GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP INC

Previous wording

We conduct business from offices that are located in 20 contiguous southern Indiana counties and 14 counties in Kentucky, from which substantially all of our customer base is drawn. Because of the geographic concentration of our operations and customer base, our results depend largely upon economic conditions in this area. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, low inflation, low unemployment, high business and investor confidence, strong business earnings, and efficient capital markets. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by a decline in economic growth in the markets where we operate and in the United States as a whole; declines in business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability of or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment; commodity price volatility; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

Current wording

We conduct business from offices that are located throughout Indiana (central/southern), Kentucky (northern/central/western), and Ohio (central/southwest), from which substantially all of our customer base is drawn. Because of the geographic concentration of our operations and customer base, our results depend largely upon economic conditions in these areas. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, low inflation, low unemployment, high business and investor confidence, strong business earnings, and efficient capital markets. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by a decline in economic growth in the markets where we operate and in the United States as a whole; declines in business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability of or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment; commodity price volatility; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

Previous wording

Current economic conditions are being heavily impacted by elevated levels of inflation and rising interest rates. A prolonged period of inflation may impact our profitability by negatively impacting our fixed costs and expenses. Economic and inflationary pressure on consumers and uncertainty regarding economic improvement could have direct or indirect material adverse impacts on us, on our customers or on the financial institutions with whom we deal as counterparties to financial transactions. Such pressures could negatively impact customers’ ability to obtain new loans or to repay existing loans, diminish the values of any collateral securing such loans and could cause increases in the number of the Company’s customers experiencing financial distress and in the levels of the Company’s delinquencies, non-performing loans and other problem assets, charge-offs and provision for credit losses, all of which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures that we have adopted cannot eliminate the risk that we might incur losses on account of factors relating to the economy like those identified above, and those losses could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Current wording

While recent higher inflation levels have moderated, current economic conditions continue to be impacted by inflation rates that persistently remain above the Federal Reserve’s target rate and by elevated interest rates. A prolonged period of higher inflation may impact our profitability by negatively impacting our fixed costs and expenses. Economic and inflationary pressure on consumers and uncertainty regarding economic improvement could have direct or indirect material adverse impacts on us, on our customers or on the financial institutions with whom we deal as counterparties to financial transactions. Such pressures could negatively impact customers’ ability to obtain new loans or to repay existing loans, diminish the values of any collateral securing such loans and could cause increases in the number of the Company’s customers experiencing financial distress and in the levels of the Company’s delinquencies, non-performing loans and other problem assets, charge-offs and provision for credit losses, all of which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures that we have adopted cannot eliminate the risk that we might incur losses on account of factors relating to the economy like those identified above, and those losses could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Previous wording

Additionally, negative news about us or the banking industry in general could negatively impact market and/or customer perceptions of the Bank, which could lead to a loss of depositor confidence and an increase in deposit withdrawals, particularly among those with uninsured deposits. Furthermore, as we and other banks experienced in 2023, the failure of other financial institutions may cause deposit outflows as customers (i) spread deposits among several different banks so as to maximize their amount of FDIC insurance, (ii) move deposits to larger banks (who may be considered “too big to fail”), or (iii) remove deposits from the banking system entirely. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 21% of our deposits were uninsured and uncollateralized. A failure to maintain adequate liquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Additionally, negative news about us or the banking industry in general could negatively impact market and/or customer perceptions of the Bank, which could lead to a loss of depositor confidence and an increase in deposit withdrawals, particularly among those with uninsured deposits. Furthermore, as we and other banks experienced in 2023, the failure of other financial institutions may cause deposit outflows as customers (i) spread deposits among several different banks so as to maximize their amount of FDIC insurance, (ii) move deposits to larger banks (who may be considered “too big to fail”), or (iii) remove deposits from the banking system entirely. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 22% of our deposits were uninsured and uncollateralized. A failure to maintain adequate liquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the financial services industry (including banking personnel, trust and investments personnel, and insurance personnel) is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of and experience in our local markets. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain qualified loan origination executives, sales executives for our trust and investment products and services, and sales executives for our insurance products and services. We also depend upon the continued contributions of our management personnel, and in particular upon the abilities of our senior executive management, and the loss of the services of one or more of them could harm our business.

Current wording

Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the financial services industry (including banking personnel and trust and investments personnel) is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of and experience in our local markets. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain qualified loan origination executives and sales executives for our trust and investment products and services. We also depend upon the continued contributions of our management personnel, and in particular upon the abilities of our senior executive management, and the loss of the services of one or more of them could harm our business.

Previous wording

The global business community has increased its political and social awareness surrounding the state of the global environment and the issue climate change. Further, the U.S. Congress, state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies continue to propose numerous initiatives related to climate change. Similar and even more expansive initiatives are expected under the current administration, including potentially increasing supervisory expectations with respect to banks’ risk management practices, accounting for the effects of climate change in stress testing scenarios and systemic risk assessments, revising expectations for credit portfolio concentrations based on climate-related factors and encouraging investment by banks in climate-related initiatives and lending to communities disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. The lack of empirical data surrounding the credit and other financial risks posed by climate change make it impossible to predict how specifically climate change may impact our financial condition and results of operations. To the extent our customers experience unpredictable and more frequent weather disasters attributable to climate change, the value of real property securing the loans in our portfolios may be negatively impacted. Additionally, if insurance obtained by our borrowers is insufficient to cover any disaster-related losses sustained to the collateral, or if insurance coverage is otherwise unavailable to our borrowers, the collateral securing our loans may be negatively impacted, which could impact our financial condition and results of operations. Further, the effects of weather disasters attributed to climate change may negatively impact regional and local economic activity, which could lead to an adverse effect on our customers and impact the communities in which we operate. Overall, climate change, its effects and the resulting, unknown impact could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

To the extent our customers experience unpredictable and more frequent weather disasters attributable to climate change, the value of real property securing the loans in our portfolios may be negatively impacted. Additionally, if insurance obtained by our borrowers is insufficient to cover any disaster-related losses sustained to the collateral, or if insurance coverage is otherwise unavailable to our borrowers, the collateral securing our loans may be negatively impacted, which could impact our financial condition and results of operations. Further, the effects of weather disasters attributed to climate change may negatively impact regional and local economic activity, which could lead to an adverse effect on our customers and impact the communities in which we operate. As a result, climate change, its effects and the resulting, unknown impact could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

Companies are facing increasing scrutiny from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders related to their ESG practices and disclosure. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to the environment, health and safety, diversity, labor conditions and human rights. Increased ESG-related compliance costs for the Company as well as among our suppliers, vendors and various other parties within our supply chain could result in increases to our overall operational costs. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, access to capital, and our stock price. New government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanding mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, and disclosure.

Current wording

Expectations from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders with respect to the Company’s environmental, social and governance practices could negatively impact our reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, access to capital, and our stock price.

Previous wording

In addition, we anticipate increased regulatory scrutiny, in the course of routine examinations and otherwise, and new regulations in response to negative developments in the banking industry over the course of 2023, which may increase our cost of doing business and reduce our profitability. Among other things, there may be increased focus by both regulators and investors on deposit composition, the level of uninsured deposits, brokered deposits, unrealized losses in securities portfolios, liquidity, commercial real estate loan composition and concentrations, and capital as well as general oversight and control of the foregoing. We could face increased scrutiny or be viewed as higher risk by regulators and/or the investor community, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

In addition, following the negative developments in the banking industry over the course of 2023, regulators and investors may continue to focus on deposit composition, the level of uninsured deposits, brokered deposits, unrealized losses in securities portfolios, liquidity, commercial real estate loan composition and concentrations, and capital as well as general oversight and control of the foregoing. As a result, we could face increased scrutiny or be viewed as higher risk by regulators and/or the investor community, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our FDIC insurance premiums may increase, and special assessments could be made, which might negatively impact our results of operations.

Current wording

Our FDIC insurance premiums may increase, and special assessments could be made, which may have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

High levels of insured institution failures, as a result of the recent recession, significantly increased losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act mandated the FDIC to increase the level of its reserves for future losses in its Deposit Insurance Fund. Since the Deposit Insurance Fund is funded by premiums and assessments paid by insured banks, our FDIC insurance premium could increase in future years depending upon the FDIC’s actual loss experience, changes in our Bank’s financial condition or capital strength, and future conditions in the banking industry.

Current wording

Since the Deposit Insurance Fund is funded by premiums and assessments paid by insured banks, our FDIC insurance premium could increase in future years depending upon the FDIC’s actual loss experience, changes in our Bank’s financial condition or capital strength, and future conditions in the banking industry. Any such increases in our premiums and assessment fees may have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.