Franklin Financial Services Corp

Economic Review and Outlook 2026 Economic Outlook: Risk Factors to Watch The Bear Concerns: Strong stock performance remains concentrated in a few very highly valued AI stocks with very aggressive growth targets Trade policies and Fed independence currently face legal challenges Deficit spending and national debt continue to impact long-term interest rates Franklin Financial Services Corporation F&M TRUST

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. These systems include our internal network and data systems, as well as those of third-party vendors. Any failure, interruption or breach in security or these systems, including a cyber-attack, could result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information. Cyber security risks for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies (including artificial intelligence), 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. 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 information 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 employees or customers or of third parties, or otherwise materially disrupt network access or business operations. Cyber threats could result in unauthorized access, loss or destruction of customer data, unavailability, degradation or denial of service, introduction of computer viruses and other adverse events, causing the Corporation to incur additional costs (such as repairing systems or adding new personnel or protection technologies). Cyber threats may also subject the Corporation to regulatory investigations, litigation or enforcement, require the payment of regulatory fines or penalties or undertaking costly remediation efforts.

The Corporation may use artificial intelligence (AI) in its business, and challenges with properly managing its use could result in disruption of its internal operations, reputational harm, competitive harm, legal liability and adversely affect its results of operations and stock price.

The Corporation may incorporate AI solutions into platforms that deliver products and services to its customers, including solutions developed by third parties whose AI is integrated into its products and services. The Corporation's business could be harmed and it may be exposed to legal liability and reputational risk if the AI it uses is or is alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, or biased because the AI algorithms are flawed, insufficient, of poor quality, or reflect unwanted forms of bias, particularly if third party AI integrated with its platforms produces false or "hallucinatory" inferences.

Data practices by the Corporation or others that result in controversy could impair the acceptance of AI, which could undermine the decisions, predictions, or analysis that AI applications produce. The Corporation's customers and potential customers may express adverse opinions concerning its use of AI and machine learning that could result in brand or reputational harm, competitive harm, or legal liability. If the Corporation develops Generative AI, its content creation may require additional investment as testing for bias, accuracy and unintended, harmful impact is often complex and may be costly. As a result, the Corporation may need to increase the cost of its products and services which may make it less competitive, particularly if its competitors incorporate AI more quickly or successfully.

Governmental bodies have implemented laws and are considering further regulation of AI (including machine learning), which could negatively impact the Corporation's ability to use and develop AI. The Corporation is unable to predict how application of existing laws, including federal and state privacy and data protection laws, and adoption of new laws and regulations applicable to AI will affect it but it is likely that compliance with such laws and regulations will increase its compliance costs and such increase may be substantial and adversely affect its results of operations. Furthermore, its use of Generative AI and other forms of AI may expose us to risks relating to intellectual property ownership and licensing rights, including copyright of Generative AI and other AI output as these issues have not been fully interpreted by federal courts or been fully addressed by federal or state legislation or regulations.

Economic Review and Outlook 2026 Economic Outlook: Risk Factors to Watch The Bear Concerns: Strong stock performance remains concentrated in a few very highly valued AI stocks with very aggressive growth targets Trade policies and Fed independence currently face legal challenges Deficit spending and national debt continue to impact long-term interest rates F&M TRUST Franklin Financial Services Corporation