Annual Statements Open main menu

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. /NY/ - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

ff

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 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 001-34096

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

New York

    

11-2934195

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. employer identification number)

898 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 560, Hauppauge, NY

11788

 (Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(631) 537-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value

DCOM

The NASDAQ Stock Market

Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.01 Par Value

DCOMP

The NASDAQ Stock Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all the reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or 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.

Large Accelerated Filer  ☐

Accelerated Filer 

Non-Accelerated Filer  ☐

Smaller Reporting Company 

Emerging Growth Company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Classes of Common Stock

Number of shares outstanding at July 31, 2021

$0.01 Par Value

40,971,292

Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page

Item 1.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

4

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

6

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

9

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

45

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

61

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

62

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

63

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

63

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

63

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

63

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

63

Item 5.

Other Information

63

Item 6.

Exhibits

64

Signatures

65

2

Table of Contents

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These statements may be identified by use of words such as “annualized,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions and analyses made by Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company”), in light of management’s experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) that could cause actual conditions or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following:

increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions;
fluctuation in market interest rates;
changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values;
changes in the quality and composition of our loan or investment portfolios;
changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines;
changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws or policies;
general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which the Company conducts business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry;
legislative, regulatory or policy changes;
the success or consummation of new business initiatives or the integration of any acquired entities may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; and
the risks referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused local and national economic disruption and has had an impact on the Company’s operations and financial results. Given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict what further effects the pandemic will have on our business and results of operations. The pandemic and related local and national economic disruption may, among other effects, result in a decline in demand for our products and services; increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures; branch closures, work stoppages and unavailability of personnel; and increased cybersecurity risks, as employees continue to increasingly work remotely.

The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

3

Table of Contents

Item 1.   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)

June 30, 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

Assets

 

 

  

Cash and due from banks

$

1,184,183

$

243,603

Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale, at fair value

863,239

426,979

Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value

 

398,549

 

111,882

Marketable equity securities, at fair value

5,970

Loans held for sale

 

29,335

 

5,903

Loans held for investment, net:

 

 

  

Real estate

 

8,179,487

 

4,978,195

Commercial and industrial ("C&I") loans

 

1,343,869

 

641,533

Other loans

23,275

2,316

Allowance for credit losses

 

(92,760)

 

(41,461)

Total loans held for investment, net

 

9,453,871

 

5,580,583

Premises and fixed assets, net

 

51,127

 

19,053

Premises held for sale

2,799

Restricted stock

 

22,449

 

60,707

Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI")

 

293,113

 

156,096

Goodwill

 

155,339

 

55,638

Other intangible assets

9,792

Operating lease assets

 

69,189

 

33,898

Derivative assets

45,439

18,932

Accrued interest receivable

47,209

34,815

Other assets

 

78,052

 

27,551

Total assets

$

12,703,685

$

6,781,610

Liabilities

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing deposits

$

7,377,121

$

3,744,371

Non-interest-bearing deposits

 

3,689,072

 

780,751

Total deposits

 

11,066,193

 

4,525,122

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") advances

 

25,000

 

1,204,010

Other short-term borrowings

 

1,841

 

120,000

Subordinated debt, net

 

197,188

 

114,052

Operating lease liabilities

 

72,170

 

39,874

Derivative liabilities

42,892

37,374

Other liabilities

 

94,125

 

40,082

Total liabilities

 

11,499,409

 

6,080,514

 

  

 

  

Commitments and contingencies

 

  

 

  

Stockholders' equity:

 

  

 

  

Preferred stock, Series A ($0.01 par, $25.00 liquidation value, 10,000,000 shares authorized and 5,299,200 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)

 

116,569

 

116,569

Common stock ($0.01 par 80,000,000 shares authorized, 41,589,687 shares and 34,813,302 shares issued at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and 41,159,568 shares and 21,232,984 shares outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)

 

416

 

348

Additional paid-in capital

 

492,848

 

278,295

Retained earnings

 

613,791

 

600,641

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss), net of deferred taxes

 

4,576

 

(5,924)

Unearned equity awards

 

(8,529)

 

Common stock held by the Benefit Maintenance Plan ("BMP")

 

 

(1,496)

Treasury stock, at cost (430,119 shares and 13,580,318 shares at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)

 

(15,395)

 

(287,337)

Total stockholders' equity

 

1,204,276

 

701,096

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

12,703,685

$

6,781,610

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Interest income:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Loans

$

94,288

$

54,142

$

175,670

$

108,319

Securities

5,126

3,646

9,506

 

7,372

Other short-term investments

 

987

 

846

 

1,980

 

1,848

Total interest income

 

100,401

 

58,634

 

187,156

 

117,539

Interest expense:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits and escrow

 

4,803

 

9,700

 

10,101

 

21,626

Borrowed funds

 

2,344

 

5,378

 

5,960

 

11,833

Total interest expense

 

7,147

 

15,078

 

16,061

 

33,459

Net interest income

 

93,254

 

43,556

 

171,095

 

84,080

(Credit) provision for credit losses

 

(4,248)

 

6,060

 

11,531

 

14,072

Net interest income after (credit) provision for credit losses

 

97,502

 

37,496

 

159,564

 

70,008

Non-interest income:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Service charges and other fees

 

3,876

 

1,083

 

6,796

 

2,286

Title fees

688

1,121

Loan level derivative income

 

559

 

2,494

 

2,351

 

3,657

BOLI income

 

1,593

 

911

 

2,932

 

2,798

Gain on sale of SBA loans

21,670

21,834

164

Gain on sale of residential loans

 

506

 

206

 

1,229

 

357

Net gain (loss) on equity securities

436

131

(36)

Net gain on sale of securities and other assets

 

20

 

3,134

 

730

 

3,142

Loss on termination of derivatives

(16,505)

Other

 

632

 

122

 

1,542

 

254

Total non-interest income

 

29,544

 

8,386

 

22,161

 

12,622

Non-interest expense:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Salaries and employee benefits

 

27,598

 

15,197

 

52,417

 

30,714

Severance

1,875

3,930

1,875

4,000

Occupancy and equipment

 

8,122

 

3,959

 

15,099

 

8,015

Data processing costs

 

5,031

 

2,007

 

8,559

 

4,031

Marketing

 

788

 

218

 

1,648

 

795

Professional services

2,538

264

4,403

1,778

Federal deposit insurance premiums

 

934

 

529

 

1,873

 

1,006

Loss from extinguishment of debt

 

157

 

 

1,751

 

Curtailment loss

1,543

Merger expenses and transaction costs

1,836

1,072

39,778

1,658

Branch restructuring costs

1,659

1,659

Amortization of other intangible assets

835

1,192

Other

 

3,509

 

2,170

 

5,890

 

3,389

Total non-interest expense

 

54,882

 

29,346

 

137,687

 

55,386

Income before income taxes

 

72,164

 

16,536

 

44,038

 

27,244

Income tax expense

 

20,886

 

3,570

 

13,794

 

5,886

Net income

51,278

12,966

30,244

21,358

Preferred stock dividends

1,822

1,140

3,643

1,140

Net income available to common stockholders

$

49,456

$

11,826

$

26,601

$

20,218

Earnings per common share:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

1.19

$

0.55

$

0.70

$

0.92

Diluted

$

1.19

$

0.55

$

0.70

$

0.91

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Net income

$

51,278

$

12,966

$

30,244

$

21,358

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities available-for-sale:

Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period

 

8,966

 

3,793

 

(6,568)

 

14,053

Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on securities and other assets

(20)

(3,134)

(1,207)

(3,142)

Change in pension and other postretirement obligations:

Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense

 

(438)

 

95

 

(860)

 

190

Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss

1,543

Change in the net actuarial gain or loss

644

176

1,529

352

Change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives:

Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period

 

(1,406)

 

(4,617)

 

3,542

 

(25,198)

Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives

16,505

Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense

10

1,156

864

1,360

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes

 

7,756

 

(2,531)

 

15,348

 

(12,385)

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

3,711

 

(760)

 

4,848

 

(3,922)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

4,045

 

(1,771)

 

10,500

 

(8,463)

Total comprehensive income

$

55,323

$

11,195

$

40,744

$

12,895

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2021

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Common

Number of

Additional

Loss,

Unearned

Stock

Treasury

Total

Shares of

Preferred

Common

Paid-in

Retained

Net of Deferred

Equity

Held by

Stock,

Stockholders’

    

Common Stock

    

Stock

    

Stock

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Taxes

    

Awards

    

BMP

    

at cost

    

Equity

Beginning balance as of January 1, 2021

 

21,232,984

$

116,569

$

348

$

278,295

$

600,641

$

(5,924)

$

$

(1,496)

$

(287,337)

$

701,096

Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 3)

1,686

1,686

Adjusted beginning balance on January 1, 2021

21,232,984

116,569

348

278,295

602,327

(5,924)

(1,496)

(287,337)

702,782

Net loss

(21,034)

(21,034)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

6,455

6,455

Reverse merger with Bridge Bancorp Inc.

19,992,284

65

206,641

(2,603)

287,107

491,210

Exercise of stock options

15,928

292

80

372

Release of shares, net of forfeitures

335,959

3

8,562

(8,340)

(33)

192

Stock-based compensation

836

836

Shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits

(41,101)

(1,359)

1,496

(1,130)

(993)

Cash dividends declared and paid to preferred stockholders

(1,821)

(1,821)

Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders

(5,175)

(5,175)

Ending balance as of March 31, 2021

41,536,054

116,569

416

492,431

574,297

531

(10,107)

(1,313)

1,172,824

Net income

51,278

51,278

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

4,045

4,045

Exercise of stock options

1,174

(7)

31

24

Release of shares, net of forfeitures

49,803

424

64

(141)

347

Stock-based compensation

1,514

1,514

Shares received related to tax withholding

(3,342)

(147)

(147)

Cash dividends declared and paid to preferred stockholders

(1,822)

(1,822)

Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders

(9,962)

(9,962)

Repurchase of shares of Common Stock

(424,121)

(13,825)

(13,825)

Ending balance as of June 30, 2021

41,159,568

$

116,569

$

416

$

492,848

$

613,791

$

4,576

$

(8,529)

$

$

(15,395)

$

1,204,276

7

Table of Contents

Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Common

Number of

Additional

Loss,

Unearned

Stock

Treasury

Total

Shares of

Preferred

Common

Paid-in

Retained

Net of Deferred

Equity

Held by

Stock,

Stockholders’

    

Common Stock

    

Stock

    

Stock

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Taxes

    

Awards

    

BMP

    

at cost

    

Equity

Beginning balance as of January 1, 2020

 

22,780,208

$

$

348

$

279,511

$

581,817

$

(5,940)

$

(6,731)

$

(1,496)

$

(250,751)

$

596,758

Net income

8,392

8,392

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(6,692)

(6,692)

Release of shares, net of forfeitures

59

5

(7)

2

Stock-based compensation

671

671

Proceeds from Preferred Stock issuance, net

72,224

72,224

Shares received related to tax withholding

(3,025)

(79)

(79)

Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders, net

(4,915)

(4,915)

Repurchase of shares of Common Stock

(825,992)

(20,711)

(20,711)

Ending balance as of March 31, 2020

21,951,250

72,224

348

279,516

585,294

(12,632)

(6,067)

(1,496)

(271,539)

645,648

Net income

12,966

12,966

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(1,771)

(1,771)

Exercise of stock options, net

1,973

38

38

Release of shares, net of forfeitures

127,582

(784)

(1,960)

2,772

28

Stock-based compensation

478

478

Proceeds from Preferred Stock issuance, net

44,345

44,345

Shares received related to tax withholding

(6,912)

(169)

(169)

Cash dividends declared and paid to preferred stockholders

(1,140)

(1,140)

Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders

(4,623)

(4,623)

Repurchase of shares of Common Stock

(631,841)

(14,257)

(14,257)

Ending balance as of June 30, 2020

21,442,051

$

116,569

$

348

$

278,770

$

592,497

$

(14,403)

$

(7,549)

$

(1,496)

$

(283,193)

$

681,543

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

Table of Contents

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

  

Net income

$

30,244

$

21,358

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Net gain on sales of securities available-for-sale and other assets

 

(730)

 

(3,142)

Net (gain) loss on equity securities

 

(131)

 

36

Net gain on sale of loans held for sale

 

(23,063)

 

(521)

Loss on termination of derivatives

16,505

Net depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

2,009

 

2,489

Stock-based compensation

 

2,350

 

1,149

Provision for credit losses

 

11,531

 

14,072

Originations of loans held for sale

 

(26,198)

 

(12,308)

Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale

 

42,679

 

14,024

Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI

 

(2,932)

 

(1,664)

Gain from death benefits from BOLI

(1,134)

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(12,704)

 

(4,263)

Decrease (increase) in other assets

 

107,810

 

(12,946)

(Decrease) increase in other liabilities

 

(89,649)

 

6,431

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

57,721

 

23,581

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

  

 

  

Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale

 

138,077

 

62,797

Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities

 

 

273

Purchases of securities available-for-sale

 

(508,315)

 

(107,342)

Acquisition of marketable equity securities

 

6,101

 

(122)

Proceeds from calls and principal repayments of securities available-for-sale

 

290,439

 

67,250

Purchase of BOLI

 

(40,000)

 

(40,000)

Proceeds received from cash surrender value of BOLI

1,452

Loans purchased

 

 

(18,892)

Proceeds from the sale of portfolio loans transferred to held for sale

 

667,629

 

7,074

Net increase in loans

 

(24,351)

 

(94,706)

Purchases of fixed assets, net

 

(643)

 

(1,297)

Redemptions of FHLBNY capital stock, net

 

61,620

 

3,714

Net cash received in business combination

715,988

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,306,545

 

(119,799)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

  

 

  

Increase in deposits

 

1,125,900

 

166,952

Repayments of FHLBNY advances, long-term

 

(190,150)

 

(159,900)

Repayments of FHLBNY advances, short-term, net

 

(2,663,865)

 

(4,430,620)

Proceeds from FHLBNY advances, short-term

1,435,000

4,443,120

Proceeds from FHLBNY advances, long-term

25,000

72,450

Repayments of other short-term borrowings, net

 

(118,159)

 

(105,000)

Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net

116,569

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

396

 

38

Release of stock for benefit plan awards

 

539

 

28

Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards

 

(147)

 

(248)

BMP ESOP shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits

 

(993)

 

Treasury shares repurchased

 

(13,825)

 

(34,968)

Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders

(3,643)

(1,140)

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders

 

(19,739)

 

(9,538)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(423,686)

 

57,743

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

940,580

 

(38,475)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

243,603

 

155,488

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$

1,184,183

$

117,013

 

  

 

  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

  

 

  

Cash paid for income taxes

$

4,655

$

8,055

Cash paid for interest

 

17,302

 

36,068

Loans transferred to held for sale

 

674,350

 

9,583

Transfer of cash surrender value for BOLI to other assets

 

 

1,567

Premises held for investment transferred to held for sale

2,799

Premises held for sale transferred to investment

(514)

Operating lease assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities

4,048

1,524

Cumulative change due to CECL adoption

 

1,686

 

Net non-cash liabilities assumed in Merger (See Note 2)

324,479

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

9

Table of Contents

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On February 1, 2021, Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Dime”) merged with and into Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a New York corporation (“Bridge”) (the “Merger”), with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” (the “Holding Company”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was converted into the right to receive 0.6480 shares of the Holding Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Dime Preferred Stock”), was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Holding Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock.

Immediately following the Merger, Dime Community Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Dime, merged with and into BNB Bank, a New York-chartered trust company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridge, with BNB Bank as the surviving bank, under the name “Dime Community Bank” (the “Bank”).

The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the collective results of the Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, which are collectively herein referred to as “we”, “us”, “our” and the “Company.”

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting, which means that for accounting and financial reporting purposes, Legacy Dime was deemed to have acquired Bridge in the Merger, even though Bridge was the legal acquirer. Accordingly, Legacy Dime’s historical financial statements are the historical financial statements of the combined company for all periods before February 1, 2021 (the “Merger Date”).

The Company’s results of operations for 2021 include the results of operations of Bridge on and after the Merger Date. Results for periods before the Merger Date reflect only those of Legacy Dime and do not include the results of operations of Bridge. The number of shares issued and outstanding, earnings per share, additional paid-in capital, dividends paid and all references to share quantities of the Company have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the equivalent number of shares issued to holders of Legacy Dime common stock in the Merger. The assets and liabilities of Bridge as of the Merger Date have been recorded at their estimated fair value and added to those of Legacy Dime. See Note 2. Merger for further information.

As of June 30, 2021, we operate 67 branch locations throughout Long Island and the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. In June 2021, the Company announced its plans to combine five branch locations into other existing branches, occurring in the fourth quarter of 2021.

The Company is a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank, which was known as BNB Bank prior to the Merger. The Bank was established in 1910 and is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York. The Holding Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1988 to serve as the holding company for the Bank. The Company functions primarily as the holder of all of the Bank’s common stock. Our bank operations include Dime Community Inc., a real estate investment trust subsidiary which was formerly known as Bridgehampton Community, Inc., as an operating subsidiary. Our bank operations also include Bridge Abstract LLC (“Bridge Abstract”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, which is a broker of title insurance services. In connection with the Merger, on February 1, 2021, the Holding Company acquired Dime Community Bank and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. In preparing the interim financial statements, management has made estimates and assumptions that affect the

10

Table of Contents

reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reported periods. Such estimates are subject to change in the future as additional information becomes available or previously existing circumstances are modified. Actual future results could differ significantly from those estimates. The annualized results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts, and the related discussion and analysis, to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders' equity. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Legacy Dime’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which remain significantly unchanged and have been followed similarly as in prior periods except for the allowance for credit losses policy, resulting from the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)” and certain policies added as a result of the Merger.

Risks and Uncertainties

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which has spread to most countries, including the United States. The pandemic has adversely affected economic activity globally, nationally and locally.

In March 2020, the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, local state governments, including New York (in which the Bank has retail banking offices), have taken preventative or protective actions such as travel restrictions, advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego their time outside of their homes, and other forced closures for certain types of non-essential businesses. The impact of these actions is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial markets in the United States.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020. The CARES Act is intended to provide relief and lessen a severe economic downturn. The stimulus package includes direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also includes extensive emergency funding for hospitals and healthcare providers.

In December 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law to provide additional relief.  Additional relief packages were being considered in 2021 as well.

It is possible that there will be material, adverse impacts to significant estimates, asset valuations, and business operations, including intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, and derivative counter party risk.

2.MERGER

As described in Note 1. Basis of Presentation, on February 1, 2021, we completed our Merger with Legacy Dime.

Pursuant to the merger agreement, Legacy Dime merged with and into Bridge with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was converted into 0.6480 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 was converted into one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock.

In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime.

11

Table of Contents

The Merger constituted a business combination and was accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting. As a result, Legacy Dime was the accounting acquirer and Bridge was the legal acquirer and the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, the historical financial statements of Legacy Dime became the historical financial statements of the combined company. In addition, the assets and liabilities of Bridge have been recorded at their estimated fair values and added to those of Legacy Dime as of the Merger Date. The determination of fair value required management to make estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events that are subjective and subject to change.

The Company issued 21.2 million shares of its common stock to Legacy Dime stockholders in connection with the Merger, which represented 51.5% of the voting interests in the Company upon completion of the Merger. In accordance with FASB ASC 805-40-30-2, the purchase price in a reverse acquisition is determined based on the number of equity interests the legal acquiree would have had to issue to give the owners of the legal acquirer the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition.

The table below summarizes the ownership of the combined company following the Merger, for each shareholder group, as well as the market capitalization of the combined company using shares of Bridge and Legacy Dime common stock outstanding at January 31, 2021 and Bridge’s closing price on January 31, 2021.

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. Ownership and Market Value

Number of

Market Value at

Bridge

Percentage

$24.43 Bridge

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

Outstanding Shares

Ownership

Share Price

Bridge shareholders

 

19,993

 

48.5%

 

$

488,420

Legacy Dime shareholders

21,233

51.5%

518,720

Total

41,226

100.0%

$

1,007,140

The table below summarizes the hypothetical number of shares as of January 31, 2021 that Legacy Dime would have to issue to give Bridge owners the same percentage ownership in the combined company.

Hypothetical Legacy Dime Ownership

Number of

Legacy Dime

Percentage

(Shares in thousands)

Outstanding Shares

Ownership

Bridge shareholders

 

30,853

 

48.5%

Legacy Dime shareholders

32,767

51.5%

Total

63,620

100.0%

The purchase price is calculated based on the number of hypothetical shares of Legacy Dime common stock issued to Bridge shareholders multiplied by the share price as demonstrated in the table below.

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

Number of hypothetical Legacy Dime shares issued to Bridge shareholders

30,853

Legacy Dime market price per share as of February 1, 2021

$

15.90

Purchase price determination of hypothetical Legacy Dime shares issued to Bridge shareholders

$

490,560

Value of Bridge stock options hypothetically converted to options to acquire shares of Legacy Dime common stock

643

Cash in lieu of fractional shares

7

Purchase price consideration

$

491,210

12

Table of Contents

The following table provides the purchase price allocation as of the Merger Date and the Bridge assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value as of the Merger Date as recorded by Dime Community Bancshares. We recorded the estimate of fair value based on initial valuations available at the Merger Date and these estimates are considered preliminary and subject to adjustment for up to one year after the Merger Date. While we believe that the information available on the Merger Date provided a reasonable basis for estimating fair value, we are currently within the measurement period and our estimates of fair value are provisional. We expect that we may obtain additional information and evidence during the measurement period that would result in changes to the estimated fair value amounts. The measurement period ends on the earlier of one year after the Merger Date or the date we are able to determine that we have obtained all necessary information about the facts and circumstances that existed as of Merger Date. Subsequent adjustments to fair value, if necessary, will be reflected in our future filings.

(In thousands)

Purchase price consideration

$

491,210

Fair value of assets acquired:

Cash and due from banks

715,988

Securities available-for-sale

651,997

Loans held for sale

10,000

Loans held for investment

4,531,640

Premises and fixed assets

37,881

Restricted stock

23,362

BOLI

94,085

Other intangible assets

10,984

Operating lease assets

45,603

Other assets

117,474

Total assets acquired

6,239,014

Fair value of liabilities assumed:

Deposits

5,405,575

Other short-term borrowings

216,298

Subordinated debt

83,200

Operating lease liabilities

45,285

Other liabilities

97,147

Total liabilities assumed

5,847,505

Fair value of net identifiable assets

391,509

Goodwill resulting from Merger

$

99,701

As a result of the Merger, we recorded $99.7 million of goodwill. The goodwill recorded is not deductible for income tax purposes.

13

Table of Contents

As described in detail in Note 3. Summary of Accounting Policies, the Company is required to record purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets), defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD assets.  Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition are recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods as they arise. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration shall be allocated to each individual asset.  At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis shall be allocated to individual assets to appropriately allocate any non-credit discount or premium.  The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date. Information regarding loans acquired at the Merger Date are as follows:

(In thousands)

PCD loans:

 

  

Unpaid principal balance

$

295,306

Non-credit discount at acquisition

 

(9,050)

Unpaid principal balance, net

 

286,256

Allowance for credit losses at acquisition

(52,284)

Fair value at acquisition

233,972

Non-PCD loans:

 

  

Unpaid principal balance

 

4,289,236

Premium at acquisition

 

8,432

Fair value at acquisition

 

4,297,668

 

Total fair value at acquisition

$

4,531,640

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to investing and financing activities regarding the Merger are as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2021:

(In thousands)

Business combination:

 

  

Fair value of tangible assets acquired

$

6,228,030

Goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible assets acquired

 

110,685

Liabilities assumed

 

5,847,505

Purchase price consideration

491,210

Other intangible assets consisted of core deposit intangibles and a non-compete agreement with estimated fair values at the Merger Date of $10.2 million and $780 thousand, respectively. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized over a life of 10 years on an accelerated basis. The non-compete agreement is being amortized over a life of 13 months.

14

Table of Contents

Pro Forma Combined Results of Operations

The following pro forma financial information presents the consolidated results of operations of Legacy Dime and Bridge as if the Merger occurred as of January 1, 2020 with pro forma adjustments. The pro forma adjustments give effect to any change in interest income due to the accretion of discounts (premiums) associated with the fair value adjustments of acquired loans, any change in interest expense due to estimated premium amortization/discount accretion associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired time deposits and other debt, and the amortization of the core deposit intangible that would have resulted had the deposits been acquired as of January 1, 2020. Merger related expenses incurred by the Company during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not reflected in the pro forma amounts. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had Legacy Dime merged with Bridge at the beginning of 2020.  

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Net interest income

 

$

90,771

 

$

86,126

$

181,183

 

$

165,637

Non-interest income

29,544

10,638

23,512

20,091

Net income

53,000

23,755

52,804

42,044

Net income available to common shareholders

50,620

22,351

48,690

40,378

Earnings per share:

Basic

1.24

0.54

1.18

0.98

Diluted

1.24

0.54

1.18

0.98

3.SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the results of operations and statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

Please see "Part I - Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" for a discussion of areas in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements utilizing significant estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Allowance for Credit Losses – The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2021 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures.  ASU 2016-13 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020. Under Section 4014 of the CARES Act, financial institutions required to adopt ASU 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 were provided an option to delay the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL” or the “CECL Standard”) framework. The Company elected to defer adoption of the CECL Standard until January 1, 2021. The CECL Standard requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard requires financial institutions and other organizations to use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under the CECL Standard while prior period amounts will continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.

15

Table of Contents

The adoption of the CECL standard resulted in an initial decrease of $3.9 million to the allowance for credit losses and an increase of $1.4 million to the reserve for unfunded commitments in other liabilities. The after-tax cumulative-effect adjustment of $1.7 million was recorded in retained earnings as of January 1, 2021.

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation allowance that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes it has confirmed the loan balance is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The CECL Standard requires that debt securities held to maturity be accounted for under the current expected credit losses model, including historical loss experience and impact of current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, with an associated allowance for credit losses. In addition, while credit losses on debt securities available for sale should be measured in accordance with the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) framework under current GAAP, the amendments in the CECL Standard require that these credit losses be presented as an allowance for credit losses.  For AFS debt securities, a decline in fair value due to credit loss results in recording an allowance for credit losses to the extent the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis.

Management estimates the allowance balance required using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historically observed credit loss experience of peer banks within our geography provide the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or terms as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, gross domestic product, and real estate pricing. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and measures the allowance for credit losses using the following methods:

One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment loans - Loans in this classification consist of residential real estate and one-to-four family real estate properties, and may have a mixed-use commercial aspect. Owner-occupied properties are generally underwritten based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser and the credit quality of the individual borrower. Investment properties require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.25x. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and housing prices.  

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use loans - Loans in this classification consist of multifamily residential real estate with a minimum of five residential units, and may have a mixed-use commercial aspect of less than 50% of the property’s rental income. The Bank’s underwriting standards for multifamily residential loans generally require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.20x. Repayment of multifamily residential loans is dependent, in significant part, on cash flow from the collateral property sufficient to satisfy operating expenses and debt service. Future increases in interest rates, increases in vacancy rates on multifamily residential or commercial buildings, and other economic events, such as unemployment rates, which are outside the control of the borrower or the Bank could negatively impact the future net operating income of such properties. Similarly, government regulations, such as the existing New York City Rent Regulation and Rent Stabilization laws, could limit future increases in the revenue from these buildings.

Commercial real estate and commercial mixed-use loans - Loans in this classification consist of commercial real estate, both owner-occupied and non-owner occupied, and may have a residential aspect of less than 50% of the property’s rental income. The Bank’s underwriting standards for commercial real estate loans generally require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of

16

Table of Contents

1.25x. Included in commercial real estate loans are also certain Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans in which the loan is secured by underlying real estate as collateral. The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. Repayment of commercial real estate loans is often dependent upon successful operation or management of the collateral properties, as well as the success of the business and retail tenants occupying the properties. Repayment of such loans is generally more vulnerable to weak economic conditions, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices.

Acquisition, development, and construction loans - Loans in this classification consist of loans to purchase land intended for further development, including single-family homes, multi-family housing, and commercial income properties. In general, the maximum loan-to-value ratio for a land acquisition loan is 50% of the appraised value of the property. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices.

Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Loans - Loans in this classification consist of lines of credit, revolving lines of credit, and term loans, generally to businesses or high net worth individuals. The owners of these businesses typically provide recourse such that they guarantee the debt. The lines of credit are generally secured by the assets of the business, though they may at times be issued on an unsecured basis. Generally speaking, they are subject to renewal on an annual basis based upon review of the borrower’s financial statements. Term loans are generally secured by either specific or general asset liens of the borrower’s business. These loans are granted based upon the strength of the cash generation ability of the borrower. Included in C&I loans are also certain SBA loans in which the loan is secured by underlying assets of the business (excludes SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans from allowance for credit losses as these loans carry a 100% guarantee from the SBA). The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates.

Other Loans – Loans in this classification consist of installment and consumer loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and housing prices.

As allowed by ASC 326, the Entity elected to maintain pools of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) as of the date of adoption.

TDRs – A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit loss on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except when the value of a concession cannot be measured using a method other than the discounted cash flow method. When the value of a concession is measured using the discounted cash flow method, the allowance for credit loss is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the original interest rate of the loan.  The allowance for credit losses on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis based on various factors. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation. Factors that may be considered are borrower delinquency trends and nonaccrual status, probability of foreclosure or note sale, changes in the borrower’s circumstances or cash collections, borrower’s industry, or other facts and circumstances of the loan or collateral.

Individually Evaluated Loans with an ACL and Other Real Estate Owned: For collateral-dependent loans where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company expects repayment of the loan to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral, less the estimated costs to sell, and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date.  The fair value of real estate collateral is determined based on recent appraised values. The fair value of other real estate owned is also determined based on recent appraised values less the estimated cost to sell. 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 independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available.

17

Table of Contents

Adjustments may relate to location, square footage, condition, amenities, market rate of leases as well as timing of comparable sales. All appraisals undergo a second review process to ensure that the methodology employed and the values derived are reasonable. The fair value of non-real estate collateral, which includes inventory, may be determined based on an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, aging reports, or by reference to  market activity, 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 borrower and its business. For non-collateral-dependent loans, ACL is measured based on the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date.

Appraisals for collateral-dependent 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 the Company. Once received, the Appraisal and Credit Departments review 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. Management also considers the appraisal values for commercial properties associated with current loan origination activity. Collectively, this information is reviewed to help assess current trends in commercial property values. For each collateral dependent loan, management considers information that relates to the type of property to determine if such properties may have appreciated or depreciated in value since the date of the most recent appraisal. Adjustments to fair value are made only when the analysis indicates a probable decline in collateral values. Adjustments made in the appraisal process are not deemed material to the overall consolidated financial statements given the level of collateral dependent loans measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition, is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense in other operating expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life, which is the same as the expected loss factor as determined based on the corresponding portfolio segment.

Loans acquired in a business combination – The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, on January 1, 2021 which now requires the Company to record purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets), defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD assets.  Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition are recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods as they arise. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration shall be allocated to each individual asset.  At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis shall be allocated to individual assets to appropriately allocate any non-credit discount or premium.  The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date.

A purchased financial asset that does not qualify as a PCD asset is accounted for similar to an originated financial asset.  Generally, this means that an entity recognizes the allowance for credit losses for non-PCD assets through net income at the time of acquisition.  In addition, both the credit discount and non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets that do not qualify as PCD assets shall be allocated to each individual asset.  This combined discount or premium shall be accreted to interest income using the effective yield method.

For further discussion of our loan accounting and acquisitions, see Note 2 – Merger and Note 8 – Loans.

18

Table of Contents

4.ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, was as follows:

    

    

    

    

Total

Accumulated

Securities

Defined

Other

Available-

Benefit

Comprehensive

(In thousands)

    

for-Sale

    

Plans

    

Derivatives

    

Income (Loss)

Balance as of January 1, 2021

$

12,694

$

(6,086)

$

(12,532)

$

(5,924)

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

 

(4,451)

 

2,061

 

13,700

 

11,310

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(812)

 

(579)

 

581

 

(810)

Net other comprehensive (loss) income during the period

 

(5,263)

 

1,482

 

14,281

 

10,500

Balance as of June 30, 2021

$

7,431

$

(4,604)

$

1,749

$

4,576

Balance as of January 1, 2020

$

4,621

$

(6,024)

$

(4,537)

$

(5,940)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

9,609

 

241

 

(17,218)

 

(7,368)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(2,154)

 

130

 

929

 

(1,095)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) during the period

 

7,455

 

371

 

(16,289)

 

(8,463)

Balance as of June 30, 2020

$

12,076

$

(5,653)

$

(20,826)

$

(14,403)

The before and after-tax amounts allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period

$

8,966

$

3,793

$

(6,568)

$

14,053

Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on securities and other assets

 

(20)

 

(3,134)

 

(1,207)

 

(3,142)

Net change

 

8,946

 

659

 

(7,775)

 

10,911

Tax expense (benefit)

 

2,817

 

248

 

(2,512)

 

3,456

Net change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassification adjustments and tax

 

6,129

 

411

 

(5,263)

 

7,455

Change in pension and other postretirement obligations:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense

 

(438)

 

95

 

(860)

 

190

Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss

1,543

Change in the net actuarial gain or loss

 

644

 

176

 

1,529

 

352

Net change

 

206

271

 

2,212

 

542

Tax expense

 

95

 

85

 

730

 

171

Net change in pension and other postretirement obligations

 

111

 

186

 

1,482

 

371

Change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period

 

(1,406)

 

(4,617)

 

3,542

 

(25,198)

Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives

16,505

Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense

 

10

 

1,156

 

864

 

1,360

Net change

 

(1,396)

 

(3,461)

 

20,911

 

(23,838)

Tax expense (benefit)

 

799

 

(1,093)

 

6,630

 

(7,549)

Net change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives, net of reclassification adjustments and tax

 

(2,195)

 

(2,368)

 

14,281

 

(16,289)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

$

4,045

$

(1,771)

$

10,500

$

(8,463)

5.EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ("EPS")

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into Common Stock, and if all likely aggregate performance-based share awards ("PSA”) are issued, when there are outstanding shares. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury shares are excluded. Vested restricted stock award ("RSA") shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic

19

Table of Contents

and diluted EPS. Unvested RSA and PSA shares not yet awarded are recognized as a special class of participating securities under ASC 260, and are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Net income available to common stockholders

$

49,456

$

11,826

$

26,601

$

20,218

Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities

 

(539)

 

(46)

 

(276)

 

(113)

Income attributable to common stock

$

48,917

$

11,780

$

26,325

$

20,105

Weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities

 

41,432,256

 

21,615,403

 

38,006,716

 

22,086,209

Less: weighted average participating securities

 

(451,179)

 

(207,565)

 

(367,144)

 

(193,803)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

40,981,077

 

21,407,838

 

37,639,572

 

21,892,406

Basic EPS

$

1.19

$

0.55

$

0.70

$

0.92

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Income attributable to common stock

$

48,917

$

11,780

$

26,325

$

20,105

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

40,981,077

 

21,407,838

 

37,639,572

 

21,892,406

Weighted average common equivalent shares outstanding

 

508

 

134,078

 

832

 

135,786

Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding

 

40,981,585

 

21,541,916

 

37,640,404

 

22,028,192

Diluted EPS

$

1.19

$

0.55

$

0.70

$

0.91

Common and equivalent shares resulting from the dilutive effect of "in-the-money" outstanding stock options are calculated based upon the excess of the average market value of the common stock over the exercise price of outstanding in-the-money stock options during the period.

There were 180,020 weighted-average stock options outstanding for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021, which were not considered in the calculation of diluted EPS since their exercise prices exceeded the average market price during the period. There were no "out-of-the-money" stock options during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 or the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

For information about the calculation of expected aggregate PSA share payouts, see Note 16.

6.PREFERRED STOCK

On February 5, 2020, Legacy Dime completed an underwritten public offering of 2,999,200 shares, or $75.0 million in aggregate liquidation preference, of its 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The net proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock at the time of closing were $72.2 million. On June 10, 2020, Legacy Dime completed an underwritten public offering, a reopening of the February 5, 2020 original issuance, of 2,300,000 shares, or $57.5 million in aggregate liquidation preference, of its 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The net proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock at the time of closing were $44.3 million.

At the Effective Time of the Merger, each outstanding share of the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock.

The Company expects to pay dividends when, as, and if declared by its board of directors, at a fixed rate of 5.50% per annum, payable quarterly, in arrears, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year. The Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no stated maturity. The Company may redeem the Preferred Stock at its option at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends),

20

Table of Contents

subject to regulatory approval, on or after June 15, 2025 or within 90 days following a regulatory capital treatment event, as described in the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering.

7.INVESTMENT AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

The following tables summarize the major categories of securities owned by the Company as of the dates indicated:

June 30, 2021

Gross

Gross

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

(In thousands)

    

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

Securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Agency notes

$

82,474

$

$

(1,439)

$

81,035

Treasury securities

167,984

114

(100)

167,998

Corporate securities

 

103,740

 

4,380

 

(56)

 

108,064

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs

 

326,786

 

6,908

 

(1,945)

 

331,749

Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs")

 

528,649

 

6,532

 

(3,691)

 

531,490

State and municipal obligations

41,329

231

(108)

41,452

Total securities available-for-sale

$

1,250,962

$

18,165

$

(7,339)

$

1,261,788

December 31, 2020

Gross

Gross

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

(In thousands)

    

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

Securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Agency notes

$

47,500

$

12

$

(91)

$

47,421

Corporate securities

 

62,021

 

2,440

 

 

64,461

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs

 

135,842

 

7,672

 

(31)

 

143,483

Agency CMOs

 

274,898

 

8,674

 

(76)

 

283,496

Total securities available-for-sale

$

520,261

$

18,798

$

(198)

$

538,861

As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $652.0 million of securities available-for-sale on the Merger Date.

The carrying amount of securities pledged as collateral was $505.5 million and $99.4 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders' equity.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities are shown 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.  

 

June 30, 2021

Amortized

Fair

(In thousands)

Cost

Value

Available-for-sale

Within one year

$

949

$

958

One to five years

174,565

174,660

Five to ten years

212,080

215,115

Beyond ten years

7,933

7,816

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO

855,435

863,239

Total

$

1,250,962

$

1,261,788

21

Table of Contents

The following table presents the information related to sales of securities available-for-sale as of the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Agency Notes:

Proceeds

$

$

273

$

$

273

Gross gains

Tax expense on gain

Gross losses

Tax benefit on loss

Corporate Securities:

Proceeds

3,519

25,403

50,273

25,403

Gross gains

20

1,344

729

1,344

Tax expense on gain

6

423

232

423

Gross losses

41

Tax benefit on loss

13

Pass through MBS issued by GSEs:

 

 

  

  

 

  

Proceeds

33,195

26,823

33,195

Gross gains

 

 

1,790

 

187

 

1,790

Tax expense on gain

 

 

563

 

59

 

563

Gross losses

 

 

 

35

 

Tax benefit on loss

 

 

 

11

 

Agency CMOs:

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

Proceeds

 

 

 

41,324

 

4,199

Gross gains

 

 

 

268

 

8

Tax expense on gain

 

 

 

85

 

3

Gross losses

44

Tax benefit on loss

14

State and municipal obligations:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Proceeds

 

 

 

19,657

 

Gross gains

 

 

 

143

 

Tax expense on gain

 

 

 

45

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Proceeds:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Marketable equity securities

$

$

136

$

6,101

$

273

There were no gains on marketable equity securities for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Net gain of $436 thousand was recognized on marketable equity securities for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Net gain (loss) of $131 thousand and $(36) thousand were recognized on marketable equity securities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Marketable equity securities were fully liquidated in connection with the termination of the BMP.

22

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time the securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated:

June 30, 2021

Less than 12

12 Consecutive

Consecutive Months

Months or Longer

Total

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

Losses

    

Value

    

Losses

    

Value

    

Losses

Securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Agency notes

$

81,035

$

1,439

$

$

$

81,035

$

1,439

Treasury securities

70,963

100

70,963

100

Corporate securities

6,855

56

6,855

56

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs

177,409

1,945

177,409

1,945

Agency CMOs

235,036

3,691

235,036

3,691

State and municipal obligations

 

7,723

 

108

 

 

 

7,723

 

108

December 31, 2020

Less than 12

12 Consecutive

Consecutive Months

Months or Longer

Total

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

Losses

    

Value

    

Losses

    

Value

    

Losses

Securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Agency notes

$

22,409

$

91

$

$

$

22,409

$

91

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs

 

5,007

 

31

 

 

 

5,007

 

31

Agency CMOs

 

6,563

 

30

 

4,954

 

46

 

11,517

 

76

The issuers of securities available-for-sale are primarily U.S. government-sponsored entities or agencies. The decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, corporate notes are rated "investment grade" at the time of purchase and the financials of the issuers are reviewed quarterly. It is likely that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, and as such, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily-impaired at June 30, 2021.

8.LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT, NET

The following table presents the loan categories for the period ended as indicated:

(In thousands)

    

June 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment

$

704,489

$

184,989

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

 

3,503,205

 

2,758,743

Commercial real estate ("CRE")

 

3,681,331

 

1,878,167

Acquisition, development, and construction ("ADC")

 

290,462

 

156,296

Total real estate loans

 

8,179,487

 

4,978,195

Commercial and industrial ("C&I")

 

1,343,869

 

641,533

Other loans

 

23,275

 

2,316

Total

 

9,546,631

 

5,622,044

Allowance for credit losses

 

(92,760)

 

(41,461)

Loans held for investment, net

$

9,453,871

$

5,580,583

As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $4.53 billion of loans held for investment on the Merger Date.

As of June 30, 2021, included in C&I loans was $465.5 million of Small Business Administration ("SBA") Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans. There was $313.4 million of SBA PPP loans at December 31, 2020.  These loans carry a 100% guarantee from the SBA and have no allowance for credit losses allocated to them based on the nature of the

23

Table of Contents

guarantee. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, $596.2 million of SBA PPP loans were sold for a gain of $20.7 million.

The following tables present data regarding the allowance for credit losses activity for the periods indicated:

At or for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

Real Estate Loans

One-to-Four

Family

Multifamily

Residential and

Residential

Cooperative/

and

Condominium

Residential

Total Real

Other

(In thousands)

    

Apartment

    

Mixed-Use

    

CRE

    

ADC

    

Estate

    

C&I

    

Loans

 

Total

Allowance for credit losses:

Beginning balance

$

5,133

$

10,421

$

44,837

$

3,899

$

64,290

$

33,378

$

532

    

$

98,200

Provision (credit) for credit losses

 

394

34

(3,232)

1,259

 

(1,545)

 

(2,947)

(31)

 

(4,523)

Charge-offs

 

(5)

 

(173)

 

(405)

 

 

(583)

 

(445)

 

(5)

 

(1,033)

Recoveries

3

1

4

109

3

116

Ending balance

$

5,522

$

10,285

$

41,201

$

5,158

$

62,166

$

30,095

$

499

$

92,760

At or for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

Real Estate Loans

One-to-Four

Family

Multifamily

Residential and

Residential

Cooperative/

and

Condominium

Residential

Total Real

Other

(In thousands)

    

Apartment

    

Mixed-Use

    

CRE

    

ADC

    

Estate

    

C&I

    

Loans

 

Total

Allowance for credit losses:

Beginning balance

$

645

$

14,283

$

6,336

$

1,671

$

22,935

$

13,513

$

15

    

$

36,463

Provision (credit) for credit losses

 

30

 

2,415

 

3,523

 

106

 

6,074

 

(16)

 

2

 

6,060

Charge-offs

 

(4)

 

(32)

 

 

 

(36)

 

 

 

(36)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

5

Ending balance

$

671

$

16,666

$

9,859

$

1,777

$

28,973

$

13,502

$

17

$

42,492

At or for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Real Estate Loans

One-to-Four

Family

Multifamily

Residential and

Residential

Cooperative/

and

Condominium

Residential

Total Real

Other

    

Apartment

    

Mixed-Use

    

CRE

    

ADC

    

Estate

    

C&I

    

Loans

 

Total

Allowance for credit losses:

    

Beginning balance, prior to the adoption of CECL

$

644

$

17,016

$

9,059

$

1,993

$

28,712

$

12,737

$

12

    

$

41,461

Impact of adopting CECL

1,048

(8,254)

4,849

381

(1,976)

(1,935)

(8)

(3,919)

Adjusted beginning balance as of January 1, 2021

1,692

8,762

13,908

2,374

26,736

10,802

4

37,542

PCD Day 1

2,220

3,292

23,124

117

28,753

23,374

157

52,284

Provision (credit) for credit loss expense

 

1,629

 

(1,363)

 

4,581

 

2,667

 

7,514

 

272

 

340

 

8,126

Charge-offs

 

(19)

 

(409)

 

(413)

 

 

(841)

 

(4,462)

 

(5)

 

(5,308)

Recoveries

3

1

4

109

3

116

Ending balance

$

5,522

$

10,285

$

41,201

$

5,158

$

62,166

$

30,095

$

499

$

92,760

24

Table of Contents

At or for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Real Estate Loans

One-to-Four

Family

Multifamily

Residential and

Residential

Cooperative/

and

Condominium

Residential

Total Real

Other

Apartment

    

Mixed-Use

    

CRE

    

ADC

    

Estate

    

C&I

    

Loans

 

Total

Allowance for credit losses:

Beginning balance

$

269

$

10,142

$

3,900

$

1,244

$

15,555

$

12,870

$

16

    

$

28,441

Provision for credit losses

 

406

 

6,542

 

5,965

 

533

 

13,446

 

625

 

1

 

14,072

Charge-offs

 

(4)

 

(32)

 

(6)

 

 

(42)

 

 

 

(42)

Recoveries

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

7

 

 

21

Ending balance

$

671

$

16,666

$

9,859

$

1,777

$

28,973

$

13,502

$

17

$

42,492

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans on non-accrual status as of the period indicated:

June 30, 2021

Non-accrual with

Non-accrual with

(In thousands)

    

No Allowance

    

Allowance

 

Reserve

One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment

$

-

$

4,933

$

665

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

-

-

-

CRE

 

35

 

9,117

2,663

ADC

-

-

-

C&I

-

14,109

7,096

Other

-

92

58

Total

$

35

$

28,251

$

10,482

The Company did not recognize interest income on non-accrual loans during the three and six-months ended June 30, 2021.

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method, prior to the adoption of ASC 326, as of the dates indicated:

December 31, 2020

Real Estate Loans

One-to-Four

Family

Multifamily

Residential and

Residential

Cooperative/

and

Condominium

Residential

Total Real

Other

(In thousands)

    

Apartment

    

Mixed-Use

    

CRE

    

ADC

    

Estate

    

C&I

    

Loans

    

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

$

$

$

$

6,474

$

 

$

6,474

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

644

 

17,016

 

9,059

 

1,993

 

28,712

 

6,263

 

12

 

34,987

Total ending allowance balance

$

644

$

17,016

$

9,059

$

1,993

$

28,712

$

12,737

$

12

 

$

41,461

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

1,863

$

2,704

$

$

4,567

$

12,502

$

 

$

17,069

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

184,989

 

2,756,880

 

1,875,463

 

156,296

 

4,973,628

 

629,031

 

2,316

 

5,604,975

Total ending loans balance

$

184,989

$

2,758,743

$

1,878,167

$

156,296

$

4,978,195

$

641,533

$

2,316

 

$

5,622,044

Impaired Loans (prior to the adoption of ASC 326)

A loan is considered impaired when, based on then current information and events, it is probable that all contractual amounts due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the loan. Factors considered by management in

25

Table of Contents

determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays or shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and 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.

The Bank considers TDRs and all non-accrual loans, except non-accrual one-to-four family loans in less than the FNMA Limits, to be impaired. Non-accrual one-to-four family loans equal to or less than the FNMA Limits, as well as all consumer loans, are considered homogeneous loan pools and are not required to be evaluated individually for impairment unless considered a TDR.

Impairment is typically measured using the difference between the outstanding loan principal balance and either: 1) the likely realizable value of a note sale; 2) the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of likely disposal costs, if repayment is expected to come from liquidation of the collateral; or 3) the present value of estimated future cash flows (using the loan’s pre-modification rate for certain performing TDRs). If a TDR is substantially performing in accordance with its restructured terms, management will look to either the potential net liquidation proceeds of the underlying collateral or the present value of the expected cash flows from the debt service in measuring impairment (whichever is deemed most appropriate under the circumstances). If a TDR has re-defaulted, generally the likely realizable net proceeds from either a note sale or the liquidation of the collateral is considered when measuring impairment. Measured impairment is either charged off immediately or, in limited instances, recognized as an allocated reserve within the allowance for loan losses.

The following tables summarize impaired loans with no related allowance recorded and with related allowance recorded as of the periods indicated (by collateral type within the real estate loan segment):

December 31, 2020

Unpaid

Principal

Recorded

Related

(In thousands)

    

Balance

    

Investment(1)

    

Allowance

With no related allowance recorded:

  

  

  

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

$

1,863

$

1,863

$

CRE

 

2,704

 

2,704

 

Total with no related allowance recorded

 

4,567

 

4,567

 

With an allowance recorded:

 

  

 

  

 

  

C&I

 

12,502

 

12,502

 

6,474

Total with an allowance recorded

 

12,502

 

12,502

 

6,474

Total

$

17,069

$

17,069

$

6,474

(1)The recorded investment excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

26

Table of Contents

The following table presents information for impaired loans for the period indicated:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Average

Interest

Average

Interest

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

    

Investment(1)

    

Recognized(2)

Investment(1)

    

Recognized(2)

With no related allowance recorded:

  

  

  

  

One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment

$

2,948

$

$

11

$

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

 

1,355

 

 

608

 

9

Commercial real estate and commercial mixed-use

 

1,529

 

 

6,789

 

91

Total with no related allowance recorded

 

5,832

 

 

7,408

 

100

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

With an allowance recorded:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

C&I

 

10,129

 

 

116

 

Total

$

15,961

$

$

7,524

$

100

(1)The recorded investment excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.
(2)Cash basis interest and interest income recognized on accrual basis approximate each other.

The following tables summarize the past due status of the Company’s investment in loans (net deferred costs are excluded from delinquency loan balances) as of the dates indicated:

June 30, 2021

Loans 90

Days or

30 to 59

60 to 89

More Past Due

Days

Days

and Still

Non-

Total

Total

(In thousands)

    

Past Due

    

Past Due

    

Accruing Interest

    

accrual (1)

    

Past Due

    

Current

    

Loans

Real estate:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment

$

3,852

$

4,124

$

5,066

$

4,933

$

17,975

$

686,514

$

704,489

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

 

110,712

 

3,267

 

157

 

 

114,136

 

3,389,069

 

3,503,205

CRE

 

32,638

 

2,928

 

 

9,152

 

44,718

 

3,636,613

 

3,681,331

ADC

 

 

 

 

 

 

290,462

 

290,462

Total real estate

 

147,202

 

10,319

 

5,223

 

14,085

 

176,829

 

8,002,658

 

8,179,487

C&I

 

506

 

472

 

1,487

 

14,109

 

16,574

 

1,327,295

 

1,343,869

Other

8

92

100

23,175

23,275

Total

$

147,716

$

10,791

$

6,710

$

28,286

$

193,503

$

9,353,128

$

9,546,631

(1)Includes all loans on non-accrual status regardless of the number of days such loans were delinquent as of June 30, 2021.

27

Table of Contents

December 31, 2020

Loans 90

Days or

30 to 59

60 to 89

More Past Due

Days

Days

and Still

Non-

Total

Total

(In thousands)

    

Past Due

    

Past Due

    

Accruing Interest

    

accrual (1)

    

Past Due

    

Current

    

Loans

Real estate:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment

$

$

$

44

$

858

$

902

$

184,087

$

184,989

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

 

 

 

437

 

1,863

 

2,300

 

2,756,443

 

2,758,743

CRE

 

15,351

 

 

 

2,704

 

18,055

 

1,860,112

 

1,878,167

ADC

 

 

 

 

 

 

156,296

 

156,296

Total real estate

 

15,351

 

 

481

 

5,425

 

21,257

 

4,956,938

 

4,978,195

C&I

 

 

917

 

2,848

 

12,502

 

16,267

 

625,266

 

641,533

Other

8

1

1

10

2,306

2,316

Total

$

15,359

$

918

$

3,329

$

17,928

$

37,534

$

5,584,510

$

5,622,044

(1)Includes all loans on non-accrual status regardless of the number of days such loans were delinquent as of December 31, 2020.

Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due:

The Company continued accruing interest on eleven loans with an outstanding balance of $6.7 million at June 30, 2021, and three loans with an outstanding balance of $3.3 million at December 31, 2020, all of which were 90 days or more past due on their respective contractual maturity dates. These loans continued to make monthly payments consistent with their initial contractual amortization schedule exclusive of the balloon payments due at maturity. These loans were well secured and/or were expected to be refinanced, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets at the dates indicated above.

Collateral Dependent Loans:

At June 30, 2021, the Company had collateral dependent loans which were individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses.

Collateral dependent CRE loans totaled $57.7 million and had a related allowance for credit losses totaling $17.0 million at June 30, 2021.  The loans were secured by real estate.

Collateral dependent multi-family residential and residential mixed-use loans totaled $7.7 million and had a related allowance for credit losses totaling $2.6 million. The loans were secured by real estate.

Collateral dependent C&I loans totaled $6.3 million and had a related allowance for credit losses totaling $4.1 million. The loans were secured by business assets.

TDRs

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had a recorded investment in TDRs of $514 thousand. There were none at December 31, 2020. TDRs had an immaterial impact to the allowance for credit losses.  There were no TDR charge-offs during the six months ended June 30, 2021.

28

Table of Contents

The following table present the loans by class modified as TDRs that occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2021:

Modifications During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Pre-

Post-

Modification

Modification

Outstanding

Outstanding

Number of

Recorded

Recorded

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans

Investment

Investment

One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment

1

$

50

$

50

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

-

-

-

Commercial real estate ("CRE")

-

-

-

Acquisition, development, and construction ("ADC")

-

-

-

Commercial and industrial ("C&I")

1

456

456

Other loans

-

-

-

Total

2

$

506

$

506

Loan payment deferrals due to COVID-19

Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 25 loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $44.5 million, that were deferring both principal and interest (“P&I” deferrals).

The table below presents the P&I deferrals as of June 30, 2021:

June 30, 2021

Number

 

    

of Loans

    

Balance(1)

 

% of Portfolio

(Dollars in thousands)

One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment

 

13

$

12,658

1.8

%

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

CRE

 

3

 

18,343

0.5

ADC

C&I

9

13,460

1.0

Total

 

25

$

44,461

0.5

(1)Amount excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

Pursuant to guidance under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, a qualified loan modification, such as a payment deferral, is exempt from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP. This applies if the loan was current as of December 31, 2019 and the modifications are related to arrangements that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate of the loan. This guidance was expected to expire on December 31, 2020.  The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law December of 2020, extended the exemption for TDR classification until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or the date that is 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak is lifted.

Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

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 structure, loan documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors.  The Company analyzes loans individually by

29

Table of Contents

classifying them as to credit risk. This analysis includes all loans, such as multifamily residential, mixed-use residential (i.e., loans in which the aggregate rental income of the underlying collateral property is generated from both residential and commercial units, but 50% or more of such income is generated from the residential units), commercial real estate, mixed-use commercial real estate (i.e., loans in which the aggregate rental income of the underlying collateral property is generated from both residential and commercial units, but over 50% of such income is generated from the commercial units), ADC, C&I, as well as all one-to- four family residential and cooperative and condominium apartment loans. The Company uses the following definitions 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 the Bank’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of then existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. All real estate and C&I loans not classified as Special Mention, Substandard, or Doubtful were deemed pass loans at both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, there were $50.7 million and $54.6 million of sales of criticized loans, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were $7.1 million of sales of criticized loans.  There were no sales of criticized loans for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

30

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of the credit risk profile of loans by internally assigned grade as of the periods indicated, the years represent the year of origination for non-revolving loans:

June 30, 2021

(In thousands)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016 and Prior

Revolving

Revolving-Term

Total

One-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment:

Pass

$

86,022

$

100,125

$

90,239

$

91,137

$

89,074

$

160,866

$

55,128

$

11,691

$

684,282

Special mention

379

915

355

5,299

847

1,098

8,893

Substandard

1,083

589

742

7,887

1,013

11,314

Doubtful

Total one-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment

86,022

100,125

91,701

92,641

90,171

174,052

55,975

13,802

704,489

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use:

Pass

234,199

362,014

516,988

226,705

407,607

1,529,746

5,339

3,282,598

Special mention

18,329

14,244

32,573

Substandard

35,421

27,250

29,323

92,612

3,428

188,034

Doubtful

Total multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

234,199

362,014

552,409

253,955

455,259

1,636,602

8,767

3,503,205

CRE:

Pass

410,562

865,541

590,972

351,435

365,870

912,770

39,993

4,986

3,542,129

Special mention

4,229

1,673

4,851

11,190

11,444

33,387

Substandard

1,046

5,502

42,437

23,532

33,298

105,815

Doubtful

Total CRE

410,562

870,816

598,147

398,723

400,592

957,512

39,993

4,986

3,681,331

ADC:

Pass

61,748

60,895

81,000

43,906

8,807

1,279

17,538

613

275,786

Special mention

1,078

1,078

Substandard

13,500

98

13,598

Doubtful

Total ADC

61,748

60,895

81,000

58,484

8,807

1,377

17,538

613

290,462

C&I:

Pass

41,557

549,694

63,141

60,724

40,088

29,378

466,245

7,067

1,257,894

Special mention

3,515

291

2,241

643

116

6,127

2,637

15,570

Substandard

4,557

14,419

6,698

3,185

1,171

22,780

4,585

57,395

Doubtful

197

752

11,929

132

13,010

Total C&I

41,557

557,766

78,048

70,415

55,845

30,797

495,152

14,289

1,343,869

Total:

Pass

834,088

1,938,269

1,342,340

773,907

911,446

2,634,039

584,243

24,357

9,042,689

Special mention

7,744

2,343

9,085

30,517

31,103

6,974

3,735

91,501

Substandard

5,603

56,425

90,474

56,782

135,066

26,208

5,598

376,156

Doubtful

197

752

11,929

132

13,010

Total Loans

$

834,088

$

1,951,616

$

1,401,305

$

874,218

$

1,010,674

$

2,800,340

$

617,425

$

33,690

$

9,523,356

December 31, 2020

Special

(In thousands)

    

Pass

    

Mention

    

Substandard

    

Doubtful

    

Total

Real Estate:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

One-to-four family residential and condominium/cooperative apartment

$

183,293

$

$

1,696

$

$

184,989

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

 

2,523,258

 

56,400

 

179,085

 

 

2,758,743

CRE

 

1,831,712

 

13,861

 

32,594

 

 

1,878,167

ADC

 

142,796

 

13,500

 

 

 

156,296

Total real estate

 

4,681,059

 

83,761

 

213,375

 

 

4,978,195

C&I

 

613,691

 

2,131

 

13,315

 

12,396

 

641,533

Total Real Estate and C&I

$

5,294,750

$

85,892

$

226,690

$

12,396

$

5,619,728

31

Table of Contents

For other loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on payment activity. Other loans that are 90 days or more past due are placed on non-accrual status, while all remaining other loans are classified and evaluated as performing. The following is a summary of the credit risk profile of other loans by internally assigned grade:

(In thousands)

    

June 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

Performing

$

23,183

$

2,315

Non-accrual

 

92

 

1

Total

$

23,275

$

2,316

9.LEASES

As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $45.6 million of operating lease assets and $45.3 million of operating lease liabilities on the Merger Date.

The Company recognizes operating lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities related to its office facilities and retail branches. The operating lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and the lease liability represents the Company’s obligation to make lease payments over the lease term.

The operating lease asset and lease liability are determined at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of the lease payments. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate, the rate of interest to borrow on a collateralized basis for a similar term, at the lease commencement date.

The Company made a policy election to exclude the recognition requirements of ASU 2016-02 to short-term leases, those leases with original terms of 12 months or less. Short-term lease payments are recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases may include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at the Company’s discretion and are included in the operating lease liability if it is reasonably certain that the renewal option will be exercised. Certain real estate leases may contain lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes, and insurance, which are generally accounted for separately and are not included in the measurement of the lease liability since they are generally able to be segregated. The Company does not sublease any of its leased properties. The Company does not lease properties from any related parties.

Maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at June 30, 2021 are as follows:

Rent to be

(In thousands)

    

Capitalized

2021

 

$

11,833

2022

 

11,215

2023

 

9,520

2024

 

9,405

2025

 

9,160

Thereafter

 

25,876

Total undiscounted lease payments

 

77,009

Less amounts representing interest

 

4,839

Operating lease liabilities

$

72,170

Other information related to operating leases was as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

Operating lease cost

$

4,008

$

1,628

$

7,166

$

3,231

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities

3,722

1,739

6,772

3,550

The weighted average remaining lease term at June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was 6.5 years and 7.7 years. The weighted average discount rate at June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was 1.92% and 3.23% respectively.

32

Table of Contents

10.DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s loan portfolio.

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The Company engages in both cash flow hedges and freestanding derivatives.

Cash Flow Hedges

Cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  The Company uses these types of derivatives to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing or forecasted issuances of short-term borrowings.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $201 thousand will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

The Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a maximum period of twenty-four months (excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments).

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company terminated 34 derivatives with notional values totaling $785.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $16.5 million which was recognized in loss on termination of derivatives in non-interest income.

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of the dates indicated.

June 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

Notional

Fair Value

Fair Value

Notional

Fair Value

Fair Value

(Dollars in thousands)

    

Count

    

Amount

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

    

Count

    

Amount

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances

 

4

$

150,000

$

2,547

$

 

$

$

$

Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances

 

$

$

$

 

32

$

655,000

$

$

(18,442)

33

Table of Contents

The table below presents the effect of the cash flow hedge accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

(Loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive income

$

(1,406)

$

(4,617)

$

3,542

$

(25,198)

Gain recognized on termination of derivatives

16,505

Gain (loss) reclassified from other comprehensive income into interest expense

 

(10)

 

(1,156)

 

(864)

 

(1,360)

All cash flow hedges are recorded gross on the balance sheet.

The cash flow hedges involve derivative agreements with third-party counterparties that contain provisions requiring the Bank to post cash collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of June 30, 2021, the bank did not post collateral to the third-party counterparties.

Freestanding Derivatives

The Company maintains an interest-rate risk protection program for its loan portfolio in order to offer loan level derivatives with certain borrowers and to generate loan level derivative income. The Company enters into interest rate swap or interest rate floor agreements with borrowers. These interest rate derivatives are designed such that the borrower synthetically attains a fixed-rate loan, while the Company receives floating rate loan payments. The Company offsets the loan level interest rate swap exposure by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap or interest rate floor with an unaffiliated and reputable bank counterparty. These interest rate derivatives do not qualify as designated hedges, under ASU 815; therefore, each interest rate derivative is accounted for as a freestanding derivative. The notional amounts of the interest rate derivatives do 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 derivative agreements. The following tables reflect freestanding derivatives included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of the dates indicated:

June 30, 2021

Notional

Fair Value

Fair Value

(In thousands)

    

Count

    

Amount

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):

Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower

 

137

$

937,092

$

42,753

$

Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower

 

49

 

314,786

 

 

(4,750)

Loan level interest rate floors with borrower

47

407,249

(4,743)

Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties

 

137

 

937,092

 

 

(42,753)

Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties

49

314,786

4,750

Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties

 

47

 

407,249

 

4,743

 

December 31, 2020

Notional

Fair Value

Fair Value

(In thousands)

    

Count

    

Amount

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

Included in derivative assets/(liabilities):

Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower

 

65

$

570,277

$

24,764

$

Loan level interest rate floors with borrower

 

41

 

364,643

 

 

(5,832)

Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties

 

65

 

570,277

 

 

(24,764)

Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties

 

41

 

364,643

 

5,832

 

34

Table of Contents

Loan level derivative income is recognized on the mark-to-market of the interest rate swap as a fair value adjustment at the time the transaction is closed. Total loan level derivative income is included in non-interest income as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Loan level derivative income

$

559

$

2,494

$

2,351

$

3,657

The interest rate swap product with the borrower is cross collateralized with the underlying loan and therefore there is no posted collateral. Certain interest rate swap agreements with third-party counterparties contain provisions that require the Company to post collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of June 30, 2021, posted collateral was $30.2 million.

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features

The Company’s agreements with each of its derivative counterparties state that if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations and could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty.

The Company’s agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties state that if the Bank fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution, the Bank could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty.

As of June 30, 2021, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $33.3 million for those related to loan level derivatives. If the Company had breached any of the above provisions at June 30, 2021, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value with the respective counterparty. There were no provisions breached for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

11.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) 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 Inputs – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs – Significant other observable inputs such as any of the following: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates), or (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).

Level 3 Inputs – Significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Significant unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). Significant unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

35

Table of Contents

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Securities

The Company’s marketable equity securities and available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, which were determined utilizing prices obtained from independent parties. The valuations obtained are based upon market data, and often utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (obtained only from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. For certain securities, additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Prioritization of inputs may vary on any given day based on market conditions.

All MBS, CMO, treasury securities and agency notes available-for-sale are guaranteed either implicitly or explicitly by GSEs as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, corporate securities are rated "investment grade" at the time of purchase and the financials of the issuers are reviewed quarterly. Obtaining market values as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for these securities utilizing significant observable inputs was not difficult due to their liquid nature.

Derivatives

Derivatives represent interest rate swaps and estimated fair values are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date.

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated, segmented by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair Value Measurements 

at June 30, 2021 Using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

(In thousands)

    

Total

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

Financial Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Agency notes

$

81,035

$

$

81,035

$

Treasury securities

167,998

167,998

Corporate securities

 

108,064

 

 

108,064

 

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs

 

331,749

 

 

331,749

 

Agency CMOs

 

531,490

 

 

531,490

 

State and municipal obligations

41,452

41,452

Derivative – cash flow hedges

 

2,547

 

 

2,547

 

Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net

 

42,892

 

 

42,892

 

Financial Liabilities:

 

Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net

 

42,892

 

 

42,892

 

36

Table of Contents

Fair Value Measurements 

at December 31, 2020 Using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

(In thousands)

    

Total

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

Financial Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Marketable equity securities (Registered mutual funds)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Domestic equity mutual funds

$

1,769

$

1,769

$

$

International equity mutual funds

 

468

 

468

 

 

Fixed income mutual funds

 

3,733

 

3,733

 

 

Securities available-for-sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Agency notes

 

47,421

 

 

47,421

 

Corporate securities

 

64,461

 

 

64,461

 

Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs

 

143,483

 

 

143,483

 

Agency CMOs

 

283,496

 

 

283,496

 

Derivative – freestanding derivatives

30,596

30,596

Financial Liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Derivative – cash flow hedges

 

18,442

 

 

18,442

 

Derivative – freestanding derivatives

 

30,596

 

 

30,596

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. Financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include certain individually evaluated loans (or impaired loans prior to the adoption of ASC 326) reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.

June 30, 2021

Fair Value Measurements Using:

    

Quoted Prices

    

In Active

Significant

 

Markets for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

Carrying

Assets

Inputs

Inputs

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

Individually evaluated loans

$

47,951

  

  

 

$

47,951

Individually evaluated loans with an allowance for credit losses at June 30, 2021 had a carrying amount of $48.0 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $71.6 million, net of a valuation allowance of $23.7 million. This resulted in an additional provision for credit losses of $0.5 million and $0.4 million that is included in the amount reported on the consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. There were no impaired loans (prior to the adoption of CECL standard) with an allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2020.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The methods of determining the fair value of assets and liabilities presented in this note are consistent with our methodologies disclosed in Note 24 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

37

Table of Contents

The following tables present the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments other than those measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring is as follows for the dates indicated, segmented by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair Value Measurements 

at June 30, 2021 Using

Carrying

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

(In thousands)

    

 Amount

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

    

Total

Financial Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and due from banks

$

1,184,183

$

1,184,183

$

$

$

1,184,183

Loans, net

 

9,453,871

 

 

 

9,523,466

 

9,523,466

Accrued interest receivable

 

47,209

 

 

3,415

 

43,794

 

47,209

Financial Liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Savings, money market and checking accounts

 

9,765,228

 

9,765,228

 

 

 

9,765,228

Certificates of Deposits ("CDs")

 

1,300,965

 

 

1,307,876

 

 

1,307,876

FHLBNY Advances

 

25,000

 

 

25,013

 

 

25,013

Subordinated debt, net

 

197,188

 

 

203,201

 

 

203,201

Other borrowings

 

1,841

 

1,841

 

 

 

1,841

Accrued interest payable

 

1,068

 

 

1,068

 

 

1,068

Fair Value Measurements 

at December 31, 2020 Using

Carrying

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

(In thousands)

    

 Amount

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

    

 Inputs

    

Total

Financial Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and due from banks

$

243,603

$

243,603

$

$

$

243,603

Loans, net

 

5,580,583

 

 

 

5,598,787

 

5,598,787

Accrued interest receivable

 

34,815

 

2

 

1,584

 

33,229

 

34,815

Financial Liabilities

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Savings, money market and checking accounts

 

3,212,495

 

3,212,495

 

 

 

3,212,495

CDs

 

1,322,638

 

 

1,328,554

 

 

1,328,554

FHLBNY Advances

 

1,204,010

 

 

1,207,890

 

 

1,207,890

Subordinated debt, net

 

114,052

 

 

114,340

 

 

114,340

Other borrowings

120,000

120,000

120,000

Accrued interest payable

 

1,734

 

 

1,734

 

 

1,734

12.OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $10.2 million of core deposit intangible assets and a $780 thousand non-compete agreement intangible asset on the Merger Date.

The following table presents the carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets that are amortizable and arose from the Merger. There were no intangible assets at December 31, 2020.

June 30, 2021

Core Deposit

Non-complete

(In thousands)

Intangibles

    

Agreement

    

Total

Gross carrying value

$

10,204

$

780

$

10,984

Accumulated amortization

 

(892)

(300)

(1,192)

Net carrying amount

$

9,312

$

480

$

9,792

Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $835 thousand and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.  There was no amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the three or six months ended June 30, 2020.

38

Table of Contents

Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2021 through 2025 and thereafter is as follows:

(In thousands)

Total

2021

$

1,430

2022

1,878

2023

1,425

2024

1,163

2025

958

Thereafter

2,938

Total

$

9,792

13.FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

The following tables present the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of FHLB advances for each of the next five years. There are no FHLB advances with contractual maturities after 2021.

June 30, 2021

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Weighted

 

Contractual Maturity

    

Amount

    

Average Rate

 

Overnight

$

%

2021

 

25,000

 

0.33

Total FHLB advances

$

25,000

 

0.33

%

December 31, 2020

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Weighted

 

Contractual Maturity

    

Amount

    

Average Rate

 

Overnight

$

%

2021

 

1,144,010

 

0.52

2022

60,000

0.60

Total FHLB advances

$

1,204,010

 

0.53

%

Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by $4.1 billion and $2.2 billion of residential and commercial mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Based on this collateral and the Company's holdings of FHLB stock, the Company is eligible to borrow up to a total of $3.8 billion at June 30, 2021.

As part of the Merger, $216.3 million of FHLB advances were acquired on the Merger Date.  During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company extinguished $78.9 million of FHLBNY advances that had a weighted average rate of 0.33%. The prepayment penalty expense was recognized as a $157 thousand loss on extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2021. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company extinguished $209.0 million of FHLBNY advances that had a weighted average rate of 1.31%. The prepayment penalty expense was recognized as a $1.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the first six months of 2021.  There were no prepayments of FHLBNY advances during the three or six months ended June 30, 2020.

39

Table of Contents

14.SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime on the Merger Date. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Legacy Dime issued $115.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due June 2027, which become callable commencing on June 15, 2022. The notes will mature on June 15, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). From and including June 13, 2017 until but excluding June 15, 2022, interest will be paid semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15 at a fixed annual interest rate equal to 4.50%. From and including June 15, 2022 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate shall reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 266 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. Debt issuance cost directly associated with subordinated debt offering was capitalized and netted with subordinated notes payable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

In September 2015, the Company issued $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures. $40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after five years, have a stated maturity of September 30, 2025 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.25% per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2020. From and including September 30, 2020 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 360 basis points. The remaining $40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after ten years, have a stated maturity of September 30, 2030 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.75% per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2025. From and including September 30, 2025 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 345 basis points.

The subordinated debentures totaled $197.2 million at June 30, 2021 and $114.1 million at December 31, 2020. Interest expense related to the subordinated debt was $2.2 million and $1.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Interest expense related to the subordinated debt was $4.1 million and $2.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The subordinated debentures are included in tier 2 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations.

15.RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

As of June 30, 2021, the Company maintains one Legacy Dime employee benefit plan, the Retirement Plan of Dime Community Bank (the "Employee Retirement Plan").

The Company also maintains the two Bridge employee benefit plans that existed before the Merger: (i) the BNB Bank 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) and (ii) the BNB Bank Pension Plan.

The Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) was terminated by resolution of the Legacy Dime Board of Directors.  The effective date of the plan termination was January 31, 2021, the day immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. As such, all plan assets will be liquidated and transferred into the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan is available to all former Dime employees that continue to be employed following the Merger Date, that meet eligibility requirements, and provides tax deferred salary deductions and alternative investment options. Under the provisions of the 401(k) plan, employee contributions are partially matched by the Bank as follows: 100% of each employee’s contributions up to 1% of each employee’s compensation plus 50% of each employee’s contributions over 1% but not in excess of 6% of each employee’s compensation for a maximum contribution of 3.5% of a participating employee’s compensation. Participants can invest their account balances into several investment alternatives. While the Company does not allow for the investment of plan contributions in the Company’s common stock, former Dime employees that continue to be employed following the Merger Date may rollover and hold shares in-kind held in the Dime KSOP Plan to the 401(k) plan and hold the shares in the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan also includes a discretionary profit-sharing component.

40

Table of Contents

The following table represents the components of net periodic benefit credits included in other non-interest expense, except for service cost which is reported in salaries and employee benefits expense, in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the Employee Retirement Plan and the BNB Bank Pension Plan. Net expenses associated with these plans were comprised of the following components:

Three Months Ended June 30, 

2021

2020

BMP, Postretirement

BNB Bank

Employee

Employee

and Outside Director

(In thousands)

Pension Plan

Retirement Plan

Retirement Plan

Retirement Plans

Service cost

$

223

$

$

$

Interest cost

303

183

10

241

Expected return on assets

(1,245)

(428)

(428)

Unrecognized past service liability

(2)

Amortization of unrealized loss

206

229

274

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost

$

(513)

$

(16)

$

8

$

87

Six Months Ended June 30, 

2021

2020

BMP, Postretirement

BNB Bank

Employee

Employee

and Outside Director

(In thousands)

Pension Plan

Retirement Plan

Retirement Plan

Retirement Plans

Service cost

$

371

$

$

$

Interest cost

552

366

20

482

Expected return on assets

 

(2,229)

 

(856)

 

 

(856)

Unrecognized past service liability

(4)

Amortization of unrealized loss

 

412

 

458

 

 

548

Net periodic (credit) cost

$

(894)

$

(32)

$

16

$

174

There was no contribution to the BNB Bank Pension Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2021.  

In connection with the Merger, the Outside Director Retirement Plan and the BMP were terminated resulting in lump sum payments to the participants in the amounts of $2.8 million for the Outside Director Retirement Plan and $6.2 million for the BMP. The total expense recognized as a curtailment loss in the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1.5 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company made gross lump-sum distributions totaling $11.6 million from the BMP. These distributions were satisfied by 88,081 shares of Common Stock with a market value of $2.4 million, held by the previous ESOP component of the BMP, of which 41,101 shares were returned to Treasury Stock to cover income tax liabilities, and cash of $9.2 million. As a result of the distribution, a non-cash tax benefit of $301 thousand was recognized as a discrete item in income tax expense in accordance to ASU 2016-09 for the difference between the market value and the cost basis of the Common Stock held by the BMP.

16.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Before the Merger, Bridge and Legacy Dime granted share-based awards under their respective share-based compensation plans, including the Bridge Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive plan (the “2019 Equity Incentive  Plan”) and the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Legacy Dime 2020 Equity Plan") (collectively, the "Stock Plans"), which are both subject to the accounting requirements of ASC 718.  At June 30, 2021, there were 681,098 shares reserved for issuance under the Legacy Dime 2020 Equity Plan and there were 197,889 shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

In anticipation of the Merger, Legacy Dime accelerated and vested all unvested and outstanding share-based awards such that there were no outstanding awards as of December 31, 2020. In connection with the Merger, all outstanding stock options granted under Legacy Dime’s equity plans, were legally assumed by the combined company and adjusted so that its holder is entitled to receive a number of shares of Dime’s common stock equal to the product of (a) the number of

41

Table of Contents

shares of Legacy Dime common stock subject to such award multiplied by (b) the Exchange Ratio and (c) rounded, as applicable, to the nearest whole share, and otherwise subject to the same terms and conditions (including, without limitation, with respect to vesting conditions (taking into account any vesting that occurred at the Merger Date)).

In connection with the Merger, all outstanding stock options, performance-based restricted stock units and time-vesting restricted stock units of Bridge, which we refer to as the Bridge equity awards, which were outstanding immediately before the Merger Date continue to be awards in respect of Dime common stock following the Merger, subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to such awards before the Merger Date.

Stock Option Awards

The following table presents a summary of activity related to stock options granted under the Stock Plans, and changes during the period then ended:

    

    

Weighted-

    

Average 

Weighted-

Remaining 

Aggregate 

Number of 

Average Exercise 

Contractual 

Intrinsic 

    

Options

    

Price

    

Years

    

Value

Options outstanding at January 1, 2021

28,842

$

15.05

Options outstanding at January 1, 2021 as adjusted for conversion

18,685

23.23

Options acquired (1)

180,020

35.39

Options exercised

 

17,102

 

23.40

 

  

 

  

Options outstanding at June 30, 2021

 

181,603

$

35.26

 

8.1

$

19

Options vested and exercisable at June 30, 2021

 

181,603

$

35.26

 

8.1

$

19

(1)Options acquired in the Merger expire one year from the date of the Effective Date of the Merger.

Information related to stock options during each period is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Cash received for option exercise cost

$

28

$

38

$

396

$

38

Income tax benefit recognized on stock option exercises

 

 

 

 

Intrinsic value of options exercised

 

11

 

8

 

77

 

8

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has made restricted stock award grants to outside Directors and certain officers under the Stock Plans. Typically, awards to outside Directors fully vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, while awards to officers still vest over a pre-determined requisite period. All awards were made at the fair value of Common Stock on the grant date. Compensation expense on all restricted stock awards is based upon the fair value of the shares on the respective dates of the grant.

42

Table of Contents

The following table presents a summary of activity related to the RSAs granted, and changes during the period then ended:

    

Weighted-

Average 

Number of 

Grant-Date 

    

Shares

    

Fair Value

Unvested allocated shares outstanding at January 1, 2021

$

Shares acquired in the merger

89,043

31.00

Shares granted

 

454,067

 

25.77

Shares vested

(98,881)

30.44

Shares forfeited

 

(30,489)

 

25.62

Unvested allocated shares at June 30, 2021

 

413,740

$

25.79

Information related to RSAs during each period is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(Dollars in thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Compensation expense recognized

$

1,514

$

406

$

2,350

$

867

Income tax benefit recognized on vesting of RSA

 

(86)

 

(61)

 

(86)

 

(57)

Weighted average remaining years for which compensation expense is to be recognized

 

2.8

 

 

2.8

 

As of June 30, 2021, there was $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards.

Performance Based Share Awards

Legacy Dime maintained the LTIP, a long term incentive award program for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each award, threshold (50% of target), target (100% of target) and stretch (150% of target) opportunities are eligible to be earned over a three-year performance period based on the Company’s relative performance on certain goals that were established at the onset of the performance period and cannot be altered subsequently. Shares of Common Stock are issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. Shares are issued at the stretch opportunity in order to ensure that an adequate number of shares are allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period.

At December 31, 2020, the Company modified certain performance based share awards to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. There were no outstanding PSAs at December 31, 2020. This plan continued into 2021.  As of June 30, 2021, no shares have been granted. Total compensation benefit of $3 thousand was recognized during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, and total compensation expense of $152 thousand was recognized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

Sales Incentive Awards

Legacy Dime maintained a sales incentive award program for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each quarter an individual can earn their shares based on their sales performance in that quarter. The shares then vest one year from the quarter in which they are earned. Shares of Common Stock are issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. They are issued at the maximum opportunity in order to ensure that an adequate number of shares are allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period.

At December 31, 2020, the Company modified certain performance based share awards to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. There were no outstanding sales incentive share awards at December

43

Table of Contents

31, 2020. Total compensation expense of $75 thousand was recognized during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, and $130 thousand for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

17.INCOME TAXES

During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s consolidated effective tax rates were 28.9% and 21.6%, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company's consolidated effective tax rates were 31.3% and 21.6%, respectively.  There were no significant unusual income tax items during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 or 2020.

18.MERGER RELATED EXPENSES

Merger-related expenses were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of non-interest expense and include costs relating to the Company’s merger with Bridge, as described above. These charges represent one-time costs associated with merger activities and do not represent ongoing costs of the fully integrated combined organization. Accounting guidance requires that merger-related transactional and restructuring costs incurred by the Company be charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with employee severance and other merger-related compensation expense incurred in connection with the merger with Bridge totaled $1.8 million and $13.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs expense on the consolidated statements of income. Transaction costs (inclusive of costs to terminate leases) in connection with the Merger with Bridge, totaled $37 thousand and $25.9 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income. There were no costs associated with employee severance and other merger-related compensation expense incurred in connection with the merger with Bridge for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Transaction costs (inclusive of costs to terminate leases) in connection with the Merger with Bridge, totaled $1.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income.

19.BRANCH RESTRUCTURING COSTS

On June 29, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Bank plans to combine five branch locations into other existing branches. The combinations are expected to take place in October 2021. Costs associated with early lease terminations and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets totaled $1.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and were recorded in branch restructuring costs in the consolidated statements of income.  There were no branch restructuring costs for the three or six months periods ended June 30, 2020.

44

Table of Contents

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Who We Are and How We Generate Income

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a New York corporation previously known as “Bridge Bancorp, Inc.,” is a bank holding company formed in 1988. On a parent-only basis, the Holding Company has minimal operations, other than as owner of Dime Community Bank. The Holding Company is dependent on dividends from its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank, which was previously known as “BNB Bank,” its own earnings, additional capital raised, and borrowings as sources of funds. The information in this report reflects principally the financial condition and results of operations of the Bank. The Bank's results of operations are primarily dependent on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. The Bank also generates non-interest income, such as fee income on deposit accounts, merchant credit and debit card processing programs, loan swap fees, investment services, income from its title insurance subsidiary, and net gains on sales of securities and loans. The level of non-interest expenses, such as salaries and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, other general and administrative expenses, expenses from the Bank’s title insurance subsidiary, and income tax expense, further affects our net income. We believe the merger created the opportunity for the resulting company to leverage complementary and diversified revenue streams and to potentially have superior future earnings and prospects compared to our current earnings and prospects on a stand-alone basis. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts and the related discussion and analysis to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders' equity.

Completion of Merger of Equals

On February 1, 2021, Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Dime”) merged with and into Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a New York corporation (“Legacy Bridge”) (the “Merger”), with Legacy Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” (the “Company”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was converted into the right to receive 0.6480 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Dime Preferred Stock”), was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock.

Immediately following the Merger, Dime Community Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Dime, merged with and into BNB Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridge, with BNB Bank as the surviving bank, under the name “Dime Community Bank.”

In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime.

See “Note 2. “Merger” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Recent Developments Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The disruption to the economy and financial markets brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have an impact on the Company’s operations and financial results. As banking was designated by New York State as an essential business, the Company remains committed to being a source of capital to businesses in its footprint. Our retail branch office locations remain open to conduct business. The locations are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on safe practices and social distancing, including social distancing signs and floor markings to guide employees and customers. All employees and customers must wear masks and floor traffic is limited to three customers in a branch. The Bank also offers mobile and digital banking platforms.

45

Table of Contents

The Company also prioritizes the well-being of its employees. The Company has deployed its Business Continuity Plans and shifted to a remote working environment during the "New York State on PAUSE" executive order, which began on March 22, 2020.  All non-branch staff have the ability to use remote desktop software to re-create their desktop environment in order to work from home.  The Company has not furloughed any of its employees.

The Company continues to follow the guidance of New York State in the reopening phases, and continues to assess its own internal “return to office” strategy. Guidelines have been established for those employees that are working from a corporate office location. Many of the Bank’s back office personnel are still working remotely.

Business Continuity Plan

When "New York State on PAUSE" was initiated, the Company had already invoked its Board-approved Business Continuity Plan (“BCP”), that was updated earlier in the year, to address specific risks and operational concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BCP includes a remote working environment for many of the Company’s back office personnel, strategic branch closures for locations that do not have plexiglass barriers, and other considerations. No material operational or internal control challenges or risks have been identified to date. The Company does not currently anticipate significant challenges to its ability to maintain its systems.

Lending operations and accommodations to borrowers

The Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations generally rely upon the ability of the Bank’s borrowers to repay their loans, the value of collateral underlying the Bank’s secured loans, and demand for loans and other products and services the Bank offers, which are highly dependent on the business environment in the Bank’s primary markets where it operates.

Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 25 loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $44.5 million, that were deferring both principal and interest.  In accordance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act, issued in March 2020, these deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings. Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated as part of the deferral request approval process. The loans will be subject to the Bank’s normal credit monitoring. The collectability of accrued interest will be evaluated on a periodic basis.

The Bank is closely monitoring the developments and uncertainties regarding the pandemic, including various segments of our loan portfolio that may be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The Company does not have any exposure to the energy industry, airline industry, leveraged lending, or auto loans. The Company does not have any hotel loans that are in full P&I deferral.

With the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered by the SBA, the Company participated in assisting its customers with applications for resources through the program.  Dime's PPP loans generally have a two-year or five-year term and earn interest at 1%.  The Company believes that the majority of these loans will ultimately be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program.  As of June 30, 2021, the Company had PPP loans totaling $465.5 million, net of deferred fees. It is the Company’s understanding that loans funded through the PPP program are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Should those circumstances change, the Company could be required to establish additional allowance for loan losses through additional provision expense charged to earnings.

We continue to monitor unfunded commitments through the pandemic, including commercial and home equity lines of credit, for evidence of increased credit exposure as borrowers utilize these lines for liquidity purposes.

46

Table of Contents

Selected Financial Highlights and Other Data

(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

    

At or For the

At or For the

    

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

    

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

Per Share Data:

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Reported EPS (Diluted)

$

1.19

$

0.55

$

0.70

$

0.91

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

0.24

 

0.22

 

0.48

 

0.43

Book value per common share

 

26.43

 

26.35

 

 

Dividend payout ratio

20.17

%  

40.00

%  

68.57

%  

47.25

%  

Performance and Other Selected Ratios:

Return on average assets

1.61

%  

0.81

%  

0.45

%  

0.64

%  

Return on average equity

17.22

7.96

4.79

6.32

Net interest spread

2.99

2.61

2.98

2.53

Net interest margin

3.12

2.86

3.13

2.79

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

154.94

124.97

149.85

122.94

Non-interest expense to average assets

1.72

1.84

2.35

1.76

Efficiency Ratio

44.7

56.5

71.2

57.3

Loan-to-deposit ratio at end of period

86.3

121.0

Effective tax rate

28.94

21.59

31.32

21.60

Asset Quality Summary:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Non-performing loans (1)

$

28,286

$

15,383

Non-performing assets

28,286

15,383

Net charge-offs

917

31

5,192

21

Non-performing assets/Total assets

 

0.22

%  

 

0.25

%  

 

 

Non-performing loans/Total loans

 

0.30

 

0.28

 

 

Allowance for credit loss/Total loans

 

0.97

 

0.78

 

 

Allowance for credit loss/Non-performing loans

 

327.94

 

276.23

 

 

(1)Non-performing loans are defined as all loans on non-accrual status.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s policies with respect to the methodologies it uses to determine the allowance for credit losses (including reserves for loan commitments) and loans acquired in a business combination, are its most critical accounting policies because they are important to the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations, involve a significant degree of complexity and require management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often necessitate assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. The use of different judgments, assumptions or estimates could result in material variations in the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

Allowance for Credit Losses. The Bank’s methods and assumptions utilized to periodically determine its allowance for credit losses are summarized in Note 3 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loans Acquired in a Business Combination. The Bank’s methods are summarized in Note 3 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Board of Directors of the Bank has approved a liquidity policy that it reviews and updates at least annually. Senior management is responsible for implementing the policy. The Bank’s Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for general oversight and strategic implementation of the policy and management of the appropriate departments are designated responsibility for implementing any strategies established by ALCO. On a daily basis, appropriate senior management receives a current cash position report and one-week forecast to ensure that all short-term obligations are

47

Table of Contents

timely satisfied and that adequate liquidity exists to fund future activities. Reports detailing the Bank’s liquidity reserves  are presented to appropriate senior management on a monthly basis, and the Board of Directors at each of its meetings. In addition, a twelve-month liquidity forecast is presented to ALCO in order to assess potential future liquidity concerns. A forecast of cash flow data for the upcoming 12 months is presented to the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

The Bank’s primary sources of funding for its lending and investment activities include deposits, loan and MBS payments, investment security principal and interest payments and advances from the FHLBNY. The Bank may also sell or securitize selected multifamily residential, mixed-use or one-to-four family residential real estate loans to private sector secondary market purchasers, and has in the past sold such loans to FNMA and FHLMC. The Company may additionally issue debt or equity under appropriate circumstances. Although maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and investments are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and prepayments on real estate loans and MBS are influenced by interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

The Bank is a member of AFX, through which it may either borrow or lend funds on an overnight or short-term basis with other member institutions. The availability of funds changes daily.

The Bank gathers deposits in direct competition with commercial banks, savings banks and brokerage firms, many among the largest in the nation. It must additionally compete for deposit monies against the stock and bond markets, especially during periods of strong performance in those arenas. The Bank’s deposit flows are affected primarily by the pricing and marketing of its deposit products compared to its competitors, as well as the market performance of depositor investment alternatives such as the U.S. bond or equity markets. To the extent that the Bank is responsive to general market increases or declines in interest rates, its deposit flows should not be materially impacted. However, favorable performance of the equity or bond markets could adversely impact the Bank’s deposit flows.

Total deposits increased $6.54 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to an increase of $155.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Within deposits, core deposits (i.e., non-CDs) increased $6.56 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and increased $335.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. CDs decreased $21.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to a decrease of $179.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in deposits during the current period was primarily due to the acquisition of deposits in the merger.

In the event that the Bank should require funds beyond its ability or desire to generate them internally, an additional source of funds is available through its borrowing line at the FHLBNY or borrowing capacity through AFX and lines of credit with unaffiliated correspondent banks. At June 30, 2021, the Bank had an additional unused borrowing capacity of $2.9 billion through the FHLBNY, subject to customary minimum FHLBNY common stock ownership requirements (i.e., 4.5% of the Bank’s outstanding FHLBNY borrowings).

The Bank decreased its outstanding FHLBNY advances by $1.18 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a $75.0 million decrease during the six months ended June 30, 2020. See Note 13. Federal Home Loan Bank Advances for further information.

During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, real estate loan originations totaled $762.0 million and $375.6 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, C&I loan originations totaled $641.1 million (including $609.7 million of PPP loans) and $386.3 million (including $319.4 million of PPP loans), respectively.

Sales of available-for-sale securities totaled $137.6 million and $62.8 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Purchases of available-for-sale securities totaled $508.3 million and $107.3 million during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Proceeds from pay downs and calls and maturities of available-for-sale securities were $290.4 million and $67.3 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company and the Bank are subject to minimum regulatory capital requirements imposed by its primary federal regulator. As a general matter, these capital requirements are based on the amount and composition of an institution’s

48

Table of Contents

assets. At June 30, 2021, each of the Company and the Bank were in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements and the Bank was considered "well capitalized" for all regulatory purposes.

The following table summarizes Company and Bank capital ratios calculated under the Basel III Capital Rules framework as of the period indicated:

Actual Ratios at June 30, 2021

 

Basel III

 

Consolidated

Minimum

To Be Categorized as

 

Bank

Company

Requirement

“Well Capitalized” (1)

 

Tier 1 common equity ratio

12.6

%

10.1

%

4.5

%

6.5

%

Tier 1 risk-based based capital ratio

12.6

11.3

6.0

8.0

Total risk-based based capital ratio

13.7

14.5

8.0

10.0

Tier 1 leverage ratio

9.2

8.2

4.0

5.0

(1)Only the Bank is subject to these requirements.

Legacy Dime repurchased 1,457,833 shares of its common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Holding Company repurchased 424,121 shares of its common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2021.  As of June 30, 2021, up to 373,659 shares remained available for purchase under the authorized share repurchase programs. See "Part II - Item 2. Other Information - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds" for additional information about repurchases of common stock.

The Holding Company paid $3.6 million in cash dividends on preferred stock during the six months ended June 30, 2021, and $1.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Holding Company paid $15.1 million and $9.5 million in cash dividends on common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  

Contractual Obligations

The Bank is obligated to make rental payments under leases on certain of its branches and equipment. In addition, the Bank generally has outstanding at any time significant borrowings in the form of FHLBNY advances, or overnight or short-term borrowings, as well as customer and brokered CDs with fixed contractual interest rates.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of its loan origination business, the Bank generally has outstanding commitments to extend credit to third parties, which are granted pursuant to its regular underwriting standards. Since these loan commitments may expire prior to funding, in whole or in part, the contract amounts are not estimates of future cash flows.

Asset Quality

General

The Bank does not originate or purchase loans, either whole loans or loans underlying mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which would have been considered subprime loans at origination, i.e., real estate loans advanced to borrowers who did not qualify for market interest rates because of problems with their income or credit history. See Note 7 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of evaluation for impaired securities.

COVID-19 Related Loan Deferrals

Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

49

Table of Contents

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 25 loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $44.5 million, that were deferring both principal and interest (“P&I” deferrals).

The table below presents the loans with P&I deferrals as of June 30, 2021:

June 30, 2021

Number

(Dollars in thousands)

of Loans

Balance (1)

One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment

13

$

12,658

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use

CRE

3

18,343

ADC

C&I

9

13,460

Total

25

$

44,461

(1)Amount excludes net deferred costs due to immateriality.

Pursuant to guidance under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, a qualified loan modification, such as a payment deferral, is exempt from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP. This applies if the loan was current as of December 31, 2019 and the modifications are related to arrangements that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate of the loan. This guidance was expected to expire on December 31, 2020.  The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law December of 2020, extended the exemption for TDR classification until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or the date that is 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak is lifted.  

Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

While interest is expected to still accrue to income during the deferral period, should deterioration in the financial condition of the borrowers that would not support the ultimate repayment of interest emerge, interest income accrued would need to be reversed. In such a scenario, interest income in future periods could be negatively impacted.

Monitoring and Collection of Delinquent Loans

Management of the Bank reviews delinquent loans on a quarterly basis and reports to its Board of Directors at each regularly scheduled Board meeting regarding the status of all non-performing and otherwise delinquent loans in the Bank’s portfolio.

The Bank’s loan servicing policies and procedures require that an automated late notice be sent to a delinquent borrower as soon as possible after a payment is ten days late in the case of multifamily residential, commercial real estate loans, and C&I loans, or fifteen days late in connection with one-to-four family or consumer loans. Thereafter, periodic letters are mailed and phone calls placed to the borrower until payment is received. When contact is made with the borrower at any time prior to foreclosure, the Bank will attempt to obtain the full payment due or negotiate a repayment schedule with the borrower to avoid foreclosure.

Accrual of interest is generally discontinued on a loan that meets any of the following three criteria: (i) full payment of principal or interest is not expected; (ii) principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more (unless the loan is both deemed to be well secured and in the process of collection); or (iii) an election has otherwise been made to maintain the loan on a cash basis due to deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. Such non-accrual determination practices are applied consistently to all loans regardless of their internal classification or designation. Upon entering non-accrual status, the Bank reverses all outstanding accrued interest receivable.

The Bank generally initiates foreclosure proceedings on real estate loans when a loan enters non-accrual status based upon non-payment, unless the borrower is paying in accordance with an agreed upon modified payment agreement. The Bank obtains an updated appraisal upon the commencement of legal action to calculate a potential collateral shortfall and to

50

Table of Contents

reserve appropriately for the potential loss. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure action is completed, the property securing the loan is transferred to Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) status. The Bank generally attempts to utilize all available remedies, such as note sales in lieu of foreclosure, in an effort to resolve non-accrual loans and OREO properties as quickly and prudently as possible in consideration of market conditions, the physical condition of the property and any other mitigating circumstances. In the event that a non-accrual loan is subsequently brought current, it is returned to accrual status once the doubt concerning collectability has been removed and the borrower has demonstrated performance in accordance with the loan terms and conditions for a period of at least six months.

The C&I portfolio is actively managed by the Bank’s lenders and underwriters. All credit facilities at a minimum require an annual review of the exposure and typically terms of the loan require annual and interim financial reporting and have financial covenants to indicate expected performance levels. Guarantors are also required to, at a minimum, annually update their financial reporting. All exposures are risk rated and those entering adverse ratings due to financial performance concerns of the borrower or material delinquency of any payments or financial reporting are subjected to added management scrutiny. Measures taken typically include amendments to the amount of the available credit facility, requirements for increased collateral, a request for a capital infusion, additional guarantor support or a material enhancement to the frequency and quality of financial reporting. Loans determined to reach adverse risk rating standards are subject to quarterly updating to Credit Administration and executive management. When warranted, loans reaching a Substandard rating could be reassigned to the Workout Group for direct handling.

Non-accrual Loans

Within the Bank’s held-for-investment loan portfolio, non-accrual loans totaled $28.3 million at June 30, 2021, and $17.9 million at December 31, 2020. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, loans totaling $5.2 million were placed on non-accrual status, including $181 thousand in PCD loans. There were $7.9 million of non-accrual loan sales during the three months ended June 30, 2021. There were $16 thousand of non-accrual loans paid off during the three months ended June 30, 2021. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, loans totaling $11.4 million were placed on non-accrual status, of which loans totaling $7.1 million were sold. Principal amortization of $0.03 million was recognized on non-accrual loans during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

51

Table of Contents

The following is a reconciliation of non-accrual loans as of the dates indicated:

June 30, 

December 31, 

June 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

2020 (1)

(Dollars in thousands)

Non-accrual loans:

One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment

$

4,933

$

858

$

819

Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use real estate

 

 

1,863

1,377

CRE

 

9,152

 

2,704

3,003

C&I

 

14,109

 

12,502

10,176

Other

 

92

 

1

2

Total non-accrual loans

 

$

28,286

$

17,928

$

15,377

TDRs:

C&I

479

Total TDRs

$

479

$

$

Ratios:

Total non-accrual loans to total loans

0.30

%

0.32

%

0.28

%

Total non-performing assets to total assets

0.22

0.26

0.24

(1)Non-performing assets includes non-accrual loans.

TDRs

The Bank is required to recognize loans for which certain modifications or concessions have been made as TDRs.  A TDR has been created in the event that, for economic or legal reasons, any of the following concessions has been granted that would not have otherwise been considered to a debtor experiencing financial difficulties. The following criteria are considered concessions:

A reduction of interest rate has been made for the remaining term of the loan
The maturity date of the loan has been extended with a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk
The outstanding principal amount and/or accrued interest have been reduced

In instances in which the interest rate has been reduced, management would not deem the modification a TDR in the event that the reduction in interest rate reflected either a general decline in market interest rates or an effort to maintain a relationship with a borrower who could readily obtain funds from other sources at the current market interest rate, and the terms of the restructured loan are comparable to the terms offered by the Bank to non-troubled debtors.  The Bank modified two loans in a manner that met the criteria for a TDR during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Bank did not modify any loans in a manner that met the criteria for a TDR during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Accrual status for TDRs is determined separately for each TDR in accordance with the Bank's policies for determining accrual or non-accrual status.  At the time an agreement is entered into between the Bank and the borrower that results in the Bank's determination that a TDR has been created, the loan can be on either accrual or non-accrual status.  If a loan is on non-accrual status at the time it is restructured, it continues to be classified as non-accrual until the borrower has demonstrated compliance with the modified loan terms for a period of at least three months. Conversely, if at the time of restructuring the loan is performing (and accruing) it will remain accruing throughout its restructured period, unless the loan subsequently meets any of the criteria for non-accrual status under the Bank's policy and agency regulations.

The Bank does not accept receivables or equity interests in satisfaction of TDRs.

For TDRs that demonstrated conditions sufficient to warrant accrual status, the present value of the expected net cash flows of the underlying property was utilized as the primary means of determining impairment.  Any shortfall in the present value of the expected cash flows calculated at each measurement period (typically quarter-end) compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the time of the original loan agreement was recognized as either an allocated reserve (in the event that it related to lower expected interest payments) or a charge-off (if related to lower expected principal

52

Table of Contents

payments).  For TDRs on non-accrual status, an appraisal of the underlying real estate collateral is deemed the most appropriate measure to utilize when evaluating impairment and any shortfall in valuation from the recorded balance is accounted for through a charge-off.  In the event that either an allocated reserve or a charge-off is recognized on TDRs, the periodic loan loss provision is impacted.

Please refer to Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of TDRs

OREO

Property acquired by the Bank, or a subsidiary, as a result of foreclosure on a mortgage loan or a deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as OREO. Upon entering OREO status, the Bank obtains a current appraisal on the property and reassesses the likely realizable value (a/k/a fair value) of the property quarterly thereafter. OREO is carried at the lower of the fair value or book balance, with any write downs recognized through a provision recorded in non-interest expense. Only the appraised value, or either a contractual or formal marketed value that falls below the appraised value, is used when determining the likely realizable value of OREO at each reporting period. The Bank typically seeks to dispose of OREO properties in a timely manner. As a result, OREO properties have generally not warranted subsequent independent appraisals.

The Bank had no OREO properties at June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020. The Bank did not recognize any provisions for losses on OREO properties during the three or six months ended June 30, 2021 or 2020.

Other Potential Problem Loans

Loans Delinquent 30 to 59 Days

At June 30, 2021, the Company had loans totaling $147.7 million that were past due between 30 and 59 days. By July 22, 2021, loans delinquent 30 to 59 days declined to $38 million. At December 31, 2020, the Company had loans totaling $15.4 million that were past due between 30 and 59 days. The 30 to 59 day delinquency levels fluctuate monthly, and are generally considered a less accurate indicator of near-term credit quality trends than non-accrual loans.

Loans Delinquent 60 to 89 Days

At June 30, 2021, the Company had loans totaling $10.8 million that were past due between 60 and 89 days. At December 31, 2020, the Company had loans totaling $918 thousand that were past due between 60 and 89 days. The 60 to 89 day delinquency levels fluctuate monthly, and are generally considered a less accurate indicator of near-term credit quality trends than non-accrual loans.

Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due

The Bank continued accruing interest on eleven loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $6.7 million at June 30, 2021, and three loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $3.3 million at December 31, 2020, all of which were 90 days or more past due. These loans were well secured and/or awaiting a forbearance extension or formal payment deferral, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets at the dates indicated above.

Reserve for Loan Commitments

The Bank maintains a reserve associated with unfunded loan commitments accepted by the borrower. The amount of reserve was $4.9 million, recorded in other liabilities, at June 30, 2021 and $25 thousand at December 31, 2020. This reserve is determined based upon the outstanding volume of loan commitments at each period end. Any increases or reductions in this reserve are recognized in provision for credit losses. The adoption of the CECL standard resulted in a $1.4 million increase in the reserve. An additional $3.5 million increase in the reserve was recorded as a provision for credit losses primarily attributable to acquired loan commitments during the six months ended June 30, 2021.

53

Table of Contents

Allowance for Credit Losses

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)". ASU 2016-13 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020.  Under Section 4014 of the CARES Act, financial institutions required to adopt ASU 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 were provided an option to delay the adoption of the CECL framework. The Company elected to defer adoption of CECL until January 1, 2021. This standard requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard requires financial institutions and other organizations to use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates.  

The adoption of the CECL standard resulted in an initial decrease of $3.9 million to the allowance for credit losses and an increase of $1.4 million to the reserve for unfunded commitments. The after-tax cumulative-effect adjustment of $1.7 million was recorded as an increase to retained earnings as of January 1, 2021.

A provision of $11.5 million and $14.1 million were recorded during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $11.5 million credit loss provision for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily associated with the provision for credit losses recorded on acquired non-PCD loans which totaled $20.3 million for the Day 2 accounting of acquired loans from the Merger, and a provision for unfunded commitments which totaled $3.4 million. The provision on the remainder of the portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was negative $12.2 million primarily as a result of improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on PDC individually analyzed loans. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the credit loss provision was driven mainly by an increase in the general allowance for credit losses due to the adjustment of qualitative factors to account for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption. During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, a release of $4.2 million and a provision of $6.1 million were recorded, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the change in the provision was primarily the result of improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on PCD individually analyzed loans.  During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the credit loss provision was driven mainly by an increase in the general allowance for credit losses due to the adjustment of qualitative factors to account for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption.

For a further discussion of the allowance for credit losses and related activity during the three- or six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, and as of December 31, 2020, please see Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

Assets. Assets totaled $12.70 billion at June 30, 2021, $5.92 billion above their level at December 31, 2020, primarily due to an increase in the loan portfolio of $3.87 billion, an increase in securities of $717.0 million, an increase in BOLI of $137.0 million, an increase in derivative assets of $26.5 million, an increase in accrued interest receivable of $12.4 million, and an increase in other assets of $50.5 million, offset by a decrease in FHLBNY capital stock of $38.3 million.  These changes were mainly due to the acquisition of assets due to the Merger.

Total loans increased $3.87 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2021, to $9.45 billion at period end. During the period, the Bank had originations of $1.37 billion. Additionally, the allowance for credit losses increased by $51.3 million which was due to the acquisition (credit mark on PCD loans plus provision on non-PCD), offset by CECL adoption,  improvements in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, and releases of reserves on PCD individually analyzed loans during the six months ended June 30, 2021.

The $137.0 million increase in BOLI was mainly due to purchases of $40 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, and acquisition of $94.1 million in the merger.

Liabilities. Total liabilities increased $5.42 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2021, to $11.53 billion at period end, primarily due to an increase of $6.54 billion in deposits, an increase of $83.4 million in subordinated debt, an increase of $32.3 million in lease liability for operating leases, and an increase of $5.5 million in derivative liabilities. These changes

54

Table of Contents

were mainly due to the assumption of liabilities due to the Merger. FHLBNY advances and other borrowings declined by $1.18 billion, as the Company used excess liquidity on the balance sheet to paydown borrowings.

The Company terminated 28 interest rates swaps related to FHLBNY advances totaling $505.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 with a termination fee of $16.5 million.  The remaining four interest rate swaps are in an asset position as of June 30, 2021.

Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased $503.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $1.20 billion at period end, due to share issuances associated with the Merger of $491.2 million, net income for the period of $30.2 million, and income from other comprehensive income of $10.5 million, offset by common stock dividends of $15.1 million and preferred stock dividends of $3.6 million.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The Company’s results of operations for the second quarter of 2021 include income for the full quarter from the merger with Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (“Bridge”), compared to two months for the first quarter of 2021 following the completion of the merger on February 1, 2021. The Company’s historical information for the second quarter of 2020 does not include the historical GAAP results of Bridge. 

General. Net income was $51.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, higher than net income of $13.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, net interest income increased by $49.7 million, non-interest income increased by $21.2 million, non-interest expense increased by $25.5 million, income tax expense increased by $17.3 million and the credit loss  provision decreased by $10.3 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020. Please see "Provision for Credit Losses" for a discussion of the decrease in the credit loss provision for the three month period ended June 30, 2021.

Net Interest Income.  The discussion of net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with the following tables, which set forth certain information related to the consolidated statements of income for those periods, and which also present the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated.  The average yields and costs were derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of their related assets or liabilities during the periods represented. Average balances were derived from average daily balances. The yields include fees that are considered adjustments to yields.

55

Table of Contents

Analysis of Net Interest Income

Three Months Ended June 30, 

2021

2020

    

    

    

Average

    

    

    

Average

    

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Cost

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Cost

    

Assets:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Real estate loans

$

8,156,368

$

74,437

 

3.66

%  

$

4,867,970

$

49,058

 

4.03

%  

Commercial and industrial loans

 

932,297

 

13,277

 

5.71

 

326,269

 

3,583

 

4.39

SBA PPP loans

1,282,347

6,174

1.93

192,730

1,488

3.09

Other loans

 

24,349

 

400

 

6.59

 

870

 

13

 

5.98

Mortgage-backed securities

 

825,949

 

3,483

 

1.69

 

468,705

 

3,064

 

2.61

Investment securities

 

312,012

 

1,643

 

2.11

 

65,155

 

582

 

3.57

Other short-term investments

 

456,785

 

987

 

0.87

 

169,846

 

846

 

1.99

Total interest-earning assets

 

11,990,107

100,401

 

3.36

%  

 

6,091,545

58,634

 

3.85

%  

Non-interest earning assets

 

766,802

 

 

 

298,223

 

 

Total assets

$

12,756,909

$

6,389,768

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing checking

$

1,067,043

$

501

 

0.19

%  

$

222,694

$

212

 

0.38

%  

Money market

 

3,712,344

 

1,941

 

0.21

 

1,656,394

 

2,495

 

0.61

Savings

 

1,189,460

 

212

 

0.07

 

404,389

 

305

 

0.30

Certificates of deposit

 

1,421,480

 

2,149

 

0.61

 

1,511,598

 

6,688

 

1.78

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

7,390,327

4,803

0.26

3,795,075

9,700

1.03

FHLBNY Advances

145,324

132

0.36

962,657

4,047

1.69

Subordinated debt, net

197,218

2,211

4.50

113,955

1,330

4.69

Other short-term borrowings

5,514

1

0.07

2,747

1

0.15

Total borrowings

348,056

2,344

2.70

1,079,359

5,378

2.00

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

7,738,383

 

7,147

 

0.37

%

 

4,874,434

 

15,078

 

1.24

%  

Non-interest-bearing checking

3,652,482

618,107

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

 

175,031

 

 

 

245,908

 

 

Total liabilities

 

11,565,896

 

 

 

5,738,449

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

1,191,013

 

 

 

651,319

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

12,756,909

$

6,389,768

Net interest income

$

93,254

$

43,556

Net interest spread

 

 

 

2.99

%  

 

 

 

2.61

%  

Net interest-earning assets

$

4,251,724

$

1,217,111

Net interest margin

 

 

 

3.12

%  

 

 

 

2.86

%  

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

154.94

%  

 

 

 

124.97

%  

Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts)

$

11,042,809

$

4,803

0.17

%  

$

4,413,182

$

9,700

0.88

%  

56

Table of Contents

Rate/Volume Analysis

    

Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

Increase / (Decrease) Due to:

    

Volume

    

Rate

    

Total

(Dollars In thousands)

Interest-earning assets:

 

Real estate loans

$

31,455

$

(6,076)

$

25,379

Commercial and industrial loans

 

7,627

 

2,067

 

9,694

SBA PPP loans

6,819

(2,133)

4,686

Other loans

 

368

 

19

 

387

Mortgage-backed securities

 

1,910

 

(1,491)

 

419

Investment securities

 

1,747

 

(686)

 

1,061

Other short-term investments

 

1,020

 

(879)

 

141

Total interest-earning assets

$

50,946

$

(9,179)

$

41,767

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

Interest-bearing checking

$

597

$

(308)

$

289

Money market

 

2,066

 

(2,620)

 

(554)

Savings

 

363

 

(456)

 

(93)

Certificates of deposit

 

(282)

 

(4,257)

 

(4,539)

FHLBNY Advances

(2,086)

(1,829)

(3,915)

Subordinated debt, net

949

(68)

881

Other short-term borrowings

1

(1)

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

1,608

$

(9,539)

$

(7,931)

Net change in net interest income

$

49,338

$

360

$

49,698

Net interest income was $93.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $49.7 million from the three months ended June 30, 2020. Average interest-earning assets were $11.99 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $5.98 billion from $6.02 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Net interest margin (“NIM”) was 3.12% during the three months ended June 30, 2021, up from 2.86% during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Interest Income. Interest income was $100.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $41.8 million from the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily reflecting increases in interest income of $25.4 million on real estate loans, $9.7 million on C&I loans, $4.7 million on SBA PPP loans, $0.4 million on other loans, $1.1 million on investment securities, $0.4 million on mortgage-backed securities, and $0.1 million on other short-term investments. The increased interest income on real estate loans was related to an increase of $3.29 billion in the average balance of such loans in the period, offset by a 37-basis point decrease in the yield. The increased interest income on C&I loans was due to an increase of $606.0 million in the average balance of such loans during the period. The increased average balances were due to the merger.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $7.9 million, to $7.1 million, during the three months ended June 30, 2021, from $15.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decreased interest expense was mainly attributable to a reduction in interest rates offered on CDs as well as a decrease in average balances of $90.1 million in CD products, and a decrease in average balances of $817.3 million in FHLBNY advances.

Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recognized a credit loss recovery of $4.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a provision of $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The $4.2 million credit loss recovery for the second quarter of 2021 was primarily associated with the improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on PCD individually analyzed loans.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income was $29.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to non-interest income of $8.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to one-time gain on sale of SBA PPP loans of $20.7 million, an increase of service charges and other fees of $2.8 million, offset by a decrease of

57

Table of Contents

$1.9 million of loan level derivative income, and a decrease of $3.6 million in gains on sales of securities and other investments for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $54.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $25.6 million from $29.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020,  primarily the result of an increase in merger expenses of $0.8 million during the quarter, an increase in salaries and employee benefit expense of $12.4 million, an increase in occupancy and equipment of $4.2 million, an increase in data processing costs of $3.0 million, an increase in professional services of $2.3 million, branch restructuring costs of $1.7 million, and offset by a decrease in severance of $1.9 million.

Non-interest expense was 1.72% and 1.84% of average assets during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $20.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to tax expense of $3.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The reported effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2021 was 28.9%, and 21.6% for the second quarter of 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate during the second quarter of 2021 compared to the year ago quarter was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from the Company’s REITs and non-deductible expenses during the period.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

General.  Net income was $30.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $8.9 million from net income of $21.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020.  During the six months ended June 30, 2021,  non-interest expense increased by $82.3 million and income tax expense increased by $7.9 million. This was offset by a provision for credit losses decrease of $2.5 million, an increase in net interest income of $87.0 million, and an increase in non-interest income of $9.5 million.

Net Interest Income.  The discussion of net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with the following tables, which set forth certain information related to the consolidated statements of income for those periods, and which also present the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated.  The average yields and costs were derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of their related assets or liabilities during the periods represented. Average balances were derived from average daily balances. The yields include fees that are considered adjustments to yields.

58

Table of Contents

Analysis of Net Interest Income

Six Months Ended June 30, 

2021

2020

    

    

    

Average

    

    

    

Average

    

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Cost

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Cost

    

Assets:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Real estate loans

$

7,649,460

$

140,581

 

3.71

%  

$

4,911,181

$

99,175

 

4.04

%  

Commercial and industrial loans

 

832,130

 

23,113

 

5.60

 

326,961

 

7,628

 

4.67

SBA PPP loans

1,104,100

11,223

2.05

96,365

1,488

3.09

Other loans

 

20,948

 

753

 

7.25

 

1,157

 

28

 

4.84

Mortgage-backed securities

 

746,013

 

6,562

 

1.77

 

477,714

 

6,369

 

2.67

Investment securities

 

256,275

 

2,944

 

2.32

 

56,108

 

1,003

 

3.58

Other short-term investments

 

420,266

 

1,980

 

0.95

 

150,970

 

1,848

 

2.45

Total interest-earning assets

 

11,029,192

187,156

 

3.42

%  

 

6,020,456

117,539

 

3.90

%  

Non-interest earning assets

 

688,144

 

 

 

278,405

 

 

Total assets

$

11,717,336

$

6,298,861

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing checking

$

865,776

$

813

 

0.19

%  

$

190,861

$

299

 

0.31

%  

Money market

 

3,305,295

 

3,967

 

0.24

 

1,618,587

 

6,081

 

0.75

Savings

 

1,027,335

 

419

 

0.08

 

394,079

 

672

 

0.34

Certificates of deposit

 

1,471,471

 

4,902

 

0.67

 

1,549,074

 

14,574

 

1.89

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

6,669,877

 

10,101

 

0.31

 

3,752,601

 

21,626

 

1.16

FHLBNY Advances

 

497,288

1,842

 

0.75

 

1,024,105

9,131

 

1.79

Subordinated debt, net

182,991

4,113

4.53

113,937

2,661

4.68

Other short-term borrowings

10,241

5

0.10

6,319

41

1.30

Total borrowings

690,520

5,960

1.74

1,144,361

11,833

2.07

Total interest-bearing liabilities

7,360,397

16,061

0.44

%  

4,896,962

33,459

1.37

%  

Non-interest-bearing checking

3,076,754

542,788

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

169,973

219,780

Total liabilities

 

10,607,124

 

 

 

5,659,530

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

1,110,212

 

 

 

639,331

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

11,717,336

 

 

$

6,298,861

 

 

Net interest income

$

171,095

 

 

$

84,080

 

Net interest spread

 

 

2.98

%  

 

 

 

2.53

%  

Net interest-earning assets

$

3,668,795

$

1,123,494

Net interest margin

 

 

 

3.13

%  

 

 

 

2.79

%  

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

149.85

%  

 

 

 

122.94

%  

Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts)

$

9,746,631

$

10,101

 

0.21

%  

$

4,295,389

$

21,626

1.01

%  

59

Table of Contents

Rate/Volume Analysis

    

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Increase / (Decrease) Due to:

    

Volume

    

Rate

    

Total

(Dollars In thousands)

Interest-earning assets:

 

Real estate loans

$

52,151

$

(10,745)

$

41,406

Commercial and industrial loans

 

12,838

 

2,647

 

15,485

SBA PPP loans

12,837

(3,102)

9,735

Other loans

 

593

 

132

 

725

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,939

 

(2,746)

 

193

Investment securities

 

2,923

 

(982)

 

1,941

Other short-term investments

 

2,264

 

(2,132)

 

132

Total interest-earning assets

$

86,545

$

(16,928)

$

69,617

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing checking

$

833

$

(319)

$

514

Money market

 

4,126

 

(6,240)

 

(2,114)

Savings

 

662

 

(915)

 

(253)

Certificates of deposit

 

(550)

 

(9,122)

 

(9,672)

FHLBNY Advances

(3,354)

(3,935)

(7,289)

Subordinated debt, net

1,565

(113)

1,452

Other short-term borrowings

13

(49)

(36)

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

3,295

$

(20,693)

$

(17,398)

Net change in net interest income

$

83,250

$

3,765

$

87,015

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income was $171.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $87.0 million from $84.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021.  Average interest-earning assets were $11.03 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $5.01 billion compared to $6.02 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Net interest margin was 3.13% during the six months ended June 30, 2021, up from 2.79% during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Interest Income.  Interest income was $187.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $69.6 million from the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily reflecting increases in interest income of $41.4 million on real estate loans, $15.5 million on C&I loans, $9.7 million on SBA PPP loans, $0.7 million on other loans, $0.2 million on mortgage-backed securities, $1.9 million on investment securities, and $0.1 million on other short-term investments. The increased interest income on real estate loans was due to an increase of $2.74 billion in the average balance of such loans in the period, offset in part by a 33 basis point decrease in the yield. The increased interest income on other interest-earning assets was due to the increase in average balances versus the year-ago time period.  The increased interest income on C&I loans was due to growth of $505.2 million in the average balances of C&I loans during the period.   The increased interest income from mortgage-backed securities was due to the increase in the average balances of $268.3 million. The increased average balances were related to increased balances from the merger.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased $17.4 million, to $16.1 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2021, from $33.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense was due to decreased rates offered on CD  accounts, and a decrease of $77.7  million in the average balances of such accounts, and a decrease of $526.8  million in the average balances of FHLBNY advances and a decrease of 104 basis points in the cost of such borrowings.

Provision for Credit Losses. The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $11.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.  The change in provision for the six months ended June 30, 2021 primarily associated with the provision for credit losses recorded on acquired non-PCD loans which totaled $20.3 million for the Day 2 accounting of acquired loans from the Merger. The provision on the remainder of the portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was negative $12.2 million primarily as a result of improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, as well as releases of reserves on PCD individually analyzed loans.

60

Table of Contents

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income was $22.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $9.6  million from $12.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, due to increases in gains on the sales of SBA loans of $21.6 million and service charges and other fees of $4.5 million, offset by losses on loan swap terminations of $16.5 million, and decreases in gains on sales of securities and other assets of $2.4 million and decreases in loan level derivative income of $1.3 million.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expense was $137.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 an increase of $82.3 million from $55.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, reflecting an increase of $21.7 million in salaries and employee benefits expense, an increase of $7.1 million in occupancy and equipment expense, an increase of $0.8 million in marketing expense, an increase of $4.5 million in data processing costs, an increase of $2.6 million in professional services expense, an increase of $0.9 million in federal deposit insurance premiums, and an increase of $38.1 million of merger related expenses.

Non-interest expense was 2.35% and 1.76% of average assets during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Income Tax Expense.   Income tax expense was $13.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $7.9 million from $5.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020.  The Company's consolidated tax rate was 28.9% during the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase from 21.6% during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the year ago period was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from the Company’s REIT and non-deductible expenses during the period.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk were presented at December 31, 2020 in Item 7A of the Holding Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2021. The following is an update of the discussion provided therein.

General. The Company’s largest component of market risk remains interest rate risk. The Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company conducted zero transactions involving derivative instruments requiring bifurcation in order to hedge interest rate or market risk.

Interest Rate Risk Exposure Analysis

Economic Value of Equity ("EVE") Analysis. In accordance with agency regulatory guidelines, the Company simulates the impact of interest rate volatility upon EVE using several interest rate scenarios. EVE is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows of the Company’s assets and liabilities and the value of any off-balance sheet items, such as derivatives, if applicable.

Traditionally, the fair value of fixed-rate instruments fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. Increases in interest rates thus result in decreases in the fair value of interest-earning assets, which could adversely affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations in the event they were to be sold, or, in the case of interest-earning assets classified as available-for-sale, reduce the Company’s consolidated stockholders’ equity, if retained. The changes in the value of assets and liabilities due to fluctuations in interest rates measure the interest rate sensitivity of those assets and liabilities.

In order to measure the Company’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates, EVE is calculated under market interest rates prevailing at a given quarter-end ("Pre-Shock Scenario"), and under various other interest rate scenarios ("Rate Shock Scenarios") representing immediate, permanent, parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates from the actual term structure observed in the Pre-Shock Scenario. An increase in the EVE is considered favorable, while a decline is considered unfavorable. The changes in EVE between the Pre-Shock Scenario and various Rate Shock Scenarios due to fluctuations in interest rates reflect the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items that are

61

Table of Contents

included in the EVE. Management reports the EVE results to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The report compares the Company’s estimated Pre-Shock Scenario EVE to the estimated EVE calculated under the various Rate Shock Scenarios.

The Company’s valuation model makes various estimates regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and deposit decay rates at each level of interest rate change. The Company’s estimates for loan repayment levels are influenced by the recent history of prepayment activity in its loan portfolio, as well as the interest rate composition of the existing portfolio, especially in relation to the existing interest rate environment. In addition, the Company considers the amount of fee protection inherent in the loan portfolio when estimating future repayment cash flows. Regarding deposit decay rates, the Company tracks and analyzes the decay rate of its deposits over time, with the assistance of a reputable third party, and over various interest rate scenarios. Such results are utilized in determining estimates of deposit decay rates in the valuation model. The Company also generates a series of spot discount rates that are integral to the valuation of the projected monthly cash flows of its assets and liabilities. The valuation model employs discount rates that it considers representative of prevailing market rates of interest with appropriate adjustments it believes are suited to the heterogeneous characteristics of the Company’s various asset and liability portfolios. No matter the care and precision with which the estimates are derived, actual cash flows could differ significantly from the Company’s estimates resulting in significantly different EVE calculations.

The analysis that follows presents, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated EVE at both the Pre-Shock Scenario and the +100 Basis Point Rate Shock Scenario.

June 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

 

    

    

Dollar

    

Percentage

    

    

Dollar

    

Percentage

 

(Dollars in thousands)

EVE

Change

Change

EVE

Change

Change

 

Rate Shock Scenarios

 

+ 100 Basis Points

$

1,229,834

$

170,692

 

16.12%

$

597,398

$

3,971

 

0.67%

Pre-Shock Scenario

 

1,059,142

 

 

 

593,427

 

 

The Company’s Pre-Shock Scenario EVE increased from $593.4 million at December 31, 2020 to $1.06 billion at June 30, 2021. The primary factor contributing to the significant increase in EVE at June 30, 2021, was the completion of the Merger in the first quarter.

The Company’s EVE in the +100 Basis Point Rate Shock Scenario increased from $597.4 million at December 31, 2020 to $1.23 billion at June 30, 2021.

Income Simulation Analysis. As of the end of each quarterly period, the Company also monitors the impact of interest rate changes through a net interest income simulation model. This model estimates the impact of interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest income over forward-looking periods typically not exceeding 36 months (a considerably shorter period than measured through the EVE analysis). Management reports the net interest income simulation results to the Company’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The following table discloses the estimated changes to the Company’s net interest income over the 12-month period beginning June 30, 2021 assuming gradual changes in interest rates for the given rate scenarios:

    

Percentage Change in

 

Gradual Change in Interest rates of:

Net Interest Income

 

+ 200 Basis Points

 

1.76

%

+ 100 Basis Points

 

0.72

%

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Management of the Company, with the participation of its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness as of June 30, 2021, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2021 in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or

62

Table of Contents

submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management of the Company as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to CECL and business combinations that occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such controls.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is routinely named as a defendant in or party to various pending or threatened legal actions or proceedings. Certain of these matters may seek substantial monetary damages. In the opinion of management, the Company was not involved in any actions or proceedings that were likely to have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations as of June 30, 2021.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There have been no changes to the risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a)Not applicable.
(b)Not applicable.

(c)

Total

Total Number of

Maximum Number

Number

Average

Shares Purchased

of Shares that May

of Shares

Price Paid

as Part of Publicly

Yet be Purchased

Period

    

Purchased

    

Per Share

    

Announced Programs

    

Under the Programs (1)

April 2021

$

797,780

May 2021

 

206,827

34.22

 

206,827

 

590,953

June 2021

 

217,294

34.34

 

217,294

 

373,659

(1)In February 2019, the Company announced the adoption of a new stock repurchase plan for up to 1,000,000 shares, replacing the previous plan. There is no expiration date for the stock repurchase plan. As of June 30, 2021, there were 373,659 shares remaining to be purchased in the plan.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5.Other Information

None.

63

Table of Contents

Item 6.Exhibits

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 1, 2020, by and between Bridge Bancorp, Inc. and Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 2, 2020 (File No. 001-34096))

3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2021 (File No. 001-34096)

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2021 (File No. 001-34096))

4.1

Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2017, by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 13, 2017 (File No. 000-27782))

4.2

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2017, by and between Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, including the form of 4.50% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures due 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 13, 2017 (File No. 000-27782))

4.3

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2021, by and between the Registrant and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2021 (File No. 001-34096))

10.1

Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement entered into with Kevin M. O’Connor, Stuart H. Lubow, Avinash Reddy and Conrad J. Gunther (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 28, 2021 (File No. 001-34096)) 

31.1

    

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

101

The following financial statements from Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2021, filed on August 9, 2021, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, and (vi) the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document

104

Cover page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Inline XBRL

64

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

Dated: August 9, 2021

By:

/s/ KEVIN M. O’CONNOR

Kevin M. O’Connor

Chief Executive Officer

Dated: August 9, 2021

By:

/s/ AVINASH REDDY

Avinash Reddy

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

65