First Bancorp Inc ME

Credit Risk Management and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

Upon adoption of the CECL standard, in 2023, the Company replaced the incurred loss model that recognized loan losses when it became probable that a credit loss would be incurred, with a requirement to recognize lifetime expected credit losses immediately when a financial asset is originated or purchased. The ACL is a valuation amount that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged off against the allowance when they are deemed uncollectible. The ACL consists of three elements: (1) specific reserves for loans individually analyzed; (2) general reserves for each portfolio segment; and, (3) qualitative reserves. All outstanding loans are considered in evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance with similar risk characteristics in the portfolio. Prior to adoption of ASC 326, under the incurred loss methodology, the Company evaluated portfolio risk characteristics largely on loan purpose.

The Company provides for loan losses through the ACL which represents an estimated reserve for losses in the loan portfolio. To determine an appropriate level for general reserves, a discounted cash flow approach is applied to each portfolio segment implementing a probability of default and loss given default estimate based upon a number of factors including historical losses over an economic cycle, economic forecasts, loan prepayment speeds and curtailment rates. To determine an appropriate level for qualitative reserves various factors are considered including underwriting policies, credit administration practices, experience, ability and depth of lending management, and economic factors not captured in the general reserve calculation.

The ACL is increased by provisions charged against current earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when Management believes that the collectibility of the loan principal is unlikely. Recoveries on loans previously charged off are credited to the allowance. The adequacy of the ACL is overseen by the ACL Committee whose membership includes senior level personnel from the Executive, Lending, Credit Administration, and Finance functions of the Bank. While Management uses available information to assess possible losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on increases in non-performing loans, changes in economic conditions or outlook, growth in loan portfolios, or for other reasons. Any future additions to the allowance would be recognized in the period in which they were determined to be necessary. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the Company's ACL as an integral part of their examination process. Such agencies may require the Company to record additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of Management.

The ACL includes reserve amounts assigned to IAL. This includes loans placed on non-accrual and loans reported as TDR prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02, with balances of $250,000 or more. A specific reserve is allocated to an individual loan when the amount of a probable loss is estimable on the basis of its collateral value, the present value of anticipated future cash flows, or its net realizable value. At March 31, 2024, IAL with specific reserves totaled $606,000 and the amount of such reserves was $243,000. This compares to IAL with specific reserves of $919,000 at December 31, 2023 and the amount of such reserves was $264,000.

The total ACL on loans at March 31, 2024 is considered by Management to be appropriate to address the potential for credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at that date. However, determination of the appropriate allowance level is based upon a number of assumptions made about future events, which we believe are reasonable, but which may or may not prove valid. Thus, there can be no assurance charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the ACL or that additional increases in the ACL will not be necessary.

The following table summarizes the allocation of allowance by loan class as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 and December 31, 2023. The percentages are the portion of each loan class to total loans.

The ACL totaled $24.2 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $24.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and $23.5 million as of March 31, 2023.

A breakdown of the ACL on loans as of March 31, 2024, by loan class and allowance element, is presented in the following table:

Based upon Management's evaluation, provisions are made to maintain the allowance as a best estimate of expected losses within the portfolio. The provision for credit losses to maintain the allowance was $99,000 for the first three months of 2024 and $550,000 the first three months of 2023. Net recoveries were $78,000 in the first three months of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $25,000 in the first three months of 2023. The ACL as a percentage of outstanding loans was 1.11% as of March 31, 2024, down from 1.13% as of December 31, 2023, and down from 1.18% as of March 31, 2023.

The following table summarizes the activities in our ACL for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023:

1 Annualized using a 366-day basis in 2024 and a 365-day basis in 2023.