Investar Holding Corp Commitments Disclosure

NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Unfunded Commitments

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk entered into in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit consisting of loan commitments and standby letters of credit, which are not included in the accompanying financial statements. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the ACL on loans. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $42,000 and $0.3 million, respectively, and is included in “Accrued taxes and other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend money with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses. The Company applies the same credit standards used in the lending process when extending these commitments and periodically reassesses the customer’s creditworthiness through ongoing credit reviews. Since some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Collateral is obtained based on the Company’s assessment of the transaction. Substantially all standby letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year.

 

The table below shows the amounts of the Company’s commitments to extend credit as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

 

		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Loan commitments		$	377,301			$	413,019
Standby letters of credit			7,658				17,844

 

Additionally, at December 31, 2024, the Company had unfunded commitments of $1.0 million for its investment in SBIC qualified funds.

 

Insurance

 

The Company is obligated for certain costs associated with its insurance program for employee health. The Company is self-insured for a substantial portion of its potential claims. The Company recognizes its obligation associated with these costs, up to specified deductible limits, in the period in which a claim is incurred, including with respect to both reported claims and claims incurred but not reported. The claims costs are estimated based on historical claims experience. The reserves for insurance claims are reviewed and updated by management on a quarterly basis.

 

Employment Agreements

 

On August 1, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provides that the executive shall receive a minimum annual base salary of $510,000, shall be eligible for annual incentive compensation up to a certain percentage of the base salary, subject to the discretion and approval of the Company’s board of directors, and shall be entitled to the payment of severance benefits upon termination under specified circumstances. The employment agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless written notice of non-renewal is given by either party to the other at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the then-current term.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The nature of the business of the Company’s banking and other subsidiaries ordinarily results in a certain amount of claims, litigation, investigations, and legal and administrative cases and proceedings, which are considered incidental to the normal conduct of business. Some of these claims are against entities which the Company acquired in business acquisitions. The Company has asserted defenses to these claims and, with respect to such legal proceedings, intends to continue to defend itself, litigating or settling cases according to management’s judgment as to what is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

 

The Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. Where it is probable that the Company will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements. These legal reserves may be increased or decreased to reflect any relevant developments on a quarterly basis. Where a loss is not probable or the amount of loss is not estimable, the Company does not accrue legal reserves. While the outcome of legal proceedings is inherently uncertain, based on information currently available and available insurance coverage, the Company’s management believes that it has established appropriate legal reserves. If an accrual is not made, and there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred, the Company discloses the nature of the contingency and an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. Any incremental liabilities arising from pending legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, or consolidated cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters, if unfavorable, may be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, or consolidated cash flows.

 

As of the date of this filing, the Company believes the amount of losses associated with legal proceedings that it is reasonably possible to incur is not material.