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Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

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, 2022

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                            to                           

Commission File No. 001-38131

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland

    

27-5107901

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

100 Jericho Quadrangle, Suite 100, Jericho, New York

 

11753

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(516) 535-2002

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

ESQ

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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

YES      NO  

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

YES      NO  

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

Large accelerated filer      

    

Accelerated filer                       

Non-accelerated filer        

Smaller reporting company      

Emerging growth company      

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES      NO  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of August 1, 2022, there were 8,081,387 outstanding shares of the issuer’s common stock.

Table of Contents

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

    

 

    

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

7

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

Item 2.

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

24

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

40

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

40

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

42

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

42

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

42

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

42

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

42

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

42

Item 5.

Other Information

42

Item 6.

Exhibits

43

SIGNATURES

44

2

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements

ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

June 30, 

December 31, 

    

2022

    

2021

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$

155,196

$

149,156

Securities purchased under agreements to resell, at cost

49,031

50,271

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

122,664

148,384

Securities held-to-maturity, at cost (fair value $71,636 at June 30, 2022)

76,282

Securities, restricted, at cost

2,810

2,680

Loans held for investment

859,330

784,517

Less: allowance for loan losses

(10,271)

(9,076)

Loans, net of allowance

849,059

775,441

Premises and equipment, net

3,010

3,334

Accrued interest receivable

4,694

4,197

Other assets

46,941

45,307

Total assets

$

1,309,687

$

1,178,770

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Deposits:

Demand

$

513,131

$

409,350

Savings, NOW and money market

623,378

599,747

Time

18,981

19,312

Total deposits

1,155,490

1,028,409

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

8,670

6,626

Total liabilities

$

1,164,160

$

1,035,035

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, par value $0.01; authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued

Common stock, par value $0.01; authorized 15,000,000 shares; 8,116,568 and 8,123,152 shares issued, respectively; and 8,080,486 and 8,088,846 shares outstanding, respectively

81

81

Additional paid-in capital

94,923

93,611

Retained earnings

62,426

51,460

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(11,277)

(850)

Treasury stock at cost, 36,082 and 34,306 shares, respectively

(626)

(567)

Total stockholders’ equity

145,527

143,735

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

1,309,687

$

1,178,770

See accompanying condensed notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

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ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months

For the Six Months

Ended June 30, 

Ended June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Interest income:

Loans

$

12,423

$

10,120

$

23,443

$

19,699

Securities

1,033

538

1,849

1,005

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

190

160

322

320

Interest earning deposits and other

309

42

366

83

Total interest income

13,955

10,860

25,980

21,107

Interest expense:

Savings, NOW and Money Market deposits

255

173

473

347

Time deposits

26

19

45

39

Borrowings

1

1

2

2

Total interest expense

282

193

520

388

Net interest income

13,673

10,667

25,460

20,719

Provision for loan losses

850

850

1,490

2,650

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

12,823

9,817

23,970

18,069

Noninterest income:

Payment processing fees

5,513

5,351

10,829

10,721

Customer related fees, service charges and other

696

116

882

211

Total noninterest income

6,209

5,467

11,711

10,932

Noninterest expense:

Employee compensation and benefits

6,299

5,669

12,433

10,666

Occupancy and equipment

749

709

1,500

1,408

Professional and consulting services

847

804

1,458

1,579

FDIC and regulatory assessments

136

111

259

208

Advertising and marketing

404

315

629

647

Travel and business relations

134

69

224

108

Data processing

1,052

907

2,060

1,757

Other operating expenses

770

533

1,209

932

Total noninterest expense

10,391

9,117

19,772

17,305

Net income before income taxes

8,641

6,167

15,909

11,696

Income tax expense

2,290

1,665

4,216

3,020

Net income

$

6,351

$

4,502

$

11,693

$

8,676

Earnings per share

Basic

$

0.83

$

0.60

$

1.53

$

1.17

Diluted

$

0.78

$

0.57

$

1.43

$

1.10

See accompanying condensed notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

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ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months

For the Six Months

Ended June 30, 

Ended June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Net income

$

6,351

$

4,502

$

11,693

$

8,676

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period on securities available-for-sale

(5,839)

560

(14,364)

(1,518)

Reclassification adjustment for net (losses) gains included in net income

Tax effect

1,606

(160)

3,937

433

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

(4,233)

400

(10,427)

(1,085)

Total comprehensive income

$

2,118

$

4,902

$

1,266

$

7,591

See accompanying condensed notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Accumulated

Additional

other

Total

Preferred

Common

Preferred

Common

paid-in

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

stockholders'

shares

shares

stock

stock

capital

earnings

loss

stock

equity

Balance at April 1, 2022

8,076,320

$

$

81

$

94,172

$

56,802

$

(7,044)

$

(626)

$

143,385

Net income

6,351

6,351

Other comprehensive loss

(4,233)

(4,233)

Exercise of stock options

7,166

171

171

Restricted stock award forfeitures

(3,000)

Stock compensation expense

580

580

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders ($0.09 per share)

(727)

(727)

Balance at June 30, 2022

8,080,486

$

$

81

$

94,923

$

62,426

$

(11,277)

$

(626)

$

145,527

Accumulated

Additional

other

Total

Preferred

Common

Preferred

Common

paid-in

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

stockholders'

shares

shares

stock

stock

capital

earnings

(loss) income

stock

equity

Balance at April 1, 2021

7,829,815

$

$

79

$

92,122

$

37,709

$

(77)

$

(567)

$

129,266

Net income

4,502

4,502

Other comprehensive income

400

400

Exercise of stock options

889

11

11

Stock compensation expense

491

491

Balance at June 30, 2021

7,830,704

$

$

79

$

92,624

$

42,211

$

323

$

(567)

$

134,670

Accumulated

Additional

other

Total

Preferred

Common

Preferred

Common

paid-in

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

stockholders'

shares

shares

stock

stock

capital

earnings

loss

stock

equity

Balance at January 1, 2022

8,088,846

$

$

81

$

93,611

$

51,460

$

(850)

$

(567)

$

143,735

Net income

11,693

11,693

Other comprehensive loss

(10,427)

(10,427)

Exercise of stock options

7,166

171

171

Restricted stock award forfeitures

(13,750)

Stock compensation expense

1,141

1,141

Vested restricted stock awards settlement

(1,776)

(59)

(59)

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders ($0.09 per share)

(727)

(727)

Balance at June 30, 2022

8,080,486

$

$

81

$

94,923

$

62,426

$

(11,277)

$

(626)

$

145,527

Accumulated

Additional

other

Total

Preferred

Common

Preferred

Common

paid-in

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

stockholders'

shares

shares

stock

stock

capital

earnings

income (loss)

stock

equity

Balance at January 1, 2021

7,793,482

$

$

78

$

91,622

$

33,535

$

1,408

$

(567)

$

126,076

Net income

8,676

8,676

Other comprehensive loss

(1,085)

(1,085)

Exercise of stock options, net of repurchases (40,468 shares)

37,222

1

20

21

Stock compensation expense

982

982

Balance at June 30, 2021

7,830,704

$

$

79

$

92,624

$

42,211

$

323

$

(567)

$

134,670

See accompanying condensed notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

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ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

11,693

$

8,676

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

Provision for loan losses

1,490

2,650

Depreciation

359

332

Stock compensation expense

1,141

982

Gain on loans held for sale

(88)

Net amortization (accretion):

Securities

276

458

Loans

(427)

(466)

Right of use asset

239

298

Software

601

502

Changes in other assets and liabilities:

Accrued interest receivable

(497)

49

Other assets

1,578

681

Operating lease liability

(285)

(267)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

2,418

2,429

Net cash provided by operating activities

18,498

16,324

Cash flows from investing activities:

Net change in loans

(74,681)

(34,525)

Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell

1,240

353

Purchases of securities available-for-sale

(1,739)

(43,793)

Purchases of securities held-to-maturity

(78,325)

Principal repayments on securities available-for-sale

12,862

33,172

Principal repayments on securities held-to-maturity

1,999

Redemption (purchase) of securities, restricted

(130)

14

Payoff of loans held for sale

 

600

 

Purchases of premises and equipment

(35)

(246)

Development of capitalized software

(714)

(1,376)

Net cash used in investing activities

(138,923)

(46,401)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase in deposits

127,081

110,607

Decrease in borrowings

(1)

Exercise of stock options

171

21

Tax withholding payments for vested equity awards

(59)

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders

(727)

Net cash provided by financing activities

126,465

110,628

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

6,040

80,551

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

149,156

65,185

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

$

155,196

$

145,736

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest

$

518

$

388

Taxes

2,979

4,650

Noncash transactions:

Contribution of loans held for sale in exchange for an equity interest in a variable interest entity

13,500

See accompanying condensed notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Interim Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Esquire Bank, N.A., are collectively referred to as “the Company.” All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial information. In the opinion of management, the interim statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on a consolidated basis and all such adjustments are recurring in nature. These financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022 or any other period. Certain balances in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to current presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or stockholders’ equity.

Risks and Uncertainties

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, a pandemic as a result of the global spread of the coronavirus illness. It is difficult to quantify the impact COVID-19 will have on future periods. This could cause the Company to experience a material adverse effect on our business operations, asset valuations, financial condition, and results of operations. Material adverse impacts may include all or a combination of an increase in the allowance for loan losses, valuation impairments on our investments or deferred tax assets. The Company has evaluated the impact of the effects of COVID-19 and determined that there were no material or systematic adverse impacts on the Company's second quarter 2022 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition and Consolidated Statement of Income.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events for recognition and disclosure through the date of issuance.

Investment in Variable Interest Entity

On April 1, 2022, the Company sold its legacy NFL consumer post-settlement loan portfolio to a variable interest entity (VIE) in exchange for a nonvoting interest valued at $13.5 million where the Company will remain as servicer of the loan portfolio at the discretion of the VIE manager. The Company’s investment is considered a significant variable interest, but it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. Therefore, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of this VIE and does not consolidate the entity in the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is limited to the carrying amount of its investment and accounted for under the equity method which is presented within other assets on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

Loss Contingencies

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there now are such matters that will have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are accounted for at lower of cost or fair value. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Loans held for sale is included with Other assets on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (the ASU). This ASU replaces the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, referred to as “current expected credit loss” (CECL) model. It will significantly change estimates for credit losses related to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans receivable and certain other contracts. This ASU will be effective for a smaller reporting company on January 1, 2023. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, using the required modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the reporting period. The Company has gathered the necessary data and continues to prepare for the implementation of this standard.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for accounting related to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. ASU 2020-04 was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. Adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructuring and Vintage Disclosures”. ASU 2022-02 eliminates the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors in Subtopic 310-40, “Receivables — Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors”, while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require that public business entities disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases within the scope of ASU 326-20, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses: Measured at Amortized Cost”. The Company is in the process of evaluating the ASU in conjunction with its adoption of CECL on January 1, 2023.

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NOTE 2 — Debt Securities

The following tables summarize the amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss and gross unrecognized gains and losses:

June 30, 2022

Gross

Gross

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

    

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

(In thousands)

Securities available-for-sale:

Mortgage-backed securities – agency

$

116,845

$

$

(13,872)

$

102,973

Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) – agency

21,373

(1,682)

19,691

Total available-for-sale

$

138,218

$

$

(15,554)

$

122,664

Gross

Gross

Amortized

Unrecognized

Unrecognized

Fair

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

(In thousands)

Securities held-to-maturity:

Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) – agency

$

76,282

$

$

(4,646)

$

71,636

Total held-to-maturity

$

76,282

$

$

(4,646)

$

71,636

December 31, 2021

Gross

Gross

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

Cost

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

(In thousands)

Securities available-for-sale:

Mortgage-backed securities – agency

$

122,258

$

673

$

(2,050)

$

120,881

Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) – agency

27,316

237

(50)

27,503

Total available-for-sale

$

149,574

$

910

$

(2,100)

$

148,384

As of December 31, 2021, there were no securities held-to-maturity.

Mortgage-backed securities include all pass-through certificates guaranteed by FHLMC, FNMA, or GNMA and the CMOs are backed by government agency pass-through certificates. CMOs, by virtue of the underlying residential collateral or structure, are fixed rate current pay sequentials or planned amortization classes (PACs). As actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations, these securities are not considered to have a single maturity date.

There were no sales or calls of securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

At June 30, 2022, securities having a carrying value of $143.4 million were pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB) for borrowing capacity totaling $136.2 million. At December 31, 2021, securities having a fair value of $121.5 million were pledged to the FHLB for borrowing capacity totaling $115.4 million. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had no outstanding FHLB advances.

At June 30, 2022, securities having a fair value of $41.1 million were pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRB) for borrowing capacity totaling $39.6 million. At December 31, 2021, securities having a fair value of $26.9 million were pledged to the FRB for borrowing capacity totaling $26.1 million. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had no outstanding FRB borrowings.

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The following table provides the gross unrealized and unrecognized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized or unrecognized loss position as of:

June 30, 2022

Less Than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

(In thousands)

Securities available-for-sale:

Mortgage-backed securities – agency

$

66,668

$

(7,288)

$

36,305

$

(6,584)

$

102,973

$

(13,872)

CMOs – agency

18,673

(1,596)

1,018

(86)

19,691

(1,682)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

85,341

$

(8,884)

$

37,323

$

(6,670)

$

122,664

$

(15,554)

Less Than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrecognized
Losses

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrecognized
Losses

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrecognized
Losses

(In thousands)

Securities held-to-maturity:

CMOs – agency

$

71,636

$

(4,646)

$

$

$

71,636

$

(4,646)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

71,636

$

(4,646)

$

$

$

71,636

$

(4,646)

December 31, 2021

Less Than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

    

Fair
Value

    

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

(In thousands)

Securities available-for-sale:

Mortgage-backed securities - agency

$

101,235

$

(1,813)

$

4,503

$

(237)

$

105,738

$

(2,050)

CMOs - Agency

7,416

(50)

7,416

(50)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

108,651

$

(1,863)

$

4,503

$

(237)

$

113,154

$

(2,100)

Management reviews the investment portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine the cause, magnitude and duration of declines in the fair value of each security. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI), management considers many factors including: (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intent to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: (1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and (2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. The assessment of whether any other than temporary decline exists may involve a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time. Management evaluates securities for OTTI at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation.

At June 30, 2022, securities in unrealized or unrecognized loss positions were issuances from government sponsored entities. Due to the decline in fair value being attributable to changes in interest rates, not credit quality and because the Company does not have the intent to sell the securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider the securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2022.

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No impairment charges were recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

NOTE 3 — Loans

The composition of loans by class is summarized as follows:

At June 30, 

At December 31, 

2022

2021

(In thousands)

Real estate:

 

  

  

Multifamily

$

259,579

$

254,852

Commercial real estate

 

80,488

 

48,589

1 – 4 family

33,565

40,753

Construction

 

 

Total real estate

 

373,632

 

344,194

Commercial

 

478,149

 

432,108

Consumer

 

8,327

 

8,681

Total loans held for investment

$

860,108

$

784,983

Deferred loan fees and unearned premiums, net

 

(778)

 

(466)

Allowance for loan losses

 

(10,271)

 

(9,076)

Loans held for investment, net

$

849,059

$

775,441

At December 31, 2021, the commercial loans balance included Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans of $4.2 million. There were no PPP loans outstanding at June 30, 2022.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses by class for the three months ending June 30, 2022 and 2021:

    

Commercial

    

    

    

    

    

    

Multifamily

Real Estate

14 Family

Construction

Commercial

Consumer

Total

(In thousands)

June 30, 2022

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

1,864

$

688

$

231

$

$

6,575

$

133

$

9,491

Provision for loan losses

35

214

22

534

45

850

Recoveries

17

17

Loans charged-off

(64)

(23)

(87)

Total ending allowance balance

$

1,916

$

902

$

253

$

$

7,045

$

155

$

10,271

June 30, 2021

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

1,525

$

613

$

319

$

$

5,756

$

4,968

$

13,181

Provision (credit) for loan losses

(107)

(10)

(7)

(209)

1,183

850

Recoveries

Loans charged-off

(14)

(14)

Total ending allowance balance

$

1,418

$

603

$

312

$

$

5,547

$

6,137

$

14,017

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The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses by class for the six months ending June 30, 2022 and 2021:

    

Commercial

    

    

    

    

    

    

Multifamily

Real Estate

14 Family

Construction

Commercial

Consumer

Total

(In thousands)

June 30, 2022

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

1,789

$

552

$

285

$

$

6,319

$

131

$

9,076

Provision (credit) for loan losses

288

350

(32)

788

96

1,490

Recoveries

17

2

19

Loans charged-off

(178)

(64)

(72)

(314)

Total ending allowance balance

$

1,916

$

902

$

253

$

$

7,045

$

155

$

10,271

June 30, 2021

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

1,278

$

597

$

342

$

$

5,003

$

4,182

$

11,402

Provision (credit) for loan losses

140

6

(30)

544

1,990

2,650

Recoveries

Loans charged-off

(35)

(35)

Total ending allowance balance

$

1,418

$

603

$

312

$

$

5,547

$

6,137

$

14,017

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The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by class and based on impairment method as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

    

    

Commercial

    

    

    

    

    

Multifamily

Real Estate

14 Family

Construction

Commercial

Consumer

Total

(In thousands)

June 30, 2022

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Ending allowance balance attributable to loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

1,916

 

902

 

253

 

 

7,045

 

155

 

10,271

Total ending allowance balance

$

1,916

$

902

$

253

$

$

7,045

$

155

$

10,271

Loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

 

259,579

 

80,488

 

33,565

 

 

478,149

 

8,327

 

860,108

Total ending loans balance

$

259,579

$

80,488

$

33,565

$

$

478,149

$

8,327

$

860,108

    

    

Commercial

    

    

    

    

    

Multifamily

Real Estate

14 Family

Construction

Commercial

Consumer

Total

(In thousands)

December 31, 2021

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Allowance for loan losses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Ending allowance balance attributable to loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

1,789

 

552

 

285

 

 

6,319

 

131

 

9,076

Total ending allowance balance

$

1,789

$

552

$

285

$

$

6,319

$

131

$

9,076

Loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

 

254,852

 

48,589

 

40,753

 

 

432,108

 

8,681

 

784,983

Total ending loans balance

$

254,852

$

48,589

$

40,753

$

$

432,108

$

8,681

$

784,983

Recorded investment is not adjusted for accrued interest, deferred fees and costs, and unearned premiums and discounts.

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There were no impaired loans as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

The following table provides an analysis of average recorded investment and interest income recognized by segment on impaired loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

2022

2021

Average

Interest

Average

Interest

Average

Interest

Average

Interest

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

    

Investment

    

Recognized

    

Investment

    

Recognized

    

Investment

    

Recognized

    

Investment

    

Recognized

(In thousands)

Multifamily

$

$

$

361

$

$

294

$

$

206

$

Commercial real estate

1-4 family

Construction

Commercial

65

37

Consumer

2,271

1

2,285

Total

$

65

$

$

2,632

$

$

332

$

$

2,491

$

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by class of loans as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

Total Past

30-59

60-89

Greater than

Due &

Days

Days

90 Days

Nonaccrual

Nonaccrual

Loans Not

    

Past Due

    

Past Due

    

Past Due

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Past Due

    

Total

(In thousands)

June 30, 2022

Multifamily

$

$

$

$

$

$

259,579

259,579

Commercial real estate

80,488

80,488

1 – 4 family

33,565

$

33,565

Construction

Commercial

478,149

478,149

Consumer

19

16

4

39

8,288

8,327

Total

$

19

$

16

$

$

4

$

39

$

860,069

$

860,108

Total Past

30-59

60-89

Greater than

Due &

Days

Days

90 Days

Nonaccrual

Nonaccrual

Loans Not

    

Past Due

    

Past Due

    

Past Due

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Past Due

    

Total

(In thousands)

December 31, 2021

Multifamily

$

1,034

$

$

$

$

1,034

$

253,818

$

254,852

Commercial real estate

48,589

48,589

1 – 4 family

40,753

40,753

Construction

Commercial

432,108

432,108

Consumer

21

10

6

37

8,644

8,681

Total

$

1,055

$

10

$

$

6

$

1,071

$

783,912

$

784,983

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public

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information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis is performed whenever a credit is extended, renewed or modified, or when an observable event occurs indicating a potential decline in credit quality, and no less than annually for large balance 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 institution’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 institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.

Based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows:

    

Pass

    

Special Mention

    

Substandard

    

Doubtful

(In thousands)

June 30, 2022

Multifamily

$

255,467

$

3,391

$

721

$

Commercial real estate

76,670

3,818

1 – 4 family

33,565

Construction

Commercial

464,711

13,438

Consumer

6,439

1,888

Total

$

836,852

$

22,535

$

721

$

    

Pass

    

Special Mention

    

Substandard

    

Doubtful

(In thousands)

December 31, 2021

Multifamily

$

254,131

$

$

721

$

Commercial real estate

44,771

3,818

1 – 4 family

37,738

3,015

Construction

Commercial

410,548

17,977

3,583

Consumer

8,681

Total

$

755,869

$

24,810

$

4,304

$

The Company considers the performance of the loan portfolio and its impact on the allowance for loan losses. For smaller dollar commercial and consumer loan classes, the Company evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan, which was previously presented, and by payment activity.

The Company has no loans identified as TDRs at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Furthermore, there were no loans modified during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 as TDRs. In order to determine whether

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a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification.

Pledged Loans

At June 30, 2022, loans totaling $27.4 million were pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for borrowing capacity totaling $21.0 million. At December 31, 2021, loans totaling $33.9 million were pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for borrowing capacity totaling $26.0 million.

NOTE 4 — Noninterest Income

Descriptions of revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income as components of noninterest income, are as follows:

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

(In thousands)

Payment processing fees

Payment processing income

$

5,300

$

5,151

$

10,401

$

10,318

ACH income

213

200

428

403

Customer related fees, service charges and other

Administrative service income

617

10

626

28

Other

81

106

168

183

(Loss) gain on loans held for sale (1)

(2)

88

Total noninterest income

$

6,209

$

5,467

$

11,711

$

10,932

(1)Represents a valuation adjustment on loans held for sale, not within the scope of ASC 606.

The Company has made no significant judgments in applying the revenue guidance prescribed in ASC 606 that affect the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from the above-described contracts with customers.

Payment processing income – We provide payment processing services as an acquiring bank through the third-party or independent sales organization (ISO) business model in which we process credit and debit card transactions on behalf of merchants. We enter into a tri-party merchant agreement, between the Company, ISO and each merchant. The Company’s performance obligation is clearing and settling credit and debit transactions on behalf of the merchants. The Company recognizes revenue monthly once it summarizes and computes all revenue and expenses applicable to each ISO, which is our performance obligation.
ACH income – We provide ACH services for merchants and other commercial customers. Contracts are entered into with third parties that require ACH transactions processed on behalf of their customers. Fees are variable and based on the volume of transactions within a given month. Our performance obligations are processing and settling ACHs on behalf of the customers. Our obligation is satisfied within each business day when the transactions (ACH files) are sent to the Federal Reserve Bank for clearing. Revenue is recognized based on the total volume of transactions processed that month for a given customer.
Administrative service income – Administrative service income is derived primarily from the management of qualified settlement funds (QSFs), which are funds from settled mass torts and class action lawsuits. Our performance obligations with the QSFs are outlined in court approved orders which includes ensuring funds are invested into safe investment vehicles such as U.S. treasuries and FDIC insured products. Our fees for placing these funds in appropriate vehicles are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation.

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Other – The other category includes revenue from service charges on deposit accounts, debit card fees, and certain loan related fees where revenue is recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.

NOTE 5 — Share-Based Payment Plans

The Company issues incentive and nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards to certain employees and directors pursuant to its equity incentive plans, which have been approved by the stockholders. Share-based awards are granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Under the plans, options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant. Options granted vest over three or five years and have ten year contractual terms. All options provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control (as defined in the plans). Restricted shares are granted at the fair value on the date of grant and typically vest over 6 years with a third vesting after years four, five, and six. Restricted shares have the same voting rights as common stock and nonvested restricted shareholders do not have rights to the accrued dividends until vested.

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

There were no stock options granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to options as of June 30, 2022:

    

    

    

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Remaining

Exercise

Contractual

    

Options

    

Price

    

Life (Years)

June 30, 2022

 

  

 

  

 

  

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

649,600

$

16.66

 

  

Granted

 

 

 

  

Exercised

 

(7,166)

 

23.96

 

  

Forfeited

 

(10,768)

 

23.56

 

  

Expired

 

 

 

  

Outstanding at period end

 

631,666

$

16.46

 

5.03

Vested or expected to vest

 

631,666

$

16.46

 

5.03

Exercisable at period end

 

525,198

$

14.30

 

4.21

The Company recognized compensation expense related to options of $112 thousand and $130 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to options of $236 thousand and $264 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At June 30, 2022, unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested options was approximately $940 thousand and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.11 years. The intrinsic value for outstanding options and for options vested or expected to vest was $10.6 million and $10.0 million for exercisable options at June 30, 2022.

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Information related to stock option exercises during each period is as follows:

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

(In thousands)

Intrinsic value of options exercised

$

80

$

10

$

80

$

871

Cash received from option exercises

171

11

171

21

Excess tax benefit from option exercises

2

166

The following table presents a summary of the activity related to restricted stock as of June 30, 2022:

    

    

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Shares

Fair Value

June 30, 2022

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

482,750

 

$

24.59

Granted

 

Vested

 

(20,497)

19.25

Forfeited

 

(13,750)

24.31

Outstanding at period end

 

448,503

 

$

24.85

The Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted stock of $468 thousand and $361 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted stock of $905 thousand and $718 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there was $7.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares granted under the plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 4.25 years.

NOTE 6 — Earnings per Share

The factors used in the earnings per share computation follow:

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Basic

Net income

$

6,351

$

4,502

$

11,693

$

8,676

Weighted average shares outstanding

7,628,872

7,449,075

7,624,580

7,437,670

Basic earnings per share

$

0.83

$

0.60

$

1.53

$

1.17

Diluted

Net income

$

6,351

$

4,502

$

11,693

$

8,676

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share

7,628,872

7,449,075

7,624,580

7,437,670

Add: Dilutive effects of share based awards

555,540

436,946

541,387

428,542

Average shares and dilutive potential shares

8,184,412

7,886,021

8,165,967

7,866,212

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.78

$

0.57

$

1.43

$

1.10

Share-based awards totaling 65,050 and 107,849 shares of common stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. Share-based awards totaling 67,100 and 117,849 shares of common stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

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NOTE 7 — Leases

The Company recognizes the present value of its operating lease payments related to its office facilities and retail branch as operating lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. These 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. As these 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 in order to determine present value.

Short-term lease payments, those leases with original terms of 12 months or less, are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income, 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 and does not lease properties from any related parties.

As of June 30, 2022, right of use (“ROU”) lease assets and related lease liabilities were $2.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, ROU lease assets and related lease liabilities were $2.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively. ROU assets are included within Other assets and related lease liabilities are included within Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at June 30, 2022 are as follows:

Operating Lease

Liabilities

(In thousands)

2022

$

313

2023

 

636

2024

 

652

2025

 

668

2026

 

627

Thereafter

 

Total operating lease payments

$

2,896

Less: interest

193

Present value of operating lease liabilities

$

2,703

As of June 30, 

2022

2021

Weighted-average remaining lease term

4.42

years

5.35

years

Weighted-average discount rate

3.08

%

3.07

%

The components of total lease cost are as follows:

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

    

June 30,

2022

2021

2022

2021

(In thousands)

Operating lease cost

$

142

$

142

$

283

$

284

Short-term lease cost

13

13

Total lease cost

$

142

$

155

$

283

$

297

Cash paid for operating leases

$

164

$

173

$

327

$

332

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NOTE 8 — Fair Value Measurements

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 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

For available-for-sale securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2).

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

Fair Value Measurements Using

Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets For
Identical Assets

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

(In thousands)

June 30, 2022

Assets

Available-for-sale securities

Mortgage-backed securities – agency

$

$

102,973

$

CMOs – agency

19,691

Total

$

$

122,664

$

December 31, 2021

Assets

Available-for-sale securities

Mortgage-backed securities – agency

$

$

120,881

$

CMOs – agency

27,503

Total

$

$

148,384

$

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

There were no assets at fair value measured on a nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2022. The legacy NFL consumer loan portfolio was measured on a nonrecurring basis and assigned a Level 3 fair value of $14.1 million at December 31, 2021.

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The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values (represents exit price) of financial instruments not carried at fair value at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

Fair Value Measurement at June 30, 2022, Using:

Carrying

    

Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

(In thousands)

Financial Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

155,196

$

1,539

$

153,657

$

$

155,196

Securities purchased under agreements to resell, at cost

49,031

49,031

49,031

Securities, held-to-maturity

76,282

71,636

71,636

Securities, restricted, at cost

2,810

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Loans held for investment, net

849,059

842,213

842,213

Accrued interest receivable

4,694

231

4,277

4,508

Financial Liabilities:

Time deposits

18,981

18,889

18,889

Demand and other deposits

1,136,509

1,136,509

1,136,509

Secured borrowings

47

47

47

Accrued interest payable

Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2021, Using:

Carrying

    

Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

(In thousands)

Financial Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

149,156

$

2,202

$

146,954

$

$

149,156

Securities purchased under agreements to resell, at cost

50,271

50,271

50,271

Securities, restricted, at cost

2,680

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Loans held for investment, net

775,441

774,114

774,114

Accrued interest receivable

4,197

252

3,945

4,197

Financial Liabilities:

Time deposits

19,312

19,330

19,330

Demand and other deposits

1,009,097

1,009,097

1,009,097

Secured borrowings

48

48

48

Accrued interest payable

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NOTE 9 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The following presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component, net of tax, for the three and six months ending June 30, 2022 and 2021:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

(In thousands)

Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities

Beginning balance

$

(7,044)

$

(77)

$

(850)

$

1,408

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax

(4,233)

400

(10,427)

(1,085)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income

(4,233)

400

(10,427)

(1,085)

Ending balance

$

(11,277)

$

323

$

(11,277)

$

323

There were no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

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

General

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2021 and the notes thereto appearing in Part I, Item 1, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “attribute,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “goal,” “target,” “outlook,” “aim,” “would,” “annualized” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;
statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. We are under no duty to and do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

our ability to manage our operations under the current economic conditions nationally and in our market area;
adverse changes in the financial industry, securities, credit and national local real estate markets (including real estate values);
risks related to a high concentration of loans secured by real estate located in our market area;
the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operation;
risks related to a high concentration of loans and deposits dependent upon the legal and “litigation” market;
the impact of any potential strategic transactions;
our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

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significant increases in our loan losses, including as a result of our inability to resolve classified and nonperforming assets or reduce risks associated with our loans, and management’s assumptions in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;
interest rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability;
external economic and/or market factors, such as changes in monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”), inflation or deflation, changes in the demand for loans, and fluctuations in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits, which may have an adverse impact on our financial condition;
continued or increasing competition from other financial institutions, credit unions, and non-bank financial services companies, many of which are subject to different regulations than we are;
credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs and in our allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses;
our success in increasing our legal and “litigation” market lending;
our ability to attract and maintain deposits and our success in introducing new financial products;
losses suffered by merchants or Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) with whom we do business;
our ability to effectively manage risks related to our payment processing business;
our ability to leverage the professional and personal relationships of our board members and advisory board members;
changes in interest rates generally, including changes in the relative differences between short-term and long-term interest rates and in deposit interest rates, that may affect our net interest margin and funding sources;
fluctuations in the demand for loans;
technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected;
changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
declines in the yield on our assets resulting from a low interest rate environment;
declines in our payment processing income as a result of reduced demand, competition and changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including the Dodd-Frank Act and the JOBS Act, which could result in, among other things, increased deposit insurance premiums and assessments, capital requirements, regulatory fees and compliance costs, particularly the new capital regulations, and the resources we have available to address such changes;
changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
loan delinquencies and changes in the underlying cash flows of our borrowers;

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the impairment of our investment securities;
our ability to control costs and expenses, particularly those associated with operating as a publicly traded company;
the failure or security breaches of computer systems on which we depend;
political instability;
acts of war, terrorism, natural disasters or global market disruptions, including global pandemics;
competition and innovation with respect to financial products and services by banks, financial institutions and non-traditional providers, including retail businesses and technology companies;
changes in our organization and management and our ability to retain or expand our management team and our board of directors, as necessary;
the costs and effects of legal, compliance and regulatory actions, changes and developments, including the initiation and resolution of legal proceedings, regulatory or other governmental inquiries or investigations, and/or the results of regulatory examinations and reviews;
the ability of key third-party service providers to perform their obligations to us; and
other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and operational factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A summary of our accounting policies is described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report. Critical accounting estimates are necessary in the application of certain accounting policies and procedures and are particularly susceptible to significant change. Critical accounting policies are defined as those involving significant judgments and assumptions by management that could have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes that the most critical accounting policies, which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, are as follows:

Allowance for Loan Losses.  Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given the inherent subjectivity and uncertainty in estimating the levels of the allowance required to cover loan losses in the portfolio and the material effect that such judgements can have on the results of operations.

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Emerging Growth Company.  Pursuant to the JOBS Act, an emerging growth company is provided the option to adopt new or revised accounting standards that may be issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or the SEC either (i) within the same periods as those otherwise applicable to non-emerging growth companies or (ii) within the same time periods as private companies. We have irrevocably elected to adopt new accounting standards within the public company adoption period.

We have taken advantage of some of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that are available to it so long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation, and exemptions from the requirements of holding non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation and golden parachute payments.

A company loses emerging growth company status on the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year of the company during which it had total annual gross revenues of  $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year of the issuer following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; (iii) the date on which such company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which such company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations (generally, at least $700 million of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates).

The Company will lose its emerging growth company status on December 31, 2022 since that would be the last day of the fiscal year of the Company following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of the common equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.

Overview

We are a financial holding company headquartered in Jericho, New York and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Through our wholly owned bank subsidiary, Esquire Bank, National Association (“Esquire Bank” or the “Bank”), we are a full service commercial bank dedicated to serving the financial needs of the litigation industry and small businesses nationally, as well as commercial and retail customers in the New York metropolitan market. We offer tailored financial and payment processing solutions to the litigation community and their clients as well as dynamic and flexible payment processing solutions to small business owners, both on a national basis. We also offer traditional banking products for businesses and consumers in our local market area.

Our results of operations depend primarily on our net interest income which is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. Our results of operations also are affected by our provision for loan losses, noninterest income and noninterest expense. Noninterest income currently consists primarily of payment processing fees and customer related fees and charges. Noninterest expense currently consists primarily of employee compensation and benefits and professional and consulting services. Our results of operations also may be affected significantly by general and local economic and competitive conditions, changes in market interest rates, governmental policies, the litigation market and actions of regulatory authorities.

The Company’s foundation for success has been our nationwide branchless litigation and payment processing verticals supported by our forward-thinking senior managers, outstanding client service teams, and inclusive corporate culture. The future of our success will be the ability to continue developing and embracing cutting-edge technology to significantly leverage these verticals, differentiating us from other technology enabled financial firms and creating the catalyst for industry leading growth and returns.

Litigation Market Commercial Banking. The litigation market has been and will continue to be a significant growth opportunity for our Company as we offer focused and tailored products and services to law firms nationally. U.S. tort actions alone are estimated to consume 1.5%-2.0% of U.S. GDP annually(1) or $429 billion(2) (the total addressable market or “TAM”). We do not compete directly with non-bank finance companies, the primary funders in this market, and believe there are various and significant barriers to entry including, but not limited to, our clear industry track record for

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15 years, extensive in-house experience, deep relationships with respected firms nationally, and unique products tailored to commercial law firms’ needs and wants.

We currently have clients in 27 states and our larger markets include the New York metro area, California, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida. Our success is tied to our unique ability to couple traditional commercial underwriting with non-traditional asset-based underwriting. Our team understands law firms’ contingent case inventory valuation process (as well as traditional hourly billing firms). Typically, these inventories of claims for injured consumers have a duration of 2-3 years, significantly longer than traditional accounts receivables or inventories of goods that can have a duration of 30-60 days or 120 days, respectively. These factors (the unique industry, contingent collateral, longer durations of the law firms’ inventories, atypical revenue streams of the law firms and more) coupled with the TAM create a unique and valuable opportunity for the Company with minimal incumbent competition. This unique risk profile translates into a blended 7.6% variable rate asset yield on these commercial loans for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. More importantly, for every $1.00 we advance on these loans we receive on average $1.91 of low-cost (our cost of funds for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 is 10 basis points) core operating and escrow deposits through our branchless platform, fueling and funding additional growth in our other asset classes. Our extremely low historic delinquency rates and low charge-off rates clearly demonstrate our strong underwriting process and expertise in this vertical. Coupling this with our off-balance sheet commercial litigation funds of $496.8 million at June 30, 2022, this vertical represents a highly desirable core low-cost funding platform for the entire company fueling growth in other lending areas.

Payment Processing. The payment processing (merchant acquiring) market has also been and will continue to be a significant growth opportunity for our company, as we offer focused and tailored products and services to small businesses nationally. The payment industry grew 9.7% from 2019 to 2021 with payment volumes or TAM of $9.5 trillion(3). Couple this with the fact that there are less than 85 acquiring financial institutions in the U.S. and this vertical clearly represents a significant growth opportunity for our company. We believe there are various and significant barriers to entry to this market including, but not limited to, our clear industry track record for 10 years, extensive in-house experience, deep relationships with non-bank acquirers, and our unique approach to servicing these small business merchants and their respective verticals. We use proprietary and industry leading technology to ensure card brand and regulatory compliance, support multiple processing platforms, manage daily risk across approximately 72,000 small business merchants in all 50 states, and perform commercial treasury clearing services for approximately $7.1 billion in processing volume across 136.1 million transactions in the most recent quarter.

Proprietary Technology. We are a branchless digital first company with best-in-class technology to fuel future growth with industry leading client retention rates. We have built a customized and fully integrated customer relationship management (“CRM”) platform, integrated into our digital marketing cloud and our nCino loan platform (all built on Salesforce for excellence in client service and operational efficiency) and have begun to invest in artificial intelligence (“AI”) to facilitate precision marketing and client acquisition across both national verticals.

The success of our nationwide branchless technology enabled litigation and payment processing verticals has led to industry leading performance. Our branchless commercial banking loans and deposits have compound annual growth rates of 23% since 2015, a net interest margin of 4.46% for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, and drives a company wide efficiency ratio of 52.3% for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. Our payment processing vertical has a compound annual growth rate of 58% since 2017 and diversifies our product offerings with stable fee income comprising 31% of revenues.  The integration of these competencies and businesses has provided a sustainable average return on assets and tangible common equity of 2.00% and 17.81%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

(1) Towers Watson U.S. Tort Trends

(2) U.S. Chamber of Commerce IRL Costs and Compensation of U.S. Tort System

(3) The Strawhecker Group

COVID-19 Pandemic Programs

We elected to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program administered by the SBA with the intention to provide our customer base access to this critical program. The PPP provides borrower guarantees for lenders, as well as loan forgiveness incentives for borrowers that utilize the loan proceeds to cover employee compensation-related costs and

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other qualifying business costs. As of March 31, 2022, we had been fully repaid on our PPP loan portfolio cumulatively totaling $45.5 million, which concluded our participation in the program.

In 2020, management implemented a customer payment deferral program (principal and interest) under the CARES Act to assist business borrowers and certain consumers that may have been experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 related challenges. As of June 30, 2022, there were no participants in our payment deferral program, which is now closed.

Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021

Assets.  Our total assets were $1.3 billion at June 30, 2022, an increase of $130.9 million, or 11.1%, from $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021, due to growth in our securities portfolio funded with low cost deposits where securities held-to-maturity increased $76.3 million, and increases in loans held for investment of $74.8 million, or 9.5%, offset by net paydowns and unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale of $25.7 million, or 17.3%.

Loans. The following table provides information regarding the composition of our loans held for investment portfolio at the dates indicated:

At June 30, 

At December 31, 

2022

2021

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Real estate:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Multifamily

$

259,579

 

30.2

%

$

254,852

 

32.5

%

Commercial real estate

 

80,488

 

9.3

 

48,589

 

6.1

1 – 4 family

33,565

 

3.9

40,753

 

5.2

Total real estate

 

373,632

 

43.4

 

344,194

 

43.8

Commercial

 

478,149

 

55.6

 

427,859

 

54.6

PPP

4,249

0.5

Consumer

 

8,327

 

1.0

 

8,681

 

1.1

Total loans held for investment

$

860,108

 

100.0

%  

$

784,983

 

100.0

%  

Deferred loan fees and unearned premiums, net

 

(778)

 

  

 

(466)

 

  

Allowance for loan losses

 

(10,271)

 

  

 

(9,076)

 

  

Loans, held for investment

$

849,059

 

  

$

775,441

 

  

Loans held for sale, net (included in Other assets)

$

 

  

$

14,100

 

  

At June 30, 2022, loans were $859.3 million, or 74.4% of total deposits, compared to $784.5 million, or 76.3% of total deposits, at December 31, 2021. The growth in loans was primarily driven by net production in commercial and commercial real estate loans. Commercial loans increased $50.3 million, or 11.8%, to $478.1 million at June 30, 2022 from $427.9 million at December 31, 2021, driven by both our litigation related loans and other commercial relationships. Commercial real estate loans increased $31.9 million, or 65.7%, to $80.5 million at June 30, 2022 from $48.6 million at December 31, 2021.

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The following table sets forth the composition of our Litigation-Related loans held for investment portfolio by type of loan at the dates indicated:

June 30, 2022

December 31, 2021

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Litigation-Related Loans

Commercial Litigation-Related:

Working capital lines of credit

$

195,224

49.1

%

$

210,148

54.4

%

Case cost lines of credit

134,974

34.0

127,859

33.1

Term loans

64,654

16.3

45,415

11.8

Total Commercial Litigation-Related

394,852

99.4

383,422

99.3

Consumer Litigation-Related:

Post-settlement consumer loans

2,366

0.6

2,451

0.7

Structured settlement loans

75

0.0

116

0.0

Total Consumer Litigation-Related

2,441

0.6

2,567

0.7

Total Litigation-Related Loans

$

397,293

100.0

%

$

385,989

100.0

%

At June 30, 2022, our Litigation-Related loans, which include commercial loans to law firms and consumer lending to plaintiffs/claimants and attorneys, totaled $397.3 million, or 46.2% of our total loan portfolio, compared to $386.0 million, or 49.2% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2021. We remain focused on prudently growing our Litigation-Related loan portfolio.

Securities. Securities available-for-sale decreased $25.7 million, or 17.3%, to $122.7 million at June 30, 2022 from $148.4 million at December 31, 2021, driven by unrealized losses of $14.4 million and paydowns of $12.9 million, offset by purchases of $1.7 million. Commencing in the first quarter of 2022, we invested a portion of our excess liquidity in held-to-maturity securities, totaling $76.3 million at June 30, 2022.

Funding. Total deposits increased $127.1 million, or 12.4%, to $1.2 billion at June 30, 2022 from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2021. We continue to focus on the acquisition and expansion of core deposit relationships, which we define as all deposits except certificates of deposit. Core deposits totaled $1.1 billion at June 30, 2022, or 98.4% of total deposits at that date, compared to $1.0 billion or 98.1% of total deposits at December 31, 2021. Of which, litigation and payment processing deposits represent 64% and 15%, respectively, of total deposits. Demand deposits (noninterest bearing) increased $103.8 million, or 25.4%, to $513.1 million, representing 44.4% of total deposits.

In addition to our core deposits as a source of funding, the Company continues to prudently manage its balance sheet through deposit sweep programs, maintaining off-balance sheet funds totaling $496.8 million at June 30, 2022.

At June 30, 2022, we had the ability to borrow a total of $157.1 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. We also had an available line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discount window of $39.6 million. At June 30, 2022, we also had $67.5 million in aggregate unsecured lines of credit with unaffiliated correspondent banks. No amounts were outstanding on any of the aforementioned lines of credit at June 30, 2022.

Equity. Total stockholders’ equity increased $1.8 million to $145.5 million at June 30, 2022, from $143.7 million at December 31, 2021, primarily due to net income of $11.7 million and amortization of share based compensation of $1.1 million, partially offset by other comprehensive losses of $10.4 million due to the decline in fair value of available-for-sale securities reflective of the recent increases in short-term market interest rates and a common stock dividend of $727 thousand.

Asset Quality. Nonperforming assets, totaling $4 thousand, consisted of two nonaccrual consumer loans as of June 30, 2022. As of June 30, 2022, the allowance for loan losses was $10.3 million, or 1.20% of total loans, as compared to $9.1 million, or 1.16% of total loans at December 31, 2021. The increase in the allowance as a percentage of loans was related to qualitative factors due to the current economic and inflationary environment. At June 30, 2022, special mention

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and substandard loans totaled $22.5 million and $721 thousand, respectively. At December 31, 2021, special mention and substandard loans totaled $24.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

Average Balance Sheets and Rate/Volume Analysis

The following tables present average balance sheet information, interest income, interest expense and the corresponding average yields earned and rates paid for periods indicated. The average balances are daily averages and, for loans, include both performing and nonperforming balances. Interest income on loans includes the effects of net premium amortization and net deferred loan origination fees accounted for as yield adjustments. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments were made, as we have no tax exempt investments.

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 

 

2022

2021

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Average

    

Average

Average

    

Average

 

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Yield/Cost

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Yield/Cost

 

INTEREST EARNING ASSETS

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans, held for investment

$

841,336

$

12,423

 

5.92

%  

$

700,349

$

10,120

 

5.80

%

Securities, includes restricted stock

 

208,091

 

1,033

 

1.99

%  

 

134,828

 

538

 

1.60

%

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

48,536

 

190

 

1.57

%  

 

51,142

 

160

 

1.25

%

Interest earning cash and other

 

132,487

 

309

 

0.94

%  

 

65,947

 

42

 

0.26

%

Total interest earning assets

 

1,230,450

 

13,955

 

4.55

%  

 

952,266

 

10,860

 

4.57

%

NONINTEREST EARNING ASSETS

 

45,672

 

  

 

  

 

31,519

 

  

 

  

TOTAL AVERAGE ASSETS

$

1,276,122

 

$

983,785

 

INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Savings, NOW, Money Market deposits

$

608,817

$

255

 

0.17

%  

$

416,389

$

173

 

0.17

%

Time deposits

 

19,178

 

26

 

0.54

%  

 

10,980

 

19

 

0.69

%

Total interest bearing deposits

 

627,995

 

281

 

0.18

%  

 

427,369

 

192

 

0.18

%

Borrowings

 

103

 

1

 

3.89

%  

 

104

 

1

 

3.86

%

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

628,098

 

282

 

0.18

%  

427,473

 

193

 

0.18

%

NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Demand deposits

 

493,997

 

  

 

  

 

414,216

 

  

 

  

Other liabilities

 

11,021

 

  

 

  

 

10,826

 

  

 

  

Total noninterest bearing liabilities

 

505,018

 

  

 

  

 

425,042

 

  

 

  

Stockholders' equity

 

143,006

 

  

 

  

 

131,270

 

  

 

  

TOTAL AVG. LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

1,276,122

 

  

 

  

$

983,785

 

  

 

  

Net interest income

 

  

$

13,673

 

 

  

$

10,667

 

Net interest spread

4.37

%  

4.39

%

Net interest margin

 

  

 

  

 

4.46

%  

 

  

 

  

 

4.49

%

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For the Six Months Ended June 30, 

 

2022

2021

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Average

    

Average

Average

    

Average

 

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Yield/Cost

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Yield/Cost

 

INTEREST EARNING ASSETS

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans, held for investment

$

809,130

$

23,443

 

5.84

%  

$

689,003

$

19,699

 

5.77

%

Securities, includes restricted stock

 

194,782

 

1,849

 

1.91

%  

 

127,370

 

1,005

 

1.59

%

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

49,071

 

322

 

1.32

%  

 

51,293

 

320

 

1.26

%

Interest earning cash and other

 

102,637

 

366

 

0.72

%  

 

61,640

 

83

 

0.27

%

Total interest earning assets

 

1,155,620

 

25,980

 

4.53

%  

 

929,306

 

21,107

 

4.58

%

NONINTEREST EARNING ASSETS

 

48,216

 

  

 

  

 

31,182

 

  

 

  

TOTAL AVERAGE ASSETS

$

1,203,836

 

$

960,488

 

INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Savings, NOW, Money Market deposits

$

549,361

$

473

 

0.17

%  

$

409,620

$

347

 

0.17

%

Time deposits

 

19,210

 

45

 

0.47

%  

 

11,084

 

39

 

0.71

%

Total interest bearing deposits

 

568,571

 

518

 

0.18

%  

 

420,704

 

386

 

0.19

%

Borrowings

 

76

 

2

 

5.31

%  

 

77

 

2

 

5.24

%

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

568,647

 

520

 

0.18

%  

420,781

 

388

 

0.19

%

NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Demand deposits

 

482,034

 

  

 

  

 

400,597

 

  

 

  

Other liabilities

 

9,725

 

  

 

  

 

9,807

 

  

 

  

Total noninterest bearing liabilities

 

491,759

 

  

 

  

 

410,404

 

  

 

  

Stockholders' equity

 

143,430

 

  

 

  

 

129,303

 

  

 

  

TOTAL AVG. LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

1,203,836

 

  

 

  

$

960,488

 

  

 

  

Net interest income

 

  

$

25,460

 

 

  

$

20,719

 

Net interest spread

4.36

%  

4.39

%

Net interest margin

 

  

 

  

 

4.44

%  

 

  

 

  

 

4.50

%

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Table of Contents

The following table presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities for the periods indicated. The table distinguishes between: (1) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by the prior period’s rate); (2) changes attributable to rate (change in rate multiplied by the prior year’s volume); and (3) total increase (decrease) (the sum of the previous columns). Changes attributable to both volume and rate are allocated ratably between the volume and rate categories.

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

2022 vs. 2021

2022 vs. 2021

    

Increase

    

Total

    

Increase

    

Total

(Decrease) due to

Increase

 (Decrease) due to

Increase

Volume

Rate

(Decrease)

Volume

    

Rate

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

Interest earned on:

 

  

Loans held for investment

$

2,077

$

226

$

2,303

$

3,477

$

267

$

3,744

Securities, includes restricted stock

 

342

 

153

 

495

 

610

 

234

 

844

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

(8)

 

38

 

30

 

(14)

 

16

 

2

Interest earning cash and other

 

73

 

194

 

267

 

81

 

202

 

283

Total interest income

 

2,484

 

611

 

3,095

 

4,154

 

719

 

4,873

Interest paid on:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Savings, NOW, Money Market deposits

 

81

 

1

 

82

 

120

 

6

 

126

Time deposits

 

12

 

(5)

 

7

 

22

 

(16)

 

6

Total deposits

 

93

 

(4)

 

89

 

142

 

(10)

 

132

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest expense

 

93

 

(4)

 

89

 

142

 

(10)

 

132

Change in net interest income

$

2,391

$

615

$

3,006

$

4,012

$

729

$

4,741

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

General.  Net income increased $1.8 million, or 41.1%, to $6.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase resulted from a $3.0 million increase in net interest income and an increase in noninterest income of $742 thousand, partially offset by an increase of $1.3 million in noninterest expense.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income increased $3.0 million, or 28.2%, to $13.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $10.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, due to a $3.1 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $89 thousand increase in interest expense.

Our net interest margin decreased 3 basis points, due to elevated levels of average interest earning cash to manage customer settlement activity, to 4.46% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 4.49% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Interest Income.  Interest income increased $3.1 million, or 28.5%, to $14.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and was attributable to an increase in loan interest income, securities interest income, interest earning cash and other, and reverse repurchase interest income.

Loan interest income increased $2.3 million, or 22.8%, to $12.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was attributable to a $141.0 million, or 20.1%, increase in the average loan balance primarily from our litigation-related and multifamily portfolios and a 12 basis point increase in loan yields.

Securities interest income increased $495 thousand, or 92.0%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $538 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to the

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Table of Contents

investment of excess liquidity in the first quarter of 2022 into held-to-maturity agency securities totaling $76.3 million at June 30, 2022, driving a $73.3 million, or 54.3%, increase in these higher yielding average securities balances, driving a 39 basis point increase in yields.

Interest earning cash and other interest income increased $267 thousand, or 635.7%, to $309 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $42 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021, attributable to a $66.6 million, or 101% increase, in average interest earning cash balances as well as increases in short-term interest rates.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell income increased $30 thousand, or 18.8%, to $190 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $160 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021, attributable to increases in short-term interest rates.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense increased $89 thousand, or 46.1%, to $282 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $193 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021, primarily attributable to a $200.6 million, or 46.9%, increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits, driven by our litigation depository relationships. The blended interest rate we paid on interest bearing deposits remained at 18 basis points for both the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

Provision for Loan Losses.  Our provision for loan losses was $850 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022, consistent with the same period in 2021. The allowance for loan losses to loans ratio was 1.20% as compared to 1.98%  in the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the charge-off of $9.0 million upon reclassification of the legacy NFL consumer post settlement loan portfolio which was subsequently sold to a fund in the second quarter of 2022.

Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income information is as follows:

For the Three Months Ended

June 30, 

Change

    

2022

    

2021

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Payment processing fees

Payment processing income

$

5,300

$

5,151

$

149

2.9

%

ACH income

213

200

13

6.5

Customer related fees and service charges

Administrative service income

617

10

607

6,070.0

Other

81

106

(25)

(23.6)

Loss on loans held for sale

(2)

(2)

NA

Total noninterest income

$

6,209

$

5,467

$

742

13.6

%

Payment processing income in the second quarter of 2022 increased $162 thousand to $5.5 million, as compared to the same period in 2021. Payment processing fees in 2021 totaling $5.4 million included $500 thousand in early termination fees on ISO contracts. Excluding these early termination fees, payment processing fees increased $662 thousand, or 13.6%, from the second quarter of 2021. Payment processing volumes and transactions for the credit and debit card processing platform increased $915.9 million, or 14.7%, to $7.1 billion and 21.4 million, or 18.6%, to 136.1 million transactions, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. These increases were driven by expansion of our sales channels through ISOs, increased number of merchants, volume increases, the reopening of the economy post pandemic and were facilitated by our focus on technology and other resources in the payments vertical. Customer related fees and service charges increased due to the movement in short-term interest rates and its impact on administrative service income on off-balance sheet funds. Off-balance sheet sweep funds totaled $496.8 million at June 30, 2022, demonstrating the continued strength of our branchless core business model.

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Table of Contents

Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense information is as follows:

For the Three Months Ended

June 30, 

Change

    

2022

    

2021

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Noninterest expense

Employee compensation and benefits

$

6,299

$

5,669

$

630

11.1

%

Occupancy and equipment

749

709

40

5.6

Professional and consulting services

847

804

43

5.3

FDIC and regulatory assessments

136

111

25

22.5

Advertising and marketing

404

315

89

28.3

Travel and business relations

134

69

65

94.2

Data processing

1,052

907

145

16.0

Other operating expenses

770

533

237

44.5

Total noninterest expense

$

10,391

$

9,117

$

1,274

14.0

%

Employee compensation and benefits costs increased due to increases in staff and officer level employees to support our growth, investment in digital platforms and related sales/marketing divisions, and the impact of salary, bonus and stock-based compensation increases. Due to the effects of inflation on the overall economy and consumer prices, we proactively increased our employees’ base salary at year-end in excess of industry and national averages to support employee retention. Hiring related costs, a component of other operating expenses, increased as we continue to invest in staffing to support our growth. Data processing costs increased due to increased processing volume, primarily driven by our core banking platform, and additional costs related to our technology implementations. Advertising and marketing costs increased as we continued to grow our digital marketing platform and expand our thought leadership in our national verticals. Travel and business relations costs increased as we re-engaged in our traditional high touch marketing and sales efforts to complement our digital marketing efforts.

Income Tax Expense.  We recorded an income tax expense of $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, reflecting an effective tax rate of 26.5%, compared to $1.7 million, or 27.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

General.  Net income increased $3.0 million, or 34.8%, to $11.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase resulted from a $4.7 million increase in net interest income, a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $1.2 million and an increase of $779 thousand in noninterest income, partially offset by an increase of $2.5 million in noninterest expense.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income increased $4.7 million, or 22.9%, to $25.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $20.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, due to a $4.9 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $132 thousand increase in interest expense.

Our net interest margin decreased 6 basis points, due to elevated levels of average interest earning cash in the second quarter 2022 to manage customer settlement activity, to 4.44% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 4.50% for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Interest Income.  Interest income increased $4.9 million, or 23.1%, to $26.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $21.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and was attributable to an increase in loan interest income, securities interest income, interest earning cash and other, and reverse repurchase interest income.

Loan interest income increased $3.7 million, or 19.0%, to $23.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $19.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was attributable to a $120.1 million, or 17.4%,

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Table of Contents

increase in the average loan balance primarily from our litigation-related and multifamily portfolios and a 7 basis point increase in loan yields.

Securities interest income increased $844 thousand, or 84.0%, to $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to the investment of excess liquidity into held-to-maturity agency securities totaling $76.3 million at June 30, 2022, driving a $67.4 million, or 52.9%, increase in these higher yielding average securities balances driving a 32 basis point increase in yields.

Interest earning cash and other interest income increased $283 thousand, or 341.0%, to $366 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $83 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2021, attributable to a $41.0 million, or 67% increase, in average interest earning cash balances as well as increases in short-term interest rates.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell income increased $2 thousand to $322 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $320 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense increased $132 thousand, or 34.0%, to $520 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $388 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily attributable to a $147.9 million, or 35.1%, increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits, driven by our litigation depository relationships. The blended interest rate we paid on interest bearing deposits decreased slightly from 19 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to 18 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Provision for Loan Losses.  Our provision for loan losses was $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease in the provision relates to a reduced pandemic related uncertainty and the sale of our legacy NFL consumer loan portfolio to a fund in the second quarter of 2022.

Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income information is as follows:

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 

Change

    

2022

    

2021

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Payment processing fees

Payment processing income

$

10,401

$

10,318

$

83

0.8

%

ACH income

428

403

25

6.2

Customer related fees, service charges and other

Administrative service income

626

28

598

2,135.7

Other

168

183

(15)

(8.2)

Gain on loans held for sale

88

88

NA

Total noninterest income

$

11,711

$

10,932

$

779

7.1

%

Payment processing income for the six months ended 2022 increased $108 thousand to $10.8 million, as compared to the same period in 2021. Payment processing fees in 2021 totaling $10.7 million included $500 thousand in early termination fees on ISO contracts. Excluding these early termination fees, payment processing fees increased $608 thousand, or 5.9%, as compared to the six months ended 2021. Payment processing volumes and transactions for the credit and debit card processing platform increased $2.2 billion, or 19.4%, to $13.3 billion and 44.5 million, or 21.3%, to 253.9 million transactions, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. These increases were driven by expansion of our sales channels through ISOs, increased number of merchants, volume increases, the reopening of the economy post pandemic and were facilitated by our focus on technology and other resources in the payments vertical. Customer related fees and service charges increased due to the impact of increasing short-term interest rates and its impact on administrative service income on off-balance sheet funds. Off-balance sheet sweep funds totaled $496.8 million at June 30, 2022, demonstrating the continued strength of our branchless core business model.

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Table of Contents

Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense information is as follows:

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 

Change

    

2022

    

2021

    

Amount

    

Percent

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Noninterest expense

Employee compensation and benefits

$

12,433

$

10,666

$

1,767

16.6

%

Occupancy and equipment

1,500

1,408

92

6.5

Professional and consulting services

1,458

1,579

(121)

(7.7)

FDIC and regulatory assessments

259

208

51

24.5

Advertising and marketing

629

647

(18)

(2.8)

Travel and business relations

224

108

116

107.4

Data processing

2,060

1,757

303

17.2

Other operating expenses

1,209

932

277

29.7

Total noninterest expense

$

19,772

$

17,305

$

2,467

14.3

%

Employee compensation and benefits costs increased due to increases in staff and officer level employees to support our growth, investment in digital platforms and related sales/marketing divisions, and the impact of salary, bonus and stock-based compensation increases. Due to the effects of inflation on the overall economy and consumer prices, we proactively increased our employees’ base salary at year-end in excess of industry and national averages to support employee retention. Professional and consulting service costs decreased, partially offsetting the increase in employee compensation and benefits as previously contracted consultants were hired, primarily in our technology development and digital marketing departments. Data processing costs increased due to increased processing volume, primarily driven by our core banking platform, and additional costs related to our technology implementations. Hiring related costs, a component of other operating expenses, increased as we continue to invest in staffing to support our growth. Travel and business relations costs increased as we re-engaged in our traditional high touch marketing and sales efforts to complement our digital marketing efforts. Occupancy and equipment costs increased primarily due to amortization of our investments in internally developed software to support our new digital platform and additional office space to support our continued growth.

Income Tax Expense.  We recorded an income tax expense of $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, reflecting an effective tax rate of 26.5%, compared to $3.0 million, or 25.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The effective tax rate increase was driven by certain discrete tax benefits related to share-based compensation in the first quarter of 2021.

Management of Market Risk

General.  The principal objective of our asset and liability management function is to evaluate the interest rate risk within the balance sheet and pursue a controlled assumption of interest rate risk while maximizing net income and preserving adequate levels of liquidity and capital. The board of directors of our Bank has oversight of our asset and liability management function, which is managed by our Asset/Liability Management Committee. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to market interest rate changes, local and national market conditions and market interest rates. That group also reviews our liquidity, capital, deposit mix, loan mix and investment positions.

As a financial institution, our primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities, and the fair value of all interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short term to maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential of economic losses due to future interest rate changes. These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

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Table of Contents

We manage our exposure to interest rates primarily by structuring our balance sheet in the ordinary course of business. We do not typically enter into derivative contracts for the purpose of managing interest rate risk, but we may do so in the future. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets.

Net Interest Income Simulation.  We use an interest rate risk simulation model to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and the balance sheet. Instantaneous parallel rate shift scenarios are modeled and utilized to evaluate risk and establish exposure limits for acceptable changes in net interest margin. These scenarios, known as rate shocks, simulate an instantaneous change in interest rates and use various assumptions, including, but not limited to, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment and replacement of asset and liability cash flows.

The following table presents the estimated changes in net interest income of Esquire Bank, National Association, calculated on a bank-only basis, which would result from changes in market interest rates over a twelve-month period.

At June 30, 

2022

Estimated

Changes in

 12-Months

Interest Rates

 Net Interest

(Basis Points)

    

Income

    

Change

(Dollars in thousands)

400

$

87,580

$

24,444

300

81,419

18,283

200

75,283

12,147

100

69,160

6,024

    0

63,136

-100

57,223

(5,913)

-200

52,311

(10,825)

Economic Value of Equity Simulation.  We also analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through an economic value of equity (“EVE”) model. EVE represents the present value of the expected cash flows from our assets less the present value of the expected cash flows arising from our liabilities adjusted for the value of off-balance sheet contracts. EVE attempts to quantify our economic value using a discounted cash flow methodology. We estimate what our EVE would be as of a specific date. We then calculate what EVE would be as of the same date throughout a series of interest rate scenarios representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve. We currently calculate EVE under the assumptions that interest rates increase 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points from current market rates, and under the assumption that interest rates decrease 100 and 200 basis points from current market rates.

The following table presents the estimated changes in EVE of Esquire Bank, National Association, calculated on a bank-only basis that would result from changes in market interest rates at June 30, 2022.

At June 30, 

2022

Changes in

Economic

Interest Rates

Value of

(Basis Points)

    

Equity

    

Change

(Dollars in thousands)

400

$

289,093

$

49,417

300

278,236

38,560

200

266,476

26,800

100

253,862

14,186

    0

239,676

-100

221,543

(18,133)

-200

194,872

(44,804)

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Many assumptions are used to calculate the impact of interest rate fluctuations. Actual results may be significantly different than our projections due to several factors, including the timing and frequency of rate changes, market conditions and the shape of the yield curve. The computations of interest rate risk shown above do not include actions that our management may undertake to manage the risks in response to anticipated changes in interest rates, and actual results may also differ due to any actions taken in response to the changing rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future financial obligations of a short-term nature. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments and maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

We regularly review the need to adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon our assessment of: (1) expected loan demand, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on interest earning deposits and securities, and (4) the objectives of our asset/liability management program. Excess liquid assets are invested generally in interest earning deposits and short- and intermediate-term securities.

Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets are dependent on our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At June 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents totaled $155.2 million.

At June 30, 2022, through pledging of our securities and certain loans, we had the ability to borrow a total of $157.1 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and had an available line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discount window of $39.6 million. At June 30, 2022, we also had $67.5 million in aggregate unsecured lines of credit with unaffiliated correspondent banks. No amounts were outstanding on any of the aforementioned lines of credit at June 30, 2022.

We have no material commitments or demands that are likely to affect our liquidity other than set forth below. In the event loan demand were to increase faster than expected, or any unforeseen demand or commitment were to occur, we could access our borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York or obtain additional funds through brokered certificates of deposit.

Esquire Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. At June 30, 2022, Esquire Bank exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and was considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

We manage our capital to comply with our internal planning targets and regulatory capital standards administered by the OCC. We review capital levels on a monthly basis.

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Table of Contents

The following table presents our capital ratios as of the indicated dates for Esquire Bank.

    

    

For Capital Adequacy

    

 

Purposes

 

Minimum Capital with

Actual

 

“Well Capitalized”

Conservation Buffer

At June 30, 2022

 

Total Risk-based Capital Ratio

 

  

 

  

 

  

Bank

 

10.00

%  

10.50

%  

15.27

%

Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio

 

  

 

  

 

  

Bank

 

8.00

%  

8.50

%  

14.17

%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio

 

  

 

  

 

  

Bank

 

6.50

%  

7.00

%  

14.17

%

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

 

  

 

  

 

  

Bank

 

5.00

%  

4.00

%  

10.53

%

Effective January 1, 2020, the federal banking agencies adopted a rule to establish for institutions with assets of less than $10 billion that meet other specified criteria a “community bank leverage ratio” (the ratio of a bank’s tangible equity capital to average total consolidated assets) of 9% that such institutions may elect to utilize in lieu of the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements noted above. A “qualifying community bank” with capital exceeding 9% will be considered compliant with all applicable regulatory capital and leverage requirements, including the requirement to be “well capitalized”. The CARES Act and implementing rules temporarily reduced the community bank leverage ratio to 8%, to be gradually increased back to 9% by 2022. The CARES Act also provides that, during the same time period, if a qualifying community banking organization falls no more than 1% below the community bank leverage ratio, it will have a two-quarter grace period to satisfy the community bank leverage ratio. For the current period, Esquire Bank has elected to continue to utilize the generally applicable leverage and risk based requirements and not apply the community bank leverage ratio.

Effects of Inflation. The impact of inflation, as it affects banks, differs substantially from the impact on non-financial institutions. Banks have assets which are primarily monetary in nature and which tend to move with inflation. This is especially true for banks with a high percentage of rate sensitive interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. A bank can further reduce the impact of inflation with proper management of its rate sensitivity gap. This gap represents the difference between interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities. The Company attempts to structure its assets and liabilities and manages its gap to protect against substantial changes in interest rate scenarios, in order to minimize the potential effects of inflation.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required by this item is included in Item 2 of this quarterly report under “Management of Market Risk.”

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of June 30, 2022. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

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Table of Contents

During the quarter ended June 30, 2022, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

Periodically, we are involved in claims and lawsuits, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which we hold security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to our business. At June 30, 2022, we are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

The following table presents information with respect to purchases we made of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Period

Total number of shares purchased

Average price paid per share

Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs

Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (1)

April 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022

$

265,694

May 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022

265,694

June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022

265,694

(1)On January 9, 2019, the Company announced a share repurchase program, which authorized the purchase of up to 300,000 shares of common stock. There is no expiration date for the stock repurchase program.

Item 3.        Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.        Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.        Other Information

None.

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Table of Contents

Item 6.         Exhibits

Exhibit

 

Number

    

Description

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (1)

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (2)

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32

Written Statement of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.0

The following materials for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Balance Sheets, (ii) Statements of Income, (iii) Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Financial Statements.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

(1)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-218372) originally filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 with the Commission on May 31, 2017, and all amendments or reports filed thereto.
(2)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 in the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-218372) originally filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 with the Commission on June 22, 2017, and all amendments or reports filed thereto.

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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.

 

ESQUIRE FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

Date: August 12, 2022

/s/ Andrew C. Sagliocca

 

Andrew C. Sagliocca

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: August 12, 2022

/s/ Michael Lacapria

 

Michael Lacapria

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

44