UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
OR
☐
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 0-17706
QNB Corp.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Pennsylvania
23-2318082
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
15 North Third Street, P.O. Box 9005 Quakertown, PA
18951-9005
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(215) 538-5600
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code
Not Applicable
Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
QNBC
N/A
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 ☒ 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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging growth company
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 revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding at October 31, 2022
Common Stock, par value $0.625
3,576,411
QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
QUARTER ENDED September 30, 2022
INDEX
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
PAGE
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021
2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
4
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
37
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
57
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
58
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
59
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
60
SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATIONS
1
QNB Corp. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(current period unaudited)
September 30, 2022
December 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
15,055
9,194
Interest-bearing deposits in banks
2,163
4,196
Total cash and cash equivalents
17,218
13,390
Investments:
Available-for-sale (amortized cost $668,966 and $697,094)
555,710
692,360
Equity securities (cost of $12,081 and $11,419)
10,444
12,410
Restricted investment in stocks
2,872
1,329
Loans receivable
1,008,306
926,470
Allowance for loan losses
(11,338
)
(11,184
Net loans
996,968
915,286
Bank-owned life insurance
11,547
11,497
Premises and equipment, net
15,808
16,540
Accrued interest receivable
3,626
4,104
Net deferred tax assets
25,884
2,449
Other assets
4,991
3,975
Total assets
1,645,068
1,673,340
Liabilities
Deposits
Demand, non-interest bearing
236,167
243,006
Interest-bearing demand
489,131
468,199
Money market
134,518
143,942
Savings
441,823
426,225
Time less than $100
90,887
93,456
Time $100 through $250
58,495
49,930
Time greater than $250
25,647
24,987
Total deposits
1,476,668
1,449,745
Short-term borrowings
92,896
68,476
Long-term debt
10,000
Accrued interest payable
204
211
Other liabilities
7,176
8,414
Total liabilities
1,586,944
1,536,846
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, par value $0.625 per share;
authorized 10,000,000 shares; 3,785,097 shares and 3,760,315
shares issued; 3,576,411 and 3,553,629 shares outstanding
2,366
2,350
Surplus
24,475
23,683
Retained earnings
124,792
118,163
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(89,472
(3,740
Treasury stock, at cost; 208,686 and 206,686 shares
(4,037
(3,962
Total shareholders' equity
58,124
136,494
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data - unaudited)
2022
2021
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans
10,624
9,499
29,018
28,946
Interest and dividends on available-for-sale & equity securities:
Taxable
2,376
1,726
7,065
4,522
Tax-exempt
485
470
1,504
1,290
Interest on interest-bearing balances and other interest income
61
26
95
74
Total interest income
13,546
11,721
37,682
34,832
Interest expense
Interest on deposits
818
269
1,346
768
170
96
401
271
608
292
1,312
869
168
213
522
723
Time of $100 through $250
118
102
280
358
56
143
209
Interest on short-term borrowings
189
68
341
196
Interest on long-term debt
40
41
119
Total interest expense
2,167
1,137
4,464
3,513
Net interest income
11,379
10,584
33,218
31,319
Provision for loan losses
—
458
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
30,861
Non-interest income
Net gain on sales and calls of available-for-sale and equity securities
404
493
1,040
Unrealized (loss) gain on investment equity securities
(1,174
(836
(2,628
839
Fees for services to customers
423
363
1,210
958
ATM and debit card
669
687
2,015
1,989
Retail brokerage and advisory
194
218
604
578
121
87
277
Merchant
98
122
302
345
Net gain on sale of loans
6
65
537
Other
147
205
455
544
Total non-interest income
484
1,315
2,734
7,253
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits
4,371
4,554
12,842
12,913
Net occupancy
535
1,663
1,688
Furniture and equipment
779
714
2,190
2,054
Marketing
141
180
632
655
Third party services
582
1,839
1,552
Telephone, postage and supplies
187
158
555
532
State taxes
272
238
732
738
FDIC insurance premiums
177
195
574
577
770
746
2,346
2,153
Total non-interest expense
7,814
7,790
23,373
22,862
Income before income taxes
4,049
4,109
12,579
15,252
Provision for income taxes
634
685
2,105
2,909
Net income
3,415
3,424
10,474
12,343
Earnings per share - basic
0.96
2.94
3.47
Earnings per share - diluted
Cash dividends per share
0.36
0.35
1.08
1.05
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands - unaudited)
Before
tax
amount
Tax
expense
Net of
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Net unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
(35,419
(7,438
(27,981
(4,260
(894
(3,366
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income
(13
(3
(10
(4,273
(897
(3,376
Total comprehensive (loss) income
(31,370
(6,804
(24,566
(164
(212
48
(benefit)
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period
(108,518
(22,789
(85,729
(8,873
(1,863
(7,010
(4
(1
(18
(14
Other comprehensive loss
(108,522
(22,790
(85,732
(8,891
(1,867
(7,024
(95,943
(20,685
(75,258
6,361
1,042
5,319
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Accumulated
Number of
(unaudited)
Shares
Common
Retained
Comprehensive
Treasury
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Outstanding
Stock
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Total
Balance, July 1, 2022
3,567,894
2,360
24,244
122,662
(61,491
83,738
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Cash dividends declared ($0.36 per share)
(1,285
Stock issued in connection with dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase plan
8,517
227
233
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan
Stock-based compensation expense
Balance, September 30, 2022
Income
Balance, July 1, 2021
3,559,546
2,342
23,162
113,074
2,001
(3,239
137,340
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Cash dividends declared ($0.35 per share)
(1,242
5,983
217
220
Stock issued for options exercised
17
Treasury stock purchase
(11,220
(415
Balance, September 30, 2021
3,554,309
2,345
23,396
115,256
(1,375
(3,654
135,968
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Balance, January 1, 2022
3,553,629
Cash dividends declared ($1.08 per share)
(3,845
22,496
15
684
2,286
66
67
(2,000
(75
Balance, January 1, 2021
3,556,533
2,328
22,430
106,644
5,649
(2,606
134,445
Cash dividends declared ($1.05 per share)
(3,731
18,126
11
630
641
2,744
73
75
6,517
183
80
(29,611
(1,048
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands, unaudited)
Operating Activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
1,268
1,367
Net gain on calls and sales of debt and equity securities
(493
(1,040
Net unrealized gain on equity securities
2,628
(839
(6
(537
Proceeds from sales of residential mortgages held-for-sale
304
15,023
Origination of residential mortgages held-for-sale
(298
(8,919
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
(277
(423
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision
(646
149
Net decrease in income taxes payable
(422
(105
Net decrease in accrued interest receivable
478
408
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights and change in valuation allowance
83
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities
1,721
Net decrease in accrued interest payable
(7
(128
Operating lease payments
(464
(478
Increase in other assets
(669
(795
Decrease in other liabilities
(843
(31
Net cash provided by operating activities
12,863
18,961
Investing Activities
Proceeds from payments, maturities and calls of investments available-for-sale
61,413
86,887
Proceeds from the sale of investments available-for-sale
Proceeds from the sale of equity securities
1,541
4,241
Purchases of investments available-for-sale
(35,001
(325,475
Purchases of equity securities
(1,715
(4,615
Proceeds from redemption of investment in restricted stock
7,476
Purchases of restricted stock
(9,019
(101
Net increase in loans
(81,682
(5,509
Net purchases of premises and equipment
(456
(3,096
Redemption of Bank Owned Life Insurance investment
234
797
Net cash used in investing activities
(57,209
(246,602
Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in non-interest bearing deposits
(6,839
43,698
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits
33,762
160,060
Net increase in short-term borrowings
24,420
12,588
Cash dividends paid, net of reinvestment
(3,379
(3,282
Purchase of treasury shares
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
285
454
Net cash provided by financing activities
48,174
212,470
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
3,828
(15,171
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
39,331
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
24,160
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid
4,471
3,640
Net income taxes paid
3,174
2,864
Non-cash transactions:
Unsettled trades to purchase securities
(1,307
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
43
698
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of QNB Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, QNB Bank (the “Bank”). The consolidated entity is referred to herein as “QNB” or the “Company”. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in QNB's 2021 Annual Report incorporated in the Form 10-K. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the period and are of a normal and recurring nature.
Tabular information, other than share and per share data, is presented in thousands of dollars.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from such estimates.
QNB has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of September 30, 2022 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements.
COVID-19 Developments
Currently all QNB office lobbies are opened with their normal operating hours and banking by appointment service remains available. Drive-ups are also operating under normal hours. QNB continues to follow any state mandates. Employees with remote access are encouraged to work from home. QNB has not incurred any significant disruptions to its business continuity.
The full impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic is unknown. Uncertainties exist related to the duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its potential effects on QNB’s customers and prospects, including impacts on national and local economies, unemployment, maintaining a competent workforce, and disruptions in the supply chain. There are no assurances as to how the COVID-19 Pandemic might affect QNB’s loan, investment, and deposit portfolios.
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On September 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“CECL”). The new guidance requires organizations to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
To that end, the new guidance:
•
Eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and, instead, reflects an organization’s current estimate of all expected credit losses over the contractual term of its financial assets
Broadens the information an entity can consider when measuring credit losses to include forward-looking information
Increases usefulness of the financial statements by requiring timely inclusion of forecasted information in forming expectations of credit losses
Increases comparability of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets) with other purchased assets that do not have credit deterioration as well as originated assets because credit losses that are expected will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses for all assets
Increases users’ understanding of underwriting standards and credit quality trends by requiring additional information about credit quality indicators by year of origination (vintage)
For available-for-sale debt securities, aligns the income statement recognition of credit losses with the reporting period in which changes occur by recording credit losses (and subsequent changes in credit losses) through an allowance rather than a write down
The new guidance affects organizations that hold financial assets and net investments in leases that are not accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income. The new guidance affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash.
On October 16, 2019, FASB adopted its August 15, 2019 proposal to delay the effective dates for certain smaller reporting companies for the implementation CECL. For public business entities that are U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filers, the new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, except for smaller reporting companies, whose effective date is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. QNB continues to evaluate the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and currently does not anticipate a material change to its allowance for loan losses upon the eventual implementation of CECL.
On March 31, 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, under Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (topic 326). The main provisions of ASU 2022-02 supersede the accounting guidance in ASC 310-40 Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditor in its entirety and requires entities to evaluate all receivable modifications under ASC 310-20-35-9 through 35-11 to determine whether a modification made to a borrower results in a new loan or a continuation of the existing loan. ASU 2022-02 requires that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Measured at Amortized Cost. ASU 2022-02 also amends other subtopics to remove references to TDRs for creditors. For QNB, the provisions under ASU 2022-02 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022.
3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
QNB sponsors stock-based compensation plans, administered by a Board committee (the “Committee”), under which both qualified and non-qualified stock options may be granted periodically to certain employees. Compensation cost has been measured using the fair value of an award on the grant date and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period.
Stock-based compensation expense was $4,000 and $17,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense was $57,000 and $80,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At September 30, 2022, there was approximately $137,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation award grants that is expected to be recognized over the next 29 months.
Options are granted to certain employees at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the date the options are granted. The 2015 Plan authorized the issuance of 300,000 shares. The time period during which any option is exercisable under the 2015 Plan is determined by the Committee but shall not commence before the expiration of six months after the date of grant or continue beyond the expiration of five years after the date the option is awarded. The granted options vest after a three-year period. The 2015 Plan was amended, effective January 1 2023, to increase the maximum term of any options granted under the plan from five years to ten years, and to also require that awards granted under the Plan will vest 20% each consecutive year commencing on the first anniversary date of the award unless otherwise specified in an award agreement. As of September 30, 2022, there were 177,500 options granted, 75,375 options forfeited, 20,825 options exercised, and 109,850 options outstanding under this Plan. The 2015 Plan expires on February 24, 2025.
The following assumptions were used in the option pricing model in determining the fair value of options granted during the period:
Risk free interest rate
1.25
%
0.20
Dividend yield
3.64
4.17
Volatility
22.68
21.14
Expected life (years)
4.05
4.88
9
The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury securities with a term approximating the expected life of the option being valued. Historical information was the basis for the selection of the expected dividend yield, expected volatility and expected lives of the options.
The fair market value of options granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $5.20 and $3.08, respectively.
Stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
Number
of options
Weighted
average
exercise
price
remaining
contractual term
(in years)
Aggregate
intrinsic value
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
113,950
37.58
Granted
29,350
37.26
Exercised
Forfeited
(33,450
36.99
Outstanding at September 30, 2022
109,850
37.68
2.19
Exercisable at September 30, 2022
43,925
40.82
0.64
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
116,550
37.42
25,000
32.50
(19,025
30.97
(4,475
33.32
Outstanding at September 30, 2021
118,050
2.46
135.0
Exercisable at September 30, 2021
44,725
40.72
0.92
4. EARNINGS PER SHARE & SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN
The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - net income
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average
shares outstanding
3,567,987
3,554,664
3,560,064
3,555,420
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options
1,168
-
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted
weighted average shares outstanding
3,555,832
There were 109,850 and 93,050 stock options that were anti-dilutive for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. There were 109,850 and 118,050 stock options that were anti-dilutive for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These stock options were not included in the above calculation.
QNB’s current stock repurchase plan was originally approved by the Board of Directors on January 21, 2008, increased in amount on February 9, 2009 to 100,000 shares, and subsequently increased on April 29, 2021 to up to 200,000 shares of common stock in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase authorization has no termination date. There were 2,000 and 29,611
10
shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, 102,000 shares were repurchased under this authorization at an average price of $24.93 and a total cost of approximately $2,543,000.
5. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The following shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
September 30,
December 31,
Unrealized net holding losses on available-for-sale securities
(113,256
(4,734
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
for which a portion of an other-than-temporary
impairment loss has been recognized in earnings
Accumulated other loss
Tax effect
23,784
994
The following tables present amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Amount reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive income
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income
Affected line item in statement of income
Unrealized net holding gains on available-for-sale
securities
13
Net gain on sales of investments available-for-sale
Other-than-temporary impairment on
investment securities
Net other-than-temporary impairment
losses on investment securities
Total reclassification out of accumulated other
comprehensive income, net of tax
Net of tax
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
18
comprehensive income , net of tax
14
6. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Available-For-Sale Securities
The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Gross
unrealized
Fair
holding
Amortized
value
gains
losses
cost
U.S. Treasury
297
298
U.S. Government agency
86,145
(15,794
101,939
State and municipal
97,636
(28,940
126,575
U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises (GSEs):
Mortgage-backed
259,556
(50,135
309,691
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs)
105,725
(18,085
123,810
Corporate debt
6,351
(302
6,653
Total investment debt securities available-for-sale
(113,257
668,966
97,499
(2,435
99,932
131,035
1,716
(1,053
130,372
329,938
1,273
(3,158
331,823
127,012
398
(1,648
128,262
6,876
179
(8
6,705
3,568
(8,302
697,094
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale by contractual maturity at September 30, 2022 are shown in the following table. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities are assigned to categories based on contractual maturity except for mortgage-backed securities and CMOs which are based on the estimated average life of these securities and municipal securities that have been pre-refunded.
Fair value
Amortized cost
Due in one year or less
1,280
Due after one year through five years
103,476
115,305
Due after five years through ten years
373,699
448,116
Due after ten years
77,262
104,265
12
There were no proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2022 and $269,000 in proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2021.
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, investment securities available-for-sale totaling approximately $270,000,000 and $264,154,000, respectively, were pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements and deposits of public funds.
The following table presents information related to the Company’s gains and losses on the sales and calls of securities available-for-sale, and losses recognized for the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of these investments. Gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are computed on the specific identification method and included in non-interest income. Gross realized losses on debt securities are net of other-than-temporary impairment charges:
Gross realized gains
Gross realized losses
Other-than-temporary impairment
Total net gains (losses) on AFS securities
The tax applicable to the net realized gains for both of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $3,000, respectively. The tax expense applicable to the net realized gains for both of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $1,000 and $4,000, respectively.
QNB recognizes OTTI for debt securities classified as available-for-sale in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, which requires an assessment of whether QNB intends to sell or it is more likely than not that QNB will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit losses. For debt securities that are considered other-than-temporarily impaired and that QNB does not intend to sell and will not be required to sell prior to recovery of our amortized cost basis, the amount of the impairment is separated into the amount that is credit related (credit loss component) and the amount due to all other factors. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield. The remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of future expected cash flows is due to factors that are not credit related and, therefore, is not required to be recognized as a loss in the statement of income but is recognized in other comprehensive income. QNB believes that it will fully collect the carrying value of securities on which it has recorded a non-credit related impairment in other comprehensive income. No credit impairments were recognized on debt securities during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table indicates the length of time individual debt securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Less than 12 months
12 months or longer
No. of
Unrealized
295
46
3,619
(381
82,526
(15,413
61,748
(13,698
34,923
(15,242
96,671
201
107,844
(17,649
151,673
(32,486
259,517
130
64,638
(9,002
40,265
(9,083
104,903
6,296
(295
55
616
244,440
(41,026
309,442
(72,231
553,882
44
62,530
(1,407
32,968
(1,028
95,498
103
55,982
(953
3,742
(100
59,724
72
253,141
(2,915
7,370
(243
260,511
92,217
266
463,870
(6,923
44,155
(1,379
508,025
Management evaluates debt securities, which are comprised of U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies, state and municipalities, mortgage-backed securities, CMOs and corporate debt securities, for other-than-temporary impairment and considers the current economic conditions, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, interest rates and the bond rating of each security. The unrealized losses at September 30, 2022 in U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, and CMOs are primarily the result of interest rate fluctuations. If held to maturity, these bonds will mature at par, and QNB will not realize a loss. QNB has the intent to hold the securities and does not believe it will be required to sell the securities before recovery occurs.
QNB holds one pooled trust preferred security as of September 30, 2022. This security has a total amortized cost of approximately $62,000 and a fair value of $55,000. The pooled trust preferred security is available-for-sale and is carried at fair value.
Marketable Equity Securities
The Company’s investment in marketable equity securities primarily consists of investments with readily determinable fair values in large cap stock companies. Changes in fair value is recorded in unrealized gain/(losses) in non-interest income.
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $10,444,000 and $12,410,000, respectively, in equity securities recorded at fair value. The following is a summary of unrealized and realized gains and losses recognized in net income on equity securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Net (loss) gains recognized during the period on equity securities
(445
(2,139
1,861
Less: Net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period
391
489
1,022
Net unrealized (losses) gains recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date
Taxes applicable to the net (losses) gains recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 resulted in an expense of $339,000 and $129,000, respectively. Taxes applicable to the net (losses) gains recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 resulted in a benefit of $618,000 and an expense of $538,000, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investment equity securities were $1,541,000 and $4,241,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
7. RESTRICTED INVESTMENT IN STOCKS
Restricted investment in stocks includes Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”) with a carrying cost of $2,860,000, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”) stock with a carrying cost of $12,000 and VISA Class B stock with a carrying cost of $0 at September 30, 2022. FHLB and ACBB stock was issued to the Bank as a requirement to facilitate the Bank’s participation in borrowing and other banking services. The Bank’s investment in FHLB stock may fluctuate, as it is based on the member banks’ use of FHLB’s services.
The Bank owns 6,502 shares of Visa Class B stock, which was necessary to participate in Visa services in support of the Bank’s credit card, debit card, and related payment programs (permissible activities under banking regulations) as a member institution. Following the resolution of Visa’s covered litigation, shares of Visa’s Class B stock will be converted to Visa Class A shares using a conversion factor (1.6059 as of June 29, 2022), which is periodically adjusted to reflect VISA’s ongoing litigation costs. There is a very limited market for this stock, as only current owners of Class B shares are permitted to transact in Class B. Due to the lack of orderly trades and public information of such trades, Visa Class B stock does not have a readily determinable fair value.
These restricted investments are carried at cost and evaluated for OTTI periodically. As of September 30, 2022, there was no OTTI associated with these shares.
8. LOANS & ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination and commitment fees and related direct costs are deferred and amortized to income over the term of the respective loan and loan commitment period as a yield adjustment.
Loans held-for-sale consists of residential mortgage loans that are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance charged to income. Gains and losses on residential mortgages held-for-sale are included in non-interest income.
QNB maintains an allowance for loan losses, which is intended to absorb probable known and inherent losses in the outstanding loan portfolio. The allowance is reduced by actual credit losses and is increased by the provision for loan losses and recoveries of previous losses. The provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered necessary by management.
The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s continuing review and evaluation of the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance is determined by assigning specific reserves to individually identified problem credits and general reserves to all other loans. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The portion of the allowance that is allocated to internally criticized and non-accrual loans is determined by estimating the inherent loss on each credit after giving consideration to the value of underlying collateral. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class including commercial loans not considered impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential real estate, home equity and other consumer loans. These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon historical loss rates. These loss rates are based on a three-year history of charge-offs and are more heavily weighted for recent experience for each of these categories of loans, adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative risk factors include:
1.
Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices.
2.
Effect of external factors, such as legal and regulatory requirements.
3.
National, regional, and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various market segments, including the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.
4.
Nature and volume of the portfolio including growth.
5.
Experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff.
6.
Volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans.
7.
Quality of the Company’s loan review system, and the degree of oversight by the Company’s Board of Directors.
8.
Existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.
9.
The duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic, modifications and stimulus packages masking underlying credit issues.
Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation.
An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
Management emphasizes loan quality and close monitoring of potential problem credits. Credit risk identification and review processes are utilized in order to assess and monitor the degree of risk in the loan portfolio. QNB’s lending and credit administration staff are charged with reviewing the loan portfolio and identifying changes in the economy or in a borrower’s circumstances which may affect the ability to repay debt or the value of pledged collateral. A loan classification and review system exists that identifies those loans with a higher than normal risk of collectability. Each commercial loan is assigned a grade based upon an assessment of the borrower’s financial capacity to service the debt and the presence and value of collateral for the loan. An independent firm reviews risk assessment and evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management meets monthly to review the credit quality of the loan portfolio and quarterly to review the allowance for loan losses.
In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review QNB’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require QNB to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments using information available to them at the time of their examination.
Management believes that it uses the best information available to make determinations about the adequacy of the allowance and that it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP. If circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be affected. Because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that increases to the allowance will not be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed above.
Major classes of loans are as follows:
Commercial:
Commercial and industrial
148,828
148,610
Construction
55,667
55,855
Secured by commercial real estate
509,112
451,404
Secured by residential real estate
98,673
84,741
State and political subdivisions
19,861
19,775
Retail:
1-4 family residential mortgages
106,685
100,281
Home equity loans and lines
65,329
61,782
Consumer
4,406
4,699
Total loans
1,008,561
927,147
Net unearned (fees) costs
(255
(677
Loans secured by commercial real estate include all loans collateralized at least in part by commercial real estate. These loans may not be for the express purpose of conducting commercial real estate transactions.
Overdrafts are reclassified as loans and are included in consumer loans above and total loans receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, overdrafts were approximately $335,000 and $91,000, respectively.
16
QNB generally lends in Bucks, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. To a large extent, QNB makes loans collateralized at least in part by real estate. Its lending activities could be affected by changes in the general economy, the regional economy, or real estate values. Other than disclosed in the table above, at September 30, 2022, there was a concentration of loans to lessors of residential buildings and dwellings of 20.1% of total loans and to lessors of nonresidential buildings of 22.8% of total loans, compared with 18.0% and 24.2% of total loans, respectively, at December 31, 2021. These concentrations were primarily within the commercial real estate categories.
QNB participated in the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, QNB had 4 and 98 PPP loans, respectively, totaling $2,359,000 and $14,327,000, respectively, reported in commercial and industrial loans. The PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. QNB received origination fees from the SBA ranging from a flat fee of $2,500 to one to five basis points of the originated loan amount which are recognized in interest income as a yield adjustment over the term of the loan. At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, net unearned (fees) costs included $42,000 and $482,000, respectively, in PPP loan origination fees net of costs.
The Company engages in a variety of lending activities, including commercial, residential real estate and consumer transactions. The Company focuses its lending activities on individuals, professionals and small to medium sized businesses. Risks associated with lending activities include economic conditions and changes in interest rates, which can adversely impact both the ability of borrowers to repay their loans and the value of the associated collateral.
Commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans and residential real estate loans with a business purpose are generally perceived as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans with a personal purpose and consumer loans. These types of loans involve larger loan balances to a single borrower or groups of related borrowers and are more susceptible to a risk of loss during a downturn in the business cycle. These loans may involve greater risk because the availability of funds to repay these loans depends on the successful operation of the borrower’s business. The assets financed are used within the business for its ongoing operation. Repayment of these kinds of loans generally comes from the cash flow of the business or the ongoing conversions of assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, to cash. Typical collateral for commercial and industrial loans includes the borrower’s accounts receivable, inventory and machinery and equipment. Commercial real estate and residential real estate loans secured for a business purpose are originated primarily within the eastern Pennsylvania market area at conservative loan-to-value ratios and often backed by the individual guarantees of the borrowers or owners. Repayment of this kind of loan is dependent upon either the ongoing cash flow of the borrowing entity or the resale or lease of the subject property. Commercial real estate loans may be affected to a greater extent than residential loans by adverse conditions in real estate markets or the economy because commercial real estate borrowers’ ability to repay their loans depends on successful development of their properties, as well as the factors affecting residential real estate borrowers.
Loans to state and political subdivisions are tax-exempt or taxable loans to municipalities, school districts and housing and industrial development authorities. These loans can be general obligations of the municipality or school district repaid through their taxing authority, revenue obligations repaid through the income generated by the operations of the authority, such as a water or sewer authority, or loans issued to a housing and industrial development agency, for which a private corporation is responsible for payments on the loans.
The Company originates fixed-rate and adjustable-rate real estate-residential mortgage loans for personal purposes that are secured by first liens on the underlying 1-4 family residential properties. Credit risk exposure in this area of lending is minimized by the evaluation of the credit worthiness of the borrower, including debt-to-income ratios, credit scores and adherence to underwriting policies that emphasize conservative loan-to-value ratios of generally no more than 80%. Residential mortgage loans granted in excess of the 80% loan-to-value ratio criterion are generally insured by private mortgage insurance.
The real estate-home equity portfolio consists of fixed-rate home equity loans and variable-rate home equity lines of credit. Risks associated with loans secured by residential properties are generally lower than commercial loans and include general economic risks, such as the strength of the job market, employment stability and the strength of the housing market. Since most loans are secured by a primary or secondary residence, the borrower’s continued employment is the greatest risk to repayment.
The Company offers a variety of loans to individuals for personal and household purposes. Consumer loans are generally considered to have greater risk than first or second mortgages on real estate because they may be unsecured, or, if they are secured, the value of the collateral may be difficult to assess and is more likely to decrease in value than real estate. Credit risk in this portfolio is controlled by conservative underwriting standards that consider debt-to-income levels and the creditworthiness of the borrower and, if secured, collateral values.
The Company employs a ten-grade risk rating system related to the credit quality of commercial loans and loans to state and political subdivisions of which the first six categories are pass categories (credits not adversely rated). The following is a description of the internal risk ratings and the likelihood of loss related to each risk rating.
Excellent - no apparent risk
Good - minimal risk
Acceptable - lower risk
Acceptable - average risk
Acceptable – higher risk
Pass watch
Special Mention - potential weaknesses
Substandard - well defined weaknesses
Doubtful - full collection unlikely
Loss - considered uncollectible
The Company maintains a loan review system, which allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential problem loans. Each loan officer assigns a rating to all loans in the portfolio at the time the loan is originated. Loans with risk ratings of one through five are reviewed annually based on the borrower’s fiscal year. Loans with risk ratings of six are reviewed every six to twelve months based on the dollar amount of the relationship with the borrower. Loans with risk ratings of seven through ten are reviewed at least quarterly, and as often as monthly, at management’s discretion. The Company also utilizes an outside loan review firm to review the portfolio on a semi-annual basis to provide the Board of Directors and senior management an independent review of the Company’s loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. These reviews are designed to recognize deteriorating credits in their earliest stages in an effort to reduce and control risk in the lending function as well as identifying potential shifts in the quality of the loan portfolio. The examinations by the outside loan review firm include the review of lending activities with respect to underwriting and processing new loans, monitoring the risk of existing loans and to provide timely follow-up and corrective action for loans showing signs of deterioration in quality. In addition, the outside firm reviews the methodology for the allowance for loan losses to determine compliance to policy and regulatory guidance.
The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the classified ratings of special mention, substandard and doubtful within the Company’s internal risk rating system as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Pass
Special
mention
Substandard
Doubtful
142,130
6,661
496,545
2,613
9,954
97,539
939
811,742
2,845
17,554
832,141
141,102
151
7,357
438,519
2,848
10,037
83,604
738,855
2,999
18,531
760,385
For retail loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on the performance of the individual credits. The following tables present the recorded investment in the retail classes of the loan portfolio based on payment activity as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Performing
Non-performing
105,908
777
64,869
460
4,322
84
175,099
1,321
176,420
99,560
721
61,102
680
4,609
90
165,271
1,491
166,762
The performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio is also monitored by analyzing the age of the loans receivable as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the past due status as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
30-59 days
past due
60-89 days
90 days or
more past
due
Total past
due loans
Current
receivable
2,177
146,651
240
508,872
98,656
247
123
370
106,315
29
111
140
65,189
22
33
4,351
2,468
251
1,005,562
2,288
596
2,885
145,725
30
84,711
1,139
127
1,266
99,015
21
31
61,751
20
4,668
3,468
763
4,243
922,904
19
The following tables disclose the recorded investment in loans receivable that are either on non-accrual status or past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
90 days or more past
due (still accruing)
Non-accrual
2,616
2,085
315
6,337
3,369
2,279
7,530
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Balance,
beginning of
period
Provision for
(credit to)
loan losses
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Balance, end
of period
2,710
(503
(30
2,260
(297
390
4,336
834
5,170
1,181
50
36
1,267
77
89
412
51
465
482
69
(62
501
Unallocated
(223
509
11,297
(92
133
11,338
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
3,644
(226
92
389
4,239
(86
4,153
1,172
(56
1,122
88
541
24
565
361
(5
494
52
571
11,202
11,214
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
3,368
(1,295
(38
225
27
4,280
890
1,035
190
42
646
376
85
542
38
(109
505
11,184
(147
301
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
4,050
(658
32
346
3,736
417
871
270
533
386
(22
(12
265
356
(111
34
550
10,826
(161
91
As previously discussed, the Company maintains a loan review system, which includes a continuous review of the loan portfolio by internal and external parties to aid in the early identification of potential impaired loans. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. 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 that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management
determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial loans and loans to state and political subdivisions by using either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential mortgage loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are part of a larger relationship that is impaired or are classified as a troubled debt restructuring or on non-accrual.
An allowance for loan losses is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of the majority of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral.
For commercial loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal and the condition of the property. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.
For commercial loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable agings or equipment appraisals or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.
From time to time, QNB may extend, restructure, or otherwise modify the terms of existing loans, on a case-by-case basis, to remain competitive and retain certain customers, as well as assist other customers that may be experiencing financial difficulties. A loan is considered to be a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) loan when QNB grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that it would not otherwise consider. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates to less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk. Loans classified as TDRs are considered non-performing and are also designated as impaired.
The concessions made for the TDRs reported in the following disclosures involve lowering the monthly payments on loans through periods of interest only payments, a reduction in interest rate below a market rate or an extension of the term of the loan without a corresponding adjustment to the risk premium reflected in the interest rate, or a combination of these three methods. The restructurings rarely result in the forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. If the borrower has demonstrated performance under the previous terms and our underwriting process shows the borrower has the capacity to continue to perform under the restructured terms, the loan will continue to accrue interest. Non-accruing restructured loans may be returned to accrual status when there has been a sustained period of repayment performance (generally six consecutive months of payments) and both principal and interest are deemed collectible. TDR loans that are in compliance with their modified terms and that yield a market rate may be removed from the TDR status after a period of performance.
Performing TDRs (not reported as non-accrual or past due 90 days or more and still accruing) totaled $4,357,000 and $4,142,000 as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Non-performing TDRs totaled $400,000 and $658,000 as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. All TDRs are included in impaired loans.
The following table illustrates the specific reserve for loan losses allocated to loans modified as TDRs. These specific reserves are included in the allowance for loan losses for loans individually evaluated for impairment.
Unpaid
principal
balance
Related
allowance
TDRs with no specific allowance recorded
3,993
1,477
TDRs with an allowance recorded
764
342
3,323
690
4,757
4,800
There were two new TDRs during the nine months ended September 30, 2022: an extension of credit on an existing relationship that was already a TDR and one to ease cash-flow issues. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, QNB had $2,000 in commitments to lend additional funds to customers with loans whose terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings. There were no charge-offs during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, resulting from loans previously modified as TDRs.
There were no loans modified as TDRs within 12 months prior to September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for which there was a payment default (60 days or more past due) during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company has one loan secured by residential real estate for which foreclosure proceedings are in process at September 30, 2022 with a total recorded investment of $123,000.
The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 disaggregated on the basis of the Company’s impairment method by class of loans receivable along with the balance of loans receivable by class, excluding unearned fees and costs, disaggregated on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology:
Allowance for Loan Losses
Loans Receivable
Balance
Balance related
to loans
individually
evaluated for
impairment
collectively
145,964
5,087
5,410
503,702
925
1,374
97,299
946
105,739
343
64,844
47
4,359
1,486
9,343
11,126
997,435
23
2,090
1,278
3,517
145,093
312
3,968
5,654
445,750
368
667
1,387
83,354
893
99,388
100
276
688
61,094
539
53
4,646
2,873
7,806
12,192
914,955
The following table summarizes additional information, in regards to impaired loans by loan portfolio class, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Recorded
investment
(after
charge-offs)
With no specific allowance recorded:
248
150
157
4,744
5,141
2,361
2,702
610
662
715
1,074
1,002
320
514
586
63
6,915
7,564
4,633
5,215
With an allowance recorded:
3,062
3,367
3,825
666
856
3,293
3,451
672
787
165
191
174
193
4,211
5,002
7,559
8,324
Total:
3,310
3,982
5,997
6,153
1,555
567
12,566
13,539
25
The following table presents additional information regarding the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans:
Average
recorded
recognized
3,253
3,854
5,549
110
5,850
125
39
1,798
942
903
503
751
11,671
159
13,214
181
9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES
FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (fair values are not adjusted for transaction costs). ASC 820 also establishes a framework (fair value hierarchy) for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1:
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2:
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3:
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).
An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The measurement of fair value should be consistent with one of the following valuation techniques: market approach, income approach, and/or cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). For example, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering factors specific to the measurement (qualitative and quantitative). Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach include matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.
The following table sets forth QNB’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2022:
Quoted prices
in active
markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
unobservable
(Level 3)
Balance at end
Recurring fair value measurements
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. Government agency securities
State and municipal securities
U.S. Government agencies and sponsored
enterprises (GSEs):
Mortgage-backed securities
Corporate debt securities
Total debt securities available-for-sale
555,655
Equity securities
Total recurring fair value measurements
566,154
Nonrecurring fair value measurements*
Impaired loans
2,725
Mortgage servicing rights
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements
2,726
*Impairment
Debt securities available-for-sale
6,801
692,285
704,770
4,686
117
4,803
There were no transfers in and out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 fair value measurements during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2022. There were no losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to the available-for-sale securities above with fair value measurements utilizing significant unobservable inputs for the three- or nine- month period ended September 30, 2022.
The following table sets forth QNB’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis, showing the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2021:
The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which QNB has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements
Valuation
techniques
Unobservable
Value or range
of values
2,409
Appraisal of collateral
(1)
Appraisal adjustments
(2)
-15% to -30%
Liquidation expenses
(3)
-10
316
Financial statement values for UCC collateral
Financial statement value discounts
(4)
-30% to -100%
Discounted cash flow
Remaining term
3 to 29 years
Prepayment speeds
111% to 203%
Discount rate
12.0% to 12.5%
4,369
-15% to -20%
317
187% to 312%
Fair value is primarily determined through appraisals of the underlying collateral by independent parties, which generally includes various Level 3 inputs which are not always identifiable.
Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and the age of the appraisal. The range is presented as a percent of the initial appraised value.
Appraisals and pending agreements of sale are adjusted by management for estimated liquidation expenses. The range is presented as a percent of the initial appraised value.
Values obtained from financial statements for UCC collateral (fixed assets and inventory) are discounted to estimated realizable liquidation value.
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The following table presents additional information about the available-for-sale securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which QNB utilized significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) to determine fair value for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Fair value measurements
using significant
unobservable inputs
Balance, January 1,
70
Payments received
(21
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings
Included in other comprehensive (loss) income
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
Balance, September 30,
The Level 3 securities consist of one collateralized debt obligation security, the PreTSL security, which is backed by trust preferred securities issued by banks. The market for this security at September 30, 2022 was not active and markets for similar securities also are not active. The new issue market is also inactive and there are currently very few market participants who are willing and or able to transact for these securities.
Given conditions in the debt markets today and the absence of observable transactions in the secondary and new issue markets, we determined:
The few observable transactions and market quotations that are available are not reliable for purposes of determining fair value at September 30, 2022;
An income valuation approach technique (present value technique) that maximizes the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs will be equally or more representative of fair value than the market approach valuation technique used at prior measurement dates; and
The PreTSL will be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant adjustments are required to determine fair value at the measurement date.
QNB used an independent third party to value this security using a discounted cash flow analysis. Based on management’s review of the bond’s three underlying issuers, there are no expected credit losses or prepayments; cashflows used were contractual based on the Bloomberg YA screen. The assumed cashflows have been discounted using an estimated market discount rate based on the 30-year swap rate. The 30-year is used as the reference rate since it is indicative of market expectation for short-term rates in the future. This is consistent with the 30-year nature of the PreTSL security, which is priced using the 3-month LIBOR as a reference rate. The discount rate of 7.08% includes the risk-free rate, a credit component and a spread for illiquidity.
The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of QNB’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between QNB’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of each major classification of financial instrument and non-financial asset at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable (carried at cost): The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate those assets’ fair value.
Investment securities (carried at fair value): The fair value of securities is primarily determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1), or matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices. Level 2 debt securities are valued by a third-party pricing service
commonly used in the banking industry. Level 2 fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution date, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. For certain securities which are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence (Level 3). In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Cash flow models using a present value formula that includes assumptions market participants would use along with indicative exit pricing obtained from broker/dealers (where available) were used to support fair values of certain Level 3 investments.
Restricted investment in stocks (carried at cost): The fair value of stock in Atlantic Community Bankers Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank and VISA Class B is the carrying amount, based on redemption provisions, and considers the limited marketability of and restrictions on such securities.
Loans Held for Sale (carried at lower of cost or fair value): The fair value of loans held for sale is determined, when possible, using quoted secondary market prices. If no such quoted prices exist, the fair value of a loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar loan or loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan.
Loans Receivable (carried at cost): The fair values of loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the liquidity, credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans. Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.
Impaired Loans (generally carried at fair value): Impaired loans are loans for which the Company has measured impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral. Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third-party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Mortgage Servicing Rights (carried at lower of cost or fair value): The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income. The mortgage servicing rights are stratified into tranches based on predominant characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. The valuation incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income.
Deposit liabilities (carried at cost): The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity (e.g. demand deposits, interest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts and savings accounts) are by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e. their carrying amounts). This approach to estimating fair value excludes the significant benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by such deposit liabilities, as compared to alternative sources of funding. Deposits with a stated maturity (time deposits) have been valued using the present value of cash flows discounted at rates approximating the current market for similar deposits.
Short-term borrowings (carried at cost): The carrying amount of short-term borrowings approximates their fair values.
Long-term debt (carried at cost): Long-term debt has stated maturities and have been valued using the present value of cash flows discounted at rates approximating the current market for similar debt instruments.
Off-balance-sheet instruments (disclosed at cost): The fair values for QNB’s off-balance sheet instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing.
Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of the respective period ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each period end.
The estimated fair values and carrying amounts of the Company’s financial and off-balance sheet instruments are summarized as follows:
Carrying
Quoted
prices in
active
markets for
identical
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Investment securities:
Available-for-sale
Equities
965,909
654
Financial liabilities
Deposits with no stated maturities
1,301,639
Deposits with stated maturities
175,029
167,827
9,905
Off-balance sheet instruments
Commitments to extend credit
Standby letters of credit
916,271
538
615
1,281,372
168,373
168,039
10,114
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Financial Instruments with off-balance sheet risk:
In the normal course of business there are various legal proceedings, commitments, and contingent liabilities which are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Management does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these transactions and activities. They include, among other things, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The maximum exposure to credit loss, which represents the possibility of sustaining a loss due to the failure of the other parties to a financial instrument to perform according to the terms of the contract, is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. QNB uses the same lending standards and policies in making credit commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The activity is controlled through credit approvals, control limits, and monitoring procedures.
A summary of the Company's financial instrument commitments is as follows:
Commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit
370,466
325,449
20,125
21,321
Total financial instrument commitments
390,591
346,770
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. QNB evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the financial or performance obligation of a customer to a third party. QNB’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument
for standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Standby letters of credit of $14,986,000 will expire within one year. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending other loan commitments. The Company requires collateral and personal guarantees supporting these letters of credit as deemed necessary. Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of such collateral and the enforcement of personal guarantees would be sufficient to cover the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees. The amount of the liability as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.
The amount of collateral obtained for letters of credit and commitments to extend credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral varies, but may include real estate, accounts receivable, marketable securities, pledged deposits, inventory or equipment.
Other commitments:
QNB has committed to various operating leases for several of their branch and office facilities. Some of these leases include specific provisions relating to rent increases. Some of the leases contain renewal options to extend the initial terms of the lease for periods ranging from five to ten years and certain leases allow for multiple extensions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, QNB renewed one lease and recorded an additional right-of-use asset in exchange for an operating lease liability of $43,000.
11. REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS
Dividends payable by QNB and the Bank are subject to various limitations imposed by statutes, regulations and policies adopted by bank regulatory agencies. Under Federal and Pennsylvania banking law, the Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare without prior regulatory approval. Under Federal Reserve regulations, the Bank is limited as to the amount it may lend affiliates, including QNB, unless such loans are collateralized by specific obligations.
Both the QNB and the Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by Federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate actions by regulators that could have an effect on the financial statements. Under the framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators. Management believes, as of September 30, 2022, that QNB and the Bank met capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.
As of the most recent notification, the primary regulator of the Bank considered it to be “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the classification. To be categorized as well capitalized, bank holding companies and insured depository institutions must maintain minimum ratios as set forth in the following table below.
The Company and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented as follows:
Capital levels
Actual
Adequately capitalized
Well capitalized
Amount
Ratio
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets):
The Company
159,038
13.03
97,647
8.00
122,059
10.00
Bank
147,425
12.40
95,098
118,872
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):
147,588
12.09
73,235
6.00
135,975
11.44
71,323
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted
assets):
54,927
4.50
53,492
77,267
6.50
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):
8.55
69,085
4.00
7.93
68,569
85,712
5.00
As of December 31, 2021
151,501
13.60
89,111
111,389
138,419
12.85
86,162
107,702
140,226
12.59
66,833
127,144
11.81
64,621
50,125
48,466
70,006
8.39
66,890
7.67
66,295
82,868
12. REVENUE RECOGNITION FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The Company generally fully satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered and the transaction prices are typically fixed; charged either on a periodic basis or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is little judgment involved in applying Topic 606 that significantly affects the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers. The main types of revenue contracts included in non-interest income within the consolidated statements of operations are as follows:
Fees for services to customers—fees include service charges on deposits which are included as liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position and consist of transaction-based fees, stop payment fees, Automated Clearing House (ACH) fees, account maintenance fees, and overdraft services fees for various retail and business checking customers. These fees are charged as earned on the day of the transaction or within the month of the service, with the exception of Enhanced Account Analysis Fees, which are calculated on the previous month’s activity and assessed on the following month. The Enhanced Account Analysis Fees are currently being accrued; the revenue is currently being recorded in the month it is earned. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn directly from the customer’s account balance.
ATM and debit card – fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request.
Retail brokerage and advisory—fee income and related expenses are accrued monthly to properly record the revenues in the month they are earned. Advisory fees are collected in advance on a quarterly basis. These advisory fees are recorded in the first month of the quarter for which the service is being performed. Fees that are transaction based are recognized at the point in time that the transaction is executed (i.e. trade date).
Merchant – QNB earns interchange fees from credit/debit cardholder transactions conducted through VISA/MasterCard payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized monthly, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder within the month.
Other—includes credit card fees, sales of checks to depositors, miscellaneous fees and gain/losses on sale of OREO.
Credit card fees are recognized monthly, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder within the month.
Sales of checks to depositors are commissions earned from a third-party who provides checks to QNB’s customers. There is a pre-paid incentive with the third party which is recognized over the term of the contract. Other commissions on the sales of checks are recorded weekly.
Miscellaneous fees, such as wire, cashier check and garnishment fees, are charged as earned on the day of the transaction.
Gain (loss) on sales of OREO – QNB 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 QNB finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, QNB 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 derecognized 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, QNB adjusts the transaction prices and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
QNB Corp. is a bank holding company headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. QNB Corp., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, has been serving the residents and businesses of upper Bucks, northern Montgomery and southern Lehigh counties in Pennsylvania since 1877. Due to its limited geographic area, growth is pursued through expansion of existing customer relationships and building new relationships by stressing a consistent high level of service at all points of contact. The Bank is a locally managed community bank that provides a full range of commercial and retail banking and retail brokerage services. The consolidated entity is referred to herein as “QNB” or the “Company”.
Tabular information presented throughout management’s discussion and analysis, other than share and per share data, is presented in thousands of dollars.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. The U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor in regard to the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this document and documents incorporated by reference.
Shareholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this document and in the documents that are incorporated by reference, including the risk factors identified in Item 1A of QNB’s 2021 Form 10-K, could affect the future financial results of QNB and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document. These factors include, but are not limited, to the following:
Volatility in interest rates and shape of the yield curve;
Credit risk;
Liquidity risk;
Operating, legal and regulatory risks;
Economic, political and competitive forces affecting QNB’s business, including the effects of inflation;
The effects of unforeseen external events, including acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and pandemics, including the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
The risk that the analysis of these risks and forces could be incorrect, and/or that the strategies developed to address them could be unsuccessful.
QNB cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, all of which change over time, and QNB assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements. Management cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this report on Form 10-Q, even if subsequently made available by QNB on its website or otherwise, and they advise readers that various factors, including those described above, could affect QNB’s financial performance and could cause actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Except as required by law, QNB does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on the consolidated financial statements of QNB, which are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and predominant practices within the banking industry. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires QNB to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. QNB evaluates estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the determination of the valuation of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets, other-than-temporary impairments on investment securities, the valuation of deferred tax assets, stock-based compensation and income taxes. QNB bases its estimates on historical experience and various other factors and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Other-Than-Temporary Investment Security Impairment
Securities are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. Management utilizes criteria such as the magnitude and duration of the decline, in addition to the reasons underlying the decline, to determine whether the loss in value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, it indicates that the prospect for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. For equity securities that do not have readily-determinable fair values, once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the equity security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized. There were no other-than-temporary impairment charges recorded during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company follows accounting guidance related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment that specifies (a) if a company does not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and (b) it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered other-than-temporarily impaired unless there is a credit loss. When an entity does not intend to sell the security, and it is more likely than not the entity will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it will recognize the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. There were no credit-related other-than-temporary impairment charges in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2022 or 2021, respectively.
The determination of the allowance for loan losses involves a higher degree of judgment and complexity than the Company’s other significant accounting policies. The allowance for loan losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb probable known and inherent losses in the outstanding loan portfolio. The allowance is reduced by actual credit losses and is increased by the provision for loan losses and recoveries of previous losses. The provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered necessary by management.
The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s continual review and evaluation of the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance is determined by assigning specific reserves to individually identified problem credits and general reserves to all other loans. The portion of the allowance that is allocated to impaired loans is determined by estimating the inherent loss on each credit after giving consideration to the value of underlying collateral or present value of future estimated cash flows. The general reserves are based on the composition and risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, including the nature of the loan portfolio, credit concentration trends, delinquency and loss experience, as well as other qualitative factors such as current economic trends.
Management emphasizes loan quality and close monitoring of potential problem credits. Credit risk identification and review processes are utilized to assess and monitor the degree of risk in the loan portfolio. QNB’s lending and credit administration staff are charged with reviewing the loan portfolio and identifying changes in the economy or in a borrower’s circumstances which may affect the ability to repay debt or the value of pledged collateral. A loan classification and review system exists that identifies those loans with a higher-than-normal risk of collection. Each commercial loan is assigned a grade based upon an assessment of the borrower’s financial capacity to service the debt and the presence and value of collateral for the loan. An independent loan review group tests risk assessments and evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management meets monthly to review the credit quality of the loan portfolio and quarterly to review the allowance for loan losses.
In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review QNB’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require QNB to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Management believes that it uses the best information available to make determinations about the adequacy of the allowance and that it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP. If circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be affected. Because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, increases to the allowance may be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed above.
Foreclosed Assets
Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held-for-sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets.
Stock-Based Compensation
QNB sponsors stock-based compensation plans, administered by a Board committee, under which both qualified and non-qualified stock options may be granted periodically to certain employees. QNB accounts for all awards granted under stock-based compensation plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Compensation cost has been measured using the fair value of an award on the grant date and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the option and each vesting date. QNB estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model requires the use of numerous assumptions, many of which are highly subjective in nature.
Income Taxes
QNB accounts for income taxes under the asset/liability method in accordance with income tax accounting guidance, ASC 740, Income Taxes. 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, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when, in the judgment of management, it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not become available. Because the judgment about the level of future taxable income is dependent on matters that may, at least in part, be beyond QNB’s control, it is at least reasonably possible that management’s judgment about the need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets could change in the near term.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - OVERVIEW
QNB reported net income for the third quarter of 2022 of $3,415,000, or $0.96 per share on a diluted basis, compared to net income of $3,424,000, or $0.96 per share on a diluted basis, for the same period in 2021. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, QNB reported net income of $10,474,000, or $2.94 per share on a diluted basis, compared to net income of $12,343,000, or $3.47 per share on a diluted basis, for the same period in 2021. The Bank contributed $12,037,000 to net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $11,070,000 for the same period 2021; and the holding company contributed negative $1,563,000 to net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to income of $1,273,000 for the same period 2021. The results at the Bank were primarily due to increased net interest income. The results at the holding company are due primarily to the change in the fair value of the equity securities included in the investment portfolio.
Net income expressed as an annualized rate of return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity was 0.78% and 9.20%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 compared with 0.84% and 9.92%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the annualized rate of return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity was 0.82% and 9.68%, respectively, compared with 1.06% and 12.31%, for the same period in 2021.
Total assets as of September 30, 2022 were $1,645,068,000, compared with $1,673,340,000 at December 31, 2021. Loans receivable at September 30, 2022 were $1,008,306,000, a $81,836,000 increase over $926,470,000 at December 31, 2021. QNB participated in the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Excluding PPP loans net of deferred fees at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, loans would have increased $93,364,000 since year-end 2021. Total deposits of $1,476,668,000 at September 30, 2022 increased $26,923,000 compared with total deposits of $1,449,745,000 at December 31, 2021.
Results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 include the following significant components:
Net interest income increased $795,000, or 7.51%, to $11,379,000 and $1,899,000, or 6.06%, to $33,218,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent remained unchanged at 2.72% for the quarter and decreased 11 basis points for nine months ended September 30, 2022 to 2.72% compared to 2.83 for the same period in 2021.
QNB recorded no provision for loan losses for the quarter and for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared with no provision and $458,000 for the same periods in 2021, respectively.
Non-interest income decreased $831,000, to $484,000 for the third quarter and decreased $4,519,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with the same periods in 2021. Excluding realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, gains on sales of loans, and the life insurance benefit of $46,000 in 2022 and $193,000 in 2021, non-interest income decreased $43,000, or 2.5%, to $1,606,000 for the quarter and increased $159,000, or 3.4%, to $4,821,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with the same periods in 2021.
Non-interest expense increased $24000 to $7,814,000 for the quarter and increased $511,000 to $23,373,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same periods in 2021.
Total non-performing loans were $10,694,000, or 1.06% of loans receivable at September 30, 2022, compared to $11,672,000, or 1.26% of loans receivable at December 31, 2021. Loans on non-accrual status were $6,337,000 at September 30, 2022 compared with $7,530,000 at December 31, 2021. Net loan recoveries for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $154,000, compared with net charge-offs of $70,000 for the same period in 2021.
These items, as well as others, are explained more thoroughly in the next sections.
NET INTEREST INCOME
QNB earns its net income primarily through the Bank. Net interest income, or the spread between the interest, dividends and fees earned on loans and investment securities and the expense incurred on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities, is the primary source of operating income for QNB. Management seeks to achieve sustainable and consistent earnings growth while maintaining adequate levels of capital and liquidity and limiting its exposure to credit and interest rate risk levels approved by the Board of Directors.
The following table presents the adjustment to convert net interest income to net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Tax-equivalent adjustment
185
521
Net interest income (fully taxable-equivalent)
11,556
10,769
33,759
31,840
Net interest income is the primary source of operating income for QNB. Net interest income is interest income, dividends, and fees on earning assets, less interest expense incurred for funding sources. Earning assets primarily include loans, investment securities, interest bearing balances at the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) and Federal funds sold. Sources used to fund these assets include deposits and borrowed funds. Net interest income is affected by changes in interest rates, the volume and mix of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the amount of earning assets funded by non-interest-bearing deposits.
For purposes of this discussion, interest income and the average yield earned on loans and investment securities are adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis as detailed in the tables that appear above. This adjustment to interest income is made for analysis purposes only. Interest income is increased by the amount of savings of Federal income taxes, which QNB realizes by investing in certain tax-exempt state and municipal securities and by making loans to certain tax-exempt organizations. In this way, the ultimate economic impact of earnings from various assets can be more easily compared.
The net interest rate spread is the difference between average rates received on earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, while the net interest rate margin, which includes interest-free sources of funds, is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The Asset/Liability and Investment Management Committee works to manage and maximize the net interest margin for the Company.
Average Balances, Rate, and Interest Income and Expense Summary (Tax-Equivalent Basis)
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2021
Rate
Interest
Investment securities (AFS & Equity):
831
1.32
0.00
U.S. Government agencies
101,938
1.11
283
82,645
1.07
221
127,929
2.38
761
118,245
2.43
719
Mortgage-backed and CMOs
441,952
1.61
1,783
376,278
1.28
1,203
6,658
4.37
7,536
11,702
3.36
99
15,651
2.86
113
Total investment securities
691,010
1.74
3,001
600,355
1.55
2,333
Loans:
Commercial real estate
650,118
4.22
6,917
566,821
4.09
Residential real estate
105,723
3.33
880
97,346
811
Home equity loans
56,669
4.65
665
56,613
3.28
468
148,545
5.25
1,965
176,226
4.82
2,139
Consumer loans
4,401
5.76
64
4,972
4.90
Tax-exempt loans
19,535
3.43
169
24,621
3.50
Total loans, net of unearned income*
984,991
4.29
10,660
926,599
9,546
Other earning assets
8,038
3.02
62
42,420
0.25
Total earning assets
1,684,039
3.23
13,723
1,569,374
3.01
11,906
15,544
26,472
(11,323
(11,307
38,872
39,165
1,727,132
1,623,704
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-bearing deposits:
342,011
0.23
313,011
0.22
154
Municipals
138,187
1.77
617
142,960
0.32
115
134,591
0.50
125,274
0.30
451,871
0.53
394,980
0.29
Time < $100
90,129
0.74
97,617
0.87
54,168
51,635
0.79
Time > $250
25,616
0.86
26,030
Total interest-bearing deposits
1,236,573
0.62
1,938
1,151,507
1,028
85,943
78,680
0.34
1.57
1.58
Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,332,516
0.65
1,240,187
Non-interest-bearing deposits
239,095
237,642
8,225
8,987
Shareholders' equity
147,296
136,888
Net interest rate spread
2.58
2.65
Margin/net interest income
2.72
For the Nine Months Ended
600
1.12
101,292
1.10
836
74,397
1.04
580
129,343
2.40
2,325
106,634
2.50
1,999
453,833
1.56
5,322
320,714
3,068
6,682
4.36
7,486
3.91
12,172
3.26
14,613
2.98
326
703,922
1.71
9,003
523,844
6,193
623,193
4.11
19,181
547,264
4.18
17,110
103,841
2.47
2,564
94,232
2.57
2,421
55,244
3.93
1,624
57,674
3.30
1,424
143,354
4.73
5,075
206,772
4.71
7,286
4,585
5.31
182
5,173
4.94
19,482
3.41
497
24,678
3.53
652
949,699
4.10
29,123
935,793
4.16
29,084
6,262
2.06
97
42,773
0.24
76
1,659,883
3.08
38,223
1,502,410
3.15
35,353
14,123
26,456
(11,266
(11,136
38,532
38,699
1,701,272
1,556,429
342,955
299,795
0.21
121,332
0.91
825
123,599
139,700
0.38
116,986
0.31
446,196
0.39
377,727
91,223
0.76
100,397
49,656
0.75
53,120
0.90
25,361
27,561
1.01
1,216,423
0.44
4,004
1,099,185
3,198
78,994
0.58
71,266
0.37
1,305,417
0.46
1,180,451
0.40
243,239
232,447
7,940
9,523
144,676
134,008
2.62
2.75
2.83
Tax-exempt securities and loans were adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis and are based on the marginal Federal corporate tax rate of 21 percent for three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Non-accrual loans are included in earning assets.
* Includes loans held-for-sale
Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table shows the fully taxable equivalent effect of changes in volumes and rates on interest income and interest expense. Changes in net interest income that could not be specifically identified as either a rate or volume change were allocated to changes in volume.
September 30, 2022 compared
to September 30, 2021
Due to change in:
Change
Volume
Interest income:
256
(16
(132
369
2,254
947
1,307
(2
(32
(29
(54
Total Investment securities (AFS & Equity)
668
282
2,810
1,513
1,297
1,067
860
207
2,071
2,375
(304
(104
197
200
(60
260
(174
(336
162
(2,211
(2,235
(9
(48
(44
(155
(137
Total Loans
1,114
572
(129
(65
86
1,817
803
1,014
2,870
1,616
1,254
Interest expense:
502
506
527
78
273
443
286
(45
(201
(66
(135
(78
(23
(55
(50
910
862
806
166
640
145
124
1,030
54
976
951
749
1,919
1,429
490
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Quarterly Comparison
Average earning assets for the third quarter of 2022 were $1,684,039,000, an increase of $114,665,000, or 7.3%, from the third quarter of 2021, with average loans increasing $58,392,0000, and average investment securities increasing $90,655,000, or 15.1%, over the same period in 2021. Excess cash from deposit growth was deployed to the investment portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2021, which earned a better yield than Fed Funds or deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank. Average loans as a percent of average earning assets was 58.5% for the third quarter of 2022, compared with 59.0% for the third quarter of 2021. On the funding side, average deposits increased $86,519,000, or 6.2%, to $1,475,668,000 for the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to growth in interest-bearing demand, money market and savings deposits. Customers continue to reinvest funds into more liquid accounts. Average short-term borrowed funds, which consisted primarily of average commercial repurchase agreements and over-night FHLB borrowings, increased $7,263,000 to $85,943,000 during the third quarter of 2022 compared to $78,680,000 for the same period in 2021.
The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2022 remained flat at 2.72% compared to the same period in 2021. Competition for quality loans in our local market continues to exert pressure on the net interest margin. The increases in interest rates starting in March 2022 is expected to compress the net interest margin initially as QNB is liability sensitive; but is expected to improve as loans and securities reprice.
The Rate-Volume Analysis tables, as presented on a tax-equivalent basis, highlight the impact of changing rates and volumes on interest income and interest expense. Total interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased $1,817,000, or 15.3%, to $13,723,000 for the third quarter of 2022; total interest expense increased $1,030,000, or 90.6%, to $2,167,000. The Municipal, Money Market and savings account experienced higher rates in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021.
The yield on earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis increased 22 basis points from 3.01% for the third quarter of 2021, to 3.23% for the third quarter of 2022. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.65% for the third quarter of 2022, compared with 0.36% for the same period in 2021.
Interest income on investment securities (available-for-sale and equity) increased $668,000 when comparing the quarters ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. The average yield on the investment portfolio was 1.74% for the third quarter of 2022 compared with 1.55% for the third quarter of 2021.
QNB invested in U.S. Treasury securities during 2022 which yielded 1.32%. Income on U.S. Government agency securities increased $62,000 as the average balances increased $19,293,000 and the rate increased four basis points.
Interest income on municipal securities, which are primarily tax-exempt, increased due to a $9,684,000 increase in average balances, partially offset by a five basis-point decline in rates. Proceeds from matured, called securities and proceeds from deposits were invested back into the U.S. Government agency, municipal and mortgage-backed securities portfolios. Typically, QNB purchases municipal bonds with 10-20-year maturities and may have call dates between 2-10 years.
Interest income on mortgage-backed securities and CMOs increased $580,000 while average balances increased $65,674,000 and yield increased 33 basis points. This portfolio generally provides higher yields relative to agency bonds and also provides monthly cash flow which can be used for liquidity purposes or can be reinvested as interest rates increase. Since most of these securities were purchased at a premium, any prepayments result in a shorter amortization period of this premium and therefore a reduction in income.
Income on loans increased $1,114,000 to $10,660,000 when comparing the third quarters of 2022 and 2021, with a $58,392,000 increase in average balances contributing to an increase in interest income of $542,000 and a 20-basis point increase in yield contributing to a $572,000 increase in interest income. Higher interest rates during the repricing period were partially offset by competitive pressures compressed the yields on new loans being originated.
The largest category of the loan portfolio is commercial real estate loans. This category of loans includes commercial purpose loans secured by either commercial properties such as office buildings, factories, warehouses, hotels and restaurants, medical facilities and retail establishments, or residential real estate, usually the residence of the business owner. The category also includes construction and land development loans. Income on commercial real estate loans increased $1,067,000 when comparing the third quarters of 2022 and 2021, primarily due to increased average balances of $83,297,000, or 14.7%, and a 13-basis point increase in rate from 4.09% in 2021 to 4.22% in 2022.
Income on commercial and industrial loans decreased $174,000 when comparing the third quarters of 2022 and 2021. The average yield on these loans increased 43 basis points to 5.25% resulting in an increase in income of $162,000; average balances decreased $27,681,000, to $148,545,000 for the third quarter of 2022 resulting in a $336,000 decrease in interest income. Many of the loans in this category are indexed to the prime interest rate. Included in this category are the PPP loans; forgiveness of the PPP loans contributed approximately $32,756,000 of the net volume decrease and $761,000 of the decrease in interest. The PPP loans yield one percent to the customer; however, QNB received origination fees from the SBA ranging from a flat fee of $2,500 to one to five hundred basis points. The accretion of SBA origination fees is accelerated upon forgiveness of the loan. Income on PPP loan forgiveness was $44,000 for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $642,000 for the same period in 2021. Excluding the PPP loans, the average balance of commercial and industrial loan portfolio increased $5,075,000 and the yield increased 146 basis points, comparing the third quarter of 2022 to 2021.
Tax-exempt loan income was $169,000 for the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of $48,000, or 22.1%, from the same period in 2021. Average balances decreased $5,086,000, or 20.7%, to $19,535,000 for the third quarter of 2022, resulting in a decrease of $44,000 in income. The yield on municipal loans decreased seven basis points, to 3.43% for the third quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, resulting in a decrease of $4,000 in interest income. The decrease in volume during 2022 was a result of municipal loans being refinanced as bonds.
QNB desires to be the “local consumer lender of choice”, focusing its retail lending efforts on product offerings and marketing and promotion. Interest income on residential mortgage loans secured by first lien 1-4 family increased $69,000 when comparing the third quarter of 2022 to the same period in 2021. Average residential mortgage loan balances increased by $8,377,000, or 8.6%, to $105,723,000 for the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, which contributed a $69,000 increase in interest income. The average yield on the portfolio remained the same at 3.33% for the third quarters of 2022 and 2021. QNB chose to retain certain mortgage loans instead of selling them in the secondary market, as the yield on our originated mortgages was higher than comparable mortgage-backed securities. Average home equity loans increased by $56,000 to $56,669,000; interest income increased $197,000 as the average yield increased 137 basis points to 4.65%. The yield on the consumer portfolio increased 86 basis points to 5.76% for the third quarter of 2022 and there was a $571,000 decrease in average balances resulting in a net $3,000 increase in interest income.
Earning assets are funded by deposits and borrowed funds. Interest expense increased $1,030,000, when comparing the third quarter of 2022 to the same period in 2021. The growth in average deposits continues to be centered in accounts with greater liquidity. Average non-interest-bearing demand accounts increased $1,453,000 to $239,095,000 for the third quarter of 2022. Average interest-bearing demand accounts increased $29,000,000, or 9.3%, to $342,011,000 for the third quarter of 2022. Interest expense on interest-bearing demand accounts increased $47,000 to $201,000 for the same period, as the average rate paid increased three basis points to 0.23% for the third quarter 2022. Included in this category is QNB-Rewards checking, a higher-rate checking account product that pays 1.10% on balances up to $25,000 and 0.15% for balances over $25,000. In order to receive the high rate a customer must receive an electronic statement, have one direct deposit or other ACH transaction and have at least 12 check card purchase transactions post and clear per statement cycle. For the third quarter of 2022, the average balance in this product was $105,117,000 and the related interest expense was $93,000 for an average yield of 0.35%. In comparison, the average balance of the QNB-Rewards accounts for the third quarter of 2021 was $97,356,000 and the related interest expense was $87,000 for an average yield of 0.35%. This product also generates fee income through the use of the check card.
Interest expense on municipal interest-bearing demand accounts increased $502,000 to $617,000 for the third quarter of 2022. The average interest rate paid on municipal interest-bearing demand accounts increased 145 basis points to 1.77% for the third quarter of 2022 over the third quarter of 2021, and average balances decreased $4,773,000, or 3.3%, to $138,187,000. Many of these accounts are indexed to the Federal funds rate with rate floors. Municipal deposits are seasonal in nature and are received during the second and third quarters as tax receipts are collected and are withdrawn over the course of the year.
Average money market accounts increased $9,317,000, or 7.4%, to $134,591,000 for the third quarter of 2022 compared with the same period in 2021. Interest expense on money market accounts increased $74,000 to $170,000, and the average interest rate paid on money market accounts increased 20 basis point to 0.50% for the third quarter of 2022. Most of the balances in this category are in a product that pays a tiered rate based on account balances.
Interest expense on savings accounts increased $316,000 when comparing the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2021. The average interest rate paid on savings accounts increased 24 basis points to 0.53% for the third quarter of 2022. When comparing these same periods, average savings accounts increased $56,891,000, or 14.4%, to $451,871,000 for the third quarter of 2022 primarily due
45
to increases in the e-Savings product. QNB’s online e-Savings product is the largest category of savings deposits, with average balances for the third quarter of 2022 of $342,334,000 compared to $296,579,000 in the same period of 2021. The average yield paid on these accounts was 0.65% for the third quarter of 2022 and 0.35% for the same period in 2021. Traditional statement savings accounts, passbook savings and club accounts are also included in the savings category and average balances in these types of savings accounts increased $11,136,000 when comparing the third quarter of 2022 to the same period in 2021. Many of the Bank’s maturing time deposits throughout 2021 and into 2022 were deposited to these liquid interest-bearing accounts.
Interest expense on time deposits totaled $342,000 for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $371,000 in 2021. Average total time deposits decreased $5,369,000 to $169,913,000 for the third quarter of 2022. As with fixed-rate loans and investment securities, these deposits reprice over time and, therefore, have less of an immediate impact on costs in either a rising or falling rate environment; however, the maturity and repricing characteristics of time deposits tend to be shorter. The average rate paid on total time deposits decreased four basis points from 0.84% to 0.80% when comparing the third quarter of 2021 to the same period in 2022.
Approximately $96,140,000, or 55%, of time deposits at September 30, 2022 will mature over the next 12 months. The average rate paid on these time deposits is approximately 0.70%. The yield on the time deposit portfolio may change in the next quarter as short-term time deposits reprice; however, given the short-term nature of these deposits, interest expense may increase if short-term time deposit rates were to increase suddenly or if customers select higher paying time deposits.
Short-term borrowings were comprised primarily of sweep accounts structured as repurchase agreements with our commercial customers at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2022 short-term borrowing also included overnight FHLB borrowing. Interest expense on short-term borrowings increased $121,000 for the third quarter of 2022 to $189,000 when compared to the same period in 2021. When comparing these same periods, average balances increased $7,263,000 to $85,943,000. The yield on customer repos increased 15 basis points for the third quarter of 2022 to 0.49%. The yield on the short-term FHLB borrowing was 2.48% for the third quarter of 2022. During 2020, QNB borrowed long-term debt of $10,000,000 to lock in borrowing at a lower yield than short-term borrowings at that time.
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Nine-Month Comparison
For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2022, average earning assets increased $157,473,000, or 10.5%, to $1,659,883,000, with average investment securities increasing $180,078,000 and average loans increasing $13,906,000, partially offset by a decrease in other earning assets of $36,511,000. The increase in average loans excluding PPP loans, was $64,263,000, an increase of 7.3%. Average total deposits increased $128,030,000, or 9.6% to $1,459,662,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. The net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis was 2.72% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, an 11-basis point decrease from the same period in 2021.
Total interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased $2,870,000, or 8.1%, to $38,223,000 from $35,353,000, when comparing the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 primarily due to an increase in volume and rate on investment securities. Interest income increased $1,513,000 as a result of volume and increased $1,297,000 as a result of yields. The analysis of the nine-month comparison periods is similar to what was described in the quarterly analysis.
The yield on earning assets decreased from 3.15% to 3.08% for the nine-month periods with the yield on loans down six basis points to 4.10%. QNB continues to experience pressure on yields due to competitive pressures on loan pricing. The yield on investments increased 13 basis points from 1.58% to 1.71% when comparing the nine-month periods.
Total interest expense increased $951,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 compared with the same period in 2021, attributable to an increase in rates. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits increased five basis points to 0.44% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 versus the same period in 2021. QNB invested proceeds from growth in deposits and non-interest-earning and interest-earning bank deposits, into investment securities. Proceeds from the payoff of PPP loans were utilized to fund loan growth. The average balance of total short-term borrowings increased $7,728,000 primarily due to overnight FHLB borrowing. The yield on interest-bearing liabilities increased six basis points to 0.46% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The provision for loan losses represents management's determination of the amount necessary to be charged to operations to bring the allowance for loan losses to a level that represents management’s best estimate of the known and inherent losses in the existing loan portfolio. Management believes that it uses the best information available to make determinations about the adequacy of the allowance and that it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The determination of an appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses is based upon an analysis of the risks inherent in QNB’s loan portfolio. Management, in determining the allowance for loan losses, makes significant estimates and assumptions.
Since the allowance for loan losses is dependent, to a great extent, on conditions that may be beyond QNB’s control, it is at least reasonably possible that management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses and actual results could differ. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review QNB’s allowance for losses on loans. Such agencies may require QNB to recognize changes to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Actual loan losses, net of recoveries, serve to reduce the allowance.
Management closely monitors the quality of its loan portfolio and performs a quarterly analysis of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses. This analysis considers several relevant factors including specific impairment reserves, historical loan loss experience, general economic conditions, levels of and trends in delinquent and non-performing loans, levels of classified loans, trends in the growth rate of loans and concentrations of credit.
Based on this analysis, QNB recorded no provision for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and for the same period in 2021. QNB's allowance for loan losses of $11,338,000 represents 1.12% of loans receivable at September 30, 2022 compared with an allowance for loan losses of $11,184,000, or 1.21% of loans receivable, at December 31, 2021, and $11,214,000, or 1.21% of loans receivable, at September 30, 2021. Management believes the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2022 is adequate as of that date based on its analysis of known and inherent losses in the portfolio. Excluding PPP loans, the allowance level stated as a percent of loans receivable was 1.13% at September 30, 2022, 1.23% at December 31, 2021, and 1.25% at September 30, 2021.
Net recoveries were $41,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to net recoveries of $12,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Charge-offs of approximately $92,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of one commercial loan of $30,000, one student loan of $37,000 and overdrafts of $25,000. These were offset by $133,000 in recoveries comprising $123,000 in repayments from borrowers of previously charged-off credits, and $10,000 related to overdraft recoveries. Annualized net recoveries as a percentage of average loans receivable were 0.02% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to annualized net recoveries of 0.01% for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
Net recoveries were $154,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to net charge-offs of $70,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Charge-offs of approximately $147,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted primarily of commercial loans of $38,000, consumer loans of $54,000 and overdrafts of $55,000. These were offset by $301,000 in recoveries comprising $280,000 in repayments from borrowers of previously charged-off credits, and $21,000 related to overdraft recoveries. Annualized net recoveries as a percentage of average loans receivable were 0.02% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to annualized net charge-offs of 0.01% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Non-performing assets were $10,694,000 at September 30, 2022 compared to $11,672,000 as of December 31, 2021 and $12,144,000 at September 30, 2021. Total non-performing loans, which represent loans on non-accrual status, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest and restructured loans, were 1.06% of loans receivable at September 30, 2022, 1.26% at December 31, 2021, and 1.31% of loans receivable at September 30, 2021. In cases where there is a collateral shortfall on non-accrual loans, specific impairment reserves have been established based on updated collateral values even if the borrower continues to pay in accordance with the terms of the agreement. At September 30, 2022, $3,889,000, or approximately 61% of the loans classified as non-accrual, are current or past due less than 30 days. Commercial loans classified as substandard or doubtful totaled $17,554,000, a decrease of $977,000, or 5.3%, from the $18,531,000 reported at December 31, 2021 and a decrease of $1,976,000, or 7.3%, from the $18,946,000 reported at September 30, 2021. The decrease in classified loans since December 31, 2021 and since September 30, 2021 is primarily due to repayments and pay-offs on existing substandard loans.
QNB had no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest at September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021, or September 30, 2021. Total loans 30 days or more past due, which includes non-accrual loans by actual number of days delinquent, represented 0.30% of loans receivable at September 30, 2022 compared with 0.46% at December 31, 2021, and 0.55% at September 30, 2021.
Troubled debt restructured loans, not classified as non-accrual loans or loans past due 90 days or more and accruing, were $4,357,000 at September 30, 2022, compared with $4,142,000 at December 31, 2021, and $4,317,000 at September 30, 2021. There were two new troubled debt restructuring identified during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as QNB extended credit to an existing TDR customer and the other was having temporary cash-flow issues. QNB had no other real estate owned or repossessed assets at September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021, or September 30, 2021.
A loan is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that QNB will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. 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 that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
The following table shows detailed information and ratios pertaining to the Company’s loan and asset quality:
Non-accrual loans
7,827
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest
Troubled debt restructured loans (not already included above)
4,357
4,142
4,317
Total non-performing loans
10,694
11,672
12,144
Total non-performing assets
Total loans (excluding loans held-for-sale):
Average total loans (YTD)
949,691
928,017
931,080
923,778
Allowance for loan losses to:
Non-performing loans
106.02
95.82
92.34
Total loans (excluding held-for-sale)
1.21
Average total loans (excluding held-for-sale)
1.19
1.20
Non-performing loans / total loans (excluding held-for-sale)
1.06
1.26
1.31
Non-performing assets / total assets
0.70
0.73
An analysis of net loan charge-offs (recoveries) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 is as follows:
Net (recoveries) charge-offs
(41
(154
Net annualized (recoveries) charge-offs to:
(0.02
%)
(0.01
-0.02
0.01
Average total loans excluding held-for-sale
(1.43
(0.42
-1.82
0.84
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the recorded investment in loans for which impairment has been identified totaled $11,126,000 and $12,192,000 of which $6,915,000 and $4,633,000, respectively, required no specific allowance for loan loss. The recorded investment in impaired loans requiring an allowance for loan losses was $4,211,000 and $7,559,000 at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and the related allowance for loan losses associated with these loans was $1,486,000 and $2,873,000, respectively. Most of the loans that have been identified as impaired are collateral-dependent. See Note 8 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail of impaired loans.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Non-Interest Income Comparison
Change from prior year
Percent
Net gain on sales of investment securities
(404
-100.0
(547
-52.6
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment equity securities
(338
40.4
(3,467
(413.2
16.5
252
26.3
(2.6
1.3
(24
(11.0
4.5
39.1
(146
(34.5
(19.7
(43
(12.5
(59
(90.8
(531
(98.9
(58
(28.3
(89
(16.4
(831
-63.2
(4,519
-62.3
Quarter to Quarter Comparison
Total non-interest income for the third quarter of 2022 was $484,000, a decrease of $831,000, compared to $1,315,000 for the third quarter of 2021. Excluding realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, gains on sales of loans, anti-trust settlement of $37,000 in 2021 and claims on bank-owned life insurance of $46,000 in 2022, non-interest income decreased $43,000, or 2.6%, to $1,606,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 compared with the same period in 2021
During the third quarter of 2022, unrealized losses on investment equity securities of $1,174,000 were recorded compared to losses of $836,000 in the same period of 2021. The unrealized losses and gains for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 resulted from the change in the fair value of the equities included in the investment portfolio. The equities portfolio comprises blue-chip large-capitalized stocks, providing a year-to-date taxable equivalent dividend yield of 3.26%. The estimated cumulative contribution (realized and unrealized net gains (losses), plus dividends) of the equity portfolio to earnings per share from January 1, 2011 through September 30, 2022 is $2.07 per diluted share. Details of the equity portfolio’s contribution to net income since January 1, 2015 is detailed in the following table.
49
Net Income (Expense) on Equity Securities
For the Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Equity Securities:
Tax-equivalent dividends*
244
249
300
274
392
437
Net gain (loss) on sales
691
758
1,557
(79
1,781
585
1,788
OTTI
(192
(80
Unrealized (loss) gain
(47
926
Tax-equivalent income before tax
799
(115
2,825
930
3,151
(1,842
2,187
Tax expense (benefit)*
357
324
700
(33
816
(532
631
523
475
1,026
(82
2,009
661
2,241
(1,310
1,556
0.16
0.14
0.57
0.19
0.63
(0.37
Tax-equivalent yield*
3.35
3.13
3.49
3.31
3.54
*Based on Federal tax rates of 34% for the 2015 and 2016 periods and 21% for all 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 periods.
QNB originates residential mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market. Net gain on sale of loans decreased $59,000 when comparing the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2021. The net gain on residential mortgage sales is directly related to the volume of mortgages sold and the timing of the sales relative to the interest rate environment. Residential mortgage loans to be sold are identified at origination. Proceeds from the sale of residential mortgages were $304,000 and $1,899,000 for the third quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Fees for services to customers increased $60,000 to $423,000 for the third quarter of 2022, due primarily to an increase in net overdraft income. ATM and debit card income decreased $18,000 to $669,000 for the third quarter of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, due primarily to debit card interchange fee income.
QNB provides securities and advisory services under the name QNB Financial Services. Retail brokerage and advisory fees decreased for the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Advisory fees decreased $9,000 for the third quarter of 2022 compared with the same period in 2021 due to a decrease in the value of assets under management, while transactional fees decreased $15,000 when comparing the third quarters of 2022 and 2021 due to less sales of annuity products.
Bank-owned life insurance income includes a life insurance benefit claim of $46,000 in 2022. Merchant income decreased by $24,000 to $98,000 for the third quarter of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. Other non-interest income decreased $58,000. QNB recorded $37,000 in other income due to an anti-trust class action settlement related to the purchase and sale of US government agency securities over several years. There was a decrease in title company income of $14,000 due to the decreased volume of mortgage originations and a decrease of $10,000 in mortgages servicing fees.
Nine-Month Comparison
Total non-interest income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $2,734,000 and $7,253,000, respectively, a decrease of $4,519,000. Excluding realized and unrealized gain and losses on equity securities, gains on sales of loans, anti-trust settlement of $37,000 in 2021 and claims on bank-owned life insurance of $46,000 in 2022 and $193,000 in 2021, total non-interest income was $4,821,000 and $4,625,000, respectively, an increase of $196,000, or 4.2%.
Net investment securities gains decreased $547,000 to $493,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $1,040,000 for the comparable nine months in 2021. Market conditions in the equities market for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 versus the same period in 2022 resulted in greater opportunities for profitable sales in 2021. QNB recorded unrealized losses of $2,628,000 compared to gains of $839,000 on equity securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Net gains on sales of loans decreased to $6,000 from $537,000, when comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to the same period in 2021. Proceeds from the sale of residential mortgages were $304,000 and $15,023,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Fees for services to customers increased $252,000 to $1,210,000 for the third quarter of 2022, due primarily to an increase in net overdraft income. ATM and debit card increased $26,000 for the nine months of 2022 compared to 2021, due to increased interchange income.
Retail brokerage and advisory fees increased $26,000, or 4.5%, to $604,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021; advisory fees increased $50,000 and transaction-based fees decreased $24,000.
Bank-owned life insurance income includes a life insurance benefit claim of $46,000 in 2022 and $193,000 in 2021. Merchant income decreased $43,000. Other non-interest income decreased $89,000. QNB recorded $37,000 in other income due to an anti-trust class action settlement related to the purchase and sale of US government agency securities over several years. Mortgage servicing income increased $26,000 when comparing the two periods primarily due to an increase in the fair value of servicing rights. There was a decrease in title company income of $61,000 and letter of credit fees of $19,000; partly offset by a $19,000 increase in credit card income for the nine months of 2022 compared to 2021.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Non-Interest Expense Comparison
(183
-4.0
(71
-0.5
(25
(1.5
9.1
136
6.6
(39
(21.7
(3.5
Third-party services
112
23.8
287
18.5
18.4
4.3
14.3
(0.8
(9.2
(0.5
3.2
9.0
0.3
511
2.2
Total non-interest expense was $7,814,000 for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $24,000 compared to the third quarter of 2021.
Salaries and benefits comprise the largest component of non-interest expense. QNB monitors, through the use of various surveys, the competitive salary and benefit information in its markets and makes adjustments when appropriate. Salaries and benefits expense decreased $183,000, or 4.0%, to $4,371,000 when comparing the two quarters. Salary expense and related payroll taxes decreased $172,000 to $3,727,000 during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to a reduction in the bonus and related tax accruals of $263,000; partly offset by an increase in salary and related taxes of $82,000. Medical and dental premiums, net of employee contributions, decreased $31,000 when comparing the two quarters due to a decrease in medical claims.
Net occupancy and furniture and equipment expenses combined increased $65,000, or 5.2%, when comparing the third quarters of 2022 and 2021. This is due primarily to increased software maintenance expense. Marketing expense decreased $39,000, or 21.7%, to $141,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, due to timing of promotions and community support donations.
Third-party services are comprised of professional services, including legal, accounting, auditing and consulting services, as well as fees paid to outside vendors for support services of day-to-day operations. These support services include correspondent banking services, IT services, statement printing and mailing, investment security safekeeping and supply management services. Third party services expense increased $112,000 primarily due to costs association with the Bank’s core system conversion. State taxes increased $34,000, or 14.3%, due to the timing of $36,000 in tax credits received in the second quarter of 2022 versus the third quarter of 2021. FDIC insurance premiums decreased $18,000 due to a reduction in the assessment rate.
Other non-interest expense increased $24,000, or 3.2%, due to additional loss reserves on unused commitments of $14,000, travel, entertainment, training, membership and licensing costs of $22,000, appraisal costs of $15,000, bond insurance of $11,000, and check-card expense of $9,000; partially offset by a $45,000 reimbursement from a customer for insurance costs paid by the Bank.
Total non-interest expense was $23,373,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $511,000, or 2.2%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Salaries and benefits expense decreased $71,000 to $12,842,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Salary and related payroll tax expense decreased $112,000 during the period, to $10,869,000 while medical and dental premiums, net of employee contributions, increased $25,000, to $1,031,000.
Net occupancy and furniture and equipment expense increased $111,000, or 3.0%, to $3,853,000, due to the reasons described in the quarter comparison. Third-party services increased $287,000, or 18.5%, to $1,839,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due to the reasons described in the quarter comparison.
FDIC insurance premiums decreased $3,000 and state taxes decreased $6,000. Other non-interest expense increased due to the reasons described above in the quarter comparison.
INCOME TAXES
QNB utilizes an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. As of September 30, 2022, QNB’s net deferred tax asset was $25,884,000. The primary components of deferred taxes are deferred tax assets of which $23,784,000 relates to investment securities fair value adjustments and $2,381,000 relates to the allowance for loan losses. As of December 31, 2021, QNB’s net deferred tax asset was $2,449,000 of which $994,000 related to investment securities fair value adjustments and $2,349,000 was related to the allowance for loan losses. The increase in the balance of net deferred tax assets when comparing September 30, 2022 to December 31, 2021 is due to the increase in unrealized losses on available for sale securities at September 30, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021, contributing $22,790,000 of the increase.
The realizability of deferred tax assets is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income, the existence of taxes paid and recoverable, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. Based upon these and other factors, management believes it is more likely than not that QNB will realize the benefits of these remaining deferred tax assets.
Applicable income tax expense was $634,000 for the quarter, and $2,105,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $685,000 for the quarter and $2,909,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The effective tax rate for the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 was 15.7% and 16.7%, respectively, compared with 16.7% and 19.1%,
respectively, for the same period in 2021. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 is due to the state income tax at the parent company related to higher gains in 2021 compared to 2022 on the equities portfolio; and as pre-tax income was lower in 2022 compared to 2021, there was a higher proportion of tax-exempt net interest income to income before taxes for 2022 over 2021.
FINANCIAL CONDITION ANALYSIS
Financial service organizations are challenged to demonstrate they can generate sustainable and consistent earnings growth in a dynamic operating environment. Rate competition for quality loans is anticipated to continue through 2022. It is also anticipated that the rate competition for attracting and retaining deposits may increase in 2022, which could result in a lower net interest margin and a decline in net interest income.
QNB’s primary business is accepting deposits and making loans to meet the credit needs of the communities it serves. Loans are the most significant component of earning assets and growth in loans to small businesses and residents of these communities has been a primary focus of QNB. Inherent within the lending function is the evaluation and acceptance of credit risk and interest rate risk. QNB manages credit risk associated with its lending activities through portfolio diversification, underwriting policies and procedures and loan monitoring practices. QNB is committed to make credit available to its customers.
Total assets at September 30, 2022 were $1,645,068,000 compared with $1,673,340,000 at December 31, 2021. Cash and cash equivalents increased $3,828,000 from $13,390,000 at December 31, 2021 to $17,218,000 at September 30, 2022.
The fixed-income securities portfolio represents a significant portion of QNB’s earning assets and is also a primary tool in liquidity and asset/liability management. QNB actively manages its fixed income portfolio to take advantage of changes in the shape of the yield curve and changes in spread relationships in different sectors and for liquidity purposes. Management continually reviews strategies that will result in an increase in the yield or improvement in the structure of the investment portfolio, including monitoring credit and concentration risk in the portfolio. The available-for-sale securities portfolio decreased $136,650,000, due to a reduction of the fair value mark of $108,522,000 and maturities and prepayments of $61,413,000; partly offset by purchases of $35,001,000.
Loans receivable increased $81,836,000 with commercial loans increasing $71,755,000 to $832,140,000 at September 30, 2022, compared with $760,385,000 at year-end 2021. Excluding PPP loans, commercial loans increased $83,723,000. Retail loan balances increased $9,659,000 comparing September 30, 2022 to December 31, 2021. At September 30, 2022, QNB had 4 PPP loans totaling $2,359,000 reported in commercial and industrial loans. In 2020, the Bank originated $82,475,000 in PPP loans, enabling 660 businesses to maintain their payrolls and stay in operation. Of this first round of funding, 657 loans have been forgiven in full and $80,544,000 in balances have been forgiven. The Bank originated 315 PPP loans, or $35,021,000, during the second round of funding which started in January 2021. Second-draw customers made up 244 of these loans, or $32,240,000, and one-draw customers made of the remaining 71 loans, or $2,781,000. Of this second round of funding, 314 loans have been forgiven in full and $33,021,000 in balances have been forgiven. Excluding PPP loans net of deferred fees at September 30, 2022 and at December 31, 2021, loans receivable would have increased $93,364,000, or 10.2%, since year-end 2021.
Deposits grew $26,923,000 from December 31, 2021 to September 30, 2022. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $6,839,000, with balances of $236,167,000 at September 30, 2022 compared with $243,006,000 at year-end 2021. Interest-bearing demand balances, excluding municipal deposits, increased $8,112,000, or 12.4%, to $347,519,000, with increases in personal interest-bearing checking and the business checking product. The $9,424,000 decrease in money market accounts was limited primarily to business products. The $15,598,000 increase in savings was primarily due to growth in the E-Savings on-line product. Total time deposits increased $6,656,000 from December 31, 2021 to September 30, 2022. Municipal deposit balances increased $12,820,000, to $141,612,000, during the first nine months of 2022. Municipal deposits can be volatile depending on the timing of deposits and withdrawals, and the cash flow needs of the school districts or municipalities. Municipal deposits increase as tax money is received from the local school districts during first and second quarters and it is anticipated that these funds will flow out for the subsequent twelve months as the schools use the funds for operations. These deposits provide an incremental funding source as they are used to fund loans as opposed to borrowing at a higher rate; this improves the net interest margin as it increases the spread related to the net interest margin.
Short-term borrowings increased 35.7%, from $68,476,000 at December 31, 2021 to $92,896,000 at September 30, 2022. Commercial sweep accounts comprised most of balance of the short-term borrowing in both periods and increased $2,448,000; these funds may be volatile based on businesses’ receipt and disbursement of funds and is offset by business non-interest-bearing demand accounts. There
were $21,972,000 in overnight borrowings from FHLB at September 30, 2022, and none at December 31, 2021. In 2020, QNB borrowed long-term debt from the FHLB of $10,000,000 to lock in a rate at a low yield.
LIQUIDITY
Liquidity represents an institution’s ability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to satisfy demand for loans and deposit withdrawals. QNB attempts to manage its mix of cash and interest-bearing balances, Federal funds sold and investment securities to match the volatility, seasonality, interest sensitivity and growth trends of its loans and deposits. The Company manages its liquidity risk by measuring and monitoring its liquidity sources and estimated funding needs. Liquidity is provided from asset sources through repayments and maturities of loans and investment securities. The portfolio of investment securities classified as available for sale and QNB's policy of selling certain residential mortgage originations in the secondary market also provide sources of liquidity. Core deposits and cash management repurchase agreements have historically been the most significant funding source for QNB. These deposits and repurchase agreements are generated from a base of consumers, businesses and public funds primarily located in the Company’s market area.
Additional sources of liquidity are provided by the Bank’s membership in the FHLB. At September 30, 2022 the Bank had a maximum borrowing availability with the FHLB of approximately $342,627,000, which is net of the $10,000,000 in long-term borrowings, short-term borrowings of $21,971,000, a $350,000 letter of credit and accrued interest payable. The maximum borrowing depends upon qualifying collateral assets and the Bank’s asset quality and capital adequacy. In addition, the Bank maintains unsecured Federal funds lines with five correspondent banks totaling $101,000,000. At September 30, 2022 there were no outstanding borrowings under these lines. Future availability under these lines is subject to the policies of the granting banks and may be withdrawn.
Liquid sources of funds, including cash, available-for-sale and equity investment securities, and loans held-for-sale have decreased $134,788,000 since December 31, 2021, totaling $583,372,000 at September 30, 2022. The reduction in the liquid sources of funds is primarily due to a reduction of the fair value mark on the available-for-sale securities of $108,522,000. Growth in deposits provided cash flows $26,923,000, net proceeds from available-for-sale investment activities provided $26,412,000, and net short-term borrowings provided $24,420,000; these were used to fund loans. Management expects these liquid sources will be adequate to meet normal fluctuations in loan demand or deposit withdrawals. The investment portfolio is expected to continue to provide sufficient liquidity, as municipal bonds are called or mature and cash flow on mortgage-backed and CMO securities continues to be steady.
Approximately $270,000,000 and $264,154,000 of available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, were pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements and deposits of public funds. The level of pledged securities corresponds with the municipal deposit and repurchase agreement balances.
QNB is a member of the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services (CDARS) program offered by the Promontory Interfinancial Network, LLC. CDARS is a funding and liquidity management tool used by banks to access funds and manage their balance sheet. It enables financial institutions to provide customers with full FDIC insurance on time deposits over $250,000 that are placed in the program. QNB also has available Insured Cash Sweep (ICS), another program through Promontory Interfinancial Network, LLC, which is a product similar to CDARS, but one that provides liquidity like a money market or savings account.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
A strong capital position is fundamental to support continued growth and profitability and to serve the needs of depositors. QNB's shareholders' equity at September 30, 2022 was $58,124,000, or 3.53% of total assets, compared with shareholders' equity of $136,494,000, or 8.16% of total assets, at December 31, 2021. Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2022 included a negative adjustment of $89,472,000 compared to a negative adjustment of $3,740,000 at December 31, 2021, related to unrealized holding losses, net of taxes, on investment securities available-for-sale. Without these adjustments, shareholders' equity to total assets would have been 8.51% and 8.36% at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Average shareholders' equity and average total assets were $144,676,000 and $1,701,272,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of 8.0% and 9.3%, respectively, from the averages for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The ratio of average total equity to average total assets was 8.50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 8.61% for the same period in 2021.
Retained earnings at September 30, 2022 were impacted by nine months of net income totaling $10,474,000 offset by dividends declared and paid of $3,845,000 for the nine-month period. QNB offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the
“Plan”) to provide participants a convenient and economical method for investing cash dividends paid on the Company’s common stock in additional shares. The Plan also allows participants to make additional cash purchases of stock. Stock purchases under the Plan contributed $683,000 to capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 200,000 shares of QNB common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase authorization does not bear a termination date. As of September 30, 2022, 102,000 shares have been repurchased since the initial authorization at an average price of $24.93 and a total cost of $2,543,000.
QNB is subject to various regulatory capital requirements as issued by Federal regulatory authorities. Regulatory capital is defined in terms of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. Risk-based capital ratios are expressed as a percentage of risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets are determined by assigning various weights to all assets and off-balance sheet arrangements, such as letters of credit and loan commitments, based on associated risk.
The required minimum Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is 4.5%, the required minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets is 6.0%, the required minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets is 8.0%, and the required minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio is 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets also applies to avoid limitations on certain capital distributions.
The following table sets forth consolidated information for QNB:
Capital Analysis
Regulatory Capital
Net unrealized securities losses, net of tax
89,472
3,740
Deferred tax assets on net operating loss
Disallowed intangible assets
Common equity tier I capital
Tier 1 capital
Allowable portion: Allowance for loan losses and reserve
for unfunded commitments
11,450
11,275
Total regulatory capital
Risk-weighted assets
1,220,589
1,113,887
Quarterly average assets for leverage capital purposes
1,727,124
1,672,259
Capital Ratios
Common equity tier I capital / risk-weighted assets
Tier 1 capital / risk-weighted assets
Total regulatory capital / risk-weighted assets
Tier 1 capital / average assets (leverage ratio)
At September 30, 2022, common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 capital, and total regulatory capital ratios were fairly level with December 31, 2021. The Company remains well-capitalized by all applicable regulatory requirements as of September 30, 2022.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
Market risk reflects the risk of economic loss resulting from changes in interest rates and market prices. QNB’s primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk and liquidity risk. QNB’s liquidity position was discussed in a prior section.
QNB’s largest source of revenue is net interest income, which is subject to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk management seeks to minimize the effect of interest rate changes on net interest margins and interest rate spreads and to provide growth in net interest income through periods of changing interest rates. QNB’s Asset/Liability and Investment Management Committee (ALCO) is responsible for managing interest rate risk and for evaluating the impact of changing interest rate conditions on net interest income.
QNB uses computer simulation analysis to measure the sensitivity of projected earnings to changes in interest rates. Simulation considers current balance sheet volumes and the scheduled repricing dates, instrument level optionality, and maturities of assets and liabilities. It incorporates assumptions for growth, changes in the mix of assets and liabilities, prepayments, and average rates earned and paid. Based on this information, management uses the model to project net interest income under multiple interest rate scenarios.
A balance sheet is considered liability sensitive when its liabilities (deposits and borrowings) reprice faster than its earning assets (loans and securities). A liability sensitive balance sheet will produce relatively less net interest income when interest rates rise and more net interest income when they decline. Based on our simulation analysis, management believes QNB’s interest sensitivity position at September 30, 2022 is liability sensitive. Management expects that market interest rates will increase over the next 12 months, based on the economic environment and policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
The following table shows the estimated impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income as of September 30, 2022 and 2021 assuming instantaneous rate shocks, and consistent levels of assets and liabilities. Net interest income for the subsequent twelve months is projected to decrease when interest rates are higher than current rates.
Estimated Change in Net Interest Income
Changes in Interest rates
(in basis points)
+300
-12.89
-7.60
+200
-8.46
-2.25
+100
-4.16
-100
2.88
-11.53
-200
3.73
-18.09
-300
-2.28
-24.70
Computations of future effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Assets and liabilities may react differently than projected to changes in market interest rates. The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag changes in market interest rates. Interest rate shifts may not be parallel.
Changes in interest rates can cause substantial changes in the amount of prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities, which may in turn affect QNB’s interest rate sensitivity position. Additionally, credit risk may rise if an interest rate increase adversely affects the ability of borrowers to service their debt.
QNB is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. At September 30, 2022, QNB did not have any hedging transactions in place such as interest rate swaps, caps, or floors
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this report, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
No material proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There were no material changes to the Risk Factors described in Item 1A in QNB’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
QNB did not repurchase shares of its common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The following provides certain information relating to QNB's stock repurchase plan.
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plan
Maximum
Shares that
may yet be
Purchased
Under the Plan
July 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022
98,000
August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022
September 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022
Transactions are reported as of trade dates.
QNB’s current stock repurchase plan was approved by its Board of Directors and announced on January 24, 2008, increased on February 9, 2009 and subsequently increased on April 27, 2021.
The total number of shares approved for repurchase under QNB’s current stock repurchase plan is 200,000.
QNB’s current stock repurchase plan has no expiration date.
(5)
QNB has no stock repurchase plan that it has determined to terminate or under which it does not intend to make further purchases.
Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit 3.1
Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, SEC File No. 0-17706, filed with the Commission on September 13, 2015.)
Exhibit 3.2
By-laws of Registrant, as amended January 26, 2021. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K, SEC File No. 0-17706, filed with the Commission on January 27, 2021.)
Exhibit 10.1
Change in Control Agreement, dated November 1, 2022, between QNB Corp., QNB Bank, and Jeffrey Lehocky (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 3, 2022.)
Exhibit 31.1
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
The following Exhibits are being furnished* as part of this report:
No.
Description
101.SCH
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CAL
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.LAB
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PRE
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEF
iXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document.*
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*
These interactive data files are being furnished as part of this Quarterly Report, and, in accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
Date: November 9, 2022
By:
/s/ David W. Freeman
David W. Freeman
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Jeffrey Lehocky
Jeffrey Lehocky
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Mary E. Liddle
Mary E. Liddle
Chief Accounting Officer, QNB Bank