Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following financial statements and independent auditors’ report listed below are included herein:
Page
I.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Forvis Mazars LLP Denver, Colorado PCAOB ID # 686 )
66
II.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (RSM US LLP San Francisco, California PCAOB ID 49 )
69
III.
Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2025 and 2024
70
IV.
Consolidated Statements of Income-Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
71
V.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income-Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
72
VI.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity – Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
73
VII.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
74
VIII.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
76
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors
Sierra Bancorp and Subsidiary
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Sierra Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive (loss) income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting . Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
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Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of reliable financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans
As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) totaled $21.5 million. The Company calculates its ACL in accordance with Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses . As described in Notes 2 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the ACL for loans is separated between a collective reserve evaluation, for loans where similar risk characteristics exist, and an individual reserve evaluation for loans without similar risk characteristics. The collective quantitative ACL for loans is estimated using the remaining life or discounted cash flow (“DCF”) methodology based on the loan portfolio segment. In addition, for the collective reserve, management utilizes qualitative factors to adjust for current and expected conditions not captured within the quantitative loss estimates.
The qualitative reserve is calculated using a combination of numeric frameworks and management judgement to determine risk categorizations in each of the qualitative factors. The amount of qualitative reserves is also contingent upon the historical peer, life-of-loan equivalent, loss rate ranges and the relative weighting of qualitative factors.
We identified the Company’s estimate of the ACL, and more specifically the qualitative factor adjustments applied in the ACL, as a critical audit matter. The principal consideration for our determination is the subjectivity and judgment involved in management’s determination of credit loss estimates and assumptions (segment risk rating assigned), specifically for management’s determination of the changes in value of underlying collateral qualitative factor adjustment, management’s determination of the loan category and concentrations qualitative factor adjustment, and management’s determination of the use of peer loss/default levels in the DCF regression analysis qualitative factor assigned to each loan segment. Auditing these assumptions required increased auditor effort and a high degree of auditor subjectivity and judgment.
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The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
● We obtained an understanding of the Company’s process for determining the ACL including the assumptions used to develop the qualitative factors mentioned, performed an ACL risk assessment to identify various components, data inputs, and assumptions utilized in the overall ACL model, and evaluated the design and implementation and tested operating effectiveness of controls relating to the ACL, including:
o Controls over the completeness and accuracy of data input into the model used to determine the ACL.
o Controls over management’s review and approval of the ACL, specifically focusing on management’s determination of the segment risk rating applied to the qualitative factor adjustments noted above, and applied within the qualitative framework of the overall ACL.
● We evaluated management’s determination of the mentioned qualitative adjustments, including :
o Evaluated and tested the data, inputs and segment risk rating assumption utilized within the ACL calculation for completeness and accuracy including comparing key factors to independent sources as well as mathematical accuracy of the calculation driving the segment risk rating assigned.
o Evaluated the reasonableness and adequacy of management’s qualitative factor adjustment framework and the application of the qualitative factor adjustments noted above within the framework associated with the qualitative factor scorecard risk rating assumptions against third-party or internal sources.
o Evaluated the reasonableness of the segment risk rating related to the qualitative adjustments noted above by analyzing relevant trends in managements risk rating assumptions applied and evaluating the relationship of the trends to the qualitative adjustments applied to the ACL.
/s/ Forvis Mazars, LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2025.
Denver, Colorado
February 27, 2026
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Sierra Bancorp and Subsidiary
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Sierra Bancorp and its subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 2024, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ RSM US LLP
We served as the Company’s auditor from 2023 to 2024.
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 3, 2025
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SIERRA BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2025 and 2024
(dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
71,414
$
79,616
Interest-bearing deposits in banks
64,214
21,048
Total cash & cash equivalents
135,628
100,664
Investment securities
Available-for-sale, net of allowance for credit losses of zero
625,330
655,967
Held-to-maturity, net of allowance for credit losses of $ 15 and $ 15
290,811
305,514
Total investment securities
916,141
961,481
Loans:
Gross loans
2,546,880
2,331,341
Deferred loan (fees) costs, net
( 35 )
93
Allowance for credit losses on loans
( 21,480 )
( 24,830 )
Net loans
2,525,365
2,306,604
Foreclosed assets
1,565
—
Premises and equipment, net
14,974
15,431
Goodwill
27,357
27,357
Other intangible assets, net
52
618
Bank-owned life insurance
69,283
53,153
Other assets
138,914
148,963
$
3,829,279
$
3,614,271
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing
$
995,623
$
1,007,208
Interest-bearing
1,880,813
1,884,460
Total deposits
2,876,436
2,891,668
Repurchase agreements
130,853
108,860
Other borrowings
302,700
80,000
Long-term debt, net
49,483
49,393
Subordinated debentures, net
36,017
35,838
Allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments
710
710
Other liabilities
68,217
90,500
Total liabilities
3,464,416
3,256,969
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 14)
Shareholders' equity
Serial Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued; Common stock, no par value; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 13,273,788 and 14,223,046 shares issued and outstanding , at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively
103,394
108,965
Additional paid-in capital
4,642
4,509
Retained earnings
280,001
275,085
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 23,174 )
( 31,257 )
Total shareholders' equity
364,863
357,302
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
3,829,279
$
3,614,271
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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SIERRA BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2025
2024
2023
Interest and dividend income
Loans, including fees
$
127,957
$
114,264
$
96,791
Taxable securities
35,771
48,682
54,367
Tax-exempt securities
6,359
6,743
10,909
Federal funds sold and other
1,301
2,659
1,054
Total interest income
171,388
172,348
163,121
Interest expense
Deposits
36,497
43,355
31,554
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
2,275
462
5,219
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
3,611
3,812
9,342
Long-term debt
1,718
1,721
1,715
Subordinated debentures
2,601
2,969
2,886
Total interest expense
46,702
52,319
50,716
Net interest income
124,686
120,029
112,405
Credit loss expense - loans
6,095
4,593
4,058
Credit loss expense (benefit) - unfunded commitments
—
200
( 330 )
Credit loss (benefit) expense - debt securities held-to-maturity
—
( 1 )
( 47 )
Net interest income after credit loss expense
118,591
115,237
108,724
Noninterest income
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts
23,488
24,173
23,103
Net (loss) gain on sale of securities available-for-sale
120
( 2,681 )
396
Net (loss) gain on sale of fixed assets
( 52 )
3,783
15,270
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
2,608
2,650
1,767
Realized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
—
66
( 14,500 )
Other income
4,425
3,530
4,364
Total noninterest income
30,589
31,521
30,400
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits
51,056
50,338
50,977
Occupancy and equipment
12,536
12,374
10,160
Other
29,245
30,178
31,523
Total noninterest expense
92,837
92,890
92,660
Income before taxes
56,343
53,868
46,464
Provision for income taxes
14,016
13,308
11,620
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
Earnings per share
Basic
$
3.14
$
2.84
$
2.37
Diluted
$
3.11
$
2.82
$
2.36
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic
13,496,560
14,284,401
14,706,141
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted
13,593,119
14,396,021
14,737,870
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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SIERRA BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands, except footnotes)
2025
2024
2023
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
Other comprehensive gain:
Unrealized gain on debt securities:
Unrealized holding gain arising during period (2)
11,595
4,090
15,140
Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses included in net income (1)
( 120 )
2,615
14,104
Other comprehensive gain, before tax
11,475
6,705
29,244
Income tax expense benefit related to items of other comprehensive income
( 3,392 )
( 1,982 )
( 8,648 )
Total other comprehensive gain, net of tax
8,083
4,723
20,596
Comprehensive income
$
50,410
$
45,283
$
55,440
(1) Amounts are included in net gains on securities available-for-sale on the Consolidated Statements of Income in noninterest income. Income tax benefit associated with the reclassification adjustment for the years ended 2025, 2024 and 2023 was $( 0.04 ) million, $( 0.8 ) million, and $( 4.2 ) million, respectively.
(2) Included in the unrealized holding gain arising during the period is the accretion of the net unrealized loss on debt securities transferred to held-to-maturity from available-for-sale of $ 2.2 million, $ 2.1 million, and $ 2.3 million for the years ended 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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SIERRA BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Common Stock
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Paid In
Retained
Comprehensive
Shareholders'
Shares
Amount
Capital
Earnings
Gain (Loss)
Equity
Balance, January 1, 2023
15,170,372
112,928
4,148
243,082
( 56,576 )
303,582
Net Income
—
—
—
34,844
—
34,844
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax
—
—
—
—
20,596
20,596
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered for cashless exercises
—
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock granted
129,904
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock surrendered due to employee tax liability
( 19,317 )
( 145 )
—
( 245 )
—
( 391 )
Restricted stock forfeited / cancelled
( 6,033 )
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock vested in period
—
1,316
( 1,316 )
—
—
—
Stock based compensation - stock options
—
—
69
—
—
69
Stock based compensation - restricted stock
—
—
1,680
—
—
1,680
Stock repurchase
( 481,094 )
( 3,574 )
—
( 4,916 )
—
( 8,490 )
Excise tax on stock repurchases
—
( 79 )
—
—
—
( 79 )
Cash dividends - $ 0.92 per share
—
—
—
( 13,714 )
—
( 13,714 )
Balance, December 31, 2023
14,793,832
110,446
4,581
259,051
( 35,980 )
338,097
Net Income
—
—
—
40,560
—
40,560
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax
—
—
—
—
4,723
4,723
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered for cashless exercises
74,783
1,736
( 262 )
—
—
1,474
Restricted stock granted
48,724
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock surrendered due to employee tax liability
( 29,652 )
( 223 )
—
( 611 )
—
( 834 )
Restricted stock forfeited / cancelled
( 27,982 )
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock vested in period
—
1,766
( 1,766 )
—
—
—
Stock based compensation - stock options
—
—
32
—
—
32
Stock based compensation - restricted stock
—
—
1,924
—
—
1,924
Stock repurchase
( 636,659 )
( 4,728 )
—
( 10,281 )
—
( 15,009 )
Excise tax on stock repurchases
—
( 32 )
—
—
—
( 32 )
Cash dividends - $ 0.94 per share
—
—
—
( 13,634 )
—
( 13,634 )
Balance, December 31, 2024
14,223,046
108,965
4,509
275,085
( 31,257 )
357,302
Net Income
—
—
—
42,327
—
42,327
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax
—
—
—
—
8,083
8,083
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered for cashless exercises
35,200
1,022
( 168 )
—
—
854
Restricted stock granted
93,712
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock surrendered due to employee tax liability
( 34,852 )
( 273 )
—
( 745 )
—
( 1,018 )
Restricted stock forfeited / cancelled
( 18,526 )
—
—
—
—
Restricted stock vested in period
—
1,910
( 1,910 )
—
—
—
Stock based compensation - stock options
—
—
3
—
—
3
Stock based compensation - restricted stock
—
—
2,208
—
—
2,208
Stock repurchase
( 1,024,792 )
( 7,880 )
—
( 22,932 )
—
( 30,812 )
Excise tax on stock repurchases
—
( 350 )
—
—
—
( 350 )
Cash dividends - $ 1.00 per share
—
—
—
( 13,734 )
—
( 13,734 )
Balance, December 31, 2025
13,273,788
$
103,394
$
4,642
$
280,001
$
( 23,174 )
$
364,863
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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SIERRA BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
(Gain) loss on sales of securities
( 120 )
2,681
( 396 )
Realized (gain) loss on available-for-sale securities
—
( 66 )
14,500
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets
52
( 3,783 )
( 15,270 )
Stock based compensation expense
2,211
1,956
1,749
Credit loss expense - loans
6,095
4,593
4,058
Credit loss (benefit) - debt securities held-to-maturity
—
( 1 )
( 47 )
Depreciation and amortization
2,084
2,100
2,356
Net (accretion) amortization on securities premiums and discounts
( 720 )
1,005
2,872
Accretion of discounts for loans acquired and net deferred loan fees
( 206 )
( 170 )
( 311 )
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
( 2,608 )
( 2,661 )
( 1,905 )
Amortization of core deposit intangible
566
781
876
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable and other assets
3,931
( 9,389 )
( 20,525 )
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
( 22,633 )
13,284
31,835
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision
( 105 )
4,028
( 2,343 )
Decrease in equity securities
—
293
291
Net amortization of partnership investment
2,831
1,942
661
Net cash provided by operating activities
33,705
57,153
53,245
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities and calls of debt securities available-for-sale
55,290
100,024
70,270
Proceeds from sales of debt securities available-for-sale
3,016
233,187
25,676
Purchases of debt securities available-for-sale
( 378,047 )
( 151,053 )
( 197,153 )
Principal paydowns on debt securities available-for-sale
361,848
183,410
28,301
Maturities and calls of debt securities held-to-maturity
475
170
795
Principal paydowns on debt securities held-to-maturity
15,073
15,126
16,968
Purchases of FHLB stock
—
—
( 1,929 )
Loan (originations) and payments, net
( 226,215 )
( 246,875 )
( 60,025 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
( 1,532 )
( 1,156 )
( 1,415 )
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
32
4,493
20,079
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets
—
2,732
19,151
Purchase of separate account life insurance
( 166 )
( 273 )
( 125 )
Purchase of split dollar life insurance
( 15,000 )
—
—
Liquidation of bank-owned life insurance
—
—
165
Proceeds from bank-owned life insurance death benefit
1,644
1,353
2,462
Amortization of debt issuance costs
90
89
90
Net increase in partnership investment
—
—
( 7,000 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
( 183,492 )
141,227
( 83,690 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Decrease) increase in deposits
( 15,232 )
130,445
( 84,941 )
Increase (decrease) in fed funds purchased
210,000
( 130,000 )
5,000
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowed funds
12,700
( 150,500 )
56,500
Proceeds from long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other debt
—
—
80,000
Increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements
21,993
1,739
( 2,048 )
Cash dividends paid
( 13,734 )
( 13,634 )
( 13,714 )
Repurchases of common stock
( 31,830 )
( 15,842 )
( 8,881 )
Stock options exercised
854
1,474
—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
184,751
( 176,318 )
31,916
Increase in cash and due from banks
34,964
22,062
1,471
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
100,664
78,602
77,131
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
135,628
$
100,664
$
78,602
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SIERRA BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Continued)
Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2023
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest
$
50,122
$
49,047
$
48,545
Income taxes
$
10,482
$
8,661
$
10,355
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Real estate acquired through foreclosure
$
1,565
$
2,732
$
15,406
Operating right-of-use asset from branch facilities sale leaseback transaction
$
—
$
3,857
$
17,859
Operating lease liability from branch facilities sale leaseback transaction
$
—
$
3,092
$
13,755
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities (excluding sale/leaseback)
$
1,419
$
849
$
2,833
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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1. THE BUSINESS OF SIERRA BANCORP
Sierra Bancorp (the “Company”) is a California corporation registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is headquartered in Porterville, California. The Company was incorporated in November 2000 and acquired all of the outstanding shares of Bank of the Sierra (the “Bank”) in August 2001. The Company’s principal subsidiary is the Bank, and the Company exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and its subsidiaries, two special purpose entities organized to facilitate repossessed assets, and of such other subsidiaries it may acquire or establish. The Company’s only other direct subsidiaries are Sierra Statutory Trust II, Sierra Capital Trust III, and Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II, which were formed solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities.
At December 31, 2025, the Bank operated 34 full-service branch offices and provides specialized lending services through a Mortgage Warehouse lending division. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to applicable legal limits. The Bank maintains a diversified loan portfolio comprised of commercial, real estate, construction, mortgage loans, consumer, and mortgage warehouse lines. Loans are primarily made in California within the market area of the South Central San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, Ventura County, and neighboring communities while mortgage warehouse customers are located throughout the United States. Our California footprint has diverse economies with principal industries being agriculture, real estate, oil and gas, service, government, healthcare, and light manufacturing.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of the Sierra. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ balances to conform to classifications used in 2025. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and prevailing practices within the banking industry.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company’s investments in Sierra Statutory Trust II, Sierra Capital Trust III and Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method and included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The subordinated debentures issued and guaranteed by the Company and held by the trusts are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
The Bank has subsidiary interests in variable interest entities (“VIE”) for which the Bank does not have a controlling financial interest and is not the primary beneficiary. These subsidiary interests are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For additional information on the Bank’s interest in VIEs, see Note 23.
Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure through February 27, 2025, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
Segment information
An operating segment is generally defined as a component of business for which discrete financial information is available and whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. As a community-oriented financial institution, substantially all of the Company’s operations involve the delivery of loan and deposit products to customers.
The chief operating decision maker makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of the Company’s community banking activities (loan and deposit products), which constitutes the Company’s only operating segment for financial reporting purposes. The Company’s single segment is managed on a consolidated basis by the chief operating decision maker, which is the Executive Committee, consisting of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief risk officer, chief credit officer, chief operations officer, and chief banking
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officer. The accounting policies of the community banking segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies of the Company. The chief operating decision maker uses consolidated expense information to manage the operations of the segment. The consolidated expense information is the same as is reported on the income statement as consolidated net income. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets.
The chief operating decision maker uses consolidated net income to evaluate income generated from segment assets (return on assets) in deciding whether to reinvest profits into the community banking segment or into other parts of the entity, such as for whole bank or branch acquisitions or to pay dividends.
Net income is used to monitor budget versus actual results. The chief operating decision maker also uses net income in competitive analysis by benchmarking to the Company’s peer banking competitors. The competitive analysis along with the monitoring of budgeted versus actual results are used in assessing performance of the segment and in establishing management’s compensation.
The Company does not have intra-entity revenues or transfers.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities, and goodwill. In connection with the determination of the allowances for credit losses and other real estate, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties, evaluates the overall loan portfolio characteristics and delinquencies, and monitors economic conditions.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the Consolidated Income Statements for the prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.
Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
Certain immaterial prior period amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows have been revised and are reflected below. Specifically, cash flows from investing activities related to available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities were combined on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. These have been disaggregated and presented gross by classification. The changes were presentation only and had no impact on previously reported net income, total assets, total liabilities, or shareholders’ equity. The changes also had no impact on net cash provided by (used in) investing activities or total change in cash and cash equivalents.
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The effect of the above revision on previously reported financial statements is presented below (dollars in thousands):
As previously reported
Impact of Revision
As Revised
Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities and calls of debt securities available-for-sale
$
100,194
$
( 170 )
$
100,024
Maturities and calls of debt securities held-to-maturity
—
170
170
Principal paydowns on debt securities available-for-sale
198,536
( 15,126 )
183,410
Principal paydowns on debt securities held-to-maturity
—
15,126
15,126
Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities and calls of debt securities available-for-sale
$
71,065
$
( 795 )
$
70,270
Maturities and calls of debt securities held-to-maturity
—
795
795
Principal paydowns on debt securities available-for-sale
45,269
( 16,968 )
28,301
Principal paydowns on debt securities held-to-maturity
—
16,968
16,968
Cash Flows
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities within 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, and fed funds purchased and repurchase agreements.
Securities
Debt securities may be classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive ability and intent to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Debt securities classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Securities designated as held-to-maturity, are carried at the amortized cost basis of the securities in question, which includes purchase premium or discount in addition to any unamortized premium or discount representing the unrealized gain or loss on any individual security at the time it was transferred from the available for sale designation. Notably, the Company has elected the practical expedient under GAAP to exclude accrued interest from the amortized-cost-basis of held-to-maturity securities and does not evaluate accrued interest receivable for an allowance for credit losses because any past due interest receivable on its held-to-maturity portfolio is reversed from income timely. Accrued interest on held-to-maturity securities and available-for-sale securities continues to be included in other assets on the Company’s balance sheet and measured $ 2.4 million and $ 4.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2025, and $ 2.4 million and $ 7.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2024.
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums or discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and may only change the classification in certain limited circumstances. All transfers between categories are accounted for at fair value.
A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income.
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There were no debt securities past due or on nonaccrual in either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position for which management has an intent to sell the security or considers it more likely-than-not that the security in question will be sold prior to a recovery of its amortized cost basis, the security will be written down to fair value through a direct charge to income. For the remainder of available sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, which don’t meet the previously outlined criteria, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value is a reflection of credit deterioration or other factors. In performing this evaluation, management considers the extent which fair value has fallen below amortized cost, changes in ratings by rating agencies, and other information indicating a deterioration in repayment capacity of either the underlying issuer or the borrowers providing repayment capacity in a securitization. If management’s evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists then a present value of the expected cash flows is calculated and compared to the amortized cost basis of the security in question and to the degree that the amortized cost basis exceeds the present value an allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) is established, with the caveat that the maximum amount of the reserve on any individual security is the difference between the fair value and amortized cost balance of the security in question. Any unrealized loss that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2025, the Company had no recorded Allowance for Credit Losses on its securities designated as available-for-sale.
On April 1, 2022, the Company transferred $ 162.1 million of Agency, Mortgaged-Backed, and Municipal securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. On October 1, 2022, a similar transfer of $ 198.3 million securities from available for sale to held-to-maturity was completed. The securities were transferred at their fair value as of the transfer date, with the related unrealized gain or loss as of the date of transfer included in the amortized cost basis of the transferred security and subject to amortization or accretion over each security’s remaining life. An unrealized loss of $ 24.2 million, on securities transferred from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity categorization, remains as of December 31, 2025, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Applying the Company’s combined marginal tax rate of 29.56 %, this amount reflects a tax-effected unrealized loss of approximately $ 17.1 million. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the gross unrealized loss was $ 26.3 million and $ 28.4 million, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in the unrealized loss is attributable to the ongoing accretion into income. The remaining unrealized loss on the securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, will be accreted over the remaining term of the securities, with the amortized-cost basis of these securities and accumulated comprehensive income each increasing over time.
Under CECL, held-to-maturity debt securities are evaluated for reserves in a similar manner as loans. Because of the implicit and explicit guarantees of the Federal Government on the Agency and Mortgage-Backed, securities there is no expectation of future losses on any of these securities and no allowance for credit losses has been established for these securities. The Bank’s municipal bonds moved to the held-to-maturity designation all have credit ratings considered investment grade or equivalent. A discounted-cash-flow reserve calculation was performed upon the transfer of these securities into the held-to-maturity designation and is updated on a quarterly basis.
FHLB Stock and Other Investments
The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost in other assets and periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. The Bank’s investment in FHLB stock was approximately $ 14.7 million at December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
Loans (Financing Receivables)
Our credit quality classifications of Loans include Pass, Special Mention, and Substandard. These classifications are defined in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
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Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported on the amortized cost basis and make up the entirety of the Company’s loan portfolio. The amortized cost basis of the Company’s loans is comprised of the principal balance outstanding, net of remaining deferred loan fees and costs, purchase premiums and discounts, and also net of any write-downs. Notably, the Company elected the practical expedient available under CECL to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of all categorizations of loans and resultingly did not estimate reserves on accrued interest receivable balances, as any past due interest income is reversed on a timely basis. Accrued interest receivable on the Company’s loans continues to be included in other assets on the Company’s balance sheet and measured $ 7.0 million and $ 6.1 million as of December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. Loan origination fees, net of certain deferred origination costs, and purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income as an adjustment to yield of the related loans over the contractual life of the loan using both the effective interest and straight-line methods without anticipating prepayments.
Interest income for all performing loans, regardless of classification (Pass, Special Mention, Substandard), is accrued on unpaid principal balances, with interest accrued daily. Costs associated with successful loan originations are netted from loan origination fees, with the net amount (net deferred loan fees) amortized over the contractual life of the loan in interest income. If a loan has scheduled periodic payments, the amortization of the net deferred loan fee is calculated using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the loan. If the loan does not have scheduled payments, such as a line of credit, the net deferred loan fee is recognized as interest income on a straight-line basis over the contractual life of the loan. Fees received for loan commitments are recognized as interest income over the term of the commitment. When loans are repaid, any remaining unamortized balances of deferred fees and costs are accounted for through interest income.
Generally, the Company places a loan or lease on nonaccrual status and ceases recognizing interest income when it has become delinquent more than 90 days and/or when Management determines that the repayment of principal and collection of interest is unlikely. The Company may decide that it is appropriate to continue to accrue interest on certain loans more than 90 days delinquent if they are well-secured by collateral and collection is in process. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any accrued but uncollected interest for the loan is reversed out of interest income in the period in which the loan’s status changed. For loans with an interest reserve, i.e., where loan proceeds are advanced to the borrower to make interest payments, all interest recognized from the inception of the loan is reversed when the loan is placed on non-accrual. Once a loan is on non-accrual status subsequent payments received from the customer are applied to principal, and no further interest income is recognized until the principal has been paid in full or until circumstances have changed such that payments are again consistently received as contractually required. Generally, loans are not restored to accrual status until the obligation is brought current and has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Due to loans being placed on nonaccrual status, $ 0.3 million of interest receivable on loans was reversed from interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 and $ 0.2 million was reversed for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans
The Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) on the loan portfolio is a valuation allowance deducted from the recorded balance in loans. The ACL represents principal which is not expected to be collected over the contractual life of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayment. The ACL is increased by a provision for credit losses charged to expense, and by principal recovered on charged-off balances. It is reduced by principal charge-offs. The amount of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, using information from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Adjustments are also made for changes in risk profile, credit concentrations, historical trends, and other economic conditions.
The ACL for loans is separated between a collective reserve evaluation for loans where similar risk characteristics exist and an individual reserve evaluation for loans without similar risk characteristics. The collective evaluation of loans is performed at the portfolio segment level, using call code as the primary segmentation key but also considering similarity in quantitative reserve methodology. The Company’s ACL is categorized according to the
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following portfolio segments: 1-4 Family Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Farmland & Agricultural Production, Commercial & Industrial, Mortgage Warehouse, and Consumer. Loans secured by 1-4 family residences have a different profile from loans secured by Commercial Real Estate. Generally, the borrowers for 1-4 Family loans are consumers whereas borrowers for Commercial Real Estate are often businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated how these different categories of real estate loans were subject to different risks, which was exacerbated by the widespread work-from-home model adopted by many companies during and since the pandemic. Farmland and Agricultural Production loans are included in a single segment as these loans are often times to the same borrowers, facing the same risks relating to commodity prices, water supply and drought conditions in addition to other environmental concerns. Commercial & Industrial loans are separated into a unique segment given the uniqueness of these loans, which are often revolving and secured by other business assets as opposed to real estate. Mortgage warehouse loans are also unique in the Company’s portfolio and warrant separate presentation as an individual portfolio segment, given the specific nature of these constantly revolving lines to mortgage originators and also attributable to a very limited loss history, even after consideration of peer data. Finally, the Company splits out Consumer loans as a separate segment as a result of the small balance, homogeneous terms that characterize these loans. Management utilizes a discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the quantitative portion of collectively evaluated reserves for the 1-4 Family Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Commercial & Industrial and Mortgage Warehouse portfolio segments. Management utilizes a Remaining Life Quantitative Reserve Methodology for the Farmland & Agricultural Production, and Consumer portfolio segments. Within the portfolio segments utilizing the DCF quantitative reserve methodology, management has made the election to adjust the effective interest rate to consider the impact of expected prepayments.
Loans where similar risk characteristics exist are evaluated for the ACL in the collective reserve evaluation. The Company’s policy is that loans designated as nonaccrual no longer share risk characteristics similar to other loans evaluated collectively and as such, all nonaccrual loans are individually evaluated for reserves. As of December 31, 2025, the Bank’s nonaccrual loans comprised the entire population of loans individually evaluated. The Company’s policy is that nonaccrual loans also represent the subset of loans where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty where an evaluation of the source of repayment is required to determine if the nonaccrual loan should be categorized as collateral dependent. It is the Company’s policy that the only loans where the credit quality has deteriorated to the point where foreclosure is probable are the Company’s nonaccrual loans. Most of the Company’s business activity is with customers located in California within the Southern Central San Joaquin Valley; in the corridor stretching between Santa Paula and Santa Clarita in Southern California, and on the Central Coast. Therefore, the Company’s exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy in those regions. The Company considers this concentration of credit risk when assessing and assigning qualitative factors in the allowance for credit.
Though management believes the allowance for credit losses to be adequate, ultimate losses may vary from their estimates. However, estimates are reviewed periodically, and as adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings during the periods they become known.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
In addition to the exposure to credit loss from outstanding loans, the Company is also exposed to credit loss from certain off-balance sheet commitments such as unused commitments from revolving lines of credit, certain mortgage warehouse lines of credit, construction loans and commercial and standby letters of credit. Because the available funds have not yet been disbursed on these commitments the estimated losses are not included in the calculation of the allowance for credit losses on the loan portfolio. The implementation of CECL also impacted the Company’s ACL on unfunded loan commitments, as this ACL now represents expected credit losses over the contractual life of commitments not identified as unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The Reserve for Unfunded Commitments is estimated using the same reserve or coverage rates calculated on collectively evaluated loans following the application of a funding rate to the amount of the unfunded commitment. The funding rate represents management’s estimate of the amount of the current unfunded commitment that will be funded over the remaining contractual life of the commitment and is based on historical data. Under CECL, the ACL on unfunded loan commitments remains in Other Liabilities while any related provision expense has been moved to provision for credit loss expense from its prior presentation in noninterest expense.
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Premises and Equipment
Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives of premises range between twenty-five to thirty-nine years . The useful lives of furniture, fixtures, and equipment range between three to twenty years . Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the asset or the term of the related lease, whichever is shorter. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred.
Impairment of long-lived assets is evaluated by management based upon an event or changes in circumstances surrounding the underlying assets which indicate long-lived assets may be impaired.
Leases
Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. The Company leases certain locations classified as operating leases. The Company records leases on the balance sheet in the form of a lease liability for the present value of future minimum payments under the lease terms and a right-of-use asset equal to the lease liability adjusted for items such as deferred or prepaid rent, lease incentives, and any impairment of the right-of-use asset. The discount rate used in determining the lease liability is based upon incremental borrowing rates the Company could obtain for similar loans as of the date of commencement or renewal. The Company does not record short term leases with an initial lease term of one year or less on the consolidated balance sheets.
At lease inception, the Company determines the lease term by considering the noncancelable lease term and all optional renewal periods that the Company is reasonably certain to renew. The lease term is also used to calculate straight-line lease expense. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life and the estimated lease term. The Company’s leases do not contain residual value guarantees or material variable lease payments that will impact the Company's ability to pay dividends or cause the Company to incur additional expenses.
Operating lease expense consists of a single lease cost allocated over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis and variable lease expense. Lease expense is included in occupancy and equipment expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income. The Company's variable lease expense includes rent escalators that are based on market conditions and include items such as common area maintenance, utilities, parking, property taxes, insurance, and other costs associated with the lease. The amortization of the right-of-use asset arising from finance leases is expensed through occupancy and equipment expense.
Transfers of Financial Assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been legally isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets.
Foreclosed Assets
Foreclosed assets include real estate and other property acquired in full or partial settlement of loan obligations. Upon acquisition, any excess of the recorded investment in the loan balance over the appraised fair market value, net of estimated selling costs, is charged against the allowance for credit losses on loans. A valuation allowance for losses on foreclosed assets is maintained to provide for subsequent declines in value. The allowance is established through a provision for losses on foreclosed assets which is included in other noninterest expense. Subsequent gains or losses on sales or write-downs resulting from permanent impairments are recorded in other noninterest expense as incurred. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.
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The Company had one foreclosed property with a fair value of $ 1.6 million recorded at December 31, 2025. At December 31, 2025, there were no consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceeds were in process.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Company acquired Sierra National Bank in 2000, Santa Clara Valley Bank in 2014, Coast National Bank in 2016, and Ojai Community Bank and the Woodlake Branch of Citizen’s Business Bank in 2017. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.
Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist which indicate that an impairment test should be performed. The Company selected October 1, 2025, as the date to perform the annual impairment test for 2025. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on our balance sheet. There was no impairment recognized for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. The Company’s other intangible assets consist solely of core deposit intangible assets (CDI’s) arising from the acquisitions of Santa Clara Valley Bank, Coast National Bank, Ojai Community Bank, the Woodlake Branch of Citizen’s Business Bank, and the Lompoc branch of Santa Maria Community Bank. All of the CDI’s are being amortized on a straight-line basis over eight years .
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments
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 face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Details regarding these commitments and financial instruments are discussed in detail in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
The Company files its income taxes on a consolidated basis with its subsidiary. The allocation of income tax expense represents each entity’s proportionate share of the consolidated provision for income taxes.
Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. We have determined that as of December 31, 2025, all tax positions taken to date are highly certain and, accordingly, no accounting adjustment has been made to the financial statements.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of income tax expense.
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Company Owned Life Insurance (General Account)
The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives and officers. Company owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Bank Owned Life Insurance (Separate Account)
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) is “separate account” which consists of specific directed investments in underlying assets (generally equity and bond funds) that closely mirror investment choices of deferred compensation participants. Deferred compensation participants can make investment choices similar to a traditional 401k plan; as the deferred compensation plan is a nonqualified plan, the liability is a corporate liability. To offset this deferred compensation plan, the Company has chosen to use separate account BOLI designed to be an economic hedge against deferred compensation. Therefore, the income on BOLI generally offsets the deferred compensation expense each year. The separate account BOLI earnings are decreased by the underlying cost of life insurance, however, the earnings on separate account BOLI income are tax-free, whereas the related deferred compensation expense is tax deductible.
Salary Continuation Agreements and Directors’ Retirement Plan
The Company has entered into agreements to provide members of the Board of Directors and certain key executives, or their designated beneficiaries, with annual benefits for up to fifteen years after retirement or death. The Company accrues for these future benefits from the effective date of the plan until the director’s or executive’s expected retirement date in a systematic and rational manner. At the consolidated balance sheet date, the amount of accrued benefits equals the then present value of the benefits expected to be provided to the director or employee, any beneficiaries, and covered dependents in exchange for the director’s or employee’s services to that date.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes fluctuations in unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of an adjustment for the effects of realized gains and losses and any applicable tax. Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of other comprehensive income that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income. Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s available for sale securities, net of tax, are included in other comprehensive income after adjusting for the effects of realized gains and losses. Total comprehensive income and the components of accumulated other comprehensive income are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Stock-Based Compensation
At December 31, 2025, the Company had one active stock-based compensation plan, the Sierra Bancorp 2023 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 17, 2023, and approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 24, 2023. The 2023 Plan replaced the Company’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017” Plan), which expired by its own terms on March 16, 2023. Unvested restricted stock and options to purchase shares granted under the 2017 Plan and its predecessor the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007” Plan) that remained outstanding were unaffected by that plan’s termination. The 2023 Plan covers 360,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock, subject to adjustment for stock splits and dividends, and provides for the issuance of both “incentive” and “nonqualified” stock options to salaried officers and employees, and of “nonqualified” stock options to non-employee directors. The 2023 Plan also provides for the issuance of restricted stock awards to these same classes of eligible participants.
Compensation cost and director’s expense is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors and is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. The Company utilized the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price
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of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. The “multiple option” approach for stock options is used to allocate the resulting valuation to actual expense for current period. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate stock option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. The expected term of stock options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding subsequent to vesting, which takes into account that the options are not transferable. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the stock option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. No stock options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Partnerships
The Company’s LITHCs are indirect federal subsidies to finance low-income housing and are used in connection with both newly constructed and renovated residential rental buildings. Once a project is placed in service, it is generally eligible for the tax credit for ten years. To continue generating the tax credit and to avoid tax credit recapture, a LIHTC building must satisfy specific low-income housing compliance rules for a full fifteen years. The maximum exposure to loss in the VIEs is the amount of equity invested, and credit extended by the Company. The Company has evaluated the variable interests held by the Company in each LIHTC investment and determined that the Company does not have controlling financial interests in such investments and is not the primary beneficiary. The Company reports the investments in the unconsolidated LIHTCs as other assets on the Company’s statements of financial condition.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from contracts with customers subject to ASC 606 comprises the noninterest income earned by the Company in exchange for services provided to customers. Income associated with customer contracts generally involve transaction prices that are fixed and performance obligations which are satisfied as services are rendered. In most cases recognition occurs within a single financial reporting period as there is little or no judgement involved in the timing of revenues. We generally act in a principal capacity, on our own behalf, in most of our contracts with customers. In such transactions, we recognize revenue and the related costs to provide our services on a gross basis in our financial statements. Service Charges on Deposit Accounts comprise charges on retail and business accounts. Business customers can earn credits depending on account type and deposit balances maintained with the Company, which may be used to offset fees. Fees and credits are based on predetermined, agreed-upon rates. In some cases, we act in an agent capacity, deriving revenue through assisting other entities in transactions with our customers. In such transactions, we recognize revenue and those related costs to provide services on a gross basis in our financial statements. Debit card interchange income is derived from our customers’ use of various interchange and ATM/debit card networks which are the primary sources of revenue generated in an agent capacity.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method.” ASU 2023-02 is intended to improve the accounting and disclosures for investments in tax credit structures. ASU 2023-02 allows entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. Previously, this method was only available for qualifying tax equity investments in low-income housing tax credit structures. ASU 2023-02 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2024, and its adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” ASU 2023-07 expands segment disclosure requirements for public entities to require disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis and to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. ASU 2023-07 was adopted by the Company in 2024, and its adoption did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
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In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” ASU 2023-09 requires public business entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 also requires all entities to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds, disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes for annual periods and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold, among other things. ASU 2023-09 was adopted by the Company prospectively on January 1, 2025. ASU 2023-09 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On October 9, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification of Initiative.” ASU 2023-06 amends the disclosure or presentation requirements related to various subtopics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The ASU was issued in response to the SEC’s August 2018 final rule that updated and simplified disclosure requirements that the SEC believed were “redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded.” The new guidance is intended to align U.S. GAAP requirements with those of the SEC and to facilitate the application of U.S. GAAP for all entities. ASU 2023-06 applies to all reporting entities within the scope of the amended subtopics. Note that some of the amendments introduced by the ASU are technical corrections or clarifications of the FASB’s current disclosure or presentation requirements. The effective date for each amendment of ASU 2023-06 will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. The Company will apply the amendments in ASU 2023-06 prospectively after the effective dates. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40).” ASU 2024-03 requires public business entities to disclose specific information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to its financial statements for interim and annual reporting periods. The objective of the disclosure requirements is to provide disaggregated information about a public business entity's expenses to help investors (a) better understand the entity's performance, (b) better assess the entity's prospects for future cash flows, and (c) compare an entity's performance over time and with that of other entities. ASU 2024-03 is effective for us in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of Update 2024-03 is permitted. ASU 2024-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Pursuant to FASB’s guidance on accounting for debt securities, available for sale securities are carried on the Company’s financial statements at their estimated fair market values, with monthly tax-effected “mark-to-market” adjustments made vis-à-vis accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Held-to-maturity securities are carried on the Company’s financial statements at their amortized cost, net of the allowance for credit losses.
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The amortized cost and fair value of the securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity are as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses
Estimated Fair
Value
Available-for-sale
U.S. government agencies
$
33,000
$
35
$
( 134 )
$
—
$
32,901
Mortgage-backed securities
259,386
2,491
( 2,117 )
—
259,760
State and political subdivisions
52,610
68
( 5,757 )
—
46,921
Corporate bonds
90,114
293
( 3,940 )
—
86,467
Collateralized loan obligations
198,968
364
( 51 )
—
199,281
Total available-for-sale securities
$
634,078
$
3,251
$
( 11,999 )
$
—
$
625,330
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrecognized
Gains
Gross
Unrecognized
Losses
Estimated Fair
Value
Allowance for Credit Losses
Held-to-maturity
U.S. government agencies
$
4,523
$
—
$
( 413 )
$
4,110
$
—
Mortgage-backed securities
115,228
20
( 7,002 )
108,246
—
State and political subdivisions
171,075
3,030
—
174,105
( 15 )
Total held-to-maturity securities
$
290,826
$
3,050
$
( 7,415 )
$
286,461
$
( 15 )
December 31, 2024
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Allowance for Credit Losses
Estimated Fair
Value
Available-for-sale
U.S. government agencies
$
50,761
$
—
$
( 608 )
$
—
$
50,153
Mortgage-backed securities
97,113
116
( 3,726 )
—
93,503
State and political subdivisions
48,119
7
( 7,323 )
—
40,803
Corporate bonds
66,308
—
( 7,746 )
—
58,562
Collateralized loan obligations
411,729
1,217
—
—
412,946
Total available-for-sale securities
$
674,030
$
1,340
$
( 19,403 )
$
$
655,967
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrecognized
Gains
Gross
Unrecognized
Losses
Estimated Fair
Value
Allowance for Credit Losses
Held-to-maturity
U.S. government agencies
$
4,819
$
—
$
( 592 )
$
4,227
$
—
Mortgage-backed securities
128,974
—
( 13,986 )
114,988
—
State and political subdivisions
171,736
229
( 152 )
171,813
( 15 )
Total held-to-maturity securities
$
305,529
$
229
$
( 14,730 )
$
291,028
$
( 15 )
The Company did not record an ACL on the available-for-sale portfolio at December 31, 2025, or upon the implementation of CECL on January 1, 2022. As of both dates the Company considers the unrealized loss across the classes of major security-type to be related to fluctuations in market conditions, primarily interest rates, and not reflective of a deterioration in credit value. The Company maintains that it has intent and ability to hold these securities until the amortized cost basis of each security is recovered and likewise concluded as December 31, 2025, that it was not more likely than not that any of the securities in an unrealized loss position would be required to be sold.
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale were $ 3.0 million, $ 233.2 million, and $ 25.7 million, respectively. Gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
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Gross gains and losses from the sales and calls of securities for the years ended were as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Gross gains on sales and calls of securities
$
126
$
220
$
396
Gross losses on sales and calls of securities
( 6 )
( 2,901 )
—
Net gains (losses) on sales and calls of securities
$
120
$
( 2,681 )
$
396
The Company has reviewed all sectors and securities in the portfolio for impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company realized gains through earnings from the sale and call of 73 debt securities for $ 0.1 million and one debt security for which a loss was realized. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company realized gains through earnings from the sale and call of eight debt securities for $ 0.2 million. The securities were sold with 100 other debt securities, for which a $ 2.9 million loss was realized. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company realized gains through earnings from the sale and call of 37 debt securities for $ 0.4 million.
The Company recognized a $ 14.5 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, on investment securities intended for sale and subsequently sold in January 2024. Included in this sale were $ 4.0 million in U.S. government agencies, $ 74.8 million in mortgage-backed securities, and $ 117.9 million in state and political subdivisions.
The following table summarizes available-for-sale debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position for which an ACL has not been recorded, based on the length of time the individual securities have been in an unrealized loss position, including the number of available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, as of the dates indicated below (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Less than twelve months
Twelve months or longer
Total
Number of Securities
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Available-for-sale
U.S. government agencies
5
$
( 10 )
$
5,990
$
( 124 )
$
14,375
$
( 134 )
$
20,365
Mortgage-backed securities
72
( 755 )
92,185
( 1,362 )
28,712
( 2,117 )
120,897
State and political subdivisions
51
( 14 )
1,481
( 5,743 )
37,029
( 5,757 )
38,510
Corporate bonds
70
( 483 )
25,381
( 3,457 )
41,993
( 3,940 )
67,374
Collateralized loan obligations
7
( 51 )
59,209
—
—
( 51 )
59,209
Total available-for-sale
205
$
( 1,313 )
$
184,246
$
( 10,686 )
$
122,109
$
( 11,999 )
$
306,355
December 31, 2024
Less than twelve months
Twelve months or longer
Total
Number of Securities
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Available-for-sale
U.S. government agencies
11
$
( 608 )
$
48,155
$
—
$
—
$
( 608 )
$
48,155
Mortgage-backed securities
54
( 2,952 )
64,419
( 774 )
8,032
( 3,726 )
72,451
State and political subdivisions
52
( 33 )
3,087
( 7,290 )
34,612
( 7,323 )
37,699
Corporate bonds
52
( 12 )
1,359
( 7,734 )
55,653
( 7,746 )
57,012
Total available-for-sale
169
$
( 3,605 )
$
117,020
$
( 15,798 )
$
98,297
$
( 19,403 )
$
215,317
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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at December 31, 2025, by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Available-for-Sale
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Maturing within one year
$
10,285
$
10,320
$
824
$
825
Maturing after one year through five years
19,667
19,907
5,014
4,902
Maturing after five years through ten years
82,725
78,553
17,806
17,020
Maturing after ten years
63,047
57,509
151,954
155,468
Securities not due at a single maturity date:
Mortgage-backed securities
259,386
259,760
115,228
108,246
Collateralized loan obligations
198,968
199,281
—
—
$
634,078
$
625,330
$
290,826
$
286,461
Securities with amortized costs totaling $ 382.2 million and carrying values totaling $ 367.5 million were pledged to secure other contractual obligations and short-term borrowing arrangements at December 31, 2025 (see Note 10).
Securities with amortized costs totaling $ 420.4 million and carrying values totaling $ 403.4 million were pledged to secure other contractual obligations and short-term borrowing arrangements at December 31, 2024 (see Note 10).
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s investment portfolio included securities issued by 199 different government municipalities and agencies located within 28 states with a fair value of $ 221.0 million. The largest exposure to any single municipality or agency was $ 5.2 million (fair value) in four general obligation bonds issued by the City of New York (NY). In addition, the Company owned 109 subordinated debentures issued by bank holding companies totaling $ 86.5 million (fair value).
At December 31, 2024, the Company’s investment portfolio included securities issued by 188 different government municipalities and agencies located within 28 states with a fair value of $ 212.6 million. The largest exposure to any single municipality or agency was $ 5.1 million (fair value) in four general obligation bonds issued by the City of New York (NY). In addition, the Company owned 56 subordinated debentures issued by bank holding companies totaling $ 58.6 million (fair value).
The Company’s investments in bonds issued by states, municipalities and political subdivisions are evaluated in accordance with Supervision and Regulation Letter 12-15 (SR 12-15) issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, “Investing in Securities without Reliance on Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization Ratings,” and other regulatory guidance. Credit ratings are considered in our analysis only as a guide to the historical default rate associated with similarly rated bonds. There have been no significant differences in our internal analyses compared with the ratings assigned by the third-party credit rating agencies.
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The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair values of general obligation and revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolio at the indicated dates, identifying the state in which the issuing municipality or agency operates for our largest geographic concentrations (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
General obligation bonds
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
State of Issuance:
Texas
$
86,922
$
85,424
$
82,769
$
79,472
California
50,945
49,130
51,222
48,131
Other (22 and 22 states, respectively)
60,220
61,092
60,422
60,169
Total general obligation bonds
198,087
195,646
194,413
187,772
Revenue bonds
State of Issuance:
Texas
5,534
5,378
5,434
5,261
California
3,583
3,586
3,576
3,440
Other (13 and 11 states, respectively)
16,481
16,416
16,432
16,143
Total revenue bonds
25,598
25,380
25,442
24,844
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
223,685
$
221,026
$
219,855
$
212,616
The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolio at the indicated dates, identifying the revenue source of repayment for our largest source concentrations (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Revenue bonds
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Revenue Source:
Water
$
9,274
$
9,059
$
9,194
$
8,892
Sewer
3,713
3,801
3,613
3,755
Lease
3,910
4,158
3,923
4,141
Sales tax
1,687
1,676
1,688
1,588
Other (10 and 6 sources, respectively)
7,014
6,686
7,024
6,468
Total revenue bonds
$
25,598
$
25,380
$
25,442
$
24,844
4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
We adopted the current expected credit loss accounting guidance, CECL, and all related amendments as of January 1, 2022. Under CECL, disclosures are presented on the amortized cost basis. Unless specifically noted otherwise, December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 disclosures are prepared on the amortized cost basis.
Accrued interest receivable on loans of $ 7.0 million and $ 6.1 million at December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively is not included in the loans included in the table below but is included in other assets on the Company’s balance sheet. The majority of the disclosures in this footnote are prepared at the class level which combines certain related call report code classification. The final table in this section separates a roll forward of the Allowance for Credit Losses at the portfolio segment level.
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The following table presents loans by class as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands).
December 31,
2025
2024
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
358,454
$
381,438
Commercial real estate
1,393,183
1,360,374
Other construction/land
14,497
5,458
Farmland
68,157
77,388
Total real estate
1,834,291
1,824,658
Other commercial
191,500
177,013
Mortgage warehouse lines
518,333
326,400
Consumer loans
2,756
3,270
Subtotal
2,546,880
2,331,341
Plus net deferred loan (fees) cost
( 35 )
93
Allowance for credit losses on loans
( 21,480 )
( 24,830 )
Net loans
$
2,525,365
$
2,306,604
The following tables present the amortized cost basis of nonaccrual loans, according to loan class, with and without individually evaluated reserves as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Nonaccrual Loans
With no allowance for credit loss
With an allowance for credit loss
Total
Loans Past Due 90+ Accruing
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
210
$
—
$
210
$
—
Farmland
—
1,717
1,717
—
Total real estate
210
1,717
1,927
—
Other commercial
11,304
—
11,304
—
Total
$
11,514
$
1,717
$
13,231
$
—
December 31, 2024
Nonaccrual Loans
With no allowance for credit loss
With an allowance for credit loss
Total
Loans Past Due 90+ Accruing
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
23
$
—
$
23
$
—
Farmland
5,105
—
5,105
—
Total real estate
5,128
—
5,128
—
Other commercial
—
14,540
14,540
—
Total
$
5,128
$
14,540
$
19,668
$
—
The Company did not recognize any interest on nonaccrual loans during 2025, 2024, or 2023 and would have recognized an additional $ 0.9 million, $ 0.9 million, and $ 0.1 million in interest income on nonaccrual loans for the same periods, respectively, had those loans not been designated as nonaccrual.
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During 2025, there were no significant changes to collateral which secures the collateral-dependent loans, whether due to general deterioration or other reasons. The following tables present the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Amortized Cost
Individual Reserves
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
210
$
—
Farmland
1,717
11
Total real estate
1,927
11
Other commercial (1)
11,297
—
Total
$
13,224
$
11
December 31, 2024
Amortized Cost
Individual Reserves
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
23
$
—
Farmland
5,105
—
Total real estate
5,128
—
Other commercial (1)
14,529
3,000
Total
$
19,657
$
3,000
(1) The collateral type on these loan categories is mainly agricultural assets.
The weighted average loan-to-value ratio of collateral dependent loans was 69 % at December 31, 2025, and 92 % at December 31, 2024. There were no consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceeds were in process as of December 31, 2025 or 2024.
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The following tables present the aging of the amortized cost basis in past-due loans, according to class, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
Loans Past Due 90+ Days
Total Past Due
Loans not Past Due
Total Loans
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
18
$
—
$
192
$
210
$
359,304
$
359,514
Commercial real estate
4,657
—
—
4,657
1,386,233
1,390,890
Other construction/land
—
—
—
—
14,414
14,414
Farmland
2,037
—
1,717
3,754
64,553
68,307
Total real estate
6,712
—
1,909
8,621
1,824,504
1,833,125
Other commercial
131
—
11,304
11,435
181,142
192,577
Mortgage warehouse lines
—
—
—
—
518,333
518,333
Consumer loans
11
—
—
11
2,799
2,810
Total loans
$
6,854
$
—
$
13,213
$
20,067
$
2,526,778
$
2,546,845
December 31, 2024
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
Loans Past Due 90+ Days
Total Past Due
Loans not Past Due
Total Loans
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
879
$
215
$
—
$
1,094
$
381,413
$
382,507
Commercial real estate
—
—
—
—
1,357,833
1,357,833
Other construction/land
—
—
—
—
5,472
5,472
Farmland
3,335
—
—
3,335
74,212
77,547
Total real estate
4,214
215
—
4,429
1,818,930
1,823,359
Other commercial
258
15
—
273
178,058
178,331
Mortgage warehouse lines
—
—
—
—
326,400
326,400
Consumer loans
4
—
—
4
3,340
3,344
Total loans
$
4,476
$
230
$
—
$
4,706
$
2,326,728
$
2,331,434
Loan Modifications
Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing principal forgiveness, rate reductions, payment deferral, or term extension. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses.
In certain cases, the Company provides multiple types of concessions on one loan. Typically, one type of concession, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another concession, such as principal forgiveness, may be granted. For the loans included in the “combination” columns below, multiple types of modifications have been made on the same loan within the current reporting period. The combination is at least two of the following: principal forgiveness, rate reductions, payment deferral, and/or term extension.
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The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans at December 31, 2025, that were both experiencing financial difficulty and modified during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, by class and by type of modification. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified to borrowers in financial distress as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also presented below (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Principal Forgiveness
Payment Delay
Term Extension
Combination Term Extension Interest Rate Reduction
Total Class of Financing Receivable
Real estate:
Commercial real estate
$
—
$
14,146
$
83
—
1.02 %
Total real estate
—
14,146
83
—
0.78 %
Other commercial
—
—
2,961
214
1.65 %
Total
$
—
$
14,146
$
3,044
$
214
0.68 %
December 31, 2024
Principal Forgiveness
Payment Delay
Term Extension
Combination Term Extension Interest Rate Reduction
Total Class of Financing Receivable
Real estate:
Commercial real estate
—
77
—
—
0.01 %
Other construction/land
—
—
219
—
4.00 %
Farmland
—
—
293
—
0.38 %
Total real estate
—
77
512
—
0.03 %
Other commercial
—
—
78
—
0.04 %
Total
$
—
$
77
$
590
$
—
0.03 %
The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications presented above to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
December 31, 2025
Principal Forgiveness
Weighted-Average Interest Rate Reduction
Weighted-Average Term Extension (years)
Real estate:
Commercial real estate
$
—
—
2.00
Other commercial
$
—
0.30 %
1.67
December 31, 2024
Principal Forgiveness
Weighted-Average Interest Rate Reduction
Weighted-Average Term Extension (years)
Real estate:
Other construction/land
$
—
—
3.00
Farmland
$
—
—
10.00
Other commercial
$
—
—
2.92
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During the years ending December 31, 2025, and 2024, there were no payment defaults, within a twelve-month period of the modification date on loans identified as modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. For purposes of this disclosure the Company defines a payment default as 90 days past due. The company had $ 0.1 million in additional funds committed on loans which have been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as of both December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
In estimating the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers the performance of accruing loans which have been identified as modifications made to borrower’s experiencing financial difficulty, in the same way it considers the performance of other collectively evaluated accruing loans. Loan modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty which have been placed on nonaccrual status are subject to an individual reserve evaluation.
Credit Quality
The Company monitors the credit quality of loans on a continuous basis using the regulatory and accounting classifications of pass, special mention, and substandard to characterize and qualify the associated credit risk. Loans classified as “loss” are immediately charged-off. The Company uses the following definitions of risk classifications:
Pass – Loans listed as pass include larger non-homogeneous loans not meeting the risk rating definitions below and smaller, homogeneous loans not assessed on an individual basis.
Special Mention – Loans classified as special mention have the potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard – Loans classified as substandard are those loans with clear and well-defined weaknesses such as a highly leveraged position, unfavorable financial operating results and/or trends, or uncertain repayment sources or poor financial condition, which may jeopardize ultimate recoverability of the debt.
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The following tables present the amortized cost of loans by credit quality classification in addition to loan vintage as of December 31, 2025, and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Prior
Revolving Loans Amortized Cost
Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans
Total Loans
Residential real estate
Pass
$
1,144
$
-
$
-
$
89,643
$
205,789
$
47,613
$
9,113
$
3,741
$
357,043
Special mention
-
-
-
-
1,384
522
-
-
1,906
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
384
34
147
565
Subtotal
1,144
-
-
89,643
207,173
48,519
9,147
3,888
359,514
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Commercial real estate
Pass
145,537
140,079
98,341
191,505
43,829
676,260
21,803
7,517
1,324,871
Special mention
83
-
-
19,356
-
28,727
60
-
48,226
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
17,793
-
-
17,793
Subtotal
145,620
140,079
98,341
210,861
43,829
722,780
21,863
7,517
1,390,890
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
274
-
1,147
1,421
Other construction/land
Pass
482
9,616
-
-
-
3,262
-
-
13,360
Special Mention
-
-
-
-
-
1,054
-
-
1,054
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Subtotal
482
9,616
-
-
-
4,316
-
-
14,414
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Farmland
Pass
3,439
14,361
4,946
8,501
10,752
11,660
11,934
611
66,204
Special mention
-
-
-
-
-
355
-
-
355
Substandard
-
-
1,717
-
-
31
-
-
1,748
Subtotal
3,439
14,361
6,663
8,501
10,752
12,046
11,934
611
68,307
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Other commercial
Pass
7,162
5,995
5,863
2,658
429
13,229
137,208
2,150
174,694
Special mention
197
11
-
13
-
-
3,710
2,636
6,567
Substandard
-
12
7
-
-
-
10,116
1,181
11,316
Subtotal
7,359
6,018
5,870
2,671
429
13,229
151,034
5,967
192,577
Current period gross write offs
121
$
25
$
2,292
$
-
$
7
$
1
$
276
$
5,300
$
8,022
Mortgage warehouse lines
$
Pass
-
-
-
-
-
-
518,333
-
518,333
Subtotal
-
-
-
-
-
-
518,333
-
518,333
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Consumer loans
Pass
768
38
212
49
27
80
1,614
-
2,788
Special mention
-
-
-
3
8
-
11
Substandard
11
-
-
-
-
-
11
Subtotal
768
38
223
49
27
83
1,622
-
2,810
Current period gross write offs (1)
826
6
1
1
-
31
42
-
907
Total
$
158,812
170,112
111,097
311,725
262,210
800,973
713,933
17,983
2,546,845
Gross charge-offs
$
947
31
2,293
1
7
306
318
6,447
10,350
(1) Consumer overdrafts are included in consumer loans and commercial overdrafts are included in other commercial and make up the majority of the gross charge-offs of loans originated in the current period for these loan classes.
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December 31, 2024
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Revolving Loans Amortized Cost
Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans
Total Loans
Residential real estate
Pass
$
-
$
-
$
96,007
$
216,294
$
6,993
$
45,300
$
11,125
$
3,437
$
379,156
Special mention
-
1
-
1,418
-
1,666
-
23
3,108
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
68
18
157
243
Subtotal
-
1
96,007
217,712
6,993
47,034
11,143
3,617
382,507
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Commercial real estate
Pass
146,143
100,067
215,580
44,937
418,673
352,638
27,278
-
1,305,316
Special mention
-
141
-
-
24,206
2,815
1,350
-
28,512
Substandard
77
-
-
-
14,143
9,785
-
-
24,005
Subtotal
146,220
100,208
215,580
44,937
457,022
365,238
28,628
-
1,357,833
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
2,437
-
-
-
2,437
Other construction/land
Pass
218
350
-
-
3,418
1,486
-
-
5,472
Special Mention
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Subtotal
218
350
-
-
3,418
1,486
-
-
5,472
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Farmland
Pass
12,533
5,345
9,092
11,076
1,875
12,810
8,885
659
62,275
Special mention
1,203
1,770
-
-
819
7,715
-
-
11,507
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
3,765
-
-
3,765
Subtotal
13,736
7,115
9,092
11,076
2,694
24,290
8,885
659
77,547
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
411
-
-
411
Other commercial
Pass
7,058
17,449
4,627
901
6,064
10,623
111,840
1,723
160,285
Special mention
14
-
19
-
185
4
111
17,656
17,989
Substandard
15
-
-
-
-
31
11
-
57
Subtotal
7,087
17,449
4,646
901
6,249
10,658
111,962
19,379
178,331
Current period gross write offs
256
-
-
38
-
-
234
-
528
Mortgage warehouse lines
Pass
-
-
-
-
-
-
326,400
-
326,400
Subtotal
-
-
-
-
-
-
326,400
-
326,400
Current period gross write offs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Consumer loans
Pass
834
407
111
45
52
159
1,718
-
3,326
Special mention
-
10
1
-
-
-
2
-
13
Substandard
4
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
5
Subtotal
838
417
112
45
52
159
1,721
-
3,344
Current period gross write offs (1)
1,378
31
7
3
-
3
62
-
1,484
Total
$
168,099
$
125,540
$
325,437
$
274,671
$
476,428
$
448,865
$
488,739
$
23,655
$
2,331,434
Gross charge-offs
$
1,634
$
31
$
7
$
41
$
2,437
$
414
$
296
$
4,860
(1) Consumer overdrafts are included in consumer loans and commercial overdrafts are included in other commercial and make up the majority of the gross charge-offs of loans originated in the current period for these loan classes.
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CECL replaced the legacy accounting for loans designated as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) with loans designated as purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”). PCD loans are loans acquired or purchased, which as of acquisition, had evidence of more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. Due to the immaterial balance in the Company’s PCI loans at the CECL implementation date, management elected not to transition these loans into the PCD designation. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no loans categorized as PCD.
The model used for calculating the Company’s ACL is reviewed and revised periodically, most recently a full review with modifications in the third quarter of 2024, with a partial review and minimal modifications completed in the third quarter of 2025. In the most recent full review, the Company changed to a Multi-Factor Regression Model from a Single-Factor Regression Model used in previous periods. Additionally, legacy peer groups were expanded to include California banks with an asset size between $ 1.5 billion to $ 10 billion. The Company’s ACL is calculated quarterly, with any difference in the calculated ACL and the recorded ACL adjusted through an entry to the provision (benefit) for credit losses. For purposes of estimating the Company’s ACL, Management generally evaluates collectively evaluated loans by call code in order to group loans with similar risk characteristics together; however, Management has grouped loans in selected call codes together in determining portfolio segments, due to similar risk characteristics and reserve methodologies used for certain call code classifications.
The DCF quantitative reserve methodology incorporates the consideration of probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) estimates to estimate periodic losses. The PD estimates are derived through the application of reasonable and supportable economic forecasts to call code specific regression models, derived from the consideration of historical bank-specific and peer loss-rate data. The loss-rate data has been regressed against benchmark economic indicators, for which reasonable and supportable forecasts exist, in the development of the call-code specific regression models. Regression models are updated periodically, in order to pull in more recent loss-rate data. Reasonable and supportable forecasts of the selected economic metric are then input into the regression model to calculate an expected default rate. The expected default rates are then applied to expected monthly loan balances estimated through the consideration of contractual repayment terms and expected prepayments. The Company utilizes a four-quarter forecast period, after which the expected default rates revert to the historical average for each call code, over a four-quarter reversion period, on a straight-line basis. The prepayment assumptions applied to expected cash flow over the contractual life of the loans are estimated based on historical, bank-specific experience, peer data, and the consideration of current and expected conditions and circumstances including the level of interest rates. Management may update prepayment assumptions when changing conditions impact Management’s estimate or additional historical data indicates a reevaluation is warranted. LGD utilized in the DCF is derived from the application of the Frye-Jacobs theory, which relates LGD to PD based on historical peer data, as calculated by a third-party. Economic forecasts are considered over a four-quarter forecast period, with reversion to mean occurring on a straight-line basis over four quarters. The call code multiple factor regression models utilized as of December 31, 2025, for Residential Real Estate loans relied upon reasonable and supportable forecasts of the National Unemployment Rate and House Price Index (HPI). The call code multiple factor regression models utilized as of December 31, 2025, for Commercial Real Estate and Other Construction loans relied upon reasonable and supportable forecasts of the National Unemployment Rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Management selected the National Unemployment Rate, HPI, and GDP as the drivers of quantitative portion of collectively evaluated reserves on loan classes reliant upon the DCF methodology, primarily as a result of high correlation coefficients identified in regression modeling, the availability of forecasts including the quarterly Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) forecast and given the widespread familiarity of stakeholders with these economic metrics.
The quantitative reserves for Farmland, Agricultural Production, and Consumer loans are calculated using a Remaining Life methodology where the Company’s average historical loss-rates are applied to expected loan balances over an estimated remaining life of loans in calculation of the quantitative portion of collectively evaluated loans in these classes. The estimated remaining life is calculated using historical peer data. For the Farmland, Agricultural Production and Consumer classes of loans, reasonable and supportable forecasts of the National Unemployment Rate, real GDP and the housing price index are considered through estimation of qualitative reserves.
Management recognizes there are additional factors impacting risk of loss in the loan portfolio beyond what is captured in the quantitative portion of reserves on collectively evaluated loans. As current and expected conditions
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may vary compared with conditions over the historical lookback period, which is utilized in the calculation of quantitative reserves, Management considers whether additional or reduced reserve levels on collectively evaluated loans may be warranted given the consideration of a variety of qualitative factors. Several of the following qualitative factors (“Q-factors”) considered by Management reflects the legacy regulatory guidance on Q-factors, whereas several others represent factors unique to the Company or unique to the current time period.
● Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices
● Changes in international, regional, and local economic and business conditions, and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, as reflected in forecasts of the Housing Price Index, Real GDP, and the National Unemployment Rate (Farmland & Agricultural Production and Consumer segments only)
● Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio
● Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending Management and other relevant staff
● Changes in the volume and severity of past due, nonaccruals loans, and adversely classified loans, as reflected in changes of the relative level of loans classified as substandard and special mention
● Changes in the quality of the Company’s loan review processes
● Changes in the value of underlying collateral for loans not identified as collateral-dependent
● Changes in loan categorization concentrations
● Other external factors, which include the influence of peer data on estimated quantitative reserves, residual COVID-19 related risk, expected impact of current and expected inflationary environment, reliance on the National Unemployment rate as opposed to the California unemployment rate in the calculation of quantitative reserves, the expected impact of current and expected geo-political conditions
The qualitative portion of the Company’s reserves on collectively evaluated loans are calculated using a combination of numeric frameworks and Management judgment to determine risk categorizations in each of the Q-factors presented above. The amount of qualitative reserves is also contingent upon the historical peer, life-of-loan-equivalent, loss-rate ranges, and the relative weighting of Q-factors according to Management’s judgment.
Although collectively evaluated reserves are generally calculated separately at the call code or loan class level, Management has grouped loan classes with similar risk characteristics into the following portfolio segments:
● 1-4 Family Real Estate
● Commercial Real Estate
● Farmland & Agricultural Production
● Commercial & Industrial
● Mortgage Warehouse
● Consumer
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The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
1-4 Family Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Farmland & Agricultural Production
Commercial & Industrial
Mortgage Warehouse
Consumer (1)
Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Balance, December 31, 2022
$
3,251
$
17,732
$
458
$
1,233
$
72
$
314
$
23,060
Charge-offs
( 30 )
( 2,266 )
( 1,277 )
( 1,320 )
—
( 1,728 )
( 6,621 )
Recoveries
205
17
1,370
425
—
986
3,003
Provision for credit losses
( 699 )
3,071
35
810
102
739
4,058
Balance, December 31, 2023
$
2,727
$
18,554
$
586
$
1,148
$
174
$
311
$
23,500
Charge-offs
—
( 2,437 )
( 411 )
( 528 )
—
( 1,484 )
( 4,860 )
Recoveries
60
—
—
655
—
882
1,597
Provision for credit losses
( 979 )
1,026
3,652
7
224
663
4,593
Balance, December 31, 2024
$
1,808
$
17,143
$
3,827
$
1,282
$
398
$
372
$
24,830
Charge-offs
—
( 1,421 )
( 7,527 )
( 495 )
—
( 907 )
( 10,350 )
Recoveries
—
—
410
42
—
453
905
Provision for credit losses
( 397 )
928
4,436
667
267
194
6,095
Balance, December 31, 2025
$
1,411
$
16,650
$
1,146
$
1,496
$
665
$
112
$
21,480
(1) Includes overdraft charge-offs of $ 0.9 million and $ 1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and overdraft recoveries of $ 0.4 million and $ 0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
5. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment at cost consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
2025
2024
Land
$
2,394
$
2,394
Buildings and improvements
10,776
10,688
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
18,148
18,390
Leasehold improvements
14,970
14,443
Total premises and equipment, gross
46,288
45,915
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
31,314
30,677
Construction in progress
—
193
Total premises and equipment, net
$
14,974
$
15,431
Depreciation and amortization included in occupancy and equipment expense totaled $ 1.9 million, $ 1.9 million, and $ 2.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
6. OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases space under non-cancelable operating leases for 30 branch locations, three off-site ATM locations, one administrative building, and two loan production offices. Many of our leases include both lease (e.g., fixed payments including rent, taxes, and insurance costs) and non-lease components (e.g., common-area or other maintenance costs). Payments for taxes and insurance as well as non-lease components are not included in the accounting of the lease component but are separately accounted for in occupancy expense. The Company recognized lease expense of $ 4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, $ 4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and $ 2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Most leases include one or more renewal options available to exercise. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at the Company’s sole discretion; therefore, the majority of renewals to extend the lease terms are not included in our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as they are not reasonably certain of exercise. We regularly evaluate the renewal options and when they are reasonably
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certain of exercise, we include the renewal period in our lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we used our incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of the lease payments.
There were no leveraged leases or lease transactions with related parties during the years ending December 31, 2025 and 2024.
In December 2023, the Company completed a sale and leaseback transaction on 11 branch buildings with a book value of $ 4.8 million, for a gain on sale of $ 15.3 million. In the first quarter of 2024 the Company completed another sale leaseback transaction of two additional branch buildings with a book value of $ 0.7 million, for a gain on sale of $ 3.8 million. These branch buildings were subsequently leased back to the Company and are reflected in the tables in this footnote. The 2023 sale and leaseback transaction resulted in additions to the Company’s right of use asset and operating lease liability of $ 18.0 million and $ 13.8 million, respectively at the year ended December 31, 2023. The 2024 sale and leaseback transaction resulted in additions to the Company’s right of use asset and operating lease liability of $ 3.9 million and $ 3.1 million, respectively at the year ended December 31, 2024. Each of the new leases have an average life of 18 years .
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities were $ 26.5 million and $ 23.1 million, respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term for the lease liabilities was 12.8 years, and the weighted average discount rate of remaining payments was 8.7 percent. At December 31, 2024, the Company’s right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities were $ 27.8 million and $ 23.7 million, respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term for the lease liabilities was 13.5 years, and the weighted average discount rate of remaining payments was 8.7 percent for the year ended December 31, 2024. Lease liabilities from new right-of-use assets obtained during the year ending December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, were $ 1.4 million and $ 4.7 million, respectively. There was $ 0.2 million in variable lease costs for each of the years ending December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. Cash paid on operating leases was $ 4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, and $ 4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Future undiscounted lease payments for operating leases with initial terms of one year or more as of December 31, 2025, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
2026
$
3,913
2027
3,731
2028
3,097
2029
2,539
2030
2,383
Thereafter
25,043
Total undiscounted lease payments
$
40,706
Less: imputed interest
( 17,637 )
Net lease liabilities
$
23,069
The Company generally has options to renew its facilities leases after the initial leases expire. The renewal options range from one to ten years .
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The balance of goodwill at the years beginning and ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 was $ 27.4 million. There was no acquired goodwill or impairment for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.
The Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment as of October 1, 2025, using a market approach. Based on the results of the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment, the Company determined that the fair value of its reporting unit, which was at the consolidated level, exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, goodwill was not
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impaired as of December 31, 2025, and there was no impairment charges related to the Company’s goodwill recorded during the year ended December 31, 2025.
Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired intangible assets were as follows at year-end (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2025
2024
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Core deposit intangibles
$
5,181
$
5,129
$
5,181
$
4,563
Aggregate amortization expense was $ 0.6 million, $ 0.8 million, and $ 0.9 million for 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter (dollars in thousands):
2026
$
52
2027
—
2028
—
2029
—
2030
—
Thereafter
—
Total
$
52
8. OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
2025
2024
Accrued interest receivable
$
14,169
$
15,999
Deferred tax assets
19,384
22,671
Investment in qualified affordable housing projects (1)
22,617
25,448
Investment in limited partnerships
4,359
4,359
Investment in SBA loan fund
25,000
25,000
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
14,676
14,676
Other
38,709
40,810
Total
$
138,914
$
148,963
(1) See Note 23 for additional details.
The Company accounts for its investment in limited partnerships which invest in small business investment companies and fintech companies under the cost method. Under this method, the investments are initially recorded at their historical cost. Dividends received from these investments are recorded in Other Income in the Income Statement. Management analyzes these investments annually for potential impairment.
The Company holds certain equity investments that are not readily marketable securities and thus are classified as “other assets” on the Company’s balance sheet. These include investments in Pacific Coast Bankers Bancshares, California Economic Development Lending Initiative, and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The largest of these is the Company’s $ 14.7 million investment in FHLB stock, carried at cost. Quarterly, the FHLB evaluates and adjusts the Company’s minimum stock requirement based on the Company’s borrowing activity and membership
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requirements. Any stock deemed in excess is automatically repurchased by the FHLB at cost. The only equity investment noted above that is carried at Fair Value is the Company’s investment in PCBB stock.
9. DEPOSITS
Time deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC Insurance limit of $250,000 at year-ends 2025 and 2024 were $ 234.2 million and $ 271.5 million, respectively.
Aggregate annual maturities of time deposits were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
2026
$
584,623
2027
43,824
2028
26,197
2029
413
2030
769
Thereafter
1,277
Total
$
657,103
Interest expense recognized on interest-bearing deposits consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Interest bearing demand deposits
$
5,611
$
3,950
$
1,429
NOW
482
512
289
Savings
401
336
269
Money market
2,650
2,071
710
Time deposits
16,320
23,229
23,214
Brokered Deposits
11,033
13,257
5,643
Total
$
36,497
$
43,355
$
31,554
10. OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS
At year end, short-term borrowings consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
2025
Average
balance
outstanding
Amount
Average
interest rate
during the year
Maximum
month-end
balance during
the year
Weighted
average
interest rate
at year-end
As of December 31:
Repurchase agreements
$
123,425
$
130,853
0.21 %
$
136,954
0.21 %
Short term borrowings
58,809
222,700
4.25 %
317,500
4.25 %
Total
$
182,234
$
353,553
$
454,454
2024
Average
balance
outstanding
Amount
Average
interest rate
during the year
Maximum
month-end
balance during
the year
Weighted
average
interest rate
at year-end
As of December 31:
Repurchase agreements
$
123,878
$
108,860
0.17 %
$
148,003
0.12 %
Short term borrowings
16,375
—
5.72 %
76,400
—
Total
$
140,253
$
108,860
$
224,403
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At year end, long-term advances from FHLB consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
2025
2024
Amount
Fixed rate
Weighted average interest rate
Amount
Fixed rate
Weighted average interest rate
As of December 31:
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, maturing 2026
$
25,000
3.96 %
3.96 %
$
25,000
3.96 %
3.96 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, maturing 2028
15,000
3.78 %
3.78 %
15,000
3.78 %
3.78 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, maturing 2026
20,000
4.04 %
4.04 %
20,000
4.04 %
4.04 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, maturing 2028
20,000
3.81 %
3.81 %
20,000
3.81 %
3.81 %
Total
$
80,000
$
80,000
There were short-term borrowings of $ 222.7 million at December 31, 2025. Included in short term borrowings at December 31, 2025, were $ 12.7 million outstanding in fixed-rate overnight FHLB advances and $ 210.0 million in overnight Fed Funds Purchased. There were no outstanding short-term borrowings at December 31, 2024. Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by $ 1.3 billion of first mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at year end 2025. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Company was eligible to borrow up to the total of $ 629.5 million at year-end 2025, with a remaining borrowing capacity of $ 849.7 million if sufficient additional collateral was pledged.
The carrying value of the securities pledged to collateralize repurchase agreements was $ 168.6 million at December 31, 2025, and $ 169.5 million at December 31, 2024.
The Company had borrowings of $ 210 million at December 31, 2025, and no borrowings at year end 2024 from the FRB. The Company was eligible to borrow up to $ 254.9 million from FRB at year end 2025, which was collateralized by $ 129.9 million in first mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement.
The Company had lines of credit with its correspondent banks which, in the aggregate, amounted to $ 250.8 million unsecured and $ 25.0 million secured at December 31, 2025, and $ 479.8 million unsecured and $ 25.0 million secured at December 31, 2024, at fixed interest rates which vary with market conditions. There were outstanding overnight balances of $ 210 million under these lines of credit at December 31, 2025, and no outstanding overnight balances under these lines of credit at December 31, 2024.
11. LONG-TERM DEBT
At year-end, long-term debt was as follows (dollars in thousands):
2025
2024
Principal
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
Principal
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
Fixed - floating rate subordinated debentures, due 2031 (1)
$
50,000
$
517
$
50,000
$
607
$
50,000
$
517
$
50,000
$
607
(1) 3.25 % fixed rate for five years then floating rate at 253.5 bps over 3-month term SOFR starting September 30, 2026.
12. SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
Sierra Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), Sierra Capital Trust III (“Trust III”), and Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II (“Trust IV”), (collectively, the “Trusts”) exist solely for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. For financial reporting purposes, the Trusts are not consolidated and the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Subordinated Debentures”) held by the Trusts and issued and guaranteed by the Company are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in
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accordance with provisions of ASC Topic 810. Under applicable regulatory guidance, the amount of trust preferred securities that is eligible as Tier 1 capital is limited to twenty-five percent of the Company’s Tier 1 capital on a pro forma basis. At December 31, 2025, all $ 36.0 million of the Company’s trust preferred securities qualified as Tier 1 capital.
During the first quarter of 2004, Sierra Statutory Trust II issued 15,000 Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-Through Securities (TruPS II), with a liquidation value of $ 1,000 per security, for gross proceeds of $ 15,000,000 . The entire proceeds of the issuance were invested by Trust II in $ 15,464,000 of Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, with identical maturity, re-pricing, and payment terms as the TruPS II. The Subordinated Debentures, purchased by Trust II, represent the sole assets of the Trust II. Those Subordinated Debentures mature on March 17, 2034, bear a current interest rate of 6.72 % (based on 3-month CME Term SOFR plus tenor spread adjustment of 0.26161 % plus 2.75 %), with re-pricing and payments due quarterly.
Those Subordinated Debentures are currently redeemable by the Company, subject to receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal Reserve Bank, on any March 17 th , June 17 th , September 17 th , or December 17 th . The redemption price is par plus accrued and unpaid interest, except in the case of redemption under a special event which is defined in the debenture.
The TruPS II are subject to mandatory redemption to the extent of any early redemption of the related Subordinated Debentures and upon maturity of the Subordinated Debentures on March 17, 2034 .
Trust II has the option to defer payment of the distributions for a period of up to five years , subject to certain conditions, including that the Company may not pay dividends on its common stock during such period. The TruPS II issued in the offering were sold in private transactions pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, distributions and other payments due on the TruPS II.
During the second quarter of 2006, Sierra Capital Trust III issued 15,000 Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-Through Securities (TruPS III), with a liquidation value of $ 1,000 per security, for gross proceeds of $ 15,000,000 . The entire proceeds of the issuance were invested by Trust III in $ 15,464,000 of Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, with identical maturity, re-pricing, and payment terms as the TruPS III. The Subordinated Debentures, purchased by Trust III, represent the sole assets of the Trust III. Those Subordinated Debentures mature on September 23, 2036 , bear a current interest rate of 5.35 % (based on 3-month CME Term SOFR plus tenor spread adjustment of 0.26261 % plus 1.40 %), with repricing and payments due quarterly.
Those Subordinated Debentures are redeemable by the Company, subject to receipt by the Company of prior approval from the FRBSF, on any March 23 rd , June 23 rd , September 23 rd , or December 23 rd . The redemption price is par plus accrued and unpaid interest, except in the case of redemption under a special event which is defined in the debenture. The TruPS III are subject to mandatory redemption to the extent of any early redemption of the related Subordinated Debentures and upon maturity of the Subordinated Debentures on September 23, 2036.
Trust III has the option to defer payment of the distributions for a period of up to five years , subject to certain conditions, including that the Company may not pay dividends on its common stock during such period. The TruPS III issued in the offering were sold in private transactions pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, distributions and other payments due on the TruPS III.
During the third quarter of 2016, the Company acquired Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II, which had issued 7,000 Floating Rate Capital Trust Pass-Through Securities (TruPS IV), with a liquidation value of $ 1,000 per security, for gross proceeds of $ 7,000,000 . The entire proceeds of the issuance were invested by Trust IV in $ 7,217,000 of Subordinated Debentures issued by Coast Bancorp with identical maturity, re-pricing, and payment terms as the TruPS IV. The Subordinated Debentures, purchased by Trust IV, represent the sole assets of the Trust IV. Those Subordinated Debentures mature on December 15, 2037 , bear a current interest rate of 5.48 % (based on 3-month
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CME Term SOFR plus tenor spread adjustment of 0.26161 % plus 1.50 %), with re-pricing and payments due quarterly.
Those Subordinated Debentures are currently redeemable by the Company, subject to receipt by the Company of prior approval from the FRBSF, on any March 15 th , June 15 th , September 15 th , or December 15 th . The redemption price is par plus accrued and unpaid interest, except in the case of redemption under a special event which is defined in the debenture.
The TruPS IV are subject to mandatory redemption to the extent of any early redemption of the related Subordinated Debentures and upon maturity of the Subordinated Debentures on December 15, 2037.
Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II has the option to defer payment of the distributions for a period of up to five years , subject to certain conditions, including that the Company may not pay dividends on its common stock during such period. The TruPS IV issued in the offering were sold in private transactions pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, distributions and other payments due on the TruPS IV.
13. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Current expense:
Federal
$
8,971
$
5,702
$
8,470
State
5,150
3,578
5,493
Total current tax expense
14,121
9,280
13,963
Deferred expense:
Federal
( 169 )
2,711
( 1,531 )
State
64
1,317
( 812 )
Total deferred tax (benefit) expense
( 105 )
4,028
( 2,343 )
Total income tax expense
$
14,016
$
13,308
$
11,620
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The components of the net deferred tax asset, included in other assets, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
2025
2024
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for credit losses on loans
$
6,350
$
7,341
Deferred compensation
5,282
4,903
Accrued reserves
765
1,006
Non-accrual loans
257
256
Lease liability
6,820
7,003
Loan fair value adjustment
71
128
Intangibles
163
48
Net operating losses
1,051
1,115
State income tax deduction
1,046
760
Other
811
764
Unrealized losses on debt securities
9,727
13,119
Total deferred tax assets
32,343
36,443
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred loan origination costs
( 1,165 )
( 1,268 )
Right-of-use asset
( 7,849 )
( 8,204 )
TruPS accretion
( 629 )
( 682 )
FMV equity securities
( 528 )
( 528 )
Prepaids
( 783 )
( 771 )
Other
( 924 )
( 1,123 )
Premises and equipment
( 1,081 )
( 1,196 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
( 12,959 )
( 13,772 )
Net deferred tax assets
$
19,384
$
22,671
The Company believes that the deferred tax assets will be fully realized, therefore no valuation allowance has been recorded.
The Company adopted ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” on a prospective basis beginning with the year ended December 31, 2025. A reconciliation of income tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory rate ( 21 % in 2025) to the Company’s actual income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2025, is shown below:
Year Ended December 31, 2025
Amount
Percent
Income tax expense at federal statutory rate
$
11,832
21.00 %
State and local income tax, net of federal tax effect (1)
4,119
7.31 %
Tax credits
Affordable housing tax credits, net of amortization and other income tax benefit
( 505 )
( 0.90 )%
Nontaxable or nondeductible items
Tax-exempt interest, net of disallowance
( 854 )
( 1.52 )%
Bank-owned life insurance
( 724 )
( 1.28 )%
Other
( 8 )
( 0.01 )%
Other adjustments
156
0.28 %
$
14,016
24.88 %
(1) State taxes in California made up the majority ( greater than 50 percent ) of the tax effect in this category.
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The following table is a reconciliation of the statutory U.S. corporate federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for 2024 and 2023 in accordance with the guidance prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-09:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Income tax expense at federal statutory rate
$
11,312
$
9,758
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State franchise tax expense, net of federal tax effect
3,867
3,698
Tax exempt municipal income
( 1,416 )
( 2,291 )
Nondeductible interest expense
585
Affordable housing tax credits
( 208 )
16
Excess tax (benefit) expense of stock-based compensation
( 329 )
22
Cash surrender value - life insurance
( 594 )
( 371 )
Other
91
788
Total
$
13,308
$
11,620
Effective tax rate
24.71 %
25.01 %
Income taxes paid were as follows (dollars in thousands):
2025
Federal
$
5,825
California
4,650
Other state and local
7
Total
$
10,482
The Company is subject to federal income tax and income tax of various states. Our federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are open to audit by the federal authorities and our California state tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are open to audit by the state authorities.
At December 31, 2025, the Company has federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $ 2.8 million which expire at various dates from 2031 to 2036. The Company also had California Franchise tax net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $ 5.4 million which expire at various dates from 2034 to 2041. Net operating loss carry forwards available from acquisitions are substantially limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and benefits not expected to be realized due to the limitation have been excluded from the deferred tax asset and net operating loss carry forward amounts noted above.
There were no recorded interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of income tax for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Letter of Credit
The Company holds two letters of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco totaling $ 127.9 million. A $ 125.0 million letter of credit is pledged to secure public deposits at December 31, 2025 and a $ 2.9 million standby letter of credit was obtained on behalf of one of our customers to guarantee financial performance. Should the standby letter of credit be drawn upon, the customer would reimburse the Company from an existing line of credit.
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Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and letters of credit as it does for loans included on the balance sheet.
The following financial instruments represent off-balance-sheet credit risk (dollars in thousands):
December 31,
2025
2024
Fixed-rate commitments to extend credit
$
75,928
$
80,127
Variable-rate commitments to extend credit
$
471,496
$
556,320
Standby letters of credit
$
5,708
$
5,046
Commitments to extend credit consist primarily of the unused or unfunded portions of the following: home equity lines of credit; commercial real estate construction loans, where disbursements are made over the course of construction; commercial revolving lines of credit; mortgage warehouse lines of credit; unsecured personal lines of credit; and formalized deposit account overdraft lines. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments to extend credit are made at both fixed and variable rates of interest as stated in the table above. Standby letters of credit are generally unsecured and are issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party, while commercial letters of credit represent the Company’s commitment to pay a third party on behalf of a customer upon fulfillment of contractual requirements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.
Concentration in Real Estate Lending
At December 31, 2025, in management’s judgment, the Company had a concentration of loans secured by real estate. At that date, approximately 72 % of the Company’s loans were real estate related. Balances secured by commercial buildings and construction and development loans represented 76 % of all real estate loans, while loans secured by non-construction residential properties accounted for 20 %, and loans secured by farmland were 4 % of real estate loans. Although management believes the loans within these concentrations have no more than the normal risk of collectability, a decline in the performance of the economy in general or a decline in real estate values in the Company’s primary market areas, in particular, could have an adverse impact on collectability.
Concentration by Geographic Location
The Company extends commercial, real estate mortgage, real estate construction, and consumer loans to customers primarily in the South Central San Joaquin Valley of California, specifically Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Madera counties; and the Coastal counties of San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. The ability of a substantial portion of the Company’s customers to honor their contracts is dependent on the economy in these areas. Although the Company’s loan portfolio is diversified, there is a relationship in those regions between the local agricultural economy and the economic performance of loans made to non-agricultural customers.
Legal Matters
In the ordinary course of our business, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which we believe are incidental to the operation of our business. The outcome of such legal actions and the timing of ultimate resolution
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are inherently difficult to predict. Given the nature, scope, and complexity of the extensive legal and regulatory landscape applicable to banking (including laws and regulations governing consumer protection, fair lending, privacy, information security, and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws), we like all banking organizations, are subject to heightened legal and regulatory compliance and litigation risk.
The Company will establish litigation and legal reserves, where appropriate, in accordance with FASB guidance over loss contingencies (ASC 450). Upon consultation with legal counsel and based on information currently available to us, management does not expect the amount of any resulting liability, in addition to amounts already accrued and taking into consideration insurance which may be applicable, to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company. The outcome of litigation and other legal and regulatory matters is inherently uncertain, however, and it is possible that one or more of the legal or regulatory matters currently pending or threatened could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated financial position, and/or results of operations.
15. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share Repurchase Plan
At December 31, 2025, the Company had a 2025 Share Repurchase Plan with an expiration date of October 31, 2026. This share repurchase plan replaced the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan which expired on October 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 222,039 shares under the 2025 Share Repurchase Plan and 802,753 shares under the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan. The total number of shares available for repurchase at December 31, 2025, was 777,961 . Repurchases are generally made in the open market at market prices.
Earnings Per Share
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Basic Earnings Per Share
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
Weighted average shares outstanding
13,496,560
14,284,401
14,706,141
Basic earnings per share
$
3.14
$
2.84
$
2.37
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
Weighted average shares outstanding
13,496,560
14,284,401
14,706,141
Effect of dilutive equity awards
96,559
111,620
31,729
Weighted average shares outstanding
13,593,119
14,396,021
14,737,870
Diluted earnings per share
$
3.11
$
2.82
$
2.36
Stock options and unvested restricted stock awards for 250,391 and 298,986 shares of common stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for 2024 and 2023, respectively, because they were antidilutive. There were no antidilutive shares of common stock in 2025.
Stock Options
On March 17, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2023 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which became effective May 24, 2023, the date approved by the Company’s shareholders. The 2023 Plan replaced the Company’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). Options to purchase 139,400 shares granted under the 2017 Plan and options to purchase 50,000 shares that were granted under the 2007 Plan were still
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outstanding as of December 31, 2025, and remain unaffected by that plan’s expiration. The 2023 Plan provides for the issuance of several types of equity awards, including options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted share units, performance share awards, dividend equivalents, or any combination thereof. Such awards may be granted to officers and employees as well as non-employee directors, which awards may be granted on such terms and conditions as are established by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee in its discretion. The total number of shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2023 Plan was initially 360,000 shares, and the number remaining available for grant as of December 31, 2025, was 267,316 . All options granted under the 2023 , 2017 , and 2007 Plans have been or will be granted at an exercise price of not less than 100 % of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, exercisable in installments as provided in individual stock option agreements. In the event of a “Change in Control” as defined in the Plans, all outstanding options shall become exercisable in full (subject to certain notification requirements) and shall terminate if not exercised within a specified period of time unless such options are assumed by the successor corporation or substitute options are granted. Options also terminate in the event an optionee ceases to be employed by or to serve as a director of the Company or its subsidiaries, and the vested portion thereof must be exercised within a specified period after such cessation of employment or service.
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity follows (dollars and shares in thousands, except exercise price):
2025
2024
2023
Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)
Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding,
Beginning of year
240
$
26.50
343
$
25.02
352
$
25.06
Exercised or released
( 35 )
$
24.29
( 78 )
$
20.37
—
$
—
Granted
—
$
—
—
$
—
—
$
—
Forfeited/canceled
( 15 )
$
27.25
( 25 )
$
25.51
( 9 )
$
26.56
Expired
—
$
—
—
$
—
—
$
—
Outstanding, end of year
190
$
26.85
$
1,104
240
$
26.50
343
$
25.02
Exercisable, end of year (2)
190
$
26.85
$
1,104
234
$
26.49
343
$
25.02
(1) The aggregate intrinsic value of stock option in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2025. This amount changes based on changes in the market value of the Company’s stock.
(2) The weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options outstanding and exercisable on December 31, 2025 was 2.83 years.
Information related to stock options during each year follows (dollars in thousands):
2025
2024
2023
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised
$
236
$
763
$
—
Total fair value of stock options vested
$
28
$
66
$
—
During the year ended December 31, 2025, $ 0.9 million in cash was received from the exercise of 35,200 shares with a small related tax benefit. During the year ended December 31, 2024, $ 1.5 million in cash was received from the exercise of 78,249 shares with a related tax benefit of $ 0.2 million. No shares were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company used the Black-Scholes model to value stock options. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, charges $ 0.03 million and $ 0.1 million are reflected in the Company’s income statements for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as pre-tax compensation and directors’ expense related to stock options. There was an inconsequential expense recorded for the year ended December 31, 2025, and all outstanding stock options are now fully vested and therefore fully expensed. The related tax benefit of these options was inconsequential for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
There is no unamortized compensation expense associated with unvested stock options outstanding at December 31, 2025, and all stock options are fully amortized as of February 2025.
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Restricted Stock Grants
The Company’s restricted stock awards granted under the 2017 Plan and 2023 Plan are non-transferable shares of common stock and are available to be granted to the Company’s employees and directors. The vesting period of restricted stock awards is determined at the time the awards are issued, and different awards may have different vesting terms; provided, however, that no installment of any restricted stock award shall become vested less than one year from the grant date. Restricted stock awards are valued utilizing the fair value of the Company’s stock at the grant date. During the year ending 2025, 93,712 shares were granted to employees and directors of the Company under the 2023 Plan. These awards are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense related to restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 was $ 2.2 million, $ 1.9 million, and $ 1.7 million respectively, and the recognized income tax benefit related to this expense was $ 0.8 million, $ 0.6 million, and $ 0.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, there was $ 2.7 million of unamortized compensation and directors’ cost related to unvested restricted stock awards granted under the 2023 and 2017 plans. That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 was $ 1.9 million, $ 1.8 million, and $ 1.2 million, respectively.
A summary of the Company’s nonvested shares for the year follows (shares in thousands):
Nonvested Shares
Shares
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2025
174
$
20.75
Granted
94
$
30.25
Vested
( 88 )
$
21.79
Forfeited/canceled
( 19 )
$
20.67
Nonvested at December 31, 2025
161
$
26.02
16. REGULATORY MATTERS
The Company and the Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.
The net unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital. Management believes as of December 31, 2025, the Company and Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At year-end December 31, 2025 and 2024, notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank's categorization.
The federal banking agencies jointly provide for an optional, simplified measure of capital adequacy known as the community bank leverage ratio framework (CBLR framework), for qualifying community banking organizations, consistent with Section 201 of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Under the final rule, an eligible banking organization can opt out of the CBLR framework and revert back to the risk-weighting framework without restriction. Both the Company and the Bank have continuously remained as qualifying
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community banking organizations and elected to adopt and measure capital adequacy under the CBLR framework since it became effective in 2020.
The CBLR framework removes the requirement for qualifying banking organizations to calculate and report risk-based capital ratios, but rather only requires a Tier 1 to average assets (leverage) ratio. Qualifying banking organizations that elect to use the CBLR framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than required minimums will be considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk based and leverage capital requirements in the agencies' capital rules (generally applicable rule) and, if applicable, will be considered to have met the well capitalized ratio requirements for purposes of section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
Actual and required capital amounts (dollars in thousands) and ratios are presented below at year end.
Actual
To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulations (CBLR Framework)
2025
Capital Amount
Ratio
Capital Amount
Ratio
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to average total assets
Sierra Bancorp and subsidiary
$
396,655
10.80 %
$
330,546
9.00 %
Bank of the Sierra
$
437,868
11.94 %
$
330,051
9.00 %
Actual
To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulations (CBLR Framework)
2024
Capital Amount
Ratio
Capital Amount
Ratio
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to average total assets
Sierra Bancorp and subsidiary
$
398,381
10.93 %
$
328,036
9.00 %
Bank of the Sierra
$
429,604
11.80 %
$
327,664
9.00 %
Dividend Restrictions
The Company’s ability to pay cash dividends is dependent on dividends paid to it by the Bank and is also limited by state corporation law. California law allows a California corporation to pay dividends if the company’s retained earnings equal at least the amount of the proposed dividend plus any preferred dividend arrears amount. If a California corporation does not have sufficient retained earnings available for the proposed dividend, it may still pay a dividend to its shareholders if immediately after the dividend the value of the company’s assets would equal or exceed the sum of its total liabilities plus any preferred dividend arrears amount.
Dividends from the Bank to the Company are restricted under California law to the lesser of the Bank’s retained earnings or the Bank’s net income for the latest three fiscal years, less dividends previously declared during that period, or, with the approval of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, to the greater of the retained earnings of the Bank, the net income of the Bank for its last fiscal year, or the net income of the Bank for its current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2025, the maximum amount available for dividend distribution under this restriction was approximately $ 38.8 million.
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17. BENEFIT PLANS
Salary Continuation Agreements, Directors’ Retirement and Officer Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
The Company entered into salary continuation agreements with certain senior officers in 2002 and 2007 and also established retirement plans for certain qualifying members of the Board of Directors at the same time. The plans provide for annual benefits for up to fifteen years after retirement or death. The benefit obligation under these plans is recognized on the consolidated balance sheet in other liabilities and totaled $ 3.9 million and $ 4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and was fully accrued for both years. There was a $ 0.2 million expense accrual recognized under these arrangements for the year ended December 31, 2025, and no expense accrual recorded in 2024. The expense recognized under these arrangements totaled $ 0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Salary continuation benefits paid to former directors or executives of the Company, or their beneficiaries totaled $ 0.4 million, $ 0.5 million, and $ 0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. Certain officers of the Company have supplemental life insurance policies with death benefits available to the officers’ beneficiaries with an accumulated post-retirement benefit liability of $ 0.8 million and $ 0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In connection with these plans and other employee benefit plans of the Company, the Company has purchased, or acquired through merger, single premium life insurance policies with cash surrender values totaling $ 56.1 million and $ 41.3 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Officer and Director Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company has established a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain members of the management group and a deferred fee plan for directors for the purpose of providing the opportunity for participants to defer compensation. The Company bears the costs and the liability for the plan’s administration and the changes to income earned on participant deferrals. The related administrative expense was not material for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023; however, the changes to the liability related to income earned on participant deferrals can be significant. The deferred compensation liability totaled $ 13.7 million and $ 12.3 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Although there is no requirement to fund this plan, the Company has purchased life insurance policies with cash surrender values totaling $ 13.2 million and $ 11.8 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which are specific account policies with underlying investments similar to the hypothetical investments elected inside the participant deferred compensation accounts. The purpose of these specific account life insurance policies is to provide an economic offset against changes to the participant liability.
401(k) Savings Plan
The 401(k) savings plan (the “Plan”) allows participants to defer, on a pre-tax basis, up to 15 % of their salary (subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations) and accumulate tax-deferred earnings as a retirement fund. The amount of the matching contribution was 80 % for the year ended December 31, 2022, with vesting over a period of five years from the participants’ hire date. Starting in 2024, the Company has adopted a safe-harbor plan and matched 100 % of the first 2% of participants’ 401(k) elective deferral contributions, and 50 % of participants’ 401(k) elective deferral contributions which are over 2% of participants’ pay but are not over 6% of participants’ pay. The matching contribution is discretionary, vests over a period of two years from the participants’ hire date and is subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The Company contributed $ 1.2 million, $ 1.2 million, and $ 1.3 million to the Plan in the years ended 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
18. NONINTEREST INCOME
The major grouping of noninterest revenue on the consolidated income statements includes several specific items: service charges on deposit accounts, gains on the sale of loans, credit card fees, check card fees, the net gain (loss) on sales and calls of investment securities available for sale, and the net increase (decrease) in the cash surrender value of life insurance.
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Noninterest income also includes one general category of “other income” of which the following are major components (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Included in other income:
Dividends on equity investments
$
1,335
$
1,337
$
1,076
Unrealized losses recognized on equity investments
—
( 311 )
( 291 )
SBA loan fund income
1,225
1,467
1,423
Credit card and other loan fees
808
712
776
Other
1,057
325
1,380
Total other noninterest income
$
4,425
$
3,530
$
4,364
19. OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Other noninterest expense consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Professional expenses (1)
$
5,523
$
6,158
$
5,293
Data processing
6,127
6,201
5,831
Advertising and promotional
1,526
1,422
2,215
Deposit services
8,320
8,417
8,775
Stationery and supplies
433
483
531
Telephone and data communication
811
1,182
1,452
Loan and credit card processing
515
529
597
Foreclosed assets expense
7
—
665
Postage
293
232
219
Other
3,694
3,612
4,003
Regulatory assessments
1,996
1,942
1,942
Total other noninterest expense
$
29,245
$
30,178
$
31,523
(1) Includes directors’ fees and deferred directors’ fees.
20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the normal course of business, the Bank may enter into loans with related parties, including executive officers and directors. These loans are made with substantially the same terms, including rates and collateral, as loans to unrelated parties. The following is a summary of the aggregate activity involving related party borrowers (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Balance, beginning of year
$
26
$
82
$
139
Disbursements
—
5
—
Amounts repaid
( 21 )
( 64 )
( 57 )
Effect of changes in composition of related parties
( 5 )
3
—
Balance, end of year
$
—
$
26
$
82
Undisbursed commitments to related parties
$
—
$
3
$
6
Deposits from related parties held by the Bank at December 31, 2025 and 2024, amounted to $ 4.0 million and $ 6.1 million, respectively.
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21. FAIR VALUE
Fair value is defined by U.S. GAAP as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
● Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
● Level 2: Significant observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
● Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair values for each category of financial asset noted below:
Securities : The fair values of securities available-for-sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, live trading desk pricing from brokerages, or by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities by relying on their relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. In certain circumstances live trading desk pricing from brokerages and third-party internal models are used to value debt securities that we classify as Level 3.
Individually evaluated collateral dependent loans : Individually evaluated collateral dependent loans are measured based on the fair value of collateral when foreclosure is probable, or repayment is expected through the sale or operation of collateral and borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. For real estate loans, fair value of the loan’s collateral is determined by third party appraisals, which are then adjusted for the estimated selling and closing costs related to liquidation of the collateral. For this asset class, the actual valuation methods (income, sales comparable, or cost) vary based on the status of the project or property. For example, land is generally based on the sales comparable method while construction is based on the income and/or sales comparable methods. The unobservable inputs may vary depending on the individual assets with no one of the three methods being the predominant approach. The Company reviews the third-party appraisal for appropriateness and adjusts the value downward to consider selling and closing costs, which typically range from 5 % to 10 % of the appraised value. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on Management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and Management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Collateral-dependent loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis and adjusted in accordance with the allowance for credit losses policy.
Foreclosed assets : Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired or when foreclosure is imminent. Repossessed real estate (known as other real estate owned, or “OREO”) and other foreclosed assets are reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair values of OREO are based on recent real estate appraisals which are updated no less frequently than annually. These appraisals may use a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including sales comparison, cost approach, and the income approach. Adjustments are often made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to take into account differences between the comparable sales and income and other available data. Management also incorporates assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors and selling and commission costs ranging from 5 % to 10 %. Such adjustments can be significant and typically result in a
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Level 3 classification of the unobservable inputs for determining fair value. Fair values for any other foreclosed assets are represented by estimated sales processed as determined using reasonably available sources. The valuation technique used for Level 3 non-recurring OREO is primarily the sales comparison approach less estimated selling costs.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2025, using
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Securities:
U.S. government agencies
$
—
$
32,901
$
—
$
32,901
$
—
Mortgage-backed securities
—
259,760
—
259,760
—
State and political subdivisions
—
46,921
—
46,921
—
Corporate bonds
—
85,154
1,313
86,467
—
Collateralized loan obligations
—
199,281
—
199,281
—
Total available-for-sale securities
$
—
$
624,017
$
1,313
$
625,330
$
—
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2024, using
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Securities:
U.S. government agencies
$
—
$
50,153
$
—
$
50,153
$
—
Mortgage-backed securities
—
93,503
—
93,503
—
State and political subdivisions
—
40,803
—
40,803
—
Corporate bonds
—
2,909
55,653
58,562
—
Collateralized loan obligations
—
412,946
—
412,946
—
Total available-for-sale securities
$
—
$
600,314
$
55,653
$
655,967
$
—
The table below presents a reconciliation of all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Corporate Bonds
2025
2024
Balance of recurring Level 3 assets at January 1,
$
55,653
$
52,040
Total gains or losses for the period:
Included in other comprehensive income
213
5,613
Sales
—
( 2,000 )
Transfers out of Level 3
( 54,553 )
—
Balance of recurring Level 3 assets at December 31,
$
1,313
$
55,653
Corporate bonds with a fair value of $ 54.5 million as of December 31, 2024 were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the third quarter of 2025 because observable market data became available for the securities.
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The following table present quantitative information about recurring level 3 fair value measurements at December 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands):
Range
Fair Value
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input(s)
Min
Max
Weighted Average
Corporate Bonds
$
1,313
Broker estimate
Discount rate
N/A
N/A
N/A
The following table presents quantitative information about recurring level 3 fair value measurements at December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Range
Fair Value
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input(s)
Min
Max
Weighted Average
Corporate Bonds
$
55,653
New issue pricing
Risk appetite
N/A
N/A
N/A
Secondary market pricing
Market volatility
Credit quality of issuer
Credit spread
Assets and liabilities measured at fair market value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2025
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Collateral dependent loans
$
—
$
—
$
2,882
$
2,882
Foreclosed assets
$
—
$
—
$
1,565
$
1,565
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Collateral dependent loans
$
—
$
11,529
$
—
$
11,529
22. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Disclosures include estimated fair values for financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. These estimates are made as of the respective balance sheet dates based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business related to the instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates.
Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Cash and cash equivalents and fed funds sold : For cash and cash equivalents and fed funds sold, the carrying amount is estimated to be fair value.
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Securities : The fair values of investment securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, live trading desk pricing from brokerages, or by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities by relying on their relationship to other benchmark quoted securities when quoted prices for specific securities are not readily available.
Loans : Fair values of loans are based on the exit price notion set forth by ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018, and estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. The estimation of fair values of loans results in a Level 3 classification as it requires various assumptions and considerable judgement to incorporate factors relevant when selling loans to market participants, such as funding costs, return requirements of likely buyers and performance expectations of the loans given the current market environment and quality of loans.
Deposits : Fair values for non-maturity deposits are equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, which is the carrying amount. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a cash flow analysis, discounted at interest rates being offered at each reporting date by the Bank for certificates with similar remaining maturities.
Short-term borrowings: The carrying amounts approximate fair values for federal funds purchased, overnight FHLB advances, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days of the reporting dates. Fair values of other short-term borrowings are estimated by discounting projected cash flows at the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Long-term borrowings: The fair values of the Company’s long-term borrowings are estimated using projected cash flows discounted at the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Subordinated debentures : The fair values of subordinated debentures are determined based on the current market value for like instruments of a similar maturity and structure.
Carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2025
Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
135,628
$
135,628
$
—
$
—
$
135,628
Investment securities available-for-sale
625,330
—
624,017
1,313
625,330
Investment securities held-to-maturity
290,811
—
286,461
—
286,461
Loans held for investment, net
2,525,365
—
—
2,428,691
2,428,691
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing
$
995,623
$
995,623
$
—
$
—
$
995,623
Interest bearing
1,880,813
—
1,992,616
—
1,992,616
Repurchase agreements
130,853
—
107,084
—
107,084
Other borrowings
302,700
—
302,629
—
302,629
Long-term debt
49,483
—
49,472
—
49,472
Subordinated debentures
36,017
—
36,276
—
36,276
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December 31, 2024
Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
100,664
$
100,664
$
—
$
—
$
100,664
Securities available for sale
655,967
—
600,314
55,653
655,967
Securities held-to-maturity
305,514
—
291,028
—
291,028
Loans held for investment
2,306,604
—
11,529
2,161,917
2,173,446
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing
$
1,007,208
$
1,007,208
$
—
$
—
$
1,007,208
Interest bearing
1,884,460
—
1,705,490
—
1,705,490
Repurchase agreements
108,860
—
91,585
—
91,585
Other borrowings
80,000
—
79,054
—
79,054
Long-term debt
49,393
—
46,713
—
46,713
Subordinated debentures
35,838
—
35,299
—
35,299
23. UNCONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
T he Company has equity investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) partnerships, with carrying values of $ 22.6 million and $ 25.4 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. There were no impairment losses on the Company’s LIHTC investments during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. Future unfunded contingent equity commitments related to the Company’s LIHTC investments at December 31, 2025, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
Amount
2026
$
3,809
2027
1,041
2028
171
2029
123
2030
100
Thereafter
1,379
Total
$
6,623
The Company has elected to use the proportional amortization method, and more specifically, the practical expedient method, for the amortization of all eligible LIHTC investments and amortization expense is recognized as a component of income tax expense. The following table summarizes the amortization expense, and the amount of tax credits and other tax benefits recognized for qualified affordable housing project investments during the period presented (dollars in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Amortization expense
$
3,003
$
2,069
$
744
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized
$
3,515
$
2,415
$
843
24. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within Noninterest Income. The following table presents the Company’s sources of Noninterest Income for the
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twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Items outside the scope of ASC 606 are noted as such (dollars in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
2023
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposits
Returned item and overdraft fees
$
5,232
$
5,513
$
5,261
Other service charges on deposits
10,189
10,526
9,790
Debit card interchange income
8,067
8,134
8,052
Dividends on equity investments (1)
1,335
1,337
1,076
Unrealized losses recognized on equity investments (1)
—
( 311 )
( 291 )
Net gains (losses) on sale of securities (1)
120
( 2,681 )
396
Other (1)
5,646
9,003
6,116
Total noninterest income
$
30,589
$
31,521
$
30,400
(1) Not within the scope of ASC 606. Revenue streams are not related to contracts with customers and are accounted for on an accrual basis under other provisions of GAAP.
25. PARENT ONLY CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BALANCE SHEETS
Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
(dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
6,928
$
13,067
Investments in bank subsidiary
442,092
424,363
Investment in trust subsidiaries
1,145
1,145
Other assets
2,630
6,190
Total assets
$
452,795
$
444,765
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Other liabilities
$
2,432
$
2,232
Long-term debt
49,483
49,393
Subordinated debentures
36,017
35,838
Total liabilities
87,932
87,463
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock
108,036
113,474
Retained earnings
280,001
275,085
Accumulated other comprehensive gain, net of taxes
( 23,174 )
( 31,257 )
Total shareholders' equity
364,863
357,302
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
452,795
$
444,765
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STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
(dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2023
Income:
Dividend from subsidiary
$
40,000
$
38,400
$
16,800
Other operating income
—
—
—
Total income
40,000
38,400
16,800
Expense
Salaries and employee benefits
1,211
1,727
1,741
Other expenses
6,041
6,310
6,117
Total expenses
7,252
8,037
7,858
Income before income taxes
32,748
30,363
8,942
Income tax benefit
( 2,144 )
( 2,376 )
( 2,323 )
Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiary
34,892
32,739
11,265
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiary
7,435
7,821
23,579
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
(dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
42,327
$
40,560
$
34,844
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Undistributed net income of subsidiary
( 7,435 )
( 7,821 )
( 23,579 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
4,196
( 4,332 )
1,863
(Decrease) Increase in other liabilities
( 517 )
2,227
( 6,117 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
38,571
30,634
7,011
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in subsidiary
—
—
—
Net cash used by investing activities
—
—
—
Cash flows from financing activities:
Stock options exercised
854
1,474
—
Repurchase of common stock
( 31,830 )
( 15,844 )
( 8,959 )
Dividends paid
( 13,734 )
( 13,634 )
( 13,714 )
Net cash (used) in provided by financing activities
( 44,710 )
( 28,004 )
( 22,673 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
( 6,139 )
2,630
( 15,662 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
13,067
10,437
26,099
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
6,928
$
13,067
$
10,437
2025
2024
2023
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest
$
4,670
$
4,693
$
4,607
122
Table of Contents
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.