COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Credit-Related Financial Instruments. The Company is a party to credit-related financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Company follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contract Amount |
| | 2025 | | 2024 |
| (dollars in thousands) | | | |
| Commitments to extend credit | $ | 422,592 | | | $ | 329,924 | |
| Standby letters of credit | 5,382 | | | 5,947 | |
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The commitments for equity lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary by the Company, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.
Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extensions of credit to existing customers. These lines of credit are uncollateralized and usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Company is committed.
Standby and performance letters of credit are conditional lending commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. Essentially all letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.
Legal Contingencies. In the ordinary course of business, there are various legal proceedings pending against Colony and its subsidiaries. The aggregate liabilities, if any, arising from such proceedings would not, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on Colony’s consolidated financial position.
Wire Fraud Incident and Insurance Recovery Contingency. In March 2025, the Company was the target of a wire fraud incident. Upon discovery, the Company promptly implemented enhanced internal controls and notified law enforcement and regulatory authorities. After an investigation, it was determined that the incident did not impact any customer accounts or compromise any customer data. The Company maintains insurance coverage for such incidents through both commercial insurance and through a captive insurance company that covers losses and deductibles. Based on discussions with the Company's attorneys and insurance carriers and review of applicable insurance policies, it was determined that $1.25 million would not be recoverable and therefore was recognized as an expense in the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025.