CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC

Consolidated Balance Sheet

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Consolidated Statement of Income

Year Ended December 31,

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Year Ended December 31,

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

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CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Organization

Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (individually and collectively, the “Company”) is headquartered in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and provides a full range of banking and related services through its wholly owned subsidiary, CZFS Acquisition Company, LLC (CZFS), and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Citizens Community Bank (the “Bank”), and its wholly owned subsidiaries, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc. (“First Citizens Insurance”) and 1st Realty of PA, LLC (“Realty”). CZFS was formed in March 2020 as part of the merger with Midcoast Community Bancorp. Inc. (“MidCoast”). Realty was formed in March of 2019 to manage and sell properties acquired by the Bank in the settlement of a bankruptcy filing with a commercial customer. On December 11, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of The First National Bank of Fredericksburg (FNB). On December 8, 2017, the Bank completed its acquisition of the S&T Bank branch in State College (State College). On April 17, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of MidCoast. On June 16, 2023, the Company completed the HVBC acquisition. In December 2023, the Bank opened a full-service branch in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank operates thirty-nine full-service banking branches in Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Clinton, Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks, Schuylkill, Centre, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, Pennsylvania, Allegany County, New York, the cities of Wilmington and Dover, Delaware, Burlington County, New Jersey, a limited branch office in Union county, Pennsylvania andfour mortgage centers in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank also provides trust services, including the administration of trusts and estates, retirement plans, and other employee benefit plans, along with a brokerage division that provides a comprehensive menu of investment services. The Bank serves individual and corporate customers and is subject to competition from other financial institutions and intermediaries with respect to these services. The Company and Bank are supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, while the Bank is subject to additional regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.

A summary of significant accounting and reporting policies applied in the presentation of the accompanying financial statements follows:

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements are consolidated to include the accounts ofthe Company, and its subsidiary CZFS, and its subsidiary, First Citizens Community Bank, and its subsidiaries, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc. and 1 st Realty of PA, LLC. These statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to determination of the allowance for credit losses, goodwill, derivatives, pension plans and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Operating Segments

An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities that generates revenue and incurs expense, and the operating results of which are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in the determination of resource allocation and performance. While the Company’s chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of the various Company’s products, services and regions, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Consistent with our internal reporting, the Company’s business activities are reported asone segment, which is community banking.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits in banks and interest-earning deposits. Interest-earning deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less are considered cash equivalents.

Interest bearing time deposits with other banks are not included with cash and cash equivalents as the original maturities were greater than 90 days.

Investment Securities

Investment securities at the time of purchase are classified as one of thethree following types:

Held-to-Maturity Securities - Includes securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. These securities are reported at amortized cost. The Company hadno held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Trading Securities - Includes debt and equity securities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Such securities are reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included in earnings. The Company hadno trading securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Available-for-Sale Securities –This category included debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity or trading securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time. These securities may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity and changes in the availability of and yield of alternative investments. Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of the estimated income tax effect.

The amortized cost of investment in debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, computed by a method that results in a level yield. Gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are computed on the basis of specific identification of the adjusted cost of each security.

The fair value of investments, except certain state and municipal securities, is based on bid prices published in financial newspapers or bid quotations received from securities dealers. The fair value of certain state and municipal securities is not readily available through market sources other than dealer quotations, so fair value is based on quoted market prices of similar instruments, adjusted for differences between the quoted instruments and the instruments being valued.

Allowance for Credit Losses (Debt Securities Available-for Sale)

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available-for-sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management confirms that an available-for-sale security is uncollectable or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined that the unrealized loss positions in available-for-sale debt securities were not the result of credit losses, and therefore, an allowance for credit losses was not recorded. See Note 5, “Investment Securities,” and Note 21, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” for more information about available-for-sale debt securities.

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $2,202,000 at December 31, 2023 and is included within accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Available-for-sale debt securities are typically classified as nonaccrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When available-for-sale debt securities are placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed.

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Equity Securities –This category includes common stocks of public companies. Such securities are reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included in earnings. Dividends are recognized as income when earned.

Restricted Stock - Common stock of the Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB) and correspondent banks represent ownership in institutions which are wholly owned by other financial institutions. These restricted equity securities are accounted for at cost and are classified as other assets.

Loans Held for Sale

Certain newly originated fixed-rate residential mortgage loans are classified as held for sale, because it is management’s intent to sell these residential mortgage loans. The residential mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value.

Loans

Interest on all loans is recognized on the accrual basis based upon the principal amount outstanding. The accrual of interest income on loans is discontinued when, in the opinion of management, doubt exists as to the ability to collect such interest. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending upon our assessment of our ultimate ability to collect principal and interest. Loans are returned to the accrual status when factors indicating doubtful collectability cease to exist.

The Company recognizes nonrefundable loan origination fees, SBA fees and certain direct loan origination costs over the life of the related loan as an adjustment of loan yield using the interest method.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) Loans

The Company has purchased loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An allowance for credit losses is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan’s purchase price and allowance for credit losses becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recorded through provision expense.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

The allowance for credit losses on loans represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the estimated life of our existing portfolio of loans. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loan’s amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The expense for credit loss recorded through earnings is the amount necessary to maintain the allowance for credit losses on loans at the amount of expected credit losses inherent within the loan portfolio. Loans are recorded as charge-offs against the allowance when management confirms a loan balance is uncollectable. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other significant qualitative and quantitative factors. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, changes in environmental conditions, delinquency level, segment growth rates and changes in duration within new markets, or other relevant factors. For further information on the allowance for credit losses on loans, see Note 6, “Loans,” for additional detail.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has segregated its portfolio segments based on federal call report codes which classify loans based on the primary collateral supporting the loan. The following are the Company’s segmented portfolios:

Residential Real Estate: The Bank originates residential mortgage and home equity loans primarily in its various market areas in Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. These loans are secured by first and junior liens on a primary residence or investment property. The primary risk characteristics associated with residential loans typically involve major changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as major medical expenses, catastrophic events, divorce or death. Residential loans that have adjustable rates could expose the borrower to higher payments in a rising interest rate environment. Real estate values could decrease and cause the value of the underlying property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential loss exposure for the Bank.

Commercial Real Estate: The Bank originates mortgage loans to operating companies primarily in its various market areas in Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. The property maybe owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied real estate properties and include retail buildings/shopping centers, hotels, office/medical buildings and industrial/warehouse space. Owner-occupied loans are typically repaid first by the cash flows generated by the borrower’s business operations. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the underlying business and its ability to generate sustainable profitability and positive cash flow. Factors that may influence a borrower’s ability to repay their loan include demand for the business’ products or services, the quality and depth of management, the degree of competition, regulatory changes, and general economic conditions. Increases in vacancy rates, interest rates or other changes in general economic conditions can have an impact on the borrower and its ability to repay the loan. Commercial real estate loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk as they may be dependent on the ongoing success and operating viability of a fewer number of tenants who are occupying the property and who may have a greater degree of exposure to economic conditions.

Agricultural Real Estate: The Bank originates loans secured by farmland and improvements thereon, secured by mortgages primarily in its various market areas in Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. Farmland includes all land known to be used or usable for agricultural purposes, such as crop and livestock production. Farmland also includes grazing or pasture land, whether tillable or not and whether wooded or not. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the uncertainty on production, market, financial, environmental and human resources.

Construction: The Bank originates construction loans to finance land development preparatory to erecting new structures or the on-site construction of residential, industrial, commercial, or multi-family buildings, primarily in its various market areas in Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. Construction loans include not only construction of new structures, but also additions or alterations to existing structures and the demolition of existing structures to make way for new structures. Construction loans are generally secured by real estate. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the uncertainty on whether the construction will be completed according to the specifications and schedules. Factors that may influence the completion of construction may be customer specific, such as the quality and depth of property management, or related to changes in general economic conditions.

Consumer: The Bank originates loans to individuals for household, family, and other personal expenditures, which may include automobile loans and loans for college. Consumer loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than residential loans but tend to have higher credit risk due to the type of collateral securing the loan or in some cases the absence of collateral. The primary risk characteristics associated with other consumer loans typically involve major changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income, unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical expenses, catastrophic events, divorce or death.

Other Commercial Loans: The Bank originates lines of credit and term loans to operating companies for business purposes. The loans are generally secured by business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, business vehicles and equipment as well as other assets of the business, or guarantors. Other commercial loans are typically repaid first by the cash flows generated by the borrower’s business operations. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the underlying business and its ability to generate sustainable profitability and positive cash flow. Factors that may influence a borrower’s ability to repay their loan include demand for the business’ products or services, the quality and depth of management, the degree of competition, regulatory changes, and general economic conditions. The ability of the Bank to foreclose and realize sufficient value from business assets securing these loans is often uncertain. To mitigate the risk characteristics of commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate may be included as a secondary source of collateral. The Bank will often require more frequent reporting requirements from the borrower in order to better monitor its business performance.

Other Agricultural Loans: The Bank originates loans secured or unsecured to farm owners and operators (including tenants) or to nonfarmers for the purpose of financing agricultural production, including the growing and storing of crops, the marketing or carrying of agricultural products by the growers thereof, and the breeding, raising, fattening, or marketing of livestock, and for purchases of farm machinery, equipment, and implements. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the uncertainty on production, market, financial, environmental and human resources.

State and Political Subdivision Loans: The Bank originates various types of loans made directly to municipalities. These loans are repaid through general cash flows or through specific revenue streams, such as water and sewer fees. The primary risk characteristics associated with municipal loans are the municipality’s ability to manage cash flow, balance the fiscal budget, fixed asset and infrastructure requirements. Additional risks include changes in demographics, as well as social and political conditions.

Methods utilized by management to estimate expected credit losses include a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model that discounts instrument-level contractual cash flows, adjusted for prepayments and curtailments, incorporating loss expectations. Management estimates the allowance for credit losses on loans using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. After the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the loss rates revert to the mean loss rate over a period of eight quarters.

Historical credit loss experience, including examination of loss experience at representative peer institutions when the Company’s loss history does not result in estimations that are meaningful to users of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, changes in environmental conditions, delinquency level, segment growth rates and changes in duration within new markets, or other relevant factors.

The DCF model uses inputs of current and forecasted macroeconomic indicators to predict future loss rates. The current macroeconomic indicators utilized by the Company are federal unemployment rates, national gross domestic production and national housing price index. In building the CECL methodology utilized in the DCF model, a correlation between this indicator and historic loss levels was developed, enabling a prediction of future loss rates related to future Federal unemployment rates and national gross domestic production and national housing price index.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not also included in the collective evaluation and typically represent collateral dependent loans but may also include other nonperforming loans. The Company uses the practical expedient to measure individually evaluated loans as collateral dependent and/or when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. Expected credit losses are based on the fair value at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate. For collateral dependent loans, credit loss is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis in the loan and the fair value of the underlying collateral. The fair value of the collateral is adjusted for the estimated cost to sell if repayment or satisfaction of a loan is dependent on the sale (rather than only on the operation) of the collateral.

Accrued interest receivable on loans held for investment totaled $8,512,000 at December 31, 2023 and is included within Accrued interest receivable. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

Management estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. Management estimates the amount of expected losses by calculating a commitment usage factor over the contractual period for exposures that are not unconditionally cancellable by the Bank and applying the loss factors used in the allowance for credit losses on loans methodology to the results of the usage calculation to estimate the liability for credit losses related to unfunded commitments for each loan segment. The estimate of credit losses on OBS credit exposures is $1,265,000 and $165,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was reported in accrued interest payable and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Loan Charge-off Policies

Consumer loans are generally fully or partially charged down to the fair value of collateral securing the asset when the loan is 180 days past due for open-end loans or 120 days past due for closed-end loans unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. All other loans are generally charged down to the net realizable value when the loan is 90 days past due.

Collateral-Dependent Loans

A financial asset is considered collateral-dependent when the debtor is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale or operation of the collateral. For all classes of loans and leases deemed collateral-dependent, the Company elected the practical expedient to estimate expected credit losses based on the collateral’s fair value less cost to sell. In most cases, the Company records a partial charge-off to reduce the loan’s carrying value to the collateral’s fair value less cost to sell. Substantially all of the collateral consists of various types of real estate including residential properties; commercial properties such as retail centers, office buildings, and lodging; agriculture land; and vacant land.

Loans to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

A loan is classified as a modified loan to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty when a contractual loan modification in the form of principal forgiveness, an interest rate reduction, an other-than-significant payment delay or a term extension (or a combination thereof) has been granted to an existing borrower experiencing financial difficulties. The goal when modifying a credit is to establish a reasonable period of time to provide cash flow relief to customers experiencing cash flow difficulties. Accruing modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are primarily comprised of loans on which interest is being accrued under the modified terms, and the loans are current or less than 90 days past due.

Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale

Foreclosed assets acquired in settlement of loans are carried at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Prior to foreclosure, as the value of the underlying loan is written down to fair market value of the real estate or other assets to be acquired by a charge to the allowance for credit losses, if necessary. Any subsequent write-downs are charged against operating expenses. Operating expenses of such properties, net of related income and losses on disposition, are included in other expenses and gains and losses are included in other non-interest income or other non-interest expense.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed on straight line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 15 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and 5 to 40 years for building premises. Repair and maintenance expenditures which extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized and other repair expenditures are expensed as incurred.

When premises or equipment are retired or sold, the remaining cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is credited to income or charged to expense, respectively.

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The Company has operating leases for several branch locations. Generally, the underlying lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company may also lease certain office equipment under operating leases. Many of our leases include both lease (e.g., minimum rent payments) and non-lease components (e.g., common-area or other maintenance costs). The Company accounts for each component separately based on the standalone price of each component. In addition, there are several operating leases with lease terms of less than one year and therefore, we have elected the practical expedient to exclude these short-term leases from our right of use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities.

Most leases include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at the sole discretion of management and is based on whether the extension options are reasonably certain to be exercised after considering all facts and circumstances of the lease. If management determines that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise the extension option(s), the additional term is included in the calculation of the lease liability.

As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use the fully collateralized FHLB borrowing rate, commensurate with the lease terms based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of the lease payments.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, other than goodwill, include core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights (MSRs). Core deposit intangibles are a measure of the value of consumer demand and savings deposits acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases. The core deposit intangibles are being amortized over 10 years using the sum-of-the-years digits method of amortization.

The Company recognizes mortgage servicing rights as assets when mortgage loans are sold and the rights to service those loans are retained. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value by using discounted cash flows to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income.

The Company accounts for the mortgage servicing rights under the amortization method. The mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value and amortized in proportion to the estimated expected future net servicing income generated from servicing the loan. The mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment by estimating the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights and comparing that value to the carrying amount. The Company obtains a third-party valuation to assist with estimating of the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights. A valuation allowance would be established if the carrying amount of these mortgage servicing rights exceeds fair value.

Goodwill

The Company utilizes a two-step process for testing the impairment of goodwill on at least an annual basis. This approach could cause more volatility in the Company’s reported net income because impairment losses, if any, could occur irregularly and in varying amounts. The Company may also perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Based on the fair value of the reporting unit, no impairment of goodwill was recognized in 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain employees. Any death benefits received from a policy while the insured person is an active employee of the Bank will be split with the beneficiary of the policy. Under these agreements, the Bank receives the cash surrender value of the policy plus 50% ofthe benefit in excess of the cash surrender value and the remaining amount of the payout will be given to the beneficiary named by the insured person in the policy. The Company is the sole beneficiary of any death benefits received from non-active insured persons. Additionally, as a result of the MidCoast acquisition, the Company acquired life insurance policies on former MidCoast employees. The Company is owner and sole beneficiary of these policies. Additionally, as part of the HVBC acquisition, the Company acquired life insurance policies on former HVBC employees. Under these agreements, the Bank receives the cash surrender value of the policy plus the benefit in excess of the cash surrender value less $50,000 to $100,000 that be given to the beneficiary named by the insured person in the policy if the insured person passes while employed by the Company. The Company is the sole beneficiary of any death benefits received from non-active insured persons. The Company acquired life insurance policies on former FNB employees and directors, as part of the acquisition of FNB. The policies obtained as part of the acquisition provide a fixed dollar benefit to the former employee or director beneficiaries, whether or not the insured person is affiliated with the Company at the time of his or her death. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized. Increases in the cash surrender value are recognized as other non-interest income. The obligation of $610,000 and $660,000 under split-dollar benefit agreements to former employees and directors or their beneficiaries have been recognized as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 and 2022. The (benefit)/expenses associated with the split dollar benefit were ($50,000), ($36,000) and $9,000 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Income Taxes

The Company and the Bank file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement basis and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rates. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the net deferred tax asset or liability from period to period.

Derivatives

Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities at fair value. The Company has interest rate swap agreements which are used as part of its asset liability management to help manage interest rate risk. The Company also has derivatives as a result of its residential lending platform. The Company does not use derivatives for trading purposes.

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as one ofthree types based on the purpose of the contract and belief as to its effectiveness as a hedge. These three types are (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”), (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”), or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”). For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For both types of hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as non-interest income.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions, at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

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When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as non-interest income. When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering employees hired before January 1, 2007. It is the Company’s policy to fund pension costs on a current basis to the extent deductible under existing tax regulations. Such contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future.

The Company has a defined contribution, 401(k) plan covering eligible employees. The employee may also contribute to the plan on a voluntary basis, up to a maximum percentage allowable not to exceed the limits of Code Sections 401(k). Under the plan, the Company also makes contributions on behalf of eligible employees, which vest immediately. For employees hired after January 1, 2007, in lieu of the pension plan, an additional annual discretionary 401(k) plan contribution is made and is equal to a percentage of an employee’s base compensation.

The Company also has a profit-sharing plan for employees which provide tax-deferred salary savings to plan participants. The Company has a deferred compensation plan for directors who have elected to defer all or portions of their fees until their retirement or termination from service.

The Company has a restricted stock plan which covers eligible employees and non-employee corporate directors. Under the plan, awards are granted based upon performance related requirements and are subject to certain vesting criteria. Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period.

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan that allows employees to withhold money from their paychecks, which is then utilized to purchase shares of the Company’s stock on either the open market or through treasury stock, if shares are unavailable on the open market.

The Company maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) for certain executives to compensate those executive participants in the Company’s noncontributory defined benefit pension plan whose benefits are limited by compensation limitations under current tax law. The SERP is considered an unfunded plan for tax and ERISA purposes and all obligations arising under the SERP are payable from the general assets of the Company. Expenses under the SERP are recognized as earned over the expected years of service.

The Company maintains a non-tax qualified executive deferred compensation plan (“Deferred Compensation Plan”) for eligible employees designated by the board of directors. Each of the named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Deferred Compensation Plan is considered an unfunded plan for tax and ERISA purposes and all obligations arising under the Deferred Compensation Plan are payable from the general assets of the Company. Expenses under the Deferred Compensation Plan are recognized as earned over the expected years of service.

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Advertising Costs

Advertising and promotion costs are generally expensed as incurred and amounted to $952,000, $970,000 and $838,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company is required to present comprehensive income in a full set of general purpose financial statements for all periods presented. Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of unrealized holding gains (losses) on the available-for-sale securities portfolio, unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps and unrecognized pension costs.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adopted in 2023

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequent related updates. This ASU replaces the incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses and requires businesses and other organizations to measure the current expected credit losses (CECL) on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held-to-maturity securities, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments, and other financial instruments. In addition, ASC 326 requires credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down when management does not intend to sell or believes that it is not more likely than not they will be required to sell. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2023 for the Company. The results reported for periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards.

The Company adopted this guidance, and subsequent related updates, using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, available-for-sale debt securities and unfunded commitments. On January 1, 2023, the Bank recorded a cumulative effect increase to retained earnings of $1.8 million, net of tax, of which $3.3 million related to loans and ($1.1) million related to unfunded commitments.

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 326 related to financial assets purchased with credit deterioration (PCD) that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired (PCI) and accounted for under ASC 310-30 using the prospective transition approach. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption.

The Company expanded the pooling utilized under the legacy incurred loss method to include additional segmentation based on risk. The impact of the change from the incurred loss model to the current expected credit loss model is detailed below (in thousands):

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 326 related to presenting other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale debt securities prior to January 1, 2023 using the prospective transition approach, though no such charges had been recorded on the securities held by the Company as of the date of adoption.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures.” The amendments eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors that have adopted CECL and enhance the disclosure requirements for modifications of receivables made with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. In addition, the amendments require disclosure of current period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases in the existing vintage disclosures. This ASU became effective on January 1, 2023 for the Company. The adoption of this ASU resulted in updated disclosures within our financial statements but otherwise did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Effective

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, March 2020, to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a one-time election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extends the sunset (or expiration) date of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 848 to December 31, 2024. This gives reporting entities two additional years to apply the accounting relief provided under ASC Topic 848 for matters related to reference rate reform. ASU 2022-06 is effective for all reporting entities immediately upon issuance and must be applied on a prospective basis.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which added to ASU 2020-04 optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls “reference rate reform” if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met, and can make a onetime election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 deferred the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2024. The Company has identified our loan receivables that have an interest rate indexed to LIBOR and is currently assessing the appropriate transition path. As such, the Company does not have an estimate of the financial impact of this update but does not expect the impact to be material to the financial statements of the Company.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)”. The ASU allows entities to elect the proportional amortization method, on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis, for all equity investments in tax credit programs meeting the eligibility criteria in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 323-740-25-1. While the ASU does not significantly alter the existing eligibility criteria, it does provide clarifications to address existing interpretive issues. It also prescribes specific information reporting entities must disclose about tax credit investments each period. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, for public business entities, or January 1, 2024 for the Company. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (TOPIC 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Public entities are required to adopt the changes retrospectively, recasting each prior-period disclosure for which a comparative income statement is presented in the period of adoption. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, requires the amount of net income taxes paid for federal, state, and foreign taxes, as well as the amount paid to any jurisdiction that net taxes exceed a 5% quantitative threshold. The amendments will require the disclosure of pre-tax income disaggregated between domestic and foreign, as well as income tax expense disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The amendment also eliminates certain disclosures related to unrecognized tax benefits and certain temporary differences. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted in any annual period where financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis but retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of the standard to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not currently expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Treasury Stock

The purchase of the Company’s common stock is recorded at cost. At the date of subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on a last-in-first-out basis.

Cash Flows

The Company utilizes the net reporting of cash receipts and cash payments for deposit, short-term borrowing and lending activities.

Trust, Brokerage and Insurance Assets and Income

Assets held by the Company in a fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers are not included in the consolidated financial statements since such assets are not assets of the Company. The majority of trust revenue is earned and collected monthly, with the amount determined based on a percentage of the fair value of the trust assets under management. Trust fees are contractually agreed with each customer, and fee levels vary based mainly on the size of assets under management. None of the contracts with trust customers provide for incentive-based fees. In addition, trust revenue includes fees for provision of services, including employee benefit plan administration, tax return preparation and estate planning and settlement. Fees for such services are billed based on contractual arrangements or established fee schedules and are typically billed upon completion of providing such services. Brokerage and insurance commissions from the sales of investments and insurance products recognized on a trade date basis as the performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time in which the trade is processed. Additional fees are based on a percentage of the market value of customer accounts and billed on a monthly or quarterly basis. The Company’s performance obligation under the contracts with certain customers is generally satisfied through the passage of time as the Company monitors and manages the assets in the customer’s portfolio and is not dependent on certain return or performance level of the customer’s portfolio. Other performance obligations (such as the delivery of account statements to customers) are generally considered immaterial to the overall transaction price.

Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share. Earnings per share calculations give retroactive effect to stock dividends declared by the Company.

Nonvested shares of restricted stock totaling 4,623,5,458 and 5,494 were outstanding during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. These anti-dilutive shares had per share prices ranging from $56.81-$83.38, $44.93-$74.27 and $44.93-$63.19 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Reclassification

Certain of the prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no material effect on net income or stockholders’ equity.

2. ACQUISITION OF HV BANCORP, INC

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest of HV Bancorp, Inc. (“HVBC”) for $30.50 per share in cash and stock. HVBC was a Pennsylvania corporation that conducted its business primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary Huntingdon Valley Bank (“HVB”), which operated from a main office in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and hadfive service branches, four mortgage production office andone business banking office.

The transaction closed on June 16, 2023, with HVB having been merged into First Citizens Community Bank, with First Citizens Community Bank as the surviving entity. The acquisition established the Company’s presence in the Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties markets.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of HVBC for a total purchase price of approximately $76,665,000. As a result of the acquisition, the Company issued 693,858 common shares and $16.5 million in cash to the former shareholders of HVBC. The shares were issued with a value of $86.67 per share, which was based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on June 16, 2023.

The following table summarizes the purchase of HVBC as of June 16, 2023:

The following condensed statement reflects the amounts recognized as of the acquisition date for each major class of asset acquired and liability assumed:

The Company determined that this acquisition constitutes a business combination and therefore was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, as of the date of the acquisition, the Company recorded the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration paid at fair value. The $54.4 million excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of assets acquired was recorded as goodwill and is not amortizable or deductible for tax purposes. The amount of goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company with HVBC.

The fair value of the 693,858 common shares issued was determined based on the $86.67 closing market price of the Company’s common shares on the acquisition date, June 16, 2023. While the valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities is substantially complete, fair value estimates are subject to adjustment during the provisional period, which may last up totwelve months subsequent to the acquisition date. During this period, the Company may obtain additional information to refine the valuations and adjust the recorded fair value, although such adjustments are not expected to be significant. Valuations subject to adjustments include, but are not limited to, the fair value of acquired loans, deposits, land and building, core deposit intangible and other assets and liabilities.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to estimate the fair values of major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company used an independent valuation specialist to assist with the determination of fair values for certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities.

Accounting for Acquired Loans

Acquired loans are classified into two categories: PCD loans and non-PCD loans. PCD loans are defined as a loan or group of loans that have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. Non-PCD loans will have an allowance established on acquisition date, which is recognized as an expense through provision for credit losses. For PCD loans, an allowance is recognized on day 1 by adding it to the fair value of the loan, which is the “Day 1 amortized cost”. There is no provision for credit loss expense recognized on PCD loans because the initial allowance is established by grossing-up the amortized cost of the PCD loan.

A Day 1 allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans of $4.6 million was recorded through the provision for credit losses within the Consolidated Statements of Income. At the date of acquisition, of the $506.9 million of loans acquired from HVB, $18.0 million, or 3.6%, of HVB’s loan portfolio, was accounted for as PCD loans.

The following table provides details related to the fair value of acquired PCD loans (in thousands):

The following table provides details related to the fair value and Day 1 provision related to the acquired non-PCD loans (in thousands):

The Company recorded goodwill and other intangibles associated with the HVBC acquisition totaling $57,354,000. Goodwill is not amortized, but is periodically evaluated for impairment. The Company did not recognize any impairment from June 16, 2023 to December 31, 2023. None of the goodwill acquired is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Identifiable intangibles are amortized to their estimated residual values over the expected useful lives. Such lives are also periodically reassessed to determine if any amortization period adjustments are required. For the period from June 16, 2023 to December 31, 2023, no such adjustments were recorded. The identifiable intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), which are being amortized on an accelerated basis over the useful life of such assets. The gross carrying amount of the core deposit intangible and MSRs acquired as part of the acquisition at December 31, 2023 was $2,770,000 and $202,000, respectively, with $252,000 and $33,000 accumulated amortization, respectively, as of that date.

As of December 31, 2023, the current year and estimated future amortization expense for the core deposit intangibles and MSRs acquired as part of the acquisition was (in thousands):

Amounts recognized separately from the acquisition include primarily legal fees, investment banking fees, system conversion costs, severance costs and contract termination costs. These costs were included in merger and acquisition expenses within non-interest expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income and amounted to approximately $9,269,000 for 2023.

Results of operations for HVBC prior to the acquisition date are not included in the Consolidated Statement of Income for 2023.

The following table presents financial information regarding the former HVBC operations included in our Consolidated Statement of Income from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2023 under the column “Actual from Acquisition Date through December 31, 2023”. In addition, the following table presents unaudited pro forma information as if the acquisition of HVBC had occurred on January 1, 2022 under the “Pro Forma” columns. The table below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have been attained had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it indicative of future results. Furthermore, the unaudited proforma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing opportunities nor anticipated cost savings as a result of the integration and consolidation of the acquisition. Merger and acquisition integration costs and amortization of fair value adjustments are included in the numbers below.

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

Under ASC Topic 606, management determined that the primary sources of revenue emanating from interest and dividend income on loans and investments along with noninterest revenue resulting from investment security gains, loan servicing, gains on loans sold and earnings on bank owned life insurances are not within the scope of this topic. The main types of noninterest income within the scope of the standard are as follows:

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The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue derived from contracts with customers to depict the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands). All revenue in the table below relates to goods and services transferred at a point in time.

4. RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

Effective March 26, 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced reserve requirements to zero for all depository institutions. There were no required federal reserves included in “Cash and due from banks” at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. The required reserves are used to facilitate the implementation of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve System. The required reserves are computed by applying prescribed ratios to the classes of average deposit balances. These are held in the form of vault cash and a depository amount held with the Federal Reserve Bank. Federal law prohibits the Company from borrowing from the Bank unless the loans are secured by specific collateral.

Non-retirement account deposits with one financial institution are insured up to $250,000. At times, the Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with other financial institutions in excess of the insured amount.

5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

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The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value for available for sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time, that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands). As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned 323 securities each of whose fair value was less than its cost basis for a period twelve months or greater andfive securities each of whose fair value was less than its cost basis for a period less than twelve months.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available for Sale Securities

The Company measures expected credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities when the Company does not intend to sell, or when it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, equal to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Economic forecast data is utilized to calculate the present value of expected cash flows. The Company obtains its forecast data through a subscription to a widely recognized and relied upon company who publishes various forecast scenarios. Management evaluates the various scenarios to determine a reasonable and supportable scenario, and utilizes a single scenario in the model. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities is included within Investment securities available-for-sale on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded within Provision for credit losses on the consolidated statement of income. Losses are charged against the allowance when the Company believes the collectability of an available-for-sale security is in jeopardy or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

As of December 31, 2023, no allowance for credit losses has been recognized on available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position as management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. This is based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics, including credit ratings, and other qualitative factors related to our available for sale securities and in consideration of our historical credit loss experience and internal forecasts. The issuers of these securities continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Furthermore, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the table above and believes that it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline.

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $2,202,000 at December 31, 2023 and is included within accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Available-for-sale debt securities are typically classified as nonaccrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When available-for-sale debt securities are placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed.

Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale during 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $86,504,000, $7,480,000 and $29,198,000, respectively. Sales for 2023 were primarily the result of selling investments obtained as part of the HVBC acquisition forno gain or loss on the day of acquisition. The gross losses realized during 2023 consisted of $89,000 from the sales ofseven municipal securities. The gross gains realized during 2023 consisted of $38,000 from the sales oftwo municipal securities. The gross losses realized during 2022 consisted of $14,000 from the sales ofthree agency securities. The gross gains realized during 2021 consisted of $177,000 and $125,000 from the sales ofsix treasury securities andthree agency securities, respectively. The gross losses realized during 2021 consisted of $90,000 from the sale ofone agency security. Gross gains and gross losses were realized as follows on available for sale securities (in thousands):

The following table presents the net gains (losses) on the Company’s equity investments recognized in earnings during 2023, 2022 and 2021 and the portion of unrealized gains for the period that relates to equity investments held at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

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Investment securities with an approximate carrying value of $353,344,000 and $311,766,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were pledged to secure public funds and certain other deposits as provided by law and certain borrowing arrangements of the Company.

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2023, by contractual maturity are shown below (in thousands). Municipal securities that have been refunded and will therefore pay-off on the call date are reflected in the table below utilizing the call date as the date of repayment as payment is guaranteed on that date:

Credit Losses on Investment Securities – Prior to adopting ASU 2016-13

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. Financial statement amounts related to Investment Securities recorded as of December 31, 2022 and for the periods ended December 31, 2022 are presented in accordance with the accounting policies described in the following sections. The following sections were carried forward from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other than temporary. To determine whether a loss is other than temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, and whether or not management intends to sell or expects that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery of the fair value. The term “other than temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment.

Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss), and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss isrecognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income.

6. LOANS AND RELATED ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The Company grants commercial, industrial, agricultural, residential, and consumer loans primarily to customers throughout north central, central and south-central Pennsylvania, southern New York and Wilmington and Dover, Delaware. The recently completed HVBC acquisition has expanded our lending market further into southeast Pennsylvania, including Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia Counties as well as Burlington County, New Jersey. Although the Company had a diversified loan portfolio at December 31, 2023 and 2022, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the economic conditions within these regions. The following table summarizes the primary segments of the loan portfolio, as well as how those segments are analyzed within the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, net unamortized loan fees and costs of $2,843,000 and $2,573,000, respectively, were included in the carrying value of loans. Purchased loans acquired in connection with the FNB acquisition, the State College branch acquisition, the MidCoast acquisition and the HVBC were recorded at fair value on their acquisition date without a carryover of the related allowance for loan losses.

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Real estate loans serviced for Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the FHLB, which are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, totaled $203,709,000 and $187,754,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Loans sold to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were sold without recourse and total $193,548,000 and $177,575,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Additionally, the Bank acquired a portfolio of loans sold to the FHLB during the acquisitions of FNB and HVBC, which were sold under the Mortgage Partnership Finance Program (“MPF”). The Bank was not an active participant in the MPF program in 2023 or 2022. The MPF portfolio balance was $10,161,000 and $10,179,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The FHLB maintains a first-loss position for the MPF portfolio that totals $165,000. Should the FHLB exhaust its first-loss position, recourse to the Bank’s credit enhancement would be up to the next $229,000 of losses. The Bank did not experience any losses for the MPF portfolio during 2023, 2022 or 2021.

The segments of the Bank’s loan portfolio are disaggregated into classes to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. Residential real estate mortgages consist of 15 to 30 year first mortgages on residential real estate, while residential real estate home equities are consumer purpose installment loans or lines of credit secured by a mortgage which is often a second lien on residential real estate with terms of 15 years or less. Commercial real estate are business purpose loans secured by a mortgage on commercial real estate. Agricultural real estate are loans secured by a mortgage on real estate used in agriculture production. Construction real estate are loans secured by residential or commercial real estate used during the construction phase of residential and commercial projects. Consumer loans are typically unsecured or primarily secured by collateral other than real estate and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts. Other commercial loans are loans for commercial purposes primarily secured by non-real estate collateral. Other agricultural loans are loans for agricultural purposes primarily secured by non-real estate collateral. State and political subdivisions are loans for state and local municipalities for capital and operating expenses or tax-free loans used to finance commercial development.

Allowance for Credit Losses, in accordance with ASC 326

As discussed in Note 1 “Basis of Presentation”, the Company adopted CECL effective January 1, 2023. CECL requires estimated credit losses on loans to be determined based on an expected life of loan model, as compared to an incurred loss model (in effect for periods prior to 2023). Accordingly, allowance for credit loss disclosures subsequent to January 1, 2023 are not always comparable to prior dates. In addition, certain new disclosures required under CECL are not applicable to prior periods. As a result, the following tables present disclosures separately for each period, where appropriate. New disclosures required under CECL are only shown for the current period and are noted. See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation”, for a summary of the impact of adopting CECL on January 1, 2023.

Under CECL, loans individually evaluated consist of collaterally dependent loans and recently modified loans that were experiencing financial difficulty at the time of the modification. Under the incurred loss model in effect prior to the adoption of CECL, loans evaluated individually for impairment were referred to as impaired loans.

The allowance for credit losses related to loans consists of loans evaluated collectively and individually for expected credit losses. It represents an estimate of credit losses over the expected life of the loans as of the balance sheet date and is recorded as a reduction to net loans. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures includes estimated losses on unfunded loan commitments, letters of credit and other off-balance sheet credit exposures. The total allowance for credit losses is increased by charges to expense, through the provision for credit losses, and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries.

The following table presents the components of the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for 2023 (in thousands):

The following tables presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses – loans, by portfolio segment, for 2023 (in thousands).

The following table presents loans and the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment, under CECL methodology as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Allowance for Credit Losses, prior to January 1, 2023

The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of incurred losses in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and is recorded as a reduction to net loans. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments represents management’s estimate of incurred losses in unfunded commitments and letters of credit, and is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The allowance for credit losses is increased by charges to expense, through the provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. The following table presents the components of the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for 2022 (in thousands):

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses, by portfolio segment, for 2022 and 2021 (in thousands).

The following table presents loans and their related allowance for loan losses, by portfolio segment, as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Information presented in the following tables is not required for periods after the adoption of CECL. The following table includes the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans by class, with the associated allowance amount as of December 31, 2022, if applicable (in thousands):

The following table includes the average investment in impaired loans and the income recognized on impaired loans for 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

Non-performing Loans

Non-performing loans include those loans that are considered nonaccrual, described in more detail below and all loans past due 90 or more days. Loans are considered for non-accrual status upon reaching 90 days delinquency, although the Company may be receiving partial payments of interest and partial repayments of principal on such loans, or if full payment of principal and interest is not expected. Additionally, if management is made aware of other information including bankruptcy, repossession, death, or legal proceedings, the loan may be placed on non-accrual status. If a loan is 90 days or more past due and is well secured and in the process of collection, it may still be considered accruing.

The following table reflects the non-performing loan receivables, as well as those on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The balances are presented by class of loan receivable (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2023, there were $7.8 million of non-accrual loans that did not have a related allowance for credit losses. The estimated fair values of the collateral securing these loans exceeded their carrying amount, or the loans were previously charge down to the realizable collateral values. Accordingly, no specific valuation allowance was considered to be necessary.

The following table presents, by class of loans and leases, the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent nonaccrual loans and leases and type of collateral as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Credit Quality Information

For commercial real estate, agricultural real estate, construction, other commercial, other agricultural, and state and political subdivision loans, management uses an internal risk rating system to monitor and assess credit quality. During the third quarter of 2023, this rating system was expanded from a nine grade rating system to a ten grade rating system. The first six categories under the revised system are considered not criticized and are aggregated as “Pass” rated. Under the prior system, the first five categories were considered not criticized and aggregated as “Pass” rated. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The definitions of each rating are defined below:

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To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay the loan as agreed, the Company’s loan rating process includes several layers of internal and external oversight. The Company’s loan officers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating of the loans in each of their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis under the supervision of management. All commercial, agricultural and state and political relationships over $500,000 are reviewed annually to ensure the appropriateness of the loan grade. In addition, the Company engages an external consultant on at least an annual basis to: 1) review a minimum of 50% of the dollar volume of the commercial loan portfolio on an annual basis, 2) a large sample of relationships in aggregate over $1,000,000, 3) selected loan relationships over $750,000 which are over 30 days past due, or classified Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, or Loss, and 4) such other loans which management or the consultant deems appropriate. As part of this review, our underwriting process and loan grading system is evaluated.

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades, by origination year, as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Information presented in the table above is not required for periods prior to adoption of CECL. The following table presents the most comparable information for the prior period, internal credit risk ratings for the indicated loan class segments as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands).

For residential real estate mortgage loans, home equity loans, and consumer loans, credit quality is monitored based on whether the loan is performing or non-performing, which is typically based on the aging status of the loan and payment activity, unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, repossession, death or significant delay in payment occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event. Non-performing loans include those loans that are considered nonaccrual, described in more detail above, and all loans past due 90 or more days and still accruing. The following table presents the recorded investment in those loan classes based on payment activity, by origination year, as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Information presented in the table above is not required for periods prior to adoption of CECL. The following table presents the most comparable information for the prior period, internal credit risk ratings for the indicated loan class segments as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands).

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Aging Analysis of Past Due Loan Receivables

Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table includes an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past due loan receivables as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, an other-than-insignificant payment delay or interest rate reduction. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses.

In some cases, the Company provides multiple types of concessions on one loan. Typically, one type of concession, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another concession, such as principal forgiveness, may be granted.

The following table shows, the amortized cost basis by class of loans receivable, information regarding accruing and nonaccrual modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during 2023 (dollars in thousands):

The following table shows, by class of loans receivable, information regarding the financial effect on accruing and nonaccrual modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during 2023:

There were no accruing or nonaccrual modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for which there were payment defaults after the modification date for 2023.

The following presents, by class of loans, the amortized cost and payment status of accruing and nonaccrual modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Information presented in the table above is not required for periods prior to adoption of CECL. The following table presents the most comparable information for the prior period for troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands).

Recidivism, or the borrower defaulting on its obligation pursuant to a modified loan, results in the loan once again becoming a non-accrual loan. Recidivism occurs at a notably higher rate than do defaults on new origination loans, so modified loans present a higher risk of loss than do new origination loans. There wasno recidivism or other defaults during the reporting periods for loans that were modified as TDRs during each 12-month period prior to the current reporting periods, which begin January 1, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale

Foreclosed assets acquired in settlement of loans are carried at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022 included with other assets are $474,000 and $543,000, respectively, of foreclosed assets. As of December 31, 2023, included within the foreclosed assets is $176,000 of consumer residential mortgages that were foreclosed on or received via a deed in lieu transaction prior to the period end. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has initiated formal foreclosure proceedings on $392,000 of consumer residential mortgages, which have not yet been transferred into foreclosed assets.

7. PREMISES & EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

Depreciation expense amounted to $1,147,000, $877,000 and $922,000 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

(1)Excludes fully amortized intangible assets

The following table provides the current year and estimated future amortization expense for the next five years of amortized intangible assets (in thousands). We based our projections of amortization expense shown below on existing asset balances at December 31, 2023. Future amortization expense may vary from these projections:

9. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) STOCK

As a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh, the Bank is required to maintain a minimum investment in stock of the FHLB that varies with the level of advances outstanding with the FHLB. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, included in other assets, the Bank held $14,997,000 and $10,627,000, respectively, of FHLB stock. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost and evaluated by management. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (a) A significant decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time this situation has persisted (b) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance (c) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB and (d) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein. Management considered that the FHLB’s regulatory capital ratios are strong, liquidity appears adequate, new shares of FHLB stock continue to exchange hands at the $100 par value and the FHLB has repurchased shares of excess capital stock from its members and has paid a quarterly cash dividend.

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10. DEPOSITS

The following table shows the breakdown of deposits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, by deposit type (in thousands):

Certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more amounted to $94,812,000 and $56,287,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Brokered deposits totaled $109,284,000 and $16,006,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Following are maturities of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

11. BORROWED FUNDS AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The following table shows the breakdown of borrowed funds as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

(a)We utilize securities sold under agreements to repurchase to facilitate the needs of our customers and to facilitate secured short-term funding needs. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are stated at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. We monitor collateral levels on a continuous basis. We may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities. Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with our safekeeping agents. The collateral pledged on the repurchase agreements by the remaining contractual maturity of the repurchase agreements in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is presented in the following tables (in thousands).

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(b)FHLB Advances consist of an “Open RepoPlus” agreement with the FHLB of Pittsburgh. FHLB “Open RepoPlus” advances are short-term borrowings that bear interest based on the FHLB discount rate or Federal Funds rate, whichever is higher. The Company has a borrowing limit of $1,074,864,000, inclusive of any outstanding advances and letters of credit. FHLB advances are secured by a blanket security agreement that includes the Company’s FHLB stock, as well as certain investment and mortgage-backed securities held in safekeeping at the FHLB and certain residential and commercial mortgage loans. A portion of these advances, $43.0 million, are subject to interest rate swap arrangements. See Note 19 for additional information.

(c)The federal funds lines consist of unsecured lines from two third party banks at market rates. The Bank has a borrowing limit totaling $34,000,000, inclusive of any outstanding balances. No specific collateral is required to be pledged for these borrowings.

(d)The Federal Reserve Bank Borrower in Custody (FRB BIC) Line consists of a borrower in custody in agreement opened in January 2010 with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia secured by municipal loans maintained in the Company’s possession. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company has a borrowing limit of $993,000 and $1,050,000, respectively, inclusive of any outstanding advances. The approximate carrying value of the municipal loan collateral was $1,230,000 and $1,360,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(e)The Company issued a $15.0 million revolving line of credit in December 2023 with a New York community bank with a maturity date of January 1, 2026, subject to certain covenants. The line is subject to an annual fee of $20,000. Interest on outstanding borrowings is payable at prime. No specific collateral is required to be pledged for these borrowings.

(f)The Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) consists of a loan agreement opened in the second quarter of 2023 with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia secured by US treasury and SBA securities. The BTFP offers loans of up to one year in length. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank has a borrowing limit of $54,525,000, which also represents the par value of the pledged securities.as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, $20,000,000 was outstanding under the BTFP.

(g)The Company entered into an agreement with a counterparty that provides for the Company the right to obtain collateral from the counterparty depending on the value of the underlying derivative instrument. The value of the collateral obtained can fluctuate daily. A market interest is required to be paid on any collateral held. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is holding $10,860,000 of collateral, which is included in cash on the Consolidated Balance sheet.

(h)In April 2021, the Company issued $10.0 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes that mature on April 16, 2031, unless redeemed earlier. The notes bear interest at 4% per annum through April 16, 2026 and subsequently pay interest at the 90-day average secured overnight financing rate, determined on the determination date of the applicable interest period, plus 323 basis points. The Company may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, on or after April 16, 2026, and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events, subject in each case to the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Issuance costs associated with the notes totaled $131,000 and were capitalized and will be amortized over the life of the note on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective yield method. As of December 31, 2023, the net unamortized issuance costs totaled $95,000. As part of the HVBC acquisition, the Company acquired a subordinated note issued by HVBC with a par value of $10.0 million and a fair market value of $8,873,000 on the date of acquisition. This note has a maturity date of May 28, 2031, and has a coupon rate of 4.50% per annum through May 28, 2026. Thereafter, the note rate is adjustable and resets quarterly based on the then current 90-day average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 325 basis points for U.S. dollar denominated loans as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Company may, at its option, at any time on an interest payment date, on or after May 28, 2026, redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at par plus accrued interest to the date of redemption. The carrying value of the note as of December 31, 2023 is $9,028,000.

(i)In December 2003, the Company formed a special purpose entity (“Entity”) to issue $7,500,000 of floating rate obligated mandatory redeemable trust preferred securities as part of a pooled offering. The rate was determined quarterly and floated based on the 3-month SOFR plus 2.80 percent. The Entity may redeem them, in whole or in part, at face value after December 17, 2008, and on a quarterly basis thereafter. The Company borrowed the proceeds of the issuance from the Entity in December 2003 in the form of a $7,500,000 note payable. Debt issue costs of $75,000 have been capitalized and fully amortized as of December 31, 2008. Under current accounting rules, the Company’s minority interest in the Entity was recorded at the initial investment amount and is included in the other assets section of the balance sheet. The Entity is not consolidated as part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The $7,500,000 note payable is subject to an interest rate swap arrangement. See Note 19 for additional information.

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(j)Term Loans consist of separate loans with the FHLB of Pittsburgh as follows (dollars in thousands):

Following are maturities of borrowed funds as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Noncontributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Bank sponsors a trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and officers hired prior to January 1, 2007. The pension plan calls for benefits to be paid to eligible employees at retirement based primarily upon years of service with the Bank and compensation rates during employment. Upon retirement or other termination of employment, employees can elect either an annuity benefit or a lump sum distribution of vested benefits in the pension plan. The Bank’s funding policy is to make annual contributions, if needed, based upon the funding formula developed by the pension plans’ actuary. The Bank did not make any contributions to the pension plans in 2023, 2022 or 2021.

In lieu of the pension plan, employees with a hire date of January 1, 2007 or later are eligible to receive, after meeting length of service requirements, an annual discretionary 401(k) plan contribution from the Bank equal to a percentage of an employee’s base compensation. The contribution amount is placed in a separate account within the 401(k) plan and is subject to a vesting requirement. Contributions by the Company totaled $354,000, $300,000 and $290,000 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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The following table sets forth the obligation and funded status of the pension plan as of December 31 (in thousands):

Amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost as of December 31 (in thousands):

The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plan was $9,556,000 and $9,324,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively.

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

The estimated net loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the net periodic benefit cost (income) in 2024 is $9,000.

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is summarized in the following table. The change in the discount rate is the primary driver of the actuarial gain that occurred in 2023 of $280,000.

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The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost (income) for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is summarized in the following table.

The long-term rate of return on plan assets gives consideration to returns currently being earned on plan assets as well as future rates expected to be earned. The investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the interests of the participants and beneficiaries, and prudent investment management. The allocation of the pension plan assets is determined on the basis of sound economic principles and is continually reviewed in light of changes in market conditions. Asset allocation favors equity securities, with a target allocation of 50-70%. The target allocation for debt securities is 30-50%. At December 31, 2023, the pension plan had a sufficient cash and money market position in order to re-allocate the equity portfolio for diversification purposes and reduce risk in the total portfolio. The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy as defined in footnote 21, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

Equity securities include the Company’s common stock in the amounts of $746,000 (6.4% of total plan assets) and $876,000 (7.7% of total plan assets) at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Bank doesnot expect to make a contribution to its pension plan in 2024. Expected future benefit payments that the Bank estimates from its pension plan are as follows (in thousands):

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company sponsors a voluntary 401(k) savings plan which eligible employees can elect to contribute up to the maximum amount allowable not to exceed the limits of IRS Code Sections 401(k). Under the plan, the Company also makes required contributions on behalf of the eligible employees. The Company’s contributions vest immediately. Contributions by the Company totaled $769,000, $623,000 and $563,000 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company’s directors may elect to defer all or portions of their fees until their retirement or termination from service. Amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan earn interest based upon the highest current rate offered to certificate of deposit customers. Amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan are not guaranteed and represent a general liability of the Company. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, an obligation of $604,000 and $580,000, respectively, was included in other liabilities for this plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Amounts included in interest expense on the deferred amounts totaled $27,000, $11,000 and $6,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Restricted Stock Plan

The Company maintains a Restricted Stock Plan (the Plan) whereby employees and non-employee corporate directors are eligible to receive awards of restricted stock based upon performance related requirements. Awards granted under the Plan are in the form of the Company’s common stock and maybe subject to certain vesting requirements including in the case of employees, continuous employment or service with the Company. In April 2016, the Company’s stockholder authorized a total of 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be made available under the Plan. As of December 31, 2023,112,563 shares remain available to be issued under the Plan. The Plan assists the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating employees to make substantial contributions to the success of the Company and to increase the emphasis on the use of equity as a key component of compensation. The following table details the vesting, awarding and forfeiting of unearned restricted shares during 2023:

Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period. Compensation expense related to restricted stock was $239,000, $279,000 and $318,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The per share weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted shares granted during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $77.77, $68.69 and $60.73, respectively. At December 31, 2023, the total compensation cost related to nonvested awards that has not yet been recognized was $482,000, which is expected to be recognized over the next 3 years.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

The Company maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) for certain executives to compensate those executive participants in the Company’s noncontributory defined benefit pension plan whose benefits are limited by compensation limitations under current tax law. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, an obligation of $2,897,000 and $2,706,000, respectively, for the SERP was included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Expenses related to the SERP totaled $233,000, $240,000 and $473,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Benefit payments for 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $42,000.

Deferred Compensation Plan

In 2018, the Company initiated a non-qualified executive deferred compensation plan for eligible employees designated by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, an obligation of $1,503,000 and $1,235,000, respectively, was included in other liabilities for the deferred compensation plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Expenses related to the deferred compensation plan totaled $268,000, $296,000 and $309,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There wereno benefit payments in 2023, 2022 or 2021.

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Salary Continuation Plan

The Company maintains a salary continuation plan for certain employees acquired through the acquisition of FNB. At December 31, 2023 and 2022 an obligation of $575,000 and $617,000 respectively, was included in other liabilities for this plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Expenses related to the salary continuation plan totaled $44,000, $47,000 and $49,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Benefit payments related to the salary continuation plan totaled $87,000, $76,000 and $76,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively

Continuation of Life Insurance Plan

The Company, as part of the acquisition of FNB, has promised a continuation of life insurance coverage to certain persons post-retirement. GAAP requires the recording of post-retirement costs and a liability equal to the present value of the cost of post-retirement insurance during the person’s term of service. The estimated present value of future benefits to be paid totaled $610,000 and $660,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. (Benefits)/Expenses for the plan totaled ($50,000), ($36,000) and $9,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

13. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

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The following temporary differences gave rise to the net deferred tax asset and liabilities at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in thousands):

No valuation allowance was established at December 31, 2023 and 2022, due to the certain tax strategies and anticipated future taxable income as evidenced by the Company’s earnings potential.

The total provision for income taxes is different from that computed at the statutory rates due to the following items (dollars in thousands):

The Company prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. There is currentlyno liability for uncertain tax positions andno known unrecognized tax benefits. With limited exception, the Company’s federal and state income tax returns for taxable years through 2019 have been closed for purposes of examination by the federal and state taxing authorities.

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14. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TAX CREDIT PARTNERSHIPS

The Company makes equity investments in various limited partnerships or limited liability companies that sponsor affordable housing projects utilizing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. The purpose of these investments is to achieve a satisfactory return on capital, to facilitate the sale of affordable housing product offerings, and to assist in achieving goals associated with the Community Reinvestment Act. The primary activities of these entities include the identification, development, and operation of multi-family housing that is leased to qualifying residential tenants. Generally, these types of investments are funded through a combination of debt and equity.

The Company is a limited partner or non-managing member in each LIHTC limited partnership or limited liability company, respectively. Each of these entities is managed by an unrelated third-party general partner or managing member who exercises significant control over the affairs of the entity. The general partner or managing member has all the rights, powers and authority granted or permitted to be granted to a general partner of a limited partnership or managing member of a limited liability company. Duties entrusted to the general partner or managing member include, but are not limited to: investment in operating companies, company expenditures, investment of excess funds, borrowing funds, employment of agents, disposition of fund property, prepayment and refinancing of liabilities, votes and consents, contract authority, disbursement of funds, accounting methods, tax elections, bank accounts, insurance, litigation, cash reserve, and use of working capital reserve funds. Except for limited rights granted to the limited partner(s) or non-managing member(s) relating to the approval of certain transactions, the limited partner(s) and non-managing members may not participate in the operation, management, or control of the entity’s business, transact any business in the entity’s name or have any power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the entity. In addition, the general partner or managing member may only be removed by the limited partner(s) or managing member(s) in the event of a failure to comply with the terms of the agreement or negligence in performing its duties.

The general partner or managing member of each entity has both the power to direct the activities which most significantly affect the performance of each entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of any LIHTC entity. The Company uses the effective yield method to account for its pre-2015 investments in these entities. Beginning January 1, 2015, any new investments that meet the requirements of the proportional amortization method are recognized using the proportional amortization method. The Company’s net affordable housing tax credit investments and related unfunded commitments were$8,541,000 and $1,304,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. All partnerships entered into prior to 2015 were fully amortized as of December 31, 2022.

Unfunded Commitments

As of December 31, 2023, the expected payments for unfunded affordable housing commitments were as follows (dollars in thousands):

The following table presents tax credits and other tax benefits recognized and amortization expense related to affordable housing for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands).

There wereno impairment losses related to LIHTC investments for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.

15. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of December 31, were as follows (in thousands):

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The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component net of tax for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

The following table presents the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Certain executive officers and directors of the Company, or companies in which they have 10 percent or more beneficial ownership, were indebted to the Bank. A summary of loan activity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 with officers, directors, stockholders and associates of such persons is listed below (in thousands):

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17. REGULATORY MATTERS

Dividend Restrictions:

The approval of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is required for the Bank to pay dividends to the Company if the total of all dividends declared in any calendar year exceeds the Bank’s net income (as defined) for that year combined with its retained net income for the precedingtwo calendar years. Under this formula, the Bank can declare dividends in 2024 without approval of the FRB or Pennsylvania Department of Banking of approximately $29,939,000, plus the Bank’s 2023 year-to-date net income at the time of the dividend declaration.

Loans:

The Bank is subject to regulatory restrictions which limit its ability to loan funds to the Company. At December 31, 2023, the Bank’s regulatory lending limit amounted to approximately $40,819,000.

Regulatory Capital Requirements:

Federal regulations require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts of capital. Specifically, the Bank is required to maintain certain minimum dollar amounts and ratios of Total, Tier I and Common Equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier I capital to average total assets.

In addition to the capital requirements, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) established five capital categories ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically under-capitalized.” Should any institution fail to meet the requirements to be considered “adequately capitalized”, it would become subject to a series of increasingly restrictive regulatory actions.

As permitted by applicable federal regulation, the Bank has opted to use the community bank leverage ratio (the “CBLR”) framework for determining its capital adequacy. Under the CBLR framework a qualifying community bank is considered well-capitalized if its leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital divided by average total consolidated assets) exceeds 9%. Following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal banking regulators revised the CBLR framework as follows: (i) beginning in the second quarter of 2020, a qualifying community bank need only have a leverage ratio of at least 8%, subject to the other qualifying requirements, and (ii) if a qualifying community bank’s leverage ratio falls below 8%, then it will have two calendar quarters to maintain a leverage ratio of 7% or greater. These revisions under the CARES Act were effective April 23, 2020 terminated upon the earlier of the termination of the national emergency related to COVID-19 or December 31, 2020. Following such termination there is a grace period for returning to the 9% CBLR threshold. The CBLR was set at 8% for the remainder of 2020, 8.5% for 2021, and 9% thereafter. The grace period is also adjusted to account for the graduating increase. As a result, in 2020 and 2021, a qualifying community bank utilizing the grace period was required to maintain a CBLR of at least 7% and 7.5%, respectively. Thereafter, a qualifying community bank utilizing the grace period must maintain a CBLR of at least 8%. If a qualifying community bank fails to maintain the applicable minimum CBLR during the grace period, or if it is unable to restore compliance with the CBLR within the grace period, then it will revert to the Basel III capital framework and the normal Prompt Corrective Action capital categories will apply. At December 31, 2023, the Bank was considered “well-capitalized” under the CBLR framework, with a leverage ratio of 8.54% as the Bank was in the grace period provided by the framework. At December 31, 2022, the Bank leverage ratio under the CBLR framework was 8.77%, which is less than 9.0% requirement to be considered “well-capitalized” under the CBLR. As such, as of December 31, 2022, the Bank reverted to the prompt corrective action framework. The following table provides the Bank’s computed risk‑based capital ratios as of December 31, 2022, which reflects the Bank being well capitalized on that date (dollars in thousands):

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18. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate or liquidity risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet.

Credit Extension Commitments

The Company’s exposure to credit loss from nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk at December 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows (in thousands):

Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to customers. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of fees. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Company on extension of credit is based on management’s credit assessment of the counter party.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee a financial agreement between a customer and a third party. Performance letters of credit represent conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These instruments are issued primarily to support bid or performance related contracts. The coverage period for these instruments is typically aone-year period with an annual renewal option subject to prior approval by management. Fees earned from the issuance of these letters are recognized during the coverage period. For secured letters of credit, the collateral is typically Bank deposit instruments or customer business assets.

The Company also offers limited overdraft protection as a non-contractual courtesy which is available to demand deposit accounts in good standing for business, personal or household use. The non-contractual amount of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31, 2023 was $13,121,000. The Company reserves the right to discontinue this service without prior notice.

The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments was $1,265,000 and $165,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Legal and Regulatory Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to legal proceedings, including claims, litigation, investigations and administrative proceedings, all of which are considered incidental to the normal conduct of business. Litigation may relate to lending, deposit and other customer relationships, vendor and contractual issues, employee matters, intellectual property matters, personal injuries and torts, regulatory and legal compliance, and other matters. The Company believes it has substantial defenses to the claims asserted against it in its currently outstanding legal proceedings and, with respect to such legal proceedings, intends to defend itself vigorously.

The Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. Where it is probable that the Company will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements. These legal reserves may be increased or decreased to reflect any relevant developments. Where a loss is not probable or the amount of a probable loss is not reasonably estimable, the Company does not accrue legal reserves. Additionally, for those matters where a loss is reasonably possible and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable, the Company estimates the amount of losses that it could incur beyond the accrued legal reserves. Under U.S. GAAP, an event is “reasonably possible” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely” and an event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is slight.”

While the outcome of legal proceedings and the timing of the ultimate resolution are inherently difficult to predict, based on information currently available, advice of counsel and available insurance coverage, the Company believes that it has established adequate legal reserves. Further, based upon available information, the Company is of the opinion that these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is reasonably possible that an adverse outcome in any of the matters discussed above could be material to the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period of occurrence.

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19. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable rate borrowings.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company has entered into interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed interest payments. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company hadsix interest rate swaps with a notional of $50.5 million associated with the Company’s cash outflows associated with various floating-rate amounts.

For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings), net of tax, and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transactions. The Company didnot recognize any hedge ineffectiveness in earnings during the periods ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate liabilities.

Customer Swaps

The Company also enters into derivative contracts, which consist of interest rate swaps, to facilitate the needs of customers desiring to manage interest rate risk. These swaps are not designated as accounting hedges under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. In order to economically hedge the interest rate risk associated with offering this product, the Company simultaneously enters into derivative contracts with third parties to offset the customer contracts, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. The derivative contracts are structured such that the notional amounts decrease over time to generally match the expected amortization of the underlying loans. These derivatives are not speculative and arise from a service provided to customers. The Company utilizes a loan hedging program to accommodate clients preferring a fixed rate loan. The loan documents include an addendum with a zero premium collar. The zero premium collar is a cap and floor at the same interest rate, resulting in a fixed rate to the borrower. To hedge this embedded option, the Company enters into a dealer facing trade exactly mirroring the terms of the loan addendum. At December 31, 2023, the Company had interest rate swaps related to this program with an aggregate notional amount of $69.5 million.

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

To Be Announced Securities

To be announced securities (“TBAs”) are “forward delivery” securities considered derivative instruments under derivatives and hedging accounting guidance. The Company utilizes TBAs to protect against the price risk inherent in derivative loan commitments. TBAs are valued based on forward dealer marks from the Company’s approved counterparties. The Company utilizes a third-party market pricing service, which compiles current prices for instruments from market sources and those prices represent the current executable price. TBAs are recorded at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition in mortgage banking derivatives or other liabilities with changes in fair value recorded as a gain (loss) from hedging instruments in non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments, other than IRLCs, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis is determined by utilizing quoted prices from dealers in such securities or third-party models utilizing observable market inputs.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

Interest rate loan commitments known as IRLCs that relate to the origination of mortgages that will be held for sale upon funding are considered derivative instruments under the derivatives and hedging accounting guidance FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. IRLCs are recognized at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition as mortgage banking derivatives or as other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded as a gain (loss) from hedging instruments in non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Forward Loan Sales Commitments

Outstanding IRLCs are subject to interest rate risk and related price risk during the period from the date of issuance through the date of loan funding, cancellation or expiration. IRLC generally range between 30 and 90 days; however, the borrower is not obligated to obtain the loan. The Company is subject to fallout risk related to IRLCs, which is realized if approved borrowers choose not to close on the loans within the terms of the IRLCs. Forward loan sales commitments are recognized at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as mortgage banking derivatives or as other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded as a gain (loss) from hedging instruments in non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Counterparty Credit Risk

As a result of its derivative contracts, the Company is exposed to credit risk. Specifically, approved counterparties and exposure limits are defined. On at least an annual basis, the customer derivative contracts and related counterparties are evaluated for credit risk with an adjustment made to the contracts fair value. In accordance with the interest rate agreements with derivative dealers, the Company may be required to post margin to these counterparties. At December 31, 2023, the Company has required collateral with certain of its derivative counterparties in the amount of $13.0 million and was holding $10.9 million of collateral from derivative counterparties.

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The following table reflects the estimated fair value positions of derivative contracts as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815 (in thousands):

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815 (in thousands):

The following table presents the effect of the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

20. LEASES

A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02“Leases” (Topic 842) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. For the Company, Topic 842 primarily affected the accounting treatment for operating lease agreements in which the Company is the lessee.

Lessee Accounting

Substantially all of the leases in which the Company is the lessee are comprised of real estate property for branches with terms extending through 2039. All of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases, and therefore, were previously not recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. With the adoption of Topic 842, operating lease agreements are required to be recognized on the consolidated statements of condition as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities.

The following table represents the Consolidated Balance Sheet classification of the Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities (in thousands). The Company elected not to include short-term leases (i.e., leases with initial terms of twelve months or less), on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities in the table above are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to present value the minimum lease payments. The Company’s lease agreements often include one or more options to renew at the Company’s discretion. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. Regarding the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term. For operating leases existing prior to January 1, 2019, the rate for the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019 was used. For leases obtained as of the HVBC acquisition, the rate for the remaining lease term as of June 16, 2023 was used. The following table displays the weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted average discount rate for the Company’s operating leases outstanding as of December 31, 2023:

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The following table represents lease costs and other lease information for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively (in thousands). As the Company elected not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead to account for them as a single lease component, the variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities.

Future minimum payments for operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of December 31, 2023 along with a reconciliation to the discounted amount recorded on the December 31, 2023 Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands):

21. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company established a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels defined by this hierarchy are as follows:

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

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In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality, the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. Our valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincides with the Company’s monthly and/or quarterly valuation process.

Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair values of equity securities and securities available for sale are determined by quoted prices in active markets, when available, and classified as Level I. If quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is determined by a matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique, widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities and classified as Level II. The fair values consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

The following tables present the assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands) by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

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The following tables represent assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at December 31, 2023:

At December 31, 2023, the Company has classified $324,000 of net derivative assets related to IRLC as Level 3. The fair value of IRLCs is based on prices obtained for loans with similar characteristics from third parties, adjusted by the pull-through rate, which represents the Company’s best estimate of the probability that a committed loan will fund. At December 31, 2023, the weighted average pull-through rates applied ranged from 63.6% to 94.2%.

Significant unobservable inputs for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023:

Financial Instruments, Non-Financial Assets and Non-Financial Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain financial assets, financial liabilities, non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market value that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. Certain non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include foreclosed assets (upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment), non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test, and intangible assets and other non-financial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment. Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during 2023 and 2022 include certain foreclosed assets which, upon initial recognition, were remeasured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for possible credit losses and certain foreclosed assets which, subsequent to their initial recognition, were remeasured at fair value through a write-down included in other non-interest expense.

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands) are included in the table below:

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The following table provides a listing of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement process for items valued utilizing level III techniques (dollars in thousands).

Financial Instruments Not Required to be Measured or Reported at Fair Value

The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands):

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions can significantly affect the estimates.

Estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using historical data, as generally provided in the Company’s regulatory reports, and an estimation methodology suitable for each category of financial instruments. The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, bank owned life insurance, regulatory stock, accrued interest receivable and payable approximate fair value and are considered Level I measurements.

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22. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION - PARENT COMPANY ONLY

The following is condensed financial information for Citizens Financial Services, Inc.:

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