Citizens Community Bancorp Inc

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Eide Bailly LLP; Phoenix, Arizona; PCAOB ID 286)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements ofoperations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as of January 1, 2023, using the modified retrospective approach with an adjustment at the beginning of the adoption period. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company has a gross loan portfolio of $1.5 billion and related allowance for credit losses (ACL) of $22.9 million as of December 31, 2023. As discussed in Notes 1 and 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the ACL represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the contractual life of the loan portfolio. The ACL is estimated using relevant available information relating to past events, current economic conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, as well as qualitative adjustments applied on a portfolio segment basis. the qualitative adjustments are used to bring the ACL to the level management believes is appropriate based on factors that are otherwise unaccounted for in the quantitative process.

Auditing these complex judgments and assumptions involves especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit evidence and effort required to address these matters, including the extent of specialized skill or knowledge needed.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

•Obtaining an understanding of the Company’s process for establishing the ACL, including the models selected by management to estimate quantitative components of the ACL and qualitative adjustments made to the ACL. This includes the process utilized by management to challenge the model results and determine the best estimate of the ACL as of the balance sheet date.

•Evaluating the design and testing the operating effectiveness of controls relating to the development and approval of the ACL methodology, management’s identification and determination of the significant assumptions used in the Probability of Default (PD) and Loss Given Default (LGD) models, controls related to the reliability and accuracy of the data used in the models, analysis of the ACL results and the management’s review and approval of the ACL.

•Evaluating the appropriateness of the model methodology used to incorporate a reasonable and supportable forecast period and reversion to historical loss rates by inspecting the model documentation and by comparing it to relevant industry practices.

•Determining whether the loan portfolio is segmented by similar risk characteristics by comparing to the Company’s business environment and relevant industry practices.

•Testing the completeness and accuracy of internal loan level data used as the basis for the calculation.

•Evaluating the reasonableness of forecasted economic scenarios.

•Evaluating the identification and measurement of the qualitative adjustments, including the basis for concluding an adjustment was warranted and compared the adjustments utilized by management to both internal portfolio metrics and external macroeconomic data to support the adjustments and evaluated the trends in such adjustments. We evaluated information that corroborates or contradicts management’s reasonable and supportable forecast as well as identification and measurement of qualitative factors.

/s/ Eide Bailly, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

Phoenix, Arizona

March 5, 2024

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share data)

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except Shares)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

NOTE 1 –NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank”) included herein have been included by its parent company, Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). As used in this annual report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, and “Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc.” mean the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank, unless the context indicates other meaning.

The Bank is a national banking association (a “National Bank”) and operates under the title of Citizens Community Federal National Association (“Citizens Community Federal N.A.” or “Bank”). The Company is a bank holding company, supervised by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (the “FRB”), and operates under the title of Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), is the primary federal regulator for the Bank.

The consolidated income of the Company is principally derived from the income of the Bank, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, serving customers primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 23 branch locations. Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, Mankato and Twin Cities markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, agricultural operators and consumers, including one-to-four family residential mortgages.

The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and non-financial institutions providing financial products. Additionally, the Bank is subject to the regulations of certain regulatory agencies and undergoes periodic examination by those regulatory agencies.

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, we evaluated the events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2023 through the date on which the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued on March 5, 2024, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements.

Unless otherwise stated herein, and except for share and per share amounts, all amounts are in thousands.

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates—Preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, fair value of financial instruments, the allowance for credit losses, mortgage servicing rights, foreclosed and repossessed assets, valuation of intangible assets arising from acquisitions, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, valuation of goodwill and long-lived assets, stock based compensation, deferred tax assets, uncertain income tax positions and contingencies. Management does not anticipate any material changes to estimates made herein in the near term. Factors that may cause sensitivity to the aforementioned estimates include but are not limited to: those items described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the accompanying annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and external market factors such as market interest rates and unemployment rates, changes to operating policies and procedures, and changes in applicable banking regulations. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates, although management does not generally believe such differences would materially affect the consolidated financial statements in any individual reporting period.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—For purposes of reporting cash flows in the consolidated financial statements, cash and cash equivalents include cash, due from banks, and interest bearing deposits with original maturities of three months or less.

Other Interest Bearing Deposits—Other interest bearing deposits are certificate of deposit investments made by the Bank with other financial institutions that are carried at cost. As of December 31, 2023, there were no other interest bearing deposit investments. As of December 31, 2022, the weighted average months to maturity of the interest bearing deposits was 3.00 months. Balances over $250 in other financial institutions are not insured by the FDIC and therefore pose a potential risk in the event the institution were to fail. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there wereno certificate of deposit investment accounts with a balance greater than $250.

Investment Securities; Held to Maturity and Available for Sale – Management determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of the date of each balance sheet. Securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held to maturity securities are stated at amortized cost. Investment securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are stated at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses being reported in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Realized gains or losses on sales of available for sale securities are calculated with the specific identification method and are included in the consolidated statements of operations under net gains on investment securities. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or accretion of purchase discount. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the estimated lives of the securities.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Available for Sale Securities - The Company measures the allowance for credit losses on available for sale debt securities by evaluating securities in an unrealized loss position using a two-step process. First, the Company 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. If it is determined that the Company intends or will be required to sell the security, it is written down to its fair value as net gains or losses on investment securities in our consolidated statement of operations. For agency mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities that do not meet the criteria in step one, there are no expected credit losses as they are guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. For other debt securities that do not meet the criteria in step one, 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 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 the allowance for credit losses on available for sale investments 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.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Held to Maturity Securities -The Company measures expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. For agency mortgage-backed securities there are no expected credit losses as they are guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. For other securities, the estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

The Company has elected to not measure an ACL on accrued interest on available for sale and held to maturity securities, as it would write off accrued interest in a timely manner if the related security was determined to be impaired. The Company has no available for sale securities or held to maturity securities which it deems to be impaired at December 31, 2023.

Equity investments -The Company is required to maintain an investment in Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”) equity securities. Farmer Mac equity securities are carried at their fair market value, which is readily determinable. Changes in fair value are recognized as net gains (losses) on investment securities in the consolidated Statement of Operations.

Also included in equity investments are the Company’s investments in a Volcker Rule-compliant Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) and an investment fund. The SBIC and investment fund meet the definition of investment companies, as defined in ASC 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies. These investments seek returns by investing in various small businesses and do not have redemption rights. Distributions from the investments will be received as the underlying investments, which generally have a life of 10 years, are liquidated or earlier distributions are made. We elected the practical expedient available in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, which permits the use of net asset value ("NAV") per share or equivalent to value investments in entities that are or are similar to investment companies. SBICs and investment funds report their investments at estimated fair value. We record the unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of these investments as gains or losses on equity securities in our consolidated statements of operations. The carrying value of these investments is equal to the capital account balance as provided by the investee and adjusted as necessary.

Other investments - As a member of the Federal Reserve Bank System and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System, the Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of these entities. These securities are “restricted” in that they can only be sold back to the respective institutions or another member institution at par. Therefore, they are less liquid than other exchange traded equity securities. As no ready market exists for these stocks, and they have no quoted market value, these investments are carried at cost and periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. Cash dividends are reported as interest on investments in the consolidated statement of operations.

Also included in other investments is stock of our correspondent bank, Bankers’ Bank, without readily determinable fair value. This stock is carried at cost plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for this stock, less other-than-temporary impairment charges, if any.

Management’s evaluation for impairment of these other investments includes consideration of the financial condition and other available relevant information of the issuer. Based on management’s quarterly evaluation, no impairment has been recorded on these securities. Other investments totaling $15,725 at December 31, 2023 consisted of $7,302 of FHLB stock, $5,699 of Federal Reserve Bank stock and $2,724 of Bankers’ Bank stock. Other investments totaling $15,834 at December 31, 2022 consisted of $7,652 of FHLB stock, $5,674 of Federal Reserve Bank stock and $2,508 of Bankers’ Bank stock.

Loans receivable – Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, accretable yield on acquired loans, and non-accretable discount on purchased credit deteriorated (PCD) loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance of these loans. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan with no prepayments assumed. If the loan is prepaid, any amortized net fee is recognized at that time. Late charge fees are recognized into income when collected.

Interest income on commercial, mortgage and consumer loans is discontinued according to the following schedules:

•Commercial/agricultural real estate loans past due 90 days or more;

•Closed end consumer installment loans past due 120 days or more; and

•Residential mortgage loans and open ended consumer installment loans past due 180 days or more.

Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. All interest accrued but not received for a loan placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash basis or cost recovery method until qualifying for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when payments are made that bring the loan account current with the contractual term of the loan and a six month payment history has been established. Interest on accruing troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) loans, less than 90 days delinquent, is recognized as income as it accrues based on the revised terms of the loan over an established period of continued payment.

Residential mortgage loans and open ended consumer installment loans are charged off to estimated net realizable value less estimated selling costs at the earlier of when (a) the loan is deemed by management to be uncollectible, or (b) the loan becomes past due 180 days or more. Closed ended consumer installment loans are charged off to net realizable value at the earlier of when (a) the loan is deemed by management to be uncollectible, or (b) the loan becomes past due 120 days or more. Commercial/agricultural real estate, commercial and industrial and agricultural operating loans are charged off to net realizable value at the earlier of when (a) the loan is deemed by management to be uncollectible, or (b) the loan becomes past due 90 days or more.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans – The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans is a valuation allowance for current expected credit losses in the Company’s loan portfolio. Prior to January 1, 2023, the valuation allowance was established for probable and inherent credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the ACL when management believes that the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL. In determining the allowance, the company estimates credit losses over the loan’s entire contractual term, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The allowance estimate considers relevant available information from internal and external sources relating to historical loss experience; known and inherent risks in our portfolio; information about specific borrowers’ ability to repay; estimated collateral values; current economic conditions; reasonable and supportable forecasts for future conditions; and other relevant factors determined by management. To ensure that the ACL is maintained at an adequate level, a detailed analysis is performed on a quarterly basis and an appropriate provision is made to adjust the allowance. The entire ACL balance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The determination of the ACL requires significant judgement to estimate credit losses. The ACL on loans is measured collectively on a pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist, and on an individual basis when management determines that the loan does not share similar risk characteristics with other loans. The ACL on loans collectively evaluated is measured using the loss rate model. The Company categorizes its loan portfolio into four segments based on similar risk characteristics. Loans within each segment are pooled based on individual loan characteristics. Aggregated risk drivers are then calculated at a pool level. Risk drivers are identified attributes that have proven to be predictive of loan loss rates and vary based on loan segment and type. A loss rate is calculated and applied to the pool utilizing a model that combines the pool’s risk drivers, historical loss experience, and reasonable and supportable future economic forecasts to project lifetime losses. The loss rate is then combined with the loans balance and contractual maturity, adjusted for expected prepayments, to determine expected future losses. Future and supportable economic forecasts are based on national economic conditions and their reversion to the mean is implicit in the model and generally occurs over a period of two years.

Qualitative adjustments are made to the allowance calculated on collectively evaluated loans to incorporate factors not included in the model. Qualitative factors include but are not limited to: lending policies and procedures, the experience and ability of lending and other staff, the volume and severity of problem credits, quality of the loan review system, and other external factors.

Loans that exhibit different risk characteristics from the pool are individually evaluated for impairment. Loans can be identified for individual evaluation for a variety of reasons including delinquency, nonaccrual status, risk rating and loan modification. Accruing loans that exhibit different risk characteristics from their pool may also be within scope. On these loans, an allowance may be established so that the loan is reported, net, at the lower of (a) its amortized cost; (b) the present value of the loan’s estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate; or (c) at the fair value of any loan collateral, less estimated disposal costs, if the loan is collateral dependent. Collateral dependency is determined using the practical expedient when: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty; and 2) repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale or operation of the collateral.

The Company has elected to not measure an ACL on accrued interest as it writes off accrued interest in a timely manner.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Commitments – The ACL on unfunded commitments is a liability for credit losses on commitments to originate or fund loans, and standby letters of credit. It is included in “Other liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets. Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a commitment that cannot be unconditionally canceled, adjusted for projected prepayments when appropriate. In addition, the estimate of the liability considers the likelihood that funding will occur. The ACL on unfunded commitments is adjusted through provision for credit losses on consolidated statements of operations. Because the business processes and risks associated with unfunded commitments are essentially the same as loans, the Company uses the same process to estimate the liability.

Loans Held for Sale —Loans held for sale are those loans the Company has the intent to sell in the foreseeable future. They are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Gains and losses on sales of loans are recognized at settlement dates, and are determined by the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying value of the loans after allocating costs to servicing rights retained. Such gains and losses are included as non-interest income in the consolidated statement of operations. All sales are made without recourse. Interest rate lock commitments on mortgage loans to be funded and sold are valued at fair value, and are included in other assets or liabilities, if material.

Transfers of financial assets—Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the entity, (2) the transferee obtains the right, free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right, to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the entity does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before maturity.

Mortgage Servicing Rights—Mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) assets result as the Company sells loans to investors in the secondary market and retains the rights to service mortgage loans sold to others. MSR assets are initially measured at fair value; assessed for impairment at least annually; carried at the lower of the initial capitalized amount, net of accumulated amortization, or estimated fair value. MSR assets are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income, with the amortization recorded in non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

The valuation of MSRs and related amortization, included in mortgage servicing rights expense in the consolidated statements of operations, thereon are based on numerous factors, assumptions and judgments, such as those for: changes in the mix of loans, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and default rates. Changes in these factors, assumptions and judgments may have a material effect on the valuation and amortization of MSRs. Although management believes that the assumptions used to evaluate the MSRs for impairment are reasonable, future adjustment may be necessary if future economic conditions differ substantially from the economic assumptions used to determine the value of MSRs.

Servicing fee income, which is reported on the consolidated statements of operations in non-interest income as loan servicing fee income, is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.

Office Properties and Equipment—Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Land is carried at cost. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on disposition of office properties and equipment are reflected in income. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 10 to 40 years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line (or accelerated) method with useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line (or accelerated) method with useful lives based on the lesser of (a) the estimated life of the lease, or (b) the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvement. Depreciation expense is included in non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill and other intangible assets—The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.” The Company records the excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, as goodwill. The Company amortizes acquired intangible assets, primarily Core Deposit Intangibles (CDI) with definite useful economic lives over their useful economic lives originally ranging from 72 to 111 months utilizing the straight-line method. On a periodic basis, management assesses whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the intangible assets may be impaired. Goodwill is not amortized but, instead, is subject to impairment tests on at least an annual basis, and more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. A reporting unit is defined as any distinct, separately identifiable component of the Company’sone operating segment for which complete, discrete financial information is available and reviewed regularly by the segment’s management. The Company hasone reporting unit as of December 31, 2023 which is related to its banking activities. The impairment testing process is conducted by assigning net assets and goodwill to the Company’s reporting unit. An initial qualitative evaluation is made to assess the likelihood of impairment and determine whether further quantitative testing to calculate the fair value is necessary. When the qualitative evaluation indicates that impairment is more likely than not, quantitative testing is required whereby the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit is calculated and compared to the recorded book value, “step one.” If the calculated fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired and “step two” is not considered necessary. If the carrying value of the company’s reporting unit exceeds its calculated fair value, the impairment test continues (“step two”) by comparing the carrying value of the Company’s reporting unit’s goodwill to the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. The Company has performed the required goodwill impairment test and has determined that goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2023. See Note 6 for additional information on goodwill and other intangible assets.

Foreclosed and Repossessed Assets – Assets acquired through foreclosure or repossession are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, which establishes a new cost basis. If the fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure or repossession, a write-down is recorded through expense. Costs incurred after acquisition are expensed and are included in non-interest expense, other in the consolidated statements of operations.

Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI)—The Bank invests in bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses. BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Bank on a select group of employees. The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. Income from the increase in cash surrender value of the policies as well as the receipt of death benefits is included in non-interest income on the consolidated statements of operations.

New Markets Tax Credits -As a part of its commitment to the communities it serves, in the first quarter of 2022, the Company made an investment in an LLC that is sponsoring a community development project that has been awarded a New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. This investment is Community Reinvestment Act eligible and is designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of the tax credit. This LLC is considered a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”), as the Company represents the holder of the equity investment at risk. However, the Company does not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the performance of the LLC. As such, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE and the LLC has not been consolidated. With the adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2023, discussed in Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adopted below, the investment is accounted for using the proportional amortization method, which requires amortizing the investment in the period of and in proportion to the recognition of the related tax credit. Amortization of the investment is included in provision for income taxes and the utilization of the tax credit is recorded as a reduction of the provision for income taxes. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-02, the investment was accounted for using the equity method of accounting and was amortized through non-interest expense. Amortization expense for the 12-month periods ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $452 and $650, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of this investment, which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, was $2,898. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-02, the carrying amount of the investment, as of December 31, 2022 was $3,350. The risk of loss with this investment is limited to its carrying value and is tied to its ability to operate in compliance with the rules and regulations necessary for the qualification of the tax credit generated by the investment. As of December 31, 2023, there were no known instances of noncompliance associated with the investment.

Leases - We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. All of our existing leases have been determined to be operating leases under ASC 842. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease liabilities are included in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Lease expense is included in non-interest expense, occupancy in the consolidated statements of operations.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As none of our existing leases provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate, based on information available at commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease, when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized based on the total contractually required lease payments, over the term of the lease, on a straight-line basis. Some of the Bank’s leases require it to make variable payments for the Bank’s share of property taxes, insurance, common area maintenance and other costs. These variable costs are recognized when incurred and are also included in lease expense.

Debt and equity issuance costs—Debt issuance costs, which consist primarily of fees paid to note lenders, are deferred and included in other borrowings in the consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs with a Company call option that originated prior to 2020 and senior note debt issuance costs, are amortized over the contractual term of the corresponding debt, as a component of interest expense on other borrowed funds in the consolidated statements of operations. Debt issuance costs that originated in 2020 and thereafter, are amortized through the first Company call option date of the corresponding debt, as a component of interest expense on other borrowed funds in the consolidated statements of operations. Specific costs associated with the issuance of shares of the Company’s common or preferred stock are netted against proceeds and recorded in stockholders’ equity, as additional paid in capital, on the consolidated balance sheets, in the period of the share issuance.

Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Expense—The Company expenses all advertising, marketing and public relations costs as they are incurred.

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under this guidance, deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that will apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company regularly reviews the carrying amount of its net deferred tax assets to determine if the establishment of a valuation allowance is necessary. If based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the Company’s net deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a deferred tax valuation allowance would be established. Consideration is given to various positive and negative factors that could affect the realization of the deferred tax assets. In evaluating this available evidence, management considers, among other things, historical performance, expectations of future earnings, the ability to carry back losses to recoup taxes previously paid, the length of statutory carry forward periods, any experience with utilization of operating loss and tax credit carry forwards not expiring, tax planning strategies and timing of reversals of temporary differences. Significant judgment is required in assessing future earnings trends and the timing of reversals of temporary differences. Accordingly, the Company’s evaluation is based on current tax laws as well as management’s expectations of future performance.

The Company’s effective tax rates were 31.0% and 24.7% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Wisconsin state budget, signed July 5, 2023, effective January 1, 2023, made originated loans in Wisconsin for business purposes up to $5,000 non-taxable. This change lowers the Company’s income tax rate for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023 before related valuation allowance. Income tax expense was lower due to the retroactive, effect of this change. This reduction of income tax expense was offset by a one-time tax expense of $1,828 in the period ended September 30, 2023, as the impact of the resulting lower incremental tax rate decreased the estimated future realization of an existing deferred tax asset resulting in a valuation allowance.

Revenue Recognition - The Company’s primary source of revenue is interest income from interest earning assets, which is recognized on the accrual basis of accounting using the effective interest method. The recognition of revenues from interest earning assets is based upon formulas from underlying loan agreements, securities contracts or other similar contracts.

The Company accounts for revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Topic 606 provides that revenue from contracts with customers be recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing service. The Company does not have any materially significant payment terms as payment is received shortly after the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The statement of operations line items recognized under the scope of Topic 606 are as follows:

Service charges on deposit accounts -Service charges on accounts consist of monthly service fees, transaction-based fees, overdraft fees and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for monthly services fees is generally satisfied over the period in which the service is provided. Revenue for these monthly fees is recognized during the service period. Other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied at the time the service is provided. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts are primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to a customer’s account.

Interchange income -The Company earns interchange fees when cardholder debit card transaction are processed through card association networks. The interchange rates are generally set by the card association based upon purchase volumes and other factors. Interchange fees represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value. The Company has a continuous contract, based on customary business practices, with the card association networks to make funds available for settlement of card transactions. The Company’s performance obligation is satisfied over time as it makes funds available, and the related income is recognized when received.

Gain (loss) on repossessed assets -The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of repossessed assets, when control of the property or asset transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed or sales agreement. When the company finances the sale of repossessed assets to a buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the repossessed asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain on sale or loss on the sale, the Company adjust the transaction price and related gain or loss on sale if a significant financing component is present.

Non-interest income outside of the scope of Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606 is recognized on the accrual basis of accounting as services are provided or as transactions occur. Non-interest income outside of the scope of Topic 606 includes mortgage banking activities, loan fees and service charges, net gains (losses) on investment securities, and other, which is primarily made up of BOLI related income.

Earnings Per Share – Basic earnings per common share is net income or loss divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable during the period, consisting of stock options outstanding under the Company’s stock incentive plans that have an exercise price that is less than the Company’s stock price on the reporting date.

Loss Contingencies—Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments—In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and commitments under lines of credit arrangements, issued to meet customer financial needs. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. See Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies” in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives--Rate-lock Commitments and Forward Sale Agreements —The Company enters into commitments to originate loans, whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate-lock commitment). Rate-lock commitments on mortgage loans held for sale are derivative instruments. If material, derivative instruments are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, and changes in the fair value thereof are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company originates single-family residential loans for sale, pursuant to programs primarily with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) and other similar third parties. In connection with these programs, at the time the Company initially issues a loan commitment, it does not lock in a specific interest rate. At the time the interest rate is locked in by the borrower, the Company concurrently enters into a forward loan sale agreement with the prospective loan purchaser, at a specific price, in order to manage the interest rate risk inherent to the rate-lock commitment. The forward sale agreement also meets the definition of a derivative instrument. Any change in the fair value of the loan commitment after the borrower locks in the interest rate is substantially offset by the corresponding change in the fair value of the forward loan sale agreement related to such loan. The period from the time the borrower locks in the interest rate, to the time the Company funds the loan and sells the loan to a third party varies, and could be up to 90 days. The fair value of each instrument will rise and fall in response to changes in market interest rates, subsequent to the dates the interest rate locks and forward sale agreements are entered into. In the event that interest rates rise after the Company enters into an interest rate lock, the fair value of the loan commitment will decline. However, the fair value of the forward loan sale agreement related to such loan commitment should increase by substantially the same amount, effectively eliminating the Company’s interest rate and price risks.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had $1,672 of loan commitments outstanding related to loans being originated for sale, all of which were subject to interest rate lock commitments and corresponding forward loan sale agreements, as described above. The net fair values of outstanding interest rate-lock commitments and forward sale agreements were considered immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023.

Other Comprehensive Income —Accumulated and other comprehensive income or loss is comprised of the unrealized and realized gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of tax, and is shown on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

Operating Segments—While our executive officers monitor the revenue streams of the various banking products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company’s banking operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

Reclassifications—Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issues Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). This section provides a summary description of recent ASUs that have significant implications (elected or required) within the consolidated financial statements, or that management expects may have a significant impact on financial statements issued in the near future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements—Adopted

ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting--These ASUs provide optional and temporary relief, in the form of optional expedients and exceptions, for applying GAAP to modifications of contacts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate (e.g. LIBOR) reforms. ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 was effective immediately upon issuance and will remain in effect through December 31, 2024. The Company utilizes LIBOR, among other indexes, as a reference rate for underwriting variable rate loans. Reference rate reform has not had, nor does the Company expect it to have, a material effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, operations or cash flows.

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments--The ASU changes accounting for credit losses on loans receivable and debt securities from an incurred loss methodology to an expected credit loss methodology. Among other things, ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Accordingly, ASU 2016-13 requires the use of forward-looking information to form credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, though the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. In November, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which delayed the effective date for ASU 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies, resulting in ASU 2016-13 becoming effective in the first quarter of 2023 for the Company. Earlier adoption was permitted; however, the Company elected not to adopt the ASU early.

The Company formed a cross-functional team to implement ASU 2016-13. Key objectives of the team included selecting a loss estimation methodology, establishing processes and controls, data validation, creation of supporting analytics, documentation of policies and procedures, and developing disclosures. As previously disclosed, the Company is utilizing a third-party model to assist in loss estimation including pooling loans with similar risk characteristics and modeling methodologies.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2023. Results for the periods beginning on and after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASU 2016-13 while prior period amounts are reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards. The company recorded a reduction to retained earnings of $4,432 upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, primarily due to the requirement to estimate credit losses over the life of the loan and the duration of the Company’s portfolio. The Company also recorded an increase to the ACL of $4,706. This increase was made up of two components, $4,576 for non-purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans and $130 for PCD loans. An ACL on unfunded commitments of $1,537 was also established. The Company elected not to record an allowance on HTM securities as the portfolio consists almost entirely of agency-backed securities that inherently have minimal nonpayment risk. The transition adjustment included corresponding increases in deferred tax assets.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the prospective transition approach for financial assets considered PCD. These assets were previously classified as purchase credit impaired ("PCI") and accounted for under ASC 310-30 prior to January 1, 2023. In accordance with the standard, the Company did not reassess whether the PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the adoption date. The amortized cost of the PCD assets were adjusted to reflect the addition of $130 to the allowance for credit losses. This adjustment is included in the discussion of the transition adjustment above. The remaining noncredit discount, based on the adjusted amortized cost, will be accreted into interest income at the effective interest rate over the remaining life of the assets.

The following table illustrates the impact of ASU 2016-13 adoption in thousands.

ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures -The ASU addresses and amends areas identified by the FASB as part of its post-implementation review of the accounting standard that introduced the current expected credit losses model. The amendments eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors that have adopted the current expected credit losses model and enhance the disclosure requirements for loan refinancings and restructurings made with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. In addition, the amendments require disclosure of current-period gross write-offs for financing receivables and net investment in leases by year of origination in the vintage disclosures. The company adopted ASU 2022-02 in conjunction with ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023 using the prospective approach.

ASU 2023-02, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method -This ASU expands the use of the proportional amortization method in accounting for tax credit investments to all tax credit investments that meet certain criteria. The Company has determined that its New Markets Tax Credit investment qualifies for use of the proportional amortization method under this ASU and has elected to early adopt the update as of January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective approach. The transition adjustment resulted in an increase to retained earnings of $130. Amortization of the investment will now be recognized in the period of and proportional to recognition of the related tax credit and included in provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations. Prior to adoption of this amendment, the amortization was included in other non-interest expense as a separate line item.

The Company chose to adopt ASU 2023-02 because it felt that the proportional amortization method more accurately reflects the economic substance of its tax credit investment. Proportional amortization better matches the cost of the investment with the benefits received, and including the amortization of the investment in provision for income taxes better reflects the benefit the Company receives from the transaction. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, adopting ASU 2023-02 increased net income $120.

Recently Issued, But Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements – Codification Amendments in Response to SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative –This ASU, issued in October 2023, provides for changes to clarify or improve consistency of disclosure and presentation requirements on a variety of topics. This ASU has various effective dates, coinciding with the SEC’s removal of each specific change from Regs X-S and S-K, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the applicability of these new disclosure requirements. As all requirements are disclosure-related only, adoption will have no material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures – This ASU, issued in December 2023, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. This ASU requires expanded income tax-related note disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these new disclosure requirements. As all requirements are disclosure-related only, adoption will have no material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 2 –INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, estimated fair value and related unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and held to maturity as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, were as follows:

At December 31, 2023, the Bank has pledged certain of its mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $29,191 as collateral to secure a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank. As of December 31, 2023, there wereno borrowings outstanding on this Federal Reserve Bank line of credit. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank has pledged certain of its U.S. Government Agency securities with a carrying value of $516 and mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $1,928 as collateral against specific municipal deposits. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank also has mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $179 and U.S. Government Agencies with a carrying value of $415 pledged as collateral to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

At December 31, 2022, the Bank has pledged certain of its mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $5,421 as collateral to secure a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank. As of December 31, 2022, there wereno borrowings outstanding on this Federal Reserve Bank line of credit. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank has pledged certain of its U.S. Government Agency securities with a carrying value of $2,602 and mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $2,219 as collateral against specific municipal deposits. As of December 31, 2022, the Bank also has mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $142 pledged as collateral to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

For the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, gross sales of available for sale securities were $5,105 and $0 respectively. Gross gains on sale of available for sale securities for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were $12 and $0 respectively. Gross losses on sale of available for sale securities for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were both $0.

The estimated fair value of available for sale securities at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, by contractual maturity, is shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities on mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities on certain agency and securities due to the call feature.

Securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

At December 31, 2023 no ACL was established for available for sale or held to maturity securities. Substantially all the held to maturity portfolio is made up of agency backed mortgage securities. These securities are guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. Accordingly, the Company does not expect to incur credit losses on these securities. Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities have not been recognized into income because the issuers’ bonds are agency backed securities or other securities that all principal and interest is expected to be received on a timely basis. Furthermore, the Company does not intend to sell, and it is likely that management will not be required to sell, the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on their bonds.

NOTE 3 –LOANS, ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND IMPAIRED LOANS

Portfolio Segments:

Commercial and agricultural real estate loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower's ability to operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Management examines current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay its obligations as agreed. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The level of owner-occupied property versus non-owner-occupied property are tracked and monitored on a regular basis. Agricultural real estate loans are primarily comprised of loans for the purchase of farmland. Loan-to-value ratios on loans secured by farmland generally do not exceed 75%.

Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans are primarily underwritten based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. These cash flows, however, may not be as expected and the value of collateral securing the loans may fluctuate. Most commercial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory and may incorporate a personal guarantee. Agricultural operating loans are generally comprised of term loans to fund the purchase of equipment, livestock and seasonal operating lines. Operating lines are typically written for one year and secured by the crop and other farm assets or other business assets, as considered necessary. Agricultural loans carry significant credit risks as they may involve larger balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, repayment of such loans depends on the successful operation or management of the farm property securing the loan or for which an operating loan is utilized. Farming operations may be affected by adverse weather conditions such as drought, hail or floods that can severely limit crop yields.

Residential mortgage loans are collateralized by primary and secondary positions on real estate and are underwritten primarily based on borrower’s documented income, credit scores, and collateral values. Under consumer home equity loan guidelines, the borrower will be approved for a loan based on a percentage of their home’s appraised value less the balance owed on the existing first mortgage. Credit risk is minimized within the residential mortgage portfolio due to relatively small loan account balances spread across many individual borrowers. Management evaluates trends in past due loans and current economic factors such as the housing price index on a regular basis.

Consumer installment loans are comprised of originated indirect paper loans secured primarily by boats and recreational vehicles and other consumer loans secured primarily by automobiles and other personal assets. Consumer loan underwriting terms often depend on the collateral type, debt to income ratio and the borrower’s creditworthiness as evidenced by their credit score. In the event of a consumer installment loan default, collateral value alone may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance. This shortage is a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss and depreciation for consumer based collateral.

Loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding net of unearned net deferred fees and costs and loans in process, unearned discounts on acquired loans, and allowance for credit losses (“ACL”). Unearned net deferred fees and costs includes deferred loan origination fees reduced by loan origination costs and is amortized to interest income over the life of the related loan using methods that approximated the effective interest rate method. Interest on substantially all loans is credited to income based on the principal amount outstanding. A summary of loans at December 31, 2023 follows:

Loans are stated at the unpaid principal balance outstanding at December 31, 2022.

Credit Quality/Risk Ratings:

Management utilizes a numeric risk rating system to identify and quantify the Bank’s risk of loss within its loan portfolio. Ratings are initially assigned prior to funding the loan, and may be changed at any time as circumstances warrant.

Ratings range from the highest to lowest quality based on factors that include measurements of ability to pay, collateral type and value, borrower stability and management experience. The Bank’s loan portfolio ratings are presented below in accordance with the risk rating framework that has been commonly adopted by the federal banking agencies. The definitions of the various risk rating categories are as follows:

1 through 4 - Pass. A “Pass” loan means that the condition of the borrower and the performance of the loan is satisfactory or better.

5 - Watch. A “Watch” loan has clearly identifiable developing weaknesses that deserve additional attention from management. Weaknesses that are not corrected or mitigated, may jeopardize the ability of the borrower to repay the loan in the future.

6 - Special Mention. A “Special Mention” loan has one or more potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in the institution’s credit position in the future.

7 - Substandard. A “Substandard” loan is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged, if any. Assets classified as substandard must have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

8 - Doubtful. A “Doubtful” loan has all the weaknesses inherent in a Substandard loan with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

9 - Loss. Loans classified as “Loss” are considered uncollectible, and their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, and a partial recovery may occur in the future.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no loans classified as doubtful with a risk rating of 8 and no loans classified as loss with a risk rating of 9.

Below is a summary of the amortized cost of loans summarized by class, credit quality risk rating and year of origination as of December 31, 2023 and gross charge-offs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023:

Below is a summary of the unpaid principal balance of loans summarized by class and credit quality risk rating as of December 31, 2022:

Certain directors and executive officers of the Company are defined as related parties. These related parties, including their immediate families and companies in which they are principal owners, were loan customers of the Bank during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. A summary of the changes in those loans is as follows:

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans- On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial instruments and transitioned to the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model to estimate losses based on the lifetime of the loan. Under the new methodology, the ACL is comprised of collectively evaluated and individually evaluated components. The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) represents the Company’s best estimate of the reserve necessary to adequately account for probable losses expected over the remaining life of the assets. The provision for credit losses is the charge against current earnings that is determined by the Company as the amount needed to maintain an adequate allowance for credit losses. In determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, and therefore the provision to be charged to current earnings, the Company relies predominantly on a disciplined credit review and approval process that extends to the full range of the Company’s credit exposure. The review process is directed by the overall lending policy and is intended to identify, at the earliest possible stage, the borrowers who might be facing financial difficulty. Factors considered by the Company in evaluating the overall adequacy of the allowance include historical net loan losses, the level and composition of nonaccrual, past due and modifications, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards or lending practices, lending staff changes, concentrations of credit, industry conditions and the current economic conditions in the region where the Company operates. The Company estimates the appropriate level of allowance for credit losses by evaluating loans collectively on a pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist, and on an individual basis when management determines that a loan does not share similar risk characteristics with other loans.

The following tables present the balance and activity in the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) - loans by portfolio segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023:

Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Commitments -In addition to the ACL - Loans, the Company has established an ACL - Unfunded Commitments of $1,250 at December 31, 2023 and $0 at December 31, 2022, classified in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the balance and activity in the ACL - Unfunded Commitments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Provision for credit losses - The provision for credit losses is determined by the Company as the amount to be added to the ACL loss accounts for various types of financial instruments (including loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures) after net charge-offs have been deducted to bring the ACL to a level that, in managements judgement, is necessary to absorb expected credit losses over the lives of the respective financial instruments. The following table presents the components of the provision for credit losses.

Allowance for Loan Losses- Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Allowance for Loan Losses (“ALL”) represented management’s estimate of probable and inherent credit losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. Estimating the amount of the ALL required the exercise of significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of other qualitative factors such as current economic trends and conditions, all of which may have been susceptible to significant change.

There were many factors affecting the ALL; some were quantitative, while others required qualitative judgment. The process for determining the ALL (which management believed adequately considered potential factors which resulted in probable credit losses), included subjective elements and, therefore, may have been susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differed from management estimates, additional provision for loan losses could have been required that could have adversely affected the Company’s earnings or financial position in future periods. Allocations of the ALL may have been made for specific loans but the entire ALL was available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should have been charged-off or for which an actual loss was realized.

As an integral part of their examination process, various regulatory agencies also reviewed the Bank’s ALL. Such agencies may have required that changes in the ALL be recognized when such regulators’ credit evaluations differed from those of our management based on information available to the regulators at the time of their examinations.

Changes in the ALL by loan type for the periods presented below were as follows:

Loans receivable by loan type as of December 31, 2022, were as follows:

(1) Nonperforming loans are either 90+ days past due or nonaccrual.

An aging analysis of the Company’s commercial/agricultural real estate, C&I, agricultural operating, residential mortgage, consumer installment and purchased third party loans as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, was as follows:

Nonaccrual Loans -The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans on nonaccrual status and of nonaccrual loans individually evaluated at December 31, 2023 with no allowance for credit losses and interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of such nonaccrual loans:

The Company’s policy is to discontinue the accrual of interest income on all loans for which principal or interest is past due according to the following schedules:

•Commercial/agricultural real estate loans, past due 90 days or more;

•Closed ended consumer installment loans past due 120 days or more; and

•Residential mortgage and open ended consumer installment loans past due 180 days or more.

The accrual of interest is discontinued earlier when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal. Once interest accruals are discontinued, accrued but uncollected interest is charged against current year income. Subsequent receipts on non-accrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal, and interest income is recorded only after principal recovery is reasonably assured. Interest on loans determined to be modified is recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the restructured terms if the loan is in compliance with the modified terms. Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal. The Company requires a period of satisfactory performance of not less than six months before returning a nonaccrual loan to accrual status.

The amount of interest income recognized by the Company for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, due to nonaccrual loan payoffs was $505.

Collateral Dependent Loans - A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when, based upon management’s assessment, the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. For collateral dependent loans, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the balance sheet date, with consideration for estimated selling costs if satisfaction of the loan depends on the sale of the collateral. The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral dependent loans by portfolio segment and collateral type that were individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses and the related allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023.

There wereno outstanding commitments to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as of December 31, 2023. There were unused lines of credit totaling $618 on loans with borrowers experiencing financial difficulties as of December 31, 2023.

At December 31, 2022, the Company individually evaluated loans for impairment with a recorded investment of $26,823, consisting of (1) $7,000 PCI loans, with a carrying amount of $6,904; (2) $7,018 TDR loans, net of TDR PCI loans; and (3) $12,901 of substandard non-TDR, non-PCI loans. The $26,823 recorded investment of loans individually evaluated for impairment includes $5,171 of performing TDR loans. A loan is identified as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Performing TDRs consist of loans that have been modified and are performing in accordance with the modified terms for a sufficient length of time, generally six months, or loans that were modified on a proactive basis.

A summary of the Company’s loans individually evaluated for impairment as of December 31, 2022 was as follows:

The tables below detail Loan Modifications Made to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023:

The following tables describe the financial effect of the modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023:

The Company closely monitors the performance of loans that have been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table shows the performance of such loans that have been modified during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

Troubled Debt Restructuring – A TDR includes a loan modification where a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, and the Bank grants a concession to that borrower that the Bank would not otherwise consider, except for the borrower’s financial difficulties. Concessions may include: extension of the loan’s term, renewals of existing balloon loans, reductions in interest rates and consolidating existing Bank loans at modified terms. A TDR may be either on accrual or nonaccrual status based upon the performance of the borrower and management’s assessment of collectability. If a TDR is placed on nonaccrual status, it remains there until a sufficient period of performance under the restructured terms has occurred at which time it is returned to accrual status. There wasone accruing, delinquent TDR, greater than 60 days past due, with a recorded investment of $15 at December 31, 2022.

Following is a summary of TDR loans by accrual status as of December 31, 2022.

There wasone TDR commitment totaling $26 meeting our TDR criteria as of December 31, 2022. There were unused lines of credit totaling $484 meeting our TDR criteria as of December 31, 2022.

The following provides detail, including specific reserve and reasons for modification, related to loans identified as TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2022:

A summary of loans by loan class modified in a troubled debt restructuring as of December 31, 2022 are below:

The following table provides the number of loans modified in a TDR during the previous twelve months which subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as the recorded investment in these restructured loans as of December 31, 2022:

All acquired loans were initially recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The outstanding balance and the carrying amount of acquired loans included in the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

The following table below shows scheduled accretion by year for the accretable differences recognized due to fair value purchase accounting on recent whole bank acquisitions. In addition, the table below includes $1,165 of accretable discount from purchased impaired loans with the original non-accretable discount transferred to accretable discount. The accretion on this balance is scheduled to be approximately $80 in 2023; however large balance payoffs, as seen in 2022, 2021 and 2020, would accelerate this accretion and lower future years accretion.

The following table provides changes in non-accretable yield for all acquired loans from prior acquisitions with deteriorated credit quality:

NOTE 4 –MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

Mortgage servicing rights--Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid balances of the one- to four-family residential mortgage loans as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $495,531 and $523,736, respectively. These residential mortgage loans are serviced primarily for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal National Mortgage Association.

Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with the foregoing loan servicing, and included in deposits were $2,665 and $2,649, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Mortgage servicing rights activity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was as follows:

The current period change in valuation allowance is included in expense as mortgage servicing rights expense, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Servicing fees totaled $1,292 and $1,385 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are not material.

To estimate the fair value of the MSR asset, a valuation model is applied at the loan level to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows. The valuation model incorporates various assumptions that would impact market participants’ estimations of future servicing income. Central to the valuation model is the discount rate. Fair value at December 31, 2023 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.375% to 12.375%. Fair value at December 31, 2022 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.5% to 12.5%. Other assumptions utilized in the valuation model include, but are not limited to, prepayment speed, servicing costs, delinquencies, costs of advances, foreclosure costs, ancillary income, and income earned on float and escrow.

The estimated amortization expense is based on existing mortgage servicing asset balances. The timing of amortization expense actually recognized in future periods may differ significantly based on actual prepayment speeds, mortgage interest rates and other factors. At December 31, 2023, the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the mortgage servicing rights is as follows:

At December 31, 2023, the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the mortgage servicing rights is as follows.

NOTE 5 -OFFICE PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT

Office properties and equipment for each of the periods shown below consisted of the following:

Depreciation expense was$2,371 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $2,357 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

NOTE 6 -GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill—The beginning and ending balance of goodwill was $31,498 during the periods ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. There wereno changes to goodwill during either period.

Intangible assets--Intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles arising from various bank acquisitions. A summary of intangible assets and related amortization for the periods shown below follows:

At December 31, 2023, the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the intangible assets are as follows:

NOTE 7—LEASES

We have operating leases for 1 corporate office,4 bank branch offices,1 former bank branch office, and 1 ATM location. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 0.67 years to 4.50 years. Some of the leases include an option to extend, the longest of which is for two 5 year terms. As of December 31, 2023, we have no additional lease commitments that have not yet commenced. Lease costs are included in non-interest expense/occupancy in the consolidated statement of operations.

Cash obligations and receipts under lease contracts as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

In November of 2022 we closed our leased Red Wing, Minnesota branch. We considered the branch closure a triggering event that required us to test the right of use asset for impairment. The carrying amount of the right of use asset was compared to its fair value, which was determined based on an estimate of future sublease income. It was determined that the right of use asset was impaired and a $180 impairment loss was recorded. This impairment loss is included in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

NOTE 8—DEPOSITS

The following is a summary of deposits by type at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

At December 31, 2023, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows:

Time deposits of $250 or more were $103,802 and $66,827 at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Brokered deposits were $98,259 and $39,841 at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Deposits from the Company’s directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and their affiliates held by the Bank at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 amounted to $33,929, and $33,673, respectively.

NOTE 9 –FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES AND OTHER BORROWINGS

A summary of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and other borrowings at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is as follows:

(1) The FHLB advances bear fixed rates, require interest-only monthly payments, and are collateralized by a blanket lien on pre-qualifying first mortgages, home equity lines, multi-family loans and certain other loans which had pledged balances of $1,106,267 and $984,878 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At December 31, 2023, the Bank’s available and unused portion under the FHLB borrowing arrangement was approximately $370,569 compared to $256,773 as of December 31, 2022.

(2) Maximum month-end borrowed amounts outstanding under this borrowing agreement were $217,530 and $157,530, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

(3) The weighted-average interest rates on FHLB borrowings, with maturities less than twelve months, outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were 4.16% and 4.09%, respectively.

(4) At December 31, 2023, one FHLB term note totaling $10,000 could be called once by the FHLB on June 15, 2024, and if not called, would mature in 2028. At December 31, 2022, no FHLB term notes could be called by the FHLB.

(5) Senior notes, entered into by the Company in June 2019 consist of the following:

(a) A term note, which was subsequently refinanced in March 2022 and modified in February of 2023, requiring quarterly interest-only payments through March 2027, and quarterly principal and interest payments thereafter. Interest is variable, based on US Prime rate minus 75 basis points with a floor rate of 3.00%.

(b) A $5,000 line of credit, maturing in August 2024, that remains undrawn upon.

(6) Subordinated notes resulted from the following:

(a) The Company’s private sale in August 2017, which bore a fixed interest rate of 6.75% forfive years. In August 2022, they would have converted to a three-month LIBOR plus 4.90% rate, and the interest rate would have reset quarterly thereafter if not called. The Company sent the required redemption notice to the note holders in June 2022, and this subordinated note was called and repaid in full on August 10, 2022. The note was callable by the Bank when, and anytime after, the floating rate was initially set. Interest-only payments were due quarterly.

(b) The Company’s Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement entered into with certain purchasers in August 2020, which bears a fixed interest rate of 6.00% forfive years. In September 2025, the fixed interest rate will be reset quarterly to equal the three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 591 basis points. The note is callable by the Bank when, and anytime after, the floating rate is initially set. Interest-only payments are due semi-annually each year during the fixed interest period and quarterly during the floating interest period.

(c) The Company’s Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement entered into with certain purchasers in March 2022, which bears a fixed interest rate of 4.75% forfive years. In April 2027, the fixed interest rate will be reset quarterly to equal the three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 329 basis points. The note is callable by the Bank when, and anytime after, the floating rate is initially set. Interest-only payments are due semi-annually each year during the fixed interest period and quarterly during the floating interest period.

Federal Home Loan Bank Letters of Credit

The Bank has an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit Master Reimbursement Agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank. This irrevocable standby letter of credit (“LOC”) is supported by loan collateral as an alternative to directly pledging investment securities on behalf of a municipal customer as collateral for their interest bearing deposit balances. These balances were $452,280 and $191,650 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Federal Funds Purchased Lines of Credit

The Bank maintainstwo unsecured federal funds purchased lines of credit with its banking partners which total $70,000. These lines bear interest at the lender bank’s announced daily federal funds rate, mature daily and are revocable at the discretion of the lending institution. There wereno borrowings outstanding on these lines of credit as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Federal Reserve Borrowings

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank had the ability to borrow $22,417 and $4,118 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The ability to borrow is based on mortgage-backed securities pledged with a carrying value of $29,191 and $5,421 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There wereno Federal Reserve borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

NOTE 10—CAPITAL MATTERS

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. Although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition, if adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the most recent notifications from our regulatory agency categorized the Bank as “Well Capitalized” under the regulatory framework for Prompt Corrective Action. There are no conditions or events since these notifications that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

The Bank’s Tier 1 (leverage) and risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are presented below:

The Company’s Tier 1 (leverage) and risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are presented below:

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking subsidiary. As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to pay dividends under applicable banking laws and regulations. Federal bank regulators are authorized to determine, under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company or a bank, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice, and to prohibit payment thereof. In particular, federal bank regulators have stated that paying dividends that deplete a banking organization’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. In addition, in the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is also subject to the terms of its Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements dated August 27, 2020 and March 11, 2022, and Business Note Agreement dated June 26, 2019, which prohibits the Company from making dividend payments while an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the loan agreement or from allowing payment of a dividend which would create an event of default.

The following table reflects the annual cash dividend paid in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

NOTE 11—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk—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 off-balance-sheet credit instruments consisting of commitments to make loans. The face amounts for these items represent the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contract or notional amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

The following table presents a summary of commitments described below as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

Commitments to extend credit—Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

Letters of credit—Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The credit and collateral policy for commitments and letters of credit is comparable to that for granting loans. The Company has recordedno liability associated with standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Capital Contributions—The Company has commitments to invest in a SBIC and investment company that call for capital contributions up to an amount specified in the partnership agreements.

Loss Contingencies—Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated.

NOTE 12—RETIREMENT PLAN

401(k) Plan—The Company sponsors a 401(k) profit sharing plan that covers all employees who qualify based on minimum age and length of service requirements. Employees may make pretax voluntary contributions to the plan, which are matched, in part, by the Company. Employer matching contributions to the plan were $651 and $621 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

NOTE 13 -STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On March 27, 2018, the stockholders of Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. approved the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. The aggregate number of shares of common stock initially reserved and available for issuance under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan was 350,000 shares. As of December 31, 2023,290,187 restricted shares had been granted under this plan. This amount includes 11,834 shares of performance based restricted stock granted in 2019 and issued in January 2022 upon achievement of the performance criteria and completion of thethree year performance period beginning in January 2019 and ending December 31, 2021. This amount also includes 18,551 shares of performance based restricted stock granted in 2020 and issued in January 2023 upon achievement of the performance criteria and completion of thethree year performance period beginning in January 2020 and ending December 31, 2022. In addition, it includes 1,119 shares of performance based restricted stock granted in 2020 and 638 shares of performance based restricted stock granted in 2021 issued in August of 2022. Both of these issuances were approved by the Compensation Committee in accordance with plan documents and were to a former employee. As of December 31, 2023, no stock options had been granted under this plan.

In February 2008, the Company’s stockholders approved the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan for a term of 10 years. Due to the plan’s expiration, no new awards can be granted under this plan. As of December 31, 2023, there areno awarded unvested restricted shares and 54,000 awarded unexercised options remaining from the plan. Options granted to date under this plan vest pro rata over afive-year period from the grant date. Unexercised incentive stock options expire within 10 years of the grant date.

Net compensation expense related to restricted stock awards from these plans was $722 and $860 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Restricted Common Stock Awards

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation related to the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan using the fair-value-based method. Accordingly, management records compensation expense based on the value of the award as measured on the grant date and then the Company recognizes that cost over the vesting period for the award. The compensation cost recognized for stock option-based employee compensation related to the 2008 plan for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $0 as all options have vested. The compensation cost recognized for stock option-based employee compensation related to the 2008 plan for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $3.

Common Stock Option Awards

Information related to the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan during each period follows:

NOTE 14 –INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense (benefit) for each of the periods shown below consisted of the following:

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying statutory federal income tax rates to pretax income as result of the following differences:

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The following is a summary of the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

The Company regularly reviews the carrying amount of its deferred tax assets to determine if the establishment of a valuation allowance is necessary, as further discussed in Note 1 “Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, above. As of December 31, 2023, management determined a valuation allowance of $1,822 was necessary due to changes in the realization of deferred tax assets due to a Wisconsin change in the non-taxation of loans under $5 million reducing the effective tax rate. At December 31, 2022, management determined thatno valuation allowance was necessary.

The Company’s income tax returns are subject to review and examination by federal, state and local government authorities. As of December 31, 2023, years open to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service include taxable years ended December 31, 2020 to present. The years open to examination by state and local government authorities varies by jurisdiction.

The tax effects from uncertain tax positions can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements, provided the position is more likely than not to be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized, upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company applied the foregoing accounting standard to all of its tax positions for which the statute of limitations remained open as of the date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax issues as components of other non-interest expense. The Company recognized no material expense on income tax related interest or penalties during any of the periods presented.

NOTE 15 –FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING

ASC Topic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The topic describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1- Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2- Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3- Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input within the valuation hierarchy that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by obtaining market price quotes from independent third parties wherever such quotes are available (Level 1 inputs); or 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 (Level 2 inputs). Where such quotes are not available, we utilize independent third party valuation analysis to support our own estimates and judgments in determining fair value (Level 3 inputs).

Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis

The following tables present the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(1) Investments valued at NAV are excluded from being reported under the fair value hierarchy but are presented to permit reconciliation with the balance sheet in accordance with ASC 820-10-35-54B.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company did not own any securities for which the Company utilized significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) to determine fair value.

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements during the years ended December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. There were no losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to the available-for-sale securities above with fair value measurements utilizing significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022, respectively.

Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following tables present the financial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

The fair value of collateral dependent loans and impaired loans referenced above was determined by obtaining independent third party appraisals and/or internally developed collateral valuations to support the Company’s estimates and judgments in determining the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting collateral dependent loans and impaired loans.

The fair value of foreclosed and repossessed assets referenced above was determined by obtaining market price valuations from independent third parties wherever such quotes were available for other collateral owned. The Company utilized independent third party appraisals to support the Company’s estimates and judgments in determining fair value for other real estate owned.

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights referenced above was determined based on a third party discounted cash flow analysis utilizing both observable and unobservable inputs.

The following table represents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and for which we have utilized Level 3 inputs to determine their fair value at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(1) Fair value is generally determined through independent third-party appraisals of the underlying

collateral, which generally includes various level 3 inputs which are not observable.

(2) The fair value basis of impaired loans and real estate owned may be adjusted to reflect management

estimates of disposal costs including, but not limited to, real estate brokerage commissions, legal fees,

and delinquent property taxes.

The table below represents what we would receive to sell an asset or what we would have to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of the dates indicated below were as follows:

(1) Investments valued at NAV are excluded from being reported under the fair value hierarchy but are presented to permit reconciliation with the balance sheet in accordance with ASC 820-10-35-54B.

NOTE 16—EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the year. A reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

NOTE 17 –OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table shows the tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss):

The changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

(1)Amounts in parentheses indicate decreases to profit/loss.

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

(1)Amounts in parentheses indicate decreases to profit/loss.

NOTE 18—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION – PARENT COMPANY ONLY

The following condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and condensed statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, for Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

Condensed Balance Sheets

Statements of Operations

Statements of Cash Flows