JUNIATA VALLEY FINANCIAL CORP

Previous wording

An institution's net interest income is significantly affected by market rates of interest that, in turn, are affected by prevailing economic conditions, by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and by the policies of various regulatory agencies. The FRB regulates the national money supply to manage recessionary and inflationary pressures. In doing so, the FRB may use techniques such as engaging in open market transactions of U.S. Government securities, changing the discount rate and changing reserve requirements against bank deposits. The use of these techniques may also affect interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. The interest rate environment, which includes both the level of interest rates and the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, has a significant impact on net interest income.

Current wording

An institution's net interest income is significantly affected by market rates of interest that, in turn, are affected by prevailing economic conditions, by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and the policies of various regulatory agencies. The FRB regulates the national money supply to manage recessionary and inflationary pressures. In doing so, the FRB may use techniques such as engaging in open market transactions of U.S. Government securities, changing the discount rate and changing reserve requirements against bank deposits. The use of these techniques may also affect interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. The interest rate environment, which includes both the level of interest rates and the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, has a significant impact on net interest income.

Previous wording

Higher market interest rates decreased the net interest margin in 2023 in comparison to 2022. Interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, have been originated, acquired or repriced at higher rates, increasing the average rate earned on those assets. However, the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, has also increased, and at a faster pace, than the increase in rates on interest earning assets, impacting the net interest margin in 2023. This trend may continue to adversely impact the net interest margin as market rates and funding costs remain high.

Current wording

Net interest margin compression remained prevalent in 2024 despite the federal funds rate decreasing by 100 basis points over the last four months of 2024. Many interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, were originated, acquired or repriced at higher rates, increasing the average rate earned on those assets, while the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, also increased, and at a faster pace, than the increase in rates on interest earning assets, impacting the net interest margin in both 2023 and 2024.

Previous wording

Liquidity must also be managed at the holding company level. Banking regulators scrutinize liquidity at the holding company level, in addition to consolidated and bank liquidity levels. For safety and soundness reasons, banking regulations limit the amount of cash that can be transferred from subsidiary banks to the parent company in the form of loans and dividends. Generally, these limitations are based on a subsidiary bank’s regulatory capital levels and net income. These factors have affected some institutions' ability to pay dividends and have required some institutions to establish borrowing facilities at the holding company level.

Current wording

limit the amount of cash that can be transferred from subsidiary banks to the parent company in the form of loans and dividends. Generally, these limitations are based on a subsidiary bank’s regulatory capital levels and net income. These factors have affected some institutions' ability to pay dividends and have required some institutions to establish borrowing facilities at the holding company level.

Previous wording

As market interest rates increase, unrealized losses on the Bank’s available for sale debt securities portfolio can increase. The increase in unrealized losses is reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) on the balance sheet, which reduces book capital, and therefore, the tangible common equity ratio. Unrealized losses do not affect regulatory capital ratios.

Current wording

If market interest rates increase, unrealized losses on the Bank’s available for sale debt securities portfolio can increase. The increase in unrealized losses is reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) on the balance sheet, which reduces GAAP total stockholders’ equity capital and, therefore, the tangible common equity ratio. Unrealized losses do not affect regulatory capital ratios.

Previous wording

The Bank’s access to liquidity sources could be affected by unrealized losses if investments must be sold at a loss, tangible capital ratios continue to decline from an increase in unrealized losses or realized credit losses, the FHLB or other sources reduce capacity or bank regulators impose restrictions on the Bank such as a limit on interest rates it may pay on deposits or its ability to access brokered deposits.

Current wording

The Bank’s access to liquidity sources could be affected by unrealized losses if investments must be sold at a loss, tangible capital ratios decline from an increase in unrealized losses or realized credit losses, the FHLB or other sources reduce borrowing capacity or bank regulators impose restrictions on the Bank such as a limit on interest rates it may pay on deposits or its ability to access brokered deposits.

Previous wording

The Company and the Bank are extensively regulated under federal and state banking laws and regulations that are intended primarily for the protection of depositors, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system. In general, these laws and regulations establish: the eligible business activities for the Company; certain acquisition and merger restrictions; limitations on intercompany transactions such as loans and dividends; capital adequacy requirements; requirements for anti-money laundering programs; and consumer lending and other compliance requirements. While these statutes and regulations are generally designed to minimize potential loss to depositors and the FDIC insurance funds, they do not eliminate risk, and compliance with such statutes and regulations increases the Company’s expense, requires management’s attention and can be a disadvantage from a competitive standpoint with respect to non-regulated competitors and larger bank competitors.

Current wording

The Company and the Bank are extensively regulated under federal and state banking laws and regulations that are primarily intended for the protection of depositors, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system, but not shareholders. In general, these laws and regulations establish: the eligible business activities for the Company; certain acquisition and merger restrictions; limitations on intercompany transactions such as loans and dividends; capital adequacy requirements; requirements for anti-money laundering programs; and consumer lending and other compliance requirements. While these statutes and regulations are generally designed to minimize potential loss to depositors and the FDIC insurance funds, they do not eliminate risk, and compliance with such statutes and regulations increases the Company’s expense, requires management’s attention and can be a disadvantage from a competitive standpoint with respect to non-regulated competitors and larger bank competitors.

Previous wording

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’s financial institution competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements, and new payment services developed and offered by non-financial institution competitors pose an increasing threat to the traditional payment services offered by financial institutions. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services, be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers, or effectively deploy new technologies to improve the efficiency of its operations. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in large part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’s financial institution competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements, and new payment services developed and offered by non-financial institution competitors pose an increasing threat to the traditional payment services offered by financial institutions. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services, be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers or effectively deploy new technologies to improve the efficiency of its operations. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

Lending money is an essential part of the banking business, and the revenues derived from lending activities are the most significant segment of the Company’s income statement. Extended periods of sluggish loan demand can materially affect the composition of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition, reducing the ratio of loans to deposits and the Company’s profitability. Adverse changes in the economy and real estate markets and the duration of economic downturns can negatively affect the solvency of businesses and consumers. Borrowers’ inability to repay loans causes increases in non-performing assets, which may result in elevated collection and carrying costs related to such non-performing assets and increases in loan charge-offs, significantly impacting the credit loss provision charged to earnings to fund the allowance for credit losses. The risk of non-payment is affected by credit risks of the borrower, changes in economic and industry conditions, the duration of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral supporting the loan. Historically, commercial loans have presented a greater risk of non-payment than consumer loans. The application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on these loans.

Current wording

Lending money is an essential part of the banking business, and the revenues derived from lending activities are the most significant segment of the Company’s income statement. Extended periods of sluggish loan demand can materially affect the composition of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition, reducing the ratio of loans to deposits, and the Company’s profitability. Adverse changes in the economy and real estate markets and the duration of economic downturns can negatively affect the solvency of businesses and consumers. Borrowers’ inability to repay loans causes increases in non-performing assets, which may result in elevated collection and carrying costs related to such non-performing assets and increases in loan charge-offs, significantly impacting the credit loss provision charged to earnings to fund the allowance for credit losses. The risk of non-payment is affected by credit risks of the borrower, changes in economic and industry conditions, the duration of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $6.5 million of municipal securities issued by various municipalities in its investment portfolio. Uncertainty with respect to the financial viability of municipal insurers places greater emphasis on the underlying strength of issuers. Increasing pressure on local tax revenues of issuers due to adverse economic conditions could also have a negative impact on the underlying credit quality of issuers.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately $6.0 million of municipal securities issued by various municipalities in its investment portfolio. Uncertainty with respect to the financial viability of municipal insurers places greater emphasis on the underlying strength of issuers. Increasing pressure on local tax revenues of issuers due to adverse economic conditions could also have a negative impact on the underlying credit quality of issuers.

Previous wording

As a result of these failures, there has been an increased customer and regulatory focus on funding and liquidity at financial institutions, the composition of their deposits, including the amount of uninsured deposits, the amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss, capital levels and interest rate risk management. If we are unable to meet the increased expectations of our customers and regulatory agencies, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

In 2023, four highly publicized bank failures occurred. These banks had elevated levels of uninsured deposits, which may be less likely to remain at the bank over time and less stable as a source of funding than insured deposits. These failures led to volatility and declines in the market for bank stocks and questions about depositor confidence in depository institutions. As a result of these failures, there was an increased customer and regulatory focus on funding and liquidity at financial institutions, the composition of their deposits, including the amount of uninsured deposits, the amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss, capital levels and interest rate risk management. If we are unable to meet the liquidity expectations of our customers and regulatory agencies, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank and depends on the payment of dividends from the Bank for substantially all its revenues. As a result, the Company's ability to make dividend payments on its common stock depends primarily on certain federal and state regulatory considerations and the receipt of dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries. There are various regulatory and prudential supervisory restrictions, which may change from time to time, that impact the ability of the Bank to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company. There can be no assurance that the Bank will be able to pay dividends at past levels, or at all, in the future. If the Company does not receive enough cash dividends or is unable to borrow from the Bank, then the Company may not have enough funds to pay dividends to its shareholders, repurchase its common stock or service its debt obligations.

Current wording

The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank and depends on the payment of dividends from the Bank for substantially all of its revenues. As a result, the Company's ability to make dividend payments on its common stock depends primarily on certain federal and state regulatory considerations and the receipt of dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries. There are various regulatory and prudential supervisory restrictions, which may change from time to time, that impact the ability of the Bank to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company. There can be no assurance that the Bank will be able to pay dividends at past levels, or at all, in the future. If the Company does not receive enough cash dividends or is unable to borrow from the Bank, then the Company may not have enough funds to pay dividends to its shareholders, repurchase its common stock or service its debt obligations.

Previous wording

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company presently contain certain provisions, such as staggered Board of Directors terms and super majority voting requirements for transactions not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, which may be deemed to be "anti-takeover" in nature in that such provisions may deter, discourage or make more difficult the assumption of control of the Company by another company or person through a tender offer, merger, proxy contest or similar transaction or series of transactions. In addition, provisions of Pennsylvania and applicable federal banking laws could similarly make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company. The overall effects of the "anti-takeover” provisions may be to discourage, make costlier or more difficult, or prevent a future takeover offer, even if shareholders may desire the Company to pursue the takeover offer. These provisions may also increase the possibility that a future bidder for control of the Company will be required to act through arms-length negotiation with the Company’s Board of Directors.

Current wording

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company presently contain certain provisions, such as staggered Board of Directors terms and super majority voting requirements for transactions not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, which may be deemed to be "anti-takeover" in nature. As such, these provisions may deter, discourage or make more difficult the assumption of control of the Company by another company or person through a tender offer, merger, proxy contest or similar transaction or series of transactions. In addition, provisions of Pennsylvania and applicable federal banking laws could similarly make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company. The overall effects of the "anti-takeover” provisions may be to discourage, make costlier or more difficult, or prevent a future takeover offer, even if shareholders may desire the Company to pursue the takeover offer. These provisions may also increase the possibility that a future bidder for control of the Company will be required to act through arms-length negotiation with the Company’s Board of Directors.

Previous wording

The Company’s efforts to comply with Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding the Company’s assessment of its internal controls over financial reporting are likely to continue to result in increased expenses. The Company’s management and audit committee have given the Company’s compliance with Section 404(b) a high priority. The Company cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that the Company implements and maintains adequate controls over its financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm the Company’s operating results or cause the Company to fail to meet its reporting obligations. If the Company fails to correct any issues in the design or operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting or fails to prevent fraud, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in the Company’s financial reporting, which could harm its business and the trading price of its common stock.

Current wording

The Company’s efforts to comply with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding the Company’s assessment of its internal controls over financial reporting are likely to continue to result in increased expenses. The Company’s management and audit committee have given the Company’s compliance with Section 404(a) a high priority. The Company cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that the Company implements and maintains adequate controls over its financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm the Company’s operating results or cause the Company to fail to meet its reporting obligations. If the Company fails to correct any issues in the design or operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting or fails to prevent fraud, current and potential