As with most community banks, the Bank derives a significant portion of its income from interest received on loans and investments. The Bank’s primary source of funding is deposits, both interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing. In order to maximize the Bank’s net interest income, or the difference between the income on interest-earning assets and the expense of interest-bearing liabilities, the Bank must not only manage the volume of these balance sheet items, but also the yields earned on interest-earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. To account for credit risk inherent in all loans, the Bank maintains an ALL to absorb possible losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. The Bank establishes and maintains this allowance by charging a provision for loan losses against operating earnings. Beyond its net interest income, the Bank further receives income through the net gain on sale of loans held for sale as well as servicing income which is retained on those sold loans. In order to maintain its operations and bank locations, the Bank incurs various operating expenses which are further described within the “Results of Operations” later in this section.
The Bank is a 49.8% member of a data processing subsidiary, UFS, which provides core data processing, endpoint management cloud services, cyber security and digital banking solutions for over 60 Midwest banks. The Bank, through its 100% owned subsidiary TVG Holdings, Inc., also holds a 40% ownership interest in Ansay, an insurance agency providing clients throughout Wisconsin with insurance and risk management solutions. These unconsolidated subsidiary interests contribute noninterest income to the Bank through their underlying annual earnings.
On July 12, 2019, the Company consummated its merger with Partnership pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Bank Merger, dated as of January 22, 2019 and as amended on April 30, 2019, by and among the Company and Partnership, whereby Partnership was merged with and into the Company, and Partnership Bank, Partnership’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, was merged with and into the Bank. The system integration was completed, and four branches of Partnership Bank opened on July 15, 2019 as branches of the bank, expanding the Bank’s presence into Ozaukee, Monroe and Jefferson counties.
On May 15, 2020, the Company consummated its merger with Timberwood pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Bank Merger, dated as of November 20, 2019, by and among the Company and Timberwood, whereby Timberwood was merged with and into the Company, and Timberwood Bank, Timberwood’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, was merged with and into the Bank. The system integration was completed, and the sole branch of Timberwood Bank opened on May 18, 2020 as a branch of the bank, expanding the Bank’s presence in Monroe County.
On January 18, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Denmark, a Wisconsin Corporation, pursuant to which Denmark will merge with and into the Company and Denmark's banking subsidiary, Denmark State Bank, will merge with and into the Bank. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2022 and is subject to, among other items, approval by the shareholders of both institutions and regulatory agencies. Merger consideration will consist of up to 20% cash and no less than 80% of the common stock of the Company, and will total approximately $119 million, subject to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of closing. Based on results as of March 31, 2022, the combined company would have total assets of approximately $3.61 billion, loans of approximately $2.79 billion, and deposits of approximately $3.17 billion.
The Company accounts for these transactions under the acquisition method of accounting, and thus, the financial position and results of operations of acquired institutions prior to the consummation date are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The acquisition method of accounting required assets purchased and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company determines the fair value of core deposit intangibles, securities, premises and equipment, loans, other assets and liabilities, deposits and borrowings with the assistance of third party valuations, appraisals, and third party advisors. The estimated fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the consummation as additional information becomes available relative to the closing date fair values.
The U.S. economy contracted in the first half of 2020, ending the longest expansionary period in U.S. history, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During March 2020, in an effort to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on consumers and businesses, the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate 1.5 percentage points to 0.00 to 0.25 percent and the U.S. government enacted the CARES Act, the largest economic stimulus package in the nation's history. The Company responded to the pandemic, beginning in March 2020, by supporting our clients, employees, and communities with such measures as remote work capabilities and branch service enhancements, loan payment deferrals, and accelerated investments in several technology initiatives that provided more convenience and a better digital experience as clients adapted to this highly virtual environment. The Company participated in the PPP and funded approximately 2,998 loans totaling approximately $377.5 million under the programs available in both 2020 and 2021.
