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The allocation of the allowance for loan losses begins with a
process of estimating the probable losses inherent for each
loan segment. The estimates for these loans are established by category
and based on the Company’s internal
system of
credit risk ratings and historical loss data.
The estimated loan loss allocation rate for the Company’s
internal system of
credit risk grades is based on its experience with similarly graded
loans. For loan segments where the Company believes it
does not have sufficient historical loss data, the Company
may make adjustments based, in part, on loss rates of peer
bank
groups.
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and for the periods
then ended, the Company adjusted its historical loss
rates for the commercial real estate portfolio segment based,
in part, on loss rates of peer bank groups.
The estimated loan loss allocation for all five loan portfolio segments
is then adjusted for management’s
estimate of
probable losses for several “qualitative and environmental” factors.
The allocation for qualitative and environmental fact
ors
is particularly subjective and does not lend itself to exact mathematical
calculation. This amount represents estimated
probable inherent credit losses which exist, but have not yet been
identified, as of the balance sheet date, and are based
upon quarterly trend assessments in delinquent and nonaccrual
loans, credit concentration changes, prevailing economic
conditions, changes in lending personnel experience, changes
in lending policies or procedures, and other influencing
factors. These qualitative and environmental factors are considered
for each of the five loan segments and the allowance
allocation, as determined by the processes noted above, is increased
or decreased based on the incremental assessment of
The Company regularly re-evaluates its practices in determining the
allowance for loan losses. Since the fourth quarter of
2016, the Company has increased
its look-back period each quarter to incorporate the effects
of at least one economic
downturn in its loss history. The
Company believes the extension of its look-back period
is appropriate due to the risks
inherent in the loan portfolio. Absent this extension, the early
cycle periods in which the Company experienced significant
losses would be excluded from the determination of the allowance for
loan losses and its balance would decrease.
For the
quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company increased its look-back
period to 49 quarters to continue to include losses
incurred by the Company beginning with the first quarter of 2009.
The Company will likely continue to increase its look-
back period to incorporate the effects of at least one
economic downturn in its loss history.
During 2020, the Company
adjusted certain qualitative and economic factors related to changes in
economic conditions driven by the impact of the
novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19 pandemic”) and resulting adverse
economic conditions, including higher
unemployment in our primary market area.
During the second quarter of 2021,
the Company adjusted certain qualitative
and economic factors to reflect improvements in economic conditions
in our primary market area.
Further adjustments may
be made in the future as a result of the continuing COVID-19
pandemic.
Assessment for Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment of Securities
On a quarterly basis, management makes an assessment to determine
whether there have been events or economic
circumstances to indicate that a security on which there is an
unrealized loss is other-than-temporarily impaired.
For debt securities with an unrealized loss, an other-than
-temporary impairment write-down is triggered when (1)
the
Company has the intent to sell a debt security,
(2) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required
to sell the
debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or
(3) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized
cost basis of the debt security.
If the Company has the intent to sell a debt security or if it is more
likely than not that it will
be required to sell the debt security before recovery,
the other-than-temporary write-down is equal to the entire
difference
between the debt security’s amortized
cost and its fair value.
If the Company does not intend to sell the security or it is not
more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security
before recovery, the other
-than-temporary impairment write-
down is separated into the amount that is credit related (credit loss component)
and the amount due to all other factors.
The
credit loss component is recognized in earnings and is the difference
between the security’s
amortized cost basis and the
present value of its expected future cash flows.
The remaining difference between the security’s
fair value and the present
value of future expected cash flows is due to factors that are not credit
related and is recognized in other comprehensive
income, net of applicable taxes.
The Company is required to own certain stock as a condition of
membership, such as Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”)
and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”).
These non-marketable equity securities are accounted for at
cost which equals par or
redemption value.
These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value as their
ownership is restricted and there is
no market for these securities.
The Company records these non-marketable equity securities
as a component of other
assets, which are periodically evaluated for impairment. Management
considers these non-marketable equity securities to
be long-term investments. Accordingly,
when evaluating these securities for impairment, management considers
the
ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary
declines in value.