Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses | NOTE 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses The Company makes loans to individuals and small businesses for various personal and commercial purposes primarily in the Upstate, Midlands, and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina, the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte regions of North Carolina as well as Atlanta, Georgia. The Company’s loan portfolio is not concentrated in loans to any single borrower or a relatively small number of borrowers. The Company focuses its lending activities on businesses and individuals that reside in the markets that we serve. The principal component of the loan portfolio is loans secured by real estate mortgages which account for 83.5% 55.4% 44.6% 17.9% 25.5% 2.8% In addition to monitoring potential concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or groups of borrowers, industries and geographic regions, management monitors exposure to credit risk from concentrations of lending products and practices such as loans that subject borrowers to substantial payment increases (e.g. principal deferral periods, loans with initial interest-only periods, etc.), and loans with high loan-to-value ratios. Additionally, there are industry practices that could subject the Company to increased credit risk should economic conditions change over the course of a loan’s life. For example, the Company makes variable rate loans and fixed rate principal-amortizing loans with maturities prior to the loan being fully paid (i.e. balloon payment loans). The various types of loans are individually underwritten and monitored to manage the associated risks. Loan Portfolio Composition The following table summarizes the composition of our loan portfolio. Total gross loans are recorded net of deferred loan fees and costs, which totaled $ 6.2 7.0 Schedule of composition of our loan portfolio December 31 (dollars in thousands) Commercial [Member] 2024 2023 Commercial Owner occupied RE Owner occupied RE [Member] $ 651,597 17.9 % $ 631,657 17.5 % Non-owner occupied RE 924,367 25.5 % 942,529 26.2 % Construction Construction [Member] 103,204 2.8 % 150,680 4.2 % Business 556,117 15.3 % 500,161 13.9 % Total commercial loans Consumer [Member] 2,235,285 61.5 % 2,225,027 61.8 % Consumer Real estate Real estate [Member] 1,128,629 31.1 % 1,082,429 30.0 % Home equity Home equity [Member] 204,897 5.6 % 183,004 5.1 % Construction Non-owner occupied RE [Member] 20,874 0.6 % 63,348 1.7 % Other Other [Member] 42,082 1.2 % 48,819 1.4 % Total consumer loans 1,396,482 38.5 % 1,377,600 38.2 % Total gross loans, net of deferred fees 3,631,767 100.0 % 3,602,627 100.0 % Less – allowance for credit losses (39,914 ) (40,682 ) Total loans, net $ 3,591,853 $ 3,561,945 The composition of gross loans by rate type is as follows: Schedule of composition of gross loans by rate type December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2024 2023 Floating rate loans $ 697,897 $ 574,352 Fixed rate loans 2,933,870 3,028,275 Total loans $ 3,631,767 $ 3,602,627 At December 31, 2024, approximately $ 1.29 Credit Quality Indicators The Company tracks credit quality based on its internal risk ratings. Upon origination, a loan is assigned an initial risk grade, which is generally based on several factors such as the borrower’s credit score, the loan-to-value ratio, the debt-to-income ratio, etc. After loans are initially graded, they are monitored regularly for credit quality based on many factors, such as payment history, the borrower’s financial status, and changes in collateral value. Loans can be downgraded or upgraded depending on management’s evaluation of these factors. Internal risk-grading policies are consistent throughout each loan type. A description of the general characteristics of the risk grades is as follows: ● Pass— A pass loan ranges from minimal to average credit risk; however, still has acceptable credit risk. ● Watch— A watch loan exhibits above average credit risk due to minor weaknesses and warrants closer scrutiny by management. ● Special mention — A special mention loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or the institution’s credit position at some future date. ● Substandard— A substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, which may jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. A substandard loan is characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. ● Doubtful— A doubtful loan has all of the weaknesses inherent in one classified as substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of the currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The following table presents loan balances classified by credit quality indicators by year of origination as of December 31, 2024. Schedule of classified by credit quality indicators by year of origination December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior Revolving Revolving Total Commercial Owner occupied RE Pass $ 51,338 47,997 186,361 122,306 66,561 145,743 160 238 620,704 Watch 480 1,180 3,638 1,962 8,828 11,012 - - 27,100 Special Mention - - 162 - - 2,840 - - 3,002 Substandard - - - - - 791 - - 791 Total Owner occupied RE 51,818 49,177 190,161 124,268 75,389 160,386 160 238 651,597 Non-owner occupied RE Pass 50,685 70,517 321,726 145,658 95,994 183,723 360 220 868,883 Watch - 954 6,081 10,238 4,705 8,435 - - 30,413 Special Mention - - - 7,579 - 8,882 - - 16,461 Substandard - - 969 - - 7,641 - - 8,610 Total Non-owner occupied RE 50,685 71,471 328,776 163,475 100,699 208,681 360 220 924,367 Current period gross write-offs - - - - - (1,029 ) - - (1,029 ) Construction Pass 24,076 26,501 34,067 15,000 - - - - 99,644 Watch - 2,420 1,140 - - - - - 3,560 Total Construction 24,076 28,921 35,207 15,000 - - - - 103,204 Business Pass 54,814 41,743 129,450 38,312 15,716 51,566 196,246 803 528,650 Watch - 132 5,353 2,174 1,423 5,243 8,776 389 23,490 Special Mention 660 95 805 - 65 533 - 206 2,364 Substandard 28 - - - 385 630 570 - 1,613 Total Business 55,502 41,970 135,608 40,486 17,589 57,972 205,592 1,398 556,117 Current period gross write-offs - - - (143 ) (347 ) (18 ) (72 ) - (580 ) Total Commercial loans 182,081 191,539 689,752 343,229 193,677 427,039 206,112 1,856 2,235,285 Consumer Real estate Pass 78,287 144,487 277,854 263,079 160,007 153,584 - - 1,077,298 Watch 671 2,409 6,961 8,573 4,147 4,632 - - 27,393 Special Mention 817 1,536 5,987 2,664 2,804 5,181 - - 18,989 Substandard 212 508 967 746 821 1,695 - - 4,949 Total Real estate 79,987 148,940 291,769 275,062 167,779 165,092 - - 1,128,629 Home equity Pass - - - - - - 188,451 - 188,451 Watch - - - - - - 9,114 - 9,114 Special Mention - - - - - - 6,173 - 6,173 Substandard - - - - - - 1,159 - 1,159 Total Home equity - - - - - - 204,897 - 204,897 Current period gross write-offs - - - - - - (45 ) - (45 ) Construction Pass 7,700 3,636 9,222 316 - - - - 20,874 Total Construction 7,700 3,636 9,222 316 - - - - 20,874 Other Pass 2,732 836 1,521 1,593 1,229 2,609 29,660 - 40,180 Watch 167 61 12 366 - 129 595 - 1,330 Special Mention 36 35 325 66 - 65 45 - 572 Total Other 2,935 932 1,858 2,025 1,229 2,803 30,300 - 42,082 Current period gross write-offs - - - - - (38 ) (42 ) - (80 ) Total Consumer loans 90,622 153,508 302,849 277,403 169,008 167,895 235,197 - 1,396,482 Total loans $ 272,703 345,047 992,601 620,632 362,685 594,934 441,309 1,856 3,631,767 Total Current period gross write-offs - - - (143 ) (347 ) (1,085 ) (159 ) - (1,734 ) The following table presents loan balances classified by credit quality indicators by year of origination as of December 31, 2023. December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior Revolving Revolving Total Commercial Owner occupied RE Pass $ 42,846 180,654 138,549 64,818 59,880 110,502 85 166 597,500 Watch - 3,460 460 15,997 3,525 6,616 - - 30,058 Special Mention - 181 - - - 3,057 - - 3,238 Substandard - - - - - 861 - - 861 Total Owner occupied RE 42,846 184,295 139,009 80,815 63,405 121,036 85 166 631,657 Non-owner occupied RE Pass 84,617 298,063 162,697 107,364 59,260 163,990 9,249 - 885,240 Watch 1,007 3,260 9,914 533 5,545 10,630 - - 30,889 Special Mention - - 7,759 - 8,252 879 - - 16,890 Substandard - - 313 - 8,088 1,109 - - 9,510 Total Non-owner occupied RE 85,624 301,323 180,683 107,897 81,145 176,608 9,249 - 942,529 Current period gross write-offs - (200 ) - - - (42 ) - - (242 ) Construction Pass 27,262 86,161 24,399 11,459 - - - - 149,281 Watch - 1,399 - - - - - - 1,399 Total Construction 27,262 87,560 24,399 11,459 - - - - 150,680 Business Pass 48,705 134,999 48,557 18,868 17,292 47,708 146,745 1,431 464,305 Watch 127 15,867 1,833 1,010 842 3,584 7,570 506 31,339 Special Mention 241 961 98 857 184 447 150 97 3,035 Substandard - - 155 - 132 1,195 - - 1,482 Total Business 49,073 151,827 50,643 20,735 18,450 52,934 154,465 2,034 500,161 Current period gross write-offs - - - (28 ) - - (15 ) (22 ) (65 ) Total Commercial loans 204,805 725,005 394,734 220,906 163,000 350,578 163,799 2,200 2,225,027 Consumer Real estate Pass 144,179 273,585 278,138 176,395 66,087 105,383 - - 1,043,767 Watch 490 5,658 8,230 3,917 2,051 3,890 - - 24,236 Special Mention 143 2,499 1,657 1,291 2,220 3,360 - - 11,170 Substandard - - 635 817 318 1,486 - - 3,256 Total Real estate 144,812 281,742 288,660 182,420 70,676 114,119 - - 1,082,429 Home equity Pass - - - - - - 171,003 - 171,003 Watch - - - - - - 6,393 - 6,393 Special Mention - - - - - - 4,283 - 4,283 Substandard - - - - - - 1,325 - 1,325 Total Home equity - - - - - - 183,004 - 183,004 Current period gross write-offs - - - - - - (438 ) - (438 ) Construction Pass 14,339 39,893 9,116 - - - - - 63,348 Total Construction 14,339 39,893 9,116 - - - - - 63,348 Other Pass 1,278 2,551 2,361 1,457 803 2,604 36,549 - 47,603 Watch 9 29 348 - 15 163 58 - 622 Special Mention 33 333 - - 23 82 41 - 512 Substandard - - 75 - - - 7 - 82 Total Other 1,320 2,913 2,784 1,457 841 2,849 36,655 - 48,819 Current period gross write-offs - - - - - - (16 ) - (16 ) Total Consumer loans 160,471 324,548 300,560 183,877 71,517 116,968 219,659 - 1,377,600 Total loans $ 365,276 1,049,553 695,294 404,783 234,517 467,546 383,458 2,200 3,602,627 Total Current period gross write-offs - (200 ) - (28 ) - (42 ) (469 ) (22 ) (761 ) The following tables present loan balances by age and payment status. Schedule of loan balances by age payment status December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands) Accruing 30-59 Accruing 60-89 Accruing 90 Nonaccrual Accruing Total Commercial Owner occupied RE $ 292 - - - 651,305 651,597 Non-owner occupied RE - - - 7,641 916,726 924,367 Construction - - - - 103,204 103,204 Business 1,319 - - 1,016 553,782 556,117 Consumer Real estate 3,839 938 - 1,908 1,121,944 1,128,629 Home equity 41 - - 312 204,544 204,897 Construction - - - - 20,874 20,874 Other - - - - 42,082 42,082 Total loans $ 5,491 938 - 10,877 3,614,461 3,631,767 December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands) Accruing 30-59 Accruing 60-89 Accruing 90 Nonaccrual Accruing Total Commercial Owner occupied RE $ 74 - - - 631,583 631,657 Non-owner occupied RE 8,102 - - 1,423 933,004 942,529 Construction - - - - 150,680 150,680 Business 567 - - 319 499,275 500,161 Consumer Real estate 1,750 - - 985 1,079,694 1,082,429 Home equity 601 30 - 1,236 181,137 183,004 Construction - - - - 63,348 63,348 Other 25 25 - - 48,769 48,819 Total loans $ 11,119 55 - 3,963 3,587,490 3,602,627 As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, loans 30 days or more past due represented 0.25% 0.37% 0.07% 0.27% 0.18% 0.09% Nonperforming assets The following table shows the nonperforming assets and the related percentage of nonperforming assets to total assets and gross loans. Generally, a loan is placed on nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest, or when we believe, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of the contractual principal or interest on the loan is doubtful. A payment of interest on a loan that is classified as nonaccrual is recognized as a reduction in principal when received. Schedule of nonperforming assets December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2024 2023 Nonaccrual loans $ 10,877 3,963 Other real estate owned - - Total nonperforming assets $ 10,877 3,963 Nonperforming assets as a percentage of: Total assets 0.27 % 0.10 % Gross loans 0.30 % 0.11 % Total loans over 90 days past due $ 2,641 1,300 Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing - - The table below summarizes nonaccrual loans by major categories for the periods presented. Schedule of nonaccrual loans by major categories December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Nonaccrual Nonaccrual Nonaccrual Nonaccrual loans loans Total loans loans Total with no with an nonaccrual with no with an nonaccral (dollars in thousands) allowance allowance loans allowance allowance loans Commercial Non-owner occupied RE $ 5,844 1,797 7,641 $ 653 770 1,423 Business - 1,016 1,016 164 155 319 Total commercial 5,844 2,813 8,657 817 925 1,742 Consumer Real estate 1,526 382 1,908 - 985 985 Home equity 312 - 312 343 893 1,236 Total consumer 1,838 382 2,220 343 1,878 2,221 Total nonaccrual loans $ 7,682 3,195 10,877 $ 1,160 2,803 3,963 Foregone interest income on the nonaccrual loans for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately $ 200,000 73,000 no 113,000 71,000 Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty The allowance for credit losses incorporates an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses and is recorded on each asset upon origination or acquisition. The starting point for the estimate of the allowance for credit losses is historical loss information, which includes losses from modifications of receivables to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The Company uses a probability of default/loss given default model to determine the allowance for credit losses. An assessment of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of a modification. Because the effect of most modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the allowance for credit losses due to the measurement methodologies used to estimate the allowance, a change to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification. Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty were not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Allowance for Credit Losses The following table summarizes the activity related to the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 under the CECL methodology. The $ 500,000 29.1 2.2 329.3 Schedule of activity related to the allowance for credit losses For the years ended December 31, 2024 Commercial Consumer (dollars in thousands) Owner Non- Construction Business Real Home Construction Other Total Balance, beginning of period $ 6,118 11,167 1,594 7,385 10,647 2,600 677 494 40,682 Provision for credit losses (636 ) 81 (654 ) 828 1,712 (155 ) (562 ) (114 ) 500 Loan charge-offs - (1,029 ) - (580 ) - (45 ) - (80 ) (1,734 ) Loan recoveries - - - 112 - 255 - 99 466 Net loan recoveries (charge-offs) - (1,029 ) - (468 ) - 210 - 19 (1,268 ) Balance, end of period $ 5,482 10,219 940 7,745 12,359 2,655 115 399 39,914 Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized) 0.04 % Allowance for credit losses to gross loans 1.10 % Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans 366.94 % For the years ended December 31, 2023 Commercial Consumer (dollars in thousands) Owner Non-owner Construction Business Real Home Construction Other Total Balance, beginning of period $ 5,867 10,376 1,292 7,861 9,487 2,551 893 312 38,639 Provision for credit losses 251 848 302 (755 ) 1,160 422 (216 ) 197 2,209 Loan charge-offs - (242 ) - (65 ) - (438 ) - (16 ) (761 ) Loan recoveries - 185 - 344 - 65 - 1 595 Net loan recoveries (charge-offs) - (57 ) - 279 - (373 ) - (15 ) (166 ) Balance, end of period $ 6,118 11,167 1,594 7,385 10,647 2,600 677 494 40,682 Net recoveries to average loans (annualized) 0.00 % Allowance for credit losses to gross loans 1.13 % Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans 1026.55 % For the years ended December 31, 2022 Commercial Consumer (dollars in thousands) Owner Non-owner Construction Business Real Home Construction Other Total Balance, beginning of period $ 4,700 10,518 625 4,887 7,083 1,697 578 320 30,408 Adjustment for CECL (313 ) 333 154 1,057 (294 ) 438 130 (5 ) 1,500 Provision for credit losses 1,480 (2,015 ) 513 1,764 2,698 663 185 87 5,375 Loan charge-offs - - - (55 ) - (339 ) - (91 ) (485 ) Loan recoveries - 1,540 - 208 - 92 - 1 1,841 Net loan recoveries (charge-offs) - 1,540 - 153 - (247 ) - (90 ) 1,356 Balance, end of period $ 5,867 10,376 1,292 7,861 9,487 2,551 893 312 38,639 Net recoveries to average loans (annualized) (0.05 %) Allowance for credit losses to gross loans 1.18 % Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans 1470.84 % Collateral dependent loans are loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The Company reviews individually evaluated loans for designation as collateral dependent loans, as well as other loans that management of the Company designates as having higher risk. These loans do not share common risk characteristics and are not included within the collectively evaluated loans for determining the allowance for credit losses. Under CECL, for collateral dependent loans, the Company has adopted the practical expedient to measure the allowance for credit losses based on the fair value of collateral. The allowance for credit losses is calculated on an individual loan basis based on the shortfall between the fair value of the loan's collateral, which is adjusted for liquidation costs/discounts, and amortized cost. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the amortized cost, no allowance is required. The following table presents an analysis of collateral-dependent loans of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Schedule of analysis of collateral-dependent loans December 31, 2024 Real Business (dollars in thousands) estate assets Other Total Commercial Non-owner occupied RE $ 7,641 - - 7,641 Business 460 556 - 1,016 Total commercial 8,101 556 - 8,657 Consumer Real estate 1,908 - - 1,908 Home equity 312 - - 312 Total consumer 2,220 - - 2,220 Total collateral dependent loans $ 10,321 556 - 10,877 December 31, 2023 Real Business (dollars in thousands) estate assets Other Total Commercial Non-owner occupied RE $ 720 - - 720 Business 164 - - 164 Total commercial 884 - - 884 Consumer Real estate 166 - - 166 Home equity 343 - - 343 Total consumer 509 - - 509 Total collateral dependent loans $ 1,393 - - 1,393 Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Loan Commitments The allowance for credit losses for unfunded loan commitments was $ 1.5 1.8 Schedule of allowance for credit losses for unfunded loan commitments For the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2024 2023 2022 Balance, beginning of period $ 1,831 2,780 - Adjustment for adoption of CECL - - 2,000 Provision for (reversal of) credit losses (375 ) (949 ) 780 Balance, end of period $ 1,456 1,831 2,780 Unfunded Loan Commitments 719,084 724,606 878,324 Reserve for Unfunded Commitments to Unfunded Loan Commitments 0.20 % 0.25 % 0.32 % |