Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide a better understanding of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries as of, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes and selected financial data appearing elsewhere in this report.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain certain forward-looking statements about First Mid, such as discussions of First Mid’s pricing and fee
36
trends, credit quality and outlook, liquidity, new business results, expansion plans, anticipated expenses and planned schedules. First Mid intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of First Mid, are identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from the results indicated by these statements because the realization of those results is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the merger between First Mid and Blackhawk will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; changes in interest rates; general economic conditions and those in the market areas of First Mid; legislative and/or regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality or composition of First Mid’s loan or investment portfolios and the valuation of those investment portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows; competition, demand for financial services in the market areas of First Mid; accounting principles, policies and guidelines. Additional information concerning First Mid, including additional factors and risks that could materially affect First Mid’s financial results, are included in First Mid’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
This overview of management’s discussion and analysis highlights selected information in this document and may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of trends, events, commitments, uncertainties, liquidity, capital resources, and critical accounting estimates which have an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations you should carefully read this entire document.
Net income was $20.5 million and $19.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Diluted net income per common share was $0.86 and $0.93 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table shows the Company’s annualized performance ratios for three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, compared to the performance ratios for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Three months ended
Year ended
March 31, 2024
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2023
Return on average assets
1.07
%
1.15
%
0.97
%
Return on average common equity
10.37
%
12.11
%
10.10
%
Average equity to average assets
10.35
%
9.47
%
9.61
%
Total assets were $7.7 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $7.6 billion as of December 31, 2023. From December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents increased $212.6 million, net loan balances decreased $80.4 million and investment securities decreased $31.9 million. Net loan balances were $5.43 billion at March 31, 2024 compared to $5.51 billion at December 31, 2023.
Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, was 3.25% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, up from 2.94% for the same period in 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in earning asset yields partially offset by increased rates on interest-bearing deposits and borrowings. Net interest income before the provision for loan losses was $55.5 million compared to net interest income of $43.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank during the third quarter of 2023 and increased net interest margin as mentioned above.
Total non-interest income of $24.5 million increased $2.0 million or 8.9% from $22.5 million for the same period last year. The increase in non-interest income resulted primarily from an increase in insurance commissions and income from Blackhawk Bank partially offset by a decrease in wealth management revenues and bank owned life insurance income.
Total non-interest expense of $53.4 million increase $11.8 million or 28.3% from $41.6 million for the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank and the related amortization of intangibles and increased size of the bank.
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Following is a summary of the factors that contributed to the changes in net income (in thousands):
Change in
Net Income
2024 versus 2023
Three months ended
March 31, 2024
Net interest income
$
12,279
Provision for credit losses
(460
)
Other income, including securities transactions
1,999
Other expenses
(11,785
)
Income taxes
(710
)
Increase (decrease) in net income
$
1,323
Credit quality is an area of importance to the Company. Total nonperforming loans were $20.1 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $15.2 million at March 31, 2023 and $20.1 million at December 31, 2023. See the discussion under the heading “Loan Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses” for a detailed explanation of these balances. Repossessed asset balances totaled $1.4 million at March 31, 2024 compared to $4.1 million at March 31, 2023 and $1.2 million at December 31, 2023.
The Company’s provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was ($357,000) and ($817,000), respectively. Total loans past due 30 days or more were 0.32% of loans at March 31, 2024 compared to 0.21% at March 31, 2023, and 0.26% of loans at December 31, 2023. Loans secured by both commercial and residential real estate comprised approximately 69.3% of the loan portfolio as of March 31, 2024 and 68.9% as of December 31, 2023.
The Company’s capital position remains strong, and the Company has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios above the “well-capitalized” standards. The Company’s Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio calculated under the regulatory risk-based capital requirements at March 31, 2024 and 2023 and December 31, 2023 was 12.46%, 12.88% and 12.02%, respectively. The Company’s total capital to risk weighted assets ratio calculated under the regulatory risk-based capital requirements at March 31, 2024 and 2023, and December 31, 2023 was 15.35%, 15.74% and 14.84%, respectively. The increase in Tier 1 capital and total to risk weighted assets ratio from December 31, 2023 was primarily due to net income for the period increasing equity and a decrease in risk weighted assets related to loans and other assets.
On March 27, 2020, the federal banking regulatory agencies, issued an interim final rule which provided an option to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital of ASU 2016-13, which was effective January 1, 2020. The initial impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13, as well as 25% of the quarterly increases in the allowance for credit losses subsequent to adoption of ASU 2016-13 ("CECL adjustments"), was be delayed for two years. The cumulative amount of these adjustments is being phased out of the regulatory capital calculation over a three-year period, with 75% of the adjustments included in 2022, 50% of the adjustments included in 2023 and 25% of the adjustments included in 2024. After five years, the temporary delay of ASU 2016-13 adoption will be fully reversed. The Company has elected this option.
The Company’s liquidity position remains sufficient to fund operations and meet the requirements of borrowers, depositors, and creditors. The Company maintains various sources of liquidity to fund its cash needs. See the discussion under the heading “Liquidity” for a full listing of sources and anticipated significant contractual obligations.
The Company enters into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include lines of credit, letters of credit and other commitments to extend credit. The total outstanding commitments at March 31, 2024 and 2023, were $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Insurance Coverage. As FDIC-insured institutions, First Mid Bank is required to pay deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. Several requirements with respect to the FDIC insurance system have affected results, including insurance assessment rates.
The Company expensed $869,000 and $463,000 for the assessment during the first three months of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Significant Estimates
The Company has established various accounting policies that govern the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The
38
judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from these judgments and assumptions, which could have a material impact on the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the Company.
Investment in Debt and Equity Securities. The Company classifies its investments in debt and equity securities as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” which was codified into ASC 320. Securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. Fair value calculations are based on quoted market prices when such prices are available. If quoted market prices are not available, estimates of fair value are computed using a variety of techniques, including extrapolation from the quoted prices of similar instruments or recent trades for thinly traded securities, fundamental analysis, or through obtaining purchase quotes. Due to the subjective nature of the valuation process, it is possible that the actual fair values of these investments could differ from the estimated amounts, thereby affecting the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.
If the estimated value of investments is less than the cost or amortized cost, the Company evaluates whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. If such an event or change has occurred and the Company determines that the impairment is other-than-temporary, a further determination is made as to the portion of impairment that is related to credit loss. The impairment of the investment that is related to the credit loss is expensed in the period in which the event or change occurred. The remainder of the impairment is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).
Loans. Loans are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase discounts and premiums, fair value hedge accounting adjustments and deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest is reported separately and is included in interest receivable in the consolidated balance sheets.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans. The Company believes the allowance for credit losses for loans is the critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. The allowance for credit losses for loans represents the best estimate of losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. An estimate of potential losses inherent in the loan portfolio are determined and an allowance for those losses is established by considering factors including historical loss rates, expected cash flows and estimated collateral values. In assessing these factors, the Company uses relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
To determine the allowance, the loan portfolio is segmented based on similar risk characteristics. The allowance for credit losses is estimated using a discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology. The DCF projects future cash flows over the life of the loan portfolio. Probability of default (PD) and loss given default (LGD) are key components in calculating expected losses in this model. The PD is forecasted using a regression model that determines the likelihood of default with a forward-looking forecast of unemployment rates. The LGD is the percentage of defaulted loans that is ultimately charged off. The allowance is calculated as the net present value of the expected cash flows less the amortized cost basis of the loans. Prior to 2022, the allowance for credit losses was measured on a collective (pool) basis for non-individually evaluated loans with similar risk characteristics. Historical credit loss experience provided the basis for the estimate of expected credit losses. Adjustments to expected losses are made using qualitative factors for relevant to each loan segment including merger & acquisition activity, economic conditions, changes in policies, procedures & underwriting, and concentrations. In addition, a forecast, using reasonable and supportable future conditions, is prepared that is used to estimate expected changes to existing and historical conditions in the current period.
The Company estimates the appropriate level of allowance for credit losses for individually evaluated loans by evaluating them separately. A specific allowance is assigned to an impaired loan when expected cash flows or collateral are less than the carrying amount of the loan.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures. The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period that the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Other Real Estate Owned. Other real estate owned acquired through loan foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. The adjustment at the time of foreclosure is recorded through the allowance for loan losses. Due to the subjective nature of establishing the fair value when the asset is acquired, the actual fair value of the other real estate owned or foreclosed asset could differ from the original estimate. If it is determined that fair value temporarily declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through noninterest expense.
39
Operating costs associated with the assets after acquisition are also recorded as noninterest expense. Gains and losses on the disposition of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets are netted and posted to other noninterest expense.
Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company has elected to record mortgage servicing rights under the amortization method. Using this method, servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. The amortized assets are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type.
Impairment is recognized through a valuation reserve, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount of the servicing assets. Fair value in excess of the carrying amount of servicing assets is not recognized.
Deferred Income Tax Assets/Liabilities. The Company’s net deferred income tax asset arises from differences in the dates that items of income and expense enter our reported income and taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for these items as they arise. From an accounting standpoint, deferred tax assets are reviewed to determine if they are realizable based on the historical level of taxable income, estimates of future taxable income and the reversals of deferred tax liabilities. In most cases, the realization of the deferred tax asset is based on future profitability. If the Company were to experience net operating losses for tax purposes in a future period, the realization of deferred tax assets would be evaluated for a potential valuation reserve.
Additionally, the Company reviews its uncertain tax positions annually under FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48), “ Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ,” codified within ASC 740. An uncertain 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 recognized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded. A significant amount of judgment is applied to determine both whether the tax position meets the "more likely than not" test as well as to determine the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be recognized. Differences between the position taken by management and that of taxing authorities could result in a reduction of a tax benefit or increase to tax liability, which could adversely affect future income tax expense.
Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Core deposit and customer relationships, which are intangible assets with a finite life, are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. These intangible assets were capitalized as a result of past acquisitions and are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to 15 years. Core deposit intangible assets, with finite lives will be tested for impairment when changes in events or circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Core deposit intangible assets were tested for impairment as of May 31, 2023 as part of the goodwill impairment test and no impairment was identified.
As a result of the Company’s acquisition activity, goodwill, an intangible asset with an indefinite life, is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, unless there are factors present that indicate a potential impairment, in which case, the goodwill impairment test is performed more frequently than annually.
Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The Company estimates the fair value of a financial instrument using a variety of valuation methods. Where financial instruments are actively traded and have quoted market prices, quoted market prices are used for fair value. When the financial instruments are not actively traded, other observable market inputs, such as quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, may be used, if available, to determine fair value. When observable market prices do not exist, the Company estimates fair value. The Company’s valuation methods consider factors such as liquidity and concentration concerns. Other factors such as model assumptions, market dislocations, and unexpected correlations can affect estimates of fair value. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded.
SFAS No. 157, “ Fair Value Measurements” , which was codified into ASC 820, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of financial instruments that considers the attributes specific to particular assets or liabilities and establishes a three-level hierarchy for determining fair value based on the transparency of inputs to each valuation as of the fair value measurement date.
The three levels are defined as follows:
• Level 1 — quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
• Level 2 — inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices of identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
• Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
40
At the end of each quarter, the Company assesses the valuation hierarchy for each asset or liability measured. From time to time, assets or liabilities may be transferred within hierarchy levels due to changes in availability of observable market inputs to measure fair value at the measurement date. Transfers into or out of hierarchy levels are based upon the fair value at the beginning of the reporting period. A more detailed description of the fair values measured at each level of the fair value hierarchy can be found in Note 7 – Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities.
Results of Consolidated Operations
Net Interest Income
The largest source of revenue for the Company is net interest income. Net interest income represents the difference between total interest income earned on earning assets and total interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The amount of interest income is dependent upon many factors, including the volume and mix of earning assets, the general level of interest rates and the dynamics of changes in interest rates. The cost of funds necessary to support earning assets varies with the volume and mix of interest-bearing liabilities and the rates paid to attract and retain such funds.
Net interest income is the excess of interest received from earning assets over interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. For analytical purposes, net interest income is presented on a full tax equivalent ("TE") basis in the table that follows. The federal statutory rate in effect of 21% for 2024 and 2023 was used. The TE analysis portrays the income tax benefits associated with the tax-exempt assets. The year-to-date net yield on interest-earning assets excluding the TE adjustments of $616,000 and $755,000 for 2024 and 2023, respectively were 3.20% and 2.89% at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
41
The Company’s average balances, fully tax equivalent interest income and interest expense, and rates earned or paid for major balance sheet categories are set forth for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 in the following table (dollars in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, 2024
Three months ended March 31, 2023
Average
Average
Average
Average
Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
Assets
Interest-bearing deposits with other financial institutions
$
173,365
$
2,407
5.58
%
$
15,688
$
209
5.40
%
Federal funds sold
1,094
17
6.18
%
7,753
85
4.44
%
Certificates of deposit
1,545
20
5.15
%
1,789
14
3.09
%
Investment securities:
Taxable
904,451
5,470
2.42
%
957,951
5,163
2.16
%
Tax-exempt (1)
280,215
2,450
3.50
%
280,828
2,486
3.54
%
Loans net of unearned income (TE) (2)
5,524,185
77,924
5.67
%
4,788,255
56,469
4.78
%
Total earning assets
6,884,855
88,288
5.16
%
6,052,264
64,426
4.32
%
Cash and due from banks
102,922
135,145
Premises and equipment
101,530
90,345
Other assets
624,205
475,022
Allowance for credit losses
(69,059
)
(59,558
)
Total assets
$
7,644,453
$
6,693,218
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Interest-bearing deposits
Demand deposits
$
3,036,837
$
16,612
2.20
%
$
2,504,073
$
9,655
1.56
%
Savings deposits
707,849
178
0.10
%
640,347
191
0.12
%
Time deposits
1,028,045
9,306
3.64
%
699,328
2,921
1.69
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
4,772,731
26,096
2.20
%
3,843,748
12,767
1.35
%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
264,587
2,056
3.13
%
231,012
1,463
2.57
%
FHLB advances
258,554
2,314
3.60
%
540,156
4,874
3.66
%
Federal funds purchased
—
—
—
%
778
9
4.69
%
Subordinated debt
106,791
1,194
4.50
%
94,567
987
4.23
%
Junior subordinated debentures
24,084
542
9.05
%
19,385
379
7.93
%
Total borrowings
654,016
6,106
3.75
%
885,898
7,712
3.53
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
5,426,747
32,202
2.39
%
4,729,646
20,479
1.76
%
Non interest-bearing demand deposits
1,367,798
1.91
%
1,273,527
1.38
%
Other liabilities
59,056
56,456
Stockholders' equity
790,852
633,589
Total liabilities and equity
$
7,644,453
$
6,693,218
Net interest income
$
56,086
$
43,947
Net interest spread
2.77
%
2.56
%
Impact of non interest-bearing funds
0.48
%
0.38
%
TE net yield on interest-earning assets
3.25
%
2.94
%
1. The tax-exempt income is shown on a tax equivalent basis.
2. Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the average balances. Balances are net of unaccreted discount related to loans acquired.
42
Changes in net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. The following table summarizes the approximate relative contribution of changes in average volume and interest rates to changes in net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, 2024
compared to 2023 Increase / (Decrease)
Total
Change
Volume (1)
Rate (1)
Earning assets:
Interest-bearing deposits
$
2,198
$
2,191
$
7
Federal funds sold
(68
)
(232
)
164
Certificates of deposit investments
6
(12
)
18
Investment securities:
Taxable
307
(1,482
)
1,789
Tax-exempt (2)
(36
)
(5
)
(31
)
Loans (2) (3)
21,455
9,702
11,753
Total interest income
$
23,862
$
10,162
$
13,700
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits
Demand deposits
$
6,957
$
2,376
$
4,581
Savings deposits
(13
)
94
(107
)
Time deposits
6,385
1,848
4,537
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
593
237
356
FHLB advances
(2,560
)
(2,482
)
(78
)
Federal funds purchased
(9
)
(5
)
(4
)
Subordinated debt
207
139
68
Junior subordinated debentures
163
103
60
Total interest expense
11,723
2,310
9,413
Net interest income
$
12,139
$
7,852
$
4,287
1. Changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.
2. The tax-exempt income is shown on a tax-equivalent basis.
3. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.
Tax equivalent net interest income increased $12.1 million, or 27.6%, to $56.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $43.9 million for the same period in 2023. Net interest income and net interest margin increased primarily due to an increase in earning asset yields partially offset by the increase in deposit and borrowing rates.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, average earning assets increased $832.6 million, or 13.8%, and average interest-bearing liabilities increased $697.1 million or 14.7% compared with average balances for the same period in 2023.
The changes in average balances for these periods are shown below:
• Average interest-bearing deposits with other financial institutions increased $157.7 million or 1005.1%.
• Average federal funds sold decreased $6.7 million or 85.9%.
• Average certificates of deposits investments decreased $244,000 or 13.6%.
• Average loans increased by $735.9 million or 15.4%.
• Average securities decreased by $54.1 million or 4.4%.
• Average interest-bearing customer deposits increased by $929.0 million or 24.2%.
• Average securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased by $33.6 million or 14.5%.
• Average borrowings and other debt decreased by $265.5 million or 40.5%.
43
• Net interest margin increased to 3.25% for the first three months of 2024 from 2.94% for the first three months of 2023.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was ($357,000) and ($817,000), respectively. Net charge offs were $382,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net charge offs of $53,000 for March 31, 2023. Nonperforming loans were $20.1 million and $15.2 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For information on loan loss experience and nonperforming loans, see discussion under the “Nonperforming Loans” and “Loan Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses” sections below.
Other Income
An important source of the Company’s revenue is other income. The following table sets forth the major components of other income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
Wealth management revenues
$
5,322
$
5,514
$
(192
)
-3.5
%
Insurance commissions
9,213
8,480
733
8.6
%
Service charges
2,956
2,203
753
34.2
%
Security gains (losses), net
—
(46
)
46
-100.0
%
Mortgage banking revenue, net
706
150
556
370.7
%
ATM / debit card revenue
4,055
3,083
972
31.5
%
Bank owned life insurance
1,121
1,641
(520
)
-31.7
%
Other
1,105
1,454
(349
)
-24.0
%
Total other income
$
24,478
$
22,479
$
1,999
8.9
%
Following are explanations of the changes in these other income categories for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023:
• Wealth management revenues decreased for the three month period due to less agricultural service fees partially offset by increased brokerage and trust fees.
• Insurance commissions increased primarily due to an increase in commission income partially offset by a decrease in contingency income during 2024 compared to the same period last year.
• Fees from service charges increased during the first three months of 2024 primarily due to the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank.
• Net losses from the sale of securities during 2024 were $0 and net losses in 2023 were $46,000. The Company did not sell any securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
• The increase in mortgage banking income was due to an increase from loans sold in the secondary market and the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank.
• $10.6 million (representing 77 loans) for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
• $11.5 million (representing 75 loans) for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
First Mid Bank generally releases the servicing rights on loans sold into the secondary market.
• Revenue from ATMs and debit cards increased due to an increase in activity during the period and the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank.
• Bank owned life insurance income decreased approximately $520,000 during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to a claim payout in 2023.
• Other income decreased primarily due to late charges on loans being presented as interest income starting in 2024.
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Other Expense
The following table sets forth the major components of other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Three months ended March 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
Salaries and employee benefits
$
30,448
$
26,071
$
4,377
16.8
%
Net occupancy and equipment expense
7,560
6,005
1,555
25.9
%
Net other real estate owned expense
(21
)
133
(154
)
-115.8
%
FDIC insurance
869
463
406
87.7
%
Amortization of intangible assets
3,497
1,522
1,975
129.8
%
Stationery and supplies
391
292
99
33.9
%
Legal and professional
2,449
1,690
759
44.9
%
Marketing and donations
862
654
208
31.8
%
ATM/debit card expense
1,191
1,223
(32
)
-2.6
%
Other operating expenses
6,116
3,524
2,592
73.6
%
Total other expense
$
53,362
$
41,577
$
11,785
28.3
%
Following are explanations for the changes in these other expense categories for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023:
• The increase in salaries and employee benefits, the largest component of other expense, is primarily due to the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank partially offset by the Company's efficiency improvement efforts. There were 1,188 and 988 full-time equivalent employees at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
• The increase in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily due to the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank.
• The decrease in net other real estate owned expense was primarily due to properties sold during 2023 that no longer have ongoing expense during 2024 and no write downs of other real estate owned during the period.
• Expense for amortization of intangible assets increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 2023. Core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights increased due to the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank.
• The increase in other operating expenses during the first three months of 2024 was primarily due to nonrecurring costs from the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank during the period.
• On a net basis, all other categories of operating expenses increased during the period compared to last year primarily due to the the acquisition of Blackhawk Bank.
Income Taxes
Total income tax expense amounted to $6.4 million (23.9% effective tax rate) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $5.7 million (23.0% effective tax rate) for the same period in 2023. The increase in effective rate is related to a decrease in investment tax credits while pre-tax net income increased.
The Company files U.S. federal and state of Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin income tax returns. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020.
45
Analysis of Consolidated Balance Sheets
Securities
The Company’s overall investment objectives are to insulate the investment portfolio from undue credit risk, maintain adequate liquidity, insulate capital against changes in market value and control excessive changes in earnings while optimizing investment performance. The types and maturities of securities purchased are primarily based on the Company’s current and projected liquidity and interest rate sensitivity positions. The following table sets forth the amortized cost of the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Amortized
Cost
Weighted
Average Yield
Amortized
Cost
Weighted
Average Yield
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
234,540
1.88
%
$
237,875
1.28
%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
335,350
2.31
%
337,835
2.31
%
Mortgage-backed securities: GSE residential
699,921
1.91
%
714,216
1.91
%
Other securities
75,074
3.67
%
76,081
3.65
%
Total securities
$
1,344,885
1.99
%
$
1,366,007
2.00
%
At March 31, 2024, the Company’s investment portfolio decreased by $21.1 million from December 31, 2023 primarily due to paydowns, calls and maturities of various securities. When purchasing investment securities, the Company considers its overall liquidity and interest rate risk profile, as well as the adequacy of expected returns relative to the risks assumed. The table below presents the credit ratings as of March 31, 2024 for investment securities (in thousands):
Average Credit Rating of Fair Value at March 31, 2024 (1)
Amortized
Cost
Estimated
Fair Value
AAA
AA +/-
A +/-
BBB +/-
< BBB -
Not rated
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
234,540
$
207,320
$
202,190
$
1,295
$
1,891
$
—
$
1,944
$
—
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
335,350
282,570
51,208
180,940
47,726
—
—
2,696
Mortgage-backed securities (2)
699,921
581,004
—
—
—
—
—
581,004
Other securities
72,792
68,533
3,351
8,029
20,731
3,896
—
32,526
Total available-for-sale
$
1,342,603
$
1,139,427
$
256,749
$
190,264
$
70,348
$
3,896
$
1,944
$
616,226
Held-to-maturity:
Other securities
2,282
2,282
—
—
—
—
—
2,282
Total held-to-maturity
$
2,282
$
2,282
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2,282
Equity securities:
Federal Agricultural Mtg Corp
85
528
—
—
—
—
—
528
Midwest Independent BankersBank
150
202
—
—
—
—
—
202
Equalize Community Development Fund
3,568
3,568
—
—
—
—
—
3,568
Total equity securities
$
3,803
$
4,298
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
4,298
1. Credit ratings reflect the lowest current rating assigned by a nationally recognized credit rating agency.
2. Mortgage-backed securities include mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) issues from the following government sponsored enterprises: FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA and FHLB. While MBS and CMOs are no longer explicitly rated by credit rating agencies, the industry recognizes that they are backed by agencies which have an implied government guarantee.
46
Loans
The loan portfolio is the largest category of the Company’s earning assets. The following table summarizes the composition of the loan portfolio at amortized cost, including loans held for sale, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Amortized
Cost
% Outstanding
Loans
Amortized
Cost
% Outstanding
Loans
Construction and land development
$
186,851
3.4
%
$
205,077
3.7
%
Agricultural real estate
388,941
7.1
%
391,132
7.0
%
1-4 family residential properties
518,641
9.4
%
542,469
9.7
%
Multifamily residential properties
312,758
5.7
%
319,129
5.7
%
Commercial real estate
2,396,092
43.7
%
2,384,704
42.8
%
Loans secured by real estate
3,803,283
69.3
%
3,842,511
68.9
%
Agricultural loans
213,217
3.9
%
196,272
3.5
%
Commercial and industrial loans
1,227,906
22.3
%
1,266,159
22.7
%
Consumer loans
79,569
1.4
%
91,014
1.6
%
All other loans
175,320
3.1
%
184,609
3.3
%
Total loans
$
5,499,295
100.0
%
$
5,580,565
100.0
%
Loan balances decreased $81.3 million, or (1.5%). The decrease was primarily due to seasonal pay downs in commercial and industrial loans as well as loan demand partially offset by an increase in agricultural loans due to seasonal demands. The balance of real estate loans held for sale, included in the balances shown above, amounted to $4.8 million and $5.0 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Commercial and commercial real estate loans generally involve higher credit risks than residential real estate and consumer loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate or equipment are often dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying assets, repayment of such loans may be influenced to a great extent by conditions in the market or the economy. The Company does not have any sub-prime mortgages or credit card loans outstanding which are also generally considered to be higher credit risk.
Loans are geographically dispersed throughout Illinois, the St. Louis Metro area, central Missouri, Texas, and southern Wisconsin. While these regions have experienced some economic stress during 2024 and 2023, the Company does not consider these locations high risk areas since these regions have not experienced the significant changes in real estate values seen in some other areas in the United States.
The Company does not have a concentration, as defined by the regulatory agencies, in construction and land development loans or commercial real estate loans as a percentage of total risk-based capital for the periods shown above. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did have industry loan concentrations that exceeded 25% of total risk-based capital in the following industries (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Principal
balance
% Outstanding
Loans
Principal
balance
% Outstanding
Loans
Other grain farming
$
488,462
8.88
%
$
472,456
8.47
%
Lessors of non-residential buildings
1,055,105
19.19
%
1,086,152
19.46
%
Lessors of residential buildings and dwellings
549,284
9.99
%
541,858
9.71
%
The Company had no further industry loan concentrations in excess of 25% of total risk-based capital.
47
The following table presents the balance of loans outstanding as of March 31, 2024, by contractual maturities (in thousands):
Maturity (1)
One year
or less (2)
Over 1 through
5 years
Over 5
years
Total
Construction and land development
$
37,240
$
58,910
$
90,701
$
186,851
Agricultural real estate
12,284
141,735
234,922
388,941
1-4 family residential properties
23,462
115,959
379,220
518,641
Multifamily residential properties
35,947
221,099
55,712
312,758
Commercial real estate
197,756
1,362,879
835,457
2,396,092
Loans secured by real estate
306,689
1,900,582
1,596,012
3,803,283
Agricultural loans
158,945
49,677
4,595
213,217
Commercial and industrial loans
338,442
617,239
272,225
1,227,906
Consumer loans
3,109
71,781
4,679
79,569
All other loans
25,512
21,234
128,574
175,320
Total loans
$
832,697
$
2,660,513
$
2,006,085
$
5,499,295
1. Based upon remaining contractual maturity.
2. Includes demand loans, past due loans and overdrafts.
As of March 31, 2024, loans with maturities over one year consisted of approximately $3.0 billion in fixed rate loans and approximately $1.7 billion in variable rate loans. The loan maturities noted above are based on the contractual provisions of the individual loans. The Company has no general policy regarding renewals and borrower requests, which are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Nonperforming Loans and Nonperforming Other Assets
Nonperforming loans include: (a) loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis; (b) accruing loans contractually past due ninety days or more as to interest or principal payments; and (c) loans not included in (a) and (b) above which are defined as “modified”. Repossessed assets include primarily repossessed real estate and automobiles.
The Company’s policy is to discontinue the accrual of interest income on any loan for which principal or interest is ninety days past due. The accrual of interest is discontinued earlier when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal. Once interest accruals are discontinued, accrued but uncollected interest is charged against current year income. Subsequent receipts on non-accrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal, and interest income is recorded only after principal recovery is reasonably assured. Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal.
Restructured loans are loans on which, due to deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition, the original terms have been modified in favor of the borrower or either principal or interest has been forgiven. Repossessed assets represent property acquired as the result of borrower defaults on loans. These assets are recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs, at the time of foreclosure or repossession. Write-downs occurring at foreclosure are charged against the allowance for loan losses. On an ongoing basis, properties are appraised as required by market indications and applicable regulations. Write-downs for subsequent declines in value are recorded in non-interest expense in other real estate owned along with other expenses related to maintaining the properties.
The following table presents information concerning the aggregate amount of nonperforming loans and repossessed assets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Nonaccrual loans
$
18,793
$
18,832
Modified loans which are performing in accordance with revised terms
1,271
1,296
Total nonperforming loans
20,064
20,128
Repossessed assets
1,407
1,164
Total nonperforming loans and repossessed assets
$
21,471
$
21,292
Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses
0.36
%
0.36
%
Nonperforming loans and repossessed assets to loans, before allowance for credit losses
0.39
%
0.38
%
48
The $39,000 decrease in nonaccrual loans during 2024 resulted from the net of $2.2 million of loans put on nonaccrual status offset by $1.7 million of loans becoming current or paid-off, $183,000 of loans transferred to other real estate and $402,000 of loans charged off. The following table summarizes the composition of nonaccrual loans (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Balance
% of Total
Balance
% of Total
Agricultural real estate
$
1,135
6.0
%
$
1,146
6.1
%
1-4 family residential properties
4,964
26.4
%
4,940
26.2
%
Commercial real estate
10,105
53.8
%
10,237
54.3
%
Loans secured by real estate
16,204
86.2
%
16,323
86.6
%
Agricultural loans
596
3.2
%
—
—
%
Commercial and industrial loans
1,501
8.0
%
1,931
10.3
%
Consumer loans
492
2.6
%
578
3.1
%
Total loans
$
18,793
100.0
%
$
18,832
100.0
%
Interest income that would have been reported if nonaccrual and restructured loans had been performing totaled $267,000 and $79,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The $243,000 increase in repossessed assets during the 2024 resulted from $243,000 of additional assets repossessed and no repossessed assets sold, no writedowns, and no change in fair value premiums and discounts. The following table summarizes the composition of repossessed assets (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Balance
% of Total
Balance
% of Total
Construction and land development
$
1,296
92.1
%
$
1,130
97.1
%
1-4 family residential properties
50
3.6
%
33
2.8
%
Total real estate
1,346
95.7
%
1,163
99.9
%
Consumer loans
61
4.3
%
1
0.1
%
Total repossessed collateral
$
1,407
100.0
%
$
1,164
100.0
%
Repossessed assets sold during the first three months of 2024 resulted in no net gain or loss of related to real estate asset sales and net gains of $70,000 related to other asset sales. The Company also recognized no deferred losses and recorded no writedowns on real estate properties owned. Repossessed assets sold during the same period in 2023 resulted in net gains of $97,000 related to real estate asset sales and net losses of $17,000 related to other asset sales. The Company also recognized no deferred losses and recorded $151,000 of writedowns on real estate properties owned.
Loan Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of the reserve necessary to adequately account for probable losses existing in the current portfolio. The provision for loan losses is the charge against current earnings that is determined by management as the amount needed to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses. In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, and therefore the provision to be charged to current earnings, management relies predominantly on a disciplined credit review and approval process that extends to the full range of the Company’s credit exposure. The review process is directed by overall lending policy and is intended to identify, at the earliest possible stage, borrowers who might be facing financial difficulty. Factors considered by management in evaluating the overall adequacy of the allowance include a migration analysis of the historical net loan losses by loan segment, the level and composition of nonaccrual, past due and renegotiated loans, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards or lending practices, lending staff changes, concentrations of credit, industry conditions and the current economic conditions in the region where the Company operates.
Management reviews economic factors including the potential for reduced cash flow for commercial operating loans from reduction in sales or increased operating costs, decreased occupancy rates for commercial buildings, reduced levels of home sales for commercial land developments, the uncertainty regarding grain prices, increased operating costs for farmers, and increased levels of unemployment and bankruptcy impacting consumer’s ability to pay. Each of these economic uncertainties was taken into consideration in developing the level of the reserve. Management considers the allowance for loan losses a critical accounting policy.
Management recognizes there are risk factors that are inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. All financial institutions face risk factors in their loan portfolios because risk exposure is a function of the business. The Company’s operations (and therefore its loans) are concentrated in east central Illinois, an area where agriculture is the dominant industry. Accordingly, lending and other business relationships with agriculture-based businesses are critical to the Company’s success. At March 31, 2024, the Company’s loan
49
portfolio included $602.9 million of loans to borrowers whose businesses are directly related to agriculture. Of this amount, $488.5 million was concentrated in other grain farming. Total loans to borrowers whose businesses are directly related to agriculture increased $14.4 million from $588.5 million at December 31, 2023 while loans concentrated in other grain farming increased $16.0 million from $472.5 million at December 31, 2023. While the Company adheres to sound underwriting practices, including collateralization of loans, any extended period of low commodity prices, drought conditions, significantly reduced yields on crops and/or reduced levels of government assistance to the agricultural industry could result in an increase in the level of problem agriculture loans and potentially result in loan losses within the agricultural portfolio. The Company also has $1.06 billion of loans to lessors of non-residential buildings, and $549.3 million of loans to lessors of residential buildings and dwellings.
The structure of the Company’s loan approval process is based on progressively larger lending authorities granted to individual loan officers, loan committees, and ultimately the Board of Directors. Outstanding balances to one borrower or affiliated borrowers are limited by federal regulation; however, limits well below the regulatory thresholds are generally observed. Most of the Company’s loans are to businesses located in the geographic market areas served by the Company’s branch bank system. Additionally, a significant portion of the collateral securing the loans in the portfolio is located within the Company’s primary geographic footprint. In general, the Company adheres to loan underwriting standards consistent with industry guidelines for all loan segments.
The Company minimizes credit risk by adhering to sound underwriting and credit review policies. Management and the board of directors of the Company review these policies at least annually. Senior management is actively involved in business development efforts and the maintenance and monitoring of credit underwriting and approval. The loan review system and controls are designed to identify, monitor and address asset quality problems in an accurate and timely manner. The board of directors and management review the status of problem loans each month and formally determine a best estimate of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis. In addition to internal policies and controls, regulatory authorities periodically review asset quality and the overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
Analysis of the allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and of changes in the allowance for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Three months ended March 31,
2024
2023
Average loans outstanding, net of unearned income
$
5,524,185
$
4,728,697
Allowance-prior year end of period
68,675
59,093
Allowance - beginning of period
68,675
59,093
Charge-offs:
1-4 family residential
67
40
Agricultural
52
—
Commercial and industrial
274
13
Consumer
426
427
Total charge-offs
819
480
Recoveries:
1-4 family residential
49
24
Commercial real estate
161
4
Agricultural
—
3
Commercial and industrial
64
256
Consumer
163
140
Total recoveries
437
427
Net charge-offs (recoveries)
382
53
Provision for credit losses
(357
)
(817
)
Allowance-end of period
$
67,936
$
58,223
Ratio of annualized net charge-offs to average loans
0.03
%
0.00
%
Ratio of allowance for credit losses to loans outstanding (at amortized cost)
1.24
%
1.22
%
Ratio of allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans
339
%
384
%
The decrease in the allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans ratio is primarily due to an increase in the allowance for credit losses due to acquiring Blackhawk Bank at March 31, 2024 compared to March 31, 2023.
During the first three months of 2024, the Company had net charge offs of $382,000 compared to net charge offs of $53,000 in 2023. During the first three months of 2024, there were one commercial operating loan to one borrower totaling $273,000. During the first three months of 2023, there were no significant charge-offs.
50
Deposits
Funding of the Company’s earning assets is substantially provided by a combination of consumer, commercial and public fund deposits. The Company continues to focus its strategies and emphasis on retail core deposits, the major component of funding sources. The following table sets forth the average deposits and weighted average rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Three months ended
March 31, 2024
Three months ended
March 31, 2023
Year ended
December 31, 2023
Average
Balance
Weighted
Average
Rate
Average
Balance
Weighted
Average
Rate
Average
Balance
Weighted
Average
Rate
Demand deposits:
Non-interest-bearing
$
1,367,798
—%
$
1,273,527
—%
$
1,312,023
—%
Interest-bearing
3,036,837
2.20
%
2,504,073
1.56
%
2,618,452
1.83
%
Savings
707,849
0.10
%
640,347
0.12
%
663,760
0.11
%
Time deposits
1,028,045
3.64
%
699,328
1.69
%
961,162
2.98
%
Total average deposits
$
6,140,529
1.71
%
$
5,117,275
1.01
%
$
5,555,397
1.40
%
During the first three months of 2024, the average balance of deposits increased by $585.1 million from the average balance for the year ended December 31, 2023. Average non-interest-bearing deposits increased by $55.8 million, average interest-bearing balances increased by $418.4 million, savings account balances increased $44.1 million and balances of time deposits increased $66.9 million. Approximately 99% of the Company’s deposit accounts are less than $250,000. The average account balance for all deposit customers is approximately $25,000.
The following table sets forth the high and low month-end balances for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
Three months ended
March 31, 2024
Three months ended
March 31, 2023
Year ended
December 31, 2023
High month-end balances of total deposits
$
6,242,937
$
5,165,594
$
6,346,324
Low month-end balances of total deposits
6,112,051
5,030,778
5,030,778
Balances of time deposits, including brokered time deposits of $100,000 or more include time deposits maintained for public fund entities and consumer time deposits. The following table sets forth the maturity of time deposits, including brokered time deposits of $100,000 or more at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
3 months or less
$
183,002
$
183,619
Over 3 through 6 months
195,934
231,187
Over 6 through 12 months
207,190
170,641
Over 12 months
88,487
117,657
Total
$
674,613
$
703,104
51
Repurchase Agreements and Other Borrowings
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are short-term obligations of First Mid Bank. These obligations are collateralized with certain government securities that are direct obligations of the United States or one of its agencies. These retail repurchase agreements are offered as a cash management service to its corporate customers. Other borrowings consist of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, federal funds purchased, loans (short-term or long-term debt) that the Company has outstanding and junior subordinated debentures. Information relating to securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is presented below (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
$
210,719
$
213,721
Federal Home Loan Bank advances:
Fixed term – due in one year or less
60,000
60,000
Fixed term – due after one year
178,761
203,787
Subordinated debt
106,862
106,755
Junior subordinated debentures
24,113
24,058
Total
$
580,455
$
608,321
Average interest rate at end of period
4.09
%
4.41
%
Maximum outstanding at any month-end:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
$
282,285
$
231,650
Federal Home Loan Bank advances:
FHLB – overnight
—
150,000
Fixed term – due in one year or less
60,000
105,024
Fixed term – due after one year
203,778
415,005
Other borrowings:
Subordinated debt
106,862
106,755
Junior subordinated debentures
24,113
24,058
Averages for the period (YTD):
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
$
264,587
$
225,307
Federal Home Loan Bank advances:
FHLB – overnight
—
55,104
Fixed term – due in one year or less
60,000
95,669
Fixed term – due after one year
198,554
311,424
Other borrowings:
Federal funds purchased
—
192
Subordinated debt
106,791
99,638
Junior subordinated debentures
24,084
21,337
Total
$
654,016
$
808,671
Average interest rate during the period
3.75
%
2.16
%
52
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $3.0 million during the first three months of 2024 primarily due to the cash flow needs of various customers. FHLB advances represent borrowings by First Mid Bank to economically fund loan demand. At March 31, 2024 the fixed term advances, consisted of $238.6 million as follows:
Advance
Term (in years)
Interest Rate
Maturity Date
25,000,000
1.5
4.69%
May 10, 2024
25,000,000
2.0
4.59%
November 8, 2024
10,000,000
5.0
1.45%
December 31, 2024
5,000,000
5.0
0.91%
March 10, 2025
3,605,826
10.0
2.64%
December 23, 2025
25,000,000
3.0
4.40%
June 15, 2026
50,000,000
4.0
3.49%
December 8, 2027
25,000,000
5.0
3.67%
June 15, 2028
25,000,000
5.0
3.82%
June 29, 2028
25,000,000
5.0
3.95%
June 29, 2028
5,000,000
10.0
1.15%
October 3, 2029
5,000,000
10.0
1.12%
October 3, 2029
10,000,000
10.0
1.39%
December 31, 2029
The Company is party to a revolving credit agreement with The Northern Trust Company in the amount of $15 million. There was no balance on this line of credit as of March 31, 2024. This loan was renewed on April 5, 2024 for one year as a revolving credit agreement. The interest rate is floating at 2.25% over the federal funds rate. The Company and First Mid Bank, as applicable, were in compliance with the existing covenants at March 31, 2024 and 2023, and December 31, 2023.
On October 6, 2020, the Company issued and sold $96.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.95% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2020 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, governs the terms of the Notes and provides that the Notes are unsecured, subordinated debt obligations of the Company and will mature on October 15, 2030. From and including the date of issuance to, but excluding October 15, 2025, the Notes will bear interest at an initial rate of 3.95% per annum. From and including October 15, 2025 to, but excluding the maturity date or earlier redemption, the Notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to three-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 383 basis points, or such other rate as determined pursuant to the Supplemental Indenture, provided that in no event shall the applicable floating interest rate be less than zero per annum.
The Company may, beginning with the interest payment date of October 15, 2025, and on any interest payment date thereafter, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption. The Company may also redeem the Notes at any time, including prior to October 15, 2025, at the Company’s option, in whole but not in part, if: (i) a change or prospective change in law occurs that could prevent the Company from deducting interest payable on the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (ii) a subsequent event occurs that could preclude the Notes from being recognized as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes; or (iii) the Company is required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the redemption date.
On August 15, 2023, the Company assumed, as part of the Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. acquisition, $7.5 million principal amount of 3.5% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2031 (“Blackhawk Subordinated Debt I”). Blackhawk Subordinated Debt I was issued pursuant to Indenture between the Company and UMB Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Indenture governs the terms of the Notes and provides that the Notes are unsecured, subordinated debt obligations of the Company and will mature on May 14, 2031. From and including the date of issuance to, but excluding May 14, 2026, the Notes will bear interest at an initial rate of 3.5% per annum. From and including May 14, 2026 to, but excluding the maturity date, the Notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to three-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 285 basis points.
On August 15, 2023, the Company assumed, as part of the Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. acquisition, $7.5 million principal amount of 3.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2036 (“Blackhawk Subordinated Debt II”). Blackhawk Subordinated Debt II was issued pursuant to Indenture between the Company and UMB Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Indenture governs the terms of the Notes and provides that the Notes are unsecured, subordinated debt obligations of the Company and will mature on May 14, 2036. From and including the date of issuance to, but excluding May 14, 2031, the Notes will bear interest at an initial rate of 3.875%
53
per annum. From and including May 14, 2031 to, but excluding the maturity date, the Notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to three-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 255 basis points.
On April 26, 2006, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $10 million of fixed/floating rate trust preferred securities through First Mid-Illinois Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), a statutory business trust and wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary of the Company, as part of a pooled offering. The Company established Trust II for the purpose of issuing the trust preferred securities. The $10 million in proceeds from the trust preferred issuance and an additional $310,000 for the Company’s investment in common equity of Trust II, a total of $10,310 000, was invested in junior subordinated debentures of the Company. The underlying junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company to Trust II mature in 2036, bore interest at a fixed rate of 6.98% paid quarterly until June 15, 2011 and then converted to floating rate (LIBOR plus 160 basis points, 7.19% and 7.25% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively).
On September 8, 2016, the Company assumed the trust preferred securities of Clover Leaf Statutory Trust I (“CLST I”), a statutory business trust that was a wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary of First Clover Financial. The $4,000,000 of trust preferred securities and an additional $124,000 investment in common equity of CLST I, is invested in junior subordinated debentures issued to CLST I. The subordinated debentures mature in 2025, bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 185 basis points (7.44% and 7.50% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) and resets quarterly.
On May 1, 2018, the Company assumed the trust preferred securities of FBTC Statutory Trust I (“FBTCST I”), a statutory business trust that was a wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary of First BancTrust Corporation. The $6,000,000 of trust preferred securities and an additional $186,000 investment in common equity of FBTCST I is invested in junior subordinated debentures issued to FBTCST I. The subordinated debentures mature in 2035, bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 170 basis points (7.29% and 7.35% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) and resets quarterly.
On August 15, 2023, the Company assumed the trust preferred securities of Blackhawk Statutory Trust I (“BHST I”), a statutory business trust that was a wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. The $1,000,000 of trust preferred securities and an additional $31,000 investment in common equity of BHST I is invested in junior subordinated debentures issued to BHST I. The subordinated debentures mature in 2032, bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 325 basis points (8.82% and 8.87% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) and resets quarterly.
On August 15, 2023, the Company assumed the trust preferred securities of Blackhawk Statutory Trust II (“BHST II”), a statutory business trust that was a wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. The $4,000,000 of trust preferred securities and an additional $124,000 investment in common equity of BHST II is invested in junior subordinated debentures issued to BHST II. The subordinated debentures mature in 2035, bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 205 basis points (7.64% and 7.69% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) and resets quarterly.
The trust preferred securities issued by Trust II, CLST I, FBTCST I, BHST I, and BHST II are included as Tier 1 capital of the Company for regulatory capital purposes. On March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule that allows the continued limited inclusion of trust preferred securities in the calculation of Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes. The final rule provided a five-year transition period, ending September 30, 2010, for application of the revised quantitative limits. On March 17, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board adopted an additional final rule that delayed the effective date of the new limits on inclusion of trust preferred securities in the calculation of Tier 1 capital until March 31, 2012. The application of the revised quantitative limits did not and is not expected to have a significant impact on its calculation of Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes or its classification as well-capitalized. The Dodd-Frank Act, signed into law July 21, 2010, removes trust preferred securities as a permitted component of a holding company’s Tier 1 capital after a three-year phase-in period beginning January 1, 2013 for larger holding companies. For holding companies with less than $15 billion in consolidated assets, existing issues of trust preferred securities are grandfathered and not subject to this new restriction.
Similarly, the final rule implementing the Basel III reforms allows holding companies with less than $15 billion in consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 to continue to count toward Tier 1 capital any trust preferred securities issued before May 19, 2010. New issuances of trust preferred securities, however, would not count as Tier 1 regulatory capital.
In addition to requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act discussed above, the act also required the federal banking agencies to adopt certain rules that prohibit banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring certain unregistered investment companies (defined as hedge funds and private equity funds). This rule is generally referred to as the “Volcker Rule.” The rules permit the retention of an interest in or sponsorship of covered funds by banking entities under $15 billion in assets (such as the Company) if (1) the collateralized debt obligation was established and issued prior to May 19, 2010, (2) the banking entity reasonably believes that the offering proceeds received by the collateralized debt obligation were invested primarily in qualifying trust preferred collateral, and (3) the banking entity’s interests in the collateralized debt obligation was acquired on or prior to December 10, 2013. The Company does not currently anticipate that the Volcker Rule will have a material effect on the
54
operations of the Company or First Mid Bank.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
The Company seeks to maximize its net interest margin while maintaining an acceptable level of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk can be defined as the amount of forecasted net interest income that may be gained or lost due to changes in the interest rate environment, a variable over which management has no control. Interest rate risk, or sensitivity, arises when the maturity or repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets differ significantly from the maturity or repricing characteristics of interest- bearing liabilities. The Company monitors its interest rate sensitivity position to maintain a balance between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities. This balance serves to limit the adverse effects of changes in interest rates. The Company’s asset liability management committee (ALCO) oversees the interest rate sensitivity position and directs the overall allocation of funds.
In the banking industry, a traditional way to measure potential net interest income exposure to changes in interest rates is through a technique known as “static GAP” analysis which measures the cumulative differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities maturing or repricing at various intervals. By comparing the volumes of interest-bearing assets and liabilities that have contractual maturities and repricing points at various times in the future, management can gain insight into the amount of interest rate risk embedded in the balance sheet. The following table sets forth the Company’s interest rate repricing GAP for selected maturity periods at March 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Rate Sensitive Within
1 years
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
4-5 years
Thereafter
Total
Fair Value
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing deposits
$
274,695
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
274,695
$
274,695
Certificates of deposit investments
1,715
2,030
—
—
—
—
3,745
3,745
Taxable investment securities
36,924
34,001
13,268
63,542
104,572
620,024
872,331
872,331
Nontaxable investment securities
2,885
895
1,900
4,125
5,354
258,517
273,676
273,676
Loans
1,600,363
1,003,508
1,168,997
615,630
410,860
699,937
5,499,295
5,134,126
Total
$
1,916,582
$
1,040,434
$
1,184,165
$
683,297
$
520,786
$
1,578,478
$
6,923,742
$
6,558,573
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings and NOW accounts
$
355,200
$
377,202
$
314,546
$
262,538
$
219,329
$
1,150,819
$
2,679,634
$
2,679,634
Money market accounts
292,878
187,045
143,819
110,624
85,127
287,684
1,107,177
1,107,177
Other time deposits
867,420
60,412
22,962
48,006
8,401
625
1,007,826
930,726
Short-term borrowings/debt
210,719
—
—
—
—
—
210,719
210,719
Long-term borrowings/debt
189,119
28,755
119,754
6,457
—
25,651
369,736
358,484
Total
$
1,915,336
$
653,414
$
601,081
$
427,625
$
312,857
$
1,464,779
$
5,375,092
$
5,286,740
Rate sensitive assets – rate sensitive liabilities
$
1,246
$
387,020
$
583,084
$
255,672
$
207,929
$
113,699
$
1,548,650
Cumulative GAP
1,246
388,266
971,350
1,227,022
1,434,951
1,548,650
Cumulative amounts as % of total Rate sensitive assets
0.0
%
5.6
%
8.4
%
3.7
%
3.0
%
1.6
%
Cumulative Ratio
0.0
%
5.6
%
14.0
%
17.7
%
20.7
%
22.4
%
The static GAP analysis shows that at March 31, 2024, the Company was liability sensitive, on a cumulative basis, through the twelve-month time horizon. This indicates that future increases in interest rates could have an adverse effect on net interest income. There are several ways the Company measures and manages the exposure to interest rate sensitivity, including static GAP analysis. The Company’s ALCO also uses other financial models to project interest income under various rate scenarios and prepayment/extension assumptions consistent with First Mid Bank’s historical experience and with known industry trends. ALCO meets at least monthly to review the Company’s exposure to interest rate changes as indicated by the various techniques and to make necessary changes in the composition terms and/or rates of the assets and liabilities.
Capital Resources
At March 31, 2024, the Company’s stockholders' equity increased $4.7 million or 0.6%, to $798.0 million from $793.2 million as of December 31, 2023. During the first three months of 2024, net income contributed $20.5 million to equity before the payment of dividends to stockholders. The change in market value of available-for-sale investment securities decreased stockholders' equity by $11.2 million, net of tax. Dividends of $5.5 million were paid during the first three months of 2024.
The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Bank holding companies follow minimum regulatory requirements established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve System”), First Mid Bank follows similar minimum regulatory requirements established for banks by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as applicable. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary action by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Quantitative measures established by regulatory capital standards to
55
ensure capital adequacy require the Company and its subsidiary bank to maintain minimum capital amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below). Management believes that, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company and First Mid Bank, as applicable, met all capital adequacy requirements.
As permitted by the interim final rule issued on March 27, 2020 by the federal banking regulatory agencies, the Company elected the option to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital of adopting ASU 2016-13, which was effective January 1, 2020. The initial impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13, as well as 25% of the quarterly increases in allowance for credit losses subsequent to adoption of ASU 2016-13 was delayed for two years. After two years, the cumulative amount of these adjustments is being phased out of the regulatory capital calculation over a three-year period, with 75% of the adjustments included in 2022, 50% of the adjustments included in 2023 and 25% of the adjustments included in 2024. After five years, the temporary delay of ASU 2016-13 adoption will be fully reversed.
To be categorized as well-capitalized, total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital and Tier 1 leverage ratios must be maintained as set forth in the following table (dollars in thousands):
Actual
Required Minimum For
Capital Adequacy
Purposes
To Be Well-Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
March 31, 2024
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
$
911,432
15.35
%
$
623,272
> 10.50%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
863,888
14.60
%
621,287
> 10.50%
$
591,702
> 10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
739,782
12.46
%
504,553
> 8.50%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
799,100
13.51
%
502,946
> 8.50%
473,361
> 8.00%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
715,669
12.06
%
415,514
> 7.00%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
799,100
13.51
%
414,191
> 7.00%
384,606
> 6.50%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
Company
739,782
9.71
%
304,756
> 4.00%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
799,100
10.54
%
303,404
> 4.00%
379,255
> 5.00%
December 31, 2023
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
$
894,259
14.84
%
$
632,724
>10.50%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
854,235
14.22
%
630,581
>10.50%
$
600,553
> 10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
724,186
12.02
%
512,205
> 8.50%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
790,917
13.17
%
510,470
> 8.50%
480,443
> 8.00%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
700,128
11.62
%
421,816
> 7.00%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
790,917
13.17
%
420,387
> 7.00%
390,360
> 6.50%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
Company
724,186
9.33
%
310,587
> 4.00%
N/A
N/A
First Mid Bank
790,917
10.23
%
309,151
> 4.00%
386,439
> 5.00%
The Company's risk-weighted assets, capital, and capital ratios for March 31, 2024 are computed in accordance with Basel III capital rules which were effective January 1, 2015. As of March 31, 2024, the Company and First Mid Bank had capital ratios above the required minimums for regulatory capital adequacy, and First Mid Bank had capital ratios that qualified it for treatment as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action with respect to banks.
56
Stock Plans
Participants may purchase Company stock under the following three plans of the Company: The Deferred Compensation Plan, the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and the Stock Incentive Plan. For more detailed information on these plans, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held April 26, 2017, the stockholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan ("SI Plan"). The SI Plan was implemented to succeed the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which had a ten-year term. The SI Plan is intended to provide a means whereby directors, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its Subsidiaries may sustain a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the continued development and financial success of the Company and its Subsidiaries, thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, directors and selected employees, consultants and advisors may be provided the opportunity to acquire shares of Common Stock of the Company on the terms and conditions established in the SI Plan.
Following the stockholders’ approval at the 2021 annual meeting of the Company, a maximum of 399,983 shares of common stock may be issued under the SI Plan. The Company awarded 53,766 and 60,550 restricted stock awards during 2024 and 2023, respectively and 39,150 and 37,900 as stock unit awards during 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held April 25, 2018, the stockholders approved the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The ESPP is intended to promote the interests of the Company by providing eligible employees with the opportunity to purchase shares of common stock of the Company at a 15% discount through payroll deductions. The ESPP is also intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. A maximum of 600,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the ESPP. As of March 31, 2024, 102,340 shares have been issued pursuant to the ESPP. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 8,612 shares and 7,963 shares, respectively, were issued pursuant to the ESPP.
Stock Repurchase Program
Since August 5, 1998, the Board of Directors has approved repurchase programs pursuant to which the Company may repurchase a total of approximately $76.7 million of the Company’s common stock. During 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares. The Company has approximately $3.6 million in remaining capacity under its existing repurchase program.
Although the Company adopted the repurchase plan, the Company may make discretionary repurchases in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time. The timing, manner, price and amount of any such repurchases will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend upon a variety of factors including economic and market conditions, price, applicable legal requirements and other factors.
Liquidity
Liquidity represents the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to meet all present and future financial obligations arising in the daily operations of the business. Financial obligations consist of the need for funds to meet extensions of credit, deposit withdrawals and debt servicing. The Company’s liquidity management focuses on the ability to obtain funds economically through assets that may be converted into cash at minimal costs or through other sources. The Company’s other sources of cash include overnight federal fund lines, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, deposits of the State of Illinois, the ability to borrow at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the Company’s operating line of credit with The Northern Trust Company.
Details of the Company's liquidity sources include:
• First Mid Bank has $120 million available in overnight federal fund lines, including $30 million from First Horizon Bank, N.A., $20 million from U.S. Bank, N.A., $10 million from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., $15 million from The Northern Trust Company, $25 million from Zions Bank, and $20 million from BMO Bank, N.A. Availability of the funds is subject to First Mid Bank meeting minimum regulatory capital requirements for total capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to total average assets. As of March 31, 2024, First Mid Bank met these regulatory requirements.
• First Mid Bank can borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank as a source of liquidity. Availability of the funds is subject to the pledging of collateral to the Federal Home Loan Bank. Collateral that can be pledged includes one-to-four family residential real estate loans and securities. At March 31, 2024, the excess collateral at the FHLB would support approximately $1,683 million of additional advances for First Mid Bank.
57
• First Mid Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and can borrow funds provided that sufficient collateral is pledged.
• In addition, as of March 31, 2024, the Company had a revolving credit agreement in the amount of $15 million with The Northern Trust Company with an outstanding balance of $0 and $15 million in available funds. This loan was renewed on April 5, 2024 for one year as a revolving credit agreement. The interest rate is floating at 2.25% over the federal funds rate. The loan is unsecured. The Company and its subsidiary bank were in compliance with the existing covenants at March 31, 2024 and 2023 and December 31, 2023.
Management continues to monitor its expected liquidity requirements carefully, focusing primarily on cash flows from:
• lending activities, including loan commitments, letters of credit and mortgage prepayment assumptions;
• deposit activities, including seasonal demand of private and public funds;
• investing activities, including prepayments of mortgage-backed securities and call provisions on U.S. Treasury and government agency securities; and
• operating activities, including scheduled debt repayments and dividends to stockholders.
The following table summarizes significant contractual obligations and other commitments at March 31, 2024 (in thousands):
Less than
More than
Total
1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
5 years
Time deposits
$
1,007,826
$
867,420
$
83,374
$
56,407
$
625
Debt
130,975
—
4,026
—
126,949
Other borrowing
449,480
275,725
28,755
125,000
20,000
Operating leases
16,437
3,079
5,072
3,746
4,540
Supplemental retirement
1,889
50
100
150
1,589
$
1,606,607
$
1,146,274
$
121,327
$
185,303
$
153,703
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash of $29.0 million was provided by operating activities, $97.4 million was provided by investing activities, and $86.2 million was provided by financing activities. In total, cash and cash equivalents increased by $212.6 million since year-end 2023.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
First Mid Bank enters into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include lines of credit, letters of credit and other commitments to extend credit. Each of these instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the same credit policies and requires similar collateral in approving lines of credit and commitments and issuing letters of credit as it does in making loans. The exposure to credit losses on financial instruments is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. However, the Company does not anticipate any losses from these instruments. The off-balance sheet financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Unused commitments and lines of credit:
Commercial real estate
$
208,330
$
219,117
Commercial operating
680,611
681,360
Home equity
106,151
104,142
Other
300,026
311,907
Total
$
1,295,118
$
1,316,526
Standby letters of credit
$
16,759
$
17,401
Commitments to originate credit represent approved commercial, residential real estate and home equity loans that generally are expected to be funded within ninety days. Lines of credit are agreements by which the Company agrees to provide a borrowing accommodation up to a stated amount as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the loan agreement. Both commitments to originate credit and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the lines and some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
58
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the financial performance of customers to third parties. Standby letters of credit are primarily issued to facilitate trade or support borrowing arrangements and generally expire in one year or less. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending credit facilities to customers. The maximum amount of credit that would be extended under letters of credit is equal to the total off-balance sheet contract amount of such instrument. The Company's deferred revenue under standby letters of credit was nominal.
The Company is also subject to claims and lawsuits that arise primarily in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management that the disposition of ultimate resolution of such claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There has been no material change in the market risk faced by the Company since December 31, 2023. For information regarding the Company’s market risk, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.