The Company uses derivative instruments to minimize unplanned fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by interest rate volatility. The Company’s interest rate risk management strategy generally involves modifying the repricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities to mitigate negative impacts on net interest margin and/or cash flow. Derivative instruments utilized by the Company generally include interest rate swap contracts or option contracts, such as caps and floors. The fair values of derivative instruments are carried in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as assets and/or liabilities. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes and generally enters into transactions that have a qualifying hedge relationship. When hedge accounting is used, derivatives are classified as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The Company may also enter into derivative contracts that are not designated as hedges in order to mitigate economic risks or risks associated with volatility in connection with customer derivative transactions.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had active hedges in place that were receiving hedge accounting treatment, as well as derivative instruments that were not receiving hedge accounting treatment. In addition, the Company’s net interest income continued to benefit from certain derivative contracts that were terminated in prior periods, but that were originally designated for hedge accounting purposes. In accordance with original hedge relationship, unrealized gains recorded upon termination are being reclassified to interest income or interest expense over the original terms of the derivative contracts.

In June 2023, the Company entered into three forward interest rate swap contracts on a pool of fixed rate indirect consumer loans. Each of the three contracts has a $10.0 million notional amount, or $30 million in aggregate. The interest rate swaps were designated as derivative instruments in fair value hedges with the objective of effectively converting a pool of fixed rate indirect consumer loans to a variable rate throughout the hedge durations in accordance with the portfolio layer method. Under the contractual arrangements, for each swap, the Company pays a fixed interest rate and receives a variable interest rate based on the SOFR, on the notional amounts, with monthly net settlements. The three swap contracts are scheduled to terminate at different maturity dates, including December 1, 2025, December 1, 2026, and June 1, 2027. As of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the hedge relationships for all three swaps were designated effective, and accordingly, changes in the fair value of the contracts were included as adjustment to the underlying fixed rate consumer loans.

In February 2023, the Company voluntarily terminated four interest rates swap contracts, each with notional amounts of $10.0 million, or an aggregate amount of $40.0 million. Two of the swaps were previously designated as cash flow hedges, while two were previously designated as fair value hedges. The termination of the cash flow hedges resulted in a net unrealized gain totaling $1.1 million. The unrealized gain was initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, and is being reclassified to reduce interest expense over the original terms of the swap contracts. Remaining unrealized gains associated with these terminated cash flow hedges totaled $0.5 million and $0.7 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The termination of the fair value hedges resulted in an unrealized gain totaling $1.0 million which is being reclassified to increase interest income over the original terms of the swap contracts. Remaining unrealized gains associated with the fair value hedges totaled $0.3 million and $0.4 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

In May 2022, the Company voluntarily terminated one interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $10.0 million. The swap was previously designated as a cash flow hedge. The termination resulted in a net unrealized gain of $0.3 million. The unrealized gain was initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, and is being reclassified to reduce interest expense over the original term of the swap contract. Remaining unrealized gains associated with this terminated cash flow hedge totaled $48 thousand and $84 thousand as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

In March 2024, the Company entered into two interest rate floor contracts, each with a notional amount of $25 million, or $50 million in aggregate. The interest rate floor contracts were not designated as hedging instruments, and accordingly, changes in the fair value of the contracts are being recorded as non-interest income or expense. Both of the derivative contracts are intended to mitigate the Company’s risk of loss associated with shifts downward in the SOFR. One of the contracts will provide cash flow to the Company in the event the SOFR decreases below 4.0% before the contract’s designated termination date of March 27, 2025, while the other contract will provide cash flow to the Company in the event the SOFR decreases below 3.0% prior to the contract’s designated termination date of March 27, 2026.

The table below reflects the notional amount and fair value of active derivative instruments included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets on a net basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.


	As of March 31, 2024				As of December 31, 2023
			Estimated				Estimated
	Notional		Fair Value		Notional		Fair Value
	Amount		Gain (Loss) (1)		Amount		Gain (Loss) (1)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate swaps related to fixed rate indirect consumer loans	$	30,000	$	273	$	30,000	$	(119	)
Total fair value hedges				273				(119	)
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments, net				273				(119	)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate floors	$	50,000		75	$	—		—
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, net			$	75			$	—

(1)

Derivatives in a gain position are recorded as other assets and derivatives in a loss position are recorded as other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents the net effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s interim condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The effects, which include the reclassification of unrealized gains on terminated swap contracts, are presented as either an increase or decrease to income before income taxes in the relevant caption of the Company’s interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.


Location in the Condensed		Three Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Operations		March 31, 2024			March 31, 2023
		(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest income	Interest and fees on loans	$	260		$	168
Interest expense	Interest on deposits		120			136
Interest expense	Interest on borrowings		36			36
Non-interest expense	Other non-interest expense		(24	)		-
	Net increase (decrease) to income before income taxes	$	392		$	340