Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-39036
ALERUS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
45-0375407
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)
401 Demers Avenue
Grand Forks, ND
58201
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(701) 795-3200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
ALRS
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ◻
Accelerated filer ⌧
Non-accelerated filer ◻
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ⌧
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at October 31, 2022 was 19,987,274.
Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Page
Part 1:
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements
1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
39
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
61
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
63
Part 2:
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
64
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
65
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
66
Signatures
67
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 - Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30,
December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
2022
2021
Assets
(Unaudited)
(Audited)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
54,167
242,311
Investment securities
Available-for-sale, at fair value
729,110
853,649
Held-to-maturity, at carrying value
326,410
352,061
Fed funds sold
14,124
—
Loans held for sale
26,129
46,490
Loans
2,318,231
1,758,020
Allowance for loan losses
(30,968)
(31,572)
Net loans
2,287,263
1,726,448
Land, premises and equipment, net
17,067
18,370
Operating lease right-of-use assets
3,481
3,727
Accrued interest receivable
11,256
8,537
Bank-owned life insurance
33,777
33,156
Goodwill
46,060
31,490
Other intangible assets
23,779
20,250
Servicing rights
2,780
1,880
Deferred income taxes, net
45,889
11,614
Other assets
69,961
42,708
Total assets
3,691,253
3,392,691
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing
905,228
938,840
Interest-bearing
2,056,583
1,981,711
Total deposits
2,961,811
2,920,551
Short-term borrowings
253,830
Long-term debt
58,836
58,933
Operating lease liabilities
3,802
4,275
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
68,135
49,529
Total liabilities
3,346,414
3,033,288
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized: 0 issued and outstanding
Common stock, $1 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized: 19,987,274 and 17,212,588 issued and outstanding
19,987
17,213
Additional paid-in capital
154,629
92,878
Retained earnings
273,132
253,567
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(102,909)
(4,255)
Total stockholders’ equity
344,839
359,403
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
Interest Income
Loans, including fees
25,379
18,888
60,659
58,779
Taxable
5,939
3,249
17,447
8,547
Exempt from federal income taxes
209
225
638
694
Other
748
185
1,021
432
Total interest income
32,275
22,547
79,765
68,452
Interest Expense
1,852
880
3,494
2,781
1,516
1,794
591
535
1,712
1,361
Total interest expense
3,959
1,415
7,000
4,142
Net interest income
28,316
21,132
72,765
64,310
Provision for loan losses
(2,000)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
23,132
66,310
Noninterest Income
Retirement and benefit services
16,597
18,031
50,536
53,157
Wealth management
4,852
5,295
15,726
15,419
Mortgage banking
3,782
11,116
14,751
40,535
Service charges on deposit accounts
377
357
1,152
1,025
Net gains (losses) on investment securities
11
125
1,402
1,230
3,541
3,408
Total noninterest income
27,010
36,040
85,706
113,669
Noninterest Expense
Compensation
21,168
23,291
61,467
71,298
Employee taxes and benefits
5,079
5,058
17,028
16,443
Occupancy and equipment expense
1,925
2,063
5,713
6,212
Business services, software and technology expense
5,373
5,332
15,082
15,266
Intangible amortization expense
1,324
1,088
3,430
3,327
Professional fees and assessments
3,126
1,503
6,913
4,484
Marketing and business development
890
865
2,304
2,310
Supplies and postage
588
549
1,806
1,583
Travel
291
174
826
236
Mortgage and lending expenses
409
1,231
1,577
3,762
2,594
887
4,676
2,712
Total noninterest expense
42,767
42,041
120,822
127,633
Income before income taxes
12,559
17,131
37,649
52,346
Income tax expense
2,940
4,064
8,553
12,370
Net income
9,619
13,067
29,096
39,976
Per Common Share Data
Basic earnings per common share
0.48
0.75
1.58
2.29
Diluted earnings per common share
0.47
0.74
1.56
2.26
Dividends declared per common share
0.18
0.16
0.52
Average common shares outstanding
17,205
18,186
17,182
Diluted average common shares outstanding
20,230
17,499
18,431
17,488
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Net Income
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
(43,305)
(2,496)
(131,424)
(13,101)
Accretion of (gains) losses on debt securities reclassified to held-to-maturity
(91)
(106)
(290)
(221)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) realized in income
(11)
(125)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
(43,396)
(2,613)
(131,714)
(13,447)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income
(10,892)
(656)
(33,060)
(3,375)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(32,504)
(1,957)
(98,654)
(10,072)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
(22,885)
11,110
(69,558)
29,904
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
Three months ended September 30, 2022
Accumulated
Additional
Common
Paid-in
Retained
Comprehensive
(dollars and shares in thousands)
Stock
Capital
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Total
Balance as of June 30, 2022
17,306
93,129
267,128
(70,405)
307,158
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Common stock repurchased
Common stock dividends
(3,615)
Stock issuance from the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank
2,681
61,149
63,830
Stock-based compensation expense
351
Vesting of restricted stock
Balance as of September 30, 2022
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Balance as of December 31, 2021
(24)
(673)
(697)
(9,531)
Share‑based compensation expense
10
1,382
1,392
107
(107)
Three months ended September 30, 2021
Balance as of June 30, 2021
17,198
91,273
233,397
2,523
344,391
(2)
(23)
(50)
(75)
(2,776)
545
12
(12)
Balance as of September 30, 2021
17,208
91,783
243,638
566
353,195
Nine months ended September 30, 2021
Balance as of December 31, 2020
17,125
90,237
212,163
10,638
330,163
(18)
(157)
(346)
(521)
(8,155)
1,796
1,804
93
(93)
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Operating Activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities
Deferred income taxes
(1,215)
1,176
Depreciation and amortization
6,116
6,726
Amortization and accretion of premiums/discounts on investment securities
2,778
2,506
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets
(65)
(40)
Stock-based compensation
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance
(621)
(591)
Realized loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets
(33)
(62)
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments
1,031
6,612
Realized loss (gain) on loans sold
(10,062)
(39,940)
Realized loss (gain) on sale of foreclosed assets
(9)
(203)
Realized loss (gain) on sale of investment securities
Realized loss (gain) on servicing rights
(683)
(369)
Net change in:
30,193
101,482
(1,628)
(13,903)
(1,951)
12,348
1,913
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
54,735
117,740
Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales or calls of investment securities available-for-sale
13,189
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale
88,417
91,240
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
(96,968)
(331,785)
Proceeds from sales or calls of investment securities held-to-maturity
827
1,763
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity
23,422
Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity
(218,443)
Net (increase) decrease in loans
(290,565)
177,675
Net cash received for business combinations
101,585
Purchases of premises and equipment
(1,081)
(845)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets
143
539
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
(174,220)
(263,986)
Financing Activities
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
(312,425)
141,095
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
Repayments of long-term debt
(182)
(49,861)
Proceeds from the issuance of subordinated debt
50,000
Cash dividends paid on common stock
(9,185)
(7,975)
Repurchase of common stock
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(68,659)
132,738
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(188,144)
(13,508)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
172,962
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
159,454
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Cash paid for:
Interest
7,269
3,498
Income taxes
8,713
12,075
Non-cash information
Loan collateral transferred to foreclosed assets
153
1,135
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale
(98,364)
(9,851)
Accretion of unrealized (gain) loss on investment securities held-to-maturity
Investment securities transferred to held-to-maturity
149,191
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating leases
1,452
Acquisitions
Noncash assets acquired
297,667
Liabilities assumed
(354,358)
Issuance of stock for the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank
(64,019)
Net noncash acquired
(120,710)
7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1 Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Alerus Financial Corporation, or the Company, is a financial holding company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Company and its subsidiaries operate as a diversified financial services company headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through its subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association, or the Bank, the Company provides financial solutions to businesses and consumers through four distinct business lines—banking, retirement and benefit services, wealth management, and mortgage.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and conform to practices within the banking industry and include all of the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial reporting. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or any other period. The Company has also evaluated all subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These interim unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company’s principal operating subsidiary is the Bank.
In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into a transaction with a variable interest entity or VIE. VIE’s are legal entities whose investors lack the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities, or whose equity investors do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The applicable accounting guidance requires the Company to perform ongoing quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine whether it must consolidate any VIE. The Company does not have any ownership interest in, or exert any control, over any VIE, and thus no VIE’s are included in the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the valuation of investment securities, determination of the allowance for loan losses, valuation of reporting units for the purpose of testing goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, valuation of deferred tax assets, and fair values of financial instruments.
Reclassifications
Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s reporting format. Such reclassifications did not affect net income or stockholders’ equity.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, even if the Company complies with the greater obligations of public companies that are not emerging growth companies, the Company may avail itself of the reduced requirements applicable to emerging growth companies from time to time in the future, so long as the Company is an emerging growth company. The Company will continue to be an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (1) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was declared effective by the SEC on September 12, 2019; (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which the Company has $1.07 billion or more in annual revenues; (3) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; or (4) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued publicly or privately, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities.
Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As an emerging growth company, the Company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The Company elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
NOTE 2 Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The following FASB Accounting Standards Updates, or ASUs, are divided into pronouncements which have been adopted by the Company since January 1, 2022, and those which are not yet effective and have been evaluated or are currently being evaluated by management as of September 30, 2022.
Adopted Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which simplifies accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for the areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. For private companies and smaller reporting companies, this guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12, as of January 2022. The new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Pronouncements Not Yet Effective
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires a new impairment model known as the current expected credit loss, or CECL, which significantly changes the way impairment of financial instruments is recognized by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of financial instruments. The main provisions of ASU 2016-13 include (1) replacing the “incurred cost” approach under
9
GAAP with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost, (2) requiring entities to record an allowance for credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities rather than a direct write-down of the carrying amount of the investments, as is required by the other-than-temporary impairment model under current GAAP, and (3) a simplified accounting model for purchase credit-impaired debt securities and loans. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). This update amends the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for certain entities, including private companies and smaller reporting companies, until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal periods. Early adoption is permitted. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this delay and plans to adopt the standard with the amended effective date. The Company does not plan to early adopt this standard but continues to work on its implementation. The Company continues collecting and retaining loan and credit data and evaluating various loss estimation models. While we currently cannot reasonably estimate the impact of adopting this standard, we expect the impact will be influenced by the composition, characteristics, and quality of our loan portfolio, as well as the general economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures to provide resources to monitor and assist stakeholders with the implementation of Topic 326. Post-Implementation Review (PIR) activities have included forming a Credit Losses Transition Resource group conducting outreach with stakeholders of all types, developing educational materials and staff question-and-answer guidance, conducting education workshops and performing an archival review of financial reports. As we move forward with the implementation of this standard, we are reviewing these resources for additional guidance.
In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which affects a variety of topics in the Codification and applies to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance. The Company will consider these clarifications and improvements in determining the appropriate adoption of ASU 2019-04.
In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief, to provide entities with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis for eligible instruments. In November 2019, the FASB Issued ASU 2019-10, which amends the effective date of this ASU for certain entities, including private companies and smaller reporting companies, until after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this delay and plans to adopt the standard with the amended effective date. This update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. This ASU represents changes to clarify or improve the Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, related to seven topics. The amendments make the ASC easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. Issues 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are conforming amendments and for public business entities effective upon the issuance of the standard. Issues 6 and 7 are amendments that affect the guidance in ASU 2016-13. The Company will consider these clarifications and improvements in determining the appropriate adoption of ASU 2016-13.
NOTE 3 Business Combinations
On July 1, 2022, the Company acquired MPB BHC, Inc, the bank holding company for Metro Phoenix Bank located in Phoenix, Arizona, for a total purchase price of $64.0 million in a stock-for-stock transaction. As part of the transaction, $7.6 million was allocated to a customer deposit intangible and $14.7 million to goodwill. The purchase
consisted of $270.4 million in loans and $353.7 million in deposits. The purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at their respective acquisition date estimate fair values indicated in the following table:
As recorded by
Preliminary Fair Value
Metro Phoenix Bank
Adjustments
the Company
101,819
(45)
101,774
18,936
Core deposit intangible
7,592
273,843
(3,440)
270,403
1,091
3,342
517
3,859
399,031
4,624
403,655
Liabilities
354,529
(844)
353,685
Other liabilities
673
355,202
354,358
Excess assets over liabilities
43,829
5,468
49,297
Stock issued for MPB
64,019
Total goodwill recorded
14,722
NOTE 4 Investment Securities
The following tables present amortized cost, gross unrealized gain and losses, and fair value of the available-for-sale investment securities and the amortized cost, net unrealized gains, carrying value, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of for held-to-maturity as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
September 30, 2022
Amortized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury and agencies
3,826
26
(19)
3,833
Mortgage backed securities
Residential agency
721,170
(124,187)
596,989
Commercial
72,584
(7,301)
65,283
Asset backed securities
35
Corporate bonds
69,528
(6,558)
62,970
Total available-for-sale investment securities
867,143
32
(138,065)
Held-to-maturity
Obligations of state and political agencies
138,664
(18,836)
119,828
187,746
(34,268)
153,478
Total held-to-maturity investment securities
(53,104)
273,306
Total investment securities
1,193,553
(191,169)
1,002,416
December 31, 2021
5,028
75
5,103
717,781
1,213
(11,837)
707,157
88,362
2,674
(123)
90,913
52
54
49,035
1,398
50,422
860,258
5,362
(11,971)
144,543
1,110
(349)
145,304
207,518
(3,145)
204,373
(3,494)
349,677
1,212,319
6,472
(15,465)
1,203,326
Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were as follows:
Less than 12 Months
Over 12 Months
529
(60,983)
325,016
(63,204)
271,347
596,363
(5,425)
54,666
(1,876)
10,618
65,284
22
24
62,945
(72,985)
443,178
(65,080)
281,967
725,145
(16,300)
94,902
(2,536)
24,926
(36,804)
178,404
(89,285)
538,080
(101,884)
460,371
998,451
(10,156)
554,811
(1,681)
55,082
609,893
17,470
5,989
(10,290)
578,270
55,084
633,354
53,210
257,583
(13,784)
835,853
890,937
For all of the above investment securities, the unrealized losses were due to changes in interest rates, and unrealized losses were considered to be temporary as the fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity dates. The Company expects that it could see a continued increase in unrealized losses if the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates. The Company evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment, or OTTI, on a quarterly basis, at a minimum, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. In estimating OTTI losses, consideration is given to the severity and duration of the impairment; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, which for debt securities, considers external credit ratings and recent downgrades; and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not recognize OTTI losses on its investment securities.
The following table presents amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and carrying value and fair value of held-to-maturity investment securities as of September 30, 2022, by contractual maturity:
Carrying
Due within one year or less
6,808
6,742
Due after one year through five years
40,702
37,102
21,421
19,957
Due after five years through ten years
69,679
58,557
89,695
81,580
Due after 10 years
209,221
170,905
756,016
627,562
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Investment securities with a total carrying value of $264.1 million and $192.8 million were pledged as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.
13
Proceeds from the sale or call of available-for-sale investment securities, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, are displayed in the table below:
Proceeds
Realized gains
114
Realized losses
Proceeds from the call of held-to-maturity investment securities, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, are displayed in the table below:
101
348
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying value of the Company’s Federal Reserve stock and Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or FHLB, stock was as follows:
Federal Reserve
4,616
2,675
FHLB
15,554
3,806
These securities can only be redeemed or sold at their par value and only to the respective issuing institution or to another member institution. The Company records these non-marketable equity securities as a component of other assets and periodically evaluates these securities for impairment. Management considers these non-marketable equity securities to be long-term investments. Accordingly, when evaluating these securities for impairment, management considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value.
Visa Class B Restricted Shares
In 2008, the Company received Visa Class B restricted shares as part of Visa’s initial public offering. These shares are transferable only under limited circumstances until they can be converted into the publicly traded Class A common shares. This conversion will not occur until the settlement of certain litigation which will be indemnified by Visa members, including the Company. Visa funded an escrow account from its initial public offering to settle these litigation claims. Should this escrow account be insufficient to cover these litigation claims, Visa is entitled to fund additional amounts to the escrow account by reducing each member bank’s Class B conversion ratio to unrestricted Class A shares. As of September 30, 2022, the conversion ratio was 1.6059. Based on the existing transfer restriction and the uncertainty of the outcome of the Visa litigation mentioned above, the 6,924 Class B shares (11,119 Class A equivalents) that the Company owned as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were carried at a zero cost basis.
14
NOTE 5 Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
The following table presents total loans outstanding, by portfolio segment, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Commercial and industrial (1)
564,655
436,761
Real estate construction
89,215
40,619
Commercial real estate
819,068
598,893
Total commercial
1,472,938
1,076,273
Consumer
Residential real estate first mortgage
649,818
510,716
Residential real estate junior lien
143,681
125,668
Other revolving and installment
51,794
45,363
Total consumer
845,293
681,747
Total loans
Total loans included net deferred loan fees and costs of $851 thousand and $231 thousand at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Deferred loan fees on PPP loans were $22 thousand at September 30, 2022 and $881 thousand at December 31, 2021. Unearned discounts associated with the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank totaled $8.0 million as of September 30, 2022.
Management monitors the credit quality of its loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. Measurements of delinquency and past due status are based on the contractual terms of each loan. Past due loans are reviewed regularly to identify loans for nonaccrual status. Loan modifications made in accordance with the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions, as issued on April 7, 2020, are included as accruing current.
The following tables present a past due aging analysis of total loans outstanding, by portfolio segment, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
90 Days
Accruing
30 - 89 Days
or More
Current
Past Due
Nonaccrual
Commercial and industrial
561,865
311
1,000
1,479
818,439
629
1,469,519
2,108
645,896
1,923
1,999
143,491
188
51,601
840,988
2,110
2,195
2,310,507
2,421
4,303
15
435,135
168
121
1,337
598,264
1,074,018
1,966
508,925
1,770
21
125,412
167
89
45,242
679,579
2,058
110
1,753,597
2,226
2,076
The Company’s consumer loan portfolio is primarily comprised of secured loans that are evaluated at origination on a centralized basis against standardized underwriting criteria. The Company generally does not risk rate consumer loans unless a default event such as bankruptcy or extended nonperformance takes place. Credit quality for the consumer loan portfolio is measured by delinquency rates, nonaccrual amounts and actual losses incurred.
The Company assigns a risk rating to all commercial loans, except pools of homogeneous loans, and periodically performs detailed internal and external reviews of risk rated loans over a certain threshold to identify credit risks and to assess the overall collectability of the portfolio. These risk ratings are also subject to examination by the Company’s regulators. During the internal reviews, management monitors and analyzes the financial condition of borrowers and guarantors, trends in the industries in which the borrowers operate and the estimated fair values of collateral securing the loans. These credit quality indicators are used to assign a risk rating to each individual loan.
The Company’s ratings are aligned to pass and criticized categories. The criticized category includes special mention, substandard, and doubtful risk ratings. The risk ratings are defined as follows:
Pass: A pass loan is a credit with no existing or known potential weaknesses deserving of management’s close attention.
Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, this potential weakness may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date. Special mention loans are not adversely classified and do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.
Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are not adequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment of the debt. Well-defined weaknesses include a borrower’s lack of marketability, inadequate cash flow or collateral support, failure to complete construction on time, or the failure to fulfill economic expectations. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or repayment in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss: Loans classified as loss are considered uncollectible and charged off immediately.
16
The tables below present total loans outstanding, by loan portfolio segment, and risk category as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Criticized
Special
Pass
Mention
Substandard
Doubtful
559,647
5,008
809,910
3,840
5,318
1,458,772
10,326
647,517
2,237
143,006
675
51,786
842,309
2,920
2,301,081
3,904
13,246
430,235
480
6,046
585,291
13,602
1,056,145
19,648
510,375
341
124,898
770
680,636
1,111
1,736,781
20,759
The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is assessed at the end of each quarter. The allowance for loan losses includes a specific component related to loans that are individually evaluated for impairment and a general component related to loans that are segregated into homogeneous pools and collectively evaluated for impairment. The factors applied to these pools are an estimate of probable incurred losses based on management’s evaluation of historical net losses from loans with similar characteristics, which are adjusted by management to reflect current events, trends, and conditions. The adjustments include consideration of the following: changes in lending policies and procedures, economic conditions, nature and volume of the portfolio, experience of lending management, volume and severity of past due loans, quality of the loan review system, value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, concentrations, and other external factors.
17
The following tables present, by loan portfolio segment, a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Beginning
Provision for
Loan
Ending
Balance
Loan Losses
Charge-offs
Recoveries
10,333
(672)
105
8,921
878
378
76
1,332
10,834
1,335
12,270
22,045
868
282
22,523
6,175
(584)
5,591
1,467
(109)
1,365
634
53
537
8,276
(768)
60
7,493
Unallocated
1,052
(100)
952
31,373
(747)
342
30,968
8,925
1,011
(1,336)
321
783
473
12,376
(229)
123
22,084
1,255
520
6,532
(941)
1,295
(151)
221
481
(130)
8,308
(1,027)
1,180
(228)
31,572
(1,466)
862
9,620
(825)
9,100
587
92
679
12,937
(413)
12,524
23,144
(1,146)
22,303
6,176
625
6,801
1,401
1,423
574
(32)
(46)
27
523
8,151
599
43
8,747
2,469
(1,453)
1,016
33,764
(793)
1,095
32,066
18
10,205
(1,378)
(1,224)
1,497
658
14,105
(1,049)
(536)
24,968
(2,406)
(1,760)
1,501
5,774
1,027
1,373
(63)
113
753
(196)
(139)
7,900
768
218
1,378
(362)
34,246
(1,899)
1,719
The following tables present the recorded investment in loans and related allowance for loan losses, by loan portfolio segment, disaggregated on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Recorded Investment
Allowance for Loan Losses
Individually
Collectively
Evaluated
2,083
562,572
264
8,657
800
818,268
2,883
1,470,055
22,259
1,998
647,820
143,493
2,194
843,099
5,077
2,313,154
29,752
1,831
434,930
278
8,647
809
598,084
12,371
2,640
1,073,633
283
21,801
510,695
91
125,577
112
681,635
2,752
1,755,268
30,109
19
The table below summarizes key information on impaired loans. These impaired loans may have estimated losses which are included in the allowance for loan losses:
Recorded
Unpaid
Related
Investment
Principal
Allowance
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
712
744
445
464
180
203
Total impaired loans with a valuation allowance
667
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
1,371
1,476
1,386
1,575
855
684
2,077
211
120
Total impaired loans without a valuation allowance
4,365
4,627
2,127
2,403
Total impaired loans
2,220
2,039
5,371
3,070
20
The table below presents the average recorded investment in impaired loans and interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Three months ended September 30,
Average
Income
722
719
779
1,510
2,016
801
3,793
2,032
189
166
4,401
6,096
2,093
2,735
4,572
5,123
7,606
Nine Months Ended September 30,
833
818
782
1,614
1,291
2,061
805
3,980
193
190
4,408
6,345
2,124
29
2,879
25
4,762
201
5,241
34
7,959
31
Loans with a carrying value of $1.4 billion as of September 30, 2022 and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2021, were pledged to secure public deposits, and for other purposes required or permitted by law.
Under certain circumstances, the Company will provide borrowers relief through loan restructurings. A restructuring of debt constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, or TDR, if the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. TDR concessions can include a reduction of interest rates, an extension of maturity dates, forgiveness of principal or interest due, or acceptance of other assets in full or partial satisfaction of the debt.
During the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, there were no loans modified as a TDR.
The Company does not have material commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers with loans whose terms have been modified in TDRs or whose loans are on nonaccrual.
NOTE 6 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Banking
34,854
20,131
11,206
11,359
Total goodwill
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, at a minimum, and more frequently when the economic environment warrants. The Company determined that there was no goodwill impairment as of September 30, 2022.
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each type of identifiable intangible asset are as follows:
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Identifiable customer intangibles
41,423
(24,920)
16,503
42,057
(21,807)
Core deposit intangible assets
(316)
7,276
Total intangible assets
49,015
(25,236)
Amortization of intangible assets was $1.3 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets was $3.4 million and $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
NOTE 7 Loan Servicing
Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others totaled $372.5 million and $345.8 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting mortgage payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and collection and foreclosure processing. Loan servicing income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers, such as late payment fees, and is net of fair value adjustments to capitalized mortgage servicing rights.
The following table summarizes the Company’s activity related to servicing rights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Balance, beginning of period
2,064
1,964
1,987
Additions
604
84
622
195
Amortization
(110)
(195)
(367)
(580)
(Impairment)/Recovery
222
(77)
645
Balance, end of period
1,776
The following is a summary of key data and assumptions used in the valuation of servicing rights as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Increases or decreases in any one of these assumptions would result in lower or higher fair value measurements:
Fair value of servicing rights
Weighted-average remaining term, years
20.6
20.3
Prepayment speeds
6.7
%
14.2
Discount rate
10.0
9.5
NOTE 8 Leases
Substantially all of the leases in which the Company is the lessee are comprised of real estate property for offices and office equipment rentals with terms extending through 2027. Portions of certain properties are subleased for terms extending through 2024. Substantially all of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases. The Company has one existing finance lease for the Company’s headquarters building with a lease term through October 31, 2022.
The Company elected not to include short-term leases (i.e., leases with initial terms of twelve months or less), or equipment leases (deemed immaterial) on the consolidated financial statements. The following table presents the classification of the Company’s right-of-use, or ROU, assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated financial statements:
Lease Right-of-Use Assets
Classification
Finance lease right-of-use assets
87
Total lease right-of-use assets
3,814
Lease Liabilities
Finance lease liabilities
Total lease liabilities
3,823
4,478
The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities in the table above are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to present value the minimum lease payments. The Company’s lease agreements often include one or more options to renew at the Company’s discretion. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. Regarding the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term. For the Company’s only finance lease, the Company utilized its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception.
23
Weighted-average remaining lease term, years
Operating leases
4.4
3.4
Finance leases
0.8
Weighted-average discount rate
2.7
2.5
7.8
As the Company elected, for all classes of underlying assets, not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead to account for them as a single lease component, the variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities. Variable lease cost also includes payments for usage or maintenance of those capitalized equipment operating leases.
The following table presents lease costs and other lease information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Lease costs
Operating lease cost
425
429
1,250
1,417
Variable lease cost
187
192
550
583
Short-term lease cost
276
172
Finance lease cost
Interest on lease liabilities
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Sublease income
(51)
(179)
(163)
Net lease cost
695
1,991
2,118
Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities operating cash flows from operating leases
400
411
1,184
1,372
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
1,065
Future minimum payments for finance and operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of September 30, 2022 were as follows:
Finance
Operating
Leases
Twelve months ended
September 30, 2023
1,582
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2025
541
September 30, 2026
402
September 30, 2027
309
Thereafter
441
Total future minimum lease payments
4,102
Amounts representing interest
(300)
Total operating lease liabilities
NOTE 9 Deposits
The components of deposits in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Interest-bearing demand
653,216
714,669
Savings accounts
101,820
96,825
Money market savings
1,079,520
937,305
Time deposits
222,027
232,912
Total interest-bearing
NOTE 10 Short-Term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following:
Fed funds purchased
53,830
FHLB Short-term advances
200,000
The following table presents information related to short-term borrowings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Balance as of end of period
Average daily balance
84,149
Maximum month-end balance
78,015
Weighted-average rate
During period
3.71
End of period
3.25
168,750
1.71
3.20
55,527
117,350
2.47
60,073
NOTE 11 Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following:
Period End
Face
Maturity
Interest Rate
Rate
Date
Call Date
Subordinated notes payable
Fixed
3.50
3/30/2031
3/31/2026
Junior subordinated debenture (Trust I)
4,124
3,526
Three-month LIBOR + 3.10%
6.74
6/26/2033
6/26/2008
Junior subordinated debenture (Trust II)
6,186
5,289
Three-month LIBOR + 1.80%
5.09
9/15/2036
9/15/2011
Finance lease liability
2,700
7.81
10/31/2022
N/A
Total long-term debt
63,010
3,492
3.32
5,238
2.00
NOTE 12 Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk
In the normal course of business, the Bank has outstanding commitments and contingent liabilities, such as commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making such commitments as it does for instruments that are included in the statements of financial condition.
A summary of the contractual amounts of the Company’s exposure to off-balance sheet risk as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, was as follows:
Commitments to extend credit
785,745
668,115
Standby letters of credit
11,414
10,529
797,159
678,644
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each client’s creditworthiness on a case by case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, and income producing commercial properties.
The Company was not required to perform on any financial guarantees and did not incur any losses on its commitments during the past two years.
The Company utilizes standby letters of credit issued by either the FHLB or the Bank of North Dakota to secure public unit deposits. The Company had no letters of credit outstanding with the FHLB as of September 30, 2022. The Company had a $150 thousand letter of credit outstanding with the FHLB as of December 31, 2021. With the Bank of North Dakota, the Company had no letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Bank of North Dakota potential letters of credit were collateralized by loans pledged to the Bank of North Dakota in the amount of $224.0 million and $229.7 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
NOTE 13 Share-Based Compensation
On May 6, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved the Alerus Financial Corporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. This plan gives the compensation committee the ability to grant a wide variety of equity awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and cash incentive awards in such forms and amounts as it deems appropriate to accomplish the goals of the plan. Any shares subject to an award that is cancelled, forfeited, or expires prior to exercise or realization, either in full or in part, shall again become available for issuance under the plan. However, shares subject to an award shall not again be made available for issuance or delivery under the plan if such shares are (a) tendered in payment of the exercise price of a stock option, (b) delivered to, or withheld by, the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) covered by a stock-settled stock appreciation right or other awards and were not issued upon the settlement of the award. Shares vest, become exercisable and contain such other terms and conditions as determined by the compensation committee and set forth in individual agreements with the participant receiving the award. The plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,100,000 shares of common stock. As of September 30, 2022, 922,010 shares of common stock are still available for issuance under the plan.
The compensation expense relating to awards under these plans was $351 thousand and $545 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The compensation expense relating to awards under these plans was $1.4 million and $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table presents the activity in the stock plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Nine months ended September 30,
Weighted-
Average Grant
Awards
Date Fair Value
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Outstanding at beginning of period
260,850
21.04
325,030
19.48
Granted
102,265
25.44
66,664
26.63
Vested
(107,370)
19.19
(101,108)
20.46
Forfeited or cancelled
(10,624)
23.71
Outstanding at end of period
245,121
23.57
290,586
20.77
As of September 30, 2022, there was $3.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested awards granted under the plans. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.
NOTE 14 Income Taxes
The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Percent of
Amount
Pretax Income
Taxes at statutory federal income tax rate
2,637
21.0
3,598
Tax effect of:
Tax exempt income
(133)
(1.1)
(134)
(0.8)
State income taxes, net of federal benefits
406
3.2
756
Nondeductible items and other
30
0.2
(156)
(0.9)
Applicable income taxes
23.3
23.7
7,906
10,993
(372)
(1.0)
(434)
1,515
4.0
2,407
4.6
(496)
(1.3)
(596)
22.7
It is the opinion of management that the Company has no significant uncertain tax positions that would be subject to change upon examination.
NOTE 15 Tax Credit Investments
The Company invests in qualified affordable housing projects for the purpose of community reinvestment and obtaining tax credits. The Company’s tax credit investments are limited to existing lending relationships with well-known developers and projects within the Company’s market area.
28
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing project tax credits as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Unfunded Commitment
Accounting Method
Low income housing tax credit
Proportional amortization
17,906
15,559
6,999
The following table presents a summary of the amortization expense and tax benefit recognized for the Company’s qualified affordable housing projects for the three and nine months ended three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Tax Benefit
Expense (1)
Recognized (2)
109
(146)
220
(303)
NOTE 16 Segment Reporting
The Company determines reportable segments based on the services offered, the significance of the services offered, the significance of those services to the Company’s financial statements, and management’s regular review of the operating results of those services. The Company operates through four operating segments: Banking, Retirement and Benefit Services, Wealth Management, and Mortgage.
The financial information presented for each segment includes net interest income, provision for loan losses, direct noninterest income, and direct noninterest expense, before indirect allocations. Corporate Administration includes the indirect overhead and is set forth in the table below. The segment net income before taxes represents direct revenue and expense before indirect allocations and income taxes.
The following table presents key metrics related to the Company’s segments for the periods presented:
Retirement and
Wealth
Corporate
Benefit Services
Management
Mortgage
Administration
Consolidated
28,512
393
(589)
Noninterest income
1,723
56
Noninterest expense
19,990
6,130
1,576
4,483
10,588
Net income before taxes
10,245
10,467
3,276
(308)
(11,121)
72,816
1,660
(1,711)
4,602
48,303
21,160
5,062
14,712
31,585
29,115
29,376
10,664
1,699
(33,205)
499
(535)
11,403
10,320
2,219
8,464
9,635
13,341
7,711
3,076
3,151
(10,148)
64,236
1,435
(1,361)
4,564
(6)
33,401
30,420
6,682
29,978
27,152
37,399
22,737
8,737
11,992
(28,519)
The Banking division offers a complete line of loan, deposit, cash management, and treasury services through fourteen offices in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. These products and services are supported through web and mobile based applications. The majority of the Company’s assets and liabilities are in the Banking segment’s balance sheet.
Retirement and Benefit Services
Retirement and Benefit Services provides the following services nationally: recordkeeping and administration services to qualified retirement plans; ESOP trustee, recordkeeping, and administration; investment fiduciary services to retirement plans; health savings accounts, flex spending accounts, and COBRA recordkeeping and administration services. In addition, the division operates within each of the banking markets, as well as in Lansing, Michigan and Littleton, Colorado.
Wealth Management
The Wealth Management division provides advisory and planning services, investment management, and trust and fiduciary services to clients across the Company’s footprint.
The Mortgage division offers first and second mortgage loans through a centralized mortgage unit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as through the Banking office locations.
NOTE 17 Earnings Per Share
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share using the two-class method for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 are presented below:
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
90
196
312
628
Net income available to common shareholders
9,529
12,871
28,784
39,348
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
243
294
245
306
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share
Earnings per common share:
NOTE 18 Derivative Instruments
The Company enters into interest rate swaps to facilitate client transactions and meet their financing needs. Upon entering into these instruments to meet client needs, the Company enters into offsetting positions with U.S. financial institutions in order to minimize risk to the Company. These swaps are derivatives but are not designated as hedging instruments.
The Company did not have any derivatives designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The following table presents the amounts recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Notional
Asset Derivatives
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location
Interest rate swaps
6,608
43,784
1,366
44,826
Interest rate lock commitments
1,507
52,316
Forward loan sales commitments
333
490
13,418
TBA mortgage backed securities
1,352
53,000
97,000
Total asset derivatives
7,970
97,117
3,397
207,560
Liability Derivatives
1,368
134
22,636
Total liability derivatives
66,420
The gain (loss) recognized on derivative instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Consolidated Statements
of Income Location
Other noninterest income
(1,724)
(1,793)
(1,871)
(7,298)
(532)
(499)
(480)
(2,061)
1,317
(690)
5,066
4,865
Total gain/(loss) from derivative instruments
(938)
(2,981)
2,717
(4,492)
The Company has third party agreements that require a minimum dollar transfer amount upon a margin call. This requirement is dependent on certain specified credit measures. The amount of collateral posted with third parties was zero at September 30, 2022 and $15 thousand at December 31, 2021. The amount of collateral posted with third parties was deemed to be sufficient as of those dates to collateralize both the fair market value change as well as any additional amounts that may be required as a result of a change in the specified credit measures.
NOTE 19 Regulatory Matters
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of common equity tier 1, tier 1, and total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk weighted assets (as defined) and of tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, each of the Company and the Bank had met all of the capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.
The following table presents the Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Minimum to be
Requirements
Well Capitalized
for Capital
Under Prompt
Actual
Adequacy Purposes
Corrective Action
Ratio
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
381,019
13.63
125,839
4.50
Bank
363,457
13.01
125,754
181,645
6.50
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
.
389,834
13.94
167,785
6.00
167,672
223,563
8.00
Total capital to risk weighted assets
470,802
16.84
223,713
394,425
14.11
223,562
279,454
10.00
Tier 1 capital to average assets
10.82
144,131
4.00
11.12
130,728
163,410
5.00
314,628
14.65
96,647
297,453
13.87
96,538
139,444
323,358
15.06
128,862
128,718
171,624
400,263
18.64
171,816
324,328
15.12
214,530
9.79
132,112
9.01
132,039
165,049
The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may pay without prior regulatory approval. The Company and the Bank are subject to the rules of the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act rules. The rules include a 2.5 percent capital conservation buffer that is added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes. A banking organization with a conservation buffer of less than the required amount will be subject to the limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. As of September 30, 2022, the capital ratios for the Company and the Bank were sufficient to meet the conservation buffer. In addition, the Company must adhere to various U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, regulatory guidelines including required minimum capital and liquidity to maintain their Federal Housing Administration approval status. Failure to comply with the HUD guidelines could result in withdrawal of this certification. As of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the aforementioned guidelines.
NOTE 20 Stock Repurchase Program
On February 18, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a stock repurchase program, or the Program, which authorizes the Company to repurchase up to 770,000 shares of its common stock subject to certain limitations and conditions. The Program was effective immediately and will continue for a period of 36 months. The Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any shares of its common stock and there is no assurance that the Company will do so. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, there were no shares repurchased under the Program. The Company also repurchases shares to pay withholding taxes on the vesting of restricted stock awards and units.
NOTE 21 Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value into a three level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique used to determine estimated fair value. The estimated fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used in the determination of the estimated fair value measurement fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is
33
significant to the estimated fair value measurement. Assets and liabilities valued at estimated fair value are categorized based on the following inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
Level 1—Inputs that utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access.
Level 2—Inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Estimated fair values for these instruments are estimated using pricing models, quoted prices of investment securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows.
Level 3—Inputs that are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company may re-measure the carrying value of assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis to estimated fair value. Adjustments to estimated fair value usually result when certain assets are impaired. Such assets are written down from their carrying amounts to their estimated fair value.
Professional standards allow entities the irrevocable option to elect to measure certain financial instruments and other items at estimated fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement on an instrument-by-instrument basis. The Company adopted the policy to value certain financial instruments at estimated fair value. The Company has not elected to measure any existing financial instruments at estimated fair value; however, it may elect to measure newly acquired financial instruments at estimated fair value in the future.
Recurring Basis
The Company uses estimated fair value measurements to record estimated fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine estimated fair value disclosures.
The following tables present the balances of the assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
U.S. treasury and government agencies
Derivatives
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Investment Securities, Available-for-Sale
Generally, debt securities are valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs and therefore are classified as Level 2.
All of the Company’s derivatives are traded in over-the-counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. For these derivatives, estimated fair value is measured using internally developed models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as yield curves and option volatilities, and accordingly, classify as Level 2. Examples of Level 2 derivatives are basic interest rate swaps and forward contracts.
Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets are measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets are not measured at estimated fair value on an ongoing basis; however, they are subject to estimated fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment or a change in the amount of previously recognized impairment.
Net impairment related to nonrecurring estimated fair value measurements of certain assets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following:
Impairment
Impaired loans
4,813
Foreclosed assets
904
885
Loans Held for Sale
Loans originated and held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. The Company obtains quotes or bids on these loans directly from purchasing financial institutions. Typically, these quotes include a premium on the sale and thus these quotes indicate estimated fair value of the held for sale loans is greater than cost.
Impairment losses for loans held for sale that are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, represent additional net write-downs during the period to record these loans at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, subsequent to their initial classification as loans held for sale.
The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used to measure Level 3 estimated fair values as of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, were as follows:
Weighted
Asset Type
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Fair Value
Range
Appraisal value
Property specific adjustment
Discounted cash flows
Prepayment speed assumptions
100-136
161-327
237
Disclosure of estimated fair value information about financial instruments, for which it is practicable to estimate that value, is required whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. In cases in which quoted market prices are not available, estimated 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 estimate of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived estimated fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. Certain financial instruments, with an estimated fair value that is not practicable to estimate and all non-financial instruments, are excluded from the disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate estimated fair value amounts presented do not necessarily represent the underlying value of the Company.
The following disclosures represent financial instruments in which the ending balances, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were not carried at estimated fair value in their entirety on the consolidated balance sheets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Accrued Interest
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate those assets’ and liabilities’ estimated fair values.
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Investment Securities, Held-to-Maturity
The fair values of debt securities held-to-maturity are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar securities, recently executed transactions and pricing models.
For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, estimated fair values are based on carrying values. The estimated fair values of other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance
Bank-owned life insurance is carried at the amount due upon surrender of the policy, which is also the estimated fair value. This amount was provided by the insurance companies based on the terms of the underlying insurance contract.
The estimated fair values of demand deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the consolidated balance sheet date. The estimated fair values of fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current incremental interest rates being offered on certificates of deposit to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities of the outstanding certificates of deposit.
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
For variable-rate borrowings that reprice frequently, estimated fair values are based on carrying values. The estimated fair value of fixed-rate borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Off-Balance Sheet Credit-Related Commitments
Off-balance sheet credit related commitments are generally of short-term nature. The contract amount of such commitments approximates their estimated fair value since the commitments are comprised primarily of unfunded loan commitments which are generally priced at market at the time of funding.
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The estimated fair values, and related carrying or notional amounts, of the Company’s financial instruments at the dates indicated are as follows:
Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets
Investment securities held-to-maturity
Loans, net
2,256,887
Financial Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
Interest-bearing deposits
1,834,556
217,974
55,480
Accrued interest payable
1,405
1,760,784
1,748,799
232,970
57,772
1,674
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Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
The following discussion explains our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. Annualized results for this interim period may not be indicative of results for the full year or future periods. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes presented elsewhere in this report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2022.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning plans, estimates, calculations, forecasts and projections with respect to the anticipated future performance of Alerus Financial Corporation. These statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as “may”, “might”, “should”, “could”, “predict”, “potential”, “believe”, “expect”, “continue”, “will”, “anticipate”, “seek”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “projection”, “would”, “annualized”, “target” and “outlook”, or the negative version of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our projected growth, anticipated future financial performance, financial condition, credit quality and management’s long-term performance goals and the future plans and prospects of Alerus Financial Corporation.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
40
Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Overview
We are a diversified financial services company headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through our subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association, or the Bank, we provide financial solutions to businesses and consumers through four distinct business lines—banking, retirement and benefit services, wealth management and mortgage. These solutions are delivered through a relationship-oriented primary point of contact along with responsive and client-friendly technology.
Our business model produces strong financial performance and a diversified revenue stream, which has helped us establish a brand and culture yielding both a loyal client base and passionate and dedicated employees. We generate a majority of our overall revenue from noninterest income, which is driven primarily by our retirement and benefit services, wealth management and mortgage business lines. The remainder of our revenue consists of net interest income, which we derive from offering our traditional banking products and services.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under current circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The estimates and judgments that management believes have the most effect on the Company’s reported financial position and results of operations are set forth in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There have been no significant changes in critical accounting policies, or the assumptions and judgments utilized in applying these policies since December 31, 2021.
The JOBS Act permits the Company an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards affecting public companies. The Company has elected to take advantage of this extended transition period, which means that the financial statements included in this report, as well as any financial statements filed in the future, will not be subject to all new or revised accounting standards generally applicable to public companies for the
41
transition period for so long as the Company remains an emerging growth company or until the Company affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank
On July 1, 2022, the Company acquired MPB BHC, Inc. the bank holding company for Metro Phoenix Bank, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The transaction included $270.4 million in loans and $353.7 million in deposits acquired from Metro Phoenix Bank.
Shareholder Dividend
On September 13, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share. This dividend was paid out on October 14, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2022.
Operating Results Overview
The following table summarizes key financial results as of and for the periods indicated:
June 30,
Performance Ratios
Return on average total assets
1.02
1.14
1.62
1.13
Return on average common equity
10.25
11.93
14.68
11.27
15.61
Return on average tangible common equity (1)
13.89
15.25
18.13
14.59
19.44
Noninterest income as a % of revenue
48.82
56.20
63.04
54.08
63.87
Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)
3.21
2.98
2.78
3.02
2.92
Efficiency ratio (1)
74.76
74.72
71.49
73.94
69.69
Average equity to average assets
9.95
9.59
11.07
10.06
10.97
Net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average loans
0.07
(0.06)
0.04
0.01
Dividend payout ratio
38.30
34.62
21.62
33.33
20.80
Per Common Share
Earnings per common share - basic
0.53
Earnings per common share - diluted
Book value per common share
17.25
17.75
20.54
Tangible book value per common share (1)
13.76
14.93
17.46
Average common shares outstanding - basic
17,297
Average common shares outstanding - diluted
17,532
Other Data
Retirement and benefit services assets under administration/management
30,545,694
31,749,157
36,202,553
Wealth management assets under administration/management
3,435,786
4,147,763
3,865,062
Mortgage originations
229,901
269,397
415,792
686,060
1,479,243
42
Selected Financial Data
The following tables summarize selected financial data as of and for the periods indicated:
Selected Average Balance Sheet Data
2,262,361
1,838,631
1,820,871
1,958,216
1,884,308
1,116,458
1,164,625
869,421
1,165,414
778,307
3,743,154
3,258,655
3,190,877
3,431,212
3,119,819
2,995,071
2,740,417
2,720,047
2,851,425
2,671,344
81,506
9,615
58,843
58,876
58,968
58,875
48,002
372,274
312,515
353,196
345,192
342,344
Selected Period End Balance Sheet Data
1,890,243
1,800,386
(31,373)
(32,066)
1,055,520
1,130,538
1,205,710
1,017,868
3,295,065
3,175,169
2,619,550
2,713,088
58,870
58,963
Selected Income Statement Data
22,776
29,226
39,984
12,018
2,725
9,293
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to the results presented in accordance with GAAP, we routinely supplement our evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures include the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per common share, return on average tangible common equity, net interest margin (tax-equivalent), and the efficiency ratio. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of its performance, and believes financial analysts and others frequently use these measures, and other similar measures, to evaluate capital adequacy. Management calculates: (i) tangible common equity as total common stockholders' equity less goodwill and other intangible assets; (ii) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity divided by shares of common stock outstanding; (iii) tangible assets as total assets, less goodwill and other intangible assets; (iv) return on average tangible common equity as net income adjusted for intangible amortization net of tax, divided by average tangible common equity; and (v) efficiency ratio as noninterest expense less intangible amortization expense, divided by net interest income plus noninterest income plus a tax-equivalent adjustment.
The following tables present these non-GAAP financial measures along with the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP for the periods indicated:
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
Total common stockholders’ equity
Less: Goodwill
31,337
30,201
Less: Other intangible assets
17,511
22,593
Tangible common equity (a)
275,000
258,310
307,663
300,401
Tangible assets (b)
3,621,414
3,246,217
3,340,951
3,122,375
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (a)/(b)
7.59
7.96
9.21
9.62
Tangible book value per common share
Tangible common equity (c)
Total common shares issued and outstanding (d)
Tangible book value per common share (c)/(d)
17.87
Return on average tangible common equity
Add: Intangible amortization expense (net of tax)
1,046
832
860
2,710
2,628
Net income, excluding intangible amortization (e)
10,665
10,125
13,927
31,806
42,604
Average total equity
Less: Average goodwill
48,141
31,488
37,101
Less: Average other intangible assets (net of tax)
19,466
14,737
18,272
16,605
19,124
Average tangible common equity (f)
304,667
266,290
304,723
291,486
293,019
Return on average tangible common equity (e)/(f)
Efficiency ratio
Less: Intangible amortization expense
1,053
Adjusted noninterest expense (g)
41,443
38,931
40,953
117,392
124,306
Tax-equivalent adjustment
100
115
392
Total tax-equivalent revenue (h)
55,438
52,102
57,287
158,777
178,371
Efficiency ratio (g)/(h)
44
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $9.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share, a $3.4 million, or 26.4%, decrease as compared to $13.1 million, or $0.74 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Net income decreased primarily due to a $9.0 million decrease in noninterest income and a $726 thousand increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by a $7.2 million increase in net interest.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $29.1 million, or $1.56 per diluted common share, a $10.9 million, or 27.2%, decrease as compared to $40.0 million, or $2.26 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in net income was primarily driven by a $28.0 million decrease in noninterest income, partially offset by an $8.5 million increase in net interest income and a $6.8 million decrease in noninterest expense.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the difference between interest income and yield-related fees earned on assets and interest expense paid on liabilities. Net interest margin is the difference between the yield on interest earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of interest earning assets. Net interest margin is presented on a tax-equivalent basis, which means that tax-free interest income has been adjusted to a pre-tax-equivalent income, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $28.3 million, a $7.2 million, or 34.0%, increase from $21.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Net interest income increased primarily due to a $9.8 million increase in interest income, due to a $6.5 million increase in interest income received from loans, the result of a $270.4 million increase in loans from the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank. Partially offsetting the increase of interest income was a $2.5 million increase in interest expense, primarily due to a $1.5 million increase in interest paid on short-term borrowings. Short-term borrowings increased primarily as a result of seasonally lower deposit balances.
Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $72.8 million, an increase of $8.5 million, or 13.1%, as compared to the $64.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Net interest income increased primarily due to an $8.8 million increase on interest income received from investment securities, partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in interest expense, driven by a $1.8 million increase in interest expense paid on short-term borrowings. Interest income received from investment securities increased, primarily due to an increase in the balance of investment securities available-for-sale. Interest expense paid on short-term borrowings increased primarily as a result of lower deposit balances.
Our net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent, or FTE, basis) for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was 3.21%, compared to 2.78% for the same period in 2021. Excluding the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank, net interest margin was 3.04% for the third quarter of 2022. Net interest margin increased primarily due to a 69 basis point increase in the yield on interest earning assets, partially offset by a 38 basis point increase in the yield on interest-bearing liabilities. The rate earned on interest earning assets increased primarily due to increases of 186 basis points on the rate earned on interest-bearing deposits with banks, and 102 basis points on the rate earned on Federal Reserve/FHLB stock. The increase in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was primarily due to an increase of 371 basis points in fed funds purchased, the result of a rising interest rate environment as well as seasonally lower deposit balances. Additionally, we saw increases of $441.5 million in average total loans and $275.0 million in average total deposits. Excluding the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank, average total loans increased $160.3 million and average total deposits decreased $52.0 million.
Our net interest margin (on a FTE basis) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 3.02%, compared to 2.92% for the same period in 2021. Excluding the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank, net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 2.95%. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to a 19 basis point
45
increase on the interest earning asset yield, partially offset by a 15 basis point increase on the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The rate earned on interest earning assets increased primarily due to increases of 72 basis points on the rate earned on interest-bearing deposits with banks and 67 basis points earned on Federal Reserve/FHLB stock. The increase in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was primarily driven by a 247 basis point increase in the interest rate paid on fed funds purchased.
As a result of the recent and expected increases in the target federal funds interest rate, we anticipate that our net interest income and net interest margin (on a FTE basis) will remain under pressure in future periods.
46
The following tables present average balance sheet information, interest income, interest expense and the corresponding average yields on assets, average yields earned, and rates paid for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. We derived these yields and rates by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. We derived average balances from the daily balances throughout the periods indicated. Average loan balances include loans that have been placed on nonaccrual, while interest previously accrued on these loans is reversed against interest income. In these tables, adjustments are made to the yields on tax-exempt assets in order to present tax-exempt income and fully taxable income on a comparable basis.
Income/
Yield/
Expense
Interest Earning Assets
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
72,157
368
2.02
281,768
Investment securities (1)
6,204
2.20
3,534
1.61
21,893
131
2.37
27,032
4.14
57,233
346
2.40
Commercial:
566,987
7,729
5.41
544,811
6,803
4.95
70,545
996
5.60
37,743
380
3.99
807,505
8,279
4.07
567,696
5,245
3.67
1,445,037
17,004
4.67
1,150,250
12,428
4.29
624,826
5,580
3.54
487,699
4,077
140,664
1,918
129,239
1,490
4.57
51,834
651
4.98
53,683
602
4.45
817,324
8,149
3.96
670,621
6,169
3.65
Total loans (1)
25,153
4.41
18,597
4.05
Federal Reserve/FHLB Stock
18,449
249
5.35
6,505
71
4.33
Total interest earning assets
3,518,350
32,387
3,035,798
22,662
2.96
Noninterest earning assets
224,804
155,079
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Interest-bearing demand deposits
659,696
0.13
692,873
240
0.14
Money market and savings deposits
1,180,576
1,202
0.40
1,009,564
365
234,459
439
217,756
275
0.50
787
729
3.98
3.60
Total interest-bearing liabilities
2,386,473
0.66
1,979,171
0.28
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
920,340
799,854
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
64,067
58,656
28,428
21,247
Net interest rate spread
2.99
2.68
Net interest margin on FTE basis (1)
47
68,811
442
0.86
219,636
227
18,255
2.09
9,425
7,378
27,864
689
3.31
70,218
2.25
488,771
17,797
4.87
615,310
21,780
4.73
52,212
1,839
4.71
41,812
1,304
4.17
670,854
19,378
3.86
565,861
15,744
3.72
1,211,837
39,014
4.30
1,222,983
38,828
4.24
561,261
14,472
3.45
468,395
3.53
132,968
4,829
4.86
132,145
4,619
52,150
1,791
4.59
60,785
1,989
4.37
746,379
21,092
3.78
661,325
18,979
3.84
60,106
4.10
57,807
11,877
448
5.04
6,273
205
3,239,560
80,071
3.30
2,958,742
68,844
3.11
191,652
161,077
692,310
637
0.12
678,015
740
0.15
1,089,137
1,943
0.24
1,018,347
1,131
224,603
914
0.54
212,297
910
0.57
767
3.89
3.79
2,180,525
0.43
1,956,664
845,375
762,685
60,120
58,126
73,071
64,702
2.87
2.83
Interest Rates and Operating Interest Differential
Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. The following table shows the effect that these factors had on the interest earned on our interest earning assets and the interest incurred on our interest-bearing liabilities. The effect of changes in volume is determined by multiplying the
48
change in volume by the previous period’s average rate. Similarly, the effect of rate changes is calculated by multiplying the change in average rate by the previous period’s volume.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Compared with
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Change due to:
(tax-equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
Volume
Variance
Interest earning assets
(85)
339
254
(158)
373
215
1,002
1,668
2,670
4,690
4,140
8,830
(183)
119
(64)
(713)
(491)
277
649
926
(4,477)
494
(3,983)
330
286
616
324
2,218
816
3,034
2,921
713
3,634
2,825
1,751
4,576
(1,232)
1,418
186
1,148
355
2,452
(351)
2,101
132
296
428
181
210
(21)
70
49
(282)
(198)
1,259
721
1,980
2,199
(86)
2,113
4,084
2,472
6,556
967
2,299
130
178
183
4,948
4,646
9,594
4,969
6,127
11,096
Interest-bearing liabilities
(17)
(29)
(119)
(103)
777
837
79
733
812
164
(48)
(1)
57
308
68
1,747
1,815
455
1,636
2,091
Change in net interest income
4,880
2,899
7,779
4,514
4,491
9,005
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses is based upon our allowance methodology and is a charge to income that, in our judgment, is required to maintain an adequate allowance for incurred loan losses at each period-end. In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, management considers the size and quality of the loan portfolio measured against prevailing economic conditions, regulatory guidelines, and historical loan loss experience. However, there is no assurance that loan credit losses will not exceed the allowance, and any growth in the loan portfolio and the uncertainty of the general economy may require additional provisions in future periods.
There was no provision expense recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. This was compared to a $2.0 million reversal of provision expense recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. Although management saw increases in overall loan volume, based on the reduction of previous adjustments for pandemic related qualitative factors, management concluded no need for additional provision.
Our noninterest income is generated from four primary sources: (1) retirement and benefit services; (2) wealth management; (3) mortgage banking; and (4) other general banking services.
The following table presents our noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Total noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2022, was $27.0 million, a decrease of $9 million, or 25.1%, compared to $36.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The year over year decrease was primarily driven by decreases of $7.3 million in mortgage banking revenue, $1.4 million in retirement and benefit services revenue and $443 thousand in wealth management revenue. Mortgage banking revenue decreased primarily due to a $185.9 million, or 44.7%, decrease in mortgage originations, a result of the rising interest rate environment, and a 94 basis point decrease in the gain on sale margin. Retirement and benefit services revenue decreased primarily due to a $1.5 billion, or 21.5%, decrease in asset-based fees, the result of a $5.6 billion, or 15.6%, decrease in assets under administration/management. Wealth management revenue decreased primarily as a result of a $429.3 million decrease in assets under management, the result of an overall market value decrease.
Total noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $85.7 million, a $28.0 million, or 24.6%, decrease compared to $113.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily driven by decreases of $25.8 million in mortgage banking revenue and $2.6 million in retirement and benefit services revenue, partially offset by a $307 thousand increase in wealth management revenue. Mortgage banking revenue decreased primarily due to a $793.2 million, or 53.6%, decrease in mortgage originations. Retirement and benefit services revenue decreased primarily due to a $2.6 million, or 12.5%, decrease in asset-based fees the result of the decrease in assets under administration/management. Wealth management revenue increased primarily due to a $469 thousand increase in blueprint fees.
We anticipate that our noninterest income will be significantly adversely affected in future periods as a result of increasing interest rates and inflationary pressure, which has begun to and will continue to adversely affect mortgage originations and mortgage banking revenue.
Noninterest income as a percentage of total operating revenue, which consists of net interest income plus noninterest income, was 48.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 63.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease was due to noninterest income decreasing 25.1%, while net interest income increased 34.0%.
Noninterest income as a percentage of total operating revenue was 54.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 63.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease was due to noninterest income decreasing 24.6%, while net interest income increased 13.1%.
See “NOTE 16 Segment Reporting” for additional discussion regarding our business lines.
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The following table presents noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Total noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $42.8 million, a $726 thousand, or 1.7%, increase compared to $42.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The year over year increase in noninterest expense was primarily driven by increases of $1.7 million in other noninterest expense and $1.6 million in professional fees and assessments, partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in compensation expense. Other noninterest expense increased primarily due to an $841 thousand increase in the provision for unused commitments, the result of new business generated within our real estate construction loans. Professional fees and assessments increased primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in merger and acquisition expenses associated with the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank. The year over year decrease in mortgage originations drove the overall decrease in compensation expense in the third quarter of 2022.
Total noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $120.8 million, a $6.8 million, or 5.3%, decrease compared to $127.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily due to decreases of $9.8 million in compensation expense and $2.2 million in mortgage and lending expenses, partially offset by a $2.4 million increase in professional fees and assessments. Both compensation expenses and mortgage and lending expenses decreased as a result of the decrease in mortgage originations. Professional fees and assessments increased primarily due to the $1.8 million increase in merger and acquisition expenses associated with the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense is an estimate based on the amount we expect to owe the respective taxing authorities, plus the impact of deferred tax items. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due, or to be received from, taxing authorities. In estimating accrued taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of transactions, taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax position. If the final resolution of taxes payable differs from our estimates due to regulatory determination or legislative or judicial actions, adjustments to tax expense may be required.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized income tax expense of $2.9 million on $12.6 million of pre-tax income, resulting in an effective tax rate of 23.3%, compared to income tax expense of $4.1 million on $17.1 million of pre-tax income for the three months ended September 30, 2021, resulting in an effective tax rate of 23.7%.
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized income tax expense of $8.6 million on $37.6 million of pre-tax income, resulting in an effective tax rate of 22.7%, compared to income tax expense of $12.4 million on $52.3 million of pre-tax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, resulting in an effective tax rate of 23.7%.
Financial Condition
Total assets were $3.7 billion as of September 30, 2022, an increase of $298.6 million, or 8.8%, as compared to December 31, 2021. The overall increase in total assets included an increase of $560.2 million in loans held for investment, partially offset by decreases of $188.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $150.2 million in investment securities.
The loan portfolio represents a broad range of borrowers comprised of commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential real estate, and consumer loans. The goal of the overall portfolio mix is to diversify with approximately one third of the portfolio in each of the commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and residential real estate categories. As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio mix was 24.4% commercial and industrial, 35.4% commercial real estate, 34.2% residential real estate and 6.0% in other categories.
The following table presents the composition of total loans outstanding by portfolio segment as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Change
Portfolio
Percent
24.4
24.8
127,894
29.3
3.8
2.3
48,596
119.6
35.4
34.1
220,175
36.8
63.6
61.2
396,665
36.9
28.0
29.1
139,102
27.2
6.2
7.1
18,013
14.3
2.2
2.6
6,431
36.4
38.8
163,546
24.0
100.0
560,211
31.9
Total loans outstanding were $2.3 billion as of September 30, 2022, an increase of $560.2 million, or 31.9%, from December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to increases of $270.4 million in total loans acquired from Metro Phoenix Bank and $289.8 million in organic loan growth. Excluding loans acquired from Metro Phoenix Bank, the increases in organic loan growth included increases of $119.5 million in residential real estate first mortgages, $91.9 million in commercial real estate loans and $31.3 million in commercial and industrial loans. Excluding the loans acquired from Metro Phoenix Bank and PPP loans, commercial and industrial loans increased $62.0 million.
We anticipate that loan growth will slow down in future periods for our commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential real estate, and consumer loan portfolios as a result of the increasing interest rate environment and competition in our market areas.
The following table presents the maturities and types of interest rates for the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2022:
After one
After five
One year
but within
After
or less
five years
fifteen years
152,109
233,223
178,413
47,538
31,473
8,582
1,622
23,752
304,615
441,000
49,701
223,399
569,311
627,995
52,233
11,148
25,405
55,687
557,578
9,618
23,722
33,729
76,612
10,116
39,289
2,389
30,882
88,416
91,805
634,190
254,281
657,727
719,800
686,423
Loans with fixed interest rates:
13,402
201,315
72,359
287,195
28,411
12,346
5,262
46,019
20,601
226,380
245,213
13,755
505,949
62,414
440,041
322,834
13,874
839,163
4,927
19,797
42,871
373,297
440,892
2,529
6,571
12,897
4,417
26,414
1,955
24,908
29,252
9,411
51,276
58,157
377,714
496,558
Total loans with fixed interest rates
71,825
491,317
380,991
391,588
1,335,721
Loans with floating interest rates:
138,707
31,908
106,054
791
277,460
19,127
3,320
43,196
78,235
195,787
35,946
313,119
160,985
129,270
305,161
38,359
633,775
6,221
5,608
12,816
184,281
208,926
7,089
17,151
20,832
72,195
117,267
8,161
14,381
22,542
21,471
37,140
33,648
256,476
348,735
Total loans with floating interest rates
182,456
166,410
338,809
294,835
982,510
The expected life of our loan portfolio will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to curtail or prepay their loans with or without penalties. Consequently, the table above includes information limited to contractual maturities of the underlying loans.
Asset Quality
Our strategy for credit risk management includes well-defined, centralized credit policies; uniform underwriting criteria; and ongoing risk monitoring and review processes for all commercial and consumer credit exposures. The strategy also emphasizes diversification on a geographic, industry, and client level; regular credit examinations; and management reviews of loans experiencing deterioration of credit quality. We strive to identify potential problem loans early, take necessary charge-offs promptly, and maintain adequate reserve levels for probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio. Management performs ongoing, internal reviews of any problem credits and continually assesses the adequacy of the allowance. We utilize an internal lending division, Special Credit Services, to develop and implement strategies for the management of individual nonperforming loans.
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans are assigned a risk rating and grouped into categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The risk ratings are aligned to pass and criticized categories. The criticized categories include special mention, substandard, and doubtful risk ratings. See “NOTE 5 Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” to the consolidated financial statements for a definition of each of the risk ratings.
The table below presents criticized loans outstanding by loan portfolio segment as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
6,526
9,158
14,166
20,128
2,301
2,984
17,150
21,239
Criticized loans as a percent of total loans
1.21
The following table presents information regarding nonperforming assets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Nonaccrual loans
Accruing loans 90+ days past due
Total nonperforming loans
5,303
2,197
OREO and repossessed assets
Total nonperforming assets
6,207
3,082
Total restructured accruing loans
676
Total nonperforming assets and restructured accruing loans
6,562
3,758
Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.23
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.17
0.09
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
584
1,437
Interest income lost on nonaccrual loans approximated $65 thousand and $85 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There was no interest income included in net interest income related to nonaccrual loans for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Interest income lost on nonaccrual loans approximated $172 thousand and $197 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There was no interest income included in net interest income related to nonaccrual loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of incurred credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management believes is sufficient to absorb incurred losses in the loan portfolio given the conditions at the time. Management determines the
adequacy of the allowance based on periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio, after consideration of risk characteristics of the loans and prevailing and anticipated economic and other conditions. A risk system, consisting of multiple grading categories for each portfolio class, is utilized as an analytical tool to assess risk and appropriate reserves. In addition to the risk system, management further evaluates risk characteristics of the loan portfolio under current and anticipated economic conditions and considers such factors as the financial condition of the borrower, past and expected loss experience, and other factors which management feels deserve recognition in establishing an appropriate reserve. These estimates are reviewed at least quarterly, and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recognized in the periods in which they become known. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require management to make material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
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The following table presents, by loan type, the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods presented:
Balance—beginning of period
Commercial loan charge-offs
Commercial and Industrial
Total commercial loan charge-offs
Consumer loan charge-offs
Total consumer loan charge-offs
Total loan charge-offs
Commercial loan recoveries
Total commercial recoveries
Consumer loan recoveries
Total consumer loan recoveries
Total loan recoveries
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)
405
(302)
Commercial loan provision
Total commercial loan provision
Consumer loan provision
Total consumer loan provision
Unallocated provision expense
Total loan loss provision
Balance—end of period
Average total loans
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
1.34
1.78
Net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average total loans (annualized)
The allowance for loan losses was $31.0 million as of September 30, 2022, compared to $31.6 million as of December 31, 2021. The $604 thousand increase was the result of $1.5 million in total charge-offs and no additional provision expense, partially offset by $862 thousand in recoveries. As of September 30, 2022, the allowance for loan losses represented 1.34% of total loans. Excluding the acquisition of loans from Metro Phoenix Bank the allowance for loans losses represented 1.51% of total loans.
The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for loan losses as of the dates presented:
Percentage
Allocated
of loans to
total loans
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. A reserve for unfunded commitments is established using historical loss data and utilization assumptions. This reserve is located in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The reserve for unfunded commitments was $2.9 million as of September 30, 2022.
Investment Securities
The composition of our investment securities portfolio reflects our investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity for normal operations while providing an additional source of revenue. The investment portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet, while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as collateral.
The following table presents the fair value composition of our investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
0.4
56.5
58.7
7.5
6.0
4.2
69.1
70.8
13.1
12.0
17.8
17.2
30.9
29.2
The investment securities presented in the following table are reported at fair value and by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2022. Actual timing may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Additionally, residential mortgage backed securities and
collateralized mortgage obligations receive monthly principal payments, which are not reflected below. The yields below are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
Maturity as of September 30, 2022
One year or less
One to five years
Five to ten years
After ten years
Yield
1,370
3.01
2,463
2.19
3.92
2,963
2.42
9,401
2.49
584,614
16,994
2.77
7,828
2.82
40,461
2.50
5.45
5.25
2.72
3.59
1.83
1.22
1.90
17,427
2.21
2.12
2.13
6,753
1.23
57,059
1.69
140,137
2.88
798,467
1.89
Total deposits were $3.0 billion as of September 30, 2022, an increase of $41.3 million, or 1.4%, from December 31, 2021. Interest-bearing deposits increased $74.9 million while noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $33.6 million. The increase in total deposits was primarily due to a $353.7 million increase in deposits acquired from Metro Phoenix Bank. Excluding deposits acquired from Metro Phoenix Bank, deposits decreased $312.4 million, or 10.7%. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases of $129.8 million in noninterest-bearing deposits, $80.0 million in interest-bearing demand deposits, and $59.3 million in time deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease in synergistic deposits. The decrease in interest-bearing demand deposits was the result of seasonally lower balances in public deposits. Time deposits decreased due to clients shifting balances to more liquid accounts. Synergistic deposits decreased $35.5 million from December 31, 2021 primarily due to year-end seasonally higher temporary balances from retirement plan terminations. Excluding synergistic deposits, commercial transaction deposits increased $103.8 million, or 8.2%, primarily due to the acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank.
The following table presents the composition of our deposit portfolio as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Noninterest-bearing demand
30.5
32.1
(33,612)
(3.6)
22.1
24.5
(61,453)
(8.6)
Money market and savings
1,181,340
39.9
1,034,130
147,210
8.0
(10,885)
(4.7)
41,260
1.4
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The following table presents the average balances and rates of our deposit portfolio for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
0.25
The following table presents the contractual maturity of time deposits, including certificate of deposit account registry services and IRA deposits of $250 thousand and over, that were outstanding, as of September 30, 2022:
Maturing in:
3 months or less
29,645
3 months to 6 months
24,627
6 months to 1 year
3,930
1 year or greater
2,787
60,989
Borrowings
Borrowings as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows:
64.0
Subordinated notes
16.0
84.9
Junior subordinated debentures
8,815
2.8
8,730
14.8
0.3
Total borrowed funds
312,666
Capital Resources
Stockholders' equity is influenced primarily by earnings, dividends, the Company's sales and repurchases of its common stock and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income caused primarily by fluctuations in unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale securities.
Stockholders' equity decreased $14.6 million, or 4.1%, to $344.8 million as of September 30, 2022, compared to $359.4 million as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to a $98.7 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, attributable to rising interest rates, which resulted in a lower fair value in our investment securities available-for-sale, partially offset by a $61.8 million increase in our additional paid-in capital as a result of the of Metro Phoenix Bank acquisition. Tangible common equity to tangible assets, a non-GAAP financial measure, decreased to 7.59% as of September 30, 2022, from 9.21% as of December 31, 2021. Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets decreased to 13.63% as of September 30, 2022, from 14.65% as of December 31, 2021.
We strive to maintain an adequate capital base to support our activities in a safe and sound manner while at the same time attempting to maximize stockholder value. Capital adequacy is assessed against the risk inherent in our
59
balance sheet, recognizing that unexpected loss is the common denominator of risk, and that common equity has the greatest capacity to absorb unexpected loss.
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements both at the Company and at the Bank level. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements could result in certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have an adverse material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, specific capital guidelines must be met that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting policies. We have consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios at or above the well-capitalized standards.
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we met all the capital adequacy requirements to which we were subject. The table below presents the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Capital Ratios
Alerus Financial Corporation Consolidated
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)
Alerus Financial, National Association
The capital ratios for the Company and the Bank, as of September 30, 2022, as shown in the above tables, were at levels above the regulatory minimums to be considered “well capitalized”. See “Note 19 Regulatory Matters” to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments consist primarily of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, generally having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee. These commitments consist principally of unused commercial and consumer credit lines. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of an underlying contract with a third party. The credit risks associated with commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and are subject to normal credit policies. Collateral may be required based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness. The fair value of these commitments is considered immaterial for disclosure purposes.
A summary of the contractual amounts of our exposure to off-balance sheet agreements as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, was as follows:
Liquidity
Liquidity management is the process by which we manage the flow of funds necessary to meet our financial commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost and to take advantage of earnings enhancement opportunities. These financial commitments include withdrawals by depositors, credit commitments to borrowers, expenses of our operations, and capital expenditures. Liquidity is monitored and closely managed by our asset and liability committee, or the ALCO, a group of senior officers from the finance, enterprise risk management, deposit, investment, treasury, and lending areas. It is the ALCO’s responsibility to ensure we have the necessary level of funds available for normal operations as well as maintain a contingency funding policy to ensure that potential liquidity stress events are planned for, quickly identified, and management has plans in place to respond. The ALCO has created policies which establish limits and require measurements to monitor liquidity trends, including modeling and management reporting that identifies the amounts and costs of all available funding sources.
As of September 30, 2022, we had on balance sheet liquidity of $778.9 million, compared to $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2021. On balance sheet liquidity includes cash and cash equivalents, federal funds sold, unencumbered securities available-for-sale, and over collateralized securities pledging positions available-for-sale.
The Bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides short- and long-term funding to its members through advances collateralized by real estate related assets and other select collateral, most typically in the form of debt securities. Actual borrowing capacity is contingent on the amount of collateral available to be pledged to the FHLB. As of September 30, 2022, we had $53.8 million federal funds purchased, $200.0 million in short-term borrowings from the FHLB and $809.9 million of collateral pledged to the FHLB. Based on this collateral, we were eligible to borrow up to $555.9 million from the FHLB. In addition, we can borrow up to $102.0 million through the unsecured lines of credit we have established with four other correspondent banks.
In addition, because the Bank is “well capitalized,” we can accept wholesale deposits up to 20.0% of total assets based on current policy limits, or $738.3 million, as of September 30, 2022. Management believed that we had adequate resources to fund all of our commitments as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Our primary sources of liquidity include liquid assets, as well as unencumbered securities that can be used to collateralize additional funding.
Though remote, the possibility of a funding crisis exists at all financial institutions. The economic impact of the recent rise in inflation and rising interest rates could place increased demand on our liquidity if we experience significant credit deterioration and as we meet borrowers’ needs. Accordingly, management has addressed this issue by formulating a liquidity contingency plan, which has been reviewed and approved by both the Bank’s board of directors and the ALCO. The plan addresses the actions that we would take in response to both a short-term and long-term funding crisis.
A short-term funding crisis would most likely result from a shock to the financial system, either internal or external, which disrupts orderly short-term funding operations. Such a crisis would likely be temporary in nature and would not involve a change in credit ratings. A long-term funding crisis would most likely be the result of both external and internal factors and would most likely result in drastic credit deterioration. Management believes that both potential circumstances have been fully addressed through detailed action plans and the establishment of trigger points for monitoring such events.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates. Interest-rate risk is the risk to earnings and equity value arising from changes in market interest rates and arises in the normal course of business to the extent that there is a divergence between the amount of interest-earning assets and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid/withdrawn, re-price, or mature in specified periods. We seek to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and equity while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. The ALCO oversees market risk management, monitoring risk measures,
limits, and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital. The Bank’s board of directors approves policy limits with respect to interest rate risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk management is an active process that encompasses monitoring loan and deposit flows complemented by investment and funding activities. Effective interest rate risk management begins with understanding the dynamic characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate interest rate risk position given business activities, management objectives, market expectations and ALCO policy limits and guidelines.
Interest rate risk can come in a variety of forms, including repricing risk, basis risk, yield curve risk and option risk. Repricing risk is the risk of adverse consequences from a change in interest rates that arises because of differences in the timing of when those interest rate changes impact our assets and liabilities. Basis risk is the risk of adverse consequence resulting from unequal change in the spread between two or more rates for different instruments with the same maturity. Yield curve risk is the risk of adverse consequences resulting from unequal changes in the spread between two or more rates for different maturities for the same or different instruments. Option risk in financial instruments arises from embedded options such as options provided to borrowers to make unscheduled loan prepayments, options provided to debt issuers to exercise call options prior to maturity, and depositor options to make withdrawals and early redemptions.
Management regularly reviews our exposure to changes in interest rates. Among the factors considered are changes in the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, interest rate spreads and repricing periods. The ALCO reviews, on at least a quarterly basis, the interest rate risk position.
The interest-rate risk position is measured and monitored at the Bank using net interest income simulation models and economic value of equity sensitivity analysis that capture both short-term and long-term interest-rate risk exposure.
Modeling the sensitivity of net interest income and the economic value of equity to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on numerous assumptions incorporated into the modeling process. The models used for these measurements rely on estimates of the potential impact that changes in interest rates may have on the value and prepayment speeds on all components of our loan portfolio, investment portfolio, as well as embedded options and cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Balance sheet growth assumptions are also included in the simulation modeling process. The analysis provides a framework as to what our overall sensitivity position is as of our most recent reported position and the impact that potential changes in interest rates may have on net interest income and the economic value of our equity.
Net interest income simulation involves forecasting net interest income under a variety of interest rate scenarios including instantaneous shocks.
The estimated impact on our net interest income as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, assuming immediate parallel moves in interest rates is presented in the table below:
Following
12 months
24 months
+400 basis points
−13.4
0.7
−8.2
−2.9
+300 basis points
−10.1
2.4
−6.1
−2.3
+200 basis points
−6.8
4.1
−4.1
−1.8
+100 basis points
−3.3
6.5
−2.0
−1.3
−100 basis points
8.3
−10.6
−15.7
−200 basis points
1.5
Management strategies may impact future reporting periods, as actual results may differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, the difference between actual experience, and the
62
characteristics assumed, as well as changes in market conditions. Market-based prepayment speeds are factored into the analysis for loan and securities portfolios. Rate sensitivity for transactional deposit accounts is modeled based on both historical experience and external industry studies.
Management uses an economic value of equity sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of interest rate changes on long-term cash flows, income, and capital. Economic value of equity is based on discounting the cash flows for all balance sheet instruments under different interest rate scenarios. Deposit premiums are based on external industry studies and utilizing historical experience.
The table below presents the change in the economic value of equity as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, assuming immediate parallel shifts in interest rates:
−25.7
−26.0
−19.1
−16.8
−12.4
−5.5
−1.4
0.6
−31.2
Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss due to human behavior, inadequate or failed internal systems and controls, and external influences such as market conditions, fraudulent activities, disasters, and security risks. Management continuously strives to strengthen its system of internal controls, enterprise risk management, operating processes and employee awareness to assess the impact on earnings and capital and to improve the oversight of our operational risk.
Compliance Risk
Compliance risk represents the risk of regulatory sanctions, reputational impact or financial loss resulting from failure to comply with rules and regulations issued by the various banking agencies and standards of good banking practice. Activities which may expose us to compliance risk include, but are not limited to, those dealing with the prevention of money laundering, privacy and data protection, community reinvestment initiatives, fair lending challenges resulting from the expansion of our banking center network, employment and tax matters.
Strategic and/or Reputation Risk
Strategic and/or reputation risk represents the risk of loss due to impairment of reputation, failure to fully develop and execute business plans, failure to assess current and new opportunities in business, markets and products, and any other event not identified in the defined risk types mentioned previously. Mitigation of the various risk elements that represent strategic and/or reputation risk is achieved through initiatives to help management better understand and report on various risks, including those related to the development of new products and business initiatives.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and our Chief Accounting Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer and its Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries, to which we or any of our subsidiaries are a party or to which our property is the subject. The Company does not know of any proceeding contemplated by a governmental authority against the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Item 1A – Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022.
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information related to repurchases of shares of our common stock for each calendar month in the third quarter of 2022:
Total Number of
Maximum Number of
Total Number
Shares Purchased as
Shares that May
of Shares
Price Paid
Part of Publicly
Yet be Purchased
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Purchased (1)
per Share
Announced Plans
Under the Plan (2)
July
770,000
August
September
Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
Item 5 – Other Information
Item 6 – Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Alerus Financial Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form S-1 filed on August 16, 2019).
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Alerus Financial Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 on Form S-1 filed on August 16, 2019).
10.1
Executive Severance Agreement by and between Alerus Financial Corporation and Missy Keney, dated July 25, 2022 – filed herewith.
10.2
Executive Severance Agreement by and between Alerus Financial Corporation and Jon Hendry, dated July 25, 2022 – filed herewith.
31.1
Chief Executive Officer’s Certifications required by Rule 13(a)-14(a) – filed herewith.
31.2
Chief Financial Officer’s Certifications required by Rule 13(a)-14(a) – filed herewith.
Chief Executive Officer Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – filed herewith.
32.2
Chief Financial Officer Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – filed herewith.
101.INS
iXBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized
Date: November 3, 2022
By:
/s/ Katie A. Lorenson
Name: Katie A. Lorenson
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Alan A. Villalon
Name: Alan A. Villalon
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)