NOTE 9 – RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which is essentially the final rule on use of the so-called CECL model, or current expected credit losses. Among other things, ASC 326 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), enacted on March 27, 2020, gave financial institutions the option to delay adoption of CECL. The Company elected to delay its adoption of the update until the earlier of the date the national emergency concerning COVID-19 terminates or December 31, 2020, with an effective retrospective adoption date of January 1, 2020. Amounts reported for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326, except quarterly periods in 2020, which were not restated under CECL and all prior period information is presented in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. Based on prevailing economic conditions and forecasts as of January 1, 2020, the Company recognized a cumulative net increase to retained earnings of $1.1 million, net of tax, attributable to a decrease in the allowance for credit losses of $2.0 million, an increase in the allowance for off balance sheet credit exposures of $0.5 million, and a decrease in deferred tax assets of $0.4 million. This was the result of implementing a more quantitative methodology. The commercial, financial, and agricultural loan category decreased $8.2 million due to the portfolio primarily consisting of loans with generally short contractual maturities. This was partially offset by an increase of $6.2 million in the real estate – construction loan category due to the application of peer loss rates within the discounted cash flow pool reserve methodology. Peer historical loss rates were utilized to better align with loss expectations given the Company’s low historical loss experience in this category.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The update provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. Therefore, it will be effective for a limited time, starting March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company has identified a replacement reference rate established by the American Financial Exchange. This rate is based on an active market of daily fund trading among participant banks. The Company will apply the guidance provided by this ASU in transitioning to the new reference rate.