Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The Company is providing the disclosure below and supplementing the risk factors described in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our 2019 10-K and Item 1A of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 with the risk factors set forth below. The information in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the risk factors described on our 2019 10-K and the information under “Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-Q and in our 2019 10-K.
Our business may be adversely affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally. We operate primarily in the Wisconsin and Minnesota markets. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are significantly impacted by changes in the economic conditions in those areas. In addition, our business is susceptible to broader economic trends within the United States economy. Economic conditions have a significant impact on the demand for our products and services, as well as the ability of our customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of our deposit funding sources. A significant decline in general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, tariffs, unemployment, changes in securities markets, changes in housing market prices, geopolitical uncertainties, natural disasters, pandemics and election outcomes or other factors could impact economic conditions and, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In particular, the COVID-19 (also referred to as novel coronavirus) outbreak, which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, has significantly and negatively impacted financial markets and economic conditions in the United States and globally. As a result, consumer confidence and consumer credit factors have been, and may be further, negatively impacted. Consequently, our business, financial condition and results of operations has been and could be further significantly and adversely affected. See also “ The COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business. ”
We are subject to interest rate risk. Through our banking subsidiary, the Bank, our profitability depends in large part on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned from interest-earning assets, such as loans and mortgage-backed securities, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Our net interest income will be adversely affected if market interest rates change such that the interest we pay on deposits and borrowings increase faster than the interest earned on loans and investments. As a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest rates in the United States have been reduced, and may be even further reduced. The rates of interest we earn on assets and pay on liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Market interest rates change over time due to many factors that are beyond our control, including but not limited to: general economic conditions and government policy decisions, especially policies of the Federal Reserve Bank. Accordingly, our results of operations, like those of other financial institutions, are impacted by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities. The risk associated with changes in interest rates and our ability to adapt to these changes is known as interest rate risk. In particular, reduced interest rates negatively impact our results of operations. See also “ The COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business. ”
We are subject to lending risk. There are inherent risks associated with our lending activities. These risks include the impact of changes in interest rates and changes in the economic conditions in the markets we serve, as well as those across the United States. An increase in interest rates or weakening economic conditions (such as high levels of unemployment), including weakening economic conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has and could further adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, or could substantially weaken the value of collateral securing those loans. As of June 30, the Bank had completed $197.3 million of loan modifications due to COVID-19-related borrower requests, all of which were done in the second quarter of 2020. See “Allowance for Loan Losses” for discussion of COVID-19 qualitative factors, and related provision for loan losses. Downward pressure on real estate values could increase the potential for problem loans and thus have a direct impact on our consolidated results of operations. See also “ The COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business. ”
The COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business.
We are closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic to assess its impact on our business. While still evolving, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic and financial turmoil both in the U.S. and around the world, and has fueled concerns that it will lead to a global recession. These conditions are expected to continue and worsen in the near term. At this time, it is not possible to estimate how long it will take to halt the spread of the virus or the long term effects that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on our business. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or prospects will depend on future developments which are highly
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uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions taken to contain or address its impact.
While we have implemented risk management and contingency plans and taken preventive measures and other precautions, no predictions of specific scenarios can be made with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and such measures may not adequately predict the impact on our business from such events. Currently, many of our employees are working remotely. An extended period of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans, introduce operational risk, including but not limited to cybersecurity risks, and impair our ability to manage our business.
Increased economic uncertainty and increased unemployment resulting from the economic impacts of the spread of COVID-19 may also adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, or could substantially weaken the value of collateral securing those loans. In addition, any resulting downward pressure on real estate values could increase the potential for problem loans and thus have a direct impact on our consolidated results of operations.
We have begun to participate as an approved lender pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established under the congressionally-approved Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). The Paycheck Protection Program is a $349 billion loan program, which gives small businesses and self-employed individuals guaranteed loans and loan forgiveness to stay in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to certain requirements. These first come, first-served loans are available until June 30, 2020, or until the funds are depleted. All banks are allowed to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program, provided they obtain approval from the SBA. As an SBA-approved lender, we have secured more than $137 million in authorized funding for our customers under the Paycheck Protection Program. While we anticipate that our participation in the Paycheck Protection Program will have a positive impact on our financial condition, we cannot predict the extent of the loans we will be able to secure for our customers or the extent of the impact on our business. As a result of factors including the fact that the Paycheck Protection Program is a new program that was created urgently in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, lenders and customers have experienced, and may experience further, challenges in the application process and administration.
While governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaging in efforts to combat the spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health issues, these measures may not be effective. We also cannot predict how legal and regulatory responses to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health issues will impact our business. Such events or conditions could result in regulation or restrictions affecting the conduct of our business in the future.
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