SIERRA BANCORP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 2024

(Unaudited)

Note 1 – The Business of Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp (the “Company”) is a California corporation headquartered in Porterville, California, and is a registered bank holding company under federal banking laws. The Company was formed to serve as the holding company for Bank of the Sierra (the “Bank”) and has been the Company’s sole shareholder since August 2001. The Company exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and of such other subsidiaries it may acquire or establish. As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s only other subsidiaries were Sierra Statutory Trust II, Sierra Capital Trust III, and Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II, which were formed solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities (“TRUPS”). Pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard on the consolidation of variable interest entities, these trusts are not reflected on a consolidated basis in the Company’s financial statements. References herein to the “Company” include Sierra Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiary, the Bank, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Bank of the Sierra, a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Porterville, California, offers a wide range of retail and commercial banking services via branch offices located throughout California’s South San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, Ventura County, the Sacramento area, and neighboring communities. The Bank was incorporated in September 1977, and opened for business in January 1978 as aone-branch bank with $1.5 million in capital. The Company’s growth in the ensuing years has largely been organic in nature but includes four whole-bank acquisitions: Sierra National Bank in 2000, Santa Clara Valley Bank in 2014, Coast National Bank in 2016, and Ojai Community Bank in October 2017. As of the filing date of this report the Bank operates 35 full-service branches and an online branch and maintains ATMs at all but one branch location as well as at seven non-branch locations. Moreover, the Bank has specialized lending units which focus on agricultural borrowers, commercial real estate, and mortgage warehouse lending. To support organic growth in the agricultural and commercial lending sectors the Bank opened a loan production office in Templeton, CA in April 2022. In addition, the Bank maintains an administrative office in Roseville, CA. The Company had total assets of $3.7 billion at September 30, 2024. The Company’s deposit accounts, which totaled $3.0 billion at September 30, 2024, are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to maximum insurable amounts.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a condensed format as allowed under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Therefore, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete, audited financial statements as presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of Management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for such periods. Such adjustments can generally be considered as normal and recurring unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. In preparing the accompanying financial statements, Management has taken subsequent events into consideration, through November 7, 2024, and recognized them where appropriate. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter, or for the full year. Certain amounts reported for 2023 have been reclassified to be consistent with the reporting for 2024, none of which impacted net income or shareholders’ equity. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Note 3 – Current Accounting Developments

In March 2023, the FASB issued* ASU No. 2023-02, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method.”* ASU 2023-02 is intended to improve the accounting and disclosures for investments in tax credit structures. ASU 2023-02 allows entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the

program giving rise to the related income tax credits. Previously, this method was only available for qualifying tax equity investments in low-income housing tax credit structures. ASU 2023-02 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2024, and its adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.

On October 9, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification of Initiative.” ASU 2023-06 amends the disclosure or presentation requirements related to various subtopics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The ASU was issued in response to the SEC’s August 2018 final rule that updated and simplified disclosure requirements that the SEC believed were “redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded.” The new guidance is intended to align U.S. GAAP requirements with those of the SEC and to facilitate the application of U.S. GAAP for all entities. ASU 2023-06 applies to all reporting entities within the scope of the amended subtopics. Note that some of the amendments introduced by the ASU are technical corrections or clarifications of the FASB’s current disclosure or presentation requirements. The effective date for each amendment of ASU 2023-06 will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. The Company will apply the amendments in ASU 2023-06 prospectively after the effective dates. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” ASU 2023-07 expands segment disclosure requirements for public entities to require disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis and to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2023-07 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2024, and did not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” ASU 2023-09 requires public business entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 also requires all entities to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds, disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes for annual periods and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold, among other things. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2025, though early adoption is permitted. ASU 2023-09 is not expected to have a significant impact on the financial statements.

Note 4 – Share Based Compensation

On March 17, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2023 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which became effective May 24, 2023, the date approved by the Company’s shareholders. The 2023 Plan replaced the Company’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). Options to purchase 194,000 shares granted under the 2017 Plan and options to purchase 106,800 shares that were granted under the 2007 Plan were still outstanding as of September 30, 2024, and remain unaffected by that plan’s expiration. The 2023 Plan provides for the issuance of various types of equity awards, including options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted share units, performance share awards, dividend equivalents, or any combination thereof. Such awards may be granted to officers and employees as well as non-employee directors, which may be granted on such terms and conditions as are established by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee in its discretion. The total number of shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2023 Plan was 360,000 shares, and the number remaining available for grant as of September 30, 2024, was 306,052. Any unexercised, unvested, or undistributed portion of any expired, cancelled, terminated, or forfeited awards under the Company’s 2017 Plan are added to the number of shares available to grant under the 2023 Plan. There were 92,882 unvested Restricted Stock Awards issued under the 2017 Plan at September 30, 2024 and are included in shares outstanding. The potential dilutive impact of unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock is discussed below in Note 5, Earnings per Share.

Pursuant to FASB’s standards on stock compensation, the value of each stock option and restricted stock award is reflected in the income state­ment as employee compensation or directors’ expense by amortizing its grant date fair value over the

vesting period of the option or award. The Company utilized a Black-Scholes model to determine grant date fair values for options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Forfeitures are reflected in compensation costs as they occur for both types of awards. A pre-tax charge of $0.4 million was reflected in the Company’s income statement during the third quarter of 2024 and $0.3 million during the third quarter of 2023, as expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards. For the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, the charges totaled $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Grants

The Company’s Restricted Stock Awards are awards of either time-vested or performance-based shares. The Restricted Stock Awards are non-transferrable shares of common stock and are available to be granted to the Company’s employees and directors. The vesting period of Restricted Stock Awards is determined at the time the awards are issued, and different awards may have different vesting terms or performance measures; provided, however, that no installment of any Restricted Stock Award shall become vested less than one year from the grant date. Restricted Stock Awards are valued utilizing the fair value of the Company’s stock at the grant date. These awards are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and consider the probability of meeting the performance criteria. There were 36,114 shares granted to employees of the Company during the first nine months of 2024. As of September 30, 2024, there was $2.2 million of unamortized compensation cost related to unvested Restricted Stock Awards granted under the 2017 and 2023 plans. That cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

The Company’s restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 is summarized below (unaudited):

Stock Option Grants

The Company has issued equity instruments in the form of Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options to certain officers and directors. No options have been granted since 2020, but the Company could elect to issue under the 2023 Plan. The exercise price of each stock option is determined at the time of the grant and may be no less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock at the time the option is granted.

The Company’s stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 are summarized below (dollars in thousands, except per share data, unaudited):

Note 5 – Earnings per Share

The computation of earnings per share, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income, is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period, excluding unvested restricted stock awards. There were 14,188,051 weighted average shares outstanding during the third quarter of 2024 and 14,583,132 during the third quarter of 2023, while there were 14,331,032 weighted average shares outstanding during the first nine months of 2024 and 14,762,231 during the first nine months of 2023.

Diluted earnings per share calculations include the effect of the potential issuance of common shares, which for the Company is limited to shares that would be issued on the exercise of “in-the-money” stock options, and unvested restricted stock awards. For the third quarter of 2024, calculations under the treasury stock method resulted in the equivalent of 147,655 shares being added to basic weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of determining diluted earnings per share, while zero shares were excluded from the calculation due to being underwater and thus anti-dilutive. For the third quarter of 2023 the equivalent of 53,345 shares were added in calculating diluted earnings per share, while 278,374 anti-dilutive shares were not factored into the computation. Likewise, for the first nine months of 2024 the equivalent of 106,754 shares were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding in calculating diluted earnings per share and a weighted average of 255,414 shares that were anti-dilutive for the period were not included, compared to the addition of the equivalent of 29,465 shares and non-inclusion of 326,036 anti-dilutive shares in calculating diluted earnings per share for first nine months of 2023.

Note 6 – Comprehensive Income

As presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s only source of other comprehensive income is unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities. Investment gains or losses that were realized and reflected in net income of the current period, which had previously been included in other comprehensive income as unrealized holding gains or losses in the period in which they arose, are considered to be reclassification adjustments that are excluded from other comprehensive income in the current period.

Note 7 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business. Those financial instruments currently consist of unused commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making

commitments and issuing letters of credit as it does for originating loans included on the balance sheet. The following financial instruments represent off-balance-sheet credit risk (dollars in thousands):

Commitments to extend credit consist primarily of the unused or unfunded portions of the following: mortgage warehouse lines, home equity lines of credit, commercial real estate construction loans, where disbursements are made over the course of construction; commercial revolving lines of credit, unsecured personal lines of credit and formalized (disclosed) deposit account overdraft lines. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the unused portions of committed amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit are issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party, and the credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as the risk involved in extending loans to customers. Included in unused commitments are mortgage warehouse lines which are in the form of repo lines and are unconditionally cancellable. Unused commitments on mortgage warehouse lines were $237.7 million at September 30, 2024, and $204.5 million at December 31, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses, (ACL) on unfunded commitments is estimated using the same reserve or coverage rates calculated on collectively evaluated loans following the application of a funding rate to the amount of the unfunded commitment. The funding rate represents Management’s estimate of the amount of the current unfunded commitment that will be funded over the remaining contractual life of the commitment and is based on historical data. The ACL on unfunded loan commitments is located in other liabilities while any related provision expense is recorded as a provision for credit losses.

At September 30, 2024, the Company was also utilizing a letter of credit in the amount of $127.9 million issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) on the Company’s behalf as security for certain deposits and to facilitate certain credit arrangements with the Company’s customers. That letter of credit is backed by loans which are pledged to the FHLB by the Company.

The Company is subject to loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, which are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable, and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.

Note 8 – Fair Value Disclosures and Reporting and Fair Value Measurements

FASB’s standards on financial instruments, and on fair value measurements and disclosures, require public business entities to disclose in their financial statement footnotes the estimated fair values of financial instruments. In addition to disclosure requirements, FASB’s standard on investments requires that debt securities that are classified as available-for-sale and any equity securities which have readily determinable fair values be measured and reported at fair value in the statement of financial position. Certain individually identified loans are also reported at fair value, as explained in greater detail below, and foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. FASB’s standard on financial instruments permits companies to report certain other financial assets and liabilities at fair value, but the Company has not elected the fair value option for any of those financial instruments.

Fair value measurement and disclosure standards also establish a framework for measuring fair values. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Further, the standards establish a fair value hierarchy that encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and limit the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair values. The standards describe three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments. Fair value disclosures for deposits include demand deposits, which are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Fair value calculations for loans reflect exit pricing and incorporate Management’s assumptions with regard to the impact of prepayments on future cash flows and credit quality adjustments based on risk characteristics of various financial instruments, among other things. Since the estimates are subjective and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment they cannot be determined with precision, and changes in assumptions could significantly alter the fair values presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For financial asset categories that were carried on the balance sheet at fair value as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company used the following methods and significant assumptions:

Fair Value Measurements – Recurring

Fair Value Measurements – Nonrecurring

The table above includes collateral-dependent loan balances for which a specific reserve has been established or on which a write-down has been taken. Information on the Company’s total collateral-dependent loan balances and specific loss reserves associated with those balances is included in Note 10 below.

The unobservable inputs are based on Management’s best estimates of appropriate discounts in arriving at fair market value. Adjusting any of those inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. For example, an increase or decrease in actual loss rates would create a directionally opposite change in the fair value of unsecured individually identified loans.

Note 9 – Investments

Investment Securities

Pursuant to FASB’s guidance on accounting for debt securities, available-for-sale securities are carried on the Company’s financial statements at their estimated fair market values, with monthly tax-effected “mark-to-market” adjustments made vis-à-vis accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Held-to-maturity securities are carried on the Company’s financial statements at their amortized cost, net of the allowance for credit losses. Amortized cost is adjusted to the fair value of the security upon transfer to held-to-maturity.

Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value

An unrealized loss of $26.8 million, on securities transferred from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity categorization, remains as of September 30, 2024, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The remaining unrealized loss on the securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, will be accreted over the remaining term of the securities, with the amortized-cost basis of these securities and accumulated comprehensive income each increasing over time.

The Company elected the practical expedient available under the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) accounting standard to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of all categorizations of investment securities, and resultingly did not estimate reserves on accrued interest receivable balances, as any past due interest income is reversed on a timely basis. Accrued interest receivable is included in other assets on the Company’s balance sheet and as of

September 30, 2024, measured at $8.4 million and $1.7 million for available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities, respectively. Accrued interest receivable as of December 31, 2023, on these same classes of investment securities measured at $12.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively. During the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, no interest receivable on available-for-sale or held-to-maturity securities was reversed against interest income and the Company did not have any held-to-maturity debt securities past due.

A discounted-cash-flow reserve calculation is performed on securities designated as held-to-maturity on a quarterly basis. As of September 30, 2024, an allowance for credit losses of $15 thousand had been established on the Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio, which is a slight decrease from the December 31, 2023 allowance for credit losses of $16 thousand.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost of held-to-maturity municipal bonds aggregated by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSRO”) credit rating:

Held-To-Maturity by Credit Rating

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position for which management has an intent to sell the security or considers it more likely-than-not that the security in question will be sold prior to a recovery of its amortized cost basis, the security will be written down to fair value through a direct charge to income. For the remainder of available-sale-debt securities in an unrealized loss position, which do not meet the previously outlined criteria, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value is a reflection of credit deterioration or other factors. In performing this evaluation, management considers the extent to which fair value has fallen below amortized cost, changes in ratings by rating agencies, and other information indicating a deterioration in repayment capacity of either the underlying issuer or the borrowers providing repayment capacity in a securitization. If Management’s evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists then a present value of the expected cash flows is calculated and compared to the amortized cost basis of the security in question and to the degree that the amortized cost basis exceeds the present value an allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) is established, with the caveat that the maximum amount of the reserve on any individual security is the difference between the fair value and amortized cost balance of the security in question. Any unrealized loss that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The following table summarizes available-for-sale debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position for which an ACL has not been recorded, based on the length of time the individual securities have been in an unrealized loss position, including the number of available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, as of the dates indicated below.

Investment Portfolio - Unrealized Losses

Investment Portfolio - Realized Gains/(Losses)

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands), are shown below, grouped by the remaining time to contractual maturity dates. The expected life of investment securities may not be consistent with contractual maturity dates since the issuers of the securities might have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

At September 30, 2024, the Company’s investment portfolio included 223 municipal bonds issued by 188 different government municipalities and agencies located within 28 different states, with an aggregate fair value of $219.8 million. The largest exposure to any single municipality or agency was a combined $5.3 million (fair value) in general obligation bonds issued by the City of New York (NY). In addition, the Company owned 51 subordinated debentures issued by bank-holding companies totaling $56.4 million (fair value).

At December 31, 2023, the Company’s investment portfolio included 485 municipal bonds issued by 398 different government municipalities and agencies located within 36 states, with an aggregate fair value of $372.4 million. The largest exposure to any single municipality or agency was a combined $5.3 million (fair value) in general obligation bonds issued by the City of New York (NY). In addition, the Company owned 51 subordinated debentures issued by bank-holding companies totaling $52.0 million (fair value).

The Company’s investments in bonds issued by corporations, states, municipalities, and political subdivisions are evaluated in accordance with Financial Institution Letter 48-2012, issued by the FDIC, “Revised Standards of Creditworthiness for Investment Securities,” and other regulatory guidance. Credit ratings are considered in Management’s analysis only as a guide to the historical default rate associated with similarly rated bonds. There have been no significant differences in internal analyses compared with the ratings assigned by the third-party credit rating agencies.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair values of general obligation and revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolio at the indicated dates, identifying the state in which the issuing municipality or agency operates for the Company’s largest geographic concentrations:

Revenue and General Obligation Bonds by Location

The revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolios were issued by government municipalities and agencies to fund public services such as utilities (water, sewer, and power), educational facilities, and general public and economic improvements. The primary sources of revenue for these bonds are delineated in the table below, which shows the amortized cost and fair market values for the largest revenue concentrations as of the indicated dates.

Revenue Bonds by Type

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) Fund Investments

The Company has the ability to invest in limited partnerships which own housing projects that qualify for federal and/or California state tax credits, by mandating a specified percentage of low-income tenants for each project. The primary

investment return comes from tax credits that flow through to investors. Because rent levels are lower than standard market rents and the projects are generally highly leveraged, each project also typically generates tax-deductible operating losses that are allocated to the limited partners for tax purposes.

The Company currently has investments inseven different LIHTC fund limited partnerships made in 2014, 2015, two in 2022, one in 2023, andtwo in the second quarter of 2024, all of which were California-focused funds that help the Company meet its obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act. The Company utilized the cost method of accounting for LIHTC fund investments, under which were initially recorded on the balance sheet an asset that represents the total cash expected to be invested over the life of the partnership. Any commitments or contingent commitments for future investment are reflected as a liability. The income statement reflects tax credits and any other tax benefits from these investments “below the line” within income tax provision, while the initial book value of the investment is amortized on the proportional amortization method as a “below the line” expense, over the time period in which the tax credits and tax benefits are expected to be received.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s total LIHTC investment book balance was $22.8 million, which includes $19.1 million in remaining commitments for additional capital contributions. There were approximately $1.4 million in tax credits derived from the Company’s LIHTC investments that were recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and “below the line” amortization expense of $1.6 million associated with those investments was recorded for the same time period. LIHTC investments are evaluated annually for potential impairment, and the Company concluded that the carrying value of the investments is stated fairly and is not impaired.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s total LIHTC investment book balance was $14.4 million, which includes $10.5 million in remaining commitments for additional capital contributions. There were $0.7 million in tax credits derived from LIHTC investments that were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023, and “below the line” amortization expense of $0.7 million associated with those investments was netted against pre-tax noninterest income for the same time period.

The Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects, and small business investment companies meet the definition of a variable interest entity as the entities are structured such that the limited partner investors lack substantive voting rights. Pursuant to the FASB standard on the consolidation of variable interest entities, these investments are not reflected on a consolidated basis in the Company’s financial statements.

Note 10 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

The ACL on the loan portfolio is a valuation allowance deducted from the recorded balance in loans. Under CECL the ACL represents principal which is not expected to be collected over the contractual life of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayment. The ACL is increased by a provision for credit losses charged to expense, and by principal recovered on charged-off balances. It is reduced by principal charge-offs. The amount of the allowance is based on Management’s evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, using information from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Adjustments are also made for changes in risk profile, credit concentrations, historical trends, and other economic conditions.

The Company elected the practical expedient available under CECL to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of all categorizations of loans, and as a result did not estimate reserves on accrued interest receivable balances, as any past due interest income is reversed on a timely basis. Accrued interest receivable on loans of $7.7 million and $5.6 million at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively is included in other assets on the Company’s balance sheet.

The majority of the disclosures in this footnote are prepared at the class level which is equivalent to the call report or call code classification. The final table in this section separates a roll forward of the Allowance for Credit Losses at the portfolio segment level.

The Company places loans on nonaccrual status when Management has determined that the full repayment of principal and collection of contractually agreed upon interest is unlikely or when the loan in question has become delinquent more than 90 days. The Company may decide that it is appropriate to continue to accrue interest on certain loans more than 90 days delinquent if they are well-secured by collateral and collection is in process. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any accrued but uncollected interest for the loan is reversed out of interest income in the period in which the loan’s status changed. For loans with an interest reserve, i.e., where loan proceeds are advanced to the borrower to make interest payments, all interest recognized from the inception of the loan is reversed when the loan is placed on nonaccrual. Once a loan is on nonaccrual status subsequent payments received from the customer are applied to principal, and no further interest income is recognized until the principal has been paid in full or until circumstances have changed such that payments are again consistently received as contractually required. Generally, loans are not restored to accrual status until the obligation is brought current and has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

The Company did not recognize any interest on nonaccrual loans during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2024, and would have recognized an additional $0.1 million in interest income on nonaccrual loans during the third quarter and $0.4 million during the first nine months of 2024 had those loans not been designated as nonaccrual. Due to loans being placed on nonaccrual status, during the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, $0.1 million and $0.2 million respectively, of interest receivable on loans was reversed against interest income.

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023:

During the first nine months of 2024 the amortized cost balance of collateral-dependent loans increased by $2.2 million due primarily to an agriculture real estate secured loan and a commercial real estate loan, offset by the foreclosure and subsequent sale of an office real estate loan. The weighted average loan-to-value ratio of collateral-dependent loans was 97% at September 30, 2024. There wereno consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process as of September 30, 2024.

Loan Modifications

Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by providing principal forgiveness, rate reductions, payment deferral, or term extension. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged off against the allowance for credit losses.

In certain cases, the Company provides multiple types of concessions on one loan. Typically, one type of concession, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another concession, such as principal forgiveness, may be granted. For the loans included in the “combination” columns below, multiple types of modifications have been made on the same loan within the current reporting period. The combination is at least two of the following: principal forgiveness, rate reduction, payment deferral, and/or term extension.

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans at September 30, 2024, that were both experiencing financial difficulty and modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, by class and by type of modification. There were no modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also presented below (dollars in thousands, unaudited):

The following tables present the financial effect of the loan modifications presented above to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands, unaudited):

There wereno payment defaults on loans previously modified in the preceding 12 months for either of the periods ending September 30, 2024, and 2023. For the purpose of this disclosure the Company defines a payment default as 90 days past due. The Company had $0.1 million in additional funds committed on loans which have been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as of September 30, 2024 and none as of September 30, 2023.

The Company monitors the credit quality of loans on a continuous basis using the regulatory and accounting classifications of pass, special mention and substandard to characterize and qualify the associated credit risk. Loans classified as “loss” are immediately charged off. The Company uses the following definitions of risk classifications:

Pass – Loans listed as pass include larger non-homogeneous loans not meeting the risk rating definitions below and smaller, homogeneous loans not assessed on an individual basis.

Special Mention – Loans classified as special mention have the potential weakness that deserves Management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard – Loans classified as substandard are those loans with clear and well-defined weaknesses such as a highly leveraged position, unfavorable financial operating results and/or trends, or uncertain repayment sources or poor financial condition, which may jeopardize ultimate recoverability of the debt.

Loan Credit Quality by Vintage

Loan Credit Quality by Vintage

Purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans are loans acquired or purchased, which as of acquisition, had evidence of more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. As of September 30, 2024, the Company hadno loans categorized as PCD.

The model used for calculating the Company’s ACL is refreshed periodically, most recently in the third quarter of 2024. As a result of this refresh process the Company changed to a Multi-factor Regression Model from a Single Factor Regression Model which was used in previous periods. Additionally, legacy peer groups were expanded to include California banks with an asset size between $1.5 billion to $10 billion. The Company’s ACL is calculated quarterly, with any difference in the calculated ACL and the recorded ACL adjusted through an entry to the provision for credit losses. For purposes of estimating the Company’s ACL, Management generally evaluates collectively evaluated loans by Federal Call code in order to group loans with similar risk characteristics together, however management has grouped loans in selected call codes together in determining portfolio segments, due to similar risk characteristics and reserve methodologies used for certain call code classifications.

Management calculates the quantitative portion of collectively evaluated reserves for all loan categories, with the exception of Farmland, Agricultural Production and Consumer loans, using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) methodology. For purposes of calculating the quantitative portion of collectively evaluated reserves on Farmland, Agricultural Production, and Consumer categories a Remaining Life methodology is utilized.

The DCF quantitative reserve methodology incorporates the consideration of probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) estimates to estimate periodic losses. The PD estimates are derived through the application of reasonable and supportable economic forecasts to call code specific regression models, derived from the consideration of historical bank-specific and peer loss-rate data. The loss rate data has been regressed against benchmark economic indicators, for which reasonable and supportable forecasts exist, in the development of the call-code specific regression models. Regression models are generally refreshed periodically, in order to pull in more recent loss rate data. Reasonable and supportable forecasts of the selected economic metric are then input into the regression model to calculate an expected default rate. The expected default rates are then applied to expected monthly loan balances estimated through the consideration of contractual repayment terms and expected prepayments. The Company utilizes a four-quarter forecast period, after which the expected default rates revert to the historical average for each call code, over a four-quarter reversion period, on a straight-line basis. The prepayment assumptions applied to expected cash flow over the contractual life of the loans are estimated based on historical, bank-specific experience, peer data and the consideration of current and expected conditions and circumstances including the level of interest rates. The prepayment assumptions may be updated by Management in the event that changing conditions impact Management’s estimate or additional historical data gathered has resulted in the need for a reevaluation. LGD utilized in the DCF is derived from the application of the Frye-Jacobs theory which relates LGD to PD based on historical peer data, as calculated by a third-party. Economic forecasts are considered over a four-quarter forecast period, with reversion to mean occurring on a straight-line basis over four quarters. The call code multiple factor regression models utilized as of September 30, 2024, for Residential Real Estate loans relied upon reasonable and supportable forecasts of the National Unemployment Rate and House Price Index (HPI). The call code multiple factor regression models utilized as of September 30, 2024, for Commercial Real Estate and Other Construction loans relied upon reasonable and supportable forecasts of the National Unemployment Rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Management selected the National Unemployment Rate, HPI, and GDP as the drivers of quantitative portion of collectively evaluated reserves on loan classes reliant upon the DCF methodology, primarily as a result of high correlation coefficients identified in regression modeling, the availability of forecasts including the quarterly Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) forecast and given the widespread familiarity of stakeholders with these economic metrics.

The quantitative reserves for Farmland, Agricultural Production and Consumer loans are calculated using a Remaining Life methodology where average historical peer loss rates are applied to expected loan balances over an estimated remaining life of loans in calculation of the quantitative portion of collectively evaluated loans in these classes. The estimated remaining life is calculated using historical peer data. For the Farmland, Agricultural Production and Consumer classes of loans, reasonable and supportable forecasts of the National Unemployment rate, real GDP and the housing price index are considered through estimation of qualitative reserves.

Management recognizes that there are additional factors impacting risk of loss in the loan portfolio beyond what is captured in the quantitative portion of reserves on collectively evaluated loans. As current and expected conditions may vary compared with conditions over the historical lookback period, which is utilized in the calculation of quantitative reserves, management considers whether additional or reduced reserve levels on collectively evaluated loans may be warranted given the consideration of a variety of qualitative factors. Several of the following qualitative factors (“Q-factors”) considered by management reflect the legacy regulatory guidance on Q-factors, whereas several others represent factors unique to the Company or unique to the current time period.

The qualitative portion of the Company’s reserves on collectively evaluated loans are calculated using a combination of numeric frameworks and management judgement to determine risk categorizations in each of the Q-factors presented above. The amount of qualitative reserves is also contingent upon the historical peer, life-of-loan-equivalent, loss rate ranges and the relative weighting of Q-factors according to Management’s judgment.

Although collectively evaluated reserves are generally calculated separately at the call code or loan class level, Management has grouped loan classes with similar risk characteristics into the following portfolio segments:

Loans secured by Residential Real Estate have a different profile from loans secured by Commercial Real Estate. Generally, the borrowers for Residential Real Estate loans are consumers whereas borrowers for Commercial Real Estate are often businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated how these different categories of real estate loans were subject to different risks, which was exacerbated by the widespread work-from-home model adopted by many companies during and since the pandemic. Farmland and Agricultural Production loans are included in a single segment as these loans are often times to the same borrowers, facing the same risks relating to commodity prices, water supply and drought conditions in addition to other environmental concerns. Commercial & Industrial loans are separated into a unique segment given the uniqueness of these loans, which are often revolving and secured by other business assets as opposed to real estate. Mortgage warehouse loans are also unique in the Company’s portfolio and warrant separate presentation as an individual portfolio segment, given the specific nature of these constantly revolving lines to mortgage originators and also attributable to a very limited loss history, even after consideration of peer data. Finally, the Company splits out Consumer loans as a separate segment as a result of the small balance, homogeneous terms that characterize these loans.

Management individually evaluates loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans when estimating reserves. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the only loans that Management considered to have different risk characteristics from other loans sharing the same Federal Call Report code were loans designated nonaccrual.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the quarters ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:

Allowance for Credit Losses

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Note 11 – Goodwill

The balance of goodwill at the three and nine months beginning and ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $27.4 million. There wasno acquired goodwill for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment tests annually, or more often if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The annual assessment date was changed to October 1 in 2023 to allow more time for evaluation of impairment.

The Company performed its annual Step 1 goodwill impairment assessment as of October 1, 2023, using a market approach. Based on the results of the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment, the Company determined that the fair value of its reporting unit, which was at the consolidated level, exceeded the carrying value. Management continues to evaluate whether or not a triggering event occurs, or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the Company below its carrying amount before the next annual test in 2024, and has concluded no such events have occurred. Therefore, goodwill was not impaired as of September 30, 2024, and there wereno impairment charges related to the Company’s goodwill recorded during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Note 12 – Borrowings and Other Arrangements

**Repurchase Agreements –**Repurchase agreements represent “sweep accounts,” where commercial deposit balances above a specified threshold are transferred at the close of each business day into non-deposit accounts secured by investment securities. Repurchase agreements totaled $125.5 million at September 30, 2024, relative to a balance of $107.1 million at December 31, 2023.

Long-Term Debt – The Company has long-term debt in the form of fixed to floating rate subordinated debentures with a fixed rate of 3.25% until September 30, 2026, then floating rate at 253.5 basis points over 3-month term Secured Overnight

Financing Rate (“SOFR”) until maturity on October 1, 2031. The balance of the Company’s long-term debt, net of unamortized issuance costs, was $49.4 million at September 30, 2024, and $49.3 million at December 31, 2023.

Subordinated Debentures - Sierra Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), Sierra Capital Trust III (“Trust III”), and Coast Bancorp Statutory Trust II (“Trust IV”), (collectively, the “Trusts”) exist solely for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. For financial reporting purposes, the Trusts are not consolidated, and the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Subordinated Debentures”) held by the Trusts and issued and guaranteed by the Company are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with provisions of ASC Topic 810. Trust preferred securities are variable rate instruments which were benchmarked against the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread until LIBOR was phased out on June 30, 2023. These instruments are benchmarked against the SOFR, effective June 30, 2023. At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company’s trust preferred securities totaled $35.8 million and $35.7 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the Company’s other borrowings as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023:

The Company has established secured and unsecured lines of credit under which it may borrow funds from time to time on a term or overnight basis from the FHLB, FRB, and other correspondent banks.

Federal Funds Purchased – The Company had unsecured available lines of credit with correspondent banks and the FHLB for short-term borrowings totaling $504.8 million at September 30, 2024, and $374.8 million at December 31, 2023. In general, interest rates on these lines approximate the federal funds target rate.

Secured FHLB Borrowings– At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had secured available lines of credit with the FHLB totaling $618.1 million and $586.7 million, respectively, based on eligible collateral of certain loans and investment securities.

Federal Reserve Line of Credit – The Company has an available line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) of San Francisco secured by certain loans and investments. At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had borrowing capacity under this line totaling $342.7 million and $392.0 million, respectively. The Company hadno outstanding borrowings on this line of credit as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023.

Note 13 – Revenue Recognition

The Company utilizes the guidance found in ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), when accounting for certain noninterest income. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Sufficient information should be provided to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company’s revenue streams that are within the scope of and accounted for under Topic 606 include service charges on deposit accounts, debit card interchange fees, and fees levied for other services the Company provides its customers. The guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments such as loans and investments, and other noninterest income such as loan servicing fees and earnings on bank-owned life insurance, which are accounted for on an accrual basis under other provisions of GAAP.

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts within the scope of ASC 606 is recognized as noninterest income. Due to the short-term nature of the Company’s contracts with customers, an insignificant amount of receivables related to such revenue was recorded at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The following table presents the Company’s sources of noninterest income. Items outside the scope of ASC 606 are noted as such (dollars in thousands, unaudited).

With regard to noninterest income associated with customer contracts, the Company has determined that transaction prices are fixed, and performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered, thus there is little or no judgment involved in the timing of revenue recognition under contracts that are within the scope of ASC 606.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION