NOTE I—INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following is a summary of intangible assets subject to amortization and those not subject to amortization:
 
 
 
December 31, 2025
 
 
 
Community Banking
 
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Amortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
Core deposit intangible assets
   $ 137,929      ($ 105,662   $ 137,929      ($ 105,662
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Goodwill not subject to
 
amortization
   $ 2,018,848        $ 2,018,848     
  
 
 
      
 
 
    
 
 
  
December 31, 2024
 
 
  
Community Banking
 
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
  
Accumulated
Amortization
 
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
  
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Amortized intangible assets:
  
  
 
  
Core deposit intangible assets
   $ 105,165      ($ 96,299   $ 105,165      ($ 96,299
  
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
    
Goodwill not subject to
 
amortization
   $ 1,888,889        $ 1,888,889     
  
 
 
      
 
 
    
The following table provides a reconciliation of goodwill:
 
(In thousands)
  
Community
Banking
 
  
Total
 
Goodwill at December 31, 2024
   $ 1,888,889      $ 1,888,889  
Addition to goodwill from Piedmont acquisition
     129,959        129,959  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Goodwill at December 31, 2025
   $ 2,018,848      $ 2,018,848  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
The following table sets forth the anticipated amortization expense for intangible assets for the years subsequent to 2025:
 
Year
  
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
  
2026
   $ 7,351  
2027
     5,060  
2028
     4,003  
2029
     3,518  
2030
     3,086  
2031 and thereafter
     9,249  

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.