Table of Contents
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 September 30, 2024
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission File No. 001-41384
HANOVER BANCORP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New York
81-3324480
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
80 East Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, NY 11501
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(516) 548-8500
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock
HNVR
NASDAQ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒
Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any 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 ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
7,152,601 Shares
(Title of Class)
(Outstanding as of October 31, 2024)
Form 10-Q
Page
PART I
Item 1.
Financial Statements
3
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (unaudited) as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
8
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
36
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
50
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
51
PART II
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
52
Signatures
53
2
ITEM 1. – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and non-interest-bearing deposits due from banks
$
9,767
10,277
Interest-bearing deposits due from banks
131,464
166,407
Federal funds sold
—
523
Total cash and cash equivalents
141,231
177,207
Securities held to maturity, fair value of $3,707 at September 30, 2024 and $3,835 at December 31, 2023 (net of allowance for credit losses of $0 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023)
3,828
4,041
Securities available for sale, at fair value (net of allowance for credit losses of $0 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023)
98,359
61,419
Loans held for sale
16,721
8,904
Loans
2,005,813
1,957,199
Allowance for credit losses
(23,406)
(19,658)
Loans, net
1,982,407
1,937,541
Premises and equipment, net
16,373
15,886
Operating lease assets
8,776
9,754
Accrued interest receivable
12,522
11,915
Prepaid post retirement plan
3,408
3,503
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"), at cost
8,541
8,612
Goodwill
19,168
Other intangible assets
265
311
Loan servicing rights
5,765
4,668
Deferred income taxes, net
2,372
2,463
Other assets
8,078
TOTAL ASSETS
2,327,814
2,270,060
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing demand
206,327
207,781
Savings, NOW and money market
1,247,117
1,174,616
Time
504,100
522,198
Total deposits
1,957,544
1,904,595
Borrowings
125,805
128,953
Subordinated debentures ($25,000 face amount less unamortized debt issuance costs of $325 and $365 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
24,675
24,635
Operating lease liabilities
9,472
10,459
Accrued interest payable
1,865
1,724
Other liabilities
16,114
14,864
TOTAL LIABILITIES
2,135,475
2,085,230
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, Series A (par value $0.01; 15,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 275,000 and 150,000 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
5,041
2,963
Common stock (par value $0.01; 17,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 7,153,366 and 7,195,012 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
72
Surplus
124,580
125,694
Retained earnings
64,766
58,551
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(2,120)
(2,450)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
192,339
184,830
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
INTEREST INCOME
31,356
26,059
92,217
75,581
Taxable securities
1,619
198
4,610
594
Other interest income
1,138
2,695
3,138
6,296
Total interest income
34,113
28,952
99,965
82,471
INTEREST EXPENSE
Savings, NOW and money market deposits
13,941
10,186
39,541
27,883
Time deposits
5,546
4,060
15,418
9,657
1,524
2,907
5,722
5,703
Total interest expense
21,011
17,153
60,681
43,243
Net interest income
13,102
11,799
39,284
39,228
Provision for credit losses (1)
200
500
4,540
1,932
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
12,902
11,299
34,744
37,296
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Loan servicing and fee income
960
681
2,709
2,031
Service charges on deposit accounts
123
75
333
212
Gain on sale of loans held-for-sale
2,834
1,468
7,926
3,515
Gain on sale of securities available-for-sale
Other income
37
1,483
180
1,679
Total non-interest income
3,954
3,707
11,152
7,437
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits
6,840
5,351
18,901
16,320
Occupancy and equipment
1,799
1,758
5,412
4,882
Data processing
547
516
1,560
1,533
Professional fees
762
800
2,297
2,462
Federal deposit insurance premiums
360
386
1,043
1,101
Other expenses
1,930
1,506
5,499
5,152
Total non-interest expense
12,238
10,317
34,712
31,450
Income before income tax expense
4,618
4,689
11,184
13,283
Income tax expense
1,079
1,166
2,740
3,457
NET INCOME
3,539
3,523
8,444
9,826
Earnings per share:
BASIC
0.48
1.14
1.34
DILUTED
1.33
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale arising during the period, net of tax of $122, ($42), $142 and ($266), respectively
438
(150)
508
(955)
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, net of tax of $0, $0, ($1) and $0, respectively
(3)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
505
Unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges:
Change in unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net of tax of ($340), $66, ($49) and $97, respectively
(1,231)
237
(175)
348
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(793)
87
330
(607)
Total comprehensive income, net of tax
2,746
3,610
8,774
9,219
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Common
Accumulated Other
Total
Stock
Preferred
Retained
Comprehensive
Stockholders’
(Shares)
Earnings
Loss, Net of Tax
Equity
Balance at January 1, 2024
7,195,012
4,061
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
1,157
Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)
(741)
Stock-based compensation
381
Stock awards granted, net of forfeitures
52,491
Shares received related to tax withholding
(8,292)
(145)
Exercise of stock options, net
3,201
Balance at March 31, 2024
7,242,412
125,930
61,871
(1,293)
189,543
844
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(34)
(744)
401
3,147
(453)
(8)
Preferred stock issued in exchange for common stock
(125,000)
2,078
(1)
(2,077)
7,057
70
Balance at June 30, 2024
7,127,163
71
124,316
61,971
(1,327)
190,072
417
Forfeitures, net of stock awards granted
(1,905)
(804)
(14)
28,912
1
(139)
(138)
Balance at September 30, 2024
7,153,366
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Balance at January 1, 2023
7,149,000
124,235
51,074
(715)
177,628
3,209
(226)
(738)
794
39,513
(7,421)
Balance at March 31, 2023
7,181,092
124,883
53,545
(941)
180,522
3,094
(468)
(735)
Stock awards granted
3,500
(472)
Balance at June 30, 2023
7,184,120
125,276
55,904
(1,409)
182,806
(734)
236
(13,112)
(589)
(11)
Balance at September 30, 2023
7,170,419
125,501
58,693
(1,322)
185,907
7
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
1,594
1,391
Amortization of right-of-use assets
1,279
1,216
Net gain on sale of securities available-for-sale
(4)
1,199
1,431
Net gain on sale of loans held-for-sale
(7,926)
(3,515)
Net amortization (accretion) of premiums, discounts and loan fees and costs
866
(596)
Amortization of intangible assets
46
54
Amortization of debt issuance costs
40
Loan servicing rights valuation adjustments
499
680
Deferred tax expense
1,231
Increase in accrued interest receivable
(1,106)
Increase in other assets
(5,136)
(684)
Increase in accrued interest payable
141
979
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
878
(1,391)
Payments on operating leases
(1,288)
(1,164)
Net cash provided by operating activities
4,565
10,324
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of securities available-for-sale
(558,084)
Repayments of restricted securities, net
1,652
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale
868
Principal repayments of securities held to maturity
210
225
Principal repayments of securities available-for-sale
520,884
38
Proceeds from sales of loans
110,795
41,734
Net increase in loans
(160,934)
(168,087)
Purchases of premises and equipment
(2,081)
(2,562)
Net cash used in investing activities
(88,271)
(127,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits
53,160
217,775
Proceeds from term FHLB advances
100,725
Repayments of term FHLB advances
(18,860)
(11,800)
Proceeds from Federal Reserve Bank borrowings
20,000
Repayments of Federal Reserve Bank borrowings
(22,288)
(4,334)
Proceeds (repayments) of other short-term borrowings, net
18,000
(143,000)
Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards
(167)
(164)
Cash dividends paid
(2,218)
(2,200)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
103
Net cash provided by financing activities
47,730
157,002
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(35,976)
40,326
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
152,298
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
192,624
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
60,540
42,264
Income taxes paid
4,032
4,353
Supplemental non-cash disclosure:
Transfers from portfolio loans to loans held-for-sale
110,686
43,769
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets
301
Commencing on October 1, 2023 the allowance calculation is based on the current expected credit loss methodology. Prior to October 1, 2023 the calculation was based on the the incurred loss methodology. Refer to Note 1 for further discussion.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Hanover Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), is a New York corporation which is the holding company for Hanover Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank, headquartered in Mineola, New York, is a New York State chartered bank. The Bank commenced operations on November 4, 2008 and is a full-service bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. As a New York State chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”). At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on March 5, 2024, the shareholders approved a change in its state of incorporation from the State of New York to the State of Maryland subject to regulatory approval, which remains pending.
Basis of Presentation
In October 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. The Company’s current fiscal year is the calendar year January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 (fiscal year 2024).
In the opinion of the Company’s management, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2024, its consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had an immaterial effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and had no effect on prior period net income or stockholders’ equity.
In addition, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or of the results for the full fiscal year 2024. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.
Accounting Policies
Securities - Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale at the time of purchase. Investment securities classified as held-to-maturity, which management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost. Investment securities classified as available for sale, which management has the intent and ability to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity, are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred income taxes, included in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of other comprehensive income. Any decision to sell investment securities available for sale would be based on various factors, including, but not limited to, asset / liability management strategies, changes in interest rates or prepayment risks, liquidity needs, or regulatory capital considerations.
Premiums are amortized and discounts accreted using the interest method over the remaining terms of the related securities. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Sales of investment securities are recorded at trade date, with realized gains and losses on sales determined using the specific identification method and included in non-interest income.
A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income.
Alowance for Credit Losses – Held-to-Maturity Securities – Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $42 thousand and $9 thousand at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
Management classifies the held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: Mortgage backed: residential and commercial. All mortgage-backed: residential and commercial securities held by the Company are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses.
Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-For-Sale Securities – For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available-for-sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as credit loss expense (or reversal). Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $0.8 million at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
10
Loans and Loan Interest Income Recognition - Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for credit losses. The loan portfolio is segmented into residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and consumer loans. Accrued interest receivable totaled $11.3 million and $10.8 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and was reported in Accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income on loans is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and credited to income as earned. Interest income on loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the contractual life of loans using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments.
Loans Held for Sale – Mortgage and SBA and other government guaranteed loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at estimated fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Periodically, the Company originates various residential mortgage loans for sale to investors generally on a servicing released basis. The sale of such loans is generally arranged through a master commitment on a best-efforts basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Premiums, discounts, origination fees and costs on loans held for sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in non-interest income, recognized on settlement date and are determined to be the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provides that, as transferor, the Company has surrendered control of the loans.
For liquidity purposes generally, there are instances when loans originated with the intent to hold in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to loans held for sale. At transfer, they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans – The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.
Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors.
The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that collection in full is not probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral or discounted value of the projected cash flows at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.
The quantitative component of the estimate relies on the statistical relationship between the projected value of an economic indicator and the implied historical loss experience among a curated group of peers. The Company utilized regression analyses of peer data, in which the Company was included, and where observed credit losses and selected economic factors were used to determine suitable loss drivers for modeling the lifetime rates of probability of default (PD). A loss given default rate (LGD) is assigned to each pool for each period based on these PD outcomes. The model primarily utilizes an expected discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis with a remaining life (RL) approach used limitedly. The DCF analysis is run at the instrument-level and incorporates an array of loan-specific data points and segment-implied assumptions to determine the lifetime expected loss attributable to each instrument. An implicit "hypothetical loss" is derived for each period of the DCF, and helps establish the present value of future cash flows for each period. The reserve applied to a specific instrument is the difference between the sum of the present value of future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the loan at the measurement date. The RL approach utilizes projected loss rates based on the remaining life of a loan
11
pool. It is utilized when a regression analysis could not provide adequate correlation of PD and external economic factors on which to base projected losses. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company updated the model utilized for the commercial and industrial allowance for credit loss loan segment from RL to DCF. The update was due to the Company now having the appropriate data needed to utilize the DCF model, whereas before the Company did not have the appropriate data. The change in methodology did not have a material impact to the allowance reserve for the commercial and industrial loan segment.
Portfolio segments are the level at which loss assumptions are applied to a pool of loans based on the similarity of risk characteristics inherent in the included instruments, relying on FFIEC Call Report codes. The loss driver for each loan portfolio segment is derived from a readily available and reasonable economic forecast, chiefly the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve's projections of civilian unemployment and year-over-year U.S. GDP growth. Forecasts are applied over a four-quarter period and revert to the lookback period's historical mean for the economic indicator over a four-quarter horizon, on a straight-line basis.
The model incorporates qualitative factor adjustments in order to calibrate the model for risk in each portfolio segment that may not be captured through quantitative analysis. Determinations regarding qualitative adjustments are reflective of management's expectation of loss conditions differing from those already captured in the quantitative component of the model. Factors that the Company considers include a) changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collections, charge offs, and recovery practices; b) changes in international, national, regional, and local conditions; c) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and term loans; d) changes in experience, depth, and ability of lending management; e) changes in volume and severity of past due loans and other similar conditions; f) changes in the quality of the Bank’s loan review system; g) changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans; h) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the levels of such concentrations; and i) the effects of other external factors (i.e. competition, legal and regulatory requirements) on the level of estimated credit losses.
Allowance for credit losses are aggregated for the major loan segments, with similar characteristics, summarized below. However, for the purposes of calculating reserves, these segments may be further broken down into loan classes by risk characteristics that include but are not limited to FFIEC Call Report codes, industry type, geographic location, and collateral type.
One-to-four family residential mortgage loans involve certain risks such as interest rate risk and risk of nonpayment. Adjustable-rate loans decrease the interest rate risk to the Bank that is associated with changes in interest rates but involve other risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Repayment risk can be affected by the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices.
Commercial real estate lending entails additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending. Such loans typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Loans in this classification include income producing investment properties and owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes. The underlying properties are located largely in the Bank’s primary market area. The cash flows of the income producing investment properties could be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, could have an effect on credit quality. In the case of owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes, a weakened economy and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending could have an adverse effect on credit quality.
Multifamily lending entails additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending, but less when compared to commercial real estate lending. Loans in this classification include income producing residential investment properties of five or more units. Loans are made to established owners with a proven and demonstrable record of strong performance. Loans are secured by a first mortgage lien on the subject property. Repayment is derived generally from the rental income generated from the property and may be supplemented by the owners’ personal cash flow. Credit risk arises with changes in economic conditions that could cause an increase in vacancy rates or decline in property value.
12
Commercial and industrial lending is generally considered higher risk due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers and the effects of general economic conditions on the business. Generally, these loans are primarily secured by inventories and other assets of the business and repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class.
The Company’s construction loan portfolio covers the development of commercial properties. Construction loans involve the disbursement of funds during construction with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans because their ultimate repayment depends on the satisfactory completion of construction and is sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing. Repayment is dependent on completion of the project and the subsequent financing of the completed project as a commercial real estate loan, and in some instances on the rent or sale of the underlying project.
Consumer loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates than other lending but generally involve more credit risk because of the type and nature of the collateral and, in certain cases, the absence of collateral. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower and, if applicable, sale of the collateral securing the loan. Therefore, the overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this loan class.
Allowance for Credit losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition in the other liabilities section and is adjusted through a provision for credit losses. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the commitment’s estimated useful life.
Series A Preferred Stock - Holders of the Company’s Series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, in the same per share amount as the common stockholders. No dividend for any quarterly period will be payable on the common stock unless a dividend identical to that paid on the common stock is paid at the same time on the Series A preferred stock. Therefore, Series A preferred stock is treated as common stock for EPS calculations. Series A preferred stock has no voting rights. In the event of a dissolution of the Company, Series A preferred stock is entitled to the payment of any declared and unpaid dividend, and then will share in dissolution proceeds, if any, with the shares of common stock.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures, which will require public business entities to disclose annually a tabular rate reconciliation, including specific items such as state and local income tax, tax credits, nontaxable or nondeductible items, among others, and a separate disclosure requiring disaggregation of reconciling items as described above which equal or exceed 5% of the product of multiplying income from continuing operations by the applicable statutory income tax rate. The ASU is effective for all public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
13
2. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The two-class method is used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Under the two-class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The restricted stock awards granted by the Company contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered participating securities.
The Company’s basic and diluted EPS calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows. There were no stock options that were antidilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Net income available to common stockholders
Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities
(109)
(115)
(264)
(355)
Income attributable to common stock
3,430
8,180
9,471
Weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities
7,411,064
7,327,345
7,395,758
7,327,836
Less: Weighted average participating securities
(242,214)
(253,746)
(248,116)
(276,251)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
7,168,850
7,073,599
7,147,642
7,051,585
Basic EPS
Weighted average common equivalent shares outstanding
25,004
80,138
24,657
80,118
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding
7,193,854
7,153,737
7,172,299
7,131,703
Diluted EPS
14
3. SECURITIES
The following tables summarize the amortized cost, fair value and allowance for credit losses of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss and gross unrecognized gains and losses:
Gross
Allowance
Amortized
Unrealized
for Credit
(in thousands)
Cost
Gains
Losses
Fair Value
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
24,925
U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities
7,787
62
(119)
7,730
Collateralized loan obligations
46,479
196
46,675
Corporate bonds
20,395
77
(1,443)
19,029
Total available for sale securities
99,586
335
(1,562)
Unrecognized
Held to maturity:
1,313
(59)
1,254
U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,515
(62)
2,453
Total held to maturity securities
(121)
309
(108)
201
50,283
82
(99)
50,266
12,700
(1,748)
10,952
63,292
(1,955)
1,480
(96)
1,384
2,561
(110)
2,451
(206)
3,835
15
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at September 30, 2024, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are shown separately.
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
Due in one year or less
Due after one year through five years
1,000
1,024
Five to ten years
52,935
51,678
Beyond ten years
12,939
13,002
Total securities available for sale
Securities held to maturity:
Total securities held to maturity
Total investment securities
103,414
102,066
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, investment securities with a carrying amount of $30.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.
There were no sales of securities during the three months ended September 30, 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, proceeds from sales of securities available for sale totaled $0.9 million, with an associated gross realized gain of $4 thousand. There were no sales of securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
There were holdings of $25.0 million in securities issued by the U.S. Government that exceeded 10% of stockholder’s equity at September 30, 2024. There were no holdings of securities of any one issuer in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders' equity at December 31, 2023.
The following tables summarize securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
Less than Twelve Months
Twelve Months or Longer
Number of
(in thousands, except number of securities)
Securities
Available-for-sale:
3,473
(29)
186
(90)
3,659
1,565
11,316
(1,384)
12,881
Total available-for-sale
5,038
(88)
11,502
(1,474)
16
16,540
12,352
1,080
(120)
9,872
(1,628)
13,432
(219)
10,073
(1,736)
23,505
Assessment of Available for Sale Debt Securities for Credit Risk
Management assesses the decline in fair value of investment securities periodically. Unrealized losses on debt securities may occur from current market conditions, increases in interest rates since the time of purchase, a structural change in an investment, volatility of earnings of a specific issuer, or deterioration in credit quality of the issuer. Management evaluates both qualitative and quantitative factors to assess whether an impairment exists. The following is a discussion of the credit quality characteristics of portfolio segments carrying unrealized losses at September 30, 2024.
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities
The mortgage-backed securities held by the Company were issued by U.S government-sponsored entities and agencies. The decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality. The Company does not have the intent to sell these mortgage-backed securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The Company considers these securities to carry zero loss estimates and no allowance for credit losses was recorded at September 30, 2024.
The Company’s corporate bond portfolio is comprised of subordinated debt issues of community and regional banks. Management considers the credit quality of each individual investment. Management reviewed the collectibility of these investments, taking into account such factors as the financial condition of the issuers, reported regulatory capital ratios, and credit ratings, when available, and other factors. All corporate bond debt securities continue to accrue interest and make payments as expected with no defaults or deferrals on the part of the issuers. The Company considers the potential credit risk of the issuers to be immaterial and has not allocated an allowance for credit losses on its corporate bond portfolio as of September 30, 2024.
17
4. LOANS
The following table sets forth the classification of the Company’s loans by loan portfolio segment for the periods presented.
Residential real estate
745,862
714,843
Multi-family
557,634
572,849
Commercial real estate
520,427
548,012
Commercial and industrial
171,899
107,912
Construction and land development
9,521
13,170
Consumer
470
413
Total loans
Total loans, net
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was servicing approximately $321.5 million and $262.8 million, respectively, of loans for others. The Company had $11.6 million and $8.9 million of SBA loans held for sale at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company had $5.1 million of residential real estate loans held for sale at September 30, 2024 and none at December 31, 2023.
For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $43.5 million and $18.4 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $2.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $105.6 million and $43.8 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $7.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Commercial
Construction
Residential
Multi-
and
and Land
Real Estate
Family
Industrial
Development
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance
5,996
4,266
9,042
4,177
98
65
23,644
Charge-offs
(368)
(70)
(438)
Recoveries
Provision for credit losses
514
1,722
(2,652)
621
39
(44)
Ending balance
6,510
5,620
6,390
4,728
137
21
23,406
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Allowance for loan losses:
4,796
5,288
3,381
1,768
108
28
15,369
(959)
(267)
(1,226)
43
Provision for loan losses
(18)
(123)
(184)
824
4,778
4,206
3,197
2,368
104
33
14,686
18
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
5,001
4,671
8,390
1,419
122
55
19,658
(30)
(216)
(614)
1,509
1,317
(1,970)
3,513
4,350
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
4,508
5,697
3,234
852
14,404
(1,693)
270
(532)
(37)
2,207
24
Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded Commitments
The Company has recorded an ACL for unfunded credit commitments, which is recorded in other liabilities. The provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments is recorded within the provision for credit losses on the Company’s income statement. The following table presents the allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Balance at beginning of period
314
170
124
190
Balance at end of period
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans on nonaccrual status and loans past due over 89 days still accruing as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Nonaccrual
Loans Past
With No
Due Over
89 Days
for Credit Loss
Still Accruing
5,079
2,942
2,501
2,525
2,071
4,819
12,593
15,365
19
4,369
1,794
3,374
5,976
6,000
708
12,847
14,451
The Company recognized $0.1 million and $0.2 million of interest income on nonaccrual loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Individually Analyzed Loans
Effective October 1, 2023, the Company began analyzing loans on an individual basis when management determined that the loan no longer exhibited risk characteristics consistent with the risk characteristics existing in its designed pool of loans, under the Company’s CECL methodology. Loans individually analyzed include certain nonaccrual loans.
As of September 30, 2024, the amortized cost basis of individually analyzed loans amounted to $14.7 million, of which $14.5 million were considered collateral dependent. For collateral dependent loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is likely to be substantially provided through the sale or operation of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral adjusted for sales costs and the amortized cost basis of the loan, at measurement date. Certain assets held as collateral may be exposed to future deterioration in fair value, particularly due to changes in real estate markets or usage.
The following tables present the amortized cost basis and related allowance for credit loss of individually analyzed loans considered to be collateral dependent as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Amortized Cost Basis
Related Allowance
Residential real estate (1)
4,854
Multi-family (2)
2,920
Commercial real estate (2)
2,530
Commercial and industrial (1) (2) (3)
4,167
2,500
14,471
20
4,226
3,356
397
5,986
Commercial and industrial (1)
272
13,840
421
The following tables present the aging of the amortized cost basis in past due loans as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 by class of loans:
30 - 59
60 - 89
Greater than
Days
Loans Not
Past Due
10,046
2,436
3,939
16,421
729,441
1,804
555,830
3,548
2,524
6,072
514,355
1,069
884
4,864
6,817
165,082
14,663
3,320
13,131
31,114
1,974,699
2,360
11,237
703,606
569,475
2,666
3,212
11,878
536,134
755
555
211
1,521
106,391
7,929
6,127
13,954
28,010
1,929,189
The Company adopted ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures (“ASU 2022-02”) on October 1, 2023. The Company may occasionally make modifications to loans where the borrower is considered to be in financial distress. Types of modifications include principal reductions, significant payment delays, term extensions, interest rate reductions or a combination thereof. The amount of principal reduction is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans at September 30, 2024 that were both experiencing financial difficulty and modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, by class and type of modification. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified to borrowers in financial distress as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also presented below:
% of
Interest
Class of
Principal
Payment
Term
Rate
Financing
Reduction
Delay
Extension
Combination
Receivable
1,140
0.20
%
The Company had no commitment to lend additional funds to the borrowers included in the previous table.
The Company monitors the performance of loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. No such loans that have been modified in the last 12 months were past due.
The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications presented above to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024:
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
(in months)
362
Upon the Company’s determination that a modified loan (or a portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or a portion of the loan) is written off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the allowance for credit losses is adjusted by the same amount. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, no loans that were modified in the last 12 months to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty had a payment default.
Credit Quality Indicators:
The Company has adopted a credit risk rating system as part of the risk assessment of its loan portfolio. The Company’s lending officers are required to assign a credit risk rating to each loan in their portfolio at origination. When the lender learns of important financial developments, the risk rating is reviewed and adjusted if necessary. In addition, the Company engages a third-party independent loan reviewer that performs quarterly reviews of a sample of loans, validating the credit risk ratings assigned to such loans. The credit risk ratings play an important role in the establishment of the loan loss provision and to confirm the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes commercial loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Special Mention: The loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard: The loan is inadequately protected by current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as Substandard must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful: The loan has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing factors, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loans not having a credit risk rating of Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful are considered pass loans.
22
The following table summarizes the Company’s loans by year of origination and internally assigned credit risk at September 30, 2024 and gross charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
Revolving
Term Loans Amortized Cost by Origination Year
Loans to
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Term Loans
Pass
76,989
183,933
197,791
61,250
35,657
151,718
26,168
733,506
Special Mention
408
879
588
1,205
891
769
4,740
Substandard
760
1,035
1,070
2,872
656
6,393
Total Residential real estate
77,397
185,572
199,414
62,455
37,618
155,359
26,824
744,639
Current period gross charge-offs
2,833
3,406
294,543
159,976
35,573
58,360
554,691
1,139
2,943
Total Multi-family
161,115
37,377
368
27,279
77,473
174,315
78,467
22,295
121,053
500,882
911
3,550
8,855
399
1,301
15,016
482
4,047
4,529
Total Commercial real estate
78,384
177,865
87,322
23,176
126,401
30
66,428
77,135
6,483
9,296
2,425
3,741
165,508
153
545
1,190
25
213
1,309
561
593
5,201
Total Commercial and industrial
66,453
77,501
8,983
11,150
3,040
4,772
146
216
245
5,473
5,718
3,803
Total Construction and land development
9,276
93
76
Total Consumer
Total Loans
174,300
345,164
680,881
331,318
101,211
344,892
2,004,590
Gross charge-offs
614
23
The following table summarizes the Company’s loans by year of origination and internally assigned credit risk at December 31, 2023:
2019
191,238
207,166
64,906
39,772
79,581
98,150
24,975
705,788
522
230
752
740
676
4,185
927
7,184
207,906
40,970
83,996
99,077
25,631
713,724
3,533
299,217
162,678
36,592
10,854
56,601
1,580
164,258
38,386
86,834
187,570
80,761
26,300
42,476
95,265
519,206
1,852
8,433
293
3,647
6,427
20,652
199
6,826
1,129
8,154
189,422
89,194
26,792
52,949
102,821
74,352
11,392
10,015
4,407
126
5,274
105,566
913
540
1,453
266
35
145
447
893
11,194
4,442
271
6,261
904
3,613
8,653
326
357,187
711,637
338,205
110,590
148,070
264,760
1,956,080
5. EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company’s 2021 and 2018 Equity Compensation Plans (the “2021 Plan” and the “2018 Plan,” respectively), provide for the grant of stock-based compensation awards to members of management, including employees and management officials, and members of the Board. Under the 2021 Plan, a total of 427,500 shares of the Company’s common stock or equivalents were approved for issuance, of which 230,966 shares remain available for issuance at September 30, 2024. Of the total 346,000 shares of common stock approved for issuance under the 2018 Plan, 2,780 shares remain available for issuance at September 30, 2024.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant, and generally with vesting periods of three years and contractual terms of ten years. All stock options fully vest upon a change in control.
The fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the common stock of the Company’s peers. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. Expected terms are based on historical data and represent the periods in which the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
There were 99,392 stock options exercised resulting in the net issuance (after netting the value of the exercise price and/or certain tax liabilities) of 39,170 shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and no stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
A summary of stock option activity follows (aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
Aggregate
Remaining
Exercise
Intrinsic
Contractual
Options
Price
Outstanding, January 1, 2024
158,933
9.37
1,314
1.14 years
Granted
Exercised
(99,392)
10.00
Forfeited
(1,541)
16.25
Outstanding, September 30, 2024 (1)
58,000
8.11
587
1.07 years
The following table presents information related to the stock option plan for the periods presented:
Intrinsic value of options exercised
736
Cash received from option exercises
Tax benefit from option exercises
229
There was no compensation expense attributable to stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Restricted Stock Awards
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, restricted stock awards of 59,161 shares were granted with a five-year vesting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the awards based on the fair value of the stock at issue date.
A summary of restricted stock awards activity follows:
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Shares
Unvested, January 1, 2024
252,502
19.58
59,161
17.03
Vested
(66,617)
19.65
(5,428)
19.74
Unvested, September 30, 2024
239,618
18.93
Compensation expense attributable to restricted stock awards was $360 thousand and $219 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Compensation expense attributable to restricted stock awards was $1.0 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, there was $3.4 million of total unrealized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock, expected to be recognized over a weighted-average term of 3.16 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $1.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
Long Term Incentive Plan
Restricted stock units (“RSU”s) represent an obligation to deliver shares to a grantee at a future date if certain vesting conditions are met. RSUs are subject to a time-based vesting schedule and the satisfaction of performance conditions and are settled in shares of the Company's common stock. RSUs do not provide voting rights and RSUs may accrue dividends from the date of grant.
The following table summarizes the unvested performance-based RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
38,271
19.73
No RSUs were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Performance-based RSUs granted in 2022 cliff vest after three years and are subject to the achievement of the Company's pre-defined performance goals for the three-year period ending December 31, 2024.
Compensation expense attributable to RSUs was $56 thousand and $17 thousand, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Compensation expense attributable to RSUs was $168 thousand and $149 thousand, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. As of September 30, 2024, there was $88 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.39 years.
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6. REGULATORY MATTERS
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy regulations and, additionally, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. The effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss is not included in computing regulatory capital. Management believes as of September 30, 2024, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
In addition to the minimum capital requirements discussed above, the Bank is also required to maintain a capital buffer above the requirements set forth in the capital adequacy regulations. Failure to maintain the required buffer could impair the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company and to pay certain compensation to its executives.
Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized or worse, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.
Under a policy of the Federal Reserve applicable to bank holding companies with less than $3.0 billion in consolidated assets, the Company is not subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements.
The following table sets forth the Bank’s actual and required capital amounts (in thousands) and ratios under current regulations:
Minimum Capital
Minimum to Be Well
Adequacy Requirement
Capitalized Under
with Capital
Prompt Corrective
Actual Capital
Conservation Buffer
Action Provisions
Amount
Ratio
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
217,299
14.24
122,055
8.00
160,197
10.50
152,568
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
198,196
12.99
91,541
6.00
129,683
8.50
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
68,656
4.50
106,798
7.00
99,169
6.50
Tier 1 capital to average total assets
8.85
89,623
4.00
N/A
112,028
5.00
210,071
14.31
117,472
154,182
146,840
193,324
13.17
88,104
124,814
66,078
102,788
95,446
9.08
85,131
106,414
Dividend restrictions - The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend and debt service payments is dividends received from the Bank. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 the Bank paid $4.4 million in cash dividends to the Company. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank had $29.8 million of retained net income available for dividends to the Company, without obtaining regulatory approval, provided that the Bank satisfies the regulatory capital requirements, including the capital conservation buffer, disclosed above.
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7. FAIR VALUE
FASB ASC No. 820-10 defines fair value as 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. Fair value is best determined using quoted market prices. However, in many instances, quoted market prices are not available. In such instances, fair values are determined using appropriate valuation techniques. Various assumptions and observable inputs must be relied upon in applying these techniques. Accordingly, categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. As such, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate transfer of the respective asset or liability.
FASB ASC 820-10 also establishes a fair value hierarchy and describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values. The three levels within the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following presents fair value measurements on a recurring basis at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Fair Value Measurements Using:
Quoted Prices In
Significant
Active Markets
Significant Other
Unobservable
Carrying
for Identical Assets
Observable Inputs
Inputs
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
104,124
Financial liabilities:
Derivatives
2,657
for Identical
Assets
(In thousands)
66,087
2,361
The fair value for the securities available-for-sale were obtained from an independent broker based upon matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. The Company has determined these are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
Derivatives represent interest rate swaps for which the estimated fair values are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date resulting in a Level 2 classification.
The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future servicing income. The valuation model utilizes interest rate, prepayment speed, and default rate assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value of loan servicing rights related to residential mortgage loans at September 30, 2024 was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 12.13% to 14.63%, prepayment speeds ranging from 18.14% to 19.52% and a weighted average life ranging from 2.14 to 3.44 years. Fair value at December 31, 2023 for loan servicing rights related to residential
29
mortgage loans was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 12.38% to 14.88%, prepayment speed of 26.25% and a weighted average life ranging from 1.55 to 2.78 years.
The fair value of loan servicing rights for SBA loans at September 30, 2024 was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 6.58% to 53.98%, prepayment speeds ranging from 8.95% to 33.33% and a weighted average life ranging from 0.84 to 5.12 years. The fair value of loan servicing rights for SBA loans at December 31, 2023 was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 9.61% to 41.46%, prepayment speeds ranging from 8.85% to 30.24% and a weighted average life ranging from 1.08 to 5.71 years.
The Company has determined these are mostly unobservable inputs and considers them Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
The following table presents the changes in mortgage servicing rights for the periods presented:
5,465
4,375
4,402
Additions
518
1,596
757
Adjustment to fair value
(218)
(161)
(499)
(680)
4,479
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
The Company had no significant financial instruments measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2024.
Financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 include certain individually evaluated loans reported at fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.
Individually evaluated loans - Multi-family
1,180
The fair value amounts shown in the table above are individually evaluated loans net of reserves allocated to said loans. The total reserves allocated to these loans were $397 thousand at December 31, 2023.
The table below presents additional quantitative information about level 3 fair value measurements for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2023:
Range
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
(Weighted Average)
(Dollar in thousands)
Appraisal of collateral
Appraisal and
50.00%
adjustments (1)
(50.00%)
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
The following presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Total Fair
Cash and cash equivalents
Securities held-to-maturity
1,955,544
1,202
11,320
505,055
Demand and other deposits
1,453,444
126,851
Subordinated debentures
24,894
1,861
1,890,113
1,156
10,759
520,022
1,382,397
128,165
26,601
161
1,563
8. BORROWINGS
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, FHLB term borrowings outstanding were $107.8 million and $126.7 million, respectively, all of which were fixed rate.
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At September 30, 2024, the Company had $18.0 million in FHLB overnight borrowings outstanding at a rate of 5.08%. There were no FHLB overnight borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2023.
Each advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by residential and commercial mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Company was eligible to borrow up to an additional total of $197.9 million at September 30, 2024.
The following table sets forth the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of the Company’s fixed rate FHLB advances for each of the next five years (in thousands):
Balance at September 30,
Contractual Maturity
Average Rate
Overnight
5.08
2025, rates from 0.56% to 0.59%
7,080
0.58
2026, rates from 4.29% to 4.98%
40,475
2027, rates from 4.13% to 4.74%
40,250
4.32
2028, rates from 3.99% to 4.58%
4.18
Total term advances
107,805
4.11
Total FHLB advances
4.25
Balance at December 31,
2024, rates from 0.39% to 2.53%
18,860
0.98
126,665
3.65
Federal Reserve Borrowings
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s borrowings from the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) were $0 and $2.3 million, respectively. The borrowings had a rate of 0.35% and the maturity date equaled the maturity date of the underlying PPP loan pledged to secure the extension of credit.
The Company also pledges residential and commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Discount Window. Based on this collateral, the Company was eligible to borrow up to $263.7 million as of September 30, 2024. The Company did not have any outstanding borrowings against this line as of September 30, 2024.
Correspondent Bank Borrowings
At September 30, 2024, approximately $92 million in unsecured lines of credit extended by correspondent banks were available to be utilized for short-term funding purposes. No borrowings were outstanding under lines of credit with correspondent banks at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
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9. SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
In October 2020, the Company completed the private placement of $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) to certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors. The Notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at the rate of 5.00% per annum, until October 15, 2025. From and including October 15, 2025 through maturity, the interest rate applicable to the outstanding principal amount due will reset quarterly to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 487.4 basis points. The Company may, at its option, beginning with the interest payment date of October 15, 2025, but not generally prior thereto, and on any scheduled interest payment date thereafter, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, subject to the receipt of any required regulatory approval. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. The portion of the proceeds of these subordinated notes contributed to the Bank is included as a component of the Bank’s Tier 1 capital for regulatory reporting.
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unamortized issuance costs of the Notes were $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, $13 thousand in issuance costs were recorded in interest expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, $40 thousand in issuance costs were recorded in interest expense. The Notes are presented net of unamortized issuance costs in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
10. DERIVATIVES
As part of its asset liability management, the Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to help manage its interest rate risk position. The notional amount of the interest rate swap does not represent the amount exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate swap agreements.
The following sets forth information regarding the Company’s derivative financial instruments at the periods indicated:
Liabilities
Notional
Fair Value (1)
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps (Brokered Certificates of Deposit)
75,000
(1,480)
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate swaps (Loans)
50,000
(1,177)
125,000
(2,657)
(1,256)
(1,105)
(2,361)
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $75.0 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, were designated as cash flow hedges of certain Brokered Certificates of Deposit. The swaps were determined to be fully effective during the periods presented and therefore no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income. The aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in other assets/(other liabilities) with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) would be reclassified to current earnings should the hedges no longer be considered effective. The Company expects the hedges to remain fully effective during the remaining term of the swaps.
The following table presents the net gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of income relating to the cash flow derivative instruments for the periods indicated.
(Loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive income
Gain recognized in interest expense
184
96
557
Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
On November 1, 2023, the Company entered into a three year interest rate swap with a notional amount totaling $50 million which was designated as a fair value hedge of certain fixed rate residential mortgages. The Company pays a fixed rate of 4.56% and receives a floating rate based on SOFR for the life of the agreement without an exchange of the underlying notional amount. The hedge was determined to be effective during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the Company expects the hedge to remain effective during the remaining term of the swap. The gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in interest income.
The following table presents the effects of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. There were no fair value hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Net gain on hedged items recorded in interest income on loans
Gain on hedge recorded in interest income on loans
284
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the following amounts were recorded on the Statement of Financial Condition related to cumulative basis adjustment for fair value hedges.
September 30,
December 31,
Loans receivable:
Carrying amount of the hedged assets(1)
Fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the hedged assets
1,223
1,119
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Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features
The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties. If the termination value of derivatives is a net liability position, the Company is required to post collateral against its obligations under the agreements. However, if the termination value of derivatives is a net asset position, the counterparty is required to post collateral to the Company. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company posted $3.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in collateral to its counterparties in a net liability position.
11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Unrealized Gains and
Gains and
Losses on Available-
Losses on
for-Sale Debt
Cash Flow
Hedges
(1,466)
(984)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassification
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
(961)
(1,159)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassification
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income
(1,670)
There were no significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
ITEM 2. - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - This document contains a number of forward-looking statements, including statements about the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and prospects of the Company. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “should,” “likely,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “project,” “goal” and other similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. The ability of the Company to predict results or the actual effects of its plans and strategies is subject to inherent uncertainty.
Factors that may cause actual results or earnings to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, as updated by the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC and, among others, the following:
Because these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning matters addressed in this document and attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this document. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Non-GAAP Disclosure - This discussion includes discussions of the Company’s tangible common equity (“TCE”) ratio, TCE, tangible assets and efficiency ratio, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or modifies amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and the Company’s marketplace performance. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the numbers prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other financial institutions.
With respect to the calculations and reconciliations of TCE, tangible assets and the TCE ratio, please see Liquidity and Capital Resources contained herein for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
Executive Summary – The Company is a one-bank holding company incorporated in 2016. The Company operates as the parent for its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank, which commenced operations in 2008. The income of the Company is primarily derived through the operations of the Bank. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.
The Bank operates as a locally headquartered, community-oriented bank, serving customers throughout the New York metro area from offices in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Kings (Brooklyn) and New York (Manhattan) Counties, New York and Freehold in Monmouth County, New Jersey. We opened the Bank’s Hauppauge Business Banking Center in Hauppauge, Suffolk County, New York in May 2023. This location is the nexus of our expanded commercial lending and deposit activities that are integral to the ongoing diversification of our balance sheet as we fill the void left by the diminishing number of commercial banks in the NYC Metro area. The Bank has received regulatory approval for the opening of a full-service branch in Port Jefferson, New York. Business development staff have already joined the Bank in anticipation of the opening of this location. The Bank expects this site to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2025. During the fourth calendar quarter of 2023, we began offering business banking services to the legal, licensed cannabis industry in New York and other states in which cannabis is legally licensed under applicable state laws. We offer personal and business loans on a secured and unsecured basis, SBA and USDA guaranteed loans, revolving lines of credit, commercial mortgage loans, and one- to four-family non-qualified mortgages secured by primary and secondary residences that may be owner occupied or investment properties, home equity loans, bridge loans and other personal purpose loans.
The Bank works to provide more direct, personal attention to customers than management believes is offered by competing financial institutions, the majority of which are headquartered outside of the Bank’s primary trade area and are represented locally by branch offices. By striving to employ professional, responsive and knowledgeable staff, the Bank believes it offers a superior level of service to its customers. As a result of senior management’s availability for consultation on a daily basis, the Bank believes it offers customers quicker responses on loan applications and other banking transactions, as well as greater and earlier certainty as to whether these transactions will actually close, than competitors, whose decisions may take longer and be made in distant headquarters.
Historically, the Bank has generated additional income by strategically originating and selling residential and government guaranteed loans to other financial institutions at premiums, while also retaining servicing rights in some sales. However, with the rapid increases in interest rates in recent years, the appetite among the Bank’s purchasers of residential loans for pools of loans declined, eliminating the Bank’s ability to sell residential loans in its portfolio on desirable terms. Commencing in late 2023, the Bank initiated development of a flow origination program under which the Bank originates individual loans for sale to specific buyers, thereby positioning the Bank to resume residential loan sales and generate fee income to complement sale premiums earned from the sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans. The Bank is an approved SBA Preferred Lender, enabling the Bank to process SBA applications under delegated authority from the SBA and enhancing the Bank’s ability to compete more effectively for SBA lending opportunities.
We expect the volume of activity to increase as the year progresses and our flow pipeline continues to build. Because we continue to prioritize the management of liquidity and capital, new business development is largely focused on flow originations over portfolio growth.
The Bank finances most of its activities through a combination of deposits, including non-interest-bearing demand, savings, NOW and money market deposits as well as time deposits, and both short- and long-term borrowings. The Company’s chief competition includes local banks within its market area, New York City money center banks and regional banks, as well as non-bank lenders, including fintech lenders.
Financial Performance Summary
As of or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
Revenue (1)
17,056
15,506
50,436
46,665
Non-interest expense
Net income per share - diluted
Return on average assets
0.62
0.66
0.50
0.64
Return on average stockholders' equity (2)
7.35
7.58
5.93
7.21
Tier 1 leverage ratio
9.16
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
13.55
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
Total risk-based capital ratio
14.60
Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) (2)
7.49
7.81
Total stockholders' equity/total assets (3)
8.26
8.65
At September 30, 2024 the Company, on a consolidated basis, had total assets of $2.3 billion, total deposits of $2.0 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $192.3 million. The Company recorded net income for each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 of $3.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share (including Series A preferred shares).
During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, net interest income increased $1.3 million, non-interest income increased $0.2 million, provision for credit losses decreased $0.3 million and income tax expense decreased $0.1 million compared to the September 30, 2023 quarter. These were offset by an increase of $1.9 million in non-interest expenses, particularly salaries and employee benefits, resulting in flat earnings between these periods.
The Company’s return on average assets and return on average stockholders’ equity were 0.62% and 7.35%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus 0.66% and 7.58%, respectively, for the comparable 2023 period.
Total non-accrual loans at September 30, 2024 were $15.4 million, or 0.77% of total loans, compared to $14.5 million, or 0.74% of total loans at December 31, 2023 and $14.9 million, or 0.80% of total loans, at September 30, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 152%, 136% and 98% at September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
The Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 71.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus 66.5% in the year ago period. The increase in the operating efficiency ratio was due to the increase in non-interest expense, which was partially offset by increases in net interest income and non-interest income.
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates - To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, the Company’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Critical accounting estimates are accounting estimates where (a) the nature of the estimate is material due to levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and (b) the impact of the estimate on financial condition or operating performance is material. Significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and in Note 1 – Accounting Policies of this Form 10-Q.
Commencing on October 1, 2023 the Company adopted CECL which changed the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates from policies regarding the calculation of the allowance for loan losses to policies regarding the calculation of an allowance for credit losses.
Allowance for Credit Losses
On October 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 (Topic 326), which replaced the incurred loss methodology with CECL for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and other commitments to extend credit. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation allowance for management’s estimate of expected credit losses in the loan portfolio. The process to determine expected credit losses utilizes analytic tools and judgment and is reviewed on a quarterly basis. When management is reasonably certain that a loan balance is not fully collectable, an analysis is completed and an allowance may be established or a full or partial charge off could be recorded against the allowance. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance via a quantitative analysis which considers available information from internal and external sources related to past loan loss and prepayment experience and current conditions, as well as the incorporation of reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management evaluates a variety of factors including available published economic information in arriving at its forecast. Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans and adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. Also included in the allowance for credit losses are qualitative reserves that are expected, but, in management’s assessment, may not be adequately represented in the quantitative analysis or the forecasts described above. Factors may include changes in lending policies and procedures, size and composition of the portfolio, experience and depth of lending management and the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements, among others. The allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Although management uses the best information available, the level of the allowance for credit losses remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for credit losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions for credit losses based upon information available to them at the time of their examination. The Bank considers its primary lending area to be the New York metro area. A substantial portion of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate in this area. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of the loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in market and economic conditions in this region. Future adjustments to the provision for credit losses and allowance for credit losses may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company’s control.
Financial Condition – Total assets of the Company were $2.3 billion at September 30, 2024 and at December 31, 2023. Total securities available for sale at September 30, 2024 was $98.4 million, an increase of $36.9 million from December 31, 2023, primarily driven by growth in U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities. Total loans at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $2.0 billion. Total deposits were $2.0 billion and $1.9 billion at September 30, 2024 and at December 31, 2023, respectively. Total borrowings and subordinated debt at September 30, 2024 were $150.5 million, including $125.8 million of outstanding FHLB advances, compared to $153.6 million at December 31, 2023.
At September 30, 2024, the residential loan portfolio amounted to $745.9 million, or 37.2% of total loans. Commercial real estate loans, including multi-family loans and construction and land development loans, totaled $1.1 billion or 54.2% of total loans at September 30, 2024. Commercial and industrial loans totaled $171.9 million or 8.6% of total loans.
Total deposits at September 30, 2024 were $2.0 billion, reflecting an increase of $52.9 million or 2.8%, compared to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2023. Our loan to deposit ratio was 102% at September 30, 2024 and 103% at December 31, 2023. Core deposit balances, which consist of demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits, represented 74.2% and 72.6% of total deposits at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. At those dates, demand deposit balances represented 10.5% and 10.9% of total deposits. Although core deposits grew to $1.5 billion as of September 30, 2024 from $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2023, demand deposit balances decreased from $207.8 million to $206.3 million during the same period. This decrease was confined to deposits made by residential loan borrowers in anticipation of residential loan closings. These funds comprise the equity residential borrowers are required to contribute to residential loan closings. The volume of these deposits rise and fall in proportion to the volume of anticipated residential loan closings. As the pace of residential lending increases, the volume of demand deposits will increase accordingly. Demand deposits, net of balances related to residential loan closings, grew to $181.8 million as of September 30, 2024 from $166.4 million as of December 31, 2023, an increase of 9.3%. The Company’s municipal deposit program is built on long-standing relationships developed in the local marketplace. This core deposit business will continue to provide a stable source of funding for the Company’s lending products at costs lower than both consumer deposits and market-based borrowings. The Company continues to broaden its municipal deposit base and currently services 39 customer relationships. At September 30, 2024, total municipal deposits were $366.2 million, representing 18.7% of total deposits, compared to $528.1 million at December 31, 2023, representing 27.7% of total deposits. Total municipal deposits decreased by $161.9 million or 30.7% from December 31, 2023 primarily due to seasonal variations. The weighted average rate on the municipal deposit portfolio was 4.24% at September 30, 2024. The aggregate amount of the Company’s outstanding uninsured deposits was $622.1 million or 31.8% of total deposits as of September 30, 2024 and $771.0 million or 40.5% of total deposits as of December 31, 2023.
Borrowings at September 30, 2024 were $125.8 million, versus $129.0 million, including $2.3 million in PPPLF funding, at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, the Company had $125.8 million of outstanding FHLB advances as compared to $126.7 million at December 31, 2023. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under lines of credit with correspondent banks at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company utilizes a number of strategies to manage interest rate risk, including interest rate swap agreements, which currently provide a benefit to net interest income.
Commercial Real Estate Statistics
The Company’s commercial real estate concentration ratio continued to improve, decreasing to 397% of capital at September 30, 2024 from 432% of capital at December 31, 2023. A significant portion of the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio consists of loans secured by Multi-Family and CRE-Investor owned real estate that are predominantly subject to fixed interest rates for an initial period of 5 years. The Bank’s exposure to Land/Construction loans is minor at $9.5 million, all at floating interest rates, and CRE-owner occupied loans have a sizable mix of floating rates. As shown below, these two portfolios represent 11% combined of loans maturing through the balance of 2024 and 2025, with 55% maturing in 2027 alone.
Multi-Family Market Rent Portfolio Fixed Rate Reset/Maturity Schedule
Multi-Family Stabilized Rent Portfolio Fixed Rate Reset/Maturity Schedule
Calendar Period (loan data as of 9/30/24)
# Loans
Total O/S ($000's omitted)
Avg O/S ($000's omitted)
Avg Interest Rate
620
7.07
4,014
1,004
5.43
2025
15,977
1,775
4.16
19,438
1,388
4.57
2026
119,170
3,310
3.66
43,147
2,157
3.67
2027
178,368
2,477
4.31
125,417
2,366
4.22
2028
29,980
1,666
6.16
9,966
906
7.12
2029+
5,647
706
7.32
2,326
465
6.40
Fixed Rate
351,003
2,404
4.30
107
204,308
1,909
4.33
Floating Rate
457
152
9.56
6.25
149
351,460
2,359
206,112
1,908
4.34
CRE Investor Portfolio Fixed Rate Reset/Maturity Schedule
30,965
1,720
5.56
18,259
5.11
45,806
4.85
149,261
1,716
4.75
32,826
1,026
6.65
6,519
407
6.15
283,636
1,332
5.13
12,368
4,123
8.80
Total CRE-Inv.
296,004
1,370
5.28
Rental breakdown of Multi-Family portfolio
The table below segments our portfolio of loans secured by Multi-Family properties based on rental terms and location. As shown below, 63% of the combined portfolio is secured by properties subject to free market rental terms, the dominant tenant type, and both the Market Rent and Stabilized Rent segments of our portfolio present very similar average borrower profiles. The portfolio is primarily located in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens.
Multi-Family Loan Portfolio - Loans by Rent Type
Rent Type
# Notes
Outstanding Loan Balance
% of Total Multi-Family
Avg Loan Size
LTV
Current DSCR
Avg # of Units
($000's omitted)
Market
63
61.8
1.40
Location
Manhattan
17,911
2,559
52.0
1.63
Other NYC
94
246,140
44
2,619
61.5
1.39
Outside NYC
48
87,409
1,821
64.8
Stabilized
63.1
1.38
10,892
1,556
53.5
1.49
89
176,115
1,979
63.5
19,105
1,592
64.7
Office Property Exposure
The Bank’s exposure to the Office market is minor at $45.5 million (2.3% of total loans), has a 1.8x weighted average DSCR, a 54% weighted average LTV and less than $400 thousand of exposure in Manhattan. The portfolio has no delinquencies, defaults or modifications.
41
Liquidity and Capital Resources – Liquidity management is defined as the ability of the Company and the Bank to meet their financial obligations on a continuous basis without material loss or disruption of normal operations. These obligations include the withdrawal of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of borrowings as they mature, funding new and existing loan commitments and the ability to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Asset liquidity is provided by short-term investments, such as fed funds sold, the marketability of securities available for sale and interest-bearing deposits due from the Federal Reserve, FHLB and correspondent banks, which totaled $141.2 million and $177.2 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. These liquid assets may include assets that have been pledged primarily against municipal deposits or borrowings. Liquidity is also provided by the maintenance of a base of core deposits, cash and non-interest-bearing deposits due from banks, the ability to sell or pledge marketable assets and access to lines of credit. At September 30, 2024, liquidity sources, which include cash and unencumbered securities and secured and unsecured funding capacity, totaled $637.1 million.
Liquidity is continuously monitored, thereby allowing management to better understand and react to emerging balance sheet trends, including temporary mismatches with regard to sources and uses of funds. After assessing actual and projected cash flow needs, management seeks to obtain funding at the most economical cost. These funds can be obtained by converting liquid assets to cash or by attracting new deposits or other sources of funding. Many factors affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs, including variations in the markets served, loan demand, its asset/liability mix, its reputation and credit standing in its markets and general economic conditions. Borrowings and the scheduled amortization of investment securities and loans are more predictable funding sources. Deposit flows and securities prepayments are somewhat less predictable as they are often subject to external factors. Among these are changes in the local and national economies, competition from other financial institutions and changes in market interest rates.
The Company’s primary sources of funds are cash provided by deposits, which may include brokered and listing service deposits, borrowings, proceeds from maturities and sales of securities and cash provided by operating activities. At September 30, 2024, total deposits were $2.0 billion, of which $491.9 million were time deposits scheduled to mature within the next 12 months. Based on historical experience, the Company expects to be able to replace a substantial portion of those maturing deposits with comparable deposit products. Insured and collateralized deposits, which include municipal deposits, accounted for approximately 86% of total deposits at September 30, 2024. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $125.8 million and $129.0 million, respectively, in borrowings outstanding.
The Liquidity and Wholesale Funding Policy of the Bank establishes specific policies and operating procedures governing liquidity levels to assist management in developing plans to address future and current liquidity needs. Management monitors the rates and cash flows from loan and investment portfolios while also examining the maturity structure and volatility characteristics of liabilities to develop an optimum asset/liability mix. Available funding sources include retail, commercial and municipal deposits, purchased liabilities and stockholders’ equity. Daily, management receives a current cash position update to ensure that all obligations are satisfied. On a weekly basis, appropriate senior management receives a current liquidity position report and a ninety day forecasted cash flow to ensure that all short-term obligations will be met and there is sufficient liquidity available. At September 30, 2024, the Bank had a total borrowing capacity of $692.0 million at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, of which $368.1 million was used to collateralize municipal deposits and $125.8 million was utilized for overnight and term advances. At September 30, 2024, the Bank had a $263.7 million collateralized line of credit from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s discount window with no outstanding borrowings. At September 30, 2024, the Bank had access to approximately $92 million in unsecured lines of credit extended by correspondent banks, if needed, for short-term funding purposes. No borrowings were outstanding under lines of credit with correspondent banks at September 30, 2024.
Our sources of wholesale funding included brokered certificates of deposit, listing service certificates of deposit and insured cash sweep (“ICS”) reciprocal deposits in excess of 20% of total liabilities, which balances totaled approximately $87.6 million, $4.4 million and $56.7 million, or 4.5%, 0.2% and 2.9% of total deposits, respectively, at September 30, 2024. We utilized brokered certificates of deposit and listing service certificates of deposit as alternatives to other forms of wholesale funding, including borrowings, when interest rates and market conditions favor the use of such deposits. For a portion of our brokered certificates of deposit, we utilized interest rate swap contracts to effectively extend their duration and to fix their cost.
42
The Company strives to maintain an efficient level of capital, commensurate with its risk profile, on which a competitive rate of return to stockholders will be realized over the short and long terms. Capital is managed to enhance stockholder value while providing flexibility for management to act opportunistically in a changing marketplace. Management continually evaluates the Company’s capital position in light of current and future growth objectives and regulatory guidelines. Total stockholders’ equity was $192.3 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $184.8 million at December 31, 2023. The $7.5 million increase was primarily due to an increase of $6.2 million in retained earnings and a decrease of $0.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The increase in retained earnings was due primarily to net income of $8.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which was offset by $2.2 million of dividends declared. The accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2024 was 1.1% of total equity and was comprised of a $1.0 million after tax net unrealized loss on the investment portfolio and a $1.1 million after tax net unrealized loss on derivatives.
The Bank is subject to regulatory capital requirements. The Bank’s tier 1 leverage, common equity tier 1 risk-based, tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios were 8.85%, 12.99%, 12.99% and 14.24%, respectively, at September 30, 2024, exceeding all regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized institution, the highest regulatory capital category. Moreover, capital rules also place limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if a banking organization does not maintain a buffer of common equity tier 1 capital above the minimum capital requirements. At September 30, 2024, the Bank’s capital buffer was in excess of requirements.
On October 5, 2023, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program. Under the new repurchase program, the Company may repurchase up to 366,050 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding shares. The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in the open market as conditions allow, or in privately negotiated transactions, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has not made any stock repurchases under the program. The remaining buyback authority under the share repurchase program therefore remained at 366,050 shares as of September 30, 2024.
The Company’s total stockholders’ equity to total assets ratio and tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (“TCE ratio”) were 8.26% and 7.49%, respectively, at September 30, 2024, versus 8.14% and 7.35%, respectively, at December 31, 2023 and 8.65% and 7.81%, respectively, at September 30, 2023. The TCE ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. The ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure to this non-GAAP ratio. The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, or TCE ratio, is calculated by dividing total stockholders’ equity by total assets, after reducing both amounts by intangible assets. The TCE ratio is not required by U.S. GAAP or by applicable bank regulatory requirements, but is a metric used by management to evaluate the adequacy of our capital levels. Since there is no authoritative requirement to calculate the TCE ratio, our TCE ratio is not necessarily comparable to similar capital measures disclosed or used by other companies in the financial services industry. Tangible common equity and tangible assets are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Set forth below are the reconciliations of tangible common equity to U.S. GAAP total stockholders’ equity and tangible assets to U.S. GAAP total assets at September 30, 2024 (in thousands). (See also Non-GAAP Disclosure contained herein.)
Ratios
Total stockholders' equity (3)
Total assets
8.26%
(1)
Less: goodwill
(19,168)
Less: core deposit intangible
(265)
Tangible common equity (3)
172,906
Tangible assets
2,308,381
7.49%
(2)
All dividends must conform to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The Company’s ability to pay dividends to stockholders depends on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company. Additionally, the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company is subject to certain regulatory restrictions. Under New York law, a bank may pay a dividend on its common stock only out of net profits, and must obtain the approval of the Superintendent of the DFS if the total of all dividends declared by a bank or trust company in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years, less any required transfer to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any preferred stock.
The Company’s Board of Directors approved the declaration of a $0.10 per share cash dividend on both common and Series A preferred shares payable on November 13, 2024 to stockholders of record on November 6, 2024.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements - The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers provided there are no violations of material conditions established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral required varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, real estate and income-producing commercial properties. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, commitments to originate loans and commitments under unused lines of credit for which the Bank is obligated amounted to approximately $123 million and $147 million, respectively.
Letters of credit are conditional commitments guaranteeing payments of drafts in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit agreements. Commercial letters of credit are used primarily to facilitate trade or commerce and are also issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, bond financings and similar transactions. Collateral may be required to support letters of credit based upon management’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of each customer. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, letters of credit outstanding were approximately $0.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
Results of Operations – Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 – The Company recorded net income of $3.5 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, net interest income increased $1.3 million, non-interest income increased $0.2 million, provision for credit losses decreased $0.3 million and income tax expense decreased $0.1 million compared to the September 30, 2023 quarter. These were offset by an increase of $1.9 million in non-interest expenses, particularly salaries and employee benefits, resulting in flat earnings between these periods.
Net Interest Income and Margin
The $1.3 million increase in net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable 2023 quarter was due to improvement of the Company’s net interest margin to 2.37% in the 2024 quarter from 2.29% in the comparable 2023 quarter. The yield on interest earning assets increased to 6.17% in the 2024 quarter from 5.61% in the comparable 2023 quarter, an increase of 56 basis points. This increase was partially offset by a 58 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 4.53% in 2024 from 3.95% in the third quarter of 2023.
The following table, “Net Interest Income Analysis”, presents for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity. The Company’s net interest income, net interest spread and net interest margin are also reflected.
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
(dollars in thousands)
Balance
Yield/Cost(1)
Assets:
Interest-earning assets
Loans(2)
2,019,384
6.18
1,840,900
5.62
Investment securities
103,870
6.20
15,232
5.16
Interest-earning cash
69,204
934
5.37
176,884
2,391
5.36
FHLB stock and other investments
8,610
204
9.43
13,486
304
8.94
Total interest-earning assets
2,201,068
6.17
2,046,502
5.61
Non interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks
9,360
6,700
50,730
53,638
2,261,158
2,106,840
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities
1,209,030
4.59
985,625
4.10
487,377
4.53
478,061
3.37
Total interest-bearing deposits
1,696,407
19,487
1,463,686
14,246
3.86
126,104
1,198
3.78
234,936
2,604
4.40
24,666
5.26
24,613
303
4.88
Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,847,177
1,723,235
3.95
Demand deposits
194,725
175,091
27,826
23,994
Total liabilities
2,069,728
1,922,320
Stockholders' equity
191,430
184,520
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Net interest rate spread(3)
1.64
1.66
Net interest income/margin(4)
2.37
2.29
Provision and Allowance for Credit losses on Loans
The Company recorded a $0.2 million provision for credit losses expense on loans for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus $0.5 million recorded for the comparable period in 2023. The allowance for credit losses increased by $3.7 million, or 19.1%, to $23.4 milion, or 1.17% of total loans at September 30, 2024, from $19.7 million, or 1.00% of total loans at December 31, 2023. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans is attributable to an ACL on an individually evaluated loan of $2.5 million and $1.1 million related to ongoing enhancements to the CECL model during the June 2024 quarter. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates and Asset Quality contained herein.)
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments
The Company maintains a reserve, recorded in other liabilities, associated with unfunded loan commitments accepted by borrowers. The amount of the reserve was $0.3 million at September 30, 2024 and $0.1 million at December 31, 2023. This reserve is determined based upon the outstanding volume of loan commitments at each period end. Any increases or reductions in this reserve are recognized in provision for credit losses.
45
Non-interest Income
Non-interest income increased by $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 versus the comparable 2023 period. The Bank’s investment in government guaranteed lending continues to yield results. This increase was driven by a $1.4 million increase in net gain on sale of loans reflecting the strengthening of secondary market premiums for sales of SBA loans. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company sold the government guaranteed portion of SBA loans totaling approximately $27.1 million and $18.4 million, respectively, recognizing net gain on sale of loans held for sale of $2.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company sold $16.5 million of residential loans under the flow origination program and recorded net gain on sale of loans held for sale of $0.4 million. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in other income, reflecting that in the September 30, 2023 quarter, the Company settled ongoing litigation and received a settlement payment of $1.0 million which was recorded in other income.
Non-Interest Income
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale
Net gain on sale of investments available-for-sale
Non-interest Expense
Total non-interest expense increased by $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 versus the comparable 2023 quarter. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily in salaries and employee benefits related to additional staff for the SBA, C&I Banking and Operations teams and severance payments in August 2024 paid in connection with a loan personnel restructuring initiative.
Non-Interest Expense
The Company recorded income tax expense of $1.1 million for an effective tax rate of 23.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus income tax expense of $1.2 million for an effective tax rate of 24.9% in the comparable 2023 period.
Results of Operations – Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 – The Company recorded net income of $8.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus net income of $9.8 million in the comparable nine-month period a year ago. The decrease in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from the comparable 2023 period resulted from a $2.6 million increase in the provision for credit losses expense and a $3.2 million increase in non-interest expense, which were partially offset by a $3.7 million increase in non-interest income, consisting primarily of gain on sale of loans held-for-sale, and a $0.7 million decrease in income tax expense.
Net interest income was $39.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a slight increase of $0.1 million from the comparable 2023 period. The Company’s net interest margin was 2.41% in the 2024 nine month period from 2.65% in the comparable 2023 period. The yield on interest earning assets increased to 6.14% in the 2024 nine month period from 5.58% in the comparable 2023 period, an increase of 56 basis points. This increase was offset by a 95 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 4.45% in 2024 from 3.50% in the 2023 nine month period due to the rapid and significant rise in interest rates and the competitive deposit environment and, to a lesser extent, the Company’s decision to increase liquidity as a result of the industry events over the last two years. Together, this resulted in the higher cost of funds.
The following table, “Net Interest Income Analysis”, presents for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity. The Company’s net interest income, net interest spread and net interest margin are also reflected.
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
2,006,142
6.14
1,802,349
99,363
15,837
5.01
60,202
2,445
5.42
147,423
5,673
5.14
9,771
693
9.47
9,975
623
8.35
2,175,478
1,975,584
5.58
8,431
8,238
50,593
53,720
2,234,502
2,037,542
1,162,587
4.54
1,026,164
3.63
478,581
441,557
2.92
1,641,168
54,959
4.47
1,467,721
37,540
3.42
156,792
4,744
4.04
161,588
4,732
3.92
24,653
978
5.30
24,599
971
1,822,613
4.45
1,653,908
3.50
194,694
177,243
26,944
24,253
2,044,251
1,855,404
190,251
182,138
1.69
2.08
2.41
2.65
47
Provision for Credit Losses on Loans
The Company recorded a $4.5 million provision for credit losses expense on loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus $1.9 million recorded for the comparable period in 2023. The increase was related to matters discussed above under the comparison of results for the three-month period. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates and Asset Quality contained herein.)
Non-interest income increased by $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 versus the comparable 2023 period. This increase was driven by a $4.4 million increase in net gain on sale of loans reflecting the strengthening of secondary market premiums for sales of SBA loans. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company sold approximately $81.8 million and $43.8 million, respectively in the government guaranteed portion of SBA loans, recognizing net gains of $7.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company sold $19.4 million of residential loans under the flow origination program and recorded net gains of $0.5 million.
Total non-interest expense increased by $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 versus the comparable 2023 period. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily in salaries and employee benefits attributed to additional staff for the SBA, C&I Banking and Operations teams.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $8.4 million for an effective tax rate of 24.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus income tax expense of $3.5 million for an effective tax rate of 26.0% in the comparable 2023 period.
Asset Quality - Total non-accrual loans at September 30, 2024 were $15.4 million, or 0.77% of total loans, compared to $14.5 million, or 0.74% of total loans at December 31, 2023 and $14.9 million, or 0.80% of total loans, at September 30, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 152%, 136% and 98% at September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
Total loans having credit risk ratings of Special Mention and Substandard were $43.8 million at September 30, 2024, versus $42.4 million at December 31, 2023. The Company’s Special Mention and Substandard loans were comprised of residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans (including SBA facilities) and construction and land development loans at September 30, 2024. The Company had no loans with a credit risk rating of Doubtful for the periods presented. All loans not having credit risk ratings of Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful are considered pass loans.
At September 30, 2024, the Company’s allowance for credit losses amounted to $23.4 million or 1.17% of period-end total loans outstanding. The allowance as a percentage of loans outstanding was 1.00% at December 31, 2023 and 0.78% at September 30, 2023. The Company recorded net loan charge-offs of $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024 versus net loan charge-offs of $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The Company recorded a $0.2 million provision for credit losses expense on loans for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus $0.5 million recorded for the comparable period in 2023. Additional information regarding the ACL and the associated provisions recognized during the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented in Note 4 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates contained herein).
ASSET QUALITY
September 30, 2024 versus December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023
As of or for the three months ended
9/30/2024
12/31/2023
9/30/2023
Non-accrual loans
14,933
Non-accrual loans held for sale
Loans greater than 90 days past due and accruing
128
Other real estate owned
Total non-performing assets (1)
15,061
Loans held for investment
1,874,562
Allowance for credit losses: (2)
CECL implementation one-time adjustment
4,095
Provision
677
Allowance for credit losses as a % of total loans (3)
1.17
1.00
0.78
Allowance for credit losses as a % of non-accrual loans (3)
136
Non-accrual loans as a % of total loans (3)
0.77
0.74
0.80
Non-performing assets as a % of total loans, loans held for sale and other real estate owned
0.76
Non-performing assets as a % of total assets
0.70
Non-performing assets to total loans held for sale and investment
49
ITEM 3. - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company originates and invests in interest-earning assets and solicits interest-bearing deposit accounts. The Company’s operations are subject to market risk resulting from fluctuations in interest rates to the extent that there is a difference between the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid, withdrawn, matured or repriced in any given period of time. The Company’s earnings or the net value of its portfolio will change under different interest rate scenarios. The principal objective of the Company’s asset/liability management program is to maximize net interest income within an acceptable range of overall risk, including both the effect of changes in interest rates and liquidity risk.
The Company utilizes a number of strategies to manage interest rate risk including, but not limited to: (i) balancing the types and structures of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities by diversifying mix, coupons, maturities and/or repricing characteristics, (ii) reducing the overall interest rate sensitivity of liabilities by emphasizing core and/or longer-term deposits; utilizing FHLB advances and wholesale deposits for our interest rate risk profile, and (iii) entering into interest rate swap agreements.
The following presents the Company’s economic value of equity (“EVE”) and net interest income (“NII”) sensitivities at September 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands). The results are within the Company’s policy limits.
At September 30, 2024
Interest Rates
Estimated
Estimated Change in EVE
Estimated Change in NII(1)
(basis points)
EVE
NII(1)
+200
142,354
(32,473)
(18.6)
56,361
(5,986)
(9.6)
+100
159,631
(15,196)
(8.7)
59,424
(2,923)
(4.7)
0
174,827
62,347
-100
187,521
12,694
7.3
65,628
3,281
5.3
-200
198,919
24,092
13.8
68,507
6,160
9.9
-300
216,780
41,953
24.0
70,900
8,553
13.7
Certain model limitations are inherent in the methodology used in the EVE and net interest income measurements. The models require the making of certain assumptions which may tend to oversimplify the way actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. The models assume that the composition of the Company’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remain constant over the period being measured, thus they do not consider the Company’s strategic plans, or any other steps it may take to respond to changes in rates over the forecasted period of time. Additionally, the models assume immediate changes in interest rates, based on yield curves as of a point-in-time, which are reflected in a parallel, instantaneous and uniform manner across all yield curves, when in reality changes may rarely be of this nature. The models also utilize data derived from historical performance and as interest rates change the actual performance of loan prepayments, rate sensitivities, and average life assumptions may deviate from assumptions utilized in the models and can impact the results. Accordingly, although the above measurements provide an indication of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates. Given the speed with which interest rates may change, the projections noted above on the Company’s EVE and net interest income can be expected to differ from actual results.
ITEM 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule l3a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 1. - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not subject to any legal proceedings, which could have a materially adverse impact on its results of operations and financial condition.
ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS
10.1
Employment Agreement dated July 18, 2024 between Hanover Community Bank and Lance P. Burke (1)
31.1
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 22, 2024
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.
Dated: November 13, 2024
/s/ Michael P. Puorro
Michael P. Puorro
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
/s/ Lance P. Burke
Lance P. Burke
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)