Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

Previous wording

The interest rate environment has experienced significant volatility over the past several years. The FRB’s severe, pandemic-driven interest rate reductions in March of 2020 lowered the FFTR to a range of 0% - 0.25%, and Prime to 3.25%, levels that were sustained for approximately two years. In an effort to combat the resulting inflation that had risen to its highest levels in decades, the FRB increased the FFTR a total of 525 bps via numerous, incremental rate increases over the course of 2022 and 2023, driving the FFTR to a range of 5.25% - 5.50-%, and Prime to 8.50%, by July of 2023.

Current wording

Interest rates have experienced significant volatility over the past several years. A rising rate environment that was driven by the FRB’s strategy to combat decades-high inflation via numerous, incremental rate increases over the course of 2022 and 2023 took the FFTR to a range of 5.25% - 5.50%, and Prime to 8.50%, by July of 2023. These levels were sustained until September of 2024, when the FRB began its attempt to engineer a “soft landing,” with several rate reductions that brought the FFTR to a range of 4.25% - 4.50%, and Prime to 7.50%, as of December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

The current economic outlook remains uncertain and is regularly changing as new economic data becomes available and the FRB’s efforts to manage economic challenges continue. Recent projections indicate that the FRB will slow or halt FFTR rate reductions in 2025. While NIM expansion was experienced in the second half of 2024, the previously mentioned flattening of the yield curve, pricing pressure/competition for both loans and deposits, and changing levels of liquidity could continue to pose challenges to NIM and net interest spread in 2025.

Current wording

The current economic outlook is regularly changing as new economic data becomes available. Recent projections indicate the potential for additional rate reductions in 2026. While NIM expansion was experienced in 2025, the previously mentioned yield curve challenges and pricing pressure/competition for both loans and deposits could continue to pose challenges to NIM and net interest spread expansion in 2026.

Previous wording

While the economic outlook for 2025 is generally positive, proposed policy changes from the incoming administration, including tariffs and extended or additional tax cuts, the FRB’s continued efforts to control inflation and other economic challenges, and compounding geopolitical risks create a number of uncertainties heading into 2025. The impact these changes, and any other developments, have on local, regional and national economic conditions could have a significant effect on our borrowers’ ability to meet contractual obligations.

Current wording

While the economic outlook for 2026 is generally positive, projecting modest growth, the FRB’s continued effort to navigate economic challenges, including stubborn inflation and a softening labor market, coupled with geopolitical and trade tensions, create a number of uncertainties heading into 2026. The impact that these factors, and any other developments, have on local, regional and national economic conditions could have a significant effect on our borrowers’ ability to meet contractual obligations.

Previous wording

Credit-related concerns stemming from the higher interest rate environment and contractual renewal and maturity activity may be experienced over the next year. Strong loan volumes were experienced during the historically low pandemic-era interest rate environment that began in 2020 and was marked by Prime falling to 3.25%, a level at which it remained until 2022. Given the standard five-year term often associated with many of our traditional lending facilities, 2025 will begin a period of elevated interest rate risk for certain borrowers, as notes originated or renewed during that period will either renew or mature in an interest rate environment that is now significantly higher, with Prime more than doubling since 2020 and standing at 7.50% as of December 31, 2024.

Current wording

Credit-related concerns stemming from the changing interest rate environment and contractual renewal and maturity activity may be experienced over the next year. Strong loan volumes were experienced during the historically low pandemic-era interest rate environment that began in 2020 and was marked by Prime falling to 3.25%, a level at which it remained until 2022. Given the standard five-year term often associated with many of our traditional lending facilities, a period of elevated interest rate risk for certain borrowers will continue in 2026, as notes originated or renewed during that period will either renew or mature in an interest rate environment that is now significantly higher, with Prime more than doubling since 2020 and standing at 6.75% as of December 31, 2025.

Previous wording

Income from WM&T constitutes approximately 45% of non-interest income. WM&T AUM are expressed in terms of market value, and a significant portion of fee income is based upon those values, which generally fluctuate consistent with overall capital markets. Any decline in the market value of WM&T AUM could have a meaningful impact on non-interest income and negatively affect our financial results.

Current wording

Income from WM&T constitutes approximately 44% of non-interest income. WM&T AUM are expressed in terms of market value, and a significant portion of fee income is based upon those values, which generally fluctuate consistent with overall capital markets. Any decline in the market value of WM&T AUM could have a meaningful impact on non-interest income and negatively affect our financial results.

Previous wording

Bancorp’s intangible assets primarily relate to core deposits and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated life. Intangible assets, premises and equipment and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. In the event that we conclude that all or a portion of our intangible assets may be impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital. At December 31, 2024, Bancorp had intangible assets of $16 million.

Current wording

Bancorp’s intangible assets primarily relate to core deposits and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated life. Intangible assets, premises and equipment and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. In the event that we conclude that all or a portion of our intangible assets may be impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital. At December 31, 2025, Bancorp had intangible assets of $12 million.

Previous wording

In assessing the potential for realization of DTAs, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the DTAs will not be realized. Assessing the need for, or the sufficiency of, a valuation allowance requires management to evaluate all available evidence, both negative and positive, including whether future taxable income in sufficient amounts and character within the carryback and carryforward periods is available under tax law, including the use of tax planning strategies. We have concluded that, based on the level of positive evidence, it is more likely than not that at December 31, 2024 all DTAs will be realized. At December 31, 2024, Bancorp had DTAs totaling $72 million.

Current wording

In assessing the potential for realization of DTAs, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the DTAs will not be realized. Assessing the need for, or the sufficiency of, a valuation allowance requires management to evaluate all available evidence, both negative and positive, including whether future taxable income in sufficient amounts and character within the carryback and carryforward periods is available under tax law, including the use of tax planning strategies. We have concluded that, based on the level of positive evidence, it is more likely than not that at December 31, 2025 all DTAs will be realized. At December 31, 2025, Bancorp had DTAs totaling $45 million.

Previous wording

We’ve experienced a shift in the mix of our deposit portfolio over the past two years, consistent with a higher interest rate environment. Customers have moved from non-interest or low-interest bearing deposits into higher yielding options, particularly time deposits and money market offerings, which has driven a substantial increase in the cost of deposits and overall funding. Further, alternative investment options for customers holding excess levels of liquidity, such as treasury bonds, have resulted in a portion of deposit balances being invested with non-bank competitors, such as brokerages. While we have generally not experienced fallout within the customer base as a result, such activity impacts our overall deposit levels.

Current wording

We’ve experienced a shift in the mix of our deposit portfolio over the past several years, consistent with a higher interest rate environment. Customers have moved from non-interest or low-interest bearing deposits into higher yielding options, particularly time deposits and money market offerings, which has driven a substantial increase in the cost of deposits and overall funding. Further, alternative investment options for customers holding excess levels of liquidity, such as treasury bonds, have resulted in a portion of deposit balances being invested with non-bank competitors, such as brokerages. While we have generally not experienced fallout within the customer base as a result, such activity impacts our overall deposit levels.

Previous wording

Policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. Because of the uncertainty surrounding judgments and estimates pertaining to these matters, there can be no assurances that actual our results will not differ from those estimates. See the section titled “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for more information.

Current wording

Policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. Because of the uncertainty surrounding judgments and estimates pertaining to these matters, there can be no assurances that actual our results will not differ from those estimates. See the section titled “Critical Accounting Estimates” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for more information.

Previous wording

We will be subject to increased regulation once our total consolidated assets exceed $10 billion.

Current wording

We will be subject to increased regulation once our total consolidated assets exceed $10 billion as of any year-end.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2024, Bancorp had total consolidated assets of $8.86 billion. However, should our total consolidated assets exceed $10 billion, we will become subject to increased regulatory requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) supervision, examination and enforcement by the CFPB with respect to consumer financial protection laws; (ii) enhanced methodologies for the determination of FDIC insurance assessments, which could result in higher assessment rates; (iii) limitations on interchange transaction fees for debit card transactions, which would reduce our interchange revenue; and (iv) adherence to enhanced regulatory and risk management frameworks.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2025, Bancorp had total consolidated assets of $9.54 billion. However, should our total consolidated assets exceed $10 billion, we will become subject to increased regulatory requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) supervision, examination and enforcement by the CFPB with respect to consumer financial protection laws; (ii) enhanced methodologies for the determination of FDIC insurance assessments, which could result in higher assessment rates; (iii) limitations on interchange transaction fees for debit card transactions, which would reduce our interchange revenue; and (iv) adherence to enhanced regulatory and risk management frameworks.

Previous wording

Key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are set to expire December 31, 2025. While the recent elections have generally been perceived as a positive for tax policy, any political gridlock regarding the structure of tax policy, the expiration, renewal or reformation of current tax provisions, or the proposal of additional changes to the tax code could present challenges or necessitate strategic changes for our business. Further, such changes, or delays in making crucial tax policy decisions, could have adverse repercussions for both our business and that of our customers.

Current wording

Key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 were originally set to expire December 31, 2025. However, legislation enacted in 2025 by the current administration, namely the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” made many of these provisions permanent or extended them with modifications. While this has generally been perceived as a positive for tax policy, any political gridlock regarding the structure of tax policy, the expiration, renewal or reformation of current tax provisions, or the proposal of additional changes to the tax code could present challenges or necessitate strategic changes for our business. Further, such changes, or delays in making crucial tax policy decisions, could have adverse repercussions for both our business and that of our customers.

Previous wording

Companies are facing increasing scrutiny from regulators, investors and other stakeholders related to their ESG practices and disclosure. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to the environment, health and safety, diversity, labor conditions and human rights. Increased ESG-related compliance costs could result in increases to our overall operational costs. New government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanding mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence and disclosure. Additionally, concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change have led and will continue to lead to governmental efforts to mitigate those impacts. Failure to adapt or comply with related legislation, regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

While the current administration has a reduced focus on these practices and disclosures, future government regulations could result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and the expansion of mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence and disclosure. Additionally, concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change have led and will continue to lead to governmental efforts to mitigate those impacts. Failure to adapt or comply with related legislation, regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.