AMES NATIONAL CORP

Previous wording

Our financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of customers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services we offer, is highly dependent upon the business environment not only in the markets where we operate but also in the state of Iowa generally and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors: economic growth; efficient capital markets; low inflation; low unemployment; high business and investor confidence; and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity, or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

Current wording

Our financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of our customers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services we offer, is highly dependent upon the business environment not only in the markets where we operate but also in the state of Iowa generally and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors: economic growth; efficient capital markets; low inflation; low unemployment; high business and investor confidence; and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity, or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

Previous wording

In particular, the national economy is facing challenges due to inflationary pressures that began building during late 2021 and throughout the course of 2022 and 2023, resulting in significant upward pressure on consumer and wholesale prices. In response, the FOMC has initiated a series of increases in the short-term federal funds interest rate in an effort to dampen economic activity and bring the rate of inflation back to the FOMC’s target range of two to three percent. These rate increases have the potential to overly reduce economic activity and tip the domestic economy into a recessionary period of slower or negative growth. As noted above, a period of depressed economic activity could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation by, among other things, increasing the likelihood of borrower defaults on loan obligations, reducing collateral values and weakening demand for the Banks’ loan and deposit services.

Current wording

In particular, the national economy is facing challenges due to inflationary pressures that began building during late 2021 and has persisted through 2024, resulting in significant upward pressure on consumer and wholesale prices. In response, the FOMC has initiated a series of increases in the short-term federal funds interest rate in an effort to dampen economic activity and bring the rate of inflation back to the FOMC’s target range of two to three percent. These rate increases have the potential to overly reduce economic activity and tip the domestic economy into a recessionary period of slower or negative growth. As noted above, a period of depressed economic activity could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation by, among other things, increasing the likelihood of borrower defaults on loan obligations, reducing collateral values and weakening demand for the Banks’ loan and deposit services.

Previous wording

Consumer inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI”) has increased 3.4% and 6.5% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This increase in inflation creates upward pressure on the cost of hiring, training, and retaining employees, other general operating expense and interest rates. The challenge for the Company will be keeping wages competitive and maintaining general operating expenses at their current levels, while balancing a potential decrease in net interest income due to the Company’s greater sensitivity to the repricing of its interest-bearing liabilities than its interest-earning assets in the short-term. The Company’s credit loss expenses may be impacted by the borrower’s ability to service their debt if inflation is prolonged.

Current wording

Consumer inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI”) has increased 2.9% and 3.4% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Elevated levels of inflation create upward pressure on the cost of hiring, training, and retaining employees, other general operating expense and interest rates. Our challenge will be keeping wages competitive and maintaining general operating expenses at their current levels, while balancing a potential decrease in our net interest income due to the greater sensitivity to the repricing of our interest-bearing liabilities than our interest-earning assets in the short-term. Our credit loss expenses may be negatively impacted by our borrowers' ability to service their debt if inflation is prolonged.

Previous wording

The operation of our business requires us to manage credit risk. As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that our borrowers will be unable to repay their loans according to their terms, and that the collateral securing repayment of their loans, if any, may not be sufficient to ensure repayment. In addition, there are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks with respect to the period of time over which the loan may be repaid, risks relating to proper loan underwriting, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions and risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers. In order to successfully manage credit risk, we must, among other things, maintain disciplined and prudent underwriting standards, implement and observe appropriate procedures for monitoring our outstanding loans and ensure that our bankers follow those standards and procedures. The weakening of these standards or procedures for any reason, such as an attempt to attract higher yielding loans, a lack of discipline or diligence by our employees in underwriting and monitoring loans, our inability to adequately adapt policies and procedures to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting borrowers may negatively impact the quality of our loan portfolio, result in loan defaults, foreclosures and additional charge-offs and necessitate that we significantly increase our allowance for credit losses, therefore reducing our earnings. As a result, our inability to successfully manage credit risk could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Current wording

The operation of our business requires us to manage credit risk. As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that our borrowers will be unable to repay their loans according to their terms, and that the collateral securing repayment of their loans, if any, may not be sufficient to ensure repayment. In addition, there are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks with respect to the period of time over which the loan may be repaid, risks relating to proper loan underwriting, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions and risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers. In order to successfully manage credit risk, we must, among other things, maintain disciplined and prudent underwriting standards, implement and observe appropriate procedures for monitoring our outstanding loans and ensure that our bankers follow those standards and procedures. The weakening of these standards or procedures for any reason, such as an attempt to attract higher yielding loans, a lack of discipline or diligence by our employees in underwriting and monitoring loans, our inability to adequately adapt policies and procedures to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting borrowers may negatively impact the quality of our loan portfolio, result in loan defaults, foreclosures and additional charge-offs and necessitate that we significantly increase our allowance for credit losses, thereby reducing our earnings. As a result, our inability to successfully manage credit risk could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Previous wording

Commercial real estate loans were a significant portion of our total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2023. The market value of real estate securing these loans can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. Adverse developments affecting real estate values in one or more of our markets could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Additionally, real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts, and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower or lender could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties.

Current wording

Commercial real estate loans were a significant portion of our total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024. The market value of real estate securing these loans can fluctuate significantly and potentially adversely in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. Adverse developments affecting real estate values in one or more of our markets could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Additionally, real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts, and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower or lender could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties.

Previous wording

Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Continuing deterioration in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses to be funded through credit loss expense. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance and may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses or the recognition of additional loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from those of management. Also, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for credit losses or increase significantly; we will need additional credit loss expenses to increase the allowance. Any increase in credit loss expense will result in a decrease in net income and capital and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Determining the appropriate amount of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Continuing deterioration in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses to be funded through credit loss expense. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance and may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses or the recognition of additional loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from those of management. Also, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for credit losses or increase significantly; we will incur additional credit loss expenses to increase the allowance. Any increase in credit loss expense will result in a decrease in net income and capital and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

A significant portion of our loan portfolio consists of loans to borrowers who are directly or indirectly affected by the health of the Iowa agricultural economy. An extended period of low commodity and/or livestock prices, together with other risks to which our agricultural borrowers are subject, including poor weather conditions, higher input costs, changes in governmental support programs and uncertainty regarding governmental mandates affecting ethanol production, could result in reduced cash flows and profit margins, negatively affecting these borrowers and making it more difficult for them to repay their loan obligations to us. Moreover, uncertainty as to the status of tariffs on products that our agricultural borrowers export to foreign markets could result in further volatility and deterioration of the price of agricultural products, providing further challenges and risk to our portfolio of agricultural loans. A general decline in the agricultural economy could also negatively affect us by reducing the value of agricultural real estate which secures some of our agricultural loans, creating the potential for greater losses if these borrowers are unable to repay their loans and we are forced to rely on this collateral. Moreover, a general decline in the agricultural economy could also negatively impact some of our commercial borrowers whose businesses are directly or indirectly dependent on the health of the agricultural economy. All of these risks, which are beyond our control, could produce losses in our loan portfolio and adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

Current wording

A significant portion of our loan portfolio consists of loans to borrowers who are directly or indirectly affected by the health of the Iowa agricultural economy, which has recently been under stress due to low commodity and livestock prices and higher input costs caused by inflation. These conditions, together with other risks to which our agricultural borrowers are subject, including poor weather conditions, changes in governmental support programs, tariffs and uncertainty regarding governmental mandates affecting ethanol production, could result in reduced cash flows and profit margins, negatively affecting these borrowers and making it more difficult for them to repay their loan obligations to us. Moreover, uncertainty as to the status of tariffs on products that our agricultural borrowers export to foreign markets could result in further volatility and deterioration of the price of agricultural products, providing further challenges and risk to our portfolio of agricultural loans. A general decline in the agricultural economy could also negatively affect us by reducing the value of agricultural real estate which secures some of our agricultural loans, creating the potential for greater losses if these borrowers are unable to repay their loans and we are forced to rely on this collateral. Moreover, a general decline in the agricultural economy could also negatively impact some of our commercial borrowers whose businesses are directly or indirectly dependent on the health of the agricultural economy. All of these risks, which are beyond our control, could produce losses in our loan portfolio and adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of our securities portfolio was approximately $736.4 million. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of those securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, an unfavorable change in the liquidity of an investment, rating agency downgrades of the securities, reinvestment risk, liquidity risk, defaults by the issuer or individual mortgagors with respect to the underlying securities, and instability in the credit markets. Any of the foregoing factors could result in realized losses that negatively impact earnings. The success of any investment activity is affected by general economic conditions. Unexpected volatility or illiquidity in the markets in which we hold securities could further reduce our liquidity and stockholders' equity. The fair value of the securities portfolio has an unrealized loss of $62.3 million as of December 31, 2023, resulting primarily from the negative impact of increased interest rates on the fair value of the portfolio. To mitigate the risk of selling securities in an unrealized loss position to fund cash flow needs, we have access to lines of credit that provide additional liquidity, if needed.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of our securities portfolio, consisting primarily of fixed income debt securities, was approximately $648.5 million. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of those securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, an unfavorable change in the liquidity of an investment, rating agency downgrades of the securities, reinvestment risk, liquidity risk, defaults by the issuer or individual mortgagors with respect to the underlying securities, and instability in the credit markets. Any of the foregoing factors could result in realized losses that negatively impact earnings. The success of any investment activity is affected by general economic conditions. Unexpected volatility or illiquidity in the markets in which we hold securities could further reduce our liquidity and stockholders' equity. The fair value of the securities portfolio has a net unrealized loss of $52.0 million as of December 31, 2024, resulting primarily from the negative impact of increased interest rates on the fair value of the portfolio. To mitigate the risk of selling securities in an unrealized loss position to fund cash flow needs, we have access to lines of credit that provide additional liquidity, if needed.

Previous wording

Our earnings depend substantially on our interest rate spread, which is the difference between (i) the interest rates we earn on loans, securities, and other interest-earning assets, and (ii) the interest rates we pay on deposits, other borrowings, and other interest-bearing liabilities. We are exposed to interest rate risk because our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities do not react uniformly or concurrently to changes in interest rates since the two have different time periods for adjustment and can be tied to different measures of rates. Market interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities, including the Federal Reserve. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the FOMC has raised the federal funds rate to its current targeted rate between 5.25% and 5.5% in an effort to curb inflation. As market interest rates rise, we experience competitive pressures to increase the rates we pay on deposits, which may decrease our net interest income. In addition, inflationary pressures will increase our operating costs and could have a significant negative effect on our borrowers and the values of collateral securing loans, which could negatively affect our financial performance. In addition, certain of our noninterest income and noninterest expenses are subject to adverse effect in a rising interest rate environment. We monitor our interest rate risk exposure; however, we can provide no assurance that our efforts will appropriately protect us in the future from interest rate risk exposure.

Current wording

Our earnings depend substantially on our interest rate spread, which is the difference between (i) the interest rates we earn on loans, securities, and other interest-earning assets, and (ii) the interest rates we pay on deposits, other borrowings, and other interest-bearing liabilities. We are exposed to interest rate risk because our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities do not react uniformly or concurrently to changes in interest rates since the two have different time periods for adjustment and can be tied to different measures of rates. Market interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities, including the Federal Reserve. As market interest rates rise, we experience competitive pressures to increase the rates we pay on deposits, which may decrease our net interest income. In addition, inflationary pressures will increase our operating costs and could have a significant negative effect on our borrowers and the values of collateral securing loans, which could negatively affect our financial performance. In addition, certain of our noninterest income and noninterest expenses are subject to adverse effect in an elevated interest rate environment. We monitor our interest rate risk exposure; however, we can provide no assurance that our efforts will appropriately protect us in the future from interest rate risk exposure.

Previous wording

The inability to deploy liquidity may adversely affect the Company’s business.

Current wording

The inability to deploy or maintain liquidity may adversely affect the Company’s business.

Previous wording

We are a separate and distinct legal entity from our Banks, and we receive substantially all of our operating cash flows from dividends and other payments from our Banks. These dividends and payments are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on our common stock and pay our operating expenses. Various federal and state laws and regulations limit the amounts of dividends that our Banks may pay to us. In addition, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. In the event our Banks are unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to pay our obligations or pay dividends on our common stock. The inability to receive dividends from our Banks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Current wording

We are a separate and distinct legal entity from our Banks, and we receive substantially all of our operating cash flows from dividends and other payments from our Banks. These dividends and payments are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on our common stock and pay our operating expenses. Various federal and state laws and regulations limit the amounts of dividends that our Banks may pay to us. In addition, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon the liquidation or reorganization of one of our Banks is subject to the prior claims of the Bank’s creditors. In the event our Banks are unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to pay our obligations or pay dividends on our common stock. The inability to receive dividends from our Banks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Previous wording

Because we have grown in part through acquisitions, goodwill and intangible assets are included in the consolidated assets reflected in our financial statements. Goodwill and intangible assets were $13.9 million as of December 31, 2023. Under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we are required to test the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets at least annually or sooner if events occur that indicate impairment could exist. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, including a sustained decline in a reporting unit’s fair value, legal and regulatory factors, operating performance indicators, competition and other factors. GAAP requires us to assign and then test goodwill at the reporting unit level. If over a sustained period of time we experience a decrease in our stock price and market capitalization, which may serve as an estimate of the fair value of our reporting unit, this may be an indication of impairment. If the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its net book value, we may be required to record goodwill impairment charges in the future. In addition, if the revenue and cash flows generated from any of our other intangible assets are not sufficient to support its net book value, we may be required to record an impairment charge. The amount of any impairment charge could be significant and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations for the period in which the charge is taken.

Current wording

Because we have grown in part through acquisitions, goodwill and intangible assets are included in the consolidated assets reflected in our financial statements. Goodwill and intangible assets were $13.5 million as of December 31, 2024. Under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we are required to test the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets at least annually or sooner if events occur that indicate impairment could exist. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, including a sustained decline in a reporting unit’s fair value, legal and regulatory factors, operating performance indicators, competition and other factors. GAAP requires us to assign and then test goodwill at the reporting unit level. If over a sustained period of time we experience a decrease in our stock price and market capitalization, which may serve as an estimate of the fair value of our reporting unit, this may be an indication of impairment. If the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its net book value, we may be required to record goodwill impairment charges in the future. In addition, if the revenue and cash flows generated from any of our other intangible assets are not sufficient to support its net book value, we may be required to record an impairment charge. The amount of any impairment charge could be significant and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations for the period in which the charge is taken.

Previous wording

Our operations are concentrated primarily in central, north-central and south-central Iowa. As a result of this geographic concentration, our results of operations may correlate to the economic conditions in this area. Any deterioration in economic conditions in central, north-central or south-central Iowa, particularly in the industries on which the area depends (including agriculture which, in turn, is dependent upon commodity prices, weather conditions, trade policies and government support programs), may adversely affect the quality of our loan portfolio and the demand for our products and services, and accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Our operations are concentrated primarily in central, north-central and south-central Iowa. As a result of this geographic concentration, our results of operations may correlate to the economic conditions in this area. Any deterioration in economic conditions in central, north-central or south-central Iowa, particularly in the industries on which the area depends (including agriculture which, in turn, is dependent upon commodity prices, input costs, weather conditions, trade policies and government support programs), may adversely affect the quality of our loan portfolio and the demand for our products and services, and accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

The Dodd-Frank Act represented a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry within the United States and, among many other things, established the federal CFPB and required the CFPB and other federal agencies to implement many significant rules and regulations with which we must comply. Compliance with the law and regulations has resulted in additional costs, and not all the rules and regulations have been finalized.

Current wording

The Dodd-Frank Act represented a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry within the United States and, among many other things, established the federal CFPB and required the CFPB and other federal agencies to implement many significant rules and regulations with which we must comply. Compliance with the law and regulations has resulted in additional costs.

Previous wording

Severe weather, natural disasters, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or terrorism or other adverse external events could have a significant impact on our ability to conduct business. In addition, such events could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue or cause us to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any of the events in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

Current wording

Severe weather, natural disasters, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or terrorism or other adverse external events could have a significant impact on our ability to conduct business. In addition, such events could affect the stability of our deposit base, cause losses in the value of our investment portfolio, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue or cause us to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any of the events in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.