CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORP

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION AND STATUS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Citizens & Northern Corporation and its subsidiaries, Citizens & Northern Bank (“C&N Bank”), Bucktail Life Insurance Company and Citizens & Northern Investment Corporation (collectively, “Corporation”). The consolidated financial statements also include C&N Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, C&N Financial Services, LLC and Northern Tier Holding LLC. C&N Bank is the sole member of C&N Financial Services, LLC and Northern Tier Holding LLC. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial information included herein, except the consolidated balance sheet dated December 31, 2023, is unaudited. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the interim periods; however, the information does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for a complete set of financial statements.

Operating results reported for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 might not be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2024. The Corporation evaluates subsequent events through the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issues Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) to communicate changes to the FASB Accounting Standard 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 foreseeable future.

CECL ADOPTION

On January 1, 2023, the Corporation adopted ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASC 326). This standard replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The Corporation adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. The following table illustrates the impact on the allowance for credit losses from the adoption of ASC 326:

Recent Issued but Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023*,*the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures which improves the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for public business entities

for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The ASU* may *be adopted on a prospective or retrospective basis and early adoption is permitted. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on disclosures related to income taxes.

2. PER SHARE DATA

Basic earnings per common share are calculated using the two-class method to determine income attributable to common shareholders. Unvested restricted stock awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities under the two-class method. Distributed dividends and an allocation of undistributed net income to participating securities reduce the amount of income attributable to common shareholders. Income attributable to common shareholders is then divided by weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period to determine basic earnings per common share.

Diluted earnings per common share are calculated under the more dilutive of either the treasury method or the two-class method. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using weighted-average common shares outstanding, plus weighted-average common shares available from the exercise of all dilutive stock options, less the number of shares that could be repurchased with the proceeds of stock option exercises based on the average share price of the Corporation’s common stock during the period.

Anti-dilutive stock options are excluded from earnings per share calculations. There wereno anti-dilutive instruments outstanding in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income is the total of (1) net income, and (2) all other changes in equity from non-stockholder sources, which are referred to as other comprehensive income (loss). The components of other comprehensive income (loss), and the related tax effects, are as follows:

The amounts shown in the table immediately above are included in the following line items in the consolidated statements of income:

Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are as follows and are presented net of tax:

4. CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

Cash and due from banks at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include the following:

Certificates of deposit are issues by U.S. banks with original maturities greater than three months. Each certificate of deposit is fully FDIC-insured. The Corporation maintains cash and cash equivalents with certain financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.

5. SECURITIES

Amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

The following table presents gross unrealized losses and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized loss positions aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Gross realized gains and losses from available-for-sale debt securities were as follows:

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities by contractual maturity are shown in the following table as of March 31, 2024. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because counterparties may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

The Corporation’s mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have stated maturities that may differ from actual maturities due to borrowers’ ability to prepay obligations. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. In the table above, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are shown in one period.

Investment securities carried at $183,661,000 at March 31, 2024 and $232,437,000 at December 31, 2023 were pledged as collateral for public deposits, trusts and certain other deposits as provided by law. See Note 8 for information concerning securities pledged to secure borrowing arrangements and Note 11 for information related to securities pledged against interest rate swap obligations.

A summary of information management considered in evaluating debt and equity securities for credit losses at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is provided below.

Debt Securities

As reflected in the table above, gross unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $52,272,000 at March 31, 2024 and $49,564,000 at December 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, the Corporation does not have the intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not it will be required to sell, these securities before it is able to recover the amortized cost basis. The unrealized holding losses were consistent with significant increases in market interest rates that have occurred subsequent to the purchase of most of the securities.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, management performed an assessment for possible credit losses of the Corporation’s debt securities on an issue-by-issue basis, relying on information obtained from various sources, including publicly available financial data, ratings by external agencies, brokers and other sources. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all of the Corporation’s holdings of bank holding company debt securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions and private label commercial mortgage-backed securities were investment grade and there have been no payment defaults.

Based on the results of the assessment, there wasno allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) required on available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Equity Securities

C&N Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB-Pittsburgh), which is one of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. As a member, C&N Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in FHLB-Pittsburgh. There is no active market for FHLB-Pittsburgh stock, and it must ordinarily be redeemed by FHLB-Pittsburgh in order to be liquidated. C&N Bank’s investment in FHLB-Pittsburgh stock, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, was $16,266,000 at March 31, 2024 and $15,214,000 at December 31, 2023. The Corporation evaluated its holding of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock for impairment and deemed the stock to not be impaired at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. In making this determination, management concluded that recovery of total outstanding par value, which equals the carrying value, is expected. The decision was based on review of financial information that FHLB-Pittsburgh has made publicly available.

In July 2023, C&N Bank became a member of the Federal Reserve System. As a member, C&N Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. There is no active market for Federal Reserve Bank stock, and it must ordinarily be redeemed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in order to be liquidated. C&N Bank’s investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, was $6,266,000 at March 31, 2024 and $6,252,000 at December 31, 2023.

The Corporation has a marketable equity security included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets with a carrying value of $862,000 at March 31, 2024 and $871,000 December 31, 2023, consisting exclusively ofone mutual fund. There was an unrealized loss on the mutual fund of $138,000 at March 31, 2024 and $129,000 at December 31, 2023. Changes in the unrealized gains or losses on this security, which are included in other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income, were a loss of $9,000 in the first quarter 2024 compared to a gain of $14,000 in the first quarter 2023.

6. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Loans receivable at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Loans by Type

(In Thousands)

In the table above, outstanding loan balances are presented net of deferred loan origination fees, net, of $4,482,000 at March 31, 2024 and $4,459,000 at December 31, 2023.

The Corporation grants loans to individuals as well as commercial and tax-exempt entities. Commercial, residential and personal loans are made to customers geographically concentrated in Northcentral Pennsylvania, the Southern tier of New York State, Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southcentral Pennsylvania. Although the Corporation has a diversified loan portfolio, a significant portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the local economic conditions within the region.

Acquired loans were initially recorded at fair value, with adjustments made to gross amortized cost based on movements in interest rates (market rate adjustment) and based on credit fair value adjustments on non-impaired loans and impaired loans. Subsequently, the Corporation has recognized amortization and accretion of a portion of the market rate adjustments and credit adjustments on performing loans. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, adjustments to the initial market rate and credit fair value adjustments of performing loans were recognized as follows:

The following tables presents an analysis of past due loans as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

The Corporation uses an internal risk rating system. Under the risk rating system, the Corporation classifies problem or potential problem loans as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” or “Doubtful” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values. Loans that do not currently expose the Corporation to sufficient risk to warrant classification as Substandard or Doubtful, but possess weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention, are deemed to be Special Mention. Substandard loans include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Risk ratings are updated any time that conditions or the situation warrants. Loans not classified are included in the “Pass” rows in the table that follows.

The following table presents the recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicators by year of origination as of March 31, 2024:

The following table presents the recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicators by year of origination as of December 31, 2023:

The following tables are a summary of the Corporation’s nonaccrual loans by major categories for the periods indicated.

The Corporation recognized interest income on nonaccrual loans of $231,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and $231,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The following table represents the accrued interest receivable written off by reversing interest income during the three-month periods ended March 31,2024 and 2023:

The Corporation has certain loans for which repayment is dependent upon the operation or sale of collateral, as the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The underlying collateral can vary based upon the type of loan. The following provides more detail about the types of collateral that secure collateral dependent loans:

The following table details the amortized cost of collateral dependent loans, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses, and the related allowance for credit losses on loans allocated to these loans:

The following table summarizes the activity related to the allowance for credit losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Modifications Made to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

The Corporation closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. Because the effect of most modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the allowance for credit losses because of the measurement methodologies used to estimate the allowance, a change to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, the Corporation had no modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

The Corporation closely monitors the performance of the loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficultly to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table depicts the performance oftwo loans which were in non-accrual status at March 31, 2024 that were modified in the past twelve months:

The loan that was past due more than 90 days in the table above was in default with its modified terms at March 31, 2024.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Corporation had no commitments to lend any additional funds on modified loans. Except as described above, at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, the Corporation had no loans that defaulted during the period and had been modified preceding the payment default when the borrower was experiencing financial difficulty at the time of modification.

The carrying amount of foreclosed residential real estate properties held as a result of obtaining physical possession (included in foreclosed assets held for sale in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets) is as follows:

The recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process is as follows:

The Corporation maintains an allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded balances for existing lines of credit, commitments to extend future credit, commercial letters of credit and credit enhancement obligations related to residential mortgage loans sold with recourse, when there is a contractual obligation to extend credit and when this extension of credit is not unconditionally cancellable (i.e. commitment cannot be canceled at any time). The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet exposures of $684,000 at March 31, 2024 and $690,000 at December 31, 2023, is included in accrued interest and other liabilities on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents the balance and activity in the allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet exposures for the three-months period ended March 31 2024 and 2023:

7. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the net carrying value of goodwill was $52,505,000.

Information related to core deposit intangibles is as follows:

Amortization expense related to core deposit intangibles is included in other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income, as follows:

8. BORROWED FUNDS

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings (initial maturity within one year) include the following:

The Corporation had available credit with other correspondent banks totaling $75,000,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. These lines of credit are primarily unsecured. No amounts were outstanding at March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

The Corporation has a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Discount Window. At March 31, 2024, the Corporation had available credit in the amount of $19,063,000 on this line withno outstanding advances. At December 31, 2023, the Corporation had available credit in the amount of $19,982,000 on this line withno outstanding advances. As collateral for this line, the Corporation has pledged available-for-sale securities with a carrying value of $20,237,000 at March 31, 2024 and $20,829,000 at December 31, 2023.

The Corporation engages in repurchase agreements with certain commercial customers. These agreements provide that the Corporation sells specified investment securities to the customers on an overnight basis and repurchases them on the following business day. The weighted average rate paid by the Corporation on customer repurchase agreements was 0.10% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The carrying value of the underlying securities was $1,820,000 at March 31, 2024 and $2,400,000 at December 31, 2023.

The FHLB-Pittsburgh loan facility is collateralized by qualifying loans secured by real estate with a book value totaling $1,345,241,000 at March 31, 2024 and $1,323,008,000 at December 31, 2023. Also, the FHLB-Pittsburgh loan facility requires the Corporation to invest in established amounts of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock. The carrying values of the Corporation’s holdings of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock (included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets) were $16,266,000 at March 31, 2024 and $15,214,000 at December 31, 2023. The Corporation’s total credit facility with FHLB-Pittsburgh was $927,950,000 at March 31, 2024, including an unused (available)

amount of $712,932,000. At December 31, 2023, the Corporation’s total credit facility with FHLB-Pittsburgh was $926,845,000, including an unused (available) amount of $737,824,000.

At March 31, 2024, short-term borrowings included an overnight borrowing from FHLB-Pittsburgh of $7,000,000 at an interest rate of 5.67%, a $25,000,000 advance that matured on April 1, 2024 at an interest rate of 5.63% and other short-term advances maturing in the third and fourth quarters of 2024 totaling $15,000,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 5.32%. At December 31, 2023, short-term borrowings included an overnight borrowing from FHLB-Pittsburgh of $6,500,000 at an interest rate of 5.68% and short-term advances maturing in the first quarter 2024 totaling $25,000,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 5.60%.

LONG-TERM BORROWINGS – FHLB ADVANCES

Long-term borrowings from FHLB-Pittsburgh are as follows:

Note: Weighted-average rates are presented as of March 31, 2024.

SENIOR NOTES

In 2021, the Corporation issued and sold $15.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.75% Fixed Rate Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2026 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 2.75%. The Corporation is not entitled to redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to maturity and the Senior Notes are not subject to redemption by the holders. The Senior Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Corporation only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any subsidiary of the Corporation.

The Senior Notes were recorded, net of debt issuance costs of $337,000, at an initial carrying amount of $14,663,000. Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the Senior Notes as an adjustment of the effective interest rate. Amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the Senior Notes totaling $17,000 in the first quarter 2024 and $16,000 in the first quarter 2023 was included in interest expense in the unaudited consolidated statements of income.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, outstanding Senior Notes are as follows:

SUBORDINATED DEBT

In 2021, the Corporation issued and sold $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2031 (the "Subordinated Notes"). The Subordinated Notes mature on June 1, 2031 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.25%, to June 1, 2026. From June 1, 2026 to maturity or early redemption, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York plus 259 basis points. The Corporation is entitled to redeem the Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 1, 2026, and to redeem the Subordinated Notes at any time in whole upon certain other events. Any redemption of the Subordinated Notes will be subject to prior regulatory approval to the extent required.

The Subordinated Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holders. The Subordinated Notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Corporation only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any subsidiary of the Corporation. The Subordinated Notes rank junior in right to payment to the Corporation's current and future senior indebtedness, including the Senior Notes (described above). The Subordinated Notes are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

The Subordinated Notes were recorded, net of debt issuance costs of $563,000, at an initial carrying amount of $24,437,000. Debt issuance costs are amortized through June 1, 2026 as an adjustment of the effective interest rate. Amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the Subordinated Notes totaling $28,000 in the first quarter 2024 and $27,000 in the first quarter 2023, was included in interest expense in the unaudited consolidated statements of income.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amounts of subordinated debt agreements are as follows:

9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Corporation has a stock incentive plan for selected officers and the independent directors. The first quarter 2024 awards to employees vest ratably over three years, and the 2024 restricted stock awards for the independent directors vest overone year. Following is a summary of restricted stock awards granted in the three-month period ended March 31, 2024:

Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the fair value of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period, adjusted for estimated and actual forfeitures. Total annual stock-based compensation for the year ending December 31, 2024 is estimated to total $1,300,000. Total stock-based compensation expense attributable to restricted stock awards amounted to $326,000 in the first quarter 2024 and $377,000 in the first quarter 2023.

10. CONTINGENCIES

Class Action Litigation

On March 27, 2024, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas by investors in a purported Ponzi scheme operated by two individuals, one of whom maintained accounts at C&N Bank. The plaintiffs have sued C&N Bank, along with another bank, and additional law firm and accounting firm defendants. The case is styled Goldovsky, et al. v. Rausch, et al. Plaintiffs have asserted claims against C&N Bank and the other bank for aiding and abetting alleged violations of the Texas Securities Act, and additional claims against the legal and accounting professionals for statutory fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and knowing participation in breach of fiduciary duty. C&N Bank has not yet responded to the complaint. C&N Bank believes that it has substantial defenses, and it intends to defend itself against the plaintiffs’ allegations. The Corporation does not

believe at this time that a loss is probable in this matter, nor can a range of possible losses be determined. Accordingly, no accrual or range of loss has been included in the accompanying financial statements.

Other Matters

In the normal course of business, the Corporation is subject to pending and threatened litigation in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. In management’s opinion, the Corporation’s financial position and results of operations would not be materially affected by the outcome of these legal proceedings.

11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Corporation is a party to derivative financial instruments. These financial instruments consist of interest rate swap agreements and risk participation agreements (RPAs) which contain master netting and collateral provisions designed to protect the party at risk.

Interest rate swaps with commercial loan banking customers were executed to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. Under the terms of these arrangements, the commercial banking customers effectively exchanged their floating interest rate exposures on loans into fixed interest rate exposures. Those interest rate swaps have been simultaneously economically hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps with a third party, such that the Corporation has effectively exchanged its fixed interest rate exposures for floating rate exposures. These derivatives are not designated as hedges and are not speculative. Rather, these derivatives result from a service provided to certain customers. As the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings.

The aggregate notional amount of interest rate swaps was $148,838,000 at March 31, 2024 and $150,028,000 at December 31, 2023. There wereno interest rate swaps originated in the periods ended March 31, 2024, and 2023. There wereno gross amounts of interest rate swap-related assets and liabilities not offset in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024. The net impact on the consolidated statements of income from interest rate swaps was an increase in interest income on loans of $498,000 in the first quarter 2024 and $345,000 in the first quarter 2023.

The Corporation has entered into an RPA with another institution as a means to assume a portion of the credit risk associated with a loan structure which includes a derivative instrument, in exchange for fee income commensurate with the risk assumed. This type of derivative is referred to as an “RPA In.” In addition, in an effort to reduce the credit risk associated with an interest rate swap agreement with a borrower for whom the Corporation has provided a loan structured with a derivative, the Corporation purchased an RPA from an institution participating in the facility in exchange for a fee commensurate with the risk shared. This type of derivative is referred to as an “RPA Out.” The net impact on the consolidated statements of income from RPAs was an increase in other noninterest income of $1,000 in the first quarter 2024 and $16,000 in the first quarter 2023.

The table below presents the fair value of the Corporation’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

The Corporation’s agreements with its derivative counterparties provide that if the Corporation defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Corporation could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. Further, if the Corporation were to fail to maintain its status as a well or adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparties could terminate the derivative positions and the Corporation would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements. There was interest-bearing cash pledged as collateral against the Corporation’s liability related to the interest rate swaps of $1,140,000 at March 31, 2024 and $1,360,000 at December 31, 2023.

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Corporation measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in determining valuations into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 – Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Corporation for identical assets or liabilities. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available.

Level 2 – Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than Level 1 inputs, that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities and other observable inputs.

Level 3 – Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs. Examples of valuation methodologies that would result in Level 3 classification include option pricing models, discounted cash flows and other similar techniques.

The Corporation monitors and evaluates available data relating to fair value measurements on an ongoing basis and recognizes transfers among the levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the date of an event or change in circumstances that affects the valuation method chosen. Examples of such changes may include the market for a particular asset or liability becoming active or inactive, changes in the availability of quoted prices, or changes in the availability of other market data.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, assets and liabilities measured at fair value and the valuation methods used are as follows:

Management’s evaluation and selection of valuation techniques and the unobservable inputs used in determining the fair values of assets valued using Level 3 methodologies include sensitive assumptions. Other market participants might use substantially different assumptions, which could result in calculations of fair values that would be substantially different than the amount calculated by management.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, quantitative information regarding valuation techniques and the significant unobservable inputs used for assets measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3 methodologies) are as follows:

The fair value of servicing rights is affected by expected future interest rates. Increases (decreases) in future expected interest rates tend to increase (decrease) the fair value of the Corporation’s servicing rights because of changes in expected prepayment behavior by the borrowers on the underlying loans. Unrealized gains (losses) in fair value of servicing rights are included in Loan servicing fees, net, in the unaudited consolidated statements of income.

Following is a reconciliation of activity for Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Loans are individually evaluated for credit loss when they do not share similar risk characteristics as similar loans within its loan pool. Foreclosed assets held for sale consist of real estate acquired by foreclosure. For individually evaluated loans secured by real estate and foreclosed assets held for sale, estimated fair values are determined primarily using values from third-party appraisals. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, quantitative information regarding valuation techniques and the significant unobservable inputs used for nonrecurring fair value measurements using Level 3 methodologies are as follows:

Certain of the Corporation’s financial instruments are not measured at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from disclosure requirements. Therefore, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not represent the underlying fair value of the Corporation.

The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Corporation’s financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value are as follows: