FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP /PA/
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 13, 2026.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2025 · Filed Mar 13, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-03-14.
0000723646-25-000020
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2025-12-31; filed 2026-03-13.
0000723646-26-000016
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 53 previous paragraphs and 60 current paragraphs.
42 unchanged; 8 reworded; 9 added; 3 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (9)
Current report
Further, we may face unknown or contingent liabilities arising from cybersecurity incidents or data breaches that previously occurred at companies we acquire. Such incidents may not have been discovered, disclosed, or if previously discovered fully-remediated before closing, and the acquired company’s representations, warranties, and indemnities may be limited in scope, duration, or recoverability. As a result, we could incur costs or liabilities after an acquisition relating to regulatory investigations, litigation, remediation efforts, reputational harm, or customer and partner claims, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Current report
In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. The Corporation has observed an increased level of attention in the industry focused on cyber-attacks that include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption.
Current report
While the Corporation maintains insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms and conditions including significant self-insured deductibles, cover or ameliorate certain financial aspects of cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses.
Current report
The Corporation may use artificial intelligence (AI) in its business, and challenges with properly managing its use could result in disruption of its internal operations, reputational harm, competitive harm, legal liability and adversely affect its results of operations and stock price.
Current report
The Corporation may incorporate AI solutions into platforms that deliver products and services to its customers, including solutions developed by third parties whose AI is integrated into its products and services. The Corporation's business could be harmed and it may be exposed to legal liability and reputational risk if the AI it uses is or is alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, or biased because the AI algorithms are flawed, insufficient, of poor quality, or reflect unwanted forms of bias, particularly if third party AI integrated with its platforms produces false or "hallucinatory" inferences.
Current report
Data practices by the Corporation or others that result in controversy could impair the acceptance of AI, which could undermine the decisions, predictions, or analysis that AI applications produce. The Corporation's customers and potential customers may express adverse opinions concerning its use of AI and machine learning that could result in brand or reputational harm, competitive harm, or legal liability. If the Corporation develops Generative AI, its content creation may require additional investment as testing for bias, accuracy and unintended, harmful impact is often complex and may be costly. As a result, the Corporation may need to increase the cost of its products and services which may make it less competitive, particularly if its competitors incorporate AI more quickly or successfully.
Current report
Governmental bodies have implemented laws and are considering further regulation of AI (including machine learning), which could negatively impact the Corporation's ability to use and develop AI. The Corporation is unable to predict how application of existing laws, including federal and state privacy and data protection laws, and adoption of new laws and regulations applicable to AI will affect it but it is likely that compliance with such laws and regulations will increase its compliance costs and such increase may be substantial and adversely affect its results of operations. Furthermore, its use of Generative AI and other forms of AI may expose us to risks relating to intellectual property ownership and licensing rights, including copyright of Generative AI and other AI output as these issues have not been fully interpreted by federal courts or been fully addressed by federal or state legislation or regulations.
Current report
Changes to trade policies and tariffs can have an adverse impact on our business and our customers.
Current report
Changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs or the escalation of a trade war, could negatively impact the economic conditions in the markets we serve. Our customers – particularly local businesses engaged in agriculture, manufacturing, and retail – may face higher costs for imported goods and materials, reduced export demand, and supply chain disruptions due to increased tariffs. These challenges could lead to lower revenues, reduced profitability, and potential layoffs, all of which may impair our customers’ ability to meet their financial obligations. Furthermore, prolonged trade tensions and economic uncertainty could lead to market volatility, declining asset values, and weakened consumer confidence. If our customers experience financial stress, we could see an increase in loan delinquencies and credit losses, negatively affecting our asset quality and overall financial performance. Additionally, any decline in local economic activity could reduce loan demand, deposit growth, and fee income, which are critical to our long-term success. While we actively monitor economic and policy developments, we cannot predict the outcome of trade negotiations or the full impact of tariffs and trade restrictions on our business, customers, and the broader economy. Any adverse effects from tariffs or a trade war could materially and negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations, and future growth prospects.
Removed paragraphs (3)
Previous report
Public health crises such as epidemics or pandemics could materially and adversely impact our business.
Previous report
An epidemic or pandemic (such as COVID-19) may cause prolonged global, national, or regional recessionary economic conditions or longer lasting effects on economic conditions than currently exist, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Previous report
As a result, the demand for our products and services may be significantly impacted, which could adversely affect our revenue and results of operations. Furthermore, the effects of an epidemic or pandemic could result in the recognition of credit losses in our loan portfolios and an increase in our allowance for credit losses, particularly if businesses are restricted or are required to close. Similarly, because of changing economic and market conditions affecting issuers, we may be required to recognize impairments on the securities we hold as well as reductions in other comprehensive income. Our business operations may also be disrupted if significant portions of our workforce are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions in connection with the pandemic. The extent to which an epidemic or pandemic impacts our business, results of operations, and financial conditions, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on factors which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of an epidemic or pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the epidemic or pandemic.
Reworded paragraphs (8)
Previous wording
The Bank offers a variety of loan products, including residential mortgage, consumer, construction and commercial loans. The Bank requires real estate as collateral for many of its loans. At December 31, 2024, approximately 83% ($1.159 billion) of its loans were secured by real estate. These real estate loans are located primarily in the Bank’s market area of south-central Pennsylvania and Washington County, MD. Real estate values tend to follow changes in general economic cycles. If a loan becomes delinquent as the result of an economic downturn and the Bank becomes dependent on the real estate collateral as a source of repayment, it is likely that the value of the real estate collateral has also declined. A decline in real estate values means it is possible that the real estate collateral may be insufficient to cover the outstanding balance of a delinquent or foreclosed loan, resulting in a loss to the Bank. In addition, the real estate collateral is concentrated in the Bank’s primary market area. Localized events such as plant closures or layoffs may affect real estate prices and collateral values and could have a more negative affect on the Bank as compared to other competitors with a more geographically diverse portfolio. As the Bank grows, it is expected that real estate secured loans will continue to comprise a significant part of its balance sheet. Risk of loan default is unavoidable in the banking industry, and Management tries to limit exposure to this risk by carefully monitoring the amount of loans in specific industries and by exercising prudent lending practices and securing appropriate collateral. However, this risk cannot be eliminated, and substantial credit losses could result in reduced earnings or losses.
Current wording
The Bank offers a variety of loan products, including residential mortgage, consumer, construction and commercial loans. The Bank requires real estate as collateral for many of its loans. At December 31, 2025, approximately 85% ($1.326 billion) of its loans were secured by real estate. These real estate loans are located primarily in the Bank’s market area of south-central Pennsylvania and Washington County, MD. Real estate values tend to follow changes in general economic cycles. If a loan becomes delinquent as the result of an economic downturn and the Bank becomes dependent on the real estate collateral as a source of repayment, it is likely that the value of the real estate collateral has also declined. A decline in real estate values means it is possible that the real estate collateral may be insufficient to cover the outstanding balance of a delinquent or foreclosed loan, resulting in a loss to the Bank. The Bank’s CRE concentration ratio was 349.9% of risk-based capital at December 31, 2025. In addition, the real estate collateral is concentrated in the Bank’s primary market area. Localized events such as plant closures or layoffs may affect real estate prices and collateral values and could have a more negative effect on the Bank as compared to other competitors with a more geographically diverse portfolio. As the Bank grows, it is expected that real estate secured loans will continue to comprise a significant part of its balance sheet. Risk of loan default is unavoidable in the banking industry, and Management tries to limit exposure to this risk by carefully monitoring the amount of loans in specific industries and by exercising prudent lending practices and securing appropriate collateral. However, this risk cannot be eliminated, and substantial credit losses could result in reduced earnings or losses.
Previous wording
The Bank continues to grow its commercial loan portfolio. Commercial purpose loans account for 79% ($1.111 billion) of the total loan portfolio. These loans are made to businesses for a variety of commercial purposes and may include fixed and variable rate loans, term loans, and lines of credit. Commercial purpose loans may be secured by real estate, business assets and equipment, personal guarantees, or non-real estate collateral. Commercial purpose loans secured by real estate were $880.1 million at December 31, 2024 and account for 79% of the total commercial loan portfolio or 63% of the total portfolio of the Bank. These loans contain all the risks associated with real estate lending as discussed above. In addition, commercial real estate collateral may be more difficult to liquidate for repayment purposes than residential real estate. The repayment of commercial loans is highly dependent upon the success of the business activity and as such maybe more susceptible to risk of loss during a downturn in the economy. Because the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio is concentrated in south-central Pennsylvania, the ability to repay these loans could be affected by deterioration of the economy in this region. As commercial lending continues to be the primary driver of loan growth, these new loans may present additional risk due to a lack of repayment history with the Bank. The Bank attempts to mitigate these risks through its underwriting and loan review process; however, this risk cannot be eliminated, and substantial credit losses could result in reduced earnings or losses.
Current wording
The Bank continues to grow its commercial loan portfolio. Commercial purpose loans account for 78% ($1.224 billion) of the total loan portfolio. These loans are made to businesses for a variety of commercial purposes and may include fixed and variable rate loans, term loans, and lines of credit. Commercial purpose loans may be secured by real estate, business assets and equipment, personal guarantees, or non-real estate collateral. Commercial purpose loans secured by real estate were $998.4 million at December 31, 2025 and account for 82% of the total commercial loan portfolio or 64% of the total portfolio of the Bank. These loans contain all the risks associated with real estate lending as discussed above. In addition, commercial real estate collateral may be more difficult to liquidate for repayment purposes than residential real estate. The repayment of commercial loans is highly dependent upon the success of the business activity and as such maybe more susceptible to risk of loss during a downturn in the economy. Because the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio is concentrated in south-central Pennsylvania, the ability to repay these loans could be affected by deterioration of the economy in this region. As commercial lending continues to be the primary driver of loan growth, these new loans may present additional risk due to a lack of repayment history with the Bank. The Bank attempts to mitigate these risks through its underwriting and loan review process; however, this risk cannot be eliminated, and substantial credit losses could result in reduced earnings or losses.
Previous wording
At December 31, 2024, the Bank’s in-house policy lending limit was $29.6 million. Accordingly, the size of the loans that can be offered to customers is less than the size of loans that many of our competitors, with larger lending limits, can offer. This limit affects the Bank’s ability to seek relationships with larger businesses in its market area. Loan amounts in excess of the lending limits can be accommodated through the sale of participations in such loans to other banks. However, there can be no assurance that the Bank will be successful in attracting or maintaining customers seeking larger loans or that it will be able to engage in participation of such loans or on terms favorable to the Bank.
Current wording
At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s in-house policy lending limit was $32.7 million. Accordingly, the size of the loans that can be offered to customers is less than the size of loans that many of our competitors, with larger lending limits, can offer. This limit affects the Bank’s ability to seek relationships with larger businesses in its market area. Loan amounts in excess of the lending limits can be accommodated through the sale of participations in such loans to other banks. However, there can be no assurance that the Bank will be successful in attracting or maintaining customers seeking larger loans or that it will be able to engage in participation of such loans or on terms favorable to the Bank.
Previous wording
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. These systems include our internal network and data systems, as well as those of third-party vendors. Any failure, interruption or breach in security or these systems, including a cyber-attack, could result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information. Cyber security risks for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties, including foreign state actors. Financial services institutions have been subject to, and are likely to continue to be the target of, cyber-attacks, including computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service or information or other security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of the institution, its employees or customers or of third parties, or otherwise materially disrupt network access or business operations. Cyber threats could result in unauthorized access, loss or destruction of customer data, unavailability, degradation or denial of service, introduction of computer viruses and other adverse events, causing the Corporation to incur additional costs (such as repairing systems or adding new personnel or protection technologies). Cyber threats may also subject the Corporation to regulatory investigations, litigation or enforcement, require the payment of regulatory fines or penalties or undertaking costly remediation efforts. While we have systems, policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of client business, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Current wording
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. These systems include our internal network and data systems, as well as those of third-party vendors. Any failure, interruption or breach in security or these systems, including a cyber-attack, could result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information. Cyber security risks for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies (including artificial intelligence), the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties, including foreign state actors. Financial services institutions have been subject to, and are likely to continue to be the target of, cyber-attacks, including computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service or information or other security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of the institution, its employees or customers or of third parties, or otherwise materially disrupt network access or business operations. Cyber threats could result in unauthorized access, loss or destruction of customer data, unavailability, degradation or denial of service, introduction of computer viruses and other adverse events, causing the Corporation to incur additional costs (such as repairing systems or adding new personnel or protection technologies). Cyber threats may also subject the Corporation to regulatory investigations, litigation or enforcement, require the payment of regulatory fines or penalties or undertaking costly remediation efforts.
Previous wording
Fee income from the Bank’s Wealth Management Department comprises a large percentage of total noninterest income. Fee income from Wealth Management Department is comprised primarily of asset management fees as measured by the market value of assets under management. As such, the market values are directly related to stock market values. Therefore, any significant negative change in the value of assets under management due to stock market fluctuations could greatly reduce fee income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Current wording
Fee income from the Bank’s Wealth Management department comprises a large percentage (48%) of total noninterest income. Fee income from Wealth Management department is comprised primarily of asset management fees as measured by the market value of assets under management. As such, the market values are directly related to stock market values. Therefore, any significant negative change in the value of assets under management due to stock market fluctuations could greatly reduce fee income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Previous wording
Thirty-eight percent ($694.9 million) of all deposits are in the Bank’s money management product. The interest rate on these deposits generally follows market rates. A large or continuous increase in market rates could result in a rapid increase in the interest expense of these deposits. While the interest rate on this product generally follows market rates, the product is not indexed to a market rate, thereby giving the Bank more control over any rate increases. Nonetheless, interest expense could materially increase and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2025, 42% ($771.2 million) of all deposits are in the Bank’s money management product. The interest rate on these deposits generally follows market rates. A large or continuous increase in market rates could result in a rapid increase in the interest expense of these deposits. While the interest rate on this product generally follows market rates, the product is not indexed to a market rate, thereby giving the Bank more control over any rate increases. Nonetheless, interest expense could materially increase and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Previous wording
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events could negatively impact the Corporation’s business.
Current wording
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, public health crises, and other external events could negatively impact the Corporation’s business.
Previous wording
The unpredictable nature of events such as severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the Corporation’s ability to conduct business. If any of its financial, accounting, network or other information processing systems fail or have other significant shortcomings due to external events, the Corporation could be materially adversely affected. Third parties with which the Corporation does business could also be sources of operational risk tothe Corporation, including the risk that the third parties' own network and information processing systems could fail. Any of these occurrences could materially diminish the Corporation's ability to operate one or more of its businesses, or result in potential liability to customers, reputational damage, and regulatory intervention, any of which could materially adversely affect the Corporation. Such events could affect the stability of the Corporation's deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, impair the Corporation's liquidity, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue, and/or cause the Corporation to incur additional expenses.
Current wording
The unpredictable nature of events such as severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism (international or domestic), public health crises, geopolitical events, and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the Corporation’s ability to conduct business. If any of its financial, accounting, network or other information processing systems fail or have other significant shortcomings due to external events, the Corporation could be materially adversely affected. Third parties with which the Corporation does business could also be sources of operational risk tothe Corporation, including the risk that the third parties' own network and information processing systems could fail. Any of these occurrences could materially diminish the Corporation's ability to operate one or more of its businesses, or result in potential liability to customers, reputational damage, and regulatory intervention, any of which could materially adversely affect the Corporation. Such events could affect the stability of the Corporation's deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, impair the Corporation's liquidity, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue, and/or cause the Corporation to incur additional expenses.
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
While we have systems, policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of client business, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.