LCNB Corp: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2025

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made in this document regarding LCNB’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by the fact they are not historical facts and include words such as “anticipate”, “could”, “may”, “feel”, “expect”, “believe”, “might”, “plan”, and similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on all information available to management and its knowledge of LCNB’s business and operations. Additionally, LCNB’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, but are not limited to:

1. the success, impact, and timing of the implementation of LCNB’s business strategies;

2. LCNB’s ability to integrate recent and future acquisitions may be unsuccessful, or may be more difficult, time-consuming, or costly than expected;

3. LCNB may incur increased loan charge-offs in the future and the allowance for credit losses may be inadequate;

4. LCNB may face competitive loss of customers to both bank and nonbank financial institutions;

5. changes in the interest rate environment, either by interest rate increases or decreases, may have results on LCNB’s operations materially different from those anticipated by LCNB’s market risk management functions;

6. changes in general economic conditions, including the potential economic impacts of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, and increased competition could adversely affect LCNB’s operating results;

7. changes in or instability regarding regulations and government policies affecting bank holding companies and their subsidiaries, including changes in monetary policies, could negatively impact LCNB’s operating results;

8. LCNB may experience difficulties growing loan and deposit balances;

9. United States trade relations with foreign countries could negatively impact the financial condition of LCNB's customers, which could adversely affect LCNB's operating results and financial condition;

10. global and/or geopolitical relations and/or conflicts could create financial market uncertainty and have negative impacts on commodities, currency, and stability, which could adversely affect LCNB's operating results and financial condition;

11. difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyberattacks or widespread outages, could negatively affect LCNB's ability to conduct business and its relationships with customers, vendors, and others;

12. adverse weather events and natural disasters and global and/or national epidemics could negatively affect LCNB's customers given its concentrated geographic scope, which could impact LCNB's operating results; and

13. government intervention in the U.S. financial system, including the effects of legislative, tax, accounting, and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the capital ratios of Basel III as adopted by the federal banking authorities, changes in deposit insurance premium levels, and any such future regulatory actions or reforms.

Forward-looking statements made herein reflect management's expectations as of the date such statements are made. Such information is provided to assist shareholders and potential investors in understanding current and anticipated financial operations of LCNB and is included pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. LCNB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date such statements are made.

DESCRIPTION OF LCNB'S BUSINESS

General Description

LCNB Corp., an Ohio corporation formed in December 1998, is a financial holding company headquartered in Lebanon, Ohio. Substantially all of the assets, liabilities and operations of LCNB Corp. are attributable to its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCNB National Bank. The predecessor of LCNB Corp., the Bank, was formed as a national banking association in 1877. On May 19, 1999, the Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of LCNB Corp. LCNB Risk Management, Inc., a captive insurance agency, was incorporated in Nevada by LCNB Corp. during the second quarter of 2017.

Loan products offered include commercial and industrial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, agricultural loans, construction loans, various types of consumer loans, and Small Business Administration loans. The Bank's residential mortgage lending activities consist primarily of loans for purchasing or refinancing personal residences, home equity lines of credit, and loans for commercial or consumer purposes secured by residential mortgages. Consumer lending activities include automobile, boat, home improvement, and personal loans.

The Wealth Management Division of the Bank provides complete trust administration, estate settlement, and fiduciary services and also offers investment management of trusts, agency accounts, individual retirement accounts, and foundations/endowments.

Security brokerage services are offered by the Bank through arrangements with LPL Financial LLC, a registered broker/dealer. Licensed brokers offer a full range of investment services and products, including financial needs analysis, mutual funds, securities trading, annuities, and life insurance.

Other services offered include safe deposit boxes, night depositories, cashier's checks, bank-by-mail, ATMs, cash and transaction services, debit cards, wire transfers, electronic funds transfer, utility bill collections, notary public service, cash management services, 24-hour telephone banking, PC Internet banking, mobile banking, and other services tailored for both individuals and businesses.

The Bank is not dependent upon any one significant customer or specific industry. Business is not seasonal to any material degree.

The address of the main office of the Bank is 2 North Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio 45036; telephone (513) 932-1414.

Primary Market Area

The Bank considers its primary market area to consist of counties where it has a physical presence and neighboring counties, which includes Southwestern and South Central Ohio and Northern Kentucky. At December 31, 2025, the Bank had:

• 35 offices, including a main office in Warren County, Ohio and branch offices in Warren, Butler, Clinton, Clermont, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Preble, and Ross Counties in Ohio,
• an Operations Center in Warren County, Ohio, and
• 34 ATMs.

Competition

The Bank faces strong competition both in making loans and attracting deposits. The deregulation of the banking industry and the widespread enactment of state laws that permit multi-bank holding companies as well as the availability of nationwide interstate banking has created a highly competitive environment for financial services providers. The Bank competes with other national and state banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage brokerage firms, realty companies with captive mortgage brokerage firms, mutual funds, insurance companies, cryptocurrency companies, brokerage and investment banking companies, Financial Technology or "FinTech" companies including decentralized finance and cryptocurrency, and other financial intermediaries operating in its market and elsewhere, many of whom have substantially larger financial and managerial resources.

The Bank seeks to minimize the competitive effect of other financial institutions through a community banking approach that emphasizes direct customer access to the Bank's CEO, President, and other officers in an environment conducive to friendly, informed, and courteous personal services. Management believes that the Bank is well-positioned to compete successfully in its primary market area. Competition among financial institutions is based upon interest rates offered on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans and other credit and service charges, availability of electronic banking services, the quality and scope of the services rendered, and the convenience of banking facilities and electronic banking technologies.

The ability to access and use technology, including the use of artificial intelligence, is an increasingly competitive factor in the financial services industry. Technology relating to the delivery of financial services, the security and privacy of customer information, and the processing of information is evolving rapidly. LCNB continually makes technology investments to remain competitive in the financial services industry.

Management believes the commitment of the Bank to personal service, innovation, and involvement in the communities and primary market areas it serves, as well as its commitment to quality community banking service, are factors that contribute to its competitive advantage.

Supervision and Regulation

Both federal and state laws extensively regulate bank holding companies, financial holding companies, and banks. These laws (and the regulations promulgated thereunder) are primarily intended to protect depositors and the DIF of the FDIC. The following information describes particular laws and regulatory provisions relating to financial holding companies and banks. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular laws and regulatory provisions. A change in any of these laws or regulations or in their enforcement may have a material effect on our business and the business of our subsidiaries.

Bank Holding Companies and Financial Holding Companies

LCNB elected to become a financial holding company on April 11, 2000. A financial holding company is essentially a bank holding company with significantly expanded powers. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, in addition to traditional lending activities, the following activities are among those that are deemed “financial in nature” for financial holding companies: securities underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency activities, activities which the Federal Reserve Board determines to be closely related to banking, and certain merchant banking activities.

As a financial holding company, LCNB has very broad discretion to affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies, provide merchant banking services, and engage in other activities that the Federal Reserve Board has deemed financial in nature. In order to continue as a financial holding company, LCNB must continue to be well-capitalized, well-managed, and maintain compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. Depending on the types of financial activities that LCNB may elect to engage in, under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act’s functional regulation principles, it may become subject to supervision by additional government agencies. The election to be treated as a financial holding company increases LCNB's ability to offer financial products and services that historically it was either unable to provide or was only able to provide on a limited basis. As a result, LCNB faces increased competition in the markets for any new financial products and services that it may offer. Likewise, an increased amount of consolidation among banks and securities firms or banks and insurance firms could result in a growing number of large financial institutions that could compete aggressively with LCNB.

The Bank is subject to the provisions of the National Bank Act. The Bank is subject to primary supervision, regulation, and examination by the OCC. The Bank is also subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC.

Banking Operations.

LCNB Corp. and the Bank are subject to an extensive array of banking laws and regulations that are intended primarily for the protection of the Bank’s customers and depositors. These laws and regulations govern such areas as permissible activities, loans and investments, and rates of interest that can be charged on loans and reserves. LCNB Corp. and the Bank also are subject to general U.S. federal laws and regulations and to the laws and regulations of the State of Ohio. Set forth below are brief descriptions of selected laws and regulations applicable to LCNB Corp. and the Bank.

Safe and Sound Banking Practices.

Bank holding companies are not permitted to engage in unsafe and unsound banking practices. The Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation Y, for example, generally requires a holding company to give the Federal Reserve Board prior notice of any redemption or repurchase of its own equity securities, if the consideration to be paid, together with the consideration paid for any repurchases or redemptions in the preceding year, is equal to 10% or more of the bank holding company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may oppose the transaction if it believes that the transaction would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or would violate any law or regulation. Depending upon the circumstances, the Federal Reserve Board could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

The Federal Reserve Board has broad authority to prohibit activities of bank holding companies and their nonbanking subsidiaries which represent unsafe and unsound banking practices or which constitute violations of laws or regulations, and can assess civil money penalties for certain activities conducted on a knowing and reckless basis, if those activities caused a substantial loss to a depository institution. The penalties can be as high as $1.0 million for each day the activity continues.

Deposit Insurance Coverage and Assessments

The Bank is FDIC insured. Through the DIF, the FDIC provides deposit insurance protection that covers all deposit accounts in FDIC-insured depository institutions up to applicable limits (currently $250 thousand per depositor).

The Bank must pay assessments to the FDIC under a risk-based assessment system for this federal deposit insurance protection. FDIC-insured depository institutions pay insurance premiums at rates based on their risk classification. Institutions assigned to higher risk classifications (i.e., institutions that pose a greater risk of loss to the DIF) pay assessments at higher rates than institutions assigned to lower risk classifications. An institution’s risk classification is assigned based on its capital levels and the level of supervisory concern the institution poses to bank regulators. In addition, the FDIC can impose special assessments to cover shortages in the DIF and has imposed special assessments in the past.

On October 18, 2022, the FDIC issued a final rule that increased the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate paid by insured depository institutions by two basis points, beginning with the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. According to the FDIC, the new assessment rate increases the likelihood that its designated reserve ratio will reach the required minimum level of 1.35% by the statutory deadline of September 30, 2028 and will support progress toward achieving the long-term goal of a 2% ratio. The increase will remain in effect until the long-term goal of a 2% FDIC designated reserve ratio is achieved. Progressively lower assessment rates will take effect when the reserve ratio reaches 2% and again when the reserve ratio reaches 2.5%.

Under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, an FDIC-insured depository institution can be held liable for any losses incurred by the FDIC in connection with (1) the “default” of one of its FDIC-insured subsidiaries or (2) any assistance provided by the FDIC to one of its FDIC-receivers. “In danger of default” is defined generally as the existence of certain conditions indicating that a default is likely to occur in the absence of regulatory assistance. LCNB has never received an "in danger of default" categorization.

Dividends

LCNB Corp. is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. LCNB Corp. receives most of its revenue from dividends paid to it by the Bank. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, dividends paid by LCNB National Bank to LCNB Corp. totaled $15.1 million, $22.0 million, and $29.0 million, respectively.

Described below are some of the laws and regulations that apply when either LCNB Corp. or the Bank pay or are paid dividends.

The Federal Reserve Board and the OCC have issued policy statements that recommend that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends to the extent net income is sufficient to cover both cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention consistent with capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition. Further, the Federal Reserve Board’s policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board has indicated that each bank holding company should carefully review its dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels, which is the maximum dividend amount that may be issued and allow the Company to still maintain its target tier 1 capital ratio, unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

To pay dividends, the Bank must maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. Under federal law, the Bank cannot pay a dividend if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be “undercapitalized.” National banks are required by federal law to obtain the prior approval of the OCC in order to declare and pay dividends if the total of all dividends declared in any calendar year would exceed the total of (1) such bank’s net profits (as defined and interpreted by regulation) for that year plus (2) its retained net profits (as defined and interpreted by regulation) for the preceding two calendar years, less any required transfers to surplus. If dividends exceed net profit for a year, a bank is generally not required to carry forward the negative amount resulting from such excess if the bank can attribute the excess to the preceding two years. If the excess is greater than the bank's previously undistributed net income for the preceding two years, prior OCC approval of the dividend is required and a negative amount would be carried forward in future dividend calculations. In addition, these banks may only pay dividends to the extent that retained net profits (including the portion transferred to surplus) exceed bad debts (as defined by regulation).

Affiliate Transactions

The Company and the Bank and other subsidiaries are "affiliates" within the meaning of the Federal Reserve Act. The Federal Reserve Act imposes limitations on a bank with respect to extensions of credit to, investments in, and certain other transactions with, its parent bank holding company and the holding company’s other subsidiaries. Loans and extensions of credit from the Bank to its affiliates are also subject to various collateral requirements. Further, the Bank's authority to extend credit to the Company's directors, executive officers, and principal shareholders, including their immediate family members, corporations, and other entities that they control, is subject to the restrictions and additional requirements of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O promulgated thereafter. These statutes and regulations impose specific limits on the amount of loans the Bank may make to directors and other insiders and specify approval procedures that must be followed in making loans that exceed certain amounts.

Capital

LCNB and the Bank are each required to comply with applicable capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve Board and the OCC, respectively. The current risk-based capital standards applicable to LCNB and the Bank are based on the December 2010 final capital framework for strengthening international capital standards, known as Basel III.

In July 2013, the federal bank regulators approved final rules (the “Basel III Rules”) implementing the Basel III framework as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Basel III Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries. The Basel III Rules became effective for LCNB and the Bank on January 1, 2015 (subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions).

The Basel III Rules established three components of regulatory capital: (1) common equity tier 1 capital (“CET1”); (2) additional tier 1 capital; and (3) tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital is the sum of CET1 and additional tier 1 capital instruments meeting certain revised requirements. Total capital is the sum of tier 1 capital and tier 2 capital. Under the Basel III Rules, for most banking organizations, the most common form of additional tier 1 capital is non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and the most common form of tier 2 capital is subordinated notes and a portion of the allocation for loan and lease losses, in each case, subject to the Basel III Rules’ specific requirements. LCNB Corp. does not have any non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock or subordinated notes.

Under the Basel III Rules, the minimum capital ratios effective as of January 1, 2015 are: (i) 4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets; (ii) 6.0% tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets; (iii) 8.0% total capital to risk-weighted assets; and (iv) 4.0% tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets as reported on consolidated financial statements (known as the “leverage ratio”). The Basel III Rules established a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% above the new regulatory minimum risk-based capital requirements. The conservation buffer, when added to the capital requirements, resulted in the following minimum ratios: (i) a CET1 risk-based capital ratio of 7.0%; (ii) a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5% and (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.5%. An institution is subject to limitations on certain activities including payment of dividends, share repurchases, and discretionary bonuses to executive officers if its capital level is below the buffer amount. With respect to the Bank, the Basel III Rules also revised the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as discussed below under “Prompt Corrective Action.”

See Note 15 - Regulatory Matters and Impact on Payment of Dividends of the consolidated financial statements for more information concerning LCNB's compliance with regulatory capital ratios.

In November 2019, the federal banking regulators published final rules implementing a simplified measure of capital adequacy for certain banking organizations that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Under the final rules, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, depository institutions and depository institution holding companies that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets and meet other qualifying criteria, including a leverage ratio of greater than 9%, off-balance-sheet exposures of 25% or less of total consolidated assets, and trading assets plus trading liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets, are deemed “qualifying community banking organizations” and are eligible to opt into the “community bank leverage ratio framework.” A qualifying community banking organization that elects to use the community bank leverage ratio framework and that maintains a leverage ratio of greater than 9% is considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements under the Basel III Rules and, if applicable, is considered to have met the “well capitalized” ratio requirements for purposes of its primary federal regulator’s prompt corrective action rules, discussed below. LCNB Corp. and the Bank have not opted to use the community bank leverage ratio framework, but may make such an election in the future.

Prompt Corrective Action

A banking organization’s capital plays an important role in connection with regulatory enforcement as well. Federal law provides the federal banking regulators with broad power to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The extent of the regulators’ powers depends on whether the institution in question is “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized,” in each case as defined by regulation. Depending upon the capital category to which an institution is assigned, the regulators’ corrective powers include: (i) requiring the institution to submit a capital restoration plan; (ii) limiting the institution’s asset growth and restricting its activities; (iii) requiring the institution to issue additional capital stock (including additional voting stock) or to be acquired; (iv) restricting transactions between the institution and its affiliates; (v) restricting the interest rate that the institution may pay on deposits; (vi) ordering a new election of directors of the institution; (vii) requiring that senior executive officers or directors be dismissed; (viii) prohibiting the institution from accepting deposits from correspondent banks; (ix) requiring the institution to divest certain subsidiaries; (x) prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt; and (xi) ultimately, appointing a receiver for the institution.

Under current regulations, the Bank was “well capitalized” as of December 31, 2025.

Community Reinvestment Act of 1977

The CRA subjects a bank to regulatory assessment to determine if the institution meets the credit needs of its entire community, including low-and moderate-income neighborhoods served by the bank, and to take that determination into account in its evaluation of any application made by such bank for, among other things, approval of the acquisition or establishment of a branch or other depository facility, an office relocation, a merger, or the acquisition of shares of capital stock of another financial institution. The regulatory authority prepares a written evaluation of an institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community and assigns a rating. These ratings are “Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” “Needs Improvement,” and “Substantial Non-Compliance.” Institutions with ratings lower than “Satisfactory” may be restricted from engaging in the aforementioned activities. Management believes the Bank has taken and takes significant actions to comply with the CRA and it received a “Satisfactory” rating in its most recent review by federal regulators with respect to its compliance with the CRA.

On October 24, 2023, the OCC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the FDIC released a final rule that significantly changes how all but the smallest banks will be evaluated for compliance with the CRA. Under the new regulations, banks with $2 billion or more in assets will be evaluated under a Retail Lending Test, a Retail Services and Products Test, a Community Development Financing Test, and a Community Development Services Test. Banks with total assets of $600 million or more and less than $2 billion will be evaluated under the Retail Lending Test and, at the bank's option, either the current Intermediate Bank Community Development Test or the new Community Development Financing Test. The final rule became effective on April 1, 2024 with staggered compliance dates of January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027. On July 16, 2025, the OCC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the FDIC issued a proposal to rescind the CRA final rule issued in October 2023 and to replace it with the prior CRA regulations. The prior CRA regulations currently remain in effect.

BSA and AML

Under the BSA, financial institutions are required to monitor and report unusual or suspicious account activity that might signify money laundering, tax evasion, or other criminal activities, as well as transactions involving the transfer or withdrawal of amounts in excess of prescribed limits. The BSA is sometimes referred to as an “anti-money laundering” law (“AML”). Several AML acts, including provisions in Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, have been enacted to amend the BSA. Under the USA PATRIOT Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with financial institutions and foreign customers.

In addition, under the USA PATRIOT Act, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("Treasury") has adopted rules addressing a number of related issues, including increasing the cooperation and information sharing between financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement authorities regarding individuals, entities, and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected based on credible evidence of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities. Any financial institution complying with these rules will not be deemed to violate the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that are discussed below. Finally, under the regulations of the Office of Foreign Asset Control ("OFAC") financial institutions are required to monitor and block transactions with certain “specially designated nationals” who OFAC has determined pose a risk to U.S. national security.

Incentive Compensation

LCNB is subject to regulatory rules and guidance regarding employee incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that incentive-based compensation does not undermine the safety and soundness of the institution by encouraging excess risk-taking. LCNB's incentive compensation arrangements must provide employees with incentives that appropriately balance risk and reward and do not encourage imprudent risk, be compatible with effective controls and risk managements, and be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by LCNB's board of directors.

Consumer Laws and Regulations

LCNB is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks. While the following list is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Fair Housing Act, among others. These laws and regulations, among other things, prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or other designated characteristics and mandate various disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers. These and other laws also limit finance charges or other fees or charges earned for offering various services. LCNB must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of its ongoing customer relations.

Consumer Privacy

State and federal banking regulators have issued various policy statements emphasizing the importance of technology risk management and supervision in evaluating the safety and soundness of depository institutions with respect to banks that contract with outside vendors to provide data processing and core banking functions. The use of technology-related products, services, delivery channels, and processes exposes a bank to various risks, particularly operational, privacy, security, strategic, reputation, and compliance risk. Banks are generally expected to prudently manage technology-related risks as part of their comprehensive risk management policies by identifying, measuring, monitoring, and controlling risks associated with the use of technology.

Under Section 501 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the federal banking agencies have established appropriate standards for financial institutions regarding the implementation of safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protection against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records, and protection against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information in a way that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to a customer. Among other matters, the rules require each bank to implement a comprehensive written information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards relating to customer information.

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, a financial institution must provide its customers with a notice of privacy policies and practices. Section 502 prohibits a financial institution from disclosing nonpublic personal information about a customer to nonaffiliated third parties unless the institution satisfies various notice and opt-out requirements and the customer has not elected to opt out of the disclosure. Under Section 504, the agencies are authorized to issue regulations as necessary to implement notice requirements and restrictions on a financial institution’s ability to disclose nonpublic personal information about customers to nonaffiliated third parties. Under the final rule the regulators adopted, all banks must develop initial and annual privacy notices which describe in general terms the bank’s information sharing practices. Banks that share nonpublic personal information about customers with nonaffiliated third parties must also provide customers with an opt-out notice and a reasonable period of time for the customer to opt out of any such disclosure, with certain exceptions. Limitations are placed on the extent to which a bank can disclose an account number or access code for credit card, deposit, or transaction accounts to any nonaffiliated third party for use in marketing.

Cybersecurity

In 2015, Federal regulators issued two statements regarding cybersecurity: (i) a statement indicating that financial institutions should design multiple layers of security controls to establish lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, including security measures to reliably authenticate customers accessing internet-based services of the financial institutions; and (ii) a statement indicating the expectation of a financial institution's management to maintain a sufficient business continuity planning process to ensure rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the financial institution's operations after a cyber-attack involving destructive malware. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to: (a) enable recovery of data and business operations, (b) address rebuilding network capabilities, and (c) restore data if the financial institution or any of its critical service providers fall victim to this type of cyber-attack. If the Company does not comply with this regulatory guidance, it could be subject to various regulatory sanctions, as well as financial penalties.

In November 2021, federal banking agencies approved a final rule requiring banking agencies to notify regulators of any “significant computer-security incident” as soon as possible and no later than 36 hours after a determination that such an incident occurred, with compliance required by May 2022. In addition, banks must notify at least one designated point of contact at any affected customer as soon as possible when the bank experiences any computer-security incident that has disrupted or degraded, or is reasonably likely to materially disrupt or degrade, covered services provided to such customer for four or more hours. The bank and holding company are required to determine whether an incident arises to the level of requiring notification.

In April 2005, federal regulators issued guidance requiring financial institutions to develop and implement a response program designed to address incidents of unauthorized access to sensitive customer information maintained by the financial institution or its service provider. The guidance requires several elements to be included in an institution’s response program including notifications to an institution’s primary federal regulator as soon as possible when the institution becomes aware of an incident involving unauthorized access to or use of sensitive customer information; and notification to its customers when, after a reasonable investigation, the financial institution determines that misuse of the information has occurred or it is reasonably possible that misuse will occur.

State regulators have also been increasingly active in implementing data privacy and cybersecurity standards and regulations. Recently, several states have adopted regulations requiring certain financial institutions to implement cybersecurity programs and providing detailed requirements with respect to these programs, including data encryption requirements. Many states have also recently implemented or modified their data breach notification and data privacy requirements. Many, but not all, state breach notification laws expressly exempt entities that are subject to federal regulatory breach notification mandates The Company continues to monitor developments in the states in which its customers are located.

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (“CISA”) is intended to improve cybersecurity in the U.S. by enhanced sharing of information about security threats among the U.S. government and private sector entities, including financial institutions, and empowers the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA Agency”) to oversee this information-sharing process. The CISA also authorizes companies to monitor their own systems notwithstanding any other provision of law and allows companies to carry out defensive measures on their own systems from cyber-attacks or other information or security breaches. The law includes liability protections for companies that share cyber-threat information with third parties so long as such sharing activity is conducted in accordance with the CISA. Although the CISA originally expired on September 30, 2025 and was temporarily reauthorized to remain in effect through September 30, 2026, the long-term status of the CISA remains uncertain pending further action by the U.S. Congress. In addition, the enactment of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (“CIRCIA”) in 2022, once rulemaking is complete, will require, among other things, certain companies to report significant cyber incidents to the CISA Agency within 72 hours from the time the company reasonably believes the incident occurred (and within 24 hours of making a ransom payment as a result of a ransomware attack). On April 4, 2024, the CISA Agency proposed a rule under the CIRCIA that would clarify the scope of cyber incidents to be reported and would further define covered entities subject to the CIRCIA to expressly include companies in the financial services industry that are required to report cyber incidents to their primary federal regulators. Final rulemaking for CIRCIA has been extended to May 2026.

On July 26, 2023, the SEC adopted final rules that require public companies to promptly disclose material cybersecurity incidents in a Current Report on Form 8-K and detailed information regarding their cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance on an annual basis in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Companies are required to report on Form 8-K any cybersecurity incident they determine to be material within four business days of making that determination. These SEC rules, and any other regulatory guidance, are in addition to notification and disclosure requirements under state and federal banking law and regulations.

See Item 1C for further discussion related to the Company's risk management, strategy, and governance of cybersecurity.

Dodd-Frank Act and Regulatory Relief Act

The Dodd-Frank Act, which was enacted in July 2010, effected a fundamental restructuring of federal banking regulation. In addition to those provisions discussed above, among the Dodd-Frank Act provisions that have affected LCNB are the following:

• creation of a new Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify systemic risks in the financial system and gives federal regulators new authority to take control of and liquidate financial firms;
• elimination of the federal statutory prohibition against the payment of interest on business checking accounts;
• prohibition on state-chartered banks engaging in derivatives transactions unless the loans to one borrower of the state in which the bank is chartered takes into consideration credit exposure to derivative transactions. For this purpose, derivative transactions include any contract, agreement, swap, warrant, note or option that is based in whole or in part on the value of, any interest in, or any quantitative measure or the occurrence of any event relating to, one or more commodity securities, currencies, interest or other rates, indices, or other assets;
• requirement that the amount of any interchange fee charged by a debit card issuer with respect to a debit card transaction must be reasonable and proportional to the cost incurred by the issuer. On June 29, 2011, the Federal Reserve Board set the interchange rate cap at $0.21 per transaction plus an ad valorem component of 5 basis points multiplied by the value of the transaction. While the restrictions on interchange fees do not apply to banks that, together with their affiliates, have assets of less than $10 billion, the rule could affect the competitiveness of debit cards issued by smaller banks; and
• restrictions under the Volcker Rule of the Company’s ability to engage in proprietary trading and to invest in, sponsor and engage in certain types of transactions with certain private funds. The Company had until July 15, 2015 to fully conform to the Volcker Rule's restrictions.

Management continues to review actively the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and assess its probable impact on its business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the "Regulatory Relief Act") was signed into law on May 24, 2018. The Regulatory Relief Act scales back certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act and provides other regulatory relief for financial institutions. Certain provisions affecting LCNB include:

• Simplifying regulatory capital requirements by providing that banks with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets that meet a to-be-developed community bank leverage ratio of tangible equity to average consolidated assets between eight and ten percent will be deemed to be in compliance with risk-based capital and leverage requirements.
• Changing how federal financial institution regulators classify certain municipal securities assets under the liquidity coverage ratio rule;
• Exempting certain reciprocal deposits from treatment as brokered deposits under the FDIC's brokered deposits rule;
• Exempting banks with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets from certain provisions under the Volcker Rule; and
• Authorizing new banking procedures to better facilitate online transactions.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The Dodd-Frank Act created an independent federal agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is granted broad rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Act, the Consumer Financial Privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and certain other statutes. The CFPB has examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. Smaller institutions are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes. The Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level and, in certain circumstances, permits the state attorney general to enforce compliance with both the state and federal laws and regulations.

The CFPB has finalized rules relating to, among other things, remittance transfers under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, which requires companies to provide consumers with certain disclosures before the consumer pays for a remittance transfer. These rules became effective in October 2013. The CFPB has also amended certain rules under Regulation C relating to home mortgage disclosure to reflect a change in the asset-size exemption threshold for depository institutions based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. In addition, on January 10, 2013, the CFPB released its final “Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage” rules, which amended the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z). Regulation Z prohibits a creditor from making a higher-priced mortgage loan without regard to the consumer’s ability to repay the loan. The final amended rule implemented sections 1411 and 1412 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which generally require creditors to make a reasonable, good faith determination of a consumer’s ability to repay any consumer credit transaction secured by a dwelling (excluding an open-end credit plan, timeshare plan, reverse mortgage, or temporary loan) and establishes certain protections from liability under this requirement for “qualified mortgages.” The final rule also implemented section 1414 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which limits prepayment penalties. Finally, the final rule requires creditors to retain evidence of compliance with the rule for three years after a covered loan is consummated. This rule became effective January 10, 2014.

Monetary Policy

Banks are affected by the credit policies of monetary authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board, that affect the national supply of credit. The Federal Reserve Board regulates the supply of credit in order to influence general economic conditions, primarily through open market operations in United States government obligations, varying the discount rate on financial institution borrowings, varying reserve requirements against financial institution deposits, and restricting certain borrowings by financial institutions and their subsidiaries. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had a significant effect on the operating results of banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

Regulatory Reform and Legislation

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of LCNB and the Bank in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. LCNB and the Bank cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on the financial condition or results of operations of LCNB and the Bank. A change in statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies applicable to LCNB and the Bank could have a material effect on LCNB’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. At this time, LCNB and the Bank do not expect material costs and effects to result from any federal, state, or local environmental laws that may be enacted.

Human Capital

As of December 31, 2025, LCNB employed 328 full-time and 35 part-time employees working throughout the ten Ohio counties in which LCNB operates. LCNB considers these individuals the most important influence contributing to the Bank’s success and is committed to investing in their ongoing growth and development.

Through an ongoing collaboration with a local non-profit organization, LCNB's employee council is working to expand education and share experiences; to acknowledge, celebrate, and encourage various backgrounds, interests, and lifestyles; and to broaden recruitment efforts in order to source untapped potential.

LCNB places a high priority on training and development and has enjoyed a long history of promoting from within the organization, as evidenced by the executive management team. Through a blend of strong internal talent and new talent, the Bank has been able to successfully navigate the ongoing challenges related to talent depth. As LCNB grows and develops new products and services, the Bank continues to seek innovative, cost effective, and efficient ways to educate and develop its employees. Through a blend of online education, interactive training sessions, and experiential learning, LCNB provides opportunities for those who desire to fine-tune existing skills as well as those who desire to prepare for the next steps along their career path.

LCNB values and invests in overall employee well-being and satisfaction, providing compensation and benefits that are competitive with those provided by other financial institutions and major employers within LCNB's market area. In addition to traditional benefits, which include health, dental, life, vision, and long-term disability insurance, LCNB offers other voluntary coverages. Some of these benefits are paid by the Bank, others are shared cost, and some are employee-paid. LCNB also provides all employees access to a personal care advocate through the LCNB Care Center. Advocates provide independent, confidential support in navigating all aspects of health care benefits. Additional benefits include a matching 401(k) plan, a performance bonus plan, and tuition reimbursement plans.

LCNB has an active Wellness Committee comprised of employees from across the Bank. The committee promotes activities, education, and consultation that improve the health and lives of employees and their families. A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers benefits that are available to both full-time and part-time employees and members of their households. Services include 24/7 access to licensed mental health professionals, ongoing personal coaching sessions, and referrals to additional support resources based on needs. As part of evolving wellness efforts, LCNB provides employees with an interactive online Health and Wellness Portal, which offers employees access to personalized one-on-one sessions with a certified health coach, trainer, licensed dietician, or registered nurse.

Fostering and enhancing a culture of open and transparent communication remains extremely important to the Bank. In 2020, the Bank initiated quarterly Town Hall Meetings and weekly informational emails from senior management that allowed all employees to participate and receive information. The Bank will do the same in 2026 along with some smaller scheduled group meetings to further communicate important initiatives and information. In addition, senior management is available to participate in department and branch staff meetings upon request.

Availability of Financial Information

LCNB files unaudited quarterly financial reports on Form 10-Q, annual financial reports on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports are filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the SEC. Copies of these reports are available free of charge in the shareholder information section of the Bank's website, www.lcnb.com (http://www.lcnb.com), as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished to the SEC, or by writing to:

Andrew M. Wallace

Executive Vice President, CFO

LCNB Corp.

2 North Broadway

P.O. Box 59

Lebanon, Ohio 45036

The SEC also maintains an internet site (www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov)) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file reports electronically, as LCNB does. LCNB's filings are available on the SEC's website under the ticker name "LCNB".

STATISTICAL INFORMATION

The following tables and certain tables appearing in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis present additional statistical information about LCNB Corp. and its operations and financial condition. They should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and the discussion included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential

The table presenting an average balance sheet, interest income and expense, and the resultant average yield for average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities is included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The table analyzing changes in interest income and expense by volume and rate is included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Contractual maturities of debt securities at December 31, 2025, were as follows. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations. Weighted average yield is based on amortized cost.

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) Yields on tax-exempt obligations are computed on a taxable-equivalent basis based upon a 21.0% statutory Federal income tax rate.

Excluding holdings in U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government Agencies, there were no investments in securities of any issuer that exceeded 10% of LCNB's consolidated shareholders' equity at December 31, 2025.

Loan Portfolio

The following table summarizes loan maturities and sensitivities to interest rate change at December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for credit losses on loans:

(Dollars in thousands)

Deposits

The statistical information regarding average amounts and average rates paid for the deposit categories is included in the "Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity" table included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The estimated amount of uninsured deposits including related interest accrued and unpaid was $304.1 million and $245.8 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The following table presents an estimate of the contractual maturities of time deposits that exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250 thousand at December 31, 2025:

(In thousands)

-17-

There are risks inherent in LCNB’s operations, many beyond management’s control, which may adversely affect its financial condition and results from operations and should be considered in evaluating the Company. Credit, market, operational, liquidity, interest rate and other risks are described elsewhere in this report. Other risk factors may include the items described below.

Risks Related to Economic and Market Conditions

Weakness in the economy and in the real estate market, including weakness specific to LCNB's geographic footprint, may negatively affect its financial condition and earnings.

LCNB’s success depends, in part, on economic and political conditions, local and national, as well as governmental fiscal and monetary policies. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, fiscal and monetary policy, prolonged government shutdown, tariffs and trade policy including impositions of retaliatory tariffs, and other factors beyond LCNB’s control may affect its deposit levels and composition, demand for loans, the ability of borrowers to repay their loans, and the value of the collateral securing the loans it makes. Economic turmoil in different regions of the world affect the economy and stock prices in the United States, which can affect LCNB’s earnings and capital and the ability of its customers to repay loans. Due to LCNB’s volume of real estate loans, declining real estate values could affect the value of property used as collateral as well as LCNB’s ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure. In 2025, the federal government was shut down from October 1, 2025 to November 12, 2025. The economic impact of a future long-spanning government shutdown is inherently uncertain and could have a material effect on LCNB’s business, financial condition, and operations.

If the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which LCNB conducts operations weakens, this could result in, among other things, a deterioration of credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including a resultant effect on the loan portfolio and allowance for credit losses. These factors could also result in higher delinquencies and greater charge-offs in future periods, which would materially affect LCNB's financial condition and results of operations.

There is no assurance that LCNB's loan borrowers will not experience financial difficulties or that properties securing loans will not suffer deterioration in value. The fluctuations in national, regional and local economic conditions, including those related to local residential, commercial real estate and construction markets, may result in increased charge-offs. These fluctuations are not predictable, cannot be controlled, and may have a material impact on LCNB's operations and financial condition even if other favorable events occur.

Declining values of real estate, increases in unemployment, insurance market disruptions, and the related effects on local economies may increase LCNB's credit losses, which would negatively affect financial results.

LCNB offers a variety of secured loans, including commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, real estate, construction, home equity, consumer, and other loans. Many loans are secured by real estate (both residential and commercial) within LCNB's market area. A major change in the real estate market, such as deterioration in the value of collateral or in the local or national economy, could affect LCNB's ability to liquidate foreclosed property, which in turn could impact LCNB's results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, increases in unemployment may also affect the ability of certain clients to repay loans and the financial results of commercial clients in localities with higher unemployment may result in loan defaults and foreclosures and may impair the value of loan collateral. Loan defaults and foreclosures are unavoidable in the banking industry. LCNB cannot fully eliminate credit risk and, as a result, credit losses may increase in the future.

Risks Related to LCNB's Operations

LCNB’s loan portfolio includes a substantial amount of commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans, which may have more risks than residential or consumer loans.

LCNB’s commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans comprise a substantial portion of its total loan portfolio. These loans generally carry larger loan balances and can involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than home equity, residential mortgage, or consumer loans. The potential for increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans is a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans, the size of loan balances, and the effects of general economic conditions on businesses and loans secured by income-producing properties. In order to mitigate these heightened risks, LCNB continually evaluates and monitors these types of loans.

Approximately 90.2% of our total commercial loans or about 64.4% of our total loans relate to commercial real estate. The repayment of loans secured by commercial real estate is often dependent upon the successful operation, development, or sale of the related real estate or commercial business and may, therefore, be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or economy. If the cash flow from operations is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may deteriorate. In such cases, LCNB may take actions to protect its financial interest in the loan. Such actions may include foreclosure on the real estate securing the loan, taking possession of other collateral that may have been pledged as security for the loan, or modifying the terms of the loan. If foreclosed on, commercial real estate is often unique and may be difficult to liquidate.

LCNB’s value of intangible assets may decline, due to continued competition for deposits and other factors.

As of December 31, 2025, LCNB had total core deposit and other intangibles, net totaling $9.271 million. Core deposit and other intangibles net decreased due to amortization of core deposit and mortgage servicing rights intangibles. A significant decline in LCNB’s expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, slower growth rates or a significant and sustained decline in the price of LCNB common stock may necessitate taking charges in the future related to the impairment of LCNB’s deposit intangible assets. Additionally, increased competition for deposits, whether from competitive financial institutions or from nonbank financial institutions or competitive technologies, like cryptocurrency, could lead to further decreases in core deposits. Competition for deposits will likely continue to increase as technology evolves. If LCNB were to conclude that a future write-down of core deposit intangible assets is necessary, LCNB would record the appropriate charge, which could have a negative effect on LCNB’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Future growth and expansion opportunities may contain risks that could negatively affect us.

From time to time, LCNB may seek to acquire other financial institutions or parts of those institutions or may open new branch offices. It may also consider and enter into new lines of business or offer new products or services. Such activities involve a number of risks, which may include potential inaccuracies in estimates and judgments used to evaluate the expansion opportunity, diversion of management and employee attention, lack of experience in a new market or product or service, and difficulties in integrating a future acquisition or introducing a new product or service. There is no assurance that such growth or expansion activities will be successful or that they will achieve desired profitability levels.

Liquidity risk could impair LCNB's ability to fund operations and could jeopardize financial results.

LCNB faces liquidity risk, which is the possibility that LCNB may not be able to meet its obligations as they come due, both to creditors and customers, or may not be able to fully capitalize on growth opportunities because of a lack of liquidity. A lack of liquidity may be caused by an inability to favorably liquidate assets or obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and on other reasonable terms, and within acceptable risk tolerances.

LCNB’s controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates LCNB’s 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, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of LCNB’s controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to its controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on LCNB’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.

LCNB’s information systems may experience an interruption, cyberattack, or other breach in security.

LCNB relies heavily on electronic communications and information systems to conduct its business. Although significant resources are devoted to maintaining and regularly updating LCNB’s data systems, there can be no assurance that these security measures will provide absolute security. Any failure, interruption, cyberattack, email phishing scam, or other breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in LCNB’s customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, may further increase the risk of a cyber-attack. While LCNB has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption, cyberattack, or other security breach of its information systems, there can be no assurance that any such occurrences will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, cyberattacks, phishing scams, or other security breaches of LCNB’s information systems could significantly disrupt LCNB's operations, allow misappropriation of LCNB’s confidential information, allow misappropriation of customer confidential information, damage LCNB’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject LCNB to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose LCNB to significant civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

LCNB’s ability to pay cash dividends is limited.

LCNB is dependent upon the earnings of the Bank for funds to pay dividends on its common shares. The payment of dividends by LCNB and the Bank is subject to certain regulatory restrictions. As a result, any payment of dividends in the future will be dependent, in large part, on the ability of LCNB and the Bank to satisfy these regulatory restrictions and on the Bank’s earnings, capital levels, financial condition, and other factors. Although LCNB’s financial earnings and financial condition have allowed it to declare and pay periodic cash dividends to shareholders, there can be no assurance that the current dividend policy or the amount of dividend distributions will continue in the future.

LCNB must compete to hire and retain employees.

LCNB’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract, retain, motivate, and develop key employees. Competition for key employees is ongoing and LCNB may not be able to attract, retain, or hire the key employees who are wanted or needed, which may also negatively impact its ability to execute identified business strategies. Because LCNB operates primarily in Southwestern and South Central Ohio, its hiring pool is also limited by those markets. Competition for key employees may require LCNB to offer higher compensation to attract or retain key employees, which may adversely affect salaries and employee benefit costs.

Various restrictions on the compensation which may be paid to certain executive officers were imposed under the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulations. In addition, LCNB’s incentive compensation structure is subject to review by regulators, who may identify deficiencies in the structure or issue additional guidance on LCNB’s compensation practices, causing LCNB to make changes that may affect its ability to offer competitive compensation to these individuals or that place it at a disadvantage to non-financial service competitors. LCNB’s ability to attract and retain talented employees may be affected by these restrictions or any new executive compensation limits or regulations.

Risk factors related to LCNB’s Wealth Management business.

LCNB's Wealth Management business is subject to intense competition, general market risk, and inherent risks to the business of managing trust accounts.

Competition for wealth management business is intense. Competitors include other commercial bank and trust companies, brokerage firms, investment advisory firms, mutual fund companies, accountants, and attorneys.

LCNB’s Wealth Management business is directly affected by conditions in the debt and equity securities markets. The debt and equity securities markets are affected by, among other factors, domestic and foreign economic conditions, political uncertainties, and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, all of which are beyond LCNB’s control. Changes in economic conditions may directly affect the economic performance of the trust accounts in which clients’ assets are invested. A decline in the fair value of the trust accounts caused by a decline in general economic conditions directly affects LCNB’s trust fee income because such fees are primarily based on the fair value of the trust accounts. In addition, a sustained decrease in the performance of the trust accounts or a lack of sustained growth may encourage clients to seek alternative investment options.

The management of trust accounts is subject to the risk of mistaken distributions, poor investment choices, and miscellaneous other incorrect decisions. Such mistakes may give rise to surcharge actions by beneficiaries, with damages substantially in excess of the fees earned from management of the accounts.

General Risk Factors

Failure to meet regulatory capital requirements could adversely affect LCNB’s business.

The Bank is subject to regulations requiring it to satisfy minimum capital requirements, see Note 15 - Regulatory Matters and Impact on Payment of Dividends of the consolidated financial statements for more information. While management expects that LCNB's capital ratios under Basel III will continue to exceed well capitalized minimum capital requirements, there can be no assurance that such will be the case. If LCNB is unable to meet or exceed applicable minimum capital requirements, it may become subject to supervisory actions including, but not limited to, requirements to raise additional capital or dispose of assets, the loss of its financial holding company status, limitations on its ability to engage in new acquisitions or new activities, or other informal or formal regulatory enforcement actions.

Changes in economic or political conditions could adversely affect LCNB's earnings.

LCNB’s financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services that LCNB offers, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the markets where LCNB operates and in the United States as a whole. Recessions, periods of unemployment, changes in interest rates, inflationary pressures, money supply, tariffs and trade policy including retaliatory tariffs, and other factors beyond LCNB’s control may adversely affect its asset quality, deposit levels, loan demand, and earnings. Inflationary pressures directly affect the level of interest rates earned from loans and investments and paid for deposits and borrowings. In addition, salaries and employee benefits and other non-interest expenses tend to increase during periods of inflation.

Adverse changes in the economy may have a negative effect on the ability of borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, increasing the risk of loan defaults and losses. Because LCNB has a significant amount of commercial and residential real estate loans, decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral. As a result, LCNB may need to increase its allowance for credit losses, negatively affecting earnings.

LCNB’s earnings are significantly affected by market interest rates.

Fluctuations in interest rates may negatively impact LCNB’s profitability. A primary source of income from operations is net interest income, which is equal to the difference between interest income earned on loans and investment securities and the interest paid for deposits and other borrowings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond LCNB’s control, including general economic conditions, the slope of the yield curve (that is, the relationship between short and long-term interest rates), and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States Federal government. For example, the existing Chair of the Federal Reserve’s term ends on May 15, 2026 and recent political commentary has introduced additional uncertainty about how interest rate policy may evolve under the new leadership of the Board of Governors later in 2026.

Increases in general interest rates could have a negative impact on LCNB’s results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations. Some residential real estate mortgage loans, most home equity line of credit loans, and many of LCNB’s commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans have adjustable rates. Borrower inability to make scheduled loan payments due to a higher loan cost could result in increased loan defaults, foreclosures, and write-offs and may necessitate additions to the allowance for credit losses. In addition, increases in the general level of interest rates may decrease the demand for new consumer and commercial loans, thus limiting LCNB’s growth and profitability. A general increase in interest rates may also result in deposit disintermediation, which is the flow of deposits away from banks and other depository institutions into direct investments that have the potential for higher rates of return, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. If this occurs, LCNB may have to rely more heavily on borrowings as a source of funds in the future, which could negatively impact its net interest margin.

Gains from sales of mortgage loans may experience significant volatility.

Gains from sales of mortgage loans are highly influenced by the level and direction of mortgage interest rates, real estate activity, and refinancing activity. A decrease in market interest rates may create a refinancing demand for residential fixed-rate mortgage loans, which may cause an increase in gains from sales of mortgage loans if LCNB sells these loans in the secondary market. An increase in market interest rates may decrease the demand for refinanced loans and decrease the gains from sales of mortgage loans recognized in LCNB’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Gains from sales of mortgage loans may also be impacted by changes in LCNB’s strategy to manage its residential mortgage portfolio. For example, LCNB may occasionally change the proportion of loan originations that are sold in the secondary market and instead add a greater proportion to its loan portfolio.

Banking competition is intense.

The banking industry and related financial service providers operate in a highly competitive market. LCNB competes with financial service providers such as other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage banking firms, Financial Technology or “FinTech” companies including decentralized finance and cryptocurrency, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market mutual funds, and other financial intermediaries.

Technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Nonfinancial institution competitors may have fewer regulatory constraints and, due to technology related product delivery systems, a greater access to customers and lower cost structures.

Many of LCNB’s competitors include major financial institutions that have been in business for many years and have established customer bases, broader geographic service areas, substantially higher regulatory lending limits, and the ability to mount extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. In addition, credit unions are growing larger due to more flexible membership requirement regulations and are offering more financial services than they legally could in the past.

LCNB also competes with numerous real estate brokerage firms, some owned by realty companies, for residential real estate mortgage loans. The banking industry now competes with brokerage firms and mutual fund companies for funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits. Many of these competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures.

If LCNB is unable to attract and retain loan, deposit, brokerage, and Wealth Management customers, its growth and profitability levels may be negatively impacted.

Economic conditions in LCNB's market areas could adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.

LCNB conducts its operations from offices that are located in nine Southwestern Ohio counties and Franklin County, Ohio, from which substantially all of its customer base is drawn. Because of this geographic concentration of operations and customer base, LCNB's financial performance is heavily influenced by economic conditions in these areas. Any material deterioration in economic conditions in these markets could have material direct or indirect adverse impacts on LCNB's customers and on LCNB. Such deterioration could increase the number of customers experiencing financial distress, negatively impacting their ability to obtain new loans or to repay existing loans. As a result, LCNB may experience increases in the levels of impaired loans, increased charge-offs, and increased provisions for loan losses. Deteriorating economic conditions may also affect the ability of depositors to maintain or add to deposit balances and may affect the demand for loans, Wealth Management, brokerage, and other products and services offered by LCNB. Such losses and decreased demand could have material adverse effects on LCNB's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

New lines of business or new products and services may subject LCNB to additional risks.

From time to time, LCNB may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or products and services, LCNB may invest significant time and resources. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. If LCNB is unable to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services, it could have a material adverse effect on LCNB’s business, financial condition, and result of operations.

The allowance for credit losses may be inadequate.

The provision for credit losses is determined by management based upon its evaluation of the amount needed to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated risk of losses inherent in the portfolio. In addition to historic charge-off percentages, factors taken into consideration to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses include the nature, volume, and consistency of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, a review of specific problem loans, the fair value of any underlying collateral, borrowers’ cash flows, and current economic conditions that may affect borrowers’ ability to make payments. Increases in the allowance result in an expense for the period. By its nature, the evaluation is imprecise and requires significant judgment. Actual results may vary significantly from management’s assumptions. If, as a result of general economic conditions or a decrease in asset quality, management determines that additional increases in the allowance for credit losses are necessary, LCNB will incur additional expenses.

The fair value of LCNB’s investments could decline.

Most of LCNB’s investment securities portfolio is designated as available-for-sale. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, in the estimated fair value of the available-for-sale portfolio is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The fair value of LCNB’s investment portfolio may decline, causing a corresponding decline in shareholders’ equity. Management believes that several factors will affect the fair values of the investment portfolio including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates or expectations of changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation, and the slope of the interest rate yield curve. These and other factors may impact specific categories of the portfolio differently and the effect any of these factors may have on any specific category of the portfolio cannot be predicted.

State and local governmental authorities may experience deterioration of financial condition due to declining tax revenues, increased demand for services, and various other factors. To the extent LCNB has any municipal securities in its portfolio from issuers who are experiencing deterioration of financial condition or who may experience future deterioration of financial condition, the value of such securities may decline and could result in other-than-temporary impairment charges, which could have an adverse effect on LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, a general, industry-wide decline in the fair value of municipal securities could significantly affect LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations.

LCNB's investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Accordingly, declines in the fair value of LCNB's equity investments will immediately decrease net income.

Changes in tax law and accounting standards could materially affect LCNB's operations.

Changes in tax laws, or changes in the interpretation of existing tax laws, could materially adversely affect LCNB’s operations. Similarly, new accounting standards, changes to existing accounting standards, and changes to the methods of preparing financial statements could impact LCNB’s reported financial condition and results of operations. These factors are outside LCNB’s control and it is impossible to predict changes that may occur and the effect of such changes.

LCNB is subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.

A significant portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, the Bank may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, the Bank may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require the Bank to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit the Bank’s ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase the Bank’s exposure to environmental liability. Although the Bank has policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before approving a loan or initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations.

The banking industry is highly regulated and is thus subject to larger impacts due to regulatory uncertainty.

LCNB is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Federal Reserve Board and the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the OCC. LCNB and the Bank are also subject to regulation and examination by the FDIC as the deposit insurer. The CFPB is responsible for most consumer protection laws and has historically had broad authority, with certain exceptions, to regulate financial products offered by banks. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters including, but not limited to, changes in the ownership or control of banks, maintenance of adequate capital, permissible business operations, maintenance of deposit insurance, protection of customer financial privacy, the level of reserves held against deposits, restrictions on dividend payments, the making of loans, and the acceptance of deposits. See the previous section titled “Supervision and Regulation” for more information on this subject.

Federal regulators may initiate various enforcement actions against a financial institution that violates laws or regulations or that operates in an unsafe or unsound manner. These enforcement actions may include, but are not limited to, the assessment of civil money penalties, the issuance of cease-and-desist or removal orders, and the imposition of written agreements.

Proposals to change the laws governing financial institutions are periodically introduced in Congress and proposals to change regulations are periodically considered by the regulatory bodies. Furthermore, depending on presidential administrative priorities, there may be widespread initiatives to either regulate or deregulate financial institutions, which can lead to uncertainty for financial institutions as they navigate changes on a relatively frequent basis. Such future legislation and/or changes in regulations could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. The likelihood of any major changes in the future and their effects are indeterminable.

FDIC deposit insurance assessments may materially increase in the future.

Deposits of LCNB are insured up to statutory limits by the FDIC and, accordingly, LCNB and other banks and financial institutions pay quarterly premiums to the FDIC to maintain the DIF. On October 18, 2022, the FDIC issued a final rule that increased the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate paid by insured depository institutions by two basis points, beginning with the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The likelihood and extent of any further rate increases in the future are indeterminable.

Failure to adopt new technologies may result in customer dissatisfaction.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services, including the emergence of artificial intelligence. LCNB’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address customer needs by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in LCNB’s operations. LCNB has implemented technologies that utilize artificial intelligence in connection with LCNB’s business and operations in order to scale its business, but the outcome of implementation may not realize all the benefits LCNB is hoping to scale. LCNB may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers, or customers may be averse to the adoption of new technologies. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could negatively affect LCNB’s growth, revenue and profit.

Emergence of non-bank alternatives to the financial system may result in customer disintermediation.

Consumers may decide not to use banks to complete their financial transactions. Technology and other changes, including the emergence of Fintech Companies, are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can complete transactions, such as paying bills and/or transferring funds, directly without the assistance of banks. 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 and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Climate change, severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, political instability, epidemics and other external events could significantly impact LCNB’s business.

Climate change presents multi-faceted risks, including operational risk from the physical effects of climate events on LCNB and its customers’ facilities and other assets; credit risk from borrowers with significant exposure to climate risk; risks associated with the transition to a less carbon-dependent economy; and reputational risk from stakeholder concerns about our practices related to climate change, LCNB’s carbon footprint, and LCNB’s business relationships with clients who operate in carbon-intensive industries.

Natural disasters, including severe weather events of increasing strength and frequency due to climate change, acts of war or terrorism, political instability, and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on LCNB’s ability to conduct business or upon third parties who perform operational services for LCNB or its customers. Such events could affect the stability of LCNB’s deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in lost revenue, or cause LCNB to incur additional expenses.

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy

LCNB recognizes the critical importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding its business operations, intellectual property, and sensitive information. Cybersecurity risk management and strategy are integral to LCNB’s overall risk management framework. The following outlines LCNB’s approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks.

LCNB conducts regular risk assessments to identify, prevent, and mitigate potential cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. These assessments consider the evolving threat landscape, the sensitivity of our data, and the potential impact on business operations. These risk assessments are utilized to develop our Information Security Program.

LCNB leverages threat intelligence sources to continually evaluate current and emerging cyber threats. This proactive approach allows LCNB to anticipate and respond to potential risks promptly.

LCNB’s cybersecurity controls are designed to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats. These controls encompass a multi-layered defense strategy, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and continuous monitoring.

LCNB recognizes that employees are a critical line of defense. Regular training programs ensure that our staff is aware of cybersecurity best practices, social engineering tactics, and the importance of safeguarding sensitive information. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, a well-defined incident response plan is in place. This plan includes a structured approach to containing, eradicating, and recovering from the incident, as well as communication protocols with stakeholders.

To further mitigate the potential financial impacts of cybersecurity incidents, LCNB maintains cybersecurity insurance coverage. This coverage is regularly reviewed and adjusted to align with the evolving threat landscape and risk profile.

LCNB is committed to a culture of continuous improvement in its cybersecurity practices. Regular evaluations, feedback mechanisms, and participation in industry collaborations help us adapt and enhance the strategy in response to emerging threats.

LCNB’s cybersecurity risk management and strategy reflect the dedication to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our information assets. LCNB believes that this proactive approach positions the Company well to navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape. As of the report date, risks from cybersecurity threats have not materially affected our company.

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Governance

LCNB’s cybersecurity strategy is underpinned by a robust governance framework overseen by the Board of Directors. The Board plays an active role in shaping cybersecurity policies, conducting regular reviews of the effectiveness of the cybersecurity program, and ensuring its alignment with overarching business objectives. The Board’s oversight is further strengthened by the presence of a director with extensive information technology leadership experience, including service as a former Chief Information Officer and responsibility for establishing information security frameworks for global operations. This governance ensures a comprehensive and proactive approach to managing cybersecurity risks.

The Privacy Committee, together with the Information Security Officer, provides dedicated oversight of the Company’s cybersecurity and data privacy risk management activities. Committee members possess experience relevant to risk oversight, regulatory compliance, and technology governance. The Information Security Officer has significant experience in information security, cybersecurity risk management, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, and provides subject‑matter expertise regarding cybersecurity threats, controls, and mitigation strategies. The Committee meets regularly to evaluate the evolving threat landscape, with meeting outcomes reported to executive management and the Board of Directors to support informed decision‑making and effective governance.

LCNB’s first line of defense against cybersecurity threats involves leveraging its workforce and engaging various Third Parties. Employees play a crucial role in maintaining a vigilant stance, while external partners contribute specialized expertise to enhance the overall cybersecurity posture. This collaborative approach strengthens LCNB’s defense mechanisms against evolving cyber threats.

Internal and external audits serve as essential tools to evaluate the efficacy of LCNB’s cybersecurity processes. These audits are conducted periodically to identify vulnerabilities, assess compliance with established policies, and ensure the effectiveness of implemented security controls. The insights gained from audits contribute to the continuous improvement and refinement of cybersecurity measures.

The Bank is equipped with a cadre of IT professionals boasting extensive industry experience in cybersecurity. These dedicated individuals bring years of knowledge to the table, staying abreast of the latest developments in the field. Their expertise enhances LCNB’s ability to address emerging threats proactively and reinforces the resilience of our cybersecurity framework.

LCNB’s governance structure ensures that cybersecurity is a top-level priority, with the Board, committees, employees, and external partners collaborating seamlessly to safeguard systems and data. Through continuous evaluation, robust defense mechanisms, and a skilled workforce, LCNB remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity.

LCNB owns its main office in Lebanon, Ohio, which is approximately 28 thousand square feet and houses its executive, wealth management, and certain administrative personnel. As of December 31, 2025, LCNB owns an additional 27 branch locations and leases an additional seven branch locations, pursuant to operating leases. The Main Office, Oxford, Eaton, Bridgetown, and Hyde Park locations have excess space that is currently being leased to third parties. An operations center in Lebanon, Ohio is currently being leased from the Warren County Port Authority. Upon expiration of the lease in 2027, LCNB has the option to purchase the property for $1.00. Management believes that LCNB's banking and other offices are in good condition and suitable to its needs.

Except for routine litigation incidental to its businesses, LCNB is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings and none of its property is the subject of any material proceedings.

The following table presents the changes in interest income and expense for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the amount of change attributable to volume and rate changes for the years indicated. Changes not solely attributable to rate or volume have been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in each.

(In thousands)

(1) Non-accrual loans, if any, are included in average loan balances.

(2) Change in interest income from non-taxable investment securities is computed based on interest income determined on a taxable-equivalent yield basis. Interest income has been divided by a factor comprised of the complement of the incremental tax rate of 21%.

2025 vs. 2024. Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis for 2025 totaled $70.4 million, an increase of $9.4 million from 2024. The increase resulted from a decrease in total interest expense of $11.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in total taxable-equivalent interest income of $2.3 million.

The decrease in total interest income was due primarily to a $2.2 million decrease in interest income from loans due to a $60.2 million decrease in average loans, partially offset by a 7 basis point increase in the average rate earned.

The decrease in total interest expense was primarily due to a $5.3 million decrease in interest paid on IRA and time certificates and to a $3.2 million decrease in interest paid on interest-bearing demand and money market deposit accounts. Interest on IRA and time certificates decreased due to a $43.6 million decrease in average balances and to a 75 basis point decrease in the average rate paid. Interest paid on interest-bearing demand and money market deposit accounts decreased due to a 53 basis point decrease in the average rate paid, partially offset by $2.5 million increase in average deposit balances. In addition, interest paid on short-term borrowings and long-term debt decreased due to decreases in average balances outstanding. The decrease in average IRA and time certificate balances and the corresponding decrease in average rates reflects a strategic reduction in higher-cost certificates of deposit and IRA balances as part of LCNB's funding optimization strategy.

2024 vs. 2023. Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis for 2024 totaled $61.0 million, an increase of $4.4 million from 2023. The increase resulted from an increase in total taxable-equivalent interest income of $25.4 million, which was partially offset by an increase in total interest expense of $21.0 million.

The increase in total interest income was due primarily to a $24.6 million increase in interest income from loans due to a $297.7 million increase in average loans and to a 56 basis point increase in the average rate earned. Average loans increased due to organic growth in the portfolio in addition to loans acquired through the merger with CNNB in the fourth quarter of 2023 and EFBI in the second quarter of 2024.

The increase in total interest expense was primarily due to a $13.9 million increase in interest paid on IRA and time certificates due to a $247.9 million increase in average balances and to a 113 basis point increase in the average rate paid. Interest paid on interest-bearing demand and money market deposit accounts increased due to a $71.3 million increase in average deposit balances and to a 66 basis point increase in the average rate paid. Interest paid on long-term debt increased due to a $99.9 million increase in average balances and to a 3 basis point increase in the average rate paid.

The increased rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities and the increased yield earned on interest-earning assets is largely the result of fluctuations in market rates.

Market risk for LCNB is primarily interest rate risk. LCNB attempts to mitigate this risk through asset/liability management strategies designed to decrease the vulnerability of its earnings to material and prolonged changes in interest rates. LCNB does not use derivatives such as interest rate swaps, caps or floors to hedge this risk. LCNB has not entered into any market risk instruments for trading purposes.

The Bank's Asset and Liability Management Committee ("ALCO") primarily uses a combination of Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis ("IRSA") and Economic Value of Equity ("EVE") analysis for measuring and managing interest rate risk. The IRSA model is used to estimate the effect on net interest income during a one-year period of instantaneous and sustained movements in interest rates, also called interest rate shocks, of 100, 200, and 300 basis points. The base projection uses a current interest rate scenario. As shown below, the December 31, 2025 IRSA indicates that either an increase or decrease in interest rates will have a positive effect on net interest income. The changes in net interest income for all rate assumptions are within LCNB’s acceptable ranges.

(In thousands)

IRSA shows the effect on net interest income during a one-year period only. A more long-range model is the EVE analysis, which shows the estimated present value of future cash inflows from interest-earning assets less the present value of future cash outflows for interest-bearing liabilities for the same rate shocks. As shown below, the December 31, 2025 EVE analysis indicates that an increase in interest rates will have a negative effect on the EVE and that a decrease in interest rates will have a positive effect. The changes in the EVE for all rate assumptions are within LCNB's acceptable ranges.

(In thousands)

The IRSA and EVE simulations discussed above are not projections of future income or equity and should not be relied on as being indicative of future operating results. Assumptions used, including the nature and timing of interest rate levels, yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, and reinvestment or replacement of asset and liability cash flows, are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the models cannot precisely measure future net interest income or equity. Furthermore, the models do not reflect actions that borrowers, depositors, and management may take in response to changing economic conditions and interest rate levels.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of LCNB’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of LCNB’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as of December 31, 2025. Based upon that evaluation, LCNB’s Chief Executive Officer, and LCNB’s Chief Financial Officer have concluded that:

(a) information required to be disclosed by LCNB in this Form 10-K and other reports LCNB files or submits under the Exchange Act would be accumulated and communicated to LCNB’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer, and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure;

(b) information required to be disclosed by LCNB in this Form 10-K and other reports LCNB files or submits under the Exchange Act would be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and

(c) LCNB’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

LCNB is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. Management of LCNB and its subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15f. LCNB’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of LCNB’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The purpose is to provide reasonable assurance to the Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of LCNB’s consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Management maintains internal controls over financial reporting. The internal controls contain control processes and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified. The internal controls are evaluated on an ongoing basis by LCNB’s management and Audit Committee. Even effective internal controls, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations – including the possibility of circumvention or overriding of controls – and therefore can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.

Management assessed LCNB’s internal controls as of December 31, 2025, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2025, LCNB’s internal control over financial reporting met the criteria.

LCNB’s registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this annual report containing the disclosure required by this Item 9, Plante & Moran PLLC, has issued an attestation report on LCNB’s internal control over financial reporting, included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the fourth quarter 2025, there were no changes in LCNB's internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, LCNB's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Eric J. Meilstrup

Eric J. Meilstrup, Chief Executive

Officer & Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

March 11, 2026

/s/ Andrew M. Wallace

Andrew M. Wallace

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

March 11, 2026