UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
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 No. 001-33384
ESSA Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
20-8023072
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
200 Palmer Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
18360
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(570) 421-0531
(Registrant’s telephone number)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common
ESSA
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filers,” “accelerated filers,” “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 new or 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 ☒
As of May 5, 2021, there were 10,667,401 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.
Table of Contents
Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
2
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
38
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
47
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
Part II. Other Information
Legal Proceedings
48
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
49
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
50
Signature Page
51
Financial Statements
ESSA BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
March 31,
September 30,
2021
2020
(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
196,535
101,447
Interest-bearing deposits with other institutions
114,402
54,470
Total cash and cash equivalents
310,937
155,917
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
161,240
212,484
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
6,096
—
Loans held for sale
912
208
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $17,154 and $15,400)
1,386,805
1,417,974
Regulatory stock, at cost
3,846
7,344
Premises and equipment, net
14,148
14,230
Bank-owned life insurance
37,094
40,546
Foreclosed real estate
394
269
Intangible assets, net
655
791
Goodwill
13,801
Deferred income taxes
5,190
5,993
Other assets
28,671
23,958
TOTAL ASSETS
1,969,789
1,893,515
LIABILITIES
Deposits
1,740,140
1,543,696
Short-term borrowings
111,713
Other borrowings
14,164
Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance
11,668
7,858
Other liabilities
19,373
24,687
TOTAL LIABILITIES
1,771,181
1,702,118
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock ($0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 18,133,095 issued;
10,731,235 and 10,876,869 outstanding at March 31, 2021 and September 30,
2020, respectively)
181
Additional paid in capital
181,353
181,487
Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
(7,132
)
(7,350
Retained earnings
118,769
112,612
Treasury stock, at cost; 7,401,860 and 7,256,226 shares outstanding at
March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively
(93,785
(91,477
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(778
(4,056
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
198,608
191,397
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended
For the Six Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per
share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable, including fees
13,670
14,005
27,430
28,195
Investment securities:
Taxable
882
1,945
1,879
3,902
Exempt from federal income tax
41
81
96
Other investment income
70
346
185
664
Total interest income
14,663
16,344
29,575
32,857
INTEREST EXPENSE
1,589
3,228
3,361
6,561
20
489
209
994
23
895
62
1,744
Total interest expense
1,632
4,612
3,632
9,299
NET INTEREST INCOME
13,031
11,732
25,943
23,558
Provision for loan losses
900
500
1,800
875
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN
LOSSES
12,131
11,232
24,143
22,683
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service fees on deposit accounts
735
778
1,524
1,605
Services charges and fees on loans
492
341
917
660
Loan swap fees
410
359
621
573
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities, net
4
(6
11
(5
Trust and investment fees
345
429
676
747
Gain on sale of investment securities available for sale, net
417
160
381
Gain on sale of loans, net
669
144
1,487
Earnings on Bank-owned life insurance
191
235
534
476
Insurance commissions
166
238
334
446
Other
86
27
129
104
Total noninterest income
3,515
2,705
6,650
5,131
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and employee benefits
6,372
6,077
12,768
12,315
Occupancy and equipment
1,130
1,069
2,197
2,136
Professional fees
524
533
1,057
992
Data processing
1,139
1,085
2,221
2,102
Advertising
152
118
253
234
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) premiums
281
205
554
338
(Gain) loss on foreclosed real estate
(86
(105
66
Amortization of intangible assets
67
68
135
140
856
583
1,533
1,264
Total noninterest expense
10,435
9,824
20,613
19,587
Income before income taxes
5,211
4,113
10,180
8,227
Income taxes
871
706
1,705
1,410
NET INCOME
4,340
3,407
8,475
6,817
Earnings per share
Basic
0.43
0.33
0.84
0.65
Diluted
Dividends per share
0.12
0.11
0.23
0.22
3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income
Other comprehensive income
Investment securities available for sale:
Unrealized holding (loss) gain
(645
5,693
(869
5,672
Tax effect
(1,196
(1,191
Reclassification of gains recognized in net income
(417
(160
(381
88
34
80
Net of tax amount
(839
4,371
(1,013
4,180
Pension plan:
Reclassification of losses recognized in net income
(111
-
24
(87
Derivative and hedging activities adjustments:
Changes in unrealized holding gains (losses) on derivatives included in net income
3,721
(2,555
4,235
(2,352
(785
(893
494
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) on derivatives included in net income
644
10
1,311
(58
(135
(2
(275
12
3,445
(2,023
4,378
(1,904
Total other comprehensive income
2,519
2,348
3,278
2,276
Comprehensive income
6,859
5,755
11,753
9,093
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Unallocated
Accumulated
Common Stock
Additional
Total
Number of
Paid In
Stock Held by
Retained
Treasury
Comprehensive
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
the ESOP
Earnings
Stock
Loss
Equity
(dollars in thousands except share data)
Balance, December 31, 2019
11,290,451
181,056
(7,689
105,012
(85,845
(1,352
191,363
Other comprehensive loss
Cash dividends declared ($0.11 per share)
(1,154
Stock based compensation
93
Allocation of ESOP stock
69
113
182
Purchase of common stock
(184,564
(2,573
Balance, March 31, 2020
11,105,887
181,218
(7,576
107,265
(88,418
996
193,666
Balance, December 31, 2020
10,820,816
181,199
(7,237
115,645
(92,338
(3,297
194,153
Cash dividends declared ($0.12 per share)
(1,216
94
60
105
165
Allocation of treasury shares to incentive plan
(65
(89,516
(1,447
Balance, March 31, 2021
10,731,235
5
Income (Loss)
Balance, September 30, 2019
11,321,417
181,161
(7,803
102,465
(85,216
(1,280
189,508
Net Income
Cash dividends declared ($0.22 per share)
(2,307
Change in accounting principal for adoption of ASU 2016-02
290
333
227
371
33,134
(420
416
(4
(248,664
(3,618
Balance, September 30, 2020
10,876,869
Cash dividends declared ($0.23 per share)
(2,318
326
90
218
308
43,582
(550
550
(189,216
(2,858
6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for depreciation and amortization
526
536
Amortization and accretion of discounts and premiums, net
(637
1,123
Net gain on sale of investment securities, available for sale
Realized and unrealized gain on equity securities
(11
(1,487
(144
Origination of residential real estate loans for sale
(41,299
(4,000
Proceeds on sale of residential real estate loans
42,082
4,144
Compensation expense on ESOP
Amortization of right-of-use asset
445
443
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
938
(368
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable
(393
174
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance
(414
(476
Deferred federal income taxes
(68
327
Decrease in accrued pension liability
(352
(296
Gain on foreclosed real estate, net
Other, net
(1,408
867
Net cash provided by operating activities
8,444
10,556
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of investment securities
10,721
24,009
Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities
65,534
25,457
Purchases
(26,493
(37,532
Investment securities held to maturity:
(6,106
Decrease (increase) in loans receivable, net
30,366
(31,133
Redemption of regulatory stock
5,557
7,796
Purchase of regulatory stock
(2,059
(13,501
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate
233
111
Purchase of premises, equipment and software
(388
(743
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
77,375
(25,536
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase (decrease) in deposits, net
196,444
(15,217
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
(111,713
131,197
Proceeds from other borrowings
51,527
Repayment of other borrowings
(14,164
(30,346
Increase in advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance
3,810
5,021
Dividends on common stock
Net cash provided by financing activities
69,201
136,257
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
155,020
121,277
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
52,242
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
173,519
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
Cash Paid:
Interest
4,025
9,125
8
Noncash items:
Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate
Death benefit receivable on BOLI
(3,865
Initial recognition of operating right-of-use asset
(7,272
Initial recognition of operating lease liability
7,272
Unrealized holding (losses) gains
(1,286
5,291
7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1.
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), its wholly owned subsidiary, ESSA Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, ESSACOR Inc.; Pocono Investments Company; ESSA Advisory Services, LLC; Integrated Financial Corporation; and Integrated Abstract Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated Financial Corporation. The primary purpose of the Company is to act as a holding company for the Bank. The Bank’s primary business consists of the taking of deposits and granting of loans to customers generally in Monroe, Northampton, Lehigh, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank is a Pennsylvania chartered savings bank and is subject to regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The investment in the Bank on the parent company’s financial statements is carried at the parent company’s equity in the underlying net assets.
ESSACOR, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation that has been used to purchase properties at tax sales that represent collateral for delinquent loans of the Bank and is currently inactive. Pocono Investment Company is a Delaware corporation formed as an investment company subsidiary to hold and manage certain investments, including certain intellectual property. ESSA Advisory Services, LLC is a Pennsylvania limited liability company owned 100 percent by ESSA Bank & Trust. ESSA Advisory Services, LLC is a full-service insurance benefits consulting company offering group services such as health insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, dental, vision, and 401(k) retirement planning as well as individual health products. Integrated Financial Corporation is a Pennsylvania corporation that provided investment advisory services to the general public and is currently inactive. Integrated Abstract Incorporated is a Pennsylvania corporation that provided title insurance services and is currently inactive. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2021.
2.
Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
18,133,095
Average treasury stock shares
(7,333,251
(6,848,093
(7,306,323
(6,865,860
Average unearned ESOP shares
(707,526
(758,160
(712,929
(752,472
Average unearned non-vested shares
(59,306
(53,376
(60,754
(52,750
Weighted average common shares and common stock
equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share
10,033,012
10,473,466
10,053,089
10,462,013
Additional common stock equivalents (nonvested stock)
used to calculate diluted earnings per share
2,015
2,462
equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share
10,035,027
10,055,551
At March 31, 2021 there were 27,710 shares of nonvested stock outstanding at an average weighted price of $16.14 per share that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive. At March 31, 2020 there were 48,901 shares of nonvested stock outstanding at an average weighted price of $16.16 per share that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.
3.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The accounting principles followed by the Company and its subsidiaries and the methods of applying these principles conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and to general practice within the banking industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the Consolidated Balance Sheet date and related revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
4.
Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets. This Update is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. The underlying premise of the Update is that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The income statement will be effected for the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. With certain exceptions, transition to the new requirements will be through a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments ‒ Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842). This Update defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, non-SEC filers, and all other companies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We expect to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective, but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the FASB eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this Update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting units fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. A public business entity that is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filer should adopt the amendments in this Update for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. A public business entity that is not an SEC filer should adopt the amendments in this Update for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. All other entities, including not-for-profit entities, that are adopting the amendments in this Update should do so for their annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715-20). This Update amends ASC 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The Update eliminates the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. The Update also removes the disclosure requirements for the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. This Update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, and must be applied on a retrospective basis. For all other entities, this Update is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2021. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
9
In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which affects a variety of topics in the Codification and applies to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance. Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses amendments are effective for SEC registrants for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other public business entities, the effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and for all other entities, the effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. For entities that have adopted the amendments in Update 2017-12, the effective date is as of the beginning of the first annual period beginning after the issuance of this Update. Topic 825, Financial Instruments amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 326, which allows entities to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost upon adoption of the new credit losses standard. To be eligible for the transition election, the existing financial asset must otherwise be both within the scope of the new credit losses standard and eligible for the applying the fair value option in ASC 825-10.3. The election must be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is not available for either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity debt securities. For entities that elect the fair value option, the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the financial asset would be recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the date an entity adopted ASU 2016-13. Changes in fair value of that financial asset would subsequently be reported in current earnings. For entities that have not yet adopted ASU 2016-13, the effective dates and transition requirements are the same as those in ASU 2016-13. For entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13, ASU 2019-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted once ASU 2016-13 has been adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, to clarify its new credit impairment guidance in ASC 326, based on implementation issues raised by stakeholders. This Update clarified, among other things, that expected recoveries are to be included in the allowance for credit losses for these financial assets; an accounting policy election can be made to adjust the effective interest rate for existing troubled debt restructurings based on the prepayment assumptions instead of the prepayment assumptions applicable immediately prior to the restructuring event; and extends the practical expedient to exclude accrued interest receivable from all additional relevant disclosures involving amortized cost basis. The effective dates in this Update are the same as those applicable for ASU 2019-10. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), to simplify the accounting for income taxes, change the accounting for certain tax transactions, and make minor improvements to the codification. This Update provides a policy election to not allocate consolidated income taxes when a member of a consolidated tax return is not subject to income tax and provides guidance to evaluate whether a step-up in tax basis of goodwill relates to a business combination in which book goodwill was recognized or a separate transaction. The Update also changes current guidance for making an intraperiod allocation, if there is a loss in continuing operations and gains outside of continuing operations; determining when a deferred tax liability is recognized after an investor in a foreign entity transitions to or from the equity method of accounting; accounting for tax law changes and year-to-date losses in interim periods; and determining how to apply the income tax guidance to franchise taxes that are partially based on income. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-1, Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), to clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. The amendments also clarify that, for the purpose of applying paragraph 815-10-15-141(a) an entity should not consider whether, upon the settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, individually or with existing investments, the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method in Topic 323 or the fair value option, in accordance with the financial instruments guidance in Topic 825. An entity also would evaluate the remaining characteristics in paragraph 815-10-15-141 to determine the accounting for those forward contracts and purchased options. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-3, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. This ASU was issued to improve and clarify various financial instruments topics, including the current expected credit losses (CECL) standard issued in 2016. The ASU includes seven issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP; they are intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply and to eliminate inconsistencies, and they are narrow in scope and are not expected to significantly change practice for most entities. Among its provisions, the ASU clarifies that all entities, other than public business entities that elected the fair value option, are required to provide certain fair value disclosures under ASC 825, Financial Instruments, in both interim and annual financial statements. It also clarifies that the contractual term of a net investment in a lease under Topic 842 should be the contractual term used to measure expected credit losses under Topic 326. Amendments related to ASU 2019-04 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not permitted before an entity’s adoption of ASU 2016-01. Amendments related to ASU 2016-13 for entities that have not yet adopted that guidance are effective upon adoption of the amendments in ASU 2016-13. Early adoption is not permitted before an entity’s adoption of ASU 2016-13. Amendments related to ASU 2016-13 for entities that have adopted that guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. Other amendments are effective upon issuance of this ASU. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-4, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, March 2020, to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met, and can make a one-time election to sell and/or reclassify held-to-maturity debt securities that reference an interest rate affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. This ASU removes from U.S. GAAP the separation models for (1) convertible debt with a cash conversion feature and (2) convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. As a result, entities will not separately present in equity an embedded conversion feature in such debt. Instead, they will account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt, and for convertible preferred stock wholly as preferred stock (i.e., as a single unit of account), unless (1) a convertible instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative under ASC 815 or (2) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. This ASU requires entities to provide expanded disclosures about the terms and features of convertible instruments, how the instruments have been reported in the entity’s financial statements, and information about events, conditions, and circumstances that can affect how to assess the amount or timing of an entity’s future cash flows related to those instruments. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities that are not smaller reporting companies, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance may be early adopted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, which clarifies that, for each reporting period, an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of ASC 310-20-35-33. For public business entities, ASU 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early application is not permitted. For all other entities, ASU 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements, which makes minor technical corrections and clarifications to the ASC. The amendments in Sections B and C of the ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-11, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944), which was made in consideration of the implications of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on an insurance entity’s ability to
effectively implement the amendments in Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-12, Financial Services— Insurance: Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (LDTI). The amendments in this Update defer the effective date of LDTI for all entities by one year, as (1) for public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer and are not SRCs, LDTI is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years; and (2) for all other entities, LDTI is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), which provides optional temporary guidance for entities transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate(LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates (IBORs) to new references rates so that derivatives affected by the discounting transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions within Topic848. ASU 2021-01 clarifies that the derivatives affected by the discounting transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848. ASU 2021-01 is effective immediately for all entities. Entities may elect to apply the amendments on a full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or on a prospective basis to new modifications from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to the date of the issuance of a final update, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. The
amendments in this update do not apply to contract modifications made, as well as new hedging relationships entered into, after December 31, 2022, and to existing hedging relationships evaluated for effectiveness for periods after December 31, 2022, except for certain hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that apply certain optional expedients in which the accounting effects are recorded through the end of the hedging relationship. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
5.
Investment Securities
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2021
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Losses
Fair Value
Available for Sale
Fannie Mae
31,568
959
(61
32,466
Freddie Mac
26,697
744
Governmental National Mortgage Association
10,457
242
(35
10,664
Total mortgage-backed securities
68,722
(107
70,560
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
17,259
461
17,720
US government treasury securities
5,000
U.S. government agency securities
1,998
2,022
Corporate obligations
52,450
754
(380
52,824
Other debt securities
13,086
(138
13,114
158,515
3,350
(625
Held to Maturity
2,069
2,063
4,027
(83
3,944
(89
6,007
September 30, 2020
41,961
1,385
(88
43,258
31,642
964
32,604
15,300
368
(99
15,569
88,903
2,717
(189
91,431
21,136
795
21,931
24,990
U.S. government treasury securities
7,991
57
8,048
51,188
807
(521
51,474
14,265
495
(150
14,610
208,473
4,871
(860
The following is a summary of unrealized and realized gains and losses recognized in net income on equity securities during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities
Less: Net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold
during the period
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on equity
securities still held at the reporting date
Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at March 31, 2021, by contractual maturity, are shown below. 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 (in thousands):
Available For Sale
Due in one year or less
6,421
6,429
Due after one year through five years
21,613
22,043
Due after five years through ten years
53,166
53,859
Due after ten years
77,315
78,909
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company realized gross gains of $417,000 and no gross losses on proceeds from the sale on investment securities of $10.7 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company realized gross gains of $199,000 and gross losses of $39,000 on proceeds from the sale on investment securities of $11.0 million
For the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company realized gross gains of $417,000 and no gross losses on proceeds from the sale on investment securities of $10.7 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company realized gross gains of $420,000 and gross losses of $39,000 on proceeds from the sale on investment securities of $24.0 million
13
The following tables show the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
Securities
Less than Twelve
Months
Twelve Months or
Greater
Fair
Value
2,706
(21
4,659
(46
7,365
(67
5,954
(92
6,262
(94
(1
3,036
(34
3,453
12,408
(277
4,405
(103
16,813
1,172
(7
3,537
(131
4,709
52
22,657
(398
15,945
(316
38,602
(714
1,397
(19
5,827
(69
7,224
1
330
4,428
2,996
(38
7,424
13,213
(93
6,573
(428
19,786
0
3,879
46
19,368
(175
19,275
(685
38,643
The Company’s investment securities portfolio contains unrealized losses on securities, including mortgage-related instruments issued or backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, or generally viewed as having the implied guarantee of the U.S. government, other mortgage backed securities, debt obligations of a U.S. state or political subdivision, U.S. government agency securities, corporate obligations, other debt securities and equity securities.
The Company reviews its position quarterly and has asserted that at March 31, 2021, the declines outlined in the above table represent temporary declines and the Company would not be required to sell the above securities before their anticipated recovery in market value.
The Company has concluded that any impairment of its investment securities portfolio is not other than temporary but is the result of interest rate changes that are not expected to result in the non-collection of principal and interest during the period.
14
6.
Loans Receivable, Net and Allowance for Loan Losses
Loans receivable consist of the following (in thousands):
Real estate loans:
Residential
588,775
610,172
Construction
9,664
11,853
Commercial
555,404
509,628
115,202
139,603
69,573
79,230
Home equity loans and lines of credit
39,094
40,800
Auto loans
24,619
39,795
1,628
2,293
1,403,959
1,433,374
Less allowance for loan losses
17,154
15,400
Net loans
During 2020 and 2021 the Company participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered directly by the U.S. SBA. The PPP provides loans to small businesses who were affected by economic conditions as a result of COVID-19 to provide cash-flow assistance to employers who maintain their payroll (including healthcare and certain related expenses), mortgage interest, rent, leases, utilities and interest on existing debt during the COVID-19 emergency. The PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA and may be eligible for forgiveness by the SBA to the extent that the proceeds are used to cover eligible payroll costs, interest costs, rent, and utility costs over a period of up to 24 weeks after the loan is made as long as certain conditions are met regarding employee retention and compensation levels. PPP loans deemed eligible for forgiveness by the SBA will be repaid by the SBA to the Company. PPP loans are included in the Commercial loan category.
In accordance with the SBA terms and conditions on these PPP loans, the Company received approximately $2.4 million in fees associated with the processing of these loans. Upon funding of the loan, these fees were deferred and will be amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield in accordance with FASB ASC 310-20-25-2.
Included in commercial loans in the above table are 488 loans totaling $64.4 million originated by the Company under the Payroll Protection Program through the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to 673 loans totaling $76.8 million at September 30, 2020. These loans mature in two or five years.
Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value on their purchase date without a carryover of the related allowance for loan losses.
The following table presents additional information regarding loans acquired and accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30 (in thousands):
Acquired Loans
with Specific
Evidence or
Deterioration in
Credit Quality
(ASC 310-30)
Outstanding balance
969
1,086
Carrying amount
908
1,025
15
The following tables show the amount of loans in each category that were individually and collectively evaluated for impairment at the dates indicated (in thousands):
Total Loans
Individually
Evaluated for
Impairment
Loans Acquired
with Deteriorated
Collectively
2,994
585,781
11,478
543,018
7,282
107,920
95
38,999
76
24,543
1,618
21,935
1,381,116
3,949
606,223
11,322
497,281
1,595
138,008
Obligations of states and political sub divisions
117
40,683
210
39,585
2,282
17,204
1,415,145
The Company maintains a loan review system that allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential impaired loans. Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type and market value of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers. Specific loan loss allowances are established for identified losses based on a review of such information. A loan evaluated for impairment is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. All loans identified as impaired are evaluated independently. The Company does not aggregate such loans for evaluation purposes. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, 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.
A loan is considered to be a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) loan when the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider because of the borrower’s financial condition. Such concessions include the reduction of interest rates, forgiveness of principal or interest, or other modifications of interest rates that are less than the current market rate for new obligations with similar risk. TDR loans that are in compliance with their modified terms and that yield a market rate at the time of modification may be removed from TDR status after one year of performance.
16
The following tables include the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans with the associated allowance amount at the dates indicated, if applicable (in thousands):
Recorded
Investment
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Associated
Allowance
With no specific allowance recorded:
Real estate loans
2,845
4,112
4,164
6,454
2,098
2,199
22
9,250
13,030
With an allowance recorded:
149
19
7,314
7,441
5,184
5,186
1,121
44
12,685
12,853
1,219
Total:
4,294
13,895
7,385
106
Total Impaired Loans
25,883
17
Real Estate Loans
3,699
5,070
4,203
6,342
1,539
1,625
222
Auto Loans
72
131
9,641
13,412
250
271
26
7,119
7,169
132
56
138
143
43
7,563
7,640
221
5,341
13,511
1,682
274
21,052
18
The following table represents the average recorded investments in the impaired loans and the related amount of interest recognized during the time within the period that the impaired loans were impaired (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Average
Income
Recognized
1,369
3,825
6,671
2,140
1,448
1,061
195
201
9,644
7,436
146
292
7,158
1,728
31
9,063
620
1,515
4,117
13,829
2,305
3,176
82
289
29
18,707
8,056
The Company uses a ten-point internal risk-rating system to monitor the credit quality of the overall loan portfolio. The first six categories are considered not criticized and are aggregated as Pass-rated. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The Special Mention category includes assets that are fundamentally sound yet exhibit potentially unacceptable credit risk or deteriorating trends or characteristics which, if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date. Loans in the Substandard category have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and have a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if the weaknesses are not corrected. All loans that are 90 or more days past due are considered Substandard. Loans in the Doubtful category have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that their weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Loans in the Loss category are considered uncollectible and of little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. Certain residential real estate loans, construction loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, auto loans and other consumer loans are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, primarily payment performance, and are normally risk rated and monitored collectively on a monthly basis. These are typically loans to individuals in the consumer categories and are delineated as either performing or non-performing.
To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay a loan as agreed, the Bank has a structured loan rating process with several layers of internal and external oversight. Generally, consumer and residential mortgage loans are included in the Pass categories unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, repossession, or death occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event. The Bank’s commercial loan officers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating recommendation for the loans in their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis. The Bank’s commercial loan officers perform an annual review of all commercial relationships $750,000 or greater. Confirmation of the appropriate risk grade is included in the review on an ongoing basis. The Bank engages an external consultant to conduct loan reviews on at least a semi-annual basis. Generally, the external consultant reviews commercial relationships greater than $1,000,000 and/or all criticized relationships. Detailed reviews, including plans for resolution, are performed on loans classified as Substandard on a quarterly basis. Loans in the Special Mention and Substandard categories that are collectively evaluated for impairment are given separate consideration in the determination of the allowance.
The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate Pass and the criticized categories of Special Mention, Substandard, and Doubtful or Loss within the internal risk rating system at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 (in thousands):
Pass
Special
Mention
Substandard
Doubtful
or Loss
Commercial real estate loans
513,341
18,859
23,204
107,785
7,417
690,699
30,621
740,179
479,475
15,022
15,131
137,860
1,743
696,565
16,874
728,461
All other loans are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, primarily payment performance, and are normally risk rated and monitored collectively on a monthly basis. These are typically loans to individuals in the consumer categories and are delineated as either performing or non-performing. The following tables present the risk ratings in the consumer categories of performing and non-performing loans at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 (in thousands):
Performing
Non-
performing
585,286
3,489
38,899
24,534
85
1,611
659,994
3,786
663,780
605,549
4,623
40,581
219
39,572
223
699,837
5,076
704,913
The Company further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories of performing loans and nonaccrual loans as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 (in thousands):
31-60 Days
61-89 Days
90 + Days
Past
Due and
Purchased
Credit Impaired
Current
Past Due
Accruing
Nonaccrual
Loans
583,941
843
502
4,834
539,326
2,255
12,915
15,170
230
678
107,374
497
7,318
7,828
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions
38,751
53
343
24,246
288
373
1,374,486
3,978
568
24,019
28,565
604,168
979
402
6,004
494,881
12,637
13,722
236
789
137,769
1,828
1,834
40,533
267
38,971
593
824
1,409,687
2,711
19,541
22,662
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level necessary to absorb loan losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Management, in determining the allowance for loan losses, considers the losses inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of loan activities, along with the general economic and real estate market conditions. The allowance for loan losses consists of two elements: (1) an allocated allowance, which comprises allowances established on specific loans and class allowances based on historical loss experience and current trends, and (2) an unallocated allowance based on general economic conditions and other risk factors in our markets and portfolios. We maintain a loan review system, which allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential impaired loans. Such system takes into consideration, among other things, delinquency status, size of loans, type and market value of collateral and financial condition of the borrowers. General loan loss allowances are based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, actual loan loss experience, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, management’s judgment and losses which are probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, consideration was given and a credit provision was recorded for loans granted short term payment relief The allowance is increased through provisions charged against current earnings and recoveries of previously charged-off loans. Loans that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. While management uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable loan losses, future loss provisions may be necessary, based on changing economic conditions. Payments received on impaired loans generally are either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. The allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2021 was maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and such losses were both probable and reasonably estimable.
21
In addition, the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, as an integral part of their examination process, have periodically reviewed our allowance for loan losses. The banking regulators may require that we recognize additions to the allowance based on its analysis and review of information available to it at the time of its examination.
Management reviews the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis using a defined, consistently applied process in order to make appropriate and timely adjustments to the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”). When information confirms all or part of specific loans to be uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged off against the ALL.
The following table summarizes changes in the primary segments of the ALL for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
Home
Obligations of
States and
Loans and
Political
Lines of
Subdivisions
Credit
ALL balance at December 31, 2020
4,507
7,862
904
508
350
1,233
16,141
Charge-offs
(72
(76
Recoveries
65
103
189
Provision
(269
(18
1,062
866
(15
(212
(491
ALL balance at March 31, 2021
4,299
8,943
1,770
487
337
439
742
ALL balance at December 31, 2019
4,161
3,604
2,241
340
369
1,232
694
12,747
(8
(9
(211
(3
(242
148
172
(27
950
(486
ALL balance at March 31, 2020
4,330
55
4,563
2,180
351
1,104
13,179
ALL balance at September 30, 2020
4,301
127
7,209
874
555
780
25
1,192
(227
(325
36
175
279
(63
(10
1,774
905
(289
(450
ALL balance at September 30, 2019
4,243
3,806
1,870
329
1,384
28
574
12,630
(29
(40
(582
(665
309
339
110
748
59
(366
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded provision expense for the commercial real estate loans and commercial loans segments, due to either increased loan balances, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or charge-off activity in those segments. Provision expense was also recorded for possible loan losses due to the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 restrictions. Credit provisions were recorded for loan loss for the residential real estate loans, construction real estate loans, obligations of states and political subdivisions, home equity loans and lines of credit, auto loans and other loan segments.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Company recorded provision expense for the residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, obligations of states and political subdivisions and other loan segments, due to either increased loan balances, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or charge-off activity in those segments. Credit provisions were recorded for loan loss for the construction real estate, commercial loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and auto loan segments.
During the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded provision expense for the commercial real estate loans, commercial loans and home equity loans and lines of credit segments, due to either increased loan balances, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or charge-off activity in those segments. Provision expense was also recorded for possible loan losses due to the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 restrictions. Credit provisions were recorded for loan loss for the residential real estate loans, construction real estate loans, obligations of states and political subdivisions, auto loan and other loan segments.
During the six months ended March 31, 2020 the Company recorded provision expense for the residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, obligations of states and political subdivisions, construction real estate, commercial loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and other loan segments, due to either increased loan balances, changes in the loan mix within the pool, and/or charge-off activity in those segments. Credit provisions were recorded for loan loss for the auto loan segment.
The Company is closely monitoring all customer credit positions, particularly loans requesting payment relief. Such loans, as of March 31, 2021, amounted to approximately 2.9% of total loans outstanding, including $38.4 million in commercial real estate loans, $738,000 in commercial loans and $2.2 million in mortgage loans. As the economic slowdown continues to evolve due to COVID-19 restrictions, our customers may experience decreased cash flows, which may correlate to an inability to make timely loan payments. This, in turn, may require further increases in our allowance for loan losses and increases in the level of charge-offs in our loan portfolio.
The following table summarizes the primary segments of the ALL, segregated into two categories, the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 (in thousands):
evaluated for
impairment
4,280
8,877
649
426
15,935
4,275
7,077
854
737
15,179
The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses will vary from current estimates. Management believes that the granularity of the homogeneous pools and the related historical loss ratios and other qualitative factors, as well as the consistency in the application of assumptions, result in an ALL that is representative of the risk found in the components of the portfolio at any given date. Despite the above allocations, the allowance for loan losses is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any loan segment.
The following is a summary of troubled debt restructuring granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Contracts
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Post-Modification
Troubled Debt Restructurings
75
There were no new troubled debt restructurings granted for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
The following is a summary of troubled debt restructuring granted during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
540
The one new troubled debt restructuring granted for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, totaled $75,000 and was granted interest rate and terms concessions. The one troubled debt restructuring granted for the six months ended March 31, 2020, totaled $540,000 and was granted an interest rate concession.
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, no loans defaulted on a restructuring agreement within one year of modification.
The Company continues to closely monitor all customer credit positions, particularly loans requesting payment relief. As of March 31, 2021, approximately 23 of our commercial clients had requested loan payment deferrals or payments of interest only on loans totaling $39.2 million. We have had similar requests from approximately 12 mortgage customers totaling $2.2 million. In accordance with interagency guidance issued in March 2020, these short-term deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) unless the borrower was previously experiencing financial difficulty. As the economic slowdown continues to evolve due to COVID-19 restrictions, our customers may experience decreased cash flows, which may correlate to an inability to make timely loan payments. This, in turn may require further increases in our allowance for loan losses and increases in the level of chargeoffs in our loan portfolio.
There can be no assurance that our non-performing assets will not increase in the future due to the impact of COVID-19 or otherwise. We will continue to closely monitor credit risk and our exposure to increased loan losses resulting from the impact of COVID-19 on our commercial and consumer clients.
7.
Deposits consist of the following major classifications (in thousands):
Non-interest bearing demand accounts
273,939
242,642
Interest bearing demand accounts
451,418
274,722
Money market accounts
408,919
401,863
Savings and club accounts
183,693
160,975
Certificates of deposit
422,171
463,494
8.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost-Defined Benefit Plan
For a detailed disclosure on the Bank’s pension and employee benefits plans, please refer to Note 12 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table comprises the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and six-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
For the Six Months Ended March 31,
Service Cost
Interest Cost
122
225
243
Expected return on plan assets
(270
(578
(539
Amortization of net loss from earlier periods
Net periodic benefit cost
(148
The Company’s board of directors adopted resolutions to freeze the status of the Defined Benefit Plan (“the plan”) effective February 28, 2017 (“the freeze date”). Accordingly, no additional participants will enter the plan after February 28, 2017; no additional years of service for benefit accrual purposes will be credited after the freeze date under the plan; and compensation earned by participants after the freeze date will not be taken into account under the plan.
9.
Equity Incentive Plan
The Company previously maintained the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provided for a total of 2,377,326 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. Of the shares that were available under the Plan, 1,698,090 were available to be issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and 679,236 were available to be issued as restricted stock. The Plan allowed for the granting of non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), and restricted stock. Options granted under the plan were granted at no less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. As of the effective date of the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (detailed below), no further grants will be made under the Plan and forfeitures of outstanding awards under the Plan will be added to the shares available under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
The Company replaced the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan with the ESSA Bancorp, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) which was approved by shareholders on March 3, 2016. The 2016 Plan provides for a total of 250,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards. The 2016 Plan allows for the granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, ISOs and NSOs.
The Company classifies share-based compensation for employees and outside directors within “Compensation and employee benefits” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations to correspond with the same line item as compensation paid.
Restricted stock shares outstanding at March 31, 2021 vest over periods ranging from 6 to 36 months. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determines the fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock plan. The Company expenses the fair value of all share based compensation grants over the requisite service period.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $94,000 and $93,000 of share-based compensation expense, respectively, comprised of restricted stock expense. For the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $326,000 and $333,000 of share-based compensation expense, respectively, comprised of restricted stock expense. Expected future compensation expense relating to the restricted shares outstanding at March 31, 2021 is $773,000 over the remaining vesting period of 3.5 years.
The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of March 31, 2021, and changes therein during the six month period then ended:
Restricted Stock
Weighted-
average
Grant Date
Nonvested at September 30, 2020
35,245
16.15
Granted
43,939
12.56
Vested
(10,834
14.75
Forfeited
Nonvested at March 31, 2021
68,350
14.06
10.
The following disclosures show the hierarchal disclosure framework associated within the level of pricing observations utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The definition of fair value maintains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value but focuses on the exit price of the asset or liability. The exit price is the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability adjusted for certain inherent risks and restrictions. Expanded disclosures are also required about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.
Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables provide the fair value for assets and liabilities required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands).
Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
Assets
Level I
Level II
Level III
Mortgage backed securities
U.S. government agencies
48,146
4,678
Total debt securities
156,562
Equity securities- financial services
Derivatives and hedging activities
3,999
Liabilities
3,248
43,214
8,260
204,224
Equity securities-financial services
2,192
Liabilities:
7,002
The following table presents a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level III investments for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands).
Fair Value Measurement Using
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level III)
March 31, 2020
Beginning balance
5,388
7,821
Purchases, sales, issuances, settlements, net
(750
(1,000
Total unrealized gain (loss):
Included in earnings
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
40
Transfers in and/or out of Level III
6,734
7,792
(3,750
Included in other comprehensive (loss) income
168
Each financial asset and liability is identified as having been valued according to a specified level of input, 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset.
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 comparable. 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 a security’s relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Most of the securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quoted market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs are limited to actively traded equity securities whose market price is readily available from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ exchange. A few securities are valued using Level 3 inputs, all of these are classified as available for sale and are reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs.
Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported on a Non-Recurring Basis
The following tables provide the fair value for assets required to be measured and reported at fair value on a non recurring basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date (in thousands)
Impaired loans
20,716
16,983
The following tables present additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Estimate
Valuation
Techniques
Unobservable
Input
Range
Appraisal of
collateral (1)
Appraisal
adjustments (2)
0% to 50%
(30.5%)
Foreclosed real estate owned
20% to 35%
(28.6%)
0% to 35%
(20.5%)
(25.7%)
(1)
Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various level 3 inputs which are not identifiable.
(2)
Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses. The range of liquidation expenses and other appraisal adjustments are presented as a percent of the appraisal.
Foreclosed real estate is measured at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of 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. Income and expenses from operations and changes in valuation allowance are included in the net expenses from foreclosed real estate. Impaired loans are reported at fair value utilizing level three inputs. For these loans, a review of the collateral is conducted and an appropriate allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan. At March 31, 2021, 96 impaired loans with a carrying value of $21.9 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance totaling $1.2 million resulting in a net fair value of $20.7 million based on Level 3 inputs. At September 30, 2020, 111 impaired loans with a carrying value of $17.2 million were reduced by a specific valuation totaling $221,000 resulting in a net fair value of $17.0 million based on Level 3 inputs.
Assets and Liabilities not Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value
The following tables provide the carrying value and fair value for certain financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value on the consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Carrying Value
Total Fair
Financial assets:
Investment securities held to maturity
Loans receivable, net
1,398,965
Mortgage servicing rights
639
703
Financial liabilities:
1,317,969
422,853
1,740,822
1,426,962
393
1,080,201
467,630
1,547,831
17,721
For Cash and Cash Equivalents, Loans Held For Sale, Accrued Interest Receivable, Regulatory Stock, Bank Owned Life Insurance, Short-Term Borrowings, Advances by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance, and Accrued Interest Payable the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of the fair value and are considered Level 1 measurements.
The fair value approximates the current book value.
30
11.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows (in thousands):
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Defined
Benefit
Pension Plan
Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Derivatives
Balance at December 31, 2020
(3,432
2,993
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications
(510
2,936
2,426
Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
(329
509
Period change
Balance at March 31, 2021
(3,519
2,154
587
Balance at December 31, 2019
(1,527
616
(441
4,497
(2,031
2,466
(126
(118
Balance at March 31, 2020
4,987
(2,464
Balance at September 30, 2020
3,167
(3,791
(684
3,342
2,658
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
1,036
Balance at September 30, 2019
(560
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
4,481
(1,858
2,623
(301
(347
The following table presents significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
Amount Reclassified from
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months Ended March 31,
Affected Line Item in the
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Securities available for sale
Net securities gains reclassified into earnings
Related income tax expense
Net effect on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
for the period
126
Defined benefit pension plan
Amortization of net (loss) gain and prior service costs
(24
87
Derivatives and hedging activities:
Interest expense, effective portion
(644
Deposits and short-term borrowings interest expense
(509
Total reclassification for the period
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Six Months Ended March 31,
Securities available for sale:
(80
301
Net of tax
Derivative and hedging activities:
(1,311
58
Short-term borrowings interest expense
275
(12
(1,036
(620
347
32
12.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable rate borrowings.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 (in thousands).
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives
As of March 31, 2021
As of September 30, 2020
Hedged Item
Notional
Sheet
Location
Brokered Deposits
200,000
Other Assets
2,161
Commercial Loans
57,714
1,838
55,784
257,714
Liability Derivatives
FHLB Advances
Other Liabilities
25,000
700
170,000
1,416
410,000
4,098
90,322
1,832
70,784
2,204
260,322
505,784
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company has entered into interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed payments. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had seventeen interest rate swaps with a notional principal amount of $370 million associated with the Company’s cash outflows associated with various brokered certificates and $148 million associated with associated with various commercial loans.
For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings), net of tax, and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transactions. The Company did not recognize any hedge ineffectiveness in earnings during the periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives that will be reclassified to interest income/expense as interest payments are made/received on the Company’s variable-rate assets/liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $644,000 and $10,000 of losses respectively, which resulted in an increase to interest expense. During the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company had $1.3 million of losses which resulted in an increase to interest expense During the six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company had $68,000 in gains which resulted in a decrease to
33
interest expense. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $1.7 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
The table below presents the effect of the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands).
The Effect of Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivatives in Hedging Relationships
Loss Recognized in
OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
Three Months Ended March 31,
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
into Income
(Loss) Gain Recognized in
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Interest Rate Products
4,363
(2,545
Interest expense
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
Six Months Ended March 31,
(Loss) Gain Recognized
in OCI on Derivative
5,546
(2,410
Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
The Company has agreements with its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.
The Company also has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company fails to maintain its status as a well / adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and the Company would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had derivatives in a net liability position and was required to post $1.6 million in collateral against its obligations under these agreements. As of September 30, 2019, the Company was required to post $7.5 million in collateral against its obligations under these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.
13.
Contingent Liabilities
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of Management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Bank was named as a defendant in an action commenced on December 8, 2016 by one plaintiff who will also seek to pursue this action as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiff alleges that a bank previously acquired by ESSA Bancorp received unearned fees and kickbacks in the process of making loans, in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. In an order dated January 29, 2018, the district court granted the Bank’s motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiff appealed the court’s ruling. In an opinion and order dated April 26, 2019, the appellate court reversed the district court’s order dismissing the plaintiff’s case against the Bank, and remanded the case back to the district court in order to continue the litigation. The litigation is now proceeding before the district court. On December 9, 2019, the court permitted an amendment to the complaint to add two new plaintiffs to the case asserting similar claims. On May 21, 2020, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The case is currently stayed while the parties explore the possibility of a negotiated resolution to the case. In an order dated November 24, 2020, the Court referred the case to a Magistrate Judge to assist in mediation efforts. If these discussions are not successful, the Bank will continue to defend against such allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Bank, the amount of such exposures cannot currently be estimated.
On May 29, 2020, the Bank was named as a defendant in a second action commenced by three plaintiffs who will also seek to pursue this action as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiffs allege that a bank previously acquired by ESSA Bancorp received unearned fees and kickbacks from a different title company than the one involved in the previously discussed litigation in the process of making loans. The original complaint alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Sherman Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The plaintiffs filed an Amended complaint on September 30, 2020 that dropped the RICO claim, but they are continuing to pursue the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Sherman Act claims. The Bank moved to dismiss the Sherman Act claim on October 14, 2020, and that motion was denied on April 2, 2021. The Bank intends to defend against such allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Bank, the amount of such exposure cannot currently be estimated.
14.
Revenue Recognition
Management determined that the primary sources of revenue associated with financial instruments, including interest income on loans and investments, along with certain noninterest revenue sources including investment security gains, loan servicing charges, gains on the sale of loans, and earnings on bank owned life insurance are not within the scope of Topic 606. As a result, no changes were made during the period related to these sources of revenue, which cumulatively comprise 90.3% of the total revenue of the Corporation.
Noninterest income within the scope of Topic 606 are as follows:
Trust and Investment Fees
Trust and asset management income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received a few days after month end through a direct charge to customer’s accounts. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. Optional services such as real estate sales and tax return preparation services are also available to existing trust and asset management customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time (i.e. as incurred). Payment is received shortly after services are rendered.
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts
Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e. net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders, and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.
Fees, Exchange, and Other Service Charges
Fees, interchange, and other service charges are primarily comprised of debit card income, ATM fees, cash management income, and other services charges. Debit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Mastercard. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a company ATM. Other service charges include revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized when the services are rendered or upon completion., Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.
Insurance Commissions
Insurance income primarily consists of commissions received on product sales. The Company acts as an intermediary between the Company’s customer and the insurance carrier. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of
35
the policy. Shortly after the policy is issued, the carrier remits the commission payment to the Company, and the Company recognizes the revenue.
15. Leases
A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. On October 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. For the Company, Topic 842 primarily affected the accounting treatment for operating lease agreements in which the Company is the lessee.
Lessee Accounting
Substantially all of the leases in which the Company is the lessee are comprised of real estate property for branches, ATM locations, and office space with terms extending through 2044. All of our leases are classified as operating leases, and therefore, were previously not recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance sheet. With the adoption of Topic 842, operating lease agreements are required to be recognized on the Consolidated Balance sheet as a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability.
The following table presents the Consolidated Balance Sheet classification of the Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities. The Company elected not to include short-term leases (i.e., leases with initial terms of twelve months or less), or equipment leases (deemed immaterial) on the Consolidated Balance sheet.
Lease Right-of-Use Assets
Classification
Operating lease right-of-use assets
6,669
Total Lease Right-Of-Use Assets
Lease Liabilities
Operating lease Liabilities
6,787
Total Lease Liabilities
7,082
7,161
The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities in the table above are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to present value the minimum lease payments. The Company’s lease agreements often include one or more options to renew at the Company’s discretion. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. Regarding the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term. For operating leases existing prior to October 1, 2019, the rate for the remaining lease term as of October 1, 2019 was used.
Weighted average remaining lease term
Operating leases
13.3 years
Weighted average discount rate
2.41
%
The following table represents lease costs and other lease information. As the Company elected, for all classes of underlying assets, not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead to account for them as a single lease component, the variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities.
Lease Costs (in thousands)
Operating lease cost
264
Variable lease cost
79
Net lease cost
254
63
317
Six Months Ended March 31,2021
527
670
Six Months Ended March 31,2020
630
Future minimum payments for finance leases and operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of March 31, 2021 were as follows:
Twelve months Ended:
March 31, 2022
932
March 31, 2023
1,463
March 31, 2024
690
March 31, 2025
507
March 31, 2026
511
Thereafter
4,742
Total future minimum lease payments
8,845
Amounts representing interest
2,058
Present Value of Net Future Minimum Lease Payments
37
Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:
•
statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;
statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.
By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of this and any previous Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the following factors:
significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;
inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;
adverse changes in the securities markets;
legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;
our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;
changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the FASB; and
changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.
Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused local and national economic disruption and has had an impact on the Company’s operations and financial results. Given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict what effects the pandemic will have on our business and results of operations in the future. The pandemic and related local and national economic disruption may, among other effects, result in a decline in demand for our products and services; increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures; branch closures, work stoppages and unavailability of personnel; and increased cybersecurity risks, as employees increasingly work remotely.
These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.
Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020
Total Assets. Total assets increased by $76.3 million, or 4.0%, to $1.97 billion at March 31, 2021 from $1.89 billion at September 30, 2020 due primarily to increases in cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits with other institutions partially offset by a decline in investment securities available for sale and loans receivable. At the onset of the pandemic, the Company moved quickly to build its liquidity as an offset to the economic uncertainty caused by the resulting economic slowdown. The Company will continue to maintain a strong liquidity position against the changing economic forecasts through daily monitoring.
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents. Total cash and cash equivalents increased $155.0 million, or 99.4%, to $310.9 million at March 31, 2021 from $155.9 million at September 30, 2020 as a result of pandemic-oriented balance sheet adjustments made to mitigate related risks. Decreases in investment and loan balances outstanding along with an increase in liabilities accounted for the majority of the first quarter increase. The Company built the majority of its cash position in the fiscal second quarter of 2020 and has maintained that position through the second quarter of fiscal 2021 to remain prepared for ongoing economic uncertainties.
Net Loans. Net loans decreased $31.2 million, or 2.2%, to $1.39 billion at March 31, 2021 from $1.42 billion at September 30, 2020. During this period, residential loans decreased $21.4 million to $588.8 million, construction loans decreased $2.2 million to $9.7 million, commercial real estate loans increased $45.8 million to $555.4 million, commercial loans decreased $24.4 million to $115.2 million partially due to the repayment and forgiveness of $12.3 million in PPP loans carried in the commercial loan portfolio, obligations of states and political subdivisions decreased $9.7 million to $69.65 million, home equity loans and lines of credit decreased $1.7 million to $39.1 million, auto loans decreased $15.2 million to $24.6 million reflecting expected runoff of the portfolio following the Company’s previously announced discontinuation of indirect auto lending in July 2018, and other loans decreased $665,000 to $1.6 million. The Company sold $41.3 million in residential mortgage loans to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh during the six month period ended March 31, 2021, recording gains on the sale of these loans in noninterest income.
Investment Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale decreased $51.2 million, or 24.1%, to $161.2 million at March 31, 2021 from $212.5 million at September 30, 2020 due primarily to the maturity of a $25.0 million United States treasury security and the sale of $10.7 million in various securities. The Company has continued to maintain a liquid position in cash and cash equivalents and has limited its investment purchases.
Deposits. Deposits increased $196.4 million, or 12.7%, to $1.74 billion at March 31, 2021 from $1.54 billion at September 30, 2020 due primarily to increases in interest bearing demand accounts, money markets accounts, non-interest bearing demand accounts and savings and club accounts offset by a decrease in certificate of deposits. Increases in non-interest bearing demand accounts of $31.3 million, interest bearing demand accounts of $176.7 million, money market accounts of $7.1 million and savings and club accounts of $22.7 million were offset in part by a decrease in certificates of deposit of $41.3 million. The overall decrease in certificates of deposit reflected a decrease in brokered certificates of $115.0 million.
Borrowed Funds. Borrowed funds decreased by $125.9 million, or 100.0%, to zero at March 31, 2021, from $125.9 million at September 30, 2020. The decrease in borrowed funds was due to a decrease in short term borrowings of $111.7 million and a decrease in other borrowings of $14.2 million.
Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased by $7.2 million, or 3.8%, to $198.6 million at March 31, 2021 from $191.4 million at September 30, 2020. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to net income of $8.5 million, which was partially offset by an increase in treasury stock due to the repurchase by the Company of 189,200 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $2.9 million under a previously disclosed stock repurchase plan and regular cash dividends of $0.12 per share, which reduced stockholders’ equity by $2.3 million.
39
Average Balance Sheets for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances, the yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.
Average Balance
Interest Income/
Expense
Yield/Cost
Interest-earning assets:
Loans(1)
1,390,803
3.99
1,358,627
4.18
Taxable(2)
71,378
2.98
67,435
626
3.76
Exempt from federal income
tax(2)(3)
8,453
2.43
9,700
2.54
Total investment securities
79,831
565
2.92
77,135
674
3.61
Mortgage-backed securities
90,451
358
1.61
229,300
1,319
2.33
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
3,576
4.08
11,749
7.56
225,368
0.06
44,461
1.15
Total interest-earning assets
1,790,029
3.32
1,721,272
3.85
Allowance for loan losses
(16,515
(12,830
Noninterest-earning assets
121,245
118,028
Total assets
1,894,759
1,826,470
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW accounts
249,393
74
189,746
163
0.35
400,677
0.17
348,479
911
1.06
175,667
0.05
138,675
570,746
1,320
0.94
480,988
2,134
1.80
Borrowed funds
8,770
1.94
262,846
2.13
Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,405,253
0.47
1,420,734
1.32
Non-interest-bearing NOW
accounts
260,430
181,780
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
31,065
29,821
Total liabilities
1,696,748
1,632,335
198,011
194,135
Total liabilities and equity
Net interest income
Interest rate spread
2.85
2.53
Net interest-earning assets
384,776
300,538
Net interest margin(4)
2.95
2.76
Average interest-earning assets to
average interest-bearing liabilities
127.38
121.15
1,405,075
3.92
1,350,538
4.19
82,972
1,157
2.80
67,368
1,252
3.73
8,464
9,687
2.52
91,436
1,238
77,055
1,348
3.57
95,261
722
1.52
232,216
2,650
2.29
4,502
114
5.08
11,426
428
7.51
201,712
71
0.07
37,027
1.28
1,797,986
3.30
1,708,262
3.86
(16,096
(12,748
120,191
111,822
1,902,081
1,807,336
255,210
171
0.13
207,054
392
0.38
406,529
0.18
348,167
1,885
1.09
169,736
137,423
553,383
2,773
1.00
461,752
4,246
1.84
36,620
1.48
255,376
2,738
2.15
1,421,478
0.51
1,409,772
253,887
180,056
30,658
24,812
1,706,023
1,614,640
196,058
192,696
2.79
376,508
298,490
2.89
2.77
126.49
121.17
_____________________
Non-accruing loans are included in the outstanding loan balances.
Available for sale securities are reported at fair value.
(3)
Yields on tax exempt securities have been calculated on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 21.00% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
(4)
Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest earning assets.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020
Net Income. Net income increased $933,000, or 27.4%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to net income of $3.4 million for the comparable period in 2020. The increase was primarily due to increases in net interest income and non-interest income partially offset by increases in non-interest expense, the provision for loan losses and the income tax provision.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $1.3 million, or 11.1%, to $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $11.7 million for the comparable period in 2020.
Interest Income. Total interest income was $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with $16.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflecting a decline in interest rates and a decrease in the total yield on average interest earning assets from 3.85% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 to 3.32% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decline in rates was partially offset by growth of $68.8 million in average interest earning assets. The majority of the growth, however, was in the lower yielding cash category of interest earning assets.
Interest Expense. Interest expense declined to $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to $4.6 million for the same period in 2020. The cost of interest bearing liabilities declined from 1.32% for the 2020 period to 0.47% for the 2021 period, reflecting lower interest rates, timely repricing of deposits, roll-off of higher-cost borrowings and strong balance sheet management. Average interest-bearing liabilities shrank $15.5 million year-over-year.
Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. After an evaluation of these factors, management made a provision for loan losses of $900,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 compared to $500,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was $17.2 million, or 1.22% of loans outstanding at March 31, 2021, compared to $15.4 million, or 1.07% of loans outstanding, at September 30, 2020. As the economic slowdown continues to evolve due to COVID-19 restrictions, our customers may experience decreased cash flows, which may correlate to an inability to make timely loan payments. This, in turn may require further increases in our allowance for loan losses and increases in the level of charge-offs in our loan portfolio.
Non-interest Income. Noninterest income increased 29.9% to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Noninterest income in the fiscal first quarter of 2021 included approximately $669,000 in gains on sales of residential mortgages, primarily lower-interest 30-year fixed rate loans. The Company’s strategy continues to focus on commercial banking and decreasing the amount of long-term, low interest, retained residential mortgages. Loan swap fees were $410,000 in fiscal second quarter 2021 compared to $359,000 in fiscal second quarter 2020.
Non-interest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $611,000 of 6.2% to $10.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with $9.8 million for the comparable period a year earlier primarily reflecting increases in compensation and employee benefits expenses, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums and other expenses partially offset by declines in foreclosed real estate.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense increased $165,000 to $871,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $706,000 for the comparable 2020 period. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 16.7% compared to 17.2% for the 2020 period.
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Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020
Net Income. Net income increased $1.7 million, or 24.3%, to $8.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to net income of $6.8 million for the comparable period in 2020. The increase was primarily due to increases in net interest income and non-interest income partially offset by increases in non-interest expense, the provision for loan losses and the income tax provision.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $2.4 million, or 10.1%, to $25.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $23.6 million for the comparable period in 2020.
Interest Income. Total interest income was $29.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared with $32.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 reflecting a decline in interest rates and a decrease in the total yield on average interest earning assets from 3.86% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 to 3.30% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decline in rates was partially offset by growth of $89.7 million in average interest earning assets. The majority of the growth, however, was in the lower yielding cash category of interest earning assets.
Interest Expense. Interest expense declined to $3.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $9.3 million for the same period in 2020. The cost of interest bearing liabilities declined from 1.32% for the 2020 period to 0.51% for the 2021 period, reflecting lower interest rates, timely repricing of deposits, roll-off of higher-cost borrowings and strong balance sheet management. Balance sheet management includes the effect of the deleverage transaction completed by the Company during the fourth quarter of 2020 that decreased the Company’s borrowed funds by approximately $123.0 million. Average interest-bearing liabilities grew $11.7 million year-over-year.
Provision for Loan Losses. In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are subject to interpretation and revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur. After an evaluation of these factors, management made a provision for loan losses of $1.8 million for the six month period ended March 31, 2021 compared to $875,000 for the six month period ended March 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was $17.2 million, or 1.22% of loans outstanding at March 31, 2021, compared to $15.4 million, or 1.07% of loans outstanding, at September 30, 2020. As the economic slowdown continues to evolve due to COVID-19 restrictions, our customers may experience decreased cash flows, which may correlate to an inability to make timely loan payments. This, in turn may require further increases in our allowance for loan losses and increases in the level of charge-offs in our loan portfolio.
Non-interest Income. Noninterest income increased 29.6% to $6.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021, compared with $5.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. Noninterest income in the six months ended March 31, 2021 included approximately $1.5 million in gains on sales of residential mortgages, primarily lower-interest 30-year fixed rate loans. The Company’s strategy continues to focus on commercial banking and decreasing the amount of long-term, low interest, retained residential mortgages. Loan swap fees were $621,000 in fiscal first half 2021 compared to $573,000 in fiscal first half 2020. In addition, the Company recorded $120,000 in earnings on bank-owned life insurance during this fiscal first quarter due to the notice of death of a former executive included in the Company’s bank-owned life insurance policies.
Non-interest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $1.0 million or 5.2% to $20.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared with $19.6 million for the comparable period a year earlier primarily reflecting increases in compensation and employee benefits expenses, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums and other expenses partially offset by declines in foreclosed real estate.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense increased $295,000 to $1.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $1.4 million for the comparable 2020 period. The effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2021 was 16.7% compared to 17.1% for the 2020 period.
The following table provides information with respect to the Bank’s non-performing assets at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).
Non-performing assets:
Non-accruing loans
Non-accruing purchased credit impaired loans
Total non-performing loans
24,697
20,330
Total non-performing assets
25,091
20,599
Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans
1.76
1.42
Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets
1.25
1.07
Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets
1.27
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans
1.22
Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days delinquent. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reserved, and further income is recognized only to the extent received. Non-performing assets increased $4.4 million from September 30, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The primary reason for the increase in nonperforming assets at March 31, 2021 as compared to September 30, 2020 was the addition of one non-performing commercial loan relationship of $5.9 million. Also included in non-performing assets are two nonperforming commercial real estate loans totaling $9.1 million. These loans are well collateralized and carry personal guarantees. The number of nonperforming residential loans was 1942 at March 31, 2021 compared to 56 at September 30, 2020. The $24.7 million of non-accruing loans at March 31, 2021 included 42 residential loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.5 million, 36 commercial and commercial real estate loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $20.9 million and 41 consumer loans with aggregate balances of $297,000. Within the residential loan balance were $1.8 million of loans less than 90 days past due. In the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company identified 19 residential loans which, although paying as agreed, have a high probability of default. Foreclosed real estate increased $125,000 to $394,000 at March 31, 2021. Foreclosed real estate consists of eight residential properties and one commercial property.
At March 31, 2021, the principal balance of troubled debt restructures (“TDRs”) was $1.9 million compared to $2.7 million at September 30, 2020. All of the $1.9 million of troubled debt restructures at March 31, 2021 are non-accrual loans.
As of March 31, 2021, TDRs were comprised of 13 residential loans totaling $1.3 million, three commercial and commercial real estate loans totaling $514,000 and four consumer loans (home equity loans, home equity lines and credit, indirect auto and other loans) totaling $67,000.
For the six month period ended March 31, 2021, five loans were paid in full and removed from non-performing TDR status and two loan was removed due to completion of one year of consecutive on time payments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We maintain liquid assets at levels we consider adequate to meet both our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, repay our borrowings and to fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.
Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment and repayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations, as well as access to FHLB
advances and other borrowing sources. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits.
A portion of our liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents and borrowings, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. At March 31, 2021, $310.9 million of our assets were invested in cash and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the maturities of investment securities, principal repayments of mortgage-backed securities and increases in deposit accounts and borrowings. As of March 31, 2021, we had no borrowings outstanding from the Pittsburgh FHLB. We have access to total FHLB advances of up to approximately $705.8 million.
At March 31, 2021, we had $286.8 million in loan commitments outstanding, which included, in part, $107.8 million in undisbursed construction loans and land development loans, $45.6 million in unused home equity lines of credit, $79.4 million in commercial lines of credit and commitments to originate commercial loans, $10.9 million in performance standby letters of credit and $43.1 million in other unused commitments which are primarily to originate residential mortgage loans and multifamily loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of March 31, 2021 totaled $355.9 million, or 84.3% of certificates of deposit. If these maturing deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and borrowings. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before March 31, 2022. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
As reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, our cash flows are classified for financial reporting purposes as operating, investing or financing cash flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.1 million and $10.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These amounts differ from our net income because of a variety of cash receipts and disbursements that did not affect net income for the respective periods. Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities was $77.7 million and $(25.5) million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, principally reflecting our loan and investment security activities. Deposit and borrowing cash flows have comprised most of our financing activities, which resulted in net cash provided by, of $69.2 million and $136.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies
We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income, to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses which is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management makes significant estimates and has identified this policy as one of our most critical. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.
As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans and discounted cash flow valuations of properties are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals and discounted cash flow valuations are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal and external loan reviews and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions.
The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans that are determined to be impaired. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment
45
history. We also analyze historical loss experience, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and geographic and industry concentrations. This analysis establishes factors that are applied to the loan groups to determine the amount of the general allocations. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but it is tested at least annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if indicators of impairment are present. If the estimated current fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no additional testing is required and an impairment loss is not recorded. The Company uses market capitalization and multiples of tangible book value methods to determine the estimated current fair value of its reporting unit. Based on this analysis, no impairment was recorded in 2021 or 2020.
The other intangibles assets are assigned useful lives, which are amortized on an accelerated basis over their weighted-average lives. The Company periodically reviews the intangible assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset may not be recoverable. Based on these reviews, no impairment was recorded in 2021 or 2020.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.
Fair Value Measurements. We group our assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level I – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level II – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level III – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.
We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in generally accepted accounting principles.
Fair value measurements for most of our assets are obtained from independent pricing services that we have engaged for this purpose. When available, we, or our independent pricing service, use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon models that incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. Subsequently, all of our financial instruments use either of the foregoing methodologies to determine fair value adjustments recorded to our financial statements. In certain cases, however, when market observable inputs for model-based valuation techniques may not be readily available, we are required to make judgments about assumptions market participants would use in estimating the fair value of financial instruments. The degree of management judgment involved in determining the fair value of a financial instrument is dependent upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market parameters. For financial instruments that trade actively and have quoted market prices or observable market parameters, there is minimal subjectivity involved in measuring fair value. When observable market prices and parameters are not fully available, management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value. In addition, changes in the market conditions may reduce the availability of quoted prices or observable data. When market data is not available, we use valuation techniques requiring more management judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurement. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset.
Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, that could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.
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, but 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. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.
Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, 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. 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. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required if the amount of taxes recoverable through loss carryback declines, or if we project lower levels of future taxable income. Such a valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense that would adversely affect our operating results.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as such term is defined in applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, have longer maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has approved guidelines for managing the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives. Senior management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the asset/liability committee meets quarterly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.
We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. The net proceeds from the Company’s stock offering increased our capital and provided management with greater flexibility to manage our interest rate risk. In particular, management used the majority of the capital we received to increase our interest-earning assets. There have been no material changes in our interest rate risk since September 30, 2020.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
There were no changes made in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined by Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Part II – Other Information
The Bank was named as a defendant in an action commenced on December 8, 2016 by one plaintiff who will also seek to pursue this action as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiff alleges that a bank previously acquired by ESSA Bancorp received unearned fees and kickbacks in the process of making loans, in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. In an order dated January 29, 2018, the district court granted the Bank’s motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiff appealed the court’s ruling. In an opinion and order dated April 26, 2019, the appellate court reversed the district court’s order dismissing the plaintiff’s case against the Bank, and remanded the case back to the district court in order to continue the litigation. The litigation is now proceeding before the district court. On December 9, 2019, the court permitted an amendment to the complaint to add two new plaintiffs to the case asserting similar claims. On May 21, 2020, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The case is currently stayed while the parties explore the possibility of a negotiated resolution to the case. In an order dated November 24, 2020, the court referred the case to a Magistrate Judge to assist in mediation efforts. If these discussions are not successful, the Bank will continue to defend against such allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Bank, the amount of such exposure is not currently estimable.
On May 29, 2020, the Bank was named as a defendant in a second action commenced by three plaintiffs who will also seek to pursue this action as a class action on behalf of the entire class of people similarly situated. The plaintiffs allege that a bank previously acquired by ESSA Bancorp received unearned fees and kickbacks from a different title company than the one involved in the previously discussed litigation in the process of making loans. The original complaint alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Sherman Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The plaintiffs filed an Amended complaint on September 30, 2020 that dropped the RICO claim, but they are continuing to pursue the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Sherman Act claims. The Bank moved to dismiss the Sherman Act claim on October 14, 2020, and that motion was denied on April 2, 2021. The Bank intends to defend against such allegations. To the extent that this matter could result in exposure to the Bank, the amount of such exposure is not currently estimable.
Item 1A.Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the “Risk Factors” as disclosed in the Company’s response to Item 1A in Part 1 of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, filed on December 14, 2020.
Company Purchases of Common Stock
Month Ending
Total number of
shares purchased
Average price paid
per share
shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans
or programs(1)
Maximum number
of shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
January 31, 2021
350,000
February 28, 2021
26,326
15.61
323,674
63,190
16.54
260,484
89,516
16.16
______________________
(1) On August 25, 2020 the Company announced the authorization of an eighth repurchase program for up to 500,000 shares of its common stock. This program has no expiration date.
Not applicable.
The following exhibits are either filed as part of this Report or are incorporated herein by reference:
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006)
3.2
Bylaws of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006)
Form of Common Stock Certificate of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (file no. 333-139157), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2006)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition; (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Income; (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholder Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
SIGNATURES
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.
ESSA BANCORP, INC.
Date: May 10, 2021
/s/ Gary S. Olson
Gary S. Olson
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Allan A. Muto
Allan A. Muto
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer