v3.26.1
Basis of Presentation (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Consolidation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary in the opinion of the Company’s management to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. They have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025; however, certain notes and information have been omitted from the interim periods. Therefore, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and financial reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and to general practices within the financial services industry. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for future interim periods or for the entire year.

Basis of Accounting

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance/provision for credit losses, the fair value of financial instruments and the status of contingencies are particularly subject to change. Material estimates that are subject to significant change in the near term are the allowance for credit losses, provision for credit losses, valuation of other real estate owned and fair values of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “BancPlus” refer to BancPlus Corporation and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, and references to “BankPlus” refer to BankPlus, our wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable.

Branch Sale

Branch Sale

On March 20, 2026, the Company completed the previously disclosed sale of its branch located in McComb, Mississippi, including all of its assets and liabilities. The Company completed the sale which included cash paid of $31.1 million, the transfer of $47.4 million of deposits at an 8% deposit premium, and loans of $11.6 million. As a result of the transaction, the Company recognized a net gain of $3.6 million.

Effect of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Effect of Recently Issued, But Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

Effect of Recently Issued, But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update 2024-03 (“ASU 2024-03”), “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures.” In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 which requires entities to disclose details about specific expenses, such as inventory purchases, employee compensation, depreciation, amortization and depletion, included within commonly presented income statement expense captions. The disaggregated expense captions must be disclosed in a tabular format in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2027 and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2028. The adoption of ASU 2024-03 is not expected to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounting Standards Update 2025-08 (“ASU 2025-08”), “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans.” In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-08 which expands the scope of the “gross‑up” method, formerly applicable only to purchased credit‑deteriorated ("PCD") assets, to include acquired non‑PCD loans that meet certain criteria, now referred to as “purchased seasoned loans” ("PSLs"). Under this model, an allowance for expected credit losses is recognized at acquisition, offsetting the loan’s amortized cost basis, thereby eliminating the day-one credit‑loss expense previously required for non‑PCD assets. PSLs are defined as non‑PCD loans acquired either through a business combination or purchased more than 90 days after origination when the acquirer was not involved in origination. ASU 2025-08 is effective, on a prospective basis for

loans acquired on or after the adoption date, for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2027, though early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2025-08 is not expected to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


Accounting Standards Update 2025-10 ("ASU 2025-10"), "Government Grants (Topic 832): Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities." In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, which establishes comprehensive U.S. GAAP guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of government grants received by business entities. Under ASU 2025-10, a government grant is recognized only when it is probable the business will meet the grant's conditions and will receive the grant, and when it meets the recognition criteria for either an asset-related or income-related grant. The update permits either a cost-accumulation or deferred-income approach for asset-related grants, while income-related grants must be recognized systematically over the related expense periods. Entities must also present grant-related income appropriately and disclose the nature of the grants, the accounting policies applied, and significant terms and conditions. ASU 2025-10 is effective on December 15, 2028 for all public entities, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2025-10 is not expected to materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal net of discounts and premiums on acquired loans, before allowance for credit losses. Interest on loans is calculated using the simple interest method on daily balances of the principal amount outstanding.

Loan Origination/Risk Management/Credit Concentration – The Company has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, the Company has concentrations of credit risks related to the real estate market, including residential, commercial, and construction and land development lending. Most of the Company’s lending activity occurs within Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida.

The risk characteristics of the Company’s material portfolio segments are as follows:

Residential Property Loans – The residential property loan portfolio consists of residential loans for single and multifamily properties. Residential loans are generally secured by owner occupied 1–4 family residences. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income and credit rating of the borrowers and can be impacted by economic conditions within their market area. Risk is mitigated by the fact that the loans are of smaller individual amounts and spread over a large number of borrowers.

Commercial Real Estate Loans – Commercial real estate loans include construction and land development loans, loans secured by farmland and other commercial real estate loans.

Construction and land development loans are usually based upon estimates of costs and estimated value of the completed project and include independent appraisal reviews and a financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Sources of repayment of these loans may include permanent loans, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are considered to be higher risk than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.

Farmland loans are generally made for the purpose of acquiring land devoted to crop production or livestock, the propagation of timber or the operation of a similar type of business on the secured property. Sources of repayment for these loans generally include income generated from operations of a business on the property, rental income, or sales of timber. Repayment may be impacted by changes in economic conditions which affect underlying collateral values.

Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger principal amounts and repayment of these loans is generally dependent on the successful operations of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral and risk grade criteria.

Commercial and Industrial Loans – The commercial and industrial loan portfolio consists of loans to commercial customers for use in normal business operations to finance working capital needs, equipment purchases or other expansion projects. Commercial loan underwriting standards are designed to promote relationship banking rather than transactional banking and are underwritten based on the borrower’s expected ability to profitably operate its business. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial loans are secured by assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory and may incorporate a personal guarantee. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers.

Agricultural production and other loans to farmers - The agricultural production and other loans to farmers portfolio consists of loans for the purpose of financing agricultural production, the growing and storing of crops, the marketing, and the carrying of agricultural products. This portfolio also includes loans for the purposes of breeding, raising, fattening, or marketing livestock, fish production, and forest and timber production as well as any other loans made to farmers not secured by real estate. Sources of repayment for these loans generally include income generated from the operations of the business.

Consumer and Other Loans – The consumer and other loan portfolio consists of various term and line of credit loans such as automobile loans and loans for other personal purposes. Repayment for these types of loans will come from a borrower’s income sources that are typically independent of the loan purpose. Credit risk is driven by consumer economic factors (such as unemployment and general economic conditions in the Company’s market area) and the creditworthiness of a borrower.

Loans that are 30 days or more past due based on payments received and applied to the loan are considered delinquent. Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that a borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest, but not necessarily principal, is doubtful. A loan is typically placed on non-accrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest becomes 90 days past due unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans may be placed on non-accrual status regardless of whether or not such loans

are considered past due. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any interest that is accrued, but not collected, is reversed against interest income.

Payments subsequently received on non-accrual loans are applied to principal. Interest income is recognized to the extent that cash payments are received in excess of principal due. A loan may return to accrual status when principal and interest payments are no longer past due and collectability is reasonably assured.

As management evaluates the allowance for credit losses, it is categorized based on specific allocations and general allocations for each major loan category for loans not individually evaluated or deemed collateral-dependent or classified, segmented by loan class based on historical loss experience and other risk factors. In assessing general economic conditions, management monitors several factors, including regional and national economic conditions, real estate market conditions and recently enacted regulations with potential economic effects.

Credit Quality Indicators – The Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a grade to each of its commercial and real estate loans. Loans are rated on a scale of 1 to 10. A description of the general characteristics of the 10 risk ratings is as follows:

Risk Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 – These grades include loans to borrowers of solid credit quality with no higher than normal risk of loss. Borrowers in these categories have satisfactory financial strength and adequate cash flow coverage to service debt requirements. Collateral type and quality, as well as protection, are adequate. The borrower’s management is strong and capable, financial information is timely and accurate, and guarantor support is strong.
Risk Grade 6 – Pass and Watch – Loans in this category are currently protected, but risks are emerging that warrant more than normal attention and have above average risk of loss. These factors require a higher level of monitoring and may include emerging balance sheet weaknesses, strained liquidity, increased leverage ratio, and weakening management. Collateral support is less marketable or limited use and, although the protection is sufficient, the loan-to-value ratio may not meet policy guidelines. Guarantors may have a limited ability and willingness to provide intermediate support. Also, considerations surrounding industry deterioration, increased competition and minor policy exceptions concerning structure or amortization may affect the rating of these loans.
Risk Grade 7 – Special Mention – The Company’s special mention rating is intended to closely align with the regulatory definition. A special mention asset has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of repayment prospects. These weaknesses may include deteriorating balance sheets, strained liquidity and elevated leverage ratios. Cash flow and profitability are marginally sufficient to service debt and collateral is exhibiting signs of decline in value; however, protection is currently sufficient. Limited management experience or weaknesses have emerged requiring more than normal supervision and uncertainties regarding the quality of the financials are not explained. Guarantor has very limited ability and willingness to provide short-term support. Moderate policy exceptions concerning structure or amortization may be considered in order to provide relief to the borrower. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.
Risk Grade 8 – Substandard – A loan in this category is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. Assets so classified have a well-defined weakness that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt. Factors affecting these loans may include balance sheet deterioration that has resulted in illiquid, highly leveraged or deficit net worth, cash flow that is not able to service debts as structured, collateral protection that may be inadequate, guarantor support that may be virtually non-existent, and management that is poor. Loans may require a major policy exception concerning structure or amortization. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will incur some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Risk Grade 9 – Doubtful – Loans classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Risk Grade 10 – Loss – Loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuing to carry them as an active asset is not warranted. It does not mean that there will be no recovery, but, rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off these assets even though a partial recovery may be possible in the future.

Pass loans for the Company include loans in Risk Grades 1 - 6. Special mention loans for the Company include loans in Risk Grade 7. Classified loans for the Company include loans in Risk Grades 8, 9 and 10. Loans may be classified but not considered individually evaluated if the loan falls below the established minimum dollar threshold for individual evaluation.

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

Financial Instruments Measured at 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. The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. Valuations within these levels are based upon:

Level 1

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date

Level 2

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities

Management monitors the availability of observable market data to assess the appropriate classification of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers of financial instruments between fair value levels for any period presented.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value.

Securities – The Company utilizes an independent pricing service to advise it on the value of the securities portfolio. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. For these investments, the inputs used by the pricing service to determine fair value may include one, or a combination of several, observable inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data market research publications and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. For Level 3 securities, in addition to the inputs noted above, inputs used by the pricing service to determine fair value may also include estimated duration, municipal bond interest rate curve, and tax effected yield. There were no Level 3 securities as of March 31, 2026 or December 31, 2025. The Company’s treasury department and Asset Liability Management Committee review the aggregate fair values of the securities portfolio.

Loans Held for Sale – Fair values for loans held for sale are derived from current market pricing for similar loans, adjusted for the probability that a loan commitment will result in an originated loan.

Collateral-dependent Loans, net of Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans for which it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest due according to contractual terms are measured to determine if any credit loss exists on a non-recurring basis. Allowable methods for determining the amount of the credit loss include estimating fair value using the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans. Specific allowances for these loans are based on comparisons of the recorded carrying values of the loans to the present value of the estimated cash flows of these loans at each loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral net of selling costs if the loan is collateral-dependent. Loans that are primarily collateral dependent loans are assessed using a fair value approach. Fair value estimates for collateral-dependent loans are derived from appraised values based on the current market value or as-is value of the property being appraised. Appraisals are based on certain assumptions, which may include construction or development status and the highest and best use of the property. The appraisals are reviewed by the Company’s appraisal department to ensure they are acceptable. Loans that have experienced a credit loss are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other Real Estate Owned – Other real estate owned is initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated cost to sell. Fair value estimates begin with obtaining a current independent appraisal or internal evaluation of the collateral value. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are performed periodically by the Company’s appraisal department and any subsequent reduction in value is recognized by a charge to income.

Appraisals for both collateral-dependent loans and other real estate owned are performed by certified appraisers whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed by the Company. These appraisals are reviewed by a member of the Company’s appraisal department to ensure they are acceptable. Appraised values are adjusted down for costs associated with asset disposal. The significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in the fair value measurement of collateral for collateral-dependent loans and other real estate owned are primarily based on appraisals, observable market conditions, and other factors which may affect collectability. The appraisals use marketability and comparability discounts, which generally range from 5% to 15%. Assessment of the significance of a specific input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset. It is reasonably possible that a change in the estimated fair value for assets measured using Level 3 inputs could occur in the future.