Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements of Middlefield Banc Corp. ("Company") include its bank subsidiary, The Middlefield Banking Company (“MBC” or “Middlefield Bank”), and a nonbank asset resolution subsidiary EMORECO, Inc. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of MBC’s subsidiaries, Middlefield Investments, Inc. (“MI”) and MB Insurance Services (“MIS”). All significant inter-company items have been eliminated.

On March 13, 2019, MBC established MI as an operating subsidiary to hold and manage an investment portfolio. At March 31, 2023, MI’s assets consist of a cash account, investments, and related accrued interest accounts. MI may only hold and manage investments and may not engage in any other activity without prior approval of the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. In the first quarter of 2022, MBC established MIS as an operating subsidiary to offer retail and business customers various of insurance services, including home, renters, automobile, pet, identity theft, travel, and professional liability insurance. At March 31, 2023, MIS’s assets consist of a cash account, a prepaid asset, and an accounts receivable. As a result of the bank merger of Liberty National Bank and MBC on December 1, 2022, Middlefield Banc Corp. acquired a 100% ownership interest in LBSI Insurance, LLC (“LBSI”), a wholly-owned financial subsidiary of Liberty National Bank. LBSI is no longer in operation following the merger, and MBC intends to merge it with and into its insurance subsidiary. All significant intercompany items have been eliminated between MBC and these subsidiaries.  

On December 1, 2022, the Company completed its merger with Liberty Bancshares, Inc. (“Liberty’), pursuant to a previously announced definitive merger agreement. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Liberty shareholders received 2.752 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for each share of Liberty common stock they owned immediately before the merger. The Company issued 2,561,513 shares of its common stock in the merger and the aggregate merger consideration was approximately $73.3 million. Upon closing, Liberty’s bank subsidiary was merged into MBC, and Liberty’s six full-service bank offices, in Ada and Kenton in Hardin County, Bellefontaine North and Bellefontaine South in Logan County, Marysville in Union County, and Westerville in Franklin County, became offices of MBC. 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.  

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies involving the more significant judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2023, have remained unchanged from December 31, 2022. However, the Company has identified accounting policies that are critical accounting policies and an understanding of these policies is necessary to understand the Company’s financial statements. These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, for the investment, loan portfolios, and unfunded commitments.

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. 

Investment securities classified as available for sale are those securities that the Bank intends to hold for an indefinite period of time but not necessarily to maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value. Any decision to sell a security classified as available for sale would be based on various factors, including significant movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix of the Bank’s assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, regulatory capital considerations, and other similar factors. Unrealized gains or losses are reported as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income (loss), net of the deferred tax effect. Realized gains or losses, determined on the basis of the cost of the specific securities sold, are included in earnings. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.

Investment securities classified as held to maturity are those securities the Bank has both the intent and ability to hold to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs, or changes in general economic conditions. These securities are carried at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premium and accretion of discount, and computed by a method that approximates the interest method over the terms of the securities.  As of March 31, 2023, the Company did not hold any held-to-maturity securities. 

Equity securities are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available for Sale Securities

The Bank measures expected credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities when the Bank intends to sell, or when it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its 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. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Bank evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Bank considers the extent to which fair value are less than amortized cost, 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 evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of 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, equal to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Economic forecast data is used to calculate the present value of expected cash flows. The Bank obtains its forecast data through a subscription to a widely recognized and relied upon company that publishes various forecast scenarios. Management evaluates the various scenarios to determine a reasonable and supportable scenario, and uses a single scenario in the model. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities is included within Investment securities available for sale on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded within provision for credit losses on the consolidated statement of income. Losses are charged against the allowance when the Bank believes the collectability of an available-for-sale security is in jeopardy or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $1.6 million at March 31, 2023 and is included within accrued interest receivable and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Available-for-sale debt securities are typically classified as nonaccrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When available-for-sale debt securities are placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed.

Credit Losses on Investment Securities – Prior to adopting ASU 2016-13

The Bank adopted ASU No. 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. Financial statement amounts related to Investment Securities recorded as of December 31, 2022 and for the periods ending December 31, 2022 are presented in accordance with the accounting policies described in the following sections. The following sections were carried forward from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022

Investment securities are classified at the time of purchase, based on management’s intention and ability, as securities held to maturity or securities available for sale.  Debt securities acquired with the intent and ability to hold to maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, computed using a level yield method, and recognized as interest income adjustments.  Certain other debt securities have been classified as available for sale to serve principally as a source of liquidity.  Unrealized holding gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax, until realized.  Realized security gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method.  Interest and dividends on investment securities are recognized as income when earned.  For 2022, this category includes common stocks of public companies that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold for an indeterminate amount of time.  Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses included in earnings.

Securities are evaluated quarterly and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary.  For debt securities, management considers whether the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the security’s amortized cost basis (the difference defined as the credit loss), the magnitude and duration of the decline, the reasons underlying the decline and the Bank’s intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that the Bank would be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery in market value, to determine whether the loss in value is other-than-temporary.  Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, if the Bank does not intend to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security, before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the charge to earnings is limited to the amount of credit loss.  Any remaining difference between fair value and amortized cost (the difference defined as the non-credit portion) is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.  Otherwise, the difference between fair value and the amortized cost is charged to earnings. 

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs. Accrued interest receivable totaled $4.3 million at March 31, 2023 and was included within accrued interest receivable and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans. The Bank is amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the loan. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans are amortized as adjustments to interest income using the effective yield method.

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into commercial and consumer loans. Commercial loans consist of the following classes: commercial construction, commercial and industrial loans, and commercial real estate loans. Consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate loans, home equity loans, and consumer loans.

For all classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual loans, including impaired loans, generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income on a cash basis, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. The past-due status of all classes of loans receivable is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated (PCD) Loans

The Bank has purchased loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. The Bank reviews many factors to make the determination, including reviewing whether the loan is performing, delinquency status, and changes in risk rating to determine if the loan exhibits more than insignificant credit deterioration. PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An allowance for credit losses is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan’s purchase price and allowance for credit losses becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recorded through credit loss expense.

Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) – Loans

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation reserve established and maintained by charges against income and is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged off against the ACL when they are deemed uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

The ACL is an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of a loan, that considers our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently subjective and may have significant changes from period to period.

Management uses a discounted cash flow (DCF) model to calculate the present value of the expected cash flows for pools of loans and leases that share similar risk characteristics and compares the results of this calculation to the amortized cost basis to determine its allowance for credit loss balance.

The contractual term used in projecting the cash flows of a loan is based on the maturity date of a loan, and is adjusted for prepayment or curtailment assumptions which may shorten that contractual time period. Options to extend are considered by management in determining the contractual term.

The key inputs to the DCF model are (1) probability of default, (2) loss given default, (3) prepayment and curtailment rates, (4) reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, (5) forecast reversion period, (6) expected recoveries on charged off loans, and (7) discount rate.

Probability of Default (PD)

In order to incorporate economic factors into forecasting within the DCF model, management elected to use the Loss Driver method to generate the PD rate inputs. The Loss Driver method analyzes how one or more economic factors change the default rate using a statistical regression analysis. Management selected economic factors that had strong correlations to historical default rates.

Loss Given Default (LGD)

Management elected to use the Frye Jacobs parameter for determining the LGD input, which is an estimation technique that derives a LGD input from segment specific risk curves that correlates LGD with PD.

Prepayment and Curtailment rates

Prepayment Rates: Loan level transaction data is used to calculate a semi-annual prepayment rate. Those semi-annual rates are annualized and the average of the annualized rates is used in the DCF calculation for fixed payment or term loans. Rates are calculated for each pool.

Curtailment Rates: Loan level transaction data is used to calculate annual curtailment rates using any available historical loan level data. The average of the historical rates is used in the DCF model for interest only payment or line of credit type loans. Rates are calculated for each pool.

Reasonable and Supportable Forecasts

The forecast data used in the DCF model is obtained via a subscription to a widely recognized and relied upon company who publishes various forecast scenarios. Management evaluates the various scenarios to determine a reasonable and supportable scenario.

Forecast Reversion Period

Management uses forecasts to predict how economic factors will perform and has determined to use a four quarter forecast period as well as an eight quarter straight-line reversion period to historical averages (also commonly referred to as the mean reversion period).

Expected Recoveries on Charged-off Loans

Management performs an analysis to estimate recoveries that could be reasonably expected based on historical experience in order to account for expected recoveries on loans that have already been fully charged-off and are not included in the ACL calculation.

Discount Rate

The effective interest rate of the underlying loans and leases of the Corporation serves as the discount rate applied to the expected periodic cash flows. Management adjusts the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments.

Individual Evaluation

Management evaluates individual instruments for expected credit losses when those instruments do not share similar risk characteristics with instruments evaluated using a collective (pooled) basis. Instruments will not be included in both collective and individual analyses. Individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for instruments in scope.

Management considers a financial asset as collateral-dependent when the debtor is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale or operation of the collateral, based on management's assessment as of the reporting date.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company’s loan portfolio is segmented to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The portfolio is segmented into Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”), which is further segmented into Owner Occupied (“CRE OO”), Non-owner Occupied (“CRE NOO”), and Multifamily Residential, Residential Real Estate (“RRE”), Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”), Home Equity Lines of Credit (“HELOC”), Construction and Other (“Construction”), and Consumer Installment Loans. The commercial real estate loan segments consist of loans made to finance the activities of commercial real estate owners and operators and certain agricultural loans. The residential real estate and HELOC loan segments consist of loans made to finance the activities of residential homeowners. The C&I loan segment consists of loans made to finance the activities of commercial customers and certain agricultural loans. The consumer loan segment consists primarily of installment loans and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts. The increases in the allowance for credit loss for the C&I, RRE, and HELOC portfolios were partially offset by a decrease in the allowance for the CRE, Construction, and Consumer Installment portfolios.   

Historical credit loss experience is the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. We apply historical loss rates to pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. After consideration of the historic loss calculation, management applies qualitative adjustments to reflect the current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts not already reflected in the historical loss information at the balance sheet date. The qualitative adjustments for current conditions are based upon national and local economic trends and conditions, levels of and trends in delinquency rates and nonaccrual loans, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of changes in lending policies, experience, ability, and depth of lending staff, value of underlying collateral, concentrations of credit from a loan type, industry, and/or geographic standpoint.  These modified historical loss rates are multiplied by the outstanding principal balance of each loan to calculate a required reserve.

The Bank has elected to exclude accrued interest receivable from the measurement of its ACL. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any outstanding accrued interest is reversed against interest income.

The ACL for individual loans begins with the use of normal credit review procedures to identify whether a loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with other pooled loans and therefore, should be individually assessed. We evaluate all commercial loans greater than $150,000 that meet the following criteria:  1) when it is determined that foreclosure is probable, 2) substandard, doubtful and nonperforming loans when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, 3) when it is determined by management that a loan does not share similar risk characteristics with other loans.  Specific reserves are established based on the following three acceptable methods for measuring the ACL: 1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate; 2) the loan’s observable market price; or 3) the fair value of the collateral when the loan is collateral-dependent. Collateral values are discounted to consider disposition costs when appropriate. A specific reserve is established or a charge-off is taken if the fair value of the loan is less than the loan balance. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Bank does not separately identify individual residential real estate loans, home equity loans, and consumer loans for impairment disclosures.

Allowance for Loan Losses – Prior to adopting ASU 2016-13

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, the Bank calculated our ALL using an incurred loan loss methodology. The following policy related to the ALL in prior periods.

The allowance for loan and lease losses represents the amount that management estimates is adequate to provide for probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The allowance method is used in providing for loan losses.  Accordingly, all loan losses are charged to the allowance, and all recoveries are credited to it.  The allowance for loan and lease losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to operations.  The provision is based on management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses, which encompasses the overall risk characteristics of the various portfolio segments, experience with losses, the impact of economic conditions on borrowers, and other relevant factors.  The estimates used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected on impaired loans, are particularly susceptible to a significant change in the near term.

The allowance consists of specific, general, and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class including commercial loans not considered impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential real estate, home equity, and other consumer loans.  Management has identified several additional qualitative factors to supplement the historical charge-off factor. These factors likely cause estimated credit losses associated with the existing loan pools to differ from historical loss experience.  The additional factors that are evaluated quarterly and updated using information obtained from internal, regulatory, and governmental sources are:

● national and local economic trends and conditions;

● levels of and trends in delinquency rates and nonaccrual loans;

● trends in volumes and terms of loans;

● effects of changes in lending policies;

● experience, ability, and depth of lending staff;

● value of underlying collateral;

● and concentrations of credit from a loan type, industry, and/or geographic standpoint.

A majority of the Bank’s loan assets are loans to business owners of many types. The Bank makes commercial loans for real estate development and other business purposes required by the customer base.

The Bank’s credit policies determine advance rates against the different forms of collateral that can be pledged against commercial loans. Typically, the majority of loans will be limited to a percentage of their underlying collateral values such as real estate values, equipment, eligible accounts receivable, and inventory. Individual loan advance rates may be higher or lower depending upon the financial strength of the borrower and/or term of the loan. The assets financed through commercial loans are used within the business for its ongoing operation. Repayment of these kinds of loans generally comes from the cash flow of the business or the ongoing conversions of assets. Commercial real estate loans include long-term loans financing commercial properties. Repayment of this kind of loan is dependent upon either the ongoing cash flow of the borrowing entity or the resale of or lease of the subject property. Commercial real estate loans typically require a loan-to-value ratio of not greater than 80 percent and vary in terms.

Residential mortgages and home equity loans are secured by the borrower’s residential real estate in either a first or second lien position. Residential mortgages and home equity loans have varying loan rates depending on the financial condition of the borrower and the loan-to-value ratio. Residential mortgages have amortizations up to 30 years and home equity loans have maturities up to 20 years. Consumer loans include installment loans, car loans, and overdraft lines of credit. The majority of these loans are unsecured.

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable the borrower will not repay the loan according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays, which are defined as 89 days or less, generally are not classified as impaired.  A loan is not impaired during a period of delay in payment if the Company expects to collect all amounts due, including interest accrued, at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay.  All loans identified as impaired are evaluated independently by management.  The Company estimates credit losses on impaired loans based on the present value of expected cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan repayment is expected to come from the sale or operation of such collateral.  Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when a realized loss has occurred.  An allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained for estimated losses until such time.  Cash receipts on impaired loans are applied first to accrued interest receivable unless otherwise required by the loan terms, except when an impaired loan is also a nonaccrual loan, in which case the portion of the payment related to interest is used to reduce principal.

The Bank originates commercial and residential construction loans to developers and builders and, in some cases, to other commercial borrowers for approved construction projects. These loans are typically structured on a non-revolving basis and draws of funds are dependent on successfully completed and verified progress of the project. These loans are generally secured by the real estate to be developed and may also be secured by additional real estate to mitigate the risk. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be from conversion to permanent loans extended by the Bank, sales of developed property, or permanent financing obtained elsewhere. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans because their ultimate collateral value and repayment are sensitive to various factors affecting the successful completion of the project.

For commercial loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal, and the condition of the property. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

For commercial and industrial loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable agings, equipment appraisals, or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.

Mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family properties and all consumer loans are large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans and are measured for impairment collectively.  Management determines the significance of payment delays on a case-by-case basis, considering all circumstances concerning the loan, the creditworthiness and payment history of the borrower, the length of the payment delay, and the amount of shortfall concerning the principal and interest owed.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Bank does not separately identify individual residential real estate loans, home equity loans, and consumer loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are the subject of a troubled debt restructuring agreement or unless such loans are in the process of foreclosure or are being evaluated for foreclosure.

Loans whose terms are modified are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Bank grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring generally involve a temporary reduction in interest rate or an extension of a loan’s stated maturity date. Non-accrual troubled debt restructurings are restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification. Loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are designated as impaired.

The allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors, and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial and consumer loans. Credit quality risk ratings include regulatory classifications of special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss. Loans classified as special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They include loans that are inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable. Loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible and are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Loans not classified are rated pass.

In addition, federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

The Bank estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Bank is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Bank. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through credit loss expense. 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.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2023

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets. This standard, along with several other subsequent codification updates, replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments in this update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new current expected credit losses model (“CECL”) applies to the allowance for loan losses, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities, purchased financial assets with credit deterioration and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. On January 1, 2023, Middlefield adopted CECL. Upon adoption, the reserve for credit losses on loans and leases increased by $5.3 million, the reserve for credit losses for unfunded commitments increased by $622,000. This resulted in an after-tax retained earnings adjustment of $4.4 million. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Corporation recorded CECL-related charges of $507,000, including a provision for credit losses on loans and leases of $334,000 and a reserve for unfunded commitments of $173,000.

The Bank adopted this guidance, and subsequent related updates, using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans, available-for-sale debt securities and unfunded commitments. On January 1, 2023, the Bank recorded a cumulative effect decrease to retained earnings of $3.9 million related to loans and $491,000 related to unfunded commitments.

The Bank adopted the provisions of ASC 326 related to financial assets purchased with credit deterioration (PCD) that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired (PCI) and accounted for under ASC 310-30 using the prospective transition approach. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. On January 1, 2023, the amortized cost basis of the PCD assets were adjusted to reflect the addition of $121,000 of the allowance for credit losses (ACL).

The Bank adopted the provisions of ASC 326 related to presenting other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale debt securities prior to January 1, 2023 using the prospective transition approach, though no such charges had been recorded on the securities held by the Bank as of the date of adoption.

The following table illustrates the pre-tax impact of the adoption of this ASU:

	January 1, 2023
	Allowance for Credit Losses
	Pre- adoption		Adoption Impact			As Reported
ACL on loans
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied	$	2,203	$	811		$	3,014
Non-owner occupied		5,597		(1,206	)		4,391
Multifamily		662		591			1,253
Residential real estate		2,047		2,744			4,791
Commercial and industrial		1,483		2,320			3,803
Home equity lines of credit		1,753		(1,031	)		722
Construction and other		609		956			1,565
Consumer installment		84		197			281
Total	$	14,438	$	5,382		$	19,820
ACL on unfunded commitments	$	-		(683	)		(683	)

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures." The amendments eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors that have adopted CECL and enhance the disclosure requirements for modifications of receivables made with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. In addition, the amendments require disclosure of current period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases in the existing vintage disclosures. This ASU became effective on January 1, 2023 for the Corporation. The adoption of this ASU resulted in updated disclosures within our financial statements but otherwise did not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the FASB eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this Update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Update is effective for smaller reporting companies and all other entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, March 2020, to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a one-time election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Reclassification of Comparative Amounts

Certain comparative amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to current-year presentations. Such reclassifications did not affect net income or retained earnings.