ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations are subject to various risks inherent in its business. The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Corporation are described below. If any of these risks actually occur, the Corporation’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. The following risks together with all of the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be considered.
Economic Risks
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread have had, and another pandemic or public health crisis in the future could have, a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Such effects will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and difficult to predict.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have, and another pandemic or public health crisis in the future could have, repercussions across domestic and global economies and financial markets. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic evolved rapidly and many countries and state and local governments in the United States, including those in which we operate, reacted by instituting government restrictions, border closings, quarantines, “shelter-in-place” orders and “social distancing” guidelines that, among other things, resulted in a dramatic increase in national unemployment and a significant economic contraction in 2020. Although the United States government has taken steps to attempt to mitigate some of the more severe anticipated economic effects of the pandemic, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") in 2020 and ongoing relief efforts, there can be no assurance that such steps will be effective or achieve their desired results in a timely fashion.
11
Table of Contents
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely impact our business, workforce, as well as the operations of our borrowers, customers and business partners. In particular, we may experience financial losses due to a number of operational factors impacting us or our borrowers, customers or business partners, including but not limited to:
•credit losses resulting from financial stress being experienced by our borrowers as a result of the outbreak and related governmental actions, particularly in the hospitality, energy and restaurant industries, but across other industries as well;
•declines in collateral values;
•third party disruptions, including outages at network providers and other suppliers;
•higher inflation and supply chain disruptions;
•increased cyber and payment fraud risk, as cybercriminals attempt to profit from the disruption, given increased online and remote activity; and
•operational failures due to changes in our normal business practices necessitated by the outbreak and related governmental actions.
These factors may persist for a significant period of time and may continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to modify our business practices (including restricting employee travel and developing work from home and social distancing plans for our employees), and we may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or as we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and business partners. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the pandemic or will otherwise be satisfactory to government authorities.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, each of which is highly uncertain and difficult to predict, including, but not limited to, the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and its impact on our customers and demand for financial services, the actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, treatment developments, public adoption rates of COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots, and their effectiveness against emerging variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta and Omicron variants, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may continue to experience materially adverse impacts to our business as a result of the global economic impact of the pandemic, including the availability of and access to credit, adverse impacts on our liquidity and any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future.
The ultimate impact of the pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. We do not yet know the full extent of the impacts on our business, our operations or the global economy as a whole. Nevertheless, any of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including those described above, alone or in combination with others, have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Any of these negative impacts, alone or in combination with others, could exacerbate many of the risk factors discussed in this Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors".
The possibility of the economy’s return to recessionary conditions and the possibility of further turmoil or volatility in the financial markets would likely have an adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial position and results of operations. Volatility and uncertainty related to inflation and the effects of inflation, which may lead to increased costs for businesses and consumers and potentially contribute to poor business and economic conditions generally, may also enhance or contribute to some of the risks discussed herein. For example, higher inflation, or volatility and uncertainty related to inflation, could reduce demand for the Corporation’s products, adversely affect the creditworthiness of the Corporation’s borrowers or result in lower values for the Corporation’s investment securities and other interest-earning assets.
The Corporation continues to face risks resulting from the aftermath of the severe recession generally and the moderate pace of the current recovery. A slowing or failure of the economic recovery would likely aggravate the adverse effects of these difficult economic and market conditions on the Corporation and on others in the financial services industry. In particular, the Corporation may face the following risks in connection with the economic or market environment:
•The Corporation’s and the Bank’s ability to borrow from other financial institutions or to access the debt or equity capital markets on favorable terms or at all could be adversely affected by further disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations.
12
Table of Contents
•The Corporation faces increased regulation of the banking and financial services industry. Compliance with such regulation may increase its costs and limit its ability to pursue business opportunities.
•Market developments may affect customer confidence levels and may cause increases in loan delinquencies and default rates, which management expects would adversely impact the Bank’s charge-offs and provision for credit losses.
•Market developments may adversely affect the Bank’s securities portfolio by causing other-than-temporary-impairments, prompting write-downs and securities losses.
•Competition in banking and financial services industry could intensify as a result of the consolidation of financial services companies in connection with current market conditions.
The Corporation may not be able to meet its cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost, and the Corporation’s cost of funds for banking operations may significantly increase as a result of general economic conditions, interest rates and competitive pressures.
Liquidity is the ability to meet cash flow obligations as they come due and cash flow needs on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. The liquidity of the Bank is used to make loans and to repay deposit and borrowing liabilities as they become due, or are demanded by customers and creditors. Many factors affect the Bank’s ability to meet liquidity needs, including variations in the markets served by its network of offices, its mix of assets and liabilities, reputation and standing in the marketplace, and general economic conditions.
The Bank’s primary source of funding is retail deposits, gathered throughout its network of banking offices. Periodically, the Corporation utilizes term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (the "FHLB") of Pittsburgh, of which the Bank is a member, and other lenders to meet funding obligations. The Bank’s securities and loan portfolios provide a source of contingent liquidity that could be accessed in a reasonable time period through sales.
Significant changes in general economic conditions, market interest rates, competitive pressures or otherwise, could cause the Bank’s deposits to decrease relative to overall banking operations, and it would have to rely more heavily on brokered funds and borrowings in the future, which are typically more expensive than deposits.
Management and the Corporation's Board of Directors, through the Asset-Liability Committee ("the ALCO"), monitor liquidity and the ALCO establishes and monitors acceptable liquidity ranges. The Bank actively manages its liquidity position through target ratios. Continual monitoring of these ratios, both historical and through forecasts under multiple rate scenarios, allows the Bank to employ strategies necessary to maintain adequate liquidity.
Changes in economic conditions, including consumer savings habits and availability of or access to capital, could potentially have a significant impact on the Bank’s liquidity position, which in turn could materially impact the Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Credit and Interest Rate Risks
The Bank’s allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover loan losses which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant source of risk for the Corporation arises from the possibility that losses will be sustained because borrowers, guarantors and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loan agreements. Most loans originated by the Bank are secured, but some loans are unsecured based upon management’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of the borrowers. With respect to secured loans, the collateral securing the repayment of these loans principally includes a wide variety of real estate, and to a lesser extent personal property, either of which may be insufficient to cover the obligations owed under such loans.
Collateral values and the financial performance of borrowers may be adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic, environmental and other conditions, including declines in the value of real estate, changes in interest rates and debt service levels, changes in oil and gas prices, changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, widespread disease, terrorist activity, environmental contamination and other external events, which are beyond the control of the Bank. In addition, collateral appraisals that are out of date or that do not meet industry recognized standards might create the impression that a loan is adequately collateralized when in fact it is not. Although the Bank may acquire any real estate or other assets that secure defaulted loans through foreclosures or other similar remedies, the amounts owed under the defaulted loans may exceed the value of the assets acquired.
13
Table of Contents
The allowance for credit losses is subject to a formal analysis by the Credit Administration and Finance Departments of the Corporation. Following the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” the Corporation adjusted its loan allowance methodology to reflect the new standard, which requires periodic estimates of lifetime expected credit losses on financial assets and categorizes expected credit losses as allowances for credit losses under the current expected credit loss ("CECL") methodology. The Corporation measures expected credit losses of financial assets on a collective (pool) basis, when the financial assets share similar risk characteristics. Depending on the nature of the pool of financial assets with similar risk characteristics, the models utilized by the Corporation to estimate expected credit losses include a discounted cash flow ("DCF") model that discounts instrument-level contractual cash flows, adjusted for prepayments and curtailments, incorporating loss expectations, and a weighted average remaining maturity ("WARM") model which contemplates expected losses at a pool-level, utilizing historic loss information. The Corporation's models for estimating the allowance for credit losses consider available relevant information about the collectability of cash flows, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
The Bank monitors delinquencies and losses on a monthly basis. The Bank has adopted underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures, including the review of borrower financial statements and collateral appraisals, which management believes are appropriate to mitigate the risk of loss by assessing the likelihood of borrower nonperformance and the value of available collateral. The Bank also manages credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio. An ongoing independent review, subsequent to management’s review, of individual credits is performed by an independent loan review function, which reports to the Loan Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires the Corporation to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Although management believes that the processes in place for assessing the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses are robust, such policies and procedures have limitations, including judgment errors in management’s risk analysis, and may not prevent unexpected losses in the future. Moreover, the CECL methodology may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for credit losses from quarter to quarter as changes in the level of allowance for credit losses will be dependent upon, among other things, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, loan portfolio volumes and credit quality. These factors could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Interest rate volatility could significantly reduce the Corporation’s profitability.
The Corporation’s earnings largely depend on the relationship between the yield on its earning assets, primarily loans and investment securities, and the cost of funds, primarily deposits and borrowings. This relationship, commonly known as the net interest margin, is susceptible to significant fluctuation and is affected by economic and competitive factors that influence the yields and rates, and the volume and mix of the Bank’s interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities.
Interest rate risk can be defined as the sensitivity of net interest income and of the market value of financial instruments to the direction and frequency of changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from the imbalance in the re-pricing, maturity and/or cash flow characteristics of assets and liabilities. The Corporation is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest bearing liabilities re-price or mature more slowly or more rapidly or on a different basis than its interest earning assets. Changes in interest rates, including those due to federal monetary policy, will affect the levels of income and expense recorded on a large portion of the Bank’s assets and liabilities, and fluctuations in interest rates will impact the market value of all interest sensitive assets. Significant fluctuations in interest rates could have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
The Bank’s interest rate risk measurement and management techniques incorporate the re-pricing and cash flow attributes of its balance sheet and off-balance sheet instruments as they relate to current and potential changes in interest rates. The level of interest rate risk, measured in terms of the potential future effect on earnings, is determined through the use of static gap analysis and earnings simulation modeling under multiple interest rate scenarios. Management’s objectives are to measure, monitor and develop strategies in response to the interest rate risk profile inherent in the Bank’s balance sheet in order to preserve the sensitivity of net interest income to actual or potential changes in interest rates. For further information on risk relating to interest rates, refer to Part I, Item 7a, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," herein.
14
Table of Contents
The Corporation’s investment securities portfolio is subject to credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk, and declines in value in its investment securities portfolio may require it to record other-than-temporary impairment charges that could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition.
The Corporation’s investment securities portfolio has risks beyond its control that can significantly influence the portfolio’s fair value. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency downgrades of the securities, defaults of the issuers of the securities, lack of market pricing of the securities, and continued instability in the credit markets. Recent lack of market activity with respect to certain of the securities has, in certain circumstances, required the Corporation to base its fair market valuation on unobservable inputs. The Corporation has engaged valuation experts to price these certain securities using proprietary models, which incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the securities, including bid/ask spreads and liquidity and credit premiums. Any change in current accounting principles or interpretations of these principles could impact the Corporation’s assessment of fair value and thus its determination of other-than-temporary impairment of the securities in its investment securities portfolio.
The Bank may be required to record other-than-temporary impairment charges on its investment securities if they suffer declines in value that are considered other-than-temporary. Numerous factors, including collateral deterioration underlying certain private label mortgage-backed securities, lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities, absence of reliable pricing information for certain investment securities, adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators, or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could negatively affect the Bank’s securities portfolio in future periods. An other-than-temporary impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations and financial condition.
A substantial decline in the value of the Bank’s FHLB common stock may adversely affect the Corporation’s results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
As a requirement of membership in the FHLB of Pittsburgh, the Bank must own a minimum required amount of FHLB stock, calculated periodically based primarily on its level of borrowings from the FHLB. Borrowings from the FHLB represent the Bank’s primary source of short-term and long-term wholesale funding.
In an extreme situation, it is possible that the capitalization of an FHLB, including the FHLB of Pittsburgh, could be substantially diminished or reduced to zero. Consequently, given that there is no trading market for the Bank’s FHLB common stock, the Corporation’s management believes that there is a risk that the Corporation’s investment could be deemed impaired at some time in the future. If this occurs, it may adversely affect the Corporation’s results of operations and financial condition.
If the capitalization of the FHLB of Pittsburgh is substantially diminished, the Bank’s liquidity may be adversely impacted if it is not able to obtain alternative sources of funding.
There are 11 FHLB banks, including the FHLB of Pittsburgh, in the FHLB system. The 11 FHLB banks are jointly liable for the consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. To the extent that one FHLB bank cannot meet its obligations to pay its share of the system’s debt, other FHLB banks can be called upon to make the payment. The Corporation cannot assure you, however, that the FHLB system will be able to meet these obligations.
The Bank could be held responsible for environmental liabilities relating to properties acquired through foreclosure, resulting in significant financial loss.
In the event the Bank forecloses on a defaulted commercial or residential mortgage loan to recover its investment, it may be subject to environmental liabilities in connection with the underlying real property, which could significantly exceed the value of the real property. Although the Bank exercises due diligence to discover potential environmental liabilities prior to acquiring any property through foreclosure, hazardous substances or wastes, contaminants, pollutants, or their sources may be discovered on properties during its ownership or after a sale to a third party. The Corporation cannot assure you that the Bank would not incur full recourse liability for the entire cost of any removal and cleanup on an acquired property, that the cost of removal and cleanup would not exceed the value of the property, or that the Bank could recover any of the costs from any third party. Losses arising from environmental liabilities could have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
15
Table of Contents
Replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), announced that the FCA intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit the rates required to calculate LIBOR after 2021. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York organized the Alternative Reference Rates Committee ("ARRC"), which identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as its preferred alternative to LIBOR in derivatives and other financial contracts. The U.S. bank regulators issued a Statement on LIBOR Transition on November 30, 2020 encouraging banks to transition away from U.S. Dollar (USD) LIBOR as soon as practicable and in any event by December 31, 2021 for new contracts. LIBOR is currently anticipated to be fully phased out by June 30, 2023. We are not able to predict with certainty when LIBOR will cease to be available or when there will be sufficient liquidity in the SOFR markets. Any changes adopted by the FCA or other governing bodies in the method used for determining LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR. If such an increase or decrease were to occur, our interest payments that are higher or lower than if LIBOR were to remain available in its current form.
We have a number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR, or any changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR, could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us, could create considerable costs and additional risk and could have an adverse impact on our overall financial condition or results of operations. Since proposed alternative rates (including SOFR) are calculated differently, payments under contracts referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change our market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Furthermore, failure to adequately manage this transition process with our customers could adversely impact our reputation. Although we are currently unable to assess what the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR will be, failure to adequately manage the transition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to an Investment in the Corporation’s Securities
Some provisions contained in the Corporation’s articles of incorporation and its bylaws and under Pennsylvania law could deter a takeover attempt or delay changes in control or management of the Corporation.
Certain anti-takeover provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, apply to Pennsylvania registered corporations (e.g., publicly traded companies) including, but not limited to, those relating to (1) control share acquisitions, (2) disgorgement of profits by certain controlling persons, (3) business combination transactions with interested shareholders, and (4) the rights of shareholders to demand fair value for their stock following a control transaction. Pennsylvania law permits corporations to opt-out of these anti-takeover provisions, but the Corporation has not done so. Such provisions could have the effect of deterring takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Corporation. Additionally, such provisions could limit the price that some investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Corporation’s common stock.
For example, the Corporation’s amended and restated articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of 66% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote to effect a business combination. In addition, the Corporation’s amended and restated articles of incorporation, subject to the limitations prescribed in such articles and subject to limitations prescribed by Pennsylvania law, authorize the Corporation’s Board of Directors, from time to time by resolution and without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and other rights of the shares and to fix the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. As a result of its broad discretion with respect to the creation and issuance of preferred stock without shareholder approval, the Corporation's Board of Directors could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock and, by issuing shares of preferred stock with certain voting, conversion and/or redemption rights, could discourage any attempt to obtain control of the Corporation.
The Corporation’s bylaws, as amended and restated, provide for the division of the Corporation’s Board of Directors into three classes of directors, with each serving staggered terms. In addition, any amendment to the Corporation’s bylaws must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon and, if any shareholders are entitled to vote thereon as a class, upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote as a class.
16
Table of Contents
Any of the foregoing provisions may have the effect of deterring takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Corporation.
The price of the Corporation’s common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell shares of common stock owned by you at times or at prices you find attractive.
The price of the Corporation’s common stock on the Global Select Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ") constantly changes. The Corporation expects that the market price of its common stock will continue to fluctuate, and the Corporation cannot give you any assurances regarding any trends in the market prices for its common stock.
The Corporation’s stock price may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control. These factors include the Corporation’s:
•past and future dividend practice;
•financial condition, performance, creditworthiness and prospects;
•quarterly variations in the Corporation’s operating results or the quality of the Corporation’s assets;
•operating results that vary from the expectations of management, securities analysts and investors;
•changes in expectations as to the Corporation’s future financial performance;
•announcements of innovations, new products, strategic developments, significant contracts, acquisitions and other material events by the Corporation or its competitors;
•the operating and securities price performance of other companies that investors believe are comparable to the Corporation;
•future sales of the Corporation’s equity or equity-related securities;
•the credit, mortgage and housing markets, the markets for securities relating to mortgages or housing, and developments with respect to financial institutions generally; and
•instability in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as interest or foreign exchange rates, stock, commodity or real estate valuations or volatility, budget deficits or sovereign debt level concerns and other geopolitical, regulatory or judicial events.
The Corporation’s ability to pay dividends is limited by law and regulations.
The future declaration of dividends by the Corporation’s Board of Directors will depend on a number of factors, including capital requirements, regulatory limitations, the Corporation’s operating results and financial condition and general economic conditions. As a bank holding company, the Corporation’s principal assets and sources of income are derived from the Bank and, as a result, the Corporation’s ability to pay dividends depends primarily on the receipt of dividends from the Bank. Dividend payments from the Bank are subject to legal and regulatory limitations, generally based on retained earnings, imposed by bank regulatory agencies. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends is also subject to financial condition, regulatory capital requirements, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements. The Corporation cannot assure you that the Bank will be able to pay dividends to the Corporation in the future. If the Corporation were unable to receive dividends from the Bank, it would materially and adversely affects the Corporation’s liquidity and its ability to service its debt, pay its other obligations, or pay cash dividends on its common stock. The Corporation may decide to limit the payment of dividends to its stockholders even when the Corporation has the legal ability to pay them in order to retain earnings for use in the Corporation’s business.
Operational and Strategic Risks
The Bank’s loans are principally concentrated in certain areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York, and adverse economic conditions in those markets could adversely affect the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Corporation’s success is dependent to a significant extent upon general economic conditions in the United States and, in particular, the local economies in central and northwest Pennsylvania, central and northeast Ohio, and western New York - the primary markets served by the Bank. The Bank is particularly exposed to real estate and economic factors in these geographic areas, as most of its loan portfolio is concentrated among borrowers in these markets. Furthermore, because a substantial portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio is secured by real estate in these areas, the value of the associated collateral is also subject to regional real estate market conditions.
17
Table of Contents
The Bank is not immune to negative consequences arising from overall economic weakness and, in particular, a sharp downturn in the local real estate markets served by the Bank. While the Bank’s loan portfolio has not shown significant signs of credit quality deterioration despite continued challenges in the U.S. economy, we cannot assure you that no deterioration will occur. An economic recession in the markets served by the Bank, and the nation as a whole, could negatively impact household and corporate incomes. This impact could lead to decreased loan demand and increase the number of borrowers who fail to pay the Bank interest or principal on their loans, and accordingly, could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
Severe weather, flooding and other effects of climate change and other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Our branch locations and our customers’ properties may be adversely impacted by flooding, wildfires, high winds and other effects of severe weather conditions that may be caused or exacerbated by climate change. These events can force property closures, result in property damage and/or result in delays in expansion, development or renovation of our properties and those of our customers. Even if these events do not directly impact our properties or our customers’ properties, they may impact us and our customers through increased insurance, energy or other costs. In addition, changes in laws or regulations, including federal, state or city laws, relating to climate change could result in increased capital expenditures to improve the energy efficiency of our branch locations and/or our customers’ properties.
The preparation of the Corporation’s financial statements requires the use of estimates that could significantly vary from actual results, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make significant estimates that affect the financial statements. For example, one of these significant estimates is the allowance for credit losses. Due to the inherent nature of estimates, the Corporation cannot provide absolute assurance that it will not significantly increase the allowance for credit losses and/or sustain credit losses that are significantly higher than the provided allowance, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
The Corporation’s financial results may be subject to the impact of changes in accounting standards or interpretation in new or existing standards.
From time to time the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), and the SEC change accounting regulations and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Corporation’s financial statements. In addition, the FASB, SEC, and bank regulators may revise their previous interpretations regarding existing accounting regulations and the application of these accounting standards. These revisions in their interpretations are out of the Corporation’s control and may have a material impact on its financial statements.
The Corporation depends on the accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties.
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers and counterparties, we rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information. We also rely on representations of customers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to clients, we may assume that a customer's audited financial statements conform to GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our earnings are significantly affected by our ability to properly originate, underwrite and service loans. Our financial condition, results of operations and capital could be negatively impacted to the extent we incorrectly assess the creditworthiness of our borrowers, fail to detect or respond to deterioration in asset quality in a timely manner, or rely on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading.
18
Table of Contents
The risks presented by acquisitions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Any acquisitions will be accompanied by the risks commonly encountered in acquisitions including, among other things: our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and avoid unanticipated costs relating to the merger, the difficulty of integrating operations and personnel, the potential disruption of our or the acquired company’s ongoing business, the inability of our management to maximize our financial and strategic position, the inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies, and the impairment of relationships with the acquired company’s employees and customers as a result of changes in ownership and management. These risks may prevent the Corporation from fully realizing the anticipated benefits of an acquisition or cause the realization of such benefits to take longer than expected.
Strong competition within the Corporation’s markets and technological change may have a material adverse impact on its profitability.
The Corporation competes with an ever-increasing array of financial service providers. As noted above, as a financial holding company and state-chartered financial institution, respectively, the Corporation and the Bank are subject to extensive regulation and supervision, including, in many cases, regulations that limit the type and scope of activities. The non-bank financial service providers that compete with the Corporation and the Bank may not be subject to such extensive regulation, supervision, and tax burden. Competition from nationwide banks, as well as local institutions, is strong in the Corporation’s markets.
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological change and technological advances are likely to intensify competition. In addition to improving customer services, effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Accordingly, the Corporation’s future success will depend in part on its ability to address customer needs by using technology. The Corporation cannot assure you that it will be able to successfully take advantage of technological changes or advances or develop and market new technology driven products and services to its customers. Failure to keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Many regional, national and international competitors have far greater assets and capitalization than the Corporation has and greater resources to invest in technology and access to capital markets and can consequently offer a broader array of financial services than it can. We cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to compete effectively with other financial institutions in the future. Developments increasing the nature or level of competition could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. For further information on competition, refer to Part I, Item 1, "Competition," herein.
The unsoundness of other financial institutions with which the Corporation does business could adversely affect the Corporation’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, investment or other relationships. The Corporation routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry such as commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks and other institutional clients for a range of transactions including loan participations, derivatives and hedging transactions. In addition, the Corporation invests in securities or loans originated or issued by financial institutions or supported by the loans they originate. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial institutions, or the financial industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or other institutions. Many of these transactions expose the Corporation to credit or investment risk in the event of default by the Corporation’s counterparty. In addition, the Corporation’s credit risk may be exacerbated if the collateral it holds cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or other exposure to the Corporation. The Corporation could incur losses to its securities portfolio as a result of these issues. These types of losses may have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition or results of operation.
19
Table of Contents
The Corporation’s operations may be adversely affected if its external vendors do not perform as expected or if its access to third-party services is interrupted.
The Corporation relies on certain external vendors to provide products and services necessary to maintain the day-to-day operations of the Corporation. Some of the products and services provided by vendors include key components of our business infrastructure including data processing and storage and internet connections and network access, among other products and services. Accordingly, the Corporation’s operations are exposed to the risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements or under service level agreements. The failure of an external vendor to perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements or under service level agreements, because of changes in the vendor’s organizational structure, financial condition, support for existing products and services or strategic focus or for any other reason, could disrupt the Corporation’s operations. If we are unable to find alternative sources for our vendors’ services and products quickly and cost-effectively, the failures of our vendors could have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s business and, in turn, the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, and we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If sustained or repeated, a system failure or service denial could result in a deterioration of our ability to process new and renewal loans, gather deposits and provide customer service, compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business and subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
A failure in or breach of the Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third party vendors and other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks, could disrupt the Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ businesses, result in the unauthorized disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage its reputation, increase its costs, or cause losses.
The Corporation, primarily through the Bank, depends on its ability to continuously process, record and monitor a large number of customer transactions. The Corporation also collects and processes regulated personal date of employees and customer, public and regulatory expectations regarding operational and information security have increased over time. Accordingly, its and its subsidiaries’ operational systems and infrastructure must continue to be safeguarded and monitored for potential failures, vulnerabilities, disruptions and breakdowns. Although the Corporation has business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, disruptions or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support its businesses and customers, or cyber attacks or security breaches of the networks, systems or devices on which employees' or customers’ personal information is stored and that customers use to access the Corporation’s and its subsidiaries products and services could result in customer attrition, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs, any of which could materially adversely affect the Corporation’s results of operations or financial condition. In addition, significant disruptions of our third party vendors’ and/or service providers’ security systems or infrastructure, or other similar data security incidents, could adversely affect our business operations and/or result in the loss, misappropriation, and/or unauthorized access, use or disclosure of, or the prevention of access to, regulated personal or confidential information, which could harm our business.
Although to date the Corporation has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that it or its subsidiaries will not suffer such losses in the future and our information systems remain a target of cyber attacks. Given the evolving nature of security threats and evolving safeguards, there can be no assurance that any preventive, protective, or remedial measures are or will be adequate to address threats that arise. However, even security measures that are appropriate, reasonable, and/or in accordance with applicable legal requirements may not be able to fully protect our operational or security systems or infrastructure and the data contained therein, or our data that is contained in our subsidiaries’ or third parties’ systems. Additionally, while we have implemented security measures that we believe are appropriate, a regulator could deem our security measures not to be appropriate given the lack of prescriptive measures in certain data protection laws. The Corporation continues to enhance its data security systems, technology platforms, employee education and risk management processes, in an effort to underpin its business strategy as well as in response to the evolving threat landscape and any incidents we experience. In connection with these efforts, we have incurred costs and expect to incur additional costs as we continue to enhance our data security infrastructure and take further steps to prevent unauthorized access to our systems and the data we maintain. In addition, any actual or perceived failure by the Corporation or our vendors or business partners to comply with our privacy, confidentiality, or data security-related legal or other obligations to third parties may result in claims by third parties that we have breached our privacy- or confidentiality-related obligations, which could materially and adversely affect our business and prospects.
20
Table of Contents
The Corporation’s risk and exposure to these matters, including future "phishing" attempts like the 2020 incident, remain heightened because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats, our plans to continue to implement our Internet banking and mobile banking channel strategies and develop additional remote connectivity solutions to serve our customers when and how they want to be served. As a result, cybersecurity and the continued development and enhancement of the Corporation’s controls, processes and practices designed to protect its and its subsidiaries systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain a priority for the Corporation. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Corporation may be required to expend further significant resources to continue to modify or enhance its protective measures or to investigate and remediate future information security vulnerabilities.
While we have purchased cybersecurity insurance, there are no assurances that the coverage would be adequate in relation to any incurred losses. Moreover, as cyber attacks increase in frequency and magnitude, we may be unable to obtain cybersecurity insurance in amounts and on terms we view as adequate for our operations.
Risks Related to Legal and Compliance Matters
The Corporation is subject to extensive government regulation and supervision, which may affect its ability to conduct its business and may negatively impact its financial results.
The Corporation, primarily through the Bank and its non-bank subsidiary, is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund and the safety and soundness of the banking system as a whole, not stockholders. These regulations affect the Corporation’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect the Corporation in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject it to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products the Corporation may offer, and/or limit the pricing it may charge on certain banking services, among other things.
Failure to comply with laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, restrictions, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations and/or cause the Corporation to lose its financial holding company status. While the Corporation has policies and procedures designed to prevent any such violations, there can be no assurance that such violations will not occur. See the section captioned "Supervision and Regulation" in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further information.
Federal and state governments could pass legislation responsive to current credit conditions which could cause the Corporation to experience higher credit losses.
The Corporation could experience higher credit losses because of federal or state legislation or regulatory action that reduces the amount the Bank’s borrowers are otherwise contractually required to pay under existing loan contracts. Also, the Corporation could experience higher credit losses because of federal or state legislation or regulatory action that limits the Bank’s ability to foreclose on property or other collateral or makes foreclosure less economically feasible. The Corporation cannot assure you that future legislation will not significantly and adversely impact its ability to collect on its current loans or foreclose on collateral.
General Risk Factors
The Corporation relies on its management and other key personnel, and the loss of any of them may adversely affect its operations.
The Corporation is and will continue to be dependent upon the services of its executive management team. In addition, it will continue to depend on its ability to retain and recruit key client relationship managers. The unexpected loss of services of any key management personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on its business and financial condition.
21
Table of Contents
The Corporation's risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and loss.
The Corporation maintains an enterprise risk management program that is designed to identify, quantify, monitor, report, and control the risks that it faces. These risks include, but are not limited to: strategic, interest-rate, credit, liquidity, operations, pricing, reputation, compliance, litigation, and cybersecurity. While the Corporation assesses and improves this program on an ongoing basis, there can be no assurance that its approach and framework for risk management and related controls will effectively mitigate all risk and limit losses in its business. If conditions or circumstances arise that expose flaws or gaps in the Corporation's risk-management program, or if its controls break down, the Corporation's results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The headquarters of the Corporation and the Bank are located at 1 South Second Street, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, in a building owned by the Corporation. The Bank operates 44 full-service offices at December 31, 2021 and has subsequently opened one additional full-service office. Of these 45 offices, 23 are owned and 21 are leased from independent owners and one is leased from the Corporation. Holiday has nine full-service offices, of which eight are leased from independent owners and one is leased from the Corporation. The Bank’s primary market area includes the Pennsylvania counties of Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and McKean. ERIEBANK, a division of the Bank, operates in the Pennsylvania counties of Crawford, Erie, and Warren and the Ohio counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake. FCBank, a division of the Bank, operates in the Ohio counties of Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Marion, Morrow, Knox, Delaware, and Franklin. BankOnBuffalo, a division of the Bank, operates in the New York counties of Erie and Niagara. Ridge View Bank, a division of the Bank, operates in Roanoke, Virginia. There are no encumbrances on the offices owned and the rental expense on the leased property is immaterial in relation to operating expenses. The initial lease terms range from three to twenty years.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or of which any of their properties is the subject, except ordinary routine proceedings which are incidental to the business.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
22
Table of Contents
PART II.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is traded on the Global Select Market of NASDAQ under the symbol "CCNE." As of December 31, 2021, the number of shareholders of record of the Corporation’s common stock was 6,191.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information with respect to any purchase of shares of the Corporation’s common stock made by or on behalf of the Corporation for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
(1)The Corporation’s stock repurchase program, which was announced on November 12, 2014, authorizes the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of common stock. The program will remain in effect until fully utilized or until modified, suspended or terminated. As of December 31, 2021, there were 146,772 shares remaining for repurchase under the program.
Additionally, during the quarter ended December 31, 2021, certain employees surrendered shares of common stock owned by them to satisfy their statutory minimum U.S. federal and state tax obligations associated with the vesting of shares of restricted common stock issued under the CNB Financial Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
23
Table of Contents
Share Return Performance
Set forth below is a chart comparing the Corporation’s cumulative return to stockholders against the cumulative return of the NASDAQ Composite Index and a peer group index of banking organizations for the five-year period commencing December 31, 2016 and ending December 31, 2021. Previously, the Corporation utilized the SNL Bank NASDAQ Index as the peer group index. The SNL Bank NASDAQ Index was retired in August 2021 and, therefore, there is no value to disclose for the SNL Bank NASDAQ Index as of 12/31/2021. The Corporation utilized as a replacement index the KBW NASDAQ Bank Index.
CNB Financial Corporation
Period Ending
Source : S&P Global Market Intelligence
© 2022
ITEM 6. RESERVED
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is presented to provide insight into management’s assessment of financial results and should be read in conjunction with the following parts of this Form 10-K: Part I, Item 1 “Business,” Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
24
Table of Contents
Dollar amounts in tables are stated in thousands, except for per share amounts.
Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results
The information below includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to CNB’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance and business. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond CNB’s control). Forward-looking statements often include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "targets," "potentially," "probably," "projects," "outlook" or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would" and "could." CNB’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.
Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements is the potential adverse effect of the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Corporation, our customers and the global economy and financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us and our customers significantly, and the extent that it continues to impact us and our customers will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and its impact on our customers and demand for financial services, the actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, treatment developments, public adoption rates of COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots, and their effectiveness against emerging variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta and Omicron variants, and the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, among others. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, include, but are not limited to, (i) changes in general business, industry or economic conditions or competition; (ii) changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation, policy, guideline or practice governing or affecting financial holding companies and their subsidiaries or with respect to tax or accounting principles or otherwise; (iii) adverse changes or conditions in capital and financial markets; (iv) changes in interest rates; (v) higher than expected costs or other difficulties related to integration of combined or merged businesses; (vi) the effects of business combinations and other acquisition transactions, including the inability to realize our loan and investment portfolios; (vii) changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; (viii) adequacy of loan loss reserves; (ix) increased competition; (x) loss of certain key officers; (xi) deposit attrition; (xii) rapidly changing technology; (xiii) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings and liabilities and other costs; (xiv) changes in the cost of funds, demand for loan products or demand for financial services; and (xv) other economic, competitive, governmental or technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such developments could have an adverse impact on CNB's financial position and results of operations.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions. Any forward-looking statement made herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. CNB undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed might not occur and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
25
Table of Contents
Overview
The Corporation is a financial holding company registered under the BHC Act. It was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1983 for the purpose of engaging in the business of a financial holding company. The Corporation’s subsidiary, the Bank, provides financial services to individuals and businesses primarily within its primary market area of the Pennsylvania counties of Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and McKean. ERIEBANK, a division of the Bank, operates in the Pennsylvania counties of Crawford, Erie, and Warren and in the Ohio counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake. FCBank, a division of the Bank, operates in the Ohio counties of Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Marion, Morrow, Knox, Delaware, and Franklin. BankOnBuffalo, a division of the Bank, operates in New York counties of Erie and Niagara. Ridge View Bank, a division of the Bank, operates in Roanoke, Virginia.
In addition to the Bank, the Corporation has four other subsidiaries. CNB Securities Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and currently maintains investments in debt and equity securities. CNB Insurance Agency, incorporated in Pennsylvania, provides for the sale of nonproprietary annuities and other insurance products. CNB Risk Management, Inc., incorporated in Delaware, is a captive insurance company that insures against certain risks unique to the operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in today's insurance marketplace. Holiday, incorporated in Pennsylvania, offers small balance unsecured loans and secured loans, primarily collateralized by automobiles and equipment, to borrowers with higher risk characteristics.
COVID-19 Considerations
The global outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health measures that have been undertaken in response have had, and continue to have, significant repercussions across regional and global economies and financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic, its associated responsive measures and the resulting economic slowdown have disrupted our business and are expected to continue to have a significant impact on our business, financial performance and operating results. Since we cannot estimate when the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated responsive measures will end, we cannot estimate the ultimate operational and financial impact of COVID-19 on our business. However, management will continue to proactively implement strategies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the Corporation’s business, risk profile and financial performance.
To address the challenges arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to continue to deliver essential services to the communities the Corporation serves while maintaining a high level of safety for customers and employees, the Corporation implemented its Pandemic Response Plan. Among other things, significant actions taken include:
•Implemented communication plans to ensure employees, customers and critical vendors are kept abreast of developments affecting the Corporation's operations.
•Restricted all non-essential travel while continuing to monitor and update the Corporation's quarantine protocols based on governmental guidelines;
•Enforcing safe practices in branch lobbies order to serve consumer and business customers and continued to offer the Corporation's customers alternatives through its drive-through capabilities, network of ATMs, internet banking, mobile application and telephone customer service capabilities;
•Continued remote-access availability for the Corporation's workforce to work from home or other remote locations. The Corporation has taken appropriate efforts to ensure that activities are performed in accordance with the Corporation's compliance and information security policies, which are designed to ensure customer data and other information is properly safeguarded; and
•Instituted mandatory social distancing policies for those employees not working remotely.
To ensure the safety of its customers and employees, the Corporation continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely and update its response plan accordingly.
26
Table of Contents
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This report contains references to financial measures that are not defined in GAAP. Management uses non-GAAP financial information in its analysis of the Corporation’s performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods and show the effects of significant gains and charges in the periods presented. The Corporation’s management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP measures to analyze the Corporation’s financial performance without the impact of unusual items or events that may obscure trends in the Corporation’s underlying performance. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. Non-GAAP measures reflected within the discussion below include:
•Tangible book value per share;
•Tangible equity/tangible assets;
•Tangible common equity/tangible assets;
•Pre-provision net revenue ("PPNR");
•Non-interest income excluding realized gains on available for sale securities;
•Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent basis);
•Efficiency ratio;
•Return on average tangible equity; and
•Return on average tangible common equity
In addition, non-GAAP evaluations on the impact of PPP-related loans (as defined below), merger costs, branch closure costs and Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh ("FHLB") prepayment penalties on various metrics of the Corporation’s financial performance include calculations related to return on average equity, return on average tangible equity, return on average tangible common equity, tangible equity/tangible assets, tangible common equity/tangible assets and allowance for credit losses/loans. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section.
Management considers return on average assets, return on average equity, earnings per common share, asset quality, and other metrics as key measures of the financial performance of the Corporation. The interest rate environment will continue to play an important role in the future earnings of the Corporation. In order to address the challenging interest rate and competitive environments, the Corporation continues to evaluate, develop and implement strategies necessary to support its ongoing financial performance objectives.
Financial Condition
The following table presents ending balances, growth, and the percentage change of certain measures of our financial condition for specified years (dollars in millions):
2021Balance 2020Balance $ Changevs. prioryear % Changevs. prioryear
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $732.2 million at December 31, 2021, including additional excess liquidity of $684.3 million held at the Federal Reserve. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $532.7 million at December 31, 2020. The increase in liquidity was primarily the result of the impact of government stimulus initiatives and organic growth in deposits.
27
Table of Contents
In addition to the Corporation's deposit growth strategies, management believes the liquidity needs of the Corporation are satisfied primarily by the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, customer deposits, FHLB borrowing capacity, and the portions of the securities and loan portfolios that mature within one year. The Corporation expects that these sources of funds will support both existing operations, future loan and investment portfolio growth and off-balance sheet commitments as they come due.
Securities
Securities available for sale and equity securities totaled $707.6 million and $591.6 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Note 3, "Securities," in the consolidated financial statements provides more detail concerning the composition of the Corporation’s securities portfolio and the process for evaluating securities for impairment. The increase of approximately $116.0 million, or 20%, from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021, resulted primarily from the Corporation’s liquidity strategy implemented in 2021. This strategy focused on deploying excess liquidity earning a relatively modest level of interest at the Federal Reserve towards investment securities that met the Corporation’s risk profile parameters for investments.
The following tables summarize the maturity distribution schedule with corresponding weighted-average yields of securities available for sale as of December 31, 2021. Weighted-average yields have been computed on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21%. Mortgage-backed securities are included in maturity categories based on their stated maturity date.
$ Amt. Yield $ Amt. Yield $ Amt. Yield $ Amt. Yield $ Amt. Yield
The portfolio contains no holdings of a single issuer that exceeds 10% of shareholders’ equity other than the U.S. Treasury and governmental sponsored entities.
The Corporation generally purchases debt securities over time and does not attempt to "time" its transactions, which allows for more efficient management of fluctuations in the interest rate environment. The Corporation's strategy given the current environment is to focus on lower risk securities, shorter durations that complement the current portfolio investment ladder, and consistent reinvestment of cash flows to replace lower earning assets.
The Corporation monitors the earnings performance and the effectiveness of the liquidity of the securities portfolio on a regular basis through meetings of the ALCO. The ALCO also reviews and manages interest rate risk for the Corporation. Through active balance sheet management and analysis of the securities portfolio, a sufficient level of liquidity is maintained to satisfy depositor requirements and various credit needs of our customers.
Loans
Note 4, "Loans," in the consolidated financial statements provides more detail concerning the loan portfolio of the Corporation. At December 31, 2021, loans totaled $3.6 billion, an increase of $263.0 million, or 7.8%, compared to December 31, 2020. As further discussed below, during the second quarter of 2020, the Corporation began originating loans to qualified small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") administered by the Small Business Administration ("SBA") under the provisions of the CARES Act. Excluding the impact of PPP loans, net of PPP deferred processing fees (such loans, the "PPP-related loans"), the Corporation's loan portfolio increased $373.3 million, or 11.6%, from December 31, 2020. The growth was primarily driven by the Corporation's ongoing expansion in the Cleveland and Ridge View regions, combined with continued strong growth in its Private Banking division, coupled with increased lending opportunities in other regions of the Corporation.
28
Table of Contents
Included in the loan growth discussed above, and as part of the liquidity management strategies first implemented by the Corporation in 2020, the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected an increase in syndicated lending activities of $103.7 million from December 31, 2020. The syndicated loan portfolio totaled $125.8 million, or 3.5% of total loans, excluding PPP-related loans, at December 31, 2021. The Corporation internally underwrites each syndicated loan individually and considers these loans as an alternative to purchasing investment securities. While the overall strategy is to redeploy lower earning assets towards a higher profitability loan with a risk profile that meets the underwriting policies, the Corporation does not expect this type of activity to become a significant component of its business.
Loan Origination/Risk Management
The Corporation has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and nonperforming and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions. The Corporation has not underwritten any hybrid loans, payment option loans, or low documentation/no documentation loans. Variable rate loans are generally underwritten at the fully indexed rate. Loan underwriting policies and procedures have not changed materially between any periods presented. As discussed more fully above, syndicated loan purchases are underwritten utilizing the same process as the Corporation’s originated loans.
The Corporation has begun to explore the credit and reputational risks associated with climate change and their potential impact on the foregoing, while closely monitoring regulatory developments on climate risk. This includes, among other things, researching and developing a formalized approach to considering climate change related risks in the Corporation's underwriting processes. This approach will be impacted, in part, by the accessibility and reliability of both customer climate risk data and climate risk data in general. One of the objectives of these efforts is to enable the Corporation to better understand the climate change related risks associated with the Corporation's customers' business activities and to be able to monitor their response to those risks and their ultimate impact on the Corporation's customers.
Although it is possible that the on-going effects of COVID-19 could continue to impact demand for our loan products, the Corporation expects to continue to achieve robust loan growth in 2022 as a result of its diversified markets and its focus on core customer acquisition strategies.
Customer Support Strategies and Loan Portfolio Profile
As of December 31, 2021, the Corporation had outstanding $47.1 million in PPP loans at a rate of 1.00%, representing 446 PPP loan relationships, and deferred PPP processing fees of approximately $1.9 million. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Corporation recognized $8.7 million in deferred PPP processing fees ("PPP-related fees"). The outstanding balance of PPP loans at December 31, 2021 included loans from the two different origination years: (i) $199 thousand, or seven loans from the Corporation's participation in the PPP in 2020, and (ii) $46.9 million, or 439 loans, from the Corporation’s participation in the PPP in 2021.
In accordance with the CARES Act, the Corporation also deferred loan payments for its commercial and consumer customers, as determined on a case-by-case basis by the financial needs of each customer. As of December 31, 2021, there were five loans with deferred loan payment arrangements totaling $397 thousand, compared to $151.0 million, or 167 loans, at December 31, 2020.
29
Table of Contents
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rate
The following table presents the maturity distribution of the Corporation's loan portfolio at December 31, 2021. The table also presents the portion of loans that have fixed interest rates or variable interest rates that fluctuate over the life of the loans in accordance with changes in an interest rate index.
Loans with Fixed Interest Rate
Agricultural production and other loans to farmers 0 284 0 0 284
Loans with Variable or Floating Interest Rate
Agricultural production and other loans to farmers 829 0 266 0 1,095
30
Table of Contents
The Corporation generally structures commercial loans with shorter-term maturities in order to match our funding sources and to enable us to effectively manage the loan portfolio by providing the flexibility to respond to liquidity needs, changes in interest rates and changes in underwriting standards and loan structures, among other things. Due to the shorter-term nature of such loans, from time to time in the ordinary course of business and without any contractual obligation on our part, we will renew/extend maturing lines of credit or refinance existing loans at their maturity dates.
Loan Concentration
At December 31, 2021, no industry concentration existed which exceeded 10% of the total loan portfolio.
Loan Quality
The following table presents information concerning loan delinquency and other nonperforming assets at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Accrual loans greater than 90 days past due 168 325
Other real estate owned 707 862
Loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR):
Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of loans 0.53 % 0.90 %
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets 0.38 % 0.67 %
Allowance for credit losses on loans $ 37,588 $ 34,340
(1) Nonperforming TDR loans are also included in the balance of nonaccrual loans.
Total nonperforming assets were $20.3 million, or 0.38%, of total assets, as of December 31, 2021, reflecting a substantial decrease when compared to nonperforming assets of $31.5 million, or 0.67%, as of December 31, 2020. The reduction in nonperforming assets resulted primarily from the resolution of an $8.7 million commercial real estate loan relationship with no additional loss to the Corporation. In addition, the fourth quarter of 2021 included the resolution of a $1.4 million nonperforming commercial real estate loan relationship with no loss to the Corporation.
The Corporation has established written lending policies and procedures that require underwriting standards, loan documentation, and credit analysis standards to be met prior to funding a loan. Subsequent to the funding of a loan, ongoing review of credits is required. Credit reviews are performed quarterly by an outsourced loan review firm and cover approximately 65% of the commercial loan portfolio on an annual basis. In addition, the external independent loan review firm reviews classified assets, past due loans and nonaccrual loans quarterly. Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in the consolidated financial statements provides a discussion of the Corporation's policy for placing loans on nonaccrual status.
Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms but for which management has concerns about the ability of a borrower to continue to comply with repayment terms because of the borrower’s potential operating or financial difficulties. Management monitors these "watchlist" loans on a monthly basis to determine potential losses within the commercial loan portfolio. The "watchlist" is comprised of all credits risk rated special mention, substandard and doubtful.
31
Table of Contents
Allowance for Credit Losses
As discussed in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in the consolidated financial statements, the Corporation's policies and procedures related to accounting for credit losses changed on January 1, 2020 in connection with the adoption of a new accounting standard update as codified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326 (“ASC 326”) Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The amount of each allowance account represents management's best estimate of current expected credit losses (“CECL”) on these financial instruments considering available information, from internal and external sources, relevant to assessing exposure to credit loss over the contractual term of the instrument. Relevant available information includes historical credit loss experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. While historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, adjustments to historical loss information may be made for differences in current portfolio-specific risk characteristics, environmental conditions or other relevant factors. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the Corporation's allowance accounts is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Corporation's control, including the performance of the Corporation's portfolios, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward classification of assets. The adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is subject to a formal analysis by the Credit Administration and Finance Departments of the Corporation. For additional information regarding the Corporation's accounting policies related to credit losses, refer to Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," and Note 4, "Loans" in the consolidated financial statements.
The table below provides an allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans by loan portfolio segment at December 31, 2021 and 2020; however, allocation of a portion of the allowance to one segment does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other segments.
Agricultural production and other loans to farmers 9 0.0 % 1,379 0.65 %
Residential Mortgages secured by junior liens 546 1.6 % 56,689 0.96 %
Excluding PPP loans, net of deferred processing fees $ 37,588 $ 3,589,589 1.05 %
32
Table of Contents
Agricultural production and other loans to farmers 24 0.1 % 2,664 0.90 %
Residential Mortgages secured by junior liens 241 1.6 % 53,726 0.45 %
Excluding PPP loans, net of deferred processing fees $ 34,340 $ 3,216,260 1.07 %
The allowance for credit losses measured as a percentage of loans was 1.03% as of December 31, 2021, compared to 1.02% as of December 2020. The allowance for credit losses measured as a percentage of loans, net of PPP-related loans, was 1.05% as of December 31, 2021 compared to 1.07% as of December 31, 2020.
The Corporation's allowance for credit losses is influenced by loan volumes, risk rating migration, delinquency status and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the allowance for credit losses increased due to the growth in the Corporation's loan portfolio, coupled with qualitative adjustments in the Corporation's residential and consumer loan portfolios, growth in new market areas, and qualitative adjustments related to the continued uncertainty with the pandemic and economic environment. These factors were partially offset by improvements in the Corporation's historical loss rates and quantitative inputs including the unemployment forecast and prepayment and curtailment speeds, as well as the impact of net charge-offs and improvements or resolutions in the Corporation's individually evaluated loans.
There is still a significant amount of uncertainty related to the economic impact of COVID-19, including duration, new variants, future government responses, and the resiliency of the U.S. economy. During 2021, management reviewed internal and external factors to consider the need for any qualitative adjustments to the quantitative model. Specifically, management reevaluated the loss given default assumptions that utilize Frye Jacobs, the time period used for prepayment and curtailment speeds and the unemployment forecast. Management will continue to evaluate its estimate of expected credit losses as new information becomes available.
Note 4, "Loans," to the consolidated financial statements provides further disclosure of loan balances by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, as well as the nature and scope of loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring during 2021 and 2020 and the related effect on provision for credit expense and allowance for credit losses.
33
Table of Contents
Additional information related to credit loss expense and net (charge-offs) recoveries at December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented in the tables below.
Owner-occupied, nonfarm nonresidential properties 213 (574) 428,377 (0.13) %
Agricultural production and other loans to farmers (15) 0 2,245 0.00 %
Residential Mortgages secured by junior liens 308 (3) 55,063 (0.01) %
Owner-occupied, nonfarm nonresidential properties 2,031 (49) 396,881 (0.01) %
Agricultural production and other loans to farmers (6) 0 3,185 0.00 %
Residential Mortgages secured by junior liens 148 (156) 55,018 (0.28) %
34
Table of Contents
Prior to January 1, 2020, the Corporation calculated the allowance for loan losses using the probable incurred methodology. The activity in our allowance for loan losses was as follows during the year ended December 31, 2019:
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Corporation recorded a provision for credit losses of $6.0 million, as compared to a provision for credit losses of $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Net chargeoffs during the year ended December 31, 2021 were $2.8 million, compared to net chargeoffs of $6.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The year ended December 31, 2020 included (i) a charge-off of approximately $2.6 million related to a secured commercial and industrial loan relationship with a borrower who is deceased, and (ii) a separate $1 million charge-off related to the $8.7 million commercial real estate loan relationship discussed above.
Premises and Equipment
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Corporation invested $6.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively, in its physical infrastructure through the purchase of land, buildings, and equipment. The year ended December 31, 2020 includes premises and equipment related to the Bank of Akron acquisition.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
The Corporation has periodically purchased Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI"). The policies cover executive officers and a select group of other employees with the Bank being named as beneficiary. Earnings from BOLI assist the Corporation in offsetting its benefit costs. The Corporation made $22 million in purchases of BOLI during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, while the Corporation made no purchases of BOLI during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The year ended December 31, 2020 includes $8.2 million of BOLI related to the Bank of Akron acquisition.
Funding Sources
Deposits
The Corporation’s sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, amortization and repayment of loan principal, interest earned on or maturation of investment securities and funds provided from operations. The Corporation considers deposits to be its primary source of funding in support of growth in assets.
35
Table of Contents
Deposits totaled $4.7 billion at December 31, 2021, reflecting a $533.9 million, or 12.8%, increase from December 31, 2020, primarily resulting from the Corporation's customer acquisition strategies across all of the Corporation's regions and its Private Banking division, as well as the impact of government stimulus initiatives. The number of households across all regions increased 3.3% from December 31, 2020.
The following table sets forth the average balances of and the average rates paid on deposits for the period indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
AverageAmount AnnualRate AverageAmount AnnualRate AverageAmount AnnualRate
The following table presents additional information about our December 31, 2021 and 2020 deposits:
Time deposits not covered by deposit insurance $ 68,562 $ 64,202
Scheduled maturities of time deposits not covered by deposit insurance at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Borrowings
Periodically, the Corporation utilizes term borrowings from the FHLB and other lenders to meet funding obligations or match fund certain loan assets. The terms of these borrowings are detailed in Note 12, "Borrowings," to the consolidated financial statements. There were no FHLB or other long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. As a result of its strong deposit growth, during the third and fourth quarters of 2020, the Corporation prepaid the entire balance of its borrowings from the FHLB. The combined prepayment penalty associated with these prepayments totaled $7.9 million. The weighted average rate associated with these borrowings was 2.20%.
On October 18, 2021, the Corporation announced that it had completed the redemption of $50 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), representing all outstanding 2026 Notes. The 2026 Notes were redeemed pursuant to their terms at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, October 15, 2021. The Corporation financed the redemption of the 2026 Notes with cash on hand, including net proceeds from the issuance and sale of $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Corporation’s 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2031 completed in June 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity measures an organization’s ability to meet its cash obligations as they come due. The liquidity of a financial institution reflects its ability to meet loan requests, to accommodate possible outflows in deposits and to take advantage of interest rate market opportunities. The ability of a financial institution to meet its current financial obligations is a function of its balance sheet structure, its ability to liquidate assets and its access to alternative sources of funds.
36
Table of Contents
The Corporation’s expected material cash requirements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and thereafter consist withdrawals by depositors, credit commitments to borrowers, shareholder dividends, share repurchases, operating expenses and capital expenditures. The Corporation expects to satisfy these short-term and long-term cash requirements through deposit growth, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, maturing loans and investment securities, as well as the Corporation maintains access to wholesale funding sources.
The objective of the Corporation's liquidity management is to manage cash flow and liquidity reserves so that they are adequate to fund the Corporation's operations and to meet cash obligations and other commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. The Corporation seeks to achieve this objective and ensure that funding needs are met by maintaining an appropriate level of liquid funds through asset/liability management, which includes managing the mix and time to maturity of financial assets and financial liabilities on its balance sheet. The Corporation's liquidity position is enhanced by its ability to raise additional funds as needed in the wholesale markets.
Asset liquidity is provided by liquid assets which are readily marketable or pledgeable or which will mature in the near future. Liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in banks, including the Federal Reserve, and securities available for sale. Liability liquidity is provided by access to funding sources which include core deposits, correspondent banks and other wholesale funding.
The Corporation's liquidity position is continuously monitored and adjustments are made to the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. Liquidity risk management is an important element in the Corporation's asset/liability management process. The Corporation regularly models liquidity stress scenarios to assess potential liquidity outflows or funding problems resulting from economic disruptions, volatility in the financial markets, unexpected credit events or other significant occurrences deemed problematic by management. These scenarios are incorporated into the Corporation's contingency funding plan, which provides the basis for the identification of its liquidity needs.
As of December 31, 2021, the Corporation had approximately $684.3 million held in an interest-bearing account at the Federal Reserve. The Corporation also has the ability to borrow funds as a member of the FHLB. As of December 31, 2021, based upon available, pledgeable collateral, the Corporation's total borrowing capacity with the FHLB was approximately $932.7 million. Furthermore, at December 31, 2021, the Corporation had approximately $235.7 million in securities that were unencumbered by a pledge and could be used to support additional borrowings through the Federal Reserve discount window, as needed. As of December 31, 2021, management is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's liquidity, capital resources or operations. In addition, management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations regarding liquidity that would have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
In the ordinary course of business the Corporation has entered into contractual obligations and have made other commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2021. The Corporation’s material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021 consist of (i) long-term borrowings - Note 12, "Borrowings," (ii) operating leases - Note 9, "Leases," (iii) time deposits with stated maturity dates - Note 11, "Deposits," and (iv) commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit - Note 20, "Off-Balance Sheet Activities."
Shareholders’ Equity, Capital Ratios and Metrics
The Corporation’s capital continues to provide a source of strength for the Corporation's growth, strategies and profitability. As of December 31, 2021, CNB’s total shareholders’ equity was $442.8 million, an increase of $26.7 million, or 6.4%, from December 31, 2020 primarily as a result of growth in organic earnings, partially offset by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income and payment of common and preferred stock dividends to the Corporation's common and preferred shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the Corporation elected to opt-out of the requirement to include most components of accumulated other comprehensive income in regulatory capital. Accordingly, amounts reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss related to securities available for sale, effective cash flow hedges and defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans do not impact regulatory capital and are not included in the calculation of risk-based capital and leverage ratios. In connection with the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, the Corporation also elected to exclude, for a transitional period, the effects of credit loss accounting under CECL in the calculation of our regulatory capital and regulatory capital ratios. Regulatory agencies for banks and bank holding companies utilize capital guidelines designed to measure capital and take into consideration the risk inherent in both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet items. See Note 19, "Regulatory Capital Matters," in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
37
Table of Contents
Preferred Stock
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation raised $57.8 million, net of issuance costs, from the issuance of depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th ownership interest in a share of the Corporation's 7.125% Series A fixed rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, no par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of preferred stock. The $57.8 million qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.
Subordinated Debentures and Notes
On October 18, 2021, the Corporation announced that it had completed the redemption of $50 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), representing all outstanding 2026 Notes. The 2026 Notes were redeemed pursuant to their terms at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, October 15, 2021. The Corporation financed the redemption of the 2026 Notes with cash on hand, including net proceeds from the issuance and sale of $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Corporation’s 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2031 completed in June 2021. The $85.0 million qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes.
Additional details about our subordinated debentures and notes are included in Note 12, "Borrowings" in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
As of December 31, 2021 all of the Corporation's capital ratios exceeded regulatory “well-capitalized” levels and continue to support the Corporation's growth strategy. The Corporation’s capital ratios and book value per common share at December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Total risk-based capital ratio 14.92 % 14.32 %
Common equity tier 1 ratio 9.65 % 9.50 %
Tangible common common equity/tangible assets (1) 6.45 % 6.70 %
Book value per common share $ 22.85 $ 21.29
Tangible book value per common share (1) $ 20.22 $ 18.66
(1) Tangible common equity, tangible assets and tangible book value per common share are non-GAAP financial measures calculated using GAAP amounts. Tangible common equity is calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of stockholders’ equity. Tangible assets is calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of total assets. Tangible book value per common share is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by the number of shares outstanding. The Corporation believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors that is useful in understanding its financial condition. Because not all companies use the same calculation of tangible common equity and tangible assets, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below.
38
Table of Contents
Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields
The loan categories used to monitor and analyze interest income and yields are different than the portfolio segments used to determine the allowance for credit losses for loans. The allowance for credit losses was calculated by pooling loans of similar credit risk characteristics and credit monitoring procedures. See Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," and Note 4, "Loans," for more information about pooling of loans for the allowance for credit losses.
The following table presents average balances of certain measures of our financial condition and net interest margin for the specified years.
Assets
Securities:
Loans:
Non-Interest Earning Assets
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest Bearing Deposits
(1) Includes unamortized discounts and premiums. Average balance is computed using the fair value of securities. The average yield has been computed using the amortized cost average balance for available for sale securities.
39
Table of Contents
(2) Average yields and interest income are stated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 21% for the years end December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Interest income has been increased by $953 thousand, $1.4 million, and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, as a result of the effect of tax-exempt interest and dividends earned by the Corporation.
(3) Average balance outstanding includes the average balance outstanding of all nonaccrual loans. Loans consist of the average of total loans less average unearned income. Included in loan interest income are loan fees of $15.5 million, $10.4 million, and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Loan fees for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included $8.7 million and $5.1 million in PPP deferred processing fees.
Volume Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income
The following table presents the change in net interest income for the years specified.
Volume Rate Net Volume Rate Net
Assets
Securities:
Loans:
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest Bearing Deposits
Finance Lease Liabilities (4) 0 (4) (3) 0 (3)
(1) The change in interest due to both volume and rate have been allocated entirely to volume changes.
(2) Changes in interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 21% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
40
Table of Contents
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2020
Overview of the Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
Net income was $57.7 million, or $3.16 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $32.7 million, or $1.97 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting increases of $25.0 million, or 76.2%, and $1.19 per diluted share, or 60.4%. The primary drivers of the increase in net income were the growth in earning assets and PPP related fees. In addition, included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was the after-tax impact of $10.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in merger costs, FHLB prepayment penalties and branch closure costs. Partially offsetting were the growth in operating expenses to support the Corporation's growth, as well as a lower net interest margin as a result of the low interest rate environment. Pre-provision net revenue ("PPNR") was $76.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $55.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting an increase of $21.3 million, or 38.5%. Included in PPNR for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $12.6 million in merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs.
Return on average equity was 13.39% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 9.14% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Return on average tangible common equity was 16.23% and 10.67% for the same periods in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Excluding after-tax merger costs, FHLB prepayment penalties and branch closure costs, adjusted return on average equity and average tangible common equity were 11.98% and 14.10% for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively.
As a measure of the Corporation’s efficiency in management of its expenses, the efficiency ratio was 59.76% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 65.10% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The efficiency ratio for the year ended December 31, 2020 included $12.6 million in merger costs, FHLB prepayment penalties and branch closure costs.
Interest Income and Expense
Net interest income for the twelve months ended increased $25.1 million, or 18.6%, to $159.8 million from the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of loan growth, various deposit pricing and liquidity strategies. Included in net interest income were PPP-related fees, which totaled approximately $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.38% and 3.34% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The yield on earning assets of 3.79% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 decreased 35 basis points from 4.14% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of the lower interest rate environment and higher level of excess cash at the Federal Reserve, partially offset by higher PPP-related fees. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 43 basis points from 0.95% for the year ended December 31, 2020 to 0.52% for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of the Corporation’s targeted deposit rate reductions and the prepayment of the Corporation's remaining FHLB borrowings, which were approximately $160 million at a weighted average interest rate of 2.24%, in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Provision for Credit Losses
The Corporation recorded a provision for credit losses of $6.0 million in 2021 compared to $15.4 million in 2020. Net loan charge-offs were $2.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $6.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. As disclosed in "Allowance for Credit Losses" discussion above, management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other significant qualitative and quantitative factors.
Management believes the charges to the provision for credit losses in 2021 were appropriate and the allowance for credit losses was adequate to absorb losses in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2021.
41
Table of Contents
Non-Interest Income
Total non-interest income was $33.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $28.1 million from the same period in 2020, reflecting an increase of $5.4 million, or 19.2%. Included in non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $783 thousand and $2.2 million, respectively, in net realized gains on available for sale securities. Excluding the impact of the realized gains on available for sale securities for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, total non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $6.8 million, or 26.2%, from the same period in 2020. The increase was partially driven by growth in Wealth and Asset Management fees, as assets under management increased by $135.2 million, or 11.9%, from December 31, 2020, to $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2021. Other significant factors that contributed to the increase included income from investments in small business investment company ("SBIC") funds, card processing and interchange income and service charges on deposits from increased business activity as well as an increase in bank owned life insurance income.
Non-Interest Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2021, total non-interest expense was $116.4 million, reflecting an increase of $9.1 million, or 8.5%, from the year ended December 31, 2020. Included in non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $12.6 million in merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs. In addition, non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 included expenses related to hiring additional personnel in the Corporation's growth regions of Cleveland, Buffalo and Ridge View (Roanoke) as well as investments in technology aimed at enhancing customer experience. Also, included in the fourth quarter of 2021 is approximately $2.3 million in additional personnel costs primarily from increased incentive compensation accruals and certain retirement benefit expenses.
42
Table of Contents
Year Ended December 31, 2020 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2019
Overview of the Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
Net income was $32.7 million, or $1.97 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. PPNR was $55.4 million, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Excluding after-tax merger costs related to CNB's acquisition of Bank of Akron, FHLB prepayment penalties and branch closure costs totaling a combined $10.2 million, net income was $42.9 million, or $2.60 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $40.2 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019, reflecting an increase of $2.7 million, or 6.7%, and a decrease of $0.04 per diluted common share, or 1.5%. For the year ended December 31, 2020, excluding the impact of merger, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs PTPP income was $68.1 million, representing an increase of approximately $13.3 million, or 24.2%, from the same period in 2019.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, return on equity was 9.14%, while return on average common equity was 9.35% and return on average tangible common equity was 10.67%. Excluding after-tax merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs, adjusted return on average tangible common equity was 14.10% for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 16.34% for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, return on average assets was 0.75%. Excluding after-tax merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs, adjusted return on average assets was 0.99% for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 1.18% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
As a measure of the Corporation’s efficiency in management of its expenses, the efficiency ratio was 65.10% for twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Excluding after-tax merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs, the adjusted efficiency ratio was 57.41% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, compared to 60.07% for the comparable period in 2019. The improvement in efficiency ratio resulted from the impact of PPP-related fees, coupled with an overall lower level of business activity resulting from the pandemic and the Corporation’s internal cost management initiatives focusing on travel restrictions, a hiring freeze, lower marketing expenditures and other expense management initiatives.
Interest Income and Expense
Net interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 increased 15.9% to $134.7 million from the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, driven by an organic growth of $560.9 million in earning assets, coupled with $336.3 million in PPP-related loans, estimated PPP-related deposits and Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility ("PPPLF") related assets (collectively the "PPP-related assets"). In addition, the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 included PPP-related fees totaling approximately $5.1 million.
Net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.34% and 3.69% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, Excluding $336.3 million in PPP-related assets, the net interest margin on a fully-tax equivalent basis was 3.50% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
The yield on earning assets of 4.15% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 included $336.3 million in PPP-related assets. Excluding PPP-related assets and PPP-related fees, the yield on earning assets was 4.37% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of 56 basis points from 4.93% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, primarily as a result of the lower interest rate environment. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 50 basis points to 0.95% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 from 1.45% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 primarily as a result of the Corporation’s targeted deposit rate reductions.
Provision for Credit Losses
The Corporation recorded a provision for credit losses of $15.4 million in 2020 compared to $6.0 million in 2019. Net loan charge-offs were $6.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $6.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. As disclosed in "Allowance for Credit Losses" discussion above, management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other significant qualitative and quantitative factors.
Management believes the charges to the provision for credit losses in 2020 were appropriate and the allowance for credit losses was adequate to absorb losses in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2020
43
Table of Contents
Non-Interest Income
Total non-interest income was $28.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $2.1 million, or 8.0%, from the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Total non-interest income includes net realized and unrealized losses on trading securities, which combined totaled $2.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $2.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The remainder of the $2.1 million increase was primarily due to continued growth in Wealth and Asset Management fees, increased mortgage banking activity coupled with higher card processing and interchange income, partially offset by a decrease in service charges on deposits and other fees resulting from lower business activity and CNB’s response to the pandemic.
Non-Interest Expense
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, total non-interest expense was $107.3 million. Excluding merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs, total non-interest expense was $94.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $7.3 million, or 8.4%, from the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, including a $1.6 million impact from the acquisition of Bank of Akron. The remaining $5.7 million increase was the result of the Corporation’s ongoing investments in technology and other general expenditures to support long-term growth. The ratio of non-interest expenses to average assets was 2.47% at December 31, 2020. Excluding merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs and average PPP-related assets, the ratio of non-interest expenses to average assets was 2.36% at December 31, 2020 compared to 2.56% at December 31, 2019.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense was $13.1 million in 2021, compared to $7.3 million in 2020 and $8.6 million in 2019. The effective tax rates were 18.5%, 18.3%, and 17.6% for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The effective tax rate for the periods differed from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% principally as a result of tax-exempt income from securities and loans as well as earnings from bank owned life insurance. Included in the 18.3% effective tax rate for the year ended December 30, 2020 were merger costs, FHLB prepayment penalties and branch closure costs, all of which reduced the effective tax rate.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Corporation's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. and follow general practices within the industries in which the Corporation operates. The most significant accounting policies used by the Corporation are presented in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the consolidated financial statements. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates or judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates or judgments. In management’s opinion, some of these estimates and assumptions have a more significant impact than others on the Corporation's financial reporting. For the Corporation, these estimates and assumptions include accounting for the allowance for credit losses and goodwill.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Corporation's allowance for credit losses is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of its consolidated financial statements. In determining the appropriate estimate for the allowance for credit losses, management considers a number of factors relative to both individually evaluated credits in the loan portfolio and macro-economic factors relative to the economy of the U.S. as a whole and the economies of the areas in which the Corporation does business.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Management considers a variety of factors in establishing this estimate. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates by management that may be susceptible to significant change based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions.
The evaluation is comprised of specific and pooled components. The specific component is the Corporation's evaluation of credit loss on individually evaluated loans based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs if collateral dependent or based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's initial effective interest rate if not collateral dependent. The majority of the Corporation's loans subject to individual evaluation are considered collateral dependent. All other loans are evaluated collectively for credit loss by pooling loans based on similar risk characteristics.
44
Table of Contents
As a significant percentage of the Corporation's loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the charge-offs for specific loans. Assumptions are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly affect the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. Management carefully reviews the assumptions supporting such appraisals to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.
The pooled component of the evaluation is determined by applying reasonable and supportable economic forecasts and historical averages to the remaining loans segmented by similar risk characteristics. The key assumptions used in projecting future loss rates include the economic forecast, the forecast and reversion to mean time periods, and prepayment and curtailment assumptions. The assumptions are used to calculate and aggregate estimated cash flows for the time period that remains in each loan's contractual life. The cash flows are discounted back to the balance sheet date using each loan's effective yield, to arrive at a present value of future cash flows, which is compared to the amortized cost basis of the loan pool to determine the amount of allowance for credit loss required by the calculation.
One of the most significant judgments used in projecting loss rates when estimating the allowance for credit loss is the macro-economic forecast provided by a third party. The economic indices sourced from the macro-economic forecast and used in projecting loss rates are national unemployment rate and changes in home values. The economic index used in the calculation to which the calculation is most sensitive is the national unemployment rate. Changes in the macro-economic forecast, especially for the national unemployment rate, could significantly impact the calculated estimated credit losses between reporting periods.
Other key assumptions in the calculation of the allowance for credit loss include the forecast and reversion to mean time periods and prepayment and curtailment assumptions. The macro-economic forecast is applied for a reasonable and supportable time period before reverting to long-term historical averages for each economic index. The forecast and reversion to mean time period used for each economic index at December 31, 2021 were four quarters and eight quarters, respectively. Prepayment and curtailment assumptions are based on the Corporation's historical experience over the trailing 12 months and are adjusted by management as deemed necessary. The prepayment and curtailment assumptions vary based on segment.
The quantitative estimated losses are supplemented by more qualitative factors that impact potential losses. Qualitative factors include changes in underwriting standards, changes in environmental conditions, delinquency level, segment growth rates and changes in duration within new markets, or other relevant factors. The allowance for credit loss may be materially affected by these qualitative factors, especially during periods of economic uncertainty, for items not reflected in the lifetime credit loss calculation, but which are deemed appropriate by management's current assessment of the risks related to the loan portfolio and/or external factors. The qualitative factors applied at December 31, 2021, and the importance and levels of the qualitative factors applied, may change in future periods depending on the level of changes to items such as the uncertainty of economic conditions and management's assessment of the level of credit risk within the loan portfolio as a result of such changes, compared to the amount of allowance for credit loss calculated by the model. The evaluation of qualitative factors is inherently imprecise and requires significant management judgment.
While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the adequacy of the allowance for credit loss is determined by certain factors outside of the Corporation's control, such as the performance of the Corporation's portfolios, changes in the economic environment including economic uncertainty, changes in interest rates, and the view of the regulatory authorities toward classification of assets and the level of allowance for credit loss. Additionally, the level of allowance for credit loss may fluctuate based on the balance and mix of the loan portfolio. If actual results differ significantly from management's assumptions, the Corporation's allowance for credit loss may not be sufficient to cover inherent losses in the Corporation's loan portfolio, resulting in additions to the Corporation's allowance for credit loss and an increase in the provision for credit losses.
Goodwill
Certain intangible assets generated in connection with acquisitions are periodically assessed for impairment. Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment, and if certain events occur which indicate goodwill might be impaired between annual tests, such as the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, goodwill must be tested when such events occur. In making this assessment, the Corporation considers a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, current market data, stock price, etc. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and the Corporation's judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. Future changes in economic and operating conditions could result in goodwill impairment in subsequent periods.
45
Table of Contents
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following tables reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable measures under GAAP.
December 31, December 31,
Less: core deposit intangible 460 567
Less: core deposit intangible 460 567
Tangible book value per common share $ 20.22 $ 18.66
Tangible common equity/Tangible assets 6.45 % 6.70 %
December 31, December 31,
Calculation of allowance / loans, net of PPP-related loans:
Total allowance for credit losses $ 37,588 $ 34,340
Adjusted allowance / loans, net of PPP-related loans (non-GAAP) 1.05 % 1.07 %
46
Table of Contents
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Calculation of net interest margin (fully tax equivalent basis):
Interest income (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP) $ 180,553 $ 168,528
Interest expense (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP) 19,820 32,456
Net interest income (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP) $ 160,733 $ 136,072
Less: average mark to market adjustment on investments 8,141 18,884
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Calculation of efficiency ratio:
Less: core deposit intangible amortization 107 206
Less: tax exempt investment and loan income, net of TEFRA (non-GAAP) 4,973 5,703
Adjusted net revenue (non-GAAP) (tax-equivalent) $ 194,657 $ 164,557
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Calculation of PPNR:
47
Table of Contents
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Calculation of adjusted return on average equity:
Adjusted return on average equity 13.39 % 11.98 %
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Calculation of return on average tangible common equity:
Net income available to common stockholders $ 53,405 $ 31,596
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) (annualized) 16.23 % 10.67 %
Calculation of adjusted return on average tangible common equity:
Net income available to common stockholders $ 53,405 $ 31,596
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders $ 53,405 $ 41,764
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Less: net realized gains on available-for-sale securities 783 2,190
48
Table of Contents
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a financial institution, the Corporation’s primary source of market risk is interest rate risk, which is the exposure to fluctuations in the Corporation’s future earnings resulting from changes in interest rates. This exposure is correlated to the repricing characteristics of the Corporation’s portfolio of assets and liabilities. Each asset or liability reprices either at maturity or during the life of the instrument.
The principal purpose of asset/liability management is to maximize current and future net interest income within acceptable levels of interest rate risk while satisfying liquidity and capital requirements. Net interest income is enhanced by increasing the net interest margin and the growth in earning assets. As a result, the primary goal of interest rate risk management is to maintain a balance between risk and reward such that net interest income is maximized while risk is maintained at an acceptable level.
The Corporation uses an asset-liability management model to measure the effect of interest rate changes on its net interest income. The Corporation’s management also reviews asset-liability maturity gap and repricing analyses regularly. The Corporation does not always attempt to achieve a precise match between interest sensitive assets and liabilities because it believes that an actively managed amount of interest rate risk is inherent and appropriate in the management of the Corporation’s profitability.
Asset-liability modeling techniques and simulation involve assumptions and estimates that inherently cannot be measured with precision. Key assumptions in these analyses include maturity and repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities, prepayments on amortizing assets, non-maturing deposit sensitivity, and loan and deposit pricing. These assumptions are inherently uncertain due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors. However, the analyses are useful in quantifying risk and provide a relative gauge of the Corporation’s interest rate risk position over time.
Management reviews interest rate risk on a quarterly basis and reports to the ALCO. This review includes earnings shock scenarios whereby interest rates are immediately increased and decreased by 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis points. These scenarios, detailed in the table below, indicate that there would not be a significant variance in net interest income over a one-year period due to interest rate changes; however, actual results could vary significantly. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, all interest rate risk levels according to the model were within the tolerance limits of ALCO-approved policy. In addition, the table does not take into consideration changes that management would make to realign its assets and liabilities in the event of an unexpected changing interest rate environment. Due to the current low interest rate environment, the 300 and 400 basis point declining interest rate scenarios have been excluded the following table.
At December 31, 2021, the Corporation has approximately $1.8 billion in outstanding loan balances that are rate sensitive over the next twelve months.
49
Table of Contents
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and the Board of Directors
CNB Financial Corporation
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CNB Financial Corporation (the "Corporation") as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the threeyear period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Corporation has changed its method of accounting for credit losses effective January 1, 2020 due to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit losses on Financial Instruments. The Corporation adopted the new credit loss standard using the modified retrospective method such that prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinions
The Corporation’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statements and an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
50
Table of Contents
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
The allowance for credit losses (the “ACL”) as described in Notes 1 and 4 is an accounting estimate of expected credit losses over the estimated life of loans. The Corporation’s loan portfolio, measured at amortized cost, is presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Estimates of expected credit losses for loans are based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts over the life of the loans.
The Corporation measures expected credit losses based on pooled loans when similar risk characteristics exist primarily using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The DCF model discounts instrument-level cash flows, adjusting for prepayments and curtailments, and incorporates loss expectations based on inputs of current and forecasted macroeconomic indicators. The Corporation adjusts its quantitative model for certain qualitative factors to reflect the extent to which management expects current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. The qualitative framework reflects changes related to relevant data, such as differences in underwriting standards, changes in environmental conditions, delinquency levels, segment growth rates and changes in duration within new markets, or other relevant factors not considered in the base model.
The ACL was identified by us as a critical audit matter because of the extent of auditor judgment applied and significant audit effort to evaluate the significant subjective and complex judgments made by management. The principal considerations resulting in our determination included the following:
•Significant auditor judgment and audit effort to evaluate the significant assumptions input into the DCF model, including assistance by our valuation services specialists.
•Significant auditor judgment and audit effort to evaluate the qualitative factors used in the calculation.
51
Table of Contents
The primary procedures performed to address the critical audit matter included:
•Testing the effectiveness of management’s controls addressing:
◦Evaluation of the appropriateness of the loss driver analysis and probability of default and loss given default curves input into the model.
◦Evaluation of the relevance and reliability of data used in the DCF model.
◦Evaluation of the appropriateness of the key assumptions and judgments used in the determination of qualitative factors.
•Substantive testing including:
◦Evaluating the appropriateness of the loss driver analysis and probability of default and loss given default curves in the DCF model, assisted by our valuation services specialists.
◦Evaluating the relevance and reliability of data used in the DCF model.
◦Evaluating management’s judgments and the relevance of data used in applying qualitative factors, including evaluating assumptions for reasonableness.
/s/ Crowe LLP
We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 2000.
Columbus, Ohio
March 3, 2022
52
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Dollars in thousands, except share data
December 31,
ASSETS
Loans
Less: allowance for credit losses (37,588) (34,340)
Core deposit intangible 460 567
Accrued interest receivable and other assets 40,676 37,382
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs 83,661 50,000
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 45,033 41,449
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (394) 15,074
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
53
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Dollars in thousands, except per share data
Year ended December 31,
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Loans including fees
Securities and cash and cash equivalents:
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Borrowed funds and finance lease liabilities 23 4,534 5,349
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Net realized gains on equity securities 0 75 16
Net unrealized gains on equity securities 790 253 1,872
Realized gains on Visa Class B shares 0 0 463
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Amortization of core deposit intangible 107 206 567
Merger costs, prepayment penalties and branch closure costs 0 12,642 170
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
54
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, 2020, AND 2019
Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data
Forfeiture of restricted stock award grants (2,699 shares) 71 (71) 0
Performance based restricted stock award grants (798 shares) (21) 21 0
Stock-based compensation expense 1,346 1,346
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs (52,568 shares) 1,423 1,423
Performance based restricted stock award grants (8,351 shares) (217) 217 0
Stock-based compensation expense 1,410 1,410
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs (115,790 shares) 3,257 3,257
Issuance of preferred equity, net of issuance costs 57,785 57,785
Preferred cash dividend declared (1,147) (1,147)
Common cash dividends declared ($0.68 per share) (10,981) (10,981)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
55
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, 2020, AND 2019
Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data
Forfeiture of restricted stock award grants (2,669 shares) 64 (64) 0
Performance based restricted stock award grants (10,587 shares) (262) 262 0
Stock-based compensation expense 1,411 1,411
Contribution of treasury stock (3,000 shares) (81) 81 0
Stock-based contribution expense 75 75
Preferred cash dividend declared (4,302) (4,302)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
56
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Dollars in thousands
Year ended December 31,
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Net amortization of deferred costs on borrowings 177 0 0
Accretion of deferred PPP processing fees (8,737) (5,140) 0
Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities (783) (2,190) (148)
Proceeds from sale of Visa Class B shares 0 0 463
Gain on sale of Visa Class B shares 0 0 (463)
Stock-based contribution expense 75 0 0
Changes in:
Accrued interest receivable and other assets (1,056) (6,242) 1,072
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of equity securities 0 5,935 301
Purchase of bank owned life insurance (22,000) 0 (8,778)