Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
◻ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
For the transition period from _______________ to ________________
Commission file number 0-14237
First United Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
52-1380770
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)
19 South Second Street, Oakland, Maryland
21550-0009
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(800) 470-4356
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbols
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
FUNC
Nasdaq Stock Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated filer ◻
Accelerated Filer ◻
Non-Accelerated filer ☑
Smaller Reporting Company ☑
Emerging Growth Company ◻
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standard provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ◻ No ☑
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 6,686,222 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of October 31, 2023.
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition – September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Operations – for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) – for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity – for nine and three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
11
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
53
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
72
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
73
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
74
SIGNATURES
75
2
Item 1. Financial Statements
First United Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In thousands, except share data - Unaudited)
September 30,2023
December 31,2022
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
78,939
72,720
Interest bearing deposits in banks
1,713
1,595
Cash and cash equivalents
80,652
74,315
Investment securities – available for sale (at fair value)
114,370
125,889
Investment securities – held to maturity, net of allowance for credit losses of $45 and $0, respectively (fair value $176,781 at September 30, 2023 and $203,080 at December 31, 2022)
215,683
235,659
Restricted investment in bank stock, at cost
5,251
1,027
Loans held for sale
208
—
Loans
1,380,019
1,279,494
Unearned fees
(371)
(174)
Allowance for credit/loan losses
(17,146)
(14,636)
Net loans
1,362,502
1,264,684
Premises and equipment, net
32,766
34,948
Goodwill and other intangibles
12,185
12,433
Bank owned life insurance
47,282
46,346
Deferred tax assets
13,020
10,605
Other real estate owned, net
4,878
4,733
Right of use assets
1,905
1,898
Pension asset
7,476
8,001
Accrued interest receivable
6,689
6,051
Other assets
23,334
21,580
Total Assets
1,928,201
1,848,169
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Non-interest bearing deposits
429,691
506,613
Interest bearing deposits
1,145,378
1,064,120
Total deposits
1,575,069
1,570,733
Short-term borrowings
53,330
64,565
Long-term borrowings
110,929
30,929
Operating lease liability
2,347
2,373
SERP deferred compensation
7,294
7,194
Allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures
985
133
Accrued interest payable
578
151
Other liabilities
21,335
19,099
Dividends payable
1,344
1,199
Total Liabilities
1,773,211
1,696,376
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common Stock – par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,715,170 shares at September 30, 2023 and 6,666,428 at December 31, 2022
67
Surplus
25,029
24,409
Retained earnings
173,467
166,343
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(43,573)
(39,026)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
154,990
151,793
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023
2022
(Unaudited)
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans
50,279
39,351
Interest on investment securities
Taxable
5,339
4,533
Exempt from federal income tax
661
834
Total investment income
6,000
5,367
Other
2,686
345
Total interest income
58,965
45,063
Interest expense
Interest on deposits:
Savings
189
70
Interest-bearing transaction accounts
8,912
716
Time deposits
3,599
711
Total interest on Deposits
12,700
1,497
Interest on short-term borrowings
93
86
Interest on long-term borrowings
3,496
Total Interest Expense
16,289
2,610
Net Interest income
42,676
42,453
Credit loss expense - loans
1,170
97
Credit loss expense - debt securities held to maturity
45
Credit loss expense - off-balance sheet credit exposures
(14)
12
Total credit loss expense
1,201
109
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
41,475
42,344
Other operating income
Net gains on investments, available for sale
Net gains on investments, held to maturity
Net gains on sales of residential mortgage loans
322
31
Net gains on disposal of fixed assets
34
Net gains
161
Other Income
Service charges on deposit accounts
1,631
1,451
Other service charges
706
686
Trust department
6,134
6,238
Debit card income
2,981
2,922
936
891
Brokerage commissions
800
805
350
406
Total other income
13,538
13,399
Total other operating income
13,860
13,560
Other operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits
21,112
17,891
FDIC premiums
724
479
Equipment expense
3,168
3,110
Occupancy expense of premises
2,274
2,172
Data processing expense
2,926
2,516
Marketing expense
474
409
Professional services
1,530
873
Contract labor
471
482
Telephone
341
365
Total OREO expenses, net
281
375
Investor relations
272
258
Contributions
217
184
4,144
2,425
Total other operating expenses
37,934
31,539
Income before income tax expense
17,401
24,365
Provision for income tax expense
4,099
6,286
Net Income
13,302
18,079
Basic net income per share
1.99
2.72
Diluted net income per share
1.98
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding
6,698
6,645
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
6,714
6,655
Dividends declared per common share
0.60
0.45
Three Months Ended
18,055
14,058
1,792
1,587
123
273
1,915
1,860
1,194
267
21,164
16,185
54
3,784
397
1,834
190
5,672
621
33
47
1,475
376
7,180
1,044
13,984
15,141
Credit loss expense/(credit) - loans
(108)
Credit loss (credit)/expense - off-balance sheet credit exposures
(104)
7
Total credit loss expense/(credit)
263
(101)
13,721
15,242
Gains on sales of residential mortgage loans
182
Gains on disposal of fixed assets
96
569
523
230
241
2,139
2,005
995
1,053
320
302
245
218
4,716
4,604
4,898
4,700
6,957
6,130
254
150
Equipment
1,029
1,037
Occupancy
747
734
Data processing
1,011
890
Marketing
220
152
490
(211)
173
159
115
112
Total other real estate owned expenses, net
139
128
83
39
121
Settlement expense
FHLB prepayment penalty
1,493
888
12,785
10,329
5,834
9,613
1,321
2,677
4,513
6,936
Basic net income per common share
0.67
1.04
Diluted net income per common share
6,658
6,728
6,669
0.20
0.15
5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
(In thousands)
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax and reclassification adjustments:
Available for sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses on investments with credit related impairment
(777)
(853)
Reclassification adjustment for accretable yield realized in income
Other comprehensive loss on investments with credit related impairment
(929)
(1,005)
Unrealized holding losses on all other AFS investments
(5,065)
(22,971)
Unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity
8,328
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in income
Other comprehensive loss on all other AFS investments
(14,646)
Held to Maturity Securities
Unrealized holding losses on securities transferred to held to maturity
(8,328)
Unrealized holding losses on HTM investments
Reclassification adjustment for gains/(losses) realized in income
Reclassification adjustment for amortization realized in income
(513)
(644)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) on HTM investments
513
(7,777)
Cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedges
30
1,622
Other comprehensive income on cash flow hedges
Pension plan liability:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on pension plan liability
(1,250)
(14,079)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of unrecognized loss realized in income
(750)
(837)
Other comprehensive loss on pension plan liability
(500)
(13,242)
SERP liability:
Unrealized holding losses on SERP liability
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of unrealized loss realized in income
(203)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income on SERP liability
(6)
203
Other comprehensive losses before income tax
(5,957)
(34,845)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive income
1,410
9,325
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(4,547)
(25,520)
Comprehensive income/(loss)
8,755
(7,441)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on investments with credit related impairment
633
(199)
51
Other comprehensive income/(loss) on investments with credit related impairment
582
(250)
Unrealized holding loss on all other AFS investments
(4,183)
(6,768)
(167)
(320)
Other comprehensive income on HTM investments
167
227
14
534
Unrealized holding losses on pension plan liability
(1,352)
(3,537)
(251)
(279)
Other comprehensive losses on pension plan liability
(1,101)
(3,258)
(68)
(2)
68
(4,523)
(9,447)
1,060
2,529
(3,463)
(6,918)
Comprehensive income
1,050
18
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
CommonStock
RetainedEarnings
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss
TotalShareholders'Equity
Balance at January 1, 2023
Adoption of ASC 326- Financial Instruments- Credit Losses
(2,155)
Net income
4,375
Other comprehensive income
69
Stock based compensation
56
Common stock issued - 22,282 shares
64
Common stock dividend declared - $0.20 per share
(1,334)
Balance at March 31, 2023
24,529
167,229
(38,957)
152,868
4,414
Other comprehensive loss
(1,153)
298
Common stock issued - 18,416 shares
(1,345)
Balance at June 30, 2023
24,901
170,298
(40,110)
155,156
Common stock issued - 5,046 shares
80
Common stock repurchased - 1,298 share
(21)
Common stock dividend declared - $0.20 per share
(1,344)
Balance at September 30, 2023
Balance at January 1, 2022
66
23,661
145,487
(27,314)
141,900
5,715
(9,593)
(4)
Common stock issued - 15,456 shares
55
Common stock dividend declared - $0.15 per share
(995)
Balance at March 31, 2022
23,712
150,207
(36,907)
137,078
5,428
(9,009)
1
339
340
(999)
Balance at June 30, 2022
24,105
154,636
(45,916)
132,892
Common stock issued - 4,563 shares
Common stock dividend declared- $0.15 per share
Balance at September 30, 2022
24,238
160,573
(52,834)
132,044
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statement
9
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses
Depreciation
2,528
2,475
423
415
Gain on sales of other real estate owned
(36)
Recoveries of other real estate owned, net
(55)
Originations of loans held for sale
(3,627)
(1,156)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
3,741
1,254
Gains from sales of loans held for sale
(322)
(31)
(34)
Net (accretion)/ amortization of investment securities discounts and premiums- AFS
(32)
100
Net accretion of investment securities discounts and premiums- HTM
(618)
(625)
Amortization of intangible assets
248
157
Gains on sales/calls of investment securities – AFS
(3)
Gains on calls of investment securities – HTM
(93)
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
(936)
(891)
Amortization of deferred loan costs/(fees), net
40
(123)
Amortization of operating lease right of use asset
249
260
Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets
(1,754)
(651)
Deferred tax expense/(benefit)
(97)
(9,322)
(282)
(289)
Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
2,793
9,094
Net cash provided by operating activities
16,766
18,725
Investing activities
Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities - AFS
5,320
12,153
Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities - HTM
24,537
13,254
Proceeds from sales of investment securities - AFS
1,023
Purchases of investment securities - AFS
(17,652)
Purchases of investment securities - HTM
(3,988)
(55,686)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
172
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
37
Net (increase)/decrease in restricted stock
(4,224)
Net increase in loans
(101,320)
(124,963)
Purchases of premises and equipment
(346)
(2,803)
Net cash used in by investing activities
(79,849)
(174,635)
Financing activities
Net increase in deposits
4,336
41,744
Issuance of common stock
162
Cash dividends paid on common stock
(3,878)
(2,987)
Net (decrease)/increase in short-term borrowings
(11,235)
32,027
Stock repurchase
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
80,000
Net cash provided by financing activities
69,420
70,946
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
6,337
(84,964)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
115,720
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
30,756
Supplemental information
Interest paid
16,406
2,655
Taxes paid
4,821
5,248
Non-cash investing activities:
Transfers from loans to other real estate owned
226
256
Transfers from securities available for sale to held to maturity
139,036
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
The financial information is presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and general practice for financial institutions in the United States of America (“GAAP”). First United Corporation has prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information, rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods, and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or for any future interim period. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
In preparing financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of financial statements. In addition, these estimates and assumptions affect revenues and expenses in the financial statements and as such, actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) that are necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First United Corporation, First United Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I, First United Statutory Trust II, OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., First OREO Trust and FUBT OREO I, LLC. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
As used in these notes, the terms “the Corporation” “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to First United Corporation and, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.
The Corporation has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of September 30, 2023 and through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued, for items of potential recognition or disclosure.
Newly Adopted Pronouncements in 2023
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, universally referred to as CECL. The amendments in ASU, 2016-13 among other things, requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied previously are still permitted, although the inputs to those techniques changed to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. For periodic report filers that are smaller reporting companies, such as the Corporation, ASU 2016-13 was effective as of January 1, 2023.
As part of its process of adopting the CECL accounting method, management implemented a third party software solution and determined the appropriate loan segments, methodologies, model assumptions and qualitative components. Our CECL model includes portfolio loan segmentation based upon similar risk characteristics and both a quantitative and qualitative component of the calculation which incorporates a forecasting component of certain economic variables. Our implementation plan also includes the assessment and documentation of appropriate processes, policies and internal controls. Management had a third party independent consultant review and validate our CECL model.
In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on certain debt securities. The Corporation did not record any allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on its debt securities as a result of adopting this ASU.
The ultimate impact of adopting ASU 2016-13, and at each subsequent reporting period, is highly dependent on credit quality, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, compensation of our loan portfolio, and other management judgments. The Corporation adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective method. Results beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASU 2016-13, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. We made the accounting policy election to not measure an ACL for accrued interest receivables for loans and securities. Accrued interest deemed uncollectible will be written off through interest income.
The following table illustrates the day-one impact of adopting ASU 2016-13.
January 1, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)
As Reported Under ASU 2016-13
Pre ASU 2016-13
Impact of ASU 2016-13 Adoption
Allowance for credit losses on loans
Commercial real estate
5,202
6,345
(1,143)
Acquisition and development
964
979
(15)
Commercial and industrial
4,179
2,845
1,334
Residentail mortgage
5,272
3,160
2,112
Consumer
1,085
877
Unallocated
-
430
(430)
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
16,702
14,636
2,066
Assets:
Investment securities- available for sale (at fair value)
Investment securities- held to maturity
245,659
Total loans held for investments, net
1,262,792
1,264,858
(2,066)
Net deferred tax asset
11,381
776
Life-of-loss reserve on unfunded loan commitments
998
865
Equity:
149,638
In connection with our adoption of ASU 2016-13, we made changes to our loan portfolio segments to align with the methodology of CECL. Refer to Note 5, Loans and Related Allowance for Credit Losses, for further discussion of these portfolio segments. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 resulted in a Day 1 adjustment of $2.9 million to our ACL, including an increase of $2.0 million to the ACL for loans and $0.9 million to the ACL for unfunded commitments. The Corporation did not record any ACL on its available-for-sale or held-to-maturity investments upon adoption of ASC 326. The Corporation recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $2.2 million as of January 1, 2023 for the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-13.
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. ASU 2022-02, which eliminates the troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) accounting model for creditors that have adopted ASU 2016-13. Due to the removal of the TDR accounting model, all loan modifications were evaluated to determine if they resulted in a new loan or a continuation of the existing loan. The amendments in ASU 2022-02 also required that entities disclose current-period gross charge-offs by year of origination for loans and leases. The amendments in ASU 2022-02 were effective January 1, 2023. This change did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 5, Loans and Related Allowance for Credit Losses for disclosures for debtors experiencing financial difficulty and for vintage disclosures related to gross charge-offs by loan segment by year of origination.
Allowance for Credit Losses Policy
The ACL represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb expected losses on outstanding loans at the balance sheet date based on the evaluation of the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and prepayment experience. The ACL is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. The ACL is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries of previous losses, and is increased or decreased by a provision for credit losses, which is recorded as a current period operating expense.
Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently complex and requires the use of significant and highly subjective estimates. The reasonableness is reviewed quarterly by management.
Management believes it uses relevant information available to make determinations about the ACL and that it has established the existing allowance in accordance with GAAP. However, the determination of the ACL requires significant judgment, and estimates of expected losses in the loan portfolio can vary significantly from the amounts actually observed. While management uses available information to recognize losses, future additions to the ACL may be necessary based on changes in the loans comprising the portfolio, changes in the current and forecasted economic conditions, changes to the interest rate environment which may directly impact prepayment and curtailment rate assumptions, and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.
The adoption of CECL accounting did not result in a significant change to any other credit risk management and monitoring processes, including identification of past due or delinquent borrowers, nonaccrual practices, assessment of modified loans, or charge-off policy.
The Corporation’s note 5 for discussion related to the Corporation’s methodology for estimating the ACL includes:
Loan Commitments and Allowance for Credit Loss on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
The Corporation records a reserve for unfunded commitments (“RUC”) on off-balance sheet credit exposures through a charge to provision for credit loss expense in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statement of Income. The RUC on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the CECL model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur, and is included in the RUC on the Corporation’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Loan Restructurings
In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition, management may grant a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a restructured loan. Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify the loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. The Corporation modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, an other-than-insignificant payment delay, or interest rate reductions. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses. These concessions are intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. See Note 5 for more detail related to the accounting of restructured loans.
Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Securities
The Corporation adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC “) 326 using the prospective transition approach for debt securities for which other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) had been recognized prior to January 1, 2023, such as available-for-sale (“AFS”) collateralized debt obligations. As a result, the amortized cost basis for such debt securities remained the same before and after the effective date of ASC 326. The effective interest rate on these debt securities was not changed. Amounts
13
previously written off are recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as of January 1, 2023 relating to improvements in cash flows expected to be collected are accreted into income over the remaining life of the asset. Recoveries of amounts previously written off relating to improvements in cash flows after January 1, 2023 are recorded in earnings when received.
See Note 5 for additional information related to investment securities and the related allowance for credit losses on the AFS and held-to-maturity (“HTM “) portfolio.
Note 2 – Accounting Statements Issued but Not Yet Adopted
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) toward new interest rate benchmarks. Modified contracts that meet certain scope guidance are eligible for relief from these modification accounting requirements in GAAP. The optional guidance generally allows for the modified contract to be accounted for as a continuation of the existing contract and does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 are effective for all entities between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. In December 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06: “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848.” The amendments in ASU 2020-06 defer the sunset date for applying the reference rate reform relief by two years to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848.
An internal team of the Corporation was formed to transition loans held for investment away from LIBOR. As of September 30, 2023, there are no loans in our loan portfolio whose variable rate is tied to the LIBOR. The Corporation no longer offers LIBOR for any new contract as part of this transition.
The Corporation has identified all known LIBOR exposures, created a plan to address the exposures, and continues to communicate with all stakeholders to transition to alternative reference rates. The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2020-04 will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 3 – Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share is derived by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and does not include the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. Diluted earnings per share is derived by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for the dilutive effect of outstanding common stock equivalents, such as restricted stock units (“RSUs”). There were no anti-dilutive shares outstanding at September 30, 2023 or 2022.
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Nine months ended September 30,
Average
Per Share
(in thousands, except for per share amount)
Income
Shares
Amount
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Restricted stock units
16
Three months ended September 30,
Note 4 – Investments
The following tables show a comparison of amortized cost and fair values of investment securities at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
(in thousands)
AmortizedCost
GrossUnrealizedGains
GrossUnrealizedLosses
Allowance for Credit Losses
Estimated Fair Value
September 30, 2023
Available for Sale:
U.S. government agencies
11,020
1,660
9,360
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
42,073
8,704
33,369
Commercial mortgage-backed agencies
36,722
9,667
27,055
Collateralized mortgage obligations
24,223
5,236
18,987
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
10,832
766
10,066
Corporate bonds
1,000
251
749
Collateralized debt obligations
18,670
3,886
14,784
Total available for sale
144,540
30,170
15
GrossUnrecognizedGains
GrossUnrecognizedLosses
Held to Maturity:
U.S. treasuries
37,397
670
36,727
67,944
14,411
53,533
30,336
4,495
25,841
21,454
6,494
14,960
53,994
12,114
41,880
4,603
126
844
3,885
Total held to maturity
215,728
39,028
176,826
FairValue
OTTIin AOCL
December 31, 2022
11,044
1,582
9,462
45,052
7,651
37,401
37,393
6,661
30,732
25,828
4,784
21,044
10,848
360
10,492
Corporate Bonds
113
887
18,664
15,871
(1,695)
149,829
23,944
37,204
1,593
35,611
67,734
13,261
54,473
28,624
3,503
25,122
22,389
4,568
17,821
57,085
10,001
47,084
22,623
946
600
22,969
947
33,526
203,080
The Corporation reassessed the classification of certain investments and, effective February 1, 2022, transferred $139.0 million of callable agencies, obligations of state and political subdivisions, and collateralized mortgage obligations from available for sale to held to maturity securities. The transfer occurred at fair value. The related unrealized loss of $8.4 million included in other comprehensive loss remained in other comprehensive loss, to be amortized out of other comprehensive loss with an offsetting entry to interest income as a yield adjustment over the remaining term of the securities. No gain or loss was recorded at the time of transfer.
The following table shows the Corporation’s investment securities with gross unrealized and unrecognized losses and fair values at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
UnrealizedLosses
Number ofInvestments
3,357
294
6,369
472
110,673
29,876
UnrecognizedLosses
3,977
98
21,864
4,397
35
2,030
170,994
38,930
59
17
4,598
402
4,865
1,180
4,044
455
26,688
6,206
1,600
210
19,444
4,574
8,906
20,035
1,540
104,269
22,404
27
38,883
9,617
15,591
3,644
16,893
1,425
29
8,138
2,078
47,083
2,269
122,949
26,211
48
59,340
7,315
The Corporation utilizes ASC 326 to evaluate its AFS and HTM debt security portfolio for expected credit losses. For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Corporation first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For AFS debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Corporation evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to 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, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, as a non-credit-related impairment.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an AFS security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Any impairment not recorded through an allowance for credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income as a non-credit-related impairment.
The Corporation has made the policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of available-for-sale debt securities and report accrued interest separately in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Available-for-sale debt
securities are placed on nonaccrual status when we no longer expect to receive all contractual amounts due, which is generally at 90 days past due. Accrued interest receivable is reversed against interest income when a security is placed on nonaccrual status. Accordingly, we do not recognize an allowance for credit loss against accrued interest receivable.
The Corporation separately evaluates its HTM investment securities for any credit losses. The Corporation pools like securities and calculates expected credit losses through an estimate based on a security’s credit rating, which is recognized as part of the allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities and is included in the balance of investment securities held to maturity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If the Corporation determines that a security indicates evidence of deteriorated credit quality, the security is individually evaluated and a discounted cash flow analysis is performed and compared to the amortized cost basis.
As of September 30, 2023, the Corporation recorded ACL of approximately $45,000 related to one bond in the HTM security portfolio. There was no ACL related to its AFS or HTM security portfolio at December 31, 2022.
The following table presents a cumulative roll-forward of the amount of non-cash credit-related impairment charges related to credit losses that have been previously recognized in earnings for the trust preferred securities held in the collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) portfolio during the nine- and three- month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 that the Corporation does not intend to sell:
Balance of credit-related impairment at January 1
1,841
2,043
Reduction for increases in cash flows expected to be collected
(152)
Balance of credit-related impairment at September 30
1,689
1,891
Balance of credit-related impairment at July 1
1,740
1,942
(51)
19
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2023 are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Due in one year or less
3,010
2,953
Due after one year through five years
9,270
8,391
Due after five years through ten years
1,895
1,560
Due after ten years
27,347
22,055
41,522
34,959
12,500
11,306
38,681
30,544
21,366
15,568
109,944
94,145
20
Note 5 – Loans and Related Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table summarizes the primary segments of the loan portfolio at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
CommercialReal Estate
AcquisitionandDevelopment
CommercialandIndustrial
ResidentialMortgage
Total
Individually evaluated for impairment
2,314
Collectively evaluated for impairment
491,284
79,796
254,650
489,372
62,603
1,377,705
Total loans
491,686
2,262
356
3,880
6,498
456,569
70,240
245,396
440,531
60,260
1,272,996
458,831
70,596
444,411
The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories of performing loans and non-accrual loans at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Current
30-59 DaysPast Due
60-89 DaysPast Due
90 Days+Past Due
Total PastDue andAccruing
Non-Accrual
Total Loans
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner-occupied
293,932
229
294,161
All other CRE
196,524
599
197,123
Acquisition and development:
1-4 family residential construction
17,527
All other A&D
62,149
120
62,269
254,193
382
457
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage - term
425,383
214
1,109
1,323
3,011
429,717
Residential mortgage - home equity
61,299
288
22
396
274
61,969
61,786
541
143
743
1,372,793
1,717
1,885
145
3,747
3,479
269,971
87
270,058
188,715
58
188,773
19,637
50,813
146
50,959
245,342
380,502
722
239
992
2,893
384,387
59,223
399
43
311
60,024
59,789
363
25
1,273,992
847
853
307
2,007
3,495
Non-accrual loans that have been subject to partial charge-offs totaled $0.1 million at September 30, 2023 and $0.1 million at December 31, 2022. Loans secured by 1-4 family residential real estate properties in the process of foreclosure totaled $1.8
21
million at September 30, 2023. There were no loans in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2022. As a percentage of the loan portfolio, accruing loans past due 30 days or more was 0.27% at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.16% at December 31, 2022.
Effective January 1, 2023, the Corporation adopted the accounting guidance in ASU 2022-02, which eliminated the recognition and measurement of TDRs. Due to the removal of the TDR designation, the Corporation evaluates all loan restructurings according to the accounting guidance for loan modifications to determine if the restructuring results in a new loan or a continuation of the existing loan. Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that result in a direct change in the timing or amount of contractual cash flows include situations where there is principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions, and combinations of the above. Therefore, the disclosures related to loan restructurings are only for modifications that directly affect cash flows.
A loan that is considered a non-accrual or restructured loan may be subject to the individually evaluated loan analysis if the commitment is $0.1 million or greater; otherwise, the restructured loan remains in the appropriate segment in the ACL model and associated reserves are adjusted based on changes in the discounted cash flows resulting from the modification of the restructured loan. For a discussion with respect to reserve calculations regarding individually evaluated loans, refer to the “Nonrecurring Loans” section in Note 6, Fair Value Measurements. There were no loan modifications made to borrowers facing financial difficulties in the three- or nine-month period ending September 30, 2023.
The Corporation maintains an ACL at a level determined to be adequate to absorb expected credit losses associated with the Corporation’s financial instruments over the life of those instruments as of the balance sheet date. The Corporation develops and documents a systematic ACL methodology based on the following portfolio segments: (i) commercial real estate, (ii) acquisition and development, (iii) commercial and industrial, (iv) residential mortgage, and (v) consumer. The Corporation’s loan portfolio is segmented by homogeneous loan types that behave similarly to economic cycles. The segmentation in the CECL model is different from the segmentation in the Incurred Loss model. The following is a discussion of the key risks by portfolio segment that management assesses in preparing the ACL.
Commercial Real Estate- loans are secured by commercial purpose real estate, including both owner occupied properties and properties obtained for investment purposes, such as hotels, strip malls and apartments. Operations of the individual projects as well as global cash flows of the debtors are the primary source of repayment of these loans. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are more specific risks depending on the collateral type as well as the business.
Acquisition and Development- loans include both commercial and consumer. Commercial loans are made to finance construction of buildings or other structures, as well as to finance the acquisition and development of raw land for various purposes. While the risk of these loans is generally confined to the construction period, if there are problems, the project may not be completed, and as such, may not provide sufficient cash flow on its own to service the debt or have sufficient value in a liquidation to cover the outstanding principal. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the type of project and the experience and resources of the developer. Consumer loans are made for the construction of residential homes for which a binding sales contract exists and generally are for a period of time sufficient to complete construction. Residential construction loans to individuals generally provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase. Credit risk for residential real estate construction loans can arise from construction delays, cost overruns, failure of the contractor to complete the project to specifications and economic conditions that could impact demand for supply of the property being constructed.
Commercial and Industrial- loans are made to operating companies or manufacturers for the purpose of production, operating capacity, accounts receivable, inventory or equipment financing. Cash flow from the operations of the borrower is the primary source of repayment for these loans. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the industry of the borrower. Collateral for these types of loans often do not have sufficient value in a distressed or liquidation scenario to satisfy the outstanding debt. These loans are also made to local municipalities for various purposes including refinancing existing obligations, infrastructure up-fit and expansion, or to purchase new equipment. The primary repayment source for local municipalities include the tax base of the municipality, specific revenue streams related to the infrastructure financed, and other business operations of the municipal authority. The health and stability of state and local economies directly impacts each municipality’s tax basis and are important indicators of risk for this segment. The ability of each
municipality to increase taxes and fees to offset service requirements give this type of loan a very low risk profile in the continuum of the Corporation’s loan portfolio.
Residential mortgage- loans are secured by first and second liens such as home equity lines of credit and 1-4 family residential mortgages. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The state of the local housing market can also have a significant impact on this segment because low demand and/or declining home values can limit the ability of borrowers to sell a property and satisfy debt.
Consumer- loans are made to individuals and may be either secured by assets other than 1-4 family residences or unsecured. This segment includes automobile loans and unsecured loans and lines of credit. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income and assets of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The value of the collateral, if there is any, is less likely to be a source of repayment due to less certain collateral values.
The following table summarizes the primary segments of the ACL at September 30, 2023 and allowance for loan loss (“ALL”) at December 31, 2022, segregated by the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment:
Individually evaluatedfor impairment
Collectively evaluatedfor impairment
5,038
1,065
3,477
6,642
924
17,146
Total ACL
26
3,134
14,610
Total ALL
Changes in the fair value of the types of collateral for individually evaluated loans are reported as provision for credit loss in the period of change. The evaluation of the need and amount of a specific allocation of the ACL and whether a loan can be removed from impairment status is made on a quarterly basis.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent individually evaluated loans as of September 30, 2023.
(dollars in thousands)
Real Estate
Non-Accrual Loans with No Allowance
Residential mortgage
23
The following table presents impaired loans by class, segregated by those for which a specific allowance was required and those for which a specific allowance was not required at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Impaired Loans withSpecific Allowance
ImpairedLoans withNo SpecificAllowance
Total Impaired Loans
RecordedInvestment
RelatedAllowances
RecordedInvestment (1)
UnpaidPrincipalBalance
Residential mortgage – term
Residential mortgage – home equity
Total impaired loans
187
2,075
3,225
3,570
41
310
6,153
24
The following tables present the activity in the ACL and ALL for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Nine months ended (in thousands)
Beginning balance at January 1, 2023 prior to adoption of ASC 326
Impact of adopting ASC 326
Loan charge-offs
(87)
(301)
(681)
(1,124)
Recoveries collected
176
153
398
Credit loss (credit)/expense
(82)
(577)
1,369
367
ACL balance at September 30, 2023
ALL balance at January 1, 2022
6,032
2,615
2,460
3,484
934
15,955
Loan Charge-offs
(20)
(134)
(726)
(914)
92
117
403
Loan loss expense/(credit)
323
(1,117)
984
(645)
552
ALL balance at September 30, 2022
6,356
1,499
3,402
2,977
15,541
Three months ended (in thousands)
ACL balance at July 1, 2023
4,946
1,134
3,549
6,417
859
16,905
(135)
(163)
(329)
60
Credit loss expense/(credit)
(70)
236
168
ALL balance at July 1, 2022
6,220
2,830
3,112
973
15,737
Charge-offs
(1)
(181)
(284)
Recoveries
71
196
136
(654)
571
(205)
44
The Corporation’s methodology for estimating the ACL includes:
Segmentation. The Corporation’s loan portfolio is segmented by homogeneous loan types that behave similarly to economic cycles.
Specific Analysis. A specific reserve analysis is applied to certain individually evaluated loans. These loans are evaluated quarterly generally based on collateral value, observable market value or the present value of expected future cash flows. A specific reserve is established if the fair value is less than the loan balance. A charge-off is recognized when the loss is quantifiable. Individually evaluated loans not specifically analyzed reside in the Quantitative Analysis.
Quantitative Analysis. The Corporation elected to use discounted cash flows. Economic forecasts include but are not limited to unemployment, the Consumer Price Index, the Housing Affordability Index, and Gross State Product. These forecasts are assumed to revert to the long term average and are utilized in the model to estimate the probability of default and the loss given default is the estimated loss rate, which varies over time. The estimated loss rate is applied within the appropriate periods in the cash flow model to determine the net present value. Net present value is also impacted by assumption related to the duration between default and recovery. The reserve is based on the difference between the summation of the principal balances taking amortized costs into consideration and the summation of the net present values.
Qualitative Analysis. Based on management’s review and analysis of internal, external and model risks, management may adjust the model output. Management reviews the peaks and troughs of the model’s calibrations, taking into account economic forecasts to develop guardrails that serve as the basis for determining the reasonableness of the model’s output and makes adjustments as necessary. This process challenges unexpected variability resulting from outputs beyond the model’s calibrations that appear to be unreasonable. Management also enhances the calculation through the use of Moody’s economic forecast data in its calculation. Additionally, management may adjust the economic forecast if it is incompatible with known market conditions based on management’s experience and perspective.
The ACL is based on estimates, and actual losses may vary from current estimates. Management believes that the granularity of the homogeneous pools and the related historical loss ratios and other qualitative factors, as well as the consistency in the application of assumptions, result in an ACL that is representative of the risk found in the components of the portfolio at any given date.
Credit Quality Indicators:
The Corporation’s portfolio grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all. The Corporation’s internal credit risk grading system is based on debt service coverage, collateral values and other subjective factors. Mortgage and consumer loans are defaulted to pass grade until a loan migrates to past due status.
The Corporation has a loan review policy and annual scope report that details the level of loan review for loans in a given year. The annual loan review provides the Credit Risk Committee with an independent analysis of the following: (i) credit quality of the loan portfolio, (ii) compliance with loan policy, (iii) adequacy of documentation in credit files and (iv) validity of risk ratings.
The Corporation’s internally assigned grades are as follows:
Pass- The Corporation uses six grades of pass, including its watch rating. Generally, a pass rating indicates that the loan is currently performing and is of high quality.
Special Mention- Assets with potential weaknesses that warrant management’s close attention and if left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard- Assets that are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of
the debt. Such assets are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful- Assets with all weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss- Assets considered of such little value that its continuance on the books is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.
The ability of borrowers to repay commercial loans is dependent upon the success of their business and general economic conditions. Due to the greater potential for loss within our commercial portfolio, we monitor the commercial loan portfolio through an internal risk rating system. Loan risk ratings are assigned based upon the creditworthiness of the borrower and are reviewed on an ongoing basis according to our internal policies. Loans rated special mention or substandard have potential or well-defined weaknesses not generally found in high quality, performing loans, and require attention from management to limit loss.
The following table presents loan balances by year of origination and internally assigned risk rating for our portfolio segments as of dates presented:
2021
2020
2019
2018 and Prior
Revolving
Total Portfolio Loans
Pass
20,580
66,381
30,726
54,643
39,758
63,496
1,111
276,695
Special Mention
6,098
Substandard
11,368
Total non-owner occupied
80,962
Current period gross charge-offs
21,848
27,791
25,848
22,666
24,603
65,306
4,057
192,119
1,095
1,871
1,438
3,909
Total all other CRE
26,474
66,744
5,752
7,716
9,311
500
Total acquisition and development
14,592
23,197
3,994
3,101
2,512
10,631
4,122
Total all other A&D
10,751
Commercial and industrial:
28,861
71,185
25,176
12,868
9,915
12,253
71,371
231,629
329
562
8,923
2,022
6,885
842
3,341
22,130
Total commercial and industrial
80,108
27,198
19,753
10,032
13,424
75,274
166
301
43,211
87,386
91,415
40,083
25,855
132,866
1,723
422,539
7,120
7,178
Total residential mortgage - term
139,986
1,781
5,131
296
52,821
61,342
570
627
Total residential mortgage - home equity
530
540
53,391
42
Consumer:
15,997
11,773
7,254
2,503
718
21,278
2,807
62,330
Total consumer
16,045
11,808
7,393
725
21,285
2,819
158
681
153,999
302,155
185,300
136,354
103,657
306,353
138,512
1,326,330
6,427
1,657
8,084
8,958
2,161
6,950
1,995
20,912
4,581
45,605
154,047
311,113
187,461
143,304
105,652
333,692
144,750
Current YTD Period:
90
169
1,124
28
2018
2017 and Prior
67,429
31,710
48,421
41,221
19,414
42,069
1,570
251,834
6,289
11,935
60,293
24,655
26,947
22,906
27,213
8,873
67,691
4,790
183,075
3,006
357
1,224
4,587
28,058
30,219
68,048
6,014
15,629
1,453
2,194
18,733
4,979
9,755
1,408
558
12,961
2,419
13,107
83,608
30,451
15,982
12,707
5,013
9,528
63,668
220,957
2,555
338
2,134
5,027
7,167
634
2,204
19,412
92,531
33,006
23,149
12,880
5,647
10,177
68,006
134
64,930
93,665
42,784
27,120
14,132
133,397
2,306
378,334
237
5,634
6,053
42,800
27,357
14,275
139,031
2,329
5,739
957
538
328
478
51,232
59,369
550
655
118
518
51,782
16,748
10,495
3,845
1,596
687
24,096
2,654
60,121
10,587
3,872
1,605
694
2,658
36
494
636
297,471
200,657
144,382
111,593
48,774
290,430
130,833
1,224,140
3,666
6,627
12,427
3,425
18,423
4,005
42,927
306,394
204,415
151,636
115,018
49,579
315,480
136,972
591
52
94
836
Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past.
The following tables present loan balances by year of origination segregated by performing and non-performing loans for the periods presented:
Performing
Nonperforming
25,755
137,107
1,749
426,706
2,879
32
524
53,087
61,609
304
11,793
7,384
2,504
21,200
62,470
85
311,098
187,452
143,240
105,552
330,592
144,414
1,376,395
3,100
336
3,624
60,206
67,990
12,962
50,814
14,198
136,228
2,313
381,254
77
2,803
3,133
51,515
59,670
354
10,581
24,077
60,235
204,409
151,592
114,781
49,499
312,328
136,689
1,275,692
3,152
283
3,802
Note 6 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Corporation complies with the guidance of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements. The Corporation also follows the guidance on matters relating to all financial instruments found in ASC Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments – Overall.
Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants as of the measurement date. Fair value is best determined by values quoted through active trading markets. Active trading markets are characterized by numerous transactions of similar financial instruments between willing buyers and willing sellers. Because no active trading market exists for various types of financial instruments, many of the fair values disclosed were derived using present value discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques described below. As a result, the Corporation’s ability to actually realize these derived values cannot be assumed.
The Corporation measures fair values based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Paragraph 820-10-35-37. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value under the hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities. This level is the most reliable source of valuation.
Level 2: Quoted prices that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates). It also includes inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs). Several sources are utilized for valuing these assets, including a contracted valuation service, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) evaluations and pricing services, and other valuation matrices.
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the valuation assumptions and not readily observable in the market (i.e. supported with little or no market activity). Level 3 instruments are valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and consider risk premiums that a market participant would require.
The level established within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers in and out of Level 1, 2 or 3 are recorded at fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.
Investments – The investment portfolio is classified and accounted for based on the guidance of ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.
The fair value of investments is determined using a market approach. As of September 30, 2023, the U.S. Government agencies and treasuries, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and state and political subdivisions bonds, excluding tax increment financing (“TIF”) bonds, were classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. Their fair values were determined based upon market-corroborated inputs and valuation matrices, which were obtained through third party data service providers or securities brokers through which the Corporation has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. The TIF bonds and CDO portfolio, which consists of pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks, thrifts, and insurance companies, are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. The CDO fair values are determined by a third party using a discounted cash flow model.
Derivative financial instruments (Cash flow hedge) – The Corporation’s open derivative positions are interest rate swap agreements. Those classified as Level 2 open derivative positions are valued using externally developed pricing models based on observable market inputs provided by a third party and validated by management. The Corporation has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap assets.
Nonrecurring Basis –
Individually Evaluated Loans- Individual loans with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and with a remaining principal balance of $0.1 million or more are evaluated for potential specific reserves and adjusted, if a shortfall exists, to fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is measured based on the value of the value of the underlying collateral securing the loan if repayment is expected solely from the sale of operation of the collateral or present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual interest rate if the loan is not determined to be collateral dependent.
Fair value for individually evaluated loans is determined using several methods. Generally, the fair value of real estate is determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. These routine adjustments are made to adjust the value of a specific property relative to comparable properties for variations in qualities such as location, size, and income production capacity relative to the subject property of the appraisal.
Subsequent to the initial impairment date, existing individually evaluated loans are reevaluated quarterly for additional impairment and adjustments to fair value less costs to sell are made, where appropriate. For individually evaluated loans, the first state of our impairment analysis involves inspection of the property in question to affirm the condition has not deteriorated since the previous impairment analysis date. Management also engages in conversations with local real estate professionals and market participants to determine the likely marketing time and value range for the property. The second state involves an assessment of current trends in the regional market. After thorough consideration of these factors, management will order a new appraisal.
For non-individually evaluated loans, the fair value is determined by updating the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate to reflect the payment schedule for the remaining life of the loan.
Equity Investment- Equity investments included in the table below are considered impaired with losses recognized on the income statement in net gains. Fair value of the equity investment was based on an independent third party valuation report where the value was determined based on the revenue multiples of like kind information technology businesses. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Other real estate owned – Other real estate owned included in the table below are considered impaired with specific write-downs. Fair value of other real estate owned was based on independent third party appraisals of the properties. These values were determined based on the sales prices of similar properties in the approximate geographic area. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
For assets measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:
Fair Value Measurementsat September 30, 2023 Using
Quoted
Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Measured at
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Fair Value
Inputs
09/30/23
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Recurring:
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Financial derivatives
1,099
Non-recurring:
Equity Investment
2,862
Other real estate owned
Fair Value Measurementsat December 31, 2022 Using
Assets/(liabilities)
12/31/22
1,068
Impaired loans, net
211
Equity investment
1,796
At September 30, 2023, individually evaluated loans had a net carrying amount of $2.3 million with no valuation allowance.
At December 31, 2022, the fair value of impaired loans with a valuation allowance or charge-off was $1.0 million, net of valuation allowances of $64,700 and charge-offs of $1.3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, changes to the valuation allowance or additional charge off activity was recorded on loans with a net balance of approximately $0.4 million.
There were no transfers of assets between any of the fair value hierarchy for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:
Fair Value atSeptember 30,2023
ValuationTechnique
SignificantUnobservableInputs
SignificantUnobservableInput Value
Investment Securities – available for sale -CDO
Discounted Cash Flow
Discount Margin
Range of mid 500 to low 600
Individually Evaluated Loans, net
Market Comparable Properties
Marketability Discount
N/A
Market Method
Revenue Multiples
2.8x
Fair Value atDecember 31,2022
Discount Rate
Range of low to mid300 and low to high 400
Impaired Loans, net
10.0% - 15.0%
The following tables show a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair valued assets measured on a recurring basis using Level 3 significant unobservable inputs for the nine- and three- month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
Investment Securities
Available for Sale
Beginning balance January 1, 2023
Total losses realized/unrealized:
Included in other comprehensive loss
(1,087)
Ending balance September 30, 2023
Beginning balance January 1, 2022
17,192
(1,310)
Ending balance September 30, 2022
15,882
Fair Value MeasurementsUsing Significant Unobservable Inputs(Level 3)
Investment SecuritiesAvailable for Sale
Beginning balance July 1, 2023
14,105
Total gains realized/unrealized:
Included in other comprehensive income
679
Beginning balance July 1, 2022
16,258
(376)
There were no gains or losses included in earnings attributable to the change in realized/unrealized gains or losses related to the assets for the nine- or three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.
The disclosed fair values may vary significantly between institutions based on the estimates and assumptions used in the various valuation methodologies. The derived fair values are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and significant judgment.
Therefore, they cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the assumptions could significantly impact the derived estimates of fair value. Disclosure of non-financial assets such as buildings, as well as certain financial instruments such as leases is not required. Accordingly, the aggregate fair values presented do not represent the underlying value of the Corporation.
The following tables present fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The actual carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments that are included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition are as follows:
Carrying
Fair
Value
Financial Assets:
Investment securities - AFS
99,586
Investment securities - HTM
174,971
1,855
Restricted bank stock
Loans, net
1,265,829
874
5,815
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits - non-maturity
1,354,015
Deposits - time deposits
221,054
217,610
Short-term borrowed funds
Long-term borrowed funds
110,514
110,018
182,380
20,700
1,177,702
Financial derivative
933
5,118
1,450,210
120,523
120,083
30,909
38
Note 7 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the 12 months ended December 31, 2022 and the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023:
Investment
securities-
with credit
related
impairment
all other
Cash Flow
Pension
AFS
HTM
Hedge
Plan
SERP
Accumulated OCL, net:
Balance - January 1, 2022
(949)
(5,749)
(319)
(18,108)
(2,055)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications
(614)
(10,629)
(6,120)
1,116
684
2,430
(13,133)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(148)
551
821
199
1,421
Balance - December 31, 2022
(1,711)
(16,380)
(5,703)
797
(16,603)
574
(1,180)
(138)
(210)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(37)
279
Balance - March 31, 2023
(2,928)
(15,395)
(5,570)
659
(16,296)
573
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications
111
(1,654)
(42)
(1,435)
(40)
129
195
282
Balance - June 30, 2023
(2,857)
(17,049)
(5,441)
809
(16,143)
475
(3,201)
(1,033)
(3,748)
(38)
130
194
285
Balance - September 30, 2023
(2,420)
(20,250)
(5,311)
820
(16,982)
The following tables present the components of other comprehensive loss for the nine- and three- month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Before
Tax
Components of Other Comprehensive Loss
(Expense)
Benefit
Net
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023
Available for sale (AFS) securities with credit related impairment:
Unrealized holding losses
183
(594)
Less: accretable yield recognized in income
Net unrealized losses on investments with credit related impairment
(709)
Available for sale securities – all other:
1,195
(3,870)
Held to maturity securities:
Less: amortization recognized in income
(392)
Net unrealized gains on HTM securities
(121)
392
Unrealized holding gains
(7)
Pension Plan:
Unrealized net actuarial gain
(952)
Less: amortization of unrecognized loss
177
(573)
Net pension plan liability adjustment
(379)
SERP:
Unrealized net actuarial loss
Net SERP liability adjustment
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022
228
(41)
269
(736)
6,147
(16,824)
(2,228)
6,100
Less: gains recognized in income
Net unrealized losses on all other AFS securities
3,920
(10,726)
2,228
(6,100)
(25)
(472)
Net unrealized losses on HTM securities
2,081
(5,696)
(434)
1,188
3,767
(10,312)
224
(613)
3,543
(9,699)
(149)
Less: amortization of prior service costs
(54)
149
Components of Other Comprehensive Loss(in thousands)
BeforeTaxAmount
Tax(Expense)Benefit
For the three months ended September 30, 2023
(158)
(13)
Net unrealized gains on investments with credit related impairment
(145)
437
982
(130)
319
57
(194)
262
(839)
For the three months ended September 30, 2022
(146)
(183)
1,811
(4,957)
(235)
(60)
(142)
945
(2,592)
871
(2,387)
(50)
(18)
50
The following table presents the details of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine- and three- month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Amounts Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
Net unrealized gains on available for sale investment securities with OTTI:
Accretable yield
Interest income on taxable investment securities
Taxes
Credit for income tax expense
Net of tax
Net unrealized gains on available for sale investment securities - all others:
Gains recognized
Net unrealized losses on held to maturity securities:
Amortization
Gains/(losses) recognized
Net gains/(losses)
147
(404)
Net pension plan liability adjustment:
Amortization of unrecognized loss
Other Expense
Net SERP liability adjustment:
Amortization of unrecognized gain/(loss)
(Credit)/provision for income tax expense
Total reclassifications for the period
(846)
(1,053)
Accretable Yield
(12)
(129)
Other expense
(283)
(385)
Note 8 - Equity Compensation Plan Information
At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, First United Corporation’s shareholders approved the First United Corporation 2018 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”) which authorizes the issuance of up to 325,000 shares of common stock to employees, directors and qualifying consultants pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards.
The Corporation complies with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, in measuring and disclosing stock compensation cost. The measurement objective in ASC Paragraph 718-10-30-6 requires public companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized in expense over the period in which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the vesting period).
Pursuant to First United Corporation’s director compensation policy, each director receives an annual retainer of 1,000 shares of First United Corporation common stock, plus $15,000 to be paid, at the director’s election, in cash or additional shares of common stock. In May 2023, a total of 16,931 fully vested shares of common stock were issued to directors, which had a grant date fair value of $13.23 per share. In May 2022, a total of 14,940 fully vested shares of common stock were issued to directors, which had a grant date fair value of $18.92 per share. In January 2023, a total of 333 fully vested shares of common stock were issued to a new director, which had a grant date fair value of $19.36 per share. Director stock compensation was $194,001 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and $196,254 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Director stock compensation expense was $56,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and $70,666 for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
During the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023, employee stock compensation expense was approximately $12,000 and $5,000, respectively. Employee stock compensation expense was $0 for both the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2022.
Restricted Stock Units
On March 26, 2020, pursuant to the Corporation’s Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"), which is a sub-plan of the Equity Plan, the Compensation Committee of First United Corporation’s Board of Directors (the "Committee") granted RSUs to the Corporation’s principal executive officer, its principal financial officer, and certain of its other executive officers. An RSU contemplates the issuance of shares of common stock of First United Corporation if and when the RSU vests.
The RSUs granted to each of the foregoing officers consist of (i) a performance vesting award for a three year performance period and (ii) a time-vesting award that will vest ratably over a three year period. Target performance levels were set based on the annual budget which supports the Corporation’s long-term objective of achieving high performance as compared to peers. Threshold performance is the minimum level of acceptable performance as defined by the Committee and maximum performance represented a level potentially achievable under ideal circumstances. Achievement of the threshold performance level would result in each executive participant earning a payout at 50% of his or her respective target award opportunity. Achievement of the target performance level would result in the executive participant earning the target award and achievement at or above the maximum performance level would result in the executive participant earning 150% of the target opportunity. Actual results for any goal that falls between performance levels would be interpolated to calculate a proportionate award. For the performance period ending December 31, 2022, the RSUs performance goals are based on earnings per share for the year ending December 31, 2022 and growth in tangible book value per share during the performance period. For the performance period ending December 31, 2023, the RSUs performance goals are based on earnings per share for the year ending December 31, 2023 and growth in tangible book value per share during the performance period. For the performance period ending December 31, 2024, the RSUs performance goals are based on earnings per share for the year ending December 31, 2024 and growth in tangible book value per share during the performance period.
To receive any shares under an RSU, a grantee must be employed by the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries on the applicable vesting date, except that a grantee whose employment terminates prior to such vesting date due to death, disability or retirement will be entitled to a pro-rated portion of the shares subject to the RSUs, assuming that, in the case of performance-vesting RSUs, the performance goals had been met at their "target" levels.
In the first quarter of 2020, RSUs were granted relating to (i) 9,791 performance-vesting shares (target level) for the performance period ending December 31, 2021 (the “2019 LTIP year”) and (ii) 10,143 performance-vesting shares and 5,070 time-vesting shares (target level) for the performance period ending December 31, 2022 (the “2020 LTIP year”). Each RSU had a grant date fair market value of $12.54 per share of common stock underlying the RSU. The time-vesting RSUs will vest ratably over a three-year period that began on March 26, 2021. On March 9, 2022, 14,688 shares subject to RSUs granted for the 2019 LTIP year were issued at maximum performance level. On March 8, 2023, 15,216 shares subject to RSUs granted for the 2020 LTIP year were issued at maximum performance. On March 26, 2021, 1,690 of the 5,070 time-vesting shares were issued to participants. On March 28, 2022, 1,688 shares of the 3,380 remaining time-vesting shares were issued to participants. On March 26, 2023, 1,692 shares of the remaining time-vesting shares were issued to participants. Net stock compensation expense/(credit) was $15,896 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and ($5,299) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Stock compensation expense was $0 and ($37,091) for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively. All compensation expense related to the 2019 LTIP year was recognized as of March 31, 2022. All compensation expense related to the 2020 LTIP plans was recognized as of March 31, 2023.
In May 2021, RSUs relating to 7,389 performance-vesting shares and 3,693 time-vesting shares (target level) for plan year 2021 were granted, which had a grant date fair market value of $17.93 per share of common stock underlying each RSU. The performance period for the performance-vesting RSUs is the three-year period ending December 31, 2023. The time-vesting RSUs will vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on May 5, 2022. On May 5, 2022, 1,230 shares of the 3,693 time-vesting RSUs were issued to participants. On May 5, 2023, 1,230 shares of the remaining 2,463 time-vesting shares were issued to the participants. Stock compensation expense was $49,714 for the nine-month periods ended of 2023 and 2022. Stock compensation expense was $16,571 for both of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2023 related to unvested units was $38,667.
In March 2022, RSUs relating to 8,096 performance-vesting shares and 6,238 time-vesting shares (target level) for plan year 2022 were granted, which had a grant date fair market value of $21.88 per share of common stock underlying each RSU. The performance period for the performance-vesting RSUs is the three-year period ending December 31, 2024. The time-vesting RSUs will vest ratably over a three year period beginning on March 9, 2023. On March 9, 2023, 2,079 shares of the 6,238 time-vesting
46
RSUs were issued to participants. Stock compensation expense was $78,436 and $52,290 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Stock compensation expense was $26,145 for both of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2023 related to unvested units was $156,872.
In March 2023, RSUs relating to 10,214 performance-vesting shares and 7,920 time-vesting shares (target level) for plan year 2023 were granted, which had a grant date fair market value of $18.25 per share of common stock underlying each RSU. The performance period for the performance-vesting RSUs is the three year period ending December 31, 2025. The time-vesting RSUs will vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on March 15, 2024. Stock compensation expense was $55,170 and $27,585 for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2023 related to unvested units was $275,859.
Note 9– Derivative Financial Instruments
As a part of managing interest rate risk, the Corporation entered into interest rate swap agreements to modify the re-pricing characteristics of certain interest-bearing liabilities. The Corporation has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges under the guidance of ASC Subtopic 815-30, Derivatives and Hedging – Cash Flow Hedges. Cash flow hedges have the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative, net of taxes, recorded in net accumulated other comprehensive income.
In March 2016, the Corporation entered into four interest rate swap contracts totaling $30.0 million notional amount, hedging future cash flows associated with floating rate trust preferred debt. As of September 30, 2023, $15.0 million notional amount remains. The interest rate swap creates an effective fixed interest rate of 4.6450% on the $15.0 million notional amount of the Corporation’s junior subordination debt until the interest rate swap’s maturity in March 2026. The fair value of the interest rate swap contracts was $1.1 million at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Corporation recorded an increase in the value of the derivatives of thousand and the related deferred tax of $7 thousand in net accumulated other comprehensive loss to reflect the effective portion of cash flow hedges. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Corporation recorded an increase in the value of the derivatives of $14 thousand and the related deferred tax of $3 thousand in net accumulated other comprehensive income to reflect the effective portion of cash flow hedges. ASC Subtopic 815-30 requires the net accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to earnings if the hedge becomes ineffective or is terminated. There was no hedge ineffectiveness recorded for the nine- or three-month periods ended September 30, 2023. The Corporation does not expect any material losses relating to these hedges to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
Interest rate swap agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and the Corporation believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts is not significant as of September 30, 2023.
The table below discloses the impact of derivative financial instruments on the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the nine-and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Derivative in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Amount of gain or
(loss) recognized in
income or derivative
(loss) reclassified from
(ineffective portion
OCI on derivative
accumulated OCI into
and amount excluded
(effective portion),
income (effective
from effectiveness
net of tax
portion) (a)
testing) (b)
Interest rate contracts:
Nine months ended:
September 30, 2022
Three months ended:
Notes:
Note 10 – Regulatory Capital Requirements
The following table presents our capital ratios as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Required forCapitalAdequacyPurposes
Requiredto be WellCapitalized
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
14.12
%
14.37
8.00
10.00
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
12.88
13.29
6.00
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
4.50
6.50
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
9.81
10.01
4.00
5.00
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. We adopted CECL effective January 1, 2023 and elected not to implement the regulatory agencies’ capital transition and instead opted to record the impact to our capital ratios immediately upon implementation.
Effective with the implementation of CECL, a $2.2 million adjustment, net of tax, was made to retained earnings. The adjustment did not have a material impact to our capital ratios.
Note 11 – Deposits
The following table summarizes deposits as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Balance
Percent
Non-Interest-bearing deposits:
27%
32%
Interest-bearing deposits:
Demand
381,782
24%
327,685
21%
Money Market
338,153
22%
365,192
23%
Savings deposits
204,389
13%
250,720
16%
Time deposits- retail
160,380
10%
8%
Time deposits- brokered
60,674
4%
0%
Total Deposits
100%
49
Note 12 – Borrowed Funds
The following is a summary of borrowings:
Nine MonthsEndedSeptember 30, 2023
Year EndedDecember 31, 2022
Short-term Correspondent Bank Advance:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Outstanding at end of period
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
0.27%
0.12%
Maximum amount outstanding as of any month end
59,777
75,912
Average amount outstanding
51,044
63,182
Approximate weighted average rate during the period
0.23%
FHLB advances, bearing fixed interest at rates ranging from 4.53% to 4.69% at September 30, 2023
Junior subordinated debt, bearing variable interest rate of 8.42% at September 30, 2023 and 7.49% at December 31, 2022
Total borrowings outstanding
164,259
95,494
At September 30, 2023, the repurchase agreements were secured by $58.7 million in investment securities issued by government related agencies. A minimum of 102% of fair value is pledged against account balances.
Note 13 – Segment Reporting
Currently, the Corporation conducts business in two operating segments: (i) Community Banking and (ii) Trust and Investment Services. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies provided earlier in this report.
Business activity for the operating segments are as follows:
Community Banking: The Community Banking segment is conducted through the Bank and involves delivering a broad range of financial products and services, including various loan and deposit products, to consumer, business, and not-for-profit customers. Parent company income and assets are included in the Community Banking segment, as the majority of parent company functions are related to this segment. Major revenue sources include net interest income, gains on sales of mortgage loans, and service charges on deposit accounts. Expenses include personnel, occupancy, marketing, equipment, and other expenses. Non-cash charges other than depreciation of fixed assets were immaterial for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Trust and Investment Services: The Trust and Investment Services segment is conducted through the Bank and offers corporate trustee services, trust and estate administration, IRA administration and custody services. Revenues for this segment is generated from administration, service and custody fees, as well as management fees that are derived from Assets Under Management. Expenses include personnel, occupancy, marketing, equipment, and other expenses. Non-cash charges associated with amortization of intangibles were approximately $156,000 for both of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and $52,000 for both of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Information for the operating segments for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 are presented in the following tables:
Trust and
Community
Banking
Services
Credit loss expense
Non-interest income
6,927
6,933
Non-interest expense
34,070
3,864
Income before income taxes and intercompany fees
14,332
3,069
Intercompany management fee income (expense)
(9)
Income before income taxes
14,341
3,060
Income tax expense
3,456
643
10,885
2,417
Nine months ended
6,517
7,043
28,007
3,532
20,854
3,511
5,549
737
15,305
2,774
2,515
2,383
11,507
1,278
4,729
1,105
4,732
1,102
1,090
231
3,642
Credit loss credit
2,423
2,277
9,208
1,121
8,457
1,156
2,434
243
6,023
913
Total non-fiduciary assets of the trust and investment services segment were $0.8 million (including $0.7 million in intangible assets) at September 30, 2023 and $0.9 million (including $0.8 million in intangible assets) at December 31, 2022.
Note 14 – Goodwill
ASC Topic 350, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other Intangibles provides guidance with respect to goodwill. Under this guidance, goodwill is not amortized but shall be tested at least annually for impairment at a level of accounting referred to as a reporting unit. The Corporation is considered the sole reporting unit. Goodwill of a reporting unit shall be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Impairment of goodwill is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit that includes goodwill exceeds the fair value. A goodwill impairment loss is recognized for the amount that the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
An entity may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances qualitatively, an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary.
Management notes that the heightened liquidity concerns that caused the failure of three banks in the United States in 2023 has had global impacts on some macroeconomic conditions and has created an unprecedented economic environment in which the Corporation and many other financial institutions are operating. The uncertainty has resulted in a significant decrease in the Corporation’s stock price, as well as the banking industry in general. Based on the totality of the circumstances and the impact of the economic conditions on the stock price, an internal analysis as of September 30, 2023, was performed. The results of the internal analysis determined there is no goodwill impairment as of September 30, 2023. Management will continue to monitor the goodwill throughout the remainder of 2023.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION
The following discussion and analysis is intended as a review of material changes in and significant factors affecting the financial condition and results of operations of First United Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in Item 1 of Part I of this report, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, references in this report to “us”, “we”, “our”, and “the Corporation” are to First United Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements do not represent historical facts, but are statements about management’s beliefs, plans and objectives about the future, as well as its assumptions and judgments concerning such beliefs, plans and objectives. These statements are evidenced by terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. The beliefs, plans and objectives on which forward-looking statements are based involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports that First United Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled "Risk Factors".
First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a financial holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that elected financial holding company status in 2021. The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and First United Statutory Trust II (“Trust II” and together with Trust I, “the Trusts”), both Connecticut statutory business trusts. The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities that qualified as Tier 1 capital. The Bank has two consumer finance company subsidiaries- OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company – and two subsidiaries that it uses to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure – First OREO Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, and FUBT OREO I, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company. In addition, the Bank owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership, a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland, and a 99.9% non-voting membership interest in MCC FUBT Fund, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Allegany County, Maryland.
At September 30, 2023, the Corporation’s total assets were $1.9 billion, net loans were $1.4 billion, and deposits were $1.6 billion. Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2023 was $155.0 million.
We maintain an Internet site at www.mybank.com on which we make available, free of charge, First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to the foregoing as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth certain selected financial data for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information and unaudited financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this quarterly report.
As of the nine months ended
Per Share Data
Basic book value per common share
23.08
19.83
Diluted book value per common share
23.03
19.80
Significant Ratios:
Return on Average Assets (a)
0.93
1.35
Return on Average Equity (a)
11.44
17.66
Average Equity to Average Assets
8.14
7.66
Capital Ratios:
Consolidated Total Capital (to risk weighted assets)
15.81
15.50
Consolidated Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets)
14.60
14.40
Consolidated Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets)
12.60
12.36
Consolidated Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
11.25
11.23
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Consolidated net income was $4.5 million for the third quarter of 2023,compared to $6.9 million for the third quarter of 2022 and $4.4 million for the second quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted net income was $0.67 per share for the third quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted net income of $1.04 per share for the third quarter of 2022 and $0.66 per share for the second quarter of 2023.
The decrease in quarterly net income, year-over-year, was primarily driven by a $1.3 million decrease in net interest income. Interest expense increased by $6.1 million year-over-year, which was partially offset by an increase in interest income of $4.9 million. The provision for credit losses was $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to a credit to the provision of $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2022. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $0.8 million due to an increase in health insurance costs related to unusually high claims, as well as increased salary expense for new hires, merit increases effective April 1, 2023, a one-time severance pay-out, and decreases in deferred loan costs, partially offset by decreases in incentives and stock compensation. Data processing expenses increased by $0.1 million, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) premiums increased by $0.1 million and miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.6 million primarily attributable to increased net periodic pension plan costs of
$0.3 million and check fraud related expenses of $0.3 million. Check fraud has been on the rise throughout 2023 industry-wide. During the third quarter, management implemented additional procedures to help mitigate this increased risk.
Net income for the first nine months of 2023 was $13.3 million, compared to $18.1 million for the same period in 2022, a $4.8 million decrease. The year-over-year decrease was driven by an increase in total operating expenses of $6.4 million. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.2 due primarily to increased salary expense of $1.9 million related to new hires, the competitive environment for labor and merit increases effective April 1, 2023, increased health insurance costs of $1.0 million associated with unusually high claims and decreases of $0.4 in deferred loan costs. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $0.2 million, data processing expense increased by $0.4 million due to planned implementation of new technology, and FDIC assessments increased by $0.2 million. Other miscellaneous expenses, such as loan service fees, dues and licenses, check fraud expenses, employee benefit plan expense, and miscellaneous expenses, increased by $1.7 million and professional fees increased by $0.7 million due to the one-time $0.8 million cash receipt related to reimbursement of litigation expenses that was credited to expenses in 2022. Provision for credit losses increased by $1.1 million when compared to prior year period. These increases were partially offset by increases in net interest income of $0.2 million, gains on sales of mortgages of $0.3 million, service charges on deposit accounts of $0.2 million, and $0.1 million increase in miscellaneous income. Income taxes were down by $2.2 million comparing the two periods.
Other operating income, including gains, for the third quarter of 2023 increased by $0.2 million when compared to the same period of 2022. Increases in service charges, wealth management income, and gains on sales of mortgages were partially offset by a decrease in debit card income.
Other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased by $0.3 million when compared to the same period of 2022. This increase was primarily due to the increase in gains on sales of mortgages of $0.3 million, service charges on deposit accounts of $0.2 million, and debit card income of $0.1 million, partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in wealth management income attributable to the decline in market values of assets under management.
Operating expenses increased by $2.5 million when comparing the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2022. This increase was primarily driven by a $0.8 million increase in salaries and employee benefits due to an increase in health insurance costs related to unusually high claims, as well as increased salary expense for new hires, merit increases effective April 1, 2023, and reduced loan costs. Legal and professional expenses increased by $0.7 million attributable to the one-time $0.8 million cash receipt related to reimbursement of litigation expenses that was credited to expense in 2022. Miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.6 million due primarily to increases of $0.3 in check fraud related expenses and net periodic pension plan costs of $0.3 million. Data processing expenses, FDIC premiums, and marketing expenses each increased by $0.1 million year over year.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, non-interest expenses increased by $6.4 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.2 million year-over-year due primarily to increased salary expense of $1.9 million related to new hires and merit increases effective April 1, 2023 and increased health insurance costs of $1.0 million associated with unusually high claims. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $0.2 million, data processing expense increased by $0.4 million, and FDIC assessments increased by $0.2 million. Other miscellaneous expenses, such as loan service fees, dues and licenses, check fraud expenses, employee benefit plan expense, and miscellaneous expenses increased by $1.7 million.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is our largest source of operating revenue. Net interest income is the difference between the interest that we earn on our interest-earning assets and the interest expense we incur on our interest-bearing liabilities. For analytical and discussion purposes, net interest income is adjusted to a fully tax equivalent (“FTE”) basis to facilitate performance comparisons between taxable and tax-exempt assets by increasing tax-exempt income by an amount equal to the federal income taxes that would have been paid if this income were taxable at the statutorily applicable rate. This is a non-GAAP disclosure and management believes it is not materially different than the corresponding GAAP disclosure.
The tables below summarize net interest income for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Non-GAAP
GAAP
59,531
45,771
Net interest income
43,242
43,161
Net interest margin %
3.30
3.53
3.26
3.47
21,276
16,416
14,096
15,372
3.12
3.66
3.09
3.61
The following tables set forth the average balances, net interest income and expense, and average yields and rates of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Interest
Yield/Rate
1,320,674
50,323
5.09
1,203,650
39,399
4.38
Investment Securities:
337,014
2.12
352,446
1.72
Non taxable
21,963
1,183
7.20
27,118
1,494
7.37
358,977
6,522
2.43
379,564
6,027
Federal funds sold
66,708
2,502
5.01
47,173
308
0.87
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
2,827
3.31
3,564
Other interest earning assets
3,643
114
4.18
3.25
Total earning assets
1,752,829
4.54
1,634,978
3.74
Allowance for loan losses
(16,311)
(15,611)
Non-earning assets
174,411
166,594
1,910,929
1,785,961
Interest-bearing demand deposits
358,883
3,375
1.26
296,069
369
0.17
Interest-bearing money markets
324,583
5,537
2.28
294,481
347
0.16
227,179
0.11
249,596
0.04
Time deposits - Retail
134,732
1,750
1.74
143,734
0.66
Time deposits - Brokered
46,918
1,849
5.27
51,780
0.24
62,175
0.18
89,394
5.23
4.44
Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,233,469
1.77
1,076,984
0.32
Non-interest-bearing deposits
490,891
540,082
31,108
32,057
Shareholders’ Equity
155,461
136,838
Net interest income and spread
2.77
3.42
Net interest margin
AverageBalance
AverageYield/Rate
1,363,821
18,071
5.26
1,240,706
14,073
333,468
2.13
343,581
1.83
13,826
219
6.28
26,471
489
7.33
347,294
2,011
2.30
370,052
2,076
2.23
75,404
1,093
5.75
52,019
1.91
1,812
5.47
1,552
1.79
4,771
76
6.32
1,026
3.48
1,793,102
4.71
1,665,355
3.91
(17,110)
(15,715)
178,115
170,092
1,954,107
1,819,732
368,409
1,354
1.46
305,608
325,810
2.96
305,185
0.27
209,070
0.10
253,576
0.05
Time deposits - retail
154,503
918
2.36
134,600
0.56
Time deposits - brokered
68,850
916
5.28
49,190
66,172
0.28
4.82
1,286,761
2.21
1,096,070
0.38
478,673
550,978
32,327
37,499
156,346
135,186
1,819,733
2.50
Net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, decreased by $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2023 when compared to the third quarter of 2022. This decrease was driven by an increase of $6.1 million in interest expense due to an increase of 175 basis points on interest paid on deposit accounts as well as an increase of $127.7 million in average balances of interest-bearing deposit accounts when compared to the same period of 2022. Increased deposit pricing resulted from the continued pressure on deposits as well as a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing deposits to interest-bearing accounts including the Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage. In August 2023, the Corporation obtained $30.0 million of brokered deposits to pre-fund the maturity of a $30.4 million brokered certificate of deposit that matured in September 2023. Interest income increased by $4.9 million. Interest income on loans increased by $4.0 million due to the increase of 76 basis points in overall yield on the loan portfolio as new loans were booked at higher rates as well as adjustable-rate loans repricing in correlation to the rising rate environment and an increase in average balances of $123.1 million. Investment income decreased by $0.1 million as cashflow from the portfolio was used to fund higher yielding loans. The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was 3.12%, compared to 3.66% for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, increased by $0.1 million. Interest income increased by $13.8 million and interest expense increased by $13.7 million. The yield on earning assets increased 80 basis points to 4.54% during the first nine months of 2023 compared to 3.74% during the same period of 2022 in correlation with the rising interest rate environment and new loans booked at higher rates. Interest expense on deposits increased $11.2 million while the average balances increased $108.4 million and interest on long-term borrowings increased $2.5 million related to $80.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings obtained during the first quarter of 2023 and an increase in interest rates on variable rate trust preferred borrowings. The increased interest expense resulted in an overall increase of 145 basis points on interest bearing liabilities. The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 3.30% compared to 3.53% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
The following table sets forth an analysis of volume and rate changes in interest income and interest expense for our average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
For the Nine months ended September 30, 2023
compared to the Nine months ended September 30, 2022
(in thousands and tax equivalent basis)
Volume
Rate
Interest Income:
3,841
7,083
10,924
Taxable Investments
1,005
806
Non-taxable Investments
(28)
(311)
Interest-bearing deposits
89
10,211
13,760
Interest Expense:
79
2,927
5,154
5,190
125
119
(45)
1,084
1,039
0
1,946
2,469
Total interest expense
1,996
11,683
13,679
1,553
(1,472)
81
For the Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the Three months ended September 30, 2022
1,385
2,613
3,998
(46)
205
(232)
(39)
(270)
730
1,253
3,607
4,860
1,129
1,167
2,206
2,220
700
728
966
132
1,028
5,108
6,136
225
(1,501)
(1,276)
Provision for Credit Losses
Specific allocations have been made for loans where management has determined that the collateral supporting the loans is not adequate to cover the loan balance, and the qualitative factors affecting the esimated allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) and allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) have been adjusted based on the current economic environment and the characteristics of the loan portfolio. Net provision expense was $1.2 million and $0.3 million for the nine-month and three-month periods ending September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to net provision expense/(credit) of $0.1 million and ($0.1) million for the nine-month and three-month periods ending September 30, 2022. The increases in provision expense year-over-year were primarily driven by strong growth in our loan portfolio during 2023 as well as increases in qualitative risk factors related to increased economic uncertainty during 2023.
The composition of other operating income for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 is illustrated in the following table:
Income as % of
Total Other Income
12%
11%
5%
45%
46%
44%
7%
6%
Other income
3%
Other Operating Expenses
The composition of other operating expenses for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 is illustrated in the following table:
Expense as % of
Total Other Operating Expenses
56%
57%
54%
59%
2%
9%
1%
(2)%
Provision for Income Taxes
In reporting interim financial information, income tax provisions should be determined under the procedures set forth in Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes (Section 740-270-30). This guidance provides that at the end of each interim period, an entity should make its best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The rate so determined should be used in providing for income taxes on a current year-to-date basis. The effective tax rate should reflect anticipated investment tax credits, capital gains rates, and other available tax planning alternatives. In arriving at this effective tax rate, however, no effect should be included for the tax related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect in reports for the interim period or for the fiscal year.
The effective income tax rates as a percentage of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were 23.6% and 25.8%, respectively. The decrease in the tax rate for the 2023 period was primarily related to a new low-income housing tax credit investment in 2022 that began generating tax credits during the fourth quarter of 2022. This tax credit will continue through 2032.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Balance Sheet Overview
Total assets at September 30, 2023 were $1.9 billion, representing an $80.0 million increase since December 31, 2022. During the first nine months of 2023, cash and interest-bearing deposits in other banks increased by $6.3 million as a result of management’s strategic decision to obtain $61.1 million in brokered certificates of deposit and $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings during the first quarter of 2023 to strength on-balance sheet liquidity. The increase in cash obtained from this strategic decision was partially offset by the funding of strong loan growth in 2023. The investment portfolio decreased by $31.5 million since December 31, 2022. Management elected to allow a $17.8 million non-rated municipal tax increment funding bond to be called at par to increase on-balance sheet liquidity to fund future loan growth. Additional decreases in the investment portfolio were primarily associated with normal principal amortization. Loans increased by $100.5 million since December 31, 2022 due primarily to growth in the commercial and consumer mortgage portfolios. Other assets, including deferred taxes, premises and equipment, and accrued
61
interest receivable, increased by $2.1 million as deferred tax assets increased by $2.4 million, equity investments increased by $1.1 million, and pension assets decreased by $0.5 million.
Total liabilities at September 30, 2023 were $1.8 billion, representing a $76.9 million increase since December 31, 2022. Total deposits increased by $4.3 million since December 31, 2022. Total certificates of deposit increased by $100.5 million primarily due to an increase of $60.6 million in brokered certificates of deposits and $39.9 in retail certificates of deposit. Interest-bearing demand deposits also increased by $54.1 million due to a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing deposits to interest-bearing accounts including the ICS product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage as well as a new municipal customer bringing approximately $40.0 million new deposits during the year. These increases were offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $76.9 million and savings and money market accounts of $73.4 million. Short term borrowings decreased by $11.2 million since December 31, 2022 primarily due to one municipal customer moving funds from an overnight investment product to a non-interest bearing deposit product in 2023. Long term borrowings increased by $80.0 million in the first nine months of 2023 when compared to December 31, 2022 due to the acquisition of $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings.
Loan Portfolio
The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated:
36%
35.86%
5.52%
Commercial and industrial *
18%
19.18%
34.73%
4.71%
Outstanding loans of $1.4 billion at September 30, 2023 reflected growth of $100.5 million for the first nine months of 2023. Since December 31, 2022, commercial real estate loans increased by $32.5 million, acquisition and development loans increased by $9.2 million and commercial and industrial loans increased by $9.3 million. Growth in the commercial portfolios was driven by increased activity with existing clients as well as cultivating new business relationships. Residential mortgage loans increased $47.3 million related to management’s strategic decision to book new mortgage loans at higher rates to our in-house portfolio. The consumer loan portfolio increased slightly by $2.3 million.
New commercial loan production for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $40.3 million. The pipeline of commercial loans as of September 30, 2023 was $41.7 million. At September 30, 2023, unfunded, committed commercial construction loans totaled approximately $40.6 million. Commercial amortization and payoffs were approximately $144.6 million through September 30, 2023 due primarily to pay-offs of short-term commercial loans as well as normal amortizations of the commercial loan portfolio.
New consumer mortgage loan production for the third quarter of 2023 was approximately $27.5 million, with most of this production comprised of in-house loans. The pipeline of in-house, portfolio loans as of September 30, 2023, was $13.5 million. The residential mortgage production level normalized in the third quarter of 2023 due to the increasing interest rates. Unfunded commitments related to residential construction loans totaled $20.5 million on September 30, 2023. Management began shifting more activity towards the secondary market in the second and third quarters to reduce the need for additional funding.
Non-accrual loans totaled $3.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Other real estate owned (“OREO”) balances increased by $0.1 million since December 31, 2022 due to the addition of a new OREO property during the second quarter, which was partially offset by a sale of an OREO property held by the Bank at December 31, 2022.
62
Risk Elements of Loan Portfolio
The following table presents the risk elements of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated. Management is not aware of any potential problem loans other than those listed in this table or discussed below.
% ofApplicablePortfolio
Non-accrual loans:
0.00%
0.03%
0.15%
0.21%
3,285
0.67%
3,204
0.72%
Total non-accrual loans
0.25%
Accruing Loans Past Due 90 days or more:
Total loans past due 90 days or more
Total non-accrual and accruing loans past due 90 days or more
Total Non-performing assets
8,502
8,535
Non-accrual loans to total loans (as %)
Non-performing loans to total loans (as %)
0.26%
0.30%
Non-performing assets to total assets (as %)
0.44%
0.46%
Allowance for credit/loan losses to non-accrual loans (as %)
492.84%
418.77%
Allowance for credit/loan losses to non-performing assets (as %)
201.67%
171.48%
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The ACL represents an amount which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb expected credit losses over the life of outstanding loans as of the balance sheet date based on the evaluation of current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and prepayment experience. The ACL is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. The ACL is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries of previous losses, and is increased by a provision or decreased by a recovery for credit losses, which is recorded as a current period operating expense.
Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently complex and requires the use of highly subjective estimates. The reasonableness of the ACL is reviewed quarterly by management.
Management believes it uses relevant information available to make determination about the ACL and that it has established the existing allowance in accordance with GAAP. However, the determination of the ACL requires significant judgment, and estimates of expected credit losses in the loan portfolio can vary from the amounts actually observed. While management uses available information to recognize expected credit losses, future additions to the ACL may be necessary based on changes in the loans comprising the portfolio, changes in the current and forecasted economic conditions, changes to the interest rate environment which may directly impact prepayment and curtailment rate assumptions, and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.
The ACL “base case” model is derived from various economic forecasts provided by widely recognized sources. Management evaluates the variability of market conditions by examining the peak and trough of economic cycles. These peaks and troughs are used to stress the base case model to develop a range of potential outcomes. Management then determines the appropriate reserve through an evaluation of these various outcomes relative to current economic conditions and known risks in the portfolio. Management enhances its calculation with the use of Moody’s economic forecast data to provide additional support to substantiate its ACL.
The following table presents a summary of the activity in the ACL and ALL for the nine-month periods ended September 30:
Balance, January 1
Impact of CECL Adoption
Charge-offs:
Total charge-offs
Recoveries:
Total recoveries
Net losses
(511)
Credit/loan loss expense
Balance at end of period
Allowance for credit/loan losses to gross loans outstanding (as %)
1.24
1.22
Net (Charge-offs)/Recoveries as a % of Average Applicable Portfolio
(0.02)%
0.01%
(0.07)%
0.04%
(1.15)%
(1.28)%
At September 30, 2023, the total amortized cost basis of the available-for-sale investment portfolio was $144.5 million, compared to a fair value of $114.4 million. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders’ equity. The amortized cost basis of the held to maturity portfolio was $215.7 million, compared to a fair value of $176.8 million.
The following table presents the composition of our securities portfolio at amortized cost and fair values at the dates indicated:
Amortized
FV as %
Cost
(FV)
of Total
Securities Available for Sale:
29%
30%
17%
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
Securities Held to Maturity:
15%
Total fair value of investment securities available for sale decreased by $11.5 million since December 31, 2022 due to principal paydowns of the portfolio and declines in the fair value of investment securities of $5.8 million in the first nine months of 2023. At September 30, 2023, the securities classified as available-for-sale included a net unrealized loss of $30.2 million, which represents the difference between the fair value and amortized cost of securities in the portfolio.
As discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report, the Corporation measures fair market values based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Level 3 prices or valuation techniques require inputs that are both significant to the valuation assumptions and are not readily observable in the market (i.e. supported with little or no market activity). These Level 3 instruments are valued based on both observable and unobservable inputs derived from the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.
65
Approximately $99.6 million of the available for sale portfolio was valued using Level 2 pricing and had net unrealized losses of $26.3 million at September 30, 2023. The remaining $14.8 million of the securities available for sale represents the entire collateralized debt obligation portfolio, which was valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 assets). The $3.9 million in net unrealized losses associated with this portfolio relates to nine pooled trust preferred securities that comprise the collateralized debt obligation portfolio. Net unrealized losses of $2.4 million represent non-credit related impairment charges on seven of the securities, while $1.5 million of unrealized losses relates to two securities which have had no impairment-related charges.
Deposits
The following table presents the composition of our deposits at the dates indicated:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
Total deposits at September 30, 2023 increased by $4.3 million when compared to December 31, 2022. In March 2023, the Corporation obtained $61.1 million in new brokered deposits. In August 2023, the Corporation obtained $30.0 million of brokered deposits to pre-fund the maturity of a $30.4 million brokered certificate of deposit that matured in September 2023. In addition, retail certificates of deposits increased by $39.9 million due primarily to promotional nine-month certificate of deposit product offered in 2023. Interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $54.1 million due to a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing accounts to interest-bearing accounts including the ICS product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage as well as a new municipal customer bringing approximately $40.0 million in new deposits during the year. These increases were offset by decreases in non-interesting bearing deposits of $76.9 million, money market accounts of $27.0 million, and savings accounts of $46.3 million due to the shift to interest- bearing demand deposit accounts, two relationships having large deposit withdrawals totaling $39.5 million during 2023 to fund business activity, the effects of consumer and commercial spending and the competitive market for deposits.
The following table summarizes the percentage of deposits that are insured by deposit insurance or otherwise fully collateralized by securities compared to uninsured deposits as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Insured deposits
1,185,432
75%
1,076,113
69%
Uninsured but collateralized deposits
204,746
153,067
Uninsured and uncollateralized deposits
184,891
341,553
The following table summarizes the percentage of deposit balances from retail customers compared to business customers as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Retail deposits
801,382
51%
855,014
Business deposits
773,687
49%
715,719
Deposit outflows experienced in late 2022 and January 2023 were due to the competitive pricing landscape and inflationary spending. Changes in deposit levels were not directly related to the market disruptions during the first nine months of 2023.
Borrowed Funds
The following table presents the composition of our borrowings at the dates indicated:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Total short-term borrowings
FHLB advances
Junior subordinated debt
Total long-term borrowings
Short term borrowings decreased $11.2 million since December 31, 2022 primarily due to a municipal customer moving funds from an overnight investment product to a non-interest bearing deposit product in 2023.
During the first quarter of 2023, management implemented the Contingency Funding plan and borrowed $80.0 million from FHLB in two advances with 12- and 18- month maturities.
Liquidity Management
Liquidity is a financial institution’s capability to meet customer demands for deposit withdrawals while funding all credit-worthy loans. The factors that determine the institution’s liquidity are:
We actively manage our liquidity position through regular meetings of a sub-committee of executive management, known as the Treasury Team, which looks forward 12 months at 30-day intervals. The measurement is based upon the projection of funds sold or purchased position, along with ratios and trends developed to measure dependence on purchased funds and core growth. Monthly reviews by management and quarterly reviews by the Asset and Liability Committee under prescribed policies and procedures are designed to ensure that we will maintain adequate levels of available funds.
It is our policy to manage our affairs so that liquidity needs are fully satisfied through normal Bank operations. That is, the Bank will manage its liquidity to minimize the need to make unplanned sales of assets or to borrow funds under emergency conditions. The Bank will use funding sources where the interest cost is relatively insensitive to market changes in the short run (periods of one year or less) to satisfy operating cash needs. The remaining normal funding will come from interest-sensitive liabilities, either deposits or borrowed funds. When the marginal cost of needed wholesale funding is lower than the cost of raising this funding in the retail markets, the Corporation may supplement retail funding with external funding sources such as:
The following table presents sources of liquidity available to the Corporation as of September 30, 2023.
Total Availability
Amount Used
Net Availability
Internal Sources
Excess cash
59,301
Unpledged securities
59,933
External Sources
Federal Reserve (discount window)
Correspondent unsecured lines of credit
105,000
FHLB
230,277
82,500
147,777
Bank Term Funding Program*
86,226
552,510
470,010
*Bank Term Funding Program has been established and eligible securities with a total par balance of $86.2 million have been pledged to the program as of September 30, 2023
Management is not aware of any demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that are likely to materially affect our ability to meet our future capital requirements.
Due to the market disruption and uncertainties, management implemented the Liquidity Contingency Plan in the first quarter and believes that we have adequate liquidity available to respond to current and anticipated liquidity demands and is not aware of any trends or demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that are likely to materially affect our ability to maintain liquidity at satisfactory levels.
Market Risk and Interest Sensitivity
Our primary market risk is interest rate fluctuation. Interest rate risk results primarily from the traditional banking activities that we engage in, such as gathering deposits and extending loans. Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in interest rates and consumer preferences affect the difference between the interest earned on our assets and the interest paid on our liabilities. Interest rate sensitivity refers to the degree that earnings will be impacted by changes in the prevailing level of interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from mismatches in the repricing or maturity characteristics between interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Management seeks to minimize fluctuating net interest margins, and to enhance consistent growth of net interest income through periods of changing interest rates. Management uses interest sensitivity gap analysis and simulation models to measure and manage these risks. The interest rate sensitivity gap analysis assigns each interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability to a time frame reflecting its next repricing or maturity date. The differences between total interest-sensitive assets and liabilities at each time interval represent the interest sensitivity gap for that interval. A positive gap generally indicates that rising interest rates during a given interval will increase net interest income, as more assets than liabilities will reprice. A negative gap position would benefit us during a period of declining interest rates.
At September 30, 2023, we were asset sensitive.
Our interest rate risk management goals are:
To manage interest sensitivity risk, management formulates guidelines regarding asset generation and pricing, funding sources and pricing, and off-balance sheet commitments. These guidelines are based on management’s outlook regarding future interest rate movements, the state of the regional and national economy, and other financial and business risk factors. Management uses computer simulations to measure the effect on net interest income of various interest rate scenarios. Key assumptions used in the computer simulations include cash flows and maturities of interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities, changes in asset volumes and pricing, and management’s capital plans. This modeling reflects interest rate changes and the related impact on net interest income over specified periods.
We evaluate the effect of a change in interest rates of +/-100 basis points to +/-400 basis points on both NII and Net Portfolio Value (“NPV”) / Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”). We concentrate on NII rather than net income as long as NII remains the significant contributor to net income.
NII modeling allows management to view how changes in interest rates will affect the spread between the yield paid on assets and the cost of deposits and borrowed funds. Unlike traditional Gap modeling, NII modeling takes into account the different degree to which installments in the same repricing period will adjust to a change in interest rates. It also allows the use of different assumptions in a falling versus a rising rate environment. The period considered by the NII modeling is the next eight quarters.
NPV / EVE modeling focuses on the change in the market value of equity. NPV / EVE is defined as the market value of assets less the market value of liabilities plus/minus the market value of any off-balance sheet positions. By effectively looking at the present value of all future cash flows on or off the balance sheet, NPV / EVE modeling takes a longer-term view of interest rate risk. This complements the shorter-term view of the NII modeling.
Measures of NII at risk produced by simulation analysis are indicators of an institution’s short-term performance in alternative rate environments. These measures are typically based upon a relatively brief period, usually one year. They do not necessarily indicate the long-term prospects or economic value of the institution.
Based on the simulation analysis performed at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, management estimated the following changes in net interest income, assuming the indicated rate changes:
+400 basis points
5,058
1,112
+300 basis points
3,768
+200 basis points
+100 basis points
1,263
-100 basis points
(1,303)
(776)
-200 basis points
(3,288)
(3,165)
-300 basis points
(5,859)
(7,382)
-400 basis points
(9,425)
This estimate is based on assumptions that may be affected by unforeseeable changes in the general interest rate environment and any number of unforeseeable factors. Rates on different assets and liabilities within a single maturity category adjust to changes in interest rates to varying degrees and over varying periods of time. The relationships between lending rates and rates paid on purchased funds are not constant over time. Management can respond to current or anticipated market conditions by lengthening or shortening the Bank’s sensitivity through loan repricings or changing its funding mix. The rate of growth in interest-free sources of funds will influence the level of interest-sensitive funding sources. In addition, the absolute level of interest rates will affect the volume of earning assets and funding sources. As a result of these limitations, the interest-sensitive gap is only one factor to be considered in estimating the net interest margin.
Management believes that no material changes in our market risks, our procedures used to evaluate and mitigate those risks, or our actual or simulated sensitivity positions have occurred since December 31, 2022. Our NII simulation analysis as of December 31, 2022 is included in Item 7 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 under the heading “Market Risk and Interest Sensitivity.
Impact of Inflation – Our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature, and as such, future changes in prices do not affect the obligations to pay or receive fixed and determinable amounts of money. During inflationary periods, monetary assets lose value in terms of purchasing power and monetary liabilities have corresponding purchasing power gains. The concept of purchasing power is not an adequate indicator of the impact of inflation on financial institutions because it does not incorporate changes in our earnings.
Capital Resources
We require capital to fund loans, satisfy our obligations under the Bank’s letters of credit, meet the deposit withdrawal demands of the Bank’s customers, and satisfy our other monetary obligations. To the extent that deposits are not adequate to fund our capital requirements, we can rely on the funding sources identified above under the heading “Liquidity Management”.
In addition to operational requirements, the Bank is subject to risk-based capital regulations, which were adopted and are monitored by federal banking regulators. These regulations are used to evaluate capital adequacy and require an analysis of an institution’s asset risk profile and off-balance sheet exposures, such as unused loan commitments and stand-by letters of credit. Based on capital ratios at September 30, 2023, the Bank was considered to be well-capitalized.
The following table presents the Bank’s capital ratios as of the dates indicated:
Effective with the implementation of CECL, a $2.2 million, net of tax, adjustment was made to retained earnings. The adjustment did not have a material impact to our capital ratios.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Contractual Obligations
The Corporation enters into contractual obligations in the normal course of business. Among these obligations are FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures, operating lease agreements for banking and subsidiaries’ offices and for data processing and telecommunications equipment. Comparing September 30, 2023 to December 31, 2022, short-term borrowings decreased $11.2 million, driven by a the utilization of cash balances by municipalities related to the overnight investments product. Long-term borrowings increased by $80.0 million during the quarter due to management’s decision to obtain $80 million in FHLB advances during the first quarter of 2023.
Commitments
Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of our customers. Letters of credit commit us to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. The credit risks inherent in loan commitments and letters of credit are essentially the same as those involved in extending loans to customers, and these arrangements are subject to our normal credit policies. We are not a party to any other off-balance sheet arrangements.
Commitments to extend credit in the form of consumer, commercial and business at the dates indicated were as follows:
72,739
70,845
Residential mortgage - construction
19,955
25,499
Commercial
171,636
153,235
Consumer - personal credit lines
4,220
4,323
Standby letters of credit
7,089
14,325
275,639
268,227
The increase of $7.4 million in commitments at September 30, 2023 when compared to December 31, 2022 was due to new business in construction commitments in the commercial portfolio as well as new home equity lines of credit.
Upon adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2023, the Corporation recorded an initial increase to the ACL for off-balance sheet exposures of $0.9 million. Credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures was a credit of $14 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The information required by this item is included in Item 2 of Part I of this report under the caption “Market Risk and Interest Sensitivity” and in Item 7 of Part II of First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 under the heading “Market Risk and Interest Sensitivity” both of which are incorporated in this Item 3 by reference.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the SEC, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in those rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including First United Corporation’s principal executive officer (“PEO”) and its principal financial officer (“PFO”), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of these disclosure controls as of September 30, 2023 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the PEO and the PFO. Based on that evaluation, management, including the PEO and the PFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are, in fact, effective at the reasonable assurance level.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks and uncertainties to which our financial condition and operations are subject are discussed in detail in Item 1A of Part I of First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Management does not believe that any material changes in our risk factors have occurred since they were last disclosed.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table summarizes stock repurchases for the three-months ended September 30, 2023:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
July 2023
August 2023
825,000
September 2023
19,298
16.25
805,702
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits filed or furnished with this quarterly report are listed in the following Exhibit Index.
Exhibit
Description
31.1
Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
31.2
Certifications of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (furnished herewith)
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith)
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema (filed herewith)
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (filed herewith)
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (filed herewith)
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase (filed herewith)
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (filed herewith)
104
The cover page of First United Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 formatted in Inline XBRL, included within the Exhibit 101 attachments (filed herewith).
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 9, 2023
/s/ Carissa L. Rodeheaver
Carissa L. Rodeheaver, CPA
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Tonya K. Sturm
Tonya K. Sturm, Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)