Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

2023

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from   to 

Commission file number: 001-39731

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia85-3365661
(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)
1300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville, VirginiaMartinsville,Virginia24112
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (276) 656-1776

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par valueCARENasdaq Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes x  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).Yes ¨ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Table of Contents
Large accelerated filer¨¨Accelerated filerxxEmerging growth company¨
Non-accelerated filer¨oSmaller reporting company¨o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.   x

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).Yes ¨ No x

The aggregate market value of Carter Bankshares, Inc.’s common stock held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common stock was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common stock, as of June 30, 20202023 was $198,774,712.

$339,949,437.

There were 26,428,50123,022,221 shares of common stock of Carter Bankshares, Inc. outstanding as of March 5, 2021.

4, 2024.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of Carter Bankshares, Inc., to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the 20212024 annual meeting of shareholders to be held June 23, 2021,May 22, 2024, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II
Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
PART IV





Important Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains or incorporates certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements that relate to our financial condition, market conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, outlook for earnings, strategic initiatives and related earn-back periods, revenues, expenses, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset levels and asset quality, including but not limited to statements regarding the interest rate environment, the impact of future changes in interest rates, and the impacts of the Company placing its largest lending relationship on nonaccrual status. Forward looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “intend,” “ believe,” “assume,” “strategy,” “trend,” “plan,” “outlook,” “outcome,” “continue,” “remain,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “comfortable,” “current,” “position,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve” and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, would, should, could or may.
These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumption that are difficult to predict and often are beyond the Company’s control. Although we believe the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially from those made, projected, or implied in or by the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to the effects of:
market interest rates and the impacts of market interest rates on economic conditions, customer behavior, and the Company’s loan and securities portfolios;
inflation, market and monetary fluctuations;
changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws of the U.S. government, including policies of the Federal Reserve, FDIC and Treasury Department;
cyber-security threats, attacks or events;
rapid technological developments and changes;
our ability to resolve our nonperforming assets and our ability to secure collateral on loans that have entered nonaccrual status due to loan maturities and failure to pay in full;
changes in the Company’s liquidity and capital positions;
concentrations of loans secured by real estate, particularly commercial real estate, and the potential impacts of changes in market conditions on the value of real estate collateral;
increased delinquency and foreclosure rates on commercial real estate loans;
an insufficient allowance for credit losses;
the potential adverse effects of unusual and infrequently occurring events, such as weather-related disasters, terrorist acts, war and other military conflicts (such as the war between Israel and Hamas and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine) or public health events (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), and of any governmental and societal responses thereto; these potential adverse effects may include, without limitation, adverse effects on the ability of the Company's borrowers to satisfy their obligations to the Company, on the value of collateral securing loans, on the demand for the Company's loans or its other products and services, on incidents of cyberattack and fraud, on the Company’s liquidity or capital positions, on risks posed by reliance on third-party service providers, on other aspects of the Company's business operations and on financial markets and economic growth;
a change in spreads on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities;
regulatory supervision and oversight, including our relationship with regulators and any actions that may be initiated by our regulators;
legislation affecting the financial services industry as a whole (such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022), and the Company and the Bank, in particular;


the outcome of pending and future litigation and/or governmental proceedings, including the outcome of the lawsuits between the Bank and West Virginia Governor James C. Justice, II, his wife Cathy Justice, his son James C. Justice, III and various related entities that he and/or they own and control, concerning, among other items, their lending relationship with the Bank and repayment of amounts owed to the Bank;
increasing price and product/service competition;
the ability to continue to introduce competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis;
managing our internal growth and acquisitions;
the possibility that the anticipated benefits from acquisitions cannot be fully realized in a timely manner or at all, or that integrating the acquired operations will be more difficult, disruptive or more costly than anticipated;
the soundness of other financial institutions and any indirect exposure related to recent significant bank failures or broader stability or liquidity concerns regarding other financial institutions including but not limited to other regional banks, which may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Company has commercial or deposit relationships with;
material increases in costs and expenses;
reliance on significant customer relationships;
general economic or business conditions, including unemployment levels, continuing supply chain disruptions and slowdowns in economic growth;
significant weakening of the local economies in which we operate;
changes in customer behaviors, including consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits;
changes in deposit flows and loan demand;
our failure to attract or retain key employees;
expansions or consolidations in the Company’s branch network, including that the anticipated benefits of the Company’s branch network optimization project are not fully realized in a timely manner or at all;
deterioration of the housing market and reduced demand for mortgages; and
re-emergence of turbulence in significant portions of the global financial and real estate markets that could impact our performance, both directly, by affecting our revenues and the value of our assets and liabilities, and indirectly, by affecting the economy generally and access to capital in the amounts, at the times and on the terms required to support our future businesses.
Many of these factors, as well as other factors, are described throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and any of our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. We caution you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events are expressed in or implied by a forward-looking statement may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as to the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update, revise or clarify any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made.


Table of Contents
CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART 1

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Carter Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Martinsville, Virginia with assets of $4.2$4.5 billion at December 31, 2020.2023. The Company is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Carter Bank & Trust (the “Bank”). The Bank is an Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured, Virginia state-chartered commercial bank which operates 65 branches in Virginia and North Carolina and is the fourth largest state chartered commercial bank headquartered in Virginia, operating 92 branches across both states.Carolina. The Bank provides a full range of financial services with retail and commercial bankingfinancial products and services and insurance products.

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the Company and its subsidiaries, including the Bank.
History and Holding Company Reorganization

The Bank commenced business on December 29, 2006, following the effectiveness of the concurrent merger of ten banking institutions. The ten merged banks and their respective main office locations were Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. (Floyd, Virginia); Central National Bank (Lynchburg, Virginia); Community National Bank (South Boston, Virginia); First National Bank (Rock Mount, Virginia); First National Exchange Bank (Roanoke, Virginia); Mountain National Bank (Galax, Virginia); Patrick Henry National Bank (Martinsville, Virginia); Patriot Bank, N.A. (Fredericksburg, Virginia); Peoples National Bank (Danville, Virginia); and Shenandoah National Bank (Staunton, Virginia).
The Company was incorporated on October 7, 2020, by and at the direction of the board of directors of the Bank, for the sole purpose of acquiring the Bank and serving as the Bank’s parent bank holding company pursuant to a corporate reorganization transaction (the “Reorganization”). On November 9, 2020, the Bank entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”) with the Company and CBT Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to which the Reorganization would be effected. Effective at 7:00 p.m. on November 20, 2020 (the “Effective Time”), under the terms of the Reorganization Agreement and pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “VSCA”), the Bank merged with the Merger Sub and survived such merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company had no material assets and had not conducted any business or operations except for activities related to the Company’s organization and the Reorganization.

At the Effective Time, under the terms of the Reorganization Agreement and pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the VSCA, each of the outstanding shares of the Bank’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, formerly held by its shareholders was converted into and exchanged for one newly issued share of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and the Bank became the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary. The shares of the Company’s common stock issued to the Bank’s shareholders were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(12) of the Act. Pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the VSCA, the Reorganization did not require approval of the Bank’s shareholders.

In the Reorganization, each shareholder of the Bank received securities of the same class, having substantially the same designations, rights, powers, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions, as those that the shareholder held in the Bank.

Prior to the Effective Time, the Bank’s common stock was registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Bank was subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with Section 12(i) thereof, it filed annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).FDIC. Upon consummation of the Reorganization, the Company’s common stock was deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) promulgated thereunder, and the Company now files annual reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

SEC.

The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol “CARE.”

4

6


Table of Contents
CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)

Operations

The Company is a bank holding company that conducts its business solely through the Bank. The Bank earns revenue primarily from interest on loans and securities and fees charged for financial services provided to our customers. The Bank incurs expenses for the cost of deposits, provision for loancredit losses and other operating costs such as salaries and employee benefits, data processing, occupancy and tax expense.

Our mission

Beginning in 2023, and continuing into 2024 and 2025, the Company is that the Bank strives to be the preferred lifetime financial partner for our customersfocusing on refining and shareholders,enhancing its brand image and the employer of choiceposition in the communitiesmarkets it serves. To strengthen and further shape the Bankculture of the Company, a new set of guiding principles were introduced to associates in June 2023. The guiding principles include a new purpose statement: To create opportunities for more people and businesses to prosper; supported by our new set of core values: Build Relationships, Earn Trust and Take Ownership. We believe these new guiding principles will help create alignment to support future growth by empowering our associates and igniting a passion for the Company.
The Company’s goal is privileged to serve. Our strategic plan focuses onshift from restructuring the balance sheet to provide more diversificationpursuing a prudent growth strategy when appropriate. We believe this strategy will be primarily targeted at organic growth, but will also consider opportunistic acquisitions that fit this strategic vision. We believe that the Bank’s strong capital and higher yielding assetsliquidity positions support this strategy. In addition to increase the net interest margin. Another area of focus is the transformation of the infrastructure of the Bank to provide a foundation for operational efficiency and provide new products and services for our customers that will ultimately increase noninterest income.

Our focus continues to be on loan and deposit growth, with a shift in the composition of deposits to more low cost core deposits with less dependence on higher cost certificates of deposits (“CDs”), as well as, implementing opportunitiesCompany will seek to increase fee income while closely monitoring our operating expenses. The Bank is focused on executing our strategy to successfully build our brand and grow our business in our markets. The Bank’s net interest margin has benefited due to our strategy to deploy our excess cash into higher yielding and diversified investment securities and purchased loans, as well as, the runoff of higher cost deposits.

The Bank offers a full range of deposit services including LIFETIME FREE CHECKING,Lifetime Free Checking, interest checking accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts and other deposit accounts of various types, ranging from money market accounts to longer-term CDs. These products and services are available to our personal and business customers. The transaction accounts and time CDs are tailored to each of the Bank's principal markets at competitive rates. All deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount allowed by law. The Dodd-Frank Act, signed into law on July 21, 2010, makes permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance and the coverage limit applies per depositor, per insured depository institution for each account ownership.

The Bank also offers a full range of commercial and personalconsumer loans. Commercial loans include both secured and unsecured loans, real estate construction and acquisition loans, and commercial and industrial loans. Consumer loans include residential mortgage, secured and unsecured loans for financing automobiles, home improvements, education, overdraft protection, personal investments and credit cards. The Bank also makes real estate construction and acquisition loans, and originates and holds fixed and variable rate mortgage loans. In addition, the Bank nowloans and offers home equity lines of credit to its customers.

The Bank's lending activities are subject to a variety of lending limits imposed by federal law. While differing limits apply in certain circumstances based on the type of loan or the nature of the borrower (including the borrower's relationship to the Bank), in general the Bank is subject to a “loan to one” borrower limit of an amount equal to 15% of the Bank's unimpaired capital and surplus. The Bank may not make loans to any director, officer, employeeassociate or 10% shareholder of the BankCompany unless the loan is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and is made on terms notno more favorable than areloans made available to a person not affiliated with the Bank.

Other

Our other bank services include safe deposit boxes, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks and debit cards. Online banking products including a full suite of digital tools including: online and mobile banking, online account opening, bill pay, eStatements (paperless electronic statements), mobile deposit, Zelle®, CardValet®, digital wallet, and MoneyPass® network of ATMs. Treasury and corporate cash management services are also available to our business customers. The Bank also provides title insurance and other financial institution-related products and services. The Bank has no current plans to exercise trust powers.

5

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

The Bank has one wholly owned subsidiary, CB&T Investment Company (“the Investment Company”), which was chartered effective April 1, 2019. The Investment Company was formed to hold and manage a group of investments previously owned by the Bank and to provide additional latitude to purchase other investments.

The Company is a Virginia business corporation subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As such, the Company is subject to supervision and examination by, and the regulations and reporting requirements of, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”). The Company’s principal office, which is the same as the Bank’s principal office, and is located at 1300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville, Virginia 24112. The Company’s telephone number at that address is (276) 656-1776. The Company’s website address is www.cbtcares.com.

The information on our website is not a part of, nor is it incorporated by reference, into this report.

7

Table of Contents
CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
Competition

The Bank experiences significant competition in attracting depositors and borrowers. Competition in lending activities comes principally from other commercial banks, savings associations, insurance companies, governmental agencies, credit unions, brokerage firms and other non-bank lenders including mortgage companies and consumer finance companies. Competition for deposits comes from other commercial banks, savings associations, money market and mutual funds, credit unions, insurance companies and brokerage firms. Some of the financial organizations competing with the Bank have greater financial resources than the Bank. Certain of these financial organizations also have greater geographic coverage and some offer bank and bank-related services whichthat the Bank does not offer.

Human Capital Management

Our employeesassociates are the engine that drives our missionpurpose to be the preferred lifetime financial partnercreate opportunities for the communities in which we are privilegedmore people and businesses to serve.prosper. Our core values of building lasting relationships, inclusivity,earning trust, and optimismtaking ownership are key to building and maintaining a team-oriented environment with employeesassociates that are engaged in open communication to help each other serve, learn, and grow. Our investment in competitive compensation, health benefits, wellness programs, and a focus on healthy work-life integration allows our employeesassociates to provide a high level of professional service to our customers. At Carter Bankshares, Inc., caring is what we’ll always do best.

Demographics

Associates
As of December 31, 2020,2023, we employed 828679 full-time and part-time employeesassociates across our two-state footprint. No employeesassociates are represented by a collective bargaining unit. For fiscal year 2020,2023, we hired 81 employees. Our182 associates and our voluntary separation turnover rate was 18.8% in fiscal year 2020.

13.8%.

Compensation, Benefits, and Wellness

Our compensation strategy includes the development of job descriptions that are reviewed annually. We use market-based compensation and benefits data to provide competitive salaries and benefits forto our employees.associates. We offer paid leave, health benefits, wellness programs, a 401(k) program with matching and year-end employer contributions, restricted stock awards for high performing employees,associates, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs to all eligible employees.associates. We bring in external professionals who conduct wellness programs especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help our employeesassociates remain focused on their health and wellness.

Employee

Associate Performance and Development

The development and performance of our employeesassociates is centered on open dialogue that provides the teammateassociate with our expectations for their role and management with the opportunity to understand their insight on careers andassociates’ career aspirations. Our performance review process uses core competencies and a standardized rating system to measure performance. EmployeesAssociates are provided the opportunity at the start of the review cycle to perform a self-assessment including comments.comments on their performance. These self-assessments are available for their leaders to review as they develop thean associate’s overall performance rating. The performance review is used as inputa factor for the merit increase process.

6

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

The Bank developedconducts a standard New EmployeeHire Orientation (NEO) program that employeesassociates attend on their first day of employment. The Human Resources team, along with various departments, provide a standard first-day programemployment so new employeesassociates receive consistent information to jump start their new opportunity with the Bank. EmployeesAssociates also complete an average of 15 hours of regulatory and compliance training each year, in addition to training specific to their job duties and responsibilities. LeadershipThe Bank also develops and conducts programs have been developed and conducted to provide leaders with the tools and resources they need to develop their employeesassociates and build high-performing teams. EmployeesAssociates are given opportunities to attend webinars and enroll in outside classes to enrich their professional goals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We strive to promote inclusion through our core companyCompany values and behaviors. We use various communication channels to develop an engaged workforce and create an inclusive workplace.

In 2021, we created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (the “DEI Council”) that is overseen by our Chief Executive Officer (or “CEO”) and directed by our Chief Human Resources Officer and our Regulatory Risk Management Director. The DEI Council consists of at least 10 associates from

8

Table of Contents
CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
across our organization and is focused on collecting data and presenting information to management to further the Bank’s efforts of identifying focus areas to cultivate a culture that will attract and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Here is a snapshot of our diversity metrics as of December 31, 2020:

2023:
Gender% of Total Workforce
Female77.1 81.30%
Male22.9 18.70%

Generation% of Total Workforce
Generation Z (1997 and later)13.0 5.00%
Millennials (1981 - 1996)37.7 34.10%
Generation X (1965 – 1980)32.3 31.40%
Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964)16.3 28.40%
Silent Generation (before 1946)0.7 1.10%

Ethnicity% of Total Workforce
American Indian / Alaskan Native0.3 0.24%
Asian1.2 0.85%
Black or African American12.5 8.33%
Hispanic or Latino3.0 1.69%
Not specified2.5 %
Two or more races2.7 1.45%
White77.8 87.44%

We continue our commitment to equal employment opportunities by focusing on attracting, developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We conducted an annual engagement survey that includes a section to inform the Bank on many areas of engagement, including inclusion. Our leaders continue to use this data to inform decisions on how to continue to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Talent Acquisition

and Retention

We focus on fairness and equitable approaches to create an environment where all of our employeesassociates can develop and thrive. Our efforts include ongoing reviews of our selection and hiring practices alongside a continued focus on pay equity analysis to offer our employees’associates salaries based on their experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and fit for the joba position’s duties and responsibilities.

7

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Our talent acquisition program uses various external partners to reach a diverse population of candidates. We review the levels of engagementhave developed training programs that prepare associates for their roles and inclusion ofresponsibilities. Our leaders identify and work with our current workforce through surveys, including external benchmarks from organizations like the Best Companies Group. In the most recent survey, our employees expressed a high degree of feeling they belong within the organization.

Human Resources teams to promote associates when opportunities are available.

Supervision and Regulation

General

Bank holding companies, banks and their affiliates are extensively regulated under federal and state law. Consequently, the growth and earnings performance of the Company and the Bank can be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the statutes administered by, and the regulations and policies of, various governmental regulatory authorities including, but not limited to, the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions (the “Bureau”) of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the “SCC”), the FDIC, the FRB, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), federal and state taxing authorities, and the SEC.

The following summary briefly describes significant provisions of currently applicable federal and state laws and certain regulations and the potential impact of such provisions. This summary is not complete, and we refer you to the particular
9

Table of Contents
CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals for more information. Because regulation of financial institutions changes regularly and is the subject of constant legislative and regulatory debate, we cannot forecast how federal and state regulation and supervision of financial institutions may change in the future and affect the Company’s and the Bank’s operations.

Regulatory Reform

The financial crisis of 2008, including the downturn of global economic, financial and money markets and the threat of collapse of numerous financial institutions,Environment

Banking and other events led tofinancial services statutes, regulations and policies are continually under review by the adoptionU.S. Congress, state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies. The scope of numerousthe laws and regulations, that applyand the intensity of the supervision to and focus on, financial institutions. The most significant of these laws is the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which was enacted on July 21, 2010 and, in part, was intended to implement significant structural reforms to the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act implemented far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including changes that have significantly affected the business of all bank holding companies and banks, including the Company and its subsidiaries are subject, have increased in recent years, initially in response to the Bank. Some2008 financial crisis, and more recently in light of other factors, including continued turmoil and stress in the rules thatfinancial markets, technological factors, market changes, and increased scrutiny of proposed bank mergers and acquisitions by federal and state bank regulators. Regulatory enforcement and fines have been proposedalso increased across the banking and in some cases, adopted to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act's mandates are discussed further below.

In May 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “EGRRCPA”) was enacted to reduce the regulatory burden on certain banking organizations, including community banks, by modifying or eliminating certain federal regulatory requirements. While the EGRRCPA maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion as well as for larger banks with assets above $50 billion. In addition, the EGRRCPA included regulatory relief for community banks regarding regulatory examination cycles, call reports, application of the Volcker Rule (proprietary trading prohibitions), mortgage disclosures, qualified mortgages, and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans. However, federal banking regulators retain broad discretion to impose additional regulatory requirements on banking organizations based on safety and soundness and U.S. financial system stability considerations.

8
services sector.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

The Company and the Bank continuecontinues to experience ongoing regulatory reform. Thesereform and these regulatory changes could have a significant effect on how we conduct business. The specific implicationsimpacts of regulatory reforms, including but not limited to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd Frank Act”), which was enacted in 2010, or the EGRRCPA,Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and other potential regulatory reformsConsumer Protection Act (the “EGRRCPA”), which was enacted in 2018, cannot yet be fully predicted and will depend to a large extent on the specific regulations that are likely to be adopted in the future. Certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act and the EGRRCPA are discussed below in more detail.

Regulation of the Company and the Bank

As a Virginia bank holding company, the Company is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHCA”) and regulation and supervision by the FRB.FRB, and also is subject to the bank holding company laws of Virginia and is subject to regulation and supervision by the SCC and the Bureau. Pursuant to the BHCA, the FRB has the power to order any bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable grounds to believe that continuation of such activity or ownership constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness, safety or stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company. The FRB and the FDIC have adopted guidelines and released interpretative materials that establish operational and managerial standards to promote the safe and sound operation of banks and bank holding companies. These standards relate to the institution’s key operating functions, including but not limited to capital management, internal controls, internal audit systems, information systems, data and cybersecurity, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure and risk management, vendor management, executive management and its compensation, corporate governance, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, liquidity and risk management.

The BHCA applicable Virginia bank holding company laws generally limitslimit the activities of a bank holding company and its subsidiaries to that of banking, managing or controlling banks, or any other activity that is closely related to banking or to managing or controlling banks, andbanks. The BHCA also permits interstate banking acquisitions subject to certain conditions, including national and state concentration limits. The FRB has jurisdiction under the BHCA to approve any bank or non-bank acquisition, merger or consolidation proposed by a bank holding company. A bank holding company must be “well capitalized” and “well managed” to engage in an interstate bank acquisition or merger, and banks may branch across state lines provided that the law of the state in which the branch is to be located would permit establishment of the branch if the bank were a state bank chartered by such state. Bank holding companies and their subsidiaries are also subject to restrictions on transactions with insiders and affiliates, as further discussed below. Finally, the Company is subjectIn addition, applicable Virginia law requires prior notice to the periodic reporting requirementsVirginia SCC before a Virginia bank holding company may acquire more than 5% of the Exchange Act, including, but not limited to, filing annual, quarterly andshares of, or otherwise gain control of, any entity other current reports with the SEC.

than a bank, bank holding company or other financial institution.

The Bank is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Bureau and the Bank’s primary federal regulator, the FDIC. Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial institutions regulate, among other things, the scope of business, investments, reserves against deposits, capital levels relative to operations, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, mergers, consolidations and dividends. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to the Bank establishes a comprehensive framework for its operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC’s deposit insurance funds and the depositors, rather than the shareholders of the Bank.depositors. The Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.

10

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
Banking Acquisitions; Changes in Control

The BHCA and related regulations require, among other things, the prior approval of the FRB in any case where a bank holding company proposes to (i) acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the outstanding voting stock of any bank or bank holding company (unless it already owns a majority of such voting shares), (ii) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company, or (iii) merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company. In determining whether to approve a proposed bank acquisition, the FRB will consider, among other factors, the effect of the acquisition on competition, the public benefits expected to be received from the acquisition, any outstanding regulatory compliance issues of any institution that is a party to the transaction, the projected capital ratios and levels on a post-acquisition basis, the financial condition of each institution that is a party to the transaction and of the combined institution after the transaction, the parties’ managerial resources and risk management and governance processes and systems, the parties’ compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering requirements, and the acquiring institution’s performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and its compliance with fair housing and other consumer protection laws.

9

On July 9, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, which, among other initiatives, encouraged the review of current practices and adoption of a plan for the revitalization of merger oversight under the BHCA and the Bank Merger Act. On March 25, 2022, the FDIC published a Request for Information seeking information and comments regarding the regulatory framework that applies to merger transactions involving one or more insured depository institution. Making any formal changes to the framework for evaluating bank mergers would require an extended process, and any such changes are uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. However, the adoption of more expansive or stringent standards may have an impact on the Company’s acquisition activity. Additionally, this Executive Order could influence the federal bank regulatory agencies’ expectations and supervisory oversight for banking acquisitions.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Subject to certain exceptions, the BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with the applicable regulations, require FRB approval (or, depending on the circumstances, no notice of disapproval) prior to any person or company’s acquiring “control” of a bank or bank holding company. A conclusive presumption of control exists if an individual or company acquires the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of an insured depository institution or to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of any insured depository institution. A rebuttable presumption of control exists if a person or company acquires 10% or more but less than 25% of any class of voting securities of an insured depository institution and either the institution has registered its securities with the SEC under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or no other person will own a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the acquisition. The Company’s common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

On April 1, 2020, the FRB’s newFRB issued a rule for determining whether a company has control over a bank or other company for purposes of the BHCA, and the control presumptions promulgated under Regulation Y, became effective. The new rule provides specific guidance for the FRB’s approach to certain control evaluations, including a tiered framework incorporating a series of presumptions based on ownership of a class of voting securities. A company may be presumed to be in control of a target second company based on five levels of ownership of voting securities: (i) less than five percent; (ii) five percent; (iii) ten percent; (iv) 15 percent; (v) 25 percent; and (vi) with a presumption triggered at levels below 25 percent, depending on whether any of nine types of relationships exist (i.e., directors and director service positions, business relationships and business terms, officer/employee interlocks, contractual powers, proxy contests involving directors, and total equity ownership) and, at the same time, ownership of a class of voting securities exceeds certain thresholds. As was the case prior to the new rule, aA presumption of control (once triggered) does not automatically result in a control determination under the BHCA as such presumptions may be rebutted. The new rule applies only to questions of control under the BHCA, but does not extend to the Change in Bank Control Act.

In addition, Virginia law requires the prior approval of the SCC for (i) the acquisition by a Virginia bank holding company of more than 5% of the voting shares of a Virginia bank or a Virginia bank holding company, or (ii) the acquisition by any other person of control of a Virginia bank holding company or a Virginia bank.

Certain Transactions by Insured Banks with their Affiliates

There are statutory restrictions related to the extent bank holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries may borrow, obtain credit from or otherwise engage in “covered transactions” with their insured depository institution (i.e., banking) subsidiaries. In general, an “affiliate” of a bank includes the bank’s parent holding company and any subsidiary thereof. However, an “affiliate” does not generally include the bank’s operating subsidiaries. A bank (and its subsidiaries) may not lend money to, or
11

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
engage in other covered transactions with, its non-bank affiliates if the aggregate amount of covered transactions outstanding involving the bank, plus the proposed transaction, exceeds the following limits: (a) in the case of any one such affiliate, the aggregate amount of covered transactions of the bank and its subsidiaries cannot exceed 10 percent of the bank’s capital stock and surplus; and (b) in the case of all affiliates, the aggregate amount of covered transactions of the bank and its subsidiaries cannot exceed 20 percent of the bank’s capital stock and surplus. “Covered transactions” are defined to include a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate, a purchase of or investment in securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets from an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any person or company, the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate, securities borrowing or lending transactions with an affiliate that creates a credit exposure to such affiliate, or a derivatives transaction with an affiliate that creates a credit exposure to such affiliate. Certain covered transactions are also subject to collateral security requirements.

10

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Covered transactions as well as other types of transactions between a bank and a bank holding company must be on market terms, which means that the transaction must be conducted on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving nonaffiliates or, in the absence of comparable transactions, that in good faith would be offered to or would apply to nonaffiliates. Moreover, certain amendments to the BHCA provide that, to further competition, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tying arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property of any kind, or furnishing of any service.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

All financial institutions are required to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. The FDIC establishes risk-based and leveraged capital standards for the financial institutions they regulate. The FDIC also may impose capital requirements in excess of these standards on a case-by-case basis for various reasons, including financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.

As of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the Bank qualified as a “well capitalized” institution (seeinstitution. Refer to Note 21)21, Capital Adequacy, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed herewith). Under the risk-based capital requirements, through December 31, 2015, the Bank was required to maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8%. At least half of the total capital was required to be “Tier 1 capital,” which consists principally of common and certain qualifying preferred shareholders’ equity, less certain intangibles and other adjustments. The remainder, “Tier 2 capital,” consists of a limited amount of subordinated and other qualifying debt (including certain hybrid capital instruments) and a limited amount of the general loan loss reserve.

The federal regulatory agencies established a minimum leveraged capital ratio (Tier 1 capital to period end total average assets). These guidelines provided for a minimum leverage capital ratio of 4%. The guidelines also provided that banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions were expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the federal bank regulatory authorities issued an interim final rule in March 2020 to provide banking organizations that are required to implement ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments before the end of 2020 the option to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital by up to two years, with a three-year transition period to phase out the cumulative benefit to regulatory capital provided during the two-year delay.

On August 26, 2020, the federal banking agencies adopted a final rule that allows the Company to phase in the impact of adopting the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) methodology up to two years, with a three-year transition period to phase out the cumulative benefit to regulatory capital provided during the two-year delay. This final rule is substantially similar to the interim final rule issued in March 2020. Refer to the section titled Capital Resources inPart II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the impact of this final rule on the Company’s regulatory capital.

11
10-K.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Basel III Capital Framework

The FRB and the FDIC have adopted rules to implement the Basel III capital framework as outlined by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and standards for calculating risk-weighted assets and risk-based capital measurements (collectively, the “Basel III Final Rules”) that apply to banking institutions they supervise.supervise and to bank holding companies. For the purposes of the Basel III Final Rules, (i) common equity tier 1 capital (CET1) consists principally of common stock (including surplus) and retained earnings; (ii) Tier 1 capital consists principally of CET1 plus non-cumulative preferred stock and related surplus, and certain grandfathered cumulative preferred stocks and trust preferred securities; and (iii) Tier 2 capital consists of other capital instruments, principally qualifying subordinated debt and preferred stock, and limited amounts of an institution’s allowance for loancredit losses. Each regulatory capital classification is subject to certain adjustments and limitations, as implemented by the Basel III Final Rules. The Basel III Final Rules also establish risk weightings that are applied to many classes of assets held by community banks, importantly including applying higher risk weightings to certain commercial real estate loans.

The Basel III Final Rules and minimum capital ratios required to be maintained by banks were effective January 1, 2015.

The Basel III Final Rules also include a requirement that banks and bank holding companies maintain additional capital (the “capital conservation buffer”), which was phased in beginning January 1, 2016 and was fully phased-in effective January 1, 2019.. The Basel III Final Rules and fully phased-in capital conservation buffer require banksrequire:
a minimum ratio of CET1 to maintain a:

·minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the minimum CET1 ratio, effectively resulting in a required ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%);

·minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (effectively resulting in a required Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%);

·minimum ratio of total capital (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (effectively resulting in a required total capital ratio of 10.5%); and

·minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total assets, subject to certain adjustments and limitations.

risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the minimum CET1 ratio, effectively resulting in a required ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%);

a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (effectively resulting in a required Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%);
a minimum ratio of total capital (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (effectively resulting in a required total capital ratio of 10.5%); and
12

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total assets, subject to certain adjustments and limitations.
The Basel III Final Rules provide deductions from and adjustments to regulatory capital measures, primarily to CET1, including deductions and adjustments that were not applied to reduce CET1 under historical regulatory capital rules. For example, mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income, and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities must be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. As of December 31, 2020,2023, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Final Rules, includingRules.
In July 2023, the capital conservation bufferFederal Reserve Board and the FDIC issued proposed rules to implement the final components of the Basel III agreement, often known as the “Basel III endgame.” These proposed rules contain provisions that apply to banks with $100 billion or more in total assets and that will significantly alter how those banks calculate risk-based assets. These proposed rules do not apply to holding companies or banks with less than $100 billion in assets, such as the Company and the Bank, but the final impacts of these rules cannot yet be predicted. The comment window for these proposed rules closed on a fully phased-in basis as if such requirements were in effect as of that date.

November 30, 2023.

Community Bank Leverage Ratio

As a result of the EGRRCPA, the federal banking agencies were required to develop a Community Bank Leverage Ratio (the ratio of a bank’s tangible equity capital to average total consolidated assets) for banking organizationsQualifying banks with assets of less than $10 billion such as the Bank. On October 29, 2019, the federal banking agencies issuedin consolidated assets to elect to be subject to a final rule that implements the Community9% leverage ratio applied using less complex leverage calculations (the “Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework (theFramework” or “CBLRF”). Banks that opt into the CBLRF and maintain a leverage ratio of greater than 9% are not subject to other risk-based and leverage capital requirements and are deemed to meet Basel III Final Rules’ well capitalized ratio requirements. To qualify for the CBLRF, a bank must have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, limited amounts of off-balance sheet exposures and trading assets and liabilities, and a leverage ratio greater than 9%. A bank that elects the CBLRF and has a leverage ratio greater than 9% will be considered to be in compliance with Basel III capital requirements and exempt from the complex Basel III calculations. A bank that falls out of compliance with the CBLRF will have a two-quarter grace period to come back into full compliance, provided that its leverage ratio remains above 8% (a bank will be deemed well-capitalized during the grace period). The CBLRF became available for banking organizations to use as of March 31, 2020 (with the flexibility for banking organizations to subsequently opt into or out of the CBLRF, as applicable). As of December 31, 2020,2023, the Bank has not elected to apply the CBLRF.

12
CBLRF, but the Bank continues to assess the potential impact of opting in to CBLRF as part of its ongoing capital management and planning processes.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Dividend Limitations

The Company is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from the Bank. A significant portion of the revenues of the Company result from dividends paid to it by the Bank. Both the Company and the Bank are subject to laws and regulations that limit the payment of dividends, including limits on the sources of dividends and requirements to maintain capital at or above regulatory minimums. Banking regulators have indicated that Virginia banking organizations should generally pay dividends only (1) from net undivided profits of the bank, after providing for all expenses, losses, interest and taxes accrued or due by the bank and (2) if the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, FRB supervisory guidance indicates that the FRB may have safety and soundness concerns if a bank holding company pays dividends that exceed earnings for the period in which the dividend is being paid. Further, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) prohibits insured depository institutions such as the Bank from making capital distributions, including paying dividends, if, after making such distribution, the institution would become undercapitalized as defined in the statute. We do not expect that any of these laws, regulations or policies will materially affect the ability of the Company or the Bank to pay dividends.

Insurance of Accounts, Assessments and Regulation by the FDIC

Deposits with the Bank are insured through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC. As a DIF-insured institution, the Bank is subject to FDIC rules and regulations as administrator of the DIF. The Dodd-Frank Act made permanent the current standard maximum deposit insurance amount of $250,000. The FDIC coverage applies per depositor, per insured depository
13

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
institution, for each account ownership category. The FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by DIF-insured institutions.

The FDIC is authorized to prohibit any DIF-insured institution from engaging in any activity that the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the insurance fund. Also, the FDIC may initiate enforcement actions against banks after first giving the institution’s primary regulatory authority an opportunity to take such action. The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any depository institution, including the Bank, if it determines, after a hearing, that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed in writing by the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If deposit insurance is terminated, the deposits at the institution at the time of termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period from six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is aware of no existing circumstances that could result in termination of the Bank’s deposit insurance.

The DIF is funded by assessments on banks and other depository institutions calculated based on average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity (defined as Tier 1 capital). The actual assessment to be paid by each DIF member is based on the institution’s assessment risk classification and whether the institution is considered by its supervisory agency to be financially sound or to have supervisory concerns.

The DIF is funded by assessments on banks and other depository institutions calculated based on average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity (defined as Tier 1 capital). As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has adopted a large-bank pricing assessment scheme, set a target “designated reserve ratio” (described in more detail below) of 2% for the DIF and, in lieu of dividends, provides for a lower assessment rate schedule when the reserve ratio reaches 2% and 2.5%. An institution's assessment rate is based on a statistical analysis of financial ratios that estimates the likelihood of failure over a three-year period, which considers the institution’s weighted average CAMELS componentcomposite rating, and is subject to further adjustments including those related to levels of unsecured debt and brokered deposits (not applicable to banks with less than $10 billion in assets).deposits. At December 31, 2020,2022, total base assessment rates for institutions that have been insured for at least five years range from 1.5 to 3040 basis points applying to banks with less than $10 billion in assets.

13

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

The Dodd-Frank Act transferred to the FDIC increased discretion with regard to managing the required amount of reserves for the DIF, or the “designated reserve ratio.” The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) requires that the FDIC consider the appropriate level for the DIF on at least an annual basis. As of December 31, 2020, the DIF was 2% and the minimum DIF was 1.35%.

Banks with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets (such as the Bank) receive credits to offset the portion of their assessments that help to raise the reserve ratio to 1.35%. The FDIC will automatically apply such a bank’s credits to reduce its regular DIF assessment up to the entire amount of the assessment. The FDIC will remit any such remaining credits in a lump sum to the appropriate bank following application to the bank’s regular DIF assessment for four quarterly assessment periods.

In June 2020,

The Dodd-Frank Act transferred to the FDIC increased discretion with regard to managing the required amount of reserves for the DIF, or the “designated reserve ratio.” The FDIA requires the FDIC to consider the appropriate level for the DIF on at least an annual basis. On October 18, 2022, the FDIC adopted a final rule that generally removes the effect of lending by financial institutions under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) when calculating a bank’sto increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by providing an offset2 bps, beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. This increase in assessment rate schedules is intended to increase the likelihood that the reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by the statutory deadline of September 30, 2028. The new assessment rate schedules will remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio meets or exceeds 2%. Progressively lower assessment rate schedules will take effect when the reserve ratio reaches 2%, and again when it reaches 2.5%.
In November 2023, the FDIC issued a final rule to implement a special DIF assessment following the FDIC’s use of the “systemic risk” exception to the bank’s total assessment amount forleast-cost resolution test in connection with the increase infailures and resolutions of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Banks with less than $5 billion of uninsured deposits, such as the assessment base attributable to the bank’s participation in the PPP. This final rule began applying to FDIC deposit insurance assessments during the second quarter of 2020.

Bank, are exempt from this special assessment.

Community Reinvestment

The Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”) imposes on financial institutions, including the Bank, an affirmative obligation to help meet the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of those institutions. Each financial institution’s efforts in helping meet community credit needs currently are evaluated as part of the examination process pursuant to regulations adopted by the federal banking agencies. Under the regulation, a financial institution’s efforts in helping meet its community’s credit needs are evaluated, based on the particular institution’s total assets, according to three-pronged test of lending, investment and service in the community. The grade received by a bank is considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility. To the
14

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
best knowledge of the Bank, it is meeting its obligations under the CRA. The Bank received a rating of “satisfactory” on its most recent CRA examination dated October 23, 2020.

2023.

On October 24, 2023, the federal bank regulatory agencies jointly issued a final rule to modernize CRA regulations consistent with the following key goals: (1) to encourage banks to expand access to credit, investment, and banking services in low to moderate incoming communities; (2) to adapt to changes in the banking industry, including internet and mobile banking and the growth of non-branch delivery systems; (3) to provide greater clarity and consistency in the application of the CRA regulations, including adoption of a new metrics-based approach to evaluating bank retail lending and community development financing; and (4) to tailor CRA evaluations and data collection to bank size and type, recognizing that differences in bank size and business models may impact CRA evaluations and qualifying activities. Most of the final CRA rule’s requirements will be applicable beginning January 1, 2026, with certain requirements, including the data reporting requirements, applicable as of January 1, 2027. The Bank is evaluating the expected impact of the modified CRA regulations, but currently does not anticipate any material impact to its business, operations or financial condition due to the modified CRA regulations.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta, which is one of 12 regional FHLBs that provide funding to their members for making housing loans as well as for affordable housing and community development loans. Each regional FHLB serves as a reserve, or central bank, for the members within its assigned region. Each FHLB makes loans to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the FHLB. As a member, the Bank must purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB. At December 31, 2020,2023, the Bank owned $5.1$21.6 million of FHLB stock.

14

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Consumer Protection

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) is the federal regulatory agency responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws for institutions with more than $10 billion of assets and, to a lesser extent, smaller institutions. The CFPB supervises and regulates providers of consumer financial products and services, and has rulemakingrule making authority in connection with numerous federal consumer financial protection laws (for example, but not limited to, the Truth-in-Lending Act (“TILA”) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”)).

Because the Company and the Bank are smaller institutions (i.e., with assets of $10 billion or less), most consumer protection aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to be applied to the Company by the FRB and the Bank by the FDIC. However, the CFPB may include its own examiners in regulatory examinations by a smaller institution’s principal regulators and may require smaller institutions to comply with certain CFPB reporting requirements. In addition, regulatory positions taken by the CFPB and administrative and legal precedents established by CFPB enforcement activities, including in connection with supervision of larger banks, could influence how the FRB and the FDIC apply consumer protection laws and regulations to financial institutions that are not directly supervised by the CFPB. The precise effect of the CFPB’s consumer protection activities on the Company and the Bank cannot be determined with certainty.

Mortgage Banking Regulation

In connection with making mortgage loans, the Bank is subject to rules and regulations that, among other things, establish standards for loan origination, prohibit discrimination, provide for inspections and appraisals of property, require credit reports on prospective borrowers, restrict in some cases restrict certain loan features and fix maximum interest rates and fees, require the disclosure of certain basic information to mortgagors concerning credit and settlement costs, limit payment for settlement services to the reasonable value of the services rendered and require the maintenance and disclosure of information regarding the disposition of mortgage applications based on race, gender, geographical distribution and income level. The Bank’s mortgage origination activities are subject to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, (“ECOA”), TILA, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, RESPA, the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act, and the regulations promulgated under these acts, among other additional state and federal laws, regulations and rules.

The Bank’s mortgage origination activities are also subject to Regulation Z, which implements TILA. Certain provisions of Regulation Z require mortgage lenders to make a reasonable and good faith determination, based on verified and documented information, that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Alternatively, a mortgage lender can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are generally defined as mortgage loans without
15

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, terms exceeding 30 years, and points and fees paid by a consumer equal to or less than 3% of the total loan amount. Under the EGRRCPA, most residential mortgage loans originated and held in portfolio by a bank with less than $10 billion in assets will be designated as “qualified mortgages.” Higher-priced qualified mortgages (e.g., sub-prime loans) receive a rebuttable presumption of compliance with ability-to-repay rules, and other qualified mortgages (e.g., prime loans) are deemed to comply with the ability-to-repay rules. The Bank predominantly originates mortgage loans that comply with Regulation Z’s “qualified mortgage” rules.

15

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Brokered Deposits

Section 29 of the FDIA and FDIC regulations generally limit the ability of any bank to accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit unless it is “well capitalized” or, with the FDIC’s approval, “adequately capitalized.” However, as a result of the EGRRCPA, the FDIC undertook a comprehensive review of its regulatory approach to brokered deposits, including reciprocal deposits, and interest rate caps applicable to banks that are less than “well capitalized.” On December 15, 2020, the FDIC issued final rules that amendto revise brokered deposit regulations in light of modern deposit-taking methods. The rules established a new framework for certain provisions of the “deposit broker” definition and amended the FDIC’s methodology for calculating interest rate caps, provide a new process for banks that seek FDIC approval to offer a competitivemethodology calculating rates and rate on deposits when the prevailing rate in the Bank’s local market exceeds the national rate cap, and provides specific exemptions and streamlined application and notice procedures for certain deposit-placement arrangements that are not subject to brokered deposit restrictions. These finalcaps. The rules arebecame effective on April 1, 2021.

2021 and, to date, there has been no material impact to either the Company or the Bank from the rules.

Prompt Corrective Action

The federal

Federal banking agencies have broad powers under current federal law to take prompt corrective action to resolve problems of insured depository institutions. The extent of these powers depends upon whether the institution in question is “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” These terms are defined under uniform regulations issued by each of the federal banking agencies regulating these institutions. An insured depository institution which is less than adequately capitalized must adopt an acceptable capital restoration plan, is subject to increased regulatory oversight and is increasingly restricted in the scope of its permissible activities. As of December 31, 2020,2023, the Bank was considered “well capitalized.”

Incentive Compensation

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal banking agencies have issued regulatory guidance (the “Incentive Compensation Guidance”) intendedand the SEC to ensureestablish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities with at least $1 billion in total consolidated assets, that the incentiveencourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director, or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The FDIC will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Bank,fees, or benefits that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” The findings will be included in reports of examination, and deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a riskcould lead to material financial loss to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

entity. In 2016, the SEC and the federal banking agencies proposed rules that prohibit covered financial institutions (including bank holding companies and banks) from establishing or maintaining incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing covered persons (consisting of senior executive officers and significant risk takers, as defined in the rules) with excessive compensation, fees or benefits that could lead to material financial loss to the financial institution. The proposed rules outline factors to be considered when analyzing whether compensation is excessive and whether an incentive-based compensation arrangement encourages inappropriate risks that could lead to material loss to the covered financial institution, and establishesestablish minimum requirements that incentive-based compensation arrangements must meet to be considered to not encourage inappropriate risks and to appropriately balance risk and reward. The proposed rules also impose additional corporate governance requirements on the boards of directors of covered financial institutions and impose additional record-keeping requirements. The comment period for these proposed rules has closed and a final rule has not yet been published.

If the rules are adopted as proposed, they will restrict the manner in which executive compensation is structured.

Confidentiality and Required Disclosures of Customer Information

The Company is subject to various laws and regulations that address the privacy of nonpublic personal financial information of consumers. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and certain regulations issued thereunder protect against the transfer and use by financial institutions of consumer nonpublic personal information. A financial institution must provide to its customers, at the beginning of the customer relationship and annually thereafter, the institution’s policies and procedures regarding the handling of customers’ nonpublic personal financial information. These privacy provisions generally prohibit a financial institution from providing a customer’s personal financial information to unaffiliated third parties unless the institution discloses to the customer that the information may be so provided and the customer is given the opportunity to opt outopt-out of such disclosure. Certain exceptions may apply to the requirement to deliver an annual privacy notice based on how a financial institution limits sharing
16

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
of nonpublic personal information, and whether the institution’s disclosure practices or policies have changed in certain ways since the last privacy notice that was delivered.

16

Data privacy and data protection are areas of increasing state legislative focus. In March 2021, the Governor of Virginia signed into law the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (the “VCDPA”), which went into effect on January 1, 2023. The VCDPA grants Virginia residents the right to access, correct, delete, know, and opt-out of the sale and processing for targeted advertising purposes of their personal information, similar to the protections provided by similar consumer data privacy laws in California and in Europe. The VCDPA also imposes data protection assessment requirements and authorizes the Attorney General of Virginia to enforce the VCDPA, but does not provide a private right of action for consumers. The Bank is exempt from the VCDPA, but certain third party vendors of the Bank are or will be subject to the VCDPA. The Company and the Bank are monitoring for the potential negative effects on the products and services provided by these vendors.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

The Company is also subject to various laws and regulations that attempt to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”) requires all financial institutions to, among other things, create a system of controls designed to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and imposes recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The USA PATRIOT Act added regulations to facilitate information sharing among governmental entities and financial institutions for the purpose of combating terrorism and money laundering and requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs. Regulations adopted under the BSA impose on financial institutions customer due diligence requirements, and the federal banking regulators expect that customer due diligence programs will be integrated within a financial institution’s broader BSA and anti-money laundering compliance program. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), which is a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury, is responsible for helping to ensure that United States entities do not engage in transactions with “enemies” of the United States, as defined by various Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. If the Company finds the name of an “enemy” of the United States on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, it must freeze such account or place transferred funds into a blocked account, and report it to OFAC.

Although these laws and programs impose compliance costs and create privacy obligations and, in some cases, reporting obligations, and compliance with all of the laws, programs, and privacy and reporting obligations may require significant resources of the Company and the Bank, these laws and programs do not materially affect the Bank’s products, services or other business activities.

Temporary BSA Reporting Relief

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) provided targeted relief from certain BSA reporting requirements and provided updated guidance to financial institutions on complying with such requirements during COVID-19. Specifically, FinCEN (i) granted targeted relief to financial institutions participating in the PPP, stating that PPP loans to existing customers will not require re-verification under applicable BSA requirements, unless re-verification is otherwise required under the financial institution’s risk-based BSA compliance program, (ii) acknowledged that there may be “reasonable delays in compliance” due to COVID-19, and (iii) temporarily suspended implementation if its February 2020 ruling, which would have entailed significant changes to currency transaction reporting filing requirements for transactions involving sole proprietorships and entities operating under a “doing business as” or other assumed name. The Company and the Bank continue to monitor developments related to FinCEN’s targeted and temporary relief measures.

Corporate Transparency Act

On January 1, 2021, as part of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which requires the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) to issue regulations implementing reporting requirements for “reporting companies” (as defined in the CTA) to disclose beneficial ownership interests of certain U.S. and foreign entities by January 1, 2022. The CTA imposes additional reporting requirements on entities not previously subject to such beneficial ownership disclosure regulations and also contains exemptions for several different types of entities, including among others: (i) certain banks, bank holding companies, and credit unions; (ii) money transmitting businesses registered with FinCEN; and (iii) certain insurance companies. Reporting companies subject to the CTA will beare required to provide specific information with respect to beneficial owner(s) (as defined in the CTA) as well as satisfy initial filing obligations (for newly-formed reporting companies) and submit on-going periodic reports. Non-compliance with FinCEN regulations promulgated under the CTA may result in civil fines as well asand criminal penalties. At this time,On September 29, 2022, FinCEN has yetissued a final rule to issue any proposed rules. Accordingly,implement the Company is unable to determine what impact (if any)beneficial ownership reporting requirements of the CTA, and related regulations will have on thewhich became effective January 1, 2024. The Company and the Bank. The Company willBank continue to monitor regulatory developments related to the CTA.

17
CTA and will continue to assess the ultimate impact of the CTA on the Company and the Bank.

Cybersecurity

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Cybersecurity

The federal banking agencies have also adopted guidelines for establishing information security standards and cybersecurity programs for implementing safeguards under the supervision of a financial institution’s board of directors. These guidelines, along with related regulatory materials, increasingly focus on risk management and processes related to information technology and the use of third parties in the provision of financial products and services. The federal banking agencies expect financial institutions to establish lines of defense and ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, and also expect financial institutions to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack. If the
17

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
Company or the Bank fails to meet the expectations set forth in this regulatory guidance, the Company or the Bank could be subject to various regulatory actions and any remediation efforts may require significant resources of the Company or the Bank. In addition, all federal and state banking agencies continue to increase focus on cybersecurity programs and risks as part of regular supervisory exams.

In October 2016,

On November 18, 2021, the federal bankingbank regulatory agencies issued proposedfinal rules on enhanced cybersecurity risk-managementto improve the sharing of information about cyber incidents that may affect the U.S. banking system. These rules require a banking organization to notify its primary federal regulator of any significant computer-security incident as soon as possible and resilience standardsno later than 36 hours after the banking organization determines that would applya cyber-incident has occurred. Notification is required for incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to very largematerially affect the viability of a banking organization’s operations, its ability to deliver banking products and services, or the stability of the financial institutions andsector. In addition, the rules require a bank service provider to services provided by third partiesnotify affected banking organization customers as soon as possible when the provider determines that it has experienced a computer-security incident that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to these institutions. The comment periodmaterially affect banking organization customers for these proposed rules has closed and a final rule has not been published. Although the proposed rules would apply only to bank holding companies and banks with $50 billionfour or more in total consolidated assets, thesehours. The rule became effective on May 1, 2022. The final rules could influencedid not have a material impact on the federal banking agencies’ expectations and supervisory requirements for information security standards and cybersecurity programs of smaller financial institutions, such asCompany or the Bank.

Bank’s operations.

Stress Testing

The federal banking agencies have implemented stress testingstress-testing requirements for certain large or risky financial institutions, including bank holding companies and state-chartered banks. Although these requirements do not apply to the Company and the Bank, the federal banking agencies emphasize that all banking organizations, regardless of size, should have the capacity to analyze the potential effect of adverse market conditions or outcomes on the organization’s financial condition. Based on existing regulatory guidance, the Company and the Bank will be expected to consider its interest rate risk management, commercial real estate loan concentrations and other credit-related information, and funding and liquidity management during this analysis of adverse market conditions or outcomes.

Volcker Rule

The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks from engaging in proprietary trading except in limited circumstances, and places limits on ownership of equity investments in private equity and hedge funds (the “Volcker Rule”). The EGRRCPA and final rules adopted to implement the EGRRCPA exempt all banks with less than $10 billion in assets (including their holding companies and affiliates) from the Volcker Rule, provided that the institution has total trading assets and liabilities of 5% or less of total assets, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Company believes that its financial condition and its operations are not significantly affected by the Volcker Rule, amendments thereto, or its implementing regulations.

18

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

Call Reports and Examination Cycle

All institutions, regardless of size, submit a quarterly call report that includes data used by federal banking agencies to monitor the condition, performance, and risk profile of individual institutions and the industry as a whole. The EGRRCPA contained provisions expanding the number of regulated institutions eligible to use streamlined call report forms. In June 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule to permit insured depository institutions with total assets of less than $5 billion that do not engage in certain complex or international activities to file the most streamlined version of the quarterly call report, and to reduce data reportable on certain streamlined call report submissions.

Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies

As with other financial institutions, the earnings of the Company and the Bank are affected by general economic conditions as well as by the monetary policies of the FRB. Such policies, which include regulating the national supply of bank reserves and bank credit, can have a major effect upon the source and cost of funds and the rates of return earned on loans and investments.investments, and on levels of inflation in the United States. The FRB exerts a substantial influence on interest rates and credit conditions, primarily through establishing target rates for federal funds, open market operations in U.S. Government securities, varying the discount rate on member bank borrowings and setting cash reserve requirements against deposits. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the purchase of investments, the generation of deposits, and rates received on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits. Fluctuations in the FRB’sFederal Reserve monetary policies have
18

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS - (continued)
had a significant impacteffect on the operating results of the Company and the Bank and all financial institutionscommunity banks, including us, in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

Legislative and Regulatory Responses

Application of Supervisory Guidance to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provided approximately $2.2 trillion in emergency economic relief measures including, among other things, loan programs for small and mid-sized businesses and other economic relief for impacted businesses and industries, including financial institutions. Many of the CARES Act’s programs depend upon the direct involvement of U.S. financial institutions and have been implemented through rules and guidance adopted by federal departments and agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the FDIC, the FRB and other federal bank regulatory authorities, including those with direct supervisory jurisdiction over the Company and the Bank.

Set forth below isBank

On March 31, 2021, the Federal Reserve issued a brief overviewfinal rule outlining and confirming the use of certain provisions of the CARES Act and certain other regulations and supervisory guidance related tofor regulated institutions, including bank holding companies like the COVID-19 pandemic that are applicable toCompany. The rule generally codifies a statement issued by the operations and activities of the Company and the Bank. The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CARES Act and the statutes, regulations, and policies described herein. Such statutes, regulations, and policies are subject to ongoing review by U.S. Congress and federal regulatory authorities. Future amendments to the provisions of the CARES Act or changes to any of the statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies applicable to the Company or the Bank could have a material effect on the Company and the Bank. Many of the requirements called for in the CARES Act and related regulations and supervisory guidance continue to be implemented and most are subject to implementing regulations developed over the course of several months during 2020, many of which continue to be refined by federal banking agencies. The Company andagencies in September 2018 clarifying the Bank continues to assess the impact of the CARES Act and other statutes, regulations and supervisory guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

19

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

CARES Act

Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”)

PPP is an amendment to the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) 7-A loan program. PPP is a guaranteed, unsecured loan program created to fund certain payroll and operating costs of eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons during COVID-19. Initially, $349 billion were approved and designated for PPP in order for the SBA to guarantee 100% of collective loans made under the program to eligible small businesses, nonprofits, veteran’s organizations, and tribal businesses. The Bank became an approved SBA 7-A lender in the second quarter of 2020. The Bank participated in the initial round of funding though a referral relationship with a third-party, non-bank lender. When an additional $310 billion in funds were approved and designated for PPP in April 2020, the Bank opted to stand up an internal, automated loan process utilizing its core system provider.

Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the “CAA”) on December 27, 2020, which amended the CARES Act and included (i) the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-profits, and Venues Act, (ii) the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020, and (iii) the Taxpayer Certainty and Disability Relief Act of 2020. These laws include significant clarifications and modifications to PPP, which had terminated on August 8, 2020. In particular, Congress revived PPP and allocated an additional $284 billion in PPP funds for 2021. As a result, the SBA will modify prior guidance and promulgate newdifferences between regulations and guidance, to conform with and implementprovides that, unlike a law or regulation, supervisory guidance does not have the new provisions during the first quarterforce and effect of 2021. As a participating PPP lender, the Bank continues to monitor legislative, regulatory, and supervisory developments related thereto. The Bank expects to continue to provide access to the PPP through our internal lending program for our current business customers.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) and Loan Modifications for Affected Borrowers.

The CARES Act permits banks to suspend requirements under GAAP for loan modifications to borrowers affected by COVID-19 that would otherwise be characterized as TDRs and suspend any determination related thereto if (i) the loan modification is made between March 1, 2020law, and the earlier of December 31, 2020agencies do not take enforcement actions based on supervisory guidance. Rather, guidance outlines expectations and priorities, or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 emergency declaration and (ii) the applicable loan wasarticulates views regarding appropriate practices for a specific subject. The rule became effective on April 30, 2021. The Company has not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The provisions of the CARES Act dealing with temporary relief related to TDRs was extended pursuant to the CAA which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The CAA extended the “applicable” period to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic terminates. The federal banking agencies also issued guidance to encourage banks to make loan modifications for borrowers affected by COVID-19 and to assure banks that they will not be criticized by examiners for doing so. The Bank is currently applying this guidance to qualifying loan modifications.

Debt Guarantees and Account Insurance Increase

The CARES Act also authorized several key initiatives directly applicable to federal bank regulatory authorities, including (i) the establishment of a programbeen materially impacted by the FDIC to guarantee the debt obligationseffectiveness of solvent insured depository institutions and their affiliates (including their holding companies) through December 31, 2020 and (ii) an increase by the FDIC and the National Credit Union Association to the insurance coverage on any noninterest-bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2020.

20
this rule.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

FRB Programs and Initiatives related to the CARES Act and COVID-19

The CARES Act encouraged the Federal Reserve, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, to establish or implement various programs to help midsize businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities. On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve proposed the creation of the Main Street Lending Program, (“MSLP”) to implement certain of these recommendations. On June 15, 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston opened the MSLP for lender registration. The MSLP operated through five facilities: The Main Street New Loan Facility, the Main Street Priority Loan Facility, the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility, the Nonprofit Organization New Loan Facility, and the Nonprofit Organization Expanded Loan Facility. With the consent of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the FRB terminated the MSLP facilities on January 8, 2021.

Separately and in response to COVID-19, the FRB’s Federal Open Market Committee (the “FOMC”) set the federal funds target rate – i.e., the interest rate at which depository institutions such as the Bank lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight on an uncollateralized basis – to an historic low. On March 16, 2020, the FOMC set the federal funds target rate at 0-0.25%. Consistent with FRB policy, the FRB has committed to the use of overnight reverse repurchase agreements as a supplementary policy tool, as necessary, to help control the federal funds rate and keep it in the target range set by the FOMC.

In addition, the FRB expanded the size and scope of three existing programs to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak: (i) the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility; (ii) the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility; and (iii) the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility. The FRB has also established two new program facilities – the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility and the Commercial Paper Funding Facility – to broaden its support for the flow of credit to households and businesses during COVID-19. On November 30, 2020, the FRB extended these lending facilities (scheduled to expire on or around December 31, 2020) through March 31, 2021.

Future Regulation

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company and the Bank in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions.institutions with which we compete. The Company cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on its financial condition or results of operations. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Company and the Bank could have a material effect on our business.

Where You Can Find More Information

The Company files quarterly, annual and periodic reports, proxy statements and insider filings with the SEC. The Company’s SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s SEC filings also are available through our web site (www.CBTCares.com at the “Filings” link under the “Investor” tab) as of the day they are filed with the SEC.website, www.CBTCares.com. Copies of documents may also can be obtained free of charge by directing a request by telephone to (276) 656-1776 or mail to Investor Relations, Carter Bankshares, Inc., 1300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville, Virginia 24112; telephone number: (276) 656-1776.

21
24112.

19


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investments in the Company’s common stock involve risk.involves risks. In addition to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the information addressed above under “Forward-Looking“Important Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” investors in the Company’s common stock should carefully consider the risk factors discussed below. The following discussion highlights the risks that we believe are material to the Company, but the following discussion does not necessarily include all risks that we may face.face, and an investor in the Company’s common stock should not interpret the disclosure of a risk in the following discussion to state or imply that the risk has not already materialized. These factors could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and capital position, and could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from its historical results or the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in which case, the trading price of the Company’s common stock could decline.

Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemicCredit

Nonperforming assets can take significant time to resolve and resulting adverse economic conditions have alreadymay adversely impactedaffect the Company’s businessresults of operations and results,financial condition, and could have aresult in further losses in the future.
As of December 31, 2023, our nonperforming loans totaled $309.5 million, or 8.83%, of the Company’s loan portfolio. The Company’s policy is to place loans in nonaccrual status when collection of interest or principal is doubtful, or generally when interest or principal payments are 90 days or more material adversepast due based on contractual terms. While the Company generally seeks to reduce or resolve problem assets through, among other methods, loan workouts, restructurings, or sales of the loans or underlying collateral, decreases in the value of the underlying collateral, decreases in the respective borrowers’ financial condition, profitability, or operating performance, or efforts by the respective borrowers’ to delay or avoid legal processes may inhibit such reduction or resolution efforts which, in turn, could adversely impact on ourthe Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The ongoing COVID-19 globalCompany’s nonperforming assets adversely affect its business, financial condition and national health emergencyresults of operations in various ways. The Company does not record interest income on nonaccrual loans or OREO; thus nonperforming assets adversely affect the Company’s net income and returns on assets and equity, increase the Company’s loan administration costs and adversely affects the Company’s results of operations and efficiency ratio. The resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant time commitments from management which can adversely impact the Company’s and Bank’s other strategic and operational priorities. If the Bank takes collateral in foreclosure and via a similar proceeding, the Bank is required to mark the collateral to its then-fair market value, which may result in a loss, and the Bank will incur legal and other expenses, which may be significant, in connection with the foreclosure and sale process. Nonperforming loans and OREO can also increase the Company’s and the Bank’s risk profile and the level of regulatory capital that their respective banking regulators believe is appropriate. Nonperforming loans and OREO also can adversely impact the Company’s liquidity available with secondary liquidity sources, as the Bank is not able to pledge nonperforming loans and OREO as collateral for borrowings from these sources. FDIC expense has caused significant disruptionincreased significantly due to the deterioration in asset quality as a direct result of one large nonperforming loan relationship, which is a component used to determine the assessment.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company placed in nonaccrual status certain commercial loans in the United States and international economies and financial markets. The spreadOther segment of COVID-19 in the United States has caused illness, quarantines, cancellationCompany’s loan portfolio, all relating to the Bank’s largest lending relationship, that have an aggregate principal amount of events and travel, business and school shutdowns, reduction in commercial activity and financial transactions, supply chain interruptions, increased unemployment, and overall economic and financial market instability. In March 2020, almost all states, including Virginia, where$301.9 million. Because the Company is headquartered, and North Carolina, in whichplaced these loans on nonaccrual status, the Company has significant operations, issued “stay-at-home orders” and declared stateswas unable to accrue approximately $30.0 million of emergency. Many state and local governments began implementing phased regulations and guidelines for reopening communities and economies, often with reduced capacity and social distancing restrictions. However, recently, many state and local governments have implemented additional restrictions in lightinterest income related to these loans as of the significant COVID-19 resurgence.

Although banks have generally been permittedDecember 31, 2023.

The Company’s level of credit risk is elevated due to continue operating, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptionsrelationship exposure to the Company’s business and could cause material disruptions to our business and operationslargest lending relationship.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s largest lending relationship operates in the future. Impacts to our business have included decreased operating effectivenesshospitality, agriculture and energy sectors and had loans outstanding with an aggregate principal amount of $301.9 million. All such loans are classified in the Other segment of the Company’s loan portfolio. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company placed these loans on nonaccrual status due to additional healthloan maturities and safety precautions we implemented at our branches and the transitionfailure to pay in full. This lending relationship comprises 96.8% of 20% of our workforce to home locations, decreases in customer traffic in our branches and increases in requests for forbearance and loan modifications. Further, loan payment deferment programs that we have implemented and government stimulus programs, like the PPP, may mask credit deterioration in our loan portfolio by making less applicable standard measures of developing financial weakness in a client or portfolio, such as past due monitoring and non-accrual assessments. To the extent that commercial and social restrictions remain in place or increase, the Company’s expenses, delinquencies, charge-offs, foreclosuresnonperforming assets and 97.5% of the Company’s nonperforming loans and 8.6% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023.
20

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
The Company has initiated collection processes with respect to such loans and intends to explore all alternatives for repayment or recovery. Although the Company believes it is well secured based on the net carrying value of the credit relationship and appropriately reserved for potential losses with respect to all such loans based on information currently available, we cannot give any assurance as to the timing or amount of future payments or collections on such loans or that the Company will ultimately collect all amounts contractually due under the terms of such loans.
Further deterioration of this lending relationship, including adverse changes in the financial condition of the respective borrowers or guarantors, potential claims by other creditors of the respective borrowers, further litigation with the respective borrowers or guarantors or adverse changes in the value of collateral that secures this lending relationship, could materiallyrequire the Company to increase and we could experience reductions in interest and fee income. In addition, we anticipate that potential declines in credit quality could significantly affect the adequacy of ourits allowance for loan losses which we expect could leador result in significant losses to increases in the provision for loan losses and related declines in our net income.

Unfavorable economic conditions and increasing unemployment figures may also make it more difficult for the Company, to maintain deposit levels and loan origination volume and to obtain additional financing. Furthermore, such conditions have and may continue to cause the value of our Company’s investment portfolio and of collateral associated with our existing loans to decline. In addition, in March 2020, the FRB lowered the target range for the federal funds rate to a range from 0 to 0.25 percent in part as a result of the pandemic. A prolonged period of very low interest rateswhich could reduce the Company’s net interest income and have a material adverse impact on our cash flows and the market value of our investments or the manner in which we redeploy proceeds from maturing investments.

22

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

While we have taken and continue to take precautions to protect the safety and well-being of our employees and customers, no assurance can be given that the steps we’ve taken will be deemed to be adequate or appropriate, nor can we predict the level of disruption to our employees’ ability to provide customer support and service. The continued or renewed spread of COVID-19 could negatively impact the availability of key personnel necessary to conduct the Company’s business, the business and operations of our third-party service providers who perform critical services for the Company’s business, or the businesses of many of our customers and borrowers. If COVID-19 is not successfully contained, we could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Among the factors outside the Company’s control that are likely to affect the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately have on the Company’s business are, without limitation:

·the pandemic’s course and severity;

·the uncertainty regarding new variants of COVID-19 that have emerged;

·the speed and efficacy of vaccine and treatment developments;

·the direct and indirect results of the pandemic, such as recessionary economic trends, including with respect to employment, wages and benefits, commercial activity, the residential housing market, consumer spending and real estate and investment securities market values;

·political, legal and regulatory actions and policies in response to the pandemic, including the effects of restrictions on commerce and banking, such as current temporary or required continuing moratoria and other suspensions of collections, foreclosures, and related obligations;

·the timing, magnitude and effect of public spending, directly or through subsidies, its direct and indirect effects on commercial activity and incentives of employers and individuals to resume or increase employment, wages and benefits and commercial activity;

·effects on the Company’s liquidity position due to changes in customers’ deposit and loan activity in response to the pandemic and its economic effects;

·the timing and availability of direct and indirect governmental support for various financial assets, including mortgage loans;

·the long-term effect of the economic downturn on the Company’s intangible assets such as our deferred tax asset and goodwill;

·potential longer-term effects of increased government spending on the interest rate environment and borrowing costs for non-governmental parties;

·the ability of the Company’s employees to work effectively during the course of the pandemic;

·the ability of the Company’s third-party vendors to maintain a high-quality and effective level of service;

·the possibility of increased fraud, cybercrime and similar incidents, due to vulnerabilities posed by the significant increase in our employees and customers handling their banking interactions remotely from home, the quick roll-out of various government-sponsored lending programs, like the PPP, or otherwise;

·required changes to the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting to reflect a rapidly changing work environment;

·potential longer-term shifts toward mobile banking, telecommuting and telecommerce; and

·geographic variation in the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Virginia and North Carolina, where the Company operates physically.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in severe volatility in the financial markets and meaningfully lower stock prices for many companies, including the Company’s common stock. Depending on the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of our common stock may continue to experience volatility and declines.

23

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

The Company continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and related risks, although the rapid development and fluidity of the situation precludes any specific prediction as to its ultimate impact on the Company. However, if the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread or otherwise result in a continuation or worsening of the current economic and commercial environments, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

The full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may have a material adverse effect on the Company in numerous ways.

While the scope, duration,Company’s business, financial condition and full effectsresults of COVID-19 are rapidly evolving and not fully known, the pandemic and related efforts to contain it have disrupted global economic activity, adversely affected the functioning of financial markets, impacted interest rates and increased economic and market uncertainty. If these effects continue for a prolonged period or result in sustained economic stress or recession, many of the risk factors identified in Annual Report on Form 10-K could be exacerbated and such effects could have a material adverse impact on us in a number of ways related to credit, collateral, customer demand, funding, operations, interest rate risk and human capital.

·Our results of operations may continue to be negatively impacted by general economic or business conditions and uncertainty, including the strength of economic conditions in our principal area of operations impacting the demand for our products and services.

·The low interest rate environment will continue to negatively impact our net interest income and net interest margin.

·Loan losses may be higher and our provision for loan losses may continue to increase, due to deterioration in the financial condition of our commercial and consumer loan customers.

·Declining asset and collateral values may necessitate increases in our provision for loan losses and net charge-offs.

·Continued negative impact on the hospitality industry and our hotel portfolio, which could result in additional loan losses and net charge-offs.

·We may have an interruption or cessation of an important service provided by a third-party provider.

·Our liquidity and regulatory capital could be adversely impacted.

·Any new or revised regulations regarding capital and liquidity adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may require us to maintain materially more capital or liquidity.

·Investors may have less confidence in the equity markets in general and in financial services industry in particular, which could have a negative impact on our stock price and resulting market valuation.

·The economic downturn caused by the pandemic may last longer in the areas where we do business, which could negatively affect our financial performance.

·We face heightened cyber security risk in connection with our operation in a remote working environment.

Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the U.S. economy will likely require time to recover. It is uncertain how long this recovery will take. As a result, we anticipate our business may be adversely affected during this recovery.

24
operations.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

Risks Related to Credit

A large percentage of the Company’s commercial loans are secured by real estate, and an adverse change in the real estate market or in economic conditions more generally may result in losses and adversely affect our profitability.

Approximately 79%92.4% of the Company’s commercial loan portfolio as of December 31, 2020,2023, was comprised of loans secured by real estate. An adverse change in the economy affecting values ofoccupancy and/or rental rates in the investment real estate generally or in the market areas we serve specifically could impairincrease the likelihood of defaults. Real estate collateral securing the Company's loans are a secondary source of repayment in the event of unremedied defaults. The value of the Company’sCompany's collateral could be impaired by changes in demand, rental rates and its ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure. In the event of a default with respect to any of these loans, the amounts the Company receives upon sale of the collateral maycapitalization rates and could be insufficient to recover outstanding principal and interest on the loan.interest. As a result, the Company’s profitability and financial condition could be negatively impacted by an adverse change in the real estate market.

The Company’s CRE loan portfolio is concentrated predominantly in North Carolina and Virginia, within the retail, multifamily, hospitality, warehouse and office metrics. As a result of this concentration of the company’s loan portfolio, it may be more sensitive, as compared to more diversified institutions, to future disruptions in and deterioration of this market.
The Company relies on independent appraisals to determine the value of the real estate which secures a significant portion of our loans, and the values indicated by such appraisals may not be realizable if forecloseforeclosure on such loans is forced.

A significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio consists of loans secured by real estate. We rely on independent appraisers to estimateprovide professional opinions of the value of such real estate. Appraisals are only estimates of value and the independent appraisers may make mistakes of fact or judgment that adversely affect the reliability of their appraisals. In addition, events occurring after the initial appraisal may cause the value of the real estate to increase or decrease. As a result of any of these factors, the real estate securing some of the loans may be more or less valuable than anticipated at the time the loans were made. If a default occurs on a loan secured by real estate that is less valuable than originally estimated, the Company may not be able to recover the outstanding balance of the loan.

Appraisal valuations can be impacted by changes in the equilibrium between supply and demand, changes in occupancy, lease rates and capitalization rates. Appraisals can also be impacted by the information available to the appraiser, including age of industry, market or borrower information, by access to property that is the subject of the appraisal, and by changing economic, industry or market conditions. The bank updates appraisals in connection with defined extensions of credit, which includes but is not limited to requests for additional loan funding, material changes to the loan’s amortization or material extensions of the maturity date. Additionally, the bank will generally update appraisals when the loan is considered collateral dependent and is either subject to Individually Evaluated Loan status or prior to the completion of a foreclosure initiating a collection process.
The Company’s level of credit risk is increasedelevated due to the levelconcentration of commercial real estate loans and commercial real estate construction loans in its portfolio.

Approximately 49% of the Company’s loan portfolio as

As of December 31, 2020, was comprised of2023, the Company’s exposure to loans secured by commercial purpose real estate, including investment real estate loans related to hotels, strip mallshospitality, retail and apartments. Thesemultifamily apartments (but excluding construction) equated to $1.8 billion, or 51.2% of its total loan portfolio. The average balance of these loans are generally larger and these loans generally carry larger loan balances and involve a greatermore complex degree of financial and credit risk than loans secured by residential real estate. Repayment of these loans is often dependent on the success of the borrower’s underlying business andand/or the borrower’s ability to generate a positiveleases in order to receive sufficient cash flow sufficient to service its debts. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these loans is a result of several
21

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
factors, including, the concentration of principalbut not limited to, macroeconomic conditions affecting supply, demand and property valuations, as well as larger balances in a limited numbersmaller population of loans and to borrowers in similar lines of business, the size of the loan balances, general economic conditions affecting values of real estate, and the existence of a market for the subject collateral. The ongoing adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely exacerbate the financial and credit risk associated with these loans.

The Company’s exposure to hospitality at December 31, 20202023 equated to approximately $497.2$341.1 million, or 16.9%9.7% of its total portfolio loans.loan portfolio. These were mostly loans secured by upscale or top tier flagged hotels, which have historically exhibited low leverage and strong operating cash flows. However, we anticipate that a significant portion of our borrowers in the hotel industry will continue
The Company’s exposure to operate at occupancy levels at or below breakeven, which has caused, and may continue to cause, them to draw on their existing lines of credit with other financial institutions or other sources of liquidity and may adversely affect their ability to repay existing indebtedness, and is expected to adversely impact the value of collateral. These developments, together with the current economic conditions generally, may impact the value of real estate collateral in hospitality and other commercial real estate exposures. As a result, we anticipate that our financial condition, capital levelsconstruction loans at December 31, 2023 equated to approximately $500.0 million, or 14.3% of total portfolio loans. Construction loans are inherently risky. These risks include, but are not limited to, potential adverse changes in material costs resulting in cost overruns, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

25

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

Allowance for loan losses may be insufficient.

All borrowers carry the potential that the general contractors develop financial stress and are unable to defaultcomplete projects and our remedies to recover may not fully satisfy money previously loaned. We maintain an allowancethe speculative nature of lease up risk. A severe downturn in real estate could affect demand for loan losses,leases, capitalization rates and property valuations, which is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable credit losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. Management believes the allowance is adequate to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance for loan losses reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic conditions and unidentified losses in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks using existing qualitative and quantitative information, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for credit losses or the recognition of additional loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. An increase in the allowance for loan losses results in a decrease in net income or losses, and possibly risk-based capital, and may have a material adverse effect oncould adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our allowance for credit losses may be insufficient.
The adoptionmeasure of ASU 2016-13, Measurementour allowance for credit losses is dependent on the interpretation and application of the Current Expected Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, referred to as CECL, will result in a significant change in how(“CECL”) methodology, which the Company recognizes credit losses. If the assumptions or estimates used in adopting the new standard are incorrect or needs to change, there may be a material adverse impact on the results of operations and financial condition.

The Company has elected to take advantage of Section 4014 of the CARES Act provision to temporarily delay adoption of the CECL methodology. The Company was subject to the adoption of the CECL accounting method under Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 and related amendments, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). However, we elected under the CARES Act to defer the implementation of CECL until the earlier of when the national emergency related to the outbreak of COVID-19 ends or December 31, 2020 which was later extended toadopted effective January 1, 2022. The Company intends to adopt in the first quarter of 2021, as allowed under the provisions of the CARES Act.

CECL replacesand which replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that was used by the Company and the Bank under GAAP prior to that date. The CECL methodology reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to forminform credit loss estimates. The measurementAccordingly, the implementation of expectedthe CECL model changed the Company’s current method of providing allowance for credit losses is to be based on historical loss experience, current conditions(“ACL”) and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affectresulted in material changes in the collectability of the reported amount. This measurement will take place at the time the financial asset is first added to the balance sheet and periodically thereafter. This differs significantly from the incurred loss mode required under current GAAP, which delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Upon origination of a loan, the estimate of expectedCompany’s accounting for credit losses and any subsequent changes to such estimate, will be recorded through provision for loan losses in our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.on financial instruments. The CECL model may create more volatility in the Company’s level of ACL, which, if materially increased, could adversely affect our allowance for loan losses.

26
business, financial condition, and results of operations.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

The CECL model permits the use of judgment in determining the approach most appropriate for the Company, based on factsWe have and circumstances. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information on our loans, and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase to the allowance for loan losses. We may underestimate our expected losses and fail to maintain an allowance for loan losses sufficient to account for these losses. We will continue to periodically review and update our CECL methodology, models and the underlying assumptions, estimates and assessments we use to establish our allowance for loan losses under the CECL standard to reflect our view of current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. We will implement further enhancements or changes to our methodology, models and the underlying assumptions, estimates and assessments, as needed. If the assumptions or estimates we use in adopting the new standard are incorrect or we need to change our underlying assumptions and estimates, there may be a material adverse impact on our results of operation and financial condition. For further informationWe maintain an ACL at a level we believe is adequate to absorb expected losses in our loan portfolio as of the corresponding balance sheet date. The process to determine the ACL uses models and assumptions that require us to make difficult and complex judgments that are often interrelated, including how borrowers will perform in changing economic and market conditions. Also, we may fail to accurately identify the appropriate economic indicators, to accurately estimate the timing of future changes in economic or market conditions, or to estimate accurately the impacts of future changes in economic or market conditions on our anticipated adoptionborrowers. Any of these failures could significantly impact the accuracy of our loss forecasts and allowance estimates and the sufficiency of our ACL.

If the models, estimates, and assumptions we use to establish reserves or the judgments we make in extending credit to our borrowers prove inaccurate in predicting future events, we may suffer unexpected losses. There is no guarantee that our ACL will be sufficient to address credit losses, particularly if the economic outlook deteriorates significantly and quickly, or if a specific segment of the CECL standard, see “Management’s DiscussionCompany’s loan or borrower portfolio is adversely impacted by changing market or other conditions. In such an event, we may need to increase our ACL, which would result in provisions for credit losses that would reduce our earnings. Management evaluates the appropriateness of the ACL for the “Other” segment through the projected discounted cash flow analysis with various assumptions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7multiple scenarios. It is difficult to predict the specific resolution of this Form 10-K.

relationship. As a result, the reserve analysis employs a number of potential outcomes, which are weighted based on probabilities as determined by management based on current information available to us. Additionally, to the extent that credit losses are worse than expected, which could be caused by persistent inflation or an economic recession that negatively impacts borrowers, we may need to increase our provision for loan losses.

Our real estate lending business can result in increased costs associated with Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”).

Because we originate loans secured by real estate, we may have to foreclose on the collateral property to protect our investment and may thereafter own and operate such property, in which case we are exposed to the risks inherent in the ownership of real estate. We use methods for valuing collateral for impairedindividually evaluated loans and OREO that are in compliance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310 Receivables. The methods require the use of assumptions that are subject to change based on events impacting real estate values. The amount that we may realize after a default is dependent upon factors outside of our control, including, but not limited to, general or local economic conditions, environmental cleanup
22

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
liability, neighborhood values, interest rates, real estate tax rates, operating expenses of the mortgaged properties, and supply of and demand for properties. Certain expenditures associated with the ownership of income producing real estate, principally real estate taxes and maintenance costs, may adversely affect the net cash flows generated by the real estate. Therefore, the cost of operating income-producing real property may exceed the rental income earned from such property, and we may have to advance funds to protect our investment or we may be required to dispose of the real property at a loss.

Risks Related to Our Operations,

Cybersecurity and Technology

A failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could disrupt the Company’s businesses, and adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, as well as cause reputational harm.

The Company’s operational and security systems, infrastructure, including our computer systems, data management, and internal processes, as well as those of third parties, are integral to our business. We rely on our employeesassociates and third parties in our day-to-day and ongoing operations, who may, as a result of human error, misconduct or malfeasance, or failure or breach of third-party systems or infrastructure, expose us to risk. We have taken measures to implement backup systems and other safeguards to support our operations, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any significant disruptions to us or to third parties with whom we interact. In addition, our ability to implement backup systems and other safeguards with respect to third-party systems is more limited than with our own systems.

The Company handles a substantial volume of customer and other financial transactions every day. Our financial, accounting, data processing, check processing, electronic funds transfer, loan processing, online and mobile banking, backup or other operating or security systems and infrastructure may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control. This could adversely affect our ability to process these transactions or provide these services. There could be sudden increases in customer transaction volume, electrical, telecommunications or other major physical infrastructure outages, natural disasters, events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts, and cyber-attacks. We continuously update these systems to support our operations and growth. This updating entails significant costs and creates risk associated with implementing new systems and integrating them with existing ones. Operational risk exposures could adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, and cause reputational harm.

27

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

A cyber-attack, information or security breach, or a technology failure of ours or of a third-party could adversely affect the Company’s ability to conduct business or manage exposure to risk, resulting in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, increase costs to maintain and update our operational systems, security systems, and infrastructure, and adversely impact results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, as well as cause reputation harm.

The Company’s business is highly dependent on the security and efficacy of our infrastructure, computer and data management systems, as well as those of third parties with whom we interact.interact and rely upon. Cyber security risks for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties, including foreign state actors. Our operations rely on the secure processing, transmission, storage and retrieval of confidential, proprietary and other information in our computer and data management systems and networks, and in the computer and data management systems and networks of third parties. We rely on digital technologies, computer, database and email systems, software, and networks to conduct our operations. In addition, to access our network, products and services, our customers and third parties may use personal mobile devices or computing devices that are outside of our network environment.

Financial services institutions have been subject to, and are likely to continue to be the target of, cyber-attacks, including computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service or other security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of the institution, its employeesassociates or customers or of third parties, or otherwise materially disrupt network access or business operations. For example, denial of service attacks hashave been launched against a number of large financial institutions and several large retailers have disclosed substantial cyber security breaches affecting debit and credit card accounts of their customers. We have not experienced material cyber security incidents in the past, but there is no assurance that we will not experience an attack in the future. Technology failures, cyber-attacks or other information or security breaches can cause
23

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
material losses or other material consequences.

consequences, and even with all reasonable security efforts, not every system or network breach can be prevented or even detected. Furthermore, because some of our employees are working remotely from their homes, there is an increased risk of disruption to our operations because our employees’ residential networks and infrastructure may not be as secure as our office environment.

In addition to external threats, insider threats also represent a risk to us. Insiders, having legitimate access to our systems and the information contained in them, have the opportunity to make inappropriate use of the systems and information. We have policies, procedures and controls in place designed to prevent or limit this risk, but we cannot guarantee that such policies, procedures and controls fully mitigate this risk.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify and enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or incidents. Any of these matters could result in our loss of customers and business opportunities, significant disruption to our operations and business, misappropriation or destruction of our confidential information and /orand/or that of our customers, or damage to computers or systems of our customers and/or third parties, and could result in a violation of applicable privacy laws and other laws, litigation, exposure,costs associated with customer notification and credit monitoring services, increased insurance premiums, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, loss of confidence in our security measures, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensatory costs, and additional compliance costs. In addition, any of the matters described above could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

28

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

The Company relies on third-party providers and other suppliers for a number of services that are important to our business. An interruption or cessation of an important service by any third-party could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The Company is dependent for the majority of our technology, including our core operating system, on third-party providers. If these companies were to discontinue providing services to us, we may experience significant disruptiondisruptions to our business. In addition, each of these third parties faces the risk of a cyber-attack, information breach or loss, or technology failure.failure and there is no assurance that they have not or will not experience a system or network breach. If any of our third-party service providers experience such difficulties, or if there is any other disruption in our relationships with them, we may be required to find alternative sources of such services.services, which may not be on comparable or commercially reasonable terms. We are dependent on these third-party providers securing their information systems, over which we have no control, and any failure to maintain performance, reliability and security of these systems could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. A breach of theirour third-party providers’ information systems could adversely affect our ability to process transactions, service our clients or manage our exposure to risk and could result in the disclosure of sensitive, personal customer information, which could have a material adverse impact on our business through damage to our reputation, loss of customer business, remedial costs, additional regulatory scrutiny or exposure to civil litigation and possible financial liability. Assurance cannot be provided that we could negotiate terms with alternative service sources that are as favorable or could obtain services with similar functionality as found in our existing systems without the need to expend substantial resources, if at all, thereby resulting in a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

The Company is dependent on its management team, and the loss of itsany senior executive officers or other key employeespersonnel could impair its relationship with its customers and adversely affect its business and financial results.

We believe that our growth and future success will depend in large part on the skills of our executive officers. We also depend upon the experience of the senior executive officers and other key personnel and their relationship with the communities they serve. The loss of the services of one or more of these officers or key personnel could have an adverse impact on the business of the Company because of their skills, knowledge of the market, years of industry experience and the difficulty promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.

The success of our business strategies depends on our ability to identify and recruit individuals with experience and relationships in our primary markets.
The successful implementation of our business strategy will require us to continue to attract, hire, motivate and retain skilled personnel to develop new customer relationships as well as new financial products and services. The market for qualified management personnel is competitive, which has contributed to salary and employee benefit costs that have risen and are expected to continue to rise, which may have an adverse effect on the Company’s net income (loss). In addition, the process of
24

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
identifying and recruiting individuals with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategy is often lengthy, and we may not be able to effectively integrate these individuals into our operations. Our inability to identify, recruit and retain talented personnel to manage our operations effectively and in a timely manner could limit our growth or impair our ability to implement our business strategy effectively and efficiently, which could materially adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to Market Conditions, Interest Rates and Investments

The Company’s business is subject to interest rate risk and fluctuations in interest rates may adversely affect its earnings and capital levels.

The majority of our assets are monetary in nature and, as a result, we are subject to significant risk from changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates can impact our net interest income as well as the valuation of our assets and liabilities. Also, our earnings are significantly dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. We expect we will experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities, meaning that either our interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates should move contrary to our position, this “gap” will work against us and our earnings may be negatively affected.

During the calendar year ending December 31, 2020,

To combat rising inflation, between March of 2022 and July of 2023, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) took unprecedented measures to mitigateReserve raised the federal funds benchmark rate by a total of 525 basis points. Although the Federal Reserve has held rates steady since July 2023 and signaled the potential disruptionfor rate cuts in 2024, if interest rates do not rise, or if the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep credit markets functioning properly.  On March 3, 2020 and again on March 16, 2020, the FOMC announced two rapid rate decreases inFederal Reserve lowers the target federal funds rate to below 0%, such low rates could limit our interest rate spread and may adversely affect our business forecasts. Moreover, if the interest rates on our interest-bearing liabilities increase at a faster pace than the interest rates on our interest-earning assets, the result would be a reduction in net interest income and with it, a reduction in net earnings. Further increases in the general level of 0.50% and 1.00%, respectively, resultinginterest rates, to combat inflation or otherwise, may also, among other things, result in a target federal fundschange in the mix of noninterest and interest-bearing accounts, reduce the demand for loans or increase the rate of 0.00% - 0.25% for the balance of the calendar year. At December 31, 2020, U.S. Treasury yields continued to remain low across shorter maturities of the yield curve with the one-year U.S. Treasury yield at 0.09% and the five-year U.S. Treasury yield at 0.36%. In addition, the summary of economic projections released by the FOMC from their December 2020 meeting indicated the members of the FOMC expect short-term rates to likely remain unchanged through at least 2023.

29

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

During the fourth quarter of 2020, yieldsdefault on longer term U.S. Treasuries began to rise, indicating the market’s expectation ofexisting loans. Conversely, a potential future recovery. The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield increased from its all-time low of 0.52% at August 4, 2020 to 0.93% at December 31, 2020. On February 25, 2021, the ten-year U.S. Treasury yield continued its ascent closing at 1.54%, which was the highest ten-year U.S. Treasury yield since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March 2020.

A decrease in the general level of interest rates may, among other things, lead to an increase in prepayments on loans and increased competition for deposits. Conversely, an increase in the general level of interest rates may also, among other things, reduce the demand for loans and our ability to originate loans or increase the rate of default on existing loans. Accordingly, changes in the general level of market interest rates may affect net yield on interest-earning assets, loan origination volume, loan portfolios, and funding costs which impact our overall results.

Although our asset-liability management strategy is designed to control our risk from changes in the general level of market interest rates, market interest rates will be affected by many factors outside of our control, including inflation, recession, changes in unemployment, other economic conditions, money supply and international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets. We are unable to predict changes in interest rates, which are affected by factors beyond our control, including inflation, deflation, recession, unemployment, money supply and other changes in financial markets. It is possible that significant or unexpected changes in interest rates may take place in the future, and we cannot always accurately predict the nature or magnitude of such changes or how such changes may affect our business.

Uncertainty relatingbusiness or results of operations.

The value of our investment securities could decline.
Changes in interest rates could cause the value of our investment securities to LIBOR calculation processdecline. We hold available-for-sale investment securities, which are carried at fair value, the majority of which are high-quality, liquid fixed income securities. The determination of fair value for certain of these securities requires significant judgment of management. Therefore, the market price we receive for our investment securities could be less than the carrying value for such securities. Further, the value of our investment portfolio could decline for numerous reasons, many of which are outside our control, including general market conditions, volatility in the securities market, changes in market interest rates, and potential phasing outinflation rates or expectations of LIBORinflation. For example, increases in interest rates or changes in interest rate spreads may negatively impact the fair value of our investment securities and may adversely affect us.

On July 27, 2017,accumulated other comprehensive income and, thus, our equity levels.

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our income and cash flows and may result in higher defaults and lower collateral values in a rising rate environment.
Changes in interest rates influence the Chief Executiveorigination of loans, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submitprepayment of loans, the fair value of existing assets and liabilities, the purchase of investments, the retention and generation of deposits, the rates for the calibration of LIBOR to the administrator of LIBOR after 2021. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., the company that administers LIBOR, has stated that it intends to cease the publication of one weekreceived on loans and two month LIBOR rates immediately after the LIBOR publication on December 31, 2021,investment securities, and the remaining LIBOR rates immediately following the LIBOR publicationpaid on June 30, 2023, and will consult on such intentions. It is not possible to predict what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of LIBOR-based securities and variable rate loans, debentures,deposits or other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR's role in determining marketsources of funding. In general, periods of rising interest rates globally. Uncertainty as to the natureand other
25

inflationary pressures can have a significant negative effect on our borrowers, and particularly on borrowers that operate businesses that generate revenue to pay principal and interest on commercial loans. Periods of rising interest rates and other inflationary pressures could cause the values of collateral securing our loans to decline. If either our borrowers are negatively impacted by rising interest rates or other inflationary pressures, or if the value of collateral securing our loans declines, our financial performance may be negatively impacted.
Inflation could negatively impact our business, our profitability, and our stock price.
Volatility and uncertainty related to inflation and the effects of inflation, may lead to increased costs for businesses and consumers and potentially contribute to poor business and economic conditions. For example, higher inflation, or volatility and uncertainty related to inflation, could reduce demand for the Company’s products, which could affect the creditworthiness of the Company’s borrowers, result in lower values for the Company’s investment securities and other interest-earning assets and increase expense related to talent acquisition and retention. If significant inflation continues the Company could result in missed earnings and budgetary projections causing our stock price to suffer.
Risks Related to Our Business Strategy

Our profitability depends significantly on local economic conditions.

Our success depends primarily onLiquidity

Adverse developments affecting the general economic conditions of the geographic markets in which we operate, primarily in Virginia and North Carolina. The local economic conditions in the areas where we operate have a significant impact on our commercial, real estate and construction loans, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans and the value of the collateral securing these loans and on customer demand for loans, deposits and other bank products. A significant decline in general economic conditions, including a decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, recession, acts of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic calamities, unemployment or other factors, all of which are beyond our control, could impact these local economic conditions and negatively affect our financial results.

We face strong competition from financial services companies and other companies that offer banking services which could negatively affect our business.

We conduct our banking operations primarily in Virginia and North Carolina, including Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Christiansburg, Martinsville, Danville, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Mooresville. Increased competition in these markets may result in reduced loans and deposits. Ultimately, we may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Many competitors offer the same banking services that we offer in our service area. These competitors include national banks, regional banks and other community banks. We also face competition from many other types ofindustry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions including without limitation, savings and loan institutions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks and other financial intermediaries. In particular, our competitors include several major financial companies whose greater resourcesor transactional counterparties, may afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous banking locations and ATMs, conduct extensive promotional and advertising campaigns and offer a wider range of products, services and technologies.

Additionally, banks and other financial institutions with larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not subject to bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are thereby able to serve the credit needs of larger customers. Areas of competition include interest rates for loans and deposits, efforts to obtain deposits, and range and quality of products and services provided, including new technology-driven products and services. Technological innovation continues to contribute to greater competition in domestic and international financial services markets as technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. We also face competition from out-of-state financial intermediaries that have opened low-end production offices or that solicit deposits in our market areas. If we are unable to attract and retain banking customers, we may be unable to continue to grow our loan and deposit portfolios or may be required to increase the rates we pay on deposits or lower the rates we offer on loans and results of operations and financial condition may otherwise be adversely affected.

Our customers may increasingly decide not to use the Bank to complete their financial transactions, which would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operations.

Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that have historically involved banks. For example, customers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds, or general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards. Customers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. We face increasing competition from fintech companies, as trends toward digital financial transactions have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

31

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

Risks RelatedActual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, which may be compounded by the reach and depth of media attention, including social media, have in the past and may in the future lead to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Matters

We are subjectmarket-wide liquidity problems. Liquidity is essential to extensive government regulation and supervision.

Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance fundsthe Company’s banking business, and the Company’s business strategies are largely based on access to funding from customer deposits and supplemental funding provided by secondary liquidity sources, including wholesale funding facilities.

Deposit levels may be impacted by industry factors, market interest rates, rates paid for deposits by other financial institutions and market interest rates generally, inflationary conditions, general economic conditions than can impact savings rates, and banking system as a whole, not security holders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policyindustry conditions that can impact customers perceptions of the safety and growth, among other things. Congresssoundness of the banking industry generally or of specific financial institutions. The failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulationsFirst Republic Bank in the first quarter of 2023, and policies for possible changes. Changesthe resulting industry turmoil, have underscored the importance of maintaining diversified funding sources to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantialensure the safety and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by Federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocationsoundness of a financial institution. In response to these failures, the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) and the FDIC approved actions enabling the FDIC to complete its resolution of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank in a manner that fully protected depositors by utilizing the FDIC Deposit Insurance Fund, and the Federal Reserve took actions to make available additional term funding for eligible financial institutions to help ensure continued liquidity in the banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputational damage. In this regard, government authorities, includingindustry. It is uncertain whether these additional steps will be sufficient to address the bank regulatory agencies, are pursuing aggressive enforcement actions with respect to complianceturmoil in the banking industry, ensure continued funding and other legal matters involving financial activities, which heightensliquidity, reduce the risks associated with actualrisk of deposit outflows, and perceived compliance failures. See “Supervision and Regulation” included in Item 1. Businessparticularly sudden outflows, from banks. Should any of this Report for a more detailed description of the certain regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank.

The Basel III Final Rules require higher levels of capital and liquid assets, which could adversely affectthese conditions materialize, our net income and return on equity.

The Basel III Final Rules are complex and create additional compliance burdens, especially for community banks. The Basel III Final Rules require bank holding companies and their subsidiaries, such as us, to maintain significantly more capital as a result of higher required capital levels and more demanding regulatory capital risk weightings and calculations. The stricter capital requirements were fully implemented on January 1, 2019. See “Supervision and Regulation” included in Item 1. Business of this Report for a more detailed description of the Basel III Final Rules applicable to us.

As a result of the Basel III Final Rules, many community banks could be forced to limit banking operations, activities and growth of loan portfolios, in order to focus on retention of earnings to improve capital levels. We believe that we maintain sufficient levels of Tier 1 and Common Equity Tier 1 capital to comply with the Basel III Final Rules. However, we can offer no assurances with regard to the ultimate effect of the Basel III Final Rules, and satisfying increased capital requirements imposed by the Basel III Final Rules may require us to limit our banking operations, raise additional capital, retain net income or reduce dividends to improve regulatory capital levels, which could negatively affect our business,liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

The Company’s liquidity could be impaired by an inability to access short-term funding or the inability to monetize liquid assets.
If significant volatility or disruptions occur in the wholesale funding or investment securities markets, the Company’s ability to access short-term liquidity could be materially impaired. In addition, weother factors outside of the Company’s control could be subjectlimit the Company’s ability to regulatory actions if we were unableaccess short-term funding or to comply with such requirements.

32
monetize liquid assets, including by selling investment securities at an attractive price or at all, operational issues that impact third parties in the funding or securities markets or unforeseen significant deposit outflows. The Company’s inability to access short-term funding or inability to monetize liquid assets could impair the

26


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)

Failure

Company’s ability to maintain effective systems of internal control over financial reportingmake new loans or meet existing lending commitments, and disclosure controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud and to operate successfully as a public company. We are required to establish and maintain an adequate internal control structure over financial reporting. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. As part of our ongoing monitoring of internal control, we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control that require remediation, such asadversely impact the material weakness related to appraisal requirements that we identified in 2019 and remediated during 2020. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Our inability to maintain the operating effectiveness of the controls described above could result in a material misstatement to our financial statements or other disclosures, which could have an adverse effect on our business,Company’s overall financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, any failure to maintain effective controls or to timely effect any necessary improvement of our internalliquidity and disclosure controls could, among other things, require significant investments of management time, funds and other resources in remediation efforts, result in losses from fraud or error or harm to our reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.

Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and loss.

We maintain an enterprise risk management program that is designed to identify, quantify, monitor, report and control the risks we face. These risks include, but are not limited to, interest rate, credit, liquidity, operational, reputation, legal, compliance, economic and litigation risk. Although we assess our risk management program on an ongoing basis and make identified improvements to it, we can offer no assurances that this approach and risk management framework (including related controls) will effectively mitigate the risks listed above or limit losses that we may incur. If our risk management program has flaws or gaps, or if our risk management controls do not function effectively, our results of operations, financial condition or business may be adversely affected.

Our earnings are significantly affected by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies.

The policies of the FRB affect us significantly. The FRB regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States. Its policies directly and indirectly influence the rate of interest earned on loans and paid on borrowings and interest-bearing deposits and can also affect the value of financial instruments we hold. Those policies determine, to a significant extent, our cost of funds for lending and investing. Changes in those policies are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. FRB policies can also affect our borrowers, potentially increasing the risk that they may fail to repay their loans. For example, a tightening of the money supply by the FRB could reduce the demand for a borrower's products and services. This could adversely affect the borrower’s earnings and ability to repay a loan, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

33
regulatory capital.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

Risks Related to Liquidity

We rely substantially on deposits obtained from customers in our target markets to provide liquidity and support growth.

growth, and impairment of our access to funding may negatively affect our financial performance.

Our primary funding and liquidity source to support our business strategies is a stable customer deposit base. Deposit levels may be affected by a number of factors, including interest rates paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, returns available to customers on alternative investments and general economic conditions. If our deposit levels fall, we could lose a relatively low-cost source of funding and our interest expense would likely increase as we obtain alternative funding to replace lost deposits. If local customer deposits are not sufficient to fund our normal operations and growth, we will look to outside sources, such as Fed Fundsfed funds lines with other financial institutions or additional borrowings with the FHLB.FHLB and we have access to the institutional CD market and the brokered deposit market. We may also seek to raise funds through the issuance of shares of our common stock, or other equity or equity-related securities, or debt securities including subordinated notes as additional sources of liquidity. A number of factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, could make accessing such financing more difficult or more expensive, or could make such financing unavailable altogether, including the financial condition of the Company, rate disruptions in the capital markets, the attractiveness of investing in or lending to financial services companies generally, and competition for funding from other banks, holding companies or similar financial service companies, some of which could be substantially larger or have stronger credit ratings or profiles. If we are unable to access funding sufficient to support our business operations and growth strategies or are only able to access such funding on unattractive terms, we may not be able to implement our business strategies which may negatively affect our financial performance.

Our ability to meet contingency funding needs, in the event of a crisis that causes a disruption to our core deposit base, is dependent on access to wholesale markets, including funds provided by the FHLB of Atlanta.

We own stock in the FHLB of Atlanta, in order to qualify for membership in the FHLB system, which enables us to borrow on our line of credit with the FHLB that is secured by a blanket lien on select commercial loans, multifamily loans, residential mortgages and investment securities available-for-sale and is estimated to be equal to 25% of our assets approximating $1.0$1.1 billion, with available borrowing capacity subject to the amount of eligible collateral pledged at any given time. Changes or disruptions to the FHLB or the FHLB system in general may materially impact our ability to meet short and long-term liquidity needs or meet growth plans. Additionally, we cannot be assured that the FHLB will be able to provide funding to us when needed, nor can we be certain that the FHLB will provide funds specifically to us, should our financial condition and/or our regulators prevent access to our line of credit. The inability to access this source of funds could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to meet our customer’s needs. Our financial flexibility could be severely constrained if we were unable to maintain our access to funding or if adequate financing is not available at acceptable interest rates.

Other wholesale market sources of liquidity include the Fed discount window, the brokered CD market, and our four fed funds lines totaling $95.0 million with correspondent banks. Additionally, we have a large bond portfolio that can be used for liquidity purposes, including pledging or outright sales. It should also be noted that our customer base is very diversified and granular, which should minimize any unexpected deposit outflows. Average commercial deposit account balances are $42 thousand, and average consumer retail deposit account balances are $14 thousand.
We rely on dividends from our subsidiaries for most of our revenue.
The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank. A substantial portion of the Company’s revenue comes from dividends from the Bank. Various federal and Virginia laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to us. Also, in the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to the Company, the Company may not be able to service any debt that is outstanding, pay obligations, or pay any future dividends on its common stock. The inability to receive dividends from the Bank could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Business Strategy
Our profitability depends significantly on economic conditions.
Our success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the geographic markets in which we operate, primarily in Virginia and North Carolina. The local economic conditions in the areas where we operate have a significant impact on our
27

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
commercial, real estate and construction loans, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans and the value of the collateral securing these loans and on customer demand for loans, deposits and other bank products. A significant decline in general economic conditions, including pandemics or significant health hazards (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), inflation, recession, acts of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities (including the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Palestine) or other international or domestic calamities, unemployment or other factors, all of which are beyond our control, could impact economic conditions and negatively affect our financial results.
We face strong competition from financial services companies and other companies that offer banking services which could negatively affect our business.
We conduct our banking operations primarily in Virginia and North Carolina, including Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Martinsville, and Danville in Virginia, and Greensboro, Charlotte, Raleigh and Mooresville in North Carolina. Increased competition in these markets may result in reduced loans and deposits. Ultimately, we may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Many competitors offer the same banking services that we offer in our service area. These competitors include national banks, regional banks and other community banks. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including without limitation, savings and loan institutions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks and other financial intermediaries. In particular, our competitors include several major financial companies whose greater resources may afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous banking locations and ATMs, conduct extensive promotional and advertising campaigns and offer a wider range of products, services and technologies.
Additionally, banks and other financial institutions with larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not subject to bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are thereby able to serve the credit needs of larger customers. Areas of competition include interest rates for loans and deposits, efforts to obtain deposits, and range and quality of products and services provided, including new technology-driven products and services. Technological innovation continues to contribute to greater competition in domestic and international financial services markets as technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services, products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. We also face competition from out-of-state financial intermediaries that have opened loan production offices or that solicit deposits in our market areas. If we are unable to attract and retain banking customers, we may be unable to continue to grow our loan and deposit portfolios or may be required to increase the rates we pay on deposits or lower the rates we offer on loans and results of operations and financial condition may otherwise be adversely affected.
Our customers may increasingly decide not to use the Bank to complete their financial transactions, which would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operations.
Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that have historically involved banks. For example, customers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds, or general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards. Customers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. We face increasing competition from fintech companies, as trends toward digital financial transactions have accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Matters
We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision.
Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not security holders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. For example, we currently derive a portion of our
28

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
noninterest income from consumer overdraft fees, which have recently come under scrutiny by banking regulators and politicians. Such regulators or politicians could act to impose additional restrictions on overdraft fee programs which could reduce our noninterest income, increase our compliance costs, or increase our exposure to regulatory and legal claims related to our overdraft program. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by Federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputational damage. In this regard, government authorities, including the bank regulatory agencies, are pursuing aggressive enforcement actions with respect to compliance and other legal matters involving financial activities, which heightens the risks associated with actual and perceived compliance failures. See “Supervision and Regulation” included in Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed description of the certain regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank.
Regulatory capital standards may require the Company and the Bank to maintain higher levels of capital and liquidity, which could adversely affect its return on equity and otherwise affect its business.
The Company and the Bank are each subject to capital adequacy guidelines and other regulatory requirements specifying minimum amounts and types of capital, which each must maintain. From time to time, regulators implement changes to these regulatory capital adequacy guidelines. In addition, regulators may require the Company to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital based on the Company’s condition, risk profile, or growth plans or conditions in the banking industry or economy. The Basel III capital adequacy standards applicable to the Company and the Bank impose stricter capital requirements and leverage limits than the requirements to which the Company and the Bank were subject in the past.
The application of more stringent capital requirements could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, require the raising of additional capital, and result in regulatory actions if the Company were to be unable to comply with such requirements. Furthermore, the imposition of liquidity requirements in connection with the implementation of Basel III capital adequacy standards could result in the Company having to lengthen the term of its funding, restructure its business models, and/or increase its holdings of liquid assets. Implementation of changes to asset risk weightings for risk-based capital calculations, items included or deducted in calculating regulatory capital and/or additional capital conservation buffers could result in management modifying its business strategy, and could limit the Company’s ability to make distributions, including paying out dividends or buying back shares. If the Company and the Bank fail to meet these minimum capital guidelines and/or other regulatory requirements, the Company’s financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
Failure to maintain effective systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud and to operate successfully as a public company. We are required to establish and maintain an adequate internal control structure over financial reporting. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. As part of our ongoing monitoring of internal control, we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control that require remediation. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Our inability to maintain the operating effectiveness of the controls described above could result in a material misstatement to our financial statements or other disclosures, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, any failure to maintain effective controls or to timely effect any necessary improvement of our internal and disclosure controls could, among other things, require significant investments of management time, funds and other resources in remediation efforts, result in losses from fraud or error or harm to our reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.
Claims and litigation against the Company could result in significant expenses or losses or damage to our reputation, which may have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operation or business.
The Company operates in a business, legal and regulatory environment that exposes the Company to potential significant litigation risk. The Company may be involved from time to time in a variety of litigation arising out of its business, and the
29

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
outcome of litigation and other legal matters is frequently uncertain. Litigation and claims against the Company can arise from the Company’s lending activities, commercial agreements, compliance programs, and other general business matters. Such litigation and claims have involved and could involve large amounts in controversy and substantial legal costs necessary for the Company’s defense or to recover amounts owed to the Company, and substantial legal liability, which may or may not be insured, against the Company could materially and adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Even if the Company has insurance coverage for certain claims or legal or administrative actions against it, the Company’s insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against it in legal or administrative actions or costs that it may incur defending such actions, and any claims asserted against it, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm the Company’s reputation which may harm the Company’s business. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements and/or costs incurred in any litigation exceed any applicable insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation for any period. Litigation may also divert management resources, which may adversely impact the Company’s business and results of operations.
The Company is currently involved in significant pending litigation. Please see the information contained in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies,” under the heading “Legal Proceedings”.
Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and loss.
We maintain an enterprise risk management program that is designed to identify, quantify, monitor, report and control the risks we face. These risks include, but are not limited to, interest rate, credit, liquidity, operational, reputation, legal, compliance, economic and litigation risk. Although we assess our risk management program on an ongoing basis and make identified improvements to it, we can offer no assurances that this approach and risk management framework (including related controls) will effectively mitigate the risks listed above or limit losses that we may incur. If our risk management program has flaws or gaps, or if our risk management controls do not function effectively, our results of operations, financial condition or business may be adversely affected.
Our earnings are significantly affected by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies.
The policies of the FRB affect us significantly. The FRB regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States. Its policies directly and indirectly influence the rate of interest earned on loans and paid on borrowings and interest-bearing deposits and can also affect the value of financial instruments we hold. Those policies determine, to a significant extent, our cost of funds for lending and investing, and can significantly impact the levels of inflation in the United States. Changes in those policies are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. FRB policies can also affect our borrowers, potentially increasing the risk that they may fail to repay their loans. For example, a tightening of the money supply by the FRB could reduce the demand for a borrower's products and services. This could adversely affect the borrower’s earnings and ability to repay a loan, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Increased scrutiny and evolving expectations from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders with respect to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices may impose additional costs on the Company or expose it to new or additional risks.
As a regulated financial institution and a publicly traded company, we are facing increasing scrutiny from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders related to ESG practices and disclosure. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds, and influential investors are increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to climate risk, hiring practices, the diversity of the work force, and racial and social justice issues. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact the Company’s reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, and stock price. New government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanding mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, and disclosure. ESG-related costs, including with respect to compliance with any additional regulatory or disclosure requirements or expectations, could adversely impact our results of operations.
30

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - (continued)
Risks Related to Owning Our Stock

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors.

Our operating results may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including the changing U.S. economic environment and changes in the commercial and residential real estate market, any of which may cause our stock price to fluctuate. If our operating results fall below the expectation of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially.

Our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:

·volatility of stock market prices and volumes in general;

·changes in market valuations of similar companies;

·changes in the conditions of credit markets;

·changes in accounting policies or procedures as required by the FASB, or other regulatory agencies;

·legislative and regulatory actions, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations, that may subject us to additional regulatory oversight which may result in increased compliance costs and/or require us to change our business model;

·government intervention in the U.S. financial system and the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the FRB;

·additions or departures of key members of management;

·fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results; and

·changes in analysts’ estimates of financial performance.

34

volatility of stock market prices and volumes in general;

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – (continued)

changes in market valuations of similar companies;
changes in the conditions of credit markets;
changes in accounting policies or procedures as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory agencies;
legislative and regulatory actions, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations, that may subject us to additional regulatory oversight which may result in increased compliance costs and/or require us to change our business model;
government intervention in the U.S. financial system and the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the FRB;
additions or departures of key members of management;
fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results; and
changes in analysts’ estimates of financial performance.
Future issuances of the Company’s common stock could adversely affect the market price of the common stock and could be dilutive.

The Company is not restricted from issuing additional shares of common stock, and may issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, shares of common stock. Issuances of a substantial number of shares of common stock, or the expectation that such issuances might occur, including in connection with acquisitions by the Company, could materially adversely affect the market price of the shares of common stock and could be dilutive to shareholders. Because the Company’s decision to issue equity securities in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors, it cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of possible future stock issuances. Accordingly, the Company’s shareholders bear the risk that future stock issuances will reduce market prices and dilute their stock holdings in the Company.

Common stock is equity and is subordinate to the Company’s existing and future indebtedness and effectively subordinated to all the indebtedness and other non-equity claims against the Bank.

Shares of the Company’s common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of the common stock will rank junior to all of the Company’s indebtedness and to other non-equity claims against the Company and its assets available to satisfy claims against it, including in the event of the Company’s liquidation. The Company is permitted to incur additional debt. Upon liquidation, lenders and holders of the Company’s debt securities would receive distributions of the Company’s available assets prior to holders of the Company’s common stock. Furthermore, the Company’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon the Bank’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the Bank’s creditors, including holders of any depositors of the Bank or any debt issued by the Bank.

31

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

There

Not applicable.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
The Company has developed and implemented a Cybersecurity and Information Technology Incident Response Plan intended to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Company’s critical systems and information.
The Company has designed this Cybersecurity and Information Technology Incident Response Plan based in part on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (“NIST”). Use of the framework does not imply that the Company meets any particular technical standards, specifications, or requirements, but rather the NIST is used as a guide to help identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to the Company’s business. The Company’s Cybersecurity and Information Technology Response Plan is led by our Chief Operations Officer, (“COO”) who is responsible for the oversight and implementation of such plan. Additionally, the COO and the Information Security Manager meet with the Information Technology Steering Committee (“IT Steering Committee”) on a monthly basis or more frequently as necessary to discuss, among other things, cybersecurity matters.
The Cybersecurity and Information Technology Incident Response Plan is aligned to the Company’s business strategy. It shares common methodologies, reporting channels and governance processes that apply to other areas of enterprise risk management, including legal, compliance, strategic, operational, and financial risk. In the event of a material or potentially material cybersecurity event, senior members of management, which includes the Chief Financial Officer, are no unresolved SEC staff comments.

promptly informed of the event and status update, response, and disclosure efforts following the terms of a documented incident response plan. Key elements of the Cybersecurity and Information Technology Incident Response Plan include:
risk assessments designed to help identify material cybersecurity risks to our critical systems, information, products, services, and our broader information technology (“IT”) environment;
an incident response team principally responsible for managing cybersecurity risk assessment processes, security controls, and responses to cybersecurity incidents;
the use of external service providers, where appropriate, to assess, test or otherwise assist with aspects of our security controls;
training and awareness programs for team members that include periodic and ongoing assessments to drive adoption and awareness of cybersecurity processes and controls;
a cybersecurity and IT incident response plan that includes procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents;
utilization of independent third parties to perform penetration testing of the Company’s environment; and
utilization of a third party to monitor our environment continuously.
The Company has experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past, but none of these incidents, individually or in the aggregate, have had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. For a discussion of whether and how any risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition, refer to Item 1A. Risk Factors – "Risks Related to Our Operations and Technology," which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1C.
Cybersecurity Governance
Management’s Role
The Company’s management has created an Incident Response Team (“IRT”), that consists of the Chief Operations Officer, a network manager, an application delivery manager, an information security manager, the IT Steering Committee, the regulatory
32

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
risk management director and an internal auditor. Our COO holds multiple cybersecurity industry-recognized certifications and has gained extensive cybersecurity knowledge and skills through over 7 years of work experience on the IT security team at the Company. Our Information Security Manager, who also holds multiple cybersecurity industry-recognized certifications and is a member of the IT Steering Committee, has 20 years of experience working in IT and cybersecurity in various roles and industries throughout his career. Additionally, leaders in the Company’s IT function receive periodic training and education on cybersecurity related topics. The IRT is governed by policies and procedures and their proactive responsibilities include implementing awareness programs for the overall cybersecurity risk management plan and for the supervision of vulnerability and penetration testing.
The Company’s IRT serves as the central point for all cybersecurity incidents and reporting, including incidents that directly target associates, customers or the Company’s internal information systems and incidents originating from third parties. The IRT evaluates each incident in terms of its impact on the Company’s operations, ability to conduct business with customers, reputational risk to the Company, reduce legal risk and the speed and degree to which the incident has been contained. The IRT is also responsible for assessing the nature and scope of the incident, and engaging third-party service providers where appropriate to support the Company through the resolution of the incident. The COO escalates incidents to the Company’s IT Steering Committee, who is responsible for cybersecurity risk oversight, and also reports to the Board on a monthly basis.
Our information security team and members of IT also monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings with law enforcement, regulators, and external consultants we may engage, and reports produced by security tools we have deployed in our IT environment.
Board of Director’s Role
The Company’s Board of Directors recognizes the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the Company’s sensitive data, including with respect to its associates and customers. The Board is responsible for the consideration and oversight of risk facing the Company and is also responsible for ensuring that material risks are identified and managed appropriately, including cybersecurity risks. The COO gives a monthly report to the Company’s IT Steering Committee and Board on various information security issues. The Company has created and designated a separate committee of its Board as the Audit Committee consisting of four independent directors. The Audit Committee meets quarterly and reviews the Company’s major financial risk exposures, including cybersecurity risks, and reviews the steps management is taking to monitor and control such exposures, including results of internal and external audits.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company’s principal executive office is located at 1300 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville, Virginia. There are also two other corporate administrative locations that house its operations center and various other corporate functions. WeAs of December 31, 2023, we offer our community banking services through 9265 combined depository locations in Virginia and North Carolina, at December 31, 2020. Seventyand have 53 offices are located in Virginia and twenty-two are12 offices located in North Carolina. TwoThree of these depository banking locations are held under lease contracts, one of which is held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches. The branch sale is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2021.contracts. In addition, the Bank leases a loan production office, and a commercial banking office.office and another office housing various Bank functions. Management believes the terms of the various leases are consistent with market standards and were arrived at through arm’s length bargaining. The leases are described in Note 89, Premises and Equipment, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As of December 31, 2020, no material legal proceedings were pending or threatened against

The information contained in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies,” under the Company.

heading “Legal Proceedings,” is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

35

33


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

PART II
Market for Common Stock and Dividends

The Company’s common stock trades on NASDAQ, under the ticker symbol “CARE.” As of the close of business on March 5, 2021,4, 2024, we had 2,4372,160 shareholders of record.

Dividends

On

In October 14, 2016, prior to the Reorganization, the board of directors of the Bank (the "Bank Board") determined that it was prudent not to declare a quarterly cash dividend on the Bank's common stock beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016. GivenNotwithstanding the Bank’s historyprior practice of paying a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock, this decision was an extremely difficult one and one that the Bank Board did not take lightly. However, the Bank Board believed this decision was necessary and appropriate as the Bank committed, and now the Company commits, additional resources to assist with regulatory compliance, preserve capital during the COVID-19 pandemic, and makesmaking significant investments in new technology and human resources. While recognizing the importance of dividends to its shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that preservation of capital is of paramount importance at this time.

The Bank Board announced on February 11, 2020 the declaration ofpaid a special one-time cash dividend of $0.14 per share. This dividend was paidshare on March 3, 2020 to shareholders of record as of February 18, 2020. The Bank Board emphasized that this was a one-time dividend and there are no immediate plans to reinstate a quarterly dividend. The amount and timing of future dividends, if any, remainremains subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board and will depend upon a number of factors, including future earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements of the Company, applicable governmental regulations and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. With respect
Repurchases of Shares of Common Stock
On March 29, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized, effective May 1, 2023, a common share repurchase program to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the special one-time cash dividend,Company’s common stock in the aggregate over a period of twelve months, (the “2023 Program”) subject to receipt of non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, which was received on April 24, 2023. The 2023 Program authorizes the purchase of the Company’s common stock in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The authorization permits management to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time at management’s discretion. The actual means and timing of any shares purchased under the 2023 Program will depend on a variety of factors, including the market price of the Company’s common stock, general market and economic conditions, management’s evaluation of the Company’s financial condition and liquidity position and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The 2023 Program is authorized through May 1, 2024, although it may be modified or terminated by the Board believedat any time. The 2023 Program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares, and was exhausted as of August 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 1,000,000 shares of common stock had been repurchased under this program at a total cost of $14.2 million, or an average price of $14.16 per share.
Previously on June 28, 2022, the Company announced that itits Board authorized, effective August 1, 2022, a common share repurchase program to purchase up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate over a period of twelve months, subject to non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, which was appropriatereceived in July 2022 (the “2022 Program”). The 2022 Program authorized the purchase of the Company’s common stock in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to return somea trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The authorization permitted management to repurchase shares of our excess capitalthe Company’s common stock from time to our shareholders since our recent strategytime at management’s discretion. The 2022 Program was originally authorized through August 1, 2023, did not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of capital retention has resultedshares, and was exhausted as of March 10, 2023.
Previously on December 13, 2021, the Company announced that its Board authorized, effective December 10, 2021, a common share repurchase program to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in capital levels that are well above the well-capitalized levelsaggregate over a period of federal banking regulatory agencies.

36
twelve months (the “2021 Program”). The 2021 Program was originally authorized through December 9, 2022, did not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares, and was exhausted as of April 28, 2022.

34


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES - (continued)

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s purchases of our common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
PeriodTotal number of shares purchasedAverage Price Paid Per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan(1)
10/10/2023 - 10/31/2023— $— — — 
11/01/2023 - 11/30/2023— — — — 
12/01/2023 - 12/31/2023— — — — 
Total$—
(1)The Company had no purchases of our common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as the 2023 Program was fully exhausted as of August 31, 2023.
Five-Year Cumulative Total Return

The following chart compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index and SNL Bank and ThriftS&P U.S. BMI Banks Index, which includes the stocks of banks, thrifts and bank and financial holding companies listed on all major exchanges (NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ) in the S&P Global Market Intelligence’s coverage universe.

  Period Ending 
Index 12/31/15  12/31/16  12/31/17  12/31/18  12/31/19  12/31/20 
Carter Bankshares, Inc.(1)  100.00   100.73   133.02   113.69   179.78   81.83 
NASDAQ Composite Index  100.00   108.87   141.13   137.12   187.44   271.64 
SNL Bank and Thrift Index  100.00   126.25   148.45   123.32   166.67   144.61 

4181
Period Ending
Index12/31/1812/31/1912/31/2012/31/2112/31/2212/31/23
Carter Bankshares, Inc.(1)
100.00 158.13 71.98 103.33 111.39 100.51 
NASDAQ Composite Index100.00 136.69 198.10 242.03 163.28 236.17 
S&P U.S. BMI Banks Index100.00 137.36 119.83 162.92 135.13 147.41 
(1)An investment in Carter Bankshares, Inc. prior to November 2020 represents an investment in Carter Bank & Trust.

Repurchases

35

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The tables below summarize selected consolidated financial data as of the dates or for the periods presented and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in Part II, Item 8 of this Report:

(Dollars in Thousands except per Share Data) For the Year Ended December 31, 
Five-Year Selected Financial Data 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Balance Sheet Summary                    
(At End of Period)                    
Total Assets $4,179,179  $4,006,108  $4,039,599  $4,112,292  $4,505,529 
Securities Available-for-Sale, at Fair Value  778,679   742,617   782,758   947,201   - 
Securities Held-to-Maturity, at Cost  -   -   -   -   879,694 
Loans Held-for-Sale  25,437   19,714   2,559   517   - 
Loans Held-for-Sale in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches, at the lower of cost or fair value  9,835   -   -   -   - 
Portfolio Loans  2,947,170   2,884,766   2,703,792   2,684,445   2,731,783 
Allowance for Loan Losses  (54,074)  (38,762)  (39,199)  (35,318)  (34,500)
Goodwill and Other Intangibles  -   62,192   62,192   63,350   63,261 
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits  699,229   554,875   547,773   530,242   534,923 
Interest-Bearing Deposits  2,900,682   2,949,370   3,043,408   3,139,373   3,528,916 
Deposits Held for Assumption in connection with Sale of Bank Branches  84,717   -   -   -   - 
Total Deposits  3,684,628   3,504,245   3,591,181   3,669,615   4,063,839 
FHLB Borrowings  35,000   10,000   -   -   - 
Other Liabilities  19,377   18,752   12,204   10,551   7,040 
Total Liabilities  3,739,005   3,532,997   3,603,385   3,680,166   4,070,879 
Retained Earnings  254,611   304,158   277,835   265,930   266,214 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  15,721   127   (10,066)  (2,240)  - 
Total Shareholders' Equity  440,174   473,111   436,214   432,126   434,650 
                     
Summary of Earnings                    
Interest Income $140,941  $159,120  $152,019  $144,084  $147,648 
Interest Expense  35,826   46,773   38,114   37,111   46,382 
Provision for Loan Losses  18,006   3,404   16,870   43,197   17,717 
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses  87,109   108,943   97,035   63,776   83,549 
Noninterest Income  26,580   16,870   16,986   12,591   12,494 
Noninterest Expense  158,775   98,029   99,713   94,579   78,419 
Net (Loss) Income before Taxes  (45,086)  27,784   14,308   (18,212)  17,624 
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)  772   1,209   2,403   (17,531)  1,645 
Net (Loss) Income $(45,858) $26,575  $11,905  $(681) $15,979 
                     
(Loss) Earnings per Share Basic and Diluted $(1.74) $1.01  $0.45  $(0.03) $0.61 
Cash Dividends Declared per Share $0.14  $-  $-  $-  $0.30 
                     
Selected Ratios                    
Return on average assets  -1.12%  0.65%  0.29%  -0.02%  0.33%
Return on average equity  -9.78%  5.76%  2.75%  -0.15%  3.63%
Equity to Assets  10.53%  11.81%  10.80%  10.51%  9.65%
Total Risk-based capital  14.33%  14.83%  15.11%  14.05%  13.25%
Leverage Ratio  10.26%  10.33%  9.61%  9.25%  8.03%
Dividend Payout  NM   0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  49.30%

NM – percentage not meaningful

38
[RESERVED]

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand Carter Bankshares, Inc., our operations, and our present business environment. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The MD&A includes the following sections:
Explanation of Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Business & Strategy
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Capital Resources
Contractual Obligations
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Liquidity
Inflation
Stock Repurchase Program
This section reviews our financial condition for each of the past two years and results of operations for each of the past three years. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to place them on a basis comparable with the current period presentation. Some tables may include additional time periods to illustrate trends within our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto. The results of operations reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in future periods.

Important Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains or incorporates statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, outlook for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset levels, asset quality, financial position, and other matters regarding or affecting the Company and its future business and operations. Forward looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “intend,” “ believe,” “assume,” “strategy,” “trend,” “plan,” “outlook,” “outcome,” “continue,” “remain,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “current,” “position,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve” and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, would, should, could or may. Although we believe the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially from those made, projected, or implied in or by the forward-looking statements depending on a variety of uncertainties or other factors including, but not limited to: credit losses; technological risks and developments; cyber-security; threats, attacks or events; rapid technological developments and changes; the Company’s liquidity and capital positions; the potential adverse effects of unusual and infrequently occurring events, such as weather-related disasters, terrorist acts or public health events (such as the current COVID-19 pandemic), and of governmental and societal responses thereto; these potential adverse effects may include, without limitation, adverse effects on the ability of the Company's borrowers to satisfy their obligations to the Company, on the value of collateral securing loans, on the demand for the Company's loans or its other products and services, on incidents of cyberattack and fraud, on the Company’s liquidity or capital positions, on risks posed by reliance on third-party service providers, on other aspects of the Company's business operations and on financial markets and economic growth; the effect of steps the Company takes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the severity and duration of the pandemic, the uncertainty regarding new variants of COVID-19 that have emerged, the speed and efficacy of vaccine and treatment developments, the impact of loosening or tightening of government restrictions, the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and the heightened impact it has on many of the risks described herein; legislative or regulatory changes and requirements, including the impact of the CARES Act, as amended by the CAA, and other legislative and regulatory reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic; potential claims, damages, and fines related to litigation or government actions, including litigation or actions arising from the Company’s participation in and administration of programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, among other things, under the CARES Act, as amended by the CAA; sensitivity to the interest rate environment including a prolonged period of low interest rates, a rapid increase in interest rates or a change in the shape of the yield curve; a change in spreads on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities; regulatory supervision and oversight; legislation affecting the financial services industry as a whole, and the Company, in particular; the outcome of pending and future litigation and governmental proceedings; increasing price and product/service competition; the ability to continue to introduce competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis; the Company’s strategic branch network optimization plan; managing our internal growth and acquisitions; the possibility that the anticipated benefits from acquisitions cannot be fully realized in a timely manner or at all, or that integrating the acquired operations will be more difficult, disruptive or more costly than anticipated; containing costs and expenses; reliance on significant customer relationships; general economic or business conditions; deterioration of the housing market and reduced demand for mortgages; deterioration in the overall macroeconomic conditions or the state of the banking industry that could impact the re-emergence of turbulence in significant portions of the global financial and real estate markets that could impact our performance, both directly, by affecting our revenues and the value of our assets and liabilities, and indirectly, by affecting the economy generally and access to capital in the amounts, at the times and on the terms required to support our future businesses. Many of these factors, as well as other factors, are described throughout this Report, including Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and any of our subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. We caution you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as to the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update, revise or clarify any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made.

39

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Explanation of Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results of operations presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“GAAP”), management uses, and this annual report references, adjustedinterest and dividend income, yield on interest earnings assets, net interest income and net interest incomemargin on a fully taxable equivalent, or (“FTE”), basis, each of which is aare non-GAAP financial measure.measures. Management believes these measures provide information useful to investors in understanding our underlying business, operational performance and performance trends as it facilitates comparisons with the performance of other companies in the financial services industry. The Company believes the presentation of interest and dividend income, yield on interest earnings assets, net interest income and net interest margin on an FTE basis ensures the comparability of interest and dividend income, yield on interest earning assets, net interest income and net interest margin arising from both taxable and tax-exempt sources and is consistent with industry practice. Interest and dividend income (GAAP) per the Consolidated Statements of Income is reconciled to interest and dividend income adjusted on an FTE basis, yield on interest earning assets (GAAP) is reconciled to yield on interest earning assets adjusted on an FTE basis, net interest income (GAAP) is reconciled to net interest income adjusted on an FTE basis and net interest margin (GAAP) is reconciled to net interest margin adjusted on an FTE basis in the "Results of Operations and Financial Condition - Net Interest Income" section of this MD&A for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Although management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure enhances an investor’sinvestors’ understanding of our business and performance, this non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered an alternative to GAAP or considered to be more importantrelevant than financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable with similar non-GAAP measures which may be presented by other companies.

The Company believes the presentation

36

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates

The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to GAAP and predominant practice in the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Over time, these estimates, assumptions and judgments may prove to be inaccurate or vary from actual results and may significantly affect our reported results and financial position for the periods presented or in future periods. We currently view the determination of the allowance for loancredit losses goodwill and income taxes to be critical, because they areit is made in accordance with GAAP, is highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments, assumptions and estimates made by management.

management and have had or is reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

We have identified the following critical accounting estimate:
Allowance for LoanCredit Losses

We account for (“ACL”)

The ACL represents an amount which, in management's judgment, is adequate to absorb expected credit losses over the credit risk associated with our lending activities through the allowance and provision for loan losses. The allowance represents management’s best estimatelife of probable incurred losses that have been incurred in our existing loan portfoliooutstanding loans as of the balance sheet date. The provision is a periodic charge to earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriatedate based on management’s assessmentthe evaluation of probable estimated losses.

Management determines and reviews with the Board the adequacycurrent risk characteristics of the allowance onloan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and prepayment experience. The ACL is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. The ACL is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries of previous losses, and is increased by a provision or decreased by a recovery for credit losses, which is recorded as a current period operating expense.

Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently complex and requires the use of significant and highly subjective estimates. The reasonableness of the ACL is reviewed quarterly basisby management.
Management believes it uses relevant information available to make determinations about the ACL and that it has established the existing allowance in accordance with GAAP. However, the methodology described below:

·Individual loans are selected for review in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310, “Receivables.” These are generally large balance commercial loans and commercial mortgages that are rated less than “satisfactory” based on our internal credit-rating process.

·We assess whether the loans identified for review in step one are “impaired,” which means that it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual termsdetermination of the loan agreement, which generally represents loans that management has placed on nonaccrual status.

·For impaired loans we calculate the estimated fair value of the loans that are selected for review based on observable market prices, discounted cash flows or the value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell and record an allowance if needed. We individually evaluate all impaired loans greater than or equal to $1.0 million for additional impairment. In addition, we evaluate credits, which have complex loan structures, with balances less than $1.0 million for impairment. Impaired loans are reevaluated quarterly for additional impairment and adjustments to fair value less costs to sell are made, where appropriate. For collateral dependent loans, the first stage of our impairment analysis involves management’s inspection of the property in question to affirm the condition has not deteriorated since the previous impairment analysis date. The second stage involves an assessment of current trends in the regional market. After thorough consideration of these factors, management will either internally evaluate fair value or order a new appraisal. In circumstances where we feel confident in its ability to collect and analyze salient information on the subject collateral and its surrounding real estate market, an in-house valuation will be utilized.

·We then select pools of homogeneous smaller balance loans, having similar risk characteristics, as well as unimpaired larger commercial loans, that have similar risk characteristics, for evaluation collectively under the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” These smaller balance loans generally include residential mortgages, consumer loans, installment loans and some commercial loans.

41

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

·The FASB ASC Topic 450 loans are segmented into groups with similar characteristics and an allowance for loan losses is allocated to each segment based on recent loss history and other relevant information.

·We then review the results to determine the appropriate balance of the allowance for loan losses. This review includes consideration of additional factors, such as the mix of loans in the portfolio, the balance of the allowance relative to total loans and nonperforming assets, trends in the overall risk profile in the portfolio, trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual loans, and local and national economic information and industry data, including trends in the industries we believe are higher risk.

There are many factors affecting the allowance for loan losses; some are quantitative, while others require qualitative judgment. These factors require the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, appraised values on impaired loans, estimated losses for each loan category based on historical loss experience by category, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible toACL requires significant judgment, and change. Toestimates of expected credit losses in the extent that actual outcomes differ from estimates, additional provisions for loan losses could be required that could adversely affect our earnings or financial position in future periods. The loan portfolio representscan vary from the largest asset categoryamounts actually observed. While management uses available information to recognize expected credit losses, future additions to the ACL may be necessary based on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company intends to adopt ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses, or CECL,changes in the first quarterloans comprising the portfolio, changes in the current and forecasted economic conditions, changes to the interest rate environment which may directly impact prepayment and curtailment rate assumptions, and changes in the financial condition of 2021, whichborrowers.

Management will impactperiodically assess what adjustments are necessary to qualitatively adjust the measurementACL based on their assessment of current expected credit losses and other economic factors. Various regulatory agencies also review the Company’s allowance for credit losses (includingas an integral part of their examination process. The Company periodically engages a third party to validate the allowance for losses on lending-related commitments). CECL replacesmodel. We believe the previous incurred loss methodology, discussed above, which delays recognition until such loss is probable, with a methodology that reflects an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses considering current economic condition and forecasts. Though other assets, including investment securities and other receivables, are considered in-scope of the standard and will require a measurementlevel of the allowance for credit loss, the most significant impact of CECL remains within the Company’s loan portfolios and related lending commitments.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair valuelosses is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price)appropriate as recorded in the principal or most advantageousconsolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023. As future events cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.

The ACL “base case” model is derived from various economic forecasts provided by widely recognized sources. Management evaluates the variability of market forconditions by examining the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We use various valuation techniques to determine fair value, including market, incomepeak and cost approaches. Theretrough of economic cycles. These peaks and troughs are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets thatstress the base case model to develop a range of potential outcomes. Management then determines the appropriate reserve through an entity has the abilityevaluation of these various outcomes relative to access as of the measurement date, or observable inputs.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active,current economic conditions and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

42

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. When that occurs, we classify the fair value hierarchy on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Securities: The fair values of securities available-for-sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, if available. This valuation method is classified as Level 1known risks in the fair value hierarchy.portfolio. For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated on market pricesthe year ended December 31, 2023 the range of similar securities,outcomes would produce a 16.98% reduction or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique, used widely18.80% increase in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Matrix pricing relies on the securities’ relationship to similarly traded securities, benchmark curves, and the benchmarking of like securities. Matrix pricing utilizes observable market inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic events. In instances where broker quotes are used, these quotes are obtained from market makers or broker-dealers recognized to be market participants. This valuation method is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators. This valuation method is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Impaired Loans: Impaired loans with an outstanding balance equal to or greater than $1.0 million are evaluated for potential specific reserves and adjusted, if a shortfall exists, to fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is measured based on the value of the underlying collateral securing the loan if repayment is expected solely from the sale or operation of the collateral or present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual interest rate if the loan is not determinedbest and worst case scenarios, respectively.

Refer to be collateral dependent. All impaired loans with a specific reserve are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value for collateral dependent loans is determined using several methods. Generally, the fair value of real estate is determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. These routine adjustments are made to adjust the value of a specific property relative to comparable properties for variations in qualities such as location, size, and income production capacity relative to the subject property of the appraisal. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Subsequent to the initial impairment date, existing impaired loans are reevaluated quarterly for additional impairment and adjustments to fair value less costs to sell are made, where appropriate. For collateral dependent loans, the first stage of our impairment analysis involves management’s inspection of the property in question to affirm the condition has not deteriorated since the previous impairment analysis date. Management also engages in conversations with local real estate professionals and market participants to determine the likely marketing time and value range for the property. The second stage involves an assessment of current trends in the regional market. After thorough consideration of these factors, management will either internally evaluate fair value or order a new appraisal. In circumstances where we feel confident in its ability to collect and analyze salient information on the subject collateral and its surrounding real estate market, an in house valuation shall be utilized. Factors which should be considered in an in house valuation are timing of sale, location and neighborhood, size of the structure and land component, age of any improvements, and other attributes as warranted by the Company. This determination is made on a property-by-property basis in light of circumstances in the broader economic climate and our assessment of deterioration of real estate values in the market in which the property is located. When we feel we cannot collect and analyze salient information on the subject collateral or the collateral’s real estate market, a full appraisal will be utilized.

43

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIE

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

For non-collateral dependent loans, the fair value is determined by updating the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate to reflect the payment schedule for the remaining life of the loan.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”): OREO is evaluated at the time of acquisition and is recorded at fair value as determined by an appraisal or evaluation, less costs to sell. After acquisition, most OREO assets are revalued every twelve months, or more frequently when deemed necessary by management based upon changes in market, or collateral conditions. For smaller OREO assets with existing carrying values less than $0.5 million, management may elect to revalue the assets, at minimum, once every twenty-four months based on the size of the exposure. Write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of its carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. Such adjustments can be significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. At December 31, 2020 our OREO assets were in compliance with our OREO policy as set forth above, and substantially all of the assets were listed for sale with credible third-party real estate brokers.

Goodwill

Goodwill assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually and written down and charged to results of operations only in periods in which the recorded value is more than the estimated fair value. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives and are periodically evaluated for impairment.

The unprecedented decline in economic conditions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in stock market valuations in March 2020, including our stock price. These triggering events indicated that goodwill related to our single reporting unit may be impaired and we expected to evaluate goodwill for impairment quarterly given the current environment.

During the first quarter of 2020, with the recent volatility in the financial services industry and in our economic environment we determined it prudent to have a full goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2020 updated as of June 30, 2020. We performed the goodwill impairment test by determining the fair value of the reporting unit. We engaged a third-party financial advisor to prepare the market and income approaches in order to determine fair value. Their analysis supported the conclusion that the fair value of our common stock at June 30, 2020 was greater than both stated and tangible common book value and therefore no impairment to the goodwill was recorded at June 30, 2020.

As we monitored our performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to experience declines in our stock price in relation to other bank indices and the length of time that the market value of the reporting unit had been below its book value, we completed another interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020. Various valuation methodologies were considered when completing the quantitative impairment test to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit which is then compared to its carrying value, including goodwill. Upon completing the quantitative impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020, the analysis estimated fair value of the reporting unit to be less than the carrying value. Therefore, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $62.2 million, which represented the entire amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This was a non-cash charge to earnings and had no impact on our regulatory capital ratios, cash flows, liquidity position, or our overall financial strength.

44

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Income Taxes

We estimate income tax expense based on amounts expected to be owed to the tax jurisdictions where we conduct business. On a quarterly basis, management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate based upon its current estimate of the amount and components of net income, tax credits and the applicable statutory tax rates expected for the full year.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability method and are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Management assesses all available positive and negative evidence on a quarterly basis to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. The amount of future taxable income used in management’s valuation is based upon management approved forecasts, evaluation of historical earnings levels, proven ability to raise capital to support growth or during times of economic stress and consideration of prudent and feasible potential tax strategies. If future events differ from our current forecasts, a valuation allowance may be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Accrued taxes payable or receivable represent the net estimated amount due to or due from taxing jurisdictions and are reported in other liabilities and other assets, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management evaluates and assesses the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and maintains tax accruals consistent with its evaluation of these relative risks and merits. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance. These changes, when they occur, can affect deferred taxes and accrued taxes, as well as the current period’s income tax expense and can be significant to our operating results.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments

Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included in Part II, Item 8for further detailed descriptions of this Report, discusses new accounting pronouncements that we have adopted during 2020.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The amendments in this ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptionsour estimation process and improves the consistent application of GAAP by clarifying and amending other existing guidance. The amendments in this ASU will be effective on January 1, 2021 and are not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The amendments in this ASU provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from LIBOR toward new interest rate benchmarks. Modified contracts that meet certain scope guidance are eligible for relief from the modification accounting requirements in US GAAP. The optional guidance generally allows for the modified contract to be accounted for as a continuation of the existing contract and does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. The amendments in this ASU are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are evaluating the impacts of this ASU and have not yet determined whether LIBOR transition and this ASU will have material effects on our business operations and consolidated financial statements.

45

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, universally referred to as Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”). The amendments in this ASU, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. For periodic report filers that are not smaller reporting companies, such as the Company, this standard (Topic 326) is effective as of January 1, 2020.

The Company has elected to take advantage of Section 4014 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) provision to temporarily delay adoption of the CECL methodology. The Bank was subject to the adoption of the CECL accounting method under ASU 2016-03 and related amendments, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). However, the Bank elected under the CARES Act to defer the implementation of CECL until the earlier of when the national emergencymethodology related to the outbreakACL and Note 6, Allowance for Credit Losses, of COVID-19 ends or December 31, 2020 which was later extended to January 1, 2022. The Company intends to adopt in the first quarter of 2021 as allowed under the provisions of the CARES Act. The Bank’s CECL Committee, which includes members from Credit Administration, Accounting/Finance, Risk Managementthis Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our Business and Internal Audit, has oversight by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Credit Officer. We engaged a third-party to assist us in developing our CECL model and to assist with evaluation of data and methodologies related to this standard.

As part of its process of adopting CECL, management implemented a third-party software solution and determined appropriate loan segments, methodologies, model assumptions and qualitative components. Our CECL model includes portfolio loan segmentation based upon similar risk characteristics and both a quantitative and qualitative component of the calculation which incorporates a forecasting component of certain economic variables. Our implementation plan also includes the assessment and documentation of appropriate processes, policies and internal controls. Management had a third-party independent consultant review and validate our CECL model.

Parallel runs utilizing data from the current and previous quarters in 2020 and 2019, incorporate elements of our operational procedures and internal controls. Our current parallel run includes the composition, characteristics and quality of our loan portfolio as well as current market economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date.

In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on certain debt securities. Based upon the nature and characteristics of our securities portfolio at the adoption date, management does not expect to record any allowance for credit losses on its debt securities as a result of adopting ASU 2016-13.

The ultimate impact of adopting ASU 2016-13, and at each subsequent reporting period, is highly dependent on credit quality, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, composition of our loans and available-for-sale securities portfolio, along with other management judgments. The transition adjustment to record the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) will be applied using a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings.

46
Strategy

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Executive Overview

Carter Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Martinsville, Virginia with assets of $4.2$4.5 billion at December 31, 2020.2023. The Company is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Carter Bank & Trust (the “Bank”). The Bank is ana Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (“FDIC”) insured, Virginia state-chartered bank, which operates 65 branches in Virginia and North Carolina. The Company provides a full range of financial services with retail, and

37

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
commercial banking products and insurance. Per the 2019 Annual Report of the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, our Company continues to be the fourth largest state-chartered bank by assets size at year end 2019. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “CARE.”

“CARE”.

The Company earns revenue primarily from interest on loans and securities and fees charged for financial services provided to our customers. The Company incurs expenses for the cost of deposits, provision for loancredit losses and other operating costs such as salaries and employee benefits, data processing, occupancy and income tax expense.

Our mission is that the Company strives to be the preferred lifetime financial partner for our customersprovision.

Beginning in 2023, and shareholders,continuing into 2024 and the employer of choice in the communities2025, the Company is privilegedfocusing on refining and enhancing its brand image and position in the markets it serves. To strengthen and further shape the culture of the Company, a new set of guiding principles were introduced to serve. Our strategic plan focuses onassociates in June 2023. The guiding principles include a new purpose statement: To create opportunities for more people and businesses to prosper; supported by our new set of core values: Build Relationships, Earn Trust and Take Ownership. We believe these new guiding principles will help create alignment to support future growth by empowering our associates and igniting a passion for the Company.
The Company’s goal is to shift from restructuring the balance sheet to provide more diversificationpursuing a prudent growth strategy when appropriate. We believe this strategy will be primarily targeted at organic growth, but will also consider opportunistic acquisitions that fit this strategic vision. We believe that the Bank’s strong capital and higher yielding assetsliquidity positions support this strategy. In addition to increase the net interest margin. Another area of focus is the transformation of the infrastructure of the Company to provide a foundation for operational efficiency and provide new products and services for our customers that will ultimately increase noninterest income.

Our focus continues to be on loan and deposit growth, with a shift in the composition of deposits to more low cost core deposits with less dependence in higher cost certificates of deposits (“CDs”), as well as, implementing opportunitiesCompany will seek to increase fee income while closely monitoring our operating expenses.

The Company is focused on executing ourthis strategy to successfully build our new brand and grow our business in our markets.

FRB Reserve Programscurrent markets as well as any new markets we may enter. As part of executing this strategy, the Company continues to dedicate significant resources to resolving the Company’s nonaccrual loans, the significant majority of which are related to a single large lending relationship that the Company placed on nonaccrual status in the second quarter of 2023 due to loan maturities and Initiatives

failure to pay in full, in a manner that best protects the Company, the Bank and shareholders. The CARES Act encouragesCompany is also dedicating significant resources to resolving pending litigation related to this single large lending relationship in a manner that best protects the FRB, in coordination withCompany, the SecretaryBank and shareholders.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Earnings Summary
2023 Highlights
Net interest income decreased $17.6 million, or 12.6%, to $122.3 million for the Treasury, to establish or implement various programs to help midsize businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities, including (i) a Midsize Business/Nonprofit Organization Program to provide financing to banks and other lenders to make direct loans to eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations with between 500 and 10,000 employees and (ii) the Municipal Liquidity Facility, provide liquidityyear ended December 31, 2023 compared to the financial system that supports statessame period in 2022 primarily due to an increase of 156 basis points in funding costs and municipalities. On April 9, 2020, the FRB announced and solicited comments regarding$30.0 million year-to-date negative impact of placing the Main Street Lending Program, which would implement certainBank’s largest lending relationship in nonaccrual status during the second quarter of these recommendations.

Separately and2023, partially offset by an increase of 59 basis points in responsethe yield on earning assets due to COVID-19, the FRB’s Federal Open Market Committee (the “FOMC”) has set the federal funds target rate – i.e., thehigher interest rate at which depository institutions such asenvironment;

The provision for credit losses increased $3.1 million to $5.5 million for the Company lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight on an uncollateralized basis – to an historic low. On March 16, 2020, the FOMC set the federal funds target rate at 0-0.25%. Consistent with FRB policy, the FRB has committedyear ended December 31, 2023, compared to the use of overnight reverse repurchase agreements as a supplementary policy tool, as necessary,same period in 2022;
Total noninterest income decreased $3.4 million to help control the federal funds rate and keep it in the target range set by the FOMC.

In addition, the FRB has expanded the size and scope of three existing programs to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: (i) the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility; (ii) the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility; and (iii) the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility. The FRB has also established two new program facilities – the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility and the Commercial Paper Funding Facility – to broaden its support$18.3 million for the flowyear ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022;

Total noninterest expense increased $8.5 million to $105.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022; and
Provision for income taxes decreased $6.3 million to $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
38

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

Temporary Regulatory Capital Relief related

Balance Sheet Highlights (period-end balances, December 31, 2023 compared to ImpactDecember 31, 2022)
The securities portfolio decreased $57.3 million and is currently 17.3% of CECL

Concurrent with enactmenttotal assets compared to 19.9% of the CARES Act, the federal bank regulatory authorities issued an interim final rule to provide banking organizations that are required to implement CECL before the end of 2020 the option to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital by up to two years, with a three-year transition period to phase out the cumulative benefit to regulatory capital provided during the two-year delay.

Temporary Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) Reporting Relief

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) has provided targeted relief from certain BSA reporting requirements and have provided updated guidance to financial institutions on complying with such requirements during COVID-19. Specifically, FinCEN has (i) granted targeted relief to financial institutions participating in the PPP, stating that PPPtotal assets;

Total portfolio loans to existing customers will not require reverification under applicable BSA requirements, unless reverification is otherwise required under the financial institution’s risk-based BSA compliance program, (ii) acknowledged that there may be “reasonable delays in compliance”increased $357.0 million, or 11.3%, primarily due to COVID-19, and (iii) temporarily suspended implementation of its February 2020 ruling, which would have entailed significant changes to currency transaction reporting filing requirements for transactions involving sole proprietorships and entities operating under a “doing business as” or other assumed name.

The Company’s Response to COVID-19

Lending Operations

The Company elected to take advantage of Section 4014 of the CARES Act provision to temporarily delay adoption of the CECL methodology. The Company is subject to the adoption of the CECL accounting method under the FASBASU 2016-03 and related amendments, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). However, we elected under the CARES Act to defer the implementation of CECL until January 1, 2021.

The Company quickly responded to the pandemic and the CARES Act, offering the option of payment deferrals, participationloan growth in the PPP, fee waivers and other relief actions to customers. Banks have been identified as essential services and have remained open during the order. On October 31, 2020, we opened 3 additional branch lobbies and as of December 31, 2020, the Company had opened the lobbies of 36 branches. However, the Company continues to serve its customers in the remaining branches through modified hours in both the drive-ins and branch services via appointment. Every opportunity is being taken to protect both customers and employees through enhanced cleaning services, social distancing and personal protective equipment requirements for both. Approximately 20% of the Company’s workforce is working remotely.

Under the CARES Act, PPP is an amendment to the SBA 7-A loan program. The Bank became an approved SBA 7A lender in November of 2019. PPP is a guaranteed, unsecured loan program created to fund certain payroll and operating costs of eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons during COVID-19. Initially, $349 billion were approved and designated for PPP in order for the SBA to guarantee 100% of collective loans made under the program to eligible small businesses, nonprofits, veteran’s organizations, and tribal businesses. The Company participated in the initial round of funding though a referral relationship with a third-party, non-bank lender. When an additional $310 billion in funds were approved and designated for PPP, we opted to stand up an internal, automated loan process utilizing our core system provider. As of December 31, 2020 we processed either through a third-party or internally 966 PPP loans totaling $57.8 million, represented by $17.9 million and $39.9 million processed in round one and round two, respectively. During 2021 the Company has continued making PPP loans pursuant to the additional PPP authorization that was contained in the December 2020 COVID-19 relief law.

48

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The FRB implemented a liquidity facility available to financial institutions participating in the PPP. However, the Company opted to fund all PPP loans through our internal liquidity sources. These loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and do not represent a credit risk. We expect the vast majority of these PPP loans will be forgiven based upon a preliminary review of the loans.

The Company provides deferrals to customers under Section 4013 of the CARES Act and regulatory interagency statements on loan modifications, which suspends the requirement to categorize these deferrals as TDRs. The Part I program was launched in March 2020 and expired at the end of August 2020. The deferrals in Part I typically provided deferral of both principal and interest through the expiry. The Part II program was launched in July 2020 and expired at the end of December 2020. The deferrals in this program were needs based and required the collection of updated financial information and in certain situations, the validation of liquidity to support the business. Prior to the extension of the CARES Act, the Company launched the Part III program that offered borrowers in the Part II program an extension of deferrals through June 2021. For those borrowers who opted into the Part III program, they are required to provide monthly financial statements and remit payments on a quarterly basis based on excess cash flows, if any, up to their otherwise contractual payment. Management expects the majority of deferrals in the Part III program to be principal only deferrals. At the end of the deferral period, for term loans, payments will be applied to accrued interest first and will resume principal payments once accrued interest is current. Deferred principal will be due at maturity. For interest only loans, such as lines of credit, deferred interest will be due at maturity.

As of December 31, 2020, we had 83 total customers opt for deferrals under Part III of the program which continues through June 30, 2021, with an aggregate principal balance of $388.6 million with $11.1 million in deferred principal and interest payments. The weighted average deferment period for these loans is 5.9 months. Approximately $313.9 million, comprised of 56 loan modifications, were in the hospitality industry.

The following table provides detail of the Bank’s deferred loans as of December 31, 2020:

           Weighted
Average
Deferment
  Total Deferment
(Dollars in thousands) Number
of Loans
  Loan
Principal
  Percent of
Outstanding
  Period
(months)
  Principal  Interest 
Commercial                  
Commercial Real Estate  81  $382,437   12.98%  6.0  $269,414  $113,023 
Commercial and Industrial  1   6,000   0.20%  6.0   -   6,000 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  1   163   0.01%  4.0   163   - 
Total Commercial Loans Consumer  83   388,600   13.18%  5.9   269,577   119,023 
Residential Mortgages  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Other Consumer  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total Consumer Loans  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total Aggregate Deferred Payments  83  $388,600   13.18%  5.9  $269,577  $119,023 

49

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Our interest income could be reduced due to COVID-19. In keeping with guidance from regulators, we are actively working with COVID-19 affected borrowers to defer their payments, interest, and fees. Interest and fees will still accrue to income through normal GAAP accounting. Should eventual credit losses on these deferred payments emerge, interest income and fees accrued would need to be reversed. In such a scenario, interest income in future periods could be negatively impacted. At this time, we are unable to project the significance of such an impact, if any but recognize the breadth of the economic impact may affect our borrowers’ ability to repay in future periods.

The Company’s exposure to hospitality at December 31, 2020 equated to approximately $497.2 million, or 16.9% of total portfolio loans. These were mostly loans secured by upscale or top tier flagged hotels, which have historically exhibited low leverage and strong operating cash flows. However, we anticipate that a significant portion of our borrowers in the hotel industry will continue to operate at occupancy levels at or below breakeven which has caused, or will cause, them to draw on their existing lines of credit with other financial institutions or other sources of liquidity and may adversely affect their ability to repay existing indebtedness. These developments, together with the current economic conditions generally, may adversely impact the value of real estate collateral in hospitality and other commercial real estate exposure. As a result, we anticipate that our financial condition, capital levels(“CRE”), residential mortgage and results of operations could be adversely affected.

construction segments during the year ended December 31, 2023;

The total balance of allowance for loan losses increased $15.3 million during 2020 whichportfolio loans to deposit ratio was comprised of an increase in specific reserves of $9.1 million and an increase in general reserves of $6.2 million. The $6.2 million increase in general reserves included an increase of $16.1 million in qualitative reserves offset by a decrease of $9.9 million in quantitative reserves94.2%, compared to 86.7%, due to improvements in the Company’s loss history. The $16.1 million increase in qualitative reserves included $9.6 million due to general economic uncertainties and specific concerns regarding disruptions to the Company’s hospitality clients caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and an additional $6.5 million based on general economic, geo-political and other risk factors determined by management. These qualitative reserves are intended to reflect not only the risks of continued weak economic conditions on our loan portfolio, but also loss estimates identified in loan portfolios deemed to be at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company adjusted qualitative risk factors under its incurred loss model for economic conditions, changes in payment deferral procedures, expected changes in collateral values due to reduced cash flows and external factors such as government actions. Management believes the uncertainty regarding customers' ability to repay loans could be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic given higher unemployment rates, requests for payment deferrals, temporary business shutdowns and reduced consumer and business spending.

Retail Operations

The Company will continue to promote digital banking options through our website. Customers are encouraged to utilize online and mobile banking tools and our customer contact center for personal and automated telephone banking services.  Retail branches are staffed and available to assist customers by offering lobby appointments, drive-up and virtual servicing.

In March 2020, we closed all branch lobbies to customer activity, offering drive-up and appointment only services. On October 31, 2020, we opened 31 branch lobbies and as of December 31, 2020, we had 36 branch lobbies open.  Retail leadership continues to monitor branch traffic and local conditions daily making adjustments as needed.  All branches are equipped with video conferencing and online tools that enable virtual servicing.   When we make the decision to open the remainder of our branch lobbies, plans are in place to resume full-service lobby operations augmented with the virtual and online servicing enhancements deployed over the past year.   We continue to pay all employees according to their normal work schedule, even if their hours have been reduced. No employees have been furloughed. Employees whose job responsibilities can be effectively carried out remotely are working from home. Employees whose critical duties require their continued presence on-site are utilizing personal protection equipment and observing social distancing and cleaning protocols.

50
growth;

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Our fee income for 2020 was negatively impacted due to COVID-19 by approximately $1.5 million. In keeping with guidance from regulators, we are actively working with COVID-19 affected customers to waive fees from a variety of sources, such as, but not limited to, insufficient funds and overdraft fees and account maintenance fees, etc. These reductions in fees are thought, at this time, to be temporary in conjunction with the length of the expected COVID-19 related economic crisis. Beginning on July 20, 2020, certain account fees were reinstated. The breadth of the economic impact is likely to continue to impact our fee income in future periods.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2020, all of the Company’s capital ratios were in excess of all regulatory requirements. An extended economic recession brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact our reported regulatory capital ratios.

We maintain access to multiple sources of liquidity. Funding sources accessible to the Company include borrowing availability at the FHLB, equal to 25% of the Company’s assets approximating $1.0 billion, subject to the amount of eligible collateral pledged, federal funds unsecured lines with six other correspondent financial institutions in the amount of $145.0 million and access to the institutional CD market through brokered CDs. In addition to the above resources, the Company also has $632.7 million of unpledged available-for-sale securities as an additional source of liquidity at December 31, 2020. If an extended recession caused large numbers of our deposit customers to withdraw their funds, we might become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

The Company is monitoring and will continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has taken and will continue to take steps to mitigate the potential risks and impact on our liquidity and capital resources. Due to the economic uncertainty, we are taking a prudent approach to capital management and have established access to the FRB’s PPP Lending Facility.

Earnings Summary

We recognized a net loss of $45.9 million, or ($1.74) per share in 2020, resulting in a decrease of $72.4 million, or 272.6% compared to net income of $26.6 million, or $1.01 per share for the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a one-time goodwill impairment charge of $62.2 million that was recorded in the third quarter of 2020. Excluding this one-time charge, adjusted net income was $16.3 million in 2020. Also contributing to the net loss and the decrease in net income and adjusted net income for the year was an increase in the provision for loan losses of $14.6 million. Net income is reconciled to adjusted net income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, below in the “Explanation of Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.

Net interest income decreased $7.2 million, or 6.4%, to $105.1 million in 2020 compared to $112.3 million for the same period in 2019. Net interest margin decreased 23 basis points to 2.74% in 2020 compared to 2.97% in 2019. The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, (or “FTE”), decreased 25 basis points to 2.80% in 2020 compared to 3.05% in 2019. The decreases in short-term interest rates had a negative impact on both net interest income and the net interest margin, but are offset by a lower cost of funds. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased 54 basis points in 2020, offset by a 34 basis point decline in funding costs as compared to 2019. Net interest margin is reconciled to net interest income adjusted to an FTE basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, below in the “Net Interest Income” section of this MD&A.

51

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The provision for loan losses increased $14.6 million, or 429.0% to $18.0 million during 2020 compared to $3.4 million in 2019. The total balance of reserves increased $15.3 million during 2020 which was comprised of an increase in specific reserves of $9.1 million and an increase in general reserves of $6.2 million. The $6.2 million increase in general reserves included an increase of $16.1 million in qualitative reserves offset by a decrease of $9.9 million in quantitative reserves due to improvements in the Company’s loss history. The $16.1 million increase in qualitative reserves included $9.6 million due to general economic uncertainties and specific concerns regarding disruptions to the Company’s hospitality clients caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and an additional $6.5 million based on general economic, geo-political and other risk factors determined by management.

At December 31, 2020, nonperforming loans and TDRs were $32.0 million compared to $42.1 million at December 31, 2019, a decrease of $10.1 million, or 24.0%. Net charge-offs were $2.7 million in 2020 compared to $3.8 million in 2019. As a percentage of total portfolio loans, net charge-offs were 0.09% at December 31, 2020 compared to 0.13% at December 31, 2019. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total portfolio loans was 1.09% and 1.46% as ofwere 8.83% compared to 0.21% at December 31, 20202022. The significant increase is due to loans contained in the Other segment with an aggregate principal balance of $301.9 million that were placed into nonaccrual status due to loan maturities and failure to pay in full during the second quarter of 2023. These loans comprise 97.5% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2019, respectively.

2023;

Total noninterest incomedeposits increased $9.7$89.4 million or 57.6%2.5% to $3.7 billion at December 31, 2023 due to increases of $29.4 million in money market accounts and $325.1 million in CDs, offset by a total decrease of $265.1 million in noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing demand and savings accounts; and
The ACL to total portfolio loans ratio was 2.77% compared to 2.98%. The ACL on portfolio loans totaled $97.1 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $93.9 million at December 31, 2022.
The Company reported net income of $23.4 million, to $26.6 millionor $1.00 diluted earnings per share for the full year 2020ended December 31, 2023 compared to $16.9net income of $50.1 million, or $2.03 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2019, primarily driven by the impact of a $6.9 million in net securities gains. Securities gains increased $4.7 million to $6.9 million during 2020 compared to $2.2 million during 2019 to take advantage of market opportunities and reposition and diversify holdings in the securities portfolio. Other key factors impacting total noninterest income during 2020 were $4.1 million of commercial loan swap fee income throughout 2020, due to the high demand for this product in the current low interest rate environment and $0.7 million of higher debit card interchange fees, $0.5 million of higher insurance commissions and $0.5 million in other noninterest income. These increases were offset by lower service charges, commissions and fees of $0.3 million due to COVID-19 waivers and OREO income of $0.3 million. OREO income declined due to the sale of several large commercial properties that generated income.

Total noninterest expense increased $60.8 million, or 62.0%, to $158.8 million for the full year 2020 compared to $98.0 million for the same period in 2019, primarily driven by the impact of a $62.2 million one-time goodwill impairment charge during the third quarter of 2020. Other key factors impacting total noninterest expense during 2020 were a $1.6 million increase in occupancy expenses, a $1.0 million increase in FDIC expense due to the $1.1 million one-time credit for eligible institutions available in the third quarter of 2019, a $0.4 million increase in data processing licensing fee and a $0.5 million increase in professional and legal fees. Offsetting these increases were decreases of $3.3 million related to losses on sales and write-downs of OREO due to the write-down of $1.1 million on five closed retail branch offices moved to OREO in the third quarter of 2020, a $1.2 million decrease in tax credit amortization and a decrease of $0.5 million in salaries and employee benefits attributable to our branch network optimization project.

The provision for income taxes decreased $0.4 million to $0.8 million in 2020 compared to $1.2 million in 2019. The decrease in pretax income of $72.9 million for the full year 2020 was primarily due to the full goodwill impairment charge of $62.2 million that was recorded in the third quarter of 2020. Our effective tax rate was (1.7%) for 2020 as compared to 4.4% in 2019. The $62.2 million goodwill impairment charge was the reason for the decreased effective tax rate in 2020. The goodwill impairment charge was not tax deductible. We ordinarily generate an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of 21% due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest and tax credit projects, which are relatively consistent regardless of the level of pretax income.

52

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Year Ended ended December 31, 2020

2022.

Years Ended December 31,
PERFORMANCE RATIOS202320222021
Return on Average Assets0.53 %1.21 %0.76 %
Return on Average Shareholders' Equity6.79 %14.30 %7.92 %
Portfolio Loans to Deposit Ratio94.20 %86.69 %76.03 %
Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans2.77 %2.98 %3.41 %
Nonperforming Loans to Total Portfolio Loans8.83 %0.21 %0.26 %
Net Interest Income

Our principal source of revenue is net interest income. Net interest income represents the difference between the interest and fees earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by changes in the average balance of interest-earning assets, and interest-bearing liabilities, andas well as changes in interest rates and spreads. The level and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is managed by our Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”), in order to mitigate interest rate and liquidity risks of the balance sheet. A variety of ALCO strategies were implemented, within prescribed ALCO risk parameters, to produce what the Company believes is an acceptable level of net interest income.

The

Net interest income on interest-earning assets and the net interest margin are presented on an FTE basis, which is a non-GAAP measure.basis. The FTE basis (non-GAAP) adjusts net interest income and net interest margin for the tax benefit of income on certain tax-exempt loans and securities using the applicable federal statutory tax rate for each period (which was 21% for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018)periods presented) and the dividend-received deduction for equity securities. The Company believes this FTE basis presentation provides a relevant comparison between taxable and non-taxable sources of interest income.

Refer to the “Explanation of Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for additional discussion regarding the non-GAAP measures used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table reconciles interest and dividend income (GAAP), yield on interest-earning assets (GAAP), net interest margin (GAAP) and net interest income per the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income to net interest and dividend income on an FTE basis for the periods presented:

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Total Interest Income $140,941  $159,120  $152,019 
Total Interest Expense  35,826   46,773   38,114 
Net Interest Income per Consolidated Statements of Net (Loss) Income  105,115   112,347   113,905 
Adjustment to FTE Basis  2,375   3,046   3,816 
Net Interest Income (FTE) (non-GAAP) $107,490  $115,393  $117,721 
Net Interest Margin  2.74%  2.97%  3.00%
Adjustment to FTE Basis  0.06%  0.08%  0.10%
Net Interest Income (FTE) (non-GAAP)  2.80%  3.05%  3.10%

Average Balance Sheet and Net Interest Income Analysis (FTE)

Total net interest income decreased $7.2 million, or 6.4%, to $105.1 million in 2020, as compared to $112.3 million in 2019. Net interest income, on an FTE basis (non-GAAP), decreased $7.9 million, or 6.8%, to $107.5 million in 2020 as compared to $115.4 million in 2019. The decrease in net interest income, on an FTE basis, is driven by an $18.8 million decrease in interest income, offset by a $10.9 million decrease in interest expense during 2020 as compared to 2019. The decreases in short-term interest rates had a negative impact on both net interest income and the net interest margin, but are offset by a lower cost

39

basis (non-GAAP), yield on interest-earning assets on an FTE basis (non-GAAP), net interest margin on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) and net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP), respectively, for the periods presented:
(Dollars in Thousands)Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
Interest and Dividend Income (GAAP)$196,420 $160,182 $133,897 
Tax Equivalent Adjustment1,004 1,143 1,492 
Interest and Dividend Income (FTE) (Non-GAAP)197,424 161,325 135,389 
Average Earning Assets4,293,838 4,023,634 3,971,640 
Yield on Interest-earning Assets (GAAP)4.57 %3.98 %3.37 %
Yield on Interest-earning Assets (FTE) (Non-GAAP)4.60 %4.01 %3.41 %
Net Interest Income (GAAP)122,310 139,928 111,183 
Tax Equivalent Adjustment1,004 1,143 1,492 
Net Interest Income (FTE) (Non-GAAP)$123,314 $141,071 $112,675 
Average Earning Assets4,293,838 4,023,634 3,971,640 
Net Interest Margin (GAAP)2.85 %3.48 %2.80 %
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (Non-GAAP)2.87 %3.51 %2.84 %
Average Balance Sheet and Net Interest Income Analysis (FTE)
Total net interest income decreased $17.6 million, or 12.6% to $122.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was a result of the higher funding costs in 2023 as a result of the higher interest rate environment and the $30.0 million negative impact on interest income during the year ended December 31, 2023 related to the Company placing its largest lending relationship with an aggregate principal balance of $301.9 million on nonaccrual status in the second quarter of 2023. These decreases were partially offset by higher yields on new loan originations and investment securities.
Net interest income, on an FTE basis (non-GAAP), decreased $17.8 million, or 12.6%, to $123.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $141.1 million for the same period in 2022. The decreases in net interest income, on an FTE basis (non-GAAP), was driven by higher interest expense of $53.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022, offset by an increase in interest income of $36.1 million. Net interest margin decreased 63 basis points to 2.85% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 3.48% for the same period in 2022. Net interest margin, on an FTE basis (non-GAAP), decreased 64 basis points to 2.87% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 3.51% for the same period in 2022.
The Company’s net interest income and net interest margin will continue to be negatively impacted in future periods by the Company’s largest lending relationship being placed on nonaccrual status until it is ultimately resolved.
During 2023, there has been more pressure on our cost of funds due to the shift from non-maturing deposits to higher yielding money market and certificates of deposits and higher-cost borrowings, which has negatively impacted our net interest margin. We believe this trend is beginning to stabilize and will continue to stabilize in the coming quarters. Our balance sheet is currently exhibiting characteristics of a slightly liability sensitive balance sheet due to the short-term nature of our deposit portfolio. Specifically, 75.9% of our time deposit portfolio will mature and reprice over the next twelve months which gives us flexibility to manage the structure and pricing of our deposit portfolio to reduce funding costs, should the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) begin cutting short-term rates during 2024.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s yield on earning assets continued to benefit from the higher interest rate environment. However, the impacts of higher yields on earning assets may not be sufficient to offset the negative impacts of increased funding costs in the higher rate environment and the negative impacts on interest income related to the Company’s largest lending relationship being placed in nonaccrual status.
Positively impacting the year ended December 31, 2023 was the asset sensitivity of our balance sheet for the majority of the year. Yields on a large portion of our loan and securities portfolios adjusted upward as rates rise at a quicker rate than the rates on our deposits and other funding sources adjusted upward during the recent rising interest rate cycle. Yields on our loan
40

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
portfolio consist of 24.8% floating rates and 41.9% variable rates, while 47.2% of the securities portfolio is floating rate and adjust as interest rates increase. This positively impacts revenue and helps mitigate increased funding costs.
The following table provides information regarding the average balances, interest and rates earned on interest-earning assets and the average balances, interest and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
ASSETS Average
Balance(3)
  Income/
Expense
  Rate  Average
Balance
  Income/
Expense
  Rate  Average
Balance
  Income/
Expense
  Rate 
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks $104,526  $302   0.29% $123,946  $2,750   2.22% $134,406  $2,682   2.00%
Tax-Free Investment Securities (2)  47,364   1,567   3.31%  63,641   2,352   3.70%  153,036   5,375   3.51%
Taxable Investment Securities  697,408   14,264   2.05%  730,500   17,826   2.44%  753,023   15,421   2.05%
Tax-Free Loans (1)(2)  307,023   9,739   3.17%  379,090   12,154   3.21%  419,981   12,794   3.05%
Taxable Loans (1)  2,672,435   117,226   4.39%  2,489,105   126,940   5.10%  2,331,165   119,563   5.13%
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock  4,925   218   4.43%  2,352   144   6.12%  -   -   - 
Total Interest-Earning Assets $3,833,681  $143,316   3.74% $3,788,634  $162,166   4.28% $3,791,611  $155,835   4.11%
                                     
LIABILITIES                                    
Deposits:                                    
Interest-Bearing Demand $321,036  $1,140   0.36% $249,086  $2,004   0.80% $246,592  $1,959   0.79%
Money Market  197,225   924   0.47%  134,676   1,671   1.24%  96,068   694   0.72%
Savings  599,637   632   0.11%  582,195   1,388   0.24%  663,801   2,027   0.31%
Certificates of Deposit  1,818,837   32,695   1.80%  2,054,077   41,593   2.02%  2,090,103   33,414   1.60%
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits  2,936,735   35,391   1.21%  3,020,034   46,656   1.54%  3,096,564   38,094   1.23%
Borrowings:                                    
Federal Funds Purchased  55   1   1.82%  -   -   -   681   20   2.94%
FHLB Borrowings  30,628   361   1.18%  2,329   38   1.63%  -   -   - 
Other Borrowings  1,408   73   5.18%  1,042   79   7.58%  -   -   - 
Total Borrowings  32,091   435   1.36%  3,371   117   3.47%  681   20   2.94%
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities $2,968,826  $35,826   1.21% $3,023,405  $46,773   1.55% $3,097,245  $38,114   1.23%
Net Interest Income (2)     $107,490          $115,393          $117,721     
Net Interest Margin (2)          2.80%          3.05%          3.10%

(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Average
Balance
Income/
Expense
Yield/RateAverage
Balance
Income/
Expense
Yield/Rate
Average
Balance(3)
Income/
Expense
Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks$20,414 $1,066 5.22 %$50,797 $341 0.67 %$194,492 $271 0.14 %
Tax-Free Investment Securities (2)
27,271 803 2.94 %30,109 877 2.91 %34,171 1,116 3.27 %
Taxable Investment Securities900,972 30,804 3.42 %950,557 20,330 2.14 %798,672 12,442 1.56 %
Total Securities928,243 31,607 3.41 %980,666 21,207 2.16 %832,843 13,558 1.63 %
Tax-Free Loans (1)(2)
123,847 3,978 3.21 %144,617 4,568 3.16 %189,716 5,991 3.16 %
Taxable Loans (1)
3,200,992 159,317 4.98 %2,844,303 135,055 4.75 %2,751,169 115,448 4.20 %
Total Loans3,324,839 163,295 4.91 %2,988,920 139,623 4.67 %2,940,885 121,439 4.13 %
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock20,342 1,456 7.16 %3,251 154 4.74 %3,420 121 3.54 %
Total Interest-Earning Assets4,293,838 $197,424 4.60 %4,023,634 $161,325 4.01 %3,971,640 $135,389 3.41 %
Noninterest Earning Assets89,833 117,135 170,856 
Total Assets$4,383,671 $4,140,769 $4,142,496 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-Bearing Demand$483,048 $2,729 0.56 %$489,298 $1,578 0.32 %$413,714 $1,007 0.24 %
Money Market448,324 8,868 1.98 %521,269 1,842 0.35 %383,391 1,130 0.29 %
Savings544,938 586 0.11 %720,682 742 0.10 %663,382 682 0.10 %
Certificates of Deposit1,428,646 40,445 2.83 %1,271,548 14,454 1.14 %1,484,436 19,427 1.31 %
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits2,904,956 52,628 1.81 %3,002,797 18,616 0.62 %2,944,923 22,246 0.76 %
FHLB Borrowings402,675 20,822 5.17 %29,849 1,163 3.90 %25,986 313 1.20 %
Federal Funds Purchased7,023 368 5.24 %5,711 188 3.29 %— — — %
Other Borrowings6,337 292 4.61 %5,885 287 4.88 %3,167 155 4.89 %
Total Borrowings416,035 21,482 5.16 %41,445 1,638 3.95 %29,153 468 1.61 %
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities3,320,991 74,110 2.23 %3,044,242 20,254 0.67 %2,974,076 22,714 0.76 %
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities718,113 746,117 769,401 
Shareholders' Equity344,567 350,410 399,019 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$4,383,671 $4,140,769 $4,142,496 
Net Interest Income (2)
$123,314 $141,071 $112,675 
Net Interest Margin (2)
2.87 %3.51 %2.84 %
(1)Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

(2)Tax-exempt income is on an FTE basis using the statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21 percent.

(3)Loan and deposit balances include held-for-sale transactions in connection with sale of Bank branches.

41

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
Interest income increased $36.2 million, or 22.6% for 2023 compared to 2022. Interest income, on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) decreased $18.8, increased $36.1 million, or 11.6%22.4%, in 2020for 2023 compared to 2019. The decrease is primarily due to balance sheet repricing driven by the impact of the lower interest rate environment. We are currently maintaining higher liquidity levels as a result of COVID-19.2022. The change was primarily due to an increaseincreases in average interest-earning assets of $45.0$270.2 million for 2023, and higher interest rate yields on interest-earning assets of 59 basis points compared to 2022 due to the higher interest rate environment in 2020fiscal year 2023. These changes were offset by lower short-termthe negative impact of $30.0 million to interest rates compared to 2019. Average loan balances increased $111.3 million in 2020 compared to 2019 includes PPP loan production, which began in second quarter of 2020. Average PPP loansincome for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $24.7 million.2023 related to the Company placing its largest lending relationship on nonaccrual status, as noted above. Average interest-bearing deposits with banks decreased $30.4 million in 2023, and the average rate paid increased 455 basis points for 2023 compared to 2022 as funds were deployed into higher yielding loans.
Average loan balances increased $335.9 million primarily influenced by the consistent loan growth in 2023 as compared to 2022. Loans provide the greatest impact on interest income and the yield on earning assets as they have the largest balance and the highest yield within major earning asset categories. The average rate earned on loans decreased 59increased 24 basis points in 2020for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2019 primarily due to lower short-term interest rates. the same period in 2022 despite the negative impact caused by the Company placing its largest lending relationship on nonaccrual status, as noted above. At December 31, 2023, the loan portfolio was comprised of 24.8% floating rate loans which reprice monthly, 41.9% variable rate loans that reprice at least once during the life of the loan and 33.3% fixed rate loans that do not reprice during the life of the loan.
Average interest-bearing deposits with banksinvestment securities decreased $19.4$52.4 million and the average rate earned decreased 193increased 125 basis points for 2023 compared to 2019. Average investment securities decreased $49.4 million and the average rate earned decreased 41 basis points in 2020 compared 2019.2022. The change in investment securities is the result of active balance sheet management as ourto deploy the proceeds from securities maturities and principal payments into higher yielding loans, rather than reinvesting those proceeds back into the securities portfolio. The portfolio has been diversified as to bond types, maturities, and interest rate structures. Overall,As of December 31, 2023, the FTEsecurities portfolio was comprised of 47.2% variable rate securities with approximately 99.3% that will reprice at least once over the next 12 months. We believe having a significant percentage of variable rate securities is an important strategy during times of rising interest rates because fixed-rate bond prices generally fall when interest rates increase, which can result in unrealized losses. However, variable rate securities do not carry as much interest rate risk so there is much less price volatility. This variable rate strategy is expected to limit the impact of rising rates on interest-earning assets (non-GAAP) decreased 54the Company’s unrealized losses on debt securities.
Interest expense increased $53.9 million for 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases in the cost of all interest-bearing liability categories, except savings accounts, in the higher rate environment. Also contributing to the increased interest expense was the shift to higher cost deposits and borrowings due to a decline and change in mix of deposits and the Company’s use of higher-cost borrowings to fund growth in the loan portfolio, including a $97.8 million decline in average interest-bearing deposits for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Interest expense on deposits increased $34.0 million for 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the rates on these deposits increasing 119 basis points to 1.81%. The increase in rates for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period last year included interest-bearing demand deposits up by 24 basis points, money market accounts up by 163 basis points, and CDs up by 169 basis points, in 2020response to competitive pressures from higher market rates compared to 2019.

54
the same period in 2022.

The average balance on borrowings increased $374.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended 2022. The cost of borrowings increased 121 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to increased balances and the higher interest rate environment.

42

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

Interest expense decreased $10.9 million in 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower short-term interest rates compared to 2019. Average interest-bearing deposits decreased $83.3 million in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the decline in the average balance of CDs offset by increases in all other deposit categories. The decrease in the average balance of CDs compared to 2019 was primarily due to the intentional runoff of these higher cost deposits. The growth we experienced in all of the other deposit categories was primarily due to our ongoing strategy to attract commercial deposits and customer PPP funds on deposit. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits decreased 33 basis points compared to 2019 primarily due to lower short-term interest rates. Average total borrowings increased $28.7 million and the average rate paid decreased 211 basis points in 2020 compared to 2019. Overall, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 34 basis points in 2020 compared to 2019.

The following table sets forth for the periods presented a summary of the changes in interest earned and interest paid resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:

  2020 Compared to 2019  2019 Compared to 2018 
(Dollars in Thousands) Increase/
(Decrease)
  Rate(3)  Volume(3)  Increase/
(Decrease)
  Rate(3)  Volume(3) 
ASSETS                  
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks $(2,448) $(2,074) $(374) $68  $287  $(219)
Tax-Free Investment Securities (2)  (785)  (228)  (557)  (3,023)  268   (3,291)
Taxable Investment Securities  (3,562)  (2,783)  (779)  2,405   2,878   (473)
Tax-Free Loans (1)(2)  (2,415)  (128)  (2,287)  (640)  648   (1,288)
Taxable Loans (1)  (9,714)  (18,612)  8,898   7,377   (681)  8,058 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock  74   (49)  123   144   -   144 
Total Interest-Earning Assets $(18,850) $(23,874) $5,024  $6,331  $3,400  $2,931 
                         
LIABILITIES                        
Deposits:                        
Interest-Bearing Demand $(864) $(1,333) $469  $45  $25  $20 
Money Market  (747)  (1,317)  570   977   626   351 
Savings  (756)  (796)  40   (639)  (409)  (230)
Certificates of Deposit  (8,898)  (4,405)  (4,493)  8,179   8,764   (585)
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits  (11,265)  (7,851)  (3,414)  8,562   9,006   (444)
Borrowings:                        
Federal Funds Purchased  1   -   1   (20)  (10)  (10)
FHLB Borrowings  323   (13)  336   38   -   38 
Other Borrowings  (6)  (29)  23   79   -   79 
Total Borrowings  318   (42)  360   97   (10)  107 
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities $(10,947) $(7,893) $(3,054) $8,659  $8,996  $(337)
Net Interest Income (FTE) $(7,903) $(15,981) $8,078  $(2,328) $(5,596) $3,268 

2023 Compared to 20222022 Compared to 2021
(Dollars in Thousands)
Volume(3)
Rate(3)
Increase/
(Decrease)
Volume(3)
Rate(3)
Increase/
(Decrease)
Interest Earned on:
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks$(316)$1,041 $725 $(324)$394 $70 
Tax-free Investment Securities(2)
(83)(74)(125)(114)(239)
Taxable Investment Securities(1,111)11,585 10,474 2,664 5,224 7,888 
Total Securities(1,194)11,594 10,400 2,539 5,110 7,649 
Tax-free Loans(1)(2)
(666)76 (590)(1,425)(1,422)
Taxable Loans(1)
17,526 6,736 24,262 4,013 15,593 19,606 
Total Loans16,860 6,812 23,672 2,588 15,596 18,184 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock1,187 115 1,302 (6)39 33 
Total Interest-Earning Assets$16,537 $19,562 $36,099 $4,797 $21,139 $25,936 
Interest Paid on:
Interest-Bearing Demand$(20)$1,171 $1,151 $205 $366 $571 
Money Market(293)7,319 7,026 458 254 712 
Savings(188)32 (156)59 60 
Certificates of Deposit1,990 24,001 25,991 (2,595)(2,378)(4,973)
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits1,489 32,523 34,012 (1,873)(1,757)(3,630)
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings19,157 502 19,659 188 — 188 
Federal Funds Purchased50 130 180 53 797 850 
Other Borrowings21 (16)133 (1)132 
Total Borrowings19,228 616 19,844 374 796 1,170 
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities$20,717 $33,139 $53,856 $(1,499)$(961)$(2,460)
Change in Net Interest Margin$(4,180)$(13,577)$(17,757)$6,296 $22,100 $28,396 
(1) Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.

(2) Tax-exempt income is on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) using the statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21 percent.

(3) Changes to rate/volume are allocated to both rate and volume on a proportionate dollar basis.

55

Provision for Credit Losses
The Company recognizes provision for the ACL based on the difference between the existing balance of ACL reserves and the ACL reserve balance necessary to adequately absorb expected credit losses associated with the Company’s financial instruments. Similarly, the Company recognizes provision (recovery) for unfunded commitments based on the difference between the existing balance of reserves for unfunded commitments and the reserve balance for unfunded commitments necessary to adequately absorb expected credit losses associated with those commitments.
The ACL as a percentage of total portfolio loans was 2.77% at December 31, 2023 and 2.98% at December 31, 2022. The provision for credit losses increased $3.1 million to $5.5 million for the year ended 2023 compared to $2.4 million for the year ended 2022. The increase in the provision for credit losses was primarily driven by loan growth.
The provision for unfunded commitments for the full year 2023 was a provision of $0.9 million compared to a provision of $0.5 million for the full year 2022, an increase of $0.4 million primarily due to an increase in construction commitments.
Net charge-offs were $2.3 million for the full year 2023 compared to $4.5 million for the full year 2022. During 2023, net charge-offs were concentrated in the other consumer loan segment. As a percentage of average portfolio loans, on an annualized basis, net charge-offs were 0.07% and 0.15% for the years ended 2023 and 2022, respectively. See the “Allowance for Credit Losses” section of this MD&A for additional details regarding our charge-offs.
43

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

Provision for Loan Losses

The following table summarizes

Nonperforming loans (“NPLs”) increased at December 31, 2023 by $302.9 million to $309.5 million compared to $6.6 million at December 31, 2022. During the activitysecond quarter of 2023, the Company placed commercial loans that reside in the ALL forOther segment of the periods presented:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Balance Beginning of Year $38,762  $39,199  $35,318  $34,500  $26,990 
Provision for Loan Losses  18,006   3,404   16,870   43,197   17,717 
Charge-offs:                    
Commercial Real Estate  40   69   11,740   26,074   1,232 
Commercial and Industrial  66   22   20   32   257 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  -   393   -   16,452   8,454 
Residential Mortgages  258   197   184   286   1 
Other Consumer  3,991   4,401   2,710   465   510 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Charge-offs  4,355   5,082   14,654   43,309   10,454 
Recoveries:                    
Commercial Real Estate  707   -   654   10   - 
Commercial and Industrial  2   -   -   -   6 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  188   630   692   710   12 
Residential Mortgages  27   9   69   -   119 
Other Consumer  737   602   250   210   110 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Recoveries  1,661   1,241   1,665   930   247 
Total Net Charge-offs  2,694   3,841   12,989   42,379   10,207 
Balance End of Year $54,074  $38,762  $39,199  $35,318  $34,500 
                     
Net Charge-offs to Average Loans  0.09%  0.13%  0.47%  1.56%  0.38%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Portfolio Loans  1.83%  1.34%  1.45%  1.32%  1.26%

The provision forCompany’s loan losses is the amount to be added to the ALL, after considering loan charge-offs and recoveries, to bring the ALLportfolio, relating to a level determinedsingle lending relationship which has an aggregate principal amount of $301.9 million, on nonaccrual status due to be appropriateloan maturities and failure to pay in management's judgment to absorb probable incurred losses inherentfull. In connection with our adoption of Topic 326 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” on January 1, 2021, the bank segmented this relationship in the loan portfolio.

We are subjectCECL model, along with select other loans, into a segment labeled Other. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, those Other segment reserves were $54.4 million and $54.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Company utilized discounted cash flow valuation techniques to evaluate the current condition of certain of the borrowers’ operating businesses, those borrowers’ capacity to repay and scenarios through which the Company may ultimately resolve this nonaccrual relationship, which resulted in individually evaluated reserves related to that single lending relationship. The bank established a reserve of $51.3 million for this relationship as of January 1, 2021 with the adoption of the CECL accounting method under ASU 2016-03 and related amendments, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). However, we elected under the CARES Act to defer the implementation of CECL until the earlier of when the national emergency related to the outbreak of COVID-19 ends or December 31, 2020, which was later extended to January 1, 2022. We intend to adopt in the first quarter of 2021 as allowed under the provisions of the CARES Act.

The provision for loan losses increased $14.6 million to $18.0 million in 2020 compared to $3.4 million in 2019. Included in the provision expense during 2020 was an increase in qualitative loss factors asCECL. As a result of the estimated economic impact of COVID-19 of $9.6 million. This represents a 429.0% increase indiscounted cash flow analysis and the provision expense as compared to the same period of 2019. The Bank adjusted qualitative risk factors under its incurred loss modelreserves that were established for economic conditions, changes in payment deferral procedures, expected changes in collateral values due to reduced cash flows and external factors such as government actions. Management believes the uncertainty regarding customers’ ability to repay loans could be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic given higher unemployment rates, requests for payment deferrals, temporary business shutdowns and reduced consumer and business spending. Also contributing to the increase in provision for loan loss expense was higher specific reserves in 2020 of $15.3 million compared to $6.2 million in 2019.

56

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The increase was comprised of both higher specific reserves of $9.1 million and general reserves of $6.2 million. The $6.2 million increase in general reserves included an increase of $16.1 million in qualitative reserves offset by a decrease of $9.9 million in quantitative reserves due to improvements in the Company’s loss history. The $16.1 million increase in qualitative reserves included $9.6 million due to general economic uncertainties and specific concerns regarding disruptions to the Company’s hospitality clients caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and an additional $6.5 million based on general economic, geo-political and other risk factors determined by management. These qualitative reserves are intended to reflect not only the risks of continued weak economic conditions on our loan portfolio, but also loss estimates identified in loan portfolios deemed to be at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company adjusted qualitative risk factors under its incurred loss model for economic conditions, changes in payment deferral procedures, expected changes in collateral values due to reduced cash flows and external factors such as government actions. Management believes the uncertainty regarding customers' ability to repay loans could be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic given higher unemployment rates, requests for payment deferrals, temporary business shutdowns and reduced consumer and business spending.

Net charge-offs decreased $1.1 million to $2.7 million in 2020 compared to $3.8 million for 2019. Net loan charge-offs to average loans were 0.09% and 0.13% in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Specific reserves were $15.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $6.2 million at December 31, 2019.

Nonperforming loans and TDRs decreased at December 31, 2020 by $10.1 million, to $32.0 million as compared to $42.1 million at December 31, 2019, due to sale proceeds from two credit relationships. The allowance for loan losses was 169.1% of nonperforming loansthis relationship as of December 31, 2020 as compared to 92.0%2022, the classification of nonperformingthese commercial loans as ofin nonaccrual status did not have a significant impact on the Company’s provision for credit losses during the year ended December 31, 2019. Management is aggressively taking steps to address problem loan relationships.

The ALL at December 31, 2020 was $54.1 million compared to $38.8 million at December 31, 2019. The ALL2023. NPLs as a percentage of total portfolio loans was 1.83%were 8.83% at December 31, 2020 and 1.34%2023 compared to 0.21% at December 31, 2019.

2022. See the “Credit Quality” section of this MD&A for more detail on our NPLs.

Discussion of net interest income for the year ended December 31, 20182021 has been omitted as such discussion was provided in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Net Interest Income” in the Bank’s Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 with the SEC on November 23, 2020 (and originally filed with the FDIC).

March 11, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Noninterest Income

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
Gains on Sales of Securities, net $6,882  $2,205  $4,677   212.1%
Service Charges, Commissions and Fees  4,668   4,962   (294)  (5.9)%
Debit Card Interchange Fees  5,857   5,160   697   13.5%
Insurance Commissions  1,728   1,225   503   41.1%
Bank Owned Life Insurance Income  1,400   1,436   (36)  (2.5)%
Other Real Estate Owned Income  340   689   (349)  (50.7)%
Commercial Loan Swap Fee Income�� 4,051   -   4,051   NM 
Other  1,654   1,193   461   38.6%
Total Noninterest Income $26,580  $16,870  $9,710   57.6%
NM - percentage not meaningful                

57

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022$ Change% Change
(Losses) Gains on Sales of Securities, net$(1,521)$46 $(1,567)NM
Service Charges, Commissions and Fees7,155 7,168 (13)(0.2)%
Debit Card Interchange Fees7,828 7,427 401 5.4 %
Insurance Commissions1,945 1,961 (16)(0.8)%
Bank Owned Life Insurance Income1,381 1,357 24 1.8 %
Gains on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises, net— 73 (73)(100.0)%
Commercial Loan Swap Fee Income139 774 (635)(82.0)%
Other1,351 2,912 (1,561)(53.6)%
Total Noninterest Income$18,278 $21,718 $(3,440)(15.8)%
NM - percentage not meaningful

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Total noninterest income increased $9.7 million, or 57.6%, to $26.9 million for

For the full year 2020 compared to the same period of 2019, primarily driven by the impact of $6.9 million in net securities gains. Securities gains increased $4.7 million to $6.9 million during 2020 compared to $2.2 million during 2019 to take advantage of market opportunities and reposition and diversify holdings in the securities portfolio. Other key factors impacting2023, total noninterest income during 2020 were $4.1was $18.3 million, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 15.8%, from the full year 2022. The decrease was primarily related to net losses on sales of securities of $1.5 million, a decrease of $1.6 million in other noninterest income, a decrease of $0.6 million in commercial loan swap fee income, for 2020 compared to 2019, due to the high demand for this productas well as a decrease of $0.1 million in the current low interest rate environmentgains on sales and $0.7write-downs of bank premises, net. These decreases were offset by an increase of $0.4 million increase in debit card interchange fees due to higher volumes in demand deposits, $0.5 million in insurance income and $0.5 million in other noninterest income. volume during 2023.
The increase of $0.5 million in other income primarily relates to higher gainsnet losses on sales of mortgage loanssecurities were driven by the sale of approximately $30.0 million of available-for-sale securities during the fourth quarter of 2023 to reposition the securities portfolio and reinvest the proceeds in higher earning assets. The decrease within other noninterest income related to the unwind of two completed historic tax credit exits. These increases were partially offset bypartnerships, which resulted in a gain of $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2022 and lower service charges, commissions and feesfair value adjustment of $0.3 million due to COVID-19 waivers and OREOour interest rate swap contracts with commercial customers. The decrease in commercial loan swap fee income of $0.3 million. OREO income declinedwas due to the sale of several large commercial properties that generated income in 2019.

changing interest rate environment.

Discussion of noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 20182021 has been omitted as such discussion was provided in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Noninterest Income” in the Bank’s Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 with the SEC on November 23, 2020 (and originally filed with the FDIC).

March 11, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

44

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
Noninterest Expense

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
Salaries and Employee Benefits $52,390  $52,879  $(489)  (0.9)%
Occupancy Expense, net  13,369   11,785   1,584   13.4%
FDIC Insurance Expense  2,313   1,270   1,043   82.1%
Other Taxes  3,151   2,847   304   10.7%
Advertising Expense  1,633   1,445   188   13.0%
Telephone Expense  2,303   2,202   101   4.6%
Professional and Legal Fees  5,006   4,507   499   11.1%
Data Processing  2,648   2,267   381   16.8%
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Other Real Estate Owned, net  1,435   4,732   (3,297)  (69.7)%
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises, net  99   188   (89)  (47.3)%
Debit Card Expense  2,565   2,753   (188)  (6.8)%
Tax Credit Amortization  1,088   2,265   (1,177)  (52.0)%
Unfunded Loan Commitment Expense  (252)  121   (373)  (308.3)%
Other Real Estate Owned Expense  657   525   132   25.1%
Goodwill Impairment Expense  62,192   -   62,192   NM 
Other  8,178   8,243   (65)  (0.8)%
Total Noninterest Expense $158,775  $98,029  $60,746   62.0%
NM - percentage not meaningful                

Total noninterest expense increased $60.8 million, or 62.0% to $158.8 million for

(Dollars in Thousands)Years Ended December 31,
20232022$ Change% Change
Salaries and Employee Benefits$55,856 $52,399 $3,457 6.6 %
Occupancy Expense, net14,028 13,527 501 3.7 %
FDIC Insurance Expense4,904 2,015 2,889 143.4 %
Other Taxes3,282 3,319 (37)(1.1)%
Advertising Expense1,693 1,434 259 18.1 %
Telephone Expense1,842 1,781 61 3.4 %
Professional and Legal Fees6,210 5,818 392 6.7 %
Data Processing3,920 4,051 (131)(3.2)%
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Other Real Estate Owned, net1,100 432 668 154.6 %
Debit Card Expense2,875 2,750 125 4.5 %
Tax Credit Amortization— 621 (621)(100.0)%
Other9,756 8,854 902 10.2 %
Total Noninterest Expense$105,466 $97,001 $8,465 8.7 %
For the full year 2020 compared to $98.0 million in the same period of 2019, primarily driven by the impact of a $62.2 million one-time goodwill impairment charge during the third quarter of 2020. Other key factors impacting2023, total noninterest expense during 2020 were a $1.6was $105.5 million, an increase of $8.5 million, or 8.7%, from the full year 2022 primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits of $3.5 million, an increase of $2.9 million in FDIC insurance expenses, an increase of $0.9 million in other noninterest expense, an increase in losses on sales and write-downs of other real estate owned, (“OREO”), net of $0.7 million, an increase in occupancy expense resulting from higher depreciation expense on software and equipment for ancillary products and services, an increaseexpenses of $1.0 million for FDIC expense which related to a one-time credit of $1.1 million received in the third quarter of 2019 for eligible institutions, a $0.4 million increase in data processing licensing fee and a $0.5 million, an increase in professional and legal fees. The decreases offsettingfees of $0.4 million, and an increase in advertising expenses of $0.3 million. Offsetting these increases included losses and write-downs of OREO of $3.3 million, $1.2 millionwas a decline in thetax credit amortization of tax credits$0.6 million and a $0.5decrease on $0.1 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits. data processing expenses.
The losses and write-downs of OREO relate to eight retail offices that were closed as part of our branch optimization project. Five of these branches were moved to OREO and marketed for sale resulting in a $1.1 million write-down. The decline of $1.2 million for the amortization of tax credits relates to tax credits being fully amortized. The net decrease of $0.5 millionincrease in salaries and employee benefits was comprisedprimarily related to higher salary expense of a $0.9$4.5 million increasedue to fewer open positions in salariesretail, job grade assessment increases and normal merit increases, increases of $0.2 million in restricted stock expense, increased Federal Insurance Contributions Act expenses of $0.4 million, offset by a decrease in medical claims of $0.3 million and lower performance based incentives of $1.4 million decrease in benefits. Salaries increased primarily due to $0.2 million2023.
The increase in merit increases, a $0.6 million decrease in salary deferral on new loan origination in 2020, and $0.2 million in hazard bonus payments offset by a reduction of overtime expense of $0.1 million. Benefits decreased primarilyFDIC insurance expenses was due to a final rule adopted by the FDIC to all insured depository institutions, to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by two basis points, beginning in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023, as well as the deterioration in asset quality as a direct result of the large NPL relationship, which is a component used to determine the assessment.
The increase in other noninterest expense relates to immaterial amounts resulting from various operating and administrative expenses including business development expenses (i.e. travel and entertainment, donations and club dues), insurance, supplies and printing, equipment rent, and software support and maintenance.
The increase in losses on sales and write-downs of OREO, net related to three legacy OREO properties that sold in the fourth quarter of 2023, and $0.5 million reduction in profit sharingwrite-downs on three closed retail branches. These branches were closed in 2023, transferred to OREO and a $0.9 million reductionmarketed for sale.
The increases in medical expense. There have not been any permanent or temporary reductionsoccupancy expenses primarily related to additional seasonal services performed during the year ended 2023. The increase in employeesprofessional and legal fees relates to higher legal expenses incurred from the large NPL relationship and new consulting engagements. Advertising expenses increased due to marketing initiatives during the full year 2023.
The decline in tax credit amortization was due to the early adoption of Accounting Standard Update 2023-02 Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. Under the proportional amortization modified retrospective basis, the amortization of tax credit investments is recorded as a resultcomponent of COVID-19. income tax expense instead of through noninterest expense as previously recorded in 2022. The decrease in data processing expenses related to additional expenses incurred during the full year 2022 for our online banking platform.
45

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
Discussion of noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 20182021 has been omitted as such discussion was provided in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Noninterest Expense” in the Bank’s Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 with the SEC on November 23, 2020 (originally filed with the FDIC).

58
March 11, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased $0.4$6.3 million to $0.8 million in 2020 compared to $1.2 million in 2019. The decrease in pretax income of $72.9$5.3 million for the full year 2020 was primarily dueended December 31, 2023 compared to $11.6 million for December 31, 2022. Pre-tax income decreased $33.0 million for the full goodwill impairment charge of $62.2 million that was recorded in the third quarter of 2020. year ended 2023 compared to 2022. Our effective tax rate was (1.7%)18.6% for 2020 asthe year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 4.4%18.8% for December 31, 2022. The decrease in 2019. The $62.2 million goodwill impairment charge is the reason for the decreased effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2020. The goodwill impairment charge2022 was not tax deductible.primarily related to changes in pre-tax income, partially offset by increases to the valuation allowance in 2023. The Company ordinarily generates an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of 21% due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest andincome, tax credit projects which are relatively consistent regardless of the level of pretax income.

and bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”).

Discussion of provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 20182021 has been omitted as such discussion was provided in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Provision for Income Taxes” in the Bank’sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 with the SEC on November 23, 2020 (and originally filed with the FDIC).

March 11, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Condition

December 31, 2020

2023

Total assets increased $173.1$308.0 million, to $4.5 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to $4.2 billion at December 31, 2020 compared to $4.0 billion at December 31, 2019. Federal Reserve Bank excess reserves increased $124.2 million to $163.5 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $39.3 million at December 31, 2019 due to maintaining higher liquidity levels as a result of COVID-19.

2022. Total portfolio loans increased $62.4$357.0 million, or 2.2%,11.3% to $2.9$3.5 billion at December 31, 20202023 compared to December 31, 2019. The increase in portfolio loans2022 primarily relateddue to loan growth in the commercialCRE, residential mortgage and construction segments during the year ended December 31, 2023. The variances in loan segments for portfolio of $118.6 million withloans related to increases of $94.6$200.1 million in commercial construction, $88.5real estate loans, $130.0 million in Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) and $50.0residential mortgages, $82.8 million in Commercialconstruction loans, offset by decreases of $38.3 million in commercial and Industrialindustrial (“C&I”), which includes $35.0 loans, $10.3 million of PPPin other consumer loans, offset by a decrease of $114.5 and $7.3 million in the obligationsother category.

The securities portfolio decreased $57.3 million and is currently 17.3% of state and political subdivisions portfoliototal assets at December 31, 2023 compared to 19.9% of total assets at December 31, 2019.2022. The declinedecrease is due to $92.2 million in state security sales, curtailments and political subdivisions arematurities deployed into higher yielding loan growth or to curtail wholesale funding, partially offset by security purchases of $24.9 million and the positive changes in fair value of securities during 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the securities portfolio was comprised of 47.2% variable rate securities with approximately 99.3% that will reprice at least once over the next 12 months. At December 31, 2023, total gross unrealized gains in the available-for-sale portfolio were $0.7 million, offset by $92.3 million of gross unrealized losses. Refer to the “Securities Activity” section below for further discussion of unrealized losses in the available-for-sale securities portfolio.
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, at cost increased $11.9 million to $21.6 million at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The increase is due to municipalities finding cheaper refinancing alternatives. Consumer loansthe FHLB requirement to hold a specified level of stock based upon level of borrowings. OREO decreased $56.2$5.9 million at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2019 with decreases in all portfolios except consumer construction. The decrease in consumer loans is primarily a result of de-risking the portfolio during the economic downturn. At December 31, 2020 we had $9.8 million loans held-for-sale in connection with2022 due to the sale of one OREO property in June 2023. During the year ended 2023, the Bank branches that is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021. Nonperforming loansclosed three retail banking offices and TDRs decreased $10.1 million to $32.0 million, or 24.0%, at December 31, 2020 compared to $42.1moved $1.4 million at December 31, 2019. OREO decreased $2.6 million at December 31, 2020 comparedfair value to December 31, 2019.OREO. These properties are currently being marketed for sale. Closed retail bank offices declined $0.5 million withhad a remaining book value of $2.5$2.3 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $3.02023 and $1.1 million at December 31, 2019.

59
2022.

Total deposits increased $89.4 million to $3.7 billion at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The increase primarily related to an increase of $325.1 million in certificate of deposits (“CDs”) and an increase of $29.4 million in money market accounts offset by declines of $265.1 million in savings and demand deposits due to customers migrating to higher-yielding CD products driven by high market interest rates. At December 31, 2023, noninterest-bearing deposits comprised 18.4% of total deposits compared to 19.4% at December 31, 2022. CDs comprised 42.6% and 34.7% of total deposits at December 31, 2023 andDecember 31, 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, based on assumptions that the Bank uses to prepare its regulatory call report, approximately 82.6% of our total deposits of $3.7 billion were insured under standard FDIC insurance coverage limits, and approximately 17.4% of our total deposits were uninsured deposits over the standard FDIC

46

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

insurance coverage limit. The securities portfolio increased $36.1Company’s deposit base is diversified and granular and is comprised of approximately 78.9% of retail deposits.
Total capital of $351.2 million at December 31, 2020 from 2023, reflects an increase of $22.6 million compared to $328.6 million at December 31, 2019 and comprised 18.6% of total assets at December 31, 2020 compared to 18.5% of total assets at December 31, 2019. The increase was a result of active balance sheet management. We have further diversified the securities portfolio as to bond types, maturities and interest rate structures.

Total deposits increased $180.4 million to $3.7 billion at December 31, 2020 compared to $3.5 billion at December 31, 2019.2022. The increase in deposits primarily related to the growth in all our core deposit categories, which includes noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, money market and savings accounts. Core deposits increased $441.3 million, or 28.6%, compared to total capital from December 31, 2019. Offsetting the increase in core deposits was a decline of $345.6 million in our CDs. This decrease relates to the intentional runoff of $289.1 million of higher cost CDs. Noninterest-bearing deposits comprised 19.0% and 15.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020, $84.7 million of deposits were held for assumption in connection with the sale of Bank branches that2022 is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

Total shareholders’ equity decreased by $32.9 million to $440.2 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $473.1 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a net lossincome of $45.9$23.4 million and a special dividendfor the year ended December 31, 2023, other comprehensive income of $3.7$14.2 million paidincreased due to changes in Marchfair value of 2020, both offset by a $15.6investment securities, an increase of $1.5 million related to restricted stock activity during the year, as well as, the transitional adjustment of $0.1 million, net of tax increase in other comprehensive income due to changes infor the fair valueadoption of available-for-sale securities. The remaining difference isASU 2023-02. Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $16.6 million related to stock-based compensation during the year ended December 31, 2020.

repurchase of common stock and the 1% excise tax on stock repurchases.

The ALLACL was 1.83%2.77% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 20202023 compared to 1.34%2.98% as of December 31, 2019.2022. General reserves as a percentage of total portfolio loans were 1.32%1.22% at December 31, 20202023 compared to 1.13%2.96% at December 31, 2019.2022. The ALLdecrease in the general reserves as a percentage of total portfolio loans was 169.1%primarily driven by the largest lending relationship’s movement from the general pool to the individually evaluated loans due to the transfer to nonaccrual during the second quarter of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2020 compared to 92.0% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2019.2023, offset by loan growth. Management believes the allowance for loan lossesACL is adequate to absorb probableexpected losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

See the sections of this MD&A titled “Provision for Credit Losses,” “Credit Quality” and “Allowance for Credit Losses” for information about the factors that impacted the ACL and the provision for credit losses.

The Company remains well capitalized. OurThe Tier 1 capital ratio decreased to 13.08%11.08% at December 31, 20202023 compared to 13.58%12.61% at December 31, 2019. Our2022. The leverage ratio was 10.26%9.48% at December 31, 2020,2023, compared to 10.33%10.29% at December 31, 20192022 and the total risk-based capital ratio was 14.33%12.34% at December 31, 20202023 compared to 14.83%13.86% at December 31, 2019.

2022. The decrease is related to the aforementioned repurchase of common stock of $16.6 million and the 1% excise tax on stock repurchases and loan growth during the year ended December 31, 2023. Another significant factor driving the ratios downward was the Company placing the above mentioned large lending relationship on nonaccrual status, which resulted in a $30.0 million year-to-date negative impact on interest income, combined with the movement of nonaccrual assets to higher risk rating categories.

The Bank also remained well capitalized as of December 31, 2023. The Bank’s Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.99% at December 31, 2023 compared to 12.42% at December 31, 2022. The Bank’s leverage ratio was 9.41% at December 31, 2023 compared to 10.13% at December 31, 2022. The Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 12.25% at December 31, 2023 compared to 13.68% at December 31, 2022.
47

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
Securities

The following table presents the composition of available-for-sale securities for the periods presented:

(Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019  $ Change 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities $44,724  $52,644  $(7,920)
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  5,447   19,006   (13,559)
Asset Backed Securities  133,557   109,639   23,918 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  218,359   292,224   (73,865)
Small Business Administration  99,145   105,736   (6,591)
States and Political Subdivisions  252,622   148,480   104,142 
Corporate Notes  24,825   14,888   9,937 
Total Debt Securities $778,679  $742,617  $36,062 

60

(Dollars in Thousands)20232022$ Change
U.S. Treasury Securities$— $17,866 $(17,866)
U.S. Government Agency Securities43,827 49,764 (5,937)
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities99,150 103,685 (4,535)
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities31,163 34,675 (3,512)
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities21,856 22,399 (543)
Asset Backed Securities140,006 141,383 (1,377)
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations161,533 176,622 (15,089)
States and Political Subdivisions222,108 228,146 (6,038)
Corporate Notes59,360 61,733 (2,373)
Total Debt Securities$779,003 $836,273 $(57,270)

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The balances and average rates of our securities portfolio are presented below as of December 31:

  2020  2019  2018 
(Dollars in Thousands) Balance  Weighted-
Average
Yield
  Balance  Weighted-
Average
Yield
  Balance  Weighted-
Average
Yield
 
U.S. Government Agency Securities $-   0.00% $-   0.00% $270,388   1.44%
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities  44,724   1.86%  52,644   2.72%  70,871   2.37%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  5,447   2.77%  19,006   2.53%  21,792   2.59%
Asset Backed Securities  133,557   1.47%  109,639   3.05%  58,861   3.46%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  218,359   1.38%  292,224   2.49%  76,819   2.84%
Small Business Administration  99,145   1.69%  105,736   3.23%  89,238   3.59%
States and Political Subdivisions  252,622   2.69%  148,480   2.94%  167,474   3.45%
Corporate Notes  24,825   5.42%  14,888   4.08%  27,315   3.62%
Total Securities Available-for-Sale $778,679   2.02% $742,617   2.82% $782,758   2.49%

(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
BalanceWeighted-
Average
Yield
BalanceWeighted-
Average
Yield
U.S. Treasury Securities$— — %$17,866 1.43 %
U.S. Government Agency Securities43,827 5.79 %49,764 4.29 %
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities99,150 3.62 %103,685 2.90 %
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities31,163 5.95 %34,675 4.52 %
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities21,856 2.74 %22,399 2.65 %
Asset Backed Securities140,006 4.49 %141,383 4.04 %
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations161,533 4.39 %176,622 3.56 %
States and Political Subdivisions222,108 2.36 %228,146 2.38 %
Corporate Notes59,360 3.87 %61,733 3.87 %
Total Securities Available-for-Sale$779,003 3.73 %$836,273 3.24 %
The Company invests in various securities in order to maintain a source of liquidity, to satisfy various pledging requirements, to increase net interest income and as a tool of the ALCO to diversify and reposition the balance sheet for interest rate risk purposes. Securities are subject to market risks that could negatively affect the level of liquidity available to us. Security purchases are subject to our Investment Policyinvestment policy that is approved annually by our Board and administered through ALCO and our treasury function.

The securities portfolio increased by $36.1decreased $57.3 million to $779.0 million at December 31, 2020 as2023 compared to $836.3 million at December 31, 2019.2022. Securities comprise 18.6%17.3% of total assets at December 31, 2020 as2023 compared to 18.5%19.9% at December 31, 2019.2022. The increasedecrease is a resultprimarily due to $92.2 million in security sales, curtailments and maturities deployed into higher yielding loan growth or to curtail wholesale funding, partially offset by security purchases of active balance sheet management. We have further diversified$24.9 million and the positive changes in fair value of securities during 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the securities portfolio as to bond types, maturities and interestwas comprised of 47.2% variable rate structures.

securities with approximately 99.3% that will reprice at least once over the next 12 months.

At December 31, 2020,2023, total gross unrealized gains in the available-for-sale portfolio were $22.6$0.7 million offset by $2.7$92.3 million of gross unrealized losses. At December 31, 2019,2022, total gross unrealized gains in the available-for-sale portfolio were $6.2$0.3 million offset by $6.0$109.7 million of gross unrealized losses.

Management evaluates

The unrealized losses on debt securities are believed to be temporary primarily because these unrealized losses are due to reductions in market value caused by upward movement in interest rates since the securities purchase (as applicable), and not related to the credit quality of these securities. Our portfolio for OTTI on a quarterly basis. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company did not record any OTTI. The performanceconsists of the debt and equity48.7% of securities markets could generate impairments in future periods requiring realized losses to be reported.

61
issued by United States government

48


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

sponsored entities and carry an implicit government guarantee. States and political subdivisions comprise 28.5% of the portfolio and are largely general obligations or essential purpose revenue bonds, which have performed very well historically over all business cycles, and are rated AA and AAA. We have the ability to hold these securities to maturity and expect full recovery of the amortized cost. From time to time we may sell securities to take advantage of market opportunities or as part of a strategic initiative.
The Company’s investment securities with intermediate and long-term maturities were the largest driver of these gross unrealized losses, as the market values of these securities are significantly impacted by the Treasury yield curve for similar durations (i.e., 5- and 10-year Treasury securities). This portion of the Treasury yield curve has moved lower over the past three months, driving unrealized losses on these securities lower. The Company believes that the Federal Reserve System, (“FRB”) is at or near the end of its aggressive strategy of raising short-term interest rates to combat inflation. Some market information indicates that the FRB may start lowering short-term interest rates in 2024. Changes in short-term interest rates can affect the yield on floating rate securities. Therefore, yields on floating rate securities may begin to fall should the FRB begin lowering short rates. Changes in intermediate and long-term interest rates, which are market driven, affect the market value of fixed rate securities with similar maturities. Thus, the Company expects that market values on the Bank’s intermediate and long-term maturity holdings will continue to fluctuate in large part driven by treasury yield changes.
At December 31, 2023 the 5-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury yields were 3.84% and 3.88%, respectively. At December 31, 2022, those same bond yields were 3.99% and 3.88%, respectively. The flatness in 10-year treasury yields was neutral to bond market values, while the decrease of 15 basis points in the 5-year treasury in the intermediate part of the yield curve helped drive the decrease in unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2023. The effects were generally greater for longer maturity bonds, such as municipal bonds. On the other hand, floating rate bonds largely held consistent values, as those interest rates adjust in line with Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
Should the impairment of any of these securities become credit related, the impairment will be recognized by establishing an ACL through provision for credit losses in the period the credit related impairment is identified, while any non-credit loss will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable taxes. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no credit related impairment.
The Basel rules also permit most banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive loss, which currently does not affect regulatory capital. The Company elected to retain this treatment which reduces the volatility of regulatory capital levels.
The following table sets forth the maturities of securities at December 31, 20202023 and the weighted average yields of such securities. Taxable-equivalent adjustments (using a 21% federal income tax rate) for 2020 have been made in calculating yields on obligations of state and political subdivisions.

Available-for-Sale Securities

  Maturing 
        After One But Within  After Five But Within       
  Within One Year  Five Years  Ten Years  After Ten Years 
(Dollars in Thousands) Amount  Yield  Amount  Yield  Amount  Yield  Amount  Yield 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities  -   0.00%  40   2.58%  -   0.00%  44,684   1.85%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  3,146   2.97%  2,301   2.47%
Asset Backed Securities  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  21,442   2.01%  112,115   1.37%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  25,626   2.71%  192,733   1.22%
Small Business Administration  -   0.00%  2,686   1.27%  59,506   1.73%  36,953   1.66%
States and Political Subdivisions  394   2.78%  1,650   3.97%  33,871   2.53%  216,707   2.71%
Corporate Notes  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  24,825   5.42%  -   0.00%
Total $394      $4,376       168,416      $605,493     
Weighted Average Yield      2.78%      2.30%      2.64%      1.86%

(Dollars in Thousands)Maturing
Within One YearAfter One But Within
Five Years
After Five But Within
Ten Years
After Ten Years
AmountYieldAmountYieldAmountYieldAmountYield
U.S. Government Agency Securities$— — %$2,898 6.07 %$40,929 5.77 %$— — %
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities(2)
— — %— — %— — %99,150 3.62 %
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities(2)
— — %1,069 7.32 %7,358 4.52 %22,736 6.38 %
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities(2)
— — %— — %1,967 1.52 %19,889 2.87 %
Asset Backed Securities(2)
— — %25,606 1.89 %64,773 4.43 %49,627 6.00 %
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations(2)
— — %— — %4,409 1.40 %157,124 4.48 %
States and Political Subdivisions— — %8,948 1.99 %127,827 2.28 %85,333 2.52 %
Corporate Notes— — %— — %59,360 3.87 %— — %
Total$ $38,521 $306,623 $433,859 
Weighted Average Yield(1)
 %2.34 %3.48 %4.04 %

(1)Weighted -average yields are calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis using the federal statutory tax rate of 21 percent.

Loan Composition

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio as

(2) Securities not due at a single maturity date
49

Table of the periods presented:

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Commercial               
Commercial Real Estate $1,453,799  $1,365,310  $1,359,036  $1,479,765  $1,527,552 
Commercial and Industrial  306,828   256,798   229,468   334,023   372,775 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  250,336   364,869   432,402   470,569   462,356 
Commercial Construction  387,407   292,827   201,240   118,786   199,551 
Total Commercial Loans  2,398,370   2,279,804   2,222,146   2,403,143   2,562,234 
Consumer                    
Residential Mortgages  472,170   514,538   397,280   193,328   138,657 
Other Consumer  57,647   73,688   73,058   79,980   20,724 
Consumer Construction  18,983   16,736   11,308   7,994   10,168 
Total Consumer Loans  548,800   604,962   481,646   281,302   169,549 
Total Portfolio Loans  2,947,170   2,884,766   2,703,792   2,684,445   2,731,783 
Loans Held-for-Sale  25,437   19,714   2,559   517   - 
Loans Held-for-Sale in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches, at the lower of cost or fair value  9,835   -   -   -   - 
Total Loans $2,982,442  $2,904,480  $2,706,351  $2,684,962  $2,731,783 

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

At December 31, 2023 the Company had no held-to-maturity securities; however, if at a future date we classify securities as held-to-maturity, our disclosures will show the weighted average yield for each range of maturities.
At December 31, 2023, the Company held 52.8% fixed rate and 47.2% floating rate securities. The floating rate securities may have a stated maturity greater than ten years, but the interest rate generally adjusts monthly. Therefore, the duration on these securities is short, generally less than one year, and will therefore not be as sensitive to interest rate changes.
Refer to Note 4, Investment Securities, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our securities.
Loan Composition
The following table summarizes our loan portfolio as of the periods presented:
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022202120202019
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate$1,670,631 $1,470,562 $1,323,252 $1,453,799 $1,365,310 
Commercial and Industrial271,511 309,792 345,376 557,164 621,667 
Total Commercial Loans1,942,142 1,780,354 1,668,628 2,010,963 1,986,977 
Consumer
Residential Mortgages787,929 657,948 457,988 472,170 514,538 
Other Consumer34,277 44,562 44,666 57,647 73,688 
Total Consumer Loans822,206 702,510 502,654 529,817 588,226 
Construction436,349 353,553 282,947 406,390 309,563 
Other305,213 312,496 357,900 — — 
Total Portfolio Loans3,505,910 3,148,913 2,812,129 2,947,170 2,884,766 
Loans Held-for-Sale— — 228 25,437 19,714 
Loans Held-for-Sale in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches, at the lower of cost or fair value— — — 9,835 — 
Total Loans$3,505,910 $3,148,913 $2,812,357 $2,982,442 $2,904,480 
Our loan portfolio represents our most significant source of interest income. The risk that borrowers will beare unable to pay such obligations is inherent in the loan portfolio. Other conditions such as downturns in the borrower's industry or the overall economic climate can significantly impact the borrower’s ability to pay.

For a discussion of the risk factors relevant to our business and operations, please refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Total portfolio loans increased $62.4$357.0 million, or 2.2%11.3%, to $3.5 billion at December 31, 20202023 compared to December 31, 2019. Commercial loans increased $118.6 million, or 5.2%, including $35.0 million of PPP loans,offset by a decrease of $114.5 million2022 with strong production primarily in the obligations of stateour CRE, residential mortgage and political subdivisions portfolio compared to December 31, 2019.construction portfolios. The decline in state and political subdivisions are due to municipalities finding cheaper refinancing alternatives. Consumer loans decreased $56.2 million, or 9.3% in all categories, except consumer construction. The decrease in consumer loans if primarily a result of de-risking the portfolio during the economic downturn.

Total commercial loans represented 81.4% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2020 and 79.0% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2019. Within our commercial portfolio, the CRE and Commercial Construction portfolios combined comprised $1.8 billion or 76.8% of total commercial loans and 62.5% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2020 and comprised $1.7 billion or 72.7% of total commercial loans and 57.5% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2019. Net deferred costs included in the portfolio balances above were $3.0 million and $5.1 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Discounts on purchased 1-4 family loans included in the portfolio balances above were $219 thousand and $250 thousand at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The commercial portfolio is monitored for potential concentrations of credit risk by market, type of lending, CRE property type C&I and owner-occupiedtenant concentrations. Given the continued rising rate environment our mortgage portfolio experienced more modest growth in 2023 compared to 2022. At December 31, 2023, the loan portfolio was comprised of 24.8% floating rates which reprice monthly, 41.9%, variable rates that reprice at least once during the life of the loan and the remaining 33.3% are fixed rate loans. The Company continues to carefully monitor the loan portfolio during 2023, including in light of market conditions that impact our borrowers and the interest rate environment.

Total CRE by industry, investment CRE dependent on common tenants and industries or property types that are similarly impacted by external factors.

Our exposure to hospitalityrepresented 47.7% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2020 equated2023 compared to approximately $497.2 million, or 16.9%46.7% at December 31, 2022. The Company’s CRE loan portfolio is concentrated predominantly in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, West Virginia and Georgia within the retail, multifamily, hospitality, warehouse and office metrics.

50

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
The following table presents the Company's CRE breakout by segment, the segment amounts included in special mention and substandard and the related percentages by segment to total CRE and total portfolio loans as of the periods indicated:
December 31,
20232022
(Dollars in Thousands)CRE PortfolioCRE Balance in Special Mention/Substandard Risk Rating% of Each Segment to Total CRE Loans% of Each Segment to Total Portfolio LoansCRE PortfolioCRE Balance in Special Mention/Substandard Risk Rating% of Each Segment to Total CRE Loans% of Each Segment to Total Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate
Retail$396,831 $62 23.8 %11.3 %$319,557 $155 21.7 %10.1 %
Multifamily386,123 — 23.1 %11.0 %289,667 9,964 19.7 %9.2 %
Warehouse373,812 — 22.4 %10.7 %264,705 85 18.0 %8.4 %
Hospitality289,553 72 17.3 %8.3 %308,856 — 21.0 %9.8 %
Office222,160 1,349 13.3 %6.3 %225,930 2,898 15.4 %7.2 %
Other2,152 119 0.1 %0.1 %61,847 120 4.2 %2.0 %
Total CRE Loans$1,670,631 $1,602 100.0 %47.7 %$1,470,562 $13,222 100.0 %46.7 %
CRE loans represent a portfolio concentration risk. The majority of our CRE loans are made in the above noted geographies and granted to experienced developers and sponsors with loan guaranty structures that provide recourse to individuals with access to financial resources. We believe our knowledge of CRE and our operating knowledge at the local and regional level of these markets allows us to effectively manage concentration risk. Our operating knowledge at the local and regional level is derived from our front-line connection to the customer and our understanding of their business model. We also have access to research tools that inform us about market statistics such as occupancy, lease growth rates and new construction starts. This data is reviewed frequently by our credit officers and disseminated to our lenders. The bank’s underwriting process includes multiple shock scenarios primarily focused on cash flow and leverage in order to determine a supportable loan amount.
We attempt to limit our exposure to credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio by segment, geography, collateral and industry while actively managing concentrations. When concentrations exist in certain segments, we seek to mitigate this risk by reviewing the relevant economic indicators and internal risk rating trends of the loans in these segments. The Company established transaction, relationship and specific loan segment limits in its loan policy. Total commercial real estate balances should not exceed the combination of 300% of total portfolio loans. These were mostly loans secured by upscale or top tier flagged hotels, whichrisk-based capital and growth in excess of 50% over the previous thirty-six months and construction loan balances should not exceed 100% of total risk-based capital. Investment real estate property types and purchased loan programs have historically exhibited low leverage and strong operating cash flows. However, we anticipateindividual dollar limits that a significant portion of our borrowersshould not be exceeded in the hotel industry will continueportfolio and are based on management’s risk tolerance relative to operate at occupancy levels at or below breakeven which has caused, or will cause, them to draw on their existing lines of credit with other financial institutions or other sources of liquidity and may adversely affect their ability to repay existing indebtedness. These developments, together with the current economic conditions generally, may adversely impact the valuecapital. In addition, there are specific targets for various categories of real estate collateral in hospitalityloans with respect to debt service coverage ratios, loan-to-value ratios, loan terms, and other commercial real estate exposure. Asamortization periods. We also have policy limits on loan-to-cost for construction projects. Although leverage is important, the Company also focuses on cash flow generation and employs stress testing to calculate a result, we anticipate that our financial condition, capital levels and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Portfoliosupportable loan balances ofamount.

Aggregate commitments to our top 10 credit relationships were $675.9$636.7 million at December 31, 2020, with2023. The Other segment represents 47.4% of the top 10 credit relationships and the Company has since transferred its largest lending relationship of $301.9 million to nonaccrual during the second quarter of 2023, as described in more detail below under “Credit Quality” in this MD&A.
51

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
The following table summarizes our top 10 relationships and a total commitment exposuredescription of $727.7 million. These loans are inindustries represented for the hospitality, golf course, agricultural, land holdings, commercial real estate (multi-family and office/retail), energy, land development, and lumber industries.

Line utilization, unusedperiods presented:

For the Periods Ending
Dollars in Thousands12/31/202312/31/2022Change2023 % of Gross Loans2023 % of RBC
1. Hospitality, Agriculture & Energy$301,913 $309,107 $(7,194)8.61 %62.26 %
2. Retail Real Estate & Food Services53,576 55,625 (2,049)1.53 %11.05 %
3. Multifamily Development40,000 40,000 — 1.14 %8.25 %
4. Retail Real Estate38,972 37,679 1,293 1.11 %8.04 %
5. Hospitality37,502 35,255 2,247 1.07 %7.73 %
6. Industrial & Retail Real Estate33,885 41,725 (7,840)0.97 %6.99 %
7. Non-Owner Occupied / Commercial Real Estate33,752 17,308 16,444 0.96 %6.96 %
8. Multifamily & student housing32,747 33,998 (1,251)0.94 %6.75 %
9. Hospitality32,328 33,587 (1,259)0.92 %6.66 %
10. Multifamily / Commercial Real Estate32,000 24,000 8,000 0.91 %6.60 %
Top Ten (10) Relationships636,675 628,284 8,391 18.16 %131.29 %
Total Gross Loans3,505,910 3,148,913 356,997 
% of Total Gross Loans18.16 %19.95 %(1.79)%
Concentration (25% of RBC)$121,231 $120,863 
Unfunded commitments excluding consumer overdrafton lines of credit were $410.7$568.7 million at December 31, 20202023 as compared to $355.5$512.7 million at December 31, 2019.2022. The majority of unused commitments are for construction projects that will be drawn as the construction completes. Total utilization excluding consumer overdraft lines, was 47.8%53.8% at December 31, 2020, as compared to 51.1%2023 and 50.3% at December 31, 2019. Commercial line utilization2022. Unfunded commitments on commercial operating lines of credit was 48.3%53.7% at December 31, 2020, as compared to 50.8%2023 and 49.7% at December 31, 2019.

From time2022.

Unsecured loans pose higher risk for the Company due to time, we have mortgagethe lack of a well-defined secondary source of repayment. Commercial unsecured loans held-for-sale derived from two sources. First, we purchase mortgage loans on a short-term basis from a partnerare reserved for the best quality customers with well-established businesses that operate with low financial institution that have fully executed sales contracts to end investors. Secondly, we originate and close mortgages with fully executed contracts with investors to purchase shortly after closing. We then hold these mortgage loans from both sources until fundedoperating leverage. The repayment capacity of the borrower should exceed the policy and guidelines for secured loans. The Company significantly increased the standards for consumer unsecured lending by adjusting upward the investor, typically a two-week period. Mortgage loans held-for-salerequired qualifying Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores and restricting loan amounts at lower FICO scores.
Deferred costs and fees included in the portfolio balances above were $25.4$7.2 million and $19.7$8.2 million at December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019,2022, respectively.

63
Discounts on purchased 1-4 family loans included in the portfolio balances above were $133.4 thousand and $161.2 thousand at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

52


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

In addition to mortgage loans held-for-sale, the Company had $9.8 million in loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches at December 31, 2020 that are expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

The following tables present the maturity schedule of selectedportfolio loan types at December 31, 2020:

  Maturity 
     After One       
  Within  But Within  After    
(Dollars in Thousands) One Year  Five Years  Five Years  Total 
Fixed interest rates $187,635  $52,829  $5,870  $246,334 
Variable interest rates  48,707   98,207   13,142   160,056 
Total Construction Loans (1) $236,342  $151,036  $19,012  $406,390 

(1) Totals2023:

Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)Within
One Year
After One
But Within
Five Years
After
Five But Within 15 Years
After 15 YearsTotal
Fixed interest rates
Commercial Real Estate$729 $423,118 $169,944 $9,096 $602,887 
Commercial and Industrial28 69,343 154,602 2,941 226,914 
Residential Mortgages48 18,861 69,610 22,447 110,966 
Other Consumer29,775 4,140 — 33,923 
Construction5,299 208,150 3,030 — 216,479 
Other— — — — — 
Portfolio Loans with Fixed Interest Rates$6,112 $749,247 $401,326 $34,484 $1,191,169 
Variable interest rates
Commercial Real Estate$— $87,036 $711,014 $269,694 $1,067,744 
Commercial and Industrial308 23,464 18,638 2,187 44,597 
Residential Mortgages1,747 27,942 647,267 676,963 
Other Consumer— 354 — — 354 
Construction6,847 204,912 6,541 1,570 219,870 
Other301,913 — — 3,300 305,213 
Portfolio Loans with Variable Interest Rates$309,075 $317,513 $764,135 $924,018 $2,314,741 
Total Portfolio Loans $315,187 $1,066,760 $1,165,461 $958,502 $3,505,910 
Refer to Commercial ConstructionNote 5, Loans and Consumer ConstructionLoans Held-For-Sale, in the loan composition table above.

  Maturity 
     After One       
  Within  But Within  After    
(Dollars in Thousands) One Year  Five Years  Five Years  Total 
Fixed interest rates $6,050  $80,059  $53,410  $139,519 
Variable interest rates  13,983   99,691   53,635   167,309 
Total Commercial, Industrial  & Agricultural (2) $20,033  $179,750  $107,045  $306,828 

(2) TotalsNotes to Commercial & IndustrialConsolidated Financial Statements in the loan composition table above.

Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our loans.

Credit Quality

On a monthly basis, a criticized asset committeeCriticized Asset Committee meets to review allcertain watch, special mention and substandard risk rated loans within prescribed policy thresholds. These loans typically represent the highest risk of loss to the Company. Action plans are established and these loans are monitored through regular contact with the borrower and loan officer, review of current financial information and other documentation, review of all loan or potential loan restructures or modifications and the regular re-evaluation of assets held as collateral.

We attempt to limit our exposure to credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio by segment, geography, collateral and industry and actively managing concentrations. When concentrations exist in certain segments, we mitigate this risk by reviewing the relevant economic indicators and interest risk rating trends and through stress testing of the loans in these segments. The Company has specific loan segment limits in its loan policy. Total commercial real estate balances should not exceed the combination of 300% of total risk based capital and growth in excess of 50% over the previous thirty-six months and construction loan balances should not exceed 100% of total risk based capital. Investment real estate property types and purchased loan programs have individual dollar limits that should not be exceeded in the portfolio. In addition, there are specific limits in place for various categories of real estate loans with regards to loan-to-value ratios, loan terms, and amortization periods.

Unsecured loans pose a higher risk for the Company due to the lack of a well-defined secondary source of repayment. Unsecured loans are reserved for the best quality customers with well-established businesses, operate with low financial and operating leverage and demonstrate an ability to clear the outstanding balance on lines of credit for at least thirty consecutive days annually. The repayment capacity of the borrower should exceed all policy and guidelines for secured loans. If the borrower is unable to comply with this requirement and the Company is willing to renew the credit facility, the line should be secured and/or begin amortization.

64

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

On a quarterly basis, the Credit Risk Committee of the Board meets to review our loan portfolio metrics, segmentation guidelines,approve segment limits, approve the adequacy of ACL, and loan review the findings from Loan Review identified in the previous quarter. Annually, this same committee reviewsapproves credit related policiespolicy changes and policy enhancements as they become available.

Additional credit risk management practices include periodic reviewcontinuous reviews of trends in our lending footprint and update of our lending policies and procedures to support sound underwriting practices, concentrations, delinquencies and portfolio management throughannual portfolio stress testing. Our loan reviewLoan Review department serves as a mechanism to independently monitor credit quality and assess the effectiveness of credit risk management practices to provide oversight of all corporate lending activities. The loan review function has the primary responsibility for assessing commercial credit administration and credit decision functions of consumer and mortgage underwriting, as well as determining the appropriateness of risk ratings for those loans reviewed and providing input to the loan risk rating process. Our policy is to place loans in all categories in nonaccrual status when collection of interest or principal is doubtful, or generally when interest or principal payments are 90 days or more past due based on contractual terms.

The Company has a loan review policy and annual scope report that details the level of loan review for commercial loans in a given year. Primary objectives of loan reviews include the identification of unknown risks and patterns that might influence potential future losses. In concert with significant enhancements to the underwriting process, the scope of loan review has been broadened since 2019 to include assurance testing with respect to the accuracy of the underwriting function. During 2020, we used a four-step approach for loan review in the following segments:

·A review of the largest twenty pass-rated loan relationships, which represents approximately a quarter of total loans;

·A sampling of new loans originated to include an examination of the evidence of appropriate approval, adherence to loan policy and the completeness and accuracy of the analysis contained in the approval document;

·A sampling of Large Loan Relationships (“LLRs”) which are defined as loan relationships with aggregate exposure of at least $2 million that are not part of the top 20 review; and

·Concentration focus reviews of identified segments that represent concentration risk, represented by collateral types including but not limited to hospitality, multifamily and retail with the goal of examining patterns of loss history, document exceptions, policy exceptions and emerging trends in risk characteristics. The Company does not typically structure these with a 30-day cleanout feature since that is difficult to measure and enforce. Instead we usually set higher debt service standards and underwrite to the ability to amortize the loan on unsecured terms.

65

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) consist of nonaccrual loans, nonaccrual TDRs and OREO. The following table summarizes nonperforming assets for the dates presented:

(Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 
Nonaccrual Loans 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Commercial Real Estate $224  $1,017  $684  $39,421  $45,181 
Commercial and Industrial  456   77   606   -   1 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  2,012   3,210   826   11,342   50,604 
Residential Mortgages  4,135   2,857   1,779   284   358 
Other Consumer  191   267   65   47   1 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Nonaccrual Loans  7,018   7,428   3,960   51,094   96,145 
                     
Nonaccrual Troubled Debt Restructurings                    
Commercial Real Estate  21,667   30,073   36,369   39,138   11,969 
Commercial and Industrial  -   390   -   -   - 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  3,319   4,242   10,130   2,241   11,238 
Residential Mortgages  -   -   272   425   112 
Other Consumer  -   -   -   -   - 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Nonaccrual Troubled Debt Restructurings  24,986   34,705   46,771   41,804   23,319 
Total Nonaccrual Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings  32,004   42,133   50,731   92,898   119,464 
Other Real Estate Owned  15,722   18,324   33,681   39,793   23,558 
Total Nonperforming Assets $47,726  $60,457  $84,412  $132,691  $143,022 
                     
Nonaccrual Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings to Total Portfolio Loans  1.09%  1.46%  1.88%  3.46%  4.37%
Nonperforming Assets to Total Portfolio Loans plus Other Real Estate Owned  1.61%  2.08%  3.08%  4.87%  5.19%

Nonperforming assets decreased to $12.7 million to $47.7 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $60.4 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to a $10.1 million decline in nonaccrual loans and a $2.6 million net decrease in OREO. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to pay-downs during the 2020, offset by draws on minimal commitments. The gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms, had these loans not been placed on nonaccrual status was $4.7 million during 2020. The decrease in OREO was primarily due to sales of properties during 2020, offset by transfers into OREO. Eight retail branch banking offices were closed during 2020 as part of our branch optimization project. Five of these branches were moved to OREO in 2020 and marketed for sale resulting in a $1.1 million write-down. Closed retail bank offices have a remaining book value of $2.5 million at December 31, 2020 and $3.0 million at December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2020 total nonaccrual loans include $7 thousand in loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches. There were no nonaccrual loans related to loans held-for-sale in 2019.

The CARES Act permits banks to suspend requirements under GAAP for loan modifications to borrowers affected by COVID-19 that would otherwise be characterized as TDRs and suspend any determination related thereto if (i) the loan modification is made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 emergency declaration and (ii) the applicable loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The provisions of the CARES Act dealing with temporary relief related to TDRs was extended pursuant to the CAA, which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. This amendment extended the “applicable” period to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic terminates. The federal banking agencies also issued guidance to encourage banks to make loan modifications for borrowers affected by COVID-19 and to assure banks that they will not be criticized by examiners for doing so. We are currently applying this guidance to qualifying loan modifications. At this time, it is uncertain what future impact loan and lease modifications related to COVID-19 will have on our financial condition, results of operations and allowance for loan losses.

66

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following table summarizes past due loans for the dates presented:

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Still Accruing                    
Commercial                    
Commercial Real Estate $-  $-  $-  $-  $208 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   4   - 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  -   -   -   -   73 
Total Commercial Loans  -   -   -   4   281 
Consumer                    
Residential Mortgages  -   -   -   493   311 
Other Consumer  -   -   -   59   26 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Consumer Loans  -   -   -   552   337 
Total Loans 90 Days or More Past Due $-  $-  $-  $556  $618 

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Loans 30 to 89 Days Past Due                    
Commercial                    
Commercial Real Estate $3,816  $1,220  $1,103  $3,682  $7,692 
Commercial and Industrial  384   161   62   161   23 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   236   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  284   228   2,501   109   91 
Total Commercial Loans  4,484   1,845   3,666   3,952   7,806 
Consumer                    
Residential Mortgages  1,347   942   2,442   1,652   1,375 
Other Consumer  580   1,283   1,510   392   197 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Consumer Loans  1,927   2,225   3,952   2,044   1,572 
Total Loans 30 to 89 Days Past Due $6,411  $4,070  $7,618  $5,996  $9,378 

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing were zero at December 31, 2020 and 2019. With the implementation of the Company’s new core system, loans past due 90 days are automatically transferred to nonaccrual status. Loans past due 30 to 89 days or more and still accruing increased $2.3 million to $6.4 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $4.1 million at December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2020 total loans past due 30 to 89 days include $7 thousand in loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches. There were no past due loans related to loans held-for-sale in 2019.

67

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Closed-end installment loans, amortizing loans secured by real estate and any other loans with payments scheduled monthly are reported past due when the borrower is in arrears two or more monthly payments. Other multi-payment obligations with payments scheduled other than monthly are reported past due when one scheduled payment is due and unpaid for 30 days or more. We monitor delinquency on a monthly basis, including early stage delinquencies of 30 to 89 days past due for early identification of potential problem loans.

TDRs are loans that we, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grant a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise grant. The Company strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify the terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms generally include extension of maturity dates at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar characteristics, reductions in contractual interest rates or principal deferment. While unusual, there may be instances of principal forgiveness. These modifications are generally for longer term periods that would not be considered insignificant.

An accruing loan that is modified into a TDR can remain in accrual status if, based on a current credit analysis, collection of principal and interest in accordance with the modified terms is reasonably assured, and the borrower has demonstrated sustained historical performance for a reasonable period before the modification. All TDRs are considered to be impaired loans and will be reported as impaired loans for their remaining lives, unless the restructuring agreement specifies an interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that would be accepted at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and we fully expect that the remaining principal and interest will be collected according to the restructured agreement. The Company individually evaluates all impaired loans, which includes TDRs, greater than or equal to $1.0 million for additional impairment. In addition, the Company evaluates credits that have complex loan structures for impairment, even if the balance is less than $1.0 million. Nonaccrual TDRs can be returned to accruing status if the ultimate collectability of all contractual amounts due, according to the restructured agreement, is not in doubt and there is a period of a minimum of six months of satisfactory payment performance by the borrower either immediately before or after the restructuring.

As an example, consider a substandard commercial construction loan that is currently 90 days past due where the loan is restructured to extend the maturity date for a period longer than would be considered an insignificant period of time. The post-modification interest rate given to the borrower is considered to be lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk and all other terms remain the same according to the original loan agreement. This loan will be considered a TDR as the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and a concession has been granted due to the long extension, resulting in payment delay as well as the rate being lower than current market rate for new debt with similar risk. The loan will be reported as a nonaccrual TDR and an impaired loan. In addition, the loan could be charged down to the fair value of the collateral if a confirmed loss exists. If the loan subsequently performs, by means of making on-time principal and interest payments according to the newly restructured terms for a period of six months, and it is expected that all remaining principal and interest will be collected according to the terms of the restructured agreement, the loan will be returned to accrual status and reported as an accruing TDR. The loan will remain an impaired loan for the remaining life of the loan because the interest rate was not adjusted to be equal to or greater than the rate that would be accepted at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk.

68

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following table summarizes the restructured loans as of the dates presented:

  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
  Performing  Nonperforming  Total  Performing  Nonperforming  Total 
(Dollars in Thousands) TDRs  TDRs  TDRs  TDRs  TDRs  TDRs 
Commercial                        
Commercial Real Estate $6,151  $21,667  $27,818  $3,183  $30,073  $33,256 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   -   390   390 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  52,481   3,319   55,800   53,116   4,242   57,358 
Total Commercial TDRs  58,632   24,986   83,618   56,299   34,705   91,004 
Consumer                        
Residential Mortgages  50,618   -   50,618   52,966   -   52,966 
Other Consumer  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total Consumer TDRs  50,618   -   50,618   52,966   -   52,966 
Total TDRs $109,250  $24,986  $134,236  $109,265  $34,705  $143,970 

TDRs decreased $9.7 million, or 6.8%, to $134.2 million at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. The Bank received $12.8 million of pay-downs, offset by an addition of $3.1 million. TDRs of $25.0 million and $34.7 million were nonaccrual as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020 we had one relationship identified as a TDR that had minimal commitments to lend additional funds.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Bank modified one loan totaling $3.1 million that constituted a TDR. The loan is part of a $15.7 million relationship. The relationship is collateralized by income producing property and unimproved land that was acquired for future development. The cash flows of the income producing property are insufficient to amortize the $3.1 million loan which matured during the year. The underlying conditions in the immediate submarket make development in the near term unlikely. The Bank renewed the $3.1 million loan and extended interest only terms which management considered a concession. The balance of the relationship continues to amortize as agreed and the cash flows of the income producing property are sufficient to amortize the larger loan and fund interest payments on the $3.1 million loan.

The Bank had one loan modified as a TDR during the twelve months ending December 31, 2019 totaling $0.6 million in post-modified recorded balances. The TDR modification was a result of several key factors. The borrower is experiencing financial difficulties due to negative cash flows and being dependent upon collateral to repay the loan. The most recent appraisal suggests that the borrower would have to sell the lots in this lot development project at a price higher than the appraisal for this project to be profitable. In addition, when comparing the complete value versus the cost to complete, the loan would not currently fit our standards for underwriting a lot development loan. The current rate on the loan is below market rate and there are other terms and conditions that would not be offered to a comparable borrower. There were no TDR payment defaults during the year ended December 31, 2019 for TDRs with outstanding principal balances at year end 2019. For purposes of this disclosure, a TDR payment default occurs when, within 12 months of the original TDR modification, either a full or partial charge-off occurs or a TDR becomes 90 days or more past due.

69

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

      Obligations           
(Dollars in Thousands) Commercial Commercial Of States and Commercial Residential Other Consumer   
December 31, 2020 Real Estate & Industrial Political Sub. Construction Mortgages Consumer Construction Total 
Pass $1,281,106 $228,200 $250,336 $270,798 $415,773 $57,418 $18,983 $2,522,614 
Special Mention  126,535  48  -  58,899  723  6  -  186,211 
Substandard  46,158  78,580  -  57,710  55,674  223  -  238,345 
Doubtful  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Loss  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,453,799 $306,828 $250,336 $387,407 $472,170 $57,647 $18,983 $2,947,170 
                          
Performing Loans $1,431,908 $306,372 $250,336 $382,076 $468,035 $57,463 $18,983 $2,915,173 
Non-Accrual Loans  21,891  456  -  5,331  4,135  184  -  31,997 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,453,799 $306,828 $250,336 $387,407 $472,170 $57,647 $18,983 $2,947,170 

      Obligations           
(Dollars in Thousands) Commercial Commercial Of States and Commercial Residential Other Consumer   
December 31, 2019 Real Estate & Industrial Political Sub. Construction Mortgages Consumer Construction Total 
Pass $1,198,269 $167,326 $364,869 $173,176 $456,859 $73,345 $16,736 $2,450,580 
Special Mention  1,368  203  -  1,476  1,178  9  -  4,234 
Substandard  165,673  89,269  -  118,175  56,501  334  -  429,952 
Doubtful  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Loss  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,365,310 $256,798 $364,869 $292,827 $514,538 $73,688 $16,736 $2,884,766 
                          
Performing Loans $1,334,220 $256,331 $364,869 $285,375 $511,681 $73,421 $16,736 $2,842,633 
Non-Accrual Loans  31,090  467  -  7,452  2,857  267  -  42,133 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,365,310 $256,798 $364,869 $292,827 $514,538 $73,688 $16,736 $2,884,766 

Loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches at December 31, 2020 include $7 thousand in the substandard category. There were no substandard loans in loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2019.

70

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Special mention, substandard and doubtful loans at December 31, 2020 decreased by $9.6 million to $424.6 million compared to $434.2 million at December 31, 2019, with an increase of $182.0 million in special mention and a decrease of $191.6 million in substandard. During 2020 there was a significant risk rating upgrade due to improvements in underlying operating cash flows of certain credits.

At this time, it is uncertain what impact COVID-19 will have on our current impaired loans or the susceptibility of the loan portfolio to future loan impairment.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an ALL at a level determined to be adequate to absorb estimated probable credit losses inherent within the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and it is presented as a reserve against loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Determination of an adequate ALL is inherently subjective and may be subject to significant changes from period to period. The methodology for determining the ALL has two main components: evaluation and impairment tests of individual loans and evaluation and impairment tests of certain groups of homogeneous loans with similar risk characteristics.

Our charge-off policy for commercial loans requires that loans and other obligations that are not collectible be promptly charged-off when the loss becomes probable, regardless of the delinquency status of the loan. We may elect to recognize a partial charge-off when management has determined that the value of collateral is less than the remaining investment in the loan. A loan or obligation does not need to be charged-off, regardless of delinquency status, if (i) management has determined there exists sufficient collateral to protect the remaining loan balance and (ii) there exists a strategy to liquidate the collateral. Management may also consider a number of other factors to determine when a charge-off is appropriate. These factors may include, but are not limited to:

• The status of a bankruptcy proceeding

• The value of collateral and probability of successful liquidation; and/or

• The status of adverse proceedings or litigation that may result in collection

Consumer unsecured loans and secured loans are evaluated for charge-off after the loan becomes 90 days past due. Loans past due 90 days are automatically transferred to nonaccrual status. Management reserves the right to exercise discretion at the individual loan level. For example, we may elect to transfer a loan to nonaccrual regardless of the delinquency status if we believe the collection in full of both principal and interest to be unlikely. We may also elect to retain a loan that is 90 or more days’ delinquent in accrual status if we believe the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Unsecured loans are fully charged-off and secured loans are charged-off to the estimated fair value of the collateral less the cost to sell.

71

53


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

The following summarizes our allowance for loan loss experience at December 31 for each of the years presented:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Balance Beginning of Year $38,762  $39,199  $35,318  $34,500  $26,990 
Provision for Loan Losses  18,006   3,404   16,870   43,197   17,717 
Charge-offs:                    
Commercial Real Estate  40   69   11,740   26,074   1,232 
Commercial and Industrial  66   22   20   32   257 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  -   393   -   16,452   8,454 
Residential Mortgages  258   197   184   286   1 
Other Consumer  3,991   4,401   2,710   465   510 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Charge-offs  4,355   5,082   14,654   43,309   10,454 
Recoveries:                    
Commercial Real Estate  707   -   654   10   - 
Commercial and Industrial  2   -   -   -   6 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  188   630   692   710   12 
Residential Mortgages  27   9   69   -   119 
Other Consumer  737   602   250   210   110 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   - 
Total Recoveries  1,661   1,241   1,665   930   247 
Total Net Charge-offs  2,694   3,841   12,989   42,379   10,207 
Balance End of Year $54,074  $38,762  $39,199  $35,318  $34,500 
                     
Net Charge-offs to Average Loans  0.09%  0.13%  0.47%  1.56%  0.38%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Portfolio Loans  1.83%  1.34%  1.45%  1.32%  1.26%

The increase in the ALL of $15.3 million was primarily due an increase in specific reserves of $9.1 million and an increase in general reserves of $6.2 million. The $6.2 million increase in general reserves included an increase of $16.1 million in qualitative reserves offset by a decrease of $9.9 million in quantitative reserves due to improvements in our loss history. The $16.1 million increase in qualitative reserves included $9.6 million due to general economic uncertainties and specific concerns regarding disruptions to our hospitality clients caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and an additional $6.5 million based on general economic, geo-political and other risk factors determined by management. These qualitative reserves are intended to reflect not only the risks of continued weak economic conditions on our loan portfolio, but also loss estimates identified in loan portfolios deemed to be at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic. We adjusted qualitative risk factors under our incurred loss model for economic conditions, changes in payment deferral procedures, expected changes in collateral values due to reduced cash flows and external factors such as government actions. Management believes the uncertainty regarding customers' ability to repay loans could be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic given higher unemployment rates, requests for payment deferrals, temporary business shutdowns and reduced consumer and business spending.

Net charge-offs were $2.7 million in 2020 as compared to $3.8 million in 2019. As a percentage of total portfolio loans net charge-offs were 0.09% and 0.13% for the periods ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total portfolio loans were 1.09% and 1.46% as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

72

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

An inherent risk to the loan portfolio as a whole is the condition of the economy in our markets. In addition, each loan segment carries with it risks specific to the segment. The Company develops and documents a systematic ALL methodology based on the following portfolio segments: 1) CRE, 2) C&I, 3) Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions, 4) Commercial Construction, 5) Residential Mortgages, 6) Other Consumer, and 7) Consumer Construction. The following is a discussion of the key risks by portfolio segment that management assesses in preparing the ALL.

CRE loans are secured by commercial purpose real estate, including both owner occupied properties and investment properties, for various purposes such as hotels, strip malls and apartments. Operations of the individual projects as well as global cash flows of the debtors are the primary sources of repayment for these loans. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the collateral type as well as the business.

C&I loans are made to operating companies or manufacturers for the purpose of production, operating capacity, accounts receivable, inventory or equipment financing. Cash flow from the operations of the borrower is the primary source of repayment for these loans. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the industry of the borrower. Collateral for these types of loans often do not have sufficient value in a distressed or liquidation scenario to satisfy the outstanding debt.

Obligations of States and Political Subdivision loans are made to local and state municipalities for various purposes including refinancing existing obligations, infrastructure up-fit and expansion, or to purchase new equipment. This segment of loans may be secured by general obligations from the municipal authority or revenues generated by infrastructure and equipment financed by the Company. The primary repayment source for these loans include the tax basis of the municipality, specific revenue streams related to the infrastructure financed, and other business operations of the municipal authority. The health and stability of state and local economies directly impacts each municipality’s tax basis and are important indicators of risk for this segment. The ability of each municipality to increase taxes and fees to offset debt service requirements give this type of loan a very low risk profile in the continuum of the Company’s loan portfolio.

Commercial Construction loans are made to finance construction of buildings or other structures, as well as to finance the acquisition and development of raw land for various purposes. While the risk of these loans is generally confined to the construction period, if there are problems, the project may not be completed, and as such, may not provide sufficient cash flow on its own to service the debt or have sufficient value in a liquidation to cover the outstanding principal. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the type of project and the experience and resources of the developer.

Residential Mortgages are loans secured by first and second liens such as home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and 1-4 family residential mortgages, including purchase money mortgages. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income and assets of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The state of the local housing market can also have a significant impact on this segment because low demand and/or declining home values can limit the ability of borrowers to sell a property and satisfy the debt.

Consumer loans are made to individuals and may be secured by assets other than 1-4 family residences, as well as unsecured loans. This segment includes auto loans and unsecured loans and lines. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income and assets of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The value of the collateral, if there is any, is less likely to be a source of repayment due to less certain collateral values.

73

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Consumer Construction loans are made for the construction of residential homes for which a binding sales contract exists and generally are for a period of time sufficient to complete construction. Residential construction loans to individuals generally provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase. Credit risk for residential real estate construction loans can arise from construction delays, cost overruns, failure of the contractor to complete the project to specifications and economic conditions that could impact demand for or supply of the property being constructed.

74

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following is the ALL balance by segment as of December 31 for the years presented below:

  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
     % of     % of     % of     % of     % of 
     Loans     Loans     Loans     Loans     Loans 
      in each      in each      in each      in each      in each 
      Category      Category      Category      Category      Category 
      to Total      to Total      to Total      to Total      to Total 
(Dollars in Thousands)  Amount  Loans   Amount  Loans   Amount  Loans   Amount  Loans   Amount  Loans 
Commercial Real Estate $36,428   49.3% $24,706   47.3% $23,897   50.3% $28,471   55.1% $26,445   55.9%
Commercial & Industrial  4,113   10.4%  3,236   8.9%  626   8.5%  1,210   12.4%  1,480   13.6%
Obligations of States and Political Sub.  951   8.5%  365   12.6%  432   16.0%  460   17.5%  462   16.9%
Commercial Construction  7,929   13.1%  5,377   10.2%  5,214   7.4%  2,198   4.4%  3,455   7.3%
Residential Mortgages  2,099   16.0%  1,736   17.8%  6,129   14.7%  2,543   7.2%  2,400   5.1%
Other Consumer  2,479   2.0%  3,299   2.6%  2,728   2.7%  288   3.0%  82   0.8%
Consumer Construction  75   0.6%  43   0.6%  173   0.4%  148   0.3%  176   0.4%
Balance End of Year $54,074   100% $38,762   100% $39,199   100.0% $35,318   100.0% $34,500   100.0%

Significant to our ALL is a higher concentration of commercial loans. The ability of borrowers to repay commercial loans is dependent upon the success of their business and general economic conditions. Due to the greater potential for loss within our commercial portfolio, we monitor the commercial loan portfolio through an internal risk rating system. Loan risk ratings are assigned based upon the creditworthiness of the borrower and are reviewed on an ongoing basis according to our internal policies. Loans rated special mention or substandard have potential or well-defined weaknesses not generally found in high quality, performing loans, and require attention from management to limit loss.

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans and OREO. The following table summarizes the ALL balance as of December 31nonperforming assets for the years presented below:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment $38,824  $32,593  $34,000  $35,286  $34,256 
Individually Evaluated for Impairment  15,250   6,169   5,199   32   244 
Total Allowance for Loan Losses $54,074  $38,762  $39,199  $35,318  $34,500 

The ALL was $54.1dates presented:

(Dollars in Thousands)December 31, 2023December 31, 2022Change
Nonaccrual Loans
Commercial Real Estate$1,324 $2,304 $(980)
Commercial and Industrial52 204 (152)
Residential Mortgages3,283 3,265 18 
Other Consumer59 51 
Construction2,904 864 2,040 
Other301,913 — 301,913 
Total Nonperforming Loans309,535 6,645 302,890 
Other Real Estate Owned2,463 8,393 (5,930)
Total Nonperforming Assets$311,998 $15,038 $296,960 
Nonperforming Loans to Total Portfolio Loans8.83 %0.21 %
Nonperforming Assets to Total Portfolio Loans plus Other Real Estate Owned8.89 %0.48 %
Nonperforming assets increased $297.0 million or 1.83% of total portfolio loansto $312.0 million at December 31, 20202023 compared to $38.8December 31, 2022. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company placed commercial loans that resided in the Other segment of the Company’s loan portfolio, relating to the Bank’s largest lending relationship which has an aggregate principal amount of $301.9 million, or 1.34%on nonaccrual status due to loan maturities and failure to pay in full. These nonperforming loans are 97.5% of the Company's total portfoliononperforming loans and 96.8% of the Company's total nonperforming assets.
Based on analyses of the credit relationship and various discounted cash flow valuation techniques utilized in the alternative modeling, which resulted in a valuation allowance with respect to these loans of $54.3 million at December 31, 2019.

75
2023, representing 18.0% of these loans aggregate principal amount. At December 31, 2023, all of the Bank’s loans related to this lending relationship are on nonaccrual status.

The Company believes it is well secured based on the net carrying value of the credit relationship and appropriately reserved for potential losses with respect to all such loans based on information currently available. As the borrowers on these loans operate in the hospitality, agriculture, and energy sectors, this credit relationship is secured by, among other collateral, commercial real estate properties in these sectors including but not limited to top-tier hospitality properties. When evaluating the net carrying value of this credit relationship at December 31, 2023, the Company utilized discounted cash flow valuation techniques to estimate the timing and magnitude of potential recoveries resulting from various collection processes.

The following is an analysis of nonperforming loans by loan portfolio segment for the dates presented, and each segment’s relative contribution to total nonperforming loans:
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Amount% of NPLsAmount% of NPLs
Commercial Real Estate$1,324 0.4 %$2,304 34.7 %
Commercial and Industrial52 — %204 3.1 %
Residential Mortgages3,283 1.1 %3,265 49.1 %
Other Consumer59 — %0.1 %
Construction2,904 1.0 %864 13.0 %
Other301,913 97.5 %— — %
Balance End of Period$309,535 100.0 %$6,645 100.0 %
54

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

Deposits

The Company has initiated collection processes with respect to such loans and intends to explore all alternatives for repayment. However, we cannot give any assurance as to the timing or amount of future payments or collections on such loans or that we will ultimately collect all amounts contractually due under the terms of such loans. For a discussion of collection proceedings with respect to these loans, see the information contained in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies,” under the heading “Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Closed retail bank offices have a remaining book value of $2.3 million at December 31, 2023 and $1.1 million at December 31, 2022, and are recorded in OREO on the Company’s balance sheet. During the year ended 2023, the Bank closed three retail banking offices and moved $1.4 million at fair value to OREO. These properties were marketed for sale as of December 31, 2023.
Past Company legacy underwriting standards relied heavily on loan to value and did not necessarily consider the income characteristics of the borrower or the repayment capacity of collateral with respect to speculative land financing. An overreliance on value as a primary repayment source can become compromised during real estate cycles. As a result, management has worked through these legacy credits and has installed a number of underwriting guardrails that consider the global cash flows and repayment capability of borrowers and/or guarantors, the proportion of speculation, transaction limits and introduced sensitivity analysis in order to determine supportable loan amounts. While these guardrails do not insulate the Company from credit cycles, we believe it should reduce the experience of defaults.
Closed-end installment loans, amortizing loans secured by real estate and any other loans with payments scheduled monthly are reported past due when the borrower is in arrears two or more monthly payments. Other multi-payment obligations with payments scheduled other than monthly are reported past due when one scheduled payment is due and unpaid for 30 days or more. We monitor delinquency on a monthly basis, including loans that are at risk for becoming delinquent and early stage delinquencies in order to identify emerging patterns and potential problem loans.
The following table summarizes past due loans for the dates presented:
(Dollars in Thousands)December 31,
20232022
Loans 30 to 89 Days Past Due
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate$319 $104 
Commercial and Industrial39 283 
Total Commercial Loans358 387 
Consumer
Residential Mortgages1,881 445 
Other Consumer405 541 
Total Consumer Loans2,286 986 
Construction3,388 3,464 
Other— — 
Total Loans 30 to 89 Days Past Due$6,032 $4,837 
Portfolio loans past due 30 to 89 days and still accruing increased $1.2 million to $6.0 million at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022, primarily in the residential mortgage segment. There were no loans during the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 that were past due more than 90 days and still accruing.
55

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
The following tables presentrepresent credit exposures by internally assigned risk ratings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial & IndustrialResidential MortgagesOther ConsumerConstructionOtherTotal
Pass$1,669,029 $268,622 $784,090 $34,202 $433,321 $3,300 $3,192,564 
Special Mention278 2,837 525 — 60 — 3,700 
Substandard1,324 52 3,314 75 2,968 301,913 309,646 
Total Portfolio Loans$1,670,631 $271,511 $787,929 $34,277 $436,349 $305,213 $3,505,910 
Performing Loans$1,669,307 $271,459 $784,646 $34,218 $433,445 $3,300 $3,196,375 
Nonaccrual Loans1,324 52 3,283 59 2,904 301,913 309,535 
Total Portfolio Loans$1,670,631 $271,511 $787,929 $34,277 $436,349 $305,213 $3,505,910 
December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial & IndustrialResidential MortgagesOther ConsumerConstructionOtherTotal
Pass$1,457,340 $303,893 $653,044 $44,495 $352,516 $180,745 $2,992,033 
Special Mention10,796 2,887 983 — 69 — 14,735 
Substandard2,426 3,012 3,921 67 968 131,751 142,145 
Total Portfolio Loans$1,470,562 $309,792 $657,948 $44,562 $353,553 $312,496 $3,148,913 
Performing Loans$1,468,258 $309,588 $654,683 $44,554 $352,689 $312,496 $3,142,268 
Nonaccrual Loans2,304 204 3,265 864 — 6,645 
Total Portfolio Loans$1,470,562 $309,792 $657,948 $44,562 $353,553 $312,496 $3,148,913 
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the composition of depositsCompany had no loans that were risk rated as doubtful. Special mention and substandard loans at December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
Noninterest-Bearing Demand $699,229  $554,875  $144,354   26.0%
Interest-Bearing Demand  366,201   286,561   79,640   27.8%
Money Market  294,229   140,589   153,640   109.3%
Savings  625,482   561,814   63,668   11.3%
Certificates of Deposits  1,614,770   1,960,406   (345,636)  (17.6)%
Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  84,717   -   84,717   NM 
Total $3,684,628  $3,504,245  $180,383   5.1%

NM31, 2023 increased $156.5 million to $313.3 million compared to December 31, 2022, with an increase of $167.5 million in substandard and a decrease of $11.0 million in special mention. The increase of $167.5 million in substandard loans is primarily related to the above mentioned $301.9 million nonaccrual lending relationship in the other loan category. The $301.9 million of loans related to the Bank’s largest lending relationship was nonperforming and rated as substandard at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022 the largest lending relationship in the other segment loans were all accruing and totaled $309.1 million of which, $177.3 million of those loans were pass-rated and $131.8 million of those loans were substandard-rated. The decrease of $11.0 million in special mention is primarily due to the upgrade of a CRE credit totaling $9.9 million to a pass rating.

Refer to Note 6, Allowance for Credit Losses, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our nonperforming loans and OREO.
Troubled Debt Restructuring Disclosures Prior to Our Adoption of ASU No. 2022-02
Prior to our adoption of ASU No. 2022-02, the Company accounted for Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”) as a loan which, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, granted a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise grant. The Company strived to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify terms and conditions before their loan defaults and/or is transferred to nonaccrual status. Modified terms that might have been considered a TDR generally included extension of maturity dates at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar characteristics, reductions in contractual interest rates or principal deferment. While unusual, there may have been instances of principal forgiveness. Short-term modifications that were considered insignificant were generally not considered a TDR unless there were other concessions granted. On April 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, which eliminated TDR accounting prospectively for all restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2022. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Polices, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to ASU No. 2022-02.
Generally, the Company individually evaluates all loans that are nonaccrual or considered a restructured loan, with a commitment equal to $1.0 million or greater and/or based on management’s discretion; for individually evaluated loan reserves.
56

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
In addition, the Company may individually evaluate credits that have complex loan structures, even if the commitment is less than $1.0 million. Nonaccrual loans can be returned to accruing status if the ultimate collectability of all contractual amounts due, according to the restructured agreement, is not in doubt and there is a period of a minimum of six months of satisfactory payment performance by the borrower either immediately before or after the restructuring.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The following summarizes our allowance for credit loss experience at December 31 for each of the years presented:
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Balance Beginning of Year$93,852 $95,939 $54,074
Impact of CECL Adoption— — 61,642
Provision for Credit Losses5,500 2,419 3,350
Charge-offs:
Commercial Real Estate— — 19,662
Commercial and Industrial63 3,436 374
Residential Mortgages203 46 273
Other Consumer2,665 1,677 2,256
Construction42 — 1,859
Other— — 
Total Charge-offs2,973 5,159 24,424
Recoveries:
Commercial Real Estate159
Commercial and Industrial881291
Residential Mortgages11099168
Other Consumer475404586
Construction14993
Other
Total Recoveries6736531,297
Total Net Charge-offs2,3004,50623,127
Balance End of Year$97,052$93,852$95,939
Net Charge-offs to Average Portfolio Loans0.07%0.15%0.79%
Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans2.77%2.98%3.41%
Total net charge-offs decreased to $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily in the C&I segment. The largest charge-off in 2022 was $3.4 million on a purchased syndicated C&I loan in the amount of $4.9 million, which was previously reserved for $2.6 million, transferred to held-for-sale in the third quarter of 2022 in the amount of $1.5 million and then sold in the fourth quarter of 2022. The net charge-offs of $23.1 million for the full year 2021 was primarily attributable to the resolution of five problem relationships during 2021, in which the majority of losses were anticipated and previously reserved.
57

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
The following is the allocation of the ACL balance by segment as of December 31 for the years presented below:
20232022
(Dollars in Thousands)Amount% of Loans in each Category to Total Portfolio LoansAmount% of Loans in each Category to Total Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate$19,873 47.7 %$17,992 46.7 %
Commercial & Industrial3,286 7.7 %3,980 9.9 %
Residential Mortgages10,879 22.5 %8,891 20.9 %
Other Consumer868 1.0 %1,329 1.4 %
Construction7,792 12.4 %6,942 11.2 %
Other54,354 8.7 %54,718 9.9 %
Balance End of Year$97,052 100.0 %$93,852 100.0 %
The increase in the ACL was primarily due to increases in the CRE, residential mortgage and construction segments as a result of loan growth in these segments during 2023. The ACL was $97.1 million, or 2.77%, of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023 compared to $93.9 million, or 2.98% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2022.
The following table summarizes the credit quality ratios and their components as of December 31 for the years presented below: 
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans
Allowance for Credit Losses$97,052 $93,852 
Total Portfolio Loans3,505,910 3,148,913 
Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Portfolio Loans2.77 %2.98 %
Nonperforming Loans to Total Portfolio Loans
Nonperforming Loans$309,535 $6,645 
Total Portfolio Loans3,505,910 3,148,913 
Nonperforming Loans to Total Portfolio Loans8.83 %0.21 %
Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonperforming Loans
Allowance for Credit Losses$97,052 $93,852 
Nonperforming Loans309,535 6,645 
Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonperforming Loans31.35 %1,412.37 %
Net Charge-offs to Average Portfolio Loans
Net Charge-offs$2,300 $4,506 
Average Total Portfolio Loans3,324,757 2,988,785 
Net Charge-offs to Average Portfolio Loans0.07 %0.15 %
The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on loans and on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the ACL at a level consistent with management's assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The provision for credit losses increased $3.1 million to $5.5 million for the year ended 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in the provision for credit losses was primarily driven by loan growth, net charge-offs and an increase in the other segment reserve related to the large NPL relationship.
The provision for unfunded commitments increased $0.4 million to $0.9 million for the year ended 2023 when compared to a provision of $0.5 million for the year ended 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in construction commitments. The reserve for unfunded commitments is largely comprised of unfunded commitments related to real estate construction loans and pressure on the reserve rates. There are three basic factors that influence the reserve rates associated with unfunded commitments for real estate construction loans. First, the reserve rate is extrapolated from the reserve rates calculated for certain commercial real estate funded loans within the ACL model. These reserve rates are influenced by the same factors cited in the ACL model such as economic forecasts, average portfolio life, etc. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional
58

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
information related to the ACL Policy and the discussion of these factors. Second, since the category of construction is generic, management applies a weighting of the reserve rates associated with certain CRE loans. The proportion of these segments affect the weighting. Third, volume changes impact the total reserve calculation.
As a percentage not meaningful

of average portfolio loans net charge-offs were 0.07% for the year ended 2023 and 0.15% for the same period in 2022. At December 31, 2023 NPLs increased $302.9 million at December 31, 2023 since December 31, 2022. NPLs as a percentage of total portfolio loans were 8.83% and 0.21% as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Refer to Note 6, Allowance for Credit Losses, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our ACL.
Deposits
The daily average balance of deposits and rates paid on deposits are summarized in the following table for the years ended December 31:

  2020  2019  2018 
(Dollars in Thousands) Average
Balance
  Rate  Average
Balance
  Rate  Average
Balance
  Rate 
Noninterest-Bearing Demand Deposits $634,864   -  $557,505   -  $551,124   - 
Noninterest-Bearing Demand Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  6,776   -   -   -   -   - 
Interest-Bearing Transaction Accounts  317,664   0.36%  249,086   0.80%  246,592   0.79%
Money Market  194,129   0.47%  134,676   1.24%  96,068   0.72%
Savings  591,967   0.11%  582,195   0.24%  663,801   0.31%
Certificates of Deposit  1,765,310   1.79%  2,054,077   2.02%  2,090,103   1.60%
Interest-Bearing Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  67,665   1.52%  -   -   -   - 
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits  2,936,735   1.21%  3,020,034   1.54%  3,096,564   1.23%
Total Deposits $3,578,375   0.99% $3,577,539   1.30% $3,647,688   1.04%

76

20232022
(Dollars in Thousands)Average BalanceRateAverage BalanceRate
Noninterest-Bearing Demand$680,889  $716,645  
Interest-Bearing Demand483,048 0.56 %489,298 0.32 %
Money Market448,324 1.98 %521,269 0.35 %
Savings544,938 0.11 %720,682 0.10 %
Certificate of Deposits1,428,646 2.83 %1,271,548 1.14 %
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits2,904,956 1.81 %3,002,797 0.62 %
Total Average Deposits$3,585,845 1.47 %$3,719,442 0.50 %

For the year ended December 31, 2023, total average deposits declined $133.6 million, which included decreases in average savings accounts of $175.7 million, or 24.4%, a decrease in money market accounts of $72.9 million, or 14.0%, a decline in average noninterest-bearing demand deposits of $35.8 million and a decrease in average interest-bearing deposits of $6.3 million, or 1.3% offset by an average increase in CDs of $157.1 million, or 12.4%. The decrease in average deposits was primarily due to the banking industry disruption in March 2023 and inflationary pressures on customers. Additionally, customers preferences have shifted to higher-yielding deposit products as interest rates increased.
The following table presents additional information about our year-end deposits:
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Deposits from the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services ("CDARS")$— $922 
Noninterest-Bearing Public Funds Deposits51,506 27,086 
Interest-Bearing Public Funds Deposits127,100 180,243 
Total Deposits not Covered by Deposit Insurance(1)
647,154 691,266 
Certificates of Deposits not Covered by Deposit Insurance304,968 159,030 
Deposits for Certain Directors, Executive Officers and their Affiliates1,799 2,910 
(1) These deposits are presented on an estimated basis. This estimate was determined based on the same methodologies and assumptions used for regulatory reporting requirements.
59

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

Deposits are our primary source

Maturities of funds. We believe that ourCDs over $250,000 or more, excluding brokered deposits, not covered by deposit base is stable and that we have the ability to attract new depositors while diversifying the deposit composition. Total depositsinsurance at December 31, 2020 increased $180.4 million, or 5.1%, from December 31, 2019. Noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $144.3 million, or 26.0%, to $699.2 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared to $554.9 million at December 31, 2019. Money market accounts increased $153.6 million, or 109.3%, during 2020 compared to 2019, due to recent special rate promotions. Interest-bearing demand deposits increased $79.6 million, or 27.8% to $366.2 million at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. Savings accounts increased $63.7 million, or 11.3%, at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $345.6 million, or 17.6%, in CDs at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 due to intentional runoff of these higher cost deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits comprised 19.0% and 15.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020, $84.7 million of deposits were held for assumption in connection with the sale of Bank branches that is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

The following table summarizes the maturities of CDs, excluding CDs held-for-assumption:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020 
2021 $746,635 
2022  249,239 
2023  293,434 
2024  135,306 
2025  187,931 
Thereafter  2,225 
Total $1,614,770 

Maturities of CDs of $250,000 or more outstanding, excluding CDs held-for-assumption at December 31, 20202023 are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands) Amount  Percent 
Three Months or Less $24,449   13.28%
Over Three Months Through Twelve Months  70,974   38.54%
Over Twelve Months Through Three Years  54,721   29.71%
Over Three Years  34,018   18.47%
Total $184,162   100%

(Dollars in Thousands)AmountPercent
Three Months or Less$94,424 31.0 %
Over Three Months Through Twelve Months109,217 35.8 %
Over Twelve Months Through Three Years80,122 26.3 %
Over Three Years21,205 6.9 %
Total$304,968 100.0 %
Refer to Note 12, Deposits, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our deposits.
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Borrowings

Borrowings are an additional source of liquidity for the Company. FHLB borrowings were $35.0 million and $10.0 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. FHLB borrowings are fixed rate advances for various terms and are secured by a blanket lien on select residential mortgages, select multifamily loans, and select commercial real estate loans at December 31, 2020. Total loans pledged as collateral were $804.2 million and $284.6 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. There were no securities available-for-sale pledged as collateral at December 31, 2020. The bank continues to methodically pledge additional eligible loans, with the ultimate expectation to have full pledging by year end 2021. Total securities available-for-sale pledged as collateral were $28.6 million at December 31, 2019. The Company is eligible to borrow up to an additional $510.5 million based upon current qualifying collateral and has a maximum borrowing capacity of approximately $1.0 billion, or 25% of the Company’s assets, as of December 31, 2020. The Company had the capacity to borrow up to an additional $242.2 million from the FHLB at December 31, 2019.

77
Federal Funds Purchased

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Information pertaining to FHLB advancesborrowings and federal funds purchased at December 31 is summarized in the table below:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Balance at Period End $35,000  $10,000  $- 
Average Balance during Period  30,628   2,329   - 
Average Interest Rate during the Period  1.18%  1.63%  0.00%
Maximum Month-end Balance during the Period  35,000   10,000   - 
Average Interest Rate at Period End  1.13%  1.63%  0.00%

(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Balance at Period End
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings$393,400 $180,550 $7,000 
Federal Funds Purchased— 17,870 — 
Average Balance during the Period
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings$402,675 $29,849 $25,986 
Federal Funds Purchased7,023 5,711 — 
Average Interest Rate during the Period
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings5.17 %3.90 %1.20 %
Federal Funds Purchased5.24 %3.29 %— %
Maximum Month-end Balance during the Period
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings$525,135 $180,550 $35,000 
Federal Funds Purchased46,965 23,020 — 
Average Interest Rate at Period End
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings5.20 %4.48 %1.61 %
Federal Funds Purchased— %4.65 %— %
The Company had $393.4 million of FHLB borrowings at December 31, 2023 an increase of $212.9 million compared to December 31, 2022. The Company had no overnight federal funds purchased at December 31, 2023 and had $17.9 million outstanding overnight federal funds purchased at December 31, 2022. The level and composition of borrowed funds fluctuates over time based on many factors including market conditions, loan growth, investment securities, deposit growth and capital considerations. We manage our borrowed funds to provide a reliable source of liquidity.
The Company held FHLB of Atlanta stock of $5.1$21.6 million and $4.1$9.7 million at December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019,2022, respectively. Dividends recorded on this restricted stock were $218 thousand, $144 thousand,$1.5 million and zero$0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019,2023 and 2018,December 31, 2022, respectively. The investment is carried at cost and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. We hold FHLB stock because we are a member of the FHLB of Atlanta. The FHLB requires members to purchase and hold a specified level of FHLB stock based upon the members’ asset values, level of borrowings and participation in other programs offered. Stock in the FHLB is non-marketable and is redeemable at the discretion of the FHLB. Members do not purchase stock in the FHLB for the same reasons that traditional equity investors acquire stock in an investor-owned enterprise. Rather, members purchase stock to obtain access to the products and services offered by the FHLB. Unlike equity securities of traditional for-profit enterprises, the stock of the FHLB does not provide its holders with an opportunity for capital appreciation because, by regulation, FHLB stock can only be purchased, redeemed and transferred at par value.

Refer to Note 13, Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings and Federal Funds Purchased, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our borrowings.
60

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
Capital Resources

The following table summarizes ratios for the Company and Bank for December 31:

  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
Common Equity Tier 1  13.08%  13.58%  13.86%  12.82%  12.12%
Tier 1 Ratio  13.08%  13.58%  13.86%  12.82%  12.12%
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio  14.33%  14.83%  15.11%  14.05%  13.25%
Leverage Ratio  10.26%  10.33%  9.61%  9.25%  8.03%

Shareholders’ equity decreased $32.9 million, or 7.0%, to $440.2

20232022
Leverage Ratio
Carter Bankshares, Inc.9.48 %10.29 %
Carter Bank and Trust9.41 %10.13 %
Common Equity Tier 1
Carter Bankshares, Inc.11.08 %12.61 %
Carter Bank and Trust10.99 %12.42 %
Tier 1 Ratio
Carter Bankshares, Inc.11.08 %12.61 %
Carter Bank and Trust10.99 %12.42 %
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Carter Bankshares, Inc.12.34 %13.86 %
Carter Bank and Trust12.25 %13.68 %
Total capital of $351.2 million at December 31, 2020 as2023, reflects an increase of $22.6 million compared to $473.1$328.6 million at December 31, 2019.2022. The decreaseincrease in shareholders’ equitytotal capital from December 31, 2022 is primarily due to a net lossincome of $45.9$23.4 million in 2020, a special dividend of $3.7 million paid in March of 2020, both offset by an increase in other comprehensive income infor the amount of $15.6 million. The change inyear ended December 31, 2023, other comprehensive income of $15.6$14.2 million was primarilyincreased due to thechanges in fair value of investment securities, an increase in net unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale driven by a change in interest rates during the period. The remaining difference isof $1.5 million related to stock-based compensationrestricted stock activity during the year, endedas well as, the transitional adjustment of $0.1 million, net of tax for the adoption of ASU 2023-02. Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $16.6 million related to the repurchase of common stock and the 1% excise tax on stock repurchases.
The Company and the Bank are subject to various capital requirements administered by the federal banking regulators. Failure to meet the minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies. Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios.
Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At December 31, 2020.

2023 and December 31, 2022, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

The Company continues to maintain its capital position with a leverage ratio of 10.26%9.48% as compared to the regulatory guideline of 5.0%5.00% to be well-capitalized and a risk-based Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.08%11.08% compared to the regulatory guideline of 6.5%6.50% to be well-capitalized. Our risk-based Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios were 13.08%11.08% and 14.33%12.34%, respectively, which places the Company aboutabove the federal bank regulatory agencies’ well-capitalized guidelines of 8.0%8.00% and 10.0%10.00%, respectively. We believe that we have the ability to raise additional capital, if necessary.

In July 2013

The Basel rules also permit banking organizations with less than $15.0 billion in assets to retain, through a one-time election, existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income, which currently does not affect regulatory capital. The Company elected to retain this treatment which reduces the federal banking agencies issued a final rule to implement thevolatility of regulatory capital levels.
The Basel III FinalCapital Rules and the minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule established a comprehensive capital framework and went into effect on January 1, 2015 for smaller banking organizations such as the Company. The rule also requiresrequire the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios, along with a capital conservation buffer, composed of Common Equity Tier 1effectively resulting in new minimum capital in an amount greater than 2.50% of total risk-weighted assets beginning in 2019.ratios. The capital conservation buffer was phased-in, in equal increments from 2016 through 2019. Asis designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a result, starting in 2019, the Company and the Bank were required to maintain aratio of Common Equity Tier I risk-based capital ratio greater than 7.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio greater than 8.5%, and a Total risk-based capital ratio greater than 10.5%; otherwise, they will be subject to restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments.

78

61


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)

Federal regulators periodically propose amendments

Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the regulatoryminimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital rulesconservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the related regulatory frameworklatter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and consider changes to the capital standards that could significantly increasecompensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The Basel III Capital Rules also provide for a “countercyclical capital neededbuffer” that is applicable to meet applicable standards. The timingonly certain covered institutions and does not have any current applicability to the Company or the Bank.
In December 2018, the Office of adoption, ultimate formthe Comptroller of the Currency, (the “OCC”), the FRB, and effect of any such proposed amendments cannot be predicted.

The community bank leverage ratiothe FDIC, approved a final rule wasto address changes to credit loss accounting under GAAP, including banking organizations’ implementation of CECL. The final rule provides banking organizations the option to phase in over a three-year period the Day 1 adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard. On March 27, 2020, the regulators issued interim final rule (“IFR”), “Regulatory Capital Rule: Revised Transition of the Current Expected Credit Losses Methodology for Allowances” in response to the disrupted economic activity from the spread of COVID-19. The IFR maintains the three-year transition option in the previous rule and provides banks the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (five-year transition option). We adopted CECL effective on January 1, 20202021 and allows qualifying community banking organizationselected to calculate a leverage ratioimplement the capital transition relief over the permissible three-year period.

Refer to measure capital adequacy. Qualifying banking organizationsNote 21, Capital Adequacy, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information related to our capital.
Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, we have entered into contractual obligations that have less than $10 billion total assets, a leverage ratio of greater than 9%, and meet other criteria such as off-balance sheet exposures and trading assets limits. Banks opting into this framework are not required to calculate or report risk-based capital. We did not adopt this framework; therefore, capital ratios are calculated and reported as detailed above.

Contractual Obligations

Contractual obligations represent future cash commitments and liabilities under agreements with third parties and exclude contingent contractual liabilities for which we cannot reasonably predict future payments. The Company has various financial obligations, including contractual obligations and commitments that may require future cash payments. The following table presents as of December 31, 2020, significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations Refer to third parties by payment date:

  Payments Due In 
(Dollars in Thousands) Less Than
One Year
  One to
Three
Years
  Three to
Five Years
  More Than
five Years
  Total 
Deposits without a Stated Maturity (1) $1,985,141  $-  $-  $-  $1,985,141 
Certificates of Deposits (1)  746,635   542,673   323,237   2,225   1,614,770 
Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with sale of Bank Branches (1)  84,717   -   -   -   84,717 
FHLB Advances  3,000   14,000   18,000   -   35,000 
Operating and Capital Leases  241   496   360   725   1,822 
Purchase Obligations  4,990   7,987   5,899   7,894   26,770 
Total $2,824,724  $565,156  $347,496  $10,844  $3,748,220 

(1) Excludes Interest

Lease contracts are described in Note 8, Premises and Equipment,the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.Annual Report on Form 10-K for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2023. These include payments related to (i) operating and finance leases referenced in Note 8, Right-of-Use (“ROU”) Assets and Lease Liabilities, (ii) time deposits with stated maturity dates in Note 12Deposits, (iii) Federal Home Loan Borrowings in Note 13, Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings and Federal Funds Purchased, and (iv) commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and purchase obligations in Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Purchase obligations primarily represent obligations under agreement with aour third-party data processing vendor and communications charges.

79
provider.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, the Company offers our customers lines of credit and letters of credit to meet their financing objectives. The undrawn or unfunded portion of these facilities do not represent outstanding balances and therefore are not reflected in our financial statements as loans receivable. The Company provides lines of credit to our clients to memorialize the commitment to finance the completion of construction projects and revolving lines of credit to operating companies to finance their working capital needs. Lines of credit for construction projects represent $391.4$452.2 million, or 66.2%64.4% and $298.8$373.2 million, or 61.1%59.2% of the Commitmentscommitments to Extend Creditextend credit identified in the table below at December 31, 20202023 and 2019,December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company provides letters of credit, generally, for the benefit or our customers to provide assurance to various municipalities that construction projects will be completed according to approved plans and specifications. These instruments involve elements of credit and interest rate risk and our exposure to credit loss, in the event the customer does not satisfy the terms of the agreement, could be equal to the contractual amount of the obligation less the value of any collateral. The Company analyzes this risk and calculates a reserve for unfunded commitments. The same credit policies are applied in granting these facilities as those used for underwriting loans. Lines of credit to finance construction projects include a construction end date, at which time the loan is expected to convert to a mini-perm loan. A department independent of our lending group monitors construction commitments of $1$1.0 million or more.greater and/or based on management’s discretion.. Lines of credit to operating companies to finance working capital include a maturity date and may include various financial covenants. Letters of credit include an expiration date unless it is a standby letter of credit which automatically renews but generally provide for a termination clause on an annual basis given sufficient notice to the beneficiary. The Company typically
62

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
charges an annual fee for the issuance of letters of credit. Because letters of credit are expected to expire without being drawn upon, these commitments do not necessarynecessarily represent future cash requirements of the Company.
The following table sets forth the commitments and letters of credit as of December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019 
Commitments to Extend Credit $591,175  $488,864 
Standby Letters of Credit  29,293   39,575 
Total $620,468  $528,439 

(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Commitments to Extend Credit$702,301 $630,619 
Standby Letters of Credit19,643 25,739 
Total$721,944 $656,358 
Estimates of the fair value of these off-balance sheet items were not made because of the short-term nature of these arrangements and the credit standing of the counterparties.

Our allowance for unfunded commitments is determined using a methodology similar to that used to determine the ALL. Amounts are added to the allowance for unfunded commitments through a charge to current earnings

For more details, see Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies, in noninterest expense. The balance in the allowance for unfunded commitments was $0.1 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Liquidity

Liquidity is defined as a financial institution’s ability to meet its cash and collateral obligations at a reasonable cost. This includes the ability to satisfy the financial needs of depositors who want to withdraw funds or of borrowers needing to access funds to meet their credit needs. In order to manage liquidity risk the Company’s Board has delegated authority to the ALCO for formulation, implementation and oversight of liquidity risk management for the Company. The ALCO’s goal is to maintain adequate levels of liquidity at a reasonable cost to meet funding needs in both a normal operating environment and for potential liquidity stress events. The ALCO closely monitors and manages liquidity through various ratios,by reviewing cash flow projections, performing balance sheet stress tests and by havingmaintaining a detailed contingency funding plan. Theplan that includes specific liquidity measures that are reviewed by the ALCO monthly. Our liquidity policy guidelines defineand contingency funding plan provide graduated risk tolerance levels.levels for multiple liquidity measures and potential liquidity environments. If our liquidity position moves to a level that has been defined as high risk, specific actions are required, such as increased monitoring or the development of an action plan to reduce the risk position.

80

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

OurThe Company’s primary funding and liquidity source is a stable customer deposit base. Management believes that we have the ability to retain existing deposits and attract new deposits, mitigating any potential funding dependency on other more volatile sources. Although deposits are the primary source of funds, the Company has identified various other funding sources that can be used as part of our normal funding program when either a structure or cost efficiency has been identified. Additional funding sources accessible to the Company include borrowing availability at the FHLB, equal to 25% of the Company’s assets or approximating $1.0$1.1 billion, subject to the amount of eligible collateral pledged, federal funds linesof which the Company is eligible to borrow up to an additional $480.3 million. The Company has unsecured facilities with sixthree other correspondent financial institutions intotaling $50.0 million, access to the amount of $145.0 million,institutional CD market, and the brokered deposit market. The Company did not have outstanding borrowings on these fed funds lines as of December 31, 2023. In addition to the lines referenced above funding resources, the Company also has its$563.5 million of unpledged available-for-sale investment securities, portfolioat fair value, as an additional source of liquidity.

Please refer to the Liquidity Sources table below for available funding with the FHLB and our unsecured lines of credit with correspondent banks.

The Company closely monitors changes in the industry and market conditions that may impact the Company’s liquidity and will use other borrowing means or other liquidity and funding strategies sources to fund its liquidity needs as needed. The Company is also closely tracking the potential impacts on the Company’s liquidity of declines in the fair value of the Company’s securities portfolio due to rising market interest rates and developments in the banking industry that may change the availability of traditional sources of liquidity or market expectations with respect to available sources and amounts of additional liquidity.
An important component of our ability to effectively respond to potential liquidity stress events is maintaining a cushion of highly liquid assets. Highly liquid assets are those that can be converted to cash quickly, with little or no loss in value, to meet financial obligations. ALCO policy guidelines define a ratio of highly liquid assets to total assets by graduated risk tolerance levels of minimal, moderate and high. At December 31, 2020,2023, the Bank had $871.4$578.4 million in highly liquid assets, which consisted of $40.0 million inFederal Reserve Board excess reserves and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions $163.5of $14.9 million in FRB Excess Reserves, $632.7
63

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
and $563.5 million in unpledged securities, $25.4 million in mortgage loans held-for-sale and $9.8 million in loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches.securities. This resulted in highly liquid assets to total assets ratio of 20.9%12.8% at December 31, 2020.

2023.

If an extended recession caused large numbers of our deposit customers to withdraw their funds, we might become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

The following table provides detail of liquidity sources as of the periods presented:

(Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Cash and Due From Banks $38,535  $41,386 
Interest Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions  39,954   45,156 
Federal Reserve Bank Excess Reserves  163,453   39,270 
Unpledged Investment Securities  632,724   592,065 
Excess Pledged Securities  7,857   16,030 
FHLB Borrowing Availability  510,533   242,188 
Unsecured Lines of Credit  145,000   115,000 
Total Liquidity Sources $1,538,056  $1,091,095 

December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Cash and Due From Banks, including Interest-bearing Deposits$54,529 $46,869 
Unpledged Investment Securities563,537 611,845 
Excess Pledged Securities61,774 46,305 
FHLB Borrowing Availability480,266 676,746 
Unsecured Lines of Credit Availability50,000 127,130 
Total Liquidity Sources$1,210,106 $1,508,895 
The following table provides total liquidity sources and ratios as of December 31:
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Total Liquidity Sources$1,210,106 $1,508,895 
Highly Liquid Assets(1) to Total Assets
12.8 %14.7 %
Highly Liquid Assets(1) to Uninsured Deposits
89.4 %89.2 %
Total Available Liquidity to Uninsured Deposits187.0 %218.3 %
(1 Highly liquid assets consist of $14.9 million in Federal Reserve Board excess reserves and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions and $563.5 million in unpledged securities.
Inflation

Management is aware of the significant effect inflation has on interest rates and can have on financial performance. The Company’s ability to cope with this is best determined by analyzing its capability to respond to changing interest rates and its ability to manage noninterest income and expense. The mix of interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities is monitored through ALCO in order to reduce the impact of inflation on net interest income. The effects of inflation are controlled by reviewing the prices of our products and services, by introducing new products and services and by controlling overhead expenses.

81
Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than the effects of general levels of inflation.

Stock Repurchase Plan
On March 29, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized, effective May 1, 2023, a common share repurchase program to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate over a period of twelve months, (the “2023 Program”) subject to receipt of non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, which was received on April 24, 2023. The 2023 Program authorizes the purchase of the Company’s common stock in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The authorization permits management to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time at management’s discretion. The actual means and timing of any shares purchased under the 2023 Program will depend on a variety of factors, including the market price of the Company’s common stock, general market and economic conditions, management’s evaluation of the Company’s financial condition and liquidity position and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The 2023 Program is authorized through May 1, 2024, although it may be modified or terminated by the Board at any time. The 2023 Program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares, and was exhausted as of August 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31,
64

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - (continued)
2023, the 1,000,000 shares of common stock had been repurchased under this program at a total cost of $14.2 million, or an average price of $14.16 per share.
Previously on June 28, 2022, the Company announced that its Board authorized, effective August 1, 2022, a common share repurchase program to purchase up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate over a period of twelve months, subject to non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, which was received in July 2022 (the “2022 Program”). The 2022 Program authorized the purchase of the Company’s common stock in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The authorization permitted management to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time at management’s discretion. The 2022 Program was originally authorized through August 1, 2023, did not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares, and was exhausted as of March 10, 2023.
Previously on December 13, 2021, the Company announced that its Board authorized, effective December 10, 2021, a common share repurchase program to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate over a period of twelve months (the “2021 Program”). The 2021 Program was originally authorized through December 9, 2022, did not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares, and was exhausted as of April 28, 2022.
65

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk is defined as the degree to which changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, or equity prices can adversely affect a financial institution’s earnings or capital. For financial institutions, market risk arises primarily reflects exposures tofrom interest rate risk inherent in lending, investment, and deposit-taking activities. Interest rate risk can arise from timing differences in the repricing and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (repricing risk), changes in the expected maturities of assets and liabilities arising from embedded options, such as borrowers’ ability to prepay home mortgage loans at any time, depositors’ ability to redeem certificates of deposit before maturity (option risk), changes in the shape of the yield curve, where interest rates. rates increase or decrease in a non-parallel fashion (yield curve risk), and changes in spread relationships between different yield curves, such as U.S. Treasuries and SOFR (basis risk).
Interest rate fluctuations affect earnings by changing net interest income and other interest-sensitive income and expense levels. Interest rate changes affect capital by changing the net present value of a financial institution’s future cash flows, and the cash flows themselves, as rates change. Accepting this risk is a normal part of banking and can be an important source of profitability and enhancement of shareholder value. However, excessive interest rate risk can threaten a financial institution’s earnings, capital, liquidity, and solvency. Our sensitivity to changes inThe Company’s ALCO is responsible for the reviewing the interest rate movements is continually monitoredsensitivity position of the institution, establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to this type of risk, and employing strategies to ensure our asset-liability structure produces the maximum yield-cost spread available based on current market conditions. The Company’s Investment / Interest Rate Risk Committee, a committee of the Board of Directors, reviews and approves the policies established by the ALCO.

Earnings Simulation Modeling
The ALCO utilizesuses an asset liability model (“ALM”) to monitor and manage market risk throughforecast earning simulations that measure the sensitivity of net interest income simulation for various rate shock scenariosto changes in interest rates. The ALM calculates an earnings estimate based on current and economic valueprojected balances and rates. This method is subject to the accuracy of equity (“EVE”), simulation for various rate shock scenarios.the assumptions that support the ALM process. The rate shock scenariosALCO derives the assumptions used in the ALM span over multiple time horizonsfrom historical trends and management’s outlook, including expected loan growth, loan prepayment rates, deposit growth rates, changes to deposit product betas and non-maturity deposit decay rates, and projected yields and rates. The ALM assumes that all maturities, calls, and prepayments in the securities portfolio are reinvested in like instruments. These assumptions may not be realized and unanticipated events and circumstances may also occur that cause the assumptions to be inaccurate. The ALM also does not take into account any future actions management may take to mitigate the impact of unforeseen interest rate changes. A sensitivity analysis for deposit betas, deposit decay rates and loan prepayment speeds is performed at least annually within the ALM to help ALCO better understand the impact of these critical assumptions on the ALM results. The ALCO reviews the assumptions of the ALM at least quarterly and periodically adjusts them when deemed appropriate.
The ALCO also uses different interest rate scenarios and shifts in yield curve shapes and include parallel and non-parallel shifts to ensure the ALCO can mitigate future earnings and market value fluctuations due to changes in market interest rates.

Within the context of the ALM, net interest income rate shock simulations explicitly measure the exposuresensitivity of earnings to earnings from changesvarious interest rate environments. Interest rates on unique asset and liability accounts move differently when the short-term market rate changes. These differences are reflected in market rates of interest over a defined time horizon. These robust simulations include assumptions of how the balance sheet will react in different rate environments including loan pre-payment speeds, average life of non-maturing deposits, and how sensitive each interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability is to changes in market rates (betas). Under simulation analysis,scenarios utilized by the ALM. For earning simulations, our current financial position is combined with assumptions regarding future business to calculate net interest income under various hypothetical rate scenarios. Reviewing these various measures provides us with a more comprehensive view of our interest rate risk profile.

Net interest income rate shock simulation results are compared to a base case to provide an estimate of the impact that market rate changes may have on 12 months and 24 months of pretax net interest income. The base case and rate shock analyses are performed on a static and growth balance sheet. A static balance sheet is a no growth balance sheet in which all maturing and/or repricing cash flows are reinvested in the same product at the existing product spread. Rate shock analyses assume an immediate parallel shift in market interest rates and also include management assumptions regarding the impact of interest rate changes on non-maturity deposit products (noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing demand, money market and savings) and changes in the prepayment behavior of loans and securities with optionality. Our policy guidelines limit the change in pretax net interest income over a 12-month and 24-month horizon using rate shocks of +/- 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis points.points and for non-parallel yield curve shift scenarios. We have temporarily suspended the -300+ 300 and -400+ 400 basis point rate shock analyses. Due to FOMC’s slowing future rate increase projections coupled with the low interest rate environment,recent increase in the Fed Funds Target Rate of 5.25% since March 17, 2022, we believe the impact to net interest income when evaluating the -300+ 300 and -400+400 basis point rate shock scenarios doesdo not provide meaningful insight into our interest rate risk position.

In order to monitorposition nor does it project a probable interest rate risk beyondenvironment for the 24-month time horizonforeseeable future.

66

The following tables below reflect the net interest income rate shock analyses and EVE analysesearnings simulation results for the periods presented utilizing a forecasted static balance sheet.sheet over the next twelve months. All percentage changes presented are within prescribed ranges set by management.

   December 31, 2020 
Change in Interest Rate  % Change in Pretax  % Change in Economic 
(basis points)  Net Interest Income  Value of Equity 
 400   39.6%  20.1%
 300   30.7%  17.5%
 200   21.1%  13.8%
 100   10.7%  8.1%

   December 31, 2019 
Change in Interest Rate  % Change in Pretax  % Change in Economic 
(basis points)  Net Interest Income  Value of Equity 
 400   24.1%  1.4%
 300   19.1%  2.2%
 200   13.4%  2.9%
 100   7.1%  2.5%
 (100)  -8.6%  -7.0%
 (200)  -15.9%  -14.1%

ALCO.

December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Change in Interest Rate (basis points)% Change in Pretax Net Interest Income% Change in Pretax Net Interest Income
200(1.1)%7.7%
100(0.3)%4.1%
-1002.4%(5.1)%
-2004.4%(10.7)%
-3005.6%(17.3)%
-4006.7%(23.5)%
The results from the net interest income rate shock analysis are consistent with havingearnings simulation imply that the Company’s balance sheet has shifted from an asset sensitive balance sheet at December 31, 2022 to a slightly liability sensitive balance sheet when adjusted for repricing correlations (betas).at December 31, 2023. The above table indicates that, in a rising interest rate environment, the Company is positioned to have increased pretaxa minimum increase in net interest income for the same asset baseand liability mix due to the balance sheet composition, related maturity structures, and repricing correlations to market interest rates for assets and liabilities. Conversely,However, in a declining interest rate environment, we are positioned to have decreased pretaxa slightly more advantageous increase in net interest income for the same reasons discussed above.

In addition

Based on the ALM results presented above for the quarters ending December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s balance sheet is slightly liability sensitive at December 31, 2023 versus assets sensitive at December 31, 2022. This migration from asset sensitivity to slightly liability sensitivity is due to 1) lower yielding, floating rate shocksexcess cash positions held in federal reserve bank and EVE analyses, sensitivity analysesinterest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, that are performedmore sensitive to help us identify which model assumptions are critical and cause the greatest impact on pretax net interest income. Sensitivity analyses include changing prepayment behavior of loans and securities with optionality, repricing correlations, and the impact offuture market interest rate changes which were deployed into higher yielding, fixed and variable rate securities and portfolio loans that are less sensitive to future market interest rate changes, 2) the addition of the Company’s largest lending relationship, with an aggregate principal amount of $301.9 million being placed on non-maturitynonaccrual status as of June 30, 2023, 3) shortening maturities of the time deposit products (decay rates).

83
portfolio due to shorter term time deposit promotional campaigns related to the inverted yield curve, and 4) the recent shifts in the shape of the yield curve between the two periods presented above.

Economic Value of Equity Modeling

Economic value of equity simulation is used to calculate the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities over different interest rate environments. The ALM calculates the economic value of equity based on discounted cash flow analysis. The net economic value of equity is the economic value of all assets minus the economic value of all liabilities. The change in net economic value of equity over different rate environments is an indication of the longer-term earnings capability of the balance sheet. The Company uses the same assumptions in the economic value of equity simulation model as in the earnings simulation model. The economic value of equity simulation model uses instantaneous rate shocks to the balance sheet. For economic value of equity simulation, our policy guidelines limit the change in economic value of equity given changes in rates of +/- 100, 200, 300, 400 basis points and for non-parallel yield curve shift scenarios. We have temporarily suspended the + 300 and + 400 basis point rate shock analyses. Due to FOMC’s slowing future rate increase projections coupled with the recent increase in the Fed Funds Target Rate of 5.25% since March 17, 2022, we believe the impact to net interest income when evaluating the + 300 and +400 basis point rate shock scenarios do not provide meaningful insight into our interest rate risk position nor does it project a probable interest rate environment for the foreseeable future.
Results for the economic value of equity modeling are driven primarily by the shape of the underlying yield curves and option-adjusted spreads used to discount the projected cash flows of assets and liabilities, and the assumed life span of the assets and liabilities being discounted.
67

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK - (continued)
The following tables reflect the economic value of equity analyses results for the periods presented. All percentage changes presented are within prescribed ranges set by management.
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Change in Interest Rate (basis points)% Change in Economic Value of Equity% Change in Economic Value of Equity
200(4.7)%(0.2)%
100(1.8)%0.8%
-1000.9%(3.4)%
-2000.5%(8.5)%
-300(2.7)%(16.0)%
-400(10.9)%(28.0)%
68

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on Consolidated Financial Statements144

84

69


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - (continued)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data) December 31,  December 31, 
ASSETS 2020  2019 
Cash and Due From Banks $38,535  $41,386 
Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions  39,954   45,156 
Federal Reserve Bank Excess Reserves  163,453   39,270 
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents  241,942   125,812 
Securities Available-for-Sale, at Fair Value  778,679   742,617 
Loans Held-for-Sale  25,437   19,714 
Loans Held-for-Sale in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches, at the lower of cost or fair value  9,835   - 
Portfolio Loans  2,947,170   2,884,766 
Allowance for Loan Losses  (54,074)  (38,762)
Portfolio Loans, net  2,893,096   2,846,004 
Bank Premises and Equipment, net  85,307   85,942 
Bank Premises and Equipment Held-for-Sale, net  2,293   - 
Other Real Estate Owned, net  15,722   18,324 
Goodwill  -   62,192 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost  5,093   4,113 
Bank Owned Life Insurance  53,997   52,597 
Other Assets  67,778   48,793 
Total Assets $4,179,179  $4,006,108 
         
LIABILITIES        
Deposits:        
Noninterest-Bearing Demand $699,229  $554,875 
Interest-Bearing Demand  366,201   286,561 
Money Market  294,229   140,589 
Savings  625,482   561,814 
Certificates of Deposit  1,614,770   1,960,406 
Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  84,717   - 
Total Deposits  3,684,628   3,504,245 
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings  35,000   10,000 
Other Liabilities  19,377   18,752 
Total Liabilities  3,739,005   3,532,997 
         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Common Stock, Par Value $1 Per Share, Authorized 100,000,000 Shares;        
26,385,041 Outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 26,334,229 at December 31, 2019  26,385   26,334 
Additional Paid-in-Capital  143,457   142,492 
Retained Earnings  254,611   304,158 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income  15,721   127 
Total Shareholders' Equity  440,174   473,111 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $4,179,179  $4,006,108 

(Dollars in Thousands Except per Share Data)December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
ASSETS
Cash and Due From Banks, including Interest-Bearing Deposits of $14,853 at December 31, 2023 and $4,505 at December 31, 2022$54,529 $46,869 
Securities Available-for-Sale, at Fair Value (amortized cost of $870,546 and $945,707, respectively)779,003 836,273 
Loans Held-for-Sale— — 
Portfolio Loans3,505,910 3,148,913 
Allowance for Credit Losses(97,052)(93,852)
Portfolio Loans, net3,408,858 3,055,061 
Bank Premises and Equipment, net73,707 72,114 
Other Real Estate Owned, net2,463 8,393 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost21,626 9,740 
Bank Owned Life Insurance58,115 56,734 
Other Assets114,238 119,335 
Total Assets$4,512,539 $4,204,519 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-Bearing Demand$685,218 $705,539 
Interest-Bearing Demand481,506 496,948 
Money Market513,664 484,238 
Savings454,876 684,287 
Certificates of Deposit1,586,651 1,261,526 
Total Deposits3,721,915 3,632,538 
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings393,400 180,550 
Federal Funds Purchased— 17,870 
Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments3,193 2,292 
Other Liabilities42,788 42,642 
Total Liabilities4,161,296 3,875,892 
Commitment and Contingencies - see NOTE 18.
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock, Par Value $1.00 Per Share, Authorized 100,000,000 Shares;
Outstanding - 22,956,304 shares at December 31, 2023, and
23,956,772 shares at December 31, 2022
22,957 23,957 
Additional Paid-in Capital90,642 104,693 
Retained Earnings309,083 285,593 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss(71,439)(85,616)
Total Shareholders’ Equity351,243 328,627 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity$4,512,539 $4,204,519 
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.

85
Consolidated Financial Statements.

70


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - (continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands except Per Share Data) 2020  2019  2018 
INTEREST INCOME            
Loans, including fees            
Taxable $117,226  $126,939  $119,563 
Non-Taxable  7,694   9,603   10,107 
Investment Securities            
Taxable  14,263   17,826   15,421 
Non-Taxable  1,238   1,858   4,246 
FRB Excess Reserves  224   1,484   1,589 
Interest on Bank Deposits  78   1,266   1,093 
Dividend Income  218   144   - 
Total Interest Income  140,941   159,120   152,019 
Interest Expense            
Interest Expense on Deposits  35,391   46,656   38,094 
Interest Expense on Federal Funds Purchased  1   -   20 
Interest on Other Borrowings  434   117   - 
Total Interest Expense  35,826   46,773   38,114 
NET INTEREST INCOME  105,115   112,347   113,905 
Provision for Loan Losses  18,006   3,404   16,870 
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses  87,109   108,943   97,035 
NONINTEREST INCOME            
Gain on Sales of Securities, net  6,882   2,205   1,271 
Service Charges, Commissions and Fees  4,668   4,962   4,081 
Debit Card Interchange Fees  5,857   5,160   4,750 
Insurance Commissions  1,728   1,225   1,855 
Bank Owned Life Insurance Income  1,400   1,436   1,161 
Other Real Estate Owned Income  340   689   2,692 
Commercial Loan Swap Fee Income  4,051   -   147 
Other  1,654   1,193   1,029 
Total Noninterest Income  26,580   16,870   16,986 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE            
Salaries and Employee Benefits  52,390   52,879   49,958 
Occupancy Expense, net  13,369   11,785   10,312 
FDIC Insurance Expense  2,313   1,270   2,985 
Other Taxes  3,151   2,847   2,571 
Advertising Expense  1,633   1,445   884 
Telephone Expense  2,303   2,202   2,466 
Professional and Legal Fees  5,006   4,507   5,288 
Data Processing  2,648   2,267   1,505 
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Other Real Estate Owned, net  1,435   4,732   8,201 
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises, net  99   188   186 
Debit Card Expense  2,565   2,753   2,785 
Tax Credit Amortization  1,088   2,265   4,060 
Unfunded Loan Commitment Expense  (252)  121   127 
Other Real Estate Owned Expense  657   525   2,216 
Goodwill Impairment Expense  62,192   -   - 
Other  8,178   8,243   6,169 
Total Noninterest Expense  158,775   98,029   99,713 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes  (45,086)  27,784   14,308 
Income Tax Provision  772   1,209   2,403 
Net (Loss) Income $(45,858) $26,575  $11,905 
(Loss) Earnings per Common Share            
Basic (Loss) Earnings per Common Share $(1.74) $1.01  $0.45 
Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Common Share $(1.74) $1.01  $0.45 
Average Shares Outstanding-Basic  26,379,774   26,323,899   26,259,223 
Average Shares Outstanding-Diluted  26,379,774   26,339,085   26,259,234 

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands Except per Share Data)202320222021
INTEREST INCOME
Loans, including fees
Taxable$159,317 $135,055 $115,448 
Non-Taxable3,143 3,609 4,733 
Investment Securities
Taxable30,804 20,330 12,442 
Non-Taxable634 693 882 
Federal Reserve Bank Excess Reserves1,002 312 169 
Interest on Bank Deposits64 29 102 
Dividend Income1,456 154 121 
Total Interest Income196,420 160,182 133,897 
Interest Expense
Interest Expense on Deposits52,628 18,616 22,246 
Interest Expense on Federal Funds Purchased368 188 — 
Interest on Other Borrowings21,114 1,450 468 
Total Interest Expense74,110 20,254 22,714 
NET INTEREST INCOME122,310 139,928 111,183 
Provision for Credit Losses5,500 2,419 3,350 
Provision (Recovery) for Unfunded Commitments901 509 (1,269)
Net Interest Income After Provision (Recovery) for Credit Losses115,909 137,000 109,102 
NONINTEREST INCOME
(Losses) Gains on Sales of Securities, net(1,521)46 6,869 
Service Charges, Commissions and Fees7,155 7,168 6,662 
Debit Card Interchange Fees7,828 7,427 7,226 
Insurance Commissions1,945 1,961 1,901 
Bank Owned Life Insurance Income1,381 1,357 1,380 
Gains on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises, net— 73 — 
Commercial Loan Swap Fee Income139 774 2,416 
Other1,351 2,912 2,427 
Total Noninterest Income18,278 21,718 28,881 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and Employee Benefits55,856 52,399 54,157 
Occupancy Expense, net14,028 13,527 13,556 
FDIC Insurance Expense4,904 2,015 2,157 
Other Taxes3,282 3,319 3,129 
Advertising Expense1,693 1,434 952 
Telephone Expense1,842 1,781 2,208 
Professional and Legal Fees6,210 5,818 5,255 
Data Processing3,920 4,051 3,758 
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Other Real Estate Owned, net1,100 432 3,622 
Debit Card Expense2,875 2,750 2,777 
Tax Credit Amortization— 621 1,708 
Other9,756 8,854 9,006 
Total Noninterest Expense105,466 97,001 102,285 
Income Before Income Taxes28,721 61,717 35,698 
Income Tax Provision5,337 11,599 4,108 
Net Income$23,384 $50,118 $31,590 
Earnings per Common Share:
Basic Earnings per Common Share$1.00 $2.03 $1.19 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share$1.00 $2.03 $1.19 
Average Shares Outstanding-Basic23,240,543 24,595,789 26,342,729 
Average Shares Outstanding-Diluted23,240,543 24,595,789 26,342,729 

See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.

86
Consolidated Financial Statements.

71


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - (continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) INCOME

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Net (Loss) Income $(45,858) $26,575  $11,905 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):            
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Available-for-Sale:            
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Arising during the Period  26,621   15,108   (8,636)
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains included in Net (Loss) Income  (6,882)  (2,205)  (1,271)
Tax Effect  (4,145)  (2,710)  2,081 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  15,594   10,193   (7,826)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):  15,594   10,193   (7,826)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income $(30,264) $36,768  $4,079 

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Net Income$23,384 $50,118 $31,590 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Available-for-Sale:
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Arising during the Period16,370 (111,542)(10,877)
Reclassification Adjustment for Losses (Gains) included in Net Income1,521 (46)(6,869)
Tax Effect(3,714)24,270 3,727 
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)14,177 (87,318)(14,019)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):14,177 (87,318)(14,019)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)$37,561 $(37,200)$17,571 
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.

87
Consolidated Financial Statements.

72


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - (continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) Common Stock  Additional Paid-in-Capital  Retained Earnings  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  Total Shareholder's Equity 
Balance January 1, 2018 $26,258  $142,178  $265,930  $(2,240) $432,126 
Net Income  -   -   11,905   -   11,905 
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax  -   -   -   (7,826)  (7,826)
Issuance of Restricted Stock (12,413 shares)  12   (12)  -   -   - 
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense  -   9   -   -   9 
Balance December 31, 2018 $26,270  $142,175  $277,835  $(10,066) $436,214 
Cumulative Effect of Adopting New Lease Standard          (252)      (252)
Balance December 31, 2018 adjusted for Cumulative Effect $26,270  $142,175  $277,583  $(10,066) $435,962 
Net Income  -   -   26,575   -   26,575 
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax  -   -   -   10,193   10,193 
Issuance of Restricted Stock (64,458 shares)  64   (64)  -   -   - 
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense  -   381   -   -   381 
Balance December 31, 2019 $26,334  $142,492  $304,158  $127  $473,111 
Net Loss  -   -   (45,858)  -   (45,858)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax  -   -   -   15,594   15,594 
Dividends Declared ($0.14 per share)  -   -   (3,689)  -   (3,689)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock (4,344 shares)  (4)  4   -   -   - 
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense  -   1,016   -   -   1,016 
Issuance of Restricted Stock (55,156 shares)  55   (55)  -   -   - 
Balance December 31, 2020 $26,385  $143,457  $254,611  $15,721  $440,174 

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)Common StockAdditional Paid-in
Capital
Retained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
Total Shareholder's
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2020$26,385 $143,457 $254,611 $15,721 $440,174 
Cumulative Effect of the Adoption of ASU 2016-13— — (50,726)— (50,726)
Balance January 1, 2021$26,385 $143,457 $203,885 $15,721 $389,448 
Net Income— — 31,590 — 31,590 
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax— — — (14,019)(14,019)
Repurchase of Common Stock (30,407 shares)(30)(433)— — (463)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock (6,205 shares)(6)— — — 
Issuance of Restricted Stock (82,490 shares)82 (82)— — — 
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense— 1,040 — — 1,040 
Balance December 31, 2021$26,431 $143,988 $235,475 $1,702 $407,596 
Net Income— — 50,118 — 50,118 
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax— — — (87,318)(87,318)
Repurchase of Common Stock (2,587,361 shares)(2,587)(40,340)— — (42,927)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock (14,141 shares)(14)(142)— — (156)
Issuance of Restricted Stock (127,355 shares)127 (127)— — — 
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense— 1,314 — — 1,314 
Balance December 31, 2022$23,957 $104,693 $285,593 $(85,616)$328,627 
Cumulative Effect of the Adoption of ASU 2023-02— — 106 — 106 
Balance at January 1, 202323,957 104,693 285,699 (85,616)328,733 
Net Income— — 23,384 — 23,384 
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax— — — 14,177 14,177 
1% Excise Tax on Stock Buybacks— (153)— — (153)
Repurchase of Common Stock (1,132,232 shares)(1,132)(15,284)— — (16,416)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock (5,333 shares)(5)(38)— — (43)
Issuance of Restricted Stock (137,097 shares)137 (137)— — — 
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense— 1,561 — — 1,561 
Balance December 31, 2023$22,957 $90,642 $309,083 $(71,439)$351,243 
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.

88
Consolidated Financial Statements.

73


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - (continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Net (Loss) Income $(45,858) $26,575  $11,905 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net (Loss) Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities            
Provision for Loan Losses  18,006   3,404   16,870 
Goodwill Impairment  62,192   -   - 
Origination of Loans Held-for-Sale  (800,053)  (329,932)  (29,307)
Proceeds From Loans Held-for-Sale  794,330   312,777   27,265 
Depreciation/Amortization of Bank Premises and Equipment  6,142   5,335   3,682 
(Benefit) Provision for Deferred Taxes  (1,627)  (76)  4,850 
Net Amortization of Securities  3,441   3,953   4,704 
Tax Credit Amortization  1,088   2,265   4,060 
Gains on Sales of Securities, net  (6,882)  (2,205)  (1,271)
Write-downs of Other Real Estate Owned  1,483   4,457   8,714 
(Gains) Losses on Sales of Other Real Estate Owned, Net  (48)  275   (513)
Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises  99   188   186 
Increase in the Value of Life Insurance Contracts  (1,400)  (1,436)  (1,161)
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense  1,016   381   9 
(Increase) Decrease in Other Assets  (22,591)  10,094   (2,244)
(Decrease) Increase in Other Liabilities  (1,634)  2,231   1,653 
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities  7,704   38,286   49,402 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
Securities Available-for-Sale:            
Proceeds from Sales  188,169   390,548   133,120 
Proceeds from Maturities, Redemptions, and Pay-downs  78,852   198,154   219,223 
Purchases  (277,644)  (534,136)  (201,240)
Purchase of Bank Premises and Equipment, Net  (10,120)  (8,453)  (14,613)
Proceeds from Sales of Bank Premises and Equipment, net  -   1,135   - 
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock  (1,062)  (4,113)  - 
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock  82   -   - 
Loan Originations and Payments, net  (75,688)  (185,117)  (59,655)
Purchases of Bank Owned Life Insurance  -   -   (50,000)
Other Real Estate Owned Improvements  (19)  -   (1,272)
Proceeds from Sales and Payments of Other Real Estate Owned  4,162   12,621   28,679 
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities  (93,268)  (129,361)  54,242 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
Net Change in Demand, Money Markets and Savings Accounts  469,507   50,459   (121,986)
(Decrease) Increase in Certificates of Deposits  (289,124)  (137,395)  43,552 
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings  25,000   10,000   - 
Cash Dividends Paid  (3,689)  -   - 
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities  201,694   (76,936)  (78,434)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents  116,130   (168,011)  25,210 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period  125,812   293,823   268,613 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $241,942  $125,812  $293,823 

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income$23,384 $50,118 $31,590 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Provision for Credit Losses, including Provision (Recovery) for Unfunded Commitments6,401 2,928 2,081 
Origination of Loans Held-for-Sale(6,758)(8,047)(480,372)
Proceeds From Loans Held-for-Sale6,867 10,184 505,946 
Depreciation/Amortization of Bank Premises and Equipment6,248 6,063 6,229 
Provision for Deferred Taxes884 3,630 3,114 
Net Amortization of Securities6,354 5,749 4,798 
Tax Credit Amortization2,101 621 1,708 
Gains on Sales of Loans Held-for-Sale(109)(396)(365)
Losses (Gains) on Sales of Securities, net1,521 (46)(6,869)
Write-downs of Other Real Estate Owned1,117 741 3,472 
(Gains) Losses on Sales of Other Real Estate Owned, net(17)(309)150 
Losses (Gains) on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises, net— (73)— 
Commercial Loan Swap Derivative Income219 (605)(89)
Premiums on Branch Sales— — (506)
Increase in the Value of Life Insurance Contracts(1,381)(1,357)(1,380)
Recognition of Restricted Stock Compensation Expense1,561 1,314 1,040 
(Increase) Decrease in Other Assets(5,465)(3,273)8,592 
Increase (Decrease) in Other Liabilities3,803 3,549 (1,601)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities46,730 70,791 77,538 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Securities Available-for-Sale:
Proceeds from Sales43,323 19,777 197,056 
Proceeds from Maturities, Redemptions, and Pay-downs48,901 84,693 110,196 
Purchases(24,938)(135,634)(466,648)
Purchase of Bank Premises and Equipment, Net(9,798)(5,890)(8,484)
Proceeds from Sales of Bank Premises and Equipment, net— 408 — 
Net Cash Paid in Branch Sales— — (73,923)
Proceeds from Sale of Portfolio Loans— — 52,320 
(Purchase) Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, net(11,886)(7,388)2,741 
Loan (Originations) and Payments, net(359,407)(342,877)67,131 
Proceeds from Sales and Payments of Other Real Estate Owned6,794 4,840 13,256 
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities(307,011)(382,071)(106,355)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net Change in Demand, Money Markets and Savings Accounts(235,748)14,649 369,730 
Increase (Decrease) in Certificates of Deposits325,125 (82,792)(276,899)
Proceeds (Repayments) from Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings, net212,850 173,550 (28,000)
(Repayments) Proceeds from Federal Funds Purchased, net(17,870)17,870 — 
Repurchase of Common Stock(16,416)(42,927)(157)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities267,941 80,350 64,674 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents7,660 (230,930)35,857 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period46,869 277,799 241,942 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period$54,529 $46,869 $277,799 
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.

89
Consolidated Financial Statements.

74


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - (continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (continued)

  Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA            
Cash Interest Paid $36,696  $46,170  $37,918 
Cash Paid for Income Taxes  416   220   175 
Transfer from Loans to Other Real Estate Owned  755   302   28,212 
Loans Provided for Sales of Other Real Estate Owned  -   -   893 
Transfer from Fixed Assets to Other Real Estate Owned  2,221   1,694   2,177 
Security (Purchases) Sales Settled in Subsequent Period  (2,259)  (3,270)  - 
Right-of-use Asset Recorded in Exchange for Lease Liabilities  621   1,659   - 
Loans Held-for-Sale in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  9,835   -   - 
Bank Premises and Equipment Held-for-Sale  2,293   -   - 
Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  84,717   -   - 

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Cash Interest Paid$69,116 $19,338 $23,467 
Cash Paid for Income Taxes5,718 5,793 2,720 
Transfer from Loans to Other Real Estate Owned110 74 59 
Transfer from Fixed Assets to Other Real Estate Owned1,854 2,675 12,013 
Right-of-use Asset Recorded in Exchange for Lease Liabilities1,464 3,391 2,027 
Stock Repurchase Excise Tax Settled in Subsequent Period(153)— — 
Stock Repurchases Settled in Subsequent Period— — (306)
Loans Transferred to Held-for-Sale— 1,513 — 
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.

90
Consolidated Financial Statements.

75


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations: Operations and Principles of Consolidation: Carter Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Martinsville, Virginia. The Company is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary of Carter Bank & Trust (the “Bank”). The holding company is regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”). The Bank is an insured, Virginia state-chartered commercial bank which operates branches in Virginia and North Carolina. The Bank is regulated by the FDIC, Federal Reserve BankDeposit Insurance Corporation (“FRB”FDIC”) and State Bureau of Financial Institutions.Institutions of the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The Bank has one wholly owned subsidiary, CB&T Investment Company (the “Investment Company”), which was chartered effective April 1, 2019. Formerly, the Bank owned Mortgage Company of Virginia who owned 100% of Bank Services of.
Our market coverage is primarily in Virginia and Bank Services Insurance, Inc. Mortgage Company of Virginia was terminatedNorth Carolina, including Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Christiansburg, Martinsville, Danville, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and dissolved on December 11, 2018. Bank Services of Virginia was terminated and dissolved on July 10, 2018. Bank Services Insurance, Inc. was sold in January of 2018.

Charlotte. The Company was incorporated on October 7, 2020, byprovides a full range of financial services with retail and at the direction of the board of directors of the Bank, for the sole purpose of acquiring the Bankcommercial banking products and serving as the Bank’s parent bank holding company pursuant to a corporate reorganization transaction (the “Reorganization”). On November 9, 2020, the Bank entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”) with the Company and CBT Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to which the Reorganization would be effected. Effective at 7:00 p.m. on November 20, 2020 (the “Effective Time”), under the terms of the Reorganization Agreement and pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “VSCA”), the Bank merged with the Merger Sub and survived such merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company had no material assets and had not conducted any business or operations except for activities related to the Company’s organization and the Reorganization.

At the Effective Time, under the terms of the Reorganization Agreement and pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the VSCA, each of the outstanding shares of the Bank’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, formerly held by its shareholders was converted into and exchanged for one newly issued share of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and the Bank became the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary. The shares of the Company’s common stock issued to the Bank’s shareholders were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(12) of the Act. Pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the VSCA, the Reorganization did not require approval of the Bank’s shareholders.

In the Reorganization, each shareholder of the Bank received securities of the same class, having substantially the same designations, rights, powers, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions, as those that the shareholder held in the Bank, and the Company’s current shareholders own the same percentages of its common stock as they previously owned of the Bank’s common stock.

Prior to the Effective Time, the Bank’s common stock was registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Bank was subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with Section 12(i) thereof, it filed annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Upon consummation of the Reorganization, the Company’s common stock was deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) promulgated thereunder, and the Company now files annual reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

insurance.

Accounting Policies: Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the balance sheets and revenues and expenses for the periods then ended. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described below.

91

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Principles of Consolidation:Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Carter Bankshares, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. The Investment Company is a subsidiary of the Bank. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification:

Reclassification: Amounts in prior years' period financial statements and footnotes are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to the current year’s presentation. Reclassifications had no material effect on prior year net income or shareholders’ equity.

Use of Estimates:Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ from those estimates. Information available which could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy, including COVID-19-related changes, and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.

The Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting governmental actions to curtail its spread. It is at least reasonably possible that information which was available at the date of the financial statements will change in the near term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that the effect of the change could be material to the financial statements. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our estimates and assumptions is highly uncertain and we are unable to make an estimate, at this time.

Operating Segments: While theThe chief decision-makers of our operating segments monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis, and operating segments are aggregated into one as operating results for all segments are similar. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:Equivalents: The Company considers all cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold, and FRB excess reserves as cash equivalents for the purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with all items having original maturities fewer than 90 days. Federal funds are customarily sold for one-day periods. The FRB pays the target fed funds rate on the FRB excess reserves.

Restrictions on Cash:Cash: Cash on hand or on deposit with the FRB is required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments:Instruments: Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercialfinancial standby and performance letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses(losses) on securities available-for-sale, net of tax.

92

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Securities:Securities: The Company classifies securities into either the held-to-maturity or available-for-sale categories at the time of purchase. All securities were classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019.2022. Securities classified

76

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
as available-for-sale include securities which can be sold for liquidity, investment management, or similar reasons even if there is not a present intention of such a sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses(losses), net of tax included in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

.

Premium amortization is deducted from, and discount accretion is added to, interest income on securities using the level yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses are recognized upon the sale of specific identified securities on the completed trade date.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments of Securities:

Management evaluates debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. In determining OTTI,impairment, management considers many factors, including: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. The assessment of whether an OTTIimpairment decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

When an OTTIimpairment occurs, the amount of the OTTIimpairment recognized in earnings depends on whether an entity intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, less any current-period credit loss. If an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, less any current-period credit loss, the OTTIimpairment shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period loss, the OTTIimpairment shall be separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amountCredit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on the balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to provision for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income. Both the total OTTI related to the credit loss is determined based upon the difference of the present value of cash flows expected be collectedallowance and the amortized cost basis and is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total OTTI relatedadjustment to other factors is recognized in other comprehensivenet income net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.

can be reversed if conditions change.

Loans Held-for-Sale: Loans held-for-sale arise primarily from two sources. First, we purchase mortgage loans on a short-term basis from a partner financial institution that have fully executed sales contracts to end investors. These loans are typically held about two weeks.  Second, we originate certainand close mortgages with fully executed contracts with investors to purchase shortly after closing. We then hold these mortgage loan types (30-year fixed rate and government) through our internal mortgage department that are targeted for sale intoloans from both sources until funded by the secondary market.investor, typically a two-week period. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans held-for-sale are determined using the specific identification method and are included in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Net (Loss) Income.

From time to time, certain loans are transferred from the loan portfolio to loans held-for-sale, which are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. If a loan is transferred from the loan portfolio to the held-for-sale category, any write-down in the carrying amount of the loan at the date of transfer is recorded as a charge-off against the allowance for loan losses, or ALL.ACL. Subsequent declines in fair value are recognized as a charge to noninterest income. The remaining unamortized fees and costs are recognized as part of the cost basis of the loan at the time it is sold. Gains and losses on sales of loans held-for-sale are included in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Net (Loss) Income.

93

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses:Loans: Loans that management have the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, discounts, and an allowance for loancredit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments.

A

An individually evaluated loan analysis is considered impaired when it is probableconducted for loans that the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts when due according to the contractual termsare either or both nonperforming or a restructured loan with a commitment of the loan agreement. A performing loan may be considered impaired. The allowance for loan losses related to loans identified as impaired is primarily$1.0 million or greater and/or based on the excess of the loan's current outstanding principal balance compared to the estimated fair value of the related collateral, less cost to sell. For a loan that is not collateral-dependent, the allowance is recorded at the amount by which the outstanding principal balance exceeds the current estimate of the future cash flows on the loan discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate.

management’s discretion. Loans, including impairedindividually evaluated loans, are generally classified as nonaccrual if they are past due as to maturity or payment of principal or interest for a period of more than 90 days based on contractual terms, unless such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. If a loan or a portion of a loan is classified as doubtful or is partially charged off, the loan is generally classified as nonaccrual. Loans that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as nonaccrual, if repayment in full of principal and/or interest is unlikely. AllAny interest that is accrued, but not received for loans placed on non-accrual statuscollected is reversed against interest income.

income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, which typically occurs prior to charging off all, or a portion, of a loan.

77

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
While a loan is classified as nonaccrual and the probability of collecting the recorded loan balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to principal outstanding. Payments collected on a nonaccrual loan are first applied to principal, secondly to any existing charge-offs, thirdly to interest, and lastly to any outstanding fees owed to the Company.

Any interest that is accrued but not collected is reversed against interest income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, which typically occurs prior to charging off all, or a portion, of a loan.

Loans may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due (including arrearages) are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repaymenta minimum of six months of satisfactory payment performance by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of interest and principal.

Allowance for Credit Losses: The allowance for loancredit losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurredrepresents management’s estimate of expected credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, as determined by management taking into consideration historical loan loss experience, diversificationand consists of the loan portfolio, amounts of secured and unsecured loans, banking industry standards and averages, and general economic conditions. Loanan allowance for credit losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the un-collectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Ultimate losses may vary from current estimates. Thesefor pooled loans. Management estimates are reviewed periodically and as adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the periods in which they become reasonably estimable.

During the quarterly evaluation of the allowance for loancredit losses particular characteristics associated withfor pooled loans utilizing a segmentDiscounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method. The ACL related to loans individually evaluated is primarily based on the excess of the loan's current outstanding principal balance compared to the estimated fair value of the related collateral, less cost to sell. For a loan that is not collateral-dependent, the allowance is recorded at the amount by which the outstanding principal balance exceeds the current estimate of the present value of future cash flows on the loan discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate.

Our CECL methodology introduced a modified discounted cash flow methodology based on expected cash flow changes in the future for the Other segment. A significant population of the Other segment was not impaired under the probable incurred loss model and therefore not subject to a collateral dependent specific reserve analysis. For the population of the Other segment that was impaired under the incurred loss model, based on collateral values, the specific reserves totaled zero. The CECL model was developed with subjective assumptions that is driven by the following key factors: prepayment speeds, timing of prepayments, loss given defaults as well as other factors including the discount rate based upon the cost of capital and ultimately the timing of future cash flows.
For more details, see Note 6 - Allowance for Credit Losses, in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Allowance for Credit Losses Policy
The Company’s methodology for estimating the ACL includes:
Segmentation. The Company’s loan portfolio is segmented by homogeneous loan types that behave similarly to economic cycles.
Specific Analysis. A specific reserve analysis is applied to certain individually evaluated loans. These loans are evaluated quarterly generally based on collateral value, observable market value or the present value of expected future cash flows. A specific reserve is established if the fair value is less than the loan balance. A charge-off is recognized when the loss is quantifiable and confirmed. Individually evaluated loans not specifically analyzed receive a quantitative and qualitative analysis, as described below.
Quantitative Analysis. The Company elected to use Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”). Economic forecasts include but are not limited to unemployment, the Consumer Price Index, the Housing Price Index and Gross Domestic Product. These forecasts are assumed to revert to the long-term average and are utilized in the model to estimate the probability of default and loss given default through regression. Model assumptions include, but are not limited to the discount rate, prepayments and curtailments. The product of the probability of default and the loss given default is the estimated loss rate, which varies over time. The estimated loss rate is applied within the appropriate periods in the cash flow model to determine the net present value. Net present value is also considered. These characteristics are detailed below:

·Commercial loans not secured by real estate carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business, and the repayments of these loans depend on the profitability and cash flows of the business. Additional risk relates to the value of collateral upon which depreciation occurs and the valuation is less precise.

94
impacted by assumptions related to the duration between default and recovery. The reserve is based on the difference between the summation of the principal balances taking amortized costs into consideration and the summation of the net present values.

Qualitative Analysis. Based on management’s review and analysis of internal, external and model risks, management may adjust the model output. Management reviews the peaks and troughs of the model’s calibration, taking into account economic forecasts to develop guardrails that serve as the basis for determining the reasonableness of the model’s output and makes adjustments as necessary. This process challenges unexpected variability resulting from outputs beyond the model’s calibration that appear to be unreasonable. Additionally, management may adjust the economic forecast if it is incompatible with known market conditions based on management’s experience and perspective.

78

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

·Loans secured by commercial real estate also carry risks associated with the success of the business and the ability to generate a positive cash flow sufficient to service debts. Real estate security diminishes risks only to the extent that a market exists for the subject collateral.

·Residential real estate loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral. In instances where construction is in process, these loans carry risks that a project will not be completed as scheduled and budgeted and that the value of the collateral may, at any point be less than the principal amount of the loan. Additional risks may occur if the general contractor, who may not be a loan customer, is unable to finish the project as planned due to financial pressures unrelated to the project.

·Consumer loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral, such as automobiles, which may depreciate more rapidly than other assets. In addition, these loans may be unsecured. Consumer loans are more likely than real estate loans to be immediately affected in an adverse manner by job loss, divorce, illness, or personal bankruptcy. Consumer loans are further segmented into automobile and recreational vehicle loans and other consumer loans.

·Loans to tax-exempt state and political subdivisions carry risks associated with changes in budget constraints or revenue bases of the particular municipality or entity. These loans are dependent on the cash flow from the tax-exempt entity and often times have collateral upon which depreciation occurs and valuation is less than precise.

“Other” Segmented Pool
CECL provides for the flexibility to model loans differently compared to the prior model. With the adoption of CECL management elected to evaluate certain loans based on shared but unique risk attributes. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans equal to or greater than $1.0 million are individually evaluated for impairment. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.

The general component covers loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. Large groups of homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not included in the separately identified impairment disclosures. The general allowance component also includes loansOther segment of the model were underwritten and approved based on standards that are not individually identified for impairment evaluation, such as those loans that fall below the individual evaluation threshold.inconsistent with our current underwriting standards. The general component is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. These factors may include considerationmodel for the following: levelsOther segment was developed with subjective assumptions that may cause volatility driven by the following key factors: prepayment speeds, timing of delinquency and delinquency trends; migrationcontractual payments, discount rate, as well as other factors. The discount rate is reflective of loansthe inherent risk in the Other segment. A substantial change in these assumptions could cause a significant impact to the classificationmodel causing volatility. Management reviews the model output for appropriateness and subjectively makes adjustments as needed. The analysis applied to this pool resulted in an allowance of special mention, substandard or doubtful; trends$51.3 million at adoption on January 1, 2021 and is disclosed in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in underwriting standards; changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions, and effects of credit concentrations.

the Other segment line item.

Our charge-off policy for loans requires that loans and other obligations that are not collectible be promptly charged-off when the loss becomes probable, regardless of the delinquency status of the loan. The Company may elect to recognize a partial charge-off when management has determined that the value of collateral is less than the remaining investment in the loan. A loan or obligation does not need to be charged-off, regardless of delinquency status, if (i) management has determined there exists sufficient collateral to protect the remaining loan balance and (ii) there exists a strategy to liquidate the collateral. Management may also consider a number of other factors to determine when a charge-off is appropriate. These factors may include, but are not limited to:

The status of a bankruptcy proceeding

95

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The value of collateral and probability of successful liquidation; and/or

The status of adverse proceedings or litigation that may result in collection

Consumer unsecured loans and secured loans are evaluated for charge-off after the loan becomes 90 days past due. Unsecured loans are fully charged-off and secured loans are charged-off to the estimated fair value of the collateral less the cost to sell.

Closed-end installment loans, amortizing loans secured by real estate and any other loans with payments scheduled monthly are reported past due when the borrower is in arrears two or more monthly payments. Other multi-payment obligations with payments scheduled other than monthly are reported past due when one scheduled payment is due and unpaid for 30 days or more. We monitor delinquency on a monthly basis, including early stage delinquencies of 30 to 89 days past due for early identification of potential problem loans.

Troubled Debt Restructurings: In

Refer to the “Credit Quality” and the “Allowance for Credit Losses” sections in the MD&A and Note 6, Allowance for Credit Losses, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details.
Loan Restructurings: On April 1, 2022, the Company adopted the accounting guidance in ASU No. 2022-02, effective as of January 1, 2022, which eliminates the recognition and measurement of a TDR. Due to the removal of the TDR designation, the Company evaluates all loan restructurings according to the accounting guidance for loan modifications to determine if the restructuring results in a new loan or a continuation of the existing loan. Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that result in a direct change in the timing or amount of contractual cash flows include situations where for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial condition, management may grant a concession tothere is principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions, and combinations of the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).listed modifications. Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms have historically included interest only periods, extended amortization periods beyond what management would typically offer for a similar loan or a below market interest rate when compared to management's underwriting standards for a similar loan type. These concessions are intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoidstatus, foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of interest, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans.

On March 22, 2020, a regulatory interagency statement was issued by our banking regulators that encouraged financial institutionscollateral to work with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations dueminimize economic loss to the effects of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) further provided that a qualified loan modification is exempt by law from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP, from the period beginning March 1, 2020 until the earlier of December 31, 2020 or the date that is 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak declared by the President of the United States under the National Emergencies Act terminates. The provisions of the CARES act dealing with temporary relief from TDR was extended pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, of 2021 (the “CAA”), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The amendment extended the “applicable” period to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic terminates.

Company.

Concentration of Credit Risk: The majority of the Company's loans, commitments and lines of credit have been granted to customers in the Company's market area. The concentrations of credit by loan classification are set forth in Note 5.

Advertising Costs:Costs: We expense all marketing-related costs, including advertising costs, as incurred. Advertising expense was $1.6$1.7 million, $1.4 million, and $884 thousand$1.0 million for the years ended 2020, 2019,2023, 2022, and 2018,2021, respectively.

Bank Owned Life Insurance: The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain executive officers and employees.associates. We receive the cash surrender value of each policy upon its termination or benefits are payable to us upon the death of the insured. Changes in net cash surrender value are recognized in noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

96

79


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

Bank Premises and Equipment:Equipment: Bank premises and equipment acquired are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to operating expenses over the estimated useful life of the assets by the straight-line method. Land is carried at cost. Costs of maintenance or repairs are charged to expense as incurred and improvements are capitalized. Upon retirement or disposal of an asset, the asset and related allowance account are eliminated. Any gain or loss on such transactions is included in current operations. Depreciation has beenexpense is included under occupancy expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income totaling $6.2 million in 2023, $6.1 million in 2020, $5.32022, and $6.2 million in 2019, and $3.7 million in 2018.2021. The estimated useful life for bank premises ranges from 5 to 40 years and equipment depreciates over a 3 to 10-year period.

Land and Land ImprovementsNon-depreciating assets
Buildings25 years-40 years
Furniture and Fixtures5 years
Computer Equipment and Software5 years or term of license
Other Equipment5 years
Vehicles5 years
Leasehold ImprovementsLesser of estimated useful life of the asset (generally 15 years unless established otherwise) or the remaining term of the lease, including renewal options in the lease that are reasonably assured of exercise

Leases: Operating and finance leases are recorded as a right of use (“ROU”) asset and operating lease liability, included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively. Operating and finance lease ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and operating and finance lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate that represents our incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date. Operating lease expense, which is comprised of amortization of the ROU asset and the implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and is recorded primarily in other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Finance lease expense is comprised of interest expense and amortization of the ROU asset, which are recorded in interest on other borrowings and other expense, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock (“FHLB”): Stock: The Company is a member of the FHLB system.FHLB. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors such as asset base. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Cash dividends are reported as dividend income onin the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share: Basic earnings (loss) per common share representis calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-averageweighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. All outstanding unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating shares for the earnings per common share calculation. Diluted earnings per common share reflect additionalreflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutivestock were exercised or converted into common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income resulting from the assumed issuance. Non-vested shares of restricted stock are includedor resulted in the computationissuance of basic and dilutedcommon stock that then shared in the earnings (loss) per share becauseof the holder has voting rights and shares in non-forfeitable dividends during the vesting period.

entity.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”): Real estate properties acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure isare initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling cost at the date of foreclosure, which establishes a new cost basis. Any write-downs based on the asset's fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses.ACL. After foreclosure, these assets are carried at the lower of their new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. In addition, any retail branch locations closed for branch operations and marketed for sale are also moved to OREO from bank premises and equipment. This real estate is initially valued based on recent comparative market values received from a real estate broker and any necessary write-downs are charged to operations. Costs of significant property improvements are capitalized, whereas costs relating to holding property are expensed. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and any write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of its carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. OREO assets are revalued every twelve12 months, or more frequently when deemed necessary by management based upon changes in market or collateral conditions. For smaller OREO assets with existing carrying values less than $0.5 million, management may elect to re-value the assets, at minimum, once every twenty-four24 months based on the size of the exposure. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for
80

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
deductible temporary differences, operating losses, and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

97

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsConsolidated Balance Sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

The Company is a limited partner in several tax-advantaged limited partnerships whose purpose is to invest in approved new market and historic rehabilitation projects. During 2023, the Company adopted the proportional amortization method of accounting for all qualifying equity investments within these limited partnerships. These investments are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These partnership investments generate a return through the realization of federal income tax credits, as well as other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from net operating losses of the investments over a period of time. The investments are accounted for under the equity method, with the expense included within noninterest expenseprovision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. All of the Company's tax credit investments are evaluated for impairment at the end of each reporting period.

Transfer of Financial Assets:Assets: Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity, or the ability to unilaterally cause the transferee to return specific assets.

Retirement Benefits:Benefits: The Company has established an employee benefit plan as described in Note 14. The Company does not provide any other post-retirement benefits.

Goodwill: Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the sum of the estimated fair values of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less the estimated fair value of the liabilities assumed. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Long-lived assets are those that provide the Bank with a future economic benefit beyond the current year or operating period. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset is greater than the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the cost or the fair value, less costs to sell.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, to the extent that the loss recognized does not exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

98

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The unprecedented decline in economic conditions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in stock market valuations in March 2020, including our stock price. These triggering events indicated that goodwill related to our single reporting unit may be impaired and we expected to evaluate goodwill for impairment quarterly given the current environment.

During the first quarter of 2020, with the recent volatility in the financial services industry and in our economic environment we determined it prudent to have a full goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2020 updated as of June 30, 2020. We performed the goodwill impairment test by determining the fair value of the reporting unit. We engaged a third-party financial advisor to prepare the market and income approaches in order to determine fair value. Their analysis supported the conclusion that the fair value of our common stock at June 30, 2020 was greater than both stated and tangible common book value and therefore no impairment to the goodwill was recorded at June 30, 2020.

As we monitored our performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to experience declines in our stock price in relation to other bank indices and the length of time that the market value of the reporting unit had been below its book value, we completed another interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020. Various valuation methodologies were considered when completing the quantitative impairment test to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit which is then compared to its carrying value, including goodwill. Upon completing the quantitative impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020, the analysis estimated fair value of the reporting unit to be less than the carrying value. Therefore, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $62.2 million, which represented the entire amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This was a non-cash charge to earnings and had no impact on our regulatory capital ratios, cash flows, liquidity position, or our overall financial strength.

Allowance for Unfunded Commitments: In the normal course of business, we offer off-balance sheet credit arrangements to enable our customers to meet their financing objectives. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements. Our exposure to credit loss, in the event the customer does not satisfy the terms of the agreement, equals the contractual amount of the obligation less the value of any collateral. We apply the same credit policies in making commitments and standby and performance letters of credit that are used for the underwriting of loans to customers. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, annual renewals or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The allowance for unfunded commitmentsACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit loss model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur, and is included in other liabilities inon the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets Our allowance for unfunded commitments is determined using a methodology similarSheets.

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company has issued both restricted stock to that usedexecutive officers, associates and non-associate directors and performance based stock units to determine the ALL. Amounts are added to the allowance for unfunded commitments through a charge to current earnings in noninterest expense.

Stock-Basedits executive officers. Compensation: Compensation cost is recognized expense for restricted stock awards issued to employees and non-employee directors,is based on the fair value of these awards at the date of the grant. The market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of the grant is the fair value of the award.

Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.

99

81


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

For the performance stock units (“PSUs”), management evaluates the criteria quarterly to determine the probability of the performance goals being met and recognizes compensation based upon the evaluation. The PSUs vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
Loss Contingencies: Loss contingencies, including claimsContingencies: As disclosed in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various legal actions arisingproceedings incidental to their business in the ordinary course, of business, are recorded as liabilities whenand the likelihood of lossdisclosure set forth in Note 18 relating to certain legal matters is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are any such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements. Legal costs related to loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

incorporated by reference.

Fair Value Measurements

We use

The Company uses fair value measurements when recording and disclosing certain financial assets and liabilities. Securities available-for-sale and derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record other assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, impairedindividually evaluated loans, other real estate owned, (“OREO”),OREO, and certain other assets.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets or liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches, including market, income and cost approaches. The fair value standard establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, which are developed based on market data we have obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, which are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1:Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that an entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date, or observable inputs.

Level 2:Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:Significant unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We recognize transfers between any of the fair value hierarchy levels at the end of the reporting period in which the transfer occurred.

100

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies that we usethe Company uses for financial instruments recorded at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis.

Recurring Basis

Securities Available-for-Sale:The fair values of securities available-for-sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, if available. This valuation method is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated on market prices of similar securities, or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique, used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Matrix pricing relies on the securities’ relationship to similarly traded securities, benchmark curves, and the benchmarking of like securities. Matrix pricing utilizes observable market inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades,
82

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic events. In instances where broker quotes are used, these quotes are obtained from market makers or broker-dealers recognized to be market participants. This valuation method is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators. This valuation method is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities:The Company uses derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps for commercial loans with our customers. Upon entering into swaps with the borrower, the Company entered into offsetting positions with counterparties to minimize risk to the Company. The back-to-back swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with borrower and counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. We calculate the fair value for derivatives using accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. Each valuation considers the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, such as interest rate curves and implied volatilities. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty or customer owes the Company, and results in credit risk to the Company. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is negative, the Company owes the customer or counterparty, and, therefore, has no risk.

Accordingly, interest rate swaps for commercial loans are classified as Level 2.

The Company also enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate lock commitments on mortgage loans to be held-for-sale are considered to be derivatives. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 15 to 90 days. The Company protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, whereby the Company commits to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed interest rate risk on rate lock commitments duesdue to changes in interest rates.

Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired

Individually Evaluated Loans:Impaired Individually evaluated loans with an outstanding balancecommitments of $1.0 million or greater than and/or equal to $1.0 millionbased on management’s discretion are evaluated for potential specific reserves and adjusted, if a shortfall exists, to fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is measured based on the value of the underlying collateral securing the loan if repayment is expected solely from the sale or operation of the collateral or present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual interest rate if the loan is not determined to be collateral dependent. All impaired loans with a specific reserve are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value for collateral dependentindividually evaluated loans is determined using several methods. Generally, the fair value of real estate is determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. These routine adjustments are made to adjust the value of a specific property relative to comparable properties for variations in qualities such as location, size, and income production capacity relative to the subject property of the appraisal. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

101

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Subsequent to the initial impairment date, existing impairedindividually evaluated loans are reevaluated quarterly for additional impairment and adjustments to fair value less costs to sell are made, where appropriate. For collateral dependentindividually evaluated loans, the first stage of our impairment analysis involves management’s inspection of the property in question to affirm the condition has not deteriorated since the previous impairment analysis date. Management also engages in conversations with local real estate professionals and market participants to determine the likely marketing time and value range for the property. The second stage involves an assessment of current trends in the regional market. After thorough consideration of these factors, management will either internally evaluate fair value or order a new appraisal. In circumstances where the Company feels confident in its ability to collect and analyze salient information on the subject collateral and its surrounding real estate market, an in house valuation shall be utilized.  Factors which should be considered in an in house valuation are timing of sale, location and neighborhood, size of the structure and land component, age of any improvements, and other attributes as warranted by the Company.  This determination is made on a property-by-property basis in light of circumstances in the broader economic climate and our assessment of deterioration of real estate values in the market in which the property is located. When the Company feels it cannot collect and analyze salient information on the subject collateral or the collateral’s real estate market, a full appraisal will be utilized.

For non-collateral dependentnon-individually evaluated loans, the fair value is determined by updating the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate to reflect the payment schedule for the remaining life of the loan.

OREO:

OREO is evaluated at the time of acquisition and is recorded at fair value as determined by an appraisal or evaluation, less costs to sell. After acquisition, most OREO assets are revalued every twelve months, or more frequently when deemed necessary by management based upon changes in market or collateral conditions. For smaller OREO assets with existing
83

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
carrying values less than $0.5 million, management may elect to re-value the assets, at minimum, once every twenty-four months based on the size of the exposure. Fair value, when recorded, is generally based upon appraisals by approved, independent state certified appraisers. Appraisals on OREO may be discounted based on our historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of appraisal or other information available to us. OREO and other repossessed assets marked to fair value are classified as Level 3. At December 31, 2020 our2023 OREO assets were in compliance with the OREO policy as set forth above, and substantially all of the assets were listed for sale with credible third-party real estate brokers.

Financial Instruments

In addition to financial instruments recorded at fair value in our financial statements, fair value accounting guidance requires disclosure of the fair value of all of an entity’s assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments. The majority of our assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of these instruments lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaged in an exchange transaction. Also, it is our general practice and intent to hold our financial instruments to maturity and to not engage in trading or sales activities with respect to such financial instruments. For fair value disclosure purposes, we substantially utilize the fair value measurement criteria as required and explained above. In cases where quoted fair values are not available, we use present value methods to determine the fair value of our financial instruments.

Cash

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and due from banks, including interest-bearing deposits, approximate fair value.

Loans

The fair value of variable rate performing loans that may reprice frequently at short-term market rates is based on carrying values adjusted for credit risk. The fair value of variable rate performing loans that reprice at intervals of one year or longer, such as adjustable rate mortgage products, is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize interest rates currently being offered for similar loans and adjusted for credit risk. The fair value of fixed rate performing loans is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis that utilizes interest rates currently being offered for similar loans and adjusted for credit risk. The fair value of nonperforming loans is the carrying value less any specific reserve on the loan if it is impaired. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates fair value.

102
Developments

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Fair value approximates net cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance, or BOLI.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

It is not practical to determine the fair value of our FHLB and other restricted stock due to the restrictions placed on the transferability of these stocks; it is presented at carrying value.

Deposits

The fair values disclosed for deposits without defined maturities (e.g., noninterest and interest-bearing demand, money market and savings accounts) are by definition equal to the amounts payable on demand. The carrying amounts for variable rate, fixed-term time deposits approximate their fair values. Estimated fair values for fixed rate and other time deposits are based on discounted cash flow analysis using interest rates currently offered for time deposits with similar terms. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates fair value.

Borrowings

The fair values disclosed for fixed rate long-term borrowings are determined by discounting their contractual cash flows using current interest rates for long-term borrowings of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amounts of variable rate long-term borrowings approximate their fair values.

Loan Commitments and Standby Letters of Credit

Off-balance sheet financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Except for interest rate lock commitments, estimates of the fair value of these off-balance sheet items are not made because of the short-term nature of these arrangements and the credit standing of the counterparties.

Newly Adopted Pronouncements in 2020:2023

In August 2016,March 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”(“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards (“ASU”) No. 2023-02, Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. The amendments in this ASU No. 2016-15, “Statementexpands the use of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classificationthe proportional amortization method of Certain Cash Receiptsaccounting, previously only allowable for Low Income Tax Housing Credits, (“LITHC”) investments, to equity investments in other tax credit structures that meet certain criteria. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period. The Company reviewed its existing tax equity investment portfolios and Cash Payments”. The update addresses eight specific cash flow issues withevaluated the objectiveimpact of reducing the existing diversityupdated guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements and elected to early adopt the amendments in practice. This accounting guidance becamethis ASU as of June 30, 2023 on a modified retrospective basis, effective ondated as of January 1, 2020.2023. As a result, the Company recorded a transitional adjustment of $0.1 million to retained earnings.
The Company makes equity investments as a limited partner in various partnerships that sponsor historic tax credits (“HTC”) as a strategic tax initiative designed to receive tax credits and other tax benefits, such as deductible flow-through losses. The Company has evaluated all of the proportional amortization method qualifying criteria and has elected to apply the proportional amortization method at the HTC program level. The Company records the investment in the HTC as a component of other assets and uses the proportional amortization method to account for the investments in the HTC partnerships. Amortization related to these HTC investments is recorded on a net basis as a component of the provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Prior to the ASU adoption, amortization was recorded as a component of noninterest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amendments in this ASU did not materially impact our Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Financial Statements.

In August 2018,March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value MeasurementNo. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 820)848): Disclosure Framework— Changes toFacilitation of the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. The amendments modify the disclosure requirements in Topic 820 to add disclosures regarding changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted averageEffects of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty. Certain disclosure requirements in Topic 820 are also removed or modified. We adopted this ASUReference Rate Reform on January 1, 2020.Financial Reporting. The amendments in this ASU didprovide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The ASU also provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) toward new interest rate benchmarks. Modified contracts that meet certain scope guidance are eligible for relief from the modification accounting requirements in GAAP. The optional guidance generally allows for the modified contract to be accounted for as a continuation of the existing contract and does not materially impact our Consolidated Balance Sheetsrequire contract remeasurement at the modification date or Consolidated Statementsreassessment of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

a previous accounting determination. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. In January 2017,December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and OtherNo 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 350)848): SimplifyingDeferral of the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The main objectiveSunset Date of ASU is to simplify the current requirements for testing goodwill for impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test.Topic 848. The amendments are expected to reduce the complexity and costs associated with performing the goodwill impairment test, which could result in recording impairment charges sooner. We adopted the amendments of this ASU on January 1, 2020. Duringdefer the third quartersunset date for applying the reference rate reform relief by two years to December 31, 2024, and can be adopted at any time during this period. The Company ceased originating new LIBOR based variable rate loans as of 2020, we recorded an impairment chargeDecember 31, 2021 per the ARRC’s guidance. The

84

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

Company created an internal team in 2021 to identify and modify loans and other financial instruments with attributes that were either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR. The Company has selected one-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate, (“SOFR”), (published by the CME Group) as the replacement benchmark for LIBOR based loans. The financial impact regarding pricing, valuation and operations of the transition have been evaluated and were not material in nature. The transition team was fully committed to working within the guidelines established by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority and the Federal Reserve System of New York’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee to complete a smooth transition away from LIBOR. For LIBOR-based loans, remediation efforts were completed by September 30, 2023.
Accounting Statements Issued but Not Yet Adopted
On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances the required disclosures primarily related to the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The ASU requires an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation to provide additional information for reconciling items meeting a quantitative threshold, and to disclose certain selected categories within the income tax rate reconciliation. The ASU also requires entities to disclose the amount of income taxes paid, disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, though early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07. Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which changes disclosures relating to reportable segments. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements relating to reportable segments, including requiring entities to disclose information about a reportable segment’s significant expenses, among other changes. The ASU does not change how an entity identifies reportable segments or the accounting for segments. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company has one reporting segment therefore, will not impact our Consolidated Financial Statements; however, this ASU requires disclosure of the title and position of the chief operating decision maker and an explanation of how resources are allocated.
NOTE 2 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) availableallocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common sharesstock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the two-class method. Diluted earnings (loss) percommon share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. For all periods presented, the dilutive effect on average shares outstanding is the result of unvested restricted stock grants.

The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculations for the periods presented:

  Years ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands, except share and per share data) 2020  2019  2018 
Numerator for Earnings (Loss) per Share- Basic:            
Net (Loss) Income Allocated to Common Shareholders $(45,858) $26,575  $11,905 
Numerator for Earnings (Loss) per Share- Diluted:            
Net (Loss) Income Allocated to Common Shareholders $(45,858) $26,575  $11,905 
Denominators:            
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding- Basic  26,379,774   26,323,899   26,259,223 
Add: Average Participating Shares Outstanding  -   15,186   11 
Denominator for Two-Class Method-Diluted  26,379,774   26,339,085   26,259,234 
(Loss) Earnings per Common Share-Basic $(1.74) $1.01  $0.45 
(Loss) Earnings per Common Share-Diluted $(1.74) $1.01  $0.45 

As a result of the net loss

Years ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands, except share and per share data)202320222021
Numerator for Earnings per Common Share – Basic and Diluted
Net Income$23,384 $50,118 $31,590 
Less: Income allocated to participating shares197 295 127 
Net Income Allocated to Common Shareholders - Basic & Diluted$23,187 $49,823 $31,463 
Denominator:
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, including Shares Considered Participating Securities23,438,413 24,741,454 26,449,438 
Less: Average Participating Securities197,870 145,665 106,709 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic & Diluted$23,240,543 $24,595,789 $26,342,729 
Earnings per Common Share – Basic$1.00 $2.03 $1.19 
Earnings per Common Share – Diluted$1.00 $2.03 $1.19 
All outstanding unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities for the full year 2020, all average participatingearnings per share calculation. As such, these shares outstandinghave been allocated to a portion of net income and are considered anti-dilutive to lossexcluded from the diluted earnings per share. There were two shares not included in the average participating shares outstanding because they would be considered to be anti-dilutive for the year ended December 31, 2019. There were no weighted average shares considered anti-dilutive in the calculations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

common share calculation.

85

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
NOTE 3 - RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANK ACCOUNTS

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”)FRB imposes certain reserve requirements on all depository institutions. These reserves are maintained in the form of vault cash or as an interest-bearing balance with the FRB. The Company had no required reserves averaged $3.7 million for 2020, $44.3 million for 2019,2023, 2022 and $42.4 million for 2018. The average of required reserves declined during 2020 as a result of the implementation of a new deposit management tool.

104
2021.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 4 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The following tables present the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities as of the dates presented:

  December 31, 2020 
(Dollars in Thousands) Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities $44,057  $1,008  $(341) $44,724 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  5,194   253   -   5,447 
Asset Backed Securities  133,672   884   (999)  133,557 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  212,751   6,007   (399)  218,359 
Small Business Administration  99,604   346   (805)  99,145 
States and Political Subdivisions  239,251   13,490   (119)  252,622 
Corporate Notes  24,250   582   (7)  24,825 
Total Debt Securities $758,779  $22,570  $(2,670) $778,679 

  December 31, 2019 
(Dollars in Thousands) Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities $51,600  $1,136  $(92) $52,644 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  18,972   147   (113)  19,006 
Asset Backed Securities  110,943   285   (1,589)  109,639 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  291,139   2,425   (1,340)  292,224 
Small Business Administration  106,485   347   (1,096)  105,736 
States and Political Subdivisions  148,596   1,669   (1,785)  148,480 
Corporate Notes  14,721   167   -   14,888 
Total Debt Securities $742,456  $6,176  $(6,015) $742,617 

December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
U.S. Government Agency Securities$44,185 $398 $(756)$43,827 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities110,726 — (11,576)99,150 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities31,578 336 (751)31,163 
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities24,522 — (2,666)21,856 
Asset Backed Securities150,832 — (10,826)140,006 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations174,396 — (12,863)161,533 
States and Political Subdivisions263,557 — (41,449)222,108 
Corporate Notes70,750 — (11,390)59,360 
Total Debt Securities$870,546 $734 $(92,277)$779,003 
December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury Securities$19,318 $— $(1,452)$17,866 
U.S. Government Agency Securities50,334 218 (788)49,764 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities115,694 — (12,009)103,685 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities35,538 73 (936)34,675 
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities24,987 (2,597)22,399 
Asset Backed Securities156,552 — (15,169)141,383 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations190,781 — (14,159)176,622 
States and Political Subdivisions281,753 — (53,607)228,146 
Corporate Notes70,750 — (9,017)61,733 
Total Debt Securities$945,707 $300 $(109,734)$836,273 
The Company did not have securities classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 20202023 or December 31, 2019.

2022.

The following table shows the composition of gross and net realized gains and losses for the periods presented:

  Years ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Proceeds from Sales of Securities Available-for-Sale $188,169  $390,548  $133,120 
             
Gross Realized Gains $6,957  $4,172  $1,899 
Gross Realized Losses  (75)  (1,967)  (628)
Net Realized Gains $6,882  $2,205  $1,271 
Tax Impact $1,445  $463  $267 

Years ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Proceeds from Sales of Securities Available-for-Sale$43,323 $19,777 $197,056 
Gross Realized Gains$129 $208 $7,080 
Gross Realized Losses(1,650)(162)(211)
Net Realized (Losses) Gains$(1,521)$46 $6,869 
Tax Impact$(319)$10 $1,443 
Gains or losses are recognized in earnings on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold. The net realized (losses) gains above reflect reclassification adjustments in the calculation of other comprehensive income (loss)Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The net realized (losses) gains are included in noninterest income as (losses) gains on sales of securities, net in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. The tax impact is included in income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

105

86


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities are shown below by contractual maturity.maturity as of the date presented. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

(Dollars in Thousands) Amortized  Fair 
December 31, 2020 Cost  Value 
Due in One Year or Less $391  $394 
Due after One Year through Five Years  10,967   11,053 
Due after Five Years through Ten Years  131,639   134,475 
Due after Ten Years  220,108   230,670 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities  44,057   44,724 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  5,194   5,447 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  212,751   218,359 
Asset Backed Securities  133,672   133,557 
Total Securities $758,779  $778,679 

December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Due in One Year or Less$— $— 
Due after One Year through Five Years12,746 11,846 
Due after Five Years through Ten Years262,463 228,115 
Due after Ten Years103,283 85,334 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities110,726 99,150 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities31,578 31,163 
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities24,522 21,856 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations174,396 161,533 
Asset Backed Securities150,832 140,006 
Total Securities$870,546 $779,003 
At December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019,2022, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than those securities issued by or collateralized by the U.S. Government and its Agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders’ equity. The carrying value of securities pledged for various regulatory and legal requirements was $146.0$215.5 million at December 31, 20202023 and $150.6$224.5 million at December 31, 2019.

106
2022.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 20202023 and 2019,December 31, 2022, aggregated by investment category and length of time thatthe individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

  December 31, 2020 
  Less Than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
(Dollars in Thousands) Number of Securities  Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Unrealized Losses 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities  7  $21,109  $339   3  $40  $2   10  $21,149  $341 
Asset Backed Securities  11   23,653   219   27   61,599   780   38   85,252   999 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  13   48,318   212   14   38,615   187   27   86,933   399 
Small Business Administration  7   10,444   53   73   47,371   752   80   57,815   805 
States and Political Subdivisions  12   12,558   119   -   -   -   12   12,558   119 
Corporate Notes  1   2,493   7   -   -   -   1   2,493   7 
     Total Debt Securities  51  $118,575  $949   117  $147,625  $1,721   168  $266,200  $2,670 

  December 31, 2019 
  Less Than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
(Dollars in Thousands) Number of Securities  Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Number of Securities  Fair Value  Unrealized Losses 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities  5  $9,972  $92   1  $2  $-   6  $9,974  $92 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  3   7,713   113   -   -   -   3   7,713   113 
Asset Backed Securities  22   50,530   549   16   39,153   1,040   38   89,683   1,589 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  37   144,543   1,051   6   18,107   289   43   162,650   1,340 
Small Business Administration  13   25,380   91   69   47,616   1,005   82   72,996   1,096 
States and Political Subdivisions  37   70,678   1,785   -   -   -   37   70,678   1,785 
Total Debt Securities  117  $308,816  $3,681   92  $104,878  $2,334   209  $413,694  $6,015 

107

December 31, 2023
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
(Dollars in Thousands)Number of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Number of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Number of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
U.S. Government Agency Securities$6,567 $(67)15 $15,848 $(689)22 $22,415 $(756)
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities— — — 43 99,150 (11,576)43 99,150 (11,576)
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities1,073 (3)50 18,692 (748)53 19,765 (751)
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities— — — 21,856 (2,666)21,856 (2,666)
Asset Backed Securities2,530 (84)52 137,476 (10,742)54 140,006 (10,826)
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations— — — 85 161,533 (12,863)85 161,533 (12,863)
States and Political Subdivisions— — — 153 222,108 (41,449)153 222,108 (41,449)
Corporate Notes— — — 21 59,360 (11,390)21 59,360 (11,390)
Total Debt Securities12 $10,170 $(154)428 $736,023 $(92,123)440 $746,193 $(92,277)

87

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

Securities are evaluated

December 31, 2022
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
(Dollars in Thousands)Number of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Number of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
Number of
Securities
Fair ValueUnrealized
Losses
U.S. Treasury Securities$14,080 $(789)$3,786 $(663)$17,866 $(1,452)
U.S. Government Agency Securities5,337 (26)15,576 (762)15 20,913 (788)
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities7,601 (372)37 96,084 (11,637)43 103,685 (12,009)
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities7,843 (307)49 15,675 (629)56 23,518 (936)
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities5,302 (617)14,560 (1,980)19,862 (2,597)
Asset Backed Securities13 42,173 (2,984)41 97,210 (12,185)54 139,383 (15,169)
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations35 66,362 (4,500)50 110,260 (9,659)85 176,622 (14,159)
States and Political Subdivisions73 112,564 (19,706)91 115,382 (33,901)164 227,946 (53,607)
Corporate Notes23,285 (2,965)13 38,448 (6,052)21 61,733 (9,017)
Total Debt Securities153 $284,547 $(32,266)298 $506,981 $(77,468)451 $791,528 $(109,734)
The Company adopted Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) on January 1, 2021 and did not record an allowance for OTTI quarterlycredit losses, (“ACL”), on its investment securities during the year ended December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022 as the Company did not have any related impairment. The Company regularly reviews debt securities for expected credit loss using both qualitative and more frequently if economic or market concerns warrant. Consideration is given toquantitative criteria, as necessary, based on the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospectscomposition of the issuer, the credit quality of the issuer, and whether the Company intends to sell the security or may be required to sell the security prior to maturity. The Company has reviewed all securities for OTTI.

portfolio at period end.

As of December 31, 2020, no OTTI has been identified for any investment securities in the Company’s portfolio. The Company2023, management does not believeintend to sell any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2020 represents an OTTI. At December 31, 2020 there were 168 debt securitiessecurity in an unrealized loss position and at December 31, 2019 there were 209 debt securities in an unrealized loss position.it is not more than likely that it will be required to sell any such security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. The unrealized losses on debt securities wereare primarily attributablethe result of interest rate changes, credit spread fluctuations on agency-issued mortgage-related securities, general financial market uncertainty and market volatility. These conditions should not prohibit the Company from receiving its contractual principal and interest payments on its debt securities. The fair value is expected to changesrecover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date.
As of December 31, 2023, management believes the unrealized losses detailed in interest rates andthe table above are not related to credit; therefore, no ACL has been recognized on the Company’s securities. Should the impairment of any of these securities become credit related, the impairment will be recognized by establishing an ACL through provision for credit losses in the period the credit qualityrelated impairment is identified, while any non-credit loss will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of these securities. All debt securities are determined to be investment gradeapplicable taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2023 and are paying principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the security. The Company generally does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not thatDecember 31, 2022, the Company will be required to sell anyhad no credit related net investment impairment losses.
88

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

NOTE 5 – LOANS AND LOANS HELD-FOR-SALE

The composition of the loan portfolio by dollar amount is shown in the table below:

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019 
Commercial      
Commercial Real Estate $1,453,799  $1,365,310 
Commercial and Industrial  306,828   256,798 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  250,336   364,869 
Commercial Construction  387,407   292,827 
Total Commercial Loans  2,398,370   2,279,804 
Consumer        
Residential Mortgages  472,170   514,538 
Other Consumer  57,647   73,688 
Consumer Construction  18,983   16,736 
Total Consumer Loans  548,800   604,962 
Total Portfolio Loans $2,947,170  $2,884,766 

The Company attempts

December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate$1,670,631 $1,470,562 
Commercial and Industrial271,511 309,792 
Total Commercial Loans1,942,142 1,780,354 
Consumer
Residential Mortgages787,929 657,948 
Other Consumer34,277 44,562 
Total Consumer Loans822,206 702,510 
Construction436,349 353,553 
Other305,213 312,496 
Total Portfolio Loans3,505,910 3,148,913 
Loans Held-for-Sale— — 
Total Loans$3,505,910 $3,148,913 
We attempt to limit itsour exposure to credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio by segment, geography, collateral and industry andwhile actively managing concentrations. When concentrations exist in certain segments, this risk is mitigated by reviewing the relevant economic indicators and internal risk rating trends and through stress testing of the loans in these segments. The Company hasestablished transaction, relationship and specific loan segment limits in its loan policy. Total commercial real estate balances should not exceed the combination of 300% of total risk basedrisk-based capital and growth in excess of 50% over the previous thirty-six months and construction loan balances should not exceed 100% of total risk basedrisk-based capital. Investment real estate property types and purchased loan programs have individual dollar limits that should not be exceeded in the portfolio.portfolio and are based on management’s risk tolerance relative to capital. In addition, there are specific limits in placetargets for various categories of real estate loans with regardsrespect to debt service coverage ratios, loan-to-value ratios, loan terms, and amortization periods.

108
We also have policy limits on loan-to-cost for construction projects. Although leverage is important, the Company is also focused on cash flow generation and employs stress testing to calculate a supportable loan amount. Supportable loan amounts have generally been more challenging given the increases in commodities pricing and the average loan to cost has decreased over time.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Unsecured loans pose higher risk for the Company due to the lack of a well-defined secondary source of repayment. UnsecuredCommercial unsecured loans are reserved for the best quality customers with well-established businesses that operate with low financial and operating leverage and demonstrate an ability to clear the outstanding balance on lines of credit for at least thirty consecutive days annually.leverage. The repayment capacity of the borrower should exceed the policy and guidelines for secured loans. IfThe Company significantly increased the borrower is unable to comply with this requirementstandards for consumer unsecured lending by adjusting upward the required qualifying Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores and the Company is willing to renew the credit facility, the line should be secured and/or begin amortization.

Total commercial loans represented 81.4% of total portfolio loansrestricting loan amounts at December 31, 2020lower FICO scores.

Deferred costs and 79.0% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2019. Within our commercial portfolio, the CRE and Commercial Construction portfolios combined comprised $1.8 billion or 76.8% of total commercial loans and 62.5% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2020 and comprised $1.7 billion or 72.7% of total commercial loans and 57.5% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2019. Net deferred costsfees included in the portfolio balances above were $3.0$7.2 million and $5.1$8.2 million at December 31, 20202023 and 2019,December 31, 2022, respectively. Discounts on purchased 1-4 family loans included in the portfolio balances above were $219$133.4 thousand and $250$161.2 thousand at December 31, 20202023 and 2019,December 31, 2022, respectively.

Mortgage

The Company had no mortgage loans held-for-sale were $25.4 million and $19.7 million as of December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019,2022, respectively. In addition to mortgage loans held-for-sale,
Loan Restructurings
On April 1, 2022, the Company had $9.8 millionadopted the accounting guidance in loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches at December 31, 2020 that are expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The following table summarizes the TDRsASU No. 2022-02, effective as of January 1, 2022, which eliminates the dates presented:

    December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
  Performing  Nonperforming  Total  Performing  Nonperforming  Total 
(Dollars in Thousands) TDRs  TDRs  TDRs  TDRs  TDRs  TDRs 
Commercial                        
Commercial Real Estate $6,151  $21,667  $27,818  $3,183  $30,073  $33,256 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   -   390   390 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Construction  52,481   3,319   55,800   53,116   4,242   57,358 
Total Commercial TDRs  58,632   24,986   83,618   56,299   34,705   91,004 
Consumer                        
Residential Mortgages  50,618   -   50,618   52,966   -   52,966 
Other Consumer  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Consumer Construction  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total Consumer TDRs  50,618   -   50,618   52,966   -   52,966 
Total TDRs $109,250  $24,986  $134,236  $109,265  $34,705  $143,970 

In orderrecognition and measurement of a TDR. Due to maximize the collectionremoval of loan balances,the TDR designation, the Company evaluates troubledall loan accounts on a case-by-case basisrestructurings according to the accounting guidance for loan modifications to determine if the restructuring results in a new loan modification would be appropriate.or a continuation of the existing loan. Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that result in a direct change in the timing or amount of contractual cash flows include situations where there is principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions, and combinations of the listed modifications. Therefore, the disclosures related to loan restructurings are only for modifications that directly affect cash flows.

A loan that is considered a restructured loan may be utilized when there is a reasonable chance that an appropriate modification would allow our client to continue servicing the debt. A loan is a TDR if both of the following exist: 1) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties, and 2) a creditor has granted a concessionsubject to the debtor that it would not normally grant. Nonaccrual loans that are modified can be placed backindividually evaluated loan analysis if the commitment is $1.0 million or greater and/or based on accrual status when both principal and interest are current and it is probable thatmanagement’s discretion; otherwise, the Company will be able to collect all amounts due (both principal and interest) according torestructured loan remains in the termsappropriate
89

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

TDRs decreased from $143.9 million at December 31, 2019

segment in the ACL model. For a discussion with respect to $134.2 million at December 31, 2020. This represents a $9.7 million decrease, or 6.8%. reserve calculations regarding individually evaluated loans refer to the “Nonrecurring Basis” section in Note 7, Fair Value Measurements, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Bank received $12.8 million of pay-downs, offset by an addition of $3.1 million. TDRs of $25.0 million and $34.7 million were nonaccrualfollowing table shows the amortized cost basis as of December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019, respectively. During2022 for the loans restructured during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020,2023 and December 31, 2022 to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, disaggregated by portfolio segment:

Restructured LoansRestructured Loans
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Number of Contracts
Amortized Cost Basis(1)
% of Total Class of Financing ReceivableNumber of Contracts
Amortized Cost Basis(1)
% of Total Class of Financing Receivable
Accruing Restructured Loans
Commercial Real Estate— $— — %$324 0.02 %
Commercial and Industrial— — — %— — — %
Residential Mortgages— — — %— — — %
Other Consumer— — — %— — — %
Construction— — — %— — — %
Other   %   %
Total Accruing Restructured Loans   %1 324 0.02 %
Nonaccrual Restructured Loans
Commercial Real Estate— $— — %— $— — %
Commercial and Industrial— — — %— — — %
Residential Mortgages— — — %— — — %
Other Consumer— — — %— — — %
Construction— — — %— — — %
Other   %   %
Total Nonaccrual Restructured Loans   %   %
Total Restructured Loans   %1 324 0.02 %
(1) Excludes accrued interest receivable of $1.5 thousand on restructured loans for the year ended 2022.
The Company had no loans that were restructured during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023. During the third quarter of 2022 the Bank modified a construction loan and considered it a restructured loan as a result of financial difficulty. The borrower is a single family home builder. The purpose of the loan was to finance the construction of a speculative home. The loan matured and was incomplete. The Bank extended the maturity and completion date for five (5) months in order to provide time to complete and sell the home. However, the Bank became aware of a mechanic’s lien filed by one of the borrower’s subcontractors. This issue was resolved and the loan totaling $3.1 millionwas restored to accrual status on September 30, 2022. Subsequently, the home was sold and the Bank was paid in full on December 9, 2022. This loan was not considered significant and remained in the general pool of the Bank’s ACL model for reserve purposes until it was paid in full. These loans are not considered significant and are included in the Bank’s ACL model in the general pool of the construction and commercial real estate (“CRE”) segments for reserve purposes.
90

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
The Bank closely monitors the performance of the loans that constituted a TDRare modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table depicts the performance of loans that have been modified during the year ended December 31, 2022:
Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis)
(Dollars in Thousands)Current30-89 Days Past Due90+ Days Past Due
Accruing Restructured Loans
Commercial Real Estate$324 $— $— 
Commercial and Industrial— — — 
Residential Mortgages— — — 
Other Consumer— — — 
Construction— — — 
Other
Total Accruing Restructured Loans$324$$
Nonaccrual Restructured Loans
Commercial Real Estate$— $— $— 
Commercial and Industrial— — — 
Residential Mortgages— — — 
Other Consumer— — — 
Construction— — — 
Other
Total Nonaccrual Restructured Loans$$$
Total Restructured Loans(1)
$324$$
(1)Excludes accrued interest receivable of $1.5 thousand at December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Bank had minimalno commitments to lend any additional funds.

The Companyfunds on restructured loans. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 the Bank had one loan modified as a TDRno loans that defaulted during the twelve months ending December 31, 2019 totaling $0.6 million in post-modified recorded balances. The loanperiod and had been modified preceding the payment default when the borrower was classified as a TDR because there are concessions present that would not be offered to a comparable borrower.

There were no TDR payment defaults duringexperiencing financial difficulty at the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.time of modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a TDR payment default occurs when, within 12 months of the original TDR modification, either a full or partial charge-off occurs or a TDRthe loan becomes 90 days or more past due. Atdue.

As of December 31, 20202023 and 2019December 31, 2022, the Company had $25.0$2.0 million and $34.7$0.9 million, respectively, of residential real estate in loans modified as TDR’sthe process of foreclosure. We also had $62 thousand at December 31, 2023 and $133 thousand at December 31, 2022 in previous years which had experienced a payment default subsequent to the rework date and were classified as nonperforming.

The specific reserve portion of the allowance for loan losses on TDRs, if required, is determined by discounting the restructured cash flow at the original effective rate of the loan before modification or is based on the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if repayment of the loan is collateral dependent. If the resulting amount is less than the recorded book value, the Company either establishes a valuation allowance as a component of the allowance for loan losses or charges off the impaired balance if it determines that such amount is a confirmed loss. This method is used consistently for all segments of the portfolio.

residential real estate included in OREO.

Loans to principal officers, directors and their affiliates during 20202023 were as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020 
Beginning Balance $39,680 
New Loans  11,162 
Repayments  (11,637)
Balance at End of Year (1) $39,205 

(1) Balance at end

(Dollars in Thousands)2023
Beginning Balance$2,746 
Principal Additions353 
Repayments(666)
Balance at End of Year$2,433


91

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
NOTE 6 - ALLOWANCE FOR LOANCREDIT LOSSES

The Company maintains an ALLACL at a level determined to be adequate to absorb estimated probable incurredexpected credit losses inherent inassociated with the loan portfolioCompany’s financial instruments over the life of those instruments as of the balance sheet date. The Company develops and documents a systematic ALLACL methodology based on the following portfolio segments: 1) CRE, 2) C&I, 3) Obligations of StatesCommercial and Political Subdivisions, 4) Commercial Construction, 5)Industrial, (“C&I”), 3) Residential Mortgages, 6)4) Other Consumer, 5) Construction and 7) Consumer Construction.6) Other. The Company’s loan portfolio is segmented by homogeneous loan types that behave similarly to economic cycles. The following is a discussion of the key risks by portfolio segment that management assesses in preparing the ALL.

ACL.

CRE loans are secured by commercial purpose real estate, including both owner occupied properties and investment properties, for various purposes such as hotels, strip malls and apartments. Operations of the individual projects as well as global cash flows of the debtors are the primary sources of repayment for these loans. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the collateral type as well as the business.

110

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

C&I loans are made to operating companies or manufacturers for the purpose of production, operating capacity, accounts receivable, inventory or equipment financing. Cash flow from the operations of the borrower is the primary source of repayment for these loans. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the industry of the borrower. Collateral for these types of loans often do not have sufficient value in a distressed or liquidation scenario to satisfy the outstanding debt.

Obligations of States and Political Subdivision These loans are also made to local and state municipalities for various purposes including refinancing existing obligations, infrastructure up-fit and expansion, or to purchase new equipment. This segment ofThese loans may be secured by general obligations from the municipal authority or revenues generated by infrastructure and equipment financed by the Company. The primary repayment source for these loans include the tax base of the municipality, specific revenue streams related to the infrastructure financed, and other business operations of the municipal authority. The health and stability of state and local economies directly impacts each municipality’s tax basis and are important indicators of risk for this segment. The ability of each municipality to increase taxes and fees to offset debt service requirements give this type of loan a very low risk profile in the continuum of the Company’s loan portfolio.

Residential Mortgages are loans secured by first and second liens such as home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and 1-4 family residential mortgages, including purchased money mortgages. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The state of the local housing market can also have a significant impact on this segment because low demand and/or declining home values can limit the ability of borrowers to sell a property and satisfy the debt.
Other Consumer loans are made to individuals and may be either secured by assets other than 1-4 family residences or unsecured. This segment includes auto loans and unsecured loans and lines. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income and assets of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The value of the collateral, if there is any, is less likely to be a source of repayment due to less certain collateral values.
Construction loans include both commercial and consumer. Commercial Construction loans are made to finance construction of buildings or other structures, as well as to finance the acquisition and development of raw land for various purposes. While the risk of these loans is generally confined to the construction period, if there are problems, the project may not be completed, and as such, may not provide sufficient cash flow on its own to service the debt or have sufficient value in a liquidation to cover the outstanding principal. The condition of the local economy is an important indicator of risk, but there are also more specific risks depending on the type of project and the experience and resources of the developer.

Residential Mortgages are loans secured by first and second liens such as home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and 1-4 family residential mortgages, including purchase money mortgages. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income and assets of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The state of the local housing market can also have a significant impact on this segment because low demand and/or declining home values can limit the ability of borrowers to sell a property and satisfy the debt.

Consumer loans are made to individuals and may be either secured by assets other than 1-4 family residences or unsecured. This segment includes auto loans and unsecured loans and lines. The primary source of repayment for these loans is the income and assets of the borrower. The condition of the local economy, in particular the unemployment rate, is an important indicator of risk for this segment. The value of the collateral, if there is any, is less likely to be a source of repayment due to less certain collateral values.

Consumer Construction loans are made for the construction of residential homes for which a binding sales contract exists and generally are for a period of time sufficient to complete construction. Residential construction loans to individuals generally provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase. Credit risk for residential real estate construction loans can arise from construction delays, cost overruns, failure of the contractor to complete the project to specifications and economic conditions that could impact demand for or supply of the property being constructed.

111

Other loans include unique risk attributes considered inconsistent with our current underwriting standards.

The ACL reserve for the Other segment is based on a discounted cash flow methodology and reserves will fluctuate based on expected cash flow changes in the future. These inconsistencies may include, but are not limited to i) transaction and/or relationship sizes that exceed limits established in 2018, ii) overreliance on secondary, tertiary or guarantor cash flow, iii) land
92

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

acquisition loans without a defined source of amortization, iv) loan structures on operating lines of credit dependent on the value of real estate rather than trading assets, and v) indirect liabilities of certain guarantees resulting from the nonpayment of financial obligations. Management continuously assesses underwriting standards, but significantly enhanced these standards in 2018.
Our model is based on our best estimate of facts known with the most current information. Certain portions of the CECL model are inherently subjective and include, but are not limited to estimates with respect to: prepayment speeds, the timing of prepayments, potential losses given default, discount rates and the timing of future cash flows. Management utilizes widely published economic forecasts as the basis for the regression analysis used to estimate the probability of default in the baseline model. The following tables present, bypeaks and troughs of these forecasts serve as guardrails for potential subjective adjustments. In addition to considering the outcomes based on the range of forecasts, management recognizes that the assumptions used in economic forecasts may not perfectly align with our market area, risk profile or unique attributes of our portfolio segment, thealong with other important considerations. Severe changes in forecasts can also create significant variability and management must assess not only the allowance for loan losses andabsolute balance of reserves but also consider the allocationappropriateness of the allowance for loan losses forvelocity of change. Therefore, management developed a framework to assess the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019,tolerance and 2018:

  Commercial     Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Real  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31, 2020 Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses:                                
Balance: Beginning of Year $24,706  $3,236  $365  $5,377  $1,736  $3,299  $43  $38,762 
Provision Charged to Expense  11,055   941   586   2,364   594   2,434   32   18,006 
Losses Charged Off  (40)  (66)        (258)  (3,991)     (4,355)
Recoveries  707   2      188   27   737      1,661 
Balance, End of Year $36,428  $4,113  $951  $7,929  $2,099  $2,479  $75  $54,074 

  Commercial     Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Real  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31, 2019 Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses:                                
Balance: Beginning of Year $23,897  $626  $432  $5,214  $6,129  $2,728  $173  $39,199 
Provision Charged to Expense  878   2,632   (67)  (74)  (4,205)  4,370   (130)  3,404 
Losses Charged Off  (69)  (22)     (393)  (197)  (4,401)     (5,082)
Recoveries           630   9   602      1,241 
Balance, End of Year $24,706  $3,236  $365  $5,377  $1,736  $3,299  $43  $38,762 

  Commercial     Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Real  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31, 2018 Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses:                                
Balance: Beginning of Year $28,471  $1,210  $460  $2,198  $2,543  $288  $148  $35,318 
Provision Charged to Expense  6,512   (564)  (28)  2,324   3,701   4,900   25   16,870 
Losses Charged Off  (11,740)  (20)        (184)  (2,710)     (14,654)
Recoveries  654         692   69   250      1,665 
Balance, End of Year $23,897  $626  $432  $5,214  $6,129  $2,728  $173  $39,199 

112
reasonableness of the CECL modeling process by challenging certain elements of the forecasts, when appropriate. These outcomes, known as “challenger models,” provide opportunities to examine and subjectively adjust the CECL model output and are designed to be counter cyclical, thereby reducing variability.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Credit Quality Indicators:

The Company’s portfolio grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled or at all. The Company’s internal credit risk grading system is based on debt service coverage, collateral values and other subjective factors. Mortgage and consumer loans are defaulted to a pass grade until a loan migrates to past due status.

The Company has a loan review policy and annual scope report that details the level of loan review for loans in a given year. The annual loan review provides the Credit Risk Committee with an independent analysis of the following: 1) credit quality of the loan portfolio, 2) compliance with the loan policy, 3) adequacy of documentation in credit files and 4) validity of risk ratings. Since 2020 and continuing through 2023, the Company used a five step approach for loan review in the following categories:
Individual reviews of the top twenty large loan relationships (“LLRs”), which are defined as any individual commercial loan or aggregate commercial relationship totaling $2.0 million or more;
A sampling of small LLRs, which are defined as individual commercial loans or relationships with aggregate exposure of $2.0 million or more but not included in the top twenty LLRs;
A sampling review of Credit Risk Committee modifications, including new and existing loans to provide perspective on the appropriateness of the modification in relation to established policies and procedures;
A sampling review of non-organic commercial loans and those commercial loans approved outside of the Credit Risk Committee; and
Focus reviews of office and land development to evaluate segment risk rather than individual loan risk. Focus reviews are performed annually on a rotational basis.
The Company’s internally assigned grades are as follows:

Pass– The Company uses six grades of pass, including its watch rating. Generally, a pass rating indicates that the loan is currently performing and is of high quality.

Special Mention – Assets with potential weaknesses that warrant management’s close attention and if left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institutionsinstitution’s credit position at some future date. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

Substandard– Assets that are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses that jeopardize the
93

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
liquidation of the debt. Such assets are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful– Assets with all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss– Assets considered of such little value that its continuance on the books is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.

113

The ability of borrowers to repay commercial loans is dependent upon the success of their business and general economic conditions. Due to the greater potential for loss within our commercial portfolio, we monitor the commercial loan portfolio through an internal risk rating system. Loan risk ratings are assigned based upon the creditworthiness of the borrower and are reviewed on an ongoing basis according to our internal policies. Loans rated special mention or substandard have potential or well-defined weaknesses not generally found in high quality, performing loans, and require attention from management to limit loss.


94

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

The following tables represent credit exposurestable presents loan balances by year of origination and internally assigned gradesrisk rating for our portfolio segments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

        Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Commercial  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31, 2020 Real Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Pass $1,281,106  $228,200  $250,336  $270,798  $415,773  $57,418  $18,983  $2,522,614 
Special Mention  126,535   48   -   58,899   723   6   -   186,211 
Substandard  46,158   78,580   -   57,710   55,674   223   -   238,345 
Doubtful  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,453,799  $306,828  $250,336  $387,407  $472,170  $57,647  $18,983  $2,947,170 
                                 
Performing Loans $1,431,908  $306,372  $250,336  $382,076  $468,035  $57,463  $18,983  $2,915,173 
Non-Accrual Loans  21,891   456   -   5,331   4,135   184   -   31,997 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,453,799  $306,828  $250,336  $387,407  $472,170  $57,647  $18,983  $2,947,170 

        Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Commercial  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31, 2019 Real Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Pass $1,198,269  $167,326  $364,869  $173,176  $456,859  $73,345  $16,736  $2,450,580 
Special Mention  1,368   203   -   1,476   1,178   9   -   4,234 
Substandard  165,673   89,269   -   118,175   56,501   334   -   429,952 
Doubtful  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,365,310  $256,798  $364,869  $292,827  $514,538  $73,688  $16,736  $2,884,766 
                                 
Performing Loans $1,334,220  $256,331  $364,869  $285,375  $511,681  $73,421  $16,736  $2,842,633 
Non-Accrual Loans  31,090   467   -   7,452   2,857   267   -   42,133 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,365,310  $256,798  $364,869  $292,827  $514,538  $73,688  $16,736  $2,884,766 

Loans held-for-sale in connection with sale31:

Risk Rating
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021202020192018 and PriorRevolvingTotal Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate
Pass$259,171 $434,639 $173,667 $142,494 $124,176 $503,965 $30,917$1,669,029 
Special Mention— — 206 — — 72 278 
Substandard— — — 101 1,223 1,324 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Commercial Real Estate$259,171 $434,639 $173,873 $142,494 $124,277 $505,260 $30,917$1,670,631 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — — — — 
Commercial and Industrial
Pass$24,863 $18,061 $37,566 $24,566 $2,636 $137,395 $23,535$268,622 
Special Mention— — — 2,837 — — 2,837 
Substandard— — — 18 14 1952 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Commercial and Industrial$24,863 $18,061 $37,566 $27,421 $2,650 $137,396 $23,554$271,511 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — 45 — 16 63 
Residential Mortgages
Pass$79,247 $250,603 $194,014 $77,805 $43,633 $96,238 $42,550$784,090 
Special Mention— — — — — 525 525 
Substandard— — 1,142 — 860 1,070 2423,314 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Residential Mortgages$79,247 $250,603 $195,156 $77,805 $44,493 $97,833 $42,792$787,929 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — 136 — — 67 203 
Other Consumer
Pass$22,809 $4,494 $2,396 $3,936 $26 $187 $354$34,202 
Special Mention— — — — — — — 
Substandard14 55 — — — 75 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Other Consumer$22,823 $4,500 $2,451 $3,936 $26 $187 $354$34,277 
YTD Gross Charge-offs232 1,451 744 83 126 29 2,665 
Construction
Pass$118,120 $162,794 $122,087 $10,837 $5,155 $6,280 $8,048$433,321 
Special Mention— — — — — 60 60 
Substandard— 64 — 2,090 — 814 2,968 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Construction$118,120 $162,858 $122,087 $12,927 $5,155 $7,154 $8,048$436,349 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — — 42 42 
Other
Pass$— $— $— $— $— $3,300 $$3,300 
Special Mention— — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — — 301,913 301,913 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Other Loans$ $ $ $ $ $305,213 $$305,213 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — — — — 
Total Portfolio Loans
Pass$504,210 $870,591 $529,730 $259,638 $175,626 $747,365 $105,404$3,192,564 
Special Mention— — 206 2,837 — 657 3,700 
Substandard14 70 1,197 2,108 975 305,021 261309,646 
Doubtful— — — — — — — 
Total Portfolio Loans$504,224 $870,661 $531,133 $264,583 $176,601 $1,053,043 $105,665$3,505,910 
Current YTD Period:
YTD Gross Charge-offs$232 $1,451 $925 $83 $142 $140 $ $2,973 
95

Risk Rating
(Dollars in Thousands)202220212020201920182017 and PriorRevolvingTotal Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate
Pass$418,939 $186,226 $139,148 $130,521 $215,498 $335,659 $31,349$1,457,340 
Special Mention— 218 — — 9,919 659 10,796 
Substandard— — — — 2,105 321 2,426 
Total Commercial Real Estate$418,939 $186,444 $139,148 $130,521 $227,522 $336,639 $31,349$1,470,562 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — — — — 
Commercial and Industrial
Pass$23,104 $47,137 $35,819 $9,022 $10,639 $154,473 $23,699$303,893 
Special Mention— — 2,887 — — — 2,887 
Substandard— 56 — 18 97 2,800 413,012 
Total Commercial and Industrial$23,104 $47,193 $38,706 $9,040 $10,736 $157,273 $23,740$309,792 
YTD Gross Charge-offs3,432 — — — — 3,436 
Residential Mortgages
Pass$200,725 $184,718 $81,446 $50,770 $70,659 $39,411 $25,315$653,044 
Special Mention— — — — 429 520 34983 
Substandard— 1,212 — 865 444 1,400 3,921 
Total Residential Mortgages$200,725 $185,930 $81,446 $51,635 $71,532 $41,331 $25,349$657,948 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — 22 24 46 
Other Consumer
Pass$24,100 $10,006 $7,323 $1,999 $512 $256 $299$44,495 
Special Mention— — — — — — — 
Substandard— 45 — 20 67 
Total Other Consumer$24,100 $10,051 $7,324 $1,999 $513 $276 $299$44,562 
YTD Gross Charge-offs280 625 254 358 39 121 1,677 
Construction
Pass$149,535 $117,466 $41,808 $4,938 $25,523 $7,190 $6,056$352,516 
Special Mention— — — — — 69 69 
Substandard— — — — 92 876 968 
Total Construction$149,535 $117,466 $41,808 $4,938 $25,615 $8,135 $6,056$353,553 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — — — — 
Other
Pass$— $— $— $— $— $180,745 $$180,745 
Special Mention— — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — 74,050 57,701 131,751 
Total Other Loans$ $ $ $ $74,050 $238,446 $$312,496 
YTD Gross Charge-offs— — — — — — — 
Total Portfolio Loans
Pass$816,403 $545,553 $305,544 $197,250 $322,831 $717,734 $86,718$2,992,033 
Special Mention— 218 2,887 — 10,348 1,248 3414,735 
Substandard— 1,313 883 76,789 63,118 41142,145 
Total Portfolio Loans$816,403 $547,084 $308,432 $198,133 $409,968 $782,100 $86,793$3,148,913 
Current YTD Period:
YTD Gross Charge-offs$3,712 $625 $254 $358 $65 $145 $ $5,159 
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company individually evaluates allhad no loans that were risk rated as doubtful. Special mention and substandard loans at December 31, 2023 increased $156.5 million to $313.3 million compared to December 31, 2022, with an increase of $167.5 million in substandard and nonaccruala decrease of $11.0 million in special mention. The increase of $167.5 million in substandard loans greater than or equal to $1.0 million for impairment. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due accordingprimarily related to the contractual termsabove mentioned large nonaccrual lending relationship in the other loan category. The $301.9 million of the loan agreement. Our methodology for evaluating whether a loan is impaired includes risk-rating credits on an individual basis and consideration of the borrower’s overall financial condition, payment history and available cash resources. In measuring impairment, the Company primarily utilizes fair market value of the collateral; however, the Company also uses the discounted cash flow method for loans that are not deemed to be collateral dependent at the time of impairment. TDRs whether on accrual or nonaccrual status, are also classified as impaired loans. TDRs are loans where the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grant a concessionthe Bank’s largest lending relationship were nonperforming and rated as substandard at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022 the largest lending relationship in the other segment loans were all accruing and totaled $309.1 million of which, $177.3 million of those loans were pass-rated and $131.8 million of those loans were substandard-rated. The decrease of $11.0 million in special mention is primarily due to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise grant. The Company strivesupgrade of a CRE credit totaling $9.9 million to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify the terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms generally include extensionsa pass rating.
96

The following tables present the balances in the ALL and the recorded investment in thetable presents loan balances based on impairment methodby year of origination and performing and nonperforming status for our portfolio segments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

  Commercial     Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Real  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31,  2020 Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses:                                
Individually Evaluated for Impairment $13,773  $-  $-  $1,477  $  $  $  $15,250 
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment  22,655   4,113   951   6,452   2,099   2,479   75   38,824 
Total Allowance for Loan Losses $36,428  $4,113  $951  $7,929  $2,099  $2,479  $75  $54,074 
                                 
Total Loans:                                
Individually Evaluated for Impairment $27,666  $-  $-  $56,987  $50,618  $-  $-  $135,271 
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment  1,426,133   306,828   250,336   330,420   421,552   57,647   18,983   2,811,899 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,453,799  $306,828  $250,336  $387,407  $472,170  $57,647  $18,983  $2,947,170 

  Commercial     Obligations                
(Dollars in Thousands) Real  Commercial  Of States and  Commercial  Residential  Other  Consumer    
December 31,  2019 Estate  & Industrial  Political Sub.  Construction  Mortgages  Consumer  Construction  Total 
Allowance for Loan Losses:                                
Individually Evaluated for Impairment $5,779  $390  $-  $  $  $  $  $6,169 
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment  18,927   2,846   365   5,377   1,736   3,299   43   32,593 
Total Allowance for Loan Losses $24,706  $3,236  $365  $5,377  $1,736  $3,299  $43  $38,762 
                                 
Total Loans:                                
Individually Evaluated for Impairment $33,256  $390  $-  $59,053  $52,966  $-  $-  $145,665 
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment  1,332,054   256,408   364,869   233,774   461,572   73,688   16,736   2,739,101 
Total Portfolio Loans $1,365,310  $256,798  $364,869  $292,827  $514,538  $73,688  $16,736  $2,884,766 

The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable. Individually evaluated impaired loans do not include certain troubled debt restructured loans which are less than $1.0 million.

116
31:

(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021202020192018 and PriorRevolvingTotal Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate
Performing$259,171$434,639$173,873$142,494$124,176$504,037$30,917$1,669,307
Nonperforming1011,2231,324
Total Commercial Real Estate$259,171$434,639$173,873$142,494$124,277$505,260$30,917$1,670,631
Commercial and Industrial
Performing$24,863$18,061$37,566$27,403$2,636$137,395$23,535$271,459
Nonperforming181411952
Total Commercial and Industrial$24,863$18,061$37,566$27,421$2,650$137,396$23,554$271,511
Residential Mortgages
Performing$79,247$250,603$194,014$77,805$43,633$96,794$42,550$784,646
Nonperforming1,1428601,0392423,283
Total Residential Mortgages$79,247$250,603$195,156$77,805$44,493$97,833$42,792$787,929
Other Consumer
Performing$22,809$4,494$2,412$3,936$26$187$354$34,218
Nonperforming1463959
Total Other Consumer$22,823$4,500$2,451$3,936$26$187$354$34,277
Construction
Performing$118,120$162,858$122,087$10,837$5,155$6,340$8,048$433,445
Nonperforming2,0908142,904
Total Construction$118,120$162,858$122,087$12,927$5,155$7,154$8,048$436,349
Other
Performing$$$$$$3,300$$3,300
Nonperforming301,913301,913
Total Other Loans$$$$$$305,213$$305,213
Total Portfolio Loans
Performing$504,210$870,655$529,952$262,475$175,626$748,053$105,404$3,196,375
Nonperforming1461,1812,108975304,990261309,535
Total Portfolio Loans$504,224$870,661$531,133$264,583$176,601$1,053,043$105,665$3,505,910

97

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

The following table includes the recorded investment and unpaid principal balance for impaired loans with the associated allowance, if applicable, at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(Dollars in Thousands) Unpaid Principal  Recorded  Specific  Average Investment  Interest Income 
December 31, 2020 Balance  Balance  Allowance  in Impaired Loans  Recognized 
Loans without a Specific Valuation Allowance:                    

Commercial Real Estate

 $3,236  $3,236  $-  $4,201  $128 
Commercial Construction  55,248   55,248   -   56,941   1,871 
Residential Mortgages  50,618   50,618   -   51,716   1,906 
                     
Loans with a Specific Valuation Allowance:                    
Commercial Real Estate  24,430   24,430   13,773   27,780   163 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   184   - 
Commercial Construction  1,739   1,739   1,477   1,739   - 
                     
Total by Category:                    
Commercial Real Estate  27,666   27,666   13,773   31,981   291 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   184   - 
Commercial Construction  56,987   56,987   1,477   58,680   1,871 
Residential Mortgages  50,618   50,618   -   51,716   1,906 
Total Impaired Loans $135,271  $135,271  $15,250  $142,561  $4,068 

(Dollars in Thousands) Unpaid Principal  Recorded  Specific  Average Investment  Interest Income 
December 31, 2019 Balance  Balance  Allowance  in Impaired Loans  Recognized 
Loans without a Specific Valuation Allowance:                    

Commercial Real Estate

 $4,487  $4,487  $-  $5,885  $131 
Commercial Construction  59,053   59,053   -   59,558   3,056 
Residential Mortgages  52,966   52,966   -   57,079   5,862 
                     
Loans with a Specific Valuation Allowance:                    
Commercial Real Estate  28,769   28,769   5,779   31,201   - 
Commercial and Industrial  390   390   390   434   - 
Commercial Construction  -   -   -   1,716   - 
                     
Total by Category:                    
Commercial Real Estate  33,256   33,256   5,779   37,086   131 
Commercial and Industrial  390   390   390   434   - 
Commercial Construction  59,053   59,053   -   61,274   3,056 
Residential Mortgages  52,966   52,966   -   57,079   5,862 
Total Impaired Loans $145,665  $145,665  $6,169  $155,873  $9,049 

117

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

                
(Dollars in Thousands) Unpaid Principal  Recorded  Specific  Average Investment  Estimated Interest 
December 31, 2018 Balance  Balance  Allowance  in Impaired Loans  Income Recognized 
Loans without a Specific Valuation Allowance:                    

Commercial Real Estate

 $69,739  $69,739  $-  $69,677  $2,392 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   187,978   - 
Commercial Construction  61,187   61,187   -   58,623   1,554 
Residential Mortgages  272   272   -   394   - 
                     
Loans with a Specific Valuation Allowance:                    
Commercial Construction  30,379   30,379   5,199   23,126   20 
                     
Total by Category:                    
Commercial Real Estate  69,739   69,739   -   69,677   2,392 
Commercial and Industrial  -   -   -   187,978   - 
Commercial Construction  91,566   91,566   5,199   81,749   1,574 
Residential Mortgages  272   272   -   394   - 
Total Impaired Loans $161,577  $161,577  $5,199  $339,798  $3,966 

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, interest income recognized on impaired loans was $4.1 million, $9.0 million, and $4.0 million, respectively.

118
(Dollars in Thousands)202220212020201920182017 and PriorRevolvingTotal Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate
Performing$418,939$186,444$139,148$130,521$225,416$336,441$31,349$1,468,258
Nonperforming2,1061982,304
Total Commercial Real Estate$418,939$186,444$139,148$130,521$227,522$336,639$31,349$1,470,562
Commercial and Industrial
Performing$23,104$47,147$38,706$9,022$10,639$157,271$23,699$309,588
Nonperforming461897241204
Total Commercial and Industrial$23,104$47,193$38,706$9,040$10,736$157,273$23,740$309,792
Residential Mortgages
Performing$200,725$184,718$81,446$50,770$71,313$40,362$25,349$654,683
Nonperforming1,2128652199693,265
Total Residential Mortgages$200,725$185,930$81,446$51,635$71,532$41,331$25,349$657,948
Other Consumer
Performing$24,100$10,045$7,323$1,999$512$276$299$44,554
Nonperforming6118
Total Other Consumer$24,100$10,051$7,324$1,999$513$276$299$44,562
Construction
Performing$149,535$117,466$41,808$4,938$25,615$7,271$6,056$352,689
Nonperforming864864
Total Construction$149,535$117,466$41,808$4,938$25,615$8,135$6,056$353,553
Other
Performing$$$$$74,050$238,446$$312,496
Nonperforming
Total Other Loans$$$$$74,050$238,446$$312,496
Total Portfolio Loans
Performing$816,403$545,820$308,431$197,250$407,545$780,067$86,752$3,142,268
Nonperforming1,26418832,4232,033416,645
Total Portfolio Loans$816,403$547,084$308,432$198,133$409,968$782,100$86,793$3,148,913

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Age Analysis of Past-Due Loans by Class

The following table includestables include an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past-due portfolio loans as the periods presented:
December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Current LoansLoans 30-59
Days Past Due
Loans 60-89
Days Past Due
Total 30-89 Days
Past Due
Past Due 90+ Days Still AccruingNonaccrual LoansTotal Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate$1,668,988 $125 $194 $319 $— $1,324 $1,670,631 
Commercial & Industrial271,420 34 39 — 52 271,511 
Residential Mortgages782,765 1,846 35 1,881 — 3,283 787,929 
Other Consumer33,813 247 158 405 — 59 34,277 
Construction430,057 3,388 — 3,388 — 2,904 436,349 
Other3,300 — — — — 301,913 305,213 
Total$3,190,343 $5,611 $421 $6,032 $ $309,535 $3,505,910 

98

Table of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

  December 31, 2020 
(Dollars in Thousands) Current Loans  Loans 30-59
Days Past Due
  Loans 60-89
Days Past Due
  Total 30-89 Days
Past Due
  Nonaccrual Loans  Total Portfolio Loans 
Commercial Real Estate $1,428,092  $3,487  $329  $3,816  $21,891  $1,453,799 
Commercial & Industrial  305,988   194   190   384   456   306,828 
Obligations of States and Political Sub.  250,336   -   -   -   -   250,336 
Commercial Construction  381,792   193   91   284   5,331   387,407 
Residential Mortgages  466,688   1,347   -   1,347   4,135   472,170 
Other Consumer  56,890   278   295   573   184   57,647 
Consumer Construction  18,983   -   -   -   -   18,983 
Total $2,908,769  $5,499  $905  $6,404  $31,997  $2,947,170 

  December 31, 2019 
(Dollars in Thousands) Current Loans  Loans 30-59
Days Past Due
  Loans 60-89
Days Past Due
  Total 30-89 Days
Past Due
  Nonaccrual Loans  Total Portfolio Loans 
Commercial Real Estate $1,333,000  $307  $913  $1,220  $31,090  $1,365,310 
Commercial & Industrial  256,170   146   15   161   467   256,798 
Obligations of States and Political Sub.  364,633   236   -   236   -   364,869 
Commercial Construction  285,147   58   170   228   7,452   292,827 
Residential Mortgages  510,739   937   5   942   2,857   514,538 
Other Consumer  72,138   894   389   1,283   267   73,688 
Consumer Construction  16,736   -   -   -   -   16,736 
Total $2,838,563  $2,578  $1,492  $4,070  $42,133  $2,884,766 

Contents

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Current LoansLoans 30-59
Days Past Due
Loans 60-89
Days Past Due
Total 30-89 Days
Past Due
Nonaccrual LoansTotal Portfolio Loans
Commercial Real Estate$1,468,154 $104 $— $104 $2,304 $1,470,562 
Commercial & Industrial309,305 274 283 204 309,792 
Residential Mortgages654,238 445 — 445 3,265 657,948 
Other Consumer44,013 337 204 541 44,562 
Construction349,225 1,321 2,143 3,464 864 353,553 
Other312,496 — — — — 312,496 
Total$3,137,431 $2,481 $2,356 $4,837 $6,645 $3,148,913 
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing were zero at December 31, 20202023 and 2019. With the implementation of the Company’s new core system, loans2022. Loans past due 90 days are automatically transferred to nonaccrual status. Loans past due 30 to 89 days or more and still accruing increased $2.3$1.2 million to $6.4$6.0 million at December 31, 20202023 compared to $4.1$4.8 million at December 31, 2019.

As2022, primarily in the residential mortgage segment due to two relationships with an aggregate principal balance of December 31, 2020 loans held-for-sale in connection with sale of Bank branches included $7 thousand in nonaccrual status and $7 thousand that were past due. $2.9 million.

There were no nonaccrual or past due loans related to loans held-for-sale as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The following table presents loans on nonaccrual status and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing by portfolio segment of loan as of December 31, 2023. There were no loans at December 31, 2023 that were past due more than 90 days and still accruing.
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2023As of and for the year ended December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)
Nonaccrual without an Allowance for Credit Losses
Nonaccrual with an Allowance for Credit LossesTotal Nonaccrual
Loans
Past Due
90+ Days
Still Accruing
Nonaccrual without an Allowance for Credit LossesNonaccrual with an Allowance for Credit LossesTotal Nonaccrual
Loans
Past Due
90+ Days
Still Accruing
Commercial Real Estate$453 $871 $1,324 $— $— $2,304 $2,304 $— 
Commercial and Industrial— 52 52 — — 204 204 — 
Residential Mortgages1,142 2,141 3,283 — — 3,265 3,265 — 
Other Consumer— 59 59 — — — 
Construction2,898 2,904 — — 864 864 — 
Other— 301,913 301,913 — — — — — 
Total Portfolio Loans$4,493 $305,042 $309,535 $ $ $6,645 $6,645 $ 
A loan is considered nonperforming when we transfer the interest methodology from accrual to nonaccrual. Nonaccrual status recognizes that the collection in 2019.

119
full of both principal and interest is unlikely. Without applying additional scrutiny at a granular level, we believe delinquency to be a leading indicator with respect to the likelihood of collection in full of both principal and interest. Accordingly, we automatically transfer loans to nonaccrual status if they are 90 or more days’ delinquent. Management reserves the right to exercise discretion at the individual loan level. For example, we may elect to transfer a loan to nonaccrual regardless of the delinquency status if we believe the collection in full of both principal and interest to be unlikely. We may also elect to retain a loan that is 90 or more days’ delinquent in accrual status if we believe the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Nonaccrual loans, and loans that have been characterized as Restructured Loans may be individually evaluated for credit losses in the Allowance for Credit Losses model if the loan commitment is $1.0 million or greater and/or based on management’s discretion; unless we elect to maintain the loan in the general pool. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, no material amount of interest income was recognized on nonperforming loans subsequent to their classification as nonperforming loans.

99


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of individually evaluated loans as of the periods presented. Changes in the fair value of the types of collateral and discounted cash flow modeling for individually evaluated loans, as applicable, are reported as provision for credit loss on loans in the period of change.
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Fair Value - Real EstateDiscounted Cash FlowTotalFair Value - Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate$453$$4532,106 
Commercial and Industrial— 
Residential Mortgages1,1421,1421,212 
Other Consumer— 
Construction2,8982,898— 
Other301,913301,913— 
Total$4,493$301,913$306,4063,318 
The following tables presents activity in the ACL for the periods presented:
December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial & IndustrialResidential MortgagesOther ConsumerConstructionOtherTotal
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans:
Balance, Beginning of Year$17,992 $3,980 $8,891 $1,329 $6,942 $54,718 $93,852 
Provision (Recovery) for Credit Losses on Loans1,881 (719)2,081 1,729 892 (364)5,500 
Charge-offs— (63)(203)(2,665)(42)— (2,973)
Recoveries— 88 110 475 — — 673 
Net (Charge-offs) / Recoveries 25 (93)(2,190)(42) (2,300)
Balance, End of Year$19,873 $3,286 $10,879 $868 $7,792 $54,354 $97,052 

December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial & IndustrialResidential MortgagesOther ConsumerConstructionOtherTotal
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans:
Balance, Beginning of Year$17,297 $4,111 $4,368 $1,493 $6,939 $61,731 $95,939 
Provision (Recovery) for Credit Losses on Loans695 3,304 4,470 1,109 (146)(7,013)2,419 
Charge-offs— (3,436)(46)(1,677)— — (5,159)
Recoveries— 99 404 149 — 653 
Net (Charge-offs) / Recoveries (3,435)53 (1,273)$149  (4,506)
Balance, End of Year$17,992 $3,980 $8,891 $1,329 $6,942 $54,718 $93,852 

December 31, 2021
(Dollars in Thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial & IndustrialResidential MortgagesOther ConsumerConstruction
Other(1)
Total
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans:
Balance, Beginning of Year$36,428 $5,064 $2,099 $2,479 $8,004 $— $54,074 
Impact of CECL Adoption6,587 1,379 3,356 (877)(80)51,277 61,642 
(Recovery) Provision for Credit Losses on Loans(6,215)(2,249)(982)1,561 781 10,454 3,350 
Charge-offs(19,662)(374)(273)(2,256)(1,859)— (24,424)
Recoveries159 291 168 586 93 — 1,297 
Net (Charge-offs) / Recoveries(19,503)(83)(105)(1,670)(1,766) (23,127)
Balance, End of Year$17,297 $4,111 $4,368 $1,493 $6,939 $61,731 $95,939 
(1) In connection with our adoption of Topic 326, we made changes to our loan portfolio segments to align with the methodology applied in determining the allowance under CECL. Our new segmentation breaks out Other loans from our original loan segments: CRE, C&I, residential mortgages and construction. The allowance balance at the beginning of period was reclassified to Other from their original loan segments: CRE, C&I, residential mortgages and construction to conform to current presentation.
100

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

NOTE 7 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020 are summarized below:

     Quoted Prices In     Significant 
     Active Markets for  Significant Other  Unobservable 
  Carrying  Identical Assets  Observable Inputs  Inputs 
(Dollars in Thousands) Value  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets                
Securities Available-for-Sale $778,679  $-  $768,316  $10,363 
Derivatives  4,493   -   4,493   - 
Total $783,172  $           -  $772,809  $10,363 
                 
Liabilities                
Derivatives $4,756  $-  $4,756  $- 
Total $4,756  $-  $4,756  $- 

Financial assets measured atby fair value on a recurring basishierarchy level at December 31, 2019 are summarized below:

     Quoted Prices In     Significant 
     Active Markets for  Significant Other  Unobservable 
  Carrying  Identical Assets  Observable Inputs  Inputs 
(Dollars in Thousands) Value  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets                
Securities Available-for-Sale $742,617  $-  $737,617  $5,000 
Derivatives  626                  -   626   - 
Total $743,243  $-  $738,243  $5,000 
                 
Liabilities                
Derivatives $675  $-  $675  $- 
Total $675  $-  $675  $- 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2020 or 2019.

the dates presented:

December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Carrying ValueQuoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government Agency Securities43,827 — 43,827  
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities99,150 — 99,150  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities31,163 — 31,163  
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities21,856 — 21,856  
Asset Backed Securities140,006 — 140,006  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations161,533 — 161,533  
States and Political Subdivisions222,108 — 222,108  
Corporate Notes59,360 — 52,041 7,319 
Total Securities Available-for-Sale779,003 — 771,684 7,319 
Derivatives17,440 — 17,440  
Total$796,443 $ $789,124 $7,319 
Liabilities
Derivatives$17,228 $— $17,228 $— 
Total$17,228 $ $17,228 $ 
December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Carrying ValueQuoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury Securities$17,866 $17,866 $— $— 
U.S. Government Agency Securities49,764 — 49,764 — 
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities103,685 — 103,685 — 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities34,675 — 34,675 — 
Other Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities22,399 2,538 19,861 — 
Asset Backed Securities141,383 4,996 136,387 — 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations176,622 — 176,622 — 
States and Political Subdivisions228,146 — 228,146 — 
Corporate Notes61,733 — 54,216 7,517 
Total Securities Available-for-Sale836,273 25,400 803,356 7,517 
Derivatives22,974 — 22,974 — 
Total$859,247 $25,400 $826,330 $7,517 
Liabilities
Derivatives$22,543 $— $22,543 $— 
Total$22,543 $ $22,543 $ 
101

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
We have invested in subordinated debt of other financial institutions. We have two securities of $5.0totaling $7.3 million each that are considered to be Level 3 securities at December 31, 2020, an increase of $5.02023 and two totaling $7.5 million in one security fromat December 31, 2019.2022. The change in the fair value of Level 3 securities available-for-sale from $7.5 million at December 31, 2022 to $7.3 million at December 31, 2023 is attributable to the calculated change in fair value of $0.2 million. The Level 3 fair value is benchmarked to other securities that have observable market values in Level 2 using comparable financial ratio analysis specific to the industry in which the underlying company operates. The underwriting includes considerations of capital adequacy, asset quality trends, management’s ability to continue efficient and profitable operations, and the institution’s core earnings ability, liquidity management platform and current on and off balanceoff-balance sheet interest rate risk exposures.

120

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 20202023 and 20192022 are summarized below:

(Dollars in Thousands)            
December 31, 2020 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Fair Value 
OREO $  $  $15,722  $15,722 
Impaired Loans $  $  $10,919  $10,919 
                 
December 31, 2019  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Fair Value 
OREO $  $  $18,324  $18,324 
Impaired Loans $  $  $22,989  $22,989 

Impaired

December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Fair Value
OREO$— $— $2,463 $2,463 
Individually Evaluated Loans$— $— $— $— 
December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Fair Value
OREO$— $— $8,393 $8,393 
Individually Evaluated Loans$— $— $2,649 $2,649 
The Company had no individually evaluated loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2023. Individually evaluated loans had a net carrying amount of $10.9$2.6 million at December 31, 2020 with2022, including a valuation allowance of $15.3 million, resulting$0.7 million. The Company’s largest lending relationship is classified at December 31, 2023 as an individually evaluated loan with a net carrying amount totaling $247.6 million. The Company utilized various cash flow and discounting assumptions in the alternative modeling, instead of fair value, which resulted in a $9.1valuation allowance of $54.3 million increase in provision for loan losses for the year endedat December 31, 2020. Impaired loans2023. When evaluating the net carrying value of this credit relationship at December 31, 2023, the Company utilized discounted cash flow valuation techniques to estimate the timing and magnitude of potential recoveries resulting from various collection processes.
OREO, which is measured at the lower of carrying or fair value less costs to sell, had a net carrying amount of $23.0 million at December 31, 2019 with a valuation allowance of $6.2 million, resulting in a $1.0 million increase in provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

OREO had a net carrying amount of $15.7$2.5 million as of December 31, 2020,2023, compared with $18.3$8.4 million at December 31, 2019, respectively.2022, primarily due to sales, write-downs on OREO and payments, offset by $1.4 million in fair value of closed retail offices transferred to OREO. Write-downs of $1.5$1.1 million were recorded on OREO for the year ended December 31, 20202023 compared to $4.5$0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively.

2022.

The following tables summarize the Company’s assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019:

(Dollars in Thousands)             
December 31, 2020 Fair  Valuation Unobservable Weighted    
Assets Value  Technique Inputs Range  Average 
Impaired Loans $1,163  Discounted Appraisals Estimated Selling Costs  43.0%  43.0%
Impaired Loans  9,494  Discounted Appraisals Estimated Selling Costs & Qualitative Adjustments  12.0 – 50.0%  33.2%
Impaired Loans  262  Discounted Appraisals Estimated Selling Costs  20.9%  20.9%
Total Impaired Loans $10,919             
                 
Other Real Estate Owned $11,972  Appraisals Estimated Selling Costs  6.0 – 10.0%  6.5%
Other Real Estate Owned  1,260  Discounted Cash Flow Discount Rate  6.3%  6.3%
Other Real Estate Owned  1,583  Internal Valuations Estimated Selling Costs  5.0%  5.0%
Other Real Estate Owned  907  Discounted Internal Valuations Management’s Discount & Estimated Selling Costs  33.7 – 73.5 %  55.5%
Total Other Real Estate Owned $15,722             

(Dollars in Thousands)             
December 31, 2019 Fair  Valuation Unobservable Weighted    
Assets Value  Technique Inputs Range  Average 
Impaired Loans $2,700  Purchase Contract Pending Close of Contract,
Net of Closing Costs
  25.0%  25.0%
Impaired Loans  20,289  Discounted Appraisals Management’s Disc. & Selling Costs  2.6 – 84.6%  24.1%
Total Impaired Loans $22,989             
                 
Other Real Estate Owned $13,596  Appraisals Selling Costs  6.0 – 10.0%  6.4%
Other Real Estate Owned  1,735  Discounted Cash Flow Discount Rate  6.3%  6.3%
Other Real Estate Owned  2,993  Internal Valuations Selling Costs  5.0%  5.0%
Total Other Real Estate Owned $18,324             

121
2022:

December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Fair ValueValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputsWeighted RangeAverage
Assets
OREO$130 AppraisalsEstimated Selling Costs6.0%6.0 %
OREO142 Internal ValuationsEstimated Selling Costs5.0%5.0 %
OREO2,191 Discounted Internal ValuationsManagement's Subject Discount0.0%24.0%15.6 %
Total OREO$2,463 

102

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Fair ValueValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputsWeighted RangeAverage
Assets
Individually Evaluated Loans$858 Discounted Internal ValuationsManagement's Discount & Estimated Selling Costs14.2%14.2 %
Individually Evaluated Loans1,791 Discounted AppraisalsEstimated Selling Costs6.0%6.0 %
Total Individually Evaluated Loans$2,649 
OREO$7,323 AppraisalsEstimated Selling Costs10.0%10.0 %
OREO143 Internal ValuationsEstimated Selling Costs5.0%5.0 %
OREO927 Discounted Internal ValuationsManagement’s Discount & Estimated Selling Costs0.0%5.0%0.7 %
Total OREO$8,393 
A baseline discount rate has been established for impairment measurement. This baseline discount rate was back tested against historical OREO sales and therefore represents an average recovery rate based on the transaction sizes and asset types in the population examined. Management considers the unique attributes and characteristics of each specific impairedindividually evaluated loan and may use judgementjudgment to adjust the baseline discount rate when appropriate.
The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’sour financial instruments at December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 20192022 are presented in the following tables. Fair values for December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 20192022 are estimated under the exit price notion in accordance with ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”

(Dollars in Thousands)    Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020 
Financial Assets: Carrying Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Cash and Cash Equivalents $241,942  $38,535  $203,407  $-  $241,942 
Securities Available-for-Sale  778,679   -   768,316   10,363   778,679 
Loans Held-for-Sale  25,437   -   -   25,437   25,437 
Portfolio Loans, net  2,893,096   -   -   2,854,958   2,854,958 
Loans Held-for-Sale in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches, at the lower cost or fair value  9,835   -   -   9,835   9,835 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost  5,093   -   -   NA   NA 
Other Assets- Interest Rate Derivatives  4,493   -   4,493   -   4,493 
Accrued Interest Receivable  32,157   -   2,887   29,270   32,157 
Financial Liabilities:                    
Deposits $3,599,911  $699,229  $1,285,912  $1,640,587  $3,625,728 
Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Banking Branches  84,717   9,506   18,699   56,512   84,717 
Other Liabilities- Interest Rate Derivatives  4,756   -   4,756   -   4,756 
FHLB Borrowings  35,000   -   -   35,461   35,461 
Accrued Interest Payable  2,131   -   -   2,131   2,131 

(Dollars in Thousands)    Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019 
Financial Assets: 

Carrying Value

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Cash and Cash Equivalents $125,812  $41,386  $84,426  $-  $125,812 
Securities Available-for-Sale  742,617   -   737,617   5,000   742,617 
Loans Held-for-Sale  19,714   -   -   19,714   19,714 
Portfolio Loans, net  2,846,004   -   -   2,819,585   2,819,585 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost  4,113   -   -   NA   NA 
Other Assets- Interest Rate Derivatives  626   -   626   -   626 
Accrued Interest Receivable  13,751   -   3,018   10,733   13,751 
Financial Liabilities:                    
Deposits $3,504,245  $554,875  $988,964  $1,967,563  $3,511,402 
Other Liabilities- Interest Rate Derivatives  675   -   675   -   675 
FHLB Borrowings  10,000   -   -   9,886   9,886 
Accrued Interest Payable  3,001   -   -   3,001   3,001 

122

GAAP requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments carried at book value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023
(Dollars in Thousands)Carrying ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents$54,529 $39,676 $14,853 $— $54,529 
Securities Available-for-Sale779,003 — 771,684 7,319 779,003 
Portfolio Loans, net3,408,858 — — 3,177,715 3,177,715 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost21,626 — — NANA
Other Assets- Interest Rate Derivatives17,440 — 17,440 — 17,440 
Accrued Interest Receivable18,877 — 5,368 13,509 18,877 
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits$3,721,915 $685,218 $1,450,046 $1,599,043 $3,734,307 
Other Liabilities- Interest Rate Derivatives17,228 — 17,228 — 17,228 
FHLB Borrowings393,400 — — 392,696 392,696 
Federal Funds Purchased— — — — — 
Accrued Interest Payable7,288 — — 7,288 7,288 
103

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)Carrying ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents$46,869 $42,364 $4,505 $— $46,869 
Securities Available-for-Sale836,273 25,400 803,356 7,517 836,273 
Portfolio Loans, net3,055,061 — — 2,955,489 2,955,489 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost9,740 — — NANA
Other Assets- Interest Rate Derivatives22,974 — 22,974 — 22,974 
Accrued Interest Receivable19,346 138 4,903 14,305 19,346 
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits$3,632,538 $705,539 $1,665,473 $1,264,659 $3,635,671 
Other Liabilities- Interest Rate Derivatives22,543 — 22,543 — 22,543 
FHLB Borrowings180,550 — — 180,569 180,569 
Federal Funds Purchased17,870 17,870 17,870 
Accrued Interest Payable2,294 — — 2,294 2,294 
NOTE 8 - RIGHT-OF-USE (“ROU”) ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES
The Company has seven lease contracts, including five finance leases and two operating leases at December 31, 2023. These leases are for our branch and loan production facilities. There was one new lease agreement entered into in 2023.
The following table presents our lease expense for finance and operating leases for the periods presented:
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Operating Lease Expense$48 $— $— 
Amortization of ROU Assets - finance leases365 374 234 
Interest on lease liabilities - finance leases292 287 156 
Total Lease Expense$705 $661 $390 
ROU assets are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents our ROU assets, cash flows, weighted average lease terms, discount rates for finance and operating leases and ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities for the periods presented:
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Operating Leases
ROU assets$419 $— 
Operating cash flows$87 $— 
Finance Leases
ROU assets$6,988 $6,306 
Operating cash flows$292 $287 
Financing cash flows$185 $201 
Weighted Average Lease Term - Years
Operating leases3.3 years— 
Finance leases17.9 years18.5 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases6.60 %— %
Finance leases5.20 %4.90 %
ROU Assets obtained in exchange for Lease Liabilities
Operating leases$— $— 
Finance leases$1,464 $3,391 
104

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
Lease liabilities are included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities for finance and operating leases as of December 31, 2023:

(Dollars in Thousands)FinanceOperatingTotal
Maturity Analysis
2024$529 $167 $696 
2025540 130 670 
2026563 107 670 
2027577 89 666 
2028589 — 589 
Thereafter8,728 — 8,728 
Total11,526 493 012,019 
Less: Present value discount(4,239)(52)(4,291)
Lease Liabilities$7,287 $441 $7,728 

NOTE 89PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation as follows:

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019 
Land $27,673  $28,526 
Bank Premises  60,571   59,161 
Furniture and Equipment  31,339   28,783 
Leasehold Improvements  613   702 
   120,196   117,172 
Accumulated Depreciation  (34,889)  (31,230)
Total $85,307  $85,942 

December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Land$18,826 $19,703 
Bank Premises58,983 54,872 
Furniture and Equipment35,772 34,945 
Leasehold Improvements1,579 1,618 
Total Premises and Equipment115,160 111,138 
Accumulated Depreciation(41,453)(39,024)
Total$73,707 $72,114 
At both December 31, 2020,2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $2.3 millionno bank premises and equipment held-for-sale.

Depreciation has beenexpense is included under occupancy expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income totaling $6.2 million in 2023, $6.1 million in 2020, $5.32022, and $6.2 million in 2019, and $3.7 million in 2018.

2021.

Real estate on closed branches waswere valued based on recent comparative market values received from a real estate broker. Write-downsThe Company had $0.5 million in write-downs in 2023 and write-downs in the amount of $1.1 million, $0.8$0.6 million and $3.5$3.2 million were recognized during 2020, 20192022 and 2018,2021, respectively. These write-downs on closed branches are included in losses and write-downs on OREO, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The net remaining carrying value of $2.5$2.3 million and $3.0$1.1 million is classified as held-for-sale in OREO in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively.

The Company leases offices from non-related parties under various terms, some of which contain contingent rentals tied to a price index. Rental expense for these leases was $99 thousand in 2020, $37 thousand in 2019, and $211 thousand for 2018.

The Company currently has two depository locations, a loan production office, and a commercial banking office under lease contracts. We have included $1.5 million and $1.2 million in right-of-use assets in other assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has included $1.6 million and $1.5 million in lease liabilities in other liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

NOTE 910 - OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

The following table presents OREO owned activity as of the dates presented:

  Year Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Beginning Balance $18,324  $33,681  $39,793 
Loans Transferred to Other Real Estate Owned  755   302   28,212 
Loans to Finance the Sale of Other Real Estate Owned  -   -   (893)
Transfer of Closed Retail Offices to Other Real Estate Owned  2,221   1,694   2,177 
Capitalized Expenditures  19   -   1,272 
Direct Write-Downs  (1,483)  (4,457)  (8,714)
Cash Proceeds from Pay-downs  (483)  (580)  - 
Sales of Other Real Estate Owned  (3,631)  (12,316)  (28,166)
End of Year $15,722  $18,324  $33,681 

123

Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Beginning of Year Balance$8,393 $10,916 $15,722 
Loans Transferred to OREO110 74 59 
Transfer of Closed Retail Offices to OREO1,854 2,675 12,013 
Capitalized Expenditures— — — 
Direct Write-Downs(1,117)(741)(3,472)
Cash Proceeds from Pay-downs(397)(422)(452)
Sales of OREO(6,380)(4,109)(12,954)
End of Year Balance$2,463 $8,393 $10,916 

105

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

At December 31, 2020, 2019,2023, 2022, and 2018,2021, the balance of OREO includes $13.2$0.2 million, $15.3$7.3 million, and $26.9$9.9 million, respectively, of foreclosed properties recorded as a result of obtaining physical possession of the asset. At December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the recorded investment of foreclosed residential real estate was $109$62 thousand and $69$133 thousand, respectively. At December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceeds are in process is $67 thousand$2.0 million and $290 thousand,$0.9 million, respectively.

Income and expenses applicable to foreclosed assets include the following:

  Year Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Provision for Losses $1,483  $4,457  $8,714 
Operating Expenses, net of rental income  317   (164)  (476)
Net (Gain) Loss on Sales  (48)  275   (513)
Other Real Estate Owned Expense $1,752  $4,568  $7,725 

NOTE 10 – GOODWILL

Accounting guidance requires the Company to test its goodwill impairment at least annually, or more frequently, if an event occurs or circumstances change which are considered to be triggering events that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of its goodwill below the carrying value of the reporting unit.

The unprecedented decline in economic conditions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in stock market valuations in March 2020, including our stock price. These triggering events indicated that goodwill related to our single reporting unit may be impaired and we expected to evaluate goodwill for impairment quarterly given the current environment.

During the first quarter of 2020, with the recent volatility in the financial services industry and in our economic environment we determined it prudent to have a full goodwill impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2020 updated as of June 30, 2020. We performed the goodwill impairment test by determining the fair value of the reporting unit. We engaged a third-party financial advisor to prepare the market and income approaches in order to determine fair value. Their analysis supported the conclusion that the fair value of our common stock at June 30, 2020 was greater than both stated and tangible common book value and therefore no impairment to the goodwill was recorded at June 30, 2020.

As we continued to monitor our performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to experience declines in our stock price in relation to other bank indices and the length of time that the market value of the reporting unit had been below its book value, we completed another interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020. Various valuation methodologies were considered when completing the quantitative impairment test to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit which is then compared to its carrying value, including goodwill. Upon completing the quantitative impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020, the analysis estimated fair value of the reporting unit to be less than the carrying value. Therefore, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $62.2 million, which represented the entire amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This was a non-cash charge to earnings and had no impact on our regulatory capital ratios, cash flows, liquidity position, or our overall financial strength.

124

Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Provision for Losses$1,117 $741 $3,472 
Operating Expenses, net of Rental Income178 293 317 
Net (Gain) Loss on Sales(17)(309)150 
OREO Expense$1,278 $725 $3,939 

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following table presents goodwill as of December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019 
Balance as of January 1 $62,192  $62,192 
Impairment Losses  (62,192)  - 
Balance as of December 31 $-  $62,192 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

In accordance with applicable accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging, all derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value. Interest rate swaps are contracts in which a series of interest rate flows (fixed and variable) are exchanged over a prescribed period. The notional amounts on which the interest payments are based are not exchanged. These derivative positions relate to transactions in which the Company enters into an interest rate swap with a commercial customer while at the same time entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with another financial institution, or counterparty. In connection with each transaction, the Company originates a floating rate loan to the customer at a notional amount. In turn, the customer contracts with the counterparty to swap the stream of cash flows associated with the floating interest rate loan with the Company for a stream of fixed interest rate cash flows based on the same notional amount as the Company’s loan. The transaction allows the customer to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate loan with the Company receiving a variable rate. These agreements could have floors or caps on the contracted interest rates.

Pursuant to agreements with various financial institutions, the Company may receive collateral or may be required to post collateral based upon mark-to-market positions. Beyond unsecured threshold levels, collateral in the form of cash or securities may be made available to counterparties of interest rate swap transactions. Based upon current positions and related future collateral requirements relating to them, management believes any effect on our cash flow or liquidity position to be immaterial.

Derivatives contain an element of credit risk, the possibility that the Company will incur a loss because a counterparty, which may be a financial institution or a customer, fails to meet its contractual obligations. All derivative contracts with financial institutions may be executed only with counterparties approved by the Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”) and all derivatives with customers are approved by a team of qualified members from senior management who have been trained to understand the risk associated with interest rate swaps and have past industry experience. Interest rate swaps are considered derivatives but are not accounted for using hedge accounting. As such, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivatives are recorded in current earnings in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

125

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following table indicates the amounts representing the fair value of derivative assets and derivative liabilities at December 31:

  Fair Values of Derivative Instruments 
  Asset Derivatives (Included in Other Assets) 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020 2019 
  Number of
Transactions
 Notional
Amount
 Fair
Value
 Number of
Transactions
 Notional
Amount
 Fair
Value
 
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments             
Interest Rate Lock Commitments – Mortgage Loans  1 $151 $-  5 $937 $1 
Interest Rate Swap Contracts – Commercial Loans  38  255,572  4,493  2  18,773  625 
Total Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments  39 $255,723 $4,493  7 $19,710 $626 

  Fair Values of Derivative Instruments 
  Liability Derivatives (Included in Other Liabilities) 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020 2019 
  Number of
Transactions
 Notional
Amount
 Fair
Value
 Number of
Transactions
 Notional
Amount
 Fair
Value
 
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments                   
Forward Sale Contracts – Mortgage Loans  1 $151 $-  5 $937 $1 
Interest Rate Swap Contracts – Commercial Loans  38  255,572  4,756  2  18,773  674 
Total Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments  39 $255,723 $4,756  7 $19,710 $675 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives (Included in Other Assets)
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Number of
Transactions
Notional
Amount
Fair
Value
Number of
Transactions
Notional
Amount
Fair
Value
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest Rate Lock Commitments – Mortgage Loans$310 $$$200 $
Interest Rate Swap Contracts – Commercial Loans58 387,144 17,437 62 432,984 22,973 
Total Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments61 $387,454 $17,440 63 $433,184 $22,974 
106

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives (Included in Other Liabilities)
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Number of
Transactions
Notional
Amount
Fair
Value
Number of
Transactions
Notional
Amount
Fair
Value
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Forward Sale Contracts – Mortgage Loans$310 $$200 $
Interest Rate Swap Contracts – Commercial Loans58 387,144 17,225 62 432,984 22,542 
Total Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments61 $387,454 $17,228 63 $433,184 $22,543 
The following table indicates the loss(loss) income recognized in income onthe Consolidated Statements of Income for derivatives for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments            
Interest Rate Lock Commitments – Mortgage Loans $(1) $-  $1 
Forward Sale Contracts – Mortgage Loans  1   -   (1)
Interest Rate Swap Contracts – Commercial Loans  (214)  (22)  (27)
Total Derivative Loss $(214) $(22) $(27)

(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest Rate Lock Commitments – Mortgage Loans$$$— 
Forward Sale Contracts – Mortgage Loans(2)(1)— 
Interest Rate Swap Contracts – Commercial Loans(219)605 89 
Total Derivative (Loss) Income$(219)$605 $89 
Presenting offsetting derivatives that are subject to legally enforceable netting arrangements with the same party is permitted. For example, we may have a derivative asset and a derivative liability with the same counterparty to a swap transaction and are permitted to offset the asset position and the liability position resulting in a net presentation.

The following table indicates the gross amounts of commercial loan swap derivative assets and derivative liabilities, the amounts offset and the carrying values included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31:

   Asset Derivatives (Included in Other Assets)   Liability Derivatives (Included in Other Liabilities)
(Dollars in Thousands)  2020   2019   2020   2019  
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Gross Amounts Recognized $4,493  $625  $4,756  $674 
Gross Amounts Offset  -   -   -   - 
Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets  4,493   625   4,756   674 
Gross Amounts Not Offset (1)  -   -   (5,220)  (860)
Net Amount $4,493  $625  $(464) $(186)

Asset Derivatives (Included in Other Assets)Liability Derivatives (Included in Other Liabilities)
(Dollars in Thousands)2023202220232022
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Gross Amounts Recognized$17,437 $22,973 $17,225 $22,542 
Gross Amounts Offset— — — — 
Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets17,437 22,973 17,225 22,542 
Gross Amounts Not Offset (1)
— — — — 
Net Amount$17,437 $22,973 $17,225 $22,542 
(1)  Amounts represent collateral posted for the periods presented.

126

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 12 – DEPOSITS

The following table presents the composition of deposits at December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
Noninterest-Bearing Demand $699,229  $554,875  $144,354   26.0%
Interest-Bearing Demand  366,201   286,561   79,640   27.8%
Money Market  294,229   140,589   153,640   109.3%
Savings  625,482   561,814   63,668   11.3%
Certificates of Deposits  1,614,770   1,960,406   (345,636)  (17.6)%
Deposits Held for Assumption in Connection with Sale of Bank Branches  84,717   --   84,717   NM 
Total $3,684,628  $3,504,245  $180,383   5.1%
NM - percentage not meaningful                

(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Noninterest-Bearing Demand$685,218 $705,539 
Interest-Bearing Demand481,506 496,948 
Money Market513,664 484,238 
Savings454,876 684,287 
Certificates of Deposits1,586,651 1,261,526 
Total$3,721,915 $3,632,538 
All deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC uto the maximum amount allowed by law. The Dodd-Frank Actsigned into law on July 212010, makes permanent the $250,000$250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance and the coverage limit applies per
107

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
depositor, per insured depository institution for each account ownership. TimeCertificates of deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC Insurance limit of $250,000 excluding deposits held-for-assumption, at year-end 20202023 and 20192022 were $184.2$305.0 million and $195.3$159.0 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total brokered deposits (excluding the CDARS and ICS two-way) were $70.0 million and zero, respectively.
Certificates of Deposit excluding deposits held for assumption for pending branch sale transactions, maturing as of December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020 
2021 $746,635 
2022  249,239 
2023  293,434 
2024  135,306 
2025  187,931 
Thereafter  2,225 
Total $1,614,770 

(Dollars in Thousands)2023
2024$1,203,944 
2025238,056 
202671,063 
202734,037 
202838,548 
Thereafter1,003 
Total$1,586,651 
Overdrafts reclassified to loans were $0.3 million at both December 31, 20202023 and 2019 were $0.5 million and $0.7 million,December 31, 2022, respectively.

Total deposit dollars from executive officers, directors, and their related interests at December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively, were $6.7$1.8 million and $7.5$2.9 million.

NOTE 13 – FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK BORROWINGS

AND FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED

Borrowings areserve as an additional source of liquidity for the Company. The Company had $393.4 million FHLB Borrowings were $35.0 millionborrowings at December 31, 2023 and $10.0$180.6 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.2022. FHLB borrowings are fixed and variable rate advances for various terms and are secured by a blanket lien on select residential mortgages, select multifamily loans, and select commercial real estate loans at December 31, 2020.loans. Total loans pledged as collateral were $804.2 million and $284.6 million$1.5 billion at both December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019,2022, respectively. There were no securities available-for-sale pledged as collateral at both December 31, 2020. The bank continues to methodically pledge additional eligible loans, with the ultimate expectation to have full pledging by year end 2021. Total securities available-for-sale pledged as collateral were $28.6 million at2023 and December 31, 2019. The2022.
At December 31, 2023, funding sources accessible to the Company include borrowing availability at the FHLB, equal to 25% of the Company’s assets or approximately $1.1 billion, subject to the amount of eligible collateral pledged, of which the Company is eligible to borrow up to an additional $510.5$480.3 million. The Company has unsecured facilities with three other correspondent financial institutions totaling $50.0 million based upon current qualifying collateral and has a maximum borrowing capacity of approximately $1.0 billion, or 25% ofaccess to the Company’s assets,institutional CD and brokered deposit markets. The Company did not have outstanding borrowings on these fed funds lines as of December 31, 2020.2023. The Company had the capacity to borrow up to an additional $242.2$676.7 million from the FHLB at December 31, 2019.

127
2022.

The Company had no overnight federal funds purchased at December 31, 2023. There were $17.9 million outstanding overnight federal funds purchased at December 31, 2022.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following table represents the balance of long-termFHLB borrowings, the weighted average interest rate, andthe interest expense and the borrowing availability for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Long-term Borrowings $35,000  $10,000  $- 
Weighted Average Interest Rate  1.13%  1.63%  0.00%
Interest Expense $361  $38  $- 

(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
FHLB Borrowings$393,400 $180,550 $7,000 
Weighted Average Interest Rate5.20 %4.48 %1.61 %
Interest Expense$20,822 $1,163 $313 
FHLB Availability$480,266 $676,746 $667,307 
108

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
The following table represents the balance of federal funds purchased, the weighted average interest rate, the interest expense and the borrowing availability for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Federal Funds Purchased$— $17,870 $— 
Weighted Average Interest Rate— %4.65 %— %
Interest Expense$368 $188 $— 
Federal Funds Purchased Availability$50,000 $127,130 $145,000 
Scheduled annual maturities and weighted average interest rates for FHLB advancesborrowings for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 20202023 and thereafter are as follows:

      Weighted 
(Dollars in Thousands)  Balance  Average Rate 
2021  $3,000   1.68%
2022   4,000   1.60%
2023   10,000   0.88%
2024   13,000   1.10%
2025   5,000   1.02%
Thereafter   -   0.00%
Total FHLB Advances  $35,000   1.13%
(Dollars in Thousands)BalanceWeighted
Average Rate
2024$323,400 5.46 %
202525,000 4.13 %
202645,000 3.96 %
2027— — %
2028— — %
Thereafter— — %
Total FHLB Borrowings$393,400 5.20 %

NOTE 14 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has adopted an integrated profit sharing plan, which allows for elective deferrals and non-elective contributions. Employees participate in the profit sharing plan following completioncontributions. Associates become eligible for the elective deferrals at the beginning of six (6) months of servicethe quarter after they have been employed at least a month and upon reachinghave reached the age of twenty years and six months. Associates are eligible for the non-elective profit sharing contributions at the beginning of the quarter after they have been employed six months asand have reached the age of January 1.twenty years and six months. Vesting for the non-elective profit sharing contribution is based on years of service to the Company, with a year being any year an employee works a minimum of 1,000 hours.

The following table details the vesting schedule based on years of service for participants:

1 Year of Service0%20% Vested
2 Years of Service20%40% Vested
3 Years of Service40%60% Vested
4 Years of Service60%80% Vested
5 Years of Service100%100% Vested

Any participant who has reached the age of 62 is fully vested regardless of length of service. Each participant in the plan (who has not reached age 62) becomes 100% vested after five (5) years of service. The non-elective contribution to the plan is determined each year by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and thus may fluctuate in amount from year to year. The contribution by the Company, which includes contributions to the non-qualifiednonqualified plan discussed below, was $0.4 million in 2023, $1.0 million in 2020, $1.42022 and $0.9 million in 2019 and $1.7 million in 2018.2021. These amounts are included in salaries and employee benefits in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

Beginning in 2019, our integrated profit sharing plan includes a Company match based upon an employee’sassociate’s elective deferral. This elective deferral is subject to dollar limits announced annually by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). Elective deferrals are matched equal to 100% of the first 3% deferred and 50% of the next 2%, producing a maximum 4% match. Expense for this deferral match was $1.2$1.4 million, $1.3 million and $1.1$1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 20202023, 2022 and 2019,2021, respectively. There was no expense for the calendar year ended 2018.

128

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The Bank entered into a Nonqualified Profit Sharing Plan originally on December 30, 1996, which was subsequently amended and restated effective December 20, 2007. The purpose of the Nonqualified Profit Sharing Plan was to provide additional benefits to be paid to the executive upon the occurrence of a “Distributable Event,” which is either termination or death. The

109

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
board of directors of the Bank (the “Bank Board”) approved the amended plan on December 20, 2007. Since its inception, the Bank’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer was the only executive who participated in the Nonqualified Profit Sharing Plan. In April 2017, a Distributable Event occurred, in which distributions will occur over 45 quarterly payments. The value of the plan was $1.0$0.6 million as of December 31, 2020,2023, and was solely comprised of cash. The quarterly distributions began on January 1, 2018 and will continue to be paid out in equal quarterly installments approximating $30 thousand.

On December 15, 2020, the Bank adopted an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, called the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, to provide to provide (i) certain key executives of the Bank (beginning after the date of adoption) the opportunity to defer to a later year on a pre-tax basis certain compensation without being subject to the dollar limits that apply to these employeesassociates under the Bank’s tax-qualified integrated profit-sharing plan and (ii) the Bank’s non-employee directors (beginning in January 2022) the opportunity to defer to a later year on a pre-tax basis certain director fees. The compensation and fees (and related earnings) deferred under this plan are held in a grantor trust until paid to the participants and remain subject to the claims of the creditors of the Bank and Company until paid to the participants.

participants. The balance in the nonqualified deferred compensation plan at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $447.8 thousand and $269.6 thousand, respectively.

NOTE 15 – INCENTIVE AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

The Bank Board adopted the Carter Bank & Trust 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan on March 29, 2018 based on the recommendation of the Bank’s Nominating and Compensation Committee (now, a committee of the Company, the “Committee”), which became effective on June 27, 2018. In connection with the Reorganization, the Company adopted and assumed the Carter Bank & Trust 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan as its own (now the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, or, for purposes of this discussion, the “Plan”). The Plan reserves a total 2,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance and provides for the grant to key employeesassociates and non-employee directors of the Company and its subsidiaries of awards that may include one or more of the following: stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, performance units and performance cash awards (collectively, the “awards”). Subject to accelerated vesting under certain circumstances, the Plan requires a minimum vesting period of one year for awards subject to time-based conditions and a minimum performance period of one year for awards subject to achievement or satisfaction of performance goals. These minimums are applicable to awards other than those granted as part of a retainer for the service of non-employee directors. The Committee will determine the vesting period on the awards. No awards may be granted under the Plan more than ten years from the effective date of the Plan. As of December 31, 2023, 1,538,804 shares of common stock were available for issuance under the Plan. For purposes of this Note 15, references to the “Company” mean the “Bank’“Bank” with respect to actions prior to the Reorganization.

Restricted Stock

The Company periodically issues restricted stock to non-employee directors executive officers and employeeskey associates pursuant to the Plan. As of December 31, 2020, 132,0272023, 478,969 shares of restricted sharesstock had been granted under the Plan and 4,747 restricted shares had been forfeited.

Plan.

The Company granted 39,019116,325 and 47,309 restricted108,855 shares of commonrestricted stock to key personnelassociates under the Plan during 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively. These grants were approved by the Committee as compensation for substantial contributions to the Company’s performance, including contribution during our recent core systems conversion. These key personnelperformance. The time-based shares of restricted sharesstock granted in 2023 to executives vest in one-third annual installments over three years afterunder the short-term incentive plan. The time-based shares of restricted stock granted in 2022 to executives vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.date under the long-term incentive plan. The time-based shares of restricted stock to non-executives vest in one-third annual installments over three years. The closing price of our stock was used to determine the fair value on the date of the grant.

129
grant prior to September 1, 2023. Beginning September 1, 2023 the Company utilizes a 90-day look back period to estimate the average stock price to resolve issues of rapid stock price fluctuations.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

There were 16,137The Company granted 20,772 and 17,149 restricted18,500 shares of commonrestricted stock issued to non-employee directors under the Plan during 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively. These grants were approved by the Committee as compensation for the Company’s performance. TheseBoard service. The time-based shares of restricted sharesstock granted in 2019 were originally approved to fully vest three years after the grant date. However, the Committee approved accelerated vesting of these non-employee director restricted shares in January 2020 to2023 and 2022 fully vest one year after the grant date. The restricted shares granted in 2020 fully vest one year after the grant date. The closing price of our stock was used to determine the fair value ondetermination price for these grants is the date of the grant.

same method as mentioned above.

If any award granted under the Plan terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason other than by virtue of exercise or settlement of the award, or if shares issued pursuant to awards are forfeited, any stock subject to such award again shall be available for future awards under the Plan.

110

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
Compensation expense for restricted shares of stock is recognized ratably over the period of service, generally the entire vesting period, based on fair value on the grant date. The Company recognized compensation expense of $1.6 million, $1.3 million and $1.0 million for 2023, 2022, and $381 thousand for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

2021, respectively, related to restricted stock.

As of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, there was $907 thousand$2.1 million and $946 thousand,$1.6 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock that will be recognized as compensation expense over a weighted average period of 1.682.01 years and 2.132.30 years, respectively.

The following table provides information about restricted stock granted under the Plan for the years ended December 31:

     Weighted Average 
       Grant Date 
   Restricted Shares   Fair Value 
Non-vested at December 31, 2018  12,413  $17.86 
Granted  64,458   17.39 
Vested  (3,995)  17.86 
Forfeited  (403)  17.86 
Non-vested at December 31, 2019  72,473   17.44 
Granted  55,156   19.23 
Vested  (37,908)  16.94 
Forfeited  (4,344)  19.06 
Non-vested at December 31, 2020  85,377  $18.73 

130

Restricted SharesWeighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2021113,635 $14.80 
Granted127,355 16.50 
Forfeited/Vested(80,793)15.01 
Non-vested at December 31, 2022160,197 16.05 
Granted137,097 15.56 
Forfeited/Vested(78,183)16.24 
Non-vested at December 31, 2023219,111 $15.67 

Performance Units
The Company periodically grants performance units to executive officers pursuant to the Plan. The Company did not grant performance units during 2023 but granted 27,848 target amounts of performance units in aggregate to executive officers under the Plan during 2022. The closing price of $15.81 was used during 2022 to determine the fair value on the date of the grant. These grants are approved by the Committee as compensation for substantial contributions to the Company’s performance.
The performance units can be earned up to a maximum of 110% of the target amount. They are subject to a three-year performance period and, if the performance criteria are met, will vest on the payment date which is within 70 days following the end of the performance period. The payout for the performance units will be determined based on three weighted performance based goals: (1) the Company's return on average assets (“ROAA”) performance during the performance period compared to its selected peer group, (2) the Company's core efficiency ratio during the performance period compared to its selected peer group, and (3) the Company’s nonperforming assets ratio performance during the performance period compared to its selected peer group. If the performance criteria are met, the Company will pay the performance units that have vested in shares of the Company’s common stock.
If any award granted under the Plan terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason other than by virtue of exercise or settlement of the award, or if shares issued pursuant to awards are forfeited, any stock subject to such award again shall be available for future awards under the Plan.
Compensation expense for performance units is based on fair value on the grant date. The performance units are subject to the probability of attainment of meeting the above referenced performance criteria and service requirement. Management has evaluated the performance-based criteria and has determined that, as of December 31, 2023 the criteria was not probable of being met at target, and at December 31, 2022, the criteria were probable of being met at target. The Company reversed compensation expense of $0.3 million for 2023 and recognized compensation expense $0.3 million for 2022 related to performance units.

111

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

NOTE 16 - FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision (benefit) for income tax expense were as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Current $2,399  $1,285  $(2,447)
Deferred  (1,627)  (76)  4,850 
Income Tax Provision $772  $1,209  $2,403 

(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Current$4,969 $7,969 $994 
Deferred(516)3,939 3,643 
Change in Valuation Allowance884 (309)(529)
Income Tax Provision$5,337 $11,599 $4,108 
The following is a reconciliation of the differences between the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate (21% at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018) to income before taxes:

  2020  2019  2018 
(Dollars in Thousands) Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent 
Federal Income Tax at Statutory Rate $(9,468)  21.0  $5,835   21.0  $3,006   21.0 
State Income Tax, net of Federal Benefit  455   (1.0)  220   0.8   190   1.3 
Tax-exempt Interest, net of Disallowance  (1,757)  3.9   (2,128)  (7.7)  (2,629)  (18.4)
Federal Tax Credits, net of Basis Reduction  (948)  2.2   (2,032)  (7.3)  (1,375)  (9.6)
Change in Valuation Allowance (excluding the effect of the Act)  (374)  0.8   (424)  (1.5)  (384)  (2.7)
Income from Bank Owned Life Insurance  (294)  0.7   (302)  (1.1)  (244)  (1.7)
True-up of Book and Tax Basis Differences  81   (0.2)  8   -   3,742   26.1 
Goodwill Impairment  13,060   (29.1)                
Other  17   -   32   0.2   97   0.8 
Income Tax Provision and Effective Income Tax Rate $772   (1.7) $1,209   4.4  $2,403   16.8 

Realization

202320222021
(Dollars in Thousands)AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Federal Income Tax at Statutory Rate$6,031 21.0 $12,961 21.0 $7,497 21.0 
State Income Tax, net of Federal Benefit445 1.5 657 1.1 20 0.1 
Tax-exempt Interest, net of Disallowance(708)(2.5)(873)(1.4)(1,131)(3.2)
Federal Tax Credits, net of Basis Reduction(2,365)(8.2)(625)(1.0)(1,559)(4.4)
Change in Valuation Allowance884 3.1 (309)(0.5)(529)(1.5)
Income from Bank Owned Life Insurance(290)(1.0)(285)(0.5)(290)(0.8)
Tax Credit Amortization1,660 5.8 — — — — 
Other(320)(1.1)73 0.1 100 0.3 
Income Tax Provision and Effective Income Tax Rate$5,337 18.6 $11,599 18.8 $4,108 11.5 
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before taxes. The Company ordinarily generates an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of deferred21% due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest, tax-exempt income from bank owned life insurance, and tax benefits resulting from certain partnership investments.
The Company elected to adopt the proportional amortization method of accounting for all qualifying equity investments within the HTC program. The Company makes equity investments as a limited partner in various partnerships that sponsor HTC as a strategic tax initiative designed to receive income tax credits and other income tax benefits, such as deductible flow-through losses. As of December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $1.8 million in HTC equity investments recorded as a component of other assets is dependent uponon the generation of future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portionConsolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company records income tax credits and other income tax benefits received from its HTC investments as a component of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In assessingprovision for income taxes on the needConsolidated Statements of Income and as a component of operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Investments accounted for using the proportional amortization method are amortized and recorded as a valuation allowance, management considers the scheduled reversalcomponent of the deferred tax liabilitiesprovision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company records non-income-tax-related activity and other returns received from its HTC investments as a component of other noninterest income on the projected future taxable income overConsolidated Statements of Income and as a component of operating activities on the periods in whichConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2023, the temporary differences comprising the deferred tax assets will be deductible. Based on its assessment, management recorded a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to its equity investments in partnerships that will generate capital losses upon exiting the investments. The Company has not identified prudent and feasible strategies to generate future capital gains to offset the capital losses. Management has determined that it is more likely than not that all other deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods so no additional valuation allowance is necessary at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

131
recognized any non-income-tax-related activity from its HTC investments.


112

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands)      
Deferred Tax Assets 2020  2019 
Allowance for Loan Losses $11,580  $8,301 
Valuation Adjustments on Other Real Estate Owned  1,537   1,556 
Tax Credit Carryforwards  1,771   5,120 
Equity Investment in Partnerships  837   1,212 
Accrued Interest on Nonaccrual Loans  1,900   889 
Operating Lease Liabilities  349   323 
Other  1,057   1,280 
Gross Deferred Tax Assets  19,031   18,681 
Less: Valuation Allowance  (838)  (1,212)
Total Deferred Tax Assets $18,193  $17,469 

Deferred Tax Liabilities 2020  2019 
Fixed Asset Depreciation $(5,512) $(5,715)
Acquisition-Related Fair Value Adjustments  (4,063)  (4,386)
Deferred Loan Income  (649)  (1,088)
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets  (321)  (263)
Net Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities  (4,179)  (34)
Other  (59)  (55)
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities  (14,783)  (11,541)
Net Deferred Tax Assets $3,410  $5,928 

(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Deferred Tax Assets
Allowance for Credit Losses$21,576 $20,671 
Net Unrealized Loss on Available-for-sale Securities20,104 23,818 
Valuation Adjustments on Other Real Estate Owned— 649 
Capital Loss Carryforward1,143 — 
Operating Lease Liabilities1,718 1,451 
Other1,797 2,250 
Gross Deferred Tax Assets46,338 48,839 
Less: Valuation Allowance(884)— 
Total Deferred Tax Assets$45,454 $48,839 
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Fixed Asset Depreciation$(4,409)$(4,523)
Acquisition-Related Fair Value Adjustments(2,686)(2,737)
Deferred Loan Income(1,607)(1,800)
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets(1,647)(1,389)
Equity Investment in Partnerships(480)(113)
Other(437)(312)
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities(11,266)(10,874)
Net Deferred Tax Assets$34,188 $37,965 
Management assesses all available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income of the appropriate character will be generated to utilize existing deferred tax assets. Based on this evaluation, as of December 31, 2023, a valuation allowance of $0.9 million has been recorded on deferred tax assets related to capital loss carryforwards resulting from exits of equity investments in partnerships and sales of securities. The Company had federal tax credithas not identified prudent and feasible strategies to generate future capital gains to offset the entirety of the capital loss carryforward of $1.8 million at December 31, 2020 and $5.1 million at December 31, 2019. The federal tax credits consist primarily of new markets credits and historic rehabilitation credits that, if not used, will expire from 2038prior to 2040.

their expiration in 2028.

At December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the Company had no ASC 740-10 unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties recorded. The Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months. The Company recognizes interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in income taxnoninterest expense.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as various other state and local jurisdictions. The Company is generally no longer subject to examination by federal, state and local taxing authorities for years prior to December 31, 2017.

132
2020.

113


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

NOTE 17 – TAX EFFECTS ON OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following tables presenttable presents the tax effects of thechange in components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31:

  Pre-Tax  Tax (Expense)  Net of Tax 
(Dollars in Thousands) Amount  Benefit  Amount 
2020            
Net Unrealized Gains Arising during the Period $26,621  $(5,590) $21,031 
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains included in Net Loss  (6,882)  1,445   (5,437)
Other Comprehensive Income $19,739  $(4,145) $15,594 
             
2019            
Net Unrealized Gains Arising during the Period $15,108  $(3,173) $11,935 
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains included in Net Income  (2,205)  463   (1,742)
Other Comprehensive Income $12,903  $(2,710) $10,193 
             
2018            
Net Unrealized Losses Arising during the Period $(8,636) $1,814  $(6,822)
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains included in Net Income  (1,271)  267   (1,004)
Other Comprehensive Loss $(9,907) $2,081  $(7,826)
31, net of tax effects:
(Dollars in Thousands)Pre-Tax
Amount
Tax (Expense) BenefitNet of Tax
Amount
2023
Net Unrealized Gains Arising during the Period$16,370 $(3,398)$12,972 
Reclassification Adjustment for Losses included in Net Income1,521 (316)1,205 
Other Comprehensive Income$17,891 $(3,714)$14,177 
2022
Net Unrealized Losses Arising during the Period$(111,542)$24,261 $(87,281)
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains included in Net Income(46)(37)
Other Comprehensive Loss$(111,588)$24,270 $(87,318)
2021
Net Unrealized Losses Arising during the Period$(10,877)$2,284 $(8,593)
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains included in Net Income(6,869)1,443 (5,426)
Other Comprehensive Loss$(17,746)$3,727 $(14,019)

NOTE 18 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments to extend credit, which amounted to $591.2$702.3 million at December 31, 20202023 and $488.9$630.6 million at December 31, 2019,2022, represent agreements to lend to customers with fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. The Company provides lines of credit to our clients to finance the completion of construction projects and revolving lines of credit to operating companies to finance their working capital needs. Lines of credit for construction projects represent $391.4,represented $452.2 million, or 66.2%64.4%, and $298.8,$373.2 million, or 61.1%59.2%, of the commitments to extend credit at December 31, 20202023 and 2019,December 31, 2022, respectively. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company guaranteeing the performance of a customer to a third-party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $29.3$19.6 million in 2020at December 31, 2023 and $39.5$25.7 million in 2019.

at December 31, 2022.

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and unconditional obligations as it does for on balanceon-balance sheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, collateral or other security is required to support financial instruments with credit risk.

Our allowance

Life-of-Loss Reserve on Unfunded Loan Commitments
We maintain a life-of-loss reserve on unfunded commercial lending commitments and letters of credit to provide for unfunded commitmentsthe risk of loss inherent in these arrangements. The life-of-loss reserve is determinedcomputed using a methodology similar to that used to determine
114

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
the ALL. Amounts are addedACL for loans, modified to take into account the allowance for unfunded commitments throughprobability of a charge to current earnings in noninterest expense.draw-down on the commitment. The balance in the allowance for unfunded commitments was $0.1 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The allowancelife-of-loan reserve for unfunded commitments is included in other liabilities in theon our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents activity in the life-of-loss reserve is calculated by applying historical loss rateson unfunded loan commitments as of and for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands)December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Life-of-Loss Reserve on Unfunded Loan Commitments
Balance at beginning of period$2,292 $1,783 
Provision for Unfunded Commitments901 509 
Balance at end of period$3,193 $2,292 
Amounts are added or subtracted to ourthe provision for unfunded commitments through a charge or credit to current earnings in the provision for unfunded commitments.

133
An expense of $0.9 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023 for the provision for unfunded commitments, which resulted in an increase of $0.4 million compared to the provision of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

We have a future commitment with a third party vendor for data processing charges, which is a ten year contract that will expire at the end of 2028. Data processing expense was $3.9 million, $4.1 million and $3.8 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Litigation

Legal Proceedings
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various legal and administrative proceedings and claims. WhileLegal and administrative proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings could occur, and the timing and outcome of any typelegal or administrative proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty. Further, estimating an amount or range of litigation containspossible losses that may result from legal or administrative proceedings and claims is inherently difficult and requires an extensive degree of judgment, particularly where the matters involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages, may involve awards that are discretionary in amount, present novel legal theories or policies, are in the early stages of the proceedings, or are subject to appeal. In addition, because legal proceedings may be resolved over an extended period of time, potential losses are subject to change due to the outcome of intermediate procedural and substantive rulings, actions by other parties which may be influenced by their settlement posture or their evaluation of the strength or weakness of their case, and other factors.
For these reasons, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome or timing of, or possible losses resulting from, the matters described below, and cannot conclude if the outcome of any of these matters would have a levelmaterial impact to the Company.
Other than as set forth below, as of uncertainty, managementDecember 31, 2023, the Company is not involved in any other material pending legal proceedings other than proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.
Justice Collection Actions
The Bank is engaged in a variety of collection proceedings (the “Collection Actions”) against various related entities that are owned and/or controlled by James C. Justice, II, Cathy L. Justice and James C. Justice, III (such entities, the “Justice Entities” and collectively with the individuals, the “Collection Defendants”). On April 20, 2023 and May 15, 2023, the Bank filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Martinsville, Virginia (the “Martinsville Circuit Court”) confessions of judgment against the Collection Defendants with respect to amounts owed on matured promissory notes made or guaranteed by the Collection Defendants with an aggregate principal balance of approximately $301 million. On May 12, 2023 and June 7, 2023, the Collection Defendants filed motions to set aside the confessions of judgment on the basis that the Bank allegedly (i) violated anti-tying provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, (ii) breached contractual obligations and fiduciary duties to the Collection Defendants and (iii) tortiously interfered with the Collection Defendants’ business expectancies and relationships, among other allegations. On December 11, 2023, the Martinsville Circuit Court heard oral arguments on the motions to set aside the confessions of judgment filed by the Collection Defendants. On January 22, 2024, the Martinsville Circuit Court issued a letter opinion denying such motions. On February 21, 2024, the Martinsville Circuit Court issued final orders denying such motions. On February 26, 2024, the Collection Defendants filed a notice of appeal regarding the Martinsville Circuit Court’s order denying such motions.
115

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
Pursuant to the confessions of judgment that were upheld by the Martinsville Circuit Court, the Bank has initiated collection processes against the Collection Defendants (see “—Justice Foreclosure Litigation”).
The Company and the Bank intend to pursue vigorously the Collection Actions and enforce the confessions of judgment and related agreements, including but not limited to release and affirmation agreements and indemnification agreements. The Company and the Bank vigorously deny the allegations contained in the Collection Defendants’ motions to set aside the confessions of judgment and, based on consultation with legal counsel, the Company believes that the Bank has meritorious defenses to all allegations that it understands may be asserted on appeal. However, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome or timing of, or possible losses resulting from, the Collection Actions or any related legal proceedings that may commence, and cannot conclude if the outcome of such proceedings or claims pending will notany of these matters would have a material adverseimpact to the Company.
Justice Federal Court Litigation
On November 10, 2023, the Company, the Bank, and the individual directors of the Company and the Bank were named as defendants in a lawsuit (the “Justice Federal Court Litigation”) filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia by the Collection Defendants. The allegations contained in the Justice Federal Court Litigation relate to the matured promissory notes made or guaranteed by the Collection Defendants that are the subject of the Collection Actions. In the Justice Federal Court Litigation, as plaintiffs the Collection Defendants allege that the Company, the Bank and to a vicarious and limited extent, the individual directors (i) breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (ii) breached fiduciary duties, (iii) tortiously interfered with business relations and (iv) violated anti-tying restrictions of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and allege that the individual directors aided and abetted the same. As plaintiffs in the Justice Federal Court Litigation, the Collection Defendants seek monetary damages of not less than $1.0 billion, additional punitive damages and interest on damages as allowed by law, payment of costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees, and a declaratory judgment from the court that certain confessions of judgment, and certain guarantees, be declared void and unenforceable. The Company and the Bank deny the allegations contained in the Justice Federal Court Litigation and intend to vigorously defend the matter and the validity and enforceability of the confessions of judgment and of each of the Bank’s loan documents, including the guarantees. Based on information presently available to the Company and the Bank and based on consultation with legal counsel, the Company believes that the Company, the Bank and the individual defendants have meritorious defenses to all allegations contained in the Justice Federal Court Litigation.
Because the Justice Federal Court Litigation is in its early stages, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome or timing of, or possible losses resulting from, the Justice Federal Court Litigation or any related legal proceedings that may commence, and cannot conclude if the outcome of any of these matters would have a material impact to the Company.
Justice Foreclosure Litigation
On February 7, 2024, the Bank was named as a defendant in a lawsuit (the “Justice Foreclosure Litigation”) filed in the Circuit Court of Greenbrier County, West Virginia (the “Greenbrier Circuit Court”) by Greenbrier Sporting Club Development Co., Inc. and The Greenbrier Sporting Club, Inc. (collectively, “Sporting Club”). The Justice Foreclosure Litigation relates to a deed of trust (the “Trust Deed”) granted by Sporting Club in favor of the Bank. The trustee under this deed of trust was also named as a defendant. In the Justice Foreclosure Litigation, Sporting Club requests the Greenbrier Circuit Court to issue declaratory judgments that the Trust Deed is invalid and unenforceable, the Notice of Sale (defined below) is invalid and of no effect, and that the trustee and the Bank may not sell the property described in the Notice of Sale. Sporting Club also requests the Greenbrier Circuit Court to issue a declaratory judgment that the debts secured by the Trust Deed are not payable and therefore no trustee sale is permitted, or alternatively that Sporting Club is entitled to final adjudication of the Justice Federal Court Litigation before any sale of property by the trustee under the Trust Deed may proceed.
On or about February 6, 2024, a notice of sale (the “Notice of Sale”) was published in multiple newspapers regarding the proposed sale by the Trustee of certain real estate encumbered by the Trust Deed. The debts secured by the Trust Deed matured on our consolidated financial positionApril 15, 2023 and the Bank filed confessions of judgment with respect to such debts in the Martinsville Circuit Court. See the description of the Justice Collection Litigation above. On February 16, 2024, the Bank cancelled the proposed sale by the Trustee of the real estate encumbered by the Trust Deed.
The Bank disputes all allegations contained in the Justice Foreclosure Litigation and intends to defend vigorously the matter and the validity and enforceability of the Trust Deed, the validity and collectability of the debts owed to the Bank by the Sporting Club. The Bank intends to oppose vigorously the injunctive relief requested by Sporting Club in the Justice
116

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
Foreclosure Litigation. Based on information presently available to the Company and the Bank and based on consultation with legal counsel, the Company believes that the Bank has meritorious defenses to all allegations contained in the Justice Foreclosure Litigation.
Because the Justice Foreclosure Litigation is in its early stages, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome or resultstiming of, operations.

or possible losses resulting from, the Justice Foreclosure Litigation or any related legal proceedings that may commence, and cannot conclude if the outcome of any of these matters would have a material impact to the Company.
GLAS Federal Court Litigation
On February 12, 2024, the Bank was named as a defendant in a lawsuit (the “GLAS Federal Court Litigation”) filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia by GLAS Trust Company LLC (“GLAS”). The allegations contained in the GLAS Federal Court Litigation relate to a series of financing transactions that occurred in 2018 between Bluestone Resources, Inc. (“Bluestone Resources”), its subsidiary Bluestone Coal Sales Corporation (“Bluestone Sales”, and together with Bluestone Resources and their respective affiliates, the “Bluestone Entities”), and Greensill (UK) Limited, Ltd. (“Greensill”). The Bluestone Entities are owned and controlled by James C. Justice, II, Cathy L. Justice and James C. Justice, III. In the GLAS Federal Court Litigation, GLAS alleges that it serves as trustee for investors that acquired notes via a series of securities transactions that repackaged the Bluestone Entities’ obligations to repay Greensill and sold them to those investors. In the GLAS Federal Court Litigation, GLAS alleges that certain transfers to the Bank executed during 2018 by the Bluestone Entities or Greensill, which in the aggregate total approximately $226 million, each constitute either a fraudulent conveyance, or a voluntary conveyance, under Virginia law. In the GLAS Federal Court Litigation, GLAS seeks an award equal to the full amount of such fraudulent conveyances and/or voluntary conveyances plus interest and payment of attorneys’ fees and costs.
The Company and the Bank deny the allegations contained in the GLAS Federal Court Litigation and intend to defend vigorously all claims asserted in the GLAS Federal Court Litigation. Based on information presently available to the Company and the Bank and based on consultation with legal counsel, the Company believes that the Bank has meritorious defenses to all allegations contained in the GLAS Federal Court Litigation.
During the course of the Bank’s lending transactions with James C. Justice, II, Cathy L. Justice and James C. Justice, III, and various Justice Entities, each of James C. Justice, II, Cathy L. Justice and James C. Justice, III and certain Justice Entities agreed (the “Justice Indemnity Agreement”) to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Bank from damages, claims, liabilities, losses, and expenses incurred in connection with certain claims that may be asserted against the Bank, including the claims that are asserted in the GLAS Federal Court Litigation. These indemnity obligations are supported by substantial pledged collateral. The Company and the Bank intend to pursue vigorously all remedies afforded to the Bank under the Justice Indemnity Agreement.
Because the GLAS Federal Court Litigation is in its early stages, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome or timing of, or possible losses resulting from, the GLAS Federal Court Litigation or any related legal proceedings that may commence, and cannot conclude if the outcome of any of these matters would have a material impact to the Company.

NOTE 19 – REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit card fees are also not in scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as trust and asset management income, deposit related fees, interchange fees, merchant income, and annuity and insurance commissions and return on investment. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated from contracts with customers. Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: Service charges on deposit accounts consist of overdraft fees, service charges on returned checks, stop payment fees, check chargeback fees, minimum balance fees, and other deposit account related fees. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on returned checks are recognized at the point in time that a check is returned. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as stop payment fees, check chargeback fees, and other deposit account related fees are recognized at the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s
117

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
request. Minimum balance fees are system-assessed at the point in time that a customer’s balance is below the required minimum for the product. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance.

Other Fees and Other Income: Other fees and other income consists of safe deposit rents, money order fees, check cashing and cashiers’ check fees, wire transfer fees, letter of credit fees, check order income, and other miscellaneous fees. These fees are largely transaction-based; therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied and the resultant revenue is recognized at the point in time the service is rendered. Payments for transaction-based fees are generally received immediately or in the following month by a direct charge to a customer’s account.

Debit Card Interchange Fees: The Company earns interchange fees from debit cardholder transactions conducted through a card payment network. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

Insurance: Commission income is earned based on customer transactions. The commission income is recognized when the transaction is complete. The Company also receives a return on its investment in Bankers Insurance, LLC on an annual basis based on the income of theequity insurance company and percentage of ownership.

OREO Income: The Company owns properties acquired through foreclosure that are included in other real estate owned, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If the Company rents any of those properties, the resultant income is recognized at the point of receipt since the performance obligation has been satisfied. The rents are generally received monthly.

Gains/Losses on Sales of OREO: The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Company finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognizeddisposed and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.

134

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following table summarizes the point of revenue recognition and the income recognized for each of the revenue streams for the years ended December 31:

  Point of Revenue         
(Dollars in Thousands) Recognition 2020  2019  2018 
In-Scope Revenue Streams              
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts At  a point in time $3,518  $3,919  $3,127 
Other Fees and Other Income At  a point in time  2,497   1,789   1,756 
Debit Card Interchange Fees At  a point in time  5,857   5,160   4,750 
Commercial Loan Swap Fee Income At a point in time  4,051   -   - 
Insurance              
Customer Commissions At  a point in time  73   120   625 
Annual Commission on Investment Over time  1,366   1,105   1,230 
Special Production Payout Over time  289   -   - 
Other Real Estate Owned Income At  a point in time  340   689   2,692 
Gains (Losses) on Sale of Other Real Estate Owned At  a point in time   ***    ***    *** 
Total In-Scope Revenue Streams    13,940   12,782   14,180 
               
Out of Scope Revenue Streams              
Gain on Sales of Securities, net    6,882   2,205   1,271 
Bank Owned Life Insurance Income    1,400   1,436   1,161 
Other    307   447   374 
Total Noninterest Income   $26,580  $16,870  $16,986 

(Dollars in Thousands)Point of Revenue
Recognition
202320222021
In-Scope Revenue Streams
Service Charges on Deposit AccountsAt  a point in time$5,534 $5,537 $5,036 
Other Fees and Other IncomeAt  a point in time1,885 3,284 3,233 
Debit Card Interchange FeesAt  a point in time7,828 7,427 7,226 
Insurance
Customer CommissionsAt  a point in time131 104 91 
Annual Commission on InvestmentOver time1,814 1,857 1,681 
Special Production PayoutOver time— — 129 
Other Real Estate Owned IncomeAt  a point in time75 50 90 
Gains on Sales and Write-downs of Bank Premises, netAt a point in time— 73 — 
Gains (Losses) on Sale of Other Real Estate OwnedAt  a point in time*********
Total In-Scope Revenue Streams17,267 18,332 17,486 
Out of Scope Revenue Streams
(Losses) Gain on Sales of Securities, net(1,521)46 6,869 
Bank Owned Life Insurance Income1,381 1,357 1,380 
Commercial Loan Swap Fee Income139 774 2,416 
Other1,012 1,209 730 
Total Noninterest Income$18,278 $21,718 $28,881 
***Reported net with Losses on Sales and Write-downs of Other Real Owned in Noninterest Expense

118

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

NOTE 20 – PARENT COMPANY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Balance Sheets

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019 
ASSETS      
Cash $639  $- 
Investment in Bank Subsidiary  439,553   - 
Other Assets  -   - 
Total Assets $440,192  $- 
         
LIABILITIES        
Other Liabilities $18  $- 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  440,174   - 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $440,192  $- 

135
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)20232022
ASSETS
Cash$629 $2,199 
Investment in Bank Subsidiary347,429 321,732 
Other Assets3,337 4,699 
Total Assets$351,395 $328,630 
LIABILITIES
Other Liabilities$152 $
Total Shareholders’ Equity351,243 328,627 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity$351,395 $328,630 

Statements of Net Income
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
Dividends from Subsidiaries$14,029 $45,377 $6,000 
Total Income418 — — 
Total Expenses(3,011)(2,696)(2,238)
Income Before Income Tax Benefit and Undistributed Net Income of Bank Subsidiary11,436 42,681 3,762 
Income Tax Benefit(534)(577)(446)
Income Before Undistributed Net Income of Bank Subsidiary11,970 43,258 4,208 
Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Bank Subsidiary11,414 6,860 27,382 
Net Income$23,384 $50,118 $31,590 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)$37,561 $(37,200)$17,571 

Statements of Cash Flows
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)202320222021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income$23,384 $50,118 $31,590 
Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Bank Subsidiary(11,414)(6,860)(27,382)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities
Stock Compensation Expense1,561 1,314 1,040 
Decrease (Increase) in Other Assets1,774 (3,778)(571)
Decrease in Other Liabilities(47)(460)— 
Decrease in Intercompany Liability— — (17)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities15,258 40,334 4,660 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Equity Investment in Non-Subsidiary, net of distributions(412)(350)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities(412)(350) 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repurchase of Common Stock(16,416)(42,927)(157)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities(16,416)(42,927)(157)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash(1,570)(2,943)4,503 
Cash at Beginning of Year2,199 5,142 639 
Cash at End of Year$629 $2,199 $5,142 
119

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)

Statements of Net Income

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
Dividends from Subsidiaries $1,000  $-  $- 
Total Expenses  (594)  -   - 
Income before income tax and undistributed net loss of bank subsidiary  406   -   - 
Income tax benefit  -   -   - 
Income before undistributed net loss of bank subsidiary  406   -   - 
Equity in undistributed net loss of bank subsidiary  (46,264)  -   - 
Net Loss $(45,858) $-  $- 

Statements of Cash Flows

  December 31, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020  2019  2018 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Net Loss $(45,858) $-  $- 
Equity in undistributed net loss of bank subsidiary  46,264   -   - 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided by            
Operating Activities            
Stock Compensation Expense  215   -   - 
Increase in Intercompany Liability  18   -   - 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  639   -   - 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
Investments in subsidiaries  -   -   - 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  -   -   - 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
Cash dividends paid to common shareholders  -   -   - 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  -   -   - 
Net increase in cash  639   -   - 
Cash at beginning of year  -   -   - 
Cash at end of year $639  $-  $- 

NOTE 21 - CAPITAL ADEQUACY

The Company and the Bank are subject to various capital requirements administered by the federal banking regulators. Failure to meet the minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on ourthe Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, wethe Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies. Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy require usthe Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as shownratios.
The Basel rules also permit banking organizations with less than $15.0 billion in assets to retain, through a one-time election, existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive loss, which currently does not affect regulatory capital. The Company elected to retain this treatment which reduces the following table.

volatility of regulatory capital levels.

The final rules implementing Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. Banks (“Basel III rules”) became effective forCapital Rules require the Company on Januaryand the Bank to maintain minimum Common Equity Tier 1, 2015Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios, along with full compliance with all of the requirements being phased in over a multi-year schedule, and fully phased in by January 1, 2019. Under the Basel III rules, we must hold a capital conservation buffer, aboveeffectively resulting in new minimum capital ratios (which are shown in the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios.table below). The capital conservation buffer was phased in atis designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the rateminimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of 0.625% per yearthe shortfall. The Basel III Capital Rules also provide for a 2.5% “countercyclical capital buffer” that is applicable to only certain covered institutions and was 2.5% on January 1, 2019.does not have any current applicability to the Company or the Bank. Management believes as of December 31, 2020, we2023, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

136
the Company is subject and satisfied the applicable capital conservation buffer requirements.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At year-end 20202023 and 2019,2022, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutionsinstitution’s category.

120

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
The following table summarizes risk-based capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the Bank:

  Actual  Minimum
Regulatory Capital
Requirements
  To be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
 
(dollars in thousands) Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio 
As of December 31, 2020                  
Leverage Ratio                        
Carter Bankshares, Inc. $424,453   10.26% $165,514   4.00%  NA   NA 
Carter Bank & Trust  423,832   10.24%  165,514   4.00% $206,892   5.00%
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)                        
Carter Bankshares, Inc. $424,453   13.08% $146,077   4.50%  NA   NA 
Carter Bank & Trust  423,832   13.06%  146,078   4.50% $211,001   6.50%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)                        
Carter Bankshares, Inc. $424,453   13.08% $194,769   6.00%  NA   NA 
Carter Bank & Trust  423,832   13.06%  194,770   6.00% $259,694   8.00%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)                        
Carter Bankshares, Inc. $465,198   14.33% $259,692   8.00%  NA   NA 
Carter Bank & Trust  464,578   14.31%  259,694   8.00% $324,617   10.00%
                         
As of December 31, 2019                        
Leverage Ratio                        
Carter Bank & Trust $410,793   10.33% $158,993   4.00% $198,741   5.00%
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)                        
Carter Bank & Trust $410,793   13.58% $136,126   4.50% $196,626   6.50%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)                        
Carter Bank & Trust $410,793   13.58% $181,501   6.00% $242,002   8.00%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)                        
Carter Bank & Trust $448,622   14.83% $242,002   8.00% $302,502   10.00%

On November 20, 2020,Bank, excluding the Company acquired the Bank in a merger and reorganization pursuant to Section 13.1-719.1 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, and in accordance with the terms of a Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated November 9, 2020.  Pursuant to the Agreement, on November 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. all of the outstanding shares of the Bank’s $1.00 par value common stock formerly held by its shareholders was converted into and exchanged for one newly issued share of the Company’s par value common stock, and the Bank became a subsidiary of the Company.

2.5% capital conservation buffer:

ActualMinimum
Regulatory Capital
Requirements
To be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
(Dollars in Thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountRatio
As of December 31, 2023
Leverage Ratio
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$435,364 9.48 %$183,636 4.00 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust431,550 9.41 %183,427 4.00 %$229,283 5.00 %
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$435,364 11.08 %$176,868 4.50 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust431,550 10.99 %176,716 4.50 %$255,256 6.50 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$435,364 11.08 %$235,824 6.00 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust431,550 10.99 %235,621 6.00 %$314,161 8.00 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$484,925 12.34 %$314,432 8.00 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust481,070 12.25 %314,161 8.00 %$392,702 10.00 %
As of December 31, 2022
Leverage Ratio
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$439,606 10.29 %$170,906 4.00 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust432,711 10.13 %170,857 4.00 %$213,571 5.00 %
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$439,606 12.61 %$156,936 4.50 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust432,711 12.42 %156,722 4.50 %$226,376 6.50 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$439,606 12.61 %$209,248 6.00 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust432,711 12.42 %208,962 6.00 %$278,617 8.00 %
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Carter Bankshares, Inc.$483,450 13.86 %$278,997 8.00 %NANA
Carter Bank & Trust476,496 13.68 %278,617 8.00 %$348,271 10.00 %
In December 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, (the “OCC”), the FRB, and the FDIC, approved a final rule to address changes to credit loss accounting under GAAP, including banking organizations’ implementation of CECL. The final rule provides banking organizations the option to phase in over a three-year period the day-oneDay 1 adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard. InOn March 27, 2020, the OCC, the FRB, and the FDIC published anregulators issued interim final rule (“IFR”), “Regulatory Capital Rule: Revised Transition of the Current Expected Credit Losses Methodology for Allowances” in response to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemmingdisrupted economic activity from the implementationspread of CECL.COVID-19. The interim final ruleIFR maintains the three-year transition option in the previous rule and provides banks the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (five-year transition option). We planadopted CECL effective January 1, 2021 and elected to adoptimplement the capital transition relief over the permissible three-year period due to our intended adoptionperiod.
121

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 22 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following summarizes the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in Thousands) First  Second  Third  Fourth 
2020 Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
Total Interest Income $37,836  $35,617  $33,986  $33,502 
Total Interest Expense  10,572   9,355   8,550   7,349 
Net Interest Income  27,264   26,262   25,436   26,153 
Provision for Loan Losses  4,798   5,473   2,914   4,821 
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses  22,466   20,789   22,522   21,332 
Total Noninterest Income  6,952   6,201   7,975   5,589 
Total Noninterest Expense  24,748   23,023   87,300   23,841 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes  4,670   3,967   (56,803)  3,080 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)  247   (488)  875   138 
Net Income (Loss) $4,423  $4,455  $(57,678) $2,942 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share $0.17  $0.17  $(2.19) $0.11 

(Dollars in Thousands) First  Second  Third  Fourth 
2019 Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
Total Interest Income $39,139  $40,068  $40,154  $39,759 
Total Interest Expense  11,243   12,113   12,084   11,333 
Net Interest Income  27,896   27,955   28,070   28,426 
Provision for Loan Losses  1,627   1,369   1,390   (982)
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses  26,269   26,586   26,680   29,408 
Total Noninterest Income  3,804   4,579   4,156   4,509 
Total Noninterest Expense  22,110   22,834   22,777   30,486 
Income Before Income Taxes  7,963   8,331   8,059   3,431 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)  422   504   458   (175)
Net Income $7,541  $7,827  $7,601  $3,606 
Earnings Per Share $0.29  $0.30  $0.29  $0.14 

(Dollars in Thousands) First  Second  Third  Fourth 
2018 Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
Total Interest Income $35,588  $38,362  $38,207  $39,862 
Total Interest Expense  8,151   9,111   10,079   10,773 
Net Interest Income  27,437   29,251   28,128   29,089 
Provision for Loan Losses  1,515   1,730   13,743   (118)
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses  25,922   27,521   14,385   29,207 
Total Noninterest Income  4,731   4,741   4,610   3,832 
Total Noninterest Expense  22,559   23,022   25,360   29,700 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes  8,094   9,240   (6,365)  3,339 
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense  (735)  2,041   1,164   (67)
Net Income (Loss) $8,829  $7,199  $(7,529) $3,406 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share $0.34  $0.27  $(0.29) $0.13 

138
Image_1.jpg

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 23 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On January 6, 2021, the Company announced that it will be closing 24 Bank branches, throughout its footprint, through the closure or sale of those branches. The branch closures are expected to occur on or about April 16, 2021, as part of a strategic network optimization plan that is being implemented to support the long-term, sustainable growth of the Company. On January 14, 2021, the Company announced that the Bank had agreed to sell three branches in Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Bridgewater, Virginia to Pendleton Community Bank, a subsidiary of Allegheny Bancshares, Inc. On January 27, 2021, the Company announced that the Bank had agreed to sell one branch in Waynesboro, Virginia to F&M Bank, a subsidiary of F&M Bank Corp. As part of the execution of these agreements, the purchasers will acquire loans, assume deposits and acquire bank premises and equipment. The balances as of December 31, 2020 were $9.8 million of combined loans, $84.7 million of combined deposits and book value of $2.3 million of bank premises and equipment. These transactions are subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

139

 

Crowe LLP

Independent Member Crowe Global

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm






REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Carter Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Martinsville, Virginia

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Carter Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (formerly Carter Bank & Trust) (the "Company") as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the related consolidated statements of (loss) income, comprehensive income (loss) income,, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-yearthree-year period ended December 31, 2020,2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-yearthree-year period ended December 31, 20202023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Overover Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our auditaudits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such
122

procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

140

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

Matter

The critical audit mattersmatter communicated below are mattersis a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that werewas communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (i) relate(1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (ii)(2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit mattersmatter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit mattersmatter below, providing a separate opinionsopinion on the critical audit mattersmatter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

it relates.

Allowance for LoanCredit Losses – Qualitative Factors

As more fully describedIndividually Evaluated Other Pool Loans

The Company’s methodology for estimating the allowance for credit losses includes segmentation, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and individually evaluated loans. The Company’s loan portfolio is segmented by homogeneous loan types that behave similarly to economic cycles. Further, management elected to evaluate certain loans based on shared but unique risk attributes by segmenting into the Other pool. The loans included in Note 1the Other pool of the model were underwritten and Note 6 to the financial statements,approved based on standards that are inconsistent with the Company’s allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred losses inherent incurrent underwriting standards. During 2023, $302 million of the loan portfolio.$305 million, or 98.9%, of the Other pool loans were transferred to individually evaluated. The allowance for loancredit losses consistsas of a specific component which relates toDecember 31, 2023 was $97.1 million. The reserves associated with these individually impairedevaluated loans are $54.4 million and a general component. represent 56% of the overall allowance for credit losses.
The general component covers loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. The general component is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current conditions and qualitative factors. These qualitative factors may include considerationreserves for the following: levelsindividually evaluated loans within the Other pool are based upon discounted cash flow valuation techniques to estimate the timing and magnitude of delinquencypotential recoveries resulting from various collection processes. The techniques were developed with subjective assumptions, including the timing and delinquency trends; migrationmagnitude of loanscollections, discount rate, as well as other factors. The discount rate is reflective of the inherent risk in the Other pool. A substantial change in these assumptions could cause a significant impact to the classificationmodel causing volatility. Management reviews the model output for appropriateness and subjectively adjusts as needed.
123


We determined that auditing the qualitative factors applied to adjust the historical loss experience within the general component ofidentified the allowance for loancredit losses is a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination are the high degree of subjectivity involved in management’s assessment of the risk of loss associated with each risk factor and the weightings applied to them, and the significant degree of auditor judgment and audit effort.

Our audit procedures to address the critical audit matter included:

·Testing the effectiveness of controls over management’s review of the reasonableness of the qualitative factors, the amounts and weightings applied to each factor, the underlying documentation used in the calculation, and the accuracy of the mathematical application of the qualitative factors used to adjust the historical loss experience and determine the general component of the allowance for losses calculation.

·Substantively testing management’s estimate, including evaluating their judgments and assumptions, which included:

oEvaluating the reliability of the underlying objective data used to derive the qualitative factors. Based on the underlying data, we evaluated the reasonableness of management’s designation of the resulting adjustment to the historical loss experience. We also evaluated the reasonableness of weightings applied to each risk factor and the impact of changes in the factors from prior periods.

141

oTested the accuracy of the mathematical application of the qualitative factors used to adjust the historical loss experience within the allowance for loan loss calculation and respective loan segmentation balances the qualitative factors are applied too.

oPerforming analytical review procedures to determine if the general component of the allowance for loan losses balance was consistent with trends in the loan portfolio and economic conditions and methodology was consistently applied.

Allowance for Loan Losses - Fair Value of Collateral Associated with Impaired Loans

As more fully described in Note 1 and Note 6 to the financial statements, the allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to– individually evaluated Other pool loans that are individually classified as impaired. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. If a loan is impaired, and the loan is collateral dependent, the fair value of collateral is used to measure impairment.

Management obtained a third-party appraisal to estimate the fair value of collateral associated with two collateral-dependent impaired loans. The collateral’s fair value is considered material to the impairment analyses and underlying assumptions used to estimate fair value have a high degree of subjectivity.

We determined that auditing the fair value of the collateral associated with the two collateral-dependent impaired loans is a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination are the high degree of subjectivity associated with the underlying assumptions used by a third-party appraiser in determining the fair value of the collateral and the significant degree of auditor judgment and audit effort.

Our audit procedures to address the critical audit matter included:

·Testing the effectiveness of management review controls including:

oManagement’s evaluation of the valuation methodologies and critical assumptions used by the Company engaged third-party appraiser and their sensitivity analysis.

oManagement’s review of the accuracy of information utilized within the impairment analysis.

·Substantively testing management’s estimate of fair value of the collateral which included:

oUtilization of auditor engaged valuation specialist to evaluate the appropriateness of valuation methodologies and critical assumptions of the Company’s engaged third-party appraiser.

oEvaluate the relevance and reliability of data used by the auditor engaged specialist.

oPerformed a sensitivity analysis of the significant assumptions.

oEvaluation of the impairment analysis of the two-collateral dependent impaired loans to determine the application of the fair value was appropriately stated.

Goodwill Impairment Evaluation

As described in Notes 1 and 10 to the financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually, or more frequently whenever events or circumstances occur that indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. During 2020, the Company performed impairment testing on a quarterly basis due to the continued decline in the Company stock price primarily related to the economic fallout of COVID-19. A goodwill impairment charge of $62,192,000 was taken in the third quarter based on the Company’s impairment test.

The quantitative assessment of goodwill for the Company’s single reporting unit was performed utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis (“income approach”) and estimates of selected market information (“market approach”) performed by a third-party. The calculation of the goodwill impairment involves significant estimates and subjective assumptions which require a high degree of management judgment. This judgment includes, but is not limited to, the selection of appropriate discount rates, the identification of relevant market comparables and the development of cash flow projections. The selection and weighting of the various fair value techniques may result in a higher or lower fair value. Judgment is applied in determining the weightings that are most representative of fair value.

142

We identified the goodwill impairment assessment of the Company as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for this determination wasmatter because of the degreeextent of auditor judgment applied and significant audit effort to evaluate the significant subjective and complex judgments made by management in performingthe development of the estimate.

The primary procedures overperformed to address this critical audit matter include:
Testing the fair value methodologies andeffectiveness of internal controls over:

The Company’s affirmation of the key assumptions used to determine fair value, which included,in the model, including the discount rate, prospective financial information,timing and weighting allocation to valuation methodologiesmagnitude of collections, and other adjustments
The completeness and accuracy of data used in the model

Substantively testing management’s estimate, which included:

Assessing the reasonableness of management’s selection of discount rate, timing and magnitude of collections, and other adjustments
Evaluating the mathematical accuracy of the goodwill impairment charge during 2020.

Our audit procedures to addressdiscounted cash flow model used for the critical audit matter included:

Other pool, including evaluating the completeness and accuracy of loan data used in the model




·Testing the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment test including:

oManagement’s review of the reasonableness and accuracy of the Company’s prospective financial information used in the discounted cash flow methodology associated with each quarterly impairment analysis.

oManagement’s evaluation of key assumptions used by a third-party valuation specialist, including discount rate, terminal growth rate, control premium and allocated weightings incorporated into the methodologies used to determine fair value associated with each quarterly impairment analysis.

·Substantively testing management’s process, including evaluating their judgements and assumptions, for estimating fair value which included:

oEvaluation of key financial data for accuracy, including comparison of prospective financial information to the Company’s strategic plan for the second and third quarter analysis.

oEvaluation of management’s ability to reasonably forecast cash flows by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts for the second and third quarter analysis.

oUtilization of auditor employed valuation specialist to evaluate appropriateness of valuation methodologies, discount rate, control premium, overall reasonableness of the fair value for the second and third quarter’s analysis.

oEvaluation of management’s weighting allocation to each valuation methodology tested.

/s/ Crowe LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019.
Washington, D.C.
March 12, 20218, 2024

143

124

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the BoardTable of Directors and Shareholders 

Carter Bankshares, Inc. (as successor to Carter Bank & Trust) 

Martinsville, Virginia

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018, (collectively, the financial statements) of Carter Bankshares, Inc. and subsidiaries (as successor to Carter Bank & Trust and subsidiaries), the Company. In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.

We served as the Company’s auditor from 2012 to 2018.

Roanoke, Virginia 

March 14, 2019

144
Contents

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020.2023. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our CEO and CFO as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in all material respects, as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of specific controls or internal control over financial reporting overall to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based on this assessment, management concludes that, as of December 31, 2020,2023, the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting is effective and meets the criteria of the “Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013). ”Crowe” Crowe LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued a report on the effectiveness of Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020,2023, which is included herein.

145

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (continued)

Previously Disclosed Material Weakness

As previously disclosed in Part II, Item 9A “Controls and Procedures” of the Bank’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019, a material weakness was identified in the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting resulting from ineffective internal controls over the valuation and existence of complex collateral associated with two collateral-dependent impaired loans. We relied on stale appraisal information in order to support the underlying assumptions and methodologies to determine fair value and existence of the complex collateral. The appraisals were incomplete and did not adequately support the valuation and existence of the complex collateral. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Remediation of Previously Disclosed Material Weakness

During the fourth quarter of 2019, management concluded that the controls regarding the completeness and accuracy of the valuation of impaired loans, including calculations and supporting information were not operating effectively. The Bank relied on stale appraisal information to support the underlying assumptions and methodologies to determine fair value and existence of unique, complex collateral in a singular, limited situation. As of December 31, 2020, management had successfully remediated this material weakness. The remediation included obtaining an updated appraisal from an industry expert qualified to support the valuation and existence of the complex collateral associated with the two collateral-dependent impaired loans.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No other changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 20202023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

125

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

On

During the three months ended December 15, 2020, the Bank adopted an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan, called the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, to provide (i) key employees31, 2023, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Bank, including allSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) adopted, modified or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Company’s named executive officers (beginning after the dateSecurities Act of adoption) the opportunity to defer to a later year on a pre-tax basis certain compensation without being subject to the dollar limits that apply to these employees under the Bank’s tax-qualified integrated profit-sharing plan and (ii) the Bank’s non-employee directors (beginning in January 2022) the opportunity to defer to a later year on a pre-tax basis certain director fees.  The compensation and fees (and related earnings) deferred under this plan are held in a grantor trust until paid to the participants and remain subject to the claims1933).
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURES REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable
126

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Except as set forth below, the information required by Part III, Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled – “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” (if applicable), “Proposal 1 -- Election of Directors,” “Independence and Committee Memberships,” “Executive Officers of the Registrant,” “Corporate Governance --Audit Committee,” and "Corporate Governance - Director QualificationsMeetings and Nominations:Committee of the Board Diversity"of Directors" in our proxy statement relating to our June 23, 2021May 22, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to its directors, executive officers and employeesassociates and is available on the Company’s website at www.CBTCares.com under “Investor.“Investor – Corporate Information – Governance Documents.” The Company intends to provide any required disclosure of any amendment to or waiver of the Code that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on www.CBTCares.com under “Investor”“Investor – Corporate Information – Governance Documents” promptly following the amendment or waiver. The Company may elect to disclose any such amendment or waiver in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC either in addition to or in lieu of the website disclosure. The information contained on or connected to the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report or document that we file or furnish to the SEC.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Part III, Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled “Compensation Discussion“Executive Compensation” and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Corporate Governance -- Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Corporate Governance - The Company Board’s Role in Risk Oversight” and “Compensation and Benefits Committee Report”Compensation” in our proxy statement relating to our June 23, 2021May 22, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Except as set forth below, the information required by Part III, Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled “Principal Beneficial Owners of Carter Bankshares, Inc. Common Stock” and “Beneficial Ownership of Carter Bankshares, Inc. Common Stock by Directors and Officers” in our proxy statement relating to our June 23, 2021May 22, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.

147

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART III

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides summary information as of December 31, 20202023 related to the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Plan, the only equity compensation plan under which the Company’s securities are authorized for issuance.

(a)(b)(c)
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available
for future issuance under equity
compensation plan (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plan approved by shareholders1,872,720
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders
Total1,872,720
 (a)(b)(c)
 Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (1)
Number of securities remaining available for
future issuance under equity compensation plan (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plan approved by shareholders30,630 (2)$— 1,538,804 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders— —  
Total30,630 $— 1,538,804 
(1)The weighted average exercise price does not take into account the outstanding performance unit awards noted in footnote (2) of this table. Performance unit awards do not have an exercise price and are delivered without any payment by the award recipient.
(2)The amount shown reflects the maximum number of shares that may be issued under outstanding performance units if maximum performance goals are achieved. However, the actual number of shares issued under the performance units will depend on the level of performance achieved during a three-year performance period. The award recipient may receive less than the maximum number of shares under the outstanding performance units and may receive no payout under the outstanding performance units.


127

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Part III, Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled “Related Person Transactions” and “Corporate Governance -- Director Independence” in our proxy statement relating to our June 23, 2021May 22, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.

148

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART III

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTINGACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Part III, Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the section entitled “Proposal 2: Ratification of the Selection of Independent“Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2021”Firm” in our proxy statement relating to our June 23, 2021May 22, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.

128

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Report.

(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference and found where noted below.
Consolidated Financial Statements: The following consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.Annual Report on Form 10-K. No financial statement schedules are being filed because the required information is inapplicable or is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related notes.

(b)Exhibits
149

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)

(b)Exhibits

129

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)

150

130


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)

23.2Consent of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. (filed herewith)

131

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)

101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101)

* Denotes management contract.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

151

None.

132

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

CARTER BANKSHARES, INC.
(Registrant)
By:By:/s/ Litz H. Van Dyke
Name:Name:Litz H. Van Dyke
Title:Title:Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:Date:March 12, 20218, 2024
By:By:/s/ Wendy S. Bell
Name:Name:Wendy S. Bell
Title:Title:Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date:Date:March 12, 20218, 2024

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:/s/ James W. HaskinsBy:By:/s/ Litz H. Van Dyke
Name:James W. HaskinsName:Name:Litz H. Van Dyke
Title:Chairman of the BoardTitle:Title:Director and Chief Executive Officer
Date:March 12, 20218, 2024Date:Date:March 12, 20218, 2024
By:/s/ Phyllis Q. KaravatakisBy:By:/s/ Michael R. Bird
Name:Phyllis Q. KaravatakisName:Name:Michael R. Bird
Title:Vice Chairman of the BoardTitle:Title:Director
Date:March 12, 20218, 2024Date:Date:March 12, 20218, 2024
By:/s/ Kevin S. BloomfieldBy:By:/s/ Robert M. Bolton
Name:Kevin S. BloomfieldName:Name:Robert M. Bolton
Title:DirectorTitle:Title:Director
Date:March 12, 20218, 2024Date:Date:March 12, 20218, 2024
By:/s/ Robert W. ConnerBy:/s/ Gregory W. FeldmannBy:/s/ Jacob A. Lutz III
Name:Robert W. ConnerName:Gregory W. FeldmannName:Jacob A. Lutz III
Title:DirectorTitle:Title:Director
Date:March 12, 20218, 2024Date:Date:March 8, 2024
By:/s/ E. Warren MatthewsBy:/s/ Catharine L. Midkiff
Name:E. Warren MatthewsName:Catharine L. Midkiff
Title:DirectorTitle:Director
Date:March 12, 20218, 2024Date:March 8, 2024

152

133


CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

By:/s/ Chester A. GallimoreCurtis E. StephensBy:By:/s/ Charles E. Hall
Name:Chester A. GallimoreName:Charles E. Hall
Title:DirectorTitle:Director
Date:March 12, 2021Date:March 12, 2021
By:/s/ Lanny A. Kyle, O.D.By:/s/ E. Warren Matthews
Name:Lanny A. Kyle, O.D.Name:E. Warren Matthews
Title:DirectorTitle:Director
Date:March 12, 2021Date:March 12, 2021
By:/s/ Catharine L. MidkiffBy:/s/ Joseph E. Pigg
Name:Catharine L. MidkiffName:Joseph E. Pigg
Title:DirectorTitle:Director
Date:March 12, 2021Date:March 12, 2021
By:/s/ Elizabeth Lester Walsh
Name:Curtis E. StephensName:Elizabeth Lester Walsh
Title:DirectorTitle:Director
Date:March 12, 20218, 2024Date:

153March 8, 2024

134