2020 Annual Report

Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (dollars in thousands, except share data)

The Company is no longer subject to federal or state tax examination by tax authorities for years ending before December 31, 2017. Tax Credit Investments The Company invests in qualified affordable housing projects and federal historic projects for the purpose of community reinvestment and obtaining tax credits. These investments are included in other assets on the balance sheet, with any unfunded commitments included within other liabilities. The qualified affordable housing projects are accounted for under the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is recognized over the period that the Company expects to receive the tax credits, with the expense included within income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income. The historic tax credits are accounted for under the equity method, with the expense included within noninterest expense on the consolidated statements of income. Management analyzes these investments for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of the investment will not be realized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of an investment exceeds its fair value. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses are included in net income. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income (loss). Derivative Financial Instruments The Company uses derivative financial instruments, which consist of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps, to assist in its interest rate risk management. All derivatives are measured and reported at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as other assets or other liabilities. The accounting for changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized in earnings, specifically in noninterest income. The Company enters into interest rate swaps to facilitate client transactions and meet their financing needs. Upon entering into these instruments to meet client needs, the Company enters into offsetting positions with large U.S. and international financial institutions in order to minimize the risk to the Company. These swaps are derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. Cash flow hedges represent a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability. The Company prepares written hedge documentation for all derivatives which are designed as hedges. The written hedge documentation includes identification of, among other items, the risk management objective, hedging instrument, hedged item and methodologies for assessing and measuring hedge effectiveness and ineffectiveness, along with support for management's assertion that the hedge will be highly effective. Assessments of hedge effectiveness and measurements of hedge ineffectiveness are performed at least quarterly. For a cash flow hedge that is effective, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. To determine fair value, the Company uses third party pricing models that incorporate assumptions about market conditions and risks that are current at the reporting date. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

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