Farmers National Banc Oh (FMNB) Risk Analysis

The financial services industry is extensively regulated. We are subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision and legislation that govern almost all aspects of our operations. Laws and regulations may change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund, and not to benefit our shareholders. Regulations affecting banks and financial services businesses are undergoing continuous change, including the stimulus programs issued in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, and management cannot predict the effect of these changes. The impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies may negatively impact us or our ability to increase the value of our business. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of an institution, the classification of assets by an institution and the adequacy of an institution's allowance for loan losses. Additionally, actions by regulatory agencies or significant litigation against us could cause us to devote significant time and resources to defending our business and may lead to penalties that materially affect our shareholders and us. In light of conditions in the global financial markets and the global economy that occurred in the last decade, regulators have increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. Most recently, the U.S. Congress and the federal agencies regulating the financial services industry have acted on an unprecedented scale in responding to the stresses experienced in the global financial markets. Some of the laws enacted by the U. S. Congress and regulations promulgated by federal regulatory agencies subject us, and other financial institutions to which such laws and regulations apply, to additional restrictions, oversight and costs that may have an impact on our business, results of operations or the trading price of our common shares. In addition to laws, regulations and actions directed at the operations of banks, proposals to reform the housing finance market consider winding down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could negatively affect our sales of loans. Even a reduction in regulatory restrictions could adversely affect our operations and our shareholders if less restrictive regulation increases competition within the industry generally or within our markets.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. In addition, we own and operate certain properties that may be subject to similar environmental liability risks. Environmental laws and evolving regulation may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property's value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws and regulations or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws or regulations may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Although we have policies and procedures requiring the performance of an environmental site assessment before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these assessments may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The current U.S. administration has implemented significant changes in federal priorities in the operations, structure, and policy focus of various federal agencies, as well as regulatory priorities, policy approaches and interpretations of existing laws by those federal agencies. Moreover, leadership transitions at key federal agencies have impacted and may continue to impact rulemaking, supervision, enforcement, and examination priorities across the financial regulatory landscape. These developments may have varying and unpredictable effects on the banking and financial services industry that, which makes it difficult to anticipate and mitigate attendant risks. Compliance with changing federal and regulatory priorities could, among other things, increase the costs of operating our business, reduce the demand for our products and services, impact our ability to achieve our business goals, and increase our legal, operational and reputational risks, any or all of which could materially adversely affect our results of operations. The current U.S. administration also has implemented rapid shifts in macroeconomic policies, such as those relating to trade restrictions and tariffs, which have created significant uncertainties regarding U.S. economic growth, the potential for recession, and concerns over inflation. In order to mitigate the impact of unpredictable U.S. actions, global companies and governments may reduce the use of the U.S. dollar in world trade and financial transactions, which could result in further volatility in the financial markets and U.S. economy. Slow economic growth, economic contraction or recession, or shifts in broader consumer and business trends in the U.S. generally and regions we serve could significantly impact our ability to originate loans, the ability of borrowers to repay loans, and the value of the collateral securing loans. Other political and economic events within the United States, including changes in or disagreements over U.S. monetary policy and actions of the Federal Reserve, disagreements over long-term federal budget and deficit reduction plans, the threat of a U.S. government shutdown, disagreements over, or threats not to increase, the U.S. government's borrowing limit, and risk of further downgrade of the ratings of U.S. government debt obligations, also may negatively impact financial markets and the U.S. and regional economy. Further, the perception of the potential for additional, significant changes in federal regulatory or economic policy also has increased uncertainty and may exacerbate declines in investor and consumer confidence, which in turn may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy of the U.S. and the economy of regions we serve, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. Regional business and economic conditions are a major driver of our results of operations. Difficult conditions in the regional business and economic environment, including those caused by the lack of stability and predictability of U.S. policymaking, may materially adversely affect our operating expenses, the quality of our assets, credit losses, and the demand for our products and services. For further discussion of risk factors related to the Company, refer to Part 1, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," contained in the Company's 2024 Annual Report on Form10-K. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also adversely affect us.

In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions and in evaluating and monitoring our loan portfolio, we rely on information provided to us by or on behalf of customers and other third parties, including financial statements, credit reports, and other financial information. We also rely on representations from our customers, counterparties, and other third parties, such as independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate, incomplete, fraudulent or misleading financial or business information could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.

We take credit risk by virtue of making loans, extending loan commitments and letters of credit and, to a lesser degree, purchasing non-governmental securities. Our exposure to credit risk is managed through the use of consistent underwriting standards that emphasize "in-market" lending, while avoiding highly leveraged transactions as well as excessive industry and other concentrations. Our credit administration function employs risk management techniques to ensure that loans adhere to corporate policy and problem loans are promptly identified. While these procedures are designed to provide us with the information needed to implement policy adjustments where necessary, and to take proactive corrective actions, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective in avoiding undue credit risk.

As of December 31, 2024, a majority of our loan portfolio consisted of commercial real estate and residential real estate loans, including real estate development, construction and residential and commercial mortgage loans. Consequently, real estate-related credit risks are a significant concern for us. The adverse consequences from real estate-related credit risks tend to be cyclical and are often driven by national economic developments that are not controllable or entirely foreseeable by us or our borrowers. Our business depends significantly on general economic conditions in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Accordingly, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and the value of the collateral securing such loans, may be significantly affected by economic conditions in the regions we serve or by changes in the local real estate markets. A significant decline in general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, unemployment, acts of terrorism or other factors beyond our control could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.