CF BANKSHARES INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)



FORM 10-Q



(Mark one)



[X]     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period ended March  31, 2021



Or



[   ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the transition period from __________ to______________



Commission File Number 0-25045



CF BANKSHARES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





7000 North High St.,  Worthington,  Ohio    43085

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)



(614)  334-7979

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)



 ______________________________________    

(Former name,  former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)



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



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 [  ]



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes [X]   No [  ]



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



Large Accelerated Filer [  ]    Accelerated Filer [  ]    Non-accelerated Filer [X]    Smaller Reporting Company [X]

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 [X]



As of May 1, 2021,  there were 5,384,990 shares of the registrant’s (Voting) Common Stock outstanding and 1,260,700 shares of the registrant’s Non-Voting Common Stock outstanding.





 

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NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation: 

The consolidated financial statements include CF Bankshares Inc. (the “Holding Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CFBank, National Association (“CFBank”).  The Holding Company and CFBank are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Company”.  Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Because this report is based on an interim period, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted.

In the opinion of the management of the Company, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and the results of operations for the periods presented.  These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q.  The financial performance reported for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s latest Annual Report to Stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC.  Reference is made to the accounting policies of the Company described in Note 1 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders that was filed as Exhibit 13.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (referred to herein as the “2020 Audited Financial Statements”).  The Company has consistently followed those policies in preparing this Form 10-Q.

Loans and Leases:    Loans and leases that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, adjusted for purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL).  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level yield method without anticipating prepayments. 

The accrual of interest income on all classes of loans, except other consumer loans, is discontinued and the loan is placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection.  Other consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 90 days past due.  Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan for all classes of loans.  In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.  Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.  Commercial, multi-family residential real estate loans and commercial real estate loans placed on nonaccrual status are individually classified as impaired loans.

All interest accrued but not received for each loan placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income in the period in which it is placed in a nonaccrual status.  Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual status.  Loans are considered for return to accrual status provided all the principal and interest amounts that are contractually due are brought current, there is a current and well documented credit analysis, there is reasonable assurance of repayment of principal and interest, and the customer has demonstrated sustained, amortizing payment performance of at least six months.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL):    The ALLL is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.  Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors.  Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that CFBank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Loans within any loan class for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and classified as impaired.  

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Factors considered by management in determining impairment for all loan classes include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

All substandard loans within the commercial, multi-family residential, commercial real estate and construction segments are individually evaluated for impairment when they are 90 days past due, or earlier than 90 days past due if information regarding the payment capacity of the borrower indicates that payment in full according to the loan terms is doubtful.  If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate, or at the fair value of collateral, less costs to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.  Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and single-family residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.

TDRs of all classes of loans are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using each loan’s effective rate at inception.  If a TDR is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. If the payment of the loan is dependent on the sale of the collateral, then costs to liquidate the collateral are included when determining the impairment.  For TDRs that subsequently default, the amount of reserve is determined in accordance with the accounting policy for the ALLL.

Interest income on all classes of impaired loans that are on nonaccrual status is recognized in accordance with the accounting policy for nonaccrual loans.  Cash receipts on all classes of impaired loans that are on nonaccrual status are generally applied to the principal balance outstanding.  Interest income on all classes of impaired loans that are not on nonaccrual status is recognized on the accrual method. TDRs may be classified as accruing if the borrower has been current for a period of at least six months with respect to loan payments and management expects that the borrower will be able to continue to make payments in accordance with the terms of the restructured note.

The general reserve component covers non-impaired loans of all classes and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.  The historical loss experience is determined by loan class and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company over a three-year period.  The general component is calculated based on CFBank’s loan balances and actual three-year historical loss rates.  For loans with little or no actual loss experience, industry estimates are used based on loan segment. This loss experience is supplemented with other economic and judgmental factors based on the risks present for each loan class.  These economic and judgmental factors include consideration of the following:  levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.

CFBank’s charge-off policy for commercial loans, single-family residential real estate loans, multi-family residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans and home equity lines of credit requires management to record a specific reserve or charge-off as soon as it is apparent that the borrower is troubled and there is, or likely will be, a collateral shortfall related to the estimated value of the collateral securing the loan.  Other consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 90 days past due.

Joint Ventures:  The Holding Company has contributed funds into a series of joint ventures (equity stake) for the purpose of allocating excess liquidity into higher earning assets while diversifying its revenue sources.  The joint ventures are engaged in shorter term operating activities related to single family real estate developments.  Income is recognized based on a rate of return on the outstanding investment balance.  As units are sold, the Holding Company receives an additional incentive payment, which is recognized as income. Under ASU 2016-15, the Company has elected the nature of distribution approach to recognize returns from equity method investments.  Returns on investment are classified as cash flows from operating activities and returns of investment are classified as investing activities.

Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC):    The Company has invested in low income housing tax credits through funds that assist corporations in investing in limited partnerships and limited liability companies that own, develop and operate low income residential rental properties for purposes of qualifying for the Housing Tax credit. These investments are accounted for under the proportional amortization method which recognizes the amortization of the investment in proportion to the tax credit and other tax benefits received.

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Historic Tax Credits:    In June 2019, the Company made an equity investment as a non-managing member in an entity that is expected to receive historic tax credits (HTC) pursuant to Section 47 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company expects to receive a return through the realization of federal income tax credits, as well as other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from net operating losses of the investment over a period of time.  The HTC investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is included in accrued interest receivable and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company’s recorded investment in this entity was $0 at March 31, 2021 and $0 at December 31, 2020.  The maximum exposure to loss related to these investments was $0 at March 31, 2021, representing the Company’s investment balance. 

Earnings Per Common Share: The two-class method is used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.  Under the two-class method, earnings available to common stockholders for the period are allocated between common stockholders and participating securities (unvested share-based payment awards) according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  The factors used in the earnings per share computation follow:







The following securities exercisable for common shares were anti-dilutive and not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share:



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Dividend Restrictions:  Banking regulations require us to maintain certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by CFBank to the Holding Company or by the Holding Company to stockholders.  The ability of the Holding Company to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent upon the amount of cash and liquidity available at the Holding Company level, as well as the receipt of dividends and other distributions from CFBank to the extent necessary to fund such dividends.  The Holding Company is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from CFBank, which has no obligation to make any dividends or other funds available for the payment of dividends by the Holding Company.  The Holding Company also is subject to various legal and regulatory policies and guidelines impacting the Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock.  In addition, the Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock is conditioned upon the payment, on a current basis, of quarterly interest payments on the subordinated debentures underlying the Company’s trust preferred securities.  Finally, under the terms of the Holding Company’s fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debt, the Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock is conditioned upon the Holding Company continuing to make required principal and interest payments, and not incurring an event of default, with respect to the subordinated debt.

Future Accounting Matters:

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.  Once effective, ASU 2016-13 will significantly change current guidance for recognizing impairment of financial instruments.  Current guidance requires an "incurred loss" methodology for recognizing credit losses that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred.  ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a new methodology that reflects expected credit losses over the lives of the loans and requires consideration of a broader range of information to inform credit loss estimates.  The ASU requires an organization to estimate all expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  Additional disclosures are required.  ASU 2016-13 also amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  Under the new guidance, entities will determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on an available-for-sale debt security is a credit loss.  Any credit loss will be recognized as an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities rather than as a direct reduction of the amortized cost basis of the investment, as is currently required.  As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as currently required.  ASU 2016-13 eliminates the current accounting model for purchased credit impaired loans and debt securities.  Instead, purchased financial assets with credit deterioration will be recorded gross of estimated credit losses as of the date of acquisition and the estimated credit losses amounts will be added to the allowance for credit losses.  Thereafter, entities will account for additional impairment of such purchased assets using the models listed above.  In October 2019, the FASB voted to extend the implementation of ASU No. 2016-13 for certain financial institutions including smaller reporting companies.  As a result, ASU 2016-13 will be effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022.  While the Company generally expects that the implementation of ASU 2016-13 has the potential to increase its allowance for loan losses balance, the Company is continuing to evaluate the potential impact on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.  Management has been running and evaluating various scenarios.  At this time, the estimated impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including disclosures, cannot be reasonably determined.  

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is implementing a transition plan to identify and modify its loans and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR. The Company is assessing ASU 2020-04 and its impact on the Company's transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments.

General Litigation

The Company is subject to claims and lawsuits that arise primarily in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the disposition or ultimate resolution of such claims and lawsuits is not anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.







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NOTE 2 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity's contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.

The majority of our revenue-generating transactions are not subject to ASC 606, including revenue generated from financial instruments, such as our loans, letters of credit, derivatives and investment securities, as well as revenue related to our mortgage activities related to net gains on sale of loans.

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within Noninterest Income.  Descriptions of our revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606, which are presented in our income statements as components of Noninterest Income are as follows:

NOTE 3 – SECURITIES

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of the available-for-sale securities portfolio at March  31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and the corresponding amounts of unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):





There was no other-than-temporary impairment recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for securities available for sale at March 31, 2021 or March 31, 2020.

There were no sales of securities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

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The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are shown in the table below by contractual maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.



Fair value of securities pledged as collateral was as follows:



At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity.

The following table summarizes securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2021, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position.





The unrealized losses in U.S. Treasuries at March 31, 2021 were related to multiple securities.  Because the decline in fair value was attributable to changes in market conditions, and not credit quality, and because the Company did not have the intent to sell these securities and it was likely that it would not be required to sell these securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company did not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2021.

There were no unrealized losses at December 31, 2020.



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NOTE 4 – LOANS AND LEASES

The following table presents the recorded investment in loans and leases by portfolio segment.  The recorded investment in loans and leases includes the principal balance outstanding adjusted for purchase premiums and discounts, and deferred loan fees and costs.





Included in Commercial loans at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were $86,157 and $105,269, respectively, of loans originated under the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  The CARES Act authorized the SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new 7(a) loan program, the PPP, to provide funding to small businesses to pay certain payroll costs and benefits, and other expenses, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  These loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA and the full principal amount of the loans may qualify for forgiveness.  The loans we originated have a maturity of two years, an interest rate of 1.00% and loan payments are deferred for the initial six months (which the deferral period was subsequently extended to 10 months pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020).  The majority of these loans have been pledged as collateral on borrowings under the FRB Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility (“PPPLF”).  See Note 8- FHLB Advances and Other Debt for additional information.

Mortgage Purchase Program

CFBank previously participated in a Mortgage Purchase Program with Northpointe Bank (Northpointe), a Michigan banking corporation, from December 2012 until CFBank discontinued its participation in the program in the first quarter of 2021.  Pursuant to the terms of a participation agreement, CFBank purchased participation interests in loans made by Northpointe related to fully underwritten and pre-sold mortgage loans originated by various prescreened mortgage brokers located throughout the U.S.  The underlying loans were individually (MERS) registered loans which were held until funded by the end investor. The mortgage loan investors included Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other major financial institutions.  This process on average took approximately 14 days.  Given the short-term holding period of the underlying loans, common credit risks (such as past due, impairment and TDR, nonperforming, and nonaccrual classification) were substantially reduced.  Therefore, no allowance was allocated by CFBank to these loans.  These loans were 100% risk rated for CFBank capital adequacy purposes.  Under the participation agreement, CFBank agreed to purchase a 95% ownership/participation interest in each of the aforementioned loans, and Northpointe maintained a 5% ownership interest in each loan it participated.  At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, CFBank held $0  and $15,713, respectively, of such loans which have been included in single-family residential loan totals above.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The ALLL is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio based on management’s evaluation of various factors including past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. A provision for loan and lease losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of these and other pertinent factors described in Note 1 to the 2020 Audited Financial Statements. 

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The following table presents the activity in the ALLL by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021:









The following table presents the activity in the ALLL by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2020:







The following table presents the balance in the ALLL and the recorded investment in loans and leases by portfolio segment and based on the impairment method as of March 31, 2021 (unaudited):



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The following table presents the balance in the ALLL and the recorded investment in loans and leases by portfolio segment and based on the impairment method as of December 31, 2020: 



The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans as of and for the period ended March 31, 2021.  The unpaid principal balance is the contractual principal balance outstanding.  The recorded investment is the unpaid principal balance adjusted for partial charge-offs, purchase premiums and discounts, and deferred loan fees and costs.  The table presents accrual basis interest income recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021.  Cash payments of interest on these loans during the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $41.





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The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans as of December 31, 2020.  The unpaid principal balance is the contractual principal balance outstanding.  The recorded investment is the unpaid principal balance adjusted for partial charge-offs, purchase premiums and discounts, and deferred loan fees and costs.  The table presents accrual basis interest income recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020.  Cash payments of interest during the months ended March 31, 2020 totaled $42.



The following table presents the recorded investment in nonperforming loans by class of loans:



Nonaccrual loans include both smaller balance single-family mortgage and consumer loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.  There were no loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

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The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans and leases by class of loans as of March 31, 2021 (unaudited):





The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans and leases by class of loans as of December 31, 2020:



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Short-term Loan Deferrals

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, as amended (the “CARES Act”), as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, financial institutions are permitted to not classify loan modifications as TDRs that were related to the impact of COVID-19 if:





We implemented a loan modification program in accordance with the CARES Act to provide temporary relief to borrowers that meet the requirements under the CARES Act.  The program allows for deferral of payments for up to 90 days, which we may extend for up to an additional 90 days at our option.  The deferred payments and accrued interest during the deferral period are due and payable on or before the maturity of the loans.  At March 31, 2021, loans with an outstanding balance of approximately $3.6 million were on temporary deferrals. Under the provisions of the CARES Act, none of these loans were considered a TDR at March 31, 2021.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs):

From time to time, the terms of certain loans are modified as TDRs, where concessions are granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. The modification of the terms of such loans may have included one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan; an increase in the stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; an extension of the maturity date; or a change in the payment terms.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, TDRs totaled $3,063 and $3,090, respectively.  The Company allocated $23 and $23 of specific reserves to loans whose terms had been modified in TDRs as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.  The Company had not committed to lend any additional amounts as of March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020 to customers with outstanding loans classified as nonaccrual TDRs.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, there were no loans modified as a TDR. 

There were no TDRs in payment default or that became nonperforming during the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.  A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms, at which time the loan is re-evaluated to determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized, either through a write-off or specific valuation allowance, so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows, or at the fair value of collateral, less cost to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.

In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification. This evaluation is performed under the Company’s internal underwriting policy.

Nonaccrual loans include loans that were modified and identified as TDRs and the loans are not performing.  At March 31, 2021 and at December 31, 2020, nonaccrual TDRs were as follows:



Nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 do not include $2,885 and $2,900, respectively, of TDRs where customers have established a sustained period of repayment performance, generally six months, the loans are current according to their modified terms and repayment of the remaining contractual payments is expected. These loans are included in total impaired loans.

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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.  Management analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk.  This analysis includes commercial, commercial real estate and multi-family residential real estate loans.  Internal loan reviews for these loan types are performed at least annually, and more often for loans with higher credit risk. Adjustments to loan risk ratings are made based on the reviews and at any time information is received that may affect risk ratings.  The following definitions are used for risk ratings:

Special Mention.  Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of CFBank’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 there will be 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 to be classified into one of the above categories are considered to be not rated or pass-rated loans.  Loans listed as not rated are primarily groups of homogeneous loans.  Past due information is the primary credit indicator for groups of homogenous loans.  Loans listed as pass-rated loans are loans that are subject to internal loan reviews and are determined not to meet the criteria required to be classified as special mention, substandard or doubtful. 

The recorded investment in loans and leases by risk category and by class of loans and leases as of March 31, 2021 and based on the most recent analysis performed follows. 



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The recorded investment in loans and leases by risk category and by class of loans and leases as of December 31, 2020 follows. 



Leases:

The following lists the components of the net investment in direct financing leases (1):







The following summarizes the future minimum lease payments receivable in fiscal year 2021 and in subsequent fiscal years:



 

NOTE 5 – LEASES

A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. For the Company, Topic 842 primarily affected the accounting treatment for operating lease agreements in which the Company is the lessee.

The leases in which the Company is the lessee are comprised of real estate property for branches and offices and for equipment with terms extending through 2024. All of our leases are classified as operating leases, and therefore, were previously not recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. With the adoption of Topic 842, operating lease agreements are required to be recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding operating lease liability.  The Company does not have any leases classified as finance leases.

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The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to present value the minimum lease payments. The Company’s lease agreements often include one or more options to renew at the Company’s discretion which were considered, as applicable, in the calculation of the ROU assets and lease liabilities.  If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. Regarding the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is not readily determinable in our operating leases, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term.  At March 31, 2021, the weighted-average remaining lease term for the Company’s operating leases was 3.5 years and the weighted-average discount rate was 6.54%.

The Company’s operating lease costs were $103 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and $95 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, respectively.  The variable lease costs totaled $84 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and $60 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. As the Company elected not to separate lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets and instead to account for them as a single lease component, the variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities.

Future minimum operating lease payments as of March 31, 2021 are as follows:

















NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

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 company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of asset and liability:

Securities available for sale:  The fair value of securities available for sale is determined using pricing models that vary based on asset class and include available trade, bid and other market information or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2).

Derivatives:  The fair value of derivatives, which includes yield maintenance provisions, interest rate lock commitments and interest rate swaps, is based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2).

TBA mortgage – back securities:  To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company enters into either a forward sales contract to sell loans to investors when using best efforts or a trade of “to be announced (TBA)” mortgage-backed securities for mandatory delivery.  The forward sales contracts lock in a price for the sale of loans with similar characteristics to the specific rate lock commitments based on a valuation model using observable market data for pricing commitments (Level 2).

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Impaired loans:  The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the ALLL is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Appraisals for collateral-dependent impaired loans are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by a third-party appraisal management company approved by the Board of Directors annually. Once received, the loan officer or a member of the credit department reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics.  Appraisals are updated as needed based on facts and circumstances associated with the individual properties.  Real estate appraisals typically incorporate measures such as recent sales prices for comparable properties.  Appraisers may make adjustments to the sales prices of the comparable properties as deemed appropriate based on the age, condition or general characteristics of the subject property.  Management applies an additional discount to real estate appraised values, typically to reflect changes in market conditions since the date of the appraisal if warranted and to cover disposition costs (including selling expenses) based on the intended disposition method of the property.  Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification.  Impaired loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

Loans held for sale:  Loans held for sale are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from third party investors (Level 2). 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial assets and liabilities for which the Company has elected the fair value option, are summarized below:







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The Company had no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that were measured using Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.  There were no transfers of assets or liabilities measured at fair value between levels during the periods ended March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2021.  Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2020 are summarized below:





The Company had no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that were measured using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. 

There were no write-downs of impaired collateral dependent loans during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020.  Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a principal balance of $190, with a valuation allowance of $0 at December 31, 2020.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities between those measured using Level 1, 2 or 3 inputs.  The Company recognizes transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1, 2 and 3 inputs based on the information relating to those assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period.

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2021.  The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2020:



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Financial Instruments Recorded Using Fair Value Option

The Company has elected the fair value option for loans held for sale.  These loans are intended for sale and the Company believes that the fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans.  Loans originated as construction loans, that were subsequently transferred to held for sale, are carried at the lower of cost or market and are not included.  Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loan and in accordance with the Company’s policy on loans held for investment.  None of these loans were 90 days or more past due or on nonaccrual as of March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. 

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value, contractual balance and gain or loss of loans held for sale were as follows:



The total amount of gains and losses from changes in fair value included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 for loans held for sale were:



The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at March 31, 2021 were as follows:





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The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 2020 were as follows:



The methods and assumptions, not previously presented, used to estimate fair values are described below.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions

The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as Level 1.

FHLB and FRB Stock

It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLB and FRB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.   

Loans and Leases

Fair values of loans and leases as of March 31, 2021, excluding loans held for sale, are estimated utilizing an exit pricing methodology as follows:  For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values resulting in a Level 3 classification.  Fair values for other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality resulting in a Level 3 classification.  The discount rate for the discounted cash flow analyses includes a credit quality adjustment.  Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value as described previously.

Deposits

The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest bearing checking, passbook savings, and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amount) resulting in a Level 1 classification. Fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flows calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits resulting in a Level 2 classification.

FHLB Advances and Other Debt

The fair values of the Company’s long-term FHLB and credit facility advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements resulting in a Level 2 classification.

The fair values of the Company’s subordinated debentures are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements resulting in a Level 2 classification.

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The PPPLF funding has a fixed rate of 0.35% for all participants; thus the carrying value approximates the estimated fair value and represents a Level 2 measurement.

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value resulting in a Level 1, 2 or 3 classification, consistent with the asset or liability with which they are associated.

Advances by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance

The carrying amount of advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance approximates fair value resulting in a Level 3 classification, consistent with the liability with which they are associated.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments

The fair value of off-balance-sheet items is not considered material.

 

NOTE 7 – SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

2003 Subordinated debentures:

In December 2003, Central Federal Capital Trust I, a trust formed by the Holding Company, closed a pooled private offering of 5,000 trust preferred securities with a liquidation amount of $1 per security.  The Holding Company issued $5,155 of subordinated debentures to the trust in exchange for ownership of all of the common stock of the trust and the proceeds of the preferred securities sold by the trust.  The Holding Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of this trust (which is classified as a variable interest entity); therefore, the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability.  The Holding Company’s investment in the common stock of the trust was $155 and is included in other assets.

The Holding Company may redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The subordinated debentures mature on December 30, 2033.  The subordinated debentures are also redeemable in whole or in part from time to time, upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture.  There are no required principal payments on the subordinated debentures over the next five years.  The Holding Company has the option to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures for a period not to exceed five consecutive years. 

The subordinated debentures have a variable rate of interest, reset quarterly, equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.85%, which was 3.05% at March 31, 2021 and 3.09% at December 31, 2020. 

2018 Fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes:

In December 2018, the Holding Company entered into subordinated note purchase agreements with certain qualified institutional buyers and completed a private placement of $10 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes with a maturity date of December 30, 2028 pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

The subordinated notes initially bear interest at 7.00%, from and including December 20, 2018, to but excluding December 30, 2023, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year. From and including December 30, 2023, to but excluding December 30, 2028 or the earlier redemption of the notes, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an interest rate equal to the then current three-month LIBOR (but not less than zero) plus 4.14%, payable quarterly in arrears on March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 30 of each year.  The Holding Company may, at its option, redeem the notes beginning on December 30, 2023 and on any scheduled interest payment date thereafter.  After payment of approximately $388 of debt issuance costs, the Holding Company’s net proceeds were approximately $9,612.  At March 31, 2021, the balance of the subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, was $9,699.

 

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NOTE 8 – FHLB ADVANCES AND OTHER DEBT

FHLB advances and other debt were as follows:





Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed-rate advances. 

The Holding Company has a term loan in the original principal amount of $5,000 with an additional $10,000 revolving line-of-credit with a third-party bank.  The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $125  plus accrued interest.  Any remaining principal is due and payable on the maturity date, which is December 23, 2022.   Loans under the credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.75%.  The purpose of the credit facility is to provide an additional source of liquidity for the Holding Company and to provide funds for the Holding Company to downstream as additional capital to CFBank to support growth.  As of March 31, 2021, the Company had an outstanding balance of $4,375 on the term loan and a $5,000 outstanding balance on the revolving line-of-credit.  At December 31, 2020, the Company had an outstanding balance of $4,500 on the term loan and  a $5,000 outstanding balance on the revolving line-of-credit facility.

At March 31, 2021, CFBank had availability in unused lines of credit at two commercial banks in amounts of $50,000 and $15,000.  There were no outstanding borrowings on either line at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.    Interest on any principal amounts outstanding from time to time under these lines accrues daily at a variable rate based on the commercial bank’s cost of funds and current market returns.

During 2019, CFBank entered into a $25,000 warehouse facility with a commercial bank.  The warehouse facility is used to periodically fund loans held for sale from the close (funding) date until they are sold in the secondary market.  Borrowings on the facility bear interest at the greater of (a) the 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00% or (b) 4.00% and are secured by the specific loans that were funded.  This warehouse facility had no outstanding balance at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

During 2020, CFBank entered into an additional $75,000 warehouse facility with a commercial bank.  The warehouse facility is used to periodically fund loans held for sale from the close (funding) date until they are sold in the secondary market.  Borrowings on the facility bear interest at the greater of (a) the 30-day LIBOR plus 2.35% or (b) 2.90% and are secured by the specific loans that were funded.  This warehouse facility had an outstanding balance of $13,946 at March 31, 2021, and $70,013 at December 31, 2020.

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The CARES Act amended the loan program of the Small Business Administration, in which CFBank participates, to create a guaranteed, unsecured loan program, the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), to fund operational costs of eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons during COVID-19.  During 2020, CFBank processed 558 PPP loans totaling approximately $126 million.  To support the effectiveness of the PPP, the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”) introduced the Paycheck Protection Program Lending Facility (the “PPPLF”) to extend credit to financial institutions that made PPP loans, with the related PPP loans used as collateral on the borrowings.  The PPPLF borrowings have a fixed interest rate of 0.35% and a maturity equal to the maturity date of the related PPP loans, with the PPP loans maturing two years from the origination date of the PPP loan.  If a PPP loan pays off early, the corresponding PPPLF borrowing must be paid off as well.  At March 31, 2021, the Company’s PPP loans and related PPPLF funding had a weighted average life of approximately 1.1 years.  At March 31, 2021, the principal balance of PPPLF advances outstanding was $90,573.  At December 31, 2020, the Company’s PPP loans and related PPPLF funding had a weighted average life of approximately 1.2 years.  At December 31, 2020, the principal balance of PPPLF advances outstanding was $107,413. 

NOTE 9 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has two stock-based compensation plans (collectively, the “Plans”), as described below, under which awards are outstanding or may be granted in the future.  Total compensation cost that has been charged against income for those Plans totaled $161 and  $143,  respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.  The total income tax effect was $34 and $30, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020. 

Both Plans are stockholder-approved plans and authorize stock option grants and restricted stock awards to be made to directors, officers and employees. The 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was approved by stockholders on May 21, 2009, replaced the Company’s 2003 equity compensation plan (the “2003 Plan”) and provided for 36,363 shares, plus any remaining shares available to grant or that are later forfeited or expire under the 2003 Plan, to be made available to be issued as stock option grants, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock awards.  On May 16, 2013, the Company’s stockholders approved the First Amendment to the 2009 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for stock option grants and restricted stock awards thereunder to 272,727.   The 2009 Plan terminated in accordance with its terms on March 19, 2019 and, as a result, no further awards may be granted under the 2009 Plan.

The 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), which was approved by stockholders on May 29, 2019, authorizes up to 300,000 shares (plus any shares that are subject to grants under the 2009 Plan and that are later forfeited or expire), to be awarded pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or restricted stock units.  There were 184,041 shares remaining available for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or restricted stock units under the 2019 Plan at March 31, 2021.

Stock Options:

The Plans permit the grant of stock options to directors, officers and employees of the Holding Company and CFBank.  Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, generally have vesting periods ranging from one to three years, and are exercisable for ten years from the date of grant.  Unvested stock options immediately vest upon a change of control. 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below.  Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock.  The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior.  Employee and management options are tracked separately.  The expected term of options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, which takes into account that the options are not transferable.  The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.

There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.  There were 14,544 options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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A summary of stock option activity in the Plans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 follows (unaudited):



During the three months ended March 31, 2021,  stock options to purchase a total of 1,454 common shares were canceled, forfeited or expired.  There were no common shares canceled, forfeited or expired during the three months ended March 31, 2020.  As of March 31, 2021, all stock options granted under the Plans were vested.

Restricted Stock Awards:

The Plans also permit the grant of restricted stock awards to directors, officers and employees. Compensation is recognized over the vesting period of the awards based on the fair value of the stock at grant date.  The fair value of the stock is determined using the closing share price on the date of grant and shares generally have vesting periods of one to three years.  There were 68,460 shares of restricted stock granted under the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2021.  There were no shares of restricted stock granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

A summary of changes in the Company’s nonvested restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2021 follows (unaudited):





As of March 31, 2021 and 2020, the unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards granted under the Plans was $1,677 and $1,012, respectively. 

There were 183 shares of restricted stock forfeited during the three month period ended March 31, 2021.  There were 5,234  shares of restricted stock forfeited during the three months ended March 31, 2020.  There were 5,884 shares of restricted stock that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 10,096 shares of restricted stock that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2020.  

NOTE 10 – REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS

CFBank is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. 

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications for banking organizations:  well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition.  If a banking organization is classified as adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits.  If a banking organization is classified as undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required.

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In July 2013, the Holding Company’s primary federal regulator, the FRB, published final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations.  The rules implement the Basel Committee's December 2010 framework known as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.  The Basel III Capital Rules provide higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those previously in place.  In addition, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, such as dividend payments and certain bonus payments to executive officers, the Basel III Capital Rules require insured financial institutions to hold a capital conservation buffer of common equity tier 1 capital above the minimum risk-based capital requirements.  The capital conservation buffer was phased in over time, became fully effective on January 1, 2019, and consists of an additional amount of common equity equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.  The Basel III Capital Rules revise the regulatory agencies' prompt corrective action framework by incorporating the new regulatory capital minimums and updating the definition of common equity.  The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for CFBank on January 1, 2015, and were fully phased in effective January 1, 2019.  Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Total capital, as defined in the regulations, to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (“Leverage Ratio”).  CFBank’s implementation of the new rules on January 1, 2015 did not have a material impact on our capital needs or classification.

The Basel III Capital Rules require CFBank to maintain: 1) a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (resulting in a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 7.0%); 2) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%); 3) a minimum ratio of Total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (resulting in a minimum Total capital ratio of 10.5%); and 4) a minimum Leverage Ratio of 4.0%.

The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress.  Failure to maintain the minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio plus the capital conservation buffer will result in potential restrictions on a banking institution’s ability to pay dividends, repurchase stock and/or pay discretionary compensation to its employees.

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for CFBank under the Basel III Capital Rules.  Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules.







CFBank converted from a mutual to a stock institution in 1998, and a “liquidation account” was established in the amount of $14,300, which was the net worth reported in the conversion prospectus.  The liquidation account represents a calculated amount for the purposes described below, and it does not represent actual funds included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  Eligible depositors who have maintained their accounts, less annual reductions to the extent they have reduced their deposits, would be entitled to a priority distribution from this account if CFBank liquidated and its assets exceeded its liabilities.  Dividends may not reduce CFBank’s stockholder’s equity below the required liquidation account balance.

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Dividend Restrictions:

Banking regulations require us to maintain certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by CFBank to the Holding Company or by the Holding Company to stockholders.  The ability of the Holding Company to pay dividends on its stock is dependent upon the amount of cash and liquidity available at the Holding Company level, as well as the receipt of dividends and other distributions from CFBank to the extent necessary to fund such dividends.  The Holding Company is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from CFBank, which has no obligation to make any dividends or other funds available for the payment of dividends by the Holding Company.  The Holding Company also is subject to various legal and regulatory policies and guidelines impacting the Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock.  In addition, the Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock is conditioned upon the payment, on a current basis, of quarterly interest payments on the subordinated debentures underlying the Company’s trust preferred securities.  Finally, under the terms of the Holding Company’s fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debt, the Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock is conditioned upon the Holding Company continuing to make required principal and interest payments, and not incurring an event of default, with respect to the subordinated debt. 

Additionally, CFBank does not intend to make distributions to the Holding Company that would result in a recapture of any portion of its thrift bad debt reserve as discussed in Note 12-Income Taxes. 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS 

Interest-rate swaps:

CFBank utilizes interest-rate swaps as part of its asset/liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position, and does not use derivatives for trading purposes.  The notional amount of the interest-rate swaps does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties.  The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest-rate swap agreements.  CFBank was party to interest-rate swaps with a combined notional amount of $57,882 at March 31, 2021 and $46,474 at December 31, 2020.

The objective of the interest-rate swaps is to protect the related fixed-rate commercial real estate loans from changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates.  CFBank has a program whereby it lends to its borrowers at a fixed rate with the loan agreement containing a two-way yield maintenance provision, which will be invoked in the event of prepayment of the loan, and is expected to exactly offset the fair value of unwinding the swap.  The yield maintenance provision represents an embedded derivative which is bifurcated from the host loan contract and, as such, the swaps and embedded derivatives are not designated as hedges.  Accordingly, both instruments are carried at fair value and changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings.  CFBank currently does not have any derivatives designated as hedges. 

The counterparty to CFBank’s interest-rate swaps is exposed to credit risk whenever the interest-rate swaps are in a liability position.  At March 31, 2021, CFBank had $2,723 in securities and cash pledged as collateral for these derivatives.  Should the liability increase beyond the collateral value, CFBank will be required to pledge additional collateral. 

Additionally, CFBank’s interest-rate swap instruments contain provisions that require CFBank to remain well capitalized under regulatory capital standards and to comply with certain other regulatory requirements.  The interest-rate swaps may be called by the counterparty if CFBank fails to maintain well-capitalized status under regulatory capital standards or becomes subject to certain adverse regulatory events such as a regulatory cease and desist order.  As of March 31, 2021, CFBank was well-capitalized under regulatory capital standards and was not subject to any adverse regulatory events specified in CFBank’s interest-rate swap instruments.

Summary information about the derivative instruments is as follows:



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The fair value of the yield maintenance provisions and interest-rate swaps is recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet.  Changes in the fair value of the yield maintenance provisions and interest-rate swaps are reported currently in earnings, as other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income.  There were no net gains or losses recognized in earnings related to yield maintenance provisions and interest-rate swaps for the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020.  

Mortgage banking derivatives:

Commitments to fund certain mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market are considered derivatives.  These mortgage banking derivatives are not designated in hedge relationships.  The Company had approximately $745,616  and $1,048,613 of interest rate lock commitments related to residential mortgage loans at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.  The fair value of these mortgage banking derivatives was reflected by a derivative liability of $613 at March 31, 2021 and is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  The fair value was reflected by a derivative asset of $18,100 at December 31, 2020, which was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Fair values were estimated based on anticipated gains on the sale of the underlying loans. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage banking derivatives are included in net gains on sales of loans.

Mortgage banking activities include two types of commitments: rate lock commitments and forward loan commitments. Rate lock commitments are loans in our pipeline that have an interest rate locked with the customer. The commitments are generally for periods of 30-60 days and are at market rates. In order to mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments, we economically hedge our commitments by entering into either a forward loan sales contract under best efforts or a trade of “to be announced (TBA)” mortgage-backed securities (“notional securities”) for mandatory delivery. The Company had approximately $552,750 and $506,750 of TBA mortgage-backed securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.  The fair value of these TBA mortgage-backed securities was $5,734 and ($2,690) at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which is included in other assets at March 31, 2021 and other liabilities at December 31, 2020 on the consolidated balance sheet.  The changes in fair value related to movements in market rates of the rate lock commitments and the forward loan sales contracts and notional securities generally move in opposite directions, and the net impact of changes in these valuations on net income during the loan commitment period is generally inconsequential. The Company has not formally designated these derivatives as a qualifying hedge relationship and, accordingly, accounts for such forward contracts as freestanding derivatives with changes in fair value recorded to earnings each period. 

The following table reflects the amount and market value of mortgage banking derivatives included in the consolidated balance sheet as of the period end (in thousands):







As of March 31, 2021, CFBank has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties and has posted cash collateral of $4,847.

The following table represents the notional amount of loans sold during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited):



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The following table represents the revenue recognized on mortgage activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited):







NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had a deferred tax asset recorded in the amount of approximately  $4,800.  At December 31, 2020, the Company had a deferred tax asset recorded of approximately $4,700.  At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded.  The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and is no longer subject to federal examination for years prior to 2017.

Our deferred tax assets are composed of U.S. net operating losses (“NOLs”), and other temporary book to tax differences.    When determining the amount of deferred tax assets that are more-likely-than-not to be realized, and therefore recorded as a benefit, the Company conducts a regular assessment of all available information. This information includes, but is not limited to, taxable income in prior periods, projected future income and projected future reversals of deferred tax items.  Based on these criteria, the Company determined as of March 31, 2021 that no valuation allowance was required against the net deferred tax asset.

In 2012 the Company completed a recapitalization program pursuant to which the Holding Company sold $22,500 in common stock, which improved the capital levels of CFBank and provided working capital for the Holding Company. The result of the change in stock ownership associated with the stock offering, however, was that the Company incurred an ownership change within the guidelines of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  At March 31, 2021, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of $22,416, which expire at various dates from 2024 to 2032. As a result of the ownership change, the Company's ability to utilize carryforwards that arose before the 2012 stock offering closed is limited to $163 per year.  Due to this limitation, management determined it is more likely than not that $20,520 of net operating loss carryforwards will expire unutilized.  As required by accounting standards, the Company reduced the carrying value of deferred tax assets, and the corresponding valuation allowance, by the $6,977 tax effect of this lost realizability.

Federal income tax laws provided additional deductions, totaling $2,250, for thrift bad debt reserves established before 1988.  Accounting standards do not require a deferred tax liability to be recorded on this amount, which otherwise would have totaled $473 at year-end 2020.  However, if CFBank were wholly or partially liquidated or otherwise ceases to be a bank, or if tax laws were to change, this amount would have to be recaptured and a tax liability recorded.  Additionally, any distributions in excess of CFBank’s current or accumulated earnings and profits would reduce amounts allocated to its bad debt reserve and create a tax liability for CFBank.

The Company records income tax expense based on the federal statutory rate adjusted for the effect of low income housing credits, bank owned life insurance, dividends on equity securities and other miscellaneous items.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 was approximately 18.5% and 20.5%, respectively, which management believes is a reasonable estimate for the effective tax rate.

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The following table summarizes the major components creating differences between income taxes at the federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate recorded in the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:



 

NOTE 13- ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table summarizes the changes within each classification of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and summarizes the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):





   

NOTE 14 - PREFERRED STOCK

On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain accredited investors in a private placement for an aggregate offering price of approximately $25 million, pursuant to which on October 31, 2019, the Holding Company sold (i) 849,615 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a purchase price of $12.00 per share and (ii) 12,337 shares of a new series of the Company’s Non-Voting Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), at a purchase price of $1,200.00 per share.

Each share of Series C Preferred Stock was convertible either (i) automatically into 100 shares of the Company’s non-voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which is also convertible into Common Stock) (the “Non-Voting Common Stock”), effective as of the close of business on the date that the Company obtained stockholder approval for, and filed, a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to authorize such class of Non-Voting Common Stock; or (ii) unless previously converted into shares of Non-Voting Common Stock, into 100 shares of the Company’s common stock upon transfer of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock to a non-affiliate of the holder in specified permitted transactions.

On March 30, 2020, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement providing for the exchange of 27,000 of the shares of common stock purchased in the private placement for 270 additional shares of Series C Preferred Stock (at the Series C Preferred Stock’s current conversion ratio of 100 shares of common stock for each share of Series C Preferred Stock).  The exchange of

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common stock for Series C Preferred Stock was effected in order to accommodate and facilitate the Company’s stock repurchase program announced on March 13, 2020.  The exchange resulted in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock from 12,337 to 12,607.

Conversion of Series C Preferred Stock to Non-Voting Common Stock:

On May 27, 2020, an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), to authorize a separate class of Non-Voting Common Stock was approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.  On May 28, 2020, the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to authorize 1,260,700 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock. Effective as of the close of business on May 28, 2020, all 1,260,700 authorized shares of Non-Voting Common Stock were issued upon conversion of the 12,607 outstanding shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, each outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock converted automatically into 100 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock at such time.

NOTE 15 – PENDING BRANCH SALE

On December 29, 2020, CFBank entered into a Branch Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “P&A Agreement”) with Consumers National Bank (“Consumers”) pursuant to which Consumers will acquire the two branches of CFBank in Columbiana County, Ohio – CFBank’s drive-up branch location in Wellsville, Ohio and CFBank’s branch location in Calcutta, Ohio (the “Branches”).

The P&A Agreement provides for the sale and transfer by CFBank to Consumers of the land, buildings and other associated assets of the Branches; approximately $100 million in deposits attributable to the Branches; $15 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated debt securities issued by unrelated financial institutions and held in CFBank’s portfolio; all performing loans attributable to the Branches which are outstanding at closing (totaling approximately $3.1 million in aggregate principal amount as of November 30, 2020); and up to $13.5 million in aggregate principal amount of single family residential mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit to be identified by the parties prior to the closing principally from CFBank’s Northeast Ohio loan portfolio.  In exchange, Consumers will pay to CFBank the net book value of the land, building and associated assets of the Branches, a deposit premium equal to 1.75% of the average daily deposits of the Branches for the 30 days preceding the closing, and the par value of the subordinated debt securities and loans acquired by Consumers.  The determination of the actual amount of deposit liabilities and the identification of the actual loans to be sold to Consumers will be finalized prior to closing.

The closing of the transactions contemplated by the P&A Agreement is subject to regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.  The parties expect the closing of the transactions to occur in the third calendar quarter of 2021.