CZWI US Equity☆

czwi-20211231

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

OR

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-33003

CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

2174 EastRidge Center, Eau Claire, WI54701

(Address of principal executive offices)

715-836-9994

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value per share CZWI NASDAQ Global Market

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ̈Noý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ̈Noý

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

1

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

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

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☒

Emerging growth company ☐

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

Act. ☐

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

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

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price as of June 30, 2021, was approximately $138.8 million.

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

At March 2, 2022 there were 10,536,544 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Registrant are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

2

CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

FORM 10-K

December 31, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Number

PART I 5

ITEM 1. BUSINESS 5

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 11

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 19

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES 20

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 20

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 20

ITEM 6. RESERVED 21

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 50

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 53

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 107

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION 108

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTION 108

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 109

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 109

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 110

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 110

3

As used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Citizens Community Bancorp” and the “Company” mean Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Citizens Community Federal N.A., unless the context indicates another meaning. As used in this report, the term “Bank” means our wholly owned subsidiary, Citizens Community Federal N.A.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Company intends that these forward-looking statements be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimates,” “intend,” “may,” “preliminary,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to many uncertainties in the Company’s operations and business environment.

Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report and the following:

•conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally;

•adverse impacts to the Company or Bank arising from the COVID-19 pandemic;

•acts of terrorism and political or military actions by the United States or other governments;

•the possibility of a deterioration in the residential real estate markets;

•interest rate risk;

•lending risk;

•higher lending risks associated with our commercial and agricultural banking activities;

•the sufficiency of loan allowances;

•changes in the fair value or ratings downgrades of our securities;

•competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions;

•disintermediation risk;

•our ability to maintain our reputation;

•our ability to maintain or increase our market share;

•our ability to realize the benefits of net deferred tax assets;

•our inability to obtain needed liquidity;

•our ability to raise capital needed to fund growth or meet regulatory requirements;

•our ability to attract and retain key personnel;

•our ability to keep pace with technological change;

•prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes;

•cybersecurity risks;

•the possibility that our internal controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented;

•our ability to successfully execute our acquisition growth strategy;

•risks posed by acquisitions and other expansion opportunities, including difficulties and delays in integrating the acquired business operations or fully realizing the cost savings and other benefits;

•restrictions on our ability to pay dividends;

•the potential volatility of our stock price;

•accounting standards for loan losses;

•legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affecting the Company or Bank;

•public company reporting obligations;

•changes in federal or state tax laws; and

•changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and their impact on financial performance.

Stockholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this filing and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

In this Annual Report, the periods presented are the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 (which we sometimes refer to in this Annual Report as “fiscal 2021”) and December 31, 2020 (which we sometimes refer to in this Annual Report as “fiscal 2020”).

4

PART 1

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation organized in 2004. The Company is a bank holding company and is subject to regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and by the Federal Reserve Bank. Our primary activities consist of holding the stock of our wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank”), and providing commercial, agricultural and consumer banking activities through the Bank. At December 31, 2021, we had approximately $1.74 billion in total assets, $1.39 billion in deposits, and $170.9 million in equity. Unless otherwise noted herein, all monetary amounts in this report, other than share, per share and capital ratio amounts, are stated in thousands.

Citizens Community Federal N.A.

The Bank is a federally chartered National Bank serving customers in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 25 full-service branch locations.Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Mankato markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, Agricultural operators and consumers, including one-to-four family residential mortgages.

Acquisitions

On August 18, 2017, the Company completed its merger with Wells Financial Corporation (“WFC”), pursuant to the merger agreement, dated March 17, 2017. At that time, the separate corporate existence of WFC ceased, and the Company survived the merger. In connection with the merger, the Company caused Wells Federal Bank to merge with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving the merger. The merger expanded the Bank's market share in Mankato and southern Minnesota, along with expanded services through Wells Insurance Agency, Inc. (“WIA”). WIA provided insurance products to the Bank’s customers and was sold on June 30, 2020.

On October 19, 2018, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of United Bank for a total cash consideration of approximately $51.1 million, subject to certain post-closing purchase price adjustments and future indemnity claims. In connection with the acquisition, the Company merged United Bank with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving the merger.

On December 3, 2018, the Bank entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement with Lake Michigan Credit Union providing for the sale of the Bank’s one branch located in Rochester Hills, MI. On May 17, 2019, the Company completed the sale of the Rochester Hills, MI branch for a deposit premium of 7 percent, or approximately $2.3 million, net of selling costs.The branch sale included approximately $34 million in deposits and $300,000 in fixed assets.The Bank retained all loans associated with the branch.

On January 21, 2019, the Company and F&M Merger Sub, Inc., a newly formed Minnesota corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with F. & M. Bancorp. of Tomah, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (“F&M”).On July 1, 2019, the Company closed on the acquisition of F&M and completed the related data systems conversion on July 14, 2019. F. & M. Investment Corp. of Tomah was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank that was formerly utilized by F&M to manage its municipal bond portfolio and has been dissolved.

Internet Website

We maintain a website at www.ccf.us. We make available through that website, free of charge, copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements for our annual stockholders’ meetings and amendments to those reports or documents, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those materials with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We are not including the information contained on or available through our website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding SEC registrants.

Yields Earned and Rates Paid

This information is included in Item 7; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, under the heading “Statement of Operations Analysis” herein.

5

Rate/Volume Analysis

This information is included in Item 7; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, under the heading “Statement of Operations Analysis” herein.

Average Balance, Interest and Average Yields and Rates

This information is included in Item 7; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, under the heading “Statement of Operations Analysis” herein.

Lending Activities

We offer a variety of loan products including commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, agricultural real estate loans, agricultural operating loans, residential mortgages, home equity lines-of-credit and consumer loans. We make real estate, consumer, commercial and agricultural loans in accordance with the basic lending policies established by Bank management and approved by our Board of Directors.We focus our lending activities on individual consumers and small commercial borrowers within our market areas. Our lending has been historically concentrated primarily within Wisconsin and Minnesota. Competitive and economic pressures exist in our lending markets, and recent and any future developments in (a) the general economy, (b) real estate lending markets, and (c) the banking regulatory environment could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. These factors may impact the credit quality of our existing loan portfolio, or adversely impact our ability to originate sufficient high quality loans in the future.

Our total gross outstanding loans, before net deferred loan costs and unamortized discounts on acquired loans, as of December 31, 2021, were $1.32 billion, consisting of $1.04 billion in commercial/agricultural real estate loans, $162.5 million in C&I/agricultural operating loans, $94.9 million in residential mortgage loans and $24.8 million in consumer installment loans. See Item 7; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, under the heading “Balance Sheet Analysis” for further analysis of our loan portfolio.

Investment Activities

We maintain a portfolio of investments, consisting primarily of mortgage-backed securities, corporate asset-backed securities, U.S. Government sponsored agency securities, corporate debt securities and trust preferred securities. We attempt to balance our portfolio to manage interest rate risk, regulatory requirements, and liquidity needs while providing an appropriate rate of return commensurate with the risk of the investment. See Item 7; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, under the heading “Balance Sheet Analysis Investment Securities” for further analysis of our investment portfolio.

Deposits and Other Sources of Funds

General. The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits; amortization, prepayments and maturities of outstanding loans; other short- term investments; and funds provided from operations.

Deposits. We offer a broad range of deposit products through our branches, including demand deposits, various savings and money-market accounts and certificates of deposit. Deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to statutory limits. At December 31, 2021, our total deposits were $1.39 billion including interest bearing deposits of $1.11 billion and non-interest bearing deposits of $0.28 billion.

Borrowings. In addition to our primary sources of funds, we maintain access to additional sources of funds through borrowing, including FHLB borrowings, lines of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank, our Revolving Loan and our Note. See Item 7; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, under the heading “Balance Sheet Analysis Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and other borrowings” for further analysis of our borrowings.

Competition

We compete with other financial institutions and businesses both in attracting and retaining deposits and making loans in all of our principal markets. We believe the primary factors in competing for deposits are interest rates, personalized services, the quality and range of financial services, technology, convenient locations and office hours, and alternative delivery systems.One such delivery system is remote deposit capture for those commercial customers that are not conveniently located near one of our branches or mobile banking for retail customers. Competition for deposit products comes primarily from other banks, credit unions and non-bank competitors, including insurance companies, money market and mutual funds, and other investment alternatives. We believe the primary factors in competing for loans are interest rates, loan origination fees, and the quality and the range of lending services. Successful loan originations tend to depend not only on interest rate and terms of the loan but also on being responsive and flexible to the customer’s needs. Competition for loans comes primarily from other banks, mortgage banking firms, credit unions, finance companies, leasing companies and other financial intermediaries. Some of our competitors

6

are not subject to the same degree of regulation as that imposed on national banks or federally insured institutions, and these other institutions may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively. We also face direct competition from other banks and their holding companies that have greater assets and resources than ours. However, we have been able to compete effectively with other financial institutions by building customer relationships with a focus on small-business solutions, including internet and mobile banking, electronic bill pay and remote deposit capture.

Regulation and Supervision

The banking industry is highly regulated, and the Company and the Bank are subject to numerous laws and regulations. As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”). The Bank is also subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the OCC. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. In addition, the Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the FDIC has certain enforcement powers over the Bank.

The following is a brief summary of material statutes and regulations that affect the Company and the Bank. The following summary is not a complete discussion or analysis and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutes and regulations summarized below. The laws and regulations applicable to the Company and the Bank are subject to change.

The likelihood and timing of any changes, and the impact such changes may have on the Company and the Bank, are difficult to predict. In addition, bank regulatory agencies may issue enforcement actions, policy statements, interpretive letters and similar written guidance applicable to the Company or the Bank. All of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, and earnings.

Securities Regulationand Listing

Our common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CZWI.” We are subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading, corporate governance, and other disclosure requirements and restrictions of the Exchange Act, as well as the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), both administered by the SEC. As a company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, we are subject to NASDAQ standards for listed companies.

The Company is currently a “smaller reporting company” which allows us to provide certain simplified and scaled disclosures in our filings with the SEC. We will remain a smaller reporting company for so long as the market value of the Company’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of the end of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter is less than $250 million, or as of the same period the Company’s annual revenues are less than $100 million and its public float is less than $700 million.In addition, we are currently considered a “non-accelerated filer” and will maintain that status for so long as the Company’s annual revenues are less than $100 million, and its public float is more than $75 million but less than $700 million

Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was enacted to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. SOX and the SEC’s implementing regulations include provisions addressing, among other matters, the duties, functions and qualifications of audit committees for all public companies; certification of financial statements by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer; the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement; disclosure of off-balance sheet transactions; a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except (in the case of banking companies) loans in the normal course of business; expedited filing requirements for reports of beneficial ownership of company stock by insiders; disclosure of a code of ethics for senior officers, and of any change or waiver of such code; the formation of a public accounting oversight board; auditor independence; disclosure of fees paid to the company’s auditors for non-audit services and limitations on the provision of such services; attestation requirements for company management and external auditors, relating to internal controls and procedures; and various increased criminal penalties for violations of federal securities laws.

Section 404 of SOX requires management of the Company to undertake a periodic assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. If the Company were to be classified as an “accelerated filer” rather than a “non-accelerated filer,” then we would become subject to the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.Section 404(b) requires that an independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the operating effectiveness of these controls, making the public reporting process more costly.

7

The Dodd-Frank Act

In July 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act has significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and affected the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. Many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to delayed effective dates and/or require the issuance of implementing regulations, some of which have not yet been issued in final form. The Dodd-Frank Act and implementing regulations have increased the regulatory burden, compliance cost and interest expense for the Company and the Bank.

In May 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “Regulatory Relief Act”) was enacted to modify or remove certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some of those implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act. While the Regulatory Relief Act maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion and for large banks with assets of more than $50 billion. Many of these changes could result in meaningful regulatory changes for community banks such as the Bank, and their holding companies.

Capital Adequacy

Banks and bank holding companies, as regulated institutions, are required to maintain minimum levels of capital. The FRB and the OCC have adopted minimum risk-based capital requirements (Tier 1 capital, common equity Tier 1 capital (“CET1”) and total capital) and leverage capital requirements, as well as guidelines that define components of the calculation of capital and the level of risk associated with various types of assets. Financial institutions are expected to maintain a level of capital commensurate with the risk profile assigned to their assets in accordance with the guidelines.

In addition to the minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, banking organizations must maintain a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of CET1 in an amount equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets in order to avoid restrictions on their ability to make capital distributions and to pay certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. In order to avoid those restrictions, the capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum CET1 capital, Tier 1 capital, and total capital ratios for U.S. banking organizations to 7.0%, 8.5%, and 10.5%, respectively. Banking organizations with capital levels that fall within the buffer will be required to limit dividends, share repurchases or redemptions (unless replaced within the same calendar quarter by capital instruments of equal or higher quality), and discretionary bonus payments.

The Bank’s capital categories are determined solely for the purpose of applying the “prompt corrective action” rules described below and they are not necessarily an accurate representation of its overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes. Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits, and certain other restrictions on its business. See “Bank Regulation - Prompt Corrective Action” below.

Bank Holding Company Regulation

As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHCA”) and regulation and supervision by the FRB. A bank holding company is required to obtain the approval of the FRB before making certain acquisitions or engaging in certain activities. Bank holding companies and their subsidiaries are also subject to restrictions on transactions with insiders and affiliates.

A bank holding company is required to obtain the approval of the FRB before it may acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, and before it may acquire ownership or control of the voting shares of any bank if, after giving effect to the acquisition, the bank holding company would own or control more than five percent of the voting shares of such bank. The approval of the FRB is also required for the merger or consolidation of bank holding companies.

Pursuant to the BHCA, the FRB has the power to order any bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when the FRB has reasonable grounds to believe that continuation of such activity or ownership constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness, safety or stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.

The Company is required to file periodic reports with the FRB and provide any additional information the FRB may require. The FRB also has the authority to examine the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as any arrangements between the Company and its subsidiaries, with the cost of any such examinations to be borne by the Company. Banking subsidiaries of bank holding companies are also subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law in dealings with their holding companies and other affiliates.

Federal law restricts the amount of voting stock of a bank holding company or a bank that a person or group may acquire without the prior approval of banking regulators. Under the federal Change in Bank Control Act and the regulations thereunder, a person or group must give advance notice to the Federal Reserve before acquiring control of any bank holding company, such as the Company, and the OCC before acquiring control of any national bank, such as the Bank.The Change in Bank Control

8

Act (“CBCA”) prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as the Company, would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute acquisition of control of the Company.In addition, the CBCA prohibits any entity from acquiring 25% (the BHC Act has a lower limit for acquirers that are existing bank holding companies) or more of a bank holding company’s or bank’s voting securities, or otherwise obtaining control or a controlling influence over a bank holding company or bank without the approval of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve Board recently issued a final rule (which became effective October 1, 2020) that clarified and codified the Federal Reserve’s standards for determining whether one company has control over another. The final rule established four categories of tiered presumptions of non-control that are based on the percentage of voting shares held by the investor (less than 5%, 5-9.9%, 10-14.9% and 15-24.9%) and the presence of other indicia of control. As the percentage of ownership increases, fewer indicia of control are permitted without falling outside of the presumption of non-control. These indicia of control include nonvoting equity ownership, director representation, management interlocks, business relationship and restrictive contractual covenants. Under the final rule, investors can hold up to 24.9% of the voting securities and up to 33% of the total equity of a company without necessarily having a controlling influence.

Bank Regulation

Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC Regulation.The Bank is subject to a number of anti-money laundering laws (“AML”) and regulations. The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (“BSA”) and subsequent laws and regulations require the Bank to take steps to prevent the use of the Bank or its systems from facilitating the flow of illegal or illicit money or terrorist funds. Those requirements include ensuring effective board and management oversight, establishing policies and procedures, performing comprehensive risk assessments, developing effective monitoring and reporting capabilities, ensuring adequate training and establishing a comprehensive independent audit of BSA compliance activities.

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“Patriot Act”) significantly expanded the AML and financial transparency laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Regulations promulgated under the Patriot Act impose various requirements on financial institutions, such as standards for verifying client identification at account opening and maintaining expanded records (including “Know Your Customer” and “Enhanced Due Diligence” practices) and other obligations to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to aid the process of preventing, detecting, and reporting money laundering and terrorist financing. An institution subject to the Patriot Act must provide AML training to employees, designate an AML compliance officer and annually audit the AML program to assess its effectiveness. The FDIC continues to issue regulations and additional guidance with respect to the application and requirements of BSA and AML.

The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. Based on their administration by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), these are typically known as the “OFAC” rules. The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “United States persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to United States jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of United States persons). Blocked assets (e.g., property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC.

Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate BSA, AML and OFAC programs, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution and result in material fines and sanctions. The Bank has implemented policies and procedures to comply with the foregoing requirements.

Privacy Restrictions

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLBA”), in addition to making changes to permissible non-banking activities in which banks are permitted to engage, also requires financial institutions in the U.S. to provide certain privacy disclosures to customers and consumers, to comply with certain restrictions on sharing and usage of personally identifiable information, and to implement and maintain commercially reasonable customer information safeguarding standards.

Prompt Corrective Action.The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized financial institutions. Under this system, the federal banking regulators have established five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized,

9

significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, in which all institutions are placed. The federal banking agencies have also specified by regulation the relevant capital levels for each category.

A “well-capitalized” bank is one that is not required to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure pursuant to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive, and has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, a CET1 capital ratio of at least 6.5%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%. Generally, a classification as well capitalized will place a bank outside of the regulatory zone for purposes of prompt corrective action. However, a well-capitalized bank may be reclassified as “adequately capitalized” based on criteria other than capital, if the federal regulator determines that a bank is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or is engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, which requires certain remedial action.

The FRB may also set higher capital requirements for holding companies whose circumstances warrant it. For example, holding companies experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions are expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. At this time, the bank regulatory agencies are more inclined to impose higher capital requirements to meet well-capitalized standards and future regulatory change could impose higher capital standards as a routine matter. The Bank, as a matter of prudent management, targets as its goal the maintenance of capital ratios which exceed these minimum requirements and that are consistent with the Bank’s risk profile.

Deposit Insurance. The deposits of the Bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) of the FDIC up to the limits set forth under applicable law and are subject to the deposit insurance premium assessments of the DIF. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the maximum per depositor FDIC insurance amount increased from $100,000 to $250,000. The FDIC applies a risk-based system for setting deposit insurance assessments, which was amended by the Dodd-Frank Act. Under this system, the assessment rates for an insured depository institution vary according to the level of risk incurred in its activities. To arrive at an assessment rate for a banking institution, the FDIC places it in one of four risk categories determined by reference to its capital levels and supervisory ratings. In addition, in the case of those institutions in the lowest risk category, the FDIC further determines its assessment rate based on certain specified financial ratios or, if applicable, its long-term debt ratings. The assessment rate schedule can change from time to time, at the discretion of the FDIC, subject to certain limits. In addition to deposit insurance assessments, the FDIC is authorized to collect assessments from FDIC insured depository institutions to service the outstanding obligations of Financing Corporation (FICO).

The Dodd-Frank Act changed the assessment formula for determining deposit insurance premiums and modified certain insurance coverage provisions of the FDIA. The FDIC’s implementing rules redefined the base for FDIC insurance assessments from the amount of insured deposits to average consolidated total assets less average tangible equity.

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System.The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Chicago, which is one of the 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The primary purpose of the FHLBs is to provide funding to their saving association members in support of the home financing credit function of the members. Each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. FHLBs are funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. FHLBs make loans or advances to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the board of directors of the FHLB. These policies and procedures are subject to the regulation and oversight of the Federal Housing Financing Board. All advances from a FHLB are required to be fully secured by sufficient collateral as determined by the FHLB. Long-term advances are required to be used for residential home financing and small business and agricultural loans.

As a member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of Chicago based on activity and membership requirements. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank had $7.9 million in FHLB stock, which was in compliance with this requirement. The Bank receives dividends on its FHLB stock.

Community Reinvestment Act.The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) is intended to encourage insured depository institutions, while operating safely and soundly, to help meet the credit needs of their communities. CRA specifically directs the federal bank regulatory agencies, in examining insured depository institutions, to assess their record of helping to meet the credit needs of their entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices. CRA further requires the agencies to take a financial institution’s record of meeting its community credit needs into account when evaluating applications for, among other things, domestic branches, consummating mergers or acquisitions or holding company formations.

The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations which measure a bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations on a performance-based evaluation system. This system bases CRA ratings on an institution’s actual lending service and investment performance rather than the extent to which the institution conducts needs assessments, documents community outreach or complies with other procedural requirements. The ratings range from “outstanding” to a low of “substantial noncompliance.”

10

The Bank had a CRA rating of “Satisfactory” as of its most recent regulatory examination.

Consumer Compliance and Fair Lending Laws. The Bank is subject to a number of federal and state laws designed to protect borrowers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy and population. These laws include the Patriot Act, BSA, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, CRA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the National Flood Insurance Act, various state law counterparts, and the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, which constitutes part of the Dodd-Frank Act. The enforcement of fair lending laws has been an increasing area of focus for regulators, including the OCC and CFPB.

Effects of Government Monetary Policy

The earnings of the Company are affected by general and local economic conditions and by the policies of various governmental regulatory authorities. In particular, the FRB regulates money supply, credit conditions and interest rates in order to influence general economic conditions, primarily through open market operations in United States Government Securities, varying the discount rate on member bank borrowings, setting reserve requirements against member and nonmember bank deposits, regulating interest rates payable by member banks on time and savings deposits and expanding or contracting the money supply. FRB monetary policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks and their holding companies, including the Bank and the Company, in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

Human Capital

We are focused on the success, health and long-term growth and development of our employees and our objective is to attract and reward individuals with the talent and skills to help support our business objectives. Our employees are integral to the success of our business, particularly because most are customer-facing on behalf of our Company. Our ability to develop and retain our customers depends on the integrity, capabilities and knowledge of our employees.

Therefore, in order to compete effectively and continue to provide best in class service to our customers, we must attract, retain and motivate our employees. We believe our human capital efforts, which include employee training, employee health and benefits packages, and engaging employees in volunteer activities in the communities that we serve, all contribute to our success in attracting, retaining and motivating strong employee talent.

At March 2, 2022, we had 225 full-time employees and 248 total employees, company-wide. We have no unionized employees, and we are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our future business operations. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

RISKS RELATED TO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Our business may be adversely affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally. We operate primarily in the Wisconsin and Minnesota markets. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are significantly impacted by changes in the economic conditions in those areas. In addition, our business is susceptible to broader economic trends within the United States economy. Economic conditions have a significant impact on the demand for our products and services, as well as the ability of our customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of our deposit funding sources. A significant decline in general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, tariffs, unemployment, changes in securities markets, changes in housing market prices, geopolitical uncertainties, natural disasters, pandemics and election outcomes or other factors could impact economic conditions and, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions intended to prevent and mitigate its spread, challenges related to vaccination rollout and new variants of the virus has and is expected to continue to (and the future outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases likely would) significantly and negatively impact financial markets and economic conditions in our markets, the United States and globally. As a result, consumer confidence and consumer credit factors have been, and may be further, negatively impacted. Consequently, our business, financial condition and results of operations have been and could be further significantly and adversely affected. See also “The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to cause adverse economic conditions and could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business.”

11

The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to cause adverse economic conditions and could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business. We are closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic to assess its impact on our business. While still evolving, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic and financial turmoil both in the U.S. and around the world, and has fueled concerns that it may lead to a global recession. These conditions may continue and worsen in the near term. At this time, it is not possible to estimate how long it will take to halt the spread of the virus or the long term effects that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on our business. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or prospects will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions taken to contain or address its impact.

While we have implemented risk management and contingency plans and taken preventive measures and other precautions, no predictions of specific scenarios can be made with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and such measures may not adequately predict the impact on our business from such events. Currently, many of our employees have been working remotely for an extended period of time. An extended period of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans, introduce operational risk, including but not limited to cybersecurity risks, and impair our ability to manage our business.

Increased economic uncertainty and increased unemployment resulting from the economic impacts of the spread of COVID-19 may also adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, or could substantially weaken the value of collateral securing those loans. In addition, any resulting downward pressure on real estate values could increase the potential for problem loans and thus have a direct impact on our consolidated results of operations.

We participate as an approved lender pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established under the congressionally-approved Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). The Paycheck Protection Program gives small businesses and self-employed individuals guaranteed loans and loan forgiveness to stay in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to certain requirements. As an SBA-approved lender, we secured more than $194 million in authorized funding for our customers under the Paycheck Protection Program. As a result of factors including the fact that the Paycheck Protection Program is a new program that was created urgently in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, lenders and customers have experienced, and may experience further, challenges in the administration and debt forgiveness process.

While governmental and non-governmental organizations are engaging in efforts to combat the spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health issues, these measures may not be effective. We also cannot predict how legal and regulatory responses to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health issues will impact our business. Such events or conditions could result in regulation or restrictions affecting the conduct of our business in the future.

Acts or threats of terrorism and political or military actions by the United States or other governments could adversely affect general economic industry conditions. Geopolitical conditions may affect our earnings. Acts or threats of terrorism and political actions taken by the United States or other governments in response to terrorism, or similar activity, could adversely affect general or industry conditions and, as a result, our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Deterioration in the markets for residential real estate, including secondary residential mortgage loan markets, could reduce our net income and profitability. During the severe recession that lasted from 2007 to 2009, softened residential housing markets, increased delinquency and default rates, and volatile and constrained secondary credit markets negatively impacted the mortgage industry. Our financial results were adversely affected by these effects including changes in real estate values, primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and our net income declined as a result. Decreases in real estate values adversely affected the value of property used as collateral for loans as well as investments in our portfolio. Continued slow growth in the economy since 2009 resulted in increased competition and lower rates, which has negatively impacted our net income and profits.

The foregoing changes could affect our ability to originate loans and deposits, the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities and the average maturity of our securities portfolio. An increase in the level of interest rates may also adversely affect the ability of certain of our borrowers to repay their obligations. If interest rates paid on deposits or other borrowings were to increase at a faster rate than the interest rates earned on loans and investments, our net income would be adversely affected.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

We are subject to interest rate risk. Through our banking subsidiary, the Bank, our profitability depends in large part on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned from interest earning assets, such as loans and mortgage-backed securities, and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Our net interest income will be adversely affected if market interest rates change such that the interest we pay on deposits and borrowings increase faster than the interest earned on loans and investments. As a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest rates in the United States have been reduced, and may be even further reduced. The rates of interest we earn on assets and pay on liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Market interest rates change over

12

time due to many factors that are beyond our control, including but not limited to: general economic conditions and government policy decisions, especially policies of the Federal Reserve Bank. Accordingly, our results of operations, like those of other financial institutions, are impacted by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities. The risk associated with changes in interest rates and our ability to adapt to these changes is known as interest rate risk. In particular, reduced interest rates negatively impact our results of operations. See also “The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to cause adverse economic conditions and could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business.”

We are subject to lending risk. There are inherent risks associated with our lending activities. These risks include the impact of changes in interest rates and changes in the economic conditions in the markets we serve, as well as those across the United States. Our exposure to lending risk is managed through the use of consistent underwriting standards, and we avoid highly leveraged transactions as well as excessive industry and other concentrations, but there can be no assurance that our risk mitigation measures will be effective in avoiding undue credit risk. An increase in interest rates or weakening economic conditions (such as high levels of unemployment), including weakening economic conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has and could further adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, or could substantially weaken the value of collateral securing those loans. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank had $6.6 million of COVID-19 related modifications under Section 4013 of the CARES Act remaining. See “Allowance for Loan Losses” for discussion of COVID-19 qualitative factors, and related provision for loan losses. Downward pressure on real estate values could increase the potential for problem loans and thus have a direct impact on our consolidated results of operations. In addition, we may purchase real estate, or we may foreclose on and take title to real estate. Although we exercise prudent due diligence when making loans, we could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. See also “The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to cause adverse economic conditions and could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and other aspects of our business.”

We are subject to higher lending risks with respect to our commercial and agricultural banking activities which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our loans include commercial and agricultural loans, which include loans secured by real estate as well as loans secured by personal property. Commercial real estate lending, including agricultural loans, typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. Agricultural operating loans carry significant risks as they may involve larger balances concentrated with a single borrower or group of related borrowers. In addition, repayment of such loans depends on the successful operation or management of the farm property securing the loan for which an operating loan is utilized. Farming operations may be affected by factors outside of the borrower’s control, including adverse weather conditions, such as drought, hail or floods that can severely limit crop yields and declines in market prices for agricultural products. Although the Bank manages lending risks through its underwriting and credit administration policies, no assurance can be given that such risks will not materialize, in which event, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects could be materially adversely affected.

Our allowance for loan losses may be insufficient. To address risks inherent in our loan portfolio, we maintain an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that exist within our loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of various factors, including specific credit risks, historical loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions, and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make estimates of significant credit risks, which may undergo material changes. In evaluating our impaired loans, we assess repayment expectations and determine collateral values based on all information that is available to us. However, we must often make subjective decisions based on our assumption about the creditworthiness of the borrowers and the values of collateral securing these loans.

Deterioration in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans, and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in our allowance for loan losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically examine our allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the allowance or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from those of our management.

If charge-offs in future periods exceed our allowance for loan losses, we will need to take additional loan loss provisions to increase our allowance for loan losses. Any additional loan loss provision will reduce our net income or increase our net loss, which could have a direct material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in the fair value or ratings downgrades of our securities may reduce our stockholders’ equity, net earnings, or regulatory capital ratios. At December 31, 2021, $203.1 million of our securities, were classified as available for sale and $71.1 million were classified as held to maturity. The estimated fair value of our available for sale securities portfolio may increase or decrease depending on market conditions. Our available for sale securities portfolio is comprised of fixed-rate, and

13

to a lesser extent, floating rate securities. We increase or decrease stockholders’ equity by the amount of the change in unrealized gain or loss (the difference between the estimated fair value and amortized cost) of our available for sale securities portfolio, net of the related tax benefit or provision, under the category of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss. Therefore, a decline in the estimated fair value of this portfolio will result in a decline in our reported stockholders’ equity, as well as our book value per common share and tangible book value per common share. This decrease will occur even though the securities are not sold. In the case of debt securities, if these securities are never sold, the decrease may be recovered over the life of the securities.

We conduct a periodic review and evaluation of our securities portfolio to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary. Factors which we consider in our analysis include, but are not limited to, the severity and duration of the decline in fair value of the security, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the decline appears to be related to issuer conditions or general market or industry conditions, our intent and ability to retain the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value and the likelihood of any near-term fair value recovery. We generally view changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with our experience. If we deem such decline to be other-than-temporary related to credit losses, the security is written down to a new cost basis and the resulting loss is charged to earnings as a component of non-interest income in the period in which the decline in value occurs.

We have, in the past, recorded other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges, principally arising from investments in non-agency mortgage-backed securities. We do not currently hold any non-agency mortgage-backed securities. We continue to monitor our securities portfolio as part of our ongoing OTTI evaluation process. No assurance can be given that we will not need to recognize OTTI charges related to securities in the future. Future OTTI charges would cause decreases to both Tier 1 and Risk-based capital levels which may expose the Company and/or the Bank to additional regulatory restrictions.

The capital that we are required to maintain for regulatory purposes is impacted by, among other factors, the securities ratings on our portfolio. Therefore, ratings downgrades on our securities may also have a material adverse effect on our risk-based regulatory capital levels.

Competition may affect our results. Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to compete in our primary market area. We face strong competition in originating loans, in seeking deposits and in offering other banking services. We compete with commercial banks, trust companies, mortgage banking firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies and brokerage and investment banking firms. Our market area is also served by commercial banks and savings associations that are substantially larger than us in terms of deposits and loans, have greater human and financial resources, and may offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. This competitive climate can make it difficult to establish, maintain and retain relationships with new and existing customers and can lower the rate we are able to charge on loans, increase the rates we must offer on deposits, and affect our charges for other services. Those factors can, in turn, adversely affect our results of operations and profitability.

Customers may decide not to use banks to complete their financial transactions, which could result in a loss of income to us. Technology and other changes are allowing customers to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks at one or both ends of the transaction. For example, customers can now pay bills and transfer funds directly without going through a bank. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as disintermediation, could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits.

We are a community bank and our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to the success of our business and the failure to do so may materially adversely affect our performance. We are a community bank, and our reputation is one of the most valuable components of our business. A key component of our business strategy is to rely on our reputation for customer service and knowledge of local markets to expand our presence by capturing new business opportunities from existing and prospective customers in our market area and contiguous areas. As such, we strive to conduct our business in a manner that enhances our reputation. This is done, in part, by recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who share our core values of being an integral part of the communities we serve, delivering superior service to our customers and caring about our customers and associates. If our reputation is negatively affected by the actions of our employees, by our inability to conduct our operations in a manner that is appealing to current or prospective customers, or otherwise, our business and, therefore, our operating results may be materially adversely affected.

Maintaining or increasing our market share may depend on lowering prices and market acceptance of new products and services. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to adapt our products and services to evolving industry standards and customer demands. We face increasing pressure to provide products and services at lower prices, which can reduce our net interest margin and revenues from our fee-based products and services. In addition, the widespread adoption of new technologies, including internet and mobile banking services, could require us to make substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our existing products and services. Also, these and other capital investments in our business may not produce expected growth in earnings anticipated at the time of the expenditure. We may not be successful in introducing new products and

14

services, achieving market acceptance of our products and services, or developing and maintaining loyal customers, which in turn, could adversely affect our results of operations and profitability.

We may not have sufficient pre-tax net income in future periods to fully realize the benefits of our net deferred tax assets. Assessing the need for, or the sufficiency of, a valuation allowance requires management to evaluate all available evidence. Based on future pre-tax net income projections and the planned execution of existing tax planning strategies, we believe that it is more likely than not that we will fully realize the benefits of our net deferred tax assets. However, our current assessment is based on assumptions and judgments that may or may not reflect actual future results. If a valuation allowance becomes necessary, it could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

We could experience an unexpected inability to obtain needed liquidity. Liquidity measures the ability to meet current and future cash flow needs as they become 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. We seek to ensure our funding needs are met by maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity through asset/liability management. If we become unable to obtain funds when needed, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and, in turn, our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, it could limit our ability to take advantage of what we believe to be good market opportunities for expanding our loan portfolio.

Future growth, operating results or regulatory requirements may require us to raise additional capital but that capital may not be available. We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. To the extent our future operating results erode capital or we elect to expand through loan growth or acquisition, we may be required to raise additional capital.

Our ability to raise capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets, which are outside of our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot be assured of our ability to raise capital when needed or on favorable terms. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed or if we are subject to material unfavorable terms for such capital, we may be subject to increased regulatory supervision and the imposition of restrictions on our growth and business. These actions could negatively impact our ability to operate or further expand our operations and may result in increases in operating expenses and reductions in revenues that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to attract or retain key people. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key people. We depend on the talents and leadership of our executive team, including Stephen M. Bianchi, our Chief Executive Officer, and James S. Broucek, our Chief Financial Officer. Competition for the best people in most activities engaged in by us can be intense, and we may not be able to hire people or retain them. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our local markets, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.

We continually encounter technological change. The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology driven by new or modified products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business may be adversely affected by an increasing prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes. As a bank, we are susceptible to fraudulent activity that may be committed against us or our customers which may result in financial losses or increased costs to us or our customers, disclosure or misuse of our information or our customers' information, misappropriation of assets, privacy breaches against our customers, litigation or damage to our reputation. Such fraudulent activity may take many forms, including check fraud, electronic fraud, wire fraud, phishing, social engineering and other dishonest acts. Consistent with industry trends, we have also experienced an increase in attempted electronic fraudulent activity in recent periods. Given such increase in electronic fraudulent activity and the growing level of use of electronic, internet-based and networked systems to conduct business directly or indirectly with our clients, certain fraud losses may not be avoidable regardless of the preventative and detection systems in place. Nationally, reported incidents of fraud and other financial crimes have increased. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent such losses, there can be no assurance that such losses will not occur.

We rely on network and information systems and other technologies, and, as a result, we are subject to various Cybersecurity risks. Cybersecurity refers to the combination of technologies, processes and procedures established to protect

15

information technology systems and data from unauthorized access, attack, or damage. Our business involves the storage and transmission of customers’ personal information. While we have internal policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of a failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, as well as contracts and service agreements with applicable outside vendors, we cannot be assured that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do, that they will be addressed adequately. Any failure or interruption of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our loan, deposit, general ledger and other systems. We rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information on our computer systems and networks. Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or customer information, whether through a breach of our computer systems or otherwise, could severely harm our business. Although we have implemented measures to prevent security breaches, cyber incidents and other security threats, our facilities and systems, and those of third party service providers, may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human error, or other similar events that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Although, to date, we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer such losses in the future. Our risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats, the outsourcing of some of our business operations and the continued uncertain global economic environment. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the storage and transmission of such data is regulated at the federal and state level. Privacy information security laws and regulation changes, and compliance therewith, may result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations or experience a data security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, whether by us or our vendors, our reputation could be damaged, possibly resulting in lost future business, and we could be subject to fines, penalties, administrative orders and other legal risks as a result of a breach or non-compliance.

Our internal controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented. Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well-designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any (a) failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures, (b) failure to adequately address any internal control deficiencies, or (c) failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. See Item 9A “Controls and Procedures” for further discussion of our internal controls.

Our growth strategy includes selectively acquiring businesses through acquisitions of other banks, and our ability to consummate these acquisitions on economically advantageous terms acceptable to us in the future is unknown. Our growth strategy includes acquisitions of other banks that serve customers or markets we find desirable, including our recent acquisitions of Community Bank of Northern Wisconsin (“CBN”), WFC, United Bank and F&M. The market for acquisitions remains highly competitive, and we may be unable to find satisfactory acquisition candidates in the future that fit our acquisition and growth strategy. This competition could increase prices for potential acquisitions that we believe are attractive. Any such acquisitions could be funded through cash from operations, the issuance of equity and/or the incurrence of additional indebtedness, which amount may be material, or a combination thereof. Any acquisition could be dilutive to our earnings and stockholders’ equity per share of our common stock. Also, acquisitions are subject to various regulatory approvals. If we fail to receive the appropriate regulatory approvals, we will not be able to consummate an acquisition that we believe is in our best interests. Among other things, our regulators consider our capital, liquidity, profitability, regulatory compliance and levels of goodwill and intangibles when considering acquisition and expansion proposals. To the extent that we are unable to find suitable acquisition candidates, an important component of our growth strategy may be lost.

Acquisition and expansion activities may disrupt our business, dilute existing stockholders and adversely affect our operating results. We acquired F&M in July 2019, United Bank in October 2018, WFC in August 2017 and CBN in May 2016. We intend to continue to evaluate potential acquisitions and expansion opportunities inthe normal course of our business. Although the integration of F&M, United Bank, WFC and CBN have been successfully completed, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately or profitably manage the ongoing integration of any such future acquisitions. Acquiring other banks or financial service companies, as well as othergeographic and product expansion activities, involve various risks including:

•risks of unknown or contingent liabilities;

•unanticipated costs and delays;

•risks that acquired new businesses do not perform consistent with our growth and profitability expectations;

•risks of entering new markets or product areas where we have limited experience;

•risks that growth will strain our infrastructure, staff, internal controls and management, which may require additional personnel, time and expenditures;

16

•exposure to potential asset quality issues with acquired institutions;

•difficulties, expenses and delays of integrating the operations and personnel of acquired institutions, and start-up delays and costs of other expansion activities;

•potential disruptions to our business;

•possible loss of key employees and customers of acquired institutions;

•potential short-term decreases in profitability; and

•diversion of our management’s time and attention from our existing operations and business.

Our failure to execute our acquisition strategy could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects.

Our ability to pay dividends depends primarily on dividends from our banking subsidiary, the Bank, which is subject to regulatory and other limitations. We are a bank holding company and our operations are conducted primarily by our banking subsidiary, the Bank. Since we receive substantially all of our revenue from dividends from the Bank, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock depends on our receipt of dividends from the Bank.

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to pay dividends under applicable banking laws and regulations. Federal bank regulators are authorized to determine under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company or a bank that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. In particular, federal bank regulators have stated that paying dividends that deplete a banking organization’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. In addition, in the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us is also subject to its profitability, financial condition, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements. The Bank may not be able to generate adequate cash flow to pay us dividends in the future. The Company’s ability to pay dividends is also subject to the terms of its Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated August 27, 2020 and Business Note Agreement dated August 1, 2018, each of which prohibits the Company from declaring or paying dividends while an event of default has occurred and is continuing under each respective agreement. The Company has pledged 100% of Bank stock as collateral for the loan and credit facilities provided for by the Business Note Agreement. The inability to receive dividends from the Bank could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Furthermore, holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive the dividends as our Board of Directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and our Board of Directors could reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our shares of common stock are thinly traded and our stock price may be more volatile. Because our common stock is thinly traded, its market price may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market in general or the stock prices of similar companies, which are exchanged, listed or quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market. We believe there are 9,957,783 shares of our common stock held by nonaffiliates as of March 2, 2022. Thus, our common stock will be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership, and as a result, the trading prices for our shares of common stock may be more volatile, which may make it difficult for investors to resell shares at the volume, prices and times desired. Among other things, trading of a relatively small volume of our common stock may have a greater impact on the trading price of our stock than would be the case if our public float were larger.

REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE RISKS

A new accounting standard may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has adopted a new accounting standard referred to as Current Expected Credit Loss, or CECL, which will require financial institutions to determine periodic estimates of lifetime expected credit losses on loans, and recognize the expected credit losses as allowances for loan losses. The FASB extended the effective date of CECL from January 2021 to January 2023 for smaller reporting companies such as the Company. Once effective, this will change the current method of providing allowances for loan losses that are probable, which may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses, and to greatly increase the types of data we will need to collect and review to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses. Banking regulators expect the new accounting standard will increase the allowance for loan losses. Any change in the allowance for loan losses at the time of adoption will be an adjustment to retained earnings and would change the Bank’s capital levels. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or expenses incurred to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

17

We operate in a highly regulated environment, and are subject to changes, which could increase our cost structure or have other negative impacts on our operations. The banking industry is extensively regulated at the federal and state levels. Insured depository institutions and their holding companies are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision by financial regulatory authorities covering all aspects of their organization, management and operations. We are also subject to regulation by the SEC. Our compliance with these regulations, including compliance with regulatory commitments, is costly. Regulation includes, among other things, capital and reserve requirements, the level of deposit insurance premiums assessed, permissible investments and lines of business, mergers and acquisitions, restrictions on transactions with insiders and affiliates, anti-money laundering regulations, dividend limitations, community reinvestment requirements, limitations on products and services offered, loan limits, geographical limits, and consumer credit regulations. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to us establishes a comprehensive framework for our operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the Deposit Insurance Fund, our depositors and the public, rather than our stockholders. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, new regulations or legislation, or additional deposit insurance premiums could have a material impact on our operations. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations or policies could result in sanction by regulatory agencies, civil monetary penalties, and/or damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any change in government regulation could have a material adverse effect on our business or our ability to pay dividends.

Federal law restricts the amount of voting stock of a bank holding company or a bank, that a person or group may acquire, without the prior approval of banking regulators. Under the federal Change in Bank Control Act and the regulations thereunder, a person or group must give advance notice to the Federal Reserve before acquiring control of any bank holding company, such as the Company, and the OCC before acquiring control of any national bank, such as the Bank. Under the BHCA and Federal Reserve guidance thereunder, a person or group will be presumed to control a bank holding company if they acquire a certain percentage of the bank holding company or if one or more other control factors are present. On January 31, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board approved the issuance of a final rule (which became effective October 1, 2020) that clarified and codified the Federal Reserve’s standards for determining whether one company has control over another. The final rule established four categories of tiered presumptions of noncontrol that are based on the percentage of voting shares held by the investor (less than 5%, 5-9.9%, 10-14.9% and 15-24.9%) and the presence of other indicia of control. As the percentage of ownership increases, fewer indicia of control are permitted without falling outside of the presumption of noncontrol. These indicia of control include nonvoting equity ownership, director representation, management interlocks, business relationship and restrictive contractual covenants. Under the final rule, investors can hold up to 24.9% of the voting securities and up to 33% of the total equity of a company without necessarily having a controlling influence. The overall effect of the BHCA is to make it more difficult to acquire a bank holding company and a bank by tender offer or similar means than it might be to acquire control of another type of corporation. Consequently, shareholders of the Company may be less likely to benefit from the rapid increases in stock prices that may result from tender offers or similar efforts to acquire control of other non-bank companies. Investors should be aware of these requirements when acquiring shares of our stock.

Our reporting obligations as a public company are costly. Reporting requirements of a public company change depending on the reporting classification in which the Company falls as of the end of its second quarter of each fiscal year. The Company is currently a “smaller reporting company” which allows us to provide certain simplified and scaled disclosures in our filings. We will remain a smaller reporting company for so long as the market value of the Company’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of the end of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter is less than $250 million, or as of the same period the Company’s annual revenues are less than $100 million and its public float is less than $700 million. In addition, the Company is currently considered a “non-accelerated filer” and will maintain that status for so long as the Company’s annual revenues are less than $100 million, and its public float is more than $75 million but less than $700 million. If the Company were to be classified as an “accelerated filer” rather than a “non-accelerated filer,” then we would become subject to the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Section 404(b) requires that an independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the operating effectiveness of these controls, making the public reporting process more costly.

Changes in federal or state tax laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business, financial condition and results of operations are impacted by tax policy implemented at the federal and state level. We cannot predict whether any other tax legislation will be enacted in the future or whether any such changes to existing federal or state tax law would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines. Our financial performance is impacted by accounting principles, policies and guidelines. Some of these policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of our assets or liabilities and financial results. Some of our accounting policies are critical because they require management to make subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. If such estimates or assumptions underlying our financial statements are incorrect, we may experience material losses.

18

From time to time, the FASB and the SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards or the interpretation of those standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes are beyond our control, can be difficult to predict and could materially impact how we report our financial condition and results of operations. Changes in these standards are continuously occurring, and given recent economic conditions, more drastic changes may occur. The implementation of such changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

19

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company leases its main administrative offices located at 2174 EastRidge Center, Eau Claire, WI 54701. At December 31, 2021, the Bank had a total of 25 full-service branch offices located in the Wisconsin cities of Altoona, Barron, Eau Claire, Ellsworth, Ettrick, Ladysmith, Lake Hallie, Mondovi, Osseo, Rice Lake (2), Spooner, Strum and

Tomah (2); and the Minnesota cities of Albert Lea, Blue Earth, Fairmont, Faribault, Mankato, Oakdale, Red Wing, St. James, St. Peter and Wells. Of these, the Bank owns 20 and leases the remaining 5 branch offices. Management believes that our current facilities are adequate to meet our present and immediately foreseeable needs. For more information on our properties and equipment, see Note 5, Office Properties and Equipment of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. For more information on our leases, see Note 7, Leases of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, the Company and/or the Bank occasionally become involved in various legal proceedings. While the outcome of any such proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty, in our opinion, any liability from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None

PART II

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

Historically, trading in shares of our common stock has been limited. Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CZWI”.

We had approximately 601 stockholders of record at March 2, 2022. The number of stockholders does not separately reflect persons or entities that hold their stock in nominee or “street” name through various brokerage firms. We believe that the number of beneficial owners of our common stock on that date was substantially greater.

Dividends

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors and approved by our regulators. During the continuance of an event of default under its Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement entered into with certain accredited purchasers in August 2020, the Company would be restricted from declaring or paying any dividends on its capital stock. In determining the payment of cash dividends, our Board of Directors considers our earnings, capital and debt servicing requirements, the financial ratio guidelines of our regulators, our financial condition and other relevant factors.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent on the dividend payments it receives from the Bank, since the Company receives substantially all of its revenue in the form of dividends from the Bank. Future dividends are not guaranteed and will depend on the Company’s ability to pay them. For more information on dividends, see Note 10, Capital Matters of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

For information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12.

20

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

On November 30, 2020, the Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program. Under this program the Company was authorized to repurchase up to approximately 5% of the outstanding shares of its common stock as of November 30, 2020, or 557,728 shares, from time to time. The 36 thousand shares remaining under this authorization as of the beginning of the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were repurchased during the quarter.

On July 23, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted a new share repurchase program. Under this new share repurchase program, the Company may repurchase up to approximately 5% of the outstanding shares of its common stock as of July 23, 2021, or 532,962 shares, from time to time. During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, approximately 16 thousand shares were repurchased under this authorization. The table below shows information about our repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2021.

ITEM 6. RESERVED

21

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

The following discussion sets forth management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and our financial position as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, related notes, the selected financial data and the statistical information presented elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete understanding of the following discussion and analysis. Unless otherwise noted, years refer to the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The following is a brief summary of some of the significant factors that affected our operating results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.In 2021, net interest income was favorably impacted by the following: (1) income realized from the origination of the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (“SBA PPP”) loans; (2) loan growth and related growth in loan interest income; (3) growth in the investment securities portfolio; (4) lower deposit costs due to the lower interest rate environment, and partially offset by; (5) lower accretion of discounts associated with the paydown of purchased credit impaired loans; and (6) lower interest income on loans and cash and cash equivalents due to the lower interest rate environment. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses in 2021 largely due to qualitative factor decreases to reflect greater certainty and improvement in current general economic conditions, offsetting the impact of organic loan growth. In 2021’s higher interest rate and tight housing supply environment, the Company experienced fewer mortgage loans originated for sale, which decreased gain on sale and income recorded in loan servicing income from the capitalization of mortgage servicing rights, partially offset by a reversal of mortgage servicing rights impairment and a decrease in variable compensation tied to mortgage loan production.

When comparing, year over year results, changes in net interest income, provision for loan losses, non-interest income and non-interest expense are primarily due to the items discussed above. See the remainder of this section for a more thorough discussion. Unless otherwise stated, all monetary amounts in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, other than share, per share and capital ratio amounts, are stated in thousands.

We reported net income of $21.27 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to net income of $12.73 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Diluted earnings per share were $1.98 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1.14 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.Return on average assets for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, was 1.23%, compared to 0.80% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The return on average equity was 12.97% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, and 8.29% for the comparable period in 2020.

22

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. Some of these estimates are more critical than others. Below is a discussion of our critical accounting estimates.

Allowance for Loan Losses.

We maintain an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable and inherent losses in our loan portfolio. The allowance is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments of the estimated probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, we consider the types of loans and the amount of loans in our loan portfolio, historical loss experience, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions and other relevant factors determined by management. We follow all applicable regulatory guidance, including the “Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses,” issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC). We believe that the Bank’s Allowance for Loan Losses Policy conforms to all applicable regulatory requirements. However, based on periodic examinations by regulators, the amount of the allowance for loan losses recorded during a particular period may be adjusted.

Our determination of the allowance for loan losses is based on (1) specific allowances for specifically identified and evaluated impaired loans and their corresponding estimated loss based on likelihood of default, payment history and net realizable value of underlying collateral. Specific allocations for collateral dependent loans are based on fair value of the underlying collateral relative to the unpaid principal balance of individually impaired loans. For loans that are not collateral dependent, the specific allocation is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate through the repayment period; and (2) a general allowance on loans not specifically identified in (1) above, based on historical loss ratios, which are adjusted for qualitative and general economic factors. We continue to refine our allowance for loan losses methodology, with an increased emphasis on historical performance adjusted for applicable economic and qualitative factors.

Assessing the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires making material estimates, including the amount and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans, any of which estimates may be susceptible to significant change. In our opinion, the allowance, when taken as a whole, reflects estimated probable loan losses in our loan portfolio

Loans acquired in connection with acquisitions are recorded at their acquisition-date fair value with no carryover of related allowance for loan losses. Any allowance for loan loss on these pools reflects only losses incurred after the acquisition (meaning the present value of all cash flows expected at acquisition that ultimately are not to be collected).

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.”The Company records the excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, as goodwill.The Company amortizes acquired intangible assets with definite useful economic lives over their useful economic lives utilizing the straight-line method. On a periodic basis, management assesses whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the intangible assets may be impaired. The Company does not amortize goodwill, but reviews goodwill for impairment at a reporting unit level on an annual basis, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may be impaired.A reporting unit is defined as any distinct, separately identifiable component of the Company’s one operating segment for which complete, discrete financial information is available and reviewed regularly by the segment’s management.The Company has one reporting unit as of December 31, 2021, which is related to its banking activities.The impairment testing process is conducted by assigning net assets and goodwill to the Company’s reporting unit.An initial qualitative evaluation is made to assess the likelihood of impairment and determine whether further quantitative testing to calculate the fair value is necessary. When the qualitative evaluation indicates that impairment is more likely than not, quantitative testing is required whereby the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit is calculated and compared to the recorded book value, “step one.” If the calculated fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired, and “step two” is not considered necessary.If the carrying value of the company’s reporting unit exceeds its calculated fair value, the impairment test continues (“step two”) by comparing the carrying value of the Company’s reporting unit’s goodwill to the implied fair value of goodwill.An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill.

23

In 2021, the Company performed quarterly reviews to determine if a triggering event had occurred that would require impairment testing. These quarterly reviews determined that no triggering event occurred during 2021. The Company performed its required annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2021, and determined that goodwill was not impaired.

Fair Value Measurements and Valuation Methodologies.

We apply various valuation methodologies to assets and liabilities which often involve a significant degree of judgment, particularly when liquid markets do not exist for the particular items being valued. Quoted market prices are referred to when estimating fair values for certain assets, such as most investment securities. However, for those items for which an observable liquid market does not exist, management utilizes significant estimates and assumptions to value such items. Examples of these items include loans, deposits, borrowings, goodwill, core deposit intangible assets, other assets and liabilities obtained or assumed in business combinations, and certain other financial instruments. These valuations require the use of various assumptions, including, among others, discount rates, rates of return on assets, repayment rates, cash flows, default rates, and liquidation values. The use of different assumptions could produce significantly different results, which could have material positive or negative effects on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or disclosures of fair value information.

In addition to valuation, the Company must assess whether there are any declines in value below the carrying value of assets that should be considered other than temporary or otherwise require an adjustment in carrying value and recognition of a loss in the consolidated statement of operations. Examples include but are not limited to: loans, investment securities, goodwill, core deposit intangible assets and deferred tax assets, among others. Specific assumptions, estimates and judgments utilized by management are discussed in detail herein in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and in notes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes.

Amounts provided for income tax expenses are based on income reported for financial statement purposes and do not necessarily represent amounts currently payable under tax laws. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which arise principally from temporary differences between the amounts reported in the financial statements and the tax basis of certain assets and liabilities, are included in the amounts provided for income taxes. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and tax planning strategies which will create taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and if necessary, tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and application of specific provisions of Federal and state tax codes. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court decisions or positions of Federal and state taxing authorities, will not differ from management’s current assessment, the impact of which could be material to our consolidated results of operations and reported earnings.We believe that the deferred tax assets and liabilities are adequate and properly recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2021, management does not believe a valuation allowance related to the realizability of its deferred tax assets is necessary.

24

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ANALYSIS

Twelve months ended December 31, 2021 vs. Twelve months ended December 31, 2020

Net Interest Income. Net interest income represents the difference between the dollar amount of interest earned on interest bearing assets and the dollar amount of interest paid on interest bearing liabilities. The interest income and expense of financial institutions are significantly affected by general economic conditions, competition, policies of regulatory authorities and other factors.

Interest rate spread and net interest margin are used to measure and explain changes in net interest income. Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield on interest earning assets and the rate paid for interest bearing liabilities that fund those assets. Net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income to average interest earning assets. Net interest margin exceeds interest rate spread because non-interest-bearing sources of funds (“net free funds”), principally demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, also support interest earning assets. The narrative below discusses net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin.

Net interest income was $53.7 million for 2021 compared to $50.3 million for 2020. The increase is largely due to an increase in SBA PPP accretion, which increased $4.1 million. The net interest margin for 2021 was 3.34% compared to 3.40% for 2020. The decrease in the net interest margin percentage was due to the following factors: 1) a decrease in the accretion of discounts associated with the paydown of purchased credit impaired loans; 2) a full year of interest expense on the Company’s issuance of 6% subordinated debt in August 2020; 3) the increase in lower yielding cash and investment securities as a percentage of interest-earning assets; and 4) lower interest income on loans, securities and cash and cash equivalents due to the lower interest rate environment.These decreases were partially offset by: 1) higher income SBA PPP accretion and 2) lower deposit costs due to a decrease in interest rates in 2020 and the Company’s action to reduce higher costing certificates of deposits.Accretion on purchased credit impaired loans recognized due to loan payoffs or significant reductions in loan balances was $0.4 million in 2021, which was a decrease of $2.3 million from accretion recognized in 2020 or $2.7 million. In 2021, the Bank recognized $6.2 million of accretion of net origination fees and contractual interest income of $0.7 million in 2021 and $2.1 million of accretion of net origination fees and contractual interest income of $1.0 million in 2020. Remaining deferred SBA PPP fees were approximately $0.3 million at December 31, 2021. Interest expense on liabilities decreased $3.9 million in 2021 due to the lower interest rate environment and actions taken by the Bank to reduce interest rates paid. The Bank has approximately $179 million of certificates of deposit maturing in 2022, at a weighted average cost of approximately 1.35%.Of these, $64 million mature in the first quarter of 2022, with a weighted average cost of 1.50%. $73 million mature in the second quarter of 2022 with a weighted average cost of approximately 1.50%. These favorable items were offset by the negative impacts of a lower interest rate environment resulting in lower yields on loans, investments and cash and cash equivalents.

25

Average Balances, Net Interest Income, Yields Earned and Rates Paid. The following table shows interest income from average interest earning assets, expressed in dollars and yields, and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed in dollars and rates. Also presented is the weighted average yield on interest earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis, rates paid on interest bearing liabilities and the resultant spread at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.Non-accruing loans average balances are included in the table with the loans carrying a zero yield.

Twelve months ended December 31, 2021 Twelve months ended December 31, 2020

Average interest earning assets:

Average interest bearing liabilities:

Interest rate spread 3.18 % 3.20 %

Net interest margin (1) 3.34 % 3.40 %

(1) Fully taxable equivalent (FTE). The average yield on tax exempt securities is computed on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The FTE adjustment to net interest income included in the rate calculations totaled $3 thousand and $1 thousand for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

26

Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the components of interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities that are presented in the preceding table. For each category of interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to 1) changes in volume, which are changes in the average outstanding balances multiplied by the prior period rate (i.e., holding the initial rate constant); and 2) changes in rate, which are changes in average interest rates multiplied by the prior period volume (i.e., holding the initial balance constant).

Twelve months ended December 31, 2021 v. 2020 increase (decrease) due to

Volume (1) Rate (1) TotalIncrease /(Decrease)

Interest income:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 109 $ (149) $ (40)

Interest-bearing deposits (42) (9) (51)

Other investments (3) (27) (30)

Interest expense:

Savings accounts $ 86 $ (152) $ (66)

FHLB Advances and other borrowings (329) 575 246

(1)the change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated in proportion to the relationship to the dollar amounts of the change in each.

Provision for Loan Losses. We determine our provision for loan losses (“provision”, or “PLL”) to provide an adequate allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) to reflect probable and inherent credit losses in our loan portfolio.

There was no provision for loan lossesrecorded in 2021 compared to $7.8 million for 2020.In 2021, the impact of growth in the originated loan portfolio and modest charge-offs were offset by a reduction in Q-Factors related to economic qualitative factor decreases to reflect reduced uncertainty in current general economic conditions and a modest reduction in the unallocated reserve.In 2020, the provision allocated for originated loan growth was approximately $1.2 million for 2020 and provision related to charge-offs and changes in specific reserves was approximately $1.2 million. The remainingprovision in 2020 related to qualitative factor increases to reflect uncertainty in current general economic conditions and a modest increase in unallocated ALL.

Management believes that the provisions for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, are both adequate in view of the present condition of the Bank’s loan portfolio and the sufficiency of collateral supporting non-performing loans. We are continually monitoring non-performing loan relationships and will make provisions, as necessary, if the facts and circumstances change. In addition, a decline in the quality of our loan portfolio as a result of general economic conditions, factors affecting particular borrowers or our market areas, or other factors could all affect the adequacy of our ALL. If there are significant charge-offs against the ALL, or we otherwise determine that the ALL is inadequate, we will need to record an additional PLL in the future. See Note 1, “Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Loan Losses” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” to this Form 10-K, for further analysis of the provision for loan losses.

27

Non-Interest Income. The following table reflects the various components of non-interest income for 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Twelve months ended December 31, Change from prior year

Non-interest Income:

Service charges on deposit accounts $ 1,726 $ 1,832 (5.79)%

Insurance commission income — 475 N/M

Net gain on sale of acquired business lines — 432 N/M

Settlement proceeds — 131 N/M

N/M means not meaningful

Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $106 thousand due to fewer overdrafts attributable to the impact of higher average balances in retail checking accounts.

Interchange income increased due to an increase in our customer spending utilizing debit cards.

Loan servicing income decreased largely due to decreased capitalized mortgage servicing rights as a result of lower mortgage loan origination sold volumes.

The decrease in gain on sale of loans in 2021 is due to lower mortgage loan origination and sale volumes, partially offset by an increase in SBA loans sold.

Net gains on investment securities increased in 2021 due to the$573 thousand net gain on sale of primarily senior debt of large bank holding companies and lower yielding trust preferred securities, which helped fund loan growth and decrease 100% risk weighted AFS securities compared to a $156 thousand gain on sale of high premium mortgage-backed certificates in 2020.The net gains on investment securities remaining increase was due to the increase in the market value of our investment in Farmer Mac and Bankers’ Bank stock.

The net gain on sale of acquired business lines reflects the sale of Wells Insurance Agency in June 2020 at a net gain of $252 thousand and the Bank’s acquired wealth management business partner exercising their contractual call, which originated prior to the acquisition, resulting in the sale of the Bank’s right to receive income from the wealth management business.

The Company recognized $131 thousand of non-interest income related to a cash receipt related to a private mortgage-backed security claim. The cash received represents a supplement to the proceeds received in fiscal 2015 from the private mortgage-backed security, previously owned by the Bank and sold in 2011.

28

Non-Interest Expense. The following table reflects the various components of non-interest expense for 2021 and 2020.

Twelve months ended December 31, % Change From prior year

Non-interest Expense:

Mortgage servicing rights expense, net 191 3,050 (93.74)%

Advertising, marketing and public relations 986 967 1.96%

Gains on repossessed assets, net (199) (259) (23.17)%

Non-interest expense (annualized) / Average assets 2.35 % 2.74 %

Compensation expense increased in 2021 primarily due to an increase in incentives based on performance, such as commercial loan growth origination.

Data processing increases were due to higher loan balances and larger deposit balances.

Mortgage servicing rights expense, net benefited from the reversal of previously recorded impairment charges of $1.4 million in 2021 compared to impairment charges of $1.8 million in 2020.This decrease is due to the impact of lower actual and forecasted prepayment rates.The remaining increase is due to higher amortization based on the current interest rate environment and a modestly larger mortgage servicing portfolio.

Professional fees decreased in 2021 largely due to less utilization of third parties in completing one-time and ongoing projects.

Other non-interest expense decreased in 2021 due to lower origination and branch closure costs in 2020 of $165 thousand.

Income Taxes. Income tax provision was $7.7 million in 2021 compared to $4.6 million for 2020 primarily due to the impact of higher pre-tax income.The tax rate remained nearly flat at 26.6% in 2021 and 26.4% in 2020.

Income tax expense recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations involves interpretation and application of certain accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes and is, therefore, considered a critical accounting policy. We undergo examination by various taxing authorities. Such taxing authorities may require that changes in the amount of tax expense or the amount of the valuation allowance be recognized when their interpretations differ from those of management, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

29

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Total assets increased $90.5 million to $1.74 billion at December 31, 2021, from $1.65 billion at December 31, 2020.Strong originated loan growth and net purchases in the Bank’s investment portfolio were funded by strong deposit growth and a reduction in cash and cash equivalents.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $119.4 million at December 31, 2020, to $47.7 million at December 31, 2021.As noted above, this decrease, along with deposit growth, funded loan and investment portfolio growth.

Investment Securities. We manage our securities portfolio to provide liquidity, in an effort to improve interest rate risk, and enhance income.Our investment portfolio is comprised of securities available for sale (“AFS”) and securities held to maturity (“HTM”).

Securities AFS (recorded at fair value), which represent the majority of our investment portfolio, increased to $203.1 million at December 31, 2021, compared with $144.2 million at December 31, 2020.This increase was primarily due to purchases of $99 million of agency mortgage-backed securities and purchases of debt issued by bank holding companies, largely subordinated debt of $27 million.In 2021, the sale of trust preferred securities issued by bank holding companies with an amortized cost of$17.4 million and $10.6 million ofnon-CDFI bank holding company senior debt, reduced the portfolio of these securities to zero. The weighted average coupon of these sales was 2.2%.The sale of these 100% risk-weighted assets partially offset the impact of loan growth on risk-weighted assets and increased the overall yield of interest-earning assets. In addition, the bank sold $9.7 million of other AFS securities, largely U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities.These 2021 sales resulted in net realized gains of $573 thousand, which is included in net gains on investment securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Bank sold approximately $10.8 million of fixed rate mortgage-backed certificates with a net realized gain of $156 thousand, which is included in net gain on investment securities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In 2021, the Bank purchased $39 million of HTM securities, consisting largely of U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities. This growth was offset by principal repayments.

The amortized cost and market values of our investment securities by asset categories as of the dates indicated below were as follows:

Available for sale securities AmortizedCost FairValue

U.S. government agency obligations $ 25,826 $ 26,265

Obligations of states and political subdivisions 140 140

Trust preferred securities — —

U.S. government agency obligations $ 33,048 $ 33,365

Obligations of states and political subdivisions 140 140

30

Held to maturity securities AmortizedCost FairValue

Obligations of states and political subdivisions $ 4,600 $ 4,593

Total held to maturity securities $ 71,141 $ 69,177

Obligations of states and political subdivisions $ 600 $ 602

Total held to maturity securities $ 43,551 $ 43,784

The amortized cost and fair values of our investment securities by maturity, as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:

Available for sale securities AmortizedCost EstimatedFair Value

Due in one year or less $ 140 $ 140

Due after one year through five years 4,903 4,971

Due after five years through ten years 40,410 40,818

Total securities with contractual maturities 95,210 95,901

Held to maturity securities AmortizedCost EstimatedFair Value

Due in one year or less $ — $ —

Due after one year through five years 4,300 4,298

Due after five years through ten years 300 295

Total securities with contractual maturities 4,600 4,593

Total held to maturity securities $ 71,141 $ 69,177

The amortized cost and fair values of our investment securities by maturity, as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

Available for sale securities AmortizedCost EstimatedFair Value

Due in one year or less $ — $ —

Due after one year through five years 3,833 4,095

Due after five years through ten years 44,405 44,880

31

Held to maturity securities AmortizedCost EstimatedFair Value

Due in one year or less $ — $ —

Due after one year through five years 200 200

Due after five years through ten years 400 402

Total securities with contractual maturities 600 602

Total held to maturity securities $ 43,551 $ 43,784

The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses of securities with unrealized losses, as of the dates indicated below, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total

U.S. government agency obligations $ 1,169 $ 1 $ — $ — $ 1,169 $ 1

Trust preferred securities — — — — — —

Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total

Obligations of states and political subdivisions $ 593 $ 7 $ — $ — $ 593 $ 7

Unrealized losses reflected in the preceding tables have not been included in results of operations because the unrealized loss was not deemed other-than-temporary. Management has determined that more likely than not, the Company neither intends to sell, nor will it be required to sell each debt security before its anticipated recovery, and therefore recovery of cost will occur.

32

The composition of our investment securities portfolio by credit rating as of the periods indicated below was as follows:

December 31, December 31,

Available for sale securities AmortizedCost FairValue AmortizedCost FairValue

Below investment grade — — — —

Non-rated — — — —

December 31, December 31,

Held to maturity securities AmortizedCost FairValue AmortizedCost FairValue

AAA — — — —

BBB — — — —

Below investment grade — — — —

Non-rated — — — —

At December 31, 2021, the Bank has pledged certain of its U.S. Government Agency securities with a carrying value of $3.9 million and mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $2.9 million as collateral against specific municipal deposits. At December 31, 2021, the Bank has pledged certain of its U.S. Government Agency securities with a carrying value of $0.9 million as collateral against a borrowing line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. However, at December 31, 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding on this Federal Reserve Bank line of credit.At December 31, 2021, the Bank also has mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $0.3 million pledged as collateral to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

Loans. Total loans outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, increased to $1.31 billion at December 31, 2021, from $1.24 billion at December 31, 2020.

Gross loan growth consisted largely of $191 million in commercial real estate loans and, $56 million of multi-family real estate loans. The portfolio shrinkage in construction and development was largely offset by agricultural and commercial and industrial growth.We also experienced net forgiveness of $115 million of SBA PPP loans.The planned runoff of the residential mortgage portfolio of $43 million and indirect loans of $10 million contributed to reduced growth in the loan portfolio.

33

The following table reflects the composition, or mix, of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

Amount Percent Amount Percent

Real Estate Loans:

Commercial/Agricultural real estate:

Residential mortgage:

C&I/Agricultural operating and Consumer installment loans:

C&I/Agricultural operating:

Consumer installment:

Unamortized discount on acquired loans (3,600) (0.3) % (5,063) (0.4) %

Our loan portfolio is diversified by types of borrowers and industry groups within the market areas that we serve. Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial entity when the amounts of loans to multiple borrowers engaged in similar activities cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. As illustrated above, at December 31, 2021, the largest loan concentration we identified was commercial real estate loans which comprised 53% of our total loan portfolio. Approximately 86% of our total gross loans are secured by real estate.

34

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively the fixed and adjustable-rate loans in our loan portfolio:

Amount Percent Amount Percent

Fixed rate loans:

Real estate loans:

Non-real estate loans:

Adjustable-rate loans:

Real estate loans:

Non-real estate loans:

Consumer installment 17 — % 66 — %

Unamortized discount on acquired loans (3,600) (0.3) % (5,063) (0.9) %

35

Loan amounts, their contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2021 are shown below. SBA PPP loans at an interest rate of 1% are included in the C&I/agricultural operating segment amounts as follows: (1) $2.1 million is included in the one year or less amounts and (2) $6.7 million is included in the one year to five-year amounts.

Real estate Non-real estate

(1)Includes loans having no stated maturity and overdraft loans.

Loan amounts, their contractual maturities and interest rates at December 31, 2020 are shown below. SBA PPP loans of $123.7 million at an interest rate of 1% are included in the one year to five-year amounts in the C&I/agricultural operating segment.

Real estate Non-real estate

(1)Includes loans having no stated maturity and overdraft loans.

We believe that the critical factors in the overall management of credit or loan quality are sound loan underwriting and administration, systematic monitoring of existing loans and commitments, effective loan review on an ongoing basis, recording an adequate allowance to provide for incurred loan losses, and reasonable non-accrual and charge-off policies.

36

The following table summarizes SBA PPP loans by origination year as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

2020 Originations 2021 Originations Total

SBA PPP loans, December 31, 2019 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ —

Risk Management and the Allowance for Loan Losses. The loan portfolio is our primary asset subject to credit risk. To address this credit risk, we maintain an ALL for probable and inherent credit losses through periodic charges to our earnings. These charges are shown in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as Provision for Loan Losses. See “Statement of Operations Analysis - Provision for Loan Losses” above. We attempt to control, monitor and minimize credit risk through the use of prudent lending standards, a thorough review of potential borrowers prior to lending and ongoing and timely review of payment performance. Asset quality administration, including early identification of loans performing in a substandard manner, as well as timely and active resolution of problems, further enhances management of credit risk and minimization of loan losses. Any losses that occur and that are charged off against the ALL are periodically reviewed with specific efforts focused on achieving maximum recovery of both principal and interest on the affected loan.

At least quarterly, we review the adequacy of the ALL. Based on an estimate computed pursuant to the requirements of ASC 450-10, “Accounting for Contingencies” and ASC 310-10, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan”, the analysis of the ALL consists of three components: (i) specific credit allocation established for expected losses relating to specific impaired loans for which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds its fair value; (ii) general portfolio allocation based on historical loan loss experience for significant loan categories; and (iii) general portfolio allocation based on qualitative factors such as economic conditions and other relevant factors specific to the markets in which we operate. We currently segregate loans into pools based on common risk characteristics for purposes of determining the ALL. The additional segmentation of the portfolio is intended to provide a more effective basis for the determination of qualitative factors affecting our ALL. In addition, management continually evaluates our ALL methodology to assess whether modifications in our methodology are appropriate in light of underwriting practices, market conditions, identifiable trends, regulatory pronouncements or other factors.

37

Changes in the ALL by loan portfolio segment for the periods presented were as follows:

Allowance for Loan Losses:

Other acquired loans:

Total allowance on other acquired loans $ 856 $ 69 $ 130 $ 28 $ — $ 1,083

Allowance for Loan Losses:

Other acquired loans:

The specific credit allocation for the ALL is based on a regular analysis of all originated loans that are considered impaired. In compliance with ASC 310-10, the fair value of the loan is determined based on either the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the market price of the loan, or, if the loan is collateral dependent, the fair value of the underlying collateral less the expected cost of sale for such collateral.At December 31, 2021, the Company had evaluated loans for impairment with a recorded investment of $31.7 million, consisting of $11.2 million PCI loans, with a carrying amount of $10.5 million, $9.9 million of TDR loans, net of TDR PCI loans and $11.3 million of substandard non-TDR non-PCI loans.The $31.7 million total of loans individually evaluated for impairment includes $8.0 million of performing TDR loans. At December 31, 2020, the Company had evaluated loans for impairment with a recorded investment of $42.3 million, consisting of $17.9 million of PCI loans with a carrying amount of $16.9 million, $15.6 million TDR loans, net of TDR PCI loans and $9.8 million of substandard non-TDR, non-PCI loans. The $42.3 million total of loans individually evaluated for impairment includes $11.7 million of performing TDR loans.

38

At December 31, 2021, the allowance for loan losses was $16.9 million or 1.29% of total loans compared to $17.0 million or 1.38% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2020. This level was based on our analysis of the loan portfolio risk at each of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, as discussed above.The decrease in allowance dollars is due to modest net charge-offs in 2021. The slight decrease in the allowance for loan losses to total loan portfolio percentage was primarily due to the impact of growth in the originated loan portfolio, largely offset by a reduction in Q-Factors related to economic qualitative factor decreases to reflect reduced uncertainty in current general economic conditions. The percentage of allowance for loan losses was also helped by a decrease in gross acquired loans. The percentage of gross acquired loans to gross loans, excluding SBA PPP loans, decreased to 15% at December 31, 2021, compared to 25% at December 31, 2020.At December 31, 2021, the Bank had $198.6 million in gross acquired loans, which were recorded at fair market value at acquisition.The Bank had $286.2 million in gross acquired loans at December 31, 2020, which were recorded at fair market value at acquisition.

Allowance for Loan Losses to Loans, net of SBA PPP Loans

SBA PPP loans, net of deferred fees (8,457) (120,711)

ALL to loans net of SBA PPP loans and deferred fees 1.30 % 1.53 %

ALL to loans, end of period 1.29 % 1.38 %

All of the nine factors identified in the FFIEC’s Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses are taken into account in determining the ALL.The impact of the factors in general categories are subject to change; thus, the allocations are management’s estimate of the loan loss categories in which the probable and inherent loss has occurred as of the date of our assessment. Of the nine factors, we believe the following have the greatest impact on our customers’ ability to repay loans and our ability to recover potential losses through collateral sales: (1) lending policies and procedures; (2) economic and business conditions; and (3) the value of the underlying collateral.As loan balances and estimated losses in a particular loan type decrease or increase and as the factors and resulting allocations are monitored by management, changes in the risk profile of the various parts of the loan portfolio may be reflected in the allocated allowance. The general component of our ALL-covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for these and other qualitative factors. In addition, management continues to refine the ALL estimation process as new information becomes available. These refinements could also cause increases or decreases in the ALL. The unallocated portion of the ALL is intended to account for imprecision in the estimation process or relevant current information that may not have been considered in the process.

Loans 30-89 days or more past due decreased $16.7 million at December 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020, largely related to decreases in commercial real estate and construction and land development loans 30-59 days delinquent. Nonaccrual loans increased modestly to $11.7 million at December 31, 2021, from $10.7 million at December 31, 2020, primarily due to an increase in commercial real estate due to a $4.5 million loan.Nonaccrual loans related to acquisitions decreased to $5.2 million at December 31, from $7.3 million at December 31, 2020.We believe our credit and underwriting policies continue to support more effective lending decisions by the Bank, which increases the likelihood of maintaining loan quality going forward.Refer to the “Risk Management and the Allowance for Loan Losses” section below for more information related to non-performing loans.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, loan charge-offs were $0.339 million compared to $1.318 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, largely due to a decrease in commercial and industrial loans.

Certain external factors may result in higher future losses but are not readily determinable at this time, including, but not limited to: unemployment rates, increased taxes and continuing increased regulatory expectations with respect to ALL levels.As a result, our analysis may show a need to increase our ALL as a percentage of total loans and nonperforming loans for the near future. Loans charged-off are subject to periodic review and specific efforts are taken to achieve maximum recovery of principal, accrued interest and related expenses on the loans charged off.

COVID-19 Loan Modifications. In response to COVID-19, our banking regulator issued an Interagency Statement encouraging financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual

39

obligations due to COVID-19. Additionally, Section 4013 of the CARES Act provides that a qualified loan modification is exempt by law from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP, from the period beginning March 1, 2020, until the earlier of December 31, 2020, or the date that is 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak declared by the President of the United States under the National Emergencies Act is terminated. Section 541 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extends this relief to the earlier of January 1, 2022, or 60 days after the national emergency termination date. The Interagency Statement was subsequently revised in April 2020 to clarify the interaction of the original guidance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act.In accordance with this guidance, the Bank instituted a plan to offer modifications to impacted borrowers.The Bank continues to work with borrowers as the pandemic persists and is requiring additional support in exchange for additional modifications beyond the original term. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank’s COVID-19 related modifications under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, totaled $6.6 million, or 0.5% of gross loans versus $61 million, or 5.0% of gross loans at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2021, hotel industry sector loans represented $6.0 million of the approved deferrals, compared to $51.6 million at December 31, 2020. The Bank has approximately $6.0 million of total payment deferrals expiring in the first quarter of 2022.

Nonperforming Loans, Potential Problem Loans and Foreclosed Properties. We employ early identification of non-accrual and problem loans in order to minimize the risk of loss. Non-performing loans are defined as either 90 days or more past due or non-accrual. The accrual of interest income is discontinued according to the following schedules:

•Commercial/agricultural real estate loans, past due 90 days or more;

•Commercial and industrial/agricultural operating loans past due 90 days or more;

•Closed ended consumer installment loans past due 120 days or more; and

•Residential mortgage and open ended consumer installment loans past due 180 days or more.

When interest accruals are discontinued, interest credited to income is reversed. If collection is in doubt, cash receipts on non-accrual loans are used to reduce principal rather than recorded as interest income. Restructuring a loan typically involves the granting of some concession to the borrower involving a loan modification, such as modifying the payment schedule or making interest rate changes. Restructured loans may involve loans that have had a charge-off taken against the loan to reduce the carrying amount of the loan to fair market value as determined pursuant to ASC 310-10. Restructured loans that comply with the restructured terms are considered performing loans.

40

The following table identifies the various components of non-performing assets and other balance sheet information as of the dates indicated below and changes in the ALL for the periods then ended:

Nonperforming assets:

Nonaccrual loans

Commercial real estate $ 5,374 $ 827

Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) 298 357

Consumer installment 77 156

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more 160 586

Other collateral owned 2 41

Total nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) $ 13,233 $ 11,530

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) $ 12,523 $ 18,477

Loans charged off:

Commercial/Agricultural real estate (251) —

C&I/Agricultural operating (7) (1,091)

Residential mortgage — (78)

Consumer installment (81) (149)

Total loans charged off (339) (1,318)

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:

Commercial/Agricultural real estate 28 150

C&I/Agricultural operating 123 44

Residential mortgage 13 20

Consumer installment 45 77

Total recoveries of loans previously charged off: 209 291

Net loans charged off (“NCOs”) (130) (1,027)

Additions to ALL via provision for loan losses charged to operations — 7,750

Ratios:

NCOs (annualized) to average loans 0.01 % 0.08 %

ALL to total loans 1.29 % 1.38 %

NPLs to total loans 0.90 % 0.92 %

NPAs to total assets 0.76 % 0.70 %

41

The following table shows the detail of non-performing assets by originated and acquired portfolios.

Nonperforming Originated and Acquired Assets

Nonperforming assets:

Originated nonperforming assets:

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more 63 415

Total originated nonperforming loans (“NPL”) 6,511 4,064

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) — 63

Other collateral owned 2 41

Total originated nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) $ 6,513 $ 4,168

Acquired nonperforming assets:

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more 97 171

Total acquired nonperforming loans (“NPL”) 5,314 7,269

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) 1,406 93

Other collateral owned — —

Total acquired nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) $ 6,720 $ 7,362

Total nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) $ 13,233 $ 11,530

Ratios:

Originated NPLs to total loans 0.50 % 0.33 %

Acquired NPLs to total loans 0.41 % 0.59 %

Originated NPAs to total assets 0.37 % 0.25 %

Acquired NPAs to total assets 0.39 % 0.45 %

Non-performing assets include non-performing loans, other real estate owned, and other collateral owned.Our non-performing assets were $13.2 million, or 0.76% of total assets, at December 31, 2021, compared to $11.5 million, or 0.70% of total assets, at December 31, 2020.The increase was largely due to an increase in originated nonaccrual loans and the transfer of $1.4 million of a former branch asset to OREO, partially offset by a decrease in acquired nonaccrual loans.

Nonaccrual Loans Roll forward

Year Ended

The table below shows the totals of accruing troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. The 2021 decrease in troubled debt restructurings in dollars was largely due to one C&I loan of $3.0 million that paid in full in 2021.

42

Troubled Debt Restructurings in Accrual Status

Troubled debt restructurings: Accrual Status

The table below shows the totals of special mention, substandard and the total of these, known as criticized loans as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.The decrease in criticized loans in 2021 was largely due to decreases in acquired substandard loans and a reduction in originated accruing TDR loans, nonperforming and other substandard loans.

Special mention loan balances $ 4,536 $ 6,672

The table below shows the changes in the Bank’s non-accretable difference on purchased credit impaired loans. The Bank has transferred the non-accretable difference on purchased credit impaired loans to accretable discount as collateral coverage improved sufficiently, due to a combination of principal paydowns and/or improving collateral positions.This transferred non-accretable difference to accretable discount is accreted over the remaining maturity of the loan or until payoff, whichever is shorter.

Non-accretable difference:

Year Ended

Non-accretable difference, beginning of period $ 1,087 $ 6,290

Transfers from non-accretable difference to accretable discount. (329) (2,754)

Non-accretable difference used to reduce loan principal balance — (505)

Non-accretable difference transferred to OREO due to loan foreclosure — (251)

Non-accretable difference, end of period $ 653 $ 1,087

Accretable difference:

43

The table below shows scheduled accretion by year for the accretable difference recognized due to fair value purchase accounting on recent whole bank acquisitions. In addition, the Company has $1.61 million of accretable discount from purchased impaired loans with the original non-accretable discount transferred to accretable discount. The scheduled accretion on this balance is estimated to be $100 per year; however, large balance payoffs, as seen in 2021 and 2020, would accelerate this accretion.

Fiscal years ending December 31, Purchase Accounting Accretable Discount

Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company continues to sell loans to investors in the secondary market and generally retains the rights to service mortgage loans sold to others.MSR assets are initially measured at fair value by a third party; assessed at least quarterly for impairment; carried at the lower of the initial capitalized amount, net of accumulated amortization, or estimated fair value. MSR assets are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income, with the amortization recorded in non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations. The valuation of MSRs and related amortization thereon are based on numerous factors, assumptions and judgments, such as those for: changes in the mix of loans, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and default rates. Changes in these factors, assumptions and judgments may have a material effect on the valuation and amortization of MSRs. Although management believes that the assumptions used to evaluate the MSRs for impairment are reasonable, future adjustment may be necessary if future economic conditions differ substantially from the economic assumptions used to determine the value of MSRs.