Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our financial statements and accompanying notes, including the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are set forth on pages F-1 to F-57 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Audited Financial Statements
Description
Page Number
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 173 )
F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Shareholders and the Board of Directors
First Western Financial, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Western Financial, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Crowe LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.
Denver, Colorado
March 15, 2022
F-1
Table of Contents
FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and due from banks
$
6,487
$
2,405
Federal funds sold
1,491
—
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
379,005
153,584
Total cash and cash equivalents
386,983
155,989
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
56,211
36,666
Correspondent bank stock, at cost
2,584
2,552
Mortgage loans held for sale
30,620
161,843
Loans, net of allowance of $ 13,732 and $ 12,539
1,935,405
1,520,294
Premises and equipment, net
23,976
5,320
Accrued interest receivable
7,151
6,618
Accounts receivable
5,267
4,865
Other receivables
1,949
1,422
Other real estate owned, net
—
194
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
31,902
24,258
Deferred tax assets, net
6,845
6,056
Company-owned life insurance
15,803
15,449
Other assets
22,678
32,129
Assets held for sale
115
—
Total assets
$
2,527,489
$
1,973,655
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing
$
636,304
$
481,457
Interest-bearing
1,569,399
1,138,453
Total deposits
2,205,703
1,619,910
Borrowings:
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve borrowings
38,629
149,563
Subordinated notes
39,031
24,291
Accrued interest payable
355
453
Other liabilities
24,730
24,476
Total liabilities
2,308,448
1,818,693
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock - no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 issued and outstanding
—
—
Common stock - no par value; 90,000,000 shares authorized; 9,419,271 and 7,951,773 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
—
—
Additional paid-in capital
188,629
144,703
Retained earnings
30,189
9,579
Accumulated other comprehensive income
223
680
Total shareholders’ equity
219,041
154,962
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
2,527,489
$
1,973,655
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-2
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FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Interest and dividend income:
Loans, including fees
$
60,758
$
51,998
Investment securities
770
878
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
397
458
Total interest and dividend income
61,925
53,334
Interest expense:
Deposits
3,482
5,794
Other borrowed funds
1,934
1,438
Total interest expense
5,416
7,232
Net interest income
56,509
46,102
Less: Provision for loan losses
1,230
4,682
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses
55,279
41,420
Non-interest income:
Trust and investment management fees
20,220
19,022
Net gain on mortgage loans
16,060
29,276
Bank fees
1,847
1,320
Risk management and insurance fees
1,120
1,199
Income on company-owned life insurance
354
363
Net gain on equity interests
489
—
Other
60
—
Total non-interest income
40,150
51,180
Total income before non-interest expense
95,429
92,600
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits
40,746
34,785
Occupancy and equipment
5,990
6,009
Professional services
6,473
5,035
Technology and information systems
3,707
4,035
Data processing
6,327
4,000
Marketing
1,613
1,478
Amortization of other intangible assets
17
14
Net loss on assets held for sale
—
553
Provision for other real estate owned
—
176
Other
3,276
3,452
Total non-interest expense
68,149
59,537
Income before income taxes
27,280
33,063
Income tax expense
6,670
8,529
Net income available to common shareholders
$
20,610
$
24,534
Earnings per common share:
Basic
$
2.58
$
3.11
Diluted
2.50
3.08
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Net income
$
20,610
$
24,534
Other comprehensive (loss)/income items, net of tax effect:
Net change in unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities
( 457 )
844
Comprehensive income
$
20,153
$
25,378
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Retained
Accumulated
Shares
Additional
Earnings
Other
Common
Paid-In
(Accumulated
Comprehensive
Stock
Capital
Deficit)
Income (Loss)
Total
Balance, December 31, 2019
7,940,168
$
142,797
$
( 14,955 )
$
( 164 )
$
127,678
Net income
—
—
24,534
—
24,534
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—
—
—
844
844
Settlement of share awards
34,710
( 261 )
—
—
( 261 )
Share repurchase
( 23,105 )
( 377 )
—
—
( 377 )
Stock-based compensation
—
2,544
—
—
2,544
Balance, December 31, 2020
7,951,773
$
144,703
$
9,579
$
680
$
154,962
Net income
—
—
20,610
—
20,610
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
—
—
—
( 457 )
( 457 )
Settlement of share awards
58,884
( 501 )
—
—
( 501 )
Issuance of common stock for Teton Acquisition
1,337,791
39,818
39,818
Options exercised
70,823
1,706
—
—
1,706
Stock-based compensation
—
2,903
—
—
2,903
Balance, December 31, 2021
9,419,271
$
188,629
$
30,189
$
223
$
219,041
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income
$
20,610
$
24,534
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Net amortization of investment securities
131
442
Stock dividends received on correspondent bank stock
( 76 )
( 17 )
Provision for loan losses
1,230
4,682
Net gain on mortgage loans
( 16,060 )
( 29,276 )
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
( 1,263,346 )
( 1,331,989 )
Proceeds from mortgage loans
1,417,808
1,238,881
Depreciation and amortization
1,273
1,117
Provision for other real estate owned
—
176
Deferred income tax benefits, net of valuation allowance
( 668 )
( 1,300 )
Increase in cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance
( 354 )
( 363 )
Loss on assets held for sale
—
553
Stock-based compensation
2,903
2,544
Gain on equity interests
( 489 )
—
Loss/(Gain) on sale of assets
27
( 43 )
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Change in accounts receivable
( 247 )
355
Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets
1,254
( 4,473 )
Change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
1,852
858
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
165,848
( 93,319 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Activity in available-for-sale securities:
Maturities, prepayments, and calls
16,241
28,639
Purchases
( 17,667 )
( 6,000 )
Purchases of correspondent bank stock
( 1 )
( 1,950 )
Redemption of correspondent bank stock
973
—
Contributions to low-income housing tax credit investments
( 2,087 )
—
Loan and note receivable originations and principal collections, net
( 162,900 )
( 414,486 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
( 2,108 )
( 1,205 )
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
—
10
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
194
288
Net cash received/(paid) on acquisitions
120,997
( 61,316 )
Net cash used in investing activities
( 46,358 )
( 456,020 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in deposits
206,566
470,046
Payments to Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
—
( 30,000 )
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
—
35,000
Payments to Federal Reserve borrowings
( 194,608 )
( 69,750 )
Proceeds from Federal Reserve borrowings
83,674
204,313
Proceeds from subordinated notes, net of issuance costs
14,667
17,719
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
1,706
—
Repurchase of common stock
—
( 377 )
Settlement of restricted stock
( 501 )
( 261 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
111,504
626,690
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
230,994
77,351
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
155,989
78,638
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
386,983
$
155,989
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds
$
5,514
$
7,078
Income tax payment, net of refunds received
6,336
11,763
Cash paid for lease liabilities
5,287
5,659
Supplemental noncash disclosures:
Common stock issued for Teton acquisition
39,818
—
Reclass of held for sale assets, net of liabilities
—
( 2,990 )
Contingent asset resulting from sale of held for sale assets
—
3,062
Change in unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale securities
( 620 )
1,113
Lease right-of-use-asset obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
2,262
3,600
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business and Basis of Presentation : The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Western Financial, Inc. ("FWFI"), incorporated in Colorado on July 18, 2002, and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries listed below (collectively referred to as the "Company", "we", "us", or "our").
FWFI is a bank holding company with financial holding company status registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. FWFI wholly owns the following subsidiaries: First Western Trust Bank (the "Bank") and Ryder, Stilwell Inc. ("RSI"). The Bank wholly owns the following subsidiaries, which are therefore indirectly wholly-owned by FWFI: First Western Merger Corporation ("Merger Corp.") and RRI, LLC ("RRI"). RSI and RRI are not active operating entities.
The Company provides a fully-integrated suite of wealth management services including private banking, personal trust, investment management, mortgage loans, and institutional asset management services to individual and corporate clients principally in Colorado (metro Denver, Aspen, Boulder, Fort Collins and Vail Valley), Arizona (Phoenix and Scottsdale), California (Century City), and Wyoming (Jackson Hole, Laramie, Pinedale and Rock Springs). The Company’s revenues are generated from its full range of product offerings as noted above, but principally from net interest income (the interest income earned on the Bank’s assets net of funding costs), fee-based wealth advisory, investment management, asset management and personal trust services, and net gains earned on mortgage loans.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for financial information, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and where applicable, reporting practices prescribed for the banking and investment advisory industries.
Consolidation : The Company’s policy is to consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest and variable-interest entities where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Business Combinations and Divestitures: On December 31, 2021, the Company completed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement” or “Teton Acquisition”) with Teton Financial Services, Inc. (“Teton”), parent company of Rocky Mountain Bank, a Wyoming-chartered bank headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming. Management concluded that the merger represented a business combination, which is accounted for using the acquisition method, with the results of operations included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date.
On November 13, 2020, the Company completed the sale of its Los Angeles fixed income team and certain related advisory and sub-advisory arrangements to Lido Advisors, LLC and Oakhurst Advisors, LLC. As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded a contingent consideration asset with an initial fair value estimated at $ 3.1 million to be received in quarterly payments over three years and a portion will be received in perpetuity. The asset is carried at its net present value in our Other assets line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On May 15, 2020, the Company completed a branch purchase and assumption transaction ("Branch Acquisition") with Simmons Bank ("Simmons"). Management concluded that the acquisition represented a business combination, which is accounted for using the acquisition method, with the results of operations included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date.
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Use of Estimates : To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Information available which could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in the financial condition of borrowers. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include: the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation of goodwill impairment, and the fair value of financial instruments.
The Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting governmental actions to curtail its spread. It is at least reasonably possible that information which was available at the date of the financial statements will change in the near term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that the effect of the change would be material to the financial statements. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our estimates and assumptions is highly uncertain.
Concentration of Credit Risk : Most of the Company’s lending activity is to clients located in and around metro Denver, Aspen, Fort Collins, and Vail, Colorado; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company does not believe it has significant concentrations in any one industry or customer. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 76.1 % and 66.9 %, respectively, of the Company’s loan portfolio was secured by real estate collateral. Declines in real estate values in the primary markets the Company operates in could negatively impact the Company.
Cash and Cash Equivalents : Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits at other financial institutions with original maturities fewer than 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, and federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements.
Investment Securities : Investments we intend to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity, are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value using current market information from a pricing service, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, all investment securities were classified as available-for-sale. As of December 31, 2021, equity mutual funds have been recorded at fair value within the Other assets line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes recorded in the Other line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company invests in projects to create affordable housing. These investments are classified as Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investments in affordable housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits ("LIHTC") are accounted for using the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax credits and other benefits received and recognized as a component of applicable income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Net purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities, without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are recorded in earnings as realized losses in Non-interest income.
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on a quarterly basis, or more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) OTTI related to loss on securities, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no securities were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
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Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
Correspondent Bank Stock : Correspondent bank stock includes stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka ("FHLB"), Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB"), and Bankers’ Bank of the West ("BBW"), which are considered restricted securities because the Company may be required to hold the stock in order to maintain the correspondent banking relationship with these institutions. No ready market exists for the FHLB and FRB stock and therefore, no quoted market values exist. For financial reporting purposes, the FHLB and FRB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The BBW stock is carried at fair value. No impairment was recorded as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income when received.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale : Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded and charged to earnings. Servicing rights are released when the associated mortgage loans are sold. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.
Loans : Loans the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, until maturity, or until payoff are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, adjusted for charge-offs and recoveries, net of deferred costs (fees) and unamortized premiums/(unaccreted discounts), and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on unpaid principal balances. Fees received at origination, net of certain direct origination costs for providing loan commitments and letters of credit that result in loans, are deferred and amortized to interest income over the life of the related loan or until payoff, at which time the remaining unamortized fee is recorded as interest income. Fees, net of certain direct origination costs on commitments and letters of credit, are amortized to interest income over the commitment period.
Past Due Loans : The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan becomes 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged off if collection of interest or principal is considered doubtful.
Interest accrued but not collected is charged off against interest income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status. The interest collected on non-accrual loans is accounted for using the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Under the cost-recovery method, interest income is not recognized until the loan balance is reduced to zero. Loans can be returned to accrual status when there is a sustained period of repayment performance (usually six-months or longer) and the collectability of future payments is reasonably assured.
Troubled Debt Restructurings : A troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") is a loan the Company, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower the Company would not otherwise consider.
The loan terms which have been modified or restructured due to a borrower’s financial difficulty, include but are not limited to (i) a reduction in the stated interest rate of the loan, (ii) an extension of the maturity date of the loan at an interest rate below market, or (iii) a reduction of the accrued interest.
Loan modifications granted by the Company are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if they should be considered a restructured loan.
COVID-19 Loan Modifications: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a loan modification program was designed and implemented to assist our clients experiencing financial stress resulting from the economic impacts caused by the global pandemic. The Company was offering loan extensions, temporary payment moratoriums, and financial covenant waivers for commercial and consumer borrowers impacted by the pandemic who have a pass risk rating and have not been delinquent over 30 days on payments in the last two years, primarily for a period of 180 days or less.
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During 2021, the Company’s loan portfolio included 69 loans totaling $ 130.4 million, which participated in the Company’s COVID-19 loan modification program. As of December 31, 2021, the deferral period has ended for all loans previously modified and payments have resumed under the original terms.
COVID-19 and CARES Act : On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States and the around the world. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") into law on March 27, 2020. The objective of the CARES Act is to prevent a severe economic downturn using various measures, including economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. We continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 closely, as well as any effects that may result from the CARES Act and other government actions.
The CARES Act created the paycheck protection program ("PPP"), which is administered by the Small Business Administration ("SBA"). The PPP is intended to provide loans to small businesses to pay their employees, rent, mortgage interest and utilities. The loans may be forgiven conditioned upon the client providing payroll documentation evidencing their compliant use of funds and otherwise complying with the terms of the program. The Bank is an approved SBA lender and supported the community and clients by originating PPP loans since the program was created. PPP loans are classified in the Cash, Securities and Other portion of the loan portfolio. See Note 5 - Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses for further discussion on our PPP loans.
The CARES Act provides banks optional, temporary relief from accounting for certain loan modifications as TDRs. The modifications must be related to the adverse effects of COVID-19, and certain other criteria are required to be met in order to apply the relief. Interagency guidance from Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") confirmed with the FASB that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not to be considered a TDR. We believe our loan modification program meets that definition and have not classified any of these modifications as a TDR as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. In accordance with that guidance, the Company is recognizing interest income on all loans modified for temporary payment moratoriums. See Note 5 - Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses for further discussion on our loan modification program.
All loans modified in response to COVID-19 are classified as performing and pass rated as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. These loans are included in the allowance for loan loss general reserve in accordance with ASC 450-20. Management has increased our loan level reviews and portfolio monitoring to address the changing environment. The Company continues to meet regularly with clients who could be more highly impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. These are borrowers in industries we believe may be more impacted by the pandemic, for instance those loans where there may be a greater than 50 % probability of a downgrade, covenant violation, or 20 % reduction in collateral position. Management believes the diversity of the loan portfolio is prudent and remains consistent with the credit culture and goals of the Bank.
Interest accrued during the modification term on modified loans is deferred to the end of the loan term. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no allowance for loan loss was deemed necessary on the accrued interest balances related to loan modifications.
The Company is a participant in the Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program ("MSLP") to support lending to small and medium-sized for profit businesses and nonprofit organizations that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company may sell a 95% participation in a new MSLP loan to the Main Street Special Purpose Vehicle ("SPV") at par value. The Company must retain 5% of the MSLP loan until (i) it matures or (ii) neither the Main Street SPV nor a Governmental Assignee holds an interest in MSLP Loan in any capacity, whichever comes first. See Note 5 - Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses for further discussion on our participation in the program.
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Allowance for Loan Losses: The Company’s reserve for loan losses is an estimate of the probable incurred loan losses and is comprised of (i) the allowance for loan losses and (ii) the reserve for unfunded commitments. The reserve for unfunded commitments is included in Other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and the loan balances in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets are reported net of the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses, which is a noncash charge to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and dollar volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
We are closely monitoring the changing dynamics in the economy and the client impact driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have intensified our portfolio management, focusing on higher impacted industries and commercial property types. Excluding loans acquired through the Teton Acquisition, the portion of our credit exposure to the highest risk industries impacted by COVID-19, such as accommodations, transportation and restaurants, is less than 4.3 % of our loan portfolio. We are actively reviewing our acquired loans for any exposure to high risk industries. The Company has increased our loan level reviews and portfolio monitoring to address the changing environment and continues to engage in more frequent communication with these borrowers to better understand the impact on our borrower’s cash flows and respond proactively. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company increased its allowance to account for the additional variability surrounding the loan modifications and increased economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Management will continue to closely monitor the loan portfolio and analyze the economic data to assess the impact on the allowance for loan losses.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.
TDR and non-accrual loans are separately evaluated for impairment and included in the separately identified impairment disclosures. If cash flow dependent, TDR and non-accrual loans will be measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a TDR or non-accrual loan is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. For TDR and non-accrual loans that subsequently default, the Company determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses on loans individually identified as impaired.
Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting all scheduled principal and interest payments. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
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The allowance for loan losses is comprised of specific loan loss reserves and general loan loss reserves. The impairment of a specific loan is measured based either on (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or (ii) the fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, if the repayment is expected to be provided predominantly by the sale of the underlying collateral. Specific impairments are measured on a loan-by-loan basis if risk characteristics are unique to an individual borrower. The general loan loss reserve covers non-impaired loans and is established by evaluating the incurred loss on homogenous pools of loans, not specifically reviewed for impairment as noted above, that have common risk characteristics. The general loan loss reserve is based on historical loss experiences adjusted for nine qualitative factors on all loans in the portfolio not considered impaired. Certain factors are applied to each pool and certain factors are applied to all non-individually reviewed loans. The nine qualitative factors the Company considers are:
● Changes in relevant economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments.
● Levels and trends in net charge-offs.
● The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.
● Changes in the nature or volume of the loan portfolio and in the terms of loans.
● Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff.
● Changes in the volume and severity of past due loans.
● Changes in the quality of the loan review system and associated grading changes.
● Change in the level of overdrafts.
● Levels and status of loans modified as a result of COVID-19.
The following portfolio segments have been identified:
● Cash, Securities and Other— consists of consumer and commercial purpose loans that are primarily secured by securities managed and under custody with us, cash on deposit with us or life insurance policies. In addition, loans in this portfolio are collateralized with other sources of consumer collateral and an immaterial amount of each loan may be unsecured. This segment of our portfolio is affected by a variety of local and national economic factors affecting borrowers’ employment prospects, income levels, and overall economic sentiment. PPP loans that are fully guaranteed by the SBA are classified within this line item as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
● Construction and Development—consists of loans to finance the construction of residential and non-residential properties. These loans are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the risks consistent with construction projects.
● 1-4 Family Residential— consists of loans and home equity lines of credit secured by 1-4 family residential properties. These loans typically enable borrowers to purchase or refinance existing homes, most of which serve as the primary residence of the owner. In addition, some borrowers secure a commercial purpose loan with owner occupied or non-owner occupied 1-4 family residential properties. Loans in this segment are dependent on the industries tied to these loans as well as the national and local economies, and local residential and commercial real estate markets.
● Commercial Real Estate (" CRE ") , Owner Occupied and Non-Owner Occupied—consists of commercial loans collateralized by real estate. These loans may be collateralized by owner occupied or non-owner occupied real estate, as well as multi-family residential real estate. These loans are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the success of their businesses.
● Commercial and Industrial—consists of commercial and industrial loans, including working capital lines of credit, permanent working capital term loans, business asset loans, acquisition, expansion and development loans, and other loan products, primarily in our target markets. This portfolio primarily consists of term loans and lines of credit which are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the success of their businesses. This category includes MSLP loans as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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The reserve for unfunded commitments represents the estimate for probable loan losses inherent in unfunded commitments to extend credit. Unfunded commitments to extend credit include commercial and standby letters of credit, unused lines of credit, and unfunded loan commitments expected to be funded.
The process used to determine the reserve for unfunded commitments is consistent with the process for determining the allowance for loan losses, adjusted for estimated funding probabilities. Changes to the level of the reserve for unfunded commitments are recognized through the provision for loan losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures, included in the non-interest other expense line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Transfers of Financial Assets : Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Prior to participating in the MSLP, the Company obtained a true sale opinion with regards to the legal isolation condition of the contract. Legal counsel determined that given the facts and circumstances provided, consistent with the FDIC rule entitled “Treatment of financial assets transferred in connection with a securitization or participation”, 12 C.F.R. §360.6, that the MSLP documents would be considered a true sale to the buyer. As such, Management concludes the MSLP loans qualify for sales accounting treatment and are true sales contracts under GAAP.
Premises and Equipment : Premises and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, with the exception of artwork and land, which are carried at cost. The Company acquired land and three buildings associated with the Teton Acquisition. These assets were initially recorded at their fair values based on recent appraisals and the buildings will be depreciated over their new remaining useful life, ranging from 25 to 50 years . Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method and recognized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from 7 to 15 years . Furniture/equipment and software are depreciated using the straight-line method and recognized over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from 3 to 7 years .
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets : Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. The Company has acquired other identifiable intangible assets, primarily consisting of customer relationships, non-competition agreements, and recorded goodwill through its acquisition of financial services companies. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually by applying a fair value-based test using discounted estimated future net cash flows. The Company has selected October 31 as the date to perform its annual impairment tests. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of the goodwill and other intangible assets exceeds their implied fair values. Impairment losses, if any, are recognized as a charge to non-interest expense and an adjustment to the carrying value of the goodwill or other intangible assets. Subsequent reversals of impairment charges are prohibited. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other definite-lived intangible assets, including customer relationship intangibles, are amortized on an accelerated basis over periods representing the estimated remaining lives of the assets of one to ten years , and are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying values of such assets may not be recoverable. As of December 31, 2021, the Company believes the carrying value of its goodwill not to be impaired and other intangible assets to be recoverable.
Accounts Receivable : Accounts receivable primarily represents the billed but unpaid fees from trust and investment advisory services owed by clients, which are typically calculated as a percentage of average invested balances. The majority of the Company’s investment advisory clients are billed quarterly in arrears based on the daily average balance in the client’s trust or investment accounts for that quarter.
Other Receivables : Other accounts receivable represents compensation paid to employees that is contingent on future employment and recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the estimated service period, sales of investments and assets in which the Company has obtained a firm commitment as of the balance sheet dates, and fees due from the SBA related to PPP.
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Leases : Leases represent a contract that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company leases certain identified assets from third parties. Leases in which the Company is determined to be the lessee are primarily operating leases. Leases in which the Company is determined to be the lessor are considered operating leases and consist of the partial lease of Company owned buildings. Operating leases are included in the Other assets and Other liabilities line items of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. An ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also includes any direct costs and payments made prior to lease commencement and excludes lease incentives. When an implicit rate is not available, an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of the lease payments. A lease term may include an option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Short-term leases of 12 months or less are excluded from accounting guidance; as a result, the lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the leases are not reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Renewal and termination options are considered when determining short-term leases. Leases are accounted for on an individual lease level. Rent holidays and rent escalations are recognized on a straight-line basis to lease expense over the lease term. The landlord/tenant incentives are recorded as a reduction to the right of use asset and depreciated on a straight line basis over the remaining lease term once the assets are placed in service.
Other Real Estate Owned : Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value, less selling costs, at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis in the asset. Physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a residential mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through similar legal agreement. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management, with any subsequent declines in value recorded as a charge to expense through an impairment recorded directly against the other real estate owned assets. Changes in the valuation allowance are recorded as provision for losses on other real estate owned. Revenue and expenses from operations related to other real estate owned are included in the Provision on other real estate owned line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Company-Owned Life Insurance : The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain current and former officers and key employees. Company-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Mortgage Banking Derivatives : Commitments to fund mortgage loans, interest rate lock commitments ("IRLC") and forward sale commitments ("FSC"), to be sold in the secondary market for the future delivery of these loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. The fair value of the IRLC is recorded at the time the commitment to fund the mortgage loan is executed and is adjusted for the expected exercise of the commitment before the loan is funded. The Company sells mortgage loans to third party investors at the best execution available which includes best efforts, mandatory, and bulk bids. Loans committed under mandatory or bulk bid are considered FSC and qualify as financial derivatives. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on the change in the loan pricing from the date of the commitment to the period end date for any unsettled commitments. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in the Net gain on mortgage loans line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
In order to manage the interest rate risk on our uncommitted IRLC and mortgage loans held for sale pipeline, the Company enters into mortgage derivative financial instruments called To Be Announced ("TBA"), which we refer to as forward commitments. TBA agreements are forward contracts to purchase mortgage backed securities ("MBS") that will be issued by a US Government Sponsored Enterprise. The Bank purchases or sells these derivatives to offset the changes in value of our mortgage loans held for sale and IRLC adjusted pipeline where we have exposure to interest rate volatility. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in the Net gain on mortgage loans line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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Stock-Based Compensation : The Company has stock-based compensation plans that provide for the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units to associates and non-associate directors who perform services for the Company. The Company estimates the fair value of its stock option awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company determines the fair value of the restricted and performance stock units as well as restricted stock awards based on the estimated market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant.
Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The Company’s policy is to recognize forfeitures as they occur.
Income Taxes : Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due and the change in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions when it is more-likely-than-not, based on the technical merits of the position, the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation. Tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position are measured as the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon resolution.
The Company may from time to time be assessed interest or penalties by major tax jurisdictions, although any such assessments have historically been minimal and immaterial to financial results. The Company classifies interest and penalties, if any, as a component of income tax expense.
Comprehensive Income : Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale, net of taxes, which is also recognized as a separate component of equity.
Earnings per Common Share : Earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. See Note 13 – Earnings Per Common Share for the common share equivalents that have been included and excluded from the calculation of earnings per common share.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments : Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as unused lines of credit, commitments to make loans and commercial and standby letters of credit. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
Loss Contingencies : Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are such matters that will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Deposits : Deposit products include money market accounts, demand deposit accounts, time-deposit accounts (typically certificates of deposit), NOW accounts (interest checking accounts), and savings accounts. Our accounts are federally insured by the FDIC up to the legal maximum amount.
Borrowings : Short-term and long-term borrowing sources utilized to supplement deposits and meet liquidity needs. A blanket pledge and security agreement is in place with FHLB that requires certain loans and securities to be pledged as collateral for any outstanding borrowings under the agreement. Our borrowing facilities include various financial and other covenants, including, but not limited to, a requirement that the Bank maintains regulatory capital that is deemed "well capitalized" by federal banking agencies.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments : Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 17 – Fair Value. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.
Revenue Recognition : In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), Revenue Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606"), trust and investment management fees are earned by providing trust and investment services to customers. The Company’s performance obligation under these contracts is satisfied over time as the services are provided. Fees are recognized monthly based on the average monthly value of the assets under management and the corresponding fee rate based on the terms of the contract. No performance based incentive fees were earned with respect to investment management contracts for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Receivables are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the Accounts receivable line item. Income related to trust and investment management fees, bank fees, and risk management and insurance fees on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are considered in scope of Topic 606.
Transition of LIBOR to an Alternative Reference Rate : In July 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") announced that after 2021 it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR. In response, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York convened the Alternative Reference Rates Committee to identify a set of alternative reference interest rates for possible use as market benchmarks. This committee has proposed the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as its recommended alternative to U.S. dollar LIBOR, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing SOFR rates in the second quarter of 2018. SOFR is based on a broad segment of the overnight Treasury repurchase market and is intended to be a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by Treasury securities.
The administrator of LIBOR has proposed to extend publication of the most commonly used U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings to June 30, 2023, and to cease publishing other LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021.
Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR, with exposure extending past December 31, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating and planning for the eventual replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, including the possibility of SOFR as the dominant replacement. In general, the transition away from LIBOR may result in increased market risk, credit risk, operational risk and business risk for the Company. The Company has developed a LIBOR transition plan, which addresses governance, risk management, legal, operational, systems and operations, fallback language, and other aspects of planning. The company no longer originates LIBOR indexed loans. Existing LIBOR indexed commercial loans are expected to be transitioned to SOFR by June 30, 2022. Consumer indexed loans are being managed in accordance with Interagency Guidance.
Restrictions on Cash : During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System reduced reserve requirement ratios to zero percent. This action eliminated reserve requirements for all depository institutions.
Reclassifications : Certain items in prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net income or total shareholders’ equity.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements : The following reflect recent accounting pronouncements that have been adopted by the Company during the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
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In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, " Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) : Scope" ("ASU 2021-01"). ASU 2021-01 clarifies the scope of Topic 848, originally issued in 2020 (ASU 2020-04). ASU 2021-01 clarifies that derivatives affected by the related discounting transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions. ASU 2021-01 also clarifies that a receive-variable-rate, pay-variable-rate cross-currency interest rate swap may be considered an eligible hedging instrument in a net investment hedge if both legs of the swap do not have the same repricing intervals and dates as a result of reference rate reform. ASU 2021-01 was effective for the Company on January 7, 2021 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements, not yet adopted : The following reflects pending pronouncements with an update to the expected impact since the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model. The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on the financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, and reinsurance receivables. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor. For all other assets within the scope of CECL, a cumulative-effect adjustment will be recognized in retained earnings and the allowance for credit losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. ASU 2016-13 was set to be effective for most public companies on January 1, 2020. However, at the October 16, 2019 FASB meeting, the FASB voted unanimously to delay the effective date of CECL adoption for smaller reporting companies ("SRCs") to January 1, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the CECL committee of the Company continued to work through its implementation plan. The Company has integrated historical and current loan level data as required by CECL and is working with its third-party vendor solution to begin evaluating the methodologies available under the CECL model on its loan portfolios. The Company also continues to evaluate documentation requirements, internal control structure, relevant data sources, and system configurations. The Company has completed a successful integration of the required fields and historical data for key loan, client and collateral data within the third-party solution and has been able to run parallels of our current allowance for loan and lease losses ("ALLL") calculation in the software to compare to our internal calculation and reconcile known differences. The Company has started the process of selecting the methodologies to be used for each segment of its loan portfolio and started preliminarily testing to determine the impact of each methodology. Currently, we are unable to estimate the impact the adoption of this update will have on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures. However, the Company expects the impact of the adoption will be significantly influenced by the composition and characteristics of its loan portfolios along with economic conditions prevalent as of the date of adoption. The Company expects to implement the new standard beginning January 1, 2023.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which amended existing guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments require an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge of the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 was set to be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. However, ASU 2019-10 amended the mandatory effective date for ASU 2014-07 to January 1, 2023 for SRC’s, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company expects to early adopt beginning January 1, 2022.
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NOTE 2 – ACQUISITIONS
On July 22, 2021, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with Teton, parent company of Rocky Mountain Bank, a Wyoming-chartered bank headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming. The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Teton would merge into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation. The Merger Agreement also provides that following the merger, Rocky Mountain Bank would merge with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving the bank merger. The transaction closed on December 31, 2021 with an aggregate purchase price of $ 51.3 million. Total acquisition costs incurred through December 31, 2021 for the transaction were approximately $ 4.1 million and are primarily reflected in the Data processing, Professional services, and Salaries and employee benefits lines of the Consolidated Statements of Income, with a remaining immaterial amount in the Other line of the Consolidated Statements of Income. As part of its long-term growth strategy, the Teton Acquisition expands First Western’s presence in Wyoming and allows the Bank to deliver its unique approach to private and commercial banking to more clients in the region.
The Teton Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and therefore all assets and liabilities have been measured and recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition close date of December 31, 2021. All non-equity acquisition related costs were expensed as incurred and are included in noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Certain acquisition costs related to the issuance of equity were capitalized as of December 31, 2021. Market value adjustments for assets acquired and liabilities assumed are amortized or accreted on a level yield basis over the estimated life of the asset or liability. Loans acquired are recorded at their estimated fair value and therefore no allowance for loan and lease losses was recorded at the date of acquisition. Goodwill of $ 6.4 million, which is not tax deductible, was recognized in the transaction and represents expected synergies and cost savings resulting from combining the expanded footprint and expertise of the associates. Additionally, core deposit intangible assets have been identified and recorded at their estimated fair values and are amortized over their estimated useful life. On August 31, 2021, the Company completed the issuance and sale of subordinated notes, which provided partial funding of the transaction. See Note 10 – Borrowings.
As of December 31, 2021, loans, deposits, core deposit intangible, and equity warrants fair values are considered provisional. These items contain estimates of the accounting for the acquisition which are subject to revision in future periods when the application of purchase accounting is finalized. The Company utilized preliminary balance sheet values to estimate the fair values and then applied those values to the acquired balances as of December 31, 2021. The final valuation will be determined based on the actual December 31, 2021 balances which is in process at the time of this filing.
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The following presents the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the December 31, 2021 transaction with Teton, and reflects all adjustments made to the fair value of the opening balance sheet on December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Fair value of consideration transferred
December 31, 2021
Cash consideration
$
11,501
Common stock issued
39,818
Total fair value of consideration transferred
51,319
Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
132,498
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
18,218
Correspondent bank stock, at cost
928
Mortgage loans held for sale
840
Loans, net
252,275
Premises and equipment
17,758
Accrued interest receivable
923
Accounts receivable
95
Other receivable
520
Core deposit intangible (1)
1,264
Other assets
66
Assets held for sale
115
Total assets acquired
425,500
Liabilities assumed
Deposits
379,227
Accrued interest payable
26
Other liabilities
1,283
Deferred tax liabilities, net
42
Total liabilities assumed
380,578
Net assets acquired
44,922
Goodwill recognized
$
6,397
_____________________________________
(1) The core deposit intangible was determined to have an estimated life of 10 years .
The fair value adjustments were determined using discounted expected cash flows. Loans had a fair value of $ 252.3 million and a contractual balance of $ 256.3 million as of December 31, 2021. The discount on the loans acquired in this transaction due to anticipated credit loss, as well as considerations for market interest rates, totaled $ 4.0 million, representing 1.6 % of their contractual balance. There were no loans acquired that were considered to be purchased credit impaired ("PCI") loans.
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The composition of the contractual balance of acquired loans as of December 31, 2021 is detailed in the table below (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
2021
Cash, Securities and Other (1)
$
20,080
Construction and Development
33,977
1-4 Family Residential
70,348
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
43,162
Owner Occupied CRE
33,000
Commercial and Industrial
55,690
Total loans
256,257
Acquisition fair value adjustments
( 3,982 )
Loans, net
$
252,275
_____________________________________
(1) Includes $ 6.7 million in PPP loans.
The Company incurred $ 4.1 million in expenses related to the acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2021. The following presents the acquisition expenses within Non-interest expense of the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
2021
Mergers and acquisitions expense:
Salaries and employee benefits
$
547
Professional services
1,118
Data processing
2,428
Other
8
Total mergers and acquisitions expense
$
4,101
On February 10, 2020, the Company entered into a branch purchase and assumption agreement with Simmons Bank, a subsidiary of Simmons First National Corporation, to acquire all of the Simmons’ Colorado locations, including three branches and one loan production office located in Denver, as well as certain deposits, loans and other assets and liabilities. The transaction closed on May 15, 2020 with an aggregate purchase price of $ 61.6 million, including a deposit premium of 6.06 %.
During the third quarter of 2020, the Company closed two of the branches and the loan production office acquired in the Branch Acquisition.
Goodwill of $ 4.5 million was recognized in the transaction and represents expected synergies and cost savings resulting from combining the expanded footprint and expertise of the associates.
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The following presents the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the May 15, 2020 transaction with Simmons, and reflects all adjustments made to the fair value of the opening balance sheet through December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
May 15,
Fair value of consideration transferred
2020
Cash consideration
$
61,599
Total fair value of consideration transferred
61,599
Assets acquired
Cash and due from banks
283
Loans, net
119,552
Core deposit intangible (1)
53
Accrued income and other assets
382
Total assets acquired
120,270
Liabilities assumed
Deposits
63,080
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
96
Total liabilities assumed
63,176
Net assets acquired
57,094
Goodwill recognized
$
4,505
_____________________________________
(1) The core deposit intangible was determined to have an estimated life of 10 years .
The fair value of net assets acquired includes fair value adjustments to loans as of the acquisition date. The fair value adjustments were determined using discounted expected cash flows. Loans had a fair value of $ 119.6 million and a contractual balance of $ 120.6 million as of May 15, 2020. The discount on the loans acquired in this transaction due to anticipated credit loss, as well as considerations for market interest rates, totaled $ 1.1 million, representing 0.9 % of their contractual balances. No allowance for loan losses related to acquired loans was recorded as a result of the Branch Acquisition. Loans acquired included short-term modifications made on a good faith basis by Simmons, in response to COVID-19. All of the modification were given additional review prior to the closing of the purchase and management determined that loans were performing prior to modification and were not considered impaired at purchase. There were no loans acquired that were considered to be PCI loans.
The composition of the acquired loan portfolio as of May 15, 2020 is detailed in the table below (in thousands):
May 15,
2020
Cash, Securities and Other (1)
$
13,457
Construction and Development
40,407
1-4 Family Residential
7,252
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
545
Owner Occupied CRE
321
Commercial and Industrial
58,660
Total loans
$
120,642
_____________________________________
(1) Includes $ 12.9 million in PPP loans.
F-21
Table of Contents
The Company incurred $ 0.7 million in expenses related to the acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2020. Acquisition expenses, including Data processing, Professional fees, Salaries and employee benefit, Technology and information systems, and occupancy and equipment lines are included in the Total non-interest expense line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The following table presents pro forma information for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, as if the Teton Acquisition and Branch Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2020. This table has been prepared for comparative purposes only, and is not indicative of the actual results that would have been attained had the acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it indicative of future results (in thousands, except per share data):
Pro Forma
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
$
68,019
$
56,465
Noninterest income
41,206
52,926
Net income
23,234
23,689
Pro forma earnings per share:
Basic
2.49
2.55
Diluted
2.43
2.55
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The following presents the amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale, with gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Gross
Gross
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
December 31, 2021
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury debt
$
250
$
—
$
( 3 )
$
247
U.S. Government Agency
3,522
—
—
3,522
Corporate bonds
8,113
227
( 15 )
8,325
GNMA mortgage-backed securities – residential
26,611
185
( 146 )
26,650
FNMA mortgage-backed securities – residential
14,400
43
—
14,443
Government CMO and MBS - commercial
878
—
—
878
Corporate CMO and MBS
1,492
23
( 18 )
1,497
Other
649
—
—
649
Total securities available-for-sale
$
55,915
$
478
$
( 182 )
$
56,211
Gross
Gross
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
December 31, 2020
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury debt
$
250
$
4
$
—
$
254
Corporate bonds
6,000
55
( 11 )
6,044
GNMA mortgage-backed securities – residential
23,806
798
—
24,604
FNMA mortgage-backed securities – residential
1,616
61
—
1,677
Corporate CMO and MBS
4,078
62
( 53 )
4,087
Total securities available-for-sale
$
35,750
$
980
$
( 64 )
$
36,666
Net amortization of premiums and discounts related to mortgage securities during each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $ 0.1 million and $ 0.4 million, respectively, and is included in Net interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
F-22
Table of Contents
As of December 31, 2021, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities have contractual maturity dates shown in the table below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.
Amortized
Fair
December 31, 2021
Cost
Value
Due within one year
$
506
$
506
Due between one year and five years
414
411
Due between five years and ten years
9,303
9,515
Due after ten years
1,662
1,662
Securities (CMO and MBS)
44,030
44,117
Total
$
55,915
$
56,211
In 2014, the Company began investing in a small business investment company ("SBIC") fund administered by the Small Business Administration. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not make any contributions to the SBIC fund and received a $ 0.1 million return of capital. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company invested $ 0.5 million in SBIC. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company held a balance of $ 2.0 million and $ 2.1 million, respectively, with SBIC, which is included in Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company may be obligated to invest up to an additional $ 1.0 million in future SBIC investments.
As of December 31, 2021, securities with carrying values totaling $ 17.3 million, which includes $ 14.9 million acquired from the Teton Acquisition, were pledged to secure various public deposits and credit facilities of the Company. As of December 31, 2020, securities with carrying values totaling $ 3.7 million were pledged.
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government sponsored entities and agencies, in an amount greater than 10 % of shareholders’ equity.
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, ten securities and seven securities were in an unrealized loss position, with unrealized losses totaling $ 0.2 million and $ 0.1 million, respectively. One of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2021 has been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve months, and the remaining have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. The unrealized loss positions were caused primarily by interest rate changes and market assumptions about prepayments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages. Because the decline in market value is attributable to market conditions, not credit quality, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be near or at maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2021.
The following presents securities with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands, before tax):
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Longer
Total
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
December 31, 2021
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
U.S. Treasury debt
$
247
$
( 3 )
$
—
$
—
$
247
$
( 3 )
Corporate bonds
485
( 15 )
—
—
485
( 15 )
GNMA mortgage-backed securities – residential
17,205
( 146 )
—
—
17,205
( 146 )
Corporate CMO and MBS
—
—
521
( 18 )
521
( 18 )
Total
$
17,937
$
( 164 )
$
521
$
( 18 )
$
18,458
$
( 182 )
F-23
Table of Contents
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Longer
Total
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
December 31, 2020
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Corporate bonds
$
3,489
$
( 11 )
$
—
$
—
$
3,489
$
( 11 )
Corporate CMO and MBS
880
( 40 )
566
( 13 )
1,446
( 53 )
Total
$
4,369
$
( 51 )
$
566
$
( 13 )
$
4,935
$
( 64 )
The Company did not sell any securities during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020.
NOTE 4 – CORRESPONDENT BANK STOCK
The following presents the Company’s investments in correspondent bank stock, as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31,
2021
2020
FHLB
$
1,625
$
2,522
BBW
31
30
FRB
928
—
Total
$
2,584
$
2,552
NOTE 5 - LOANS AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The following presents a summary of the Company’s loans as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Cash, Securities and Other (1)
$
295,948
$
357,020
Construction and Development
178,716
131,111
1-4 Family Residential
580,872
455,038
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
482,622
281,943
Owner Occupied CRE
212,426
163,042
Commercial and Industrial (2)
203,584
146,031
Total loans held for investment
1,954,168
1,534,185
Deferred fees and unamortized premiums/(unaccreted discounts), net
( 5,031 )
( 1,352 )
Allowance for loan losses
( 13,732 )
( 12,539 )
Loans, net
$
1,935,405
$
1,520,294
______________________________________
(1) Includes PPP loans of $ 46.8 million and $ 142.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2) Includes MSLP loans of $ 6.8 million and $ 6.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, total loans held for investment included $ 356.7 million and $ 127.2 million, respectively, of performing loans purchased through mergers or acquisitions.
The CARES Act created the PPP, which is administered by the SBA. The PPP is intended to provide loans to small businesses to pay their employees, rent, mortgage interest and utilities. The loans may be forgiven conditioned upon the client providing payroll documentation evidencing their compliant use of funds and otherwise complying with the terms of the program. The Bank is an approved SBA lender and as of December 31, 2021, the Cash, Securities and Other portion of the loan portfolio included $ 46.8 million of PPP loans, or 15.8 % of the total category. As of December 31, 2020, the Cash, Securities, and Other portion of the loan portfolio included $ 142.9 million of PPP loans, or 40.0 % of the total category.
F-24
Table of Contents
The Company is a participant in the Federal Reserve’s MSLP to support lending to small and medium-sized for profit businesses and nonprofit organizations that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s Commercial and Industrial loans included five MSLP loans with the net carrying amount of $ 6.8 million, or 3.3 % of the total category. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s Commercial and Industrial loans included six MSLP loans with the net carrying amount of $ 6.6 million, or 4.5 % of the total category.
Loan Modifications
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a loan modification program was designed and implemented to assist our clients experiencing financial stress resulting from the economic impacts caused by the global pandemic. The Company offered loan extensions, temporary payment moratoriums, and financial covenant waivers for commercial and consumer borrowers impacted by the pandemic who have a pass risk rating and have not been delinquent over 30 days on payments in the last two years .
As of December 31, 2021, the deferral period has ended for all loans previously modified and payments have resumed under the original terms. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s loan portfolio included 69 loans which were previously modified under the loan modification program, totaling $ 130.4 million.
The CARES Act provides banks optional, temporary relief from accounting for certain loan modifications as a TDR. The modifications must be related to the adverse effects of COVID-19, and certain other criteria are required to be met in order to apply the relief. Interagency guidance from Federal Reserve and the FDIC confirmed with the FASB that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not to be considered TDRs. We believe our loan modification program meets that definition. In accordance with that guidance, the Company is recognizing interest income on all loans modified for temporary payment moratoriums, primarily for a period of 180 days or less.
All loans modified in response to COVID-19 are classified as performing and pass rated as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. These loans are included in the allowance for loan loss general reserve in accordance with ASC 450-20. Management has increased our loan level reviews and portfolio monitoring to address the changing environment. The Company continues to meet regularly with clients who could be more highly impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. These are borrowers in accommodations, transportation and restaurant industries, which we believe may be more impacted by the pandemic, and those loans where there may be a greater than 50 % probability of a downgrade, covenant violation or 20 % reduction in collateral position. Excluding loans acquired through the Teton Acquisition, the portion of our credit exposure to the highest risk industries impacted by COVID-19, such as accommodations, transportation, and restaurants, is less than 4.3 % of our loan portfolio. Management believes the diversity of the loan portfolio is prudent and remains consistent with the credit culture and goals of the Bank.
F-25
Table of Contents
Interest accrued during the modification term on modified loans is deferred to the end of the loan term. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no allowance for loan loss was deemed necessary on the accrued interest balances related to loan modifications.
The following presents, by class, an aging analysis of the recorded investments (excluding accrued interest receivable, deferred costs (fees), and unamortized premiums/(unaccreted discounts) which are not material) in loans past due as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
30-59
60-89
90 or
Total
Total
Days
Days
More Days
Loans
Recorded
December 31, 2021
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Current
Investment
Cash, Securities and Other
$
1,199
$
—
$
8
$
1,207
$
294,741
$
295,948
Construction and Development
2,758
—
—
2,758
175,958
178,716
1-4 Family Residential
1,449
—
—
1,449
579,423
580,872
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
—
2,548
—
2,548
480,074
482,622
Owner Occupied CRE
1,419
—
—
1,419
211,007
212,426
Commercial and Industrial
748
—
2,200
2,948
200,636
203,584
Total
$
7,573
$
2,548
$
2,208
$
12,329
$
1,941,839
$
1,954,168
30-59
60-89
90 or
Total
Total
Days
Days
More Days
Loans
Recorded
December 31, 2020
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Current
Investment
Cash, Securities and Other
$
752
$
—
$
48
$
800
$
356,220
$
357,020
Construction and Development
—
—
—
—
131,111
131,111
1-4 Family Residential
1,283
—
—
1,283
453,755
455,038
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
—
—
—
—
281,943
281,943
Owner Occupied CRE
479
—
—
479
162,563
163,042
Commercial and Industrial
271
—
3,529
3,800
142,231
146,031
Total
$
2,785
$
—
$
3,577
$
6,362
$
1,527,823
$
1,534,185
As of December 31, 2021 the Company had one loan, totaling an immaterial amount, in the Commercial and Industrial portfolio that was more than 90 days delinquent and accruing interest. As of December 31, 2020, the Company did not have any loans which were more than 90 days delinquent and accruing interest.
Non-Accrual Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings
The following presents the recorded investment in non-accrual loans by class as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Cash, Securities and Other
$
8
$
50
1-4 Family Residential
75
—
Owner Occupied CRE
1,241
479
Commercial and Industrial
2,938
3,529
Total
$
4,262
$
4,058
Non-accrual loans classified as TDR accounted for $ 4.3 million of the recorded investment as of December 31, 2021 and $ 3.6 million as of December 31, 2020. Non-accrual loans are classified as impaired loans and individually evaluated for impairment.
F-26
Table of Contents
The following presents a summary of the unpaid principal balance of loans classified as TDRs as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Accruing
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
$
55
$
—
Non-accrual
Cash, Securities, and Other
6
48
1-4 Family Residential
75
—
Owner Occupied CRE
1,241
—
Commercial and Industrial
2,938
3,529
Total
4,315
3,577
Allowance for loan losses associated with TDR
( 1,751 )
( 1,619 )
Net recorded investment
$
2,564
$
1,958
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had no t committed any additional funds to a borrower with a loan classified as a TDR.
The Company modified three loans resulting in TDR status during the year ended December 31, 2021. The first loan was a small mortgage with a remaining balance of $ 0.1 million where the borrower was unable to make payments or obtain additional financing to pay off the mortgage. As a result, we have modified the loan at the maturity date with a one year renewal to allow the borrower time to seek a refinance. As of December 31, 2021, this loan remains current under the terms of the modification. The second and third loans modified are in relation to one borrower who has two loans, one Commercial Real Estate Loan in the amount of $ 1.2 million, which is the space where the related business operates, and a Commercial loan with a balance of $ 0.7 million. The borrower has experienced a reduction in cash flow through ongoing impact from the pandemic and related shut downs and hiring shortages. As a result, the Company modified both loans allowing for a six month interest only period to provide cash flow relief. The Company obtained a reduced term on the business loan as well as additional collateral from the Borrower. All three of the loans modified during 2021 were sufficiently collateralized and therefore did not require any specific reserve.
The Company modified one loan into a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Borrower was having difficulty making payments in accordance with the original contract terms. The Company restructured the loan including receiving a large paydown and extended the maturity and lowered the interest rate as a result of the Borrower’s financial difficulties. The loan paid off in full as of December 31, 2020.
TDRs are reviewed individually for impairment and are included in the Company’s specific reserves in the allowance for loan losses. If charged off, the amount of the charge off is included in the Company’s charge off factors, which impact the Company’s reserves on non-impaired loans.
F-27
Table of Contents
The following presents impaired loans by portfolio and related valuation allowance as of the periods presented (in thousands):
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Unpaid
Allowance
Unpaid
Allowance
Total
Contractual
for
Total
Contractual
for
Recorded
Principal
Loan
Recorded
Principal
Loan
Investment
Balance
Losses
Investment
Balance
Losses
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance:
Cash, Securities, and Other
$
2
$
2
$
2
$
2
$
2
$
2
Commercial and Industrial
2,190
2,190
1,751
3,419
3,419
1,619
Total
$
2,192
$
2,192
$
1,753
$
3,421
$
3,421
$
1,621
Impaired loans with no related valuation allowance:
Cash, Securities, and Other
$
6
$
6
$
—
$
48
$
48
$
—
1-4 Family Residential
75
75
—
—
—
—
Owner Occupied CRE
1,241
1,241
—
479
479
—
Commercial and Industrial
748
748
—
110
110
—
Total
$
2,070
$
2,070
$
—
$
637
$
637
$
—
Total impaired loans:
Cash, Securities, and Other
$
8
$
8
$
2
$
50
$
50
$
2
1-4 Family Residential
75
75
—
—
—
—
Owner Occupied CRE
1,241
1,241
—
479
479
—
Commercial and Industrial
2,938
2,938
1,751
3,529
3,529
1,619
Total
$
4,262
$
4,262
$
1,753
$
4,058
$
4,058
$
1,621
The recorded investment in loans in the previous tables excludes accrued interest, deferred costs (fees), and unamortized premiums/(unaccreted discounts), which are not material. Interest income, if any, was recognized on the cash basis on non-accrual loans.
F-28
Table of Contents
The average balance of impaired loans and interest income recognized on impaired loans during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are included in the table below (in thousands):
December 31,
2021
2020
Average
Interest
Average
Interest
Recorded
Income
Recorded
Income
Investment
Recognized
Investment
Recognized
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance:
Cash, Securities, and Other
$
2
$
—
$
1
$
—
Commercial and Industrial
2,413
21
3,453
—
Total
$
2,415
$
21
$
3,454
$
—
Impaired loans with no related valuation allowance:
Cash, Securities, and Other
$
17
$
—
$
1,180
$
—
Owner Occupied CRE
248
51
96
—
Commercial and Industrial
205
262
4,893
336
1-4 Family Residential
15
—
—
—
Total
$
485
$
313
$
6,169
$
336
Total impaired loans:
Cash, Securities, and Other
$
19
$
—
$
1,181
$
—
Owner Occupied CRE
248
51
96
—
Commercial and Industrial
2,618
283
8,346
336
1-4 Family Residential
15
—
—
—
Total
$
2,900
$
334
$
9,623
$
336
F-29
Table of Contents
Allowance for Loan Losses
Allocation of a portion of the allowance for loan losses to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories. The following presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses by portfolio class for the periods presented (in thousands):
Cash,
Construction
1-4
Non-Owner
Owner
Commercial
Securities
and
Family
Occupied
Occupied
and
and Other
Development
Residential
CRE
CRE
Industrial
Total
Changes in allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2021
Beginning balance
$
2,579
$
932
$
3,233
$
2,004
$
1,159
$
2,632
$
12,539
(Recovery of)/provision for loan losses
( 678 )
160
320
948
133
347
1,230
Charge-offs
( 44 )
—
—
—
—
—
( 44 )
Recoveries
7
—
—
—
—
—
7
Ending balance
$
1,864
$
1,092
$
3,553
$
2,952
$
1,292
$
2,979
$
13,732
Allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2021 allocated to loans evaluated for impairment:
Individually
$
2
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1,751
$
1,753
Collectively
1,862
1,092
3,553
2,952
1,292
1,228
11,979
Ending balance
$
1,864
$
1,092
$
3,553
$
2,952
$
1,292
$
2,979
$
13,732
Loans as of December 31, 2021, evaluated for impairment:
Individually
$
8
$
—
$
75
$
—
$
1,241
$
2,938
$
4,262
Collectively
295,940
178,716
580,797
482,622
211,185
200,646
1,949,906
Ending balance
$
295,948
$
178,716
$
580,872
$
482,622
$
212,426
$
203,584
$
1,954,168
Cash,
Construction
1-4
Non-Owner
Owner
Commercial
Securities
and
Family
Occupied
Occupied
and
and Other
Development
Residential
CRE
CRE
Industrial
Total
Changes in allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2020
Beginning balance
$
1,058
$
200
$
2,850
$
1,176
$
911
$
1,680
$
7,875
Provision for/(recovery of) loan losses
1,539
732
383
828
248
952
4,682
Charge-offs
( 31 )
—
—
—
—
—
( 31 )
Recoveries
13
—
—
—
—
—
13
Ending balance
$
2,579
$
932
$
3,233
$
2,004
$
1,159
$
2,632
$
12,539
Allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2020 allocated to loans evaluated for impairment:
Individually
$
2
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1,619
$
1,621
Collectively
2,577
932
3,233
2,004
1,159
1,013
10,918
Ending balance
$
2,579
$
932
$
3,233
$
2,004
$
1,159
$
2,632
$
12,539
Loans as of December 31, 2020, evaluated for impairment:
Individually
$
50
$
—
$
—
$
479
$
—
$
3,529
$
4,058
Collectively
356,970
131,111
455,038
281,464
163,042
142,502
1,530,127
Ending balance
$
357,020
$
131,111
$
455,038
$
281,943
$
163,042
$
146,031
$
1,534,185
F-30
Table of Contents
The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of the borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans by credit risk on a quarterly basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Special Mention—Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness or borrowing relationships that require more than the usual amount of management attention. Adverse industry conditions, deteriorating financial conditions, declining trends, management problems, documentation deficiencies or other similar weaknesses may be evident. Ability to meet current payment schedules may be questionable, even though interest and principal are still being paid as agreed. The asset has potential weaknesses that may result in deteriorating repayment prospects if left uncorrected. Loans in this risk grade are not considered adversely classified.
Substandard—Substandard loans are considered "classified" and are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans in this category may be placed on non-accrual status and may individually be evaluated for impairment if indicators of impairment exist.
Doubtful—Loans graded Doubtful are considered "classified" and have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. However, the amount of certainty of eventual loss is not known because of specific pending factors.
Loans not meeting any of the three criteria above are considered to be pass-rated loans. The following presents, by class and by credit quality indicator, the recorded investment in the Company’s loans as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Special
December 31, 2021
Pass
Mention
Substandard
Total
Cash, Securities and Other
$
295,940
$
—
$
8
$
295,948
Construction and Development
176,194
2,522
—
178,716
1-4 Family Residential
580,797
—
75
580,872
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
476,670
5,952
—
482,622
Owner Occupied CRE
210,493
—
1,933
212,426
Commercial and Industrial
198,368
401
4,815
203,584
Total
$
1,938,462
$
8,875
$
6,831
$
1,954,168
Special
December 31, 2020
Pass
Mention
Substandard
Total
Cash, Securities and Other
$
356,970
$
—
$
50
$
357,020
Construction and Development
131,111
—
—
131,111
1-4 Family Residential
451,918
—
3,120
455,038
Non-Owner Occupied CRE
275,627
6,316
—
281,943
Owner Occupied CRE
161,850
—
1,192
163,042
Commercial and Industrial
140,432
—
5,599
146,031
Total
$
1,517,908
$
6,316
$
9,961
$
1,534,185
The Company had no loans graded doubtful as of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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NOTE 6 – PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
The following presents a summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation of premises and equipment as of December 31 (in thousands):
2021
2020
Building and building improvements
$
12,190
$
—
Leasehold improvements, including artwork
11,464
9,440
Land
4,980
—
Equipment and software
6,144
5,504
Gross premise and equipment
34,778
14,944
Less: accumulated depreciation
( 10,802 )
( 9,624 )
Premises and equipment, net
$
23,976
$
5,320
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company acquired buildings and land associated with the Teton Acquisition. These assets were recorded at their fair value on December 31, 2021 and the buildings will be depreciated over their remaining useful lives. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company retired leasehold improvements, equipment, and software in the amount of $ 1.1 million for an immaterial loss.
Depreciation expense for premises and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled $ 1.2 million and $ 1.1 million, respectively.
NOTE 7 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows as of December 31 (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Beginning balance
$
24,191
$
19,686
Acquisition activity
6,397
4,505
Ending balance
$
30,588
$
24,191
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $ 6.4 million of goodwill as a result of the Teton Acquisition on December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $ 4.5 million of goodwill as a result of the Simmons Branch Acquisition on May 15, 2020. For additional information on goodwill and other intangible related to the Teton and Simmons Branch Acquisitions, see Note 2 – Acquisitions.
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment on October 31 or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events. Step 1 of the goodwill impairment analysis includes the determination of the carrying value of the reporting unit, including the existing goodwill, and estimating the fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we are not required to perform the second step to the impairment test.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s reporting unit had positive equity and the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value including goodwill. The qualitative assessment indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Therefore, the Company did not complete the two-step impairment test.
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The following presents the Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization as of December 31 (in thousands):
2021
2020
Other intangibles
$
5,857
$
4,593
Less: accumulated amortization on other intangibles
( 4,543 )
( 4,526 )
Other intangible assets, net
$
1,314
$
67
Amortization expense on definite-lived customer relationship and non-compete intangible assets was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The following presents the expected amortization expense on definite-lived intangible assets existing as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Year
Expense
2022
$
241
2023
165
2024
145
2025
130
2026
122
Thereafter
511
Total
$
1,314
NOTE 8 - LEASES
Leases in which the Company is determined to be the lessee are primarily operating leases comprised of real estate property and office space for our corporate headquarters and profit centers with terms that extend to 2032. Certain properties contain portions that are subleased with terms that ended in 2020. In accordance with ASC 842, operating leases are required to be recognized as a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability.
The following table presents the classification of the right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company elected to not include short-term leases with initial terms of twelve months or less, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Lease Right-of-Use Assets
Classification
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other assets
$
10,720
$
11,341
Lease Liabilities
Classification
Operating lease liabilities
Other liabilities
$
13,863
$
13,970
The Company’s operating lease agreements typically include an option to renew the lease at the Company’s discretion. To the extent the Company is reasonably certain it will exercise the renewal option at the inception of the lease, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. ASC 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease when it is readily determinable. As this rate is typically not readily determinable, at the inception of the lease, the Company uses its collateralized incremental borrowing rate over a similar term. The amount of the right-of-use asset and lease liability are impacted by the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments over the term of the lease.
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December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases
5.26
years
4.79
years
Weighted-Average Discount Rate
Operating leases
2.67
%
3.04
%
The Company’s operating leases contain fixed and variable lease components and it has elected to account for all classes of underlying assets as a single lease component. Variable lease costs primarily represent common area maintenance and parking. The Company recognized lease costs in Occupancy and equipment expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
The following table represents the Company’s net lease costs (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Lease Costs
Operating lease cost
$
3,040
$
3,162
Variable lease cost
1,756
1,894
Sublease income
—
( 232 )
Lease costs, net
$
4,796
$
4,824
The following presents a maturity analysis of the Company’s operating lease liabilities on an annual basis for each of the next five years and total amounts thereafter as of December 31, 2021.
Year Ending December 31,
Operating Leases
2022
$
3,461
2023
3,210
2024
3,064
2025
2,073
2026
703
Thereafter
2,168
Total future minimum lease payments
14,679
Less: imputed interest
( 816 )
Present value of net future minimum lease payments
$
13,863
Leases in which the Company is determined to be the lessor are considered operating leases and consist of the partial lease of Company owned buildings. In accordance with ASC 842, these leases have been accounted for as operating leases. These leases were acquired as part of the Teton Acquisition and as such, no rental income is reflected as of December 31, 2021.
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The following presents a maturity analysis of the Company’s operating payments to be received on an annual basis for each of the next five years and total amounts thereafter as of December 31, 2021:
Year Ending December 31,
Undiscounted Operating Lease Income
2022
$
286
2023
221
2024
199
2025
—
2026
—
Thereafter
—
Total undiscounted operating lease income
$
706
NOTE 9 - DEPOSITS
The following presents the Company’s interest bearing deposits as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Money market deposit accounts
$
1,056,669
$
847,430
Time deposits
170,491
172,682
Negotiable order of withdrawal accounts
309,940
113,052
Savings accounts
32,299
5,289
Total interest-bearing deposits
$
1,569,399
$
1,138,453
Aggregate time deposits of $250 or greater
$
75,747
$
73,401
Deposits acquired through acquisitions on December 31, 2021 and May 15, 2020 totaled $ 379.2 million and $ 63.1 million, respectively. See Note 2 – Acquisitions.
Overdraft balances classified as loans totaled an immaterial amount and $ 0.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The following presents the scheduled maturities of all time deposits for the next five years ending December 31 (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
Time Deposits
2022
$
114,073
2023
31,597
2024
4,461
2025
1,909
2026
18,428
Thereafter
23
Total
$
170,491
NOTE 10 - BORROWINGS
The Bank has executed a blanket pledge and security agreement with the FHLB that requires certain loans and securities be pledged as collateral for any outstanding borrowings under the agreement. The collateral pledged as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 amounted to $ 771.4 million and $ 668.6 million, respectively. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Company was eligible to borrow an additional $ 509.7 million as of December 31, 2021. Each advance is payable at its maturity date.
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The Company had the following required maturities on FHLB borrowings as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
Maturity Date
Rate %
2021
2020
April 22, 2022
0.37
$
5,000
$
5,000
May 5, 2023
0.76
10,000
10,000
Total
$
15,000
$
15,000
To bolster the effectiveness of the SBA’s PPP, the Federal Reserve is supplying liquidity to participating financial institutions through term financing collateralized by PPP loans to small businesses. The Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility ("PPPLF") extends credit to eligible financial institutions that originate PPP loans, taking the loans as collateral at face value and bearing interest at 35 bps. The terms of the loans are directly tied to the underlying PPP loans, which were originated at 2 or 5 years . For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company is utilizing $ 23.6 million and $ 134.6 million, respectively, under the PPPLF program which is included in the FHLB and Federal Reserve borrowings line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Bank has borrowing capacity associated with three unsecured federal funds lines of credit up to $ 10.0 million, $ 19.0 million, and $ 25.0 million. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts outstanding on any of the federal funds lines.
On March 17, 2020, the Company completed the issuance and sale of subordinated notes (the "March 2020 Sub Notes") totaling $ 8.0 million in aggregate principal amount. The issuance included $ 0.1 million of issuance costs resulting in a net balance of $ 7.9 million as of December 31, 2021 included in the Subordinated notes line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The March 2020 Sub Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.125 % per annum until March 31, 2025, at which time the rate will adjust each quarter to the then current three-month LIBOR, or an alternative rate determined in accordance with the terms of the March 2020 Sub Notes, plus 450 basis points; mature on March 31, 2030; are redeemable at the option of the Company on or after March 31, 2025; and pay interest quarterly.
On October 28, 2020, the Company entered into a Business Loan Agreement and associated Promissory Note (the “Note”), dated June 30, 2020, with a corresponding lending partner. The Note is secured by stock of the Bank and bears interest at the one month ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) LIBOR plus 2.5 %. As of December 31, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding and the borrowing capacity associated with this facility was $ 5.0 million. The Business Loan Agreement expired on June 30, 2021, in accordance with its terms, and was not renewed.
On November 25, 2020, the Company completed the issuance and sale of subordinated notes (the "November 2020 Sub Notes") totaling $ 10.0 million in aggregate principal amount. The issuance included $ 0.2 million of issuance costs resulting in a net balance of $ 9.8 million as of December 31, 2021 included in the Subordinated notes line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The November 2020 Sub Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.25 % per annum until December 1, 2025, at which time the rate will adjust each quarter to the then current three-month term SOFR, or an alternative rate determined in accordance with the terms of the November 2020 Sub Notes, plus 402 basis points; mature on December 1, 2030; are redeemable at the option of the Company on or after December 1, 2025; and pay interest semi-annually prior to December 1, 2025 and quarterly after December 1, 2025.
On August 31, 2021, the Company completed the issuance and sale of subordinated notes (the Notes”) totaling $ 15.0 million in aggregate principal amount. The issuance included $ 0.3 million of issuance costs resulting in a net balance of $ 14.7 million as of December 31, 2021 included in the Subordinated notes line of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 3.25 % per annum until September 1, 2026, at which time the rate will adjust each quarter to the then current three-month SOFR, or an alternative rate determined in accordance with the terms of the Notes, plus 258 basis points; mature on September 1, 2031; are redeemable at the option of the Company on or after September 1, 2026; and pay interest quarterly.
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The Company has outstanding subordinated notes due December 31, 2026, totaling $ 6.6 million in aggregate principal amount, which become redeemable on or after January 1, 2022. On December 22, 2021, the Company elected to redeem the notes and notified debt holders. The redemption price is equal to 100 % of the principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding the date of redemption.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $ 1.5 million and $ 0.8 million, respectively, of interest expense related to the collective subordinated notes. The subordinated notes are included in Tier 2 capital under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations, subject to limitations.
The Company’s borrowing facilities include various financial and other covenants, including, but not limited to, a requirement that the Bank maintains regulatory capital that is deemed "well capitalized" by federal banking agencies. See Note 22 – Regulatory Capital Matters for more information. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company was in compliance with the covenant requirements.
NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is party to credit-related financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its clients. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Commitments may expire without being utilized. The Company’s exposure to loan loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments, although material losses are not anticipated. The Company follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
The following presents the Company’s financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk, as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Fixed Rate
Variable Rate
Fixed Rate
Variable Rate
Unused lines of credit
$
136,289
$
442,035
$
78,506
$
360,883
Standby letters of credit
2,420
20,940
1,933
17,524
Commitments to make loans to sell
60,529
—
370,512
—
Commitments to make loans
16,256
14,920
24,225
25,316
Unused lines of credit are agreements to lend to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Several of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary by the Company, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client.
Unused lines of credit under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extensions of credit to existing clients. These lines of credit are uncollateralized and usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Company is committed.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a client’s obligation to a third party. Those letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. Substantially all letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to clients. The Company holds collateral supporting those commitments if deemed necessary.
Commitments to make loans to sell are agreements to sell a loan to an investor in the secondary market for which the interest rate has been locked with the client provided there is no violation of any condition within the contract with either party. Commitments to make loans to sell have fixed interest rates. Since commitments may expire without being extended, total commitment amounts may not necessarily represent cash requirements.
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Commitments to make loans are agreements to lend to a client, provided there is no violation of any condition within the contract. Commitments to make loans generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Since commitments may expire without being extended, total commitment amounts may not necessarily represent cash requirements.
Litigation, Claims and Settlements
The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. While the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management, based on advice from legal counsel, that no proceedings exist, either individually or in the aggregate, which, if determined adversely to the Company, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, First Western Capital Management (“FWCM”), a previously owned subsidiary of First Western, agreed on July 16, 2020 to settle claims that FWCM failed reasonably to supervise its investment adviser representatives who purchased securities sold in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for advisory clients when the clients were not qualified institutional buyers in a Rule 144A transaction, and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder by the adviser and its supervised persons. The Company had since replaced the FWCM President and FWCM compliance team which were in place during that time. FWCM recognized and paid a fine of $ 0.2 million to the SEC in 2020.
NOTE 12 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
The Company’s common stock has no par value and each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share (though certain voting restrictions may exist on non-vested restricted stock) held.
On June 14, 2019, the Company announced that its board of directors had authorized a share repurchase plan (the "2019 Repurchase Plan") under which the Company may repurchase up to 300,000 shares of its common stock and that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System advised the Company that it had no objection to the Company’s 2019 Repurchase Plan. The 2019 Repurchase Plan was in effect for a one-year period, with the timing of purchases and the number of shares repurchased under the program dependent upon a variety of factors including price, trading volume, corporate and regulatory requirements and market conditions. The 2019 Repurchase Plan expired in June 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 22,679 shares at an average price of $ 16.50 .
On November 3, 2020, the Company announced that its board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value, from time to time, within one year (the "2020 Repurchase Plan") and that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System advised the Company that it has no objection to the Company’s 2020 Repurchase Plan. The Company may repurchase shares in privately negotiated transactions, in the open market, including pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the SEC, or otherwise in a manner that complies with applicable federal securities laws. The 2020 Repurchase Plan does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time without notice. The 2020 Repurchase Plan expired in November 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares under the 2020 Repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 426 shares at an average price of $ 17.30 under the authorization of the 2020 Repurchase Plan.
On December 31, 2021, the Company closed on the Merger Agreement with Teton. As part of the Merger Agreement, the Company issued 1,337,791 shares of common stock to Teton shareholders. For additional information, see Note 2 – Acquisitions.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company sold no shares of common stock.
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Restricted Stock Awards
In 2017, the Company issued 105,264 shares of common stock ("Restricted Stock Awards") with a value of $ 3.0 million to the sole member of EMC Holdings, LLC ("EMC"), subject to forfeiture based on his continued employment with the Company. Half of the Restricted Stock Awards ($ 1.5 million or 52,632 shares) vests ratably over five-years . The remaining $ 1.5 million, or 52,632 shares, may be earned based on performance of the mortgage division of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized compensation expense of $ 0.1 million, representing the remaining 14,114 shares, related to the performance based awards. The performance based awards fully vested in the second quarter of 2020.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Restricted Stock Awards have a weighted-average grant date fair value of $ 28.50 per share. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized compensation expense of $ 0.3 million and $ 0.4 million, respectively, for all the Restricted Stock Awards. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has $ 0.2 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the shares issued, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of less than one year . During the year ended December 31, 2021, 10,526 shares of the Restricted Stock Awards vested. During the year ended December 31, 2020, 10,527 of the Restricted Stock Awards and 30,088 shares of the performance based Restricted Stock Awards vested.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (“the 2008 Plan”) was frozen in connection with the adoption of the 2016 Plan and no new awards may be granted under the 2008 Plan. As of December 31, 2021, there were a total of 334,534 shares available for issuance under the First Western Financial, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan ("the 2016 Plan"). If the Awards outstanding under the 2008 Plan or the 2016 Plan are forfeited, cancelled or terminated with no consideration paid to the Company, those amounts will increase the number of shares eligible to be granted under the 2016 Plan.
Stock Options
The Company did not grant any stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized an immaterial amount and $ 0.2 million, respectively, of stock based compensation expense associated with stock options. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options.
The following presents activity for nonqualified stock options for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Weighted
Weighted
Average
Number
Average
Remaining
Aggregate
of
Exercise
Contractual
Intrinsic
Options
Price
Term
Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
419,197
$
29.02
Granted
—
—
Exercised
( 70,823 )
24.08
Forfeited or expired
( 39,800 )
36.29
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
308,574
29.21
1.9
(1)
Options fully vested/exercisable as of December 31, 2021
308,574
29.21
1.9
(1)
(1) Nonqualified stock options outstanding at the end of the period and those fully vested/exercisable had immaterial aggregate intrinsic values.
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 308,574 and 414,727 options, respectively, that were exercisable. Exercise prices are between $ 20.00 and $ 40.00 per share, and the options are exercisable for a period of ten years from the original grant date and expire on various dates between 2022 and 2026.
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Restricted Stock Units
Pursuant to the 2016 Plan, the Company can grant associates and non-associate directors long-term cash and stock-based compensation. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company granted certain associates restricted stock units which are earned over time or based on various performance measures and convert to common stock upon vesting, which are summarized here and expanded further below:
The following presents the activity for the Time Vesting Units, the Financial Performance Units and the Market Performance Units for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Time
Financial
Market
Vesting
Performance
Performance
Units
Units
Units
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
285,052
152,430
14,862
Granted
59,194
41,743
—
Vested
( 79,577 )
—
—
Forfeited
( 14,848 )
( 10,690 )
( 1,116 )
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
249,821
183,483
13,746
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 58,884 shares of common stock upon the settlement of Restricted Stock Units. The remaining 20,693 shares were surrendered with a combined market value at the dates of settlement of $ 0.5 million to cover employee withholding taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 34,710 shares of common stock upon the settlement of Restricted Stock Units. The remaining 20,043 shares were surrendered with a combined market value at the dates of settlement of $ 0.3 million to cover employee withholding taxes.
Time Vesting Units
The Time Vesting Units are granted to full-time associates and board members at the date approved by the Company’s board of directors. The Company granted 59,194 Time Vesting Units with a five-year service period during the year ended December 31, 2021, that vest in equal installments of 20 % on the anniversary of the grant date, assuming continuous employment through the scheduled vesting dates. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized compensation expense of $ 1.7 million and $ 1.4 million, respectively, for the Time Vesting Units. As of December 31, 2021, there was $ 3.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Time Vesting Units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.
Financial Performance Units
Financial Performance Units are granted to certain key associates and are earned based on the Company achieving various financial performance metrics. If the Company achieves the financial metrics, which include various thresholds from 0 % up to 150 %, then the Financial Performance Units will have a subsequent vesting period.
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The following presents the Company’s existing Financial Performance Units as of December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):
Grant Period
Threshold Accrual
Maximum Issuable Shares at Current Threshold
Unrecognized Compensation Expense
Weighted-Average (1)
Financial Metric End Date
Vesting Requirement End Date
Prior to May 1, 2019
63 % on half; 135 % on other half
12,100
$
—
—
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2021
May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020
150 %
80,255
331
2.1 years
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2023
May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, excluding November 18, 2020
150 %
81,516
438
3.0 years
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2023
On November 18, 2020
150 %
34,752
329
2.9 years
December 31, 2022
50 % November 18, 2023 and 2025
May 3, 2021 through August 11, 2021
150 %
60,306
901
4.0 years
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2025
________________
(1) Represents the expected unrecognized stock-based compensation expense recognition period.
The following presents the Company’s Financial Performance Units activity for the years noted December 31 (dollars in thousands):
Units Granted
Compensation Expense Recognized
Grant Period
2021
2020
2021
2020
Prior to May 1, 2019
—
—
$
110
$
64
May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020
—
1,866
216
312
May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, excluding November 18, 2020
—
58,993
208
156
On November 18, 2020
—
125
17
May 3, 2021 through August 11, 2021
41,743
23,168
221
—
Market Performance Units
Market Performance Units were granted to certain key associates and are earned based on growth in the value of the Company’s common stock, and were dependent on the Company completing an initial public offering of stock during a defined period of time. On July 23, 2018, the Company completed its initial public offering and the Market Performance Units performance condition was met. Subsequent to the performance condition there is also a market condition as a vesting requirement for the Market Performance Units which affects the determination of the grant date fair value. The Company estimated the grant date fair value using various valuation assumptions. During years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized an immaterial amount of compensation expense for the Market Performance Units. As of December 31, 2021, there was an immaterial amount of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Market Performance Units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than one year .
If the Company’s common stock is trading at or above certain prices, over a performance period which ended on June 30, 2020, the Market Performance Units would have been determined to be earned and vest following the completion of a subsequent service period ending on June 30, 2022. The Company’s common stock did not trade at or above the required prices over the performance period and as a result, no Market Performance Units are eligible to be earned.
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NOTE 13 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The following presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Earnings per common share - Basic
Numerator:
Net income available for common shareholders
$
20,610
$
24,534
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares
7,980,491
7,899,278
Earnings per common share - basic
$
2.58
$
3.11
Earnings per common share - Diluted
Numerator:
Net income available for common shareholders
$
20,610
$
24,534
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares
7,980,491
7,899,278
Diluted effect of common stock equivalents:
Stock options
30,661
—
Time Vesting Units
139,829
32,995
Financial Performance Units
70,437
16,160
Market Performance Units
13,760
13,471
Total diluted effect of common stock equivalents
254,687
62,626
Diluted weighted average shares
8,235,178
7,961,904
Earnings per common share - diluted
$
2.50
$
3.08
Diluted earnings per share was computed without consideration to potentially dilutive instruments as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, potentially dilutive securities excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Stock options
168,872
419,197
Time Vesting Units
996
88,121
Financial Performance Units
32,713
70,397
Restricted Stock Awards
7,895
36,401
Total potentially dilutive securities
210,476
614,116
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NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES
The following presents the components of the Company’s income tax expense as of December 31 (in thousands):
2021
2020
Current:
Federal
$
6,228
$
7,970
State and local
1,110
1,859
Total current tax expense
7,338
9,829
Deferred:
Federal
( 734 )
( 1,392 )
State and local
66
( 280 )
Valuation allowance
—
372
Total deferred tax benefit
( 668 )
( 1,300 )
Income tax expense
$
6,670
$
8,529
The following is a reconciliation of income taxes reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, with income tax expense computed by applying the United States federal income tax rate of 21 % to income before income taxes (in thousands):
2021
2020
Income tax expense computed at 21 % statutory rate
$
5,729
$
6,943
Differences:
Permanent differences
169
( 57 )
State taxes, net of federal expense
1,018
1,150
LIHTC investment tax credit
( 386 )
( 36 )
LIHTC investment proportional amortization
539
—
Valuation allowance
—
372
Other, net
( 399 )
157
Income tax expense
$
6,670
$
8,529
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The following presents the principal components of the Company’s deferred tax items as of December 31 (in thousands):
2021
2020
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards
$
395
$
577
Allowance for loan losses
3,385
3,054
Acquired loans fair market value adjustments
976
—
Acquisition related basis adjustment
226
—
Deferred rent
753
635
Stock-based compensation
1,800
1,613
Provision on other real estate owned
463
484
Other intangible assets
279
615
Accrued bonuses
868
898
Loan fees
—
244
Accrued expenses
821
—
Other
382
553
Total deferred tax assets
10,348
8,673
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill
( 1,137 )
( 1,013 )
Depreciation
( 1,636 )
( 904 )
Unrealized gain on securities
( 73 )
( 236 )
Loan fees
( 155 )
—
Other
( 130 )
( 92 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
( 3,131 )
( 2,245 )
Net operating loss valuation allowance
( 372 )
( 372 )
Net deferred tax asset
$
6,845
$
6,056
Management believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the total deferred tax assets. The net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards expire in tax years 2028 through 2032. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has $ 5.5 million of California NOLs available for utilization, compared to $ 6.5 million as of December 31, 2020. For taxable years 2020, 2021, and 2022, California has suspended the NOL carryover deduction. Both corporations and individual tax payers may continue to compute and carryover an NOL during the suspension period. Different rules apply depending on the amount of income per year. The suspension does not apply to corporate tax payers if their income subject to California taxation is less than $1 million. During 2020, as a result of this tax legislation and certain divestitures in California, the Company was uncertain as to the probability of realizing the full NOL. As such, the Company recorded a $ 4.3 million valuation allowance related to the California NOLs, resulting in a tax effected valuation allowance of $ 0.4 million. The Company identified no other material uncertain tax positions for which it is reasonably possible the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within 12 months . For the tax year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s apportioned California income was just under $1 million and therefore was able to utilize the same amount in NOLs.
The Company and its subsidiaries file tax returns for the United States and for multiple states and localities. The United States federal income tax returns of the Company are eligible to be examined for the years 2017 and forward. There are no federal or state tax examinations currently in progress.
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NOTE 15 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors a 401(k) Plan, which is a defined contribution plan, in which substantially all associates are eligible to participate in and associates may contribute up to 100 % of their compensation subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws. The Company may elect to make matching contributions as defined by the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company expensed matching contributions to the plan totaling $ 1.0 million and $ 0.9 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred $ 0.1 million and an immaterial amount, respectively, of administrative fees attributable to the plan.
NOTE 16 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Bank extends credit to certain covered parties including Company directors, executive officers, and their affiliates. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no delinquent or no n-performing loans to any executive officer or director of the Company. These covered parties, along with principal owners, management, immediate family of management or principal owners, a parent company and its subsidiaries, trusts for the benefit of employees, and other parties, may be considered related parties. The following presents a summary of related-party loan activity as of the dates noted (in thousands):
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Balance, beginning of year
$
14,321
$
5,675
Funded loans
11,294
17,348
Payments collected
( 12,782 )
( 8,702 )
Balance, end of period
$
12,833
$
14,321
Deposits from related parties held by the Bank as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $ 51.0 million and $ 26.2 million, respectively.
The Company leases office spaces from entities controlled by one of the Company’s board members. During each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred $ 0.2 million of expense related to these leases.
The Company earned trust and investment management fees of $ 0.1 million and $ 0.2 million from related parties during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Assets under management for those related parties totaled $ 103.1 million and $ 92.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
NOTE 17 - FAIR VALUE
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:
Level 1:
Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2:
Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3:
Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
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Recurring Fair Value
Investment Securities : The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3).
Guarantee asset and liability : The guarantee asset represents the fair value of the consideration received in exchange for the credit enhancement fee. The guarantee liability represents a financial guarantee to cover the second layer of any losses on loan sold to FHLB under the MPF 125 loan sales agreement. The guarantee liability value on day one is equivalent to the guarantee asset fair value, which is the consideration for the credit enhancement fee paid over the life of the loans. The liability is then carried at amortized cost. Significant inputs in the valuation analysis for the asset are Level 3, due to the nature of this asset and the lack of market quotes. The fair value of the guarantee asset is determined using a discounted cash flow model, for which significant unobservable inputs include assumed future prepayment rates (“CPR”) and market discount rate (Level 3). An increase in prepayment rates or discount rate would generally reduce the estimated fair value of the guarantee asset.
Mortgage Related Derivatives : Mortgage related derivatives include our IRLC, FSC, and the forward commitments on our loans held for sale pipeline. The fair value estimate of our IRLC is based on valuation models using market data from secondary market loan sales and direct contacts with third party investors as of the measurement date and pull through assumptions (Level 3). The FSC fair value estimate reflects the potential pair off fee associated with mandatory trades and is estimated by using a market differential and pair off penalty assessed by the investor (Level 3). The fair value estimate of the forward commitments is based on market prices of similar securities to the underlying MBS (Level 2).
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale : The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is estimated based upon quotes from third party investors for similar assets resulting in a Level 2 classification.
The following presents assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Quoted
Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Reported
December 31, 2021
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury debt
$
247
$
—
$
—
$
247
U.S. Government Agency
—
3,522
—
3,522
Corporate bonds
—
6,212
2,113
8,325
GNMA mortgage-backed securities - residential
—
26,650
—
26,650
FNMA mortgage-backed securities - residential
—
14,443
—
14,443
Government CMO and MBS
—
878
—
878
Corporate CMO and MBS
—
1,497
—
1,497
Other
—
649
—
649
Total securities available-for-sale
$
247
$
53,851
$
2,113
$
56,211
Equity securities
$
709
$
—
$
—
$
709
Guarantee asset
$
—
$
—
$
237
$
237
IRLC, net
$
—
$
—
$
1,473
$
1,473
Forward commitments and FSC
$
—
$
( 65 )
$
( 9 )
$
( 74 )
Mortgage loans held for sale
$
—
$
30,620
$
—
$
30,620
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Quoted
Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Reported
December 31, 2020
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury debt
$
254
$
—
$
—
$
254
Corporate bonds
—
6,044
—
6,044
GNMA mortgage-backed securities - residential
—
24,604
—
24,604
FNMA mortgage-backed securities - residential
—
1,677
—
1,677
Corporate CMO and MBS
—
4,087
—
4,087
Total securities available-for-sale
$
254
$
36,412
$
—
$
36,666
Equity securities
$
730
$
—
$
—
$
730
Guarantee asset
$
—
$
—
$
232
$
232
IRLC, net
$
—
$
—
$
9,841
$
9,841
Forward commitments and FSC
$
—
$
( 2,534 )
$
( 89 )
$
( 2,623 )
Mortgage loans held for sale
$
—
$
161,843
$
—
$
161,843
There were no transfers between levels during 2021 or 2020.
U.S. Treasury debt is reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. One Corporate bond is reported at fair value utilizing Level 3 inputs. The remaining portfolio of securities are reported at fair value with Level 2 inputs provided by a pricing service. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the majority of the securities had credit support provided by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, GNMA, and FNMA. Factors used to value the securities by the pricing service include: benchmark yields, reported trades, interest spreads, prepayments, and other market research. In addition, ratings and collateral quality are considered.
As of December 31, 2021, equity securities, IRLC, and guarantee assets have been recorded at fair value within the Other assets line item and the FSC have been recorded at fair value within the Other liabilities line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All changes are recorded in the Other line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Nonrecurring Fair Value
Other Real Estate Owned : Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. They are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals which are updated no less frequently than on an annual basis. Appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments can be significant and typically result in Level 3 classifications of the inputs for determining fair value. Other real estate owned is evaluated annually for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.
Impaired Loans : The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on recent appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments can be significant and typically result in Level 3 classifications of the inputs for determining fair value. Impaired loans are evaluated monthly for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.
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Appraisals for both collateral-dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Once received, the Company reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics.
The following presents assets measured on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Quoted
Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Reported
December 31, 2021
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance
Impaired loans (1) :
Commercial and Industrial
$
—
$
—
$
439
$
439
Quoted
Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Reported
December 31, 2020
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance
Other real estate owned:
Commercial properties
$
—
$
—
$
194
$
194
Impaired loans (1) :
Commercial and Industrial
$
—
$
—
$
1,800
$
1,800
______________________________________
(1) One immaterial Cash, Securities and Other loan was fully reserved for using a specific allowance as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
The sales comparison approach was utilized for estimating the fair value of non-recurring assets.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not own any OREO properties. As of December 31, 2020, OREO had a carrying amount of $ 0.2 million, which is the cost basis of $ 2.1 million net of a valuation allowance of $ 1.9 million.
As of December 31, 2021, total impaired loans measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans had carrying values of $ 2.2 million with valuation allowances of $ 1.8 million and were classified as Level 3. As of December 31, 2020, impaired loans measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans had carrying values of $ 3.4 million with valuation allowances of $ 1.6 million and were classified as Level 3.
Impaired loans accounted for specific reserves of $ 1.8 million and $ 1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Bank charged off an immaterial amount during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 from the specific reserve.
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Level 3 Analysis
The following presents a reconciliation for Level 3 instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Corporate Bonds
Guarantee Asset
IRLC
FSC
Beginning balance
$
—
$
232
$
9,841
$
( 89 )
Acquisitions
2,113
—
19,526
( 182 )
Originations
—
2
( 25,804 )
—
Gains (losses) in net income, net
—
3
( 2,090 )
262
Ending balance
$
2,113
$
237
$
1,473
$
( 9 )
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Corporate Bonds
Guarantee Asset
IRLC
FSC
Beginning balance
$
—
$
—
$
1,184
$
—
Acquisitions
—
—
34,345
( 278 )
Originations
—
—
( 27,944 )
—
Sales
—
245
—
—
Gains (losses) in net income, net
—
55
2,256
189
Other settlements
—
( 68 )
—
—
Ending balance
$
—
$
232
$
9,841
$
( 89 )
The following presents quantitative information about Level 3 assets measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2021
Valuation
Significant
Range
Fair Value
Technique
Unobservable Input
(Weighted Average)
Recurring fair value
Corporate Bonds
$
2,113
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
7 % ( 7 %)
Guarantee asset
237
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
Prepayment rate
3 % ( 3 %)
18 % ( 18 %)
IRLC, net
1,473
Best execution model
Pull through
71 % to 100 % ( 88 %)
FSC
( 9 )
Internal pricing model
Market Differential
- 14 bps to - 2 bps
(- 6 bps)
Nonrecurring fair value
Impaired loans (1) :
Commercial and Industrial
439
Sales comparison, Market approach - guideline transaction method
Management discount for asset/property type
17 % - 45 % ( 39 %)
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Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020
Valuation
Significant
Range
Fair Value
Technique
Unobservable Input
(Weighted Average)
Recurring fair value
Guarantee asset
$
232
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
Prepayment rate
3 % ( 3 %)
25 % ( 25 %)
IRLC, net
9,841
Best execution model
Pull through
55 % to 100 % ( 86 %)
FSC
( 89 )
Internal pricing model
Market Differential
- 59 bps to
- 17 bps
(- 31 bps)
Nonrecurring fair value
Other real estate owned:
Commercial properties
194
Sales contract
Commission, cost to sell, closing costs
5 % ( 5 %)
Impaired loans (1) :
Commercial and Industrial
1,800
Sales comparison, Market approach - guideline transaction method
Management discount for asset/property type
17 % - 35 % ( 26 %)
______________________________________
(1) One immaterial Cash, Securities and Other loan was fully reserved for using a specific allowance as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
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Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
The following presents carrying amounts and estimated fair values for financial instruments not carried at fair value as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Carrying
Fair Value Measurements Using:
December 31, 2021
Amount
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
386,983
$
386,983
$
—
$
—
Loans, net
1,935,405
—
—
1,919,625
Accrued interest receivable
7,151
—
10
7,141
Liabilities:
Deposits
2,205,703
—
2,207,452
—
Borrowings:
FHLB borrowings – fixed rate
15,000
—
14,990
—
Federal Reserve borrowings – fixed rate
23,629
—
23,629
—
Subordinated notes – fixed-to-floating rate
39,031
—
—
40,325
Accrued interest payable
355
—
156
199
Carrying
Fair Value Measurements Using:
December 31, 2020
Amount
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
155,989
$
155,989
$
—
$
—
Loans, net
1,520,294
—
—
1,512,699
Accrued interest receivable
6,618
—
90
6,528
Liabilities:
Deposits
1,619,910
—
1,621,648
—
Borrowings:
FHLB borrowings – fixed rate
15,000
—
15,099
—
Federal Reserve borrowings – fixed rate
134,563
—
134,563
—
Subordinated notes – fixed-to-floating rate
24,291
—
—
25,750
Accrued interest payable
453
—
124
329
The fair value estimates presented and discussed above are based on pertinent information available to management as of the dates specified. The estimated fair value amounts are based on the exit price notion set forth by ASU 2016-01. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair values, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since the balance sheet dates. Therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
The methods and assumptions, not previously presented, used to estimate fair values are described as follows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash : The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate fair values as maturities are less than 90 days and balances are generally in accounts bearing current market interest rates.
Loans, net : The fair values for all fixed-rate and variable-rate performing loans were estimated using the income approach and by discounting the projected cash flows of such loans. Principal and interest cash flows were projected based on the contractual terms of the loans, including maturity, contractual amortization and adjustments for prepayments and expected losses, where appropriate. A discount rate was developed based on the relative risk of the cash flows, taking into account the loan type, maturity and a required return on capital.
Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable : The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
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Deposits : The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of variable-rate, fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting dates. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
Fixed Rate Borrowings : Borrowings with fixed rates are valued using inputs such as discounted cash flows and current interest rates for similar instruments and borrowers with similar credit ratings.
Fixed-to-Floating Rate Borrowings: Borrowings with fixed-to-floating rates are valued using inputs such as discounted cash flows and current interest rates for similar instruments and assume the Company will redeem the instrument prior to the first interest rate reset date.
NOTE 18 - SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company’s reportable segments consist of Wealth Management and Mortgage. The chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is the Chief Executive Officer. The measure of profit or loss used by the CODM to identify and measure the Company’s reportable segments is income before income tax.
The Wealth Management segment consists of operations relative to the Company’s fully integrated wealth management products and services. Services provided include deposit, loan, insurance, and trust and investment management advisory products and services.
The Mortgage segment consists of operations relative to the Company’s residential mortgage service offerings. Mortgage products and services are financial in nature for which premiums are recognized, net of expenses, upon the sale of mortgage loans to third parties.
The following presents the financial information for each segment that is specifically identifiable or based on allocations using internal methods for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2021
Wealth
Management
Mortgage
Consolidated
Income Statement
Total interest income
$
61,925
$
—
$
61,925
Total interest expense
5,416
—
5,416
Provision for loan losses
1,230
—
1,230
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses
55,279
—
55,279
Non-interest income
24,031
16,119
40,150
Total income before non-interest expense
79,310
16,119
95,429
Depreciation and amortization expense
1,147
53
1,200
All other non-interest expense
56,785
10,164
66,949
Income before income taxes
$
21,378
$
5,902
$
27,280
Goodwill
$
30,588
$
—
$
30,588
Total assets
2,494,207
33,282
2,527,489
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Table of Contents
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2020
Wealth
Management
Mortgage
Consolidated
Income Statement
Total interest income
$
53,334
$
—
$
53,334
Total interest expense
7,232
—
7,232
Provision for loan losses
4,682
—
4,682
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses
41,420
—
41,420
Non-interest income
21,836
29,344
51,180
Total income before non-interest expense
63,256
29,344
92,600
Depreciation and amortization expense
1,035
70
1,105
All other non-interest expense
50,135
8,297
58,432
Income before income taxes
$
12,086
$
20,977
$
33,063
Goodwill
$
24,191
$
—
$
24,191
Total assets
1,798,416
175,239
1,973,655
NOTE 19 – LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT INVESTMENTS
On December 19, 2019, the Company invested in a low-income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") investment. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the balance of the investment for LIHTC was $ 2.6 million and $ 1.1 million, respectively. These balances are reflected in the Other assets line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total unfunded commitments related to the investment in the LIHTC total $ 0.2 million and $ 2.2 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company expects to fulfill these commitments during the year ending 2022.
The Company uses the proportional amortization method to account for this investment. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized amortization expense of $ 0.5 million, which was included within the Income tax expense line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recognized amortization expense of $ 0.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2020.
Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized tax credits and other benefits from this investment in the LIHTC of $ 0.5 million. The Company recognized tax credits and other benefits from this investment in the LIHTC of $ 0.1 million in the year end December 31, 2020. During the years ending December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not incur any impairment losses.
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NOTE 20 – CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
The following presents condensed financial statements pertaining only to FWFI (in thousands). Investments in subsidiaries are stated using the equity method of accounting.
December 31,
December 31,
Condensed Balance Sheets
2021
2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
18,124
$
14,270
Investment in subsidiaries
233,417
157,377
Loans, net
1,978
2,021
Other assets
3,611
4,075
Total assets
$
257,130
$
177,743
LIABILITIES
Subordinated notes
$
39,031
$
24,291
Other liabilities (1)
( 942 )
( 1,510 )
Total liabilities
38,089
22,781
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Total shareholders’ equity
219,041
154,962
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
257,130
$
177,743
_________________________________________________
(1) As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, taxes payable was in a receivable position as a result of timing of tax payments.
Year Ended December 31,
Condensed Statements of Income
2021
2020
Income
Interest income
$
60
$
87
Non-interest income
—
( 1 )
Total income
60
86
Expense
Interest expense
1,549
854
Non-interest expense
285
355
Total expense
1,834
1,209
Loss before income tax and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
( 1,774 )
( 1,123 )
Income tax benefit
119
( 85 )
Loss before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
( 1,655 )
( 1,208 )
Equity in undistributed income to subsidiaries
22,265
25,742
Net income
$
20,610
$
24,534
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Year Ended December 31,
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
2021
2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income
$
20,610
$
24,534
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
73
12
Current and deferred income tax expense/(benefit)
301
( 3,003 )
Stock-based compensation
2,903
2,544
Undistributed equity in subsidiaries
( 22,265 )
( 25,742 )
Change in other assets
678
( 32 )
Change in other liabilities
53
( 42 )
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
2,353
( 1,729 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash paid on acquisition
( 11,501 )
—
Investment in subsidiaries
( 2,913 )
( 10,453 )
Loan and note receivable originations and principal collections
43
70
Net cash used in investing activities
( 14,371 )
( 10,383 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from subordinated notes
14,667
17,719
Repurchase of common stock
—
( 377 )
Settlement of restricted stock
( 501 )
( 261 )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
1,706
—
Net cash provided by financing activities
15,872
17,081
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
3,854
4,969
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
14,270
9,301
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
18,124
$
14,270
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid on borrowed funds
$
1,549
$
854
Supplemental noncash disclosures:
Common stock issued for Teton acquisition
39,818
—
Segment collapse impact to investment in subsidiary
—
2,454
Segment collapse impact to deferred income tax (benefit)/expense
—
640
Segment collapse impact to other assets
—
( 3,202 )
Segment collapse impact to other liabilities
—
108
NOTE 21 – OTHER NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Other non-interest expense as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income is detailed in the following schedule to the extent the components exceed one percent of total interest income and other income (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Other non-interest expense
2021
2020
Corporate development and related
$
1,769
$
1,517
Loan and deposit related
1,016
1,453
Other
491
482
Total other non-interest expense
$
3,276
$
3,452
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NOTE 22 - REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS
First Western and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital adequacy requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, First Western and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.
First Western and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators regarding components, risk weightings and other factors. The final rules implementing Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks ("Basel III rules") has been fully phased in. The net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, First Western made capital injections of $ 2.9 million and $ 10.0 million, respectively, into the Bank. Management believes as of December 31, 2021, First Western and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject to.
Prompt corrective action regulations for First Western and the Bank provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required.
The standard ratios established by First Western and the Bank’s primary regulators to measure capital require First Western and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios, set forth in the following table. These ratios are common equity Tier 1 capital ("CET1"), Tier 1 capital and total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).
The actual capital ratios of First Western and the Bank, along with the applicable regulatory capital requirements as of December 31, 2021, were calculated in accordance with the requirements of Basel III. The final rules of Basel III also established a "capital conservation buffer" of 2.5 % above new regulatory minimum capital ratios, which are fully effective following minimum ratios: (i) a CET1 ratio of 7.0 %; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5 %; and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5 %. Banks are subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if their capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that can be utilized for such activities.
As of December 31, 2021, the most recent filings with the FDIC categorized First Western and the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory guidelines. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum CET1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, total risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. Management believes there are no conditions or events since December 31, 2021 that have changed the categorization of First Western and the Bank as well capitalized. Management believes First Western and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject to as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
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The following presents the actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
To be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Required for Capital
Corrective Action
Actual
Adequacy Purposes (1)
Regulations
December 31, 2021
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Bank
$
203,164
11.40
%
$
106,945
6.0
%
$
142,594
8.0
%
Consolidated
188,777
10.54
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
CET1 to risk-weighted assets
Bank
203,164
11.40
80,209
4.5
115,858
6.5
Consolidated
188,777
10.54
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Bank
217,215
12.19
142,594
8.0
178,242
10.0
Consolidated
242,388
13.54
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 capital to average assets
Bank
203,164
10.05
80,887
4.0
101,108
5.0
Consolidated
188,777
9.31
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
To be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Required for Capital
Corrective Action
Actual
Adequacy Purposes (1)
Regulations
December 31, 2020
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Bank
$
133,963
10.22
%
$
78,660
6.0
%
$
104,880
8.0
%
Consolidated
131,507
9.96
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
CET1 to risk-weighted assets
Bank
133,963
10.22
58,995
4.5
85,215
6.5
Consolidated
131,507
9.96
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Bank
146,853
11.20
104,880
8.0
131,100
10.0
Consolidated
168,957
12.80
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 capital to average assets
Bank
133,963
7.62
70,301
4.0
87,877
5.0
Consolidated
131,507
7.45
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
______________________________________
(1) Does not include capital conservation buffer .
NOTE 23 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Unaudited)
The Company elected to redeem the subordinated notes due December 31, 2026 in the amount of $ 6.6 million, which were redeemable on or after January 1, 2022. The redemption price is equal to 100 % of the principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding the date of redemption. As of this filing, the December 31, 2026 subordinated debt has been fully redeemed.
On January 6, 2022, the Company filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement with the SEC providing that the Company may offer and sell from time to time, separately or together, in multiple series or in one or more offerings, any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depository shares and units, up to a maximum aggregate offer price of $ 100 million.
*****
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Item 9: Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.