Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations – Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. (“Bancorp” or “the Company”) is a FHC headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, SYB (“the Bank”). Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements of Bancorp and its subsidiaries have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and adhere to predominant practices within the banking industry.

Established in 1904, SYB is a state-chartered non-member financial institution that provides services in Louisville, central, eastern and northern Kentucky, as well as the Indianapolis, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan markets through 72 full service banking center locations.

Bancorp is divided into two reportable segments: Commercial Banking and WM&T:

Commercial Banking provides a full range of loan and deposit products to individual consumers and businesses in all its markets through retail lending, mortgage banking, deposit services, online banking, mobile banking, private banking, commercial lending, commercial real estate lending, leasing, treasury management services, merchant services, international banking, correspondent banking and other banking services. The Bank also offers securities brokerage services via its banking center network through an arrangement with a third party broker-dealer in the Commercial Banking segment. 

WM&T provides investment management, financial & retirement planning and trust & estate services, as well as retirement plan management for businesses and corporations in all markets in which Bancorp operates. The magnitude of WM&T revenue distinguishes Bancorp from other community banks of similar asset size.

As a result of its acquisition of Kentucky Bancshares, Inc. on May 31, 2021, Bancorp became the 100% successor owner of a Nevada-based insurance captive taxed under Section 831(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. On April 10, 2023, the IRS issued a proposed regulation that would potentially classify section 831(b) captive activity as a, “listed transaction,” and possibly disallow the related tax benefits, both prospectively and retroactively, for a period to be determined. While the regulation has not been finalized, it is expected to be finalized in 2024. Bancorp elected not to renew the Captive in August of 2023 and ultimately dissolved the Captive in December of 2023. The Captive’s activity is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will be included in its 2023 federal income tax return. The Captive’s activity served to reduce Bancorp’s ETR by 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.2% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

As a result of its acquisition of CB on March 7, 2022, Bancorp became the 100% successor owner of the following unconsolidated Delaware trust subsidiaries: Commonwealth Statutory Trust III, Commonwealth Statutory Trust IV and Commonwealth Statutory Trust V. The sole assets of the trust subsidiaries represent the proceeds of offerings loaned in exchange for subordinated debentures with similar terms to the TPS.

Also as a result of its acquisition of Commonwealth Bancshares, Inc., Bancorp acquired a 60% interest in LFA, a Bowling Green, Kentucky-based wealth management services company. Effective December 31, 2022, Bancorp’s partial interest in LFA was sold, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $870,000 recorded in other non-interest expense on the consolidated income statements for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. This acquired line of business was not within the Company’s geographic footprint and ultimately did not align with the Company’s long-term strategic model. Net income related to LFA and attributable to Bancorp’s 60% interest, excluding the pre-tax loss on disposition noted above, totaled $483,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make estimates and assumptions that require difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Estimates are susceptible to material changes as a result of changes in facts and circumstances. Facts and circumstances which could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.

Bancorp’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition. At December 31, 2023, the accounting policy considered the most critical in preparing Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements is the determination of the ACL for loans. A detailed explanation of how Bancorp determines the ACL for loans is provided within this footnote.

Accounting for Business Acquisitions – Bancorp accounts for acquisitions in accordance with the acquisition method as outlined in ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” The acquisition method requires: a) identification of the entity that obtains control of the acquiree; b) determination of the acquisition date; c) recognition and measurement of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; and d) recognition and measurement of goodwill or bargain purchase gain.

Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in acquirees are generally recognized at their acquisition-date (“day-one”) fair values based on the requirements of ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The measurement period for day-one fair values begins on the acquisition date and ends at the earlier of: (a) the day management believes it has all the information necessary to determine day-one fair values; or (b) one year following the acquisition date. In many cases, the determination of day-one fair values requires management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions and other future events that are highly complex and subjective in nature and subject to provisional period adjustments, which are retrospective adjustments to reflect new information existing at the acquisition date affecting day-one fair values. More specifically, these provisional period adjustments may be made, as market value data, such as valuations, are received by the Bank. Increases or decreases to day-one fair values are reflected with a corresponding increase or decrease to bargain purchase gain or goodwill.

Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred unless those costs are related to issuing debt or equity securities used to finance the acquisition.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, FFS and interest bearing due from banks as segregated in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale and Mortgage Banking Activities – Effective March 31, 2022, Bancorp elected to begin carrying mortgages originated and intended for sale in the secondary at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Mortgage loans held for sale prior to March 31, 2022 were carried at the lower of cost or market value. Net gains on mortgage loans held for sale are recorded as a component of Mortgage banking income and represent the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the loans sold. Substantially all of the gains or losses on the sale of loans are reported in earnings when the interest rates on loans are locked.

Commitments to fund mortgage loans (“interest rate lock commitments”) to be sold into the secondary market and non-exchange traded mandatory forward sales contracts (“forward contracts”) for the future delivery of these mortgage loans or the purchase of TBA securities are accounted for as free-standing derivatives. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the Bank enters into the derivative. Generally, the Bank enters into forward contracts for the future delivery of mortgage loans or the purchase of TBA securities when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage derivatives are included in net gains on sales of loans, which is a component of mortgage banking income on the income statement.

Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with the MSRs retained. When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded as component of mortgage banking income. Fair value is based on the market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method, which requires servicing rights to be amortized into mortgage banking income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Amortization of MSRs are initially set at seven years and are periodically adjusted based on the weighted average remaining life of the underlying loans.

A primary factor influencing the MSR fair value is the estimated life of the underlying serviced loans. The estimated life of the serviced loans is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs generally decline due to higher expected prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of MSRs generally will increase, as prepayments on the underlying loans would be expected to decline.

Loan servicing income is reported on the income statement as a component of Mortgage banking income. Loan servicing income is recorded as loan payments are collected and includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal, or a fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are considered nominal.

Debt Securities – Bancorp determines the classification of debt securities at the time of purchase. Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and recorded at amortized cost. Debt securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as AFS and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in AOCI, net of tax.

Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific-identification method. Amortization of premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income over the period to maturity using the interest method, except for premiums on callable debt securities, which are amortized to their earliest call date.

Bancorp has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of debt securities and reports accrued interest separately in the consolidated balance sheets. A debt security is placed on non-accrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a security placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income. There was no accrued interest related to AFS debt securities reversed against interest income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

ACL – AFS Debt Securities – For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, Bancorp evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or non-credit related factors. Any impairment that is not credit-related is recognized in AOCI, net of tax. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an ACL for AFS debt securities on the balance sheet, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. Accrued interest receivable on AFS debt securities totaled $4 million as of both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Both the ACL for AFS debt securities and the adjustment to net income may be reversed if conditions change. However, if Bancorp intends to sell an impaired AFS debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell such a security before recovering its amortized cost basis, the entire impairment amount would be recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security’s amortized cost basis. Because the security’s amortized cost basis is adjusted to fair value, there is no ACL for AFS debt securities in this situation.

In evaluating AFS debt securities in unrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or requirement to sell such securities, Bancorp considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuers’ financial condition, among other factors. There were no credit related factors underlying unrealized losses on AFS debt securities at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, therefore, no ACL for AFS securities was recorded.

Changes in the ACL for AFS debt securities are recorded as expense. Losses are charged against the ACL for AFS debt securities when management believes the uncollectability of an AFS debt security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

ACL – HTM Debt Securities – Bancorp measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities totaled $2 million as of both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and is excluded from the ACL on HTM securities. The estimate of the ACL for HTM securities considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As of both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no ACL for HTM securities was recorded.

FHLB Stock – Bancorp is a member institution of the FHLB. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors and may invest in additional amounts of stock. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and annually evaluated for impairment. Because this stock is viewed as a long-term investment, impairment is based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are recorded as interest income.

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 basis, which is the unpaid principal balance outstanding, net of unearned income, deferred loan fees and costs, premiums and discounts associated with acquisition date fair value adjustments on acquired loans and any direct partial charge-offs. Bancorp has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of loans and report accrued interest separately from the related loan balance in 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 over the life of the loan without anticipating prepayments.

Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal and/or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment. The accrual of interest income on loans is typically discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection, or if full collection of interest or principal becomes doubtful. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 120 days past due. All interest accrued but not received for a loan placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or 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. Under the cash-basis method, interest income is recorded when the payment is received in cash. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Acquired loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition based on a DCF methodology that considers various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and a discount rate reflecting Bancorp’s assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. Certain larger purchased loans are individually evaluated while certain purchased loans are grouped together according to similar risk characteristics and are treated in aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective, as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

Loans acquired in a business combination that have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are considered PCD loans. 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 non-credit 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.

Acquired loans are determined by Bancorp to have more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination if any of the following designations apply, listed in order of priority as follows: Loans individually analyzed by Bancorp and determined to have a collateral or cash flow deficiency resulting in a full or partial allocation for loss, loans placed on non-accrual status by the acquired institution, loans identified as TDRs by the acquired institution, loans that have received a partial charge off by the acquired institution, loans risk-rated below a “pass” grade by the acquired institution and any loans past due 59 days or more at the time of acquisition.

For acquired loans not deemed PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income over the lives of the related loans. For non-PCD loans, an initial ACL on loans is estimated and recorded as credit loss expense at the acquisition date.

The subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for all acquired loans is the same as the subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for originated loans.

ACL – Loans – Under the CECL model, the ACL on loans represents a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date in accordance with GAAP that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to represent the net amount expected to be collected on the loan portfolio.

Bancorp estimates the ACL on loans based on the underlying assets’ amortized cost basis, which is the amount at which the receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, and net deferred fees or costs, collection of payment, and partial charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, Bancorp has policies in place to reverse accrued interest in a timely manner. Therefore, Bancorp has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the measurement of the ACL on loans.

Expected credit losses are reflected in the ACL on loans through a charge to provision for credit losses on loans. When Bancorp deems all or a portion of a financial asset to be uncollectible, the appropriate amount is written-off and the ACL on loans is reduced by the same amount. Bancorp applies judgment to determine when a financial asset is deemed uncollectible; however, generally speaking, an asset will be considered uncollectible no later than when all efforts of collection have been exhausted and the collateral, if any, has been liquidated. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL on loans when received.

Bancorp’s methodologies for estimating the ACL on loans consider available relevant information about the collectability of cash flows, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The methodologies apply historical loss information, adjusted for asset-specific characteristics, economic conditions at the measurement date, and forecasts about future economic conditions expected to exist through the contractual lives of the financial assets that are reasonable and supportable to the identified pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for which the historical loss experience was observed. Bancorp’s methodologies may revert to historical loss information on a straight-line basis over a number of quarters when it can no longer develop reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Loans are predominantly segmented by FDIC Call Report Codes into loan pools that have similar risk characteristics, similar collateral types and are assumed to pose consistent risk of loss to Bancorp. Bancorp has identified the following pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for measuring expected credit losses:

Commercial Real Estate – Owner Occupied – Includes non-farm, non-residential real estate loans for a variety of commercial property types and purposes, and is typically secured by commercial offices, industrial buildings, warehouses or retail buildings where the owner of the building occupies the property. The primary source of repayment is the cash flow from the ongoing operations and activities conducted by the party (or affiliate) who owns the property. Repayment terms vary considerably; interest rates are fixed or variable and structured for full or partial amortization of principal.

Commercial Real Estate – Non-Owner Occupied – Includes investment real estate loans secured by similar collateral as above. The primary source of income for this loan type is typically rental income associated with the property. This category also includes apartment or multifamily residential buildings (secured by five or more dwelling units).

Commercial and Industrial – Represents loans for C&I purposes to sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and other business enterprises, whether secured (other than those that meet the definition of a “loan secured by real estate”) or unsecured, single payment or installment. This category includes loans originated for financing capital expenditures, loans secured by accounts receivable, inventory and other business assets such as equipment, non-real estate related construction loans in addition to non-real estate loans guaranteed by the SBA. Bancorp originates these loans for a variety of purposes across various industries. This portfolio has been segregated between term loans and revolving lines of credits based on the varied characteristics of these individual loan structures.

Residential Real Estate – Includes non-revolving (closed-end) first and junior lien loans secured by residential real estate primarily in Bancorp’s market areas. This portfolio has been segregated between owner occupied and non-owner occupied status, as the investment nature of the latter poses additional credit risks to Bancorp.

Construction and Land Development – Consists of loans to finance the ground up construction or improvement of owner occupied and non-owner occupied residential and commercial properties and loans secured by raw or improved land. The repayment of C&D loans is generally dependent upon the successful completion of the improvements by the builder for the end user, the leasing of the property, or sale of the property to a third party. Repayment of land secured loans is dependent upon the successful development and sale of the property, the sale of the land as is, or the outside cash flow of the owners to support the retirement of the debt. Bancorp’s construction loans may convert to real estate-secured loans once construction is completed or principal amortization payments begin, assuming the borrower retains financing with the Bank.

Home Equity Lines of Credit – Similar to the above, however these are revolving (open-ended) lines of credit.

Consumer – Represents loans to individuals for personal expenditures that may be secured or unsecured. This includes pre-arranged overdraft plans, secured automobile loans and other consumer-purpose loans.

Leases – Represents a variety of equipment leasing options to businesses.

Credit Cards – Represents revolving loans to businesses and, to a lesser extent, consumers.

Bancorp measures expected credit losses for its loan portfolio segments as follows:

Loan Portfolio Segment	ACL Methodology
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied	Discounted cash flow
Commercial real estate - owner occupied	Discounted cash flow
Commercial and industrial - term	Static pool
Commercial and industrial - line of credit	Static pool
Residential real estate - owner occupied	Discounted cash flow
Residential real estate - non-owner occupied	Discounted cash flow
Construction and land development	Static pool
Home equity lines of credit	Static pool
Consumer	Static pool
Leases	Static pool
Credit cards	Static pool

Discounted Cash flow Method – The DCF methodology is used to develop cash flow projections at the instrument level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speeds, curtailments, time to recovery, probability of default and loss given default. The modeling of expected prepayment speeds, curtailment rates and time to recovery are based on historical internal data.

Bancorp uses regression analysis on historical internal and peer data to determine suitable loss drivers to utilize when modeling lifetime probability of default and loss given default. This analysis also determines how expected probability of default and loss given default will react to forecasted levels of the loss drivers. For all loan pools utilizing the DCF method, management utilizes a forecasted unemployment rate as its primary loss driver, as this was determined to best correlate to historical losses. Management has determined that four quarters represents a reasonable and supportable forecast period with reversion back to a historical loss rate over four quarters on a straight-line basis.

The combination of adjustments for credit expectations (default and loss) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the instrument level. Instrument effective yield is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level NPV of expected cash flows. An ACL is established for the difference between the instrument’s NPV and amortized cost basis.

Static Pool Method – The static pool methodology is utilized for the loan portfolio segments that typically have shorter durations. For each of these loan segments, Bancorp applies an expected loss ratio based on historical losses adjusted as appropriate for qualitative loss factors. Qualitative loss factors are based on management's judgment of company, market, industry or business specific data, changes in underlying loan composition of specific portfolios, trends relating to credit quality, delinquency, non-performing and adversely rated loans and reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions.

Collateral Dependent Loans – Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. For collateral dependent loans where Bancorp has determined that the liquidation or foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and Bancorp expects repayment of the financial asset to be provided substantially through the operation of the business or sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the estimated fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the NPV of expected cash flows from the operation of the collateral. When repayment is expected to be generated by the sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated cost to sell. The ACL may be zero if the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date exceeds the amortized cost basis of loan. Bancorp’s estimate of the ACL reflects losses expected over the remaining contractual life of the loan and the contractual term does not consider extensions, renewals or modifications.

Bancorp adopted ASU 2022-02, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures,” effective January 1, 2023. The amendments in ASU 2022-02 eliminated the recognition and measure of troubled debt restructurings and enhanced disclosures for loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

Premises and Equipment – Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of premises and equipment is computed using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over terms of the related leases, including expected renewals, or over the useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while major additions and improvements are capitalized.

Premises held for sale are carried at the lower of fair value or cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Premises held for sale represent properties owned by Bancorp that are currently listed for sale due mainly to location overlap and/or lack of necessity stemming from acquisition-related activity.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill resulting from business acquisitions represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate a goodwill impairment test should be performed.

Bancorp has selected September 30^th as the date to perform its annual goodwill impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Bank’s balance sheet.

Currently, goodwill recorded on Bancorp’s consolidated balance sheets is attributed mainly to the Commercial Banking segment, while a portion is also attributed to the WM&T segment. Goodwill related to the KSB acquisition is deductible for tax purposes, as it was structured as an asset sale/338 election. Goodwill related to the CB and KB acquisitions is not deductible for tax purposes, as both were structured as stock sales. Based on its assessment, Bancorp believes its goodwill balances at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were not impaired and are properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

Other intangible assets consist of CDI and CLI assets arising from business acquisitions. The CDI and CLI assets represent customer relationships associated with acquired deposit portfolios and WM&T businesses, respectively. CDI and CLI assets are initially measured at fair value and then amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives.

Other Assets – BOLI and other life insurance policies are carried at net realizable value, which considers applicable surrender charges. Also, Bancorp maintains life insurance policies in conjunction with its non-qualified defined benefit and non-qualified compensation plans.

OREO is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis for the asset. OREO is subsequently carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value minus estimated selling costs. In certain situations, improvements to prepare assets for sale are capitalized if those costs increase the estimated fair value of the asset. Expenses incurred in maintaining assets, write downs to reflect subsequent declines in value, and realized gains or losses are reflected in the results of operations and are included in non-interest income and/or expense.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to originate loans, commitments to fund existing loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer-financing needs. Off-balance sheet refers to assets or liabilities that do not appear on a company's balance sheet. Bancorp’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Bancorp records an ACL for off-balance sheet credit exposures, unless the commitments to extend credit are unconditionally cancelable, through a charge to credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures included in provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures on Bancorp’s consolidated statements of income. The ACL for off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan portfolio segment at each balance sheet date under the current CECL model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur and is included in other liabilities on Bancorp’s consolidated balance sheets.

Derivatives – Bancorp uses derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, as part of its interest rate risk management. GAAP establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. As required by GAAP, Bancorp’s interest rate swaps are recognized as other assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Accounting for changes in fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. To qualify for hedge accounting, Bancorp must comply with detailed rules and documentation requirements at inception of the hedge, and hedge effectiveness is assessed at inception and periodically throughout the life of each hedging relationship. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is measured periodically throughout the life of the hedging relationship.

For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in fair value of the derivative is initially reported in OCI and subsequently reclassified to interest income or expense when the hedged transaction affects earnings, while the ineffective portion of changes in fair value of derivative, if any, is recognized immediately in other noninterest income. Bancorp assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing cumulative changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with cumulative changes in cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. No component of the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Periodically, Bancorp enters into an interest rate swap transaction with a borrower, who desires to hedge exposure to rising interest rates, while at the same time entering into an offsetting interest rate swap, with substantially matching terms, with another approved independent counterparty. Because of matching terms of offsetting contracts and collateral provisions mitigating any non-performance risk, changes in fair value subsequent to initial recognition have an insignificant effect on earnings. Because these derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments, the derivative instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value, due to changes in prevailing interest rates, recorded in other noninterest income.

Bancorp had no fair value hedging relationships at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Bancorp does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. See the Footnote titled “Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional discussion.

Transfers of Financial Assets – Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from Bancorp, 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 Bancorp does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Stock-Based Compensation – For all awards, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the period in which it is earned based on the grant-date fair value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest, reduced for estimated forfeitures at the time of grant. GAAP requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes – Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in DTAs and DTLs. DTAs and DTLs are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted statutory tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces DTAs to the amount expected to be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more-likely-than-not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more-likely-than-not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

Bancorp recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense, if any.

Bancorp periodically invests in certain partnerships with customers that yield historic tax credits, accounted for using the flow through method, which approximates the equity method. Also, low-income housing tax credits, as well as tax-deductible losses, are accounted for using the effective yield method for older transactions or proportional amortization method for more recent transactions. The tax benefit of these investments exceeds the amortization expense associated with them, resulting in a positive impact on net income.

Net Income Per Share – Basic net income per common share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the weighted average number of shares that would be issued upon exercise of dilutive options and SARs, assuming proceeds are used to repurchase shares under the treasury stock method.

Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from outside of the Company’s control. For Bancorp, this includes net income, changes in unrealized gains and losses on AFS debt securities and cash flow hedging instruments, net of reclassification adjustments and taxes, and minimum pension liability adjustments, net of taxes.

Loss Contingencies – Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable, and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are any outstanding matters that would have a material effect on the financial statements.

Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents – Bancorp has historically been required by the FRB to maintain average reserve balances. Effective March 26, 2020, the FRB reduced the reserve requirement ratio to 0% in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating reserve requirements for all depository institutions. The reserve requirement ratio remained at 0% as of December 31, 2023.

Dividend Restriction – Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the Holding Company or by the Holding Company to shareholders.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as disclosed in the Footnote titled “Assets and Liabilities Measured and Reported at Fair Value” in this section of the filing. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect such estimates.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers – The majority of Bancorp’s revenue comes from interest income and other sources, including loans, leases, securities, and derivatives, which are not subject to ASC 606. Bancorp’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented within non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as Bancorp satisfies its obligation to its customer.

Segment Information – Bancorp provides a broad range of financial services to individuals, corporations and others through its full service banking locations. These services include loan and deposit services, cash management services, securities brokerage activities, mortgage origination and WM&T activities. Bancorp’s operations are considered by management to be aggregated in two reportable operating segments: Commercial Banking and WM&T.

Reclassifications – Certain amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported prior periods’ net income or shareholders’ equity.

Adoption of New Accounting Guidance – In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. ASU 2022-02 eliminates the accounting guidance for TDRs in ASC 310-40, “Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors” for entities that have adopted the CECL model introduced by ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2022-02 also requires that public business entities disclose current-period gross charge offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measured at Amortized Cost.” This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Updates – Generally, if an issued but not yet effective ASU with an expected immaterial impact to Bancorp has been disclosed in prior SEC filings, it will not be re-disclosed.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method.” The amendments in this update permit reporting entities to elect to account for their tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met, regardless of the tax credit program from which the related income tax credits are received. The amendments also allow for making the election to apply the proportional amortization method on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis, as opposed to applying this method at the reporting entity level or to individual investments. Further, the amendments of this ASU remove certain guidance for Qualified Affordable Housing Project investments and require the application of the delayed equity contribution guidance to all tax equity investments. The amendments of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and must be applied on either a modified retrospective or a retrospective basis. Bancorp is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this ASU would have on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The amendments in this update improve financial reporting by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis for all public entities to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. The amendments in this update do not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates those operating segments, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The amendments of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The amendments in this update address investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures, primarily related to effective tax rate reconciliation and information related to income taxes paid, among certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of such disclosures. The amendments of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and are to be applied on a prospective basis. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements.