2,805)
Change in escrow balances  (2,392)  550 
Issuance of common stock related to exercise of stock options  276   239 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to dividend reinvestment plan  4,902   5,008 
Cash dividends paid on common stock  (6,596)  (6,476)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES  172,783   64,448 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  117,673   17,447 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD  338,856   159,770 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $456,529  $177,217 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(Unaudited) 

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  

(In Thousands)

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

        
Cash paid during the period for        
Interest $3,848  $5,594 
Taxes $991  $906 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

        

Change in fair value of securities available-for-sale, net of taxes of $3,093 and $1,452 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively

 $(8,739) $4,103 

Non-cash transfers from loans to other real estate

 $183  $- 

Non-cash transfers from loans to other assets

 $68  $- 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Business — Wilson Bank Holding Company (the “Company”) is a bank holding company whose primary business is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wilson Bank & Trust (the “Bank”). The Bank is a commercial bank headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee. The Bank provides a full range of banking services in its primary market areas of Wilson, Davidson, Rutherford, Trousdale, Sumner, Dekalb, Putnam, Smith, and Williamson Counties, Tennessee.

 

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All adjustments consisting of normally recurring accruals that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by the report have been included. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements and related notes appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of deferred tax assets, determination of any impairment of goodwill or other intangibles, other-than-temporary impairment of securities, the valuation of other real estate, and the fair value of financial instruments. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. There have been no significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Loans — Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances less unearned income, the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income on loans is accrued based on the principal balance outstanding. Loan origination fees, net of certain loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the related loan yield using a method which approximates the interest method.

 

Loans are charged off when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely. As such, a loan may be partially charged-off after a “confirming event” has occurred which serves to validate that full repayment pursuant to the terms of the loan is unlikely.

 

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower, which often is determined when the principal or interest on the loan is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection. Generally, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status, is reversed against current income. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received while the loan is classified as nonaccrual, but interest income recognition is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A nonaccrual loan is returned to accruing status once the loan has been brought current and collection is reasonably assured or the loan has been “well-secured” through other techniques. Past due status is determined based on the contractual due date per the underlying loan agreement.

 

All loans that are placed on nonaccrual are further analyzed to determine if they should be classified as impaired loans. At December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021, there were no loans classified as nonaccrual that were not also deemed to be impaired except for those loans not individually evaluated for impairment as described below. A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. This determination is made using one or more of a variety of techniques, which include a review of the borrower’s financial condition, debt-service coverage ratios, global cash flow analysis, guarantor support, other loan file information, meetings with borrowers, inspection or reappraisal of collateral and/or consultation with legal counsel as well as results of reviews of other similar industry credits (e.g. builder loans, development loans, church loans, etc). Loans with an identified weakness and principal balance of $500,000 or more are subject to individual identification for impairment. Individually identified impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a specific valuation allowance is established as a component of the allowance for loan losses or, in the case of collateral dependent loans, the excess may be charged off. Changes to the valuation allowance are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses. Any subsequent adjustments to present value calculations for impaired loan valuations as a result of the passage of time, such as changes in the anticipated payback period for repayment, are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses. For loans less than $500,000, the Company assigns a valuation allowance to these loans utilizing an allocation rate equal to the allocation rate calculated for non-impaired loans of a similar type.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses — The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that management believes to be adequate to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when they are known. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the portfolio, current economic conditions, volume, growth, composition of the loan portfolio, homogeneous pools of loans, risk ratings of specific loans, historical loan loss factors, loss experience of various loan segments, identified impaired loans and other factors related to the portfolio. This evaluation is performed quarterly and is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that are susceptible to significant change including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on any impaired loans.

 

9

 

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, we also consider the results of our ongoing independent loan review process. We undertake this process both to ascertain whether there are loans in the portfolio whose credit quality has weakened over time and to assist in our overall evaluation of the risk characteristics of the entire loan portfolio. Our loan review process includes the judgment of management, independent loan reviewers, and reviews that may have been conducted by third-party reviewers. We incorporate relevant loan review results in the loan impairment determination. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses, and may require the Company to record adjustments to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements    

 

ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 along with several other subsequent codification updates related to accounting for credit losses, requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.

 

ASU 2016-13 was originally to become effective for the Company on  January 1, 2020. On  March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act. The law contains several provisions applicable to companies like the Company. Among others, it gives lenders, including the Company, the option to defer the implementation of ASU 2016-13, which is known as the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) standard, until 60 days after the declaration of the end of the public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic or  December 31, 2020, whichever comes first. On  December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The law contains several provisions applicable to companies like the Company. Among them, it gives lenders, including the Company, the option to further defer the implementation of ASU 2016-13, until  January 1, 2022. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff has stated that opting to delay the implementation of CECL shall be considered to be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As a result, the Company has elected to delay implementation of CECL until  January 1, 2022.

 

We currently believe the adoption of ASU 2016-13 would have resulted in an approximately 2 - 6% increase in our allowance for loan losses as of  January 1, 2020. That estimated increase is a result of changing from an “incurred loss” model, which encompasses allowances for current known and inherent losses within the portfolio, to an “expected loss” model, which encompasses allowances for losses expected to be incurred over the life of the portfolio. As of  March 31, 2021, we currently believe the adoption of ASU 2016-13 would have resulted in an approximately 2 - 6% increase in our allowance for loan losses over the level recorded at  March 31, 2021. 

 

Prior to the CARES Act being signed and the Company’s decision to delay the implementation of CECL, the Company was completing its CECL implementation plan with a cross-functional working group, under the direction of the Chief Credit Officer along with our Chief Financial Officer. The working group also included individuals from various functional areas including credit, risk management, accounting and information technology, among others. The Company’s implementation plan included assessment and documentation of processes, internal controls and data sources; model development, documentation and validation; and system configuration, among other things. The Company contracted with a third-party vendor to assist it in the implementation of CECL. Implementation efforts have been finalized and controls and processes are in place. The ultimate impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 could differ from our current expectation. Furthermore, ASU 2016-13 will necessitate that we establish an allowance for expected credit losses for available-for-sale securities and other financial assets and it also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposure like loan commitments and other investments; however, we do not expect these allowances to be significant. Pursuant to an interim final rule issued on  March 27, 2020 by the federal banking regulatory agencies, the Company has the option to phase in over a three-year period the transition adjustments to capital resulting from the adoption of CECL for regulatory capital purposes. If adopted, the cumulative amount of the transition adjustments will become fixed at the start of the three-year period, and will be phased out of the regulatory capital calculations evenly over such period, with 75% recognized in year one, 50% recognized in year two, and 25% recognized in year three. The Company has not yet decided if it will take advantage of this option. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a significant impact on our regulatory capital ratios.

 

ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test which required entities to compute the implied fair value of goodwill. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 became effective for us on  January 1, 2020, and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

 

ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in this update remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, modify/clarify the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU 2018-13 became effective for us on  January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

 

ASU 2020-4, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-4 provides optional expedients and exceptions for accounting related to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after  December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of  December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. ASU 2020-4 was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through  December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2020-4 did not significantly impact our financial statements.

 

10

 

ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs.” ASU 2020-08 clarifies the accounting for the amortization of purchase premiums for callable debt securities with multiple call dates. ASU 2020-8 was effective for us on January 1, 2021 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

 

ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope.” ASU 2021-01 clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 also amends the expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-01 did not significantly impact our financial statements.

 

Other than those previously discussed, there were no other recently issued accounting pronouncements that are expected to materially impact the Company.

 

 
11

 
 

Note 2. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Company classifies its loan portfolio based on the underlying collateral utilized to secure each loan. This classification is consistent with that utilized in the Quarterly Report of Condition and Income filed by the Bank with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

 

The following schedule details the loans of the Company at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

  

(In Thousands)

 
  March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020 

Mortgage loans on real estate:

        

Residential 1-4 family

 $527,092  $535,994 

Multifamily

  93,318   111,646 

Commercial

  865,388   837,766 

Construction and land development

  513,931   488,626 

Farmland

  12,377   15,429 

Second mortgages

  8,164   8,433 

Equity lines of credit

  76,633   78,889 

Total mortgage loans on real estate

  2,096,903   2,076,783 

Commercial loans

  170,712   172,811 

Agricultural loans

  1,019   1,206 

Consumer installment loans

        

Personal

  62,403   66,193 

Credit cards

  4,321   4,324 

Total consumer installment loans

  66,724   70,517 

Other loans

  9,147   9,283 

Total loans before net deferred loan fees

  2,344,505   2,330,600 

Net deferred loan fees

  (10,176)  (9,295)

Total loans

  2,334,329   2,321,305 

Less: Allowance for loan losses

  (39,330)  (38,539)

Net loans

 $2,294,999  $2,282,766 

 

Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:

 

Construction and land development: Loans for non-owner-occupied real estate construction or land development are generally repaid through cash flow related to the operation, sale or refinance of the property. The Company also finances construction loans for owner-occupied properties. A portion of the Company’s construction and land portfolio segment is comprised of loans secured by residential product types (residential land and single-family construction). With respect to construction loans to developers and builders that are secured by non-owner occupied properties that the Company may originate from time to time, the Company generally requires the borrower to have had an existing relationship with the Company and have a proven record of success. Construction and land development loans are underwritten utilizing independent appraisal reviews, sensitivity analysis of absorption and lease rates, market sales activity, and financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Construction loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and value associated with the complete project. These estimates may be inaccurate. Construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayments substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans from approved long-term lenders, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.

 

1-4 family residential real estate: Residential real estate loans represent loans to consumers or investors to finance a residence. These loans are typically financed on 15 to 30 year amortization terms, but generally with shorter maturities of 5 to 15 years. Many of these loans are extended to borrowers to finance their primary or secondary residence. Loans to an investor secured by a 1-4 family residence will be repaid from either the rental income from the property or from the sale of the property. This loan segment also includes closed-end home equity loans that are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s residence. This allows customers to borrow against the equity in their home. Loans in this portfolio segment are underwritten and approved based on a number of credit quality criteria including limits on maximum Loan-to-Value ("LTV"), minimum credit scores, and maximum debt to income. Real estate market values as of the time the loan is made directly affect the amount of credit extended and, in addition, changes in these residential property values impact the depth of potential losses in this portfolio segment.

 

1-4 family HELOC: This loan segment includes open-end home equity loans that are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s residence. This allows customers to borrow against the equity in their home utilizing a revolving line of credit. These loans are underwritten and approved based on a number of credit quality criteria including limits on maximum LTV ratios, minimum credit scores, and maximum debt to income ratios. Real estate market values as of the time the loan is made directly affect the amount of credit extended and, in addition, changes in these residential property values impact the depth of potential losses in this portfolio segment. Because of the revolving nature of these loans, as well as the fact that many represent second mortgages, this portfolio segment can contain more risk than the amortizing 1-4 family residential real estate loans.

 

Multi-family and commercial real estate: Multi-family and commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans, in addition to those of real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate.

 

12

 

Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of type. This diversity helps reduce the Company’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geography and risk grade criteria. The Company also utilizes third-party experts to provide insight and guidance about economic conditions and trends affecting the market areas it serves. In addition, management tracks the level of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans versus non-owner occupied loans. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans are loans secured by multifamily and commercial properties where the primary source of repayment is derived from rental income associated with the property (that is, loans for which 50 percent or more of the source of repayment comes from third party, nonaffiliated, rental income) or the proceeds of the sale, refinancing, or permanent financing of the property. These loans are made to finance income-producing properties such as apartment buildings, office and industrial buildings, and retail properties. Owner-occupied commercial real estate loans are loans where the primary source of repayment is the cash flow from the ongoing operations and business activities conducted by the party, or affiliate of the party, who owns the property.

 

Commercial and Industrial: The commercial and industrial loan portfolio segment includes commercial and industrial loans to commercial customers for use in normal business operations to finance working capital needs, equipment purchases or other expansion projects. Also included in this category are PPP loans guaranteed by the SBA, which totaled $67.2 million at  March 31, 2021 and $62.4 million at December 31, 2020. Collection risk in this portfolio is driven by the creditworthiness of underlying borrowers, particularly cash flow from customers’ business operations. Commercial and industrial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower, if any. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and any collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial and industrial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory and usually incorporate a personal guarantee; however, some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers.

 

Consumer: The consumer loan portfolio segment includes non-real estate secured direct loans to consumers for household, family, and other personal expenditures. Consumer loans may be secured or unsecured and are usually structured with short or medium term maturities. These loans are underwritten and approved based on a number of consumer credit quality criteria including limits on maximum LTV ratios on secured consumer loans, minimum credit scores, and maximum debt to income ratios. Many traditional forms of consumer installment credit have standard monthly payments and fixed repayment schedules of one to five years. These loans are made with either fixed or variable interest rates that are based on specific indices. Installment loans fill a variety of needs, such as financing the purchase of an automobile, a boat, a recreational vehicle or other large personal items, or for consolidating debt. These loans may be unsecured or secured by an assignment of title, as in an automobile loan, or by money in a bank account. In addition to consumer installment loans, this portfolio segment also includes secured and unsecured personal lines of credit as well as overdraft protection lines. Loans in this portfolio segment are sensitive to unemployment and other key consumer economic measures.

 

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is assessed at the end of each calendar quarter. The level of the allowance is based upon evaluation of the loan portfolio, past loan loss experience, current asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay (including the timing of future payment), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current and anticipated economic conditions, historical loss experience, industry and peer bank loan quality indicators and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations.

 

13

 

Transactions in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows:

 

  

(In Thousands)

 
  Residential 1-4 Family  

Multifamily

  Commercial Real Estate  

Construction

  

Farmland

  Second Mortgages  Equity Lines of Credit  

Commercial

  Agricultural, Installment and Other  

Total

 

March 31, 2021

                                        

Allowance for loan losses:

                                        

Beginning balance

 $8,098   1,541   16,802   7,936   154   105   997   1,378   1,528   38,539 

Provision

  (197)  (207)  756   526   (30)  (3)  (27)  (80)  89   827 

Charge-offs

           (1)           (3)  (224)  (228)

Recoveries

  38         15               139   192 

Ending balance

 $7,939   1,334   17,558   8,476   124   102   970   1,295   1,532   39,330 

Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment

 $558      141                     699 

Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment

 $7,381   1,334   17,417   8,476   124   102   970   1,295   1,532   38,631 

Loans:

                                        

Ending balance

 $527,092   93,318   865,388   513,931   12,377   8,164   76,633   170,712   76,890   2,344,505 

Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment

 $2,314      962                     3,276 

Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment

 $524,778   93,318   864,426   513,931   12,377   8,164   76,633   170,712   76,890   2,341,229 

 

  Residential 1-4 Family  

Multifamily

  Commercial Real Estate  

Construction

  

Farmland

  Second Mortgages  Equity Lines of Credit  

Commercial

  Agricultural, Installment and Other  

Total

 

March 31, 2020

                                        

Allowance for loan losses:

                                        

Beginning balance

 $7,144   1,117   11,114   5,997   187   123   889   1,044   1,111   28,726 

Provision

  198   524   1,330   (816)  (10)  4   (44)  (46)  329   1,469 

Charge-offs

                          (355)  (355)

Recoveries

  9      300   19               113   441 

Ending balance

 $7,351   1,641   12,744   5,200   177   127   845   998   1,198   30,281 

Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment

 $715      220                     935 

Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment

 $6,636   1,641   12,524   5,200   177   127   845   998   1,198   29,346 

Loans:

                                        

Ending balance

 $519,775   151,929   841,521   388,769   18,610   11,254   74,908   95,547   67,374   2,169,687 

Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment

 $1,429      999                     2,428 

Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment

 $518,346   151,929   840,522   388,769   18,610   11,254   74,908   95,547   67,374   2,167,259 

 

14

 

Impaired Loans

 

At March 31, 2021 and  December 31, 2020, the Company had certain impaired loans of $1.3 million which were on non-accruing interest status. In each case, at the date such loans were placed on nonaccrual status, the Company reversed all previously accrued interest income against current year earnings. The rest of the Company's impaired loans as of such dates remained on accruing status. The following table presents the Company’s impaired loans at  March 31, 2021 and  December 31, 2020

 

  

In Thousands

 
  Recorded Investment  Unpaid Principal Balance  Related Allowance  Average Recorded Investment  Interest Income Recognized 

March 31, 2021

                    

With no related allowance recorded:

                    

Residential 1-4 family

 $1,101   1,427      1,132   2 

Multifamily

               

Commercial real estate

  311   311      311    

Construction

               

Farmland

               

Second mortgages

               

Equity lines of credit

               

Commercial

               

Agricultural, installment and other

               
  $1,412   1,738      1,443   2 

With related allowance recorded:

                    

Residential 1-4 family

 $1,217   1,214   558   1,230   15 

Multifamily

               

Commercial real estate

  654   651   141   658   8 

Construction

               

Farmland

               

Second mortgages

               

Equity lines of credit

               

Commercial

               

Agricultural, installment and other

               
  $1,871   1,865   699   1,888   23 

Total

                    

Residential 1-4 family

 $2,318   2,641   558   2,362   17 

Multifamily

               

Commercial real estate

  965   962   141   969   8 

Construction

               

Farmland

               

Second mortgages

               

Equity lines of credit

               

Commercial

               

Agricultural, installment and other

               
  $3,283   3,603   699   3,331   25 

 

15

 
  

In Thousands

 
  Recorded Investment  Unpaid Principal Balance  Related Allowance  Average Recorded Investment  Interest Income Recognized 

December 31, 2020

                    

With no related allowance recorded:

                    

Residential 1-4 family

 $1,162   1,507      395   26 

Multifamily

               

Commercial real estate

  311   311      311    

Construction

               

Farmland

               

Second mortgages

               

Equity lines of credit

               

Commercial

               

Agricultural, installment and other

               
  $1,473   1,818      706   26 

With related allowance recorded:

                    

Residential 1-4 family

 $1,242   1,240   594   1,273   66 

Multifamily

               

Commercial real estate

  662   659   148   676   22 

Construction

               

Farmland

               

Second mortgages

               

Equity lines of credit

               

Commercial

               

Agricultural, installment and other

               
  $1,904   1,899   742   1,949   88 

Total:

                    

Residential 1-4 family

 $2,404   2,747   594   1,668   92 

Multifamily

               

Commercial real estate

  973   970   148   987   22 

Construction

               

Farmland

               

Second mortgages

               

Equity lines of credit

               

Commercial

               

Agricultural, installment and other

               
  $3,377   3,717   742   2,655   114 

 

Impaired loans also include loans that the Bank may elect to formally restructure due to the weakening credit status of a borrower such that the restructuring may facilitate a repayment plan that minimizes the potential losses that the Bank may otherwise incur. These loans are classified as impaired loans and, if on non-accruing status as of the date of restructuring, the loans are included in the nonperforming loan balances. Not included in nonperforming loans are loans that have been restructured that were performing as of the restructure date.

 

Troubled Debt Restructuring

 

The Bank’s loan portfolio includes certain loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR"), where economic or other concessions have been granted to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. These concessions typically result from the Bank’s loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.

 

The following table summarizes the carrying balances of TDRs at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

  

March 31, 2021

  

December 31, 2020

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Performing TDRs

 $2,182  $2,147 

Nonperforming TDRs

  449   529 

Total TDRS

 $2,631  $2,676 

 

16

 

The following table outlines the amount of each troubled debt restructuring, categorized by loan classification, made during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the three months ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except for number of contracts): 

 

  

March 31, 2021

  

March 31, 2020

 
  Number of Contracts  Pre Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment  Post Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment, Net of Related Allowance  Number of Contracts  Pre Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment  Post Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment, Net of Related Allowance 

Residential 1-4 family

    $  $     $  $ 

Multifamily

                  

Commercial real estate

           1   111   132 

Construction

                  

Farmland

                  

Second mortgages

                  

Equity lines of credit

                  

Commercial

                  

Agricultural, installment and other

                  

Total

    $  $   1  $111  $132 

 

As of March 31, 2021 the Company had no loan relationships that had been previously classified as a TDR subsequently default within twelve months of restructuring. As of  March 31, 2020 the Company had one loan relationship totaling $311,000 that had been previously classified as a TDR subsequently default within twelve months of restructuring.

 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact to the Bank’s customers, the Bank proactively began providing relief to its customers in the middle of March 2020 through a 90 day interest only payment option or a full 90 day payment deferral option.  Following the passage of the CARES Act the Bank expanded this program to provide a six-month interest only payment option in an effort to provide flexibility to its customers as they navigated uncertainties resulting from the pandemic. Pursuant to interagency regulatory guidance and the CARES Act, the Bank may elect to not classify loans as troubled debt restructurings for which these deferrals are granted between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) January 1, 2022 or (ii) 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency. As of March 31, 2021, the Bank had 11 loans, totaling $51.4 million in aggregate principal amount for which principal or both principal and interest were being deferred and not classified as TDRs. Under the applicable guidance, none of these deferrals required a troubled debt restructuring designation as of March 31, 2021.

 

As of March 31, 2021, the Company’s recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure amounted to approximately $578,000. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $301,000 of consumer mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure.

 

Potential problem loans, which include nonperforming loans, amounted to approximately $8.0 million at March 31, 2021 and $8.2 million at December 31, 2020. Potential problem loans represent those loans with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have serious doubts about the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by the FDIC, the Bank’s primary federal regulator, for loans classified as special mention, substandard, or doubtful.

 

The following summary presents the Bank's loan balances by primary loan classification and the amount classified within each risk rating category. Pass rated loans include all credits other than those included in special mention, substandard and doubtful which are defined as follows:

 

 

Special mention loans have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Bank’s credit position at some future date.

 

Substandard loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize liquidation of the debt. Substandard loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful loans have all the characteristics of substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The Bank considers all doubtful loans to be impaired and places such loans on nonaccrual status.

 

17

 

The following table is a summary of the Bank’s loan portfolio by risk rating at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

  

(In Thousands)

 
  Residential 1-4 Family  

Multifamily

  Commercial Real Estate  

Construction

  

Farmland

  Second Mortgages  Equity Lines of Credit  

Commercial

  Agricultural, installment and other  

Total

 

March 31, 2021

                                        

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Rating

                                        

Pass

 $520,890   93,318   864,802   513,383   12,257   7,886   76,612   170,684   76,696   2,336,528 

Special Mention

  2,207         548   76   166   11      127   3,135 

Substandard

  3,995      586      44   112   10   28   67   4,842 

Doubtful

                              

Total

 $527,092   93,318   865,388   513,931   12,377   8,164   76,633   170,712   76,890   2,344,505 

December 31, 2020

                                        

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Rating

                                        

Pass

 $529,546   111,646   837,028   488,571   15,301   8,148   78,565   172,779   80,770   2,322,354 

Special Mention

  2,745      149   27   79   169   314      156   3,639 

Substandard

  3,703      589   28   49   116   10   32   80   4,607 

Doubtful

                              

Total

 $535,994   111,646   837,766   488,626   15,429   8,433   78,889   172,811   81,006   2,330,600 

 

 

Note 3. Debt and Equity Securities

 

Debt and equity securities have been classified in the consolidated balance sheet according to management’s intent. Debt and equity securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows:

 

   

March 31, 2021

 
   

Securities Available-For-Sale

 
   

In Thousands

 
    Amortized Cost     Gross Unrealized Gains     Gross Unrealized Losses     Estimated Market Value  

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)

  $ 127,112     $ 109     $ 3,196     $ 124,025  

Mortgage-backed securities

    287,126       4,825       3,289       288,662  

Asset-backed securities

    39,755       397       22       40,130  
Corporate bonds     2,500       44             2,544  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    159,570       2,302       3,301       158,571  
    $ 616,063     $ 7,677     $ 9,808     $ 613,932  

 

 

   

December 31, 2020

 
   

Securities Available-For-Sale

 
   

In Thousands

 
    Amortized Cost     Gross Unrealized Gains     Gross Unrealized Losses     Estimated Market Value  

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)

  $ 125,712     $ 328     $ 135     $ 125,905  

Mortgage-backed securities

    258,774       5,636       620       263,790  

Asset-backed securities

    36,394       582       19       36,957  
Corporate bonds     2,500       100             2,600  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    147,462       4,229       400       151,291  
    $ 570,842     $ 10,875     $ 1,174     $ 580,543  

 

Included in mortgage-backed securities are collateralized mortgage obligations totaling $96,315,000 (fair value of $95,688,000) and $88,472,000 (fair value of $89,116,000) at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

18

 

The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt securities at March 31, 2021 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

   

Available-For-Sale

 
   

In Thousands

 
    Amortized Cost     Estimated Market Value  

Due in one year or less

  $ 1,196     $ 1,196  

Due after one year through five years

    40,212       40,767  

Due after five years through ten years

    188,093       184,576  

Due after ten years

    386,562       387,393  
    $ 616,063     $ 613,932  

 

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

 

   

In Thousands, Except Number of Securities

 
   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 

March 31, 2021

  Fair Value     Unrealized Losses     Number of Securities Included     Fair Value     Unrealized Losses     Number of Securities Included     Fair Value     Unrealized Losses  

Available-for-Sale Securities:

                                                               

GSEs

  $ 107,005     $ 3,196       42     $     $           $ 107,005     $ 3,196  

Mortgage-backed securities

    135,822       3,268       59       6,569       21       12       142,391       3,289  

Asset-backed securities

    5,409       22       2                         5,409       22  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    74,576       3,301       75                         74,576       3,301  
    $ 322,812     $ 9,787       178     $ 6,569     $ 21       12     $ 329,381     $ 9,808  

 

   

In Thousands, Except Number of Securities

 
   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 

December 31, 2020

  Fair Value     Unrealized Losses     Number of Securities Included     Fair Value     Unrealized Losses     Number of Securities Included     Fair Value     Unrealized Losses  

Available-for-Sale Securities:

                                                               

GSEs

  $ 47,991     $ 135       18     $     $           $ 47,991     $ 135  

Mortgage-backed securities

    78,381       573       29       6,776       47       12       85,157       620  

Asset-backed securities

    4,950       19       3                         4,950       19  
Corporate bonds                                                

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    44,061       394       33       689       6       1       44,750       400  
    $ 175,383     $ 1,121       83     $ 7,465     $ 53       13     $ 182,848     $ 1,174  

 

Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2021, as the issuers’ securities are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell the securities and it is not likely that management will be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payment on the securities. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.

 

The carrying values of the Company’s investment securities could decline in the future if the financial condition of issuers deteriorates and management determines it is probable that the Company will not recover the entire amortized cost bases of the securities. As a result, there is a risk that other-than-temporary impairment charges may occur in the future given the current economic environment.

 

19

 

 

Note 4. Derivatives

 

Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges

 

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is presented on the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of fixed rate loans. The hedging strategy on loans converts the fixed interest rates to LIBOR-based variable interest rates. These derivatives are designated as partial term hedges of selected cash flows covering specified periods of time prior to the maturity dates of the hedged loans.

 

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company entered into one swap transaction with a notional amount of $30,000,000 pursuant to which the Company pays the counter-party a fixed interest rate and receives a floating rate equal to 1 month LIBOR. The derivative transaction is designated as a fair value hedge.

 

A summary of the Company's fair value hedge relationships as of  March 31, 2021 and  December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

 

March 31, 2021                                    
 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (In Years)

   

Weighted Average Pay Rate

 

Receive Rate

 

Notional Amount

   

Estimated Fair Value

 

Interest rate swap agreements - loans

Other assets

    9.17       0.65 %

1 month LIBOR

  $ 28,114       1,461  
                                     
December 31, 2020                                    
 

Balance Sheet Location

 

Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (In Years)

   

Weighted Average Pay Rate

 

Receive Rate

 

Notional Amount

   

Estimated Fair Value

 

Interest rate swap agreements - loans

Other liabilities

    9.42       0.65 %

1 month LIBOR

  $ 29,575       (51 )

 

The effects of fair value hedge relationships reported in interest income on loans on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationship

 

2021

   

2020

 

Interest rate swap agreements - loans:

               

Hedged items

  $ (1,462 )      

Derivative designated as hedging instruments

    1,512        

 

The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges at  March 31, 2021 and  December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

   

Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets

    Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets  

Line item on the balance sheet

 

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

   

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

 

Loans

  $ 28,114       29,575       (1,620 )     (158 )

 

20

 

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

 

Commitments to fund certain mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors under the Bank's mandatory delivery program are considered derivatives. It is the Company's practice to enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of changes in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $25,707,000 and $20,981,000, respectively, of interest rate lock commitments and approximately $31,000,000 and $21,250,000, respectively, of forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans. The fair value of these mortgage banking derivatives was reflected by derivative assets of $720,000 and $714,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and a derivative asset of $504,000 and a derivative liability of $157,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage-banking derivatives are included in net gains on sale of loans.

 

The net gains (losses) relating to free-standing derivative instruments used for risk management is summarized below (in thousands):

 

   

In Thousands

 
   

March 31, 2021

   

March 31, 2020

 

Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale and interest rate contracts

  $ 661       (362 )

Interest rate contracts for customers

    6       175  

 

The following table reflects the amount and fair value of mortgage banking derivatives included in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

   

In Thousands

 
   

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

 
   

Notional Amount

   

Fair Value

   

Notional Amount

   

Fair Value

 

Included in other assets (liabilities):

                               

Interest rate contracts for customers

  $ 25,707       720       20,981       714  

Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held-for-sale

    31,000       504       21,250       (157 )

 

21

 
 

Note 5. Equity Incentive Plans

 

In April 2009, the Company’s shareholders approved the Wilson Bank Holding Company 2009 Stock Option Plan (the “2009 Stock Option Plan”). The 2009 Stock Option Plan was effective as of April 14, 2009. Under the 2009 Stock Option Plan, awards could be in the form of options to acquire common stock of the Company. Subject to adjustment as provided by the terms of the 2009 Stock Option Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards could be granted under the 2009 Stock Option Plan was 100,000 shares. The 2009 Stock Option Plan terminated on April 13, 2019, and no additional awards may be issued under the 2009 Stock Option Plan. The awards granted under the 2009 Stock Option Plan prior to the plan's expiration will remain outstanding until exercised or otherwise terminated. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding 10,989 options under the 2009 Stock Option Plan with a weighted average exercise price of $34.34.

 

During the second quarter of 2016, the Company’s shareholders approved the Wilson Bank Holding Company 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which authorizes awards of up to 750,000 shares of common stock. The 2016 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the Board of Directors and effective as of January 25, 2016 and approved by the Company’s shareholders on April 12, 2016. On September 26, 2016, the Board of Directors approved an amendment and restatement of the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated the “2016 Equity Incentive Plan”) to make clear that directors who are not also employees of the Company may be awarded stock appreciation rights. The primary purpose of the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan is to promote the interest of the Company and its shareholders by, among other things, (i) attracting and retaining key officers, employees and directors of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, (ii) motivating those individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance goals, (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company, (iv) encouraging ownership of stock in the Company by such individuals, and (v) linking their compensation to the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders. Except for certain limitations, awards can be in the form of stock options (both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options), stock appreciation rights, restricted shares and restricted share units, performance awards and other stock-based awards. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had 405,272 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding 151,844 options with a weighted average exercise price of $47.08 and 117,956 cash-settled stock appreciation rights with a weighted average exercise price of $44.38 under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding 162,833 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $46.22 and 117,956 cash-settled stock appreciation rights each with a weighted average exercise price of $44.38.

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options and cash-settled SARs for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

  

March 31, 2021

  

March 31, 2020

 
  

Shares

  Weighted Average Exercise Price  

Shares

  Weighted Average Exercise Price 

Options and SARs outstanding at beginning of period

  284,591  $43.71   273,039  $41.19 

Granted

  24,999   59.02       

Exercised

  28,801   40.02   7,654   33.82 

Forfeited or expired

        4,300   39.46 

Outstanding at end of period

  280,789  $45.45   261,085  $41.43 

Options and SARs exercisable at March 31

  141,993  $41.00   142,692  $40.40 

 

As of  March 31, 2021, there was $1,725,000 of total unrecognized cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company's equity incentive plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.17 years.

 

22

 
 

Note 6. Regulatory Capital

 

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. The net unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital. Management believes as of March 31, 2021, the Company and Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

 

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution's category.

 

In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (the "Growth Act"). The Growth Act, among other things, requires the federal banking agencies to issue regulations allowing community bank organizations with total assets of less than $10.0 billion in assets and limited amounts of certain assets and off-balance sheet exposures to access a simpler capital regime focused on a bank's Tier 1 leverage capital levels rather than risk-based capital levels that are the focus of the capital rules issued under the Dodd-Frank Act implementing Basel III.

 

In October 2019, the federal banking agencies approved final rules under the Growth Act that exempt a qualifying community bank and its holding company that have Community Bank Leverage Ratios, calculated as Tier 1 capital over average total consolidated assets (the "Community Bank Leverage Ratio"), of greater than 9 percent from the risk-based capital requirements of the capital rules issued under the Dodd-Frank Act. A qualifying community banking organization and its holding company that have chosen the proposed framework are not required to calculate the existing risk-based and leverage capital requirements. Such a bank would also be considered to have met the capital ratio requirements to be well capitalized for the agencies' prompt corrective action rules provided it has a Community Bank Leverage Ratio greater than 9 percent. Tier 1 capital for purposes of calculating the Community Bank Leverage Ratio is defined as total equity less accumulated other comprehensive income, less goodwill, less all other intangible assets, less deferred tax assets that arise from net operating loss and tax carryforwards, net of any related valuation allowances. Institutions seeking to utilize the Community Bank Leverage Ratio must not have total off-balance sheet exposures equal to 25% or more of total consolidated assets. For purposes of this test, off-balance sheet exposures include, among other items, unused portions of commitments, securities lent or borrowed, credit enhancements and financial standby letters of credit. The federal regulators when establishing the Community Bank Leverage Ratio also established a grace period of two fiscal quarters during which a qualifying financial institution that temporarily failed to meet any of the qualifying criteria for use of the Community Bank Leverage Ratio would nonetheless be considered well capitalized so long as the institution maintained a Community Bank Leverage Ratio of greater than 7%.

 

Pursuant to the CARES Act the required Community Bank Leverage Ratio was lowered to 8% until the earlier of December 31, 2020 and 60 days following the end of the national emergency declared with respect to COVID-19. A banking organization that temporarily failed to meet this, or any other requirement necessary to qualify to utilize the Community Bank Leverage Ratio, would still be considered well capitalized so long as it maintained a Community Bank Leverage Ratio of at least 7%.

 

The Company opted to take advantage of this rule effective January 1, 2020. As a result, the capital conservation buffer applicable under the Basel III capital guidelines was not applicable to the Company or the Bank as of March 31, 2021.

 

Effective November 9, 2020, the federal banking regulatory agencies approved rules raising the Community Bank Leverage Ratio to 8.5% for 2021 and 9% thereafter. The regulatory agencies also modified the two-quarter grace period to require a Community Bank Leverage Ratio of 7.5% or greater in 2021 and 8%
thereafter.

 

The Company and the Bank may subsequently opt out of utilizing the Community Bank Leverage Ratio and again calculate their capital ratios under those ratios that the Company and the Bank utilized prior to January 1, 2020.

 

Failure to meet statutorily mandated capital guidelines or more restrictive ratios separately established for a financial institution could subject a banking institution to a variety of enforcement remedies available to federal regulatory authorities, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting or renewing brokered deposits, limitations on the rates of interest that the institution may pay on its deposits, and other restrictions on its business.

 

23

 

The Company’s and Wilson Bank’s Community Bank Leverage Ratio as of  March 31, 2021 and  December 31, 2020 are presented in the following tables:

 

  

Actual

  

Regulatory Minimum Capital Requirement Community Bank Leverage Ratio

 
  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 
  

(dollars in thousands)

 

March 31, 2021

                

Community Bank Leverage Ratio:

                

Consolidated

 $377,995   11.1% $289,047   8.5%

Wilson Bank

  376,682   11.1   288,966   8.5 

 

  

Actual

  

Regulatory Minimum Capital Requirement Community Bank Leverage Ratio

 
  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 
  

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

                

Community Bank Leverage Ratio:

                

Consolidated

 $368,150   11.2% $279,400   8.5%

Wilson Bank

  364,976   11.1   279,486   8.5 

 

 

Dividend Restrictions

 

The Company and the Bank are subject to dividend restrictions set forth by the State Banking Department and federal banking agencies. Additional restrictions may be imposed by the State Banking Department and federal banking agencies under the powers granted to them by law.

 

 

24

 

Note 7. Fair Value Measurements

 

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value focuses on the exit price, i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, not the entry price (i.e., the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability at the measurement date). The statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, the fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

Valuation Hierarchy

 

FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

 

Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

   
 

Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

   
 

Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

Assets

 

Securities available-for-sale — Where quoted prices are available for identical securities in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and certain other financial products. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation and more complex pricing models or discounted cash flows are used, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Hedged Loans — The fair value of our hedged loan portfolio is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.

 

Impaired loans — A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance may be established as a component of the allowance for loan losses or the expense is recognized as a charge-off. Impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to the unobservable inputs used in determining their fair value such as collateral values and the borrower’s underlying financial condition.

 

Other real estate owned — Other real estate owned (“OREO”) represents real estate foreclosed upon by the Company through loan defaults by customers or acquired in lieu of foreclosure. Substantially all of these amounts relate to construction and land development, other loans secured by land, and commercial real estate loans for which the Company believes it has adequate collateral. Upon foreclosure, the property is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, based on appraised value, less selling costs estimated as of the date acquired with any loss recognized as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses. Additional OREO losses for subsequent valuation downward adjustments are determined on a specific property basis and are included as a component of noninterest expense along with holding costs. Any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are also reflected in noninterest expense, as applicable. OREO is included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to the lack of observable market inputs into the determination of fair value. Appraisal values are property-specific and sensitive to the changes in the overall economic environment.

 

Bank Owned Life Insurance — The cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance policies is carried at fair value. The Company uses financial information received from insurance carriers indicating the performance of the insurance policies and cash surrender values in determining the carrying value of life insurance. The Company reflects these assets within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to the unobservable inputs included in the valuation of these items. The Company does not consider the fair values of these policies to be materially sensitive to changes in these unobservable inputs.

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale — Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at fair value, and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. The fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale is determined using quoted prices for similar assets, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan.

 

Mortgage banking derivatives —The fair values of mortgage banking derivatives are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2).

 

25

 

The following tables present the financial instruments carried at fair value as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, by caption on the consolidated balance sheet and by FASB ASC 820 valuation hierarchy (as described above): 

 

  

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 
  

(In Thousands)

 
  Total Carrying Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet  Quoted Market Prices in an Active Market (Level 1)  Models with Significant Observable Market Parameters (Level 2)  Models with Significant Unobservable Market Parameters (Level 3) 

March 31, 2021

                
Hedged Loans $26,494      26,494    

Investment securities available-for-sale:

                

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

  124,025      124,025    

Mortgage-backed securities

  288,662      288,662    

Asset-backed securities

  40,130      40,130    
Corporate bonds  2,544      2,544    

State and municipal securities

  158,571      158,571    

Total investment securities available-for-sale

  613,932      613,932    

Mortgage loans held for sale

  28,635      28,635    

Derivatives

  2,685      2,685    

Bank owned life insurance

  35,401         35,401 

Total assets

 $707,147      671,746   35,401 
                 

Derivatives

 $-          

Total liabilities

 $-          
                 

December 31, 2020

                

Hedged Loans

 $29,417      29,417    

Investment securities available-for-sale:

                

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

  125,905      125,905    

Mortgage-backed securities

  263,790      263,790    

Asset-backed securities

  36,957      36,957    

Corporate bonds

  2,600      2,600    

State and municipal securities

  151,291      151,291    

Total investment securities available-for-sale

  580,543      580,543    

Mortgage loans held for sale

  19,474      19,474    

Derivatives

  714      714    

Bank owned life insurance

  35,197         35,197 

Total assets

 $665,345      630,148   35,197 
                 
Derivatives $208      208    
Total liabilities $208      208    

 

26

 

 

  

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

 
  

(In Thousands)

 
  Total Carrying Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet  Quoted Market Prices in an Active Market (Level 1)  Models with Significant Observable Market Parameters (Level 2)  Models with Significant Unobservable Market Parameters (Level 3) 

March 31, 2021

                

Other real estate owned

 $183         183 

Impaired loans, net (¹)

  2,584         2,584 

Total

 $2,767         2,767 

December 31, 2020

                

Other real estate owned

 $          

Impaired loans, net (¹)

  2,635         2,635 

Total

 $2,635         2,635 

 

(1) 

Amount is net of a valuation allowance of $699,000 at March 31, 2021 and $742,000 at  December 31, 2020 as required by ASC 310, “Receivables.”

 

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which we have utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

  

Valuation Techniques (2)

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

Weighted Average

 

Impaired loans

 

Appraisal

 

Estimated costs to sell

 10% 

Other real estate owned

 

Appraisal

 

Estimated costs to sell

 

10%

 
        
(2) The fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which may include Level 3 inputs that are not identifiable, or by using the discounted cash flow method if the loan is not collateral dependent. 

 

In the case of its investment securities portfolio, the Company monitors the valuation technique utilized by various pricing agencies to ascertain when transfers between levels have been affected. The nature of the remaining assets and liabilities is such that transfers in and out of any level are expected to be rare. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.

 

The table below includes a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement. However, since Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources), the gains and losses in the table below include changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology (in thousands):

 

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  Other Assets  Other Liabilities  Other Assets  Other Liabilities 

Fair value, January 1

 $35,197     $31,762    

Total realized gains included in income

  204      183    

Change in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income for assets and liabilities still held at March 31

            

Purchases, issuances and settlements, net

            

Transfers out of Level 3

            

Fair value, March 31

 $35,401     $31,945    

Total realized gains included in income related to financial assets and liabilities still on the consolidated balance sheet at March 31

 $204     $183    

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not measured at fair value. In cases where quoted market prices or observable components are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flow models. Those models are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates, estimates of future cash flows and borrower creditworthiness. The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Such amounts have not been revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since those dates and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

 

27

 

Cash and cash equivalents — The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as Level 1.

 

Loans — The fair value of our loan portfolio includes a credit risk factor in the determination of the fair value of our loans. This credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction. Our loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach. We divide our loan portfolio into the following categories: variable rate loans, impaired loans and all other loans. The results are then adjusted to account for credit risk.

 

For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values approximate carrying values. Fair values for impaired loans are estimated using discounted cash flow models or based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. For other loans, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. The values derived from the discounted cash flow approach for each of the above portfolios are then further discounted to incorporate credit risk to determine the exit price.

 

Deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings — Fair values for deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered on deposits with similar remaining maturities.

 

Restricted equity securities — It is not practical to determine the fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank or Federal Reserve Bank stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.

 

Accrued interest receivable/payable — The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value resulting in a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 classification based on the asset/liability with which they are associated.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments — The fair values of the Company’s off-balance-sheet financial instruments are based on fees charged to enter into similar agreements. However, commitments to extend credit do not represent a significant value to the Company until such commitments are funded.

 

The following table presents the carrying amounts, estimated fair value and placement in the fair valuation hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value. For short-term financial assets such as cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

  Carrying/ Notional  

Estimated

  Quote Market Prices in an Active Market  Models with Significant Observable Market Parameters  Models with Significant Unobservable Market Parameters 

(in Thousands)

 

Amount

  

Fair Value (¹)

  

(Level 1)

  

(Level 2)

  

(Level 3)

 

March 31, 2021

                    

Financial assets:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

 $456,529   456,529   456,529       

Loans, net

  2,294,999   2,296,988         2,296,988 

Restricted equity securities

  5,089   NA   NA   NA   NA 

Accrued interest receivable

  7,933   7,933   1   2,099   5,833 

Financial liabilities:

                    

Deposits

  3,140,826   2,896,171         2,896,171 

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings

               

Accrued interest payable

  2,236   2,236         2,236 
                     

December 31, 2020

                    

Financial assets:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

 $338,856   338,856   338,856       

Loans, net

  2,282,766   2,302,530         2,302,530 

Restricted equity securities

  5,089   NA   NA   NA   NA 

Accrued interest receivable

  7,516   7,516   1   2,210   5,305 

Financial liabilities:

                    

Deposits

  2,960,595   2,796,339         2,796,339 
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings  3,638   3,755         3,755 

Accrued interest payable

  3,051   3,051         3,051 

 

(1) 

Estimated fair values are consistent with an exit-price concept. The assumptions used to estimate the fair values are intended to approximate those that a market-participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.

 

28

 
 

Note 8. Income Taxes

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. This section also provides guidance on the derecognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties, and includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits related to Federal or state income tax matters and does not anticipate any material increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits relative to any tax positions taken prior to March 31, 2021.

 

As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company has not accrued or recognized interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

The Company and the Bank file consolidated U.S. Federal and State of Tennessee income tax returns. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the State of Tennessee for the years ended December 31, 2017 through 2020 and the IRS for the years ended December 31, 2018 through 2020.

 

 

Note 9. Earnings Per Share

 

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for stock splits. The computation of diluted earnings per share for the Company begins with the basic earnings per share and includes the effect of common shares contingently issuable from stock options.

 

The following is a summary of components comprising basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
   

(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

 

Basic EPS Computation:

               

Numerator – Earnings available to common stockholders

  $ 11,144     $ 9,031  

Denominator – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

    11,079,350       10,864,866  

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 1.01     $ 0.83  

Diluted EPS Computation:

               

Numerator – Earnings available to common stockholders

  $ 11,144     $ 9,031  

Denominator – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

    11,079,350       10,864,866  

Dilutive effect of stock options

    29,216       21,590  

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

    11,108,566       10,886,456  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 1.00     $ 0.83  

 

29

 
 

Note 10. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

In the normal course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments which include commitments to extend credit (i.e., including unfunded lines of credit) and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are usually the result of lines of credit granted to existing borrowers under agreements that the total outstanding indebtedness will not exceed a specific amount during the term of the indebtedness. Typical borrowers are commercial concerns that use lines of credit to supplement their treasury management functions, thus their total outstanding indebtedness may fluctuate during any time period based on the seasonality of their business and the resultant timing of their cash flows. Other typical lines of credit are related to home equity loans granted to consumers. Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.

 

Standby letters of credit are generally issued on behalf of an applicant (the Bank's customer) to a specifically named beneficiary and are the result of a particular business arrangement that exists between the applicant and the beneficiary. Standby letters of credit have fixed expiration dates and are usually for terms of two years or less unless terminated sooner due to criteria specified in the standby letter of credit. A typical arrangement involves the applicant routinely being indebted to the beneficiary for such items as inventory purchases, insurance, utilities, lease guarantees or other third party commercial transactions. The standby letter of credit would permit the beneficiary to obtain payment from the Bank under certain prescribed circumstances. Subsequently, the Bank would then seek reimbursement from the applicant pursuant to the terms of the standby letter of credit.

 

The Bank follows the same credit policies and underwriting practices when making these commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include cash and cash equivalents, real estate and improvements, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and personal property.

 

The contractual amounts of these commitments are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements and would only be reflected if drawn upon. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. However, should the commitments be drawn upon and should our customers default on their resulting obligation to us, the Company’s maximum exposure to credit loss, without consideration of collateral, is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.

 

A summary of the Company’s total contractual amount for all off-balance sheet commitments at March 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

Commitments to extend credit   $ 907,144,000  

Standby letters of credit

  $ 86,434,000  

 

The Bank originates residential mortgage loans, sells them to third-party purchasers, and does not retain the servicing rights. These loans are originated internally and are primarily to borrowers in the Company’s geographic market footprint. These sales are typically to investors that follow guidelines of conventional government sponsored entities ("GSE") and the Department of Housing and Urban Development/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ("HUD/VA"). Generally, loans held for sale are underwritten by the Company, including HUD/VA loans. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Bank began to participate in a mandatory delivery program that requires the Bank to deliver a particular volume of mortgage loans by agreed upon dates. A majority of the Bank’s secondary mortgage volume is delivered to the secondary market via mandatory delivery with the remainder done on a best efforts basis. The Bank does not realize any exposure delivery penalties as the mortgage department only bids loans post-closing to ensure that 100% of the loans are deliverable to the investors. 

 

Each purchaser has specific guidelines and criteria for sellers of loans, and the risk of credit loss with regard to the principal amount of the loans sold is generally transferred to the purchasers upon sale. While the loans are sold without recourse, the purchase agreements require the Bank to make certain representations and warranties regarding the existence and sufficiency of file documentation and the absence of fraud by borrowers or other third parties such as appraisers in connection with obtaining the loan. If it is determined that the loans sold were in breach of these representations or warranties or the loan had an early payoff or payment default, the Bank has obligations to either repurchase the loan for the unpaid principal balance and related investor fees or make the purchaser whole for the economic benefits of the loan.

 

To date, repurchase activity pursuant to the terms of these representations and warranties or due to early payoffs or payment defaults has been insignificant and has resulted in insignificant losses to the Company.

 

Based on information currently available, management believes that the Bank does not have significant exposure to contingent losses that may arise relating to the representations and warranties that it has made in connection with its mortgage loan sales or for early payoffs or payment defaults of such mortgage loans.

 

Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these claims outstanding at March 31, 2021 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

30

 
 

Note 11. Pandemic Impact (COVID-19)

 

The outbreak and spread of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) has created a global public health crisis that has contributed to uncertainty, volatility and deterioration in financial markets and in governmental, commercial and consumer activity including in the United States, where we conduct substantially all of our activity. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States, and cases, hospitalizations and deaths in some of our markets, though lower than earlier in 2021, remain elevated and recently new variants or mutations of the virus have begun to emerge that in some cases appear to be more contagious than the original virus. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our operations and the operations of certain of our customers, though the impact appears to be lessening as the average number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in our markets declines and the number of residents in our markets that have been vaccinated against the virus continues to rise. To date, our operations and the services offered to our customers have not been adversely affected in a material manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our future operations will depend on further developments, which are difficult to predict with confidence, including the duration and severity of the outbreak and the actions that may be required to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, including potential new shutdowns or strict social distancing measures, and the decisions of governmental agencies to pause the use of one or more vaccines, the efficacy against the virus and its mutations of those vaccines currently being distributed and public acceptance of those vaccines. The coronavirus outbreak and government responses have created disruption in global supply chains and adversely impacted many industries. The outbreak has had and  may continue to have a material adverse impact on economic and market conditions and the ability of our customers and our company to continue to recover from the pandemic will depend on continued reductions in the number and severity of COVID-19 cases in our markets and continued government intervention to supports those individuals and businesses most adversely impacted by the virus.

 

As a result of the pandemic, many states and municipalities are facing a strain on resources and a reduction in tax collections. As a result, certain states and municipalities have asked for potential assistance from the Federal government to cover the cost of resource depletion and tax shortfalls. The American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, contains monetary relief for local and state governments. The first round of funding is anticipated to arrive mid- May. The ability of states and municipalities to fund shortfalls could have an affect on their ability to sustain debt maintenance, which would consequently impact the value of our municipal bond portfolio.

 

31

 
 

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

 

The purpose of this discussion is to provide insight into the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its bank subsidiary. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report. Reference should also be made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a more complete discussion of factors that impact the Company's liquidity, capital and results of operations.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") regarding, among other things, the anticipated financial and operating results of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any modifications or revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

The Company cautions investors that future financial and operating results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The words “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “may,” “could,” “believe,” “suspect,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “plan,” “estimate” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but other statements not based on historical fact may also be considered forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and also include, without limitation, (i) deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for these losses, (ii) the effects of the emergence of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, including the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on general economic and financial market conditions and on the Company's and its customers' business, results of operations, asset quality and financial condition, (iii) decisions of governmental agencies to pause the use of one or more vaccines, those vaccines' efficacy against the virus (including any mutations and variants) and public acceptance of the vaccines, (iv) the failure of announced or anticipated stimulus programs to be timely approved, or approved at all, or the failure of such programs to provide sufficient relief when approved, and the resulting impact on the economy and on our customers and their businesses, (v) the effect on our allowance for loan losses and provisioning expense as a result of our decision to defer the implementation of CECL, (vi) deterioration in the real estate market conditions in the Company’s market areas, (vii) the impact of increased competition with other financial institutions, including pricing pressures on loans and deposits, and the resulting impact on the Company's results, including as a result of compression to net yield on earning assets, (viii) further deterioration of the economy in the Company’s market areas, (ix) fluctuations or differences in interest rates on earning assets and interest bearing liabilities from those that the Company is modeling or anticipating, including as a result of the Bank's inability to lower deposit rates with the speed and at the levels desired in connection with the changes in the short-term rate environment, or that affect the yield curve, (x) the ability to grow and retain low-cost core deposits, (xi) significant downturns in the business of one or more large customers, (xii) the inability of the Company to comply with regulatory capital requirements, including those resulting from changes to capital calculation methodologies, required capital maintenance levels, or regulatory requests or directives, (xiii) changes in state or Federal regulations, policies, or legislation applicable to banks and other financial service providers, including regulatory or legislative developments arising out of current unsettled conditions in the economy, including implementation of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (xiv) changes in capital levels and loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments, (xv) inadequate allowance for loan losses, (xvi) the effectiveness of the Company’s activities in improving, resolving or liquidating lower quality assets, (xvii) results of regulatory examinations, (xviii) the vulnerability of the Company's network and online banking portals, and the systems of parties with whom the Company contracts, to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss, and other security breaches, (xix) the possibility of additional increases to compliance costs or other operational expenses as a result of increased regulatory oversight, (xx) loss of key personnel, and (xxi) adverse results (including costs, fines, reputational harm and/or other negative effects) from current or future litigation, examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions, including as a result of the Company's participation in and execution of government progress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These risks and uncertainties may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company’s future operating results depend on a number of factors which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.

 

Impact of COVID-19

 

The outbreak and spread of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) has created a global public health crisis that has contributed to uncertainty, volatility and deterioration in financial markets and in governmental, commercial and consumer activity including in the United States, where we conduct substantially all of our activity. For a short period of time, our operations were modified to include remote work and modified branch operations in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As of March 31, 2021, we have transitioned branch operations back to normal operating procedures.

 

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act was signed into law. It contained substantial tax and spending provisions intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act included the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), a nearly $659 billion program designed to aid small and medium-sized businesses through federally guaranteed loans distributed through banks. These loans were intended to guarantee eight weeks of payroll and other costs to help those businesses remain viable and allow their workers to pay their bills. On December 21, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act ("Coronavirus Relief Act") was signed into law. The Coronavirus Relief Act earmarked an additional $284 billion for a new round of PPP loans. The Company has funded $116.9 million of PPP loans to our small business and other eligible customers, $67.2 million of which remained outstanding as of March 31, 2021. The Company is currently accepting applications from eligible small businesses, some of which may be requesting their second round of PPP assistance.

 

 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact to our customers, we proactively began providing relief to our customers in the middle of March 2020 through a 90 day interest only payment option or a full 90 day payment deferral option. Following the passage of the CARES Act we expanded this program to provide a six-month interest only payment option in an effort to provide flexibility to our customers as they sought to navigate the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Pursuant to interagency regulatory guidance and the CARES Act, we may elect to not classify loans for which these deferrals are granted between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) January 1, 2022 or (ii) 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency as troubled debt restructurings.

 

As of March 31, 2021, the Bank had 11 loans, totaling $51.4 million in aggregate principal amount for which principal or both principal and interest were being deferred, compared to 13 loans totaling $36.4 million on deferral at December 31, 2020. Under the applicable guidance, none of these deferrals required a troubled debt restructuring designation as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

In connection with our initial response to COVID-19 we took deliberate actions to ensure that we had the balance sheet strength to serve our clients and communities, including maintaining increased liquidity and reserves supported by a strong capital position. In the second half of 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021 as economic conditions began to stabilize, we reduced some of the non-core, on-balance sheet liquidity we had built up during the first few months of the pandemic. We have also reduced the levels of provision expense we recorded during the second half of 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021 as many of our borrowers’ businesses have begun to improve and government intervention efforts have aided many of our customers affected by the pandemic in managing through the pandemic. Nonetheless, some of our business and consumer customers are continuing to experience varying degrees of financial distress, which could continue for the remainder of 2021. As a result, despite some reductions, we currently expect our levels of liquidity and reserves to remain above historical levels through 2021.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The accounting principles we follow and our methods of applying these principles conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and with general practices within the banking industry. In connection with the application of those principles, we have made judgments and estimates which, in the case of the determination of our allowance for loan losses have been critical to the determination of our financial position and results of operations. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses (“allowance”). Our management assesses the adequacy of the allowance prior to the end of each calendar quarter. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of the loan portfolio, past loan loss experience, current asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payment), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current and anticipated economic conditions, historical loss experience, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. Loan losses are charged off when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely. A loan may be partially charged off after a “confirming event” has occurred which serves to validate that full repayment pursuant to the terms of the loan is unlikely. Allocation of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, is deemed to be uncollectible.

 

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Collection of all amounts due according to the contractual terms means that both the interest and principal payments of a loan will be collected as scheduled in the loan agreement.

 

An impairment allowance is recognized if the fair value of the loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (recorded investment in the loan is the principal balance plus any accrued interest, net of deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount). The impairment is recognized through the allowance. Loans that are impaired are recorded at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or if the loan is collateral dependent, impairment measurement is based on the fair value of the collateral, less estimated disposal costs. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the Company recognizes an impairment by creating a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses or by adjusting an existing valuation allowance for the impaired loan with a corresponding charge or credit to the provision for loan losses. Management believes it follows appropriate accounting and regulatory guidance in determining impairment and accrual status of impaired loans.

 

The level of allowance maintained is believed by management to be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off.

 

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, we also consider the results of our ongoing loan review process. We undertake this process both to ascertain whether there are loans in the portfolio whose credit quality has weakened over time and to assist in our overall evaluation of the risk characteristics of the entire loan portfolio. Our loan review process includes the judgment of management, the input from our independent loan reviewers, and reviews that may have been conducted by bank regulatory agencies as part of their usual examination process. We incorporate loan review results in the determination of whether or not it is probable that we will be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of a loan.

 

As part of management’s quarterly assessment of the allowance, management divides the loan portfolio into twelve segments based on bank call reporting requirements. The allowance allocation begins with a process of estimating the probable losses in each of the twelve loan segments. The estimates for these loans are based on our historical loss data for that category over the last twenty quarters. Each segment is then analyzed such that an allocation of the allowance is estimated for each loan segment.

 

 

The estimated loan loss allocation for all twelve loan portfolio segments is then adjusted for several “environmental” factors. The allocation for environmental factors is particularly subjective and does not lend itself to exact mathematical calculation. This amount represents estimated probable inherent credit losses which exist, but have not yet been identified, as of the balance sheet date, and are based upon quarterly trend assessments in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, unanticipated charge-offs, credit concentration changes, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending personnel experience, changes in lending policies, increase in interest rates, or procedures and other influencing factors. These environmental factors are considered for each of the twelve loan segments and the allowance allocation, as determined by the processes noted above for each component, is increased or decreased through provision expense based on the incremental assessment of these various environmental factors.

 

We then test the resulting allowance by comparing the balance in the allowance to industry and peer information. Our management then evaluates the result of the procedures performed, including the result of our testing, and concludes on the appropriateness of the balance of the allowance in its entirety. The board of directors reviews and approves the assessment prior to the filing of quarterly and annual financial information.

 

ASU 2016-13, which is known as the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) standard, had an effective date of January 1, 2020. Pursuant to the CARES Act, lenders, like us, were given the option to defer the implementation of ASU 2016-13 until 60 days after the declaration of the end of the public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first. The Coronavirus Relief Act subsequently gave lenders the option to further defer the implementation of CECL until January 1, 2022. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff has stated that opting to delay the implementation of CECL shall be considered to be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As a result, we elected to delay implementation of CECL until January 1, 2022. See Note 1. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere in this Form 10-Q for further information regarding our delayed implementation of CECL. 

 

Other-than-temporary Impairment. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in the carrying amount of the security. To determine whether impairment is other-than-temporary, management considers whether the entity expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security by reviewing the present value of the future cash flows associated with the security. The shortfall of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected in relation to the amortized cost basis is referred to as a credit loss and is deemed to be other-than temporary impairment. If a credit loss is identified, the credit loss is recognized as a charge to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. If management concludes that no credit loss exists and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the security before maturity, then the security is not other-than-temporarily impaired and the shortfall is recorded as a component of equity.

 

 

Selected Financial Information

 

The executive management and Board of Directors of the Company evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) on a continuing basis. These KPIs serve as benchmarks of Company performance and are used in making strategic decisions. The following table represents the KPIs that management has determined to be important in making decisions for the bank:

 

   

As of or For the Three Months Ended March 31,

         
   

2021

   

2020

   

2021 - 2020 Percent Increase (Decrease)

 

PER SHARE DATA:

                       

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 1.01     $ 0.83       21.69 %

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 1.00     $ 0.83       20.48 %

Cash dividends

  $ 0.60     $ 0.60       0.00 %

Dividends declared per share as a percentage of basic earnings per share

    59.41 %     72.29 %     (17.82 )%

 

   

As of or For the Three Months Ended March 31,

         
   

2021

   

2020

   

2021 - 2020 Percent Increase (Decrease)

 

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:

                       

Return on average stockholders' equity

    11.82 %     10.58 %     11.72 %

Return on average assets

    1.33 %     1.29 %     3.10 %

Efficiency ratio

    58.11 %     59.32 %     (2.04 )%

 

   

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

   

2021 - 2020 Percent Increase (Decrease)

 

BALANCE SHEET RATIOS:

                       

Total capital to assets

    10.74 %     11.28 %     (4.79 )%

Non-performing asset ratio

    0.07 %     0.08 %     (12.50 )%

Book value per common share

  $ 34.39     $ 34.58       (0.55 )%

 

Results of Operations
 
Net earnings increased $2,113,000, or 23.40%,  to  $11,144,000 for the  three months ended March 31, 2021, from $9,031,000 in the first  three months of 2020. The increase in net earnings during the  three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year comparable period was primarily due to an increase in net interest income, an increase in non-interest income and a reduction in provision expense, partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense. The increase in net interest income is due to an increase in average interest earning asset balances between the relevant periods, including loans originated pursuant to the PPP, partially offset by a decrease in rates and decreased net yield on interest earning assets. The increase in non-interest expense resulted from the Company's continued growth.
 
Return on average assets (ROA) is a common benchmark for bank profitability and is calculated by taking our annualized net earnings and dividing by the average assets for the relevant period. ROA measures a company’s return on investment in a format that is easily comparable to other financial institutions. It is particularly important to the Company as it serves as the basis for certain executive and employee bonuses. The ROA for the three-month periods ended  March 31, 2021 and 2020 were  1.33% and 1.29%, respectively.
 

 

Net Interest Income

 

The average balances, interest, and average rates of our assets and liabilities for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Three Months Ended

   

Net Change Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31, 2021

   

March 31, 2020

   

March 31, 2021 versus March 31, 2020

 
   

Average Balance

   

Interest Rate

   

Income/ Expense

   

Average Balance

   

Interest Rate

   

Income/ Expense

   

Due to Volume

   

Due to Rate

   

Net Change

   

Percent Change

 

Loans, net of unearned interest (2) (3)

  $ 2,317,991       5.08 %   $ 28,493     $ 2,133,599       5.24 %   $ 27,276     $ 6,088     $ (4,871 )   $ 1,217          

Investment securities—taxable

    519,027       1.32       1,692       364,723       2.25       2,040       3,250       (3,598 )     (348 )        

Investment securities—tax exempt

    78,364       1.67       323       49,339       1.97       242       301       (220 )     81          

Taxable equivalent adjustment (1)

          0.45       86             0.52       64       77       (55 )     22          

Total tax-exempt investment securities

    78,364       2.12       409       49,339       2.49       306       378       (275 )     103          

Total investment securities

    597,391       1.43       2,101       414,062       2.28       2,346       3,628       (3,873 )     (245 )        

Loans held for sale

    19,921       2.04       100       12,787       3.40       108       198       (206 )     (8 )        

Federal funds sold

    675                   19,430       1.16       56       (27 )     (29 )     (56 )        

Accounts with depository institutions

    328,150       0.13       108       105,050       1.21       316       1,447       (1,655 )     (208 )        

Restricted equity securities

    5,089       2.07       26       4,680       4.21       49       26       (49 )     (23 )        

Total earning assets

    3,269,217       3.89       30,828       2,689,608       4.59       30,151       11,360       (10,683 )     677       2.25 %

Cash and due from banks

    34,802                       14,732                                                  

Allowance for loan losses

    (38,575 )                     (28,957 )                                                

Bank premises and equipment

    57,993                       60,041                                                  

Other assets

    80,954                       70,716                                                  

Total assets

  $ 3,404,391                     $ 2,806,140                                                  

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Three Months Ended

   

Net Change Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31, 2021

   

March 31, 2020

   

March 31, 2021 versus March 31, 2020

 
   

Average Balance

   

Interest Rate

   

Income/ Expense

   

Average Balance

   

Interest Rate

   

Income/ Expense

   

Due to Volume

   

Due to Rate

   

Net Change

   

Percent Change

 

Deposits:

                                                                               

Negotiable order of withdrawal accounts

  $ 771,460       0.11 %   $ 211     $ 561,960       0.32 %   $ 443     $ 759     $ (991 )   $ (232 )        

Money market demand accounts

    1,008,463       0.17       422       809,702       0.59       1,182       1,540       (2,300 )     (760 )        

Time Deposits

    610,020       1.43       2,149       626,592       1.95       3,041       (80 )     (812 )     (892 )        

Other savings

    217,246       0.22       118       146,145       0.49       177       339       (398 )     (59 )        

Total interest-bearing deposits

    2,607,189       0.45       2,900       2,144,399       0.91       4,843       2,558       (4,501 )     (1,943 )        

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    3,480       15.50       133       22,637       2.68       151       (876 )     858       (18 )        

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    2,610,669       0.47       3,033       2,167,036       0.93       4,994       1,682       (3,643 )     (1,961 )     (39.27 %)

Non-interest bearing deposits

    390,522                       280,435                                                  

Other liabilities

    20,946                       15,295                                                  

Stockholders’ equity

    382,254                       343,374                                                  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 3,404,391                     $ 2,806,140                                                  

Net interest income, on a tax equivalent basis

                  $ 27,795                     $ 25,157     $ 9,678     $ (7,040 )   $ 2,638       10.49 %

Net yield on earning assets (4)

            3.51 %                     3.84 %                                        

Net interest spread (5)

            3.42 %                     3.66 %                                        

 

 

Notes:

(1) The tax equivalent adjustment has been computed using a 21% Federal tax rate.

(2) Yields on loans and total earning assets include the impact of State income tax credits related to incentive loans at below market rates and tax exempt loans to municipalities.

(3) Loan fees of $3.7 million and $2.0 million are included in interest income in 2021 and 2020, respectively, inclusive, in 2021, of $1.2 million in SBA fees related to PPP loans.

(4) Annualized net interest income on a tax equivalent basis divided by average interest-earning assets.

(5) Average interest rate on interest-earning assets less average interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Net yield on earning assets for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 3.51% and 3.84%, respectively. The decrease in net yield on earning assets was due to a decrease in the yield earned on all earning assets that outpaced the decrease in rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities. The Federal Reserve influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by many financial institutions. Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, decreased 150 basis points late in the first quarter of 2020, as a result of reductions in the federal funds rate enacted by the Federal Reserve, which has thereafter been maintained at the reduced rate. In the first quarter of 2021 the Federal Reserve announced it did not expect to raise rates until the end of 2023 at the earliest. The yield on loans decreased due to the declining rate environment discussed above, which was partially offset by an increase in loan volume and the impact of fees we were entitled to receive in connection with the origination of SBA PPP loans. The yield on securities decreased due to the declining rate environment discussed above, in which higher yielding securities were called by issuers and were replaced with securities yielding lower market rates. In addition, excess liquidity on the Company's balance sheet led to additional investment purchases that had lower yields due to the current rate environment. The net interest spread was 3.42% and 3.66% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively. The rate we pay on our deposits decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2021 when compared to the comparable period in 2020, as we decreased the rates on several of our deposit products in response to decreases in short-term rates in the first quarter of 2020 and the continuation of this low rate environment throughout 2020 and into 2021, partially offset by an overall increase in the volume of average interest-bearing deposits. As a result of the significant reduction in short-term rates together with the ongoing uncertainty resulting from COVID-19 and the continued intense competitive pressures in our markets and weak loan demand, our net yield on earning assets could continue to decline during the remainder of 2021 as could our net interest spread if we are unable to reduce the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities at a pace necessary to offset declines in our earning asset yields. Elevated levels of on-balance sheet liquidity resulting from government stimulus programs will also likely negatively impact our net yield on earning assets. 

 

Net interest income represents the amount by which interest earned on various earning assets exceeds interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities and is the most significant component of the Company’s earnings. Net interest income, excluding tax equivalent adjustments relating to tax exempt securities and loans, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $27,709,000, compared to $25,093,000 for the same period in 2020, an increase of $2,616,000 between respective periods. 

 

The increase in interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to an overall increase in average loans, and the resulting increase in the net interest and fees earned on loans, which included SBA fees earned on PPP loans totaling $1,200,000. The ratio of average earning assets to total average assets for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 96.0%, compared to 95.8% for the same period in 2020.

 

The decrease in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year's comparable period was primarily due to a decrease in the rates of average interest bearing deposits, reflecting the declining rate environment that we have experienced since the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in rates was partially offset by an overall increase in the volume of average interest-bearing deposits. 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The provision for loan losses represents a charge to earnings necessary to establish an allowance for loan losses that, in management’s evaluation, is adequate to provide coverage for estimated losses on outstanding loans and to provide for uncertainties in the economy. The provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $827,000, a decrease of $642,000 from the provision of $1,469,000 incurred in the first three months of 2020. The decrease in provision expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from the comparable period in 2020 is in response to the wide distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and the suggestion from leading economic indicators that economic conditions are improving. The provision for loan losses is based on past loan experience and other factors which, in management’s judgment, deserve current recognition in estimating loan losses. Such factors include changes in the amount and composition of the loan portfolio, review of specific problem loans, past due and nonperforming loans, change in lending staff, the recommendations of the Company’s regulators, and current and anticipated economic conditions that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay. 

 

The Bank’s charge-off policy for impaired loans is similar to its charge-off policy for all loans in that loans are charged-off in the month when a determination is made that the loan is uncollectible. The volume of net loans charged off for the first three months of 2021 totaled approximately $36,000 compared to approximately $86,000 in net recoveries during the first three months of 2020. The Company currently anticipates that net charge-offs will decrease over the remainder of 2021, however, if the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic does not continue to abate or increased levels of community spread of the virus return for an extended period of time and the economy is negatively impacted, charge-offs could instead increase and the financial condition of the Company could be negatively impacted. Due to the unpredictable nature with which the pandemic is developing and evolving and the continued uncertainty of its duration and timing of recovery (including the uncertainty around vaccine uptake and the efficacy of the vaccine against new and mutated strains of the virus), we are not able to predict the extent to which COVID-19 will impact our financial results.

 

The allowance for loan losses (net of charge-offs and recoveries) was $39,330,000 at March 31, 2021, an increase of $791,000 or 2.05%, from $38,539,000 at December 31, 2020, and of $9,049,000, or 29.88%, from $30,281,000 at March 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was 1.68% of total loans outstanding at March 31, 2021, compared to 1.66% at December 31, 2020 and 1.40% at March 31, 2020. As a percentage of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, the allowance for loan losses represented 1,635%, 1,482% and 760%, respectively. The internally classified loans as a percentage of the allowance for loan losses were 20.3%, 21.4%, and 31.8% respectively, at March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020.

 

The level of the allowance and the amount of the provision involve evaluation of uncertainties and matters of judgment. The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses which management believes is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. A formal review is prepared quarterly by the Chief Financial Officer and provided to the Board of Directors to assess the risk in the portfolio and to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The review includes analysis of historical performance, the level of non-performing and adversely rated loans, specific analysis of certain problem loans, loan activity since the previous assessment, reports prepared by the Company's independent Loan Review Department, consideration of current economic conditions and other pertinent information. The level of the allowance to net loans outstanding will vary depending on the overall results of this quarterly assessment. See the discussion above under “Critical Accounting Estimates” for more information. While the severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals, small businesses and corporations is still not fully known, leading economic indicators suggest that economic conditions are improving, however they have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. In an effort to recognize an appropriate allowance for loan losses, management incorporated qualitative factors into our quarterly assessment during the three months ended March 31, 2021, including current economic conditions and value of collateral considerations, to increase the Company's reserve for the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Management believes the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2021 to be adequate, but if economic conditions deteriorate beyond management’s current expectations and additional charge-offs are incurred in excess of the amount included in such expectations, the allowance for loan losses may require an increase through additional provision for loan losses expense which would negatively impact earnings. If the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve and the overall economy is not as negatively affected as we had originally anticipated, the need for additional provision may not be necessary and could even result in the reversal of a portion of the current recorded allowance.

 

Non-Interest Income

 

Our non-interest income is composed of several components, some of which vary significantly between quarterly and annual periods. The following is a summary of our non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

   

$ Increase (Decrease)

   

% Increase (Decrease)

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

  $ 1,325     $ 1,675     $ (350 )     (20.90 %)
Brokerage income     1,398       1,189       209       17.58  
Debit and credit card interchange income     2,529       2,003       526       26.26  

Other fees and commissions

    518       316       202       63.92  

Income on BOLI and annuity contracts

    204       183       21       11.48  

Gain on sale of loans

    3,606       911       2,695       295.83  

Gain (loss) on sale of securities

          158       (158 )     (100.00 )

Gain (loss) on sale of other assets

    1             1       100.00  

Total non-interest income

  $ 9,581     $ 6,435     $ 3,146       48.89 %

 

The increase in non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 when compared to the comparable period in 2020 is primarily attributable to an increase in gain on sale of loans, an increase in debit and credit card interchange income, an increase in brokerage income, and an increase in other fees and commissions, partially offset by a decrease in service charges on deposit accounts and a decrease in gain on sale of securities.

 

Gain on sale of loans increased due to an increase in the overall volume from the sale of loans as a result of our mortgage group experiencing heightened demand. This increased demand was due to low mortgage rates as a result of quantitative easing and the government's purchase of mortgage backed securities, as well as strong demand and related housing starts in Wilson County and the surrounding counties that we serve. We currently expect the Federal Reserve to decrease quantitative easing in the second or third quarter of 2021, which we believe should shift mortgage markets back to pre-COVID rate and volume levels. 

 

Debit and credit card interchange income increased due to an increase in the number and volume of debit card holders and transactions. The increase in the volume of transactions was partially attributable to the economic stimulus payments received by our customers and increased online shopping and payments with cards due to COVID-19.

 

Brokerage income increased primarily due to client acquisition and the opening of new investment accounts. Brokerage income was also aided by the continued strong recovery in the stock market from first quarter 2020 lows resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Other fees and commissions increased primarily due to an increase in annuity income resulting from the purchase of several annuity plans in 2020.

 

Service charges on deposit accounts decreased primarily due to a decrease in service charges earned on insufficient income and a decrease in overdraft fees that resulted from the economic stimulus payments received by our customers and corresponding increases in deposit account balances as a result of COVID-19.

 

The decrease in gain on sale of securities resulted from management’s decision to take advantage of increased yields during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

Non-interest expense consists primarily of employee costs, occupancy expenses, furniture and equipment expenses, advertising and public relations expenses, data processing expenses, ATM and interchange expenses, director’s fees, audit, legal and consulting fees, and other operating expenses. The following is a summary of our non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

   

$ Increase (Decrease)

   

% Increase (Decrease)

 

Salaries and employee benefits

  $ 13,300     $ 11,132     $ 2,168       19.48 %

Occupancy expenses, net

    1,291       1,150       141       12.26  

Advertising & public relations expense

    487       616       (129 )     (20.94 )

Furniture and equipment expense

    826       768       58       7.55  

Data processing expense

    1,387       1,169       218       18.65  

ATM & interchange expense

    1,090       873       217       24.86  

Directors’ fees

    157       158       (1 )     (0.63 )

Audit, legal & consulting expenses

    189       180       9       5.00  

Other operating expenses

    2,944       2,656       288       10.84  

Total non-interest expense

  $ 21,671     $ 18,702     $ 2,969       15.88 %

 

The increase in non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 when compared to the comparable period in 2020 is primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits, an increase in net occupancy expenses, an increase in other operating expenses, an increase in data processing expense, and an increase in ATM and interchange expense, partially offset by a decrease in advertising and public relations expense.

 

Salaries and employee benefits increased primarily due to an increase in the number of employees necessary to support the Company’s growth in operations as well as an increase in incentives, due to an increase in the volume of booked mortgage loans and an increase in new investment client acquisition. This increase also resulted from an increase in the amortization of the Company's annual bonus. The increase in occupancy expense is primarily attributable to an increase in maintenance and repairs on buildings, an increase in depreciation expense on buildings resulting from improvements, an increase in lease expense due to an increase in leased branches, and an increase in sanitation supplies and protective facial masks related to COVID-19. The Company anticipates that salaries and employee benefits expense and occupancy expense will continue to increase as the Company's operations and facilities continue to grow.

 

Other operating expenses increased primarily due to an increase in professional fees related to PPP loans, an increase in FDIC assessments, and an increase in fees and licenses.

 

Data processing expenses increased primarily due to an increase in computer maintenance, computer license expense, and computer home banking. These expenses included upgrades of our current systems as well as additional investments in computer software, an increase in I.T. consulting expense and an increase in information security expenses. COVID-19 related expenses contributed to this increase with more reliance on virtual meetings and remote work. The Company anticipates that data processing expenses will continue to increase as the Company's operations grow and the focus on the acceleration of digital product offerings increases.

 

ATM and interchange expense increased primarily due to an increase in debit card interchange fee expense due to the volume of transactions, which resulted in part from increased online shopping and payments with cards due to COVID-19, as well as an increase in ATM expenses resulting from software upgrades and maintenance services to all existing ATMs.

 

Advertising and public relations expense decreased primarily due to a decrease in community events in the market areas in which we operate as a result of COVID-19.

 

The efficiency ratio is a common and comparable KPI used in the banking industry. The Company uses this metric to monitor how effective management is at using our internal resources. It is calculated by dividing our non-interest expense by our net interest income plus non-interest income. Our efficiency ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were 58.11% and 59.32%, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company’s income tax expense was $3,648,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $1,322,000 over the comparable period in 2020. The percentage of income tax expense to net income before taxes was 24.66% and 20.48% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively. This increase was partially attributable to the purchase of additional non-qualified municipal securities. Our effective tax rate represents our blended federal and state rate of 26.135% affected by the impact of anticipated favorable permanent differences between our book and taxable income such as bank-owned life insurance, income earned on tax-exempt securities and certain federal and state tax credits.

 

 

Financial Condition

 

Balance Sheet Summary

 

The Company’s total assets increased $178,901,000, or 5.31%, to $3,548,505,000 at March 31, 2021 from $3,369,604,000 at December 31, 2020. Loans, net of allowance for loan losses, totaled $2,294,999,000 at March 31, 2021, a 0.54% increase compared to $2,282,766,000 at December 31, 2020. In 2020, management focused on growing all segments of our loan portfolio. In 2021, management is targeting owner-occupied commercial real estate, residential real estate lending and consumer lending as areas of emphasis.

 

The following details the loans of the Company at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

   

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

                 
   

Balance

   

% of Portfolio

   

Balance

   

% of Portfolio

   

Balance $ Increase (Decrease)

   

Balance % Increase (Decrease)

 

Residential 1-4 family

  $ 527,092       22.48 %   $ 535,994       23.00 %   $ (8,902 )     (1.66 )%

Multifamily

    93,318       3.98       111,646       4.79       (18,328 )     (16.42 )

Commercial real estate

    865,388       36.91       837,766       35.95       27,622       3.30  

Construction and land development

    513,931       21.92       488,626       20.97       25,305       5.18  

Farmland

    12,377       0.53       15,429       0.66       (3,052 )     (19.78 )

Second mortgages

    8,164       0.35       8,433       0.36       (269 )     (3.19 )

Equity lines of credit

    76,633       3.27       78,889       3.38       (2,256 )     (2.86 )

Commercial loans

    170,712       7.28       172,811       7.41       (2,099 )     (1.21 )

Agricultural loans

    1,019       0.04       1,206       0.05       (187 )     (15.51 )

Personal

    62,403       2.66       66,193       2.84       (3,790 )     (5.73 )

Credit cards

    4,321       0.18       4,324       0.19       (3 )     (0.07 )

Other loans

    9,147       0.39       9,283       0.40       (136 )     (1.47 )

Total loans before net deferred loan fees

  $ 2,344,505       100.00 %   $ 2,330,600       100.00 %   $ 13,905       0.60 %

 

  The increase in construction and land development loans is a result of an increase in demand as we continue to see inventory levels of 1-4 family housing decline. The continued strong demand in the Company's market has also contributed to a reduction in lot supply. The increase in commercial real estate loans is a result of the addition of several large loans as well as the completion of some construction projects converting to permanent financing. The slight decrease in commercial and industrial loans is largely attributable to the forgiveness or repayment of PPP loans we previously made to small businesses and individuals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company funded $116.9 million of PPP loans to our small business and other eligible customers, $67.2 million of which remained outstanding as of March 31, 2021. The decrease in multifamily loans is primarily a result of the payoff of several large loan relationships.

 

Because construction loans remain a meaningful portion of our portfolio, the Bank has implemented an additional layer of monitoring as it seeks to avoid advancing funds that exceed the present value of the collateral securing the loan. The responsibility for monitoring percentage of completion and distribution of funds tied to these completion percentages is now monitored and administered by a Credit Administration Department independent of the lending function. The Bank continues to seek to diversify its real estate portfolio as it seeks to lessen concentrations in any one type of loan.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on general economic conditions, and though economic conditions in our markets have been improving, uncertainty remains surrounding the length and ultimate severity of the pandemic. Although the Company has continued to grow loans in 2021, that loan growth is less robust than in recent prior years, and if the pandemic continues for an extended period of time, the Company could experience a further decline in demand for loans and the financial condition of the Company could be negatively impacted. The complete extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak will impact loan demand and thus affect financial results remains uncertain.  

 

Securities increased $33,389,000, or 5.75%, to $613,932,000 at March 31, 2021 from $580,543,000 at December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of management's decision to invest excess liquidity. The average yield, excluding tax equivalent adjustment, of the securities portfolio at March 31, 2021 was 1.57% with a weighted average life of 7.92 years, as compared to an average yield of 1.63% and a weighted average life of 8.00 years at December 31, 2020. The weighted average lives on mortgage-backed securities reflect the repayment rate used for book value calculations.

 

Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held-to-maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. Securities not classified as held-to-maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available-for-sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. There were no debt and equity securities classified as held-to-maturity or trading securities at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

 

 

Premises and equipment decreased $522,000, or 0.90%, from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The primary reason for the decrease was due to current year depreciation of $1,055,000. This decrease was largely offset by the remodel of our West End branch, an increase in contracts in process, and the purchase of a company vehicle.  

 

The increase in deposits, including those resulting from funded PPP loans, stimulus checks, and tax return refunds, outpaced loan growth causing interest bearing deposits with other financial institutions to increase to $411,491,000 at March 31, 2021 from $304,750,000 at December 31, 2020. 

 

Total liabilities increased by 5.95% to $3,167,278,000 at March 31, 2021 compared to $2,989,483,000 at December 31, 2020. The increase in total liabilities since December 31, 2020 was composed of a $180,231,000, or 6.09%, increase in total deposits, partially offset by a $3,638,000, or 100.00%, decrease in Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The increase in total deposits since December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the government issued economic stimulus relief attributable to COVID-19. Deposit growth was also the result of PPP loan proceeds being deposited in the Bank pending use of the funds by the borrower, and refunds to customers from the filing of their tax returns. Additional stimulus relief could lead to further deposit growth. The decrease in Federal Home Loan Bank advances since December 31, 2020 was due to management's strategic decision to utilize excess liquidity to pay off these advances. At March 31, 2021, our borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati totaled $355,848,000. The Bank pledges substantially all of its 1-4 family residential real estate loans to secure its borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. 

 

Non Performing Assets

 

The following tables present the Company’s non-accrual loans and past due loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

Loans on Nonaccrual Status

 

   

In Thousands

 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2021     2020  

Residential 1-4 family

  $ 963     $ 1,022  

Multifamily

           

Commercial real estate

    311       311  

Construction

           

Farmland

           

Second mortgages

           

Equity lines of credit

           

Commercial

           

Agricultural, installment and other

           

Total

  $ 1,274     $ 1,333  

 

 

Past Due Loans

 

   

(In thousands)

 
    30-59 Days Past Due     60-89 Days Past Due     Non Accrual and Greater Than 90 Days     Total Non Accrual and Past Due    

Current

    Total Loans     Recorded Investment Greater Than 90 Days Past Due and Accruing  

March 31, 2021

                                                       

Residential 1-4 family

  $ 2,709       564       1,102       4,375       522,717       527,092     $ 139  

Multifamily

                            93,318       93,318        

Commercial real estate

    296             311       607       864,781       865,388        

Construction

    644       300       780       1,724       512,207       513,931       780  

Farmland

                            12,377       12,377        

Second mortgages

    160                   160       8,004       8,164        

Equity lines of credit

                            76,633       76,633        

Commercial

    147                   147       170,565       170,712        

Agricultural, installment and other

    274       22       75       371       76,519       76,890       75  

Total

  $ 4,230       886       2,268       7,384       2,337,121       2,344,505     $ 994  

December 31, 2020

                                                       

Residential 1-4 family

  $ 2,634       511       1,818       4,963       531,031       535,994     $ 796  

Multifamily

                            111,646       111,646        

Commercial real estate

                460       460       837,306       837,766       149  

Construction

    768             44       812       487,814       488,626       44  

Farmland

                            15,429       15,429        

Second mortgages

    265                   265       8,168       8,433        

Equity lines of credit

    31       302             333       78,556       78,889        

Commercial

    114       104             218       172,593       172,811        

Agricultural, installment and other

    363       81       60       504       80,502       81,006       60  

Total

  $ 4,175       998       2,382       7,555       2,323,045       2,330,600     $ 1,049  

 

Generally, at the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all interest accrued on the loan in the current fiscal year is reversed from income, and all interest accrued and uncollected from the prior year is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Thereafter, interest on nonaccrual loans is recognized as interest income only to the extent that cash is received and future collection of principal is not in doubt. A nonaccrual loan may be restored to accruing status when principal and interest are no longer past due and unpaid and future collection of principal and interest on a timely basis is not in doubt. Management has assessed the loans that are 90 days past due and determined that all are well-collateralized and in the process of collection, thus accrual of interest is appropriate.

 

Non-performing loans, which included non-accrual loans and loans 90 days past due, at March 31, 2021 totaled $2,268,000, a decrease from $2,382,000 at December 31, 2020. The decrease in non-performing loans during the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $114,000 is due primarily to three residential 1-4 family loan relationships that are no longer 90 days past due, and the payoff of one residential 1-4 family loan relationship. This was partially offset by the addition of two construction and land development loans to non-performing status. Management believes that it is probable that it will incur losses on its non-performing loans but believes that these losses should not exceed the amount in the allowance for loan losses already allocated to these loans, unless there is unanticipated deterioration of local real estate values or further, or greater than anticipated, economic disruption resulting from COVID-19. Although deterioration of the real estate market is not currently apparent, the prolonged coronavirus outbreak could have a material adverse impact on economic and market conditions and could potentially cause a negative impact on the value of real estate being held as collateral. This situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate material adverse impact to the value of real estate; however, the pandemic presents continued uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company, its performance, and its financial results. 

 

The net non-performing asset ratio (NPA) is used as a measure of the overall quality of the Company's assets. Our NPA ratio is calculated by taking the total of our loans greater than 90 days past due and accruing interest, non-accrual loans and other real estate owned divided by our total assets outstanding. Our NPA ratio for the periods ended March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were 0.07% and 0.08%, respectively. The NPA ratio was favorably impacted by the payment deferrals we offered customers in connection with the pandemic, which we did not have to account for as non-performing, and the increase in our total assets as a result of PPP loans and the increase in deposits associated with the pandemic.

 

Other loans may be classified as impaired when the current net worth and financial capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any, is viewed as inadequate and it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Such loans generally have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt, and if such deficiencies are not corrected, there is a probability that the Company will sustain some loss. In such cases, interest income continues to accrue as long as the loan does not meet the Company’s criteria for nonaccrual status. Impaired loans are measured at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, at the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the Company shall recognize impairment by creating a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses or by adjusting an existing valuation allowance for the impaired loan with a corresponding charge or credit to the provision for loan losses.

 

 

At March 31, 2021 the Company had a recorded investment in impaired loans of $3,283,000 down from $3,377,000 at December 31, 2020. The decrease in impaired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to December 31, 2020 is due to payments made on these loans. Overall, the Company’s market areas had seen continued strengthening in the residential real estate market in recent years while the commercial real estate market had remained steady. The allowance for loan losses related to collateral dependent impaired loans was measured based upon the estimated fair value of related collateral.

 

The Company’s loan portfolio includes certain loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR), where economic or other concessions have been granted to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. The concessions typically result from the Company’s loss mitigation activities and could include reduction in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months. Total TDRs decreased $45,000 to $2,631,000 from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021 due to the pay-down of several loan relationships that were classified as TDRs at December 31, 2020. The CARES Act and interagency guidance provides financial institutions the option to temporarily suspend certain requirements under GAAP related to TDRs for a limited period of time to account for those loans which have been granted deferrals due to the effects of COVID-19. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak will impact our financial results and asset quality in 2021 remains uncertain. For more information regarding the deferrals we have offered to our customers see “Impact of COVID-19” above.

 

Loans are charged-off in the month when the determination is made that the loan is uncollectible. Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $36,000 as compared to $86,000 in net recoveries for the same period in 2020. Overall, the Bank has experienced minimal charge-offs during 2021. The Company currently anticipates that net charge-offs will decrease over the remainder of 2021 when compared to the full year amount for 2020, however, if the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic does not continue to abate or increased levels of community spread of the virus return for an extended period of time and the economy is negatively impacted, charge-offs could instead increase and the financial condition of the Company could be negatively impacted. Due to the speed and unpredictable nature with which the pandemic is developing and evolving and the continued uncertainty of its duration and timing of recovery (including the uncertainty around vaccine uptake and the efficacy of the vaccine against new and mutated strains of the virus), we are not able to predict the extent to which COVID-19 will impact our financial results.

 

At March 31, 2021, our internally classified loans had decreased $269,000, or 3.26%, to $7,977,000 from $8,246,000 at December 31, 2020 primarily due to the upgrade of two internally classified loan relationships and the payoff of two internally classified loan relationships, partially offset by the downgrade of one large loan relationship. Classified loan balances have remained relatively consistent due to the stabilization of cash flows from home builders, land developers, and commercial real estate borrowers. Loans are listed as classified when information obtained about possible credit problems of the borrower has prompted management to question the ability of the borrower to comply with the repayment terms of the loan agreement. As with other asset quality measures, prolonged economic disruption as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could result in increased levels of classified loans.

 

The largest categories of internally graded loans at March 31, 2021 were residential real estate mortgage loans and commercial real estate. Included within the residential real estate category are residential real estate construction and development loans, including loans to home builders and developers of land, as well as 1-4 family mortgage loans. Residential real estate loans, including construction and land development loans that are internally classified totaled $7,169,000 and $7,240,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Commercial real estate loans that are internally classified totaled $586,000 and $738,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. These loans have been graded accordingly due to bankruptcies, inadequate cash flows and/or delinquencies. The $71,000 decrease in internally graded residential real estate loans since December 31, 2020 was due to the payoff of one internally classified loan relationship and the upgrade of two internally classified loans, partially offset by the downgrade of two loan relationships. The $152,000 decrease in internally graded commercial real estate loans since December 31, 2020 was due to the payoff of one loan relationship. As of March 31, 2021, the Bank has experienced a stabilization in internally graded loans as the cash flows from home builders, land developers, and commercial real estate borrowers have stabilized due to economic stimulus payments, increased economic activity, and payment deferrals offered. Management does not anticipate losses on these loans to exceed the amount already allocated to loan losses for these loans, unless there is a deterioration of local real estate values. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on general economic conditions and unknowns remain surrounding this situation. If economic conditions deteriorate as a result of a worsening of the pandemic into 2021, the Company expects that it could experience an increase in internally graded loans and the financial condition of the Company could be negatively impacted.

 

Many of the Bank's customers have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic either through supply chain shortages, government mandated closures, job loss, furloughs, salary decreases, reduced consumer spending and a reduced workforce, among many other factors. In an effort to provide relief to those customers, the Bank proactively began providing relief to our customers in mid March 2020 through a 90 day interest only payment option or a full 90 day payment deferral option. The first week of April 2020, the Bank expanded its efforts to provide a six-month interest only payment option in an effort to provide flexibility to our customers as they navigate these uncertain economic times. As of March 31, 2021, the Bank had 11 loans, totaling $51.4 million in aggregate principal amount for which principal or both principal and interest were being deferred, compared to 13 loans totaling $36.4 million on deferral at December 31, 2020. The Bank is monitoring its loan portfolio on a weekly basis to identify the segments that are utilizing the COVID relief efforts and the overall percentage of the loan portfolio that has taken advantage of the relief. These reports are being reviewed by executive management and appropriately communicated to the Board of Directors. 

 

 

Liquidity and Asset Management

 

The Company’s management seeks to maximize net interest income by managing the Company’s assets and liabilities within appropriate constraints on capital, liquidity and interest rate risk. Liquidity is the ability to maintain sufficient cash levels necessary to fund operations, meet the requirements of depositors and borrowers, and fund attractive investment opportunities. Higher levels of liquidity, like those we built up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bear corresponding costs, measured in terms of lower yields on short-term, more liquid earning assets and higher interest expense involved in extending liability maturities.

 

Liquid assets include cash, due from banks, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions and unpledged investment securities that will mature within one year. At March 31, 2021, the Company’s liquid assets totaled $756.9 million up from $627.8 million at December 31, 2020. Additionally, as of March 31, 2021, the Company had available approximately $96.3 million in unused federal funds lines of credit with regional banks and, subject to certain restrictions and collateral requirements, approximately $355.8 million of borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati to meet short term funding needs. The Company maintains a formal asset and liability management process to quantify, monitor and control interest rate risk and to assist management in maintaining stability in net yield on earning assets under varying interest rate environments. The Company accomplishes this process through the development and implementation of lending, funding and pricing strategies designed to maximize net interest income under varying interest rate environments subject to specific liquidity and interest rate risk guidelines.

 

Analysis of rate sensitivity and rate gap analysis are the primary tools used to assess the direction and magnitude of changes in net interest income resulting from changes in interest rates. Included in the analysis are cash flows and maturities of financial instruments held for purposes other than trading, changes in market conditions, loan volumes and pricing and deposit volume and mix. These assumptions are inherently uncertain, and, as a result, net interest income cannot be precisely estimated nor can the impact of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income be precisely predicted. Actual results will differ due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management’s strategies, among other factors.

 

The Company’s primary source of liquidity is a stable core deposit base. In addition, short-term borrowings, loan payments and investment security maturities provide a secondary source. At March 31, 2021, the Company had a liability sensitive position (a negative gap). Liability sensitivity means that more of the Company’s liabilities are capable of re-pricing over certain time frames than its assets. The interest rates associated with these liabilities may not actually change over this period but are capable of changing. Liability sensitivity generally should lead to an expansion in net yield on earning assets in a declining rate environment, as we are currently experiencing, but for that to occur the Bank will need to reprice its deposits more quickly than it reprices rates it earns on loans. Conversely, a rising rate environment and a liability sensitive balance sheet could have a short-term negative impact on net yield on earning assets, as deposits would likely re-price faster than assets. Management regularly monitors the deposit rates of the Company’s competitors and these rates continue to put pressure on the Company’s deposit pricing, just as loan pricing pressure from competition within our markets continues to negatively impact loan yields. This pressure could continue to negatively impact the Company’s net yield on earning assets and earnings if short-term rates begin to rise or these competitive pressures limit the Company's ability to lower deposit rates in a declining rate environment. As discussed elsewhere herein, the Bank anticipates that its net yield on earning assets is likely to contract further into 2021 because of such competitive pressures in its markets and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the continuation of the historically low short-term interest rate environment we are experiencing.

 

The Company also uses simulation modeling to evaluate both the level of interest rate sensitivity as well as potential balance sheet strategies. The Company's Asset Liability Committee meets quarterly to analyze the interest rate shock simulation. The interest rate shock simulation model is based on a number of assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment and replacement of asset and liability cash flows and balance sheet management strategies. We model instantaneous change in interest rates using a growth in the balance sheet as well as a flat balance sheet to understand the impact to earnings and capital. The Company also uses Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of changes in interest rates on long-term cash flows, income and capital. EVE is calculated by discounting the cash flows for all balance sheet instruments under different interest rate scenarios. The EVE is a longer term view of interest rate risk because it measures the present value of the future cash flows. Presented below is the estimated impact on the Bank’s net interest income and EVE as of March 31, 2021, assuming an immediate shift in interest rates:

 

    % Change from Base Case for Immediate Parallel Changes in Rates  
   

-200 BP(1)

   

-100 BP(1)

   

+100 BP

   

+200 BP

   

+300 BP

 

Net interest income

    (6.53 )%     (4.03 )%     1.35 %     3.47 %     5.50 %

EVE

    (17.31 )%     (9.82 )%     2.27 %     4.03 %     4.77 %

 

(1)

Currently, some short term interest rates are below the standard down rate scenarios (100, 200 bps). The asset liability model does not calculate negative interest rates and will floor any index at 0.

 

 

While an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates was used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under these scenarios, we believe that a gradual shift in interest rates would have a more modest impact. Further, the earnings simulation model does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate any potential adverse impact of changes in interest rates. Moreover, since EVE measures the discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (i.e., the current year). Further, EVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, hedging strategies that we may institute, and changing product spreads that could mitigate any potential adverse impact of changes in interest rates.

 

Interest rate risk (sensitivity) management focuses on the earnings risk associated with changing interest rates. Management seeks to maintain profitability in both immediate and long-term earnings through funds management/interest rate risk management. The Company’s rate sensitivity position has an important impact on earnings. Senior management of the Company analyzes the rate sensitivity position quarterly. Management focuses on the spread between the Company’s cost of funds and interest yields generated primarily through loans and investments.

 

The Company’s securities portfolio consists of earning assets that provide interest income. Securities classified as available-for-sale include securities intended to be used as part of the Company’s asset/liability strategy and/or securities that may be sold in response to changes in interest rate, prepayment risk, the need or desire to increase capital and similar economic factors. At March 31, 2021, securities totaling approxim ately $23,479,000 mature or will be subject to rate adjustments within the next twelve months.
 
A secondary source of liquidity is the Company’s loan portfolio. At March 31, 2021 , loans totaling approximately $779,593,000 either will becom e due or will be subject to rate adjustments within twelve months from that date.
 
As for liabilities, at March 31, 2021 , certificates of deposit of $250,000 or greater totaling approximately $89,163,000 will beco me due or reprice during the next twelve months. Historically, there has been no significant reduction in immediately withdrawable accounts such as negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market demand accounts, demand deposit accounts and regular savings accounts. Management anticipates that there will be no significant withdrawals from these accounts in the future.

 

Management believes that with present maturities, the anticipated growth in deposit base, and the efforts of management in its asset/liability management program, liquidity will not pose a problem in the near term future. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented overall uncertainty in the financial markets and the Bank has seen an increase in deposits as some customers have shifted funds from market based products to more stable FDIC insured options. In addition, the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Relief Act and American Recovery Act all included economic stimulus packages for individuals who met the federal income qualifications in the form of a direct payment. Further stimulus checks or programs may have the effect of further increasing the Bank's deposit accounts, thus increasing liquidity. It is also anticipated that funding will be received for public depositories, which will further increase liquidity. At the present time, management does not believe that the COVID-19 pandemic will result in the Company’s liquidity changing in a materially adverse way other than the potential negative impact of the maintenance of higher levels of on-balance sheet liquidity.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At March 31, 2021, we had unfunded loan commitments outstanding of $907,144,000 and outstanding standby letters of credit of $86,434,000. Because these commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank has the ability to liquidate federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase federal funds from other financial institutions. Additionally, the Bank could sell participations in these or other loans to correspondent banks. As mentioned above, the Bank has been able to fund its ongoing liquidity needs through its stable core deposit base, loan payments, investment security maturities and short-term borrowings.

 

Capital Position and Dividends

 

At March 31, 2021, total stockholders’ equity was $381,227,000, or 10.74% of total assets, which compares with $380,121,000, or 11.28% of total assets, at December 31, 2020. The dollar increase in stockholders’ equity during the three months ended March 31, 2021 is the result of the Company’s net income of $11,144,000, proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to exercise of stock options of $276,000, the net effect of a $8,739,000 unrealized loss on investment securities net of applicable income tax benefit of $3,093,000, cash dividends declared of $6,596,000 of which $4,902,000 was reinvested under the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, and $119,000 related to stock option compensation.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

Although interest rates are significantly affected by inflation, the inflation rate is immaterial when reviewing the Company’s results of operations.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company’s primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which possess a short term to maturity. Based upon the nature of the Company’s operations, the Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk.

 

Interest rate risk (sensitivity) management focuses on the earnings risk associated with changing interest rates. Management seeks to maintain profitability in both short-term and long-term earnings through funds management/interest rate risk management. The Company’s rate sensitivity position has an important impact on earnings. Senior management of the Company meets monthly to analyze the rate sensitivity position. These meetings focus on the spread between the cost of funds and interest yields generated primarily through loans and investments.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the government response to such pandemic has changed the reported market risks during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Since March 31, 2020, the Federal Reserve has lowered the Fed Funds benchmark rate by a full 1.5 percentage points to a target range of 0 percent to 0.25 percent. In the first quarter of 2021 the Federal Reserve reiterated they would not likely be moving rates until the end of 2023 at the earliest. As discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section above, the Bank has experienced compression to its net yield on earning assets due to the rate cuts enacted by the Federal Reserve and the continuation of the historically low short-term rate environment. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by federal, state and local governments will ultimately impact the financial performance of the Bank remains uncertain due to the evolving and complex nature of the COVID-19 virus (including the uncertainty around the size and number of additional government stimulus programs that may be adopted), and management continues to actively monitor and adapt to the market changes resulting from the pandemic.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Overall, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Not applicable

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There were no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

(a) None

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

(c) None

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

(a) None

 

(b) Not applicable.   

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.1

 

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

 

 

 

31.2

  

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

 

 

 

32.1

  

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

  

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.INS

  

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

     

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
     
*   Management compensatory plan or contract.

 

 

 

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.

 

 
     

 

 

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

DATE: May 7, 2021

 

/s/ John C. McDearman III

 

 

John C. McDearman III

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

DATE: May 7, 2021

 

/s/ Lisa Pominski

 

 

Lisa Pominski

 

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

 

48