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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

or

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-38084

 

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

 

OHIO

 

34-1469491

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(IRS Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

307 North Defiance Street

Archbold, Ohio

 

43502

(Address of principal

Executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (419) 446-2501

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

Common Stock, No Par Value

 

FMAO

 

NASDAQ Capital Market

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

 

Accelerated filer  ☒

Non-accelerated filer ☐

 

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No

As of June 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $306,921,869.

As of February 23, 2024, the Registrant had 14,564,425 shares of common stock issued of which 13,664,345 shares are outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of Form 10-K – Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

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FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Form 10‑K Items

 

PAGE

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

3-11

 

 

 

Item 1a.

Risk Factors

11-17

 

 

 

Item 1b.

Unresolved Staff Comments

17

 

 

 

Item 1c.

Cybersecurity

17

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

18

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

20

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

20

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

21-22

 

 

 

Item 6.

Reserved

22

 

 

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

22-47

 

 

 

Item 7a.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

47

 

 

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

48

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes In and Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

118

 

 

 

Item9a.

Controls and Procedures

118

 

 

 

Item 9b.

Other Information

121

 

 

 

Item 9c.

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections

121

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

121-123

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

124

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

124

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

125

 

 

 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

125

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

126-127

 

 

 

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

127

 

 

 

Signatures

 

128

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1b

Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant

129

 

 

 

Exhibit 21.

Subsidiaries of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

130

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.

Consent of FORVIS, LLP

131

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.

Certifications Under Section 302

132

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.

Certifications Under Section 906

134

 

 

 

Exhibit 101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. (1)

 

Exhibit 101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)

 

Exhibit 101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)

 

Exhibit 101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

 

Exhibit 101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)

 

Exhibit 101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

 

 

 

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive Data Files in Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

 

 

Total Pages:

 

135

 

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Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K may be forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as "intend," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential." Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations but may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Other factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries which include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Bank's market area, changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines and other factors over which management has no control. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Company) is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1985 and elected to become a financial holding company under the Federal Reserve in 2014. Our primary subsidiary, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (Bank) is a local independent community bank that has been primarily serving Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana since 1897. Our other subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Risk Management (Captive) was a captive insurance company formed in December 2014 and located in Nevada. The Captive was dissolved in December 2023. We report our financial condition and net income on a consolidated basis and we report only one segment.

Our executive offices are located at 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio 43502, and our telephone number is
(419) 446-2501.

For a discussion of the general development of the Company’s business throughout 2023, please see the portion of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations captioned “2023 in Review.”

Nature of Activities

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank engages in general commercial banking business. Our activities include commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage as well as consumer lending activities. Because the majority of the Bank's offices are located in Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan, a substantial amount of the loan portfolio is comprised of loans made to customers in the farming industry for such things as farm land, farm equipment, livestock and operating loans for seed, fertilizer, and feed. Other types of lending activities include loans for home improvements and loans for such items as autos, trucks, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. With the expansion into newer market areas, the most recent increases in loan activity have been in commercial real estate, providing operating lines of credit and machinery purchases. Consumer real estate also increased substantially with the acquisition of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank on October 1, 2021 and Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Association on October 1, 2022. The Bank also operates four Loan Production Offices (LPOs), two in Ohio and one in Indiana and Michigan.

The Bank also provides checking account services, as well as savings and time deposit services such as certificates of deposits. In addition, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) are provided at most branch locations along with other independent locations in the market area. The Bank has custodial services for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The Bank provides on-line banking access for consumer and business customers. For consumers, this includes bill-pay, on-line statement opportunities and mobile banking. For business customers, it provides the option of electronic transaction origination such as wire and Automated Clearing House (ACH) file transmittal. In addition, the Bank offers remote deposit capture or electronic deposit processing. Upgrades to our digital products and services continue to occur in both retail and business lines.

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The Bank has established underwriting policies and procedures which facilitate operating in a safe and sound manner in accordance with supervisory and regulatory guidance. Within this sphere of safety and soundness, the Bank's practice has been to not promote innovative, unproven credit products which may not be in the best interest of the Bank or its customers. The Bank does offer a hybrid mortgage loan. Hybrid loans are loans that start out as a fixed rate mortgage but after a set number of years automatically adjust to an adjustable rate mortgage. The Bank offers a three year, a five year, a seven year and a ten year fixed rate mortgage and a ten year jumbo fixed rate mortgage after which the interest rate will adjust annually for all. In order to offer longer term fixed rate mortgages, the Bank does participate in the Freddie Mac, FSA guaranteed secondary Ag market, and Small Business Lending programs. The Bank also normally retains the servicing rights on these partially or 100% sold loans. In order for the customer to participate in these programs they must meet the requirements established by those agencies. In addition, the Bank does sell some of its longer term fixed rate agricultural mortgages into the secondary market with the aid of brokers. With the acquisitions in the 4th quarters of 2022 and 2021, the Bank saw an increase in fixed rate, long-term mortgage loans to our portfolio from that banking service area.

The Bank does not have a program to fund sub-prime loans. Sub-prime loans are characterized as a lending program or strategy that targets borrowers who pose a significantly higher risk of default than traditional retail banking customers.

All loan requests are reviewed as to credit worthiness and are subject to the Bank's underwriting guidelines as to secured versus unsecured credit. Secured loans are in turn subject to loan to value (LTV) requirements based on collateral types as set forth in the Bank's Loan Policy. In addition, credit scores of those seeking consumer credit are reviewed and if they do not meet the Bank's Loan Policy guidelines an additional officer approval is required.

Consumer Loans:

Maximum loan to value (LTV) for cars, SUVs, and trucks is 110%.
Loans above 100% are generally the result of sales tax.
Boats, campers, motorcycles, RV's and Motor Coaches range from 80%-90% based on age of vehicle.
1st or 2nd mortgages on 1-4 family homes maximum LTV range from 80%-85%.
Raw land LTV maximum ranges from 65%-75% depending on whether or not the property has been improved.

Commercial/Agriculture:

Accounts Receivable:

Up to 80% LTV less retainages and greater than 90 days.

Inventory:

Agriculture:
o
Livestock and grain up to 80% LTV, crops (insured) up to 75% and Warehouse Receipts up to 87%.
Commercial:
o
Maximum LTV of 50% on raw and finished goods.
Floor plan:
o
New/used vehicles to 100% of wholesale.
o
New/Used recreational vehicles and manufactured homes to 80% of wholesale.

Equipment:

New not to exceed (NTE) 80% of invoice, used NTE 50% of listed book or 75% of appraised value.
Restaurant equipment up to 35% of market value.
Heavy trucks, titled trailers NTE 75% LTV and aircraft up to 75% of appraised value.

Real Estate:

Maximum LTVs range from 70%-80% depending on type.
Maximum LTV on non-traditional borrower loans up to 85%.
Maximum LTV on F&M First Time Homebuyer loans up to 100%

FM Investment Services, the brokerage department of the Bank, has served the Bank’s customers, providing investment services, since April of 1999. In November of 2020, FM Investment Services purchased the assets and clients of Adams County Financial Resources (ACFR) which is discussed in further detail in Note 2 to the Company’s financial statements. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

In December of 2014, the Company became a financial holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 as amended, in order to provide the flexibility to take advantage of the expanded powers available to a financial holding company under the Act. Our subsidiary Bank is in turn regulated and examined by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The activities of our Bank subsidiary are also subject to other federal and state laws and regulations. The Company also formed a Captive insurance company in December 2014 and dissolved it in

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December 2023.. The Captive was located in Nevada and regulated by the State of Nevada Division of Insurance. The Bank formed an insurance agency in November 2023 to offer insurance products to our customers.

The Bank’s primary market includes communities located in the Ohio counties of Butler, Champaign, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, Wood and in the Indiana counties of Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County. The commercial banking business in this market is highly competitive, with approximately 48 other depository institutions currently doing business in the Bank’s primary market. In our banking activities, we compete directly with other commercial banks, credit unions, farm credit services, and savings and loan institutions in each of our operating localities. In a number of our locations, we compete against entities which are much larger than us, including Huntington National Bank, Fifth Third Bank, PNC, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, KeyBank NA and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. Based on deposit data as of June 30, 2023 from the FDIC and using zip codes in our markets, the Bank ranked 3rd with a 13.30% market share in markets served. The primary factors in competing for loans and deposits are the rates charged as well as location and quality of the services provided.

At December 31, 2023, we had 456 full time equivalent employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. We provide our employees with a comprehensive benefit program, some of which is contributory. We consider our employee relations to be good.

Supervision and Regulation

General

The Company is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Ohio. The business in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged is subject to extensive supervision, regulation and examination by various bank regulatory authorities. The supervision, regulation and examination to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to are intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds that insure the deposits of banks, rather than for the protection of shareholders.

Several of the more significant regulatory provisions applicable to banks and bank holding companies to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject are discussed below along with certain regulatory matters concerning the Company and its subsidiaries. To the extent that the following information describes statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory provisions. Any change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the business and prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Safety and Soundness Standards

The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines that establish operational and managerial standards to promote the safety and soundness of federally insured depository institutions. The guidelines set forth standards for internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, asset quality and earnings.

In general, the safety and soundness guidelines prescribe the goals to be achieved in each area, and each institution is responsible for establishing its own procedures to achieve those goals. If an institution fails to comply with any of the standards set forth in the guidelines, the institution’s primary federal regulator may require the institution to submit a plan for achieving and maintaining compliance. If an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan, or fails in any material respect to implement a compliance plan that has been accepted by its primary federal regulator, the regulator is required to issue an order directing the institution to cure the deficiency. Until the deficiency cited in the regulator’s order is cured, the regulator may restrict the institution’s rate of growth, require the institution to increase its capital, restrict the rates the institution pays on deposits or require the institution to take any action the regulator deems appropriate under the circumstances. Noncompliance with the standards established by the safety and soundness guidelines may also constitute grounds for other enforcement action by the federal banking regulators, including cease and desist orders and civil money penalty assessments.

Regulatory Agencies

The Company is a financial holding company and is subject to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As a financial holding company, the Company is still subject to all the bank holding company regulations.

The Bank is an Ohio chartered commercial bank. It is subject to regulation and examination by both the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions (ODFI) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

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The Captive was an insurance company incorporated in Nevada, regulated by the State of Nevada, Division of Insurance and was dissolved in December 2023.

The Insurance agency is a limited liability company organized in Ohio and regulated by the State of Ohio, Division of Insurance.

Holding Company Activities

As a financial holding company incorporated and doing business within the State of Ohio, the Company is subject to regulation and supervision under the Bank Holding Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act"). The Company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board on a quarterly basis information pursuant to the Act. The Federal Reserve Board may conduct examinations or inspections of the Company and its subsidiaries.

On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLB Act") was enacted into law. The GLB Act made sweeping changes with respect to the permissible financial services which various types of financial institutions may provide. The Glass-Steagall Act, which had generally prevented banks from affiliation with securities and insurance firms, was repealed. Pursuant to the GLB Act, bank holding companies may elect to become a "financial holding company," provided that all of the depository institution subsidiaries of the bank holding company are “well capitalized” and “well managed” under applicable regulatory standards.

Under the GLB Act, a bank holding company that has elected to become a financial holding company may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature. Activities that are "financial in nature" include securities underwriting, dealing and market-making, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency, merchant banking, and activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking. Federal Reserve Board approval is not required for the Company to acquire a company, other than a bank holding company, bank or savings association, engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is required before the Company may acquire the beneficial ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares, or substantially all of the assets, of a bank holding company, bank or savings association. If any subsidiary bank of the Company ceases to be "well capitalized" or "well managed" under applicable regulatory standards, the Federal Reserve Board may, among other actions, order the Company to divest the subsidiary bank. Alternatively, the Company may elect to conform its activities to those permissible for a bank holding company that is not also a financial holding company. If any subsidiary bank of the Company receives a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 of less than satisfactory, the Company will be prohibited from engaging in new activities or acquiring companies other than bank holding companies, banks or savings associations.

Affiliate Transactions

Various governmental requirements, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W promulgated thereunder limit borrowings by holding companies and non-bank subsidiaries from affiliated insured depository institutions, and also limit various other transactions between holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries, on the one hand, and their affiliated insured depository institutions on the other. Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act also generally requires that an insured depository institution's loans to its non-bank affiliates be secured, and Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act generally requires that an insured depository institution's transactions with its non-bank affiliates be on arms-length terms.

Interstate Banking and Branching

Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act ("Riegle-Neal"), subject to certain concentration limits and other requirements, adequately capitalized bank holding companies such as the Company are permitted to acquire banks and bank holding companies located in any state. Any bank that is a subsidiary of a bank holding company is permitted to receive deposits, renew time deposits, close loans, service loans and receive loan payments as an agent for any other bank subsidiary of that bank holding company. Banks are permitted to acquire branch offices outside their home states by merging with out-of-state banks, purchasing branches in other states and establishing de novo branch offices in other states. The Company could from time to time use Riegle-Neal to acquire banks in additional states.

Control Acquisitions

The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring "control" of a bank holding company, unless the Federal Reserve Board has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under the rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as the Company, would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company. In addition, a company is required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act before acquiring 25% (5% in the

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case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of any class of outstanding voting stock of a bank holding company, or otherwise obtaining control or a "controlling influence" over that bank holding company.

Liability for Banking Subsidiaries

Under the current Federal Reserve Board policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to maintain resources adequate to support each subsidiary bank. This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may not have the resources to provide it. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a U.S. federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment. Any depository institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC in connection with (1) the "default" of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution; or (2) any assistance provided by the FDIC to both a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution "in danger of default." The Bank is an FDIC-insured depository institution. If a default occurred with respect to the Bank, any capital loans to the Bank from its parent holding company would be subordinate in right of payment to payment of the Bank's depositors and certain of its other obligations.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company is required by the various regulatory authorities to maintain certain capital levels. Bank holding companies are required to maintain minimum levels of capital in accordance with Federal Reserve Board capital adequacy guidelines. If capital falls below minimum guideline levels, a bank holding company, among other things, may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non‑bank businesses. The required capital levels along with the Bank’s capital position at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized in the table included in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

Beginning in 2015, the Company and Bank were required to measure capital adequacy using Basel III accounting. Basel III is a comprehensive set of reform measures, developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management of the banking sector. Implementation of the rules is overseen by the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC.

FDICIA

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), and the regulations promulgated under FDICIA, among other things, established five capital categories for insured depository institutions-well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized-and requires U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies to implement systems for "prompt corrective action" for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements based on these categories. Unless a bank is well capitalized, it is subject to restrictions on its ability to offer brokered deposits and on certain other aspects of its operations. An undercapitalized bank must develop a capital restoration plan and its parent bank holding company must guarantee the bank's compliance with the plan up to the lesser of 5% of the bank’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized and the amount needed to comply with the plan. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank was well capitalized pursuant to these prompt corrective action guidelines.

Dividend Restrictions

The ability of the Company to obtain funds for the payment of dividends and for other cash requirements will be largely dependent on the amount of dividends which may be declared by its banking subsidiary, which are limited to the Bank’s retained earnings during the current year and its prior two years. Various U.S. federal statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends the Company's banking subsidiary can pay to the Company without regulatory approval. In 2009, The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation issued SR09-4 regarding the safe and sound payment of dividends by bank holding companies. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on applicable dividend restrictions.

Deposit Insurance Assessments

The deposits of the Bank are insured up to the regulatory limits set by the FDIC. The FDIC maintains the Deposit Insurance fund (“DIF”) by assessing depository institutions an insurance premium (assessment). The amount assessed to each institution is based on statutory factors that take into consideration the degree of risk the institution poses to the DIF. The primary purposes of the DIF are to (1) insure the deposits and protect the depositors of insured depository institutions; and (2) resolve failed banks. The DIF is primarily funded through quarterly assessments on insured depository institutions, but it also earns interest income on its securities. Decreases in the DIF result from loss provisions associated with the resolution of failed banks and FDIC operating expenses.

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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) revised the statutory authorities governing the FDIC’s management of the DIF. A key requirement from the Dodd-Frank Act resulted in the FDIC’s adoption of new rules in February 2011 regarding Assessments, Dividends, Assessment Base, and Large Bank Pricing. The new rules implemented the following changes: (1) redefined the definition of an institution’s deposit insurance assessment base from one based on domestic deposits to one based on assets now defined as “average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity”; (2) changed the assessment rate adjustments to better account for risk based on an institution’s funding sources; (3) revised the deposit insurance assessment rate schedule in light of the new assessment base and assessment rate adjustments; (4) implemented Dodd-Frank Act dividend provisions; (5) revised the large insured depository institution assessment system to better differentiate for risk and to take into account losses the FDIC may incur from large institution failures; and (6) provided technical and other changes to the FDIC’s assessment rules. Though deposit insurance assessments maintain a risk-based approach, the FDIC imposed a more extensive risk-based assessment system on large insured depository institutions with at least $10 billion in total assets since they are more complex in nature and could pose greater risk.

The Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised the standard maximum deposit insurance coverage amount to $250,000 and applies per depositor, per insured depository institution for each account ownership category.

Depositor Preference Statute

In the "liquidation or other resolution" of an institution by any receiver, U.S. federal legislation provides that deposits and certain claims for administrative expenses and employee compensation against the insured depository institution would be afforded a priority over general unsecured claims against that institution, including federal funds and letters of credit.

Government Monetary Policy

The earnings of the Company are affected primarily by general economic conditions and to a lesser extent by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Its policies influence, to some degree, the volume of bank loans and deposits, and interest rates charged and paid thereon, and thus have an effect on the earnings of the Company's subsidiary Bank.

Additional Regulation

Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have resulted in additional rulemaking by the federal regulatory agencies and new rules yet to be issued. Implementing the new and expanded regulations involved extreme diligence to ensure compliance with the complexities of the rules, as well as extensive new disclosure and reporting requirements.

The Dodd-Frank Act created an independent regulatory body, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (“Bureau”), with authority and responsibility to set rules and regulations for most consumer protection laws applicable to all banks – large and small – which added another regulator to scrutinize and police financial activities. Transfer to the Bureau of all consumer financial protection functions for designated laws by the other federal agencies was completed in July 2011. The Bureau was given responsibility for mortgage reform and enforcement, as well as broad new powers over consumer financial activities, including consumer financial products and services and how they are provided.

In accordance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”), federal banking regulators adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a non-affiliated third party. The privacy provisions of the GLB Act affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors.

A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The U. S. Treasury Department has issued a number of regulations that apply various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions such as the Bank. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution.

Significant mortgage rules mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act provisions were enacted in response to the breakdown in the mortgage lending markets and to provide for consumer protections. Final rules issued by the Bureau or jointly with other

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regulatory agencies implemented requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding mortgage-related matters such as ability-to-repay, qualified mortgage standards, mortgage servicing, mortgage loan originator compensation, escrow requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans, and providing appraisals. These mortgage rules addressed problems consumers faced in the three major steps in buying a home – shopping for a mortgage, closing on a mortgage, and paying off a mortgage.

Final rules and amendments to the integrated mortgage disclosure rules under the Real Estate Settlement Act (RESPA) and Truth in Lending Act (TILA) became effective in October 2015. The TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule commonly referred to as TRID combined required disclosures into two single forms: 1) The Loan Estimate which is provided shortly after a mortgage loan application and 2) The Closing Disclosure which is provided prior to loan consummation. In addition, a mandated appraisal notice under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the servicing application disclosure under RESPA were also combined into the new integrated disclosures. Process and procedural adjustments were necessary to appropriately implement the new requirements. Implementation to achieve TRID compliance involved extensive collaboration with the Mortgage Loan Origination software vendor, as well as outreach and coordination efforts with real estate agents, attorneys, and closing agents to cultivate preparedness for the new integrated mortgage loan disclosure forms. Amendments to the TRID rules effective in October 2017 with a mandatory compliance in October 2018 were intended to provide further clarity to certain provisions. Remaining attentive to the complexities of the TRID rules ensure practices and procedures remain compliant and not subject the Bank to unnecessary liability.

Final rules, mostly effective in October 2015, were issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to implement provisions of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA) and the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (the Biggert-Waters Act). These provisions amended regulations which apply to loans secured by properties located in special flood hazard areas. Final rules for acceptance of private flood insurance policies became effective on July 1, 2019. Fines and penalties continue to be assessed by regulators for non-compliance with flood insurance requirements. A continued focus on adherence to the flood rules and requirements is necessary.

The Department of Defense (DOD) rules amending its regulation that implements the Military Lending Act (MLA) became effective in October 2016. The MLA enacted as part of the John Warner National Defense Act of 2007, significantly expanded the scope of the Act to cover all consumer credit except residential mortgages and purchase money loans. Compliance requirements for credit cards became effective in October 2017. Coverage applies to consumer credit defined as “credit offered or extended for personal, family, or household purpose and that is subject to a finance charge or payable by written agreement in more than four installments.” A covered borrower is a consumer who at the time of becoming obligated on a consumer credit transaction or establishing an account for consumer credit, is a covered member or dependent (including a spouse) of a covered member. A covered member is a member of the armed forces serving on active duty or active guard or reserve duty.

Providing a loan to a MLA-covered borrower that exceeds the 36% Military Annual Percentage Rate is prohibited. Any covered loans made without providing proper disclosures or in violation of the MLA is void. Creditors who knowingly or willfully violate the rules could be subject to a fine, imprisonment up to one year or both. Reliance on and collaboration with Loan Origination System vendors for assistance with calculations and required disclosures along with an efficient and effective process for identifying covered borrowers remains the best defense to prevent violations.

Under the TILA Ability to Repay requirements, the Bank meets the criteria to qualify as a small creditor based on the number of first-lien mortgage loans transactions and due to its asset size; however it is not a creditor that operates predominantly in rural or underserved areas. The Bank focuses on Qualified Mortgage (QM) status for mortgage loans originated as they provide certain presumptions of compliance under the Ability to Repay rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act. In satisfying QM requirements, any mortgage lender regardless of their size can make loans which are entitled to the QM presumption of compliance. New final rules, effective October 2022, amending the Ability to Repay/Qualified Mortgage Rules were implemented. The General QM Final Rule amended the definition of the QM category to offset the impact of the sunsetting of the temporary Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) QMs. Amended General QM loan definition removed the 43% debt-to-income limit, eliminated Appendix Q underwriting standards and any requirement to use them as a qualification for General QM status, and instead implemented price-based thresholds. The Bank's Loan Policy was revised accordingly. For General QM status, applicable to first-lien mortgage loans offered by the Bank, a loan must still observe existing product features, underwriting requirements and limits on points and fees. Since the Bank, on occasion, does make Non-Qualified Mortgages, approvals and originations of both Non-QM loans and Higher Priced Mortgage Loans are periodically reported to the Bank’s Loan Committee.

Revised Regulation C rules which implement the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) published by the Bureau become effective on January 1, 2018 for reportable loan applications. Dodd-Frank Act provisions added new data points for HMDA and authorized the Bureau to require additional information. The types of transactions reportable have expanded to include most consumer purpose transactions that are dwelling-secured loans or open-end lines of credit. Reportable data points were significantly expanded to 52 fields which included applicant age, credit score, automated underwriting system information,

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property value, application channel, points and fees, borrower-paid origination charges, discount points, lender credits, loan term, prepayment penalty, interest rate, loan originator identifier, as well as other data fields. Ethnicity categories were expanded to include certain subcategories along with a means to capture information on how an applicant’s or borrower’s ethnicity, race, and sex were collected by the institution. A thorough review and validation of data fields to be reported for each application was conducted throughout the year. Year-end submission of HMDA data utilizes the web-based tool developed by the Bureau. With the expiration of the temporary threshold, the Bank commenced HMDA data collection on certain open-end lines of credit secured by a dwelling with final action taken as of January 1, 2022 or thereafter.

Enactment of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (EGRRCPA) on May 24, 2018, resulted in a regulatory reform law deemed to be relief from certain burdensome provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The EGRRCPA included provisions with various effective dates, including some that were effective immediately. Matters impacted included access to mortgage credit; access to credit; protections for veterans, consumers, and homeowners; rules for holding companies; capital access; and protections for student borrowers. Though effective immediately, conforming regulations were required for certain provisions such as Reciprocal Deposits, Examination Cycles, and High Volatility Commercial Real Estate (HVCRE). The Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act was restored and permanently extended as of June 23, 2018. Effective September 21, 2018, consumers could freeze their credit information and place one-year fraud alerts for free. Additionally, parents can freeze the credit information of their children under age 16 for free. In some instances, regulators still need to issue proposals, provide guidance, and publish final rules for various provisions. Thus, issuance of guidance and final rules must be monitored in order to be effectively implemented.

Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) standards originally developed years ago by the Federal Trade Commission focused on unacceptable practices that may not specifically be addressed elsewhere in banking or consumer finance law. Banking regulatory agencies have increasingly used this authority over the years to address acts or practices that are deemed harmful, deceptive, or misleading to consumers. The authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for credit practice rules was repealed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act. Guidance issued collectively by the FDIC, FRB, the Bureau, NCUA, and OCC in August 2014 clearly indicated certain consumer credit practices were not permissible and remained subject to Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as well as Sections 1031 and 1036 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The interagency guidance further noted that the Agencies will continue to have supervisory authority and enforcement authority for unfair or deceptive acts or practices, which could include those practices previously addressed in the former credit practices rules. Awareness of UDAP standards, and the Bureau’s unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP) in relation to the offering and marketing of Bank products and services remains important.

A final rule with amendments to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was jointly released by the OCC, FRB, and FDIC on October 24, 2023. These amendments are intended to update how CRA activities qualify for consideration, where CRA activities are considered, and how CRA activities are evaluated. The final rule is effective on April 1, 2024, with certain amendments effective April 1, 2024 through January 1, 2031, and other amendments in the final rule were delayed indefinitely. As a large bank examined for CRA, the Bank is most attentive to the significant impact these amendments have. Review of the various amendments and the specific requirements, timing to meet timing requirements and overall impact is ongoing. The final rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register as of year end.

The Bank is also subject to federal regulation relating to such matters as required reserves, limitation as to the nature and amount of its loans and investments, regulatory approval of any merger or consolidation, issuance or retirement of their own securities, limitations upon the payment of dividends and other aspects of banking operations. In addition, the activities and operations of the Bank are subject to numerous additional detailed, complex and sometimes overlapping laws and regulations. These include state usury and consumer credit laws, state laws relating to fiduciaries, the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and Regulation V, the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and Regulation X, the federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z, the federal Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD, the Bank Secrecy Act, the federal Community Reinvestment Act, anti-discrimination laws and legislation, and antitrust laws.

Future Legislation

Changes to the laws and regulations, both at the federal and state levels, can affect the operating environment of the Company and its subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways. The Company cannot accurately predict whether those changes in laws and regulations will occur, and, if those changes occur, the ultimate effect they would have upon the financial condition or results of operations of the Company or its subsidiaries.

Available Information

The Company maintains an Internet web site at the following internet address: www.fm.bank. The Company files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Because the Company makes its filings with the SEC electronically, you may

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access such reports at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The Company makes available, free of charge through its internet address, copies of its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials have been filed with or furnished to the SEC. Copies of these documents may also be obtained, either in electronic or paper form, by contacting Barbara J. Britenriker, Chief Financial Officer of the Company at (419) 446-2501.

ITEM 1a. RISK FACTORS

Significant Competition from an Array of Financial Service Providers

Our ability to achieve strong financial performance and a satisfactory return on investment to shareholders will depend in part on our ability to expand our available financial services. In addition to the challenge of attracting and retaining customers for traditional banking services, our competitors now include securities dealers, brokers, mortgage bankers, investment advisors and finance and insurance companies who seek to offer one-stop financial services to their customers that may include services that banks have not been able or allowed to offer to their customers in the past. The increasingly competitive environment is a result primarily of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems and the accelerating pace of consolidation among financial services providers. If we fail to adequately address each of the competitive pressures in the banking industry, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Credit Risk

The risk of nonpayment of loans is inherent in commercial banking. Such nonpayment could have an adverse effect on the Company’s earnings and our overall financial condition as well as the value of our common stock. Management attempts to reduce the Bank’s credit exposure by carefully monitoring the concentration of its loans within specific industries and through the loan approval process. However, there can be no assurance that such monitoring and procedures will totally mitigate the risks. Credit losses can cause insolvency and failure of a financial institution and, in such event, its shareholders could lose their entire investment. For more information on the exposure of the Company and the Bank to credit risk, see the section under Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K captioned “Loan Portfolio.” Under the credit loss model, we are required to present certain financial assets carried at amortized cost, such as loans held for investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, at the net amount expected to be collected. The Company only has available-for-sale securities.

Dependence upon the Accuracy and Completeness of Information

In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information. We also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors and accountants if made available. If this information is inaccurate, we may be subject to regulatory action, reputational harm or other adverse effects with respect to the operation of our business, our financial condition and our results of operation.

Our loan portfolio has a large concentration of real estate loans

Real estate loans, which constitute a large portion of our loan portfolio, include home equity, agricultural, commercial, construction and residential loans, and such loans are concentrated in the Bank’s primary markets in Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan and complimented with additional exposure in new areas from our LPOs. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. Adverse developments affecting real estate values in our market could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Also, real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties.

If the loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled during a time when market conditions are declining or have declined, then we may not be able to realize the amount of security that we anticipated at the time of originating the loan, which could cause us to increase our provision for credit losses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our real estate loans also include construction loans, including land acquisition and development. Construction, land acquisition and development lending involve additional risks because funds are advanced based upon estimates of costs and the estimated value of the completed project. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. As a result, commercial construction

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loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of the completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project.

Payments on agricultural real estate loans are dependent on the profitable operation or management of the farm property securing the loan. The success of the farm may be affected by many factors outside the control of the borrower, including adverse weather conditions that prevent the planting of a crop or limit crop yields (such as hail, drought and floods), loss of livestock due to disease or other factors, declines in market prices for agricultural products (both domestically and internationally) and the impact of government regulations (including changes in price supports, subsidies and environmental regulations). In addition, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may significantly affect the successful operation of the farm. If the cash flow from a farming operation is diminished, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. The primary crops in our market areas are corn, wheat and soybeans. Accordingly, adverse circumstances affecting these crops could have an adverse effect on our agricultural real estate loan portfolio.

Commercial loans make up a significant portion of our loan portfolio

Our commercial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. Repayment of our commercial loans is often dependent on the cash flows of the borrower, which may be unpredictable. Most often, this collateral is accounts receivable, inventory, machinery or real estate. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers. The other types of collateral securing these loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

We also originate agricultural operating loans. As with agricultural real estate loans, the repayment of operating loans is dependent on the successful operation or management of the farm property. Likewise, agricultural operating loans involve a greater degree of risk than lending on residential properties, particularly in the case of loans that are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as farm equipment or assets such as livestock or crops. The primary livestock in our market areas is hogs. In these cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. The majority of our agricultural customers utilize crop insurance to mitigate the possibility of a large loss within one year on their grain operations. Crop insurance can be structured to be triggered by different factors and claim payment may also be customized, such as based on harvest yields, income generation. Farmers may also use hedging techniques to lock in crop prices, input costs for future production.

Susceptibility to Changes in Regulation

Any changes to state and federal banking laws and regulations may negatively impact our ability to expand services and to increase the value of our business. We are subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision, and legislation that govern almost all aspects of our operations. These laws may change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors and the deposit insurance funds. In addition, the Company’s earnings are affected by the monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. These policies, which include regulating the national supply of bank reserves and bank credit, can have a major effect upon the source and cost of funds and the rates of return earned on loans and investments. The Federal Reserve influences the size and distribution of bank reserves through its open market operations and changes in cash reserve requirements against member bank deposits. We cannot predict what effect any presently contemplated or future changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations would have on us, but such changes could be materially adverse to our financial performance. For more information on this subject, see the section under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K captioned “Supervision and Regulation.”

 

Changes in U.S. Trade Policies

From 2018 through 2023, the U.S. government implemented tariffs on certain products from countries or entities such as Mexico, Canada, China and the European Union. These countries have issued or continue to threaten retaliatory tariffs against products from the United States, including agricultural products. The United States and these countries may impose additional tariffs and retaliatory tariffs in the future. Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs or other trade restrictions on products and materials that our customers import or export, including agricultural products such as soybeans, could cause the prices of our customers’ products to increase which could reduce demand for such products, or reduce our customer margins, and adversely impact their revenues, financial results and ability to service debt. This could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, to

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the extent changes in the political environment have a negative impact on us or on the markets in which we operate, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted in the future. In January 2020, passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement helped to alleviate some of these risks. The USMCA updates trading rules to better reflect 21st century technology, regulates labor and environmental standards in Mexico, tightens the rules the auto industry must follow to trade vehicles duty free across the three countries and provides tariff-free trade in North America.

Interest Rate Risk

Changes in interest rates affect our operating performance and financial condition in diverse ways. Our profitability depends in substantial part on our “net interest spread,” which is the difference between the rates we receive on loans and investments and the rates we pay for deposits and other sources of funds. Our net interest spread will depend on many factors that are partly or entirely outside our control, including competition, federal economic, monetary and fiscal policies, and economic conditions generally. Net interest spreads have widened and narrowed in response to these and other factors, which are often collectively referred to as “interest rate risk.” The Federal Reserve began increasing the Federal Funds rate in 2022 and continued into 2023 in an effort to tame inflation. These rate increases totaling 550 basis points have negatively impacted our interest spread.

The Bank manages interest rate risk within an overall asset/liability framework. The principal objectives of asset/liability management are to manage sensitivity of net interest spreads and net interest income to potential changes in interest rates. The Bank also analyzes the interest rate, risk utilizing the net interest margin. While the net interest spread measures the asset yield compared to the cost of funds, the net interest margin is equivalent to net interest income divided by earning assets. Both net interest spread and net interest margin are presented in the interest charts within the Management's Discussion and Analysis on interest income and expense. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to ensure that risk-taking is not excessive and that liquidity is properly managed. In the event that our asset/liabilities management strategies are unsuccessful, our profitability may be adversely affected. For more information regarding the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk, see Part II, Item 7A of this Form 10-K.

Attraction and Retention of Key Personnel

Our success depends upon the continued service of our senior management team and upon our ability to attract and retain qualified financial services personnel. Competition for qualified employees is intense. In our experience, it can take a significant period of time to identify and hire personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required in carrying out our strategy. If we lose the services of our key personnel or are unable to attract additional qualified personnel, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

A key component of employee retention is providing a fair compensation base combined with the opportunity for additional compensation for above average performance. In this regard, the Company and the Bank use two incentive programs. The Company uses a stock award program to recognize and incentivize officers of the Bank. Under the long-term incentive compensation plan, restricted stock awards may be granted to officers. The amount of shares to be granted each year is determined by the Board Compensation Committee and may vary each year in its amount of shares and the number of recipients. The Compensation Committee determines the number of shares to be awarded overall and to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) specifically. The CEO then makes recommendations to the committee as to the recipients of the remaining shares. The full Board of Directors approves the action of the Committee. Since the plan’s inception in 2005, all granted stock awards have utilized a three year cliff vesting feature. This is viewed as a retention aid as the awards may be forfeited should an officer leave employment during the vesting period.

A second incentive program of the Bank is based on cash compensation of which almost all employees participate (excluding commission based employees and other employees paid for specific higher paid positions, such as peak time). A discussion of executive officer pay is incorporated within the proxy and as such, this discussion will pertain to all other employees. The Bank splits the incentive based on pay ranges and position with each having a percentage of base pay used for the incentive. The employees are paid a cash incentive based on the projected overall performance of the Bank in terms of Return of Average Assets (“ROA”) and the achievement of pre-established team and/or individual goals. The Compensation Committee determines the target performance levels on which the percentage of pay will be based. The Committee takes into account the five and ten year trend of ROA along with budget forecasted for the next year and the Bank’s past year performance. The Committee also considers the predicted banking environment under which the Bank will be operating. With the formation of the Captive, the ROA goal had been exclusive of the effect of the additional insurance expense at the Bank level, as well as other expenses as agreed upon by the Compensation Committee. The majority of lower based employees receive incentive pay in December of the same year based on the year-to-date base compensation through the last pay received in November.

Higher pay range employees, often officers ("non-executive officers"), other than executive officers receive incentive pay based on additional criterion. These individuals are rewarded based on overall ROA of the Bank along with individual pre-established

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goals. Non-executive officers, therefore, have incentive pay at risk for individual performance. The individualized goals are recommended by each individual’s supervisor and are approved by an incentive committee of the Bank. The goals are designed to improve the performance of the Bank while also limiting the risk of a short-term performance focus. For example, a lending officer may be given two goals of which one is to grow loans within specific targets and another is tied to a specific level of past dues and charge-offs. The second goal limits the ability to be rewarded for growth at all costs along with the specific target levels within the growth goal itself. Non-executive officers in a support department may be given goals which create efficiencies, ensure compliance with procedures, or generate new fee or product opportunities. On average, three to four goals were given to each non-executive officer in 2023. Non-executive officers are paid cash incentives based on the year-end ROA of the Bank and receive it within the first quarter of the following year. Should the ROA be forecasted to be positive but below the base target set by the Board, the covered non-executive officers are paid an incentive under the same basis and timing as lower based employees disclosed above.

The percentages of base pay on which the incentive is calculated graduates higher as does the responsibility level of the employee and their ability to impact the financial performance of the Bank. These percentages are recommended by management to the Compensation Committee and Board for approval. The cash incentive plan along with its targets and goals are subject to modification at the Compensation Committee and Board’s discretion throughout each year.

Dividend Payout Restrictions

We currently pay a quarterly dividend on our common shares. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends in the future. Dividends are subject to determination and declaration by our Board of Directors, which takes into account many factors. The declaration of dividends by us on our common stock is subject to the discretion of our Board and to applicable state and federal regulatory limitations. The Company may receive dividends from the Bank which is subject to restrictions and limitations in the amount and timing of the dividends it may pay to the Company. The Bank declared additional dividends the fourth quarter to provide this liquidity to the Company. The Captive upstreamed dividends to the Company when reserve levels were adequately provided for and did not exceed the net income of the prior twelve months. With the dissolving of the Captive, no such upstream of dividends will occur in 2024. Please see Note 17 in the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on dividend payout restrictions.

Maintaining Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements

Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, we must meet guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements could have a material effect on our financial condition and could subject us to a variety of enforcement actions, as well as certain restrictions on our business. Failure to maintain the status of “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework could adversely affect the confidence that our customers have in us, which may lead to a decline in the demand for or a reduction in the prices that we are able to charge for our products and services. Failure to meet the guidelines could also limit our access to liquidity sources.

Access to New Capital

We may at some point need to raise additional capital to maintain our “well-capitalized” status. Any capital we obtain may result in the dilution of the interests of existing holders of our stock. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial condition and performance. Accordingly, we cannot make assurances of our ability to raise additional capital if needed, or if the terms will be acceptable to us.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Ohio law could have the effect of discouraging takeover attempts which certain stockholders might deem to be in their interest. These anti-takeover provisions may make us a less attractive target for a takeover bid or merger, potentially depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares of common stock at a premium over prevailing market prices as a result of a takeover bid or merger.

Compliance with Environmental Laws

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. We may foreclose on and take title to certain real property. There is a risk that hazardous substances could be found on the property and we may be liable for remediation costs, personal injury and/or property damage. We may incur substantial expenses to comply with environmental laws which may materially reduce the property's value or limit our ability to dispose of the property. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with the property could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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Technological Change

Our industry is susceptible to significant technological changes in the future as there continue to be a high level of new technology driven products and services introduced. Technological advancement aids the Company in providing customer service and increases efficiency. Our national competitors have more resources to invest in technological changes and associated required resources. As a result, they may be able to offer products and services that are more technologically advanced and that may put us at a competitive disadvantage. Our future depends on our ability to analyze technological changes to determine the best course of action for our business, customers and shareholders.

Operational Risks

We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, data processing system failures and errors, customer or employee fraud and catastrophic failures resulting from terrorist acts or natural disasters. We maintain a system of internal controls to mitigate against such occurrences and maintain insurance coverage for such risks that are insurable, but should such an event occur that is not prevented or detected by our internal controls, uninsured or in excess of applicable insurance limits, it could have a significant adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our operations are dependent on our ability to process financial transactions in a secure manner. Failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors and other service providers, could disrupt our business or the businesses of our customers, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs and cause losses. We must ensure that information is properly protected from a variety of threats such as cyber attacks, error, fraud, sabotage, terrorism, industrial espionage, privacy violation, service interruption, and natural disaster. These threats arise from numerous sources including human error, fraud on the part of employees or third parties, technological failure, telecommunication outages, and severe weather conditions. Information security risks for financial institutions like us have increased recently in part because of new technologies, the increased use of the internet and telecommunications technologies (including mobile devices and cloud computing) to conduct financial and other business transactions, political activism, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime. Although we employ detection and response mechanisms designed to contain and mitigate security incidents, early detection may be thwarted by persistent sophisticated attacks and malware designed to avoid detection.

Any activity that jeopardizes our network and the security of the information stored thereon may result in significant cost and have a significant adverse effect on our reputation. We maintain insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms and conditions, cover certain aspects of cyber risks. Such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses.

Any successful cyber attack or other security breach involving the misappropriation or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information or that compromises our ability to function could severely damage our reputation, erode confidence in the security of our systems, products and services, expose us to the risk of litigation and liability, disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business. Any successful cyber attack may also subject the Company to regulatory investigations, litigation or enforcement, or require the payment of regulatory fines or penalties or undertaking costly remediation efforts with respect to third parties affected by a cyber security incident, all or any of which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations and damage its reputation.

We are constantly at risk of increased losses from fraud

Criminals are committing fraud at an increasing rate and are using more sophisticated techniques. In some cases, these individuals are part of larger criminal rings, which allow them to be more effective. Such fraudulent activity has taken many forms, ranging from debit card fraud, check fraud, mechanical devices attached to ATM machines, social engineering and phishing attacks to obtain personal information, or impersonation of clients through the use of falsified or stolen credentials. Additionally, an individual or business entity may properly identify itself, yet seek to establish a business relationship for the purpose of perpetrating fraud. An emerging type of fraud even involves the creation of synthetic identification in which fraudsters "create" individuals for the purpose of perpetrating fraud. Further, in addition to fraud committed directly against us, the Company may suffer losses as a result of fraudulent activity committed against third parties. Increased deployment of technologies, such as chip card technology and dual authentication, defray and reduce certain aspects of fraud; however, criminals are turning to other sources to steal personally identifiable information, such as unaffiliated healthcare providers and government entities, in order to impersonate the consumer and thereby commit fraud.

Potential Inadequacy of our Allowance for Credit Losses

Like all financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for credit losses to provide for loan defaults and non-performance. Our allowance for credit losses is based on our historical loss experience and forward-looking data as well as an evaluation of the risks associated with our loan portfolio, including the size and composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions

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and concentrations within the portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require an increase in the provision for credit losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed expectations, we will need additional provisions to increase the allowance for credit losses. Any increases in the allowance for credit losses may result in a decrease in net income and capital and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which replaced the "incurred loss" model for recognizing credit losses with an "expected loss" model referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss model, or “CECL.” Under the CECL model, we are required to present certain financial assets carried at amortized cost, such as loans held for investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This measurement takes place at the time the financial asset is first added to the balance sheet and periodically thereafter. This differs significantly from the "incurred loss" model previously required under GAAP, which delayed recognition until it was probable a loss had been incurred. Accordingly, the adoption of the CECL model materially affects how we determine our allowance for credit losses. Moreover, the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for credit losses. If we are required to increase our level of allowance for credit losses for any reason, such increase could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The new CECL standard became effective for us for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2023 and for interim periods during 2023. Please see Note 1 in the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Attraction of Deposits and other Short-term Funding

In managing our liquidity, our primary source of short-term funding is customer deposits. Our ability to continue to attract these deposits, and other short-term funding sources, is subject to variability based upon a number of factors, including the relative interest rates we are prepared to pay for these liabilities and the perception of safety of those deposits or short-term obligations relative to alternative short-term investments. The availability and cost of credit in short-term markets depends upon market perceptions of our liquidity and creditworthiness. Our efforts to monitor and manage liquidity risk may not be successful or sufficient to deal with dramatic or unanticipated changes in event-driven reductions in liquidity. In such events, our cost of funds may increase, thereby reducing our net interest revenue, or we may need to dispose of a portion of our investment portfolio, which, depending on market conditions, could result in our realizing a loss or experiencing other adverse consequences.

Global Economic and Geopolitical Instability and Inflationary Risks

Geopolitical conditions, terrorist attacks, military conflicts, natural disasters, severe weather, widespread health emergencies or pandemics, information or cybersecurity incidents (including intrusion into or degradation or unavailability of systems or technology by cyberattacks), operational incidents and other catastrophic events can have a material adverse effect on our business. Political and social conditions, including actions upending geopolitical stability (such as from tensions involving China and the U.S.), fiscal and monetary policies (including developments related to the U.S. federal debt ceiling, budgetary issues and government shutdowns), trade wars and tariffs, labor shortages, regional or domestic hostilities, economic sanctions and the prospect or occurrence of more widespread conflicts could also negatively affect our business, operations and partners, consumer and business spending, including consumer spending patterns and business investment, and demand for credit.

Although U.S. and global economies have begun to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as many health and safety restrictions have been lifted and vaccine distribution has increased, certain adverse consequences of the pandemic, including labor shortages, disruptions of global supply chains, and inflationary pressures, continue to impact the macroeconomic environment and could adversely affect our business. The pandemic and resulting containment measures adversely impacted a significant portion of our operations. The global macroeconomic outlook continues to remain uncertain due to a variety of factors, including the emergence of new variants, impacts to the labor market, supply chain disruptions and inflation. The extent to which our business and results of operations may continue to be adversely affected by this macroeconomic uncertainty will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments, including the continued spread and severity of the virus and new variants; the availability, distribution, use and effectiveness of treatments and vaccines; the extent and duration of lingering effects on the economy, inflation, consumer confidence and consumer and business spending; and the impact on consumers and businesses as forbearance and government support programs end, including the end of the moratorium on student loan repayments.

16


 

Several military conflicts are currently taking place across the world (such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars), and geopolitical tensions may result in additional conflicts or escalate existing conflicts. This conflict has led to economic uncertainty and market disruptions, including the imposition of financial and economic sanctions and export controls designed to constrain Russia. The conflict in Israel and surrounding areas has also created economic uncertainty and regional instability, including due to the risk of escalation into a wider regional conflict, and resulted in the imposition of sanctions targeting Hamas-affiliated individuals and entities. The broader consequences of these conflicts remain uncertain, but may include further sanctions, regional instability and geopolitical shifts, increased prevalence and sophistication of cyberattacks, potential retaliatory action, heightened regulatory scrutiny related to sanctions compliance, increased inflation, further increases or fluctuations in commodity and energy prices, decreases in global economic activity, further disruptions to the global supply chain and other adverse effects on macroeconomic conditions.

Limited Trading Market

The Company has its shares of stock listed and traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Company’s trading symbol is “FMAO.”

ITEM 1b. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 1c. CYBERSECURITY

Board Oversight Responsibilities

The Board of Directors bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that an adequate cyber and information technology risk (IT risk) management framework is in place and functioning as intended. IT risk focuses on information and information systems, especially the most critical and vital information assets. Without reliable and properly secured information systems, business operations could be severely disrupted. Likewise, the preservation and enhancement of the Company’s reputation is directly linked to the way in which both information and information systems are managed. Maintaining an adequate level of security is one of several important aspects of managing IT risk. The Board’s oversight responsibility in this respect includes oversight of the Company’s vendor management program and the periodic evaluation of the Company’s IT risk management controls.

The Board of Directors implements its IT risk oversight obligations primarily through the Board’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee (ERM Committee). The primary function of the ERM Committee is to advise the Board of Directors regarding the enterprise risk management framework of the Company and to provide oversight to assist the Board of Directors in supervising enterprise risk management activities. The ERM Committee reviews and defines risk exposure limits for each specified risk category, including IT risk, while taking into consideration strategic goals and objectives and current market conditions. The Board ERM Committee reviews and approves any necessary changes to risk exposure limits after careful consideration of any changes in market conditions or corporate strategy and adopts guidelines, through the input of the Management Risk Committee’s analysis and discussion, regarding the maximum loss exposure the Bank is able and willing to assume.

The Management Risk Committee is comprised of various members of Senior Management, Department Leaders, Compliance, Internal Audit and Risk Management. The Management Risk Committee is responsible for loss control and day-to-day oversight of the risk management function. Management Risk Committee meetings are held monthly. Results of the monthly review of risk categories are reported to the Board of Directors Enterprise Risk Management Committee (ERM) each quarter. In addition, the Company’s risk position is reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.

At least annually, the Board of Directors reviews and approves the risk management program and policies based on information presented throughout the year from the ERM Committee and the Management Risk Committee.

In addition, the Information Systems (IS) Steering Committee, which is chaired by the Company’s Chief Information Officer, serves as an advisory group providing assistance and guidance to management regarding customer information security, information systems planning, systems management organization, systems performance, business continuity, information security, system related expenditures, vendor management, and related policies and procedures. The IS Steering Committee meets on a monthly basis. Formal meeting minutes serve to document decisions and recommendations by the IS Steering Committee and are reported to both the Management Risk Committee and the Board ERM Committee. Management has appointed the Chief Information Officer the responsibility for overall management of the Company’s “front line” IT risk.

 

17


 

Material Impact of Cyber Risk

As discussed more thoroughly below, the Company devotes significant resources to implement, maintain, monitor and regularly upgrade our systems and networks with measures such as intrusion detection and prevention and firewalls to safeguard critical business applications. The additional cost to the Company of our cyber security monitoring and protection systems and controls includes the cost of hardware and software, third party technology providers, consulting, and legal fees, in addition to the incremental cost of our personnel who focus a substantial portion of their responsibilities on cyber security. With the assistance of third-party service providers, we continue to implement security technology and establish procedures to maintain network security. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. In addition, we maintain insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms and conditions, cover certain aspects of cyber risks, but such insurance coverage may not always be sufficient to cover all losses.

IT Risk and Vendor Management

We rely on third-party service providers to leverage subject matter expertise and industry best practice, provide enhanced products and services, and reduce costs. Although there are benefits in entering into third-party relationships with vendors and others, there are risks associated with such activities. When entering a third-party relationship, the risks associated with that activity are not passed to the third-party but remain our responsibility. At the direction of the Board and pursuant to its ultimate oversight, management is charged with the development and maintenance of a comprehensive vendor management program. In that respect, Company management has appointed the IS Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Information Officer, to oversee the Company’s vendor management program. The vendor management program is used to identify, measure, monitor, and control the risks associated with outsourcing arrangements. While focusing on information and operational risks, outsourced relationships are reviewed through structured assessments and addressed from an end-to-end perspective. While we have implemented a vendor management program to actively manage the risks associated with the use of third-party service providers, any problems caused by third-party service providers could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers and to conduct our business. Replacing a third-party service provider could also take a long period of time and result in increased expenses.

Internal and External Risk Evaluations

An annual Information Technology Audit, which is facilitated by the Internal Audit Department, is conducted via a co-sourcing agreement with a third-party auditor. The objective of the IT audit is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, test the reliability of data and IT controls, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, guidance, and industry best practices. The audit scope addresses IT Governance, IT Management, IT Operations, and IT Security. Testing of the internal network environment and external network perimeter are included in the Results of the IT Audit and are reviewed with the IS Steering Committee and Company management. For any exceptions identified, a responsible party is assigned, and action plans are developed to address corrective measures. The final results of the IT Audit are reviewed with the Board Audit Committee. The status of unresolved audit issues along with their priority ratings is reported to both Management and the Board Audit Committee at each meeting.

In addition, in accordance with Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requirements regarding safeguarding and protecting customer information, an Information Security Risk Assessment is conducted at least annually by the Risk Department and reviewed with the Management Risk Committee, the ERM Committee, and the Board of Directors. A risk analysis is performed to evaluate current processes, identify information assets, and determine the adequacy of the safeguarding and protection of confidential customer information collected and maintained. For each information asset identified, the criticality of the asset, the threats to the defined asset, the likelihood of compromise of the asset, the business impact if an asset is compromised, and an overall risk rating for each asset are defined. The results of this assessment are reviewed with the Information Systems (IS) Steering Committee and the Risk Committee and reported at least annually to the Board ERM Committee.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal office is located in Archbold, Ohio.

The Bank operates from its principal office located at 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio. In addition, the Bank owns the property from 200 to 208 Ditto Street, Archbold, Ohio, which it uses for Bank parking and a community mini-park area. The Bank owns real estate at two locations, 207 Ditto Street and 209 Ditto Street in Archbold, Ohio upon which the bank built a commercial building to be used for storage, and a parking lot for company vehicles and employee parking. The Bank also owns real estate across from the main facilities to provide for parking.

18


 

The Bank occupies an Operations Center at 620 S. Clyde’s Way in Archbold, Ohio to accommodate our growth over the years which includes drive-up services. The Bank owns a parking lot in downtown Montpelier which is provided for community use.

The Bank owns all of its office locations, with the exception of the asterisked offices below. These eight office locations are leased.

The Bank currently maintains retail banking offices at the following locations:

 

Office

 

Location

Archbold, Ohio

 

307 N Defiance Street

Wauseon, Ohio

 

1130 N Shoop Avenue

Stryker, Ohio

 

300 S Defiance Street

West Unity, Ohio

 

200 W Jackson Street

Bryan, Ohio

 

1000 S Main Street

Delta, Ohio

 

101 Main Street

Montpelier, Ohio

 

1150 E Main Street

Napoleon, Ohio

 

2255 Scott Street

Swanton, Ohio

 

7 Turtle Creek Circle

Perrysburg, Ohio

 

7001 Lighthouse Way

Butler, Indiana

 

200 S Broadway

Auburn, Indiana*

 

406 Smaltz Way

Angola, Indiana*

 

2310 N Wayne Street

Hicksville, Ohio

 

100 N Main Street

Waterville, Ohio

 

8720 Waterville-Swanton Road

Custar, Ohio

 

22973 Defiance Pike

Sylvania, Ohio

 

5830 Monroe Street

Fort Wayne, Indiana

 

12106 Lima Road

Bowling Green, Ohio*

 

1072 N Main Street

Findlay, Ohio

 

1660 Tiffin Avenue

Geneva, Indiana

 

215 East Line Street

Monroe, Indiana

 

150 W Washington Street

Berne, Indiana

 

718 US Highway 27 N

Portland, Indiana

 

1451 N Meridian Street

Decatur, Indiana

 

1061 S 13th Street

Fort Wayne, Indiana

 

7370 Illinois Road

Ossian, Indiana

 

102 N Jefferson

Bluffton, Indiana*

 

111 E Oak Forest Drive

Urbana, Ohio

 

120 N Main Street

Sidney, Ohio

 

101 E Court Street

Anna, Ohio

 

403 S Pike Street

Jackson Center, Ohio

 

115 E Pike Street

Toledo, Ohio*

 

120 N Summit Street

Birmingham, Michigan*

 

220 Park Street, Suite 104

Fort Wayne, Indiana*

 

128 W Wayne Street

Oxford, Ohio*

 

335 S College Avenue

All offices except the Butler, Indiana location have onsite ATM services.

The Bank’s LPOs are at the following locations:

 

LPO

 

Location

Muncie, Indiana

 

1208 W White River Boulevard

Bryan, Ohio

 

206 W High Street

West Bloomfield, Michigan

 

7031 Orchard Lake Road

Perrysburg, Ohio

 

5203 Levis Commons Boulevard

The Insurance agency operates from our principal office at 307 North Defiance Street; Archbold, OH 43502.

19


 

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine proceedings incidental to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries, to which we are a party or of which any of our properties are the subject.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

20


 

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the trading symbol “FMAO.”

The Company utilizes Computershare as its transfer agent.

As of December 31, 2023, there were 1,903 record holders of our common stock of which 52.65% of the outstanding shares are being held in brokerage accounts or “street name” and only considered as one record holder.

 

Dividends are declared and paid quarterly. Per share dividends declared for the years ended 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

3rd Quarter

 

 

4th Quarter

 

 

Total

 

2023

 

$

0.2100

 

 

$

0.2100

 

 

$

0.2100

 

 

$

0.2200

 

 

$

0.8500

 

2022

 

$

0.1900

 

 

$

0.2025

 

 

$

0.2100

 

 

$

0.2100

 

 

$

0.8125

 

 

Dividends declared during 2023 were $0.85 per share totaling $11.5 million, 4.6% higher than 2022 declared dividends of $0.8125 per share. During 2023, the Company awarded 64,225 shares to 113 employees and 6,350 shares were forfeited under its long term incentive plan. At year-end 2023, the Company held 899,784 shares in Treasury stock and 151,350 in unearned stock awards.

Dividends declared during 2022 were $0.8125 per share totaling $10.6 million, 14.4% higher than 2021 declared dividends of $0.71 per share. During 2022, the Company awarded 56,496 shares to 109 employees and 8,000 shares were forfeited under its long term incentive plan. At year-end 2022, the Company held 956,003 shares in Treasury stock and 128,952 in unearned stock awards.

The Company currently expects to continue to maintain the payment of its quarterly dividend consistent with its past practices.

The Company continues to have a strong capital base.

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Tier I Leverage Ratio

 

 

7.86

%

 

 

8.39

%

Risk Based Capital Tier I

 

 

9.75

%

 

 

10.29

%

Total Risk Based Capital

 

 

11.51

%

 

 

12.39

%

Stockholders' Equity/Total Assets

 

 

9.64

%

 

 

9.89

%

 

 

21


 

 

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

 

Average Price Paid per Share

 

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs

 

 

Remaining Share Repurchases Authorization

 

10/1/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

650,000

 

10/31/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/1/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to

 

 

255

 

 (2)

 

18.40

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

650,000

 

11/30/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/1/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to

 

 

636

 

 (2)

 

23.43

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

650,000

 

12/31/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

891

 

 

 

21.99

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

650,000

 

 

(1)
From time to time, the Company purchases shares in the market pursuant to a stock repurchase program publicly announced on January 24, 2023. On that date, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 650,000 common shares between January 24, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
(2)
Shares which were repurchased for taxes on vested stock awards are outside of this program.

On January 16, 2024, the Company announced the authorization by its Board of Directors for the Company’s repurchase, either on the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, of up to 650,000 shares of its outstanding common stock commencing January 16, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024.

ITEM 6. RESERVED

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Company follows general practices within the financial services industry in which it operates. At times the application of these principles requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These assumptions, estimates and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. As this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different assumptions, estimates and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on assumptions, estimates and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Examples of critical assumptions, estimates and judgments are when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not required to be recorded at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability must be recorded contingent upon a future event.

All significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in the management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued and how those values are determined for the financial statements. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to assumptions, estimates and judgments underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination of the Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL), the valuation of its Loan Servicing Rights (LSR), Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) and goodwill as the accounting areas that require the most subjective or complex judgments, and as such could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

22


 

OREO, which is comprised of assets acquired by the Bank, through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The Bank did not have any OREO holdings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The allowance for credit losses represents management's estimate of credit losses inherent in the Bank's loan portfolio at the report date. The estimate is a composite of a variety of factors including experience, collateral value, and the general economy. The collection and ultimate recovery of the book value of the collateral, in most cases, is beyond our control.

The Company is also required to estimate the value of its LSR. These rights are composed of servicing rights for 1-4 family real estate loans and agricultural real estate loans. The servicing rights, relating to fixed rate 1-4 family real estate loans and agricultural real estate loans that it has sold without recourse but services for others for a fee, represent an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Loan servicing assets are initially recorded at fair value, based upon pricing multiples as determined by the purchaser, when the loans are sold. Loan servicing assets are carried at the lower of the initial carrying value, adjusted for amortization, or estimated fair value. Amortization is determined in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income using the level yield method.

The Company’s loan servicing rights relating to loans serviced for others represent an asset of the Company. This asset is initially capitalized and included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The loan servicing rights are then amortized as noninterest expense in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loan servicing rights. There are a number of factors that can affect the ultimate value of the loan servicing rights to the Company. The expected and actual rates of 1-4 family real estate loan and agricultural loan prepayments are the most significant factors driving the potential for the impairment of the value of loan servicing assets. Increases in loan prepayments reduce estimated future net servicing cash flows because the life of the underlying loan is reduced, meaning that the present value of the servicing rights is less than the carrying value of those rights on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. For example, if the loan is prepaid, the Company will receive fewer servicing fees, meaning that the present value of the loan servicing rights is less than the carrying value of those rights on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Therefore, in an attempt to reflect an accurate expected value to the Company of the loan servicing rights, the Company receives a valuation of its loan servicing rights from an independent third party. The Company utilizes separate third party vendors to value 1-4 family real estate loan servicing rights and agricultural loan servicing rights. The independent third party’s valuations of the loan servicing rights are based on relevant characteristics of the Company’s loan servicing portfolio, such as loan terms, interest rates and recent national prepayment experience, as well as current national market interest rate levels, market forecasts and other economic conditions. For purposes of determining impairment, the loan servicing assets are stratified into like groups based on loan type, term, new versus seasoned and interest rate. While the process is similar to the process for valuing 1-4 family real estate loan servicing rights, the agricultural real estate loan servicing valuation utilizes different strata, prepayment speeds and other assumptions in order to account for the differences in behavior between agricultural real estate loans and 1-4 family real estate loans. USDA rate indications, SBA market indications and Farmer Mac 3-month Cost of Funds Index adjustments are utilized in the quarterly valuation process. Management, with the advice from its third party valuation firms, reviews the assumptions related to prepayment speeds, discount rates, and capitalized loan servicing income on a quarterly basis.

Changes are reflected in the following quarter’s analysis related to the loan servicing asset. In addition, based upon the independent third party’s valuations of the Company’s loan servicing rights, management then establishes a valuation allowance by each strata, if necessary, to quantify the likely impairment of the value of the loan servicing rights to the Company. The estimates of prepayment speeds and discount rates are inherently uncertain, and different estimates could have a material impact on the Company’s net income and results of operations. The valuation allowance is evaluated and adjusted quarterly by management to reflect changes in the fair value of the underlying loan servicing rights based on market conditions. The accuracy of these estimates and assumptions by management and its third party can be directly tied back to the fact that management has only been required to record minor valuation allowances through its income statement based upon the valuation of each stratum of servicing rights.

For more information regarding the estimates and calculations used to establish the ACL and the value of Loan Servicing Rights, please see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements provided herewith.

 

23


 

2023 in Review

2023 was a year of challenges and required additional resources with a shift in strategic thoughts and plans. The impact of the Federal Reserve raising of rates in 2022 and 2023, along with the bank failures in the first half of 2023, placed pressure on both the cost of funds gathering and liquidity. Net interest income was negatively impacted, by both these occurrences, as was the net interest margin that is used to measure it. The largest contributor to the decline was the cost of funds mentioned above aided by a substantial portion of the assets, specifically loans, not subject to repricing in 2023.

Liquidity concerns took precedence in 2023 as loan growth continued to outpace new deposit generation. The Bank responded by organizing a deposit campaign with the goal of paying off brokered CDs and other term borrowings maturing in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Bank successfully raised an additional $100 million as evidenced on the balance sheet and accomplished the goal. The re-emergence of time deposits, Certificates of Deposit “CDs” as a larger portion of our deposits was a big piece of the growth as depositors chose to lock in higher rates. Money market accounts were also favored by depositors which contributed to the increased cost of funds.

The Bank entered into three interest rate hedges in the fourth quarter of 2023 to adjust interest rate treatment of $100 million of our fixed rate real estate loans into variable treatment. A sizable portion of the loans were acquired from our acquisitions over last few years. The interest rate swaps cover time periods of 3, 4 and 5 years out. (For additional detail on the loan pool and rate marks, please see Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements, Derivative Financial Instruments.)

Commercial loan growth remained strong throughout the year, weighed more heavily in the first half of the year. Increased rates naturally slowed the growth and the start of 2024 shows a decreased appetite for loans by both our customers and the Bank.

1-4 family real estate loans were also slowed by the increase in lending rates in 2023. More customers leaned towards the variable home equity product in the thought the rate increases would stop and begin moving down in the coming year. The lower origination levels are evident in the decreased gain on sale of loans in 2023 as compared to prior years.

The Bank’s consumer portfolio decreased by normal payment activity with limited new originations. Loan growth was focused elsewhere in 2023, so no promotions were conducted in the retail installment space. The sale and conversion of the Bank’s credit card portfolio which had been initiated in 2022 was completed in 2023.

The agricultural sector, in large, performed well in 2023. It was aided by strong yields in the grain crop harvest and median pricing. 2023 represented the third consecutive year for sound profitability. The Bank expanded the recording of loan servicing rights, adding those from the partial sale of agricultural fixed rate real estate loans into the secondary market. The establishment of the asset created revenue in 2023 and will be offset with the amortization thereof over the life of the loans. (See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, Servicing, for more information.)

The Company began the year planning for an investment in our future. Technology, strengthening back-office support and a new branding project were the focus. Additional expense in team members and restructuring departments has enabled us to be better positioned for integrating past growth and for the future. Much of the work in 2023 will bear fruit in 2024. At the heart of the technology focus was an evaluation of our core operating system. The Bank utilized a third party to assist with the project as this partnership is vital to our ability to offer innovative digital products and services. A 60 month contract was signed in December 2023. Additional reviews of our technology vendors and processes will continue in 2024 now that the core software has been determined. Providing better customer service through communication channels and creating cost savings will be paramount.

Along with the strengthening of back-office teams, the Bank opened four full-service retail offices in Ohio: Oxford and Downtown Toledo, Indiana: Downtown Fort Wayne and Michigan: Birmingham. The Bank looks forward to helping people live their best lives in those communities and expanding the relationships begun from loan originations as two of the communities were serviced by loan production offices “LPO” prior. Two LPOs were opened in 2023 in Bryan and Perrysburg, Ohio. Both freed office space in the retail offices in their same communities. All locations are leased premises.

The Company and Bank changed its branding during 2023, completing a multi-year project to bring our logo and brand forward and differentiate Farmers & Merchants from the other similarly named 200+ financial institutions. We have long been shortened to F&M when our mature markets talked to others about their bank. Now, we use it in our signage as F&M Bank. The logo has also been modernized while still retaining the initials of F&M in its design. Legally, our names remain the same.

24


 

In December, the Company dissolved our subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Risk Management, Inc. This was done to mitigate the risk of an IRS ruling which would have enacted taxation of our captive insurance company with a 3 year look back period. The Company formed the captive for risk mitigation with insurance policies that provided pooled interests with other financial institutions along with less costly lower deductibles. In some instances, insurance coverage was put in place that was unavailable elsewhere when it was formed in 2014. The Company may form a new captive in the future.

The Company is proud of the accomplishments in 2023; it has been a remarkably busy year. Our team members were able to shift and focus on the unexpected challenges of the year. Credit quality remains strong and our team is prepared to adjust strategic focus in 2024, as necessary. The Company remains well capitalized and we continued our commitment to our shareholders by increasing our yearly declared dividends 4.62% over 2022’s, with the fourth quarter 2023 declaration. With a committed team and strong corporate infrastructure, we believe we are positioned for success in 2024 and the years to follow.

Material Changes in Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

The discussion now centers on the individual line items of the Company's consolidated statement of income and their effect on net income. This section will focus on the most traditional source of revenue contributing to the profitability of the Company which is net interest income.

Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities used to fund those assets, such as interest bearing deposits and other borrowings. Net interest income is affected by changes in both interest rates and the amount and composition of earning assets and liabilities. The change in net interest income is most often measured by two statistics – interest spread and net interest margin. The difference between the yields earned on earning assets and the rates paid for interest bearing liabilities represents the interest spread. The net interest margin is the difference of funds (interest expense) between the yield on earning assets and the cost as a percentage of earning assets. Because noninterest bearing sources of funds such as demand deposits and stockholders’ equity also support earning assets, the net interest margin exceeds the net interest spread.

One of the largest factors of the reduced earnings for 2023 as compared to 2022 was the decrease in net interest income of $5.4 million. Increases in average balances and interest rates led to an increase in interest income of approximately $38.7 million which was absorbed by an increase in interest expense of $44.0 million. Loan interest and associated fee income increased $35.1 million as compared to the prior year with 54.2% of it driven by volume. The growth in average loan balances of $417.8 million over 2022 was 5.0% related to organic growth within the Bank's broader markets and 4.5% directly attributable to the Company's recent acquisitions. The Company’s loan portfolio is 31.6% variable with 24.9% of total loans repricing within the next twelve months. Average balances on the security portfolio decreased $28.6 million as compared to 2022 with an increase in interest income of $612 thousand. As securities matured, the balances were used to fund loan growth. During the first quarter of 2023, securities of $21.6 million with an annual yield of $274 thousand were swapped at a loss of $891 thousand with securities with an annual yield of $1.6 million. In 2023 with the higher interest rates, interest income on fed funds sold and interest bearing bank deposits generated an additional $3.0 million over 2022.

2022's record earnings were primarily attributed to the $17.3 million improvement in net interest income as compared to 2021. Interest and fee income from loans were responsible for the improvement and increased $22.6 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 which included $4.5 million in loan interest and fee income from PPP loans. In 2022, the volume of loan growth, 21.4% organic and 5.1% attributed to acquisitions, was the largest contributing factor to the improved profitability. For 2021, the Company’s loan portfolio was 26.5% variable with 20.7% of total loans repricing within the next twelve months. The security portfolio increased $51.4 million in average during 2022 as compared to 2021 with associated interest income increasing $1.1 million over 2021. During 2021, cash funds from stimulus and acquisitions were placed in securities to earn a greater return. Beginning in March of 2022, the prime rate increased 25 basis points followed by a 50 basis point increase in May, four 75 basis point increases in June, July, September and November with a final 50 basis point increase in December to end the year at 7.50%. In 2023, there were four additional 25 basis point increases in February, March, May and July to the current prime rate of 8.50%. Overall, total interest income was $38.7 million higher for 2023 than 2022 on an additional $378.9 million in total average earning assets and was $24.3 million higher for 2022 than 2021 on an additional $511.4 million in total average earning assets.

Interest expense (which includes deposit, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreement to repurchase, borrowed funds and subordinated notes) increased from all interest bearing funding sources in 2023 over the time period of 2022 and 2022 over the time period of 2021. Average interest bearing liabilities increased $366.4 million over 2022 with an additional $44.0 million of interest expense while average interest bearing liabilities increased $414.2 million over 2021 with an additional $7.0

25


 

million of interest expense. Overall, the funding goal the last three years has been to grow core deposits. Two strategies have been employed through the years, one of allowing expensive time deposits to run off until needed for funding and secondly to offer new non-interest bearing deposit products. Both of these strategies were designed to assist in controlling interest expense in a rising rate environment. In 2023, liquidity needs and loan growth created the need to quickly generate deposits. The Bank raised $100 million through several deposit promotions during the last half of the year. Competition within the market areas forced us to increase rates for deposits in 2023 and 2022 while rates were lowered or remained flat in 2021 in response to the prime rate drop of 150 basis points in March 2020. Between 2022 and 2023, the prime rate increased 525 basis points. Average interest bearing deposits increased $230.4 million compared to 2022. During 2023, interest expense from deposits increased by $37.0 million from 2022 and 2022 increased by $4.5 million from 2021. The majority, approximately 95.5%, of the increased deposit expense of 2023 and 59.7%, of the increased expense of 2022 was influenced by rates rather than due to additional cost associated with deposit growth. Borrowed fund balances increased in 2023 and 2022 by $145.8 million and $44.9 million, respectively, as a means to fund the phenomenal loan growth which resulted in an additional interest expense of $6.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively. During 2021, the Company issued subordinated notes and incurred $1.1 million of interest expense in both 2023 and 2022. Refer to Note 10 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding subordinated notes.

Total interest expense totaled $58.4, $14.4 and $7.3 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increased expense was approximately 87.2% attributable to the rising interest rate environment in 2023 as compared to 2022 and 43.2% attributable to the rising interest rate environment in 2022 as compared to 2021.

This concludes the discussion by the independent components of the ratios. Now the discussion moves on to the percentages and the change in the net interest margin and spread.

Overall, we have seen a decrease in the net interest margin and spread comparing 2021 to 2023. The increased interest expense resulted in a decrease in interest margin of 60 basis points and interest spread of 99 basis points compared to the prior year due to the cost of funds increasing more than the increase in asset yield. Interest margin increased by 1 basis point while interest spread decreased by 5 basis points in 2022 as compared to 2021 with the increased cost of funds only being partly offset by the higher asset yields. For 2023, average loan balances increased $417.8 million over the prior year with increased interest income of $35.1 million. In 2023, the Bank was able to see the impact of rate increases with 45.8% of the increased interest income related to rate changes as presented in the below charts. Average balances of fed funds sold and interest bearing deposits with other institutions decreased $10.3 million; however, increased interest rates generated an additional $3.0 million in interest income over 2022. The overall asset yield for 2023 increased 80 basis points as compared to 2022. Looking at the components behind the change in net interest margin for 2022 as compared to 2021, increased average balances in loans of $551.6 million stands out. Loans acquired with the one acquisition in 2022 were $101.8 million. The additional revenue of $22.6 million that those balances were responsible for was the largest contributor to the increased interest income of $24.3 million. In 2022 and 2021, loan revenue was negatively impacted by the change in the interest rate. Roughly 26.5% of the Bank's loans are variable with the majority of those loans with floor rates that had attained the point where rate increases would cause to go above the floor. As mentioned previously, 2022 had seven rate increases totaling 425 basis points. The large revenue gain in loan interest was aided by the increased earnings in securities of $1.1 million. Average balances of fed funds sold and interest bearing deposits decreased in average balances by $91.7 million as the funds were used for loan growth. The overall asset yield in 2022 increased by 26 basis points over 2021.

For 2023, interest expense continued to increase and was 306.7% higher than 2022 and was 87.2% impacted by changes in interest rates. Competition for deposits was extremely high and rate shopping between financial institutions was apparent. The Company’s goal is to increase core deposits which includes savings deposits and non-interest bearing demand deposits which increased $41.0 and $13.4 million in average balances, respectively as compared to 2022. In 2023, the Company ran several time deposit promotions which resulted in increased average balances of $189.4 million. The increased interest expense in 2023 for savings deposits and time deposits accounted for 84.1% of the total interest expense increase. Overall, cost of funds increased 179 basis points or 241.9% over 2022 with only 12.8% due to volume increases. The remaining 87.2% was related to changes in interest rates as the prime rate increased 525 basis points between 2022 and 2023. The increased interest expense in 2022 correlated to a much higher rate environment in which competition for deposits forced higher interest rates as compared to 2021 while the decreased interest expense in 2021 correlated to a much lower rate environment. In the area where the strategic plan was to gather core deposits, the average balance in savings grew by $189.6 million during 2022 as compared to 2021’s average balance. Interest bearing deposits acquired with the one acquisition were $104.7 million. The other average balance increase for core deposits was the change in non-interest bearing demand deposits. 2022’s average balance in this portfolio was $79.6 million higher than 2021’s average balance. Non-interest bearing demand deposits acquired with the one acquisition were $7.1 million. Overall, cost of funds increased 26 basis points for 2022 over 2021. The reason behind the increase was 43.2% due to rate increases and 56.8% due to volume increases.

26


 

In comparing 2023 to 2022, net interest margin was 2.72% which decreased 60 basis points while net interest spread decreased 99 basis points to 2.14%. Loan volume accounted for $35.1 million or 90.7% of the increased interest income with an increased asset yield of 64 basis points. The asset yield on fed funds sold and interest bearing deposits increased 361 basis points year over year. Total asset yield increased 80 basis points while total cost of funds increased 179 basis points, creating the 99 basis point difference in spread. Overall yield improves when the balances of the highest yielding asset, which is loans, increases. Loans as a percentage of earning assets was 83.2% while loans to total assets was 78.0% for 2023. The goal is, as always, to improve the net interest margin and spread and thereby improve profitability.

The net interest margin for 2022 was 3.32% compared to 2021 which was 3.31%. The 0.01% increase for 2022 was related to the increased interest income which was greater than the increased interest expense. Net interest spread was 3.13% for 2022 compared to 2021’s 3.18%, creating a 5 basis point difference in the spread. Loans as a percentage of earning assets was 79.2% while loans to total assets was 74.7% for 2022.

The Company will always prefer to see improvement in real dollars over percentages. The strategy for increasing core deposits, in order to mitigate the higher cost of funds and to continue the opportunity for fee dollars from services provided, is a top focus for 2024.

Total assets of the Company increased overall as did the earning assets in both average and year-end during 2023 and 2022. This matched the increase in interest dollars. The percentage of average earning assets to total average assets reflects the best utilization of funds. For 2023, the percentage at 93.80% was slightly lower than 2022 at 94.29%. The addition of new offices increased the non-earning assets with cash balances held at the new offices and also the investment in the capital assets of their building and furniture. One of the things that helped to improve the profitability of 2022 was the percentage of average loans to total assets. For 2023 the average balance of loans to total average assets was 78.02%, 74.73% for 2022 and 68.26% for 2021. Loans are the highest yielding asset for the Company.

Net interest spread is the difference between what the Company earns on its assets and what it pays on its liabilities. It is generally from this spread that the Company must fund its operations and generate profit. When the asset yield decreases so must funding costs in order to maintain profitability. It becomes increasingly challenging as the asset yield gets closer to the prime lending rate, or the break-even point, of operations. In a rising rate environment, the challenge is to hold the cost steady while allowing time for the asset portfolio to rise. Floors and ceilings on variable products also impact the level of increase in either scenario. The floors provide yield protection in a lower rate environment while the rising rates will not benefit the asset yield until the spread plus prime is higher than the floor. The challenge is to increase the spread during renewals and on new loans. After the rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, the majority of loans have increased over the floors.

In terms of interest expense, 2023’s increase as compared to 2022 was approximately 87.2% due to the increase in rates. 2022’s increase was approximately 43.2% due to the increase in rates as compared to 2021.

The impact of the change in the portfolio mix was a factor in the liabilities as it was in the assets. In comparing to 2022, 2023 had increases in average balances of all interest bearing liabilities with the exception of fed funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase while 2022 as compared to 2021, had average balance increases in all categories. Refer to Note 10 for additional information on other borrowed money, which consists of both short and long term borrowings, and subordinated notes.

The following tables present net interest income, interest spread and net interest margin for the three years 2021 through 2023, comparing average outstanding balances of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities with the associated interest income and expense. The tables show the corresponding average rates of interest earned and paid. Average outstanding loan balances include non-performing loans, real estate loans held for sale and carrying value adjustments of $2.7 million related to interest rate swaps for 2023. Average outstanding security balances are computed based on carrying values including unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. The average cost of funds for 2023 was 2.53%, 179 basis points higher than 2022’s 0.74%.

The yield on tax-exempt investment securities shown in the following charts were computed on a tax equivalent basis. The yield on loans has also been tax adjusted for the portion of tax-exempt IDB loans included in the total. Total interest earning assets is therefore also reflecting a tax equivalent yield in both line items, also within the net interest spread and margin. The adjustments were based on a 21% tax rate for all years. The tax-exempt interest income was $590, $614 and $551 thousand for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively which resulted in a federal income tax savings of $124, $129 and $116 thousand, respectively.

 

27


 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Interest/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Dividends

 

 

Yield/Rate

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

2,491,502

 

 

$

129,344

 

 

 

5.19

%

Taxable investment securities

 

 

394,424

 

 

 

6,204

 

 

 

1.57

%

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

24,686

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

1.88

%

Federal funds sold & other

 

 

85,018

 

 

 

3,894

 

 

 

4.58

%

Total Interest Earning Assets

 

 

2,995,630

 

 

$

139,808

 

 

 

4.67

%

Non-Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

40,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

157,705

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

3,193,356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings deposits

 

$

1,376,318

 

 

$

27,424

 

 

 

1.99

%

Other time deposits

 

 

640,390

 

 

 

19,499

 

 

 

3.04

%

Other borrowed money

 

 

220,175

 

 

 

8,876

 

 

 

4.03

%

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
   agreement to repurchase

 

 

35,421

 

 

 

1,474

 

 

 

4.16

%

Subordinated notes

 

 

34,640

 

 

 

1,138

 

 

 

3.29

%

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

 

2,306,944

 

 

$

58,411

 

 

 

2.53

%

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

 

 

493,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

87,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

2,887,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

 

305,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

$

3,193,356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest/Dividend income/yield

 

 

 

 

$

139,808

 

 

 

4.67

%

Interest Expense/cost

 

 

 

 

 

58,411

 

 

 

2.53

%

Net Interest Spread

 

 

 

 

$

81,397

 

 

 

2.14

%

Net Interest Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.72

%

 

28


 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Interest/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Dividends

 

 

Yield/Rate

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

2,073,737

 

 

$

94,264

 

 

 

4.55

%

Taxable investment securities

 

 

424,229

 

 

 

5,621

 

 

 

1.32

%

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

23,472

 

 

 

337

 

 

 

1.82

%

Federal funds sold & other

 

 

95,301

 

 

 

927

 

 

 

0.97

%

Total Interest Earning Assets

 

 

2,616,739

 

 

$

101,149

 

 

 

3.87

%

Non-Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

35,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

122,665

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

2,775,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings deposits

 

$

1,335,271

 

 

$

6,378

 

 

 

0.48

%

Other time deposits

 

 

451,013

 

 

 

3,505

 

 

 

0.78

%

Other borrowed money

 

 

74,379

 

 

 

2,160

 

 

 

2.90

%

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
   agreement to repurchase

 

 

45,314

 

 

 

1,197

 

 

 

2.64

%

Subordinated notes

 

 

34,524

 

 

 

1,122

 

 

 

3.25

%

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

 

1,940,501

 

 

$

14,362

 

 

 

0.74

%

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

 

 

480,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

66,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

2,487,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

 

287,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

$

2,775,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest/Dividend income/yield

 

 

 

 

$

101,149

 

 

 

3.87

%

Interest Expense/cost

 

 

 

 

 

14,362

 

 

 

0.74

%

Net Interest Spread

 

 

 

 

$

86,787

 

 

 

3.13

%

Net Interest Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.32

%

 

29


 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Interest/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Dividends

 

 

Yield/Rate

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

1,522,088

 

 

$

71,645

 

 

 

4.71

%

Taxable investment securities

 

 

377,887

 

 

 

4,514

 

 

 

1.19

%

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

18,365

 

 

 

326

 

 

 

2.25

%

Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits

 

 

187,003

 

 

 

355

 

 

 

0.19

%

Total Interest Earning Assets

 

 

2,105,343

 

 

$

76,840

 

 

 

3.66

%

Non-Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

31,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

92,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

2,229,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings deposits

 

$

1,145,636

 

 

$

2,467

 

 

 

0.22

%

Other time deposits

 

 

306,600

 

 

 

2,951

 

 

 

0.96

%

Other borrowed money

 

 

29,479

 

 

 

785

 

 

 

2.66

%

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
   agreement to repurchase

 

 

29,831

 

 

 

649

 

 

 

2.18

%

Subordinated notes

 

 

14,777

 

 

 

490

 

 

 

3.32

%

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

 

1,526,323

 

 

$

7,342

 

 

 

0.48

%

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

 

 

400,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

44,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

1,971,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

 

258,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

$

2,229,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest/Dividend income/yield

 

 

 

 

$

76,840

 

 

 

3.66

%

Interest Expense/cost

 

 

 

 

 

7,342

 

 

 

0.48

%

Net Interest Spread

 

 

 

 

$

69,498

 

 

 

3.18

%

Net Interest Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.31

%

 

The following tables show changes in interest income, interest expense and net interest resulting from changes in volume and rate variances for major categories of earnings assets and interest bearing liabilities.

 

 

 

2023 vs 2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Net

 

 

Change Due to

 

 

Change Due to

 

 

 

Change

 

 

Volume

 

 

Rate

 

Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

35,080

 

 

$

19,005

 

 

$

16,075

 

Taxable investment securities

 

 

583

 

 

 

(395

)

 

 

978

 

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

29

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

7

 

Federal funds sold & other

 

 

2,967

 

 

 

(100

)

 

 

3,067

 

Total Interest Earning Assets

 

$

38,659

 

 

$

18,532

 

 

$

20,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings deposits

 

$

21,046

 

 

$

196

 

 

$

20,850

 

Other time deposits

 

 

15,994

 

 

 

1,472

 

 

 

14,522

 

Other borrowed money

 

 

6,716

 

 

 

4,234

 

 

 

2,482

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold
   under agreement to repurchase

 

 

277

 

 

 

(261

)

 

 

538

 

Subordinated notes

 

 

16

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

12

 

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

$

44,049

 

 

$

5,645

 

 

$

38,404

 

 

30


 

 

 

2022 vs 2021

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Net

 

 

Change Due to

 

 

Change Due to

 

 

 

Change

 

 

Volume

 

 

Rate

 

Interest Earning Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

22,619

 

 

$

25,988

 

 

$

(3,369

)

Taxable investment securities

 

 

1,107

 

 

 

554

 

 

 

553

 

Tax-exempt investment securities

 

 

11

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

(104

)

Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits

 

 

572

 

 

 

(174

)

 

 

746

 

Total Interest Earning Assets

 

$

24,309

 

 

$

26,483

 

 

$

(2,174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Bearing Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings deposits

 

$

3,911

 

 

$

408

 

 

$

3,503

 

Other time deposits

 

 

554

 

 

 

1,390

 

 

 

(836

)

Other borrowed money

 

 

1,375

 

 

 

1,196

 

 

 

179

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold
   under agreement to repurchase

 

 

548

 

 

 

337

 

 

 

211

 

Subordinated notes

 

 

632

 

 

 

655

 

 

 

(23

)

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

$

7,020

 

 

$

3,986

 

 

$

3,034

 

Non-Interest Income

The discussion now focuses on the noninterest income and expense generated by the Company for the years ended 2021 through 2023. For 2023, noninterest income was $16.0 million an increase of 3.2% over 2022. Noninterest income decreased to $15.5 million, or 11.8% in total for 2022 as compared to 2021 which ended at $17.6 million.

 

Other service charges and fees increased $2.4 million during 2023 as compared to 2022. The establishment of agricultural real estate servicing rights during 2023 recognized $2.3 million of service charge income that was not present in prior years. Overdraft, returned check charges and recurring overdraft fees also increased during 2023 as compared to 2022. Customer service fees decreased $366 thousand during 2023 as compared to 2022. Decreased fee income from credit cards was the largest factor for the decrease. 2022 customer service fee revenue was $287 thousand higher than 2021, mostly due to increased credit card income.

The two line items of noninterest income on the consolidated income statement for 2022 which improved over 2021 were customer service fee revenue and other service charges and fees. 2022 customer service fee revenue was $287 thousand higher than 2021, mostly due to increased credit card income. The increase of other service charges and fees in 2022 was attributed to overdraft, returned check charges and recurring overdraft fees from combined business accounts and consumer accounts. Upgrades to our digital products and services continue to occur in both retail and business lines.

The Bank has long promoted the use of debit cards by its customers and continues to build on that philosophy with the introduction of new products. Interchange revenue and fees collected on foreign ATM usage (noncustomers utilizing our ATMs) increased $323 thousand to $5.3 million during 2023 as compared to 2022. During 2022 the Bank collected interchange revenue, combined with fees collected on foreign ATM usage, of $5.0 million which was $149.3 thousand higher than 2021. 2023 included a Mastercard growth credit of $196.3 thousand. For 2022, the Mastercard growth credit was $188 thousand and $151 thousand for 2021. In December of 2019, the Bank became a principal with MasterCard and received a $1.75 million signing bonus. The signing bonus is based on achieving $1.1 billion in signature transactions over five years. The bonus is being recognized over 60 months with $350.8 thousand included in 2023, 2022 and 2021’s $5.3 million, $5.0 million and $4.8 million, respectively. While this revenue stream continues to improve with more depositors using electronic methods for purchasing, the expense attributable to card fraud has offset a portion of the revenue gain. Further discussion can be found in the noninterest expense section regarding the net effect of debit card activity.

The Bank has seen a decrease in its mortgage production volume and the corresponding gains on the sale of these loans. Loan originations driven by refinance activity have decreased with the higher interest rates in 2023. Noninterest income from net gain on sales of loans was the highest in 2021 of the three year periods shown. Net gain on sales of loans was $699 thousand, $1.4 million and $3.9 million respectively in 2023, 2022 and 2021. The net gain on sale of loans is derived from sales of real estate loans into the secondary market. Of these loan types, the Bank sells 100% of the residential loans and 90% of the agricultural loans. 84.3% of the gains were attributed to the residential loans in 2023, 37.6% in 2022 and 47.4% in 2021. In conjunction with

31


 

these sales, the Bank maintains servicing rights. The income from one to four mortgage servicing rights was $415 thousand, $537 thousand and $1.4 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively. Agriculture mortgage servicing rights were $2.3 million in 2023.

The last item in the noninterest income section is the net gain or loss of sale of investments. During the first quarter of 2023, securities were swapped at a loss of $891 thousand with securities with a higher annual yield. The loss was recouped by the higher yield during the first eight months of 2023. The Bank did not sell any securities in 2022. The Bank had sold securities in 2021 for two main purposes: to provide funds for loan growth and to take advantage of the position of the yield curve when a gain can be recognized on sales without extending the duration of the portfolio longer than wanted. In March of 2021, the Company sold and recognized a gain on the sale of securities from the holding company of $293 thousand in preparation for the acquisition of Ossian State Bank. The available for sale security portfolio switched from an unrealized gain position in 2020 into an unrealized loss position in 2021 that continued through 2023.

Non-Interest Expense

Noninterest expense increased 17.6% in 2023 as compared to 2022 and was preceded by a 5.7% increase in 2022 as compared to 2021. Represented in dollars, 2023 was $10.1 million higher than 2022 and 2022 was $3.1 million higher than 2021. Acquisition costs incurred in 2023 and 2022 totaled $207.6 thousand and $2.5 million, respectively with expenses being recorded in multiple line items. The largest factor behind the increase in both years was the expense of employee salaries and wages. During 2023, an additional $4.2 million was spent over 2022 which correlates to an 18.6% increase. When making the same analysis for 2022 as compared to 2021, 2022’s costs increased $2.5 million or 12.5%. Three main components flow into salaries and wages: base salary, deferred costs, and incentives comprised of the expense of restricted stock awards and performance incentives. 2023 saw an increase due to the investment in people for our strategic growth initiative and staffing of new offices. 2022 increased with the acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan offices. 2021 increased with the addition of one new office and the acquisition of Ossian State Bank and Perpetual Federal Savings Bank offices. Normal yearly increases to the employees would be included in all years. Base pay was up $4.7 million for 2023 over the previous year and 2022 was up $2.7 million over 2021. The full time equivalent number of employees at each year-end increased to 456 for 2023, to 431 for 2022 compared to 2021’s 385.

Incentive pay as it relates to performance was down $1.7 million in 2023 over 2022 and up $464.1 thousand in 2022 over 2021. The Return on Assets multiple used to award incentive pay decreased in 2023 to 0.36 compared to 1.196 in 2022 and 1.165 in 2021. In 2022 and 2021, acquisition costs were eliminated from the calculation. The expense for the restricted stock awards increased in 2023 due to more shares being granted to a slightly larger number of employees. 13,897 additional shares were awarded in 2023 with lower market values. The expense for 2023 increased by $381.8 thousand over 2022. The expense for the restricted stock awards increased in 2022 due to more shares being granted to a slightly larger number of employees and the market value of the shares increasing compared to 2021. 7,746 additional shares were awarded in 2022 with a higher value as compared to 2021. The expense for 2022 was higher by $77.4 thousand which included reduced expense due to retirement of $56.9 thousand as compared to 2021. The awards incorporate a three year vesting period so the increase of any one year carries forward through the next two years. This expense should continue to increase as the Company continues its expansion strategy. For further discussion in incentive pay and restricted stock awards, see Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.

Employee benefits expense increased in 2023 as compared to 2022. Employee group insurance accounted for the largest portion of the increase, which was an increase of $665.0 thousand over 2022. Acquisition related costs included in employee benefits expense were $143.9 thousand in 2023. The cost of the 401-K retirement plan decreased $215.7 thousand for 2023 as compared to 2022. The contribution portion relating to the discretionary profit-sharing percentage was 1.7% in 2023 compared to 5.5% in 2022. Overall, employee benefits increased $616.9 thousand or 8.9% from 2022.

Employee benefits expense decreased in 2022 as compared to 2021. Miscellaneous personnel expense accounted for the largest portion of the decrease, which was a decrease of $528.1 thousand over 2021. Acquisition related costs included in this line were $217.3 thousand. The cost of the 401-K retirement plan decreased $251.6 thousand for 2022 as compared to 2021. The contribution portion relating to the discretionary profit-sharing percentage was 5.5% in 2022 compared to 5.0% for 2021. Overall, employee benefits decreased $418.8 thousand or 5.7% from 2021.

Net occupancy expense typically increases as the Company expands. Net occupancy expense increased for 2023 $1.3 million and increased $381.8 thousand in 2022. One factor that can offset occupancy expense is the receipt by the Company of building rent as it is netted out of occupancy expense. The greatest contributor to building rent comes from the division of FM Investments within the Bank. For 2023, building rent as generated from FM Investments decreased by $93.8 thousand. Rent is received in lieu of commissions. This revenue was able to partially offset increased building repair and maintenance expenses of $113.0 thousand and lease expense of $296.1 thousand and increased building depreciation expense of $367.3 thousand. Building rent

32


 

as generated by FM Investments was higher by $106.5 thousand in 2022 which offset building repair and maintenance expenses of $14.0 thousand. Net occupancy expense increased for 2022 $381.8 thousand over 2021.

The 1-4 family real estate refinancing activity continued to decrease from 2022 with the increase in interest rates. 2020 accounted for the largest number of loans being closed in the Bank’s history. A correlating expense to that activity as it relates to loans sold to the secondary market, is the amortization of servicing rights. The amortization is the expense that offsets the income recognized when the loan is first made. Income is recorded when the real estate loan is first sold with servicing retained and is therefore recognized immediately. The amortization, however, is calculated over the life of the loan and accelerated as loans are paid off early. An increase in this expense can be driven by two activities: an increase in the number of sold loans and/or by the acceleration of the expense from payoff and refinance activity. The best picture of the bottom line impact is achieved by netting the income with the expense each year. Prior to 2023, servicing rights only included 1-4 family real estate loans. The establishment of agricultural real estate servicing rights, incorporated in the table below for 2023, included capitalized additions of $2.3 million and corresponding amortization of $123 thousand. For 2023, combined servicing rights yielded a net income of $2.1 million along with the establishment of a $7 thousand valuation allowance. 2022 had a net loss of $22 thousand which excluded the reversal of the $414 thousand valuation allowance established the prior year. The net income for 2021 was $251 thousand with a carrying value that was greater than the $3.2 million market value thus creating the need to establish a $414 thousand valuation allowance. Of course, the value (or income) of the servicing right when the loans are sold also impacts the net position. As of December 31, 2023, 3,749 1-4 family real estate loans and 593 agricultural loans are being serviced with corresponding balances of $367.8 million and $135.8 million, respectively. 2022 had 3,861 loans serviced with corresponding balances of $375.6 million. As of December 2021, 3,961 loans were being serviced with balances of $380.8 million. Refer to Note 7 for additional information on servicing rights.

The impact of servicing rights to both noninterest income and expense is shown in the following table:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Beginning of Year

 

$

3,549

 

 

$

3,571

 

 

$

3,320

 

Capitalized Additions

 

 

2,710

 

 

 

537

 

 

 

1,417

 

Amortization

 

 

(604

)

 

 

(559

)

 

 

(1,166

)

Ending Balance, December 31

 

 

5,655

 

 

 

3,549

 

 

 

3,571

 

Valuation Allowance

 

 

(7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(414

)

Servicing Rights net, December 31

 

$

5,648

 

 

$

3,549

 

 

$

3,157

 

 

Furniture and equipment steadily increase as we continue to add facilities and invest in technology. Annual maintenance costs continue to grow and become a greater piece of the overall cost. As new services are provided to our customers, the backroom cost to supply them continues to rise. The Company accepts it is an expected cost of doing business and keeping our services relevant to the industry.

Data processing costs were lower in 2023 as compared to 2022 by $808.3 thousand. Data processing costs were higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 by $454.2 thousand. Acquisition related data processing expense decreased $257.2 thousand in 2022 compared to 2021. As the pricing on many services is based on number of accounts which the Bank fully expects to increase with the growth from the newer offices and overall Bank growth, data processing costs are expected to increase.

ATM expense increased $394.1 thousand over 2022 while 2022 increased $371.2 thousand from 2021. Included in this line are the debit card fees incurred which offset the debit card income as discussed above.

The FDIC assessment increased from 2022 due to an increased assessment base while 2022 decreased as compared to 2021 due to a decreased assessment rate. With continued growth, the assessment base increases which leads to a greater expense. 2023’s assessment was $1.1 million over 2022. The assessment for 2022 was down $168.3 thousand compared to 2021 as a result of the decreased assessment rate.

Advertising and public relations increased in 2023 by $960.8 thousand and increased in 2022 by $210.1 thousand. With the addition of new offices and our new logo launch, 2023 was expected to increase over 2022. 2022 saw the celebration and promotion of the Bank's 125th anniversary.

The last line items with significant variation in noninterest expense to discuss is “consulting fees” and “other general and administrative.” Consulting fees decreased by $469.9 thousand in 2023 from 2022 and decreased $332.8 thousand in 2022 compared to 2021. Consulting expenses related to acquisitions were $542.9 thousand in 2022 and $892.1 thousand in 2021.

33


 

Acquisition expenses included in the other general and administrative line were $45.6 thousand for 2023 and $590.3 thousand for 2022. Credit card expense increased $458.6 thousand over 2022. The conversion of our credit card platform in 2023 included $108 thousand of scorecard conversion expense. This represented awards earned by customers that the Company paid to honor rather than allowing them to be lost in the conversion. Auditing and exam fees increased $124.4 thousand in 2023 over 2022 which included $33.6 thousand of acquisition expense and 2022 increased $103.1 thousand over 2021 which included $77.3 thousand of acquisition related costs. Legal expenses decreased in 2023 by $226.4 thousand which included $4.0 thousand of acquisition expense. In 2022, loan and collection expenses increased $287.0 thousand over 2021 and legal expenses decreased $223.3 thousand from 2021 of which $205.1 thousand of the decrease was acquisition related.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Provision expense decreased by $2.9 million for 2023 as compared to 2022 and increased by $1.2 million for 2022 as compared to 2021. The increase in provision expense for 2022 was attributed to the net charge-off activity and significant loan growth. Sustained strong asset quality kept the provision expense lower than the growth alone would have warranted. Management continues to monitor asset quality, making adjustments to the provision as necessary. The commercial and industrial portfolio had the highest level of charge-off activity in 2023, 2022 and 2021 at $565, $418 and $814 thousand, respectively. Net charge-offs in the commercial and industrial portfolio were $481, $325 and $557 thousand in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total net charge-offs were $551, $529 and $874 thousand for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The allowance for credit losses (ACL) represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments at the report date. The ACL methodology is regularly reviewed for its appropriateness and is approved annually by the Board of Directors. This written methodology is consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles which provides for a consistently applied analysis.

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. The ACL reflects the Company’s estimated credit losses over the life of the loan. Management assesses changes in prepayment assumptions, interest rates, collateral values, portfolio composition, trends in non-performing loans, and other economic factors. In addition to an extensive internal loan monitoring process, the Company also aims to have an external, independent loan review of approximately 35% of its commercial and agricultural loan portfolio. Management in turn assesses the results from the reviews to make changes in internal risk ratings of loans and the related ACL.

The Bank’s methodology provides an estimate of the probable credit losses either by calculating a reserve per credit or by applying our methodology to groupings based on similar risk characteristics. The loan portfolio was grouped based on loans of similar type, including acquired loans. The loan groupings for the CECL calculation consist of Commercial Real Estate, Construction & Land Development, Multi-family real estate, Commercial & Industrial, Farmland, Agriculture, Single Family real estate, Home Equity Lines of Credit, and Consumer. All groups use the average charge-off method for calculating the ACL. This incorporates a historical loss period from March 2000, since Call Report data became more granular regarding loan groupings, and includes several economic cycles. As a percentage, the reserves are the highest against construction and development loans, while farmland loans have the lowest overall reserve due to having such low loss rates.

Due to the Company’s loss history not being sufficient enough to predict future losses, the Company is utilizing peer data from a peer group of 307 banks in the region with asset sizes less than $5 billion. The reserves are calculated at the loan level and based on the note characteristics, essentially balances times loss rate + Qualitative factors + forward look, with the forward looking forecast eliminated after 12 months. In order to provide a reasonable and supportable forward looking forecast, a regression analysis of the Bank’s historical loss rates against the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) quarterly economic projections for Change in real GDP and National Unemployment is completed. Annual projections are broken down using a straight-line approach for quarterly changes.

In addition to this quantitative analysis, management also utilizes qualitative analysis each quarter to assess the general reserve on the loan portfolio. The Qualitative factors include nine categories: ability of staff, changes in collateral values, changes in loan concentration levels, economic conditions, external factors such as regulatory, level and trends in non-accrual or adversely classified loans, loan review results, nature and volume of the portfolio and loan terms, and changes in lending policies and procedures. Items within these categories are ranked as baseline, low, medium, or high levels of risk, and the related risk level per categories dictates the level of qualitative factor that is used depending on the standard deviation level from historical loss.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation; reserves for expected credit losses for collateral dependent loans are based on the expected shortfall

34


 

of the loan based on the discounted collateral value. This specific reserve portion of the ACL was $0.4 million at December 31, 2023, and $2.0 million at December 31, 2022. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. At 90 days delinquent, secured consumer loans are charged down to the value of the collateral, if repossession of the collateral is assured and/or in the process of repossession. Consumer mortgage loan deficiencies are charged down upon the sale of the collateral or sooner upon the recognition of collateral deficiency.

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a modification to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.

Inherent in most estimates is imprecision. Bank regulatory agencies and external auditors periodically review the Bank’s methodology and adequacy of the ACL. Any required changes in the ACL or loan charge-offs by these agencies or auditors may have a material effect on the ACL. For more information regarding the estimates and calculations used to establish the ACL please see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements provided herewith.

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The loan categories of off-balance sheet exposures are the same as the loan categories for the ACL. The funding assumptions are updated each quarter based on expected utilization percentages.

Watch list loan balances are comprised of loans graded 5-8. At year-end December 31, 2023, these loans totaled $104.9 million and were $44.9 million higher than December 31, 2022. Commercial real estate, agricultural real estate and commercial loans comprised $68.6 million, $17.5 million and $8.8 million of the watch list loans, respectively. Grade 5 increased $54.9 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 and Grade 6 decreased $10.4 million in the same comparison. Grade 7 increased $257 thousand over 2022.

At year-end December 31, 2022, these loans totaled $60.0 million and were approximately $4.6 million higher than December 31, 2021. Grade 5 increased $2.6 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 and Grade 6 increased $2.0 million in the same comparison.

At year-end December 31, 2021 these loans totaled $55.4 million and were $1.0 million lower than December 31, 2020. Grade 5 increased $4.4 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 and Grade 6 decreased by $4.3 million in the same comparison. Grade 7 decreased $1.1 million in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Of the aggregate watch list loan balances, as of December 31, 2023, 75.8% of the watch list was classified as special mention, with an additional 23.8% classified as substandard and a small 0.2% or $257 thousand of the $104.9 million watch list was classified as doubtful.

At December 31, 2022, of the $60.0 million watch list loans, 41.0% were classified as special mention and 59.0% were classified as substandard. At year-end 2021, of the $55.4 million watch list loans, 39.7% were classified as special mention and 60.3% were classified as substandard.

In response to these fluctuations and the offset by loan growth during 2021 through 2023, the Bank’s ACL to outstanding loan coverage percentage changed to 0.97% as of December 31, 2023, 0.86% as of December 31, 2022 and 0.87% as of December 31, 2021. In addition, for 2023, 2022 and 2021, our allowance for credit losses does not include a $363 thousand, $785 thousand and $1.2 million credit mark associated with the Limberlost acquisition. For 2023, 2022 and 2021, our allowance for credit losses also does not include a $294 thousand, $480 thousand or $966 thousand credit mark associated with the Ossian acquisition. The credit mark not included in the allowance for credit losses associated with the Perpetual Federal Savings Bank acquisition for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2.8 million, $4.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively. 2023 and 2022 also include a $566 thousand and $798 thousand credit mark associated with the Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Bank acquisition. Together, all of the credit marks further support the current position of the ACL.

All commercial and agricultural relationships with lines of credit greater than $100,000 and aggregate loan exposure greater than $250,000 are reviewed annually by the Bank’s Credit Department. All commercial and agricultural relationships with term

35


 

debt only and aggregate loan exposure greater than $1,000,000 are also reviewed by the Bank’s Credit Department. These reviews are conducted to identify early signs of deterioration.

To establish the specific reserve allocation for real estate, a discount to the market value is established to account for liquidation expenses. The discounting percentage used for real estate mirrors the discounting of real estate as provided for in the Bank’s Loan Policy. However, unique or unusual circumstances may be present which will affect the real estate value and, when appropriately identified, can adjust the discounting percentage at the discretion of management.

The ACL increased $5.7 million during 2023 which included an increase to the allowance for credit losses of $3.6 million and unfunded loan commitments of $904 thousand with the adoption of CECL. The ACL increased $4.3 million and $3.0 million during 2022 and 2021, respectively. December 31, 2021 had the lowest loans past due 30+ day percentage at 0.09% in the last ten years. December 31, 2020 and 2022 were at respectable lows of 0.29% and 0.26%. At December 31, 2023, the loans past due 30+ day percentage was slightly higher but still respectable at 0.45%.

Please see Note 4 in the consolidated financial statement for additional tables regarding the composition of the ACL.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $2.4 million lower for 2023 than 2022 as result of approximately a $12.1 million decrease of pretax income. Effective tax rates were 19.63%, 19.67% and 20.35% for 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively. The effect of tax-exempt interest from holding tax-exempt securities and Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) was $149, $137 and $119 thousand for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively less the TEFRA adjustments of $20, $5 and $3 thousand respectively.

Material Changes in Financial Condition

The shifts in the balance sheet during 2021 through 2023 have positioned the Company for continued improvement in profitability. On the asset side, interest income increased primarily from loan growth with funding for the increase provided by growth in core deposits, other time deposits and growth in other borrowings. The cost of funds beginning in 2022 has been impacted by the increase of both interest bearing liabilities, the pressure on rates from competition for funds and a rising rate environment. In 2023, the rate pressure from competition was extremely high with many depositors rate shopping. Going forward, there is a heightened focus on controlling the cost of funds. Loan growth contributed to an increase in profitability in 2021 through 2022.

Average earning assets increased in balances for all years during 2021 through 2023 with loan growth the primary factor for the increase.

36


 

SUMMARY OF SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Summary of Consolidated Statement of Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Summary of Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

139,808

 

 

$

101,149

 

 

$

76,840

 

 

$

70,169

 

 

$

68,306

 

Interest expense

 

 

58,411

 

 

 

14,362

 

 

 

7,342

 

 

 

10,393

 

 

 

14,759

 

Net Interest Income

 

 

81,397

 

 

 

86,787

 

 

 

69,498

 

 

 

59,776

 

 

 

53,547

 

Provision for Credit Losses - Loans*

 

 

1,698

 

 

 

4,600

 

 

 

3,444

 

 

 

6,981

 

 

 

1,138

 

Provision for Credit Losses - Off Balance
    Sheet Credit Exposures*

 

46

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for
   Credit Losses*

 

 

79,653

 

 

 

82,187

 

 

 

66,054

 

 

 

52,795

 

 

 

52,409

 

Noninterest income (expense), net

 

 

(51,299

)

 

 

(41,712

)

 

 

(36,557

)

 

 

(27,589

)

 

 

(29,647

)

Net income before income taxes

 

 

28,354

 

 

 

40,475

 

 

 

29,497

 

 

 

25,206

 

 

 

22,762

 

Income taxes

 

 

5,567

 

 

 

7,960

 

 

 

6,002

 

 

 

5,111

 

 

 

4,360

 

Net income

 

$

22,787

 

 

$

32,515

 

 

$

23,495

 

 

$

20,095

 

 

$

18,402

 

Per Share of Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share outstanding**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.67

 

 

$

2.46

 

 

$

2.01

 

 

$

1.80

 

 

$

1.66

 

Dividends

 

$

0.8500

 

 

$

0.8125

 

 

$

0.7100

 

 

$

0.6600

 

 

$

0.6100

 

Weighted average number of shares
   outstanding, including participating
   securities

 

 

13,641,336

 

 

 

13,206,713

 

 

 

11,664,852

 

 

 

11,146,270

 

 

 

11,113,810

 

 

*ASU 2016-13 was adopted during the first quarter of 2023; therefore, 2019 through 2022 provision amounts reflect the incurred loss method.

**Based on weighted average number of shares outstanding.

 

Summary of Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Total assets

 

$

3,283,229

 

 

$

3,015,351

 

 

$

2,638,300

 

 

$

1,909,544

 

 

$

1,607,330

 

Loans, net

 

 

2,556,167

 

 

 

2,336,074

 

 

 

1,841,177

 

 

 

1,289,318

 

 

 

1,211,771

 

Total deposits

 

 

2,607,463

 

 

 

2,468,864

 

 

 

2,193,462

 

 

 

1,596,162

 

 

 

1,288,347

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

316,543

 

 

 

298,140

 

 

 

297,167

 

 

 

249,160

 

 

 

230,258

 

Key Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average equity

 

 

7.46

%

 

 

11.30

%

 

 

9.09

%

 

 

8.38

%

 

 

8.26

%

Return on average assets

 

 

0.71

%

 

 

1.17

%

 

 

1.05

%

 

 

1.14

%

 

 

1.23

%

Loans to deposits

 

 

97.93

%

 

 

94.62

%

 

 

83.94

%

 

 

80.78

%

 

 

94.06

%

Capital to assets

 

 

9.64

%

 

 

9.89

%

 

 

11.26

%

 

 

13.05

%

 

 

14.33

%

Dividend payout

 

 

50.37

%

 

 

32.74

%

 

 

35.08

%

 

 

36.36

%

 

 

36.59

%

Securities

The investment portfolio is primarily used to provide overall liquidity for the Bank. It is also used to provide required collateral for pledging to the Bank’s Ohio public depositors for amounts on deposit in excess of the FDIC coverage limits. It may also be used to pledge for additional borrowings from third parties. Investments are made with the above criteria in mind while still seeking a fair market rate of return and looking for maturities that fall within the projected overall strategy of the Bank. The possible need to fund future loan growth is also a consideration.

The Bank uses Promontory’s ICS product which utilizes a nation-wide bank network to provide FDIC insurance coverage to the Bank’s depositors to protect balances over $250 thousand. The Bank is using the product to replace pledging securities for the Bank’s Ohio public customers and commercial sweep customers; thereby increasing liquidity.

All of the Bank’s security portfolio is categorized as available for sale and as such is recorded at market value.

37


 

Our cash position increased with each of our recent acquisitions and the excess cash was partially invested in the security portfolio. Security balances as of December 31 are summarized below:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

80,270

 

 

$

94,678

 

 

$

89,177

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

128,222

 

 

 

139,767

 

 

 

156,886

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

82,132

 

 

 

86,927

 

 

 

117,927

 

State and local governments

 

 

67,854

 

 

 

69,417

 

 

 

65,941

 

 

$

358,478

 

 

$

390,789

 

 

$

429,931

 

 

The following table sets forth the maturities of investment securities as of December 31, 2023 and the weighted average yields of such securities calculated on the basis of cost and effective yields weighted for the scheduled maturity of each security. Tax-equivalent adjustments, using a twenty-one percent rate, have been made in yields on obligations of state and political subdivisions. Stocks of domestic corporations have not been included. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities are based on the stated maturity date of the security. Due to prepayments, actual maturities may be different.

 

 

 

Maturities

 

 

 

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After One Year

 

 

 

Within One Year

 

 

Within Five Years

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Yield

 

 

Amount

 

 

Yield

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

19,062

 

 

 

0.82

%

 

$

61,208

 

 

 

0.88

%

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

128,222

 

 

 

1.11

%

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

368

 

 

 

2.10

%

 

 

16,587

 

 

 

2.22

%

State and local governments

 

 

4,226

 

 

 

2.31

%

 

 

7,877

 

 

 

3.73

%

Taxable state and local governments

 

 

986

 

 

 

1.20

%

 

 

25,828

 

 

 

2.06

%

 

 

 

 

After Five Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within Ten Years

 

 

After Ten Years

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Yield

 

 

Amount

 

 

Yield

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

$

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

62,556

 

 

 

1.94

%

 

 

2,621

 

 

 

2.35

%

State and local governments

 

 

4,283

 

 

 

3.69

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

Taxable state and local governments

 

 

24,654

 

 

 

2.34

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Bank also holds stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and Indianapolis at a cost of $14.8 million. This is required in order to obtain Federal Home Loan Bank loans.

Loan Portfolio

The Bank’s various loan portfolios are subject to varying levels of credit risk. Management mitigates these risks through portfolio diversification and through standardization of lending policies and procedures.

Risks are mitigated through an adherence to the Bank’s loan policies, with any exception being recorded and approved by senior management or committees comprised of senior management. The Bank’s loan policies define parameters to essential underwriting guidelines such as loan-to-value ratio, cash flow and debt-to-income ratio, loan requirements and covenants, financial information tracking, collection practice and others. The maximum loan amount to any one borrower is limited by the Bank’s legal lending limits and is stated in policy. On a broader basis, the Bank restricts total aggregate funding in comparison to Bank capital to any one business or agricultural sector by an approved sector percentage to capital limitation.

38


 

The following table shows the Bank’s gross loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, by category of loan as of December 31 of each year:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Loans:

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

521,895

 

 

$

494,423

 

 

$

395,873

 

 

$

175,588

 

 

$

165,349

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

223,791

 

 

 

220,819

 

 

 

198,343

 

 

 

189,159

 

 

 

199,105

 

Agricultural

 

 

132,560

 

 

 

128,733

 

 

 

118,368

 

 

 

94,358

 

 

 

111,820

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1,337,766

 

 

 

1,152,603

 

 

 

848,477

 

 

 

588,825

 

 

 

551,309

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

254,935

 

 

 

242,360

 

 

 

208,270

 

 

 

189,246

 

 

 

135,631

 

Consumer

 

 

79,591

 

 

 

89,147

 

 

 

57,737

 

 

 

52,540

 

 

 

49,237

 

Other

 

 

30,136

 

 

 

29,818

 

 

 

32,089

 

 

 

15,757

 

 

 

8,314

 

 

 

$

2,580,674

 

 

$

2,357,903

 

 

$

1,859,157

 

 

$

1,305,473

 

 

$

1,220,765

 

 

The following table shows the maturity of loans excluding fair value adjustments as of December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

After One

 

 

After Five

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within

 

 

Year Within

 

 

Years Within

 

 

After

 

 

 

One Year

 

 

Five Years

 

 

Fifteen Years

 

 

Fifteen Years

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

12,307

 

 

$

33,817

 

 

$

157,139

 

 

$

322,639

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

546

 

 

 

6,149

 

 

 

63,073

 

 

 

154,648

 

Agricultural

 

 

62,926

 

 

 

47,053

 

 

 

19,184

 

 

 

3,430

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

109,232

 

 

 

382,123

 

 

 

619,438

 

 

 

227,126

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

97,823

 

 

 

103,806

 

 

 

52,981

 

 

 

828

 

Consumer

 

 

2,036

 

 

 

58,115

 

 

 

19,561

 

 

 

94

 

Other

 

 

2,855

 

 

 

1,452

 

 

 

16,251

 

 

 

9,584

 

 

 

$

287,725

 

 

$

632,515

 

 

$

947,627

 

 

$

718,349

 

 

The following table presents the total of loans excluding fair value adjustments due after one year which has either 1) predetermined interest rates (fixed) or 2) floating or adjustable interest rates (variable):

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

Variable

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate

 

 

Rate

 

 

Total

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

487,984

 

 

$

25,611

 

 

$

513,595

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

175,817

 

 

 

48,053

 

 

 

223,870

 

Agricultural

 

 

67,446

 

 

 

2,221

 

 

 

69,667

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1,016,254

 

 

 

212,433

 

 

 

1,228,687

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

145,756

 

 

 

11,859

 

 

 

157,615

 

Consumer

 

 

77,770

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

77,770

 

Other

 

 

17,703

 

 

 

9,584

 

 

 

27,287

 

 

 

$

1,988,730

 

 

$

309,761

 

 

$

2,298,491

 

 

 

39


 

The following tables present the Company's amortized cost of nonaccrual loans by class of loans as of December 31, 2023 and the recorded investment of nonaccrual, past due 90 days or more and still accruing loans, and accruing troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2022 through 2019:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

 

 

 

Loans Past

 

 

 

With No

 

 

 

 

 

Due Over

 

 

 

Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

89 Days

 

 

 

for Credit Loss

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Still Accruing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

1,006

 

 

$

1,190

 

 

$

-

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

15,949

 

 

 

15,949

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

4,671

 

 

 

4,671

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

254

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial & Industrial

 

 

198

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

-

 

Consumer

 

 

91

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

22,169

 

 

$

22,353

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Nonaccrual loans

 

$

4,689

 

 

$

8,076

 

 

$

9,404

 

 

$

3,400

 

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Modified loans for borrowers experiencing
   financial difficulty, not included above

 

 

1,184

 

 

 

1,076

 

 

 

941

 

 

 

980

 

Total

 

$

5,873

 

 

$

9,152

 

 

$

10,345

 

 

$

4,380

 

 

Although loans may be classified as non-performing, some pay on a regular basis, and many continue to pay interest irregularly or at less than original contractual rates. Interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of these loans would have aggregated $1.6 million for 2023, $157 thousand for 2022 and $502 thousand for 2021. Any collections of interest on nonaccrual loans are included in interest income when collected unless it is on a loan with expected credit loss and with a specific allocation. A collection of interest on a loan with an expected credit loss and with a specific allocation is applied to the loan balance to decrease the allocation. Total interest collections, whether on an accrued or cash basis, amounted to $43 thousand for 2023, $361 thousand for 2022 and $292 thousand for 2021.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status in the event that the loan is in past due status for more than 90 days or payment in full of principal and interest is not expected. The Bank had nonaccrual loan balances of $22.4 million at December 31, 2023 compared to balances of $4.7 million and $8.1 million as of year-end 2022 and 2021. All of the balances of nonaccrual loans for the past three years were collaterally secured.

As of December 31, 2023, the Bank had $102.8 million of loans which it considers to be “potential problem loans” in that the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties which are not reflected in the table above. Commercial real estate, agricultural real estate, commercial and agricultural loans comprised $69.2 million, $18.7 million, $8.7 million and $6.2 million respectively. At December 31, 2022, the Bank had $60.0 million of these loans and at December 31, 2021, the Bank had $55.4 million of these loans. These loans are subject to constant management attention and are reviewed at least monthly. The amount of the potential problem loans was considered in management’s determination of the allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

In extending credit to families, businesses and governments, banks accept a measure of risk against which an allowance for possible credit losses is established by way of expense charges to earnings. This expense is determined by management based on a detailed monthly review of the risk factors affecting the loan portfolio, including general economic conditions, changes in the portfolio mix, past due loan-loss experience and the financial condition of the Bank’s borrowers.

As of December 31, 2023, the Bank had loans outstanding to individuals and firms engaged in the various fields of agriculture in the amount of $132.6 million with an additional $223.8 million in agricultural real estate loans which compared to $128.7 and $220.9 million respectively as of December 31, 2022. The ratio of this segment of loans to the total loan portfolio is not considered unusual for a bank engaged in and servicing rural communities.

40


 

As of December 31, 2023, the Bank had $357.3 thousand of its loans that were considered modified for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, of which $254.8 thousand are included in nonaccrual loans. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank had $3.6 million of its loans that were classified as troubled debt restructurings, of which $2.5 million are included in nonaccrual loans. This compares to $7.6 million of troubled debt restructurings, of which $6.5 million are included in nonaccrual loans for 2021 and $6.5 million of troubled debt restructuring, of which $5.6 million are included in nonaccrual loans for 2020. Interest rate modification to reflect a decrease in market interest rates or maintain a relationship with the debtor, where the debtor is not experiencing financial difficulty and can obtain funding from other sources, is not considered a troubled debt restructuring.

Updated appraisals are required on all collateral dependent loans once they are deemed impaired. The Bank may also require an updated appraisal of a watch list loan which the Bank monitors under its loan policy. On a quarterly basis, Bank management reviews properties supporting asset dependent loans to consider market events that may indicate a change in value has occurred.

To determine observable market value, collateral asset values securing an impaired loan are periodically evaluated. Maximum time of re-evaluation is every 12 months for chattels and titled vehicles and every two years for real estate. In this process, third party evaluations are obtained and heavily relied upon. Until such time that updated appraisals are received, the Bank may discount the existing collateral value used.

Performing “non-watch list” loans secured in whole or in part by real estate, do not require an updated appraisal unless the loan is rewritten and additional funds advanced. Watch List loans secured in whole or in part by real estate require updated appraisals every two years. All loans are subject to loan to values as found in the Bank’s loan policies irrespective of their grade. The Bank’s watch list is reviewed on a quarterly basis by management and any questions as to value are addressed at that time.

The majority of the Bank’s loans are made in the market by lenders who live and work in the market. Thus, their evaluation of the independent valuation is also valuable and serves as a double check.

On extremely rare occasions, the Bank will make adjustments to the recorded values of collateral securing commercial real estate loans without acquiring an updated appraisal for the subject property. The Bank has no formalized policy for determining when collateral value adjustments between regularly scheduled appraisals are necessary, nor does it use any specific methodology for applying such adjustments. However, on a quarterly basis as part of its normal operations, the Bank’s senior management and the Credit Analyst Department will meet to review all commercial credits either deemed to be impaired or on the Bank’s watch list. An external review by an independent firm of 35% of our larger credits is also completed annually. In addition to analyzing the recent performance of these loans, management and the Enterprise Risk Management Committee will also consider any general market conditions that might warrant adjustments to the value of particular real estate collateralizing commercial loans. In addition, management conducts annual reviews of all commercial loans exceeding certain outstanding balance thresholds. In each of these situations, any information available to management regarding market conditions impacting a specific property or other relevant factors are considered, and lenders familiar with a particular commercial real estate loan and the underlying collateral may be present to provide their opinion on such factors. If the available information leads management to conclude a valuation adjustment is warranted, such an adjustment may be applied on the basis of the information available. If management concludes that an adjustment is warranted but lacks the specific information needed to reasonably quantify the adjustment, management will order a new appraisal on the subject property even though one may not be required under the Bank’s general policies for updating appraisal.

Note 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements may also be reviewed for additional tables dealing with the Bank’s loans and ACL.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 requires an expected credit losses approach, referred to as the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) approach to evaluating the allowance for credit losses. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with the incurred loss accounting standards. The Company did not make any material changes to its business practices as a result of implementing the ASU.

The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an increase in the allowance for credit losses of $3.6 million, increase in the allowance for unfunded loan commitment and letters of credit of $0.9 million and a $3.4 million decrease to the retained earnings account to reflect the cumulative effect of adopting CECL on our consolidated balance sheets, with the $1.1 million tax impact portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Actual charge-off of loan balances is based upon periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio by management. These evaluations consider several factors, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, financial condition of the borrower, and collateral.

41


 

As presented in the table on the next page, charge-offs increased to $990 thousand for 2023. 57.1% of the charge-offs stemmed from the commercial and industrial portfolio. Charge-offs were $827 thousand for 2022, $1.3 million for 2021, preceded by $720 thousand for 2020 and $841thousand for 2019. Recoveries were $439 thousand in 2023 compared to $298, $458, $183 and $156 thousand for 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net charge-offs for the last five years were all under $900 thousand with 2021 the highest at $874 thousand and 2022 the lowest at $529 thousand.

During 2023, controlled loan growth resulted in lower provision expense. Higher provision expense was used to fund the ACL for loan growth in 2022 and 2019. 2021 and 2020 had higher provision expense due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and its impact on individuals and businesses. Overall, the ACL increased from $7.2 million at year-end 2019 to $25.0 million at year-end 2023. After adding the allowance for unfunded loan commitments, the ACL ended 2023 at $27.2 million.

 

42


 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Loans

 

$

2,578,472

 

 

$

2,356,387

 

 

$

1,857,419

 

 

$

1,302,990

 

 

$

1,218,999

 

Daily average of outstanding loans

 

$

2,491,502

 

 

$

2,073,737

 

 

$

1,522,088

 

 

$

1,313,675

 

 

$

1,129,231

 

Nonaccrual loans

 

$

22,353

 

 

$

4,689

 

 

$

8,076

 

 

$

9,404

 

 

$

3,400

 

Nonperforming loans

 

$

22,353

 

 

$

4,689

 

 

$

8,076

 

 

$

9,404

 

 

$

3,400

 

Allowance for Credit Losses - Jan 1

 

$

20,313

 

 

$

16,242

 

 

$

13,672

 

 

$

7,228

 

 

$

6,775

 

Adjust for accounting change (ASU 2016-13)

 

 

3,564

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Loans Charged off:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

98

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

37

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

565

 

 

 

418

 

 

 

814

 

 

 

297

 

 

 

215

 

Consumer

 

 

425

 

 

 

409

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

380

 

 

 

491

 

 

 

990

 

 

 

827

 

 

 

1,332

 

 

 

720

 

 

 

841

 

Loan Recoveries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

35

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

105

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

10

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

8

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

11

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

84

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

22

 

Consumer

 

 

197

 

 

 

169

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

439

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

156

 

Net Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

(35

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

6

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

98

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

(105

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

129

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

34

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(11

)

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

481

 

 

 

325

 

 

 

557

 

 

 

273

 

 

 

193

 

Consumer

 

 

228

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

371

 

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

529

 

 

 

874

 

 

 

537

 

 

 

685

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

1,698

 

 

 

4,600

 

 

 

3,444

 

 

 

6,981

 

 

 

1,138

 

Acquisition provision for credit losses

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Allowance for Credit Losses - Dec 31

 

 

25,024

 

 

 

20,313

 

 

 

16,242

 

 

 

13,672

 

 

 

7,228

 

Allowance for Unfunded Loan
   Commitments & Letters of Credit - Dec 31

 

 

2,212

 

 

 

1,262

 

 

 

1,041

 

 

 

641

 

 

 

479

 

Total Allowance for Credit Losses - Dec 31

 

$

27,236

 

 

$

21,575

 

 

$

17,283

 

 

$

14,313

 

 

$

7,707

 

Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average
   Outstanding Loans

 

 

0.02

%

 

 

0.03

%

 

 

0.06

%

 

 

0.04

%

 

 

0.06

%

Ratio of Nonaccrual Loans to Loans

 

 

0.87

%

 

 

0.20

%

 

 

0.43

%

 

 

0.72

%

 

 

0.28

%

Ratio of the Allowance for Credit
   Losses to Loans

 

 

0.97

%

 

 

0.86

%

 

 

0.87

%

 

 

1.05

%

 

 

0.59

%

Ratio of the Allowance for Credit
   Losses to Nonaccrual Loans

 

 

111.95

%

 

 

273.67

%

 

 

201.11

%

 

 

145.47

%

 

 

209.70

%

Ratio of the Allowance for Credit
   Losses to Nonperforming Loans

 

 

111.95

%

 

 

273.67

%

 

 

201.11

%

 

 

145.47

%

 

 

209.70

%

 

*Nonperforming loans are defined as all loans on nonaccrual, plus any loans past due 90 days not on nonaccrual.

 

The balance of loans at December 31, 2023 within this chart does not include a fair value basis adjustment for derivatives of $2.7 million.

 

ASU 2016-13 was adopted during the first quarter of 2023; therefore, 2019 through 2022 provision amounts reflect the incurred loss method.

43


 

Allocation of ACL per Loan Category in terms of dollars and percentage of loans in each category to total loans is as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

%

 

 

(000's)

 

 

%

 

 

(000's)

 

 

%

 

 

(000's)

 

 

%

 

 

(000's)

 

 

%

 

Balance at End of Period
   Applicable To:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

3,581

 

 

 

20.24

 

 

$

998

 

 

 

20.98

 

 

$

857

 

 

 

21.31

 

 

$

633

 

 

 

13.45

 

 

$

311

 

 

 

13.51

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

312

 

 

 

8.67

 

 

 

349

 

 

 

9.36

 

 

 

1,040

 

 

 

10.66

 

 

 

958

 

 

 

14.49

 

 

 

314

 

 

 

16.31

 

Agricultural

 

 

336

 

 

 

5.15

 

 

 

751

 

 

 

5.47

 

 

 

709

 

 

 

6.38

 

 

 

701

 

 

 

7.25

 

 

 

691

 

 

 

9.18

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

17,400

 

 

 

51.77

 

 

 

11,924

 

 

 

48.83

 

 

 

9,130

 

 

 

45.61

 

 

 

7,415

 

 

 

45.10

 

 

 

3,634

 

 

 

45.14

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

2,093

 

 

 

12.22

 

 

 

5,382

 

 

 

11.55

 

 

 

3,847

 

 

 

11.20

 

 

 

3,346

 

 

 

15.67

 

 

 

1,727

 

 

 

11.81

 

Consumer

 

 

1,302

 

 

 

1.95

 

 

 

891

 

 

 

3.81

 

 

 

625

 

 

 

3.11

 

 

 

606

 

 

 

4.04

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

4.05

 

Unallocated

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

1.73

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.00

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

$

25,024

 

 

 

100.00

 

 

$

20,313

 

 

 

100.00

 

 

$

16,242

 

 

 

100.00

 

 

$

13,672

 

 

 

100.00

 

 

$

7,228

 

 

 

100.00

 

Off Balance Sheet
   Commitments

 

 

2,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

641

 

 

 

 

 

 

479

 

 

 

 

Total Allowance for
   Credit Losses

 

$

27,236

 

 

 

 

 

$

21,575

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,283

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,313

 

 

 

 

 

$

7,707

 

 

 

 

 

*ASU 2016-13 was adopted during the first quarter of 2023; therefore, the 2022 through 2019 methodology reflects the incurred loss method.

Deposits

The amount of outstanding time certificates of deposits and other time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more by maturity both in total and uninsured greater than $250,000 as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over Three

 

 

Over Six

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Months

 

 

Months Less

 

 

Over

 

 

 

Under

 

 

Less than

 

 

Than One

 

 

One

 

 

 

Three Months

 

 

Six Months

 

 

Year

 

 

Year

 

Time Deposits

 

$

129,746

 

 

$

78,278

 

 

$

91,199

 

 

$

103,213

 

Uninsured Time Deposits

 

$

46,777

 

 

$

29,253

 

 

$

27,450

 

 

$

35,642

 

 

The following table presents the average amount of and average rate paid on each deposit category:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Non-Interest

 

 

Interest

 

 

Savings

 

 

Time

 

 

 

DDAs

 

 

DDAs

 

 

Accounts

 

 

Accounts

 

December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance

 

$

493,820

 

 

$

766,158

 

 

$

610,160

 

 

$

640,390

 

Average rate

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

2.84

%

 

 

0.93

%

 

 

3.10

%

December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance

 

$

480,389

 

 

$

688,908

 

 

$

646,363

 

 

$

451,013

 

Average rate

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

0.71

%

 

 

0.21

%

 

 

1.29

%

December 31, 2021:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance

 

$

400,801

 

 

$

635,544

 

 

$

510,092

 

 

$

306,600

 

Average rate

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

0.24

%

 

 

0.18

%

 

 

1.16

%

 

Uninsured deposits greater than $250,000 are presented by year in the table below:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Uninsured Deposits

 

$

282,991

 

 

$

332,264

 

 

$

296,162

 

Liquidity

Liquidity remains a focus as a battle for deposits existed throughout 2023 and remains going into 2024. A special emphasis was placed on deposit growth in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2023 and the team responded when a deposit campaign was launched to

44


 

raise an additional $100 million in deposits. As an industry, deposit growth from 2019 to 2022 was too easy with the additional funds funneled into the market from our government during COVID. 2023 reminded us deposits are as essential to our success as loan originations. As the competition for deposits has increased, the Company has increased emphasis on its liquidity position. The frequency of management liquidity meetings was increased to weekly to be more responsive to opportunities and threats as they arise. These have proven to be greatly beneficial and will continue. Deposits grew 5.61% or $138.6 million in 2023 as compared to year-end 2022. The largest growth was in time deposits which provides stability for liquidity. Our checking account balances, interest and noninterest bearing combined, grew $61.6 million in comparing December 31, 2023 to December 31. 2022. These represent true core balances and provide additional opportunities to benefit noninterest income.

After the first quarter, the Company had begun to experience a slowdown in its growth mode. It is partly due to a natural decrease in borrowers' loan demand as higher interest rates have made projected capital outlays too costly. The Bank has also experienced a more challenging environment in which to raise lower cost core deposits. Therefore, we also chose to participate out a portion of our larger loans with other financial institutions, both new loans and existing. The Bank has also maintained an emphasis on servicing existing clients and focus on prudent growth within our newer markets. Overall, loans grew 9.54% during 2023 or $224.8 million as compared to 2022.

Cash balances increased drastically, up 68.6% or $57.8 million over 2022 year-end levels. Holding cash at the Federal Reserve earned the Bank the highest rate for liquid assets due to the inverted yield curve. This holds true as we head into 2024. In addition to the high cash balance, the Bank has access to $128 million of unsecured borrowings through correspondent banks. Through the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Bank also has an additional $42.5 million available based on current collateral pledging and $150.1 million through the Cash Management Advance program. The Company and Bank combined has $102.7 million of unpledged securities which may be sold or used as collateral. In addition, securities with a carrying value of $61.7 million and a par value of $69.9 million were pledged to the Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding program to secure additional borrowing capacity. These borrowings utilize the par value of securities. The Company kept a line of credit in place, though changed the lender upon the maturity of the line in 4th quarter 2023. The Bank broadened our relationships with additional broker firms to strengthen our contingency funding position.

Short-term debt such as federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase also provides the Company with liquidity. These amounted to $28.2 million as of December 31, 2023, down from the $54.2 million as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to the elimination of need for federal funds purchased. The securities sold under agreement to repurchase accounts are used to provide a sweep product to the Bank’s commercial customers and for some term deposits.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances grew to $265.8 million as of December 31, 2023, from $127.5 million on December 31, 2022. The increase in advances helped to offset the difference for funding the loan growth which outpaced the deposit growth in both 2022 and 2023.

The Company will continue to develop our deposit gathering skills. The addition of four new retail offices will aid in establishing new relationships. Given that two of the retail offices are in communities where a loan production office was located should help to broaden those relationships with deposits. The Bank will continue to meet weekly to focus our strategic plans on increasing liquidity while improving profitability.

Asset/Liability Management

The primary functions of asset/liability management are to assure adequate liquidity and maintain an appropriate balance between interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. It involves the management of the balance sheet mix, maturities, re-pricing characteristics and pricing components to provide an adequate and stable net interest margin with an acceptable level of risk. Interest rate sensitivity management seeks to avoid fluctuating net interest margins and to enhance consistent growth of net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.

Changes in net income, other than those related to volume arise when interest rates on assets re-price in a time frame or interest rate environment that is different from that of the re-pricing period for liabilities. Changes in net interest income also arise from changes in the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Historically, the Bank has maintained liquidity through cash flows generated in the normal course of business, loan repayments, maturing earning assets, the acquisition of new deposits, and borrowings. The Bank's asset and liability management program is designed to maximize net interest income over the long term while taking into consideration both credit and interest rate risk.

45


 

Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Overnight federal funds on which rates change daily and loans that are tied to the market rate differ considerably from long-term investment securities and fixed rate loans. Similarly, time deposits over $100,000 and money market certificates are much more interest rate sensitive than passbook savings accounts. The Bank utilizes shock analysis to examine the amount of exposure an immediate rate change of 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points in both increasing and decreasing directions would have on the financials. Acceptable ranges of earnings and equity at risk are established and decisions are made to maintain those levels based on the shock results.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Company’s operations. Unlike most industrial companies, nearly all the assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on the Company’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and service.

Contractual Obligations

Contractual obligations of the Company totaled $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2023. Time deposits, contractual agreements for certificates of deposits held by its customers, were $663.0 million. Securities sold under agreement to repurchase were $28.2 million. Short term debt, which consisted of a line of credit secured for the acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Bank of $10.0 million, was paid off during the first quarter of 2023. There were no federal funds purchased as of December 31, 2023. Long term debt was comprised of borrowings with the Federal Home Loan Bank of $265.8 million and subordinated notes of $35.0 million. Short term and long term debt is further defined in Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements.

Capital Resources

Stockholder’s Equity was $316.5 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $298.1 million on December 31, 2022. Dividends declared during 2023 were $0.85 per share totaling $11.5 million, up 4.6% from $0.8125 per share dividend declared in 2022, totaling $10.6 million. Throughout 2023, the Company awarded 64,225 shares to 113 employees compared to 59,496 shares awarded to 109 employees during 2022. The majority of shares were awarded under a 3-year cliff vesting restriction in both years. 6,350 shares were forfeited under the long-term incentive plan throughout 2023 and 8,000 shares were forfeited throughout 2022. At year-end 2023, the Company held 151,350 shares in unearned stock awards, an increase from the year-end 2022 number of shares held in unearned stock awards of 128,952. For a summary of activity as it relates to the Company’s restricted stock awards, please refer to Note 12: Employee Benefit Plans in the consolidated financial statements. The Company held 899,784 shares in Treasury stock as of December 31, 2023, compared to 956,003 shares in Treasury stock as of the same date in 2022. On January 16, 2024, the Company announced the authorization of 650,000 shares for the Company’s repurchase, either in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, of its outstanding common stock commencing January 16, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, by our Board of Directors. At the 2023 annual meeting, our shareholders approved the Company’s ability to establish a new class of flexible preferred stock and to issue 100,000 shares of such preferred stock at the Board of Director’s discretion. No preferred stock was issued during the remainder of 2023.

The Company continues to have a strong capital base and maintains regulatory capital ratios that are above the defined regulatory capital ratios. On December 31, 2023, the Bank had total risk-based capital ratios of 11.73%. Core capital to risk-based asset ratio of 10.77% for the Bank, is more than regulatory guidelines. The Bank’s leverage ratio of 8.66% is also in excess of regulatory guidelines. Under Basel III, the common equity tier I capital to risk weighted assets ratio is also well above the required 4.5% and 6.5% well capitalized levels with the Bank at 10.77%. Adding on the required capital conservation buffer of 2.5% to the previous regulatory ratios and the Bank remains well above the requirements. The Bank’s capital conservation buffer is 3.73%. For further discussion and analysis of regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note 16 of the Consolidated Audited Financial Statements.

The Company’s subsidiary is restricted by regulations from making dividend distributions in excess of certain prescribed amounts. Upon prior regulatory approval, the Bank may be allowed to pay above the prescribed amounts.

 

46


 

 

 

ITEM 7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates and equity prices. The primary market risk to which we are subject is interest rate risk. Much of our interest rate risk arises from the instruments, positions and transactions entered into for purposes other than trading such as loans, available for sale securities, interest bearing deposits, short term borrowings and long-term borrowings. Interest rate risk occurs when interest bearing assets and liabilities re-price at different times as market interest rates change. For example, if fixed rate assets are funded with variable rate debt, the spread between asset and liability rates will decline or turn negative if rates increase.

Interest rate risk is managed within an overall asset/liability framework. The principal objectives of asset/liability management are to manage sensitivity of net interest spreads and net income to potential changes in interest rates. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to ensure that risk-taking is not excessive and that liquidity is effectively managed. If our asset/liabilities management strategies are unsuccessful, our profitability may be adversely affected. The Company employs a sensitivity analysis utilizing interest rate shocks to help in this analysis.

The Bank’s balance sheet is liability sensitive which has resulted in a steep decline of net interest margin as rates rose over 2023. The level of long-term assets represents elevated risk and will continue to be an interest income anchor as those assets are at much lower rates when compared to current market rates. The Bank has utilized an interest rate hedge as protection against rising rates and is receiving some benefit, see Note 18 for disclosure. Additionally, the deposit growth was funded by a substantial portion of CDs in 2023, many of which were shorter term CD specials. As these CD specials come due in 2024, the Bank’s cost of funds may rise as the replacement rates for theses CDs currently are higher than their maturing rates in a flat rate environment. In a falling rate environment, this should provide a benefit based on the duration of the portfolio. Management continues to review and is using external assistance to monitor and adjust our assumptions concerning decay rates, key rate ties on deposit accounts and prepayment speeds on loans for 2024. Both directional changes are within the Bank's risk tolerance. The effect of the rate shocks may be mitigated to the extent that not all lines of business are directly tied to an external index and actual balance sheet composition may differ from our prediction.

 

 

47


 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Index To Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Consolidated Statements of Changes to Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48


 

https://cdn.kscope.io/22a64bb59cae3b08c9d33672c4c55bee-img45953366_0.jpg 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders, Board of Directors, and Audit Committee

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

Archbold, Ohio

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Farmers and Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), changes to stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2023, the entity changed its method of accounting for credit losses on financial instruments due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326: Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits.

We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

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 include 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.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

49


 

Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) – Qualitative Adjustments

As described in Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements and referred to in the change in accounting principle explanatory paragraph above, the Company adopted ASC 326 as of January 1, 2023, which among other things, required the Company to recognize expected credit losses over the contractual lives of financial assets carried at amortized costs, including loans receivables, utilizing the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) methodology. As of December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses (ACL) balance was $27,236,000. Estimates of expected credit losses are based on relevant information about current conditions, past events, and reasonable and supportable forward-looking forecasts regarding collectability of the reported amounts. The Company utilized an average charge-off model derived from historical charge-off data to construct a loss rate for each identified loan segment. Due to the Company's loss history not being sufficient and relevant enough to predict future losses, the Company is utilizing peer data from a peer group. The loss rates are then adjusted, for reasonable and supportable forecasts of relevant economic indicators as well as other environmental factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. The environmental factors (“qualitative adjustments”) include consideration of economic conditions and portfolio trends.

We have identified auditing the qualitative adjustments as a critical audit matter as management’s determination of the qualitative adjustments used in the ACL is subjective and involves significant management judgments; and our audit procedures related to the qualitative adjustments involved a high degree of auditor judgment and required significant audit effort, including the need to involve more experienced audit personnel.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

Testing the effectiveness of controls over the qualitative adjustments used in the ACL calculation including controls addressing the:
o
Significant assumptions and judgments applied in the development of the qualitative adjustments.
o
Mathematical accuracy of the qualitative adjustments applied to the loan segments in the ACL calculation.
Substantively testing management's determination of the qualitative adjustments used in the ACL estimate, including:
o
Testing management’s process for developing the qualitative adjustments, which included assessing the relevance and reliability of data used to develop the qualitative adjustments, including evaluating their judgments and assumptions for reasonableness. Among other procedures, our evaluation considered evidence from internal and external sources.
o
Analytically evaluating the qualitative adjustments for directional consistency, testing for reasonableness, and obtaining evidence for significant changes.
o
Testing the mathematical accuracy of the qualitative adjustments applied to the loan segments in the ACL calculation.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/22a64bb59cae3b08c9d33672c4c55bee-img45953366_1.jpg 

Fort Wayne, Indiana

February 27, 2024

 

 

50


 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(000’s Omitted, Except Share Data)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

140,917

 

 

$

83,085

 

Federal funds sold

 

 

1,284

 

 

 

1,324

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

 

142,201

 

 

 

84,409

 

Interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

2,740

 

 

 

4,442

 

Securities - available-for-sale

 

 

358,478

 

 

 

390,789

 

Other securities, at cost

 

 

17,138

 

 

 

9,799

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

1,576

 

 

 

827

 

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $25,024 and $20,313

 

 

2,556,167

 

 

 

2,336,074

 

Premises and equipment

 

 

35,790

 

 

 

28,381

 

Construction in progress

 

 

8

 

 

 

278

 

Goodwill

 

 

86,358

 

 

 

86,358

 

Loan servicing rights

 

 

5,648

 

 

 

3,549

 

Bank owned life insurance

 

 

33,907

 

 

 

33,073

 

Other assets

 

 

43,218

 

 

 

37,372

 

Total Assets

 

$

3,283,229

 

 

$

3,015,351

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

$

528,465

 

 

$

532,794

 

Interest-bearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW accounts

 

 

816,790

 

 

 

750,887

 

Savings

 

 

599,191

 

 

 

627,203

 

Time

 

 

663,017

 

 

 

557,980

 

Total deposits

 

 

2,607,463

 

 

 

2,468,864

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase

 

 

28,218

 

 

 

54,206

 

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances

 

 

265,750

 

 

 

127,485

 

Other borrowings

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,000

 

Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs

 

 

34,702

 

 

 

34,586

 

Dividend payable

 

 

2,974

 

 

 

2,832

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

27,579

 

 

 

19,238

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,966,686

 

 

 

2,717,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock - No par value 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and
   outstanding
14,564,425 shares 12/31/23 and 12/31/22

 

 

135,515

 

 

 

135,497

 

Treasury stock - 899,784 shares 12/31/23 and 956,003 shares 12/31/22

 

 

(11,040

)

 

 

(11,573

)

Retained earnings

 

 

221,080

 

 

 

212,449

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(29,012

)

 

 

(38,233

)

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

316,543

 

 

 

298,140

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

$

3,283,229

 

 

$

3,015,351

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

51


 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

(000’s Omitted, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Interest Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans, including fees

 

$

129,344

 

 

$

94,264

 

 

$

71,645

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

 

4,090

 

 

 

4,225

 

 

 

3,496

 

Municipalities

 

 

1,598

 

 

 

1,415

 

 

 

1,170

 

Dividends

 

 

882

 

 

 

318

 

 

 

174

 

Federal funds sold

 

 

44

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

31

 

Other

 

 

3,850

 

 

 

906

 

 

 

324

 

Total interest income

 

 

139,808

 

 

 

101,149

 

 

 

76,840

 

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

46,923

 

 

 

9,883

 

 

 

5,418

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
   repurchase

 

 

1,474

 

 

 

1,197

 

 

 

649

 

Borrowed funds

 

 

8,876

 

 

 

2,160

 

 

 

785

 

Subordinated notes

 

 

1,138

 

 

 

1,122

 

 

 

490

 

Total interest expense

 

 

58,411

 

 

 

14,362

 

 

 

7,342

 

Net Interest Income - Before Provision for Credit Losses*

 

 

81,397

 

 

 

86,787

 

 

 

69,498

 

Provision for Credit Losses - Loans*

 

 

1,698

 

 

 

4,600

 

 

 

3,444

 

Provision for Credit Losses - Off Balance Sheet Credit Exposures*

 

 

46

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses*

 

 

79,653

 

 

 

82,187

 

 

 

66,054

 

Noninterest Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer service fees

 

 

9,592

 

 

 

9,958

 

 

 

9,671

 

Other service charges and fees

 

 

6,640

 

 

 

4,226

 

 

 

3,748

 

Net gain on sale of loans

 

 

699

 

 

 

1,353

 

 

 

3,897

 

Net gain (loss) on sale of available-for-sale securities

 

 

(891

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

293

 

Total noninterest income

 

 

16,040

 

 

 

15,537

 

 

 

17,609

 

Noninterest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and wages

 

 

26,915

 

 

 

22,700

 

 

 

20,184

 

Employee benefits

 

 

7,520

 

 

 

6,903

 

 

 

7,322

 

Net occupancy expense

 

 

3,833

 

 

 

2,566

 

 

 

2,184

 

Furniture and equipment

 

 

5,022

 

 

 

4,207

 

 

 

3,324

 

Data processing

 

 

3,147

 

 

 

3,956

 

 

 

3,501

 

Franchise taxes

 

 

1,487

 

 

 

1,384

 

 

 

1,473

 

ATM expense

 

 

2,611

 

 

 

2,217

 

 

 

1,846

 

Advertising

 

 

2,606

 

 

 

1,646

 

 

 

1,436

 

Net (gain) loss on sale of other assets owned

 

 

135

 

 

 

(259

)

 

 

434

 

FDIC assessment

 

 

1,982

 

 

 

905

 

 

 

1,073

 

Servicing rights amortization - net

 

 

611

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

1,580

 

Consulting fees

 

 

832

 

 

 

1,302

 

 

 

1,634

 

Other general and administrative

 

 

10,638

 

 

 

9,577

 

 

 

8,175

 

Total noninterest expense

 

 

67,339

 

 

 

57,249

 

 

 

54,166

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

28,354

 

 

 

40,475

 

 

 

29,497

 

Income Taxes

 

 

5,567

 

 

 

7,960

 

 

 

6,002

 

Net Income

 

$

22,787

 

 

$

32,515

 

 

$

23,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

$

1.67

 

 

$

2.46

 

 

$

2.01

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

1.67

 

 

$

2.46

 

 

$

2.01

 

Dividends Declared

 

$

0.85

 

 

$

0.8125

 

 

$

0.71

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

*ASU 2016-13 was adopted during the first quarter of 2023; therefore, 2022 and 2021 provision amounts reflect the incurred loss method.

 

52


 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

(000’s Omitted)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Net Income

 

$

22,787

 

 

$

32,515

 

 

$

23,495

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Net of Tax):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

 

 

10,781

 

 

 

(44,366

)

 

 

(10,948

)

Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss on sale of
   available-for-sale securities

 

 

891

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(293

)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

 

 

11,672

 

 

 

(44,366

)

 

 

(11,241

)

Tax expense (benefit)

 

 

2,451

 

 

 

(9,317

)

 

 

(2,360

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

9,221

 

 

 

(35,049

)

 

 

(8,881

)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

$

32,008

 

 

$

(2,534

)

 

$

14,614

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

53


 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes to Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

(000’s Omitted, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Common

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Stock

 

 

Stock

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Equity

 

Balance - January 1, 2021

 

 

11,197,544

 

 

$

81,804

 

 

$

(11,932

)

 

$

173,591

 

 

$

5,697

 

 

$

249,160

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23,495

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23,495

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(8,881

)

 

 

(8,881

)

Issuance of 1,833,845 shares of common stock in acquisition

 

 

1,833,845

 

 

 

41,078

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

41,078

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(14,611

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(338

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(338

)

Issuance of 48,750 shares of restricted stock
   (Net of forfeitures -
2,575)

 

 

46,175

 

 

 

(1,030

)

 

 

507

 

 

 

523

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

-

 

 

 

822

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

822

 

Director stock awards

 

 

3,280

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

73

 

Cash dividends declared - $0.71 per share

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(8,242

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(8,242

)

Balance - December 31, 2021

 

 

13,066,233

 

 

 

122,674

 

 

 

(11,724

)

 

 

189,401

 

 

 

(3,184

)

 

 

297,167

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32,515

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32,515

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(35,049

)

 

 

(35,049

)

Issuance of 500,426 shares and purchase of 125 shares of common stock in acquisition

 

 

500,301

 

 

 

13,446

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,443

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(9,488

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(308

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(308

)

Issuance of 56,496 shares of restricted stock
   (Net of forfeitures -
8,000)

 

 

48,496

 

 

 

(1,522

)

 

 

428

 

 

 

1,094

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

-

 

 

 

899

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

899

 

Director stock awards

 

 

2,880

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

120

 

Cash dividends declared - $0.8125 per share

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,647

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,647

)

Balance - December 31, 2022

 

 

13,608,422

 

 

 

135,497

 

 

 

(11,573

)

 

 

212,449

 

 

 

(38,233

)

 

 

298,140

 

Cumulative change in accounting principle

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,371

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,371

)

Balance - January 1, 2023 (as adjusted for change in accounting principle)

 

 

13,608,422

 

 

 

135,497

 

 

 

(11,573

)

 

 

209,078

 

 

 

(38,233

)

 

 

294,769

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

22,787

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

22,787

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

9,221

 

 

 

9,221

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(10,704

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(218

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(218

)

Issuance of 64,425 shares of restricted stock
   (Net of forfeitures -
6,350)

 

 

57,875

 

 

 

(1,263

)

 

 

641

 

 

 

622

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,281

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,281

 

Director stock awards

 

 

9,048

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

180

 

Cash dividends declared - $0.85 per share

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(11,477

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(11,477

)

Balance - December 31, 2023

 

 

13,664,641

 

 

$

135,515

 

 

$

(11,040

)

 

$

221,080

 

 

$

(29,012

)

 

$

316,543

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

54


 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

(000’s Omitted)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,787

 

 

$

32,515

 

 

$

23,495

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

3,383

 

 

 

2,739

 

 

 

2,610

 

Amortization of premiums on available-for-sale securities, net

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

2,090

 

 

 

2,203

 

Capitalized additions to servicing rights

 

 

(2,710

)

 

 

(537

)

 

 

(1,417

)

Servicing rights amortization and impairment

 

 

611

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

1,580

 

Amortization of core deposit intangible

 

 

1,657

 

 

 

1,011

 

 

 

677

 

Amortization of customer list intangible

 

 

123

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

123

 

Net accretion of fair value adjustments

 

 

(3,569

)

 

 

(4,531

)

 

 

(1,231

)

Amortization of subordinated note issuance costs

 

 

116

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

50

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

1,281

 

 

 

899

 

 

 

822

 

Director stock awards

 

 

180

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

73

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

2,228

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

(1,805

)

Provision for credit losses - loans

 

 

1,698

 

 

 

4,600

 

 

 

3,444

 

Provision for credit losses-Off balance sheet credit exposures

 

 

46

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Gain on sale of loans held for sale

 

 

(699

)

 

 

(1,353

)

 

 

(3,897

)

Originations of loans held for sale

 

 

(36,399

)

 

 

(69,410

)

 

 

(121,172

)

Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale

 

 

36,349

 

 

 

77,650

 

 

 

125,095

 

Gain on derivatives

 

 

(40

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

(Gain) loss on sale of other assets owned

 

 

135

 

 

 

(259

)

 

 

434

 

(Gain) loss on sales of available-for-sale securities

 

 

891

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(293

)

Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance

 

 

(834

)

 

 

(691

)

 

 

(636

)

Change in other assets and other liabilities, net

 

 

(6,588

)

 

 

(4,728

)

 

 

4,586

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

22,146

 

 

 

40,669

 

 

 

34,741

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity in available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities, prepayments and calls

 

 

24,021

 

 

 

31,064

 

 

 

56,310

 

Sales

 

 

21,963

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

9,292

 

Purchases

 

 

(4,392

)

 

 

(38,377

)

 

 

(170,629

)

Activity in other securities, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

(9,004

)

 

 

(1,615

)

 

 

(670

)

Change in interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

1,702

 

 

 

6,471

 

 

 

20,216

 

Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock

 

 

1,665

 

 

 

1,249

 

 

 

1,522

 

Proceeds from sales of other assets owned

 

 

219

 

 

 

440

 

 

 

457

 

Additions to premises and equipment

 

 

(10,929

)

 

 

(2,600

)

 

 

(1,965

)

Loan originations and principal collections, net

 

 

(219,333

)

 

 

(395,610

)

 

 

(167,867

)

Acquisition of Ossian Financial Services, Inc., net of cash received

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

228

 

Acquisition of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank, net of cash received

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12,588

)

Acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan, net of cash received

 

 

-

 

 

 

9,074

 

 

 

-

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(194,088

)

 

 

(389,904

)

 

 

(265,694

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in deposits

 

 

138,939

 

 

 

165,861

 

 

 

170,785

 

Net change in federal funds purchased and
   securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

(25,988

)

 

 

24,938

 

 

 

(971

)

Proceeds of FHLB advances

 

 

324,000

 

 

 

140,000

 

 

 

-

 

Repayment of FHLB advances

 

 

(185,664

)

 

 

(37,394

)

 

 

(157

)

Proceeds (Repayment) of other borrowings

 

 

(10,000

)

 

 

(30,000

)

 

 

40,000

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(218

)

 

 

(308

)

 

 

(338

)

Proceeds from issuance of subordinated notes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

34,421

 

Cash dividends paid on common stock

 

 

(11,335

)

 

 

(10,276

)

 

 

(7,670

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

229,734

 

 

 

252,821

 

 

 

236,070

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

57,792

 

 

 

(96,414

)

 

 

5,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year

 

 

84,409

 

 

 

180,823

 

 

 

175,706

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Year

 

$

142,201

 

 

$

84,409

 

 

$

180,823

 

 

 

55


 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

(000’s Omitted)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Supplemental Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

55,119

 

 

$

13,748

 

 

$

7,048

 

Income taxes paid

 

 

5,421

 

 

 

7,702

 

 

 

6,150

 

Supplemental noncash disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer of loans to other real estate owned

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

287

 

Cash dividends declared not paid

 

 

2,974

 

 

 

2,832

 

 

 

2,461

 

The Company purchased the assets of Ossian Financial Services, Inc. for $20,001 on April 30, 2021. In conjunction with the acquisition, liabilities were assumed as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

137,058

 

Cash paid for the capital stock

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20,001

 

Liabilities assumed

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

117,057

 

The Company purchased all of the capital stock of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank for $100,312 on October 1, 2021. In conjunction with the acquisition, liabilities were assumed as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

420,162

 

Less: common stock issued

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

41,078

 

Cash paid for the capital stock

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

59,234

 

Liabilities assumed

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

319,850

 

The Company purchased all of the capital stock of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan for $23,249 on October 1, 2022. In conjunction with the acquisition, liabilities were assumed as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

 

$

-

 

 

$

141,818

 

 

$

-

 

Less: common stock issued

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,446

 

 

 

-

 

Treasury stock repurchased

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

-

 

Cash paid for the capital stock

 

 

-

 

 

 

9,806

 

 

 

-

 

Liabilities assumed

 

$

-

 

 

$

118,569

 

 

$

-

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

56


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

The Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) through its bank subsidiary, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the Bank) provides a variety of financial services to individuals and small businesses through its offices in Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan.

Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the Bank), a commercial banking institution and Farmers & Merchants Risk Management, Inc. (the Captive), a Captive insurance company. The Bank includes FM Insurance Agency, LLC, a subsidiary offering insurance products which was formed in November 2023. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of loan servicing rights, interest rate swaps and the valuation of goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the economic environment and market conditions. In connection with the determination of the estimated losses on loans, management obtains independent appraisals for significant collateral.

The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets, and business assets. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on local economic conditions in the communities we serve.

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reductions in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additional losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the estimated losses on loans may change materially in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. This includes cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds sold are outstanding for one day periods.

Restrictions on Cash and Amounts Due from Banks

Effective March 26, 2020, the Bank is no longer required to maintain average balances on hand with the Federal Reserve Bank. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain cash balances with high quality financial institutions. At times such balances may be in excess of the federally insured limits.

Securities

Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Net realized gains and losses on securities available for sale are included in noninterest income and, when applicable, are reported as a reclassification adjustment, net of

57


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

tax, in other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method.

Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be the result of credit quality are recorded in the Company's consolidated statement of income as a component of the provision for credit loss. In estimating whether the unrealized loss requires an allowance for credit losses, management considers (1) fair value of the security has significantly declined from book value, (2) downgrade has occurred that lowered the credit rating to below investment grade, (3) dividends have been reduced or eliminated or scheduled interest payments have not been made and (4) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Adjustments to the allowance are recorded in the Company's consolidated statement of income as part of the provision for credit losses.

Other Securities

Other Securities consist of stock in the Federal Home Loan Banks of Cincinnati and Indianapolis (the “FHLBs”), which is held to enable the Bank to conduct business with the entities. The FHLBs sell and purchase their stock at par. The FHLBs stock is carried at cost and held as collateral security for all indebtedness of the Bank to the Federal Home Loan Bank. The FHLBs stock is evaluated for impairment as conditions warrant. Other Securities also include the Bank’s capital contributions to four Ohio Equity Funds for Housing Limited Partnership.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable totaled $10.2 and $8.6 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and was reported in Other Assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipation repayments.

Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Mortgage loans are charged off at 180 days past due, and commercial loans are charged off to the extent principal or interest is deemed uncollectible. Consumer and credit card loans continue to accrue interest until they are charged off no later than 120 days past due unless the loan is 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 or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or 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. Under the cash-basis method, interest income is recorded when the payment is received in cash. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as a net adjustment to the related loan’s yield. The Bank is generally amortizing these costs over the contractual life of such loans.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The ACL represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments at the report date. The ACL methodology is regularly reviewed for its appropriateness and is approved annually by the Board of Directors. This written methodology is consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles which provides for a consistently applied analysis.

58


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. The ACL reflects the Company’s estimated credit losses over the life of the loan. Management assesses changes in prepayment assumptions, interest rates, collateral values, portfolio composition, trends in non-performing loans, and other economic factors. In addition to an extensive internal loan monitoring process, the Company also aims to have an external, independent loan review of approximately 35% of its commercial and agricultural loan portfolio. Management in turn assesses the results from the reviews to make changes in internal risk ratings of loans and the related ACL.

The Bank’s methodology provides an estimate of the probable credit losses either by calculating a reserve per credit or by applying our methodology to groupings based on similar risk characteristics. The loan portfolio was grouped based on loans of similar type, including acquired loans. The loan groupings for the CECL calculation consist of Commercial Real Estate, Construction & Land Development, Multi-family real estate, Commercial & Industrial, Farmland, Agriculture, Single Family real estate, Home Equity Lines of Credit, and Consumer. All groups use the average charge-off method for calculating the ACL. This incorporates a historical loss period from March 2000, since Call Report data became more granular regarding loan groupings, and includes several economic cycles. As a percentage, the reserves are the highest against construction and development loans, while farmland loans have the lowest overall reserve due to having such low loss rates.

Due to the Company’s loss history not being sufficient enough to predict future losses, the Company is utilizing peer data from a peer group of 307 banks in the region with asset sizes less than $5 billion. The reserves are calculated at the loan level and based on the note characteristics, essentially balances times loss rate + Qualitative factors + forward look, with the forward looking forecast eliminated after 12 months. In order to provide a reasonable and supportable forward looking forecast, a regression analysis of the bank’s historical loss rates against the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) quarterly economic projections for Change in real GDP and National Unemployment is completed. Annual projections are broken down using a straight-line approach for quarterly changes.

In addition to this quantitative analysis, management also utilizes qualitative analysis each quarter to assess the general reserve on the loan portfolio. The Qualitative factors include nine categories: ability of staff, changes in collateral values, changes in loan concentration levels, economic conditions, external factors such as regulatory, level and trends in non-accrual or adversely classified loans, loan review results, nature and volume of the portfolio and loan terms, and changes in lending policies and procedures. Items within these categories are ranked as baseline, low, medium, or high levels of risk, and the related risk level per categories dictates the level of qualitative factor that is used depending on the standard deviation level from historical loss.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation; reserves for expected credit losses for collateral-dependent loans are based on the expected shortfall of the loan based on the discounted collateral value. This specific reserve portion of the ACL was $0.4 million at December 31, 2023, and $2.0 million at December 31, 2022. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. At 90 days delinquent, secured consumer loans are charged down to the value of the collateral, if repossession of the collateral is assured and/or in the process of repossession. Consumer mortgage loan deficiencies are charged down upon the sale of the collateral or sooner upon the recognition of collateral deficiency.

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a modification to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.

Inherent in most estimates is imprecision. Bank regulatory agencies and external auditors periodically review the Bank’s methodology and adequacy of the ACL. Any required changes in the ACL or loan charge-offs by these agencies or auditors may have a material effect on the ACL.

59


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The loan categories of off-balance sheet exposures are the same as the loan categories for the ACL. The funding assumptions are updated each quarter based on expected utilization percentages.

For more information regarding the actual composition and classification of loans involved in the establishment of the allowance for credit loss, please see Note 4 provided here with the notes to consolidated financial statements.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized in a valuation allowance by charges to income.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to help manage exposure to interest rate risk and the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income and the fair value of assets and liabilities. The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position.

Designating an interest rate swap as an accounting hedge allows the Company to recognize gains and losses, less any ineffectiveness, in the Company's consolidated statements of income within the same period that the hedged item affects earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related interest rate swaps. The fair value of interest rate swaps with a positive fair value are reported in other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets while interest rate swaps with a negative fair value are reported in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Servicing Assets

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or sale of financial assets. These rights are composed of servicing rights for 1-4 family real estate loans and agricultural real estate loans. The Bank’s servicing rights relating to fixed rate 1-4 family real estate loans and agricultural real estate loans that it has sold without recourse but services for others for a fee represent an asset on the Bank’s balance sheet.

Capitalized servicing rights are amortized into noninterest expense in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. The 1-4 family real estate and agricultural real estate valuations are similar in concept; however, utilize different strata, prepayment speeds and other assumptions in order to account for the differences in behavior between agricultural real estate loans and 1-4 family real estate loans. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum. Fees received for servicing loans owned by investors are based on a percentage of the outstanding monthly principal balance of such loans and are included in operating income as loan payments are received. Costs of servicing loans are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually. If possible impairment is likely, the Bank will utilize the assistance of an independent third party for an appraisal and any such impairment is recognized in the period identified. The goodwill impairment analysis was

60


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

performed as of September 30, 2023 by an independent third party. The goodwill impairment analysis consisted of a first step goodwill impairment test which was used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the relevant reporting entity with its carrying value, including goodwill. The analysis was performed under guidance of FASB ASC 350. As of September 30, 2023, the excess fair value of capital was $8.8 million or 2.7% over the carrying value and was slightly over 0.1 times the value of goodwill being carried. Since the date of the goodwill impairment analysis, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (FMAO) has added more than $85 million in market capitalization as bank equities have dramatically increased in the fourth quarter of 2023. While not a dollar for dollar increase in the fair value estimate, there would have been a larger excess than $8.8 million. Therefore, the Bank concluded it is unlikely impairment of goodwill has occurred from the goodwill established from the Bank’s acquisition of Knisely on December 31, 2007, the acquisition of Bank of Geneva on January 1, 2019, the acquisition of Ossian State Bank on April 30, 2021, the acquisition of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank on October 1, 2021 and the acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan on October 1, 2022.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and customer list intangible assets arising from business acquisitions. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on a straight line method over their estimated useful lives and evaluated for impairment. These assets are included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Off Balance Sheet Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Foreclosed real estate held for sale is carried at the lower of fair value minus estimated costs to sell, or cost. Costs of holding foreclosed real estate are charged to expense in the current period, except for significant property improvements, which are capitalized. Valuations are periodically performed by management and an allowance is established by a charge to noninterest expense if the carrying value exceeds the fair value minus the estimated costs to sell. Foreclosed real estate is classified as other real estate owned. The net loss from operations of foreclosed real estate held for sale is reported in noninterest expense. The Bank held no foreclosed real estate at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the various properties and is computed using straight line and accelerated methods. Costs for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank owned life insurance policies are carried at their cash surrender value. The Bank recognizes tax-free income from the periodic increases in the cash surrender value of these policies and from death benefits.

Revenue Recognition

Accounting Standards Codification 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (ASC 606) provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue generated from financial instruments, including loans and investment securities, are not included within the scope of ASC 606. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in a change to the accounting for any of the Company’s revenue streams that

61


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

are within scope of the amendments. Revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606 that are presented as noninterest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income include:

o
Customer service fees – these include miscellaneous service fees and transaction-based fees charged for certain services, such as debit card. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed, which is generally after a transaction is completed or monthly for account maintenance services.
o
Other service charges and fees – these include service fees charged for deposit account maintenance and activity along with transaction-based fees charged for certain services, such as overdraft activities, returned check charges and wire transfers. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed, which is generally after a transaction is completed or monthly for account maintenance services.

Income Tax

The Company’s income tax expense consists of the following components for federal and state: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. Based on management’s analysis, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represent income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. See Note 13 for additional information.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of restricted common stock is their fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock is amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Compensation expense recognized is included in salaries and wages in 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 surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Corporation – put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) 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 (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets

62


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Treasury Stock

Common stock shares repurchased are recorded at market value on date of purchase. Restricted shares when awarded are removed from treasury stock using the weighted average method.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet. Such items, along with net income, are components of other comprehensive income (loss).

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects are as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale
   securities

 

$

10,781

 

 

$

(44,366

)

 

$

(10,948

)

Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on sale of
   available-for-sale securities

 

 

891

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(293

)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale
   securities

 

 

11,672

 

 

 

(44,366

)

 

 

(11,241

)

Tax expense (benefit)

 

 

2,451

 

 

 

(9,317

)

 

 

(2,360

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

9,221

 

 

$

(35,049

)

 

$

(8,881

)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU required the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date to be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations now use forward-looking information to better calculate their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques used prior to adoption of the ASU are still permitted, although the inputs to those techniques were changed to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. The ASU required enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. These disclosures included qualitative and quantitative requirements that provided additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. In addition, the ASU amended the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.

The Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) methodology applies to loans held for investment, held to maturity debt securities, and off balance-sheet credit exposures. The ASU allows for several different methods of computing the ACL: closed pool, vintage, average charge-off, migration, probability of default / loss given default, discounted cash flow, and regression. Based on its analysis of observable data, the Company concluded the average charge-off method to be the most appropriate and statistically relevant.

The Company began working with its third-party service provider to review parallel reports in June 2019. At the end of first quarter 2022, the Company evaluated and refined its methodology and produced a parallel report for the calculation of the ACL under the ASU guidance. The Company contracted with a third party to perform an independent validation of its processes and methodology. This validation has been completed and, at this time, is anticipated to be performed on an annual basis. As the Company conducts its own risk-based audits, the audit risk assessment will determine the scope and frequency of future model validations.

63


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The qualitative impact of the new accounting standard will still be directed by many of the same factors that impacted the previous methodology for computing the allowance including, but not limited to, quality and experience of staff, changes in the value of collateral, concentrations of credit in loan types or industries and changes to lending policies. In addition to this, the Company will also use reasonable and supportable forecasts. Examples of this are regression analyses of data from the Federal Open Market Committee, quarterly economic projections for change in real GDP and of national unemployment.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with the incurred loss accounting standards. The Company did not make any material changes to its business practices as a result of implementing the ASU.

The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an increase in the allowance for loan losses of $3.6 million, an increase in the allowance for unfunded loan commitment and letters of credit of $0.9 million and a $3.4 million decrease to the retained earnings account to reflect the cumulative effect of adopting CECL on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, with the $1.1 million tax impact portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The following table illustrates the impact of adopting the ASU:

 

 

 

January 1, 2023

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

As Reported

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of

 

 

 

Under

 

 

Pre-ASU 2016-13

 

 

ASU 2016-13

 

 

 

ASU 2016-13

 

 

Adoption

 

 

Adoption

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

3,872

 

 

$

998

 

 

$

2,874

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

183

 

 

 

349

 

 

 

(166

)

Agricultural

 

 

101

 

 

 

751

 

 

 

(650

)

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

15,425

 

 

 

11,924

 

 

 

3,501

 

Commercial & Industrial

 

 

3,217

 

 

 

5,382

 

 

 

(2,165

)

Consumer

 

 

1,079

 

 

 

909

 

 

 

170

 

Unfunded Loan Commitment & Letters of Credit

 

 

2,166

 

 

 

1,262

 

 

 

904

 

     Current Expected Credit Losses

 

$

26,043

 

 

$

21,575

 

 

$

4,468

 

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures." This ASU eliminates the accounting guidance on troubled debt restructurings for creditors in ASC 310-40 and requires entities to evaluate all receivable modifications under ASC 310-20 to determine whether a modification made to a borrower results in a new loan or a continuation of the existing loan. The amended guidance adds enhanced disclosures for creditors with respect to loan refinancings and restructurings for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The amended guidance also requires disclosure of current period gross charge-offs by year of origination within the vintage disclosures required by ASC 326. The amended guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2023. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02 effective January 1, 2023. There was no financial impact as a result of adopting the standard.

In March 2022, the Sixth Circuit issued a ruling in CIC Services LLC v IRS vacating a previously referenced IRS Notice 2016-66. That ruling, as it stood, would remove the requirement of disclosure on Form 8886. However, on April 10, 2023, the IRS issued IR-2023-74 proposing regulations that classify Sec. 831(b) captives with less than a 65% claims loss ratio over a 10-year period as a "listed transaction." This provision would apply to only captives that have been in existence for at least 10 years. This is a change from Notice 2016-66 which classified Sec. 831(b) captives with less than a 70% claims loss ratio as a "transaction of interest." Final regulations are expected to be issued in Q1 2024. Management and its advisors are in the process of evaluating the impact of these proposed regulations. The Company dissolved its Captive insurance company, F&M Risk Management, in December 2023.

64


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06 "Disclosure Improvements - Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative." The amendments in this Update are the result of the FASB’s decision to incorporate into the Accounting Standards Codification certain disclosure requirements, referred by the SEC, that require incremental information to US GAAP. Topics in the ASU that have applicability to the Company are as follows:

* Statement of Cash Flows - requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented in the statement of cash flows.

* Debt - requires disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings.

* Derivatives and Hedging - adds cross-reference to disclosure requirements related to where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented in the statement of cash flows.

The effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the Accounting Standards Codification and will not become effective for any entity. Management is reviewing the provisions of ASU 2023-06, and does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." The amendments in this Update improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this Update primarily require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker; require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the chief operating decision maker and an explanation of how the chief operating decision maker uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources; require that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this Update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. A public entity should apply the amendments in this Update retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Management is evaluating the Update and does not expect adoption of the Update to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures." The amendments in this Update require that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income [or loss] by the applicable statutory income tax rate). The amendments also require disclosure of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national) and state jurisdictions. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in this Update should be applied on a prospective basis and retrospective application is permitted. Management is evaluating the Update and does not expect adoption of the Update to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

 

 

65


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Note 2 – Business Combination & Asset Purchase

On October 1, 2022, the Company acquired Peoples-Sidney Financial Corporation (PPSF), the bank holding company for Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Bank, a community bank with three full-service offices in Sidney, Anna and Jackson Center, Ohio in addition to a separate drive-thru location in Sidney, Ohio. PPSF shareholders had the opportunity to elect to receive either 0.6597 shares of FMAO stock or $24.00 per share in cash for each PPSF share owned, subject to a requirement under the Merger Agreement that the minimum number of PPSF shares exchanged for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (FMAO) shares in the merger was no less than 758,566. Fractional shares of FMAO common stock were not issued in respect of fractional interests arising from the merger but were paid in cash pursuant to the merger agreement. PPSF had 1,167,025 shares outstanding on October 1, 2022. The share price of FMAO stock on October 1, 2022 was $26.87. Total consideration for the acquisition was approximately $23.2 million consisting of which $9.8 million was in cash and $13.4 million in stock. As a result of the acquisition, the Company increased its deposit base in Sidney and the greater Shelby County and reduced transaction costs. The Company has reduced costs through economies of scale.

In 2022, the Company incurred additional third-party acquisition-related costs of $2.4 million. These expenses were comprised primarily of data processing costs of $1.1 million, consulting fees of $542.9 thousand, employee benefits of $126.5 thousand and other general and administrative expense of $501.0 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2022.

In 2023, the Company has incurred additional third-party acquisition-related costs of $200 thousand. These expenses are comprised of employee benefits of $137.2 thousand, data processing costs of $12.9 thousand, consulting fees of $5.2 thousand and other general and administrative expense of $44.7 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase was allocated to net tangible and intangible assets based on their current estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. Of the total purchase price of $23.2 million, $6.0 million has been allocated to core deposit intangible included in other assets and is being amortized over seven years on a straight line basis. Goodwill of $5.9 million, which resulted from the acquisition, consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company and Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Bank. Of that total amount, none of the purchase price is deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Bank and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.

 

66


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Fair Value of Consideration Transferred

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Cash

 

$

9,806

 

Common Shares (500,426 shares)

 

 

13,446

 

Treasury stock repurchased (125 shares)

 

 

(3

)

Total

 

$

23,249

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

18,881

 

Other securities, at cost

 

 

1,271

 

Loans, net

 

 

101,755

 

Premises and equipment

 

 

1,906

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,924

 

Other assets

 

 

12,081

 

Total Assets Purchased

 

$

141,818

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

Noninterest bearing

 

$

7,139

 

Interest bearing

 

 

104,719

 

Total deposits

 

 

111,858

 

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances

 

 

896

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

5,815

 

Total Liabilities Assumed

 

$

118,569

 

The fair value of the assets acquired included loans with a fair value of $101.8 million and a weighted average life of 44.4 months. The gross principal and contractual interest due under the contracts was $116.1 million of which none were expected to be uncollectible.

The fair value of building and land included in premises and equipment was written up $581 thousand with $597 thousand attributable to the buildings and is being amortized over the remaining life of each building. The combined average remaining life was 12.8 years.

The fair value for certificates of deposit incorporated a valuation amount of $662 thousand which was amortized over 1.1 years. The fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances included a valuation amount of $69 thousand which is being amortized over 5.2 years.

Changes in accretable yield, or income expected to be collected, are as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

798

 

 

$

-

 

Additions

 

 

6

 

 

 

856

 

Accretion

 

 

(232

)

 

 

(58

)

Reclassification from nonaccretable difference

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Disposals

 

 

(6

)

 

 

-

 

Ending Balance

 

$

566

 

 

$

798

 

 

On October 1, 2021, the Company acquired Perpetual Federal Savings Bank, (PFSB), a community bank with one full-service office in Urbana, Ohio. Shareholders of PFSB elected to receive either 1.7766 shares of FMAO stock or $41.20 per share in cash for each PFSB share owned, subject to adjustment based upon 1,833,999 shares of FMAO to

67


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

be issued in the merger. PFSB had 2,470,032 shares outstanding on October 1, 2021. The share price of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (FMAO) stock on October 1, 2021 was $22.40. Total consideration for the acquisition was approximately $100.3 million consisting of $59.2 million in cash and $41.1 million in stock. As a result of the acquisition, the Company increased its deposit base and reduced transaction costs. The Company also reduced costs through economies of scale.

In 2021, the Company incurred additional third-party acquisition-related costs of $1.7 million. These expenses were comprised of employee benefits of $131.5 thousand, data processing costs of $444.9 thousand, consulting fees of $636.8 thousand and other general and administrative expense of $488.3 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2021.

In 2022, the Company incurred additional third-party acquisition-related costs of $148.5 thousand. These expenses were comprised of employee benefits of $90.8 thousand and other general and administrative expense of $57.7 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase was allocated to net tangible and intangible assets based on their current estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. Of the total purchase price of $100.3 million, $668 thousand has been allocated to core deposit intangible included in other assets and is being amortized over seven years on a straight line basis. Goodwill of $25.2 million, which resulted from the acquisition, consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company and Perpetual Federal Savings Bank. Of that total amount, none of the purchase price was deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Perpetual Federal Savings Bank and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.

 

 

 

68


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Fair Value of Consideration Transferred

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Cash

 

$

59,234

 

Common Shares (1,833,845 shares)

 

 

41,078

 

Total

 

$

100,312

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

44,975

 

Federal funds sold

 

 

1,672

 

Interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

6,250

 

Other securities, at cost

 

 

2,794

 

Loans, net

 

 

334,661

 

Premises and equipment

 

 

615

 

Goodwill

 

 

25,220

 

Other assets

 

 

3,975

 

Total Assets Purchased

 

$

420,162

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

Noninterest bearing

 

$

2,018

 

Interest bearing

 

 

309,090

 

Total deposits

 

 

311,108

 

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances

 

 

6,218

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

2,524

 

Total Liabilities Assumed

 

$

319,850

 

 

The fair value of the assets acquired included loans with a fair value of $334.7 million and a weighted average life of 52 months. The gross principal and contractual interest due under the contracts was $403.3 million, of which $5.6 million was expected to be uncollectible.

The fair value of building and land included in premises and equipment was written down by $4 thousand with $297 thousand attributable to the buildings and is being amortized over the useful life of 16.2 years.

The fair value for certificates of deposit incorporated a valuation amount of $3.9 million which was accreted over 1.6 years. The fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances included a valuation amount of $218 thousand which is being accreted over 2.6 years.

Changes in accretable yield, or income expected to be collected, are as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

4,236

 

 

$

5,262

 

Additions

 

 

39

 

 

 

294

 

Accretion

 

 

(1,480

)

 

 

(1,318

)

Reclassification from nonaccretable difference

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Disposals

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2

)

Ending Balance

 

$

2,795

 

 

$

4,236

 

 

On April 30, 2021, the Company acquired Ossian Financial Services, Inc., (OSFI), the bank holding company for Ossian State Bank, a community bank based in Ossian, Indiana. Ossian State Bank operated two full-service offices in the northeast Indiana communities of Ossian and Bluffton. Shareholders of OSFI received $67.71 in cash for each share. OSFI had 295,388 shares outstanding on April 30, 2021. Total consideration for the acquisition was

69


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

approximately $20.0 million in cash. As a result of the acquisition, the Company has increased its deposit base and reduced transaction costs. The Company has also reduced costs through economies of scale.

In 2021, the Company incurred additional third-party acquisition-related costs of $2.2 million. These expenses were comprised of employee benefits of $694.1 thousand, data processing costs of $938.9 thousand, consulting fees of $255.2 thousand, ATM expense of $13.8 thousand and other general and administrative expense of $255.0 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2021.

In 2022, the Company incurred additional third-party acquisition-related costs of $31.6 thousand. These expenses were included in other general and administrative expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase was allocated to net tangible and intangible assets based on their current estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. Of the total purchase price of $20.0 million, $980.2 thousand has been allocated to core deposit intangible included in other assets and is being amortized over seven years on a straight line basis. Goodwill of $7.9 million, which resulted from the acquisition, consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company and Ossian State Bank and is deductible for tax purposes over 15 years. The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Ossian State Bank and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.

 

Fair Value of Consideration Transferred

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Cash

 

$

20,001

 

Total

 

$

20,001

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,229

 

Interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

20,226

 

Securities - available-for-sale

 

 

30,243

 

Other securities, at cost

 

 

281

 

Loans, net

 

 

52,403

 

Premises and equipment

 

 

494

 

Goodwill

 

 

7,874

 

Other assets

 

 

5,308

 

Total Assets Purchased

 

$

137,058

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

Noninterest bearing

 

$

34,509

 

Interest bearing

 

 

81,535

 

Total deposits

 

 

116,044

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

1,013

 

Total Liabilities Assumed

 

$

117,057

 

 

The fair value of the assets acquired included loans with a fair value of $52.4 million and a weighted average life of 52 months. The gross principal and contractual interest due under the contracts was $63.7 million, of which $1.1 million was expected to be uncollectible.

The fair value of building and land included in premises and equipment was written down by $596 thousand with $244 thousand attributable to the buildings and is being accreted over the useful life of 39 years.

70


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The fair value for certificates of deposit incorporates a valuation amount of $59 thousand which was accreted over 1.4 years.

Changes in accretable yield, or income expected to be collected, are as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

470

 

 

$

645

 

Additions

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

Accretion

 

 

(176

)

 

 

(176

)

Reclassification from nonaccretable difference

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Disposals

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Ending Balance

 

$

294

 

 

$

470

 

 

Changes in accretable yield, or income expected to be collected, for the acquisition of Bank of Geneva completed in 2019, are as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

(In Thousands)

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

785

 

$

1,198

 

Additions

 

 

11

 

 

13

 

Accretion

 

 

(433

)

 

(426

)

Reclassification from nonaccretable difference

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Disposals

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Ending Balance

 

$

363

 

$

785

 

 

The results of operations of Ossian State Bank, Perpetual Federal Savings Bank and Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Bank have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the acquisition dates of April 30, 2021, October 1, 2021 and October 1, 2022, respectively. The following schedule includes pro-forma results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 as if all three acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior reporting periods.

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Summary of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Interest Income - Before Provision for Credit Losses
    and Unfunded*

 

$

81,397

 

 

$

90,754

 

 

$

84,749

 

Provision for Credit Losses and Unfunded*

 

 

1,682

 

 

 

4,513

 

 

 

3,445

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses
    and Unfunded*

 

 

79,715

 

 

 

86,241

 

 

 

81,304

 

Noninterest Income

 

 

16,040

 

 

 

14,100

 

 

 

18,931

 

Noninterest Expense

 

 

67,193

 

 

 

58,105

 

 

 

58,300

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

28,562

 

 

 

42,236

 

 

 

41,935

 

Income Taxes

 

 

5,609

 

 

 

8,141

 

 

 

8,397

 

Net Income

 

$

22,953

 

 

$

34,095

 

 

$

33,538

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

1.68

 

 

$

2.51

 

 

$

2.48

 

*ASU 2016-13 adopted during the first quarter of 2023; therefore, 2022 and 2021 provision amounts reflect the incurred loss method.

 

The pro-forma information includes adjustments for interest income on loans, amortization of intangibles arising from the transaction, interest expense on deposits acquired, premises expense for the branches acquired and the related income tax effects.

The pro-forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of that time, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.

71


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The acquisition of Bank of Geneva resulted in the recognition of $3.9 million in core deposit intangible assets, the acquisition of Ossian State Bank resulted in the recognition of $980.2 thousand in core deposits assets, the acquisition of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank resulted in the recognition of $668 thousand in core deposits and the acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan resulted in the recognition of $6.0 million in core deposits which are all being amortized over the remaining economic useful life of 7 years on a straight line basis. Core deposit intangible is included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $1.7 million, $1.0 million and $677 thousand, respectively.

Future amortization expense of core deposit intangible assets is as follows:

 

 

 

Geneva

 

Ossian

 

Perpetual

 

Peoples

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2024

 

$

560

 

$

140

 

$

95

 

$

861

 

$

1,656

 

2025

 

 

560

 

 

140

 

 

95

 

 

861

 

 

1,656

 

2026

 

 

-

 

 

140

 

 

95

 

 

861

 

 

1,096

 

2027

 

 

-

 

 

140

 

 

95

 

 

861

 

 

1,096

 

2028

 

 

-

 

 

47

 

 

73

 

 

861

 

 

981

 

Thereafter

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

646

 

 

646

 

Total

 

$

1,120

 

$

607

 

$

453

 

$

4,951

 

$

7,131

 

 

On November 16, 2020, FM Investment Services, a division of the Bank, purchased the assets and clients of Adams County Financial Resources (ACFR), a full-service registered investment advisory firm located in Geneva, Indiana. As of November 30, 2020, ACFR had approximately $83 million of assets under management and over 450 clients.

Total consideration for the purchase was $825 thousand which consisted of 40,049 shares of stock. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase is allocated to net tangible and intangible assets based on their current estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. Of the total purchase price of $825 thousand, $800 thousand has been allocated to customer list intangible, included in other assets, to be amortized over 6.5 years on a straight line basis.

 

The customer list intangible amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $123 thousand for each of the three years presented. Future amortization expense of customer list intangible is as follows:

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2024

 

$

123

 

2025

 

 

123

 

2026

 

 

123

 

2027

 

 

48

 

2028

 

 

-

 

Thereafter

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

417

 

 

72


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Note 3 – Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of securities, with gross unrealized gains and losses, follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Available-for-Sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

87,182

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

(6,913

)

 

$

80,270

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

140,960

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12,738

)

 

 

128,222

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

94,061

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(11,929

)

 

 

82,132

 

State and local governments

 

 

73,000

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

(5,281

)

 

 

67,854

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

395,203

 

 

$

136

 

 

$

(36,861

)

 

$

358,478

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 Available-for-Sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

104,507

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(9,829

)

 

$

94,678

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

156,817

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(17,050

)

 

 

139,767

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

101,068

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14,141

)

 

 

86,927

 

State and local governments

 

 

76,794

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

(7,446

)

 

 

69,417

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

439,186

 

 

$

69

 

 

$

(48,466

)

 

$

390,789

 

 

Investment securities will at times depreciate to an unrealized loss position. The Bank utilizes the following criteria to assess whether the unrealized loss requires an allowance for credit losses on investment securities. No one item by itself will necessarily signal that an allowance for credit losses on investment securities should be established.

1.
The fair value of the security has significantly declined from book value.
2.
A downgrade has occurred that lowered the credit rating to below investment grade (below Baa3 by Moody and BBB – by Standard and Poors.)
3.
Dividends have been reduced or eliminated or scheduled interest payments have not been made.
4.
Management does not possess both the intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

If the unrealized loss is determined to be the result of a credit loss, the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is compared to the amortized cost basis. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Adjustments to the allowance are recorded in the Company's consolidated statement of income as a component of the provision for credit losses. The table below is presented by category of security and length of time in a continuous loss position. The Company did not record an allowance for credit losses on its investment securities available for sale as the unrealized losses were attributed to changes in interest rates, not credit quality.

73


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2023 and 2022, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Less Than Twelve Months

 

 

Twelve Months & Over

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

(4

)

 

$

494

 

 

$

(6,909

)

 

$

79,528

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12,738

)

 

 

128,222

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

(20

)

 

 

4,372

 

 

 

(11,909

)

 

 

77,759

 

State and local governments

 

 

(2

)

 

 

931

 

 

 

(5,279

)

 

 

60,402

 

Total available-for-sales securities

 

$

(26

)

 

$

5,797

 

 

$

(36,835

)

 

$

345,911

 

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Less Than Twelve Months

 

 

Twelve Months & Over

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

(207

)

 

$

9,121

 

 

$

(9,622

)

 

$

85,557

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

(1,081

)

 

 

24,560

 

 

 

(15,969

)

 

 

114,906

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

(2,454

)

 

 

26,905

 

 

 

(11,687

)

 

 

60,022

 

State and local governments

 

 

(3,223

)

 

 

38,771

 

 

 

(4,223

)

 

 

25,610

 

Total available-for-sales securities

 

$

(6,965

)

 

$

99,357

 

 

$

(41,501

)

 

$

286,095

 

 

Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the issuers’ bonds are of high credit quality, values have only been impacted by rate changes, and the Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities for the foreseeable future. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach the maturity date.

Sales of $22.0 and $9.3 million for 2023 and 2021, respectively, generated gross realized gains and losses for the years ended December 31, as presented below:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Gross realized gains

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

293

 

Gross realized losses

 

 

(891

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

$

(891

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

293

 

Tax expense (benefit) related to net realized gains (losses)

 

$

(187

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

62

 

 

The net realized gain (loss) on sales and related tax expense (benefit) is a reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The net realized gain (loss) is included in net gain (loss) on sale of securities available-for-sale and the related tax expense (benefit) is included in income taxes in the consolidated statements of income.

74


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2023, by contractual maturity, are shown below. 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.

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

One year or less

 

$

24,878

 

 

$

24,274

 

After one year through five years

 

 

244,319

 

 

 

223,135

 

After five years through ten years

 

 

31,945

 

 

 

28,937

 

After ten years

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

301,142

 

 

$

276,346

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

94,061

 

 

 

82,132

 

Total

 

$

395,203

 

 

$

358,478

 

 

Investments with a carrying value and fair value of $255.8 million at December 31, 2023 and $134.8 million at December 31, 2022 were pledged to secure public deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements. In addition, investments with a carrying value of $61.7 million and a par value of $69.9 million were pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank's Term Funding Program (BTFP) to secure additional borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2023. The BTFP utilizes the par value of securities pledged to collateralize loans it has made to member banks.

Note 4 - Loans

The Company had $1.6 million in loans held for sale at December 31, 2023 as compared to $827 thousand in loans held for sale at December 31, 2022.

Loans at December 31 are summarized below:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Loans:

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

521,895

 

 

$

494,423

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

223,791

 

 

 

220,819

 

Agricultural

 

 

132,560

 

 

 

128,733

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1,337,766

 

 

 

1,152,603

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

254,935

 

 

 

242,360

 

Consumer

 

 

79,591

 

 

 

89,147

 

Other

 

 

30,136

 

 

 

29,818

 

 

 

2,580,674

 

 

 

2,357,903

 

Less: Net deferred loan fees and costs and other*

 

 

517

 

 

 

(1,516

)

 

 

2,581,191

 

 

 

2,356,387

 

Less: Allowance for credit losses

 

 

(25,024

)

 

 

(20,313

)

Loans - Net

 

$

2,556,167

 

 

$

2,336,074

 

 

*This chart contains fair value adjustments to the basis of derivatives in the amount of $2.7 million at December 31, 2023. No derivatives existed at December 31, 2022.

 

Following are the characteristics and underwriting criteria for each major type of loan the Bank offers:

Consumer Real Estate: Purchase, refinance, or equity financing of one to four family owner occupied dwelling. Success in repayment is subject to borrower’s income, debt level, character in fulfilling payment obligations, employment, and others.

Agricultural Real Estate: Purchase of farm real estate or for permanent improvements to the farm real estate. Cash flow from the farm operation is the repayment source and is therefore subject to the financial success of the farm operation.

75


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Agricultural: Loans for the production and housing of crops, fruits, vegetables, and livestock or to fund the purchase or re-finance of capital assets such as machinery and equipment and livestock. The production of crops and livestock is especially vulnerable to commodity prices and weather. The vulnerability to commodity prices is offset by the farmer’s ability to hedge their position by the use of the future contracts. The risk related to weather is often mitigated by requiring crop insurance.

Commercial Real Estate: Construction, purchase, and refinance of business purpose real estate. Risks include potential construction delays and overruns, vacancies, collateral value subject to market value fluctuations, interest rate, market demands, borrower’s ability to repay in orderly fashion, and others. The Bank does employ stress testing on higher balance loans to mitigate risk by ensuring the customer’s ability to repay in a changing rate environment before granting loan approval.

Commercial and Industrial: Loans to proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations to provide temporary working capital and seasonal loans as well as long term loans for capital asset acquisition. Risks include adequacy of cash flow, reasonableness of projections, financial leverage, economic trends, management ability and estimated capital expenditures during the fiscal year. The Bank does employ stress testing on higher balance loans to mitigate risk by ensuring the customer's ability to repay in a changing rate environment before granting loan approval. During 2022, the remaining Protection Program (PPP) loan balances of $2.9 million were forgiven and consequently paid off. The PPP provided loans to eligible business through financial institutions like the Bank, with loans being eligible for forgiveness of some or all of the principal amount by the Small Business Administration (SBA) if the borrower meets certain requirements. The SBA guarantees repayment of the loans to the Bank if the borrower’s loan is not forgiven and is then not repaid by the customer. Therefore, there is no allowance for credit losses related to these loans.

Consumer: Funding for individual and family purposes. Success in repayment is subject to borrower’s income, debt level, character in fulfilling payment obligations, employment, and other factors.

Other: Primarily funds public improvements in the Bank’s service area. Repayment ability is based on the continuance of the taxation revenue as the source of repayment.

 

The following is a maturity schedule by major category of loans excluding fair value adjustments at December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

After One

 

 

After Five

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within

 

 

Year Within

 

 

Years Within

 

 

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Year

 

 

Five Years

 

 

Fifteen Years

 

 

Fifteen Years

 

 

Total

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

12,307

 

 

$

33,817

 

 

$

157,139

 

 

$

322,639

 

 

$

525,902

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

546

 

 

 

6,149

 

 

 

63,073

 

 

 

154,648

 

 

 

224,416

 

Agricultural

 

 

62,926

 

 

 

47,053

 

 

 

19,184

 

 

 

3,430

 

 

 

132,593

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

109,232

 

 

 

382,123

 

 

 

619,438

 

 

 

227,126

 

 

 

1,337,919

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

97,823

 

 

 

103,806

 

 

 

52,981

 

 

 

828

 

 

 

255,438

 

Consumer

 

 

2,036

 

 

 

58,115

 

 

 

19,561

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

79,806

 

Other

 

 

2,855

 

 

 

1,452

 

 

 

16,251

 

 

 

9,584

 

 

 

30,142

 

 

 

$

287,725

 

 

$

632,515

 

 

$

947,627

 

 

$

718,349

 

 

$

2,586,216

 

 

76


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The distribution of fixed rate loans and variable rate loans by major loan category is as follows as of December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

Variable

 

 

 

Rate

 

 

Rate

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

329,142

 

 

$

192,753

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

123,783

 

 

 

100,008

 

Agricultural

 

 

56,269

 

 

 

76,291

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1,024,989

 

 

 

312,777

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

131,385

 

 

 

123,550

 

Consumer

 

 

79,526

 

 

 

65

 

Other

 

 

20,552

 

 

 

9,584

 

 

Other loans are included in the commercial and industrial category for the remainder of the tables in this Note 4, unless specifically noted separately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

77


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following table represents the contractual aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by portfolio classification of loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, net of deferred loan fees and costs:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

December 31, 2023

 

30-59 Days
Past Due

 

 

60-89 Days
Past Due

 

 

Greater Than
90 Days

 

 

Total
Past Due

 

 

Current

 

 

Total
Financing
Receivables

 

 

Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

1,914

 

 

$

137

 

 

$

670

 

 

$

2,721

 

 

$

519,187

 

 

$

521,908

 

 

$

-

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,429

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

3,484

 

 

 

219,995

 

 

 

223,479

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,132

 

 

 

2,977

 

 

 

4,109

 

 

 

128,654

 

 

 

132,763

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

380

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

255

 

 

 

635

 

 

 

1,334,440

 

 

 

1,335,075

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

145

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

284,550

 

 

 

284,894

 

 

 

-

 

Consumer

 

 

218

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

281

 

 

 

80,072

 

 

 

80,353

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

2,657

 

 

$

4,735

 

 

$

4,182

 

 

$

11,574

 

 

$

2,566,898

 

 

$

2,578,472

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

December 31, 2022

 

30-59 Days
Past Due

 

 

60-89 Days
Past Due

 

 

Greater Than
90 Days

 

 

Total
Past Due

 

 

Current

 

 

Total
Financing
Receivables

 

 

Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

1,536

 

 

$

635

 

 

$

90

 

 

$

2,261

 

 

$

492,162

 

 

$

494,423

 

 

$

-

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

118

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,550

 

 

 

1,670

 

 

 

218,844

 

 

 

220,514

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

433

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

585

 

 

 

128,341

 

 

 

128,926

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

74

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

180

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

1,150,257

 

 

 

1,150,511

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

953

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

1,135

 

 

 

270,984

 

 

 

272,119

 

 

 

-

 

Consumer

 

 

83

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

89,774

 

 

 

89,894

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

3,197

 

 

$

674

 

 

$

2,154

 

 

$

6,025

 

 

$

2,350,362

 

 

$

2,356,387

 

 

$

-

 

 

78


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following tables present the recorded investment in nonaccrual loans by portfolio class of loans as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

 

 

 

Loans Past

 

 

 

With No

 

 

 

 

 

Due Over

 

 

 

Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

89 Days

 

 

 

for Credit Loss

 

 

Nonaccrual

 

 

Still Accruing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

1,006

 

 

$

1,190

 

 

$

-

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

15,949

 

 

 

15,949

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

4,671

 

 

 

4,671

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

254

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial & Industrial

 

 

198

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

-

 

Consumer

 

 

91

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

22,169

 

 

$

22,353

 

 

$

-

 

 

Interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of these loans would have aggregated $1.6 million for 2023 and $157 thousand for 2022.

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2022

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

612

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

1,921

 

Agriculture

 

 

152

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

903

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

1,096

 

Consumer

 

 

5

 

Total

 

$

4,689

 

 

The Bank uses a nine tier risk rating system to grade its loans. The grade of a loan may change during the life of the loan.

The risk ratings are described as follows.

1.
Zero (0) Unclassified. Any loan which has not been assigned a classification.
2.
One (1) Excellent. Credit to premier customers having the highest credit rating based on an extremely strong financial condition, which compares favorably with industry standards (upper quartile of RMA ratios). Financial statements indicate a sound earnings and financial ratio trend for several years with satisfactory profit margins and excellent liquidity exhibited. Prime credits may also be borrowers with loans fully secured by highly liquid collateral such as traded stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, savings account, etc. No credit or collateral exceptions exist, and the loan adheres to The Bank's loan policy in every respect. Financing alternatives would be readily available and would qualify for unsecured credit. This rate is summarized by high liquidity, minimum risk, strong ratios, and low handling costs.
3.
Two (2) Good. Desirable loans of somewhat less stature than rate 1, but with strong financial statements. Loan supported by financial statements containing strong balance sheets and a history of profitability. Probability of serious financial deterioration is unlikely. Possessing a sound repayment source (and a secondary source), which would allow repayment in a reasonable period of time. Individual loans backed by liquid personal assets, established history and unquestionable character.
4.
Three (3) Satisfactory. Satisfactory loans of average or slightly above average risk – having some deficiency or vulnerability to changing economic conditions, but still fully collectible. Projects should normally

79


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

demonstrate acceptable debt service coverage. There may be some weakness but with offsetting features of other support readily available. Loans that are meeting the terms of repayment.

Loans may be rated 3 when there is no recent information on which to base a current risk evaluation and the following conditions apply:

At inception, the loan was properly underwritten and did not possess an unwarranted level of credit risk;

a.
At inception, the loan was secured with collateral possessing a loan-to-value adequate to protect The Bank from loss;
b.
The loan exhibited two or more years of satisfactory repayment with a reasonable reduction of the principal balance;
c.
During the period that the loan has been outstanding, there has been no evidence of any credit weakness. Some examples of weakness include slow payment, lack of cooperation by the borrower, breach of loan covenants, or the business is in an industry which is known to be experiencing problems. If any of these credit weaknesses is observed, a lower risk rating is warranted.
5.
Four (4) Satisfactory / Monitored. A “4” (Satisfactory/Monitored) risk rating may be established for a loan considered satisfactory but which is of average credit risk due to financial weakness or uncertainty. The loans warrant a higher than average level of monitoring to ensure that weaknesses do not advance. The level of risk in Satisfactory/Monitored classification is considered acceptable and within normal underwriting guidelines, so long as the loan is given management supervision.
6.
Five (5) Special Mention. Loans that possess some credit deficiency or potential weakness which deserve close attention, but which do not yet warrant substandard classification. Such loans pose unwarranted financial risk that, if not corrected, could weaken the loan and increase risk in the future. The key distinctions of a 5 (Special Mention) classification are that (1) it is indicative of an unwarranted level of risk, and (2) weaknesses are considered “potential” versus “defined” impairments to the primary source of loan repayment and collateral.
7.
Six (6) Substandard. One or more of the following characteristics may be exhibited in loans classified substandard:
a.
Loans which possess a defined credit weakness and the likelihood that a loan will be paid from the primary source are uncertain. Financial deterioration is underway and very close attention is warranted to ensure that the loan is collected without loss.
b.
Loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower.
c.
The primary source of repayment is weakened, and The Bank is forced to rely on a secondary source of repayment such as collateral liquidation or guarantees.
d.
Loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that The Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.
e.
Unusual courses of action are needed to maintain a high probability of repayment.
f.
The borrower is not generating enough cash flow to repay loan principal; however, continues to make interest payments.
g.
The lender is forced into a subordinate position or unsecured collateral position due to flaws in documentation.
h.
Loans have been restructured so that payment schedules, terms and collateral represent concessions to the borrower when compared to the normal loan terms.
i.
The lender is seriously contemplating foreclosure or legal action due to the apparent deterioration in the loan
j.
There is significant deterioration in the market conditions and the borrower is highly vulnerable to these conditions.

 

80


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

8.
Seven (7) Doubtful. One or more of the following characteristics may be exhibited in loans classified Doubtful:
a.
Loans have all of the weaknesses of those classified as Substandard. Additionally, however, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full based on existing conditions improbable.
b.
The primary source of repayment is gone, and there is considerable doubt as to the quality of the secondary source of repayment.
c.
The possibility of loss is high, but, because of certain important pending factors which may strengthen the loan, loss classification is deferred until its exact status is known. A Doubtful classification is established deferring the realization of the loss.
9.
Eight (8) Loss. Loans are considered uncollectable and of such little value that continuing to carry them as assets on the institution’s financial statements is not feasible. Loans will be classified Loss when it is neither practical nor desirable to defer writing off or reserving all or a portion of a basically worthless asset, even though partial recovery may be possible at some time in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

81


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following table reflects the risk category of loans by portfolio class based on the most recent analysis performed as of December 31, 2023 based on year of origination:

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Grand

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Prior

 

 

Total

 

 

Cost Basis

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass (1-4)

$

77,298

 

 

$

88,695

 

 

$

90,139

 

 

$

82,680

 

 

$

126,596

 

 

$

465,408

 

 

$

52,904

 

 

$

518,312

 

Special Mention (5)

 

1,228

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

1,402

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,402

 

Substandard (6)

 

-

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

558

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

1,198

 

 

 

2,180

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

2,194

 

Doubtful (7)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total Consumer Real Estate

$

78,526

 

 

$

88,996

 

 

$

90,697

 

 

$

82,843

 

 

$

127,928

 

 

$

468,990

 

 

$

52,918

 

 

$

521,908

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass (1-4)

$

30,504

 

 

$

37,199

 

 

$

25,168

 

 

$

25,874

 

 

$

87,107

 

 

$

205,852

 

 

$

97

 

 

$

205,949

 

Special Mention (5)

 

-

 

 

 

861

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

508

 

 

 

1,383

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,383

 

Substandard (6)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

12,196

 

 

 

186

 

 

 

3,765

 

 

 

16,147

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16,147

 

Doubtful (7)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total Agricultural Real Estate

$

30,504

 

 

$

38,060

 

 

$

37,378

 

 

$

26,060

 

 

$

91,380

 

 

$

223,382

 

 

$

97

 

 

$

223,479

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agricultural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass (1-4)

$

17,787

 

 

$

20,330

 

 

$

8,356

 

 

$

4,476

 

 

$

5,736

 

 

$

56,685

 

 

$

69,824

 

 

$

126,509

 

Special Mention (5)

 

38

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

771

 

 

 

330

 

 

 

1,101

 

Substandard (6)

 

514

 

 

 

634

 

 

 

2,009

 

 

 

498

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,655

 

 

 

1,498

 

 

 

5,153

 

Doubtful (7)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total Agricultural

$

18,339

 

 

$

21,585

 

 

$

10,477

 

 

$

4,974

 

 

$

5,736

 

 

$

61,111

 

 

$

71,652

 

 

$

132,763

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

82


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Grand

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Prior

 

 

Total

 

 

Cost Basis

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass (1-4)

$

224,232

 

 

$

438,716

 

 

$

245,273

 

 

$

122,656

 

 

$

235,603

 

 

$

1,266,480

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,266,480

 

Special Mention (5)

 

34,864

 

 

 

9,100

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,793

 

 

 

12,968

 

 

 

67,725

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

67,725

 

Substandard (6)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

795

 

 

 

795

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

795

 

Doubtful (7)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

75

 

Total Commercial Real Estate

$

259,096

 

 

$

447,816

 

 

$

245,273

 

 

$

133,524

 

 

$

249,366

 

 

$

1,335,075

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,335,075

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Commercial & Industrial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass (1-4)

$

56,224

 

 

$

51,663

 

 

$

24,876

 

 

$

20,071

 

 

$

3,074

 

 

$

155,908

 

 

$

90,018

 

 

$

245,926

 

Special Mention (5)

 

716

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

211

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

794

 

 

 

1,936

 

 

 

6,016

 

 

 

7,952

 

Substandard (6)

 

74

 

 

 

454

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

576

 

 

 

122

 

 

 

698

 

Doubtful (7)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

182

 

Total Commercial & Industrial

$

57,014

 

 

$

52,186

 

 

$

25,087

 

 

$

20,399

 

 

$

3,916

 

 

$

158,602

 

 

$

96,156

 

 

$

254,758

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

565

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

565

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass (1-4)

$

2,810

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

16,761

 

 

$

5,790

 

 

$

4,775

 

 

$

30,136

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

30,136

 

Special Mention (5)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Substandard (6)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Doubtful (7)

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total Other

$

2,810

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

16,761

 

 

$

5,790

 

 

$

4,775

 

 

$

30,136

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

30,136

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

83


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following table presents payment performance as of December 31, 2023 by year of origination:

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Grand

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Prior

 

 

Total

 

 

Cost Basis

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performing

$

21,511

 

 

$

40,729

 

 

$

10,666

 

 

$

5,006

 

 

$

2,305

 

 

$

80,217

 

 

$

44

 

 

$

80,261

 

Nonperforming

 

26

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

92

 

Total Consumer

$

21,537

 

 

$

40,787

 

 

$

10,666

 

 

$

5,012

 

 

$

2,307

 

 

$

80,309

 

 

$

44

 

 

$

80,353

 

Gross charge-offs YTD

$

236

 

 

$

51

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

38

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

425

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

425

 

 

The following table presents collateral-dependent loans grouped by collateral as of December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Collateral

 

 

 

Dependent Loans

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

1,518

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

15,888

 

Agricultural

 

 

4,998

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

255

 

Commercial & Industrial

 

 

17

 

Consumer

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

22,676

 

 

84


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following table represents the risk category of loans by portfolio class, net of deferred fees, based on the most recent analysis performed as of the time periods shown of December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

Agricultural

 

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2022

 

 

2022

 

 

2022

 

 

2022

 

1-2

 

 

$

9,912

 

 

$

5,857

 

 

$

8,718

 

 

$

780

 

 

$

-

 

3

 

 

 

47,405

 

 

 

33,671

 

 

 

370,035

 

 

 

67,506

 

 

 

10,921

 

4

 

 

 

146,143

 

 

 

88,992

 

 

 

737,745

 

 

 

167,291

 

 

 

18,897

 

5

 

 

 

10,389

 

 

 

228

 

 

 

9,751

 

 

 

3,592

 

 

 

-

 

6

 

 

 

6,665

 

 

 

178

 

 

 

24,262

 

 

 

3,132

 

 

 

-

 

7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

 

$

220,514

 

 

$

128,926

 

 

$

1,150,511

 

 

$

242,301

 

 

$

29,818

 

 

85


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

For consumer residential real estate, the Company also evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan, which was previously stated, and by payment activity. The following tables present the recorded investment in those classes based on payment activity and assigned risk grading as of December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

 

2022

 

Grade

 

 

 

Pass

 

$

492,575

 

Special mention (5)

 

 

676

 

Substandard (6)

 

 

1,172

 

Doubtful (7)

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

494,423

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Consumer - Other

 

 

 

2022

 

Performing

 

$

89,853

 

Nonperforming

 

 

41

 

Total

 

$

89,894

 

 

Information about impaired loans as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2022

 

Impaired loans without a valuation allowance

 

$

4,194

 

Impaired loans with a valuation allowance

 

 

4,663

 

Total impaired loans

 

$

8,857

 

Valuation allowance related to impaired loans

 

$

1,996

 

Total nonaccrual loans

 

$

4,689

 

Total loans past-due ninety days or more and still accruing

 

$

-

 

 

86


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Average investment in impaired loans

 

$

10,710

 

 

$

12,247

 

Interest income recognized on impaired loans

 

$

361

 

 

$

292

 

Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired
   loans

 

$

97

 

 

$

188

 

 

The Bank had approximately $3.6 million of its impaired loans classified as modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as of December 31, 2022.

 

Under ASC 310-40, TDRs were eliminated from being classified as such for 2023 and will no longer be reported as such. Modification programs focused on payment pattern changes and/or modified maturity dates with most receiving a combination of the two concessions. The modifications did not result in the contractual forgiveness of principal. During 2023, one new loan was considered a modification to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. The modification consisted of refinancing at a higher balance to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty that would not have otherwise been granted to a borrower. The amount of new money increase to the loan balance was $411 thousand. This loan was subsequently paid off during 2023. During 2022, three new loans were considered modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the continuance of interest only payment modifications. These three loans stem from a single relationship with a borrower. This relationship has a Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranty and consequently the request for the continuance of the interest only period was also approved by the SBA as were previous requests. One of the three loans was charged off in December of 2022. The ACL includes a $837 thousand specific allocation for one of the loans as of December 31, 2022. The fourth loan was a work-out loan that was included on Peoples modification list which had some debt written off when the loan was granted. Two loans previously reported as modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty were paid off in April 2022.

87


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Modified Loans for Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

 

Number of
Contracts
Modified in
the Last
12 Months

 

 

Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment

 

 

Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment

 

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

 

Number of
Contracts
Modified in
the Last
12 Months

 

 

Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment

 

 

Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

1

 

 

$

95

 

 

$

95

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,024

 

 

 

1,024

 

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

74

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,232

 

 

 

1,232

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that subsequently defaulted after modification.

For the majority of the Bank’s impaired loans, the Bank applied a measurement incorporating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective rate of interest or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. To determine the fair value of collateral, collateral asset values securing an impaired loan are periodically evaluated. Maximum time of re-evaluation is every 12 months for chattels and titled vehicles and every two years for real estate. In this process, third party evaluations are obtained and heavily relied upon. Until such time that updated appraisals are received, the Bank may discount the collateral value used.

The Bank uses the following guidelines as stated in policy to determine when to realize a charge-off, whether a partial or full loan balance. A charge down in whole or in part is realized when unsecured consumer loans, credit card credits and overdraft lines of credit reach 90 days delinquency. At 90 days delinquent, secured consumer loans are charged down to the value of the collateral, if repossession of the collateral is assured and/or in the process of repossession. Consumer mortgage loan deficiencies are charged down upon the sale of the collateral or sooner upon the recognition of collateral deficiency. A broker's price opinion or appraisal will be completed on all home loans in litigation and any deficiency will be charged off before reaching 150 days delinquent. Commercial and agricultural credits are charged down/allocated at 120 days delinquency, unless an established and approved work-out plan is in place or litigation of the credit will likely result in recovery of the loan balance. Upon notification of bankruptcy, unsecured debt is charged off. Additional charge-off may be realized as further unsecured positions are recognized.

 

88


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment by portfolio class of loans as of December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

2022

 

Recorded Investment

 

 

Unpaid Principal Balance

 

 

Related Allowance

 

 

Average Recorded Investment

 

 

Interest Income Recognized

 

 

Interest Income Recognized Cash Basis

 

With no related allowance recorded:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

509

 

 

$

509

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

355

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

12

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

2,280

 

 

 

2,385

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,048

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

6

 

Agricultural

 

 

152

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

588

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

1,234

 

 

 

1,272

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,252

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

43

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

17

 

 

 

417

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

10

 

Consumer

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

With a specific allowance recorded:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

 

60

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,388

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Agricultural

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

2,874

 

 

 

2,874

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

3,176

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

-

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

 

1,564

 

 

 

1,564

 

 

 

1,551

 

 

 

1,736

 

 

 

149

 

 

 

23

 

Consumer

 

 

165

 

 

 

165

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Totals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Real Estate

 

$

569

 

 

$

569

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

370

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

13

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

$

2,280

 

 

$

2,385

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

3,436

 

 

$

25

 

 

$

6

 

Agricultural

 

$

152

 

 

$

152

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

588

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

$

4,108

 

 

$

4,146

 

 

$

438

 

 

$

4,428

 

 

$

179

 

 

$

43

 

Commercial and Industrial

 

$

1,581

 

 

$

1,981

 

 

$

1,551

 

 

$

1,871

 

 

$

151

 

 

$

33

 

Consumer

 

$

167

 

 

$

167

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

17

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

89


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company had no foreclosed residential real estate property obtained by physical possession or consumer real estate loans secured by residential real estate properties for which foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local jurisdictions.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13 - "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" and implemented the current expected credit losses accounting standard. As a result, the Company recorded a one-time adjustment from equity into the allowance for credit losses for loan losses and unfunded commitment liability in the amount of $4.5 million, or $3.4 million, net of tax.

Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) has a direct impact on the provision expense. An increase in the ACL is funded through recoveries and provision expense.

The Company segregates its allowance into two reserves: The Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) and the Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit (AULC). When combined, these reserves constitute the total Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL).

 

 

90


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

Additional analysis related to the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Consumer
Real Estate

 

 

 

Agricultural
Real Estate

 

 

Agricultural

 

 

Commercial
Real Estate

 

 

Commercial
and Industrial

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Total

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

998

 

 

 

$

349

 

 

$

751

 

 

$

11,924

 

 

$

5,382

 

 

$

909

 

 

$

20,313

 

Adoption of ASU 2016-13

 

 

2,874

 

 

-

 

 

(166

)

 

 

(650

)

 

 

3,501

 

 

 

(2,165

)

 

 

170

 

 

 

3,564

 

Provision for credit losses-loans

 

 

(326

)

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

1,967

 

 

 

(643

)

 

 

451

 

 

 

1,698

 

Charge-offs

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(565

)

 

 

(425

)

 

 

(990

)

Recoveries

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

439

 

Ending Balance

 

$

3,581

 

 

 

$

312

 

 

$

336

 

 

$

17,400

 

 

$

2,093

 

 

$

1,302

 

 

$

25,024

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Unfunded
Loan
Commitment
& Letters of
Credit

 

2023

 

 

 

ALLOWANCE FOR UNFUNDED LOAN COMMITMENTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

1,262

 

Adoption of ASU 2016-13

 

 

904

 

Provision for credit losses-off balance sheet credit exposures

 

 

46

 

Charge-offs

 

 

-

 

Recoveries

 

 

-

 

Ending Balance

 

$

2,212

 

 

91


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 2022

 

Consumer
Real Estate

 

 

Agricultural Real Estate

 

 

Agricultural

 

 

Commercial Real Estate

 

 

Commercial
and Industrial

 

 

Consumer

 

 

Unfunded
Loan
Commitment
& Letters of
Credit

 

 

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$

857

 

 

$

1,040

 

 

$

709

 

 

$

9,130

 

 

$

3,847

 

 

$

625

 

 

$

1,041

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

17,283

 

Charge-Offs

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(418

)

 

 

(409

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(827

)

Recoveries

 

 

20

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

169

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

298

 

Provision (Credit)

 

 

121

 

 

 

(691

)

 

 

35

 

 

 

2,785

 

 

 

1,860

 

 

 

506

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

4,600

 

Other Non-interest
   expense related
   to unfunded

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

221

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

221

 

Ending Balance

 

$

998

 

 

$

349

 

 

$

751

 

 

$

11,924

 

 

$

5,382

 

 

$

891

 

 

$

1,262

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

21,575

 

Ending balance:
   individually evaluated
   for impairment

 

$

6

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

438

 

 

$

1,551

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,996

 

Ending balance:
   collectively evaluated
   for impairment

 

$

992

 

 

$

349

 

 

$

751

 

 

$

11,486

 

 

$

3,831

 

 

$

890

 

 

$

1,262

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

19,579

 

Ending balance: loans
   acquired with
   deteriorated credit
   quality

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

FINANCING RECEIVABLES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

494,423

 

 

$

220,514

 

 

$

128,926

 

 

$

1,150,511

 

 

$

272,119

 

 

$

89,894

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2,356,387

 

Ending balance:
   individually evaluated
   for impairment

 

$

569

 

 

$

2,280

 

 

$

152

 

 

$

4,108

 

 

$

1,581

 

 

$

167

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

8,857

 

Ending balance:
   collectively evaluated
   for impairment

 

$

493,449

 

 

$

218,039

 

 

$

128,774

 

 

$

1,146,389

 

 

$

270,493

 

 

$

89,727

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2,346,871

 

Ending balance: loans
   acquired with
   deteriorated credit
   quality

 

$

405

 

 

$

195

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

45

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

659

 

 

92


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

Note 5 – Premises and Equipment

The major categories of banking premises and equipment and accumulated depreciation at December 31 are summarized below:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Land

 

$

6,838

 

 

$

6,896

 

Buildings (useful life 15-39 years)

 

 

40,831

 

 

 

34,501

 

Furnishings (useful life 3-15 years)

 

 

30,425

 

 

 

26,448

 

 

 

78,094

 

 

 

67,845

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(42,304

)

 

 

(39,464

)

Premises and Equipment (Net)

 

$

35,790

 

 

$

28,381

 

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 amounted to $3.4, $2.7, and $2.6 million, respectively.

 

At the end of 2023, construction in progress was $8 thousand for a new LPO to be opened by end of 2024. Construction in progress of $278 thousand as of December 31, 2022 related to the construction of three new offices which were operational by end of October 2023.

 

Note 6 - Leases

The Bank leases space for retail branches, Loan Production Offices (LPOs) and ATMs. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 15 years, some of which may include options to renew the leases and some of which may include options to terminate the leases prior to the end date of the lease term. The Bank does receive rental income for the leasing of available space.

The below tables provide information on the Bank’s operating leases:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Operating lease cost (1)

 

$

540

 

 

$

244

 

 

$

197

 

Operating cash flows (2)

 

$

45

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in net occupancy expense on Company's consolidated statement of income

 

(2) Included in customer service fees on Company's consolidated statement of income

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Operating lease assets (1)

 

$

5,918

 

 

$

1,033

 

Operating lease liabilities (2)

 

$

5,918

 

 

$

1,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in other assets on Company's consolidated balance sheets

 

(2) Included in accrued interest and other liabilities on Company's consolidated balance sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

93


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

Operating lease term and discount rates of our lessee arrangements at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

 

 

9.78

 

 

 

11.99

 

Weighted average discount rate

 

 

4.34

%

 

 

2.54

%

 

The future lease payments based on maturity for our lessee liability arrangements at December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

2024

 

$

872

 

2025

 

 

848

 

2026

 

 

814

 

2027

 

 

771

 

2028

 

 

693

 

2029 and thereafter

 

 

3,212

 

Total future lease payments

 

$

7,210

 

Less: interest

 

 

1,292

 

Present value of operating lease liability arrangements

 

$

5,918

 

 

Note 7 - Servicing

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying Company's consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of 1-4 family real estate loans serviced for others were $367.8 and $375.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Unpaid principal balances of agricultural real estate loans serviced for others were $135.8 million at December 31, 2023.

The balance of capitalized servicing rights included in other assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 for 1-4 family real estate loans, was $3.5 million each year. Agricultural real estate loan servicing rights, established in 2023, were $2.2 million at December 31 2023. The capitalized addition of servicing rights is included in net gain on sale of loans on the Company's consolidated statement of income.

The fair value of the capitalized servicing rights for 1-4 family real estate loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $5.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Capitalized servicing rights for agricultural real estate loans had a fair value of $2.6 million as of December 31, 2023. The valuations were completed by stratifying the loans into like groups based on loan type and term. Impairment was measured by estimating the fair value of each stratum, taking into consideration an estimated level of prepayment based upon current market conditions. An average constant prepayment rate for 1-4 family real estate loans of 6.3% and 7.7% were utilized for 2023 and 2022, respectively. In 2023, two 1-4 family real estate strata, which included 103 of the total 3,749 loans, were slightly below the carrying value using a discount yield of 5.70% which resulted in the need to establish a $2 thousand valuation allowance. The carrying value of eleven agricultural real estate strata, which included 41 of the total 593 loans, using an approximate discount rate of 8.66% were lower than market value requiring a $5 thousand valuation allowance to be established. All strata did show positive values in 2022 compared to the carrying values using a discount yield of 5.94%.

94


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The following summarizes servicing rights capitalized and amortized during each year:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Beginning of Year

 

$

3,549

 

 

$

3,571

 

Capitalized Additions

 

 

2,710

 

 

 

537

 

Amortization

 

 

(604

)

 

 

(559

)

Ending Balance, December 31

 

 

5,655

 

 

 

3,549

 

Valuation Allowance

 

 

(7

)

 

 

-

 

Servicing Rights net, December 31

 

$

5,648

 

 

$

3,549

 

 

95


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Note 8 - Deposits

Time deposits as of December 31 consist of the following:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Time deposits under $250,000

 

$

523,895

 

 

$

495,891

 

Time deposits of $250,000 or more

 

 

139,122

 

 

 

62,089

 

 

$

663,017

 

 

$

557,980

 

 

At December 31, 2023 the scheduled maturities for time deposits are as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

2024

 

$

476,304

 

2025

 

 

132,232

 

2026

 

 

33,124

 

2027

 

 

12,262

 

2028

 

 

8,869

 

Thereafter

 

 

226

 

 

$

663,017

 

 

Note 9 – Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase

The Bank’s policy requires qualifying securities to be used as collateral for the underlying repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, securities with a fair value of $42.6 million and $43.6 million, respectively, were pledged to secure the repurchase agreements. The table below presents the daily securities sold under agreement to repurchase and the term repurchase agreements. It does not include the Bank’s federal funds purchased.

 

 

 

Daily Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Maximum Amount

 

 

Approximate

 

 

Approximate

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Average

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

Average

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

at End

 

 

Rate End

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Outstanding in

 

 

Interest Rate

 

 

 

of Period (000's)

 

 

of Period

 

 

Month End (000's)

 

 

Period (000's)

 

 

For the Period

 

2023

 

$

-

 

 

 

0.00

%

 

$

1,694

 

 

$

1,176

 

 

 

1.19

%

2022

 

$

1,115

 

 

 

0.95

%

 

$

1,450

 

 

$

1,169

 

 

 

0.43

%

 

 

 

 

Term CD's Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Maximum Amount

 

 

Approximate

 

 

Approximate

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Average

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

Average

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

at End

 

 

Rate End

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Outstanding in

 

 

Interest Rate

 

 

 

of Period (000's)

 

 

of Period

 

 

Month End (000's)

 

 

Period (000's)

 

 

For the Period

 

2023

 

$

28,218

 

 

 

0.98

%

 

$

28,968

 

 

$

28,918

 

 

 

3.97

%

2022

 

$

30,518

 

 

 

0.97

%

 

$

34,504

 

 

$

31,573

 

 

 

2.54

%

 

96


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

The Company had no federal funds purchased as of December 31, 2023 and $22.6 million federal funds purchased as of December 31, 2022. The $28.2 million in Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase were comprised of U.S. Treasuries and government agency securities. The table below shows the remaining contractual maturity in the repurchase agreements and the collateral pledged as of December 31, 2023.

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 

 

 

Overnight & Continuous

 

 

Up to 30 days

 

 

30-90 days

 

 

Greater Than
90 days

 

 

Total

 

Federal funds purchased

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Repurchase agreements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Treasury & agency securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

28,218

 

 

 

28,218

 

Total

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

28,218

 

 

$

28,218

 

 

 

97


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Note 10 – Borrowings and Subordinated Notes

Short Term Debt

Due to the funding requirement for the acquisition of PFSB to be provided from the holding company, the Company secured borrowings from a correspondent bank. Two loans were secured, the first a $30 million 12-month term note and the second a 12-month line of credit for $10 million. Both loans were advanced on October 1, 2021. Interest on both loans was due quarterly and accrued at a rate of 2.50% per annum with reporting and capital covenants included. The structure of the acquisition required all accounting of the transaction to be recorded at the Bank level as Perpetual did not have a holding company. The Company advanced funds from the Bank to the Company to facilitate payoff of the term note and line of credit balance after regulatory approval was granted in the second quarter of 2022. The line of credit remained open for future liquidity needs.

On September 29, 2022, the line of credit was advanced for $10 million for the acquisition of PFSL. Interest on the line of credit was due quarterly and accrued at a rate of 5.50% per annum with reporting and capital covenants included. The $10 million line of credit was paid off in the first quarter of 2023 and not renewed at maturity on September 30, 2023.

The Company has established a $15 million variable line of credit tied to prime with a correspondent bank that matures on September 27, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings on the line of credit.

Long Term Debt

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

Long term debt consists of various loans from the Federal Home Loan Banks. Repayment structures vary, ranging from monthly installments, annual payments or upon maturity. Interest payments are due monthly. Total borrowings were $265.8 million excluding an amortizing $23 thousand for fair value related to the acquisitions for December 31, 2023 compared to $127.4 million excluding an accretive $47 thousand for fair value for December 31, 2022. With the acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Association, the Bank undertook $965 thousand in advances with varying maturity dates from 2022 through 2028. With the acquisition of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank, the Bank undertook $6 million in advances due in 2024. The advances were secured by a pledge of $223.0 and $232.9 million of 1-4 family real estate and HELOC loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively under a blanket collateral agreement. During 2023, the Bank began pledging eligible commercial real estate loans of $158.9 million to the FHLB as of December 31, 2023.

The advances are subject to pre-payment penalties and the provisions and conditions of the credit policy of the Federal Home Loan Bank.

The Bank had access to $128.0 and $73.0 million unsecured borrowings through correspondent banks as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Bank had a borrowing capacity under the Federal Reserve's BTFP of $69.9 million at December 31, 2023. The Bank also had access to $150.1 million and $130.4 million through a Cash Management Advance with the Federal Home Loan Bank as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively. The Bank had unpledged securities, which could be sold or used as collateral, of $97.3 million and $249.6 million at the end of the same time periods, respectively. An additional $42.5 million at December 31, 2023, and $2.0 million at December 31, 2022, were available from the Federal Home Loan Bank based on current pledging. The table below shows the maturities of the borrowings exclusive of the fair value adjustment.

 

98


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

2024

 

$

32,500

 

2025

 

 

56,500

 

2026

 

 

50,000

 

2027

 

 

52,149

 

2028

 

 

74,624

 

Thereafter

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

265,773

 

 

 

99


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Subordinated Notes

On July 30, 2021, the Company announced the completion of a private placement of $35 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due July 30, 2031 (the “Notes”) to various accredited investors (the “Offering”). The price for the Notes was 100% of the principal amount of the Notes. The Notes are qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes in proportionate amounts until July 30, 2026. The Company used the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including financing acquisitions and organic growth.

Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate equal to (i) 3.25% per annum from the original issue date to, but excluding, the five-year anniversary, payable semi-annually in arrears, and (ii) a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined in the Notes), plus a spread of 263 basis points from and including the five-year anniversary until maturity, payable quarterly in arrears. Beginning on or after the fifth anniversary of the issue date through maturity, the Notes may be redeemed, at the Company’s option, on any scheduled interest payment date. Any redemption will be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

(In Thousands)

 

Principal

 

 

Unamortized Note Issuance Costs

 

 

Principal

 

 

Unamortized Note Issuance Costs

 

Subordinated Notes

 

$

35,000

 

 

$

(298

)

 

$

35,000

 

 

$

(414

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Note 11 – Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

3,052

 

 

$

7,430

 

 

$

7,536

 

State

 

 

287

 

 

 

359

 

 

 

271

 

Total current

 

 

3,339

 

 

 

7,789

 

 

 

7,807

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

2,182

 

 

 

227

 

 

 

(1,746

)

State

 

 

46

 

 

 

(56

)

 

 

(59

)

Total deferred

 

 

2,228

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

(1,805

)

Total Income Tax

 

$

5,567

 

 

$

7,960

 

 

$

6,002

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Federal income tax at statutory rates

 

$

5,954

 

 

$

8,489

 

 

$

6,194

 

(Decrease) increase resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State income tax, net of federal benefit

 

 

264

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

167

 

Tax exempt interest

 

 

(129

)

 

 

(133

)

 

 

(116

)

Section 831 deduction

 

 

(187

)

 

 

(270

)

 

 

(294

)

Other

 

 

(335

)

 

 

(365

)

 

 

51

 

Total Income Tax

 

$

5,567

 

 

$

7,960

 

 

$

6,002

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are comprised of the following:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Deferred Tax Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

$

5,888

 

 

$

4,623

 

Deferred compensation

 

 

547

 

 

 

570

 

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

7,712

 

 

 

10,163

 

Fair value adjustments

 

 

1,179

 

 

 

2,152

 

Other

 

 

307

 

 

 

554

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

15,633

 

 

 

18,062

 

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accreted discounts on bonds

 

 

95

 

 

 

54

 

Depreciation

 

 

2,409

 

 

 

1,083

 

FHLB stock dividends

 

 

880

 

 

 

1,011

 

Intangible amortization

 

 

2,421

 

 

 

2,640

 

Loan servicing rights

 

 

1,252

 

 

 

787

 

Prepaids

 

 

244

 

 

 

500

 

Other

 

 

488

 

 

 

424

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

7,789

 

 

 

6,499

 

Net Deferred Tax Asset

 

$

7,844

 

 

$

11,563

 

 

The Peoples Federal Savings and Loan acquisition included a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward of $2,789,124 that had a remaining balance of $2.0 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The Corporation has additional paid-in capital that is considered restricted resulting from the acquisition of Perpetual in 2021 of approximately $2,779,000 and from the acquisition of Peoples in 2022 of approximately $2,174,000. No

101


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

deferred tax liability is required to be recorded for the Corporation’s tax bad debt reserves arising before December 31, 1987, unless it is apparent that the reserves will reverse in the near future. Unrecognized deferred taxes on these reserves would total $1,040,000. If the portion of retained earnings representing these reserves is used for any purpose other than to absorb bad debts, it will be added to future taxable income and the related tax will be recognized as expense.

Note 12 - Employee Benefit Plans

The Bank has established a 401(k) defined contribution plan which allows eligible employees to save at a minimum one percent of eligible compensation on a pre-tax or post-tax basis, subject to certain Internal Revenue Service limitations. The Bank will match 50% of employee 401(k) contributions up to six percent of total eligible compensation. In addition, the Bank may make a discretionary contribution from time to time as is deemed advisable. A participant is 100% vested in the participant’s deferral contributions. Employer matching contributions are funded each payroll period and are immediately vested. Non elective employer contributions are immediately vested at 100%. Employees are immediately eligible upon hire to contribute to the plan and receive matching contributions. In order to be eligible for discretionary contributions, employees must work 1,000 hours in the plan year and be employed on the last day of the year. Contributions expensed for the 401(k) profit sharing plan for both the employer matching contribution and the discretionary contribution were $1.4 million, $1.7 million and $1.5 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has a Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan under which 64,225 shares of the Company’s restricted stock were issued to 113 employees during 2023, 56,496 shares of restricted stock were issued to 109 employees during 2022 and 48,750 shares of restricted stock were issued to 96 employees during 2021. Under the plan, the shares generally vest 100% in three years. During the 3 year vesting period, the employees receive dividends or dividend equivalent compensation on the shares. Due to employee termination, there were 6,350, 8,000 and 2,575 shares forfeited during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During 2023, four employees retired and received 2,350 shares from the shares awarded in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In 2022, three employees retired and received 3,775 shares from the shares awarded in 2019, 2020 and 2021. During 2021, due to retirement, seven employees received 4,425 shares from awards granted in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2023, 29,431 shares awarded in 2020 were 100% vested and 65 employees received the stock. Also during 2023, 2,996 shares awarded in 2022 were 100% vested and four employees received the stock. One employee received accelerated vesting of 700 shares awarded in 2020. During 2022, 26,900 shares awarded in 2019 were 100% vested and 60 employees received the stock. During 2021, 18,845 shares awarded in 2018 were 100% vested and 50 employees received the stock. Compensation expense applicable to the restricted stock awards totaled $1.3 million, $899 thousand and $822 thousand for the years ending December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The table below summarizes the details of the restricted shares issued, vested, and forfeited for the years ending December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Number of Employees

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Number of Employees

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Number of Employees

 

Restricted shares issued

 

 

64,225

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

56,496

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

48,750

 

 

 

96

 

Restricted shares vested

 

 

32,427

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

26,900

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

18,845

 

 

 

50

 

Restricted shares awarded due to retirement

 

 

2,350

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3,775

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4,425

 

 

 

7

 

Restricted shares awarded for other

 

 

700

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Restricted shares forfeited

 

 

6,350

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

2,575

 

 

 

4

 

 

102


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock awards as of December 31:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Weighted
average
fair value
per award

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Weighted
average
fair value
per award

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

 

Weighted
average
fair value
per award

 

Beginning of period

 

 

128,952

 

 

$

25.75

 

 

 

111,131

 

 

$

23.02

 

 

 

88,226

 

 

$

28.40

 

Granted

 

 

64,225

 

 

 

22.24

 

 

 

56,496

 

 

 

30.46

 

 

 

48,750

 

 

 

22.70

 

Vested

 

 

(35,477

)

 

 

22.54

 

 

 

(30,675

)

 

 

24.77

 

 

 

(23,270

)

 

 

42.03

 

Forfeited

 

 

(6,350

)

 

 

21.72

 

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

30.15

 

 

 

(2,575

)

 

 

24.28

 

Nonvested, end of period

 

 

151,350

 

 

$

25.00

 

 

 

128,952

 

 

$

25.75

 

 

 

111,131

 

 

$

23.02

 

 

As of December 31, 2023, there was $2.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the nonvested portion of restricted stock awards under the plan to be recognized over the next three years.

Note 13 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula under which earnings per share is calculated from common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings distributed and undistributed, are allocated to participating securities and common shares based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities (i.e. unvested restricted stock), not subject to performance based measures. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Application of the two-class method for participating securities results in a more dilutive basic earnings per share as the participating securities are allocated the same amount of income as if they are outstanding for purposes of basic earnings per share. There is no additional potential dilution in calculating diluted earnings per share, therefore basic and diluted earnings per share are the same amounts. Other than the restricted stock plan, the Company has no other stock based compensation plans.

The Compensation Committee of the Company has determined that it is appropriate to award shares of the common stock of the Company to Outside Directors and Employees that are officers of the Company or the Bank who also serve as Directors of the Company and the Bank as a portion of their retainer for services rendered as Directors of the Company and the Bank. The Committee believes that it is appropriate to award the Directors shares equal to approximately $4,000, rounded to the nearest whole share on an annual basis commencing on June 5, 2020 and thereafter on the first Friday of June in each year. The value for the shares is to be based upon the closing price for shares on June 4, 2020 and thereafter on the first Thursday in June each year. On June 4, 2021, ten Directors received approximately $6,000 worth of shares which equated to 272 shares while four Directors received a prorated dollar value of shares. On October 1, 2021, a new Director was added as a result of the Perpetual Federal Savings Bank acquisition and received 68 prorated shares worth approximately $1,523. On June 3, 2022, twelve Directors each received $10,013 worth of shares which equated to 240 shares. On June 2, 2023, twelve Directors each received

103


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

$14,997 worth of shares which equated to 754 shares. The use of stock for Directors' retainer, does not have an effect on diluted earnings per share as it is immediately vested.

The table below presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,787

 

 

$

32,515

 

 

$

23,495

 

Less: distributed earnings allocated to
   participating securities

 

 

(128

)

 

 

(97

)

 

 

(70

)

Less: undistributed earnings allocated to
   participating securities

 

 

(120

)

 

 

(187

)

 

 

(121

)

Net earnings available to common
   shareholders

 

$

22,539

 

 

$

32,231

 

 

$

23,304

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding
   including participating securities

 

 

13,641,336

 

 

 

13,206,713

 

 

 

11,664,852

 

Less: average unvested restricted shares

 

 

(148,433

)

 

 

(115,291

)

 

 

(94,634

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

13,492,903

 

 

 

13,091,422

 

 

 

11,570,218

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

$

1.67

 

 

$

2.46

 

 

$

2.01

 

 

Note 14 – Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has granted loans to senior officers and directors and their affiliated companies amounting to $54.3 million and $20.2 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Two new loans were approved during 2023 for $34.2 million. During 2023, subsequent advances totaled $8.6 million and payments of $8.7 million were received. The difference in related borrowings amounted to $34.1 million, net increase. Deposits of directors, executive officers and companies in which they have a direct or indirect ownership as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, amounted to $47.1 million and $41.5 million, respectively.

Note 15 - Off Balance Sheet Activities

Credit Related Financial Instruments

The Bank is a party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing need of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, Standby Letters of Credit, and Commercial Letters of Credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The Bank's exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Bank follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. The allowance for credit losses as it relates to unfunded loan commitments (AULC) is included under other liabilities. The AULC as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $825 thousand and $1.0 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Commitments to extend credit

 

$

640,023

 

 

$

691,501

 

Standby letters of credit

 

 

825

 

 

 

1,046

 

 

104


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

Commitments to extend credit and Standby Letters of Credit all include exposure to some credit loss in the event of nonperformance of the customer. The Bank’s credit policies and procedures for credit commitments and financial guarantees are the same as those for extensions of credit that are recorded in the financial statements. Due to the fact that these instruments have fixed maturity dates, and because many of them expire without being drawn upon, they generally do not present any significant liquidity risk to the Bank. On May 1, 2022, the Bank sold the credit card portfolio thus eliminating credit risk for 2022.

Collateral Requirements

To reduce credit risk related to the use of credit-related financial instruments, the Bank might deem it necessary to obtain collateral. The amount and nature of the collateral obtained is based on the Bank's credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include cash, securities, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, and real estate.

Legal Contingencies

Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business, which, in the opinion of management, will have no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 16 - Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the 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 and Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and 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.

The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules, the comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).

In connection with the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules, we elected to opt-out of the requirement to include most components of accumulated other comprehensive income in Common Equity Tier 1.

Common Equity Tier 1 is reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities, and subject to transition provisions.

The Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and Total capital ratios are calculated by dividing the respective capital amounts by risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets are calculated based on regulatory requirements and include total assets, with certain exclusions, allocated by risk weight category, and certain off-balance-sheet items, among other things. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average total assets, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, among other things.

The Basel III Capital Rules require the Company and Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0%), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%), (iii) a minimum ratio of Total capital (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio, effectively resulting

105


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5%) and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average quarterly assets.

The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress and, as detailed above, effectively increases the minimum required risk-weighted capital ratios. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets below the effective minimum (4.5% plus the capital conservation buffer) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

Management believes, as of December 31, 2023, that the Bank meets all the capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of December 31, 2023, the most recent notification from the FDIC indicated the Bank was categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To remain categorized as well capitalized, the Bank will have to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier I leverage ratios as disclosed in the table to follow. There are no conditions or events since the most recent notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s prompt corrective action category.

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 under the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules.

The Company and Bank's actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Capital Required

 

 

 

 

 

Required to be Considered
Well-Capitalized

 

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
   (to Risk Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

251,649

 

 

 

9.75

%

 

$

116,147

 

 

 

4.50

%

 

$

167,768

 

 

 

6.50

%

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

276,467

 

 

 

10.77

%

 

 

115,534

 

 

 

4.50

%

 

 

166,882

 

 

 

6.50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Risk-Based Capital
   (to Risk Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

297,179

 

 

 

11.51

%

 

 

206,484

 

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

258,105

 

 

 

10.00

%

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

301,176

 

 

 

11.73

%

 

 

205,393

 

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

256,742

 

 

 

10.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital
   (to Risk Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

251,649

 

 

 

9.75

%

 

 

154,863

 

 

 

6.00

%

 

 

206,484

 

 

 

8.00

%

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

276,467

 

 

 

10.77

%

 

 

154,045

 

 

 

6.00

%

 

 

205,393

 

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Leverage Capital
   (to Adjusted Total Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

251,649

 

 

 

7.86

%

 

 

128,081

 

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

160,102

 

 

 

5.00

%

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

276,467

 

 

 

8.66

%

 

 

127,674

 

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

159,593

 

 

 

5.00

%

 

 

106


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The following table presents the Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2022.

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Capital Required

 

 

 

 

 

Required to be Considered
Well-Capitalized

 

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

 

 

 

(000's)

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2022

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
   (to Risk Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

$

259,510

 

 

 

11.15

%

 

$

104,763

 

 

 

4.50

%

 

$

151,324

 

 

 

6.50

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Risk-Based Capital
   (to Risk Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

281,085

 

 

 

12.07

%

 

 

186,245

 

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

232,806

 

 

 

10.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital
   (to Risk Weighted Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

259,510

 

 

 

11.15

%

 

 

139,684

 

 

 

6.00

%

 

 

186,245

 

 

 

8.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Leverage Capital
   (to Adjusted Total Assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers & Merchants State
   Bank

 

 

259,510

 

 

 

9.03

%

 

 

114,972

 

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

143,714

 

 

 

5.00

%

 

The above tables exclude the capital conservation buffer requirements.

Note 17 - Restrictions of Dividends & Inter-company Borrowings

The Bank is restricted as to the amount of dividends that can be paid. Dividends declared by the Bank that exceed the net income for the current year plus retained income for the preceding two years must be approved by federal and state regulatory agencies. Under this formula and excluding the $40 million of a special one time dividend approved by the Federal Reserve for the acquisition of Perpetual Federal Saving Bank in 2022, dividends of $47.4 million may be paid without prior regulatory approval. Regardless of formal regulatory restrictions, the Bank may not pay dividends that would result in its capital levels being reduced below the minimum requirements shown above. Under current Federal Reserve regulations, the Bank is limited as to the amount and type of loans it may make to the Company. These loans are subject to qualifying collateral requirements on which the amount of the loan may be based.

Note 18 - Derivative Financial Instruments

The Bank uses derivative financial instruments to help manage exposure to interest rate risk and the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income and the fair value of assets and liabilities. The Bank enters into interest rate swap agreements as part of its asset/liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position.

The Bank entered into three pay-fixed receive variable interest rate swap transactions, with a combined notional value of $100 million, designated and qualifying as accounting hedges during the last quarter of 2023. Designating an interest rate swap as an accounting hedge allows the Company to recognize gains and losses, less any ineffectiveness, in the Company's consolidated statement of income within the same period that the hedged item affects earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the related interest rate swaps. The fair value of interest rate swaps with a positive fair value are reported in other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets while interest rate swaps with a negative fair value are reported in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

107


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The following table presents amounts that were recorded on the Company's consolidated balance sheets related to cumulative basis adjustments for interest rate swap derivatives designated as fair value accounting hedges as of December 31, 2023. There were no interest rate swaps during the year ending December 31, 2022.

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Carrying Amount of
the Hedged Assets

 

 

Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of
the Hedged Assets

 

Line Item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in which the Hedged Item is Included

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Loans

 

$

276,991

 

 

$

2,719

 

 

The following table presents a summary of interest rate swap derivatives designated as fair value accounting hedges of fixed-rate receivables used in the Bank's asset/liability management activities at December 31, 2023, identified by the underlying interest rate-sensitive instruments.

 

Instruments Associated With

 

Notional Value (000's)

 

 

Weighted Average
Remaining Maturity (years)

 

 

Fair Value (000's)

 

 

Receive

 

Pay

 

Loans

 

$

100,000

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

$

2,719

 

 

 USD-SOFR-OIS

 

 

4.47

%

Total swap portfolio at December 31, 2023

 

$

100,000

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

$

2,719

 

 

 USD-SOFR-OIS

 

 

4.47

%

 

These derivative financial instruments were entered into for the purpose of managing the interest rate risk of certain assets and liabilities. The Bank pledged $2.8 million of cash collateral to counterparties as security for its obligations related to these interest rate swap transactions at December 31, 2023 which yielded $144 thousand of other interest income. Collateral posted and received is dependent on the market valuation of the underlying hedges.

The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of interest rate swaps utilized by the Bank at December 31, 2023.

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Notional Amount

 

 

Fair Value

 

Asset Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps associated with loans

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Total contracts

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps associated with loans

 

$

100,000

 

 

$

(2,679

)

Total contracts

 

$

100,000

 

 

$

(2,679

)

 

 

108


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The following table presents the effects of the Bank's interest rate swap agreements on the Company’s consolidated statement of income during the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income

 

December 31, 2023

 

Interest Income

 

 

 

Loans, including fees

 

$

40

 

Other

 

 

144

 

Total interest income

 

$

184

 

 

Note 19 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of financial instruments are management’s estimate of the values at which the instruments could be exchanged in a transaction between willing parties. These estimates are subjective and may vary significantly from amounts that would be realized in actual transactions. In addition, other significant assets are not considered financial assets including deferred tax assets, premises, equipment and intangibles. Further, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on the fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

109


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The estimated fair values, and related carrying or notional amounts, for on and off-balance sheet financial instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, are reflected below. The aggregate fair values in the table below do not represent the total market value of the Bank’s assets and liabilities. The table excludes the following: Bank Premises and Equipment, Goodwill, Loan Servicing Rights, Other Real Estate Owned, Other Assets, Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses.

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Value

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Value

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Financial Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

142,201

 

 

$

142,201

 

 

$

142,201

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

$

84,409

 

 

$

84,409

 

 

$

84,409

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

2,740

 

 

 

2,725

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,725

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

4,442

 

 

 

4,440

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,440

 

 

 

-

 

Securities - available-for-sale

 

 

358,478

 

 

 

358,478

 

 

 

99,900

 

 

 

256,118

 

 

 

2,460

 

 

 

 

390,789

 

 

 

390,789

 

 

 

94,678

 

 

 

292,766

 

 

 

3,345

 

Other securities

 

 

17,138

 

 

 

17,138

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

17,138

 

 

 

 

9,799

 

 

 

9,799

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

9,799

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

1,576

 

 

 

1,552

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,552

 

 

 

 

827

 

 

 

815

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

815

 

Loans, net

 

 

2,556,167

 

 

 

2,396,540

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,396,540

 

 

 

 

2,336,074

 

 

 

2,171,152

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,171,152

 

Interest receivable

 

 

11,774

 

 

 

11,774

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

11,774

 

 

 

 

10,440

 

 

 

10,440

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits

 

$

1,415,981

 

 

$

1,416,007

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,416,007

 

 

 

$

1,378,090

 

 

$

1,377,944

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,377,944

 

Noninterest bearing deposits

 

 

528,465

 

 

 

528,465

 

 

 

528,465

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

532,794

 

 

 

532,794

 

 

 

532,794

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Time deposits

 

 

663,017

 

 

 

656,141

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

656,141

 

 

 

 

557,980

 

 

 

543,737

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

543,737

 

Total Deposits

 

 

2,607,463

 

 

 

2,600,613

 

 

 

528,465

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,072,148

 

 

 

 

2,468,864

 

 

 

2,454,475

 

 

 

532,794

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,921,681

 

Fed funds purchased and
   securities sold under
   agreement to repurchase

 

 

28,218

 

 

 

28,218

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

28,218

 

 

 

 

54,206

 

 

 

54,206

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

54,206

 

Federal Home Loan Bank
 advances

 

 

265,750

 

 

 

260,400

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

260,400

 

 

 

 

127,485

 

 

 

125,761

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

125,761

 

Other borrowings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

-

 

Subordinated notes

 

 

34,702

 

 

 

30,676

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

30,676

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

34,586

 

 

 

30,993

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

30,993

 

 

 

-

 

Interest payable

 

 

5,441

 

 

 

5,441

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5,441

 

 

 

 

1,739

 

 

 

1,739

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,739

 

 

110


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the valuation techniques used by the Company to determine those fair values. There were no changes to valuation techniques during 2023.

In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Available-for-sale securities - When quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are valued using the quoted price and are classified as Level 1. The quoted prices are not adjusted.

Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2 are valued using the prices obtained from an independent pricing service. The prices are not adjusted. Securities of obligations of state and political subdivisions are valued using a type of matrix, or grid, pricing in which securities are benchmarked against the treasury rate based on credit rating. Substantially all assumptions used by the independent pricing service are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability. The Bank holds ten local municipals that the Bank evaluates based on the credit strength of the underlying project. The fair value is determined by valuing similar credit payment streams at similar rates.

In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. The Company’s assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset.

 

111


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 segregated by level or the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value.

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

Significant

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

Active Markets

 

 

Observable

 

 

Observable

 

 

 

for Identical

 

 

Inputs

 

 

Inputs

 

December 31, 2023

 

Assets (Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

Assets-(Securities Available-for-Sale)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

80,270

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

19,630

 

 

 

108,592

 

 

 

-

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

82,132

 

 

 

-

 

State and local governments

 

 

-

 

 

 

65,394

 

 

 

2,460

 

Total Securities Available-for-Sale

 

$

99,900

 

 

$

256,118

 

 

$

2,460

 

Interest rate swaps liabilities

 

$

-

 

 

$

(2,679

)

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

Significant

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

Active Markets

 

 

Observable

 

 

Observable

 

 

 

for Identical

 

 

Inputs

 

 

Inputs

 

December 31, 2022

 

Assets (Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

Assets-(Securities Available-for-Sale)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

$

94,678

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

-

 

 

 

139,767

 

 

 

-

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

86,927

 

 

 

-

 

State and local governments

 

 

-

 

 

 

66,072

 

 

 

3,345

 

Total Securities Available-for-Sale

 

$

94,678

 

 

$

292,766

 

 

$

3,345

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant

 

 

 

Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

State and Local

 

 

State and Local

 

 

State and Local

 

 

 

Governments

 

 

Governments

 

 

Governments

 

 

 

Tax-Exempt

 

 

Taxable

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2023

 

$

2,071

 

 

$

1,274

 

 

$

3,345

 

Change in Fair Value

 

 

38

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

36

 

Purchases

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Sales

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Payments & Maturities

 

 

(921

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(921

)

Reclassification and Adjustments

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

$

1,188

 

 

$

1,272

 

 

$

2,460

 

 

 

112


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant

 

 

 

Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

State and Local

 

 

State and Local

 

 

State and Local

 

 

 

Governments

 

 

Governments

 

 

Governments

 

 

 

Tax-Exempt

 

 

Taxable

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2022

 

$

2,307

 

 

$

2,466

 

 

$

4,773

 

Change in Fair Value

 

 

(76

)

 

 

(203

)

 

 

(279

)

Purchases

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Sales

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Payments & Maturities

 

 

(160

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(160

)

Reclassification and Adjustments

 

 

-

 

 

 

(989

)

 

 

(989

)

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

$

2,071

 

 

$

1,274

 

 

$

3,345

 

 

Most of the Company’s available for sale securities, including any bonds issued by local municipalities, have CUSIP numbers or have similar characteristics of those in the municipal markets, making them marketable and comparable as Level 2.

There were no securities that transferred in or out of Level 3 during 2023; however, there was one security transferred out of Level 3 to Level 2 in 2022.

The Company also has assets that, under certain conditions, are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. At December 31, 2023, such assets consist of collateral dependent loans and loan servicing rights. Collateral dependent loans categorized as Level 3 assets consist of non-homogeneous loans that have expected credit losses. At December 31, 2022, such assets consist of collateral dependent impaired loans. Collateral dependent impaired loans categorized as Level 3 assets consist of non-homogeneous loans that are considered impaired. The Company estimates the fair value of the loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows using management’s best estimate of key assumptions. These assumptions include future payment ability, timing of payment streams, and estimated realizable values of available collateral (typically based on outside appraisals).

At December 31, 2023, collateral dependent loans categorized as Level 3 were $22.7 million compared with collateral dependent impaired loans categorized as Level 3 of $2.7 million at December 31, 2022. The specific allocation for collateral dependent loans was $386 thousand as of December 31, 2023 and $2.0 million for collateral dependent impaired loans as of December 31, 2022. The specific allocations are accounted for in the allowance for credit losses (see Note 4).

During 2023, impairment of $7 thousand ($2 thousand on 1-4 family real estate loans and $5 thousand on agricultural real estate loans) was recognized on loan servicing rights based upon the independent third party’s quarterly valuations. A valuation allowance was established by strata to quantify the likely impairment of the value of the loan servicing rights to the Company. If the carrying amount of an individual strata exceeds the fair value, impairment was recorded on that strata so the servicing asset was carried at fair value. There was no valuation allowance needed in 2022 as all strata were positive.

Other real estate is reported at the lower of either the fair value of the real estate, minus the estimated costs to sell the asset, or the cost of the asset. The determination of the fair value of the real estate relies primarily on appraisals from third parties. If the fair value of the real estate, minus the estimated costs to sell the asset, is less than the asset’s cost, the deficiency is recognized as a valuation allowance against the asset through a charge to expense. The valuation allowance is therefore increased or decreased, through charges or credits to expense, for changes in the asset’s fair value or estimated selling costs.

 

113


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

The following tables present assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

 

 

 

($ in Thousands)

 

 

 

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis at December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets for

 

 

Significant

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Identical

 

 

Observable Inputs

 

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

Assets (Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

Collateral dependent
    loans

 

$

22,676

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

22,676

 

Loan servicing
    rights

 

 

58

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

($ in Thousands)

 

 

 

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis at December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets for

 

 

Significant

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Identical

 

 

Observable Inputs

 

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

Assets (Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

Collateral dependent
    impaired loans

 

$

2,667

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2,667

 

Loan servicing
    rights

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

The following table presents quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value at December 31, 2023

 

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Range
(Weighted Average)

State and local
   government

 

$

2,460

 

 

Discounted Cash Flow

 

Credit strength of underlying project or entity / Discount rate

 

-0.17-4.92%
(
3.49%)

Collateral dependent
   loans

 

 

22,676

 

 

Collateral based measurements

 

Discount to reflect current market conditions and ultimate collectability

 

0.00-50.00%
(
0.41%)

Loan servicing
    rights

 

 

58

 

 

Discounted Cash Flow

 

Constant prepayment rate and probability of default / Discount rate

 

5.11-22.80%
(
10.87%)

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value at December 31, 2022

 

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Range
(Weighted Average)

State and local
   government

 

$

3,345

 

 

Discounted Cash Flow

 

Credit strength of underlying project or entity / Discount rate

 

2.08-5.01%
(
4.38%)

Collateral dependent
   impaired loans

 

 

2,667

 

 

Collateral based measurements

 

Discount to reflect current market conditions and ultimate collectability

 

20.00-29.01%
(
24.13%)

Loan servicing
    rights

 

 

-

 

 

Discounted Cash Flow

 

Constant prepayment rate and probability of default / Discount rate

 

— %
( — )

 

114


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

Note 20 – Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company

 

Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

3,790

 

 

$

16,901

 

Interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

2,466

 

 

 

498

 

Related party receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends and accounts receivable from subsidiary

 

 

3,928

 

 

 

2,114

 

Accrued interest receivable - available-for-sale securities /
    interest bearing time deposits

 

 

46

 

 

 

38

 

Securities - US Treasuries / municipals

 

 

5,675

 

 

 

7,460

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

338,893

 

 

 

319,371

 

Total Assets

 

$

354,798

 

 

$

346,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other borrowings

 

$

-

 

 

$

10,000

 

Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs

 

 

34,769

 

 

 

34,586

 

Dividends payable

 

 

2,974

 

 

 

2,832

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

474

 

 

 

618

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

38

 

 

 

206

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

38,255

 

 

 

48,242

 

Stockholders' Equity

 

 

316,543

 

 

 

298,140

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

$

354,798

 

 

$

346,382

 

 

 

Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from subsidiaries

 

$

7,500

 

 

$

44,285

 

 

$

23,200

 

Distributed earnings of dissolved subsidiary

 

 

1,005

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Interest - available-for-sale securities / interest-bearing time deposits

 

 

162

 

 

 

308

 

 

 

253

 

Noninterest income

 

 

4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Gain on sales of available-for-sale securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

293

 

Total income

 

 

8,671

 

 

 

44,593

 

 

 

23,746

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

1,258

 

 

 

1,588

 

 

 

743

 

Operating expenses

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

1,176

 

 

 

1,335

 

Total expenses

 

 

2,401

 

 

 

2,764

 

 

 

2,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in
   Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries

 

 

6,270

 

 

 

41,829

 

 

 

21,668

 

Income Taxes (Benefit)

 

 

(495

)

 

 

(535

)

 

 

(347

)

 

 

6,765

 

 

 

42,364

 

 

 

22,015

 

Equity in undistributed (distributions in excess of) earnings of
   subsidiaries

 

 

16,022

 

 

 

(9,849

)

 

 

1,480

 

Net Income

 

 

22,787

 

 

 

32,515

 

 

 

23,495

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of taxes

 

 

9,221

 

 

 

(35,049

)

 

 

(8,881

)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

$

32,008

 

 

$

(2,534

)

 

$

14,614

 

 

115


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,787

 

 

$

32,515

 

 

$

23,495

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in undistributed (distributions in excess of) net income

 

 

(16,022

)

 

 

9,849

 

 

 

(1,480

)

Amortization of premiums on available-for-sale securities, net

 

 

29

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

81

 

Amortization of subordinated notes issuance fees

 

 

116

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

49

 

   Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

1,281

 

 

 

899

 

 

 

822

 

Director stock awards

 

 

180

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

73

 

Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(293

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(1,981

)

 

 

2,560

 

 

 

(456

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

6,390

 

 

 

46,120

 

 

 

22,291

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity in available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities, prepayments and calls

 

 

1,445

 

 

 

1,540

 

 

 

795

 

Sales

 

 

1,105

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

7,773

 

Purchases

 

 

-

 

 

 

(398

)

 

 

-

 

Activity in certificates of deposit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,234

 

 

 

493

 

Purchases

 

 

(498

)

 

 

(498

)

 

 

-

 

Cash used for acquisitions

 

 

-

 

 

 

(9,806

)

 

 

(79,235

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

2,052

 

 

 

(7,928

)

 

 

(70,174

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds (repayments) of other borrowings

 

 

(10,000

)

 

 

(30,000

)

 

 

35,000

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(218

)

 

 

(308

)

 

 

(338

)

Proceeds from issuance of subordinated notes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

34,421

 

Payment of dividends

 

 

(11,335

)

 

 

(10,276

)

 

 

(7,670

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(21,553

)

 

 

(40,584

)

 

 

61,413

 

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

(13,111

)

 

 

(2,392

)

 

 

13,530

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of year

 

 

16,901

 

 

 

19,293

 

 

 

5,763

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of year

 

$

3,790

 

 

$

16,901

 

 

$

19,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021

 

 

Note 21 – Quarterly Financial Data

 

Quarterly Financial Data - UNAUDITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended in 2023

 

 

 

Mar 31

 

 

June 30

 

 

Sep 30

 

 

Dec 31

 

Summary of Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

31,802

 

 

$

33,377

 

 

$

36,359

 

 

$

38,270

 

Interest expense

 

 

10,120

 

 

 

13,259

 

 

 

16,697

 

 

 

18,335

 

Net Interest Income

 

 

21,682

 

 

 

20,118

 

 

 

19,662

 

 

 

19,935

 

Provision for Credit Losses - Loans*

 

 

817

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

460

 

 

 

278

 

Provision for Credit Losses - Off Balance Sheet Credit Exposures*

 

 

62

 

 

 

(129

)

 

 

(76

)

 

 

189

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses*

 

 

20,803

 

 

 

20,104

 

 

 

19,278

 

 

 

19,468

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

(12,754

)

 

 

(12,572

)

 

 

(13,380

)

 

 

(12,593

)

Net income before income taxes

 

 

8,049

 

 

 

7,532

 

 

 

5,898

 

 

 

6,875

 

Income taxes

 

 

1,583

 

 

 

1,531

 

 

 

1,121

 

 

 

1,332

 

Net income

 

$

6,466

 

 

$

6,001

 

 

$

4,777

 

 

$

5,543

 

Earnings per Common Share

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.35

 

 

$

0.41

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

 

13,615,655

 

 

 

13,632,440

 

 

 

13,650,823

 

 

 

13,665,773

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended in 2022

 

 

 

Mar 31

 

 

June 30

 

 

Sep 30

 

 

Dec 31

 

Summary of Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

21,899

 

 

$

23,911

 

 

$

25,847

 

 

$

29,492

 

Interest expense

 

 

2,116

 

 

 

2,047

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

6,935

 

Net Interest Income

 

 

19,783

 

 

 

21,864

 

 

 

22,583

 

 

 

22,557

 

Provision for loan loss

 

 

580

 

 

 

1,628

 

 

 

1,637

 

 

 

755

 

Net interest income after provision for loan loss

 

 

19,203

 

 

 

20,236

 

 

 

20,946

 

 

 

21,802

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

(9,150

)

 

 

(9,915

)

 

 

(9,739

)

 

 

(12,908

)

Net income before income taxes

 

 

10,053

 

 

 

10,321

 

 

 

11,207

 

 

 

8,894

 

Income taxes

 

 

1,951

 

 

 

2,050

 

 

 

2,253

 

 

 

1,706

 

Net income

 

$

8,102

 

 

$

8,271

 

 

$

8,954

 

 

$

7,188

 

Earnings per Common Share

 

$

0.62

 

 

$

0.63

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

0.53

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

 

12,955,107

 

 

 

12,957,126

 

 

 

12,983,307

 

 

 

13,606,876

 

 

Note 22 – Subsequent Events

On January 16, 2024, the Company announced the authorization by its Board of Directors for the Company’s repurchase, either on the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, of up to 650,000 shares of its outstanding common stock commencing January 16, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024.

 

117


 

ITEM 9. CHANGE IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No disagreements exist on accounting and financial disclosures or related matter.

ITEM 9a. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management Report Regarding

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023, pursuant to Exchange Act 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023, in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings.

MANAGEMENT REPORT REGARDING INTERNAL CONTROL AND

COMPLIANCE WITH DESIGNATED LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Management of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary is responsible for preparing the Bank’s annual financial statements. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting presented in conformity with both generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory reporting in conformity with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Instructions for Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (call report instructions). The Bank’s internal control contains monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies identified.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

It is also management’s responsibility to ensure satisfactory compliance with all designated laws and regulations and in particular, those laws and regulations concerning loans to insiders. The federal laws concerning loans to insiders are codified at 12 USC 375a and 375b, and the federal regulations are set forth at 12 CFR 23.5, 31, and 215.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

118


 

https://cdn.kscope.io/22a64bb59cae3b08c9d33672c4c55bee-img45953366_2.jpg 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders, Board of Directors, and Audit Committee

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

Archbold, Ohio

Opinion on the Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.’s (Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and our report dated February 27, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report Regarding Internal Control and Compliance with Designated Laws and Regulations. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of reliable financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

119


 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/22a64bb59cae3b08c9d33672c4c55bee-img45953366_3.jpg 

 

Fort Wayne, Indiana

February 27, 2024

 

120


 

ITEM 9b. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 9c. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

 

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The information called for herein is presented below:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Principal Occupation or

Employment for Past Five Years

 

Year First

Became Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian D. Boyce*

 

56

 

Founding Member and Managing Partner

 

2024

 

 

 

 

Dickmeyer Boyce Financial Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew J. Briggs

 

69

 

Retired and former Chairman of Limberlost Bancshares, Inc.

 

2019

 

 

 

 

and President of its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Geneva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eugene N. Burkholder

 

71

 

President, Falor Farm Center, Inc.

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lars B. Eller

 

57

 

President and CEO of the Company and

 

2018

 

 

 

 

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo Ellen Hornish

 

70

 

CEO, Hornish Bros, Inc. / Fountain City Leasing, Inc. / Advantage Powder Coating, Inc.

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack C. Johnson

 

71

 

President, Hawk’s Clothing, Inc.

 

1991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori A. Johnston

 

62

 

President, ProMedica Insurance Corporation

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Marcia S. Latta

 

62

 

Vice President of University Advancement,

The University of Findlay

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven J. Planson

 

64

 

President, Planson Farms, Inc.

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin J. Sauder

 

63

 

President, Chief Executive Officer,

Sauder Woodworking Co.

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank R. Simon

 

54

 

Founder & Managing Member / Attorney

 

2021

 

 

 

 

Simon PLC Attorneys & Counselors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. K. Brad Stamm

 

71

 

President and Educational Consultant of

 

2016

 

 

 

 

Stamm Management Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David P. Vernon

 

57

 

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

 

2021

 

 

 

 

Vernon Family Funeral Homes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Effective January 16, 2024

 

Directors are elected annually at the annual meeting of shareholders.

121


 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Name

 

 

Age

 

Principal Occupation & Offices Held with

Corporation & Bank for Past Five Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack C. Johnson

 

 

71

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lars B. Eller

 

 

57

 

President and Chief Executive Officer (“PEO”) (1) (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara J. Britenriker

 

 

62

 

Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer (“PFO”) (1) and Chief Retail Banking Officer (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rex D. Rice

 

 

65

 

Executive Vice President

and Chief Lending Officer (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benet S. Rupp

 

 

58

 

Executive Vice President

and Chief Administrative Officer (5)

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

(1) The designation PEO means principal executive officer and PFO means principal financial officer under the rules of the SEC.

 

(2) Mr. Eller was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank beginning on September 13, 2018 and assumed the additional position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on February 1, 2019.

 

(3) Ms. Britenriker was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Ms. Britenriker served as Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer of the Bank from January 7, 2019 to October 16, 2023 and resumed the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank on October 16 2023.

 

(4) Mr. Rice was the Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Banking Manager until January 31, 2020. Mr. Rice assumed the position of Chief Lending Officer of the Bank effective upon the retirement of Todd Graham as of February 1, 2020.

 

(5) Ms. Rupp joined the Company in June 2019 and was the Sr. Vice President and Chief People Officer until August 23, 2022. Ms. Rupp was appointed to serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Office of the Bank on August 23, 2022.

 

Any remaining information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 29, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned “ Nominations for Members of the Board of Director, “”Our Board Composition” and “PROPOSAL ONE – Election of Directors and Information Concerning Directors and Officers.” The information called for under Item 405 of Regulation S-K and called for under paragraphs (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Item 407 is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be on April 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference to sections of the proxy statement captioned “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” “Audit Committee Report” and “Committees of the Board of Directors.”

The Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) at its meeting on February 13, 2004. While the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 mandates the adoption of a code of ethics for the most senior executive officers of all public companies, the Code adopted by the Corporation's Board of Directors is broader in the activities covered and applies to all officers, directors and employees of the Corporation and the Bank, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and other senior officers performing accounting, auditing, financial management or similar functions. The administration of the Code has been delegated to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, a Committee comprised entirely of “independent directors.” The Code addresses topics such as compliance with laws and regulations, honest and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and protection of Corporation assets, fair dealing and accurate and timely periodic reports, and also

122


 

provides for enforcement mechanisms. The Board and management of the Corporation intends to continue to monitor not only the developing legal requirements in this area, but also the best practices of comparable companies, to assure that the Corporation maintains sound corporate governance practices in the future. Annual testing and review of the Code is conducted and attested to by signatures of all officers and directors of the Company.

A copy of the Corporation's Code is available on the website of the Bank (www.fm.bank). In addition, a copy of the Code is available to any shareholder free of charge upon request. Shareholders desiring a copy of the Code should address written requests to Mr. Lars B. Eller, President, Chief Executive Officer of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio 43502, and are asked to mark Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on the outside of the envelope containing the request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

123


 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information called for herein by Item 402 and paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of Item 407, Regulations S-K is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 29, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation,” and “Related Party Transactions.”

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information called for by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held Monday, April 29, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference to the section of the proxy statement captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Named Executive Officers.”

On April 16, 2015 the Company’s shareholders approved the Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (which replaced the expired 2005 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan). The plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,600,000 (adjusted for a two-for-one stock split) of the Company’s common shares in the form of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares, and unrestricted stock to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. To date, the Company has only made awards of restricted stock under the Plan, which awards are subject to time vesting. This requires the executive or employee to remain employed with the Company or the Bank, as the case may be, until the awards have vested, or such shares of restricted stock will be forfeited. During 2023, 64,225 shares were awarded to 113 employees and 6,350 were forfeited under its long term incentive plan. At year-end, 2023, the Company held 899,784 shares in Treasury stock and 151,350 in unearned stock awards.

The Compensation Committee of the Company has determined that it is appropriate to award shares of the common stock of the Company to Outside Directors and Employees that are officers of the Company or the Bank who also serve as Directors of the Company and the Bank as a portion of their retainer for services rendered as Directors of the Company and the Bank. The Committee believes that it is appropriate to award the Directors shares equal to a specific dollar amount, rounded to the nearest whole share on an annual basis commencing on June 5, 2020 and thereafter on the first Friday of June in each year. Directors receive a prorated dollar value of shares for a partial year of service. The value for the shares is to be based upon the closing price for shares on June 4, 2020 and thereafter on the first Thursday in June each year. On June 4, 2021, ten Directors received approximately $6,000 worth of shares which equated to 272 shares while four Directors received a prorated value of shares. On October 1, 2021, a new Director received 68 prorated shares worth approximately $1,523. On June 3, 2022, twelve Directors each received $10,013 worth of shares which equated to 240 shares. On June 2, 2023, twelve Directors each received $14,997 worth of shares which equated to 754 shares.

 

 

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

 

 

Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

 

 

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

 

 

Number of
securities remaining available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected
in column (a))

 

 

 

( a )

 

 

( b )

 

 

( c )

 

Equity compensation plans approved by
   security holders

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

1,235,667

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by
   security holders

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,235,667

 

 

 

124


 

The information called for herein by Item 404 and paragraph (a) of Item 407 is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 29,2024, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned “Related Party Transactions.”

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information called for by this Item is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 29,2024, and is incorporated herein by reference to the section of the proxy statement captioned “Selection of Auditors/Principal Accounting Firm Fees.”

The opinion related to the financial statements in the annual report was provided by FORVIS, LLP (formerly BKD, LLP) from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) ID number for FORVIS, LLP is 686.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

125


 

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

 

 

a.

The Following documents are filed as part of this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Financial Statements (included in this 10-K under Item 8)

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Accountants

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

Note to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

 

 

Five Year Summary of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.

Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1.a)

 

Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on October 25, 2017).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1.b)

 

Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.2)

 

Code of Regulations of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that was filed with the Commission on July 26, 2017).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.1)

 

Description of Registrant's Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 26, 2020).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.2)

 

Form of 3.25% Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Note due July 30, 2031 (included as Exhibit A to the Purchase Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.6 hereto).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.1)

 

Form of Change in Control Agreement executed by and between the Company and Barbara J. Britenriker on December 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 25, 2013).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.2)

 

Form of Change in Control Agreement executed by and between the Company and Rex D. Rice on December 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 25, 2013).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.3)

 

Employment Agreement executed by and between The Farmers & Merchants State Bank and Lars B. Eller on September 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 18, 2021).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.4)

 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Registrant’s Definitive 14A Proxy Statement, File No. 000-14492, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2015).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.5)

 

Form on Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on October 27, 2005).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.6)

 

Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 30, 2021, by and among Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc, and the Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 2, 2021).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.7)

 

Form of Change in Control Agreement executed by and between the Company and Benet S. Rupp on July 1, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that was filed with the Commission on October 25, 2022).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21)

 

Subsidiaries of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23)

 

Consent of FORVIS, LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31.1)

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Required under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31.2)

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Required under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32.1)

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32.2)

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

126


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

 

 

104

 

The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, has been formatted in Inline XBRL.

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive Data Files in Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

127


 

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

By

/s/ Lars B. Eller

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

Lars B. Eller

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

President

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ Lars B. Eller

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ Barbara J. Britenriker

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

Lars B. Eller

 

 

 

 

Barbara J. Britenriker

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer/Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ian D. Boyce

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ Andrew J. Briggs

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

Ian D. Boyce, Director

 

 

 

 

Andrew J. Briggs, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Eugene N. Burkholder

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ Jo Ellen Hornish

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

Eugene N. Burkholder, Director

 

 

 

 

Jo Ellen Hornish, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jack C. Johnson

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ Lori A. Johnston

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

Jack C. Johnson, Director

 

 

 

 

Lori A. Johnston, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Marcia S. Latta

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ Steven J. Planson

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

Marcia S. Latta, Director

 

 

 

 

Steven J. Planson, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Kevin J. Sauder

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ Frank R. Simon

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

Kevin J. Sauder, Director

 

 

 

 

Frank R. Simon, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ K. Brad Stamm

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

 

/s/ David P. Vernon

 

Date:

February 27, 2024

K. Brad Stamm, Director

 

 

 

 

David P. Vernon, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128


EX-3.1b

Exhibit 3.1.b

 

ATTACHMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

WHEREAS, at a meeting duly convened and held on April 17, 2023, and in accordance with Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code and the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, the Shareholders of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., an Ohio corporation, adopted the following resolutions:

RESOLVED, that Article FOURTH of the Amended Articles of Incorporation, be and hereby is, amended in its entirety as follows:

FOURTH: The number of shares (collectively the “Shares”) that the Corporation is authorized to have outstanding is Twenty Million One Hundred Thousand (20,100,000), consisting of: (i) 20,000,000 common shares, without par value (the “Common Shares”); and (ii) 100,000 preferred shares, without par value (the “Preferred Shares”). The Shares shall have the following terms:

1.
Common Shares:

The holders of the Common Shares are entitled at all times, except in the election of directors where the Common Shares may be voted cumulatively in accordance with Ohio law, to one (1) vote for each Common Share and to such dividends as the Board of Directors may in its discretion periodically declare, subject, however, to any voting and dividend rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the remaining assets of the Corporation after the payment of all debts and necessary expenses shall be distributed among the holders of the Common Shares pro rata in accordance with their respective shareholdings, subject, however, to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares then outstanding. The Common Shares are subject to all of the terms and provisions of any Preferred Shares as established by the Board of Directors in accordance with this Article FOURTH.

2.
Preferred Shares:

The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized in its discretion to adopt amendments to the Articles of Incorporation to provide for the issuance of one (1) or more series of Preferred Shares; to establish periodically the number of Preferred Shares to be included in each such series; and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, and other rights of the Preferred Shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Preferred Shares redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall become authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, shall be unclassified as to series, and may thereafter be reissued in the same manner as other authorized but unissued Preferred Shares.

1.
No Preemptive Rights:

Unless specifically provided in connection with the authorization of a series of Preferred Shares, no holder of any Shares of any class of the Corporation shall be entitled to the preemptive right to subscribe for, purchase, or receive any part of any new or additional Shares of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into such Shares, or any warrants or other instruments evidencing rights or options to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire such Shares.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that Lars B. Eller, as President of the Corporation is hereby authorized and directed to file a Certificate of Amendment with the Ohio Secretary of State regarding these amendments.


EX-21

Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC

FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK

FARMERS & MERCHANTS RISK MANAGEMENT, INC.*

 

 

 

* Subsidiary was dissolved in December 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 


EX-23

Exhibit 23

https://cdn.kscope.io/22a64bb59cae3b08c9d33672c4c55bee-img89735615_0.jpg 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-248781) of our report dated February 27, 2024, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, which report is included in Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

FORVIS, LLP

 

Fort Wayne, Indiana

February 27, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

 

1


EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Lars B. Eller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 27, 2024

 

 

/s/ Lars B. Eller

 

Lars B. Eller

 

President and CEO

 

1

 


EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Barbara J. Britenriker, Chief Financial Officer of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 27, 2024

/s/ Barbara J. Britenriker

 

Barbara J. Britenriker

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

1

 


EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Lars B. Eller, Chief Executive Officer, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as added by 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirement of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and;
2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: February 27, 2024

/s/ Lars B. Eller

 

Lars B. Eller

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and will be retained by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 

1

 


EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Barbara J. Britenriker, Chief Financial Officer, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as added by 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirement of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and;
2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: February 27, 2024

/s/ Barbara J. Britenriker

 

Barbara J. Britenriker

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and will be retained by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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