Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
3 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Mar. 31, 2026 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne”), its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ChoiceOne Bank (the “Bank”) and 109 Technologies, LLC, and ChoiceOne Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. (the “Insurance Agency”). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
ChoiceOne owns all of the common securities of Community Shores Capital Trust I, Fentura Capital Trust I, and Fentura Capital Trust II (collectively, the “Capital Trusts”). Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Capital Trusts are not consolidated because each is a variable interest entity and ChoiceOne is not the primary beneficiary. On March 1, 2025, ChoiceOne completed the merger (the “Merger”) of Fentura Financial, Inc. (“Fentura”), the former parent company of The State Bank, with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. On March 14, 2025, ChoiceOne Bank completed the consolidation of The State Bank with and into ChoiceOne Bank with ChoiceOne Bank surviving the consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto reflect all adjustments ordinary in nature which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2026, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in ChoiceOne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Use of Estimates To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, ChoiceOne’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. These estimates and assumptions are subject to many risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for credit losses, the unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and held to maturity, the fair value of other financial instruments (derivatives), and the fair value measurement of acquired assets and liabilities associated with the Merger are particularly susceptible to change.
Goodwill Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed. Core Deposit Intangible Core deposit intangible represents the value of the acquired customer core deposit bases and is included as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. The core deposit intangible has an estimated finite life, is amortized on an accelerated basis over its useful life and is subject to periodic impairment evaluation. Customer List Intangible
Customer list intangible represents the value of the acquired customer relationships from the Merger and is included as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. The customer list intangible has an estimated finite life and is amortized on an accelerated basis using the sum-of-the-years’ digits method over ten years. The customer list intangible is subject to periodic impairment evaluation. Stock Transactions A total of 5,978 shares of common stock were issued to ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors for a cash price of $177,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, under the terms of the Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan. A total of 3,283 shares for a cash price of $91,000 were issued for the three months ended March 31, 2026, under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. A total of 3,301 shares of common stock were issued to ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors for a cash price of $118,000 under the terms of the Directors’ Stock Purchase Plan in the first quarter of 2025. A total of 2,214 shares for a cash price of $67,000 were issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the first quarter of 2025. On March 1, 2025, ChoiceOne issued 6,070,836 shares of common stock at a net cost of $193.0 million as consideration in the Merger. Also on March 1, 2025, as required in the Merger, ChoiceOne purchased 57,807 shares of common stock for a cash price of approximately $1.8 million. ChoiceOne retired 6,750 shares of stock that were FETM shares which were owned by ChoiceOne prior to the merger for a cash price of $215,000 on March 1, 2025.
ChoiceOne’s common stock repurchase plan announced in April 2021 and amended in 2022, authorizes the repurchase of up to 375,388 shares, representing 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock as of the date the repurchase plan was adopted. During the first quarter of 2026, ChoiceOne repurchased 50,000 shares of stock for a net cost of $1.4 million under the repurchase plan. The repurchase plan has 300,272 shares remaining to purchase as of March 31, 2026. There was no stated expiration date. The repurchase of shares during 2026 reflects our view that our capital position is healthy and the repurchase of shares is in the best interest of our shareholders.
Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)
The ACL is a valuation allowance for expected credit losses. The ACL is increased by the provision for credit losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. As ChoiceOne has had very limited loss experience since 2011, management elected to utilize benchmark peer loss history data to estimate historical loss rates. ChoiceOne identified an appropriate peer group for each loan pool which shared similar characteristics. In 2026, a new peer group was identified. Management estimates the ACL required based on the selected peer group loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, a reasonable and supportable economic forecast, and other factors. Allocations of the ACL may be made for specific loans, but the entire ACL is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the ACL when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.
The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit losses and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The discounted cash flow methodology is utilized for all loan pools included in the general component. This methodology is supported by our current expected credit loss ("CECL") software provider and allows management to automatically calculate contractual life by factoring in all cash flows and adjusting them for behavioral and credit-related aspects.
Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts have to be incorporated in determining expected credit losses. The forecast period represents the time frame from the current period end through the point in time that we can reasonably forecast and support entity and environmental factors that are expected to impact the performance of our loan portfolio. Ideally, the economic forecast period would encompass the contractual terms of all loans; however, the ability to produce a forecast that is considered reasonable and supportable becomes more difficult or may not be possible in later periods. Subsequent to the end of the forecast period, we revert to historical loan data based on an ongoing evaluation of each economic forecast in relation to then current economic conditions as well as any developing loan loss activity and resulting historical data. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we used a one-year reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, with a two year straight-line reversion period.
We are not required to develop and use our own economic forecast model, and we elected to utilize economic forecasts from third-party providers that analyze and develop forecasts of the economy for the entire United States at least quarterly.
Other inputs to the calculation are also updated or reviewed quarterly. Prepayment speeds are updated on a one quarter lag based on the asset liability model from the previous quarter. This model is performed at the loan level. Curtailment is updated quarterly within the ACL model based on our peer group average. The reversion period is reviewed by management quarterly with consideration of the current economic climate. Prepayment speeds and curtailment were updated during the first quarter of 2026; however, the effect was insignificant.
We are also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and is increased or decreased via the provision for credit losses account on our Consolidated Statement of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.
Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collective evaluation. ChoiceOne has determined that any loans which have been placed on non-performing status, loans with a risk rating of 6 or higher, and loans past due more than 60 days will be assessed individually for evaluation. Management's judgment will be used to determine if the loan should be migrated back to pool on an individual basis. Individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for loans in scope. Specific reserves on non-performing loans are typically based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of collateral securing these loans, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate or based on the present value of the expected cash flows from that loan.
ACL for Purchased Loans: With and Without Credit Deterioration
Purchased loans are initially recorded at fair value. ChoiceOne’s accounting treatment for these loans depends on whether they exhibit significant credit deterioration since origination at the time of purchase. As part of the Merger, ChoiceOne recognized a valuation adjustment on the purchased loans, which included two distinct categories: loans purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) and loans purchased without credit deterioration. Loans were classified as PCD based on a review of credit quality indicators at the acquisition date, including any loan designated as a watch‑list credit (which includes loans that were 30 days or more past due and/or internally risk‑rated 6 or higher), as well as any loan for which credit deterioration was identified or recommended by ChoiceOne’s third‑party loan review firm as part of its independent credit review. A substantial portion of this valuation adjustment is expected to be recognized as interest income over time.
Loans Purchased with Credit Deterioration
Purchased loans that reflect a more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination at the date of purchase are classified as loans purchased with credit deterioration (PCD loans). PCD loans are recorded at fair value plus the ACL expected at the time of purchase. Under this method, there is no provision for credit losses on purchase of PCD loans. The allowance for credit losses was recorded as the credit mark on PCD loans. PCD loans are assessed on a regular basis and subsequent adjustments to the ACL are recorded on the income statement. The non-credit-related difference between fair value and the unpaid principal balance at the purchase date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method.
Loans Purchased Without Credit Deterioration
Loans purchased without credit deterioration (Non-PCD loans) do not reflect more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination at the date of purchase. Non-PCD loans are recorded at fair value and an increase to the allowance for credit losses is recorded with a corresponding increase to the provision for credit losses at the date of purchase. The difference between fair value and the unpaid principal balance at the purchase date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method. Purchased loans from the Merger were brought into the model and segmented into classes on the same basis as ChoiceOne originated loans.
ACL for Securities
Securities Available for Sale ("AFS") – For securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, management determines whether they intend to sell or if it is more likely than not that ChoiceOne will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For securities AFS with unrealized losses not meeting these criteria, management evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by rating agencies and adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Changes in the ACL under ASC 326-30 are recorded as provisions for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when the collectability of a debt security AFS is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there was no ACL related to securities AFS.
Securities Held to Maturity ("HTM") – ChoiceOne measures credit losses on HTM securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ACL on securities HTM is a contra asset valuation account that is deducted from the carrying amount of HTM securities to present the net amount expected to be collected. HTM securities are charged off against the ACL when deemed uncollectible. Adjustments to the ACL are reported in ChoiceOne’s Consolidated Statements of Income in the provision for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable totaled $2.3 million at March 31, 2026 and $2.0 million at December 31, 2025 and was reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. With regard to US Treasury securities, these have an explicit government guarantee; therefore, no ACL is recorded for these securities. With regard to obligations of states and political subdivisions and other HTM securities, management considers (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (3) the financial condition of the issuer, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the ACL related to HTM securities was insignificant.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
ASU 2025-08 Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans
In November 2025, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2025‑08, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans, which expands the use of the gross‑up method for recognizing expected credit losses on certain acquired loans. The amendments extend the gross‑up approach—previously limited to purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans—to a broader population of acquired loans that meet the definition of purchased seasoned loans, while retaining the existing accounting model for PCD loans. Under the gross‑up method, an allowance for credit losses is recorded at acquisition with a corresponding increase to the loan’s amortized cost basis, rather than through earnings. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, including interim periods therein, and is to be applied prospectively. Management has elected not to early adopt this guidance and is currently evaluating the potential impact of adoption on the Bank’s consolidated financial statements. |