CIVISTA BANCSHARES INC

Previous wording

The following sets forth certain risk factors that we are believe are relevant to the Company and its business. These risk factors are not presented in any particular order and do not constitute all of the risks that may affect our business. Additional risks that are not presently known or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Current wording

The following sets forth certain risk factors that we believe are relevant to the Company and its business. These risk factors are not presented in any particular order and do not constitute all of the risks that may affect our business. Additional risks that are not presently known or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, approximately 23.1% and 53.8%, respectively, of our loan portfolio was comprised of residential and commercial real estate loans. Adverse changes in economic conditions both nationally and in the communities we serve may cause deterioration to the value of real estate Civista uses to secure its loans. Adverse changes in the economy, deterioration of our real estate portfolio, a decrease in real estate values, an increase in unemployment, decreased or nonexistent housing price appreciation or increases in interest rates could reduce our earnings and consequently our financial condition because borrowers may not be able to repay their loans. The value of the collateral securing our loans and the quality of our loan portfolio may decline and customers may not want or need our products and services.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, approximately 24.8% and 51.9%, respectively, of our loan portfolio was comprised of residential and commercial real estate loans. Adverse changes in economic conditions both nationally and in the communities we serve may cause deterioration to the value of real estate Civista uses to secure its loans. Adverse changes in the economy, deterioration of our real estate portfolio, a decrease in real estate values, an increase in unemployment, decreased or nonexistent housing price appreciation or increases in interest rates could reduce our earnings and consequently our financial condition because borrowers may not be able to repay their loans. The value of the collateral securing our loans and the quality of our loan portfolio may decline and customers may not want or need our products and services.

Previous wording

See the discussion under "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” on pages 17 through 18 of the Annual Report for additional information related to the Company’s interest rate risk.

Current wording

See the discussion under "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for additional information related to the Company’s interest rate risk.

Previous wording

LIBOR was used extensively in the United States and globally for many years as a benchmark for various commercial and financial contracts, including adjustable rate mortgages, corporate debt, interest rate swaps and other derivatives. LIBOR is set based on interest rate information reported by certain banks. In the U.S., as a result of efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates the Alternative Reference Rate Committee (“ARRC”) recommended the use of a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”) as the set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates. SOFR is different from LIBOR in that it is a backward looking secured rate rather than a forward looking unsecured rate.

Current wording

LIBOR was used extensively in the United States and globally for many years as a benchmark for various commercial and financial contracts, including adjustable rate mortgages, corporate debt, interest rate swaps and other derivatives. LIBOR was set based on interest rate information reported by certain banks. In the U.S., as a result of efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates the Alternative Reference Rate Committee (“ARRC”) recommended the use of a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”) as the set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates. SOFR is different from LIBOR in that it is a backward looking secured rate rather than a forward looking unsecured rate.

Previous wording

On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses", which replaces the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, and is referred to as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model. Under the incurred loss model, loans are recognized as impaired when there is no longer an assumption that future cash flows will be collected in full under the originally contracted terms. Under the CECL model, financial institutions are required to use historical information, current conditions and reasonable forecasts to estimate the expected loss over the life of the loan. The transition to the CECL model requires significantly greater data requirements and changes to methodologies to accurately account for expected losses under the new parameters. If the methodologies and assumptions that we use in the CECL model are proven to be incorrect, or inadequate, the allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient, resulting in the need for additional allowance for credit losses to be established, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. The new CECL accounting guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. However, the FASB deferred the effective date for this ASU for smaller reporting companies, such as the Company, at the time, to annual reporting periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023 and, upon adoption, recognized a one-time cumulative effect adjustment (increase) to the retained earnings upon adoption in the first quarter of 2023 of $6,069.

Current wording

On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses", which replaces the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, and is referred to as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model. Under the incurred loss model, loans were recognized as impaired when there was no longer an assumption that future cash flows would be collected in full under the originally contracted terms. Under the CECL model, financial institutions are required to use historical information, current conditions and reasonable forecasts to estimate the expected loss over the life of the loan. The transition to the CECL model requires significantly greater data requirements and changes to methodologies to accurately account for expected losses under the new parameters. If the methodologies and assumptions that we use in the CECL model are proven to be incorrect, or inadequate, the allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient, resulting in the need for additional allowance for credit losses to be established, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023 and, upon adoption, recognized a one-time cumulative effect adjustment (increase) to the retained earnings upon adoption in the first quarter of 2023 of $6,069.

Previous wording

A borrower’s ability to repay a loan can be adversely affected by individual factors, such as business performance, job losses or health issues. A weak or deteriorating economy and changes in the United States or global markets also could adversely impact the ability of our borrowers to repay outstanding loans. Any decrease in our borrowers’ ability to repay loans would result in higher levels of nonperforming loans, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses.

Current wording

A borrower’s ability to repay a loan can be adversely affected by individual factors, such as business performance, job losses or health issues. A weak or deteriorating economy and changes in the United States or global markets also could adversely impact the ability of our borrowers to repay outstanding loans. Any decrease in our borrowers’ ability to repay loans would result in higher levels of nonperforming loans, net charge-offs, and provision for credit losses.

Previous wording

Our credit risk may be exacerbated when collateral held by us to secure obligations to us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices that are not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due us.

Current wording

Our credit risk may be exacerbated when collateral held by us to secure obligations to us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices that are not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to us.

Previous wording

Due in part to improvement in local and general economic conditions, as well as actions we have taken to manage our loan portfolio, our provision for credit losses has declined since the end of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. However, if we experience higher levels of provision for loan losses in the future, our net income could be negatively affected.

Current wording

Due in part to improvement in local and general economic conditions, as well as actions we have taken to manage our loan portfolio, our provision for credit losses has declined since the end of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. However, if we experience higher levels of provision for credit losses in the future, our net income could be negatively affected.

Previous wording

Regulations affecting banks and financial services businesses are undergoing continuous change and management cannot predict the effect of those changes. While such changes are generally intended to lessen the regulatory burden on financial institutions, the impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies could adversely affect our business. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the ability to impose restrictions on the operation of an institution and the ability to determine the adequacy of an institution’s allowance for loan losses. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies could result in sanctions being imposed by the regulatory agencies, including the imposition of civil money penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. Even the reduction of regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on us if such lessening of restrictions increases competition within our industry or market areas.

Current wording

Regulations affecting banks and financial services businesses are undergoing continuous change and management cannot predict the effect of those changes. The impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies could adversely affect our business. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the ability to impose restrictions on the operation of an institution and the ability to determine the adequacy of an institution’s allowance for credit losses. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies could result in sanctions being imposed by the regulatory agencies, including the imposition of civil money penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. Even the reduction of regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on us if such lessening of restrictions increases competition within our industry or market areas.

Previous wording

The DIF maintained by the FDIC to resolve bank failures is funded by fees assessed on insured depository institutions. The costs of resolving bank failures increased for a period of time and decreased the DIF. The FDIC collected a special assessment in 2009 to replenish the DIF and also required a prepayment of an estimated amount of future deposit insurance premiums. If the costs of future bank failures increase, the deposit insurance premiums required to be paid by Civista may also increase. The FDIC recently adopted rules revising its assessments in a manner benefitting banks with assets totaling less than $10 billion. There can be no assurance, however, that assessments will not be changed in the future.

Current wording

The DIF maintained by the FDIC to resolve bank failures is funded by fees assessed on insured depository institutions. The costs of resolving bank failures increased for a period of time and decreased the DIF. The FDIC collected a special assessment in 2009 to replenish the DIF and also required a prepayment of an estimated amount of future deposit insurance premiums. If the costs of future bank failures increase, the deposit insurance premiums required to be paid by Civista may also increase. The FDIC recently adopted rules revising its assessments in a manner benefiting banks with assets totaling less than $10 billion. There can be no assurance, however, that assessments will not be changed in the future.

Previous wording

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make significant estimates that affect the financial statements. Due to the inherent nature of these estimates, actual results may vary materially from management’s estimates. In June 2016, FASB issued a new accounting standard for recognizing current expected credit losses, commonly referred to as CECL. CECL will result in earlier recognition of credit losses and requires consideration of not only past and current events but also reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. The Company adopted CECL effective January 1, 2023. Upon adoption of CECL, credit loss allowances have increased, which have decreased retained earnings and regulatory capital. While the federal banking regulators adopted rules that allow banks to phase in the day-one impact of CECL on regulatory capital over three years, Civista Bank did not choose to phase in the impact. ASU 2016-13 implementation poses operational risk, including the failure to properly transition internal processes or systems, which could lead to call report errors, financial misstatements, or operational losses.

Current wording

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make significant estimates that affect the financial statements. Due to the inherent nature of these estimates, actual results may vary materially from management’s estimates. In June 2016, FASB issued a new accounting standard for recognizing current expected credit losses, commonly referred to as CECL. CECL has resulted in earlier recognition of credit losses and requires consideration of not only past and current events but also reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. The Company adopted CECL effective January 1, 2023. Upon adoption of CECL, credit loss allowances have increased, which have decreased retained earnings and regulatory capital. While the federal banking regulators adopted rules that allow banks to phase in the day-one impact of CECL on regulatory capital over three years, Civista Bank did not choose to phase in the impact.

Previous wording

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. In addition, federal banking agencies have recently finalized extensive changes to their capital requirements, including the adoption of the final “Basel III” rules as discussed above, which result in higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those previously in place. If we experience significant credit losses, addition capital may need to be infused. In addition, we may elect to raise additional capital to support business growth and/or to finance acquisitions, if any, or we may otherwise elect or be required to raise additional capital. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, many of which are outside our control, and are based on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot be assured of our ability to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Current wording

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. In addition, federal banking agencies have recently finalized extensive changes to their capital requirements, including the adoption of the final “Basel III” rules as discussed above, which result in higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those previously in place. If we experience significant credit losses, additional capital may need to be infused. In addition, we may elect to raise additional capital to support business growth and/or to finance acquisitions, if any, or we may otherwise elect or be required to raise additional capital. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, many of which are outside our control, and are based on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot be assured of our ability to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.