Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction. The following section presents additional information to assess the financial condition and results of operations of Independent Bank Corporation (“IBCP”), its wholly-owned bank, Independent Bank (the “Bank”), and their subsidiaries. This section should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We also encourage you to read our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). That report includes a list of risk factors that you should consider in connection with any decision to buy or sell our securities.
Overview. We provide banking services to customers located primarily in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. We also have two loan production offices in Ohio (Columbus and Fairlawn). As a result, our success depends to a great extent upon the economic conditions in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Recent Developments. The COVID-19 pandemic and the related government restrictions and guidance have had and may continue to have a significant effect on us, our customers, and the markets we serve. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its first emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reports that almost 80% of the adult population in the U.S. has received at least one vaccination as of October 24, 2021. According to data reported by the State of Michigan as of October 22, 2021, 68.5% of Michigan residents ages 16 and older have had at least one vaccination. Effective June 22, 2021, the State of Michigan rescinded the emergency orders it implemented in response to the pandemic, including the rescission of restrictions on restaurant capacities and other restrictions on the size of in-person gatherings. Despite these positive developments, the pandemic continues to cause a great deal of economic uncertainty and disruption in our markets, including as a result of concerns relating to possible variants of the original virus.
As a result of the pandemic, the related governmental responses, and the ongoing uncertainty, our business, results of operations, and financial condition may be adversely affected by a number of factors that could impact us and our customers, including but not limited to:
| ∙ | difficulties encountered by our business customers in addressing the effects of the pandemic may cause increases in loan delinquencies, foreclosures and defaults; |
| ∙ | increases in our allowance for credit losses may be necessary; |
| ∙ | declines in collateral values may occur; |
| ∙ | third party disruptions may occur, including outages at network providers, on-line banking vendors and other suppliers; |
| ∙ | there is increased cyber and payment fraud risk, as cybercriminals attempt to profit from the disruption, given increased online and remote activity; |
| ∙ | we may experience operational failures due to changes in our normal business practices necessitated by the pandemic and related governmental actions; and/or |
| ∙ | our production and efficiency may suffer due to employee illnesses and/or employees having to work remotely. |
Given the ongoing uncertainty with respect to the pandemic and potential governmental responses, these risk factors may continue to some degree for a significant period of time.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which continue to be highly uncertain and difficult to predict. Those developments and factors are expected to include the evolution of the virus and possible virus variants, the number of people who become vaccinated, actions taken by governmental authorities to address the foregoing, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. We do not know the potential full extent of the impact. However, the effects could have a material adverse impact on our business, asset valuations, financial condition and results of operations. Material adverse impacts may include all or a combination of valuation impairments on our intangible assets, securities available for sale, loans, capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights or deferred tax assets.
It is against this backdrop that we discuss our results of operations and financial condition in the first three quarters of 2021 as compared to earlier periods.
Results of Operations
Summary. We recorded net income of $16.0 million and $19.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in 2021 third quarter results as compared to 2020 is primarily due to a decline in non-interest income and an increase in non-interest expense that were partially offset by an increase in net interest income and decreases in the provision for credit losses and income tax expense.
We recorded net income of $50.4 million and $39.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in 2021 year-to-date results as compared to 2020 is primarily due to increases in net interest income and non-interest income and a decrease in the provision for credit losses that was partially offset by increases in non-interest expense and income tax expense.
Key performance ratios
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Net income (annualized) to | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average assets | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.90 | % | | | 1.53 | % | | | 1.36 | % |
Average shareholders’ equity | | | 15.93 | % | | | 21.36 | % | | | 17.32 | % | | | 14.87 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | . | | | | | |
Net income per common share | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.74 | | | $ | 0.90 | | | $ | 2.32 | | | $ | 1.78 | |
Diluted | | | 0.73 | | | | 0.89 | | | | 2.30 | | | | 1.76 | |
Net interest income. Net interest income is the most important source of our earnings and thus is critical in evaluating our results of operations. Changes in our net interest income are primarily influenced by our level of interest-earning assets and the income or yield that we earn on those assets and the manner and cost of funding our interest-earning assets. Certain macro-economic factors can also influence our net interest income such as the level and direction of interest rates, the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates (the steepness of the yield curve) and the general strength of the economies in which we are doing business. Finally, risk management plays an important role in our level of net interest income. The ineffective management of credit risk and interest-rate risk in particular can adversely impact our net interest income.
Our net interest income totaled $33.8 million during the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $1.8 million, or 5.7% from the year-ago period. This increase primarily reflects a $409.2 million increase in average interest-earning assets that was partially offset by a 13 basis point decrease in our tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets (the “net interest margin”).
For the first nine months of 2021, net interest income totaled $95.5 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 3.1% from 2020. This increase primarily reflects a $556.7 million increase in average interest-earning assets that was partially offset by a 33 basis point decrease in our net interest margin.
Due principally to the economic impact of COVID-19, the Federal Reserve has taken a variety of actions to stimulate the economy, including significantly lowering short-term interest rates. These lower interest rates combined with a higher allocation to lower yielding securities available for sale has placed continued pressure on our net interest margin.
The increase in average interest-earning assets in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily reflects growth in securities available for sale funded from an increase in deposits.
Interest and fees on loans include $2.6 million and $6.5 million of accretion of net loan fees on PPP loans in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, compared to $1.3 million and $2.3 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Interest and fees on loans also include $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, and include $0.3 million and $0.9 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, of accretion of the discount recorded on loans acquired in the April 2018 acquisition of Traverse City State Bank (“TCSB”). In addition, the third quarter and first nine months 2020 included $0.5 million of discount accretion on a purchased commercial loan that was paid off during the quarter.
Our net interest income is also adversely impacted by our level of non-accrual loans. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, non-accrual loans averaged $5.3 million and $6.4 million, respectively. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, non-accrual loans averaged $10.4 million and $12.4 million, respectively. In addition, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, we had net recoveries of $0.29 million and $0.89 million, respectively, of unpaid interest on loans placed on or taken off non-accrual during each period or on loans previously charged-off compared to net recoveries of $0.44 million and $0.85 million, respectively, during the same periods in 2020.
Average Balances and Tax Equivalent Rates
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | | 2021 | | | | | | | | | 2020 | | | | |
| | Average | | | | | | | | | Average | | | | | | | |
| | Balance | | | Interest | | | Rate (2) | | | Balance | | | Interest | | | Rate (2) | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable loans | | $ | 2,896,552 | | | $ | 30,061 | | | | 4.13 | % | | $ | 2,918,946 | | | $ | 30,323 | | | | 4.14 | % |
Tax-exempt loans (1) | | | 7,148 | | | | 90 | | | | 5.00 | | | | 6,926 | | | | 88 | | | | 5.05 | |
Taxable securities available for sale | | | 951,445 | | | | 3,922 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 733,977 | | | | 3,450 | | | | 1.88 | |
Tax-exempt securities available for sale(1) | | | 365,937 | | | | 2,070 | | | | 2.26 | | | | 157,998 | | | | 1,194 | | | | 3.02 | |
Interest bearing cash | | | 57,153 | | | | 23 | | | | 0.16 | | | | 51,181 | | | | 14 | | | | 0.11 | |
Other investments | | | 18,427 | | | | 181 | | | | 3.90 | | | | 18,427 | | | | 223 | | | | 4.81 | |
Interest Earning Assets | | | 4,296,662 | | | | 36,347 | | | | 3.37 | | | | 3,887,455 | | | | 35,292 | | | | 3.62 | |
Cash and due from banks | | | 57,151 | | | | | | | | | | | | 52,676 | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets, net | | | 159,961 | | | | | | | | | | | | 162,187 | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 4,513,774 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,102,318 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings and interest-bearing checking | | $ | 2,317,142 | | | | 695 | | | | 0.12 | | | $ | 1,922,971 | | | | 686 | | | | 0.14 | |
Time deposits | | | 314,394 | | | | 395 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 498,796 | | | | 1,376 | | | | 1.1 | |
Other borrowings | | | 108,908 | | | | 962 | | | | 3.50 | | | | 110,714 | | | | 1,006 | | | | 3.61 | |
Interest Bearing Liabilities | | | 2,740,444 | | | | 2,052 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 2,532,481 | | | | 3,068 | | | | 0.48 | |
Non-interest bearing deposits | | | 1,303,401 | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,137,303 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 72,387 | | | | | | | | | | | | 67,820 | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity | | | 397,542 | | | | | | | | | | | | 364,714 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 4,513,774 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,102,318 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Interest Income | | | | | | $ | 34,295 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 32,224 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Interest Income as a Percent of Average Interest Earning Assets | | | | | | | | | | | 3.18 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 3.31 | % |
(1) | Interest on tax-exempt loans and securities available for sale is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21%. |
Average Balances and Tax Equivalent Rate
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | | 2021 | | | | | | | | | 2020 | | | | |
| | Average | | | | | | | | | Average | | | | | | | |
| | Balance | | | Interest | | | Rate (2) | | | Balance | | | Interest | | | Rate (2) | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable loans | | $ | 2,859,207 | | | $ | 86,126 | | | | 4.02 | % | | $ | 2,861,776 | | | $ | 91,804 | | | | 4.28 | % |
Tax-exempt loans (1) | | | 6,801 | | | | 256 | | | | 5.03 | | | | 7,266 | | | | 273 | | | | 5.02 | |
Taxable securities available for sale | | | 881,465 | | | | 10,374 | | | | 1.57 | | | | 579,704 | | | | 9,356 | | | | 2.15 | |
Tax-exempt securities available for sale(1) | | | 347,873 | | | | 5,845 | | | | 2.24 | | | | 114,187 | | | | 2,682 | | | | 3.13 | |
Interest bearing cash | | | 76,533 | | | | 74 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 52,265 | | | | 160 | | | | 0.41 | |
Other investments | | | 18,427 | | | | 555 | | | | 4.03 | | | | 18,404 | | | | 694 | | | | 5.04 | |
Interest Earning Assets | | | 4,190,306 | | | | 103,230 | | | | 3.29 | | | | 3,633,602 | | | | 104,969 | | | | 3.85 | |
Cash and due from banks | | | 55,883 | | | | | | | | | | | | 49,345 | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets, net | | | 155,701 | | | | | | | | | | | | 163,503 | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 4,401,890 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,846,450 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings and interest- bearing checking | | $ | 2,239,887 | | | | 2,059 | | | | 0.12 | | | $ | 1,764,933 | | | | 3,121 | | | | 0.24 | |
Time deposits | | | 319,792 | | | | 1,429 | | | | 0.6 | | | | 529,248 | | | | 6,029 | | | | 1.52 | |
Other borrowings | | | 108,866 | | | | 2,888 | | | | 3.55 | | | | 121,195 | | | | 2,598 | | | | 2.86 | |
Interest Bearing Liabilities | | | 2,668,545 | | | | 6,376 | | | | 0.32 | | | | 2,415,376 | | | | 11,748 | | | | 0.65 | |
Non-interest bearing deposits | | | 1,279,006 | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,016,286 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 65,464 | | | | | | | | | | | | 62,984 | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity | | | 388,875 | | | | | | | | | | | | 351,804 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 4,401,890 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,846,450 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Interest Income | | | | | | $ | 96,854 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 93,221 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Interest Income as a Percent of Average Interest Earning Assets | | | | | | | | | | | 3.09 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 3.42 | % |
(1) | Interest on tax-exempt loans and securities available for sale is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21%. |
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Net Interest Margin, Fully Taxable Equivalent (“FTE”) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income | | $ | 33,803 | | | $ | 31,966 | | | $ | 95,480 | | | $ | 92,619 | |
Add: taxable equivalent adjustment | | | 492 | | | | 258 | | | | 1,374 | | | | 602 | |
Net interest income - taxable equivalent | | $ | 34,295 | | | $ | 32,224 | | | $ | 96,854 | | | $ | 93,221 | |
Net interest margin (GAAP) (1) | | | 3.13 | % | | | 3.28 | % | | | 3.04 | % | | | 3.40 | % |
Net interest margin (FTE) (1) | | | 3.18 | % | | | 3.31 | % | | | 3.09 | % | | | 3.42 | % |
Provision for credit losses. We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”) on January 1, 2021. See note #2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for our discussion on CECL implementation.
The provision for credit losses was a credit of $0.7 million and an expense of $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the provision for credit losses was a credit of $2.6 million and an expense of $12.9 million, respectively. The provision reflects our assessment of the allowance for credit losses (the “ACL”) taking into consideration factors such as loan growth, loan mix, levels of non-performing and classified loans, economic conditions and loan net charge-offs. While we use relevant information to recognize losses on loans, additional provisions for related losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, customer circumstances and other credit risk factors. See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality” for a discussion of the various components of the ACL and their impact on the provision for credit losses in 2021. See note #13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for a discussion on industry concentrations. In particular, the higher year-to-date provision for credit losses in 2020 included a $10.7 million (or 122.1%) increase in the qualitative/subjective portion of the allowance for credit losses. That increase principally reflected the unique challenges and economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic during the first three quarters of 2020 and the potential impact on the loan portfolio.
Non-interest income. Non-interest income is a significant element in assessing our results of operations. Non-interest income totaled $19.7 million during the third quarter of 2021 compared to $27.0 million in the third quarter of 2020. For the first nine months of 2021, non-interest income totaled $60.9 million compared to $58.4 million for the first nine months of 2020.
The components of non-interest income are as follows:
Non-Interest Income
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Interchange income | | $ | 4,237 | | | $ | 3,428 | | | $ | 10,739 | | | $ | 8,411 | |
Service charges on deposit accounts | | | 2,944 | | | | 2,085 | | | | 7,178 | | | | 6,299 | |
Net gains on assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage loans | | | 8,361 | | | | 20,205 | | | | 30,280 | | | | 46,687 | |
Securities available for sale | | | 5 | | | | - | | | | 1,421 | | | | 253 | |
Mortgage loan servicing, net | | | 1,271 | | | | (644 | ) | | | 4,476 | | | | (8,966 | ) |
Investment and insurance commissions | | | 678 | | | | 530 | | | | 1,895 | | | | 1,478 | |
Bank owned life insurance | | | 145 | | | | 215 | | | | 411 | | | | 750 | |
Other | | | 2,054 | | | | 1,192 | | | | 4,472 | | | | 3,470 | |
Total non-interest income | | $ | 19,695 | | | $ | 27,011 | | | $ | 60,872 | | | $ | 58,382 | |
Interchange income increased on both a comparative quarterly and year-to-date basis in 2021 as compared to 2020, primarily due to growth in debit card transaction volume (the third quarter of 2020 was adversely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic related shut-downs of businesses and stay at home mandates), a new switch contract that was initially effective in the fourth quarter of 2020 that increased revenues and joining a surcharge free ATM network in April 2020 that increased both interchange income and interchange expense.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased on a comparative quarterly basis and on a year-to-date basis in 2021 as compared to 2020. The quarterly increase was principally due to an increase in non-sufficient funds occurrences (and related fees). In particular, the third quarter of 2020 was impacted by COVID-19 pandemic related business shut-downs and stay at home mandates that reduced checking account activity.
Net gains on mortgage loans declined in 2021 from 2020 on both a quarterly and a year-to-date basis. Mortgage loan activity is summarized as follows:
Mortgage Loan Activity
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Mortgage loans originated | | $ | 453,752 | | | $ | 536,502 | | | $ | 1,436,497 | | | $ | 1,318,206 | |
Mortgage loans sold | | | 279,235 | | | | 417,092 | | | | 963,442 | | | | 1,058,400 | |
Net gains on mortgage loans | | | 8,361 | | | | 20,205 | | | | 30,280 | | | | 46,687 | |
Net gains as a percent of mortgage loans sold (“Loan Sales Margin”) | | | 2.99 | % | | | 4.84 | % | | | 3.14 | % | | | 4.41 | % |
Fair value adjustments included in the Loan Sales Margin | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.50 | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | 0.81 | |
Year to date mortgage loans originated increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 due primarily to an increase in purchase money mortgages reflecting strong home sales in many of our markets. Mortgage loan refinance volumes declined by 42.8% in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to 2020 as higher mortgage loan interest rates in 2021 reduced this activity. Mortgage loans sold decreased in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to 2020 due to a lower mix of salable loans in our origination volumes. Net gains on mortgage loans decreased in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to the decline in loan sale volume, a decrease in the Loan Sales Margin and fair value adjustments as discussed below.
The volume of loans sold is dependent upon our ability to originate mortgage loans as well as the demand for fixed-rate obligations and other loans that we choose to not put into portfolio because of our established interest-rate risk parameters. (See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality.”) Net gains on mortgage loans are also dependent upon economic and competitive factors as well as our ability to effectively manage exposure to changes in interest rates and thus can often be a volatile part of our overall revenues.
Our Loan Sales Margin is impacted by several factors including competition and the manner in which the loan is sold. Net gains on mortgage loans are also impacted by recording fair value accounting adjustments. Excluding these fair value accounting adjustments, the Loan Sales Margin would have been 2.95% and 4.34% in the third quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively and 3.54% and 3.60% for the comparative 2021 and 2020 year-to-date periods, respectively. The decline in the Loan Sales Margin (excluding fair value adjustments) in the third quarter of 2021 was generally due to lower primary-to-secondary market pricing spreads as market interest rates rose in 2021 (relative to 2020) and mortgage loan refinance volumes decreased. The changes in the fair value accounting adjustments are due to both changes in the amount of commitments to originate mortgage loans for sale and expected Loan Sales Margin on those commitments.
We recorded $0.005 million and zero net gains on securities available for sale in the comparative quarterly periods, respectively. We recorded a net gain of $1.421 million and $0.253 million on securities available for sale for the first nine months of 2021 and 2020, respectively. We recorded no net impairment losses in either 2021 or 2020 on securities available for sale. See “Securities” below and note #3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Mortgage loan servicing, net, generated income of $1.3 million and a loss of $0.6 million in the third quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively. For the first nine months of 2021 and 2020, mortgage loan servicing, net, generated income of $4.5 million and a loss of $9.0 million, respectively. The significant variances in mortgage loan servicing, net are primarily due to changes in the fair value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights associated with changes in mortgage loan interest rates and expected future prepayment levels. Mortgage loan servicing, net activity is summarized in the following table:
Mortgage Servicing Revenue
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Mortgage loan servicing | | (In thousands) | |
Revenue, net | | $ | 2,023 | | | $ | 1,743 | | | $ | 5,809 | | | $ | 5,062 | |
Fair value change due to price | | | 599 | | | | (1,089 | ) | | | 2,813 | | | | (9,941 | ) |
Fair value change due to pay-downs | | | (1,351 | ) | | | (1,298 | ) | | | (4,146 | ) | | | (4,087 | ) |
Total | | $ | 1,271 | | | $ | (644 | ) | | $ | 4,476 | | | $ | (8,966 | ) |
Activity related to capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights is as follows:
Capitalized Mortgage Loan Servicing Rights
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Balance at beginning of period | | $ | 22,431 | | | $ | 13,773 | | | $ | 16,904 | | | $ | 19,171 | |
Originated servicing rights capitalized | | | 2,529 | | | | 4,017 | | | | 8,637 | | | | 10,260 | |
Change in fair value | | | (752 | ) | | | (2,387 | ) | | | (1,333 | ) | | | (14,028 | ) |
Balance at end of period | | $ | 24,208 | | | $ | 15,403 | | | $ | 24,208 | | | $ | 15,403 | |
At September 30, 2021 we were servicing approximately $3.24 billion in mortgage loans for others on which servicing rights have been capitalized. This servicing portfolio had a weighted average coupon rate of 3.50% and a weighted average service fee of approximately 25.6 basis points. Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights at September 30, 2021 totaled $24.2 million, representing approximately 74.8 basis points on the related amount of mortgage loans serviced for others.
Investment and insurance commissions represent revenues generated on the sale or management of investments and insurance for our customers. These revenues increased on both a quarterly and year-to-date basis in 2021 as compared to 2020, primarily due to growth in assets under management and in annuity sales (reflecting customers seeking alternatives to traditional fixed income products such as time deposits given the prolonged low interest rate environment).
Income from bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) declined on both a quarterly and year-to-date basis in 2021 compared to 2020 reflecting a lower crediting rate on our cash surrender value. Our BOLI separate account is primarily invested in agency mortgage-backed securities. The crediting rate (on which the earnings are based) reflects the performance of the separate account. The total cash surrender value of our BOLI was $55.1 million and $55.2 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Other non-interest income increased on both a quarterly and year-to-date basis in 2021 as compared to 2020 due primarily to increases in credit card and merchant processing revenue, higher commercial loan swap fee income and a one-time fee reimbursement from our core data processing vendor for conversion related loss of revenues. These revenues and fees were adversely impacted during the first three quarters of 2020 by COVID-19 pandemic related business shut-downs and stay at home mandates.
Non-interest expense. Non-interest expense is an important component of our results of operations. We strive to efficiently manage our cost structure.
Non-interest expense increased by $0.9 million to $34.5 million and increased by $7.4 million to $97.1 million during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020.
The components of non-interest expense are as follows:
Non-Interest Expense
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Compensation | | $ | 11,507 | | | $ | 10,294 | | | $ | 32,764 | | | $ | 30,665 | |
Performance-based compensation | | | 6,252 | | | | 8,310 | | | | 15,327 | | | | 14,240 | |
Payroll taxes and employee benefits | | | 3,900 | | | | 3,350 | | | | 11,973 | | | | 9,837 | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | | 21,659 | | | | 21,954 | | | | 60,064 | | | | 54,742 | |
Data processing | | | 3,022 | | | | 2,215 | | | | 7,972 | | | | 6,160 | |
Occupancy, net | | | 2,082 | | | | 2,199 | | | | 6,578 | | | | 6,818 | |
Interchange expense | | | 1,202 | | | | 831 | | | | 3,351 | | | | 2,416 | |
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | | | 1,075 | | | | 999 | | | | 3,112 | | | | 3,125 | |
Loan and collection | | | 735 | | | | 768 | | | | 2,353 | | | | 2,329 | |
Communications | | | 683 | | | | 806 | | | | 2,341 | | | | 2,409 | |
Conversion related expenses | | | 275 | | | | 643 | | | | 1,636 | | | | 1,045 | |
Legal and professional | | | 513 | | | | 566 | | | | 1,534 | | | | 1,427 | |
Advertising | | | 666 | | | | 589 | | | | 1,319 | | | | 1,636 | |
FDIC deposit insurance | | | 346 | | | | 411 | | | | 983 | | | | 1,211 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 242 | | | | 255 | | | | 727 | | | | 765 | |
Supplies | | | 116 | | | | 126 | | | | 460 | | | | 513 | |
Costs related to unfunded lending commitments | | | 369 | | | | 41 | | | | 363 | | | | 271 | |
Correspondent bank service fees | | | 77 | | | | 101 | | | | 292 | | | | 294 | |
Provision for loss reimbursement on sold loans | | | 36 | | | | 46 | | | | 95 | | | | 160 | |
Branch closure costs | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 417 | |
Net (gains) losses on other real estate and repossessed assets | | | (28 | ) | | | 46 | | | | (202 | ) | | | 146 | |
Other | | | 1,442 | | | | 1,045 | | | | 4,091 | | | | 3,822 | |
Total non-interest expense | | $ | 34,512 | | | $ | 33,641 | | | $ | 97,069 | | | $ | 89,706 | |
Compensation and employee benefits expenses, in total, decreased $0.3 million on a quarterly comparative basis and increased $5.3 million for the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020.
Compensation expense increased by $1.2 million and $2.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020. These comparative increases in 2021 were primarily due to an increase in lending personnel, higher overtime levels and salary increases that were predominantly effective on January 1, 2021.
Performance-based compensation decreased by $2.1 million and increased $1.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020. The variances primarily reflect the changes in the accrual for anticipated incentive compensation based on our estimated full-year performance as compared to goals.
Payroll taxes and employee benefits increased by $0.6 million and $2.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020, due primarily to increases in payroll taxes (reflecting higher compensation costs), in our 401(k) plan match and in health care costs (due to increased claims in 2021). Health care claims in 2020 were relatively low in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the closing of many medical and dental facilities during that time period except for emergency care during Michigan’s “stay home, stay safe” period.
Occupancy, net, furniture, fixtures and equipment, loan and collection, communications, legal and professional, supplies and correspondent bank service fees were all relatively unchanged on a comparative quarterly and year-to-date basis in 2021 as compared to 2020.
Data processing expense increased by $0.8 million and $1.8 million for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020. The third quarter and first nine months of 2020 included a $0.5 million and $1.4 million reduction of expenses respectively (compared to reductions of zero and $0.7 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively) associated with a cost savings agreement related to core data processing services that was executed in the third quarter of 2020. The remainder of the increased costs in 2021 principally relate to new software and technology product/service additions.
Interchange expense primarily represents our third-party cost to process debit card transactions. The increases in this expense in 2021 on both a comparative quarterly and year-to-date basis as compared to 2020 are due principally to changes in transaction volume and transaction channel mix.
Conversion related expenses totaled $0.3 million and $1.6 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $1.0 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. We began a process to convert our core data processing system to a new system hosted by a different vendor in early 2020 and completed this conversion in May 2021. These expenses represent costs incurred for assistance from our existing vendor and fees from consultants who are assisting us in this conversion.
Advertising expense decreased by approximately $0.3 million in 2021 on a year-to-date basis as compared to 2020, due primarily to an increased reimbursement from our debit card provider for certain eligible marketing costs that we incurred and reduced levels of advertising in certain channels.
FDIC deposit insurance expense decreased in 2021 on both a comparative quarterly and year-to-date basis as compared to 2020, as a decrease in our assessment rate was only partially offset by growth in our total assets.
The amortization of intangible assets relates to the TCSB acquisition and prior branch acquisitions and the amortization of the deposit customer relationship value, including core deposit value, which was acquired in connection with those acquisitions. We had remaining unamortized intangible assets of $3.6 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. See note #7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a schedule of future amortization of intangible assets.
The changes in cost related to unfunded lending commitments are primarily impacted by changes in the amounts of such commitments to originate portfolio loans as well as (for commercial loan commitments) the grade (pursuant to our loan rating system) of such commitments.
Branch closure costs totaled $0.4 million for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. We closed eight Bank branches (two on June 26, 2020 and six on July 31, 2020). These costs primarily represent write-downs of fixed assets (buildings, furniture and equipment) and lease assets.
Net (gains) losses on other real estate and repossessed assets primarily represent the gain or loss on the sale or additional write downs on these assets subsequent to the transfer of the asset from our loan portfolio. This transfer occurs at the time we acquire the collateral that secured the loan. At the time of acquisition, the other real estate or repossessed asset is valued at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, which becomes the new basis for the asset. Any write-downs at the time of acquisition are charged to the allowance for credit losses.
The increase in other expense during the quarter to date period primarily represents increases in travel and entertainment related expenses due to the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions, an increase in deposit account fraud related costs and an increase in Michigan Corporate Income Tax expense as the result of a change in how the tax base is calculated.
Income tax expense. We recorded an income tax expense of $3.7 million and $11.5 million in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2021, respectively. This compares to an income tax expense of $4.8 million and $9.2 million in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2020, respectively.
Our actual income tax expense is different than the amount computed by applying our statutory income tax rate to our income before income tax primarily due to tax-exempt interest income, tax-exempt income from the increase in the cash surrender value on life insurance, and differences in the value of stock awards that vest and stock options that are exercised as compared to the initial fair values that were expensed.
We assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. The ultimate realization of this asset is primarily based on generating future income. We concluded at September 30, 2021 and 2020 and at December 31, 2020 that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets continues to be more likely than not.
Financial Condition
Summary. Our total assets increased by $418.3 million during the first nine months of 2021. Loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $2.88 billion at September 30, 2021, compared to $2.73 billion at December 31, 2020. Mortgage loans and installment loans each increased while commercial loans declined during the first nine months of 2021. (See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality.”)
Deposits totaled $4.01 billion at September 30, 2021, an increase of $374.7 million from December 31, 2020. The increase in deposits is primarily due to growth in non-interest bearing deposits, savings and interest bearing checking deposits, time deposits and reciprocal deposits that were partially offset by a decline in brokered deposits.
The decrease in commercial loans in the first nine months of 2021 is due primarily to the forgiveness of loans extended under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The PPP (for new loans) ended on May 31, 2021. The increase in deposits is due in part to the significant liquidity that has been injected into the economy through government programs, such as the PPP, as well as by monetary actions by the Federal Reserve Bank, all in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the various government stimulus programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic end or taper, it is unclear what the impact will be on our levels of Portfolio Loans and deposits. However, our liquidity and funding contingency plans take into account the possibility of reductions in commercial loans and deposits during 2021.
Securities. We maintain diversified securities portfolios, which include obligations of U.S. government-sponsored agencies, securities issued by states and political subdivisions, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate securities, trust preferred securities and foreign government securities (that are denominated in U.S. dollars). We regularly evaluate asset/liability management needs and attempt to maintain a portfolio structure that provides sufficient liquidity and cash flow. We believe that the unrealized losses on securities available for sale are temporary in nature and are expected to be recovered within a reasonable time period. We believe that we have the ability to hold securities with unrealized losses to maturity or until such time as the unrealized losses reverse. (See “Asset/liability management.”)
Securities
| | Amortized | | | Unrealized | | | Fair | |
| Cost | | | Gains | | | Losses | | | Value | |
Securities available for sale | | (in thousands) | |
September 30, 2021 | | $ | 1,332,054 | | | $ | 19,811 | | | $ | 3,487 | | | $ | 1,348,378 | |
December 31, 2020 | | | 1,052,132 | | | | 21,431 | | | | 1,404 | | | | 1,072,159 | |
Securities available for sale in unrealized loss positions are evaluated quarterly for impairment related to credit losses. For securities available for sale in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For securities available for sale that do not meet this criteria, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, we consider the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, adverse conditions specifically related to the security and the issuer and the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, we compare the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes. No ACL for securities available for sale was needed at September 30, 2021.
Sales of securities were as follows (See “Non-interest income.”):
Sales of Securities
| | Three months ended September 30, | | | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | |
Proceeds | | $ | 505 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 81,683 | | | $ | 36,593 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross gains | | | 5 | | | | - | | | | 1,471 | | | | 253 | |
Gross losses | | | - | | | | - | | | | 50 | | | | - | |
Net impairment charges | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Net gains | | $ | 5 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,421 | | | $ | 253 | |
Portfolio Loans and asset quality. In addition to the communities served by our Bank branch and loan production office network, our principal lending markets also include nearby communities and metropolitan areas. Subject to established underwriting criteria, we also may participate in commercial lending transactions with certain non-affiliated banks and make whole loan purchases from other financial institutions.
The senior management and board of directors of our Bank retain authority and responsibility for credit decisions and we have adopted uniform underwriting standards. Our loan committee structure and the loan review process attempt to provide requisite controls and promote compliance with such established underwriting standards. However, there can be no assurance that our lending procedures and the use of uniform underwriting standards will prevent us from incurring significant credit losses in our lending activities.
We generally retain loans that may be profitably funded within established risk parameters. (See “Asset/liability management.”) As a result, we may hold adjustable-rate conventional and fixed rate jumbo mortgage loans as Portfolio Loans, while 15- and 30-year fixed-rate non-jumbo mortgage loans are generally sold to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates. (See “Non-interest income.”) Due primarily to the expansion of our mortgage-banking activities and a change in mix in our mortgage loan originations, we are now originating and putting into Portfolio Loans more fixed rate mortgage loans as compared to past periods. These fixed rate mortgage loans generally have terms from 15 to 30 years, do not have prepayment penalties and expose us to more interest rate risk. (See “Asset/liability management.”).
The PPP, is a short-term, forgivable loan program primarily intended to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 to continue paying their employees. Also see Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors below regarding the PPP.
A summary of our participation in the PPP (which ended on May 31, 2021 for new loans) follows:
Paycheck Protection Program Activity
| | September 30, 2021 | | | September 30, 2020 | |
| Amount (#) | | | Amount | | | Amount (#) | | | Amount | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Closed and outstanding at quarter end | | | 826 | | | $ | 90,150 | | | | 2,117 | | | $ | 261,182 | |
Cumulative forgiveness applications submitted to the SBA | | | 2,916 | | | | 311,385 | | | | 197 | | | | 37,223 | |
Net fees accreted into interest income for the quarter | | | n/a | | | | 2,630 | | | | n/a | | | | 1,321 | |
Net fees accreted into interest income year-to-date | | | n/a | | | | 6,528 | | | | n/a | | | | 2,298 | |
Unaccreted net fees remaining at quarter end | | | n/a | | | | 3,178 | | | | n/a | | | | 6,494 | |
Congress and the major bank regulatory agencies have encouraged banks to work with their borrowers to provide short-term loan payment relief during the COVID-19 national emergency. On March 22, 2020, an interagency statement was released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the State Banking Regulators and the National Credit Union Administration that contained their interpretation as to which modifications would qualify for these exceptions. In general, to qualify for this exception:
| • | The modified loan must be current when the modification is made; |
| • | The modification must be short term in nature (up to nine months), and; |
| • | Modifications may include payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms or other delays in payment that are insignificant. |
In addition, Section 4013 of the CARES Act provides temporary relief from the accounting and reporting requirements for TDRs regarding certain loan modifications for our customers. Section 4013 specified that COVID-19 related modifications on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are not TDRs. The provisions of Section 4013 were extended to the earlier of 60 days after the termination of the national emergency that was previously declared on March 13, 2020 or January 21, 2022 by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act which was signed into law on December 27, 2020.
In response to our customers’ needs during this time of economic uncertainty, we have initiated forbearance programs for our retail (mortgage and installment loans) and our commercial customers. We also have similar programs for mortgage loans that we service for others. Commercial loan accommodations are typically a three month interest-only period while retail loan (mortgage and installment) forbearances have primarily been payment suspensions for three months. To date, there have not been a significant number of requests for additional modifications. See note #4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report.
A summary of accommodations as of September 30, 2021 follows:
Commercial and Retail Loan COVID-19 Accomodations
Loan Category | | Covid-19 Accomodations | | | Total | | | % of Total | |
| Loans (#) | | | Loans ($) | | | Loans | | | Loans | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial | | | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,222,802 | | | | 0.0 | % |
Mortgage | | | 39 | | | | 5,901 | | | | 1,100,992 | | | | 0.5 | % |
Installment | | | 7 | | | | 109 | | | | 560,184 | | | | 0.0 | % |
Total | | | 46 | | | $ | 6,010 | | | $ | 2,883,978 | | | | 0.2 | % |
Mortgage loans serviced for others(1) | | | 64 | | | $ | 7,986 | | | $ | 3,237,251 | | | | 0.2 | % |
1) We have delegated authority from all investors to grant these deferrals on their behalf.
A summary of our Portfolio Loans follows:
| | September 30, 2021 | | | December 31, 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Real estate(1) | | | | | | |
Residential first mortgages | | $ | 860,487 | | | $ | 792,762 | |
Residential home equity and other junior mortgages | | | 143,128 | | | | 138,128 | |
Construction and land development | | | 258,579 | | | | 232,693 | |
Other(2) | | | 694,503 | | | | 669,150 | |
Consumer | | | 542,794 | | | | 468,090 | |
Commercial | | | 378,995 | | | | 429,011 | |
Agricultural | | | 5,492 | | | | 3,844 | |
Total loans | | $ | 2,883,978 | | | $ | 2,733,678 | |
(1) | Includes both residential and non-residential commercial loans secured by real estate. |
(2) | Includes loans secured by multi-family residential and non-farm, non-residential property. |
Non-performing assets (1)
| | September 30, 2021 | | | December 31, 2020 | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Non-accrual loans | | $ | 5,917 | | | $ | 8,312 | |
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest | | | - | | | | - | |
Subtotal | | | 5,917 | | | | 8,312 | |
Less: Government guaranteed loans | | | 327 | | | | 439 | |
Total non-performing loans | | | 5,590 | | | | 7,873 | |
Other real estate and repossessed assets | | | 224 | | | | 766 | |
Total non-performing assets | | $ | 5,814 | | | $ | 8,639 | |
| | | | | | | | |
As a percent of Portfolio Loans | | | | | | | | |
Non-performing loans | | | 0.19 | % | | | 0.29 | % |
Allowance for credit losses | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.30 | |
Non-performing assets to total assets | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.21 | |
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-performing loans | | | 837.19 | | | | 450.01 | |
(1) | Excludes loans classified as “troubled debt restructured” that are not past due. |
Troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”)
| | September 30, 2021 | |
| | Commercial | | | Retail (1) | | | Total | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Performing TDR’s | | $ | 4,692 | | | $ | 32,037 | | | $ | 36,729 | |
Non-performing TDR’s (2) | | | - | | | | 1,198 | (3)
| | | 1,198 | |
Total | | $ | 4,692 | | | $ | 33,235 | | | $ | 37,927 | |
| | December 31, 2020 | |
| | Commercial | | | Retail (1) | | | Total | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Performing TDR’s | | $ | 7,956 | | | $ | 36,385 | | | $ | 44,341 | |
Non-performing TDR’s (2) | | | 1,148 | | | | 1,584 | (3) | | | 2,732 | |
Total | | $ | 9,104 | | | $ | 37,969 | | | $ | 47,073 | |
(1) | Retail loans include mortgage and installment loan portfolio segments. |
(2) | Included in non-performing assets table above. |
(3) | Also includes loans on non-accrual at the time of modification until six payments are received on a timely basis. |
Non-performing loans decreased by $2.3 million since year-end 2020 as all loan categories have declined, reflecting improving economic conditions and the Company’s ongoing collection efforts. Our collection and resolution efforts have generally resulted in a positive trend in non-performing loans. Also see Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors below regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential negative impact on the level of non-performing loans and assets in the future.
Non-performing loans exclude performing loans that are classified as TDRs. Performing TDRs totaled $36.7 million, or 1.3% of total Portfolio Loans, and $44.3 million, or 1.6% of total Portfolio Loans, at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The decrease in the amount of performing TDRs in the first nine months of 2021 reflects a decrease in both commercial and retail performing TDRs.
Other real estate and repossessed assets totaled $0.2 million and $0.8 million at September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
We will place a loan that is 90 days or more past due on non-accrual, unless we believe the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Accordingly, we have determined that the collection of the accrued and unpaid interest on any loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest is probable.
The following tables reflect activity in our ACL on loans and ACL for unfunded lending commitments as well as the allocation of our ACL on loans.
Allowance for credit losses on loans and unfunded lending commitments
| | Nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | | | | Unfunded | | | | | | Unfunded | |
| | Loans | | | Commitments | | | Loans | | | Commitments | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Balance at beginning of period | | $ | 35,429 | | | $ | 1,805 | | | $ | 26,148 | | | $ | 1,542 | |
Additions (deductions) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impact of adoption of ASC 326 | | | 11,574 | | | | 1,469 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Provision for credit losses (1) | | | (2,558 | ) | | | - | | | | 12,884 | | | | - | |
Initial allowance on loans purchased with credit deterioration | | | 134 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Recoveries credited to allowance | | | 3,918 | | | | - | | | | 2,404 | | | | - | |
Loans charged against the allowance | | | (1,698 | ) | | | - | | | | (5,665 | ) | | | - | |
Additions (recoveries) included in non-interest expense | | | - | | | | 363 | | | | - | | | | 271 | |
Balance at end of period | | $ | 46,799 | | | $ | 3,637 | | | $ | 35,771 | | | $ | 1,813 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loans charged (recovered) against the allowance to average Portfolio Loans | | | (0.11 | )% | | | | | | | 0.16 | % | | | | |
(1) | Beginning January 1, 2021, calculation is based on CECL methodology. Prior to January 1, 2021, calculation was based on the probable incurred loss methodology. |
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses (1)
| | September 30, 2021 | | | January 1, 2021 | |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | |
Specific allocations | | $ | 1,524 | | | $ | 2,452 | |
Pooled analysis allocations | | | 31,588 | | | | 30,796 | |
Additional allocations based on subjective factors | | | 13,687 | | | | 13,889 | |
Total | | $ | 46,799 | | | $ | 47,137 | |
(1) | January 1, 2021 includes impact of the adoption of CECL. |
Beginning January 1, 2021, we calculated the ACL using the current expected credit losses methodology. As of January 1, 2021, we increased the ACL for loans by $11.7 million and increased the ACL for unfunded loan commitments by $1.5 million.
Some loans will not be repaid in full. Therefore, an ACL is maintained at a level which represents our best estimate of expected credit losses. Our ACL is comprised of three principal elements: (i) specific analysis of individual loans identified during the review of the loan portfolio, (ii) pooled analysis of loans with similar risk characteristics based on historical experience, adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and expected prepayments, and (iii) additional allowances based on subjective factors, including local and general economic business factors and trends, portfolio concentrations and changes in the size and/or the general terms of the loan portfolios. See note #4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for further discussion on the ACL.
While we use relevant information to recognize losses on loans, additional provisions for related losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, customer circumstances and other credit risk factors.
The ACL decreased $0.3 million to $46.8 million at September 30, 2021 from $47.1 million at January 1, 2021 (CECL adoption date) and was equal to 1.62% of total Portfolio Loans at September 30, 2021.
Two of the three components of the ACL outlined above decreased since our CECL adoption date. The ACL related to specific loans decreased $0.9 million due primarily to a $5.4 million decrease in the amount of such loans. The ACL related to subjective factors decreased $0.2 million due primarily to slightly lower reserve allocations reflecting an improvement in economic forecasts (particularly for lower unemployment levels) that was partially offset by loan growth in 2021. The ACL related to pooled analysis of loans increased $0.8 million due primarily loan growth in 2021.
Deposits and borrowings. Historically, the loyalty of our customer base has allowed us to price deposits competitively, contributing to a net interest margin that generally compares favorably to our peers. However, we still face a significant amount of competition for deposits within many of the markets served by our branch network, which limits our ability to materially increase deposits without adversely impacting the weighted-average cost of core deposits.
To attract new core deposits, we have implemented various account acquisition strategies as well as branch staff sales training. Account acquisition initiatives have historically generated increases in customer relationships. Over the past several years, we have also expanded our treasury management products and services for commercial businesses and municipalities or other governmental units and have also increased our sales calling efforts in order to attract additional deposit relationships from these sectors. We view long-term core deposit growth as an important objective. Core deposits generally provide a more stable and lower cost source of funds than alternative sources such as short-term borrowings. (See “Liquidity and capital resources.”)
Deposits totaled $4.01 billion and $3.64 billion at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The increase in deposits is primarily due to growth in non-interest bearing deposits, savings and interest bearing checking deposits, reciprocal deposits and time deposits that were partially offset by a decline in brokered deposits. Reciprocal deposits totaled $596.2 million and $556.2 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. These deposits represent demand, money market and time deposits from our customers that have been placed through IntraFi Network. This service allows our customers to access multi-million dollar FDIC deposit insurance on deposit balances greater than the standard FDIC insurance maximum. The continued increase in reciprocal deposits is due in part to an automated sweep product that we introduced in mid-2018 as well as the marketing and sales efforts of our treasury management team.
We cannot be sure that we will be able to maintain our current level of core deposits. In particular, those deposits that are uninsured may be susceptible to outflow. At September 30, 2021, we had approximately $972.1 million of uninsured deposits. A reduction in core deposits would likely increase our need to rely on wholesale funding sources.
We have also implemented strategies that incorporate using federal funds purchased, other borrowings and Brokered CDs to fund a portion of our interest-earning assets. The use of such alternate sources of funds supplements our core deposits and is also an integral part of our asset/liability management efforts.
Other borrowings, comprised primarily of advances from the FHLB, totaled $30.0 million at both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
As described above, we utilize wholesale funding, including federal funds purchased, FHLB and FRB borrowings and Brokered CDs to augment our core deposits and fund a portion of our assets. At September 30, 2021, our use of such wholesale funding sources (including reciprocal deposits) amounted to approximately $629.1 million, or 15.6% of total funding (deposits and all borrowings, excluding subordinated debt and debentures). Because wholesale funding sources are affected by general market conditions, the availability of such funding may be dependent on the confidence these sources have in our financial condition and operations. The continued availability to us of these funding sources is not certain, and Brokered CDs may be difficult for us to retain or replace at attractive rates as they mature. Our liquidity may be constrained if we are unable to renew our wholesale funding sources or if adequate financing is not available in the future at acceptable rates of interest or at all. Our financial performance could also be affected if we are unable to maintain our access to funding sources or if we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources. In such case, our net interest income and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We historically employed derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. During the first nine months of 2021 and 2020, we entered into $34.8 million and $12.2 million (aggregate notional amounts), respectively, of interest rate swaps with commercial loan customers, which were offset with interest rate swaps that the Bank entered into with a broker-dealer. We recorded $0.5 million and $0.2 million of fee income related to these transactions during the first nine months of 2021 and 2020, respectively. See note #6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for more information on our derivative financial instruments.
Liquidity and capital resources. Liquidity risk is the risk of being unable to timely meet obligations as they come due at a reasonable funding cost or without incurring unacceptable losses. Our liquidity management involves the measurement and monitoring of a variety of sources and uses of funds. Our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows categorize these sources and uses into operating, investing and financing activities. We primarily focus our liquidity management on maintaining adequate levels of liquid assets (primarily funds on deposit with the FRB and certain securities available for sale) as well as developing access to a variety of borrowing sources to supplement our deposit gathering activities and provide funds for purchasing securities available for sale or originating Portfolio Loans as well as to be able to respond to unforeseen liquidity needs.
Our primary sources of funds include our deposit base, secured advances from the FHLB and FRB, federal funds purchased borrowing facilities with other banks, and access to the capital markets (for Brokered CDs).
At September 30, 2021, we had $253.0 million of time deposits that mature in the next 12 months. Historically, a majority of these maturing time deposits are renewed by our customers. Additionally, $3.66 billion of our deposits at September 30, 2021, were in account types from which the customer could withdraw the funds on demand. Changes in the balances of deposits that can be withdrawn upon demand are usually predictable and the total balances of these accounts have generally grown or have been stable over time as a result of our marketing and promotional activities. However, there can be no assurance that historical patterns of renewing time deposits or overall growth or stability in deposits will continue in the future.
We have developed contingency funding plans that stress test our liquidity needs that may arise from certain events such as an adverse change in our financial metrics (for example, credit quality or regulatory capital ratios). Our liquidity management also includes periodic monitoring that measures quick assets (defined generally as highly liquid or short-term assets) to total assets, short-term liability dependence and basic surplus (defined as quick assets less volatile liabilities to total assets). Policy limits have been established for our various liquidity measurements and are monitored on a quarterly basis. In addition, we also prepare cash flow forecasts that include a variety of different scenarios.
We believe that we currently have adequate liquidity at our Bank because of our cash and cash equivalents, our portfolio of securities available for sale, our access to secured advances from the FHLB and FRB and our ability to issue Brokered CDs.
We also believe that the available cash on hand at the parent company (including time deposits) of approximately $45.9 million as of September 30, 2021 provides sufficient liquidity resources at the parent company to meet operating expenses, to make interest payments on the subordinated debt and debentures, and, along with dividends from the Bank, to pay projected cash dividends on our common stock.
Effective management of capital resources is critical to our mission to create value for our shareholders. In addition to common stock, our capital structure also currently includes subordinated debt and cumulative trust preferred securities.
Capitalization
| | September 30, 2021 | | | December 31, 2020 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Subordinated debt | | $ | 39,338 | | | $ | 39,281 | |
Subordinated debentures | | | 39,575 | | | | 39,524 | |
Amount not qualifying as regulatory capital | | | (562 | ) | | | (505 | ) |
Amount qualifying as regulatory capital | | | 78,351 | | | | 78,300 | |
Shareholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | 326,390 | | | | 339,353 | |
Retained earnings | | | 66,543 | | | | 40,145 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 7,098 | | | | 10,024 | |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 400,031 | | | | 389,522 | |
Total capitalization | | $ | 478,382 | | | $ | 467,822 | |
In May 2020, we issued $40.0 million of fixed to floating subordinated notes with a ten year maturity and a five year call option. The initial coupon rate is 5.95% fixed for five years and then floats at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 5.825%. These notes are presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition under the caption “Subordinated debt” and the September 30, 2021 balance of $39.3 million is net of remaining unamortized deferred issuance costs of approximately $0.7 million that are being amortized through the maturity date into interest expense on other borrowings and subordinated debt and debentures in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We currently have four special purpose entities with $39.6 million of outstanding cumulative trust preferred securities as of September 30, 2021. These special purpose entities issued common securities and provided cash to our parent company that in turn issued subordinated debentures to these special purpose entities equal to the trust preferred securities and common securities. The subordinated debentures represent the sole asset of the special purpose entities. The common securities and subordinated debentures are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The FRB has issued rules regarding trust preferred securities as a component of the Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies. The aggregate amount of trust preferred securities (and certain other capital elements) are limited to 25 percent of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill (net of any associated deferred tax liability). The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit can be included in Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions. At the parent company, all of these securities qualified as Tier 1 capital at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Common shareholders’ equity increased to $400.0 million at September 30, 2021, from $389.5 million at December 31, 2020, due primarily to our net income that was partially offset by a $10.3 million reduction in retained earnings related to the adoption of CECL, a $2.9 million decrease in our accumulated other comprehensive income, by share repurchases and by cash dividend payments. Our tangible common equity (“TCE”) totaled $368.2 million and $356.9 million, respectively, at those same dates. Our ratio of TCE to tangible assets was 8.02% and 8.56% at September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. TCE and the ratio of TCE to tangible assets are non-GAAP measures. TCE represents total common equity less goodwill and other intangible assets.
In December 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a 2021 share repurchase plan. Under the terms of the 2021 share repurchase plan, we are authorized to buy back up to 1,100,000, or approximately 5% of our outstanding common stock. During the first nine months of 2021, the Company repurchased 659,350 shares at a weighted average purchase price of $20.89 per share.
We pay a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock. These dividends totaled $0.63 per share and $0.60 per share in the first nine months of 2021 and 2020, respectively. We generally favor a dividend payout ratio between 30% and 50% of net income.
As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our Bank (and holding company) continued to meet the requirements to be considered “well-capitalized” under federal regulatory standards (also see note #10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report).
Asset/liability management. Interest-rate risk is created by differences in the cash flow characteristics of our assets and liabilities. Options embedded in certain financial instruments, including caps on adjustable-rate loans as well as borrowers’ rights to prepay fixed-rate loans, also create interest-rate risk.
Our asset/liability management efforts identify and evaluate opportunities to structure our assets and liabilities in a manner that is consistent with our mission to maintain profitable financial leverage within established risk parameters. We evaluate various opportunities and alternate asset/liability management strategies carefully and consider the likely impact on our risk profile as well as the anticipated contribution to earnings. The marginal cost of funds is a principal consideration in the implementation of our asset/liability management strategies, but such evaluations further consider interest-rate and liquidity risk as well as other pertinent factors. We have established parameters for interest-rate risk. We regularly monitor our interest-rate risk and report at least quarterly to our board of directors.
We employ simulation analyses to monitor our interest-rate risk profile and evaluate potential changes in our net interest income and market value of portfolio equity that result from changes in interest rates. The purpose of these simulations is to identify sources of interest-rate risk. The simulations do not anticipate any actions that we might initiate in response to changes in interest rates and, accordingly, the simulations do not provide a reliable forecast of anticipated results. The simulations are predicated on immediate, permanent and parallel shifts in interest rates and generally assume that current loan and deposit pricing relationships remain constant. The simulations further incorporate assumptions relating to changes in customer behavior, including changes in prepayment rates on certain assets and liabilities. During 2021, our interest rate risk profile as measured by our short term earnings simulation has not changed significantly while our longer term interest rate risk measure based on changes in economic value now indicates modest exposure to rising rates. The shift is primarily due to an increase in asset duration. The increase in asset duration is attributed to growth and mix changes to the investment portfolio and portfolio mortgage loans. However, we are carefully monitoring this change in the composition of our earning assets and the impact of potential future changes in interest rates on our changes in market value of portfolio equity and changes in net interest income. As a result, we may add some longer-term borrowings, may utilize derivatives (interest rate swaps and interest rate caps) to manage interest rate risk and may continue to sell some fixed rate jumbo and other portfolio mortgage loans in the future.
CHANGES IN MARKET VALUE OF PORTFOLIO EQUITY AND NET INTEREST INCOME
Change in Interest Rates |
| Market Value of Portfolio Equity(1) |
|
| Percent Change |
|
| Net Interest Income(2) |
|
| Percent Change |
|
|
| (Dollars in thousands) | |
September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
200 basis point rise | | $ | 512,400 | | | | (3.38 | )% | | $ | 136,400 | | | | 4.36 | % |
100 basis point rise | | | 546,000 | | | | 2.96 | | | | 134,800 | | | | 3.14 | |
Base-rate scenario | | | 530,300 | | | | - | | | | 130,700 | | | | - | |
100 basis point decline | | | 465,000 | | | | (12.31 | ) | | | 124,300 | | | | (4.90 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
200 basis point rise | | $ | 494,600 | | | | 15.02 | % | | $ | 125,200 | | | | 4.16 | % |
100 basis point rise | | | 483,200 | | | | 12.37 | | | | 123,700 | | | | 2.91 | |
Base-rate scenario | | | 430,000 | | | | - | | | | 120,200 | | | | - | |
100 basis point decline | | | 395,500 | | | | (8.02 | ) | | | 114,900 | | | | (4.41 | ) |
(1) | Simulation analyses calculate the change in the net present value of our assets and liabilities, including debt and related financial derivative instruments, under parallel shifts in interest rates by discounting the estimated future cash flows using a market-based discount rate. Cash flow estimates incorporate anticipated changes in prepayment speeds and other embedded options. |
(2) | Simulation analyses calculate the change in net interest income under immediate parallel shifts in interest rates over the next twelve months, based upon a static statement of financial condition, which includes debt and related financial derivative instruments, and do not consider loan fees. |
Accounting standards update. See note #2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for details on recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact on our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
Fair valuation of financial instruments. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 - “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“FASB ASC Topic 820”) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial instruments and to determine fair value disclosures. FASB ASC Topic 820 differentiates between those assets and liabilities required to be carried at fair value at every reporting period (“recurring”) and those assets and liabilities that are only required to be adjusted to fair value under certain circumstances (“nonrecurring”). Securities available for sale, loans held for sale, carried at fair value, derivatives and capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record at fair value other financial assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for investment and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets. See note #11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for a complete discussion on our use of fair valuation of financial instruments and the related measurement techniques.
Litigation Matters
The aggregate amount we have accrued for losses we consider probable as a result of litigation matters is immaterial. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of outcomes from any litigation matter, we believe it is reasonably possible we may incur losses in addition to the amounts we have accrued. At this time, we estimate the maximum amount of additional losses that are reasonably possible is insignificant. However, because of a number of factors, including the fact that certain of these litigation matters are still in their early stages, this maximum amount may change in the future.
The litigation matters described in the preceding paragraph primarily include claims that have been brought against us for damages, but do not include litigation matters where we seek to collect amounts owed to us by third parties (such as litigation initiated to collect delinquent loans). These excluded, collection-related matters may involve claims or counterclaims by the opposing party or parties, but we have excluded such matters from the disclosure contained in the preceding paragraph in all cases where we believe the possibility of us paying damages to any opposing party is remote.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Accounting and reporting policies for the ACL and capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights are deemed critical since they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments. Application of assumptions different than those that we have used could result in material changes in our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We adopted CECL on January 1, 2021 which changed the way we calculate our ACL. See notes #2 and #4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for further discussion on CECL. There was no material change to our critical accounting policy on capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk
See applicable disclosures set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 2 under the caption “Asset/liability management.”
Item 4.
(a) | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. |
With the participation of management, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e)) for the period ended September 30, 2021, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) | Changes in Internal Controls. |
During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II
In addition to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, the following risk factors apply to the Company:
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and such effects will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict.
Global health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions have resulted in significant disruptions and increased economic uncertainty. Government restrictions and recommendations designed to contain the virus and limit its effects have substantially limited the activities of individuals and the operations of businesses in the markets we serve.
Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its first emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reports that almost 80% of the adult population in the U.S. has received at least one vaccination as of October 24, 2021. According to data reported by the State of Michigan as of October 22, 2021, 68.5% of Michigan residents ages 16 and older have had at least one vaccination. Widespread vaccinations have slowed the spread of the virus. Effective June 22, 2021, the State of Michigan rescinded the emergency orders it implemented in response to the pandemic, including the rescission of restrictions on restaurant capacities and other restrictions on the size of in-person gatherings. Despite these positive developments, the pandemic continues to cause a great deal of economic uncertainty and disruption to financial and other markets, including as a result of concerns relating to possible variants of the original virus.
As a result of the pandemic, the related governmental responses, and the ongoing uncertainty, our business, results of operations, and financial condition may be adversely affected by a number of factors that could impact us and our customers, including but not limited to:
| ∙ | difficulties encountered by our business customers in addressing the effects of the pandemic may cause increases in loan delinquencies, foreclosures and defaults; |
| ∙ | increases in our allowance for credit losses may be necessary; |
| ∙ | declines in collateral values may occur; |
| ∙ | third party disruptions may occur, including outages at network providers, on-line banking vendors and other suppliers; |
| ∙ | there is increased cyber and payment fraud risk, as cybercriminals attempt to profit from the disruption, given increased online and remote activity; |
| ∙ | we may experience operational failures due to changes in our normal business practices necessitated by the pandemic and related governmental actions; and/or |
| ∙ | our production and efficiency may suffer due to employee illnesses and/or employees having to work remotely. |
Given the ongoing uncertainty with respect to the pandemic and potential governmental responses, these risk factors may continue to some degree for a significant period of time.
The risks presented by the pandemic have caused us to modify many of our business practices. Since the start of the pandemic, varying levels of our employee base have been working remotely. We have also expanded sick and vacation time for certain employees. Given the recent changes in workplace guidance as a result of the progress with vaccinations, we have moved to a hybrid work model. Depending on an employee’s position and responsibilities, some employees may continue to function either fully or partially out of the office while others will return to the office on a full-time basis. We may take further actions as may be required or as we determine to be prudent. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19. Similarly, while we hope vaccinations will lessen the impact of the virus on our business, there is still a significant degree of uncertainty with respect to the potential impact of widespread vaccinations and the spread of possible virus variants.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which continue to be highly uncertain and difficult to predict. Those developments and factors are expected to include the evolution of the virus and possible virus variants, the number of people who become vaccinated, actions taken by governmental authorities to address the foregoing, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. We do not know the potential full extent of the impact. However, the effects could have a material adverse impact on our business, asset valuations, financial condition and results of operations. Material adverse impacts may include all or a combination of valuation impairments on our intangible assets, securities available for sale, loans, capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights or deferred tax assets.
As a participating lender in the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), the Company and the Bank are subject to additional risks regarding the Bank’s processing of loans for the PPP and risks that the SBA may not fund some or all PPP loan guaranties.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), was signed into law which included a $349 billion loan program administered through the SBA referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Under the PPP, small businesses and other entities and individuals could apply for loans from existing SBA lenders and other approved regulated lenders that enrolled in the PPP, subject to numerous limitations and eligibility criteria (“First Draw Loans”). First Draw Loans are eligible for forgiveness, subject to numerous limitations. The Bank is participating as a lender in the PPP.
The PPP opened on April 3, 2020; however, because of the short timeframe between the enactment of the CARES Act and the opening of the PPP, there was and is some ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP, which exposes us to potential risks relating to noncompliance with the PPP. Since the enactment of the CARES Act, the SBA and U.S. Department of Treasury have provided additional guidance and clarity on the PPP through the issuance of approximately 30 interim final rules implementing the PPP.
Through various subsequent laws, including the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act and the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, the PPP was expanded to include an additional $310 billion in funding and extended through August 8, 2020. Such laws also allowed more time to spend the funds and eased some of the limitations and restrictions to obtaining forgiveness of PPP loans.
On December 27, 2020, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (‘‘Economic Aid Act’’) was signed into law which allocated an additional $284 billion in funding for the PPP. The Economic Aid Act reopened First Draw Loans with generally the same terms and conditions as originally enacted under the CARES Act while clarifying eligibility and ineligibility for certain entities and expanding the permitted uses of PPP funds. In addition, the Economic Aid Act simplified the loan forgiveness process for PPP loans of $150,000 or less. The Economic Aid Act also established second draw loans for entities that have already used their First Draw Loan proceeds, subject to numerous limitations and eligibility criteria (“Second Draw Loans”). Second Draw Loans are eligible for forgiveness similar to First Draw Loans, subject to limitations set forth in the Economic Aid Act.
As of September 30, 2021, we had 826 First Draw Loans and Second Draw Loans outstanding with a total balance of $90.2 million. Since inception of the program the SBA had approved $310.1 million in First Draw Loans and Second Draw Loans for forgiveness. We anticipate a majority of the remaining outstanding loans will be forgiven by the end of 2021.
Since the initiation of the PPP, several larger banks have been subject to litigation regarding the protocols and procedures that they used in processing applications for the PPP. We may be exposed to the risk of similar litigation, from both customers and non‑customers that approached us regarding PPP loans, regarding our policies and procedures used in processing applications for the PPP. If any such litigation is filed against the Company or the Bank and is not resolved in a manner favorable to us, it could result in financial liability or adversely affect our reputation. In addition, litigation can be costly, regardless of outcome. Any financial liability, litigation costs or reputational damage caused by PPP related litigation could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We also have credit risk on PPP loans if a determination is made by the SBA that there is a deficiency in the manner in which the loan was originated, funded, or serviced by the Bank, such as an issue with the eligibility of a borrower to receive a PPP loan, which may or may not be related to the ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP. The SBA reserves the right to audit PPP loans for six years after the loan is paid or forgiven in full. In the event of a loss resulting from a default on a PPP loan and a determination by the SBA that there was a deficiency in the manner in which the PPP loan was originated, funded, or serviced by us, the SBA may deny its liability under the guaranty, reduce the amount of the guaranty, or, if it has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency from us.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
The Company maintains a Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Plan”) pursuant to which non-employee directors can elect to receive shares of the Company’s common stock in lieu of fees otherwise payable to the director for his or her service as a director. A director can elect to receive shares on a current basis or to defer receipt of the shares, in which case the shares are issued to a trust to be held for the account of the director and then generally distributed to the director after his or her retirement from the Board. Pursuant to this Plan, during the third quarter of 2021, the Company issued 380 shares of common stock to non-employee directors on a current basis and 3,992 shares of common stock to the trust for distribution to directors on a deferred basis. These shares were issued on July 1, 2021 representing aggregate fees of $0.09 million. The shares on a current basis were issued at a price of $21.71 per share and the shares on a deferred basis were issued at a price of $19.54 per share, representing 90% of the fair value of the shares on the credit date. The price per share was the consolidated closing bid price per share of the Company’s common stock as of the date of issuance, as determined in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Company issued the shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 due to the fact that the issuance of the shares was made on a private basis pursuant to the Plan.
The following table shows certain information relating to repurchases of common stock for the three-months ended September 30, 2021:
Period |
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) |
|
|
Average Price Paid Per Share |
|
| Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan |
|
| Remaining Number of Shares Authorized for Purchase Under the Plan |
|
July 2021 | | | 103,416 | | | $ | 20.89 | | | | 103,261 | | | | 652,734 | |
August 2021 | | | 13,788 | | | | 20.96 | | | | 10,000 | | | | 642,734 | |
September 2021 | | | 202,084 | | | | 20.40 | | | | 202,084 | | | | 440,650 | |
Total | | | 319,288 | | | $ | 20.58 | | | | 315,345 | | | | 440,650 | |
(1) | July and August include 155 shares and 3,788 shares, respectively, withheld from the shares that would otherwise have been issued to certain officers in order to satisfy tax withholding obligations resulting from the vesting of restricted stock and performance share units. |
| (a) | The following exhibits (listed by number corresponding to the Exhibit Table as Item 601 in Regulation S-K) are filed with this report: |
| Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350). |
| Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350). |
| Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350). |
| Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350). |
101. | INS Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
101. | SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101. | CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101. | DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101. | LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101. | PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
104
| Cover page interactive data file (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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.
Date | November 5, 2021 | | By | /s/ Gavin A. Mohr |
| | | | Gavin A. Mohr, Principal Financial Officer |
| | | | |
Date | November 5, 2021 | | By | /s/ James J. Twarozynski |
| | | | James J. Twarozynski, Principal Accounting Officer |