International Bancshares Corp: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2023

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included in our 2022 Annual Report. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2023, or any future period.

Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain matters discussed in this report, excluding historical information, include forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Although we believe such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that every objective will be reached. The words “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe” and “project,” as well as other words or expressions of a similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Such statements are based on current expectations, are inherently uncertain, are subject to risks and should be viewed with caution. Actual results and experience may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.

Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results that we project, forecast, estimate or budget in forward-looking statements include those disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023 (our “2022 Form 10-K”), among others, the following:

• Local, regional, national and international economic business conditions and the impact they may have on us, our customers, and our customers’ ability to transact profitable business with us, including the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans according to their terms or a change in the value of the related collateral.
• Volatility and disruption in national and international financial markets.
• Government intervention in the U.S. financial system.
• The unavailability of funding from the FHLB, the Federal Reserve Bank or other sources in the future which could adversely impact our growth strategy, prospects and performance.
• Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits.
• Changes in interest rates and market prices, including, changes in federal regulations on the payment of interest on demand deposits.
• Changes in our ability to retain or access deposits due to changes in public confidence in the banking system and the potential threat of bank-run contagion fueled by, among other factors, economic instability, inflationary pressures, the public’s increased exposure to social media and the rapid speed at which communication and coordination via social media can occur.
• Changes in the capital markets we utilize, including changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce margins.
• Changes in state and/or federal laws and regulations, including the impact of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) as a regulator of financial institutions, changes in the accounting, tax and regulatory treatment of trust preferred securities, as well as changes in banking, tax, securities, insurance, employment, environmental and immigration laws and regulations and the risk of litigation that may follow.
• Changes in U.S.—Mexico trade, including, reductions in border crossings and commerce, integration and implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the possible imposition of tariffs on imported goods.
• Political instability in the United States or Mexico.
• General instability of economic and political conditions in the United States, including inflationary pressures, increased interest rates, economic slowdown or recession, and escalating geopolitical tensions.
• The reduction of deposits from nonresident alien individuals due to the Internal Revenue Service rules requiring U.S. financial institutions to report deposit interest payments made to such individuals.
• The loss of senior management or operating personnel.
• The timing, impact and other uncertainties of potential future acquisitions as well as our ability to maintain our current branch network and enter new markets to capitalize on growth opportunities.
• Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.
• Additions to our allowance for credit loss as a result of changes in local, national or international conditions which adversely affect our customers.
• Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the development and integration of new products and lines of business.
• Increased labor costs and effects related to health care reform and other laws, regulations and legal developments impacting labor costs.
• Impairment of carrying value of goodwill could negatively impact our earnings and capital.
• Changes in the soundness of other financial institutions with which we interact.
• Technological changes, system failures or breaches of our network security, as well as other cyber security risks that could subject us to increased operating costs, litigation and other liabilities.
• Acts of war or terrorism.
• Natural disasters or other adverse external events such as pandemics or endemics.
• Reduced earnings resulting from the write down of the carrying value of securities held in our securities available-for-sale portfolios.
• The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standards setters.
• The costs and effects of regulatory developments or regulatory or other governmental, the results of regulatory examinations or reviews, and the process of obtaining required regulatory approvals.
• The effect of any supervisory and enforcement efforts by the CFPB related to Regulation E, which prohibits financial institutions from charging consumer fees for paying overdrafts on ATM and one-time debit card transactions, as well as the effect of any other regulatory or legal developments that limit overdraft services.
• Monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board.
• The reduction of income and possible increase in required capital levels related to the adoption of legislation and the implementing rules and regulations, including those that establish debit card interchange fee standards and prohibit network exclusivity arrangements and routing restrictions.
• The increase in required capital levels related to the implementation of capital and liquidity rules of the federal banking agencies that address or are impacted by the Basel III capital and liquidity standards.
• The enhanced due diligence burden imposed on banks related to the banks’ inability to rely on credit ratings under Dodd-Frank.
• Our failure or circumvention of our internal controls and risk management, policies and procedures.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. We make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement, or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement, unless required by law.

Overview

We are headquartered in Laredo, Texas with 167 facilities and 257 ATMs, and provide banking services for commercial, consumer and international customers of North, South, Central and Southeast Texas and the State of Oklahoma. We are one of the largest independent commercial bank holding companies headquartered in Texas. We, through our Subsidiary Banks, are in the business of gathering funds from various sources and investing those funds in order to earn a return. We, either directly or through a Subsidiary Bank, own an insurance agency, a liquidating subsidiary, a fifty percent interest in an investment banking unit that owns a broker/dealer, a controlling interest in four merchant banking entities, and a majority ownership in a real-estate development partnership. Our primary earnings come from the spread between the interest earned on interest-bearing assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. In addition, we generate income from fees on products offered to commercial, consumer and international customers. The sales team of each of our Subsidiary Banks aims to match the right mix of products and services to each customer to best serve the customer’s needs. That process entails spending time with customers to assess those needs and servicing the sales arising from those discussions on a long-term basis. The Subsidiary Banks have various compensation plans, including incentive based compensation, for fairly compensating employees. The Subsidiary Banks also have a robust process in place to review sales that support the incentive based compensation plan to monitor the quality of the sales and identify any significant irregularities, a process that has been in place for many years.

We are very active in facilitating trade along the United States border with Mexico. We do a large amount of business with customers domiciled in Mexico. Deposits from persons and entities domiciled in Mexico comprise a large and stable portion of the deposit base of our Subsidiary Banks. We also serve the growing Hispanic population through our facilities located throughout South, Central and Southeast Texas and the State of Oklahoma.

Future economic conditions remain uncertain and the impact of those conditions on our business also remains uncertain. Our business depends on the willingness and ability of our customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. Our revenue streams including service charges on deposits and banking and non-banking service charges and fees (ATM and Interchange Income) have been impacted and may continue to be impacted in the future if economic conditions do not improve. Expense control has been a long-time focus and essential element to our long-term profitability. We have kept that focus in mind as we continue to look at operations and create efficiencies and institute cost-control protocols at all levels. We will continue to monitor our efficiency ratio, a measure of non-interest expense to net interest income plus non-interest income and our overhead burden ratio, a ratio of our operating expenses against total assets, closely. We use these measures in determining if we are accomplishing our long-term goals of controlling our costs in order to provide superior returns to our shareholders.

Results of Operations

Summary

Consolidated Statements of Condition Information

(Dollars in Thousands)

Consolidated Statements of Income Information

(Dollars in Thousands)

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by 90.0% compared to the same period of 2022. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was positively impacted by an increase in net interest income and is primarily attributable to an increase in the size of our investment portfolio, the interest earned on funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank, and an increase in loan interest income, of which the latter two have increased consistent with recent Federal Reserve Board actions to raise interest rates in 2022 and 2023. The increase in those revenue streams coupled with the cost control initiatives to streamline operations and increase efficiency in recent years have been the primary drivers in achieving these results.

Net Interest Income

(Dollars in Thousands)

The increase in net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 can be attributed to an increase in the size of our investment portfolio, the interest earned on funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank, and an increase in loan interest income, of which the latter two have increase consistent with Federal Reserve actions to raise interest rates in 2022 and 2023. Net interest income is the spread between income on interest earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest expense on liabilities used to fund those assets, such as deposits, repurchase agreements and funds borrowed. As part of our strategy to manage interest rate risk, we strive to manage both assets and liabilities so that interest sensitivities match. One method of calculating interest rate sensitivity is through gap analysis. A gap is the difference between the amount of interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities that re-price or mature in a given time period. Positive gaps occur when interest rate sensitive assets exceed interest rate sensitive liabilities, and negative gaps occur when interest rate sensitive liabilities exceed interest rate sensitive assets. A positive gap position in a period of rising interest rates should have a positive effect on net interest income as assets will re-price faster than liabilities. Conversely, net interest income should contract somewhat in a period of falling interest rates. Our management can quickly change our interest rate position at any given point in time as market conditions dictate. Additionally, interest rate changes do not affect all categories of assets and liabilities equally or at the same time. Analytical techniques we employ to supplement gap analysis include simulation analysis to quantify interest rate risk exposure. The gap analysis prepared by management is reviewed by our Investment Committee twice a year (see table on page 43 for the March 31, 2023 gap analysis). Our management currently believes that we are properly positioned for interest rate changes; however if our management determines at any time that we are not properly positioned, we will strive to adjust the interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities in order to manage the effect of interest rate changes.

Non-Interest Income

(Dollars in Thousands)

Total non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by 7.2% compared to the same period of 2022. Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 continues to be positively impacted due to an increase in service charges on deposits as customer activity continues to increase from previously depressed levels resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was positively impacted by gains on the sale of some properties from our branch network as we continue to monitor and evaluate our retail branch footprint and align the footprint with customer activity.

Non-Interest Expense

(Dollars in Thousands)

Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by 6.1% compared to the same period of 2022. The increase in non-interest expense can be primarily attributed to an increase in our employee compensation and benefits costs as we continue to review and adjust our compensation and benefit programs to recognize performance and retain our workforce. We continue to monitor and manage our controllable non-interest expenses through a variety of measures with the ultimate goal of ensuring we align non-interest expenses with our operations and revenue streams.

Financial Condition

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses increased 6.0% to $133,557,000 at March 31, 2023 from $125,972,000 at December 31, 2022. The provision for credit losses charged to expense increased 479.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $8,587,000 compared to $1,481,000 for the same period of 2022. The credit loss charged to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 has increased from the same period of 2022 in order to provide some protection from potential losses in our loan portfolio given the high level of uncertainty in the economy and a potential economic recession on the horizon. We have increased the severity of some of the qualitative loss factors in certain pools of the portfolio to encompass the economic uncertainty, resulting in an increase in the required ACL. The pool specific qualitative loss factors management deemed appropriate for the ACL calculation at December 31, 2022 remained constant in the March 31, 2023 ACL calculation. The allowance for credit losses was 1.77% of total loans at March 31, 2023 and 1.70% of total loans at December 31, 2022.

Investment Securities

Residential mortgage-backed debt securities are securities primarily issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Ginnie Mae. Investments in debt residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae are fully guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Investments in debt residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are not fully guaranteed by the U.S. Government, however, we believe that the quality of the bonds is similar to other AAA rated bonds with limited credit risk, particularly given the placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship by the federal government in early September 2008 and because securities issued by others that are collateralized by residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are rated consistently as AAA rated securities.

Loans

Total loans increased by 1.4% to $7,531,773,000 at March 31, 2023, from $7,430,603,000 at December 31, 2022.

Deposits

Deposits decreased by 3.0% to $12,280,779,000 at March 31, 2023, compared to $12,660,007,000 at December 31, 2022. Deposits decreased at March 31, 2023 as a result of increased general activities by customers and due to increased competition for deposits by the federal government and due to overly aggressive pricing by competitors. We have closely monitored the rates paid on deposits by competitors and have made changes to our pricing accordingly in order to remain competitive in an effort to retain deposits. Because of our significant levels of liquidity, we actively monitor deposit accounts, and in some cases determine that it is in our best interest to allow some deposits to runoff because the rates being offered by our competition are beyond levels we are willing to pay at this point in time. Those actions are carefully considered by our executive leadership team in order to manage our deposit base and the cost of our deposits. The five separately charted banks within our holding company structure also allows us to work with customers to maximize their FDIC insurance levels and provide additional levels of insured deposits.

Foreign Operations

On March 31, 2023, we had $15,134,951,000 of consolidated assets, of which approximately $177,591,000, or 1.2%, was related to loans outstanding to borrowers domiciled in foreign countries, compared to $159,975,000, or 1.0%, at December 31, 2022. Of the $177,591,000, 79.1% is directly or indirectly secured by U.S. assets, certificates of deposits and real estate; 9.0% is secured by foreign real estate or other assets; and 11.9% is unsecured.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant subjective judgments and assumptions by management that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies.

We consider our estimated ACL as a policy critical to the sound operations of our Subsidiary Banks. The ACL is deducted from the amortized cost of an instrument to present the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. Our ACL primarily consists of the aggregate ACL estimates of our Subsidiary Banks. The estimates are established through charges to operations in the form of charges to provisions for credit loss expense. Loan losses or recoveries are charged or credited directly to the ACL. The ACL of each Subsidiary Bank is maintained at a level considered appropriate by management, based on estimated current expected credit losses in the current loan portfolio, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

The estimation of the ACL is based on a loss-rate methodology that measures lifetime losses on loan pools that have similar risk characteristics. Loans that do not have similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. The segmentation of the loan portfolio into pools requires a balancing process between capturing similar risk characteristics and containing sufficient loss history to provide meaningful results. Our segmentation starts at the general loan category with further sub-segmentation based on collateral types that may be of meaningful size and/or may contain sufficient differences in risk characteristics based on management’s judgement that would warrant further segmentation. The general loan categories along with primary risk characteristics used in our calculation are as follows:

Commercial and industrial loans. This category includes loans extended to a diverse array of businesses for working capital or equipment purchases. These loans are mostly secured by the collateral pledged by the borrower that is directly related to the business activities of the company such as equipment, accounts receivable and inventory. The borrower’s abilities to generate revenues from equipment purchases, collect accounts receivable, and to turn inventory into sales are risk factors in the repayment of the loan. A small portion of this loan category is related to loans secured by oil & gas production and loans secured by aircraft.

Construction and land development loans. This category includes the development of land from unimproved land to lot development for both residential and commercial use and vertical construction across residential and commercial real estate classes. These loans carry risk of repayment when projects incur cost overruns, have an increase in the price of construction materials, encounter zoning, entitlement and environmental issues, or encounter other factors that may affect the completion of a project on time and on budget. Additionally, repayment risk may be negatively impacted when the market experiences a deterioration in the value of real estate. Risks specifically related to 1-4 family development loans also include mortgage rate risk and the practice by the mortgage industry of more restrictive underwriting standards, which inhibits the buyer from obtaining long term financing creating excessive housing and lot inventory in the market.

Commercial real estate loans. This category includes loans secured by farmland, multifamily properties, owner occupied commercial properties, and non-owner occupied commercial properties. Owner occupied commercial properties include warehouses often along the border for import/export operations, office space where the borrower is the primary tenant, restaurants and other single-tenant retail. Non-owner occupied commercial properties include hotels, retail centers, office and professional buildings, and leased warehouses. These loans carry risk of repayment when market values deteriorate, the business experiences turnover in key management, the business has an inability to attract or keep occupancy levels stable, or when the market experiences an exit of a specific business type that is significant to the local economy, such as a manufacturing plant.

1-4 family mortgages. This category includes both first and second lien mortgages for the purpose of home purchases or refinancing of existing mortgage loans. A small portion of this loan category is related to home equity lines of credits, lots purchases, and home construction. Loan repayments may be affected by unemployment or underemployment and deteriorating market values of real estate.

Consumer loans. This category includes deposit secured, vehicle secured, and unsecured loans, including overdrafts, made to individuals. Repayment is primarily affected by unemployment or underemployment.

The loan pools are further broken down using a risk-based segmentation based on internal classifications for commercial loans and past due status for consumer mortgage loans. Non-mortgage consumer loans are evaluated as one segment. On a weekly basis, commercial loan past due reports are reviewed by the credit quality committee to determine if a loan has any potential problems and if a loan should be placed on our internal Watch List report. Additionally, our credit department reviews the majority of our loans for proper internal classification purposes regardless of whether they are past due and segregates any loans with potential problems for further review. The credit department will discuss the potential problem loans with the servicing loan officers to determine any relevant issues that were not discovered in the evaluation. Also, an analysis of loans that is provided through examinations by regulatory authorities is considered in the review process. After the above analysis is completed, we will determine if a loan should be placed on an internal Watch List report because of issues related to the analysis of the credit, credit documents, collateral and/or payment history.

Our internal Watch List report is segregated into the following categories: (i) Pass, (ii) Economic Monitoring, (iii) Special Review, (iv) Watch List—Pass, (v) Watch List—Substandard, and (vi) Watch List—Doubtful. The loans placed in the Special Review category and lower rated credits reflect our opinion that the loans reflect potential weakness which require monitoring on a more frequent basis. Credits in those categories are reviewed and discussed on a regular basis, no less frequently than quarterly, with the credit department and the lending staff to determine if a change in category is warranted. The loans placed in the Watch List—Pass category and lower rated credits reflect our opinion that the credit contains weaknesses which represent a greater degree of risk, which warrant “extra attention.” Credits in this category are reviewed and discussed on a regular basis with the credit department and the lending staff to determine if a change in category is warranted. The loans placed in the Watch List—Substandard category are considered to be potentially inadequately protected by the current sound worth and debt service capacity of the borrower or of any pledged collateral. These credit obligations, even if apparently protected by collateral value, have shown defined weaknesses related to adverse financial, managerial, economic, market or political conditions which may jeopardize repayment of principal and interest. Furthermore, there is the possibility that we may sustain some future loss if such weaknesses are not corrected. The loans placed in the Watch List—Doubtful category have shown defined weaknesses and it is likely, based on current information and events, that we will be unable to collect all principal and/or interest amounts contractually due. Watch List—Doubtful loans are placed on non-accrual when they are moved to that category.

For the purposes of the ACL, in order to maintain segments with sufficient history for meaningful results, the credits in the Pass and Economic Monitoring categories are aggregated, the credits in the Special Review and Watch List—Pass credits are aggregated, and the credits in the Watch List—Substandard category remain in their own segment. For loans that are classified as Watch List—Doubtful, management evaluates these credits in accordance with ASC 310-10, “Receivables,” and, if deemed necessary, a specific reserve is allocated to the loan. The specific reserve allocated under ASC 310-10, is based on (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; (ii) the loan’s observable market price; or (iii) net realizable value of the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Substantially all of our loans evaluated as Watch List—Doubtful under ASC 310-10 are measured using the fair value of collateral method. In rare cases, we may use other methods to determine the specific reserve of a loan under ASC 310-10 if such loan is not collateral dependent.

Within each collectively evaluated pool, the robustness of the lifetime historical loss-rate is evaluated and, if needed, is supplemented with peer loss rates through a model risk adjustment. Certain qualitative loss factors are then evaluated to incorporate management’s two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a reversion to the pool’s average lifetime loss-rate. Those qualitative loss factors are: (i) trends in portfolio volume and composition, (ii) volume and trends in classified loans, delinquencies, non-accruals and TDR’s, (iii) concentration risk, (iv) trends in underlying collateral value, (v) changes in policies, procedures, and strategies, and (vi) economic conditions. Qualitative factors also include potential losses stemming from operational risk factors arising from fraud, natural disasters, pandemics and geopolitical events. Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the adequacy of the ACL change, our estimate could also change, which could affect the level of future credit loss expense.

We have elected to not measure an ACL for accrued interest receivable given our timely approach in identifying and writing off uncollectible accrued interest. An ACL for off-balance sheet exposure is derived from a projected usage rate of any unfunded commitment multiplied by the historical loss rate, plus model risk adjustment, if any, of the on-balance sheet loan pools.

Our management continually reviews the ACL of the Subsidiary Banks using the amounts determined from the estimates established on specific doubtful loans, the estimate established on quantitative historical loss percentages, and the estimate based on qualitative current conditions and reasonable and supportable two-year forecasted data. Our methodology reverts to the average lifetime loss-rate beyond the forecast period when we can no longer develop reasonable and supportable forecasts. Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the adequacy of the estimate for current expected credit losses change, our estimate of current expected credit losses could also change, which could affect the level of future credit loss expense. While the calculation of our ACL utilizes management’s best judgment and all information reasonably available, the adequacy of the ACL is dependent on a variety of factors beyond our control, including, among other things, the performance of the entire loan portfolio, the economy, government actions, changes in interest rates and the view of regulatory authorities towards loan classifications.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The maintenance of adequate liquidity provides our Subsidiary Banks with the ability to meet potential depositor withdrawals, provide for customer credit needs, maintain adequate statutory reserve levels and take full advantage of high-yield investment opportunities as they arise. Liquidity is afforded by access to financial markets and by holding appropriate amounts of liquid assets. Our Subsidiary Banks derive their liquidity largely from deposits of individuals and business entities. Deposits from persons and entities domiciled in Mexico comprise a stable portion of the deposit base of our Subsidiary Banks. Other important funding sources for our Subsidiary Banks during 2023 and 2022 were securities sold under repurchase agreements and large certificates of deposit, requiring management to closely monitor our asset/liability mix in terms of both rate sensitivity and maturity distribution. Our Subsidiary Banks have had a long-standing relationship with the FHLB and keep open significant unused lines of credit in order to fund liquidity needs. We also maintain a sizable, high quality investment portfolio to provide significant liquidity. These securities can be pledged to the FHLB, sold, or sold under agreements to repurchase, to provide immediate liquidity. We will continue to monitor the volatility and cost of funds in an attempt to match maturities of rate-sensitive assets and liabilities and respond accordingly to anticipated fluctuations in interest rates over reasonable periods of time.

We maintain an adequate level of capital as a margin of safety for our depositors and shareholders. At March 31, 2023, shareholders’ equity was $2,156,408,000 compared to $2,044,759,000 at December 31, 2022. The increase in shareholders’ equity can be primarily attributed to the retention of earnings and a decrease in other comprehensive loss and an increase in treasury stock.

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amount and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgements by regulators about components, risk-weighting and other factors.

In July 2013, the FDIC and other regulatory bodies established a new, comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, consisting of minimum requirements that increase both the quantity and quality of capital held by banking organizations. The final rules are a result of the implementation of the BASEL III capital reforms and various Dodd-Frank Act related capital provisions. Consistent with the Basel international framework, the rules include a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and a CET1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The capital conservation buffer began phasing-in on January 1, 2016 at .625% and increased each year until January 1, 2019, when we were required to have a 2.5% capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 7% upon full implementation. The rules also raised the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4% to 6% and include a minimum leverage ratio of 4% for all banking organizations. Regarding the quality of capital, the rules emphasize CET1 capital and implements strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments. The rules also improve the methodology for calculating risk-weighted assets to enhance risk sensitivity. The rules were subject to a four-year phase in period for mandatory compliance and we were required to begin to phase in the rules beginning on January 1, 2015. Management believes, as of March 31, 2023, that we and each of our Subsidiary Banks continue to meet all fully phased-in capital adequacy requirements.

On November 21, 2017, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the FRB and the FDIC finalized a proposed rule that extends the current treatment under the regulatory capital rules for certain regulatory capital deductions and risk weights and certain minority interest requirements, as they apply to banking organizations that are not subject to the advanced approaches capital rules. Effective January 1, 2018, the rule also paused the full transition to the Basel III treatment of mortgage servicing assets, certain deferred tax assets, investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions and minority interests. The agencies are also considering whether to make adjustments to the capital rules in response to CECL (the FASB Standard relating to current expected credit loss) and its potential impact on regulatory capital.

On December 7, 2017, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision unveiled the latest round of its regulatory capital framework, commonly called “Basel IV.” The framework makes changes to the capital framework first introduced as “Basel III” in 2010. The committee targeted 2022-2027 as the timeframe for implementation by regulators in individual countries, including the U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies (after notice and comment).

In December 2018, the federal banking regulators issued a final rule that would provide an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one regulatory capital effects of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 to ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” as amended, on January 1, 2020.

On May 24, 2018, the EGRRCPA was enacted and, among other things, it includes a simplified capital rule change which effectively exempts banks with assets of less than $10 billion that exceed the “community bank leverage ratio,” from all risk-based capital requirements, including Basel III and its predecessors. The federal banking agencies must establish the “community bank leverage ratio” (a ratio of tangible equity to average consolidated assets) between 8% and 10% before community banks can begin to take advantage of this regulatory relief provision. Some of the Subsidiary Banks, with assets of less than $10 billion, may qualify for this exemption. Additionally, under the EGRRCPA, qualified bank holding companies with assets of up to $3 billion (currently $1 billion) will be eligible for the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement, which eases limitations on the issuance of debt by holding companies. On August 28, 2018, the Federal Reserve issued an interim final rule expanding the applicability of its Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement. While holding companies that meet the conditions of the policy statement are excluded from consolidated capital requirements, their depository institutions continue to be subject to minimum capital requirements. Finally, for banks that continue to be subject to the risk-based capital rules of Basel III (e.g., 150%), certain commercial real estate loans that were formally classified as high volatility commercial real estate 31 (“HVCRE”) will not be subject to heightened risk weights if they meet certain criteria. Also, while acquisition, development, and construction (“ADC”) loans will generally be subject to heightened risk weights, certain exceptions will apply. On September 18, 2018, the federal banking agencies issued a proposed rule modifying the agencies’ capital rules for HVCRE.

We had a CET1 to risk-weighted assets ratio of 20.43% on March 31, 2023 and 20.21% on December 31, 2022. We had a Tier 1 capital-to-average-total-asset (leverage) ratio of 15.61% and 14.59%, risk-weighted Tier 1 capital ratio of 21.37% and 21.04% and risk-weighted total capital ratio of 22.60% and 22.22% at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Our CET1 capital consists of common stock and related surplus, net of treasury stock, and retained earnings. We and our Subsidiary Banks elected to opt-out of the requirement to include most components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the calculation of CET1 capital. CET1 is reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities and subject to transition provisions. Tier 1 capital includes CET1 capital and additional Tier 1 capital. Additional Tier 1 capital includes the Capital and Common Securities issued by the Trusts (see Note 8 above) up to a maximum of 25% of Tier 1 capital on an aggregate basis. Any amount that exceeds the 25% threshold qualifies as Tier 2 capital. As of March 31, 2023, the total of $134,642,000 of the Capital and Common Securities outstanding qualified as Tier 1 capital. We actively monitor the regulatory capital ratios to ensure that our Subsidiary Banks are well-capitalized under the regulatory framework.

The CET1, Tier 1 and Total capital ratios are calculated by dividing the respective capital amounts by risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets are calculated based on regulatory requirements and include total assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, allocated by risk-weight category, and certain off-balance-sheet items, among other things. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average total assets, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, among other things.

We and our Subsidiary Banks are subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve, and, for our Subsidiary Banks, the FDIC. Regulatory authorities can initiate certain mandatory actions if we or any of our Subsidiary Banks fail to meet the minimum capital requirements, which could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Management believes, as of March 31, 2023, that we and each of our Subsidiary Banks continue to meet all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

We will continue to monitor the volatility and cost of funds in an attempt to match maturities of rate-sensitive assets and liabilities, and respond accordingly to anticipate fluctuations in interest rates by adjusting the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. The net-interest rate sensitivity as of March 31, 2023 is illustrated in the table entitled “Interest Rate Sensitivity,” below. This information reflects the balances of assets and liabilities for which rates are subject to change. A mix of assets and liabilities that are roughly equal in volume and re-pricing characteristics represents a matched interest rate sensitivity position. Any excess of assets or liabilities results in an interest rate sensitivity gap.

We undertake an interest rate sensitivity analysis to monitor the potential risk on future earnings resulting from the impact of possible future changes in interest rates on currently existing net asset or net liability positions. However, this type of analysis is as of a point-in-time position, when in fact that position can quickly change as market conditions, customer needs, and management strategies change. Thus, interest rate changes do not affect all categories of assets and liabilities equally or at the same time. As indicated in the table, we are asset sensitive in both the short- and long-term scenarios. Our Asset and Liability Committee semi-annually reviews the consolidated position along with simulation and duration models, and makes adjustments as needed to control our interest rate risk position. We use modeling of future events as a primary tool for monitoring interest rate risk.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Dollars in Thousands)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were no material changes in market risk exposures that affected the quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding market risk presented under the caption “Liquidity and Capital Resources” located on pages 14 through 19 of our 2022 Annual Report.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within specified time periods. As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated, with the participation of our management, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on the evaluation, which disclosed no material weaknesses, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.