First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (a Texas corporation) (“Bankshares”, “Company,” “we” or “us”) is a financial holding company which owns all of the capital stock of one bank with 78 locations located in Texas as of March 31, 2021. The Company’s subsidiary bank is First Financial Bank, N.A. The Company’s primary source of revenue is providing loans and banking services to consumers and commercial customers in the market area in which First Financial Bank, N.A. is located. In addition, the Company also owns First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, N.A., First Financial Insurance Agency, Inc., First Technology Services, Inc. and First Financial Investments, Inc.

A summary of significant accounting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows. The accounting principles followed by the Company and the methods of applying them are in conformity with both United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practices of the banking industry.

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 reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include its allowance for credit losses and its valuation of financial instruments.

On March 12, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 4,000,000 common shares through September 30, 2021. Previously, the Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 common shares through September 30, 2020. The stock repurchase plan authorizes management to repurchase and retire the stock at such time as repurchases and retirements are considered beneficial to the Company and stockholders. Any repurchase of stock will be made through the open market, block trades or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Under the repurchase plan, there is no minimum number of shares that the Company is required to repurchase. Through March 31, 2021, 324,802 shares were repurchased and retired (all during the months of March and April 2020) totaling $8,008,000 under this repurchase plan.

On January 1, 2020, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding capital stock of TB&T Bancshares, Inc. through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary with and into TB&T Bancshares, Inc. Following such merger, TB&T Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station, Texas were merged into the Company and First Financial Bank, N.A., respectively. The results of operations of TB&T Bancshares, Inc. subsequent to the acquisition date, are included in the consolidated earnings of the Company. See Note 10 for additional information.

On January 1, 2020, ASU

2016-13,

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

, became effective for the Company. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” Topic 326 (“ASC 326”) replaced the previous “incurred loss” model for measuring credit losses with an unexpected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and

held-to-maturity

debt securities. It also applies to

off-balance-sheet

(“OBS”) credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments). In addition, ASC 326 made changes to the accounting for

available-for-sale

debt securities. One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down on

available-for-sale

debt securities management does not intend to sell or believes that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed by the President of the United States that included an option for entities to delay the implementation of ASC 326 until the earlier of the termination date of the national emergency declaration by the President or December 31, 2020. Under this option, the Company elected to delay its implementation of CECL and calculated and recorded the provision for credit losses through the nine-months ended September 2020 under the incurred loss model. At December 31, 2020, the Company elected to adopt ASC 326, effective as of January 1, 2020, through a transition charge to retained earnings of $589,000 ($466,000 net of applicable income taxes). This transition adjustment was comprised of a decrease of $619,000 in allowance for credit losses and an increase of $1,208,000 in the reserve for unfunded commitments.

With the adoption of ASC 326, we revised certain accounting policies and implemented certain accounting policy elections which are described below. For the 2020 interim reporting periods, the allowance for credit losses were based on the incurred loss methodology in accordance with accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2019 Form

10-K.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for securities for which other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized prior to January 1, 2020. As a result, the amortized cost basis remains the same before and after the effective date of ASC 326. The effective interest rate on these debt securities was not changed.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for financial assets purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) and accounted for under ASC

310-30.

In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. For the periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and December 31, 2020, amounts related to the Company’s PCD and PCI loans were insignificant and disclosures related to these balances have been omitted.

ASU

2017-04,

“Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.”

ASU

2017-04

amended and simplified current goodwill impairment testing to eliminate Step 2 from the current provisions. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU

2017-04

became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU

2018-13,

“Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). – Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.”

ASU

2018-13

modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in ASU

2018-13

remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, modify/clarify the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU

2018-13

became effective on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU

2019-12,

“Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.”

ASU

2019-12,

simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a

step-up

in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU

2019-12

is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within. Adoption of ASU

2019-12

did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

ASU

2020-04,

“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.”

ASU

2020-04

provides optional expedients and exceptions for accounting related to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU

2020-04

applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. ASU

2020-04

was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU

2020-04

did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

ASU

2021-01,

“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope.”

ASU

2021-01

clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU

2021-01

also amends the expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. ASU

2021-01

was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU

2021-01

did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Management classifies debt securities as

held-to-maturity,

available-for-sale,

or trading based on its intent. Securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as

held-to-maturity

and recorded at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized as adjustments to interest income using the interest method. Securities not classified as

held-to-maturity

or trading are classified as

available-for-sale

and recorded at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses (those for which no allowance for credit losses are recorded) reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase.

The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of securities and report accrued interest separately in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. A security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. There was no accrued interest related to securities reversed against interest income for the three-months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The Company records its

available-for-sale

securities portfolio at fair value. Fair values of these securities are determined based on methodologies in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance. Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors, including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates, credit ratings and yield curves. Fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on the quoted prices of similar instruments or an estimate of fair value by using a range of fair value estimates in the marketplace as a result of the illiquid market specific to the type of security.

The Company’s investment portfolio currently consists of obligations of state and political subdivisions, mortgage pass-through securities, corporate bonds and general obligation or revenue based municipal bonds. Pricing for such securities is generally readily available and transparent in the market. The Company utilizes independent third-party pricing services to value its investment securities, which the Company reviews as well as the underlying pricing methodologies for reasonableness and to ensure such prices are aligned with pricing matrices. The Company validates prices supplied by the independent pricing services by comparison to prices obtained from other third-party sources on a quarterly basis.

For

available-for-sale

securities in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, any previously recognized allowances are

charged-off

and the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income as a provision for credit losses. For

available-for-sale

securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of 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 for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on

available-for-sale

securities from the estimate of credit losses. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit losses.

Available-for-sale

securities are

charged-off

against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through income when deemed uncollectible by management or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that were deemed to be other-than-temporary were reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses prior to the adoption, management considered, among other things, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value had been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the intent and our ability to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

The allowance for credit losses on

held-to-maturity

securities is a contra-asset valuation account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326, that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of

held-to-maturity

securities to present management’s best estimate of the net amount expected to be collected.

Held-to-maturity

securities are

charged-off

against the allowance when deemed uncollectible by management. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of credit loss expense. Management measures expected credit losses on

held-to-maturity

securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on

held-to-maturity

securities from the estimate of credit losses.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost, net of the allowance for credit losses. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, fair value hedge accounting adjustments, deferred loan fees and costs. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of loans and report accrued interest separately from the related loan balance in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. In determining whether or not a borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations for each class of loans, we consider the borrower’s debt service capacity through the analysis of current financial information, if available, and/or current information with regards to our collateral position. Regulatory provisions would typically require the placement of a loan on nonaccrual status if principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection or full payment of principal and interest is not expected. Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized only to the extent that cash payments are received in excess of principal due. A loan may be returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured.

Impairment was evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of a similar nature and on an individual loan basis for other loans. If a loan was impaired, a specific valuation allowance was allocated, if necessary, so that the loan was reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment was expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans were typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount was reasonably assured, in which case interest was recognized on a cash basis. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, were charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Loans acquired in connection with acquisitions are recorded at their acquisition-date fair value. The allowance for credit losses related to the acquired loan portfolio is not carried over. Acquired loans are classified into two categories based on the credit risk characteristics of the underlying borrowers as either purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans, or loans with no evidence of credit deterioration

(“non-PCD”).

PCD loans are defined as a loan or pool of loans that have experienced more-than-insignificant credit deterioration since the origination date. The Company uses a combination of individual and pooled review approaches to determine if acquired loans are PCD. At acquisition, the Company considers a number of factors to determine if an acquired loan or pool of loans has experienced more-than-insignificant credit deterioration.

The initial allowance related to PCD loans that share similar risk characteristics is established using a pooled approach. The Company uses either a discounted cash flow or weighted average remaining life method to determine the required level of the allowance. PCD loans that were classified as nonaccrual as of the acquisition date and are collateral dependent are assessed for allowance on an individual basis.

Determining the fair value of the acquired loans involves estimating the principal and interest payment cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest. Management considers a number of factors in evaluating the acquisition-date fair value including the remaining life, interest rate profile, market interest rate environment, payment schedules, risk ratings, probability of default and loss given default, and estimated prepayment rates. For PCD loans, the

non-credit

discount or premium is allocated to individual loans as determined by the difference between the loan’s unpaid principal balance and amortized cost basis. The

non-credit

premium or discount is recognized into interest income on a level yield basis over the remaining expected life of the loan. For

non-PCD

loans, the fair value discount or premium is allocated to individual loans and recognized into interest income on a level yield basis over the remaining expected life of the loan.

Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, loans acquired in a business combination that had evidence of credit impairment and for which it was probable, at acquisition, that the Company would be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable were considered PCI. PCI loans were accounted for individually or aggregated into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics such as credit grade, loan type, and date of origination.

The allowance for credit losses (“allowance” or “ACL”) is a contra-asset valuation account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326, that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans. The ACL represents an amount which, in management’s judgement, is adequate to absorb the lifetime expected credit losses that may be experienced on outstanding loans at the balance sheet date based on the evaluation of the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and prepayment experience. The allowance for credit losses is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. Determination of the adequacy of the allowance is inherently complex and requires the use of significant and highly subjective estimates. Loans are

charged-off

against the allowance when deemed uncollectible by management. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously

charged-off

and expected to be

charged-off.

Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of the provision for credit losses. Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on loans from the estimate of credit losses.

The Company’s methodology for estimating the allowance includes: (1) a collective quantified reserve that reflects the Company’s historical default and loss experience adjusted for expected economic conditions throughout a reasonable and supportable forecast period, including the Company’s expected prepayment and curtailment rates; (2) collective qualitative factors that consider concentrations of the loan portfolio, expected changes to the economic forecasts, large relationships, early delinquencies, and factors related to credit administrations, including, among others,

loan-to-value

ratios, borrowers’ risk rating and credit score migrations; and (3) individual allowances on loans where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty or when the Company determines that the foreclosure is probable.

In calculating the allowance for credit losses, most loans are segmented into pools based upon similar characteristics and risk profiles. Common characteristics and risk profiles include the type/purpose of loan, underlying collateral, geographical similarity and historical/expected credit loss patterns. In developing these loan pools for the purposes of modeling expected credit losses, we also analyzed the degree of correlation in how loans within each portfolio respond when subjected to varying economic conditions and scenarios as well as other portfolio stress factors. For modeling purposes, our loan portfolio segments include Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”), Municipal, Agricultural, Construction and Development, Farm,

Non-Owner

Occupied and Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”), Residential, Consumer Auto and Consumer

Non-Auto.

We periodically reassess each pool to ensure the loans within the pool continue to share similar characteristics and risk profiles and to determine whether further segmentation is necessary. Refer to Note 3 for more details on the Company’s portfolio segments.

The Company applies two methodologies to estimate the allowance on its pooled portfolio segments; discounted cash flows method and weighted average remaining life method. Allowance estimates on the following portfolio segments are calculated using the discounted cash flows method: C&I, Municipal, Construction and Development, Farm,

Non-Owner

Occupied and Owner Occupied CRE and Residential. Allowance estimates on the following portfolio segments are calculated using the remaining life method: Agriculture, Consumer Auto and Consumer

Non-Auto.

The models related to these methodologies utilize the Company’s historical default and loss experience adjusted for future economic forecasts. The reasonable and supportable forecast period represents a

one-year

economic outlook for the applicable economic variables. Following the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period expected losses revert back to the historical mean over the next two years on a straight-line basis. Economic variables that have the most significant impact on the allowance include; Texas unemployment rate, Texas house price index and Texas retail sales index. Contractual loan level cash flows within the discounted cash flows methodology are adjusted for the Company’s historical prepayment and curtailment rate experience.

In some cases, management may determine that an individual loan exhibits unique risk characteristics which differentiate the loan from other loans within our loan pools. In such cases, the loans are evaluated for expected credit losses on an individual basis and excluded from the collective evaluation. Specific allocations of the allowance for credit losses are determined by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk rating of the loan and economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry, among other things. A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when, based upon management’s assessment, the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale of the collateral. In such cases, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date, adjusted for estimated selling costs if satisfaction of the loan depends on the sale of the collateral. We reevaluate the fair value of collateral supporting collateral dependent loans on an ongoing basis.

Management qualitatively adjusts model results for risk factors that are not considered within our modeling processes but are nonetheless relevant in assessing the expected credit losses within our loan pools. These qualitative factor

(“Q-Factor”)

adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses by a calculated percentage or amount based upon the estimated level of risk. The various risks that may be considered in making

Q-Factor

adjustments include, among other things, the impact of (i) changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and practices for collections, write-offs, and recoveries, (ii) actual and expected changes in national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the loan pools, (iii) changes in the nature, volume and size of a loan or the loan pools and in the terms of the underlying loans, (iv) changes in the experience, ability, and depth of our lending management and staff, (v) changes in volume and severity of past due financial assets, the volume of nonaccrual assets, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded assets, (vi) changes in the quality of our credit review function, (vii) changes in the value of the underlying collateral for loans that are

non-collateral

dependent, (viii) the existence, growth, and effect of any concentrations of credit and (ix) other factors such as the regulatory, legal and technological environments; competition; and events such as natural disasters or health pandemics.

Management believes it uses relevant information available to make determinations about the allowance and that it has established the existing allowance in accordance with GAAP. However, the determination of the allowance requires significant judgment, and estimates of expected lifetime losses in the loan portfolio can vary significantly from the amounts actually observed. While management uses available information to recognize expected losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in the loans comprising the portfolio, changes in the current and forecasted economic conditions, changes to the interest rate environment which may directly impact prepayment and curtailment rate assumptions, and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.

The allowance for credit losses on

off-balance-sheet

credit exposures is a liability account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326, representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which we are exposed to credit risk resulting from a contractual obligation to extend credit. These obligations include unfunded lines of credit, commitments to extend credit and federal funds sold to correspondent banks and standby letters of credit. No allowance is recognized if we have the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. The allowance is reported as a component of accrued interest payable and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of the provision for credit losses. At March 31, 2021, 2020 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $6,918,000, $809,000 and $5,486,000, respectively.

Other real estate owned is foreclosed property held pending disposition and is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. At foreclosure, if the fair value of the real estate, less estimated costs to sell, is less than the Company’s recorded investment in the related loan, a write-down is recognized through a charge to the allowance for credit losses. Any subsequent reduction in value is recognized by a charge to income. Operating and holding expenses of such properties, net of related income, and gains and losses on their disposition are included in net gain (loss) on sale of foreclosed assets as incurred.

Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the respective lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

The Company accounts for all business combinations under the purchase method of accounting. Tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of the acquired entity are recorded at fair value. Intangible assets with finite useful lives represent the future benefit associated with the acquisition of the core deposits and are amortized over seven years, utilizing a method that approximates the expected attrition of the deposits. Goodwill with an indefinite life is not amortized, but rather tested annually for impairment as of June 30 each year. There was no impairment recorded for the three-months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020, respectively.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are classified as borrowings, generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected at the amount of the cash received in connection with the transaction. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the estimated fair value of the underlying securities.

The Company has determined that its banking regions meet the aggregation criteria of the current authoritative accounting guidance since each of its banking regions offer similar products and services, operate in a similar manner, have similar customers and report to the same regulatory authority, and therefore operate one line of business (community banking) located in a single geographic area (Texas).

The Company’s provision for income taxes is based on income before income taxes adjusted for permanent differences between financial reporting and taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability (or 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.

The Company grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the grant date. The grant date fair value is amortized over the vesting period which generally is six years. The Company also grants restricted stock for a fixed number of shares. The grant date fair value is amortized over the vesting period which generally is one to three years. See Note 8 for further information.

Net earnings per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company calculates dilutive EPS assuming all outstanding stock options to purchase common shares and unvested restricted stock shares have been exercised and/or vested at the beginning of the year (or the time of issuance, if later.) The dilutive effect of the outstanding options and restricted stock is reflected by application of the treasury stock method, whereby the proceeds from the exercised options and unearned compensation for both restricted stock and stock options are assumed to be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the respective period. There were no anti-dilutive shares for the three-months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The following table reconciles the computation of basic EPS to diluted EPS:


	Net Earnings (in thousands)		Weighted Average Shares		Per Share Amount
For the three-months ended March 31, 2020:
Net earnings per share, basic	$	37,232		142,118,864	$	0.26
Effect of stock options and stock grants		—		616,344		—

Net earnings per share, diluted	$	37,232		142,735,208	$	0.26