Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,
contains certain forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance.
Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. Examples
of forward-looking statements include: (a) projections of income or expense, earnings per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends,
capital structure and other financial items; (b) statements of plans and objectives of the Company or our management or Board of Directors,
including those relating to products or services; (c) statements of future economic performance; (d) statements regarding future customer
attraction or retention; and (e) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “anticipates”, “believes”,
“plans”, “intends”, “expects”, “projects”, “estimates”, “should”,
“may”, “would be”, “will allow”, “will likely result”, “will continue”, “will
remain”, or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying
those statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties inherent in the national and regional banking industry including impacts from the
COVID-19 pandemic on local, national and global economic conditions as well as the various governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic,
including stimulus packages and programs; potential litigation or other risks related to participation in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s
(“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”); changes in economic conditions in the market areas in which the
Company and its subsidiaries operate; changes in policies by regulatory agencies; the transition away from LIBOR as a reference rate
for financial contracts; operating risks; changes in accounting standards and policies; changes in tax laws; fluctuations in interest
rates; demand for loans in the market areas in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate; increases in FDIC insurance premiums;
changes in the competitive environment; losses of significant customers; geopolitical events; and the loss of key personnel. Additional
detailed information concerning a number of important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is available in the
Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks identified under the heading “Item 1A.
Risk Factors” of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Undue reliance
should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as may be required by law, the
Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect unanticipated events or circumstances after the date
on which the statement is made.
Overview
of SB Financial
SB
Financial Group, Inc. (“SB Financial” or the “Company”) is an Ohio corporation and a financial holding company
registered with the Federal Reserve Board. SB Financial’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The State Bank and Trust Company (“State
Bank”), is an Ohio-chartered bank engaged in commercial banking.
Rurban
Statutory Trust II (“RST II”) was established in August 2005. In September 2005, RST II completed a pooled private offering
of 10,000 Trust Preferred Securities with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security. The proceeds of the offering were loaned to SB
Financial in exchange for junior subordinated debentures of SB Financial with terms substantially similar to the Trust Preferred Securities.
The sole assets of RST II are the junior subordinated debentures, and the back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full and
unconditional guarantee by SB Financial of the obligations of RST II.
RFCBC,
Inc. (“RFCBC”) is an Ohio corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of SB Financial that was incorporated in August 2004. RFCBC
operates as a loan subsidiary in servicing and working out problem loans.
State
Bank Insurance, LLC (“SBI”) is an Ohio corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Bank incorporated in June of 2010.
SBI is an insurance company that engages in the sale of insurance products to retail and commercial customers of State Bank.
SBFG
Title, LLC (“Title”) is an Ohio corporation that was formed in March 2019. SBFG Title engages in the sale of title insurance
services.
34
SB
Captive, Inc. (“Captive”) is a Nevada corporation that was formed in March 2019. SB Captive pools insurance risk among like
sized banking institutions.
Unless
the context indicates otherwise, all references herein to “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”
refer to SB Financial and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Note
1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2020 describes the significant accounting policies used in the development and presentation of the Company’s financial statements.
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The Company’s financial position and results of operations
can be affected by these estimates and assumptions and are integral to the understanding of reported results. Critical accounting policies
are those policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results,
and they require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective, and/or complex.
Allowance
for Loan Losses - The allowance for loan losses provides coverage for probable losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio.
Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses each quarter based on changes, if any, in underwriting activities,
loan portfolio composition (including product mix and geographic, industry or customer-specific concentrations), trends in loan performance,
regulatory guidance and economic factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires the use of significant management
estimates. Many factors can affect management’s estimates of specific and expected losses, including volatility of default probabilities,
rating migrations, loss severity and economic and political conditions. The allowance is increased through provisions charged to operating
earnings and reduced by net charge-offs.
The
Company determines the amount of the allowance based on relative risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The allowance recorded for
commercial loans is based on reviews of individual credit relationships and an analysis of the migration of commercial loans and actual
loss experience. The allowance recorded for homogeneous consumer loans is based on an analysis of loan mix, risk characteristics of the
portfolio, fraud loss and bankruptcy experiences, and historical losses, adjusted for current trends, for each homogeneous category or
group of loans. The allowance for credit losses relating to impaired loans is based on the loan’s observable market price, the
collateral for certain collateral-dependent loans, or the discounted cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate.
Regardless
of the extent of the Company’s analysis of customer performance, portfolio trends or risk management processes, certain inherent
but undetected losses are probable within the loan portfolio. This is due to several factors, including inherent delays in obtaining
information regarding a customer’s financial condition or changes in their unique business conditions, the subjective nature of
individual loan evaluations, collateral assessments and the interpretation of economic trends. Volatility of economic or customer-specific
conditions affecting the identification and estimation of losses for larger non-homogeneous credits and the sensitivity of assumptions
utilized to establish allowances for homogenous groups of loans are also factors. The Company estimates a range of inherent losses related
to the existence of these exposures. The estimates are based upon the Company’s evaluation of imprecise risk associated with the
commercial and consumer allowance levels and the estimated impact of the current economic environment. To the extent that actual results
differ from management’s estimates, additional loan loss provisions may be required that could adversely impact earnings for future
periods.
Goodwill
and Other Intangibles - The Company records all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill
and other intangibles, at fair value as required. Goodwill is subject, at a minimum, to annual tests for impairment. Other intangible
assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using straight-line or accelerated methods, and are subject to impairment if events
or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. The initial goodwill and other intangibles recorded and
subsequent impairment analysis requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the acquired asset will perform
in the future. Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include, among others, customer attrition, changes in revenue
growth trends, specific industry conditions and changes in competition. A decrease in earnings resulting from these or other factors
could lead to an impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings for future periods.
35
Three
Months Ended June 30, 2021 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net
Income: Net income for the second quarter of 2021 was $3.8 million compared to net income of $3.7 million for the second quarter
of 2020, an increase of 2.9 percent. Earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.52 were up 10.6 percent from EPS of $0.47 for the second
quarter of 2020. Net income for the second quarter of 2021 was negatively impacted by the Company’s temporary impairment of $0.1
million on its mortgage servicing rights. The 2020 second quarter was impacted by temporary impairment of mortgage servicing rights of
$1.1 million and merger costs of $1.2 million.
The
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was signed into law on December 27, 2020, provided additional PPP funding of $284.5 billion
and the establishment of PPP Second Draw Loans under the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (the “Relief
Act”.) The Company continued its participation in the CARES Act pandemic response through the origination of loans under the PPP
lending initiative. In the second phase of the initiative under the Relief Act, the Company originated $26.2 million in PPP loans during
the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Total PPP loans outstanding at June 30, 2021 was $34.8 million, with $6.4 million remaining from Phase
I and $28.4 million remaining from Phase II.
Provision
for Loan Losses: The second quarter provision for loan losses was zero, compared to $1.3 million for the year-ago quarter as
the Company recognized that risk in the portfolio has stabilized. The total reserve level of $13.3 million is up nearly 33 percent from
the prior year and given that level zero provision for the quarter was appropriate. Net charge-offs for the quarter were $0.02 million
compared to net charge-offs of $0.2 million for the year-ago quarter. Total delinquent loans ended the quarter at $3.5 million, or 0.41
percent of total loans, which is down $1.9 million from the prior year.
Asset Quality Review – For the Period Ended
($ in thousands)
Jun. 30,
2021
Jun. 30,
2020
Net charge-offs – QTD/YTD
$20/$18
$244/$641
Nonaccruing loans
3,615
6,534
Accruing Trouble Debt Restructures
758
804
Nonaccruing and restructured loans
4,373
7,338
OREO / OAO
1,603
382
Nonperforming assets
5,976
7,720
Nonperforming assets/Total assets
0.46 %
0.64 %
Allowance for loan losses/Total loans
1.56 %
1.11 %
Allowance for loan losses/Nonperforming loans
304.3 %
136.4 %
Consolidated
Revenue: Total revenue, consisting of net interest income and noninterest income, was $15.7 million for the second quarter of
2021, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 10.3 percent, from the $17.5 million generated during the second quarter of 2020.
Net
interest income was $9.2 million, which is up $0.3 million from the prior year second quarter’s $8.9 million. The Company’s
earning assets increased $177.7 million, coupled with a 70 basis point decrease in the yield on earning assets. The net interest margin
(FTE) for the second quarter of 2021 was 2.94 percent compared to 3.32 percent for the second quarter of 2020. Funding costs for interest
bearing liabilities for the second quarter of 2021 were 0.44 percent compared to 0.89 percent for the prior year second quarter.
Noninterest
income was $6.5 million for the second quarter of 2021, which was down $2.1 million from the prior year second quarter’s $8.6 million.
In addition to the mortgage revenue detailed below, wealth management revenue was $1.0 million. Impairment to our mortgage servicing
rights decreased noninterest income by $0.1 million in the quarter. Our title agency contributed revenue of $0.5 million in the second
quarter of 2021, down $0.1 million from the prior year. Noninterest income as a percentage of average assets for the second quarter of
2021 was 1.97 percent compared to 2.95 percent for the prior year second quarter.
36
State
Bank originated $164.9 million of mortgage loans for the second quarter of 2021, of which $119.1 million was sold with the remainder
of loans held for investment. This compares to $223.7 million originated for the second quarter of 2020, of which $204.6 million was
sold with the remainder of loans held for investment. These second quarter 2021 originations and subsequent sales resulted in $4.3 million
of gains, down $3.9 million from the gains for the second quarter of 2020. Net mortgage banking revenue was $4.0 million for the second
quarter of 2021 compared to $6.2 million for the second quarter of 2020. The 2021 second quarter included a $0.1 million impairment to
our mortgage servicing rights compared to a $1.1 million valuation impairment for the second quarter of 2020.
Consolidated
Noninterest Expense: Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2021 was $11.1 million, which was down $0.6 million compared
to $11.7 million in the prior-year second quarter. The second quarter of 2021 included lower commission and incentives on mortgage sales
and title volume. The second quarter of 2020 included $1.2 million in one-time merger related expenses.
Income
Taxes: Income taxes for the second quarter of 2021 were $0.9 million (effective rate of 18.6 percent) compared to $0.9 million
(effective rate of 19.2 percent) for the second quarter of 2020.
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2021 compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net
Income : Net income for the first six months of 2021 was $10.8 million compared to net income of $4.3 million for the first
six months of 2020, an increase of 150 percent. Earnings per diluted share (EPS) for the period of $1.49 were up 166 percent from EPS
of $0.56 for the prior year six-month period.
Provision
for Loan Losses : The provision for loan losses for the first six months of 2021 was $0.8 million compared to $1.9 million
for the prior year first six months. Net charge offs for the period were $0.02 million compared to net charge offs of $0.6 million for
the prior year six-month period.
Consolidated
Revenue : Total revenue, consisting of net interest income and noninterest income, was $36.2 million for the first six
months of 2021, an increase of $8.0 million, or 28.5 percent, from the $28.2 million generated during the 2020 first six months.
Net
interest income was $18.8 million, which is up $1.4 million from net interest income of $17.4 million for the prior year first six months.
The Company’s earning assets increased $199.2 million, and had a 73 basis point decrease in the yield on earning assets for the
first six months of 2021. The net interest margin (FTE) for the first six months of 2021 was 3.07 percent compared to 3.40 percent for
the first six months of 2020. Funding costs for interest bearing liabilities for the first six months of 2021 were 0.47 percent compared
to 1.00 percent for the prior year first six months.
Noninterest
income was $17.5 million for the first six months of 2021, which is up $6.7 million from noninterest income of $10.8 million for the
prior year first six months. In addition to the mortgage revenue detailed below, gains from the sale of non-mortgage loans was $0.1 million,
compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2020. For the first six months, the Company had a mortgage servicing rights recapture
of $2.6 million compared to mortgage servicing rights impairment in the first six months of 2020 of $3.3 million.
State
Bank originated $320.7 million of mortgage loans during the first six months of 2021, of which $255.8 million of loans were sold with
the remainder of loans held for investment. These levels were down 1 and 12 percent, respectively, as compared to the prior year first
six months.
Consolidated
Noninterest Expense: Noninterest expense for the first six months of 2021 was $22.0 million, which is up $0.9 million compared
to $21.1 million in the prior year first six months. The increase in noninterest expenses compared to the prior year was due to increases
in staffing and benefit costs and expenses for SBFG Title, which offset the $1.2 million in Edon merger expenses from the prior year.
Income
Taxes: Income taxes for the first six months of 2021 were $2.7 million (effective rate of 19.7 percent) compared to $0.9 million
(effective rate of 17.1 percent) for the first six months of 2020.
37
Changes
in Financial Condition
Total
assets at June 30, 2021 were $1,312.5 million, an increase of $54.7 million or 4.3 percent since December 2020 year end. Total loans,
net of unearned income, were $850.5 million as of June 30, 2021, down $22.2 million or 2.5 percent, from year-end. Total PPP loan balances
added $34.8 million to our total loans at June 30, 2021.
Total
deposits at June 30, 2021 were $1,091.0 million, an increase of $42.0 million or 4.0 percent since 2020 year end. Borrowed funds (consisting
of FHLB advances, REPOs, Trust Preferreds and subordinated debt) totaled $60.4 million at June 30, 2021. This is up from year-end when
borrowed funds totaled $47.1 million due to an increase in REPOs and the subordinated debt. The subordinated debt issuance of $20 million
during the quarter will be used for general corporate purposes. Total equity for the Company of $144.0 million now stands at 11.0 percent
of total assets compared to the December 31, 2020 level of $142.9 million and 11.4 percent of total assets.
The
allowance for loan loss of $13.3 million is up $0.8 million from the December 2020 year end level.
Capital
Resources
As
of June 30, 2021, based on the computations for the FFIEC 041 Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income filed by State Bank with the
Federal Reserve, State Bank was classified as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized
as well capitalized, State Bank must maintain capital ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since
June 30, 2021 that management believes have changed State Bank’s capital classification.
State
Bank’s actual capital levels and ratios as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are presented in the following table. Capital
levels are presented for State Bank only as the Company is exempt from quarterly reporting on capital levels at the holding company level:
Actual
For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
To Be Well Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective Action
Procedures
($ in thousands)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
As of June 30, 2021
Tier I Capital to average assets
$ 125,450
9.68 %
$ 51,817
4.0 %
$ 64,771
5.0 %
Tier I Common equity capital to risk-weighted assets
125,450
13.11 %
43,050
4.5 %
62,183
6.5 %
Tier I Capital to risk-weighted assets
125,450
13.11 %
57,400
6.0 %
76,533
8.0 %
Total Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
137,424
14.36 %
76,533
8.0 %
95,667
10.0 %
As of December 31, 2020
Tier I Capital to average assets
$ 119,480
9.94 %
$ 48,099
4.0 %
$ 60,123
5.0 %
Tier I Common equity capital to risk-weighted assets
119,480
12.91 %
41,651
4.5 %
60,162
6.5 %
Tier I Capital to risk-weighted assets
119,480
12.91 %
55,534
6.0 %
74,046
8.0 %
Total Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
131,062
14.16 %
74,046
8.0 %
92,557
10.0 %
New
regulatory capital requirements commonly referred to as “Basel III” were fully phased in as of January 1, 2019 and are reflected
in the June 30, 2021 capital table above. Management opted out of the accumulated other comprehensive income treatment under the new
requirements and as such unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities will continue to be excluded from State Bank’s
regulatory capital.
LIQUIDITY
Liquidity
relates primarily to the Company’s ability to fund loan demand, meet deposit customers’ withdrawal requirements and provide
for operating expenses. Assets used to satisfy these needs consist of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, interest-earning deposits
in other financial institutions, securities available-for-sale and loans held for sale. These assets are commonly referred to as liquid
assets. Liquid assets were $378.4 million at June 30, 2021, compared to $303.2 million at December 31, 2020.
38
Liquidity
risk arises from the possibility that the Company may not be able to meet the Company’s financial obligations and operating cash
needs or may become overly reliant upon external funding sources. In order to manage this risk, the Board of Directors of the Company
has established a Liquidity Policy that identifies primary sources of liquidity, establishes procedures for monitoring and measuring
liquidity and quantifies minimum liquidity requirements. This policy designates the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) as
the body responsible for meeting these objectives. The ALCO reviews liquidity regularly and evaluates significant changes in strategies
that affect balance sheet or cash flow positions. Liquidity is centrally managed on a daily basis by the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer and Asset Liability Manager.
The
Company’s commercial real estate, first mortgage residential, agricultural and multi-family mortgage portfolio of $643.4 million
at June 30, 2021 and $608.4 million at December 31, 2020, which can and has been used to collateralize borrowings, is an additional source
of liquidity. Management believes the Company’s current liquidity level, without these borrowings, is sufficient to meet its liquidity
needs. At June 30, 2021, all eligible commercial real estate, first mortgage residential and multi-family mortgage loans were pledged
under an FHLB blanket lien.
The
cash flow statements for the periods presented provide an indication of the Company’s sources and uses of cash, as well as an indication
of the ability of the Company to maintain an adequate level of liquidity. A discussion of the cash flow statements for the six months
ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 follows.
The
Company experienced positive cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and negative cash flows for
the six months ended June 30, 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021
and net cash used by operating activities was $.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Highlights for the current year include
$255.8 million in proceeds from the sale of loans, which is down $33.3 million from the prior year. Originations of loans held for sale
was a use of cash of $249.5 million, which is down from the prior year by $38.4 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, there
was a gain on sale of loans of $10.2 million, and depreciation and amortization of $1.0 million.
The
Company experienced negative cash flows from investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020. Net cash
flows used in investing activities was $43.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $43.8 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2020. Highlights for the current year include purchases of available-for-sale securities of $88.4 million. These cash payments
were offset by $23.3 million in proceeds from maturities and sales of securities, which is down $38.5 million from the prior year six
-month period. The Company experienced a $20.6 million decrease in loans, which is down $81.1 million from the prior year six -month
period.
The
Company experienced positive cash flows from financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020. Net cash
flow provided by financing activities was $55.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $102.8 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2020. Highlights for the current period include a $98.9.5 million increase in transaction deposits for the six months
ended June 30, 2021, which is down $10.9 million from the prior year. Certificates of deposit decreased by $56.9 million in the current
year compared to $10.5 million for the prior year. The issuance of subordinated debt during the quarter provided for $19.5 million in
proceeds net of debt issuance costs.
ALCO
uses an economic value of equity (“EVE”) analysis to measure risk in the balance sheet incorporating all cash flows over
the estimated remaining life of all balance sheet positions. The EVE analysis calculates the net present value of the Company’s
assets and liabilities in rate shock environments that range from -400 basis points to +400 basis points. The likelihood of a significant
decrease in rates as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was considered unlikely given the current interest rate environment and therefore,
only the minus 100 basis point rate change was included in this analysis as of June 30, 2021 and only the minus 100 and minus 200 basis
point rate change was included in this analysis as of December 31, 2020. The results of this analysis are reflected in the following
tables for June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
39
Economic Value of Equity
June 30, 2021
($ in thousands)
Change in rates
$ Amount
$ Change
% Change
+400 basis points
$ 245,815
$ 43,954
21.77 %
+300 basis points
238,075
36,214
17.94 %
+200 basis points
228,795
26,934
13.34 %
+100 basis points
217,295
15,434
7.65 %
Base Case
201,861
-
-
-100 basis points
175,803
(26,058 )
-12.91 %
Economic Value of Equity
December 31, 2020
($ in thousands)
Change in rates
$ Amount
$ Change
% Change
+400 basis points
$ 243,779
$ 61,586
33.80 %
+300 basis points
231,590
49,397
27.11 %
+200 basis points
217,936
35,743
19.62 %
+100 basis points
202,260
20,067
11.01 %
Base Case
182,193
-
-
-100 basis points
154,509
(27,684 )
-15.19 %
Off-Balance-Sheet
Borrowing Arrangements:
Significant
additional off-balance-sheet liquidity is available in the form of FHLB advances and unused federal funds lines from correspondent banks.
Management expects the risk of changes in off-balance-sheet arrangements to be immaterial to earnings.
The
Company’s commercial real estate, first mortgage residential, agricultural and multi-family mortgage portfolios in the total amount
of $643.4 million were pledged to meet FHLB collateralization requirements as of June 30, 2021. Based on the current collateralization
requirements of the FHLB, the Company had approximately $100.1 million of additional borrowing capacity at June 30, 2021. The Company
also had $132.7 million in unpledged securities available to pledge for additional borrowings.
The
Company’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2021 were comprised of long-term debt obligations, other debt obligations, operating
lease obligations and other long-term liabilities. Long-term debt obligations were comprised of FHLB Advances of $5.5 million, Trust
Preferred Securities of $10.3 million, and Subordinated debt, net of issuance costs, of $19.5 million. Total time deposits at June 30,
2021 were $172.7 million, of which $69.6 million mature beyond one year.
In
addition, as of June 30, 2021, the Company had commitments to sell mortgage loans totaling $52.1 million. The Company believes that it
has adequate resources to fund commitments as they arise and that it can adjust the rate on savings certificates to retain deposits in
changing interest rate environments. If the Company requires funds beyond its internal funding capabilities, advances from the FHLB of
Cincinnati and other financial institutions are available.
ASSET
LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
Asset
liability management involves developing, executing and monitoring strategies to maintain appropriate liquidity, maximize net interest
income and minimize the impact that significant fluctuations in market interest rates would have on current and future earnings. The
business of the Company and the composition of its balance sheet consist of investments in interest-earning assets (primarily loans,
mortgage-backed securities, and securities available for sale) which are primarily funded by interest-bearing liabilities (deposits and
borrowings). With the exception of specific loans which are originated and held for sale, all of the financial instruments of the Company
are for other than trading purposes. All of the Company’s transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars with no specific foreign
exchange exposure. In addition, the Company has limited exposure to commodity prices related to agricultural loans. The impact of changes
in foreign exchange rates and commodity prices on interest rates are assumed to be insignificant. The Company’s financial instruments
have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in market interest rates resulting in market risk. Interest rate risk is the Company’s
primary market risk exposure; to a lesser extent, liquidity risk also impacts market risk exposure.
40
Interest
rate risk is the exposure of a banking institution’s financial condition to adverse movements in interest rates. Accepting
this risk can be an important source of profitability and shareholder value; however, excessive levels of interest rate risk could pose
a significant threat to the Company’s earnings and capital base. Accordingly, effective risk management that maintains interest
rate risks at prudent levels is essential to the Company’s safety and soundness.
Evaluating
a financial institution’s exposure to changes in interest rates includes assessing both the adequacy of the management process
used to control interest rate risk and the organization’s quantitative level of exposure. When assessing the interest rate risk
management process, the Company seeks to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, management information systems and internal controls
are in place to maintain interest rate risks at prudent levels of consistency and continuity. Evaluating the quantitative level of interest
rate risk exposure requires the Company to assess the existing and potential future effects of changes in interest rates on its consolidated
financial condition, including capital adequacy, earnings, liquidity and asset quality (when appropriate).
The
Federal Reserve Board together with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Company adopted
a Joint Agency Policy Statement on interest rate risk effective June 26, 1996. The policy statement provides guidance to examiners and
bankers on sound practices for managing interest rate risk, which will form the basis for ongoing evaluation of the adequacy of interest
rate risk management at supervised institutions. The policy statement also outlines fundamental elements of sound management that have
been identified in prior Federal Reserve guidance and discusses the importance of these elements in the context of managing interest
rate risk. Specifically, the guidance emphasizes the need for active board of director and senior management oversight and a comprehensive
risk management process that effectively identifies, measures and controls interest rate risk.
Financial
institutions derive their income primarily from the excess of interest collected over interest paid. The rates of interest an institution
earns on its assets and owes on its liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Since market interest rates
change over time, an institution is exposed to lower profit margins (or losses) if it cannot adapt to interest rate changes. For example,
assume that an institution’s assets carry intermediate or long-term fixed rates and that those assets are funded with short-term
liabilities. If market interest rates rise by the time the short-term liabilities must be refinanced, the increase in the institution’s
interest expense on its liabilities may not be sufficiently offset if assets continue to earn at the long-term fixed rates. Accordingly,
an institution’s profits could decrease on existing assets because the institution will either have lower net interest income or
possibly, net interest expense. Similar risks exist when assets are subject to contractual interest rate ceilings, or rate-sensitive
assets are funded by longer-term, fixed-rate liabilities in a declining rate environment.
There
are several ways an institution can manage interest rate risk including: 1) matching repricing periods for new assets and liabilities,
for example, by shortening or lengthening terms of new loans, investments, or liabilities; 2) selling existing assets or repaying certain
liabilities; and 3) hedging existing assets, liabilities, or anticipated transactions. An institution might also invest in more complex
financial instruments intended to hedge or otherwise change interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps, futures contracts, options on futures
contracts, and other such derivative financial instruments can be used for this purpose. Because these instruments are sensitive to interest
rate changes, they require management’s expertise to be effective. The Company does not currently utilize any derivative financial
instruments to manage interest rate risk. As market conditions warrant, the Company may implement various interest rate risk management
strategies, including the use of derivative financial instruments.
41
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Management
believes there has been no material change in the Company’s market risk from the information contained in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.