BCB BANCORP INC - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Or

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________.

Commission file number: 000-50275

BCB BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 1-(800)-680-6872

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Trading Symbol

BCBP

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES  o    NO  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

YES  o    NO  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES  x    NO  o

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 such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).

YES  x    NO  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

If any 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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES  ¨    NO  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price on June 30, 2020, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market, was approximately $129.7 million.

As of March 4, 2021, there were 17,121,319 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

(1) Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant (Part III) 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Forward-Looking Statements

This report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions and may describe future plans, strategies and expectations of BCB Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries. This document may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations, as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved or realized. By identifying these statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed below and under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our expectations only as of the date of this report. We do not assume any obligation to revise forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

BCB Bancorp, Inc.

BCB Bancorp, Inc. (individually referred to herein as the “Parent Company” and together with its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as the “Company”) is a New Jersey corporation established in 2003, and is the holding company parent of BCB Community Bank (the “Bank”). On July 6, 2010, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Pamrapo Savings Bank, and thereby acquired all of Pamrapo Savings Bank’s 10 branch locations and assets valued at $538.0 million. On October 14, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of Allegiance Community Bank, including its two branch locations and assets valued at $135.1 million. On April 17, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of IA Bancorp, Inc. (“IAB”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Indus-American Bank, including four branch locations and assets valued at $216.3 million. The Company has not engaged in any significant business activity other than owning all of the outstanding common stock of BCB Community Bank. Our executive office is located at 104-110 Avenue C, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002. Our telephone number is 1-(800)-680-6872 and our website is www.bcb.bank. Information on our website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. At December 31, 2020 we had approximately $2.821 billion in consolidated assets, $2.318 billion in deposits and $249.2 million in consolidated stockholders’ equity. The Parent Company is subject to extensive regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Human Capital Resources

At December 31, 2020 we employed 302 full-time equivalent employees, all located in New Jersey and New York. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group. Management believes that we have good relations with our employees. We strive to have a positive, collaborative culture that engages employees, as we believe engaged employees serve our customers well.  

The safety, health and wellness of our employees is a top priority. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge with regard to maintaining employee safety while continuing successful operations. Through teamwork and the adaptability of our management and staff, we were able to transition during the peak of the pandemic, over a short period of time, to a rotational work schedule allowing employees to effectively work from remote locations and ensure a safely-distanced working environment for employees performing customer facing activities, at branches and operations centers. All employees are asked not to come to work when they experience signs or symptoms of a possible COVID-19 illness and have been provided paid time off to cover compensation during such absences. On an ongoing basis, we further promote the health and wellness of our employees by strongly encouraging work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, and keeping the employee portion of health care premiums to a minimum.

We are committed to maintaining a work environment where every team member is treated with dignity and respect, free from the threat of discrimination and harassment.

We expect these same standards apply to all stakeholders, to our interactions with customers, vendors and independent contractors.

BCB Community Bank

BCB Community Bank opened for business on November 1, 2000 as Bayonne Community Bank, a New Jersey chartered commercial bank. The Bank changed its name from Bayonne Community Bank to BCB Community Bank in April 2007. At December 31, 2020, the Bank operated at 29 locations in Bayonne, Carteret, Edison, Hoboken, Fairfield, Holmdel, Jersey City, Lyndhurst, Maplewood, Monroe Township, Newark, Parsippany, Plainsboro, River Edge, Rutherford, South Orange, Union, and Woodbridge, New Jersey, as well as three branches in Staten Island and Hicksville, New York, through executive offices located at 104-110 Avenue C, and an administrative office located at 591-595 Avenue C, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002. The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and the Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System.

We are a community-oriented financial institution. Our business is to offer FDIC-insured deposit products and to invest funds held in deposit accounts at the Bank, together with funds generated from operations, in loans and investment securities. We offer our customers:

loans, including commercial and multi-family real estate loans, one-to-four family mortgage loans, commercial business loans, construction loans, home equity loans, and consumer loans. In recent years the primary growth in our loan portfolio has been in loans secured by commercial real estate and multi-family properties;

FDIC-insured deposit products, including savings and club accounts, interest and non-interest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts; and

retail and commercial banking services including wire transfers, money orders, safe deposit boxes, night depository, debit cards, online banking, mobile banking, fraud detection (positive pay), and automated teller services.

‎

Recent Events

On December 31, 2020, the Company opted to close two of its branches in Colonia and Lodi, New Jersey. All regulatory agencies and customers were notified prior to the effective date of December 31, 2020. At January 1, 2021, the Company continued to operate through the 29 other branch offices listed above.

On December 15, 2020, the Company closed a third and final round of its private placement Series H 3.5% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, resulting in additional gross proceeds of $2,250,000 for 225 shares.

On September 1, 2020, the Company closed a private placement of its Series H 3.5% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, resulting in gross proceeds of $5.9 million for 590 shares.

On August 31, 2020, the Company redeemed all 6,465 outstanding shares of its Series F 6.0% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, at their face value of $1,000 per share, for a total redemption amount of $6.5 million. On August 10, 2020, the Company redeemed all 388 outstanding shares of its Series C 6.0% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, at their face value of $10,000 per share, for a total redemption amount of $3.9 million.

On July 13, 2020, the Company closed a private placement of its Series H 3.5% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, resulting in gross proceeds of $3.1 million for 308 shares, effective June 29, 2020.

On December 30, 2019, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with MFP Partners, L.P. (“MFP”), pursuant to which the Company sold 1,020,408 shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value per share, at a purchase price of $12.25 per share to MFP for gross proceeds of approximately $12.5 million. The Shares were registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), as amended, pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3.

On February 25, 2019, the Company closed a private placement offering of 496,224 shares of its common stock, of which directors and officers of the Company purchased 286,244 shares (the “Offering”). The Offering resulted in gross proceeds of $6.3 million to the Company. There were no underwriting discounts or commissions. The Offering price was $12.64 per share, which was the closing price for the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on February 22, 2019, the trading day prior to the closing of the Offering. Directors and officers paid the same price as other investors. The Company relied on the exemption from registration provided under Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Act. The Offering was made only to accredited investors as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Act.

On January 30, 2019, the Company closed a private placement of Series G 6.0% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, resulting in gross proceeds of $5,330,000 for 533 shares. The purchase price was $10,000 per share. The Company relied on the exemption from registration provided under Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Act.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to operate as a well-capitalized, profitable, and independent community-oriented financial institution dedicated to providing the highest quality customer service. Management’s and the Board of Directors’ extensive knowledge of the markets we serve helps to differentiate us from our competitors. Our business strategy incorporates the following elements: maintaining a community focus, focusing on profitability, strengthening our balance sheet, concentrating on real estate- based lending, capitalizing on market dynamics, providing attentive and personalized service, and attracting highly qualified and experienced personnel. These attributes coupled with our desire to seek out under-served markets for banking products and services, facilitate our plan to grow our franchise footprint organically and synergistically.

Maintaining a community focus. Our management and Board of Directors have strong ties to the communities we serve. Many members of the management team are New Jersey natives and are active in the communities we serve through non-profit board membership, local business development organizations, and industry associations. In addition, our board members are well-established professionals and business leaders in the communities we serve. Management and the Board are interested in making a lasting contribution to these communities, and they have succeeded in attracting deposits and loans through attentive and personalized service.

Focusing on profitability. Over the last few years, the Company has opened several new branches throughout New Jersey and New York. The Company intends to continue its growth through the maturation of these new branches and through acquisitions. While this will serve to expand our geographic footprint, it should also provide additional sources of liquidity and as new branches mature, increase profitability. Management continues to be committed to managing and controlling our non-interest expenses to improve our efficiency ratio, and to remain as a well-capitalized institution.

Strengthening our balance sheet. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our return on average equity was 8.70 percent and our return on average assets was 0.71 percent. Our earnings per diluted share was $1.14 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.20 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Management remains committed to strengthening the Company’s statements of financial condition and maintaining profitability by diversifying the products, pricing and services we offer. Additionally, the Company undertook a deleveraging strategy during 2020 that reduced the size of its balance sheet through a series of preferred stock capital raises, debt repayments and modifications, and reduction in high-cost certificate of deposit accounts, among other initiatives. The success of this strategy is evidenced by the capital ratios for both the Bank and the Company at December 31, 2020.

Concentrating on real estate-based lending. A primary focus of our business strategy is to originate loans secured by commercial and multi-family properties. Such loans generally provide higher returns than loans secured by one-to-four family properties. As a result of our underwriting practices, including debt service requirements for commercial real estate and multi-family loans, management believes that such loans offer us an opportunity to obtain higher returns without a significant increased level of risk.

Capitalizing on market dynamics. The consolidation of the banking industry in northeast New Jersey has provided a unique opportunity for a customer-focused banking institution, such as the Bank. We believe our local roots and community focus provide the Bank with an opportunity to capitalize on the consolidation in our market area. This consolidation has moved decision making away from local, community-based banks to much larger banks headquartered outside of New Jersey. We believe our local roots and community focus provide the Bank with an opportunity to capitalize on the consolidation in our market area.

Providing attentive and personalized service. Management believes that providing attentive and personalized service is the key to gaining deposit and loan relationships in the markets we serve and their surrounding communities. Since we began operations, our branches have been open seven days a week.

Attracting highly experienced and qualified personnel. An important part of our strategy is to hire bankers who have prior experience in the markets we serve, as well as pre-existing business relationships. Our management team averages over 20 years of banking experience, while our lenders and branch personnel have significant experience at community banks and regional banks throughout the region. Management believes that its knowledge of these markets has been a critical element in the success of the Bank. Management’s extensive knowledge of the local communities has allowed us to develop and implement a highly focused and disciplined approach to lending, and has enabled the Bank to attract a high percentage of low-cost deposits.

Our Market Area

We are located in Bayonne, Jersey City and Hoboken in Hudson County, Carteret, Edison, Monroe Township, Plainsboro and Woodbridge in Middlesex County, Lyndhurst, River Edge, and Rutherford in Bergen County and Fairfield, Maplewood, Newark, and South Orange in Essex County, Holmdel in Monmouth County, Parsippany in Morris County, and Union in Union County, New Jersey. The Bank also operates two branches in Staten Island, New York and one in Hicksville, New York. The Bank’s locations are easily accessible and provide convenient services to businesses and individuals throughout our market area. These areas are all considered “bedroom” or “commuter” communities to Manhattan. Our market area is well-served by a network of arterial roadways, including Route 440 and the New Jersey Turnpike.

Our market area has a high level of commercial business activity. Businesses are concentrated in the service sector and retail trade areas. Major employers in our market area include certain medical centers, municipalities, and local boards of education.

Competition

The banking industry in northeast New Jersey and New York City is extremely competitive. We compete for deposits and loans with existing New Jersey and out-of-state financial institutions that have longer operating histories, larger capital reserves, and more established customer bases. Our competition includes large financial services companies and other entities, in addition to traditional banking institutions, such as savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions. Our larger competitors have a greater ability to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns through greater capital resources. Our marketing efforts depend heavily upon referrals from officers, directors, stockholders, advertising in local media, and through a social media presence. We compete for business principally on the basis of personal service to customers, customer access to our business development officers, loan officers, executive officers and directors, and competitive interest rates and fees.

In the financial services industry in recent years, intense market demands, technological and regulatory changes, and economic pressures have eroded industry classifications that were once clearly defined. Banks have diversified their services, competitively priced their deposit products and become more cost-effective as a result of competition with each other and with new types of financial service companies, including non-banking competitors. Some of these market dynamics have resulted in a number of new bank and non-bank competitors, increased merger activity, and increased customer awareness of product and service differences among competitors.

Lending Activities

Analysis of Loan Portfolio. Set forth below is selected data relating to the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan as a percentage of the respective portfolio.

__________

(1) Includes business lines of credit.

(2) Includes home equity lines of credit.

Loan Maturities. The following table sets forth the contractual maturity of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2020. The amount shown represents outstanding principal balances. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported as being due in one year or less. The table does not include prepayments or scheduled principal repayments.

__________

(1) Includes business lines of credit.

(2) Includes home equity lines of credit.

Loans with Fixed or Floating or Adjustable Rates of Interest. The following table sets forth the dollar amount of all loans at December 31, 2020 that are due after December 31, 2021, and have fixed interest rates or that have floating or adjustable interest rates.

__________

(1) Includes business lines of credit.

(2) Includes home equity lines of credit.

Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans. Commercial real estate loans are secured by improved property such as office buildings, mixed use buildings, retail stores, shopping centers, warehouses, and other non-residential buildings. Loans secured by multi-family properties contain five or more residential units. Generally, the Bank offers fully amortizing loans on both property types at loan amounts up to 75 percent of the appraised value of the property. Both commercial and multi-family real estate loans are generally made at rates that adjust above the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York interest rate, with terms of up to 30 years. In addition, the Bank offers balloon loans with fixed interest rates which generally mature in three to five years with amortization periods up to 30 years. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s largest commercial real estate loan had an outstanding principal balance of $21.0 million. This loan is secured by an office/retail building located in Hoboken, NJ. This loan is performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2020.

Loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The borrower’s creditworthiness, as well as the property’s continued viability and cash flow potential are of primary concern in commercial and multi-family real estate lending. Commercial loans secured by owner occupied properties involve differentiated when measured against one-to-four family residential and non-owner-occupied commercial mortgage loans. Cash flow on owner occupied properties is often dependent on the success of the business operation contained within the subject property. The Bank intends to continue emphasizing the origination of loans secured by commercial real estate and multi-family properties.

Construction Loans. The Bank offers loans to finance the construction of various types of commercial and residential properties. Generally, construction loans are offered with terms of up to thirty months, with adjustable interest rates tied to a margin above Prime Rate. Customarily, the Bank originates loans on projects which have all necessary permits in place to the Bank’s satisfaction. Construction loan funds are disbursed as the project progresses. The Bank also offers construction loans that convert to a permanent mortgage on the property upon completion of the project, provided compliance with conditions set forth at loan approval. Terms of such permanent mortgage loans are similar to other mortgage loans secured by similar properties, with the interest rate established at the time of conversion. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s largest construction loan has a borrowing capacity of $25.0 million, of which $6.0 million has been disbursed. This loan is performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2020.

Construction financing is generally considered a higher risk lending product. To mitigate risks, the Bank will, among other things, obtain a plan and cost review from a third-party vendor, which reviews the borrowers proposed construction budget for appropriateness. The Bank will also obtain an appraisal report which provides values based on various possible project results. These reports generally include value scenarios such as “As Is,” “As Completed,” “As a Rental,” “As Sellout,” and “As a Bulk Sale.”

Commercial Business Loans. The Bank offers a variety of commercial business loans in the form of either lines of credit or fully amortizing term loans. Lines of credit (LOCs) are typically utilized for working capital purposes. LOCs are either revolving or non-revolving and provide loan terms between one and three years. LOC repayment is generally interest only with adjustable interest rates tied to a margin above Prime Rate. Term loans are typically utilized for the purchase of a business or equipment for a business, and carry fully amortizing terms between five and twenty-five years. Term loan interest rates are adjustable and tied to a margin above the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York rate. Commercial business loans are underwritten based upon the borrower’s ability to service such debt from income. These loans are generally made to small and mid-sized companies located within the Bank’s primary and secondary lending areas. Depending on the circumstances, a commercial business loan may be secured by equipment, accounts receivable, inventory, chattel or other assets. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s largest commercial business loan is a warehouse line of credit secured by commercial real estate with a borrowing capacity of $15.0 million at December 31, 2020, of which $5.9 million has been disbursed. This loan is performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2020.

Commercial business loans generally have higher rates and shorter terms than one to four family residential loans, but may also involve higher average balances and a higher risk of default, as their repayment generally depends on the success of the borrower’s business.

SBA Lending. The Bank offers qualifying business loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Amongst other characteristics, SBA borrowers are often sound businesses, but may have a smaller amount of equity funds to invest in their businesses, may be at an emergent stage of business development, or have other characteristics that may make them ineligible for conventional bank loans. There is a well-developed market for the sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s largest SBA loan is secured by a hotel building located in Philadelphia, PA. The outstanding balance is $4.9 million. This loan is performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2020.

As a qualified SBA lender, the Bank was automatically authorized to originate loans through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). During 2020, the Bank closed and funded approximately $133 million for almost 1,100 PPP loans, and recorded net fees to interest income of approximately $908,000 through December 31, 2020. The Company sold substantially all of these loans in December 2020, and recognized a net gain of $333,000 on the sale.

Residential Lending. Residential loans are secured by one-to-four family dwellings, condominiums and cooperative units. Residential mortgage loans are secured by properties located in our primary lending areas of Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Hudson, Monmouth and Richmond Counties; adjoining counties are considered as our secondary lending areas. Generally, we originate residential mortgage loans up to 80 percent loan-to-value at a maximum loan amount of $1.5 million and 75 percent loan-to-value at a maximum loan amount of $3.0 million for primary residences. The loan-to-value ratio is based on the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price without the requirement of private mortgage insurance. We will originate loans with loan-to-value ratios up to 90 percent, provided the borrower obtains private mortgage insurance approval. We originate both fixed and adjustable rate residential loans with a term of up to 30 years. We offer 15, 20, and 30 year fixed, 15/30-year balloon and 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 adjustable rate loans with payments being calculated to include principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The 3/1 and 5/1 adjustable rate loans are qualified at 2 percent above the start rate; all other loans are qualified at the start rate. We have a number of correspondent relationships with third party lenders in which we deliver closed first mortgage loans. Our correspondent banking relationships allow us to offer customers competitive long-term fixed and adjustable rate loans we could not otherwise originate, while providing the Bank a source of fee income. During 2020, 76 loans were sold for approximately $23.3 million in the secondary market and recognized gains of approximately $559 thousand from the sale of such loans.

Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit. The Bank offers home equity loans and lines of credit that are secured by either the borrower’s primary residence, a secondary residence or an investment property. Our home equity loans can be structured as loans that are disbursed in full at closing or as lines of credit. Home equity lines of credit are offered with terms up to 30 years. Virtually all of our home equity loans are originated with fixed rates of interest and home equity lines of credit are originated with adjustable interest rates tied to the prime rate. Home equity loans and lines of credit are underwritten utilizing the same criteria used to underwrite one to four family residential loans. Home equity lines of credit may be underwritten with a loan-to-value ratio of up to 80 percent in a first lien position. At December 31, 2020, the outstanding and committed balances of home equity loans and lines of credit totaled $53.7 million and $37.3 million, respectively.

Consumer Loans. The Bank makes secured passbook, automobile and, on occasion, unsecured consumer loans. Consumer loans generally have terms between one and five years. They generally are made on a fixed rate basis, fully-amortizing.

Loan Approval Authority and Underwriting. The Bank’s Lending Policy has established lending limits for executive management. Two Officers with authority, one designated Senior Officer and one Executive Officer (CEO and COO), have authority to approve loan requests up to $2.5 million. Loan requests greater than $2.5 million, but not exceeding $4.0 million shall require the aforementioned approvals and shall also be presented to the Chairman of the Directors Loan Committee for approval. Loan requests greater than $4.0 million but not exceeding $10 million shall, in addition to the aforementioned approvals, be presented to the Bank’s Directors Loan Committee for approval, which is comprised of a quorum of the Bank’s Board of Directors. Individual loan requests or requests which involve total borrower relationship exposure of $10 Million or greater shall be presented to the Bank’s full Board of Directors for approval.

The Bank will customarily begin its underwriting analysis of a loan request upon receipt of a completed loan application, and all appropriate financial information from a prospective borrower. Property valuations or appraisals are required for all real estate collateralized loans. Appraisals are prepared by a state certified independent appraiser approved by the Bank Board of Directors.

Loan Commitments. Written commitments are given to prospective borrowers on all approved loans. Generally, we honor commitments for up to 60 days from the date of issuance. At December 31, 2020, our outstanding loan origination commitments totaled $49.6 million, standby letters of credit totaled $2.8 million, undisbursed construction funds totaled $82.3 million, and undisbursed lines of credit funds totaled $118.8 million.

Loan Delinquencies. Notices of nonpayment are generated to borrowers once the loan account(s) becomes either 10 or 15 days past due, as specified in the applicable promissory note. A nonresponsive borrower will receive collection calls and a site visit from a bank representative in addition to follow-up delinquency notices. If such payment is not received after 60 days, a notice of right to cure default is sent to the borrower providing 30 additional days to bring the loan current before foreclosure or other remedies are commenced. The Bank utilizes various reporting tools to closely monitor the performance and asset quality of the loan portfolio. The Bank complies with all federal, state and local laws regarding collection of its delinquent accounts.

Non-Accrual Status. Loans are placed on a non-accrual status when the loan becomes more than 90 days delinquent or when, in our opinion, the collection of payment is doubtful. Once placed on non-accrual status, the accrual of interest income is discontinued until the loan has been returned to accrual status.  At December 31, 2020, the Bank had $16.4 million in non-accruing loans. The largest exposure of non-performing loans was a land acquisition loan with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $2.2 million fully collateralized by the land without any construction funding.

Impairment Status. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable the borrower will not repay the loan according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans can be loans which are more than 90 days delinquent, troubled debt restructured, modified under Section 4013 of the Cares Act, part of our special residential program, in the process of foreclosure, or a forced Bankruptcy plan. We have determined that an insignificant delay (less than 90 days) will not cause a loan to be classified as impaired if we expect to collect all amounts due including interest accrued at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay. We independently evaluate all loans identified as impaired. We estimate credit losses on impaired loans based on the present value of expected cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan repayment will be derived from the sale or operation of such collateral. Impaired loans, or portions of such loans, are charged off when we determine a realized loss has occurred. Until such time, an allowance for loan losses is maintained for estimated losses. Cash receipts on impaired loans are applied first to accrued interest receivable unless otherwise required by the loan terms, except when an impaired loan is also a nonaccrual loan, in which case the portion of the receipts related to interest is applied to principal. At December 31, 2020, we had 125 loans with carrying balance totaling $83.2 million which are classified as impaired and on which loan loss allowances totaling $4.5 million have been established.

Troubled Debt Restructuring. A troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is a loan that has been modified whereby the Bank has agreed to make certain concessions to a borrower to meet the needs of both the borrower and the Bank to maximize the ultimate recovery of a loan. A TDR occurs when a borrower is experiencing, or is expected to experience, financial difficulties and the loan is modified using a modification that would otherwise not be granted to the borrower. The types of concessions granted generally included, but were not limited to, interest rate reductions, limitations on the accrued interest charged, term extensions, and deferment of principal. The total troubled debt restructured loans were $16.1 million at December 31, 2020.

The Bank had allocated $353,000 and $570,000 of specific reserves to customers whose loan terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively.

If management determines that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or charge-off to the allowance. This process is used, regardless of loan type, and for loans modified as TDRs that subsequently default on their modified terms.

Criticized and Classified Loans. The Bank’s Lending Policy contains an internal rating system which evaluates the overall risk of a problem loan. When a loan is classified and determined to be impaired, the Bank may establish specific allowances for loan losses. General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. A portion of general loss allowances established to cover possible losses related to assets classified as substandard or doubtful may be included in determining our regulatory capital. Specific valuation allowances for loan losses generally do not qualify as regulatory capital. At December 31, 2020, the Bank reported $68.6 million in classified assets. The loans classified are represented by loans secured either by residential one-to-four family, commercial business, or commercial real estate.

The Company’s internal credit risk grades are based on the definitions currently utilized by the banking regulatory agencies.  The grades assigned and definitions are as follows, and loans graded excellent, above average, good and watch list (risk ratings 1-5) are treated as “pass” for grading purposes. The “criticized” risk rating (6) and the “classified” risk rating (7-9) are detailed below:

6 – Special Mention- Loans currently performing but with potential weaknesses including adverse trends in borrower’s operations, credit quality, financial strength, or possible collateral deficiency.

7 – Substandard- Loans that are inadequately protected by current sound worth, paying capacity, and collateral support. Loans on “nonaccrual” status. The loan needs special and corrective attention.

8 – Doubtful- Weaknesses in credit quality and collateral support make full collection improbable, but pending reasonable factors remain sufficient to defer the loss status.

9 – Loss- Continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted. However, this does not preclude future attempts of recovery.

The grades are determined through the uses of a qualitative matrix that considers various characteristics of the loan such as quality of management, principals’/guarantors’ character, balance sheet strength, collateral quality, cash flow coverage, position within the industry, loan structure and documentation.

Allowances for Loan Losses. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on management’s estimation of the losses that may be incurred in our loan portfolio. In addition, our determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the FDIC, as part of their examination process. After a review of the information available, our regulators might require the establishment of an additional allowance. Any increase in the loan loss allowance required by regulators would have a negative impact on our earnings. Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance on at least a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for loan losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is adequate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. The Bank’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses consists of several key elements. These elements include a general allocated allowance for non-impaired loans, a specific allowance for impaired loans, and an unallocated portion.

The Bank consistently applies the following comprehensive methodology. During the quarterly review of the allowance for loan losses, the Bank considers a variety of factors that include:

Lending Policies and Procedures

Personnel responsible for the particular portfolio - relative to experience and ability of staff

Trend for past due, criticized and classified loans

Relevant economic factors

Quality of the loan review system

Value of collateral for collateral dependent loans

The effect of any concentrations of credit and the changes in the level of such concentrations

Other external factors

The methodology includes the segregation of the loan portfolio into two divisions of performing loans and loans determined to be impaired. Loans which are performing are evaluated homogeneously by loan class or loan type. The allowance for performing loans is evaluated based on historical loan loss experience with an adjustment for the qualitative factors listed above. Impaired loans can be loans which are more than 90 days delinquent, troubled debt restructured, part of our special residential program, in the process of foreclosure, or a forced bankruptcy plan. These loans are individually evaluated for loan loss either by current appraisal, or net present value of expected cash flows. Management reviews the overall estimate for feasibility and bases the loan loss provision accordingly. During 2020, an additional analysis was performed on three different subsets of the loan portfolio. For the quarters ending June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, stress tests were performed on the loans granted payment deferrals under the CARES Act. At December 31, 2020, the same stress tests were performed on non-impaired delinquent loans and non-impaired COVID modification loans. These stress tests supported additional allowance by estimating probable losses for loans specifically challenged in the pandemic environment. As of December 31, 2020, non-accrual loans differed from the amount of total loans past due greater than 90 days due to troubled debt restructuring of loans or loans that were previously 90 days past due both of which are maintained on non-accrual status for a minimum of six months until the borrower has demonstrated their ability to satisfy the terms of the loan. It also included loans that had previously been granted a COVID-19 deferment of payment and after expiration of the deferment period, the borrower has not been able to resume the normally scheduled payments. The Bank also maintains an unallocated allowance to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. Management must make estimates using assumptions and information that is often subjective and subject to change.

The following tables set forth delinquencies in our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

__________

(1) Includes business lines of credit.

(2) Includes home equity lines of credit.

Purchase Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans are loans acquired at a discount, due in part to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, and are initially recorded at fair value. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the nonaccretable discount. The nonaccretable discount represents estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows require an evaluation to determine the need for an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in the reversal of a corresponding amount of the nonaccretable discount which is then reclassified as accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the interest method. The evaluation of the amount of future cash flows that is expected to be collected is performed in a similar manner as that used to determine our allowance for credit losses. Charge-offs of the principal amount on acquired loans would be first applied to the nonaccretable discount portion of the fair value adjustment. The carrying value of our PCI loans, which were acquired in the IA Bancorp, Inc. acquisition in April, 2018, was $1.4 million at December 31, 2020 and $3.8 at December 31, 2019

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-performing assets in the Bank’s loan portfolio, excluding PCI loans. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when delinquent more than 90 days or when the collection of principal and/or interest becomes doubtful. Foreclosed assets include assets acquired in settlement of loans.