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Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies
 
Our accounting policies are described in Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2020 Form 10-K. Select policies have been reiterated below that have a particular affiliation to our interim financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. The Company accounts for certain of its revenue streams deemed to arise from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenue streams within the scope of and accounted for under ASC 606 include: service charges and fees on deposit accounts, debit card interchange fees, custodial account fees, fees from other services the Bank provides its customers, and gains and losses from the sale of other real estate owned and property, premises and equipment. ASC 606 requires revenue to be recognized when the Company satisfies related performance obligations by transferring to the customer a good or service. The recognition of revenue under ASC 606 requires the Company to first identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and finally recognize revenue when the performance obligations have been satisfied and the good or service has been transferred. The majority of the Company’s contracts with customers associated with revenue streams that are within the scope of ASC 606 are considered short-term in nature and can be canceled at any time by the customer or the Bank, such as a deposit account agreement. Other more significant revenue streams for the Company such as interest income on loans and investment securities are specifically excluded from the scope of ASC 606 and are accounted for under other applicable GAAP.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances lead management to believe the value of goodwill may be impaired. Impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level, which is considered the Company level as management has identified the Company is its sole reporting unit as of March 31, 2021. Management’s assessment of goodwill is performed in accordance with ASC 350-20 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Goodwill, which allows the Company to first perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill to determine if it is more likely than not the fair value of the Company’s equity is below its carrying value. However, GAAP also allows the Company, at its option, to unconditionally forego the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to a quantitative assessment. When performing a qualitative assessment of goodwill, should the results of such analysis indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of the Company’s equity is below its carrying value, the Company then performs the quantitative assessment of goodwill to determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying value, the Company would then recognize the amount of impairment as the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Impairment losses are recorded as a charge to noninterest expense.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible (“CDI”) and customer relationship intangible assets arising from whole bank acquisitions, and are amortized on either an accelerated basis, reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise used up, or on a straight-line amortization method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 11 years. 
Leases. The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with ASC 842, which requires the Company to record liabilities for future lease obligations as well as assets representing the right to use the underlying leased asset. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are accounted for using straight-line expense recognition with no liability or asset being recorded for such leases. Other than short-term leases, the Company classifies its leases as either finance leases or operating leases. Leases are classified as finance leases when any of the following are met: (a) the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term, (b) the lease contains an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, (c) the term of the lease represents a major part of the remaining life of the underlying asset, (d) the present value of the future lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset, or (e) the underling leased asset is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term due to its specialized nature. When the Company’s assessment of a lease does not meet the foregoing criteria, and the term of the lease is in excess of 12 months, the lease is classified as an operating lease.    

Liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets are determined based on the total contractual base rents for each lease, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease or at the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate if the rate is not implicit in the lease. The Company measures future base rents based on the minimum payments specified in the lease agreement, giving consideration for periodic contractual rent increases which are based on an escalation rate or a specified index. When future rent payments are based on an index, the Company uses the index rate observed at the time of lease commencement to measure future lease payments. Liabilities to make lease payments are accounted for using the interest method, which are reduced by periodic rent payments, net of interest accretion. Right-of-use assets for finance leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, while right-of-use assets for operating leases are amortized over the term of the lease by amounts that represent the difference between periodic straight-line lease expense and periodic interest accretion on the related liability to make lease payments. Expense recognition for finance leases is representative of the sum of periodic amortization of the associated right-of-use asset as well as the periodic interest accretion on the liability to make lease payments. Expense recognition for operating leases is recorded on a straight-line basis. As of March 31, 2021, all of the Company’s leases were classified as either operating leases or short-term leases.

From time to time the Company leases portions of the space it leases to other parties through sublease transactions. Income received from these transactions is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the sublease.

Securities. The Company has established written guidelines and objectives for its investing activities. At the time of purchase, management designates the security as either held to maturity, available-for-sale or held for trading based on the Company’s investment objectives, operational needs, and intent. The investments are monitored to ensure that those activities are consistent with the established guidelines and objectives.
 
Securities Held-to-Maturity. Investments in debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at cost and adjusted for periodic principal payments and the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period of time remaining to investment’s maturity. 

Securities Available-for-Sale. Investments in debt securities that management has no immediate plan to sell, but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method over the remaining period to the call date for premiums or contractual maturity for discounts and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, the estimated average life, which can fluctuate based on the anticipated prepayments on the underlying collateral of the securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, are recorded in a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method, recorded on a trade date basis based on the amortized cost basis of the specific security and are included in noninterest income as net gain (loss) on investment securities.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Investment Securities. The ACL on investment securities is determined for both the held-to-maturity and available-for-sale classifications of the investment portfolio in accordance with ASC 326. For available-for-sale investment securities, the Company performs a quarterly qualitative evaluation for securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if, for those investments in an unrealized loss position, the decline in fair value is credit related or non-credit related. In determining whether a security’s decline in fair value is credit related, the Company considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (i) the extent to which the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; (iii) downgrades in credit ratings; (iv) payment structure of the security, (v) the ability of the issuer of the security to make scheduled principal and interest payments, and (vi) general market conditions which reflect prospects for the economy as a whole, including interest rates and sector credit spreads. If it is determined that the unrealized loss can be attributed to credit loss, the Company records the amount of credit loss through a charge to provision for credit losses in current period earnings. However, the amount of credit loss recorded in current period earnings is limited to the amount of the total unrealized loss on the security, which is measured as the amount by which the security’s fair value is below its amortized cost. If it is likely the Company will be required to sell the security in an unrealized loss position, the total amount of the loss is recognized in current period earnings. Unrealized losses deemed non-credit related are recorded, net of tax, through accumulated other comprehensive income.
    
The Company determines expected credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities through a discounted cash flow approach, using the security’s effective interest rate. However, as previously mentioned, the measurement of credit losses on available-for-sale securities only occurs when, through the Company’s qualitative assessment, it is determined all or a portion of the unrealized loss is deemed to be credit related. The Company’s discounted cash flow approach incorporates assumptions about the collectability of future cash flows. The amount of credit loss is measured as the amount by which the security’s amortized cost exceeds the present value of expected future cash flows. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities are measured on an individual basis, while credit losses on held-to-maturity securities are measured on a collective basis according to shared risk characteristics. Credit losses on held-to-maturity securities are only recognized at the individual security level when the Company determines a security no longer possesses risk characteristics similar to others in the portfolio. The Company does not measure credit losses on an investment’s accrued interest receivable, but rather promptly reverses from current period earnings the amount of accrued interest that is no longer deemed collectable. Accrued interest receivable for investment securities is included in accrued interest receivable balances in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Loans Held for Investment. Loans held for investment are loans the Company has the ability and intent to hold until their maturity. These loans are carried at amortized cost, including discounts and premiums on purchased and acquired loans, and net deferred loan origination fees and costs. Purchase discounts and premiums and net deferred loan origination fees and costs on loans are accreted or amortized as an adjustment of yield, using the interest method, over the expected lives of the loans. Income recognition of deferred loan fees and costs is discontinued for loans placed on nonaccrual. Any remaining discounts, premiums, deferred fees or costs, and prepayment fees associated with loan payoffs prior to contractual maturity are included in loan interest income in the period of payoff. Loan commitment fees received to originate or purchase a loan are deferred and, if the commitment is exercised, recognized over the life of the loan using the interest method as an adjustment of yield or, if the commitment expires unexercised, recognized as income upon expiration of the commitment. 
The Company accrues interest on loans using the interest method and only if deemed collectible. Loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more based on contractual terms of the loan or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to collection of principal and or interest. When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is promptly reversed against current period interest income, and as such an ACL for accrued interest receivable is not established. Interest income generally is not recognized on nonaccrual loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied as a reduction to the loan principal balance. Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to all principal and interest.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The Company accounts for credit losses on loans in accordance with ASC 326, which requires the Company to record an estimate of expected lifetime credit losses for loans at the time of origination or acquisition. The ACL is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for expected credit losses in the portfolio as of the date of the consolidated statements of financial condition. Estimating expected credit losses requires management to use relevant forward-looking information, including the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts. The measurement of the ACL is performed by collectively evaluating loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company measures the ACL on commercial real estate loans and commercial loans using a discounted cash flow approach, and a historical loss rate methodology is used to determine the ACL on retail loans. The Company’s discounted cash flow methodology incorporates a probability of default and loss given default model, as well as expectations of future economic conditions, using reasonable and supportable forecasts. Together, the probability of default and loss given default model with the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts generate estimates for cash flows expected to be collected over the estimated life of a loan. Estimates of future expected cash flows ultimately reflect assumptions made concerning net credit losses over the life of a loan. The use of reasonable and supportable forecasts requires significant judgment, such as selecting forecast scenarios and related scenario-weighting, as well as determining the appropriate length of the forecast horizon. Management leverages economic projections from a reputable and independent third party to inform and provide its reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. Other internal and external indicators of economic forecasts may also be considered by management when developing the forecast metrics. The Company’s ACL model reverts to long-term average loss rates for purposes of estimating expected cash flows beyond a period deemed reasonable and supportable. The Company forecasts economic conditions and expected credit losses over a two-year time horizon before reverting to long-term average loss rates. The duration of the forecast horizon, the period over which forecasts revert to long-term averages, the economic forecasts that management utilizes, as well as additional internal and external indicators of economic forecasts that management considers, may change over time depending on the nature and composition of our loan portfolio. Changes in economic forecasts, in conjunction with changes in loan specific attributes, impact a loan’s probability of default and loss given default, which can drive changes in the determination of the ACL.

Expectations of future cash flows are discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. The resulting ACL represents the amount by which the loan’s amortized cost exceeds the net present value of a loan’s discounted cash flows. The ACL is recorded through a charge to provision for credit losses and is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries on loans previously charged-off. It is the Company’s policy to charge-off loan balances at the time they have been deemed uncollectible. Please also see Note 7 - Allowance for Credit Losses, of these consolidated financial statements for additional discussion concerning the Company’s ACL methodology.
The Company’s ACL model also includes adjustments for qualitative factors, where appropriate. Since historical information (such as historical net losses and economic cycles) may not always, by itself, provide a sufficient basis for determining future expected credit losses, the Company periodically considers the need for qualitative adjustments to the ACL. Qualitative adjustments may be related to and include, but not limited to factors such as: (i) management’s assessment of economic forecasts used in the model and how those forecasts align with management’s overall evaluation of current and expected economic conditions, (ii) organization specific risks such as credit concentrations, collateral specific risks, regulatory risks, and external factors that may ultimately impact credit quality, (iii) potential model limitations such as limitations identified through backtesting, and other limitations associated with factors such as underwriting changes, acquisition of new portfolios and changes in portfolio segmentation, and (iv) management’s overall assessment of the adequacy of the ACL, including an assessment of model data inputs used to determine the ACL.

The Company has a credit portfolio review process designed to detect problem loans. Problem loans are typically those of a substandard or worse internal risk grade, and may consist of loans on nonaccrual status, troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), loans where the likelihood of foreclosure on underlying collateral has increased, collateral dependent loans and other loans where concern or doubt over the ultimate collectability of all contractual amounts due has become elevated. Such loans may, in the opinion of management, be deemed to no longer possess risk characteristics similar to other loans in the loan portfolio, and as such may require individual evaluation to determine an appropriate ACL for the loan. When a loan is individually evaluated, the Company typically measures the expected credit loss for the loan based on a discounted cash flow approach, unless the loan has been deemed collateral dependent. Collateral dependent loans are loans where the repayment of the loan is expected to come from the operation of and/or eventual liquidation of the underlying collateral. The ACL for collateral dependent loans is determined using estimates for the expected fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell.

Although management uses the best information available to derive estimates necessary to measure an appropriate level of ACL, future adjustments to the ACL may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory, and other conditions that may extend beyond the Company’s control. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ACL and credit review process. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management.

The Company has segmented the loan portfolio according to loans that share similar attributes and risk characteristics. Each segment possesses varying degrees of risk based on, among other things, the type of loan, the type of collateral, and the sensitivity of the borrower or industry to changes in external factors such as economic conditions. These segment groupings are: investor loans secured by real estate, business loans secured by real estate, commercial loans, and retail loans. Within each segment grouping there are various classes of loans as disclosed below. The Company determines the ACL for loans based on this more detailed loan segmentation and classification.

At March 31, 2021, the Company had the following detailed segmentation on classes of loans:

Investor Loans Secured by Real Estate:

Commercial real estate non-owner-occupied - Commercial real estate (“CRE”) non-owner-occupied includes loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral, but where the borrower does not occupy the underlying property. The primary risks associated with these loans include the borrower’s inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral, significant increases in interest rates, changes in market rents, and vacancy of the underlying property, any of which may make the real estate loan unprofitable to the borrower. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.
Multifamily - Multifamily loans are secured by multi-tenant (5 or more units) residential real properties. Payments on multifamily loans are dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, and repayment of these loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy.

Construction and land - We originate loans for the construction of one-to-four family and multifamily residences and CRE properties in our primary market area. We concentrate our efforts on single homes and small infill projects in established neighborhoods where there is not abundant land available for development. Construction loans are considered to have higher risks due to construction completion and timing risk, and the ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, government regulation of real property, and the availability of long-term financing. Additionally, economic conditions may impact the Company’s ability to recover its investment in construction loans, as adverse economic conditions may negatively impact the real estate market, which could affect the borrower’s ability to complete and sell the project. Additionally, the fair value of the underlying collateral may fluctuate as market conditions change. We occasionally originate land loans located predominantly in California for the purpose of facilitating the ultimate construction of a home or commercial building. The primary risks include the borrower’s inability to pay and the inability of the Company to recover its investment due to a decline in the fair value of the underlying collateral.

Business Loans Secured by Real Estate:

Commercial real estate owner-occupied - CRE owner-occupied includes loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral and where the underlying property is occupied by the borrower, such as with a place of business. These loans are primarily underwritten based on the cash flows of the business and secondarily on the real estate. The primary risks associated with CRE owner-occupied loans include the borrower’s inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral, and significant increases in interest rates, which may make the real estate loan unprofitable to the borrower. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.

Franchise secured by real estate - Franchise real estate secured loans are business loans secured by real property occupied by franchised restaurants, generally quick-service restaurants. These loans are primarily underwritten based on the cash flows of the business and secondarily on the real estate. Risks associated with these loans include material decreases in the value of real estate being held as collateral, and the borrower’s inability to pay as a result of increases in interest rates or decreases in cash flow from the underlying business.

Small Business Administration (“SBA”) - We are approved to originate loans under the SBA’s Preferred Lenders Program (“PLP”). The PLP lending status affords us a higher level of delegated credit autonomy, translating to a significantly shorter turnaround time from application to funding, which is critical to our marketing efforts. We originate loans nationwide under the SBA’s 7(a), SBAExpress, International Trade, and 504(a) loan programs, in conformity with SBA underwriting and documentation standards. SBA loans are similar to commercial business loans, but have additional credit enhancement provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, for up to 85% of the loan amount for loans up to $150,000 and 75% of the loan amount for loans of more than $150,000. The Company originates SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portion into the secondary market on a quarterly basis. Certain loans classified as SBA are secured by commercial real estate property. SBA loans secured by hotels are included in the segment investor loans secured by real estate, and SBA loans secured by all other forms of real estate are included in the business loans secured by real estate segment. All other SBA loans are included in the commercial loans segment below, and are secured by business assets.
Commercial Loans:

Commercial and industrial (including franchise commercial loans) (“C&I”) - Loans to businesses, secured by business assets including inventory, receivables, and machinery and equipment. Loan types includes revolving lines or credit, term loans, seasonal loans, and loans secured by liquid collateral such as cash deposits or marketable securities. Franchise credit facilities not secured by real estate and Home Owners’ Association (“HOA”) credit facilities are included in C&I loans. We also issue letters of credit on behalf of our customers. Risk arises primarily due to the difference between expected and actual cash flows of the borrowers. In addition, the recoverability of the Company’s investment in these loans is also dependent on other factors primarily dictated by the type of collateral securing these loans. The fair value of the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate as market conditions change. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the recovery of the Company’s investment is dependent upon the borrower’s ability to collect amounts due from its customers.

Retail Loans:

One-to-four family - Although we do not originate, we have acquired first lien single family loans through bank acquisitions. The primary risks of one-to-four family loans include the borrower’s inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral, and significant increases in interest rates, which may make loans unprofitable to the borrower.

Consumer loans - In addition to consumer loans acquired through our various bank acquisitions, we originate a limited number of consumer loans, generally for banking clients only, which consist primarily of home equity lines of credit, savings account secured loans and auto loans. Repayment of these loans is dependent on the borrower’s ability to pay and the fair value of the underlying collateral.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”). From time to time, the Company makes modifications to certain loans when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. These modifications are made to alleviate temporary impairments in the borrower’s financial condition and/or constraints on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, and to minimize potential losses to the Company. Modifications typically include: changes in the amortization terms of the loan, reductions in interest rates, acceptance of interest only payments, and, in limited cases, reductions to the outstanding loan balance. Such loans are typically placed on nonaccrual status and are returned to accrual status when all contractual amounts past due have been brought current, the loan has performed under the modified terms of the loan agreement for a period of at least six months, and the ultimate collectability of all contractual amounts due under the modified terms of the loan agreement is no longer in doubt. The Company typically measures the ACL for TDRs on an individual basis when the loans are deemed to no longer share similar risk characteristics with other loans in the portfolio. The determination of the ACL for TDRs is based on a discounted cash flow approach for both those measured collectively and individually, unless the loan is deemed collateral dependent, which requires measurement of the ACL based on the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, permits financial institutions to suspend requirements under GAAP for loan modifications to borrowers affected by COVID-19 that would otherwise be characterized as TDRs and suspend any determination related thereto if (i) the loan modification is made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the end of the coronavirus emergency declaration and (ii) the applicable loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Consolidated Appropriations Act (“CAA”), signed into law on December 27, 2020, extends the applicable period to include modification to loans held by financial institutions executed between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) January 1, 2022, or (ii) 60 days after the date of termination of the COVID-19 national emergency. The Company has elected to apply this guidance to qualifying loan modifications. For such modifications, in the form of payment deferrals, the delinquency status will not advance and loans that were accruing at the time that the relief is provided will generally not be placed on nonaccrual status during the deferral period. Interest income will continue to be recognized over the contractual life of the loan. However, the Company, through its credit portfolio management activities, has continued to monitor facts and circumstances associated with the underlying credit quality of loans modified under the provisions of the
CARES Act in an effort to identify any loans where the accrual of interest during the modification period is no longer appropriate. In such cases, the Company ceases the accrual of interest and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is promptly reversed against current period interest income. For additional information, see Note 6 - Loans Held for Investment.

Acquired Loans. Loans acquired through a purchase or a business combination are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. The Company performs an assessment of acquired loans to first determine if such loans have experienced more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since their origination and thus should be classified and accounted for as purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. For loans that have not experienced more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination, referred to as non-PCD loans, the Company records such loans at fair value, with any resulting discount or premium accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the interest method. Additionally, upon the purchase or acquisition of non-PCD loans, the Company measures and records an ACL based on the Company’s methodology for determining the ACL. The ACL for non-PCD loans is recorded through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the period in which the loans were purchased or acquired.

Acquired loans that are classified as PCD are acquired at fair value, which includes any resulting discounts or premiums. Discounts and premiums are accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the interest method. Unlike non-PCD loans, the initial ACL for PCD loans is established through an adjustment to the acquired loan balance and not through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the period in which the loans were acquired. The ACL for PCD loans is determined with the use of the Company’s ACL methodology. Characteristics of PCD loans include: delinquency, downgrade in credit quality since origination, loans on nonaccrual status, and/or other factors the Company may become aware of through its initial analysis of acquired loans that may indicate there has been more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since a loan’s origination. In connection with the Opus acquisition on June 1, 2020, the Company acquired PCD loans with an aggregate fair value of approximately $841.2 million, and recorded an ACL of approximately $21.2 million, which was added to the amortized cost of the loans on the date of acquisition.

Subsequent to acquisition, the ACL for both non-PCD and PCD loans are determined with the use of the Company’s ACL methodology in the same manner as all other loans.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”). Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are recorded at fair value, less cost to sell, with any excess of the loan’s amortized cost balance over the fair value of the property recorded as a charge against the ACL. The Company obtains an appraisal and/or market valuation on all other real estate owned at the time of possession. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management. Any subsequent declines in fair value are recorded as a charge to non-interest expense in current period earnings with a corresponding write-down to the asset. All legal fees and direct costs, including foreclosure and other related costs, are expensed as incurred.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.