EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1629019
Filing Year: 2023
Filename: 1629019_10-K_2023_0001558370-23-004012.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business.
Company Overview
Merchants Bancorp (the “Company,” “Merchants,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), an Indiana corporation formed in 2006, is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. We currently operate in multiple business segments, including Multi-family Mortgage Banking that primarily offers multi-family housing and healthcare facility financing and servicing. Through this segment we also serve as a syndicator of low-income housing tax credit and debt funds; Mortgage Warehousing that offers mortgage warehouse financing, commercial loans, and deposit services; and Banking that offers portfolio lending for multi-family and healthcare facility loans, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, agricultural lending, Small Business Administration (“SBA”), and traditional community banking. As of December 31, 2022, we had $12.6 billion in assets, $10.1 billion of deposits and $1.5 billion of shareholders’ equity.
We were founded in 1990 as a mortgage banking company, providing financing for multi-family housing and senior living properties. The shared vision of our founders, Michael Petrie and Randall Rogers, was to create a diversified financial services company, which efficiently operates both nationally through mortgage banking and related services and locally through a community bank. We have primarily grown organically and strategically built our business in a way that we believe offers insulation from cyclical economic and credit swings and provides synergies across our lines of business.
Merchants Bank of Indiana (“Merchants Bank”), one of our wholly owned banking subsidiaries, operates under an Indiana charter and provides traditional community banking services, as well as portfolio lending for multi-family and healthcare facility loans, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking and agricultural lending. Merchants Bank has six depository branches located in Carmel, Indianapolis, Lynn, Spartanburg, and Richmond, Indiana. Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois (“FMBI”), our other wholly owned banking subsidiary, operates under an Illinois charter and provides traditional community banking services and agricultural lending. FMBI has four depository branches located in Joy, Paxton, Melvin, and Piper City, Illinois.
Our business consists primarily of funding low risk loans meeting underwriting standards of government programs, under an originate to sell model. The gain on sale of loans and servicing fees generated primarily from the multi-family rental real estate loans servicing portfolio contribute to noninterest income. The funding source is primarily from mortgage custodial, municipal, retail, commercial, and brokered deposits. We believe that the combination of net interest income and noninterest income from the sale of low risk profile assets results in lower than industry charge offs and a lower expense base, which serves to maximize net income and higher than industry shareholder return.
Our Business Segments
We have several lines of business and provide various banking and financial services through our subsidiaries. Our business segments are defined as multi-family mortgage banking, mortgage warehousing, and banking.
Multi-Family Mortgage Banking
Merchants Capital Corp. (“MCC”) and Merchants Capital Servicing, LLC (“MCS”), subsidiaries of Merchants Bank, are primarily engaged in mortgage banking, specializing in originating and servicing loans for affordable multi-family rental housing and healthcare facility financing. Our mortgage servicing portfolio consists primarily of Merchants Bank of Indiana balance sheet loans, Federal Housing Authority (“FHA”) loans, and service Federal National
Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) loans. Our origination platform and servicing portfolio are significant sources of our noninterest income and deposits. Other originations that are referred to the Banking segment including bridge financing products to refinance, acquire, or reposition multi-family housing projects, as well construction lending for market rate and affordable housing developments. In some environments, these originations referred to in the Banking segment can represent a significant portion of the Multi-Family Mortgage Banking total origination volume.
Consistently one of the top ranked agency lenders in the nation, our licenses with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA, coupled with our bank financing products, provide sponsors custom beginning-to-end financing solutions that adapt to an ever-changing market. We are also an approved United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Rural Housing 538 lender. This cost-effective, reliable funding source is a powerful tool in expanding the availability of affordable housing in rural markets that often have the greatest need.
In addition to the loans originated directly through our Multi-Family Mortgage Banking segment, we also fund loans brought to us by non-affiliated entities and service or sub-service loans for a fee.
We also offer customized loan products for need-based skilled nursing facilities, as well as independent living, assisted living, and memory care. A variety of loan products are available to accommodate acquisition, rehabilitation, and refinancing of healthcare properties throughout the country. These loans are underwritten with the intent to convert to permanent loans within three years.
MCC is also a fully integrated tax credit equity syndicator. Our syndication platform, paired with our comprehensive suite of debt offerings, allows us to deliver financing on all aspects of affordable housing transactions. The tax credit equity team specializes in tax-advantaged affordable housing projects with Section 42 Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (“LIHTC”), Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, and State tax credits. The investors in MCC’s syndicated funds are institutional investors comprised of banks, insurance companies and large publicly traded corporations. All funds are underwritten and serviced in-house.
Additionally, through Merchants Asset Management, LLC (“MAM”), we serve as a registered investment advisor that deploys third party investor capital into high quality assets originated by MCC. These debt investment vehicles ultimately support the mission of MCC by creating additional lending capacity and competitive loan terms for clients.
Through the Multi-Family Mortgage Banking segment, many of our originated loans are sold to government agencies as mortgage-backed securities within approximately 30 days. As these loans are sold, servicing rights are traditionally retained. We believe that MCC is one of the largest government agency servicers in the country based on aggregate loan principal balance. Our capital markets team also has expertise in facilitating larger scale securitization initiatives, both privately and with government agencies, to successfully manage our capital efficiency, maximize liquidity, and minimize credit risk on our balance sheet.
One of the segment’s primary sources of funding is the national secondary mortgage market of federally chartered agencies and the federal government. Another primary source of funding is our Banking segment. Investors in the secondary market are primarily large financial institutions, brokerage companies, insurance companies and real estate investment trusts. These programs facilitate secondary market activities in order to provide funding for the multi-family mortgage market.
Mortgage Warehousing
We started the warehouse lending business in 2009 as a result of dislocation in the market. Merchants Bank currently has warehouse lines of credit, loan participations, operating lines of credit collateralized by mortgage servicing rights, and custodial deposits with some of the largest non-depository financial institutions and mortgage bankers in the industry.
Our Mortgage Warehousing segment provides asset-based financing in the form of warehouse facilities to eligible non-depository financial institutions and mortgage bankers, which enables them to fund and inventory residential and multi-family mortgage loans until they are sold and purchased in the secondary market by an approved investor. The warehouse financing facilities are secured by residential and multi-family mortgage loans underwritten to
standards approved by Merchants Bank that are generally comparable to those established by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and Veterans Affairs (“VA”).
Mortgage Warehousing funded $111 billion of loan principal in 2020, $78 billion in 2021 and $33.2 billion in 2022. The primary source of liquidity is provided by custodial and corporate deposits of its customers.
Banking
The Banking segment includes retail banking, commercial lending, agricultural lending, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, and SBA lending. Banking operates primarily in the Indianapolis metropolitan and Randolph County, Indiana markets, as well as Ford County in Central Illinois. Our correspondent mortgage banking business, like Multi-family Mortgage Banking and Mortgage Warehousing, is a national business. The Banking segment has a well-diversified customer and borrower base and has experienced significant growth over the past three years.
Commercial Lending and Retail Banking
Merchants Bank holds loans in its portfolio comprised of multi-family construction and bridge loans referred by MCC, owner occupied commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, agricultural loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans. Merchants Bank receives deposits from customers located primarily in Hamilton, Marion, Randolph and surrounding counties in Indiana and from the escrows generated by the servicing activities of MCC and MCS. FMBI receives deposits from and makes loans to customers located through multiple branches in Illinois.
Agricultural Lending
Merchants Bank’s Lynn and Richmond, Indiana offices primarily offer agricultural loans within its designated Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) assessment area of Randolph and Wayne counties in Eastern Indiana and nearby Darke County, Ohio. FMBI primarily provides agricultural loans within its designated CRA assessment area of Mercer County in Western Illinois and Ford County in East Central Illinois. Merchants Bank and FMBI offer operating lines of credit for crop and livestock production, intermediate term financing to purchase agricultural equipment and breeding livestock and long-term financing to purchase agricultural real estate. Merchants Bank is approved to sell agricultural loans in the secondary market through the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”) and uses this relationship to manage interest rate risk within the agricultural loan portfolio. Merchants Bank is also a Certified Lender with the Farm Service Agency and FMBI is a Standard Eligible Lender with the Farm Service Agency in the 90% guarantee program, to offset credit risk inherent in the Agriculture loan portfolio.
Single-Family Mortgage Lending, Correspondent Lending and Servicing
Merchants Mortgage is the branded division of Merchants Bank that is a full service single-family mortgage origination and servicing platform. Merchants Mortgage is both a retail and correspondent mortgage lender. Merchants Mortgage offers agency eligible, jumbo fixed and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages for purchase or refinancing of single-family residences. Other products include construction, bridge and lot financing, and first-lien home equity lines of credit (“HELOC”). Loans held for sale generate revenues from fees charged to borrowers, interest income during the warehouse period, gain on sale of loans to investors, and servicing fee income. There are multiple investor outlets, including direct sale capability to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Indianapolis and Chicago, and other third-party investors to allow Merchants Mortgage a best execution at sale. Merchants Mortgage also originates loans held for investment and earns interest income over the life of the loan.
SBA Lending
Merchants Bank participates in the SBA’s 7(a), 504 and Express programs in order to meet the needs of our small business communities and help diversify our retail revenue stream. In January 2018, Merchants Bank was awarded Preferred Lender Program status, the SBA’s highest level of approval that a lender can hold. This designation provides us delegated loan approval, closing and servicing authority that enables loan decisions to be made more rapidly. In December 2019, the Company added a new team of SBA originators, located in Illinois and Indiana, and expanding into Ohio and Texas, to help broaden our reach to small business owners in and around these states and was well positioned
to participate in the government sponsored Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) during 2020 and 2021.
Strategy for Complementary Segments
Our segments diversify the net income of Merchants Bank and provide synergies across the segments. Strategic opportunities come from MCC and MCS, where loans are funded by the Banking segment and the Banking segment provides Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) custodial services to MCC and MCS. Low-income tax credit syndication and debt fund offerings complement the lending activities of new and existing multi-family mortgage customers. The securities available for sale funded by MCC custodial deposits are pledged to FHLB to provide advance capacity during periods of high residential loan volume for Mortgage Warehousing. Mortgage Warehousing provides leads to correspondent residential lending in the banking segment. Retail and commercial customers provide cross selling opportunities within the banking segment. Merchants Mortgage is a risk mitigant to Mortgage Warehousing because it provides us with a ready platform to sell the underlying collateral to secure repayment. These and other synergies form a part of our strategic plan.
See “Operating Segment Analysis for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021” in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 26, “Segment Information,” in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about our segments.
Competition
We compete in a number of areas, including commercial and retail banking, residential mortgages, and multi-family FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac affordable loan originations in the multi-family and healthcare sectors. These industries are highly competitive, and the Company faces strong direct competition for deposits, loans, and loan originations and other financial-related services. We compete with other non-depository financial institutions and community banks, thrifts and credit unions. Although some of these competitors are situated locally, others have statewide or regional presence. In addition, we compete with large banks and other financial intermediaries, such as consumer finance companies, brokerage firms, mortgage banking companies, business leasing and finance companies, insurance companies, multi-family loan origination businesses, securities firms, mutual funds and certain government agencies as well as major retailers, all actively engaged in providing various types of loans and other financial services. Additionally, we face growing competition from online businesses with few or no physical locations, including online banks, lenders and consumer and commercial lending platforms, as well as automated retirement and investment service providers. We believe that the range and quality of products that we offer, the knowledge of our personnel and our emphasis on building long-lasting relationships, along with our diversified business model, sets us apart from our competitors.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 556 full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by any collective bargaining unit or are parties to a collective bargaining agreement.
We regularly solicit feedback from our employees to gain a better understanding of why they may enjoy working at Merchants and what areas of improvement there may be. Feedback from such surveys is reviewed by senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and the leader of each of our business units, and is generally used to develop ways in which our employees’ experiences can be improved and/or work can become more efficient. We believe that our relations with employees are positive. For example, we have been named to the list of “Best Places to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce every year since 2016 and in 2022 our turnover rate was only 11%. Additionally, in order to reward employees for their contributions towards our success and to help ensure that our employees are more aligned with our shareholders, in 2020 we established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”). Under the ESOP, from time to time we may make a contribution of newly issued shares of our common stock or cash to purchase shares of our common stock, which is then allocated to eligible employees. The ESOP contribution is completely funded by the Company and is in addition to all other wages, incentives, and benefits, and requires nothing from our employees other than their ongoing hard work and dedication. In 2022, we also began making a discretionary contribution equal to 3% of an employee’s eligible compensation under our 401(k) plan each pay period regardless of whether such employee also contributed. Our contribution is in the form of cash and is invested according to the employee’s current investment allocation.
Additionally, while the health and safety of our employees is always the highest priority, the COVID-19 pandemic required us to reevaluate our efforts and we made numerous changes and accommodations to help ensure employees remain healthy, safe, and productive.
Environment, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) Activities
As a mission-driven company committed to incorporating ESG into its business framework, we manage with a strong focus on sustainable, long-term growth and value creation. We believe our ESG approach underscores this commitment and provides tangible benefits for our customers, employees, and shareholders.
As one of the largest government-sponsored entity multi-family lenders in the country, a significant portion of our business has been centered on supporting the financing needs of affordable housing projects as well as need-based skilled nursing for seniors and related healthcare facilities.
To further demonstrate our ESG commitment to sustainable cities and communities, MCC has acquired private equity interests in affordable housing projects that generate low-income housing tax credits through its tax credit equity funds. The affordable housing projects target low-income individuals. MCC has a commitment to environmental and social risk mitigation, disclosures around project selection and evaluation, management of proceeds, and reporting on allocation and impact metrics. The Company received a second-party opinion from Sustainalytics stating that our ESG focused Tax Credit Equity Fund framework is credible, impactful and will deliver overall positive social impacts.
The foundation of our culture is our approach to employee engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”). We embrace diversity and inclusion, which we believe fosters creativity, innovation and thought leadership through the infusion of new ideas and perspectives. Our commitment to DEI has also led to the creation of an employee level committee focused on DEI and our hiring of an individual during 2022 who will lead our DEI efforts, including to lead such committee. Some activities launched in 2022 included regular educational events for all employees and an open forum for DEI topics of discussion. We also have highly engaged leadership in our Board that is made up of diverse members and demonstrates our dedication to this area of focus in our company. Additionally, our Board meets all Nasdaq diversity requirements.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 410 Monon Blvd., Carmel, Indiana 46032, and our telephone number at that address is (317) 569-7420. Through our website at www.merchantsbancorp.com under “Investors,” we make available, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as proxy statements, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Those filings can also be obtained on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, from time to time we may post other press releases, news, investor presentations and stories regarding our business on the News and Presentation sections of our website’s Investor page. The information contained on our website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
General
Insured banks, their holding companies and their affiliates are extensively regulated under federal and state law. As a result, our growth and earnings performance may be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the requirements of federal and state statutes and by the regulations and policies of various bank regulatory agencies, including the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“IDFI”), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). Furthermore, tax laws administered by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities, accounting rules developed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), anti-money laundering laws enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) and mortgage related rules, including with respect to loan
securitization and servicing by HUD and agencies such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, have an impact on our business. The effect of these statutes, regulations, regulatory policies and rules are significant to our operations and results, and the nature and extent of future legislative, regulatory or other changes affecting financial institutions are impossible to predict with any certainty.
Federal and state banking laws impose a comprehensive system of supervision, regulation and enforcement on the operations of financial institutions, their holding companies and affiliates that is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC-insured deposits and depositors of banks, rather than their shareholders. These federal and state laws, and the regulations of the bank regulatory agencies issued under them, affect, among other things, the scope of business, the kinds and amounts of investments banks may make, reserve requirements, capital levels relative to operations, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, the ability to merge, consolidate and acquire, dealings with insiders and affiliates and the payment of dividends.
This supervisory and regulatory framework subjects banks and bank holding companies to regular examination by their respective regulatory agencies, which results in examination reports and ratings that, while not publicly available, can impact the conduct and growth of their businesses. These examinations consider not only compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but also capital levels, asset quality and risk, management ability and performance, earnings, liquidity, interest rate sensitivity, and various other factors. The regulatory agencies generally have broad discretion to impose restrictions and limitations on the operations of a regulated entity where the agencies determine, among other things, that such operations are unsafe or unsound, fail to comply with applicable law or are otherwise inconsistent with laws and regulations or with the supervisory policies of these agencies.
The following is a summary of the material elements of the supervisory and regulatory framework applicable to us. It does not describe all of the statutes, regulations and regulatory policies that apply, nor does it restate all of the requirements of those that are described. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provision.
Merchants Bancorp
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
We, as the sole shareholder of Merchants Bank and FMBI, are a bank holding company (“BHC”) within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”). As a BHC, we are subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the BHC Act and the regulations of Federal Reserve. The BHC Act requires a BHC to file an annual report of its operations and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require.
Acquisition of Banks
Generally, the BHC Act governs the acquisition and control of banks and nonbanking companies by BHCs.
A BHC’s acquisition of 5% or more of the voting shares of any other bank or BHC generally requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve and is subject to applicable federal and state law. The Federal Reserve evaluates acquisition applications based on, among other things, competitive factors, supervisory factors, adequacy of financial and managerial resources, and banking and community needs considerations.
The BHC Act also prohibits, with certain exceptions, a BHC from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any “nonbanking” company unless the Federal Reserve finds the nonbanking activities be “so closely related to banking . . . as to be a proper incident thereto” or another exception applies. The BHC Act does not place territorial restrictions on the activities of a BHC or its nonbank subsidiaries.
The BHC Act and Change in Bank Control Act, together with related regulations, prohibit acquisition of “control” of a bank or BHC without prior notice to certain federal bank regulators. The BHC Act defines “control,” in certain cases, as the acquisition of as little as 10% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting stock. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, a BHC may not be able to purchase its own shares where the gross consideration will equal 10% or more of the Company’s net worth, without obtaining approval of the Federal Reserve.
The Federal Reserve Act subjects banks and their affiliates to certain requirements and restrictions when dealing with each other (affiliate transactions include transactions between a bank and its BHC).
Permitted Activities
Under the BHC Act, a BHC and its nonbank subsidiaries are generally permitted to engage in, or acquire direct or indirect control of the voting shares of companies engaged in, a wider range of nonbanking activities that the Federal Reserve determines to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking, including:
•
factoring accounts receivable;
•
making, acquiring, brokering or servicing loans and usual related activities in connection with the foregoing;
•
leasing personal or real property under certain conditions;
•
operating a non-bank depository institution, such as a savings association;
•
engaging in trust company functions in a manner authorized by state law;
•
financial and investment advisory activities;
•
discount securities brokerage activities;
•
underwriting and dealing in government obligations and money market instruments;
•
providing specified management consulting and counseling activities;
•
performing selected data processing services and support services;
•
acting as an agent or broker in selling credit life insurance and other types of insurance in connection with credit transactions; and
•
performing selected insurance underwriting activities.
The Federal Reserve may order a BHC or its subsidiaries to terminate any of these activities or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable cause to believe that the BHC’s continued ownership, activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of it or any of its bank subsidiaries. A qualifying BHC that elects to be treated as a financial holding company may also engage in, or acquire direct or indirect control of the voting shares of companies engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity or are complementary to a financial activity and do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of the institution or the financial system generally. We have not elected, and presently do not intend to elect, to be treated as a financial holding company.
Support of Subsidiary Institutions
The Federal Reserve has issued regulations under the BHC Act requiring a BHC to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. Pursuant to such regulations a BHC should stand ready to use its resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity.
Repurchase or Redemption of Shares
A BHC is generally required to give the Federal Reserve prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its own then outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation,
Federal Reserve order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has adopted an exception to this approval requirement for well-capitalized BHCs that meet certain conditions.
If the Company elects to repurchase or redeem its equity securities, it will generally incur a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of any stock of the corporation that is repurchased beginning after December 31, 2022, as required in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Merchants Bank and FMBI
Merchants Bank is an Indiana chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank subject to supervision and regulation by the FDIC and IDFI. FMBI is an Illinois chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank subject to supervision and regulation by the FDIC and IDFPR.
Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act
The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), enacted as the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, requires financial institutions to maintain records of certain customers and currency transactions and to report certain domestic and foreign currency transactions, which may have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory investigations or proceedings. This law requires financial institutions to develop a BSA compliance program.
The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“Patriot Act”), is comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation. Title III of the Patriot Act requires financial institutions to help prevent and detect international money laundering and the financing of terrorism and prosecute those involved in such activities. The Treasury has adopted additional requirements to further implement Title III.
These regulations have established a mechanism for law enforcement officials to communicate names of suspected terrorists and money launderers to financial institutions, enabling financial institutions to promptly locate accounts and transactions involving those suspects. Financial institutions receiving names of suspects must search their account and transaction records for potential matches and report positive results to the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). Each financial institution must designate a point of contact to receive information requests. These regulations outline how financial institutions can share information concerning suspected terrorist and money laundering activity with other financial institutions under the protection of a statutory safe harbor if each financial institution notifies FinCEN of its intent to share information. The Treasury has also adopted regulations to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing through correspondent accounts that U.S. financial institutions maintain on behalf of foreign banks. These regulations also require financial institutions to take reasonable steps to ensure that they are not providing banking services directly or indirectly to foreign shell banks. In addition, banks must have procedures to verify the identity of their customers.
Merchants Bank and FMBI established an anti-money laundering program pursuant to the BSA and a customer identification program pursuant to the Patriot Act. Merchants Bank and FMBI also maintain records of cash purchases of negotiable instruments, file reports of certain cash transactions exceeding $10,000 (daily aggregate amount), and report suspicious activity that might signify money laundering, tax evasion, or other criminal activities pursuant to the BSA. Merchants Bank and FMBI otherwise have implemented policies and procedures to comply with the foregoing requirements.
FDIC Improvement Act of 1991
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) amended the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require, among other things, federal bank regulatory authorities to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks which do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA established five capital tiers: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA.
“Undercapitalized” banks are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The bank’s BHC is required to guarantee that the bank will comply with the plan and provide appropriate assurances of
performance. If an “undercapitalized” bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly undercapitalized. “Significantly undercapitalized” banks are subject to one or more restrictions, including an order by the FDIC to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks, and restrictions on compensation of executive officers. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions may not, beginning 60 days after becoming “critically undercapitalized,” make any payment of principal or interest on certain subordinated debt or extend credit for a highly leveraged transaction or enter into any transaction outside the ordinary course of business. In addition, “critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to appointment of a receiver or conservator. Any bank that is not “well capitalized” is subject to limitations, and a prohibition in the case of any bank that is “undercapitalized,” on the acceptance, renewal, or roll over of any brokered deposit.
Currently, a “well capitalized” institution is one that has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%, a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5%, and is not subject to regulatory direction to maintain a specific level for any capital measure.
At December 31, 2022, Merchants Bank and FMBI were well capitalized, as defined by applicable regulations.
Capital Requirements and Basel III
Apart from the capital levels for insured depository institutions that were established by FDICIA for the prompt corrective action regime discussed above, the federal regulators have issued rules that impose minimum capital requirements on both insured depository institutions and their holding companies (with the exception of BHCs with less than $1 billion in pro forma consolidated assets and that meet other prerequisites). Although the rules contain certain standards applicable only to large, internationally active banks, many of them apply to all banking organizations, including us, Merchants Bank, and FMBI. The institutions and companies subject to the rules are referred to collectively herein as “covered” banking organizations. By virtue of a provision in The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) known as the Collins Amendment, the requirements must be the same at both the institution level and the holding company level. The minimum capital rules have undergone several revisions over the years. The current requirements, which began to take effect in 2015, are based on the international Basel III capital framework. These requirements apply to all covered banking organizations (including us) with some requirements phasing in over time.
However, on November 21, 2017, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), and FDIC finalized a joint proposal and adopted a final rule (the “Transitions Rule”) pursuant to which the current regulatory capital treatment then in place for servicing rights, certain temporary difference deferred tax assets, and significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions was indefinitely extended in anticipation of a subsequent notice of proposed rulemaking by such regulators to simplify the regulatory capital treatment of such items (the “Simplification Rule”). The extension of the capital rules with respect to servicing rights was the only portion of the Transitions Rule that was material to the Company.
If the Transitions Rule had not been enacted, beginning January 1, 2018, we would have been required to make certain additional deductions and increases to our risk-weighting for the purposes of our capital calculations, which would have resulted in us reporting a lower capital ratio. As a result of the Transitions Rule, there were no such adjustments to our capital in 2018 or 2019.
On July 9, 2019, the federal regulators finalized and adopted the final Simplification Rule. Under the prior rules, including the Transitions Rule, servicing rights, net of related deferred tax liabilities, that are in excess of 10% of common equity or when combined with certain other deduction items are in excess of 15% of common equity are deducted from Common Equity Tier 1 capital. Under the Simplification Rule, on January 1, 2020, this threshold was raised to 25% of common equity, which we expect to benefit the Company because it will reduce the deductions to capital that have traditionally been required. However, the non-deducted portion of servicing rights must be risk weighted at 250%.
On November 13, 2019, the federal regulators finalized and adopted a regulatory capital rule establishing a new community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”), which became effective on January 1, 2020. Eligibility criteria to utilize CBLR included having total assets less than $10 billion and off-balance sheet exposures that were less than 25% of total
assets, among others. The Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI elected to begin using CBLR in the first quarter of 2020 and utilized this measure of reporting through June 30, 2022.
At September 30, 2022 the Company’s total assets exceeded $10 billion, off-balance sheets exposures exceeded 25% of total assets, and the allowable grace periods under the CBLR rules expired. Accordingly, the Company began reporting fully phased-in Basel III risk-based capital ratios as of September 30, 2022.
At of December 31, 2022, the most recent notifications from the Federal Reserve categorized the Company as well capitalized and most recent notifications from the FDIC categorized Merchants Bank and FMBI as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, or FMBI’s category.
Deposit Insurance Fund and Financing Corporation Assessments
The Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC insures the deposits of Merchants Bank and FMBI up to $250,000 per depositor, qualifying joint accounts, and certain other accounts. The FDIC maintains the DIF by assessing depository institutions an insurance premium. The FDIC’s risk-based assessment system requires insured institutions to pay deposit insurance premiums based on the risk that each institution poses to the DIF. The rate is applied to the institution’s total average consolidated assets during the assessment period less average tangible equity (i.e., Tier 1 capital).
In 2022, the FDIC adopted a final rule, applicable to all insured depository institutions, to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by 2 basis points, beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The FDIC also concurrently maintained the Designated Reserve Ratio (“DRR”) for the DIF at 2% for 2023. The increase in assessment rate schedules is intended to increase the likelihood that the reserve ratio of the DIF reaches the statutory minimum of 1.35% by the statutory deadline of September 30, 2028. The new assessment rate schedules will remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio meets or exceeds 2% in order to support growth in the DIF in progressing toward the FDIC’s long-term goal of a 2% DRR. Progressively lower assessment rate schedules will take effect when the reserve ratio reaches 2%, and again when it reaches 2.5%.
Beginning in 2023, large banks (generally, those with $10 billion or more in assets) are assigned an individual rate based on a scorecard. The scorecard combines the following measures to produce a score that is converted to an assessment rate:
• CAMELS component ratings that evaluate five critical elements of a credit union's operations: (C)apital adequacy, (A)sset quality, (M)anagement, (E)arnings, and (L)iquidity and asset-liability management,
• financial measures used to measure a bank's ability to withstand asset-related and funding-related stress, and
• a measure of loss severity that estimates the relative magnitude of potential losses to the FDIC in the event of the bank's failure.
Because the Company is expected to be classified as a large bank under the new assessment structure, deposit insurance premiums are expected to be higher than in previous years.
Dividends
We are a legal entity separate and distinct from Merchants Bank and FMBI. There are various legal limitations on the extent to which Merchants Bank or FMBI can supply funds to us. Our principal source of funds consists of dividends from Merchants Bank. State and federal law restrict the amount of dividends that banks may pay to its shareholders or BHC. The specific limits depend on a number of factors, including the bank’s type of charter, recent earnings, recent dividends, level of capital and regulatory status. The regulators are authorized, and under certain circumstances are required, to prohibit the payment of dividends or other distributions if the regulators determine that making such payments would be an unsafe or unsound practice. For example, a bank is generally prohibited from
making any capital distribution (including payment of a dividend) to its BHC if the distribution would cause the bank to become undercapitalized.
In addition, under Indiana law, Merchants Bank must obtain the approval of the IDFI prior to the payment of any dividend if the total of all dividends declared by Merchants Bank during the calendar year, including any proposed dividend, would exceed the sum of its net income for the year to date combined with its retained net income for the previous two years.
Capital regulations also limit a depository institution’s ability to make capital distributions if it does not hold capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above the required minimum risk-based capital ratios. Regulators also review and limit proposed dividend payments as part of the supervisory process and review of an institution’s capital planning. In addition to dividend limitations, Merchants Bank and FMBI are subject to certain restrictions on extensions of credit to us, on investments in our shares or other securities and in taking such shares or securities as collateral for loans.
Community Reinvestment Act
The CRA requires that the federal banking regulators evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. Regulators also consider these factors in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could result in the imposition of additional requirements and limitations on Merchants Bank and FMBI. The Company is currently operating under an approved CRA strategic plan.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act represented a sweeping reform of the U.S. supervisory and regulatory framework applicable to financial institutions and capital markets in the wake of the global financial crisis, certain aspects of which are described below in more detail. In particular, and among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act: (i) created a Financial Stability Oversight Council as part of a regulatory structure for identifying emerging systemic risks and improving interagency cooperation; (ii) created the CFPB, which is authorized to regulate providers of consumer credit, savings, payment and other consumer financial products and services; (iii) narrowed the scope of federal preemption of state consumer laws enjoyed by national banks and federal savings associations and expanded the authority of state attorneys general to bring actions to enforce federal consumer protection legislation; (iv) imposed more stringent capital requirements on bank holding companies and subjected certain activities, including interstate mergers and acquisitions, to heightened capital conditions; (v) with respect to mortgage lending, (a) significantly expanded requirements applicable to loans secured by 1-4 family residential real property, (b) imposed strict rules on mortgage servicing, and (c) required the originator of a securitized loan, or the sponsor of a securitization, to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of securitized exposures unless the underlying exposures are qualified residential mortgages or meet certain underwriting standards; (vi) repealed the prohibition on the payment of interest on business checking accounts; (vii) restricted the interchange fees payable on debit card transactions for issuers with $10 billion in assets or greater; (viii) in the so-called “Volcker Rule,” subject to numerous exceptions, prohibited depository institutions and affiliates from certain investments in, and sponsorship of, hedge funds and private equity funds and from engaging in proprietary trading; (ix) provided for enhanced regulation of advisers to private funds and of the derivatives markets; (x) enhanced oversight of credit rating agencies; and (xi) prohibited banking agency requirements tied to credit ratings. These statutory changes shifted the regulatory framework for financial institutions, impacted the way in which they do business and have the potential to constrain revenues. Although the reforms primarily targeted systemically important financial service providers, their influence is expected to filter down in varying degrees to smaller institutions over time.
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Merchants Bank and FMBI are subject to many U.S. federal and state laws and regulations governing requirements for maintaining policies and procedures to protect non-public confidential information of their customers. These laws require banks to periodically disclose their privacy policies and practices relating to sharing such information and permitting customers to opt out of their ability to share information with unaffiliated third parties under certain circumstances. They also impact a bank’s ability to share certain information with affiliates and non-affiliates for marketing and/or non-marketing purposes, or to contact customers with marketing offers. In addition, banks are required to implement a comprehensive information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical
safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information. These security and privacy policies and procedures, for the protection of personal and confidential information, are in effect across all businesses and geographic locations.
Consumer Financial Services
The structure of federal consumer protection regulation applicable to all providers of consumer financial products and services changed significantly on July 21, 2011, when the CFPB commenced operations to oversee and enforce consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all providers of consumer products and services, including Merchants Bank, as well as the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over insured depository institutions and their holding companies that have more than $10 billion in assets for at least four consecutive quarters. Merchants Bank and FMBI had three consecutive quarters during 2022. (The CFPB has similar authority over certain nonbanking organizations.)
Because abuses in connection with residential mortgages were a significant factor contributing to the financial crisis, many new rules issued by the CFPB and required by the Dodd-Frank Act address mortgage and mortgage-related products, their underwriting, origination, servicing and sales. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly expanded underwriting requirements applicable to loans secured by 1-4 family residential real property and augmented federal law combating predatory lending practices. In addition to numerous disclosure requirements, the Dodd-Frank Act imposed new standards for mortgage loan originations on all lenders, including banks and savings associations, in an effort to strongly encourage lenders to verify a borrower’s ability to repay, while also establishing a presumption of compliance for certain “qualified mortgages.” In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act generally required lenders or securitizers to retain an economic interest in the credit risk relating to loans that the lender sells, and other asset-backed securities that the securitizer issues, if the loans do not comply with the ability-to-repay standards described below. The risk retention requirement generally is 5%, but could be increased or decreased by regulation. Merchants Bank does not currently expect the CFPB’s rules to have a significant impact on its operations, except for higher compliance costs.
S.A.F.E. Act
Regulations issued under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (the “S.A.F.E. Act”) require residential mortgage loan originators who are employees of institutions regulated by the foregoing agencies, including national banks, to meet the registration requirements of the S.A.F.E. Act. The S.A.F.E. Act requires residential mortgage loan originators who are employees of regulated financial institutions to register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, a database created by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators to support the licensing of mortgage loan originators by the states. The S.A.F.E. Act generally prohibits employees of regulated financial institutions from originating residential mortgage loans unless they obtain and annually maintain registration as a registered mortgage loan originator.
Mortgage Origination
The CFPB’s “ability to repay” rule, among other things, requires lenders to consider a consumer’s ability to repay a mortgage loan before extending credit to the consumer, and limits prepayment penalties. The rule also establishes certain protections from liability for mortgage lenders with regard to the “qualified mortgages” they originate. This rule includes within the definition of a “qualified mortgage” a loan with a borrower debt-to-income ratio of less than or equal to 43% or, alternatively, a loan eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac while they operate under federal conservatorship or receivership (“GSE Patch”), and loans eligible for insurance or guarantee by the FHA, VA or USDA. However, on December 10, 2020 the CFPB adopted a new final rule removing the 43% debt-to-income ratio and GSE Patch from the definition of a “qualified mortgage” and replacing it with an annual percentage rate limit, while still requiring the consideration of the debt-to-income ratio, which became effective for all loans applications after June 30, 2021. Additionally, a qualified mortgage may not: (i) contain excess upfront points and fees; (ii) have a term greater than 30 years; or (iii) include interest−only or negative amortization payments. The rule has not had a significant impact on our mortgage production operations since most of the loans Merchants Bank currently originates would constitute “qualified mortgages” under the rule, including under the revised definition that became effective on June 30, 2021.
Mortgage Servicing
Additionally, the CFPB has issued a series of final rules as part of an ongoing effort to address mortgage servicing reforms and create uniform standards for the mortgage servicing industry. The rules increase requirements for communications with borrowers, address requirements around the maintenance of customer account records, govern procedural requirements for responding to written borrower requests and complaints of errors, and provide guidance around servicing of delinquent loans, foreclosure proceedings and loss mitigation efforts, among other measures. Since becoming effective in 2014, these rules have increased the costs to service loans across the mortgage industry, including our mortgage servicing operations.
Several state agencies overseeing the mortgage industry have entered into settlements and enforcement consent orders with mortgage servicers regarding certain foreclosure practices. These settlements and orders generally require servicers, among other things, to: (i) modify their servicing and foreclosure practices, for example, by improving communications with borrowers and prohibiting dual-tracking, which occurs when servicers continue to pursue foreclosure during the loan modification process; (ii) establish a single point of contact for borrowers throughout the loan modification and foreclosure processes; and (iii) establish robust oversight and controls of third party vendors, including outside legal counsel, that provide default management or foreclosure services. Although we are not a party to any of these settlements or consent orders, we, like many mortgage servicers, have voluntarily adopted many of these servicing and foreclosure standards due to competitive pressures.
Consumer Laws
Merchants Bank and FMBI must comply with a number of federal consumer protection laws, including, among others:
•
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which requires a bank to maintain privacy with respect to certain consumer data in its possession and to periodically communicate with consumers on privacy matters;
•
the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposed a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
•
the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which regulates the timing and content of debt collection communications;
•
the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z thereunder, which requires certain disclosures to consumer borrowers regarding the terms of their loans;
•
the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which regulates the use and reporting of information related to the credit history of consumers;
•
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B thereunder, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race and certain other characteristics, in the extension of credit;
•
the Homeowners Equity Protection Act, which requires, among other things, the cancellation of mortgage insurance once certain equity levels are reached;
•
the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and Regulation C thereunder, which require mortgage lenders to report certain public loan data;
•
the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, sex, national origin, and certain other characteristics;
•
the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X thereunder, which imposes conditions on the consummation and servicing of mortgage loans;
•
the Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD thereunder, which requires certain disclosures to depositors concerning the terms of their deposit accounts; and
•
the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E thereunder, which governs various forms of electronic banking. This statute and regulation often interact with Regulation CC of the Federal Reserve Board, which governs the settlement of checks and other payment system issues.
Future Legislation and Executive Orders
In addition to the specific legislation described above, the new administration may sign executive orders or memoranda that could directly impact the regulation of the banking industry. Congress is also considering legislation to reform certain government sponsored entities (“GSEs”) (e.g., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae), including ending the federal government’s conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The orders and legislation may change banking statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways by increasing or decreasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities, or affecting the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “goal,” “target,” “outlook,” “aim,” “would,” “annualized” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
A number of important factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including the following:
•
business and economic conditions, particularly those affecting the financial services industry and our primary market areas;
•
our ability to successfully manage our credit risk and the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses;
•
factors that can impact the performance of our loan portfolio, including real estate values and liquidity in our primary market areas, the financial health of our commercial borrowers and the success of construction projects that we finance, including any loans acquired in acquisition transactions;
•
compliance with governmental and regulatory requirements, including the Dodd-Frank Act and others relating to banking, consumer protection, securities and tax matters;
•
our ability to maintain licenses required in connection with mortgage origination, sale and servicing operations;
•
our ability to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, fraud and systems errors;
•
our ability to effectively execute our strategic plan and manage our growth;
•
changes in our senior management team and our ability to attract, motivate and retain qualified personnel;
•
governmental monetary and fiscal policies, and changes in market interest rates;
•
liquidity issues, including fluctuations in the fair value and liquidity of the securities we hold for sale and our ability to raise additional capital, if necessary;
•
effects of competition from a wide variety of local, regional, national and other providers of financial, investment and insurance services;
•
the impact of any claims or legal actions to which we may be subject, including any effect on our reputation; and
•
changes in federal tax law or policy.
The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this report. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks described below, together with all other information included in this report should be carefully considered. Any of the following risks, as well as risks that we do not know or currently deem immaterial, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Risks Related to Our Business
Mortgage Banking and Community Banking Risks
Decreased residential and multi-family mortgage origination, volume and pricing decisions of competitors, and changes in interest rates, may adversely affect our profitability.
We currently operate a residential and multi-family mortgage origination, warehouse financing, and servicing business. Changes in interest rates and pricing decisions by our loan competitors may adversely affect demand for our mortgage loan products, the revenue realized on the sale or portfolio of loans, revenues received from servicing such loans and the valuation of our servicing rights.
Our mortgage banking profitability could significantly decline if we are not able to originate and resell a high volume of mortgage loans.
Mortgage production, especially refinancing activity, declines in rising interest rate environments. Interest rates have been historically low over the last few years, but the market is anticipating interest rate increases in the future. Moreover, when interest rates increase further, there can be no assurance that our mortgage production will continue at current levels. Because we sell a substantial portion of the mortgage loans we originate and purchase, the profitability of our mortgage banking business also depends in large part on our ability to aggregate a high volume of loans and sell them at a gain in the secondary market. Thus, in addition to our dependence on the interest rate environment, we are dependent upon (i) the existence of an active secondary market and (ii) our ability to profitably sell loans or securities into that market. If our level of mortgage production declines, the profitability will depend upon our ability to reduce our costs commensurate with the reduction of revenue from our mortgage operations.
In addition, our ability to sell mortgage loans readily is dependent upon our ability to remain eligible for the programs offered by GSEs and other institutional and non-institutional investors. Any significant impairment of our eligibility with any of the GSEs could materially and adversely affect our operations. Further, the criteria for loans to be accepted under such programs may be changed from time to time by the sponsoring entity, which could result in a lower volume of corresponding loan originations. The profitability of participating in specific programs may vary depending on a number of factors, including our administrative costs of originating and purchasing qualifying loans and our costs of meeting such criteria.
The ability for us and our warehouse financing customers to originate and sell residential mortgage loans readily is dependent upon the availability of an active secondary market for single-family mortgage loans, which in turn depends in part upon the continuation of programs currently offered by GSEs and other institutional and non-institutional investors. These entities account for a substantial portion of the secondary market in residential mortgage loans. Because the largest participants in the secondary market are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, GSEs whose activities are governed by federal law, any future changes in laws that significantly affect the activity of these GSEs could, in turn, adversely affect our operations. In September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into conservatorship by the U.S. government. The federal government has for many years considered proposals to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the results of any such reform, and their impact on us, are difficult to predict. To date, no reform proposal has been enacted.
If we violate HUD lending requirements, our multi-family FHA origination business could be adversely affected.
We originate, sell and service loans under HUD programs, and make certifications regarding compliance with applicable requirements and guidelines. If we were to violate these requirements and guidelines, or other applicable laws, or if the FHA loans we originate show a high frequency of loan defaults, we could be subject to monetary penalties and indemnification claims and could be declared ineligible for FHA programs. Any inability to engage in our multi-family FHA origination and servicing business would lead to a decrease in our net income.
Real estate construction loans are based upon estimates of costs and values associated with the complete project. These estimates may be inaccurate, and we may be exposed to significant losses on loans for these projects.
Real estate construction loans involve additional risks because funds are advanced upon security of the project, which is of uncertain value prior to its completion, and costs may exceed realizable values in declining real estate markets. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs and the realizable market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation of real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. As a result, construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of the completed project proves to be overstated or market values or rental rates decline, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project. If we are forced to foreclose on a project prior to or at completion due to a default, we may not be able to recover all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs. In addition, we may be required to fund additional amounts to complete the project and may have to hold the property for an unspecified period of time while we attempt to dispose of it.
We face strong competition from financial services companies and other companies that offer banking, mortgage, leasing, and providers of multi-family agency financing and servicing, which could harm our business.
The banking business is highly competitive, and we experience competition in our market from many other financial institutions. Our operations consist of offering banking and residential mortgage services, and we also offer multi-family agency financing to generate noninterest income. Many of our competitors offer the same, or a wider variety of, banking and related financial services within our market areas. These competitors include national banks, regional banks and community banks, as well as many other types of financial institutions, including savings and loan institutions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks and other financial intermediaries. In addition, a number of out-of-state financial intermediaries have opened production offices or otherwise solicit deposits in our market areas. Additionally, we face growing competition from online businesses with few or no physical locations, including online banks, lenders and consumer and commercial lending platforms. Increased competition in our markets may result in reduced loans, deposits and commissions and brokers’ fees, as well as reduced net interest margin and profitability. There has also been a rise in fintech companies that develop new technology to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. Ultimately, we may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. If we are unable to attract and retain banking and mortgage customers, we may be unable to continue to grow our business, and our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Many of our non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive regulations that govern our activities and may have greater flexibility in competing for business. The financial services industry could become even more
competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. In addition, some of our current commercial banking customers may seek alternative banking sources as they develop needs for credit facilities larger than we may be able to accommodate. Our inability to compete successfully in the markets in which we operate could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
If the federal government shuts down or otherwise fails to fully fund the federal budget, our multi-family FHA origination business could be adversely affected.
Disagreement over the federal budget has caused the U.S. federal government to shut down for periods of time in recent years. Federal governmental entities, such as HUD, that rely on funding from the federal budget, could be adversely affected in the event of a government shut-down, which could have a material adverse effect on our multi-family FHA origination business and our results of operations.
Our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to the success of our business, and the failure to do so may materially adversely affect our business and the value of our stock.
We are a community bank and known nationally for multi-family and warehouse financing, as well as correspondent mortgage banking, and our reputation is one of the most valuable components of our business. As such, we strive to conduct our business in a manner that enhances our reputation. This is done, in part, by recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who share our core values of being an integral part of the communities we serve, delivering superior service to our customers and caring about our customers and associates. If our reputation is negatively affected, by the actions of our employees or otherwise, our business and, therefore, our operating results and the value of our stock may be materially adversely affected.
Credit and Financial Risks
A decline in general business and economic conditions and any regulatory responses to such conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and growth prospects.
Our business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States, generally, and particularly Indiana. If the national, regional or local economies experience worsening economic conditions, including high levels of unemployment, our growth and profitability could be constrained. Additionally, our ability to assess the credit worthiness of our customers is made more complex by uncertain business and economic conditions. Weak economic conditions are characterized by, among other indicators, deflation, elevated levels of unemployment, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, increased delinquencies on mortgage, commercial and consumer loans, residential and commercial real estate price declines, increases in nonperforming assets and foreclosures, lower home sales and commercial activity, and fluctuations in the multi-family FHA financing sector. Additionally, 2022 had elevated levels of inflation and if these conditions persist, it could also cause increased volatility and uncertainty in the business environment, which could adversely affect loan demand and our clients’ ability to repay indebtedness. All of these factors are generally detrimental to our business. Our business is significantly affected by monetary and other regulatory policies of the U.S. federal government, its agencies and government-sponsored entities. Changes in any of these policies are influenced by macroeconomic conditions and other factors that are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and growth prospects.
If we do not effectively manage our credit risk, we may experience increased levels of delinquencies, nonperforming loans and charge-offs, which could require increases in our provision for credit losses.
There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers, risks of nonpayment, risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral and cash flows available to service debt and risks resulting from changes in economic and market conditions. We cannot guarantee that our credit underwriting, credit monitoring, and risk management procedures will adequately reduce these credit risks, and they cannot be expected to completely eliminate our credit risks. If the overall economic climate in the United States, generally, or our market areas, specifically, declines, our borrowers may experience difficulties in repaying their loans, and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and require further increases in the provision for credit losses, which would cause our net income, return on equity and capital to decrease.
We may be adversely impacted by the transition from LIBOR as a reference rate.
In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it would no longer compel banks to submit the rates required to calculate the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). On November 30, 2020, LIBOR’s administrator, the ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) announced that it would consult on its intention to continue to publish most LIBOR term rates (excluding the one week and two month USD LIBOR settings) through June 30, 2023. These announcements indicate that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR.
Additionally, in 2020 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ceased accepting accept single family or multi-family adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”) indexed to LIBOR and currently will only accept ARMs indexed to the Federal Reserve’s Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Also, on November 30, 2020, the federal banking regulators issued guidance on the transition from LIBOR that, among other things, encouraged banks to stop using LIBOR in new financial contracts as soon as practicable but at least by December 31, 2021.
With these announcements it is likely that LIBOR will no longer be viewed as an acceptable market index, and the Federal Reserve’s Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or another rate will likely become the industry accepted alternative to LIBOR. It is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may have on the markets for LIBOR-indexed financial instruments.
We have loans and other financial instruments and two series of preferred stock with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. While such loans, instruments, and series of preferred stock generally allow for a change to another index in the event that LIBOR ceases to be accepted in the industry, the transition from LIBOR could create considerable costs and additional risk. Since proposed alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under contracts and dividends paid on those series of preferred stock referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change our market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Furthermore, failure to adequately manage this transition process with our customers could adversely impact our reputation. Although we are currently unable to assess what the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR will be, failure to adequately manage the transition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, and could result in further losses in the future.
Our nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. We do not record interest income on nonaccrual loans or other real estate owned, thereby adversely affecting our net income and returns on assets and equity, increasing our loan administration costs and adversely affecting our efficiency ratio. When we take collateral in foreclosure and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the collateral to its then-fair market value, which may result in a loss. These nonperforming loans and other real estate owned also increase our risk profile and the level of capital our regulators believe is appropriate for us to maintain in light of such risks. The resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant time commitments from management and can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities. If we experience increases in nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets, our net interest income may be negatively impacted and our loan administration costs could increase, each of which could have an adverse effect on our net income and related ratios, such as return on assets and equity.
Our allowance for credit losses on loans (“ACL-Loans”) may prove to be insufficient to absorb potential losses in our loan portfolio.
The Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("CECL") on January 1, 2022. CECL replaces the previous “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” standard for measuring credit losses. We establish our ACL-Loans and maintain it at a level that management considers adequate to absorb probable loan losses based on an analysis of our portfolio, the underlying health of our borrowers, and general economic conditions. The ACL-Loans represents our estimate of probable losses in the portfolio at each balance sheet date and is based upon relevant
information available to us. The ACL-Loans and maintain it at a level that management considers adequate to absorb probable loan losses based on an analysis contains provisions for probable losses that have been identified relating to specific borrowing relationships, as well as probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio and credit undertakings that are not specifically identified. Additions to the ACL-Loans, which are charged to earnings through the provision for credit losses, are determined based on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the loan portfolio, historical loss experience and an evaluation of current economic conditions in our market areas. The determination of the appropriate level of the ACL-Loans is inherently subjective and requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. The actual amount of loan losses is affected by changes in economic, operating and other conditions within our markets, which may be beyond our control, and such losses may exceed current estimates.
Although management believes that the ACL-Loans is adequate to absorb losses on any existing loans that may become uncollectible, we may be required to take additional provisions for credit losses in the future to further supplement the ACL-Loans, either due to management’s decision to do so or because our banking regulators require us to do so. Our bank regulatory agencies will periodically review our ACL-Loans and the value attributed to nonaccrual loans or to real estate acquired through foreclosure and may require us to adjust our determination of the value for these items. These adjustments may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The small to midsized businesses that we lend to may have fewer resources to weather adverse business developments, which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan, and such impairment could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We serve the banking and financial service needs of small to midsized businesses. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities, frequently have smaller market shares than their competition, may be more vulnerable to economic downturns, often need substantial additional capital to expand or compete and may experience substantial volatility in operating results, any of which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. In addition, the success of a small or medium-sized business often depends on the management talents and efforts of one or two people or a small group of people, and the death, disability or resignation of one or more of these people could have a material adverse impact on the business and its ability to repay its loan. If general economic conditions negatively impact the markets in which we operate and small to medium-sized businesses are adversely affected or our borrowers are otherwise affected by adverse business developments, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information provided by customers and counterparties.
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information. We also may rely on representations of customers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. In deciding whether to extend credit, we may rely upon our customers’ representations that their financial statements conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. We also may rely on customer representations and certifications, or other audit or accountants’ reports, with respect to the business and financial condition of our clients. Our financial condition, results of operations, financial reporting and reputation could be negatively affected if we rely on materially misleading, false, inaccurate or fraudulent information.
If the goodwill that we have recorded or may record in connection with a business acquisition becomes impaired, it could require charges to earnings.
Goodwill represents the amount by which the cost of an acquisition exceeded the fair value of net assets we acquired in connection with the purchase of another financial institution. We review goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if a triggering event occurs which indicates that the carrying value of the asset might be impaired.
If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Any such adjustments are reflected in our results of operations in the periods in which they become known. As of December 31, 2022, our goodwill totaled $15.8 million. While we have not recorded any impairment charges since we initially recorded the goodwill, there can be no assurance
that our future evaluations of our existing goodwill or goodwill we may acquire in the future will not result in findings of impairment and related write-downs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in accounting standards could materially impact our financial statements.
From time to time, FASB or the SEC may change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. Such changes may result in us being subject to new or changing accounting and reporting standards. In addition, the bodies that interpret the accounting standards (such as banking regulators or outside auditors) may change their interpretations or positions on how these standards should be applied. These changes may be beyond our control, can be hard to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retrospectively, or apply an existing standard differently, also retrospectively, in each case resulting in our needing to revise or restate prior period financial statements.
Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.
We are required to comply with the SEC's rules implementing Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which require management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of controls over financial reporting.
If we identify any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors, counterparties and customers may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial statements and reports; our liquidity, access to capital markets and perceptions of our creditworthiness could be adversely affected; and the market price of our common stock could decline. In addition, we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, IDFI, IDFPR, CFPB or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. These events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The accuracy of our financial statements and related disclosures could be affected if the judgments, assumptions or estimates used in our critical accounting policies are inaccurate.
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies, which are included in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this report, describe those significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that we consider “critical” because they require judgments, assumptions and estimates that materially affect our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, if future events or regulatory views concerning such analysis differ significantly from the judgments, assumptions and estimates in our critical accounting policies, those events or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, in each case resulting in our needing to revise or restate prior period financial statements, cause damage to our reputation and the price of our common stock, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Downgrades to the credit rating of the U.S. government or of its securities or any of its agencies by one or more of the credit ratings agencies could have a material adverse effect on general economic conditions, as well as our business.
Downgrades of the U.S. federal government’s sovereign credit rating, and the perceived creditworthiness of U.S. government-backed obligations, could affect our ability to obtain funding that is collateralized by affected instruments and our ability to access capital markets on favorable terms. Such downgrades could also affect the pricing of funding, when funding is available. A downgrade of the credit rating of the U.S. government, or of its agencies, GSEs or related institutions or instrumentalities, may also adversely affect the market value of such instruments and, further,
exacerbate the other risks to which we are subject and any related adverse effects on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Operational Risks
Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risks and/or losses to us.
Our risk management framework is comprised of various processes, systems and strategies, and is designed to manage the types of risk to which we are subject, including, among others, credit, market, liquidity, interest rate and compliance. Our framework also includes financial or other modeling methodologies that involve management assumptions and judgment. Our risk management framework may not be effective under all circumstances and may not adequately mitigate any risk or loss to us. If our framework is not effective, we could suffer unexpected losses and our business, financial condition, results of operations or growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. We may also be subject to potentially adverse regulatory consequences.
We are highly dependent on our management team, and the loss of our senior executive officers or other key employees could harm our ability to implement our strategic plan, impair our relationships with customers and adversely affect our business, results of operations and growth prospects.
Our success is dependent, to a large degree, upon the continued service and skills of our executive management team, particularly Michael Petrie, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael Dunlap, our President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Dunlap also serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President of Merchants Bank and Chairman of MCC.
Our business and growth strategies are built primarily upon our ability to retain employees with experience and business relationships within their respective market areas. We seek to manage the continuity of our executive management team through regular succession planning. As part of such succession planning, other executives and high performing individuals have been identified and are provided certain training in order to be prepared to assume particular management roles and responsibilities in the event of the departure of a member of our executive management team. However, the loss of Mr. Petrie or Mr. Dunlap, or any of our other key personnel could have an adverse impact on our business and growth because of their skills, years of industry experience, and knowledge of our market areas, our failure to develop and implement a viable succession plan, the difficulty of finding qualified replacement personnel, or any difficulties associated with transitioning of responsibilities to any new members of the executive management team. While our executive officers (except for Mr. Petrie) are subject to non-competition and non-solicitation provisions as part of change in control agreements entered into with them and our mortgage originators and loan officers are generally subject to non-solicitation provisions as part of their employment, our ability to enforce such agreements may not fully mitigate the injury to our business from the breach of such agreements, as such employees could leave us and immediately begin soliciting our customers. The departure of any of our personnel who are not subject to enforceable non-competition and/or non-solicitation agreements could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and growth prospects.
Our management depends on the use of data and modeling in decision-making, and faulty data or modeling approaches could negatively impact decision-making or possibly subject us to regulatory scrutiny in the future.
The use of statistical and quantitative models and other quantitative analyses is endemic to bank decision-making, and the employment of such analyses is becoming increasingly widespread in our operations. Liquidity stress testing, interest rate sensitivity analysis, allowance for credit losses computations, mortgage servicing right valuations, and the identification of possible violations of anti-money laundering regulations are all examples of areas in which we are dependent on models and the data that underlies them. The use of statistical and quantitative models is also becoming more prevalent in regulatory compliance. While we are not currently subject to annual Dodd-Frank Act stress testing (DFAST) and the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) submissions, we anticipate that model-derived testing may become more extensively implemented by regulators in the future. We anticipate data-based modeling will penetrate further into bank decision-making, particularly risk management efforts, as the capacities developed to meet rigorous stress testing requirements are able to be employed more widely and in differing applications. While we believe these quantitative techniques and approaches improve our decision-making, they also create the possibility that faulty data or flawed quantitative approaches could negatively impact our decision-making ability or, if we become subject to regulatory stress-testing in the future, adverse regulatory scrutiny. Secondarily,
because of the complexity inherent in these approaches, misunderstanding or misuse of their outputs could similarly result in suboptimal decision-making.
System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities.
The computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to hardware and cybersecurity issues. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment against damage from fire, power loss, telecommunications failure, or a similar catastrophic event. We could also experience a breach by intentional or negligent conduct on the part of employees or other internal or external sources, including our third-party vendors. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect the computer systems and network infrastructure utilized by us, including our internet banking activities, against damage from physical break-ins, cybersecurity breaches and other disruptive problems caused by the internet or other users. Such computer break-ins and other disruptions would jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability, damage our reputation and inhibit the use of our mobile and internet banking services by current and potential customers. We regularly add additional security measures to our computer systems and network infrastructure to mitigate the possibility of cybersecurity breaches, including firewalls and penetration testing. However, it is difficult or impossible to defend against every risk being posed by changing technologies as well as criminal intent on committing cyber-crime. Increasing sophistication of cyber criminals and terrorists make keeping up with new threats difficult and could result in a breach. Controls employed by our information technology department and cloud vendors could prove inadequate. A breach of our security that results in unauthorized access to our data could expose us to a disruption or challenges relating to our daily operations, as well as to data loss, litigation, damages, fines and penalties, significant increases in compliance costs and reputational damage, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations could be interrupted if our third-party service providers experience difficulty, terminate their services or fail to comply with banking regulations.
We depend to a significant extent on a number of relationships with third-party service providers. Specifically, we receive core systems processing, mortgage servicing, online wire processing, essential web hosting and other internet systems, deposit processing and other processing services from third-party service providers. If these third-party service providers experience difficulties or terminate their services and we are unable to replace them with other service providers, our operations could be interrupted. If an interruption were to continue for a significant period of time, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected, perhaps materially. Even if we are able to replace them, it may be at a higher cost to us, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have a continuing need for technological change, and we may not have the resources to effectively implement new technology or we may experience operational challenges when implementing new technology.
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow and expand our market area. We may experience operational challenges as we implement these new technology enhancements, or seek to implement them across all of our offices and business units, which could result in us not fully realizing the anticipated benefits from such new technology or require us to incur significant costs to remedy any such challenges in a timely manner.
Many of our larger competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or superior products to those that we will be able to offer, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. Accordingly, a risk exists that we will not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing such products and services to our customers.
We are subject to certain operational risks, including customer or employee fraud and data processing system failures and errors.
Employee errors and employee and/or customer misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation or financial performance. Misconduct by our employees could include, but is not limited to, hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers or improper use of confidential information. It is not always possible to prevent employee errors and misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Employee errors could also subject us to financial claims for negligence.
We maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against operational risks, including data processing system failures and errors and customer or employee fraud. If our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to overcome the integration and other risks associated with acquisitions, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to implement our business strategy.
Although we plan to continue to grow our business organically, we also intend to pursue acquisition opportunities that we believe complement our activities and have the ability to enhance our profitability and provide attractive risk-adjusted returns. Our future acquisition activities could be material to our business and involve a number of risks, including the following:
● intense competition from other banking organizations and other acquirers for potential merger candidates;
● market pricing for desirable acquisitions resulting in returns that are less attractive than we have traditionally sought to achieve;
● incurring time and expense associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and negotiating potential transactions, resulting in our attention being diverted from the operation of our existing business;
● using inaccurate estimates and judgments to evaluate credit, operations, management and market risks with respect to the target institution or assets;
● potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of banks and businesses we acquire, including consumer compliance issues;
● the time and expense required to integrate the operations and personnel of the combined businesses;
● experiencing higher operating expenses relative to operating income from the new operations;
● losing key employees and customers;
● reputational issues if the target’s management does not align with our culture and values;
● significant problems relating to the conversion of the financial and customer data of the target;
● integration of acquired customers into our financial and customer product systems; or
● regulatory timeframes for review of applications may limit the number and frequency of transactions we may be able to consummate.
Depending on the condition of any institution or assets or liabilities that we may acquire, that acquisition may, at least in the near term, adversely affect our capital and earnings and, if not successfully integrated with our organization, may continue to have such effects over a longer period. We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with pending or potential acquisitions, and any acquisition we may consider will be subject to prior regulatory approval. Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on our ability to implement our business strategy, which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Market, Interest Rate, and Liquidity Risks
Fluctuations in interest rates may reduce net interest income and otherwise negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Net interest income is the difference between the amounts received by us on our interest-earning assets and the interest paid by us on our interest-bearing liabilities. When interest rates rise, the rate of interest we pay on our liabilities, such as deposits, rises more quickly than the rate of interest that we receive on our interest-bearing assets, such as loans, which may cause our profits to decrease. The impact on earnings is more adverse when short-term interest rates increase more than long-term interest rates or when long-term interest rates decrease more than short-term interest rates, leading to similar yields between short-term and long-term rates. Many factors impact interest rates, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply and international economic weaknesses and disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets.
Interest rate increases often result in larger payment requirements for our borrowers, which increases the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected by any reduced demand resulting from higher interest rates. In a declining interest rate environment, there may be an increase in prepayments on loans as borrowers refinance their mortgages and other indebtedness at lower rates.
Our multi-family servicing rights assets typically have a ten year call protection, but as interest rates decrease, the potential for prepayment increases and the fair market value of our servicing rights assets may decrease. Our ability to mitigate this decrease in value is largely dependent on our ability to be the refinancer and retain servicing rights. While we have previously been successful in our servicing retention, we may not be able to achieve the same level of retention in the future.
Changes in interest rates also can affect the value of loans, securities and other assets. An increase in interest rates that adversely affects the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans may lead to an increase in nonperforming assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. Further, when we place a loan on nonaccrual status, we reverse any accrued but unpaid interest receivable, which decreases interest income. Subsequently, we continue to have a cost to fund the loan, which is reflected as interest expense, without any interest income to offset the associated funding expense. Thus, an increase in the amount of nonperforming assets would have an adverse impact on net interest income.
Rising interest rates will result in a decline in value of the fixed-rate debt securities we hold in our investment securities portfolio. The unrealized losses resulting from holding these securities would be recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and reduce total shareholders’ equity. Unrealized losses do not negatively impact our regulatory capital ratios; however, tangible common equity and the associated ratios would be reduced. If debt securities in an unrealized loss position are sold, such losses become realized and will reduce our regulatory capital ratios.
The slope of the yield curve affects our net interest income and we could experience net interest margin compression if our interest earning assets reprice downward while our interest-bearing liability rates fail to decline in tandem. This would have a material adverse effect on our net interest income and our results of operations.
Negative changes in the economy affecting real estate values and liquidity could impair the value of collateral securing our real estate loans and result in loan and other losses.
A significant portion of our loan portfolio is comprised of loans with real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral. As a result, adverse developments affecting real estate values in our market areas could increase the credit risk associated with our real estate loan portfolio. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the area in which the real estate is located. Adverse changes affecting real estate values and the liquidity of real estate in one or more of our markets could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio, significantly impair the value of property pledged as collateral on loans and affect our ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure without a loss or additional losses, which could result in losses that would adversely affect profitability. Such declines and losses would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and growth prospects. In addition, if hazardous or toxic substances are found on properties pledged as collateral, the value of the real estate could be impaired. If we foreclose on and take title to such properties, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to
incur substantial expenses to address unknown liabilities and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property.
Liquidity risks could affect operations and jeopardize our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans and/or investment securities and from other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. A source of our funds consists of our customer deposits, including escrow deposits held in connection with our multi-family mortgage servicing business. These deposits are subject to potentially dramatic fluctuations in availability or price due to certain factors that may be outside of our control, such as a loss of confidence by customers in us or the banking sector generally, customer perceptions of our financial health and general reputation, increasing competitive pressures from other financial services firms for consumer or corporate customer deposits, changes in interest rates and returns on other investment classes. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, we could lose a relatively low cost source of funds, which would require us to seek wholesale funding alternatives in order to continue to grow, thereby increasing our funding costs and reducing our net interest income and net income.
A significant portion of our total deposits are concentrated in large mortgage non-depository financial institutions. These concentration levels expose us to the risk that one of these depositors will experience financial difficulties, withdraw its deposits, or otherwise lose the ability to generate custodial funds due to business or regulatory realities. However, these institutions also have warehouse funding arrangements, providing us the opportunity to mitigate this risk by electing not to participate or fund an institution’s loans in the event such institution removes its deposits. Nonetheless, failure to effectively manage this risk and subsequent reduction in the deposits of our customers could have a material impact on our ability to fund lending commitments or increase cost of funds, thereby decreasing our revenues.
Additional liquidity is provided by brokered deposits and our ability to pledge and borrow from the FHLB and Federal Reserve. Brokered deposits may be more rate sensitive than other sources of funding. In the future, those depositors may not replace their brokered deposits with us as they mature, or we may have to pay a higher rate of interest to keep those deposits or to replace them with other deposits or other sources of funds. Not being able to maintain or replace those deposits as they mature would adversely affect our liquidity. Additionally, if Merchants Bank does not maintain its well-capitalized position, it may not accept or renew any brokered deposits without a waiver granted by the FDIC. We also may borrow from third-party lenders from time to time. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our activities or on terms that are acceptable to us could be impaired by factors that affect us directly or the financial services industry or economy in general, such as disruptions in the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry.
Additionally, as a BHC we are dependent on dividends from our subsidiaries as our primary source of income. Our subsidiaries are subject to certain legal and regulatory limitations on their ability to pay us dividends. Any reduction or limitation on our subsidiaries abilities to pay us dividends could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and in particular, affect our ability to repay our borrowings.
Any decline in available funding, including a decrease in brokered deposits, could adversely impact our ability to continue to implement our strategic plan, including our ability to originate loans, fund warehouse financing commitments, meet our expenses, declare and pay dividends to our shareholders or to fulfill obligations such as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we breach any of the representations or warranties we make to a purchaser of our mortgage loans, we may be liable to the purchaser for certain costs and damages.
When we sell or securitize mortgage loans in the ordinary course of business, we are required to make certain representations and warranties to the purchaser about the mortgage loans and the manner in which they were originated. Under these agreements, we may be required to repurchase mortgage loans if we have breached any of these representations or warranties, in which case we may record a loss. In addition, if repurchase and indemnity demands increase on loans that we sell from our portfolios, our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services companies are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, and other relationships. We have exposure to different industries and counterparties, and through transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services companies, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. These losses or defaults could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Additionally, if our competitors were extending credit on terms we found to pose excessive risks, or at interest rates which we believed did not warrant the credit exposure, we may not be able to maintain our business volume and could experience deteriorating financial performance.
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Risks
We may need to raise additional capital in the future, and if we fail to maintain sufficient capital, whether due to losses, an inability to raise additional capital or otherwise, our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, as well as our ability to maintain regulatory compliance, would be adversely affected.
We face significant capital and other regulatory requirements as a financial institution. Although we raised significant funds through our October 2017 initial public offering and $362.1 million, net of expenses and repurchases, through several preferred stock offerings between 2019 and 2022, we may need to raise additional capital in the future to provide us with sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet our commitments and business needs, which could include the possibility of financing acquisitions. In addition, we, on a consolidated basis, and Merchants Bank and FMBI, on a stand-alone basis, must meet certain regulatory capital requirements and maintain sufficient liquidity. Importantly, regulatory capital requirements could increase from current levels, which could require us to raise additional capital or contract our operations. Our ability to raise additional capital depends on conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, including investor perceptions regarding the banking industry, market conditions and governmental activities, and on our financial condition and performance. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurances that we will be able to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we fail to maintain capital to meet regulatory requirements, our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Legislative and regulatory actions taken now or in the future may increase our costs and impact our business, governance structure, financial condition or results of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, imposed new capital requirements on bank holding companies; changed the base for the FDIC insurance assessments to a bank’s average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity, rather than upon its deposit base; permanently raised the current standard deposit insurance limit to $250,000; and expanded the FDIC’s authority to raise insurance premiums. The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve, which has broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority over consumer financial products and services, including deposit products, residential mortgages, home-equity loans and credit cards and contains provisions on mortgage-related matters, such as steering incentives, determinations as to a borrower’s ability to repay and prepayment penalties. Certain elements of the Dodd-Frank Act are required for institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, such as Merchants Bank and FMBI.
Compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations has and will continue to result in additional operating and compliance costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
In addition, new proposals for legislation may be introduced in the U.S. Congress that could further substantially increase regulation of the bank and non-bank financial services industries and impose restrictions on the operations and general ability of firms within the industry to conduct business consistent with historical practices. Federal and state regulatory agencies also frequently adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. Certain aspects of current or proposed regulatory or legislative changes to laws applicable to the financial industry, if enacted or adopted, may impact the profitability of our business activities, require
more oversight or change certain of our business practices, including the ability to offer new products, obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory interest spreads and could expose us to additional costs, including increased compliance costs. These changes also may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to operations to comply and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
New regulations, increased regulatory reviews, and/or changes in the structure of the secondary mortgage markets which we would utilize to sell mortgage loans may be introduced and may increase costs and make it more difficult to operate a residential and multi-family mortgage origination and servicing business.
We are subject to heightened regulatory requirements because we exceed $10 billion in assets.
At December 31, 2022 we had total assets of $12.6 billion. We expect to continue to exceed $10 billion in total assets in the future. Upon crossing that threshold, we are subject to increased regulatory scrutiny and expectations imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, and will no longer be excepted from the “Volcker Rule”. Compliance with the standards imposed by our regulators because of such scrutiny and expectations could increase our operational costs. Our regulators may also consider our preparation for compliance with their standards when examining our operations generally or considering any request for regulatory approval we may make.
Currently, our banks are subject to regulations adopted by the CFPB, but the FDIC is primarily responsible for examining their compliance with consumer protection laws and those CFPB regulations. Upon exceeding $10 billion in total assets for four consecutive quarters, our banks will be subject to direct examination by the CFPB and we cannot be certain how such direct examination will impact us. Additionally, institutions over $10 billion are also subject to limits on interchange fees paid by merchants when debit cards are used as payment. However, any such limitation would have a minimal effect on us because interchange fees are not a material portion of our fee income.
We are subject to stringent capital requirements and failure to meet such requirements could limit our activities.
The Basel III regulatory capital reforms, or Basel III, not only increased most of the required minimum regulatory capital ratios, but also introduced a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio and the concept of a capital conservation buffer. Basel III also expanded the definition of capital by establishing additional criteria that capital instruments must meet to be considered additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. In order to be a “well-capitalized” depository institution under Basel III, an institution must maintain a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5% or more; a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8% or more; a total capital ratio of 10% or more; and a leverage ratio of 5% or more. Institutions must also maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of common equity Tier 1 capital. Institutions that satisfy CBLR are not subject to these capital ratio requirements to be “well capitalized” or required to maintain the capital conservation buffer.
The failure to meet applicable regulatory capital requirements could result in one or more of our regulators placing limitations or conditions on our activities, including our growth initiatives, or restricting the commencement of new activities, and could affect customer and investor confidence, our costs of funds and FDIC insurance costs, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock, our ability to make acquisitions, and our business, results of operations and financial conditions, generally.
Monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition to being affected by general economic conditions, our earnings and growth are affected by the policies of the Federal Reserve. An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the money supply and credit conditions. Among the instruments used by the Federal Reserve to implement these objectives are open market purchases and sales of U.S. government securities, adjustments of the discount rate and changes in banks’ reserve requirements against bank deposits. These instruments are used in varying combinations to influence overall economic growth and the distribution of credit, bank loans, investments and deposits. Their use also affects interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits.
The monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. The effects of such policies upon our business, financial condition and results of operations cannot be predicted.
The Federal Reserve, FDIC, IDFI, IDFPR, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, RHS, and Ginnie Mae periodically examine our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations. If, as a result of an examination, a banking agency were to determine that our financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that we were in violation of any law or regulation, they may take a number of different remedial actions as they deem appropriate. These actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to assess civil money penalties, to fine or remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance and place us into receivership or conservatorship. Any regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to numerous laws designed to protect consumers, including the CRA and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to a wide variety of sanctions.
The CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations prohibit discriminatory lending practices by financial institutions. The U.S. Department of Justice, federal banking agencies, and other federal agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. A challenge to an institution’s compliance with fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions and/or directives, including damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity, restrictions on expansion, restrictions on entering new business lines, and to make certain community investments or other costly expenditures, such as opening new branch offices. Private parties may also challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Additionally, the CFPB was created to centralize responsibility for consumer financial protection and has broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry out the purposes and objectives of federal consumer financial laws with respect to all financial institutions that offer financial products and services to consumers. The CFPB is also authorized to prescribe rules applicable to any covered person or service provider, identifying and prohibiting acts or practices that are “unfair, deceptive, or abusive” in connection with any transaction with a consumer for a consumer financial product or service, or the offering of a consumer financial product or service. The ongoing broad rulemaking powers of the CFPB have potential to have a significant impact on the operations of financial institutions offering consumer financial products or services. The CFPB may propose new rules on consumer financial products or services, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations if any such rules limit our ability to provide such financial products or services. The Company currently has an approved CRA strategic plan.
We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.
The BSA, the Patriot Act and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and to file reports such as suspicious activity reports and currency transaction reports. We are required to comply with these and other anti-money laundering requirements. The federal banking agencies and FinCEN are authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and have recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts against banks and other financial services providers with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service. We are also subject to increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. If our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient, we would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions, which may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including our acquisition plans.
Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for us. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support Merchants Bank or FMBI.
A BHC is required to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to a subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a BHC to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the BHC with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the BHC may not have the resources to provide it and therefore may be required to borrow the funds or raise capital. Any loans by a BHC to its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a BHC bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the BHC’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by us to make a required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
The Company owns its headquarters building, which includes a Merchants Bank branch at 410 Monon Blvd. in Carmel, Indiana. Employees of all three of our segments have operations in this location. There are also several other branches and small offices in Indiana and other states. We believe that our facilities are in good condition and are adequate to meet our operating needs for the foreseeable future.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
There are no material pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business which we operate.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
None.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “MBIN” on October 27, 2017. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock. On March 8, 2023, the closing price of our common stock was $29.27. As of March 8, 2023, there were 43,233,618 shares of our common stock outstanding and 38 shareholders of record. A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
Dividend Policy
It has been our policy to pay quarterly dividends to holders of our common stock, and we intend to continue paying dividends. Our dividend policy and practice may change in the future, however, and our board of directors may change or eliminate the payment of future dividends at its discretion, without notice to our shareholders. Any future determination to pay dividends to holders of our common stock will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, banking regulations, payment of dividends on our preferred stock, contractual restrictions and any other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Dividend Restrictions
Under the terms of each class of our preferred stock, we are not permitted to declare or pay any dividends on our common stock unless the dividends have been declared and paid on the shares of all our classes of preferred stock for the period since the last payment of dividends.
As a BHC, our ability to pay dividends is affected by the policies and enforcement powers of the Federal Reserve. In addition, because we are a BHC, we are dependent upon the payment of dividends by subsidiaries, and primarily Merchants Bank, to us as our principal source of funds to pay dividends in the future, if any, and to make other payments. Merchants Bank is also subject to various legal, regulatory and other restrictions on its ability to pay dividends and make other distributions and payments to us. See Part I, Item 1 - “Supervision and Regulation-Merchants Bank and FMBI-Dividends.”
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2022. The graph compares our common stock with the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Bank Index. The graph assumes an investment of $100.00 in our common stock and each index on December 31, 2017 and reinvestment of all quarterly dividends. Measurement points are December 31, 2017 and the last trading day of each subsequent quarter through December 31, 2022. There is no assurance that our common stock performance will continue in the future with the same or similar results as shown in the graph.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
See Item 12 of this report for disclosure regarding securities authorized for issuance and equity compensation plans required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K.
Unregistered Sales and Repurchases of Equity Securities
Period
(a) Total number of shares (or units) purchased
(b) Average price paid per share (or unit)
(c) Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
(d) Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet to be purchased under the plans or programs (1)
October 1 - October 31, 2022
-
$
-
-
$
71,064,667
November 1 - November 30, 2022
-
$
-
-
71,064,667
December 1 - December 31, 2022
-
$
-
-
71,064,667
Total
-
$
-
-
$
71,064,667
(1) On November 17, 2021, the Company announced an increase in authorization for its stock repurchase program, up to $75,000,000 of common stock, expiring December 31, 2023. On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) with a broker for the repurchase of shares of its common stock commencing on May 3, 2022. The details of this repurchase plan were provided in the Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 24, 2022.

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
At or for the Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total Assets
$
12,615,227
$
11,278,638
$
9,645,375
$
6,371,928
$
3,884,163
Loans held for investment
7,470,872
5,782,663
5,535,426
3,028,310
2,058,127
Allowance for credit losses (1)
(44,014)
(31,344)
(27,500)
(15,842)
(12,704)
Loans held for sale
2,910,576
3,303,199
3,070,154
2,093,789
832,455
Deposits
10,071,345
8,982,613
7,408,066
5,478,075
3,231,086
Total liabilities
11,155,488
10,123,229
8,834,754
5,718,200
3,462,926
Total shareholders' equity
1,459,739
1,155,409
810,621
653,728
421,237
Tangible common shareholders' equity (non-GAAP)
943,100
775,708
579,847
421,438
358,637
Income Statement Data:
Interest Income
$
480,833
$
311,886
$
282,790
$
211,995
$
140,563
Interest Expense
162,282
33,892
58,644
89,697
50,592
Net interest income
318,551
277,994
224,146
122,298
89,971
Provision for credit losses
17,295
5,012
11,838
3,940
4,629
Noninterest income
125,936
157,333
127,473
47,089
49,585
Noninterest expense
136,050
125,385
96,424
63,313
50,900
Income before taxes
291,142
304,930
243,357
102,134
84,027
Provision for income taxes
71,421
77,826
62,824
24,805
21,153
Net income
219,721
227,104
180,533
77,329
62,874
Preferred stock dividends
25,983
20,873
14,473
9,216
3,330
Net income available to common shareholders
$
193,738
$
206,231
$
166,060
$
68,113
$
59,544
Credit Quality Data:
Nonperforming loans
$
26,683
$
$
6,321
$
4,678
$
2,411
Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.36
%
0.01
%
0.11
%
0.15
%
0.12
%
Nonperforming assets
$
26,683
$
$
6,321
$
4,822
$
2,411
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.21
%
0.01
%
0.07
%
0.08
%
0.06
%
Allowance for credit losses to total loans
0.59
%
0.54
%
0.50
%
0.52
%
0.62
%
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans
164.95
%
4,118.79
%
435.06
%
338.65
%
526.92
%
Net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average loans and loans held for sale
0.01
%
0.01
%
0.00
%
0.02
%
0.01
%
Per Share Data (Common Stock):(2)
Diluted earnings per share
$
4.47
$
4.76
$
3.85
$
1.58
$
1.38
Dividends declared
$
0.28
$
0.24
$
0.21
$
0.19
$
0.16
Tangible book value (non-GAAP)
$
21.88
$
17.96
$
13.45
$
9.79
$
8.33
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic
43,164,477
43,172,078
43,113,741
43,057,688
43,039,433
Diluted
43,316,904
43,325,303
43,167,113
43,118,561
43,086,629
Shares outstanding at period end
43,113,127
43,180,079
43,120,625
43,059,657
43,041,054
Performance Metrics:
Return on average assets
1.99
%
2.23
%
2.12
%
1.47
%
1.71
%
Return on average equity
17.21
%
22.07
%
25.09
%
14.37
%
15.86
%
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
22.50
%
30.10
%
34.02
%
17.56
%
17.23
%
Net interest margin
2.97
%
2.79
%
2.69
%
2.40
%
2.54
%
Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)
30.61
%
28.80
%
27.42
%
37.38
%
36.47
%
Loans and loans held for sale to deposits
103.08
%
101.15
%
116.17
%
93.50
%
89.46
%
Capital Ratios-Merchants Bancorp:
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)
7.5
%
6.9
%
6.0
%
6.6
%
9.3
%
Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets
7.7
%
n/a
%
n/a
%
7.4
%
10.6
%
Tier 1 leverage ratio/CBLR
11.7
%
10.4
%
8.6
%
9.4
%
10.0
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
11.7
%
n/a
%
n/a
%
11.3
%
11.9
%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
12.2
%
n/a
%
n/a
%
11.6
%
12.3
%
Capital Ratios-Merchants Bank Only:
Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets
11.3
%
n/a
%
n/a
%
11.7
%
12.9
%
CBLR (Tier 1 leverage ratio)
11.3
%
10.3
%
8.7
%
9.7
%
11.0
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
11.3
%
n/a
%
n/a
%
11.7
%
12.9
%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
11.7
%
n/a
%
n/a
%
12.0
%
13.3
%
(1) The Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”) on January 1, 2022. ASU 2016-13 replaces the allowance for loan losses that used incurred loss impairment methodology in 2021-2018.
(2) The number of shares and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 3-for-2 common stock split, effective on January 17, 2022.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Some of the financial measures included in this report are not measures of financial performance recognized by GAAP. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of our performance. These non-GAAP
financial measures include presentation of tangible common shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, return on average tangible common equity, and efficiency ratio.
The reconciliation from shareholders’ equity per GAAP to tangible common shareholders’ equity is comprised solely of goodwill and intangibles totaling $17.0 million at December 31, 2022, $17.6 million at December 31, 2021, $18.1 million at December 31, 2020, $19.6 million at December 31, 2019 and $21.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The reconciliation from consolidated assets per GAAP to tangible assets is comprised solely of consolidated assets less goodwill and intangibles totaling $17.0 million at December 31, 2022, $17.6 million at December 31, 2021, $18.1 million at December 31, 2020, $19.6 million at December 31, 2019 and $21.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.
Tangible book value per common share represents tangible common shareholders’ equity divided by ending common shares.
Return on average tangible common equity represents net income available to common shareholders divided by average shareholders’ equity, less average goodwill, average intangibles, and average preferred stock.
We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP; however, we acknowledge that the non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. As such, you should not view these disclosures as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and these disclosures are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other companies use.
A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is as follows:
At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Tangible common shareholders’ equity:
Shareholders’ equity per GAAP
$
1,459,739
$
1,155,409
$
810,621
$
653,728
$
421,237
Less: goodwill & intangibles
(17,031)
(17,552)
(18,128)
(19,644)
(21,019)
Tangible shareholders’ equity
1,442,708
1,137,857
792,493
634,084
400,218
Less: preferred stock
(499,608)
(362,149)
(212,646)
(212,646)
(41,581)
Tangible common shareholders’ equity
$
943,100
$
775,708
$
579,847
$
421,438
$
358,637
Average tangible common shareholders’ equity:
Average shareholders’ equity per GAAP
$
1,276,443
$
1,028,834
$
719,630
$
537,946
$
396,350
Less: average goodwill & intangibles
(17,293)
(17,841)
(18,899)
(20,243)
(9,265)
Less: average preferred stock
(398,182)
(325,904)
(212,646)
(129,881)
(41,581)
Average tangible common shareholders’ equity
$
860,968
$
685,089
$
488,085
$
387,822
$
345,504
Tangible assets:
Assets per GAAP
$
12,615,227
$
11,278,638
$
9,645,375
$
6,371,928
$
3,884,163
Less: goodwill & intangibles
(17,031)
(17,552)
(18,128)
(19,644)
(21,019)
Tangible assets
$
12,598,196
$
11,261,086
$
9,627,247
$
6,352,284
$
3,863,144
Ending Common Shares
43,113,127
43,180,079
43,120,625
43,059,657
43,041,054
Tangible book value per common share
$
21.88
$
17.96
$
13.45
$
9.79
$
8.33
Return on average tangible common equity
22.50
%
30.10
%
34.02
%
17.56
%
17.23
%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
7.5
%
6.9
%
6.0
%
6.6
%
9.3
%
For the Year Ended
December 31,
Net income as reported per GAAP
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
$
77,329
$
62,874
Less: preferred stock dividends
(25,983)
(20,873)
(14,473)
(9,216)
(3,330)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
193,738
$
206,231
$
166,060
$
68,113
$
59,544
Efficiency ratio (based on all GAAP metrics):
Noninterest expense
$
136,050
$
125,385
$
96,424
$
63,313
$
50,900
Net interest income (before provision for credit losses)
318,551
277,994
224,146
122,298
89,971
Noninterest income
125,936
157,333
127,473
47,089
49,585
Total revenues for efficiency ratio
$
444,487
$
435,327
$
351,619
$
169,387
$
139,556
Efficiency ratio
30.61
%
28.80
%
27.42
%
37.38
%
36.47
%

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report.
Discussion and Analysis of the Company’s financial condition and the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 is contained in Item 7 of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 4, 2022.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from our expectations. Actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth under Item 1 - “ Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements,” Item 1A - “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this report. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Financial Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2022
● Net income of $219.7 million decreased $7.4 million, or 3%, compared to December 31, 2021.
● Diluted earnings per share of $4.47 decreased 6% compared to December 31, 2021.
● The $7.4 million, or 3%, decrease in net income compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily driven by a $31.4 million, or 20% decrease in noninterest income, a $12.3 million increase in provision for credit losses, and a $10.7 million, or 9% increase in noninterest expense that was partially offset by a $40.6 million, or 15% increase in net interest income.
● Total assets of $12.6 billion increased $1.3 billion, or 12%, compared to December 31, 2021.
● Loans receivable of $7.4 billion, net of allowance for credit losses on loans increased $1.7 billion, or 29%, compared to December 31, 2021.
● The net interest margin of 2.97% increased 18 basis points compared to 2.79% for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our diverse business model is designed to maximize overall profitability in both rising and falling interest rate environments, and unlike many other banks and holding companies, our future profitability relies less upon changes in net interest margin.
● Efficiency ratio of 30.61% increased 181 basis points compared to 28.80% at December 31, 2021.
● Tangible book value per common share of $21.88 increased 22% compared to $17.96 at December 31, 2021.
● In May 2022, the Company completed a $214 million Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) securitization of 14 multifamily mortgage loans secured by 24 mortgaged properties through a Freddie Mac-sponsored Q-Series transaction.
● In September 2022, completed 8.25% Series D preferred stock offering, raising approximately $137.5 million of new capital, net of $5.0 million in offering costs.
● In September 2022, sold $1.2 billion of multi-family bridge loans into a private securitization via a real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC). As part of the transaction, purchased a $1.0 billion senior investment security that is expected to be held to maturity.
● In November 2022, the Company completed a $284.2 million securitization of 16 multi-family mortgage loans through a Freddie Mac-sponsored Q-Series transaction.
● Our LIHTC syndications business raised $290.9 million in equity for 5 funds it launched during 2022.
● As of December 31, 2022, we had $3.1 billion in available borrowing capacity, compared to $2.4 billion at December 31, 2021.
● The volume of warehouse loans funded during the year ended December 31, 2022 amounted to $33.2 billion, a decrease of $45.1 billion, or 58%, compared to the same period in 2021. This compared to the 49% industry decrease in single-family residential loan volumes from the year ended December 31, 2022 to the same period in 2021, according to an estimate of industry volume by the Mortgage Bankers Association.
● The volume of loans originated and acquired for sale in the secondary market through our multi-family business decreased by $1.1 billion, or 39%, to $1.8 billion, compared to $2.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Company and Business Segment Overview
We are a diversified bank holding company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. We currently operate in multiple business segments, including Multi-family Mortgage Banking that offers multi-family housing and healthcare facility financing and servicing; as well as syndicated low-income housing tax credit and debt funds; Mortgage Warehousing that offers mortgage warehouse financing, commercial loans, and deposit services; and Banking that offers portfolio lending for multi-family and healthcare facility loans, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, agricultural lending, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lending and traditional community banking.
Our business consists primarily of funding low risk loans meeting underwriting standards of government programs under an originate to sell model. The gain on sale of loans and servicing fees generated primarily from the multi-family rental real estate loans servicing portfolio contribute to noninterest income. The funding source is primarily from mortgage custodial, municipal, retail, commercial, brokered deposits, and short term borrowing. We believe that the combination of net interest income and noninterest income from the sale of low risk profile assets results in lower than industry charge offs and a lower expense base, which serves to maximize net income and higher than industry shareholder return.
See “Company Overview and Our Business Segments,” in Item 1 “Business”, “Operating Segment Analysis for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021” in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations”, and “Segment Information,” in Note 26 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about our segments.
Primary Factors We Use to Evaluate Our Business
As a financial institution, we manage and evaluate various aspects of both our results of operations and our financial condition. We evaluate the comparative levels and trends of the line items in our consolidated balance sheet and income statement as well as various financial ratios that are commonly used in our industry. We analyze these ratios and financial trends against our own historical performance, our budgeted performance and the financial condition and performance of comparable financial institutions in our region.
Results of operations
In addition to net income, the primary factors we use to evaluate and manage our results of operations include net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
Net interest income. Net interest income represents interest income less interest expense. We generate interest income from interest (net of deferred origination fees received and costs paid, which are amortized over the expected life of the loans) and fees received on interest-earning assets, including loans, investment securities, cash, and dividends on FHLB stock we own. We incur interest expense from interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, including interest-bearing deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is the most significant contributor to our revenues and net income. To evaluate net interest income, we measure and monitor: (a) yields on our loans and other interest-earning assets; (b) duration on our loans, deposits, and borrowings; (c) the costs of our deposits and other funding sources; (d) our net interest margin; and (e) the regulatory risk weighting associated with the assets. Net interest margin is calculated as the annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Because noninterest-bearing sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders’ equity, also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these noninterest-bearing sources.
Changes in market interest rates, the slope of the yield curve, and interest we earn on interest-earning assets or pay on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volume and types of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity, usually have the largest impact on changes in our net interest spread, net interest margin and net interest income during a reporting period.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income consists of, among other things: (a) gain on sale of loans; (b) loan servicing fees; (c) fair value adjustments to the value of servicing rights; (d) mortgage warehouse fees; and (e) syndication and asset management fees; and (f) other noninterest income.
Gain on sale of loans includes placement and origination fees, capitalized servicing rights, trading gains and losses, gains and losses on derivatives and other related income. Loan servicing fees are collected as payments are received for loans in the servicing portfolio and reduced by amortization on servicing rights. Fair value adjustments to the value of servicing rights are also included in noninterest income. Mortgage warehouse fees are recognized at the time of funding and collected at the time of sale. Syndication fee income is recognized at the point in time when investor equity capital is obtained primarily to acquire qualifying investments in low-income housing tax credit projects for its funds or debt funds. Related asset management fees for syndicated funds are recognized over time.
Noninterest expense. Noninterest expense includes, among other things: (a) salaries and employee benefits, including commissions; (b) loan origination expenses; (c) occupancy and equipment expense; (d) professional fees; (e) FDIC insurance expense; (f) technology expense; and (g) other general and administrative expenses.
Salaries and employee benefits includes commissions, other compensation, employee benefits and employment tax expenses for our personnel.
Loan origination expenses include third party processing for financing activities and loan-related origination expenses. Occupancy expense includes depreciation expense on our owned properties, lease expense on our leased properties and other occupancy-related expenses. Equipment expense includes furniture, fixtures and equipment related expenses. Professional fees include legal, accounting, consulting and other outsourcing arrangements. FDIC insurance expense represents the assessments that we pay to the FDIC for deposit insurance. Technology expense includes data processing fees paid to our third-party data processing system provider and other data service providers. Other general and administrative expenses include expenses associated with travel, meals, training, supplies and postage.
Noninterest expenses generally increase as we grow our business. Noninterest expenses have increased significantly over the past few years as we have grown organically, and as we have built out and modernized our operational infrastructure and implemented our plan to build an efficient, technology-driven mortgage banking operation with significant operational capacity for growth.
Financial Condition
The primary factors we use to evaluate and manage our financial condition are asset levels, liquidity, capital and asset quality.
Asset Levels. We manage our asset levels based upon forecasted closings or fundings within our business segments to ensure we have the necessary liquidity and capital to meet the required regulatory capital ratios. Each segment evaluates its funding needs by forecasting the fundings and sales of loans, communicating with customers on their projected funding needs, and reviewing its opportunities to add new customers.
Liquidity. We manage our liquidity based upon factors that include: (a) our amount of custodial and brokered deposits as a percentage of total deposits (b) the level of diversification of our funding sources (c) the allocation and amount of our deposits among deposit types (d) the short-term funding sources used to fund assets (e) the amount of non-deposit funding used to fund assets (f) the availability of unused funding sources; (g) off-balance sheet obligations; (h) the availability of assets to be readily converted into cash without a material loss on the investment; (i) the amount of cash and cash equivalent; (j) the repricing characteristics of our assets; (k) maturity and duration of our assets when compared to the repricing characteristics of our liabilities; (l) costs of available funding options; and (m) other factors.
Capital. We manage our regulatory capital based upon factors that include: (a) the level and quality of capital and our overall financial condition; (b) the trend and volume of problem assets; (c) the dollar amount of servicing rights as a percentage of capital; (d) the level and quality of earnings; (e) the risk exposures in our balance sheet; and (f) other factors. In addition, we have continually increased our capital through net income less dividends and equity issuances.
Asset Quality. We manage the diversification and quality of our assets based upon factors that include: (a) the level, distribution, severity and trend of problem, classified, delinquent, nonaccrual, nonperforming and restructured assets; (b) the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses on loans (“ACL-Loans”); (c) the diversification and quality of loan and investment portfolios; (d) the extent of counterparty risks; (e) credit risk concentrations; (f) the liquidity of our assets; and (g) other factors.
Recent Developments and Material Trends
Economic and Interest Rate Environment. The results of our operations are highly dependent on economic conditions, mortgage volumes, and market interest rates. Residential mortgage volumes fluctuate based on market interest rates, economic conditions, and the credit parameters set by the GSEs and other market participants. From July 2019 thru May 2022, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) continued to reduce interest rates, leading to historically low overnight interest rates in the range of 0.0% to 0.25%, which was the lowest the rates had been since 2009. The overnight federal funds rate that the Federal Reserve uses to affect economic conditions affects the entire term structure of interest rates, so rates on longer term debt (like mortgages) also moved lower. As inflation increased throughout 2022, on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve responded by rapidly increasing interest rates to the highest levels seen since January 2008, as the Federal funds rate reached a range of 4.5 - 4.75% as of February 2023. Thirty-year mortgage rates rose over 7% during 2022 for the first time since 2002, per Federal Reserve data.
The lower interest rates in 2020 contributed to the significant loan growth we experienced for the year ended December 31, 2020, particularly related to single family mortgage refinancing activity that increased net interest income and noninterest income in our Mortgage Warehousing segment. Growth moderated and declined during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 in this line of business as interest rates increased, and it may not resume until 2024. Supporting this expectation are industry forecasts from the Mortgage Bankers Association, which has forecasted a 49% decrease in single-family residential mortgage volume, to $2.245 trillion for 2022, from $3.991 trillion in 2021, and a decrease of 17%, to $1.873 trillion in 2023, followed by an increase to $2.279 trillion for 2024.
COVID-19 Pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an ongoing global impact on nearly every aspect of daily life in the U.S. since early 2020. As infection and death rates continued to accelerate throughout 2020, many businesses and schools were forced to close or alter their way of business to ensure public safety. Businesses shifted to work-from-home arrangements for their employees, and some had to juggle new childcare and home-schooling responsibilities due to shutdowns. Despite government intervention to facilitate financial assistance and small business loans, as well as the roll-out of a vaccine in early 2021 to prevent COVID-19, many businesses suffered losses or
closures. Personal illnesses and business closures impacted nearly every industry, including the mortgage banking industry. However, Merchants had minimal direct credit exposure on loans to consumer, commercial, and other small businesses that were most negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Regulatory Environment. We believe an important trend affecting community banks in the United States over the foreseeable future will be related to heightened regulatory capital requirements, regulatory burdens generally, including the Dodd-Frank Act and the regulations thereunder, and interest margin compression. We expect that troubled community banks will continue to face significant challenges when attempting to raise capital. We also believe that heightened regulatory capital requirements will make it more difficult for even well-capitalized, healthy community banks to grow in their communities by taking advantage of opportunities in their markets that result as the economy improves. We believe these trends will favor community banks that have sufficient capital, a diversified business model and a strong deposit franchise.
As described further in Item 1 - “Supervision and Regulation-Merchants Bank and FMBI-Capital Requirements and Basel III” the federal regulators finalized and adopted rules regarding the community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) in November 2019. Under CBLR, if a qualifying depository institution or depository institution holding company elected to use such measure, such institution or holding company was be considered well capitalized if its ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets (i.e., leverage ratio) exceeded a 9% threshold, subject to a limited two quarter grace period, during which the leverage ratio could not go 100 basis points below the then applicable threshold, and would not be required to calculate and report risk-based capital ratios. At September 30, 2022 the Company’s total assets exceeded $10 billion, off-balance sheets exposures exceeded 25% of total assets, and the allowable grace periods under the CBLR rules expired. Accordingly, the Company has been reporting fully phased-in Basel III risk-based capital ratios since September 30, 2022.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans (“ACL-Loans”). One of our key operating objectives has been, and continues to be, maintenance of an appropriate level of ACL-Loans in our loan portfolio. The provision for credit losses recorded in prior years was primarily due to growth in our loan portfolio, as our historical loss rates remained very low. As we anticipate that our loan portfolio overall will continue to grow in 2023, we could similarly expect the provision to increase, but could also be influenced by any changes to problem loans in our portfolio or the loan type mix within the portfolio. Additional details are provided in the ACL-Loans portion of the Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Because there could be unforeseen future losses, the Company continues to monitor the situation and may need to adjust future expectations as developments occur.
Issuance and Redemption of Preferred Stock. On September 27, 2022, the Company issued 5,200,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $130.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $4.7 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $125.3 million. On September 30, 2022, the Company issued an additional 500,000 depositary shares of Series D Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an additional $12.1 million in net proceeds, after deducting $0.4 million in underwriting discounts.
On March 23, 2021, the Company issued 6,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series C Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $150.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $5.1 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $144.9 million.
On April 15, 2021, all 41,625 shares of the 8% Preferred Stock were redeemed for $41.6 million, plus unpaid dividends of $139,000. On May 6, 2021, the 8% Preferred Stock shareholders participated in a private offering to replace their redeemed shares with Series C Preferred Stock. Accordingly, 46,181 shares (1,847,233 depositary shares) of Series C Preferred Stock were issued at a price of $25 per depositary share. The total capital raised from the private offering was $46.2 million, net of $23,000 in expenses.
Loan Sales and Securitizations. Recent growth in the loan origination pipeline has prompted the Company to seek additional avenues to effectively manage regulatory capital levels and reduce credit risk, in addition to issuing preferred stock. Accordingly, we have completed several loan sale and securitization transactions, including two that were sponsored by Freddie Mac during 2022 and one during 2021. In doing so, the Company has been able to effectively reduce its risk-weighted assets and maintain well-capitalized capital ratios. Also see Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
Stock Split. On November 17, 2021, the Company approved a 3-for-2 common stock split. Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 3, 2022 received one additional share of Merchants Bancorp common stock for every two shares owned. These additional shares were distributed on or around January 17, 2022. All previously reported shares have been restated to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split.
General and Administrative Expenses. We expect to continue incurring increased noninterest expense attributable to general and administrative expenses related to building out and modernizing our operational infrastructure, marketing and other administrative expenses to execute our strategic initiatives, expenses to hire additional personnel and other costs required to continue our growth.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $219.7 million, a decrease of $7.4 million, or 3%, over the net income of $227.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $31.4 million, or 20%, decrease in noninterest income, a $12.3 million increase in provision for credit losses, and an $10.7 million, or 9%, increase in noninterest expense, which was partially offset by a $40.6 million, or 15%, increase in net interest income and a $6.4 million, or 8%, decrease in provision for income taxes.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $40.6 million, or 15%, to $318.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $278.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The 15% increase reflected a $168.9 million, or 54%, increase in interest income from higher yields and average loan balances, partially offset by a $128.4 million, or 379%, increase in interest expense from higher interest rates and average balances of deposits. The interest rate spread of 2.72% for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased 1 basis point compared to 2.73% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Our net interest margin increased 18 basis points, to 2.97%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 from 2.79% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest Income. Interest income increased $168.9 million, or 54%, to $480.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $311.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in higher average yields and loan balances.
The average balance of loans, including loans held for sale, during the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $806.2 million, or 9%, to $9.3 billion compared to $8.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the average yield on loans increased 140 basis points, to 4.85% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 3.45% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The average balance of taxable available for sale securities increased $30.3 million, or 10%, to $323.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $292.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the average yield decreased 26 basis points, to 0.87% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 1.13% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The average balance of securities held to maturity that were acquired in September and December of 2022 was $277.5 million, while the average yield was 4.46% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The average balance of interest-earning deposits and other decreased $107.5 million, or 16%, to $561.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from the year ended December 31, 2021, while the average yield increased 65 basis points, to 0.94% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 0.29% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The average balance of mortgage loans in process of securitization decreased $240.4 million, or 49%, to $253.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, while the average yield increased 73 basis points, to 3.31% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2.58% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense increased $128.4 million, or 379%, to $162.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest expense on deposits increased $121.4 million, or 430%, to $149.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $28.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to increases in interest rates on interest-bearing checking, money market accounts and certificates of deposit accounts, as well as higher average balances for certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
The average balance of interest-bearing checking accounts of $4.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased $439.3 million, or 10%, compared to $4.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021. The average yield of interest-bearing checking accounts was 1.66% for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was a 152 basis point increase compared to 0.14% for year ended December 31, 2021.
The average balance of money market accounts of $2.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $387.5 million, or 17%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The average yield of money market accounts was 1.84% for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was a 107 basis point increase compared to 0.77% for year ended December 31, 2021.
The average balance of certificates of deposit of $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $874.3 million, or 127%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The average yield of certificates of deposit was 2.00% for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was a 134 basis point increase compared to 0.66% for year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest expense on borrowings increased $7.0 million, or 124%, to $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due primarily to a 127 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings to 2.13%, compared to 0.86% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in average rates was partially offset by a $63.2 million, or 10%, decrease in average balance compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, borrowings include our warehouse structured financing agreement that provides for an additional interest payment for a portion of the earnings generated. As a result, the cost of borrowings increased from a base rate of 1.56% and 0.36%, to an effective rate of 2.13% and 0.86% for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, information about (i) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin. Yields have been calculated on a pre-tax basis. Nonaccrual loans are included in loans and loans held for sale.
Year Ended December 31,
Average
Average
Average
Interest
Yield /
Average
Interest
Yield /
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance(1)
Inc / Exp
Rate
Balance(1)
Inc / Exp
Rate
Assets:
Interest-bearing deposits, and other
$
561,883
$
5,264
0.94
%
$
669,382
$
1,960
0.29
%
Securities available for sale - taxable
322,990
2,807
0.87
%
292,662
3,309
1.13
%
Securities available for sale - tax exempt
-
-
1,323
3.10
%
Securities held to maturity
277,464
12,382
4.46
%
-
-
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
253,847
8,407
3.31
%
494,264
12,746
2.58
%
Loans and loans held for sale
9,318,288
451,973
4.85
%
8,512,124
293,830
3.45
%
Total interest-earning assets
10,734,472
480,833
4.48
%
9,969,755
311,886
3.13
%
Allowance for credit losses on loans
(36,057)
(28,895)
Noninterest-earning assets
346,474
248,093
Total assets
$
11,044,889
$
10,188,953
Liabilities/Equity:
Deposits
Interest-bearing checking
$
4,149,942
69,057
1.66
%(4)
$
4,589,269
6,227
0.14
%(4)
Savings deposits
240,481
0.23
%
208,467
0.07
%
Money market deposits
2,651,532
48,872
1.84
%
2,264,063
17,325
0.77
%
Certificates of deposit
1,561,261
31,155
2.00
%
687,002
4,555
0.66
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
8,603,216
149,645
1.74
%
7,748,801
28,256
0.36
%
Borrowings
594,423
12,637
2.13
%
657,573
5,636
0.86
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
9,197,639
162,282
1.76
%
8,406,374
33,892
0.40
%
Noninterest-bearing deposits
453,387
678,494
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
117,420
75,251
Total liabilities
9,768,446
9,160,119
Equity
1,276,443
1,028,834
Total liabilities and equity
$
11,044,889
$
10,188,953
Net interest spread(2)
2.72
%
2.73
%
Net interest earning assets
$
1,536,833
$
1,563,381
Net interest income
$
318,551
$
277,994
Net interest margin(3)
2.97
%
2.79
%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
116.71
%
118.60
%
(1)
Average balances are average daily balances.
(2)
Represents the average rate earned on interest-earning assets minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)
Represents net interest income (annualized) divided by total average earning assets.
(4)
Reflects changes in interest rates on mortgage custodial deposits.
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 weighted average interest rates. The following table sets forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income during the periods shown. Information is provided with respect to (i) effects on interest income attributable to changes in volume (changes
in volume multiplied by prior rate) and (ii) effects on interest income attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). Changes applicable to both volume and rate have been allocated to volume. Yields have been calculated on a pre-tax basis.
The following table summarizes the increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in average balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates:
Year ended December 31, 2022
compared to Year ended
December 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease)
Due to
(Dollars in thousands)
Volume
Rate
Total
Interest income
Interest-bearing deposits and other
$
(315)
$
3,619
$
3,304
Securities available for sale - taxable
(845)
(502)
Securities available for sale - tax exempt
(41)
-
(41)
Securities held to maturity
12,382
-
12,382
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
(6,200)
1,861
(4,339)
Loans and loans held for sale
27,828
130,315
158,143
Total interest income
33,997
134,950
168,947
Interest expense
Deposits
Interest-bearing checking
(596)
63,426
62,830
Savings deposits
Money market deposits
2,965
28,582
31,547
Certificates of deposit
5,797
20,803
26,600
Total Deposits
8,189
113,200
121,389
Borrowings
(541)
7,542
7,001
Total interest expense
7,648
120,742
128,390
Net interest income
$
26,349
$
14,208
$
40,557
Provision for Credit Losses. We recorded a provision for credit losses of $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $12.3 million, compared to $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $17.3 million provision for credit losses consisted of $13.5 million for the ACL-Loans, $2.6 million for the allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures (“ACL-OBCEs”) and $1.2 million for ACL-Guarantees.
The ACL-Loans was $44.0 million, or 0.59% of loans receivable at December 31, 2022, compared to $31.3 million, or 0.54% of loans receivable at December 31, 2021. The increase in the ACL-Loans compared to prior periods reflected increases associated with loan growth and portfolio mix, partially offset by a release of the $4.0 million ACL-Loans associated with the loan sale and securitizations in September and November of 2022. Additional details are provided in the ACL-Loans portion of the Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2022 and 2021, and in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
The Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("CECL") as of January 1, 2022. This changed certain accounting policies and implemented certain accounting policy elections, related to the adoption of CECL, which also contributed to the increase in provision for credit losses during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income decreased $31.4 million, or 20%, to $125.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $157.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $47.0 million, or 42%, decrease in gain on sale of loans associated with a shift in business mix to programs with lower average trade pricing in the multi-family loan portfolio, as well as lower single-family and multi-family secondary market volumes.
Partially offsetting the decrease in gain on sale was a $13.8 million, or 84%, increase in loan servicing fees to $30.2 million for year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Included in loan servicing fees was a $19.8 million positive adjustment to the fair value of servicing rights for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a positive adjustment of $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
A summary of the gain on sale of loans for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is below:
Gain on Sale of Loans
For the Years Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Loan Type:
Multi-family
$
56,819
$
93,350
Single-family
1,133
8,763
Small Business Administration (SBA)
6,198
9,072
Total
$
64,150
$
111,185
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $10.7 million, or 9%, to $136.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $125.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due primarily to a $3.4 million, or 4%, increase in salaries and employee benefits, including commissions, to support higher multi-family loan production volumes, as well as a $3.6 million, or 67%, increase in professional fees. Partially offsetting the increases was a $3.0 million, or 39%, decrease in loan expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The efficiency ratio was 30.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with 28.8% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense decreased $6.4 million, or 8%, to $71.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $77.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was due primarily to a 5% decrease in pre-tax income period to period. The effective tax rate was 24.5% for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 25.5% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Asset Quality
Total nonperforming loans (nonaccrual and greater than 90 days late but still accruing) were $26.7 million, or 0.36% of total loans, at December 31, 2022, compared to $0.8 million, or 0.01% of total loans, at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to the delinquency of one healthcare loan customer that is fully collateralized and full repayment is expected.
As a percentage of nonperforming loans, the ACL-Loans was 165.0% at December 31, 2022 compared to 4,118.8% at December 31, 2021. The changes were primarily due to increases in the nonperforming loans.
Total loans greater than 30 days past due were $39.8 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $2.6 million at December 31, 2021.
Special Mention (Watch) loans were $137.8 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $100.8 million at December 31, 2021.
We had $753,000 of recoveries and $1.3 million of charge offs during the year ended December 31, 2022, and $24,000 of recoveries and $1.2 million of charge offs during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Operating Segment Analysis for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Our reportable segments are Multi-family Mortgage, Mortgage Warehousing, and Banking. As discussed in “Our Business Segments” of Item 1 and Note 26 of our Consolidated Financial Statements, our reportable segments have been determined based upon their business processes and economic characteristics. This determination also gave consideration to the structure and management of various product lines.
Our segment financial information was compiled utilizing the policies described in Note 1, “Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” and Note 26, “Segment Information,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. As a result, reported segments and the financial
information of the reported segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information reported by other financial institutions. Furthermore, changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in future changes to previously reported segment financial data. Transactions between segments consist primarily of borrowed funds. Intersegment interest expense is allocated to the Mortgage Warehousing and Banking segments based on Merchants Bank’s cost of funds. The provision for credit losses is allocated based on information included in our ACL-Loans analysis and specific loan data for each segment.
The Other segment presented below, in Note 26 of our Consolidated Financial Statements, and elsewhere in this report includes general and administrative expenses for provision of services to all segments, internal funds transfer pricing offsets resulting from allocations to or from the other segments, certain elimination entries, and investments in low-income housing tax credit limited partnerships.
The following table presents our primary operating results for our operating segments for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Multi-family
Mortgage
Mortgage
(Dollars in thousands)
Banking
Warehousing
Banking
Other
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Interest income
$
2,239
$
115,870
$
354,482
$
8,242
$
480,833
Interest expense
-
48,079
117,284
(3,081)
162,282
Net interest income
2,239
67,791
237,198
11,323
318,551
Provision for credit losses
1,153
16,105
-
17,295
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
1,086
67,754
221,093
11,323
301,256
Noninterest income
155,883
5,400
(26,177)
(9,170)
125,936
Noninterest expense
82,213
10,420
18,303
25,114
136,050
Income before income taxes
74,756
62,734
176,613
(22,961)
291,142
Income taxes
20,114
14,130
42,392
(5,215)
71,421
Net income
$
54,642
$
48,604
$
134,221
$
(17,746)
$
219,721
Total assets
$
351,274
$
2,519,810
$
9,587,544
$
156,599
$
12,615,227
Multi-family
Mortgage
Mortgage
(Dollars in thousands)
Banking
Warehousing
Banking
Other
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Interest income
$
$
134,120
$
171,465
$
5,344
$
311,886
Interest expense
-
8,930
28,076
(3,114)
33,892
Net interest income
125,190
143,389
8,458
277,994
Provision for credit losses
-
(1,022)
6,034
-
5,012
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
126,212
137,355
8,458
272,982
Noninterest income
141,605
12,399
7,755
(4,426)
157,333
Noninterest expense
71,486
11,949
24,137
17,813
125,385
Income before income taxes
71,076
126,662
120,973
(13,781)
304,930
Income taxes
19,572
31,503
30,115
(3,364)
77,826
Net income
$
51,504
$
95,159
$
90,858
$
(10,417)
$
227,104
Total assets
$
296,129
$
3,977,537
$
6,929,565
$
75,407
$
11,278,638
Multi-family Mortgage Banking. The Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment reported net income of $54.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $3.1 million, or 6%, compared with $51.5 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2021. The growth was primarily due to a $14.3 million increase in noninterest income reflecting a $20.1 million increase in loan servicing fees, and a $7.4 million increase in other income that was partially offset by a $16.1 million decrease in gain on sale of loans, as sales to the secondary market declined. The increase in loan servicing fees reflected a positive fair market value adjustment of $14.0 million on servicing rights for
the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to a positive fair market value adjustment of $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Partially offsetting the increase in noninterest income was a $10.7 million increase in noninterest expenses, primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits, including commissions, to support higher loan production volumes referred to in the Banking segment.
The volume of loans originated and acquired for sale in the secondary market decreased by $1.1 billion, or 39%, to $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Total assets in the Multi-family segment increased 19%, to $351.3 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $296.1 million at December 31, 2021.
Mortgage Warehousing. The Mortgage Warehousing segment reported net income of $48.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 49% over the $95.2 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2021. The lower net income reflected lower net interest income and mortgage warehouse fees as industry volumes declined as market interest rates increased. The volume of loans funded during the year ended December 31, 2022 amounted to $33.2 billion, a decrease of $45.1 billion, or 58%, compared to the same period in 2021. This compared to the 49% industry decrease in single-family residential loan volumes from the year ended December 31, 2022 to the year ended December 31, 2021, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Total assets in the Mortgage Warehousing segment decreased 37%, to $2.5 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $4.0 billion at December 31, 2021.
Banking. The Banking segment reported net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, of $134.2 million, an increase of 48% over the $90.9 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to a $93.8 million increase in net interest income that was partially offset by a decrease in noninterest income of $33.9 million, reflecting lower gains on sale of loans.
Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2022 included a positive fair market value adjustment of $5.8 million on single-family servicing rights compared to a positive fair market value adjustment of $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Total assets in the Banking segment increased 38%, to $9.6 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $6.9 billion at December 31, 2021.
See “Our Business Segments,” in Item 1 “Business”, and Note 26, “Segment Information,” in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about our segments.
Financial Condition
As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately $12.6 billion in total assets, $10.1 billion in deposits, and $1.5 billion in total shareholders’ equity. Total assets as of December 31, 2022 included approximately $226.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, $2.9 billion of loans held for sale and $7.4 billion of loans receivable, net of ACL-Loans. Total assets also include $154.2 million of mortgage loans in process of securitization that represent pre-sold multi-family rental real estate loan originations in primarily Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage backed securities pending settlements that typically occur within 30 days. There were also $1.1 billion securities held to maturity that were acquired as part of securitizations described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. Additionally, there were $323.3 million of securities available for sale that are match funded with related custodial deposits. There are restrictions on the types of securities we hold, as these are funded by certain custodial deposits where we set the cost of deposits based on the yield of the related securities. Servicing rights at December 31, 2022 were $146.2 million based on the fair value of the loan servicing, which is primarily GNMA multi-family servicing rights with 10-year call protection.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2022 and 2021
Total Assets. Total assets increased $1.3 billion, or 12%, to $12.6 billion at December 31, 2022, from $11.3 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase was due primarily to increases in net loans receivable of $1.7 billion and securities held to maturity of $1.1 billion. Partially offsetting the increases were decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $806.5 million, mortgage loans in process of securitization of $415.0 million, and loans held for sale of $392.6 million.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $806.5 million, or 78%, to $226.2 million at December 31, 2022, from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2021. The 78% decrease reflected intentional reductions in cash levels to manage sources of liquidity in the most cost-effective manner.
Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization. Mortgage loans in process of securitization decreased $415.0 million, or 73%, to $154.2 million at December 31, 2021, from $569.2 million at December 31, 2021. These represent loans that our banking subsidiary, Merchants Bank, has funded and are held pending settlement, primarily as GNMA mortgage-backed securities with a firm investor commitment to purchase the securities. The 73% decline was primarily due to the industry decline in volume of loans that had not yet settled with government agencies.
Securities Available for Sale. Securities available for sale increased $12.7 million, or 4%, to $323.3 million at December 31, 2022, from $310.6 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in securities available for sale was primarily due to purchases of $51.2 million, offset by calls, maturities, sales, and repayments of securities totaling $25.4 million during the period.
We invest in securities available for sale primarily using funds from escrow deposits held at Merchants Bank, received in connection with our multi-family mortgage servicing activities. The securities available for sale are funded by escrow custodial deposits held at the Company on loans serviced by us. This portfolio of securities is structured to achieve a favorable interest rate spread.
Securities Held to Maturity. Held to maturity securities of $1.1 billion include $871.7 million that were acquired in September 2022 as part of a private securitization of originated loans described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The remaining securities were acquired in December 2022 as part of a securitization by an external, related, party.
The following table shows the maturity distribution and weighted average yields of the securities available for sale and held to maturity portfolio:
December 31, 2022
Due within one year
Due after one but within five years
Due after five but within ten years
Due after ten years
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
$
3,920
0.27
%
$
32,360
2.70
%
$
-
-
%
$
-
-
%
Federal agencies
111,466
0.25
%
160,424
0.61
%
-
-
%
-
-
%
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
2.25
%
3.26
%
3.86
%
15,101
3.72
%
Total securities available for sale
$
115,399
0.25
%
$
192,788
0.96
%
$
3.86
%
$
15,101
3.72
%
Securities held to maturity:
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE multi-family
$
-
-
%
$
871,772
4.75
%
$
-
-
%
$
247,306
5.51
%
Total securities held to maturity
$
-
-
%
$
871,772
4.75
%
$
-
-
%
$
247,306
5.51
%
FHLB stock. FHLB stock increased $9.5 million, or 32%, to $39.1 million at December 31, 2022, from $29.6 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in FHLB stock was due to additional FHLB stock being purchased to increase our borrowing capacity at FHLB. Stock ownership generally correlates to levels of borrowing.
Loans Held for Sale. Loans held for sale, comprised primarily of single-family residential real estate loan participations that meet Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”) eligibility, decreased $392.6 million, or 12%, to $2.9 billion at December 31, 2022, from $3.3 billion at December 31, 2021. The decrease in loans held for sale was primarily due to a decrease in warehouse participations, as the industry experienced lower volume associated with the recent increase in market interest rates. Also contributing to the decrease was the September 2022 loan sale described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
Loans Receivable, Net. The following table shows our allocation of loans held for investment as of the dates presented:
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
% of
% of
% of
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit
$
464,785
%
$
781,437
%
$
1,605,745
%
Residential real estate
1,178,401
%
843,101
%
678,848
%
Multi-family financing(1)
3,135,535
%
2,702,042
%
2,250,739
%
Healthcare financing(1)
1,604,341
%
826,157
%
498,281
Commercial and commercial real estate(2)
978,661
%
520,199
%
387,294
%
Agricultural production and real estate
95,651
%
97,060
%
101,268
%
Consumer and margin
13,498
-
12,667
-
%
13,251
-
%
Total
7,470,872
5,782,663
5,535,426
Allowance for credit losses
(44,014)
(31,344)
(27,500)
Total loans held for investment, net
$
7,426,858
%
$
5,751,319
%
$
5,507,926
%
(1) In 2022, the Company started presenting multi-family and healthcare loan types on separate lines for reporting purposes. Healthcare loans of $826.2 million were included in the combined multi-family and healthcare financing loan total as of December 31, 2021.
(2) Includes $497.0 million and $209.8 million of revolving lines of credit collateralized primarily by single-family mortgage servicing rights as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Loans receivable, net, which are comprised of loans held for investment, increased $1.7 billion, or 29%, to $7.4 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $5.8 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in net loans was comprised primarily of:
● an increase of $778.2 million, or 94%, in healthcare financing loans, to $1.6 billion at December 31, 2022, and
● an increase of $458.5 million, or 88%, in commercial and commercial real estate to $978.7 million at December 31, 2022, and
● an increase of $433.5 million, or 16%, in multi-family financing loans, to $3.1 billion at December 31, 2022, and
● an increase of $335.3 million, or 40%, in residential real estate to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2022, partially offset by
● a decrease of $316.7 million, or 41%, in mortgage warehouse lines of credit loans, to $464.8 million at December 31, 2022.
The $778.2 million increase in healthcare financing was due to higher origination volume for healthcare loans generated through our multi-family segment that typically remain on our balance sheet until they convert to permanent financing or are otherwise paid off over an average of one to three years.
The $458.5 million increase in commercial and commercial real estate was primarily due to a $287.2 million, or 37%, increase in warehouse revolving lines of credit collateralized primarily by single-family mortgage servicing rights during the period.
The $433.5 million increase in multi-family financing was due to significantly higher origination volume for construction, bridge and other loans generated through our multi-family segment that will remain on our balance sheet until they convert to permanent financing or are otherwise paid off over an average of one to three years. The growth was partially offset by the $1.2 billion sale and private securitization in September 2022, as well as securitizations of $214.0 million and $284.2 million in May and November of 2022, as described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
The $335.3 million increase in residential real estate loans was primarily due an increase in All-in-One®, first-lien HELOCs.
The $316.7 million decrease in mortgage warehouse lines of credit was primarily due to lower loan volume as higher interest rates have decreased demand in refinancing activity.
As of December 31, 2022, approximately 93% of the total net loans at Merchants Bank reprice within three months.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans (“ACL-Loans”). The following table presents an analysis of the ACL-Loans for the periods presented:
At or For the Year
Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
$
31,344
$
27,500
$
15,842
Less charge-offs:
Residential real estate
(4)
(2)
(31)
Commercial and commercial real estate
(1,238)
(1,184)
(319)
Consumer and margin
(15)
(6)
(11)
Total charge-offs
(1,257)
(1,192)
(361)
Plus recoveries:
Residential real estate
-
-
Commercial and commercial real estate
-
Consumer and margin
-
Total recoveries
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
(504)
(1,168)
(180)
Transfers out:
Impact of adopting CECL
(299)
-
-
Provision for credit losses
13,473
5,012
11,838
Balance at end of period
$
44,014
$
31,344
$
27,500
Ratios:
Total net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
(0.01)
%
(0.01)
%
-
%
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans outstanding: Residential real estate
-
%
-
%
(0.01)
%
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans outstanding: Commercial and commercial real estate
(0.07)
%
(0.26)
%
(0.05)
%
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans outstanding: Consumer and margin
(0.06)
%
0.14
%
(0.07)
%
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans at end of period
164.95
%
4,118.79
%
435.06
%
Allowance for credit losses to total loans at end of period
0.59
%
0.54
%
0.50
%
The following table presents an analysis of the ACL-Loans for the periods presented:
At December 31,
Percent of
Percent of
Percent of
Percent of
Loans in
Percent of
Loans in
Percent of
Loans in
Allowance
Category
Allowance
Category
Allowance
Category
to Total
to Total
to Total
to Total
to Total
to Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Allowance
Loans
Amount
Allowance
Loans
Amount
Allowance
Loans
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit
$
1,249
%
%
$
1,955
%
%
$
4,018
%
%
Residential real estate
7,029
%
%
4,170
%
%
3,334
%
%
Multi-family financing
16,781
%
%
14,084
%
%
12,140
%
%
Healthcare financing
9,882
%
%
4,461
%
%
2,591
%
%
Commercial and commercial real estate
8,326
%
%
5,879
%
%
4,641
%
%
Agricultural production and real estate
%
%
%
%
%
%
Consumer and margin
-
%
-
%
-
%
-
%
%
-
%
Total allowance for credit losses
$
44,014
%
%
$
31,344
%
%
$
27,500
%
%
The following table sets forth the amounts of nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets at the dates indicated:
At
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans:
Residential real estate
$
$
$
Healthcare financing
21,783
-
-
Commercial and commercial real estate
4,390
-
2,052
Agricultural production and real estate
Consumer and margin
Total
26,571
2,823
Accruing loans 90 days or more past due:
Residential real estate
Commercial and commercial real estate
-
1,240
Agricultural production and real estate
-
2,181
Consumer and margin
Total
3,498
Total nonperforming loans
$
26,683
$
$
6,321
Real estate owned
-
-
-
Total nonperforming assets
$
26,683
$
$
6,321
Troubled debt restructurings:
Commercial and commercial real estate
$
3,778
$
4,961
$
3,999
Agricultural production and real estate
-
-
Total
$
3,778
$
4,961
$
4,179
Ratios:
Total nonperforming loans to total loans
0.36
%
0.01
%
0.11
%
Total nonperforming loans to total assets
0.21
%
0.01
%
0.07
%
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
0.21
%
0.01
%
0.07
%
Total nonperforming loans and TDRs to total loans
0.41
%
0.10
%
0.19
%
Total nonperforming loans and TDRs to total assets
0.24
%
0.05
%
0.11
%
Total nonperforming assets and TDRs to total assets
0.24
%
0.05
%
0.11
%
The ACL-Loans of $44.0 million at December 31, 2022 increased $12.7 million compared to December 31, 2021, primarily reflecting increases associated with loan growth and portfolio mix. For additional information on the impact of CECL see Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
Also influencing the overall level of the ACL-Loans is our differentiated strategy to typically hold loans with shorter durations and to maintain strict underwriting standards that enable us to sell the majority of our loans to government agencies.
Premises and Equipment, Net. Premises and equipment, net, increased $4.2 million, or 14%, to $35.4 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $31.2 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in office buildings acquired to support business growth.
Goodwill. Goodwill of $15.8 million at December 31, 2022 remained unchanged compared to December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s market capitalization was well above its book value, despite stock market volatility. Given the continued strength of the Company’s results, we do not believe there exists any impairment to goodwill or intangible assets.
Servicing Rights. Servicing rights increased $35.9 million, or 33%, to $146.2 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $110.3 million at December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, additions included originated and purchased servicing of $27.1 million and a positive fair value adjustment of $19.8 million. These increases were offset by paydowns of $11.0 million. The increase in originated servicing reflected the establishment of a $6.6 million servicing right associated with the September 2022 loan sale described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The positive fair market value adjustment reflected $5.8 million for single-family and SBA mortgages and $14.0 million for multi-family mortgages during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Servicing rights are recognized in connection with sales of loans when we retain servicing of the sold loans, as well as upon purchases of loan servicing portfolios. The servicing rights are recorded and carried at fair value. The fair value increase recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022 was driven by higher loan balances of mortgages serviced and higher interest rates that impacted fair market value adjustments. The value of servicing rights generally increases in rising interest rate environments and declines in falling interest rate environments due to expected prepayments.
Other Assets and Receivables. Other assets and receivables of $157.4 million at December 31, 2022 increased $64.5 million, or 69%, compared to $92.9 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to the increase for investments in low-income housing tax credit funds and investments in joint ventures that are involved in single-family, multi-family, and healthcare debt financing. The increase also reflected the establishment of a lease right of use asset on January 1, 2022, in accordance with ASU 2016-02 - “Leases”. See Note 11: Other Assets and Receivables for additional information.
Deposits. Deposits increased $1.1 billion, or 12%, to $10.1 billion at December 31, 2022, from $9.0 billion at December 31, 2021. The 12% increase in total deposits was primarily due to a $1.8 billion increase in certificates of deposit and a $195.2 million increase in money market deposits, which was partially offset by a $896.7 million decrease in demand deposits.
We increased our use of total brokered deposits by $603.0 million, or 28%, to $2.8 billion at December 31, 2022 from $2.2 billion at December 31, 2021. Brokered deposits represented 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2022, compared to 24% of total deposits at December 31, 2021.
● Brokered certificates of deposit accounts increased $2.1 billion to $2.7 billion at December 31, 2022 from $551.8 million at December 31, 2021.
● Brokered demand deposit accounts decreased $1.3 billion, to $13,000 at December 31, 2022 from $1.3 billion at December 31, 2021.
● Brokered savings deposits decreased $276.3 million, to $81.5 million at December 31, 2022 from $357.8 million at December 31, 2021.
Although our brokered deposits are short-term in nature, they may be more rate sensitive compared to other sources of funding. In the future, those depositors may not replace their brokered deposits with us as they mature, or we may have to pay a higher rate of interest to keep those deposits or to replace them with other deposits or other sources of funds. Not being able to maintain or replace those deposits as they mature would adversely affect our liquidity. Additionally, if Merchants Bank does not maintain its well-capitalized position, it may not accept or renew any brokered deposits without a waiver granted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
Interest-bearing deposits increased $1.4 billion, or 17%, to $9.7 billion at December 31, 2022, and noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $314.6 million, or 49%, to $326.9 million at December 31, 2022.
The following tables show the average balance amounts and the average contractual rates paid on our deposits for the periods indicated:
For the Year Ended
For the Year Ended
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
Rate
Balance
Rate
Balance
Rate
Noninterest-bearing demand
$
453,387
-
%
$
678,494
-
%
$
455,976
-
%
Interest-bearing demand
4,149,942
1.66
%
4,589,269
0.14
%
3,233,128
0.37
%
Money market savings
2,651,532
1.84
%
2,264,063
0.77
%
1,465,820
1.14
%
Savings
240,481
0.23
%
208,467
0.07
%
176,573
0.09
%
Certificates of deposit
1,561,261
2.00
%
687,002
0.66
%
1,730,259
1.36
%
Total
$
9,056,603
1.65
%
$
8,427,295
0.34
%
$
7,061,756
0.74
%
The following table shows time deposits of $250,000 or more by time remaining until maturity:
At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Three months or less
$
74,657
Over three months through six months
29,637
Over six months through one year
70,588
Over one year to three years
11,552
Over three years
-
Total
$
186,434
Borrowings. Borrowings totaled $930.4 million at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $103.6 million, or 10%, from December 31, 2021. Depending on rates and timing, borrowing can be a more effective liquidity management alternative than utilizing brokered certificates of deposits. The Company utilizes borrowing facilities from the FHLB, the Federal Reserve’s discount window, and the American Financial Exchange (“AFX”).
The Company continues to have significant borrowing capacity based on available collateral. As of December 31, 2022, unused lines of credit totaled $3.1 billion, compared to $2.4 billion at December 31, 2021.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our borrowings at the dates and for the periods indicated:
At or For the Years
Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at end of period
$
930,392
$
1,033,954
$
1,348,256
Average balance during period
594,423
657,573
650,892
Maximum outstanding at any month end
1,440,904
1,103,443
1,761,113
Weighted average interest rate at end of period(1)
4.06
%
0.27
%
0.28
%
Average interest rate during period
2.13
%
0.86
%
0.98
%
(1) The weighted-average interest rate at the end of the period reflects the stated interest rates on the borrowings. In addition to the stated rate, the borrowing term on subordinated debt includes payment of an amount equal to a portion of the net income
from our warehouse structured finance arrangements, which is a driver of the higher average interest rate during the period relative to the stated rate at end of period.
Total Shareholders’ Equity. Shareholders’ equity was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2022, compared to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2021. The $304.3 million, or 26%, increase resulted primarily from the 8.25% Series D preferred stock offerings that raised $137.5 million in new capital, net of $5.0 million in offering costs, as well as net income of $219.7 million, which was partially offset by dividends paid on common and preferred shares of $38.1 million during the period, as well as $3.6 million adjustment to retained earnings associated with the adoption of CECL. The CECL adjustment related primarily to OBCEs. Additionally, common stock repurchase activity reduced shareholders’ equity in total by $3.9 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary sources of funds are business and consumer deposits, escrow and custodial deposits, brokered deposits, borrowings, principal and interest payments on loans, and proceeds from sale of loans. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. The Company’s most liquid assets are in cash, short-term investments, including interest-bearing demand deposits, mortgage loans in process of securitization, loans held for sale, and warehouse lines of credit included in loans receivable. Taken together with its unused borrowing capacity of $3.1 billion described below, these totaled 54% of its $12.6 billion total assets at December 31, 2022. The levels of these assets are dependent on our operating, financing, lending, and investing activities during any given period.
Our cash flows are comprised of three primary classifications: cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities. Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $975.8 million and $(49.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, which consists primarily of net change in loans receivable and purchases, sales and maturities of investment securities, was $(2.9) billion and $(474.3) million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities, which is comprised primarily of net change in deposits and proceeds from the issuances of preferred stock, was $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The company continues to have a significant borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2022, based on available collateral, we had $3.1 billion in available unused borrowing capacity with the FHLB and the Federal Reserve discount window. This compared to $2.4 billion at December 31, 2021. This liquidity enhances the ability to effectively manage interest expense and asset levels in the future. While the amounts available fluctuate daily, we also had an additional $500.0 million of borrowing capacity through our membership in the AFX as of December 31, 2022.
Certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature in less than one year from December 31, 2022 totaled $3.0 billion. Management expects that a substantial portion of the maturing certificates of deposit will be renewed. However, if a substantial portion of these deposits is not retained, we may decide to utilize FHLB advances, the Federal Reserve discount window, brokered deposits, or raise interest rates on deposits to attract new accounts, which may result in higher levels of interest expense.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of operations, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in our financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments, lines of credit and standby letters of credit.
At December 31, 2022, we had $3.5 billion in outstanding commitments to extend credit that are subject to credit risk and $4.5 billion in outstanding commitments subject to certain performance criteria and cancellation by the Company, including loans pending closing, unfunded construction draws, and unfunded lines of warehouse credit. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds available to meet our current loan origination commitments. Additionally,
the Company’s business model is designed to continuously sell a significant portion of its loans, which provides flexibility in managing its liquidity.
For more information about our loan commitments, unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit, see Note 25 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Capital Resources
The access to and cost of funding new business initiatives, the ability to engage in expanded business activities, the ability to pay dividends, the level of deposit insurance costs and the level and nature of regulatory oversight depend, in part, on our capital position. The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC on August 8, 2022, which was declared effective on August 17, 2022, under which we can issue up to $500 million aggregate offering amount of registered securities to finance our growth objectives.
The assessment of capital adequacy depends on a number of factors, including asset quality, liquidity, earnings performance, changing competitive conditions and economic forces. We seek to maintain a strong capital base to support our growth and expansion activities, to provide stability to our current operations and to promote public confidence in our Company.
Shareholders’ Equity. Shareholders’ equity was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2022, compared to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2021. The $304.3 million, or 26%, increase resulted primarily from the 8.25% Series D preferred stock offerings that raised $137.5 million in new capital, net of $5.0 million in offering costs, as well as net income of $219.7 million, which was partially offset by dividends paid on common and preferred shares of $38.1 million during the period, as well as $3.6 million adjustment to retained earnings associated with the adoption of CECL. The CECL adjustment related primarily to OBCEs. Additionally, common stock repurchase activity reduced shareholders’ equity in total by $3.9 million.
7% Series A Preferred Stock. In March 2019 the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, and with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The Company received net proceeds of $48.3 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and direct offering expenses. In April 2019, the Company issued an additional 81,800 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an addition $2.0 million in net proceeds, after underwriting discounts.
In June 2019 the Company issued an additional 874,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for net proceeds of $21.85 million.
In September 2019 the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 874,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at an aggregate cost of $21.85 million. There were no brokerage fees in connection with the transaction.
Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly at an annual rate of $1.75 per share through March 31, 2024. After such date, quarterly dividends will accrue and be payable at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 460.5 basis points per year. In the event that three-month LIBOR is less than zero, three-month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero. The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at its option, subject to regulatory approval, on or after April 1, 2024, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering filed with the SEC on March 22, 2019. The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock permit us to replace LIBOR with a substitute index once LIBOR is no longer considered an acceptable market index. However, because the Series A Preferred Stock is still in its fixed rate period, we have not transitioned to a substitute index and likely will not do so until closer to the end of the fixed rate period, allowing additional time for us to determine whether the Federal Reserve’s Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or another index has become an acceptable market index and is appropriate.
6% Series B Preferred Stock. In August 2019 the Company issued 5,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share)(“Series B Preferred Stock”). After deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and direct offering expenses, the Company received total net proceeds of $120.8 million.
Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly at an annual rate of $60.00 per share (equivalent to $1.50 per depositary share) through September 30, 2024. After such date, quarterly dividends will accrue and be payable at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 456.9 basis points per year. In the event that three-month LIBOR is less than zero, three-month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero. The Company may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock at its option, subject to regulatory approval, on or after October 1, 2024, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering filed with the SEC on August 13, 2019. The terms of the Series B Preferred Stock permit us to replace LIBOR with a substitute index once LIBOR is no longer considered an acceptable market index. However, because the Series B Preferred Stock is still in its fixed rate period, we have not transitioned to a substitute index and likely will not do so until closer to the end of the fixed rate period, allowing additional time for us to determine whether SOFR or another index has become an acceptable market index and is appropriate.
8% Preferred Stock. The Company previously issued a total of 41,625 shares of 8% Non-Cumulative, Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (“8% Preferred Stock”) in private placement offerings.
Dividends on the 8% Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, were payable quarterly at an annual rate of $80.00 per share. As of December 31, 2020, the 8% Preferred Stock became redeemable by the Company at any time, subject to regulatory approval and upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the holders thereof.
On April 15, 2021, all 41,625 shares of the Company’s 8% preferred stock were redeemed for $41.6 million, plus unpaid dividends of $139,000.
6% Series C Preferred Stock. On March 23, 2021, the Company issued 6,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed Rate Series C Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $150.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $5.1 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $144.9 million.
On May 6, 2021, our 8% preferred shareholders participated in a private offering to replace their redeemed 8% preferred shares with the Company’s 6% Series C preferred stock. Accordingly, 46,181 shares (1,847,233 depositary shares) of the Company’s 6% Series C preferred stock were issued at a price of $25 per depositary share. The total capital raised from the private offering was $46.2 million, net of $23,000 in expenses.
Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after April 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
8.25% Series D Preferred Stock. On September 27, 2022, the Company issued 5,200,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 8.25% Fixed Rate Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $130.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $4.6 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $125.4 million. On September 30, 2022, the Company issued an additional 500,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an additional $12.1 million in net proceeds, after deducting $0.4 million in underwriting discounts.
Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series D Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after October 1, 2027, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
Common Shares/Dividends. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had 43,113,127 common shares issued and outstanding. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share in each quarter of 2022. On November 17, 2021, the Company announced an increase in authorization for its stock repurchase program, up to $75,000,000 of common stock, expiring December 31, 2023. On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) with a broker for the repurchase of shares of its common stock commencing on May 3, 2022. The following table summarizes our share repurchase authorizations and repurchase activity of our common stock through December 31, 2022:
sar
Year Ended
December 31,
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2021
$
75,000,000
Dollar value of shares repurchased
$
3,935,333
Shares repurchased(1)
165,037
Average price paid per share
$
23.85
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2022
$
71,064,667
(1) On November 17, 2021, the Company announced an increase in authorization for its stock repurchase program, up to $75,000,000 of common stock, expiring December 31, 2023. On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) with a broker for the repurchase of shares of its common stock commencing on May 3, 2022. The details of this repurchase plan were provided in the Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 24, 2022.
The timing and actual number of additional shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including cash requirements to meet the operating needs of the business, legal requirements, as well as the share price and economic and market conditions.
Capital Adequacy. The following tables present the Company’s capital ratios at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Minimum
Amount Required
Minimum Amount
for Adequately
To Be Well
Actual
Capitalized(1)
Capitalized(1)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2022
Total capital(1) (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
$
1,507,968
12.2
%
$
992,883
8.0
%
$
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,427,738
11.7
%
975,853
8.0
%
1,219,817
10.0
%
FMBI
34,769
11.3
%
24,703
8.0
%
30,878
10.0
%
Tier I capital(1) (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
1,452,456
11.7
%
744,662
6.0
%
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,372,941
11.3
%
731,890
6.0
%
975,853
8.0
%
FMBI
34,054
11.0
%
18,527
6.0
%
24,703
8.0
%
Common Equity Tier I capital(1) (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
952,848
7.7
%
558,497
4.5
%
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,372,941
11.3
%
548,917
4.5
%
792,881
6.5
%
FMBI
34,054
11.0
%
13,895
4.5
%
20,071
6.5
%
Tier I capital(1) (to average assets)
Company
1,452,456
11.7
%
497,604
4.0
%
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,372,941
11.3
%
487,511
4.0
%
609,389
5.0
%
FMBI
34,054
10.7
%
12,702
4.0
%
15,878
5.0
%
(1) As defined by regulatory agencies.
Minimum
Amount Required
for Adequately
Actual
Capitalized(1)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2021
CBLR (Tier 1) capital(1) (to average assets)
(i.e., CBLR - leverage ratio)
Company
$
1,138,090
10.4
%
$
928,731
> 8.5
%
Merchants Bank
1,088,621
10.3
%
901,188
> 8.5
%
FMBI
28,958
9.7
%
25,499
> 8.5
%
(1) As defined by regulatory agencies.
On November 13, 2019, the federal regulators finalized and adopted a regulatory capital rule establishing a new community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”), which became effective on January 1, 2020. Eligibility criteria to utilize CBLR included having total assets less than $10 billion and off-balance sheet exposures that were less than 25% of total assets, among others. The Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI elected to begin using CBLR in the first quarter of 2020 and utilized this measure of reporting through June 30, 2022.
At September 30, 2022 the Company’s total assets exceeded $10 billion, off-balance sheets exposures exceeded 25% of total assets, and the allowable grace periods under the CBLR rules expired. Accordingly, the Company has been reporting fully phased-in Basel III risk-based capital ratios since September 30, 2022.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI to maintain minimum amounts and ratios. Management believes, as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, that the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the most recent notifications from the Federal Reserve categorized the Company as well capitalized and most recent notifications from the FDIC categorized Merchants Bank and FMBI as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, or FMBI’s category.
Contractual obligations
The following table summarizes aggregated information about our outstanding contractual obligations and other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2022. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipients.
Payments Due by Period
Three to
More
Less Than
One to Three
Five
than
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
One Year
Years
Years
Five Years
Deposits without a stated maturity
$
7,082,056
$
7,082,056
$
-
$
-
$
-
Time deposits
2,989,289
2,958,036
29,441
1,812
-
Borrowings
930,392
775,342
78,659
75,956
Operating lease obligations
13,049
2,181
4,202
3,764
2,902
Total
$
11,014,786
$
10,817,615
$
112,302
$
6,011
$
78,858
Also see Note 10: Leases, Note 13: Deposits, Note 14: Borrowings, and Note 25: Commitments, Credit Risk, and Contingencies of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles used in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expenses. We consider the accounting policies discussed below to be critical accounting policies. The estimates and assumptions that we use are based on historical experience and various other factors and are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, resulting in a change that could have a material impact on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations.
The following represent our critical accounting policies:
ACL-Loans. The Company adopted CECL on January 1, 2022. CECL replaces the previous “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” standard for measuring credit losses. Upon adoption of CECL, the difference in the two measurements was recorded in the ACL-Loans and retained earnings.
The ACL-Loans is the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses on loans. Loans receivable is presented net of the allowance to reflect the principal balance expected to be collected over the contractual term of the loans. This life of loan allowance is established through a provision for credit losses charged to net interest income as loans are recorded in the financial statements. The provision for a reporting period also reflects increases or decreases in the allowance related to changes in credit loss expectations. Actual credit losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance, or a portion thereof, is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The ACL-Loans is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans considering relevant available information from internal and external sources, including historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. The allowance also incorporates reasonable and supportable forecasts. There have been no changes to the credit quality components used to assess risk during the year ended December 31, 2022. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The level of the ACL is believed to be adequate to absorb innate expected future losses in the loan portfolio as of the measurement date.
The ACL-Loans consists of individually evaluated loans and pooled loan components. The Company’s primary portfolio segmentation is by credit risk grade. Loans risk graded substandard and worse are individually evaluated for expected credit losses. For individually evaluated loans that are collateral dependent, an allowance is established when the fair value of the collateral, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, is lower than the carrying value of that loan. A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or the sale of the collateral.
Additional information regarding ACL-Loans estimates can be found in Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
Servicing Rights. Servicing assets are recognized separately when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. Servicing rights resulting from the sale or securitization of loans originated by us are initially measured at fair value at the date of transfer. We have elected to initially and subsequently measure the servicing rights for mortgage loans using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, the servicing rights are carried in the balance sheet at fair value and the changes in fair value are reported in earnings in the period in which the changes occur.
Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model is from an independent third party and it incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing cash flows, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial assets
earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds, prepayment penalties, and default rates and losses. We review the reasonableness of the assumptions and the methodology to ensure the estimated fair value complies with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States. These variables change from quarter to quarter as market conditions and projected interest rates change and may have an adverse impact on the value of the mortgage-servicing right and may result in a reduction to noninterest income.
Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. We estimate the fair value of a financial instrument and any related asset impairment using a variety of valuation methods. Where financial instruments are actively traded and have quoted market prices, quoted market prices are used for fair value. When the financial instruments are not actively traded, other observable market inputs, such as quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, may be used, if available, to determine fair value. When observable market prices do not exist, we estimate fair value. These estimates are subjective in nature and imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of gain or loss recorded. A more detailed description of the fair values measured at each level of the fair value hierarchy and the methodology utilized by us can be found in Note 23 of our Consolidated Financial Statements “Disclosures About Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities.”
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of the expected impact of accounting pronouncements recently issued but not adopted by us as of December 31, 2022, see Note 28 of our Consolidated Financial Statements “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.”

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market Risk. Market risk represents the risk of loss due to changes in market values of assets and liabilities. We incur market risk in the normal course of business through exposures to market interest rates, equity prices, and credit spreads. We have identified two primary sources of market risk: interest rate risk and price risk related to market demand.
Interest Rate Risk
Overview. Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings and value arising from changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from timing differences in the repricings and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (reprice risk), changes in the expected maturities of assets and liabilities arising from embedded options, such as borrowers’ ability to prepay residential mortgage loans at any time and depositors’ ability to redeem certificates of deposit before maturity (option risk), changes in the shape of the yield curve where interest rates increase or decrease in a nonparallel fashion (yield curve risk), and changes in spread relationships between different yield curves, such as U.S. Treasuries, LIBOR or SOFR.
Our Asset-Liability Committee, or ALCO, is a management committee that manages our interest rate risk within broad policy limits established by our board of directors. In general, we seek to minimize the impact of changing interest rates on net interest income and the economic values of assets and liabilities. Our ALCO meets quarterly to monitor the level of interest rate risk sensitivity to ensure compliance with the board of directors’ approved risk limits.
Interest rate risk management is an active process that encompasses monitoring loan and deposit flows complemented by investment and funding activities. Effective management of interest rate risk begins with understanding the dynamic characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate interest rate risk posture given business forecasts, management objectives, market expectations, and policy constraints.
An asset sensitive position refers to a balance sheet position in which an increase in short-term interest rates is expected to generate higher net interest income, as rates earned on our interest-earning assets would reprice upward more quickly than rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, thus expanding our net interest margin. Conversely, a liability sensitive position refers to a balance sheet position in which an increase in short-term interest rates is expected to generate lower net interest income, as rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities would reprice upward more quickly than rates earned on our interest-earning assets, thus compressing our net interest margin.
Income Simulation and Economic Value Analysis. Interest rate risk measurement is calculated and reported to the ALCO at least quarterly. The information reported includes period-end results and identifies any policy limits exceeded, along with an assessment of the policy limit breach and the action plan and timeline for resolution, mitigation, or assumption of the risk.
We use two approaches to model interest rate risk: Net Interest Income at Risk (NII at Risk) and Economic Value of Equity (EVE). Under NII at Risk, net interest income is modeled utilizing various assumptions for assets, liabilities, and derivatives. EVE measures the period end market value of assets minus the market value of liabilities and the change in this value as rates change. EVE is a period end measurement.
We report NII at Risk to isolate the change in income related solely to interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The NII at Risk results reflect the analysis used quarterly by management. It models gradual −200, −100, +100 and +200 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates, implied by the forward yield curve over the next one-year period.
The following table presents NII at Risk for Merchants Bank as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020:
Net Interest Income Sensitivity
Twelve Months Forward
- 200
- 100
+ 100
+ 200
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2022:
Dollar change
$
(96,861)
$
(48,581)
$
37,232
$
74,094
Percent change
(23.8)
%
(11.9)
%
9.2
%
18.2
%
December 31, 2021:
Dollar change
$
(13,810)
$
(17,991)
$
21,895
$
65,010
Percent change
(4.9)
%
(6.3)
%
7.7
%
22.9
%
December 31, 2020:
Dollar change
$
(11,899)
$
(10,651)
$
21,027
$
50,305
Percent change
(4.5)
%
(4.0)
%
8.0
%
19.1
%
Our interest rate risk management policy limits the change in our net interest income to 20% for a +/- 100 basis point move in interest rates, and 30% for a +/- 200 basis point move in rates. At the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 we estimated that we are within policy limits set by our board of directors for the −200, −100, +100, and +200 basis point scenarios.
The EVE results for Merchants Bank included in the following table reflect the analysis used quarterly by management. It models immediate −200, −100, +100, and +200 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates.
Economic Value of Equity
Sensitivity (Shock)
Immediate Change in Rates
- 200
- 100
+ 100
+ 200
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2022:
Dollar change
$
22,855
$
11,640
$
(10,925)
$
(26,385)
Percent change
1.6
%
0.8
%
(0.8)
%
(1.9)
%
December 31, 2021:
Dollar change
$
3,703
$
42,983
$
(6,817)
$
(6,288)
Percent change
0.3
%
4.0
%
(0.6)
%
(0.6)
%
December 31, 2020:
Dollar change
$
100,236
$
113,045
$
(20,958)
$
(27,259)
Percent change
12.8
%
14.4
%
(2.7)
%
(3.5)
%
Our interest rate risk management policy limits the change in our EVE to 15% for a +/- 100 basis point move in interest rates, and 20% for a +/- 200 basis point move in rates. We are within policy limits set by our board of directors for the −200, −100, +100, and +200 basis point scenarios. The EVE reported at December 31, 2022 projects that as interest rates increase (decrease) immediately, the economic value of equity position will be expected to decrease (increase). When interest rates rise, fixed rate assets generally lose economic value; the longer the duration, the greater the value lost. The opposite is true when interest rates fall.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of
Merchants Bancorp
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (FORVIS, LLP, Indianapolis, Indiana, PCAOB ID 686)
Consolidated Financial Statements
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
***
All financial statement schedules have been omitted as the required information either is not applicable or is included in the financial statements or related notes.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders, Board of Directors and Audit Committee
Merchants Bancorp
Carmel, Indiana
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Merchants Bancorp (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated December 31, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for credit losses effective January 1, 2022 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Topic 326: Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The adoption of the new credit loss standard and its subsequent application is also communicated as a critical audit matter.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits.
We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on
the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Allowance for Credit Losses
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for credit losses effective January 1, 2022 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Topic 326: Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $7.5 billion as of December 31, 2022 and the associated allowance for credit losses on loans was $44.0 million. The Company’s commitments subject to credit risk on unfunded loan commitments totaled $3.5 billion, with an associated allowance for credit loss of $7.8 million. Together these amounts represent the allowances for credit losses (“ACL”). As discussed in Notes 1 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the allowance for credit losses related to loans is a contra-asset valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected. As discussed in Notes 1 and 25 to the consolidated financial statements, the allowance for credit losses related to unfunded commitments is a liability account and is included in other liabilities. The amount of each allowance account represented management’s best estimate of current expected credit losses on these financial instruments considering all relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relevant to assessing exposure to credit loss over the contractual term of the instrument.
In calculating the allowance for credit losses, loans were segmented into pools based upon similar risk characteristics. For each loan pool, management measured expected credit losses over the life of each loan utilizing either a remaining life or a discounted cash flow (DCF) model. The remaining life method primarily utilized Company or peer group historical loss rates applied to the estimated remaining life of each pool. The DCF model primarily measures probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) with PD and LGD estimated by analyzing internally sourced data or peer group data related to historical performance of each loan pool over a complete economic cycle. The models were adjusted to reflect the current impact of certain macroeconomic variables as well as their expected changes over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. After the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the forecasted macroeconomic variables were reverted to their historical mean utilizing a rational, systematic basis.
In some cases, management determined that an individual loan exhibited unique risk characteristics which differentiated the loan from other loans with the identified loan pools. In such cases the loans were evaluated for expected credit losses on an individual basis and excluded from the collective evaluation.
Management qualitatively adjusted model results for risk factors that were not considered within the modeling processes but were deemed relevant in assessing the expected credit losses within the loan pools. These qualitative factor adjustments modified management’s estimate of expected credit losses by a calculated percentage or amount based upon the estimated level of risk.
Auditing management’s estimate of the ACL involved a high degree of subjectivity due to the nature of the qualitative factor adjustments included in the allowances for credit losses and complexity due to the implementation of the remaining life and DCF models. Management’s identification and measurement of the qualitative factor adjustments is highly judgmental and could have a significant effect on the ACL.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
The primary procedures we performed to address this CAM included:
● Obtained an understanding of the Company’s process for establishing the ACL, including the implementation of models and the qualitative factor adjustments of the ACL
● Evaluated and tested the design and operating effectiveness of related controls, including information system controls, over the reliability and accuracy of data used to calculate and estimate the various components of the ACL including:
o Loan data completeness and accuracy
o Grouping of loans by segment and methodology selection
o Model inputs utilized including PD, LGD, remaining life and prepayment speed
o Peer groups utilized
o Approval of model assumptions selected
o Establishment of qualitative factors
o Individually evaluated loans
● Tested the mathematical accuracy of the calculation of the ACL
● Performed reviews of individual credit files to assess the identification of loans to be individually evaluated in the allowance for credit losses calculation
● Reviewed the results of external loan reviews to assess the identification of loans to be individually evaluated in the allowance for credit losses calculation
● Tested the completeness and accuracy, including the evaluation of the relevance and reliability, of inputs utilized in the calculation of the ACL
● Evaluated the qualitative adjustments to the ACL including assessing the basis for adjustments and the reasonableness of the significant assumptions
● Tested the reasonableness of specific reserves on individually evaluated loans
● Evaluated credit quality trends in delinquencies, non-accruals, charge-offs and loan risk ratings
● Evaluated the overall reasonableness of the ACL and evaluated trends identified within pee groups
● Tested estimated utilization rate of unfunded loan commitments
/s/ FORVIS, LLP (Formerly, BKD, LLP)
FORVIS, LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 16, 2023
Merchants Bancorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2022 and 2021
(In thousands, except share data)
December 31,
December 31,
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
22,170
$
14,030
Interest-earning demand accounts
203,994
1,018,584
Cash and cash equivalents
226,164
1,032,614
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
3,464
5,888
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
154,194
569,239
Securities available for sale
323,337
310,629
Securities held to maturity (includes $1,118,966 and $0 at fair value, respectively)
1,119,078
-
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock
39,130
29,588
Loans held for sale (includes $82,192 and $48,583 at fair value, respectively)
2,910,576
3,303,199
Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses on loans of $44,014 and $31,344, respectively
7,426,858
5,751,319
Premises and equipment, net
35,438
31,212
Servicing rights
146,248
110,348
Interest receivable
56,262
24,103
Goodwill
15,845
15,845
Intangible assets, net
1,186
1,707
Other assets and receivables
157,447
92,947
Total assets
$
12,615,227
$
11,278,638
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing
$
326,875
$
641,442
Interest-bearing
9,744,470
8,341,171
Total deposits
10,071,345
8,982,613
Borrowings
930,392
1,033,954
Deferred and current tax liabilities, net
19,613
19,170
Other liabilities
134,138
87,492
Total liabilities
11,155,488
10,123,229
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, without par value(1)
Authorized - 75,000,000 shares at December 31, 2022 and 50,000,000 shares at December 31, 2021
Issued and outstanding - 43,113,127 shares at December 31, 2022 and 43,180,079 shares at December 31, 2021
137,781
137,565
Preferred stock, without par value - 5,000,000 total shares authorized
7% Series A Preferred stock - $25 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 3,500,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 2,081,800 shares
50,221
50,221
6% Series B Preferred stock - $1,000 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 125,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 125,000 shares (equivalent to 5,000,000 depositary shares)
120,844
120,844
6% Series C Preferred stock - $1,000 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 200,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 196,181 shares (equivalent to 7,847,233 depositary shares)
191,084
191,084
8.25% Series D Preferred stock - $1,000 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 300,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 142,500 shares at December 31, 2022 (equivalent to 5,700,000 depositary shares)
137,459
-
Retained earnings
832,871
657,149
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(10,521)
(1,454)
Total shareholders' equity
1,459,739
1,155,409
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
12,615,227
$
11,278,638
(1) The number of shares have been restated to reflect the 3-for-2 common stock split, effective on January 17, 2022.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Merchants Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
(In thousands, except share data)
Year Ended
December 31,
Interest Income
Loans
$
451,973
$
293,830
$
263,915
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
8,407
12,746
11,122
Investment securities:
Available for sale - taxable
2,807
3,309
3,147
Available for sale - tax exempt
-
Held to maturity
12,382
-
-
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
1,220
1,143
1,558
Other
4,044
2,925
Total interest income
480,833
311,886
282,790
Interest Expense
Deposits
149,645
28,256
52,238
Borrowed funds
12,637
5,636
6,406
Total interest expense
162,282
33,892
58,644
Net Interest Income
318,551
277,994
224,146
Provision for credit losses
17,295
5,012
11,838
Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses
301,256
272,982
212,308
Noninterest Income
Gain on sale of loans
64,150
111,185
96,578
Loan servicing fees, net
30,198
16,373
(1,801)
Mortgage warehouse fees
5,394
12,396
20,980
Gains on sale of investments available for sale (includes $0, $191 and $441, respectively, related to accumulated other comprehensive earnings reclassifications)
-
Syndication and asset management fees
9,493
6,507
1,248
Other income
16,701
10,681
10,027
Total noninterest income
125,936
157,333
127,473
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits
89,085
85,727
59,200
Loan expenses
4,703
7,657
9,085
Occupancy and equipment
8,169
7,365
5,733
Professional fees
9,065
5,427
3,664
Deposit insurance expense
3,463
2,691
5,800
Technology expense
5,282
4,200
3,061
Other expense
16,283
12,318
9,881
Total noninterest expense
136,050
125,385
96,424
Income Before Income Taxes
291,142
304,930
243,357
Provision for income taxes (includes $0, $46 and $97, respectively, related to income tax expense for reclassification items)
71,421
77,826
62,824
Net Income
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
Dividends on preferred stock
(25,983)
(20,873)
(14,473)
Net Income Allocated to Common Shareholders
193,738
206,231
166,060
Basic Earnings Per Share(1)
$
4.49
$
4.78
$
3.85
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1)
$
4.47
$
4.76
$
3.85
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding(1)
Basic
43,164,477
43,172,078
43,113,741
Diluted
43,316,904
43,325,303
43,167,113
(1) The number of shares and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 3-for-2 common stock split, effective on January 17, 2022.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Merchants Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
(In thousands)
Year Ended
December 31,
Net Income
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
Other Comprehensive Loss:
Net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available for sale, net of tax (expense)/benefits of $3,022, $566 and $(81), respectively
(9,067)
(1,683)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax expense of $0, $(46) and $(97), respectively
-
Other comprehensive loss for the period
(9,067)
(1,828)
(84)
Comprehensive Income
$
210,654
$
225,276
$
180,449
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Merchants Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
(In thousands, except share data)
Year Ended
December 31,
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Common Stock
Balance beginning of period(1)
43,180,079
$
137,565
43,120,625
$
135,857
43,059,657
$
135,640
Treasury shares constructively retired
-
-
-
-
(22,500)
(150)
Repurchase of common stock
(165,037)
(1,761)
-
-
-
-
Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares for stock split
(29)
(1)
-
-
-
-
Distribution to employee stock ownership plan
20,709
29,149
-
-
Shares issued for stock compensation plans, net of taxes withheld to satisfy tax obligations
77,405
1,325
30,305
1,171
83,468
Balance end of period
43,113,127
137,781
43,180,079
137,565
43,120,625
135,857
8% Preferred Stock
Balance beginning of period
-
-
41,625
41,581
41,625
41,581
Redemption of 8% preferred stock
-
-
(41,625)
(41,581)
-
-
Balance end of period
-
-
-
-
41,625
41,581
7% Series A Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning and end of period
2,081,800
50,221
2,081,800
50,221
2,081,800
50,221
6% Series B Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning and end of period
125,000
120,844
125,000
120,844
125,000
120,844
6% Series C Preferred Stock
Balance beginning of period
196,181
191,084
-
-
-
-
Issuance of 6% Series C preferred stock, net of $5.1 million in offering expenses
-
-
150,000
144,926
-
-
Private issuance of 6% Series C preferred stock, net of $23 in offering expenses
-
-
46,181
46,158
-
-
Balance end of period
196,181
191,084
196,181
191,084
-
-
8.25% Series D Preferred Stock
Balance beginning of period
-
-
-
-
-
-
Issuance of 8.25% Series D preferred stock, net of $5.0 million in offering expenses
142,500
137,459
-
-
-
-
Balance end of period
142,500
137,459
-
-
-
-
Retained Earnings
Balance beginning of period
657,149
461,744
304,984
Net income
219,721
227,104
180,533
Treasury shares constructively retired
-
-
(102)
Impact from adoption of ASU 2016-13 (Credit Losses)
(3,648)
-
-
Impact from adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Leases)
(110)
-
-
Dividends on 8% preferred stock, $80.00 per share, annually
-
(833)
(3,330)
Final dividend for redemption of 8% preferred stock, $3.33 per share
-
(139)
-
Dividends on 7% Series A preferred stock, $1.75 per share, annually
(3,643)
(3,643)
(3,643)
Dividends on 6% Series B preferred stock, $60.00 per share, annually
(7,500)
(7,500)
(7,500)
Dividends on 6% Series C preferred stock, $60.00 per share, annually
(11,772)
(8,758)
-
Dividends on 8.25% Series D preferred stock, $82.50 per share, annually
(3,068)
-
-
Dividends on common stock, $0.28 per share, annually in 2022 and $0.24 per share, annually in 2021, and $0.21 per share, annually in 2020
(12,084)
(10,362)
(9,198)
Deconsolidation of entities
-
(419)
-
Redemption of 8% preferred stock
-
(45)
-
Repurchase of common stock
(2,174)
-
-
Balance end of period
832,871
657,149
461,744
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance beginning of period
(1,454)
Other comprehensive loss
(9,067)
(1,828)
(84)
Balance end of period
(10,521)
(1,454)
Total shareholders' equity
$
1,459,739
$
1,155,409
$
810,621
(1) The number of shares have been restated to reflect the 3-for-2 common stock split, effective on January 17, 2022.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Merchants Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020
(In thousands)
Year Ended
December 31,
Operating activities:
Net income
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
2,485
2,191
1,896
Provision for credit losses
17,295
5,012
11,838
Deferred income tax, net
4,731
5,310
(692)
Gain on sale of securities
-
(191)
(441)
Gain on sale of loans
(64,150)
(111,185)
(96,578)
Proceeds from sales of loans
25,773,056
61,231,720
83,788,217
Loans and participations originated and purchased for sale
(25,342,944)
(61,182,161)
(84,692,696)
Purchases of low-income housing tax credits for sale
(39,699)
(9,605)
-
Proceeds from sale of low-income housing tax credits
13,604
7,009
-
Change in servicing rights for paydowns and fair value adjustments
(8,776)
4,296
13,672
Net change in:
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
415,045
(230,506)
(68,842)
Other assets and receivables
(37,264)
(6,616)
(16,415)
Other liabilities
20,778
3,823
2,408
Other
1,892
4,583
2,212
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
975,774
(49,216)
(874,888)
Investing activities:
Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell
2,424
Purchases of securities available for sale
(51,197)
(221,191)
(596,839)
Purchases of securities held to maturity
(1,252,793)
-
-
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
11,379
38,566
4,347
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of securities available for sale
13,988
138,013
612,612
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of securities held to maturity
133,715
-
-
Purchases of loans
(551,091)
(369,148)
(385,820)
Net change in loans receivable
(1,929,569)
(349,887)
(2,119,214)
Proceeds from loans held for sale previously classified as loans receivable
788,848
262,086
-
Purchase of FHLB stock
(10,326)
(3,932)
(50,854)
Proceeds from sale of FHLB stock
45,000
Purchases of premises and equipment
(6,761)
(3,645)
(3,623)
Purchases of servicing rights
(2,057)
-
-
Proceeds from sale of servicing rights
-
-
Purchase of limited partnership interests
(14,590)
(11,194)
(4,181)
Proceeds from sale of limited partnership interests
-
-
10,651
Cash paid in deconsolidation of subsidiary
-
(464)
-
Other investing activities
4,395
(17)
Net cash used in investing activities
(2,862,851)
(474,262)
(2,532,228)
Financing activities:
Net change in deposits
1,088,732
1,572,442
1,929,991
Proceeds from borrowings
65,777,538
31,471,236
61,088,465
Repayment of borrowings
(65,885,100)
(31,787,578)
(59,924,409)
Proceeds from notes payable
4,000
2,040
2,760
Payments of contingent consideration
-
-
(501)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
137,459
191,084
-
Repurchase of preferred stock
-
(41,625)
-
Repurchase of common stock
(3,935)
-
-
Dividends
(38,067)
(31,235)
(23,671)
Other financing activities
-
-
7,500
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,080,627
1,376,364
3,080,135
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(806,450)
852,886
(326,981)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
1,032,614
179,728
506,709
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
$
226,164
$
1,032,614
$
179,728
Additional Cash Flows Information:
Interest paid
$
140,365
$
33,900
$
69,106
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
66,508
78,758
57,322
ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
5,535
-
-
Transfer of loans from loans receivable to loans held for sale
788,849
194,055
-
Redemption of common shares related to sale of limited partnership interests
-
-
(150)
Payable for servicing rights
-
2,057
-
Payable for limited partnership interests
-
34,808
9,115
Deconsolidation of debt fund entities
-
See Note 1
-
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Merchants Bancorp, a registered bank holding company (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Merchants Bank of Indiana (“Merchants Bank”), Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois (“FMBI”) and Merchants Asset Management, LLC (“MAM”). Merchants Bank’s primary operating subsidiaries include Merchants Capital Corp. (“MCC”), Merchants Capital Servicing, LLC (“MCS”), and Merchants Capital Investments, LLC (“MCI”). All direct and indirectly owned subsidiaries owned by Merchants Bancorp are collectively referred to as the “Company”.
Merchants Bank operates under an Indiana state bank charter and provides full banking services. As a state bank and non-Federal Reserve member, it is subject to the regulation of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“IDFI”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is further subject to regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) governing bank holding companies. Merchants Bank operates from six locations in Indiana, including Lynn, Spartanburg, Richmond, Carmel and Indianapolis. Merchants Bank generates multi-family, commercial, mortgage and consumer loans and receives deposits from customers located primarily in Hamilton, Marion, Wayne, Randolph and surrounding counties in Indiana. Merchants Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets and business assets. Merchants Bank’s Mortgage Warehousing segment funds and participates in single-family and multi-family, agency eligible loans across the nation.
FMBI operates under an Illinois state bank charter and provides full banking services. As a state bank and non-Federal Reserve member, it is subject to the regulation of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) and the FDIC. FMBI operates from four offices located in Joy, Paxton, Melvin, and Piper City, Illinois.
MCC is primarily engaged in mortgage banking, specializing in lending for multi-family rental properties and healthcare facilities. It is a Federal Housing Authority (“FHA”) approved mortgagee and a Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) issuer. It is also a fully integrated syndicator of low-income housing tax credit and debt funds.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 include results from the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Merchants Bank, FMBI and MAM. Also included are Merchants Bank’s primary operating subsidiaries, MCC, MCS and MCI, as well as all direct and indirectly owned subsidiaries owned by Merchants Bancorp.
During 2022, Merchants Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, was incorporated and its results are consolidated with the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2022.
In addition, when the Company makes an equity investment in or has a relationship with an entity for which it holds a variable interest, it is evaluated for consolidation requirements under Accounting Standards Update of Topic 810. Accordingly, the entity is assessed for potential consolidation under the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model and would only consolidate those entities for which it is a primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is defined as the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity, and an interest that could be significant to the entity. To determine if an interest could be significant to the entity, both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size and form of our involvement with the entity are evaluated. Alternatively, under the voting interest model, it would only consolidate those entities for which it has a controlling interest. Because the variable interest investments held by the Company as of December 31, 2022 are not deemed to be primary beneficiaries or controlling interests, the entities are not consolidated and the equity method or proportional method of accounting has been applied. The Company will analyze whether its entities are the primary beneficiary on an ongoing basis. Changes in facts and circumstances occurring since the previous primary beneficiary determination will be considered as part of this ongoing assessment. See Note 12: Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) for additional information about VIEs.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Deconsolidation
The consolidated financial statements included consolidated results from certain entities primarily involved in single-family debt financing until January 30, 2021, while the Company was deemed to be a primary beneficiary. On February 1, 2021, the Company’s debt fund entities were restructured in such a way that its ownership and participation was significantly reduced with the inclusion of additional, unrelated investors and the Company was no longer classified as a primary beneficiary. Accordingly, results from these entities were no longer consolidated after this date, in accordance with the consolidation guidelines of the Accounting Standards Update of Topic 810.
Following the deconsolidation, the carrying value of assets and liabilities of these entities were removed from the consolidated balance sheet, and the continuing investments were recorded at fair value at the date of deconsolidation. The total amount deconsolidated from the balance sheet included net assets of approximately $10 million, consisting primarily of $66.6 million in loans receivable, and $52.7 million in borrowings with Merchants Bank that was previously eliminated in consolidation. The fair value of its continuing investments was approximately $10 million on the deconsolidation date and has been reported in Other Assets after deconsolidation. The estimated fair value was determined based on third-party evaluations of similar assets in the underlying business. The difference between the fair value of these deconsolidated entities and their carrying value was deemed to be immaterial, resulting in no gain or loss on deconsolidation. These continuing investments after deconsolidation are classified as variable interest entities, have not been consolidated, and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See Note 12: Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) for additional information about VIEs.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans, servicing rights and fair values of financial instruments.
Significant Accounting Changes Adopted in 2022
On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("CECL"). The Company revised certain accounting policies and implemented certain accounting policy elections, related to the adoption of CECL, which are described below. All adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature and are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported, have been included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
CECL replaces the previous "allowance for loan and lease losses" model for measuring credit losses, which encompassed allowances for current known and inherent losses within the portfolio, with an "expected loss" model for measuring credit losses, which encompasses allowances for losses expected to be incurred over the life of the included assets. The new CECL model requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures based on historical experiences, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. CECL also requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization's portfolio. In addition, CECL includes certain changes to the accounting for investment securities available for sale and held to maturity depending on whether management intends to sell the securities or believes that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell.
As of adoption date on January 1, 2022, the Company recorded a $3.6 million decrease, net of taxes, to retained earnings for the cumulative effect of adopting CECL. The transition adjustment included a $0.3 million increase to
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
retained earnings related to allowance for credit losses on loans (“ACL-Loans”) and a $5.2 million decrease to retained earnings related to allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures (“ACL-OBCEs”). The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of CECL on the Company’s balance sheet as of January 1, 2022.
Impact of
January 1, 2022
CECL
Post-CECL
December 31, 2021
Adoption
Adoption
Assets:
(In thousands)
MTG WHLOC
$
1,955
$
$
1,996
RES RE
4,170
4,445
MF FIN
14,084
14,604
HC FIN
4,461
4,600
CML & CRE
5,879
(1,277)
4,602
AG & AGRE
(18)
CON & MAR
ACL - Loans
$
31,344
$
(299)
$
31,045
Liabilities:
ACL - OBCEs (in Other Liabilities)
$
-
$
5,176
$
5,176
Stockholders' Equity:
Retained earnings, net of tax
$
657,149
$
(3,648)
$
653,501
ACL-Loans - the ACL-Loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on loans over the contractual term. Loans are charged off against the allowance when the uncollectibility of the loan is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off and expected to be charged off. Adjustments to the ACL-Loans are reported in the income statement as a provision for credit loss. Further information regarding the policies and methodology used to estimate the ACL-Loans is detailed in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for credit losses on loans of these Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
ACL-OBCEs - the ACL-OBCEs is a liability account representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which the Company is exposed to credit risk resulting from a contractual obligation to extend credit. No allowance is recognized if the Company has the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. OBCEs primarily consist of amounts available under outstanding lines of credit. For the period of exposure, the estimate of expected credit losses considers both the likelihood that funding will occur and the amount expected to be funded over the estimated remaining life of the commitment. The likelihood and expected amount of funding are based on historical utilization rates. The amount of the allowance represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the contractual life of the commitment. The ACL-OBCEs is adjusted through the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss.
As part of the adoption process, management performed an assessment to confirm there were no perceived credit losses on securities that would require an allowance to be established in accordance with the new standard. Because the majority of securities had been in U.S. Treasuries and government-entity agency securities, there was no perceived credit risks and no allowance was recorded upon adoption. Under CECL, securities held to maturity generally require an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses when the security is purchased. The Company had no securities held to maturity at the time it adopted CECL.
The Company adopted CECL using the modified retrospective method for loans and OBCEs. Therefore, results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2022 are presented in accordance with CECL, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of cash amounts due from depository institutions, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, money market accounts, and federal funds sold.
At December 31, 2022, the Company’s cash accounts exceeded federally insured limits by approximately $208.4 million. Included in this amount is approximately $185.6 million with the Federal Reserve and $3.6 million with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”), and $150,000 with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (“FHLBC”).
At December 31, 2021, the Company’s cash accounts exceeded federally insured limits by approximately $1.0 billion. Included in this amount is approximately $1.0 billion with the Federal Reserve and $3.7 million with the FHLBI, and $51,000 with the FHLBC.
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Securities purchased pursuant to a simultaneous agreement Reverse Repurchase Agreement (“RRA”) to resell the same securities at a specified price and date generally have maturity dates of 90 days or less and are carried at cost. Every 90 days the RRAs rollover.
Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization
Mortgage loans in process of securitization are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. These include multi-family rental real estate loan originations to be sold as Ginnie Mae mortgage backed securities and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac participation certificates, all of which are pending settlement with firm investor commitments to purchase the securities, typically occurring within 30 days.
Investment Securities
Securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
Regular assessments are performed on securities available for sale to confirm there are no perceived credit losses that would require an allowance for credit losses to be established in accordance with CECL. Securities held to maturity generally require an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses when the security is purchased. Management considers several factors when making such estimates, including issuer bond ratings, historical loss rates for given bond ratings, the financial condition of the issuer, and whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities, among others.
For securities available for sale with an unrealized loss position, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or non-credit related factors. Any impairment that is not credit-related is recognized in AOCI, net of tax. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an ACL for securities available for sale on the balance sheet, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Both the ACL and the adjustment to net income may be reversed if conditions change. However, if the Company expects, or is required, to sell an impaired available for sale security before recovering its amortized cost basis, the entire impairment amount would be recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security’s amortized cost basis. Because the security’s amortized cost basis is adjusted to fair value, there is no ACL in this situation.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Prior to the adoption of CECL, unrealized losses on securities were evaluated to determine if there was any other-than-temporary impairment. These unrealized losses were not recognized into income because the Company had the intent and ability to hold the securities for the foreseeable future and the decline in fair value was primarily due to increased market rates. The fair value was expected to recover as the securities approached their maturity dates.
Loans Held for Sale under Mortgage Banking Activities
The Company uses participation agreements to fund mortgage loans held for sale from closing or purchase until sold to an investor. Under a participation agreement the Company elects to purchase a participation interest of up to 100% in individual loans. The Company shares proportionately in the interest income and the credit risk until the loan is sold to an investor. The Company holds the collateral until it is sent under a bailee arrangement to the investor. Typical investors are large financial institutions or government agencies. These loans are carried at the lower of cost or fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance and included in noninterest income.
Other mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market, for which the fair value option has been elected, are carried at fair value at each balance sheet date. The Company believes that the fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans. The difference between the cost and fair value was not material at December 31, 2022.
For all loans held for sale, interest earned from the time of funding to the time of sale is accrued and recognized as interest income. Gains and losses on loan sales are recorded in noninterest income.
The gain on sale of loans in the income statement may include placement and origination fees, capitalized servicing rights, trading gains and losses and other related income or expense.
Loans
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding principal balances, adjusted for unearned income, charge-offs, the ACL-Loans, any unamortized deferred fees or costs on originated loans, and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.
For loans amortized at cost, interest income is accrued based on the unpaid principal balance.
The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of loans and reports accrued interest separately from the related loan balance in the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest on loans totaled $35.0 million and $15.4 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
The Company also elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Past-due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.
All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest collected on these loans is applied to the principal balance until the loan can be returned to an accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
For all loan portfolio segments, the Company promptly charges off loans, or portions thereof, when available information confirms that specific loans are uncollectable based on information that includes, but is not limited to, (1) the deteriorating financial condition of the borrower, (2) declining collateral values, and/or (3) legal action, including bankruptcy, that impairs the borrower’s ability to adequately meet its obligations.
When cash payments for accrued interest are received on nonaccrual loans in each loan class, the Company records a reduction in principal on the balance of the loan. Troubled debt restructured loans recognize interest income on an accrual basis at the renegotiated rate if the loan is in compliance with the modified terms.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company offers warehouse loans or credit to fund mortgage loans held for sale from closing until sale to an investor. Under a warehousing arrangement the Company funds a mortgage loan as secured financing. The warehousing arrangement is secured by the underlying mortgages and a combination of deposits, personal guarantees and advance rates. The Company typically holds the collateral until it is sent under a bailee arrangement instructing the investor to send proceeds to the Company. Typical investors are large financial institutions or government agencies. Interest earned from the time of funding to the time of sale is recognized as interest income as accrued. Fees earned agreements are recognized when collected as noninterest income.
ACL-Loans
The Company adopted CECL on January 1, 2022. CECL replaces the previous “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” standard for measuring credit losses. Upon adoption of CECL, the difference in the two measurements was recorded in the ACL-Loans and retained earnings.
The ACL-Loans is the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses. Loans receivable is presented net of the allowance to reflect the principal balance expected to be collected over the contractual term of the loans. This life of loan allowance is established through a provision for credit losses charged to net interest income as loans are recorded in the financial statements. The provision for a reporting period also reflects increases or decreases in the allowance related to changes in credit loss expectations. Actual credit losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance, or a portion thereof, is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The ACL-Loans is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans considering relevant available information from internal and external sources, including historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. The allowance also incorporates reasonable and supportable forecasts. There have been no changes to the credit quality components used to assess risk during the year ended December 31, 2022. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The level of the ACL is believed to be adequate to absorb innate expected future losses in the loan portfolio as of the measurement date.
The ACL-Loans consists of individually evaluated loans and pooled loan components. The Company’s primary portfolio segmentation is by credit risk grade. Loans risk graded substandard and worse are individually evaluated for expected credit losses. For individually evaluated loans that are collateral dependent, an allowance is established when the fair value of the collateral, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, is lower than the carrying value of that loan. A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or the sale of the collateral.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
To calculate the allowance for expected credit losses on loans risk graded pass through special mention, the loan portfolio is segmented into 15 segments comprised of loans with similar risk characteristics.
Loan Portfolio Segment
ACL-Loans Methodology
Ag loans
Remaining Life Method
Ag real estate loans
Remaining Life Method
Commercial loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Commercial real estate loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Single-family commercial lines of credit
Discounted Cash Flow
Consumer and margin loans
Remaining Life Method
HELOC loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Multi-family healthcare loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Multi-family non-management loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Multi-family construction loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Multi-family loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Residential real estate loans
Discounted Cash Flow
SBA commercial loans
Discounted Cash Flow
SBA real estate commercial loans
Discounted Cash Flow
Single-family and multi-family warehouse lines of credit
Remaining Life Method
Loan characteristics used in determining the segmentation included the underlying collateral, type or purpose of the loan, and expected credit loss patterns. The estimation of expected credit losses for each segment is primarily based on historical credit loss experience. Given the Company’s modest historical credit loss experience, peer and industry data was incorporated into the measurement. Expected life of loan credit losses are quantified using discounted cash flows and remaining life methodologies. For the ten portfolio segments where the discounted cash flow method was employed, econometric models are utilized to determine a Probability of Default (“PD”). Macroeconomic factors utilized in the modeling process include the national unemployment rate and the home price index. A risk index was then utilized to predict the Loss Given Default (“LGD”). The PD is then multiplied by the LGD to determine the expected loss that is incorporated into the discounted cash flow calculations. Within the discount cash flow calculation, an effective yield of the instrument is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level net present value of expected cash flows. An ACL is established for the difference between the instrument’s net present value and amortized cost basis. The remaining life method applies average loss rates for each segment to estimated loan balances for the remaining life of the segment.
The estimate includes a four-quarter reasonable and supportable economic forecast period followed by an eight-quarter, straight-line reversion period to the historical mean for the remaining life of the loans. Model results are supplemented by qualitative adjustments for risk factors relevant in assessing the expected credit losses within the portfolio segments. These adjustments may increase or decrease the estimate of expected credit losses based upon the assessed level of risk for each qualitative factor. The various risks that are considered in making qualitative adjustments include (i) changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, (ii) the effect of other external factors such as regulatory and legal requirements, the impact of (i) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, (ii) changes in lending policies and procedures, (iii) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, (iv) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, (v) changes in the experience, depth and ability of lending management, (vi) the existence and effect of any concentrations in credit, (vii) changes in the quality of the credit review function.
The models utilized and the applicable qualitative adjustments require assumptions and management judgement that can be subjective in nature. The above measurement approach is also used to estimate the expected credit losses associated with unfunded loan commitments, which also incorporates expected utilization rates.
The Company adopted CECL on January 1, 2022 and the impact at adoption is described above under the heading "Significant Accounting Changes Adopted In 2022." CECL replaces the allowance for loan losses that used the incurred loss impairment methodology prior to adoption.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ACL-OBCE’s
The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is a liability account representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which the Company is exposed to credit risk resulting from a contractual obligation to extend credit. No allowance is recognized if the Company has the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. Off-balance sheet credit exposures primarily consist of amounts available under outstanding lines of credit and letters of credit. For the period of exposure, the estimate of expected credit losses considers both the likelihood that funding will occur, and the amount expected to be funded over the estimated remaining life of the commitment or other off-balance sheet exposure. The likelihood and expected amount of funding are based on historical utilization rates. The amount of the allowance represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the contractual life of the commitment. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. The Company adopted CECL on January 1, 2022 and the impact at adoption is described above under the heading "Significant Accounting Changes Adopted In 2022."
ACL-Guarantees
The allowance for credit losses on guarantees (“ACL-Guarantees”) is a liability account representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which the Company is exposed to credit risk resulting from a reimbursement and security agreement with Freddie Mac. This agreement was associated with the Company’s May 2022 securitization arrangement. The Company agreed to reimburse Freddie Mac for a first loss position in the underlying loan portfolio, not to exceed 12% of the unpaid principal amount of the loans comprising the securitization pool at settlement. An initial ACL - Guarantee of $1.2 million was established. For the period of exposure, the estimate of expected credit losses considers both the likelihood that losses will occur and the amount of losses over the estimated remaining life of the guarantee. The likelihood and expected losses are based on historical loan loss experience from peers, as well as from similar loans in our ACL-Loans, for each class of loans. The amount of the allowance represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses over the contractual life of the commitment. The ACL - Guarantees is adjusted through the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. Also see Note 5 - Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans for a description of the transaction with Freddie Mac.
Premises and Equipment
Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
The estimated useful lives for premises and equipment are as follows:
Buildings
7 to 40
years
Leasehold improvements
2 to 11
years
Software and intangible assets
5 to 10
years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3 to 15
years
Vehicles
years
Expenditures for property and equipment and for renewals or betterments that extend the originally estimated economic life of the assets are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense. When an asset is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the results of operations.
Leases
The Company has operating leases for various locations with terms ranging from two to eleven years. Operating leases are included in Other Assets and Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right of Use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the term. An ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also includes any direct costs and payments made
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
prior to lease commencement and excludes lease incentives. When an implicit rate is not available, an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of the lease payments. The Company elected not to separate non-lease components from lease components for its operating leases. A lease term may include an option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Renewal and termination options are considered when determining short-term leases. Leases are accounted for at the individual level.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock is a required investment for institutions that are members of a FHLB. The required investment in the common stock is based on a predetermined formula, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment.
Other Real Estate Owned
Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net income or expense from other real estate.
Servicing Rights
Servicing assets are recognized separately when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. Under the servicing assets and liabilities accounting guidance (ASC 860-50), servicing rights resulting from the sale or securitization of loans originated by the Company are initially measured at fair value at the date of transfer. The Company has elected to initially and subsequently measure the servicing rights for mortgage loans using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, the servicing rights are carried in the balance sheet at fair value and the changes in fair value are reported in earnings in the period in which the changes occur.
Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model is from an independent third party and it incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds, prepayment penalties, and default rates and losses. These variables change from quarter to quarter as market conditions and projected interest rates change, and any change in fair values is recorded to noninterest income.
Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The change in the fair value of the mortgage-servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, a goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements.
Intangible assets, which include licenses and trade names, are amortized over a period ranging from 84 to 120 months using a straight-line method of amortization. Customer list intangible assets were amortized over 21 months using a straight-line method of amortization. Also included are core deposit intangibles that are amortized over a 10 year period using the accelerated sum of the years digits method of amortization. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates events and circumstances that may indicate a change in the recoverability of the carrying value.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Investment in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Limited Partnerships
The Company has elected to account for its investment in affordable housing tax credit limited partnerships using the proportional amortization method described in FASB ASU 2014-01, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Projects (A Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” Under the proportional amortization method, an investor amortizes the initial cost of the investment to income tax expense in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. The investment in the limited partnerships is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company sold some of these assets to a fund in which it is a general partner and in some cases holds a minority interest in the limited partnership.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Uncertain tax positions are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, as other noninterest expense.
The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is the Company’s net income available to common shareholders, which represents net income less dividends paid or payable to preferred stock shareholders, if any, divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated in the same manner as basic earnings per share, but also reflects the issuance of additional common shares that would have been diluted if such shares had been outstanding, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance.
Share-based Compensation Plans
The Company has an equity incentive plan that provides for annual awards of shares to certain members of senior management based upon the Company’s performance and attainment of certain performance goals established by the Board of Directors. Share awards are valued at the estimated fair value on the date of the award and generally vest over three years. Compensation expense for the awards is recognized in the consolidated financial statements ratably over the vesting period.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors also approved a plan for non-executive directors to receive a portion of their annual fees in the form of restricted common stock, which has been issued once per year, subsequent to the annual meeting of shareholders. This plan was amended to issue allocated shares on a quarterly basis, beginning after the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.
In 2020, the Company established an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) to provide certain benefits for all employees who meet certain requirements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s principal source of revenue is interest income from loans, investment securities and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The Company has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income was not necessary. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is little judgment involved in applying Topic 606 that significantly affects the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.
The Company recognizes revenues as they are earned based on contractual terms, as transactions occur, or as services are provided and collectability is reasonably assured.
Interest income on loans is accrued as earned using the interest method based on unpaid principal balances, except for interest on loans in nonaccrual status. Interest on loans in nonaccrual status is recorded as a reduction of loan principal when received.
The Company also earns other noninterest income through a variety of financial and transaction services provided to corporate and consumer clients such as deposit service charges, debit card network fees, collection fees, safe deposit box rental fees, gain/(loss) on sale of other real estate owned, LIHTC syndication, and asset management fees. Revenue is recorded for noninterest income based on the contractual terms for the service or transaction performed.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes. Other comprehensive income (loss) and accumulated other comprehensive income consist of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available for sale investment securities and reclassification adjustments for investment gains/(losses) on the sale of available for sale investment securities.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company occasionally enters into derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management strategies. These derivative financial instruments consist primarily of interest rate locks, forward sale commitments and interest rate swaps. These derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as either an asset or liability, at their fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company also offers interest rate swaps to some customers through a third-party dealer. These derivatives generally work together as an economic interest rate hedge, but the Company does not designate them for hedge accounting treatment. Consequently, changes in fair value of the corresponding derivative financial asset or liability are recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes occurred, typically resulting in no net earnings impact.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications may have been made to the 2021 and 2020 financial statements to conform to the financial statement presentation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2: Restriction on Cash and Due From Banks
On March 26, 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced all banks’ reserve requirements to 0%. The effective reserve requirement has remained at 0% as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Note 3: Investment Securities
The amortized cost and approximate fair values, together with gross unrealized gains and losses, of securities available for sale and held to maturity were as follows:
December 31, 2022
Gross
Gross
Approximate
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
$
37,234
$
$
$
36,280
Federal agencies
284,986
-
13,096
271,890
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
15,167
15,167
Total securities available for sale
$
337,387
$
$
14,058
$
323,337
Securities held to maturity:
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE multi-family
$
871,772
$
$
-
$
871,784
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE residential
247,306
-
247,182
Total securities held to maturity
$
1,119,078
$
$
$
1,118,966
December 31, 2021
Gross
Gross
Approximate
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
$
8,232
$
$
$
8,209
Federal agencies
264,970
-
1,675
263,295
Municipals
4,300
-
-
4,300
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
18,664
18,360
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE multi-family
16,424
-
16,465
Total securities available for sale
$
312,590
$
$
2,038
$
310,629
The Company did not have any securities held to maturity prior to December 31, 2022.
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, GSE mortgage-backed securities included in the tables above are primarily backed by multi-family loans. The December 31, 2022 table includes securities held to maturity that were purchased following the September 2022 loan sale and securitization transactions as described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The December 31, 2021 table above also included 2 securities purchased from Freddie Mac following the loan sale and securitization arrangement with Freddie Mac described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. One of these securities was subsequently sold at book value resulting in no gain or loss during the year ended December 31, 2022, and the other security was fully amortized resulting in no gain loss during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Accrued interest on securities available for sale totaled $0.5 million at December 31, 2022 and $0.4 million at December 31, 2021, respectively, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Accrued interest on securities held to maturity totaled $4.3 million at December 31, 2022 and $0 at December 31, 2021, respectively, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and held to maturity at December 31, 2022, by contractual maturity, are shown below. 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. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.
December 31, 2022
Amortized
Fair
Cost
Value
Securities available for sale:
(In thousands)
Within one year
$
118,984
$
115,386
After one through five years
203,236
192,784
After five through ten years
-
-
After ten years
-
-
322,220
308,170
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
15,167
15,167
$
337,387
$
323,337
Securities held to maturity:
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE multi-family
$
871,772
$
871,784
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE residential
247,306
247,182
$
1,119,078
$
1,118,966
During the year ended December 31, 2022, one of the mortgage-backed - non-GSE multi-family securities available for sale was sold for $11.4 million resulting in no gain or loss. During the year ended December 31, 2021, proceeds from sales of securities available for sale were $38.6 million, and a net gain of $191,000 was recognized, consisting of $191,000 in gains and $0 of losses. During the year ended December 31, 2020, proceeds from sales of securities available for sale were $4.3 million, and a net gain of $441,000 was recognized, consisting of $441,000 in gains and $0 of losses.
The carrying value of securities pledged as collateral, to secure borrowings, public deposits and for other purposes, was $570.6 million, and $310.6 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Certain investments in securities available for sale are reported in the consolidated financial statements at an amount less than their historical cost. Total fair value of these investments at December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $308.0 million (37 positions) and $272.0 million (27 positions), respectively, which is approximately 95%, and 88%, respectively, of the Company’s available for sale investment portfolio.
Certain investments in securities held to maturity are reported in the consolidated financial statements at amortized cost. Total fair value of these investments at December 31, 2022 was $247.2 million (2 positions), which is approximately 22% of the Company’s held to maturity investment portfolio. The Company did not have any securities held to maturity at December 31, 2021.
The following tables show the Company’s investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investment securities available for sale and held to maturity with unrealized losses for which an allowance for credit
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
losses has not been recorded, aggregated by investment class and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
December 31, 2022
12 Months or
Less than 12 Months
Longer
Total
Gross
Gross
Gross
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
$
29,560
$
$
5,798
$
$
35,358
$
Federal agencies
19,276
252,613
12,372
271,889
13,096
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
-
-
$
49,545
$
1,493
$
258,411
$
12,565
$
307,956
$
14,058
Securities held to maturity:
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE residential
$
247,182
$
$
-
$
-
$
247,182
$
$
247,182
$
$
-
$
-
$
247,182
$
December 31, 2021
12 Months or
Less than 12 Months
Longer
Total
Gross
Gross
Gross
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
$
7,957
$
$
-
$
-
$
7,957
$
Federal agencies
238,489
1,503
24,806
263,295
1,675
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
-
-
$
247,165
$
1,866
$
24,806
$
$
271,971
$
2,038
December 31, 2020
12 Months or
Less than 12 Months
Longer
Total
Gross
Gross
Gross
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
Federal agencies
$
69,939
$
$
-
$
-
$
69,939
$
For securities available for sale with an unrealized loss position, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or non-credit related factors. Any impairment that is not credit-related is recognized in AOCI, net of tax. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an ACL for securities available for sale on the balance sheet, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Both the ACL and the adjustment to net income may be reversed if conditions change. However, if the Company expects, or is required, to sell an impaired available for sale security before recovering its amortized cost basis, the entire impairment amount would be recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security’s amortized cost basis. Because the security’s amortized cost basis is adjusted to fair value, there is no ACL in this situation.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In evaluating securities available for sale in unrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or requirement to sell such securities, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuers’ financial condition, among other factors. Unrealized losses on the Company’s investment securities portfolio have not been recognized as an expense because the securities are of high credit quality, and the decline in fair values is attributable to changes in the prevailing interest rate environment since the purchase date. Fair value is expected to recover as securities reach maturity and/or the interest rate environment returns to conditions similar to when these securities were purchased. There were no credit related factors underlying unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities at December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Note 4: Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization
Mortgage loans in process of securitization are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. These include multi-family rental real estate loan originations to be sold as Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) mortgage-backed securities and Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) participation certificates, all of which are pending settlement with firm investor commitments to purchase the securities, typically occurring within 30 days. The fair value increases recorded in earnings for mortgage loans in process of securitization totaled $0.3 million and $10.6 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
Loan Portfolio Summary
Loans receivable at December 31, 2022 and 2021, include:
December 31,
December 31,
(In thousands)
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit
$
464,785
$
781,437
Residential real estate
1,178,401
843,101
Multi-family financing(1)
3,135,535
2,702,042
Healthcare financing(1)
1,604,341
826,157
Commercial and commercial real estate(2)
978,661
520,199
Agricultural production and real estate
95,651
97,060
Consumer and margin loans
13,498
12,667
7,470,872
5,782,663
Less:
ACL - Loans
44,014
31,344
Loans Receivable
$
7,426,858
$
5,751,319
(1) In 2022, the Company started presenting multi-family and healthcare loan types on separate lines for reporting purposes. Healthcare loans of $826.2 million were included in the combined multi-family and healthcare financing loan total as of December 31, 2021.
(2) Includes $497.0 million and $209.8 million of revolving lines of credit collateralized primarily by single-family mortgage servicing rights as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) established the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) to provide loans for eligible businesses/not-for-profits. These loans qualified for forgiveness when used for qualifying expenses during the appropriate period. Loans funded through the PPP were fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Commercial and commercial real estate loans at December 31, 2021 included PPP loans with principal balances of $7.0 million, respectively, that had not yet been
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
forgiven. As of December 31, 2021, only 6% of the $112.0 million total PPP loans granted were yet to be forgiven. As of December 31, 2022 all PPP loans were fully forgiven.
Risk characteristics applicable to each segment of the loan portfolio are described as follows.
Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit (MTG WHLOC): Under its warehouse program, the Company provides warehouse financing arrangements to approved mortgage companies for the origination and sale of residential mortgage loans and to a lesser extent multi-family loans. Agency eligible, governmental and jumbo residential mortgage loans that are secured by mortgages placed on existing one-to-four family dwellings may be originated or purchased and placed on each mortgage warehouse line.
As a secured repurchase agreement, collateral pledged to the Company secures each individual mortgage until the lender sells the loan in the secondary market. A traditional secured warehouse line of credit typically carries a base interest rate of 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the Federal Reserve’s Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or mortgage note rate and a margin.
Risk is evident if there is a change in the fair value of mortgage loans originated by mortgage bankers in warehouse, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse line of credit. However, the warehouse customers are required to hedge the change in value of these loans to mitigate the risk.
Residential Real Estate Loans (RES RE): Real estate loans are secured by owner-occupied 1-4 family residences. Repayment of residential real estate loans is primarily dependent on the personal income and credit rating of the borrowers. First-lien HELOC mortgages included in this segment typically carry a base rate of 30-day LIBOR or the One-Year Constant Maturity Treasury (“CMT”), plus a margin.
Multi-Family Financing (MF FIN): The Company engages in multi-family financing, including construction loans, specializing in originating and servicing loans for multi-family rental properties. In addition, the Company originates loans secured by an assignment of federal income tax credits by partnerships invested in multi-family real estate projects. Construction and land loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and estimated value of the completed project and include independent appraisal reviews and a financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Sources of repayment of these loans are dependent on the cash flow of the property, and may include permanent loans, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent agency-eligible financing is obtained. Credit risk in these loans may be impacted by the creditworthiness of a borrower, property values and the local economy in the Company’s market area. Repayment of these loans depends on the successful operation of a business or property and the borrower’s cash flows. Loans included in this segment typically carry a base rate of the Federal Reserve’s Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) that adjusts on a monthly basis and a margin.
Healthcare Financing (HC FIN): The healthcare financing portfolio includes customized loan products for independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing projects. A variety of loan products are available to accommodate rehabilitation, acquisition, and refinancing of healthcare properties. Credit risk in these loans are primarily driven by local demographics and the expertise of the operators of the facilities. Repayment of these loans may include permanent loans, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent agency-eligible financing is obtained, as well as successful operation of a business or property and the borrower’s cash flows. Loans included in this segment typically carry a base rate of SOFR that adjusts on a monthly basis and a margin.
Commercial Lending and Commercial Real Estate Loans (CML & CRE): The commercial lending and commercial real estate portfolio includes loans to commercial customers for use in financing working capital needs, equipment purchases and expansions, as well as loans to commercial customers to finance land and improvements. It also includes loans collateralized by servicing rights and loan sale proceeds of mortgage warehouse customers. The loans in this category are repaid primarily from the cash flow of a borrower’s principal business operation. Credit risk in these loans is driven by creditworthiness of a borrower and the economic conditions that impact the cash flow stability from business operations. PPP loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans are included in this category.
Agricultural Production and Real Estate Loans (AG & AGRE): Agricultural production loans are generally comprised of seasonal operating lines of credit to grain farmers to plant and harvest corn and soybeans and term loans to
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
fund the purchase of equipment. The Company also offers long term financing to purchase agricultural real estate. Specific underwriting standards have been established for agricultural-related loans including the establishment of projections for each operating year based on industry-developed estimates of farm input costs and expected commodity yields and prices. Operating lines are typically written for one year and secured by the crop and other farm assets as considered necessary. The Company is approved to sell agricultural loans in the secondary market through the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and uses this relationship to manage interest rate risk within the portfolio. Agricultural real estate loans included in this segment are typically structured with a one-year ARM, 3-year ARM or 5-year ARM CMT and a margin. Agriculture production, livestock, and equipment loans are structured with variable rates that are indexed to prime or fixed for terms not exceeding 5 years.
Consumer and Margin Loans (CON & MAR): Consumer loans are those loans secured by household assets. Margin loans are those loans secured by marketable securities. The term and maximum amount for these loans are determined by considering the purpose of the loan, the margin (advance percentage against value) in all collateral, the primary source of repayment, and the borrower’s other related cash flow.
The following table presents, by loan portfolio segment, the activity in the ACL-Loans for the year ended December 31, 2022:
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
MTG WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
HC FIN
CML & CRE
AG & AGRE
CON & MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
ACL - Loans
Balance, beginning of period
$
1,955
$
4,170
$
14,084
$
4,461
$
5,879
$
$
$
31,344
Impact of adopting CECL
(1,277)
(18)
(299)
Provision for credit losses
(747)
2,588
2,177
5,282
4,216
(74)
13,473
Loans charged to the allowance
-
(4)
-
-
(1,238)
-
(15)
(1,257)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
-
-
-
-
-
Balance, end of period
$
1,249
$
7,029
$
16,781
$
9,882
$
8,326
$
$
$
44,014
The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The $17.3 million provision for credit losses consisted of $13.5 million for the ACL-Loans, $2.6 million for the ACL-OBCE’s, and $1.2 million for the ACL-Guarantees, contingent reserve related to the Freddie Mac-sponsored Q-series securitization transaction.
Prior to the adoption of CECL, the Company maintained an allowance for loan losses in accordance with the incurred loss model as disclosed in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following tables present the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the recorded investment in loans and impairment method as of December 31, 2021:
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
MTG WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
HC FIN
CML & CRE
AG & AGRE
CON & MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance, beginning of period
$
4,018
$
3,334
$
12,140
$
2,591
$
4,641
$
$
$
27,500
Provision (credit) for loan losses
(2,063)
1,944
1,870
2,422
(20)
5,012
Loans charged to the allowance
-
(2)
-
-
(1,184)
-
(6)
(1,192)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance, December 31, 2021
$
1,955
$
4,170
$
14,084
$
4,461
$
5,879
$
$
$
31,344
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
-
$
$
-
$
-
$
$
-
$
$
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
1,955
$
4,154
$
14,084
$
4,461
$
5,012
$
$
$
30,454
Loans
Balance, December 31, 2021
$
781,437
$
843,101
$
2,702,042
$
826,157
$
520,199
$
97,060
$
12,667
$
5,782,663
Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment
$
-
$
$
36,760
$
-
$
6,055
$
$
$
43,405
Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment
$
781,437
$
842,682
$
2,665,282
$
826,157
$
514,144
$
96,902
$
12,654
$
5,739,258
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
MTG WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
HC FIN
CML & CRE
AG & AGRE
CON & MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance, beginning of year
$
1,913
$
2,042
$
5,784
$
1,234
$
4,173
$
$
$
15,842
Provision for credit losses
2,105
1,248
6,356
1,357
(22)
11,838
Loans charged to the allowance
-
(31)
-
-
(319)
-
(11)
(361)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
-
-
-
-
-
Balance, end of year
$
4,018
$
3,334
$
12,140
$
2,591
$
4,641
$
$
$
27,500
The below table presents the amortized cost basis and ACL-Loans allocated for collateral dependent loans, which are individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses:
December 31, 2022
Real Estate
Accounts Receivable / Equipment
Other
Total
ACL-Loans Allocation
(In thousands)
RES RE
$
$
-
$
$
$
MF FIN
36,760
-
-
36,760
HC FIN
21,783
-
-
21,783
CML & CRE
-
4,917
5,883
AG & AGRE
-
-
CON & MAR
-
-
-
Total collateral dependent loans
$
58,927
$
4,917
$
$
64,825
$
1,181
There has been no significant changes to the types of collateral securing the Company’s collateral dependent loans compared to December 31, 2021.
Internal Risk Categories
In adherence with policy, the Company uses the following internal risk grading categories and definitions for loans:
Pass - Loans that are considered to be of acceptable credit quality, and not classified as Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful.
Special Mention (Watch) - This is a loan that is sound and collectable but contains potential risk. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard - Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution 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 liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following tables present the credit risk profile of the Company’s loan portfolio based on internal risk rating categories as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
December 31, 2022
Prior
Revolving Loans
TOTAL
(In thousands)
MTG WHLOC
Pass
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
464,785
$
464,785
Total
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
464,785
$
464,785
RES RE
Pass
13,344
8,192
24,708
3,498
1,722
11,166
1,114,705
1,177,335
Special Mention (Watch)
-
-
-
-
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
Total
$
13,344
$
8,192
$
24,708
$
3,559
$
1,796
$
12,006
$
1,114,796
$
1,178,401
MF FIN
Pass
1,212,008
544,823
200,829
32,349
4,416
7,229
1,042,024
3,043,678
Special Mention (Watch)
32,919
-
8,000
-
-
-
14,178
55,097
Substandard
36,760
-
-
-
-
-
-
36,760
Total
$
1,281,687
$
544,823
$
208,829
$
32,349
$
4,416
$
7,229
$
1,056,202
$
3,135,535
HC FIN
Pass
987,676
301,103
78,792
13,770
-
-
123,888
1,505,229
Special Mention (Watch)
52,022
25,307
-
-
-
-
-
77,329
Substandard
-
21,783
-
-
-
-
-
21,783
Total
$
1,039,698
$
348,193
$
78,792
$
13,770
$
-
$
-
$
123,888
$
1,604,341
CML & CRE
Pass
123,757
86,282
23,803
24,730
12,335
8,765
690,114
969,786
Special Mention (Watch)
1,376
2,992
Substandard
-
2,017
-
2,537
5,883
Total
$
123,800
$
88,463
$
25,357
$
24,921
$
12,434
$
9,659
$
694,027
$
978,661
AG & AGRE
Pass
12,112
7,485
15,660
5,808
3,137
20,176
29,566
93,944
Special Mention (Watch)
1,560
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
$
12,126
$
7,540
$
16,122
$
6,229
$
3,300
$
20,712
$
29,622
$
95,651
CON & MAR
Pass
4,673
4,589
3,328
13,470
Special Mention (Watch)
-
-
-
-
-
Substandard
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
$
4,673
$
$
$
$
4,589
$
$
3,328
$
13,498
Total Pass
$
2,353,570
$
948,348
$
344,099
$
80,256
$
26,199
$
47,345
$
3,468,410
$
7,268,227
Total Special Mention (Watch)
$
84,998
$
25,526
$
9,445
$
$
$
1,287
$
15,701
$
137,820
Total Substandard
$
36,760
$
23,800
$
$
$
$
$
2,537
$
64,825
Total Loans
$
2,475,328
$
997,674
$
354,135
$
80,929
$
26,535
$
49,623
$
3,486,648
$
7,470,872
The Company did not have any material revolving loans converted to term loans at December 31, 2022.
The Company evaluates the loan risk grading system definitions and ACL-Loans methodology on an ongoing basis. No significant changes were made to either during the past year.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
MTG WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
HC FIN
CML & CRE
AG & AGRE
CON & MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
Special Mention (Watch)
$
-
$
$
27,155
$
66,406
$
2,483
$
3,820
$
$
100,831
Substandard
-
36,760
-
6,055
43,405
Pass
781,437
841,736
2,638,127
759,751
511,661
93,082
12,633
5,638,427
Total
$
781,437
$
843,101
$
2,702,042
$
826,157
$
520,199
$
97,060
$
12,667
$
5,782,663
Delinquent Loans
The following tables present the Company’s loan portfolio aging analysis of the recorded investment in loans as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Excluded from the tables below are government guaranteed commercial SBA loans totaling $0 and $3.2 million that were 30-59 days past due and a government guaranteed commercial SBA loan with a balance of $0 and $274,000 that was over 90 days past due as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
December 31, 2022
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
Greater Than
Total
Total
Past Due
Past Due
90 Days
Past Due
Current
Loans
(In thousands)
MTG WHLOC
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
464,785
$
464,785
RES RE
4,053
4,477
1,173,924
1,178,401
MF FIN
-
-
-
-
3,135,535
3,135,535
HC FIN
-
-
21,783
21,783
1,582,558
1,604,341
CML & CRE
4,759
-
3,778
8,537
970,124
978,661
AG & AGRE
4,903
-
-
4,903
90,748
95,651
CON & MAR
13,446
13,498
$
13,721
$
$
25,855
$
39,752
$
7,431,120
$
7,470,872
December 31, 2021
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
Greater Than
Total
Total
Past Due
Past Due
90 Days
Past Due
Current
Loans
(In thousands)
MTG WHLOC
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
781,437
$
781,437
RES RE
1,252
1,725
841,376
843,101
MF FIN
-
-
-
-
2,702,042
2,702,042
HC FIN
-
-
-
-
826,157
826,157
CML & CRE
519,451
520,199
AG & AGRE
-
97,002
97,060
CON & MAR
12,579
12,667
$
1,923
$
$
$
2,619
$
5,780,044
$
5,782,663
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Impaired Loans
The following table presents impaired loans and specific valuation allowance information based on class level as of December 31, 2021:
December 31, 2021
MTG WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
CML & CRE
AG & AGRE
CON & MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
Impaired loans without a specific allowance:
Recorded investment
$
-
$
$
36,760
$
3,912
$
$
$
41,206
Unpaid principal balance
-
36,760
3,912
41,206
Impaired loans with a specific allowance:
Recorded investment
-
-
2,143
-
2,199
Unpaid principal balance
-
-
2,143
-
2,199
Specific allowance
-
-
-
Total impaired loans:
Recorded investment
-
36,760
6,055
43,405
Unpaid principal balance
-
36,760
6,055
43,405
Specific allowance
-
-
-
The following tables present by portfolio class, information related to the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
December 31, 2021
MTG
CML &
AG &
CON &
WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
CRE
AGRE
MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
$
-
$
1,658
$
14,138
$
6,888
$
$
$
23,302
Interest income recognized
-
-
-
-
December 31, 2020
MTG
CML &
AG &
CON &
WHLOC
RES RE
MF FIN
CRE
AGRE
MAR
TOTAL
(In thousands)
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
$
$
3,002
$
-
$
9,913
$
1,662
$
$
14,700
Interest income recognized
-
-
-
Nonperforming Loans
Nonaccrual loans, including TDRs that have not met the six-month minimum performance criterion, are reported as nonperforming loans. For all loan classes, it is the Company’s policy to have any restructured loans which are on nonaccrual status prior to being restructured remain on nonaccrual status until three months of satisfactory borrower performance, at which time management would consider its return to accrual status. A loan is generally classified as nonaccrual when the Company believes that receipt of principal and interest is doubtful under the terms of
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
the loan agreement. Most generally, this is at 90 or more days past due. The amount of interest income recognized on nonaccrual financial assets during the year ended December 31, 2022 was immaterial.
The following table presents the Company’s nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
December 31,
December 31,
Total Loans >
Total Loans >
90 Days &
90 Days &
Nonaccrual
Accruing
Nonaccrual
Accruing
(In thousands)
RES RE
$
$
$
$
MF FIN
-
-
-
-
HC FIN
21,783
-
-
-
CML & CRE
4,390
-
-
AG & AGRE
-
CON & MAR
$
26,571
$
$
$
The Company did not have any nonperforming loans without an estimated ACL at December 31, 2022.
During 2022, the Company had no troubled loans that were modified or defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2022. During 2021, the Company had one newly classified troubled debt restructuring in the CML & CRE loan class. The loan had a pre and post modification balance of $2.0 million as of December 31, 2021. The modifications on the loan included term concessions which reflect the unlikeliness of the borrower being able to obtain similar financing from another financial institution. During 2020, the Company had one newly classified troubled debt restructuring in the AG & AGRE loan class. The loan had a pre and post modification balance of $180,000. The only term of the loan that changed was an extension of time to pay.
The CARES Act included several provisions designed to help financial institutions like the Company in working with their customers. Section 4013 of the CARES Act, as extended, allowed a financial institution to elect to suspend generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory determinations with respect to qualifying loan modifications related to COVID-19 that would otherwise be categorized as a TDR until January 1, 2022. The Company took advantage of this provision to extend certain payment modifications to loan customers in need.
There were no residential loans in process of foreclosures as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Significant Loan Sales
Loan Sale and Securitization - 2022 Activity
On September 22, 2022, the Company completed a private securitization by which a $1.2 billion portfolio of originated multi-family bridge loans was sold into a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) and ultimately sold to investors as securities. The Company purchased the senior security for a total of $1.0 billion and classified it as a held to maturity security at September 30, 2022. An unaffiliated, third-party institutional investor purchased the remaining subordinate interests and maintains the first-loss position on 13.4% of the losses in the loan portfolio. This transaction provided the Company an avenue to enhance capital efficiency and minimize credit risk on the balance sheet.
As part of the securitization transaction, the Company will be both Master Servicer and Special Servicer of the loans. As Master Servicer and Special Servicer, the Company will have obligations to collect and remit payments of principal and interest, manage payments of taxes and insurance, and otherwise administer the underlying loans.
Beyond servicing the loans, the Company’s ongoing involvement in this transaction is limited to customary obligations of loan sales, including any material breach in representation. In connection with the securitization, the
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Company received proceeds and accrued interest on loans, net of the acquired securities, of $150.6 million. No allowance for credit losses was recognized in connection with purchase of the security, in accordance with ASC 326. However, the $4.0 million allowance for credit losses associated with the loans sold was released through the provision for credit losses.
The transfer of these loans was accounted for as a sale for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860, and a $525,000 net loss on sale was recognized. The net loss on sale included a $5.4 million pricing loss and $4.9 million in transaction expenses partially offset by a $6.7 million positive impact of capitalizing servicing rights associated with this transaction and a $3.2 million recognition of net deferred fee income on loans sold.
Freddie Mac Q Series Securitization - 2022 Activity
May 2022
On May 5, 2022, the Company entered into an arrangement through a third-party trust and Freddie Mac, by which a $214.0 million portfolio of multi-family loans were sold to the trust and ultimately securitized through Freddie Mac and sold to investors. The Company did not purchase any of the securities. The transfer of these loans was accounted for as a sale for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860, and a $2.3 million net gain on sale was recognized, which included establishing a contingent and noncontingent reserve and servicing rights associated with this transaction.
The Company’s ongoing involvement in this transaction is limited to customary obligations of loan sales, including any material breach in representation. In connection with the securitization, the Company also entered into a reimbursement agreement for a first loss position in the underlying loan portfolio, not to exceed 12% of the unpaid principal amount of the loans comprising the securitization pool at settlement, or approximately $25.7 million. A contingent reserve of $1.2 million for estimated losses was established with respect to the first loss obligation on May 5, 2022, which was included in provision for credit losses on the consolidated statement of income and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. A noncontingent reserve of $2.5 million related to the Company’s reimbursement obligation was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and offset through gain on sale in the consolidated statement of income. The Company was also required to hold collateral against the reimbursement agreement. Accordingly, $27.0 million of U.S. Treasury securities were acquired as part of the transaction.
As part of the securitization transaction, the Company released all mortgage servicing obligations and rights to Freddie Mac, who was designated as the Master Servicer. Freddie Mac appointed the Company with sub-servicing obligations, which include obligations to collect and remit payments of principal and interest, manage payments of taxes and insurance, and otherwise administer the underlying loans. Accordingly, the Company recognized a mortgage servicing asset of $1.2 million on the sale date.
November 2022
On November 3, 2022, the Company completed a $284.2 million securitization of 16 multi-family mortgage loans through a Freddie Mac-sponsored Q-Series transaction. The Company did not purchase any of the securities as part of this transaction. The transfer of these loans was accounted for as a sale for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860, and a $121,000 gain on sale was recognized, which included establishing servicing rights associated with this transaction.
The Company was retained as the mortgage sub-servicer for Freddie Mac on the entire $284.2 million pool of loans. Beyond sub-servicing the loans, the Company’s ongoing involvement in this transaction is limited to customary obligations of loan sales, including any material breach in representation. In connection with the transaction a mortgage servicing right of $1.3 million was established.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Freddie Mac Q Series Securitization - 2021 Activity
On May 7, 2021, the Company entered into an arrangement through a third-party trust and Freddie Mac, by which a $262.0 million portfolio of multi-family loans were sold to the trust and ultimately securitized through Freddie Mac and sold to investors. The Company purchased two of the securities for a total of $28.7 million. The transfer of these loans was accounted for as a sale for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860, and a $676,000 net loss on sale was recognized, which included the impact of establishing a risk share allowance and servicing rights associated with this transaction.
Beyond holding the two securities, the Company’s ongoing involvement in this transaction is limited to customary obligations of loan sales, including any material breach in representation. In connection with the securitization and purchase of one of the securities, Merchants maintains a first loss position in the underlying loan portfolio not to exceed 10% of the unpaid principal amount of the loans comprising the securitization pool at settlement, or approximately $26.2 million. Therefore, a reserve of $1.4 million for estimated losses was established with respect to the first loss obligation at May 7, 2021, which was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. These estimated losses were consistent with the amount in allowance for loan losses that was released when the loans were sold. If the Company sells one of the securities, this first loss obligation would be eliminated.
As part of the securitization transaction, Merchants released all mortgage servicing obligations and rights to Freddie Mac who was designated as the Master Servicer. As Master Servicer, Freddie Mac appointed the Company with sub-servicing obligations, which include obligations to collect and remit payments of principal and interest, manage payments of taxes and insurance, and otherwise administer the underlying loans. Accordingly, the company recognized a mortgage servicing asset of $730,000 on the sale date.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, one of these securities was sold at book value, and the other security was fully amortized, resulting in no gains or losses.
Loans Purchased
The Company purchased $551.1 million and $369.1 million of loans during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Note 6: Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to help manage exposure to interest rate risk and the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income and the fair value of assets and liabilities.
Forward Sales Commitments, Interest Rate Lock Commitments, and Interest Rate Swaps
The Company enters into forward contracts for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors and enters into interest rate lock commitments with potential borrowers to fund specific mortgage loans that will be sold into the secondary market. The forward contracts are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of changes in interest rates resulting from the Company’s commitment to fund the loans.
Interest rate swaps are also used by the Company to reduce the risk that significant increases in interest rates may have on the value of certain fixed rate loans held for sale and the respective loan payments received from borrowers. All changes in the fair market value of these interest rate swaps and associated loans held for sale have been included in gain on sale of loans. Any difference between the fixed and floating interest rate components of these transactions have been included in interest income.
All of these items are considered derivatives, but are not designated as accounting hedges, and are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of derivative instruments with a positive fair value are reported in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets while derivative instruments with a negative fair value are reported in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of interest rate locks, forward contracts, and interest rate swaps utilized by the Company at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. This table excludes the fair market value adjustment on loans associated with these derivatives.
Notional
Fair Value
Amount
Balance Sheet Location
Asset
Liability
December 31, 2022
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments
$
8,759
Other assets/liabilities
$
$
Forward contracts
13,096
Other assets/liabilities
Interest rate swaps
57,574
Other assets/liabilities
3,030
-
$
3,104
$
Notional
Fair Value
Amount
Balance Sheet Location
Asset
Liability
December 31, 2021
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments
$
58,701
Other assets/liabilities
$
$
Forward contracts
81,250
Other assets/liabilities
$
$
Fair values of these derivative financial instruments were estimated using changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the Company entered into the interest rate lock commitment and the balance sheet date. The following table summarizes the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Derivative gain (loss) included in other income:
Interest rate lock commitments
$
(218)
$
(5,908)
$
5,945
Forward contracts (includes pair-off settlements)
5,277
5,956
(11,078)
Net derivative gains (loss)
$
5,059
$
$
(5,133)
Gain (loss) included in gain on sale of loans:
Interest rates swaps - change in fair value
$
3,030
$
-
$
-
Loans held for sale - change in fair value
(2,898)
-
-
Net gain (loss)
$
$
-
$
-
Derivatives on Behalf of Customers
The Company offers derivative contracts to some customers in connection with their risk management needs. These derivatives include back-to-back interest rate swaps. The Company manages the risk associated with these contracts by entering into an equal and offsetting derivative with a third-party dealer. These derivatives generally work together as an economic interest rate hedge, but the Company does not designate them for hedge accounting treatment. Consequently, changes in fair value of the corresponding derivative financial asset or liability were recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes occurred, typically resulting in no net earnings impact. The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities related to derivatives for customers with back-to-back interest rate swaps were recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
Notional
Fair Value
Amount
Balance Sheet Location
Asset
Liability
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2022
$
77,495
Other assets/liabilities
$
3,041
$
3,041
December 31, 2021
$
135,686
Other assets/liabilities
$
1,131
$
1,131
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The gross gains and losses on these derivative assets and liabilities were recorded in other noninterest income and other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income as follows:
Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Gross swap gains
$
1,910
$
2,039
$
2,659
Gross swap losses
1,910
2,039
2,659
Net swap gains (losses)
$
-
$
-
$
-
The Company pledged $0 and $3.9 million in collateral to secure its obligations under back-to-back swap contracts at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Note 7: Loan Servicing
Mortgage and SBA loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and represent agency eligible multi-family, single-family and SBA loans. The risks inherent in servicing assets relate primarily to changes in prepayments that result from shifts in interest rates. Call protection is in place on multi-family loans to deter from prepayments on a 10-year sliding scale. The Company’s total servicing portfolio, primarily managed in the Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment, had an unpaid principal balance of $21.9 billion and $16.1 billion as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Included in the December 31, 2022 and 2021 amounts, respectively, were unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others of $13.1 billion and $10.6 billion, an unpaid principal balance of loans sub-serviced for others of $1.9 billion and $0.7 billion, and other servicing balances of $0.7 billion and $0. These loans are not included in the accompanying balance sheets. The Company also manages $6.2 billion and $4.8 billion of loans for customers that have loans on the balance sheet at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The servicing portfolio is primarily GNMA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac loans and is a significant source of our noninterest income and deposits.
The following summarizes the activity in servicing rights measured using the fair value method for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
110,348
$
82,604
$
74,387
Additions
Purchased servicing
-
2,057
-
Originated servicing
27,124
30,421
21,889
Subtractions
Paydowns
(10,985)
(16,691)
(7,838)
Sold servicing
-
(438)
-
Changes in fair value due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model
19,761
12,395
(5,834)
Balance, end of period
$
146,248
$
110,348
$
82,604
Contractually specified servicing fees for retained, purchased and sub-serviced loans were $21.4 million, $20.7 million, and $11.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
In connection with certain loan servicing and sub-servicing agreements, the Company is to reconcile the payments received monthly on these loans, for principal and interest, taxes, insurance, and replacement reserves. The funds are required to be maintained in separate trust accounts and not commingled with the Company’s general operating funds. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company held restricted escrow funds for these loans at the Bank or other financial institution, amounting to $777.7 million and $695.9 million, respectively.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 8: Goodwill and Intangibles
Goodwill at December 31, 2022 remained unchanged compared to December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s market capitalization was above its book value, despite stock market volatility, rising interest rate expectations and inflation fears. Goodwill represents the amount by which the cost of an acquisition exceeded the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate a goodwill impairment test should be performed. Based upon management’s assessment and evaluation of goodwill at year-end, the likelihood that an impairment of the current carrying amount of goodwill has occurred is considered remote.
Multifamily
Banking
Warehouse
Total
Multifamily
Banking
Warehouse
Total
Multifamily
Banking
Warehouse
Total
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
3,791
$
8,353
$
3,701
$
15,845
$
3,791
$
8,353
$
3,701
$
15,845
$
3,791
$
8,353
$
3,701
$
15,845
Goodwill acquired during the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post-acquisition adjustments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Impairment losses
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance, end of period
$
3,791
$
8,353
$
3,701
$
15,845
$
3,791
$
8,353
$
3,701
$
15,845
$
3,791
$
8,353
$
3,701
$
15,845
In conjunction with the acquisition of MCS on August 15, 2017, the Company recorded goodwill of $3.8 million in the Multi-family segment, after reflecting a purchase accounting adjustment of $412,000, related to contingent consideration for loans closed after the acquisition date, that increased goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company also recorded intangible assets for licenses and trade names as summarized below. The licenses are being amortized over 84 months and trade names are being amortized over 120 months, both using the straight-line method. Amortization of these intangible assets was $218,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
In conjunction with the acquisition of FMBI on January 2, 2018, the Company recorded goodwill of $988,000 in the Banking segment during the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company also recorded intangible assets for core deposits, as summarized below. The core deposit intangibles are being amortized over 10 years using the accelerated sum of the years digits method. Amortization for these intangible assets was $53,000, $64,000 and $75,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
In conjunction with the acquisition of Farmers-Merchants National Bank of Paxton (“FMNBP”) on October 1, 2018, the Company recorded goodwill of $6.9 million in the Banking segment during the year ended December 31, 2018. A $333,000 purchase accounting adjustment, primarily related to the valuation of securities decreased goodwill during 2019. The Company also recorded intangible assets for core deposits, as summarized below. The core deposit intangibles are being amortized over 10 years using the accelerated sum of the years digits method. Amortization for these intangible assets was $250,000, $294,000 and $326,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
In conjunction with the acquisition of the assets of NattyMac, LLC on December 31, 2018, the Company recorded goodwill of $3.7 million in the Warehouse segment, after reflecting a $1.6 million transfer to intangible assets and a $271,000 purchase accounting adjustment related to contingent consideration that increased goodwill during 2019. Intangible assets of $1.6 million, related to customer lists, were recorded and amortized over 21 months using the
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
straight-line method. Accumulated amortization of these intangible assets was $1.6 million and are fully amortized as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Gross
Gross
Gross
Carrying
Accumulated
Carrying
Accumulated
Carrying
Accumulated
Amount
Amortization
Total
Amount
Amortization
Total
Amount
Amortization
Total
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
Licenses
$
1,370
$
(1,052)
$
$
1,370
$
(856)
$
$
1,370
$
(661)
$
Trade names
(120)
(98)
(75)
Customer list
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,570
(1,570)
-
Core deposit intangible
2,417
(1,653)
2,417
(1,350)
1,067
2,417
(992)
1,425
Total intangible Assets
$
4,011
$
(2,825)
$
1,186
$
4,011
$
(2,304)
$
1,707
$
5,581
$
(3,298)
$
2,283
Estimated amortization expense for future years is as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
$
Thereafter
Total
$
1,186
Note 9: Premises and Equipment
Major classifications of premises and equipment, stated at cost, are as follows:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Land
$
3,696
$
3,097
Buildings
29,661
25,214
Leasehold improvements
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and software
10,500
9,759
Total cost
44,167
38,307
Accumulated depreciation
(8,729)
(7,095)
Net premises and equipment
$
35,438
$
31,212
Note 10: Leases
The Company has operating leases for various locations with terms ranging from two to eleven years. Some operating leases included options to extend. The extensions were included in the right-of-use asset if the likelihood of extension was fairly certain. The Company elected not to separate non-lease components from lease components for its operating leases.
The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) ASU 2016-02 - Leases, and recorded an initial right-of-use asset and operating lease liability on January 1, 2022. An operating right-of-use assets was $11.0 million and an operating right-of-use liability was $12.0 million as of December 31, 2022.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Balance sheet, income statement and cash flow detail regarding operating leases follows:
December 31, 2022
Balance Sheet
(In thousands)
Operating lease right-of-of use asset (in other assets)
$
10,969
Operating lease liability (in other liabilities)
11,992
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
6.5
Weighted average discount rate
2.65%
Maturities of lease liabilities:
$
2,181
2,321
1,881
1,911
1,853
Thereafter
2,902
Total future minimum lease payments
13,049
Less: imputed interest
1,057
Total
$
11,992
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Income Statement
(In thousands)
Components of lease expense:
Operating lease cost (in occupancy and equipment expense)
$
2,033
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Cash Flow Statement
(In thousands)
Supplemental cash flow information:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
1,461
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02 - Leases, the Company had several non-cancellable operating leases, primarily for office space. Rental expense for these leases were $1.5 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Due within one year
$
1,570
Due in one year to two years
1,776
Due in two years to three years
1,568
Due in three years to four years
Due in four years to five years
Thereafter
2,154
Total minimum lease payments
$
8,979
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 11: Other Assets and Receivables
The following items are included in other assets and receivables in the consolidated balance sheets.
Investment in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Limited Partnerships
The Company invests in low-income housing tax credit limited partnerships. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the balance of the investments for low-income housing tax credit limited partnerships was $73.0 million and $31.5 million, respectively. The Company also became a minority investor in several limited partnerships of syndicated funds during 2022, 2021, and 2020 in which it is obligated to make additional investments over the next several years. There was an obligation of $36.8 million and $24.4 million reflected in the investment balances at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 the Company recorded amortization expense of $2.1 million, $2.0 million, and $ 1.8 million, respectively. Expected tax credits related to these investments were $2.1 million for the 2022 tax year, $2.0 million for the 2021 tax year, and $2.0 million for the 2020 tax year. The Company expects to receive additional tax credits and other benefits in 2023 and will continue to amortize these investments based on the proportional amortization method.
Joint Ventures
The Company has investments in various joint ventures totaling $37.5 million and $31.0 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These investments are primarily made of up of investments in debt funds totaling $29.8 million and $25.6 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company was not a primary beneficiary in any of these investments since January 31, 2021. Results from these entities have not been consolidated since that time and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company is obligated to make additional investments over the next several years. There was an obligation of $3.5 million and $10.4 million reflected in the investment balance at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 12: Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) for additional information about VIE’s.
Other Receivables
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had other receivables of $10.5 million and $11.7 million, respectively. These other receivables consisted of short-term receivables of $6.0 million and $6.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively, that represent trading gains recorded in income for multi-family loan sales for which payment has not yet been received. Other receivables also included $2.2 million and $0 for fees accrued but not yet received from low-income housing tax credit syndicated funds at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Also included in other receivables were $0 and $3.9 million of receivable collateral recorded against outstanding hedges for back-to-back swaps for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Other items included in other assets and receivables on the consolidated balance sheets are disclosed elsewhere, or are not individually significant.
Note 12: Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)
A VIE is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets generally that either:
● Does not have equity investors with voting rights that can directly or indirectly make decisions about the entity’s activities through those voting rights or similar rights; or
● Has equity investors that do not provide sufficient equity for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support.
The Company has invested in single-family, multi-family, and healthcare debt financing entities, as well as low-income housing syndicated funds that are deemed to be VIEs. The Company also has deemed as a VIE, a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) trust that was established in conjunction with the September 2022 multi-
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
family loan sale and securitization described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. Accordingly, the entities were assessed for potential consolidation under the VIE model that requires primary beneficiaries to consolidate the entity’s results. A primary beneficiary is defined as the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity, and an interest that could be significant to the entity. To determine if an interest could be significant to the entity, both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size and form of involvement with the entity are evaluated.
At December 31, 2022 the Company determined it was not the primary beneficiary of its VIEs primarily because the Company did not have the obligation to absorb losses or the rights to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Evaluation and assessment of VIEs for consolidation is performed on an ongoing basis by management. Any changes in facts and circumstances occurring since the previous primary beneficiary determination will be considered as part of this ongoing assessment.
The Company’s maximum exposure to loss associated with its VIEs consists of the capital invested plus any unfunded equity commitments that are binding. These investments are recorded in other assets and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The table below reflects the size of the VIEs as well as our maximum exposure to loss in connection with VIEs at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Total
Total
Maximum
Assets ($ in thousands)
Assets
Liabilities
Exposure to Loss
(In thousands)
December 31, 2022
Unconsolidated VIEs
$
52,125
$
25,564
$
52,125
December 31, 2021
Unconsolidated VIEs
$
36,573
$
21,014
$
36,164
In addition to the table above, the Company also has a VIE in a REMIC trust that was established in September 2022 in conjunction with a loan sale and securitization. Although the trust is not recognized on the balance sheet, the maximum exposure to loss is the carrying value of the security acquired as part of the securitization transaction, which was $871.8 million at December 31, 2022. This transaction is described in Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans.
Note 13: Deposits
Deposits were comprised of the following at and December 31, 2022 and 2021:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Demand deposits
$
4,047,238
$
4,943,937
Savings deposits
3,034,818
2,839,616
Certificates of deposit
2,989,289
1,199,060
Total deposits
$
10,071,345
$
8,982,613
Maturities for certificates of deposit are as follows:
December 31, 2022
(In thousands)
Due within one year
$
2,958,036
Due in one year to two years
21,409
Due in two years to three years
8,032
Due in three years to four years
1,190
Due in four years to five years
$
2,989,289
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more totaled $186.4 million at December 31, 2022 and $574.0 million at December 31, 2021.
Brokered deposit amounts at December 31, 2022 and 2021, were as follows:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Brokered certificates of deposit
$
2,681,198
$
551,809
Brokered savings deposits
81,532
357,840
Brokered deposit on demand accounts
1,250,141
$
2,762,743
$
2,159,790
Note 14: Borrowings
Borrowings were comprised of the following at December 31, 2022 and 2021:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Federal Reserve discount window borrowings
$
20,000
$
160,000
Short-term subordinated debt
21,000
17,000
FHLB advances
859,392
556,954
American Financial Exchange borrowing
30,000
300,000
Total borrowings
$
930,392
$
1,033,954
Federal Reserve Discount Window Borrowings
Federal Reserve discount window borrowings are secured by commercial, agricultural and construction loans totaling $2.4 billion. This arrangement has a maximum borrowing limit of collateral pledged multiplied by an advance rate. Borrowing maturities can range from 24 hours to up to a term of 90 days. Life to date, all Company borrowings were for a 24-hour period. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the outstanding balance was $20.0 million and $160.0 million, respectively. The December 31, 2022 advance was based on a fixed interest rate of 4.50% set by the Federal Reserve for Primary Credit institutions.
Short-Term Subordinated Debt
The Company entered into a warehouse financing arrangement in April 24, 2018, whereby a customer agreed to invest up to $30 million in the Company’s subordinated debt. The subordinated debt balance as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $21.0 million and $17.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, interest on the debt is paid quarterly by the Company at a rate equal to SOFR, plus 350 basis points, plus additional interest equal to 50% of the earnings generated. The agreement is automatically renewed annually on June 30th for one or more terms of two years each unless either party notifies the other party at least 180 days prior to its renewable date, of its desire not to continue the relationship. As of December 31, 2022, neither party had made a notification of its intent to cancel this arrangement.
FHLB Advances
FHLB advances are secured by mortgage loans totaling $2.8 billion at both December 31, 2022 and 2021. In addition, securities available for sale and securities purchased under agreements to resell with a carrying value of $298.6 million and $305.8 million were pledged as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the outstanding balance was $859.4 million and $557.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the FHLB advances had interest rates ranging from 1.62% to 4.90%, and were subject to restrictions or penalties in the event of prepayment. FHLB advances include an advance in the amount of $75.0 million at December 31, 2022 that was subject to a put option. The put option could be exercised by the FHLB on a semi-annual or quarterly basis until July
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2032. The first opportunity FHLB had to exercise the put option was on January 19, 2023, which they chose to exercise on that date.
American Financial Exchange Borrowing
The Company joined the American Financial Exchange (“AFX”) in January of 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company utilized unsecured overnight lending arrangements to borrow from other AFX members through extensions of credit. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, members of the AFX offered a combined borrowing limit of $500.0 million and $350.0 million, respectively, but availability fluctuates daily. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance was $30.0 million with a rate of 4.60%. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance was $300.0 million with rates between 0.11% to 0.20%. Rates are set daily by participating members and may vary by lending member.
Maturities of borrowings were as follows at December 31, 2022:
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Federal Reserve
Short-Term
FHLB
American Financial
Borrowings
Discount Window
Subordinated Debt
Advances
Exchange Borrowing
Total
(In thousands)
Due within one year
$
20,000
$
-
$
725,342
$
30,000
$
775,342
Due in one year to two years
-
21,000
52,339
-
73,339
Due in two years to three years
-
-
5,320
-
5,320
Due in three years to four years
-
-
-
Due in four years to five years
-
-
-
Thereafter
-
-
75,956
-
75,956
$
20,000
$
21,000
$
859,392
$
30,000
$
930,392
At December 31, 2022, the Company had excess borrowing capacity of approximately $3.1 billion with the FHLB and the Federal Reserve discount window, based on available collateral.
Note 15: Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes includes these components for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Income tax expense
Current tax payable
Federal
$
51,306
$
55,936
$
48,409
State
15,384
16,580
15,107
Deferred tax payable
Federal
4,237
4,055
(529)
State
1,255
(163)
Income tax expense
$
71,421
$
77,826
$
62,824
Effective tax rate
24.5
%
25.5
%
25.8
%
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company’s actual income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, is shown below:
Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Computed at the statutory rate -21%
$
61,140
$
64,035
$
51,105
Increase resulting from
State income taxes
12,544
14,090
11,805
Tax Credits net of related amortization
(123)
Other
(2,320)
(307)
Actual tax expense
$
71,421
$
77,826
$
62,824
The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the balance sheet were:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets
Allowance for credit losses on loans
$
13,983
$
8,093
Unrealized loss on securities available for sale
3,530
Fair value adjustments on acquisitions
Other
3,945
3,955
Total assets
21,509
12,654
Deferred tax liabilities
Depreciation
(2,809)
(2,860)
Intangible assets
(338)
(298)
Servicing rights
(36,043)
(27,468)
Limited partnership investments
(1,831)
(1,097)
Other
(101)
(102)
Total liabilities
(41,122)
(31,825)
Net deferred tax liability
$
(19,613)
$
(19,171)
Note 16: Regulatory Matters
The Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI 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 federal and state banking regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, and other factors. Furthermore, the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s regulators could require adjustments to regulatory capital not reflected in these financial statements.
On November 13, 2019, the federal regulators finalized and adopted a regulatory capital rule establishing a new community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”), which became effective on January 1, 2020. Eligibility criteria to utilize CBLR included having total assets less than $10 billion and off-balance sheet exposures that were less than 25% of total assets, among others. The Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI elected to begin using CBLR in the first quarter of 2020 and utilized this measure of reporting through June 30, 2022.
At September 30, 2022 the Company’s total assets exceeded $10 billion, off-balance sheets exposures exceeded 25% of total assets, and the allowable grace periods under the CBLR rules expired. Accordingly, the Company has been reporting fully phased-in Basel III risk-based capital ratios since September 30, 2022.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below). Management believes, as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, that the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the most recent notifications from the Federal Reserve categorized the Company as well capitalized and most recent notifications from the FDIC categorized Merchants Bank and FMBI as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, or FMBI’s category.
The Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following tables.
Minimum
Amount Required
Minimum Amount
for Adequately
To Be Well
Actual
Capitalized(1)
Capitalized(1)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2022
Total capital(1) (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
$
1,507,968
12.2
%
$
992,883
8.0
%
$
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,427,738
11.7
%
975,853
8.0
%
1,219,817
10.0
%
FMBI
34,769
11.3
%
24,703
8.0
%
30,878
10.0
%
Tier I capital(1) (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
1,452,456
11.7
%
744,662
6.0
%
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,372,941
11.3
%
731,890
6.0
%
975,853
8.0
%
FMBI
34,054
11.0
%
18,527
6.0
%
24,703
8.0
%
Common Equity Tier I capital(1) (to risk-weighted assets)
Company
952,848
7.7
%
558,497
4.5
%
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,372,941
11.3
%
548,917
4.5
%
792,881
6.5
%
FMBI
34,054
11.0
%
13,895
4.5
%
20,071
6.5
%
Tier I capital(1) (to average assets)
Company
1,452,456
11.7
%
497,604
4.0
%
-
N/A
%
Merchants Bank
1,372,941
11.3
%
487,511
4.0
%
609,389
5.0
%
FMBI
34,054
10.7
%
12,702
4.0
%
15,878
5.0
%
(1) As defined by regulatory agencies.
Minimum
Amount Required
for Adequately
Actual
Capitalized(1)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2021
CBLR (Tier 1) capital(1) (to average assets)
(i.e., CBLR - leverage ratio)
Company
$
1,138,090
10.4
%
$
928,731
> 8.5
%
Merchants Bank
1,088,621
10.3
%
901,188
> 8.5
%
FMBI
28,958
9.7
%
25,499
> 8.5
%
(1) As defined by regulatory agencies.
The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments to shareholders is dividends received from Merchants Bank and FMBI. Banking statutes and regulations limit the maximum amount of dividends that a bank may
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
pay without requesting prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under Indiana law, Merchants Bank may not pay a dividend if such dividend would be greater than retained net income (as defined) for the current year plus those for the previous two years, subject to the capital requirements described above. Under Illinois law, FMBI may not pay dividends in an amount greater than its current net profits after deducting losses and bad debts out of undivided profits provided that its surplus equals or exceeds its capital. At December 31, 2022, the amount available, without prior regulatory approval, for dividends which could be paid by Merchants Bank and FMBI to the Company was $535.6 million.
Note 17: Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share were computed as follows for years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Year Ended December 31,
Weighted-
Per
Weighted-
Per
Weighted-
Per
Net
Average
Share
Net
Average
Share
Net
Average
Share
Income
Shares
Amount
Income
Shares
Amount
Income
Shares
Amount
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
Net income
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
Dividends on preferred stock
(25,983)
(20,873)
(14,473)
Net income allocated to common shareholders
$
193,738
$
206,231
$
166,060
Basic earnings per share
43,164,477
$
4.49
43,172,078
$
4.78
43,113,741
$
3.85
Effect of dilutive securities-restricted stock awards
152,427
153,225
53,372
Diluted earnings per share
43,316,904
$
4.47
43,325,303
$
4.76
43,167,113
$
3.85
Note 18: Common Stock
Stock Splits:
On November 17, 2021, the Company approved a 3-for-2 common stock split. Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 3, 2022 received one additional share of Merchants Bancorp common stock for every two shares owned. These additional shares were distributed on or around January 17, 2022. Cash was distributed in lieu of fractional shares based on the closing price of Merchants’ common stock on Nasdaq on January 3, 2022. The presentation of authorized common shares has been retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the increase, and all share and per share amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the split.
Repurchase of Common Stock:
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 165,037 shares for $3.9 million at an average price of $23.85 per share of common stock. The Company did not have any repurchases of common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021. The following table presents our repurchase activity on a cash basis:
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31,
December 31,
Dollar value of shares repurchased
$
3,935,333
$
-
Shares repurchased(1)
165,037
-
Average price paid per share
$
23.85
$
-
(1) On November 17, 2021, the Company announced an increase in authorization for its stock repurchase program, up to $75,000,000 of common stock, expiring December 31, 2023. On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) with a broker for the repurchase of shares of its common stock
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
commencing on May 3, 2022. The details of this repurchase plan were provided in the Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 24, 2022.
Note 19: Preferred Stock
Public Offerings of Preferred Stock:
On March 28, 2019, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, and with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $50.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $1.7 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $48.3 million. On April 12, 2019, the Company issued an additional 81,800 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an additional $2.0 million in net proceeds, after deducting $41,000 in underwriting discounts. The Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date on or after April 1, 2024, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
On August 19, 2019, the Company issued 5,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $125.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $4.2 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $120.8 million. The Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date on or after October 1, 2024, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
On March 23, 2021, the Company issued 6,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series C Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $150.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $5.1 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $144.9 million. The Series C Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date on or after April 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
On September 27, 2022, the Company issued 5,200,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $130.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $4.6 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $125.4 million. On September 30, 2022, the Company issued an additional 500,000 depositary shares of Series D Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an additional $12.1 million in net proceeds, after deducting $0.4 million in underwriting discounts. The Series D Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Series D Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series D Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option, on any dividend payment date on or after October 1, 2027, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
Private Placement Offerings of Preferred Stock:
The Company previously issued a total of 41,625 shares of 8% Non-Cumulative, Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (“8% Preferred Stock”) in private placement offerings.
On June 27, 2019 the Company issued an additional 874,000 shares of its 7.00% Series A Preferred Stock, without par value and with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $21.85 million. No underwriter or placement agent was involved in this private placement and the Company did not pay any brokerage or underwriting fees or discounts in connection with the issuance of such shares. The shares were purchased primarily by related parties, including Michael Petrie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Randall Rogers, Vice Chairman and a director and members of his family; Michael Dury, President and Chief Executive Officer of MCC; and other accredited investors.
On April 15, 2021, all 41,625 shares of the Company’s 8% preferred stock were redeemed for $41.6 million, plus unpaid dividends of $139,000. On May 6, 2021 these 8% preferred shareholders participated in a private offering to replace their redeemed shares with Series C Preferred Stock. Accordingly, 46,181 shares (1,847,233 depositary shares) of Series C Preferred Stock were issued at a price of $25 per depositary share. The total capital raised from the private offering was $46.2 million, net of $23,000 in expenses.
Repurchase of Preferred Stock:
On September 23, 2019 the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 874,000 shares of its 7.00% Series A Preferred Stock, for its liquidation preference of $25 per share, at an aggregate cost of $21.85 million. There were no brokerage fees in connection with the transaction.
On April 15, 2021, all 41,625 shares of the 8% Preferred Stock were redeemed for $41.6 million, plus unpaid dividends of $139,000, as noted above.
Note 20: Related Party Transactions
The Company has entered into transactions with certain directors, executive officers, and their affiliates or associates (related parties). Such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with other customers, and did not, in the opinion of management, involve more than normal credit risk or present other unfavorable features.
The Company held a 44.23% ownership in one of its key loan processing vendors in 2019. On November 9, 2020, Merchants Bancorp exchanged its 44.23% investment in this company for Merchants common shares currently held by the company, plus cash. The shares were then constructively retired by Merchants. This company had owned 15,000 shares of common stock (with no par value) that were issued with a basis of $10 per share, totaling $150,000. The investment was accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Fees paid to this company during the year ended December 31, 2020 were $2.7 million.
The Company holds a 30% ownership in a limited liability company (“the LLC”) that provides capital to the senior housing and healthcare sectors. The investment is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company received $24.8 million, $17.8 million and $6.5 million, respectively, of origination fees paid by borrowers to the Company for loans referred by the LLC. The LLC paid $17.1 million, $14.5 million and $4.5 million of those fees to the Company when the loans were closed during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company also received servicing income of $417,000, $69,000 and $8,000, respectively, of which the Company paid
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
$209,000, $34,000 and $4,000 to the LLC as fees. The Company recorded income of $4.1 million, $1.4 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, of which $3.8 million, $0.4 million and $0 was paid to the LLC for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, the Company paid a portion of its interest received to the LLC for certain loans of $6.7 million, $4.5 million, and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company retained a law firm of which a Board member of Merchants Bank is a partner. Services rendered are primarily related to documentation of current loan originations, and loan collections from Merchants Bank’s borrowers. Fees paid to the law firm, both directly and indirectly, totaled $9.4 million, $6.6 million, and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 respectively.
The Company purchased technology equipment and services for its new corporate headquarters building from a company previously owned until 2020 by a Board member of Merchants Bancorp. Fees paid directly and indirectly to this company totaled $13,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
In 2020 the Company launched a low-income housing tax credit syndication business through one of its subsidiaries and serves as a general partner. This business is generally funded through capital investments from external investors and in some cases by the Bank, in the form of limited partnership interests and bridge loans. The Bank also serves as a warehouse to acquire certain low-income housing tax credit projects until they are sold into the syndicated funds. Due to the short time between purchase and sale, no gain or loss was recognized on the sales during 2022, 2021 or 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company received $8.8 million, $6.4 million and $1.2 million in fees to syndicate these funds. At December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company also had loans outstanding, net of participations sold, to the syndicated funds of $49.0 million, $18.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively. The Company recorded $1.2 million, $189,000 and $20,000 in interest income for loans to the syndicated funds for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, the Company received financing fees of $1.1 million, $1.4 million and $65,000 during 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These financing fees, net of costs to originate are deferred as recognized in income over the life of the loan.
The Company has invested in single-family and multi-family debt financing entities (debt funds) through its subsidiaries. This business is funded through capital investments from external investors and by the Company, in the form of limited partnership interests. During 2020, one of the debt funds was wholly owned by the Company. During 2021, this debt fund was deconsolidated see Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company also serves as a warehouse to acquire certain loans until they are sold into the debt funds. These loans were sold into the debt funds shortly after closing; therefore, the Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the sales. The Company recorded income of $4.5 million and $0.7 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, of which $512,000 and $0 was distributed to the company for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, the Company also had loans outstanding, net of participations sold, to the debt funds of $35.7 million and $20.7 million. The Company recorded $50,000 and $456,000 in interest income for loans to the debt funds for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company sold loans to the debt funds totaling $884.2 million and $273.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. No gains or losses were recognized. Additionally, the Company purchased a security held to maturity with a carrying value of $248.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as part of a securitization completed by one of these debt funds.
Note 21: Employee Benefits
The Company offers employees a 401(k) plan. Pursuant to the plan agreement, matching contributions equal to 100% of the employees’ elective deferrals which did not exceed 3% of the employees’ compensation were made. In 2022, the Company began providing contributions to employee 401(k) plans, regardless of their participation levels. Employer contributions to the plans were $1.6 million, $1.4 million, and $859,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
The Company established an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) effective as of January 1, 2020 to provide certain benefits for all employees who meet certain requirements. Expense recognized for the contribution to the ESOP totaled $860,000, $595,000 and $537,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company contributed 20,709 shares, 29,149 shares, and 0 shares to the ESOP for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Note 22: Share-Based Payment Plans
Equity-based incentive awards for Company officers are currently issued pursuant to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”). Additionally, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a plan during 2018 for non-executive directors to receive a portion of their annual retainer fees in the form of shares of common stock equal to $10,000, rounded up to the nearest whole share. In January 2021, the Board of Directors amended the plan for non-executive directors to receive a portion of their annual fees, issued quarterly, in the form of restricted common stock equal to $50,000 per member, rounded up to the nearest whole share, to be effective after the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held in May 2021.
The following chart provides equity-based incentive awards and Board of Directors fees paid in shares for the years ending December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Equity-based incentive awards to Company officers:
Shares issued
64,962
23,435
78,773
Expenses recognized
$
1,870
$
1,198
$
Unvested shares awarded
280,974
374,598
265,569
Unrecognized compensation costs
$
5,817
$
4,499
$
3,071
Equity-based retainer fees to non-executive Board of Directors:
Shares issued
12,443
6,870
4,695
Expenses recognized
$
$
$
Note 23: Disclosures About Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. There is a hierarchy of three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities
Level 3
Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Recurring Measurements
The following tables present the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities recognized in the accompanying balance sheets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Fair
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Assets
Value
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2022
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
$
154,194
$
-
$
154,194
$
-
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
36,280
36,280
-
-
Federal agencies
271,890
-
271,890
-
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
15,167
-
15,167
-
Loans held for sale
82,192
-
82,192
-
Servicing rights
146,248
-
-
146,248
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments
-
-
Derivative assets - forward contracts
-
-
Derivative asset - interest rate swaps
3,030
-
3,030
-
Derivative asset - interest rate swaps (back-to-back)
3,041
-
3,041
-
Derivative liabilities - interest rate lock commitments
-
-
Derivative liabilities - forward contracts
-
-
Derivative liabilities - interest rate swaps (back-to-back)
3,041
-
3,041
-
December 31, 2021
Mortgage loans in process of securitization
$
569,239
$
-
$
569,239
$
-
Securities available for sale:
Treasury notes
8,209
8,209
-
-
Federal agencies
263,295
-
263,295
-
Municipals
4,300
-
4,300
-
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE)
18,360
-
18,360
-
Mortgage-backed - Non-GSE multi-family
16,465
-
16,465
-
Loans held for sale
48,583
-
48,583
-
Servicing rights
110,348
-
-
110,348
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments
-
-
Derivative assets - forward contracts
-
-
Derivative assets - interest rate swaps (back-to-back)
1,131
-
1,131
-
Derivative liabilities - interest rate lock commitments
-
-
Derivative liabilities - forward contracts
-
-
Derivative liabilities - interest rate swap (back-to-back)
1,131
-
1,131
-
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. There have been no significant changes in the valuation techniques during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. For assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the process used to develop the reported fair value is described below.
Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization and Securities Available for Sale
Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities such as U.S. Treasuries are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or independent asset pricing services and pricing models, the inputs of which are market-based or independently sourced market parameters, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, volatilities, prepayments, defaults, cumulative loss projections and cash flows. Such securities are classified in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy including federal agencies, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities and Federal Housing Administration participation certificates. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.
Loans Held for Sale
Certain loans held for sale at fair value are saleable into the secondary mortgage markets and their fair values are estimated using observable quoted market or contracted prices, or market price equivalents, which would be used by other market participants. These saleable loans are considered Level 2.
Servicing Rights
Servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. Accordingly, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow models having significant inputs of discount rate, prepayment speed, cost of servicing, interest rates, and default rate. Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, servicing rights are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.
The Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) office contracts with a pricing specialist to generate fair value estimates on a quarterly basis. The CFO’s office challenges the reasonableness of the assumptions used and reviews the methodology to ensure the estimated fair value complies with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company estimates the fair value of interest rate lock commitments based on the value of the underlying mortgage loan, quoted mortgage backed security prices, estimates of the fair value of the servicing rights, and an estimate of the probability that the mortgage loan will fund within the terms of the interest rate lock commitment, net of expenses. With respect to its interest rate lock commitments, management determined that a Level 3 classification was most appropriate based on the various significant unobservable inputs utilized in estimating the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments. The Company estimates the fair value of forward sales commitments based on market quotes of mortgage backed security prices for securities similar to the ones used, which are considered Level 2. The fair value of interest rate swaps is based on prices that are obtained from a third-party that uses observable market inputs, thereby supporting a Level 2 classification. Changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are recognized through noninterest income and/or noninterest expense on its condensed consolidated statement of income.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Level 3 Reconciliation
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of recurring fair value measurements recognized in the accompanying balance sheets using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Servicing rights
Balance, beginning of period
$
110,348
$
82,604
$
74,387
Additions
Purchased servicing
-
2,057
-
Originated servicing
27,124
30,421
21,889
Subtractions
Paydowns
(10,985)
(16,691)
(7,838)
Sales of servicing
-
(438)
-
Changes in fair value due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model
19,761
12,395
(5,834)
Balance, end of period
$
146,248
$
110,348
$
82,604
Derivative Assets - interest rate lock commitments
Balance, beginning of period
$
$
6,131
$
Changes in fair value
(236)
(5,867)
5,945
Balance, end of period
$
$
$
6,131
Derivative Liabilities - interest rate lock commitments
Balance, beginning of period
$
$
-
$
-
Changes in fair value
(18)
-
Balance, end of period
$
$
-
Nonrecurring Measurements
The following table presents the fair value measurement of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Fair
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Assets
Value
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2022
Impaired loans (collateral-dependent)
$
4,465
$
-
$
-
$
4,465
December 31, 2021
Impaired loans (collateral-dependent)
$
4,263
$
-
$
-
$
4,263
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheet, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. For assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the process used to develop the reported fair value is described below.
Collateral Dependent Loans, Net of ACL-Loans
The estimated fair value of collateral dependent loans is based on the appraised fair value of the collateral, less estimated cost to sell. Collateral dependent loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company considers the appraisal or evaluation as the starting point for determining fair value and then considers other factors and events in the environment that may affect the fair value. Appraisals of the collateral underlying collateral dependent loans are obtained when the loan is determined to be collateral-dependent and subsequently as deemed necessary by the Chief Credit Officer’s (“CCO”) office. Appraisals and evaluations are reviewed for accuracy and consistency by the CCO’s office. Appraisers are selected from the list of approved appraisers maintained by management. The appraised values are reduced by discounts to consider lack of marketability and estimated cost to sell if repayment or satisfaction of the loan is dependent on the sale of the collateral. These discounts and estimates are developed by the CCO’s office by comparison to historical results.
Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs:
The following table presents quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements other than goodwill.
Valuation
Weighted
Fair Value
Technique
Unobservable Inputs
Range
Average
(In thousands)
At December 31, 2022:
Collateral dependent loans
$
4,465
Market comparable properties
Marketability discount
4% - 54%
5%
Servicing rights - Multi-family
$
111,690
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
8% - 13%
9%
Constant prepayment rate
0% - 39%
8%
Servicing rights - Single-family
$
29,926
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
9% - 10%
9%
Constant prepayment rate
7% - 10%
7%
Servicing rights - SBA
$
4,632
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
16%
16%
Constant prepayment rate
3% - 12%
8%
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments
$
Discounted cash flow
Loan closing rates
60% - 87%
77%
Derivative liabilities - interest rate lock commitments
$
Discounted cash flow
Loan closing rates
60% - 87%
77%
At December 31, 2021:
Collateral-dependent impaired loans
$
4,263
Market comparable properties
Marketability discount
44% - 76%
73%
Servicing rights - Multi-family
$
84,567
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
8% - 13%
9%
Constant prepayment rate
0 - 50%
4%
Servicing rights - Single-family
$
23,012
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
9% - 10%
9%
Constant prepayment rate
10 - 13%
11%
Servicing rights - SBA
$
2,769
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
16%
16%
Constant prepayment rate
10% - 13%
12%
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments
$
Discounted cash flow
Loan closing rates
63% - 99%
83%
Derivative liabilities - interest rate lock commitments
$
Discounted cash flow
Loan closing rates
63% - 99%
83%
Sensitivity of Significant Unobservable Inputs
The following is a discussion of the sensitivity of significant unobservable inputs, the interrelationships between those inputs and other unobservable inputs used in recurring fair value measurement, and of how those inputs might magnify or mitigate the effect of changes in the unobservable inputs on the fair value measurement.
Servicing Rights
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s servicing rights are discount rates and constant prepayment rates. These two inputs can drive a significant amount of a market participant’s valuation of servicing rights. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate or assumed constant prepayment rates used to value servicing rights would decrease (increase) the value derived.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Carrying
Fair
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Assets
Value
Value
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2022
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
226,164
$
226,164
$
226,164
$
-
$
-
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
3,464
3,464
-
3,464
-
Securities held to maturity
1,119,078
1,118,966
-
247,182
871,784
FHLB stock
39,130
39,130
-
39,130
-
Loans held for sale
2,828,384
2,828,384
-
2,828,384
-
Loans receivable, net
7,426,858
7,431,731
-
-
7,431,731
Interest receivable
56,262
56,262
-
56,262
-
Financial liabilities:
Deposits
10,071,345
10,064,941
7,082,056
2,982,885
-
Short-term subordinated debt
21,000
21,000
-
21,000
-
FHLB advances
859,392
858,984
-
858,984
-
Other borrowing
50,000
50,000
-
50,000
-
Interest payable
23,384
23,384
-
23,384
-
December 31, 2021
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,032,614
$
1,032,614
$
1,032,614
$
-
$
-
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
5,888
5,888
-
5,888
-
FHLB stock
29,588
29,588
-
29,588
-
Loans held for sale
3,254,616
3,254,616
-
3,254,616
-
Loans receivable, net
5,751,319
5,731,500
-
-
5,731,500
Interest receivable
24,103
24,103
-
24,103
-
Financial liabilities:
Deposits
8,982,613
8,982,680
7,783,553
1,199,127
-
Short-term subordinated debt
17,000
17,000
-
17,000
-
FHLB advances
556,954
556,925
-
556,925
-
Other borrowing
460,000
460,000
-
460,000
-
Interest payable
1,469
1,469
-
1,469
-
Note 24: Significant Estimates and Concentrations
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require disclosure of certain significant estimates and current vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations. Estimates related to the provision and allowance for credit losses are reflected in the footnotes regarding loans and the allowance for credit losses on loans (Notes 1 and 5). Estimates related to servicing rights are reflected in the notes on servicing rights and loan servicing (Notes 1 and 7). Estimates related to fair values are reflected in the footnote regarding fair values (Note 23). Current
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations of credit risk are discussed in the footnote on commitments, credit risk, and contingencies (Note 25). Other significant estimates and concentrations not discussed in those footnotes include:
Mortgage-backed Securities and Secondary Mortgage Market Programs
The Company is involved in government programs for issuing mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The objective of these programs is to facilitate secondary market activities in order to provide funding for the multi-family mortgage market.
The Company is subject to cancellation of secondary mortgage market programs, rapid increases in general interest rates, and competition associated with conventional mortgage programs. In addition, the Company could be responsible for covering shortfalls in amounts due to investors for delinquencies or foreclosures. No amounts have been reported in the consolidated financial statements since management believes that no near term financial losses will be incurred and these MBS programs will not be significantly affected by the controlling regulatory bodies.
Liquidity
In order to withstand rapidly changing market dynamics, the Company’s business model minimizes concentration risk by having significant sources of liquidity. It emphasizes the origination and investment in floating rate loans that adjust when market interest rates change and thereby minimize the interest rate risk inherent in fixed rate loans that lose value when rates rise, as they did during 2022. The Company also conservatively matches the duration of assets and liabilities. Its most liquid assets are in cash, short-term investments, including interest-bearing demand deposits, mortgage loans in process of securitization, loans held for sale, and warehouse lines of credit included in loans receivable. Taken together with its unused borrowing capacity of $3.1 billion, these totaled 54% of its $12.6 billion total assets at December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 93% of Merchants’ loan portfolio reprices within 30 days. Additionally, approximately 79% of its investment securities reprice within 30 days, with none maturing in more than 2 years.
Major Customer
The Company had no major customers whose business represented more than 10% of revenues during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 or 2020.
Note 25: Commitments, Credit Risk, and Contingencies
Financial Instruments
Merchants offers certain financial instruments, including commitments with contracts that contain credit risk to the Company and others that are subject to certain performance criteria by the client and or cancellation by the Company. Such commitments were as follows at December 31, 2022 and 2021:
December 31,
(In thousands)
Commitments subject to credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit
$
3,293,847
$
2,194,144
Standby letters of credit
108,312
105,894
Warehouse unfunded lines of warehouse credit
146,932
98,234
Total commitments subject to credit risk
$
3,549,091
$
2,398,272
Commitments subject to certain performance criteria and cancellation:
Outstanding commitments to originate loans
$
1,042,497
$
1,595,265
Unfunded construction draws
247,504
274,269
Unfunded warehouse and other lines of credit
3,183,257
2,323,686
Total commitments subject to certain performance criteria and cancellation
$
4,473,258
$
4,193,220
Included in the chart above are the following commitments that are subject to credit risk:
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commitments to extend credit. These are agreements to lend to a customer 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 customer’s credit worthiness 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.
Standby letters of credit. These instruments are irrevocable, conditional commitments issued by the Company or by another party on behalf of the Company, for a fee, to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party and they generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments to customers. The Company’s policy for obtaining collateral and/or guarantees and the nature thereof is generally the same as that involved extending commitments to its customers. The Company has not been required to fund nor has it incurred any losses on any standby letter of credit commitment during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 or 2020.
Included in the chart above are the following commitments that are subject to certain performance criteria and can be denied by the Company:
Outstanding commitments to originate loans. The Company has entered into lending commitments with customers who have applied for loans that are awaiting closing. The customers must meet certain credit and underwriting criteria before the Company is required to fund the loans. Closing and funding of the majority of these loans is contingent upon various performance criteria by the potential borrower and the commitment may be rescinded by the Company. The Company may also enter into a corresponding sales commitment if it is the Company’s intent to close the loan and to sell the loan after closing.
Unfunded construction draws. Through the Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment, the Company has made commitments to fund certain FHA insured construction loans that are drawn upon throughout the construction period. These commitments are subject to certain performance criteria and inspections throughout the project, and funding can be denied by the Company. As construction draws are disbursed, the amounts are securitized and sold to Ginnie Mae, and the Company continues to service the loans.
Unfunded warehouse and other lines of credit. Through the Mortgage Warehousing segment, the Company has line of credit agreements with its non-depository financial institution customers engaged in mortgage lending. Funds drawn on the warehouse lines of credit are used by the borrowers to fund the loans they originate. The customers’ loans must meet certain credit and underwriting criteria before the Company will fund the draw requests on the lines of credit, and the draw requests can be denied by the Company. The majority of the warehouse lines of credit are unconditionally cancellable by the Company.
Allowance for credit losses - off-balance sheet credit exposures (ACL-OBCE). The ACL-OBCE is a liability account representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which the Company is exposed to credit risk resulting from contractual obligations to extend credit such as those included in the categories above. No allowance is recognized if there is an unconditional right to cancel the obligation. The amount of the allowance represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses on unfunded commitments expected to be funded over the contractual life of the commitment. The ACL-OBCE is adjusted through the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. The Company adopted CECL on January 1, 2022 and the impact at adoption is described in Note 1: Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies. As of December 31, 2022, the ACL-OBCE had a reserve balance of $7.8 million. This reserve is accounted for in other liabilities on the balance sheet.
Risk-Sharing Arrangements
As a Fannie Mae multifamily lender, Merchants assumes a limited portion of the risk of loss during the remaining term on each commercial mortgage loan that is sold to Fannie Mae. Under this loss sharing agreement, Merchants bears a risk of up to one-third of incurred losses resulting from borrower defaults. Accordingly, Merchants maintained a reserve liability for this risk-sharing obligation of $0.5 million at December 31, 2022 and $1.4 million at December 31, 2021. There have been no loans in default during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 or 2020.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Repurchase Obligations
Certain single-family loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may require the Company to repurchase loans if it is determined that the Company did not adhere to underwriting guidelines required by these government-sponsored entities. There was a reserve for potential obligations in other liabilities on the balance sheet for $0.9 million and $0.8 million at December 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Indemnification Agreements
As part of a Freddie Mac Q-Series Securitization transaction occurring in 2022, the Company established reserve liabilities in other liabilities on the balance sheet related to an indemnification agreement for potential loan losses. The Company established a reserve for contingent financial guarantees, which had a balance of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2022. The Company also established a non-contingent stand-by reserve, which had a balance of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2022. See Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans for additional information on this transaction.
Unconditional Investment Obligations
The Company is contractually obligated to provide additional capital funding to certain investments in low-income housing tax credit limited partnerships.. There was an unfunded liability for these investments of $36.8 million and $24.4 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, the Company had an unfunded liability to invest in debt fund joint ventures for $5.2 million and $10.3 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Both liability accounts are recorded in other liabilities on balance sheet. See Note 11: Other Assets and Receivables for additional information on these investments and joint ventures.
Other
The Company and its subsidiaries can be parties to various claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that the liabilities, if any, arising from such proceedings and claims will not be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Note 26: Segment Information
Our Company’s business segments are defined as Multi-family Mortgage Banking, Mortgage Warehousing, and Banking. The reportable business segments are consistent with the internal reporting and evaluation of the principal lines of business of the Company. The Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment originates and services government sponsored mortgages for multi-family and healthcare facilities. It is also a fully integrated syndicator of low-income housing tax credit and debt funds. The Mortgage Warehousing segment funds agency eligible residential loans from the date of origination or purchase, until the date of sale in the secondary market, as well as commercial loans to non-depository financial institutions. The Banking segment provides a wide range of financial products and services to consumers and businesses, including retail banking, commercial lending, agricultural lending, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lending. Other includes general and administrative expenses that provide services to all segments; internal funds transfer pricing offsets resulting from allocations to/from the other segments, certain elimination entries and investments in qualified affordable housing limited partnerships. All operations are domestic.
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The tables below present selected business segment financial information for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Multi-family
Mortgage
Mortgage
Banking
Warehousing
Banking
Other
Total
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Interest income
$
2,239
$
115,870
$
354,482
$
8,242
$
480,833
Interest expense
-
48,079
117,284
(3,081)
162,282
Net interest income
2,239
67,791
237,198
11,323
318,551
Provision for credit losses
1,153
16,105
-
17,295
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
1,086
67,754
221,093
11,323
301,256
Noninterest income
155,883
5,400
(26,177)
(9,170)
125,936
Noninterest expense
82,213
10,420
18,303
25,114
136,050
Income before income taxes
74,756
62,734
176,613
(22,961)
291,142
Income taxes
20,114
14,130
42,392
(5,215)
71,421
Net income
$
54,642
$
48,604
$
134,221
$
(17,746)
$
219,721
Total assets
$
351,274
$
2,519,810
$
9,587,544
$
156,599
$
12,615,227
Multi-family
Mortgage
Mortgage
Banking
Warehousing
Banking
Other
Total
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Interest income
$
$
134,120
$
171,465
$
5,344
$
311,886
Interest expense
-
8,930
28,076
(3,114)
33,892
Net interest income
125,190
143,389
8,458
277,994
Provision for credit losses
-
(1,022)
6,034
-
5,012
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
126,212
137,355
8,458
272,982
Noninterest income
141,605
12,399
7,755
(4,426)
157,333
Noninterest expense
71,486
11,949
24,137
17,813
125,385
Income before income taxes
71,076
126,662
120,973
(13,781)
304,930
Income taxes
19,572
31,503
30,115
(3,364)
77,826
Net income
$
51,504
$
95,159
$
90,858
$
(10,417)
$
227,104
Total assets
$
296,129
$
3,977,537
$
6,929,565
$
75,407
$
11,278,638
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Multi-family
Mortgage
Mortgage
Banking
Warehousing
Banking
Other
Total
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Interest income
$
1,163
$
163,488
$
115,304
$
2,835
$
282,790
Interest expense
-
27,325
35,749
(4,430)
58,644
Net interest income
1,163
136,163
79,555
7,265
224,146
Provision for credit losses
-
1,269
10,569
-
11,838
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
1,163
134,894
68,986
7,265
212,308
Noninterest income
80,690
21,163
29,443
(3,823)
127,473
Noninterest expense
41,386
13,367
26,537
15,134
96,424
Income before income taxes
40,467
142,690
71,892
(11,692)
243,357
Income taxes
11,295
36,361
18,255
(3,087)
62,824
Net income
$
29,172
$
106,329
$
53,637
$
(8,605)
$
180,533
Total assets
$
210,714
$
4,893,513
$
4,498,880
$
42,268
$
9,645,375
Note 27: Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company Only)
Presented below is condensed financial information of the Company as to financial position as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31,
(In thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
41,725
$
22,556
Investment in joint ventures
27,490
25,573
Investment in subsidiaries
1,415,173
1,134,898
Other assets
Total assets
$
1,484,605
$
1,183,128
Liabilities
Short-term subordinated debt
$
21,000
17,000
Unfunded commitments to joint ventures
3,521
10,350
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
24,866
27,719
Shareholders’ Equity
1,459,739
1,155,409
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,484,605
$
1,183,128
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Income
Dividends and return of capital from subsidiaries
39,775
33,447
29,773
Other Income
2,523
Total income
42,298
33,956
29,800
Expenses
Interest expense
4,333
3,797
3,972
Salaries and employee benefits
2,726
Professional fees
Other
Total expense
6,275
5,153
7,467
Income Before Income Tax and Equity in Undistributed Income of Subsidiaries
36,023
28,803
22,333
Income Tax Benefit
(698)
(1,174)
(1,911)
Income Before Equity in Undistributed Income of Subsidiaries
36,721
29,977
24,244
Equity in Undistributed Income of Subsidiaries
183,000
197,127
156,289
Net Income
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
Comprehensive Income
$
210,654
$
225,276
$
180,449
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Operating Activities
Net income
$
219,721
$
227,104
$
180,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities
(181,263)
(195,530)
(155,442)
Net cash provided by operating activities
38,458
31,574
25,091
Investing Activities
Contributed capital to subsidiaries
(110,000)
(116,176)
(2,760)
Purchase of limited partnership interests
(8,746)
(15,223)
-
Proceeds from sale of limited partnership interests
-
-
Other investing activity
-
-
(32)
Net cash used in investing activities
(118,746)
(131,399)
(2,526)
Financing Activities
Net change in lines of credit and subordinated debt
4,000
2,040
2,760
Dividends paid
(38,067)
(31,235)
(23,671)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
137,459
191,084
-
Redemption of preferred stock
-
(41,625)
-
Repurchase of common stock
(3,935)
-
-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
99,457
120,264
(20,911)
Net Change in Cash and Due From Banks
19,169
20,439
1,654
Cash and Due From Banks at Beginning of Year
22,556
2,117
Cash and Due From Banks at End of Year
$
41,725
$
22,556
$
2,117
Additional Cash Flows Information:
Payable for limited partnership interest
$
3,521
$
10,350
$
-
Redemption of common shares related to sale of limited partnership interests
$
-
$
-
$
(150)
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 28: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company continually monitors potential accounting pronouncement and SEC release changes. The following pronouncements and releases have been deemed to have the most applicability to the Company’s financial statements:
FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses
The Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”) on January 1, 2022. The amendments in this ASU replace the incurred loss model with a methodology that reflects the “current expected credit losses” over the life of the loan and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to calculate credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a new methodology that reflects expected credit losses over the lives of the loans and requires consideration of a broader range of information to form credit loss estimates. The ASU requires an organization to estimate all expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
As of the adoption date on January 1, 2022, the Company recorded a $3.6 million decrease, net of taxes, to retained earnings for the cumulative effect of adopting CECL. The transition adjustment included a $0.3 million increase to retained earnings related to ACL-Loans and a $5.2 million decrease to retained earnings related to ACL-OBCEs.
FASB ASU 2016-02, Leases
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date:
● A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and
● A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.
Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The new lease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach.
The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2022 and has elected the alternative transition method whereby comparative periods will not be restated. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. At the adoption date, the Company reported increased assets of approximately $7.1 million, liabilities of approximately $7.2 million, and retained earnings, net of tax of $110,000 on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to non-cancelable operating lease agreements.
FASB ASU 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary, optional guidance to ease the potential
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, the transition away from the LIBOR or other interbank offered rate on financial reporting. To help with the transition to new reference rates, the ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to affected contract modifications and hedge accounting relationships. The main provisions include:
● A change in a contract’s reference interest rate would be accounted for as a continuation of that contract rather than as the creation of a new one for contracts, including loans, debt, leases, and other arrangements, that meet specific criteria.
● When updating its hedging strategies in response to reference rate reform, an entity would be allowed to preserve its hedge accounting.
The Company adopted this new guidance in 2022 after organizing a committee to evaluate potential implications. A transition plan was implemented to identify and modify its loans and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR. All new contracts have incorporated language to address any required transition from LIBOR. The Company will continue to monitor and evaluate existing contracts throughout 2023. The Company believes the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU 2022-02 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures
In February 2022, the FASB issued an ASU update to eliminate the recognition and measurement guidance on troubled debt restructurings for creditors that have adopted CECL and require enhanced disclosures about loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The new guidance also requires public business entities to present current-period gross write-offs (on a current year-to-date basis for interim-period disclosures) by year of origination in their vintage disclosures. These changes would be applied on a prospective basis. Disclosure would not be required to prior period comparative periods.
The updates in ASU 2022-02 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of adopting this new guidance but does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Note 29: Quarterly Condensed Financial Information (Unaudited)
The following tables present the unaudited quarterly condensed financial information for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022 Quarter Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
March 31
June 30
September 30
December 31
Interest income
$
76,012
$
89,270
$
134,112
$
181,439
Interest expense
10,287
17,239
48,727
86,029
Net interest income
65,725
72,031
85,385
95,410
Provision for credit losses
2,451
6,212
2,225
6,407
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
63,274
65,819
83,160
89,003
Noninterest income
34,597
39,171
29,186
22,982
Noninterest expense
31,033
32,957
34,951
37,109
Income before income taxes
66,838
72,033
77,395
74,876
Income taxes
16,696
18,098
18,907
17,720
Net income
50,142
53,935
58,488
57,156
Less: preferred stock dividends
5,728
5,729
5,729
8,797
Net income allocated to common shareholders
$
44,414
$
48,206
$
52,759
$
48,359
Per common share data:
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.03
$
1.12
$
1.22
$
1.12
Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.02
$
1.11
$
1.22
$
1.12
Merchants Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2021 Quarter Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
March 31
June 30
September 30
December 31
Interest income
$
79,549
$
72,438
$
77,314
$
82,585
Interest expense
7,586
8,031
8,433
9,842
Net interest income
71,963
64,407
68,881
72,743
Provision for credit losses
1,663
(315)
1,079
2,585
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
70,300
64,722
67,802
70,158
Noninterest income
43,936
32,855
40,271
40,271
Noninterest expense
30,084
28,183
29,472
37,646
Income before income taxes
84,152
69,394
78,601
72,783
Income taxes
22,169
17,977
20,098
17,582
Net income
61,983
51,417
58,503
55,201
Less: preferred stock dividends
3,757
5,659
5,729
5,728
Net income allocated to common shareholders
$
58,226
$
45,758
$
52,774
$
49,473
Per common share data:
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.35
$
1.06
$
1.22
$
1.15
Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.35
$
1.06
$
1.22
$
1.14
Note 30: Subsequent Events
No material events were noted.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that it is able to collect the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC, and to record, process, summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified in the rules of the SEC. Based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures which took place as of December 31, 2022, the Chairman/CEO and CFO believe that these controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the Company is able to collect, process and disclose the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC within the required time periods.
Based on the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures by the Chairman/CEO and CFO; no changes occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022 in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of Merchants Bancorp (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s Chairman/CEO and CFO, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. This process includes those policies and procedures that:
● Pertain to the maintenance of records, that in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
● Provide reasonable assurance that the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that transactions of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
● Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention of overriding controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
Because of the inherent limitations, any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the control criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on such evaluation, we have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2022.
FORVIS, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has also audited the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. Their report expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders, Board of Directors and Audit Committee
Merchants Bancorp
Carmel, Indiana
Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Merchants Bancorp’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 21, 2022 and 2021, and statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and our report dated March 16, 2023,expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of reliable financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ FORVIS, LLP (Formerly, BKD, LLP)
FORVIS, LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 16, 2023

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by Item 10 will be in the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2022 Proxy Statement”) that will be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2022, which is incorporated by reference.
We have adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to directors, officers, and all other employees including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The text of the Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.merchantsbancorp.com, under the “Corporate Profile” section, or in print to any shareholder who requests it. We intend to post information regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Conduct on our website.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by Item 11 will be in the 2023 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated by reference.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
The information required by Item 12 will be in the 2023 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated by reference.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by Item 13 will be in the 2023 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated by reference.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required by Item 14 will be in the 2023 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated by reference.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) (1) and (2) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules.
The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules required to be filed in this Form 10-K are included in Part II, Item 8.
(a) (3) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Merchants Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed on May 24, 2022).
3.2
Articles of Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated September 27, 2022 designating the 8.25% Fixed Rate Reset Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form 8-A filed on September 27, 2022).
3.3
Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of Merchants Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed on November 20, 2017).
10.1*
Description of Incentive Plans for Michael F. Petrie, Chairman and CEO of Merchants Bancorp, Michael Dury, CEO of Merchants Capital Corp., and Michael J. Dunlap, Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Merchants Bancorp and CEO of Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference Item 5.02 of Form 8-K, filed on January 23, 2020).
10.2*
Description of Incentive Plan for Scott A. Evans, Director of Merchants Bancorp, and President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 10-K, filed on March 16, 2020).
10.3*
First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Merchants Capital Corp. and Michael R. Dury dated as of January 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2021).
10.4*
Merchants Bancorp 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Form S-1, filed on September 25, 2017).
(a) Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2018).
(b) Form of Award Agreement for Incentive Stock Options under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2018).
(c) Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Unit Awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2018).
(d) Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2018).
10.5*
Form of Change of Control Agreement entered into by Merchants Bancorp and each of Michael J. Dunlap, Scott A. Evans, Michael R. Dury, and John F. Macke (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2020).
21.1
Subsidiaries of Merchants Bancorp.
23.1
Consent of FORVIS, LLP.
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
101.SCH
101.CAL
101.DEF
101.LAB
101.PRE
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File - The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.