Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Company Description [Policy Text Block]	Business of The Company Peoples Financial Corporation (the “Company”) is a one -bank holding company headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi. Its two subsidiaries are The Peoples Bank, Biloxi, Mississippi (the “Bank”), and PFC Service Corp. Its principal subsidiary is the Bank, which provides a full range of banking, financial and trust services to state, county and local government entities and individuals and small and commercial businesses operating in those portions of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama which are within a fifty mile radius of the Waveland, Wiggins and Gautier branches, the Bank’s three most outlying locations (the “trade area”).
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Accounting The Company and its subsidiaries recognize assets and liabilities, and income and expense, on the accrual basis of accounting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Material estimates common to the banking industry that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include, but are not limited to, the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of other real estate acquired in connection with foreclosure or in satisfaction of loans, assumptions relating to employee and director benefit plan liabilities and valuation allowances associated with the realization of deferred tax assets, which are based on future taxable income.
Revenue [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014 - 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 ), using the modified retrospective method. Disclosures of revenue from contracts with customers for periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC Topic 606 and have not materially changed from the prior year amounts. This update prescribes the process related to the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014 - 09 excludes revenue streams relating to loans and investment securities, which are the major source of revenue for the Company, from its scope. As a result, the adoption of the guidance had no material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue. Consistent with this guidance, the Company recognizes non-interest income within the scope of this guidance as services are transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Other types of revenue contracts, the income from which is included in non-interest income, that are within the scope of ASU 2014 - 09 are: Trust department income and fees : A contract for fiduciary and/or investment administration services on personal trust accounts and corporate trust services. Personal trust fee income is determined as a percentage of assets under management and is recognized over the period the underlying trust is serviced. Corporate trust fee income is recognized over the period the Company provides service to the entity. Service charges on deposit accounts : The deposit contract obligates the Company to serve as a custodian of the customer’s deposited funds and is generally terminable at will by either party. The contract permits the customer to access the funds on deposit and request additional services for which the Company earns a fee, including NSF and analysis charges, related to the deposit account. Income for deposit accounts is recognized over the statement cycle period (typically on a monthly basis) or at the time the service is provided, if additional services are requested. ATM fee income : A contract between the Company, as a card-issuing bank, and its customers whereby the Company receives a transaction fee from the merchant’s bank whenever a customer uses a debit or credit card to make a purchase. These fees are earned as the service is provided (i.e., when the customer uses a debit or ATM card). Other non - interest income : Other non-interest income includes several items, such as wire transfer income, check cashing fees, the increase in cash surrender value of life insurance, rental income from bank properties and safe deposit box rental fees. This income is generally recognized at the time the service is provided and/or the income is earned.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncements In April 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2019 - 04 (“ASU 2019 - 04” ), Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Deriv atives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. ASU 2019 - 04 includes technical corrections relating to scope, held to maturity disclosures, measurement alternative and remeasurement of equity securities. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, result of operations or cash flows. Accounting Standards Update 2016 - 13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326 ): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016 - 13” ), is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information related to expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit by replacing the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit loss estimates. ASU 2016 - 13 does not specify the method for measuring expected credit losses, and an entity is allowed to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate. Additionally, the amendments of ASU 2016 - 13 require that credit losses on available for sale debt securities be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. The Company has established a Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) Committee which includes the appropriate members of management, credit administration and accounting to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures and determine the most appropriate method of implementing this ASU. The Company selected a third -party vendor to provide allowance for loan loss software as well as advisory services in developing a new methodology that would be compliant with ASU 2016 - 13, and is working with the approved third -party vendor to develop the CECL model and evaluate its impact. ASU 2016 - 13 was originally to become effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. In November 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2019 – 10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326 ), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815 ) and Leases (Topic 842 ): Effective Dates (“ASU 2019–10” ). ASU 2019 - 10 amends the effective date for certain entities, including the Company, for ASU 2016 - 13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses . Because the Company is a smaller reporting company, ASU 2016 - 13 is now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019 - 12, Income Taxes (Topic 740 ): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019 - 12 enhances and simplifies certain aspects of income tax accounting guidance related to hybrid tax regimes, interim period accounting for enacted changes in tax law, ownership changes in investments, intraperiod tax allocations and tax basis step-up in goodwill. It is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, result of operations or cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Due from Banks The Company is required to maintain average reserve balances in its vault or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The average amount of these reserve requirements was approximately $383,000 and $527,000 for the years ending December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Securities The classification of securities is determined by Management at the time of purchase. Securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the security until maturity. Securities held to maturity are stated at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as available for sale and are stated at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on these securities are recorded in shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income. The amortized cost of available for sale securities and held to maturity securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, determined using the interest method. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income on securities. A decline in the market value of any investment below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary is charged to earnings for the decline in value deemed to be credit related and a new cost basis in the security is established. The decline in value attributed to non-credit related factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. In estimating other-than-temporary losses, Management considers the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and nature of the issuer, the cause of the decline, especially if related to a change in interest rates, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains and losses on sales of securities, which are reported as gain (loss) on sales and calls of securities in non-interest income.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Investments Other investments include a low income housing partnership in which the Company is a 99% limited partner. The partnership has qualified to receive annual low income housing federal tax credits that are recognized as a reduction of the current tax expense. The investment is accounted for using the equity method.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock [Policy Text Block]	Federal Home Loan Bank Stock The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (“FHLB”) and as such is required to maintain a minimum investment in its stock that varies with the level of FHLB advances outstanding. The stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based on its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment in accordance with GAAP.
Financing Receivable [Policy Text Block]	Loans The loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial and real estate loans within the Company’s trade area that we have the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity. The loan policy establishes guidelines relating to pricing; repayment terms; collateral standards including loan to value limits, appraisal and environmental standards; lending authority; lending limits and documentation requirements. Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is recognized on a daily basis over the terms of each loan based on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees are recognized as income when received. Revenue from these fees is not material to the financial statements. The Company continuously monitors its relationships with its loan customers in concentrated industries such as gaming and hotel/motel, as well as the exposure for out of area, land development, construction and commercial real estate loans, and their direct and indirect impact on its operations. Loan delinquencies and deposit overdrafts are monitored on a weekly basis in order to identify developing problems as early as possible. On a monthly basis, a watch list of credits based on our loan grading system is prepared. Grades are applied to individual loans based on factors including repayment ability, financial condition of the borrower and payment performance. Loans with lower grades are placed on the watch list of credits. The watch list is the primary tool for monitoring the credit quality of the loan portfolio. Once loans are determined to be past due, the loan officer and the special assets department work vigorously to return the loans to a current status. The Company places loans on a nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of Management, they possess sufficient uncertainty as to timely collection of interest or principal so as to preclude the recognition in reported earnings of some or all of the contractual interest. Accrued interest on loans classified as nonaccrual is reversed at the time the loans are placed on nonaccrual. Interest received on nonaccrual loans is applied against principal. Loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current or has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and the ultimate collectibility of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. The placement of loans on and removal of loans from nonaccrual status must be approved by Management. Loans which become 90 days delinquent are reviewed relative to collectibility. Unless such loans are in the process of terms revision to bring them to a current status or foreclosure or in the process of collection, these loans are placed on nonaccrual and, if deemed uncollectible, are charged off against the allowance for loan losses. That portion of a loan which is deemed uncollectible will be charged off against the allowance as a partial charge off. All charge offs must be approved by Management and are reported to the Board of Directors.
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]	Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans. The ALL is established through provisions for loan losses charged against earnings. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the ALL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The ALL is based on Management's evaluation of the loan portfolio under current economic conditions and is an amount that Management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses on loans existing at the reporting date. On a quarterly basis, the Company’s problem asset committee meets to review the watch list of credits, which is formulated from the loan grading system. Members of this committee include loan officers, collection officers, the special assets director, the chief lending officer, the chief credit officer, the chief financial officer and the chief executive officer. The evaluation includes Management’s assessment of several factors: review and evaluation of specific loans, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current and anticipated economic conditions and the related impact on specific borrowers and industry groups, a study of loss experience, a review of classified, non-performing and delinquent loans, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, an estimate of the possibility of loss based on the risk characteristics of the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay and the results of regulatory examinations. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. The ALL consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. The general component of the allowance relates to loans that are not impaired. Changes to the components of the ALL are recorded as a component of the provision for the allowance for loan losses. Management must approve changes to the ALL and must report its actions to the Board of Directors. The Company believes that its allowance for loan losses is appropriate at December 31, 2019. The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company’s impaired loans include troubled debt restructurings and performing and non-performing major loans for which full payment of principal or interest is not expected. Payments received for impaired loans not on nonaccrual status are applied to principal and interest. All impaired loans are reviewed, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. The Company calculates the specific allowance required for impaired loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of its collateral. Most of the Company’s impaired loans are collateral-dependent. The fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans is based on appraisals performed by third -party valuation specialists, comparable sales and other estimates of fair value obtained principally from independent sources such as the Multiple Listing Service or county tax assessment valuations, adjusted for estimated selling costs. The Company has a Real Estate Appraisal Policy (the “Policy”) which is in compliance with the guidelines set forth in the “Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines” which implement Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) and the revised “Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines” issued in 2010. The Policy further requires that appraisals be in writing and conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (“USPAP”). An appraisal prepared by a state-licensed or state-certified appraiser is required on all new loans secured by real estate in excess of $500,000. Loans secured by real estate in an amount of $500,000 or less, or that qualify for an exemption under FIRREA, must have a summary appraisal report or in-house evaluation, depending on the facts and circumstances. Factors including the assumptions and techniques utilized by the appraiser, which could result in a downward adjustment to the collateral value estimates indicated in the appraisal, are considered by the Company. When Management determines that a loan is impaired and the loan is collateral-dependent, an evaluation of the fair value of the collateral is performed. The Company maintains established criteria for assessing whether an existing appraisal continues to reflect the fair value of the property for collateral-dependent loans. Appraisals are generally considered to be valid for a period of at least twelve months. However, appraisals that are less than 12 months old may need to be adjusted. Management considers such factors as the property type, property condition, current use of the property, current market conditions and the passage of time when determining the relevance and validity of the most recent appraisal of the property. If Management determines that the most recent appraisal is no longer valid, a new appraisal is ordered from an independent and qualified appraiser. During the interim period between ordering and receipt of the new appraisal, Management considers if the existing appraisal should be discounted to determine the estimated fair value of collateral. Discounts are applied to the existing appraisal and take into consideration the property type, condition of the property, external market data, internal data, reviews of recently obtained appraisals and evaluations of similar properties, comparable sales of similar properties and tax assessment valuations. When the new appraisal is received and approved by Management, the valuation stated in the appraisal is used as the fair value of the collateral in determining impairment, if any. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance is required as a specific component of the allowance for loan losses. Any specific reserves recorded in the interim are adjusted accordingly. The general component of the ALL is the loss estimated by applying historical loss percentages to non-classified loans which have been divided into segments. These segments include gaming; hotel/motel; real estate, construction; real estate, mortgage; commercial and industrial and all other. The loss percentages are based on each segment’s historical five year average loss experience which may be adjusted by qualitative factors such as changes in the general economy, or economy or real estate market in a particular geographic area or industry. Management considers the following when assessing risk in the Company's loan portfolio segments: gaming- loans in this segment are primarily susceptible to declines in tourism and general economic conditions; hotel/motel - loans in this segment are primarily susceptible to tourism, declines in occupancy rates, business failure, industry concentrations and general economic conditions; real estate, construction - loans in this segment are primarily susceptible to cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, delay in completion of construction and declining real estate values; real estate, mortgage - loans in this segment are primarily susceptible to general economic conditions, declining real estate values, industry concentrations and business failure; commercial and industrial - loans in this segment are primarily susceptible to general economic conditions, declining real estate values, industry concentrations and business failure; and other - loans in this segment, most of which are consumer loans, are primarily susceptible to regulatory risks, unemployment and general economic conditions.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Bank Premises and Equipment Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets.
Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Real Estate Other real estate (“ORE”) includes real estate acquired through foreclosure. Each other real estate property is carried at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is principally based on appraisals performed by third -party valuation specialists. Any excess of the carrying value of the related loan over the fair value of the real estate at the date of foreclosure is charged against the ALL. Any expense incurred in connection with holding such real estate or resulting from any write-downs in value subsequent to foreclosure is included in non-interest expense. When the other real estate property is sold, a gain or loss is recognized on the sale for the difference, if any, between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the property. If the fair value of the ORE, less estimated costs to sell at the time of foreclosure, decreases during the holding period, the ORE is written down with a charge to non-interest expense. Generally, ORE properties are actively marketed for sale and Management is continuously monitoring these properties in order to minimize any losses.
Trust Department Income and Fees [Policy Text Block]	Trust Department Income and Fees Corporate trust fees are accounted for on an accrual basis and personal trust fees are recorded when the underlying trust is serviced.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Additionally, the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carry forwards, is required to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the assets and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities results in deferred tax assets, an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such asset is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of the deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. The Company currently evaluates income tax positions judged to be uncertain. A loss contingency reserve is accrued if it is probable that the tax position will be challenged, it is probable that the future resolution of the challenge will confirm that a loss has been incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated.
Postemployment Benefit Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Post-Retirement Benefit Plan The Company accounts for its post-retirement benefit plan under Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification” or “ASC”) Topic 715, Retirement Benefits (“ASC 715” ). The under or over funded status of the Company’s post-retirement benefit plan is recognized as a liability or asset in the statement of condition. Changes in the plan’s funded status are reflected in other comprehensive income. Net actuarial gains and losses and adjustments to prior service costs that are not recorded as components of the net periodic benefit cost are charged to other comprehensive income.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding of 4,943,186 for 2019, 5,031,778 for 2018, and 5,123,076 for 2017.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Policy Text Block]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) At December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of net unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities and over (under) funded liabilities related to the Company’s post-retirement benefit plan.
Statement of Cash Flows [Policy Text Block]	Statements of Cash Flows The Company has defined cash and cash equivalents to include cash and due from banks. The Company paid $3,231,710, $2,657,616, and $1,420,399 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for interest on deposits and borrowings. No income tax payments were paid in 2019, 2018 and 2017. Loans transferred to other real estate amounted to $1,707,389, $4,706,732 and $1,946,045 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value Measurement The Company reports certain assets and liabilities at their estimated fair value. These assets and liabilities are classified and disclosed in one of three categories based on the inputs used to develop the measurements. The categories establish a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair value.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year statements to conform to current year presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income.