UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  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, 2023

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 000-16435

 

cmtv_10qimg2.jpg

 

Community Bancorp./VT

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Vermont

 

03-0284070

(State of Incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

4811 US Route 5, Derby, Vermont

 

05829

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(zip code)

 

Registrant's Telephone Number:  (802) 334-7915 

 

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

 

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

 

(Not Applicable)

 

 

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 for 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 and post 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. ☐

 

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 ☒

 

At May 02, 2023, there were 5,455,805 shares outstanding of the Corporation's common stock. 

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page  

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Financial Statements

 

3

 

Item 2

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

 

28

 

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

46

 

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

 

47

 

Item 1A

Risk Factors

 

47

 

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

47

 

Item 6

Exhibits

 

48

 

 

Signatures

 

49

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

50

 

 

 
2

Table of Contents

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The following are the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the Company.

 

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary

 

March 31

 

 

December 31,

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$7,521,058

 

 

$12,302,771

 

Federal funds sold and overnight deposits

 

 

30,123,942

 

 

 

58,837,557

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

 

37,645,000

 

 

 

71,140,328

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

192,679,330

 

 

 

192,918,109

 

Restricted equity securities, at cost

 

 

1,436,550

 

 

 

1,411,750

 

Loans

 

 

758,586,712

 

 

 

748,548,608

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

 

(9,256,170)

 

 

(8,709,225)

Deferred net loan costs

 

 

509,611

 

 

 

493,275

 

Net loans

 

 

749,840,153

 

 

 

740,332,658

 

Bank premises and equipment, net

 

 

12,874,462

 

 

 

13,042,468

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

3,111,173

 

 

 

3,214,332

 

Bank owned life insurance

 

 

5,173,002

 

 

 

5,153,387

 

Goodwill

 

 

11,574,269

 

 

 

11,574,269

 

Other assets

 

 

16,205,454

 

 

 

17,244,846

 

Total assets

 

$1,030,539,393

 

 

$1,056,032,147

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand, non-interest bearing

 

$200,311,094

 

 

$216,093,534

 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

 

279,977,413

 

 

 

294,050,079

 

Money market funds

 

 

132,554,229

 

 

 

140,117,086

 

Savings

 

 

170,452,633

 

 

 

171,072,921

 

Time deposits, $250,000 and over

 

 

16,737,914

 

 

 

15,632,058

 

Other time deposits

 

 

88,511,815

 

 

 

86,006,601

 

Total deposits

 

 

888,545,098

 

 

 

922,972,279

 

Borrowed funds

 

 

1,300,000

 

 

 

1,300,000

 

Repurchase agreements

 

 

38,058,036

 

 

 

33,077,829

 

Junior subordinated debentures

 

 

12,887,000

 

 

 

12,887,000

 

Accrued interest and other liabilities

 

 

10,069,472

 

 

 

10,618,676

 

Total liabilities

 

 

950,859,606

 

 

 

980,855,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 15 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at 03/31/23 and 12/31/22 ($100,000 liquidation value, per share)

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

Common stock - $2.50 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 5,665,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares issued at 03/31/23 and 5,647,710 shares issued at 12/31/22

 

 

14,162,968

 

 

 

14,119,275

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

36,659,419

 

 

 

36,383,235

 

Retained earnings

 

 

47,975,176

 

 

 

46,464,447

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(17,994,999)

 

 

(20,667,817)

Less: treasury stock, at cost; 210,101 shares at 03/31/23 and 12/31/22

 

 

(2,622,777)

 

 

(2,622,777)

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

79,679,787

 

 

 

75,176,363

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$1,030,539,393

 

 

$1,056,032,147

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per common share outstanding

 

$14.33

 

 

$13.55

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

Table of Contents

 

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

 

$9,376,025

 

 

$7,487,200

 

Interest on taxable debt securities

 

 

943,478

 

 

 

656,277

 

Interest on tax-exempt debt securities

 

 

90,658

 

 

 

10,949

 

Dividends

 

 

30,653

 

 

 

16,460

 

Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits

 

 

329,411

 

 

 

80,660

 

Total interest income

 

 

10,770,225

 

 

 

8,251,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on deposits

 

 

1,844,747

 

 

 

551,959

 

Interest on borrowed funds

 

 

24,520

 

 

 

21,965

 

Interest on repurchase agreements

 

 

132,128

 

 

 

21,040

 

Interest on junior subordinated debentures

 

 

245,465

 

 

 

98,352

 

Total interest expense

 

 

2,246,860

 

 

 

693,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

8,523,365

 

 

 

7,558,230

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

286,526

 

 

 

862,500

 

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

 

 

8,236,839

 

 

 

6,695,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service fees

 

 

880,288

 

 

 

862,887

 

Income from sold loans

 

 

107,535

 

 

 

203,842

 

Other income from loans

 

 

428,572

 

 

 

271,260

 

Other income

 

 

342,382

 

 

 

348,440

 

Total non-interest income

 

 

1,758,777

 

 

 

1,686,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and wages

 

 

2,288,760

 

 

 

2,040,000

 

Employee benefits

 

 

754,270

 

 

 

772,052

 

Occupancy expenses, net

 

 

770,986

 

 

 

753,364

 

Other expenses

 

 

2,065,686

 

 

 

1,888,172

 

Total non-interest expense

 

 

5,879,702

 

 

 

5,453,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

4,115,914

 

 

 

2,928,571

 

Income tax expense

 

 

777,153

 

 

 

523,029

 

Net income

 

$3,338,761

 

 

$2,405,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

 

$0.61

 

 

$0.44

 

Weighted average number of common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

used in computing earnings per share

 

 

5,444,040

 

 

 

5,382,678

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$0.23

 

 

$0.23

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

Table of Contents

 

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$3,338,761

 

 

$2,405,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities AFS arising during the period

 

 

3,383,314

 

 

 

(11,069,161)

Tax effect

 

 

(710,496)

 

 

2,324,524

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

2,672,818

 

 

 

(8,744,637)

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$6,011,579

 

 

$

(6,339,095)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 

 
5

Table of Contents

 

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Preferred

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

Treasury

 

 

shareholders'

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

AOCI*

 

 

stock

 

 

equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2023

 

$14,119,275

 

 

$1,500,000

 

 

$36,383,235

 

 

$46,464,447

 

 

$(20,667,817)

 

$(2,622,777)

 

$75,176,363

 

Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(549,113)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(549,113)

Balance at January 1, 2023 (as adjusted for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,915,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74,627,250

 

Change in accounting principle)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

 

43,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

276,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

319,877

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,250,794)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,250,794)

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,125)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,125)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,338,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,338,761

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,672,818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,672,818

 

March 31, 2023

 

$14,162,968

 

 

$1,500,000

 

 

$36,659,419

 

 

$47,975,176

 

 

$(17,994,999)

 

$(2,622,777)

 

$79,679,787

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Preferred

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

Treasury

 

 

shareholders'

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

AOCI*

 

 

stock

 

 

equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2022

 

$13,969,848

 

 

$1,500,000

 

 

$35,322,063

 

 

$37,758,105

 

 

$(1,166,971)

 

$(2,622,777)

 

$84,760,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

 

35,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

237,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

272,683

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,236,880)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,236,880)

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,188)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,188)

Comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,405,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,405,542

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,744,637)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,744,637)

March 31, 2022

 

$14,005,445

 

 

$1,500,000

 

 

$35,559,149

 

 

$38,914,579

 

 

$(9,911,608)

 

$(2,622,777)

 

$77,444,788

 

 

*Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 

 
6

Table of Contents

 

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$3,338,761

 

 

$2,405,542

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization, bank premises and equipment

 

 

276,656

 

 

 

285,202

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

286,526

 

 

 

862,500

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

(68,835)

 

 

47,344

 

Gain on sale of loans

 

 

(29,331)

 

 

(102,945)

Income from CFS Partners

 

 

(252,051)

 

 

(225,870)

Amortization of bond premium, net

 

 

66,815

 

 

 

186,967

 

Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale

 

 

1,637,381

 

 

 

4,725,711

 

Originations of loans held for sale

 

 

(1,608,050)

 

 

(4,529,766)

Increase in taxes payable

 

 

778,860

 

 

 

408,593

 

Decrease (increase) in interest receivable

 

 

103,159

 

 

 

(318,578)

Decrease (increase) in mortgage servicing rights

 

 

23,370

 

 

 

(2,374)

Decrease in right-of-use assets

 

 

50,321

 

 

 

49,669

 

Decrease in operating lease liabilities

 

 

(53,751)

 

 

(51,283)

Increase in other assets

 

 

(72,609)

 

 

(173,852)

Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI

 

 

(19,615)

 

 

(20,060)

Amortization of limited partnerships

 

 

67,128

 

 

 

67,092

 

Change in net deferred loan fees and costs

 

 

(16,336)

 

 

(312,318)

Decrease in interest payable

 

 

(2,485)

 

 

(1,332)

Decrease in accrued expenses

 

 

(1,040,367)

 

 

(567,062)

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

 

73,186

 

 

 

(24,896)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

3,538,733

 

 

 

2,708,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments - AFS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities, calls, pay downs and sales

 

 

3,555,278

 

 

 

4,434,388

 

Purchases

 

 

0

 

 

 

(19,103,623)

Proceeds from redemption of restricted equity securities

 

 

67,800

 

 

 

43,500

 

Purchases of restricted equity securities

 

 

(92,600)

 

 

0

 

Investments in limited liability entities

 

 

(1,000)

 

 

0

 

Increase in loans, net

 

 

(10,074,935)

 

 

(6,998,537)

Capital expenditures net of proceeds from sales of bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

premises and equipment

 

 

(158,971)

 

 

(70,686)

Recoveries of loans charged off

 

 

132,860

 

 

 

11,780

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(6,571,568)

 

 

(21,683,178)

 

 
7

Table of Contents

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in demand and interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

 

(29,855,106)

 

 

(12,916,068)

Net (decrease) increase in money market and savings accounts

 

 

(8,183,145)

 

 

10,606,091

 

Net increase in time deposits

 

 

3,611,070

 

 

 

210,469

 

Net increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements

 

 

4,980,207

 

 

 

(3,865,864)

Decrease in finance lease obligations

 

 

(54,493)

 

 

(52,807)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

 

 

(28,125)

 

 

(12,188)

Dividends paid on common stock

 

 

(932,901)

 

 

(900,893)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(30,462,493)

 

 

(6,931,260)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(33,495,328)

 

 

(25,906,154)

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning

 

 

71,140,328

 

 

 

110,358,926

 

Ending

 

$37,645,000

 

 

$84,452,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedule of Cash Paid During the Period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$2,249,345

 

 

$694,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities AFS

 

$3,383,314

 

 

$(11,069,161)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares Dividends Paid:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared

 

$1,250,794

 

 

$1,236,880

 

Decrease (increase) in dividends payable attributable to dividends declared

 

 

1,984

 

 

 

(63,304)

Dividends reinvested

 

 

(319,877)

 

 

(272,683)

Total dividends paid

 

$932,901

 

 

$900,893

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 

 
8

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and Consolidation and Certain Definitions

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements of Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary are unaudited.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiary, Community National Bank (the Bank), contained herein have been made.  The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Certain amounts in the 2022 consolidated financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassification had no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity as previously reported.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any other interim period or the full annual period ending December 31, 2023.

 

The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” under the disclosure rules of the SEC, as amended in 2018.  Accordingly, the Company has elected to provide its audited consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for a two year, rather than a three year, period, and provides smaller reporting company scaled disclosures where management deems it appropriate.

 

In addition to the definitions provided elsewhere in this quarterly report, the definitions, acronyms and abbreviations identified below are used throughout this report, including in Part I. “Financial Information” and Part II. “Other Information”, and are intended to aid the reader and provide a reference page when reviewing this report.

 

ABS:

Asset backed security

FDICIA:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

AFS:

Available-for-sale

Improvement Act of 1991

Agency MBS:

MBS issued by a US government agency

FHLBB:

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston

or GSE

FHLMC:

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

ACL:

Allowance for Credit Losses

FOMC:

Federal Open Market Committee

ALCO:

Asset Liability Committee

FRB:

Federal Reserve Board

ALL:

Allowance for Loan Losses

FRBB:

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

AOCI:

Accumulated other comprehensive income

GAAP:

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

ASC:

Accounting Standards Codification

in the United States

ASU:

Accounting Standards Update

GSE:

Government sponsored enterprise

Bancorp:

Community Bancorp.

HTM:

Held-to-maturity

Bank:

Community National Bank

ICS:

Insured Cash Sweeps of the InterFi Network

BIC:

Borrower-in-Custody

IRS:

Internal Revenue Service

Board:

Board of Directors

JNE:

Jobs for New England

BOLI:

Bank owned life insurance

Jr:

Junior

bp or bps:

Basis point(s)

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

CDARS:

Certificate of Deposit Accounts Registry

MBS:

Mortgage-backed security

Service of the InterFi Network

MSRs:

Mortgage servicing rights

CDs:

Certificates of deposit

NII:

Net interest income

CDI:

Core deposit intangible

OAS:

Other amortizing security

CECL:

Current Expected Credit Loss

OBS:

Off-balance sheet

CFSG:

Community Financial Services Group, LLC

OCI:

Other comprehensive income (loss)

CFS Partners:

Community Financial Services Partners,

OREO:

Other real estate owned

LLC

OTTI:

Other-than-temporary impairment

CMO

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

PMI:

Private mortgage insurance

Company:

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary

PPP:

Paycheck Protection Program

COVID-19:

Coronavirus Disease 2019

RD:

USDA Rural Development

CRE:

Commercial Real Estate

SBA:

U.S. Small Business Administration

DDA or DDAs:

Demand Deposit Account(s)

SEC:

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

DTC:

Depository Trust Company

SOFR:

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

DRIP:

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

TDR:

Troubled-debt restructuring

Exchange Act:

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

USDA:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

FASB:

Financial Accounting Standards Board

VA:

U.S. Veterans Administration

FDIC:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

 

 
9

Table of Contents

 

Note 2.  Recent Accounting Developments

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, and has issued subsequent amendments thereto, which provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extended the sunset date of December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024.  The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. The Company is assessing ASU No. 2020-04 and its impact on the transition away from LIBOR for its Junior Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2037, the Company’s only financial instruments that utilize LIBOR as a reference rate.  That transition will become effective for the Debentures as of the first London banking day after June 30, 2023 (see the Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management section of the accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations following these Notes).

 

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023

 

The Company has adopted the following accounting standards and has applied them to the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023.  Prior periods have not been restated as a result of adoption of these accounting standards.

 

ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)  In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Under the new guidance, which replaces the existing incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses, banks and other lending institutions are required to recognize the full amount of expected credit losses over the life of a loan. The new guidance, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss, or CECL model, requires that expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date that are accounted for at amortized cost be measured and recognized based on historical experience and current and reasonably supportable forecasted conditions to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses over the life of the loans. A modified version of these requirements also applies to debt securities classified as available for sale, which requires that credit losses on those securities be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than a write-down.  The ASU became effective for the Company beginning with the 2023 fiscal year including interim periods. Upon adoption of this ASU on January 1, 2023, a cumulative-effect adjustment of $549,113 was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings, with a corresponding adjustment of $243,376 increasing the ACL on loans, an adjustment of $451,704, increasing other liabilities for the ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures, and an adjustment of $145,967 increasing deferred tax assets.  There was no allowance recorded for credit losses on AFS debt securities resulting from adoption of this ASU.

 

ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures.  In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures.  The guidance amends Topic 326 (CECL) to eliminate the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors, while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructuring activities by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty.  Specifically, rather than applying TDR recognition and measurement guidance, under the CECL model creditors will determine whether a modification results in a new loan or continuation of existing loan.  These amendments are intended to enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.  Additionally, the amendments to Topic 326 require that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination within the vintage disclosures, which requires that an entity disclose the amortized cost basis of financing receivables by credit quality indicator and class of financing receivable by year of origination.  The guidance has become effective for the Company beginning with the fiscal year 2023, including interim periods.  Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. 

 

Note 3.  Earnings per Common Share

 

Earnings per common share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock issued during the period (retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends, if any), including Dividend Reinvestment Plan shares issuable upon reinvestment of dividends declared, and reduced for shares held in treasury.

 

 
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The following tables illustrate the calculation of earnings per common share for the periods presented, as adjusted for the cash dividends declared on the preferred stock:

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, as reported

 

$3,338,761

 

 

$2,405,542

 

Less: dividends to preferred shareholders

 

 

28,125

 

 

 

12,188

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$3,310,636

 

 

$2,393,354

 

Weighted average number of common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

used in calculating earnings per share

 

 

5,444,040

 

 

 

5,382,678

 

Earnings per common share

 

$0.61

 

 

$0.44

 

 

Note 4.  Investment Securities

 

Debt securities AFS as of the balance sheet dates consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GSE debt securities

 

$12,000,000

 

 

$0

 

 

$1,300,086

 

 

$10,699,914

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

41,328,783

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

2,559,714

 

 

 

38,769,069

 

Taxable Municipal securities

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

57,048

 

 

 

242,952

 

Tax-exempt Municipal securities

 

 

12,026,492

 

 

 

154,266

 

 

 

559,646

 

 

 

11,621,112

 

Agency MBS

 

 

132,421,042

 

 

 

54,714

 

 

 

17,999,320

 

 

 

114,476,436

 

ABS and OAS

 

 

2,686,444

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

164,536

 

 

 

2,521,908

 

CMO

 

 

12,223,050

 

 

 

193

 

 

 

272,673

 

 

 

11,950,570

 

Other investments

 

 

2,472,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

74,631

 

 

 

2,397,369

 

Total

 

$215,457,811

 

 

$209,173

 

 

$22,987,654

 

 

$192,679,330

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GSE debt securities

 

$12,000,000

 

 

$0

 

 

$1,624,709

 

 

$10,375,291

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

41,368,624

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,137,035

 

 

 

38,231,589

 

Taxable Municipal securities

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

65,142

 

 

 

234,858

 

Tax-exempt Municipal securities

 

 

12,042,410

 

 

 

40,513

 

 

 

759,356

 

 

 

11,323,567

 

Agency MBS

 

 

135,193,097

 

 

 

69,447

 

 

 

20,030,945

 

 

 

115,231,599

 

ABS and OAS

 

 

2,929,740

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

236,134

 

 

 

2,693,606

 

CMO

 

 

12,278,033

 

 

 

581

 

 

 

342,689

 

 

 

11,935,925

 

Other investments

 

 

2,968,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

76,326

 

 

 

2,891,674

 

Total

 

$219,079,904

 

 

$110,541

 

 

$26,272,336

 

 

$192,918,109

 

 

The Company had investments in Agency MBS exceeding 10% of stockholders’ equity with a book value of $132.4 million and $135.2 million, respectively, and a fair value of $114.5 million and $115.2 million, respectively, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

 

Investments securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements consisted of certain U.S. GSE debt securities, Agency MBS, ABS and OAS, and CMO.  These repurchase agreements mature daily.  The aggregate amortized cost and fair value of these pledged investments as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

$54,714,154

 

 

$46,610,309

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

55,899,113

 

 

 

46,789,284

 

 

There were no sales of debt securities during the first three months of 2023 or 2022.

 

 
11

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The scheduled maturities of debt securities as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:

  

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Value

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$7,205,661

 

 

$7,094,786

 

Due from one to five years

 

 

56,308,526

 

 

 

52,625,845

 

Due from five to ten years

 

 

5,241,640

 

 

 

4,828,976

 

Due after ten years

 

 

14,280,942

 

 

 

13,653,287

 

Agency MBS

 

 

132,421,042

 

 

 

114,476,436

 

Total

 

$215,457,811

 

 

$192,679,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$1,976,000

 

 

$1,966,767

 

Due from one to five years

 

 

58,875,224

 

 

 

54,736,949

 

Due from five to ten years

 

 

8,631,626

 

 

 

7,591,761

 

Due after ten years

 

 

14,403,957

 

 

 

13,391,033

 

Agency MBS

 

 

135,193,097

 

 

 

115,231,599

 

Total

 

$219,079,904

 

 

$192,918,109

 

 

Agency MBS are not due at a single maturity date and have not been allocated to maturity groupings for purposes of the maturity table.

 

Debt securities with unrealized losses as of the balance sheet dates are presented in the table below. 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

 

12 months or more

 

 

Totals

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Number of

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Loss

 

 

Value

 

 

Loss

 

 

Securities

 

 

Value

 

 

Loss

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GSE debt securities

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$10,699,914

 

 

$1,300,086

 

 

 

11

 

 

$10,699,914

 

 

$1,300,086

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

38,769,069

 

 

 

2,559,714

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

38,769,069

 

 

 

2,559,714

 

Taxable Municipal securities

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

242,952

 

 

 

57,048

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

242,952

 

 

 

57,048

 

Tax-exempt Municipal securities

 

 

1,536,169

 

 

 

13,862

 

 

 

4,587,518

 

 

 

545,784

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

6,123,687

 

 

 

559,646

 

Agency MBS

 

 

6,599,945

 

 

 

162,379

 

 

 

103,573,217

 

 

 

17,836,941

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

110,173,162

 

 

 

17,999,320

 

ABS and OAS

 

 

1,192,731

 

 

 

61,720

 

 

 

1,329,177

 

 

 

102,816

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2,521,908

 

 

 

164,536

 

CMO

 

 

9,000,364

 

 

 

179,637

 

 

 

996,979

 

 

 

93,036

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

9,997,343

 

 

 

272,673

 

Other investments

 

 

1,954,018

 

 

 

21,982

 

 

 

443,351

 

 

 

52,649

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

2,397,369

 

 

 

74,631

 

Total

 

$20,283,227

 

 

$439,580

 

 

$160,642,177

 

 

$22,548,074

 

 

 

221

 

 

$180,925,404

 

 

$22,987,654

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

 

12 months or more

 

 

Totals

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Number of

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Loss

 

 

Value

 

 

Loss

 

 

Securities

 

 

Value

 

 

Loss

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GSE debt securities

 

$2,723,388

 

 

$276,611

 

 

$7,651,903

 

 

$1,348,098

 

 

 

11

 

 

$10,375,291

 

 

$1,624,709

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

4,837,891

 

 

 

169,501

 

 

 

33,393,698

 

 

 

2,967,534

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

38,231,589

 

 

 

3,137,035

 

Taxable Municipal securities

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

234,858

 

 

 

65,142

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

234,858

 

 

 

65,142

 

Tax-exempt Municipal securities

 

 

8,608,507

 

 

 

522,128

 

 

 

592,388

 

 

 

237,228

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

9,200,895

 

 

 

759,356

 

Agency MBS

 

 

14,541,901

 

 

 

810,356

 

 

 

97,718,436

 

 

 

19,220,589

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

112,260,337

 

 

 

20,030,945

 

ABS and OAS

 

 

2,693,606

 

 

 

236,134

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2,693,606

 

 

 

236,134

 

CMO

 

 

8,954,323

 

 

 

232,398

 

 

 

1,014,910

 

 

 

110,291

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

9,969,233

 

 

 

342,689

 

Other investments

 

 

2,451,892

 

 

 

20,108

 

 

 

439,782

 

 

 

56,218

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

2,891,674

 

 

 

76,326

 

Total

 

$44,811,508

 

 

$2,267,236

 

 

$141,045,975

 

 

$24,005,100

 

 

 

230

 

 

$185,857,483

 

 

$26,272,336

 

 

 
12

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.

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023 which requires credit losses on debt securities AFS to be recorded in an allowance for credit losses and eliminates the concept of OTTI for debt securities AFS. Under the ASU, if the Company intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the credit loss is recorded through an allowance rather than as a write-down of the security. As of March 31, 2023, the Company did not have the intent to sell, nor was it more likely than not that we would be required to sell any of the debt securities AFS in an unrealized loss position prior to recovery. As of March 31, 2023, the Company also determined that no individual debt securities in an unrealized loss position represented credit losses that would require an allowance for credit losses. The Company concluded that the unrealized losses were primarily attributed to increases in market interest rates since these securities were purchased under other market conditions.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company believed the unrealized losses on securities AFS were due to market conditions rather than reduced estimated cash flows or deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.  At December 31, 2022, the Company did not intend to sell these securities, did not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery, and expected full principal and interest to be collected.  Therefore, under the accounting principles pertaining to OTTI analysis then in effect, the Company did not consider the declines in the fair value of these securities to be OTTI as of December 31, 2022.

 

Note 5.  Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Quality

 

The composition of net loans as of the balance sheet dates was as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

$118,898,281

 

 

 

15.67%

 

$112,951,873

 

 

 

15.09%

Purchased

 

 

6,697,965

 

 

 

0.88%

 

 

7,530,458

 

 

 

1.00%

Commercial real estate

 

 

362,136,416

 

 

 

47.74%

 

 

356,892,986

 

 

 

47.68%

Municipal

 

 

36,473,847

 

 

 

4.81%

 

 

34,633,055

 

 

 

4.63%

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

199,033,728

 

 

 

26.24%

 

 

198,743,375

 

 

 

26.55%

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

31,901,495

 

 

 

4.21%

 

 

33,756,872

 

 

 

4.51%

Consumer

 

 

3,444,980

 

 

 

0.45%

 

 

4,039,989

 

 

 

0.54%

Total loans

 

 

758,586,712

 

 

 

100.00%

 

 

748,548,608

 

 

 

100.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACL

 

 

(9,256,170)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,709,225)

 

 

 

 

Deferred net loan costs (fees)

 

 

509,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

493,275

 

 

 

 

 

Net loans

 

$749,840,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

$740,332,658

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for Credit Losses

 

The provision for credit losses was made up of the following components for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Provision for credit losses on loans

 

 

207,540

 

 

 

862,500

 

Provision for credit losses on OBS credit exposure

 

 

78,986

 

 

 

0

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

286,526

 

 

 

862,500

 

 

 
13

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The following tables present the activity in the ACL on loans at adoption of ASU 2016-13 (CECL) on January 1, 2023 and for the first three months of 2023 and select information on impairment evaluation by portfolio segment

 

As of or for the first three months ended March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

 

Residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

& Industrial

 

 

Purchased

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Municipal

 

 

1st Lien

 

 

Jr Lien

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACL beginning balance

 

$1,116,322

 

 

$53,090

 

 

$5,061,813

 

 

$62,339

 

 

$2,001,836

 

 

$241,950

 

 

$69,686

 

 

$102,189

 

 

$8,709,225

 

Impact of adopting CECL

 

 

(164,116)

 

 

(29,196)

 

 

(22,467)

 

 

24,244

 

 

 

273,168

 

 

 

297,745

 

 

 

(33,813)

 

 

(102,189)

 

 

243,376

 

Charge-offs

 

 

(11,577)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(25,254)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(36,831)

Recoveries

 

 

1,374

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

22,000

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

72,326

 

 

 

25,548

 

 

 

11,612

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

132,860

 

Provision (credit)

 

 

73,635

 

 

 

(3,693)

 

 

124,810

 

 

 

4,602

 

 

 

48,779

 

 

 

(48,595)

 

 

8,002

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

207,540

 

ACL ending balance

 

$1,015,638

 

 

$20,201

 

 

$5,186,156

 

 

$91,185

 

 

$2,396,109

 

 

$516,648

 

 

$30,233

 

 

$0

 

 

$9,256,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

 

Residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

& Industrial

 

 

Purchased

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Municipal

 

 

1st Lien

 

 

Jr Lien

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Total

 

ACL evaluated for impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$2,734

 

 

$0

 

 

$2,669

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$5,403

 

Collectively

 

 

1,015,638

 

 

 

20,201

 

 

 

5,183,422

 

 

 

91,185

 

 

 

2,393,440

 

 

 

516,648

 

 

 

30,233

 

 

 

9,250,767

 

Total

 

$1,015,638

 

 

$20,201

 

 

$5,186,156

 

 

$91,185

 

 

$2,396,109

 

 

$516,648

 

 

$30,233

 

 

$9,256,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans evaluated for impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually

 

$3,870,954

 

 

$0

 

 

$2,913,355

 

 

$0

 

 

$1,140,222

 

 

$39,876

 

 

$0

 

 

$7,964,407

 

Collectively

 

 

115,027,327

 

 

 

6,697,965

 

 

 

359,223,061

 

 

 

36,473,847

 

 

 

197,893,506

 

 

 

31,861,619

 

 

 

3,444,980

 

 

 

750,622,305

 

Total

 

$118,898,281

 

 

$6,697,965

 

 

$362,136,416

 

 

$36,473,847

 

 

$199,033,728

 

 

$31,901,495

 

 

$3,444,980

 

 

$758,586,712

 

 

The following tables present activity in the ALL and select loan information on impairment evaluation, by portfolio segment, under the incurred loss methodology, for the periods indicated:

  

As of or for the year ended December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

 

Residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

& Industrial

 

 

Purchased

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Municipal

 

 

1st Lien

 

 

Jr Lien

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL beginning balance

 

$870,392

 

 

$68,655

 

 

$4,151,760

 

 

$76,728

 

 

$1,765,892

 

 

$182,014

 

 

$55,698

 

 

$539,117

 

 

$7,710,256

 

Charge-offs

 

 

(76,875)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(667,474)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(63,625)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(807,974)

Recoveries

 

 

14,112

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

667,474

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

111,763

 

 

 

5,089

 

 

 

30,505

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

828,943

 

Provision (credit)

 

 

308,693

 

 

 

(15,565)

 

 

910,053

 

 

 

(14,389)

 

 

124,181

 

 

 

54,847

 

 

 

47,108

 

 

 

(436,928)

 

 

978,000

 

ALL ending balance

 

$1,116,322

 

 

$53,090

 

 

$5,061,813

 

 

$62,339

 

 

$2,001,836

 

 

$241,950

 

 

$69,686

 

 

$102,189

 

 

$8,709,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL evaluated for impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually

 

$2,322

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$106,280

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$108,602

 

Collectively

 

 

1,114,000

 

 

 

53,090

 

 

 

5,061,813

 

 

 

62,339

 

 

 

1,895,556

 

 

 

241,950

 

 

 

69,686

 

 

 

102,189

 

 

 

8,600,623

 

Total

 

$1,116,322

 

 

$53,090

 

 

$5,061,813

 

 

$62,339

 

 

$2,001,836

 

 

$241,950

 

 

$69,686

 

 

$102,189

 

 

$8,709,225

 

 

Loans evaluated for impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually

 

$3,442,124

 

 

$0

 

 

$3,176,835

 

 

$0

 

 

$3,816,012

 

 

$77,416

 

 

$0

 

 

 

 

 

 

$10,512,387

 

Collectively

 

 

109,509,749

 

 

 

7,530,458

 

 

 

353,716,151

 

 

 

34,633,055

 

 

 

194,927,363

 

 

 

33,679,456

 

 

 

4,039,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

738,036,221

 

Total

 

$112,951,873

 

 

$7,530,458

 

 

$356,892,986

 

 

$34,633,055

 

 

$198,743,375

 

 

$33,756,872

 

 

$4,039,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

$748,548,608

 

 

 
14

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As of or for the three months ended March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

 

Residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

& Industrial

 

 

Purchased

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Municipal

 

 

1st Lien

 

 

Jr Lien

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL beginning balance

 

$870,392

 

 

$68,655

 

 

$4,151,760

 

 

$76,728

 

 

$1,765,892

 

 

$182,014

 

 

$55,698

 

 

$539,117

 

 

$7,710,256

 

Charge-offs

 

 

(17,650)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(667,474)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(8,764)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(693,888)

Recoveries

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

2,276

 

 

 

1,210

 

 

 

8,294

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

11,780

 

Provision (credit)

 

 

122,927

 

 

 

(5,024)

 

 

1,159,995

 

 

 

10,861

 

 

 

46,289

 

 

 

(4,671)

 

 

(19,036)

 

 

(448,841)

 

 

862,500

 

ALL ending balance

 

$975,669

 

 

$63,631

 

 

$4,644,281

 

 

$87,589

 

 

$1,814,457

 

 

$178,553

 

 

$36,192

 

 

$90,276

 

 

$7,890,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL evaluated for impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$115,614

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$115,614

 

Collectively

 

 

975,669

 

 

 

63,631

 

 

 

4,644,281

 

 

 

87,589

 

 

 

1,698,843

 

 

 

178,553

 

 

 

36,192

 

 

 

90,276

 

 

 

7,775,034

 

Total

 

$975,669

 

 

$63,631

 

 

$4,644,281

 

 

$87,589

 

 

$1,814,457

 

 

$178,553

 

 

$36,192

 

 

$90,276

 

 

$7,890,648

 

 

Loans evaluated for impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually

 

$222,236

 

 

$0

 

 

$3,713,169

 

 

$0

 

 

$3,910,848

 

 

$85,691

 

 

$0

 

 

 

 

 

 

$7,931,944

 

Collectively

 

 

112,160,751

 

 

 

9,090,170

 

 

 

304,598,565

 

 

 

48,660,440

 

 

 

177,699,446

 

 

 

32,981,298

 

 

 

3,170,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

688,361,238

 

Total

 

$112,382,987

 

 

$9,090,170

 

 

$308,311,734

 

 

$48,660,440

 

 

$181,610,294

 

 

$33,066,989

 

 

$3,170,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

$696,293,182

 

 

The following is an age analysis of past due loans (including non-accrual) as of the balance sheet dates, by portfolio segment: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90 Days

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

30-89 Days

 

 

or More

 

 

Past Due

 

 

Current

 

 

Total Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

$0

 

 

$3,229,266

 

 

$3,229,266

 

 

$115,669,015

 

 

$118,898,281

 

Purchased

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

6,697,965

 

 

 

6,697,965

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

1,326,520

 

 

 

565,347

 

 

 

1,891,867

 

 

 

360,244,549

 

 

 

362,136,416

 

Municipal

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

36,473,847

 

 

 

36,473,847

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

1,291,368

 

 

 

409,273

 

 

 

1,700,641

 

 

 

197,333,087

 

 

 

199,033,728

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

160,470

 

 

 

64,883

 

 

 

225,353

 

 

 

31,676,142

 

 

 

31,901,495

 

Consumer

 

 

17,689

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

17,689

 

 

 

3,427,291

 

 

 

3,444,980

 

Totals

 

$2,796,047

 

 

$4,268,769

 

 

$7,064,816

 

 

$751,521,896

 

 

$758,586,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90 Days

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

30-89 Days

 

 

or More

 

 

Past Due

 

 

Current

 

 

Total Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

$2,377,668

 

 

$879,802

 

 

$3,257,470

 

 

$109,694,403

 

 

$112,951,873

 

Purchased

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

7,530,458

 

 

 

7,530,458

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

1,395,444

 

 

 

353,842

 

 

 

1,749,286

 

 

 

355,143,700

 

 

 

356,892,986

 

Municipal

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

34,633,055

 

 

 

34,633,055

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

1,517,653

 

 

 

641,141

 

 

 

2,158,794

 

 

 

196,584,581

 

 

 

198,743,375

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

321,579

 

 

 

25,007

 

 

 

346,586

 

 

 

33,410,286

 

 

 

33,756,872

 

Consumer

 

 

18,745

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

18,745

 

 

 

4,021,244

 

 

 

4,039,989

 

Totals

 

$5,631,089

 

 

$1,899,792

 

 

$7,530,881

 

 

$741,017,727

 

 

$748,548,608

 

 

For all loan segments, loans over 30 days past due are considered delinquent.

 

 
15

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The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans on nonaccrual status and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing as of the dates presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90 Days or

 

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Total

 

 

More and

 

March 31, 2023

 

with an ACL

 

 

with No ACL

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Accruing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

$0

 

 

$3,875,801

 

 

$3,875,801

 

 

$0

 

Purchased

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

692,600

 

 

 

2,369,614

 

 

 

3,062,214

 

 

 

0

 

Municipal

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

167,159

 

 

 

1,246,617

 

 

 

1,413,776

 

 

 

175,981

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

0

 

 

 

128,563

 

 

 

128,563

 

 

 

0

 

Consumer

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Totals

 

$859,759

 

 

$7,620,595

 

 

$8,480,354

 

 

$175,981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90 Days or

 

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Total

 

 

More and

 

December 31, 2022

 

with an ALL

 

 

with No ALL

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Accruing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

$452,963

 

 

$2,989,161

 

 

$3,442,124

 

 

$0

 

Purchased

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,180,478

 

 

 

3,180,478

 

 

 

324,927

 

Municipal

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

278,026

 

 

 

858,304

 

 

 

1,136,330

 

 

 

248,157

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

0

 

 

 

131,088

 

 

 

131,088

 

 

 

0

 

Consumer

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Totals

 

$730,989

 

 

$7,159,031

 

 

$7,890,020

 

 

$573,084

 

 

As of March 31, 2023, there were no loans in process of foreclosure, compared to 5 loans with an aggregate balance of $195,082 at December 31, 2022.

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

The ACL is established through a provision for credit losses charged to earnings. Credit losses are charged against the allowance when management believes that future payments of a loan balance are unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

 

Unsecured loans are charged off when they become uncollectible and no later than 120 days past due.  Unsecured loans to customers who subsequently file bankruptcy are charged off within 30 days of receipt of the notification of filing or by the end of the month in which the loans become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first.  For secured loans, both residential and commercial, the potential loss on impaired loans is carried as a loan loss reserve specific allocation; the loss portion is charged off when collection of the full loan appears unlikely.  The unsecured portion of a real estate loan is that portion of the loan exceeding the "fair value" of the collateral less the estimated cost to sell. Value of the collateral is determined in accordance with the Company’s appraisal policy.  The unsecured portion of an impaired real estate secured loan is charged off by the end of the month in which the loan becomes 180 days past due.

 

As described below, the allowance consists of general and specific components.  However, the entire allowance is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio, regardless of general or specific components considered in determining the amount of the allowance.

 

General component

 

The general component of the ACL is based on methodologies, inputs, and assumptions utilized to estimate lifetime credit losses when applied to the following loan segments: commercial and industrial, purchased loans, CRE, municipal, residential real estate 1st lien, residential real estate Jr lien and consumer loans. The Company does not disaggregate its portfolio segments further into classes. 

 

 
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The Company utilizes a discounted cash flow (DCF) approach to calculate the expected loss for each portfolio segment. Within the DCF model, a probability of default (PD) and loss given default (LGD) assumption is applied to calculate the expected loss for each segment. PD is the probability the asset will default within a given timeframe and LGD is the percentage of assets not expected to be collected due to default. The Company's PD and LGD assumptions may be derived from internal historical default and loss experience or from external data where there are not statistically meaningful loss events for a loan segment or it does not have default and loss data that covers a full economic cycle.

 

As of March 31, 2023, the primary macroeconomic drivers used within the DCF model included forecasts of Civilian unemployment and changes in National gross domestic product (GDP).  Management monitors and assesses its macroeconomic drivers at least annually (generally in the fourth quarter) to determine if or that they continue to be the most predictive indicator of losses within the Company's loan portfolio, and these macroeconomic drivers may change from time to time.

 

To determine its reasonable and supportable forecast, management may leverage macroeconomic forecasts obtained from various reputable sources, which may include, but is not limited to, the FOMC forecast and other publicly available forecasts from well recognized, leading economists or firms. The Company's reasonable and supportable forecast period generally ranges from one to three years, depending on the facts and circumstances of the current state of the economy, portfolio segment, and management's judgment of what can be reasonably supported. The model reversion period generally ranges from one to six years, and it also depends on the current state of the economy and management's judgments of such. Management monitors and assesses the forecast and reversion period at least annually. The Company used a one-year forecast and reversion period to calculate the ACL on loans as of March 31, 2023.

 

When the DCF method is used to determine the ACL, management does not adjust the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments.

 

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans. For term loans, the contractual life is calculated based on the maturity date. For commercial revolving loans with no stated maturity date, the contractual life is calculated based on the internal review date. For all other revolving loans, the contractual life is based on either the estimated maturity date or a default date. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications.

 

In calculating the ACL on loans, the contractual life of a loan must be adjusted for prepayments to arrive at expected cash flows. The Company models term loans using an annualized prepayment. When the Company has a specific expectation of differing payment behavior for a given loan, the loan may be evaluated individually. For revolving loans that do not have a principal payment schedule, a curtailment rate is factored into the cash flow.

 

Management has elected loss rate methodologies appropriate for each loan segment.  The DCF method was chosen for the commercial and industrial, CRE, residential real estate 1st lien, residential real estate Jr Lien and consumer loans. The DCF model, being periodic in nature, allows for effective incorporation of a reasonable and supportable forecast in a directionally consistent and objective manner.  For the purchased loans segment, a long-term average loss rate is calculated and applied on a quarterly basis for the remaining life of the pool.  Due to the lack of any historical loss data, a manual entry methodology was chosen for the municipal loans given the immaterial nature of the pool when considering prior loss history as well as the inability to reasonably forecast defaults or loss given default for the pool.

 

Qualitative factors are also applied to include the levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-performing loans, levels of and trends in loan risk groups, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of any changes in loan related policies, experience, ability and the depth of management, documentation and credit data exception levels, national and local economic trends, external factors such as competition and regulation and lastly, concentrations of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of CRE loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available.

 

The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment.  The Company has policies, procedures and internal controls that management believes are commensurate with the risk profile of each of these segments.  Major risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:

 

Commercial & Industrial – Loans in this segment include commercial and industrial loans and to a lesser extent loans to finance agricultural production. Commercial loans are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business, including trade assets and equipment. While not the primary collateral, in many cases these loans may also be secured by the real estate of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, soft consumer spending, unfavorable foreign trade conditions and the rising cost of labor or raw materials are examples of issues that can impact the credit quality in this segment.

 

Purchased – Loans in this segment are loans purchased through a loan purchasing program with Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG). BHG originates commercial loans to medical professionals nationwide and sells them individually to a secondary market, primarily banks, through a bid process. The Bank has established conservative credit parameters and expects a low risk of default in this portfolio.

 

 
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Commercial Real Estate – Loans in this segment are principally made to businesses and are generally secured by either owner-occupied, or non-owner occupied CRE. A relatively small portion of this segment includes farm loans secured by farm land and buildings.  As with commercial and industrial loans, repayment of owner-occupied CRE loans is expected from the cash flows of the business and the segment would be impacted by the same risk factors as commercial and industrial loans. The non-owner occupied CRE portion includes both residential and commercial construction loans, vacant land and real estate development loans, multi-family dwelling loans and commercial rental property loans. Repayment of construction loans is expected from permanent financing takeout; the Company generally requires a commitment or eligibility for the take-out financing prior to construction loan origination. Real estate development loans are generally repaid from the sale of the subject real property as the project progresses. Construction and development lending entail additional risks, including the project exceeding budget, not being constructed according to plans, not receiving permits, or the pre-leasing or occupancy rate not meeting expectations. Repayment of multi-family loans and commercial rental property loans is expected from the cash flow generated by rental payments received from the individuals or businesses occupying the real estate. CRE loans are impacted by factors such as competitive market forces, vacancy rates, cap rates, net operating incomes, lease renewals and overall economic demand. In addition, loans in the recreational and tourism sector can be affected by weather conditions, such as unseasonably low winter snowfalls. CRE lending also carries a higher degree of environmental risk than other real estate lending.

 

Municipal – Loans in this segment are made to local municipalities, attributable to municipal financing transactions and backed by the full faith and credit of town governments or dedicated governmental revenue sources, with no historical losses recognized by the Company. Qualitative factors are not utilized in the manual entry method for municipal loans.

 

Residential Real Estate - 1st Lien – Loans in this segment are collateralized by first mortgages on 1 – 4 family owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

 

Residential Real Estate – Jr Lien – Loans in this segment are collateralized by junior lien mortgages on 1 – 4 family residential real estate and repayment is primarily dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

 

Consumer – Loans in this segment are made to individuals for consumer and household purposes.  This segment includes both loans secured by automobiles and other consumer goods, as well as loans that are unsecured.  This segment also includes overdrafts, which are extensions of credit made to both individuals and businesses to cover temporary shortages in their deposit accounts and are generally unsecured.  The Company maintains policies restricting the size and term of these extensions of credit.  The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

 

Specific component

 

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not also included in the collective evaluation. In general, loans individually evaluated for estimated credit losses include those (i) greater than $100,000 and that are on nonaccrual or (ii) have other unique characteristics differing from the portfolio segment. Specific reserves are established when appropriate for such loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the loan. However, when management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

 

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation.

 

Allowance for loan losses (prior to adoption of CECL)

 

Please refer to Note 4 to the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on 10-K for the description on disclosure of the ALL in periods prior to adoption of CECL.

 

 
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The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans as of March 31, 2023 by collateral type:

 

 

 

Business

 

 

Commercial

 

 

Residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets (1)

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Total

 

Commercial

 

$1,777,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,777,018

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

776,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

776,329

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

326,922

 

 

 

326,922

 

Total collateral-dependent loans

 

$1,777,018

 

 

$776,329

 

 

$326,922

 

 

$2,880,268

 

 

(1)   Including, but not limited to, inventory, equipment and accounts receivable.

 

Impaired loans, by portfolio segment, prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02 (Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures), were as follows:

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unpaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Principal

 

 

Related

 

 

 

Investment(1)

 

 

Balance

 

 

Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related allowance recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

$452,963

 

 

$462,745

 

 

$2,322

 

Residential real estate – 1st lien

 

 

1,041,730

 

 

 

1,073,350

 

 

 

106,280

 

Total with related allowance

 

 

1,494,693

 

 

 

1,536,095

 

 

 

108,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No related allowance recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

2,989,161

 

 

 

3,078,769

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

3,176,962

 

 

 

3,671,196

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

2,785,669

 

 

 

3,805,682

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

77,419

 

 

 

126,250

 

 

 

 

 

Total with no related allowance

 

 

9,029,211

 

 

 

10,681,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total impaired loans

 

$10,523,904

 

 

$12,217,992

 

 

$108,602

 

 

(1)   Recorded investment in impaired loans in the table above includes accrued interest receivable and deferred net loan costs of $11,517.

  

 

 

As of March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unpaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Principal

 

 

Related

 

 

 

Investment(1)

 

 

Balance

 

 

Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related allowance recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

$1,113,112

 

 

$1,129,082

 

 

$115,614

 

Total with related allowance

 

 

1,113,112

 

 

 

1,129,082

 

 

 

115,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No related allowance recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

222,236

 

 

 

261,011

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

3,713,309

 

 

 

4,861,145

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

2,836,069

 

 

 

3,845,577

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

85,697

 

 

 

131,069

 

 

 

 

 

Total with no related allowance

 

 

6,857,311

 

 

 

9,098,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total impaired loans

 

$7,970,423

 

 

$10,227,884

 

 

$115,614

 

 

(1 )  Recorded investment in impaired loans in the table above includes accrued interest receivable of $38,479.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2022

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

Recognized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related allowance recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

$907,849

 

 

$14,387

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

0

 

 

 

51

 

Total with related allowance

 

 

907,849

 

 

 

14,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No related allowance recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

157,799

 

 

 

204

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

4,133,691

 

 

 

1,670

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

2,943,358

 

 

 

42,714

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

87,133

 

 

 

37

 

Total with no related allowance

 

 

7,321,981

 

 

 

44,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total impaired loans

 

$8,229,830

 

 

$59,063

 

 

For all loan segments, the accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired or when the loan is delinquent 90 days and management believes, after considering collection efforts and other factors, that the borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest is considered by management to be doubtful.  Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income.  Interest income is generally not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is considered by management to be remote.  Interest payments received on impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and a satisfactory payment performance of six or more months has occurred.

 

Credit Quality Grouping

 

In developing the ACL, management uses credit quality groupings to help evaluate trends in credit quality. The Company groups credit risk into Groups A, B and C. The manner the Company utilizes to assign risk grouping is driven by loan purpose. Commercial purpose loans are individually risk graded while the retail portion of the portfolio is generally grouped by delinquency pool.

 

Group A loans - Pass – are loans that are expected to perform as agreed under their respective terms.  Such loans carry a normal level of risk that does not require management attention beyond that warranted by the loan or loan relationship characteristics, such as loan size or relationship size. Group A loans include commercial purpose loans that are individually risk rated, including purchased and retail loans that are rated by pool. Group A retail loans include performing consumer and residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans are loans to individuals secured by 1-4 family homes, including first mortgages, home equity and home improvement loans. Loan balances fully secured by deposit accounts or that are fully guaranteed by the federal government are considered acceptable risk.

 

Group B loans – Special Mention - are loans that require greater attention than the acceptable risk loans in Group A. Characteristics of such loans may include, but are not limited to, borrowers that are experiencing negative operating trends such as reduced sales or margins, borrowers that have exposure to adverse market conditions such as increased competition or regulatory burden, or borrowers that have had unexpected or adverse changes in management. These loans have a greater likelihood of migrating to an unacceptable risk level if these characteristics are left unchecked. Group B is limited to commercial purpose loans that are individually risk rated.

 

Group C loans – Substandard/Doubtful – are loans that have distinct shortcomings that require a greater degree of management attention.  Examples of these shortcomings include a borrower's inadequate capacity to service debt, poor operating performance, or insolvency.  These loans are more likely to result in repayment through collateral liquidation. Group C loans range from those that are likely to sustain some loss if the shortcomings are not corrected, to those for which loss is imminent and non-accrual treatment is warranted. Group C loans include individually rated commercial purpose loans and retail loans adversely rated in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification Policy. Group C retail loans include 1-4 family residential real estate loans and home equity loans past due 90 days or more with loan-to-value ratios greater than 60%, home equity loans 90 days or more past due where the Bank does not hold first mortgage, irrespective of loan-to-value, loans in bankruptcy where repayment is likely but not yet established, and lastly consumer loans that are 90 days or more past due.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

Commercial purpose loan ratings are assigned by the commercial account officer; for larger and more complex commercial loans, the credit rating is a collaborative assignment by the lender and the credit analyst. The credit risk rating is based on the borrower's expected performance, i.e., the likelihood that the borrower will be able to service its obligations in accordance with the loan terms. Credit risk ratings are meant to measure risk versus simply record history.  Assessment of expected future payment performance requires consideration of numerous factors.  While past performance is part of the overall evaluation, expected performance is based on an analysis of the borrower's financial strength, and historical and projected factors such as size and financing alternatives, capacity and cash flow, balance sheet and income statement trends, the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, and the quality of the borrower’s management.  Other factors influencing the credit risk rating to a lesser degree include collateral coverage and control, guarantor strength and commitment, documentation, structure and covenants and industry conditions.  There are uncertainties inherent in this process.

 

Credit risk ratings are dynamic and require updating whenever relevant information is received.  Risk ratings are assessed on an ongoing basis and at various points, including at delinquency or at the time of other adverse events.  For larger, more complex or adversely rated loans, risk ratings are also assessed at the time of annual or periodic review.  Lenders are required to make immediate disclosure to the Chief Lending Officer of any known increase in loan risk, even if considered temporary in nature.

 

The risk ratings within the loan portfolio and current period gross charge-offs, by loan segment and origination year, as of March 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

As of March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving

 

 

Revolving

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Converted

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Prior

 

 

Cost Basis

 

 

to Term

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$5,305

 

 

$23,235

 

 

$16,023

 

 

$3,648

 

 

$5,225

 

 

$6,797

 

 

$46,878

 

 

$0

 

 

$107,111

 

Special mention

 

 

0

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

959

 

 

 

248

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

5,627

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

7,036

 

Substandard/Doubtful

 

 

0

 

 

 

398

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

307

 

 

 

1,549

 

 

 

2,220

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

4,751

 

Total commercial

 

$5,305

 

 

$23,767

 

 

$16,982

 

 

$4,173

 

 

$5,532

 

 

$8,414

 

 

$54,725

 

 

$0

 

 

$118,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current period gross charge-offs

 

$0

 

 

$12

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$169

 

 

$103

 

 

$1,990

 

 

$1,707

 

 

$2,729

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$6,698

 

Total purchased

 

$169

 

 

$103

 

 

$1,990

 

 

$1,707

 

 

$2,729

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$6,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Real Estate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$10,897

 

 

$94,652

 

 

$40,651

 

 

$51,252

 

 

$36,336

 

 

$96,120

 

 

$22,309

 

 

$0

 

 

$352,217

 

Special mention

 

 

0

 

 

 

383

 

 

 

1,512

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,616

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,511

 

Substandard/Doubtful

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,675

 

 

 

1,422

 

 

 

2,524

 

 

 

788

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

6,409

 

Total commercial real estate

 

$10,897

 

 

$95,035

 

 

$42,163

 

 

$52,927

 

 

$37,758

 

 

$100,260

 

 

$23,097

 

 

$0

 

 

$362,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$3,514

 

 

$10,020

 

 

$3,598

 

 

$5,332

 

 

$682

 

 

$11,766

 

 

$1,562

 

 

$0

 

 

$36,474

 

Total municipal

 

$3,514

 

 

$10,020

 

 

$3,598

 

 

$5,332

 

 

$682

 

 

$11,766

 

 

$1,562

 

 

$0

 

 

$36,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$6,828

 

 

$40,869

 

 

$44,113

 

 

$34,995

 

 

$11,024

 

 

$57,324

 

 

$1,445

 

 

$0

 

 

$196,598

 

Substandard/Doubtful

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,867

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

527

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

2,436

 

Total residential real estate - 1st lien

 

$6,828

 

 

$40,869

 

 

$44,113

 

 

$36,862

 

 

$11,066

 

 

$57,851

 

 

$1,445

 

 

$0

 

 

$199,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$77

 

 

$2,024

 

 

$420

 

 

$638

 

 

$689

 

 

$1,356

 

 

$24,869

 

 

$1,794

 

 

$31,867

 

Substandard/Doubtful

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

34

 

Total residential real estate - Jr lien

 

$77

 

 

$2,024

 

 

$420

 

 

$638

 

 

$689

 

 

$1,390

 

 

$24,869

 

 

$1,794

 

 

$31,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass

 

$697

 

 

$1,362

 

 

$656

 

 

$395

 

 

$208

 

 

$127

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$3,445

 

Total consumer

 

$697

 

 

$1,362

 

 

$656

 

 

$395

 

 

$208

 

 

$127

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$3,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current period gross charge-offs

 

$0

 

 

$8

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$17

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Loans

 

$27,487

 

 

$173,180

 

 

$109,922

 

 

$102,034

 

 

$58,664

 

 

$179,808

 

 

$105,698

 

 

$1,794

 

 

$758,587

 

 

There were no current period gross charge-offs within the Purchased, CRE, Municipal, Residential real estate 1st lien and Residential real estate Jr lien loan segments.  There were no Special mention loans within the Residential real estate 1st lien or Jr lien loan segments.  There were no Special mention or Substandard/Doubtful loans within the Purchased, Municipal and Consumer loan segments.

 

 
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Before the adoption of ASC 326 (CECL), the risk ratings within the loan portfolio, by segment, as of December 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

 

Residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

& Industrial

 

 

Purchased

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

Municipal

 

 

1st Lien

 

 

Jr Lien

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group A

 

$104,697,047

 

 

$7,530,458

 

 

$347,732,935

 

 

$34,633,055

 

 

$195,269,893

 

 

$33,538,767

 

 

$4,039,989

 

 

$727,442,144

 

Group B

 

 

6,296,411

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

2,754,649

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

9,051,060

 

Group C

 

 

1,958,415

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

6,405,402

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,473,482

 

 

 

218,105

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

12,055,404

 

Total

 

$112,951,873

 

 

$7,530,458

 

 

$356,892,986

 

 

$34,633,055

 

 

$198,743,375

 

 

$33,756,872

 

 

$4,039,989

 

 

$748,548,608

 

 

Modifications of Loans

 

A loan is considered modified if, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. 

 

The Company is deemed to have granted such a concession if it has modified a loan in any of the following ways:

 

 

·

Reduced accrued interest;

 

·

Reduced the original contractual interest rate to a rate that is below the current market rate for the borrower;

 

·

Converted a variable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan;

 

·

Extended the term of the loan beyond an insignificant delay;

 

·

Deferred or forgiven principal in an amount greater than three months of payments;

 

·

Performed a refinancing and deferred or forgiven principal on the original loan;

 

·

Capitalized protective advance to pay delinquent real estate taxes; or

 

·

Capitalized delinquent accrued interest.

 

An insignificant delay or insignificant shortfall in the amount of payments typically would not require the loan to be accounted for as modified.  However, pursuant to regulatory guidance, any payment delay longer than three months is generally not considered insignificant. Management’s assessment of whether a concession has been granted also takes into account payments expected to be received from third parties, including third-party guarantors, provided that the third party has the ability to perform on the guarantee. 

 

The Company’s modified loans are principally a result of extending loan repayment terms to relieve cash flow difficulties. The Company has only, on a limited basis, reduced interest rates for borrowers below the current market rate for the borrower.  The Company has not forgiven principal or reduced accrued interest within the terms of original restructurings, nor has it converted variable rate terms to fixed rate terms.  However, the Company evaluates each potential loan modification on its own merits and does not foreclose the granting of any particular type of concession.

 

There were no new loan modifications for the first three months of 2023.

 

Prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02, new TDRs, by portfolio segment, during the periods presented below were as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-

 

 

Post-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modification

 

 

Modification

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Recorded

 

 

 

Contracts

 

 

Investment

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate – 1st lien

 

 

2

 

 

$562,592

 

 

$562,592

 

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-

 

 

Post-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modification

 

 

Modification

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Recorded

 

 

 

Contracts

 

 

Investment

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate – 1st lien

 

 

1

 

 

$292,592

 

 

$292,592

 

 

There were no TDRs for which there was a payment default during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2022. The TDRs for which there was a payment default during the twelve month periods presented below were as follows:

 

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2022

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Recorded

 

 

 

Contracts

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

2

 

 

$2,422,965

 

 

Prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02, TDRs were treated as other impaired loans and carried individual specific reserves with respect to the calculation of the ALL.  These loans were categorized as non-performing, may have been past due, and were generally adversely risk rated. The TDRs that had defaulted under their restructured terms were generally in collection status and their ALL reserve was typically calculated using the fair value of collateral method.

 

Prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02, the specific allowances within the ALL related to TDRs as of December 31, 2022 totaled $106,280.

 

As of the balance sheet dates, the Company evaluates whether it is contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans.  The Company is contractually committed to lend on one SBA guaranteed line of credit to a borrower whose lending relationship was previously modified.

 

OBS Credit Exposures: In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to extend credit, including commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded as loans when they are funded.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses on OBS Credit Exposures: The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The ACL on OBS credit exposures is adjusted through credit loss expense. To appropriately measure expected credit losses, management disaggregates the loan portfolio into similar risk characteristics, identical to those determined for the loan portfolio. An estimated funding rate is then applied to the qualifying unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit using the Company's own historical experience to estimate the expected funded amount for each loan segment as of the reporting date. Once the expected funded amount for each loan segment is determined, the loss rate, which is the calculated expected loan loss as a percent of the amortized cost basis for each loan segment, is applied to calculate the ACL on OBS credit exposures as of the reporting date. The ACL on OBS credit exposures is presented within accrued interest and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Note 6.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

As a result of a merger with LyndonBank on December 31, 2007, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $11,574,269.  The goodwill is not amortizable and is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the most recent evaluation, management concluded that no impairment existed.  Management evaluates its goodwill intangible for impairment at least annually, or more frequently as circumstances warrant.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

Note 7.  Fair Value

 

Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value to provide additional insight into the Company’s quality of earnings and comprehensive income. The fair values of some of these assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis, with the determination based upon applicable existing accounting pronouncements. For example, securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Other assets, such as MSRs, loans held-for-sale, impaired loans, and OREO are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis using the lower of cost or market methodology to determine impairment of individual assets. The Company groups assets and liabilities which are recorded at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (with Level 1 considered highest and Level 3 considered lowest). A brief description of each level follows.

 

Level 1

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury and other U.S. Government debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

 

 

Level 2

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes MSRs, collateral-dependent impaired loans and OREO.

 

 

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value measurements:

 

Debt Securities AFS:  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices for similar assets, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using matrix pricing models, or other model-based valuation techniques requiring observable inputs other than quoted prices such as yield curves, prepayment speeds and default rates, net of any related credit allowance.  Level 1 securities would include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  Level 2 securities include federal agency securities, municipal securities and other asset-backed securities.

 

Individually analyzed loans:  Individually analyzed loans are reported based on one of three measures: the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; the loan’s observable market price; or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the fair value is less than an impaired loan’s recorded investment, an impairment loss is recognized as part of the ACL.  Accordingly, certain individually analyzed loans may be subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  Management has estimated the fair values of collateral-dependent loans using Level 2 inputs, such as the fair value of collateral based on independent third-party appraisals.

 

Loans held-for-sale:  The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant.  The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.

 

MSRs:  MSRs represent the value associated with servicing residential mortgage loans. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are reported using the amortization method and compared to fair value for impairment. In evaluating the carrying values of MSRs, the Company obtains third party valuations based on loan level data including note rate, and the type and term of the underlying loans. The Company classifies MSRs as non-recurring Level 2.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the dates presented, segregated by fair value hierarchy, are summarized below.  There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of the balance sheet dates presented, nor were there any transfers of assets between Levels during either of the periods presented for 2023 or 2022.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

Assets: (market approach)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government securities

 

$38,769,069

 

 

$38,231,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GSE debt securities

 

$10,699,914

 

 

$10,375,291

 

Taxable Municipal securities

 

 

242,952

 

 

 

234,858

 

Tax-exempt Municipal securities

 

 

11,621,112

 

 

 

11,323,567

 

Agency MBS

 

 

114,476,436

 

 

 

115,231,599

 

ABS and OAS

 

 

2,521,908

 

 

 

2,693,606

 

CMO

 

 

11,950,570

 

 

 

11,935,925

 

Other investments

 

 

2,397,369

 

 

 

2,891,674

 

Level 2 Total

 

$153,910,261

 

 

$154,686,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Total

 

$192,679,330

 

 

$192,918,109

 

 

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

 

The following table includes assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that have had a fair value adjustment since their initial recognition.  Individually analyzed loans measured at fair value only include those loans with a partial write-down or with a related specific ACL and are presented net of the specific allowances as disclosed in Note 5.  Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the dates presented, segregated by fair value hierarchy level, are summarized below.  There were no Level 1 or Level 3 assets or liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis as of the balance sheet dates presented, nor were there any transfers of assets between levels during either of the periods presented for 2023 or 2022.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

Level 2

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Assets: (market approach)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually analyzed loans, net of related allowance

 

$0

 

 

$94,458

 

MSRs (1)

 

 

839,223

 

 

 

862,593

 

 

(1)   Represents MSRs at lower of cost or fair value.

 

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, if the fair values can be reasonably determined.  Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices.  However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques using observable inputs when available.  Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.  Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.  Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

The estimated fair values of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit were immaterial as of the dates presented in the tables below.  The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Fair

 

 

Fair

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$37,645

 

 

$37,645

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$37,645

 

Debt securities AFS

 

 

192,679

 

 

 

38,769

 

 

 

153,910

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

192,679

 

Restricted equity securities

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,437

 

Loans and loans held-for-sale, net of ACL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

117,856

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

115,447

 

 

 

115,447

 

Purchased

 

 

6,678

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

6,279

 

 

 

6,279

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

356,913

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

338,459

 

 

 

338,459

 

Municipal

 

 

36,383

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

34,231

 

 

 

34,231

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

197,211

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

180,754

 

 

 

180,754

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

31,384

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

31,050

 

 

 

31,050

 

Consumer

 

 

3,415

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,408

 

 

 

3,408

 

MSRs (1)

 

 

839

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,307

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,307

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

3,111

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,111

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other deposits

 

 

888,296

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

885,157

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

885,157

 

Brokered deposits

 

 

249

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

228

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

228

 

Long-term borrowings

 

 

1,300

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,044

 

Repurchase agreements

 

 

38,058

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

38,058

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

38,058

 

Operating lease obligations

 

 

605

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

605

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

605

 

Finance lease obligations

 

 

3,590

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,590

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,590

 

Subordinated debentures

 

 

12,887

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

12,711

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

12,711

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

72

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

72

 

 

(1)   Reported fair value represents all MSRs for loans serviced by the Company, regardless of carrying amount.

 

 
26

Table of Contents

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Fair

 

 

Fair

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$71,140

 

 

$71,140

 

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

 

$71,140

 

Debt securities AFS

 

 

192,918

 

 

 

38,232

 

 

 

154,686

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

192,918

 

Restricted equity securities

 

 

1,412

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,412

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,412

 

Loans and loans held-for-sale, net of ACL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

 

111,792

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

109,534

 

 

 

109,534

 

Purchased

 

 

7,476

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

7,119

 

 

 

7,119

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

351,738

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

340,254

 

 

 

340,283

 

Municipal

 

 

34,566

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

34,558

 

 

 

34,558

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

197,281

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

180,879

 

 

 

180,944

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

33,510

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

33,218

 

 

 

33,218

 

Consumer

 

 

3,970

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,949

 

 

 

3,949

 

MSRs (1)

 

 

863

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,287

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,287

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

3,214

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,214

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other deposits

 

 

922,723

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

918,882

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

918,882

 

Brokered deposits

 

 

249

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

225

 

Long-term borrowings

 

 

1,300

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,025

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,025

 

Repurchase agreements

 

 

33,078

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

33,078

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

33,078

 

Operating lease obligations

 

 

658

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

658

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

658

 

Finance lease obligations

 

 

3,645

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,645

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,645

 

Subordinated debentures

 

 

12,887

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

12,740

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

12,740

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

74

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

74

 

 

(1)   Reported fair value represents all MSRs for loans serviced by the Company, regardless of carrying amount.

 

Note 8.  Loan Servicing

 

The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of the MSRs, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

2023

 

 

December 31,

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$862,593

 

 

$897,720

 

MSRs capitalized

 

 

15,814

 

 

 

120,629

 

MSRs amortized

 

 

(39,184)

 

 

(155,756)

Change in valuation allowance

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Balance at end of period

 

$839,223

 

 

$862,593

 

 

Note 9.  Legal Proceedings

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in litigation that is considered incidental to its business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

Note 10.  Subsequent Events

 

The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date that the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements, as required by GAAP.  On March 15, 2023, the Company’s Board declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per common share, payable May 1, 2023 to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2023.  This dividend has been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the declaration date, including shares issuable under the DRIP.

 

 
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ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Period Ended March 31, 2023

 

The following discussion analyzes the consolidated financial condition of Community Bancorp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and its consolidated results of operations for the three--month interim period and one year period presented.  The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” and a “non-accelerated filer” under the disclosure rules of the SEC. Accordingly, the Company has elected to provide its audited statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for a two year, rather than a three year, period and intends to provide smaller reporting company scaled disclosures where management deems it appropriate.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in its 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  Please refer to Note 1 in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a listing of acronyms and defined terms used throughout the following discussion.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the results of operations, financial condition and business of the Company and its subsidiary. Words used in the discussion below such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," “projects”, "plans," “assumes”, "predicts," “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should” and similar expressions, indicate that management of the Company is making forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  They necessarily involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Examples of forward looking statements included in this discussion include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the estimated contingent liability related to assumptions made within the asset/liability management process; management's expectations as to the future interest rate environment and the Company's related liquidity level; credit risk expectations relating to the Company's loan portfolio and off-balance sheet commitments; and management's general outlook for the future performance of the Company and the local or national economy. Although forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and estimates as of the date they are made, many of the factors that could influence or determine actual results are unpredictable and not within the Company's control.

 

Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities:

 

 

·

interest rates change in such a way as to negatively affect loan demand, the local economy or the Company's net income, asset valuations or margins;

 

·

general economic or business conditions, either nationally, regionally or locally, deteriorate, resulting in a decline in credit quality or a diminished demand for the Company's products and services;

 

·

the impact of inflation and slowing economic growth on the Company’s customers and on its financial results and performance;

 

·

changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including the interest rate policies of the FRB and its regulation of the money supply;

 

·

changes in applicable accounting policies, practices and standards;

 

·

the geographic concentration of the Company’s loan portfolio and deposit base;

 

·

the planned phase out of three month LIBOR by June 30, 2023, which could adversely affect the Company’s interest costs in future periods on its $12,887,000 in principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures due December 12, 2037, which currently bear interest at a variable rate, adjusted quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR, plus 2.85%;

 

·

reductions in deposit levels, which necessitate increased borrowings to fund loans and sale of investment securities;

 

·

increases in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs;

 

·

changes in federal or state tax laws or policy;

 

·

changes in laws or government rules, including the rules of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the way in which courts or government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, increase our costs of doing business, causing us to limit or change our product offerings or pricing, or otherwise adversely affect the Company's business;

 

 
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·

regulatory responses to recent high profile bank failures increase our costs of operation, including through regulatory compliance changes and higher FDIC deposit insurance assessments to replenish the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF);

 

·

competitive pressures increase among financial service providers in the Company's northern New England market area or in the financial services industry generally, including competitive pressures from non-bank financial service providers, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems;

 

·

cybersecurity risks could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial performance or reputation and could result in financial liability for losses incurred by customers or others due to data breaches or other compromise of the Company’s information security systems;

 

·

higher-than-expected costs are incurred relating to information technology or difficulties arise in implementing technological enhancements;

 

·

management’s risk management measures may not be completely effective;

 

·

changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

·

operational and internal system failures due to changes in normal business practices, including remote working for Company staff;

 

·

increased cybercrime and payment system risk due to increased usage by customers of online, mobile and other remote banking channels;

 

·

the ongoing challenges to find qualified workers to maintain a stable workforce;

 

·

losses due to the fraudulent or negligent conduct of third parties, including the Company’s service providers, customers and employees; and

 

·

adverse changes in the credit rating of U.S. government debt.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements as they speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake, and disclaims any obligation, to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of this Report, except as required by applicable law.  The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure.  The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP.  However, three non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin (as presented in the tables in the section labeled Interest Income Versus Interest Expense (NII)) and core earnings (as defined and discussed in the Results of Operations section), have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G.  We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G.

 

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions.  However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Company’s consolidated assets on March 31, 2023 were $1.03 billion compared to $1.06 billion at December 31, 2022, a decrease of 2.4%.  Significant changes in the asset base were due to a decrease of $33.5 million, or 47.1%, in cash and cash equivalents, which was partially offset by an increase in net loans of $9.5 million, or 1.3%.  This demonstrates the Company’s efforts to deploy cash into higher earning assets.  The increase in the loan portfolio was primarily attributable to an increase of $5.9 million in commercial & industrial loans, $5.23 million in CRE loans and $1.8 million in municipal loans, which was partially offset by a decrease of $1.9 million in residential junior lien loans and $0.8 million in purchased BHG loans. 

 

Total deposits on March 31, 2023 were $888.5 million compared to $923.0 million on December 31, 2022, a decrease of $34.4 million, or 3.7% and an increase of $11.2 million, or 1.28%, compared to March 31, 2022.  Year to date, demand and interest-bearing transaction accounts decreased in total by $29.9 million or 5.9%, followed by a decrease of $7.6 million, or 5.4% in money market funds.  This was offset minimally by an increase of $3.6 million, or 3.6% in time deposits.  An increase of $5.0 million, or 15.1%, in repurchase agreements is also noted since year end and $9.3 million, or 32.4%, since March 31, 2022.  A decline in deposits in the first quarter is a normal occurrence for the Company primarily due to normal seasonal outflows.  Pricing pressures as depositors look for alternative products with higher interest rates in the current rate environment has resulted in deposit outflows as well.

 

 
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Total interest income increased $2.5 million, or 30.5%, for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.  The increase in the loan portfolio, coupled with the increases in the fed funds rate throughout 2022 and in the first quarter of 2023 help to support the year over year increase in interest income.

 

Total interest expense increased $1.6 million, or 224.1%, for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.  The recent increases in the fed funds rate have put more pressure on competitive deposit pricing, resulting in an increase in the Company’s money market and time deposit rates. Please refer to the interest rate sensitivity discussion in the Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management section for more information on the impact that the actions of the FRB’s FOMC in regulating interest rates, and changes in the yield curve, could have on net interest income.

 

The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was determined under ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, commonly referenced as the Current Expected Credit Losses, or CECL, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2023.

 

The provision for credit losses for the first three months of 2023 was $286,526 compared to $862,500 for the same period in 2022, a decrease of $575,974, or 66.8%.  This decrease to the provision was driven primarily by a write-down on a non-performing CRE loan totaling $667,474 during March 2022.  Please refer to Note 5 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements as well as the ACL and provisions discussion in the Credit Risk section of this MD&A.

 

Consolidated net income for the first three months of 2023 increased $933,219 to $3.3 million compared to $2.4 million in the same period of 2022.  Year over year, a $2.5 million increase in interest income was offset in part by an increase of $1.6 million in interest expense, but a decrease of $575,974 in the provision for credit losses between periods resulted in an increase of $1.6 million in net interest income after provision for credit losses.  These changes, along with other significant changes in non-interest income and non-interest expense are discussed in the appropriate sections of this MD&A.

 

Equity capital increased to $79.7 million, with a book value per share of $14.33 as of March 31, 2023, compared to $75.2 million and a book value of $13.55 as of December 31, 2022.  This increase in equity capital is partially related to the decrease of unrealized losses in the investment portfolio of $2.7 million, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity portion of the balance sheet.  This position is considered by management as temporary and does not impact the Company’s regulatory capital ratios. 

 

On March 15, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per common share, payable on May 1, 2023 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2023.

 

As of March 31, 2023, all of the Company’s capital ratios, and those of our subsidiary Bank, were in excess of applicable regulatory requirements.  While we believe that we have sufficient capital to withstand an economic downturn from any headwinds related to inflation or recessionary periods, should one occur, our equity capital and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted, including as a result of credit losses and other adverse impacts of the pandemic, deteriorating economic conditions, or government monetary policy.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared according to U.S. GAAP.  The preparation of such financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and related notes.  The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Because of the significance of these estimates and assumptions, there is a high likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported for the Company under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates.  Management evaluates on an ongoing basis its judgment as to which policies are considered to be critical, and communicates all evaluations with the Company’s Audit Committee.

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies govern:

 

·

the ACL;

·

OREO;

·

credit losses on debt securities;

·

valuation of residential MSRs; and

·

the carrying value of goodwill.

 

 
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These policies are described in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” and in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the audited consolidated financial statements.  With the exception of the ACL policy, there were no material changes during the first three months of 2023 in the Company’s critical accounting policies.

 

ACL - Management believes that the calculation of the ACL is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  In estimating the ACL, management has adopted a methodology consistent with ASU No. 2016-13 that requires that expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date that are accounted for at amortized cost be measured and recognized based on historical experience and current and reasonably supportable forecasted conditions to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses over the life of the loans at the measurement date. Further consideration is given to qualitative factors, including changes in current economic indicators and their probable impact on borrowers and collateral, trends in delinquent and non-performing loans, trends in criticized and classified assets, levels of exceptions, the impact of competition in the market, concentrations of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments and the geographic distribution of CRE loans. Management’s estimates used in calculating the ACL may increase or decrease based on changes in these factors, which in turn will affect the amount of the Company’s provision for credit losses charged against current period income.  This evaluation is inherently subjective and actual results could differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.

 

A modified version of these requirements applies to debt securities classified as available for sale, which eliminates OTTI impairment analysis and requires that if a decline in the fair value of debt securities AFS are deemed by management to be the result of credit losses rather than other factors, the credit losses on those securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than a write-down of the security. The Company’s securities portfolio is evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The Company’s net income for the first three months of 2023 was $3.3 million or $0.61 per common share, compared to $2.4 million or $0.44 per common share for the same period of 2022.  Core earnings (NII) were $8.5 million for the first three months of 2023 compared to $7.6 million for the same period in 2022.  Interest and fees on loans, the major component of interest income, increased $1.9 million, or 25.2% for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.  Interest paid on deposits, which is the major component of total interest expense, increased $1.3 million, or 234.2%, year over year, driven primarily by the increases in the fed funds rate during 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.

 

Return on average assets, which is net income divided by average total assets, measures how effectively a corporation uses its assets to produce earnings.  Return on average equity, which is net income divided by average shareholders' equity, measures how effectively a corporation uses its equity capital to produce earnings. 

 

The following tables show these ratios annualized, as well as other equity ratios monitored by management, for the comparison periods presented.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

 

 

1.31%

 

 

0.97%

Return on average equity

 

 

17.57%

 

 

11.76%

Dividend payout ratio (1)

 

 

37.70%

 

 

52.27%

Average equity to average assets

 

 

7.47%

 

 

8.24%

 

(1)   Dividends declared per common share divided by earnings per common share.

 

INTEREST INCOME VERSUS INTEREST EXPENSE (NET INTEREST INCOME)

 

The largest component of the Company’s operating income is NII, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds (i.e., borrowings).  The Company’s level of net interest income can fluctuate over time due to changes in the level and mix of earning assets and sources of funds (volume), and changes in the yield earned and costs of funds (rate).  A portion of the Company’s income from loans to local municipalities is not subject to income taxes.  Because the proportion of tax-exempt items in the Company's balance sheet varies from year-to-year, to improve comparability of information, the non-taxable income shown in the tables below has been converted to a tax equivalent basis. The Company’s corporate tax rate is 21%; therefore, to equalize tax-free and taxable income in the comparison, we divide the tax-free income by 79%, with the result that every tax-free dollar is equivalent to $1.27 in taxable income for the periods presented.

  

The Company’s tax-exempt interest income of $291,954 and $224,094 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, was derived from loans to local municipalities of $36.5 million and $48.7 million, and tax-exempt municipal investments of $11.6 million and $4.3 million, at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The following tables show the reconciliation between reported NII and tax equivalent NII for the comparison periods presented.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income as presented

 

$8,523,365

 

 

$7,558,230

 

Effect of tax-exempt income

 

 

77,608

 

 

 

62,745

 

Net interest income, tax equivalent

 

$8,600,973

 

 

$7,620,975

 

 

 
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The following tables present the daily average interest-earning assets and the daily average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets for the respective comparison periods.  Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) is expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a yield/rate for the comparison periods presented.  Net interest income, net interest spread and net interest margin are also expressed on a tax equivalent basis.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 Average

 

 

Income/

 

 

Yield/

 

 

 Average

 

 

Income/

 

 

Yield/

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Expense

 

 

Rate

 

 

Balance

 

 

Expense

 

 

Rate

 

Average Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans, net (1)

 

$746,342,447

 

 

$9,429,534

 

 

 

5.12%

 

$685,633,810

 

 

$7,547,035

 

 

 

4.46%

Taxable investment securities

 

 

181,762,470

 

 

 

943,478

 

 

 

2.11%

 

 

185,794,633

 

 

 

656,277

 

 

 

1.43%

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

11,458,866

 

 

 

114,757

 

 

 

4.06%

 

 

2,232,280

 

 

 

13,859

 

 

 

2.52%

Sweep and interest-earning accounts

 

 

30,469,901

 

 

 

329,411

 

 

 

4.38%

 

 

69,778,429

 

 

 

80,660

 

 

 

0.47%

Other investments (2)

 

 

1,778,480

 

 

 

30,653

 

 

 

6.99%

 

 

1,779,400

 

 

 

16,460

 

 

 

3.75%

Total interest-earning assets

 

 

971,812,164

 

 

$10,847,833

 

 

 

4.53%

 

 

945,218,552

 

 

$8,314,291

 

 

 

3.57%

Cash and due from banks

 

 

10,034,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,567,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premises and equipment

 

 

12,992,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,663,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOLI

 

 

5,160,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,080,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

11,574,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,574,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

18,678,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,307,610

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$1,030,252,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,006,411,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

$279,908,863

 

 

$964,867

 

 

 

1.40%

 

$258,739,985

 

 

$160,078

 

 

 

0.25%

Money market funds

 

 

135,616,740

 

 

 

513,675

 

 

 

1.54%

 

 

130,743,524

 

 

 

127,680

 

 

 

0.40%

Savings deposits

 

 

171,177,131

 

 

 

30,996

 

 

 

0.07%

 

 

173,158,450

 

 

 

23,440

 

 

 

0.05%

Time deposits

 

 

102,310,661

 

 

 

335,209

 

 

 

1.33%

 

 

106,635,720

 

 

 

240,761

 

 

 

0.92%

Borrowed funds

 

 

1,611,144

 

 

 

3,781

 

 

 

0.95%

 

 

1,301,144

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

0.00%

Repurchase agreements

 

 

36,136,359

 

 

 

132,128

 

 

 

1.48%

 

 

28,847,413

 

 

 

21,040

 

 

 

0.30%

Finance lease obligations

 

 

3,608,925

 

 

 

20,739

 

 

 

2.30%

 

 

3,823,091

 

 

 

21,963

 

 

 

2.30%

Junior subordinated debentures

 

 

12,887,000

 

 

 

245,465

 

 

 

7.72%

 

 

12,887,000

 

 

 

98,352

 

 

 

3.10%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

743,256,823

 

 

$2,246,860

 

 

 

1.23%

 

 

716,136,327

 

 

$693,316

 

 

 

0.39%

Noninterest bearing deposits

 

 

203,297,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

203,509,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

6,647,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,380,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

953,201,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

923,025,983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

77,051,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,385,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$1,030,252,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,006,411,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

 

 

$8,600,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$7,620,975

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest spread (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.30%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.18%

Net interest margin (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.59%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.27%

 

 

(1)

Included in net loans are non-accrual loans with average balances of $8,220,394 and $5,736,827 for the three months ended March 31 2023 and 2022, respectively. Loans are stated net of unearned discount and ACL, and include loans held-for-sale and tax-exempt loans to local municipalities with average balances of $35,177,595 and $49,022,025 for the three months ended March 31 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

 

 

 

(2)

Included in other investments is the Company’s FHLBB Stock with average balances of $713,330 and $714,250, respectively, with a dividend rate of approximately 6.67% and 2.66%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

 

 

 

(3)

Net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on average interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.

 

 

 

 

(4)

Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.

 

 
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The average volume of interest-earning assets for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 increased 2.8% compared to the same period last year, while the average yield on interest-earning assets increased 96 bps.

 

The average volume of loans increased 8.9% over the three-month comparison period of 2023 versus 2022, and the average yield on loans increased 66 bps.  Loans accounted for 76.8% of the average interest-earning asset portfolio for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to 72.5% for the same period last year.  Interest earned on the loan portfolio as a percentage of total interest income was 86.9% for the first three months of 2023 compared to 90.8% for the same period in 2022.

 

The average volume of the taxable investment portfolio (classified as AFS) decreased 2.2% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period last year, and the average yield increased 68 bps between periods.

 

The average volume of the tax-exempt investment portfolio (classified as AFS) increased $9.2 million, or 5.0% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 and the tax equivalent yield increased 154 bps between periods.  The Company began investing in these tax-exempt bonds during December 2021, and currently carries an average volume of $11.5 million as of March 31, 2023.

 

The average volume of sweep and interest-earning accounts, which consists primarily of an interest-bearing account at the FRBB, decreased 56.3% for the three-month comparison period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.  The decrease in average volume is attributable to the funding of investments in 2022 and loan growth throughout 2022 and into 2023. The average yield on these funds increased 391 bps for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 versus the same period in 2022.

 

The average volume of interest-bearing liabilities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 increased 3.8%, compared to the same period in 2022, and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 84 bps.

 

The average volume of interest-bearing transaction accounts increased 8.2% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 and the average rate paid on these accounts increased 115 bps between comparison periods. Interest paid on interest-bearing transaction accounts as a percentage of total interest expense was 42.9% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to 23.1% for the same comparison period in 2022.

 

The average volume of money market accounts increased 3.7% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, and the average rate paid on these deposits increased 114 bps.

 

The average volume of savings accounts decreased 1.1% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, while the average rate paid on these accounts increased two bps year over year.

 

The average volume of time deposits decreased 4.1% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, while the average rate paid increased 41 bps.  Historically, the average volume of time deposits included brokered deposits, which provided an alternate source of funding, but as the Company’s retail deposits increased over the last two years, the need for these funds diminished.  Management still considers the brokered deposit market to be a beneficial source of funding in appropriate circumstances to help smooth out the fluctuations in core deposit balances without the need to disrupt deposit pricing in the Company’s local markets. These funds can be obtained relatively quickly on an as-needed basis, making them a valuable alternative to traditional term borrowings from the FHLBB.  Refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for more discussion on this topic.

 

The average volume of borrowed funds increased 23.8% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.  In 2022, borrowed funds consisted of only JNE funds at zero percent interest, however, during the first three months of 2023, as the Company’s balance at FRBB decreased, the need for overnight borrowings increased for a short period of time in February.

 

The average volume of repurchase agreements increased 25.3% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 and the average rate paid increased 118 bps between comparison periods.

 

In summary, between the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the average yield on interest-earning assets increased 96 bps and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 84 bps.  Net interest spread increased 12 bps for the first three months of 2023 versus 2022 and net interest margin increased 32 bps between  periods, reflecting the rising interest rate environment.

 

 
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The following table summarizes the variances in interest income and interest expense on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the interim periods presented for 2023 and 2022 resulting from volume changes in daily average assets and daily average liabilities and fluctuations in average rates earned and paid.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

Variance

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to

 

 

Due to

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Rate (1)

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Interest-Earning Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$1,214,870

 

 

$667,629

 

 

$1,882,499

 

Taxable investment securities

 

 

308,179

 

 

 

(20,978)

 

 

287,201

 

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

43,567

 

 

 

57,331

 

 

 

100,898

 

Sweep and interest-earning accounts

 

 

673,283

 

 

 

(424,532)

 

 

248,751

 

Other investments

 

 

14,209

 

 

 

(16)

 

 

14,193

 

Total

 

$2,254,108

 

 

$279,434

 

 

$2,533,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

$791,740

 

 

$13,049

 

 

$804,789

 

Money market funds

 

 

381,189

 

 

 

4,806

 

 

 

385,995

 

Savings deposits

 

 

7,898

 

 

 

(342)

 

 

7,556

 

Time deposits

 

 

108,632

 

 

 

(14,184)

 

 

94,448

 

Borrowed funds

 

 

3,779

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,779

 

Repurchase agreements

 

 

105,696

 

 

 

5,392

 

 

 

111,088

 

Finance lease obligations

 

 

(9)

 

 

(1,215)

 

 

(1,224)

Junior subordinated debentures

 

 

147,113

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

147,113

 

Total

 

$1,546,038

 

 

$7,506

 

 

$1,553,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in net interest income

 

$708,070

 

 

$271,928

 

 

$979,998

 

 

(1) Items which have shown a year-to-year increase in volume have variances allocated as follows:

Variance due to rate = Change in rate x new volume

Variance due to volume = Change in volume x old rate

Items which have shown a year-to-year decrease in volume have variances allocated as follows:

Variance due to rate = Change in rate x old volume

Variances due to volume = Change in volume x new rate

 

 
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NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

Non-interest Income

 

The components of non-interest income for the periods presented were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Income

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service fees

 

$880,288

 

 

$862,887

 

 

$17,401

 

 

 

2.02%

Income from sold loans

 

 

107,535

 

 

 

203,842

 

 

 

(96,307)

 

 

(47.25%)

Other income from loans

 

 

428,572

 

 

 

271,260

 

 

 

157,312

 

 

 

57.99%

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from CFS Partners

 

 

252,051

 

 

 

225,870

 

 

 

26,181

 

 

 

11.59%

Other miscellaneous income

 

 

90,331

 

 

 

122,570

 

 

 

(32,239)

 

 

(26.30%)

Total non-interest income

 

$1,758,777

 

 

$1,686,429

 

 

$72,348

 

 

 

4.29%

 

Total non-interest income increased $72,348, or 4.3%, for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, with significant changes noted in the following:

 

 

·

The decrease in income from sold loans is due primarily to a lower volume of loans sold into the secondary market during the first three months of 2023 versus 2022, as the rising interest rate environment has adversely affected residential mortgage lending activity.

 

 

 

 

·

An increase in CRE loan volume in 2023 resulted in a significant increase in documentation fees collected at origination as well as commercial rate lock fees collected, accounting for the increase in other income from loans for the first three months of 2023 versus 2022.

 

 

 

 

·

Income from CFS Partners increased between periods due in part to the late rebound of market prices during the latter part of the first quarter of 2023. CFS Partners has a small portion of its equity capital invested in the stock market, and as a result is sensitive to general stock market conditions.

 

 

 

 

·

Included in other miscellaneous income for 2022 is a one-time payment totaling $23,400 associated with a renegotiated contract with the Company’s check printing vendor, accounting for a portion of the decrease for the first three months of 2023 versus 2022.

 

 
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Non-interest Expense

 

The components of non-interest expense for the periods presented were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Expense

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and wages

 

$2,288,760

 

 

$2,040,000

 

 

$248,760

 

 

 

12.19%

Employee benefits

 

 

754,270

 

 

 

772,052

 

 

 

(17,782)

 

 

(2.30%)

Occupancy expenses, net

 

 

770,986

 

 

 

753,364

 

 

 

17,622

 

 

 

2.34%

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service contracts - administrative

 

 

155,500

 

 

 

138,505

 

 

 

16,995

 

 

 

12.27%

Audit fees

 

 

126,937

 

 

 

100,728

 

 

 

26,209

 

 

 

26.02%

FDIC insurance

 

 

131,643

 

 

 

89,984

 

 

 

41,659

 

 

 

46.30%

Collection & non-accruing loan expense

 

 

25,500

 

 

 

36,000

 

 

 

(10,500)

 

 

(29.17%)

ATM fees

 

 

160,826

 

 

 

140,890

 

 

 

19,936

 

 

 

14.15%

State deposit tax

 

 

256,872

 

 

 

240,478

 

 

 

16,394

 

 

 

6.82%

Other miscellaneous expenses

 

 

1,208,408

 

 

 

1,141,587

 

 

 

66,821

 

 

 

5.85%

Total non-interest expense

 

$5,879,702

 

 

$5,453,588

 

 

$426,114

 

 

 

7.81%

 

Total non-interest expense increased $426,114, or 7.8% for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, with significant changes noted in the following:

 

 

·

In addition to normal salary increases, the increase in salaries and wages year over year is attributable to new hires in the area of commercial lending as well as the hiring of a new Executive Officer during the last quarter of 2022. Also contributing to the increase was a one-time salary adjustment in November of 2022 of $2,000 to all employees below vice president status that impacted the year over year comparison by $57,500.

 

 

 

 

·

The increase in service contracts - administrative is due to a combination of an increase in pricing for contracts that transaction based and inflationary adjustment factors that are higher than historical increase adjustments.

 

 

 

 

·

The increase in audit fees reflects increased audit services due to additional audit requirements required by FDICIA due to the Company surpassing $1.0 billion asset size.

 

 

 

 

·

The Company increased the 2023 monthly accrual for FDIC insurance in anticipation of an increase in the assessment multiplier, as announced by the FDIC in late 2022.

 

 

 

 

·

Collection & non-accruing loan expense is lower year over year due to a decrease of expenses associated with properties in the Company’s non-accruing loan portfolio.

 

 

 

 

·

ATM fees are based on increased customer activity as well as annual contractual price adjustments.

 

 

 

 

·

State deposit tax increased year over year due primarily to the increase in deposits. The calculation is based on an average of month-end deposit totals over a 12 month period.

 

 
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APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes increased $254,124, or 48.6%, for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 and is proportional to the increase in income before income taxes totaling $1.2 million.  Tax credits related to limited partnership investments amounted to $67,128 and $96,237, respectively, for the first three months of 2023 and 2022.

 

Amortization expense related to limited partnership investments is included as a component of income tax expense and amounted to $67,128 and $67,092, respectively, for the first three months of 2023 and 2022.  These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits, and are designed to provide a targeted effective annual yield between 7% and 10%.

 

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

The following table reflects the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities as a percentage of total assets or liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as the case may be, as of the balance sheet dates:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$758,586,712

 

 

 

73.61%

 

$748,548,608

 

 

 

70.88%

AFS securities

 

 

192,679,330

 

 

 

18.70%

 

 

192,918,109

 

 

 

18.27%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

 

200,311,094

 

 

 

19.44%

 

 

216,093,534

 

 

 

20.46%

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

 

279,977,413

 

 

 

27.17%

 

 

294,050,079

 

 

 

27.84%

Money market funds

 

 

132,554,229

 

 

 

12.86%

 

 

140,117,086

 

 

 

13.27%

Savings deposits

 

 

170,452,633

 

 

 

16.54%

 

 

171,072,921

 

 

 

16.20%

Time deposits

 

 

105,249,729

 

 

 

10.21%

 

 

101,638,659

 

 

 

9.62%

Long-term advances

 

 

1,300,000

 

 

 

0.13%

 

 

1,300,000

 

 

 

0.12%

 

The following table reflects the changes in the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities between the balance sheet dates, as disclosed in the table above:

 

 

 

Volume Change

 

 

Percentage

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$10,038,104

 

 

 

1.34%

AFS securities

 

 

(238,779)

 

 

(0.12%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

 

(15,782,440)

 

 

(7.30%)

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

 

(14,072,666)

 

 

(4.79%)

Money market funds

 

 

(7,562,857)

 

 

(5.40%)

Savings deposits

 

 

(620,288)

 

 

(0.36%)

Time deposits

 

 

3,611,070

 

 

 

3.55%

 

The increase in the loan portfolio during the first three months of 2023 was attributable to increases totaling $13.0 million in commercial & industrial CRE and municipal loans, which was partially offset by decreases of $0.8 million in purchased BHG loans, $1.9 million in residential junior lien loans and $0.6 million in consumer loans.  The Company has experienced strong loan activity among its commercial customers, but only minimal consumer loan activity.

 

There were no securities AFS purchased during the first three months of 2023. The change in the securities AFS portfolio is attributable to maturities amounting to $0.6 million, as well as principal payments on various securities totaling $3.1 million.  These changes were almost totally offset by a decrease of $3.4 million in unrealized losses arising during the first three months of 2023, which is reflected in OCI.  In management’s view, the size of the securities AFS portfolio is appropriate and proportional to the overall asset base, as this portfolio serves an important role in the Company’s liquidity position. 

 

The decrease in the demand deposit accounts was entirely made up of business DDAs. The decrease in interest-bearing transaction accounts consists of a decrease of $13.1 million, or 10.6%, in consumer interest-bearing transaction accounts, a decrease of $11.6 million, or 28.8%, in municipal deposit accounts and a decrease of $11.0 million, or 12.9% in ICS deposit accounts.  These decreases were partially offset by a combined increase of $21.6 million, or 48.7% in health savings accounts and the deposit account of the Company’s trust and asset management affiliate, CFSG.  The decrease in money market funds was driven by decreases of $6.5 million, or 21.9% in ICS accounts and $4.6 million, or 4.5% in retail money market funds.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in municipal accounts of $3.5 million or 39.6%.  The increase in time deposits is attributable to customer response to periodic certificate of deposit specials that have been offered.

 

 
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CERTAIN TIME DEPOSITS

 

Increments of maturity of time CDs of $250,000 or more outstanding on March 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

 

3 months or less

 

$4,166,139

 

Over 3 through 6 months

 

 

1,872,753

 

Over 6 through 12 months

 

 

4,274,743

 

Over 12 months

 

 

6,424,279

 

Total

 

$16,737,914

 

 

Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management - Management actively monitors and manages the Company’s interest rate risk exposure and attempts to structure the balance sheet to maximize net interest income while controlling its exposure to interest rate risk.  The Company's ALCO is made up of the Executive Officers and certain Vice Presidents of the Bank representing major business lines.  The ALCO formulates strategies to manage interest rate risk by evaluating the impact on earnings and capital of such factors as current interest rate forecasts and economic indicators, potential changes in such forecasts and indicators, liquidity and various business strategies.  The ALCO meets at least quarterly to review financial statements, liquidity levels, yields and spreads to better understand, measure, monitor and control the Company’s interest rate risk.  In the ALCO process, the committee members apply policy limits set forth in the Asset Liability, Liquidity and Investment policies approved and periodically reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The ALCO's methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income and an analysis of the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap", which provides a static analysis of the maturity and repricing characteristics of the entire balance sheet.  The ALCO Policy also includes a contingency funding plan to help management prepare for unforeseen liquidity restrictions, including hypothetical severe liquidity crises.

 

Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in market interest rates.  As interest rates change, the interest income and expense streams associated with the Company’s financial instruments also change, thereby impacting NII, the primary component of the Company’s earnings.  Fluctuations in interest rates can also have an impact on liquidity.  The ALCO uses an outside consultant to perform rate shock simulations to the Company's net interest income, as well as a variety of other analyses.  It is the ALCO’s function to provide the assumptions used in the modeling process.  Assumptions used in prior period simulation models are regularly tested by comparing projected NII with actual NII.  The ALCO utilizes the results of the simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of NII and liquidity to sustained interest rate changes.  The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.  The model also simulates the balance sheet’s sensitivity to a prolonged flat rate environment. All rate scenarios are simulated assuming a parallel shift of the yield curve; however further simulations are performed utilizing non-parallel changes in the yield curve.  The results of this sensitivity analysis are compared to the ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for NII exposure over a 1-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 bp shift upward and a 100 bp shift downward in interest rates.

 

Under the Company’s interest rate sensitivity modeling, with the continued asset sensitive balance sheet, in a rising rate environment NII initially trends upward as the short-term asset base (cash and adjustable rate loans) quickly cycle upward while the retail funding base (deposits) lags the market.  If rates paid on deposits have to be increased more and/or more quickly than projected due to competitive pressures, the expected benefit to rising rates would be reduced.  In a falling rate environment, NII is expected to trend slightly downward compared with the current rate environment scenario for the first year of the simulation as asset yield erosion is not fully offset by decreasing funding costs.  Thereafter, net interest income is projected to experience sustained downward pressure as funding costs reach their assumed floors and asset yields continue to reprice into the lower rate environment.  The current rising rate environment has had a positive impact to the Company’s NII however market expectations for higher deposit rates are applying increasing pressure to the spread between interest income and interest expense.

 

 
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The following table summarizes the estimated impact on the Company's NII over a twelve month period, assuming a gradual parallel shift of the yield curve beginning March 31, 2023:

 

Rate Change

 

Percent Change

in NII

 

 

 

 

 

Down 100 bps

 

 

(0.2%)

Up 200 bps

 

 

(2.0%)

 

The estimated amounts shown in the table above are within the ALCO Policy limits.  However, those amounts do not represent a forecast and should not be relied upon as indicative of future results.  The ALCO model also provides alternate scenarios including a sustained flat, or inverted yield curve. While assumptions used in the ALCO process, including the interest rate simulation analyses, are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, and expected future conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.  As the market rates continue to increase, the impact of a falling rate environment is more pronounced, and the possibility more plausible than during the last several years of near zero short-term rates.

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding $12,887,000 in principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2037, which bear a quarterly floating rate of interest equal to the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus 2.85%.  As previously announced by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, the entity that administers LIBOR, 3-month LIBOR for U.S. dollar denominated deposits will be phased out as of June 30, 2023.  The Indenture governing the terms of the Company’s Debentures contains detailed fallback provisions in the event 3-month LIBOR is not available, empowering the Trustee to obtain substitute quotations from other leading banks.  However, under the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act enacted in March 2022 (the “LIBOR Act”), fallback provisions like those in the Company’s Indenture that are based on a “determining person” (such as an indenture trustee) obtaining quotations of interbank lending or deposit rates are deemed “ineffective” and will be replaced as a matter of law, without need to amend contract documents, with a benchmark interest rate identified in regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve. As required under the LIBOR Act, the Federal Reserve-identified benchmark rates specified in the final regulations for various tenors of LIBOR are based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and each includes an appropriate “tenor spread adjustment” to reflect historical spreads between LIBOR and SOFR.  The replacement benchmark rate for ineffective fallback provisions will take effect on the first London banking day after June 30, 2023, (the “LIBOR Replacement Date”). The Indenture Trustee has informed the Company that it views the fallback provisions in the Indenture as ineffective under the LIBOR Act, and that, absent either an amendment to the Indenture and related Debenture documents to adopt a new interest rate or a change in applicable law, effective on and after the LIBOR Replacement Date, 3-month LIBOR will be replaced by 3-month CME SOFR, as adjusted by a spread adjustment factor of 0.26161 percent, in accordance with the LIBOR Act and FRB regulations. The Company does not intend to seek an amendment of the Indenture or other Debenture documents. Accordingly, as of the LIBOR Replacement Date, the Debentures will bear interest at a quarterly floating rate equal to 3-month CME SOFR, as adjusted by a spread adjustment of 0.26161 percent, plus 2.85%.  

 

Aside from the Debentures, the Company does not have any other exposures to the phase out of LIBOR.  The Company has not generally utilized LIBOR as an interest rate benchmark for its variable rate commercial, residential or other loans and does not utilize derivatives or other financial instruments tied to LIBOR for hedging or investment purposes.  Accordingly, management expects that the Company’s exposure to the phase out of LIBOR will be limited to the effect on the interest rate paid on its Debentures.

 

Credit Risk - As a financial institution, one of the primary risks the Company manages is credit risk, the risk of loss stemming from borrowers’ failure to repay loans or inability to meet other contractual obligations.  The Company’s Board of Directors prescribes policies for managing credit risk, including Loan, Appraisal and Environmental policies.  These policies are supplemented by comprehensive underwriting standards and procedures.  The Company maintains a Credit Administration department whose function includes credit analysis and monitoring of and reporting on the status of the loan portfolio, including delinquent and non-performing loan trends.  The Company also monitors concentration of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans.  Loans are reviewed periodically by an independent loan review firm to help ensure accuracy of the Company's internal risk ratings and compliance with various internal policies, procedures and regulatory guidance.

 

Residential mortgage loans represented 30.4% of the Company’s loan balances at March 31, 2023, compared to 31.2% at December 31, 2022.  The Company maintains a residential mortgage loan portfolio of traditional mortgage products and does not offer higher risk loan products, such as option adjustable rate mortgage products, high loan-to-value products, interest only mortgages, subprime loans and products with deeply discounted teaser rates.  Residential mortgages with loan-to-value ratios exceeding 80% are generally covered by PMI.  A 90% loan-to-value residential mortgage product without PMI is only available to borrowers with excellent credit and low debt-to-income ratios and has not been widely originated.  As of March 31, 2023, junior lien home equity products made up 13.8% of the residential mortgage portfolio with maximum loan-to-value ratios (including prior liens) of 80%. The Company also originates some home equity loans greater than 80% under an insured loan program with stringent underwriting criteria. 

 

 
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Consistent with the strategic focus on commercial lending, the commercial & industrial and CRE loan portfolios have seen solid growth over recent years.  Commercial & industrial, purchased, CRE and municipal loans collectively comprised 69.1% of the Company’s loan portfolio at March 31, 2023, compared to 68.4% at December 31, 2022.  The largest components of the CRE portfolio were $99.4 million in owner-occupied CRE and $139.0 million in non-owner occupied CRE at March 31, 2023.

 

Risk in the Company’s commercial & industrial and CRE loan portfolios is mitigated in part by government guarantees issued by federal agencies such as the SBA and RD.  At March 31, 2023, the Company had $26.2 million in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $17.0 million, compared to $27.0 million in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $18.3 million at December 31, 2022.  PPP loans with outstanding balances of $116,299 and $199,664 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, are included in these totals, all of which carry a 100% guarantee through the SBA, subject to borrower eligibility requirements.

 

The Company works actively with customers early in the delinquency process to help them to avoid default and foreclosure.  Commercial & industrial and CRE loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, payment in full of principal and interest is not expected, and/or principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more.  However, such a loan need not be placed on non-accrual status if it is both well secured and in the process of collection.  Residential mortgages and home equity loans are considered for non-accrual status at 90 days past due and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The Company obtains current property appraisals or market value analyses and considers the cost to carry and sell collateral in order to assess the level of specific allocations required.  Consumer loans are generally not placed in non-accrual but are charged off by the time they reach 120 days past due.  When a loan is placed in non-accrual status, the Company reverses the accrued interest against current period income and discontinues the accrual of interest until the borrower clearly demonstrates the ability and intention to resume normal payments, typically demonstrated by regular timely payments for a period of not less than six months.  Interest payments received on non-accrual or impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan book balance.

 

Provision for Credit Losses

  

The provision for credit losses was made up of the following components for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Provision for credit losses on loans

 

$

207,540

 

 

$

862,500

 

 

$

(654,960)

 

 

(75.94%)

Provision for credit losses on OBS credit exposure

 

 

78,986

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

78,986

 

 

 

100.00%

Provision for credit losses

 

$

286,526

 

 

$

862,500

 

 

$

(575,974)

 

 

(66.78%)

 

ACL and provisions – As stated in Note 2 of the accompanying notes to the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2023, the Company was required to recognize credit losses under the guidance of ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,  The new guidance, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss, or CECL model, requires that expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date that are accounted for at amortized cost be measured and recognized based on historical experience and current and reasonably supportable forecasted conditions to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses over the life of the loans. The adjustment from the adoption of CECL amounted to $549,113, net of tax and was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings and will affect calculation of regulatory capital ratios.  Changes in forecasts used in the model could produce different results, quarter to quarter.

 

The Company’s board of directors has approved an ACL policy that provides guidance in maintaining an adequate methodology for establishing, estimating and maintaining allowances for credit losses under ASC 326.  The policy creates a measurement model to establish a proper ACL based on current expected credit losses rather than incurred losses.

 

The Company maintains an ACL at a level that management believes is appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the measurement date (See Note 5 to the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements).  Although the Company, in establishing the ACL, considers the inherent losses in individual loans and pools of loans, the ACL is a general reserve available to absorb all credit losses in the loan portfolio.  No part of the ACL is segregated to absorb losses from any particular loan or segment of loans.

 

When establishing the ACL each quarter, the Company applies a combination of significant key assumptions and methodologies, as discussed in the ACL section under Critical Accounting Policies in this MD&A, and also presented in Note 5 of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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The following table summarizes the Company’s credit risk ratios for the balance sheet dates presented:

 

 

 

March 31

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACL to total loans outstanding

 

 

1.22%

 

 

1.16%

ACL

 

$9,256,170

 

 

$8,709,225

 

Loans outstanding

 

$758,586,712

 

 

$748,548,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accruing loans to loans outstanding

 

 

1.12%

 

 

1.05%

Non-accruing loans

 

$8,480,354

 

 

$7,890,020

 

Loans outstanding

 

$758,586,712

 

 

$748,548,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACL to non-accruing loans

 

 

109.15%

 

 

110.38%

ACL

 

$9,256,170

 

 

$8,709,225

 

Non-accruing loans

 

$8,480,354

 

 

$7,890,020

 

 

The provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $286,526, compared to $862,500 for the same period in 2022. The $575,974 year over year decrease was driven in part by a write-down totaling $667,474, on a single non-performing loan, in March of 2022. 

 

The first quarter ACL analysis indicates that the reserve balance of $9.3 million at March 31, 2023 is sufficient to cover expected credit losses that are probable and estimable as of the measurement date. Management believes the reserve balance continues to be directionally consistent with the overall risk profile of the Company’s loan portfolio and credit risk appetite.  While the ACL is described as consisting of separate allocated portions, the entire ACL is available to support loan losses, regardless of category.  The adequacy of the ACL is presented to the full Board for approval quarterly. 

 

 
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Net recoveries (charge-offs) during the periods presented to average loans outstanding were as follows:

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & industrial

 

(0.01

 %)

 

(0.02

%)

Net charge-offs during the period

 

$(10,203)

 

$(17,650)

Average amount outstanding

 

$117,162,692

 

 

$111,436,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased

 

 

0.00%

 

 

0.00%

Net charge-offs during the period

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

Average amount outstanding

 

$7,086,337

 

 

$9,368,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

0.01%

 

(0.22

 %)

Net recoveries (charge-offs) during the period

 

$22,000

 

 

$(667,474)

Average amount outstanding

 

$360,454,697

 

 

$304,057,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

 

0.00%

 

 

0.00%

Net charge-offs during the period

 

$0

 

 

$0

 

Average amount outstanding

 

$35,177,595

 

 

$49,022,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - 1st lien

 

 

0.04%

 

 

0.00%

Net recoveries during the period

 

$72,326

 

 

$2,276

 

Average amount outstanding

 

$198,536,712

 

 

$182,305,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate - Jr lien

 

 

0.08%

 

 

0.01%

Net recoveries during the period

 

$25,548

 

 

$1,210

 

Average amount outstanding

 

$32,704,333

 

 

$33,230,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

(0.36

 %)

 

 

(0.01%)

Net charge-offs during the period

 

$(13,642)

 

$(470)

Average amount outstanding

 

$3,786,350

 

 

$3,580,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans

 

 

0.01%

 

 

(0.10%)

Net recoveries (charge-offs) during the period

 

$96,029

 

 

$(682,108)

Average amount outstanding

 

$754,908,716

 

 

$693,001,033

 

 

In addition to credit risk in the Company’s loan and investment portfolios and its off-balance sheet commitments, and liquidity risk in its loan and deposit-taking operations, the Company’s business activities also generate market risk.  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.  Declining capital markets and changes in interest rates can result in fair value adjustments to asset valuations or the need to create a related reserve or allowance.  The Company does not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes.  The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, deposit taking and investment activities.  During recessionary periods, a declining housing market can result in an increase in loan loss reserves or ultimately an increase in foreclosures.  Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to loan prepayment risks, early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes vary by product.  Rapid changes in prevailing interest rates, particularly after a long period of relative stability, create a challenging interest rate environment. As discussed above under "Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management", the Company actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk through the ALCO process. 

 

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans.  Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. During the first three months of 2023, the Company did not engage in any activity that created any additional types of off-balance sheet risk.

 

 
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With the adoption of ASU 2016-13 (CECL), the Company is required to establish an allowance for expected credit losses on OBS credit exposures.  Expected credit losses are estimated by management over the contractual period during which the Company is exposed to credit risk under a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company recorded an adjustment to retained earnings of $451,704 to reflect an allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments. The allowance for credit losses for OBS credit exposures is presented in the "Accrued interest and other liabilities" line of the consolidated balance sheets. There were no changes to the allowance for credit losses for OBS credit exposures during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and stability in earnings.  Liquidity management refers to the ability of the Company to adequately cover fluctuations in assets and liabilities.  Meeting loan demand (assets) and covering the withdrawal of deposit funds (liabilities) are two key components of the liquidity management process.  The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and securities, maturities of investment securities, sales of loans available-for-sale, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  Maintaining a relatively stable funding base, which is achieved by diversifying funding sources, competitively pricing deposit products, and extending the contractual maturity of liabilities, reduces the Company’s exposure to rollover risk on deposits and limits reliance on volatile short-term borrowed funds.  Short-term funding needs arise from declines in deposits or other funding sources and from funding requirements for loan commitments.  The Company’s strategy is to fund assets to the maximum extent possible with core deposits that provide a sizable source of relatively stable and lower-cost funds.

 

The Company recognizes that, at times, when loan demand exceeds deposit growth or the Company has other liquidity demands, it may be desirable to utilize alternative sources of deposit funding to augment retail deposits and borrowings.  One-way deposits acquired through the CDARS program provide an alternative funding source when needed.  At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no one-way CDARS outstanding.  In addition, two-way (reciprocal) CDARS deposits, as well as reciprocal ICS money market and demand deposits, enhance the Company’s ability to retain larger deposit balances by allowing the Company to provide FDIC deposit insurance to its customers in excess of account coverage limits through the exchange of deposits with other participating FDIC-insured financial institutions.  At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company reported $2.8 million in reciprocal CDARS deposits.  The balance in ICS reciprocal money market deposits was $23.0 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $29.5 million at December 31, 2022, and the balance in ICS reciprocal demand deposits as of those dates was $74.3 million and $85.3 million, respectively.

 

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, borrowing capacity of $110.3 million and $112.3 million, respectively, was available through the FHLBB, secured by the Company's qualifying loan portfolio (generally, residential mortgage and commercial loans), reduced by outstanding advances and by collateral pledges securing FHLBB letters of credit collateralizing public unit deposits.  The Company also has an unsecured Federal Funds credit line with the FHLBB with an available balance of $500,000 and no outstanding advances during any of the respective comparison periods.  Interest is chargeable at a rate determined daily, approximately 25 bps higher than the rate paid on federal funds sold.

 

The Company has a BIC arrangement with the FRBB secured by eligible commercial & industrial loans, CRE loans and home equity loans, resulting in an available credit line of $52.8 million and $56.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  Credit advances under this FRBB lending program are overnight advances with interest chargeable at the primary credit rate (generally referred to as the discount rate), currently 500 bps.  The Company had no outstanding advances through this facility at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had additional potential borrowing capacity, subject to pledging of required collateral, under the FRB’s Term Funding Program, which was established in March 2023 to provide banks with an additional source of liquidity.  The Company did not have any advances under the Term Funding Program at March 31, 2023. 

 

The following table reflects the Company’s outstanding advances under the FHLBB’s JNE program as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Long-Term Advances(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due September 22, 2023

 

$200,000

 

 

$200,000

 

FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due November 12, 2025

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

300,000

 

FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due November 13, 2028

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

$1,300,000

 

 

$1,300,000

 

 

(1) Under the JNE program, the FHLBB provides a subsidy, funded by the FHLBB’s earnings, to write down interest rates to zero percent on advances that finance qualifying loans to small businesses. JNE advances must support small business in New England that create and/or retain jobs, or otherwise contribute to overall economic development activities.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

The Company has unsecured lines of credit with two correspondent banks with aggregate available borrowing capacity totaling $20.5 million as of the balance sheet dates presented in this quarterly report.  The Company had no outstanding advances against these credit lines as of the balance sheet dates presented.

 

Management believes that the combination of high levels of potentially liquid assets, unencumbered securities, cash flows from operations, and additional borrowing capacity are sufficient to meet the Company’s liquidity and capital needs.

 

The following table illustrates the changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023:

 

Balance at December 31, 2022 (book value $13.55 per common share)

 

$75,176,363

 

Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 2)

 

 

(549,113)

Net income

 

 

3,338,761

 

Issuance of common stock through the DRIP

 

 

319,877

 

Dividends declared on common stock

 

 

(1,250,794)

Dividends declared on preferred stock

 

 

(28,125)

Change in AOCI on AFS securities, net of tax

 

 

2,672,818

 

Balance at March 31 2023 (book value $14.33 per common share)

 

$79,679,787

 

 

The primary objective of the Company’s capital planning process is to balance appropriately the retention of capital to support operations and future growth, with the goal of providing shareholders an attractive return on their investment.  To that end, management monitors capital retention and dividend policies on an ongoing basis.

 

As described in more detail in Note 23 to the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the caption “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” in the MD&A section of that report, the Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies pursuant to which they must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items.  Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Bank was considered well capitalized under the standard regulatory capital framework for Prompt Corrective Action and the Company exceeded currently applicable consolidated regulatory guidelines for capital adequacy. While we believe that the Company has sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic downturn, our regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by future credit losses and other operational impacts of deteriorating economic conditions and inflation.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

The following table shows the Company’s actual capital ratios and those of its subsidiary, as well as currently applicable regulatory capital requirements, as of the dates indicated.  The calculations as of March 31, 2023 reflect adoption of ASU 2016-13 (CECL), including the beginning period cumulative effect adjustment of $549,113, which reduced retained earnings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum

 

 

Minimum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum

 

 

For Capital

 

 

To Be Well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Capital

 

 

Adequacy Purposes

 

 

Capitalized Under

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adequacy

 

 

with Conservation

 

 

Prompt Corrective

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

Purposes

 

 

Buffer(1)

 

 

Action Provisions(2)

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common equity tier 1 capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (to risk-weighted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$84,601

 

 

 

11.88%

 

$32,054

 

 

 

4.50%

 

$49,861

 

 

 

7.00%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$98,355

 

 

 

13.82%

 

$32,033

 

 

 

4.50%

 

$49,829

 

 

 

7.00%

 

$46,270

 

 

 

6.50%

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$98,988

 

 

 

13.90%

 

$42,738

 

 

 

6.00%

 

$60,546

 

 

 

8.50%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$98,355

 

 

 

13.82%

 

$42,710

 

 

 

6.00%

 

$60,506

 

 

 

8.50%

 

$56,947

 

 

 

8.00%

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$107,904

 

 

 

15.15%

 

$56,984

 

 

 

8.00%

 

$74,792

 

 

 

10.50%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$107,265

 

 

 

15.07%

 

$56,947

 

 

 

8.00%

 

$74,743

 

 

 

10.50%

 

$71,184

 

 

 

10.00%

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$98,988

 

 

 

9.53%

 

$41,532

 

 

 

4.00%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$98,355

 

 

 

9.48%

 

$41,515

 

 

 

4.00%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

$51,894

 

 

 

5.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common equity tier 1 capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (to risk-weighted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$82,770

 

 

 

11.74%

 

$31,731

 

 

 

4.50%

 

$49,359

 

 

 

7.00%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$96,112

 

 

 

13.64%

 

$31,703

 

 

 

4.50%

 

$49,315

 

 

 

7.00%

 

$45,793

 

 

 

6.50%

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$97,157

 

 

 

13.78%

 

$42,308

 

 

 

6.00%

 

$59,936

 

 

 

8.50%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$96,112

 

 

 

13.64%

 

$42,270

 

 

 

6.00%

 

$59,883

 

 

 

8.50%

 

$56,361

 

 

 

8.00%

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$105,971

 

 

 

15.03%

 

$56,410

 

 

 

8.00%

 

$74,038

 

 

 

10.50%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$104,918

 

 

 

14.89%

 

$56,361

 

 

 

8.00%

 

$73,973

 

 

 

10.50%

 

$70,451

 

 

 

10.00%

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Company

 

$97,157

 

 

 

9.24%

 

$42,047

 

 

 

4.00%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

   Bank

 

$96,112

 

 

 

9.15%

 

$42,025

 

 

 

4.00%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

$52,531

 

 

 

5.00%

 

(1)   Conservation Buffer is calculated based on risk-weighted assets and does not apply to calculations of average assets.

(2)   Applicable to banks, but not bank holding companies.

 

The Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is largely dependent on the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company.  In general, a national bank may not pay dividends that exceed net income for the current and preceding two years.  Regardless of statutory restrictions, as a matter of regulatory policy, banks and bank holding companies should pay dividends only out of current earnings and only if, after paying such dividends, they remain adequately capitalized.

 

 
45

Table of Contents

 

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Omitted, in accordance with the regulatory relief available to smaller reporting companies in SEC Release Nos. 33-10513 and 34-83550.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). As of March 31, 2023, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports it files with the Commission under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

For this purpose, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in litigation that is considered incidental to its business. Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

 

In management’s view, the Risk Factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 represent the most significant risks to the Company's future results of operations and financial condition as of the date of this quarterly report.

 

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

 

The following table provides information as to the purchases of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2023, by the Company or by any affiliated purchaser (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18).  During the monthly periods presented, the Company did not have any publicly announced repurchase plans or programs.

 

 

 

Total Number

 

 

Average

 

 

 

of Shares

 

 

Price Paid

 

For the period:

 

Purchased(1)

 

 

Per Share

 

January 1 - January 31

 

 

3,193

 

 

$19.00

 

February 1 - February 28

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.00

 

March 1 - March 31

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.00

 

Total

 

 

3,193

 

 

$19.00

 

 

(1)     All 3,193 shares were purchased for the account of participants invested in the Company Stock Fund under the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan by or on behalf of the Plan Trustee, the Human Resources Committee of the Bank.  Such share purchases were facilitated through CFSG, which provides certain investment advisory services to the Plan.  Both the Plan Trustee and CFSG may be considered affiliates of the Company under Rule 10b-18.

 

 
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ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this report:

 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 31.2

Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 32.1

Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

Exhibit 32.2

Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

 

 

Exhibit 101

The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three-month interim periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.

Exhibit 104

Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

*This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.

 

 
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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP.

 

DATED:  May 12, 2023

/s/Kathryn M. Austin

 

 

Kathryn M. Austin, President

 

 

& Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

DATED: May 12, 2023

/s/Louise M. Bonvechio

 

 

Louise M. Bonvechio, Corporate

 

 

Secretary & Treasurer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, DC  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, 2023

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP.

 

EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

 

 

Exhibit 101

The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three-month interim periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.

Exhibit 104

Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

*  This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.

 

 
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