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Nature of Banking Activities and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank; and the Bank's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Fauquier Bank Services, Inc. and Specialty Properties Acquisitions - VA, LLC (formed for the sole purpose of holding foreclosed property). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Basis of Presentation

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 and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of other real estate owned, the valuation of deferred taxes and fair value measurements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations in these financial statements, have been made.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to the current year presentation. None of the reclassifications was material and there was no effect on net income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one day periods. The Company is required to maintain collateral against all loss positions in its interest rate swaps which are described in Note 16.

Securities

Investments in debt securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as either held to maturity, available for sale, or trading, based on management’s intent. Currently all of the Company’s investment securities are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are carried at estimated fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses are recognized in earnings on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the specific identification method over the terms of the securities.

Impairment of securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is recognized in its entirety in net income if either (i) the Company intends to sell the security or (ii) it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery, the Company must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost basis of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than-temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income. The Company regularly reviews each investment security for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market price, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, the Company’s best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, the Company’s intention with regard to holding the security to maturity and the likelihood that the Company would be required to sell the security before recovery.

Restricted Instruments

Restricted Investments

The Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of certain correspondent banks. No readily available market exists for this stock and it has no quoted market value. These investments are recorded at cost and they are reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as restricted investments.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined using current secondary market prices for loans with similar coupons, maturities, and credit quality and fair value of loans committed at year-end.

Loans

The Company makes mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. The Company’s recorded investment in loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally is reported at the unpaid principal balances adjusted for charges-offs, unearned discounts, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is credited to operations based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees and origination costs are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using the interest method. The Company amortizes these amounts over the contractual life of the related loans.

The past due status of a loan is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain based on an evaluation of the net realizable value of the collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it has adequate collateral to cover the principal and interest. For those loans that are carried on nonaccrual status, payments are first applied to the principal outstanding. A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed. These policies are applied consistently across the loan portfolio.

Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for these loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.

A loan is considered a trouble debt restructuring (“TDR”) when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and, if so, whether the Bank has granted a concession to a borrower by modifying the loan. All TDRs are individually evaluated for impairment.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of loan principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans while taking into consideration such factors as historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

All loans are risk rated on a 1-9 grading system:

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Level 1 through 5 are loans with minimal to marginally acceptable risk (Pass)

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Level 6 are loans with potential weaknesses identified (Special mention)

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Level 7 are loans with well-defined weaknesses that may result in possible losses (Substandard)

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Level 8 are loans that are unlikely to be repaid in full and will probably result in losses (Doubtful)

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Level 9 are loans that will not be repaid in full and losses will occur (Loss)

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired, and is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers nonimpaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors and is also maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. This includes an unallocated portion of the allowance which reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating general losses in the portfolio.

The Company has identified the following loan segments and risk characteristics in evaluating the allowance for loan losses:

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Commercial and industrial – Commercial and industrial loans are made to small businesses and carry risks associated with management, industry and economic fluctuations that can impact cash flow, which is the primary source of repayment. Collateral for these loans is primarily business assets. This collateral can fluctuate in value based on market conditions and timing of sale.

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Commercial real estate – Loans secured by commercial real estate carry risks associated with a cyclical industry that has economic and collateral value fluctuations. Commercial real estate lending is primarily limited to the Company's specific geographic market area of Fauquier and Prince William counties.

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Construction and land – Real estate construction loans carry risks that the project will not be finished according to schedule, the project will not be finished according to budget and the value of the collateral may, at any point in time, be less than the principal amount of the loan.

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Consumer – Consumer loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral (e.g., rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles), or lack thereof.

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Student - Student loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower. Student loans are more likely to be immediately adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.

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Residential real estate – Residential real estate loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

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Home equity lines of credit – Home equity lines of credit carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

Risk characteristics are evaluated for each portfolio segment by reviewing external factors such as: unemployment, new building permits, bankruptcies, foreclosures, regional economic conditions, competition and the regulatory environment. Internal risk characteristics evaluated include: lender turnover, lender experience, lending policy changes, loan portfolio characteristics, collateral, risk rating adjustments, loan concentrations, and loan review analysis.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Premises and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 39 years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvement, whichever is less. Software is amortized over its estimated useful life ranging from 3 to 5 years. Depreciation and amortization are recorded on the straight-line method. Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. The Company elected the prospective application approach and did not adjust prior periods. There was no cumulative effect adjustment at adoption. The Company also elected certain practical expedients within the standard and did not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, did not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and did not reassess any initial direct costs for existing leases. Prior to adoption, all of the Company’s leases were classified as operating leases and remained operating leases at adoption. The implementation of the new standard resulted in recognition of a right-of-use asset and offsetting lease liability of $5.6 million for leases existing at the date of adoption.

Contracts that commence subsequent to adoption are evaluated to determine whether they are or contain a lease. The Company has elected the practical expedient not to allocate consideration in a contract between lease and non-lease components. The Company also elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases, defined as leases with terms of 12 months or less.

Lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments and are presented at each reporting date as the net present value of the remaining contractual cash flows. Cash flows are discounted at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate in effect at the commencement date of the lease. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and are calculated as the sum of the lease liability and if applicable, prepaid rent, initial direct costs and any incentives received from the lessor.

Lease payments for short-term leases are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Payments for leases with terms longer than twelve months are included in the determination of the lease liability. Each of the Company’s leases offer the option to extend the lease term and include a known escalator which is included in the cash flows used to determine the lease liability.

None of the Company’s leases provides for residual value guarantees and none provides restrictions or covenants that would impact dividends or require incurring additional financial obligations. The contracts in which the Company is lessee are with parties external to the Company and not related parties.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of like properties, length of time the properties have been held, and the Company's ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. The Company may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less costs to sell if valuations indicate a further deterioration in market conditions. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the property valuations are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets and improvements are capitalized.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the asset has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (i) the assets have been isolated from the Company, and are presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (ii) 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 (iii) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the balance sheet method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.

When tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, the Company believes it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than fifty percent (50%) likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the applicable taxing authority upon examination. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the statement of operations. The Company has no uncertain tax positions.

Share based Compensation

Share-based Compensation

Compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions is measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Compensation cost for all stock awards is calculated and recognized over the employees’ service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Additional information about the Company’s share-based compensation plans is presented in Note 12.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represent income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to restricted stock and are determined using the treasury method. Earnings per share calculations are presented in Note 11.

Comprehensive Income

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, changes in defined benefit plan assets and liabilities, and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. These components are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The fair value of a derivative is determined by quoted market prices and mathematical models using current and historical data. If certain hedging criteria are met, including testing for hedge effectiveness, special hedge accounting may be applied. The Company assesses each hedge, both at inception and on an ongoing basis, to determine whether the derivative used in a hedging transaction is effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item and whether the derivative is expected to remain effective during subsequent periods. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when (i) it determines that a derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised; (iii) probability exists that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur or; (iv) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued and a derivative remains outstanding, the Company recognizes the derivative in the balance sheet at its fair value and changes in the fair value are recognized in net income.

At inception, the Company designates a derivative as (i) a fair value hedge of recognized assets or liabilities or of unrecognized firm commitments (fair value hedge) or (ii) a hedge of forecasted transactions or variable cash flows to be received or paid in conjunction with recognized assets or liabilities (cash flow hedge). For a derivative treated as a fair value hedge, a change in fair value is recorded as an adjustment to the hedged item and recognized in net income. For a derivative treated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of a change in fair value is recorded as an adjustment to the hedged item and recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within shareholders’ equity. For a derivative treated as a cash flow hedge, the ineffective portion of a change in fair value is recorded as an adjustment to the hedged item and recognized in net income. For more information on derivative financial instruments see Note 16.

Wealth Management Services Division

Securities and other property held by the Wealth Management Services division in a fiduciary or agency capacity are not assets of the Company and are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Marketing

The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of marketing, including advertising, to expense as incurred.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant information and assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 18. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The majority of the Company's revenues are associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities. The Company’s noninterest income includes trust, estate and brokerage fee income, service charges on deposits accounts and net interchange fee income. Substantially all of the Company's revenue is generated from contracts with customers. Noninterest income streams are discussed below.

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Trust, estate and brokerage fee income – Income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts, estates and other customer assets and by providing investment brokerage services. Fees that are transaction-based (e.g., execution of trades) are recognized on a monthly basis. Other fees, or commissions, are earned over time as the contracted monthly or quarterly services are provided and are generally assessed based on either account activity or the market value of assets under management.

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Service charges on deposit accounts – The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for overdraft and account maintenance services. Overdraft fees are recognized when the overdraft occurs. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. The Company also earns fees from its customers for transaction-based services. Such services include safe deposit box, ATM, stop payment and wire transfer fees. In each case, these service charges and fees are recognized in income at the time or within the same period that the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied.

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Interchange fee income, net – The Company earns interchange fees from debit and credit cardholder transactions conducted through various payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available for sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. For public business entities that are Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filers, excluding those meeting the smaller reporting company definition, the standard became effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. All other entities will be required to apply the guidance for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company qualifies as a smaller reporting company and expects to adopt ASU No. 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. Changes under these amendments represent a fundamental shift from existing GAAP and may result in a material increase to the Company's accounting for credit losses on financial instruments. To prepare for implementation of the new standard the Company has established a working group to evaluate the impact these changes will have on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has also contracted with a third-party for credit modeling in accordance with this ASU. During 2019, the Company was focused on model validations and parallel runs as well as the development of processes and related controls. The Company has not yet determined an estimate of the effect of these changes on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” The amendments modify the disclosure requirements in Topic 820 to add disclosures regarding changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty. Certain disclosure requirements in Topic 820 are also removed or modified. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Certain of the amendments are to be applied prospectively while others are to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” These amendments modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Certain disclosure requirements have been deleted while the following disclosure requirements have been added: the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised interest crediting rates and an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The amendments also clarify the disclosure requirements in paragraph 715-20-50-3, which state that the following information for defined benefit pension plans should be disclosed: The projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBOs in excess of plan assets and the accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets. The amendments are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2018-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments.” This ASU clarifies and improves areas of guidance related to the recently issued standards on credit losses, hedging, and recognition and measurement including improvements resulting from various Transition Resource Group meetings. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU No. 2019-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief.” The amendments in this ASU provide entities that have certain instruments within the scope of Subtopic 326-20 with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option in Subtopic 825-10, applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis for eligible instruments, upon the adoption of Topic 326. The fair value option election does not apply to held-to-maturity debt securities. An entity that elects the fair value option will subsequently measure those instruments at fair value with changes in fair value flowing through earnings. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments will be applied on a modified-retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings balance in the balance sheet. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU No. 2019-05 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” This ASU addresses issues raised by stakeholders during the implementation of ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” Among other narrow-scope improvements, the new ASU clarifies guidance around how to report expected recoveries. “Expected recoveries” describes a situation in which an organization recognizes a full or partial write-off of the amortized cost basis of a financial asset, but then later determines that the amount written off, or a portion of that amount, will in fact be recovered. While applying the credit losses standard, stakeholders questioned whether expected recoveries were permitted on assets that had already shown credit deterioration at the time of purchase (also known as Purchased Credit Deterioration (“PCD”) assets). In response to this question, the ASU permits organizations to record expected recoveries on PCD assets. In addition to other narrow technical improvements, the ASU also reinforces existing guidance that prohibits organizations from recording negative allowances for available-for-sale debt securities. The ASU includes effective dates and transition requirements that vary depending on whether or not an entity has already adopted ASU No. 2016-13. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU No. 2019-11 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The ASU is expected to reduce cost and complexity related to the accounting for income taxes by removing specific exceptions to general principles in Topic 740 (eliminating the need for an organization to analyze whether certain exceptions apply in a given period) and improving financial statement preparers’ application of certain income tax-related guidance. This ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative to make narrow-scope simplifications and improvements to accounting standards through a series of short-term projects. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU No. 2019-12 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, “Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.” The ASU is based on a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force and is expected to increase comparability in accounting for these transactions. ASU No. 2016-01 made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. For public business entities, the amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2020-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Effective November 25, 2019, the SEC adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 119. SAB 119 updated portions of SEC interpretative guidance to align with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” It covers topics including (1) measuring current expected credit losses; (2) development, governance, and documentation of a systematic methodology; (3) documenting the results of a systematic methodology; and (4) validating a systematic methodology.