Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Bancorp (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary First Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank has three wholly owned subsidiaries that are fully consolidated, SBA Complete, Inc. (“SBA Complete”), Magnolia Financial, Inc. ("Magnolia Financial"), and First Troy SPE, LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of filing this Annual Report Form 10-K. The Company is a bank holding company. The principal activity of the Company is the ownership and operation of the Bank, a state chartered bank with its main office in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The Company is also the parent company for a series of statutory trusts that were formed at various times since 2002 for the purpose of issuing trust preferred debt securities. The trusts are not consolidated for financial reporting purposes; however, notes issued by the Company to the trusts in return for the proceeds from the issuance of the trust preferred securities are included in the consolidated financial statements and have terms that are substantially the same as the corresponding trust preferred securities. The trust preferred securities qualify as capital for regulatory capital adequacy requirements. SBA Complete specializes in providing consulting services for financial institutions across the country related to Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan origination and servicing. Magnolia Financial is a business financing company that makes loans throughout the southeastern United States. First Troy SPE, LLC was formed in order to hold and dispose of certain real estate foreclosed upon by the Bank. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates made by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements are the determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans, the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, the accounting and impairment testing related to intangible assets, and the fair value and discount accretion of acquired loans. Operating, Accounting and Reporting Considerations related to COVID-19 - The coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic that emerged in March 2020 negatively impacted the local, national, and global economy, disrupted global supply chains, caused business closures, increased unemployment levels, and created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets. In response to the hardships arising from the pandemic, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed by the President of the United States. Certain provisions within the CARES Act encouraged financial institutions to practice prudent efforts to work with borrowers impacted by COVID-19. Under these provisions, which the Company applied, loan modifications deemed to be COVID-19-related are not considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if the loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and the deferral was executed between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of 60 days after the date of termination of the COVID-19 national emergency or December 31, 2020. This CARES Act provision was subsequently extended to January 1, 2022. The banking regulators issued similar guidance, which also clarified that a COVID-19-related modification would not meet the requirements under GAAP to be a TDR if the borrower was current on payments at the time the underlying loan modification program was implemented and if the modification is considered to be short-term. During 2020, the Company generally offered impacted borrowers loan payment deferrals of 90 days in duration, with a deferral renewal if requested. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had payment deferrals of $16.6 million, and at December 31, 2021 the Company had no loans deferred under this CARES Act provision. Additionally, the Company participated in the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") under the CARES Act. The Company originated $247.5 million in PPP loans during the second quarter of 2020. In December 2020, the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus COVID Relief Deal, included, among other things, additional stimulus payments for individuals under certain income thresholds and small business relief, which included additional funds for PPP loans. As a result, in early 2021, the Company originated an additional $113.1 million in PPP loans. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, the Company began accepting and transmitting PPP loan forgiveness documentation. This forgiveness process continued during 2021, and as a result, the Company's remaining PPP loans amounted to only $39.0 million at December 31, 2021. The economies of our market areas generally improved during 2021 as they recovered from the pandemic. However, the ongoing impact on the Company of the continuing pandemic, including infection rate spikes and new strains of COVID-19 is uncertain. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants have a further impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business Combinations – The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The accounts of an acquired entity are included as of the date of acquisition, and any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is capitalized as goodwill. Under this method, all identifiable assets acquired, including purchased loans, and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value. The Company typically issues common stock and/or pays cash for an acquisition, depending on the terms of the acquisition agreement. The value of common shares issued is determined based on the market price of the stock as of the closing of the acquisition. Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid assets with original maturities of 90 days or less, such as cash on hand, noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing amounts due from banks and federal funds sold, to be “cash equivalents.” Securities - Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” ("HTM") and carried at amortized cost. Debt securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as “available for sale” ("AFS") and carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses being reported as other comprehensive income or loss and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums or discounts. Premiums and discounts are generally amortized into income on a level yield basis, with premiums being amortized to the earliest call date and discounts being accreted to the stated maturity date. Gains and losses on sales of securities are recognized at the time of sale based upon the specific identification method. A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") - Securities Held to Maturity - Since its adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 326 ("CECL"), the Company measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on an individual security basis. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities totaled $3.7 million at December 31, 2021 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The estimate of expected credit losses is primarily based on the ratings assigned to the securities by debt rating agencies and the average of the annual historical loss rates associated with those ratings. The Company then multiplies those loss rates, as adjusted for any modifications to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts as considered necessary, by the remaining lives of each individual security to arrive at a lifetime expected loss amount. Virtually all of the mortgage-backed securities held by the Company are issued by government-sponsored enterprises. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. Substantially all of the state and local government securities held by the Company are highly rated by major rating agencies. As a result, there was no ACL on HTM securities at December 31, 2021. Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities Available for Sale - For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income with the establishment of an allowance under CECL compared to a direct write down of the security under previously applicable accounting standard ASC 310-30 ("Incurred Loss"). For debt securities AFS that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. Changes in the ACL under CECL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an AFS security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. At December 31, 2021, there was no ACL related to the AFS portfolio. Accrued interest receivable on available for sale debt securities totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2021 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Presold Mortgages in Process of Settlement - As a part of normal business operations, the Company originates residential mortgage loans that have been pre-approved by secondary investors to be sold on a best efforts basis. The terms of the loans are set by the secondary investors, and the purchase price that the investor will pay for the loan is agreed to prior to the funding of the loan by the Company. Generally within three weeks after funding, the loans are transferred to the investor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. The Company records gains from the sale of these loans on the settlement date of the sale equal to the difference between the proceeds received and the carrying amount of the loan. Additionally, the Company records gains for loans in the process of closing, based on the changes in fair value of the loans and related commitments. Between the initial funding of the loans by the Company and the subsequent reimbursement by the investors, the Company carries the loans on its balance sheet at fair value. SBA and Other Loans Held for Sale - SBA loans included in this line item represent the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that the Company intends to sell in the near future. These loans are carried at the lower of cost or market as determined on an individual loan basis. There were $9.6 million and $6.1 million in SBA loans held for sale at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021, this line item also included two pools of loans assumed in the Company's acquisition of Select Bancorp, Inc. that the Company determined did not align with its strategy or were not in our markets and were thus designated for sale. These loans amounted to $51.4 million at December 31, 2021 and were carried at the lower of cost or market at the aggregate level for each pool. See Note 2 for additional discussion of the valuation of these loan pools and Note 22 for disclosure of their disposition. Loans - Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts and deferred fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable related to these loans totaled $17.2 million at December 31, 2021 and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using methods that approximate a level yield without anticipating prepayments. The accrual of interest is generally discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due and is not well collateralized and in the process of collection, or when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the principal or interest will not be collectible in the normal course of business. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. A loan is considered to be past due when a scheduled payment has not been received 30 days after the contractual due date. All accrued interest is reversed against interest income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest received on such loans is accounted for using the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Under the cost-recovery method, interest income is not recognized until the loan balance is reduced to zero. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, there is a sustained period of repayment performance, and future payments are reasonably assured. Purchased Credit Deteriorated ("PCD") Loans - Subsequent to the Company's adoption of CECL on January 1, 2021, loans acquired in a business combination that have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are considered PCD loans. In determining whether an acquired loan is a PCD loan, the Company considers internal loan grades, delinquency status, and other relevant factors. At the acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses is made for groups of PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without similar risk characteristics. This initial ACL is allocated to individual PCD loans and added to the purchase price or acquisition date fair values to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. As the initial ACL is added to the purchase price, there is no credit loss expense recognized upon acquisition of a PCD loan. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance of PCD loans and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to noncredit factors and results in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. Subsequent to initial recognition, PCD loans are subject to the same interest income recognition and impairment model as non-PCD loans, with changes to the ACL recorded through provision expense. All loans and leases considered to be purchased credit impaired ("PCI") prior to January 1, 2021 under prior accounting guidance were converted to PCD on that date. Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans - The ACL on loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Estimated recoveries are considered for post-CECL adoption date charge-offs to the extent that they do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Accrued interest receivable totaling $17.2 million at December 31, 2021 was excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The ACL is measured on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans with similar risk characteristics are grouped into homogenous segments, or pools, for analysis. The Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method is utilized for substantially all pools, with discounted cash flows computed for each loan in a pool based on its individual characteristics (e.g. maturity date, payment amount, interest rate, etc.), and the results are aggregated at the pool level. A probability of default and loss given default, as adjusted for recoveries (as noted above), are applied to the discounted cash flows for each pool, while considering prepayment and principal curtailment effects. The analysis produces a discounted expected cash flow total for each pool, which is then compared to the amortized cost of the pool to arrive at the expected credit loss. In determining the proper level of default rates and loss given default, management has determined that the loss experience of the Company provides the best basis for its assessment of expected credit losses. It therefore utilizes its own historical credit loss experience by each loan segment over an economic cycle, while excluding loss experience from certain acquired institutions (i.e., failed banks). Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. For substantially all segments of collectively evaluated loans, the Company incorporates two or more macroeconomic drivers using a statistical regression modeling methodology. The Company subscribes to a third-party service which provides a quarterly macroeconomic baseline forecast and alternative scenarios for the United States economy. The baseline forecast, along with the alternative scenarios, are evaluated by management to determine the best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The baseline forecast incorporates an equal probability of the United States economy performing better or worse than this projection. With the ongoing pandemic, along with periodic starts and stops to reopening the economy and the impact of government stimulus, the baseline and alternative scenarios have reflected a high degree of volatility in economic forecasts from month-to-month. The Company based its adoption date allowance for credit loss adjustment primarily on the baseline forecast, which reflected ongoing threats to the economy, primarily arising from the pandemic. In reviewing forecasts during 2021, management noted high degrees of volatility in the monthly forecasts. Given the uncertainty that the volatility is indicative of and the inherent imprecision of a forecast accurately projecting economic statistics during these unprecedented times, management elected to base each of the 2021 quarter-end computations of the ACL primarily on an alternative, more negative forecast, that management judged to more appropriately reflect the inherent risks to its loan portfolio. Management has also evaluated the appropriateness of the reasonable and supportable forecast scenarios utilized for each period and has made adjustments as needed. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the long-term mean of historical factors over 12 quarters using a straight-line approach. The Company generally utilizes a four-quarter forecast and a 12-quarter reversion period to the long-term average, which is then held static for the remainder of the forecast period. Included in its systematic methodology to determine its ACL on loans, management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. These qualitative adjustments either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation (i.e., formulaic model results). Each period the Company considers qualitative factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework that includes the following: 1) changes in lending policies, procedures, and strategies, 2) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, 3) staff experience, 4) changes in volume and trends in classified loans, delinquencies, and nonaccrual loans, 5) concentration risk, 6) trends in underlying collateral value, 7) external factors, including competition and legal and regulatory factors, 8) changes in the quality of the Company's loan review system, and 9) economic conditions not already captured. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and calculates the ACL for each using a DCF methodology at the loan level, with loss rates, prepayment assumptions, and curtailment assumptions driven by each loan’s collateral type: Commercial, financial, and agricultural - Risks to this loan category include industry concentration and the inability to monitor the condition of the collateral which often consists of inventory, accounts receivable, and other non-real estate assets. Equipment and inventory obsolescence can also pose a risk. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Also included in this category for periods subsequent to March 31, 2020 are PPP loans, which are fully guaranteed by the SBA and thus have minimal risk. Real estate - construction, land development, & other land loans - Risks common to commercial construction loans are cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, inadequate long-term financing arrangements, and declines in real estate values. Residential construction loans are susceptible to those same risks as well as those associated with residential mortgage loans (see below). Changes in market demand for property could lead to longer marketing times resulting in higher carrying costs, declining values, and higher interest rates. Real estate - mortgage - residential (1-4 family) first - Residential mortgage loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates and declining real estate values. Real estate - mortgage - home equity loans / lines of credit - Risks common to home equity loans and lines of credit are general economic conditions, including an increase in unemployment rates and declining real estate values, which reduce or eliminate the borrower’s home equity. Real estate - mortgage - commercial and other - Loans in this category are susceptible to declines in occupancy rates, business failure, and general economic conditions. Also, declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are risks for loans in this category. Consumer loans - Risks common to these loans include regulatory risks, unemployment, and changes in local economic conditions as well as the inability to monitor collateral consisting of personal property. When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. When the DCF method is used to determine the ACL, management adjusts the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments. Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a TDR will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension, or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company. Troubled Debt Restructurings - A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a more than insignificant concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is generally considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit loss on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring. SBA Loans – Through its SBA Lending Division, the Company offers loans guaranteed by the SBA for the purchase of businesses, business startups, business expansion, equipment, and working capital. All SBA loans are underwritten and documented as prescribed by the SBA. SBA loans are generally fully amortizing and have maturity dates and amortizations of up to 25 years. The portion of SBA loans originated that are guaranteed and intended for sale on the secondary market are classified as held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portion of the SBA loan as soon as it is eligible to be sold and retains the servicing right. When the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan is sold, the Company allocates the carrying basis of the loan between the guaranteed portion of the loan sold, the unguaranteed portion of the loans retained, and the servicing asset based on their relative fair values. A gain is recorded for the difference between the proceeds received from the sale and the basis allocated to the sold portion. The relative fair value allocation results in a discount that is recorded on the unguaranteed portion of the loan that is retained. The discount is amortized as a yield adjustment over the life of the loan, so long as the loan performs. In the event the loan is moved to nonaccrual status, the Company ceases the amortization of the discount and upon any subsequent transfer to foreclosed properties or liquidation of the loan, the remaining discount is amortized, along with any remaining servicing asset and deferred loan costs. Refer also to SBA Servicing Assets below. Transfers of Financial Assets - Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over financial assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Premises and Equipment - Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation, computed by the straight-line method, is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the properties, which range from 2 to 40 years or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the term of the lease, if shorter. Land is carried at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the year incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which for the Company has generally been five to ten years and at an accelerated rate. Goodwill is recognized in business combinations to the extent that the price paid exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to fair value impairment tests on at least an annual basis. SBA Servicing Assets - When the Company sells the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan, the Company continues to perform the servicing on the loan and collects a fee related to the sold portion of the loan. A SBA servicing asset is recorded for the fair value of that fee based on an analysis of discounted cash flows that incorporates estimates of (1) market servicing costs, (2) market-based prepayment rates, and (3) market profit margins. SBA servicing assets are included in “Other intangible assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. SBA servicing assets are amortized against income over the lives of the related loans as a reduction of servicing fee income, generally five years. SBA servicing assets are tested for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing their estimated fair values, aggregated by year of origination, to the related carrying values. Changes in observable market data relating to market interest rates, loan prepayment speeds, and other factors, could result in impairment or reversal of impairment of these servicing assets and, as such, impact the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Foreclosed Properties - Foreclosed properties consists primarily of real estate acquired by the Company through legal foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. The property is initially carried at the lower of cost or the estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs (also see Note 13). If there are subsequent declines in fair value, which is reviewed routinely by management, the property is written down to its fair value through a charge to expense. Capital expenditures made to improve the property are capitalized. Costs of holding real estate, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, less related revenues during the holding period, are recorded as expense as they are incurred. Bank-Owned Life Insurance – The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain current and past key employees and directors where the insurance policy benefits and ownership are retained by the employer. These policies are recorded at their cash surrender value. Income from these policies and changes in the net cash surrender value are recorded within noninterest income as “Bank-owned life insurance income.” Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. 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 and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences 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 in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amount of such benefits that are not expected to be realized based upon available evidence. Other Investments – The Company accounts for substantially all of its investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”) using the equity method of accounting. The accounting treatment depends upon the Company’s percentage ownership and degree of management influence. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company records its initial investment at cost. Subsequently, the carrying amount of the investment is increased or decreased to reflect the Company’s share of income or loss of the investee. The Company’s recognition of earnings or losses from an equity method investment is based on the Company’s ownership percentage in the investee and the investee’s earnings on a quarterly basis. The investees generally provide their financial information during the quarter following the end of a given period. The Company’s policy is to record its share of earnings or losses on equity method investments in the quarter the financial information is received. All of the Company’s investments in limited partnerships and LLCs and their market values are not readily available. The Company’s management evaluates its investments in investees for impairment based on the investee’s ability to generate cash through its operations or obtain alternative financing, and other subjective factors. There are inherent risks associated with the Company’s investments in such companies, which may result in income statement volatility in future periods. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s investments in limited partnerships and LLCs totaled $11.3 million and $7.8 million, respectively, and are included in "Other assets". Also see Note 3 for discussion of an investment without a readily determinable fair value. Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock - The Company is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is recorded in "Other assets". Cash dividends are reported as income. Federal Reserve Bank ("Federal Reserve") Stock - The Company is a member of its regional Federal Reserve and is required to own stock based on its level of capital. Federal Reserve stock is carried at cost and is recorded in "Other assets." Cash dividends are reported as income. Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments - Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Loan Commitments - Effective with the adoption of CECL, the Company estimates expected credit losses on commitments to extend credit over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is reflected within "Other Liabilities," is adjusted for as an increase or decrease to the provision for credit losses for unfunded commitments. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to fund. Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted stock awards are the primary form of equity grant utilized by the Company. Compensation cost is based on the fair value of the award, which is the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock awards issued by the Company typically have vesting periods with service conditions. Compensation cost is recognized as expense over the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Because of the insignificant amount of forfeitures the Company has experienced, forfeitures are recognized as they occur. Earnings Per Share Amounts - Basic Earnings Per Common Share is calculated by dividing net income, less income allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding unvested shares of restricted stock. For the Company, participating securities are comprised of unvested shares of restricted stock. Diluted Earnings Per Common Share is computed by assuming the issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. For the periods presented, the Company’s potentially dilutive common stock issuances related to unvested shares of restricted stock and contingently issuable shares. If any of the potentially dilutive common stock issuances have an anti-dilutive effect, the potentially dilutive common stock issuance is disregarded. Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument, as more fully described in Note 13. Because no highly liquid market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include net premises and equipment, intangible assets and other assets such as deferred income taxes, prepaid expense accounts, income taxes currently payable and other various accrued expenses. In addition, the income tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates. Impairment - Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on at least an annual basis, and more often if a triggering event is identified, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their related carrying value. At December 31, 2021, the Company had two reporting units – 1) the Bank with $360.0 million in goodwill and 2) SBA activities, including SBA Complete and our SBA Lending Division, with $4.3 million in goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company determines whether the implied fair value of the goodwill, using various valuation techniques, exceeds the carrying value of the goodwill. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recorded in an amount equal to that excess. The Company reviews all other long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is that an impairment loss is recognized if the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Any long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment write-downs of its long-lived assets or goodwill. Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period for non-owner transactions and is divided into net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are excluded from earnings under current accounting standards. Segment Reporting - Accounting standards require management to report selected financial and descriptive information about reportable operating segments that exceed certain thresholds. The standards also require related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. Generally, disclosures are required for segments internally identified to evaluate performance and resource allocation. The Company’s operations are substantially all within a single banking segment, and the financial statements presented herein reflect the combined results of all of its operations with that segment. The Company has no foreign operations or customers. Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Accounting Standards Adopted in 2021 In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board amended the Compensation - Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification to improve disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The guidance removed disclosures that were no longer considered cost-beneficial, clarified the specific requirements of disclosures, and added disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments were effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 and the adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on its financial statements. On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted CECL which replaced the prior Incurred Loss methodology for recognizing credit losses with a methodology that is based on estimating future expected lifetime credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held to maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as unfunded commitments to extend credit. In addition, CECL made changes to the accounting for AFS debt securities. One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available for sale debt securities if management does not intend to sell and does not believe that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell. In adopting CECL, the Company utilized the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported under the Incurred Loss methodology. The transition adjustment of the adoption of CECL included an increase in the ACL on loans of $14.6 million, which is presented as a reduction to loans outstanding, and an increase in the allowance on unfunded loan commitments of $7.5 million, which is recorded within "Other liabilities". The adoption of CECL had an insignificant impact on the Company's HTM and AFS securities portfolios. The Company recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $17.1 million as of January 1, 2021 for the cumulative effect of adopting CECL, which reflects the transition adjustments noted above, net of the applicable deferred tax assets recorded. Federal banking regulatory agencies provided optional relief to delay the adverse regulatory capital impact of CECL at adoption. The Company did not elect the option. The Company adopted CECL using the prospective transition approach for PCD assets that were previously classified as PCI under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. The amortized cost basis of the PCD assets was adjusted to reflect the addition of $0.1 million to the ACL. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at a rate that approximates the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2021. With regard to PCD assets, because the Company elected to disaggregate the former PCI pools and no longer considers these pools to be the unit of account, contractually delinquent PCD loans are now reported as nonaccrual loans using the same criteria as other loans. Similarly, although management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were TDRs as of the date of adoption, PCD loans that were restructured and met the definition of TDRs after the adoption of CECL are reported as such. Accrued interest for all financial instruments is included in a separate line on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company elected not to measure an ACL for accrued interest receivable and instead elected to reverse interest income on loans or securities that are placed on nonaccrual status, which is generally when the instrument is 90 days past due, or earlier if the Company believes the collection of interest is doubtful. The Company has concluded that this policy results in the timely reversal of uncollectible interest. The ACL for the majority of loans was calculated using a DCF methodology applied at a loan level with a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period and a three-year straight-line reversion period. The Company elected to use, as a practical expedient, the fair value of collateral when determining the ACL on loans for which repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty (collateral-dependent loans). The Company's CECL allowances will fluctuate over time due to macroeconomic conditions and forecasts as well as the size and composition of the loan portfolios. In March 2020, Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” was issued. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for accounting related to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. ASU 2020-04 was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2020-04 did not significantly impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Pending Adoption Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Bancorp (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary First Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank has three wholly owned subsidiaries that are fully consolidated, SBA Complete, Inc. (“SBA Complete”), Magnolia Financial, Inc. ("Magnolia Financial"), and First Troy SPE, LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of filing this Annual Report Form 10-K.

The Company is a bank holding company. The principal activity of the Company is the ownership and operation of the Bank, a state chartered bank with its main office in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The Company is also the parent company for a series of statutory trusts that were formed at various times since 2002 for the purpose of issuing trust preferred debt securities. The trusts are not consolidated for financial reporting purposes; however, notes issued by the Company to the trusts in return for the proceeds from the issuance of the trust preferred securities are included in the consolidated financial statements and have terms that are substantially the same as the corresponding trust preferred securities. The trust preferred securities qualify as capital for regulatory capital adequacy requirements. SBA Complete specializes in providing consulting services for financial institutions across the country related to Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan origination and servicing. Magnolia Financial is a business financing company that makes loans throughout the southeastern United States. First Troy SPE, LLC was formed in order to hold and dispose of certain real estate foreclosed upon by the Bank.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates made by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements are the determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans, the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, the accounting and impairment testing related to intangible assets, and the fair value and discount accretion of acquired loans.

Operating, Accounting and Reporting Considerations related to COVID-19 - The coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic that emerged in March 2020 negatively impacted the local, national, and global economy, disrupted global supply chains, caused business closures, increased unemployment levels, and created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets.

In response to the hardships arising from the pandemic, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed by the President of the United States. Certain provisions within the CARES Act encouraged financial institutions to practice prudent efforts to work with borrowers impacted by COVID-19. Under these provisions, which the Company applied, loan modifications deemed to be COVID-19-related are not considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if the loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and the deferral was executed between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of 60 days after the date of termination of the COVID-19 national emergency or December 31, 2020. This CARES Act provision was subsequently extended to January 1, 2022. The banking regulators issued similar guidance, which also clarified that a COVID-19-related modification would not meet the requirements under GAAP to be a TDR if the borrower was current on payments at the time the underlying loan modification program was implemented and if the modification is considered to be short-term. During 2020, the Company generally offered impacted borrowers loan payment deferrals of 90 days in duration, with a deferral renewal if requested. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had payment deferrals of $16.6 million, and at December 31, 2021 the Company had no loans deferred under this CARES Act provision.

The Company originated $247.5 million in PPP loans during the second quarter of 2020. In December 2020, the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus COVID Relief Deal, included, among other things, additional stimulus payments for individuals under certain income thresholds and small business relief, which included additional funds for PPP loans. As a result, in early 2021, the Company originated an additional $113.1 million in PPP loans. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, the Company began accepting and transmitting PPP loan forgiveness documentation.

The economies of our market areas generally improved during 2021 as they recovered from the pandemic. However, the ongoing impact on the Company of the continuing pandemic, including infection rate spikes and new strains of COVID-19 is uncertain. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants have a further impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business Combinations – The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The accounts of an acquired entity are included as of the date of acquisition, and any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is capitalized as goodwill. Under this method, all identifiable assets acquired, including purchased loans, and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value.

Securities - Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” ("HTM") and carried at amortized cost. Debt securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as “available for sale” ("AFS") and carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses being reported as other comprehensive income or loss and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums or discounts. Premiums and discounts are generally amortized into income on a level yield basis, with premiums being amortized to the earliest call date and discounts being accreted to the stated maturity date. Gains and losses on sales of securities are recognized at the time of sale based upon the specific identification method.

Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") - Securities Held to Maturity - Since its adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 326 ("CECL"), the Company measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on an individual security basis. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities totaled $3.7 million at December 31, 2021 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The estimate of expected credit losses is primarily based on the ratings assigned to the securities by debt rating agencies and the average of the annual historical loss rates associated with those ratings. The Company then multiplies those loss rates, as adjusted for any modifications to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts as considered necessary, by the remaining lives of each individual security to arrive at a lifetime expected loss amount.

Virtually all of the mortgage-backed securities held by the Company are issued by government-sponsored enterprises. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. Substantially all of the state and local government securities held by the Company are highly rated by major rating agencies. As a result, there was no ACL on HTM securities at December 31, 2021.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities Available for Sale - For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income with the establishment of an allowance under CECL compared to a direct write down of the security under previously applicable accounting

standard ASC 310-30 ("Incurred Loss"). For debt securities AFS that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the ACL under CECL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an AFS security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. At December 31, 2021, there was no ACL related to the AFS portfolio. Accrued interest receivable on available for sale debt securities totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2021 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

Presold Mortgages in Process of Settlement - As a part of normal business operations, the Company originates residential mortgage loans that have been pre-approved by secondary investors to be sold on a best efforts basis. The terms of the loans are set by the secondary investors, and the purchase price that the investor will pay for the loan is agreed to prior to the funding of the loan by the Company. Generally within three weeks after funding, the loans are transferred to the investor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. The Company records gains from the sale of these loans on the settlement date of the sale equal to the difference between the proceeds received and the carrying amount of the loan. Additionally, the Company records gains for loans in the process of closing, based on the changes in fair value of the loans and related commitments. Between the initial funding of the loans by the Company and the subsequent reimbursement by the investors, the Company carries the loans on its balance sheet at fair value.

SBA and Other Loans Held for Sale - SBA loans included in this line item represent the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that the Company intends to sell in the near future. These loans are carried at the lower of cost or market as determined on an individual loan basis. There were $9.6 million and $6.1 million in SBA loans held for sale at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

At December 31, 2021, this line item also included two pools of loans assumed in the Company's acquisition of Select Bancorp, Inc. that the Company determined did not align with its strategy or were not in our markets and were thus designated for sale. These loans amounted to $51.4 million at December 31, 2021 and were carried at the lower of cost or market at the aggregate level for each pool. See Note 2 for additional discussion of the valuation of these loan pools and Note 22 for disclosure of their disposition.

Loans - Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts and deferred fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable related to these loans totaled $17.2 million at December 31, 2021 and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using methods that approximate a level yield without anticipating prepayments.

The accrual of interest is generally discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due and is not well collateralized and in the process of collection, or when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the principal or interest will not be collectible in the normal course of business. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. A loan is considered to be past due when a scheduled payment has not been received 30 days after the contractual due date.

All accrued interest is reversed against interest income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest received on such loans is accounted for using the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Under the cost-recovery method, interest income is not recognized until the loan balance is reduced to zero. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, there is a sustained period of repayment performance, and future payments are reasonably assured.

At the acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses is made for groups of PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without similar risk characteristics. This initial ACL is allocated to individual PCD loans and added to the purchase price or acquisition date fair values to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. As the initial ACL is added to the purchase price, there is no credit loss expense recognized upon acquisition of a PCD loan. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance of PCD loans and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to noncredit factors and results in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. Subsequent to initial recognition, PCD loans are subject to the same interest income recognition and impairment model as non-PCD loans, with changes to the ACL recorded through provision expense. All loans and leases considered to be purchased credit impaired ("PCI") prior to January 1, 2021 under prior accounting guidance were converted to PCD on that date.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans - The ACL on loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Estimated recoveries are considered for post-CECL adoption date charge-offs to the extent that they do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Accrued interest receivable totaling $17.2 million at December 31, 2021 was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The ACL is measured on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans with similar risk characteristics are grouped into homogenous segments, or pools, for analysis. The Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method is utilized for substantially all pools, with discounted cash flows computed for each loan in a pool based on its individual characteristics (e.g. maturity date, payment amount, interest rate, etc.), and the results are aggregated at the pool level. A probability of default and loss given default, as adjusted for recoveries (as noted above), are applied to the discounted cash flows for each pool, while considering prepayment and principal curtailment effects. The analysis produces a discounted expected cash flow total for each pool, which is then compared to the amortized cost of the pool to arrive at the expected credit loss.

In determining the proper level of default rates and loss given default, management has determined that the loss experience of the Company provides the best basis for its assessment of expected credit losses. It therefore utilizes its own historical credit loss experience by each loan segment over an economic cycle, while excluding loss experience from certain acquired institutions (i.e., failed banks).

Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. For substantially all segments of collectively evaluated loans, the Company incorporates two or more macroeconomic drivers using a statistical regression modeling methodology. The Company subscribes to a third-party service which provides a quarterly macroeconomic baseline forecast and alternative scenarios for the United States economy. The baseline forecast, along with the alternative scenarios, are evaluated by management to determine the best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The baseline forecast incorporates an equal probability of the United States economy performing better or worse than this projection. With the ongoing pandemic, along with periodic starts and stops to reopening the economy and the impact of government stimulus, the baseline and alternative scenarios have reflected a high degree of volatility in economic forecasts from month-to-month. The Company based its adoption date allowance for credit loss adjustment primarily on the baseline forecast, which reflected ongoing threats to the economy, primarily arising from the pandemic. In reviewing forecasts during 2021, management noted high degrees of volatility in the monthly forecasts. Given the uncertainty that the volatility is indicative of and the inherent imprecision of a forecast accurately projecting economic statistics during these unprecedented times, management elected to base each of the 2021 quarter-end computations of the ACL primarily on an alternative, more negative forecast, that management judged to more appropriately reflect the inherent risks to its loan portfolio.

Management has also evaluated the appropriateness of the reasonable and supportable forecast scenarios utilized for each period and has made adjustments as needed. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the long-term mean of historical factors over 12 quarters using a straight-line approach. The Company generally utilizes a four-quarter forecast and a 12-quarter reversion period to the long-term average, which is then held static for the remainder of the forecast period.

Included in its systematic methodology to determine its ACL on loans, management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. These qualitative adjustments either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation (i.e., formulaic model results). Each period the Company considers qualitative factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework that includes the following: 1) changes in lending policies, procedures, and strategies, 2) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, 3) staff experience, 4) changes in volume and trends in classified loans, delinquencies, and nonaccrual loans, 5) concentration risk, 6) trends in underlying collateral value, 7) external factors, including competition and legal and regulatory factors, 8) changes in the quality of the Company's loan review system, and 9) economic conditions not already captured.

Commercial, financial, and agricultural - Risks to this loan category include industry concentration and the inability to monitor the condition of the collateral which often consists of inventory, accounts receivable, and other non-real estate assets. Equipment and inventory obsolescence can also pose a risk. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Also included in this category for periods subsequent to March 31, 2020 are PPP loans, which are fully guaranteed by the SBA and thus have minimal risk.

Real estate - construction, land development, & other land loans - Risks common to commercial construction loans are cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, inadequate long-term financing arrangements, and declines in real estate values. Residential construction loans are susceptible to those same risks as well as those associated with residential mortgage loans (see below). Changes in market demand for property could lead to longer marketing times resulting in higher carrying costs, declining values, and higher interest rates.

When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a TDR will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension, or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.

Troubled Debt Restructurings - A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a more than insignificant concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is generally considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit loss on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring.

SBA Loans – Through its SBA Lending Division, the Company offers loans guaranteed by the SBA for the purchase of businesses, business startups, business expansion, equipment, and working capital. All SBA loans are underwritten and documented as prescribed by the SBA. SBA loans are generally fully amortizing and have maturity dates and amortizations of up to 25 years. The portion of SBA loans originated that are guaranteed and intended for sale on the secondary market are classified as held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portion of the SBA loan as soon as it is eligible to be sold and retains the servicing right. When the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan is sold, the Company allocates the carrying basis of the loan between the guaranteed portion of the loan sold, the unguaranteed portion of the loans retained, and the servicing asset based on their relative fair values. A gain is recorded for the difference between the proceeds received from the sale and the basis allocated to the sold portion. The relative fair value allocation results in a discount that is recorded on the unguaranteed portion of the loan that is retained. The discount is amortized as a yield adjustment over the life of the loan, so long as the loan performs. In the event the loan is moved to nonaccrual status, the Company ceases the amortization of the discount and upon any subsequent transfer to foreclosed properties or liquidation of the loan, the remaining discount is amortized, along with any remaining servicing asset and deferred loan costs. Refer also to SBA Servicing Assets below.

Transfers of Financial Assets - Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over financial assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Premises and Equipment - Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation, computed by the straight-line method, is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the properties, which range from 2 to 40 years or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the term of the lease, if shorter. Land is carried at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the year incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which for the Company has generally been five to ten years and at an accelerated rate. Goodwill is recognized in business combinations to the extent that the price paid exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to fair value impairment tests on at least an annual basis.

SBA Servicing Assets - When the Company sells the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan, the Company continues to perform the servicing on the loan and collects a fee related to the sold portion of the loan. A SBA servicing asset is recorded for the fair value of that fee based on an analysis of discounted cash flows that incorporates estimates of (1) market servicing costs, (2) market-based prepayment rates, and (3) market profit margins. SBA servicing assets are included in “Other intangible assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. SBA servicing assets are amortized against income over the lives of the related loans as a reduction of servicing fee income, generally five years. SBA servicing assets are tested for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing their estimated fair values, aggregated by year of origination, to the related carrying values. Changes in observable market data relating to market interest rates, loan prepayment speeds, and other factors, could result in impairment or reversal of impairment of these servicing assets and, as such, impact the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Foreclosed Properties - Foreclosed properties consists primarily of real estate acquired by the Company through legal foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. The property is initially carried at the lower of cost or the estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs (also see Note 13). If there are subsequent declines in fair value, which is reviewed routinely by management, the property is written down to its fair value through a charge to expense. Capital expenditures made to improve the property are capitalized. Costs of holding real estate, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, less related revenues during the holding period, are recorded as expense as they are incurred.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance – The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain current and past key employees and directors where the insurance policy benefits and ownership are retained by the employer. These policies are recorded at their cash surrender value. Income from these policies and changes in the net cash surrender value are recorded within noninterest income as “Bank-owned life insurance income.”

Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. 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 and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences 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 in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amount of such benefits that are not expected to be realized based upon available evidence.

Under the equity method of accounting, the Company records its initial investment at cost. Subsequently, the carrying amount of the investment is increased or decreased to reflect the Company’s share of income or loss of the investee. The Company’s recognition of earnings or losses from an equity method investment is based on the Company’s ownership percentage in the investee and the investee’s earnings on a quarterly basis. The investees generally provide their financial information during the quarter following the end of a given period. The Company’s policy is to record its share of earnings or losses on equity method investments in the quarter the financial information is received.

All of the Company’s investments in limited partnerships and LLCs and their market values are not readily available. The Company’s management evaluates its investments in investees for impairment based on the investee’s ability to generate cash through its operations or obtain alternative financing, and other subjective factors. There are inherent risks associated with the Company’s investments in such companies, which may result in income statement volatility in future periods.

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

Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Loan Commitments - Effective with the adoption of CECL, the Company estimates expected credit losses on commitments to extend credit over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is reflected within "Other Liabilities," is adjusted for as an increase or decrease to the provision for credit losses for unfunded commitments. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to fund.

Restricted stock awards issued by the Company typically have vesting periods with service conditions. Compensation cost is recognized as expense over the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Because of the insignificant amount of forfeitures the Company has experienced, forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Earnings Per Share Amounts - Basic Earnings Per Common Share is calculated by dividing net income, less income allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding unvested shares of restricted stock. For the Company, participating securities are comprised of unvested shares of restricted stock. Diluted Earnings Per Common Share is computed by assuming the issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. For the periods presented, the Company’s potentially dilutive common stock issuances related to unvested shares of restricted stock and contingently issuable shares.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument, as more fully described in Note 13. Because no highly liquid market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include net premises and equipment, intangible assets and other assets such as deferred income taxes, prepaid expense accounts, income taxes currently payable and other various accrued expenses. In addition, the income tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

Impairment - Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on at least an annual basis, and more often if a triggering event is identified, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their related carrying value. At December 31, 2021, the Company had two reporting units – 1) the Bank with $360.0 million in goodwill and 2) SBA activities, including SBA Complete and our SBA Lending Division, with $4.3 million in goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company determines whether the implied fair value of the goodwill, using various valuation techniques, exceeds the carrying value of the goodwill. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recorded in an amount equal to that excess.

The Company reviews all other long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is that an impairment loss is recognized if the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Any long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell.

Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period for non-owner transactions and is divided into net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are excluded from earnings under current accounting standards.

Segment Reporting - Accounting standards require management to report selected financial and descriptive information about reportable operating segments that exceed certain thresholds. The standards also require related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. Generally, disclosures are required for segments internally identified to evaluate performance and resource allocation. The Company’s operations are substantially all within a single banking segment, and the financial statements presented herein reflect the combined results of all of its operations with that segment. The Company has no foreign operations or customers.

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board amended the Compensation - Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification to improve disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The guidance removed disclosures that were no longer considered cost-beneficial, clarified the specific requirements of disclosures, and added disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments were effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 and the adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted CECL which replaced the prior Incurred Loss methodology for recognizing credit losses with a methodology that is based on estimating future expected lifetime credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held to maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as unfunded commitments to extend credit. In addition, CECL made changes to the accounting for AFS debt securities. One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available for sale debt securities if management does not intend to sell and does not believe that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell.

In adopting CECL, the Company utilized the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported under the Incurred Loss methodology. The transition adjustment of the adoption of CECL included an increase in the ACL on loans of $14.6 million, which is presented as a reduction to loans outstanding, and an increase in the allowance on unfunded loan commitments of $7.5 million, which is recorded within "Other liabilities". The adoption of CECL had an insignificant impact on the Company's HTM and AFS securities portfolios. The Company recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $17.1 million as of January 1, 2021 for the cumulative effect of adopting CECL, which reflects the transition adjustments noted above, net of the applicable deferred tax assets recorded. Federal banking regulatory agencies provided optional relief to delay the adverse regulatory capital impact of CECL at adoption. The Company did not elect the option.

The Company adopted CECL using the prospective transition approach for PCD assets that were previously classified as PCI under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. The amortized cost basis of the PCD assets was adjusted to reflect the addition of $0.1 million to the ACL. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at a rate that approximates the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2021.

With regard to PCD assets, because the Company elected to disaggregate the former PCI pools and no longer considers these pools to be the unit of account, contractually delinquent PCD loans are now reported as nonaccrual loans using the same criteria as other loans. Similarly, although management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were TDRs as of the date of adoption, PCD loans that were restructured and met the definition of TDRs after the adoption of CECL are reported as such.

Accrued interest for all financial instruments is included in a separate line on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company elected not to measure an ACL for accrued interest receivable and instead elected to reverse interest income on loans or securities that are placed on nonaccrual status, which is generally when the instrument is 90 days past due, or earlier if the Company believes the collection of interest is doubtful. The Company has concluded that this policy results in the timely reversal of uncollectible interest.

The ACL for the majority of loans was calculated using a DCF methodology applied at a loan level with a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period and a three-year straight-line reversion period. The Company elected to use, as a practical expedient, the fair value of collateral when determining the ACL on loans for which repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty (collateral-dependent loans).

In March 2020, Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” was issued. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for accounting related to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. ASU 2020-04 was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2020-04 did not significantly impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.