UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended  September 30, 2020March 31, 2021

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from    to  

Commission File Number: 0-31525

 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California68-0352144
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3100 Zinfandel Drive, Suite 450, Rancho Cordova, California95670
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

 

(916) 851-0123
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)report.)

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

Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par valueAMRBNasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes x No o

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

 Large Accelerated Fileraccelerated filer oAccelerated Filerfiler ox
 Non-accelerated filerFiler oxSmaller Reporting Companyreporting company x
 

Emerging Growth Companygrowth company o 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

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

No par value Common Stock 5,937,5295,968,994shares outstanding at November 5, 2020May 6, 2021

 
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020MARCH 31, 2021

Part I.  Page
   
Item 1.Financial Statements3
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations28
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk50
Item 4.Controls and Procedures51
   
Part II.  
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings52
Item 1A.Risk Factors52
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds52
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities52
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures52
Item 5.Other Information52
Item 6.Exhibits53
   
Signatures54
  
Exhibits 
  
31.1Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200255
31.2Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200256
32.1Certification of American River Bankshares by its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200257
   
101.INSXBRL Instance Document 
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation 
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition 
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label 
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation 

Part I. Page
   
Item 1.Financial Statements3
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations27
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk46
Item 4.Controls and Procedures47
   
Part II.  
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings47
Item 1A.Risk Factors47
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds51
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities51
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures51
Item 5.Other Information51
Item 6.Exhibits51
   
Signatures 51
   
Exhibits  
   
31.1Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200253
31.2Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200254
32.1Certification of American River Bankshares by its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200255
   
101.INSXBRL Instance Document 
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation 
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition 
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label 
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation 
2
 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands) 

September 30,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

  

March 31,

2021

  

December 31,

2020

 
ASSETS                
        
Cash and due from banks $16,559  $15,258  $18,927  $14,030 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  56,469   2,552   78,871   28,479 
Total cash and cash equivalents  73,028   17,810   97,798   42,509 
Investment securities:                
Available-for-sale, at fair value  266,917   261,965   301,628   306,966 
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost; fair value of $16 at September 30, 2020 and $266 at December 31, 2019  15   248 
Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $6,616 at September 30, 2020 and $5,138 at December 31, 2019  471,647   393,802 
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost fair value of $11 in 2021 and $13 in 2020  10   12 
Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $6,696 at March 31, 2021 and $6,628 at December 31, 2020  468,718   471,853 
Premises and equipment, net  948   1,191   956   1,002 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock  4,212   4,259   4,212   4,212 
Goodwill and other intangible assets  16,321   16,321 
Goodwill  16,321   16,321 
Other real estate owned  846   846   800   800 
Bank owned life insurance  16,021   15,763   16,162   16,101 
Accrued interest receivable and other assets  7,979   8,148   9,458   9,215 
Total assets $857,934  $720,353  $916,063  $868,991 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
                
Deposits:                
Noninterest bearing $295,862  $227,055  $339,714  $330,095 
Interest-bearing  432,969   377,782   448,855   414,082 
Total deposits  728,831   604,837   788,569   744,177 
                
Short-term borrowings  12,000   9,000   7,000   7,000 
Long-term borrowings  15,460   10,500   13,787   13,787 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities  9,959   13,107   13,816   10,932 
                
Total liabilities  766,250   637,444   823,172   775,896 
                
        
Shareholders’ equity:        
Shareholders' equity:        
Preferred stock, 0 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; NaN outstanding              
Common stock, 0 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding – 5,938,009 shares at September 30, 2020 and 5,898,878 shares at December 31, 2019  30,855   30,536 
Common stock, 0 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding – 5,962,466 shares at March 31, 2021 and 5,937,529 shares at December 31, 2020  31,066   30,961 
Retained earnings  54,290   50,581   58,209   55,978 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes  6,539   1,792   3,616   6,156 
                
Total shareholders’ equity  91,684   82,909 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $857,934  $720,353 
Total shareholders' equity  92,891   93,095 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $916,063  $868,991 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

3
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)            
For the periods ended September 30, Three months  Nine months 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
Interest income:                
Interest and fees on loans:                
Taxable $5,275  $4,397  $15,034  $12,329 
Exempt from Federal income taxes  202   186   635   501 
Interest on Federal funds sold           5 
Interest on deposits in banks  19   71   73   151 
Interest and dividends on investment securities:                
Taxable  1,523   1,846   4,894   5,756 
Exempt from Federal income taxes  36   55   109   221 
Total interest income  7,055   6,555   20,745   18,963 
Interest expense:                
Interest on deposits  261   545   1,074   1,558 
Interest on borrowings  74   82   243   300 
Total interest expense  335   627   1,317   1,858 
                 
Net interest income  6,720   5,928   19,428   17,105 
                 
Provision for loan losses  445   120   1,485   480 
                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  6,275   5,808   17,943   16,625 
                 
Noninterest income:                
Service charges on deposit accounts  115   149   381   409 
Gain on sale or call of securities     9   38   74 
Other noninterest income  259   259   743   766 
Total noninterest income  374   417   1,162   1,249 
                 
Noninterest expense:                
Salaries and employee benefits  2,889   2,898   8,265   8,423 
Occupancy  258   256   773   768 
Furniture and equipment  140   120   422   400 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessments  62   (47)  138   48 
Expenses related to other real estate owned  4   7   27   15 
Other expense  870   859   2,730   2,847 
Total noninterest expense  4,223   4,093   12,355   12,501 
                 
Income before provision for income taxes  2,426   2,132   6,750   5,373 
                 
Provision for income taxes  647   561   1,798   1,380 
                 
Net income $1,779  $1,571  $4,952  $3,993 
                 
Basic earnings per share $0.30  $0.27  $0.84  $0.68 
Diluted earnings per share $0.30  $0.27  $0.84  $0.68 
                 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)      
For the three months ended March 31,      
  2021  2020 
Interest income:        
Interest and fees on loans:        
Taxable $5,604  $4,675 
Exempt from Federal income taxes  193   230 
Interest on deposits in banks  8   34 
Interest and dividends on investment securities:        
Taxable  1,515   1,739 
Exempt from Federal income taxes  34   37 
Total interest income  7,354   6,715 
Interest expense:        
Interest on deposits  160   440 
Interest on borrowings  62   87 
Total interest expense  222   527 
         
Net interest income  7,132   6,188 
         
Provision for loan losses     495 
         
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  7,132   5,693 
         
Noninterest income:        
Service charges on deposit accounts  164   155 
Gain on sale of securities  172   38 
Other noninterest income  255   259 
Total noninterest income  591   452 
         
Noninterest expense:        
Salaries and employee benefits  2,762   2,865 
Occupancy  259   256 
Furniture and equipment  134   143 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessments  54   27 
Expenses related to other real estate owned  4   5 
Other expense  850   920 
Total noninterest expense  4,063   4,216 
         
Income before provision for income taxes  3,660   1,929 
         
Provision for income taxes  1,013   497 
         
Net income $2,647  $1,432 
         
Basic earnings per share $0.45  $0.24 
Diluted earnings per share $0.45  $0.24 
         

See notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

4
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands)              
For the periods ended September 30, Three months Nine months 
For the three months ended March 31,   
 2020 2019 2020 2019  2021 2020 
Net income $1,779  $1,571  $4,952  $3,993  $2,647  $1,432 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:                        
(Decrease) increase in net unrealized gains on investment
securities
  (83)  972   6,777   6,849   (3,434)  4,053 
Deferred tax benefit (expense)  24   (287)  (2,003)  (2,025)  1,016   (1,198)
(Decrease) increase in net unrealized gains on investment securities, net of tax  (59)  685   4,774   4,824   (2,418)  2,855 
                        
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income     (9)  (38)  (74)  (172)  (38)
Tax effect     3   11   22   50   11 
Realized gains, net of tax     (6)  (27)  (52)  (122)  (27)
                        
Total other comprehensive (loss) income  (59)  679   4,747   4,772   (2,540)  2,828 
                        
Comprehensive income $1,720  $2,250  $9,699  $8,765  $107  $4,260 

 

See Notesnotes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

5
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

           Accumulated    
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)          Other  Total 
  Common Stock  Retained  Comprehensive  Shareholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Equity 
Balance, January 1, 2019  5,858,428  $30,103  $46,494  $(1,876) $74,721 
                     
Net income        3,993       3,993 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:            4,772   4,772 
Cash dividends ($0.17 per share)      (1,000)      (1,000)
Net restricted stock award activity and related compensation expense  33,660   257          257 
Stock options exercised  11,140   95          95 
Stock option compensation expense     11           11 
                     
Balance, September 30, 2019  5,903,228  $30,466  $49,487  $2,896  $82,849 
                     
Balance, January 1, 2020  5,898,878  $30,536  $50,581  $1,792  $82,909 
                     
Net income        4,952       4,952 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:            4,747   4,747 
Cash dividends ($0.21 per share)      (1,243)      (1,243)
Net restricted stock award activity and related compensation expense  39,131   315          315 
Stock option compensation expense     4           4 
                     
Balance, September 30, 2020  5,938,009  $30,855  $54,290  $6,539  $91,684 

           Accumulated    
(dollars in thousands)      Other  Total 
  Common Stock  Retained  Comprehensive  Shareholders' 
  Shares  Amount  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Equity 
Balance, January 1, 2020  5,898,878  $30,536  $50,581  $1,792  $82,909 
Net income          1,432       1,432 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                    
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities              2,828   2,828 
                     
Cash dividends ($0.07 per share)          (413)      (413)
Net restricted stock award activity and related compensation expense  19,497   96           96 
Stock option compensation expense      2           2 
                     
Balance, March 31, 2020  5,918,375  $30,634  $51,600  $4,620  $86,854 
                     
Balance, January 1, 2021  5,937,529  $30,961  $55,978  $6,156  $93,095 
Net income          2,647       2,647 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:                    
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities              (2,540)  (2,540)
                     
Cash dividends ($0.07 per share)          (416)      (416)
Net restricted stock award activity and related compensation expense  22,761   90           90 
Stock options exercised  2,176   15           15 
                     
Balance, March 31, 2021  5,962,466  $31,066  $58,209  $3,616  $92,891 
                     

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

6
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

           Accumulated    
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)          Other  Total 
  Common Stock  Retained  Comprehensive  Shareholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Equity 
Balance, July 1, 2019  5,903,228  $30,373  $48,329  $2,217  $80,919 
                     
Net income        1,571       1,571 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax            679   679 
Cash dividends ($0.07 per share)      (413)      (413)
Net restricted stock award activity and related compensation expense     90           90 
Stock option compensation expense     3           3 
                     
Balance, September 30, 2019  5,903,228  $30,466  $49,487  $2,896  $82,849 
                     
Balance, July 1, 2020  5,938,009  $30,745  $52,927  $6,598  $90,270 
                     
Net income        1,779       1,779 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax          (59)  (59)
Cash dividends ($0.07 per share)      (416)      (416)
Net restricted stock award activity and related compensation expense     110           110 
                     
Balance, September 30, 2020  5,938,009  $30,855  $54,290  $6,539  $91,684 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

7

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands)      
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020  2019 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income $4,952  $3,993 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Provision for loan losses  1,485   480 
Increase (decrease) in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net  1,562   (454)
Depreciation and amortization  331   170 
Gain on sale of investment securities, net  (38)  (74)
Amortization of investment security premiums and discounts, net  985   1,117 
Increase in cash surrender values of life insurance policies  (258)  (247)
Stock based compensation expense  319   268 
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets  (2,327)  479 
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities  (2,645)  39 
         
Net cash provided by operating activities  4,366   5,771 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale investment securities  4,229   43,213 
Proceeds from matured available-for-sale investment securities     5,000 
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities  (36,479)  (56,978)
Proceeds from principal repayments for available-for-sale investment securities  33,091   33,375 
Proceeds from principal repayments for held-to-maturity investment securities  233   36 
Net increase in loans  (72,463)  (34,077)
Purchases of loans  (8,429)  (17,373)
Net decrease (increase) in FHLB stock  47   (327)
Purchases of equipment  (88)  (316)
         
Net cash used in investing activities  (79,859)  (27,447)

(dollars in thousands)      
For the three months ended March 31,      
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income $2,647  $1,432 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Provision for loan losses     495 
Increase (decrease) in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net  305   (64)
Depreciation and amortization  48   219 
Gain on sale of investment securities  (172)  (38)
Amortization of investment security premiums and discounts, net  764   304 
Increase in cash surrender values of life insurance policies  (61)  (84)
Stock based compensation expense  90   98 
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable and other assets  651   (407)
Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities  (239)  (2,380)
         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  4,033   (425)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale investment securities  11,048   4,229 
Proceeds from matured available-for-sale investment securities  734    
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities  (22,793)  (4,987)
Proceeds from principal repayments for available-for-sale investment securities  15,446   10,848 
Proceeds from principal repayments for held-to-maturity investment securities  2   8 
Net decrease in loans  4,115   8,164 
Purchases of loans  (1,285)  (2,837)
Purchases of equipment  (2)  (24)
         
Net cash provided by investing activities  7,265   15,401 
         

(Continued)

87
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)      
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020  2019 
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Net increase in demand, interest-bearing and savings deposits $128,808  $24,081 
Net decrease in time deposits  (4,814)  (1,851)
Net increase in short-term borrowings  3,000    
Net increase to long-term borrowings  4,960    
Proceeds from stock options exercised     95 
Cash dividends paid  (1,243)  (1,000)
         
Net cash provided by financing activities  130,711   21,325 
         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  55,218   (351)
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  17,810   29,733 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $73,028  $29,382 
         
Supplemental noncash disclosures:        
Right of use asset and obligation recorded upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 $  $3,570 
         
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right of use assets $508  $ 
         
Cash paid during the year for:        
Interest expense $1,386  $1,682 
Income taxes $1,765  $1,218 

(dollars in thousands)      
For the three months ended March 31,      
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from financing activities:        
         
Net increase in demand, interest-bearing and savings deposits $38,552  $1,193 
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits  5,840   (2,894)
Increase in short term borrowing     (4,000)
Proceeds from exercised options  15    
Cash dividends paid  (416)  (413)
         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  43,991   (6,114)
         
Increase in cash and cash equivalents  55,289   8,862 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  42,509   17,810 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $97,798  $26,672 
         
Supplemental noncash disclosures:        
         
Cash paid during the year for:        
Interest expense $227  $533 
Income taxes $  $ 
         

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

98
 

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2020March 31, 2021

 

1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of American River Bankshares (the “Company”"Company") at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, the results of its operations and statement of comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, its cash flows for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 and its statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Certain disclosures normally presented in the notes to the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’sCompany's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. The results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 may not necessarily be indicative of the operating results for the full year.

 

In preparing such financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Management has determined that since all of the banking products and services offered by the Company are available in each branch office of American River Bank, all branch offices are located within the same economic environment and management does not allocate resources based on the performance of different lending or transaction activities, it is appropriate to aggregate all of the branch offices and report them as a single operating segment. No client accounts for more than ten percent (10%) of revenues for the Company or American River Bank.

 

2. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity Plans

On March 18, 2020, the Board of Directors adopted the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 21, 2020. At September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 there were 19,63442,395 restricted shares outstanding, zero stock options outstanding, and the total number of authorized shares that remain available for issuance under the 2020 Plan, including the 19,63442,395 restricted shares that have not yet vested, was 250,000. The 2020 Plan provides for the following types of stock-based awards: incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted performance stock, unrestricted Company stock, and performance units. Under the 2020 Plan, the awards may be granted to employees and directors under incentive and nonqualified option agreements, restricted stock agreements, and other award agreements. The unvested restricted stock under the 2020 Plan have dividend and voting rights. The 2020 Plan requires that the option price may not be less than the fair market value of the stock at the date the option is awarded. The option awards expire on dates determined by the Board of Directors, but not later than ten years from the date of award. The vesting period is generally one to five years; however, the vesting period can be modified at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Outstanding option awards are exercisable until their expiration. New shares are issued upon exercise of an option.

 

On March 17, 2010, the Board of Directors adopted the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 20, 2010. At September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 there were 29,95827,782 stock options and 41,79023,364 restricted shares outstanding. The 2010 Plan expired by its term on March 17, 2020. Accordingly, outstanding awards under the 2010 Plan are exercisable and will continue to vest until their expiration, but no new awards may be granted under the 2010 Plan. The unvested restricted stock under the 2010 Plan have dividend and voting rights. The 2010 Plan required that the option price may not be less than the fair market value of the stock at the date the option is awarded. The option awards expire on dates determined by the Board of Directors, but not later than ten years from the date of award. All of the stock options previously awarded under the 2010 Plan are fully vested. New shares are issued upon exercise of an option. The initial vesting period for restricted stock issued under the 2010 Plan was generally three to five years; however, the vesting period can be modified at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

109
 

The award date fair value of awards is determined by the market price of the Company’sCompany's common stock on the date of award and is recognized ratably as compensation expense or director expense over the vesting periods. The shares of common stock awarded pursuant to such agreements vest in increments over one to five years from the date of award. The shares awarded to employees and directors under the restricted stock agreements vest on the applicable vesting dates only to the extent the recipient of the shares is then an employee or a director of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, and each recipient will forfeit all of the shares that have not vested on the date his or her employment or service is terminated.

Equity Compensation

For the three-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, the compensation cost recognized for equity compensation was $110,00090,000 and $93,00098,000, respectively, and therespectively. The recognized tax benefit for equity compensation expense was $30,00027,000 and $25,00026,000, respectively, for the same three-month periods. For the nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, the compensation cost recognized for equity compensation was $319,000 and $268,000, respectively, and the recognized tax benefit for equity compensation expense was $85,000 and $69,000, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.respectively.

At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was no unrecognized pre-tax compensation cost related to nonvested stock option awards. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021 the total compensation cost related to restricted stock awards not yet recorded wasis $573,000705,000. This amount will be recognized over the next 4.74.25 years and the weighted average period of recognizing these costs is expected to be 1.21.3 years.

Equity Plans Activity

Stock Options

There were no stock options awarded during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019.March 31, 2021 and 2020. A A summary of option activity under the Plans as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and changes during the period then ended is presented below:

 

 

 

 

Options

 Shares  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value ($000)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2020  29,958  $8.79   4.4 years  $182 
Awarded            
Exercised            
Expired, forfeited or cancelled            
Outstanding at September 30, 2020  29,958  $8.79   3.6 years  $35 
                 
Vested at September 30, 2020  29,958  $8.79   3.6 years  $35 
                 
Non-vested at September 30, 2020    $     $0 

 

Options Shares  

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value ($000)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2021  29,958  $8.79   3.4 years  $131 
Granted            
Exercised  (2,176)  7.07       
Expired, forfeited or cancelled            
Outstanding at March 31, 2021  27,782  $8.93   3.3 years  $205 
Vested at March 31, 2021  27,782  $8.93   3.3 years  $205 
Non-vested at March 31, 2021    $     $0 

Restricted Stock

 

There were no22,761 shares of restricted stock awarded during the three-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019. There were 39,131 and 33,96819,497 shares of restricted stock awarded during the nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

11

March 31, 2020. There were no15,501 and 9,000 restricted sharestock awards that were fully vested during the three-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019. There were 21,678 restricted share awards that were fully vested during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 and 15,423 restricted share awards that were fully vested during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. There were zero restricted share awards forfeited during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, respectively. There were zero restricted share awards forfeited during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The intrinsic value of nonvested restricted sharesstock at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was $612,0001,073,000.

10

Schedule of nonvested share activity

 

 

Restricted Stock

 Shares       Weighted
Average Award
Date Fair Value
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2020  43,971  $13.95 
Awarded  39,131   12.45 
Less: Vested  (21,678)  13.63 
Less: Expired, forfeited or cancelled     0 
Nonvested at September 30, 2020  61,424  $13.11 
Restricted Stock Shares  Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Nonvested at January 1, 2021  58,499  $13.03 
Awarded  22,761   15.25 
Less:  Vested  15,501   14.61 
Less:  Expired, forfeited or cancelled     0 
Nonvested at March 31, 2021  65,759  $13.43 

Other Equity Awards

 

There were no stock appreciation rights, restricted performance stock, unrestricted Company stock, or performance units awarded during the three-month or nine-month month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 or 2020 or 2019 or outstanding at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2019.2020.

 

The intrinsic value used for stock options and restricted stock awards was derived from the market price of the Company’s common stock of $9.9616.31 as of September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021.

 

3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

In the normal course of business there are outstanding various commitments to extend credit which are not reflected in the financial statements, including loan commitments of approximately $35,729,000 and 0 standby letters of credit of at September 30, 2020 and loan commitments of approximately $40,324,00043,649,000 and standby letters of credit of approximately $300,00060,000 at March 31, 2021 and loan commitments of approximately $32,851,000 and standby letters of credit of zero at December 31, 2019.2020. Such commitments relate primarily to real estate construction loans, revolving lines of credit and other commercial loans. However, all such commitments will not necessarily culminate in actual extensions of credit by the Company during 20202021 as some of these are expected to expire without being fully drawn upon.

 

Standby letters of credit are commitments issued to guarantee the performance or financial obligation of a client to a third party. These guarantees are issued primarily relating to purchases of inventory, insurance programs, performance obligations to government agencies, or as security for real estate rents by commercial clients and are typically short-term in nature. Credit risk is similar to that involved in extending loan commitments to clients and accordingly, evaluation and collateral requirements similar to those for loan commitments are used. The majority of all such commitments are collateralized. The fair value of the liability related to these standby letters of credit, which represents the fees received for issuing the guarantees, was not significant at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2019.2020.

4. EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPUTATION

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period (5,876,5855,886,297 shares and 5,868,3075,858,919 shares for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 5,852,463 and 5,845,242 shares for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019)respectively). Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, such as stock options or restricted stock, result in the issuance of common stock. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period plus the dilutive effect of stock based awards. There were awards (9,71935,661 and 14,386, respectively, dilutive shares for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 18,45324,657 and 18,737, respectively, dilutive shares for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020). For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, there were zero0 stock options that were excluded from the calculation as they were considered antidilutive. Earnings per share is retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits, if applicable, for all periods presented.

1211
 

5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity investment securities at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

Available-for-Sale

 September 30, 2020  March 31, 2021 
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Debt securities:                                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $235,441  $8,991  $(745) $243,687 
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $261,826  $6,326  $(1,665) $266,487 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  15,445   917      16,362   16,257   495   (29)  16,723 
U. S Treasury securities  11,663      (99)  11,564 
Corporate bonds  6,748   120      6,868   6,749   110   (5)  6,854 
 $257,634  $10,028  $(745) $266,917  $296,495  $6,931  $(1,798) $301,628 
                   
 December 31, 2019  December 31, 2020 
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Debt securities:                                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $239,617  $3,371  $(1,101) $241,887 
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $276,191  $8,474  $(832) $283,833 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  13,308   212   (73)  13,447   15,288   1,013      16,301 
Corporate bonds  6,496   135      6,631   6,748   85   (1)  6,832 
 $259,421  $3,718  $(1,174) $261,965  $298,227  $9,572  $(833) $306,966 

 

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities totaling $9,283,000$5,133,000 were recorded, net of $2,744,000$1,517,000 in tax liabilities, as accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020. There were no sales or realized gains from the sale of available-for-sale investment securities for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, proceedsMarch 31, 2021. Proceeds and gross realized gains from the sale and call of available-for-sale investment securities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 totaled $4,229,000$11,048,000 and $38,000,$172,000, respectively. There were no transfers of available-for-sale investment securities for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021.

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities totaling $2,544,000$8,739,000 were recorded, net of $752,000$2,583,000 in tax liabilities, as accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2019.2020. Proceeds and gross realized gains from the sale and call of available-for-sale investment securities totaled $13,538,000 and $9,000, respectively, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 totaled $4,229,000 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, proceeds and gross realized gains from the sale and call of available-for-sale investment securities totaled $43,213,000 and $74,000,$38,000, respectively. There were no transfers of available-for-sale investment securities for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.

Held-to-Maturity

March 31, 2021            
  Amortized
Cost
        Gross
Unrealized
Gains
       Gross
Unrealized
Losses
       Estimated
Fair Value
 
Debt securities:                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $10  $1  $  $11 
                 
December 31, 2020            
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
 
Debt securities:                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $12  $1  $  $13 

1312
 

Held-to-Maturity

September 30, 2020            
     Gross  Gross  Estimated 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
Debt securities:                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $15  $1  $  $16 
             
December 31, 2019            
     Gross  Gross  Estimated 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
Debt securities:                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $248  $18  $  $266 

There were no sales or transfers of held-to-maturity investment securities for the periods ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2019. March 31, 2020. Investment securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 are summarized and classified according to the duration of the loss period as follows (dollars in thousands):

September 30, 2020 Less than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
 
Available-for-Sale                 
    ��              
Debt securities:                        
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $32,735  $(255) $35,932  $(490) $68,667  $(745)
  $32,735  $(255) $35,932  $(490) $68,667  $(745)
          
December 31, 2019 Less than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
 
Available-for-Sale                 
                   
Debt securities:                        
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $65,082  $(438) $38,380  $(663) $103,462  $(1,101)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  8,060   (73)        8,060   (73)
  $73,142  $(511) $38,380  $(663) $111,522  $(1,174)

Investment securities with unrealized losses

March 31, 2021 Less than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
 
Available-for-Sale                        
                         
Debt securities:                        
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $81,619  $(1,307) $21,350  $(358) $102,969  $(1,665)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  2,328   (29)        2,328   (29)
U. S Treasury securities  11,564   (99)          11,564   (99)
Corporate bonds  745   (5)        745   (5)
  $96,256  $(1,440) $21,350  $(358) $117,606  $(1,798)
                         
December 31, 2020 Less than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Unrealized
Losses
 
Available-for-Sale                        
                         
Debt securities:                        
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $58,886  $(403) $31,138  $(429) $90,024  $(832)
Corporate bonds  749   (1)        749   (1)
  $59,635  $(404) $31,138  $(429) $90,773  $(833)

There were no held-to-maturity investment securities with unrealized losses as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2019. 2020.

At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Company held 205218 securities of which 1540 were in a loss position for less than twelve months and 2216 were in a loss position for twelve months or more.  Of the 15All 16 of these securities in a loss position for less than twelve months, all 15 were U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities securities andconsisted of the 22 securities that were in a loss position for greater than twelve months, all 22 were U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entitiesmortgage-backed securities.

At December 31, 2019,2020, the Company held 205204 securities of which 4129 were in a loss position for less than twelve months and 2921 were in a loss position for twelve months or more.  These 2950 securities consisted of mortgage-backed and corporate and municipal securities.  

The unrealized loss on the Company’sCompany's investment securities is primarily driven by interest rates.  Because the decline in market value is attributable to a change in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until recovery of fair value, which may be until maturity, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

14

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 by contractual maturity are shown below (dollars in thousands).

  Available-for-Sale  Held-to-Maturity 
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Within one year $2,278  $2,309         
After one year through five years  500   502         
After five years through ten years  16,131   16,907         
After ten years  3,284   3,512         
   22,193   23,230         
Investment securities not due at a single maturity date:                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities  235,441   243,687  $15  $16 
  $257,634  $266,917  $15  $16 
13

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities

  Available-for-Sale  Held-to-Maturity 
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair
Value
 
                 
Within one year $2,279  $2,292         
After one year through five years  360   361         
After five years through ten years  28,523   28,956         
After ten years  3,507   3,532         
   34,669   35,141         
Investment securities not due at a single maturity date:                
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies  261,826   266,487  $10  $11 
  $296,495  $301,628  $10  $11 

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

6. IMPAIRED AND NONPERFORMING LOANS AND OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

At September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020 the recorded investment in nonperforming loans was zero.zero in both periods. Nonperforming loans include all such loans that are either placed on nonaccrual status or are 90 days past due as to principal or interest but still accrue interest because such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection.

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the recorded investment in other real estate owned (“OREO”) was $800,000. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company repossessed and sold two automobiles that had combined loan balances of $66,000 and took a combined charge to the Allowance for Loan Losses (“ALLL”) of $9,000. At March 31, 2021, the Company did not own any residential OREO properties nor were there any residential properties in the process of foreclosure. During 2021, the Company did not add any new or sell any of the OREO properties, nor did we decrease the book value on any of the properties. The March 31, 2021 OREO balance of $800,000 consisted of one parcel of land zoned for commercial use. Nonperforming loans and other assets and OREO at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

Nonperforming assets

  March 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
Nonaccrual loans that are current to terms (less than 30 days past due) $  $ 
Nonaccrual loans that are past due      
Loans past due 90 days and accruing interest      
Other real estate owned  800   800 
Other assets      
Total nonperforming assets $800  $800 
         
Nonperforming loans to total loans  0   0 
Total nonperforming assets to total assets  0.09%  0.09%

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due (principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement.

At September 30, 2020 Impaired loans as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019, the recorded investment in other real estate owned (“OREO”) was $846,000. At September 30, 2020 the Company did not own any residential OREO properties nor were there any residential properties in the process of foreclosure. During the first nine months of 2020, the Company did not add any new or sell any of the OREO properties, nor did we decrease the book value on any of the properties. The September 30, 2020 OREO balance of $846,000 consisted of one parcel of land zoned for commercial use. Included in the other asset balance at June 30, 2020 was a repossessed automobile that was acquired in June 2020 with a book value of $19,000. The loan balance at the time of acquisition was $25,000 and was reduced by $6,000 though a charge to the allowance for loan losses. The asset was sold in early July 2020, for no further loss. Included in the other assets balance at December 30, 2019 is a repossessed automobile acquired in December 2019 with a book value of $517,000 that was sold in the first quarter of 2020 for no loss.

Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows:

(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2020
  December 31,
2019
 
Nonaccrual loans that are current to terms (less than 30 days past due) $  $ 
Nonaccrual loans that are past due      
Loans past due 90 days and accruing interest      
Other real estate owned  846   846 
Other assets     517 
Total nonperforming assets $846  $1,363 
         
Nonperforming loans to total loans  0.00%  0.00%
Total nonperforming assets to total assets  0.10%  0.19%

1514
 

Impaired loans as of and for the periods ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows:

(dollars in thousands) As of September 30, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 
(in thousands) As of March 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 
 

 

Recorded

Investment

 

Unpaid
Principal

Balance

 

 

Related

Allowance

 

 

Recorded

Investment

 

Unpaid
Principal

Balance

 

 

Related

Allowance

  

 

Recorded
Investment

 

Unpaid
Principal
Balance

 

 

Related
Allowance

 

 

Recorded
Investment

 

Unpaid
Principal
Balance

 

 

Related
Allowance

 
With no related allowance recorded:                                                
Real estate-commercial $5,102  $5,236  $  $5,530  $5,664  $  $5,046  $5,180  $  $5,075  $5,209  $ 
Real estate-residential  313   400      318   405      311   398      312   399    
Subtotal $5,415  $5,636  $  $5,848  $6,069  $  $5,357  $5,578  $  $5,387  $5,608  $ 
                                                
With an allowance recorded:                                                
                        
Real estate-commercial $1,565  $1,625  $121  $1,622  $1,693  $133  $1,512  $1,572  $100   1,539   1,599   106 
Real estate-residential  128   128   7   134   134   9   120   120   9   124   124   6 
Subtotal $1,693  $1,753  $128  $1,756  $1,827  $142  $1,632  $1,692  $109  $1,663  $1,723  $112 
                                                
Total:                                                
                        
Real estate-commercial $6,667  $6,861  $121  $7,152  $7,357  $133  $6,558  $6,752  $100  $6,614  $5,808  $106 
Real estate-residential  441   528   7   452   539   9   431   518   9   436   523   6 
 $7,108  $7,389  $128  $7,604  $7,896  $142  $6,989  $7,270  $109  $7,050  $7,331  $112 

 

The following table presents the average balance related to impaired loans for the periods indicated (dollars in(in thousands):

 

 Average Recorded Investments
for the three months ended
 Average Recorded Investments
for the nine months ended
  Average Recorded Investments
for the three months ended
 
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
  March 31,
2021
 March 31,
2020
 
Real estate-commercial $6,761  $7,231  $6,798  $7,347  $6,586  $7,125 
Real estate-residential  451   460   447   465   433   449 
Total $7,212  $7,691  $7,245  $7,812  $7,019  $7,574 
                

The following table presents the interest income recognized on impaired loans for the periods indicated (dollars in(in thousands):

  Interest Income Recognized
for the three months ended
  Interest Income Recognized
for the nine months ended
 
  September 30,
2020
  September 30,
2019
  September 30,
2020
  September 30,
2019
 
Real estate-commercial $107  $110  $301  $329 
Real estate-residential  5   7   19   19 
Total $112  $117  $320  $348 

  Interest Income Recognized
for the three months ended
 
  March 31,
2021
  March 31,
2020
 
Real estate-commercial $99  $106 
Real estate-residential  7   7 
Total $106  $113 

 

7. TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS

During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, there were no loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”).

There were no payment defaults during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or March 31, 2020 on TDRs within 12 months followingtroubled debt restructurings made in the modification for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.preceding twelve months. At September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, there were no unfunded commitments on those loans considered troubled debt restructured loans that had unfunded commitments.restructures. See also “Impaired Loans” in Item 2.

8. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

The Company’s loan portfolio allocated by management’smanagement's internal risk ratings as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 are summarized below (Commercial “Pass” loans includes $75,804,000$57,486,000 and $55,546,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans at September 30, 2020)March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively):

1615
 

September 30, 2020 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade 
(dollars in thousands)   Real Estate 
 Commercial Commercial Multi-family Construction Residential 
Grade:                    
Pass $115,561  $191,302  $42,739  $30,193  $22,958 
Watch  195   32,501      311   4,762 
Special mention  4,400   124          
Substandard     1,202          
Doubtful               
Total $120,156  $225,129  $42,739  $30,504  $27,720 
       
 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade 
 Other Credit Exposure     
 Agriculture Consumer     Total 
Grade:                    
Pass $6,138  $28,053      $436,944 
Watch     107           37,876 
Special mention                4,524 
Substandard                1,202 
Doubtful                 
Total $6,138  $28,160          $480,546 
   
December 31, 2019 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade 
March 31, 2021 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade 
(dollars in thousands)   Real Estate    Real Estate 
 Commercial Commercial Multi-family Construction Residential  Commercial Commercial Multi-family Construction Residential 
Grade:                                        
Pass $38,085  $208,140  $56,818  $23,169  $ 28,570  $87,216  $227,925  $45,254  $25,242  $31,234 
Watch  4,915   6,329         610   6,766   18,100         515 
Special mention  19                  1,437          
Substandard     135               1,198          
Doubtful or loss                              
Total $43,019  $214,604  $56,818  $23,169  $29,180  $93,982  $248,660  $45,254  $25,242  $31,749 
              
 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade  Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
Other Credit Exposure
     
 Other Credit Exposure      Agriculture Consumer     Total 
Grade:                    
Pass $6,034  $26,462          $449,367 
Watch     133           25,514 
Special mention                1,437 
Substandard                1,198 
Doubtful or loss                 
Total $6,034  $26,595          $477,516 
                    
December 31, 2020 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade 
(dollars in thousands)   Real Estate 
 Agriculture Consumer     Total  Commercial Commercial Multi-family Construction Residential 
Grade:                                        
Pass $6,479  $26,317        $387,578  $90,021  $229,887  $48,760  $18,424  $31,760 
Watch     75           11,929   4,501   20,143         569 
Special mention                19      118          
Substandard                135      1,200          
Doubtful                 
Doubtful or loss               
Total $6,479  $26,392          $399,661  $94,522  $251,348  $48,760  $18,424  $32,329 
                    
 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
Other Credit Exposure
     
 Agriculture Consumer     Total 
Grade:                    
Pass $6,091  $28,668          $453,611 
Watch     136           25,349 
Special mention                118 
Substandard                1,200 
Doubtful or loss                 
Total $6,091  $28,804          $480,278 

Tables above do not include loan fees of $2,283,000 at September 30, 2020 and $721,000 at December 31, 2019.

1716
 

The allocation of the Company’s allowance for loan losses and by portfolio segment and by impairment methodology are summarized below (Commercial loans includes $75,804,000$57,486,000 and $55,546,000 in PPP loans at September 30,March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and do not carry any associated allowance for loan loss, as they are 100% guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”)) )):

Schedule of Impaired Loans

September 30, 2020                     
March 31, 2021           
(dollars in thousands)   Real Estate Other        Real Estate Other     
 Commercial Commercial Multi-family Construction Residential Agriculture Consumer Unallocated Total  Commercial Commercial Multi-family Construction Residential Agriculture Consumer Unallocated Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses                                                                        
                                    
Beginning balance, January 1, 2020 $950  $1,906  $329  $986  $281  $107  $334  $245  $5,138 
Beginning balance, January 1, 2021 $922  $3,466  $411  $687  $388  $85  $391  $278  $6,628 
Provision for loan losses  62   1,136   12   189   44   (19)  59   2   1,485   (149)  (61)  (34)  236   (1)     (19)  28    
Loans charged-off  (27)                 (6)     (33)                    (9)     (9)
Recoveries  13   13                     26   76   1                     77 
                                                                        
Ending balance, September 30, 2020 $998  $3,055  $341  $1,175  $325  $88  $387  $247  $6,616 
Ending balance, March 31, 2021 $849  $3,406  $377  $923  $387  $85  $363  $306  $6,696 
                                                       
Ending balance:                                                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $121  $  $  $7  $  $  $  $128  $  $100  $  $  $9  $  $  $  $109 
                                                                        
Ending balance:                                                                        
Collectively evaluated for impairment $998  $2,934  $341  $1,175  $318  $88  $387  $247  $6,488  $849  $3,306  $377  $923  $378  $85  $363  $306  $6,587 
                                                                        
Loans                                                                        
                                                                        
Ending balance $120,156  $225,129  $42,739  $30,504  $27,720  $6,138  $28,160  $  $480,546  $93,982  $248,660  $45,254  $25,242  $31,749  $6,034  $26,595  $  $477,516 
                                                                        
Ending balance:                                                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $6,667  $  $  $441  $  $  $  $7,108  $  $6,558  $  $  $431  $  $  $  $6,989 
                                                                        
Ending balance:                                                                        
Collectively evaluated for impairment $120,156  $218,462  $42,739  $30,504  $27,279  $6,138  $28,160  $  $473,438  $93,982  $242,102  $45,254  $25,242  $31,318  $6,034  $26,595  $  $470,527 
                                    
Allowance for Loan Losses                                    
                                    
Beginning balance, July 1, 2020 $927  $2,708  $364  $1,105  $359  $96  $392  $247  $6,198 
Provision for loan losses  98   347   (23)  70   (34)  (8)  (5)     445 
Loans charged off  (27)                       (27)
Recoveries                           
                                    
Ending balance, September 30, 2020 $998  $3,055  $341  $1,175  $325  $88  $387  $247  $6,616 
1817
 
December 31, 2020                           
(dollars in thousands)    Real Estate  Other       
  Commercial  Commercial  Multi-family  Construction  Residential  Agriculture  Consumer  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses                                    
                                     
Ending balance $922  $3,466  $411  $687  $388  $85  $391  $278  $6,628 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $106  $  $  $6  $  $  $  $112 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Collectively evaluated for impairment $922  $3,360  $411  $687  $382  $85  $391  $278  $6,516 
                                     
Loans                                    
                                     
Ending balance $94,522  $251,348  $48,760  $18,424  $32,329  $6,091  $28,804  $  $480,278 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $6,614  $  $  $436  $  $  $  $7,050 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Collectively evaluated for impairment $94,522  $244,734  $48,760  $18,424  $31,893  $6,091  $28,804  $  $473,228 
                            
March 31, 2020                           
(dollars in thousands)    Real Estate  Other       
  Commercial  Commercial  Multi-family  Construction  Residential  Agriculture  Consumer  Unallocated  Total 
Beginning balance, January 1, 2020 $950  $1,906  $329  $986  $281  $107  $334  $245  $5,138 
Provision for loan losses  63   349   64   (98)  56   (4)  58   7   495 
Loans charged-off                           
Recoveries  1   3                     4 
                                     
Ending balance, March 31, 2020 $1,014  $2,258  $393  $888  $337  $103  $392  $252  $5,637 

December 31, 2019                           
(dollars in thousands)    Real Estate  Other       
  Commercial  Commercial  Multi-family  Construction  Residential  Agriculture  Consumer  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses                                    
                                     
Ending balance $950  $1,906  $329  $986  $281  $107  $334  $245  $5,138 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $133  $  $  $9  $  $  $  $142 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Collectively evaluated for impairment $950  $1,773  $329  $986  $272  $107  $334  $245  $4,996 
                                     
Loans                                    
                                     
Ending balance $43,019  $214,604  $56,818  $23,169  $29,180  $6,479  $26,392  $  $399,661 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Individually evaluated for impairment $  $7,152  $  $  $452  $  $  $  $7,604 
                                     
Ending balance:                                    
Collectively evaluated for impairment $43,019  $207,452  $56,818  $23,169  $28,728  $6,479  $26,392  $  $392,057 
                            
September 30, 2019                           
(dollars in thousands)    Real Estate  Other       
  Commercial  Commercial  Multi-family  Construction  Residential  Agriculture  Consumer  Unallocated  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses                                    
                                     
Beginning balance, January 1, 2019 $668  $2,114  $564  $267  $220  $88  $192  $279  $4,392 
Provision for loan losses  257   (184)  (149)  339   105   29   92   (9)  480 
Loans charged-off                           
Recoveries  5   8               68      81 
                                     
Ending balance, September 30, 2019 $930  $1,938  $415  $606  $325  $117  $352  $270  $4,953 
                                     
Allowance for Loan Losses                                    
                                     
Beginning balance, July 1, 2019 $794  $2,085  $390  $454  $358  $131  $318  $231  $4,761 
Provision for loan losses  134   (149)  25   152   (33)  (14)  (34)  39   120 
Loans charged off                           
Recoveries  2   2               68      72 
                                     
Ending balance, September 30, 2019 $930  $1,938  $415  $606  $325  $117  $352  $270  $4,953 

1918
 

The Company’s aging analysis of the loan portfolio at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 are summarized below:below (Commercial loans includes $57,486,000 and $55,546,000 in PPP loans at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively):

March 31, 2021                        
(dollars in thousands) 30-59 Days
Past Due
  60-89 Days
Past Due
  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days
  Total Past
Due
  Current  Total Loans  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days and
Accruing
  Nonaccrual 
Commercial:                                
Commercial $  $  $  $  $93,982  $93,982  $  $ 
Real estate:                                
Commercial              248,660   248,660       
Multi-family              45,254   45,254       
Construction              25,242   25,242       
Residential              31,749   31,749       
Other:                                
Agriculture              6,034   6,034       
Consumer              26,595   26,595       
                                 
Total $  $  $  $  $477,516  $477,516  $  $ 
                                 
December 31, 2020                        
(dollars in thousands) 30-59 Days
Past Due
  60-89 Days
Past Due
  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days
  Total Past
Due
  Current  Total Loans  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days and
Accruing
  Nonaccrual 
Commercial:                                
Commercial $  $  $  $  $94,522  $94,522  $  $ 
Real estate:                                
Commercial              251,348   251,348       
Multi-family              48,760   48,760       
Construction              18,424   18,424       
Residential              32,329   32,329       
Other:                                
Agriculture              6,091   6,091       
Consumer              28,804   28,804       
                                 
Total $  $  $  $  $480,278  $480,278  $  $ 

September 30, 2020                        
(dollars in thousands)                        
  30-59 Days
Past Due
  60-89 Days
Past Due
  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days
  Total Past
Due
  Current  Total Loans  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days and
Accruing
  Nonaccrual 
Commercial:                                
Commercial $  $  $  $  $120,156  $120,156  $  $ 
                                 
Real estate:                                
Commercial              225,129   225,129       
Multi-family              42,739   42,739       
Construction              30,504   30,504       
Residential              27,720   27,720       
                                 
Other:                                
Agriculture              6,138   6,138       
Consumer              28,160   28,160       
                                 
Total $  $  $  $  $480,546  $480,546  $  $ 
                         
December 31, 2019                        
(dollars in thousands)                        
  30-59 Days
Past Due
  60-89 Days
Past Due
  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days
  Total Past
Due
  Current  Total Loans  Past Due
Greater Than
89 Days and
Accruing
  Nonaccrual 
Commercial:                                
Commercial $  $  $  $  $43,019  $43,019  $  $ 
                                 
Real estate:                                
Commercial              214,604   214,604       
Multi-family              56,818   56,818       
Construction              23,169   23,169       
Residential              29,180   29,180       
                                 
Other:                                
Agriculture              6,479   6,479       
Consumer  75            26,317   26,392       
                                 
Total $75  $  $  $  $399,586  $399,661  $  $ 

2019
 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) is encouraging financial institutions, like American River Bank, to provide borrowers affected in a variety of ways by the COVID-19 outbreak with payment accommodations that facilitate their ability to work through the immediate impact of the virus. Such assistance provided in a prudent manner to borrowers facing short-term setbacks could help the borrower and our community to recover. The FDIC indicated that these loan accommodation programs should be ultimately targeted toward loan repayment, but that if provided in a prudent manner such programs can help borrowers and communities recover from short-term setbacks.

 

The FDIC suggested that financial institutions should consider ways to address any deferred or skipped payments such as extending the original maturity date or by making those payments due in a balloon payment at the maturity date of the loan. During the second and third quarters of 2020, the Company made arrangements with some of its borrowers to defer principal and interest payments from three to six months and extend the original maturities by a like term, defer principal and interest payments from three to six months, with the amount deferred due at maturity, and defer principle payments for six months, with the amount deferred due at maturity. These arrangements are not considered TDRs as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), provided relief from certain requirements under U.S. GAAP. Section 4013 of the CARES Act gives entities temporary relief from the accounting and disclosure requirements for TDRs under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-40 in certain situations. All of these arrangements met such requirements. The Company continues to accrue interest on all of the loan deferrals. The amount of deferred loans at June 30, 2020 totaled $96,465,000. This balance has been reduced by paydowns, payoffs, or loans returning to normal payments, to $39,576,000$4,882,000 as of September 30,December 31, 2020. These loans are not considered past due until after the deferral period is over and scheduled payments have resumed. During the first quarter of 2021, both of the loan deferrals comprised of the $4,882,000 at December 31, 2020 began making their scheduled payments and one additional loan, in the amount of $2,017,000, was granted a three-month interest only arrangement and is scheduled to resume contractual payments in the second quarter of 2021.

9. LEASES

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), on January 1, 2019, using the alternative transition method whereby comparative periods were not restated. No cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was required. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classifications. Additionally, the Company elected the hindsight practical expedient to determine the lease term for existing leases.

 

The Company leases nine locations for administrative offices and branch locations. All leases were classified as operating leases. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elected to use the practical expedient to not recognize short-term leases on the consolidated balance sheet and instead account for them as executory contracts.

Certain leases include options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term, typically for five years. Lease assets and liabilities include related options that are reasonably certain of being exercised, however, in the case of those leases that have renewal options, the Company is not including those additional lease terms as the rates are undeterminable and it has been the Company’s historical practice to renegotiate lease terms upon expiration of the original lease terms. The depreciable life of leased assets is limited by the expected lease term.

 

Adoption of this standard resulted in the Company recognizing a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability of $3,570,000 on January 1, 2019.

Supplemental lease information at or for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

  2021  2020 
Balance Sheet        
Operating lease asset classified as other assets $2,551,000  $2,717,000 
Operating lease liability classified as other liabilities  2,730,000   2,392,000 
         
Income Statement        
Operating lease cost classified as occupancy and equipment expense $194,000  $190,000 
Weighted average lease term, in years  5.87   5.47 
Weighted average discount rate (1)  2.98%  2.98%
Operating cash flows $190,000  $194,000 

 

Balance Sheet    
     
Operating lease asset classified as other assets $2,396,000 
Operating lease liability classified as other liabilities  2,593,000 
     
Income Statement    
     
Operating lease cost classified as occupancy and equipment expense $576,000 
Weighted average lease term, in years  5.18 
Weighted average discount rate (1)  3.01%
Operating cash flows $585,000 

(1)The discount rate was developed by using the fixed rate credit advance borrowing rate at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco for a term correlating to the remaining life of each lease.

2120
 

A maturity analysis of the Company’s lease liabilities at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was as follows:

  Balance 
October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 $194,000 
January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021  777,000 
January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022  753,000 
January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023  329,000 
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024  322,000 
Thereafter  985,000 
Total lease payments  3,360,000 
Less: Interest  (767,000)
Present value of lease liabilities $2,593,000 
  Balance 
April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 $583,000 
January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022  753,000 
January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023  329,000 
January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024  322,000 
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025  232,000 
Thereafter  753,000 
Total lease payments  2,972,000 
Less:  Interest  (242,000)
Present value of lease liabilities $2,730,000 

10. BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

 

At September 30,March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had $17,000,000 of unsecured short-term borrowing arrangements with two of its correspondent banks. There were no advances under the borrowing arrangements as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2019.2020.

 

The Company has a line of credit available with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the “FHLB”) which is secured by pledged mortgage loans and investment securities. Borrowings may include overnight advances as well as loans with terms of up to thirty years. Advances (both short-term and long-term) totaling $25,500,00020,787,000 were outstanding from the FHLB at September 30,March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, bearing interest rates ranging from 0.00% to 3.17%2.43% and maturing between October 27,April 12, 20202021 and November 24,October 20, 2023. Advances totaling $19,500,000 were outstanding from the FHLB at December 31, 2019, bearing interest rates ranging from 1.31% to 3.17% and maturing between January 1, 2020 and November 24, 20232025. Remaining amounts available under the borrowing arrangement with the FHLB at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 totaled $139,246,000152,049,000 and $143,406,000132,409,000, respectively. In addition, the Company has a secured borrowing agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The borrowing can be secured by pledging selected loans and investment securities. Borrowings generally are short-term including overnight advances as well as loans with terms up to ninety days. Amounts available under this borrowing arrangement at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 were $6,345,0006,021,000 and $8,642,0006,209,000, respectively. There were no advances outstanding under this borrowing arrangement as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019. On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank created the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility (“PPPLF”) to allow commercial lenders to pledge Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans as collateral to borrow against and help commercial lenders fund PPP loans. The term of these loans would be equal to the term of the PPP loans pledged and could be prepaid earlier with no prepayment penalty. At September 30, 2020, an advance totaling $1,960,000 was outstanding under the PPPLF. The Company has pledged $1,960,000 in PPP loans against this advance that matures on April 10, 2022 at a rate of 0.35%. The advance was paid off in full on October 13, 2020. The Company can pledge its remaining unpledged PPP loans as collateral for additional advances, if needed, until December 31, 2020.

 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

The Company files its income taxes on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries. The allocation of income tax expense (benefit) represents each entity’sentity's proportionate share of the consolidated provision for (benefit from) income taxes.

The Company accounts for income taxes using the balance sheet method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. On the consolidated balance sheet, net deferred tax assets are included in accrued interest receivable and other assets.

The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any.  Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above, if applicable, is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if applicable, as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statement of income. There have been no unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019.2020.

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12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019.2020. They indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value. The authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair value measurement is the exchange price to sell the asset or transfer the liability (exit price) in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact.

 

The authoritative accounting guidance requires the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement costs). Valuation techniques should be consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, the authoritative guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

 ·Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 ·Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 ·Level 3 Inputs – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

 

A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

 

Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include market spreads, cash flows, the United States Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, dealer quotes, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other items. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’sCompany's financial instruments are as follows (dollars in thousands):

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Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

  Carrying  Fair Value Measurements Using:    
March 31, 2021 Amount  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $18,927  $18,927  $  $  $18,927 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  78,871   78,871         78,871 
Available-for-sale Securities  301,628      301,628      301,628 
Held-to-maturity securities  10      11      11 
Net loans  468,718         479,432   479,432 
Accrued interest receivable  3,460      1,502   1,958   3,460 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits:                    
Noninterest-bearing $339,714  $339,714  $  $  $339,714 
Savings  93,622   93,622         93,622 
Money market  186,086   186,086         186,086 
Interest checking  94,126   94,126         94,126 
Time Deposits  75,021      75,347      75,347 
Short-term borrowings  7,000   7,000         7,000 
Long-term borrowings  13,787      13,945      13,945 
Accrued interest payable  37   9   28      37 
                     
  Carrying  Fair Value Measurements Using:    
December 31, 2020 Amount  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $14,030  $14,030  $  $  $14,030 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  28,479   26,733   1,746      28,479 
Available-for-sale Securities  306,966      306,966      306,966 
Held-to-maturity securities  12      13      13 
Net loans:  471,853         474,400   474,400 
Accrued interest receivable  3,733      1,428   2,305   3,733 
Financial liabilities:                    
                     
Deposits:                    
Noninterest-bearing $330,095  $330,095  $  $  $330,095 
Savings  87,315   87,315         87,315 
Money market  175,541   175,541         175,541 
Interest checking  82,045   82,045         82,045 
Time Deposits  69,181      69,511      69,511 
Short-term borrowings  7,000   7,000         7,000 
Long-term borrowings  13,787      13,967      13,967 
Accrued interest payable  42   3   39      42 

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  Carrying  Fair Value Measurements Using:    
September 30, 2020 Amount  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $16,559  $16,559  $  $  $16,559 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  56,469   54,723   1,746      56,469 
Available-for-sale securities  266,917      266,917      266,917 
Held-to-maturity securities  15      16      16 
Net loans  471,647         479,071   479,071 
Accrued interest receivable  3,710      1,024   2,686   3,710 
                    
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits:                    
Noninterest-bearing $295,862  $295,862  $  $  $295,862 
Savings  85,937   85,937         85,937 
Money market  193,647   193,647         193,647 
Interest checking  84,390   84,390         84,390 
Time Deposits  68,995      69,382      69,382 
Short-term borrowings  12,000   12,000         12,000 
Long-term borrowings  15,460      15,966      15,966 
Accrued interest payable  51      51      51 
                     
                     
  Carrying  Fair Value Measurements Using:    
December 31, 2019 Amount  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $15,258  $15,258  $  $  $15,258 
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  2,552   806   1,746      2,552 
Available-for-sale securities  261,965      261,965      261,965 
Held-to-maturity securities  248      266      266 
FHLB stock  4,259             
Net loans:  393,802         396,089   396,089 
Accrued interest receivable  1,929      780   1,149   1,929 
Financial liabilities:                    
                     
Deposits:                    
Noninterest-bearing $227,055  $227,055  $  $  $227,055 
Savings  75,820   75,820         75,820 
Money market  158,319   158,319         158,319 
NOW accounts  69,834   69,834         69,834 
Time Deposits  73,809      73,924      73,924 
Short-term borrowings  9,000   9,000         9,000 
Long-term borrowings  10,500      10,714      10,714 
Accrued interest payable  120      120      120 

Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’sCompany's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis are presented in the following table:

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis along with any related gain or loss recognized in the income statement due to fair value changes are presented in the following table:

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Description    Fair Value Measurements Using:  Total Gains 
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  (Losses) 
September 30, 2020              
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:                    
Available-for-sale securities:                    
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $243,680  $  $243,680  $  $ 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  16,362      16,362       
Corporate bonds  6,868      6,868       
Total recurring $266,917  $  $266,917  $  $ 
                     
Assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis:                    
                     
Other real estate owned Land $846  $  $  $846  $ 
Total nonrecurring $846  $  $  $846  $ 

Description    Fair Value Measurements Using  Total Gains 
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  (Losses) 
March 31, 2021
                    
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:                    
Available-for-sale securities:                    
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $266,487  $  $266,487  $  $ 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  16,723      16,723       
U.S. Treasury securities  11,564   11,564          
Corporate Debt securities  6,854      6,854       
Total recurring $301,628  $11,564  $290,064  $  $ 
                     
Assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis:                    
                     
Other real estate owned Land $800  $  $  $800  $ 
Total nonrecurring $800  $  $  $800  $ 
                     
Description    Fair Value Measurements Using  Total Gains 
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  (Losses) 
December 31, 2020
                    
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:                    
Available-for-sale securities:                    
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $283,833  $  $283,833  $  $ 
Corporate Debt securities  6,832      6,832         
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  16,301      16,301       
Total recurring $306,966  $  $306,966  $  $ 
                     
Assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis:                    
                     
Other real estate owned Land $800  $  $  $800  $(46)
Total nonrecurring $800  $  $  $800  $(46)

At September 30, 2020, there were no impaired loans carried at fair value as the appraised value exceeded carrying value.

Description    Fair Value Measurements Using:  Total Gains 
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  (Losses) 
December 31, 2019               
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:                    
Available-for-sale securities:                    
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $241,887  $  $241,887  $  $ 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  13,447      13,447       
Corporate bonds  6,631      6,631       
Total recurring $261,965  $  $261,965  $  $ 
                     
Assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis:                    
Other assets:                    
Repossessed asset $517  $  $  $517  $ 
                     
Other real estate owned Land  846         846    
Total nonrecurring $1,363  $  $  $1,363  $ 

At December 31, 2019, there were no impaired loans carried at fair value as the appraised value exceeded carrying value.

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument above:

Available-for-sale securitiesFair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices, if available, and are considered Level 1, or evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and are considered Level 2. Pricing applications apply available information, as applicable, through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking to like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.

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Impaired loans – The fair value of collateral dependent impaired loans adjusted for specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on recent real estate appraisals and/or evaluations. These appraisals and/or evaluations may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales, cost and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income and other available data. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. The valuation technique used for all Level 3 nonrecurring impaired loans is the sales comparison approach less a reserve for past dues taxes and selling costs ranging from 8% to 10%.

Other assets and real estate owned – Other assets can contain non-real estate property obtained by repossession of collateral in the case of a loan default and are measured at fair value, less costs to sell. Certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as OREO are measured at fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are based on recent appraisals and/or evaluations. These appraisals and/or evaluations may use a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales, cost and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income and other available data. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. The valuation technique used for all Level 3 nonrecurring other assets and OREO is the sales comparison approach less selling costs ranging from 8% to 10%.

13. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”"FASB") issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren’t measured at fair value through net income. In issuing the standard, the FASB is responding to criticism that today’s guidance delays recognition of credit losses. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss”"incurred loss" approach with an “expected loss”"expected loss" model. The new model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”("CECL") model, will apply to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale (“AFS”("AFS") debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, entities will recognize changes to estimated credit losses immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as they do today. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. ASU 2016-13 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for credit losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU No. 2016-13 was initially scheduled to become effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, however, on November 15, 2019 the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 delaying the effective date for smaller reporting companies, such as the Company, to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022; early adoption is still permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (i.e., modified retrospective approach). As discussed in Note 15 below, the Company has entered into an Agreement to Merge and Plan of Reorganization with Bank of Marin Bancorp. While the Company is currently evaluatingcontinues to evaluate the provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 to determine the potential impact of the new standard willmay have on the Company’sCompany's Consolidated Financial Statements, including if it may not remain an independent Company and, therefore, not be subject to adoption of ASU No. 2016-13. Instead, the Company would be merged into Bank of Marin Bancorp. The Company will early adoptcontinue to take the standard, it has taken steps to prepare for the implementation when itif the merger does not becomes effective, such as forming ancontinue meetings of its internal task force, gathering pertinent data, consulting with outside professionals, evaluating its current IT systems, and purchasing amaintaining its software solution. The Company has imported current and historical data into the new software and is currently validating the data and intends to begin processing information, if needed, on a test basis, with the new CECL specific software during 2021 and to disclose any material potential impact of this modeling, if necessary, once it becomes available.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). – Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, modify/clarify the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU 2018-13 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The effects of adopting ASU No. 2018-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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14. NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC (“COVID-19”)

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant health, economic and other major pressures on the individuals and communities we serve, the state of California, the United States and the entire world. We have implemented a number of procedures in response to the pandemic to support the safety and wellbeing of our employees and clients, and the financial viability of our clients, that continue through the date of this report:

 ·We have addressed the safety of our ten branches and our corporate office, following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control.  While our branches generally remain open to clients, we have taken steps, and continue to evaluate those steps, to push as much traffic and transactions as possible to our digital and electronic channels and our night depositories, and many of our employees can and are working remotely;remotely;

 ·We hold regular executive meetings to address issues that change rapidly;
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 ·Provided extensions and loan payment deferrals to our borrowers effected by COVID-19 provided such clients were not 30 days past due; and
 ·We have been participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under CARES Act to help provide potentially forgivable loans to our business clients to provide them with additional working capital to enable them to retain their employees.  During the second quarter of 2020, we funded 477 PPP loans totaling $80,154,000.  We did not fund anyDuring the first quarter of 2021 we funded 201 PPP loans duringtotaling $25,465,000.  During the thirdfourth quarter of 2020. We believe these loans2020 and our participation incontinuing into the program are goodfirst quarter we began processing PPP forgiveness applications for our clients and the communities we serve.PPP borrowers.  At March 31, 2021, 368 PPP loans totaling $57,486,000 were remaining.  

We continue to closely monitor this pandemic and expect to make future changes to respond to the pandemic as this situation continues to evolve.

 

The potential financial impact is unknown at this time. However, if the economic downturn currently being experienced is sustained, it may adversely impact industries within our business footprint and impair the ability of the Company’s borrowers to fulfill their contractual obligations and reduce our opportunity to create new client relationships. This could cause the Company to experience a material adverse effect to its business operations, asset valuations, financial condition and results of operations. Material adverse effects may include losses in earnings, higher loan loss provisions, and valuation impairments on the Company’s loans, investments, goodwill, or deferred tax assets.

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Company will merge (the “Merger”) with and into Bank of Marin Bancorp (“Marin Bancorp”) with Marin Bancorp surviving, followed immediately thereafter by the merger (the “Bank Merger”) of American River Bank, with and into Bank of Marin, a California corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Marin Bancorp, with Bank of Marin surviving. The Merger Agreement was approved by the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Marin Bancorp.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, excluding certain specified shares, will be converted into the right to receive 0.575 (the “Exchange Ratio”) of a share of Marin Bancorp common stock (the “Merger Consideration”). In addition, at the Effective Time, (i) each option to purchase shares of Company common stock, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be canceled and exchanged for the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the product of (x) the total number of shares of Company common stock subject to such option and (y) the excess, if any, of (A) the product of (1) the volume weighted average price of Marin Bancorp common stock on each of the last fifteen trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (2) the Exchange Ratio, over (B) the exercise price per share under such option, less applicable taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment; and (ii) any vesting conditions applicable to each outstanding restricted stock award and each outstanding restricted stock unit will accelerate in full, and each such restricted stock award and restricted stock unit will be treated as any other outstanding share of Company common stock entitled to receive the Merger Consideration. See the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 19, 2021 for further information.

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

The following is management’smanagement's discussion and analysis of the significant changes in American River Bankshares’ (the “Company”) balance sheet accounts between December 31, 20192020 and September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and its income and expense accounts for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019.2020. The discussion is designed to provide a better understanding of significant trends related to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources and interest rate sensitivity. This discussion and supporting tables and the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report are unaudited. Interest income and net interest income are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis (FTE) within management’smanagement's discussion and analysis. Certain matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including, but not limited to, matters described in this “Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may contain words related to future projections including, but not limited to, words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” and variations of those words and similar words that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those projected. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the following:

·The adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, our business, borrowers, customers and employees and the impact of local, state and federal governments in response to the pandemic, including various government stimulus packages;
·current and future legislation and regulation promulgated by the United States Congress and actions taken by governmental agencies that may impact the U.S. financial system;
·the risks presented by economic volatility and recession, which could adversely affect credit quality, collateral values, including real estate collateral, investment values, liquidity and loan originations and loan portfolio delinquency rates;
·variances in the actual versus projected growth in assets and return on assets;
·potential loan losses;
·potential expenses associated with resolving nonperforming assets;
·changes in the interest rate environment including interest rates charged on loans, earned on securities investments and paid on deposits and other borrowed funds;
·competitive effects;
·the effects of strategic transactions we are a party to;
·inadequate internal controls over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures;
·changes in accounting policies and practices and the effects of adopting ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”);
·potential declines in fee and other noninterest income earned associated with economic factors;
·general economic conditions nationally, regionally, and within our operating markets could be less favorable than expected or could have a more direct and pronounced effect on us than expected and adversely affect our ability to continue internal growth at historical rates and maintain the quality of our earning assets;
·changes in the regulatory environment including increased capital and regulatory compliance requirements and government intervention in the U.S. financial system;
·changes in business conditions and inflation;
·changes in securities markets, public debt markets, and other capital markets;
·potential data processing, cybersecurity and other operational systems failures, breach or fraud;
·potential decline in real estate values in our operating markets;
·the effects of uncontrollable events such as terrorism, the threat of terrorism or the impact of military conflicts in connection with the conduct of the war on terrorism by the United States and its allies, natural disasters (including earthquakes and wildfires), pandemic disease and viruses, and disruption of power supplies and communications;
·changes in accounting standards, tax laws or regulations and interpretations of such standards, laws or regulations;
·projected business increases following any future strategic expansion could be lower than expected;
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·the goodwill we have recorded in connection with acquisitions could become impaired, which may have an adverse impact on our earnings;
·our ability to comply with any regulatory orders or requirements we may become subject to;
·the effects and costs of litigation, regulatory, and other legal developments;
·the reputation of the financial services industry could experience deterioration, which could adversely affect our ability to access markets for funding and to acquire and retain customers;
·the possibility that the announced merger with Bank of Marin Bancorp (“Marin Bancorp”) does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder or other approvals, financial tests or other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all;
·the businesses of the Company and Marin Bancorp may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;
·changes in the Company’s or Marin Bancorp’s stock price before the effective time of the merger, including as a result of financial performance, or more generally due to broader stock market movements, and the performance of financial companies and peer group companies;
·the risk that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, or that expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the announced merger with Marin Bancorp may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, the effect of pandemic disease (including Covid-19) and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Company and Marin Bancorp operate;
·the ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of the Company and Marin Bancorp;
·the reaction to the merger transaction of the companies’ clients, employees and counterparties;
·diversion of time of directors, management and other employees on merger-related issues; and
·the efficiencies we may expect to receive from any investments in personnel and infrastructure may not be realized.
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The factors set forth under “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, and other cautionary statements and information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should also be carefully considered and understood as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, when evaluating the business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. By their nature, they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future results and shareholder values may differ significantly from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Any such statement speaks only as of the date of this report, and in the case of any documents that may be incorporated by reference, as of the date of those documents. We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report any new information, future event or other circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.

Merger with Bank of Marin Bancorp

On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Company will merge (the “Merger”) with and into Bank of Marin Bancorp (the Marin Bancorp”) with Marin Bancorp surviving, followed immediately thereafter by the merger (the “Bank Merger”) of American River Bank, with and into Bank of Marin, a California corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Marin Bancorp, with Bank of Marin surviving. The Merger Agreement was approved by the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Marin Bancorp.

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Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, excluding certain specified shares, will be converted into the right to receive 0.575 (the “Exchange Ratio”) of a share of Marin Bancorp common stock (the “Merger Consideration”). In addition, at the Effective Time, (i) each option to purchase shares of Company common stock, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be canceled and exchanged for the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the product of (x) the total number of shares of Company common stock subject to such option and (y) the excess, if any, of (A) the product of (1) the volume weighted average price of Marin Bancorp common stock on each of the last fifteen trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (2) the Exchange Ratio, over (B) the exercise price per share under such option, less applicable taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment; and (ii) any vesting conditions applicable to each outstanding restricted stock award and each outstanding restricted stock unit will accelerate in full, and each such restricted stock award and restricted stock unit will be treated as any other outstanding share of Company common stock entitled to receive the Merger Consideration. We cannot provide any assurance on whether or not the Merger will close in a timely fashion or at all.

Potential Impact of COVID-19

2020 began with optimism based off the progress made in 2019, but that was stalled when the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) arrived and created a global health crisis that has set off an economic crisis causing significant disruption in the local, national and global economies and financial markets. Continuation and further spread of COVID-19 could cause additional quarantines, shutdowns, reduction in business activity and financial transactions, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions and overall economic and financial market instability. The disruptions in the economy willhas impaired and may continue to impair the ability of some of our borrowers to make their loan payments, which could result in significant increases in delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, declining collateral values, and credit losses on our loans. Similarly, because of changing economic and market conditions, we may be required to recognize credit losses on the investment securities we hold as well.  COVID-19 may also continue to materially disrupt banking and other financial activity generally and may result in a decline in demand for our products and services, including loans and deposits which could negatively impact our liquidity position and our growth strategy. Any one or more of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, consolidated financial condition, and consolidated results of operations.

In response to the anticipated economic effects of COVID-19, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) has taken a number of actions that have significantly affected the financial markets in the United States, including actions intended to result in substantial decreases in market interest rates, including reducing the target federal funds range by 150 basis points during the first quarter of 2020 to 0% and announcing further quantitative easing in response to the expected economic downturn caused by COVID-19. We expect that these reductions in interest rates, among other actions of the FRB and the Federal government generally, especially if prolonged, couldwill adversely affect our net interest income, margins and profitability.

 

In addition to preparing the Company to handle the impact of the economic crisis, protecting the health and wellbeing of our employees and the financial viability of our clients, is now our highest priority. The Company quickly put its pandemic plan into action to adjust to the impact of the health issues from the COVID-19 pandemic on our employees and our clients. We have been working with our clients by assisting them with loan payment deferrals and maintaining service at all of our branch locations, subject to reduced operating hours. We are encouraging the use of our digital and electronic channels and our night depositories, all the while adhering to the ever-evolving State and Federal guidelines. We have been participating in the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA’s”SBA's”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act to help provide loans to our business clients to provide them with additional working capital to enable them to retain their employees.

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We believe the COVID-19 pandemic has already impacted our local economy when Federal, State and local shelter-in-place recommendations were enacted in our markets in March 2020 causing many businesses to close and workers to be furloughed or become unemployed. Essential purpose entities such as medical professionals, food and agricultural businesses, and transportation and logistical businesses were exempted from the closures; however, unemployment rates are increasingincreased in our local market area. Prior to the pandemic unemployment rates were at all-time lows. At the end of February 2020, the unemployment rate in Sacramento County was 3.7%, in Sonoma County it was 2.8%, and in Amador County it was 4.4%. By the end of May 2020, these numbers increased to 14.1% in Sacramento County, 12.7%, in Sonoma County, and 15.1% in Amador County. With some businesses allowed to reopen these rates have decreased some to 10.3%7.4% in Sacramento County, 7.7%6.0%, in Sonoma County, and 9.3%7.4% in Amador County as of AugustMarch 31, 2020.2021. While shelter-in-place restrictions were eased in our markets during the second quarter of 2020, and just as many businesses were opening, new restrictions were put in place, essentially eliminating the progress that had been made until later in the third quarter when selected areas had the restrictions eased again. New restrictions went in place throughout the State later in 2020, which were then eased in January 2021. With the successful rollout of the pandemic vaccines, more business have been able to reopen in the first quarter of 2021.

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The Company has taken measures to protect the health and safety of its employees by implementing remote work arrangements to the full extent possible, and by adjusting banking offices hours and operational measures to promote social distancing. The Company will continue to analyze economic conditions in our geographic markets and perform stress testing of our investment and loan portfolios. The Company does not currently have a stock repurchase program in place. Our Board of Directors will evaluate whether or not to implement a program following such time that the economic impact of the COVID-19 has been assessed and minimized. On October 22, 2020,April 21, 2021, the Company announced a $0.07 per share cash dividend payable on November 18, 2020May 19, 2021 to shareholders of record on NovemberMay 4, 2020.2021. Future cash dividend decisions will consider, among other business considerations, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s capital and liquidity levels. Based on the Company’s current capital levels, historical conservative underwriting policies, low loan-to-deposit ratio, concentration and geographical diversification of the loan portfolio, the Company currently expects to be able to manage the economic risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic with sufficient liquidity and capital levels.

While the Company is not exposed to large oil and gas, airline, or the entertainment industries we have been evaluating the exposure to potentially increased loan losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic and have identified the following industry segments most impacted by the pandemic as of September 30, 2020:March 31, 2021:

Industry Loan Balance Percentage of total
non PPP loans
outstanding (1)
  Loan Balance Percentage of total
non PPP loans
outstanding (1)
 
Hospitality     N/A  $918,000   0.2%
Churches $18,203,000   4.5% $21,692,000   5.2%
Restaurants $5,777,000   1.4% $5,725,000   1.4%
Eldercare $6,615,000   1.6% $6,440,000   1.5%
School/childcare $4,572,000   1.1% $5,355,000   1.3%
Recreation (golf/sportsclubs) $1,934,000   0.5% $1,668,000   0.4%
Oil/Gas $6,194,000(2)  1.5% $ 8,924,000(2)  2.1%
                
(1)The PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. By removing them from the total loans outstanding in this calculation, we believe the table represents a more reflective picture of the risk in the loan portfolio. The percentage of loans outstanding is, therefore, calculated excluding the PPP loans from the total loans. PPP loans as of March 31, 2021 were $57,486,000, therefore, gross non-PPP loans were $420,030,000.
(2)Of thisThis total $1,920,000 is to threerepresents gas stations with convenience stores; $3,318,000 is to a gas station, convenience store and car wash; $642,000 is to anwashes; auto restoration company;companies; gas station, car washes; and $314,000 is to a drive though oil change and car wash facility.facilities.

The Company is closely monitoring the effects of the pandemic on our loan and deposit clients. We are focusing on assessing the risks in our loan portfolio and working with our borrowers to minimize potential loan losses. We have implemented loan programs to allow borrowers to defer loan principal and interest payments. See “Working with Borrowers” for more information on loan deferrals. As of September 30,During 2020, the Company had funded 477 PPP loans totaling $80,154,000, of which 473and in 2021, the Company funded 201 PPP loans totaling $75,804,000 remained at September 30, 2020.$25,465,000. At March 31, 2021, there were 368 PPP loans totaling $57,486,000. The reduction in the March 31, 2021 balance represents loan forgiveness or loan paydowns.

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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10Q”) contains certain non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP.  These measures include the taxable equivalent basis used in the computation of the net interest margin and efficiency ratio.  Management has presented these non-GAAP financial measures in this Form 10Q because it believes that they provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company’s financial position reflected in the current quarter and year-to-date results and facilitate comparison of our performance with the performance of our peers.

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Net Interest Margin and Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP financial measures)

 

In accordance with industry standards, certain designated net interest income amounts are presented on a taxable equivalent basis, including the calculation of net interest margin and the efficiency ratio.  The Company believes the presentation of net interest margin on a taxable equivalent basis using a 21% effective tax rate allows comparability of net interest margin with industry peers by eliminating the effect of the differences in portfolios attributable to the proportion represented by both taxable and tax-exempt loans and investments. The efficiency ratio is a measure of a banking company’s overhead as a percentage of its revenue. The Company derives this ratio by dividing total noninterest expense by the sum of the taxable equivalent net interest income and the total noninterest income.

 

Reconciliation of Annualized Net Interest Margin, Fully Tax Equivalent (non-GAAP)

(dollars in thousands) For the three months
ended September 30,
  For the nine months
ended September 30,
 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
Net interest income (GAAP) $6,720  $5,928  $19,428  $17,105 
Tax equivalent adjustment  49   49   154   148 
Net interest income - tax equivalent adjusted (non-GAAP) $6,769  $5,977  $19,582  $17,253 
                 
Average earning assets $787,756  $655,937  $739,412  $642,605 
Net interest margin (GAAP)  3.39%  3.59%  3.51%  3.56%
Net interest margin (non-GAAP)  3.42%  3.62%  3.54%  3.59%

(dollars in thousands)   
 For the three months
ended March 31,
 
  2021  2020 
Net interest income (GAAP) $7,132  $6,188 
Tax equivalent adjustment  47   56 
Net interest income - tax equivalent adjusted (non-GAAP) $7,179  $6,244 
         
Average earning assets $814,280  $669,974 
Net interest margin (GAAP)  3.55%  3.71%
Net interest margin (non-GAAP)  3.58%  3.75%

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure – Efficiency Ratio

 

(dollars in thousands) For the three months
ended September 30,
 For the nine months
ended September 30,
    
 For the three months
ended March 31,
 
 2020 2019 2020 2019  2021 2020 
Net interest income (GAAP) $6,720  $5,928  $19,428  $17,105  $7,132  $6,188 
Tax equivalent adjustment  49   49   154   148   47   56 
Net interest income – tax-equivalent adjusted (non-GAAP) $6,769  $5,977  $19,582  $17,253  $7,179  $6,244 
Noninterest income  374   417   1,162   1,249   591   452 
Total income  7,143   6,394   20,744   18,502   7,770   6,696 
Total noninterest expense  4,223   4,093   12,355   12,501   4,063   4,216 
Efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)  59.12%  64.01%  59.56%  67.57%  52.29%  62.96%

 

Critical Accounting Policies

General

The Company’sCompany's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information contained within our statements is, to a significant extent, financial information that is based on measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. We use historical loss data and the economic environment as factors, among others, in determining the inherent loss that may be present in our loan portfolio. Actual losses could differ significantly from the factors that we use. In addition, GAAP itself may change from one previously acceptable method to another method. Although the economics of our transactions would be the same, the timing of events that would impact our transactions could change.

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the Company’sCompany's credit portfolio that have been incurred as of the balance-sheet date. The allowance is based on two basic principles of accounting: (1) “Accounting for Contingencies,” which requires that losses be accrued when it is probable that a loss has occurred at the balance sheet date and such loss can be reasonably estimated; and (2) the “Receivables” topic, which requires that losses be accrued on impaired loans based on the differences between the value of collateral, present value of future cash flows or values that are observable in the secondary market and the loan balance.

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The allowance for loan losses is determined based upon estimates that can and do change when the actual risk, loss events, or changes in other factors, occur. The analysis of the allowance uses a historical loss view as an indicator of future losses and as a result could differ from the actual losses incurred in the future. Although management believes the allowance to be adequate, ultimate losses may vary from its estimates. At least quarterly, the Board of Directors reviews the adequacy of the allowance, including consideration of the relative risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions and other factors. If the Board of Directors and management determine that changes are warranted based on those reviews, the allowance is adjusted. For further information regarding our allowance for loan losses, see “Allowance for Loan Losses Activity.”

General Development of Business

The Company is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1995. As a bank holding company, the Company is authorized to engage in the activities permitted under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and regulations thereunder.Its principal office is located at 3100 Zinfandel Drive, Suite 450, Rancho Cordova, California 95670 and its telephone number is (916) 854-0123. The Company employed an equivalent of 10195 full-time employees as of September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021.

The Company owns 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of its banking subsidiary, American River Bank (the “Bank”), and American River Financial, a California corporation which has been inactive since its incorporation in 2003.

American River Bank was incorporated and commenced business in Fair Oaks, California, in 1983 and thereafter moved its headquarters to Sacramento, California in 1985. American River Bank operates five full service offices in Sacramento and Placer Counties including the main office located at 1545 River Park Drive, Suite 107, Sacramento and branch offices in Sacramento, Gold River, and Roseville; two full service offices in Sonoma County in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa; and three full service offices in Amador County in Jackson, Pioneer, and Ione.

 

The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) up to applicable legal limits. American River Bank does not offer trust services or international banking services and does not plan to do so in the near future. American River Bank’s primary business is serving the commercial banking needs of small to mid-sized businesses within those counties listed above. American River Bank accepts checking and savings deposits, offers money market deposit accounts and certificates of deposit, makes secured and unsecured commercial, secured real estate, and other installment and term loans and offers other customary banking services. American River Bank owns 100% of two inactive companies, ARBCO and American River Mortgage. ARBCO was formed in 1984 to conduct real estate development and has been inactive since 1995. American River Mortgage has been inactive since its formation in 1994. During 20202021 and 2019,2020, the Company conducted no significant activities other than holding the shares of its subsidiaries. However, it is authorized, with the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), the Company’s principal regulator, to engage in a variety of activities which are deemed closely related to the business of banking. The common stock of the Company is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AMRB.”

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On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Company will merge with and into Marin Bancorp as described above.

Overview

The Company recorded net income of $1,779,000$2,647,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, which was an increase of $208,000$1,215,000 (84.8%) compared to $1,571,000$1,432,000 reported for the same period of 2019.2020. Diluted earnings per share for the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 were $0.302021 was $0.45, an increase of 87.5% compared to $0.27 recordedthe $0.24 per share reported in the thirdfirst quarter of 2019.2020. The return on average equity (“ROAE”) and the return on average assets (“ROAA”) for the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 were 7.79%11.54% and 0.82%1.21%, respectively, as compared to 7.65%6.77% and 0.88%0.80%, respectively, for the same period in 2019.2020.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $4,952,000 and $3,993,000, respectively, with diluted earnings per share of $0.84 in 2020 and $0.68 in 2019. For the first nine months of 2020, ROAE was 7.52% and ROAA was 0.82% compared to 6.81% and 0.77%, respectively, for the same period in 2019.

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Total assets of the Company increased by $137,581,000, or 19.1%,$47,072,000 (5.4%) from $720,353,000$868,991,000 at December 31, 20192020 to $857,934,000$916,063,000 at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. Net loans totaled $471,647,000$468,718,000 at September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, a decrease of $3,135,000 (0.7%) from $471,853,000 at December 31, 2020. Deposit balances at March 31, 2021 totaled $788,569,000, an increase of $77,845,000 or (19.8%$44,392,000 (6.0%) from $393,802,000$744,177,000 at December 31, 2019. Deposit balances at September 30, 2020 totaled $728,831,000, an increase of $123,994,000, or 20.5%, from the $604,837,000 at December 31, 2019.

2020. The Company ended the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 with a leverage capital ratio of 8.2%8.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 15.3%15.5%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 16.5%16.7% compared to 9.2%8.3%, 14.8%15.0%, and 15.9%16.2%, respectively, at December 31, 2019.2020. Table One below provides a summary of the components of net income for the periods indicated (See the “Results of Operations” section that follows for an explanation of the fluctuations in the individual components).

Table One: Components of Net Income

(dollars in thousands) For the three months ended
September 30,
 For the nine months ended
September 30,
    
 For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 2020 2019 2020 2019  2021 2020 
Interest income* $7,104  $6,604  $20,899  $19,111  $7,401  $6,771 
Interest expense  (335)  (627)  (1,317)  (1,858)  (222)  (527)
Net interest income*  6,769   5,977   19,582   17,253   7,179   6,244 
Provision for loan losses  (445)  (120)  (1,485)  (480)     (495)
Noninterest income  374   417   1,162   1,249   591   452 
Noninterest expense  (4,223)  (4,093)  (12,355)  (12,501)  (4,063)  (4,216)
Provision for income taxes  (647)  (561)  (1,798)  (1,380)  (1,013)  (497)
Tax equivalent adjustment  (49)  (49)  (154)  (148)  (47)  (56)
Net income $1,779  $1,571  $4,952  $3,993  $2,647  $1,432 
                        
Average total assets $861,843  $708,698  $802,388  $695,364  $884,565  $721,439 
Net income (annualized) as a percentage of average total assets  0.82%  0.88%  0.82%  0.77%  1.21%  0.80%

* Fully taxable equivalent basis (FTE)

 

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income represents the excess of interest and fees earned on interest earning assets (loans, securities, Federal funds sold and investments in time deposits) over the interest paid on interest-bearing deposits and borrowed funds. Net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.42%3.58% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, 3.62%March 31, 2021 and 3.75% for the three months ended September 30, 2019, 3.54% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 3.59% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.

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The fully taxable equivalent interest income component for the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 increased $500,000 (7.6%$630,000 (9.3%) to $7,104,000$7,401,000 compared to $6,604,000$6,771,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020. The increase in the fully taxable equivalent interest income for the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 compared to the same period in 20192020 is broken down by rate (down $943,000)$762,000) and volume (up $1,443,000). The yield on earning assets decreased from 3.99% during the third quarter of 2019 to 3.59% during the third quarter of 2020. The lower interest rate environment led to decreases in yields on loans (which decreased from 4.98% in the third quarter of 2019 to 4.64% in the third quarter of 2020), investments (which decreased from 2.77% in the third quarter of 2019 to 2.37% in the third quarter of 2020), and interest-bearing balances in banks (which decreased from 2.06% in the third quarter of 2019 to 0.14% in the third quarter of 2020). The lower yield led to decreases in loan interest of $429,000, investment income of $262,000 and interest from deposit in banks of $252,000. The increase in interest income was driven by increased loan balances, which led to an additional $1,327,000 in interest income, as well as increased balances in interest-deposit in banks which led to an additional $200,000 in interest income. The increased income on loans resulted from a higher balance of loans. Loans increased $104,757,000 (28.5%) from $368,160,000 in the third quarter of 2019 to $472,917,000 in the third quarter of 2020. Of the $104,757,000 increase in loans, $75,804,000 was related to PPP. These PPP loans carried an interest rate of 1% and added just $194,000 in interest income for the quarter, however, the SBA also paid the Company a processing fee ranging between 1% and 5%, which is amortized (net of costs) over the two-year life of the loans. The net fees added during the third quarter related to these PPP loans was $441,000. Average interest-balances in banks increased $38,578,000, (or 282.4%), from $13,662,000 during the third quarter of 2019 to $52,240,000 during the third quarter of 2020.

Total fully taxable equivalent interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $1,788,000 (9.4%) to $20,899,000 compared to $19,111,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The breakdown of the increase in fully taxable equivalent interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 over the same period in 2019 resulted from a decrease in rate (down $1,548,000) and an increase in volume (up $3,336,000)$1,392,000). The primary driver in this rate decrease was a decrease in the yieldsyield on loans, which decreased from 4.94%led to a decrease of $174,000, a decrease in 2019the yield on investments, which led to 4.80% in 2020, on the investment portfolio which decreased from 2.84% in 2019 to 2.56% in 2020,a decrease of $476,000, and a decrease in the yieldsyield on interest-bearing balancesdeposits in banks, which led to a decrease of $112,000. The yield on loans decreased from 2.22%5.03% in 2019the first three months of 2020 to 0.26% in 2020. The decreaseda yield in 2020 compared to 2019 was due toof 4.92% during the overall lower interest rate environment. The decreased yield earned on loans, investments and interest-bearing balances in banks was the reasonfirst three months of 2021; the yield on earning assetsinvestments decreased from 3.98%2.69% in 2019the first three months of 2020 to 3.78%a yield of 2.06% during the first three months of 2021 and the yield on interest-bearing deposits in 2020.banks decreased from 1.59% in the first quarter of 2020 to 0.11% in the first quarter of 2021. The volume increase of $3,336,000$1,392,000 was primarily from an increase in loans ($3,333,000)1,059,000); an increase in investments ($248,000); and interest-depositan increase in interest-bearing deposits in banks ($483,000), partially offset by a decrease in investment balances ($475,000)86,000). Average loans balances increased $89,577,000,$84,889,000, (or 25.6%21.4%), from $349,718,000$396,322,000 during the first nine monthsquarter of 20192020 to $439,295,000$481,211,000 during the first nine monthsquarter of 2020;2021; average investment balances increased $37,401,000, (or 14.1%), from $265,037,000 during the first quarter of 2020 to $302,438,000 during the first quarter of 2021, and average interest-depositbalances in interest-bearing deposits in banks increased $29,040,000,$22,016,000, (or 319.3%255.6%), from $9,096,000$8,615,000 during the first nine monthsquarter of 20192020 to $38,136,000$30,631,000 during the first nine monthsquarter of 2020; and average investment balances decreased $21,579,000, (or 7.6%), from $283,560,000 during the first nine months of 2019 to $261,981,000 during the first nine months of 2020. Of the $89,577,000 increase in loans, $38,958,000 was related to PPP. These PPP loans added $333,000 in interest income for the year and the net fees for the year related to these PPP loans was $748,000.2021.

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Interest expense was $292,000 (or 46.6%$222,000 or $305,000 (57.9%) lower in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 versus2021 compared to $527,000 in the prior year period, decreasing from $627,000 to $335,000.first quarter of 2020. The $292,000net $305,000 decrease in interest expense during the thirdfirst quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 was due to lower rates (down $326,000) and higherpredominantly rate related which reduced expense by $369,000. This decrease was partially offset by volume (up $34,000). The decrease in interestwhich increased expense can be attributed to a decrease in rates paid on deposit and borrowing balances during a lower interest rate environment.by $64,000. Rates paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased 2334 basis points from 0.64%0.54% to 0.29% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2020. The largest decrease due to rates occurred in the time deposits. Some of these time deposits are indexed to the three- or six-month treasury rates which have decreased over the past twelve months. Interest expense on time deposits decreased by $255,000, or 66.6%, from $383,000 in the third quarter of 2019 to $128,000 in the third quarter of 2020. Average time deposit balances decreased by $17,669,000, or (20.3%), from $86,938,000 in the third quarter of 2019 to $69,269,000 in the third quarter of 2020. Of the decrease in expense related to time deposits of $255,000, $177,000 was related to rate and $78,000 was related to volume. The volume increase of $34,000 was attributed to an increase in the lower cost interest checking and money market balances which increased $67,174,000 (31.7%) from $211,930,000 in third quarter of 2019 to $279,104,000 in the third quarter of 2020 and in other borrowings which increased $11,846,000 (75.9%) from $15,614,000 in third quarter of 2019 to $27,460,000 in the third quarter of 2020.

Interest expense was $541,000 (or 29.1%) lower in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 decreasing from $1,858,000 in 2019 to $1,317,000 in 2020. The decrease is related to rates (down $452,000) and volume (down $89,000). Rates paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased 23 basis points from 0.64% to 0.41%0.20% for the first nine monthsquarter of 20192020 compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2020.2021. Of the $452,000$369,000 decrease in interest expense related to rates, $386,000$175,000 is related to lower rates paid on interest checking and money market accounts and $147,000 was related to time deposit balances. Some of these time deposits are indexedThe overall lower interest rate environment in short term rates contributed to the three-or six-month treasury rates which have decreased over the past twelve months. Net interest expense on time deposits decreased by $620,000, or 53.1%, from $1,168,000 in 2019 to $548,000 in 2020 while the average time deposit balances decreased by $17,570,000, or 20.0%, from $87,655,000 in 2019 to $70,085,000 in 2020. Of thethis decrease in expense from time deposits of $620,000, $386,000 was related to rate and $234,000 was related to volume.interest expense. Partially offsetting the decrease in time deposit expense due to rates and volume was an increase indue to volume as average interest checking and money marketbearing balances which increased $49,890,000 (23.9%$60,515,000 (15.4%) from $208,607,000$392,517,000 in 2019the first quarter of 2020 to $258,497,000 in 2020 and in other borrowings which increased $3,535,000 (18.3%) from $19,341,000 in 2019 to $22,876,000 in 2020.$453,032,000 during the first quarter of 2021.

34

Table Two, Analysis of Net Interest Margin on Earning Assets, and Table Three, Analysis of Volume and Rate Changes on Net Interest Income and Expenses, are provided to enable the reader to understand the components and trends of the Company’s interest income and expenses. Table Two provides an analysis of net interest margin on earning assets setting forth average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity; interest income earned and interest expense paid and average rates earned and paid; and the net interest margin on earning assets.

Table Three sets forth a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense from changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates.

Table Two: Analysis of Net Interest Margin on Earning Assets

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020  2019 
(Taxable Equivalent Basis)
(dollars in thousands)
 

Avg

Balance

  

 

Interest

  

Avg

Yield (4)

  

Avg

Balance

  

 

Interest

  

Avg

Yield (4)

 
Assets                        
Earning assets:                        
Taxable loans (1) $452,301  $5,275   4.64% $346,598  $4,397   5.03%
Tax-exempt loans (2)  20,616   244   4.71%  21,562   224   4.12%
Taxable investment securities  257,171   1,523   2.36%  267,012   1,846   2.74%
Tax-exempt investment securities (2)  5,428   43   3.15%  7,103   66   3.69%
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  52,240   19   0.14%  13,662   71   2.06%
Total earning assets  787,756   7,104   3.59%  655,937   6,604   3.99%
Cash & due from banks  39,524           17,215         
Other assets  40,845           40,406         
Allowance for loan losses  (6,282)          (4,860)        
Total average assets $861,843          $708,698         
Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity                        
Interest bearing liabilities:                        
Interest checking and money market $279,104   126   0.18% $211,930   155   0.29%
Savings  83,140   7   0.03%  74,738   7   0.04%
Time deposits  69,269   128   0.74%  86,938   383   1.75%
Other borrowings  27,460   74   1.07%  15,614   82   2.08%
Total interest bearing liabilities  458,973   335   0.29%  389,220   627   0.64%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits  301,505           227,644         
Other liabilities  10,476           10,368         
Total liabilities  770,954           627,232         
Shareholders’ equity  90,889           81,466         
Total average liabilities and shareholders’ equity $861,843          $708,698         
Net interest income & margin (3)     $6,769   3.42%     $5,977   3.62%

Table Two: Analysis of Net Interest Margin on Earning Assets 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021  2020 
(Taxable Equivalent Basis)
(dollars in thousands)
 

Avg

Balance

  

 

Interest

  

Avg

Yield (4)

  

Avg

Balance

  

 

Interest

  

Avg

Yield (4)

 
Assets                        
Earning assets:                        
Taxable loans (1) $462,037  $5,604   4.92% $372,826  $4,675   5.04%
Tax-exempt loans (2)  19,174   233   4.93%  23,496   278   4.76%
Taxable investment securities  297,320   1,515   2.07%  259,592   1,739   2.69%
Tax-exempt investment securities (2)  5,118   41   3.25%  5,445   45   3.32%
Federal funds sold                  
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  30,631   8   0.11%  8,615   34   1.59%
Total earning assets  814,280   7,401   3.69%  669,974   6,771   4.06%
Cash & due from banks  35,124           16,008         
Other assets  41,906           40,675         
Allowance for loan losses  (6,745)          (5,218)        
  $884,565          $721,439         
                         

Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity
                     
Interest bearing liabilities:                        
Interest checking and money market $266,895   61   0.09% $230,222   204   0.36%
Savings  91,076   6   0.03%  74,530   7   0.04%
Time deposits  74,274   93   0.51%  70,787   229   1.30%
Other borrowings  20,787   62   1.21%  16,978   87   2.06%
Total interest bearing liabilities  453,032   222   0.20%  392,517   527   0.54%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits  326,179           232,562         
Other liabilities  12,346           11,282         
Total liabilities  791,557           636,361         
Shareholders' equity  93,008           85,078         
  $884,565          $721,439         
Net interest income & margin (3)     $7,179   3.58%     $6,244   3.75%

 

(1)Loan interest includes loan fees of $446,000$642,000 and $18,000,$171,000, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.  Includes $441,000$656,000 in net fees from PPP loans during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020.2021.  Average loan balances include nonperformingnon-performing loans.
(2)Includes taxable-equivalent adjustments that primarily relate to income on certain loans and securities that is exempt from federal income taxes. The effective federal statutory tax rate was 21% for 20202021 and 2019.2020.
(3)Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.
(4)Average yield is calculated based on actual days in the period (92 days)(90 days for 2021 and 91 days for 2020) and annualized to actual days in the year (366(365 days for 20202021 and 365 days)366 days for 2020).

3534
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020  2019 
(Taxable Equivalent Basis)
(dollars in thousands)
 

Avg

Balance

  

 

Interest

  

Avg

Yield (4)

  

Avg

Balance

  

 

Interest

  

Avg

Yield (4)

 
Assets                        
Earning assets:                        
Taxable loans (1) $417,667  $15,034   4.81% $330,312  $12,329   4.99%
Tax-exempt loans (2)  21,628   767   4.74%  19,406   604   4.16%
Taxable investment securities  256,566   4,894   2.55%  272,738   5,756   2.82%
Tax-exempt investment securities (2)  5,415   131   3.23%  10,822   266   3.29%
Federal funds sold        -%   231   5   2.89%
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  38,136   73   0.26%  9,096   151   2.22%
Total earning assets  739,412   20,899   3.78%  642,605   19,111   3.98%
Cash & due from banks  28,212           16,356         
Other assets  40,507           41,048         
Allowance for loan losses  (5,743)          (4,645)        
Total average assets $802,388          $695,364         
                         
Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Interest checking and money market $258,497   505   0.26% $208,607   369   0.24%
Savings  78,869   21   0.04%  73,596   21   0.04%
Time deposits  70,085   548   1.04%  87,655   1,168   1.78%
Other borrowings  22,876   243   1.42%  19,341   300   2.07%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  430,327   1,317   0.41%  389,199   1,858   0.64%
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits  273,016           217,760         
Other liabilities  11,140           10,019         
Total liabilities  714,483           616,978         
Shareholders’ equity  87,905           78,386         
Total average liabilities and shareholders’ equity $802,388          $695,364         
Net interest income & margin (3)     $19,582   3.54%     $17,253   3.59%
Table Three:  Analysis of Volume and Rate Changes on Net Interest Income and Expenses 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 over 2020 (dollars in thousands)
Increase (decrease) due to change in:         
Interest-earning assets: Volume  Rate (4)  Net Change 
Taxable net loans (1)(2) $1,109  $(180) $929 
Tax-exempt net loans (3)  (51)  6   (45)
Taxable investment securities  251   (475)  (224)
Tax exempt investment securities (3)  (3)  (1)  (4)
Federal funds sold         
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  86   (112)  (26)
Total  1,392   (762)  630 
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Interest checking and money market  32   (175)  (143)
Savings deposits  2   (3)  (1)
Time deposits  11   (147)  (136)
Other borrowings  19   (44)  (25)
Total  64   (369)  (305)
Interest differential $1,328  $(393) $935 
             

 

(1)The average balance of nonaccrual loans is immaterial as a percentage of total loans and has been included in net loans.
(2)Loan interest includes loan fees of $990,000$642,000 and $194,000,$171,000, respectively, during the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019.which have been included in the interest income computation. Includes $748,000$656,000 in net fees from PPP loans during 2020. Average loan balances include nonperforming loans.the first quarter of 2021
(2)(3)Includes taxable-equivalent adjustments that primarily relate to income on certain loans and securities that is exempt from federal income taxes.  The effective federal statutory tax rate was 21% for 20202021 and 2021.
(3)Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.
(4)Average yield is calculated based on actual days in the period (274 days for 2020 and 273 days for 2019) and annualized to actual days in the year (366 days for 2020 and 365 days for 2019).
36

Table Three: Analysis of Volume and Rate Changes on Net Interest Income and Expenses

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 over 2019 (dollars in thousands) 
Increase (decrease) due to change in:         
          
Interest-earning assets: Volume  Rate (4)  Net Change 
Taxable loans (1) $1,337  $(459) $878 
Tax-exempt loans (2)  (10)  30   20 
Taxable investment securities  (68)  (255)  (323)
Tax exempt investment securities (3)  (16)  (7)  (23)
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  200   (252)  (52)
Total  1,443   (943)  500 
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Interest checking and money market  49   (78)  (29)
Savings deposits  1   (1)   
Time deposits  (78)  (177)  (255)
Other borrowings  62   (70)  (8)
Total  34   (326)  (292)
Interest differential $1,409  $(617) $792 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 over 2019 (dollars in thousands) 
Increase (decrease) due to change in:         
          
Interest-earning assets: Volume  Rate (4)  Net Change 
Taxable loans (1) $3,264  $(559) $2,705 
Tax-exempt loans (2)  69   94   163 
Taxable investment securities  (342)  (520)  (862)
Tax exempt investment securities (3)  (133)  (2)  (135)
Federal funds sold  (5)     (5)
Interest-bearing deposits in banks  483   (561)  (78)
Total  3,336   (1,548)  1,788 
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Interest checking and money market  88   48   136 
Savings deposits  2   (2)   
Time deposits  (234)  (386)  (620)
Other borrowings  55   (112)  (57)
Total  (89)  (452)  (541)
Interest differential $3,425  $(1,096) $2,329 
             

(1)The average balance of non-accruing loans is immaterial as a percentage of total loans and, as such, has been included in net loans.
(2)Loan fees of $446,000 and $18,000, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, and loan fees of $990,000 and $194,000, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, have been included in the interest income computation. The three and nine- month periods in 2020 include $414,000 and $748,000, respectively, in net fees from PPP loans.
(3)Includes taxable-equivalent adjustments that primarily relate to income on certain securities that is exempt from federal income taxes. The effective federal statutory tax rate was 21% for 2020 and 2019.2020.
(4)The rate/volume variance has been included in the rate variance.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company added $445,000 to thedid not provide a provision for loan losses forin the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 compared to $120,000$495,000 in the thirdfirst quarter of 2019.2020. The Company experienced net loan lossesrecoveries of $27,000$68,000 or 0.02%(0.06%) (on an annualized basis) of average loans for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to net loan recoveries of ($72,000)$4,000 or 0.08%(0.00%) (on an annualized basis) of average loans for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The Company added $1,485,000 to the allowance for loan losses during the first nine months ofMarch 31, 2020. This compares to additions of $480,000 to the allowance for loan losses during the first nine months of 2019. Net loan losses were $7,000 (0.00%) (on an annualized basis) of average loans outstanding in 2020 and net loan recoveries were ($81,000) or 0.03% (on an annualized basis) of average loans outstanding in 2019.

37

The Company continues to experience an overall improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio and a reduction of credit losses, however, due to the uncertain economic impact on the Company’s borrowers due to COVID-19, the $445,000$495,000 addition in 2020 to the provision for loan losses during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 and the $1,485,000 addition to the provision for loan losses during 2020 was warranted. For additional information see the “Allowance for Loan Losses Activity” and “Potential Impact of COVID-19.” The net loan recoveries, reduction in loan balances in the first quarter of 2021, and the progress made in the circulation of the pandemic vaccine allowed the Company to forgo and additions to the provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2021

Noninterest Income

Table Four below provides a summary of the components of noninterest income for the periods indicated:indicated (dollars in thousands):

Table Four: Components of Noninterest Income

(dollars in thousands) 

Three Months
Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months
Ended

September 30,

 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
Service charges on deposit accounts $115  $149  $381  $409 
Gain on sale of securities     9   38   74 
Merchant fee income  98   105   274   294 
Bank owned life insurance  89   83   258   248 
Other  72   71   211   224 
Total noninterest income $374  $417  $1,162  $1,249 
35
Table Four: Components of Noninterest Income   
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2021  2020 
Service charges on deposit accounts $164  $155 
Gain on sale of securities  172   38 
Merchant fee income  90   93 
Bank owned life insurance  70   84 
Other  95   82 
Total noninterest income $591  $452 

 

Noninterest income decreased $43,000 (10.3%increased $139,000 (30.8%) to $374,000$591,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $417,000 during$452,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020. The decrease from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020increase in noninterest income was primarily related to a decrease in service charges on deposit accounts which decreased $34,000 from $149,000 in 2019 to $115,000 in 2020.

Noninterest income decreased $87,000 (or 7.0%) from $1,249,000 during the first nine months of 2020 to $1,162,000 during the first nine months of 2019. The decrease from the first nine months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily related to a decrease inhigher gain on sale of securities, (down $36,000 or 48.6%) resulting in income of $74,000 in the first nine months of 2019 compared to $38,000 for the first nine months of 2020 and a decrease in service charges on deposit accounts which decreased $28,000 (6.8%increased $134,000 (352.6%) from $409,000$38,000 in 20192020 to $381,000$172,000 in 2020.2021.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased $130,000 (3.2%decreased $153,000 (3.6%) from $4,093,000to a total of $4,063,000 in the thirdfirst quarter of 20192021 compared to $4,223,000$4,216,000 in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020. Salary and employee benefits expense decreased $9,000 (0.3%$103,000 (3.6%) from $2,898,000$2,865,000 during the thirdfirst quarter of 20192020 to $2,889,000$2,762,000 during the thirdfirst quarter of 2021. The decrease in salaries and benefits expense resulted from an increase in the deferral of direct loan origination costs, which reduced salary expense. Each PPP loan that was recorded had an associated loan origination cost. Total origination costs for the first quarter of 2021 were $212,000 compared to $82,000 for the first quarter of 2020. Of the $212,000 in deferred loan origination costs recorded in 2021, $140,700 was related to PPP loans. The benefit from the deferred loan origination costs was partially offset by normal cost of living increases and promotions. Average full-time equivalent employees was 95 during the first quarter of 2021 compared to 101 during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 and 2019. Occupancy2020.

On a quarter-over-quarter basis, occupancy expense increased $2,000 (0.8%$3,000 (1.2%) and furniture and equipment expense decreased $9,000 (6.3%). FDIC assessments increased $20,000 (16.6%$27,000 (100.0%) from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020. FDIC assessments increased $109,000 from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020. OREO related expenses decreased $3,000 (42.9%) during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 2019. Other expenses increased $11,000 (1.3%) to $870,000 in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $859,000 in the third quarter of 2019.2021. The increased FDIC assessments result from a credit received in 2019 as the FDIC insurance fund reaching the target of 1.38% and the Company being able to use the Small Bank Assessment Credits, awarded to banks like American River Bank, which essentially gave banks a credit for the assessments paid forin the second quarterlatter half of 2019 and allowed them to forgofor a partial amount of the assessment expense for the thirdfirst quarter of 2019. The fully taxable equivalent efficiency ratio for2020. There were no assessment credits received in the thirdfirst quarter of 2021. OREO related expenses decreased $1,000 (20.0%) from $5,000 in the first quarter of 2020 decreased to 59.1% from 64.0% for$4,000 in the thirdfirst quarter of 2019.

38

Noninterest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was $12,355,000 compared to $12,501,000 for the same period in 2019 for a decrease of $146,000 (1.2%). Salaries and employee benefits2021. Other expense decreased $158,000 (1.9%$70,000 (7.6%) from $8,423,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $8,265,000 for the same period in 2020. The decrease in salaries and benefits expense resulted from an increase$920,000 in the deferralfirst quarter of direct loan origination costs, which reduced salary expense. Total origination costs for 2020 were $635,000 compared to $340,000 for 2019. Of the $635,000 in deferred loan origination costs recorded in 2020, $332,000 was related to PPP loans. The benefit from the deferred loan origination costs was partially offset by normal cost of living increases and promotions and higher allocations to the earned but unpaid personal time. Salary expense increased $49,000 (0.9%) from $5,707,000 in 2019 to $5,756,000 in 2020. Expenses related to accruals for paid time off increased $42,000 (22.5%) from $187,000 in 2019 to $229,000 in 2020. Average full-time equivalent employees was 102 in 2019 compared to 101 during 2020. Occupancy expense increased $5,000 (0.7%) and furniture and equipment expense increased $22,000 (5.5%). FDIC assessments increased $90,000 (187.5%). OREO related expenses increased $12,000 (80.0%) during 2020 to $27,000, from $15,000$850,000 in 2019. Other expenses decreased $117,000 (4.1%) from $2,847,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $2,730,000 for the same period in 2020. The increased FDIC assessments result from the Small Bank Assessment Credits received in 2019.first quarter of 2021. There were numerous line items that make up the $117,000$70,000 decrease in other expenses including advertising and business development. Advertising anda $21,000 (131.3%) decrease in business development, which decreased $253,000 (58.7%from $37,000 in 2020 to $16,000 in 2021, and a $16,000 (40.0%) decrease in legal fees, which decreased from $431,000$40,000 in 20192020 to $178,000$24,000 in 2020. Partially offsetting2021. The fully taxable equivalent efficiency ratio decreased from 63.0% for the reduced advertising and business development costs was a $70,000 expense related to a retirement plan payment to the estate of a director who passed away during the secondfirst quarter of 2020 and internet processing which increased $74,000 (42.3%) from $175,000 in 2019 to $249,000 in 2020.

The overhead efficiency ratio (fully taxable equivalent)52.3% for the first nine monthsquarter of 2020 was 59.6% as compared to 67.6% in the same period of 2019.2021.

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Federal and state income taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 increased $86,000 (15.3%$516,000 (103.8%) from $561,000$497,000 in the third quarter of 2019 to $647,000 in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 and increased $418,000 (30.3%), from $1,380,000to $1,013,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $1,798,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.first quarter of 2021. The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was 26.7%,27.7% compared to 26.3%25.8% for the thirdfirst quarter of 2019 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the effective tax rate was 26.7% compared to 25.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.2020. The higher taxes andtax expense was related to the higher level of taxable income ($1,731,000 or 89.7%), which increased from $1,929,000 in 2020 to $3,660,000 in 2021. The higher effective tax rate in 20202021 compared to 20192020 is also related to athe higher level of taxable income as well as a lower level of benefits from tax exempt municipal bonds,tax-exempt loans and the tax treatment of equity based compensation under Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”)investments (including investments in bank owned life insurance).

Taxable income increased $294,000 (13.8%) Tax-exempt benefits decreased from $2,132,000$346,000 in the third quarter of 20192020 to $2,426,000$296,000 in the third quarter of 2020, and increased $1,377,000 (25.6%) from $5,373,000 in the first nine months of 2019 to $6,750,000 in the first nine months of 2020. Under ASU 2016-09, if the market value of the Company’s stock price on the date restricted stock vests is higher than the Company’s stock price on the date the restricted stock was awarded the Company receives a tax credit for the difference in values and if the market price on the vesting date is lower than the stock price on the award date the Company recognizes additional tax expense.

In the third quarter of 2019 the Company recognized a $3,000 tax credit under ASU 2016-09 and in the third quarter of 2020 the Company recognized a $4,000 tax credit under ASU 2016-09. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized a $32,000 tax credit under ASU 2016-09 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized a $34,000 tax expense under ASU 2016-09. The average balance of tax exempt municipal bonds decreased $1,675,000 (23.6%) from $7,103,000 in the third quarter of 2019 to $5,428,000 in the third quarter of 2020, and decreased $5,407,000 (50.0%) from $10,822,000 in the first nine months of 2019 to $5,415,000 in the first nine months of 2020.2021.

Balance Sheet Analysis

The Company’s total assets were $857,934,000$916,063,000 at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $720,353,000$868,991,000 at December 31, 2019,2021, representing an increase of $137,581,000 (19.1%$47,072,000 (5.4%). The average assets for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 were $861,843,000,$884,565,000, which represents an increase of $153,145,000 (21.6%) from$163,126,000 or 22.6% over the average balance of $708,698,000$721,439,000 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $802,388,000, which represents an increase of $107,024,000 (15.4%) from the average balance of $695,364,000 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

The balance held in cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, was $73,038,000$97,798,000 compared to $17,810,000$42,509,000 at December 31, 20192020 an increase of $55,228,000 (310.1%$55,289,000 (130.1%). The primary reason for the increase in cash and cash equivalents since December 31, 20192020 is directly related to the increase in deposit balances during the same period.

Investment Securities

Table Five below summarizes the values of the Company’s investment securities held on September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019.2020.

Table Five: Investment Securities Composition

(dollars in thousands)      
 

Available-for-sale (at fair value)

 September 30,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 
Debt securities:        
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $243,687  $241,887 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  16,362   13,447 
Corporate bonds  6,868   6,631 
Total available-for-sale investment securities $266,917  $261,965 
         
Held-to-maturity (at amortized cost)        
Debt securities:        
U.S. Government Agencies and Sponsored Entities $15  $248 
Total held-to-maturity investment securities $15  $248 

       
(dollars in thousands)      
Available-for-sale (at fair value) March 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
Debt securities:        
US Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $266,487  $283,833 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  16,723   16,301 
U. S Treasury securities  11,564    
Corporate bonds  6,854   6,832 
Total available-for-sale investment securities $301,628  $306,966 
Held-to-maturity (at amortized cost)        
Debt securities:        
US Government Agencies and Sponsored Agencies $10  $12 
Total held-to-maturity investment securities $10  $12 

The Company classifies its investment securities as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. The Company’s intent is to hold all securities classified as held-to-maturity until maturity and management believes that it has the ability to do so. Securities available-for-sale may be sold to implement asset/liability management strategies and in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment rates and similar factors.

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities totaling $9,283,000$5,133,000 were recorded, net of $2,744,000$1,517,000 in tax liabilities, as accumulated other comprehensive incomeloss within shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and net unrealized lossesgains on available-for-sale investment securities totaling $2,544,000$8,739,000 were recorded, net of $752,000$2,583,000 in tax benefits,liabilities, as accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2019.2020.

 

Management periodically evaluates each investment security in a loss position for other than temporary impairment relying primarily on industry analyst reports, observation of market conditions and interest rate fluctuations. Management has the ability and intent to hold securities with established maturity dates until recovery of fair value, which may be until maturity, and believes it will be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms for all of the underlying investment securities; therefore, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

Loans

The Company’s historical lending activities have been in the following principal areas: (1) commercial; (2) commercial real estate; (3) multi-family real estate; (4) real estate construction (both commercial and residential); (5) residential real estate; (6) agriculture; and (7) consumer loans. The Company’s continuing focus in our market area, new borrowers developed through the Company’s marketing efforts, and credit extensions expanded to existing borrowers resulted in the Company originating $63.5$25.9 million in new loans during the first nine monthsquarter of 2020.2021. In addition to the $63.5$25.9 million in new production the Company also originated 477201 PPP loans totaling $80.2 million.$25.5 million during the first quarter of 2021. This production was partially offset by pay downs and payoffs, and excluding the PPP loans resulted in an overall increasedecrease in net loans of $3,636,000 (0.9%$4,702,000 (1.1%) from December 31, 2019.2020. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, gross PPP loans were $75,804,000$57,486,000 and had related fees of $1,595,000,$1,354,000, for a net balance of $74,209,000.$56,132,000. These PPP loans were recorded as commercial loans. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, net loans excluding net PPP loans were $397,438,000.$419,282,000 and total loans excluding total PPP loans were $420,030,000.

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A significant portion of the Company’s loans are direct loans made to individuals and local businesses. The Company relies substantially on networking, local promotional activity, and personal contacts by American River Bank officers, directors and employees to compete with other financial institutions. The Company makes loans to borrowers whose applications include a sound purpose and a viable primary repayment source, generally supported by a secondary source of repayment. Commercial loans consist of credit lines for operating needs, loans for equipment purchases, working capital, and various other business loan products. Consumer loans include a range of traditional consumer loan products such as personal lines of credit and homeowner equity lines of credit and loans to finance purchases of autos (including classic and collectors autos), boats, recreational vehicles, mobile homes and various other consumer items. Construction loans are generally comprised of commitments to customers within the Company’s service area for construction of commercial properties, multi-family properties and custom and semi-custom single-family residences. Other real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by first trust deeds on commercial, multi-family, and residential properties typically with maturities from three to ten years and original loan-to-value ratios generally from 65% to 75%. Agriculture loans consist primarily of first trust deed loans on properties that produce grapes, fruit, and nut loans. In general, except in the case of loans under SBA programs or Farm Services Agency guarantees, the Company does not make long-term residential mortgage loans.

 

Table Six below summarizes the composition of the loan portfolio in dollars and as a percentage of total loans as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019.2010.

Table Six: Loan Portfolio Composition          
(dollars in thousands) March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020  Change in  Percentage 
  $  %  $  %  dollars  change 
Commercial (1) $93,982   20% $94,522   20% $(540)  (0.6%)
Real estate                        
Commercial  248,660   52%  251,348   52%  (2,688)  (1.1%)
Multi-family  45,254   9%  48,760   10%  (3,506)  (7.2%)
Construction  25,242   5%  18,424   4%  6,818   37.0%
Residential  31,749   7%  32,329   7%  (580)  (1.8%)
Agriculture  6,034   1%  6,091   1%  (57)  (0.9%)
Consumer  26,595   6%  28,804   6%  (2,209)  (7.7%)
Total loans  477,516   100%  480,278   100%  (2,762)  (0.6%)
Deferred loan (fees) and costs, net  (2,102)      (1,797)      (305)    
Allowance for loan losses  (6,696)      (6,628)      (68)    
Total net loans $468,718      $471,853      $(3,135)  (0.7%)

Table Six: Loan Portfolio Composition

(dollars in thousands) September 30, 2020  December 31, 2019  Change in  Percentage 
  $  %  $  %  dollars  change 
Commercial (1) $120,156   25% $43,019   11% $77,137   179.3%
Real estate                        
Commercial  225,129   47%  214,604   54%  10,525   4.9%
Multi-family  42,739   9%  56,818   14%  (14,079)  (24.8%)
Construction  30,504   6%  23,169   6%  7,335   31.6%
Residential  27,720   6%  29,180   7%  (1,460)  (5.0%)
Agriculture  6,138   1%  6,479   2%  (341)  (5.3%)
Consumer  28,160   6%  26,392   6%  1,768   6.7%
Total loans  480,546   100%  399,661   100%  80,885   20.2%
Deferred loan fees and costs, net  (2,283)      (721)      (1,562)    
Allowance for loan losses  (6,616)      (5,138)      (1,478)    
Total net loans $471,647      $393,802      $77,845   19.8%
(1)The September 30, 2020 balance includes $75,804,000 inIncudes PPP loans.loans of $57,486,000 at March 31, 2021 and $55,546,000 at December 31, 2020.

Risk Elements

The Company assesses and manages credit risk on an ongoing basis through a total credit culture that emphasizes excellent credit quality, extensive internal monitoring and established formal lending policies. Additionally, the Company contracts with an outside loan review consultant to periodically review the existing loan portfolio. Management believes its ability to identify and assess risk and return characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio is critical for profitability and growth. Management strives to continue its emphasis on credit quality in the loan approval process, through active credit administration and regular monitoring. With this in mind, management has designed and implemented a comprehensive loan review and grading system that functions to continually assess the credit risk inherent in the loan portfolio.

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Ultimately, underlying trends in economic and business cycles influence credit quality. American River Bank’s business is concentrated in the Sacramento Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a diversified economy, but with a large State of California government presence and employment base; in Sonoma County, which is focused on businesses within the two communities in which the Bank has offices (Santa Rosa and Healdsburg); and in Amador County, in which the Bank is primarily focused on businesses within the three communities in which it has offices (Jackson, Pioneer, and Ione). The economy of Sonoma County is diversified with professional services, manufacturing, agriculture and real estate investment and construction, while the economy of Amador County is reliant upon government, services, retail trade, manufacturing industries and Indian gaming.

The Company has significant extensions of credit and commitments to extend credit that are secured by real estate. The ultimate repayment of these loans is generally dependent on personal or business cash flows or the sale or refinancing of the real estate. The Company monitors the effects of current and expected market conditions and other factors on the collectability of real estate loans. The more significant factors management considers involve the following: lease rates and terms, vacancy rates, absorption and sale rates and capitalization rates; real estate values, supply and demand factors, and rates of return; operating expenses; inflation and deflation; and sufficiency of repayment sources independent of the real estate including, in some instances, personal guarantees.

In extending credit and commitments to borrowers, the Company generally requires collateral and/or guarantees as security. The repayment of such loans is expected to come from cash flows or from proceeds from the sale of selected assets of the borrowers. The Company’s requirement for collateral and/or guarantees is determined on a case-by-case basis in connection with management’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, income-producing properties, residences and other real property. The Company secures its collateral by perfecting its security interest in business assets, obtaining deeds of trust, or outright possession among other means.

 

In management’s judgment, a concentration exists in real estate loans, which represented approximately 81%84% of the Company’s loan portfolio at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 83% as of December 31, 2019. The September 30, 2020 figure excludes2020. These figures exclude the PPP loans, which are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. Management believes that the residential land and construction portion of the Company’s loan portfolio carries a reasonable level of credit risk.  As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, outstanding unimproved residential land and construction loans were $7,744,000$8,342,000 (or just 2.4% of the total real estate loans). Of the $7,744,000, $1,617,000 (20.9%) was represented by one amortizing loan, which was considered well-secured, with a favorable loan-to-value ratio. Management currently believes that it maintains its allowance for loan losses at levels adequate to reflect the loss risk inherent in its total loan portfolio.

 

A decline in the economy in general, or decline in real estate values in the Company’sCompany's market areas, in particular, could have an adverse impact on the collectability of real estate loans and require an increase in the provision for loan losses. This could adversely affect the Company’sCompany's future prospects, results of operations, profitability and stock price. See “Potential Impact of COVID-19.” Management believes that its lending practices and underwriting standards are structured with the intent to minimize losses; however, there is no assurance that losses will not occur. The Company’s loan practices and underwriting standards include, but are not limited to, the following:following principles: (1) maintaining a thorough understanding of the Company’s market area and originating a significant majority of its loans within that area, (2) maintaining a thorough understanding of borrowers’borrowers' knowledge, capacity, and market position in their field of expertise, (3) basing real estate loan approvals not only on market demand for the project, but also on the borrowers’borrowers' capacity to support the project financially in the event it does not perform to expectations (whether sale or income performance), and (4) maintaining conforming and prudent loan-to-value and loan-to-cost ratios based on independent outside appraisals and ongoing inspection and analysis by the Company’s lending officers or contracted third-party professionals.

Nonperforming, Past Due and Restructured Loans

Management places loans on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due or if a loss is expected, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans are partially or fully charged off when, in the opinion of management, collection of such amount appears unlikely. The recorded investments in nonperforming loans, which includes nonaccrual loans and loans that were 90 days or more past due and on accrual, totaled zero at both September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 there were no loans that were 30 days or more past due. 

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There were no loan concentrations in excess of 10% of total loans not otherwise disclosed as a category of loans as of September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. Management is not aware of any potential problem loans, which were accruing and current at September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, where serious doubt exists as to the ability of the borrower to comply with the present repayment terms and that would result in a significant loss to the Company apart from those loans identified in the Bank’s impairment analysis.

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Table Seven below sets forth nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019.2020.

Table Seven: Nonperforming Loans        
(dollars in thousands)        
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing:        
Commercial $  $ 
Real estate      
Agriculture      
Consumer      
Nonaccrual:        
Commercial      
Real estate      
Agriculture      
Consumer      
Total nonperforming loans $  $ 

There were no loans that were considered past due between 30 and 89 days at September 30, 2020 and $75,000 at December 31, 2019.

Table Seven:  Nonperforming Loans
(dollars in thousands)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing:
Commercial$$
Real estate
Agriculture
Consumer
Nonaccrual:
Commercial
Real estate
Consumer
Total nonperforming loans$$

Impaired Loans

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due (principal and interest) according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impairment may be based on (i) the present value of the expected cash flows of the impaired loan discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, (ii) the observable market price of the impaired loan, or (iii) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral-dependent loan. The Company does not apply this definition to smaller-balance loans that are collectively evaluated for credit risk. In assessing whether a loan is impaired, the Company typically reviews loans graded substandard or lower with outstanding principal balances in excess of $100,000, as well as loans considered troubled debt restructures with outstanding principal balances in excess of $25,000. The Company identifies troubled debt restructures by reviewing each renewal, modification, or extension of a loan with a screening document.  This document is designed to identify any characteristics of such a loan that would qualify it as a troubled debt restructure.  If the characteristics are not present that would qualify a loan as a troubled debt restructure, it is deemed to be a modification.

At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired totaled $7,108,000,$6,989,000, all of which are considered performing loans. Of the total impaired loans of $7,108,000,$6,989,000, loans totaling $5,415,000$5,357,000 were deemed to require no specific reserve and loans totaling $1,693,000$1,632,000 were deemed to require a related valuation allowance of $128,000.$109,000. Of the $5,415,000$5,357,000 impaired loans that did not carry a specific reserve there were $469,000$461,000 in loans that had previous partial charge-offs and $4,946,000$4,896,000 in loans that were analyzed and determined not to require a specific reserve or charge-off because the collateral value or discounted cash flow value exceeded the loan balance. The recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired totaled $7,604,000$7,050,000 at December 31, 2019.2020. Of the total impaired loans of $7,604,000,$7,050,000, loans totaling $5,848,000$5,387,000 were deemed to require no specific reserve and loans totaling $1,756,000$1,663,000 were deemed to require a related valuation allowance of $142,000.$112,000.

 

Prior to 2013, the Company had been operating in a market that had experienced significant decreases in real estate values of commercial, residential, land, and construction properties. As such, the Company is focused on monitoring collateral values for those loans considered collateral dependent. For collateral dependent loans the Company performs an internal evaluation or obtains an updated appraisal, as necessary.  In the thirdfirst quarter of 2020,2021, the Company had net loan lossesrecoveries of $27,000$68,000 with $445,000 inzero provisions for loan losses. ForThe Company’s ALLL to non-PPP loans (which are 100% SBA guaranteed) is 1.60% at March 31, 2021. The 1.60% ALLL to loans is higher than the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company had net loan losses of $7,000 with $1,485,000 in provisions for loan losses.Company’s historical average. Despite the Company’s continued improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio, due to the uncertain economic impact on the Company’s borrowers due to COVID-19, management believes that the $445,000 addition1.60% ALLL to non-PPP loans is warranted. In the provision for loan losses during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020, was warranted. In the third quarter of 2019, the Company had net loan recoveries of $72,000$4,000 with $120,000$475,000 in provisions for loan and lease losses and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company had net recoveries of $81,000 with $480,000 in provisions for loan losses.added provision.

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During the quartersperiods ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, there were no loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings. There were no payment defaults during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or March 31, 2020 on troubled debt restructurings within 12 months followingmade in the modification for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020.

There were no payment defaults on troubled debt restructurings within 12 months following the modification for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019.preceding twelve months. At September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020, there were no unfunded commitments on those loans considered troubled debt restructures.

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Working with Borrowers

 

The FDIC is encouraging financial institutions, like American River Bank, to provide borrowers affected in a variety of ways by the COVID-19 outbreak with payment accommodations that facilitate their ability to work through the immediate impact of the virus. Such assistance provided in a prudent manner to borrowers facing short-term setbacks could help the borrower and our community to recover. The FDIC indicated that these loan accommodation programs should be ultimately targeted toward loan repayment, but that if provided in a prudent manner such programs can help borrowers and communities recover from short-term setbacks.

 

The FDIC suggested thatencouraged financial institutions shouldto consider ways to address any deferred or skipped payments such as extending the original maturity date or by making those payments due in a balloon payment at the maturity date of the loan. The terms of the payment deferrals are generally 90 days and up to 180 days and borrowers may be eligible for multiple deferrals. Pursuant to the CARES Act, these loan modifications are not accounted for as troubled debt restructure. As of June 30, 2020, the Company had made 107 such loan payment deferrals totaling $96,465,000. During the third quarter 2020, two additional loans totaling $2,980,000 were extended loan payment deferrals and four loans that had previously been provided loan payment deferrals totaling $2,123,000 paid off in full. In addition, during the third quarter 69 loans that had previously been granted loan payment deferrals began making their loan payments and are no longer on a loan deferral program. As of September 30, 2020, 39 loans totaling $39,576,000 were on a loan deferral program and of these loans, four loans totaling $4,074,000 were in their initial deferral period while 32 loans totaling $35,502,000 were provided an additional deferral period either after their initial deferral period ended or prior to the ending of their initial deferral period. The following arrangementsAs of December 31, 2020, there were two commercial real estate loans totaling $4,882,000 that had been made for borrowers requesting thesegranted loan deferrals:

Threepayment deferrals. These two loans totaling $2,992,000 that hadresumed their contractual payments deferred for principal and interest for three months withduring the maturity extended three months;

Onefirst quarter of 2021. Also during the first quarter of 2021, one additional loan totaling $30,000 that had payments deferred payments for principal and interest for four months within the maturity extended four months;

Twenty-eight loans totaling $30,894,000 that had payments deferred for principal and interest for six months with the maturity extended six months;

One loan totaling $25,000 that had payments deferred for principal and interest for three months, due at maturity;

One loan totaling $3,723,000 that had payments deferred for principal and interest for four months, due at maturity;

Two loans totaling $1,912,000 that had principal payments deferred but were payingamount of $2,017,000 was granted a 90-day interest only for six months, maturitypayment deferral. This was the only loan on payment deferral at March 31, 2021, however, this borrower resumed making the contractual payment during the second quarter of 2021. These loans are not extended.

considered past due until after the deferral period is over and scheduled payments have resumed and any subsequently scheduled payments are missed.

The Company continues to accrue interest on all of the loan deferrals. The Company expects to continue to work with its borrowers and make prudent credit arrangements as needed, while intending to continue to act in a safe and sound manner. The Company has continued to keep in close contact with the borrowers that have been granted the remaining 39 loan payment deferrals and continued to monitor those loans that have begun making their loan payments to track their payment history and evaluate whether it is appropriate to upgrade or downgrade the individual loan ratings. None of the borrowers that had been granted loan deferrals were more than 30 days past due immediately preceding the deferral date, and for those that have resumed making payments, none are more than 30 days past due at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021.

Allowance for Loan Losses Activity

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) to cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, which is based upon management’s estimate of those losses. The ALLL is established through a provision for loan losses and is increased by provisions charged against current earnings and recoveries and reduced by charge-offs.

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Actual losses for loans can vary significantly from this estimate. The methodology and assumptions used to calculate the allowance are continually reviewed as to their appropriateness given the most recent losses realized and other factors that influence the estimation process. The model assumptions and resulting allowance level are adjusted accordingly as these factors change. Table Eight below summarizes, for the periods indicated, the activity in the ALLL.

Table Eight: Allowance for Loan Losses

(dollars in thousands) Three Months
Ended September 30,
  Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
Average loans outstanding $472,917  $368,160  $439,295  $349,718 
                 
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period $6,198  $4,761  $5,138  $4,392 
Loans charged off:                
Commercial  (27)     (27)   
Real estate            
Agriculture            
Consumer        (6)   
Total  (27)     (33)   
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:                
Commercial     2   13   5 
Real estate     2   13   8 
Agriculture            
Consumer     68      68 
Total     72   26   81 
Net loans (charged off) recovered  (27)  72   (7)  81 
Additions to allowance charged to operating expenses  445   120   1,485   480 
Allowance for loan losses at end of period $6,616  $4,953  $6,616  $4,953 
Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans
outstanding (annualized)
  0.02%  -0.08%  0.00%  -0.03%
Provision of allowance for loan losses to average
loans outstanding (annualized)
  0.37%  0.13%  0.45%  0.18%
Allowance for loan losses to loans net of deferred fees at end of period  1.38%  1.32%  1.38%  1.32%
Allowance for loan losses to non PPP loans net of deferred fees at end of period  1.64%  1.32%  1.64%  1.32%

The adequacy of the ALLL and the level of the related provision for loan losses is determined based on management’s judgment after consideration of numerous factors including, but not limited to: (i) local and regional economic conditions, (ii) the financial condition of the borrowers, (iii) loan impairment and the related level of expected charge-offs, (iv) evaluation of industry trends, (v) industry and other concentrations, (vi) loans which are contractually current as to payment terms but demonstrate a higher degree of risk as identified by management, (vii) continuing evaluations of the performing loan portfolio, (viii) ongoing review and evaluation of problem loans identified as having loss potential, (ix) quarterly review by the Board of Directors, and (x) assessments by banking regulators and other third parties. Management and the Board of Directors evaluate the ALLL and determine its appropriate level considering objective and subjective measures, such as knowledge of the borrower’s business, valuation of collateral, the determination of impaired loans and exposure to potential losses.

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The ALLL totaled $6,616,000$6,696,000 or 1.38%1.41% of total loans at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to $5,138,000$6,628,000 or 1.29%1.39% of total loans at December 31, 2019.2020. Excluding the 100% SBA guaranteed PPP loans, which do not carry the same risk as the rest of the loan portfolio, the ALLL to total loans was 1.64%1.60% at September 30,March 31, 2021 and 1.56% at December 31, 2020. The allowance for loans as a percentage of impaired loans was 95.8% at March 31, 2021 and 94.0% at December 31, 2020. The Company establishes general and specific reserves in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The ALLL is composed of categories of the loan portfolio based on loan type and loan rating; however, the entire allowance is available to cover actual loan losses. While management uses available information to recognize possible losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary, based on changes in economic conditions and other matters. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’sCompany's ALLL. Such agencies may require the Company to provide additions to the allowance based on their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

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The ALLL as a percentage of impaired loans was 93.1% at September 30, 2020 and 67.6% at December 31, 2019. Of the total nonperforming and impaired loans outstanding as of September 30, 2020, there were $648,000 in loans that had been reduced by partial charge-offs of $281,000.

The Company’s policy with regard to loan charge-offs continues to be that a loan is charged off against the ALLL when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. As previously discussed in the “Impaired Loans” section, certain loans are evaluated for impairment. Generally, if a loan is collateralized by real estate or other collateral, and considered collateral dependent, the impaired portion will be charged off to the allowance for loan losses unless it is in the process of collection, in which case a specific reserve may be warranted. Table Eight below summarizes, for the periods indicated, the activity in the ALLL.

Table Eight: Allowance for Loan Losses   
(dollars in thousands) Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2021  2020 
Average loans outstanding $481,211  $396,322 
         
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period $6,628  $5,138 
Loans charged off:        
Consumer  9    
Total  9    
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:        
Commercial  76   1 
Real estate  1   3 
Total  77   4 
Net loans recovered  68   4 
Additions to allowance charged to operating expenses     495 
Allowance for loan losses at end of period $6,696  $5,637 
Ratio of net recoveries to average loans outstanding (annualized)  -0.06%  0.00%
Provision of allowance for loan losses to average loans outstanding (annualized)  0.00%  0.50%
Allowance for loan losses to loans net of deferred fees at end of period  1.41%  1.43%
Allowance for loan losses to non PPP loans net of deferred fees at end of period  1.60%  1.43%
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It is the policy of management to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level believed to be adequate for known and inherent risks in the portfolio. Our methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan losses that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date. Formula allocations are calculated by applying historical loss factors to outstanding loans with similar characteristics.  Historical loss factors are based upon the Company’s loss experience. These historical loss factors are adjusted for changes in the business cycle and for significant factors that, in management’smanagement's judgment, affect the collectability of the loan portfolio as of the evaluation date.  The discretionary allocation is based upon management’s evaluation of various loan segment conditions that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances.  The conditions may include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions affecting the key lending areas of the Company, credit quality trends, collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, and other business conditions. Based on information currently available, management believes that the allowance for loan losses is prudent and adequate. However, no prediction of the ultimate level of loans charged off in future periods can be made with any certainty.

 

Other Real Estate Owned

At September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, the Company had one other real estate owned (“OREO”) property totaling $846,000.$800,000. During 2020,the first quarter of 2021, the Company did not acquire or sell any OREO properties nor were there any impairment charges to this property. There was no valuation allowance at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 nor at year-end 2019.2020. The Company believes that the OREO property owned at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was carried approximately at fair value.

Other Assets

Other assets consists of bank owned life insurance, accrued interest receivable and other assets. There was no significant change in the balance in bank owned life insurance at September 30, 2020 ($16,021,000) compared to December 31, 2019 ($15,763,000). Accrued interest receivable and other assets decreased from $8,148,000 at December 31, 2019 to $7,979,000 at September 30, 2020, a decrease of $169,000 (2.1%). A portion of this decrease is related to a decrease in the lease right-of-use-asset related to the Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-02 during 2019 which decreased $479,000 (16.7%), from $2,875,000 at December 31, 2019 to $2,396,000 at September 30, 2020. There were no repossessed automobiles at September 30, 2020, compared to $517,000 at December 31, 2019.

Deposits

At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, total deposits were $728,831,000$788,569,000 representing a $123,994,000 (20.5%$44,392,000 (6.0%) increase from the December 31, 20192020 balance of $604,837,000.$744,177,000. The Company’s deposit growth plan for 20202021 is to concentrate its efforts on increasing noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing money market and NOW accounts, and savings accounts while continuing to focus on maintaining an overall lower cost of funds than our peer group, while at the same time retaining our high-valued deposit relationships. During the first nine monthsquarter of 2020,2021, the Company’sCompany experienced increases in noninterest-bearing checking ($69,807,0009,619,000 or 30.3%2.9%), interest-bearing checking ($14,556,00012,081,000 or 20.8%14.7%), money market savings ($35,328,00010,545,000 or 22.3%6.0%) and, savings ($10,117,0006,307,000 or 13.3%7.2%), and a decrease in time deposits ($4,814,0005,840,000 or 6.5%8.4%). Some of the deposit increase can be attributed to our business accounts depositing the funds received from their PPP loans into their accounts held at American River Bank, as well as, balance increases due to the deferral payroll tax payments and other government programs.

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Other Borrowed Funds

Other borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, consist of advances (both long-termshort-term and short-term)long-term) from the FHLB.Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”). Table Nine below summarizes these borrowings.

Table Nine: Other Borrowed Funds   ��  
(dollars in thousands)      
  March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020 
  Amount  Rate  Amount  Rate 
Short-term borrowings:                
FHLB advances $7,000   0.54% $7,000   0.54%
Long-term borrowings:                
FHLB advances $13,787   1.13% $13,787   1.13%

Table Nine: Other Borrowed Funds

(dollars in thousands)

  September 30, 2020  December 31, 2019 
  Amount  Rate  Amount  Rate 
Short-term borrowings:                
FHLB advances $12,000   0.32% $9,000   1.46%
Long-term borrowings:                
FRBSF advances $1,960   0.35%      
FHLB advances $13,500   1.81% $10,500   2.48%

The maximum amount of short-term borrowings at any month-end during the first ninethree months of 2021 and 2020 was $7,000,000 and 2019 was $17,000,000 and $25,000,000,$12,000,000, respectively. The FHLB advances are collateralized by loans and securities pledged to the FHLB. The FRBSP advances are collateralized by PPP loans pledged to the FRBSF under the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility. The following is a breakdown of rates and maturities on FHLB and FRBSF advances (dollars in thousands): as of March 31, 2021:

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  Short-term  Long-term 
Amount $7,000  $13,787 
Maturity  2021   2022 to 2025 
Weighted average rates  0.54%  1.13%

  Short-term Long-term
Amount $12,000  $15,460 
Maturity  2020 to 2021   2021 to 2023 
Weighted average rates  0.32%  1.62%

Capital Resources

The Company and American River Bank are subject to certain regulatory capital requirements administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Failure to meet these minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’sCompany's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’sCompany's and American River Bank’sBank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

 

At March 31, 2021, shareholders’ equity was $92,891,000, representing a decrease of $204,000 (0.2%) from $93,095,000 at December 31, 2020. The decrease results from net income for the period ($2,647,000), stock based compensation and stock options exercised ($105,000), being less than decrease from other comprehensive income ($2,540,000) and the payment of cash dividends ($416,000). Table Ten below lists the Company’s and American River Bank’s capital ratios at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, as well as the minimum capital ratios for capital adequacy and the minimum requirement for a well-capitalized institution. While the Company has elected to adopt the community bank leverage ratio framework in which it is no longer required to report the risk-based capital ratios, we believe reporting them to our shareholders allows them to compare the ratios of companies of similar size and, therefore, are presented below. Table Ten below lists

Table Ten: Capital Ratios         
        Minimum Regulatory Capital
Requirements
 
Capital to Risk-Adjusted Assets March 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
  2021  2020 
American River Bankshares                
Leverage Ratio  8.5%  8.3%  N/A   N/A 
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital  15.5%  15.0%  N/A   N/A 
Total Risk-Based Capital  16.7%  16.2%  N/A   N/A 
                 
American River Bank                
Leverage Ratio  8.5%  8.4%  6.5%  6.5%
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital  15.6%  15.1%  7.0%  7.0%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital  15.6%  15.1%  8.5%  8.5%
Total Risk-Based Capital  16.9%  16.4%  10.5%  10.5%

On February 17, 2021, the Company’sCompany paid a $0.07 per common share cash dividend to shareholders of record on February 3, 2021. This 2021 quarterly dividend follows four quarterly cash dividends, totaling $0.28 per share, paid in 2020. Capital ratios are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that capital exceeds the prescribed regulatory requirements and is adequate to meet future needs. Accordingly, we cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to pay cash dividends at the same historical rates, or at all. Management believes that both the Company and American River Bank’sBank met all of their capital ratios at September 30, 2020adequacy requirements as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019 as well as the minimum regulatory requirements.

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Table Ten: Capital Ratios         
  September 30,  December 31,  Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
American River Bankshares                
Leverage Ratio  8.2%  9.2%  N/A   N/A 
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital  15.3%  14.8%  N/A   N/A 
Total Risk-Based Capital  16.5%  15.9%  N/A   N/A 
                 
American River Bank                
Leverage Ratio  8.3%  9.3%  6.5%  6.5%
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital  15.4%  14.9%  N/A   7.0%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital  15.4%  14.9%  N/A   8.5%
Total Risk-Based Capital  16.7%  16.1%  N/A   10.5%

At September 30, 2020, shareholders’ equity was $91,684,000, representing an increase of $8,775,000 (10.6%) from $82,909,000 at December 31, 2019. The increase results from net income for the period ($4,952,000), stock based compensation ($319,000), and the increase from other comprehensive income ($4,747,000), exceeding the payment of cash dividends ($1,243,000).2020.

 

Effective January 1, 2015, bank holding companies with consolidated assets of $1 Billion or more ($3 Billion or more effective August 30, 2018) and banks like American River Bank must comply with minimum capital ratio requirements which have been fully phased in. The Bank’s capital requirements consist of the following: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets ratio of 6%; (iii) a total capital to total risk weighted assets ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets (“leverage”) ratio of 4%.

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In addition, a “capital conservation buffer,” was established which requires maintenance of a minimum of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets in excess of the regulatory minimum capital ratio requirements described above. The 2.5% buffer increases the minimum capital ratios to (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. The buffer requirement became fully phased in on January 1, 2019. If the capital ratio levels of a banking organization fall below the capital conservation buffer amount, the organization will be subject to limitations on (i) the payment of dividends; (ii) discretionary bonus payments; (iii) discretionary payments under Tier 1 instruments; and (iv) engaging in share repurchases.

On February 12, 2020, May 15, 2020, and August 12, 2020, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.07 per common share to shareholders of record on January 29, 2020, April 29, 2020, and July 29, 2020, respectively. These 2020 quarterly cash dividends follow four quarterly cash dividends, totaling $0.24 per share, paid in 2019. Capital ratios are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that capital exceeds the prescribed regulatory requirements and is adequate to meet future needs. Accordingly, we cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to pay cash dividends at the same historical rates, or at all. Management believes that both the Company and American River Bank met all of their capital adequacy requirements as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Inflation

The impact of inflation on a financial institution differs significantly from that exerted on manufacturing or other commercial concerns primarily because its assets and liabilities are largely monetary. In general, inflation primarily affects the Company and its subsidiaries through its effect on market rates of interest, which affects the Company’s ability to attract loan customers. Inflation affects the growth of total assets by increasing the level of loan demand and potentially adversely affects capital adequacy because loan growth in inflationary periods can increase at rates higher than the rate that capital grows through retention of earnings which may be generated in the future. In addition to its effects on interest rates, inflation increases overall operating expenses. Inflation has not had a significant effect upon the results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries during the periods ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019.2020.

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Liquidity

Liquidity management refers to the Company’s ability to provide funds on an ongoing basis to meet fluctuations in deposit levels as well as the credit needs and requirements of its clients. Both assets and liabilities contribute to the Company’s liquidity position. Federal funds lines, short-term investments and securities, and loan repayments contribute to liquidity, along with deposit increases, while loan funding and deposit withdrawals decrease liquidity. The Company assesses the likelihood of projected funding requirements by reviewing historical funding patterns, current and forecasted economic conditions and individual client funding needs. Commitments to fund loans and outstanding standby letters of credit at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 were approximately $35,729,000$43,649,000 and zero,$60,000, respectively. Such loan commitments relate primarily to revolving lines of credit and other commercial loans and to real estate construction loans. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The Company’s sources of liquidity consist of cash and due from correspondent banks, overnight funds sold to correspondent banks, unpledged marketable investments and loans held for sale and/or pledged for secured borrowings. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, consolidated liquid assets totaled $165.5$220.1 million or 19.3%24.0% of total assets compared to $141.5$191.2 million or 19.6%22.0% of total assets on December 31, 2019.2020. In addition to liquid assets, the Company maintains two short-term unsecured lines of credit in the amount of $17,000,000 with two of its correspondent banks. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Company had $17,000,000 available under these credit lines. Additionally, the Bank is a member of the FHLB. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Bank could have arranged for up to $164,746,000$172,836,000 in secured borrowings from the FHLB. These borrowings are secured by pledged mortgage loans and investment securities. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the BankCompany had advances, borrowings and commitments (including letters of credit) outstanding of $25,500,000,$20,787,000, leaving $139,246,000$152,049,000 available under these FHLB secured borrowing arrangements. TheAmerican River Bank also has a secured borrowing arrangement with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The borrowing can be secured by pledging selected loans and investment securities. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Bank’sCompany’s borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank was $6,345,000. In April 2020, the Company entered into a borrowing arrangement with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility (“PPPLF”). The PPPLF allows commercial lenders to pledge PPP loans as collateral for advances up to the term of the original PPP loans, through December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $1,960,000 pledged and borrowed under the PPPLF, and $73,844,000 in remaining PPP loans that could be pledged as collateral for future advances under the PPPLF.$6,062,000. The Company serves primarily a business and professional customer base and, as such, its deposit base is susceptible to economic fluctuations. Accordingly, management strives to maintain a balanced position of liquid assets and borrowing capacity to offset the potential runoff of these volatile and/or cyclical deposits.

Liquidity is also affected by portfolio maturities and the effect of interest rate fluctuations on the marketability of both assets and liabilities. The Company can sell any of its unpledged securities held in the available-for-sale category to meet liquidity needs. Furthermore, the Bank can pledge additional unencumbered securities to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco orand the FHLB.

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Off-Balance Sheet Items

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized on the balance sheet.

The Company’sCompany's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company applies the same credit policies to commitments and letters of credit as it does for loans included on the consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit were the only financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The Company has not entered into any contracts for financial derivative instruments such as futures, swaps, options or similar instruments. Loan commitments and standby letters of credit were $35,729,000$43,709,000 and $40,624,000$32,851,000 at September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. As a percentage of net loans these off-balance sheet items represent 6.9%9.3% and 10.3%7.0%, respectively. See also, Note 3 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information about the Company’s off-balance sheet items.

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The Company has certain ongoing commitments under operating leases. These commitments do not significantly impact operating results. See also, Note 9 “Leases” to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information about the Company’s leases.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Overview. Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its loan, investment and deposit functions. The goal for managing the assets and liabilities of the Company is to maximize shareholder value and earnings while maintaining a high quality balance sheet without exposing the Company to undue interest rate risk. The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the interest rate risk management policies. The Company has an Enterprise Risk Management Committee, made up of Company management that establishes and monitors guidelines to control the sensitivity of earnings to changes in interest rates.

Asset/Liability Management. Activities involved in asset/liability management include but are not limited to lending, accepting and placing deposits and investing in securities. Interest rate risk is the primary market risk associated with asset/liability management. Sensitivity of earnings to interest rate changes arises when yields on assets change in a different time period or in a different amount from that of interest costs on liabilities. To mitigate interest rate risk, the structure of the balance sheet is managed with the goal that movements of interest rates on assets and liabilities are correlated and contribute to earnings even in periods of volatile interest rates. The asset/liability management policy sets limits on the acceptable amount of variance in net interest margin and market value of equity under changing interest environments. The Company uses simulation models to forecast earnings, net interest margin and market value of equity.

Simulation of earnings is the primary tool used to measure the sensitivity of earnings to interest rate changes. Using computer-modeling techniques, with specialized software built for this specific purpose for financial institutions, the Company is able to estimate the potential impact of changing interest rates on earnings, net interest margin and market value of equity. A balance sheet is prepared using detailed inputs of actual loans, securities and interest-bearing liabilities (i.e. deposits/borrowings). The balance sheet is processed using multiple interest rate scenarios. The scenarios include a rising rate forecast, a flat rate forecast and a falling rate forecast which take place within a one-year time frame. The net interest income is measured over one-year and two-year periods assuming a gradual change in rates over the twelve-month horizon. The simulation modeling attempts to estimate changes in the Company’sCompany's net interest income utilizing a detailed current balance sheet. Table Eleven below summarizes the effect on net interest income (NII) of a ±100 and ±200 basis point change in interest rates as measured against a constant rate (no change) scenario.

Table Eleven: Interest Rate Risk Simulation of Net Interest as of March 31, 2021   
(dollars in thousands) $ Change in NII
from Current
12 Month Horizon
  $ Change in NII
from Current
24 Month Horizon
 
Variation from a constant rate scenario        
+100bp $597  $1,954 
+200bp $1,174  $3,958 
-100bp $(621) $(2,089)
-200bp $(1,351) $(4,163)

After a review of the model results as of March 31, 2021, the Company does not consider the fluctuations from the base case, to have a material impact on the Company’s projected results and are within the tolerance levels outlined in the Company’s interest rate risk polices. The simulations of earnings do not incorporate any management actions, which might moderate the negative consequences of interest rate deviations. Therefore, they do not reflect likely actual results, but serve as reasonable estimates of interest rate risk.

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Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

Interest rate sensitivity is a function of the repricing characteristics of the portfolio of assets and liabilities. These repricing characteristics are the time frames within which the interest-bearing assets and liabilities are subject to change in interest rates either at replacement, repricing or maturity. Interest rate sensitivity management focuses on the maturity of assets and liabilities and their repricing during periods of changes in market interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity is measured as the difference between the volumes of assets and liabilities in the current portfolio that are subject to repricing at various time horizons. The differences are known as interest sensitivity gaps. A positive cumulative gap may be equated to an asset sensitive position. An asset sensitive position in a rising interest rate environment will cause a bank’s interest rate margin to expand. This results as floating or variable rate loans reprice more rapidly than fixed rate certificates of deposit that reprice as they mature over time. Conversely, a declining interest rate environment will cause the opposite effect. A negative cumulative gap may be equated to a liability sensitive position. A liability sensitive position in a rising interest rate environment will cause a bank’s interest rate margin to contract, while a declining interest rate environment will have the opposite effect.

 

Table Eleven below summarizes the effect on net interest income (NII) of a ±100 and ±200 basis point change in interest rates as measured against a constant rate (no change) scenario.

50

Table Eleven: Interest Rate Risk Simulation of Net Interest as of September 30, 2020

(dollars in thousands) 

$ Change in NII

from Current

12 Month Horizon

       

$ Change in NII

from Current

24 Month Horizon

 
Variation from a constant rate scenario        
+100bp $589  $2,028 
+200bp $1,143  $4,050 
-100bp $(301) $(1,503)
-200bp $(715) $(2,928)

After a review of the model results as of September 30, 2020, the Company does not consider the fluctuations from the base case, to have a material impact on the Company’s projected results and are within the tolerance levels outlined in the Company’s interest rate risk polices. The simulations of earnings do not incorporate any management actions, which might moderate the negative consequences of interest rate deviations. Therefore, they do not reflect likely actual results, but serve as reasonable estimates of interest rate risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.are effective.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, the Company and/or its subsidiaries is a party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s management is not aware of any significant pending legal proceedings to which either it or its subsidiaries may be a party or has recently been a party, which will have a significant adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company or its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

ThereExcept as described below, there have been no significant changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019,2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2020, exceptMarch 18, 2021.

Because the market price of Marin Bancorp common stock will fluctuate, the Company's shareholders cannot be sure of the exact value of the consideration they will receive in the Merger.

Upon the effective time of the Merger described above, each share of Company common stock will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, consisting of shares of Marin Bancorp common stock pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. The value of the Merger Consideration to be received by Company shareholders will be based on an Exchange Ratio, which is fixed at 0.575 shares of Marin Bancorp common stock for each share of Company common stock. Because the price of Marin Bancorp common stock could fluctuate during the period of time between the date of this filing and the time the Company's shareholders actually receive their shares of Marin Bancorp common stock as described below.merger consideration, the Company's shareholders will be subject to the risk of a decline in the price of Marin Bancorp common stock during this period. The Company does not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement or to re-solicit the vote of its shareholders solely because of changes in the market prices of Marin Bancorp common stock. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including general market and economic conditions, changes in the values and perceptions of financial services stocks generally and Marin Bancorp in particular, changes in Marin Bancorp's business, operations and prospects and regulatory considerations. Many of these factors are beyond Marin Bancorp's control. Accordingly, the Company's shareholders will not know or be able to calculate the exact value of the shares of Marin Bancorp common stock they will receive upon completion of the Merger until actual consummation of the Merger.

47

Directors and officers of the Company have some interests in the Merger that are in addition to or different than the interests of the Company's shareholders.

The Company's directors and officers have interests in the Merger as individuals that are in addition to, or different from, their interests as shareholders of the Company, which include:

The Company's directors and officers will have the vesting of their Company stock options and Company restricted stock accelerated and (i) the Company restricted stock shall be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration and (ii) holders of Company options will receive cash based on the difference between the value of Marin Bancorp common stock as of a set time prior to the Merger and the strike price of the options.

The agreement of Marin Bancorp to honor indemnification obligations of the Company for a period of six (6) years, as well as to purchase liability insurance for the Company's directors and officers for six (6) years following the merger, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement;

Cash payments to certain officers of the Company in the aggregate amount of approximately $2.7 million, on a pre-tax basis, pursuant to the terms of their respective employment-related agreements with the Company and assumption of certain deferred compensation arrangements and other employee benefits the Company’s officers had previously entered into; and

The appointment of two directors of the Company to the Board of Directors of Marin Bancorp and Bank of Marin effective upon completion of the merger;

The termination fee and the restrictions on solicitation contained in the Merger Agreement may discourage other companies from trying to acquire the Company.

Until the completion of the Merger, with some limited exceptions, the Company is prohibited from soliciting, initiating, encouraging or participating in any discussion of or otherwise considering any inquiries or proposals that may lead to an acquisition proposal, such as a merger or other business combination transaction, with any person other than Marin Bancorp. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay a termination fee to Marin Bancorp in specified circumstances. These provisions could discourage other companies from trying to acquire the Company even though those other companies might be willing to offer greater value to the Company's shareholders than Marin Bancorp has offered in the Merger.

Marin Bancorp may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger.

The success of the Merger will depend on, among other things, Marin Bancorp's ability to realize the anticipated revenue enhancements and efficiencies and to combine the businesses of Marin Bancorp and the Company in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of the Company or result in decreased revenues resulting from any loss of customers and that permits growth opportunities to occur. If Marin Bancorp is not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

Marin Bancorp and the Company have operated and, until the completion of the Merger, will continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of each company's ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect Marin Bancorp's ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Merger. Integration efforts between the two companies could also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of Marin Bancorp and the Company during the transition period and on the combined company following completion of the merger.

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The merger may distract management of the Company and Marin Bancorp from their other responsibilities.

The merger could cause the management of the Company and Marin Bancorp to focus their time and energies on matters related to the Merger that otherwise would be directed to their respective businesses and operations. Anysuch distraction on the part of management, if significant, could affect the ability of Marin Bancorp and the Company to service existing business and develop new business and may adversely affect their businesses and earnings.

 

The market price of Marin Bancorp common stock after the Merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting the shares of the Company or Marin Bancorp currently.

Upon completion of the Merger, holders of Company common stock will become holders of Marin Bancorp common stock. Marin Bancorp's business differs from that of the Company, and, accordingly, the financial condition and results of operations of the combined company and the market price of Marin Bancorp common stock after the completion of the Merger may be affected by certain factors which are different from those currently affecting the financial condition and results of operations of the Company or Marin Bancorp on a standalone basis.

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impactedThe Merger is subject to the Statereceipt of California and our business. Weapprovals or waivers from regulatory authorities that may impose conditions that could have already experienced an adverse impacteffect on our business as resultMarin Bancorp.

Before the Merger can be completed, various approvals or waivers must be obtained from bank regulatory authorities. Regulatory approval or waivers are not guaranteed and even if granted, the bank regulatory authorities may impose conditions on the completion of the pandemic. The ultimate impactMerger or require changes to the terms of the COVID-19 pandemicMerger Agreement. Although the Company does not currently expect that any such conditions or changes will be imposed, there can be no assurance that they will not be, and such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying completion of the merger, imposing additional costs on, our business and financial results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain andor limiting the revenues of Marin Bancorp following the Merger or causing the Merger Agreement to terminate.

The Merger cannot be predicted, includingcompleted unless the scopeMarin Bancorp shareholders approve the Merger Agreement and durationthe issuance of Marin Bancorp common stock in the merger and the Company's shareholders approve the Merger Agreement.

In order for the Merger to be completed, the Marin Bancorp shareholders must approve the Merger Agreement and the issuance of Marin Bancorp common stock in the Merger and the Company shareholders must approve the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. If either or both of these required votes is not obtained from the shareholders of each of the pandemicrespective companies, the merger may not be consummated.

The Merger is subject to certain closing conditions that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the Merger not being completed, which may cause the prices of Marin Bancorp common stock and actions taken by governmental authoritiesthe Company's common stock to decline.

Consummation of the Merger is subject to customary conditions to closing in responseaddition to the pandemic.

receipt of the required regulatory approvals and approval of the Company's shareholders of the Merger Agreement and the approval of Marin Bancorp's shareholders of the issuance of Marin Bancorp common stock in connection with the Merger. If any condition to the Merger is not satisfied or waived, to the extent permitted by law, the Merger will not be completed. In addition, Marin Bancorp and the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances even if the Merger Agreement is approved by the Company's shareholders and the issuance of Marin Bancorp common stock in connection with the Merger is approved by Marin Bancorp's shareholders, including if the merger has not been completed on or before December 31, 2021. If the merger is not completed, the respective trading prices of Marin Bancorp common stock and Company common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market may decline to the extent that the current prices reflect a market assumption that the Merger will be completed. In addition, neither company would realize any of the expected benefits of having completed the Merger.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, lowered equity market valuations, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and increased unemployment levels. We, and manyshares of our clients, have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the pandemic has resulted in temporary closures of many businesses and the institution of social distancing and sheltering-in-place requirements in many states and communities. Our operations, like those of other financial institutions, are significantly influenced by economic conditions in California, including the strength of the real estate market and construction industry. As a result, the demand for our products and services has been, and may continueMarin Bancorp common stock to be adversely impacted.

Furthermore, the pandemic could influence the recognition of credit losses in our loan portfolios and increase our allowance for credit losses, particularly as businesses remain closed and as more customers are expected to draw on their lines of credit or seek additional loans to help finance their businesses. For the nine months ending September 30, 2020, we increased our allowance for loan lossesreceived by $1,485,000, primarilyCompany shareholders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, becauseMerger will have different rights than shares of the Company's common stock.

Upon completion of the Merger, the Company's shareholders will become Marin Bancorp shareholders and their rights as shareholders will be governed by the Marin Bancorp articles of incorporation and bylaws. The rights associated with Company common stock are different from the rights associated with Marin Bancorp common stock.

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Holders of Company common stock will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the Merger and will exercise less influence over management.

Holders of Company common stock currently have the right to vote in the election of the board of directors and on other matters affecting the Company. Upon the completion of the Merger, each Company shareholder who receives shares of Marin Bancorp common stock will become a shareholder of the Company with a percentage ownership of Marin Bancorp that is smaller than the shareholder’s percentage ownership of the Company. In the aggregate, the Company’s current shareholders are expected to own approximately 20.5% of the outstanding shares of Marin Bancorp common stock when the Merger is completed. Because of this, Company shareholders may have less influence on the management and policies of the combined company than they now have on the management and policies of the Company.

We will be subject to contractual restrictions and business uncertainties while the merger with Marin Bancorp is pending.

Although there is no assurance as to the exact timing, the merger currently is expected to close at the end of the third quarter of 2021 or early in the fourth quarter of 2021. The Merger Agreement requires us to operate in the ordinary course of business pending the Merger's completion, but restricts us from certain activities, including making acquisitions or opening of new branches, divestitures, issuance of securities and other customary restrictions without Marin Bancorp's consent. These restrictions may limit or prevent us from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the merger, and which we might pursue absent the Merger Agreement.

Uncertainty about the effects of the merger on our employees and customers may have an adverse effect on us. Certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles. These uncertainties may make it more difficult for us to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed, and could cause our customers and others that deal with us to consider changing existing business relationships with us. It is not unusual for competitors to use mergers as an opportunity to seek the merging parties' customers and to hire certain of their staffs. If key employees depart the Company or American River Bank in light of uncertainty over the merger or our integration efforts with Marin Bancorp, our business could be adversely affected.

The fairness opinion received by the Company’s board of directors has not been, and is not expected to be, updated to reflect any changes in circumstances that may have occurred since the date of the opinion.

The fairness opinions of Piper Sandler was delivered to the Company’s board of directors on April 16, 2021. Changes in the operations and prospects of Marin Bancorp or the Company, general market and economic conditions and market conditions affecting issuers,other factors which may be beyond the control of Marin Bancorp and the Company may have altered the value of Marin Bancorp or the Company or the sale prices of shares of Marin Bancorp common stock and Company common stock as of the date hereof, or may alter such values and sale prices by the time the Merger is completed. The opinion from Piper Sandler, dated April 16, 2021, does not speak as of any date other than the date of that opinion.

Termination of the Merger Agreement could negatively affect us.

If, for any reason, the Merger Agreement is terminated, our business may be adversely affected as a result of not pursuing other beneficial opportunities prior to such termination and our management focus on completing the merger. If the Merger Agreement is terminated and our board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, we may not be requiredable to recognize other-than-temporary impairments in future periods onfind a party willing to offer equivalent or more attractive consideration than the securities we hold as well as reductions in other comprehensive income. Our business operations may also be disrupted if significant portions of our workforce are unableconsideration Marin Bancorp has agreed to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions in connection with the pandemic, and we have already temporarily reduced hours at our branches and staff are working remotely. In response to the pandemic, we have implemented loan programs to allow borrowers to defer loan principal and interest payments and are participatingprovide in the PPP undermerger, especially if the CARES Act to help provide loans to our business clients to provide them with additional working capital to enable them to retain their employees. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition,termination fee becomes payable as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic.a result.

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

The Company did not repurchase any shares during 20192020 or the first ninethree months of 20202021 and does not currently have a stock repurchase program in place.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit 
NumberDocument Description
  
(10.1)First amendment to the Employment Agreement, dated September 20, 2006, by and between American River Bankshares and Kevin B. Bender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on February 23, 2021).
 
(10.2)Third Lease AmendmentFirst amendment to Leasethe Employment Agreement, between Point West Office Investors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Nelson Point West LLC, a Delaware limited liability companydated September 20, 2006, by and Bridgewood Point West LP, a Delaware limited partnership andbetween American River Bankshares and Mitchell A. Derenzo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on February 23, 2021).
(10.3)First amendment to the Employment Agreement, dated May 15, 2018, by and between American River Bank and Dan C. McGregor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on February 23, 2021).
(10.4)Agreement to Merge and Plan of Reorganization between American River Bankshares and Bank of Marin Bancorp, a California corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.12.1 filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on September 14, 2020)April 19, 2021).
  
(31.1)Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
  
(31.2)Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
  
(32.1)Certification of American River Bankshares by its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document*
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema*
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation*
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition*
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label*
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation*
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
  
 *Filed herewith
 ** Furnished herewith
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES
   
November 5, 2020May 6, 2021By:By:/s/ DAVID E. RITCHIE, JR.
  David E. Ritchie, Jr.
  President and
  Chief Executive Officer
   
 AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES
   
November 5, 2020May 6, 2021By:By:/s/ MITCHELL A. DERENZO
  Mitchell A. Derenzo
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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