Ameriserv Financial Inc /Pa/ ASRV US Equity☆

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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(MARK ONE)

☒ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

OR

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-11204

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) ​

(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

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MAIN & FRANKLIN STREETS, ​

P.O. BOX 430, JOHNSTOWN, ​

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (814) 533-5300

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Title Of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share ​ ASRV ​ The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ◻ Yes ⌧No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ◻ Yes ⌧No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ⌧Yes◻ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ⌧Yes◻ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “ accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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​ ​ ​ Emerging growth company ☐

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its mangagement’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes ⌧ No

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The aggregate market value was $60,981,043 as of June 30, 2022.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. There were 17,147,270 shares outstanding as of March 21, 2023.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

Portions of the proxy statement for the annual shareholders’ meeting are incorporated by reference in Part III.

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FORM 10-K INDEX

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​ ​ Page No.

PART I ​

Item 1. Business 3

Item 1A. Risk Factors 12

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 12

Item 2. Properties 12

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 12

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 12

PART II ​

Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data 14

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 39

Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 40

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 102

Item 9B. Other Information 102

PART III ​ ​

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance 103

Item 11. Executive Compensation 103

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 103

PART IV ​ ​

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 104

​ Signatures 106

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) is a bank holding company organized under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law. The Company became a holding company upon acquiring all of the outstanding shares of AmeriServ Financial Bank (the Bank) in January 1983. The Company’s other wholly owned subsidiary is AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (the Trust Company) which was formed in October 1992. AmeriServ Life Insurance Company (AmeriServ Life), formed in October 1987, was a captive insurance company that engaged in underwriting as a reinsurer of credit life and disability insurance. New business ceased being generated by AmeriServ Life in 2005. Since that time, the outstanding insurance policies have been running off and the final policy has expired. On September 30, 2020, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the Articles of Dissolution for AmeriServ Life. The remaining assets of AmeriServ Life were transferred to AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and the subsidiary was formally closed on December 31, 2020. When used in this report, the “Company” may refer, depending on the context, to AmeriServ Financial, Inc. individually or AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

The Company’s principal activities consist of owning and operating its two wholly owned subsidiary entities. At December 31, 2022, the Company had, on a consolidated basis, total assets, deposits, and shareholders’ equity of $1.4 billion, $1.1 billion, and $106.2 million, respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries derive substantially all of their income from banking, bank related services, and trust and wealth management related services. The Company functions primarily as a coordinating and servicing unit for its subsidiary entities in general management, accounting and taxes, loan review, auditing, investment accounting, marketing and risk management.

As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to supervision and regular examination by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (PDB). The Company is also under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for matters relating to registered offerings and sales of its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol “ASRV,” and the Company is subject to the NASDAQ rules applicable to listed companies.

AMERISERV FINANCIAL BANK

The Bank is a state bank chartered under the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965, as amended (Banking Code). Through 17 branch locations in Allegheny, Cambria, Centre, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania and Washington county, Maryland, the Bank conducts a general banking business. It is a full-service bank offering (i) retail banking services, such as demand, savings and time deposits, checking accounts, money market accounts, secured and unsecured consumer loans, mortgage loans, safe deposit boxes, holiday club accounts, and money orders; and (ii) lending, depository and related financial services to commercial, industrial, financial, and governmental customers, such as commercial real estate mortgage loans (CRE), short and medium-term loans, revolving credit arrangements, lines of credit, inventory and accounts receivable financing, real estate construction loans, business savings accounts, certificates of deposit, wire transfers, night depository, and lock box services. The Bank also operates 18 automated bank teller machines (ATMs) through its 24-hour banking network that is linked with NYCE, a regional ATM network, and CIRRUS, a national ATM network. West Chester Capital Advisors (WCCA), a SEC-registered investment advisor, is a subsidiary of the Bank. The Company also operates loan production offices (LPOs) in Altoona and Wilkins Township in Pennsylvania.

We believe that the loss of one depositor or a related group of depositors would not have a materially adverse effect on the Bank’s business. The Bank’s business is not seasonal, nor does it have any risks attendant to foreign sources. A significant majority of the Bank’s customer base is located within a 250-mile radius of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Bank’s headquarters.

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The Bank is subject to supervision and regular examination by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the PDB. Various federal and state laws and regulations govern many aspects of its banking operations. The following is a summary of key data (dollars in thousands) and ratios of the Bank at December 31, 2022:

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Headquarters Johnstown, PA

Total Investment Securities ​ 231,750 ​

Total Loans and Loans Held for Sale (net of unearned income) ​ 990,825 ​

Total Net Income ​ 8,593 ​

Asset Leverage Ratio ​ 9.39 %

Return on Average Assets ​ 0.65 ​

Return on Average Equity ​ 7.10 ​

Total Full-time Equivalent Employees ​ 247 ​

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RISK MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

Risk identification and management are essential elements for the successful management of the Company. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various types of risk, which includes credit, interest rate and market, liquidity, operational, legal/compliance, strategic/reputational and security risk. Additionally, in 2022, the Company continued to monitor the risks stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company seeks to identify, manage and monitor these risks with policies, procedures, and various levels of oversight from the Company’s Board of Directors (the Board) and management. The Company has a Management Enterprise Risk Committee with Board of Director representation to help manage and monitor the Company’s risk position, which is reported formally to the Board, at a minimum, on a semi-annual basis.

Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of net interest income and the market value of financial instruments to the magnitude, direction, and frequency of changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk results from various repricing frequencies and the maturity structure of assets and liabilities. The Company uses its asset liability management policy to monitor and manage interest rate risk.

Liquidity risk represents the inability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to satisfy commitments to borrowers, as well as the obligations to depositors, debtholders and the funding of operating costs. The Company uses its asset liability management policy and contingency funding plan to monitor and manage liquidity risk.

Credit risk represents the possibility that a customer may not perform in accordance with contractual terms resulting in an economic loss to the organization. Credit risk results from extending credit to customers, purchasing securities, and entering into certain off-balance sheet loan funding commitments. The Company’s primary credit risk occurs in the loan portfolio with limited credit risk within the investment portfolio due to holdings of corporate and municipal securities. The Company uses its credit policy and disciplined approach to evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses (the ALL) to monitor and manage credit risk. The Company’s investment policy and hedging policy seeks to limit the amount of credit risk that may be assumed in the investment portfolio and through hedging activities.

The following summarizes and describes the Company’s various loan categories and the underwriting standards applied to each:

Commercial Loans

This category includes credit extensions to commercial and industrial borrowers. Business assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and/or equipment, typically secure these credits. The commercial loan segment includes commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate. In appropriate instances, extensions of credit in this category are subject to collateral advance formulas. Balance sheet strength and profitability are considered when analyzing these credits, with special attention given to historical, current and prospective sources of cash flow, and the ability of the customer to sustain cash flow at acceptable levels. The Bank’s policy permits flexibility in determining acceptable debt service coverage ratios. Personal guarantees are frequently required; however, as the financial strength of the borrower increases, the Bank’s ability to obtain personal guarantees decreases. In addition to economic risk, this category is impacted by the strength of the borrower’s management, industry risk and portfolio concentration risk each of which are also monitored and considered during the underwriting process.

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The commercial loan segment also includes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee 100% of the PPP loans made to eligible borrowers pursuant to standards as defined by the SBA. The SBA guarantee on PPP loans minimizes the level of credit risk associated with the loans. As a result, such loans are assigned a 0% risk weight for purposes of calculating the Company’s risk-based capital ratios. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to not allocate any portion of the loan loss reserve for the PPP loans. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had 1 PPP loan outstanding totaling $22,000.

Commercial Loans Secured by Non-Owner Occupied Real Estate

This category includes various types of loans, including acquisition and construction of investment property. Maximum term, minimum cash flow coverage, leasing requirements, maximum amortization and maximum loan to value ratios are controlled by the Bank’s credit policy and follow industry guidelines and norms, and regulatory limitations. Personal guarantees are normally required during the construction phase on construction credits and are frequently obtained on mid to smaller CRE loans. In addition to economic risk, this category is subject to geographic and portfolio concentration risk, each of which are monitored and considered in underwriting.

The Company utilizes a robust and diligent risk management framework to monitor the non-owner occupied commercial real estate segment of the portfolio. This analysis considers more forward looking credit metrics such as stress test results and underwriting trend data, coupled with risk tolerance and concentration guidelines. The process is intended to allow identification of emerging risk, in part, to determine any future change to lending policy, underwriting practices or broader lending strategy prior to any indication of performance deterioration.

Residential Real Estate — Mortgages

This category includes mortgages that are secured by residential property. Underwriting of loans within this category is pursuant to Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae underwriting guidelines, with the exception of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) loans, which have more liberal standards. A meaningful portion of this portfolio consists of home equity loans. The major risk in this category is that a significant downward economic trend would increase unemployment and cause payment default. The Bank does not engage, and has never engaged, in subprime residential mortgage lending.

Consumer Loans

This category includes consumer installment loans and revolving credit plans. Underwriting is pursuant to industry norms and guidelines. The major risk in this category is a significant economic downturn.

INVESTMENTS

The strategic focus of the investment securities portfolio is managed for liquidity and earnings in a prudent manner that is consistent with proper bank asset/liability management and current banking practices. The objectives of portfolio management include consideration of proper liquidity levels, interest rate and market valuation sensitivity, and profitability. The investment portfolio of the Company and its subsidiaries are proactively managed, including in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). All holdings must meet standards documented in its investment policy, unless otherwise approved by the Company’s CEO or the Asset/Liability Management Committee.

The investment portfolio is primarily made up of AAA rated agency mortgage-backed securities, high quality corporate securities, taxable municipal securities, and agency securities. Management strives to maintain a portfolio duration that is less than 60 months.

Investment securities classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost while investment securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair market value.

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The following table sets forth the weighted average yield for each type of investment security and range of maturity as of December 31, 2022. Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis, but are based upon the cost basis and are weighted for the scheduled maturity.

Investment securities available for sale:

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ TOTAL

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. AGENCY ​ INVESTMENT

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CORPORATE ​ BACKED ​ AVAILABLE

​ ​ U. S. AGENCY ​ MUNICIPAL ​ BONDS ​ SECURITIES ​ FOR SALE

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Investment securities held to maturity:

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​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ TOTAL

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. AGENCY ​ INVESTMENT

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CORPORATE ​ MORTGAGE- ​ SECURITIES

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ BONDS AND ​ BACKED ​ HELD TO

​ ​ U. S. AGENCY ​ MUNICIPAL ​ OTHER ​ SECURITIES ​ MATURITY

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DEPOSITS

The Bank believes it has a stable core deposit base made up of traditional commercial bank products that exhibit modest fluctuation during the year, other than jumbo certificates of deposits (CDs) and certain municipal deposits, which demonstrate some seasonality. The Company also utilizes certain Trust Company specialty deposits related to the ERECT funds as a funding source, which serve as an alternative to wholesale borrowings and can exhibit some limited degree of volatility.

The following table sets forth the average balance of the Company’s deposits and average rates paid thereon for the past two calendar years:

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Demand: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that protects bank depositors against loss. The Bank is an FDIC-insured institution, therefore, deposits are insured up to the standard insurance amount of $250,000 per depositor. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the estimated amount of uninsured deposits was $316.5 million and $326.1 million, respectively. The estimate of uninsured deposits was done at a single account level and does not take into account total customer balances in the Bank. It should be noted that approximately 50% of these uninsured deposits relate to public funds from municipalities, government entities, and

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school districts which by law are required to be collateralized with investment securities or FHLB letters of credit to protect these depositor funds.

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The maturities on CDs with balances that exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 as of December 31, 2022, are as follows:

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​ (IN THOUSANDS)

MATURING IN: ​

Three months or less ​ $ 18,608

Over three through six months ​ 10,049

Over six through twelve months ​ 20,994

Over twelve months ​ 24,323

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LOANS

Secondary Market Activities

The residential lending department of the Bank continues to originate one-to-four family mortgage loans for customers, some of which are sold to outside investors in the secondary market and some of which are retained for the Bank’s portfolio. Mortgages sold in the secondary market are sold to investors on a “flow” basis; mortgages are priced and delivered on a “best efforts” pricing basis, with servicing released to the investor. Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines are used in underwriting all mortgages with the exception of a limited amount of CRA loans and internal special programs. Mortgages with longer terms, such as 30-year, FHA, and VA loans, are usually sold. The remaining production of the department includes construction, adjustable rate mortgages, and quality non-salable loans. These loans are usually kept in the Bank’s portfolio.

AMERISERV TRUST AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company is a trust company organized under Pennsylvania law in October 1992. Its staff of approximately 45 professionals administers assets valued at approximately $2.3 billion that are not recognized on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2022. The Trust Company focuses on wealth management. Wealth management includes personal trust products and services such as personal portfolio investment management, estate planning and administration, custodial services and pre-need trusts. Also, institutional trust products and services such as 401(k) plans, defined benefit and defined contribution employee benefit plans, and individual retirement accounts are included in this segment. This segment also includes financial services, which provide the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products. The wealth management business also includes the union collective investment funds, the ERECT funds, which are designed to use union pension dollars in construction projects that utilize union labor. At December 31, 2022, the Trust Company had total assets of $6.7 million and total stockholder’s equity of $6.5 million. In 2022, the Trust Company contributed earnings to the Company as its gross revenue amounted to $10.6 million and the net income contribution was $1.3 million. The Trust Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the PDB.

MONETARY POLICIES

Commercial banks are affected by policies of various regulatory authorities including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve). An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the national supply of bank credit. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve are: open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the federal funds rate and discount rate on member bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements on bank deposits. These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits, and may also affect interest rate charges on loans or interest paid for deposits. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

COMPETITION

Our subsidiaries face strong competition from other commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, and other financial or investment service institutions for business in the communities they serve.

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Several of these institutions are affiliated with major banking and financial institutions which are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than the Bank and the Trust Company. As the financial services industry continues to consolidate, the scope of potential competition affecting our subsidiaries will also increase. Brokerage houses, consumer finance companies, insurance companies, financial technology firms, and pension trusts are important competitors for various types of financial services. Personal and corporate trust investment counseling services are offered by insurance companies, other firms, and individuals. In addition, some of these competitors, such as credit unions, are subject to a lesser degree of regulation or taxation than that imposed on us.

MARKET AREA & ECONOMY

U.S. inflation surged with in 2022, reaching heights unseen since the early 1980s. Increasing prices shrank Americans’ inflation-adjusted pay despite high wage growth for many. Pandemic price pressures, dismissed as transitory, turned out to be enduring and the Russia / Ukraine war caused a fresh spike in food and energy costs. A surge in demand coming out of the COVID-19 recession, coupled with lingering supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages, created a perfect storm for price increases. The Fed increased interest rates aggressively at the risk of plunging the world’s largest economy into recession. Positive second half 2022 GDP growth tempered recessionary fears, though 2023 concerns continue to exist. Interest rate-sensitive sectors like autos and housing were impacted the most by the Fed tightening, but pent-up demand and pandemic savings kept spending elevated. The labor market remains historically tight, showing strong wage pressures and solid job growth despite 425 basis points of Fed tightening. Job growth slowed somewhat over the course of 2022, but with the 12-month average around 400k it is nearly double the pre-pandemic average. The Fed is looking for much slower job growth as it aims to rebalance labor supply and demand in its mission to cool wage pressures. Supply chain improvements have cooled some producer price inflation. Rising mortgage rates and elevated house prices have pulled sales down from their pandemic peaks.

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the Company is headquartered, continues to have a cost of living that is lower than the national average. Johnstown is home to The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Conemaugh Health System. The high-tech defense industry is the main non-health care staple of the Johnstown economy, with the region fulfilling many federal government contracts, punctuated by one of the premier defense trade shows in the U.S., the annual Showcase for Commerce. The city also hosts annual events such as the Flood City Music Festival and the Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally, each of which draw several thousand visitors. The Johnstown, PA MSA unemployment rate decreased from a 7.0% average in 2021 to a 5.1% average in 2022. The Johnstown, PA MSA continues to have one of the highest jobless rates among the 18 metropolitan statistical areas across the state. As of December 31, 2022, employment within the Johnstown MSA has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels as there were 83,600 persons employed compared to 88,400 employed at December 31, 2019 representing a decline of 4,800 jobs, or 5.4%. This economic data, coupled with a declining population trend, creates a growth challenge moving forward.

Economic conditions are stronger in the State College market and have demonstrated the same improvement experienced in the national economy. The community is a college town, dominated economically and demographically by the presence of the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. “Happy Valley” is another often-used term to refer to the State College area, including the borough and the townships of College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson. The unemployment rate for the State College MSA decreased from a 4.6% average in 2021 to a 3.2% average in 2022 and remains one of the lowest of all regions in the Commonwealth. A large percentage of the population in State College falls into the 18 to 34-year-old age group, while potential customers in the Cambria/Somerset markets tend to be over 50 years of age.

Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland offers a rare combination of business advantages providing a major crossroads location that is convenient to the entire East Coast at the intersection of I-81 and I-70. It has a workforce of over 400,000 with strengths in manufacturing and technology. It also offers an affordable cost of doing business and living, all within an hour of the Washington, D.C./Baltimore regions. There are also plenty of facilities and land slated for industrial/commercial development. Hagerstown has become a choice location for manufacturers, financial services, and distribution companies. The Hagerstown, MD-Martinsburg, WV MSA unemployment rate decreased from a 4.5% average in 2021 to a 3.4% average in 2022.

The Company also has loan production offices in Wilkins Township in Allegheny County and Altoona in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Wilkins Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania is located 15 miles east of the city of Pittsburgh. While the city is historically known for its steel industry, today its economy is largely based on healthcare, education, technology and financial services. The city of Pittsburgh is home to many colleges, universities and research

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facilities, the most well-known of which are Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is rich in art and culture. Pittsburgh museums and cultural sites include the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Frick Art & Historical Center, and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts among numerous others. Pittsburgh is also the home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins. The unemployment rate for the Pittsburgh MSA decreased from a 6.4% average in 2021 to a 4.3% average in 2022.

Altoona is the business center of Blair County, Pennsylvania with a strong retail, government and manufacturing base. The top field of employment in Altoona and the metro area is healthcare. Its location along I-99 draws from a large trade area over a wide geographic area that extends to State College and Johnstown. It serves as the headquarters for Sheetz Corporation, which ranks on Forbes list of the top privately owned companies. In addition to being located adjacent to I-99 and a major highway system, Altoona also has easy access to rail and air transportation. The average unemployment rate in the Altoona MSA decreased from 6.0% in 2021 to 4.1% in 2022.

EMPLOYEES

The Company employed 329 people as of December 31, 2022 in full- and part-time positions. Approximately 150 non-supervisory employees of the Company are represented by the United Steelworkers AFL-CIO-CLC, Local Union 2635-06. The Company is under a four-year labor contract with the United Steelworkers Local, which will expire on October 15, 2025. The contract calls for annual wage increases of 2% during the life of the contract. The Company has not experienced a work stoppage since 1979. Unionization in financial institutions remains exceptionally low with less than 0.25% of banks nationwide being covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. This unique unionization situation creates both challenges and opportunities for the Company. The key goals of organized labor are to provide their members with strong wages and benefits, stable jobs, and safe and respectable workplaces. As a result of these key union goals, the Company’s salaries and benefit costs are higher than its non-union peers as we offer good wages and strong benefits which include affordable health care and strong retirement benefits with the majority of current union employees participating in a defined benefit pension plan. The Company has consistently viewed its positive union relationships as a potential source of additional revenue. Examples of success in these efforts include the previously mentioned ERECT Fund where the wealth management group is trustee for this $250 million fund whose purpose is to invest in commercial construction projects with the requirement that they utilize union labor. The Bank has also been a preferred mortgage and consumer loan provider for the Pennsylvania State Education Association for almost 10 years which provides us with the opportunity to expand our lending in these products throughout Pennsylvania. Since inception of the partnership, the Bank has funded approximately $280 million in mortgage and consumer loans to unionized teachers and their family members.

INDUSTRY REGULATION

The banking and trust industry, and the operation of bank holding companies, is highly regulated by federal and state law, and by numerous regulations adopted by the federal and state banking agencies. Bank regulation affects all aspects of conducting business as a bank, including such major items as minimum capital requirements, limits on types and amounts of investments, loans and other assets, as well as borrowings and other liabilities, and numerous restrictions or requirements on the loan terms and other products made available to customers, particularly consumers. Federal deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is required for all banks in the United States, and maintaining FDIC insurance requires observation of the various rules of the FDIC, as well as payment of deposit insurance premiums. New branches, or acquisitions or mergers, are required to be pre-approved by the responsible agency, which in the case of the Company and the Bank is the Federal Reserve and the PDB. The Bank provides detailed financial information to its regulators, including a quarterly call report that is filed pursuant to detailed prescribed instructions to ensure that all U.S. banks report the same way. The U.S. banking laws and regulations are frequently updated and amended, especially in response to crises in the financial industry, such as the global financial crisis of 2008, which resulted in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act enacted in 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act), a statute affecting many facets of the financial industry. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act was enacted into law in 2018 and was designed to ease certain restrictions imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted into law on March 27, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 12, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System established a new Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP), offering loans of up to one year in length to banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other eligible depository institutions pledging U.S. Treasuries, agency debt and mortgage-backed securities, and other qualifying assets as collateral. These assets will be valued at par. The BTFP is intended to be an additional source of

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liquidity against high-quality securities, eliminating an institution's need to quickly sell those securities in times of stress it will make available additional funding to eligible depository institutions to help assure banks have the ability to meet the needs of all their depositors.

While it is impractical to discuss all laws and regulations that regularly affect the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, set forth below is an overview of some of the major provisions and statutes that apply.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

One of the most significant regulatory requirements for banking institutions is minimum capital, imposed as a ratio of capital to assets. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (FDIA), identifies five capital categories for insured depository institutions: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. It requires U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies to implement systems for prompt corrective action for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements based on these categories. Both federal and state banking regulation impose progressively more restrictive constraints on operations, management and capital distributions, depending on the category in which an institution is classified. Unless a bank is well capitalized, it is subject to restrictions on its ability to utilize brokered deposits and on other aspects of its operations. Generally, a bank is prohibited from paying any dividend or making any capital distribution or paying any management fee to its holding company if the bank would thereafter be undercapitalized.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company believes that its bank subsidiary was well capitalized, based on the prompt corrective action guidelines described above. On January 1, 2015, U.S. federal banking agencies implemented the Basel III capital standards, which establish the minimum capital levels to be considered well-capitalized and revised the prompt corrective action requirements under banking regulations. The revisions from the previous standards include a revised definition of capital, the introduction of a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio and changed risk weightings for certain assets. Under the current rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers), a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer above its minimum risk-based capital requirements of 2.50% of total risk weighted assets.

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​ ​ Minimum Capital ​ Well

​ Plus Buffer Capitalized

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio 7.00 % 6.50 %

​

DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

The primary source of cash to pay dividends, if any, to the Company’s shareholders and to meet the Company’s obligations is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank and the Trust Company. Dividend payments by the Bank to the Company are subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Banking Code, the FDIA and the regulation of the PDB and the Federal Reserve. Under the Banking Act and the FDIA, a bank may not pay any dividends if, after paying such dividends, it would be undercapitalized under applicable capital requirements. In addition to these explicit limitations, the federal regulatory agencies are authorized to prohibit a banking subsidiary or bank holding company from engaging in unsafe or unsound banking practices. Depending upon the circumstances, the agencies could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available from the immediately preceding year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividend that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiary. A bank holding company may not pay dividends when it is insolvent.

For more information regarding quarterly cash dividends, see Part II, Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities below.

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PRIVACY PROVISIONS

Federal banking regulators adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about customers to non-affiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to non-affiliated third parties. The privacy provisions affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors. The Company believes it is in compliance with the various provisions.

USA PATRIOT ACT

A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA Patriot Act substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The United States Treasury Department has issued and, in some cases, proposed a number of regulations that apply various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the Company.

CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted into law on March 27, 2020. Federal, state, and local governments adopted various statutes, rules, regulations, orders, and guidelines in order to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the adverse economic effects of the pandemic on individuals, families, businesses, and governments. Financial institutions, including the Company, were affected by many of these measures, including measures that were broadly applicable to businesses operating in the communities where the Company does business. Financial services firms, like the Company, were required to operate in a manner that seeked to protect the health and safety of their customers and employees.

In addition, the federal banking agencies along with state bank regulators issued an interagency statement on March 22, 2020, addressing loan modifications that were made by financial institutions for borrowers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The agencies stated that short-term loan modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 for borrowers who were current prior to any relief did not need to be categorized as TDRs and that financial institutions were not expected to designate loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 as past due because of the deferral.

The CARES Act contained a number of provisions that affected banking organizations. The CARES Act provided funding for various programs under which the federal government lended to, guaranteed loans to, or made investments in businesses. Banking organizations were expected to play a role in some of those programs, and when they did so, they were subject to certain requirements. One of those programs was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided loans to small businesses for payroll and other basic expenses during the COVID-19 crisis. The loans could be made by SBA-certified lenders and were 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The loans were eligible to be forgiven if certain conditions were satisfied, in which event the SBA would make payment to the lender for the forgiven amounts. The Bank participated in the PPP as a lender. In accordance with the CARES Act, a PPP loan is assigned a risk weight of zero percent under the federal banking agencies’ risk-based capital rules.

The CARES Act also authorized temporary changes to certain provisions applicable to banking organizations. Among other changes, Section 4013 of the CARES Act gave financial institutions the right to elect to suspend GAAP principles and regulatory determinations for loan modifications relating to COVID-19 that would otherwise be categorized as TDRs from March 1, 2020, through the earlier of December 31, 2020, or 60 days after the COVID-19 national emergency ended. On April 7, 2020, the federal banking agencies, in consultation with state bank regulators, issued an interagency statement clarifying the interaction between (i) their earlier statement discussing whether loan modifications relating to COVD-19 need to be treated as TDRs and (ii) the CARES Act provision on this subject. In this interagency statement, the agencies also said that when exercising supervisory and enforcement responsibility with respect to consumer protection requirements, they would take into account the unique circumstances impacting

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borrowers and institutions resulting from the COVID-19 emergency and that they did not expect to take a consumer compliance public enforcement action against an institution, provided that the circumstances were related to this emergency and the institution made good faith efforts to support borrowers and comply with the consumer protection requirements and addressed any needed corrective action. The suspension of TDR identification and accounting triggered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The period established by Section 4013 of the CARES Act was extended to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the national COVID-19 emergency terminated. It is currently anticipated that the national COVID-19 emergency will terminate on May 11, 2023.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available to the public on the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Our internet address is http://www.ameriserv.com. We make available, free of charge on http://www.ameriserv.com, our annual, quarterly and current reports, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

​

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Not applicable.

​

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Company has no unresolved staff comments from the SEC for the reporting periods presented.

​

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The principal offices of the Company and the Bank occupy the five-story AmeriServ Financial building at the corner of Main and Franklin Streets in Johnstown plus eleven floors of the building adjacent thereto. The Company occupies the main office and its subsidiary entities have 14 locations which are owned. Seven additional locations are leased with terms expiring from September 30, 2023 to June 30, 2033.

​

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to a number of asserted and unasserted potential legal claims encountered in the normal course of business. In the opinion of both management and legal counsel, there is no present basis to conclude that the resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

​

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

​

​

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

COMMON STOCK

As of March 21, 2023, the Company had 2,560 shareholders of record for its common stock. The Company’s common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “ASRV.” The following table sets forth the actual high and low closing prices and the cash dividends declared per share for the periods indicated:

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CASH

​ ​ PRICES ​ DIVIDENDS

​ HIGH LOW DECLARED

Year ended December 31, 2022: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Year ended December 31, 2021: ​ ​ ​

​

The declaration of cash dividends on the Company’s common stock is at the discretion of the Board, and any decision to declare a dividend is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, earnings, prospects, financial condition, regulatory capital levels, applicable covenants under any credit agreements and other contractual restrictions, Pennsylvania law, federal and Pennsylvania bank regulatory law, and other factors deemed relevant. Additionally, the Company’s previously announced common stock repurchase programs have been completed.

​

​

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ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

SELECTED FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ​

​ ​ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS) ​

SUMMARY OF INCOME STATEMENT DATA: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PER COMMON SHARE DATA: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER DATA: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​

​

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (MD&A)

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company including the related notes thereto, included elsewhere herein.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, 2021, AND 2020

2022 SUMMARY OVERVIEW:

During a period of extreme economic volatility in 2022, characterized by the highest inflation in almost 40 years and a more than 4% increase in short-term interest rates by the Federal Reserve, the Company was able to achieve its highest earnings per share (EPS) performance in over 20 years and a 15% increase in dividend payments to shareholders.

The Company is proud of the hard work of the AmeriServ bankers that made this success happen and allowed us to get mostly back to normal when it comes to customer service. These efforts included overcoming the challenges created by the pandemic and we are deeply grateful to our very patient customers and staff members who have been more than willing to go the extra mile.

Turning back to financial performance: Net income for 2022 totaled $7,448,000, or $0.43 diluted earnings per share, which represented a 4.9% increase over the full year of 2021. On an adjusted non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of pension settlement charges which are not reflective of the operations of the Company, adjusted net income totaled $9,470,000, or $0.55 adjusted diluted earnings per share(1)(2). This represented an even stronger 12% increase in EPS from the adjusted 2021 full year results. The improved earnings performance for 2022, on both an actual and adjusted basis, reflects the full benefit of several important strategic actions that the Company executed in 2021 to reduce our cost of funding, the successful management of our asset quality throughout the pandemic, and effective balance sheet management.

While 2021 was a year with near record loan demand, 2022 was still very active but less strong. A late year surge in lending permitted AmeriServ to report good loan totals in December and end the year on a positive note. We hope this continues into 2023, and we believe we have the capacity for our loan portfolio to reach $1 billion for the first time as our lending continues to be an important economic driver in the communities where we operate.

The media has perpetuated the narrative that, as the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, loans may become scarce. However, here in western Pennsylvania, more folks are savers than spenders. This means that our friends and neighbors have provided us with more stable deposits to continue to focus on growing the loan portfolio. AmeriServ will continue to be active in lending, but we also will continue to be rigorous in our loan underwriting standards. This will permit us to grow loans while maintaining a high-quality portfolio.

Wealth management is involved in a day-to-day struggle with the turmoil in securities markets. The bear market in equities and bonds has been punishing individual estate plans. There have been market value losses even in the AmeriServ Pathroad portfolio. However, our team of professionals have taken their customary stop loss actions. Our clients understand the Pathroad investment logic and are patiently watching the markets for any signs of an impending turnaround. Fortunately, the Pathroad logic has been tested by similar recessions over the years and it has always proven to keep losses below other investment strategies. We note that not only has the number of clients involved in the Pathroad logic remained virtually stable during this market but also, the number of new clients has increased as investors have taken notice of the Pathroad records. We believe our clients’ biggest concern is about the duration of this bear market. History tells us that the most significant market value gains often occur during the beginning of a turnaround. It is our job to monitor for that turnaround and be ready to take the appropriate actions for our clients.

Our Board, management group, and team of banking and investment professionals are studying and working hard every day. We support their efforts and have the utmost confidence in their strategies. Understanding western Pennsylvania as we do, it is not difficult for us to build the kind of banking and investment strategies needed by our

(1) Non-GAAP financial information, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this MD&A.

(2) Adjusted for pension settlement charge.

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customers. It is also our goal to offer a solid stock that continues to build value for all our shareholders. Our stock currently has a 3% dividend yield and an active trading market.

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW. The following table summarizes some of the Company’s key profitability performance indicators for each of the past three years.

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

​ ​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT

​ ​ PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS) ​

Diluted earnings per share ​ 0.43 ​ 0.41 ​ 0.27 ​

Diluted earnings per share, adjusted (1)(2) ​ ​ 0.55 ​ ​ 0.49 ​ ​ 0.27 ​

Return on average assets ​ 0.55 % 0.52 % 0.37 %

Return on average assets, adjusted (1)(2) ​ ​ 0.70 ​ ​ 0.63 ​ ​ 0.37 ​

Return on average equity ​ 6.83 ​ 6.48 ​ 4.52 ​

Return on average equity, adjusted (1)(2) ​ 8.69 ​ 7.76 ​ 4.52 ​

​

The Company reported net income of $7,448,000, or $0.43 per diluted common share, in 2022. This represents a 4.9% increase in earnings per share from the full year of 2021 when net income totaled $7,072,000, or $0.41 per diluted common share. On an adjusted basis, eliminating the impact of the pension settlement charge, diluted earnings per share for the 2022 year increased by 12% to $0.55(1)(2), while adjusted net income improved to $9,470,000(1)(2). Due to the effects of eliminating the pension settlement charge, the Company’s return on average assets (ROA) in 2022 would improve from 0.55% to an adjusted ROA of 0.70%(1)(2). Further, the Company’s return on average equity (ROE) in 2022 would improve from 6.83% to an adjusted ROE of 8.69%(1)(2). The improved earnings performance for the 2022 year, on both an actual and adjusted basis, reflects the full benefit of several important strategic actions that the Company executed in 2021, the successful management of our asset quality throughout the pandemic, and effective balance sheet management. Overall, the increase in net interest income, along with a reduced loan loss provision, more than offset a lower level of non-interest income and higher non-interest expense resulting in an improved earnings performance in 2022. Finally, the Company’s tangible book value per share ended 2022 at $5.40(1) a decrease of 10.3% from 2021. The decline in tangible book value per share in 2022 reflects a decrease in the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investment securities due to higher interest rates. The Company continued to maintain strong capital ratios that exceed the regulatory defined well capitalized status.

The Company reported net income of $7.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted common share, for 2021. This represented a 51.9% increase in earnings per share from 2020 when net income totaled $4.6 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share. During 2021, earnings demonstrated meaningful improvement as the Company realized the benefit of several important strategic actions that were executed during the year. Overall, increased net interest income, a growing level of non-interest income, and a reduced loan loss provision more than offset a higher level of non-interest expense resulting in an improved earnings performance.

The Company reported net income of $4.6 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, for 2020. This represented a 22.9% decrease in earnings per share from 2019 when net income totaled $6.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share. During 2020, the Company dealt with the many unexpected challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We continued our conservative risk management posture and prudently built our allowance for loan losses to address increased credit risk in certain sectors of our loan portfolio which was a primary factor causing the decline in earnings between years.

NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN. The Company’s net interest income represents the amount by which interest income on earning assets exceeds interest paid on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income is a primary source of the Company’s earnings; it is affected by interest rate fluctuations as well as changes in the amount

(1) Non-GAAP financial information, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this MD&A.

(2) Adjusted for pension settlement charge.

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and mix of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The following table summarizes the Company’s net interest income performance for each of the past three years:

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

​ ​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

​

2022 NET INTEREST PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW. The Company’s net interest income for the full year of 2022 increased by $1.5 million, or 3.8%, when compared to the full year of 2021. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.27% for the full year of 2022 representing a 12 basis point improvement from the full year of 2021. Net interest income demonstrated an increasing trend through the first three quarters of 2022 as interest income increased to a higher level than the increase in interest expense. However, this positive trend reversed in the fourth quarter as interest expense increased to a higher level than the increase in interest income.

The Company benefitted from the higher U.S. Treasury yield curve as interest rates increased due to the Federal Reserve’s action to tighten monetary policy in their effort to tame decades high inflation. The higher interest rate environment along with increased investment in the securities portfolio more than offset a reduced level of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fee income and caused total interest income to increase for the full year of 2022 when compared to last year. The increased national interest rates also resulted in total deposit and borrowing costs increasing in 2022. However, the increase in deposit interest expense was partially offset by a 26% reduction in total borrowings interest expense, as the strategic actions taken by management in 2021 to lower funding costs favorably impacted financial performance.

Overall, in 2022, the average balance of total interest earning assets was consistent with the full year 2021 average, totaling $1.2 billion. Specifically, total loans averaged $978 million in 2022 which is $11.2 million, or 1.1%, lower than the 2021 full year average. Short-term investments including commercial paper averaged $23.2 million in 2022 which is $24.1 million, or 50.9%, lower than the 2021 full year average. Total investment securities averaged $245.2 million in 2022 which is $35.3 million, or 16.8%, higher than the 2021 full year average. Despite the balance of total average interest earning assets remaining relatively unchanged from the prior year, total interest income increased by $2.4 million, or 5.1%, between years due to an increase in the yield on earning assets, which increased from 3.76% to 3.95%.

Total deposits, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, averaged $1.156 billion for the full year of 2022, which was $1.9 million, or 0.2%, higher than the $1.154 billion average for the full year of 2021. The 2022 full year average of short-term and FHLB borrowed funds was $43 million, which represented a decrease of $7.2 million, or 14.5%. Overall, the cost of total interest bearing liabilities increased from 0.75% to 0.84%.

COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME: 2022 VERSUS 2021. Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company’s total interest income in 2022 increased by $2.4 million, or 5.1%, when compared to 2021. Total average earning assets remained consistent in 2022 as there was a decreased level of average total loans and short-term investments which were offset by an increased level of average total investment securities. Despite this, interest income was favorably impacted by an increase in the earning asset yield which improved by 19 basis points from 3.76% to 3.95%. All categories within the earning asset base demonstrated an interest income increase between years. The average total loan portfolio yield increased by 14 basis points from 4.11% to 4.25% in 2022 while the average yield on total investment securities increased by 13 basis points from 2.87% to 3.00%.

Total average loans for the full year of 2022 were $11.2 million, or 1.1%, lower than the 2021 full year average. Strong loan pipelines resulted in 2022 production more than offsetting a higher than typical level of payoff activity during the year. Excluding PPP loans, total average loans for the full year of 2022 exceeded the 2021 full year average by $30.1 million, or 3.2%, as growth of commercial real estate (CRE) and home equity loans along with a higher volume of residential mortgage loans more than offset a decrease in the level of commercial & industrial loans. Of the approximately $100 million of PPP loans originated from the government stimulus programs, only one very small PPP loan remains on the balance sheet, reflecting the Company’s successful efforts working with our customers through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to complete the forgiveness process. Overall, the higher interest rate environment along with the higher average volumes of CRE, residential mortgages and home equity loans, resulted in total loan

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interest income improving by $899,000, or 2.2%, for 2022 when compared to last year. This results from the favorable impact of the higher volume of traditional loans and the higher interest rate environment being partially offset by a $1.8 million, or 80.9%, reduction in PPP loan fee related income. Finally, on an end of period basis at December 31, 2022 and excluding total PPP loans, the total loan portfolio is approximately $22.1 million, or 2.3%, higher than the December 31, 2021 level.

​

Total investment securities averaged $245.2 million for the full year of 2022 which is $35.3 million, or 16.8%, higher than the $209.9 million average for the twelve months of last year. The increase in the U.S. Treasury yield curve resulted in a more favorable market for securities purchasing activity in 2022. The two-year to ten-year portion of the yield curve increased by approximately 225 to 363 basis points since the beginning of the year, with shorter yields in that range increasing to a higher degree than the longer yields, resulting in yield curve inversion. Overall, the higher rates resulted in yields for new federal agency mortgage-backed securities and federal agency bonds improving and exceeding the overall average yield of the existing securities portfolio. Management purchased more of these investments by redeploying the cash flow from the excess payoff activity from the loan portfolio and profitably utilizing the increased short-term liquidity on our balance sheet. This redeployment of funds contributed to total securities growing between years. Management also continued to purchase taxable municipals and corporate securities to maintain a well-diversified portfolio.

​

Due to a combination of increased investment in securities, loan growth and total deposits modestly declining, short-term investments decreased throughout the year and are now at pre-pandemic levels before government stimulus impacted the economy. Total short-term investments including commercial paper averaged $23.2 million in 2022, which is $24.1 million, or 50.9%, lower than the 2021 average. Despite this decline, the Company’s liquidity position remains strong. We will continue to carefully monitor our liquidity position and short-term investments as we expect deposits related to government stimulus programs to continue to decline in 2023.

​

On the liability side of the balance sheet, total average deposits for 2022 are relatively consistent with the 2021 full year average, exceeding by $1.9 million, or 0.2%. Total deposits continued to demonstrate stability over the past year despite a $16.3 million, or 1.4%, decrease in total average deposits when comparing the 2022 fourth quarter to last year’s fourth quarter. Deposit volumes continue to reflect the favorable impact of government stimulus which provided support to many Americans and financial assistance to municipalities and school districts during the pandemic. However, the quarterly decrease reflects a portion of the funds from the government stimulus programs leaving the balance sheet and also reflects greater pricing competition in the market to retain deposits because of the increasing national interest rates. Overall, the loan to deposit ratio averaged 85.4% in the fourth quarter of 2022, which indicates that the Company has ample capacity to continue to grow its loan portfolio and is strongly positioned to support our customers and our community during times of economic volatility.

​

Total interest expense for the full year of 2022 increased by $909,000, or 12.0%, when compared to the full year of 2021, due to higher deposit and short-term borrowings interest expense. Deposit interest expense was higher by $1.6 million, or 33.7%, despite the full year average volume of total deposits remaining relatively consistent with the 2021 full year average. The impact that the higher national interest rates had on deposit costs combined with increased market competition to retain and attract deposits became more evident during the fourth quarter of 2022. In 2022, the Company benefitted from management’s decision to allow a high-cost, institutional deposit to mature during the third quarter of 2021 which proved to be beneficial since the interest rate on this particular deposit was indexed to the market and would have become more expensive with the rising national interest rates experienced this year. This large institutional deposit was replaced by the additional low cost, fixed rate deposits from the Somerset County branch acquisition and resulted in significant interest expense savings. The rising national interest rates this year did result in certain deposit products, particularly public funds, that are tied to a market index, repricing upward with the move in national interest rates and causing interest expense to increase. Specifically, total deposit cost averaged 0.56% in 2022, which is 14 basis points higher than total deposit cost of 0.42% in 2021.

​

Total borrowings interest expense decreased by $709,000, or 25.5%, when comparing the full year of 2022 to the full year of 2021. The decrease results from the favorable impact of the August 2021 subordinated debt offering which was used to replace higher cost debt. This transaction effectively lowered debt cost on these long-term funds by nearly 4.0%. This savings is recognized even though the size of the new subordinated debt is $7.0 million higher than the debt instruments it replaced. Note that included in 2021 borrowings interest expense is $202,000 of additional interest expense that the Company had to recognize from the write-off of the unamortized issuance costs from the original debt instruments that the new sub-debt replaced. Borrowings interest expense was favorably impacted by reduced interest

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expense from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) term borrowings, which declined by $322,000, or 36.8%, for the year. The average balance of FHLB term borrowings was lower in 2022 by $16.1 million, or 32.6%, as strength of the Company’s liquidity position allowed management to let FHLB term advances mature and not be replaced.

2021 NET INTEREST PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW. The Company’s net interest income for the full year of 2021 increased by $2.7 million, or 7.5%, when compared to the full year of 2020. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.15% for the full year of 2021 which represented a four basis point decline from the full year of 2020. Financial results when comparing 2021 to 2020 were indicative of an improving economic environment as well as the Company’s execution of strategies to effectively meet the challenge presented by the low interest rate environment. This included the execution of several strategies to reduce our cost of funds. However, the emergence of the omicron variant, high inflation and supply chain issues reminded us that many risks remained. AmeriServ has proven to be resilient given the complex challenges we have confronted. The Company continued to adapt in the fluid environment and prioritized the well-being of our employees and the communities we serve.

The Company demonstrated significantly higher than historical levels of both total average loans and total average deposits during 2021. This growth was due to successful business development efforts, the impact from the government stimulus programs and the 2021 Somerset County branch acquisition. Net interest income improved due to (i) the positive impact of commercial real estate and residential mortgage loan growth, (ii) significant interest expense savings from the issuance of the subordinated debt during the third quarter of 2021, which was used to retire higher cost existing subordinated debt and trust preferred securities, and (iii) the utilization of acquired low-cost core deposits to replace higher cost institutional deposits that were on our balance sheet. The combination of these three factors more than offset the unfavorable impact of net interest margin pressure from lower earning asset yields. The significant decrease to total interest expense in 2021 was the primary driver for net interest income increasing compared to the prior year.

Total average earning assets increased by $102.9 million, or 9.0%, in 2021. Specifically, total loans averaged $989 million in 2021 which is $65.5 million, or 7.1%, higher than the 2020 full year average. Short-term investments and commercial paper averaged $47 million in 2021 which was $15.3 million, or 48.0%, higher than the 2020 full year average. Total investment securities averaged $210 million in 2021 which was $22.1 million, or 11.8%, higher than the 2020 full year average. These increases were largely offset by decreases in the yield on earning assets.

Total deposits, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, averaged $1.154 billion for the full year of 2021, which was $119.6 million, or 11.6%, higher than the $1.035 billion average for the full year of 2020. The Company’s loan to deposit ratio averaged 85.5% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The 2021 full year average of short-term and FHLB borrowed funds was $50 million, which represented a decrease of $19.3 million, or 27.9%. Overall, the cost of total interest bearing liabilities decreased from 1.10% to 0.75%.

COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME: 2021 VERSUS 2020. Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company’s total interest income in 2021 decreased by $213,000, or 0.5%, when compared to 2020. Total average earning assets increased by $102.9 million, or 9.0%, in 2021 as there was an increased level of average total loans, short-term investments, and total investment securities. Despite the growth in average earning assets, interest income was unfavorably impacted by a decrease in the earning asset yield which declined by 35 basis points from 4.11% to 3.76%. All categories within the earning asset base demonstrated an interest income decrease between years. The average total loan portfolio yield decreased by 29 basis points from 4.40% to 4.11% in 2021 while the average yield on total investment securities decreased by 33 basis points from 3.20% to 2.87%.

Total investment securities averaged $210 million for the full year of 2021, which was $22.1 million, or 11.8%, higher than the $188 million average in 2020. The Company continued to be selective in 2021 when purchasing securities due to the low interest rate environment. Specifically, the steeper U.S. Treasury yield curve resulted in improved yields for federal agency mortgage-backed securities and federal agency bonds. Once this occurred, management purchased more of those investments for our portfolio. This provided us with the opportunity to more profitably deploy a portion of the increased liquidity on our balance sheet into the securities portfolio as opposed to leaving the funds in low yielding federal funds sold. This redeployment of funds contributed to total securities growing between years. Management also continued to purchase taxable municipal and corporate securities to maintain a well-diversified portfolio.

The economic recovery had been evident in our lending activity as we continued to experience good loan production throughout 2021. Commercial loan pipelines returned to pre-COVID levels early in the year. The overall total loan portfolio volume stabilized during the second half of the year as additional loan growth was offset by a high level of

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early payoff activity, particularly during the fourth quarter. Also, PPP loans continued to decline as they completed the forgiveness process. Overall, when compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, total loan production was over $79 million, or 31.2%, higher in 2021. Although reduced from its peak in 2020, strong residential mortgage loan production continued throughout 2021. Residential mortgage loan production totaled $90.5 million in 2021 which declined by 36.5% from the production level of $142.5 million achieved in 2020. Despite the decline between years, this was the second highest level of residential mortgage loan production during the most recently completed eight-year period. The Company revised strategy in 2021 and retained a higher percentage of our residential mortgage loan production in the loan portfolio as opposed to selling into the secondary market. This strategic change allowed us to more profitably deploy a portion of the increased liquidity that we had on our balance sheet.

As stated previously, total loans continued to be significantly higher than historical levels and averaged $989 million for the full year of 2021, which was $65.5 million, or 7.1%, higher than the 2020 full year average. The growth experienced in our commercial real estate portfolio resulted in traditional loan fee income increasing by $465,000, or 41.9%, for the full year of 2021 when compared to the prior year. Total PPP loans averaged $23.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, decreasing by $41.4 million, or 63.9%, from the prior year’s fourth quarter average as we continued to work with our customers through the forgiveness process. The Company recorded a total of $2.3 million of processing fee income and interest income from PPP lending activity in 2021, which was $398,000, or 21.2%, higher than the 2020 level. Finally, on an end of period basis, excluding total PPP loans, the total loan portfolio grew by approximately $48.7 million, or 5.3%, since the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.

Similar to what was occurring across the banking industry, our liquidity position continued to be strong due to the significant influx of deposits. During the first quarter of 2021, the President signed into law another round of economic stimulus as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The stimulus checks delivered to most Americans and the financial assistance provided to municipalities and school districts as part of the program contributed to total deposits increasing significantly. Our deposit balances were also positively impacted in the second quarter of 2021 by the Somerset County branch acquisition, which provided approximately $42 million of additional deposits. The challenges the increased liquidity presented were twofold. First, there was the uncertainty regarding the duration that these increased funds would remain on the balance sheet which would be determined by customer behavior as economic conditions changed. The second challenge was to profitably deploy the increased liquidity given the low yields on short-term investment products. As a result, short-term investment and commercial paper balances averaged $47.3 million for the full year of 2021, which remained high by historical standards. Late in the third quarter of 2021, the Company benefitted from utilizing a significant portion of our increased liquidity to allow a $33 million, high-cost, institutional deposit to mature. This resulted in total short-term investments declining to a more manageable level.

Total interest expense for the twelve months of 2021 decreased by $2.9 million, or 27.9%, when compared to 2020, due to lower levels of both deposit and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings interest expense. Specifically, deposit interest expense in 2021 was lower by $2.8 million, or 37.0%, despite the previously mentioned increase in deposits that occurred between years. The deposit growth reflected new deposit inflows as well as the loyalty of the bank’s core deposit base. The previously mentioned late third quarter 2021 maturity of a $33 million institutional deposit that had an annual cost of 2.95% resulted in approximately $240,000 of interest expense savings during the fourth quarter. Additionally, management continued to effectively execute several deposit product pricing reductions to address the net interest margin challenges presented by the low interest rate environment. As a result, the Company experienced deposit cost relief. Specifically, our total deposit cost averaged 0.42% for the full year of 2021 compared to 0.74% in 2020, which represented a meaningful decrease of 32 basis points. Note that total deposit cost in the fourth quarter of 2021 averaged 0.31%. Total FHLB borrowings interest expense for the full year of 2021 was lower by $252,000, or 22.3%, compared to 2020. The strong liquidity position allowed the Company to paydown short-term and FHLB advances, which typically cost more than similar term deposit products. At December 31, 2021, total short-term and FHLB advances were $42.7 million, which was $47 million, or 52.4%, lower than the December 31, 2020 level.

The Company completed a private placement of $27 million in fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes on August 26, 2021. The notes have a fixed annual interest rate of 3.75%, payable until September 1, 2026. From and including September 1, 2026, the interest rate will reset quarterly to the then-current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 3.11%. The Company used approximately $20 million of the net proceeds to retire its existing subordinated debt and trust preferred securities that had a weighted average cost of 7.73%. This strategy favorably reduced fourth quarter 2021 interest expense by $147,000. The remainder of the proceeds were utilized for general corporate purposes, including the downstream of $3.5 million of capital to the bank which supported additional loan growth. Long-term debt interest expense was higher for the full year of 2021 when compared to 2020 because the Company was required to immediately write off the remaining portion of the unamortized issuance costs from both

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original debt instruments which generated $202,000 of additional borrowings interest expense in the third quarter of 2021. Therefore, in aggregate, when considering the reduced short-term and FHLB borrowings interest cost, total borrowings interest expense decreased by $101,000, or 3.5%, for the full year.

The table that follows provides an analysis of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) setting forth (i) average assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity, (ii) interest income earned on interest earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iii) average yields earned on interest earning assets and average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iv) interest rate spread (the difference between the average yield earned on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities), and (v) net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average total interest earning assets). For purposes of this table, loan balances include non-accrual loans, and interest income on loans includes loan fees or amortization of such fees which have been deferred. Regulatory stock is included within available for sale investment securities for this analysis. Additionally, a tax rate of 21% was used to compute tax-equivalent interest income and yields (non-GAAP). The tax equivalent adjustments to interest income on loans and municipal securities for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 was 13,000, 18,000, and 24,000, respectively, which is reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measure at the bottom of the table. Differences between the net interest spread and margin from a GAAP basis to a tax-equivalent basis were not material.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ INTEREST ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ INTEREST ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ INTEREST ​ ​

​ BALANCE EXPENSE RATE BALANCE EXPENSE RATE BALANCE EXPENSE RATE

​ ​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

Interest earning assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Investment securities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Non-interest earning assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Allowance for loan losses ​ (11,895) ​ ​ ​ ​ (11,919) ​ ​ ​ ​ (9,732) ​ ​ ​ ​

Interest bearing liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Interest bearing deposits: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Non-interest bearing liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Other liabilities ​ 8,113 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6,446 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10,340 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Interest rate spread ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3.11 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3.01 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3.01 ​

Tax-equivalent adjustment ​ ​ ​ (13) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (18) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (24) ​ ​ ​

​

Net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. The table below sets forth an analysis of volume and rate changes in net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis. For purposes of this table, changes in interest income and interest expense are allocated to volume and rate categories based upon the respective percentage changes in average balances and average rates. Changes in net

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interest income that could not be specifically identified as either a rate or volume change were allocated proportionately to changes in volume and changes in rate.

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ INCREASE (DECREASE) ​ INCREASE (DECREASE)

​ ​ DUE TO CHANGE IN: ​ DUE TO CHANGE IN:

​ ​ AVERAGE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ AVERAGE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ VOLUME RATE TOTAL VOLUME RATE TOTAL

​ ​ (IN THOUSANDS)

INTEREST EARNED ON: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Short-term investments and bank deposits ​ (42) ​ 193 ​ 151 ​ 70 ​ (112) ​ (42)

Commercial paper ​ (1) ​ (1) ​ (2) ​ (91) ​ (53) ​ (144)

Investment securities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

INTEREST PAID ON: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Lease liabilities ​ (7) ​ 1 ​ (6) ​ (7) ​ 1 ​ (6)

​

LOAN QUALITY. The Company’s written lending policies require underwriting, loan documentation, and credit analysis standards to be met prior to funding any loan. After the loan has been approved and funded, continued periodic credit review is required. The Company’s policy is to individually review, as circumstances warrant, each of its commercial and commercial mortgage loans to determine if a loan is impaired. At a minimum, credit reviews are mandatory for all commercial and commercial mortgage loan relationships with aggregate balances in excess of $1,000,000 within a 12-month period. The Company has also identified three pools of small dollar value homogeneous loans which are evaluated collectively for impairment. These separate pools are for small business relationships with aggregate balances of $250,000 or less, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans. Individual loans within these pools are reviewed and removed from the pool if factors such as significant delinquency in payments of 90 days or more, bankruptcy, or other negative economic concerns indicate impairment.

​

Overall, the Company continues to maintain good asset quality. The continued successful ongoing problem credit resolution efforts of the Company is demonstrated as levels of non-accrual loans, non-performing assets, and loan delinquency are well below 1% of total loans. Overall, we believe that non-performing assets remain well controlled totaling $5.2 million, or 0.53% of total loans, at December 31, 2022 which is an increase from the December 31, 2021 total of $3.3 million, or 0.34% of total loans. The increase in non-performing assets, as well as non-accrual loans, reflects the partial charge-down and transfer of one commercial real estate loan relationship into non-accrual status while the borrower pursues the sale of the property. Total classified loans increased $6.8 million since the prior year-end and now total $23.8 million. The increase in classified loans is the result of the risk rating downgrade of a large commercial real estate loan as well as a commercial and industrial loan relationship which were partially offset by the payoff of a substandard credit and the previously mentioned partial charge-down of a substandard credit during 2022.

We also continue to closely monitor the loan portfolio given the number of relatively large-sized commercial and commercial real estate loans within the portfolio. As of December 31, 2022, the 25 largest credits represented 21.7% of total loans outstanding, which represents a decrease from December 31, 2021 when it was 22.3%.

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ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES. As described in more detail in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of this MD&A, the Company uses a comprehensive methodology and procedural discipline to maintain an ALL to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The Company believes this is a critical accounting policy since it involves significant estimates and judgments. The following table sets forth changes in the ALL and certain ratios for the periods ended.

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ​

​ ​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PERCENTAGES) ​

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income: ​ ​ ​ ​

Average for the year: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

As a percent of average loans: ​ ​ ​ ​

Net charge-offs (recoveries): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Real estate – residential mortgage ​ ​ — ​ ​ (0.01) ​ ​ 0.07 ​

Provision (credit) for loan losses ​ 0.01 ​ 0.11 ​ 0.26 ​

Allowance, as a percent of each of the following: ​ ​ ​ ​

Total loans, net of unearned income ​ 1.08 ​ 1.26 ​ 1.16 ​

Allowance, as a multiple of net charge-offs ​ 6.30x ​ 263.79x ​ 36.72x ​

​

For 2022, the Company recorded a $50,000 provision expense for loan losses compared to a $1.1 million provision expense in 2021. The $1,050,000 favorable comparison for total provision expense for the full year of 2022 reflects improved credit quality for the overall portfolio due to several loan upgrades and increased payoff and paydown activity of criticized loans. As demonstrated historically, the Company continues its strategic conviction that a strong allowance for loan losses is needed, which has proven to be essential given the support provided to certain borrowers as they fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Note that the Small Business Administration guarantees 100% of the PPP loans made to eligible borrowers which minimizes the level of credit risk associated with these loans. As a result, such loans are assigned a 0% risk weight for purposes of calculating the Bank’s risk-based capital ratios. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to not allocate any portion of the loan loss reserve for the PPP loans.

Overall non-performing assets remain well controlled totaling $5.2 million, or 0.53% of total loans, on December 31, 2022. The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of $1.7 million, or 0.17% of total average loans, for the 2022 year and is higher than net loan charge-offs of $47,000, which equates to 0.00% of total average loans, for the full year of 2021. The higher level of net charge-offs in 2022 is primarily related to the partial charge-down and transfer of one non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan relationship into non-accrual status while the borrower pursues the sale of the property. In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 207% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.08% of total loans, on December 31, 2022, compared to 373% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.26% of total loans, on December 31, 2021.

For 2021, the Company recorded a $1.1 million provision expense for loan losses compared to a $2.4 million provision expense in 2020. The lower 2021 provision reflected an improved credit quality outlook for the overall portfolio due to several loan upgrades as well as reduced criticized asset levels and delinquent loan balances

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demonstrating improvement during the year. This was reflective of the Company’s loan officers working effectively with our customers as the economy improved and as businesses returned to normal operations with limited restrictions. The Company continued to grow the allowance for loan losses given the portfolio growth achieved during 2021, specifically in the non-owner occupied commercial real estate and residential mortgage portfolios, which was dampened by a decline in the commercial portfolio. The need to fund the allowance for portfolio growth was somewhat eased by numerous upgrades, which occurred during 2021. The Company experienced low net loan charge-offs of $47,000, which equates to 0.00% of total loans, in 2021 and compared favorably to net loan charge-offs of $309,000, or 0.03% of total loans, in 2020. Overall, non-performing assets totaled $3.3 million, or 0.34% of total loans, at December 31, 2021. In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 373% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.26% of total loans, at December 31, 2021, compared to 341% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.16% of total loans, at December 31, 2020.

The following schedule sets forth the allocation of the ALL among various loan categories. This allocation is determined by using the consistent quarterly procedural discipline that was previously discussed. The entire ALL is available to absorb future loan losses in any loan category.

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ AT DECEMBER 31,

​ ​ ​ ​ IN EACH ​ ​ ​ IN EACH ​ ​ ​ ​ IN EACH ​ ​ ​ IN EACH ​ ​ ​ IN EACH ​

​ AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS AMOUNT LOANS ​

​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES) ​

​

Even though residential real estate mortgage loans comprise 30.1% of the Company’s total loan portfolio, only $1.4 million, or 12.8%, of the total ALL is allocated against this loan category. The residential real estate mortgage loan allocation is based upon the Company’s three-year historical average of actual loan charge-offs experienced in that category and other qualitative factors. The disproportionately higher allocations for commercial loans and commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate reflect the increased credit risk associated with those types of lending, the Company’s historical loss experience in these categories, and other qualitative factors.

Based on the Company’s current ALL methodology and the related assessment of the inherent risk factors contained within the Company’s loan portfolio, we believe that the ALL is adequate at December 31, 2022 to cover losses within the Company’s loan portfolio.

NON-INTEREST INCOME. Non-interest income for 2022 totaled $16.7 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 6.0%, from 2021. Factors contributing to this lower level of non-interest income in 2022 included:

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Non-interest income for 2021 totaled $17.8 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 9.1%, from 2020. Factors contributing to this higher level of non-interest income in 2021 included:

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE. The Company has demonstrated good expense control in this inflationary environment as non-interest expense for 2022 totaled $48.0 million and increased by $1.0 million, or 2.2%, from 2021. Factors contributing to the higher non-interest expense in 2022 included:

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● a $140,000, or 21.4%, reduction in FDIC deposit insurance expense.

The Company anticipates that costs related to its ongoing proxy contest will impact the level of non-interest expense during 2023.

Non-interest expense for 2021 totaled $47.0 million, which represents a $2.5 million, or 5.7%, increase from 2020. Factors contributing to the higher non-interest expense in 2021 included:

INCOME TAX EXPENSE. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.8 million, or an effective tax rate of 19.1%, in 2022, compared to income tax expense of $1.7 million, or a 19.4% effective tax rate, in 2021, and compared to income tax expense of $1.2 million, or a 20.9% effective tax rate, in 2020. The higher effective tax rate in 2020 resulted from the write-off of a deferred tax asset related to the dissolution of the Company’s former small life insurance subsidiary. The Company’s deferred tax asset was $2.8 million at December 31, 2022 compared to a deferred tax liability of $934,000 at December 31, 2021, resulting primarily from the decrease in the fair value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio.

SEGMENT RESULTS. The community banking segment reported a net income contribution of $12.4 million in 2022 which improved from the $12.1 million contribution in 2021 and also increased from the $10.1 million contribution in 2020. The improvement between years is due to a higher level of net interest income and a reduced loan loss provision which more than offset decreased non-interest income and an increased level of non-interest expense. Net interest income improved between years as the increase in total interest income more than offset the increase to total interest expense. Total loan interest income improved by $901,000, or 2.2%, and resulted from the favorable impact of higher total loan volumes and the higher interest rate environment which more than offset a $1.8 million, or 80.9%, reduction in PPP loan fee related income and a $550,000, or 34.9%, reduction in total loan charge income. This segment

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benefitted from the continued strong production of commercial real estate loans in 2022 and the residential real estate loan production that occurred throughout 2021, which resulted in the 2022 full year average balance for both of these loan categories exceeding the 2021 full year average by $32.1 million. This segment also benefitted from a greater level of production of home equity loans, as the 2022 full year average for this loan category exceeds the 2021 full year average by $6.2 million. Total interest income from CRE, residential mortgage, and home equity loans was $2.9 million higher in 2022 when compared to 2021. Deposit interest expense was higher by $1.6 million, or 33.7%, despite the full year average volume of total deposits remaining relatively consistent with the 2021 full year average. The increased deposit interest expense occurred due to the impact that the higher national interest rates had on deposit costs combined with increased market competition to retain and attract deposits. The rising national interest rates resulted in certain deposit products, particularly public funds, that are tied to a market index, repricing upward with the move in national interest rates and causing interest expense to increase. This segment did benefit from management’s decision to allow a high-cost institutional deposit to mature during 2021, which was indexed to the market, and replaced by the low cost deposits from the Somerset County branch acquisition (discussed previously in the MD&A). Overall, total deposit cost of 56 basis points in 2022 was 14 basis points higher than total deposit cost in 2021. The Company recorded a $50,000 provision expense for loan losses in 2022 compared to a $1,100,000 provision in 2021. This also was discussed previously in the Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses section within this document. Non-interest income was unfavorably impacted by by a reduced level of loan sale gain income by $456,000 due to the lower level of residential mortgage loan production in 2022, which also caused mortgage related fees to decline by $243,000. Overall, these unfavorable items more than offset the favorable impact of higher service charges on deposit accounts by $143,000. Non-interest expense in 2022 compares unfavorably to 2021 results due to higher total employee costs and occupance expense which more than offset lower FDIC insurance expense and miscellaneous expense. Total employee costs were unfavorably impacted by higher salaries and increased pension costs that were related to the higher settlement charge recognized on the defined benefit pension obligation in 2022. This is explained in Note 17. Both of these items more than offset reduced incentive compensation. Within miscellaneous expense, the Company had $389,000 of additional costs for the the branch acquisition in 2021 while there was very minimal costs in 2022. Also, the Company recognized a credit to the unfunded commitment reserve of $243,000 after $117,000 of expense was recognized last year, resulting in a $360,000 favorable shift.

The wealth management segment’s net income contribution was $2.2 million in 2022 compared to $2.9 million in 2021 and $2.0 million in 2020. The decrease reflects the unfavorable impact of the declining equity markets on wealth management fee income as well as the unfavorable impact that the move in the bond market is having on wealth management asset values. Both unfavorable items were partially offset by new customer business growth. Also contributing to the decline in 2022, were higher levels of legal fees, total employee costs and meals & travel related expenses for business development. Overall, the fair market value of wealth management assets declined since the end of 2021 by $398.3 million, or 14.7%, and totaled $2.3 billion at December 31, 2022.

The investment/parent segment reported a net loss of $7.1 million in 2022, which was lower than the net loss of $7.8 million in 2021 and $7.5 million in 2020. The reduced loss results from lower borrowings interest expense primarily due to the favorable impact of the 2021 subordinated debt offering which was used to replace higher cost debt. This transaction effectively lowered debt cost on long-term funds by nearly 4.0%, resulting in $744,000 of reduced interest expense on long term borrowings. The remaining portion of the favorable variance in borrowings interest expense between years is due to reduced interest expense from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings. Finally, and also contributing to the reduced loss in this segment, was an increase in interest income from the securities portfolio due to the higher average volume of total securities. The increase to the U.S. Treasury yield curve resulted in improved yields for federal agency mortgage-backed securities and federal agency bonds making purchases of these investments more attractive. Therefore, management was able to more profitably deploy a portion of the increased liquidity on our balance sheet into the securities portfolio.

BALANCE SHEET. The Company’s total consolidated assets of $1.364 billion at December 31, 2022 increased by $28.3 million, or 2.1%, from the $1.336 billion level at December 31, 2021. This change was related, primarily, to increased levels of investment securities, loans, and other assets which were partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. Specifically, total investment securities increased $24.5 million, or 11.3%, as the increase in the U.S. Treasury yield curve resulted in a more favorable market for securities purchasing activity in 2022. The higher rates resulted in yields for new federal agency mortgage-backed securities and federal agency bonds improving and exceeding the overall average yield of the existing securities portfolio. As a result, management purchased more of these types of securities. The Company also continued to purchase corporate and taxable municipal securities to maintain a well-diversified portfolio. Loans, net of unearned fees, and loans held for sale modestly increased by $4.8 million, or 0.5%. Strong loan pipelines resulted in 2022 production more than offsetting a higher than typical level of payoff activity

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during the year as growth of commercial real estate and home equity loans along with a higher volume of residential mortgage loans more than offset a decrease in the level of commercial and industrial loans. Other assets increased $8.8 million, or 35.1%, as a result of an increase in the positive balance of the accrued pension liability, which totaled $21.3 million and $19.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Due to the positive (debit) balance of the accrued pension liability, it was reclassified to other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. The positive value of the accrued pension liability increased as a result of the $4.0 million contribution made in 2022 and the revaluation of the obligation due to the recognition of the settlement charge. In addition, the balance of other assets was impacted by a $5.8 million increase in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $18.1 million, or 44.1%, in cash and cash equivalents. Due to a combination of increased investment in securities, loan growth, and total deposits modestly declining, cash and cash equivalents decreased throughout the year and are now at pre-pandemic levels. Despite this decline, the Company’s liquidity position remains strong.

Total deposits decreased by $30.8 million, or 2.7%, during 2022. Deposit volumes continue to reflect the favorable impact of government stimulus which provided support to many Americans and financial assistance to municipalities and school districts during the pandemic. However, the decrease reflects a portion of the funds from the government stimulus programs leaving the balance sheet and also reflects greater pricing competition in the market to retain deposits because of the increasing national interest rates. As of December 31, 2022, the 25 largest depositors represented 18.8% of total deposits and remained relatively unchanged from December 31, 2021 when it was 18.9%. Total borrowings have increased $65.5 million, or 90.0%, since year-end 2021. This change was driven by an increase in short-term borrowings which was partially offset by a decrease in FHLB term advances. Specifically, short-term borrowings totaled $88.6 million at December 31, 2022 compared to no short-term borrowings being outstanding at December 31, 2021. In addition, FHLB term advances decreased by $22.9 million, or 53.7%, and totaled $19.8 million at December 31, 2022. The current strong liquidity position has allowed the Company to let higher cost FHLB term advances mature and not be replaced. However, the Company does continue to utilize the FHLB term advances to help manage interest rate risk.

The Company’s total shareholders’ equity decreased by $10.4 million, or 8.9%, since year-end 2021. Capital was increased during 2022 by the Company’s $7.4 million of net income and the $316,000 positive impact on accumulated other comprehensive loss from the recording of the settlement charge in connection with the defined benefit pension plan and the revaluation of the pension obligation. More than offsetting these increases was the $2.0 million common stock cash dividend and the $16.3 million negative impact experienced due to the reduced market value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio. The Company returned approximately 26% of our 2022 earnings to our shareholders through the quarterly common stock cash dividend. The Company continues to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes with a risk based capital ratio of 13.87% and an asset leverage ratio of 8.52% at December 31, 2022. The Company’s book value per common share was $6.20, its tangible book value per common share was $5.40(1) and its tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 6.85%(1) at December 31, 2022. The decline in the Company’s book value and tangible book value per share in 2022 reflects a decrease in the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investment securities due to higher interest rates.

(1) Non-GAAP financial information, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this MD&A.

​

LIQUIDITY.The Company’s liquidity position continues to be strong. Deposit volumes remain at a high level by historical standards and continue to reflect the favorable impact of government stimulus which provided support to many Americans and financial assistance to municipalities and school districts during the pandemic. Deposit volumes have been positively impacted due to effective business development efforts as well as management’s ability to retain the significant influx of deposits that resulted from the government stimulus programs. Also, deposit levels were positively impacted in the second quarter of 2021 by the Somerset County branch acquisition which more than offset the third quarter 2021 maturity of the high cost, institutional deposit. In addition, the Company’s loyal core deposit base continues to prove to be a source of strength for the Company during periods of market volatility. Overall, total deposits continued to demonstrate stability during 2022 despite a modest decrease during the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting the greater pricing competition in the market to retain deposits because of the increasing national interest rates. Total average deposits for the full year of 2022 were $1.9 million, or 0.2%, higher compared to the full year of 2021. The core deposit base is adequate to fund the Company’s operations. Cash flow from maturities, prepayments and amortization of securities is used to help fund loan growth when needed.

Due to a combination of increased investment in securities, loan growth and total deposits modestly declining in the fourth quarter of 2022, short-term investments decreased throughout 2022 and are now at pre-pandemic levels before

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government stimulus impacted the economy. The challenge remains as to the uncertainty regarding the duration that the existing government stimulus funds will remain on the balance sheet which will be determined by customer behavior as the economic conditions change. Diligent monitoring and management of our short-term investment position remains a priority. Continued loan growth and prudent investment in securities are critical to achieve the best return on the remaining liquid funds. On an end of period basis, at December 31, 2022, total interest bearing deposits and short-term investments decreased by $12.2 million since December 31, 2021. Given the increase to national interest rates experienced in 2022, a portion of the increased balance sheet liquidity was invested in additional securities to more profitably deploy these funds. Loan production during 2022 more than offset a higher than typical level of payoff activity causing total loans and loans held for sale to increase since the end of 2021 by $4.8 million. We strive to operate our loan to deposit ratio in a range of 80% to 100%. The Company’s loan to deposit ratio averaged 85.4% in the fourth quarter of 2022, which indicates that the Company has ample capacity to continue to grow its loan portfolio and is well positioned to support our customers and our community during times of economic volatility. We are also well positioned to service our existing loan pipeline and grow our loan to deposit ratio while remaining within our guideline parameters.

Liquidity can also be analyzed by utilizing the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $18.1 million from December 31, 2021, to $22.9 million at December 31, 2022, due to $56.3 million of net cash used in investing activities which more than offset $32.9 million of net cash provided by financing activities and $5.2 million of net cash provided by operating activities. Within investing activities, cash advanced for new loans originated totaled $223.7 million and was $6.9 million higher than the $216.8 million of cash received from loan principal payments. Within financing activities, total short-term borrowings increased by $88.6 million, total FHLB borrowings decreased by $22.9 million and total deposits decreased by $30.7 million. Within operating activities, $9.4 million of mortgage loans held for sale were originated while $10.6 million of mortgage loans were sold into the secondary market.

The holding company had $9.6 million of cash, short-term investments, and investment securities at December 31, 2022, which represents a $300,000 increase from the holding company’s cash position since December 31, 2021. Dividend payments from our subsidiaries also provide ongoing cash to the holding company. At December 31, 2022, our subsidiary Bank had $14.4 million of cash available for immediate dividends to the holding company under applicable regulatory formulas. Management follows a policy that limits dividend payments from the Trust Company to 75% of annual net income. Overall, we believe that the holding company has sufficient liquidity to meet its subordinated debt interest payments, and its dividend payout level with respect to its common stock.

Financial institutions must maintain liquidity to meet day-to-day requirements of depositors and borrowers, take advantage of market opportunities, and provide a cushion against unforeseen needs. Liquidity needs can be met by either reducing assets or increasing liabilities. Sources of asset liquidity are provided by short-term investments, interest bearing deposits with banks, and federal funds sold. These assets totaled $23.0 million and $41.1 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Maturing and repaying loans, as well as the monthly cash flow associated with mortgage-backed securities and security maturities are other significant sources of asset liquidity for the Company.

Liability liquidity can be met by attracting deposits with competitive rates, using repurchase agreements, buying federal funds, or utilizing the facilities of the Federal Reserve or the FHLB systems. The Company utilizes a variety of these methods of liability liquidity. Additionally, the Company’s subsidiary bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides the opportunity to obtain short-term to longer-term advances based upon the Company’s investment in certain residential mortgage, commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loans. At December 31, 2022, the Company had $302 million of overnight borrowing availability at the FHLB, $41 million of short-term borrowing availability at the Federal Reserve Bank and $35 million of unsecured federal funds lines with correspondent banks. The Company believes it has ample liquidity available to fund outstanding loan commitments if they were fully drawn upon.

CAPITAL RESOURCES. The Bank meaningfully exceeds all regulatory capital ratios for each of the periods presented and is considered well capitalized. The Company’s common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 10.41%, the tier 1 capital ratio was 10.41%, and the total capital ratio was 13.87% at December 31, 2022. The Company’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.52% at December 31, 2022. We anticipate that we will maintain our strong capital ratios throughout 2023.

Capital generated from earnings will be utilized to pay the common stock cash dividend and will support controlled balance sheet growth. Our common dividend payout ratio for the full year 2022 was 26.7%. Total Parent Company cash was $9.6 million at December 31, 2022. There is a particular emphasis on ensuring that the subsidiary bank has appropriate levels of capital to support its non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan concentration, which stood at

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350% of regulatory capital at December 31, 2022. It should be noted that this ratio weakened slightly from 347% at December 31, 2021 due to growth in total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans between years.

Our focus is on preserving capital to support customer lending and allow the Company to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. We currently believe that we have sufficient capital and earnings power to continue to pay our common stock cash dividend at its current rate of $0.03 per quarter. While the Company has frequently executed common stock buyback programs in the past, we presently do not have one in place due to the drop in our tangible common equity ratio to 6.85%(1) as a result of the decline in value of our AFS securities portfolio in 2022. At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately 17.1 million common shares outstanding.

The Basel III capital standards establish the minimum capital levels in addition to the well capitalized requirements under the federal banking regulations prompt corrective action. The capital rules also impose a 2.5% capital conservation buffer (CCB) on top of the three minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. Banking institutions that fail to meet the effective minimum ratios once the CCB is taken into account will be subject to constraints on capital distributions, including dividends and share repurchases, and certain discretionary executive compensation. The severity of the constraints depends on the amount of the shortfall and the institution’s “eligible retained income” (four quarter trailing net income, net of distributions and tax effects not reflected in net income). The Company and the Bank meet all capital requirements, including the CCB, and continue to be committed to maintaining strong capital levels that exceed regulatory requirements while also supporting balance sheet growth and providing a return to our shareholders.

Under the Basel III capital standards, the minimum capital ratios are:

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ MINIMUM CAPITAL RATIO

​ ​ MINIMUM ​ PLUS CAPITAL

​ CAPITAL RATIO CONSERVATION BUFFER

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ​ 4.5 % 7.0 %

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 6.0 8.5 ​

Total capital to risk-weighted assets 8.0 10.5 ​

Tier 1 capital to total average consolidated assets 4.0 ​

(1) Non-GAAP financial information, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this MD&A.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY. Asset/liability management involves managing the risks associated with changing interest rates and the resulting impact on the Company’s net interest income, net income and capital. The management and measurement of interest rate risk at the Company is performed by using the following tools: (i) simulation modeling, which analyzes the impact of interest rate changes on net interest income, net income and capital levels over specific future time periods. The simulation modeling forecasts earnings under a variety of scenarios that incorporate changes in the absolute level of interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, prepayments and changes in the volumes and rates of various loan and deposit categories. The simulation modeling incorporates assumptions about reinvestment and the repricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities without stated contractual maturities; (ii) market value of portfolio equity sensitivity analysis; and (iii) static GAP analysis, which analyzes the extent to which interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities are matched at specific points in time. The overall interest rate risk position and strategies are reviewed by senior management and the Company’s Board of Directors on an ongoing basis.

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The following table presents a summary of the Company’s static GAP positions at December 31, 2022:

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ OVER ​ OVER ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ 3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ 3 MONTHS OR THROUGH THROUGH ​ OVER ​ ​ ​

INTEREST SENSITIVITY PERIOD LESS 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 1 YEAR TOTAL

​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PERCENTAGES)

RATE SENSITIVE ASSETS: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Short-term assets ​ 4,132 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 4,132

Bank owned life insurance ​ — ​ — ​ 38,895 ​ — ​ 38,895

RATE SENSITIVE LIABILITIES: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Deposits: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Non-interest bearing demand deposits ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 195,123 ​ $ 195,123

INTEREST SENSITIVITY GAP: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Ratio of cumulative GAP to total assets ​ (4.73) % (3.86) % 2.95 % 2.65 %

​

When December 31, 2022 is compared to December 31, 2021, the Company’s cumulative GAP ratio through six months indicates that the Company’s balance sheet is liability sensitive, representing a shift from an asset sensitivity position at the end of 2021. The shift results from an increased level of short-term borrowings, which are immediately impacted by changes to national interest rates. The Comppany also experienced an increase balance of deposits that have an interest rate that is indexed to the market. Customers have shifted funds into money market type accounts in order to benefit from the rising interest rates in the economy. We continue to see loan customer preference for fixed rate loans given the expectation for additional futures national interest rate increases. The Company’s interest rate sensitivity position shifts from being liability to an asset sensitive position over six months and beyond as more of our loans begin to reprice. Finally, even though the balance of FHLB term advances at December 31, 2022 decreased $22.9 million, or 53.7%, from the prior year, the Company continues to utilize such advances to help manage our interest rate risk position.

Management places primary emphasis on simulation modeling to manage and measure interest rate risk. The Company’s asset/liability management policy seeks to limit net interest income variability over the first twelve months of the forecast period to -5.0% and -7.5%, which include interest rate movements of 100 and 200 basis points, respectively. Additionally, the Company also uses market value sensitivity measures to further evaluate the balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company monitors the trends in market value of portfolio equity sensitivity analysis on a quarterly basis.

The following table presents an analysis of the sensitivity inherent in the Company’s net interest income and market value of portfolio equity. The interest rate scenarios in the table compare the Company’s base forecast, which was prepared using a flat interest rate scenario, to scenarios that reflect immediate interest rate changes of 100 and 200 basis

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points. Each rate scenario contains unique prepayment and repricing assumptions that are applied to the Company’s existing balance sheet that was developed under the flat interest rate scenario.

​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ VARIABILITY OF CHANGE IN

​ ​ NET INTEREST ​ MARKET VALUE OF ​

INTEREST RATE SCENARIO INCOME PORTFOLIO EQUITY ​

​

The Company believes that its overall interest rate risk position is well controlled. The variability of net interest income is negative in the upward rate shocks due to the increased short-term borrowings position and increased level of deposit balances that have rates indexed to market interest rates. This is partially offset by the Company’s shorter duration investment securities portfolio and the scheduled repricing of loans tied to an index, such as SOFR or prime. Also, the Company has effectively utilized interest rate swaps for interest rate risk management purposes. The interest rate swaps allow our customers to lock in fixed interest rates while the Company retains the benefit of interest rates moving with the market. Regarding interest bearing liabilities, management continues its disciplined approach to price its core term deposit accounts in a controlled but competitive manner. The variability of net interest income is positive in the downward rate scenarios as the Company has more exposure to short-term liabilities repricing downward to a greater extent than assets. As of December 31, 2022, the fed funds rate is at a targeted range of 4.25% to 4.50% as the Federal Reserve took action several times in 2022 to increase the rate a total of 425 basis points. Further, there is an expectation of additional short-term interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve during 2023. Subsequent to year-end, the Company executed a $50 million swap to fix the cost of certain deposits that are indexed and move with short-term interest rates. This transaction brought the Company’s variability of net interest income to a more neutral position. The market value of portfolio equity decreases in the upward rate shocks due to the fact that the improved value of the Company’s core deposit base was more than offset by the downward movement in the market value of the AFS investment securities portfolio and loans. Negative variability of market value of portfolio equity occurs in the downward rate shocks due to a reduced value for core deposits.

Within the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2022, 76.2% of the portfolio is classified as available for sale and 23.8% as held to maturity. The available for sale classification provides management with greater flexibility to manage the securities portfolio to better achieve overall balance sheet rate sensitivity goals and provide liquidity if needed. The mark to market of the available for sale securities does inject more volatility in the book value of equity, but has no impact on regulatory capital. There are 426 securities that are temporarily impaired at December 31, 2022. The Company reviews its securities quarterly and has asserted that at December 31, 2022, the impaired value of securities represents temporary declines due to movements in interest rates and the Company does have the ability and intent to hold those securities to maturity or to allow a market recovery. Furthermore, it is the Company’s intent to manage its long-term interest rate risk by continuing to sell a portion of newly originated fixed-rate 30-year mortgage loans into the secondary market (excluding construction and any jumbo loans). The Company sells 15-year fixed-rate mortgage loans into the secondary market as well, depending on market conditions. For the year 2022, 41.8% of all residential mortgage loan production was sold into the secondary market.

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The amount of loans outstanding by category as of December 31, 2022, which are due in (i) one year or less, (ii) more than one year through five years, (iii) more than five years through 15 years, and (iv) over 15 years, are shown in the following table.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ MORE ​ MORE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ THAN ONE ​ THAN FIVE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ONE ​ YEAR ​ YEARS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ YEAR OR ​ THROUGH ​ THROUGH ​ OVER 15 ​ TOTAL ​

​ LESS FIVE YEARS 15 YEARS ​ YEARS LOANS ​

​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS) ​

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ​ ​ — ​ ​ 22 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 22 ​

Fixed-rate loans as a percentage of total loans ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 47.7 %

​

The loan maturity information is based upon original loan terms and is not adjusted for principal paydowns and rollovers. In the ordinary course of business, loans maturing within one year may be renewed, in whole or in part, as to principal amount at interest rates prevailing at the date of renewal.

The following table presents the total loans due after one year that have predetermined (fixed) interest rates and floating interest rates as of December 31, 2022.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ FIXED-RATE ​ FLOATING-RATE ​ ​ ​

​ LOANS LOANS TOTAL

​ (IN THOUSANDS)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ​ ​ 22 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 22

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate ​ 3,416 ​ 66,429 ​ 69,845

​

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS. The Company incurs off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These risks derive from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments and standby letters of credit involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by their contractual amounts. The Company uses the same credit and collateral policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for all other lending. The Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $227.6 million and standby letters of credit of $9.0 million as of December 31, 2022. The Company can also use various interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and swaptions to help manage interest rate and market valuation risk exposure, which is incurred in normal recurrent banking activities. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $130.9 million in the notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding, with a fair value of $7.0 million. In addition, the Company entered into a risk participation agreement (RPA) with the lead bank of a commercial real estate loan arrangement. As a participating bank, the Company

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guarantees the performance on a borrower-related interest rate swap contract. The notional amount of the RPA outstanding at December 31, 2022 was $2.1 million, with a fair value of zero.

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, municipal deposit letters of credit issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh on behalf of AmeriServ Financial Bank naming applicable municipalities as beneficiaries totaled $72.9 million and $62.2 million, respectively. The letters of credit serve as collateral, in place of pledged securities, for municipal deposits maintained at AmeriServ Financial Bank.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES. This document contains certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting policies in the United States (GAAP). These non-GAAP diclosures, which includes adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted return on average assets, and adjusted return on average equity, have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. These non-GAAP measures are used by management in their analysis of the Company’s performance or, management believes, facilitate an understanding of the Company’s performance. Management also believes that presenting non-GAAP financial measures provides additional information to facilitate comparison of the Company’s historical operating results and trends in the underlying operating results. Management considers quantitative and qualitative factors in assessing whether to adjust for the impact of items that may be significant or that could affect an understanding of our ongoing financial and business performance or trends. Currently, the only adjustment included is for non-cash settlement charges in connection with the Company’s pension plan distributions.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ AT DECEMBER 31, ​

​ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND RATIO DATA) ​

Adjusted net income and ratios for pension settlement charge ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Plus: Pension settlement charge (B) 2,498 ​ 1,736 ​ — ​

Less: Related tax effect (C) 476 ​ 337 ​ — ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Return on average assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Return on average assets (= A / E) 0.55 % 0.52 % 0.37 %

Return on average assets, adjusted (= D / E) 0.70 ​ 0.63 ​ 0.37 ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Return on average equity ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Return on average equity (= A / F) 6.83 % 6.48 % 4.52 %

Return on average equity, adjusted (= D / F) 8.69 ​ 7.76 ​ 4.52 ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Earnings per common share (EPS) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Diluted EPS (= A / G) $ 0.43 ​ $ 0.41 ​ $ 0.27 ​

Diluted EPS, adjusted (= D / G) ​ 0.55 ​ ​ 0.49 ​ ​ 0.27 ​

​

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The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share are considered to be non-GAAP measures and are calculated by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets or shares outstanding. The following table sets forth the calculation of the Company’s tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share at December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except share and ratio data):

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ AT DECEMBER 31, ​

Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) 6.85 % 7.78 %

Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 5.40 ​ $ 6.02 ​

​

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Accounting and reporting policies for the pension liability, allowance for loan losses, intangible assets, income taxes, and investment securities are deemed critical because they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments. Application of assumptions different than those used by the Company could result in material changes in the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

ACCOUNT — Pension liability

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Other assets

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Salaries and employee benefits and Other expense

DESCRIPTION

Pension costs and liabilities are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, benefits earned, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation of future periods. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect the Company’s pension obligations and future expense. Additionally, pension expense can also be impacted by settlement accounting charges if the amount of employee selected lump sum distributions exceed the total amount of service and interest component costs of the net periodic pension cost in a particular year. Our pension benefits are described further in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACCOUNT — Allowance for loan losses

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Allowance for loan losses

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Provision for loan losses

DESCRIPTION

The allowance for loan losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining reserve levels believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the credit portfolio and other relevant factors. However, this quarterly evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including, among others, likelihood of customer default, loss given default, exposure at default, the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, value of collateral, estimated losses on consumer loans and residential mortgages, and general amounts for historical loss experience. This process also considers economic conditions, uncertainties in estimating losses and inherent risks in the various credit portfolios. All of these factors may be susceptible to significant change. Also, the allocation of the allowance for credit losses to specific loan pools is based on historical loss trends and management’s judgment concerning those trends.

Commercial and commercial real estate loans are the largest category of credits and the most sensitive to changes in assumptions and judgments underlying the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Approximately $8.6 million, or 80%, of the total allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2022 has been allocated to these two loan categories. This allocation also considers other relevant factors such as actual versus estimated losses, economic trends, delinquencies,

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levels of non-performing and troubled debt restructured (TDR) loans, concentrations of credit, trends in loan volume, experience and depth of management, examination and audit results, effects of any changes in lending policies and trends in policy, financial information and documentation exceptions. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for loan losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

ACCOUNT — Intangible assets

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Intangible assets

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Other expense

DESCRIPTION