NOTE 4. LOANS AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Allowance for Credit Losses

The ACL under the CECL methodology is calculated on non-PCD loans utilizing a PD and LGD approach, which is then discounted to net present value. PD is the probability the asset will default within a given time frame and LGD is the percentage of the asset not expected to be collected due to default. The primary macroeconomic drivers of the quantitative model include forecasts of national unemployment and interest rates, as well as modeling adjustments for changes in prepayment speeds, portfolio mix, concentrations, and loan growth. At September 30, 2026, the primary drivers of the change in the allowance model calculation from December 31, 2025 were loan growth, changes in macroeconomic variables and prepayment speeds, increases to specific reserves on individually-evaluated loans, and improvements in certain qualitative factors. The forecast was based upon a probability weighted approach which is designed to incorporate loss projections from a baseline, upside and downside economy. Due to the nonlinearity of credit losses to the economy, the asymmetry is best captured by evaluating multiple economic scenarios through a probability weighted approach. At quarter-end, national unemployment was projected to be 4.7%, and subsequently increase to an average of 5.3% over the remainder of the forecast period. In addition to the quantitative and qualitative changes noted above, the allowance is reflective of $18.9 million in net charge-offs recorded during the first nine months of 2026. Accrued interest receivable for loans was $85.5 million and $87.8 million at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Wesbanco has made an accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest from the measurement of the ACL because the Company has a policy in place to reverse or write-off accrued interest when loans are placed on non-accrual.

Commercial Loan Risk Grades

Commercial loan risk grades are determined based on an evaluation of the relevant characteristics of each loan, assigned at inception and adjusted thereafter at any time to reflect changes in the risk profile throughout the life of each loan. The primary factors used to determine the risk grade are the sufficiency, reliability and sustainability of the primary source of repayment and overall financial strength of the borrower. The rating system more heavily weights the debt service coverage, leverage and loan to value factors to derive the risk grade. Other factors that are considered at a lesser weighting include management, industry or property type risks, payment history, collateral or guarantees.

CRE – land and construction consists of loans to finance investments in vacant land, land development, construction of residential housing, and construction of commercial buildings. CRE – improved property consists of loans for the purchase or refinance of all types of improved owner-occupied and investment properties. Factors that are considered in assigning the risk grade vary depending on the type of property financed. The risk grade assigned to construction and development loans is based on the overall viability of the project, the experience and financial capacity of the developer or builder to successfully complete the project, project specific and market absorption rates and comparable property values, and the amount of pre-sales for residential housing construction or pre-leases for commercial investment property. The risk grade assigned to commercial investment property loans is based primarily on the adequacy of the net operating income generated by the property to service the debt (“debt service coverage”), the loan to appraised value, the type, quality, industry and mix of tenants, and the terms of leases. The risk grade assigned to owner-occupied CRE is based primarily on global debt service coverage and the leverage of the business, but may also consider the industry in which the business operates, the business’ specific competitive advantages or disadvantages, collateral margins and the quality and experience of management.

C&I loans consist of revolving lines of credit to finance accounts receivable, inventory and other general business purposes; term loans to finance fixed assets other than real estate, and letters of credit to support trade, insurance or governmental requirements for a variety of businesses. Most C&I borrowers are privately-held companies with annual sales up to $100 million. Primary factors that are considered in risk rating C&I loans include debt service coverage and leverage. Other factors including operating trends, collateral coverage along with management experience are also considered.

Pass loans are those that exhibit a history of positive financial results that are at least comparable to the average for their industry or type of real estate. The primary source of repayment is acceptable and these loans are expected to perform satisfactorily during most economic cycles. Pass loans typically have no significant external factors that are expected to adversely affect these borrowers more than others in the same industry or property type. Any minor unfavorable characteristics of these loans are outweighed or mitigated by other positive factors including but not limited to adequate secondary or tertiary sources of repayment, including guarantees.

Criticized loans, considered as compromised, have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the bank's credit position at some future date. Criticized loans are not adversely classified by the banking regulators and do not expose the bank to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

Classified loans, considered as substandard and doubtful, are equivalent to the classifications used by banking regulators. Substandard loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These loans may or may not be reported as non-accrual. Doubtful loans 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. These loans are reported as non-accrual.

Consumer Loan Risk Grades

Residential real estate, home equity and consumer loans are not assigned internal risk grades other than as required by regulatory guidelines that are based primarily on the age of past due loans. Wesbanco primarily evaluates the credit quality of residential real estate, home equity and consumer loans based on repayment performance and historical loss rates. The aggregate amount of residential real estate, home equity and consumer loans classified as substandard in accordance with regulatory guidelines was $68.6 million at September 30, 2026 and $61.4 million at December 31, 2025, of which $14.1 million and $16.5 million were accruing, for each period, respectively.

Past Due and Non-performing Loans