Note 2: Accounting Policies

The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. 2022. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, Management has identified the allowance for loan losses accounting to be the accounting area requiring the most subjective or complex judgments,it is reasonably possible conditions could change materially affecting results of operations and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. A discussionfinancial conditions. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those discussed in “Risk Factors” in Part I – Item 1A of the factors affecting accountingCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the allowance for loan losses is includedyear ended December 31, 2022 may cause actual future results to differ materially from the results discussed in this report on Form 10-Q. Management continues to evaluate the impacts of the inflation and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, climate changes, COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the Company’s business. The extent of the impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flow, liquidity, and financial performance, as well as the Company’s ability to execute near- and long-term business strategies and initiatives, will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted. However, the effects could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and heighten many of the risk factors discussed in the “ProvisionCompany’s Annual  Report on Form 10-K for Loan Losses,” “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk”the year ended December 31, 2022. During the first quarter 2023, the banking industry experienced significant volatility with multiple bank failures. Industrywide concerns have developed related to liquidity, deposit outflows and “Allowance for Loan Losses” discussion below. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassifiedunrealized losses on investment debt securities. These recent events could adversely affect the Company’s ability to conform toeffectively fund the current presentation.Company’s operations. Any one or a combination of such risk factors, or other factors, could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Application of theseaccounting principles requires the Company to make certain estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain accounting policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairmenta writedown or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. Fair value is generally determined based on an exit price at which an asset or liability could be exchanged in a current transaction, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-partythird-party sources, when available. Certain amounts in previous periods have been reclassified to conform to current presentation.

Debt Securities. Debt securities consist of securities of government sponsored entities, states, counties, municipalities, corporations, agency mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations. Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. The Company classifies its debt securities in one of three categories: trading, available for sale or held to maturity. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in net income. Held to maturity debt securities are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held to maturity debt securities are recorded at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Securities not included in trading or held to maturity are classified as available for sale debt securities. Available for sale debt securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available for sale debt securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Accrued interest is recorded within other assets and reversed against interest income if it is not received. 

The Company utilizes third-party sources to value its investment securities; securities individually valued using quoted prices in active markets are classified as Level 1 assets in the fair value hierarchy, and securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for similar securities (commonly referred to as “matrix” pricing) are classified as Level 2 assets in the fair value hierarchy. The Company validates the reliability of third-party provided values by comparing individual security pricing for securities between more than onethird-party source. When third-party information is not available, valuation adjustments are estimated in good faith by Management and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company follows the guidance issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, “Investing in Securities without Reliance on Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies” (SR 12-15) and other regulatory guidance when performing investment security pre-purchase analysis or evaluating investment securities for credit loss. Credit ratings issued by recognized rating agencies are considered in the Company’s analysis only as a guide to the historical default rate associated with similarly-rated bonds.

To the extent that debt securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio share common risk characteristics, estimated expected credit losses are calculated in a manner like that used for loans held for investment. That is, for pools of such securities with common risk characteristics, the historical lifetime probability of default and severity of loss in the event of default is derived or obtained from external sources and adjusted for the expected effects of reasonable and supportable forecasts over the expected lives of the securities on those historical credit losses. Expected credit loss on each security in the held-to-maturity portfolio that does not share common risk characteristics with any of the pools of debt securities is individually evaluated and a reserve for credit losses is established based on the Company’s consideration of the history of credit losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may indicate that the expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is or continues to be zero. Therefore, for those securities, the Company does not record expected credit losses.

Available for sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for credit related loss at least quarterly. For available for sale debt securities, a decline in fair value due to credit loss results in recording an allowance for credit losses to the extent the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Declines in fair value that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses, such as declines due to changes in market interest rates, are recorded through other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Although these evaluations involve significant judgment, an unrealized loss in the fair value of a debt security is generally considered to not be related to credit when the fair value of the security is below the carrying value primarily due to changes in risk-free interest rates, there has not been significant deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer, and the Company does not intend to sell nor does it believe it will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its cost basis. 

If the Company intends to sell a debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the debt security is written down to its fair value and the write down is charged against the allowance for credit losses with any incremental loss reported in earnings.

Purchase premiums are amortized to the earliest call date and purchase discounts are amortized to maturity as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Unamortized premiums, unaccreted discounts, and early payment premiums are recognized as a component of gain or loss on sale upon disposition of the related security. Interest and dividend income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available for sale debt securities are included in earnings using the specific identification method.

Nonmarketable Equity Securities. Nonmarketable equity securities include securities that are not publicly traded, such as Visa Class B common stock, and securities acquired to meet regulatory requirements, such as Federal Reserve Bank stock, which are restricted. These restricted securities are accounted for under the cost method and are included in other assets. The Company reviews those assets accounted for under the cost method at least quarterly. The Company’s review typically includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each investment, the expectations for the investment’s cash flows and capital needs, the viability of its business model and any exit strategy. When the review indicates that impairment exists the asset value is reduced to fair value. The Company recognizes the estimated loss in noninterest income.

Loans. Loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned discount and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Interest is accrued daily on the outstanding principal balances and included in other assets. Loans which are more than 90 days delinquent with respect to interest or principal, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection, and other loans on which full recovery of principal or interest is in doubt, are placed on nonaccrual status. Interest previously accrued on loans placed on nonaccrual status is charged against interest income. In addition, some loans secured by real estate and commercial loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties are placed on nonaccrual status even though the borrowers continue to repay the loans as scheduled. When the ability to fully collect nonaccrual loan principal is in doubt, payments received are applied against the principal balance of the loans on a cost-recovery method until such time as full collection of the remaining recorded balance is expected. Any additional interest payments received after that time are recorded as interest income on a cash basis. Nonaccrual loans are reinstated to accrual status when none of the loan’s principal and interest is past due and improvements in credit quality eliminate doubt as to the full collectability of both principal and interest, or the loan otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Certain consumer loans or auto receivables are charged off against the allowance for credit losses when they become 120 days past due.

Allowance for Credit Losses. The Company extends loans to commercial and consumer customers primarily in Northern and Central California. These lending activities expose the Company to the risk borrowers will default, causing loan losses. The Company’s lending activities are exposed to various qualitative risks. All loan segments are exposed to risks inherent in the economy and market conditions. Significant risk characteristics related to the commercial loan segment include the borrowers’ business performance and financial condition, and the value of collateral for secured loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the commercial real estate segment include the borrowers’ business performance and the value of properties collateralizing the loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the construction loan segment include the borrowers’ performance in successfully developing the real estate into the intended purpose and the value of the property collateralizing the loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the residential real estate segment include the borrowers’ financial wherewithal to service the mortgages and the value of the property collateralizing the loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the consumer loan segment include the financial condition of the borrowers and the value of collateral securing the loans.

The preparation of these financial statements requires Management to estimate the amount of expected losses over the expected contractual life of the Bank’s existing loan portfolio and establish an allowance for credit losses. Loan agreements generally include a maturity date, and the Company considers the contractual life of a loan agreement to extend from the date of origination to the contractual maturity date. In estimating credit losses, Management must exercise significant judgment in evaluating information deemed relevant. The amount of ultimate losses on the loan portfolio can vary from the estimated amounts. Management follows a systematic methodology to estimate loss potential in an effort to reduce the differences between estimated and actual losses.

The allowance for credit losses is established through provisions for credit losses charged to income. Losses on loans are charged to the allowance for credit losses when all or a portion of the recorded amount of a loan is deemed to be uncollectible. Recoveries of loans previously charged off are credited to the allowance when realized. The Company’s allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for expected losses based on historical loss rates adjusted for current and expected conditions over a forecast period. These include conditions unique to individual borrowers, as well as overall credit loss experience, the amount of past due, nonperforming and classified loans, recommendations of regulatory authorities, prevailing economic conditions, or credit protection agreements and other factors.

Loans that share common risk characteristics are segregated into pools based on common characteristics, which is primarily determined by loan, borrower, or collateral type. Historical loss rates are determined for each pool. For consumer installment loans, primarily secured by automobiles, historical loss rates are determined using a vintage methodology, which tracks losses based on period of origination. For commercial, construction, and commercial real estate, historical loss rates are determined using an open pool methodology where losses are tracked over time for all loans included in the pool at the historical measurement date. Historical loss rates are adjusted for factors that are not reflected in the historical loss rates that are attributable to national or local economic or industry trends which have occurred but have not yet been recognized in past loan charge-off history, estimated losses based on management’s reasonable and supportable expectation of economic trends over a forecast horizon of up to two years, and other factors that impact credit loss expectations that are not reflected in the historical loss rates. Other factors include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the Company’s loan review system, adequacy of lending Management and staff, loan policies and procedures, problem loan trends, and concentrations of credit. At the end of the two-year forecast period loss rates revert immediately to the historical loss rates. The results of this analysis are applied to the amortized cost of the loans included within each pool. 

Loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans in the pools are evaluated individually. A loan is considered ‘collateral-dependent’ when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. A credit loss reserve for collateral-dependent loans is established at the difference between the amortized cost basis in the loan and the fair value of the underlying collateral adjusted for costs to sell. For other individually evaluated loans that are not collateral dependent, a credit loss reserve is established at the difference between the amortized cost basis in the loan and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. The impact of an expected modification to be made to loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is included in the allowance for credit losses when management determines such modification is likely.

Accrued interest is recorded in other assets and is excluded from the estimation of expected credit loss.  Accrued interest is reversed through interest income when amounts are determined to be uncollectible, which generally occurs when the underlying receivable is placed on nonaccrual status or charged off.

Liability for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures. Off-balance sheet credit exposures relate to letters of credit and unfunded loan commitments for commercial, construction and consumer loans. The Company maintains a separate allowance for credit losses from off-balance-sheet credit exposures, which is included within other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Increases or reductions to the Company’s allowance for credit losses from off-balance sheet credit exposures are recorded in other expenses. Management estimates the amount of expected losses by estimating expected usage exposures that are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company and applying the loss factors used in the allowance for credit loss methodology to estimate the liability for credit losses related to unfunded commitments. No credit loss estimate is reported for off-balance-sheet credit exposures that are unconditionally cancellable by the Company or for undrawn amounts under such arrangements that may be drawn prior to the cancellation of the arrangement.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09,ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures was, issued March 30, 2016.2022, eliminates the recognition and measurement guidance for troubled debt restructurings and requires enhanced disclosures about loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. This ASU also requires enhanced disclosure for loans that have been charged off. The provisions of the new standard changes several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) Accounting and Cash Flow Classification for Excess Tax Benefits, (2) Forfeitures, and (3) Tax Withholding Requirements and Cash Flow Classification.ASU became effective January 1, 2023 under a prospective approach. The Company adopted the ASU provisions effective to remove the recognition and measurement guidance for troubled debt restructurings and/or modify relevant disclosures in the “Loans” note to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. The requirement to include additional disclosures was adopted by the Company January 1, 2017, which has2023.  The additional disclosures did not affect the potential to create volatility in the book tax provision at the time nonqualified stock options are exercised or expire. During the first nine months of 2017,403 thousand shares were issued due to the exercise of nonqualified stock options resulting in a tax deduction exceeding related share based compensation by $1.6 million. The first nine months of 2017 income tax provision was $688 thousand lower than would have been under accounting standards prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur.financial results upon adoption.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

FASB ASU 2014-092020-04,RevenueReference Rate Reform (Topic 606)848): Revenue from Contracts with Customers,Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, was issued May 2014. March 2020. The ASU specifiesprovides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from LIBOR toward new interest rate benchmarks. For transactions that are modified because of reference rate reform and that meet certain scope guidance (i) modifications of loan agreements should be accounted for by prospectively adjusting the effective interest rate and the modification will be considered "minor" so that any existing unamortized origination fees/costs would carry forward and continue to be amortized and (ii) modifications of lease agreements should be accounted for as a standardized approach for revenue recognition across industries and transactions. The scopecontinuation of the ASU does not include revenue streams covered by other ASU topics; thus, Topic 606 does not apply to revenue related to financial instruments, guarantees and leases, such as the Company’s net interest income.

Approximately 73% of our revenue, including all of our net interest income and a portion of our noninterest income, is out of scopeexisting agreement with no reassessments of the guidance. The contractslease classification and the discount rate or remeasurements of lease payments that are in scopeotherwise would be required for modifications not accounted for as separate contracts. ASU 2020-04 also provides numerous optional expedients for derivative accounting. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06,Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the guidance are primarily relatedSunset Date of Topic 848.” The ASU 2022-06 deferred the sunset date of ASU 2020-04 to service charges and fees on deposit accounts, merchant processing fees, trust fees and other service charges, commissions and fees. We have createdDecember 2024. Once elected for a Topic or an implementation teamIndustry Subtopic within the Codification, the amendments in this ASU must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that is analyzing the individual contracts in scope to determine if our current accounting will change. This review is expected be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Topic or Industry Subtopic. The Company will be required to adopt the ASU on January 1, 2018. The Company intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2018, as required. The Company has does not yet selected a transition method. The Company’s preliminary analysis suggests that the adoption of this accounting standard is not expected to have a expect any material impact on the Company’sits consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASU 2016-01,Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,was issued January 2016. The ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Most notably, the ASU changes the income statement impact of equity investments held by the Company and the requirement for the Company to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.

[The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions on January 1, 2018, and for those equity securities with readily determinable fair values, the Company plans to elect the retrospective transition approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to the balance sheet and for those equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the Company plans to elect the prospective transition approach. The adoptionremainder of this accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be subject to the price volatility of the equity investments.page intentionally left blank]

FASB ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842), was issued February 25, 2016. The provisions of the new standard require lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet, increasing reported assets and liabilities. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP.

The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions January 1, 2019, and plans to elect the modified retrospective transition approach. Management is evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2016, the Company leased 61 of its operating facilities; the remaining minimum lease payments were $20.8 million. The Company does not expect a material change in noninterest expenses upon adoption of the new standard.

FASB ASU 2016-13,Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, was issued on June 16, 2016. The ASU significantly changes estimates for credit losses related to financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other contracts. For estimating credit losses, the FASB is replacing the incurred loss model with the current expected credit loss (CECL) model, which will accelerate recognition of credit losses. Additionally, credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses under the new standard. The Company will also be required to provide additional disclosures related to the financial assets within the scope of the new standard.

The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions on January 1, 2020. Management is evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The ultimate adjustment to the allowance for loan losses will be accomplished through an offsetting after-tax adjustment to shareholders’ equity. Management expects the Company and the Bank to meet all regulatory capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject following adoption of the new standard. Economic conditions and the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio at the time of adoption will influence the extent of the adopting accounting adjustment.

FASB ASU 2017-08,Receivables – Non-Refundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, was issued March 2017. The ASU will shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.

The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions on January 1, 2019. Management is evaluating the impact the ASU will have on the Company’s financial statements.