BANCFIRST CORP /OK/ (BANF) FY 2023 MD&A

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis presents factors that the Company believes are relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2023. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the selected consolidated financial data included herein.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company may make forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to earnings, credit quality, corporate objectives, interest rates and other financial and business matters. Forward-looking statements include estimates and give management’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. The Company cautions readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including economic conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; legislative and regulatory actions and reforms; competition; as well as other factors, all of which change over time. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “targeted”, “continue”, “remain”, “will”, “should”, “may” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

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The impact of the Durbin Amendment of the Dodd-Frank Act ("Durbin Amendment") on noninterest income beginning July 1, 2023.

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Potential impacts of the recent adverse developments in the banking industry driven by high-profile bank failures, including impacts on customer confidence, demand deposit outflows and the regulatory response thereto.

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Recent deterioration in the market for commercial office property could have an adverse effect on the value of the Company's other real estate owned as well as commercial office collateral for the Company's commercial real estate loans.

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Political pressures could further limit our ability to charge NSF and overdraft fees.

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A continuing shift in deposit mix could negatively impact net interest margin.

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Changes in interest rates.

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The increased time, effort and non-interest expense related to ongoing and increased regulations from the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Securities and Exchange Commission (requirements related to environmental, social and governance issues and climate disclosure).

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Local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Company and its customers.

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Changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors and types or the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs.

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Inflation, including wage inflation, energy prices, securities markets and monetary fluctuations.

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Impairment of the Company’s goodwill or other intangible assets.

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Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits.

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Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of the Company’s borrowers, including the impact of rising interest rates.

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Technological changes.

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Cyber threats

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The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.

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The Company’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.

Actual results may differ materially from forward-looking statements.

SUMMARY

The Company’s net income for 2023 was $212.5 million, or $6.34 per diluted share, compared to $193.1 million, or $5.77 per diluted share for 2022.

In 2023, net interest income increased to $424.5 million, compared to $373.7 million in 2022. Rising short-term interest rates and loan growth contributed to the increase in net interest income in 2023. The Company’s net interest margin increased to 3.79% for 2023, compared to 3.29% for 2022.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $7.5 million in 2023 compared to a provision for credit losses of $10.1 million in 2022. The Company's provision for credit losses decreased in 2023 due to improving economic forecasts.

Noninterest income totaled $185.4 million in 2023 compared to $183.7 million in 2022. The increase in noninterest income in 2023 was mostly attributable the increase in sweep fees of $12.2 million, partially offset by the reduction of interchange fees of approximately $10.9 million related to the impact of the Durbin Amendment since its application to the Company on July 1, 2023.

Noninterest expense was $332.5 million in 2023 compared to $309.9 million in 2022. Higher noninterest expenses in 2023 were primarily related to growth in salaries and employee benefits of $15.0 million related to both annual merit increases and new hires needed to comply with the increased regulatory burden associated with exceeding $10 billion in assets. In addition, 2023 included an expense from other real estate owned of $15.9 million compared to $9.9 million during 2022.

The Company’s effective tax rate in 2023 was 21.29% compared to 18.67% for 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company adopted accounting standards update ("ASU") 2023-02, which increased income tax expense. The effective tax rate for 2023 was higher than the statutory rate due to the adoption of ASU 2023-02 and state tax expense. The effective tax rate for 2022 was lower than the statutory tax rate due to the recognition of certain tax credits.

The Company’s assets at year-end 2023 totaled $12.4 billion, virtually unchanged from December 31, 2022. Off-balance sheet sweep accounts totaled $4.3 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $3.7 billion at December 31, 2022. Loans totaled $7.7 billion an increase of $710.3 million from year-end 2022. Deposits totaled $10.7 billion at December 31, 2023 a decrease of $274.1 million from December 31, 2022. The Company’s total stockholders’ equity was $1.4 billion, an increase of $183.1 million from December 31, 2022.

Asset quality remained strong with nonaccrual loans of $24.6 million, representing 0.32% of total loans at December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans were $15.3 million or 0.22% of total loans at December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses to total loans stood at 1.26% at December 31, 2023, compared to 1.33% at December 31, 2022. Net charge-offs were $3.4 million for the year or 0.05% of average loans, compared to $1.4 million or 0.02% of average loans for the year ended December 31, 2022.

See Note (2) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding the Company’s recent developments, including mergers and acquisitions.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note (1) to the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States inherently involves the use of estimates and assumptions, which affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the related disclosures. These estimates relate principally to the allowance for credit losses, income taxes, intangible assets and the fair value of financial instruments. Such estimates and assumptions may change over time and actual amounts realized may differ from those reported. The following is a summary of the accounting policies and estimates that management believes are the most critical.

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Allowance for Credit losses

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326, which replaced the incurred loss methodology for determining its provision for credit losses and allowance for credit losses with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as current expected credit loss ("CECL"). The allowance for credit losses is management’s estimate of the current expected credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost.

The allowance for credit losses is increased by provisions charged to operating expense and is reduced by net loan charge-offs. The amount of the allowance for credit losses is measured using relevant information about past events, including historical credit loss experience on financial assets with similar risk characteristics, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the remaining cash flows over the contractual term of the financial assets. A loan is considered collateral-dependent when the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty based on the Company's assessment as of the reporting date. For collateral dependent loans, the standard allows institutions to use, as a practical expedient, the fair value of the collateral to measure current expected credit losses on collateral-dependent financial assets. This amount is included in the allowance for credit losses.

To estimate expected losses using historical loss information, the Company elected to utilize a methodology known as vintage loss analysis for BancFirst, Pegasus, and Worthington Bank. Vintage loss analysis measures impairment based on the age of the accounts and the historical performance of assets with similar risk characteristics. Vintage loss analysis determines expected losses by allowing the Company to calculate the cumulative loss rates of a given loan pool and, in so doing, determine the loan pool’s lifetime expected loss experience relative to the appropriate type of financial assets that share similar risk characteristics. Vintage loss analysis uses different “vintages” analyzed by year of origination through the weighted average maturity of each loan pool. The key quantitative inputs used in the Company’s estimate of the allowance for credit losses include 1) all available loan data tracked by year of origination, 2) total charge-offs for each specific loan pool recorded since year of origination, 3) recovery rate calculated by the average recovery over the previous seven years across all loan pools, and 4) a weighting factor biased to more recent loss experience. The quantitative current expected credit loss is calculated by dividing each year’s net charge-offs by the original balance. The respective vintage’s original balance remains the denominator in each annual calculation, referencing the specific vintage’s initial balance. The loss experience of this original balance is tracked annually and summed over the life of the loan for each separate loan pool, leaving a cumulative life of credit loss rate based on historic averages weighted towards more recent loss experience. These key quantitative inputs change from period to period as new loans are originated, and charge-offs and recoveries are recognized. The recovery rate is revised on an annual basis, taking into consideration the most recent seven years. The weighting factor percentages remain static; however, the most recent year receives the highest weighting percentage.

The BancFirst Senior Loan Committee (“the SLC”) establishes BancFirst qualitative adjustments. In setting the qualitative adjustments, they consider several factors, including external economic information, peer bank comparisons, and experience with the loan portfolio. The SLC also considers a Moody’s Analytics dataset in which BancFirst selects a range from three probability scenarios from two economic forecasts. To determine the appropriate correlation to the loss experience, economic indicators are compared to the prior ten years of charge-off history to arrive at a correlation factor. BancFirst then applies the correlation factor to the change in the forecast of the aforementioned economic indicators over the next 18-24 months, which is driven by management’s judgment of a reasonable and supportable forecast period to arrive at a percentage range of qualitative loss adjustment attributable to economic forecasts. The SLC establishes a qualitative adjustment for each loan pool using these factors. For periods beyond which BancFirst can make or obtain reasonable and supportable forecasts of current expected credit losses, BancFirst reverts to historical loss information.

Each quarter the SLC reviews aggregate allowance for BancFirst and adjusts the appropriateness of the allowance. In addition, annually or more frequently as needed, the SLC evaluates the qualitative adjustments used in the BancFirst allowance based on the information described above. To facilitate the SLC’s evaluation, the Asset Quality Department performs periodic reviews of business units and reports on the adequacy of management’s identification of collateral-dependent and adversely classified loans and their adherence to loan policies and procedures.

The process of evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses necessarily involves the exercise of judgment and consideration of numerous subjective factors and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimate of expected losses will not change in light of future developments and economic conditions. Changes in assumptions and conditions could result in a materially different amount for the allowance for credit losses.

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated income tax return. Deferred taxes are recognized under the balance sheet method based upon the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using the tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods when the related temporary differences are expected to be realized.

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The amount of accrued current and deferred income taxes is based on estimates of taxes due or receivable from taxing authorities either currently or in the future. Changes in these accruals are reported as tax expense or benefits, and involve estimates of the various components included in determining taxable income, tax credits, other taxes and temporary differences. Changes periodically occur in the estimates due to changes in tax rates, tax laws and regulations and implementation of new tax planning strategies. The process of determining the accruals for income taxes necessarily involves the exercise of considerable judgment and consideration of numerous subjective factors.

Management performs an analysis of the Company’s tax positions annually and believes it is more likely than not that all of its tax positions will be utilized in future years.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Core deposit intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of seven to ten years and customer relationship intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of three to eighteen years. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated at a reporting unit level at least annually for impairment or more frequently if other indicators of impairment are present. At least annually in the fourth quarter, intangible assets, are evaluated for possible impairment. Impairment losses are measured by comparing the fair values of the intangible assets with their recorded amounts. Any impairment losses are reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

The evaluation of remaining core deposit intangibles for possible impairment involves reassessing the useful lives and the recoverability of the intangible assets. The evaluation of the useful lives is performed by reviewing the levels of core deposits of the respective branches acquired. The actual life of a core deposit base may be longer than originally estimated due to more successful retention of customers, or may be shorter due to more rapid runoff. Amortization of core deposit intangibles would be adjusted, if necessary, to amortize the remaining net book values over the remaining lives of the core deposits. The evaluation for recoverability is only performed if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangibles may not be recoverable.

The evaluation of goodwill for possible impairment is performed by comparing the fair values of the related reporting units with their carrying amounts including goodwill. The fair values of the related business units are estimated using market data for prices of recent acquisitions of banks and branches.

The evaluation of intangible assets and goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 resulted in no impairments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Debt securities that are being held for indefinite periods of time, or that may be sold as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy, to provide liquidity or for other reasons, are classified as available for sale and are stated at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on debt securities available for sale are reported as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of income tax.

The Company reviews its portfolio of debt securities in an unrealized loss position at least quarterly. The Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell, the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria is met, the securities amortized cost basis is written down to fair value as a current period expense. If either of the above criteria is not met, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value is the result of credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers, among other things, the performance of any underlying collateral and adverse conditions specifically related to the security. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 98% of the available for sale debt securities held by the Company were issued by the U.S. Treasury, or U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies. The Company does not consider the unrealized position of these securities to be the result of credit factors, because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and the Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. Therefore, the Company has not recorded an allowance for credit losses against its debt securities portfolio, as the credit risk is not material.

The estimates of fair values of debt securities and other financial instruments are based on a variety of factors. In some cases, fair values represent quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments. In other cases, fair values have been estimated based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates reflecting varying degrees of risk. Accordingly, the fair values may not represent actual values of the financial instruments that could have been realized as of year-end or that will be realized in the future.

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Future Application of Accounting Standards

See Note (1) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Segment Information

See Note (23) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding the Company’s operating business segments.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors that affected the Company's financial condition as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and results of operations for each of the years then ended. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) for a discussion and analysis of the more significant factors that affected periods prior to 2022, which the Company incorporates by reference.

Certain reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. From time to time, the Company has engaged in acquisitions. None of these acquisitions had a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method, and as such, the results of operations of acquired companies are included from the date of acquisition forward.

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Average Balances, Income Expenses and Rates

The following tables present, for the periods indicated, certain information related to the Company's consolidated average balance sheet, average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. For these computations: (i) average balances are derived from daily averages, (ii) information is shown on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% tax rate, and (iii) nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances and any interest on such nonaccrual loans is recognized on a cash basis. Loan fees included in interest income were $21.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and $55.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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The following table depicts, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data and other selected data:

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, which is the Company’s principal source of operating revenue, increased in 2023 by $50.8 million, to a total of $424.5 million, compared to an increase of $58.0 million in 2022. Rising short-term interest rates and loan growth contributed to the increase in 2023. Rising short-term interest rates and loan growth, along with net interest income related to the Worthington acquisition contributed to the increase in 2022. Net interest margin is shown in the preceding table.

During 2022, the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates to help slow inflation in the economy. The Company’s net interest income and net interest margin were impacted by the increases in interest rates.

Changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in interest rates, determine the changes in net interest income. The following volume/rate analysis summarizes the relative contribution of each of these components to the changes in net interest income in 2023 and 2022. See “Maturity and Rate Sensitivity of Loans” for additional discussion.

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VOLUME/RATE ANALYSIS

Taxable Equivalent Basis

Provision For and Benefit From Credit Losses

As shown in the selected consolidated financial table above, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses for 2023 and 2022, compared to a net benefit from reversal of provision for credit losses for 2021. The Company's provision for credit losses decreased in 2023 due to improving economic forecasts. In 2021, provisions for credit losses normalized after the economic downturn and recovery from the effects of the COVID pandemic in prior years, and acquired loans and loan growth led to an increase in the provision in 2022. The Company’s reversal of provision for 2021 was based on improvements in economic conditions and the Company’s outlook for certain economic indicators. The Company establishes an allowance as an estimate of the current expected credit losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. Management believes the allowance for credit losses is appropriate based upon management’s best estimate of expected losses within the existing loan portfolio. Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses change, the Company’s estimate of current expected credit losses could also change, which could affect the amount of future provisions for credit losses. Net loan charge-offs were $3.4 million for 2023 compared to $1.4 million for 2022 and $7.0 million for 2021. The net charge-offs equated to 0.05%, 0.02% and 0.11% of average loans for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The rate of net charge-offs to average total loans continues to be at a low level. A more detailed discussion of the allowance for credit losses is provided under “Loans.”

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is shown in the selected consolidated financial table above. Total noninterest income increased in 2023 due mostly to the increase in sweep account fees of $12.2 million resulting from higher yields and increased sweep account balances. This increase was partially offset by the reduction of interchange fees of approximately $10.9 million related to the impact of the Durbin Amendment, which took effect for the Company on July 1, 2023.

Other increases in noninterest income during 2023 included a $3.7 million increase in insurance commissions and a $3.1 million increase in trust revenue. The Company’s operating noninterest income has generally increased over time due to enhanced product lines, acquisitions and internal deposit account growth.

Noninterest income for 2022 included $9.3 million of income from an equity interest received from a prior loan settlement compared to $327,000 for 2023. The equity interest was sold during the second quarter of 2023 at no gain.

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The Company earned $2.6 million on the sale of loans in 2023 compared $4.5 million in 2022 and $7.3 million in 2021. The income from sales of loans in 2023 was lower due to higher mortgage rates resulting in a decrease of originations. The income from sales of loans in 2021 was higher due to the increase in the volume of mortgage loans originated because of record low mortgage rates. The Company expects the volume of mortgage loans originated to increase during 2024 as mortgage rates begin to decrease.

The Company reported security transactions on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income totaling net losses of $1.8 million during each of 2023 and 2022, and a net gain of $1.0 million during 2021. These gains and losses related to its portfolio of debt securities and investments in equity securities carried in other assets. The Company’s practice is to maintain a liquid portfolio of debt securities and not engage in trading activities. The Company has the ability and intent to hold debt securities classified as available for sale that were in an unrealized loss position until they mature or until fair value exceeds amortized cost. In 2022, the Company recognized a loss of $4.0 million on the sale of $226 million of low yielding debt securities, which were subsequently reinvested at higher yielding debt securities. The Company also recognized a net loss of $1.8 million during 2023, a net gain of $2.2 million during 2022, and a net gain of $1.0 million during 2021, due to changes in the fair value of the equity securities.

Noninterest income included NSF and overdraft fees totaling $27.9 million, $26.0 million and $25.0 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This represents 15.1%, 14.2%, and 14.7% of the Company’s noninterest income for the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, the Company had debit card interchange fees totaling $37.6 million, $48.9 million and $46.0 million for the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This represents 20.3%, 26.6% and 27.1% of the Company’s noninterest income for the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in interchange fees in 2023 was due to the impact of the Durbin Amendments with took effect for the Company on July 1, 2023.

The Company is subject to political pressures that could limit our ability to charge NSF and overdraft fees. As of April 1, 2022, the Company lowered the rates charged on NSF and overdraft fees. Also, based on current run rates, annual pretax income from debit card interchange fees will be reduced by approximately $23 million from the impact of the Durbin Amendment.

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense increased by $22.5 million, or 7.3% to $332.5 million for 2023. This compares to an increase of $23.9 million, or 8.4% to $309.9 million for 2022. Higher noninterest expenses in 2023 was primarily related to growth in salaries and employee benefits of $15.0 million related to both annual merit increases and new hires needed to comply with the increased regulatory burden associated with exceeding $10 billion in assets. In addition, net expense from other real estate owned increased $6.0 million, which was due to an increase of $1.5 million of write downs on other real estate owned, a $1.0 million increase in the cost of holding other real estate owned, and a decrease in gain on the sales of other real estate owned of $3.5 million. During 2022, the Company’s prior headquarters which were held in other real estate owned, was sold for a gain of $3.1 million. The Company's adoption of ASU 2023-02 in the first quarter of 2023 decreased other expense by $4.4 million due to the amortization of New Markets Tax Credits ("NMTC") and other tax credits that are now being recorded to income tax expense. Noninterest expense for 2022 included a write down of an equity investment of $1.5 million.

The increase in noninterest expense in 2022 was due to the increase in salaries and employee benefits of $18.3 million, noninterest expenses (including salaries and employee benefits) related to the Worthington acquisition, and an increase in deposit insurance. In addition, net expense from other real estate owned increased $822,000, which was due to an increase of $3.2 million of write downs on other real estate owned and a $1.3 million increase in the cost of holding other real estate owned, offset by an increase in gain on the sales of other real estate owned of $3.6 million.

Noninterest expense included deposit insurance expense, which totaled $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense totaled $57.5 million in 2023, compared to $44.3 million in 2022 and $40.8 million in 2021. The effective tax rates for 2023, 2022 and 2021 were 21.3%, 18.7% and 19.6% respectively. The Company's adoption of ASU 2023-02 in the first quarter of 2023 increased income tax expense due to the amortization of $6.0 million of NMTC and other tax credits to income tax expense during the period that would have previously been recorded to other expense, which increased the effective tax rate by 2.22%. Exercises of stock options contributed to the lower effective tax rate in 2022.

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The primary reasons for the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate were tax-exempt income, nondeductible amortization, federal and state tax credits and state tax expense.

Certain financial information is prepared on a taxable equivalent basis to facilitate analysis of yields and changes in components of earnings. Average balance sheets, comprehensive income statements and other financial statistics are also presented on a taxable equivalent basis.

Impact of Inflation

The impact of inflation on financial institutions differs significantly from that of industrial or commercial companies. The assets of financial institutions are predominantly monetary, as opposed to fixed or nonmonetary assets such as premises, equipment and inventory. As a result, there is little exposure to inflated earnings by understated depreciation charges or significantly understated current values of assets. Although inflation can have an indirect effect by leading to higher interest rates, financial institutions are in a position to monitor the effects on interest costs and yields and respond to inflationary trends through management of interest rate sensitivity. Inflation can also have an impact on noninterest expenses such as salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, services and other costs.

Impact of Deflation

In a period of deflation, it would be reasonable to expect widely decreasing prices for real assets. In such an economic environment, assets of businesses and individuals, such as real estate, commodities or inventory, could decline. The inability of customers to repay or refinance their loans could result in credit losses incurred by the Company far in excess of historical experience due to deflated collateral values.

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FINANCIAL POSITION

Cash, Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks

Cash consists of cash and cash items on hand, noninterest-bearing deposits and amounts due from other banks, reserves deposited with the Federal Reserve Bank, and interest-bearing deposits with other banks. Federal funds sold consist of overnight investments of excess funds with other financial institutions. The Company has continued to maintain the majority of its excess funds with the Federal Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve Bank pays interest on these funds based upon the lowest target rate for the maintenance period, which increased during 2023 from 4.50% to 5.50%. The rate increased from 0.25% to 4.50% during 2022.

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The amount of cash, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank carried by the Company is a function of the availability of funds presented to other institutions for clearing and the Company’s liquidity and interest rate sensitivity management. Balances of these items can fluctuate widely based on these various factors. The aggregate of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks decreased by $773.0 million, or 24.4%, to $2.4 billion, from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the movement of some large commercial deposits into the Company's off-balance sheet sweep account product and loan growth.

Securities

For the year ended December 31, 2023, total debt securities increased $14.5 million. Debt securities available for sale represented 99.9% of the total debt securities portfolio at both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Debt securities available for sale had a net unrealized loss of $65.5 million at December 31, 2023, compared to a net unrealized loss of $93.7 million at December 31, 2022. These unrealized losses are included in the Company’s stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, in the amounts of a loss of $50.0 million and a loss of $71.6 million for December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company did not recognize a gain or loss on debt securities during the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company had a loss of $4.0 million resulting from the sale of $226 million of debt securities with an average yield of 0.16%, which was subsequently reinvested in $220 million of debt securities with an average yield of 1.86%. The Company purchased a total of $454.0 million of debt securities in 2023 compared to $1.9 billion of debt securities in 2022.

The Company does not engage in securities trading activities. Any sales of debt securities are for the purpose of executing the Company’s asset/liability management strategy, eliminating a perceived credit risk in a specific security, or providing liquidity. Debt securities that are being held for indefinite periods of time, or that may be sold as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy, to provide liquidity, or for other reasons, are classified as available for sale and are stated at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on debt securities available for sale are reported as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of income tax. Debt securities for which the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held for investment and are stated at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts computed under the interest method.

Management has the ability and intent to hold the debt securities classified as held for investment until they mature, at which time the Company will receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, the Company also has the ability and intent to hold the debt securities classified as available for sale for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had net unrealized losses largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value of those securities having unrealized losses is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date, or if market yields for similar investments decrease. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2023, management had no intent or requirement to sell before the recovery of the unrealized loss.

See Note (4) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding the Company’s Securities.

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WEIGHTED AVERAGE YIELD OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following table summarizes the maturity distribution schedule with corresponding weighted average taxable equivalent yields of the debt securities portfolio at December 31, 2023. The following table presents securities at their expected maturities, which may differ from contractual maturities. The Company manages its debt securities portfolio for liquidity, as a tool to execute its asset/liability management strategy, and for pledging requirements for public funds. For the interest rate sensitivity of debt securities see the table in item 7A.

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Loans

The Company has historically generated loan growth from both internal originations and bank acquisitions. Total loans held for investment increased $713.1 million, or 10.2%, to $7.7 billion in 2023, as a result of internal loan growth. Of the total increase in loans, residential real estate loans made up the largest increase with $189.3 million, or 26.7% of the increase, construction and development loans increased $167.4 million, or 23.6%, and oil and gas loans increasing $123.6 million, or 17.4%. At December 31, 2023, oil and gas loans comprise 7.7% of loans compared to 6.7% at December 31, 2022. The increase of internal loan growth was 76% from the Company's Oklahoma subsidiary BancFirst and 24% from the Company's Texas subsidiaries Pegasus and Worthington.

Composition

The Company’s loan portfolio was diversified among various types of commercial and individual borrowers. Commercial loans were comprised principally of loans to companies in real estate, light manufacturing, retail and service industries. Consumer non-real estate loans were comprised primarily of loans to individuals for automobiles.

LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT BY CATEGORY

See Note (1) and Note (5) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s loans.

LOANS BY MATURITY AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

The information relating to the maturity and interest rate sensitivity of loans is based upon contractual maturities and original loan terms. In the ordinary course of business, loans maturing within one year may be renewed, in whole or in part, at interest rates prevailing at the date of renewal.

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The following table presents the maturity distribution of loans held for investment at December 31, 2023. Many of the loans with maturities of one year or less are renewed at existing or similar terms after scheduled principal reductions. Also, approximately 57% of loans had adjustable interest rates at December 31, 2023.

The interest rate composition of loans with a maturity date over one year are presented below based on contractual terms.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

The following table summarizes nonperforming assets.

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Nonaccrual Loans

Nonaccrual loans totaled $24.6 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $15.3 million at December 31, 2022. The Company’s nonaccrual loans are primarily commercial non-real estate loans. Nonaccrual loans negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin. A loan is placed on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, the future collectability of both interest and principal is in serious doubt. Interest income is not recognized until the principal balance is fully collected. However, if the full collection of the remaining principal balance is not in doubt, interest income is recognized on certain of these loans on a cash basis. Had nonaccrual loans performed in accordance with their original contractual terms, the Company would have recognized additional interest income of $1.6 million for 2023, $1.3 million for 2022 and $2.2 million for 2021. Only a small amount of this interest is expected to be ultimately collected.

The classification of a loan as nonaccrual does not necessarily indicate that loan principal and interest will ultimately be uncollectible; although, in an economic downturn, the Company’s experience has been that the level of collections decline. The above normal risk associated with nonaccrual loans has been considered in the determination of the allowance for credit losses. The level of nonaccrual loans and credit losses could rise over time as a result of adverse economic conditions. At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was 393.9%, compared to 606.1%, at the end of 2022.

Modified Loans

As of January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU No. 2022-02, which eliminates the Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, requires that the Company evaluate, based on the accounting for loan modifications, whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The current and future financial effects of the recorded balance of loans considered to be modified during the period were not considered to be material. The recorded balance of modified loans was approximately $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

Other real estate owned ("OREO") and repossessed assets decreased $2.7 million in 2023. OREO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure and premises held for sale. These properties are carried at the lower of the book values of the related loans or fair values based upon appraisals, less estimated costs to sell. Write-downs arising at the time of reclassification of such properties from loans to OREO are charged directly to the allowance for credit losses. Any losses on bank premises designated to be sold are charged to operating expense at the time of transfer from premises to OREO. Decreases in values of properties subsequent to their classification as OREO are charged to operating expense. The Company's write-downs in OREO totaled $5.2 million for 2023, $3.7 million for 2022 and $538,000 for 2021.

OREO included a larger commercial real estate property recorded at $29.4 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Rental income for this property is included in other noninterest income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Operating expense for this property is included in net expense from OREO in other noninterest expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

This property had the following rental income and operating expenses for the periods presented.

The Company's total rental income and operating expenses from OREO are presented in the following table:

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Allowance for Credit Losses/Fair Value Adjustments on Acquired Loans

The Company determines its provision for credit losses and allowance for credit losses using the expected loss methodology that is referred to as the CECL model. The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses to total loans stood at 1.26% of total loans, compared to 1.33% at December 31, 2022, due to improved economic forecasts.

The overall credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio has remained strong. Net charge-offs were $3.4 million and $1.4 million for the years ended 2023 and 2022, respectively. The amount of net loan charge-offs is relatively low, equating to 0.05% and 0.02% of average total loans for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. If unforeseen adverse changes occur in the national or local economy, or in the credit markets, it would be reasonable to expect that the allowance for credit losses would increase in future periods.

ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The following table is a break-out of the allowance for credit losses:

The following table is a break-out of net charge-offs/(recoveries) and the break-out of the percent of average loans in each category:

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Fair Value Adjustments on Acquired Loans

The fair value adjustment on acquired loans can consist of a credit component and a rate component to adjust for estimated credit exposures in the acquired loans. The credit component of the adjustment was a $1.6 million discount at December 31, 2023 and a $2.2 million discount at December 31, 2022. The rate component was $568,000 at December 31, 2023 and $738,000 at December 31, 2022. These fair value adjustments will be accreted to income over the remaining life of the loans. The acquired loans outstanding were $262.7 million and $263.5 million, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Assets

Identifiable intangible assets and goodwill totaled $199.0 million and $202.0 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

On July 20, 2023, the Company recorded a core deposits intangible of approximately $252,000 because of the purchase of assets and assumption of liabilities from RCB Bank's Stroud, Oklahoma branch. See Note (2) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding the Company’s recent developments, including mergers and acquisitions.

Other assets includes the cash surrender value of key-man life insurance policies totaling $84.4 million at December 31, 2023 and $82.7 million at December 31, 2022.

Equity securities are reported in other assets on the balance sheet. The Company invests in equity securities without readily determinable fair values. These equity securities are reported at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported as securities transactions in the noninterest income section of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The balance of equity securities was $13.1 million at December 31, 2023 and $15.5 million at December 31, 2022. The Company reviews its portfolio of equity securities for impairment at least quarterly.

The balance of other assets at December 31, 2022 included an equity interest of $21.4 million related to a former borrower in the oil and gas industry, which was received through bankruptcy proceedings. This equity interest was sold during the second quarter of 2023 resulting in a zero balance at December 31, 2023. Under the equity method, the carrying value of a bank’s investment in an investee is originally recorded at cost but is adjusted periodically to record as income the bank’s proportionate share of the investee’s earnings or losses and decreased by the amount of cash dividends or similar distributions received from the investee.

Low Income Housing and New Market Tax Credit Investments

The Company’s low income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") investments were $46.4 million and $24.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s NMTC investments were $12.1 million and $11.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

The increase in 2023 was due to the Company adopting ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2023. As a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2023-02, the Company recorded $25.1 million in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet during 2023 for unfunded LIHTC commitments and amortized $6.0 million of NMTC and other tax credit investments to income tax expense during the period that would have previously been recorded to other expense. See Note (6) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding these investments.

Liquidity and Funding

The Company’s principal source of liquidity and funding is its broad deposit base generated from customer relationships. The availability of deposits is affected by economic conditions, competition with other financial institutions and alternative investments available to customers. Through interest rates paid, service charge levels and services offered, the Company can affect its level of deposits to a limited extent. The level and maturity of funding necessary to support the Company’s lending and investment functions is determined through the Company’s asset/liability management process. The Company currently does not rely heavily on long-term borrowings and does not utilize brokered CDs. The Company maintains lines of credit from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), federal funds lines of credit with other banks and could also utilize the sale of loans, securities and liquidation of other assets as sources of liquidity and funding. Although the percent of cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold to total assets has decreased to 19.4% at December 31, 2023, compared to 25.6% at December 31, 2022, the Company is still highly

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liquid. The decrease was primarily due to the movement of some large commercial deposits into the Company's off-balance sheet sweep account product and loan growth.

Historically, BancFirst has more liquidity than its peers. This liquidity positions BancFirst to respond to increased loan demand and other requirements for funds, or to decreases in funding sources. The liquidity of BancFirst Corporation, however, is dependent upon dividend payments from BancFirst and its ability to obtain financing and or raise capital. Banking regulations limit bank dividends based upon net earnings retained by BancFirst and minimum capital requirements. Dividends in excess of these limits require regulatory approval. At January 1, 2024, BancFirst had approximately $145.7 million of equity available for dividends to BancFirst Corporation without regulatory approval. During 2023, BancFirst declared four common stock dividends totaling $61.7 million, two preferred stock dividends totaling $1.9 million and one special dividend totaling $50.0 million to BancFirst Corporation. During 2023, Pegasus declared one special dividend totaling $10.0 million to BancFirst Corporation. There are no near term plans for Worthington to pay dividends to BancFirst Corporation.

Deposits

At December 31, 2023, deposits totaled $10.7 billion, a decrease of $274.1 million from December 31, 2022 as some large commercial deposits moved into the Company's off balance sheet sweep account product. The Company’s core deposits provide it with a stable, low-cost funding source. The Company’s core deposits as a percentage of total deposits was 97.4% at December 31, 2023 and 98.1% December 31, 2022. Noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits were 37.2% at December 31, 2023, compared to 45.1% at December 31, 2022. Competition for deposits has recently increased and available yields have similarly increased, causing non-interest bearing deposits to move to interest bearing deposits and off balance sheet sweep account products.

Uninsured deposits are defined as the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit account that are classified as deposits and are not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regimes. Total uninsured deposits were $3.2 billion and $3.6 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as calculated per regulatory guidance. This was approximately 30% and 33% of deposits at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Off-balance sheet sweep accounts totaled $4.3 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $3.7 billion at December 31, 2022. The movement of customers' funds into the Company's sweep accounts affected the balances of both cash and deposits.

ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE DEPOSITS

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PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL AVERAGE DEPOSITS AND AVERAGE RATES PAID

MATURITY OF TIME DEPOSITS

The following table shows the maturity of time deposits that are in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's insurance limit:

At December 31, 2023, 88.9% of the Company’s uninsured time deposits mature in one year or less.

Subordinated Debt

On June 17, 2021, the Company completed a private placement, under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, of $60 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2036 ("Subordinated Notes") to various institutional accredited investors. See Note (11) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a complete discussion of the Company’s subordinated debt.

Short-Term Borrowings

See Note (9) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of short-term borrowings.

Lines of Credit

See Note (10) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Company’s lines of credit.

Capital Resources

Stockholders’ equity totaled $1.4 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2022. In addition to net income of $212.5 million, other changes in stockholders’ equity during the year ended December 31, 2023 included $2.5 million related to common stock issuances for stock option exercises, $3.0 million related to stock-based compensation, and a $21.5 million increase in other comprehensive income, that were partially offset by $54.7 million in dividends and $1.8 million in the repurchase of company stock. The Company’s average stockholders’ equity to average assets for 2023 was 11.03% compared to 9.67% for 2022. The Company’s leverage ratio and total risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2023 were well in excess of the regulatory requirements. Banking institutions are generally expected to maintain capital well above the minimum levels. The Company’s trust preferred securities have continued to be included in Tier 1 capital, as the Company’s total assets do not exceed $15 billion. The Company’s Subordinated Notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital under bank regulatory guidelines.

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See Note (15) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of capital ratio requirements.

See Note (11) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding the Company’s Subordinated Debt.

On August 31, 2022, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which became effective upon filing with the SEC. Under the shelf registration, the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, an indeterminate amount of its common stock in one or more future offerings.

The Company has had a Stock Repurchase Program (the “SRP”) since November 1999. The SRP may be used as a means to increase earnings per share and return on equity, to purchase treasury stock for the exercise of stock options or for distributions under the Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, to provide liquidity for optionees to dispose of stock from exercises of their stock options and to provide liquidity for stockholders wishing to sell their stock. All shares repurchased under the SRP have been retired and not held as treasury stock. The timing, price and amount of stock repurchases under the SRP may be determined by management and approved by the Company’s Executive Committee. At December 31, 2023, up to 479,784 shares could be repurchased under the SRP. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 20,702 shares of its common stock for $1.8 million at an average price of $87.88 per share under the SRP. No shares were repurchased for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 212,296 shares of its common stock for $11.7 million at an average price of $54.94 per share under the SRP.

Future dividend payments will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors considering the earnings, financial condition and capital needs of the Company, BancFirst, Pegasus, Worthington, applicable governmental policies and regulations and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. While no assurance can be given as to the Company’s ability to pay dividends, management believes that, based upon the anticipated performance of the Company, regular dividend payments will continue in 2024.

Related Party Transactions

See Note (18) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding the Company’s related party transactions.

Liquidity Risk and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Liquidity is the ability to meet financial obligations through the maturity or sale of existing assets or the acquisition of additional funds. Various financial obligations, including contractual obligations and commercial commitments, may require future cash payments by the Company. Certain obligations are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, while others are off-balance sheet under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company currently has 7.20% Junior Subordinated Debentures, Subordinated Notes, operating lease payments, time deposit payments and low income housing partnership commitments. The Company’s 7.20% Junior Subordinated Debentures mature on March 31, 2034. The Company's Subordinated Notes mature on June 30, 2036. The Company has consistently generated positive net income and the Company currently expects to have positive net income for 2024. Management does not currently know of any trends that would cause the Company to be unable to provide for current obligations in the next twelve months.

Refer to Notes 6, 8, 11, 19 and 20 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding these contractual obligations.

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include loan commitments and standby letters of credit, which involve elements of credit and interest-rate risk to varying degrees. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the instrument is represented by the instrument’s contractual amount. To control this credit risk, the Company uses the same underwriting standards as it uses for loans recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company had $2.8 billion and $2.6 billion in loan commitments at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had $84.9 million and $72.2 million in stand-by letters of credit at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Loan commitments are agreements to lend to a customer, as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Stand-by letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These instruments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Since many of the instruments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total amounts do not necessarily represent commitments that will be funded in the future.

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