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

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number:  000-26099

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

Delaware
 
94-3327828
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

111 W. Pine Street, Lodi, California
 
95240
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (209) 367-2300

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

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
None
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share

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 

As of April 30, 2024, the registrant had 742,095 shares of common stock $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.



FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1 - Financial Statements
 
 
 
3
 
 
4
 
 
5
 
 
6
 
 
7
 
 
8
 
 
 
 
 
30
 
 
 
 
 
50
 
 
 
 
 
52
 
 
 
 
PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
53
 
Item 1A – Risk Factors
53
 
53
 
53
 
53
 
54
 
Item 6 – Exhibits
54
 
55

2

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP 
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31,
2023
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
 
$
65,796
   
$
72,267
 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
   
672,601
     
338,375
 
Total cash and cash equivalents
   
738,397
     
410,642
 
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost $259,318 and $199,374, respectively
   
239,856
     
182,512
 
Securities held-to-maturity, fair value $649,775 and $671,585 respectively
   
806,971
     
817,688
 
Allowance for credit losses - securities held-to-maturity
    (450 )     (450 )
Total investment securities
   
1,046,377
     
999,750
 
Non-marketable securities
   
15,549
     
15,549
 
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net of unearned income
   
3,696,295
     
3,654,689
 
Allowance for credit losses - loans and leases
   
(75,018
)
   
(74,965
)
Loans and leases held for investment, net
   
3,621,277
     
3,579,724
 
Bank-owned life insurance
   
75,525
     
74,931
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
51,618
     
51,907
 
Deferred income tax assets
   
34,818
     
39,979
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
23,740
     
28,520
 
Goodwill
   
11,183
     
11,183
 
Other intangibles
   
2,099
     
2,236
 
Other real estate owned
   
873
     
873
 
Other assets
   
93,117
     
93,634
 
Total Assets
 
$
5,714,573
   
$
5,308,928
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
 
$
1,410,487
   
$
1,482,571
 
Interest bearing:
               
Demand
   
1,038,920
     
933,417
 
Savings and money market
   
1,632,720
     
1,607,479
 
Certificates of deposit
   
877,462
     
644,628
 
Total interest bearing
   
3,549,102
     
3,185,524
 
Total deposits
   
4,959,589
     
4,668,095
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    100,000       -  
Subordinated debentures
   
10,310
     
10,310
 
Interest payable and other liabilities
   
79,457
     
80,768
 
Total Liabilities
   
5,149,356
     
4,759,173
 
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Preferred shares, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized and, none issued or outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common shares, $0.01 par value, 7,500,000 authorized, 742,770 and 747,971 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
   
7
     
7
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
31,401
     
36,852
 
Retained earnings
   
548,123
     
525,360
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
   
(14,314
)
   
(12,464
)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
565,217
     
549,755
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
5,714,573
   
$
5,308,928
 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
2024
   
2023
 
Interest income
           
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
$
55,408
   
$
48,008
 
Interest and dividends on investment securities
   
6,703
     
5,663
 
Interest on deposits with others
   
4,530
     
5,961
 
Total interest income
   
66,641
     
59,632
 
 
               
Interest expense
               
Deposits
   
14,645
     
3,714
 
Borrowed funds
   
62
     
-
 
Subordinated debentures
   
221
     
196
 
Total interest expense
   
14,928
     
3,910
 
Net interest income
   
51,713
     
55,722
 
Provision for credit losses
   
-
     
1,500
 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
   
51,713
     
54,222
 
Non-interest income
               
Card processing
   
1,629
     
1,591
 
Gain on BOLI death benefit
   
-
     
4,346
 
Net gain on deferred compensation benefits
   
1,158
     
896
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
748
     
634
 
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
   
595
     
444
 
Net loss on sale of securities available-for-sale
   
-
     
(5,686
)
Other
   
945
     
1,235
 
Total non-interest income
   
5,075
     
3,460
 
Non-interest expense
               
Salaries and employee benefits
   
17,503
     
19,584
 
Data processing
   
1,455
     
1,260
 
Occupancy
   
1,232
     
1,180
 
Net gain on deferred compensation benefits
   
1,158
     
896
 
Deposit insurance
   
712
     
692
 
Professional services
   
541
     
682
 
Marketing
   
480
     
470
 
Other
   
2,440
     
3,419
 
Total non-interest expense
   
25,521
     
28,183
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
31,267
     
29,499
 
Income tax expense
   
8,544
     
5,952
 
NET INCOME
 
$
22,723
   
$
23,547
 
 
               
Earnings per common share:
               
Basic
 
$
30.56
   
$
30.80
 
Diluted
 
$
30.56
   
$
30.80
 
 
               
Weighted average number of common shares
               
Basic
   
743,515
     
764,603
 
Diluted
   
743,515
     
764,603
 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
 
Net income
 
$
22,723
   
$
23,547
 
Other comprehensive income                
Unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities
   
(2,600
)
   
2,362
 
Reclassification adjustment for losses on available-for-sale securities
   
-
     
5,685
 
Amortization of unrealized loss on securities transferred to held-to-maturity
   
(27
)
   
(30
)
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities
   
(2,627
)
   
8,017
 
Income tax benefit/(expense)
   
777
     
(2,379
)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax
   
(1,850
)
   
5,638
 
Total comprehensive income
 
$
20,873
   
$
29,185
 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
 
Common
Shares
   
Amount
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)/Income
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2022
   
768,337
   
$
8
   
$
57,206
   
$
449,932
   
$
(21,838
)
 
$
485,308
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
23,547
     
-
     
23,547
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
5,638
     
5,638
 
Repurchase of common stock
   
(5,406
)
   
-
     
(5,591
)
   
-
     
-
     
(5,591
)
Balance as of March 31, 2023
   
762,931
   
$
8
   
$
51,615
   
$
473,479
   
$
(16,200
)
 
$
508,902
 
 
                                               
Balance as of December 31, 2023
   
747,971
   
$
7
   
$
36,852
   
$
525,360
   
$
(12,464
)
 
$
549,755
 
Cumulative change from adoption of ASU 2023-02
                           
40
             
40
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
22,723
     
-
     
22,723
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,850
)
   
(1,850
)
Repurchase of common stock
   
(5,201
)
   
-
     
(5,451
)
   
-
     
-
     
(5,451
)
Balance as of March 31, 2024
   
742,770
   
$
7
   
$
31,401
   
$
548,123
   
$
(14,314
)
 
$
565,217
 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
6

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
22,723
   
$
23,547
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for credit losses
   
-
     
1,500
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
698
     
596
 
Net amortization of securities premiums and discounts
   
(320
)
   
33
 
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
   
(595
)
   
(444
)
Gain on BOLI death benefit
    -       (4,346 )
Decrease in deferred income taxes, net
   
3,296
     
3,933
 
Loss on sale of securities available-for-sale
   
-
     
5,686
 
Net changes in:
               
Other assets
   
8,502
     
6,307
 
Other liabilities
   
477
     
4,864
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
34,781
     
41,676
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Net change in loans and leases held-for-investment
   
(41,541
)
   
70,927
 
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
   
(63,764
)
   
(3,585
)
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities
   
(1,130
)
   
(1,350
)
Proceeds from sales, maturities, calls and pay downs of available-for-sale securities
   
4,318
     
40,348
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and pay downs of held-to-maturity securities
   
11,743
     
10,817
 
Purchase of premises and equipment
   
(410
)
   
(1,543
)
Purchase of other investments
   
(2,285
)
   
(2,008
)
Proceeds from bank-owned life insurance     -       11,752  
Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities
   
(93,069
)
   
125,358
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net increase/(decrease) in deposits
   
291,494
     
(220,107
)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    100,000       -  
Net cash used in share repurchases of common stock
   
(5,451
)
   
(5,591
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
386,043
     
(225,698
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
327,755
     
(58,664
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
410,642
     
588,257
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
738,397
   
$
529,593
 
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest
 
$
12,852
   
$
3,389
 
Income taxes paid
  $ -     $ 1  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions:
               
Net change in unrealized gain/(losses) on securities available-for-sale
  $ 2,600     $ (8,047 )

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

7


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (“FMCB” or “Bancorp”), a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Delaware and its wholly owned subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (“F&M Bank” or the “Bank”) collectively (the “Company”).

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In preparing these financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to March 31, 2024 for potential recognition or disclosure. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. Certain information and note disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and the accounting standards for interim financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Various elements of the Company’s accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. In particular, management has identified several accounting policies that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are significant to an understanding of Bank’s financial statements. These policies relate to: (i) the methodology for the recognition of interest income; (ii) the determination of the provision and allowance for credit losses; (iii) the valuation of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value; (iv) the valuation of intangibles, such as goodwill and core deposit intangibles (“CDI”); (v) the valuation of other real estate owned (“OREO”); and (vi) the valuation or recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. These policies and judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail in subsequent notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024 and Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our 2023 Form 10-K. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — The Accounting Standards Codification™ (“ASC”) is the FASB officially recognized source of authoritative GAAP applicable to all public and non-public non-governmental entities. Periodically, the FASB will issue Accounting Standard updates (“ASU”) to its ASC. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under the authority of the federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for the Company as an SEC registrant. All other accounting literature is non-authoritative.

On January 1, 2024, the company adopted the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that have investments in equity securities measured at fair value that are subject to a contractual sale restriction. These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The company adopted this standard on January 1, 2024, with no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

8


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies—Continued

On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. ASU 2023-02 allows reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. The Amendments in ASU 2023-02 apply to all reporting entities that hold (1) tax equity investments that meet the conditions for and elect to account for them using the proportional amortization method or (2) an investment in a low income housing tax credit investments (“LIHTC”) structure through a limited liability entity that is not accounted for using the proportional amortization method and to which certain LIHTC-specific guidance removed from FASB ASC 323-740, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Income Taxes, has been applied. The amendments in ASU 2023-02 must be applied on either a modified retrospective or a retrospective basis (except as discussed in the ASU for LIHTC investments not accounted for using the proportional amortization method). The Company adopted this standard to use the proportional amortization method on January 1, 2024, with a $40,000 cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings under the modified retrospective method. Under the proportional amortization method the amortization of the LIHTC investments, income tax credits and other income tax benefits are now recognized in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit) rather than other non-interest expense.

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption —The following paragraphs provide descriptions of newly issued but not yet effective accounting standards that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation S-X: Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock. ASU 2023-03 is effective upon addition to the FASB Codification. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its disclosures.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Updated and Simplification Initiative. ASU 2023-06 amends the disclosure or presentation requirements related to various subtopics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The ASU was issued in response to the SEC’s August 2018 final rule that updated and simplified disclosure requirements that the SEC believed were “redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded.” The new guidance is intended to align U.S. GAAP requirements with those of the SEC and to facilitate the application of U.S. GAAP for all entities. For entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosure requirements and for entities required to file or furnish financial statements with or to the SEC in preparation for the sale of or for purposes of issuing securities that are not subject to contractual restrictions on transfer, the effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC removes that related disclosure from its rules. For all other entities, the amendments will be effective two years later. However, if by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the related disclosure from its regulations, the amendments will be removed from the Codification and not become effective for any entity. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. ASU 2023-07 Requires public entities to disclose significant segment expenses, an amount and description for other segment items, the title and position of the entity’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of profit or loss to assess segment performance, and, on an interim basis, certain segment related disclosures that previously were required only on an annual basis. ASU 2023-07 also clarifies that entities with a single reportable segment are subject to both new and existing segment reporting requirements and that an entity is permitted to disclose multiple measures of segment profit or loss, provided that certain criteria are met. ASU 2023-07 requires annual disclosures for fiscal years beginning January 1, 2024 and interim disclosures for fiscal years beginning January 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is required to apply the amendments in this update retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company will update its segment related disclosures upon adoption.

9


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies—Continued

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” ASU 2023-09 requires public business entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 also requires all entities to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds, disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes for annual periods and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold, among other things. ASU 2023-09 is effective for us on January 1, 2025, though early adoption is permitted. The Company will update its income tax disclosures upon adoption.

Note 2—Investment Securities

The amortized cost, fair values, and unrealized gains and losses of the securities available-for-sale are as follows:


  Amortized      Gross Unrealized    
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
As of March 31, 2024                                
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
  $
3,057
    $
9
    $
18
    $
3,048
 
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
   
235,499
     
1,739
     
21,145
     
216,093
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
    5,695       -       41       5,654  
Corporate securities
   
14,757
     
34
     
40
     
14,751
 
Other
   
310
     
-
     
-
     
310
 
Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
259,318
   
$
1,782
   
$
21,244
   
$
239,856
 

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.


 
Amortized
   
Gross Unrealized
   
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
As of December 31, 2023
                               
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
  $
3,230
    $
12
    $
18
    $
3,224
 
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
   
180,543
     
3,022
     
19,727
     
163,838
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
    548       -       13       535  
   Corporate securities     14,743       41       179       14,605  
Other
   
310
     
-
     
-
     
310
 
Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
199,374
   
$
3,075
   
$
19,937
   
$
182,512
 

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.
10

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2—Investment Securities—Continued

The book values, estimated fair values and unrealized gains and losses of investments classified as held-to-maturity are as follows:

                      Allowance
 

 
Amortized
   
Gross Unrealized
   

    for Credit  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
As of March 31, 2024                              
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
 
$
656,028
   
$
3
   
$
142,770
   
$
513,261
    $ -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
    72,950
      -
      14,231
      58,719
      -
 
Municipal securities
    77,993       89       287       77,795       450  
Total held-to-maturity securities
 
$
806,971
   
$
92
   
$
157,288
   
$
649,775
    $ 450  

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

                      Allowance
 

  Amortized    
Gross Unrealized
   
   
for Credit
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
 Losses
 
As of December 31, 2023
                             
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
 
$
664,728
   
$
30
   
$
132,043
   
$
532,715
   
$
-
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
74,170
     
-
     
14,017
     
60,153
     
-
 
Municipal securities
    78,790       107       180       78,717       450  
Total held-to-maturity securities
 
$
817,688
   
$
137
   
$
146,240
   
$
671,585
   
$
450
 

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities is a contra-asset valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of held-to-maturity securities to present the net amount expected to be collected. Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. With regard to residential mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S. government, or agencies thereof, it is expected that the securities will not be settled at prices less than the amortized cost bases of the securities as such securities are backed by the full faith and credit of and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government. Accordingly, no allowance for credit losses has been recorded for these securities. With regard to securities issued by States and political subdivisions and other held-to-maturity securities, management considers (i) issuer bond ratings, (ii) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (iii) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities, (iv) internal forecasts and (v) whether or not such securities are guaranteed or pre-refunded by the issuers.
 

Fair values are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes. If a quoted market price or dealer quote is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

11


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2—Investment Securities—Continued


The following tables show the gross unrealized losses for available-for-sale securities, for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, that are less than 12 months and 12 months or more:



       
March 31, 2024
         
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
                       
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
 
$
24
   
$
-
   
$
1,148
   
$
18
   
$
1,172
   
$
18
 
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
   
4,560
     
51
     
77,695
     
21,094
     
82,255
     
21,145
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
5,138
     
29
     
516
     
12
     
5,654
     
41
 
Corporate securities
   
-
     
-
     
9,989
     
40
     
9,989
     
40
 
Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
9,722
   
$
80
   
$
89,348
   
$
21,164
   
$
99,070
   
$
21,244
 



(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.



       
December 31, 2023
         
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
                       
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
  $
33
    $
-
    $
1,235
    $
18
    $
1,268
    $
18
 
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
   
1,629
     
11
     
80,746
     
19,716
     
82,375
     
19,727
 
   Collateralized Mortgage Obligations(1)     -       -       535       13       535       13  
   Corporate securities     -       -       9,853       179       9,853       179  
Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
1,662
   
$
11
   
$
92,369
   
$
19,926
   
$
94,031
   
$
19,937
 



(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.


As of March 31, 2024 the Company held 182 available-for-sale securities of which 6 were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and 138 securities were in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or more without an allowance for credit losses. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality and because the Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be impaired. Management evaluates the available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, relying primarily on industry analyst reports and observations of market conditions and interest rate fluctuations.

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities by major type:

 
March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Municipal
securities
 
Mortgage-backed
securities
 
Collateralized
mortgage
obligations
 
Total
 
Allowance for credit losses - securities
               
Beginning balance
 
$
450
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
450
 
Provision for credit losses
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Ending balance
 
$
450
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
450
 

12


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2—Investment Securities—Continued

December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Municipal
securities
 
Mortgage-backed
securities
 
Collateralized
mortgage
obligations
 
Total
 
Allowance for credit losses - securities
               
Beginning Balance
 
$
393
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
393
 
Provision for credit losses
   
57
     
-
     
-
     
57
 
Ending Balance
 
$
450
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
450
 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities at March 31, 2024 by contractual final maturity are shown in the following table:


 
Available-for-Sale
   
Held-to-Maturity
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Securities maturing in:
                               
One year or less
  $
424
    $
423
    $
2,230
    $
2,230
 
After one year through five years
   
20,439
     
20,242
     
18,087
     
17,787
 
After five years through ten years
   
5,402
     
5,228
     
21,009
     
19,842
 
After ten years
   
233,053
     
213,963
     
765,645
     
609,916
 
Total
  $
259,318
    $
239,856
    $
806,971
    $
649,775
 

Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur. Expected maturities of mortgage-backed and CMO securities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

The Company monitors the credit quality of those held-to-maturity securities not issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or government sponsored entities, through the use of credit ratings. Credit ratings are reviewed and updated quarterly. The following tables summarize the amortized cost of held-to-maturity municipal securities by credit rating as of the dates indicated:

 
Held-to-Maturity
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
(Dollars in thousands)
AAA/AA/A
 
BBB/BB/B
 
Not Rated
 
Total
 
March 31, 2024
               
Municipal securities
 
$
20,209
   
$
397
   
$
57,387
   
$
77,993
 
Total
 
$
20,209
   
$
397
   
$
57,387
   
$
77,993
 

As of March 31, 2024, there were no past due principal or interest payments associated with these securities.

 
Held-to-Maturity
 
Amortized Cost
(Dollars in thousands)
AAA/AA/A
 
BBB/BB/B
 
Not Rated
 
Total
December 31, 2023
             
Municipal securities
 
$
20,203
   
$
395
   
$
58,192
   
$
78,790
Total
 
$
20,203
   
$
395
   
$
58,192
   
$
78,790

13

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2—Investment Securities—Continued

Proceeds from sales and calls of these securities were as follows:
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross Proceeds
   
Gross Gains
   
Gross Losses
 
Three months ended March 31, 2024
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Three months ended March 31, 2023
 
$
30,482
   
$
-
   
$
5,686
 
 
Pledged Securities
 
As of March 31, 2024, investment securities carried at $661.3 million were pledged to secure public deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings, and other government agency deposits as required by law. The amount of investments pledged was $794.1 million at December 31, 2023.

Note 3—Loans and Leases

Loans and leases as of the dates indicated consisted of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31,
2023
 
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net
           
Real estate:
           
Commercial
 
$
1,352,014
   
$
1,323,038
 
Agricultural
   
726,041
     
742,009
 
Residential and home equity
   
405,526
     
399,982
 
Construction
   
227,415
     
212,362
 
Total real estate
   
2,710,996
     
2,677,391
 
Commercial & industrial
   
497,028
     
499,373
 
Agricultural
   
317,955
     
313,737
 
Commercial leases
   
174,657
     
169,684
 
Consumer and other
   
5,801
     
5,212
 
Total gross loans and leases
   
3,706,437
     
3,665,397
 
Unearned income
   
(10,142
)
   
(10,708
)
Total net loans and leases
   
3,696,295
     
3,654,689
 
Allowance for credit losses
   
(75,018
)
   
(74,965
)
Total loans and leases held-for-investment, net
 
$
3,621,277
   
$
3,579,724
 

At March 31, 2024, the portion of loans that were approved for pledging as collateral on borrowing lines with the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) were $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. The borrowing capacity on these loans was $767.7 million from FHLB and $1.2 billion from the FRB at March 31, 2024.


14

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued


The following tables show an aging analysis of the loan and lease portfolio, net of unearned income, by the time past due for the periods indicated:


   
March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Current
   
30-89 Days
Past Due
   
90+ Days
Past Due
   
Non-accrual
   
Total
Past Due
   
Total
 
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net
                                   
Real estate:
                                   
Commercial
 
$
1,344,380
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,344,380
 
Agricultural
   
715,367
     
7,124
     
3,550
      -      
10,674
     
726,041
 
Residential and home equity
   
404,832
     
694
     
-
     
-
     
694
     
405,526
 
Construction
   
227,415
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
227,415
 
Total real estate
   
2,691,994
     
7,818
     
3,550
     
-
     
11,368
     
2,703,362
 
Commercial & industrial
   
497,028
     
-
     
-
      -      
-
     
497,028
 
Agricultural
   
317,955
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
317,955
 
Commercial leases
   
172,149
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
172,149
 
Consumer and other
   
5,767
     
34
     
-
     
-
     
34
     
5,801
 
Total loans and leases, net
 
$
3,684,893
   
$
7,852
   
$
3,550
   
$
-
   
$
11,402
   
$
3,696,295
 

 
 
December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Current
   
30-89 Days
Past Due
   
90+ Days
Past Due
   
Non-accrual
   
Total
Past Due
   
Total
 
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net
                                   
Real estate:
                                   
Commercial
 
$
1,314,928
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,314,928
 
Agricultural
   
742,009
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
742,009
 
Residential and home equity
   
399,946
     
36
     
-
     
-
     
36
     
399,982
 
Construction
   
212,362
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
212,362
 
Total real estate
   
2,669,245
     
36
     
-
     
-
     
36
     
2,669,281
 
Commercial & industrial
   
499,341
     
32
     
-
     
-
     
32
     
499,373
 
Agricultural
   
313,737
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
313,737
 
Commercial leases
   
167,086
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
167,086
 
Consumer and other
   
5,209
     
3
     
-
     
-
     
3
     
5,212
 
Total loans and leases, net
 
$
3,654,618
   
$
71
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
71
   
$
3,654,689
 


There were no non-accrual loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

15


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued

The Company did not enter into any loan modifications with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023. When borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty, the Company may agree to modify the contractual terms of a loan to a borrower in order to assist the borrower in repaying principal and interest owed to the Company. The Company’s modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are generally in the form of term extensions, repayment plans, payment deferrals, forbearance agreements, interest rate reductions, forgiveness of interest and/or fees, or any combination thereof. Commercial loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are primarily loans that are substandard or non-accrual, where the maturity date was extended and/or the modified interest rate and payment terms are not commensurate with the current market. Modifications on personal real estate loans are primarily those placed on forbearance plans, repayment plans, or deferral plans where monthly payments are suspended for a period of time or past due amounts are paid off over a certain period of time in the future or set up as a balloon payment at maturity. Modifications to certain credit card and other small consumer loans are often modified under debt counseling programs that can reduce the contractual rate or, in certain instances, forgive certain fees and interest charges. Other consumer loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty consist of various other workout arrangements with consumer customers.


There were no loans that were modified within the last 12 months that had a payment default or were past due during the three months ended March 31, 2024.


The Company assigns a risk rating to all loans and leases and periodically performs detailed reviews of all such loans and leases over a certain threshold to identify credit risks and assess overall collectability. Risk ratings can be grouped into five major categories, defined as follows:



Pass and watch — A pass loan or lease is a strong credit with no existing or known potential weaknesses deserving of management’s close attention. This category also includes “Watch” loans, which is a loan with an emerging weakness in either the individual credit or industry that requires additional attention. A credit may also be classified Watch if cash flows have not yet stabilized, such as in the case of a development project.



Special mention — A special mention loan or lease has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or lease or in the Company’s credit position at some future date. Special mention loans and leases are not adversely classified and do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.



Substandard — A substandard loan or lease is not adequately protected by the current financial condition and paying capacity of the borrower or the value of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans or leases classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Well-defined weaknesses include a project’s lack of marketability, inadequate cash flow or collateral support, failure to complete construction on time or the project’s failure to fulfill economic expectations. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.



Doubtful — Loans or leases classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, based on currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.
16

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued

Loss — Loans or leases classified as loss are considered uncollectible. Once a loan or lease becomes delinquent and repayment becomes questionable, the Company will address collateral shortfalls with the borrower and attempt to obtain additional collateral. If this is not forthcoming and payment in full is unlikely, the Company will estimate its probable loss and immediately charge-off some or all of the balance.


The following table presents the credit risk rating categories for loans and leases held-for-investment (accruing and non-accruing) net of unearned income by loan portfolio segment and class as of the dates indicated.


   
March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Sub-
standard
   
Doubtful
   
Total Loans
& Leases
   
Total
Allowance
for Credit
Losses
 
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net
                                   
Real estate:
                                   
Commercial
 
$
1,337,274
   
$
7,106
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,344,380
   
$
22,414
 
Agricultural
   
698,309
     
27,186
     
546
     
-
     
726,041
     
11,377
 
Residential and home equity
   
404,754
     
126
     
646
     
-
     
405,526
     
7,721
 
Construction
   
227,415
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
227,415
     
4,616
 
Total real estate
   
2,667,752
     
34,418
     
1,192
     
-
     
2,703,362
     
46,128
 
Commercial & industrial
   
482,584
     
13,950
     
494
     
-
     
497,028
     
11,559
 
Agricultural
   
315,136
     
2,764
     
55
     
-
     
317,955
     
10,292
 
Commercial leases
   
166,044
     
6,105
     
-
     
-
     
172,149
     
6,923
 
Consumer and other
   
5,572
     
-
     
229
     
-
     
5,801
     
116
 
Total loans and leases, net
 
$
3,637,088
   
$
57,237
   
$
1,970
   
$
-
   
$
3,696,295
   
$
75,018
 


   
December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special Mention
   
Sub-
standard
   
Doubtful
   
Total Loans
& Leases
   
Total
Allowance
for Credit
Losses
 
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net
                                   
Real estate:
                                   
Commercial
 
$
1,308,717
   
$
6,211
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,314,928
   
$
26,093
 
Agricultural
   
729,135
     
12,329
     
545
     
-
     
742,009
     
7,744
 
Residential and home equity
   
399,217
     
-
     
765
     
-
     
399,982
     
7,770
 
Construction
   
212,362
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
212,362
     
4,432
 
Total real estate
   
2,649,431
     
18,540
     
1,310
     
-
     
2,669,281
     
46,039
 
Commercial & industrial
   
486,439
     
12,458
     
476
     
-
     
499,373
     
13,380
 
Agricultural
   
310,496
     
3,236
     
5
     
-
     
313,737
     
8,872
 
Commercial leases
   
167,080
     
6
     
-
     
-
     
167,086
     
6,537
 
Consumer and other
   
5,036
     
-
     
176
     
-
     
5,212
     
137
 
Total loans and leases, net
 
$
3,618,482
   
$
34,240
   
$
1,967
   
$
-
   
$
3,654,689
   
$
74,965
 
 
17

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued

 
The following table presents outstanding loan and lease balances held-for-investment net of unearned income by segment and class, credit quality indicators, vintage year by class of financing receivable, and current period gross charge-offs by year of origination as follows:


   
March 31, 2024
     
   
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
Prior
   
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost
   
Total
 
Net loans and leases held-for-investment
                                               
Real estate:
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Pass
 
$
30,385
   
$
120,014
   
$
166,306
   
$
219,834
   
$
141,997
   
$
321,074
   
$
337,664
   
$
1,337,274
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
3,664
     
-
     
-
     
1,939
     
1,503
     
7,106
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial
 
$
30,385
   
$
120,014
   
$
169,970
   
$
219,834
   
$
141,997
   
$
323,013
   
$
339,167
   
$
1,344,380
 
Commercial
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                                 
Agricultural
                                                               
Pass
 
$
2,706
   
$
36,961
   
$
70,840
   
$
40,049
   
$
49,772
   
$
166,855
   
$
331,126
   
$
698,309
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
800
     
10,172
     
16,214
     
27,186
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
546
     
-
     
546
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Agricultural
 
$
2,706
   
$
36,961
   
$
70,840
   
$
40,049
   
$
50,572
   
$
177,573
   
$
347,340
   
$
726,041
 
Agricultural
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                                 
Residential and home equity
                                                               
Pass
 
$
11,492
   
$
40,743
   
$
61,230
   
$
87,405
   
$
77,721
   
$
80,780
   
$
45,383
   
$
404,754
 
Special mention
    -       -       -       -       -       126       -       126  
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
646
     
-
     
646
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Residential and home equity
 
$
11,492
   
$
40,743
   
$
61,230
   
$
87,405
   
$
77,721
   
$
81,552
   
$
45,383
   
$
405,526
 
Residential and home equity
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                                 
Construction
                                                               
Pass
 
$
3,116
   
$
-
   
$
1,500
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,575
   
$
221,224
   
$
227,415
 
Special mention
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total construction
 
$
3,116
   
$
-
   
$
1,500
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,575
   
$
221,224
   
$
227,415
 
Construction
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                                 
Total Real estate
 
$
47,699
   
$
197,718
   
$
303,540
   
$
347,288
   
$
270,290
   
$
583,713
   
$
953,114
   
$
2,703,362
 
                                                                 
Commercial & industrial
                                                               
Pass
 
$
5,994
   
$
47,400
   
$
24,885
   
$
20,443
   
$
5,991
   
$
9,417
   
$
368,454
   
$
482,584
 
Special mention
   
-
     
2,281
     
25
     
4,167
     
395
     
-
     
7,082
     
13,950
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
41
     
-
     
453
     
-
     
494
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial & industrial
 
$
5,994
   
$
49,681
   
$
24,910
   
$
24,651
   
$
6,386
   
$
9,870
   
$
375,536
   
$
497,028
 
Commercial & industrial
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                                 
Agricultural
                                         
Pass
  $ 1,066     $ 3,937     $ 4,138     $ 2,140     $ 652     $ 2,724     $ 300,479     $ 315,136  
Special mention
    -       -       50       -       -       -       2,714       2,764  
Substandard
    -       -       -       -       -       4       51       55  
Doubtful
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total Agricultural
  $ 1,066     $ 3,937     $ 4,188     $ 2,140     $ 652     $ 2,728     $ 303,244     $ 317,955  
Agricultural
                                                   
Current-period gross charge-offs   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -      $ -  
18

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued

    March 31, 2024      
    Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year              
(Dollars in thousands)   2024     2023     2022     2021     2020     Prior    
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost
    Total  
Net loans and leases held for investment                                                                
Commercial leases
                                                               
Pass
 
$
9,285
   
$
79,904
   
$
25,545
   
$
10,188
   
$
8,987
   
$
32,135
   
$
-
   
$
166,044
 
Special mention
   
594
     
-
     
5,511
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6,105
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial leases
 
$
9,879
   
$
79,904
   
$
31,056
   
$
10,188
   
$
8,987
   
$
32,135
   
$
-
   
$
172,149
 
Commercial leases
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                                 
Consumer and other
                                                               
Pass
 
$
443
   
$
1,628
   
$
824
   
$
236
   
$
34
   
$
1,746
   
$
661
   
$
5,572
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Substandard
   
206
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
23
     
-
     
229
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Consumer and other
 
$
649
   
$
1,628
   
$
824
   
$
236
   
$
34
   
$
1,769
   
$
661
   
$
5,801
 
Consumer and other
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
  $ 10     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 10  
Total net loans and leases
                                                               
Pass
  $ 64,487     $ 330,587     $ 355,268     $ 380,295     $ 285,154     $ 616,306     $ 1,604,991     $ 3,637,088  
Special mention
    594       2,281       9,250       4,167       1,195       12,237       27,513       57,237  
Substandard
    206       -       -       41       -       1,672       51       1,970  
Doubtful
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total net loans and leases
 
$
65,287
   
$
332,868
   
$
364,518
   
$
384,503
   
$
286,349
   
$
630,215
   
$
1,632,555
   
$
3,696,295
 
Total current-period gross charge-offs
  $ 10     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 10  


19


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued

   
December 31, 2023
 
 
 
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
Prior
   
Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost
   
Total
 
Net loans and leases held for investment
                                               
Real estate:
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Pass
 
$
121,418
   
$
169,171
   
$
221,708
   
$
143,502
   
$
67,505
   
$
261,344
   
$
324,069
   
$
1,308,717
 
Special mention
   
-
     
2,395
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,216
     
1,600
     
6,211
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial
 
$
121,418
   
$
171,566
   
$
221,708
   
$
143,502
   
$
67,505
   
$
263,560
   
$
325,669
   
$
1,314,928
 
Commercial
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
                                                               
Agricultural
                                                               
Pass
 
$
37,849
   
$
71,367
   
$
40,848
   
$
50,445
   
$
12,008
   
$
165,267
   
$
351,351
   
$
729,135
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
594
     
2,020
     
9,715
     
-
     
12,329
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
545
     
-
     
545
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Agricultural
 
$
37,849
   
$
71,367
   
$
40,848
   
$
51,039
   
$
14,028
   
$
175,527
   
$
351,351
   
$
742,009
 
Agricultural
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
                                                               
Residential and home equity
                                                               
Pass
 
$
41,173
   
$
62,505
   
$
88,559
   
$
78,810
   
$
13,299
   
$
70,339
   
$
44,532
   
$
399,217
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
765
     
-
     
765
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Residential and home equity
 
$
41,173
   
$
62,505
   
$
88,559
   
$
78,810
   
$
13,299
   
$
71,104
   
$
44,532
   
$
399,982
 
Residential and home equity
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
14
   
$
-
   
$
14
 
 
                                                               
Construction
                                                               
Pass
 
$
-
   
$
2,500
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,575
   
$
-
   
$
208,287
   
$
212,362
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total construction
 
$
-
   
$
2,500
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,575
   
$
-
   
$
208,287
   
$
212,362
 
Construction
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
                                                               
Total Real estate
 
$
200,440
   
$
307,938
   
$
351,115
   
$
273,351
   
$
96,407
   
$
510,191
   
$
929,839
   
$
2,669,281
 
 
                                                               
Commercial & industrial
                                                               
Pass
 
$
49,162
   
$
25,795
   
$
21,695
   
$
7,193
   
$
4,123
   
$
6,674
   
$
371,797
   
$
486,439
 
Special mention
   
2,500
     
27
     
4,903
     
466
     
-
     
-
     
4,562
     
12,458
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
476
     
-
     
476
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial & industrial
 
$
51,662
   
$
25,822
   
$
26,598
   
$
7,659
   
$
4,123
   
$
7,150
   
$
376,359
   
$
499,373
 
Commercial & industrial
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
                                                               
Agricultural
                                                               
Pass
 
$
3,013
   
$
4,585
   
$
2,296
   
$
688
   
$
1,026
   
$
2,116
   
$
296,772
   
$
310,496
 
Special mention
   
-
     
52
     
75
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
3,109
     
3,236
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
5
     
-
     
-
     
5
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Agricultural
 
$
3,013
   
$
4,637
   
$
2,371
   
$
688
   
$
1,031
   
$
2,116
   
$
299,881
   
$
313,737
 
Agricultural
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

20


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued

 
  December 31, 2023
 
   
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2023
   
2022
   
2021
    2020    
2019
   
Prior
   
 Revolving
Loans
Amortized
Cost
    Total  
Net loans and leases held for investment
                                               
Commercial leases
                                               
Pass
 
$
81,287
   
$
31,954
   
$
10,786
   
$
9,514
   
$
4,667
   
$
28,872
   
$
-
   
$
167,080
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6
     
-
     
-
     
6
 
Substandard
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial leases
 
$
81,287
   
$
31,954
   
$
10,786
   
$
9,514
   
$
4,673
   
$
28,872
   
$
-
   
$
167,086
 
Commercial leases
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
                                                               
Consumer and other
                                                               
Pass
 
$
1,650
   
$
930
   
$
375
   
$
48
   
$
45
   
$
1,400
   
$
588
   
$
5,036
 
Special mention
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Substandard
   
152
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
24
     
-
     
176
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Consumer and other
 
$
1,802
   
$
930
   
$
375
   
$
48
   
$
45
   
$
1,424
   
$
588
   
$
5,212
 
Consumer and other
                                                               
Current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
41
   
$
3
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
2
   
$
-
   
$
46
 
Total net loans and leases
                                                               
Pass
 
$
335,552
   
$
368,807
   
$
386,267
   
$
290,200
   
$
104,248
   
$
536,012
   
$
1,597,396
   
$
3,618,482
 
Special mention
   
2,500
     
2,474
     
4,978
     
1,060
     
2,026
     
11,931
     
9,271
     
34,240
 
Substandard
   
152
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
5
     
1,810
     
-
     
1,967
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total net loans and leases
 
$
338,204
   
$
371,281
   
$
391,245
   
$
291,260
   
$
106,279
   
$
549,753
   
$
1,606,667
   
$
3,654,689
 
Total current-period gross charge-offs
 
$
41
   
$
3
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
16
   
$
-
   
$
60
 

Certain directors and executive officers of the Company are defined as related parties. These related parties, including their immediate families and companies in which they are principal owners, were loan customers of the Bank during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023. Such loans were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with borrowers not related to the Company. These loans did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or have other unfavorable features. A summary of the changes in those loans is as follows:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
 

           
Balance at beginning of the period
 
$
17,035
   
$
17,521
 
New loans or advances during year
   
250
     
1,706
 
Repayments
   
(89
)
   
(2,192
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
17,196
   
$
17,035
 

21

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued



A loan or lease is considered collateral dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses for collateral dependent loans or leases are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. The collateral on the loans and leases is a significant portion of what secures the collateral dependent loans or leases and significant changes to the fair value of the collateral can impact the ACL. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were no significant changes to the collateral that secures the collateral dependent loans, whether due to general deterioration or with credit quality indicators like appraisal value. The following tables present the amortized cost basis for collateral dependent loans and leases by type as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively:


   
March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Real Estate
   
Vehicles and
Equipment
   
Total
 
Collateral dependent loans and leases
                 
Real estate:
                 
Commercial
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Agricultural
   
550
     
-
     
550
 
Residential and home equity
   
642
     
-
     
642
 
Construction
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total real estate
   
1,192
     
-
     
1,192
 
Commercial & industrial
   
-
     
450
     
450
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Commercial leases
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Consumer and other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total gross loans and leases
 
$
1,192
   
$
450
   
$
1,642
 


   
December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Real Estate
   
Vehicles and
Equipment
   
Total
 
Collateral dependent loans and leases
                 
Real estate:
                 
Commercial
 
$
1,517
   
$
-
   
$
1,517
 
Agricultural
   
6,118
     
-
     
6,118
 
Residential and home equity
   
1,607
     
-
     
1,607
 
Construction
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total real estate
   
9,242
     
-
     
9,242
 
Commercial & industrial
   
-
     
473
     
473
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
5
     
5
 
Commercial leases
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Consumer and other
   
-
     
164
     
164
 
Total gross loans and leases
 
$
9,242
   
$
642
   
$
9,884
 

22

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3—Loans and Leases—Continued



Changes in the allowance for credit losses are as follows:

   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial &
Agricultural
R/E
   
Construction
   
Residential &
Home Equity
   
Commercial
&
Agricultural
   
Commercial
Leases
   
Consumer
& Other
   
Total
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                         
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 33,837     $ 4,432     $ 7,770     $ 22,252     $ 6,537     $ 137     $ 74,965  
Provision for/(recapture of) for credit losses
    (46 )     184       (57 )     (419 )     386       (48 )     -  
Charge-offs
    -       -       -       -       -       (10 )     (10 )
Recoveries
    -       -       8       18       -       37       63  
Net (charge-offs) / recoveries
    -       -       8       18       -       27       53  
Balance at end of period
  $ 33,791     $ 4,616     $ 7,721     $ 21,851     $ 6,923     $ 116     $ 75,018  

   
Year Ended December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial &
Agricultural
R/E
   
Construction
   
Residential &
Home Equity
   
Commercial
&
Agricultural
   
Commercial
Leases
   
Consumer
& Other
   
Total
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                         
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 32,551     $ 3,026     $ 7,508     $ 21,705     $ 1,924     $ 171     $ 66,885  
Provision for/(recapture of) credit losses
    1,116       1,406       211       423       4,613       (19 )     7,750  
Charge-offs
    -       -       (14 )     -       -       (46 )     (60 )
Recoveries
    170       -       65       124       -       31       390  
Net (charge-offs) / recoveries
    170       -       51       124       -       (15 )     330  
Balance at end of year
  $ 33,837     $ 4,432     $ 7,770     $ 22,252     $ 6,537     $ 137     $ 74,965  


Note 4—Deposits



Certificates of deposit greater than and less than or equal to the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 are summarized as follows:


(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31,
2023
 
Certificates of deposit:
           
Certificates of deposit less than or equal to $250,000
 
$
399,576
   
$
325,798
 
Certificates of deposit greater than $250,000
   
477,886
     
318,830
 
Total certificates of  deposit
 
$
877,462
   
$
644,628
 



Scheduled maturities for certificates of deposit are as follows:


(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
2024
 
$
730,301
 
2025
   
139,979
 
2026
   
5,109
 
2027
   
1,066
 
2028
   
954
 
Thereafter
    53  
Total certificates of deposit
 
$
877,462
 

23


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5—Short-term borrowings

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, committed lines of credit arrangements totaling $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, were available to the Company from unaffiliated banks, respectively. The average Federal Funds interest rate as of March 31, 2024 was 5.50%.

The Company is a member of the FHLB of San Francisco and has a committed credit line of $769.4 million, which is secured by $1.3 billion in various real estate loans and investment securities pledged as collateral. Borrowings generally provide for interest at the then current published rate, which was 5.63% as of March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024 there were $100.0 million in advances from the FHLB at a rate of 5.64% with a maturity date of April 26, 2024 and $100.0 million in the form of a letter of credit to collateralize the State of California certificate of deposit. There were no outstanding advances on the above borrowing facilities as December 31, 2023.

The Company has $1.6 billion in pledged loans with the FRB. As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s overnight borrowing capacity using the primary credit facilities from the Fed account was $1.2 billion. The borrowing rate was 5.50% as of March 31, 2024. There were no outstanding advances on the above borrowing facilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Note 6—Employee Benefit Plans

Executive Retirement Plan
The Company, through the Bank, sponsors an Executive Retirement Plan (“ERP”) for certain executive level employees. The ERP is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and was developed to supplement the Company’s Profit Sharing Plan, which, as a qualified retirement plan, has a ceiling on benefits as set by the Internal Revenue Service. The ERP is comprised of: (1) a Performance Component which makes contributions based upon long-term cumulative profitability and increase in market value of the Company; (2) a Salary Component which makes contributions based upon participant salary levels; and (3) an Equity Component for which contributions are discretionary and subject to Board of Directors approval. The Company maintains a Rabbi Trust to fund, in part, the ERP. The Rabbi Trust is an irrevocable grantor trust to which the Company may contribute assets for the limited purpose of funding a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The Company may not use the assets of the Rabbi Trust for any purpose other than meeting its obligations under the ERP; however, the assets of the Rabbi Trust remain subject to the claims of its creditors and are included in the consolidated financial statements. The Company contributes cash to the Rabbi Trust from time to time for the sole purpose of funding the ERP. The Rabbi Trust will use any cash the Company contributes to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, and other financial instruments, on the open market. ERP contributions are invested in a mix of financial instruments; however, the Equity Component contributions are invested primarily in common stock of the Company.

The Company expensed $2.2 million to the ERP during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $2.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company’s carrying value of the liability under the ERP was $57.7 million as of March 31, 2024 and $57.5 million as of December 31, 2023, which is included in other liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company’s shares of common stock held as investments in the Rabbi Trust of the ERP as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 totaled 49,044 and 49,276 with an historical cost basis of $31.7 million and $31.6 million, respectively. All amounts have been fully funded into the Rabbi Trust as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The consolidated investments held in the Rabbi Trust are recorded at fair value with changes in unrealized gains or losses recorded within non-interest income and the equal and offsetting charges in the related liability are recorded in non-interest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

24

Table of Contents

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 6—Employee Benefit Plans—Continued

Net gains on ERP plan investments were $1.0 million and $0.7 million at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Balances in non-qualified deferred compensation plans may be invested in financial instruments whose market value fluctuates based upon trends in interest rates and stock prices.

Senior Management Retention Plan
The Company, through the Bank, sponsors a Senior Management Retention Plan (“SMRP”) for certain senior level employees. The SMRP is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and was developed to supplement the Company’s Profit Sharing Plan, which, as a qualified retirement plan, has a ceiling on benefits as set by the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions are discretionary and subject to the Board of Directors approval. The Company maintains a Rabbi Trust to fund, in part, the SMRP. The Rabbi Trust is an irrevocable grantor trust to which the Company may contribute assets for the limited purpose of funding a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The Company may not use the assets of the Rabbi Trust for any purpose other than meeting its obligations under the SMRP; however, the assets of the Rabbi Trust remain subject to the claims of its creditors and are included in the consolidated financial statements. The Company contributes cash to the Rabbi Trust from time to time for the sole purpose of funding the SMRP. The Rabbi Trust will use any cash the Company contributes to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, and other financial instruments, on the open market. Contributions to the SMRP are invested primarily in common stock of the Company.

The Company expensed $1.1 million to the SMRP during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $1.2 million for three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company’s carrying value of the liability under the SMRP was $17.8 million as of March 31, 2024 and $16.9 million as of December 31, 2023, which is included in other liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company’s shares of stock held as investments in the Rabbi Trust of the SMRP as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 totaled 18,734 and 17,806 shares with an historical cost basis of $13.8 million and $12.8 million, respectively. All amounts have been fully funded into the Rabbi Trust as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The consolidated investments held in the Rabbi Trust are recorded at fair value with changes recorded within non-interest income and the equal and offsetting charges in the related liability are recorded in non-interest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Net gains on SMRP plan investments were $0.2 million and $0.2 million at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Balances in non-qualified deferred compensation plans may be invested in financial instruments whose market value fluctuates based upon trends in interest rates and stock prices.

Note 7—Fair Value


The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Various financial instruments such as available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, such as collateral dependent loans and other real estate owned. These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-down of individual assets.



Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, the Company uses various valuation techniques and assumptions when estimating fair value. For accounting disclosure purposes, a three-level valuation hierarchy of fair value measurements has been established. 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:

25


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7—Fair Value—Continued


 
Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices 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, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly (such as interest rates, yield curves, and prepayment speeds).


 
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value. These may be internally developed, using the Company’s best information and assumptions that a market participant would consider.



The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments held by the Company are set forth below. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information. They do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.  Because no market exists for many of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgements regarding future expected loss experience, risk characteristics and economic conditions. These estimates are subjective, involve uncertainties, and cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.



Management monitors the availability of observable market data to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period.



Management evaluates the significance of transfers between levels based upon the nature of the financial instrument and size of the transfer relative to total assets, total liabilities or total earnings.



Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing Level 1, 2 and 3 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.



The Company does not record all loans and leases at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan or lease is considered collateral dependent and an allowance for credit losses is established. Once a loan or lease is identified as collaterally dependent, management measures impairment in accordance FASB ASC Topic 326.



These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including sales comparison, cost and the income approach. Adjustments are often made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to take into account differences between the comparable sales and income and other available data. Such adjustments can be significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. The valuation technique used for Level 3 non-recurring collateral dependent loans is primarily the sales comparison approach less estimated selling costs.

26


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7—Fair Value—Continued


Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) is reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair values are based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may use a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including sales comparison, cost and the income approach. Adjustments are often made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to take into account differences between the comparable sales and income and other available data. Such adjustments can be significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. The valuation technique used for Level 3 non-recurring OREO is primarily the sales comparison approach less estimated selling costs.


The following tables presents information about the Bank’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Bank to determine such fair value for the periods indicated.

March 31, 2024
       
Fair Value Measurements
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total Fair
Value
 
Fair valued on a recurring basis:
                             
Available-for-sale securities
                             
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
  $
3,048
    $
-
    $
3,048
    $
-
    $
3,048
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
216,093
     
-
     
216,093
     
-
     
216,093
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
5,654
     
-
     
5,654
     
-
     
5,654
 
Corporate securities
   
14,751
     
-
     
14,751
     
-
     
14,751
 
Other
   
310
     
-
     
310
     
-
     
310
 
                                         
Fair valued on a non-recurring basis:
                                       
Collateral dependent loans     $
1,642     $
-     $
-     $
1,642     $
1,642  
Other real estate owned
   
873
     
-
     
-
     
873
     
873
 

December 31, 2023         Fair Value Measurements  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total Fair
Value
 
Fair valued on a recurring basis:
                             
Available-for-sale securities
                             
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
  $
3,224
    $
-
    $
3,224     $
-
    $
3,224
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
163,838
     
-
     
163,838
     
-
     
163,838
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
535
     
-
     
535
     
-
     
535
 
       Corporate securities     14,605       -       14,605       -       14,605  
Other
   
310
     
-
     
310
     
-
     
310
 
                                         
Fair valued on a non-recurring basis:
                                       
Collateral dependent loans
 
$
9,884
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
9,884
   
$
9,884
 
Other real estate owned
   
873
     
-
     
-
     
873
     
873
 


Collateral dependent loans



While the overall loan portfolio is not carried at fair value, the Company periodically records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral dependent loans when establishing the allowance for credit losses on loans. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan. In determining the value of real estate collateral, the Company relies on external and internal appraisals of property values depending on the size and complexity of the real estate collateral. The Company maintains a list of qualified property appraisers who review appraisal reports for reasonableness. In the case of non-real estate collateral, reliance is placed on a variety of sources, including external estimates of value and judgments based on the experience and expertise of internal specialists. Values of all loan collateral are regularly reviewed by credit administration. Unobservable inputs to these measurements, which include estimates and judgments often used in conjunction with appraisals, are not readily quantifiable. These measurements are classified as Level 3.

27


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7—Fair Value—Continued

The following tables summarize the carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value for the periods indicated.

March 31, 2024
       
Fair Value Measurements
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total Fair
Value
 
Financial Assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
738,397
   
$
738,397
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
738,397
 
Held-to-maturity securities
   
806,521
     
-
     
607,853
     
57,387
     
665,240
 
Non-marketable securities, at cost
   
15,549
     
-
     
15,549
     
-
     
15,549
 
Loans and leases, net
   
3,621,277
     
-
     
-
     
3,402,777
     
3,402,777
 
                                         
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Total deposits
 
$
4,959,589
   
$
-
   
$
4,082,127
   
$
871,395
   
$
4,953,522
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    100,000       -       -       100,003       100,003  
Subordinated debentures
   
10,310
     
-
     
12,418
     
-
     
12,418
 

December 31, 2023
       
Fair Value Measurements
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total Fair
Value
 
Financial Assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
410,642
   
$
410,642
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
410,642
 
Held-to-maturity securities
   
817,238
     
-
     
629,051
     
58,192
     
687,243
 
Non-marketable securities, at cost
   
15,549
     
-
     
15,549
     
-
     
15,549
 
Loans and leases, net
   
3,579,724
     
-
     
-
     
3,369,255
     
3,369,255
 
                                         
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Total deposits
 
$
4,668,095
   
$
-
   
$
4,023,467
   
$
639,315
   
$
4,662,782
 
Subordinated debentures
   
10,310
     
-
     
12,763
     
-
     
12,763
 

Non-marketable securities include FHLB stock, Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank (“PCBB”) stock and The Independent BankersBank (“TIB”) stock which are recorded at cost.  Ownership of these stocks is restricted to member banks and the securities do not have a readily determinable market value. Purchases and sales of these securities are at par value with the issuer.  The fair value of these investments is equal to the carrying amount.

28


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies



In the normal course of business, the Company enters into financial instruments with off balance sheet risk in order to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These instruments include commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, and other types of financial guarantees. The Company had the following off balance sheet commitments as of the dates indicated.


(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31,
2023
 
                 
Commitments to extend credit, including unsecured commitments of $20,085 and $19,858 as of March 31, 2024 and  December 31, 2023, respectively
 
$
1,074,963
   
$
1,150,142
 
Stand-by letters of credit, including unsecured commitments of $5,485 and $7,010 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
   
14,889
     
16,858
 



The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party with regard to standby letters of credit, undisbursed loan commitments, and financial guarantees is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for recorded balance sheet items. The Company may or may not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. Evaluations of each customer’s creditworthiness are performed on a case-by-case basis. The estimated exposure to loss from these commitments is included in the reserve for unfunded loan commitments, which amounted to $3.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.



Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee performance of or payment for a customer to a third-party. Outstanding standby letters of credit have maturity dates ranging from 1 to 60 months with final expiration in August 2028. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.


The Company has commitments to fund investments in LIHTC partnerships and limited liability companies. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balance of the investments in LIHTC was $35.8 million and $36.5 million, respectively. These balances are reflected in the other assets line on the consolidated balance sheets. Total unfunded commitments related to the investments in LIHTC totaled $13.7 million and $15.5 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. These balances are reflected in the other liabilities line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company expects to fulfill these commitments through 2039. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized tax credits from its investments in LIHTC of $1.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively.



In the ordinary course of business, the Company becomes involved in litigation arising out of its normal business activities. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from the disposition of such claims would not be material in relation to the financial position of the Company.



The Company may be required to maintain average reserves on deposit with the FRB primarily based on deposits outstanding. Reserve requirements are offset by the Company’s vault cash and deposit balances maintained with the FRB.

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

The following discussion is intended to provide a more comprehensive review of the Company’s operating results and financial condition. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q included in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements.”

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views and are not historical facts. These statements may include statements regarding projected performance for periods following the date of this report. These statements can generally be identified by use of phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “seek,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “project,” “commit” or other words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our future financial condition, results of operations, objectives, strategies, plans, goals or future performance and business are also forward-looking statements. Statements that project future financial conditions, results of operations, and shareholder value are not guarantees of performance and many of the factors that will determine these results and values are beyond our ability to control or predict. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections and other parts of this report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“Form 10-K”), could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The following is a non-exclusive list of factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

changes in general economic conditions, either nationally, in California, or in our local markets;
inflation, changes in interest rates, securities market volatility and monetary fluctuations;
increases in competitive pressures among financial institutions and businesses offering similar products and services;
risks associated with negative events in the banking industry in the past year, and any legislative and/or bank regulatory actions, that could potentially impact earnings, liquidity and/or the availability of capital or which could increase the cost of our deposit insurance by the FDIC;
higher defaults in our loan and lease portfolio than we expect;
changes in management’s estimate of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses;
risks associated with our growth and expansion strategy and related costs;
increased lending risks associated with our high concentration of real estate loans;
legislative or regulatory changes or changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines;
technological changes;
operational risks, including processing, information systems, cybersecurity, vendor problems, business interruption, and fraud;
regulatory or judicial proceedings; and
other factors and risks including those described under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
 
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected, projected, intended, committed or believed. Please take into account that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q (or documents incorporated by reference, if applicable).

The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statements if it later becomes aware that actual results are likely to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Overview

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (the “Company” or “FMCB”) is a Delaware registered bank holding company organized in 1999. As a registered bank holding company, FMCB is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Federal Reserve and by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (“DFPI”). The Company’s principal business is to serve as a holding company for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (the “Bank” or “F&M Bank”) and for other banking or banking related subsidiaries, which the Company may establish or acquire. Over 107 years ago, August 1, 1916, marked the first day of business for Farmers & Merchants Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of California and licensed as a state-chartered bank. The Bank’s first venture out of Lodi occurred when the Galt office opened in 1948. Since then the Bank has opened full-service branches in Linden, Manteca, Riverbank, Modesto, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Turlock, Hilmar, Stockton, Merced, Walnut Creek, Concord, Walnut Grove, Oakland and Napa. As a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiary, the Company’s principal source of funds is, and will continue to be, dividends paid by and other funds received from the Bank. Legal limitations are imposed on the amount of dividends that may be paid and loans that may be made by the Bank to the Company.

In March 2002, F & M Bancorp, Inc. was created to protect the name “F & M Bank.” During 2002, the Company completed a fictitious name filing in California to begin using the streamlined name, “F & M Bank,” as part of a larger effort to enhance the Company’s image and build brand name recognition. Since 2002, the Company has converted all of its daily operating and image advertising to the “F & M Bank” name and the Company’s logo, slogan and signage were redesigned to incorporate the trade name, “F & M Bank.”

The Company’s outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2024, consisted of 742,770 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value. No shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2024. The common stock of the Company is not widely held or listed on any exchange. However, trades are reported on the OTCQX under the symbol “FMCB.”

The primary source of funding for the Company’s growth has been the generation of core deposits, which the Company raises through its existing branch locations, newly opened branch locations, or through acquisitions. Loan growth over the years is the result of organic growth generated by the Company’s seasoned relationship managers and supporting associates who provide outstanding service and responsiveness to the Company’s clients.

The Company’s results of operations are largely dependent on net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest earning assets, which are comprised of loans and leases, investment securities, short-term investments and interest bearing deposits at other banks, and the interest the Company pays on interest bearing liabilities, which are primarily deposits, and, to a lesser extent, other borrowings. Management strives to match the re-pricing characteristics of the interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities to protect net interest income from changes in market interest rates and changes in the shape of the yield curve.

The Company measures its performance by calculating the net interest margin, return on average assets, return on average equity and the efficiency ratio. Net interest margin is calculated by dividing net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest earning assets and interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, by average interest earning assets. Net interest income is the Company’s largest source of revenue. Interest rate fluctuations, as well as changes in the amount and type of earning assets and liabilities, combine to affect net interest income. The return on average assets is calculated by dividing the Company’s net income by its total average assets and the return on average equity is calculated by dividing the Company’s net income by its shareholder equity. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition. We identify critical policies and estimates as those that require management to make particularly difficult, subjective, and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. These policies and estimates relate to the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases held for investment, investment securities, the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, fair value measurements and the realization of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Form 10-K.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 1. “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in “Item 1. Financial Information” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Non-GAAP Measurements

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such financial performance.  The methodology for determining these non-GAAP measures may differ among companies. We used the following non-GAAP measures in this Form 10-Q:


Tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share: Given that the use of these measures is prevalent among banking regulators, investors, and analysts, we disclose them in addition to the related GAAP measures of return on average equity and book value per common share. The reconciliations of these non-GAAP measurements to the GAAP measurements are presented in the following tables for and as of the periods presented.

Tangible Common Equity Ratio and
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share

  
March 31,
2024
     
December 31,
2023
     
March 31,
2023
  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                 
Shareholders' equity
 
$
565,217
   
$
549,755
   
$
508,902
 
Less:  Intangible assets
   
13,282
     
13,419
     
13,849
 
Tangible common equity
 
$
551,935
   
$
536,336
   
$
495,053
 
                         
Total Assets
 
$
5,714,573
   
$
5,308,928
   
$
5,133,771
 
Less:  Intangible assets
   
13,282
     
13,419
     
13,849
 
Tangible assets
 
$
5,701,291
   
$
5,295,509
   
$
5,119,922
 
                         
Tangible common equity ratio(1)
   
9.68
%
   
10.13
%
   
9.67
%
Book value per common share(2)
 
$
760.96
   
$
735.00
   
$
667.04
 
Tangible book value per common share(3)
 
$
743.08
   
$
717.05
   
$
648.88
 
Common shares outstanding
   
742,770
     
747,971
     
762,931
 

(1)   Tangible common equity divided by tangible assets
(2)   Total common equity divided by common shares outstanding.
(3)   Tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding.

Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide a better understanding of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ performance during each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and at December 31, 2023 and the material changes in financial condition, operating income, and expense of the Company and its subsidiaries as shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Information related to the comparison of the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 can be found in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.

Factors that determine the level of net income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, fee income, non-interest expense, the level of non-performing loans and other non-earning assets, and the amount of non-interest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Non-interest income includes card processing fees, service charges on deposit accounts, bank-owned life insurance income, gains/losses on the sale of investment securities, and gains/losses on deferred compensation plan investments. Non-interest expense consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, cost of deferred compensation benefits, occupancy, data processing, deposit insurance, marketing, professional services, and other expenses.

Earnings Performance
The following table presents performance metrics for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31,
2023
   
March 31,
2023
 
Earnings Summary:
                 
Interest income
 
$
66,641
   
$
67,392
   
$
59,632
 
Interest expense
   
14,928
     
13,592
     
3,910
 
Net interest income
   
51,713
     
53,800
     
55,722
 
Provision for credit losses
   
-
     
2,350
     
1,500
 
Non-interest income
   
5,075
     
2,401
     
3,460
 
Non-interest expense
   
25,521
     
24,866
     
28,183
 
Income before taxes
   
31,267
     
28,985
     
29,499
 
Income tax expense
   
8,544
     
7,560
     
5,952
 
Net Income
 
$
22,723
   
$
21,425
   
$
23,547
 
                         
Per Common Share Data:
                       
Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
30.56
   
$
28.55
   
$
30.80
 
Book value per common share
 
$
760.96
   
$
735.00
   
$
667.04
 
Tangible book value per common share(1)
 
$
743.08
   
$
717.05
   
$
648.88
 
                         
Performance Ratios:
                       
Return on average assets
   
1.71
%
   
1.63
%
   
1.80
%
Return on average equity
   
16.33
%
   
16.54
%
   
18.93
%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
   
4.14
%
   
4.24
%
   
4.55
%
Yield on average loans and leases (tax equivalent)
   
6.09
%
   
6.10
%
   
5.69
%
Cost of average total deposits
   
1.27
%
   
1.14
%
   
0.32
%
Efficiency ratio
   
44.94
%
   
44.24
%
   
47.62
%
Loan-to-deposit ratio
   
74.73
%
   
78.52
%
   
75.73
%
Percentage of checking deposits to total deposits
   
49.39
%
   
51.76
%
   
55.89
%
                         
Capital Ratios Bancorp:
                       
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
12.73
%
   
12.30
%
   
12.19
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
12.95
%
   
12.53
%
   
12.43
%
Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
   
14.21
%
   
13.78
%
   
13.68
%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
   
10.83
%
   
10.38
%
   
9.94
%
Tangible common equity ratio(1)
   
9.68
%
   
10.13
%
   
9.67
%

(1)  See "Non-GAAP Measurements"

Average Balance and Yields
The following table sets forth a summary of average balances with corresponding interest income and interest expense as well as average yield, cost and net interest margin information for the periods presented. Average balances are derived from daily balances.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2024
   
2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average Balance
   
Interest Income / Expense
   
Average Yield / Rate
   
Average Balance
   
Interest Income / Expense
   
Average Yield / Rate
 
ASSETS
                                   
Interest earnings deposits in other banks and federal funds sold
 
$
332,575
   
$
4,530
     
5.48
%
 
$
521,147
   
$
5,961
     
4.64
%
Investment Securities:(1)
                                               
Taxable securities
   
969,234
     
5,708
     
2.37
%
   
967,699
     
4,805
     
2.01
%
Non-taxable securities(2)
   
63,079
     
762
     
4.83
%
   
57,513
     
704
     
4.90
%
Total investment securities
   
1,032,313
     
6,470
     
2.52
%
   
1,025,212
     
5,509
     
2.18
%
Loans:(3)
                                               
Real estate:
                                               
Commercial
   
1,322,337
     
17,622
     
5.36
%
   
1,280,959
     
16,649
     
5.27
%
Agricultural
   
725,078
     
10,322
     
5.73
%
   
715,756
     
9,614
     
5.45
%
Residential and home equity
   
401,578
     
4,792
     
4.80
%
   
387,369
     
4,095
     
4.29
%
Construction
   
225,430
     
3,898
     
6.95
%
   
169,913
     
2,937
     
7.01
%
Total real estate
   
2,674,423
     
36,634
     
5.51
%
   
2,553,997
     
33,295
     
5.29
%
Commercial & industrial
   
499,071
     
9,261
     
7.46
%
   
465,383
     
7,624
     
6.64
%
Agricultural
   
313,653
     
6,479
     
8.31
%
   
280,467
     
5,204
     
7.52
%
Commercial leases
   
168,526
     
2,946
     
7.03
%
   
116,948
     
1,805
     
6.26
%
Consumer and other
   
5,619
     
88
     
6.30
%
   
5,580
     
80
     
5.81
%
Total loans and leases
   
3,661,292
     
55,408
     
6.09
%
   
3,422,375
     
48,008
     
5.69
%
Non-marketable securities
   
15,549
     
388
     
10.04
%
   
15,549
     
301
     
7.85
%
Total interest earning assets
   
5,041,729
     
66,796
     
5.33
%
   
4,984,283
     
59,779
     
4.86
%
Allowance for credit losses
   
(75,448
)
                   
(67,691
)
               
Non-interest earning assets
   
339,939
                     
311,140
                 
Total average assets
 
$
5,306,220
                   
$
5,227,732
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                               
Interest bearing deposits:
                                               
Demand
 
$
914,618
     
888
     
0.39
%
 
$
1,068,504
     
444
     
0.17
%
Savings and money market accounts
   
1,618,678
     
7,186
     
1.79
%
   
1,561,684
     
2,503
     
0.65
%
Certificates of deposit greater than $250,000
   
378,714
     
3,094
     
3.29
%
   
147,704
     
487
     
1.34
%
Certificates of deposit less than $250,000
   
338,031
     
3,477
     
4.14
%
   
206,214
     
280
     
0.55
%
Total interest bearing deposits
   
3,250,041
     
14,645
     
1.81
%
   
2,984,106
     
3,714
     
0.50
%
Short-term borrowings
   
5,497
     
62
     
4.54
%
   
3
     
-
     
0.00
%
Subordinated debentures
   
10,310
     
221
     
8.62
%
   
10,310
     
196
     
7.71
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
3,265,848
     
14,928
     
1.84
%
   
2,994,419
     
3,910
     
0.53
%
Non-interest bearing deposits
   
1,403,384
                     
1,663,152
                 
Total funding
   
4,669,232
     
14,928
     
1.29
%
   
4,657,571
     
3,910
     
0.34
%
Other non-interest bearing liabilities
   
80,276
                     
72,710
                 
Shareholders' equity
   
556,712
                     
497,451
                 
Total average liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
5,306,220
                   
$
5,227,732
                 
                                                 
Net interest income and margin(4)
         
$
51,868
     
4.14
%
         
$
55,869
     
4.55
%
Interest rate spread
                   
3.49
%
                   
4.33
%
Tax equivalent adjustment
           
(155
)
                   
(147
)
       
Net interest income
         
$
51,713
     
4.13
%
         
$
55,722
     
4.53
%

(1)Excludes average unrealized losses of $18.5 million and $28.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively, which are included in non-interest earning assets.
(2) Yields and interest income are calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the current statutory federal tax rate of 21%.
(3)Loan interest income includes loan fees of $1.4 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(4)Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by average interest earning assets.

Interest-bearing deposits with banks and FRB balances are earning assets available to the Company.  Average interest-bearing deposits with banks consisted primarily of FRB deposits. Balances with the FRB earned an average interest rate of 5.48% and 4.64% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily the result of the Federal Reserve increasing rates by 75 basis points from March 2023 to July 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits with banks was $333 million and $521 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interest income on interest-bearing deposits with banks was $4.5 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The investment portfolio is also a component of the Company’s earning assets.  Historically, the Company invested primarily in: (1) mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored entities; (2) debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, government agencies and government-sponsored entities; and (3) investment grade bank-qualified municipal bonds. However, at certain times the Company has selectively added investment grade corporate securities (floating rate and fixed rate with maturities less than 7 years) to the portfolio in order to obtain yields that exceed government agency securities of equivalent maturity. Since the risk factor for these types of investments is generally lower than that of loans and leases, the yield earned on investments is generally less than that of loans and leases.

Average total investment securities were $1.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average yield on total investment securities was 2.52% and 2.18% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in the yield reflects the increase in yields on purchases over the last year.

Average loans and leases held for investment were $3.7 billion and $3.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average yield on the loan and lease portfolio was 6.09% and 5.69% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in the loan yield reflects the increase in market interest rates over the last year.

Average interest-bearing deposits were $3.3 billion and $3.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was 1.81% and 0.50% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total interest expense on interest-bearing deposits was $14.6 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the increases driven by increases in short-term market interest rates from March 2023 to July 2023 and customers seeking higher rates on deposit products. The average rate paid on total funding costs was 1.29% and 0.34% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table shows the change in interest income and interest expense and the amount of change attributable to variances in volume, rates and the combination of volume and rates based on the relative changes of volume and rates. For purposes of this table, the change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to change due to volume and rate in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of change in each.

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 compared with 2023
 
   
Increase (Decrease) Due to:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
Interest income:
                 
Interest earnings deposits in other banks and federal funds sold
 
$
(6,787
)
 
$
5,356
   
$
(1,431
)
Investment securities:
                       
Taxable securities
   
8
     
895
     
903
 
Non-taxable securities
   
118
     
(60
)
   
58
 
Total investment securities
   
126
     
835
     
961
 
Loans:
                       
Real estate:
                       
Commercial
   
640
     
333
     
973
 
Agricultural
   
144
     
564
     
708
 
Residential and home equity
   
164
     
534
     
698
 
Construction
   
1,123
     
(162
)
   
961
 
Total real estate
   
2,071
     
1,269
     
3,340
 
Commercial & industrial
   
605
     
1,032
     
1,637
 
Agricultural
   
678
     
597
     
1,275
 
Commercial leases
   
892
     
249
     
1,141
 
Consumer and other
   
1
     
7
     
8
 
Total loans and leases
   
4,247
     
3,154
     
7,401
 
Non-marketable securities
   
-
     
87
     
87
 
Total interest income
   
(2,414
)
   
9,432
     
7,018
 
                         
Interest expense:
                       
Interest bearing deposits:
                       
Demand
   
(424
)
   
868
     
444
 
Savings and money market accounts
   
96
     
4,587
     
4,683
 
Certificates of deposit greater than $250,000
   
1,350
     
1,257
     
2,607
 
Certificates of deposit less than $250,000
   
286
     
2,911
     
3,197
 
Total interest bearing deposits
   
1,308
     
9,623
     
10,931
 
                         
Short-term borrowings
   
-
     
62
     
62
 
Subordinated debentures
   
-
     
25
     
25
 
Total interest expense
   
1,308
     
9,710
     
11,018
 
Net interest income
 
$
(3,722
)
 
$
(278
)
 
$
(4,000
)

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
 

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,


$ Better /
(Worse)


$ Better /
(Worse)

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
 
Selected Income Statement Information:
                       
Interest income
 
$
66,641
   
$
59,632
   
$
7,009
     
11.75
%
Interest expense
   
14,928
     
3,910
     
(11,018
)
   
(281.79
%)
Net interest income
   
51,713
     
55,722
     
(4,009
)
   
(7.19
%)
Provision for credit losses
   
-
     
1,500
     
1,500
     
N/A
 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
   
51,713
     
54,222
     
(2,509
)
   
(4.63
%)
Non-interest income
   
5,075
     
3,460
     
1,615
     
46.68
%
Non-interest expense
   
25,521
     
28,183
     
2,662
     
9.45
%
Income before income tax expense
   
31,267
     
29,499
     
1,768
     
5.99
%
Income tax expense
   
8,544
     
5,952
     
(2,592
)
   
(43.55
%)
Net income
 
$
22,723
   
$
23,547
   
$
(824
)
   
(3.50
%)
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, net income was $22.7 million compared with $23.5 million, respectively. The decrease in net income was primarily the result of lower net interest income of $4.0 million and a higher income tax expense of $2.6 million. The first quarter of 2023 benefited from cash proceeds from a non-taxable death benefited on bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) of $4.3 million which was partially offset by a $5.7 million loss on the sale of securities based on the decision to reposition the securities portfolio given the interest rate environment. This decrease was offset by an increase in non-interest income of $1.6 million, no provision for credits losses compared to $1.5 million in 2023 and a decrease in non-interest expense of $2.7 million.
 
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, net interest income was $51.7 million compared with $55.7 million, respectively. The decrease is primarily the result of the net interest margin (tax equivalent basis) decreasing 41 basis points to 4.14% compared with 4.55% for the same period a year earlier. The decrease in the net interest margin was primarily the result of the increase in deposit costs due the interest rate environment as the federal funds rate increased 75 basis points from March through July of 2023 and customer expectations for higher rates on deposit products. The loan yield increased 40 basis points from 5.69% to 6.09% compared to the first quarter of 2023. The deposit yield increased 131 basis points from 0.50% to 1.81% and outpaced the increase in loan yield over the same period a year earlier.

Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses in each period is a charge against earnings in that period. The provision is the amount required to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level that, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb expected credit losses, over the life of the loans and leases, unfunded loan commitments and HTM securities portfolios.

The Company had no provision for credit losses during the first three months of 2024 compared to a $1.5 million provision for credit losses the same period a year earlier. For the three month ended March 31, 2024 net recoveries were $53,000 compared to net recoveries of $188,000 for the same period a year earlier.

Non-interest Income

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
   
$ Better / (Worse)
   
% Better / (Worse)
 
Non-interest Income:
                       
Card processing
   
1,629
     
1,591
   
$
38
     
2.39
%
Gain on BOLI death benefit
   
-
     
4,346
     
(4,346
)
   
-
 
Net gain on deferred compensation benefits
   
1,158
     
896
     
262
     
29.24
%
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
748
     
634
     
114
     
17.98
%
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
   
595
     
444
     
151
     
34.01
%
Net loss on sale of securities available-for-sale
   
-
     
(5,686
)
   
5,686
     
-
 
Other
   
945
     
1,235
     
(290
)
   
(23.48
%)
Total non-interest income
 
$
5,075
   
$
3,460
   
$
1,615
     
46.68
%

Non-interest income increased $1.6 million, or 46.7%, to $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with $3.5 million for the same period a year earlier. The year-over-year increase in non-interest income was primarily due to no loss on sale of investment securities during 2024 compared to a $5.7 million loss on sale of investment securities during the first quarter of 2023 and no gain on BOLI death benefits in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $4.3 million gain in the first quarter of 2023. Excluding these items, non-interest income in the first quarter of 2023 would have been $4.8 million with a net increase in the first quarter of 2024 of $0.3 million.

The Company recorded net gains on deferred compensation plan investments of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with net gains of $0.9 million for the same period a year earlier. See Note 10, located in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the Company’s December 31, 2023 Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2024 for a description of these plans. Balances in non-qualified deferred compensation plans may be invested in financial instruments whose market value fluctuates based upon trends in interest rates and stock prices. Although GAAP requires these investment gains/losses to be recorded in non-interest income, an offsetting entry is also required to be made to non-interest expense resulting in no net-effect on the Company’s net income.

Non-interest Expense

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
   
$ Better / (Worse)
   
% Better / (Worse)
 
Non-interest Expense:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
   
17,503
     
19,584
   
$
2,081
     
10.63
%
Data processing
   
1,455
     
1,260
     
(195
)
   
(15.48
%)
Occupancy
   
1,232
     
1,180
     
(52
)
   
(4.41
%)
Net gain on deferred compensation benefits
   
1,158
     
896
     
262
     
29.24
%
Deposit insurance
   
712
     
692
     
(20
)
   
(2.89
%)
Professional services
   
541
     
682
     
141
     
20.67
%
Marketing
   
480
     
470
     
(10
)
   
(2.13
%)
Other
   
2,440
     
3,419
     
979
     
28.63
%
Total non-interest expense
 
$
25,521
   
$
28,183
   
$
2,662
     
9.45
%

Non-interest expense decreased $2.7 million, or 9.45%, to $25.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with $28.2 million for the same period a year ago. This year-over-year decrease was primarily comprised of a $2.1 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits and a $1.0 million decrease in other miscellaneous expenses. The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was due primarily to reduced discretionary compensation. The decrease in miscellaneous expenses was due primarily to the adoption of ASU 2023-02 which shifts the benefits of low-income housing tax credits to the income tax line under the proportional amortization method. For the first quarter of 2024 this amounted to $1.0 million. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in net gains on deferred compensation plan investments and a $0.2 million increase in data processing expenses.

Net gains on deferred compensation plan obligations were $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with net gains of $0.9 million for the same respective period. See Note 10, located in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the Company’s December 31, 2023 Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2024 for a description of these plans. Balances in non-qualified deferred compensation plans may be invested in financial instruments whose market value fluctuates based upon trends in interest rates and stock prices. Although GAAP requires these gains on obligations to be recorded in non-interest expense, an offsetting entry is also required to be made to non-interest income resulting in no net-effect on the Company’s net income.

Income Tax Expense
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, income tax expense was $8.5 million compared to $6.0 million for the same period a year earlier. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the effective tax rate was 27.33% compared to 20.18% for the same period a year earlier. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was lower than its historical effective tax rate primarily due to a non-taxable BOLI death benefit of $4.3 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company’s effective tax rate can fluctuate from quarter to quarter due primarily to changes in the mix of taxable and tax-exempt earning sources. The effective rates were lower than the combined Federal and State statutory rate of 30% credits associated with low income housing tax credit investments (LIHTC); and tax-exempt interest income on municipal securities and loans.

Balance Sheet Analysis

Total assets were $5.7 billion at March 31, 2024 compared with $5.3 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $405.6 million or 7.64%. Loans held for investment were $3.7 billion at March 31, 2024, an increase of $41.6 million, or 1.14% compared with $3.7 billion at December 31, 2023. Total deposits were $5.0 billion at March 31, 2024 compared with $4.7 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $291.5 million or 6.24%. Our loan to deposit ratio was 74.73% and 78.52% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of interest bearing deposits with banks and overnight investments in Federal Reserve balances. Interest bearing deposits with banks consisted primarily of FRB deposits. Since balances at the FRB are effectively risk free, the Company elected to maintain its excess cash at the FRB. Interest bearing deposits with banks totaled $672.6 million at March 31, 2024 and $338.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to steps taken to manage on-balance sheet liquidity which included $200.0 million in brokered deposits and $100.0 million in FHLB advances. The Company’s total cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024 represented 12.9% of the Company’s total assets as compared to 7.7% as of December 31, 2023.
 
Investment Securities

The Company’s net investment portfolio increased by $46.6 million or 4.66% to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023. During the first quarter of 2024 the Company purchased $64.9 million of investment securities. The Company uses its investment portfolio to manage interest rate and liquidity risks. The Company's total investment portfolio as of March 31, 2024 represents 18.32% of the Company’s total assets as compared to 18.84% at December 31, 2023.

The carrying value of our portfolio of investment securities was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31, 2023
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
           
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
 
$
3,048
   
$
3,224
 
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
   
216,093
     
163,838
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
5,654
     
535
 
Corporate securities
   
14,751
     
14,605
 
Other
   
310
     
310
 
Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
239,856
   
$
182,512
 

  (1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2024
   
December 31, 2023
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
           
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
 
$
656,028
   
$
664,728
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
72,950
     
74,170
 
Municipal securities
   
77,993
     
78,790
 
Total held-to-maturity securities
 
$
806,971
   
$
817,688
 

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

The following tables show the carrying value for contractual maturities of investment securities and the weighted average yields of such securities, including the benefit of tax-exempt securities:

   
As of March 31, 2024
 
   
Within One Year
   
After One but Within
Five Years
   
After Five but
Within Ten Years
   
After Ten Years
   
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
Securities available-for-sale
                                                           
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
 
$
1
     
6.87
%
 
$
88
     
6.40
%
 
$
242
     
6.63
%
 
$
2,717
     
6.43
%
  $
3,048
     
6.44
%
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
   
112
     
1.90
%
   
5,404
     
2.56
%
   
4,986
     
3.76
%
   
205,592
     
4.09
%
   
216,093
     
4.04
%
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
5,654
     
6.27
%
   
5,654
     
6.27
%
Corporate securities
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
14,750
     
5.80
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
14,751
     
5.80
%
Other
   
310
     
8.44
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
310
     
8.44
%
Total securities available-for-sale
 
$
423
     
6.70
%
 
$
20,242
     
4.94
%
 
$
5,228
     
3.89
%
 
$
213,963
     
4.18
%
 
$
239,856
     
4.24
%

(1)
All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

 
 
As of March 31, 2024
 
   
Within One Year
   
After One but Within
Five Years
   
After Five but
Within Ten Years
   
After Ten Years
   
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
Securities held-to-maturity
                                                           
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
 
$
-
     
0.00
%
 
$
1,887
     
0.87
%
 
$
11,758
     
1.44
%
 
$
642,382
     
1.89
%
 
$
656,028
     
1.88
%
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
72,950
     
1.75
%
   
72,950
     
1.75
%
Municipal securities
   
2,230
     
6.41
%
   
16,200
     
3.60
%
   
9,251
     
3.04
%
   
50,313
     
4.00
%
   
77,993
     
3.87
%
Total securities held-to-maturity
 
$
2,230
     
6.41
%
 
$
18,087
     
3.32
%
 
$
21,009
     
2.14
%
 
$
765,645
     
2.02
%
 
$
806,971
     
2.06
%

(1)
All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

   
As of December 31, 2023
 
   
Within One Year
   
After One but Within Five Years
   
After Five but Within Ten Years
   
After Ten Years
   
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
Securities available-for-sale
                                                           
U.S. Government-sponsored securities
 
$
1
     
5.91
%
 
$
99
     
6.47
%
 
$
269
     
6.65
%
 
$
2,855
     
6.44
%
  $
3,224
     
6.46
%
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
   
169
     
1.79
%
   
6,138
     
2.57
%
   
4,916
     
3.78
%
   
152,615
     
3.52
%
   
163,838
     
3.44
%
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
535
     
2.27
%
   
535
     
2.27
%
Corporate securities
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
14,605
     
5.71
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
14,605
     
5.71
%
Other
   
310
     
8.20
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
310
     
8.20
%
Total securities available-for-sale
 
$
480
     
5.94
%
 
$
20,842
     
4.79
%
 
$
5,185
     
3.93
%
 
$
156,005
     
3.57
%
 
$
182,512
     
3.68
%

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

   
As of December 31, 2023
 
   
Within One Year
   
After One but Within Five Years
   
After Five but Within Ten Years
   
After Ten Years
   
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
Securities held-to-maturity
                                                           
Mortgage-backed securities(1)
 
$
-
     
0.00
%
 
$
2,058
     
0.78
%
 
$
12,418
     
1.41
%
 
$
650,252
     
1.90
%
 
$
664,728
     
1.88
%
Collateralized mortgage obligations(1)
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
-
     
0.00
%
   
74,170
     
1.75
%
   
74,170
     
1.75
%
Municipal securities
   
875
     
4.01
%
   
15,962
     
4.23
%
   
10,703
     
3.76
%
   
51,250
     
3.88
%
   
78,790
     
3.93
%
Total securities held-to-maturity
 
$
875
     
4.01
%
 
$
18,020
     
3.84
%
 
$
23,121
     
2.50
%
 
$
775,672
     
2.02
%
 
$
817,688
     
2.07
%

(1) All mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by an agency or government sponsored entity of the U.S. Government.

Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur. Expected maturities of mortgage-backed and CMO securities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The Company evaluates securities for expected credit losses at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.

Loans and Leases

Loans and leases can be categorized by borrowing purpose and use of funds. For detailed descriptions of the various loan types offered by the Company see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.

The Company's loan and lease portfolio at March 31, 2024 totaled $3.7 billion, an increase of $41.6 million or 1.14% over December 31, 2023.

The following table sets forth the distribution of the loan and lease portfolio by type and percent at the end of each period presented:

   
March 31, 2024
   
December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Dollars
   
Percent of
Total
   
Dollars
   
Percent of
Total
 
Gross loans and leases
                       
Real estate:
                       
Commercial
 
$
1,352,014
     
36.48
%
 
$
1,323,038
     
36.10
%
Agricultural
   
726,041
     
19.59
%
   
742,009
     
20.24
%
Residential and home equity
   
405,526
     
10.94
%
   
399,982
     
10.91
%
Construction
   
227,415
     
6.13
%
   
212,362
     
5.80
%
Total real estate
   
2,710,996
     
73.14
%
   
2,677,391
     
73.05
%
Commercial & industrial
   
497,028
     
13.41
%
   
499,373
     
13.62
%
Agricultural
   
317,955
     
8.58
%
   
313,737
     
8.56
%
Commercial leases
   
174,657
     
4.71
%
   
169,684
     
4.63
%
Consumer and other
   
5,801
     
0.16
%
   
5,212
     
0.14
%
Total gross loans and leases
 
$
3,706,437
     
100.00
%
 
$
3,665,397
     
100.00
%

The following table shows the maturity distribution and interest rate sensitivity of the loan and lease portfolio of the Company as of March 31, 2024.

   
Loan Contractual Maturity
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
One Year or Less
   
After One But
Within Five
Years
   
After Five
Years But
Within Fifteen
Years
   
After Fifteen Years
   
Total
 
Gross loan and leases:
                             
Real estate:
                             
Commercial
 
$
85,828
   
$
388,701
   
$
842,417
   
$
35,068
   
$
1,352,014
 
Agricultural
   
51,740
     
174,911
     
438,218
     
61,172
     
726,041
 
Residential and home equity
   
111
     
4,315
     
111,926
     
289,174
     
405,526
 
Construction
   
183,815
     
42,741
     
859
     
-
     
227,415
 
Total real estate
   
321,494
     
610,668
     
1,393,420
     
385,414
     
2,710,996
 
Commercial & industrial
   
216,756
     
179,670
     
98,271
     
2,331
     
497,028
 
Agricultural
   
194,378
     
102,542
     
21,035
     
0
     
317,955
 
Commercial leases
   
4,939
     
50,174
     
119,544
     
-
     
174,657
 
Consumer and other
   
731
     
3,677
     
922
     
471.00
     
5,801
 
Total gross loans and leases
 
$
738,298
   
$
946,731
   
$
1,633,192
   
$
388,216
   
$
3,706,437
 
Rate structure for loans and leases
                                       
Fixed rate
 
$
200,541
   
$
589,620
   
$
1,138,467
   
$
223,302
   
$
2,151,930
 
Adjustable rate
   
537,757
     
357,111
     
494,725
     
164,914
     
1,554,507
 
Total gross loans and leases
 
$
738,298
   
$
946,731
   
$
1,633,192
   
$
388,216
   
$
3,706,437
 

The following table summarizes the loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest, and OREO (as hereinafter defined):

(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2024
   
December 31, 2023
 
Non-performing assets:
           
Non-accrual loans and leases
           
Real estate:
           
Commercial
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
 
Residential and home equity
   
-
     
-
 
Construction
   
-
     
-
 
Total real estate
   
-
     
-
 
Commercial & industrial
   
-
     
-
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
 
Commercial leases
   
-
     
-
 
Consumer and other
   
-
     
-
 
Subtotal
   
-
     
-
 
Accruing loans and leases
               
Real estate:
               
Commercial
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
Agricultural
   
3,550
     
-
 
Residential and home equity
   
-
     
-
 
Construction
   
-
     
-
 
Total real estate
   
3,550
     
-
 
Commercial & industrial
   
-
     
-
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
 
Commercial leases
   
-
     
-
 
Consumer and other
   
-
     
-
 
Subtotal
   
3,550
     
-
 
Total non-performing loans and leases
 
$
3,550
   
$
-
 
Other real estate owned ("OREO")
 
$
873
   
$
873
 
Total non-performing assets
 
$
4,423
   
$
873
 
                 
Selected ratios:
               
Non-performing loans to total loans and leases
   
0.10
%
   
0.00
%
Non-performing assets to total assets
   
0.08
%
   
0.02
%

Non-Accrual Loans and Leases - Accrual of interest on loans and leases is generally discontinued when a loan or lease becomes contractually past due by 90 days or more with respect to interest or principal. When loans and leases are 90 days past due, but in management's judgment are well secured and in the process of collection, they may not be classified as non-accrual. When a loan or lease is placed on non-accrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed. Income on such loans and leases is then recognized only to the extent that cash is received and where the future collection of principal is probable. Non-accrual loans and leases were zero at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company had one non-performing loan which was 90+ days past due and still accruing interest at March 31, 2024 as steps were already in process of bringing the loan current. Those steps were completed in early April 2024 and the loan returned to current and performing status.

Other Real Estate Owned – OREO represents real property taken either through foreclosure or through a deed in lieu thereof from the borrower. The Company records all OREO properties at amounts equal to or less than the fair market value of the properties based on current independent appraisals reduced by estimated selling costs. The Company reported $873,000 of foreclosed OREO at March 31, 2024, and at December 31, 2023.

Although management believes that non-performing loans and leases are generally well-secured and that potential losses are provided for in the Company’s allowance for credit losses, there can be no assurance that future deterioration in economic conditions and/or collateral values will not result in future credit losses. See Note 3. “Loans and Leases”, located in “Item 1. Financial Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for an allocation of the allowance classified to collateral dependent loans and leases.
 
Allowance for Credit Losses—Loans and Leases

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) under ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”). The allowance is established through a provision for credit losses, which is charged to expense. Additions to the allowance are expected to maintain the adequacy of the total allowance after credit losses and loan and lease growth. Credit exposures determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. Cash received on previously charged off amounts is recorded as a recovery to the allowance. The overall allowance consists of two primary components: specific reserves related to impaired loans and leases and general reserves comprised of both quantitative and qualitative factors for current expected credit losses related to loans and leases that are not collateral dependent. The Company uses the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (“WARM”) method to calculate the ACL, as this method is deemed the most appropriate given the Company’s current size and complexity. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans and Leases.”

The following table sets forth the activity in our ACL for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
 
Allowance for credit losses:
           
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
74,965
   
$
66,885
 
Provision for credit losses
   
-
     
1,500
 
Charge-offs:
               
Real estate:
               
Commercial
   
-
     
-
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
 
Residential and home equity
   
-
     
(14
)
Construction
   
-
     
-
 
Total real estate
   
-
     
(14
)
Commercial & industrial
   
-
     
-
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
 
Commercial leases
   
-
     
-
 
Consumer and other
   
(10
)
   
(10
)
Total charge-offs
   
(10
)
   
(24
)
Recoveries:
               
Real estate:
               
Commercial
   
-
     
170
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
 
Residential and home equity
   
8
     
10
 
Construction
   
-
     
-
 
Total real estate
   
8
     
180
 
Commercial & industrial
   
18
     
19
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
1
 
Commercial leases
   
-
     
-
 
Consumer and other
   
37
     
12
 
Total recoveries
   
63
     
212
 
Net recoveries / (charge-offs)
   
53
     
188
 
Balance at end of year
 
$
75,018
   
$
68,573
 
                 
Selected financial information:
               
Net loans and leases held-for-investment
 
$
3,696,295
   
$
3,427,133
 
Average loans and leases
   
3,661,292
     
3,422,375
 
Non-performing loans and leases
   
3,550
     
387
 
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans and leases
   
2113.18
%
   
17719.12
%
Net (recoveries)/charge-offs to average loans and leases
   
(0.00
%)
   
(0.01
%)
Provision for credit losses to average loans and leases
   
0.00
%
   
0.04
%
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans and leases held-for-investment
   
2.02
%
   
1.99
%

The increase in ACL during the first quarter of 2024 was related to net recoveries.

 
(Dollars in thousands)

March 31,
2024


December 31,
2023

             
ACL - Loans and leases
 
$
75,018
   
$
74,965
 
ACL - Unfunded commitments
   
3,690
     
3,690
 
Total ACL
   
78,708
     
78,655
 

The following table indicates management’s allocation of the ACL for loan and leases by loan type as of each of the following dates:

   
March 31, 2024
   
December 31, 2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Dollars
   
Percent of Each Loan Type to Total Loans
   
Percent of ACL to Each Loan Type
   
Dollars
   
Percent of Each Loan Type to Total Loans
   
Percent of ACL to Each Loan Type
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                   
Real estate:
                                   
Commercial
 
$
22,414
     
36.48
%
   
1.66
%
 
$
26,093
     
36.10
%
   
1.97
%
Agricultural
   
11,377
     
19.59
%
   
1.57
%
   
7,744
     
20.24
%
   
1.04
%
Residential and home equity
   
7,721
     
10.94
%
   
1.90
%
   
7,770
     
10.91
%
   
1.94
%
Construction
   
4,616
     
6.13
%
   
2.03
%
   
4,432
     
5.80
%
   
2.09
%
Total real estate
   
46,128
     
73.14
%
   
1.70
%
   
46,039
     
73.05
%
   
1.72
%
Commercial & industrial
   
11,559
     
13.41
%
   
2.33
%
   
13,380
     
13.62
%
   
2.68
%
Agricultural
   
10,292
     
8.58
%
   
3.24
%
   
8,872
     
8.56
%
   
2.83
%
Commercial leases
   
6,923
     
4.71
%
   
3.96
%
   
6,537
     
4.63
%
   
3.85
%
Consumer and other
   
116
     
0.16
%
   
2.00
%
   
137
     
0.14
%
   
2.63
%
Total allowance for credit losses
 
$
75,018
     
100.00
%
   
2.02
%
 
$
74,965
     
100.00
%
   
2.05
%

Deposits

Total deposits were $5.0 billion and $4.7 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively an increase of $291.5 million or 6.24%. The increase in deposits was primarily due to $100.0 million in a State of California certificate of deposit and $200.0 million in brokered deposits. Deposits, net of this $300.0 million, had a slight decrease of $8.5 million. The slight decrease in deposits was primarily attributable to the shift in customer behavior over the last year as customers seek higher yielding deposit products or other investment alternatives such as U.S. Treasuries or money market funds given the interest rate environment.

Non-interest bearing demand deposits were $1.4 billion as of March 31, 2024 and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2023. Non-interest bearing deposits were 28.44% of total deposits, as of March 31, 2024 and 31.76% as of December 31, 2023. Interest bearing deposits were $3.5 million and $3.2 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Interest bearing deposits are comprised of interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. Interest bearing deposits are comprised of interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. The decrease in non-interest bearing deposits and the increase in interest-bearing deposits primarily reflects changes in customer behavior as customers shifted from non-interest bearing accounts to higher interest earning accounts given the interest rate environment. Checking account deposits were 49.39% of total deposits as of March 31, 2024 compared to 51.76% of total deposits as of December 31, 2023.

The following table shows the average amount and average rate paid on the categories of deposits for each of the periods presented:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2024
   
2023
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Expense
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Expense
   
Average
Rate
 
Total deposits:
                                   
Interest bearing deposits:
                                   
Demand
 
$
914,618
   
$
888
     
0.39
%
 
$
1,068,504
   
$
444
     
0.17
%
Savings and money market
   
1,618,678
     
7,186
     
1.79
%
   
1,561,684
     
2,503
     
0.65
%
Certificates of deposit greater than $250,000
   
378,714
     
3,094
     
3.29
%
   
147,704
     
487
     
1.34
%
Certificates of deposit less than $250,000
   
338,031
     
3,477
     
4.14
%
   
206,214
     
280
     
0.55
%
Total interest bearing deposits
   
3,250,041
     
14,645
     
1.81
%
   
2,984,106
     
3,714
     
0.50
%
Non-interest bearing deposits
   
1,403,384
                     
1,663,152
             
0.00
%
Total deposits
 
$
4,653,425
   
$
14,645
     
1.27
%
 
$
4,647,258
   
$
3,714
     
0.32
%

Deposits are gathered from individuals and businesses in our market areas. The interest rates paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet our funding requirements. The increase in short-term interest rates during 2023 and customers seeking higher yielding deposit products placed pressure on deposit pricing.  The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits, increased to 1.27% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with 0.32% for the same period a year ago and 1.14% as of December 31, 2023.

The following table shows deposits with a balance greater than $250,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
 
Non-maturity deposits greater than $250,000
 
$
2,401,894
   
$
2,496,749
 
Certificates of deposit greater than $250,000, by maturity:
               
Less than 3 months
   
215,377
     
84,460
 
3 months to 6 months
   
109,740
     
111,866
 
6 months to 12 months
   
148,784
     
107,080
 
More than 12 months
   
3,985
     
15,423
 
Total certificates of deposit greater than $250,000
 
$
477,886
   
$
318,829
 
Total deposits greater than $250,000
 
$
2,879,780
   
$
2,815,578
 

Refer to the Year-To-Date Average Balances and Rate Schedules located in this "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for information on separate deposit categories.

The Bank participates in a program wherein the State of California places time deposits with the Bank at the Bank’s option. The Bank had $103.0 million and $3.0 million of these deposits at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Total estimated uninsured deposits based on our regulatory reporting amounted to $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Federal Reserve Bank Borrowings

Lines of Credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank and FRB are other key sources of funds to support earning assets and liquidity. These sources of funds are also used to manage the Company’s interest rate risk exposure; and, as opportunities arise, to borrow and invest the proceeds at a positive spread through the investment portfolio. FHLB advances as of March 31, 2024 were $100.0 million compared to no advances at December 31, 2023. The average rate on FHLB advances during the first quarter of 2024 was 4.54% compared to zero during the first quarter of 2023. The $100.0 million in FHLB advances have a one-month term and may or may not be renewed. There were no Federal Funds purchased or advances from the FRB at March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

Long-Term Subordinated Debentures

On December 17, 2003, the Company raised $10.0 million through the sale of subordinated debentures to an off-balance-sheet trust and its sale of trust-preferred securities. See Note 9. “Long-Term Subordinated Debentures” located in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024. Although this amount is reflected as subordinated debt on the Company’s balance sheet, under current regulatory guidelines, our Trust Preferred Securities will continue to qualify as regulatory capital.

These securities accrue interest at a variable rate based upon 3-month SOFR plus 2.85%. Interest rates reset quarterly (the next reset is June 18, 2024) and the rate was 8.44% as of March 31, 2024 and 8.49% at December 31, 2023. The average rate paid for these securities was 8.62% for the first three months of 2024 and 7.71% for the first three months of 2023. Additionally, if the Company decided to defer interest on the subordinated debentures, the Company would be prohibited from paying cash dividends on the Company’s common stock.

Capital Resources

The Company relies primarily on capital generated through the retention of earnings to satisfy its capital requirements. The Company engages in an ongoing assessment of its capital needs in order to support business growth and to insure depositor protection. Shareholders’ Equity totaled $565.2 million at March 31, 2024, and $549.8 million at December 31, 2023.

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital adequacy guidelines as outlined under Part 324 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company and the Bank's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company and the Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of these capital requirements and there were no restrictions on the Company’s business activity. As of March 31, 2024 the Bank met the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” under the FDIC regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well-capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The Company’s and Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios are as follows:

   
March 31, 2024
 
   
Actual
   
Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes
   
Minimum to be Categorized as "Well Capitalized" Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulation
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
Bancorp:
                                   
CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
$
565,238
     
12.73
%
 
$
199,884
     
4.50
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
575,238
     
12.95
%
   
266,511
     
6.00
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
   
631,053
     
14.21
%
   
355,349
     
8.00
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
   
575,238
     
10.83
%
   
212,410
     
4.00
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
                                                 
Bank:
                                               
CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
$
575,347
     
12.95
%
 
$
199,872
     
4.50
%
 
$
288,704
     
6.50
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
575,347
     
12.95
%
   
266,496
     
6.00
%
   
355,328
     
8.00
%
Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
   
631,159
     
14.21
%
   
355,328
     
8.00
%
   
444,159
     
10.00
%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
   
575,347
     
10.84
%
   
212,322
     
4.00
%
   
265,403
     
5.00
%

   
December 31, 2023
 
   
Actual
   
Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes
   
Minimum to be Categorized as "Well Capitalized" Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulation
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
Bancorp:
                                   
CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
$
546,045
     
12.30
%
 
$
199,724
     
4.50
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
556,045
     
12.53
%
   
266,298
     
6.00
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
   
611,815
     
13.78
%
   
355,064
     
8.00
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
   
556,045
     
10.38
%
   
214,267
     
4.00
%
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
                                                 
Bank:
                                               
CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
$
557,500
     
12.56
%
 
$
199,722
     
4.50
%
 
$
288,487
     
6.50
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
557,500
     
12.56
%
   
266,295
     
6.00
%
   
355,061
     
8.00
%
Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
   
613,270
     
13.82
%
   
355,061
     
8.00
%
   
443,826
     
10.00
%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
   
557,500
     
10.42
%
   
214,078
     
4.00
%
   
267,597
     
5.00
%

On November 14, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized an extension to its share repurchase program through December 31, 2024 for an additional $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock (“Repurchase Plan”), which represented approximately 4% of outstanding shareholders’ equity at the time of approval. Repurchases by the Company under the Repurchase Plan may be made from time to time through open market purchases, trading plans established in accordance with SEC rules, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means.

During the first three months of 2024 the Company repurchased 5,201 shares under the Repurchase Plan, for a total of $5.5 million. As of March 31, 2024, there remains $19.1 million authorized for repurchases under the Repurchase Plan.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance-sheet arrangements are any contractual arrangement to which an unconsolidated entity is a party, under which the Company has: (1) any obligation under a guarantee contract; (2) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity, or market risk support to that entity for such assets; (3) any obligation under certain derivative instruments; or (4) any obligation under a material variable interest held by us in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk, or credit risk support to the Company, or engages in leasing, hedging, or research and development services with the Company. The Company had the following off balance sheet commitments as of the dates indicated.

The following table sets forth our off-balance-sheet lending commitments as of March 31, 2024:

         
Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total Committed Amount
   
Less than One Year
   
One to
Three
Years
   
Three to
Five Years
   
After Five Years
 
Off-balance sheet commitments
                             
Commitments to extend credit
 
$
1,074,963
   
$
508,786
   
$
311,172
   
$
75,258
   
$
179,747
 
Standby letters of credit
   
14,889
     
12,629
     
1,760
     
500
     
-
 
Total off-balance sheet commitments
 
$
1,089,852
   
$
521,415
   
$
312,932
   
$
75,758
   
$
179,747
 

The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party with regard to standby letters of credit, undisbursed loan commitments, and financial guarantees is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for recorded balance sheet items. The Company may or may not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. Evaluations of each customer's creditworthiness are performed on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, the Company maintains an allowance for credit losses for unfunded loan commitments, which totaled $3.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee performance of or payment for a customer to a third-party. Most standby letters of credit have maturity dates ranging from 1 to 60 months with final expiration in August 2028. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.

Liquidity
 
The ability to have readily available funds sufficient to repay maturing liabilities is of primary importance to depositors, creditors and regulators. In an effort to satisfy our liquidity needs, we actively manage our assets and liabilities. We have access to immediate liquid resources in the form of cash, which totaled $738.4 million or 12.92% of total assets as of March 31, 2024. The majority of cash is on deposit with the FRB and amounted to $672.6 million. Potential sources of liquidity also include investment securities in our available-for-sale securities portfolio, our ability to sell loans in the secondary market, and our ability borrow from the FRB and FHLB. Our diversified deposit portfolio has historically provided us with a long-term source of stable low cost funding. Maturities and payments on outstanding loans and investment securities also provide a steady flow of funds. Our liquidity, represented by cash borrowing lines, federal funds and available-for-sale securities, is a result of our operating, investing and financing activities and related cash flows. In order to ensure funds are available at all times, we devote resources to projecting the amount of funds that will be required and we maintain relationships with a diversified client base so funds are accessible. Liquidity requirements can also be met through short-term borrowings or the disposition of short-term assets. We had the following borrowing lines available at March 31, 2024:

   
March 31, 2024
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total Credit Line Limit
   
Outstanding Amount
   
Remaining Credit Line Available
   
Value of Collateral Pledged
 
Additional liquidity sources:
                       
Federal Reserve Bank
 
$
1,239,186
   
$
-
   
$
1,239,186
   
$
1,583,638
 
Federal Home Loan Bank
   
769,429
     
200,000
     
569,429
     
1,263,816
 
US Bank Fed Funds
   
50,000
     
-
     
50,000
     
-
 
PCBB Fed Funds
   
50,000
     
-
     
50,000
     
-
 
FHLB Fed Funds
   
18,000
     
-
     
18,000
     
-
 
Total additional liquidity sources
 
$
2,126,615
   
$
200,000
   
$
1,926,615
   
$
2,847,454
 

We continued our focus on maintaining a strong liquidity position throughout the first three months of 2024 and we believe our liquid assets and short-term borrowing credit lines are adequate to meet our cash flow needs for loan and lease funding and deposit cash withdrawal for the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2024, we had internal sources of liquidity comprised of $738.4 million in cash and $287.4 million unencumbered investment securities, which represented in the aggregate 17.95% of total assets. We also had $1.9 billion in external sources of liquidity as outlined in the table above bringing our total available liquidity to $2.9 billion. Our pledged collateral on short-term borrowing lines was comprised of $2.8 billion in loans and $1.7 million in investment securities. We have the option of either borrowing on our credit lines or selling these investment securities for cash flow needs. The $200.0 million in outstanding at the FHLB represents $100.0 million in FHLB advances and $100.0 million in the form of a letter of credit to collateralize the State of California certificate of deposit. The letter of credit is not an on balance sheet liability but it does reduce our borrowing capacity as illustrated in the table above.

On a long-term basis, we intend to meet our liquidity needs by changing the relative distribution of our asset portfolios by reducing our investment or loan and lease volumes, or selling or encumbering assets. Further, we would increase liquidity by soliciting higher levels of deposit accounts through promotional activities and/or borrowing from our correspondent banks as well as the FHLB. At the current time, our long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to funds required to support loan and lease originations and commitments and deposit withdrawals.

We believe we can meet all of these needs from existing liquidity sources. Our liquidity is comprised of three primary classifications: cash flows from or used in operating activities; cash flows from or used in investing activities; and cash flows from or used in financing activities. Net cash provided by or used in operating activities has consisted primarily of net income adjusted for certain non-cash income and expense items such as the credit loss provision, investment and other amortization and depreciation.

Our primary investing activities are the origination of loans and lease and purchases and sales of investment securities. As of March 31, 2024, we had unfunded loan commitments of $1.1 billion and unfunded letters of credit of $14.9 million. At March 31, 2024, we believe that we had sufficient funds available to meet current loan commitments.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company’s assessment of market risk at March 31, 2024 indicates there have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures from those made in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.

Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in our lending and deposit taking activities. Management actively monitors and manages our interest rate risk exposure. We do not have any market-risk sensitive instruments entered into for trading purposes. In monitoring interest rate risk we continually analyze and manage our earning assets and funding liabilities based on their payment streams and interest rates, the timing of their maturities and/or prepayments, and their sensitivity to actual or potential changes in market interest rates.

Management uses various asset/liability strategies to manage the re-pricing characteristics of our assets and liabilities designed to ensure that exposure to interest rate fluctuations is limited within our guidelines of acceptable levels of risk-taking. Hedging strategies, including the terms and pricing of loans and deposits, and managing the deployment of our securities, are considered to reduce mismatches in interest rate re-pricing opportunities of portfolio assets and their funding sources.

Since our earnings are primarily dependent on our ability to generate net interest income, we focus on actively monitoring and managing the effects of adverse changes in interest rates on our net interest income. Our Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”), which is comprised of members of the Board of Directors and Executive Officers, manages market risk. ALCO monitors interest rate risk by analyzing the potential impact on net interest income from potential changes in interest rates, and considers the impact of alternative strategies or changes in balance sheet structure. ALCO manages our balance sheet in part to maintain the potential impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income within acceptable ranges despite changes in interest rates. ALCO and management utilize a third party to assist with asset liability management including the use of simulation models.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed on at least a quarterly basis by ALCO. Interest rate risk exposure is measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine our change in net interest income in the event of hypothetical changes in interest rates. If potential changes to net interest income resulting from hypothetical interest rate changes are not within risk tolerances determined by ALCO, and approved by the full Board of Directors, management may make adjustments to the Company’s asset and liability mix to bring interest rate risk levels within the Board approved limits.

Net Interest Income Simulation. In order to measure interest rate risk, we use a simulation model to project changes in net interest income that result from forecasted changes in interest rates. This analysis calculates the difference between net interest income forecasted using a rising and a falling interest rate scenario and a net interest income forecast using a base market interest rate derived from the current Treasury yield curve. The income simulation model includes various assumptions regarding the re-pricing relationships for each of our products. Many of our assets are floating rate loans, which are assumed to re-price immediately, and to the same extent as the change in market rates according to their contracted index.

Some loans and investment vehicles include the opportunity of prepayment (embedded options), and accordingly the simulation model uses various proprietary models to estimate these prepayments and assumes the reinvestment of the proceeds at current yields. Our non-term deposit products re-price more slowly, usually changing less than the change in market rates and at our discretion.
 
This analysis indicates the impact of changes in net interest income for the given set of rate changes and assumptions. It assumes the balance sheet size remains static throughout the simulation horizon by replacing existing cash flows/amortization into similar products at current rates to try and capture the ongoing activity of the balance sheet without forecasting any level of growth. It does not account for all factors that affect this analysis, including changes by management to mitigate the effect of interest rate changes or secondary impacts such as changes to our credit risk profile as interest rates change.

Furthermore, loan prepayment-rate estimates and spread relationships change regularly. Interest rate changes create changes in actual loan prepayment rates that will differ from the market estimates incorporated in this analysis. Changes that vary significantly from the assumptions may have significant effects on our net interest income.

For the rising and falling interest rate scenarios, the base market interest rate forecast was increased or decreased, on an instantaneous and sustained basis, by 100, 200 and 300 basis points. We then evaluate the simulation results using two approaches: Net Interest Income at Risk (“NII at Risk”) and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”). Under NII at Risk, the impact on net interest income from the changes in interest rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is modeled using various assumptions of assets and liabilities. EVE measures the period-end present value of assets minus the present value of liabilities. Management uses this value to measure the changes in the economic value of the Company under various interest rate scenarios.

Based on our quarterly simulations, our net interest margin exposure related to these hypothetical changes in market interest rates was within the current guidelines established by us.  Our simulation model highlights the fact that our balance sheet is asset sensitive, which means that our net interest income rises in a rising interest rate environment as rates earned on our interest-bearing assets reprice higher and at a faster pace than rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities.
 
The ratio of variable to fixed-rate loans in our loan portfolio, the ratio of short-term (maturing at a given time within 12 months) to long-term loans, and the ratio of our demand, money market and savings deposits to CDs (and their time periods), are the primary factors affecting the sensitivity of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Our short-term loans are typically priced at prime plus a margin, and our long-term loans are typically priced based on a specific term of the Treasury Curve for comparable maturities, plus a margin. The composition of our rate-sensitive assets or liabilities is subject to change and could result in a more unbalanced position that would cause market rate changes to have a greater impact on our net interest margin. As of March 31, 2024, our loan and lease portfolio was comprised of 58.1% fixed rate and 41.9% variable rate loans. The vast majority of our variable loans also contain interest rate floors which are designed to mitigate the impact of decreases in interest rates as index rates drop.

The following table presents the projected change in the Company’s net interest income over the next twelve months and the economic value of equity at March 31, 2024, that would occur upon an immediate change in interest rates, but without giving effect to any steps that management might take to counteract that change:

   
Estimated Change in
Net Interest Income (NII)
(as a % of NII)
   
Estimated Change in
Economic Value of Equity
(EVE)
(as a % of EVE)
 
March 31, 2024
           
+300 bps
   
(0.2
%)
   
(10.1
%)
+200 bps
   
(0.4
%)
   
(7.3
%)
+100 bps
   
0.0
%
   
(2.9
%)
0 bps
   
-
     
-
 
-100 bps
   
(1.5
%)
   
(0.6
%)
-200 bps
   
(3.2
%)
   
(3.6
%)
-300 bps
   
(5.3
%)
   
(9.2
%)

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures (as required by Exchange Act Rules 240.13a-15(b) and 15d-14(a)). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Report, the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and timely reported as provided in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2024, to which this report relates 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

Certain lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against the Company or its subsidiaries. Based upon information available to the Company, its review of such lawsuits and claims and consultation with its counsel, the Company believes the liability relating to these actions, if any, would not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

There are no material proceedings adverse to the Company to which any director, officer or affiliate of the Company is a party.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

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

The following table reports information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
   
Average price
paid per share(2)
   
Total number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
   
Maximum number (or
approximate dollar
value) of shares that
may yet purchased
under the plans or
programs (In
thousands) (1)
 
                         
January 1, 2024 to January 31, 2024
   
4,853
   
$
1,042.00
     
4,853
   
$
19,479
 
February 1, 2024 to February 29, 2024
   
87
     
971.00
     
87
     
19,394
 
March 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024
   
261
     
974.00
     
261
     
19,140
 
Total 1st Quarter 2024
   
5,201
   
$
1,038.00
     
5,201
   
$
19,140
 

(1)As of November 14, 2023 the Board approved a further extension to the repurchase program through December 31, 2024 and for an additional $25 million of the Company's common stock.
(2)The aggregate purchase price and weighted average price per share does not include the effect of excise tax expense incurred on net stock repurchases. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the excise tax expense accrual totaled $54,000.

On November 14, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized an extension to its share repurchase program through December 31, 2024 for an additional $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock (“Repurchase Plan”), which represented approximately 4% of outstanding shareholders’ equity at the time of approval. Repurchases by the Company under the Repurchase Plan may be made from time to time through open market purchases, trading plans established in accordance with SEC rules, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means.

During the first three months of 2024 the Company repurchased 5,201 shares under the Repurchase Plan, for a total of $5.5 million.  As of March 31, 2024, there remains $19.1 million authorized for repurchases under the Repurchase Plan. All of these shares were purchased at prices ranging from $960.00 to $1,065.00 per share, based upon the then current price on the OTCQX.

Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable

Item 5.
Other Information

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 6.
Exhibits
 
List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
(1) Financial Statements and
(2) Financial Statement schedules required to be filed by Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
(3) The following exhibits are required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and are included as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective April 1, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and Kent A. Steinwert, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective April 1, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and Deborah E. Skinner, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective April 1, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and Bart R. Olson, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective April 1, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and Ryan J. Misasi, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective April 1, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and David M. Zitterow, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective April 1, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and John W. Weubbe, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2024, between Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California and Thomas Bennett, filed on Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted 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)

*Filed herewith

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.

 
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP
   
Date:  May 9, 2024
/s/ Kent A. Steinwert
 
Kent A. Steinwert
 
Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

   
Date:  May 9, 2024
/s/ Bart R. Olson
 
Bart R. Olson
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


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