Note 14 – Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible
Goodwill and core deposit intangibles result from the Company’s prior acquisitions. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and core deposit intangible assets are summarized as follows:
 
    
Goodwill
    
Core Deposit
Intangible
 
     (In thousands)  
Balance at December 31, 2023
   $ 8,853      $ 1,422  
Acquisition of Cornerstone Bank
   $ 5,528      $ 2,812  
Amortization expense
     —         (602
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2024
   $ 14,381      $ 3,632  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
    
Goodwill
    
Core Deposit
Intangible
 
    
(In thousands)
 
Balance at December 31, 2022
   $ 8,853      $ 1,825  
Acquisition of Noah Bank
     —         99  
Amortization expense
     —         (502
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2023
   $ 8,853      $ 1,422  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
The core deposit intangible assets are being amortized over 10 years, using the sum of the year’s digits. As of December 31, 2024, the future fiscal periods amortization for the core deposit intangible is as follows:
 
    
Amount
 
     (In thousands)  
2025
     847  
2026
     717  
2027
     587  
2028
     457  
2029
     327  
Thereafter
     697  
  
 
 
 
Total
   $ 3,632  
  
 
 
 

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.