Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Business First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and First United Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), both Connecticut statutory business trusts. Until September 14, 2019 when it was canceled, the Corporation also served as the parent company to First United Statutory Trust III, a Delaware statutory business trust (“Trust III” and together with Trust I and Trust II, the “Trusts”). The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities that qualified as Tier 1 capital. The Bank has two consumer finance company subsidiaries - OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company - and two subsidiaries that it uses to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure - First OREO Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, and FUBT OREO I, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company. The Bank also owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership; a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland (“Liberty Mews”). First United Corporation and its subsidiaries operate principally in four counties in Western Maryland and four counties in West Virginia. As used in these Notes, the terms “the Corporation”, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean First United Corporation and, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these 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 assessment of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) pertaining to investment securities, potential impairment of goodwill, and the valuation of deferred tax assets. For purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2019 presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net income or shareholders’ equity. The Corporation has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of December 31, 2020 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements as prescribed by ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation include the accounts of First United Corporation, the Bank, the OakFirst Loan Centers, First OREO Trust and FUBT OREO I, LLC. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. First United Corporation determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in accordance with GAAP. Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make financial and operating decisions. The Corporation consolidates voting interest entities in which it has 100%, or at least a majority, of the voting interest. As defined in applicable accounting standards, a VIE is an entity that either (i) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (ii) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A controlling financial interest in an entity exists when an enterprise has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests that will absorb a majority of an entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of an entity’s expected residual returns, or both. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. The Corporation accounts for its investment in Liberty Mews utilizing the effective yield method under guidance that applies specifically to investments in limited partnerships that operate qualified affordable housing projects. Under the effective yield method, the investor recognizes tax credits as they are allocated and amortizes the initial cost of the investment to provide a constant effective yield over the period that tax credits are allocated to the investor. The effective yield is the internal rate of return on the investment, based on the cost of the investment and the guaranteed tax credits allocated to the investor. The tax credit allocated, net of the amortization of the investment in the limited partnership, is recognized in the income statement as a component of income taxes attributable to continuing operations. Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk Most of the Corporation’s relationships are with customers located in Western Maryland and Northeastern West Virginia. At December 31, 2020, approximately 10%, or $117.0 million, of total loans were secured by real estate acquisition, construction and development projects, with $115.0 million performing according to their contractual terms and $2.0 million considered to be impaired based on management’s concerns about the borrowers’ ability to comply with present repayment terms. Of the $2.0 million in impaired loans, $1.1 million were performing, $0.5 million were classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) performing in accordance with their modified terms and $0.4 million were classified as non-performing loans at December 31, 2020. Additionally, loans collateralized by commercial rental properties represented 15% of the total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2020. Note 7 discusses the types of securities in which the Corporation invests and Note 8 discusses the Corporation’s lending activities. Investments The investment portfolio is classified and accounted for based on the guidance of ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. Securities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading account securities and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in net gains/losses in other operating income. Securities purchased with the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are recorded at amortized cost. All other investment securities are classified as available-for-sale. These securities are held for an indefinite period of time and may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for liquidity purposes as part of our overall asset/liability management strategy. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for the amortization of premiums to the first call date, if applicable, or to maturity, and for the accretion of discounts to maturity, or, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income from investments. Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investments. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded using the specific identification method. Restricted Investment in Bank Stock Restricted stock, which represents required investments in the common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”) and Community Banker’s Bank (“CBB”), is carried at cost and is considered a long-term investment. Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with ASC Industry Topic 942, Financial Services – Depository and Lending, (942-325-35). Management’s evaluation of potential impairment is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the cost of the restricted stock rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability is influenced by criteria such as (i) the significance of the decline in net assets of the issuing bank as compared to the capital stock amount for that bank and the length of time this situation has persisted, (ii) commitments by the issuing bank to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of that bank, and (iii) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the issuing bank. Management has evaluated the restricted stock for impairment and believes that no impairment charge is necessary as of December 31, 2020 or 2019. The Corporation recognizes dividends on a cash basis. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, dividends of $212,252 and $290,415, respectively, were recorded in other operating income. Loans Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or full repayment by the borrower are reported at their unpaid principal balance outstanding, adjusted for any deferred fees or costs pertaining to origination. Loans that management has the intent to sell are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on an individual basis. Loans held for sale were $3.5 million at December 31, 2020 and $1.7 million at December 31, 2019. The segments of the Bank’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The commercial real estate (“CRE”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. Non-owner occupied CRE loans, which include loans secured by non-owner occupied nonfarm nonresidential properties, generally have a greater risk profile than all other CRE loans, which include loans secured by farmland, multifamily structures and owner-occupied commercial structures. The acquisition and development (“A&D”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. One-to-four family residential construction loans are generally made to individuals for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built. All other A&D loans are generally made to developers or investors for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing residential or commercial structures. These loans have a higher risk profile because the ultimate buyer, once development is completed, is generally not known at the time of the A&D loan. The commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loan segment consists of loans made for the purpose of financing the activities of commercial customers. The residential mortgage loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes: amortizing term loans, which are primarily first liens, and home equity lines of credit, which are generally second liens. The consumer loan segment consists primarily of installment loans (direct and indirect), student loans and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts. Interest and Fees on Loans Interest on loans (other than those on non-accrual status) is recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees in excess of the costs incurred to originate the loan are recognized as income over the life of the loan utilizing either the interest method or the straight-line method, depending on the type of loan. Generally, fees on loans with a specified maturity date, such as residential mortgages, are recognized using the interest method. Loan fees for lines of credit are recognized using the straight-line method. A loan is considered to be past due when a payment has not been received for 30 days past its contractual due date. For all loan segments, the accrual of interest is discontinued when principal or interest is delinquent for 90 days or more unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection. All non-accrual loans are considered to be impaired. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. The Corporation’s policy for recognizing interest income on impaired loans does not differ from its overall policy for interest recognition. Generally, consumer installment loans are not placed on non-accrual status, but are charged off after they are 120 days contractually past due. Loans other than consumer loans are charged-off based on an evaluation of the facts and circumstances of each individual loan. Allowance for Loan Losses An allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is maintained to absorb losses from the loan portfolio. The ALL is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the risk characteristics and credit quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans. The Corporation’s methodology for determining the ALL is based on the requirements of ASC Section 310-10-35, Receivables-Overall-Subsequent Measurement, for loans individually evaluated for impairment and ASC Subtopic 450-20, Contingencies-Loss Contingencies, for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, as well as the Interagency Policy Statements on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and other bank regulatory guidance. The total of the two components represents the Bank’s ALL. The Corporation maintains an ALL on unfunded commercial lending commitments and letters of credit to provide for the risk of loss inherent in these arrangements. The allowance is determined utilizing a methodology that is similar to that used to determine the ALL, modified to take into account the probability of a draw down on the commitment. This allowance is reported as a liability on the balance sheet within accrued interest payable and other liabilities. The balance in the liability account was $109,559 at December 31, 2020 and $78,463 at December 31, 2019. Premises and Equipment Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation for financial reporting has been made by using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 10 to 31.5 years for buildings and 3 to 20 years for furniture and equipment. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test. Bank-Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) BOLI policies are recorded at their cash surrender values. Changes in the cash surrender values are recorded as other operating income. 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 the cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, with any losses charged to the ALL, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Changes in the valuation allowance, sales gains and losses, and revenue and expenses from holding and operating properties are all included in net expenses from other real estate owned. Income Taxes First United Corporation and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, the deferred tax liability or asset is determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) and is measured at the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse. Deferred tax expense is determined by the change in the net liability or asset for deferred taxes adjusted for changes in any deferred tax asset valuation allowance. ASC Topic 740, Taxes, provides clarification on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We have not identified any income tax uncertainties. State corporate income tax returns are filed annually. Federal and state returns may be selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the states where we file, subject to statutes of limitations. At any given point in time, the Corporation may have several years of filed tax returns that may be selected for examination or review by taxing authorities. Interest and penalties on income taxes are recognized as a component of income tax expense. Defined Benefit Plans The defined benefit pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. Under the provisions of Topic 715, the defined benefit pension plan and the supplemental executive retirement plan are recognized as liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition, and unrecognized net actuarial losses, prior service costs and a net transition asset are recognized as a separate component of other comprehensive loss, net of tax. Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10 percent of the greater of plan assets or the pension benefit obligation are amortized over a blend of future service of active employees and life expectancy of inactive participants. Refer to Note 20 for a further discussion of the pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan obligations. Statement of Cash Flows Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Trust Assets and Income Assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not the Bank’s assets and, accordingly, are not included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. Income from the Bank’s trust department represents fees charged to customers. Business Segments The Corporation operates in one segment, community banking, as defined by ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The Corporation in its entirety is managed and evaluated on an ongoing basis by First United Corporation’s Board of Directors and executive management, with no division or subsidiary receiving separate analysis regarding performance or resource allocation. Stock Repurchases Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, shares of capital stock that are repurchased are cancelled and treated as authorized but unissued shares. When a share of capital stock is repurchased, the payment of the repurchase price reduces stated capital by the par value of that share (currently, $0.01 for common stock), and any excess over par value reduces capital surplus. During 2020, the Corporation repurchased 145,291 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $18.96. The Trust department purchased 194,124 shares as an investment in the pension plan at a weighted average price of $13.49. Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchases financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The new model referred to as current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model, will apply to: (a) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost; and (b) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes loans, held to maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. ASU 2016-13 was originally effective for SEC filers for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. In November 2019, the FASB approved a delay of the required implementation date of ASU No. 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Corporation, resulting in a required implementation date for the Corporation of January 1, 2023. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)” - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by requiring that Level 3 fair value disclosures include the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop those fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General”. The amendments in this update remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Corporation adopted this ASU effective December 31, 2020. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract”. This update amends Subtopic 350-40 “Intangibles-Goodwill and other-Internal-Use Software” by adding a subsection to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2018-15 became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848).” The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendment only applies to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of the reference rate reform. The ASU is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Corporation is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard on the loan portfolio, investment portfolio and interest rate swaps, but believes that its adoption will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business

First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and First United Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), both Connecticut statutory business trusts. Until September 14, 2019 when it was canceled, the Corporation also served as the parent company to First United Statutory Trust III, a Delaware statutory business trust (“Trust III” and together with Trust I and Trust II, the “Trusts”). The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities that qualified as Tier 1 capital. The Bank has two consumer finance company subsidiaries - OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company - and two subsidiaries that it uses to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure - First OREO Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, and FUBT OREO I, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company. The Bank also owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership; a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland (“Liberty Mews”).

First United Corporation and its subsidiaries operate principally in four counties in Western Maryland and four counties in West Virginia.

As used in these Notes, the terms “the Corporation”, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean First United Corporation and, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these 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 assessment of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) pertaining to investment securities, potential impairment of goodwill, and the valuation of deferred tax assets. For purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2019 presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net income or shareholders’ equity.

The Corporation has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of December 31, 2020 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements as prescribed by ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation include the accounts of First United Corporation, the Bank, the OakFirst Loan Centers, First OREO Trust and FUBT OREO I, LLC. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

First United Corporation determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in accordance with GAAP. Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make financial and operating decisions. The Corporation consolidates voting interest entities in which it has 100%, or at least a majority, of the voting interest. As defined in applicable accounting standards, a VIE is an entity that either (i) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (ii) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A controlling financial interest in an entity exists when an enterprise has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests that will absorb a majority of an entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of an entity’s expected residual returns, or both. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE.

The Corporation accounts for its investment in Liberty Mews utilizing the effective yield method under guidance that applies specifically to investments in limited partnerships that operate qualified affordable housing projects. Under the effective yield method,

the investor recognizes tax credits as they are allocated and amortizes the initial cost of the investment to provide a constant effective yield over the period that tax credits are allocated to the investor. The effective yield is the internal rate of return on the investment, based on the cost of the investment and the guaranteed tax credits allocated to the investor. The tax credit allocated, net of the amortization of the investment in the limited partnership, is recognized in the income statement as a component of income taxes attributable to continuing operations.

Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk

Most of the Corporation’s relationships are with customers located in Western Maryland and Northeastern West Virginia. At December 31, 2020, approximately 10%, or $117.0 million, of total loans were secured by real estate acquisition, construction and development projects, with $115.0 million performing according to their contractual terms and $2.0 million considered to be impaired based on management’s concerns about the borrowers’ ability to comply with present repayment terms. Of the $2.0 million in impaired loans, $1.1 million were performing, $0.5 million were classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) performing in accordance with their modified terms and $0.4 million were classified as non-performing loans at December 31, 2020. Additionally, loans collateralized by commercial rental properties represented 15% of the total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2020. Note 7 discusses the types of securities in which the Corporation invests and Note 8 discusses the Corporation’s lending activities.

Investments

The investment portfolio is classified and accounted for based on the guidance of ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. Securities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading account securities and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in net gains/losses in other operating income. Securities purchased with the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are recorded at amortized cost. All other investment securities are classified as available-for-sale. These securities are held for an indefinite period of time and may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for liquidity purposes as part of our overall asset/liability management strategy. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes.

The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for the amortization of premiums to the first call date, if applicable, or to maturity, and for the accretion of discounts to maturity, or, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income from investments. Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investments. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded using the specific identification method.

Restricted Investment in Bank Stock

Restricted stock, which represents required investments in the common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”) and Community Banker’s Bank (“CBB”), is carried at cost and is considered a long-term investment.

Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with ASC Industry Topic 942, Financial Services – Depository and Lending, (942-325-35). Management’s evaluation of potential impairment is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the cost of the restricted stock rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability is influenced by criteria such as (i) the significance of the decline in net assets of the issuing bank as compared to the capital stock amount for that bank and the length of time this situation has persisted, (ii) commitments by the issuing bank to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of that bank, and (iii) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the issuing bank. Management has evaluated the restricted stock for impairment and believes that no impairment charge is necessary as of December 31, 2020 or 2019.

The Corporation recognizes dividends on a cash basis. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, dividends of $212,252 and $290,415, respectively, were recorded in other operating income.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or full repayment by the borrower are reported at their unpaid principal balance outstanding, adjusted for any deferred fees or costs pertaining to origination. Loans that management has the intent to sell are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on an individual basis. Loans held for sale were $3.5 million at December 31, 2020 and $1.7 million at December 31, 2019.

The segments of the Bank’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The commercial real estate (“CRE”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. Non-owner occupied CRE loans, which include loans secured by non-owner occupied nonfarm nonresidential properties, generally have a greater risk profile than all other CRE loans, which include loans secured by farmland, multifamily structures and owner-occupied commercial structures. The acquisition and development (“A&D”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. One-to-four family residential construction loans are generally made to individuals for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built. All other A&D loans are generally made to developers or investors for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing residential or commercial structures. These loans have a higher risk profile because the ultimate buyer, once development is completed, is generally not known at the time of the A&D loan. The commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loan segment consists of loans made for the purpose of financing the activities of commercial customers. The residential mortgage loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes: amortizing term loans, which are primarily first liens, and home equity lines of credit, which are generally second liens. The consumer loan segment consists primarily of installment loans (direct and indirect), student loans and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts.

Interest and Fees on Loans

Interest on loans (other than those on non-accrual status) is recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees in excess of the costs incurred to originate the loan are recognized as income over the life of the loan utilizing either the interest method or the straight-line method, depending on the type of loan. Generally, fees on loans with a specified maturity date, such as residential mortgages, are recognized using the interest method. Loan fees for lines of credit are recognized using the straight-line method.

A loan is considered to be past due when a payment has not been received for 30 days past its contractual due date. For all loan segments, the accrual of interest is discontinued when principal or interest is delinquent for 90 days or more unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection. All non-accrual loans are considered to be impaired. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. The Corporation’s policy for recognizing interest income on impaired loans does not differ from its overall policy for interest recognition.

Generally, consumer installment loans are not placed on non-accrual status, but are charged off after they are 120 days contractually past due. Loans other than consumer loans are charged-off based on an evaluation of the facts and circumstances of each individual loan.

Allowance for Loan Losses

An allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is maintained to absorb losses from the loan portfolio. The ALL is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the risk characteristics and credit quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans.

The Corporation’s methodology for determining the ALL is based on the requirements of ASC Section 310-10-35, Receivables-Overall-Subsequent Measurement, for loans individually evaluated for impairment and ASC Subtopic 450-20, Contingencies-Loss Contingencies, for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, as well as the Interagency Policy Statements on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and other bank regulatory guidance. The total of the two components represents the Bank’s ALL.

The Corporation maintains an ALL on unfunded commercial lending commitments and letters of credit to provide for the risk of loss inherent in these arrangements. The allowance is determined utilizing a methodology that is similar to that used to determine the ALL, modified to take into account the probability of a draw down on the commitment. This allowance is reported as a liability on the balance sheet within accrued interest payable and other liabilities. The balance in the liability account was $109,559 at December 31, 2020 and $78,463 at December 31, 2019.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation for financial reporting has been made by using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 10 to 31.5 years for buildings and 3 to 20 years for furniture and equipment. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”)

BOLI policies are recorded at their cash surrender values. Changes in the cash surrender values are recorded as other operating income.

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 the cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, with any losses charged to the ALL, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Changes in the valuation allowance, sales gains and losses, and revenue and expenses from holding and operating properties are all included in net expenses from other real estate owned.

Income Taxes

First United Corporation and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, the deferred tax liability or asset is determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) and is measured at the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse. Deferred tax expense is determined by the change in the net liability or asset for deferred taxes adjusted for changes in any deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

ASC Topic 740, Taxes, provides clarification on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We have not identified any income tax uncertainties.

State corporate income tax returns are filed annually. Federal and state returns may be selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the states where we file, subject to statutes of limitations. At any given point in time, the Corporation may have several years of filed tax returns that may be selected for examination or review by taxing authorities.

Interest and penalties on income taxes are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Defined Benefit Plans

The defined benefit pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. Under the provisions of Topic 715, the defined benefit pension plan and the supplemental executive retirement plan are recognized as liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition, and unrecognized net actuarial losses, prior service costs and a net transition asset are recognized as a separate component of other comprehensive loss, net of tax. Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10 percent of the greater of plan assets or the pension benefit obligation are amortized over a blend of future service of active employees and life expectancy of inactive participants. Refer to Note 20 for a further discussion of the pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan obligations.

Statement of Cash Flows

Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Trust Assets and Income

Assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not the Bank’s assets and, accordingly, are not included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. Income from the Bank’s trust department represents fees charged to customers.

Business Segments

The Corporation operates in one segment, community banking, as defined by ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The Corporation in its entirety is managed and evaluated on an ongoing basis by First United Corporation’s Board of Directors and executive management, with no division or subsidiary receiving separate analysis regarding performance or resource allocation.

Stock Repurchases

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, shares of capital stock that are repurchased are cancelled and treated as authorized but unissued shares. When a share of capital stock is repurchased, the payment of the repurchase price reduces stated capital by the par value of that share (currently, $0.01 for common stock), and any excess over par value reduces capital surplus. During 2020, the Corporation repurchased 145,291 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $18.96. The Trust department purchased 194,124 shares as an investment in the pension plan at a weighted average price of $13.49.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchases financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The new model referred to as current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model, will apply to: (a) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost; and (b) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes loans, held to maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. ASU 2016-13 was originally effective for SEC filers for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. In November 2019, the FASB approved a delay of the required implementation date of ASU No. 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Corporation, resulting in a required implementation date for the Corporation of January 1, 2023.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)” - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by requiring that Level 3 fair value disclosures include the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop those fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General”. The amendments in this update remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Corporation adopted this ASU effective December 31, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract”. This update amends Subtopic 350-40 “Intangibles-Goodwill and other-Internal-Use Software” by adding a subsection to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2018-15 became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848).” The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendment only applies to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of the reference rate reform. The ASU is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Corporation is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard on the loan portfolio, investment portfolio and interest rate swaps, but believes that its adoption will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.