The following risk factor supplements the "Risk Factors" section in our 2019 Annual Report and item 1A of our 2019 Form 10-K.
The COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures taken to control its spread, will continue to adversely impact our employees, customers, business operations and financial results, and the ultimate impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
The COVID-19 pandemic has, and will likely continue to, severely impact the national economy and the regional and local markets in which we operate, lower equity market valuations, create significant volatility and disruption in capital and debt markets, and increase unemployment levels. Our business operations may be disrupted if significant portions of our workforce are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions in connection with the pandemic. We are subject to heightened cybersecurity, information security and operational risks as a result of work-from-home arrangements that we have put in place for our employees. Actions taken by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to combat the economic contraction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the reduction of the target federal funds rate and quantitative easing programs, could, if prolonged, adversely affect our net interest income and margins, and our profitability. The continued closures of many businesses and the institution of social distancing, shelter in place and stay home orders in the states and communities we serve, have reduced business activity and financial transactions. Changes in customer behavior due to worsening business and economic conditions or legislative or regulatory initiatives may impact the demand for our products and services, which could adversely affect our revenue, increase the recognition of credit losses in our loan portfolios and increases in our allowance for credit losses. Similarly, because of adverse economic and market conditions affecting issuers, we may be required to recognize further impairments on the securities we hold as well as reductions in other comprehensive income. While the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted our results of operations for the first quarter of 2020, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic, as well as further actions we may take as may be required by government authorities or that we determine is in the best interests of our employees and customers. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the pandemic.
Our participation in the Small Business Administration, or SBA, Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, may expose us to reputational harm, increased litigation risk, as well as the risk that the SBA may not fund some or all of the guarantees associated with PPP loans.
As of April 16, 2020, we originated 2,189 loans aggregating $518 million through the PPP. Lenders participating in the PPP have faced increased public scrutiny about their loan application process and procedures, and the nature and type of the borrowers receiving PPP loans. We depend on our reputation as a trusted and responsible financial services company to compete effectively in the communities that we serve, and any negative public or customer response to, or any litigation or claims that might arise out of, our participation in the PPP and any other legislative or regulatory initiatives and programs that may be enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, could adversely impact our business. Other larger banks have been subject to litigation regarding the process and procedures that such banks used in processing applications for the PPP, and we may be subject to the same or similar litigation. In addition, if the SBA determines that there is a deficiency in the manner in which a PPP loan was originated, funded, or serviced by us, the SBA may deny its liability under the guaranty, reduce the amount of the guaranty, or, if it has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency from us.