AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TAX CREDIT PARTNERSHIPS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TAX CREDIT PARTNERSHIPS [Abstract]

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TAX CREDIT PARTNERSHIPS

14. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TAX CREDIT PARTNERSHIPS

The Company makes equity investments in various limited partnerships or limited liability companies that sponsor affordable housing projects utilizing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The purpose of these investments is to achieve a satisfactory return on capital, to facilitate the sale of affordable housing product offerings, and to assist in achieving goals associated with the Community Reinvestment Act.  The primary activities of these entities include the identification, development, and operation of multi-family housing that is leased to qualifying residential tenants.  Generally, these types of investments are funded through a combination of debt and equity.

The Company is a limited partner or non-managing member in each LIHTC limited partnership or limited liability company, respectively.  Each of these entities is managed by an unrelated third-party general partner or managing member who exercises significant control over the affairs of the entity.  The general partner or managing member has all the rights, powers and authority granted or permitted to be granted to a general partner of a limited partnership or managing member of a limited liability company.  Duties entrusted to the general partner or managing member include, but are not limited to: investment in operating companies, company expenditures, investment of excess funds, borrowing funds, employment of agents, disposition of fund property, prepayment and refinancing of liabilities, votes and consents, contract authority, disbursement of funds, accounting methods, tax elections, bank accounts, insurance, litigation, cash reserve, and use of working capital reserve funds.  Except for limited rights granted to the limited partner(s) or non-managing member(s) relating to the approval of certain transactions, the limited partner(s) and non-managing members may not participate in the operation, management, or control of the entity’s business, transact any business in the entity’s name or have any power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the entity.  In addition, the general partner or managing member may only be removed by the limited partner(s) or managing member(s) in the event of a failure to comply with the terms of the agreement or negligence in performing its duties.

The general partner or managing member of each entity has both the power to direct the activities which most significantly affect the performance of each entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities.  Therefore, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of any LIHTC entity.  The Company uses the effective yield method to account for its pre-2015 investments in these entities.  Beginning January 1, 2015, any new investments that meet the requirements of the proportional amortization method are recognized using the proportional amortization method.  The Company’s net affordable housing tax credit investments and related unfunded commitments were $8,541,000 and $1,304,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. All partnerships entered into prior to 2015 were fully amortized as of December 31, 2022.

Unfunded Commitments

As of December 31, 2023, the expected payments for unfunded affordable housing commitments were as follows (dollars in thousands):

2024	$	4,063
2025		2,169
2026		124
2027		19
2028		19
Thereafter		136
	$	6,530

The following table presents tax credits and other tax benefits recognized and amortization expense related to affordable housing for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands).

	2023		2022		2021
Effective Yield Method
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized	$	-	$	141	$	141
Amortization Expense in other expense		-		108		108
Proportional Amortization Method
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized		948		-		-
Amortization Expense in Provision for Income Taxes		762		-		-

There were no impairment losses related to LIHTC investments for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.