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Hanover Bancorp, Inc. /NY - Quarter Report: 2023 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 

10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission File No. 001-41384

HANOVER BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

New York

81-3324480

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

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

80 East Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, NY 11501

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(516) 548-8500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

Title of each class

Trading symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

HNVR

NASDAQ

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

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.

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

7,184,120 Shares

(Title of Class)

(Outstanding as of July 31, 2023)

Table of Contents

HANOVER BANCORP, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2023

Table of Contents

    

Page

PART I

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2023 (unaudited) and September 30, 2022

3

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

8

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

9

Item 2.

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

32

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

44

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

45

PART II

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

46

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

46

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

46

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

46

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

46

Item 5.

Other Information

46

Item 6.

Exhibits

47

Signatures

48

2

Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

    

June 30, 2023

    

September 30, 2022

 

ASSETS

(unaudited)

Cash and non-interest-bearing deposits due from banks

$

5,410

$

9,934

Interest-bearing deposits due from banks

 

205,656

 

139,559

Federal funds sold

 

467

 

454

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

211,533

 

149,947

Securities:

Held to maturity (fair value of $3,883 and $4,095, respectively)

 

4,180

 

4,414

Available for sale, at fair value

 

11,094

 

12,285

Total securities

15,274

16,699

Loans held for investment

 

1,823,503

 

1,623,531

Allowance for loan losses

 

(15,369)

 

(12,844)

Loans held for investment, net

 

1,808,134

 

1,610,687

Premises and equipment, net

 

16,256

 

14,462

Operating lease assets

10,602

Accrued interest receivable

 

10,189

 

8,546

Prepaid pension

 

3,565

 

3,444

Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"), at cost

 

15,772

 

6,280

Goodwill

 

19,168

 

19,168

Other intangible assets

 

344

 

399

Loan servicing rights

 

4,375

 

4,353

Deferred income taxes

 

1,934

 

2,508

Other assets

 

4,637

 

3,565

TOTAL ASSETS

$

2,121,783

$

1,840,058

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Deposits:

 

  

 

  

Non-interest-bearing demand

$

180,303

$

219,225

Savings, NOW and money market

 

956,831

 

969,808

Time

 

456,505

 

339,073

Total deposits

 

1,593,639

 

1,528,106

Borrowings

 

293,849

 

101,752

Subordinated debentures

 

24,608

 

24,568

Operating lease liabilities

 

11,309

 

Accrued interest payable

 

1,242

 

915

Other liabilities

 

14,330

 

12,133

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

1,938,977

 

1,667,474

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

Preferred stock, Series A (par value $0.01; 15,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 150,000 and none, respectively)

2,963

Common stock (par value $0.01; 17,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 7,184,120 and 7,285,648, respectively)

 

72

 

73

Surplus

 

125,276

 

126,656

Retained earnings

 

55,904

 

46,475

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

(1,409)

 

(620)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

182,806

 

172,584

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

2,121,783

$

1,840,058

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2023

2022

    

2023

    

2022

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Loans

$

25,581

$

15,842

$

71,501

$

47,972

Taxable securities

 

198

 

98

 

608

 

358

Other interest income

 

2,680

 

319

 

3,982

 

486

Total interest income

 

28,459

 

16,259

 

76,091

 

48,816

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

 

9,905

 

579

 

22,461

 

1,290

Time deposits

 

3,214

 

427

 

7,144

 

1,319

Borrowings

 

1,835

 

433

 

3,793

 

1,374

Total interest expense

 

14,954

 

1,439

 

33,398

 

3,983

Net interest income

 

13,505

 

14,820

 

42,693

 

44,833

Provision for loan losses

 

500

 

1,000

 

2,932

 

2,400

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

13,005

 

13,820

 

39,761

 

42,433

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loan servicing and fee income

 

811

 

779

 

2,028

 

2,203

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

70

 

60

 

200

 

169

Gain on sale of loans held-for-sale

 

1,052

 

849

 

2,625

 

3,916

Gain on sale of securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

105

Other income

 

41

 

140

 

288

 

483

Total non-interest income

 

1,974

 

1,828

 

5,141

 

6,876

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Salaries and employee benefits

 

5,405

 

4,843

 

15,301

 

15,400

Occupancy and equipment

 

1,587

 

1,394

 

4,601

 

4,177

Data processing

 

576

 

374

 

1,435

 

1,133

Advertising and promotion

 

200

 

112

 

533

 

298

Acquisition costs

 

 

250

 

 

250

Professional fees

 

781

 

579

 

2,345

 

1,718

Federal deposit insurance premiums

 

357

 

90

 

873

 

260

Other expenses

 

1,660

 

1,088

 

4,316

 

3,116

Total non-interest expense

 

10,566

 

8,730

 

29,404

 

26,352

Income before income tax expense

 

4,413

 

6,918

 

15,498

 

22,957

Income tax expense

 

1,319

 

1,585

 

3,857

 

5,227

NET INCOME

$

3,094

$

5,333

$

11,641

$

17,730

Earnings per share:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

BASIC

$

0.42

$

0.81

$

1.59

$

2.97

DILUTED

$

0.42

$

0.80

$

1.57

$

2.92

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

June 30, 

June 30, 

2023

2022

2023

2022

 

Net income

    

$

3,094

    

$

5,333

$

11,641

    

$

17,730

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

Unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale:

Change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale arising during the period, net of tax of ($163), ($65), ($251) and ($224), respectively

(579)

(241)

(900)

(451)

Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, net of tax of $0, $0, $0 and ($24), respectively

 

 

 

 

(81)

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale

 

(579)

 

(241)

 

(900)

 

(532)

Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges:

Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net of tax of $31, $0, $31 and $0, respectively

111

111

Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(468)

(241)

(789)

(532)

Total comprehensive income, net of tax

$

2,626

$

5,092

$

10,852

$

17,198

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

    

For the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

    

Common

  

    

    

    

    

Accumulated Other 

    

Total

Stock

Preferred

Common 

Retained 

Comprehensive

Stockholders’

(Shares)

Stock

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

Loss, Net

Equity

Beginning balance as of October 1, 2022

 

7,285,648

$

$

73

$

126,656

$

46,475

$

(620)

$

172,584

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

5,338

 

 

5,338

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

(95)

 

(95)

Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)

 

 

 

 

(739)

 

(739)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

439

 

 

 

439

Stock awards granted

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares received related to tax withholding

(262)

 

 

 

(5)

 

 

 

(5)

Preferred stock issued in exchange for common stock

(150,000)

 

2,963

 

(2)

 

(2,961)

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

10,614

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

106

Ending balance as of December 31, 2022

 

7,149,000

$

2,963

$

71

$

124,235

$

51,074

$

(715)

$

177,628

Net income

3,209

3,209

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(226)

(226)

Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)

(738)

(738)

Stock-based compensation

794

794

Stock awards granted, net of forfeitures

39,513

1

(1)

Shares received related to tax withholding

(7,421)

(145)

(145)

Ending balance as of March 31, 2023

7,181,092

$

2,963

$

72

$

124,883

$

53,545

$

(941)

$

180,522

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

3,094

 

 

3,094

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

(468)

 

(468)

Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

(735)

 

 

(735)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

401

 

 

 

401

Stock awards granted

3,500

Shares received related to tax withholding

(472)

 

 

 

(8)

 

 

 

(8)

Ending balance as of June 30, 2023

 

7,184,120

$

2,963

$

72

$

125,276

$

55,904

$

(1,409)

$

182,806

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

    

For the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022

    

Common

    

    

    

    

Accumulated Other 

    

Total

Stock

Preferred

Common 

Retained 

Comprehensive

Stockholders’

(Shares)

  

Stock

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

(Loss) Income, Net

Equity

Beginning balance as of October 1, 2021

 

5,563,426

$

$

56

$

97,246

$

24,971

$

256

$

122,529

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

6,537

 

 

6,537

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

54

 

54

Issuance of common stock in lieu of directors' fees

 

2,384

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

42

Stock-based compensation, net

 

(3,011)

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

217

Ending balance as of December 31, 2021

5,562,799

$

$

56

$

97,505

$

31,508

$

310

$

129,379

Net income

5,860

5,860

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(345)

(345)

Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)

(588)

(588)

Stock-based compensation

462

462

Stock awards granted, net of forfeitures

266,770

2

(2)

Ending balance as of March 31, 2022

5,829,569

$

$

58

$

97,965

$

36,780

$

(35)

$

134,768

Net income

5,333

5,333

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(241)

(241)

Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)

(734)

(734)

Stock-based compensation

564

564

Stock awards granted, net of forfeitures

1,482

Shares received related to tax withholding

(677)

(28)

(28)

Common stock issued in Initial Public Offering ("IPO")

1,466,250

15

27,714

27,729

Ending balance as of June 30, 2022

 

7,296,624

$

$

73

$

126,215

$

41,379

$

(276)

$

167,391

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

7

Table of Contents

HANOVER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

Nine Months Ended June 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

11,641

$

17,730

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

 

 

  

Provision for loan losses

 

2,932

 

2,400

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,297

 

1,243

Change in operating lease assets

1,199

Net gain on sale of securities available-for-sale

 

 

(105)

Stock-based compensation

 

1,634

 

1,243

Net gain on sale of loans held-for-sale

 

(2,625)

 

(3,916)

Net accretion of premiums, discounts and loan fees and costs

 

(772)

 

(2,933)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

55

 

62

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

40

 

41

Loan servicing rights valuation adjustments

 

606

 

354

Deferred tax expense

 

830

 

1,251

(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable

 

(1,643)

 

1,720

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

(1,715)

 

113

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

 

327

 

(679)

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

2,796

 

(1,274)

Change in operating lease liabilities

(1,107)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

15,495

 

17,250

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of securities available-for-sale

 

 

(2,000)

Purchases of restricted securities

 

(90,495)

 

(1,548)

Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale

 

 

2,105

Principal repayments of securities held to maturity

 

231

 

4,097

Principal repayments of securities available-for-sale

 

38

 

321

Redemptions of restricted securities

 

81,003

 

1,404

Proceeds from sales of loans

 

36,038

 

64,851

Net increase in loans

 

(233,477)

 

(227,707)

Purchases of premises and equipment

 

(3,091)

 

(931)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(209,753)

 

(159,408)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase in deposits

65,935

185,753

Proceeds from term FHLB advances

 

100,725

 

20,000

Repayments of term FHLB advances

 

(8,800)

 

(24,000)

Repayments of Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

 

(4,768)

 

(98,794)

Net increase in other short-term borrowings

105,000

250

Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards

 

(158)

 

(28)

Cash dividends paid

 

(2,196)

 

(1,322)

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

27,729

Exercise of stock options

 

106

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

255,844

 

109,588

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

61,586

 

(32,570)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

149,947

 

166,544

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

211,533

$

133,974

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

  

 

  

Interest paid

$

33,071

$

4,662

Income taxes paid

 

3,873

 

5,316

Supplemental non-cash disclosure:

Transfers from portfolio loans to loans held-for-sale

$

33,413

$

60,935

Preferred stock issued in exchange for common stock

2,963

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

1,791

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

8

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Hanover Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), is a New York corporation which is the holding company for Hanover Community Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank, headquartered in Mineola, New York, is a New York State chartered bank. The Bank commenced operations on November 4, 2008 and is a full-service bank providing personal and business lending and deposit services. As a New York State chartered, non-Federal Reserve member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is subject to regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”).

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of June 30, 2023, its consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, its consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, its consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

In addition, the preceding unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the remainder of the fiscal year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.

Risks and Uncertainties

The United States economy is currently experiencing a level of price inflation not experienced since the late 1970's and early 1980's. It is therefore difficult to predict the response of consumers and businesses to this level of inflation, and its impact on the economy. In addition, in order to attempt to control and reduce the level of inflation, the Federal Reserve has embarked on a series of interest rate increases along with quantitative tightening to further constrict economic conditions. It is unclear whether the Federal Reserve’s efforts will be successful, and what impact they may have on the United States’ economy. It is possible that that the combined effects of inflation and increases in market interest rates could cause the economy of the United States to enter a recession, which could negatively impact the businesses of our borrowers and their ability to repay their loans or need credit, which could negatively affect our results of operations.

9

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Accounting Policies

Allowance for Loan Losses – The Company considers the determination of the allowance for loan losses its most critical accounting policy, practice, and use of estimates. The Company uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans. Future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged against income and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loan losses are recognized in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The adequacy of the allowance to cover any inherent loan losses in the portfolio is evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Loans and Loan Interest Income Recognition - Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses. The loan portfolio is segmented into residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction and land development, and consumer loans.

Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income as earned. Net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and accreted/amortized to interest income over the contractual life of loans using the level-yield method, adjusted for actual prepayments.

Loans that are acquired are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of expected principal and interest cash flows to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market interest rate. At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company had loans totaling $0.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which at the time of acquisition, showed evidence of credit deterioration since origination.

Loans Held for Sale - Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Periodically, the Company originates various residential mortgage loans for sale to investors generally on a servicing released basis. The sale of such loans is generally arranged through a master commitment on a best-efforts basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Premiums, discounts, origination fees and costs on loans held for sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in other income, recognized on settlement date and are determined to be the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provides that, as transferor, the Company has surrendered control of the loans.

For liquidity purposes generally, there are instances when loans originated with the intent to hold in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to loans held for sale. At transfer, they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

Series A Preferred Stock - Holders of the Company’s Series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, in the same per share amount as the common stockholders. No dividends will be payable on the common stock unless a dividend identical to that paid on the common stock is paid at the same time on the Series A preferred stock. Therefore Series A preferred stock is treated as common stock for EPS calculations. Series A preferred stock has no voting rights. In the event of a dissolution of the Company, Series A preferred stock is entitled to the payment of any declared and unpaid dividend, and then will share in dissolution proceeds, if any, with the shares of common stock.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016 02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB amended existing guidance that requires lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s leasing arrangements. The Company adopted Topic 842 using the transition approach of applying the new leases standard at the beginning of the period of adoption on October 1, 2022. The new guidance includes a number of optional transition-related practical expedients that must be elected as a package and applied by a reporting entity to all of its leases consistently. The Company has elected to apply the package of practical expedients to all its existing leases, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification as operating leases in accordance with previous GAAP. The effect of adopting this standard in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition was a $10 million increase in operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities as of October 1, 2022.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments introduce an impairment model that is based on current expected credit losses (“CECL”), rather than incurred losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments (i.e. loans and held to maturity securities), including certain off-balance sheet financial instruments (i.e. commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit that are not unconditionally cancellable). The CECL standard should consider historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments, over the contractual term. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. Financial instruments with similar risk characteristics may be grouped together when estimating credit losses. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination that are measured at amortized cost basis is determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial estimate of expected credit loss would be recognized through an allowance for credit losses with an offset (i.e. increase) to the purchase price at acquisition. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for loan losses for these assets. The ASU also amends the current available for sale security impairment model for debt securities whereby credit losses relating to available for sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. As the Company is a smaller-reporting company under SEC regulations, the Company will adopt CECL on October 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the CECL model will have on our accounting and allowance for loans losses. The Company has engaged a third-party to assist in the development of a CECL model for the calculation of the allowance for loan and lease losses in preparation for the change to the current expected credit loss model. The Company has also engaged a third-party to perform a model validation of our CECL model. The Company is also in the process of updating its policies, procedures and internal controls accordingly. The Company may recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption of CECL on October 1, 2023, consistent with regulatory expectations set forth in interagency guidance. The Company cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time cumulative adjustment or of the overall impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The ASU made certain targeted amendments specific to troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) by creditors and vintage disclosure related to gross write-offs. Upon adoption, the Company will be required to apply the loan and refinancing and restructuring guidance to determine whether a modification results in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan, rather than applying the recognition and measurement guidance for TDRs. The ASU also requires companies to disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases within scope of Subtopic 326-20. ASU 2022-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 for entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13, otherwise effective date is the same as ASU 2016-13. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 effective October 1, 2023 and will simultaneously implement ASU 2022-02.

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2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The two-class method is used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Under the two-class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The restricted stock awards granted by the Company contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered participating securities.

The Company’s basic and diluted EPS calculations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 follows. There were no stock options that were antidilutive for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

Net income available to common stockholders

$

3,094

$

5,333

$

11,641

$

17,730

Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities

(103)

(259)

(448)

(668)

Income attributable to common stock

$

2,991

$

5,074

$

11,193

$

17,062

Weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities

7,332,090

6,596,505

7,316,241

5,970,288

Less: Weighted average participating securities

(262,200)

(324,403)

(286,455)

(219,311)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

7,069,890

 

6,272,102

 

7,029,786

 

5,750,977

Basic EPS

$

0.42

$

0.81

$

1.59

$

2.97

Income attributable to common stock

$

2,991

$

5,074

$

11,193

$

17,062

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

7,069,890

 

6,272,102

 

7,029,786

 

5,750,977

Weighted average common equivalent shares outstanding

75,523

99,062

77,735

99,206

Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding

7,145,413

6,371,164

7,107,521

5,850,183

Diluted EPS

$

0.42

$

0.80

$

1.57

$

2.92

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3. SECURITIES

At the time of purchase of a security, the Company designates the security as either available for sale or held to maturity, depending upon investment objectives, liquidity needs and intent.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:

June 30, 2023

Gross 

Gross

    

Amortized 

    

Unrealized 

    

Unrealized 

    

(in thousands)

Cost

Gains

Losses

Fair Value

Available for sale:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

335

$

$

(124)

$

211

Corporate bonds

12,700

(1,817)

10,883

Total available for sale securities

$

13,035

$

$

(1,941)

$

11,094

Held to maturity:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

1,588

$

$

(136)

$

1,452

U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

2,592

 

 

(161)

 

2,431

Total held to maturity securities

 

4,180

 

 

(297)

 

3,883

Total investment securities

$

17,215

$

$

(2,238)

$

14,977

September 30, 2022

    

    

Gross

    

Gross

    

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized 

(in thousands)

Cost

Gains

Losses

Fair Value

Available for sale:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

375

$

$

(133)

$

242

Corporate bonds

 

12,700

 

 

(657)

 

12,043

Total available for sale securities

$

13,075

$

$

(790)

$

12,285

Held to maturity:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

1,778

$

$

(160)

$

1,618

U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

2,636

 

 

(159)

 

2,477

Total held to maturity securities

 

4,414

 

 

(319)

 

4,095

Total investment securities

$

17,489

$

$

(1,109)

$

16,380

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The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at June 30, 2023, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are shown separately.

June 30, 2023

    

Amortized

    

Fair

(in thousands)

Cost

Value

Securities available for sale:

  

  

Five to ten years

$

12,700

$

10,883

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

 

335

 

211

Total securities available for sale

13,035

11,094

Securities held to maturity:

 

  

 

  

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

 

1,588

 

1,452

U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

2,592

 

2,431

Total securities held to maturity

4,180

3,883

Total investment securities

$

17,215

$

14,977

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, investment securities with a carrying amount of $1.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

There were no sales of securities for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and the three months ended June 30, 2022. There were $2.1 million of proceeds on sales of securities available for sale with gross gains of $105 thousand for the nine months ended June 30, 2022.

The following tables summarize gross unrealized losses and fair values of investment securities aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

June 30, 2023

  

Less than Twelve Months

  

Twelve Months or Longer

  

Total

Gross

Gross

  

   

Gross

Unrealized

Unrealized

Number of

Unrealized

(in thousands, except number of securities)

Fair Value

Losses

Fair Value

Losses

Securities

Fair Value

Losses

Available-for-sale:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

$

$

211

$

(124)

5

$

211

$

(124)

Corporate bonds

5,022

(978)

4,661

(839)

6

9,683

(1,817)

Total available-for-sale

$

5,022

$

(978)

$

4,872

$

(963)

11

$

9,894

$

(1,941)

Held-to-maturity:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

$

$

1,452

$

(136)

4

$

1,452

$

(136)

U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities

2,431

(161)

1

2,431

(161)

Total held-to-maturity

$

$

$

3,883

$

(297)

5

$

3,883

$

(297)

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Table of Contents

September 30, 2022

Less than Twelve Months

  

Twelve Months or Longer

  

Total

Gross

Gross

  

   

Gross

Unrealized

Unrealized

Number of

Unrealized

(in thousands, except number of securities)

Fair Value

Losses

Fair Value

Losses

Securities

Fair Value

Losses

Available-for-sale:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

152

$

(126)

$

90

$

(7)

6

$

242

$

(133)

Corporate bonds

10,843

(657)

6

10,843

(657)

Total available-for-sale

$

10,995

$

(783)

$

90

$

(7)

12

$

11,085

$

(790)

Held-to-maturity:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

1,618

$

(160)

$

$

4

$

1,618

$

(160)

U.S. GSE commercial mortgage-backed securities

2,477

(159)

1

2,477

(159)

Total held-to-maturity

$

4,095

$

(319)

$

$

5

$

4,095

$

(319)

There was no other than temporary impairment loss recognized on any securities at June 30, 2023 or September 30, 2022.

4. LOANS

The following table sets forth the classification of the Company’s loans by loan portfolio segment for the periods presented.

June 30, 2023

    

September 30, 2022

(in thousands)

Residential real estate

$

623,362

$

515,316

Multi-family

 

583,224

 

574,413

Commercial real estate

 

532,648

 

472,511

Commercial and industrial

 

66,642

 

45,758

Construction and land development

 

12,682

 

12,871

Consumer

 

288

 

22

Gross loans

 

1,818,846

 

1,620,891

Net deferred loan fees and costs

 

4,657

 

2,640

Total loans

 

1,823,503

 

1,623,531

Allowance for loan losses

 

(15,369)

 

(12,844)

Total loans, net

$

1,808,134

$

1,610,687

The Company’s Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans outstanding, included in commercial and industrial loans in the table above, totaled $4.9 million and $10.2 million at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company was servicing approximately $247.8 million and $246.0 million, respectively, of loans for others. The Company had no loans held for sale at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

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Table of Contents

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

The Company has purchased loans, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected. The carrying amount for those loans is as follows:

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2022

(in thousands)

Commercial real estate

$

$

602

Commercial and industrial

 

136

 

629

Total recorded investment

$

136

$

1,231

During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, two purchased credit impaired loans acquired in the Savoy Bank acquisition totaling $457 thousand were charged off to the allowance for loan losses.

For the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $12.6 million and $9.5 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $33.4 million and $60.9 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $2.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Commercial

Construction

Residential

Multi-

Commercial

and

and Land

    

Real Estate

    

Family

    

Real Estate

    

Industrial

    

Development

    

Consumer

    

Loans

Loans

Loans

Loans

Loans

Loans

Total

(in thousands)

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

4,664

$

5,315

$

3,244

$

1,525

$

113

$

18

$

14,879

Charge-offs

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

 

(10)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

132

 

(27)

 

137

 

253

 

(5)

 

10

 

500

Ending Balance

$

4,796

$

5,288

$

3,381

$

1,768

$

108

$

28

$

15,369

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

Commercial

Construction

Residential

Multi-

Commercial

and

and Land

Real Estate

Family

Real Estate

Industrial

Development

Consumer

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Total

(in thousands)

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

3,400

$

2,627

$

3,327

$

532

$

$

$

9,886

Charge-offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recovories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

(168)

 

503

 

479

 

103

 

82

 

1

 

1,000

Ending balance

$

3,232

$

3,130

$

3,806

$

635

$

82

$

1

$

10,886

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023

Commercial

Construction

Residential

Multi-

Commercial

and

and Land

    

Real Estate

    

Family

    

Real Estate

    

Industrial

    

Development

    

Consumer

    

Loans

Loans

Loans

Loans

Loans

Loans

Total

(in thousands)

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning Balance

$

3,951

$

4,308

$

3,707

$

761

$

115

$

2

$

12,844

Charge-offs

 

 

 

 

(467)

 

 

(467)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

60

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

845

 

980

 

(326)

 

1,414

 

(7)

 

26

 

2,932

Ending Balance

$

4,796

$

5,288

$

3,381

$

1,768

$

108

$

28

$

15,369

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022

Commercial

Construction

Residential

Multi-

Commercial

and

and Land

Real Estate

Family

Real Estate

Industrial

Development

Consumer

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Loans

    

Total

(in thousands)

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning Balance

$

4,155

$

2,433

$

1,884

$

79

$

$

1

$

8,552

Charge-offs

 

 

(66)

 

 

 

 

 

(66)

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

(923)

 

763

 

1,922

 

556

 

82

 

 

2,400

Ending Balance

$

3,232

$

3,130

$

3,806

$

635

$

82

$

1

$

10,886

The following table represents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment based on impairment evaluation method. The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable due to immateriality.

    

June 30, 2023

Commercial

Construction

Residential 

Multi-  

Commercial  

and

and Land

(in thousands)

    

Real Estate

    

Family

    

Real Estate

    

Industrial

    

Development

    

Consumer

    

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

724

$

$

$

$

$

724

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

4,796

 

4,564

 

3,381

 

1,768

 

108

 

28

 

14,645

Purchased-credit impaired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total allowance for loan losses

$

4,796

$

5,288

$

3,381

$

1,768

$

108

$

28

$

15,369

Loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

3,731

$

3,499

$

4,796

$

365

$

$

$

12,391

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

621,533

 

580,338

 

528,664

 

67,417

 

12,660

 

364

 

1,810,976

Purchased-credit impaired

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

136

Total loans held for investment

$

625,264

$

583,837

$

533,460

$

67,918

$

12,660

$

364

$

1,823,503

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Table of Contents

September 30, 2022

Commercial 

Construction

Residential

Multi- 

Commercial

and

and Land

(in thousands)

    

Real Estate

    

Family

    

Real Estate

    

Industrial

    

Development

    

Consumer

    

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

3,951

 

4,308

 

3,707

 

711

 

115

 

2

 

12,794

Purchased-credit impaired

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

50

Total allowance for loan losses

$

3,951

$

4,308

$

3,707

$

761

$

115

$

2

$

12,844

Loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

5,392

$

2,348

$

5,875

$

907

$

$

$

14,522

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

510,866

 

572,713

 

466,507

 

44,749

 

12,907

 

36

 

1,607,778

Purchased-credit impaired

 

 

 

602

 

629

 

 

 

1,231

Total loans held for investment

$

516,258

$

575,061

$

472,984

$

46,285

$

12,907

$

36

$

1,623,531

The following presents information related to the Company’s impaired loans by portfolio segment for the periods shown.

    

June 30, 2023

  

September 30, 2022

    

Unpaid

    

    

   

Unpaid

    

    

Principal

Recorded

Allowance

Principal

Recorded

Allowance

(in thousands)

Balance

Investment

Allocated

Balance

Investment

Allocated

With no related allowance recorded:

Residential real estate

    

$

3,733

    

$

3,731

    

$

$

5,394

    

$

5,392

    

$

Multi-family

 

1,935

 

1,935

 

 

2,348

 

2,348

 

Commercial real estate

 

4,796

 

4,796

 

 

5,950

 

5,875

 

Commercial and industrial

 

390

 

365

 

 

908

 

907

 

Total

$

10,854

$

10,827

$

$

14,600

$

14,522

$

With an allowance recorded:

Multi-family

$

1,564

$

1,564

$

724

$

$

$

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 

    

2023

2022

2023

   

2022

    

Average

Interest

Average

Interest

    

Average

    

Interest

    

Average

    

Interest

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

Recorded

Income

(in thousands)

Investment

 

Recognized

 

Investment

 

Recognized(1)

Investment

Recognized(1)

Investment

Recognized(1)

With no related allowance recorded:

Residential real estate

    

$

3,642

$

$

5,034

$

17

$

3,701

$

52

$

4,400

$

50

Multi-family

 

2,150

 

 

1,058

 

 

2,274

 

3

 

641

 

Commercial real estate

 

5,269

 

 

5,851

 

 

5,633

 

 

2,883

 

Commercial and industrial

 

398

 

 

207

 

 

418

 

23

 

200

 

Total

$

11,459

$

$

12,150

$

17

$

12,026

$

78

$

8,124

$

50

With an allowance recorded:

Multi-family

$

521

$

$

$

$

174

$

$

$

(1)Accrual basis interest income recognized approximates cash basis income.

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Table of Contents

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, past due and non-accrual loans disaggregated by portfolio segment were as follows:

(in thousands)

Past Due and Non-Accrual

30 - 59

60 - 89

Greater than

Total past

Purchased

Days

Days

89 Days

due and

Credit

Total

June 30, 2023

Past Due

  

Past Due

    

Past Due

Non-accrual

Non-accrual

  

Impaired(1)

  

Current

  

Loans

Residential real estate

$

5,591

$

2,834

$

$

1,989

$

10,414

$

$

614,850

$

625,264

Multi-family

 

569

 

 

 

3,499

 

4,068

 

 

579,769

 

583,837

Commercial real estate

 

4,728

 

2,443

 

 

4,796

 

11,967

 

 

521,493

 

533,460

Commercial and industrial

 

445

 

392

 

 

365

 

1,202

 

136

 

66,580

 

67,918

Construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,660

 

12,660

Consumer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

364

 

364

Total

$

11,333

$

5,669

$

$

10,649

$

27,651

$

136

$

1,795,716

$

1,823,503

(1)Purchased credit impaired loans at June 30, 2023 were greater than 89 days past due.

(in thousands)

Past Due and Non-Accrual

30 - 59

60 - 89

Greater than

Total past

Purchased

Days

Days

89 Days

due and

Credit

Total

September 30, 2022

Past Due

      

Past Due

  

Past Due

  

Non-accrual

Non-accrual

    

Impaired(1)

  

Current

   

Loans

Residential real estate

$

961

$

351

$

$

3,151

$

4,463

$

$

511,795

$

516,258

Multi-family

 

 

 

 

2,348

 

2,348

 

 

572,713

 

575,061

Commercial real estate

 

936

 

 

 

5,875

 

6,811

 

602

 

465,571

 

472,984

Commercial and industrial

 

539

 

161

 

 

907

 

1,607

 

629

 

44,049

 

46,285

Construction and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,907

 

12,907

Consumer

36

36

Total

$

2,436

$

512

$

$

12,281

$

15,229

$

1,231

$

1,607,071

$

1,623,531

(1) Purchased credit impaired loans at September 30, 2022 were greater than 89 days past due.

Troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) are loan modifications where the Company has granted a concession to a borrower in financial difficulty. To assess whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed to determine if that borrower is currently in payment default under any of its obligations or whether there is a probability that the borrower will be in payment default in the foreseeable future without the modification. At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company had a recorded investment in TDRs totaling $1.7 million and $2.3 million, consisting solely of residential real estate loans with no specific reserves allocated to such loans and no commitment to lend additional funds under those loans, at either June 30, 2023 or September 30, 2022.

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, there were no TDRs for which there was a payment default within twelve months of restructuring. A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 90 days contractually past due under its modified terms. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no new TDRs.

The Company continuously monitors the credit quality of its loan receivables. Credit quality is monitored by reviewing certain credit quality indicators. Management has determined that internally assigned credit risk ratings by loan segment are the key credit quality indicators that best assist management in monitoring the credit quality of the Company’s loan receivables.

The Company has adopted a credit risk rating system as part of the risk assessment of its loan portfolio. The Company’s lending officers are required to assign a credit risk rating to each loan in their portfolio at origination. When the lender learns of important financial developments, the risk rating is reviewed and adjusted if necessary. In addition, the Company engages a third-party independent loan reviewer that performs quarterly reviews of a sample of loans, validating the credit risk ratings assigned to such loans. The credit risk ratings play an important role in the establishment of the loan loss provision and to confirm the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

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The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes commercial loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Special Mention: The loan has potential weaknesses that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.

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

Doubtful: The loan has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing factors, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans not having a credit risk rating of Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful are considered pass loans.

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company’s loan portfolio by credit risk rating disaggregated by portfolio segment were as follows:

June 30, 2023

    

    

Special

    

    

    

(in thousands)

Pass

Mention

Substandard

Doubtful

Total

Real Estate:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Residential

$

618,809

$

3,809

$

2,646

$

$

625,264

Multi-family

 

580,338

 

 

3,499

 

 

583,837

Commercial

 

519,268

 

7,177

 

7,015

 

 

533,460

Commercial and industrial

 

66,157

 

1,078

 

683

 

 

67,918

Construction and land development

 

12,660

 

 

 

 

12,660

Consumer

 

364

 

 

 

 

364

Total

$

1,797,596

$

12,064

$

13,843

$

$

1,823,503

    

September 30, 2022

    

    

Special

    

    

    

(in thousands)

Pass

Mention

Substandard

Doubtful

Total

Real Estate:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Residential

$

512,595

$

512

$

3,151

$

$

516,258

Multi-family

 

571,128

 

 

3,933

 

 

575,061

Commercial

 

453,321

 

8,085

 

11,578

 

 

472,984

Commercial and industrial

 

43,314

 

540

 

2,431

 

 

46,285

Construction and land development

 

10,499

 

2,408

 

 

 

12,907

Consumer

 

36

 

 

 

 

36

Total

$

1,590,893

$

11,545

$

21,093

$

$

1,623,531

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5. EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company’s 2021 and 2018 Equity Compensation Plans (the “2021 Plan” and the “2018 Plan,” respectively), provide for the grant of stock-based compensation awards to members of management, including employees and management officials, and members of the Board. Under the 2021 Plan, a total of 427,500 shares of the Company’s common stock or equivalents were approved for issuance, of which 265,307 shares remain available for issuance at June 30, 2023. Of the total 346,000 shares of common stock approved for issuance under the 2018 Plan, 16,159 shares remain available for issuance at June 30, 2023.

Stock Options

Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant, and generally with vesting periods of three years and contractual terms of ten years. All stock options fully vest upon a change in control.

The fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the common stock of the Company’s peers. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. Expected terms are based on historical data and represent the periods in which the options are expected to be outstanding. 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 grant.

There were no stock options exercised during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 10,614 stock options exercised during the nine months ended June 30, 2023. No stock options were exercised during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022.

A summary of stock option activity follows (aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Aggregate

Remaining

Number of

Exercise

Intrinsic

Contractual

    

Options

    

Price

    

Value

    

Term

Outstanding, October 1, 2022

 

227,406

$

9.50

$

2,298

 

2.45 years

Granted

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(10,614)

 

10.00

 

 

Forfeited

 

(18,459)

 

16.25

 

 

Outstanding, June 30, 2023 (1)

 

198,333

$

8.85

$

1,793

 

1.55 years

(1)All outstanding options are fully vested and exercisable.

The following table presents information related to the stock option plan for the periods presented:

    

Nine Months Ended June 30, 

(in thousands)

2023

    

2022

Intrinsic value of options exercised

  

$

103

$

Cash received from option exercises

 

106

 

Tax benefit from option exercises

 

36

 

There was no compensation expense attributable to stock options for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

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Restricted Stock Awards

During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, restricted stock awards of 50,580 shares were granted with a five-year vesting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the awards based on the fair value of the stock at issue date.

A summary of restricted stock awards activity follows:

    

    

Weighted-Average

Number of

 Grant Date Fair 

 

Shares

 

Value

Unvested, October 1, 2022

284,263

$

19.78

Granted

 

50,580

 

19.73

Vested

 

(67,128)

 

20.08

Forfeited

 

(4,567)

 

20.03

Unvested, June 30, 2023

 

263,148

$

19.69

Compensation expense attributable to restricted stock awards was $340 thousand and $482 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Compensation expense attributable to restricted stock awards was $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, there was $4.2 million of total unrealized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock, expected to be recognized over a weighted-average term of 3.62 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $1.3 million and $824 thousand, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

Long Term Incentive Plan

Restricted stock units (“RSU”s) represent an obligation to deliver shares to a grantee at a future date if certain vesting conditions are met. RSUs are subject to a time-based vesting schedule and the satisfaction of performance conditions and are settled in shares of the Company's common stock. RSUs do not provide voting rights and RSUs may accrue dividends from the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the unvested performance-based RSU activity for the nine months ended June 30, 2023:

    

    

Weighted-Average

Number of

 Grant Date Fair 

 

Shares

 

Value

Unvested, October 1, 2022

47,676

$

19.73

Granted

 

 

Vested

 

 

Forfeited

 

(6,072)

 

19.73

Unvested, June 30, 2023

 

41,604

$

19.73

No RSUs were granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2023. Performance-based RSUs granted in 2022 cliff vest after three years and are subject to the achievement of the Company's pre-defined performance goals for the three-year period ending December 31, 2024.

Compensation expense attributable to RSUs was $61 thousand and $210 thousand, respectively, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023. Compensation expense attributable to RSUs was $82 thousand and $139 thousand, respectively, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022. As of June 30, 2023, there was $404 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.65 years.

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6. REGULATORY MATTERS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. The net unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital. Management believes that as of June 30, 2023, the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized or worse, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

Under a policy of the Federal Reserve applicable to bank holding companies with less than $3.0 billion in consolidated assets, the Company is not subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements.

The following table sets forth the Bank’s actual and required capital amounts (in thousands) and ratios under current regulations:

Minimum Capital

Minimum to Be Well

 

Adequacy Requirement

Capitalized Under

 

Minimum Capital

with Capital

Prompt Corrective

 

Actual Capital

Adequacy Requirement

Conservation Buffer

Action Provisions

 

    

Amount

    

Ratio

    

Amount

    

Ratio

    

Amount

    

Ratio

    

Amount

    

Ratio

 

June 30, 2023

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

$

204,109

 

14.24

%  

$

114,674

 

8.00

%  

$

150,501

 

10.50

%  

$

143,342

 

10.00

%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

188,568

 

13.16

%  

 

86,005

 

6.00

%  

 

121,841

 

8.50

%  

 

114,674

 

8.00

%

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

188,568

 

13.16

%  

 

64,504

 

4.50

%  

 

100,339

 

7.00

%  

 

93,172

 

6.50

%

Tier 1 capital to average total assets

 

188,568

 

9.16

%  

 

82,341

 

4.00

%  

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

102,926

 

5.00

%

September 30, 2022

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

$

191,355

  

16.32

%  

$

93,796

8.00

%  

$

123,107

  

10.50

%  

$

117,245

 

10.00

%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

178,340

  

15.21

%  

70,347

6.00

%  

99,658

  

8.50

%  

93,796

 

8.00

%

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

178,340

  

15.21

%  

52,760

4.50

%  

82,071

  

7.00

%  

76,209

 

6.50

%

Tier 1 capital to average total assets

 

178,340

  

10.90

%  

65,429

4.00

%  

N/A

  

N/A

81,786

 

5.00

%

Dividend restrictions - The Company’s principal source of funds for dividend and debt service payments is dividends received from the Bank. During the nine months ended June 30, 2023 the Bank paid $3.7 million in cash dividends to the Holding Company. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. As of June 30, 2023, the Bank had $49.1 million of retained net income available for dividends to the Company, without obtaining regulatory approval.

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Table of Contents

7. FAIR VALUE

FASB ASC No. 820-10 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined using quoted market prices. However, in many instances, quoted market prices are not available. In such instances, fair values are determined using appropriate valuation techniques. Various assumptions and observable inputs must be relied upon in applying these techniques. Accordingly, categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. As such, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate transfer of the respective asset or liability.

FASB ASC 820-10 also establishes a fair value hierarchy and describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values: The three levels within the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1: Valuation is based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2: Fair value is calculated using significant inputs other than quoted market prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. The valuation may rely on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, rate volatility, prepayment speeds, credit ratings,) or inputs that are derived principally or corroborated by market data, by correlation, or other means.
Level 3: Inputs for determining the fair value of the respective assets or liabilities are not observable. Level 3 valuations are reliant upon pricing models and techniques that require significant management judgment or estimation.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

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Table of Contents

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following presents fair value measurements on a recurring basis at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

June 30, 2023

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Quoted Prices In

Significant

    

    

Active Markets

    

Significant Other

    

Unobservable

Carrying

for Identical Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

(in thousands)

Amount

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Financial assets:

Available-for-sale securities:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

211

$

$

211

$

Corporate bonds

 

10,883

 

 

9,683

 

1,200

Loan servicing rights

4,375

4,375

Derivatives

 

142

 

 

142

 

Total

$

15,611

$

$

10,036

$

5,575

September 30, 2022

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Quoted Prices In

Active Markets

Significant  

    

    

for Identical

    

Significant Other

    

Unobservable

Carrying

Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

(In thousands)

Amount

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Financial assets:

Available-for-sale securities:

U.S. GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

$

242

$

$

242

$

Corporate bonds

 

12,043

 

 

12,043

 

Loan servicing rights

 

4,353

 

 

 

4,353

Total

$

16,638

$

$

12,285

$

4,353

The fair value for the securities available-for-sale were obtained from an independent broker based upon matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. The Company has determined these are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Derivatives represent interest rate swaps for which the estimated fair values are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date resulting in a Level 2 classification.

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights are based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future servicing income. The valuation model utilizes interest rate, prepayment speed, and default rate assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value of loan servicing rights related to residential mortgage loans at June 30, 2023 was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 12.38% to 14.88%, a prepayment speed of 26.25% and a weighted average life ranging from 1.32 to 2.89 years. Fair value at September 30, 2022 for loan servicing rights was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 12.0% to 14.5%, prepayment speed of 26.25% and a weighted average life ranging from 1.2 to 3.0 years.

The fair value of loan servicing rights for SBA loans at June 30, 2023 was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 9.33% to 37.36%, prepayment speeds ranging from 8.18% to 27.61% and a weighted average life ranging from 1.26 to 5.83 years. The fair value of loan servicing rights for SBA loans at September 30, 2022 was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows using discount rates ranging from 5.78% to 26.72%, prepayment speeds ranging from 8.42% to 24.00% and a weighted average life ranging from 1.47 to 5.79 years.

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Table of Contents

The Company has determined these are mostly unobservable inputs and considers them Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the changes in mortgage servicing rights for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended June 30, 

    

Nine Months Ended June 30, 

(in thousands)

    

2023

    

2022

2023

    

2022

Balance at beginning of period

$

4,429

$

4,028

  

$

4,353

$

3,690

Additions

 

280

 

211

 

628

 

784

Adjustment to fair value

 

(334)

 

(119)

 

(606)

 

(354)

Balance at end of period

$

4,375

$

4,120

$

4,375

$

4,120

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Assets  measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2023 are summarized below:

June 30, 2023

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Quoted Prices In

Significant

    

    

Active Markets

    

Significant Other

    

Unobservable

Carrying

for Identical Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

(in thousands)

Amount

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Impaired loans

$

840

$

$

$

840

The fair value amounts shown in the table above are impaired loans net of reserves allocated to said loans. The total reserves allocated to these impaired loans are $724 thousand for June 30, 2023. There were no material collateral dependent impaired loans as of September 30, 2022.

The table below presents additional quantitative information about level 3 fair value measured at fair value on non-nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2023:

Range

June 30, 2023

Fair Value

Valuation Technique

Unobservable Input

(Average)

(Dollar in thousands)

Impaired loans - Multi-family

$

840

Income Approach

Capitalization Rate

4.40%-5.50%

    

(5.11)%

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Table of Contents

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The following presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

June 30, 2023

Fair Value Measurements Using:

    

    

    

Quoted Prices In

    

    

    

    

    

    

Active Markets

Significant

for Identical

Significant Other

Unobservable

Carrying

Assets

Observable  Inputs

Inputs

Total Fair

(In thousands)

Amount

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Value

Financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

211,533

$

211,533

$

$

$

211,533

Securities held-to-maturity

 

4,180

 

 

3,883

 

 

3,883

Loans, net

 

1,808,134

 

 

 

1,767,928

 

1,767,928

Accrued interest receivable

 

10,189

 

 

420

 

9,769

 

10,189

Financial liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Time deposits

 

456,505

 

 

449,594

 

 

449,594

Demand and other deposits

 

1,137,134

 

1,137,134

 

 

 

1,137,134

Borrowings

 

293,849

 

 

292,040

 

 

292,040

Subordinated debentures

 

24,608

 

 

26,868

 

 

26,868

Accrued interest payable

 

1,242

 

 

1,242

 

 

1,242

September 30, 2022

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Quoted Prices In

Active Markets

Significant

for Identical

Significant Other

Unobservable

Carrying

Assets

Observable Inputs

Inputs

Total Fair

(In thousands)

Amount

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Value

Financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

    

$

149,947

    

$

149,947

    

$

    

$

    

$

149,947

Securities held-to-maturity

 

4,414

 

 

4,095

 

 

4,095

Loans, net

 

1,610,687

 

 

 

1,564,991

 

1,564,991

Accrued interest receivable

 

8,546

 

 

219

 

8,327

 

8,546

Financial liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Time deposits

 

339,073

 

 

328,964

 

 

328,964

Demand and other deposits

 

1,189,033

 

1,189,033

 

 

 

1,189,033

Borrowings

 

101,752

 

 

99,597

 

 

99,597

Subordinated debentures

24,568

24,199

24,199

Accrued interest payable

 

915

 

1

 

914

 

 

915

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8. BORROWINGS

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, FHLB term borrowings outstanding were $129.7 million and $37.8 million, respectively, all of which were fixed rate.

At June 30, 2023, the Company had $160.0 million in FHLB overnight borrowings outstanding at a rate of 5.31%. At September 30, 2022, the Company had $55.0 million in FHLB overnight borrowings outstanding at a rate of 3.29%.

Each advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by residential and commercial mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Company was eligible to borrow up to an additional total of $101.8 million at June 30, 2023.

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities in the next five years of the balance sheet date and weighted average interest rates of the Company’s fixed rate FHLB advances (in thousands):

Balance at June 30, 

2023

Weighted

Contractual Maturity

    

Amount

    

Average Rate

Overnight

$

160,000

5.31

%

2024, rates from 0.37% to 2.53%

8,000

1.72

%

2025, rates from 0.39% to 0.49%

13,860

0.43

%

2026, rates from 0.56% to 4.98%

47,555

3.92

%

2027, rates from 4.13% to 4.74%

40,250

4.32

%

2028, rates from 3.99% to 4.58%

 

20,000

 

4.18

%

Total term advances

129,665

3.57

%

Total FHLB advances

$

289,665

 

4.53

%

Balance at September 30, 

2022

Weighted

Contractual Maturity

    

Amount

    

Average Rate

Overnight

$

55,000

3.29

%

2023, rates from 0.37% to 2.96%

11,860

2.23

%

2024, rates from 0.39% to 2.53%

18,860

0.98

%

2025, rates from 0.56% to 0.59%

 

7,080

 

0.58

%

Total term advances

 

37,800

 

1.30

%

Total FHLB advances

$

92,800

 

2.48

%

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Federal Reserve Borrowings

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company’s borrowings from the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) were $4.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively. The borrowings have a rate of 0.35% and the maturity date will equal the maturity date of the underlying PPP loan pledged to secure the extension of credit. The maturity date of a PPP loan is either two or five years from origination date. The Company utilized the PPPLF to fund PPP loan production. The borrowings are secured by pledged PPP loans as of June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

Correspondent Bank Borrowings

At June 30, 2023, approximately $92 million in unsecured lines of credit extended by correspondent banks were available to be utilized for short-term funding purposes. No borrowings were outstanding under lines of credit with correspondent banks at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

9. SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

In October 2020, the Company completed the private placement of $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) to certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors. The Notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at the rate of 5.00% per annum, until October 15, 2025. From and including October 15, 2025 through maturity, the interest rate applicable to the outstanding principal amount due will reset quarterly to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 487.4 basis points. The Company may, at its option, beginning with the interest payment date of October 15, 2025, but not generally prior thereto, and on any scheduled interest payment date thereafter, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, subject to the receipt of any required regulatory approval. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. The portion of the proceeds of these subordinated notes contributed to the Bank are included as a component of the Bank’s Tier 1 capital for regulatory reporting.

At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the unamortized issuance costs of the Notes were $0.4 million. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023, $13 thousand and $40 thousand, respectively, in issuance costs were recorded in interest expense. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022, $13 thousand and $41 thousand, respectively, in issuance costs were recorded in interest expense. The Notes are presented net of unamortized issuance costs in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

10. DERIVATIVES

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

As part of its asset liability management, the Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to help manage its interest rate risk position.  The notional amount of the interest rate swap does not represent the amount exchanged by the parties.  The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate swap agreements.  The Company executed its first interest rate swap agreement in June 2023.

Interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $25.0 million as of June 30, 2023 were designated as cash flow hedges of certain Brokered Certificates of Deposit.  The swaps were determined to be fully effective during the periods presented and therefore no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income.  The aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in other assets/(other liabilities) with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).  The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) would be reclassified to current earnings should the hedges no longer be considered effective.  The Company expects the hedges to remain fully effective during the remaining term of the swaps.

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Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income/expense as interest payments are made/received on the Company’s variable-rate assets/liabilities.  During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $0.3 million will be reclassified as a decrease in interest expense.

The following table presents the net gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of income relating to the cash flow derivative instruments for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended June 30, 

    

Nine Months Ended June 30, 

(in thousands)

    

2023

    

2022

2023

    

2022

Gain recognized in other comprehensive income

$

111

$

  

$

111

$

The following table reflects the cash flow hedges included in the consolidated statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated:

    

June 30, 2023

  

September 30, 2022

    

    

Fair

    

Fair

   

    

Fair

    

Fair

Notional

Value

Value

Notional

Value

Value

(in thousands)

Amount

Asset

Liability

Amount

Asset

Liability

Included in other assets/(liabilities):

Interest rate swaps related to Brokered Certificates of Deposit

    

$

25,000

    

$

142

    

$

$

    

$

    

$

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties.  If the termination value of derivatives is a net liability position, the Company is required to post collateral against its obligations under the agreements.  However, if the termination value of derivatives is a net asset position, the counterparty is required to post collateral to the Company.  At June 30, 2023, the Company received no collateral from its counterparties under the agreements in a net asset position.  As of June 30, 2023, there were no derivatives in a net liability position, and therefore the termination value was zero.

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11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

    

Unrealized Gains and 

Gains and

Losses on Available-

Losses on

 for-Sale Debt

Cash Flow

(in thousands)

Securities

Hedges

Total

Balance at October 1, 2022

$

(620)

$

$

(620)

Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassification

 

(900)

 

111

 

(789)

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(900)

 

111

 

(789)

Balance at June 30, 2023

$

(1,520)

$

111

$

(1,409)

Unrealized Gains and

Gains and

Losses on Available-

Losses on

for-Sale Debt

Cash Flow

(in thousands)

Securities

Hedges

Total

Balance at October 1, 2021

$

256

$

$

256

Other comprehensive loss, before reclassification

 

(451)

 

 

(451)

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

(81)

(81)

Net current period other comprehensive loss

 

(532)

 

 

(532)

Balance at June 30, 2022

$

(276)

$

$

(276)

The following represents the reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

Affected Line Item in Consolidated

(in thousands)

    

2023

2022

  

2023

2022

    

Statements of Income

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities

Realized gains on securities available-for-sale

$

$

$

$

105

Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale, net

Tax effect

 

 

 

 

24

 

Income tax expense

Net of tax

$

$

$

$

81

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges

Interest rate contracts

$

$

$

$

Interest income (expense)

Tax effect

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) or benefit

Net of tax

$

$

$

$

 

 

 

 

 

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

$

$

$

$

81

31

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - This document contains a number of forward-looking statements, including statements about the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and prospects of the Company. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “should,” “likely,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “project,” “goal” and other similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. The ability of the Company to predict results or the actual effects of its plans and strategies is subject to inherent uncertainty.

Factors that may cause actual results or earnings to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, as updated by the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC and, among others, the following:

Changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the FRB and the U. S. Government, particularly related to changes in interest rates and inflation, may affect interest margins and the fair value of financial instruments;
Changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are different than expected;
The ability to enhance revenue through increased market penetration, expanded lending capacity and product offerings;
Occurrence of natural or man-made disasters or calamities, including health emergencies, the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics such as COVID-19, or outbreaks of hostilities, such as between Russia and Ukraine, or the effects of climate change, and the ability of the Company to deal effectively with disruptions caused by the foregoing;
The effects of recent bank failures that lead to uncertainty and concerns regarding the liquidity positions of the banking sector;
Legislative, regulatory or policy changes;
Downturns in demand for loan, deposit and other financial services in the Company’s market area;
Increased competition from other banks and non-bank providers of financial services;
Technological changes and increased technology-related costs; and
Changes in accounting principles, or the application of generally accepted accounting principles.

Because these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning matters addressed in this document and attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this document. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Non-GAAP Disclosure - This discussion includes discussions of the Company’s tangible common equity (“TCE”) ratio, tangible common equity and tangible assets, non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or modifies amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and the Company’s marketplace performance. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the numbers prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other financial institutions.

With respect to the calculations and reconciliations of tangible common equity, tangible assets and the TCE ratio, please see Liquidity and Capital Resources contained herein for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Executive Summary – The Company is a one-bank holding company incorporated in 2016. The Company operates as the parent for its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank, which commenced operations in 2008. The income of the Company is primarily derived through the operations of the Bank. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.

The Bank operates as a locally headquartered, community-oriented bank, serving customers throughout the New York metro area from offices in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Kings (Brooklyn) and New York (Manhattan) Counties, New York and Freehold in Monmouth County, New Jersey. We opened the Bank’s Hauppauge Business Banking Center in Hauppauge, Suffolk County, New York in May 2023. This location is the nexus of our expanded commercial lending and deposit activities, that are integral to the ongoing diversification of our balance sheet as we fill the void left by the diminishing number of commercial banks in the NYC Metro area. We offer personal and business loans on a secured and unsecured basis, SBA and USDA guaranteed loans, revolving lines of credit, commercial mortgage loans, and one- to four-family non-qualified mortgages secured by primary and secondary residences that may be owner occupied or investment properties, home equity loans, bridge loans and other personal purpose loans.

The Bank works to provide more direct, personal attention to customers than management believes is offered by competing financial institutions, the majority of which are branch offices of banks headquartered outside of the Bank’s primary trade area. By striving to employ professional, responsive and knowledgeable staff, the Bank believes it offers a superior level of service to its customers. As a result of senior management’s availability for consultation on a daily basis, the Bank believes it offers customers a quicker response on loan applications and other banking transactions, as well as greater and earlier certainty as to whether these transactions will actually close, than competitors, whose decisions may take longer and be made in distant headquarters.

Historically, the Bank has generated additional income by strategically originating and selling residential and government guaranteed loans to other financial institutions at premiums, while also retaining servicing rights in some sales. However, due to the pace of interest rate increases over the last year, the residential loan sale market remains less active, and the Bank continues originating residential loans for its own portfolio. The Bank is an approved SBA Preferred Lender, enabling the Bank to process SBA applications under delegated authority from the SBA and enhancing the Bank’s ability to compete more effectively for SBA lending opportunities.

In the first half of 2023 we largely completed expansions of our SBA & USDA and C&I Banking teams and anticipate the pace and volume of SBA and USDA guaranteed loan originations and C&I loan originations and deposit production will grow during the second half of 2023.

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Table of Contents

The Bank finances most of its activities through a combination of deposits, including non-interest-bearing demand, savings, NOW and money market deposits as well as time deposits, and both short- and long-term borrowings. The Company’s chief competition includes local banks within its market area, New York City money center banks and regional banks, as well as non-bank lenders, including fintech lenders.

Financial Performance Summary

As of or for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended

Nine months ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

    

Revenue (1)

$

15,479

$

16,648

$

47,834

$

51,709

Non-interest expense

 

10,566

8,730

 

29,404

26,352

Acquisition costs included in non-interest expense

 

250

 

250

Provision for loan losses

 

500

1,000

 

2,932

2,400

Net income

 

3,094

5,333

 

11,641

17,730

Net income per share - diluted

 

0.42

0.80

 

1.57

2.92

Return on average assets

 

0.60

%  

1.41

%  

 

0.81

%  

1.61

%  

Return on average stockholders' equity (2)

6.82

%  

14.05

%  

 

8.68

%  

17.27

%  

Tier 1 leverage ratio

 

9.16

%  

11.64

%  

 

9.16

%  

11.64

%  

Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

 

13.16

%  

16.27

%  

 

13.16

%  

16.27

%  

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

 

13.16

%  

16.27

%  

 

13.16

%  

16.27

%  

Total risk-based capital ratio

 

14.24

%  

17.32

%  

 

14.24

%  

17.32

%  

Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) (2)

 

7.77

%  

9.29

%  

 

7.77

%  

9.29

%  

Total stockholders' equity/total assets (3)

 

8.62

%  

10.40

%  

 

8.62

%  

10.40

%  

(1)Represents net interest income plus total non-interest income.
(2)Includes common stock and Series A preferred stock for the periods ended June 30, 2023.
(3)The ratio of total  stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable GAAP measure to the non-GAAP tangible common equity ratio presented herein.

At June 30, 2023 the Company, on a consolidated basis, had total assets of $2.1 billion, total deposits of $1.6 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $182.8 million. The Company recorded net income of $3.1 million, or $0.42 per diluted share (including Series A preferred shares), for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022 and $11.6 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2023 compared to net income of $17.7 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022.

The $2.2 million decrease in earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 period was primarily due to a $1.3 million decrease in net interest income and a $1.8 million increase in non-interest expense. The $6.1 million decrease in earnings for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 period resulted primarily from a $2.1 million decrease in net interest income; $1.7 million decrease in non-interest income; a $3.1 million increase in non-interest expense; a $0.5 million increase in the provision for loan losses expense and a decrease in purchase accounting accretion.

The Company’s return on average assets and return on average stockholders’ equity were 0.60% and 6.82%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus 1.41% and 14.05%, respectively, for the comparable 2022 period, and 0.81% and 8.68% for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus 1.61% and 17.27%, respectively, for the prior year period.

Total non-accrual loans at June 30, 2023 were $10.6 million, or 0.58% of total loans, compared to $12.3 million, or 0.76% of total loans at September 30, 2022 and $12.5 million, or 0.88% of total loans, at June 30, 2022. The allowance for loan

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losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 144%, 105% and 87% at June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

The Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 68.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus 52.4% a year ago. The increase in the operating efficiency ratio was due to decreases in non-interest income and net interest income resulting from the rapid rise in interest rates and an increase in non-interest expense.

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates - To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, the Company’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Critical accounting estimates are accounting estimates where (a) the nature of the estimate is material due to levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and (b) the impact of the estimate on financial condition or operating performance is material.

The Company considers the determination of the allowance for loan losses its most critical accounting policy, practice and use of estimates. The Company uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans. Future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged against income and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loan losses are recognized in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The adequacy of the allowance to cover any inherent loan losses in the portfolio is evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Financial Condition – Total assets of the Company were $2.1 billion at June 30, 2023, versus $1.8 billion at September 30, 2022. Total loans at June 30, 2023 were $1.8 billion, compared to total loans of $1.6 billion at September 30, 2022. Total deposits were $1.6 billion at June 30, 2023, versus $1.5 billion at September 30, 2022. Total borrowings and subordinated debt at June 30, 2023 were $318.5 million, including $289.7 million of outstanding FHLB advances, compared to $126.3 million at September 30, 2022.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2023, the Company’s loan portfolio, net of sales, grew by $200.0 million to $1.8 billion. At June 30, 2023, the residential loan portfolio amounted to $625.3 million, or 34.3% of total loans. Commercial real estate loans, including multi-family loans and construction and land development loans, continue to make up a greater proportion of our loan portfolio and totaled $1.1 billion or 62.0% of total loans at June 30, 2023. Commercial loans, including PPP loans, totaled $67.9 million or 3.7% of total loans.

Total deposits were $1.6 billion at June 30, 2023, versus $1.5 billion at September 30, 2022. Core deposit balances, which consist of demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits, represented 71.4% and 77.8% of total deposits at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. At those dates, demand deposit balances represented 11.3% and 14.3% of total deposits. The Company’s municipal deposit program is built on long-standing relationships developed in the local marketplace. We believe this core deposit business will continue to provide a stable source of funding for the Company’s lending products at costs lower than both consumer deposits and market-based borrowings. The Company continues to broaden its municipal customer deposit base as evidenced by the increase in the number of relationships year over year. At June 30, 2023, total municipal deposits were $346.4 million, representing 21.7% of total deposits, compared to $416.9 million at September 30, 2022, representing 27.3% of total deposits. The weighted average rate on the municipal deposit portfolio was 3.79% at June 30, 2023.

Borrowings at June 30, 2023 were $293.8 million, including $4.1 million in PPPLF funding, versus $101.8 million, including $9.0 million in PPPLF funding at September 30, 2022. PPPLF borrowings declined as borrowers received forgiveness or have made payments on PPP loans. At June 30, 2023, the Company had $289.7 million of outstanding FHLB advances as compared to $92.8 million at September 30, 2022. The Company added $100.7 million of extended duration FHLB term advances in March 2023 to provide additional liquidity and enhance the interest rate sensitivity profile. The Company utilizes a number of strategies to manage interest rate risk including interest rate swap agreements.  During the second quarter of 2023, the Company executed its first pay fixed, receive floating interest rate swap with a notional amount totaling $25.0 million for a four-year term at a fixed rate of 3.89%.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources – Liquidity management is defined as ability of the Company and the Bank to meet their financial obligations on a continuous basis without material loss or disruption of normal operations. These obligations include the withdrawal of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of borrowings as they mature, funding new and existing loan commitments and the ability to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Asset liquidity is provided by short-term investments, such as fed funds sold, the marketability of securities available for sale and interest-bearing deposits due from the Federal Reserve, FHLB and correspondent banks, which totaled $211.5 million and $150.0 million at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. These liquid assets may include assets that have been pledged primarily against municipal deposits or borrowings. Liquidity is also provided by the maintenance of a base of core deposits, cash and non-interest-bearing deposits due from banks and the ability to sell or pledge marketable assets and access to lines of credit. At June 30, 2023, liquidity sources, which includes cash and unencumbered securities and secured and unsecured funding capacity, totaled $485.8 million, representing approximately 165% of uninsured deposit balances.

Liquidity is continuously monitored, allowing management to better understand and react to emerging balance sheet trends, including temporary mismatches with regard to sources and uses of funds. After assessing actual and projected cash flow needs, management seeks to obtain funding at the most economical cost. These funds can be obtained by converting liquid assets to cash or by attracting new deposits or other sources of funding. Many factors affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs, including variations in the markets served, loan demand, its asset/liability mix, its reputation and credit standing in its markets and general economic conditions. Borrowings and the scheduled amortization of investment securities and loans are more predictable funding sources. Deposit flows and securities and loan prepayments are somewhat less predictable as they are often subject to external factors. Among these are changes in the local and national economies, competition from other financial institutions and changes in market interest rates.

The Company’s primary sources of funds are cash provided by deposits, which may include brokered and listing service deposits, borrowings, proceeds from maturities and sales of securities and cash provided by operating activities. At June 30, 2023, total deposits were $1.6 billion, of which $389.4 million were time deposits scheduled to mature within the next 12 months. Based on historical experience, the Company expects to be able to replace a substantial portion of those maturing deposits with comparable deposit products. At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company had $293.8 million and $101.8 million, respectively, in borrowings outstanding.

The Liquidity and Wholesale Funding Policy of the Bank establishes specific policies and operating procedures governing liquidity levels to assist management in developing plans to address future and current liquidity needs. Management monitors the rates and cash flows from loan and investment portfolios while also examining the maturity structure and volatility characteristics of liabilities to develop an optimum asset/liability mix. Available funding sources include retail, commercial and municipal deposits, purchased liabilities and stockholders’ equity. At June 30, 2023, the Bank had access to approximately $953.1 million in FHLB lines of credit for overnight or term borrowings, of which $401.9 million securing municipal letters of credit, $129.7 million in term borrowings, and $160.0 million in overnight borrowings were outstanding. At June 30, 2023, the Bank’s borrowings from the Federal Reserve’s PPPLF were $4.1 million. At June 30, 2023, the Bank had access to approximately $92 million in unsecured lines of credit extended by correspondent banks, if needed, for short-term funding purposes. No borrowings were outstanding under lines of credit with correspondent banks at June 30, 2023.

The Company strives to maintain an efficient level of capital, commensurate with its risk profile, on which a competitive rate of return to stockholders will be realized over the short and long terms. Capital is managed to enhance stockholder value while providing flexibility for management to act opportunistically in a changing marketplace. Management continually evaluates the Company’s capital position in light of current and future growth objectives and regulatory guidelines. Total stockholders’ equity increased to $182.8 million at June 30, 2023 from $172.6 million at September 30, 2022, primarily due to net income recorded during the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

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The Bank is subject to regulatory capital requirements. The Bank’s tier 1 leverage, common equity tier 1 risk-based, tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios were 9.16%, 13.16%, 13.16% and 14.24%, respectively, at June 30, 2023, exceeding all regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized institution, the highest regulatory capital category. Moreover, capital rules also place limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if a banking organization does not maintain a buffer of common equity tier 1 capital above minimum capital requirements. At June 30, 2023, the Bank’s capital buffer was in excess of requirements.

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the nine months ended June 30, 2023.

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity to total assets ratio and tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (“TCE ratio”) were 8.62% and 7.77%, respectively, at June 30, 2023, versus 9.38% and 8.41%, respectively, at September 30, 2022 and 10.40% and 9.29%, respectively, at June 30, 2022. The ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure to the non-GAAP TCE ratio presented herein. The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, or TCE ratio, is calculated by dividing total stockholders’ equity by total assets, after reducing both amounts by intangible assets. The TCE ratio is not required by U.S. GAAP or by applicable bank regulatory requirements, but is a metric used by management to evaluate the adequacy of our capital levels. Since there is no authoritative requirement to calculate the TCE ratio, our TCE ratio is not necessarily comparable to similar capital measures disclosed or used by other companies in the financial services industry. Tangible common equity and tangible assets are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Set forth below are the reconciliations of tangible common equity to U.S. GAAP total stockholders’ equity and tangible assets to U.S. GAAP total assets at June 30, 2023 (in thousands). (See also Non-GAAP Disclosure contained herein.)

    

    

    

Ratios

Total stockholders' equity (3)

$

182,806

Total assets

$

2,121,783

8.62%

(1)

Less: goodwill

 

(19,168)

Less: goodwill

(19,168)

 

Less: core deposit intangible

 

(344)

Less: core deposit intangible

(344)

 

Tangible common equity (3)

$

163,294

Tangible assets

$

2,102,271

7.77%

(2)

(1)The ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable GAAP measure to the non-GAAP tangible common equity ratio presented herein.
(2)TCE ratio
(3)Includes common stock and Series A preferred stock.

All dividends must conform to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The Company’s ability to pay dividends to stockholders depends on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company. Additionally, the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company is subject to certain regulatory restrictions. Under New York law, a bank may pay a dividend on its common stock only out of net profits, and must obtain the approval of the Superintendent of the DFS if the total of all dividends declared by a bank or trust company in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfer to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any preferred stock.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved the payment of a $0.10 per share cash dividend on both common and Series A preferred shares payable on August 16, 2023 to stockholders of record on August 9, 2023.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements - The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers provided there are no violations of any conditions established under the loan agreements. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of fees. Since many commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral required varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, income-producing commercial properties and other real estate. At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, commitments to originate loans and commitments under unused lines of credit for which the Bank is obligated amounted to approximately $88 million and $73 million, respectively.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments guaranteeing payments of drafts in accordance with the terms of letter of credit agreements. Commercial letters of credit are used primarily to facilitate trade or commerce and are also issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, bond financings and similar transactions. Collateral may be required to support letters of credit based upon management’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of each customer. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, letters of credit outstanding were approximately $488 thousand and $817 thousand, respectively.

Results of Operations – Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 – The Company recorded net income of $3.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus net income of $5.3 million in the comparable three month period a year ago. The decline in earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 quarter resulted primarily from a $1.3 million decrease in net interest income and a $1.8 million increase in non-interest expense.

Net Interest Income and Margin

The $1.3 million decline in net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 quarter was largely due to the compression of the Company’s net interest margin to 2.68% in the 2023 quarter from 4.05% in the comparable 2022 quarter. The yield on interest earning assets increased to 5.65% in the 2023 quarter from 4.45% in the comparable 2022 quarter, an increase of 120 basis points. This increase was offset by a 302 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 3.52% in 2023 from 0.50% in the third fiscal quarter of 2022. The rapid and significant rise in interest rates driven by the Federal Reserve and, to a lesser extent, the Company’s decision to increase liquidity as a result of recent industry events resulted in the higher cost of funds. Included in net interest income was accretion and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments arising from the acquisition of Savoy Bank of $0.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and $0.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2022.

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NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

(dollars in thousands)

2023

2022

Average

Average

Average

Average

Balance

Interest

Rate

Balance

Interest

Rate

Assets:

Interest-earning assets

Loans

$

1,798,651

$

25,581

 

5.70

%  

$

1,323,482

$

15,842

 

4.80

%  

Investment securities

 

15,885

 

198

 

5.00

%  

 

10,752

 

98

 

3.66

%  

Interest-earning cash

 

195,883

 

2,494

 

5.11

%  

 

128,669

 

272

 

0.85

%  

FHLB stock and other investments

9,974

186

7.48

%  

4,228

47

4.46

%  

Total interest-earning assets

 

2,020,393

 

28,459

 

5.65

%  

 

1,467,131

 

16,259

 

4.45

%  

Non interest-earning assets:

Cash and due from banks

 

8,240

 

  

 

  

 

10,035

 

  

 

  

Other assets

 

53,511

 

  

 

  

 

44,858

 

  

 

  

Total assets

$

2,082,144

 

  

 

  

$

1,522,024

 

  

 

  

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:

Interest-bearing liabilities

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

$

1,080,328

$

9,905

 

3.68

%  

$

778,751

$

579

 

0.30

%  

Time deposits

 

437,202

 

3,214

 

2.95

%  

 

281,196

 

427

 

0.61

%  

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,517,530

 

13,119

 

3.47

%  

 

1,059,947

 

1,006

 

0.38

%  

Borrowings

160,079

1,501

3.76

%  

65,213

100

0.62

%  

Subordinated debentures

 

24,599

 

334

 

5.45

%  

 

24,545

 

333

 

5.44

%  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,702,208

 

14,954

 

3.52

%  

 

1,149,705

 

1,439

 

0.50

%  

Demand deposits

 

174,515

 

  

 

  

 

209,176

 

  

 

  

Other liabilities

 

23,490

 

  

 

  

 

10,863

 

  

 

  

Total liabilities

1,900,213

1,369,744

Stockholders' equity

 

181,931

 

  

 

  

 

152,280

 

  

 

  

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

2,082,144

 

  

 

  

$

1,522,024

 

  

 

  

Net interest rate spread

 

  

 

  

 

2.13

%  

 

  

 

  

 

3.95

%  

Net interest income/margin

 

  

$

13,505

 

2.68

%  

 

  

$

14,820

 

4.05

%  

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a $0.5 million provision for loan losses expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus $1.0 million recorded for the comparable period in 2022. The adequacy of the provision and the resulting allowance for loan losses, which was $15.4 million at June 30, 2023, is determined by management’s ongoing review of the loan portfolio including, among other things, impaired loans, past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, existing adverse situations that may affect borrower’s ability to repay and estimated fair value of any underlying collateral securing loans. Moreover, management evaluates changes, if any, in underwriting standards; collection, charge-off and recovery practices; the nature or volume of the portfolio, lending staff and concentration of loans; as well as current economic conditions and other relevant factors. Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate to provide for probable and reasonably estimable losses at June 30, 2023. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates and Asset Quality contained herein.)

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Table of Contents

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 versus the comparable 2022 period. This increase was driven by a $0.2 million increase in net gain on sale of loans reflective of the strengthening of secondary market premiums in connection with sales of SBA loans offset by a $0.1 million decrease in other income. For the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company sold the government guaranteed portion of SBA loans totaling approximately $12.6 million and $9.5 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Non-Interest Income

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

Three months ended

Nine months ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

(in thousands)

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

Loan servicing and fee income

$

811

$

779

$

2,028

$

2,203

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

70

 

60

 

200

 

169

Net gain on sale of loans held for sale

 

1,052

 

849

 

2,625

 

3,916

Net gain on sale of investments available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

105

Other income

 

41

 

140

 

288

 

483

Total non-interest income

$

1,974

$

1,828

$

5,141

$

6,876

Non-interest Expense

Total non-interest expense increased by $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 versus the comparable 2022 quarter. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, data processing, professional fees and federal deposit insurance premiums.  

Non-Interest Expense

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

Three months ended

Nine months ended

 

June 30, 

June 30, 

(in thousands)

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

 

Salaries and employee benefits

$

5,405

$

4,843

$

15,301

$

15,400

Occupancy and equipment

 

1,587

 

1,394

 

4,601

 

4,177

Data processing

 

576

 

374

 

1,435

 

1,133

Advertising and promotion

 

200

 

112

 

533

 

298

Acquisition costs

 

 

250

 

 

250

Professional fees

 

781

 

579

 

2,345

 

1,718

Federal deposit insurance premiums

 

357

 

90

 

873

 

260

Other expenses

 

1,660

 

1,088

 

4,316

 

3,116

Total non-interest expense

$

10,566

$

8,730

$

29,404

$

26,352

The Company recorded income tax expense of $1.3 million for an effective tax rate of 29.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus income tax expense of $1.6 million for an effective tax rate of 22.9% in the comparable 2022 period. This increase is primarily related to a $0.3 million tax related upward adjustment due to increased business in other states, coupled with lower projected pre-tax income. We anticipate the effective tax rate for the remainder of the year to range from 24.5% to 25.5%.

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations – Comparison of the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 – The Company recorded net income of $11.6 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus net income of $17.7 million in the comparable nine months a year ago. The decline in earnings for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 period resulted primarily from a $2.1 million decrease in net interest income; a $1.7 million decrese in non-interest income; a $3.1 million increase in non-interest expense; a $0.5 million increase in the provision for loan losses expense due to growth in the loan portfolio; and a decrease in purchase accounting accretion.

Net Interest Income and Margin

The $2.1 million decline in net interest income for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 period was largely due to the compression of the Company’s net interest margin to 3.05% in the 2023 nine month period from 4.23% in the comparable 2022 period. The margin compression reflects the effects of the rapid and significant rise in interest rates and the competitive deposit environment. The yield on interest earning assets increased to 5.44% in the 2023 nine month period from 4.60% in the comparable 2022 period, an increase of 84 basis points, offset by a 243 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.90% in 2023 from 0.47% in the 2022 nine month period. Included in net interest income was accretion and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments of $1.1 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and $3.3 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2022 arising from the acquisition of Savoy Bank.

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NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS

For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

(dollars in thousands)

2023

2022

Average

Average

Average

Average

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Yield/Cost

    

Balance

    

Interest

    

Yield/Cost

Assets:

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$

1,748,618

$

71,501

 

5.47

%  

$

1,283,856

$

47,972

 

5.00

%  

Investment securities

 

16,268

 

608

 

5.00

%  

 

12,659

 

358

 

3.78

%  

Interest-earning cash

97,681

3,558

4.87

%  

116,709

356

0.41

%  

FHLB stock and other investments

7,617

424

7.44

%  

4,518

130

3.85

%  

Total interest-earning assets

 

1,870,184

 

76,091

 

5.44

%  

 

1,417,742

 

48,816

 

4.60

%  

Non interest-earning assets:

Cash and due from banks

9,557

8,901

Other assets

 

53,334

 

  

 

  

 

47,044

 

  

 

  

Total assets

$

1,933,075

 

  

 

  

$

1,473,687

 

  

 

  

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

$

1,000,926

$

22,461

 

3.00

%  

$

694,429

$

1,290

 

0.25

%  

Time deposits

 

401,095

 

7,144

 

2.38

%  

 

311,483

 

1,319

 

0.57

%  

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,402,021

 

29,605

 

2.82

%  

 

1,005,912

 

2,609

 

0.35

%  

Borrowings

 

115,635

 

2,792

 

3.23

%  

 

93,213

 

376

 

0.54

%  

Subordinated debentures

 

24,586

 

1,001

 

5.44

%  

 

24,524

 

998

 

5.44

%  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,542,242

 

33,398

 

2.90

%  

 

1,123,649

 

3,983

 

0.47

%  

Demand deposits

 

187,071

 

  

 

  

 

200,295

 

  

 

  

Other liabilities

 

24,522

 

  

 

  

 

12,456

 

  

 

  

Total liabilities

1,753,835

1,336,400

Stockholders' equity

 

179,240

 

  

 

  

 

137,287

 

  

 

  

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

1,933,075

 

  

 

  

$

1,473,687

 

  

 

  

Net interest rate spread

 

  

 

  

 

2.54

%  

 

  

 

  

 

4.13

%  

Net interest income/margin

 

  

$

42,693

 

3.05

%  

 

  

$

44,833

 

4.23

%  

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a $2.9 million provision for loan losses expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus $2.4 million recorded for the comparable period in 2022. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates and Asset Quality contained herein.)

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income decreased by $1.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 period. This decline was largely driven by the $1.3 million decrease in net gain on sale of loans due to a lower volume of SBA loan sales and depressed secondary market premiums early in the year. For the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $33.4 million and $60.9 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $2.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Non-interest Expense

Total non-interest expense increased by $3.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus the comparable 2022 period. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to increases in occupancy and equipment, data processing, professional fees and federal deposit insurance premiums.

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Table of Contents

The Company recorded income tax expense of $3.9 million for an effective tax rate of 24.9% for the nine months ended June 30, 2023, versus income tax expense of $5.2 million for an effective tax rate of 22.8% in the comparable 2022 period.

Asset Quality - Total non-accrual loans at June 30, 2023 were $10.6 million, or 0.58% of total loans, compared to $12.3 million, or 0.76% of total loans at September 30, 2022 and $12.5 million, or 0.88% of total loans, at June 30, 2022. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 144%, 105% and 87% at June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

Total accruing loans delinquent 30 days or more, excluding purchased credit-impaired loans, amounted to $17.0 million, $2.9 million and $4.5 million at June 30, 2023, September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

Total loans having credit risk ratings of Special Mention or Substandard were $25.9 million at June 30, 2023, versus $32.6 million at September 30, 2022. These were mainly from the acquired loan portfolio of Savoy Bank. The acquired portfolio has a large component of SBA loans, which were supported through the COVID-pandemic with assistance from the SBA. The Company’s Special Mention and Substandard loans were comprised of residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans (including SBA facilities) and construction loans at June 30, 2023. The Company had no loans with a credit risk rating of Doubtful for the periods presented. All loans not having credit risk ratings of Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful are considered pass loans.

At June 30, 2023, the Company had $1.7 million in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), consisting of residential real estate loans. The Company had TDRs amounting to $2.3 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

At June 30, 2023, the Company’s allowance for loan losses amounted to $15.4 million or 0.84% of period-end total loans outstanding. The allowance as a percentage of loans outstanding was 0.79% at September 30, 2022 and 0.77% at June 30, 2022. The Company recorded loan charge-offs during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 of $10 thousand and $92 thousand, respectively. The Company recorded no loan charge-offs during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

The Company recorded a $0.5 million provision for loan losses expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023, versus $1.0 million recorded for the comparable period in 2022. Adjustments to the Company’s loss experience is based on management’s evaluation of several environmental factors, including: changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; changes in the nature and volume of the Company’s portfolio and in the terms of the Company’s loans; changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans; changes in the quality of the Company’s loan review system; changes in lending policies, procedures and strategies; changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans; the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; and the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the Company’s existing portfolio.

Management has determined that the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate in relation to the probable and reasonably estimable losses present in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary and management may need to record loan charge-offs in future periods. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates contained herein).

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Table of Contents

ASSET QUALITY

June 30, 2023 versus September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022

(dollars in thousands)

As of or for the three months ended

    

6/30/2023

    

9/30/2022

    

6/30/2022

Non-accrual loans

$

10,649

$

12,281

$

12,491

Non-accrual loans held for sale

Loans greater than 90 days past due

136

1,231

1,237

Other real estate owned

Total non-performing assets (1)

$

10,785

$

13,512

$

13,728

Performing TDRs

$

1,744

$

2,370

$

1,390

Loans held for sale

Loans held for investment

1,823,503

1,623,531

1,415,777

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

14,879

$

10,886

$

9,886

Provision

500

2,050

1,000

Charge-offs

(10)

(92)

Recoveries

Ending balance

$

15,369

$

12,844

$

10,886

Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans (2)

0.84

%

0.79

%

0.77

%

Allowance for loan losses as a % of non-accrual loans (2)

144

%

105

%

87

%

Non-accrual loans as a % of total loans (2)

0.58

%

0.76

%

0.88

%

Non-performing assets as a % of total loans, loans held for sale and other real estate owned

0.59

%

0.83

%

0.97

%

Non-performing assets as a % of total assets

0.51

%

0.73

%

0.85

%

Non-performing assets and performing TDRs, to total loans held for sale and investment

0.69

%

0.98

%

1.07

%

(1)Non-performing assets defined as non-accrual loans, non-accrual loans held for sale, loans greater than 90 days past due and other real estate owned.
(2)Excludes loans held for sale.

ITEM 3. - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company originates and invests in interest-earning assets and solicits interest-bearing deposit accounts. The Company’s operations are subject to market risk resulting from fluctuations in interest rates to the extent that there is a difference between the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid, withdrawn, matured or repriced in any given period of time. The Company’s earnings or the net value of its portfolio will change under different interest rate scenarios. The principal objective of the Company’s asset/liability management program is to maximize net interest income within an acceptable range of overall risk, including both the effect of changes in interest rates and liquidity risk.

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The Company utilizes a number of strategies to manage interest rate risk including, but not limited to: (i) balancing the types and structures of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities by diversifying mix, coupons, maturities and/or repricing characteristics, (ii) reducing the overall interest rate sensitivity of liabilities by emphasizing core and/or longer-term deposits; utilizing FHLB advances and wholesale deposits for our interest rate risk profile, and (iii) entering into interest rate swap agreements.

The following presents the Company’s economic value of equity (“EVE”) and net interest income (“NII”) sensitivities at June 30,2023 (dollars in thousands). The results are within the Company’s policy limits.

At June 30, 2023

Interest Rates

Estimated

Estimated Change in EVE

Interest Rates

Estimated

Estimated Change in NII(1)

(basis points)

    

EVE

    

Amount

    

%

    

(basis points)

    

NII(1)

    

Amount

    

%

+400

$

113,978

$

(92,769)

 

(44.9)

+400

$

32,717

$

(13,820)

 

(29.7)

+300

 

135,252

 

(71,495)

 

(34.6)

+300

 

36,152

 

(10,385)

 

(22.3)

+200

 

157,676

 

(49,071)

 

(23.7)

+200

 

39,645

 

(6,892)

 

(14.8)

+100

 

182,740

 

(24,007)

 

(11.6)

+100

 

43,168

 

(3,369)

 

(7.2)

0

 

206,747

 

0

 

46,537

 

 

-100

 

227,095

 

20,348

 

9.8

-100

 

49,853

 

3,316

 

7.1

(1)Assumes 12 month time horizon.

Certain model limitations are inherent in the methodology used in the EVE and net interest income measurements. The models require the making of certain assumptions which may tend to oversimplify the way actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. The models assume that the composition of the Company’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remain constant over the period being measured, thus they do not consider the Company’s strategic plans, or any other steps it may take to respond to changes in rates over the forecasted period of time. Additionally, the models assume immediate changes in interest rates, based on yield curves as of a point-in-time, which are reflected in a parallel, instantaneous and uniform manner across all yield curves, when in reality changes may rarely be of this nature. The models also utilize data derived from historical performance and as interest rates change the actual performance of loan prepayments, rate sensitivities, and average life assumptions may deviate from assumptions utilized in the models and can impact the results. Accordingly, although the above measurements provide an indication of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates. Given the unique nature of the post-pandemic interest rate environment and the speed with which interest rates have been changing, the projections noted above on the Company’s EVE and net interest income and can be expected to differ from actual results.

ITEM 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule l3a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.

There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter 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

ITEM 1. - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is not subject to any legal proceedings, which could have a materially adverse impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission other than as described below.

Risks Related to Recent Events Impacting the Financial Services Industry

Recent events impacting the financial services industry, including the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, have resulted in decreased confidence in banks among consumer and commercial depositors, other counterparties and investors, as well as significant disruption, volatility and reduced valuations of equity and other securities of banks in the capital markets. These events occurred during a period of rapidly rising interest rates which, among other things, has resulted in unrealized losses in longer duration securities and loans held by banks, more competition for bank deposits and may increase the risk of a potential recession. These recent events have, and could continue to, adversely impact the market price and volatility of the Company’s common stock.

These recent events may also result in potentially adverse changes to laws or regulations governing banks and bank holding companies or result in the impositions of restrictions through supervisory or enforcement activities, including higher capital requirements, which could have a material impact on our business. Inability to access short-term funding, loss of client deposits or changes in our credit ratings could increase the cost of funding, limit access to capital markets or negatively impact our overall liquidity or capitalization. We may be impacted by concerns regarding the soundness or creditworthiness of other financial institutions, which can cause substantial and cascading disruption within the financial markets and increased expenses. The cost of resolving the recent bank failures may prompt the FDIC to increase its premiums above the recently increased levels or to issue additional special assessments.

ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS

10.1

Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Mr. Wilcox and Hanover Community Bank (1)

31.1

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

Inline 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

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

(1)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 27, 2023

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

HANOVER BANCORP, INC.

Dated: August 11, 2023

/s/ Michael P. Puorro

Michael P. Puorro

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Dated: August 11, 2023

/s/ Lance P. Burke

Lance P. Burke

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

48