Allowance for Credit Losses | 5. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The loan segments used are consistent with the internal reports evaluated by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to monitor risk and performance within various segments of its loan portfolio and, therefore, no further disaggregation is considered necessary. The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of real estate loans on commercial and residential property. The portfolio also includes agricultural loans, commercial loans, municipal loans, and consumer loans. The Company’s primary lending activity is the origination of commercial loans extended to small and mid-sized commercial and industrial entities. Commercial loans are primarily underwritten on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to service such debt from income. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. As a general practice, the Company takes as collateral a security interest in any equipment, or other chattel, although loans may also be made on an unsecured basis. Collateralized working capital loans typically are secured by short-term assets whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets. Construction and Land loans are to finance the construction of owner-occupied and income producing properties. These loans are categorized within commercial or one-to-four family residential loans based upon the underlying collateral and intended use following the completion of the construction period. Real estate development and construction loans are approved based on an analysis of the borrower and guarantor, the viability of the project and on an acceptable percentage of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Construction loan funds are disbursed periodically based on the percentage of construction or development completed. The Company carefully monitors these loans with on-site inspections and requires the receipt of lien waivers on funds advanced. The Company considers the market conditions and feasibility of proposed projects, the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and guarantors, the amount of the borrower’s equity in the project, independent appraisals, cost estimates and pre-construction sale information. The Company also makes loans on occasion for the purchase of land for future development by the borrower. Land loans are extended for the future development for either commercial or residential use by the borrower. The Company carefully analyzes the intended use of the property and the viability thereof. The Company’s commercial real estate loans consist of mortgage loans secured by nonresidential real estate, such as by apartment buildings, small office buildings, and owner-occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are secured by the subject property and are underwritten based on loan to value limits, cash flow coverage and general creditworthiness of the obligors. These loans tend to involve larger loan balances and their repayment is typically dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying real estate. Residential real estate loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s repayment capacity and source, value of the underlying property, credit history and stability. These loans are secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s principal residence or their second/vacation home (excluding investment/rental property). In addition to the main types of loans discussed above, the Company also originates agricultural loans, consumer loans, and municipal loans. The agricultural loan portfolio consists of loans to local farmers and agricultural businesses that are generally secured by farmland and equipment. The consumer loan portfolio consists of lending in the form of home equity loans secured by financed property and personal consumer loans, which may be secured or unsecured. The municipal loan portfolio consists of loans to qualified local municipalities, which are generally supported by the taxing authority of the borrowing municipality, and is frequently secured by collateral. Management systematically monitors the loan portfolio and the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis to provide for expected losses inherent in the portfolio. For segments determined by discounted cash flow analysis, the Company's estimate of future economic conditions utilized in its estimate is primarily dependent on the Federal Open Market Committee's forecasts related to Real Gross Domestic Product and Unemployment rate. For segments determined by the remaining life method, an average loss rate is generally calculated based on peer losses and applied to the future outstanding loan balances at quarter end. Certain qualitative factors are then added to the historical allocation percentage to get the adjusted factor to be applied to non-classified loans. The following qualitative factors are analyzed for each portfolio segment: • Levels of and trends in delinquencies • Trends in volume and terms • Changes in collateral • Changes in management and lending staff • Economic trends • Concentrations of credit • Changes in lending policies • External factors • Changes in underwriting process • Trends in credit quality ratings These qualitative factors are reviewed each quarter and adjusted based upon relevant changes within the portfolio. The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. The Company considers the allowance for credit losses adequate to cover loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Accrued interest receivable on loans totaled $ 9.1 million at March 31, 2024 and was reported within accrued interest receivable and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for credit losses by loan segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Beginning balance Charge-offs Recoveries Provision for credit losses Ending balance (In Thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Allowance for credit losses: Agriculture and farmland $ 12 $ — $ — $ — $ 12 Construction 959 — 1 563 1,523 Commercial & industrial 2,940 ( 6 ) 2 26 2,962 Commercial real estate Multifamily 1,483 — — 109 1,592 Owner occupied 6,572 ( 6 ) — ( 828 ) 5,738 Non-owner occupied 5,773 ( 54 ) — 380 6,099 Residential real estate First liens 4,778 — 8 ( 111 ) 4,675 Second liens and lines of credit 1,072 — 6 ( 7 ) 1,071 Municipal 79 — — ( 11 ) 68 Consumer 99 ( 22 ) 1 24 102 Total $ 23,767 $ ( 88 ) $ 18 $ 145 $ 23,842 Beginning balance, prior to adoption of ASC 326 Impact of adopting ASC 326 Charge-offs Recoveries Provision for credit losses Ending balance (In Thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Allowance for credit losses: Agriculture and farmland $ 279 $ ( 190 ) $ — $ — $ 119 $ 208 Construction 274 513 — — 26 813 Commercial & industrial 583 283 — — 64 930 Commercial real estate Multifamily 480 340 — — ( 90 ) 730 Owner occupied 635 760 — — 198 1,593 Non-owner occupied 1,116 3,195 — — 4 4,315 Residential real estate First liens 1,029 635 — 1 ( 157 ) 1,508 Second liens and lines of credit 218 140 — 1 43 402 Municipal 12 ( 2 ) — — ( 3 ) 7 Consumer 40 ( 19 ) — — ( 1 ) 20 Total $ 4,666 $ 5,655 $ — $ 2 $ 203 $ 10,526 T he following table presents the amortized cost basis of nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or greater and still accruing by segments of the loan portfolio: As of March 31, 2024 (In Thousands) Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit Loss Nonaccrual with a related Allowance for Credit Loss Total Nonaccrual Loans 90 days or greater past due still accruing Agriculture and farmland $ — $ — $ — $ — Construction — — — 91 Commercial & industrial 6 — 6 80 Commercial real estate Multifamily — — — — Owner occupied 2,631 — 2,631 — Non-owner occupied 352 — 352 — Residential real estate First liens 2,620 — 2,620 605 Second liens and lines of credit 289 — 289 — Municipal — — — — Consumer — — — — Total $ 5,898 $ — $ 5,898 $ 776 As of December 31, 2023 (In Thousands) Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit Loss Nonaccrual with a related Allowance for Credit Loss Total Nonaccrual Loans 90 days or greater past due still accruing Agriculture and farmland $ — $ — $ — $ — Construction 191 — 191 — Commercial & industrial 53 8 61 58 Commercial real estate Multifamily — — — — Owner occupied 2,465 83 2,548 6 Non-owner occupied 948 281 1,229 — Residential real estate First liens 2,346 361 2,707 149 Second liens and lines of credit 294 — 294 — Municipal — — — — Consumer 7 — 7 — Total $ 6,304 $ 733 $ 7,037 $ 213 The Company recognized $ 28 and $ 14 of interest income on nonaccrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following tables present, by class of loans, the carrying value of collateral dependent nonaccrual loans and type of collateral as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. March 31, 2024 (In Thousands) Real Estate Business Assets Other Total Agriculture and farmland loans $ — $ — $ — $ — Construction — — — — Commercial & industrial loans — 6 — 6 Commercial real estate loans Multifamily — — — — Owner occupied 2,631 — — 2,631 Non-owner occupied 352 — — 352 Residential real estate loans First liens 2,620 — — 2,620 Second liens and lines of credit 289 — — 289 Municipal — — — — Consumer — — — — $ 5,892 $ 6 $ - $ 5,898 December 31, 2023 (In Thousands) Real Estate Business Assets Other Total Agriculture and farmland loans $ — $ — $ — $ — Construction 191 — — 191 Commercial & industrial loans — 61 — 61 Commercial real estate loans Multifamily — — — — Owner occupied 2,548 — — 2,548 Non-owner occupied 1,229 — — 1,229 Residential real estate loans First liens 2,707 — — 2,707 Second liens and lines of credit 294 — — 294 Municipal — — — — Consumer — — 7 7 $ 6,969 $ 61 $ 7 $ 7,037 The following tables present an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past due loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. March 31, 2024 (In Thousands) 30-59 60-89 90 Days Total Current Total Agriculture and farmland $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 67,359 $ 67,359 Construction 1,300 2,427 91 3,818 190,573 194,391 Commercial & industrial 245 — 86 331 218,393 218,724 Commercial real estate Multifamily — — — — 190,146 190,146 Owner occupied 625 3,388 2,631 6,644 482,823 489,467 Non-owner occupied — 3,920 352 4,272 585,459 589,731 Residential real estate First liens 1,629 1,190 1,376 4,195 399,105 403,300 Second liens and lines of credit 315 223 97 635 70,425 71,060 Municipal — — — — 16,810 16,810 Consumer 31 2 — 33 4,440 4,473 Total $ 4,145 $ 11,150 $ 4,633 $ 19,928 $ 2,225,533 $ 2,245,461 December 31, 2023 (In Thousands) 30-59 60-89 90 Days Total Current Total Agriculture and farmland $ 14 $ — $ — $ 14 $ 65,847 $ 65,861 Construction 10 — 191 201 178,282 178,483 Commercial & industrial 46 1 118 165 238,178 238,343 Commercial real estate Multifamily — — — — 180,788 180,788 Owner occupied 156 2,802 137 3,095 498,637 501,732 Non-owner occupied — 86 1,239 1,325 579,647 580,972 Residential real estate First liens 719 419 872 2,010 400,423 402,433 Second liens and lines of credit 279 128 97 504 70,243 70,747 Municipal — — — — 16,756 16,756 Consumer 15 15 7 37 5,207 5,244 Total $ 1,239 $ 3,451 $ 2,661 $ 7,351 $ 2,234,008 $ 2,241,359 Credit Quality Information The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all. The Company’s internally assigned grades are as follows: Pass – loans that are protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. There are four sub-grades within the Pass category to further distinguish the loan. Special Mention – loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected. Substandard – loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Doubtful – loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a Substandard asset. In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on existing circumstances. Loss – loans classified as a Loss are considered uncollectible and are immediately charged against allowances. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of March 31, 2024. March 31, 2024 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (In Thousands) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior Revolving loans amortized cost basis Revolving loans converted to term Total Agriculture and farmland Pass $ 6,690 $ 1,428 $ 14,236 $ 9,414 $ 5,063 $ 21,213 $ 4,266 $ 29 $ 62,339 Special mention — 12 — 70 — 1,962 287 — 2,331 Substandard or lower — — — 13 113 2,549 14 — 2,689 Total Agriculture and farmland $ 6,690 $ 1,440 $ 14,236 $ 9,497 $ 5,176 $ 25,724 $ 4,567 $ 29 $ 67,359 Agriculture and farmland Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Construction Pass 10,038 73,036 51,785 31,831 3,029 12,106 11,662 600 194,087 Special mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard or lower — 213 — — — — — 91 304 Total Construction 10,038 73,249 51,785 31,831 3,029 12,106 11,662 691 194,391 Construction Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Commercial & industrial Pass 3,333 26,451 30,931 24,297 13,660 12,368 99,921 125 211,086 Special mention — — 108 — — 177 5,946 — 6,231 Substandard or lower — — — 116 — 395 896 — 1,407 Total Commercial & industrial 3,333 26,451 31,039 24,413 13,660 12,940 106,763 125 218,724 Commercial & industrial Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — 6 — — 6 Commercial real estate - Multifamily Pass 3,153 15,343 86,392 51,492 18,431 13,178 299 — 188,288 Special mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard or lower — — — — — 1,858 — — 1,858 Total Commercial real estate - Multifamily 3,153 15,343 86,392 51,492 18,431 15,036 299 — 190,146 Commercial real estate - Multifamily Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — March 31, 2024 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (In Thousands) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior Revolving loans amortized cost basis Revolving loans converted to term Total Commercial real estate - Owner occupied Pass 3,329 62,493 124,354 95,588 51,074 127,528 9,108 — 473,474 Special mention — — 373 3,083 — 6,303 440 — 10,199 Substandard or lower — — — — 625 5,062 33 74 5,794 Total Commercial real estate - Owner occupied 3,329 62,493 124,727 98,671 51,699 138,893 9,581 74 489,467 Commercial real estate - Owner occupied Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — 6 — — 6 Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied Pass 14,329 58,137 173,631 125,445 55,987 154,617 7,193 — 589,339 Special mention — — — 41 — — — — 41 Substandard or lower — — — — — 277 — 74 351 Total Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied 14,329 58,137 173,631 125,486 55,987 154,894 7,193 74 589,731 Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — 54 — — 54 Municipal Pass 48 449 — 388 924 2,573 91 — 4,473 Special mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard or lower — — — — — — — — — Total Commercial real estate - Municipal 48 449 — 388 924 2,573 91 — 4,473 Municipal Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Total Pass $ 40,920 $ 237,337 $ 481,329 $ 338,455 $ 148,168 $ 343,583 $ 132,540 $ 754 $ 1,723,086 Special mention — 12 481 3,194 — 8,442 6,673 — 18,802 Substandard or lower — 213 — 129 738 10,141 943 239 12,403 Total $ 40,920 $ 237,562 $ 481,810 $ 341,778 $ 148,906 $ 362,166 $ 140,156 $ 993 $ 1,754,291 The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2023. December 31, 2023 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (In Thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior Revolving loans amortized cost basis Revolving loans converted to term Total Agriculture and farmland Pass $ 1,466 $ 14,372 $ 9,613 $ 5,147 $ 2,319 $ 22,627 $ 5,114 $ 29 $ 60,687 Special mention — — 30 — 811 1,206 342 — 2,389 Substandard or lower 13 — 15 121 — 2,576 60 — 2,785 Total Agriculture and farmland $ 1,479 $ 14,372 $ 9,658 $ 5,268 $ 3,130 $ 26,409 $ 5,516 $ 29 $ 65,861 Agriculture and farmland Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Construction Pass 64,460 52,888 30,993 3,057 5,244 5,816 14,424 1,317 178,199 Special mention — — — — — — 93 — 93 Substandard or lower — — — 98 — — — 93 191 Total Construction 64,460 52,888 30,993 3,155 5,244 5,816 14,517 1,410 178,483 Construction Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Commercial & industrial Pass 29,776 33,213 25,315 14,018 4,429 9,110 120,747 68 236,676 Special mention — 113 139 — 15 4 1,071 — 1,342 Substandard or lower — — 47 — 194 — 43 41 325 Total Commercial & industrial 29,776 33,326 25,501 14,018 4,638 9,114 121,861 109 238,343 Commercial & industrial Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — 200 — 200 Commercial real estate - Multifamily Pass 14,918 80,127 50,320 18,871 6,031 8,351 298 — 178,916 Special mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard or lower — — — — — 1,872 — — 1,872 Total Commercial real estate - Multifamily 14,918 80,127 50,320 18,871 6,031 10,223 298 — 180,788 Commercial real estate - Multifamily Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2023 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (In Thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior Revolving loans amortized cost basis Revolving loans converted to term Total Commercial real estate - Owner occupied Pass 61,336 135,472 98,261 51,485 39,174 91,315 8,852 6 485,901 Special mention — 377 3,125 — 6,318 — 429 — 10,249 Substandard or lower — — — 626 2,408 2,391 157 — 5,582 Total Commercial real estate - Owner occupied 61,336 135,849 101,386 52,111 47,900 93,706 9,438 6 501,732 Commercial real estate - Owner occupied Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied Pass 58,335 174,248 126,009 56,468 64,301 93,193 6,376 86 579,016 Special mention — — 42 — — — — — 42 Substandard or lower — — 325 — 56 1,284 249 — 1,914 Total Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied 58,335 174,248 126,376 56,468 64,357 94,477 6,625 86 580,972 Commercial real estate - Non-owner occupied Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Municipal Pass 529 — 420 1,675 — 2,526 94 — 5,244 Special mention — — — — — — — — — Substandard or lower — — — — — — — — — Total Commercial real estate - Municipal 529 — 420 1,675 — 2,526 94 — 5,244 Municipal Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Total Pass $ 230,820 $ 490,320 $ 340,931 $ 150,721 $ 121,498 $ 232,938 $ 155,905 $ 1,506 $ 1,724,639 Special mention — 490 3,336 — 7,144 1,210 1,935 — 14,115 Substandard or lower 13 — 387 845 2,658 8,123 509 134 12,669 Total $ 230,833 $ 490,810 $ 344,654 $ 151,566 $ 131,300 $ 242,271 $ 158,349 $ 1,640 $ 1,751,423 The Company considers the performance of the loan portfolio and its impact on the allowance for credit losses. As part of our adoption of CECL, the Company will monitor small balance, homogeneous loans, such as home equity, residential mortgage, and consumer loans based on delinquency status rather than the assignment of loan specific risk ratings. The Company will evaluate credit quality based on the aging status of the loan. The following tables present the amortized cost of these loans based on payment activity, by origination year, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. March 31, 2024 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (In Thousands) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior Revolving loans amortized cost basis Revolving loans converted to term Total Residential real estate - First liens Performing $ 4,933 $ 45,346 $ 101,937 $ 93,931 $ 45,271 $ 98,637 $ 10,020 $ — $ 400,075 Nonperforming — — — 29 99 3,097 — — 3,225 Total Residential real estate - First liens $ 4,933 $ 45,346 $ 101,937 $ 93,960 $ 45,370 $ 101,734 $ 10,020 $ — $ 403,300 Residential real estate - First liens Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit Performing 1,547 1,192 1,782 370 165 2,399 63,165 151 70,771 Nonperforming — — — — — 140 149 — 289 Total Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit 1,547 1,192 1,782 370 165 2,539 63,314 151 71,060 Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Consumer and other Performing 281 4,897 434 179 118 81 10,820 — 16,810 Nonperforming — — — — — — — — — Total Consumer and other 281 4,897 434 179 118 81 10,820 — 16,810 Consumer and other Current period gross charge-offs — 1 2 5 — 14 — — 22 Total Performing $ 6,761 $ 51,435 $ 104,153 $ 94,480 $ 45,554 $ 101,117 $ 84,005 $ 151 $ 487,656 Nonperforming — — — 29 99 3,237 149 — 3,514 Total $ 6,761 $ 51,435 $ 104,153 $ 94,509 $ 45,653 $ 104,354 $ 84,154 $ 151 $ 491,170 December 31, 2023 Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (In Thousands) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Prior Revolving loans amortized cost basis Revolving loans converted to term Total Residential real estate - First liens Performing $ 45,236 $ 99,877 $ 99,972 $ 43,063 $ 23,404 $ 80,456 $ 8,982 $ — $ 400,990 Nonperforming — — 33 101 208 1,101 — — 1,443 Total Residential real estate - First liens $ 45,236 $ 99,877 $ 100,005 $ 43,164 $ 23,612 $ 81,557 $ 8,982 $ — $ 402,433 Residential real estate - First liens Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit Performing 1,207 1,818 386 184 336 2,270 64,396 — 70,597 Nonperforming — — — — — — 150 — 150 Total Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit 1,207 1,818 386 184 336 2,270 64,546 — 70,747 Residential real estate - Second liens and lines of credit Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — — — — Consumer and other Performing 5,007 437 223 153 73 88 10,770 — 16,751 Nonperforming — — — — — — 5 — 5 Total Consumer and other 5,007 437 223 153 73 88 10,775 — 16,756 Consumer and other Current period gross charge-offs — — — — — — 1 — 1 Total Performing $ 51,450 $ 102,132 $ 100,581 $ 43,400 $ 23,813 $ 82,814 $ 84,148 $ — $ 488,338 Nonperforming — — 33 101 208 1,101 155 — 1,598 Total $ 51,450 $ 102,132 $ 100,614 $ 43,501 $ 24,021 $ 83,915 $ 84,303 $ — $ 489,936 Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty The Company may modify loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, interest rate reduction or an other-than-insignificant payment delay. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged off against the allowance for credit losses. The Company may also provide multiple types of modifications on an individual loan. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not extend any modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that had a more-than-insignificant direct change in the contractual cash flows of the loan. Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans The Company has purchased loans for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of more than insignificant deterioration of credit quality since origination. The carrying amount of these loans is as follows. (In Thousands) 2023 Purchase price of loans at acquisition $ 431,600 Allowance for credit losses at acquisition 4,303 Non-credit (discount) premium at acquisition ( 16,981 ) Par value of acquired loans at acquisition $ 418,922 |