EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 803164
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 803164_10-K_2022_0001437749-22-006668.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1.
Business
General
ChoiceOne is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”). The Company was incorporated on February 24, 1986, as a Michigan corporation. The Company was formed to create a bank holding company for the purpose of acquiring all of the capital stock of ChoiceOne Bank, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company on April 6, 1987. Effective November 1, 2006, the Company merged with Valley Ridge Financial Corp., a one-bank holding company for Valley Ridge Bank (“VRB”). In December 2006, VRB was consolidated into ChoiceOne Bank. Effective October 1, 2019, County, a one-bank holding company for Lakestone Bank & Trust (“Lakestone”), merged with and into the Company. Lakestone was consolidated into ChoiceOne Bank in May 2020. On July 1, 2020, Community Shores Bank Corporation ("Community Shores"), a one bank holding company for Community Shores Bank, merged with and into the Company. Community Shores Bank was consolidated into ChoiceOne Bank in October 2020. ChoiceOne Bank owns all of the outstanding common stock of ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc., an independent insurance agency headquartered in Sparta, Michigan (the "Insurance Agency").
The Company's business is primarily concentrated in a single industry segment, banking. ChoiceOne Bank (referred to as the “Bank”) is a full-service banking institution that offers a variety of deposit, payment, credit and other financial services to all types of customers. These services include time, savings, and demand deposits, safe deposit services, and automated transaction machine services. Loans, both commercial and consumer, are extended primarily on a secured basis to corporations, partnerships and individuals. Commercial lending covers such categories as business, industry, agricultural, construction, inventory and real estate. The Bank’s consumer loan departments make direct and indirect loans to consumers and purchasers of residential and real property. In addition, the Bank offers trust and wealth management services. No material part of the business of the Company or the Bank is dependent upon a single customer or very few customers, the loss of which would have a materially adverse effect on the Company.
The Bank’s primary market areas lie within Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties in western Michigan, and Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties in southeastern Michigan in the communities where the Bank's respective offices are located. The Bank serves these markets through 32 full-service offices and three loan production offices. The Company and the Bank have no foreign assets or income.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had consolidated total assets of $2.4 billion, net loans of $1.0 billion, total deposits of $2.1 billion and total shareholders' equity of $221.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized consolidated net income of $22.0 million. The principal source of revenue for the Company and the Bank is interest and fees on loans. On a consolidated basis, interest and fees on loans accounted for 58%, 60%, and 64% of total revenues in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Interest on securities accounted for 19%, 11%, and 13% of total revenues in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. For more information about the Company's financial condition and results of operations, see the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this report.
The information under the heading “The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak” in Item 7 below is incorporated herein by reference.
Competition
The Bank’s competition primarily comes from other financial institutions located within Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties in western Michigan and Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties in southeastern Michigan. There are a number of larger commercial banks within the Bank’s primary market areas. The Bank also competes with a large number of other financial institutions, such as savings and loan associations, insurance companies, consumer finance companies, credit unions, internet banks and other financial technology companies, and commercial finance and leasing companies for deposits, loans and service business. Money market mutual funds, brokerage houses and nonfinancial institutions provide many of the financial services offered by the Bank. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources than the Bank. The principal methods of competition for financial services are price (the rates of interest charged for loans, the rates of interest paid for deposits and the fees charged for services) and the convenience and quality of services rendered to customers.
Supervision and Regulation
Banks and bank holding companies are extensively regulated. The Company is subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). The Company's activities are generally limited to owning or controlling banks and engaging in such other activities as the Federal Reserve Board may determine to be closely related to banking. Prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, and in some cases various other government agencies, is required for the Company to acquire control of any additional bank holding companies, banks or other operating subsidiaries. Under Federal Reserve Board policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support it.
The Bank is chartered under state law and is subject to regulation by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (“DIFS”). State banking laws place restrictions on various aspects of banking, including permitted activities, loan interest rates, branching, payment of dividends and capital and surplus requirements. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and is also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) to the maximum extent provided by law. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank system, which provides certain advantages to the Bank, including favorable borrowing rates for certain funds.
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. The Company's primary source of funds available to pay dividends to shareholders is dividends paid to it by the Bank. There are legal limitations on the extent to which the Bank can lend or otherwise supply funds to the Company. In addition, payment of dividends to the Company by the Bank is subject to various state and federal regulatory limitations.
The Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 authorized the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) to impose periodic assessments on all depository institutions. The purpose of these periodic assessments is to spread the cost of the interest payments on the outstanding FICO bonds issued to recapitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund (“SAIF”) over a larger number of institutions.
The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines to promote the safety and soundness of federally-insured depository institutions. These guidelines establish standards for, among other things, internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, asset quality and earnings.
The Company and the Bank are subject to regulatory “risk-based” capital guidelines. Failure to meet these capital guidelines could subject the Company or the Bank to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits, and other restrictions on its business. In addition, the Bank would generally not receive regulatory approval of any application that requires the consideration of capital adequacy, such as a branch or merger application, unless it could demonstrate a reasonable plan to meet the capital requirement within a reasonable period of time.
Under Federal Reserve Board policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank. In addition, if DIFS deems the Bank's capital to be impaired, DIFS may require the Bank to restore its capital by a special assessment on the Company as the Bank's sole shareholder. If the Company fails to pay any assessment, the Company’s directors will be required, under Michigan law, to sell the shares of the Bank's stock owned by the Company to the highest bidder at either a public or private auction and use the proceeds of the sale to restore the Bank's capital.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”) requires, among other things, federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA sets forth the following five capital categories: “well-capitalized,” “adequately-capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly-undercapitalized” and “critically-undercapitalized.” A depository institution's capital category will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures as established by regulation, which include Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratio measures and a leverage capital ratio measure. Under certain circumstances, the appropriate banking agency may treat a well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized, or undercapitalized institution as if the institution were in the next lower capital category.
Federal banking regulators are required to take specified mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must generally appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized. An institution in any of the undercapitalized categories is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal banking agency. An undercapitalized institution is also generally prohibited from paying any dividends, increasing its average total assets, making acquisitions, establishing any branches, accepting or renewing any brokered deposits or engaging in any new line of business, except under an accepted capital restoration plan or with FDIC approval.
On July 3, 2013, the FDIC Board of Directors approved the Regulatory Capital Interim Final Rule, implementing Basel III. This rule redefines Tier 1 capital as two components (Common Equity Tier 1 and Additional Tier 1), creates a new capital ratio (Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio) and implements a capital conservation buffer. It also revises the prompt corrective action thresholds and makes changes to risk weights for certain assets and off-balance-sheet exposures. The Bank was required to transition into the new rule beginning on January 1, 2015.
Banks are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, which have a material impact on their business. These include, among others, minimum capital requirements, state usury laws, state laws relating to fiduciaries, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Service Members Civil Relief Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Controls, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, electronic funds transfer laws, redlining laws, predatory lending laws, antitrust laws, environmental laws, money laundering laws and privacy laws. The monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board may influence the growth and distribution of bank loans, investments and deposits, and may also affect interest rates on loans and deposits. These policies may have a significant effect on the operating results of banks.
In general, the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to the business of banking. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies may engage in any activities that are financial in nature or complementary to a financial activity and do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system without prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments. The Company has elected to be a financial holding company.
In order for the Company to maintain financial holding company status, both the Company and the Bank must be categorized as "well-capitalized" and "well-managed" under applicable regulatory guidelines. If the Company or the Bank ceases to meet these requirements, the Federal Reserve Board may impose corrective capital and/or managerial requirements and place limitations on the Company’s ability to conduct the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies. In addition, if the deficiencies persist, the Federal Reserve Board may require the Company to divest of the Bank. The Company and the Bank were each categorized as "well-capitalized" and "well-managed" as of December 31, 2021.
Bank holding companies may acquire banks and other bank holding companies located in any state in the United States without regard to geographic restrictions or reciprocity requirements imposed by state banking law. Banks may also establish interstate branch networks through acquisitions of and mergers with other banks. The establishment of de novo interstate branches or the acquisition of individual branches of a bank in another state (rather than the acquisition of an out-of-state bank in its entirety) is allowed only if specifically authorized by state law.
Michigan banking laws do not significantly restrict interstate banking. The Michigan Banking Code permits, in appropriate circumstances and with the approval of DIFS, (1) acquisition of Michigan banks by FDIC-insured banks, savings banks or savings and loan associations located in other states, (2) sale by a Michigan bank of branches to an FDIC-insured bank, savings bank or savings and loan association located in a state in which a Michigan bank could purchase branches of the purchasing entity, (3) consolidation of Michigan banks and FDIC-insured banks, savings banks or savings and loan associations located in other states having laws permitting such consolidation, (4) establishment of branches in Michigan by FDIC-insured banks located in other states, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories or protectorates having laws permitting a Michigan bank to establish a branch in such jurisdiction, and (5) establishment by foreign banks of branches located in Michigan.
Banks are subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"). Under the terms of the CRA, the appropriate federal bank regulatory agency is required, in connection with its examination of a bank, to assess the bank's record in meeting the credit needs of the community served by that bank, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution. Under the CRA, institutions are assigned a rating of "outstanding," "satisfactory," "needs to improve," or "substantial non-compliance." The regulatory agency's assessment of the bank's record is made available to the public. Further, a bank's federal regulatory agency is required to assess the CRA compliance record of any bank that has applied to establish a new branch office that will accept deposits, relocate an office, or merge or consolidate with, or acquire the assets or assume the liabilities of, a federally regulated financial institution. In the case of a bank holding company applying for approval to acquire a bank or another bank holding company, the Federal Reserve Board will assess the CRA compliance record of each subsidiary bank of the applicant bank holding company, and such compliance records may be the basis for denying the application. Upon receiving notice that a subsidiary bank is rated less than "satisfactory," a financial holding company will be prohibited from additional activities that are permitted to be conducted by a financial holding company and from acquiring any company engaged in such activities. The CRA rating of the Bank was "Satisfactory" as of its most recent examination.
Effects of Compliance With Environmental Regulations
The nature of the business of the Bank is such that it holds title, on a temporary or permanent basis, to a number of parcels of real property. These include properties owned for branch offices and other business purposes as well as properties taken in or in lieu of foreclosure to satisfy loans in default. Under current state and federal laws, present and past owners of real property may be exposed to liability for the cost of cleanup of environmental contamination on or originating from those properties, even if they are wholly innocent of the actions that caused the contamination. These liabilities can be material and can exceed the value of the contaminated property. Management is not presently aware of any instances where compliance with these provisions will have a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company or the Bank, or where compliance with these provisions will adversely affect a borrower's ability to comply with the terms of loan contracts.
Employees
As of February 28, 2022, the Company, on a consolidated basis, employed 386 employees, of which 320 were full-time employees. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group. Management considers its employee relations to be good.
Statistical Information
Additional statistical information describing the business of the Company appears on the following pages and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this report and in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto in Item 8 of this report. The following statistical information should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes in this report. Average balances used in statistical information are calculated using daily averages, unless otherwise specified.
The Company did not hold investment securities from any one issuer at December 31, 2021, that were greater than 10% of the Company's shareholders' equity, exclusive of U.S. Government and U.S. Government agency securities.
Presented below is the fair value of securities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, a schedule of maturities of securities as of December 31, 2021, and the weighted average yields of securities as of December 31, 2021. Callable securities in the money are presumed called and matured at the callable date.
Securities maturing within:
Fair Value
Fair Value
Less than
1 Year -
5 Years -
More than
at Dec. 31,
at Dec. 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
10 Years
U.S. Government and federal agency
$ 2,008
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 2,008
$ 2,051
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
2,021
-
89,958
-
91,979
2,056
State and municipal (1)
20,776
42,569
366,634
104,868
534,847
320,368
Corporate
1,769
14,369
3,999
20,642
3,589
Asset-backed securities
-
6,641
9,653
-
16,294
-
Total debt securities
25,310
50,979
480,614
108,867
665,770
328,064
Mortgage-backed securities
18,315
113,991
291,088
9,721
433,115
246,723
Equity securities (2)
-
1,000
-
7,492
8,492
2,896
Total
$ 43,625
$ 165,970
$ 771,702
$ 126,080
$ 1,107,377
$ 577,683
Weighted average yields:
Less than
1 Year -
5 Years -
More than
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
10 Years
Total
U.S. Government and federal agency
1.98 %
- %
- %
- %
1.98 %
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
1.85
-
1.16
-
1.18
State and municipal (1)
2.71
2.95
2.50
2.31
2.51
Corporate
2.50
3.70
2.93
3.25
3.04
Asset-backed securities
-
0.60
0.84
-
0.74
Mortgage-backed securities
1.56
1.88
1.44
1.79
1.57
Equity securities (2)
-
4.61
-
-
0.54
(1) The yield is computed for tax-exempt securities on a fully tax-equivalent basis at an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2021.
(2) Equity securities are preferred and common stock that may or may not have a stated maturity.
Weighted average yields are based on the fair value of securities which are denoted in the table above. Callable securities in the money are presumed called and matured at the callable date.
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates
The following schedule presents the maturities of loans as of December 31, 2021. Loans are also classified according to the sensitivity to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2021.
(Dollars in thousands)
In one year
After one year
After five years
After fifteen
or less
through five years
through fifteen years
years
Total
Agricultural
$ 12,350
$ 29,426
$ 18,493
$ 4,550
$ 64,819
Commercial and industrial
47,704
98,651
56,183
203,024
Commercial real estate
39,844
256,366
220,123
9,551
525,884
Construction real estate
18,245
-
19,066
Consumer
1,244
18,099
15,542
35,174
Residential real estate
2,535
10,138
82,552
73,656
168,881
Totals
$ 121,922
$ 412,892
$ 392,893
$ 89,141
$ 1,016,848
(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed or
Floating or
predetermined rates
variable rates
Total
Loans maturing after one year:
Agricultural
$ 35,713
$ 16,756
$ 52,469
Commercial and industrial
133,803
21,516
155,319
Commercial real estate
396,942
89,098
486,040
Construction real estate
-
Consumer
33,511
33,931
Residential real estate
91,501
74,845
166,346
Totals
$ 692,291
$ 202,635
$ 894,926
Loan maturities are classified according to the contractual maturity date or the anticipated amortization period, whichever is appropriate. The anticipated amortization period is used in the case of loans where a balloon payment is due before the end of the loan’s normal amortization period. At the time the balloon payment is due, the loan can either be rewritten or payment in full can be requested. The decision regarding whether the loan will be rewritten or a payment in full will be requested will be based upon the loan’s payment history, the borrower’s current financial condition, and other relevant factors.
The following table reflects the composition of our allowance for loan loss, non-accrual loans, and nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans represented by each class of loans as of the dates indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
Commercial and industrial
Consumer
Commercial real estate
Construction real estate
Residential real estate
Loans
December 31, 2021
$ 64,819
$ 203,024
$ 35,174
$ 525,884
$ 19,066
$ 168,881
Allowance for loan losses year ended December 31, 2021
$
$ 1,454
$
$ 3,705
$
$
Allowance as a percentage of loan category
0.69 %
0.72 %
0.82 %
0.70 %
0.58 %
0.40 %
Nonaccrual loans year ended December 31, 2021
$
$
$ -
$
$ -
$
Nonaccrual as a percentage of loan category
0.48 %
0.14 %
0.00 %
0.05 %
0.00 %
0.50 %
Nonperforming loans year ended December 31, 2021
$ 2,117
$
$ -
$
$ -
$ 2,189
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of loan category
3.27 %
0.18 %
0.00 %
0.17 %
0.00 %
1.30 %
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
Commercial and industrial
Consumer
Commercial real estate
Construction real estate
Residential real estate
Loans
December 31, 2020
$ 53,735
$ 303,527
$ 34,014
$ 469,247
$ 16,639
$ 192,506
Allowance for loan losses year ended December 31, 2020
$
$ 1,327
$
$ 4,178
$
$ 1,300
Allowance as a percentage of loan category
0.48 %
0.44 %
0.93 %
0.89 %
0.58 %
0.68 %
Nonaccrual loans year ended December 31, 2020
$
$ 1,802
$
$ 3,088
$
$ 1,381
Nonaccrual as a percentage of loan category
0.65 %
0.59 %
0.02 %
0.66 %
0.48 %
0.72 %
Nonperforming loans year ended December 31, 2020
$
$ 1,802
$
$ 3,284
$
$ 2,722
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of loan category
0.65 %
0.59 %
0.02 %
0.70 %
0.48 %
1.41 %
Additions to the allowance for loan losses charged to operations during the periods shown were based on management’s judgment after considering factors such as loan loss experience, evaluation of the loan portfolio, and prevailing and anticipated economic conditions. The evaluation of the loan portfolio is based upon various risk factors such as the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral and other considerations, which, in the opinion of management, deserve current recognition in estimating loan losses.
The following schedule presents an allocation of the allowance for loan losses to the various loan categories as of the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
$
$
$
Commercial and industrial
1,454
1,327
Consumer
Real estate - commercial
3,705
4,178
1,663
Real estate - construction
Real estate - residential
1,300
Unallocated
1,010
Total Allowance
$ 7,688
$ 7,593
$ 4,057
Management periodically reviews the assumptions, loss ratios and delinquency trends in estimating the appropriate level of its allowance for loan losses and believes the unallocated portion of the total allowance was sufficient at December 31, 2021.
Deposits
The following schedule presents the average deposit balances by category and the average rates paid thereon for the respective years:
(Dollars in thousands)
Average Balance
Average Rate
Average Balance
Average Rate
Average Balance
Average Rate
Noninterest-bearing demand
$ 527,876
- %
$ 398,422
- %
$ 186,411
- %
Interest-bearing demand and money market deposits
791,886
0.23
571,693
0.32
278,444
0.56
Savings
398,969
0.14
267,217
0.11
109,028
0.07
Certificates of deposit
186,898
0.51
183,836
1.11
136,537
1.87
Total
$ 1,905,629
0.17 %
$ 1,421,168
0.29 %
$ 710,420
0.63 %
At December 31, 2021, the aggregate balance of time deposits exceeding the FDIC insured limit of $250,000 totaled $87.3 million. At December 31, 2021, 93% of uninsured time deposit accounts were scheduled to mature within one year. The maturity profile of uninsured time deposits at December 31, 2021 is as follows:
Amount of time deposits in uninsured accounts (Dollars in thousands)
Maturing in less than 3 months
$ 29,498
Maturing in 3 to 6 months
34,891
Maturing in 6 to 12 months
13,607
Maturing in more than 12 months
9,347
Total uninsured time deposits
$ 87,343
At December 31, 2021, the aggregate balance of all deposits exceeding the FDIC insured limit of $250,000 totaled $889.2 million, compared to $583.7 million and $323.8 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
At December 31, 2021, the Bank had no material foreign deposits.
Return on Equity and Assets
The following schedule presents certain financial ratios of the Company for the years ended December 31:
Return on assets (net income divided by average total assets)
1.02 %
0.94 %
0.85 %
Return on equity (net income divided by average equity)
9.79 %
7.28 %
6.48 %
Dividend payout ratio (dividends declared per share divided by net income per share)
32.67 %
39.54 %
80.97 %
Equity to assets ratio (average equity divided by average total assets)
10.44 %
12.97 %
13.08 %

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties. Although the Company seeks ways to manage these risks and develop programs to control risks to the extent that management can control them, the Company cannot predict the future. Actual results may differ materially from management’s expectations. Some of these significant risks and uncertainties are discussed below. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones that the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties of which the Company is unaware, or that it currently does not consider to be material, also may become important factors that affect the Company and its business. If any of these risks were to occur, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Related to the Company’s Business
The continuing COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact the Company’s and its customers’ business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The continuing COVID-19 pandemic is significantly disrupting the economy, financial markets, and societal norms in Michigan, the United States and across the world. Due to the nature of the pandemic, uncertainty and fluidity of the spread of the virus and its multiple variants, volatility of financial markets, and varied responses and actions from local, state and federal governments, including mandated shutdowns and other restrictive orders, it is impossible to predict the ultimate adverse impact COVID-19 could have on the Company and its customers. The effects of COVID-19 could, among other risks, result in a material increase in requests from the Company’s customers for loan deferrals, modifications to the terms of loans, or other borrower accommodations; have a material adverse impact on the financial condition of the Company’s customers, potentially impacting their ability to make payments to the Company as scheduled and driving an increase in delinquencies and loan losses; result in additional material provision for loan losses; result in a decreased demand for the Company’s loans; or negatively impact the Company’s ability to access capital on attractive terms or at all. Those effects could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s and its customers’ business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Asset quality could be less favorable than expected.
A significant source of risk for the Company arises from the possibility that losses will be sustained because borrowers, guarantors and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loan agreements. Most loans originated by the Company are secured, but some loans are unsecured depending on the nature of the loan. With respect to secured loans, the collateral securing the repayment of these loans includes a wide variety of real and personal property that may be insufficient to cover the obligations owed under such loans. Collateral values may be adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic, environmental and other conditions, including declines in the value of real estate, changes in interest rates, changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, terrorist activity, environmental contamination and other external events.
The Company’s allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual loan losses.
The risk of nonpayment of loans is inherent in all lending activities and nonpayment of loans may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings and overall financial condition, and the value of its common stock. The Company makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of its loan portfolio and provides an allowance for potential losses based on a number of factors. If its assumptions are wrong, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and may cause it to increase the allowance in the future. The actual amount of future provisions for loan losses cannot now be determined and may exceed the amounts of past provisions for loan losses. Federal and state banking regulators, as an integral part of their supervisory function, periodically review the allowance for loan losses. These regulatory agencies may require the Company to increase its provision for loan losses or to recognize further loan charge-offs based upon their judgments, which may be different from the Company’s judgments. Any increase in the allowance for loan losses could have a negative effect on the Company’s regulatory capital ratios, net income, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, a large portion of the loan portfolio was marked to fair value as part of the mergers with County and Community Shores and does not carry an allowance as management determined no credit deterioration had occurred since the effective date of the merger.
General economic conditions in the state of Michigan could be less favorable than expected.
The Company is affected by general economic conditions in the United States, although most directly within Michigan. An economic downturn within Michigan could negatively impact household and corporate incomes. This impact may lead to decreased demand for both loan and deposit products and increase the number of customers who fail to pay interest or principal on their loans.
The Company could be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions, including defaults by larger financial institutions.
The Company's ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of credit, trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships between financial institutions. The Company has exposure to multiple counterparties, and it routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial industry. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by the Company or by other institutions. This is sometimes referred to as "systemic risk" and may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, clearing houses, banks, securities firms and exchanges, with which the Company interacts on a daily basis, and therefore could adversely affect the Company.
If the Company does not adjust to changes in the financial services industry, its financial performance may suffer.
The Company’s ability to maintain its financial performance and return on investment to shareholders will depend in part on its ability to maintain and grow its core deposit customer base and expand its financial services to its existing customers. In addition to other banks, competitors include credit unions, securities dealers, brokers, mortgage bankers, investment advisors, internet banks and other financial technology companies, and finance and insurance companies. The increasingly competitive environment is, in part, a result of changes in the economic environment within the state of Michigan, regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems and consolidation among financial service providers. New competitors may emerge to increase the degree of competition for the Company’s customers and services. Financial services and products are also constantly changing. The Company’s financial performance will also depend in part upon customer demand for the Company’s products and services and the Company’s ability to develop and offer competitive financial products and services.
Changes in interest rates could reduce the Company's income and cash flow.
The Company’s income and cash flow depends, to a great extent, on the difference between the interest earned on loans and securities, and the interest paid on deposits and other borrowings. Market interest rates are beyond the Company’s control, and they fluctuate in response to general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies including, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships, will influence the origination of loans, the purchase of investments, the generation of deposits and the rate received on loans and securities and paid on deposits and other borrowings.
Interest rates on our outstanding financial instruments might be subject to change based on regulatory developments, which could adversely affect our revenue, expenses, and the value of those financial instruments.
LIBOR and certain other “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, publicly announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. In November 2020, the FCA announced that it would continue to publish LIBOR rates through June 30, 2023. It is unclear whether, or in what form, LIBOR will continue to exist after that date. Any uncertainty regarding the continued use and reliability of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate could adversely affect the value of our floating rate obligations, loans, deposits, and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, as well as the revenue and expenses associated with those financial instruments. While, at this time, it appears that consensus is growing around using the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as an alternative to LIBOR, it remains to be determined whether this will ultimately be the case and what the impact of a possible transition to SOFR or other alternative reference rates may have on our business, financial results and results of operations. We could become subject to litigation and other types of disputes as a consequence of the transition from LIBOR to SOFR or another alternative reference rate, which could subject us to increased legal expenses, monetary damages and reputational harm.
The Company is subject to liquidity risk in its operations, which could adversely affect its ability to fund various obligations.
Liquidity risk is the possibility of being unable to meet obligations as they come due or capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit obligations to borrowers, loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of debt, dividends to shareholders, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Liquidity is derived primarily from retail deposit growth and earnings retention, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, net cash provided from operations and access to other funding. If the Company is unable to maintain adequate liquidity, then its business, financial condition and results of operations would be negatively affected.
The Company has significant exposure to risks associated with commercial and residential real estate.
A substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio consists of commercial and residential real estate-related loans, including real estate development, construction and residential and commercial mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $545.0 million of commercial and construction real estate loans outstanding, which represented approximately 54% of its loan portfolio. As of that same date, the Company had approximately $168.9 million in residential real estate loans outstanding, or approximately 17% of its loan portfolio. Consequently, real estate-related credit risks are a significant concern for the Company. The adverse consequences from real estate-related credit risks tend to be cyclical and are often driven by national economic developments that are not controllable or entirely foreseeable by the Company or its borrowers.
Commercial loans may expose the Company to greater financial and credit risk than other loans.
The Company’s commercial and industrial loan portfolio, including commercial mortgages, was approximately $203.0 million at December 31, 2021, comprising approximately 20% of its total loan portfolio. Commercial loans generally carry larger loan balances and can involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than other loans. Any significant failure to pay on time by the Company’s customers would hurt the Company’s earnings. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans are a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the size of loan balances, the effects of general economic conditions on income-producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.
Legislative or regulatory changes or actions could adversely impact the Company or the businesses in which it is engaged.
The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision and legislation that govern almost all aspects of their operations. Laws and regulations may change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors and the deposit insurance fund, and not to benefit the Company's shareholders. The impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies may negatively impact the Company or its ability to increase the value of its business. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of an institution, the classification of assets by the institution and the adequacy of an institution's allowance for loan losses. Future regulatory changes or accounting pronouncements may increase the Company's regulatory capital requirements or adversely affect its regulatory capital levels. Additionally, actions by regulatory agencies against the Company or the Bank could require the Company to devote significant time and resources to defending its business and may lead to penalties that materially affect the Company.
The Company relies heavily on its management and other key personnel, and the loss of any of them may adversely affect its operations.
The Company is and will continue to be dependent upon the services of its management team and other key personnel. Losing the services of one or more key members of the Company’s management team could adversely affect its operations.
The Company’s controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Management regularly reviews and updates the Company’s internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. If the Company fails to identify and remediate control deficiencies, it is possible that a material misstatement of interim or annual financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In addition, any failure or circumvention of the Company’s other controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may be a defendant in a variety of litigation and other actions, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
The Company and the Bank are regularly involved in a variety of litigation arising out of the normal course of business. The Company's insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against it, and any claims asserted against it, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm its reputation or cause the Company to incur unexpected expenses, which could be material in amount. Should the ultimate expenses, judgments or settlements in any litigation exceed the Company's insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company may not be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, nor may it be able to obtain adequate replacement policies with acceptable terms, if at all.
If the Company cannot raise additional capital when needed, its ability to further expand its operations through organic growth or acquisitions could be materially impaired.
The Company is required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain specified levels of capital to support its operations. The Company may need to raise additional capital to support its current level of assets or its growth. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside its control, and on its financial performance. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to raise additional capital in the future on terms acceptable to it or at all. If the Company cannot raise additional capital when needed, its ability to maintain its current level of assets or to expand its operations through organic growth or acquisitions could be materially limited.
Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or customer information, whether through a breach of computer systems or otherwise, could severely harm the Company's business.
As part of its business, the Company collects, processes and retains sensitive and confidential client and customer information on behalf of itself and other third parties. Despite the security measures the Company has in place for its facilities and systems, and the security measures of its third party service providers, the Company may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors or other similar events. Any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information, whether by the Company or by its vendors, could severely damage the Company's reputation, expose it to the risks of litigation and liability, disrupt the Company's operations and have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
The Company's information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.
The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business and deliver its products. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in the Company's customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of its information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company's information systems or its customers' information or computer systems would not damage the Company's reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject the Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose the Company to civil litigation and financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Cybersecurity incidents could disrupt business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.
Global cybersecurity threats and incidents can range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information technology (IT) systems to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats, directed at the Company and/or its third party service providers. Although we employ comprehensive measures to prevent, detect, address and mitigate these threats (including access controls, employee training, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, continuous monitoring of our IT networks and systems and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cybersecurity incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties) and the disruption of business operations. The potential consequences of a material cybersecurity incident include reputational damage, litigation with third parties and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs, which in turn could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Environmental liability associated with commercial lending could result in losses.
In the course of its business, the Company may acquire, through foreclosure, properties securing loans it has originated or purchased that are in default. Particularly in commercial real estate lending, there is a risk that hazardous substances could be discovered on these properties. In this event, the Company might be required to remove these substances from the affected properties at the Company's sole cost and expense. The cost of this removal could substantially exceed the value of affected properties. The Company may not have adequate remedies against the prior owner or other responsible parties and could find it difficult or impossible to sell the affected properties. These events could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company depends upon the accuracy and completeness of information about customers.
In deciding whether to extend credit to customers, the Company relies on information provided to it by its customers, including financial statements and other financial information. The Company may also rely on representations of customers as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and on reports of independent auditors on financial statements. The Company's financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent that the Company extends credit in reliance on financial statements that do not comply with generally accepted accounting principles or that are misleading or other information provided by customers that is false or misleading.
The Company operates in a highly competitive industry and market area.
The Company faces substantial competition in all areas of its operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources. Such competitors primarily include national and regional banks within the various markets where the Company operates, as well as internet banks and other financial technology companies. The Company also faces competition from many other types of financial institutions, including savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries. The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. The Company competes with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making new loans. Technology has lowered barriers to entry into the market and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of the Company's competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures, such as credit unions that are not subject to federal income tax. Due to their size, many competitors may be able to achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than the Company can.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could significantly impact the Company's business.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, risks posed by an outbreak of a widespread epidemic or pandemic of disease (or widespread fear thereof), including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the Company's ability to conduct business. Such events could affect the stability of the Company's deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause the Company to incur additional expenses.
The Company relies on dividends from the Bank for most of its revenue.
The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank. It receives substantially all of its revenue from dividends from the Bank. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay cash dividends on the Company's common stock. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company. If the Bank is unable to pay dividends to the Company, the Company may not be able to pay cash dividends on its common stock. The earnings of the Bank have been the principal source of funds to pay cash dividends to shareholders. Over the long-term, cash dividends to shareholders are dependent upon earnings, as well as capital requirements, regulatory restraints and other factors affecting the Company and the Bank.
Additional risks and uncertainties could have a negative effect on financial performance.
Additional factors could have a negative effect on the financial performance of the Company and the Company’s common stock. Some of these factors are financial market conditions, changes in financial accounting and reporting standards, new litigation or changes in existing litigation, regulatory actions and losses.
Risks Related to the Company’s Common Stock
Investments in the Company’s common stock involve risk.
The market price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, including:
● The impact associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
● Variations in quarterly or annual operating results
● Changes in dividends per share
● Changes in interest rates
● New developments, laws or regulations in the banking industry
● Acquisitions or business combinations involving the Company or its competition
● Regulatory actions, including changes to regulatory capital levels, the components of regulatory capital and how regulatory capital is calculated
● Volatility of stock market prices and volumes
● Changes in market valuations of similar companies
● New litigation or contingencies or changes in existing litigation or contingencies
● Changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies
● Rumors or erroneous information
● Credit and capital availability
● Issuance of additional shares of common stock or other debt or equity securities of the Company
The Company's common stock, while publicly traded, has less liquidity than the average liquidity of stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Company's common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. However, the Company's common stock has less liquidity than the average liquidity for companies listed in the Nasdaq Stock Market. The public trading market for the Company's common stock depends on a marketplace of willing buyers and sellers at any given time, which in turn depends on factors outside of the Company's control, including general economic and market conditions and the decisions of individual investors. The limited market for the Company's common stock may affect a shareholder's ability to sell their shares at any given time, and the sale of a large number of shares at one time could temporarily adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
The Company's common stock is not insured by any government entity.
The Company's common stock is not insured by the FDIC or any other government entity. Investment in the Company's common stock is subject to risk and potential loss.
A shareholder's ownership of common stock may be diluted if the Company issues additional shares of common stock in the future.
The Company's articles of incorporation authorize the Company's Board of Directors to issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without shareholder approval. To the extent the Company issues additional shares of common stock or preferred stock, or issues options or warrants permitting the holder to purchase or acquire common stock in the future and such warrants or options are exercised, the Company's shareholders may experience dilution in their ownership of the Company's common stock. Holders of the Company's common stock do not have any preemptive or similar rights to purchase a pro rata share of any additional shares offered or issued by the Company.
The value of the Company's common stock may be adversely affected if the Company issues debt and equity securities that are senior to the Company's common stock in liquidation or as to distributions.
The Company may increase its capital by issuing debt or equity securities or by entering into debt or debt-like financing. This may include the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, senior notes, or subordinated notes. Upon any liquidation of the Company, the Company's lenders and holders of its debt securities would be entitled to distribution of the Company's available assets before distributions to the holders of the Company's common stock, and holders of preferred stock may be granted rights to similarly receive a distribution upon liquidation prior to distribution to holders of the Company's common stock. The Company cannot predict the amount, timing or nature of any future debt financings or stock offerings, and the decision of whether to incur debt or issue securities will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control. Future offerings could dilute a shareholder's interests in the Company or reduce the per-share value of the Company's common stock.
The Company's articles of incorporation and bylaws, and certain provisions of Michigan law, contain provisions that could make a takeover effort more difficult.
The Michigan Business Corporation Act, and the Company's articles of incorporation and bylaws, include provisions intended to protect shareholders and prohibit, discourage, or delay certain types of hostile takeover activities. In addition, federal law requires the Federal Reserve Board's prior approval for acquisition of "control" of a bank holding company such as the Company, including acquisition of 10% or more of the Company's outstanding securities by any person not defined as a company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"). These provisions and requirements could discourage potential acquisition proposals, delay or prevent a change in control, diminish the opportunities for a shareholder to participate in tender offers, prevent transactions in which our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares, or limit the ability for our shareholders to approve transactions that they may believe to be in their best interests.
An entity or group holding a certain percentage of the Company's outstanding securities could become subject to regulation as a "bank holding company" or may be required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.
Any bank holding company or foreign bank with a presence in the United States may be required to obtain approval of the Federal Reserve Board under the BHC Act to acquire or retain 5% or more of the Company's outstanding securities. Further, if any entity (including a "group" comprised of individual persons) owns or controls the power to vote 25% or more of the Company's outstanding securities, or 5% or more of the outstanding securities if the entity otherwise exercises a "controlling influence" over the Company, the entity may become subject to regulation as a "bank holding company" under the BHC Act. An entity that is subject to regulation as a bank holding company would be subject to regulatory and statutory obligations and restrictions, and could be required to divest all or a portion of the entity's investment in the Company's securities or in other investments that are not permitted for a bank holding company.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2.
Properties
The Company’s headquarters are located at 109 East Division, Sparta, Michigan 49345. The headquarters location is owned by the Company and is not subject to any mortgage.
32 of the Company’s 36 locations are designed for use and operation as a bank, are well maintained, and are suitable for current operations. The remaining Four locations are comprised of three loan offices and a wealth management center. Banking offices generally range in size from 1,200 to 3,200 square feet, based on the location and number of employees located at the facility. All of our banking offices are owned by the Bank except for 4 that are leased under various operating lease agreements. The Company’s management believes all offices are adequately covered by property insurance.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
As of December 31, 2021, there were no significant pending legal proceedings to which the Company or the Bank is a party or to which any of their properties were subject, except for legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition of the Company.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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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
Stock Information
The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol COFS.
As of February 28, 2022, there were approximately 1,167 owners of record and approximately 1,050 beneficial owners of our common stock.
The following table summarizes the quarterly cash dividends declared per share of common stock during 2021 and 2020:
First Quarter
$ 0.22
$ 0.20
Second Quarter
0.22
0.20
Third Quarter
0.25
0.20
Fourth Quarter
0.25
0.22
Total
$ 0.94
$ 0.82
ChoiceOne’s principal source of funds to pay cash dividends is the earnings and dividends paid by the Bank. The Bank is restricted in its ability to pay cash dividends under current banking regulations. See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of these restrictions. Based on information presently available, management expects ChoiceOne to declare and pay regular quarterly cash dividends in 2021, although the amount of the quarterly dividends will be dependent on market conditions and ChoiceOne’s requirements for cash and capital, among other things.
Information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans may be found in Item 12 of this report and is here incorporated by reference.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ChoiceOne repurchased approximately 85,000 shares for $2.2 million, or a weighted average cost per share of $25.78, during the fourth quarter of 2021. ChoiceOne repurchased approximately 309,000 shares for $7.8 million, or a weighted average cost per share of $25.17 during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Total Number
Maximum
of Shares
Number of
Total
Purchased as
Shares that
Number
Average
Part of a
May Yet be
of Shares
Price Paid
Publicly
Purchased
Period
Purchased
per Share
Announced Plan
Under the Plan
October 1 - October 31, 2021
Employee Transactions
-
$ -
-
Repurchase Plan
20,840
$ 24.94
20,840
146,333
November 1 - November 30, 2021
Employee Transactions
-
$ -
-
Repurchase Plan
37,715
$ 26.22
37,715
108,618
December 1 - December 31, 2021
Employee Transactions
-
$ -
-
Repurchase Plan
27,778
$ 25.79
27,778
80,840
As of December 31, 2021, there are approximately 81,000 shares remaining that may yet be purchased under approved plans. The repurchase plan was adopted and announced in April 2021. There was no stated expiration date. The plan authorized the repurchase of up to 390,114 shares, representing 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock as of the date the plan was adopted.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6.
Reserved

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
We have omitted discussion of 2020 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Financial Data
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
For the year
Net interest income
$ 60,641
$ 51,071
$ 27,773
Provision for loan losses
4,000
-
Noninterest income
19,194
22,698
9,168
Noninterest expense
52,921
50,884
28,476
Income before income taxes
26,498
18,885
8,465
Income tax expense
4,456
3,272
1,294
Net income
22,042
15,613
7,171
Cash dividends declared
7,200
6,174
5,806
Per share *
Basic earnings
$ 2.87
$ 2.08
$ 1.58
Diluted earnings
2.86
2.07
1.58
Cash dividends declared
0.94
0.82
1.40
Shareholders' equity (at year end)
29.52
29.15
26.52
Average for the year
Securities
$ 869,788
$ 388,797
$ 210,492
Gross loans
1,040,430
1,014,959
534,646
Deposits
1,905,629
1,421,168
710,419
Borrowings
5,465
16,712
21,270
Subordinated debt
12,841
1,532
-
Shareholders' equity
225,120
214,591
110,610
Assets
2,156,774
1,654,873
845,851
At year end
Securities
$ 1,116,265
$ 585,687
$ 348,888
Gross loans
1,068,831
1,117,798
856,191
Deposits
2,052,294
1,674,578
1,154,602
Borrowings
50,000
9,327
33,198
Subordinated debt
35,017
3,089
-
Shareholders' equity
221,669
227,268
192,139
Assets
2,366,682
1,919,342
1,386,128
Selected financial ratios
Return on average assets
1.02 %
0.94 %
0.85 %
Return on average shareholders' equity
9.79
7.28
6.48
Cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income
32.67
39.54
80.97
Shareholders' equity to assets (at year end)
9.37
11.84
13.86
Note - 2019 financial data includes the impact of the merger with County, which was effective as of October 1, 2019, and 2020 financial data includes the impact of the merger with Community Shores, which was effective July 1, 2020.
Explanatory Note
On July 1, 2020, ChoiceOne completed the merger of Community Shores Bank Corporation ("Community Shores") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger, which was effective as of July 1, 2020.
On October 1, 2019, ChoiceOne completed the merger of County Bank Corp. ("County") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger, which was effective as of October 1, 2019.
For additional details regarding the mergers with Community Shores and County, see Note 21 (Business Combinations) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
ChoiceOne's net income for 2021 was $22.0 million, compared to $15.6 million in 2020. Diluted earnings per share was $2.86 during in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $2.07 per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020, excluding $2.7 million of tax-effected merger expenses, was $18.3 million or $2.43 per diluted share.
Total assets grew to $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2021 compared to $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2020. The increase was related to organic deposit growth of $ 377.7 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021. This growth was partly due to how individuals and businesses have managed funds received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act. In an effort to deploy deposit growth, ChoiceOne grew its securities portfolio $530.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, $192.5 million of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") were forgiven resulting in $5.2 million of fee income. This growth in the securities portfolio coupled with PPP fees helped total interest income for 2021 to grow $8.9 million compared to 2020. 2021 interest income on loans included accretion income related to loans acquired from the mergers with County Bank Corp. and Community Shores Bank Corporation in the amount of $1.1 million. The remaining credit mark on these acquired loans totaled $6.8 million as of December 31, 2021. Despite the large increase in deposit balances, interest cost of deposits decreased by $873,000 in 2021 compared to 2020.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios.
Total noninterest income declined $3.5 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Total noninterest income in 2020 was bolstered by heightened levels of refinancing activity within ChoiceOne's mortgage portfolio, with gains on sales of loans $3.7 million higher than in 2021. Customer service charges increased $1.4 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. 2020 service charges were depressed by stay-at-home orders during the COVID 19 pandemic. 2021 service charges also included the effect from the merger with Community Shores, which closed on July 1, 2020.
Total noninterest expense increased $2.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Much of the increase in 2021 was caused by the increase in scale related to the merger with Community Shores.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Consistent with federal banking agencies' “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus,” ChoiceOne is working with its borrowers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ChoiceOne granted deferrals on numerous loans to borrowers affected by the pandemic; however, as of June 30, 2021, all deferments had resumed payments in accordance with loan terms.
In addition, ChoiceOne processed over $126 million in PPP loans in 2020 and acquired an additional $37 million in PPP loans in the merger with Community Shores. ChoiceOne originated an additional $89.1 million in PPP loans in 2021. PPP loans are forgivable, in whole or in part, if the proceeds are used for payroll and other permitted purposes in accordance with the requirements of the PPP. PPP loans carry a fixed rate of 1.00% and a term of two years (loans made before June 5, 2020) or five years (loans made on or after June 5, 2020), if not forgiven in whole or in part. Payments are deferred until either the date on which the Small Business Administration ("SBA") remits the amount of forgiveness proceeds to the lender or the date that is ten months after the last day of the covered period if the borrower does not apply for forgiveness within that ten-month period. The loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA pays the originating bank a processing fee ranging from 1% to 5%, based on the size of the loan. Upon SBA forgiveness, unrecognized fees are recognized into interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $192.5 million of PPP loans were forgiven resulting in $5.2 million of fee income compared to $23.4 million of PPP loans forgiven resulting in $3.0 million of fee income in 2020. $33.1 million in PPP loans and $1.2 million in deferred PPP fee income remains outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Management expects the remaining PPP loans to be forgiven in the first half of 2022.
Dividends
Cash dividends of $7.2 million or $0.94 per common share were declared in 2021 compared to $6.2 million or $0.82 per common share were declared in 2020. The dividend yield for ChoiceOne’s common stock was 3.55% as of the end of 2021, compared to 2.66% as of the end of 2020. The cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income was 33% as of December 31, 2021, compared to 40% as of December 31, 2020.
Table 1 - Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Average
Average
Average
Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
Assets:
Loans (1) (3)(4)(5)
$ 1,040,430
$ 48,672
4.68 %
$ 1,014,959
$ 46,893
4.62 %
$ 534,646
$ 26,791
5.01 %
Taxable securities (2)
599,902
10,260
1.71
276,085
5,891
2.13
152,094
3,955
2.60
Nontaxable securities (1)
269,886
7,098
2.63
112,712
3,402
3.02
58,398
1,867
3.20
Other
68,879
0.12
71,417
0.37
14,992
1.79
Interest-earning assets
1,979,097
66,114
3.34
1,475,173
56,452
3.83
760,130
32,881
4.33
Noninterest-earning assets
177,677
179,699
85,721
Total assets
$ 2,156,774
$ 1,654,873
$ 845,851
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$ 791,886
$ 1,797
0.23 %
$ 571,693
$ 1,832
0.32 %
$ 278,444
$ 1,559
0.56 %
Savings deposits
398,969
0.14
267,217
0.11
109,028
0.07
Certificates of deposit
186,898
0.51
183,836
2,046
1.11
136,537
2,550
1.87
Borrowings
5,465
1.86
16,712
1.96
21,269
2.41
Subordinated debentures
12,841
4.45
1,532
9.07
-
-
0.00
Interest-bearing liabilities
1,396,059
3,977
0.28
1,040,990
4,644
0.45
545,278
4,700
0.86
Demand deposits
527,876
398,422
186,411
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
7,719
3,552
Total liabilities
1,931,654
1,440,282
735,241
Shareholders' equity
225,120
214,591
110,610
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 2,156,774
$ 1,654,873
$ 845,851
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)
$ 62,137
$ 51,808
$ 28,181
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)
3.14 %
3.51 %
3.71 %
Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1)
$ 62,137
$ 51,808
$ 28,181
Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest
(1,513 )
(737 )
(408 )
Net interest income (GAAP)
$ 60,624
$ 51,071
$ 27,773
Net interest margin (GAAP)
3.08 %
3.38 %
3.47 %
(1)
Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities.
(2)
Interest on taxable securities includes dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)
Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale.
(4) Non-accruing loan balances are included in the balance of average loans.
(5) Interest on loans included net origination fees and PPP fees of approximately $7,232,000, $5,236,000, and $866,000 in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Table 2 - Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2021 Over 2020
2020 Over 2019
Total
Volume
Rate
Total
Volume
Rate
Increase (decrease) in interest income (1)
Loans (2)
$ 1,779
$ 1,187
$
$ 20,102
$ 22,336
$ (2,234 )
Taxable securities
4,369
5,737
(1,368 )
1,936
2,749
(813 )
Nontaxable securities (2)
3,696
4,185
(489 )
1,535
1,647
(112 )
Other
(182 )
(9 )
(173 )
(2 )
(351 )
Net change in interest income
9,662
11,099
(1,437 )
23,571
27,081
(3,510 )
Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1)
Interest-bearing demand deposits
(35 )
(623 )
1,143
(870 )
Savings deposits
Certificates of deposit
(1,089 )
(1,123 )
(504 )
(1,225 )
Borrowings
(226 )
(210 )
(16 )
(235 )
(230 )
(5 )
Subordinated debentures
1,516
(37 )
Net change in interest expense
(667 )
2,099
(1,719 )
(56 )
1,973
(2,029 )
Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income
$ 10,329
$ 9,001
$
$ 23,627
$ 25,108
$ (1,481 )
(1)
The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year’s interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year’s volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)
Interest on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Net Interest Income
The presentation of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), but is customary in the banking industry. This non-GAAP measure ensures comparability of net interest income arising from both taxable and tax-exempt loans and investment securities. The adjustments to determine net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis were $1.5 million and $737,000 for the years ended 2021 and 2020, respectively. These adjustments were computed using a 21% federal income tax rate.
On March 3, 2020 the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee lowered the federal funds rate by 50 basis points which was followed by a reduction of 100 basis points on March 15, 2020. Operating in an environment with lower interest rates has had a negative effect on both ChoiceOne’s interest income and interest spread. ChoiceOne management continues to monitor rates and their effect on income as part of the Asset/Liability Risk Committee to determine what strategic decisions will need to be made in both higher and lower rate environments. No changes were made to the federal funds rate during 2021.
Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $10.3 million in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was attributed to an increase of $503.9 million in average interest-earning assets. The average balance of loans increased $25.5 million in 2021 compared to 2020. This is due to loan growth excluding loans held for sale, loans to other financial institutions, and PPP loans during that period of $52.1 million offset by a decline in the average balance of PPP loans held during 2021 compared to 2020. The average rate earned on loans also increased by 6 basis points in 2021 compared to 2020 as a result of the recognition of $5.2 million in PPP fees earned. Tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $1.8 million in 2021 compared to the prior year. The average balance of total securities grew $481.0 million in 2021 compared to the prior year as ChoiceOne made efforts to deploy deposit growth into earning assets. The average balance growth offset by a 39 basis point decline in the average rate earned on securities caused interest income from securities to grow $8.1 million in 2021 compared to the prior year. A decline of $2.5 million in average balance in other interest-earning assets in 2021 compared to 2020, coupled with a 25 basis point decline in the rate earned, caused interest income to decline by $182,000.
Despite large increases in deposit balances, a significant decline in overall market interest rates in 2021 compared to 2020 caused the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities to decline by $667,000. The average balance of interest-bearing demand deposits and savings deposits increased $351.9 million in 2021 compared to 2020. The effect of this increase, offset by a 6 basis point decline in the average rate paid, caused interest expense to be $216,000 higher in 2021 than in the prior year. The average balance of certificates of deposit was $3.1 million higher in 2021 than in 2020. Growth in the average balance was more than offset by a decline in average rate paid of 60 basis points which caused interest expense to decline by $1.1 million.
ChoiceOne’s tax-equivalent net interest income margin was 3.14% in 2021 and 3.51% in 2020. The decrease in the net interest income margin resulted from a lower rate environment and an asset mix with a higher percentage of securities to total assets.
Provision and Allowance For Loan Losses
Table 3 - Provision and Allowance For Loan Losses
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year
$ 7,593
$ 4,057
$ 4,673
Charge-offs:
Agricultural
-
-
Commercial and industrial
Real estate - commercial
-
Real estate - construction
-
-
Real estate - residential
-
Consumer
Total
Recoveries:
Agricultural
-
-
Commercial and industrial
Real estate - commercial
-
Real estate - construction
-
-
Real estate - residential
Consumer
Total
Net charge-offs (recoveries)
Provision for loan losses
4,000
-
Allowance for loan losses at end of year
$ 7,688
$ 7,593
$ 4,057
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of:
Total loans as of year end
0.76 %
0.71 %
0.51 %
Nonaccrual loans, accrual loans past due 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings
%
%
%
Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period
0.03 %
0.05 %
0.12 %
Loan recoveries as a percentage of prior year's charge-offs
%
%
%
The provision for loan losses was $416,000 in 2021, compared to $4.0 million in the prior year. The provision in 2020 was impacted by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ChoiceOne's local market areas and the national economy. The provision in 2021 was deemed prudent based on our assessment of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Our methodology for measuring the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses and related provision for loan losses involves specific allocations for loans considered impaired, and general allocations for homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience.
Loans classified as impaired loans declined by $2.4 million during 2021. The specific allowance for loan losses for impaired loans increased $72,000 during 2021 as the loans being evaluated had a higher risk of loss based on management's judgement than impaired loans at December 31, 2020.
Loans that were collectively analyzed for impairment decreased by $45.5 million in 2021 as a result of forgiveness of PPP loans of $192.5 million offset by loans excluding PPP, loans to other financial institutions, and loans held for sale, increasing by $52.1 million and PPP originations of $89.1 million. As PPP loans are 100% government guaranteed and carry no allowance, the net decrease in PPP loans had no impact on the allowance for loan losses. The general allocation for loan losses not considered impaired increased by $23,000 during 2021.
The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon our actual loss history adjusted for significant qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. ChoiceOne uses a rolling 20 quarter actual net charge-off history as the base for the computation.
Nonperforming loans were $5.5 million as of December 31, 2021 compared to $8.2 million as of December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was 0.76% of total loans at December 31, 2021, compared to 0.71% at December 31, 2020. Loans acquired in the mergers with County and Community Shores were recorded at fair value and as a result do not have an allowance for loan losses allocated to them unless credit deteriorates subsequent to acquisition. ChoiceOne has $6.8 million in credit mark remaining on loans acquired in the mergers. If the credit mark associated with the loans acquired in the mergers were added to the allowance for loan losses, the total allowance for loan losses would have represented 1.37% of total loans excluding loans held for sale at December 31, 2021 and 1.55% at December 31, 2020.
Net charge-offs were $321,000 in 2021 compared to net charge-offs of $464,000 during the same period in 2020. Net charge-offs on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans were 0.03% in 2021 compared to 0.05% and 0.12% in 2020. Management is aware that the economic climate in Michigan will continue to affect business and individual borrowers. Management believes that the COVID-19 pandemic continue to have an impact in 2022 and, accordingly, has maintained a qualitative allocation related to the COVID-19 pandemic in evaluating its allowance for loan losses. Management has worked and intends to continue to work with delinquent borrowers in an attempt to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ChoiceOne.
ChoiceOne has allocated approximately $1.1 million of its allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2021 compared to $2.2 million at December 31, 2020, to borrowers falling into industry classification codes that management believes to be highly or moderately affected by the pandemic, as follows:
Highly Affected
Moderately Affected
Accommodation
Ambulatory Health Care Services
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
Educational Services
Food Services and Drinking Places
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
Rental and Leasing Services
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
Real Estate
Loans highly affected and moderately affected based on their commercial industry category have been allocated an additional 20 basis points and 10 basis points, respectively. ChoiceOne has also allocated 10 basis points to all retail loan categories. It is noted that this allowance amount is in addition to the regularly calculated allowance based on risk rating and qualitative factors. These allocations have declined from their highest levels at December 31, 2020, as ChoiceOne has seen improvements in customer, industry, and economic conditions related to the effects of the pandemic. ChoiceOne will continue to monitor concentrations as part of its analysis on an ongoing basis. Management will continue to monitor charge-offs, changes in the level of nonperforming loans, changes within the composition of the loan portfolio and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will adjust the provision and allowance for loan losses as determined to be necessary.
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income declined $3.5 million in 2021 compared to 2020. Total noninterest income in 2020 was bolstered by heightened levels of refinancing activity within ChoiceOne's mortgage portfolio, with gains on sales of loans $3.7 million higher than in 2021. Customer service charges increased $1.4 million in 2021 compared to the prior year. Prior year service charges were depressed by stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current year service charges also included the effect from the merger with Community Shores, which closed on July 1, 2020. The stock market dipped sharply in March 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected securities held by ChoiceOne. Since that time ChoiceOne has seen the value of equity investments held climb to pre-pandemic levels. The change in the market value of equity securities was $634,000 higher in 2021, when compared to the prior year. It is also noted that ChoiceOne performed a restructuring of its security portfolio in the second quarter of 2020, which provided $1.3 million of additional noninterest income in 2020 compared to 2021.
Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense increased $2.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Much of the increase in 2021 was caused by the increase in scale related to the merger with Community Shores. During 2021, ChoiceOne hired six experienced commercial lenders, opened a loan production office in Wyoming, Michigan, and added four experienced members to the wealth management team. These increases were offset by declines in professional fees of $707,000, data processing of $576,000, and supplies and postage of $230,000. These reductions in expenses in 2021 are related to synergies from the merger with Community Shores and fees incurred in 2020 related to the merger with Community Shores.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $1.2 million higher in 2021 than in 2020. The increase is related to additional pre-tax income offset by the effect of merger-related expenses in 2020. The effective tax rate was 17% in 2021 and 2020.
Financial Condition
Summary
Total assets grew $447.3 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, while deposit growth during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 was $377.7 million. Despite the large increase in deposits, ChoiceOne has been able to maintain low deposit costs; interest expense from deposits decreased $873,000 during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Excluding PPP loans, loans held for sale, and loans held at other financial institutions, ChoiceOne grew loans by $52.1 million during 2021. Management expects the remaining PPP loans to be forgiven in the first half of 2022.
Securities
The Company’s securities balances as of December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Equity securities
$ 8,492
$ 2,896
Available for Sale Securities
U.S. Government and federal agency
$ 2,008
$ 2,051
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
91,979
2,056
State and municipal
534,847
320,368
Mortgage-backed
433,115
246,723
Corporate
20,642
3,589
Asset-backed securities
16,294
-
Total
$ 1,098,885
$ 574,787
Total investment securities increased $530.6 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Approximately $637.9 million of securities were purchased in 2021. Securities totaling $14.6 million were called or matured in 2021. Principal payments for municipal and mortgage-backed securities totaling $39.6 million were received during 2021. Approximately $29.7 million of securities were sold during 2021 for a net loss of $40,000. The Bank’s Investment Committee continues to monitor the portfolio and purchases securities as it considers prudent.
Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $7.5 million as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, equity securities included an MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $1.9 million.
Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio as of December 31 was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
$ 64,819
$ 53,735
Commercial and industrial
203,024
303,527
Consumer
35,174
34,014
Real estate - commercial
525,884
469,247
Real estate - construction
19,066
16,639
Real estate - residential
168,881
192,506
Loans, gross
$ 1,016,848
$ 1,069,668
The loan portfolio (excluding loans held for sale and loans to other financial institutions) decreased $52.8 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. If PPP loans are also excluded the portfolio grew by $52.1 million during the same time period.
The Bank entered into an agreement during 2018 to provide a line of credit to facilitate funding of residential mortgage loan originations at other financial institutions. The loans are short-term in nature and are designed to provide funding for the time period between the loan origination and its subsequent sale in the secondary market. The balance of the lines of credit held by the Bank was $42.6 million as of December 31, 2021 compared to $35.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
Information regarding impaired loans can be found in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report. In addition to its review of the loan portfolio for impaired loans, management also monitors various nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans are comprised of (1) loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis; (2) loans, not included in nonaccrual loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments; and (3) loans, not included in nonaccrual or past due 90 days or more, which are considered troubled debt restructurings. Troubled debt restructurings consist of loans where the terms have been modified to assist the borrowers in making their payments. The modifications can include capitalization of interest onto the principal balance, reduction in interest rate, and extension of the loan term.
The balances of these nonperforming loans as of December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis
$ 1,727
$ 6,707
Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments
-
-
Loans considered troubled debt restructurings which are not included above
3,816
1,537
Total
$ 5,543
$ 8,244
Nonaccrual loans included $313,000 in agricultural loans, $285,000 in commercial and industrial loans, $279,000 in commercial real estate loans, and $850,000 in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2021. Nonaccrual loans included $348,000 in agricultural loans, $1.8 million in commercial and industrial loans, $8,000 in consumer loans, $3.1 million in commercial real estate loans, $80,000 in construction real estate loans, and $1.4 million in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2020. Loans considered troubled debt restructurings which were not on a nonaccrual basis and were not 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest payments consisted of $1.8 million in agricultural loans, $73,000 in commercial and industrial loans, 601,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.3 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2021, compared to $196,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.3 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2020.
The federal banking agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus” on March 22, 2020 and subsequently issued a revised statement on April 7, 2020. These statements encourage financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers affected by COVID-19, and provide that short-term modifications to loans made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as of the implementation date of the statements are not considered TDRs. Further, Section 4013 of the CARES Act states that COVID-19 related modifications on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are not TDRs. As of December 31, 2020, ChoiceOne had granted deferments on approximately 750 loans with loan balances totaling $148 million which, in reliance on the statements of federal banking agencies and the CARES Act, are not reflected as TDRs in this report. All deferments had resumed payments in accordance with loan terms as of June 30, 2021.
Management also maintains a list of loans that are not classified as nonperforming loans but where some concern exists as to the borrowers’ abilities to comply with the original loan terms. There were no loans fitting this description as of December 31, 2021, compared to $26.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
Deposits and Other Funding Sources
The Company’s deposit balances as of December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
$ 560,931
$ 477,654
Interest-bearing demand deposits
665,482
471,346
Money market deposits
218,211
191,681
Savings deposits
425,626
337,332
Local certificates of deposit
182,044
196,565
Brokered certificates of deposit
-
-
Total deposits
$ 2,052,294
$ 1,674,578
Total deposits increased $377.7 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Much of the growth was due to the various stimulus programs offered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of December 31, 2021, borrowings consisted of Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances of $50.0 million. Total borrowings increased in 2021 as management invested in earning assets. FHLB advances were secured by agricultural loans and residential real estate loans with a carrying value of approximately $127.5 million at December 31, 2021. Approximately $69.3 million of additional FHLB advances were available as of December 31, 2021 based on the collateral pledged by the Bank.
In 2022, management will continue to focus its marketing efforts toward growth in local deposits. If local deposit growth is insufficient to support asset growth, management believes that advances from the FHLB and brokered certificates of deposit can address corresponding funding needs.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios. ChoiceOne also holds $3.1 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $4.5 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the merger with Community Shores, offset by the merger mark-to-market adjustment.
Shareholders’ Equity
Total shareholders' equity declined $5.6 million in 2021. Accumulated other comprehensive income declined $13.6 million in 2021 as a result of market value declines in ChoiceOne’s available for sale securities. The change was caused by increases in certain general market interest rates since the beginning of 2021. The reduction in common stock and paid in capital resulted from ChoiceOne's repurchase of approximately 309,000 shares for $7.8 million, or a weighted average all-in cost per share of $25.17, during 2021. This was part of the common stock repurchase program announced in April 2021 which authorized repurchases of up to 390,114 shares, representing 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock as of the date the plan was adopted. This program replaced and superseded all prior repurchase programs for ChoiceOne.
Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements presents regulatory capital information for ChoiceOne and the Bank at the end of 2021 and 2020. Management will monitor these capital ratios during 2022 as they relate to asset growth and earnings retention. ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors and management do not plan to allow capital to decrease below those levels necessary to be considered "well capitalized" by regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2021, the Bank was categorized as "well-capitalized" under the Basel III framework.
Table 4 - Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses information regarding the maturity of ChoiceOne’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2021:
Payment Due by Period
Less
More
than
1 - 3
3 - 5
than
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
1 year
Years
Years
5 Years
Time deposits
$ 182,044
$ 149,991
$ 25,170
$ 6,491
$
Borrowings
50,000
50,000
-
-
-
Cumulative Preferred Securities
3,190
(101 )
(202 )
(202 )
3,695
ChoiceOne Subordinated Debenture
31,827
(144 )
(288 )
(241 )
32,500
Operating leases
-
Other obligations
Total
$ 267,945
$ 200,035
$ 25,082
$ 6,219
$ 36,609
Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk
Net cash from operating activities was $37.7 million in 2021 compared to $8.5 million in 2020. Net cash used in investing activities was $521.4 million in 2021 compared to cash used of $250.8 million in 2020. The change was caused by higher net purchases of securities in 2021 compared to 2020 offset by higher loan payments due to PPP loan forgiveness than loan originations in 2021. Net cash flows from financing activities were a positive $436.0 million in 2021 compared to a positive $262.2 million in 2020. The change was caused by more growth in deposits in 2021 and higher proceeds from borrowings and subordinated debt in 2021 compared to 2020.
ChoiceOne's primary market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk. Liquidity risk also can have an impact but to a lesser extent. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.
Management believes that the current level of liquidity is sufficient to meet the Bank's normal operating needs. This belief is based upon the availability of deposits from both the local and national markets, maturities of securities, normal loan repayments, income retention, federal funds purchased, lines of credit from correspondent banks, and advances available from the FHLB. Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. Relatively short-term liquid funds exist in the form of lines of credit to purchase federal funds at correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2021, the amount of federal funds available for purchase from the Bank's correspondent banks totaled approximately $134.5 million. ChoiceOne’s federal funds purchased balance was $0 as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Bank also has a line of credit secured by ChoiceOne’s commercial loans with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for $196.5 million, which is designated for nonrecurring short-term liquidity needs. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through local deposit growth, maturities of securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. Approximately $69.4 million of additional borrowing capacity was available from the FHLB based on agricultural real estate loans and residential real estate loans pledged as collateral at the end of 2021. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains references to net income excluding tax-effected merger-related expenses, which is a financial measure that is not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand the underlying financial performance of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, we use non-GAAP measures as comparative tools, together with GAAP measures, to assist in the evaluation of our operating performance or financial condition. Also, we ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and that they are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or in-effect regulatory requirements.
NON-GAAP Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
The non-GAAP measures presented in the table below reflect the adjustments of the reported U.S. GAAP results for significant items that management does not believe are reflective of the Company's current and ongoing operations.
Year Ended December 31,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Income before income tax
$ 26,498
$ 18,885
Adjustment for pre-tax merger expenses
-
3,219
Adjusted income before income tax
26,498
22,104
Income tax expense
4,456
3,272
Tax impact of adjustment for pre-tax merger expenses
-
Adjusted income tax expense
4,456
3,777
Net income
22,042
15,613
Adjustment for pre-tax merger expenses, net of tax impact
-
2,714
Adjusted net income
$ 22,042
$ 18,327
Basic earnings per share
$ 2.87
$ 2.08
Effect of merger expenses, net of tax impact
-
0.36
Adjusted basic earnings per share
$ 2.87
$ 2.44
Diluted earnings per share
$ 2.86
$ 2.07
Effect of merger expenses, net of tax impact
-
0.36
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$ 2.86
$ 2.43
Critical Accounting Policies And Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as well as disclosures found elsewhere in this report are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the market value of securities, the amount of the allowance for loan losses, loan servicing rights, carrying value of goodwill, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Securities
Debt securities available for sale may be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risks, yield, availability of alternative investments, liquidity needs, credit rating changes, or other factors. Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at their fair value with changes flowing through other comprehensive income. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are considered to be “other than temporary” are recorded as losses in the income statement. In estimating whether a fair value decline is considered to be “other than temporary,” management considers the length of time and extent that the security’s fair value has been less than its carrying value, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the Bank’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Market values for securities available for sale are obtained from outside sources and applied to individual securities within the portfolio. The difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of securities is recorded as a valuation adjustment and reported net of tax effect in other comprehensive income.
Equity securities are reported at their fair value with changes in market value flowing through net income. Prior to 2018, equity securities were accounted for in a manner similar to available for sale debt securities.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in the consolidated loan portfolio. Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is an estimate based on reviews of individual loans, assessments of the impact of current economic conditions on the portfolio and historical loss experience of seasoned loan portfolios.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to the allowance for loan losses is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of assumptions concerning the changes in the types and volumes of the portfolios and current economic conditions and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment or loan loss could have a material effect on the Company’s assets reported on the balance sheet as well as its net income.
Loan Servicing Rights
Loan servicing rights represent the estimated value of servicing loans that are sold with servicing retained by ChoiceOne and are initially recorded at estimated fair value. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Management’s accounting treatment of loan servicing rights is estimated based on current prepayment speeds that are typically market driven.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to loan servicing rights is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of significant changes within long-term interest rates affecting the prepayment speeds for current loans being serviced and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment loss could have a material effect on ChoiceOne’s net income. Management has obtained a third-party valuation of its loan servicing rights to corroborate its current carrying value at the end of each reporting period.
Goodwill
Generally accepted accounting principles require that the fair values of the assets and liabilities of an acquired entity be recorded at their fair value on the date of acquisition. The fair values are determined using both internal computations and information obtained from outside parties when deemed necessary. The net difference between the price paid for the acquired company and the net value of its balance sheet is recorded as goodwill. Accounting principles also require that goodwill be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Under recently issued accounting pronouncements, ChoiceOne is permitted to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of equity is less than its carrying value. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of equity is more than its carrying value, no further testing in the form of a quantitative assessment is necessary. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of equity is less than its carrying value, then a two-step quantitative assessment test is performed to identify any potential goodwill impairment.
Management hired a third party to perform a quantitative assessment of goodwill as of November 30, 2020. The third party used an income approach to calculate cash flow based on excess capital above a required tangible equity to tangible assets ratio selected with consideration given to regulatory guidelines and the risk profile of ChoiceOne. As a result of the income approach, no indication of goodwill impairment was noted. The third party analysis also assessed the share price, book value, and financial results of ChoiceOne as compared to the previous year. Additionally, industry and market conditions were evaluated and compared, including the potential impact of COVID-19 on the ability of ChoiceOne’s borrowers to comply with loan terms. The third party also compared average values for recently closed bank merger and acquisition transactions to ChoiceOne's recently completed merger and acquisition transactions. In assessing the totality of the events and circumstances, management determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Bank’s operations, from a qualitative perspective, exceeded the carrying value as of November 30, 2020 and there was no further quantitative assessment necessary.
Management performed its annual qualitative assessment of goodwill as of June 30, 2021. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of ChoiceOne's operations was less than the carrying amount, management assessed the relevant events and circumstances such as the ones noted in ASC 350-20-35-3c. The analysis consisted of a review of ChoiceOne’s current and expected future financial performance, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of ChoiceOne’s borrowers to comply with loan terms, and the impact that reductions in both short-term and long-term interest rates have had and may continue to have on net interest margin and mortgage sales activity. ChoiceOne’s stock price per share was less than its book value as of December 31, 2021. This indicated that goodwill may be impaired and resulted in management performing another qualitative goodwill impairment assessment as of the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result of the analysis, management concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit was greater than the carrying value. This was evidenced by the strong financial indicators, solid credit quality ratios, as well as the strong capital position of ChoiceOne. In addition, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected significant and continuing growth in ChoiceOne's interest income, as well as net Small Business Administration fees related to Paycheck Protection Program loans. Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, management believed that a quantitative analysis was not necessary as of December 31, 2021.
Taxes
Income taxes include both a current and deferred portion. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to account for differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. Generally accepted accounting principles require that deferred tax assets be reviewed to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established using a “more likely than not” standard. Based on its review of ChoiceOne’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest rate risk is related to liquidity because each is affected by maturing assets and sources of funds. ChoiceOne’s Asset/Liability Management Committee (the "ALCO") attempts to stabilize the interest rate spread and avoid possible adverse effects when unusual or rapid changes in interest rates occur. The ALCO uses a simulation model to measure the Bank's interest rate risk. The model incorporates changes in interest rates on rate-sensitive assets and liabilities. The degree of rate sensitivity is affected by prepayment assumptions that exist in the assets and liabilities. One method the ALCO uses of measuring interest rate sensitivity is the ratio of rate-sensitive assets to rate-sensitive liabilities. An asset or liability is considered to be rate-sensitive if it matures or otherwise reprices within a given time frame.
Table 5 documents the maturity or repricing schedule for ChoiceOne’s rate-sensitive assets and liabilities for selected time periods:
Table 5 - Maturities and Repricing Schedule
As of December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
0 - 3
3 - 12
1 - 5
Over
Months
Months
Years
5 Years
Total
Assets
Equity securities at fair value
$ 8,492
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 8,492
Securities available for sale
88,300
53,738
218,381
738,466
1,098,885
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
3,824
-
-
-
3,824
Federal Reserve Bank stock
-
-
-
5,064
5,064
Loans held for sale
9,351
-
-
-
9,351
Loans to other financial institutions
42,632
-
-
-
42,632
Loans
247,874
196,556
497,906
74,512
1,016,848
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
-
-
-
43,356
43,356
Rate-sensitive assets
$ 400,473
$ 250,294
$ 716,287
$ 861,398
$ 2,228,452
Liabilities
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$ 665,482
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 665,482
Money market deposits
218,211
-
-
-
218,211
Savings deposits
425,626
-
-
-
425,626
Certificates of deposit
51,577
98,414
31,661
182,044
Borrowings
50,000
-
-
-
50,000
Subordinated debentures
(61 )
(184 )
31,568
3,694
35,017
Rate-sensitive liabilities
$ 1,410,835
$ 98,230
$ 63,229
$ 4,086
$ 1,576,380
Rate-sensitive assets less rate-sensitive liabilities:
Asset (liability) gap for the period
$ (1,010,362 )
$ 152,064
$ 653,058
$ 857,312
$ 652,072
Cumulative asset (liability) gap
$ (1,010,362 )
$ (858,298 )
$ (205,240 )
$ 652,072
Under this method, the ALCO measures interest rate sensitivity by focusing on the one-year repricing gap. ChoiceOne’s ratio of rate-sensitive assets to rate-sensitive liabilities that matured or repriced within a one-year time frame was 43% at December 31, 2021, compared to 63% at December 31, 2020. Table 5 above shows the entire balance of interest-bearing demand deposits, savings deposits, and money market deposits in the shortest repricing term. Although these categories have the ability to reprice immediately, management has some control over the actual timing or extent of the changes in interest rates on these liabilities. The ALCO plans to continue to monitor the ratio of rate-sensitive assets to rate-sensitive liabilities on a quarterly basis in 2022. As interest rates change, the ALCO will attempt to match its maturing assets with corresponding liabilities to maximize ChoiceOne’s net interest income.
Another method the ALCO uses to monitor its interest rate sensitivity is to subject rate-sensitive assets and liabilities to interest rate shocks. At December 31, 2021, management used a simulation model to subject its assets and liabilities up to an immediate 400 basis point increase. The maturities of loans and mortgage-backed securities were affected by certain prepayment assumptions. Maturities for interest-bearing core deposits were based on an estimate of the period over which they would be outstanding. The maturities of advances from the FHLB were based on their contractual maturity dates. In the case of variable rate assets and liabilities, repricing dates were used to determine their values. The simulation model measures the effect of immediate interest rate changes on both net interest income and shareholders' equity.
Table 6 provides an illustration of hypothetical interest rate changes as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Table 6 - Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates
Net
Market
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest
Percent
Value of
Percent
Income
Change
Equity
Change
Change in Interest Rate
400 basis point rise
$ 60,978
- %
$ 345,361
%
300 basis point rise
60,627
%
383,202
%
200 basis point rise
60,058
%
416,435
%
100 basis point rise
60,482
%
437,975
- %
Base rate scenario
60,970
- %
439,144
- %
100 basis point decline
59,132
%
390,180
%
200 basis point decline
57,503
%
326,201
%
300 basis point decline
56,502
%
325,906
%
400 basis point decline
56,264
%
325,839
%
Net
Market
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest
Percent
Value of
Percent
Income
Change
Equity
Change
Change in Interest Rate
400 basis point rise
$ 57,184
%
$ 394,977
%
300 basis point rise
55,380
%
404,998
%
200 basis point rise
54,106
%
405,238
%
100 basis point rise
43,420
%
398,862
%
Base rate scenario
52,722
- %
376,571
- %
100 basis point decline
51,341
%
304,778
%
200 basis point decline
50,125
%
277,058
%
300 basis point decline
49,177
%
276,744
%
400 basis point decline
48,968
%
276,317
%
As of December 31, 2021, the Bank was within its guidelines for immediate rate shocks up and down for all net interest income scenarios and for the up rate scenarios and the down 300 and 400 basis points scenarios for the market value of shareholders’ equity. The Bank’s percent change in the 100 and 200 basis points down scenarios for the market value of shareholders’ equity was slightly higher than the policy guidelines. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank was within its guidelines for immediate rate shocks up and down for all net interest income scenarios and for the up rate scenarios and the down 100 and down 200 basis points scenarios for the market value of shareholders’ equity. The Bank’s percent change in the 300 and 400 basis points down scenarios for the market value of shareholders’ equity was slightly higher than the policy guidelines. The ALCO plans to continue to monitor the effect of changes in interest rates on both net interest income and shareholders’ equity and will make changes in the duration of its rate-sensitive assets and rate-sensitive liabilities where necessary.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements. 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 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 the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit 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 included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter 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 matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for Loan Losses - Current Factor Adjustments - Refer to Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The general component of management’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. Management’s adjustment for current factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, experience and ability of lending staff, national and economic trends and conditions, industry conditions, trends in real estate values, and other conditions. Identification of factors to consider and adjustments to those factors involve management’s judgement.
Given the significant estimates and assumptions management makes to estimate the current factor adjustments of the allowance for loan losses, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the current factor adjustments used in the estimate of the allowance for loan losses included the following, among others:
●
We obtained an understanding of management’s process for determining the current factor adjustments, which included identification of internal and external data used in the analysis and understanding how management selects inputs from a range of potential assumptions.
●
We evaluated the design of controls over management’s allowance for loan losses estimate, including those over current factor adjustments.
●
We evaluated management’s selection of factors to consider when making current factor adjustments.
●
We evaluated management's determination of adjustments for each factor, including evaluation of each adjustment for consistency with the direction and magnitude of changes in internal and external data.
/s/Plante & Moran, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.
Auburn Hills, Michigan
March 17, 2022
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$ 31,537 $ 79,169
Time deposits in other financial institutions
350 350
Cash and cash equivalents
31,887 79,519
Equity securities at fair value (Note 2)
8,492 2,896
Securities available for sale (Note 2)
1,098,885 574,787
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
3,824 3,824
Federal Reserve Bank stock
5,064 4,180
Loans held for sale
9,351 12,921
Loans to other financial institutions
42,632 35,209
Loans (Note 3)
1,016,848 1,069,668
Allowance for loan losses (Note 3)
(7,688 ) (7,593 )
Loans, net
1,009,160 1,062,075
Premises and equipment, net (Note 5)
29,880 29,489
Other real estate owned, net (Note 7)
194 266
Cash value of life insurance policies
43,356 32,751
Goodwill (Note 6)
59,946 60,506
Core deposit intangible (Note 6)
3,962 5,269
Other assets
20,049 15,650
Total assets
$ 2,366,682 $ 1,919,342
Liabilities
Deposits - noninterest-bearing (Note 8)
$ 560,931 $ 477,654
Deposits - interest-bearing (Note 8)
1,491,363 1,196,924
Total deposits
2,052,294 1,674,578
Borrowings (Note 9)
50,000 9,327
Subordinated debentures (Note 10)
35,017 3,089
Other liabilities (Notes 11)
7,702 5,080
Total liabilities
2,145,013 1,692,074
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock; shares authorized: 100,000; shares outstanding: none
- -
Common stock and paid-in capital, no par value; shares authorized: 12,000,000; shares outstanding: 7,510,379 at December 31, 2021 and 7,796,352 at December 31, 2020 (Note 14)
171,913 178,750
Retained earnings
52,332 37,490
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
(2,576 ) 11,028
Total shareholders’ equity
221,669 227,268
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 2,366,682 $ 1,919,342
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
December 31,
Interest income
Loans, including fees
$ 48,657
$ 46,874
$ 26,777
Securities:
Taxable
10,260
5,891
3,956
Tax exempt
5,617
2,684
1,472
Other
Total interest income
64,618
55,715
32,473
Interest expense
Deposits
3,305
4,178
4,188
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
Other
Total interest expense
3,977
4,644
4,700
Net interest income
60,641
51,071
27,773
Provision for loan losses
4,000
-
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
60,225
47,071
27,773
Noninterest income
Customer service charges
8,628
7,252
5,277
Insurance and investment commissions
Mortgage servicing rights (Note 4)
2,335
3,180
Gains on sales of loans (Note 4)
4,441
8,133
1,129
Net (losses) gains on sales of securities (Note 2)
(40 )
1,308
Net (losses) gains on sales and write-downs of other assets (Note 7)
(13 )
Earnings on life insurance policies
Trust income
Change in market value of equity securities
(155 )
-
Other
Total noninterest income
19,194
22,698
9,168
Noninterest expense
Salaries and benefits (Note 13 and 14)
29,300
26,539
14,401
Occupancy and equipment (Note 5)
6,168
5,783
3,557
Data processing
6,189
6,765
3,210
Professional fees
3,009
3,716
3,112
Supplies and postage
Advertising and promotional
Intangible amortization (Note 6)
1,307
1,498
FDIC insurance
Other
4,682
4,701
2,863
Total noninterest expense
52,921
50,884
28,476
Income before income tax
26,498
18,885
8,465
Income tax expense
4,456
3,272
1,294
Net income
$ 22,042
$ 15,613
$ 7,171
Basic earnings per share (Note 15)
$ 2.87
$ 2.08
$ 1.58
Diluted earnings per share (Note 15)
$ 2.86
$ 2.07
$ 1.58
Dividends declared per share
$ 0.94
$ 0.82
$ 1.40
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
Net income
$ 22,042 $ 15,613 $ 7,171
Other comprehensive income:
Changes in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(3,625), $2,846, and $583 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
(13,636 ) 10,708 2,246
Reclassification adjustment for realized (loss) gain on sale of investment securities available for sale included in net income, net of tax (benefit) expense of $7, $275, and $5 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
32 (1,033 ) (18 )
Change in adjustment for postretirement benefits, net of tax expense (benefit) of $0, $(33), and $(5) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
- (125 ) (18 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(13,604 ) 9,550 2,210
Comprehensive income
$ 8,437 $ 25,163 $ 9,381
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Accumulated
Common
Other
Stock and
Comprehensive
Number of
Paid in
Retained
Income/(Loss),
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Shares
Capital
Earnings
Net
Total
Balance, January 1, 2019
3,616,483 $ 54,523 $ 26,686 $ (732 ) $ 80,477
Net income
7,171 7,171
Other comprehensive income
2,210 2,210
Shares issued
8,118 25 25
Shares repurchased
(2,228 ) (67 ) (67 )
Effect of employee stock purchases
14 14
Stock options exercised and issued (1)
3,913 78 78
Stock-based compensation expense
398 398
Restricted stock units issued
14,930 -
Merger with County Bank Corp, net of issuance costs
3,603,872 107,639 107,639
Cash dividends declared ($1.40 per share)
(5,806 ) (5,806 )
Balance, December 31, 2019
7,245,088 $ 162,610 $ 28,051 $ 1,478 $ 192,139
Net income
15,613 15,613
Other comprehensive income
9,550 9,550
Shares issued
19,583 451 451
Effect of employee stock purchases
24 24
Stock options exercised and issued (1)
7,261 -
Stock-based compensation expense
171 171
Restricted stock units issued
365 -
Merger with Community Shores Bank Corporation
524,055 15,494 15,494
Cash dividends declared ($0.82 per share)
(6,174 ) (6,174 )
Balance, December 31, 2020
7,796,352 $ 178,750 $ 37,490 $ 11,028 $ 227,268
Net income
22,042 22,042
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(13,604 ) (13,604 )
Shares issued
23,301 509 509
Effect of employee stock purchases
25 25
Stock-based compensation expense
415 415
Shares repurchased
(309,274 ) (7,786 ) (7,786 )
Cash dividends declared ($0.94 per share)
(7,200 ) (7,200 )
Balance, December 31, 2021
7,510,379 $ 171,913 $ 52,332 $ (2,576 ) $ 221,669
(1) The amount shown represents the number of shares issued in cashless transactions where some taxes are netted on a portion of the exercises.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$ 22,042
$ 15,613
$ 7,171
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Provision for loan losses
4,000
-
Depreciation
2,624
2,721
1,610
Amortization
9,801
4,985
1,517
Compensation expense on employee and director stock purchases, stock options, and restricted stock units
Net (gains) losses on sales of securities
(1,308 )
(22 )
Net change in market value of equity securities
(479 )
-
Gains on sales of loans
(6,776 )
(11,313 )
(1,951 )
Loans originated for sale
(197,387 )
(326,286 )
(63,920 )
Proceeds from loan sales
205,398
325,306
62,763
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance
(778 )
(772 )
(485 )
Proceeds from BOLI policy
-
Earnings on death benefit from bank-owned life insurance
(31 )
-
(288 )
(Gains) on sales of other real estate owned
(19 )
(64 )
(54 )
Write downs of ORE
-
-
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
1,384
Costs capitalized to other real estate
-
(19 )
-
Deferred federal income tax expense
Net change in:
Other assets
(5,418 )
(3,186 )
2,128
Other liabilities
5,715
(3,532 )
(1,493 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
37,699
8,478
9,202
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of securities available for sale
29,742
121,942
178,450
Sales of equity securities
-
-
Maturities, prepayments and calls of securities available for sale
54,202
48,787
47,816
Purchases of securities available for sale
(637,943 )
(375,670 )
(209,763 )
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance policies
(10,000 )
-
-
Purchase of Federal Reserve Bank stock
-
-
(1 )
Loan originations and payments, net
45,384
(79,594 )
(485 )
Additions to premises and equipment
(2,759 )
(1,852 )
(766 )
Cash received from merger with Community Shores Bank Corporation
-
35,636
-
Cash received from merger with County Bank Corp
-
-
20,638
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
(521,374 )
(250,751 )
36,352
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in deposits
377,716
292,145
3,986
Net change in fed funds purchased
-
-
(8,600 )
Proceeds from borrowings
87,500
10,050
115,000
Payments on borrowings
(14,326 )
(33,921 )
(110,035 )
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
(7,786 )
-
(67 )
Cash dividends and fractional shares from merger
(7,200 )
(6,174 )
(5,815 )
Cash related to equity issuance for merger
-
-
(297 )
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
436,043
262,234
(5,686 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(47,632 )
19,961
39,868
Beginning cash and cash equivalents
79,519
59,558
19,690
Ending cash and cash equivalents
$ 31,887
$ 79,519
$ 59,558
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
$ 3,718
$ 4,872
$ 4,500
Cash paid for income taxes
3,251
5,001
1,035
Loans transferred to other real estate owned
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. ("ChoiceOne"), its wholly-owned subsidiary, ChoiceOne Bank (the "Bank"), and ChoiceOne Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary. ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. (the "Insurance Agency"). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
ChoiceOne owns all of the common securities of Community Shores Capital Trust I (the “Capital Trust”). Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Capital Trust is not consolidated because it is a variable interest entity and ChoiceOne is not the primary beneficiary.
Recent Mergers
On July 1, 2020, ChoiceOne completed the merger of Community Shores Bank Corporation ("Community Shores") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger.
On October 1, 2019, ChoiceOne completed the merger of County Bank Corp. ("County") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Consistent with federal banking agencies' “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus,” ChoiceOne is working with its borrowers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ChoiceOne granted deferrals on numerous loans to borrowers affected by the pandemic; however, as of June 30, 2021, all deferments had resumed payments in accordance with loan terms.
In addition, ChoiceOne processed over $126 million in Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans in 2020 and acquired an additional $37 million in PPP loans in the merger with Community Shores. ChoiceOne originated an additional $89.1 million in PPP loans in 2021. PPP loans are forgivable, in whole or in part, if the proceeds are used for payroll and other permitted purposes in accordance with the requirements of the PPP. PPP loans carry a fixed rate of 1.00% and a term of two years (loans made before June 5, 2020) or five years (loans made on or after June 5, 2020), if not forgiven in whole or in part. Payments are deferred until either the date on which the Small Business Administration ("SBA") remits the amount of forgiveness proceeds to the lender or the date that is ten months after the last day of the covered period if the borrower does not apply for forgiveness within that ten-month period. The loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA pays the originating bank a processing fee ranging from 1% to 5%, based on the size of the loan. Upon SBA forgiveness, unrecognized fees are recognized into interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $192.5 million of PPP loans were forgiven resulting in $5.2 million of fee income compared to $23.4 million of PPP loans forgiven resulting in $3.0 million of fee income in 2020. $33.1 million in PPP loans and $1.2 million in deferred PPP fee income remains outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Management expects the remaining PPP loans to be forgiven in the first half of 2022.
Nature of Operations
The Bank is a full-service community bank that offers commercial, consumer, and real estate loans as well as traditional demand, savings and time deposits to both commercial and consumer clients within the Bank’s primary market areas in Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties in western Michigan and Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties in southeastern Michigan. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from the cash flows from operations of businesses. Real estate loans are collateralized by either residential or commercial real estate.
The Insurance Agency is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. The Insurance Agency sells insurance policies such as life and health for both commercial and consumer clients. The Insurance Agency also offers alternative investment products such as annuities and mutual funds through a registered broker.
Together, the Bank and ChoiceOne's other direct and indirect subsidiaries account for substantially all of ChoiceOne’s assets, revenues and operating income.
Use of Estimates
To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, ChoiceOne’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. These estimates and assumptions are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including changes in interest rates and other general economic, business and political conditions, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its potential effects on the economic environment, our customers and our operations, as well as any changes to federal, state and local government laws, regulations and orders in connection with the pandemic. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for loan losses are particularly susceptible to change.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are defined to include cash on hand, demand deposits with other banks, and federal funds sold. Cash flows are reported on a net basis for customer loan and deposit transactions, deposits with other financial institutions, and short-term borrowings with original terms of 90 days or less.
Securities
Debt securities are classified as available for sale because they might be sold before maturity. Debt securities classified as available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported separately in the accumulated other comprehensive income or loss section of shareholders’ equity, net of tax effect. Restricted investments in Federal Reserve Bank stock and Federal Home Loan Bank stock are carried at cost. Equity securities consist of investments in preferred stock and investments in common stock of other financial institutions. Equity securities are reported at their fair value with changes in market value reported through current earnings.
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Gains or losses on sales are recorded on the trade date based on the amortized cost of the security sold.
Management evaluates debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. The evaluation of securities includes consideration given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions and whether ChoiceOne has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, management may consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.
When OTTI occurs, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether ChoiceOne intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If ChoiceOne intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment. If a security is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, but ChoiceOne does not intend to sell the security, only the credit portion of the estimated loss is recognized in earnings, with the other portion of the loss recognized in other comprehensive income.
Loans
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, deferred loan fees and costs, remaining purchase accounting adjustments, and an allowance for loan losses. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or market, on an aggregate basis.
Interest income on loans is reported on the interest method and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the estimated loan term. Interest on loans is accrued based upon the principal balance outstanding. The accrual of interest is discontinued at the time at which loans are 90 days past due unless the loan is secured by sufficient collateral and is in the process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Loans are placed into nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Interest accrued but not received is reversed against interest income when the loans are placed into nonaccrual status. Interest received on such loans is applied to principal until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual basis when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payment is reasonably assured.
No allowance for loan loss is recorded for loans acquired in a business combination unless losses are incurred subsequent to the acquisition date.
Acquired loans are considered purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) if as of the acquisition date, management determines the loan has evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and it is probable at acquisition the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The discount related to credit quality for PCI loans is recorded as an adjustment to the loan balance as of the acquisition date and is not accreted into income. Management subsequently estimates expected cash flows on an individual loan basis. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than a loan's carrying amount, an allowance for loan loss is recorded through the provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, the excess may be reclassified to an accretable difference and recognized into income over the loan's remaining life.
For non-PCI loans, the difference between acquisition date fair value and expected cash flows is accreted into income over a pool's expected life using the level yield method.
Loans to Other Financial Institutions
Loans to other financial institutions are made for the purpose of providing a warehouse line of credit to facilitate funding of residential mortgage loan originations at other financial institutions. The loans are short-term in nature and are designed to provide funding for the time period between the loan origination and its subsequent sale in the secondary market. Loans to other financial institutions earn a share of interest income, determined by the contract, from when the loan is funded to when the loan is sold on the secondary market. Loans to other financial institutions are excluded from Note 3. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 none of the loans to other financial institutions were classified as impaired or nonaccrual. No loans to other financial institutions were impaired, nonaccrual, or past due greater than 30 days as of December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. Management estimates the allowance for loan losses balance required based on past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance for loan losses may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.
The allowance for loan losses consists of general and specific components. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or doubtful. The general component of management's estimate of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. Management's adjustment for current factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, experience and ability of lending staff, national and economic trends and conditions, industry conditions, trends in real estate values, and other conditions.
A loan is impaired when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Troubled debt restructuring of loans is undertaken to improve the likelihood that the loan will be repaid in full under the modified terms in accordance with a reasonable repayment schedule. All modified loans are evaluated to determine whether the loans should be reported as Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDR"). A loan is a TDR when the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower by modifying a loan. To make this determination, the Bank must determine whether (a) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (b) the Bank granted the borrower a concession. This determination requires consideration of all facts and circumstances surrounding the modification. An overall general decline in the economy or some deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition does not automatically mean the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. Commercial loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual loan basis. If a loan is considered impaired or if a loan has been classified as a TDR, a portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan so that it is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans such as consumer and residential real estate mortgage loans are collectively evaluated for impairment and, accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Land is carried at cost. Land improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 7 to 15 years. Building and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 39 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated life or the lease term. Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 3 to 7 years. Fixed assets are periodically reviewed for impairment. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.
Other Real Estate Owned
Real estate properties acquired in the collection of a loan are initially recorded at the lower of the Bank’s basis in the loans or fair value at acquisition establishing a new cost basis. Any reduction to fair value from the carrying value of the related loan is accounted for as a loan loss. After acquisition, a valuation allowance reduces the reported amount to the lower of the initial amount or fair value less costs to sell. Expenses to repair or maintain properties are included within other noninterest expenses. Gains and losses upon disposition and changes in the valuation allowance are reported net within noninterest income.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
Bank owned life insurance policies are stated at the current cash surrender value of the policy, or the policy death proceeds less any obligation to provide a death benefit to an insured’s beneficiaries if that value is less than the cash surrender value. Increases in the asset value are recorded as earnings in other income.
Loan Servicing Rights
Loan servicing rights represent the allocated value of servicing rights on loans sold with servicing retained. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the rights, using groupings of the underlying loans as to interest rates and then, secondarily, as to geographic and prepayment characteristics. Servicing rights are initially recorded at estimated fair value and fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics when available or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed.
Core Deposit Intangible
Core deposit intangible represents the value of the acquired customer core deposit bases and is included as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. The core deposit intangible has an estimated finite life, is amortized on an accelerated basis over a 120 month period and is subject to periodic impairment evaluation.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments
Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet financing needs of customers. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
Employee Benefit Plans
ChoiceOne’s 401(k) plan allows participants to make contributions to their individual accounts under the plan in amounts up to the IRS maximum. Employer matching contributions from ChoiceOne to its 401(k) plan are discretionary.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense is the sum of the current year income tax due and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS assumes issuance of any dilutive potential common shares issuable under stock options or restricted stock units granted.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive income or loss includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in the funded status of post-retirement plans, net of tax, which are also recognized as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Accumulated other comprehensive income was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities
$ (3,261 ) $ 13,959
Unrecognized gains on post-retirement benefits
- -
Tax effect
685 (2,931 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$ (2,576 ) $ 11,028
Loss Contingencies
Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe that there are any such matters that may have a material effect on the financial statements as of December 31, 2021.
Cash Restrictions
Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was $0 at both December 31, 2021 and 2020, as the Federal Reserve revoked the reserve requirement due to COVID- 19.
Leases
Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. Lease expense for operating leases and short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company values share-based stock option awards granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognizes compensation expense for its awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (straight-line attribution method), ensuring that the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that time. Compensation costs related to stock options granted are disclosed in Note 14.
ChoiceOne has granted restricted stock units to a select group of employees under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2012. Each unit, once vested, is settled by delivery of one share of ChoiceOne common stock.
Dividend Restrictions
Banking regulations require the maintenance of certain capital levels and may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank to ChoiceOne (see Note 20).
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, which are more fully documented in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.
Operating Segments
While ChoiceOne’s management monitors the revenue streams of various products and services for the Bank and the Insurance Agency, operations and financial performance are evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated into one reportable operating segment.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology in current generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance attempts to reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses and broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually to include forecasted information, as well as past events and current conditions. There is no specified method for measuring expected credit losses, and an entity may apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate. Although an entity may still use its current systems and methods for recording the allowance for credit losses, under the new rules, the inputs used to record the allowance for credit losses generally will need to change to appropriately reflect an estimate of all expected credit losses and the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts. Additionally, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will have to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and for interim periods within those years for companies considered smaller reporting filers with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ChoiceOne was classified as a smaller reporting filer as of the measurement date. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new ASU on its consolidated financial statements which may be significant.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts presented in prior year consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2021 presentation.
Note 2 - Securities
The fair value of equity securities and the related gross unrealized gains recognized in noninterest income at December 31 were as follows:
December 31, 2021
Gross
Gross
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Equity securities
$ 7,953 $ 665 $ (126 ) $ 8,492
December 31, 2020
Gross
Gross
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Equity securities
$ 2,836 $ 60 $ - $ 2,896
The fair value of securities available for sale and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
December 31, 2021
Gross
Gross
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
U.S. Government and federal agency
$ 2,001 $ 7 $ - $ 2,008
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
93,267 23 (1,311 ) 91,979
State and municipal
528,252 10,704 (4,109 ) 534,847
Mortgage-backed
441,383 781 (9,049 ) 433,115
Corporate
20,856 19 (233 ) 20,642
Asset-backed securities
16,387 - (93 ) 16,294
Total
$ 1,102,146 $ 11,534 $ (14,795 ) $ 1,098,885
December 31, 2020
Gross
Gross
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
U.S. Government and federal agency
$ 2,007 $ 44 $ - $ 2,051
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
1,996 60 - 2,056
State and municipal
307,201 13,191 (24 ) 320,368
Mortgage-backed
246,085 1,510 (872 ) 246,723
Corporate
3,539 51 (1 ) 3,589
Total
$ 560,828 $ 14,856 $ (897 ) $ 574,787
Information regarding sales of securities available for sale for the year ended December 31 follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Proceeds from sales of securities
$ 29,742 $ 121,942 $ 178,913
Gross realized gains
0 1,308 22
Gross realized losses
(40 ) - -
Contractual maturities of equity securities and securities available for sale at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Fair
Cost
Value
Due within one year
$ 25,111 $ 25,310
Due after one year through five years
49,146 50,979
Due after five years through ten years
474,166 480,614
Due after ten years
112,340 108,867
Total debt securities
660,763 665,770
Mortgage-backed securities
441,383 433,115
Equity securities
7,953 8,492
Total
$ 1,110,099 $ 1,107,377
Certain securities were pledged as collateral for participation in a program that provided Community Reinvestment Act credits. The carrying amount of the securities pledged as collateral at December 31 was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities pledged for Community Reinvestment Act credits
$ 273 $ 278
Securities with unrealized losses at year-end 2021 and 2020, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in an unrealized loss position, were as follows:
Less than 12 months
More than 12 months
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
U.S. Government and federal agency
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
89,958 1,311 - - 89,958 1,311
State and municipal
130,001 3,253 15,237 856 145,238 4,109
Mortgage-backed
261,560 5,709 86,974 3,340 348,534 9,049
Corporate
17,369 233 - - 17,369 233
Asset-backed securities
16,294 93 - - 16,294 93
Total temporarily impaired
$ 515,182 $ 10,599 $ 102,211 $ 4,196 $ 617,393 $ 14,795
Less than 12 months
More than 12 months
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
U.S. Government and federal agency
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
- - - - - -
State and municipal
8,950 24 - - 8,950 24
Mortgage-backed
75,126 866 9,994 6 85,120 872
Corporate
453 1 - - 453 1
Asset-backed securities
- - - - - -
Total temporarily impaired
$ 84,529 $ 891 $ 9,994 $ 6 $ 94,523 $ 897
ChoiceOne evaluates all securities on a quarterly basis to determine whether unrealized losses are temporary or other than temporary. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of ChoiceOne to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value of amortized cost basis. Management believed that unrealized losses as of December 31, 2021 were temporary in nature and were caused primarily by changes in interest rates, increased credit spreads, and reduced market liquidity and were not caused by the credit status of the issuer. No other than temporary impairments were recorded in 2021 or 2020.
Following is information regarding unrealized gains and losses on equity securities for the years ending December 31:
Net gains and losses recognized during the period
$ 479 $ (155 ) $ -
Less: Net gains and losses recognized during the period on securities sold
- - (5 )
Unrealized gains and losses recognized during the reporting period on securities still held at the reporting date
$ 479 $ (155 ) $ 5
At December 31, 2021, there were 247 securities with an unrealized loss, compared to 22 securities with an unrealized loss as of December 31, 2020.
Note 3 - Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
The Bank’s loan portfolio as of December 31 was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
$ 64,819 $ 53,735
Commercial and industrial
203,024 303,527
Consumer
35,174 34,014
Real estate - commercial
525,884 469,247
Real estate - construction
19,066 16,639
Real estate - residential
168,881 192,506
Loans, gross
$ 1,016,848 $ 1,069,668
Allowance for Loan Losses
(7,688 ) (7,593 )
Loans, net
$ 1,009,160 $ 1,062,075
ChoiceOne manages its credit risk through the use of its loan policy and its loan approval process and by monitoring of loan credit performance. The loan approval process for commercial loans involves individual and group approval authorities. Individual authority levels are based on the experience of the lender. Group authority approval levels can consist of an internal loan committee that includes the Bank’s President or Senior Lender and other loan officers for loans that exceed individual approval levels, or a loan committee of the Board of Directors for larger commercial loans. Most consumer loans are approved by individual loan officers based on standardized underwriting criteria, with larger consumer loans subject to approval by the internal loan committee.
Ongoing credit review of commercial loans is the responsibility of the loan officers. ChoiceOne’s internal credit committee meets at least monthly and reviews loans with payment issues and loans with a risk rating of 6, 7, or 8. Risk ratings of commercial loans are reviewed periodically and adjusted if needed. ChoiceOne’s consumer loan portfolio is primarily monitored on an exception basis. Loans where payments are past due are turned over to the applicable Bank’s collection department, which works with the borrower to bring payments current or take other actions when necessary. In addition to internal reviews of credit performance, ChoiceOne contracts with a third party for independent loan review that monitors the loan approval process and the credit quality of the loan portfolio.
The table below details the outstanding balances of the County Bank Corp. acquired portfolio and the acquisition fair value adjustments at acquisition date:
(Dollars in thousands)
Acquired Acquired
Impaired
Non-impaired
Total
Loans acquired - contractual payments
$ 7,729 $ 387,394 $ 395,123
Nonaccretable difference
(2,928 ) - (2,928 )
Expected cash flows
4,801 387,394 392,195
Accretable yield
(185 ) (1,894 ) (2,079 )
Carrying balance at acquisition date
$ 4,616 $ 385,500 $ 390,116
The table below presents a roll-forward of the accretable yield on County Bank Corp. acquired loans for the year ended December 31, 2021:
(Dollars in thousands)
Acquired
Acquired
Impaired
Non-impaired
Total
Balance, January 1, 2019
$ - $ - $ -
Merger with County Bank Corp on October 1, 2019
185 1,894 2,079
Accretion October 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019
- (75 ) (75 )
Balance, January 1, 2020
185 1,819 2,004
Accretion January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020
(50 ) (295 ) (345 )
Balance, January 1, 2021
135 1,524 1,659
Transfer from non-accretable to accretable yield
400 - 400
Accretion January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
(247 ) (95 ) (342 )
Balance, December 31, 2021
$ 288 $ 1,429 $ 1,717
The table below details the outstanding balances of the Community Shores Bank Corporation acquired loan portfolio and the acquisition fair value adjustments at acquisition date:
(Dollars in thousands)
Acquired Acquired
Impaired
Non-impaired
Total
Loans acquired - contractual payments
$ 20,491 $ 158,495 $ 178,986
Nonaccretable difference
(2,719 ) - (2,719 )
Expected cash flows
17,772 158,495 176,267
Accretable yield
(869 ) (596 ) (1,465 )
Carrying balance at acquisition date
$ 16,903 $ 157,899 $ 174,802
The table below presents a roll-forward of the accretable yield on Community Shores Bank Corporation acquired loans for the year ended December 31, 2021:
(Dollars in thousands)
Acquired Acquired
Impaired
Non-impaired
Total
Balance, January 1, 2020
$ - $ - $ -
Merger with Community Shores Bank Corporation on July 1, 2020
869 596 1,465
Accretion July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020
(26 ) (141 ) (167 )
Balance, January 1, 2020
843 455 1,298
Accretion January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
(321 ) (258 ) (579 )
Balance, December 31, 2021
$ 522 $ 197 $ 719
Activity in the allowance for loan losses and balances in the loan portfolio was as follows:
Commercial
(Dollars in thousands)
and
Commercial
Construction
Residential
Agricultural
Industrial
Consumer
Real Estate
Real Estate
Real Estate
Unallocated
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses Year Ended December 31, 2021
Beginning balance
$ 257 $ 1,327 $ 317 $ 4,178 $ 97 $ 1,300 $ 117 $ 7,593
Charge-offs
- (195 ) (370 ) (111 ) - - - (676 )
Recoveries
- 86 214 48 - 7 - 355
Provision
191 236 129 (410 ) 13 (636 ) 893 416
Ending balance
$ 448 $ 1,454 $ 290 $ 3,705 $ 110 $ 671 $ 1,010 $ 7,688
Individually evaluated for impairment
$ 251 $ 95 $ 2 $ 9 $ - $ 146 $ - $ 503
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$ 197 $ 1,359 $ 288 $ 3,696 $ 110 $ 525 $ 1,010 $ 7,185
Loans
December 31, 2021
Individually evaluated for impairment
$ 2,616 $ 339 $ 14 $ 273 $ - $ 2,191 $ 5,433
Collectively evaluated for impairment
62,203 197,656 35,148 515,528 19,066 164,647 994,248
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
- 5,029 12 10,083 - 2,043 17,167
Ending balance
$ 64,819 $ 203,024 $ 35,174 $ 525,884 $ 19,066 $ 168,881 $ 1,016,848
Commercial
(Dollars in thousands)
and
Commercial
Construction
Residential
Agricultural
Industrial
Consumer
Real Estate
Real Estate
Real Estate
Unallocated
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses Year Ended December 31, 2020
Beginning balance
$ 471 $ 655 $ 270 $ 1,663 $ 76 $ 640 $ 282 $ 4,057
Charge-offs
(15 ) (148 ) (329 ) (254 ) - (8 ) - (754 )
Recoveries
- 57 204 10 - 19 - 290
Provision
(199 ) 763 172 2,759 21 649 (165 ) 4,000
Ending balance
$ 257 $ 1,327 $ 317 $ 4,178 $ 97 $ 1,300 $ 117 $ 7,593
Individually evaluated for impairment
$ - $ 19 $ 1 $ 157 $ - $ 254 $ - $ 431
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$ 257 $ 1,308 $ 316 $ 4,021 $ 97 $ 1,046 $ 117 $ 7,162
Loans
December 31, 2020
Individually evaluated for impairment
$ 348 $ 1,663 $ 8 $ 3,032 $ 80 $ 2,720 $ 7,851
Collectively evaluated for impairment
53,387 295,154 33,982 453,681 16,559 186,982 1,039,745
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
- 6,710 24 12,534 - 2,804 22,072
Ending balance
$ 53,735 $ 303,527 $ 34,014 $ 469,247 $ 16,639 $ 192,506 $ 1,069,668
Commercial
(Dollars in thousands)
and
Commercial
Construction
Residential
Agricultural
Industrial
Consumer
Real Estate
Real Estate
Real Estate
Unallocated
Total
Allowance for Loan Losses Year Ended December 31, 2019
Beginning balance
$ 481 $ 892 $ 254 $ 1,926 $ 38 $ 537 $ 545 $ 4,673
Charge-offs
- (83 ) (292 ) (589 ) - (25 ) - (989 )
Recoveries
65 22 136 26 - 124 - 373
Provision
(75 ) (176 ) 172 300 38 4 (263 ) -
Ending balance
$ 471 $ 655 $ 270 $ 1,663 $ 76 $ 640 $ 282 $ 4,057
Individually evaluated for impairment
$ 103 $ - $ 4 $ 13 $ - $ 235 $ - $ 355
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$ 368 $ 655 $ 266 $ 1,650 $ 76 $ 405 $ 282 $ 3,702
Loans
December 31, 2019
Individually evaluated for impairment
$ 924 $ 259 $ 17 $ 2,288 $ - $ 2,434 $ 5,922
Collectively evaluated for impairment
56,415 141,583 38,524 323,358 13,411 215,106 788,397
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
- 6,241 313 733 - 442 7,729
Ending balance
$ 57,339 $ 148,083 $ 38,854 $ 326,379 $ 13,411 $ 217,982 $ 802,048
The process to monitor the credit quality of ChoiceOne’s loan portfolio includes tracking (1) the risk ratings of business loans, (2) the level of classified business loans, and (3) delinquent and nonperforming consumer loans. Business loans are risk rated on a scale of 1 to 9. A description of the characteristics of the ratings follows:
Risk Rating 1 through 5 or pass: These loans are considered pass credits. They exhibit acceptable credit risk and demonstrate the ability to repay the loan from normal business operations.
Risk rating 6 or special mention: Loans and other credit extensions bearing this grade are considered to be inadequately protected by the current sound worth and debt service capacity of the borrower or of any pledged collateral. These obligations, even if apparently protected by collateral value, have well-defined weaknesses related to adverse financial, managerial, economic, market, or political conditions that have clearly jeopardized repayment of principal and interest as originally intended. Furthermore, there is the possibility that ChoiceOne Bank will sustain some future loss if such weaknesses are not corrected. Clear loss potential, however, does not have to exist in any individual assets classified as substandard. Loans falling into this category should have clear action plans and timelines with benchmarks to determine which direction the relationship will move.
Risk rating 7 or substandard: Loans and other credit extensions graded “7” have all the weaknesses inherent in those graded “6”, with the added characteristic that the severity of the weaknesses makes collection or liquidation in full highly questionable or improbable based upon currently existing facts, conditions, and values. Loans in this classification should be evaluated for non-accrual status. All nonaccrual commercial and Retail loans must be at a minimum graded a risk code “7”.
Risk rating 8 or doubtful: Loans and other credit extensions bearing this grade have been determined to have the extreme probability of some loss, but because of certain important and reasonably specific factors, the amount of loss cannot be determined. Such pending factors could include merger or liquidation, additional capital injection, refinancing plans, or perfection of liens on additional collateral.
Risk rating 9 or loss: Loans in this classification are considered uncollectible and cannot be justified as a viable asset of ChoiceOne Bank. This classification does not mean the loan has absolutely no recovery value, but that it is neither practical nor desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may be obtained in the future.
Information regarding the Bank’s credit exposure as of December 31 was as follows:
Corporate Credit Exposure - Credit Risk Profile By Creditworthiness Category
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
Commercial and Industrial
Commercial Real Estate
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
Pass
$ 61,864 $ 50,185 $ 201,202 $ 294,614 $ 519,537 $ 453,080
Special Mention
339 3,202 300 4,101 778 6,006
Substandard
2,616 348 1,266 4,812 5,569 8,925
Doubtful
- - 256 - - 1,236
$ 64,819 $ 53,735 $ 203,024 $ 303,527 $ 525,884 $ 469,247
Consumer Credit Exposure - Credit Risk Profile Based On Payment Activity
(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer
Construction Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
Performing
$ 35,174 $ 34,006 $ 19,066 $ 16,559 $ 168,031 $ 191,125
Nonperforming
- - - - - -
Nonaccrual
- 8 - 80 850 1,381
$ 35,174 $ 34,014 $ 19,066 $ 16,639 $ 168,881 $ 192,506
Included within the loan categories above were loans in the process of foreclosure. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, loans in the process of foreclosure totaled $813,000 and $337,000, respectively.
Loans are classified as performing when they are current as to principal and interest payments or are past due on payments less than 90 days. Loans are classified as nonperforming when they are past due 90 days or more as to principal and interest payments or are considered a troubled debt restructuring.
The following table provides information on loans that were considered troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") that were modified during the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no new TDRs in 2020.
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Pre-
Post-
Modification
Modification
Outstanding
Outstanding
(Dollars in thousands)
Number of
Recorded
Recorded
Loans
Investment
Investment
Agricultural
5 $ 1,803 $ 1,803
Commercial and Industrial
4 270 270
Commercial Real Estate
2 619 619
Total
11 $ 2,692 $ 2,692
The following schedule provides information on TDRs as of December 31, 2021 where the borrower was past due with respect to principal and/or interest for 30 days during the year ended December 31, 2021, which loans had been modified and classified as TDRs during the year prior to the default. There were no TDRs as of December 31, 2020 where the borrower was past due with respect to principal and/or interest for 30 days or more during year ended December 31, 2020, which loans had been modified and classified as TDRs during the year prior to the default.
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Number
Recorded
of Loans
Investment
Commercial Real Estate
1 185
Total
1 $ 185
The federal banking agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus” on March 22, 2020 and subsequently issued a revised statement on April 7, 2020. These statements encourage financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers affected by COVID-19, and provide that short-term modifications to loans made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as of the implementation date of the statements are not considered TDRs. Further, Section 4013 of the CARES Act states that COVID-19 related modifications made during 2020 and 2021 on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are not TDRs. As of December 31, 2020, ChoiceOne had granted deferments on approximately 750 loans with loan balances totaling $148 million which, in reliance on the statements of federal banking agencies and the CARES Act, are not reflected as TDRs in this report. All deferments had resumed payments in accordance with loan terms as of June 30, 2021.
Impaired loans by loan category as of December 31 were as follows:
Unpaid
Average
Interest
(Dollars in thousands)
Recorded
Principal
Related
Recorded
Income
Investment
Balance
Allowance
Investment
Recognized
December 31, 2021
With no related allowance recorded
Agricultural
$ 314 $ 428 $ - $ 598 $ -
Commercial and industrial
- - - 596 -
Consumer
- - - - -
Construction real estate
- - - 16 -
Commercial real estate
94 94 - 1,117 5
Residential real estate
164 172 - 228 -
Subtotal
572 694 - 2,555 5
With an allowance recorded
Agricultural
2,302 2,302 251 1,873 139
Commercial and industrial
339 363 95 226 5
Consumer
14 15 2 4 -
Construction real estate
- - - - -
Commercial real estate
179 179 9 456 10
Residential real estate
2,027 2,084 146 2,177 64
Subtotal
4,861 4,943 503 4,736 218
Total
Agricultural
2,616 2,730 251 2,471 139
Commercial and industrial
339 363 95 822 5
Consumer
14 15 2 4 -
Construction real estate
- - - 16 -
Commercial real estate
273 273 9 1,573 15
Residential real estate
2,191 2,256 146 2,405 64
Total
$ 5,433 $ 5,637 $ 503 $ 7,291 $ 223
Unpaid
Average
Interest
(Dollars in thousands)
Recorded
Principal
Related
Recorded
Income
Investment
Balance
Allowance
Investment
Recognized
December 31, 2020
With no related allowance recorded
Agricultural
$ 348 $ 434 $ - $ 329 $ -
Commercial and industrial
1,516 1,629 - 464 2
Consumer
- - - 1 -
Construction real estate
80 80 - 16 -
Commercial real estate
1,852 2,664 - 1,495 14
Residential real estate
162 162 - 99 3
Subtotal
3,958 4,969 - 2,404 19
With an allowance recorded
Agricultural
- - - 152 -
Commercial and industrial
147 147 19 111 12
Consumer
8 8 1 16 -
Construction real estate
- - - - -
Commercial real estate
1,180 1,180 157 897 35
Residential real estate
2,558 2,651 254 2,330 87
Subtotal
3,893 3,986 431 3,506 134
Total
Agricultural
348 434 - 481 -
Commercial and industrial
1,663 1,776 19 575 14
Consumer
8 8 1 17 -
Construction real estate
80 80 - 16 -
Commercial real estate
3,032 3,844 157 2,392 49
Residential real estate
2,720 2,813 254 2,429 90
Total
$ 7,851 $ 8,955 $ 431 $ 5,910 $ 153
Unpaid
Average
Interest
(Dollars in thousands)
Recorded
Principal
Related
Recorded
Income
Investment
Balance
Allowance
Investment
Recognized
December 31, 2019
With no related allowance recorded
Agricultural
$ 545 $ 545 $ - $ 146 $ 10
Commercial and industrial
259 340 - 104 9
Consumer
- - - - -
Construction real estate
- - - - -
Commercial real estate
1,882 2,471 - 782 30
Residential real estate
42 42 - 133 4
Subtotal
2,728 3,398 - 1,165 53
With an allowance recorded
Agricultural
379 439 103 388 -
Commercial and industrial
- - - 86 1
Consumer
17 18 4 48 -
Construction real estate
- - - - -
Commercial real estate
406 406 13 975 32
Residential real estate
2,392 2,460 235 2,486 83
Subtotal
3,194 3,323 355 3,983 116
Total
Agricultural
924 984 103 534 10
Commercial and industrial
259 340 - 190 10
Consumer
17 18 4 48 -
Construction real estate
- - - - -
Commercial real estate
2,288 2,877 13 1,757 62
Residential real estate
2,434 2,502 235 2,619 87
Total
$ 5,922 $ 6,721 $ 355 $ 5,148 $ 169
An aging analysis of loans by loan category as of December 31 follows:
Loans
Loans
Loans
Past Due
Loans
Past Due
Past Due
Greater
90 Days Past
(Dollars in thousands)
30 to 59
60 to 89
Than 90
Loans Not
Total
Due and
Days (1)
Days (1)
Days (1)
Total (1)
Past Due
Loans
Accruing
December 31, 2021
Agricultural
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ 64,819 $ 64,819 $ -
Commercial and industrial
21 - 88 109 202,915 203,024 -
Consumer
70 15 - 85 35,089 35,174 -
Commercial real estate
422 13 279 714 525,170 525,884 -
Construction real estate
1,149 1,235 - 2,384 16,682 19,066 -
Residential real estate
1,489 306 454 2,249 166,632 168,881 -
$ 3,151 $ 1,569 $ 821 $ 5,541 $ 1,011,307 $ 1,016,848 $ -
December 31, 2020
Agricultural
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ 53,735 $ 53,735 $ -
Commercial and industrial
- 109 515 624 302,903 303,527 -
Consumer
39 - - 39 33,975 34,014 -
Commercial real estate
532 44 1,744 2,320 466,927 469,247 -
Construction real estate
1,076 180 80 1,336 15,303 16,639 -
Residential real estate
1,563 256 352 2,171 190,335 192,506 -
$ 3,210 $ 589 $ 2,691 $ 6,490 $ 1,063,178 $ 1,069,668 $ -
(1) Includes nonaccrual loans
Nonaccrual loans by loan category as of December 31 as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Agricultural
$ 313 $ 348
Commercial and industrial
285 1,802
Consumer
- 8
Commercial real estate
279 3,088
Construction real estate
- 80
Residential real estate
850 1,381
$ 1,727 $ 6,707
Note 4 - Mortgage Banking
Activity in secondary market loans during the year was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans originated for resale, net of principal payments
$ 197,387
$ 326,286
$ 63,920
Proceeds from loan sales
205,398
325,306
62,763
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
6,776
11,313
1,951
Loan servicing fees, net of amortization
(163 )
(129 )
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale include capitalization of loan servicing rights. Loans serviced for others are not reported as assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of these loans were $481.9 million and $404.2 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Bank maintains custodial escrow balances in connection with these serviced loans; however, such escrows were immaterial at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Activity for loan servicing rights (included in other assets) was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
$ 3,967
$ 2,131
$ 1,049
Capitalized
1,961
3,554
Amortization
(1,635 )
(1,344 )
(453 )
Market valuation allowance change
(374 )
-
Acquired from merger with County Bank Corp.
-
-
Balance, end of year
$ 4,667
$ 3,967
$ 2,131
The fair value of loan servicing rights was $5,521,000 and $3,967,000 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Valuation allowances of $0 and $373,000 were recorded at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The fair value of the Bank’s servicing rights at December 31, 2021 was determined using a discount rate of 8.00% and prepayment speeds ranging from 5% to 27%. The fair value of the Bank’s servicing rights at December 31, 2020 was determined using a discount rate of 7.75% and prepayment speeds ranging from 7% to 26%.
Note 5 - Premises and Equipment
As of December 31, premises and equipment consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Land and land improvements
$ 8,888
$ 8,753
Leasehold improvements
Buildings
26,091
25,985
Furniture and equipment
11,145
10,687
Total cost
46,193
45,494
Accumulated depreciation
(16,313 )
(16,005 )
Premises and equipment, net
$ 29,880
$ 29,489
Depreciation expense was $2.6 million, $2.7 million and $1.6 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Bank leases certain branch properties and automated-teller machine locations in its normal course of business. Rent expense totaled $153,000, $83,000, and $72,000 for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The associated right of use assets are included in the applicable categories of fixed assets in the above table and the net book value of such assets approximates the operating lease liability. Rent commitments under non-cancelable operating leases were as follows, before considering renewal options that generally are present (dollars in thousands):
$
Total undiscounted cash flows
Less discount
Total operating lease liabilities
$
Note 6 - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The change in the balance for goodwill was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
$ 60,506
$ 52,870
Goodwill adjustment from merger with County Bank Corp.
-
(277 )
Acquired goodwill from merger with Community Shores Bank Corporation
-
7,913
Goodwill adjustment from merger with Community Shores Bank Corporation
(560 )
-
Balance, end of year
$ 59,946
$ 60,506
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and an impairment charge would be recognized for any amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. Accounting pronouncements allow a company to first perform a qualitative assessment for goodwill prior to a quantitative assessment (Step 1 assessment). If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then a quantitative assessment must be performed. If not, there is no further assessment required. The Company acquired Valley Ridge Financial Corp. in 2006, County in 2019, and Community Shores in 2020, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $13.7 million, $38.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively.
Management performed its annual qualitative assessment of goodwill as of June 30, 2021. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of ChoiceOne's operations was less than the carrying amount, management assessed the relevant events and circumstances such as the ones noted in ASC 350-20-35-3c. The analysis consisted of a review of ChoiceOne’s current and expected future financial performance, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of ChoiceOne’s borrowers to comply with loan terms, and the impact that reductions in both short-term and long-term interest rates have had and may continue to have on net interest margin and mortgage sales activity. The share price and book value of ChoiceOne’s stock were also compared to the most recent quantitative assessment, which was performed as of November 30, 2020. Management also compared average deal values for recent closed bank transactions to ChoiceOne transactions. Despite ChoiceOne's market capitalization declining slightly from November 30, 2020 to June 30, 2021, ChoiceOne's financial performance remained positive. In assessing the totality of the events and circumstances, management determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of ChoiceOne’s operations, from a qualitative perspective, exceeded the carrying value as of June 30, 2021 and impairment of goodwill was not necessary.
ChoiceOne’s stock price per share was less than its book value as of December 31, 2021. This indicated that goodwill may be impaired and resulted in management performing another qualitative goodwill impairment assessment as of the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result of the analysis, management concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit was greater than the carrying value. This was evidenced by the strong financial indicators, solid credit quality ratios, as well as the strong capital position of ChoiceOne. In addition, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected significant and continuing growth in ChoiceOne's interest income, as well as net Small Business Administration fees related to Paycheck Protection Program loans. Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, management believed that a quantitative analysis was not necessary as of December 31, 2021.
Acquired Intangible Assets
Information for acquired intangible assets at December 31 is as follows:
Gross
Gross
Carrying
Accumulated
Carrying
Accumulated
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Amortization
Amount
Amortization
Core deposit intangible
$ 7,120
$ 3,158
$ 7,120
$ 1,851
The core deposit intangible from the County and Community Shores mergers is being amortized on a sum-of-the-years digits basis over ten years and eight years, respectively. Amortization expense was $1,307,000 in 2021 and $1,498,000 in 2020. The estimated amortization expense for the next five years ending December 31 is as follows (dollars in thousands):
$ 1,153
Thereafter
Total
$ 3,962
Note 7 - Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned represents residential and commercial properties primarily owned as a result of loan collection activities and is reported net of a valuation allowance. Activity within other real estate owned was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
$
$
$
Transfers from loans
Additions from merger
-
1,364
Proceeds from sales
(611 )
(1,384 )
(938 )
Write-downs
-
(80 )
-
Gains on sales
Balance, end of year
$
$
$
Included in the balances above were residential real estate mortgage loans of $80,000, $61,000, and $175,000 as of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, and $114,000, $205,000, and $754,000 of commercial real estate loans as of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively.
Note 8 - Deposits
Deposit balances as of December 31 consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
$ 560,931 $ 477,654
Interest-bearing demand deposits
665,482 471,346
Money market deposits
218,211 191,681
Savings deposits
425,626 337,332
Local certificates of deposit
182,044 196,565
Total deposits
$ 2,052,294 $ 1,674,578
Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
$ 149,991
19,641
5,529
3,759
2,732
Thereafter
Total
$ 182,044
The Bank had certificates of deposit issued in denominations of $250,000 or greater totaling $87.3 million and $88.2 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Bank held $0 in brokered certificates of deposit at December 31, 2021 and 2020. In addition, the Bank had $13.7 million and $12.7 million of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively, that had been issued through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service ("CDARS").
Note 9 - Borrowings
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
At December 31, advances from the FHLB were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity of January 2022 with fixed interest rate of .21%
$ 50,000 $ -
Maturity of November 2024 with fixed interest rate of 3.98%
- 161
Total advances outstanding at year-end
$ 50,000 $ 161
Fees of $16,000 were charged on a fixed rate advance that was paid prior to maturity during 2021. No fixed rate advances were paid prior to maturity in 2020. Advances were secured by agricultural loans and residential real estate loans with a carrying value of approximately $127.5 million and $158.2 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Based on this collateral, the Bank was eligible to borrow an additional $69.3 million at year-end 2021. FHLB Advances mature in January 2022.
Holding Company Term Loan
ChoiceOne obtained a $10,000,000 term note in June 2020. Part of the proceeds from the note were used to fund the cash portion of the consideration paid in the Community Shores merger. The note would have matured in June 2023; however, the note was paid off with a line of credit in June 2021.
At December 31, information regarding the holding company term loan was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity of June 2023 with floating interest rate of 3.00%
$ - $ 9,167
In June 2021, ChoiceOne obtained a $20,000,000 line of credit with an annual renewal. The line carries a floating rate of prime rate with a floor of 3.25%. The credit agreement includes certain financial covenants, including minimum capital ratios, asset quality ratios, and the requirements of achieving certain profitability thresholds. ChoiceOne was in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2021. The line of credit balance was $0 at December 31, 2021.
Note 10 - Subordinated Debentures
The Capital Trust sold 4,500 Cumulative Preferred Securities (“trust preferred securities”) at $1,000 per security in a December 2004 offering. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the Capital Trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Community Shores. The trust preferred securities and subordinated debentures carry a floating rate of 2.05% over the 3-month LIBOR and the rate was 2.27% at December 31, 2021 and 2.29% at December 31, 2020. The stated maturity is December 30, 2034. The trust preferred securities are redeemable at par value on any interest payment date and are, in effect, guaranteed by ChoiceOne. Interest on the subordinated debentures is payable quarterly on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30. ChoiceOne is not considered the primary beneficiary of the Capital Trust (under the variable interest entity rules), therefore the Capital Trust is not consolidated in the consolidated financial statements, rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability, and the interest expense is recorded in the consolidated statement of income.
The terms of the subordinated debentures, the trust preferred securities and the agreements under which they were issued give ChoiceOne the right, from time to time, to defer payment of interest for up to 20 consecutive quarters, unless certain specified events of default have occurred and are continuing. The deferral of interest payments on the subordinated debentures results in the deferral of distributions on the trust preferred securities.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. The notes will initially bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 3.25% per annum until September 3, 2026, after which time the interest rate will reset quarterly to a floating rate equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then current three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 255 basis points until the notes’ maturity on September 3, 2031. The notes are redeemable by ChoiceOne, in whole or in part, on or after September 3, 2026, and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for ChoiceOne for regulatory capital purposes. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios.
During the third quarter of 2021, ChoiceOne used a portion of the proceeds from this private placement to pay off $2.6 million of other outstanding debt and an additional $5.0 million of proceeds was downstreamed to the Bank.
Note 11 - Income Taxes
Information as of December 31 and for the year follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Provision for Income Taxes
Current federal income tax expense
$ 3,532 $ 3,070 $ 984
Deferred federal income tax expense/(benefit)
924 202 310
Income tax expense
$ 4,456 $ 3,272 $ 1,294
Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision to Statutory Rate
Income tax computed at statutory federal rate of 21%
$ 5,565 $ 3,966 $ 1,778
Tax exempt interest income
(1,190 ) (574 ) (320 )
Tax exempt earnings on bank-owned life insurance
(170 ) (162 ) (162 )
Tax credits
(284 ) (240 ) (218 )
Nondeductible merger expenses
- 182 164
Disallowed interest expense
74 64 13
Other items
461 36 39
Income tax expense
$ 4,456 $ 3,272 $ 1,294
Effective income tax rate
17 %
17 %
15 %
(Dollars in thousands)
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred tax assets:
Purchase accounting adjustments from mergers with County
and Community Shores
$ 1,374
$ 1,953
Allowance for loan losses
1,614
1,595
Unrealized losses on securities available for sale
-
Net operating loss carryforward
Deferred loan fees
Write-downs of other real estate owned
-
Other
Total deferred tax assets
4,890
5,571
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains on securities available for sale
-
2,931
Purchase accounting adjustments from mergers with County
and Community Shores
1,107
1,403
Loan servicing rights
Depreciation
Interest rate lock commitments
-
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities
2,950
6,227
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
$ 1,940
$ (656 )
As of December 31, 2021, deferred tax assets included federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.6 million which was acquired through the merger with Community Shores. The loss carryforwards expire at various dates from 2031 to 2035. Deferred tax assets are recognized for net operating losses because the benefit is more likely than not to be realized. Under Code Section 382, ChoiceOne is limited to applying approximately $185,000 of net operating losses per year.
Note 12 - Related Party Transactions
Loans to executive officers, directors and their affiliates were as follows at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
$ 20,724
$ 10,563
New loans
13,188
12,211
Repayments
(9,912 )
(5,125 )
Loans acquired from merger
-
3,075
Balance, end of year
$ 24,000
$ 20,724
Deposits from executive officers, directors and their affiliates were $16.8 million and $14.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Note 13 - Employee Benefit Plans
401(k) Plan:
The 401(k) plan allows employees to contribute to their individual accounts under the plan amounts up to the IRS maximum. Matching company contributions to the plan are discretionary. Expense for matching company contributions under the plan was $627,000, $465,000, and $233,000 in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Post-retirement Benefits Plan:
ChoiceOne maintains an unfunded post-retirement health care plan, which permits employees (and their dependents) the ability to participate upon retirement from ChoiceOne. ChoiceOne does not pay any portion of the health care premiums charged to its retired participants. A liability would be accrued for the obligation under this plan. Effective in December 2020, ChoiceOne curtailed the plan to the extent that it would be no longer offered to future retirees. Current retirees receiving the benefit were not affected. As a result of the curtailment, ChoiceOne realized a recovery of post-retirement benefit expense of $10,000 in 2021, compared to recoveries of $222,000 and $14,000 in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The post-retirement obligation liability was $0 as of December 31, 2021 and $10,000 as of December 31, 2020.
Note 14 - Stock Based Compensation
Options to buy stock have been granted to key employees to provide them with additional equity interests in ChoiceOne. Compensation expense in connection with stock options granted was $15,000 in 2021, $15,000 in 2020, and $53,000 in 2019. The Stock Incentive Plan of 2012 was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting held on April 25, 2012. The Stock Incentive Plan of 2012, as amended effective May 23, 2018, provides for the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of common stock. At December 31, 2021, there were 76,467 shares available for future grants.
A summary of stock options activity during the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Weighted
Weighted
average
average
exercise
Grant Date
Shares
price
Fair Value
Options outstanding at January 1, 2021
20,631 $ 25.30 $ 3.46
Options granted
- - -
Options exercised
- - -
Options forfeited or expired
- - -
Options outstanding, end of year
20,631 $ 25.30 $ 3.36
Options exercisable at December 31, 2021
8,631 $ 22.60 $ 3.22
The exercise prices for options outstanding and exercisable at the end of 2021 ranged from $20.86 to $25.65 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding and exercisable at the end of 2021 was approximately 4.81 years.
The intrinsic value of all outstanding stock options and exercisable stock options was $34,000 and $82,000 respectively, at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The aggregate intrinsic values of outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2021 were calculated based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2021 of $26.49 per share less the exercise price.
Information pertaining to options outstanding at December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Exercise price of stock options:
Number of options outstanding at year-end
Number of options exercisable at year-end
Average remaining contractual life (in years)
$ 27.25 12,000 - 7.44
$ 25.65 3,000 3,000 6.51
$ 20.86 3,306 3,306 5.36
$ 21.13 2,325 2,325 4.02
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. ChoiceOne uses historical data to estimate the volatility of the market price of ChoiceOne stock and employee terminations within the valuation model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. As of December 31, 2021, there was $4,000 in unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options.
ChoiceOne has granted restricted stock units to a select group of employees under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2012. Restricted stock units outstanding as of December 31, 2021 vest on the three year anniversary of the grant date. Certain additional vesting provisions apply. Each restricted stock unit, once vested, is settled by delivery of one share of ChoiceOne common stock. ChoiceOne recognized compensation expense of $320,000, $157,000, and $349,000 in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, in connection with restricted stock units for current participants during these years.
A summary of the activity for restricted stock units outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2021 is presented below:
Outstanding Stock Awards
Shares
Per Share
Outstanding at January 1, 2021
18,989 $ 28.20
Granted
19,575 28.50
Vested
-
Forfeited
(2,880 ) 28.20
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
35,684 $ 28.36
At December 31, 2021, there were 35,684 restricted stock units outstanding with an approximate stock value of $945,000 based on ChoiceOne’s December 31, 2021 stock price. At December 31, 2020, there were 18,989 restricted stock units outstanding with an approximate stock value of $585,000 based on ChoiceOne’s December 31, 2020 stock price. As a result of the merger with County, all unvested stock awards granted prior to October 1, 2019 vested upon completion of the merger. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted was $558,000 and $306,000 in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.63 years. As of December 31, 2021, there was $503,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested shares granted.
Note 15 - Earnings Per Share
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
Basic
Net income
$ 22,042
$ 15,613
$ 7,171
Weighted average common shares outstanding
7,685,459
7,521,771
4,528,786
Basic earnings per common shares
$ 2.87
$ 2.08
$ 1.58
Diluted
Net income
$ 22,042
$ 15,613
$ 7,171
Weighted average common shares outstanding
7,685,459
7,521,771
4,528,786
Plus dilutive stock options and restricted stock units
17,255
9,846
10,489
Weighted average common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares
7,702,714
7,531,617
4,539,275
Diluted earnings per common share
$ 2.86
$ 2.07
$ 1.58
Stock options considered anti-dilutive to earnings per share were 15,000, 0, and 0 as of December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively. This calculation is based on the average stock price during the year.
Note 16 - Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company
Condensed Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
Assets
Cash
$ 17,622 $ 11,939
Equity securities at fair value
2,555 1,884
Securities available for sale
- -
Other assets
553 292
Investment in subsidiaries
236,462 228,895
Total assets
$ 257,192 $ 243,010
Liabilities
Term loan
$ - $ 9,167
Subordinated debentures
31,827 -
Trust preferred securities
3,190 3,089
Other liabilities
506 3,486
Total liabilities
35,523 15,742
Shareholders' equity
221,669 227,268
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 257,192 $ 243,010
Condensed Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Interest income
Interest and dividends from ChoiceOne Bank
$ 6,125 $ 12,942 $ 4,011
Interest and dividends from other securities
10 13 50
Total interest income
6,135 12,955 4,061
Interest expense
Borrowings
645 239 -
Net interest income
5,490 12,716 4,061
Noninterest income
Gains on sales of securities
- 26 8
Change in market value of equity securities
554 (155 ) (114 )
Other
4 - -
Total noninterest income
558 (129 ) (106 )
Noninterest expense
Salaries and benefits
- 1,201 339
Professional fees
15 1,093 1,517
Other
203 217 492
Total noninterest expense
218 2,511 2,348
Income before income tax and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary
5,830 10,076 1,607
Income tax (expense)/benefit
64 431 261
Income before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary
5,894 10,507 1,868
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary
16,148 5,106 5,303
Net income
$ 22,042 $ 15,613 $ 7,171
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$ 22,042 $ 15,613 $ 7,171
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary
(16,148 ) (5,106 ) (5,303 )
Amortization
101 51 14
Compensation expense on employee and director stock purchases, stock options, and restricted stock units
787 488 359
Net gain on sale of securities
- (26 ) (8 )
Change in market value of equity securities
(554 ) 155 114
Changes in other assets
(260 ) 582 (344 )
Changes in other liabilities
(2,982 ) 551 1,485
Net cash from operating activities
2,986 12,308 3,488
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of securities
- 958 1,102
Purchases of securities
(117 ) (200 ) -
Investment in Subsidiary
(5,000 ) - -
Cash acquired from mergers with Community Shores Bank Corporation and County Bank Corp.
- 142 1,038
Net cash from investing activities
(5,117 ) 900 2,140
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock
139 134 142
Repurchase of common stock
(7,786 ) - (67 )
Proceeds from borrowings
36,827 10,000 -
Payments on borrowings
(14,166 ) (833 ) -
Cash used as part of equity issuance for merger
- (5,387 ) (297 )
Cash dividends paid
(7,200 ) (6,174 ) (5,815 )
Net cash from financing activities
7,814 (2,260 ) (6,037 )
Net change in cash
5,683 10,948 (409 )
Beginning cash
11,939 991 1,400
Ending cash
$ 17,622 $ 11,939 $ 991
Note 17 - Financial Instruments
Financial instruments as of the dates indicated were as follows:
Quoted Prices
In Active
Significant
Markets for
Other
Significant
Identical
Observable
Unobservable
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Estimated
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Amount
Fair Value
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
December 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 31,887
$ 31,887
$ 31,887
$ -
$ -
Equity securities at fair value
8,492
8,492
6,724
-
1,768
Securities available for sale
1,098,885
1,098,885
-
1,077,835
21,050
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
8,888
8,888
-
8,888
-
Loans held for sale
9,351
9,632
-
9,632
-
Loans to other financial institutions
42,632
42,632
-
42,632
-
Loans, net
1,009,160
999,393
-
-
999,393
Accrued interest receivable
8,211
8,211
-
8,211
-
Interest rate lock commitments
-
-
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
560,931
560,931
-
560,931
-
Interest-bearing deposits
1,491,363
1,491,135
-
1,491,135
-
Borrowings
50,000
50,000
-
50,000
-
Subordinated debentures
35,017
33,414
-
33,414
-
Accrued interest payable
-
-
December 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$ 79,519
$ 79,519
$ 79,519
$ -
$ -
Equity securities at fair value
2,896
2,896
1,411
-
1,485
Securities available for sale
574,787
574,787
-
563,364
11,423
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
8,004
8,004
-
8,004
-
Loans held for sale
12,921
13,350
-
13,350
-
Loans to other financial institutions
35,209
35,209
-
35,209
-
Loans, net
1,062,075
1,057,786
-
-
1,057,786
Accrued interest receivable
6,521
6,521
-
6,521
-
Interest rate lock commitments
-
-
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
477,654
477,654
-
477,654
-
Interest-bearing deposits
1,196,924
1,197,964
-
1,197,964
-
Borrowings
9,327
9,143
-
9,143
-
Subordinated debentures
3,089
3,089
-
3,089
-
Accrued interest payable
-
-
The estimated fair values approximate the carrying amounts for all financial instruments except those described later in this paragraph. The methodology for determining the estimated fair value for securities available for sale is described in Note 18. The estimated fair value for loans follows the guidance in ASU 2016-01 which prescribes an “exit price” approach, which incorporates discounts for credit, liquidity, and marketability. The allowance for loan losses is considered to be a reasonable estimate of discount for credit quality concerns. The estimated fair value of loans also included the mark to market adjustments related to the Company’s mergers.
The estimated fair value of deposits is based on comparing the average rate paid on deposits compared to the three month LIBOR rate which is assumed to be the replacement value of these deposits. The estimated fair values for time deposits and FHLB advances are based on the rates paid at December 31 for new deposits or FHLB advances, applied until maturity. The estimated fair values for other financial instruments and off-balance sheet loan commitments are considered nominal.
Note 18 - Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and the valuation techniques used by the Company to determine those fair values.
In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability.
In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. The Company’s assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset or liability.
There were no liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2021. Disclosures concerning assets measured at fair value are as follows:
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Quoted Prices
In Active
Significant
Markets for
Other
Significant
Identical
Observable
Unobservable
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Balance at
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Date Indicated
Equity Securities Held at Fair Value - December 31, 2021
Equity securities
$ 6,724 $ - $ 1,768 $ 8,492
Investment Securities, Available for Sale - December 31, 2021
U. S. Government and federal agency
$ - $ 2,008 $ - $ 2,008
U. S. Treasury notes and bonds
- 91,979 - 91,979
State and municipal
- 514,797 20,050 534,847
Mortgage-backed
- 433,115 - 433,115
Corporate
- 19,642 1,000 20,642
Asset-backed Securities
- 16,294 - 16,294
Total
$ - $ 1,077,835 $ 21,050 $ 1,098,885
Equity Securities Held at Fair Value - December 31, 2020
Equity securities
$ 1,411 $ - $ 1,485 $ 2,896
Investment Securities, Available for Sale - December 31, 2020
U. S. Government and federal agency
$ - $ 2,051 $ - $ 2,051
U. S. Treasury notes and bonds
- 2,056 - 2,056
State and municipal
- 309,945 10,423 320,368
Mortgage-backed
- 246,723 - 246,723
Corporate
- 2,589 1,000 3,589
Total
$ - $ 563,364 $ 11,423 $ 574,787
Securities classified as available for sale are generally reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. ChoiceOne’s external investment advisor obtained fair value measurements from an independent pricing service that uses matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). The fair value measurements considered observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows and the bonds' terms and conditions, among other things. Securities classified in Level 2 included U.S. Government and federal agency securities, U.S. Treasury notes and bonds, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, and asset backed securities. The Company classified certain state and municipal securities and corporate bonds, and equity securities as Level 3. Based on the lack of observable market data, estimated fair values were based on the observable data available and reasonable unobservable market data.
Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
(Dollars in thousands)
Equity Securities Held at Fair Value
Balance, January 1
$ 1,485 $ 1,472
Total realized and unrealized gains included in noninterest income
166 13
Net purchases, sales, calls, and maturities
117 -
Balance, December 31
$ 1,768 $ 1,485
Investment Securities, Available for Sale
Balance, January 1
$ 11,423 $ 12,367
Total realized and unrealized gains included in income
- -
Total unrealized gains/(losses) included in other comprehensive income
1,720 512
Net purchases, sales, calls, and maturities
7,907 (1,456 )
Balance, December 31
$ 21,050 $ 11,423
Of the Level 3 assets that were held by the Company at December 31, 2021, the net unrealized gain as of December 31, 2021 was $591,000, compared to $889,000 as of December 31, 2020. The change in the net unrealized gain or loss is recognized in noninterest income or other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets and income statements. Amounts recognized in noninterest income relate to changes in equity securities. A total of $8,839,000 and $1,642,000 of Level 3 securities were purchased in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions classified as Level 3 assets and liabilities. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for these assets and liabilities presented in the tables above may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable and unobservable inputs.
Available for sale investment securities categorized as Level 3 assets consist of bonds issued by local municipalities and a trust-preferred security. The Company estimates the fair value of these assets based on the present value of expected future cash flows using management’s best estimate of key assumptions, including forecasted interest yield and payment rates, credit quality and a discount rate commensurate with the current market and other risks involved.
The Company also has assets that under certain conditions are subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are not normally measured at fair value, but can be subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as impairment. Disclosures concerning assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are as follows:
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Quoted Prices
In Active Significant
Markets for Other Significant
Balances at
Identical
Observable
Unobservable
(Dollars in thousands)
Dates
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Indicated
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Impaired Loans
December 31, 2021
$ 5,433 $ - $ - $ 5,433
December 31, 2020
$ 7,851 $ - $ - $ 7,851
Other Real Estate
December 31, 2021
$ 194 $ - $ - $ 194
December 31, 2020
$ 266 $ - $ - $ 266
Mortgage Loan Servicing Rights
December 31, 2020
$ 3,967 $ - $ 3,967 $ -
Impaired loans categorized as Level 3 assets consist of non-homogeneous loans that are considered impaired. The Company estimates the fair value of the loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows using management’s best estimate of key assumptions. These assumptions include future payment ability, timing of payment streams, and estimated realizable values of available collateral (typically based on outside appraisals). The changes in fair value consisted of charge-downs of impaired loans that were posted to the allowance for loan losses and write-downs of other real estate owned that were posted to a valuation account. The fair value of other real estate owned was based on appraisals or other reviews of property values, adjusted for estimated costs to sell.
Note 19 - Off-Balance Sheet Activities
Some financial instruments, such as loan commitments, credit lines, letters of credit, and overdraft protection, are issued to meet customers’ financing needs. These are agreements to provide credit or to support the credit of others, as long as conditions established in the contract are met, and usually have expiration dates. Commitments may expire without being used. Off-balance sheet risk to credit loss exists up to the face amount of these instruments, although material losses are not anticipated. The same credit policies are used to make such commitments as are used for loans, including obtaining collateral at exercise of the commitment.
The contractual amount of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk was as follows at December 31:
Fixed
Variable
Fixed
Variable
(Dollars in thousands)
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
Unused lines of credit and letters of credit
$ 63,001
$ 275,170
$ 48,622
$ 231,667
Commitments to fund loans (at market rates)
72,257
25,545
10,691
3,954
Commitments to fund loans are generally made for periods of 180 days or less. The fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 2.375% to 6.00% and maturities ranging from 1 year to 30 years.
Note 20 - Regulatory Capital
ChoiceOne and the Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. Depending upon the capital category to which an institution is assigned, the regulators' corrective powers include: prohibiting the acceptance of brokered deposits; requiring the submission of a capital restoration plan; placing limits on asset growth and restrictions on activities; requiring the institution to issue additional capital stock (including additional voting stock) or to be acquired; restricting transactions with affiliates; restricting the interest rate the institution may pay on deposits; ordering a new election of directors of the institution; requiring that senior executive officers or directors be dismissed; prohibiting the institution from accepting deposits from correspondent banks; requiring the institution to divest certain subsidiaries; prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt; and ultimately, appointing a receiver for the institution. At year-end 2021 and 2020, the Bank was categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
Actual capital levels and minimum required levels for ChoiceOne and the Bank were as follows:
Minimum Required
to be Well
Minimum Required
Capitalized Under
for Capital
Prompt Corrective
(Dollars in thousands)
Actual
Adequacy Purposes
Action Regulations
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
December 31, 2021
ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$ 204,353
14.4
%
$ 113,604
8.0
%
N/A
N/A
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
160,338
11.3
63,902
4.5
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
164,838
11.6
85,203
6.0
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
164,838
7.4
89,415
4.0
N/A
N/A
ChoiceOne Bank
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$ 182,275
12.9
%
$ 113,444
8.0
%
$ 141,806
10.0
%
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
174,587
12.3
63,813
4.5
92,174
6.5
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
174,587
12.3
85,083
6.0
113,444
8.0
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
174,587
7.8
89,289
4.0
111,611
5.0
December 31, 2020
ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$ 162,558
13.2
%
$ 98,835
8.0
%
N/A
N/A
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
150,465
12.2
55,595
4.5
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
150,465
12.2
74,126
6.0
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
150,465
8.3
72,281
4.0
N/A
N/A
ChoiceOne Bank
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$ 159,684
12.9
%
$ 98,683
8.0
%
$ 123,353
10.0
%
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
152,091
12.3
55,509
4.5
80,180
6.5
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
152,091
12.3
74,012
6.0
98,683
8.0
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
152,091
8.4
72,208
4.0
90,259
5.0
Banking regulations limit capital distributions by state-chartered banks. Generally, capital distributions are limited to undistributed net income for the current and prior two years. At December 31, 2021, approximately $26.6 million was available for the Bank to pay dividends to ChoiceOne. ChoiceOne’s ability to pay dividends to shareholders is dependent on the payment of dividends from the Bank, which is restricted by state law and regulations.
Note 21 - Business Combinations
Community Shores Bank Corporation
ChoiceOne completed the acquisition of Community Shores Bank Corporation (“Community Shores”) with and into ChoiceOne, with ChoiceOne as the surviving entity, effective on July 1, 2020. Community Shores had 4 branch offices as of the date of the merger. Total assets of Community Shores as of July 1, 2020 were $244.5 million, including total loans of $174.8 million. Deposits acquired in the merger, the majority of which were core deposits, totaled $227.8 million. The impact of the merger has been included in ChoiceOne’s results of operations since the effective date of the merger. As consideration in the merger, ChoiceOne issued 524,139 shares of ChoiceOne common stock and cash in the amount of $5,390,000 with an approximate total value of $20.9 million.
During 2021 management finalized accounting for certain loans and deferred tax accounts, resulting in measurement period adjustments increasing the acquisition date fair value of loans by $828,000 and decreasing the acquisition date fair value of other assets by $268,000. As a result, goodwill recognized as a result of the acquisition was reduced by $560,000.
The table below presents the allocation of purchase price for the merger with Community Shores (dollars in thousands):
Purchase Price
Consideration
$ 20,881
Net assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents
41,023
Securities available for sale
20,023
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
Originated loans
174,802
Premises and equipment
6,204
Other real estate owned
Deposit based intangible
Other assets
1,077
Total assets
244,535
Non-interest bearing deposits
65,499
Interest bearing deposits
162,333
Total deposits
227,832
Trust preferred securities
3,039
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
231,007
Net assets acquired
13,528
Goodwill
$ 7,353
County Bank Corp.
ChoiceOne completed the merger of County Bank Corp. (“County”) with and into ChoiceOne effective on October 1, 2019. County had 14 branch offices and one loan production office as of the date of the merger. Total assets of County as of October 1, 2019 were $673 million, including total loans of $424 million. Deposits acquired in the merger, the majority of which were core deposits, totaled $574 million. The impact of the merger has been included in ChoiceOne’s results of operations since the effective date of the merger. As consideration in the merger, ChoiceOne issued 3,603,872 shares of ChoiceOne common stock with an approximate value of $108 million.
During 2020, management finalized accounting for acquired loans and deferred taxes. As a result, the acquisition date fair value of loans was decreased by $238,000, other liabilities were decreased by $502,000, and goodwill recognized as a result of the acquisition was reduced by $276,000.
The table below highlights the allocation of purchase price for the merger with County (dollars in thousands):
Purchase Price
Consideration
$ 107,945
Net assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents
20,638
Equity securities at fair value
Securities available for sale
187,230
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
2,915
Loans to other financial institutions
33,481
Originated loans
390,116
Premises and equipment
9,271
Other real estate owned
1,364
Deposit based intangible
6,359
Bank owned life insurance
16,912
Other assets
4,002
Total assets
672,762
Non-interest bearing deposits
124,113
Interest bearing deposits
449,488
Total deposits
573,601
Federal funds purchased
3,800
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
23,000
Other liabilities
3,282
Total liabilities
603,683
Net assets acquired
69,079
Goodwill
$ 38,866

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

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on and as of the time of that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods.
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The system of internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the financial statements is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for reliability through a program of internal audits. Actions are taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Management’s assessment is based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, its system of internal control over financial reporting was effective and meets the criteria of the “Internal Control - Integrated Framework.
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021 that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information under the captions “ChoiceOne's Board of Directors and Executive Officers and “Corporate Governance” in the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 25, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers, which applies to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as well as all other senior financial and accounting officers. The Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s website at “www.choiceone.com.” The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics by posting such information on its website at “www.choiceone.com.”

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
The information under the captions “Executive Compensation” in the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 25, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information under the caption "Ownership of ChoiceOne Common Stock" in the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 25, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table presents information regarding the equity compensation plans both approved and not approved by shareholders at December 31, 2021:
Number of securities
remaining available for
Number of securities to
Weighted-average
future issuance under
be issued upon exercise
exercise price of
equity compensation plans
of outstanding options,
outstanding options,
(excluding securities
warrants and rights
warrants and rights
reflected in column (a))
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
56,315
$ 9.27
84,832
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
183,055
Total
56,315
$ 9.27
267,887
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders include the Stock Incentive Plan of 2012, the Amended and Restated Executive Stock Incentive Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of December 31, 2021, 76,467 shares remained available for future issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2012 and 8,365 shares remained available for future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in each case other than upon the exercise of outstanding stock options. No further future issuances of shares are permitted under the Amended and Restated Executive Stock Incentive Plan other than upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.
The Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan and the Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan are the only equity compensation plans not approved by security holders. The Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan is designed to provide directors of the Company the option of receiving their fees in the Company’s common stock. Directors who elect to participate in the plan may elect to contribute to the plan twenty-five, fifty, seventy-five or one hundred percent of their board of director fees and one hundred percent of their director committee fees earned as directors of the Company. Contributions to the plan are made by the Company on behalf of each electing participant. Plan participants may terminate their participation in the plan at any time by written notice of withdrawal to the Company. The Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan provides for the grant and award of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, and other stock-based and stock-related awards as part of director compensation. Participants will cease to be eligible to participate in both plans when they cease to serve as directors of the Company. Shares are distributed to participants on a quarterly basis. The Directors' Equity Compensation Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock thereunder and the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan provides for issuance of a maximum of 100,000 shares thereunder, in each case subject to adjustments for certain changes in the capital structure of the Company. As of December 31, 2021, 91,633 shares remained available for issuance under the Directors' Equity Compensation Plan and 91,422 shares remained available for issuance under the Directors' Stock Purchase Plan.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information under the captions “Related Matters - Transactions with Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance” in the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 25, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information under the caption "Related Matters - Independent Certified Public Accountants" in the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 25, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
Name: Plante & Moran, PLLC
Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan
PCAOB ID: 166
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
(1)
Financial Statements. The following financial statements and independent auditors' reports are filed as part of this report:
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 17, 2021.
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules. None.
Exhibit
Document
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 8-A filed February 4, 2020. Here incorporated by reference.
3.2
Bylaws of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., as currently in effect and any amendments thereto. Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed April 21, 2021. Here incorporated by reference.
4.1
Advances, Pledge and Security Agreement between ChoiceOne Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2013. Here incorporated by reference.
4.2
Form of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due September 3, 2031. Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed September 7, 2021. Here incorporated by reference.
4.3 Form of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Global Subordinated Note due September 3, 2031. Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed September 7, 2021. Here incorporated by reference.
4.4
Description of Rights of Shareholders. Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019. Here incorporated by reference.
10.1
Employment Agreement between ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. and Kelly J. Potes, dated as of September 30, 2019. (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne’s Form 8-K filed October 1, 2019. Here incorporated by reference.
10.2
Employment Agreement between ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. and Michael J. Burke, Jr., dated as of March 22, 2019. (1) Previously filed as exhibit to ChoiceOne’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-4 filed August 5, 2019. Here incorporated by reference.
10.3
Stock Incentive Plan of 2012. (1) Previously filed as Appendix A to ChoiceOne’s definitive proxy statement for ChoiceOne’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed on April 19, 2018. Here incorporated by reference.
10.4
Directors' Stock Purchase Plan, as amended. (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019. Here incorporated by reference.
10.5
Director Equity Compensation Plan of 2019. (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019. Here incorporated by reference.
10.6
Former Valley Ridge Executive Employee Salary Continuation Agreements, as amended. (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2013. Here incorporated by reference.
10.7
Former Valley Ridge Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and Agreement. (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to the ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2013. Here incorporated by reference.
10.8
Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (1) Previously filed as an exhibit to ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.'s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2016. Here incorporated by reference.
Subsidiaries of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Powers of Attorney.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2
Certification of Treasurer.
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
101.INS
Inline 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)
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
(1)
This agreement is a management contract or compensation plan or arrangement to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.
Copies of any exhibits will be furnished to shareholders upon written request. Requests should be directed to: Adom J. Greenland, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., 109 East Division, Sparta, Michigan, 49345.