Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers National Banc Corp. (“Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Farmers National Bank of Canfield (“Bank” or “Farmers Bank”), Farmers Trust Company (“Farmers Trust”) and Farmers National Captive, Inc. (“Captive”). The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of the Bank’s subsidiaries; Farmers National Insurance, LLC (“Farmers Insurance”) and Farmers of Canfield Investment Co. (“Farmers Investments”). The Company completed its acquisition of Cortland Bancorp (“Cortland”) on November 1, 2021 and has since included its results of operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Together all entities are referred to as “the Company.” All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations: The Company provides full banking services, including wealth management services and mortgage banking activity, through the Bank. As a national bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The primary area served by the Bank is the northeastern region of Ohio through forty-five (45) locations and one location in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Company provides trust services and retirement consulting services through its Farmers Trust subsidiary and insurance services through the Bank’s Insurance subsidiary. Farmers Trust has a state-chartered bank license to conduct trust business from the Ohio Department of Commerce – Division of Financial Institutions. The primary purpose of Farmers Investments is to invest in municipal securities. Captive provides property and casualty insurance coverage to the Company and its subsidiaries. Captive pools resources with eleven similar insurance subsidiaries of financial institutions to spread a limited amount of risk among the pool members and to provide insurance where not currently available or economically feasible in today’s insurance market place.

Estimates

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations: Business combinations are accounted for by applying the acquisition method. As of acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at fair value and recognized separately from goodwill. Results of operations of the acquired entities are included in the consolidated statement of income from the date of acquisition.

Cash Flows

Cash Flows: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with other financial institutions and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Net cash flows are reported for loan and deposit transactions, short-term borrowings and other assets and liabilities.

Securities

Securities: Debt securities classified as available for sale are those that could be sold for liquidity, investment management, or similar reasons, even though management has no present intentions to do so. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Premiums are amortized to the earliest call date. Purchases and sales are recorded on the trade date, with resulting gains and losses determined using the specific identification method.

The Company has adopted ASU 2016-13 that makes improvements to the accounting for credit losses on securities available for sale. The concept of other than-temporarily impaired securities has been replaced with the allowance for credit losses. Securities available for sale are evaluated on an individual level and pooling of securities is no longer an option. During this evaluation process, management considers the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans Held for Sale: Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are charged to earnings.

Mortgage loans held for sale are sold with or without servicing rights. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.

Loans

Loans: Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, and an allowance for credit losses. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate.

Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level yield method without anticipating prepayments. Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.

For all classes of loans, when interest accruals are discontinued, interest accrued but not received is reversed against interest income. Interest on such loans is thereafter recorded on a cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Purchased Credit Dependent Loans

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans (PCD): The Company acquires loans individually and in groups or portfolios. At acquisition, the Company reviews each loan to determine whether there is evidence of more than insignificant deterioration of credit quality since origination. The Company determines whether each such loan is to be accounted for individually or whether such loans will be assembled into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics (loan type and date of origination).

PCD loans acquired in a transaction are marked to fair value and a mark on yield is recorded. In addition, an adjustment is made to the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") for the expected loss on the acquisition date. These loans are assessed on a regular basis and subsequent adjustments to the ACL are recorded on the statements of income.

Derivatives

Derivatives: Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities at fair value. The Company’s two derivatives are interest-rate swap agreements and mortgage banking derivatives. These are used as part of the Company's asset and liability management strategy to aid in managing its interest rate risk position. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or balance sheet hedging purposes. The derivative transactions are considered instruments with no hedging designation, with changes in the fair value reported currently in earnings, as other noninterest income.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk: There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. However, most of the Company’s business activity is with customers located within Northeastern Ohio. Therefore, the Company’s exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy of an eleven county area. Loans secured by real estate represent 68.2% of the total portfolio and changes related to the real estate markets are monitored by management.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Allowance for Credit Losses: On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the current expected credit loss model (“CECL”). This methodology for calculating the allowance for credit losses considers the possibility of loss over the life of the loan. It also considers historical loss rates and other qualitative adjustments, as well as a new forward-looking component that considers reasonable and supportable forecasts over the expected life of each loan. To develop the ACL estimate under the current expected loss model, the Company segments the loan portfolio into loan pools based on loan type and similar credit risk elements. The Company uses the cohort (“cohort”) and the probability of default/loss given default (“PD/LGD”) methodologies as described in the Credit Quality Indicators section of the loan footnote. Under ASC 326, if a loan does not share similar risk characteristics with loans in that pool, expected credit losses for that loan are evaluated individually. The Company has established specific thresholds for the loan portfolio that trigger when loans need to be evaluated individually. In addition, ASC 326 requires the Company to establish a separate liability for anticipated credit losses for unfunded commitments.

Under CECL the credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts used to determine credit loss assumptions.

The Company uses two methodologies, the cohort and the PD/LGD, to analyze loan pools. Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but aren’t limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.

The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, becomes a troubled debt restructuring or is partially, or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.

A reassessment of the existing acquired loans occurred in the third quarter of 2021. This was to align with the calculation of the ACL being used under the CECL model. To the extent that any purchased loan is not specifically reviewed, such loan is assumed to have characteristics similar to the characteristics of the originated risk pools. The grade for each purchased loan without evidence of credit deterioration is reviewed subsequent to the date of acquisition any time a loan is renewed or extended or at any time information becomes available to the Company that provides material insight regarding the loan’s performance, the status of the borrower or the quality or value of the underlying collateral. To the extent that current information indicates it is probable that the Company will collect all amounts according to the contractual terms thereof, such loan is not individually considered in the determination of the required allowance for credit losses. To the extent that current information indicates it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts according to the contractual terms thereof, such loan is considered in the determination of the required level of allowance.

In determining the day one fair values of purchased loans without evidence of credit deterioration at the date of acquisition, management includes (i) no carry-over of any previously recorded allowance for loan losses and (ii) an adjustment of the unpaid principal balance to reflect an appropriate market rate of interest and credit risk, given the risk profile and grade assigned to each loan. This adjustment is accreted into earnings as a yield adjustment, using the effective yield method, over the remaining life of each loan.

The ACL represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses in the Company’s loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company estimates the ACL based on the amortized cost basis of the underlying loan and has made an accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest from the loan’s amortized cost basis and the related measurement of the ACL. Estimating the amount of the ACL is a function of a number of factors, including but not limited to changes in the loan portfolio, net charge-offs, trends in past due and nonaccrual loans, and the level of potential problem loans, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. While management uses the best information available to establish the allowance, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary, which may be material, if economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in estimating the allowance. If additions to the original estimate of the allowance for credit losses are deemed necessary, they will be reported in earnings in the period in which they become reasonably estimable and probable. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.

The Company considers the guidance on troubled debt restructuring for loans when evaluating for disclosure. Troubled debt restructurings are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flow using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, the Company determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for credit losses.

Servicing Rights

Servicing Rights: When mortgage loans are sold and servicing rights are retained, the servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. The Company compares the valuation model inputs and results to published industry data to validate the model results and assumptions. The fair value of the mortgage servicing rights as of December 31, 2022 was $5.28 million.

All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method, which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non‑interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the assets compared to carrying amount. Any impairment is reported as a valuation allowance, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for a grouping. At December 31, 2022, there was a valuation allowance impairment totaling $17 thousand. There was no valuation allowance impairment against servicing assets as of December 31, 2021.

Servicing fee income is recorded when earned for servicing loans based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income. Servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are not considered significant for financial reporting.

Foreclosed Assets

Foreclosed Assets: Assets acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. These assets are recorded in other assets on the balance sheets as other real estate owned (“OREO”). Operating costs after acquisition are expensed. The Company had zero OREO recorded at December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 40 years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years.

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock: The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional

amounts. The Bank is also a member of and owns stock in the Federal Reserve Bank. These stocks are carried at cost, classified as restricted securities included in other investments, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Restricted stock totaled $18.2 million at December 31, 2022 and $15.6 million in 2021. Cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank Owned Life Insurance: The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key officers. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

Long-term Assets

Long-term Assets: Premises and equipment and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill resulting from a business combination is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired as of the acquisition date. Goodwill acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected September 30 as the date to perform the annual goodwill impairment tests associated with the acquisitions of Farmers Trust, Farmers Insurance and the recent Banking acquisitions. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the balance sheet. Core deposit intangible assets arising from bank acquisitions are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 7 to 8 years. Non-compete contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis, over the term of the agreements. Customer relationship and trade name intangibles are amortized over a range of 13 to 15 years on an accelerated method.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments: Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: Compensation cost is recognized for restricted stock awards issued to employees, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. The market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required 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.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans: Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching and discretionary contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per Common Share: Basic earnings per common share is net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock equity awards. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for all stock splits and stock dividends through the date of issuance of the financial statements.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in the funded status of the post-retirement plan, which are recognized as separate components of equity, net of tax effects.

Loss Contingencies

Loss Contingencies: Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are any matters currently that would have a material effect on the financial statements.

Restrictions on Cash

Restrictions on Cash: Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements.

Equity

Equity: Treasury stock is carried at cost.

Dividend Restriction

Dividend Restriction: Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank and Farmers Trust to the holding company or by the holding company to shareholders.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions as more fully disclosed in Note 7. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.

Operating Segments

Operating Segments: Operations are managed and financial performance is primarily aggregated and reported in two lines of business, the Bank segment and Farmers Trust segment. The Company discloses segment information in Note 23.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Newly Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Newly Issued, Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards:

On March 31, 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), which eliminates the troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), accounting model for creditors that have adopted ASU 2022-02. Due to the removal of the TDR accounting model, all loan modifications now will be accounted for under the general loan modification guidance in Subtopic 310-20. In addition, on a prospective basis, entities will be subject to new disclosure requirements covering modifications of receivables and whether a modification results in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. Public business entities within the scope of the Topic 326 vintage disclosure requirements also will be required to prospectively disclose current-period gross write-off information by vintage, or year of origination. For entities that have adopted Topic 326, ASU 2022-02 takes effect in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has elected not to early adopt ASU 2022-02 at this time. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

On October 28, 2021, FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU requires contract assets and contract liabilities to be accounted for as if they (the acquirer) entered into the original contract at the same time and same date as the acquiree. This is a shift from existing guidance, which required the acquirer to recognize contract assets and contract liabilities at their fair value as of the acquisition date. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition. Management determined that Emclaire had an immaterial amount of contracts with customers.

On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 and amended by ASU 2021-01, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, to ease the burden of accounting for contract modifications related to reference rate reform. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 create a new Topic in the Codification, ASC 848, Reference Rate Reform, which contains guidance that is designed to simplify how entities account for contracts that are modified to replace LIBOR or other benchmark interest rates with new rates. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 give entities the option to apply expedients and exceptions to contract modifications that are made until December 31, 2022, if certain criteria are met. If adopted, these amendments and exceptions should be applied to all eligible modifications to contracts that are accounted for under an ASC Topic or industry Subtopic. The guidance in ASC 848 will not apply to any contract modifications made after December 31, 2022. The amendments in this update are elective and can be applied during the period of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 that defers the sunset date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13: Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires an organization to measure 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 changed to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available for sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 was effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.

In accordance with the accounting relief provisions of CARES and subsequent provisions of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, the Bank postponed the adoption of the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) accounting standards, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021. The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded the onetime adjustment to equity in the amount of $1.9 million, net of tax which increased the allowance for credit losses $2.5 million.