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Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Market Conditions German American Bancorp, Inc. operates primarily in the banking industry. The accounting and reporting policies of German American Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Company”) conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. All adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods reported have been included in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance and Issued But Not Yet Effective
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
The SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (“SAB 121”) provides interpretive guidance regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto-assets an entity holds for its customers, either directly or through an agent or another third party acting on its behalf. SAB 121 requires an entity to recognize a liability on its balance sheet to reflect the obligation to safeguard the crypto-assets of others, along with a corresponding safeguarding asset, both of which are measured at fair value. The Company has completed an evaluation and concluded that it does not have a safeguarding obligation under SAB 121 and therefore the disclosures do not apply.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Retrospective application is required. The Company adopted this standard and updated the segment disclosure. See Note 9 for additional information.

Issued But Not Yet Effective
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures”. This updated accounting guidance requires expanded income tax disclosures, including the disaggregation of existing disclosures related to the tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 and will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply retrospectively. The Company is reviewing this guidance but doesn’t expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s tax disclosures.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses.” This guidance requires public companies to disclose specified information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to financial statements at each interim and annual reporting period. Specifically, public companies will be required to disclose in tabular format the amounts of (a) purchases of inventory; (b) employee compensation; (c) depreciation; (d) intangible asset amortization; and (e) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil- and gas-producing activities (or other amounts of depletion expense) included in each relevant expense caption. Within the same tabular disclosure, an entity must disclose certain expense, gain, or loss amounts that are already required to be disclosed under current GAAP. Further, an entity must provide a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively. In addition, an entity must disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial statements.
Loans
The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost of loans receivable to present the net amount expected to be collected. Loans are charged off against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. The Company records the changes in the allowance on loans through earnings as a “Provision for Credit Losses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

At March 31, 2025, the Company changed its method for estimating the allowance for credit losses to the discounted cash flow model on a prospective basis for all loan segments except for the credit card loan segment. Prior to March 31, 2025, the Company utilized the static pool methodology in determining future credit losses. While both methodologies permit the Company to develop reasonable and supportable forecasts, by utilizing the discounted cash flow method, the Company has the ability to better evaluate multiple economic scenarios by capturing macroeconomic conditions within the model assumptions and calculations. This change in methodology had an insignificant impact on the allowance in 2025.

Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of historical loan losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts relevant to the collectability of loans. The methodology for estimating the amount reported in the ACL is the sum of two main components, an allowance assessed on a collective basis for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics and an allowance assessed on individual loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans. Loans that share common risk characteristics are evaluated collectively using a discounted cash flow approach. The discounted cash flow approach used by the Company utilizes loan-level cash flow projections, pool-level assumptions, multiple economic scenarios from Moody’s, historical and peer group losses and qualitative assumptions.

Estimated cash flows consider the principal and interest in accordance with the contractual term of the loan and estimated prepayments. Contractual cash flows are based on the amortized cost and are adjusted for balances guaranteed by governmental entities.

The Company evaluates multiple economic scenarios that are designed to capture a range of supportable macroeconomic conditions, taking into consideration the forecasted direction of the economic and business environment and its likely impact on the estimated allowance as compared to the historical losses over the reasonable and supportable time frame. Economic forecasts for the current period are uploaded to the model, which targets certain forecasted macroeconomic factors, such as unemployment rate, value of construction, agriculture prices, housing price index, vacancy rates, debt service burden, and
certain rate and market indices. The Company determines the weighting of each scenario based upon historical trends and economic, monetary, and fiscal conditions within the Company’s footprint that could impact future credit losses.

Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis to determine the expected allowance for credit loss. When the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date adjusted for selling costs.

The Company has continued to utilize the following portfolio segments and identified the risk characteristics of each portfolio listed below:

Commercial and Industrial Loans - The principal risk of commercial and industrial loans is that these loans are primarily based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the collateral underlying the loans. Most commercial loans are secured by accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. If cash flow from business operations is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may diminish, and over time, it may also be difficult to substantiate current value of inventory and equipment. Repayment of these loans is more sensitive than other types of loans to adverse conditions in the general economy.

Commercial Real Estate Loans - Commercial real estate lending is generally dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. Commercial real estate loans are collateralized by the borrower’s underlying real estate. Therefore, diminished cash flows not only affects the ability to repay the loan, it may also reduce the underlying collateral value.

Agricultural Loans - This portfolio is diversified between real estate financing, equipment financing and lines of credit in various segments including grain production, poultry production and livestock production. Mitigating any concentration of risk that may exist in the Company’s agricultural loan portfolio is the use of federal government guarantee programs.

Leases - Leases are primarily for equipment leased to varying types of businesses. If the cash flow from business operations is reduced, the business’s ability to repay the lease is diminished as well.

Home Equity Loans - Home equity loans are generally secured by 1-4 family residences that are owner-occupied. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrowers, which can be impacted by unemployment levels in the market area due to economic conditions.

Consumer Loans - Consumer loan repayment is typically dependent on the borrower remaining employed through the life of the loan as well as the borrower maintaining the underlying collateral adequately.

Credit Cards - Credit card loans are unsecured and repayment is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrower.

Residential Mortgage Loans - Residential mortgage loans are typically secured by 1-4 family residences that are owner-occupied. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrowers, which can be impacted by unemployment levels in the market area due to economic conditions. Repayment may also be impacted by changes in residential property values.

All classes of loans, including loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality, are generally placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. For purchased loans, the determination is made at the time of acquisition as well as over the life of the loan. Uncollected accrued interest for each class of loans is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. All classes of loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
The Company considers the performance of the loan portfolio and its impact on the allowance for credit loan losses. For certain retail loan classes, the Company also evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan, which was previously presented, and by payment activity.
Credit Quality Indicators
The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company classifies loans as to credit risk by individually analyzing loans. This analysis includes commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, and agricultural loans with an outstanding balance greater than $250. This analysis is typically performed on at least an annual basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
 
Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.
 
Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
 
Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
 
Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.
Segment Information
For the first five months of 2024, the Company’s operations included three primary segments: core banking, wealth management services, and insurance operations. On June 1, 2024, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its insurance operations to Hilb Group, and ceased insurance-related activities for the Company. As a result of the sale, insurance revenue and expenses reported within the accompanying financial statements reflect no GAI activity for the first six months of 2025. See Note 3 for additional information on this sale.

The core banking segment involves attracting deposits from the general public and using such funds to originate consumer, commercial and agricultural, commercial and agricultural real estate, and residential mortgage loans, primarily in the Company’s local markets by the Company’s banking subsidiary, German American Bank. Net interest income from loans and investments funded by deposits and borrowings is the primary revenue for the core-banking segment. The core banking segment also involves the sale of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market. The wealth management segment’s revenues are comprised primarily of fees generated by the wealth advisory and trust operations of the Company’s banking subsidiary and by German American Investment Services, Inc. These fees are derived by providing trust, investment advisory, brokerage and retirement planning services to its customers. The insurance segment offered a full range of personal and corporate property and casualty insurance products, primarily in the Company’s banking subsidiary’s local markets. Commissions derived from the sale of insurance products by GAI were the primary source of revenue for the insurance segment.
Fair Value
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
 
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
 
The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of financial instrument:

Investment Securities: The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For investment securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar investment securities (Level 2). For investment securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar investment securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3). Level 3 pricing is obtained from a third-party based upon similar trades that are not traded frequently without adjustment by the Company. At June 30, 2025, the Company held no Level 3 securities. Absent the credit rating, significant assumptions must be made such that the credit risk input becomes an unobservable input and thus these investment securities are reported by the Company in a Level 3 classification.
 
Derivatives: The fair values of derivatives are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2).
 
Collateral Dependent Loans: Fair values for collateral dependent loans are generally based on appraisals obtained from licensed real estate appraisers and in certain circumstances includes consideration of offers obtained to purchase properties prior to foreclosure. Appraisals for commercial real estate generally use three methods to derive value: cost, sales or market comparison and income approach. The cost method bases value in the cost to replace the current property. Value of market comparison approach evaluates the sales price of similar properties in the same market area. The income approach considers net operating income generated by the property and an investor’s required return. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Comparable sales adjustments are based on known sales prices of similar type and similar use properties and duration of time that the property has been on the market to sell. Such adjustments made in the appraisal process are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.
 
Appraisals for both collateral-dependent loans and other real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Once received, a member of the Company’s Risk Management Area reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal. In determining the value of collateral dependent loans and other real estate owned, significant unobservable inputs may be used which include: physical condition of comparable properties sold, net operating income generated by the property and investor rates of return.
 
Other Real Estate: Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property utilizing similar techniques as discussed above for Individually Analyzed Loans, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, impairment loss is recognized.

Loans Held-for-Sale: The fair values of loans held for sale are determined by using quoted prices for similar assets, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Revenue Recognition
A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under Topic 606 follows:

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance, and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as stop payment charges and statement rendering, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed (the point in time the Company fills the customer’s request). Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs.

Interchange Fee Income: The Company earns interchange fees from debit/credit cardholder transactions conducted through various payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

Wealth Management Fees: The Company earns wealth management and investment services income from its contracts with trust and brokerage customers to manage assets for investment and/or to transact their accounts. These fees are primarily earned over time as the Company provides the contracted monthly or quarterly services and are generally assessed based on the market value of assets under management at month-end. Fees that are transaction based, including trade execution services, are recognized at the point in time that the transaction is executed (trade date).

Insurance Revenues: The Company earned insurance revenue from commissions derived from the sale of personal and corporate property and casualty insurance products. These commissions were primarily earned over time as the Company provided the contracted insurance product to customers.
Other Operating Income: The other operating income revenue streams within the scope of Topic 606 consist of ATM fees, wire transfer fees, safe deposit box rentals, check printing commissions and other non-interest related fees.
Leases
At the inception of a contract, an entity should determine whether the contract contains a lease. Topic 842 defines a lease as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control over the use of an identified asset means that the customer has both (1) the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and (2) the right to direct the use of the asset.

The Bank has finance leases for branch offices as well as operating leases for branch offices, ATM locations and certain office
equipment. The right-of-use asset is included in the ‘Premises, Furniture and Equipment, Net’ line of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The lease liability is included in the ‘Accrued Interest Payable and Other Liabilities’ line of the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company used the implicit lease rate when determining the present value of lease payments for finance leases. The present value of lease payments for operating leases was determined using the incremental borrowing rate as of the date the Company adopted this standard.