HORIZON BANCORP INC IN

Note 1 –Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business— The consolidated financial statements of Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Horizon Bank (“Bank”) together referred to as “Horizon,” conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reporting practices followed by the banking industry.

The Bank is a full–service commercial bank offering a broad range of commercial and retail banking and other services incident to banking along with a trust department that offers corporate and individual trust and agency services and investment management services. The Bank maintains 71 full service offices. The Bank has wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries: Horizon Investments, Inc. (“Horizon Investments”), Horizon Properties, Inc. (“Horizon Properties”), Horizon Insurance Services, Inc. (“Horizon Insurance”) and Horizon Grantor Trust. Horizon Investments manages the investment portfolio of the Bank. Horizon Properties manages the real estate investment trust. Horizon Insurance is used by the Company’s Wealth Management to sell certain insurance products. Horizon Grantor Trust holds title to certain company owned life insurance policies. Horizon conducts no business except that incident to its ownership of the subsidiaries.

Horizon formed Horizon Bancorp Capital Trust II in 2004 (“Trust II”) and Horizon Bancorp Capital Trust III in 2006 (“Trust III”) for the purpose of participating in pooled trust preferred securities offerings. The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the following acquisitions: Alliance Financial Corporation in 2005, which formed Alliance Financial Statutory Trust I (“Alliance Trust”); American Trust & Savings Bank in 2010, which formed Am Tru Statutory Trust I (“Am Tru Trust”); Heartland Bancshares, Inc. in 2013, which formed Heartland (IN) Statutory Trust II (“Heartland Trust”); LaPorte Bancorp, Inc. in 2016, which had acquired City Savings Statutory Trust I (“City Savings Trust”); and Salin Bancshares, Inc. in 2019, which formed Salin Statutory Trust I (“Salin Trust”). See Note 13 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding these previously consolidated entities that are now reported separately. The business of Horizon is not seasonal to any material degree.

Basis of Reporting— The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Horizon and subsidiaries. All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance for credit losses and the fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change.

Business Combinations— Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The accounts of an acquired entity are included as of the date of acquisition, and any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is capitalized as goodwill. Horizon typically issues Common Stock and/or pays cash for an acquisition, depending on the terms of the acquisition agreement. The value of Common Stock issued is determined based on the market price of the stock as of the closing of the acquisition. Acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents— Cash and cash equivalents includes cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities under 90 days, and federal funds sold.

Fair Value Measurements— Horizon uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments, to certain assets, and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Horizon has adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures for all applicable financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. This accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance applies only when other guidance requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value; it does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances.

As defined in codification, fair value is the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. It represents an exit price at the measurement date. Market participants are buyers and sellers, who are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact in the principal (or most advantageous) market for the asset or liability being measured. Current market conditions, including imbalances between supply and demand, are considered in determining fair value. Horizon values its assets and liabilities in the principal market where it sells the particular asset or transfers the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity. In the absence of a principal market, the valuation is based on the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (i.e., the market where the asset could be sold or the liability transferred at a price that maximizes the amount to be received for the asset or minimizes the amount to be paid to transfer the liability).

In measuring the fair value of an asset, Horizon assumes the highest and best use of the asset by a market participant to maximize the value of the asset, and does not consider the intended use of the asset.

When measuring the fair value of a liability, Horizon assumes that the nonperformance risk associated with the liability is the same before and after the transfer. Nonperformance risk is the risk that an obligation will not be satisfied and encompasses not only Horizon’s own credit risk (i.e., the risk that Horizon will fail to meet its obligation), but also other risks such as settlement risk. Horizon considers the effect of its own credit risk on the fair value for any period in which fair value is measured.

There are three acceptable valuation techniques that can be used to measure fair value: the market approach, the income approach and the cost approach. Selection of the appropriate technique for valuing a particular asset or liability takes into consideration the exit market, the nature of the asset or liability being valued, and how a market participant would value the same asset or liability. Ultimately, determination of the appropriate valuation method requires significant judgment, and sufficient knowledge and expertise are required to apply the valuation techniques.

Valuation inputs refer to the assumptions market participants would use in pricing a given asset or liability using one of the three valuation techniques. Inputs can be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are those assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the particular asset or liability. These inputs are based on market data and are obtained from a source independent of Horizon. Unobservable inputs are assumptions based on Horizon’s own information or estimate of assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best and most current information available on the measurement date. All inputs, whether observable or unobservable, are ranked in accordance with a prescribed fair value hierarchy which gives the highest ranking to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest ranking to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Fair values for assets or liabilities classified as Level 2 are based on one or a combination of the following factors: (i) quoted prices for similar assets; (ii) observable inputs for the asset or liability, such as interest rates or yield curves; or (iii) inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company considers an input to be significant if it drives 10% or more of the total fair value of a particular asset or liability.

Assets and liabilities are considered to be fair valued on a recurring basis if fair value is measured regularly (i.e., daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly). Recurring valuation occurs at a minimum on the measurement date. Assets and liabilities are considered to be fair valued on a nonrecurring basis if the fair value measurement of the instrument does not necessarily result in a change in the amount recorded on the balance sheet. Generally, nonrecurring valuation is the result of the application of other accounting pronouncements which require assets or liabilities to be assessed for impairment or recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of assets or liabilities transferred in or out of Level 3 is measured on the transfer date, with any additional changes in fair value subsequent to the transfer considered to be realized or unrealized gains or losses.

Investment Securities Available for Sale— Horizon designates a portion of its investment portfolio as available for sale based on management’s plans to use such securities for asset and liability management, liquidity and not to hold such securities as long-term investments. Management repositions the portfolio to take advantage of future expected interest rate trends when Horizon’s long-term profitability can be enhanced. Investment securities available for sale and marketable equity securities are carried at estimated fair value and any net unrealized gains/losses (after tax) on these securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recorded as interest income from securities. Gains/losses on the disposition of securities available for sale are recognized at the time of the transaction and are determined by the specific identification method.

Investment Securities Held to Maturity— Includes any security for which Horizon has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. These securities are carried at amortized cost.

Loans— Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable totaling $23.7 million and $17.5 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was excluded from the Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) calculation and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the effective yield method without anticipating prepayments.

Interest on commercial, mortgage and installment loans is recognized over the term of the loans based on the principal amount outstanding. When principal or interest is past due 90 days or more, and the loan is not well secured or in the process of collection, or when serious doubt exists as to the collectability of a loan, the accrual of interest is discontinued. Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the life of the loan as a yield adjustment. Discounts and premiums on purchased loans are amortized to income using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity, adjusted for anticipated prepayments.

From time to time, the Bank obtains information that may lead management to believe that the collection of payments may be doubtful on a particular loan. In recognition of this, it is management's policy to convert the loan from an “earning asset” to a non–accruing loan. The entire balance of a loan is considered delinquent if the minimum payment contractually required to be made is not received by the specified due date. Further, it is management's policy to generally place a loan on non–accrual status when the payment is delinquent in excess of 90 days or the loan has had the accrual of interest discontinued by management. The officer responsible for the loan and the Chief Commercial Banking and/or the Chief Operations Officer must review all loans placed on non–accrual status. Subsequent payments on non–accrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal, and interest income is recorded only after principal recovery is reasonably assured. Non–accrual loans are returned to accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal in accordance with the loan terms. The Company requires a period of satisfactory performance of not less thansix months before returning a non–accrual loan to accrual status.

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals and modifications unless either of the following applies: management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a modified loan will be executed with an individual borrower or the extension or renewal options are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.

Consistent with regulatory guidance, charge–offs on all loan segments are taken when specific loans, or portions thereof, are considered uncollectible. The Company's policy is to promptly charge these loans off in the period the uncollectible loss is reasonably determined.

For all loan portfolio segments except 1–4 family residential properties and consumer, the Company promptly charges off loans, or portions thereof, when available information confirms that specific loans are uncollectible based on information that includes, but is not limited to, (1) the deteriorating financial condition of the borrower, (2) declining collateral values, and/or (3) legal action, including bankruptcy, that impairs the borrower's ability to adequately meet its obligations. For impaired loans that are considered to be solely collateral dependent, a partial charge–off is recorded when a loss has been confirmed by an updated appraisal or other appropriate valuation of the collateral.

The Company charges off 1–4 family residential and consumer loans, or portions thereof, when the Company reasonably determines the amount of the loss. The Company adheres to timeframes established by applicable regulatory guidance which provides for the charge–down or specific allocation of family first and junior lien mortgages to the net realizable value less costs to sell when the value is known but no later than when a loan is 180 days past due. Pursuant to such guidelines, the Company also charges off unsecured open–end loans when the loan is contractually 90 days past due. Loans at these respective delinquency thresholds for which the Company can clearly document that the loan is both well–secured and in the process of collection, such that collection in full will occur regardless of delinquency status, are not charged off.

A loan is individually evaluated when, based on current information, a creditor may be experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is substantially expected through operation or sale of collateral. For collateral–dependent assets individually evaluated, the Company utilizes, as a practical expedient, the fair value of collateral, adjusted for estimated costs to sell, when determining the allowance for credit losses.

Smaller–balance, homogeneous loans are evaluated in total. Such loans include residential first mortgage loans secured by 1–4 family residences, residential construction loans, automobile, home equity, second mortgage loans and mortgage warehouse loans. Commercial loans and mortgage loans secured by other properties are evaluated individually.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) Loans— The Company has purchased loans, some of which have experienced credit deterioration since origination. PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An ACL on loans is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial ACL on loans determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan’s purchase price and ACL on loans becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized or accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the ACL on loans are recorded through credit loss expense.

Loans Held for Sale— Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to non–interest income. Gains and losses on loan sales are recorded in non–interest income, and direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in non–interest income upon sale of the loan.

Concentrations of Credit Risk— The Bank grants commercial, real estate, and consumer loans to customers located primarily in the northern and central regions of Indiana and the southern and central regions of Michigan and provides mortgage warehouse lines to mortgage companies in the United States. Commercial loans make up approximately 61% of the loan portfolio and are secured by both real estate and business assets. These loans are expected to be repaid from cash flows from operations of the businesses. The Bank does not have a concentration in speculative commercial real estate loans. Residential real estate loans make up approximately 15% of the loan portfolio and are secured by residential real estate. Installment loans make up approximately 23% of the loan portfolio and are primarily secured by consumer assets. Mortgage warehouse loans make up approximately 1% of the loan portfolio and are secured by residential real estate.

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) on Loans— The ACL on loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the ACL when management believes the loan balance is confirmed to be no longer collectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off and expected to be charged off.

Management estimates the ACL balance using relevant information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan–specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, changes in economic conditions, or other relevant factors.

The Company considers the following when estimating credit losses: 1) available information relevant to assessing the collectibility of cash flows including internal information, external information or a combination of both relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts; 2) relevant qualitative and quantitative factors relating to the environment in which the Company operates and factors specific to the borrower; 3) off–balance sheet credit exposures; and credit support.

ACL on loans is measured on a collective basis and reflects impairment in groups of loans aggregated on the basis of similar risk characteristics which may include any one or a combination of the following: internal credit ratings, risk ratings or classification, financial asset type, collateral type, size, industry of the borrower, historical or expected credit loss patterns, and reasonable and supportable forecast periods. The ACL for a specific portfolio segment is computed by multiplying the loss rate by the amortized cost balance of the segment with adjustments for other qualitative factors as described above. As appropriate, newer credit products or portfolios with limited historical loss may use applicable external data for determining the ACL until experience justifies that sufficient product maturity supports the estimate of expected credit losses.

Pursuant to ASC 326–20–30–9, an entity shall not rely solely on past events to estimate expected credit losses, and should consider adjustments to historical information to reflect the extent to which management expects current conditions and forecasted conditions to differ from the periods utilized for the historical loss rate calculation. Management has incorporated an adjustment of the historical loss rate calculated within the model to reflect current and forecasted condition and has applied this adjustment on a qualitative factor basis to the aggregate pool loss rate.

The qualitative adjustment is based on a combination of external econometric data and internal factors such as portfolio composition, changes in management, changes in loan policy and other factors. The economic forecast is based in part on economic indexes and quantitative matrices with a twenty–four month forecast. The qualitative adjustment is calculated based on current and forecasted conditions and evaluated each quarter by management, and therefore is dynamic in nature. The qualitative economic adjustment is then reverted over a twelve month period to the historical base loss rate which is preserved in the calculation of “all in” loss rate.

Specific reserves reflect collateral shortfalls on loans identified for evaluation or individually considered non–performing, including troubled debt restructurings and receivables where the Company has determined foreclosure is probable. These loans no longer have similar risk characteristics to collectively evaluated loans due to changes in credit risk, borrower circumstances, recognition of write–offs, or cash collections that have been fully applied to principal on the basis of non–accrual policies. At a minimum, the population of loans subject to individual evaluation include individual loans and leases where it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due, according to the original contractual terms. These include commercial impaired loans, jumbo residential mortgages (as defined), and jumbo home equity loans with a balance exceeding $250,000, and other loans as determined by management. ACL for residential and consumer loans are, primarily, determined by pools of similar loans and are evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not also included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

Modified Loans— The Company adopted ASU 2022–02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, during the first quarter of 2023. These amendments eliminated the troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, require that an entity evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022–02, loans modified as TDRs generally consisted of allowing borrowers to defer scheduled principal payments and make interest only payments for a specified period of time at the stated interest rate of the original loan agreement or lower payments due to a modification of the loans' contractual terms. TDRs that continued to accrue interest were individually monitored on a monthly basis and evaluated for impairment annually and transferred to non–accrual status when it was probable that any remaining principal and interest payments due on the loan would not be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. TDRs that subsequently default were individually evaluated for impairment at the time of default.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off–Balance Sheet (“OBS”) Credit Exposures— The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The Company determines the estimated amount of expected credit extensions based on historical usage to calculate the amount of exposure for a loss estimate.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Available for Sale Securities— For available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available for sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recorded in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for, or reversal of, credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the available for sale security is confirmed to be uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Held to Maturity Securities— For held to maturity securities, the Company conducts an assessment of its held to maturity securities at the time of purchase and on at least an annual basis to ensure such investment securities remain within appropriate levels of risk and continue to perform satisfactorily in fulfilling its obligations. The Company considers, among other factors, the nature of the securities and credit ratings or financial condition of the issuer. If available, the Company obtains a credit rating for issuers from the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) for consideration. If this assessment indicates that a material credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss.

Premises and Equipment— Buildings and major improvements are capitalized and depreciated using primarily the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 3 to 40 years. Furniture and equipment are capitalized and depreciated using primarily the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 2 to 20 years. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while major additions and improvements are capitalized. Gains and losses on disposition are included in current operations.

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) Stock— The stock is a required investment for institutions that are members of the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) systems. The required investment in the common stock is based on a predetermined formula.

Partnership Investments— The Company invests in partnerships that generate qualified affordable housing and solar tax credits. The Company has elected to account for partnership investments in qualified affordable housing using the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is amortized to income tax expense in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received. This net investment performance is recognized in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. The Company accounts for partnership investments that generate solar tax credits under the deferral method. The investment in the limited partnerships totaling $27.2 million and $4.5 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company investments in qualified affordable housing tax credits and had funding commitments of $14.5 million at December 31, 2023. There has not been any significant amortization or tax credits recorded related to the qualified affordable housing tax credits at December 31, 2023.

Mortgage Servicing Rights— Mortgage servicing assets are recognized separately when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. Under the servicing assets and liabilities accounting guidance (ASC 860-50), servicing rights resulting from the sale or securitization of loans originated by the Company are initially measured at fair value at the date of transfer. Under the amortization method, servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. The amortized assets are assessed for impairment or increased obligation based on fair value at each reporting date.

Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. These variables change from quarter to quarter as market conditions and projected interest rates change, and may have an adverse impact on the value of the mortgage servicing right and may result in a reduction to non–interest income.

Each class of separately recognized servicing assets subsequently measured using the amortization method are evaluated and measured for impairment. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount of the servicing assets for that tranche. The valuation allowance is adjusted to reflect changes in the measurement of impairment after the initial measurement of impairment. Changes in valuation allowances are reported with mortgage servicing income net of impairment on the income statement. Fair value in excess of the carrying amount of servicing assets for that stratum is not recognized.

Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets— Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently should potential triggering events be identified that may indicate potential impairment. At December 31, 2023, Horizon had core deposit intangibles of $13.6 million subject to amortization and $155.2 million of goodwill, which is not subject to amortization. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. Horizon’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of Horizon to provide quality, cost effective banking services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. A large majority of the goodwill relates to the acquisitions of Heartland, Summit, Peoples, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Lafayette, Wolverine and Salin.

Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”)– BOLI has been purchased on certain employees and directors of the Company. The Company records the life insurance at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. As of December 31, 2023, Horizon had surrendered $113.9 million of its BOLI, of which, $69.9 million had been received and $44.0 million was carried as a receivable in other assets in the balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, $6.6 million of the $44.0 million carried as a receivable was surrendered but were still considered as active policies by the carrier. Tax expense of $8.6 million was recorded through the income statement for the recognition of the gains on the policies plus the excise tax.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell, Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Secured Borrowings— The Company purchases certain securities, generally U.S. government–sponsored entity and agency securities, under agreements to resell. The amounts advanced under these agreements represent short–term secured loans and are reflected as assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We also sell certain securities under agreements to repurchase. These agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions. These and other secured borrowings such as loans sold not qualifying for sale accounting treatment, are reflected as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. Short–term securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date. Securities, generally U.S. government and federal agency securities, pledged as collateral under these financing arrangements can be re–pledged by the secured party. Additional collateral may be required based on the fair value of the underlying securities.

Income Taxes— The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Uncertain tax positions are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

Trust Assets and Income— Property, other than cash deposits, held in a fiduciary or agency capacity is not included in the consolidated balance sheets since such property is not owned by Horizon.

Transfer of Financial Assets— The transfer of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company and put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Earnings per Common Share— Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders (net income less dividend requirements for preferred stock and accretion of preferred stock discount) by the weighted–average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The following table shows computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

There were 226,028,319,760 and 140,955 shares for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were non-dilutive.

On July 16, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a stock repurchase program for up to 2,250,000 shares of Horizon’s issued and outstanding common stock, no par value. As of December 31, 2023, Horizon had repurchased a total of 803,349 shares at an average price per share of $16.89. In addition to the stock repurchase program, Horizon agreed to repurchase 1,000,000 shares at a price per share of $15.19 from an individual shareholder on March 6, 2020.

Dividend Restrictions— Horizon’s principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from the Bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements described in Note 19. At December 31, 2023, the Bank could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $117.2 million to Horizon. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board limits the amount of dividends that may be paid by Horizon to its stockholders under its capital adequacy guidelines.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are defined to include cash and due from banks, money market investments and federal funds sold with maturities of one day or less. Horizon reports net cash flows for customer loan transactions, deposit transactions, short–term investments and borrowings.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)— Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes. Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, unrealized and realized gains and losses in cash flow derivative financial instruments and accretion (amortization) of available for sale securities transferred to held to maturity.

Share–Based Compensation— At December 31, 2023, Horizon had share–based compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 20. All share–based payments are to be recognized as expense, based upon their fair values, in the financial statements over the vesting period of the awards. Horizon has recorded approximately $3.6 million, $2.5 million, and $1.8 million in compensation expense relating to vesting of stock options and restricted stock awards less estimated forfeitures for the 12–month periods ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments— The Company occasionally enters into derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management strategies. These derivative financial instruments consist primarily of interest rate swaps. All derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as either an asset or liability, at their fair value. The accounting for the gain or loss resulting from the change in fair value depends on the intended use of the derivative. For a derivative used to hedge changes in fair value of a recognized asset or liability, or an unrecognized firm commitment, the gain or loss on the derivative will be recognized in earnings together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item. This results in an earnings impact only to the extent that the hedge is ineffective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. If it is determined that the derivative instrument is not highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued and the adjustment to fair value of the derivative instrument is recorded in earnings. For a derivative used to hedge changes in cash flows associated with forecasted transactions, the gain or loss of the effective portion of the derivative will be deferred, and reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity, until such time the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivative instruments not accounted for as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in non–interest income or non–interest expense.

Revenue Recognition— Accounting Standards Codification 606,“Revenue from Contracts with Customers”(ASC 606) provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance enumerates five steps that entities should follow in achieving this core principle. Revenue generated from financial instruments, including loans and investment securities, are not included in the scope of ASC 606. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in a change to the accounting of any of the Company’s revenue streams that are within the scope of the amendments. Revenue–gathering activities that are within the scope of ASC 606 and that are presented as non-interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income include:

•Service charges and fees on deposit accounts – these include general service fees charged for deposit account maintenance and activity and transaction-based fees charged for certain services, such as debit card, wire transfer and overdraft activities. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed, which is generally after a transaction is completed or monthly for account maintenance services.

•Fiduciary activities – this includes periodic fees due from trust and wealth management customers for managing the customers’ financial assets. Fees are charged based on a standard agreement and are recognized as they are earned.

Segments— Horizon hasone principal business segment, commercial banking. While our chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of various products and services, the identifiable segments' operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a company–wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company's financial service operations are considered to be aggregated inone reportable operating segment.

Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements

We corrected an immaterial error related to amounts reported in previously issued financial statements for the periods presented in the Annual Report on Form 10–K. The error relates to the incorrect classification of revolving lines of credit as term loans in the vintage loan disclosure. The correction of this error resulted in the classification of certain term loans as lines of credit in the vintage loan disclosure. The revision did not change the total amount of loans reported and did not impact the Company's net income.

We evaluated the aggregate effects of this error to our previously issued financial statements in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 99 and No. 108 and, based upon quantitative and qualitative factors, determined that the error was not material to the previously issued financial statements and disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10–K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The following tables present the revisions to vintage loan disclosure at December 31, 2022 to reflect the correction of the errors:

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2022–02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures

The FASB has issued ASU No. 2022–02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, in March 2022. These amendments eliminate the troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, require that an entity evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, these amendments require that an entity disclose current–period gross write–offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326–20. The guidance was effective for entities that have adopted ASU 2016–13 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. These amendments should be applied prospectively. If an entity elects to early adopt ASU 2022–02 in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period. An entity may elect to early adopt the amendments about TDRs and related disclosure enhancements separately from the amendments related to vintage disclosures. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2023 and it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASU No. 2020–04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

The FASB has issued ASU 2020–04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary, optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, the transition away from the LIBOR or other interbank offered rate on financial reporting. To help with the transition to new reference rates, the ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to affected contract modifications and hedge accounting relationships. The main provisions include:

•A change in a contract's reference interest rate would be accounted for as a continuation of that contract rather than as the creation of a new one for contracts, including loans, debt, leases, and other arrangements, that meet specific criteria.

•When updating its hedging strategies in response to reference rate reform, an entity would be allowed to preserve its hedge accounting.

The guidance is applicable only to contracts or hedge accounting relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. Because the guidance is meant to help entities through the transition period, it will be in effect for a limited time and will not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, for which an entity has elected certain optional expedients that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The amendments in this ASU are effective March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022.

ASU 2020–04 permits relief solely for reference rate reform actions and permits different elections over the effective date for legacy and new activity. Accordingly, the Company is evaluating and reassessing the elections on a quarterly basis. For current elections in effect regarding the assertion of the probability of forecasted transactions, the Company elects the expedient to assert the probability of the hedged interest payments and receipts regardless of any expected modification in terms related to reference rate reform.

With the issuance of ASU 2022–6, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, the sunset date for the adoption of ASU 2020–04 was extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Company adopted the expedients included in this ASU in 2023 as it transferred its loans and other financial instruments to another reference rate.

Accounting Guidance Issued But Not Yet Adopted

FASB ASU No. 2023–02, Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method

The FASB has issued ASU 2023–02, Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. This guidance allows reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period. The Company is assessing ASU 2023–02 and its impact on its accounting and disclosures.

Note 2 –Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities ofthree months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, cash equivalents consisted primarily of money market accounts with brokers and certificates of deposit.

At December 31, 2023, the Company’s cash accounts exceeded federally insured limits by approximately $447.7 million. Approximately $402.6 million of this amount was held by either the Federal Reserve Bank or the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, which is not federally insured.

Note 3 –Securities

The fair value of securities is as follows:

The Company elected to transfer 793 AFS securities with an aggregate fair value of $120.9 million to a classification of HTM on March 31, 2022. In accordance with FASB ASC 320–10–55–24, the transfer from AFS to HTM must be recorded at the fair value of the AFS securities at the time of transfer. The net unrealized holding loss of $814,000, net of tax, at the date of transfer was retained in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), with the associated pre–tax amount retained in the carrying value of the HTM securities. Such amounts will be accreted to comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities. The fair value of the transferred AFS securities became the book value of the HTM securities at March 31, 2022.

The Company elected to transfer 475 AFS securities with an aggregate fair value of $490.2 million to a classification of HTM on December 31, 2021. In accordance with FASB ASC 320–10–55–24, the transfer from AFS to HTM must be recorded at the fair value of the AFS securities at the time of transfer. The net unrealized holding gain of $5.9 million, net of tax, at the date of transfer was retained in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), with the associated pre–tax amount retained in the carrying value of the HTM securities. Such amounts will be amortized to comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities. The fair value of the transferred AFS securities became the book value of the HTM securities at December 31, 2021.

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and held to maturity at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investments, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of the Company’s available for sale and held to maturity investments, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2022.

Certain investments in debt securities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at an amount less than their historical cost. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had 2,290 and 2,828 securities, respectively, with market values below their cost basis. The total fair value of these investments at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $2.1 billion and $2.6 billion, which is approximately 85% and 86%, respectively, of the Company's available for sale and held to maturity securities portfolio. These declines resulted primarily from fluctuations in market interest rates after purchase. Management believes the declines in fair value for these securities are temporary.

No allowance for credit losses for available for sale debt securities was needed at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The allowance for credit losses for held to maturity securities is a contra asset valuation account that is deducted from the carrying amount of held to maturity securities to present the net amount expected to be collected. Held to maturity securities are charged off against the allowance for credit loss when deemed uncollectible. Adjustments to the allowance for credit loss are reported in our Consolidated Statements of Income in credit loss expense. We measure expected credit losses on held to maturity securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. With regard to U.S. Government–sponsored treasuries, agency and mortgage–backed securities, all these securities are issued by a U.S. government–sponsored entity and have an implicit or explicit government guarantee; therefore, no allowance for credit losses has been recorded for these securities. With regard to obligations of states and municipal, private label mortgage–backed and corporate note held to maturity securities, we consider (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (3) the financial condition of the issuer, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Historical loss rates associated with securities having similar grades as those in our portfolio have been insignificant. As of December 31, 2023, there were no past due principal and interest payments associated with these securities. An allowance for credit loss of $157,000 recorded on these securities based on applying the long–term historical rating agency credit loss rate for similarly rated securities.

Accrued interest receivable on available for sale debt securities and held to maturity securities totaled $14.7 million and $17.8 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The U.S. government sponsored entities and agencies and mortgage–backed securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major credit rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. Therefore, for those securities, we do not record expected credit losses.

Information regarding security proceeds, gross gains and gross losses are presented below.

The tax effect of the proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale was $6.7 million, $0 and $192,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company pledges securities to secure retail and corporate repurchase agreements to the Federal Reserve for borrowing availability and as settlements for the fair value of swap agreements. At December 31, 2023, the Company had pledged $145.2 million of fair value or $170.3 million of amortized cost, in securities as collateral for $136.0 million in repurchase agreements, $1.4 billion of fair value or $1.7 billion of amortized cost, in securities as collateral for borrowing availability at the Federal Reserve with $430.0 million current outstanding borrowings and $20.2 million of fair value or $23.0 million of amortized cost, in securities as collateral for $26.6 million in settlements on the fair value of swap agreements.

Note 4 –Loans

The table below identifies the Company's loan portfolio segments and classes.

Portfolio segment is defined as a level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses. Class of financing receivable is defined as a group of financing receivables determined on the basis of both of the following, 1) risk characteristics of the financing receivable, and 2) an entity’s method for monitoring and assessing credit risk. Generally, the Bank does not move loans from a revolving loan to a term loan other than construction loans. Construction loans are reviewed and rewritten prior to being originated as a term loan.

The following table presents total loans outstanding by portfolio class, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Total loans include net deferred loan costs of $21.9 million and $22.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The risk characteristics of each loan portfolio segment are as follows:

Commercial

Commercial loans are primarily based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory and may incorporate a personal guarantee; however, some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers.

Commercial real estate loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves larger loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets, the general economy or fluctuations in interest rates. The properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of property type, and are monitored for concentrations of credit. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, cash flow and risk grade criteria. As a general rule, the Company avoids financing single purpose projects unless other underwriting factors are present to help mitigate risk. In addition, management tracks the level of owner occupied commercial real estate loans versus non-owner occupied loans.

Real Estate and Consumer

With respect to residential loans that are secured by 1-4 family residences and are generally owner occupied, the Company generally establishes a maximum loan-to-value ratio and requires private mortgage insurance if that ratio is exceeded. Home equity loans are typically secured by a subordinate interest in 1-4 family residences, and consumer loans are secured by consumer assets such as automobiles or recreational vehicles. Some consumer loans are unsecured such as small installment loans and certain lines of credit. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrowers, which can be impacted by economic conditions in their market areas such as unemployment levels. Repayment can also be impacted by changes in property values on residential properties. Risk is mitigated by the fact that the loans are of smaller individual amounts and spread over a large number of borrowers.

Mortgage Warehousing

Horizon’s mortgage warehouse lending has specific mortgage companies as customers of Horizon Bank. Individual mortgage loans originated by these mortgage companies are funded as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral under Horizon’s agreement with the mortgage company. Each mortgage loan funded by Horizon undergoes an underwriting review by Horizon to the end investor guidelines and is assigned to Horizon until the loan is sold to the secondary market by the mortgage company. In addition, Horizon takes possession of each original note and forwards such note to the end investor once the mortgage company has sold the loan. At the time a loan is transferred to the secondary market, the mortgage company reacquires the loan under its option within the agreement. Due to the reacquire feature contained in the agreement, the transaction does not qualify as a sale and therefore is accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral pursuant to the agreement with the mortgage company. When the individual loan is sold to the end investor by the mortgage company, the proceeds from the sale of the loan are received by Horizon and used to pay off the loan balance with Horizon along with any accrued interest and any related fees. The remaining balance from the sale is forwarded to the mortgage company. These individual loans typically are sold by the mortgage company within 30 days and are seldom held more than 90 days. Interest income is accrued during this period and collected at the time each loan is sold. Fee income for each loan sold is collected when the loan is sold, and no costs are deferred due to the term between each loan funding and related payoff, which is typically less than 30 days.

Based on the agreements with each mortgage company, at any time a mortgage company can reacquire from Horizon its outstanding loan balance on an individual mortgage and regain possession of the original note. Horizon also has the option to request that the mortgage company reacquire an individual mortgage. Should this occur, Horizon would return the original note and reassign the assignment of the mortgage to the mortgage company. Also, in the event that the end investor would not be able to honor the purchase commitment and the mortgage company would not be able to reacquire its loan on an individual mortgage, Horizon would be able to exercise its rights under the agreement.

Non–performing Loans

The following table presents non–accrual loans and loans past due over 90 days still on accrual by class of loans at December 31, 2023:

The following table presents non–accrual loans, loans past due over 90 days still on accrual, and troubled debt restructured loans by class of loans at December 31, 2022:

There wasno interest income recognized on non–accrual loans during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 while the loans were in non–accrual status.

The following table presents the payment status by class of loan at December 31, 2023:

The following table presents the payment status by class of loans, excluding non–accrual loans of $17.6 million and non–performing TDRs $1.5 million of at December 31, 2022:

The entire balance of a loan is considered delinquent if the minimum payment contractually required to be made is not received by the specified due date.

Modified Loans

The Company adopted ASU 2022–02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, during the first quarter of 2023. These amendments eliminated the troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) recognition measurement guidance and, instead, require that an entity evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not modify any troubled loans.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022–02, loans modified as TDRs generally consisted of allowing borrowers to defer scheduled principal repayments and make interest only payments for a specified period of time at the stated interest rate of the original loan agreement or lower payments due to a modification of the loans' contractual terms. TDRs that continued to accrue interest were individually monitored on a monthly basis and evaluated for impairment annually and transferred to non–accrual status when it was probable that any remaining principal and interest payments due on the loan would not be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. TDRs that subsequently defaulted were individually evaluated for impairment at the time of default.

The following table presents TDRs by class of loan at December 31, 2022:

Collateral Dependent Financial Assets

A collateral dependent financial loan relies solely on the operation or sale of the collateral for repayment. In evaluating the overall risk associated with the loan, the Company considers character, overall financial condition and resources, and payment record of the borrower; the prospects for support from any financially responsible guarantors; and the nature and degree of protection provided by the cash flow and value of any underlying collateral. However, as other sources of repayment become inadequate over time, the significance of the collateral's value increases and the loan may become collateral dependent.

The tables below present the amortized cost basis and allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) allocated for collateral dependent loans in accordance with ASC 326, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses, at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Credit Quality Indicators

Horizon Bank’s processes for determining credit quality differ slightly depending on whether a new loan or a renewed loan is being underwritten, or whether an existing loan is being re–evaluated for credit quality. The latter usually occurs upon receipt of current financial information or other pertinent data that would trigger a change in the credit quality grade.

• For new and renewed commercial loans, the Bank’s Credit Department, which acts independently of the loan officer, assigns the credit quality grade to the loan. Loan grades for loans with an aggregate credit exposure that exceeds the authorities in the respective regions (ranging from $3,000,000 to $6,000,000) are validated by the Loan Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Commercial Banking Officer (“CCBO”).

• Commercial loan officers are responsible for reviewing their loan portfolios and promptly assessing any adverse change in credit quality and revising the risk rating appropriately. When circumstances warrant a change in the credit quality grade, loan officers are required to notify the Credit Department of the change in the credit quality grade. Downgrades are accepted immediately, however, lenders must present their factual information to the Credit Department when recommending an upgrade. Downgrades to impaired status require the concurrence of the CCBO and the Senior Workout Loan Manager.

• The CCBO, or a designee, meets periodically with loan officers to discuss the status of past due loans and classified loans. These meetings are also designed to give the loan officers an opportunity to identify an existing loan that should be downgraded to a classified grade.

• Monthly, senior management meets as members of the Watch Committee, which reviews all of the past due, classified, and impaired loans and the relative trends of these assets. This committee also reviews the actions taken by management regarding foreclosure mitigation, loan extensions, loan modifications, other real estate owned and personal property repossessions. The information reviewed in this meeting acts as a precursor for developing management’s analysis of the adequacy of the Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans and Leases.

For residential real estate and consumer loans, Horizon uses a grading system based on delinquency. Loans that are 90 days or more past due, on non–accrual, or are classified as modified loans are graded “Substandard.” After being 90 to 120 days delinquent a loan is charged off unless it is well secured and in the process of collection. If the latter case exists, the loan is placed on non–accrual. Occasionally a mortgage loan may be graded as “Special Mention.” When this situation arises, it is because the characteristics of the loan and the borrower fit the definition of a Risk Grade 5 described below, which is normally used for grading commercial loans. Loans not graded Substandard are considered Pass.

Horizon Bank employs a nine–grade rating system to determine the credit quality of commercial loans. The first five grades represent acceptable quality, and the last four grades mirror the criticized and classified grades used by the bank regulatory agencies (special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss). The loan grade definitions are detailed below.

Risk Grade 1: Excellent (Pass)

Loans secured by liquid collateral, such as certificates of deposit, reputable bank letters of credit, or other cash equivalents or loans to any publicly held company with a current long–term debt rating of A or better and meeting defined key financial metric ranges.

Risk Grade 2: Good (Pass)

Loans to businesses that have strong financial statements containing an unqualified opinion from a CPA firm and at least three years consecutive years of profits; loans supported by unaudited financial statements containing strong balance sheets, five years consecutive years of profits, afive year satisfactory relationship with the Bank, and key balance sheet and income statement trends that are either stable or positive; loans secured by publicly traded marketable securities with required margins where there is no impediment to liquidation; loans to individuals backed by liquid personal assets and unblemished credit histories; or loans to publicly held companies with current long–term debt ratings of Baa or better and meeting defined key financial metric ranges.

Risk Grade 3: Satisfactory (Pass)

Loans supported by financial statements (audited or unaudited) that indicate average or slightly below average risk and having some deficiency or vulnerability to changing economic conditions; loans with some weakness but offsetting features of other support are readily available; loans that are meeting the terms of repayment, but which may be susceptible to deterioration if adverse factors are encountered and meeting defined key financial metric ranges. Loans may be graded Satisfactory when there is no recent information on which to base a current risk evaluation and the following conditions apply:

• At inception, the loan was properly underwritten, did not possess an unwarranted level of credit risk, and the loan met the above criteria for a risk grade of Excellent, Good, or Satisfactory;

• At inception, the loan was secured with collateral possessing a loan value adequate to protect the Bank from loss.

• The loan has exhibitedtwo or more years of satisfactory repayment with a reasonable reduction of the principal balance.

• During the period that the loan has been outstanding, there has been no evidence of any credit weakness. Some examples of weakness include slow payment, lack of cooperation by the borrower, breach of loan covenants, or the borrower is in an industry known to be experiencing problems. If any of these credit weaknesses is observed, a lower risk grade may be warranted.

Risk Grade 4: Satisfactory/Monitored

Loans in this category are considered to be of acceptable credit quality, but contain greater credit risk than Satisfactory rated loans and meet defined key financial metric ranges. Borrower displays acceptable liquidity, leverage, and earnings performance within the Bank’s minimum underwriting guidelines. The level of risk is acceptable but conditioned on the proper level of loan officer supervision. Loans that normally fall into this grade include acquisition, construction and development loans and income producing properties that have not reached stabilization.

Risk Grade 4W: Management Watch

Loans in this category are considered to be of acceptable quality and meet defined key financial metric ranges, but with above normal risk. Borrower displays potential indicators of weakness in the primary source of repayment resulting in a higher reliance on secondary sources of repayment. Balance sheet may exhibit weak liquidity and/or high leverage. There is inconsistent earnings performance without the ability to sustain adverse economic conditions. Borrower may be operating in a declining industry or the property type, as for a commercial real estate loan, may be high risk or in decline. These loans require an increased level of loan officer supervision and monitoring to assure that any deterioration is addressed in a timely fashion. Commercial construction loans are graded as 4W Management Watch until the projects are completed and stabilized.

Risk Grade 5: Special Mention

Loans which possess some temporary (normally less than one year) credit deficiency or potential weakness which deserves close attention. Such loans pose an unwarranted financial risk that, if not corrected, could weaken the loan by adversely impacting the future repayment ability of the borrower. The key distinctions of a Special Mention classification are that (1) it is indicative of an unwarranted level of risk and (2) weaknesses are considered “potential,” not “defined,” impairments to the primary source of repayment. These loans may be to borrowers with adverse trends in financial performance, collateral value and/or marketability, or balance sheet strength and must meet defined key financial metric ranges.

Risk Grade 6: Substandard

One or more of the following characteristics may be exhibited in loans classified Substandard:

• Loans which possess a defined credit weakness. The likelihood that a loan will be paid from the primary source of repayment is uncertain. Financial deterioration is under way and very close attention is warranted to ensure that the loan is collected without loss.

• Loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor.

• The primary source of repayment is gone, and the Bank is forced to rely on a secondary source of repayment, such as collateral liquidation or guarantees.

• Loans have a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.

• Unusual courses of action are needed to maintain a high probability of repayment.

• The borrower is not generating enough cash flow to repay loan principal; however, it continues to make interest payments.

• The lender is forced into a subordinated or unsecured position due to flaws in documentation.

• Loans have been restructured so that payment schedules, terms, and collateral represent concessions to the borrower when compared to the normal loan terms.

• The lender is seriously contemplating foreclosure or legal action due to the apparent deterioration in the loan.

• There is a significant deterioration in market conditions to which the borrower is highly vulnerable.

• The borrower meets defined key financial metric ranges.

Risk Grade 7: Doubtful

One or more of the following characteristics may be present in loans classified Doubtful:

• Loans have all of the weaknesses of those classified as Substandard. However, based on existing conditions, these weaknesses make full collection of principal highly improbable.

• The primary source of repayment is gone, and there is considerable doubt as to the quality of the secondary source of repayment.

• The possibility of loss is high but because of certain important pending factors which may strengthen the loan, loss classification is deferred until the exact status of repayment is known.

• The borrower meets defined key financial metric ranges.

Risk Grade 8: Loss

Loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuing to carry them as assets is not feasible. Loans will be classified Loss when it is neither practical nor desirable to defer writing off or reserving all or a portion of a basically worthless asset, even though partial recovery may be possible at some time in the future.

The following tables present loans by credit grades and origination year at December 31, 2023.

The following table presents loans by credit grades and origination year at December 31, 2022.

Note 5 –Allowance for Credit and Loan Losses

The following table represents, by loan portfolio segment, a summary of changes in the ACL on loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company utilized the Cumulative Loss Rate method in determining expected future credit losses. The loss rate method measures the amount of loan charge–offs, net of recoveries, (“loan losses”) recognized over the life of a closed pool and compares those loan losses to the outstanding loan balance of that pool as of a specific point in time (“pool date”).

To estimate a CECL loss rate for the pool, management first identifies the loan losses recognized between the pool date and the reporting date for the pool and determines which loan losses were related to loans outstanding at the pool date. The loss rate method then divides the loan losses recognized on loans outstanding as of the pool date by the outstanding loan balance as of the pool date.

The Company’s expected loss estimate is anchored in historical credit loss experience, with an emphasis on all available portfolio data. The Company’s historical look–back period includes January 2009 through the current period, on a monthly basis. When historical credit loss experience is not sufficient for a specific portfolio, the Company may supplement its own portfolio data with external models or data. The Company supplemented data for 2009 and 2010 with the use of adjusted Uniform Bank Performance Report peer group data.

Qualitative reserves reflect management’s overall estimate of the extent to which current expected credit losses on collectively evaluated loans will differ from historical loss experience. The analysis takes into consideration other analytics performed within the organization, such as enterprise and concentration management, along with other credit–related analytics as deemed appropriate. Management attempts to quantify qualitative reserves whenever possible.

The Company’s CECL estimate applies to a forecast that incorporates macroeconomic trends and other environmental factors. Management utilized Moody's economic forecast scenarios including both National and Regional econometrics, as well as management judgment, as the basis for the forecast period. The historical loss rate was utilized as the base rate, and qualitative adjustments were utilized to reflect the forecast and other relevant factors.

The Company segments the loan portfolio into pools based on the following risk characteristics: financial asset type, loan purpose, collateral type, loan characteristics, credit characteristics, outstanding loan balances, contractual terms and prepayment assumptions, industry of the borrower and concentrations, and historical or expected credit loss patterns.

Note 6 –Premises and Equipment

Note 7 –Loan Servicing

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others totaled approximately $1.479 billion and $1.532 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Comparable market values and a valuation model that calculates the present value of future cash flows were used to estimate fair value. For purposes of measuring impairment, risk characteristics including product type, investor type and interest rates, were used to stratify the originated mortgage servicing rights. Mortgage servicing rights are included in other assets on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Note 8 –Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that indicate an impairment may exist. When assessing goodwill for impairment, first, a qualitative assessment can be made to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its estimated carrying value. If the results of the qualitative assessment are not conclusive, a quantitative goodwill test is performed. Alternatively, a quantitative goodwill test can be performed without performing a qualitative assessment.

No impairment loss was recorded in 2023 or 2022. The Company tested goodwill for impairment during 2023 and 2022. During the third and fourth quarters of 2023, Horizon considered the amount by which fair value exceeded book value by performing a quantitative analysis. The Company engaged a third–party valuation specialist in performing its quantitative impairment analysis, which included a combination of valuation approaches to determine the fair value of the Bank reporting unit. These valuation approaches required certain assumptions such as the discount rate, economic conditions impacting interest and growth rates, the control premium, and a relative weighting given to the fair value derived by each of the valuation approaches used. At the conclusion of the assessment, the Company determined that as of December 31, 2023, it was more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill exceeded its carrying value.

As a result of acquisitions, the Company has recorded certain amortizable intangible assets related to core deposit intangibles. These core deposit intangibles are being amortized over seven years toten years using an accelerated method. Amortizable intangible assets are summarized as follows:

Amortization expense for intangible assets totaled $3.6 million, $3.6 million, and $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Estimated amortization for the years ending December 31 is as follows:

Note 9 –Deposits

Certificates and other time deposits for both retail and brokered maturing in years ending December 31 are as follows:

Note 10 –Borrowings

The Federal Home Loan Bank advances are secured by first and second mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans and mortgage warehouse loans totaling approximately $1.7 billion. Advances are subject to restrictions or penalties in the event of prepayment. At December 31, 2023, the Bank had a total of $500.0 million in putable advances. The call dates for these advances range from January 19, 2024 to February 21, 2024 even though maturity dates extend beyond those dates. Prior to the issuance of the Company's 2023 financial statements, $400.0 million of these putable advances were called and funded by new putable advances.

At December 31, 2023, the Bank had available approximately $1.4 billion in credit lines with various money center banks, including the FHLB.

Contractual maturities in years ending December 31 are as follows:

Note 11 –Repurchase Agreements

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase consist of obligations of the Bank to other parties. The obligations are secured by federal agency collateralized mortgage obligations, federal agency mortgage–backed pools and private labeled mortgage–backed pools and such collateral is held in safekeeping by third parties. The maximum amount of outstanding agreements at any month end during 2023 and 2022 totaled $143.5 million and $148.7 million and the daily average of such agreements totaled $137.2 million and $141.0 million. The agreements at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are overnight agreements.

The following table shows repurchase agreements accounted for as secured borrowings and the related securities, at fair value, pledged for repurchase agreements:

The prior year Repurchase Agreement note was revised to conform with current year financial statements. As a result, the securities pledged as collateral are presented by repurchase agreement rather than in total.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are secured by securities with a carrying amount of $145.2 million and $160.5 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Note 12 –Subordinated Notes

On June 24, 2020, Horizon issued $60.0 million in aggregate principal amount, $58.5 million proceeds, net of related issuance costs of $1.5 million, of 5.625% fixed–to–floating rate subordinated notes (the “Notes”). The Notes were offered in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes mature on July 1, 2030 (the “Maturity Date”). From and including the date of original issuance to, but excluding, July 1, 2025 or the date of earlier redemption (the “fixed rate period”), the Notes bear interest at an initial rate of 5.625% per annum, payable semi–annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing on January 1, 2021. The last interest payment date for the fixed rate period will be July 1, 2025. From and including July 1, 2025 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or the date of earlier redemption (the “floating rate period”), the Notes bear interest at a floating rate per annum equal to the Benchmark rate (which is expected to be Three–Month Term SOFR), plus 549 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2025. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Benchmark rate is less than zero, the Benchmark rate shall be deemed to be zero.

Horizon may, at its option, beginning with the interest payment date of July 1, 2025 and on any interest payment date thereafter, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part. The Notes will not otherwise be redeemable by Horizon prior to maturity, unless certain events occur. The redemption price for any redemption is 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any early redemption of the Notes will be subject to the receipt of the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to the extent then required under applicable laws or regulations, including capital regulations.

The Notes are unsecured subordinated obligations, and rank pari passu, or equally, with all of Horizon's future unsecured subordinated debt and are junior to all existing and future senior debt. The Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of Horizon's subsidiaries, including the deposit liabilities and claims of other creditors of Horizon Bank, and are effectively subordinated to Horizon's existing and future secured indebtedness. There is no sinking fund for the Notes. The Notes are obligations of Horizon only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any of Horizon's subsidiaries.

On December 8, 2023, Horizon cancelled $3.5 million of the $60.0 million in Notes at a price of 89.5 recording a gain of $368,000. The balance net of unamortized issuance costs of the Notes was $55.5 million and $58.9 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Note 13 –Junior Subordinated Debentures Issued to Capital Trusts

In October of 2004, Horizon formed Horizon Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), a wholly owned statutory business trust. Trust II sold $10.3 million of Trust Preferred Capital Securities as a participant in a pooled trust preferred securities offering. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Trust II and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 2.21% (7.59% at December 31, 2023) and mature on November 23, 2034, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par.

In December of 2006, Horizon formed Horizon Bancorp Capital Trust III (“Trust III”), a wholly owned statutory business trust. Trust III sold $12.4 million of Trust Preferred Capital Securities as a participant in a pooled trust preferred securities offering. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Trust III and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 1.91% (7.30% at December 31, 2023) and mature on January 30, 2037, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par.

The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the acquisition of Alliance Bank Corporation in 2005. In June 2004, Alliance formed Alliance Financial Statutory Trust I a wholly owned business trust (“Alliance Trust”), to sell $5.2 million in trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Alliance. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Alliance Trust and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 2.91% (8.29% at December 31, 2023) and mature in June 2034, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par.

The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the American Trust & Savings Bank purchase and assumption in 2010. In March 2004, Am Tru Inc., the holding company for American Trust & Savings Bank, formed Am Tru Statutory Trust I a wholly owned business trust (“Am Tru Trust”), to sell $3.5 million in trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Am Tru Inc. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Am Tru Trust and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 3.11% (8.49% at December 31, 2023) and mature in December 2033, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par.

The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the Heartland merger in July 2012. In December 2006, Heartland formed Heartland (IN) Statutory Trust II a wholly owned business trust (“Heartland Trust”), to sell $3.0 million in trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Heartland. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Heartland Trust and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 1.93% (7.32% at December 31, 2023) and mature in December 2036, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par. The carrying value was $2.2 million, net of the remaining purchase discount, at December 31, 2023.

The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the LaPorte merger in July 2016. In October 2007, LaPorte assumed debentures as the result of its acquisition of City Savings Financial Corporation (“City Savings”). In June 2003, City Savings formed City Savings Statutory Trust I a wholly owned business trust (“City Savings Trust”), to sell $5.0 million in trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from City Savings. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of City Savings Trust and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 3.36% (8.72% at December 31, 2023) and mature in June 2033, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par. The carrying value was $4.6 million, net of the remaining purchase discount, at December 31, 2023.

The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the Salin merger in March 2019. In October 2003, Salin Bancshares, Inc. (“Salin”) formed Salin Statutory Trust I (“Salin Trust”), to sell $20.0 million in trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Salin. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Salin Trust and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 3 Month CME Term SOFR plus 3.21% (8.54% at December 31, 2023) and mature in October 2033, and securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par. The carrying value was $18.2 million, net of the remaining purchase discount, at December 31, 2023.

The Trust Preferred Capital Securities, subject to certain limitations, are included in Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes. Dividends on the Trust Preferred Capital Securities are recorded as interest expense.

Note 14 –Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

The Company sponsors a supplemental retirement plan for a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company under the 2005 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). This plan was effective January 1, 2005, to replace the SERP originally effective January 1, 1993, which has been frozen. The SERP provides participating officers with supplemental retirement income in addition to the benefits provided under the Company's Employee Thrift Plan.

The SERP is a non-qualified defined contribution type plan under which benefits are derived based on a notional account balance to be funded by the Company for each participating officer. The account balance will be credited each year with a Company matching contribution of $20,000 or $35,000 based on the officer's plan. Plan participants may select from two investment options which include cash or stock units of the Company's stock. Assets of the SERP (i.e. the participants' account balances) will not be physically invested in the investments selected by the participants; rather, they are utilized for the purpose of debiting or crediting additional amounts to each participants' account. The Company informally funds its obligation to plan participants in a rabbi trust, comprised of a money market fund and Company stock reported at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices. The assets held in the rabbi trust were reported at their estimated fair value of $10.6 million and $10.1 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and are included in cash and stockholders' equity in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The related accrued benefit cost (representing the Company's benefit obligation to participants) of $10.6 million and $10.1 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, is recorded in other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The SERP is accounted for pursuant to FASB ASC section 715-70,“Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Contribution Plans” (“ASC 715-70”). SERP participants are credited with a contribution to an account and will receive, upon separation, a benefit based upon the vested amount accrued in their account, which includes both the officer's and Company's contributions plus or minus the increase or decrease in the fair market value of the SERP assets selected by the participant. ASC 715-70 requires companies to record, on a periodic basis, that portion of a company's contribution earned during the period by the participants (the “Expense”). The Company is accruing the Expense under the assumption that all participants in the SERP will achieve full vesting (five years of service). The related Company matching contribution was $344,000, $404,000 and $375,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

Note 15 –Employee Benefit Plans

The Employee Thrift Plan (“Plan”) provides that all employees of Horizon with the requisite hours of service are eligible for the Plan. The Plan permits voluntary employee contributions and Horizon may make discretionary matching and profit sharing contributions. Each eligible employee is vested according to a schedule based upon years of service. Employee voluntary contributions are vested at all times. The Bank’s expense related to the Plan totaled approximately $1.9 million in 2023, $1.9 million in 2022 and $1.5 million in 2021.

The Plan owned a total of 723,596 shares of Horizon’s stock or 1.6% of the outstanding shares as of December 31, 2023.

Note 16 –Income Tax

During 2023, the Company generated a state net operating loss of $6.2 million that may be carried forward for 15 years. The Company has federal general business tax credits of $9.6 million that can be carried forward twenty years and expire beginning in 2042.

During 2023, the Company generated a capital loss of $32.1 million as a result of the sale of investment securities owned by Horizon Investments, Inc. As a result of previously generated capital gains within the last three tax years, $7.3 million of the capital loss can be offset by those capital gains. The remaining $24.8 million is allowed to be carried forward for a period of five years to offset future capital gains that are recognized. The tax effect of this capital loss carryforward is $5.2 million. Management has concluded that a valuation allowance against this deferred tax attribute was required and will be reevaluated until it is more likely than not that the capital loss carryforward can be realized.

Retained earnings of the Bank include approximately $12.8 million for which no deferred income tax liability has been recognized. This amount represents an allocation of previously acquired institutions income to bad debt deductions as of December 31, 1987 for tax purposes only. Reductions of amounts so allocated for purposes other than tax bad debt losses including redemption of bank stock or excess dividends, or loss of “bank” status would create income for tax purposes only, which would be subject to the then-current corporate income tax rate. The unrecorded deferred income tax liability on the above amount for the Company was approximately $2.7 million at December 31, 2023.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020.

Note 17 –Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax included in capital are as follows:

Note 18 –Commitments, Off–Balance Sheet Risk and Contingencies

The Bank was not required to have any cash on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank to meet regulatory reserve and clearing balance requirements at December 31, 2023. These balances would be included in cash and cash equivalents and would not earn interest.

The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the ordinary course of business to meet financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit. The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Bank follows the same credit policy to make such commitments as is followed for those loans recorded in the financial statements.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, commitments to make loans amounted to approximately $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion and commitments under outstanding standby letters of credit amounted to approximately $16.5 million and $17.8 million. Since many commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit expire without being used, the amount does not necessarily represent future cash advances. The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The Company determines the estimated amount of expected credit extensions based on historical usage to calculate the amount of exposure for a loss estimate. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held a non–material reserve, respectively, as a loss estimate for these exposures.

Note 19 –Regulatory Capital

Horizon and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies and are assigned to a capital category. Failure to meet the minimum regulatory capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators, which if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective actions, the Company and Bank must meet specific capital guidelines involving quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier I capital to average assets, or leverage ratio. For December 31, 2023 and 2022, Basel III rules require the Company and Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets. Additionally, under Basel III rules, the decision was made to opt-out of including accumulated other comprehensive income in regulatory capital.

To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and Bank must maintain minimum Total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, common equity Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to be considered well capitalized. There have been no conditions or events since the year ending December 31, 2023 that management believes have changed the Bank’s classification as well capitalized. There is no threshold for well-capitalized status for bank holding companies.

Horizon and the Bank’s actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

The net unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital.

Note 20 –Share–Based Compensation

On June 18, 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the Horizon Bancorp 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”), which was approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 8, 2014. Under the 2013 Plan, Horizon may issue up to 1,556,325 common shares, plus the number of shares that are tendered to or withheld by Horizon in connection with the exercise of options plus that number of shares that are purchased by Horizon with the cash proceeds received upon option exercises. The 2013 Plan limits the number of shares available to 225,000 for incentive stock options and to 900,000 for the grant of non–option awards. The shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan may be divided among the various types of awards and among the participants as the Committee determines. The Committee is authorized to grant any type of award to a participant that is consistent with the provisions of the 2013 Plan. Awards may consist of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance units, performance shares or any combination of these awards. The Committee determines the provisions, terms and conditions of each award. The 2013 Plan was amended on May 3, 2018, upon shareholder approval, primarily to allow grants of other types of stock–based awards, such as awards valued in whole or in part by reference to the value of shares of Horizon common stock. All share data has been adjusted for the 3:2 stock split on June 15, 2018 and November 14, 2016.

The restricted shares can vest over a period of time established by the Committee at the time of each grant, but the restricted shares already granted under the 2013 Plan generally vest at the end of three, four or five years of continuous employment. Holders of restricted shares receive dividends and may vote the shares. The restricted shares are recorded at fair market value (on the date granted) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The cost of these shares is being amortized against earnings using the straight–line method over the vesting period.

The performance shares that are awarded become earned and vested based on the achievement of certain performance goals during a performance period as established by the Committee at the time of each grant. The performance goals under the presently–awarded grant agreements are based on a comparison of the Company’s average performance over the performance period for the return on common equity, compounded annual growth rate of total assets, and return on average assets, all as relative to the average performance for publicly traded banks with total assets between $1 billion and $5 billion on the SNL Bank Index. Holders of performance share awards receive pass–through dividends but do not have any voting rights before the performance shares are earned and vested.

The options shares granted under the 2013 Plan vest at a rate designated per the individual agreements.

The fair value of options granted is estimated on the date of the grant using an option–pricing model. There have been no options granted since 2019.

A summary of option activity under the 2013 Plan as of December 31, 2023, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:

There have beenno options granted during the years 2023, 2022 and 2021.

On January 19, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted the Horizon Bancorp 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”), which was approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 6, 2021. Under the 2021 Plan, Horizon may issue up to 1,787,548 common shares, plus the number of shares that are tendered to or withheld by Horizon in connection with the exercise of options plus that number of shares that are purchased by Horizon with the cash proceeds received upon option exercises. The Committee is authorized to grant any type of award to a participant that is consistent with the provisions of the 2021 Plan. Awards may consist of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance units, performance shares or any combination of these awards. The Committee determines the provisions, terms and conditions of each award.

The restricted shares can vest over a period of time established by the Committee at the time of each grant, but the restricted shares already granted under the 2021 Plan generally vest at the end of three, four or five years of continuous employment. Holders of restricted shares receive dividends and may vote the shares. The restricted shares are recorded at fair market value (on the date granted) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The cost of these shares is being amortized against earnings using the straight–line method over the vesting period.

The performance shares that are awarded become earned and vested based on the achievement of certain performance goals during a performance period as established by the Committee at the time of each grant. The performance goals under the presently–awarded grant agreements are based on a comparison of the Company’s average performance over the performance period for the return on common equity, compounded annual growth rate of total assets, and return on average assets, all as relative to the average performance for publicly traded banks with total assets between $5 billion and $10 billion on the SNL Bank Index. Holders of performance awards receive pass–through dividends but do not have any voting rights before the performance shares are earned and vested.

The option shares granted under the 2021 Plan vest at a rate designated per the individual agreements.

A summary of the status of Horizon’s non–vested restricted and performance shares as of December 31, 2023 are presented below:

Compensation expense recognized in the income statement for option–based payment arrangements during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $0, $13,000 and $68,000. The recognized tax benefit related thereto was approximately $0, $3,000 and $14,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. No stock options were granted during 2023 or 2022.

Compensation expense recognized in the income statement for restricted share and performance share based payment arrangements during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $3.6 million, $2.5 million, and $1.8 million. The recognized tax benefit related thereto was approximately $753,000, $517,000, and $368,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Cash received from option exercise under all share–based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $0, $145,000, and $1.1 million. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercise of the share–based payment arrangements totaled $58,000, $126,000, and $334,000, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

As of December 31, 2023, there was $4.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non–vested share–based compensation arrangements granted under all of the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted–average period of 11 months. Under all plans, forfeitures of share–based compensation grants are recognized as they occur.

Note 21 –Derivative Financial Instruments

Cash Flow Hedges

As a strategy to maintain acceptable levels of exposure to the risk of changes in future cash flow due to interest rate fluctuations, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement for a portion of its floating rate debt on July 20, 2018. The agreement provided for the Company to receive interest from the counterparty at one month LIBOR and to pay interest to the counter party at a rate of 2.81% on a notional amount of $50.0 million at December 31, 2022. Under the agreement, the Company pays or receives the net interest amount monthly, with the monthly settlements included in interest expense. The Company terminated this interest rate swap agreement on May 23, 2023 and recorded a related gain of $1.5 million as a reduction of interest expense.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

Fair Value Hedges

Fair value hedges are intended to reduce the interest rate risk associated with the underlying hedged item. The Company enters into fixed rate loan agreements as part of its lending policy. To mitigate the risk of changes in fair value based on fluctuations in interest rates, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements on individual loans, converting the fixed rate loans to a variable rate. The Company has also entered into interest rate swap agreements on individual security agreements, converting the fixed rate security to a variable rate. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s fair value hedges were effective and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s net income over the next 12 months.

The change in fair value of both the hedge instruments and the underlying loan and security agreements are recorded as gains or losses in non–interest income. The fair value hedges are considered to be highly effective any any hedge ineffectiveness was deemed not material.

Other Derivative Instruments

The Company enters into non–hedging derivatives in the form of mortgage loan forward sale commitments with investors and commitments to originate mortgage loans as part of its mortgage banking business. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s fair values of these derivatives were recorded and over the next 12 months are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s net income.

The change in fair value of both the forward sale commitments and commitments to originate mortgage loans were recorded and the net gains or losses included in the Company’s gain on sale of loans.

The following tables summarize the fair value of derivative financial instruments utilized by Horizon:

The effect of the derivative instruments on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the 12–month periods ended December 31 is as follows:

The effect of derivatives designated as a hedging instrument on the consolidated statements of income for the 12–month periods ended December 31 is as follows:

The effect of derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument on the consolidated statements of income for the 12–month periods ended December 31 is as follows:

Note 22 –Disclosures about Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

The Fair Value Measurements topic of the FASB ASC defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. There have been no significant changes in the valuation techniques during the period ended December 31, 2023.

Available for sale securities

When quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities, state and municipal securities, federal agency mortgage obligations and mortgage–backed pools, private–label mortgage–backed pools and corporate notes. Level 2 securities are valued by a third party pricing service commonly used in the banking industry utilizing observable inputs. Observable inputs include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flow analysis, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment spreads and available credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions. The pricing provider utilizes evaluated pricing models that vary based on asset class. These models incorporate available market information including quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and, because many fixed–income securities do not trade on a daily basis, apply available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector grouping, and matrix pricing. In addition, model processes, such as an option adjusted spread model is used to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for securities with prepayment features. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include state and municipal securities, U.S. Government–sponsored mortgage–backed securities and corporate securities. Level 3 fair value for securities was determined using grid pricing that incorporates market estimates based on interest rates, maturity dates, coupon rates and ratings. Level 3 fair value for securities that have little to no market activity can also be priced at book value for lack of another reasonable pricing source or methodology.

Hedged loans

Certain fixed rate loans have been converted to variable rate loans by entering into interest rate swap agreements. The fair value of those fixed rate loans is based on discounting the estimated cash flows using interest rates determined by the respective interest rate swap agreement. Loans are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy based on the unobservable inputs used.

Interest rate swap agreements

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is estimated by a third party using inputs that are primarily unobservable including a yield curve, adjusted for liquidity and credit risk, contracted terms and discounted cash flow analysis, and therefore, are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities recognized in the accompanying financial statements measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the FASB ASC fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at the following:

Certain other assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the ordinary course of business and are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment):

Collateral Dependent Loans: For loans identified as collateral dependent, then the fair value method of measuring the amount of impairment is utilized. This method requires obtaining a current independent appraisal of the collateral and applying a discount factor to the value.

Collateral dependent loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy when impairment is determined using the fair value method.

The following table presents qualitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements, other than goodwill, at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Note 23 –Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value amounts of the Company’s financial instruments were determined using available market information, current pricing information applicable to Horizon and various valuation methodologies. Where market quotations were not available, considerable management judgment was involved in the determination of estimated fair values. Therefore, the estimated fair value of financial instruments shown below may not be representative of the amounts at which they could be exchanged in a current or future transaction. Due to the inherent uncertainties of expected cash flows of financial instruments, the use of alternate valuation assumptions and methods could have a significant effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

The estimated fair values of financial instruments, as shown below, are not intended to reflect the estimated liquidation or market value of Horizon taken as a whole. The disclosed fair value estimates are limited to Horizon’s significant financial instruments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. These include financial instruments recognized as assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as well as certain off–balance sheet financial instruments. The estimated fair values shown below do not include any valuation of assets and liabilities which are not financial instruments as defined by the FASB ASC fair value hierarchy.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and Due from Banks— The carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Held to Maturity Securities— For debt securities held to maturity, fair values are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes. For those securities where a quoted market price is not available, carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value based upon comparison with similar securities.

Loans Held for Sale— The carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Net Loans— The fair value of net loans are estimated on an exit price basis incorporating discounts for credit, liquidity and marketability factors.

FHLB Stock— Fair value of FHLB stock is based on the price at which it may be resold to the FHLB

Interest Receivable/Payable— The carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Deposits— The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, interest bearing checking accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date and are classified within Level 1. The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturity and are classified within Level 2.

Borrowings— Rates currently available to Horizon for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair values of existing borrowings.

Subordinated Notes— The fair value of subordinated notes is based on discounted cash flows based on current borrowing rates for similar types of instruments.

Junior Subordinated Debentures to Capital Trusts— Rates currently available for debentures with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair values of existing debentures.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit— The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed–rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. Due to the short-term nature of these agreements, carrying amounts approximate fair value.

The following tables present estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall.

Note 24 –General Litigation

As of April 20, 2023, a putative class action lawsuit entitled Chad Key, et al. v. Horizon Bancorp, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:23-cv-02961 (“Securities Action”) was filed against the Company and two of its officers in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Securities Action asserts claims under §§ 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 alleging, among other things, the Company made materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose material adverse facts which allegedly resulted in harm to a putative class of purchasers of our securities from March 9, 2022 and March 10, 2023.

As of (1) August 28, 2023, a lawsuit related to the Securities Action was filed by Sally Hundley, derivatively on behalf of the Company, against the Company, as nominal defendant, and 2 of the Company's officers and 10 of its directors and (2) August 31, 2023, a lawsuit also related to the Securities Action was filed by Aziz Chowdhury, derivatively on behalf of the Company, against the Company, as nominal defendant, and 2 of the Company's officers and 10 of its directors (the “Derivatives Actions”) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Derivative Actions allege, among other things, breach of the officers and directors' fiduciary duties. The Derivative Actions have been consolidated and stayed pending resolution of any motion to dismiss in the Securities Action.

Based on our initial review of these actions, management believes that the Company has strong defenses to the claims and intends to vigorously defend against them. As of December 31, 2023, no liabilities related to the above matters were recorded because we have concluded such liabilities are not probable and the amounts of such liabilities are not reasonably estimable.

In addition to the matters described above, from time to time, Horizon and its subsidiaries are involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of their business. Management does not expect that the outcome of any such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Note 25 –Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company Only)

Presented below is condensed financial information as to financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Horizon Bancorp, Inc.:

Condensed Balance Sheets

Condensed Statements of Income

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows