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, 2023
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________________ to __________________
Commission File No. 001-38282
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New York
13-4042724
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
99 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(212) 659-0600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
MCB
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days.
YES ☒ NO ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 ☒
There were 11,062,729 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of November 1, 2023.
Table of Contents
METROPOLITAN BANK HOLDING CORP.
Form 10-Q
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
6
Consolidated Statements of Operations
7
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
8
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
9
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
10
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
11
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
36
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
48
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
50
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
51
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1A. Risk Factors
52
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
54
Signatures
55
2
GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS AND ACRONYMS
ACL
Allowance for Credit Losses
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
AFS
Available-for-sale
FHLBNY
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
ALCO
Asset Liability Committee
FRB
Federal Reserve Bank
ALLL
Allowance for loan and lease losses
FRBNY
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
FX
Foreign exchange
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
GAAP
U.S. Generally accepted accounting principles
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
GPG
Global Payments Group
BaaS
Banking-as-a-Service
HTM
Held-to-maturity
Bank
Metropolitan Commercial Bank
IRR
Interest rate risk
BHC Act
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
ISO
Incentive stock option
BSA
Bank Secrecy Act
JOBS Act
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act
C&I
Commercial and Industrial
LIBOR
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
CARES Act
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
LTV
Loan-to-value
CECL
Current Expected Credit Loss
MBS
Mortgage-backed securities
CFPB
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
NYSDFS
New York State Department of Financial Services
Company
OCC
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Coronavirus
COVID-19
OTTI
Other-than-temporary impairment
CRA
Community Reinvestment Act
PPP
Paycheck Protection Program
CRE
Commercial real estate
PRSU
Performance Restricted Share Units
CRE Guidance
Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices
ROU
Right of Use
DIF
Deposit Insurance Fund
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
EGC
Emerging Growth Company
SOFR
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
EVE
Economic value of equity
SRC
Smaller reporting company
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
TDR
Troubled debt restructuring
FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
USD
U.S. Dollar
3
NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which may be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “consider,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” “probable,” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”), and the Company’s strategies, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control and that may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those results expressed or implied include those factors listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023 and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, these factors include but are not limited to:
4
The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effects of its plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. As such, forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions made or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect conditions only as of the date of this filing. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The Company undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims) to publicly release the results of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, except as may be required by law.
5
METROPOLITAN BANK HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
September 30,
December 31,
2023
2022
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
36,438
26,780
Overnight deposits
140,929
230,638
Total cash and cash equivalents
177,367
257,418
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value
429,850
445,747
Investment securities held-to-maturity (estimated fair value of $396.3 million and $437.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
478,886
510,425
Equity investment securities, at fair value
2,015
2,048
Total securities
910,751
958,220
Other investments
35,015
22,110
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs
5,354,487
4,840,523
Allowance for credit losses
(52,298)
(44,876)
Net loans
5,302,189
4,795,647
Receivable from global payments business, net
79,892
85,605
Other assets
178,145
148,337
Total assets
6,683,359
6,267,337
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
1,746,626
2,422,151
Interest-bearing deposits
3,774,963
2,855,761
Total deposits
5,521,589
5,277,912
Federal funds purchased
—
150,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances
355,000
100,000
Trust preferred securities
20,620
Secured borrowings
7,621
7,725
Prepaid third-party debit cardholder balances
10,297
10,579
Other liabilities
133,322
124,604
Total liabilities
6,048,449
5,691,440
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 11,062,729 and 10,949,965 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
110
109
Additional paid in capital
393,544
389,276
Retained earnings
301,407
240,810
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(60,151)
(54,298)
Total stockholders’ equity
634,910
575,897
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
Interest and dividend income
Loans, including fees
90,666
60,570
247,142
159,291
Securities
4,686
4,126
13,864
11,224
1,783
5,114
7,353
9,023
Other interest and dividends
762
247
1,779
647
Total interest income
97,897
70,057
270,138
180,185
Interest expense
36,234
6,505
86,010
13,836
Borrowed funds
7,710
17,197
396
227
1,089
485
Subordinated debt
605
Total interest expense
44,340
6,732
104,296
14,926
Net interest income
53,557
63,325
165,842
165,259
Provision for credit losses
791
2,007
5,742
7,807
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
52,766
61,318
160,100
157,452
Non-interest income
Service charges on deposit accounts
1,463
1,445
4,400
4,289
Global Payments Group revenue
4,247
4,099
14,828
14,998
Other income
803
274
2,114
956
Total non-interest income
6,513
5,818
21,342
20,243
Non-interest expense
Compensation and benefits
17,208
14,568
48,751
41,404
Bank premises and equipment
2,396
2,228
7,027
6,608
Professional fees
3,873
6,086
13,033
9,252
Technology costs
1,171
984
3,966
3,527
Licensing fees
3,504
2,823
9,180
7,803
FDIC assessments
1,984
1,110
6,438
3,595
Regulatory settlement reserve
(3,021)
(5,521)
Other expenses
3,809
3,391
11,517
9,889
Total non-interest expense
30,924
31,190
94,391
82,078
Net income before income tax expense
28,355
35,946
87,051
95,617
Income tax expense
6,292
10,991
24,351
28,452
Net income
22,063
24,955
62,700
67,165
Earnings per common share
Basic earnings
1.99
2.28
5.64
6.13
Diluted earnings
1.97
2.23
5.61
5.98
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
Net Income
Other comprehensive income:
Securities available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
(12,828)
(27,240)
(11,328)
(77,668)
Tax effect
3,920
8,369
3,464
23,770
Net of tax
(8,908)
(18,871)
(7,864)
(53,898)
Cash flow hedges:
734
508
11,704
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income
(1,200)
(782)
(3,653)
144
84
(841)
(3,348)
(322)
(190)
2,011
7,574
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(9,230)
(19,061)
(5,853)
(46,324)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
12,833
5,894
56,847
20,841
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)
Common
Additional
Retained
AOCI (Loss),
Stock
Paid-in Capital
Earnings
Net
Total
Shares
Amount
Three Months Ended
Balance at July 1, 2023
10,991,074
392,742
279,344
(50,921)
621,275
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans
220,200
Employee and non-employee stock-based compensation
2,636
Redemption of common stock for exercise of stock options and tax withholdings for restricted stock vesting
(148,545)
(2)
(1,834)
(1,836)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at September 30, 2023
11,062,729
Balance at July 1, 2022
10,931,697
385,369
223,595
(34,767)
574,306
2,037
Balance at September 30, 2022
387,406
248,550
(53,828)
582,237
Nine Months Ended
Balance at January 1, 2023
10,949,965
(2,103)
285,190
7,438
(172,426)
(3,170)
(3,172)
Balance at January 1, 2022
10,920,569
382,999
181,385
(7,504)
556,989
23,487
5,598
(12,359)
(1,191)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash:
Net depreciation amortization and accretion
2,071
4,887
Stock-based compensation
Net change in deferred loan fees
2,760
3,925
Dividends earned on CRA fund
(38)
(23)
Unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities
71
269
Net change in:
Receivable from global payments, net
5,713
(35,593)
Third-party debit cardholder balances
(282)
548
(22,681)
9,679
14,217
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
73,173
74,398
Cash flows from investing activities
Loan originations, purchases and payments, net
(516,724)
(889,295)
Redemptions of FRB and FHLB Stock
136,551
Purchases of FRB and FHLB Stock
(149,456)
(5,488)
Purchase of securities available-for-sale
(27,864)
Purchase of securities held-for-investment
(24,595)
(173,625)
Proceeds from paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale
32,292
64,812
Proceeds from paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity
56,080
33,855
Purchase of premises and equipment, net
(4,911)
(19,730)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(498,627)
(989,469)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of federal funds purchased
(150,000)
Proceeds from (repayments of) FHLB advances, net
255,000
Redemption of common stock for tax withholdings for restricted stock vesting
Redemption of subordinated debt
(24,712)
Proceeds from (repayments of) secured borrowings, net
(104)
(5,549)
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
243,677
(704,049)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
345,403
(735,501)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(80,051)
(1,650,572)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
2,359,350
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
708,778
Supplemental information
Cash paid for:
Interest
103,813
15,267
Income Taxes
34,522
28,638
NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp., a New York corporation (the “Company”), is a bank holding company whose principal activity is the ownership and management of Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”), its wholly-owned subsidiary. The Company’s primary market is the New York metropolitan area. The Company provides a broad range of business, commercial and retail banking products and services to small businesses, middle-market enterprises, public entities and affluent individuals. See the “Glossary of Common Terms and Acronyms” for the definition of certain terms and acronyms used throughout this Form 10-Q.
The Company’s primary lending products are CRE loans (including multi-family loans) and C&I loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flows from the operations of businesses.
The Company’s primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term deposit accounts, all of which are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amounts allowed by law. In addition to traditional commercial banking products, the Company offers corporate cash management and retail banking services and, through its Global Payments Group (“global payments business”), provides services to non-bank financial service companies, including serving as an issuing bank for third-party debit card programs, as well as providing other financial infrastructure, including cash settlement and custodian deposit services. The Company and the Bank are subject to the regulations of certain state and federal agencies and, accordingly, are periodically examined by those regulatory authorities. The Company’s business is affected by state and federal legislation and regulations.
NOTE 2 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with GAAP and predominant practices within the U.S. banking industry. The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (“unaudited financial statements”) include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q, Article 8 of Regulation S-X and predominant practices within the U.S. banking industry. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The unaudited financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. In preparing the interim unaudited financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management has made estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reported periods, and actual results could differ from those estimated. Information available which could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy, inflation and its related effects and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.
Some items in the prior year financial statements may have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Reclassification had no effect on prior year net income or stockholders’ equity.
The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire fiscal year or for any other period.
The unaudited financial statements presented in this report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the SEC.
Loans and the Allowance for Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASC 326”), which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost to be based on historical experience, current condition, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2023 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment that increased the allowance for credit losses for loans and loan commitments by $3.0 million, increased deferred tax assets by $777,000 and decreased retained earnings by $2.1 million, net of tax.
The ACL for loans is measured on the loan’s amortized cost basis, excluding interest receivable, and is initially recognized upon origination or purchase of the loans, and subsequently remeasured on a recurring basis. The ACL is recognized as a contra-asset, and credit loss expense is recorded as a provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of operation. Loan losses are charged-off against the ACL when management believes the loan is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL. Loans are normally placed on nonaccrual status if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the full payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, or the loan is past due for a period of 90 days or more unless the obligation is well-secured and is in the process of collection. The Company generally does not recognize an ACL on accrued interest receivables, consistent with its policy to reverse interest income when interest is 90 days or more past due.
The Company also records an ACL on unfunded loan commitments, which is based on the same assumptions as funded loans and also considers the probability of funding. The ACL is recognized as a liability, and credit loss expense is recorded as a provision for unfunded loan commitments within the provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of operation. Upon funding of the loan, any related ACL previously recorded on the unfunded amount is reversed and an ACL is subsequently recognized on the outstanding loan.
To calculate the ACL for loans and loan commitments collectively evaluated, the Company uses models developed by a third party. The CRE, C&I, and Consumer lifetime loss rate models calculate the expected losses over the life of the loan based on exposure at default loan attributes and reasonable, supportable economic forecasts. The exposure at default considers the current unpaid balance, prepayment assumptions, and expected utilization assumptions.
Key assumptions used in the models include portfolio segmentation, prepayments, risk rating, a peer scalar, and the expected utilization of unfunded commitments among others. The portfolios are segmented by loan level attributes such as loan type, loan size, date of origination, and delinquency status to create homogenous loan pools. Pool level metrics are calculated, and loss rates are subsequently applied to the pools as the loans have similar characteristics. Prepayment assumptions, if applicable, are embedded within the models and are based on the same data used for model development and incorporate adjustments for reasonable and supportable forecasts. The models employ mean reversion techniques to predict credit losses for loans that are expected to mature beyond the forecast period.
To account for economic uncertainty, the Company uses multiple economic scenarios provided by the models in determining the ACL. The forecasts include various projections based on variables such as, Gross Domestic Product, interest rates, property price indices, and employment measures, among others. The forecasts are probability-weighted based on available information at the time the calculation is conducted. Scenario weightings and model parameters are reviewed for each calculation and are subject to change.
The CRE and CRE lifetime loss rate models were developed using the historical loss experience of all banks in the model’s developmental dataset. Banks in the model’s developmental dataset may have different loss experiences due to geography and portfolio as well as operational and underwriting procedures that vary from those of the Company, and therefore, the Company calibrates expected losses using a peer scalar function provided by the models. The peer scalar was calculated by examining the loss rates of peer banks that have similar asset bases and that operate in similar markets as the Company and comparing these peer group loss rates to the model results.
The Company also considers qualitative adjustments to expected credit loss estimates for information not already captured in the quantitative loss estimation models. Qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Qualitative loss factors are based on the Company’s judgment of market, industry or business
12
specific data, changes in loan composition, performance trends, regulatory changes, uncertainty of macroeconomic forecasts, and other asset specific risk characteristics.
When loans do not share risk characteristics with other financial assets they are evaluated individually. Management applies its normal loan review procedures in making these judgments. Individually evaluated loans consist of nonaccrual loans and loans that have been modified due to financial difficulty. In determining the ACL, the Company generally applies a discounted cash flow method for instruments that are individually assessed. For collateral dependent financial assets where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable and where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. Fair value is generally calculated based on the value of the underlying collateral less an appraisal discount and the estimated cost to sell.
Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13
Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13, the ALLL was maintained at an amount management deemed adequate to cover probable incurred credit losses (the “incurred loss method”). The allowance for non-impaired loans was based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience was determined by portfolio segment and was based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company over a rolling two-year period. This actual loss experience was supplemented with other qualitative and economic factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These qualitative and economic factors included economic and business conditions, the nature and volume of the portfolio, and lending terms and volume and severity of past due loans.
A loan was considered to be impaired when it was probable that the Company would be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Management applied its normal loan review procedures in making these judgments. Impaired loans include individually classified non-accrual loans and TDRs. Impairment was determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. For loans that were collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral was used to determine the fair value of the loan. The fair value of the collateral was determined based on recent appraised values. The fair value of the collateral or present value of expected cash flows was compared to the carrying value to determine if any write-down or specific loan loss allowance allocation was required.
Loan Modifications
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (ASU 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. ASU 2022-02 eliminated the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02 effective January 1, 2023 and the impact was immaterial.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02, when a loan was modified and concessions were made to the original contractual terms, such as reductions in interest rate or deferral of interest or principal payments, due to the borrower’s financial condition, the modification was known as a TDR. TDRs were separately identified for impairment disclosures and were measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception.
Securities and the Allowance for Credit Losses
Effective January 1, 2023, the Company estimates and recognizes an ACL for HTM debt securities pursuant to ASU No. 2016-13. The Company has a zero loss expectation for its HTM securities portfolio, except for U.S. State and Municipal securities, and therefore it is not required to estimate an ACL related to these securities. For HTM securities that do not have a zero loss expectation, the ACL is based on the security’s amortized cost, excluding interest receivable, and represents the portion of the amortized cost that the Company does not expect to collect over the life of the security. The ACL is determined using average industry credit ratings and historical loss experience, and is initially recognized upon acquisition of the securities, and subsequently remeasured on a recurring basis.
13
The Company evaluates AFS debt securities that experienced a decline in fair value below amortized cost for credit impairment. In performing an assessment of whether any decline in fair value is due to a credit loss, the Company considers the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost, changes in credit ratings, any adverse economic conditions, as well as all relevant information at the individual security level, such as credit deterioration of the issuer, explicit or implicit guarantees by the federal government or collateral underlying the security. If it is determined that the decline in fair value was due to credit losses, an ACL is recorded, limited to the amount the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. The non-credit related decrease in the fair value, such as a decline due to changes in market interest rates, is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax. The Company recognizes a credit impairment if the Company has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost.
Management evaluated AFS and HTM debt securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warranted such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considered the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assessed whether it intended to sell, or it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value was recognized as an impairment through earnings. For securities that did not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment would be split into two components as follows: (1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the statement of operations and (2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.
NOTE 3 — SUMMARY OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU were effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications at the instrument level as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. In January 2021 the FASB issued ASU 2021-01. The amendments in this ASU clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. Specifically, certain provisions in ASC 848, if elected by an entity, apply to derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of reference rate reform.
In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848): Deferral of Sunset Date of Topic 848. ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date of ASC 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024 because the current relief in ASC 848 did not cover the June 30, 2023 cessation date for the overnight 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month tenors of USD LIBOR. The Company’s LIBOR-based instruments included loans and trust preferred security liabilities. The required transition has been implemented successfully and LIBOR is no longer offered to clients as a floating rate loan index. The trust preferred securities have transitioned to SOFR.
14
NOTE 4 — INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The following tables summarize the amortized cost and fair value of AFS and HTM debt securities and equity investments and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and gross unrecognized gains and losses recognized in earnings (in thousands):
Gross
Unrealized/
Amortized
Unrecognized
At September 30, 2023
Cost
Gains
Losses
Fair Value
Available-for-Sale Securities:
U.S. Government agency securities
67,997
(8,325)
59,672
U.S. State and Municipal securities
11,535
(2,577)
8,958
Residential MBS
410,188
(85,326)
324,862
Commercial MBS
36,978
(3,898)
33,080
Asset-backed securities
3,398
(120)
3,278
Total securities available-for-sale
530,096
(100,246)
Held-to-Maturity Securities:
U.S. Treasury securities
29,884
(1,965)
27,919
15,631
(2,951)
12,680
425,276
(76,294)
348,982
8,095
(1,418)
6,677
Total securities held-to-maturity
(82,628)
396,258
Equity Investments:
CRA Mutual Fund
(381)
Total equity investment securities
At December 31, 2022
67,996
(8,624)
59,372
11,649
(2,437)
9,212
413,998
279
(75,729)
338,548
37,069
(2,229)
34,850
3,953
(188)
3,765
534,665
289
(89,207)
29,852
(2,223)
27,629
15,814
(2,609)
13,205
456,648
(67,027)
389,621
8,111
(1,276)
6,835
(73,135)
437,290
2,358
(310)
15
There were no proceeds from sales and calls of AFS securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The tables below summarize, by contractual maturity, the amortized cost and fair value of debt securities. The tables do not include the effect of principal repayments or scheduled principal amortization. Equity securities, primarily investments in mutual funds, have been excluded from the table. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):
Held-to-Maturity
Available-for-Sale
Amortized Cost
Due within 1 year
After 1 year through 5 years
37,979
34,596
66,096
59,274
After 5 years through 10 years
1,177
1,064
22,658
20,591
After 10 years
439,730
360,598
441,342
349,985
Total Securities
27,630
54,736
48,959
9,505
8,130
36,043
32,872
471,068
401,530
443,886
363,916
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying value of securities pledged to support borrowing capacity from the FRB was $789.5 million and $25.0 million, respectively.
At September 30, 2023, debt securities with unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are as follows (in thousands):
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Estimated
37,991
(1,520)
286,871
(83,806)
20,187
(1,118)
12,893
(2,780)
58,178
(2,638)
371,672
(97,608)
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all of the residential MBS and commercial MBS held by the Company were issued by U.S. Government-sponsored entities and agencies. Except for U.S. State and Municipal securities, the Company has a zero loss expectation for its HTM securities portfolio, and therefore has no ACL related to these securities. Obligations of U.S. State and Municipal securities were rated investment grade at September 30, 2023 and the associated ACL was immaterial.
16
AFS securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses on a quarterly basis. The unrealized losses on AFS securities are primarily due to the changes in market interest rates subsequent to purchase. In addition, the Company does not intend nor would it be required to sell these investments until there is a full recovery of the unrealized loss, which may be at maturity. As a result, no ACL was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
At December 31, 2022, debt securities with unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are as follows (in thousands):
2,546
(527)
6,666
(1,910)
19,576
(1,654)
305,936
(74,075)
325,512
13,406
(198)
11,386
(2,031)
24,792
35,528
(2,379)
387,125
(86,828)
422,653
18,683
(1,365)
8,946
(858)
162,960
(19,625)
226,661
(47,402)
194,848
(23,599)
242,442
(49,536)
Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, the Company evaluated these securities for OTTI. The Company did not consider these securities to be OTTI at December 31, 2022 since the decline in market value was attributable to changes in interest rates and not to changes in credit quality. In addition, the Company did not intend to sell and did not believe that it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell these investments until there is a full recovery of the unrealized loss, which may be at maturity. As a result, no impairment loss was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022.
17
NOTE 5 — LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Loans, net of deferred costs and fees, consist of the following (in thousands):
At September 30,
At December 31,
Real estate
Commercial
3,712,664
3,254,508
Construction
149,212
143,693
Multi-family
462,999
468,540
One-to four-family
50,205
53,207
Total real estate loans
4,375,080
3,919,948
Commercial and industrial
976,778
908,616
Consumer
18,361
24,931
Total loans
5,370,219
4,853,495
Deferred fees, net of origination costs
(15,732)
(12,972)
Included in C&I loans at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $64,000 and $97,000, respectively, of PPP loans. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $3.3 billion and $2.4 billion of loans were pledged to support available borrowing capacity from the FHLB and FRB.
The following tables present the activity in the ACL for funded loans by segment. The portfolio segments represent the categories that the Company uses to determine its ACL (in thousands):
Multi
One-to four-
Three months ended September 30, 2023
Real Estate
& Industrial
Family
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance
34,621
10,977
1,600
3,543
362
547
51,650
Provision/(credit) for credit losses
404
119
169
(54)
(11)
150
777
Loans charged-off
(129)
Recoveries
Total ending allowance balance
35,025
11,096
1,769
3,489
351
568
52,298
Three months ended September 30, 2022
25,945
9,144
2,587
2,539
102
217
40,534
1,019
954
(55)
103
(3)
26,964
10,098
2,532
2,642
99
206
42,541
18
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
29,496
10,274
1,983
105
195
44,876
471
424
705
181
421
2,250
5,481
(638)
(39)
65
225
5,445
(273)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
22,216
7,708
2,105
2,156
140
34,729
4,748
2,390
427
486
(41)
(203)
Net charge-offs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $129,000 and $273,000, respectively. Net recoveries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $0 and $5,000, respectively.
The following tables present the activity in the ACL for unfunded loan commitments (in thousands):
Balance at the beginning of period
1,240
180
297
1,254
19
The following tables present the balance in the ACL and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment based on allowance measurement methodology (in thousands):
Individually assessed
137
Collectively assessed
431
52,161
Loans:
41,005
6,934
251
48,190
3,671,659
969,844
18,110
5,322,029
Total ending loan balance
24
171
44,852
26,740
899
27,663
3,227,768
52,308
24,907
4,825,832
The following tables present the recorded investment in non-accrual loans and loans past due over 90 days and still accruing, by class of loans (in thousands):
Nonaccrual
Loans Past Due
Without an
Over 90 Days
Still Accruing
24,000
Commercial & industrial
30,958
30,934
Interest income on nonaccrual loans recognized on a cash basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was immaterial.
20
The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by class of loans (in thousands):
90
30-59
60-89
Days and
Total past
Current
Days
greater
due
loans
3,688,664
31
23
6,988
969,790
27,285
11,200
38,485
424,514
1
25
18,336
27,316
69,498
5,300,721
3,230,508
37
908,579
8,000
460,540
21
45
24,886
8,058
32,082
4,821,413
Credit Quality Indicators
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. Except for one-to-four family loans and consumer loans, the Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk ratings at least annually. For one-to-four family loans and consumer loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan. An analysis is performed on a quarterly basis for loans classified as special mention, substandard or doubtful. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Special Mention - Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard - Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified 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 - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values highly questionable and improbable.
Loans not meeting the criteria above are considered to be pass-rated loans.
The following table presents loan balances by credit quality indicator and year of origination at September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
2021
2020
2019
2018 & Prior
Revolving
Pass
1,172,394
1,348,513
541,243
162,438
223,040
113,821
43,340
3,604,789
Special Mention
13,058
38,867
14,637
308
66,870
Substandard
17,005
1,185,452
1,411,380
555,880
179,751
50,639
50,248
39,304
9,021
84,393
131,186
52,048
23,774
37,826
79,087
6,461
414,775
20,939
48,224
158,471
72,987
4,163
10,365
12,384
23,293
161,702
267,030
97,771
21,190
15,764
8,238
325,877
897,572
3,840
34,168
2,448
31,816
72,272
3,435
3,499
168,977
301,198
23,638
361,192
Past due
There were $129,000 and $273,000 of Consumer loan charge-offs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, which were originated in 2018 and prior. There were $41.0 million of substandard classified collateral dependent CRE loans at September 30, 2023.
There were no loan modifications where the borrower was experiencing financial difficulty for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
For loans evaluated by credit risk ratings, the following table presents loan balances by credit quality indicator and by class of loans at December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Special
Mention
Doubtful
3,192,212
35,881
26,415
876,867
31,749
4,681,312
67,630
4,775,357
22
The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment pursuant to the disclosure requirements prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2023 (in thousands). The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable and loan origination fees.
Allowance
Unpaid
for Loan
Principal
Recorded
Balance
Investment
Allocated
With an allowance recorded:
Without an allowance recorded:
1,176
27,984
29,160
27,639
Average
Income
Recognized
916
28,486
273
29,402
282
93
816
26
30,992
769
31,808
795
NOTE 6 — BORROWINGS
Borrowings consisted of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
2,160
5,112
5,580
12,114
Federal funds purchased are generally overnight transactions and had a weighted average interest rate of 5.36% at September 30, 2023. The FHLBNY advances are generally overnight transactions and have a fixed interest rate of 5.31%. There were no securities sold under agreements to repurchase outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company redeemed $25.0 million of subordinated debt, plus accrued interest. The subordinated notes had a maturity date of March 15, 2027 and an interest rate of 6.25% per annum.
NOTE 7 — EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company uses the two-class method in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. 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 (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The factors used in the earnings per share calculation are as follows (in thousands, except per share data).
Basic
Net income per consolidated statements of income
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities
(118)
(68)
(285)
(152)
Net income available to common stockholders
21,945
24,887
62,415
67,013
Weighted average common shares outstanding including participating securities
11,098,563
10,961,697
11,110,491
10,952,452
Less: Weighted average participating securities
(59,200)
(30,000)
(50,440)
(24,741)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
11,039,363
11,060,051
10,927,711
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted
Net income allocated to common stockholders
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share
Add: Dilutive effects of assumed exercise of stock options
172,371
182,417
Add: Dilutive effects of assumed vesting of performance based restricted stock
76,599
45,636
63,297
53,237
Add: Dilutive effects of assumed vesting of restricted stock units
20,911
27,448
41,370
Average shares and dilutive potential common shares
11,136,873
11,177,152
11,123,348
11,204,735
Dilutive earnings per common share
All restricted stock units were considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, 253,029 of restricted stock units, respectively, were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. All performance restricted stock units were considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. There were no outstanding stock options at September 30, 2023. All stock options, performance restricted stock units, and restricted stock units were considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.
NOTE 8 — STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN
Equity Incentive Plan
At September 30, 2023, the Company maintained three stock compensation plans, the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 EIP”), the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 EIP”) and the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2009 EIP”). The 2019 EIP expired on May 31, 2022 but has outstanding restricted stock awards and PRSUs subject to vesting schedules. The 2009 EIP has also expired.
The 2022 EIP was approved on May 31, 2022 by stockholders of the Company. Under the 2022 EIP, the maximum number of shares of stock that may be delivered to participants in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options, including ISOs and non-qualified stock options, is 174,918, subject to adjustment as set forth in the 2022 EIP, plus any awards that are forfeited under the 2019 EIP after March 15, 2022.
Stock Options
Under the terms of the 2022 EIP, a stock option cannot have an exercise price that is less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares covered by the stock option on the date of grant. In the case of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares covered by the stock option on the date of grant. In no event shall the exercise period exceed ten years from the date of grant of the option, except, in the case of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder, the exercise period shall not exceed five years from the date of grant. The 2022 EIP contains a double trigger change in control feature, providing for an acceleration of vesting upon an involuntary termination of employment simultaneous with or following a change in control.
The fair value of each stock option award was estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model. Expected volatilities based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock were not significant. The expected term of options granted was based on historical data and represented the period of time that options granted were expected to be outstanding, which took into account that the options were not transferable. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options and the changes during the year is presented below:
September 30, 2023
Weighted
Number of
Options
Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of period
18.00
Granted
Exercised
(220,200)
Cancelled/forfeited
Outstanding, end of period
Options vested and exercisable at end of period
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Weighted average intrinsic value
The intrinsic value of the exercises was $4.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. There were no exercises for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. There was no compensation cost related to stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. There was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
On August 15, 2016, the Company made a loan to an executive officer of the Company, which was subsequently extended on August 15, 2021, in the amount of $780,000 and having an interest rate of 2.1% per annum (the “2021 Loan”). On March 6, 2023, the Company purported to make a loan to this executive officer in the amount of $7.5 million with a fixed interest rate of 5.7% per annum (the “2023 Loan”), and the executive officer used substantially all of the proceeds of the 2023 Loan to pay the exercise price in connection with the exercise of certain existing stock options (the “Option Shares”) and satisfy withholding tax obligations in connection with such exercise (the “Option Exercise”).
In connection with the preparation of the proxy statement for the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s management and Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, along with outside counsel, reevaluated the 2023 Loan as well as the 2021 Loan. As part of this reevaluation, the Company determined that the 2023 Loan and the 2021 Loan were likely impermissible under applicable law and/or regulations. As a result of these determinations, and to the extent that the 2023 Loan and the Option Exercise were not void as a matter of law, on April 26, 2023, the Company and the executive officer entered into a Rescission Agreement (the “Rescission Agreement”). The Rescission Agreement provided, among other things, (i) that the 2023 Loan and the Option Exercise would be rescinded and deemed null and void, (ii) that payments made in respect of the 2023 Loan, if any, would be returned, and (iii) that any dividends received by the executive officer in respect of the Option Shares have been returned or repaid to the Company. In connection with the entry into the Rescission Agreement, the executive officer repaid, in full, the 2021 Loan. The aggregate amount of extensions of credit to the Company’s directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and their associates was $0 and $780,000 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
In the third quarter of 2023, the executive officer exercised the 220,200 existing stock options on a net share settlement basis, resulting in the issuance of 71,655 shares of the Company’s common stock.
Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units
The Company issued restricted stock awards and restricted stock units under the 2022 EIP, 2019 EIP and the 2009 EIP (collectively, “restricted stock grants”) to certain key personnel. Each restricted stock grant vests based on the vesting schedule outlined in the restricted stock grant agreement. Restricted stock grants are subject to forfeiture if the holder is not employed by the Company on the vesting date.
In the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, 170,998 and 72,025 restricted stock grants were issued to certain key personnel, respectively. One-third of these shares vest each year for three years beginning on March 1, 2024 and March 1, 2023, respectively. Total compensation cost that has been charged against income for restricted stock grants was $1.7 million and $4.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Total compensation cost that has been charged against income for restricted stock grants was $1.3 million and $3.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, there was $10.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.96 years.
In January 2023, 27,500 restricted shares were granted to members of the Board of Directors. These shares vest in January 2024. In January 2022, 11,126 restricted shares were granted to members of the Board of Directors. These shares vested in January 2023. Total expense for the awards granted to members of the Board of Directors was $388,000 and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Total expense for these awards was $297,000 and $892,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023 total unrecognized expense for these awards was $388,000.
27
The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s restricted stock grants:
Grant Date
129,562
86.01
198,498
56.04
Forfeited
(14,838)
61.50
Vested
(64,990)
84.28
Outstanding at end of period
248,232
63.96
Performance-Based Stock Units
During the second quarter of 2021, the Company established a long-term incentive award program under the 2019 EIP. Under the program, 90,000 PRSUs were awarded. During the second quarter of 2022, 20,800 PRSUs were forfeited and reissued pursuant to the 2022 EIP. The weighted average service inception date fair value of the outstanding awarded shares was $6.0 million. At the beginning of 2023 and 2022, 29,200 and 30,000 PRSUs, respectively, vested as all performance criteria were met. The remaining 30,800 PRSUs are scheduled to vest in February 2024, provided certain performance criteria are met in fiscal year 2023. All vested shares will not be delivered until the first quarter of 2024. Total compensation cost that has been charged against income for the PRSUs was $550,000 and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Total compensation cost that has been charged against income for the PRSUs was $481,000 and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
NOTE 9 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and derivative contracts, and to determine fair value disclosures. Other than derivative contracts, the Company did not have any liabilities that were measured at fair value at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. AFS securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets or liabilities on a non-recurring basis, such as certain loans where the carrying value is based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. These non-recurring fair value adjustments generally involve the write-down of individual assets due to impairment losses.
Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
28
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
Assets measured on a recurring basis are limited to the Company’s AFS securities portfolio, equity investments, and derivative contracts. The AFS portfolio is carried at estimated fair value with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in shareholders’ equity. Equity investments are carried at estimated fair value with changes in fair value reported as “unrealized gain/(loss)” on the statements of operations. Outstanding derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges are carried at estimated fair value with changes in fair value reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in shareholders’ equity. Outstanding derivatives not designated as hedges are carried at estimated fair value with changes in fair value reported as non-interest income. The fair values for substantially all of these assets are obtained monthly from an independent nationally recognized pricing service. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses the reasonableness of the fair values obtained for the AFS portfolio by reference to a second independent nationally recognized pricing service. Based on the nature of these securities, the Company’s independent pricing service provides prices which are categorized as Level 2 since quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are generally not available for the majority of securities in the Company’s portfolio. Various modeling techniques are used to determine pricing for the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, including option pricing and discounted cash flow models. The inputs to these models include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. On an annual basis, the Company obtains the models, inputs and assumptions utilized by its pricing service and reviews them for reasonableness. Other than derivative contracts, the Company does not have any liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurement using:
Quoted Prices
in Active
Significant
Markets
Other
Carrying
For Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets (Level 1)
Inputs (Level 2)
Inputs (Level 3)
Residential mortgage securities
Commercial mortgage securities
Derivative assets
6,560
Derivative liabilities
Derivatives
29
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
There were no material assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments carried at amortized cost were as follows (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Total Fair
Value
Financial Assets:
Securities held-to-maturity
Loans, net
5,178,993
FRB Stock
11,410
FHLB Stock
21,607
Disability Fund
1,500
Time deposits at banks
498
Accrued interest receivable
28,460
922
27,538
Financial Liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
Money market and savings deposits
3,739,265
Time deposits
35,698
35,115
Trust preferred securities payable
19,999
Prepaid debit cardholder balances
Accrued interest payable
1,211
166
637
408
30
4,737,007
11,421
9,191
1,000
24,107
964
23,143
2,803,698
52,063
51,058
19,953
728
112
293
323
NOTE 10 — ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The following table shows the amounts reclassified out of AOCI for the sale and calls of AFS securities and realized gain on cash flow hedges (in thousands):
Affected line item in
the Consolidated Statements
of Operations
Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
Gain on Sale of Securities
Income tax (expense) benefit
Total reclassifications, net of income tax
Realized gain on cash flow hedges
1,200
782
3,653
(369)
(240)
(1,122)
831
542
2,531
NOTE 11 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk
The Company 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. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.
The following off-balance-sheet financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk, are outstanding (in thousands):
Fixed
Variable
Rate
Unused commitments
64,001
400,962
40,685
364,908
Standby and commercial letters of credit
60,158
53,947
124,159
94,632
A commitment to extend credit is a legally binding agreement to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally expire within two years. At September 30, 2023, the Company’s fixed rate loan commitments had interest rates ranging from 3.0% to 9.5% and the Company’s variable rate loan commitments had interest rates ranging from 6.0% to 12.5%. At December 31, 2022, the Company’s fixed rate loan commitments had interest rates ranging from 3.0% to 8.5% and the Company’s variable rate loan commitments had interest rates ranging from 6.0% to 11.5%. The amount of collateral obtained, if any, by the Company upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include mortgages on commercial and residential real estate, security interests in business assets, equipment, deposit accounts with the Company or other financial institutions and securities.
The Company’s stand-by letters of credit amounted to $60.2 million and $53.9 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company’s stand-by letters of credit are collateralized by interest-bearing accounts of $36.7 million and $28.7 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Regulatory Proceedings
There have been and continue to be ongoing investigations by governmental entities concerning a prepaid debit card product program that was offered by GPG. These include investigations involving the Company and the Bank by the Board of Governors of the FRB and certain state authorities, including the NYSDFS. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, third parties used this prepaid debit card product to establish unauthorized accounts and to receive unauthorized government benefits payments, including unemployment insurance benefits payments made pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act from many states. The Company ceased accepting new accounts from this program manager in July 2020 and exited its relationship with this program manager in August 2020. The Company has cooperated and continues to cooperate in these investigations and continues to review this matter.
The Bank has been in discussions with both the FRB and NYSDFS with respect to consensual resolutions of their investigations. The Bank entered into (i) an Order to Cease and Desist and Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty Issued Upon Consent with the FRB (the “FRB Consent Order”), effective October 16, 2023, and (ii) a Consent Order with the NYSDFS (the “NYSDFS Consent Order”), effective October 18, 2023. The FRB Consent Order and NYSDFS Consent Order constitute separate consensual resolutions with each of the FRB and the NYSDFS with respect to their investigations, each of which is now closed as a result of such order.
The FRB Consent Order provides for a civil money penalty of $14.5 million and requires the Bank’s board of directors to submit a plan to further strengthen board oversight of the management and operations of the GPG and the Bank to develop, among other things, a written plan to enhance the Bank’s customer identification program, a plan to improve the Bank’s customer due diligence program and a plan to enhance the Bank’s third party risk management program. The NYSDFS Consent Order provides for a civil money penalty of $15.0 million and requires the Bank to provide certain information regarding the Bank’s program to supervise third-party program managers and various status reports regarding certain compliance-related matters in connection with the Bank’s oversight of third-party program managers of the Bank’s prepaid debit card program.
The Company was fully reserved with respect to the foregoing amounts payable to the FRB and NYSDFS through a regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022. Additional enforcement or other actions arising out of the prepaid debit card program in question, along with any other matters arising out of the foregoing program, could
32
have a materially adverse effect on the Company and the Bank’s assets, business, cash flows, financial condition, liquidity, prospects and/or results of operations. Since 2020, the Bank has been actively working to enhance its processes and procedures so as to more effectively and efficiently address the concerns that arose.
NOTE 12 — REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers that are in the scope of Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, are recognized in non-interest income. The following table presents the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers (in thousands):
Other service charges and fees
867
364
2,185
1,225
6,577
5,908
21,413
20,512
A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under the accounting guidance is as follows:
The Company offers business and personal retail products and services, which include, but are not limited to, online banking, mobile banking, Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transactions, and remote deposit capture. A standard deposit contract exists between the Company and all deposit customers. The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based services (such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering, and ACH fees), account maintenance, and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance.
Global payment group revenue
The Company offers corporate cash management and retail banking services and, through its global payments business, provides services to non-bank financial service companies. The Company earns initial set-up fees for these programs as well as fees for transactions processed. The Company receives transaction data at the end of each month for services rendered, at which time revenue is recognized. Additionally, service charges specific to GPG customers’ deposits are recognized within GPG revenue.
Other service charges
The primary component of other service charges relates to letter of credit fees and FX conversion fees. The Company outsources FX conversion for foreign currency transactions to correspondent banks. The Company earns a portion of an FX conversion fee that the customer charges to process an FX conversion transaction. Revenue is recognized at the end of the month once the customer has remitted the transaction information to the Company.
NOTE 13 — DERIVATIVES
The Company enters into interest rate swap derivative contracts (“interest rate swaps”) as a part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. At September 30, 2023, these interest rate swaps have a notional amount of $700.0 million and contractual maturities ranging from August 1, 2025 to September 23, 2025. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps does not represent the amount exchanged by the parties. The interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges of certain deposit liabilities and borrowings of the Company. The hedges were
33
determined to be highly effective during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. The Company expects the hedges to remain highly effective during the remaining term of the interest rate swap.
In addition, the Company periodically enters into certain commercial loan interest rate swap agreements to provide commercial loan customers the ability to convert from variable to fixed interest rates. Under these agreements, the Company enters into a variable-rate loan agreement with a customer in addition to a swap agreement. This swap agreement effectively converts the customer’s variable rate loan into a fixed rate loan. The Company then enters into a corresponding swap agreement with a third party to offset its exposure on the variable and fixed components of the customer agreement. As the interest rate swap agreements with the customers and third parties are not designated as hedges, the instruments are marked to market in earnings. At September 30, 2023, the interest rate swaps have a notional amount of $69.0 million and a contractual maturity of August 15, 2028.
In 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate cap derivative contract (“interest rate cap”) as a part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. The interest rate cap had a notional amount of $300.0 million and a contractual maturity of March 1, 2025. The notional amount of the interest rate cap does not represent the amount exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged was determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the interest rate cap. The interest rate subject to the cap was 30-day LIBOR.
The interest rate cap was designated as a cash flow hedge of certain deposit liabilities of the Company. The hedge was determined to be highly effective during 2022 until it was terminated in the third quarter of 2022. The unrecognized value of $12.7 million at termination will be released from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and recorded as a credit to Licensing fees expense through March 2025.
The following tables reflect the derivatives recorded on the balance sheet (in thousands):
Notional
Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedges:
Interest rate swaps related to customer deposits and borrowings
700,000
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Interest rate swaps
69,000
Interest rate cap related to customer deposits
The effect of cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive income is as follows (in thousands):
Interest rate swaps and caps related to customer deposits and borrowings
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI, net of tax
509
4,517
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from OCI into income
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from OCI into income
N/A - not applicable
34
NOTE 14 ‒ SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
None.
35
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Company Background
The Company is a bank holding company headquartered in New York, New York and registered under the BHC Act. Through its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”), a New York state chartered bank, the Company provides a broad range of business, commercial and retail banking products and services to small businesses, middle-market enterprises, public entities and affluent individuals primarily in the New York metropolitan area. See the “Glossary of Common Terms and Acronyms” for the definition of certain terms and acronyms used throughout this Form 10-Q.
The Company’s primary market includes the New York metropolitan area, specifically Manhattan and the outer boroughs, and Nassau County, New York. This market is well-diversified and represents a large market for middle market businesses (defined as businesses with annual revenue of $5 million to $400 million). The Company’s market area has a diversified economy typical of most urban population centers, with the majority of employment provided by services, wholesale/retail trade, finance/insurance/real estate, technology companies and construction. A relationship-led strategy has provided the Company with select opportunities in other U.S. markets, with a particular focus on South Florida. In addition, through its Global Payments Group, the Company issues prepaid cards for nationwide card programs managed by third-party program managers.
The Company’s primary lending products are CRE loans, including multi-family loans, and C&I loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business and consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flows from operations of commercial enterprises. The Company’s primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term deposit accounts, all of which are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amounts allowed by law. In addition to traditional commercial banking products, the Company offers corporate cash management and retail banking services, and its Global Payments Group (“global payments business”) provides services to non-bank financial service companies, including serving as an issuing bank for third-party debit card programs, as well as providing other financial infrastructure, including cash settlement and custodian deposit services. The Company operates six banking centers strategically located within close proximity to target clients. The strength of the Company’s deposit franchise comes from its long-standing relationships with clients and the strong ties it has in its market area. The Company has also developed a diversified funding strategy, which enables it to be less reliant on branches. Deposit funding is provided by the following core deposit verticals: (i) borrowing clients; (ii) non-borrowing retail clients; (iii) global payments business; and (iv) corporate cash management clients.
Recent Events
There have been and continue to be ongoing investigations by governmental entities concerning a prepaid debit card product program that was offered by GPG. As previously disclosed, the Bank has been in discussions with both the FRB and NYSDFS with respect to consensual resolutions of their investigations. The Bank entered into (i) an Order to Cease and Desist and Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty Issued Upon Consent with the FRB (the “FRB Consent Order”), effective October 16, 2023, and (ii) a Consent Order with the NYSDFS (the “NYSDFS Consent Order”), effective October 18, 2023. The FRB Consent Order and NYSDFS Consent Order constitute separate consensual resolutions with each of the FRB and the NYSDFS with respect to their investigations, each of which is now closed as a result of such order.
The FRB Consent Order provides for a civil money penalty of $14.5 million and requires the Bank’s board of directors to submit a plan to further strengthen board oversight of the management and operations of the GPG and the Bank to develop, among other things, a written plan to enhance the Bank’s customer identification program, a plan to improve the Bank’s customer due diligence program and a plan to enhance the Bank’s third party risk management program. The NYSDFS Consent Order provides for a civil money penalty of $15.0 million and requires the Bank to provide certain information regarding the Bank’s program to supervise third-party program managers and various status reports regarding certain compliance-related matters in connection with the Bank’s oversight of third-party program managers of the Bank’s prepaid debit card program. The Company was fully reserved with respect to the foregoing amounts payable to the FRB and
NYSDFS through a regulatory settlement reserve disclosed in prior periods. For further discussion see Part II, “Item 1. Legal Proceedings.”
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting estimates are necessary in the application of certain accounting policies and procedures and are particularly susceptible to significant change. Critical accounting policies are defined as those involving significant judgments and assumptions by management that could have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes that the most critical accounting policy, which involves the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, is as follows:
The ACL has been determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company is responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the ACL. Management believes that the ACL is adequate to cover expected credit losses over the life of the loan portfolio. Although management evaluates available information to determine the adequacy of the ACL, the level of allowance is an estimate which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. Because of uncertainties associated with local and national economic forecasts, the operating and regulatory environment, collateral values and future cash flows from the loan portfolio, it is possible that a material change could occur in the ACL in the near term. The evaluation of the adequacy of loan collateral is often based upon estimates and appraisals. Because of changing economic conditions, the valuations determined from such estimates and appraisals may also change. Accordingly, the Company may ultimately incur losses that vary from management’s current estimates. Adjustments to the ACL will be reported in the period in which such adjustments become known and can be reasonably estimated. All loan losses are charged to the ACL when the loss actually occurs or when the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries are credited to the allowance at the time of recovery. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ACL. As a result of such examinations, the Company may need to recognize additions to the ACL based on the regulators’ judgments.
In estimating the ACL, the Company relies on models and economic forecasts developed by external parties as the primary driver of the ACL. These models and forecasts are based on nationwide sets of data. Economic forecasts can change significantly over an economic cycle and have a significant level of uncertainty associated with them. The performance of the models is dependent on the variables used in the models being reasonable proxies for the loan portfolio’s performance. However, these variables may not capture all sources of risk within the portfolio. As a result, the Company reviews the results and makes qualitative adjustments to the models to capture limitations of the models as necessary. Such qualitative factors may include adjustments to better capture the imprecision associated with the economic forecasts, and the ability of the models to capture emerging risks within the portfolio that may not be represented in the data. These judgments are evaluated through the Company’s review process and revised on a quarterly basis to account for changes in facts and circumstances.
One of the more significant judgments involved in estimating the Company’s ACL relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses and the relative weightings applied to them. To illustrate the impact of changes in these forecasts to the Company’s ACL, the Company performed a hypothetical sensitivity analysis that decreased the weight on the baseline scenario by 33% and equally allocated the difference to increase the weights on the more optimistic and adverse scenarios. All else equal, the impact of this hypothetical forecast would result in a net increase of approximately $4.9 million, or 9.3%, in the Company’s total ACL for loans and loan commitments as of September 30, 2023. This hypothetical analysis is intended to illustrate the impact of adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment at a point in time and is not intended to reflect the full nature and extent of potential future change in the ACL. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in any one of the quantitative inputs or qualitative factors might affect the overall ACL and the Company’s current assessments may not reflect the potential future impact of changes to those inputs or factors.
As of December 31, 2022, which was the last day of the fiscal year of the Company following the fifth anniversary of the Company’s initial public offering of common equity securities, the Company no longer qualified as an EGC, as defined in Section 3(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended by the JOBS Act.
Discussion of Financial Condition
The Company had total assets of $6.7 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $416.0 million, or 6.6%, from December 31, 2022.
Total cash and cash equivalents were $177.4 million at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $80.1 million, or 31.1%, from December 31, 2022. The decrease from December 31, 2022, primarily reflected the $514.0 million net deployment into loans partially offset by the $243.7 million increase in deposits, $105.0 million increase in borrowings and $73.2 million of cash from operations.
Total securities were $910.8 million at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $47.5 million, or 5.0%, from December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the $88.4 million paydown and maturities of AFS and HTM securities, partially offset by the purchase of $52.5 million of AFS and HTM securities.
Loans
Total loans, net of deferred fees and unamortized costs, were $5.4 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $514.0 million, or 10.6%, from December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023, 80.9% of the CRE and C&I loan portfolio is concentrated in the New York Metropolitan Area, mainly New York City, and Florida. The increase in total loans from December 31, 2022, was due primarily to an increase of $458.1 million in CRE (including owner-occupied) loans and $68.2 million in C&I loans, partially offset by a $9.6 million decrease in one-to-four family and consumer loans.
38
As of September 30, 2023, total loans consisted primarily of CRE loans (including multi-family mortgage loans) and C&I loans. The Company’s commercial loan portfolio includes loans to the following industries (dollars in thousands):
% of Total
CRE (1)
Skilled Nursing Facilities
1,385,730
25.8
%
8.6
Mixed use
365,929
6.8
Office
374,391
7.0
Retail
309,169
5.8
Hospitality
344,227
6.4
Land
196,707
3.7
Warehouse / Industrial
170,639
3.2
2.8
565,872
10.5
Total CRE
4,324,875
80.5
Finance & Insurance
241,004
4.5
Individuals
138,159
2.6
181,422
3.4
Healthcare
117,753
2.2
Services
72,178
1.3
Wholesale
61,295
1.1
Manufacturing
47,020
0.9
117,947
Total C&I
18.2
(1)
CRE, not including one-to-four family loans
Asset Quality
Non-performing loans increased to $31.0 million at September 30, 2023 from $24,000 at December 31, 2022, due to one CRE loan that is fully secured and two C&I loans where payment is expected in full. The table below sets forth key asset quality ratios (dollars in thousands):
At or for the
nine months ended
for the year ended
Asset Quality Ratios
Non-performing loans
Non-performing loans to total loans
0.58
Allowance for credit losses to total loans
0.98
0.93
Non-performing loans to total assets
0.46
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans
168.93
N.M
Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding in aggregate
0.01
N.M. – not meaningful
39
The ACL was $52.3 million at September 30, 2023, as compared to $44.9 million at December 31, 2022. The increase from December 31, 2022 was partially due to the Company adopting ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (ASC 326) effective January 1, 2023. ASU No. 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost to be based on historical experience, current condition, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a $2.3 million increase to the ACL for loans, a $777,000 increase to the ACL for loan commitments, and a $2.1 million decrease to retained earnings, net of taxes. The Company also recorded a $5.7 million provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily driven by loan growth.
Total deposits were $5.5 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $243.7 million, or 4.6%, from December 31, 2022. The increase from December 31, 2022, was due primarily to an increase of $660.4 million of retail deposits and $64.8 million in all other deposit verticals, partially offset by the decrease of $488.9 million in digital currency business deposits. The decrease in digital currency business deposits reflects the Company’s final exit from the crypto-related vertical. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits were 31.6% of total deposits at September 30, 2023, compared to 45.9% at December 31, 2022.
The table below summarizes the Company’s deposit composition by segment for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
DollarChange
PercentageChange
(675,525)
(27.9)
Money market
3,730,235
2,792,554
937,681
33.6
Savings accounts
9,030
11,144
(2,114)
(19.0)
(16,365)
(31.4)
4.6
At September 30, 2023, the aggregate estimated amount of FDIC uninsured deposits was $1.5 billion. In addition, as of September 30, 2023, the aggregate estimated amount of the Company’s uninsured time deposits was $21.0 million. The following table presents the scheduled maturities of time deposits greater than $250,000 (in thousands):
Three months or less
6,506
Over three months through six months
4,906
Over six months through one year
8,664
Over one year
946
21,022
Borrowings
Federal Funds Purchased and FHLB Advances
To support a more efficient balance sheet, particularly related to the decrease in deposits related to the exit of the digital currency business, the Company may at times utilize FHLB advances or other funding sources. At September 30, 2023, the Company had $0.0 million of Federal funds purchased and $355.0 million of FHLBNY advances. At December 31, 2022, the Company had $150.0 million of Federal funds purchased and $100.0 million of FHLBNY advances.
40
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, was $60.2 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $5.9 million from December 31, 2022. The increase from December 31, 2022 was due to an increase in unrealized losses on AFS securities due to changes in prevailing interest rates and the reclassification to net income of gains on a terminated cash flow hedge, partially offset by net unrealized gains on outstanding cash flow hedges.
In 2023, the Company entered into interest rate swap derivative contracts as a part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. The interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of certain deposit liabilities and borrowings of the Company. The interest rate swaps have a notional amount of $700.0 million and contractual maturities of one- to five- years.
In 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate cap derivative contract as a part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. The interest rate cap was designated as a cash flow hedge of certain deposit liabilities. In the third quarter of 2022, the Company terminated the interest rate cap and monetized the gain on the derivative. The unrecognized value of $12.7 million at termination will be released from AOCI and recorded as a credit to Licensing fees expense through March 2025.
Results of Operations
Net income was $22.1 million for the third quarter of 2023 a decrease of $2.9 million as compared to $25.0 million for the third quarter of 2022. This decrease was due primarily to the $9.8 million decrease in net interest income due to changes in prevailing interest rates and non-interest bearing crypto-related deposits being replaced with interest bearing funding due to the final exit from the digital currency business, partially offset by discrete tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options and the reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve in the third quarter of 2023.
Net income was $62.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 a decrease of $4.5 million as compared to $67.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. This decrease was due primarily to the $12.3 million increase in non-interest expense, partially offset by the $2.0 million decrease in the provision for credit losses and $1.2 million increase in non-interest income.
Net Interest Income Analysis
Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on assets and interest incurred on liabilities. The following tables present an analysis of net interest income by each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The tables present the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Yields and costs were derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown. Average balances were derived from daily balances over the periods indicated. Interest income includes fees that management considers to be adjustments to yields. The yield on AFS securities is based on amortized cost of the securities. Yields on tax-exempt obligations were not computed on a tax-equivalent basis. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances and therefore have a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred loan origination fees and costs, and purchase discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.
41
September 30, 2022
Yield /
(dollars in thousands)
Rate (1)
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (2)
5,283,114
6.80
4,504,260
5.30
Available-for-sale securities
527,673
2,261
1.71
521,378
1,651
1.27
Held-to-maturity securities
497,682
2,412
1.94
527,050
2,466
1.87
Equity investments
2,387
2.20
2,342
1.47
124,211
5.62
913,566
2.19
Other interest-earning assets
36,952
8.24
17,360
5.69
Total interest-earning assets
6,472,019
5.99
6,485,956
4.26
Non-interest-earning assets
170,195
108,643
(52,357)
(41,494)
6,589,857
6,553,105
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Money market and savings accounts
3,465,347
35,969
4.12
2,572,111
6,407
0.99
Certificates of deposit
38,937
265
2.70
51,363
98
0.76
Total interest-bearing deposits
3,504,284
4.10
2,623,474
572,456
8,106
5.66
20,555
4.41
Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,076,740
4.32
2,644,029
1.01
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing deposits
1,734,956
3,243,664
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities
146,956
75,471
5,958,652
5,963,164
Stockholders' equity
631,205
589,941
Total liabilities and equity
Net interest rate spread (3)
1.67
3.25
Net interest margin (4)
3.27
3.85
Total cost of deposits (5)
2.74
0.44
Total cost of funds (6)
3.03
0.45
Annualized.
Amount includes deferred loan fees and non-performing loans.
Determined by subtracting the annualized average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities from the annualized average yield on total interest-earning assets.
(4)
Determined by dividing annualized net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(5)
Determined by dividing annualized interest expense on deposits by total average interest-bearing and non-interest bearing deposits.
(6)
Determined by dividing annualized interest expense by the sum of total average interest-bearing liabilities and total average non-interest-bearing deposits.
42
Rate(1)
5,016,075
6.58
4,214,957
5.03
526,156
6,435
1.63
542,099
4,942
1.22
507,771
7,391
488,058
6,260
Equity investments - non-trading
2,375
2.12
2,335
1.25
189,552
5.12
1,424,119
0.84
32,166
7.37
16,030
5.38
6,274,095
5.75
6,687,598
3.59
161,592
86,682
(48,693)
(38,799)
6,386,994
6,735,481
3,099,908
85,099
3.67
2,642,465
13,453
0.68
45,874
911
2.66
63,074
383
0.81
3,145,782
3.66
2,705,539
451,063
18,286
5.41
27,099
1,090
5.36
3,596,845
3.88
2,732,638
0.73
2,032,011
3,368,470
144,712
61,303
5,773,568
6,162,411
613,426
573,070
2.86
3.53
3.29
2.22
0.30
2.48
0.33
Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2023 was 3.27% compared to 3.85% for the third quarter of 2022. The 58 basis point decrease was due primarily to the 258 basis point increase in the total cost of funds reflecting the increase in prevailing market interest rates and the shift from non-interest bearing deposits to interest bearing funding primarily related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical, partially offset by the increase in the average balance of loans and loan yields.
Net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 3.53% compared to 3.29% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The 24 basis point increase was driven primarily by the increase in the $801.1 million increase in the average balance of loans and the 155 basis point increase in loan yields, partially offset by the higher cost of funds. Total cost of funds for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 248 basis points compared to 33 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which reflects the increase in prevailing interest rates and the shift from non-interest bearing deposits to interest bearing funding primarily related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical.
43
Interest Income
Interest income increased $27.8 million to $97.9 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to $70.1 million for the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the increase in the average balance of loans and increase in yields for loans and overnight deposits. The average balance of loans increased $778.9 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022. The yields on loans and overnight deposits increased 150 basis points and 343 basis points, respectively, for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022 due to the increase in prevailing market interest rates.
Interest income increased $90.0 million to $270.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $180.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to the increase in the average balance of loans and increase in yields for loans and overnight deposits, partially offset by the decline in the average balance of overnight deposits. The average balance of loans increased $801.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The yields on loans and overnight deposits increased 155 basis points and 428 basis points, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due to the increase in prevailing market interest rates. The average balance of overnight deposits decreased $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, reflecting the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $37.6 million to $44.3 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to the increase in prevailing interest rates and higher borrowing balances related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical. The yield on interest bearing deposits increased 312 basis points for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022. The average balance of borrowings increased $551.9 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022.
Interest expense increased $89.4 million to $104.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to the increase in prevailing interest rates and higher borrowing balances related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical. The yield on interest bearing deposits increased 298 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The average balance of borrowings increased $424.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, based on ASC 326, was $791,000 and $5.7 million, respectively, primarily driven by loan growth. The provision for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, based on the incurred loss method, was $2.0 million and $7.8 million, respectively, primarily driven by loan growth.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income increased $695,000 to $6.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, as compared to the third quarter of 2022 driven by increases in other service charges and fees. Non-interest income increased $1.1 million to $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 driven by increases in other service charges and fees.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense decreased $266,000 to $30.9 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to the $3.0 million reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the $2.2 million reduction in professional fees, partially offset by the $2.6 million increase in compensation and benefits.
44
Non-interest expense increased $12.3 million to $94.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to the $7.4 million increase in compensation and benefits expense due to the increase in the number of full-time employees, the $3.8 million increase in professional fees, including legal fees, and $2.8 million increase in FDIC assessments, partially offset by the $5.5 million reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Income Tax Expense
The estimated effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 was 22.2% as compared to 30.6% for the third quarter of 2022. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 reflects a discrete tax item related to the exercise of stock options in the third quarter of 2023 and the reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve. The estimated effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 28.0% as compared to 29.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company 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, which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
At September 30, 2023, the Company had $465.0 million in unused commitments and $60.2 million in standby and commercial letters of credit. At December 31, 2022, the Company had $405.6 million in unused commitments and $53.9 million in standby and commercial letters of credit.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to economically meet current and future financial obligations. The Company’s primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments and maturities and sales of securities and borrowings. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities and borrowings are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows, mortgage prepayments and security sales are greatly influenced by the general level of interest rates and changes thereto, economic conditions and competition.
The Company regularly reviews the need to adjust investments in liquid assets based upon its assessment of: (1) expected loan demand, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities, and (4) the objectives of its asset/liability program. Excess liquidity is generally invested in interest-earning deposits and short- and intermediate-term securities.
The Company’s most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets are dependent on its operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents totaled $177.4 million and $257.4 million, respectively. Securities classified as AFS and equity investments, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $431.9 million at September 30, 2023 and $447.8 million at December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying value of securities pledged to the FRBNY discount window was $789.5 million and $25.0 million, respectively.
The Company has no material commitments or demands that are likely to affect its liquidity other than as set forth below. In the event loan demand were to increase faster than expected, or any other unforeseen demand or commitment were to occur, the Company could access its borrowing capacity with the FHLB or obtain additional funds through alternative funding sources, including the brokered deposit market.
The Company had $3.0 billion and $1.1 billion of available secured wholesale funding capacity at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The increase in secured funding capacity is due to the Company optimizing its liquidity resources through the pledge of additional eligible loan collateral.
The Company’s primary investing activities are the origination of loans, and to a lesser extent, the purchase of loans and securities. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s loan production was $333.5 million and $1.0 billion, respectively as compared to $423.6 million and $1.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
Financing activities consisted primarily of activity in deposit accounts and borrowings. The Company generates deposits from businesses and individuals through client referrals and other relationships and through its retail presence. The Company has established deposit concentration thresholds to avoid the possibility of dependence on any single depositor base for funds. Total deposits were $5.5 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $243.7 million, or 4.6%, from December 31, 2022.
At September 30, 2023, interest-bearing deposits were comprised of $3.7 billion of money market accounts and $35.7 million of time deposits. Time deposits due within one year of September 30, 2023 totaled $31.0 million, or 0.6% of total deposits. At September 30, 2023, the aggregate estimated amount of FDIC uninsured deposits was $1.5 billon. At December 31, 2022, interest-bearing deposits were comprised of $2.8 billion of money market accounts and $52.1 million of time deposits. Time deposits due within one year of December 31, 2022 totaled $37.6 million, or 0.7% of total deposits. Non-interest-bearing deposits were 31.6% of total deposits at September 30, 2023, as compared to 45.9% at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate estimated amount of FDIC uninsured deposits was $2.2 billion.
To support a more efficient balance sheet, particularly related to the decrease in deposits related to the final exit of the digital currency business, the Company may at times utilize FHLB advances or other funding sources. At September 30, 2023, the Company had $0.0 million of Federal funds purchased and $355.0 million of FHLBNY advances.
In March 2023, certain specialized banking institutions with elevated concentrations of uninsured deposits experienced large deposit outflows, resulting in the institutions being placed into FDIC receiverships. In the aftermath, there was substantial market disruption and indications that deposit concerns could spread within the banking industry, leading to deposit outflows and other destabilizing results. In response to these events, the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, and FDIC jointly announced the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) on March 12, 2023. This program aims to enhance liquidity by allowing institutions to pledge certain securities at the par value of the securities, and at a borrowing rate of ten basis points over the one-year overnight index swap rate. The BTFP is available to eligible U.S. federally insured depository institutions, with advances having a term of up to one year and no prepayment penalties. The BTFP is available to the Company.
Regulation
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company and the Bank met all applicable regulatory capital requirements to be considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. The Company and the Bank manage their capital to comply with their internal planning targets and regulatory capital standards administered by federal banking
46
agencies. The Company and the Bank review capital levels on a monthly basis. Below is a table of the Company’s and Bank’s capital ratios for the periods indicated:
Minimum Ratio
Minimum
Required
At
Ratio to be
for Capital
Capital
“Well
Adequacy
Conservation
Capitalized”
Purposes
Buffer
The Company
Tier 1 leverage ratio
10.7
10.2
4.0
Common equity tier 1
11.8
12.1
2.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
12.2
12.5
6.0
Total risk-based capital ratio
13.1
13.4
8.0
The Bank
10.0
5.00
11.9
12.3
6.50
8.00
12.8
10.00
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total non-owner-occupied CRE loans were 374.8% and 366.0% of risk-based capital, respectively.
47
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
General
The principal objective of the Company’s asset and liability management function is to evaluate the interest rate risk within the balance sheet and pursue a controlled assumption of interest rate risk while maximizing net income and preserving adequate levels of liquidity and capital. The Board of Directors has oversight of the Company’s asset and liability management function, which is managed by the Company’s ALCO. The ALCO meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to market interest rate changes, local and national market conditions and market interest rates. That group also reviews liquidity, capital, deposit mix, loan mix and investment positions.
Interest Rate Risk
As a financial institution, the Company’s primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most assets and liabilities, and the fair value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short term to maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential of economic losses due to future interest rate changes. These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.
The Company manages its exposure to interest rates primarily by structuring its balance sheet in the ordinary course of business. The Company generally originates fixed and floating rate loans with maturities of less than five years. The interest rate risk on these loans is offset by the cost of deposits, where many of such deposits generally pay interest based on a floating rate index. Based upon the nature of operations, the Company is not subject to FX or commodity price risk and does not own any trading assets. The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts as part of its interest rate risk management strategy to hedge certain deposit liabilities and to facilitate the needs of lending customers. For further discussion see “NOTE 13 — DERIVATIVES” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q.
Net Interest Income At-Risk
The Company analyzes its sensitivity to changes in interest rates through a net interest income simulation model, which estimates what net interest income would be for a one-year period based on current interest rates, and then calculates what the net interest income would be for the same period under different interest rate assumptions. For modeling purposes, the Company reclassifies licensing fees on corporate cash management accounts from non-interest expense to interest expense since the fees are indexed to certain market interest rates.
The following table shows the estimated impact on net interest income for the one-year period beginning September 30, 2023 resulting from potential changes in interest rates, expressed in basis points. These estimates require certain assumptions to be made, including loan and mortgage-related investment prepayment speeds, reinvestment rates, and deposit maturities and decay rates. These assumptions are inherently uncertain. As a result, no simulation model can precisely predict the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income.
Although the net interest income table below provides an indication of the Company’s IRR exposure at a particular point in time, such estimates are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest
rates on net interest income and will differ from actual results. The following table indicates the sensitivity of projected annualized net interest income to the interest rate movements described above (dollars in thousands):
Change in
Year 1
Change
Rates
Income Year 1
from
(basis points)
Forecast
Level
+400
186,496
(13.55)
+300
193,335
(10.38)
+200
200,181
(7.21)
+100
208,361
(3.41)
215,726
-100
221,877
2.85
-200
227,250
5.34
-300
233,064
8.04
-400
240,445
11.46
The table above indicates that at September 30, 2023, in the event of an instantaneous and sustained parallel upward shift of 200 basis points in interest rates, the Company would experience a 7.21% decrease in net interest income. In the event of an instantaneous and sustained parallel downward shift of 200 basis points in interest rates, it would experience a 5.34% increase in net interest income.
Economic Value of Equity Analysis
The Company also analyzes the sensitivity of its financial condition to changes in interest rates through an EVE model. This analysis measures the difference between predicted changes in the fair value of assets and predicted changes in the present value of liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates. The table below represents an analysis of IRR as measured by the estimated changes in EVE, resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve (+100, +200, +300 and +400 basis points and -100, -200, -300 and -400 basis points) at September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Increase (Decrease) in
as a Percentage of Fair
Value of Assets (3)
Increase
Interest Rates
(Decrease)
(basis points) (1)
EVE (2)
Dollars
Percent
Ratio (4)
510,667
(138,979)
(21.39)
8.50
(148.65)
544,798
(104,848)
(16.14)
8.90
(108.80)
578,568
(71,078)
(10.94)
9.27
(71.79)
619,647
(29,999)
(4.62)
9.72
(26.75)
649,646
9.99
667,318
17,672
2.72
10.06
7.78
669,722
20,076
3.09
9.92
(6.44)
663,123
13,477
2.07
9.65
(33.34)
644,925
(4,721)
(0.73)
9.23
(75.78)
49
The table above indicates that at September 30, 2023, in the event of an immediate upward shift of 200 basis points in interest rates, it would experience a 10.94% decrease in its EVE. In the event of an immediate downward shift of 200 basis points in interest rates, the Company would experience an 3.09% increase in its EVE.
The preceding simulation analyses do not represent a forecast of actual results and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions, which are subject to change, including: the nature and timing of interest rate levels including the yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and others. Also, as market conditions vary, prepayment/refinancing levels, the varying impact of interest rate changes on caps and floors embedded in adjustable-rate loans, early withdrawal of deposits, changes in product preferences, and other internal/external variables will likely deviate from those assumed.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s principal executive officer, and the Chief Accounting Officer, who is the Company’s acting principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023 pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2023. In addition, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports filed by the Company under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
As previously disclosed, the Bank has been in discussions with both the FRB and NYSDFS with respect to consensual resolutions of their investigations. The Bank entered into (i) an Order to Cease and Desist and Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty Issued Upon Consent with the FRB (the “FRB Consent Order”), effective October 16, 2023, and (ii) a Consent Order with the NYSDFS (the “NYSDFS Consent Order”), effective October 18, 2023. The FRB Consent Order and NYSDFS Consent Order constitute separate consensual resolutions with each of the FRB and the NYSDFS with respect to their investigations, each of which is now closed as a result of such order.
The Company was fully reserved with respect to the foregoing amounts payable to the FRB and NYSDFS through a regulatory settlement reserve disclosed in prior periods. Additional enforcement or other actions arising out of the prepaid debit card program in question, along with any other matters arising out of the foregoing program, could have a materially adverse effect on the Company and the Bank’s assets, business, cash flows, financial condition, liquidity, prospects and/or results of operations. Since 2020, the Bank has been actively working to enhance its processes and procedures so as to more effectively and efficiently address the concerns that arose.
In addition to the matters described above, the Company is subject to various other pending and threatened legal actions relating to the conduct of its normal business activities. In the opinion of management, as of September 30, 2023, the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, arising out of any such other pending or threatened legal actions will not be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are risks, many beyond our control, which could cause our results to differ significantly from management’s expectations. For a description of these risks, please see the risk factors included below and see the risk factors previously described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2022 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to our risk factors since the date of that filing, other than as noted below. Any of the risks described in our 2022 Form 10-K or in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q could, by itself or together with one or more other factors, materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Financial challenges at other banking institutions could lead to depositor concerns that spread within the banking industry causing disruptive deposit outflows and other destabilizing results.
In March 2023, certain specialized banking institutions with elevated concentrations of uninsured deposits experienced large deposit outflows, resulting in the institutions being placed into FDIC receiverships. In the aftermath, there has been substantial market disruption and indications that deposit concerns could spread within the banking industry, leading to deposit outflows and other destabilizing results that could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Amendment of Bylaws
On October 31, 2023, our Board of Directors approved and adopted the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, which became effective immediately upon adoption. The Board approved the Amended and Restated Bylaws primarily to update certain procedural requirements in connection with SEC rules relating to universal proxy cards (the “Universal Proxy Rules”). The Amended and Restated Bylaws include amendments that: (i) update the Company’s bylaws in accordance with the Universal Proxy Rules, including requiring stockholders providing notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, to provide reasonable evidence to the Company that they have complied with certain requirements under the Universal Proxy Rules no later than five business days prior to the applicable stockholder meeting; (ii) refine and clarify the requirements with respect to notice of stockholder nominations and proposals, including provisions regarding the information to be provided in such notices by proposing stockholders, proposed nominees and other persons related to a stockholder’s solicitation of proxies; (iii) require any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders to use a proxy card color other than white; and (iv) make certain other non-substantive administrative, technical and conforming changes.
The preceding summary of the Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 3.3 to this report and incorporated by reference herein.
Authorization of Acting Principal Financial Officer
Effective as of October 31, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized G. David Bonnar, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, to also serve as the Company’s “Acting Principal Financial Officer” in connection with the review, execution and certification of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and certain FRB regulatory reports. The Company previously announced that Gregory Sigrist, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer would be resigning effective October 31, 2023.
Mr. Bonnar, age 55, joined the Company in February 2021, and has worked at various financial services institutions in his over 30 years of experience, including the CIT Group, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and most recently as Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. During Mr. Bonnar’s 12 years at Morgan Stanley, he had increasing levels of responsibilities in the Financial Control Group. Mr. Bonnar started his career at KPMG and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Bonnar and the Company did not enter into a new compensation plan or arrangement, or modify Mr. Bonnar’s current compensation arrangement, in connection with Mr. Bonnar being designated the Company’s Acting Principal Financial Officer. There are also no family relationships between Mr. Bonnar and any director or executive officer of the Company and Mr. Bonnar has no direct or indirect interest in any transaction or proposed transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
53
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2017 (File No. 333-220805)).
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2021 (File No. 333-254197)).
3.3
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.
31.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of the Corporation, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of the Corporation, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Principal Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Principal Financial Officer of the Corporation.
101
INS 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)
SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104
The cover page from Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 3, 2023By: /s/ Mark R. DeFazio
Mark R. DeFazio
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 3, 2023By:/s/ G. David Bonnar
G. David Bonnar
Senior Vice President and Acting Principal Financial Officer