FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP OH

General

Farmers National Banc Corp. (the “Company,” “Farmers,” “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial holding company and was organized as a one-bank holding company in 1983 under the laws of the State of Ohio and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”). Amendments to the BHCA in 1999 allowed for a bank holding company to declare itself a financial holding company and thereby engage in financial activities, including securities underwriting and dealing, insurance agency and underwriting activities, and merchant banking activities. The Company made the declaration to become a financial holding company in 2016. For a bank holding company to be eligible to declare itself a financial holding company, all of the depository institution subsidiaries must be well-capitalized and well-managed and have satisfactory or better ratings under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (the "CRA"). The Company operates principally through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Farmers National Bank of Canfield (the “Bank” or “Farmers Bank”) and Farmers Trust Company (“Farmers Trust”). A third subsidiary, Farmers National Captive, Inc. (“Captive”), was dissolved in November of 2023. Farmers National Insurance, LLC (“Farmers Insurance”) and Farmers of Canfield Investment Co. (“Investments" or “Farmers Investments”) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Bank. The Company and its subsidiaries operate in the domestic banking, trust, retirement consulting, insurance and financial management industries.

The Company’s principal business consists of owning and supervising its subsidiaries. Although Farmers directs the overall policies of its subsidiaries, including lending practices and financial resources, most day-to-day affairs are managed by their respective officers.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 20 South Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406, and its telephone number is (330) 533-3341. Farmers’ common shares, no par value, are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market (the “NASDAQ”) under the symbol “FMNB.” Farmers’ business activities are managed and financial performance is primarily aggregated and reported in two lines of business, the Bank segment and the Trust segment. For a discussion of Farmers’ financial performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, see the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements found in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Farmers National Bank of Canfield

On January 1, 2023, Farmers National Banc Corp. (the “Company”) completed its previously announced merger with Emclaire Financial Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation and registered financial holding company (“Emclaire”), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 23, 2022, by and among the Company, FMNB Merger Subsidiary V, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Farmers (“Merger Sub”), and Emclaire (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) Emclaire merged with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub as the surviving entity in the Merger. Promptly following the consummation of the Merger, Merger Sub was dissolved and liquidated and The Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, the banking subsidiary of Emclaire, merged with and into The Farmers National Bank of Canfield, the national banking subsidiary of the Company (“Farmers Bank”), with Farmers Bank as the surviving bank. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time of the Merger, each common share, without par value, of Emclaire (“Emclaire Common Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (except for certain Emclaire Common Shares held directly by Emclaire or the Company) was converted into the right to receive, without interest, $40.00 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”) or 2.15 common shares, without par value, of the Company (“Company Common Shares”) (the “Stock Consideration”), subject to an overall limitation of 70% of the Emclaire Common Shares being exchanged for the Stock Consideration and the remaining 30% of Emclaire Common Shares being exchanged for the Cash Consideration. No fractional Company Common Shares were issued in the Merger, and Emclaire’s shareholders became entitled to receive cash in lieu of fractional Company Common Shares. Emclaire operated 19 branches in ten counties throughout western Pennsylvania.

The Bank is a full-service national banking association engaged in commercial and retail banking mainly in the northeastern region of Ohio and the western region of Pennsylvania. The Bank’s commercial and retail banking services include checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposit accounts, commercial, mortgage and installment loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, night depository, safe deposit boxes, money orders, bank checks, automated teller machines, internet banking, travel cards, “E” Bond transactions, brokerage services and other miscellaneous services normally offered by commercial banks.

A discussion of the general development of the Bank’s business and information regarding its financial performance throughout 2024, is discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Bank faces significant competition in offering financial services to customers. Ohio and Pennsylvania have a high density of financial service providers, many of which are significantly larger institutions that have greater financial resources than the Bank, and all of which are competitors to varying degrees. Competition for loans comes principally from savings banks, savings and loan associations, commercial banks, mortgage banking companies, credit unions, insurance companies and other financial service companies. The most direct competition for deposits has historically come from savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions. Additional competition for deposits comes from non-depository competitors such as the mutual fund industry, securities and brokerage firms and insurance companies.

Farmers Trust Company

During 2009, the Company acquired Farmers Trust. Farmers Trust offers a full complement of personal and corporate trust services in the areas of estate settlement, trust administration, employee benefit plans and retirement services. During 2024, Farmers Trust acquired substantially all of the assets, in a cash transaction, of Crest Retirement Advisors, LLC ("Crest"). Farmers Trust operates five offices located in Boardman, Canton, Howland, Wooster and Fairview Park, Ohio.

Farmers National Captive, Inc.

Captive was formed during 2016 and operated until November 20, 2023 when the Company dissolved the entity. During its operation Captive was a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of the Company that provided property and casualty insurance coverage to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Captive pooled resources with similar insurance company subsidiaries of financial institutions to spread a limited amount of risk among themselves and to provide insurance where not available or economically feasible. Captive did not account for a material portion of revenue and, therefore, will not be discussed individually, but as part of the Company.

Farmers National Insurance, LLC

Farmers Insurance was formed during 2009 and offers a variety of insurance products through licensed representatives. During 2022, Farmers Insurance acquired substantially all of the assets, in a cash transaction, of Randy L. Jones Agency, Inc., doing business as Champion Insurance. Farmers Insurance is a subsidiary of Farmers Bank and does not account for a material portion of revenue and, therefore, will not be discussed individually, but as part of the Bank.

Farmers of Canfield Investment Company

Farmers Investments was formed during 2014, with the primary purpose of investing in municipal securities. Farmers Investments is a subsidiary of Farmers Bank and does not account for a material portion of revenue and, therefore, will not be discussed individually, but as part of the Bank.

Investor Relations

The Company maintains an Internet site athttp://www.farmersbankgroup.com, which contains an Investor Relations section that provides access to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Farmers makes available free of charge on or through its website the Company’s annual reports on

Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such documents filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has filed these documents with the Commission. In addition, the Company’s filings with the Commission may be read and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. These filings are also available on the Commission’s web site athttp://www.sec.gov free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has filed the above referenced reports.

Human Capital

Our core values of Integrity, Respect, Diligence, Stewardship, Commitment, Relationships and Performance represent our belief that our long-term success is closely tied to having a dedicated and engaged workforce. We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining associates who reflect the communities in which we serve. As of December 31, 2024, Farmers and its subsidiaries had 682 full-time equivalent employees. The market for top talent is highly competitive, and we recognize that workforce turnover is not only financially costly, but also is not aligned with our commitment to our team. Farmers is committed to supporting a high performing, collaborative culture that provides the foundation to attract and retain the best associates in banking. By investing in our team, we also invest in our financial future. We offer all of our associates a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, a flexible spending plan, prescription drug coverage, group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, a traditional 401(k) Plan, a Roth IRA plan, competitive paid time off/paid holidays, competitive incentives, an annual Profit Sharing Plan and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

We are committed to providing a safe and secure work environment in accordance with applicable labor, safety, health, anti-discrimination and other workplace laws. We strive for all of our associates to feel safe and empowered at work. To that end, we maintain a whistleblower hotline that allows associates and others to anonymously voice concerns. We prohibit retaliation against an individual who reported a concern or assisted with an inquiry or investigation.

Supervision and Regulation

Introduction

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation by federal and state regulatory agencies. The regulation of financial holding companies and their subsidiaries is intended primarily for the protection of consumers, depositors, borrowers, the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) and the banking system as a whole and not for the protection of shareholders. This intensive regulatory environment, among other things, may restrict the Company’s ability to diversify into certain areas of financial services, acquire depository institutions in certain markets or pay dividends on its common shares. It also may require the Company to provide financial support to its banking and other subsidiaries, maintain capital balances in excess of those desired by management and pay higher deposit insurance premiums as a result of the deterioration in the financial condition of depository institutions in general.

Significant aspects of the laws and regulations that have, or could have a material impact on Farmers and its subsidiaries are described below. To the extent that the following discussion describes legislation, statutes, regulations or policies applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries, the discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the legislation, statutes, regulations and policies that are described herein, as they may be amended or revised by the United States ("U.S"). Congress or state legislatures and federal or state regulatory agencies, as the case may be. Changes in these legislation, statutes, regulations and policies may have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business, financial condition or results of operations. Such legislation, statutes, regulations and policies are continually under review by the U.S. Congress and state legislatures as well as federal and state regulatory agencies and are subject to change at any time, particularly in the current economic and regulatory environment. Any such change in applicable legislation, statutes, regulations or regulatory policies could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business, financial condition or results of operations.

Regulatory Agencies

Financial Holding Company. Farmers elected to be a financial holding company. A bank holding company may elect to become a financial holding company if each of its subsidiary banks is well capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), is well managed, and has at least a satisfactory rating under the CRA. Financial holding companies may engage in activities that are financial in nature, including affiliating with securities firms and insurance companies, which are not otherwise permissible for a bank holding company.

As a financial holding company, Farmers is subject to regulation under the BHCA and to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). The Federal Reserve Board has extensive enforcement authority over financial and bank holding companies and may initiate enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. The Federal Reserve Board may assess civil money penalties, issue cease and desist or removal orders and may require that a bank holding company divest subsidiaries, including subsidiary banks. Farmers is also required to file reports and other information with the Federal Reserve Board regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries.

Subsidiary Bank. The Bank is subject to regulation and examination primarily by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and secondarily by the FDIC. OCC regulations govern permissible activities, capital requirements, dividend limitations, investments, loans and other matters. The OCC has extensive enforcement authority over Farmers Bank and may impose sanctions on Farmers Bank and, under certain circumstances, may place Farmers Bank into receivership.

Farmers Bank is also subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board regulations regarding such matters as the maintenance of reserves against deposits, extensions of credit to Farmers or any of its subsidiaries, investments in the stock or other securities of Farmers or its subsidiaries and the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower.

Non-Banking Subsidiaries. Farmers’ non-banking subsidiaries are also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board and other applicable federal and state agencies. In particular, Farmers Insurance is subject to regulation by the Ohio Department of Insurance, which requires, amongst other things, the education and licensing of agencies and individual agents and imposes business conduct rules.

Securities and Exchange Commission and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The Company is also under the regulation and supervision of the Commission and certain state securities commissions for matters relating to the offering and sale of its securities. The Company is subject to disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Exchange Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Farmers common shares are listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol “FMNB” and the Company is subject to the rules for NASDAQ listed companies.

Federal Home Loan Bank. Farmers Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (the “FHLB”), which provides credit to its members in the form of advances. As a member of the FHLB, the Bank must maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB in a specified amount. Upon the origination or renewal of a loan or advance, the FHLB is required by law to obtain and maintain a security interest in certain types of collateral. The FHLB is required to establish standards of community investment or service that its members must maintain for continued access to long-term advances from the FHLB. The standards take into account a member’s performance under the CRA and its record of lending to first-time home buyers.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures the deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally-insured banks and savings associations and safeguards the safety and soundness of the financial institution industry. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the DIF of the FDIC and subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF.

The FDIC may terminate insurance coverage upon a finding that an insured depository institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition enacted or imposed by the institution’s regulatory agency.

Financial Holding Company Regulation

As a financial holding company, Farmers’ activities are subject to extensive regulation by the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA. Generally, in addition to the BHCA limits of banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking, financial holding company activities may include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance agency and underwriting activities and merchant banking activities. Under Federal Reserve Board policy, a financial holding company is expected to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to each subsidiary and to commit resources to support those subsidiaries. Under this policy, the Federal Reserve Board may require the company to contribute additional capital to an undercapitalized subsidiary and may disapprove of the payment of dividends to the holding company’s shareholders if the Federal Reserve Board believes the payment of such dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) codified this policy as a statutory requirement.

The BHCA requires prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board for a bank holding company to directly or indirectly acquire more than a 5.0% voting interest in any bank or its parent holding company. Factors taken into consideration in making such a determination include the effect of the acquisition on competition, the public benefits expected to be received from the acquisition, the projected capital ratios and levels on a post-acquisition basis and the acquiring institution’s record of addressing the credit needs of the communities it serves.

The BHCA also governs interstate banking and restricts Farmers’ nonbanking activities to those determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be financial in nature, or incidental or complementary to such financial activity, without regard to territorial restrictions. Transactions among the Bank and its affiliates are also subject to certain limitations and restrictions of the Federal Reserve Board, as described more fully under the caption “Dividends and Transactions with Affiliates” in this Item 1.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 permits a qualifying bank holding company to elect to become a financial holding company and thereby affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature and not otherwise permissible for a bank holding company. Farmers elected to become a financial holding company during 2016.

Regulation of Nationally Chartered Banks

As a national banking association, Farmers Bank is subject to regulation under the National Banking Act and is periodically examined by the OCC. OCC regulations govern permissible activities, capital requirements, dividend limitations, investments, loans and other matters. Furthermore, Farmers Bank is subject, as a member bank, to certain rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, many of which restrict activities and prescribe documentation to protect consumers. Under the Bank Merger Act, the prior approval of the OCC is required for a national bank to merge with, or purchase the assets or assume the deposits of, another bank. In reviewing applications to approve merger and other acquisition transactions, the OCC and other bank regulatory authorities may include among their considerations the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the capital position of the combined organization, the applicant’s performance under the CRA and fair housing laws, and the effectiveness of the entities in restricting money laundering activities. In addition, the establishment of branches by Farmers Bank is subject to the prior approval of the OCC. The OCC has the authority to impose sanctions on the Bank and, under certain circumstances, may place Farmers Bank into receivership.

The Bank is also an insured institution as a member of the DIF. As a result, it is subject to regulation and deposit insurance assessments by the FDIC.

Dividends and Transactions with Affiliates

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and its other subsidiaries. The Company’s principal source of funds to pay dividends on its common shares and service its debt is dividends from Farmers Bank and its other subsidiaries. Various federal and state statutory provisions and regulations limit the amount of dividends that Farmers Bank may pay to Farmers without regulatory approval. Farmers Bank generally may not, without prior regulatory approval, pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits after deducting statutory bad debt in excess of the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. In addition, prior approval of the OCC is required for the payment of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared in a calendar year would exceed the total of Farmers Bank’s net income for the year combined with its retained net income for the two preceding years.

In addition, Farmers and Farmers Bank are subject to other regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The federal banking agencies are authorized to determine under certain circumstances that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. The federal banking agencies have stated that paying dividends that deplete a bank’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. In addition, in the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve Board has indicated that financial holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels, unless both asset quality and capital are very strong. Thus, the ability of Farmers to pay dividends in the future is currently influenced, and could be further influenced, by bank regulatory policies and capital guidelines.

The Bank is subject to restrictions under federal law that limit the transfer of funds or other items of value to the Company and its nonbanking subsidiaries and affiliates, whether in the form of loans and other extensions of credit, investments and asset purchases or other transactions involving the transfer of value from a subsidiary to an affiliate or for the benefit of an affiliate. These regulations limit the types and amounts of transactions (including loans due and extensions of credit) that may take place and generally require those transactions to be on an arm’s-length basis. In general, these regulations require that any “covered transaction” by Farmers Bank with an affiliate must be secured by designated amounts of specified collateral and must be limited, as to any one of Farmers or its non-bank subsidiaries, to 10% of Farmers Bank’s capital stock and surplus, and, as to Farmers and all such non-bank subsidiaries in the aggregate, to 20% of Farmers Bank’s capital stock and surplus. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly expanded the coverage and scope of the limitations on affiliate transactions within a banking organization including, for example, the requirement that the 10% capital limit on covered transactions apply to financial subsidiaries. “Covered transactions” are defined by statute to include a loan or extension of credit, as well as a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets (unless otherwise exempted by the Federal Reserve Board) from the affiliate, certain derivative transactions that create a credit exposure to an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate.

Capital loans from the Company to the Bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and certain other indebtedness of the Bank. In the event of Farmers’ bankruptcy, any commitment by Farmers to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of Farmers Bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950, as amended, provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution such as the Bank, the insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, nondeposit creditors, including the Company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Capital Adequacy

Both Farmers and Farmers Bank are subject to risk-based capital requirements imposed by their respective primary federal banking regulator. The Federal Reserve Bank monitors the capital adequacy of Farmers and the FDIC monitors the capital adequacy of Farmers Bank.

In July 2013, the Federal banking regulators approved a final rule to implement the revised capital adequacy standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“Basel III”), and to address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets and adjusts the prompt corrective action thresholds. The Company and the Bank became subject to Basel III on January 1, 2015.

Under Basel III, common equity tier 1 capital consists of common stock and paid-in capital (net of treasury stock) and retained earnings. Common equity tier 1 capital is reduced by goodwill, certain intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities, deferred tax assets that arise from tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards, net of any valuation allowance, and certain other items as specified by Basel III.

Tier 1 capital includes common equity tier 1 capital and certain additional tier 1 items as provided under Basel III. Tier 2 capital, which can be included in the total capital ratio, generally consists of other preferred stock and subordinated debt meeting certain conditions plus limited amounts of the allowance for credit losses, subject to specified eligibility criteria, less applicable deductions.

Basel III allows for insured depository institutions to make a one-time election not to include most elements of accumulated other comprehensive income in regulatory capital and instead effectively use the existing treatment under the general risk-based capital rules. The Company and the Bank made this opt-out election in the first quarter of 2015 to avoid significant variations in the level of capital depending upon the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of our investment securities portfolio.

Basel III also changed the risk-weights of assets in an effort to better reflect credit risk and other risk exposures.

Basel III limits capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if the banking organization does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet minimum risk-based capital requirements. Basel III requires the Bank to maintain: (i) a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) to risk-weighted assets of 4.5%, plus a 2.5% capital conservation buffer (the “CCB”) (effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of 7.0%); (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0%, plus the CCB (effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%); (iii) a minimum ratio of Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the CCB (effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5%); and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to balance sheet exposures plus certain off-balance sheet exposures (computed as the average for each quarter of the month-end ratios for the quarter).

Basel III provides for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1, including the deduction of mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities if any one such category exceeds 10.0% of CET1 or if all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15.0% of CET1.

In addition to Basel III, the Dodd-Frank Act requires or permits federal banking agencies to adopt regulations affecting capital requirements in a number of respects, including potentially more stringent capital requirements for systemically important financial institutions. Accordingly, the regulations ultimately applicable to the Company may differ substantially from Basel III. Requirements of higher capital levels or higher levels of liquid assets could adversely impact the Company’s net income and return on equity.

In December 2018, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule to address regulatory treatment of credit loss allowances under the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”). The rule revised the federal banking agencies’ regulatory capital rules to identify which credit loss allowances under the CECL model are eligible for inclusion in regulatory capital and to provide banking organizations the option to phase in over three years the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the CECL model. Due to COVID-19, federal banking agencies issued an interim final rule that delayed the estimated impact on regulatory capital resulting from the adoption of CECL. The interim final rule provided banking organizations that implemented CECL prior to the end of 2020 the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital relative to regulatory capital determined under the prior incurred loss methodology, followed by a three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay. On August 26, 2020, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule that made certain technical changes to the interim final rule, including expanding the pool of eligible institutions. The changes in the final rule applied only to those banking organizations that elected the CECL transition relief provided for under the rule. The Company did not elect this transition relief.

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act

On May 25, 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “Regulatory Relief Act”) was enacted, which repealed or modified certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and eased restrictions on all but the largest banks (those with consolidated assets in excess of $250 billion). Bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $100 billion, including Farmers, are no longer subject to enhanced prudential standards. The Regulatory Relief Act also relieves bank holding companies and banks with consolidated assets of less than $100 billion, including Farmers, from certain record-keeping, reporting and disclosure requirements.

Volcker Rule

In December 2013, five federal agencies adopted a final regulation implementing the Volcker Rule provision of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Volcker Rule”). The Volcker Rule places limits on the trading activity of insured depository institutions and entities affiliated with a depository institution, subject to certain exceptions. The trading activity includes a purchase or sale as principal of a security, derivative, commodity future or option on any such instrument in order to benefit from short-term price movements or to realize short-term profits. The Volcker Rule exempts specified U.S. Government, agency and/or municipal obligations, and it exempts trading conducted in certain capacities, including as a broker or other agent, through a deferred compensation or pension plan, as a fiduciary on behalf of customers, to satisfy a debt previously contracted, repurchase and securities lending agreements and risk-mitigating hedging activities.

The Volcker Rule also prohibits a banking entity from having an ownership interest in, or certain relationships with, a hedge fund or private equity fund, with a number of exceptions.

In July 2019, the federal bank regulatory agencies that adopted the Volcker Rule adopted a final rule to exempt certain community banks, including Farmers, from such rule consistent with the Regulatory Relief Act. Under the final rule, community banks with $10 billion or less in total consolidated assets and total trading assets and liabilities of 5.0% or less of total consolidated assets were excluded from the restrictions of the Volcker Rule. On June 25, 2020, the federal bank regulatory agencies also finalized a rule modifying the Volcker Rule’s prohibition on banking entities investing in or sponsoring covered funds. Such rule permits certain banking entities to offer financial services and engage in other activities that do not raise concerns that the Volcker Rule was originally intended to address.

The Bank does not engage in any of the trading activities or own any of the types of funds prohibited by the Volcker Rule.

Prompt Corrective Action

The federal banking agencies have established a system of prompt corrective action to resolve certain problems of undercapitalized institutions. This system is based on five capital level categories for insured depository institutions: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized.”

The federal banking agencies may (or in some cases must) take certain supervisory actions depending upon a bank’s capital level. For example, the banking agencies must appoint a receiver or conservator for a bank within 90 days after it becomes “critically undercapitalized” unless the bank’s primary regulator determines, with the concurrence of the FDIC, that other action would better achieve regulatory purposes. Banking operations otherwise may be significantly affected depending on a bank’s capital category. For example, a bank that is not “well capitalized” generally is prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates on deposits higher than the prevailing rate in its market, and the holding company of any undercapitalized depository institution must guarantee, in part, specific aspects of the bank’s capital plan for the plan to be acceptable.

Federal law permits the OCC to order the pro rata assessment of shareholders of a national bank whose capital stock has become impaired, by losses or otherwise, to relieve a deficiency in such national bank’s capital stock. This statute also provides for the enforcement of any such pro rata assessment of shareholders of such national bank to cover such impairment of capital stock by sale, to the extent necessary, of the capital stock owned by any assessed shareholder failing to pay the assessment. As the sole shareholder of Farmers Bank, the Company is subject to such provisions.

Deposit Insurance

Substantially all of the deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the DIF of the FDIC, and Farmers Bank is assessed deposit insurance premiums to maintain the DIF. The general insurance limit is $250,000 per separately insured depositor. This insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Insurance premiums for each insured institution are determined based upon the institution’s capital level and supervisory rating provided to the FDIC by the institution’s primary federal regulator and other information deemed by the FDIC to be relevant to the risk posed to the DIF by the institution. The assessment rate is then applied to the amount of the institution’s deposits to determine the institution’s insurance premium.

The FDIC assesses quarterly deposit insurance premiums on each insured institution based on risk characteristics of the institution and may also impose special assessments in emergency situations. The premiums fund the DIF. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has established 2.0% as the designated reserve ratio (“DRR”), which is the amount in the DIF as a percentage of all DIF insured deposits. In 2016, the FDIC adopted final rules designed to meet the statutory minimum DRR of 1.35%. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FDIC to offset the effect on institutions with assets of less than $10 billion of the increase in the statutory minimum DRR to 1.35% from the former statutory minimum of 1.15%. Although the FDIC’s new rules reduced assessment rates on all banks, they imposed a surcharge on banks with assets of $10 billion or more to be paid until the DRR reaches 1.35%. The rules also provide assessment credits to banks with assets of less than $1 billion for the portion of their assessments that contribute to the increase of the DRR to 1.35%. The rules further changed the method of determining risk-based assessment rates for established banks with less than $10 billion in assets to better ensure that banks taking on greater risks pay more for deposit insurance than banks that take on less risk. The DRR reached 1.40% on June 30, 2019, but as of June 30, 2020, the DRR fell below the statutory minimum to 1.30%. This resulted in the FDIC adopting a restoration plan that requires the restoration of the DRR to 1.35% by September 30, 2028. The restoration plan maintained the scheduled assessment rates for all insured institutions.

As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, federally-insured institutions. It also may prohibit any federally-insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the DIF. The FDIC also has the authority to take enforcement actions against insured institutions. Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or written agreement entered into with the FDIC. The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

Fiscal and Monetary Policies

The Company’s business and earnings are affected significantly by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies. The Company is particularly affected by the policies of the Federal Reserve Board, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States in order to influence general economic conditions, primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate on bank borrowings and changes in the reserve requirements against depository institutions’ deposits. These policies and regulations significantly affect the overall growth and distribution of loans, investments and deposits, as well as interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits.

The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had a significant effect on operations and results of financial institutions in the past and are expected to have significant effects in the future. In view of the changing conditions in the economy, the money markets and activities of monetary and fiscal authorities, Farmers can make no predictions as to future changes in interest rates, credit availability or deposit levels.

Community Reinvestment Act

The CRA requires depository institutions to assist in meeting the credit needs of their market areas consistent with safe and sound banking practice. Under the CRA, each depository institution is required to help meet the credit needs of its market areas by, among other things, providing credit to low and moderate-income individuals and communities. Depository institutions are periodically examined for compliance with the CRA and are assigned ratings. In order for a bank holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA, or to acquire any company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the bank holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. Furthermore, banking regulators take into account CRA ratings when considering approval of a proposed transaction. Farmers received a rating of “satisfactory” in its most recent CRA examination.

Customer Privacy

Farmers Bank is subject to regulations limiting the ability of financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow customers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated third party. These regulations affect how consumer information is transmitted and conveyed to outside vendors.

Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act

The Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) and its related regulations require insured depository institutions, broker-dealers and certain other financial institutions to have policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent, and report money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA Patriot Act and its regulations also provide for information sharing, subject to conditions, between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, for counter-terrorism purposes. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution. In addition, federal banking agencies are required, when reviewing bank holding company acquisition and bank merger applications, to take into account the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering policies, procedures and controls of the applicants.

Corporate Governance

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 effected broad reforms to areas of corporate governance and financial reporting for public companies under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Company’s corporate governance policies include an Audit Committee Charter, a Compensation Committee Charter, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Board of Directors reviews the Company’s corporate governance practices on a continuing basis. These and other corporate governance policies have been provided previously to shareholders and are available, along with other information on Farmers’ corporate governance practices, on the Company’s website atwww.farmersbankgroup.com.

As directed by Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer are each required to certify that the Company’s Quarterly and Annual Reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls, they have made certain disclosures about the Company’s internal controls to its auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors and they have included information in the Company’s Quarterly and Annual Reports about their evaluation and whether there have been significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the evaluation.

Executive and Incentive Compensation

In June 2010, the Federal Reserve Board, OCC and FDIC issued joint interagency guidance on incentive compensation policies (the “Joint Guidance”) intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. This principles-based guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should: (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks; (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management; and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors.

Pursuant to the Joint Guidance, the Federal Reserve Board will review as part of a regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of financial institutions such as Farmers. Such reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination and deficiencies will be incorporated into the institution’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the institution’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against an institution if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness, and prompt and effective measures are not being taken to correct the deficiencies.

The Dodd-Frank Act also provides shareholders the opportunity to cast a non-binding vote on executive compensation practices, imposes new executive compensation disclosure requirements, and contains additional considerations of the independence of compensation advisors.

A new compliant clawback policy was approved by the Board of Directors on September 26, 2023. See Exhibit 97.1 for the policy relating to recovery of erroneously awarded compensation.