Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of the accounting policies adopted by Civista Bancshares, Inc., which have a significant effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Civista Bancshares, Inc. (“CBI”) and its wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries: Civista Bank (“Civista”), First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc. (“FCIA”), Water Street Properties, Inc. (“WSP”), CIVB Risk Management, Inc. (“CRMI”), First Citizens Capital LLC (“FCC”) and First Citizens Investments, Inc. (“FCI”). The above companies together are sometimes referred to as the “Company”. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Civista provides financial services through its offices in the Ohio counties of Erie, Crawford, Champaign, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Logan, Summit, Huron, Ottawa, Madison, Montgomery, Henry, Wood and Richland, in the Indiana counties of Dearborn and Ripley and in the Kentucky county of Kenton. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term certificate accounts, and its primary lending products are residential mortgage, commercial, and installment loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow from operations of businesses. There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. However, our customers’ ability to repay their loans is dependent on the real estate and general economic conditions in the area. Other financial instruments that potentially represent concentrations of credit risk include deposit accounts in other financial institutions.

Civista Leasing and Finance ("CLF"), formerly known as Vision Financial Group, Inc. ("VFG") was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2022 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Civista. Effective as of August 31, 2023, VFG was merged with and into Civista, and CLF is now operated as a full-service general equipment leasing and financing division of Civista. The operations of CLF are located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

FCIA was formed to allow the Company to participate in commission revenue generated through its third party insurance agreement. Insurance commission revenue was less than 1.0% of total revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. WSP was formed to hold repossessed assets of CBI’s subsidiaries. WSP revenue was less than 1% of total revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2023. CRMI was formed in 2017 to provide property and casualty insurance coverage to CBI and its subsidiaries for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in the insurance marketplace. CRMI revenue was less than 1% of total revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. FCC was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Civista in Wilmington, Delaware to hold inter-company debt. The operations of FCC were discontinued December 31, 2021. FCI is wholly-owned by Civista and holds and manages its securities portfolio. The operations of FCI are located in Wilmington, Delaware.

Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The allowance for credit losses, determination of goodwill impairment, fair values of financial instruments, valuation of deferred tax assets, pension obligations and other-than-temporary-impairment of securities are considered material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term.

Cash Flows: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and demand deposits with financial institutions with original maturities of less than 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, federal funds purchased, short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements. The Company routinely maintains balances that exceed FDIC insured limits but believes the risk of loss is very low with respect to such deposits.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Securities: Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are based on the amortized cost of the security sold using the specific identification method.

Other securities which include Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock, Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation stock, United Bankers' Bancorporation Inc. (“UBBI”) stock, and Norwalk Community Development Corporation (“NCDC”) stock are carried at cost.

Equity securities: Equity securities are held at fair value. Holding gains and losses are recorded in noninterest income. Dividends are recognized as income when earned.

Loans Held for Sale: Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market and loans that management no longer intends to hold for the foreseeable future, are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings.

Loans and leases: Loans and leases that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, and an allowance for loan and leases losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments.

Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Interest income on consumer loans is discontinued when management determines future collection is unlikely. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

All interest accrued, but not received, for loans placed on nonaccrual, 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. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The Company provides financing leases for the purchase of business equipment. At the inception of each lease, the lease receivables, together with the present value of the estimated unguaranteed residual values are recorded as lease receivables within loans in the consolidated financial statements. Direct financing leases are carried at the aggregate of lease payments plus estimated residual value of the leased property, net of unamortized deferred lease origination fees and costs and unearned income. Only those costs incurred as a direct result of closing a lease transaction are capitalized and all initial direct costs are expensed immediately. Interest income on direct financing leases is recognized over the term of the lease to achieve a constant periodic rate of return on the outstanding investment.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Allowance for Credit Losses: On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 introduces a new credit loss methodology, Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL"), which requires earlier recognition of credit losses, while also providing additional transparency about credit risk. ASU 2016-13 amends guidance on reporting credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. ASU 2016-13 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold previously required under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the reserve for credit losses. In addition, entities need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination.

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Certification ("ASC") 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for the periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for purchased credit deteriorated ("PCD") financial assets that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired ("PCI") and accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with ASC 326, 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 was adjusted to reflect the addition of $1,668 to the allowance for credit losses. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2023. The adoption of CECL resulted in an increase to our total allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans held for investment of $4.3 million, an increase in allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $3.4 million, a reclassification of PCI discount from loans to the ACL of $1.7 million, and an increase in deferred tax asset of $1.6 million. The Company also recorded a net reduction of retained earnings of $6.1 million upon adoption.

The allowance for credit losses is evaluated on a regular basis and established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for credit losses. When a loan or portion of a loan is determined to be uncollectible, the portion deemed uncollectible is charged against the allowance and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Portfolio Segmentation (“Pooled Loans”)

Portfolio segmentation is defined as the pooling of loans based upon similar risk characteristics such that quantitative methodologies and qualitative adjustment factors for estimating the allowance for credit losses are constructed for each segment. The Company has identified nine portfolio segments of loans including Commercial & Agriculture, Commercial Real Estate – Owner Occupied, Commercial Real Estate – Non-Owner Occupied, Residential Real Estate, Real Estate Construction, Home Equity Line of Credit, Farm Real Estate, Lease Financing Receivable and Consumer and Other Loans.

The allowance for credit losses for Pooled Loans is estimated based upon periodic review of the collectability of the loans quantitatively correlating historical loan experience with reasonable and supportable forecasts using forward looking information. The Company utilized a discounted cash flow (DCF) method to estimate the quantitative portion of the allowance for credit losses for loans evaluated on a collective pooled basis. For each segment, a loss driver analysis (LDA) was performed in order to identify appropriate loss drivers and create a regression model for use in forecasting cash flows. The LDA utilized the Company’s own Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Call Report data for all segments except indirect auto and all new and unknown values. Peer data was incorporated into the analysis for all segments except indirect auto and all new and unknown values. The Company uses regression analysis to determine suitable loss drivers to utilize when modeling lifetime probability of default and loss given default for the changes in the economic factors for the loss driver segments. The identified loss drivers for all segments as of December 31, 2023 are national unemployment rate and national gross domestic product growth. Peer data is utilized in our model as more statistically supportable data. The Company uses actual loss data for the lease portfolio due to a lack of appropriate peer leasing data to forecast loss drivers.

Key inputs into the DCF model include loan-level detail, including the amortized cost basis of individual loans, payment structure, loss history, and forecasted loss drivers. The Company uses the central tendency midpoint seasonally adjusted forecasts from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). Other key assumptions include the probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD), and prepayment/curtailment rates. When possible, the Company utilizes its own PDs for the reasonable and supportable forecast period. When it is not possible to use the Company’s own PDs, the LDA is utilized to determine PDs based on the forecasted economic factors. In all cases, the LDA is then utilized to determine the long-term historical average, which is reached over the reversion period. When possible, the Company utilizes its own LGDs for the reasonable and supportable forecast period. When it is not possible to use the Company’s own LGDs, the LGD is derived using a method referred to as Frye Jacobs. The Frye Jacobs method is a mathematical formula that traces the relationship between LGD and PD over time and projects the LGD based on the level of PD forecasted. In all cases, the Frye Jacobs method is utilized to calculate LGDs during the reversion period and long-term historical average. Prepayment and curtailment rates were calculated based on the Company’s own data utilizing a one-year average. When the discounted cash flow method is used to determine the allowance for credit losses, management incorporates expected prepayments to determine the effective interest rate utilized to discount expected cash flow.

Adjustments to the quantitative evaluation may be made to account for differences in current or expected qualitative risk characteristics such as changes in: (i) lending policies and procedures; (ii) experience and depth of lending and management staff; (iii) quality of credit review system; (iv) nature and volume of portfolio; (v) past due, classified and non accrual loans; (vi) economic and business conditions; (vii) competition or legal and regulatory requirements; (viii) concentrations within the portfolio; (ix) underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated (PCD) Loans

The Company has purchased loans, some of which have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination. Upon adoption of ASC 326, the Company elected to maintain pools of loans that were previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 and will continue to account for these pools as a unit of account. Loans are only removed from the existing pools if they are written off, paid off, or sold. Upon adoption of ASC 326, the allowance for credit losses was determined for each pool and added to the pool's carrying amount to establish a new amortized

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

cost basis. The difference between the unpaid principal balance of the pool and the new amortized cost basis is the noncredit premium or discount which will be amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the pool. Changes to the allowance for credit losses after adoption are recorded through provision expense.

Individually Evaluated Loans

The Company establishes a specific reserve for individually evaluated loans which do not share similar risk characteristics with the loans included in the forecasted allowance for credit losses. These individually evaluated loans are removed from the pooling approach discussed above for the forecasted allowance for credit losses, and include nonaccrual loans, loan and lease modifications experiencing financial difficulty, and other loans deemed appropriate by management.

Available for Sale (“AFS”) Debt Securities

For AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether (i) we intend to sell, or (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either case is affirmative, any previously recognized allowances are charged-off and the security's amortized cost is written down to fair value through income. If neither case is affirmative, the security is evaluated to determine whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and any adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security 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, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of credit loss expense. AFS securities are charged-off against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through income when deemed uncollectible by management or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued Interest Receivable

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 and its related amendments on January 1, 2023, the Company made the following elections regarding accrued interest receivable:

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Presenting accrued interest receivable balances separately within another line item on the statement of financial condition.

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Excluding accrued interest receivable that is included in the amortized cost of financing receivables and debt securities from related disclosure requirements.

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Continuing our policy to write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income. For both commercial and consumer loans, the write off typically occurs upon becoming 90 days past due. Historically, the Company has not experienced uncollectible accrued interest receivable on its investment securities. However, the Company would generally write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income if the Company does not reasonably expect to receive payments. Due to the timely manner in which accrued interest receivables are written off, the amounts of such write offs are immaterial.

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Not measuring an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable due to the Company’s policy of writing off uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances in a timely manner, as described above.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The reserve for unfunded commitments (the “Unfunded Reserve”) represents the expected credit losses on off-balance sheet commitments such as unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. No allowance is recognized if the Company has the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. The Company is defining unconditionally cancelable in its literal sense, meaning that a commitment may be cancelled by the Company for any, or for no reason whatsoever. However, the Company in its business dealings, has no practical history of unconditionally canceling commitments. Commitments are not typically cancelled until a default or a defined condition occurs. Being that its historical practice has been to not cancel credit commitments unconditionally, the Company has made the decision to reserve for Unfunded Commitments. The Unfunded Reserve is recognized as a liability (included within other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets), with adjustments to the reserve recognized as noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Unfunded Reserve is determined by estimating expected future fundings, under each segment, and applying the expected loss rates. Expected future fundings over the estimated life of commitments are based on historical averages of funding rates (i.e., the likelihood of draws taken). To estimate future fundings on unfunded balances, current funding rates are compared to historical funding rates. Estimate of credit losses are determined using the same loss rates as funded loans.

Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The allowance for credit losses, consideration of impairment of goodwill, fair values of financial instruments, deferred taxes, swap assets/liabilities and pension obligations are particularly subject to change.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards:

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). The ASU introduces a new credit loss methodology, CECL, which requires earlier recognition of credit losses, while also providing additional transparency about credit risk. Since its original issuance in 2016, the FASB has issued several updates to the original ASU.

The CECL methodology utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans, held-to-maturity securities and other receivables at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The expected credit losses are adjusted each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The methodology replaces the multiple existing impairment methods under prior GAAP, which generally require that a loss be incurred before it is recognized. For available-for-sale securities where fair value is less than cost, credit-related impairment, if any, is recognized through an allowance for credit losses and adjusted each period for changes in credit risk.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the guidance prospectively with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. The Company has not restated comparative information for 2022 and, therefore, the comparative information for 2022 is reported under the old model and is not comparable to the information presented for 2023.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

At adoption, the Company recognized an incremental allowance for credit losses on its loans to customers of $4.3 million, a liability for off-balance sheet unfunded commitments of $3.4 million and a reclassification of the discount on PCI loans to the ACL of $1.7 million. Additionally, the Company recorded a $6.1 million after tax decrease in retained earnings associated with the increased estimated credit losses. The “Day 1” impact of CECL adoption is summarized below:


CECL Adoption
						Impact of
			CECL Adoption			Adopting ASC 326 -
	December 31, 2022		Impact			PCD Loans		January 1, 2023
Allowance for Credit Losses:
Commercial & Agriculture	$	3,011	$	429		$	390	$	3,830
Commercial Real Estate:
Owner Occupied		4,565		1,075			179		5,819
Non-Owner Occupied		14,138		(2,847	)		—		11,291
Residential Real Estate		3,145		2,762			386		6,293
Real Estate Construction		2,293		1,502			—		3,795
Farm Real Estate		291		(28	)		—		263
Lease Financing Receivable		429		1,743			635		2,807
Consumer and Other		98		201			78		377
Unallocated		541		(541	)		—		—
Total Allowance for Credit Losses	$	28,511	$	4,296		$	1,668	$	34,475
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments		—		3,386			—		3,386
Total Reserve for Credit Losses	$	28,511	$	7,682		$	1,668	$	37,861

Retained Earnings
Total Pre-tax Impact			$	(7,682	)
Tax Effect				1,613
Decrease to Retained Earnings			$	(6,069	)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

The Company did not record an allowance for available-for-sale securities on Day 1 as the investment portfolio consists primarily of debt securities explicitly or implicitly backed by the U.S. Government for which credit risk is deemed minimal. The impact going forward will depend on the composition, characteristics, and credit quality of the securities portfolio as well as the economic conditions at future reporting periods.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures ("ASU 2022-02"). ASU 2022-02 eliminates the recognition and measurement guidance for troubled debt restructurings and requires enhanced disclosures about loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. This ASU also requires enhanced disclosure for loans that have been charged off. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 provisions did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loan Charge-off Policies: All unsecured open- and closed-ended retail loans that become past due 90 days from the contractual due date are charged off in full. In lieu of charging off the entire loan balance, loans with non-real estate collateral may be written down to the net realizable value of the collateral, if repossession of collateral is assured and in process. For open- and closed-ended loans secured by residential real estate, a current assessment of fair value is made no later than 180 days past due. Any outstanding loan balance in excess of the net realizable value of the property is charged off. All other loans are generally charged down to the net realizable value when Civista recognizes the loan is permanently impaired, which is generally after the loan is 90 days past due.

Other Real Estate: Other real estate acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis and any deficiency in the value is charged off through the allowance. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using both accelerated and straight-line methods over the estimated useful life of the asset, ranging from three to seven years for furniture and equipment and seven to fifty years for buildings and improvements.

Equipment Owned Under Operating Leases: As a lessor, the Company finances equipment under leases to a wide variety of customers, from commercial and industrial to government and healthcare classified as operating leases. The equipment underlying the operating leases is reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, within Premises and Equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These operating lease arrangements require the lessee to make a fixed monthly rental payment over a specified lease term generally ranging from 3 years to 6 years. Revenue consists of the contractual lease payments and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and reported in Noninterest Income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line method over the lease term to the estimate of the equipment’s fair market value at lease termination, also referred to as “residual” value. The depreciation of these operating lease assets is reported in Noninterest Expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For equipment leases, fair value may be based upon observable market prices, third-party valuations, or prices received on sales of similar assets at the end of the lease term. These residual values are reviewed annually to ensure the recorded amount does not exceed the fair market value at the lease termination. At the end of the lease, the operating lease asset is either purchased by the lessee or returned to the Company.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Stock: Civista is a member of the FHLB of Cincinnati and as such, is required to maintain a minimum investment in stock of the FHLB that varies with the level of advances outstanding with the FHLB. The stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based upon its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment by management. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (a) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time this situation has persisted, (b) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance, (c) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB, and (d) the liquidity position of the FHLB. With consideration given to these factors, management concluded that the FHLB stock was not impaired at December 31, 2023 or 2022. FHLB Stock is included in Other Securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) Stock: Civista is a member of the Federal Reserve System. FRB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. FRB Stock is included in Other Securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI): Civista has purchased BOLI policies on certain key executives. BOLI is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. Changes in the cash surrender value are recorded as income in the period that the change occurs.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment will be recognized in the period identified.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions. These intangible assets are measured at fair value and then amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives, which range from five to twelve years.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): 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. A public business entity that is an SEC filer, such as the Company, was to adopt the amendments in this Update for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. In November 2019, however, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments ‒ Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842), which deferred the effective date for ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, for SEC filers that were eligible to be smaller reporting companies as of November 15, 2019, such as the Company, to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of the ASU provisions did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Mortgage Servicing Rights: Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as assets for the allocated value of retained mortgage servicing rights on loans sold. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. The valuation technique uses the present value of estimated future cash flows using current market discount rates. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the rights, using groupings of the underlying loans as to interest rates and then, secondarily, prepayment characteristics. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized asset for the grouping.

Long-lived Assets: Premises and equipment and other intangible assets, and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.

Repurchase Agreements: Substantially all repurchase agreement liabilities represent amounts advanced by various customers. Securities are pledged to cover these liabilities, which are not covered by federal deposit insurance.

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

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

The Company prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information.

A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Stock-Based Compensation: Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors, based on the fair value of these awards at the grant date. The market price of the Company’s common shares at the date of the grant is used for restricted shares.

Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

Retirement Plans: Pension expense is the net of service and interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized. Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense consists of the amount of matching contributions. Deferred compensation allocates the benefits over the years of service.

Earnings per Common Share: Earnings per share is computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share are net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which excludes participating securities. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable related to convertible preferred shares. Treasury shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations.

Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in the funded status of the pension plan.

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 that any such loss contingencies currently exist that will have a material effect on the financial statements.

Restrictions on Cash: Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank is required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements. These balances do not earn interest. The required reserve amount at December 31, 2023 was $0. The Company did not have any cash pledged as collateral on its interest rate swaps with third party financial institutions at December 31, 2023.

Dividend Restriction: Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by Civista to CBI or by CBI to shareholders. Additional information related to dividend restrictions can be found in Note 19.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions that reflect exit price value, as more fully disclosed in Note 17. 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 these estimates.

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Operating Segments: While the Company’s chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of the Company’s various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Operating segments are aggregated into one as operating results for all segments are similar. Accordingly, all of the Company’s financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

Treasury Stock: CBI common shares that are repurchased are recorded in treasury stock at cost.

Business Combinations: At the date of acquisition the Company records the assets and liabilities of acquired companies on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. The results of operations for acquired companies are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning at the acquisition date. Expenses arising from acquisition activities are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the period incurred.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies of a small number of commercial banking customers. All derivatives are accounted for in accordance with ASC-815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company mitigates the risk of entering into these agreements by entering into equal and offsetting swap agreements with highly rated third party financial institutions. The swap agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in fair value are recorded as income or expense in the period that they occur. The Company is party to master netting arrangements with its financial institution counterparties. The master netting arrangements provide for a single net settlement of all swap agreements, as well as collateral, in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. Collateral, in the form of cash and marketable securities, is posted by the counterparty with net liability positions in accordance with contract thresholds.

Revisions: Certain revisions have been made to the 2022 and 2021 consolidated financial statements. The fair market value for loans disclosed in Note 17 as of December 31, 2022, was revised from $2,160,920 to $2,528,906 due to an error in the calculation. Loans and secured borrowings increased $101,615 in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022, for certain loan participations sold that were deemed to not qualify for sales accounting under ASC 860. Interest income and interest expense increased $4,902 and $3,312, respectively in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 for certain loan participations sold that were deemed to not qualify for sales accounting under ASC 860. These revisions did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statement line items impacted and had no effect on net income.

Effect of Newly Issued but Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards:

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 (SOFR). 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. However, a deferral of the implementation of reference rate reform was issued in December of 2022, which extends the implementation to December 31, 2024. The Company is working through this transition via a multi-disciplinary project

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

team. However, the financial impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will depend on the population of contracts that are still outstanding on the date the underlying indexes are no longer published.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." The amendments apply to all public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The amendments in the ASU are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. Public entities are required to disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. In addition, public entities must provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, in interim periods. The amendments clarify that if the CODM uses more than one measure of a segment’s profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, a public entity may report one or more of those additional measures of segment profit. However, at least one of the reported segment profit or loss measures (or the single reported measure, if only one is disclosed) should be the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles used in measuring the corresponding amounts in the public entity’s consolidated financial statements. The Amendments require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Finally, the amendments require that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in the ASU and all existing segment disclosures in ASC Topic 280. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. A public entity should apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impacts related to the adoption of the ASU.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures." The amendments require that public business entities on an annual basis (a) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (b) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate). The amendments also require that all entities disclose on an annual basis the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes, and the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid (net of refunds received) is equal to or greater than 5 percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). The amendments require that all entities disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign. The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impacts related to the adoption of the ASU.