Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “target” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
● Statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
● Statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;
● Statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
● Estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.
These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. We are under no duty to and do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:
● General economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;
| ● | Economic and/or policy changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| ● | Changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; |
● Our ability to access cost-effective funding;
● Fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions;
● Demand for loans and deposits in our market area;
● Our ability to implement and change our business strategies;
● Competition among depository and other financial institutions;
● Inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, our mortgage banking revenues, the fair value of financial instruments or our level of loan originations, or increase the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make;
● Adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets;
● Changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements, including as a result of Basel III;
● The impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and the implementing regulations;
● Changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios;
● Technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected;
● The inability of third-party providers to perform as expected;
● Our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment;
● Our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;
● Our ability to successfully integrate into our operations any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we may acquire and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames, and any goodwill charges related thereto;
● Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
● Changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
● Our ability to retain key employees;
● Our compensation expense associated with equity allocated or awarded to our employees; and