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MALVERN BANCORP, INC. - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)

mlvf20220930_10k.htm
 

 

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended: September 30, 2022

 

or

 

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from               to               

 

Commission File Number: 000-54835

 

MALVERN BANCORP, INC.

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania

 

45-5307782

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification Number)

   

42 E. Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania

 

19301

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 644-9400

 

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, $.01 par value per share

MLVF

The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

 

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

 

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

Yes ☐ No ☒

 

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

Yes ☐ No ☒

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $98.2 million, based on the last sale price on the NASDAQ Stock Market for the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

 

The number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of December 27, 2022 was 7,633,828.

 



 

 

 

 

MALVERN BANCORP, INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   

Page

PART I

Item 1.

Business

3

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

17

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

25

Item 2.

Properties

26

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

26

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

26

PART II

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholders’ Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

27

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

27

Item 7.

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

28

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

56

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

56

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

121

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

121

Item 9B.

Other Information

121

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

122

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

122

Item 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholders’ Matters

122

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

122

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

122

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

123

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

125

SIGNATURES

126

 

 

 

 

Information included in or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on form 10-K (this Report), other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Companys press releases or other public statements, contain or may contain forward looking statements. Please refer to a discussion of the Companys forward looking statements and associated risks in ‘‘Item 1 Business’’ and ‘‘Item 1A Risk factors’’ in this Report.

 

PART I.

 

This Report, in Item 1, Item 7 and elsewhere, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Sections 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. This Report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including statements preceded by, followed by or that include words or phrases such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘trend,’’ ‘‘objective,’’ ‘‘continue,’’ ‘‘remain,’’ ‘‘pattern’’ or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘would,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘might,’’ ‘‘can,’’ ‘‘may’’ or similar expressions. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) the impact on our business, operations, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, prospects and trading prices of our shares arising out of or resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and FDIC premiums will increase; (2) competitive pressures among depository institutions may increase significantly; (3) changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; (4) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions may vary substantially from period to period; (5) general economic conditions and real estate valuations may be less favorable than expected; (6) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (7) legislative or regulatory changes or actions may adversely affect the businesses in which Malvern Bancorp, Inc. is engaged; (8) changes and trends in the securities markets may adversely impact Malvern Bancorp, Inc.; (9)the impact on our business, operations, results of operations and prospects resulting from our pending merger with First Bank could be significant; (10) the impact of reputational risk created by the developments discussed above on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity could be significant; and (11) the outcome of any regulatory or legal investigations and proceedings may not be anticipated. Further information on other factors that could affect the financial results of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. are included in Item 1A of this Report and in Malvern Bancorps other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These documents are available free of charge at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov and/or from Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision or update to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made, unless required by law.

 

 

Item 1. Business

 

General

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Malvern Bancorp”), a Pennsylvania corporation, is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Holding Company Act”). Malvern Bancorp is the holding company for Malvern Bank, National Association (“Malvern Bank” or the “Bank”), a national bank that was originally organized in 1887 as a federally-chartered savings bank.

 

The Company’s primary business is the ownership and operation of the Bank. The Bank’s principal business consists of attracting deposits from businesses and the general public and investing those deposits, together with borrowings and funds generated from operations, in commercial and multi-family real estate loans, one- to four-family residential real estate loans, construction and development loans, commercial business loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans. We also invest in and maintain a portfolio of investment securities, primarily comprised of corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, U.S. agency and municipal obligations. Malvern Bank is one of the oldest banks headquartered on the Philadelphia Main Line. For more than a century, the Bank has been committed to helping people build prosperous communities as a trusted financial partner, forging lasting relationships through teamwork, respect and integrity. The Bank’s primary market niche is providing personalized service to its client base.

 

We derive substantially all of our income from our net interest income (i.e., the difference between the interest we receive on our loans and securities and the interest we pay on deposits and other borrowings). The Bank’s revenues are derived principally from interest on loans and investment securities, loan commitment and customer service fees and our mortgage banking operation. We also generate non-interest revenue through insufficient funds fees, stop payment fees, safe deposit rental fees, card income, including credit and debit card interchange fees, gift card fees, and other miscellaneous fees. In addition, the Bank generates non-interest revenue associated with residential loan origination and sale, back to back customer swaps, loan servicing, late fees and merchant services.

 

Our primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings and principal and interest payments on loans and securities, as well as the sale of residential loans in the secondary market. The Bank’s primary expenses are interest expense on deposits and borrowings, provisions for loan losses and general operating expenses.

 

The Bank conducts business from its headquarters in Paoli, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, and through its nine other banking locations in Chester and Delaware counties, Pennsylvania, Morristown, New Jersey, its New Jersey regional headquarters and Palm Beach, Florida. The Bank also maintains one representative office in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

 

The Bank has the following subsidiary interests:

 

 

The Bank owns 100 percent of Malvern Insurance Associates, LLC (“Malvern Insurance”), a Pennsylvania limited liability company. Malvern Insurance is a licensed insurance broker under Pennsylvania and New Jersey law.

 

 

Certain mortgage-backed securities of the Bank are held through Delaware statutory trusts, 5 percent of which are owned by the Bank and 95 percent of which are owned by Coastal Asset Management Co., a Delaware corporation which is wholly owned by the Bank.

 

 

The Bank owns a 10 percent non-controlling interest in Bell Rock Capital, LLC (“Bell Rock”), an investment advisor registered with the SEC.

 

 

The Bank owns a 3.1 percent non-controlling interest in Bankers Settlement Services Capital Region, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company which acts as a title insurance agent or agency.

 

 

The Bank owns 100 percent of Joliet 55 LLC., an Illinois limited liability company. Joliet 55 LLC held an other real estate owned (“OREO”) asset, which was subsequently sold in October 2022. 

 

The Company’s common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “MLVF.” There are 50,000,000 authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, and 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. Our executive offices are located at 42 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania, 19301, and our telephone number is (610) 644-9400. Our website address is https://ir.malvernbancorp.com.

 

 

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “Malvern”, “the Company”, “registrant”, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

SEC Reports and Corporate Governance

 

The Company makes its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments thereto, available on its website at http://ir.malvernbancorp.com without charge as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with or furnishing them to the SEC. These reports are also available at the Internet site maintained by the SEC (http://www.sec.gov). Also available on the Company’s website are the Company’s code of ethics that applies to all of the Company’s employees, including principal officers and directors, and charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Additionally, the Company will provide without charge a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K to any shareholder by mail, upon request. Requests should be sent to Malvern Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Shareholder Relations, 42 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania, 19301. Our telephone number is (610) 644-9400.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our strategy is to compete for business by providing high quality, personal service to customers, enhanced local presence and customer access to our decision-makers, rapid decision-making, and competitive interest rates and fees. We develop business relationships by increasing our profile in our communities through the involvement of our management team and our Board of Directors (“Board of Directors” or “Board”). We believe we will continue to drive growth and increase profitability, while maintaining our high levels of asset quality, by doing the following:

 

Expand Relationships in Our Communities

 

We emphasize household relationship banking by maintaining and growing our customers and contacts with personal interaction by our Board and management team in the communities that we serve. We will continue to do so by offering a full suite of competitive banking products through efficient and varied delivery channels tailored to the needs and successes of our customers and potential customers. The Bank, through its Private Banking division, also offers investment and advisory solutions. Our approach is personalized and focused on what our clients need. We provide individuals, families, business and non- profits with personalized investment management, 401 (k) advisory services for employers, financial planning, trust services, and tailored lending. In addition, we also offer insurance solutions through Malvern Insurance, our insurance subsidiary.

 

Measured Loan Portfolio Growth

 

Our loan growth strategy is to originate high quality loans with strong sponsors on the commercial side and favorable credit metrics on the retail side in order to achieve measured growth and a balance of commercial and residential loans.

 

Core Deposit Growth

 

We plan to continue to focus on growing and diversifying our core, retail, non-maturity deposit base with an emphasis on household relationship banking. Our business model includes using industry best practices for community banks, including personalized service, technology and extended hours. We believe that these generate deposit accounts with larger average balances than might be attracted otherwise.

 

Leverage Our Residential Mortgage Banking Infrastructure

 

We leverage our mortgage banking infrastructure to support the origination of residential mortgage loans for sale into the secondary market. Mortgage loan originations and sales activity are strategies utilized to support growth in our non-interest income, while also serving to help manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk through the sale of longer-duration, fixed-rate loans into the secondary market.

 

Improve Our Operating Efficiency

 

Expense discipline is a key strategy to improve operating efficiency and contribute to earnings growth. We also strive to operate more efficiently by incorporating technology into our client offerings.

 

 

Maintain Robust Capital and Liquidity Levels

 

At September 30, 2022 Tier 1 Leverage ratios of the Company and the Bank were 14.63 percent and 16.30 percent, respectively. We plan to maintain robust capital reserves.

 

In addition to our robust capital levels, we maintain significant sources of both on- and off-balance sheet liquidity and plan to continue to do so. At September 30, 2022, our liquid assets included $53.3 million of short-term cash and equivalents supplemented by $49.8 million of investment securities classified as available for sale which can be readily sold or pledged as collateral, if necessary. In addition, we had the capacity to borrow additional funds totaling $150.0 million via unsecured lines of credit and $267.3 million (without pledging additional collateral) from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.

 

Ensure the Adequacy of Our Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Reserve levels remained adequate with total allowance amounting to $9.1 million at September 30, 2022.

 

Market Area and Competition

 

At September 30, 2022, our primary market area consisted of the counties in which we currently operate branches, private banking offices and representative offices, including Chester, Delaware and Lehigh counties in Pennsylvania, Morris County, New Jersey, and Palm Beach County, Florida. Our lending is concentrated in these markets and our predominant sources of deposits are the communities in which our offices are located as well as the neighboring communities.

 

The banking business is highly competitive. We face substantial competition both in attracting deposits and in originating loans. We compete with numerous commercial banks, savings banks and savings and loan associations. Other competitors include money market mutual funds, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, stock brokerage firms, unregulated small loan companies, credit unions and issuers of commercial paper and other securities. Many of our competitors have greater assets, capital, lending limits, and financial resources to, among other things, invest in technology and finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns.

 

Products and Services

 

We offer a broad range of deposit and loan products and other banking services. These include personal and business checking accounts, retirement accounts, money market accounts, time and savings accounts, safe deposit boxes, credit cards, wire transfers, access to automated teller services, internet banking, ACH origination, telephone banking, and mobile banking. The Bank also offers remote deposit capture banking for both retail and business customers, providing the ability to electronically scan and transmit checks for deposit using check scanners or our mobile apps.

 

Time deposits consist of certificates of deposit, including those held in IRA accounts, generally with initial maturities ranging from 31 days to 60 months and brokered certificates of deposit, which we use for asset liability management purposes and to supplement other sources of funding. CDARS/ICS Reciprocal deposits are offered based on the Bank’s participation in the IntraFi Network, LLC (the “Network”) and Impact Deposit Corp (“Impact”). Clients, who are Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance sensitive, are able to place large dollar deposits with the Company and the Company utilizes CDARS to place those funds into certificates of deposit issued by other banks in the Network. This occurs in increments of less than the FDIC insurance limits so that both the principal and interest are eligible for FDIC insurance coverage in amounts larger than the insured dollar amount. Unless certain conditions are satisfied, the FDIC currently considers these funds as brokered deposits.

 

We offer personal and commercial business loans on a secured and unsecured basis, revolving lines of credit, commercial mortgage loans, and residential mortgages on both primary and secondary residences, home equity loans, bridge loans and other personal purpose loans. However, we are not and have not historically been a participant in the sub-prime lending market.

 

 

Commercial loans are loans made for business purposes and are primarily secured by collateral such as cash balances with the Bank, marketable securities held by or under the control of the Bank, business assets including accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, and liens on commercial and residential real estate.

 

Construction loans are made for business purposes to finance the construction of commercial or residential properties secured by first liens on such properties. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by first liens on completed commercial properties, including multi-family properties, to purchase or refinance such properties. Residential mortgages include loans secured by first liens on residential real estate to purchase or refinance primary and secondary residences. Home equity loans and lines of credit include loans secured by first or second liens on residential real estate for primary or secondary residences.

 

Consumer loans are made to individuals who qualify for auto loans, cash reserve, credit cards and installment loans. Our consumer loan portfolio includes unsecured overdraft lines of credit and personal loans as well as loans secured by savings accounts and certificates of deposit on deposit with the Bank.

 

Our portfolio lending activities include the origination of one-to four-family first mortgage loans, primarily in our designated market area. The fixed-rate residential mortgage loans that we originate for our portfolio generally meet the secondary mortgage market standards. As a complement to our residential one- to four-family portfolio lending activities, we operate a mortgage banking platform which supports the origination of one- to four-family mortgage loans for sale into the secondary market. The loans we originate for sale generally meet the secondary mortgage market standards. Such loans are generally originated by and sourced from the same resources and markets as those loans originated and held in our portfolio.

 

Through our Private Client division we offer investment advisory services to individuals, families, businesses and non-profits with personalized investment management, 401(k) advisory services for employers, financial planning, trust services, and tailored lending.

 

We offer a broad range of risk and insurance solutions including life and health insurance, long term care, automobile, homeowners and liability insurance through Malvern Insurance.

 

Human Capital Resources

 

At September 30, 2022, we employed a total of 77 full-time equivalent employees spanning across five states and eleven offices. It is through our employees, and their ties to the local community, that we are able to dutifully support the communities we serve. Working within, and giving back to, the local community is the hallmark of a true community bank, and we believe that the strength and commitment of our workforce to our communities is what sets us apart from other community banks.

 

We have long been committed to comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits programs as we recognize that we operate in intensely competitive environments for talent. Retention of skilled and highly trained employees is critical to our strategy of being a trusted resource to our communities and strengthening relationships with our clients through our employees. Furthering our philosophy to attract and retain a pool of talented and motivated employees who will continue to advance our purpose and contribute to our overall success, our compensation and benefits programs include: an Employees’ Savings & Profit Sharing Plan, with matching contributions, for all employees; a performance-based Executive Achievement Incentive Compensation Plan for executives; a Loan Incentive Plan for our lending officers; and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan for all employees. Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan fosters a tangible sense of ownership for our entire workforce and does not require a monetary contribution by employees.

 

We invest in our employees’ future by sponsoring and prioritizing continued education throughout the Company’s employee ranks. All of our employees are able to participate in regular educational seminars run by outside parties, including but not limited to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the American Bankers Association. The Bank also participates in the American Bankers Association, Stonier School of Banking.

 

In order to develop a workforce that aligns with our corporate values, we regularly sponsor local community events so that our employees can better integrate themselves in our communities. We believe that our employees’ well-being and personal and professional development is fostered by our outreach to the communities we serve. Our employees’ desire for active community involvement enables us to sponsor a number of local community events and initiatives.

 

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

The banking industry is highly regulated. Earnings of the Company are affected by state and federal laws and regulations and by policies of various regulatory authorities. Changes in applicable law or in the policies of various regulatory authorities could materially affect the business and prospects of the Company and the Bank. The following discussion of supervision and regulation is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed.

 

Regulation of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

Malvern Bancorp is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Holding Company Act. As a bank holding company, Malvern Bancorp is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) and is required to file reports with the FRB and provide such additional information as the FRB may require.

 

The Holding Company Act prohibits Malvern Bancorp, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks or furnishing services to subsidiary banks, except that it may, upon application, engage in, and may own shares of companies engaged in, certain businesses found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking “as to be a proper incident thereto.” The Holding Company Act requires prior approval by the FRB of the acquisition by Malvern Bancorp of more than five percent of the voting stock of any other bank. Satisfactory capital ratios, Community Reinvestment Act ratings, and anti-money laundering policies are generally prerequisites to obtaining federal regulatory approval to make acquisitions. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) requires a bank holding company where so directed by the FRB, to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support its subsidiary bank in circumstances in which it might not be otherwise inclined to do so. Acquisitions by Malvern Bank require approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”).

 

The Holding Company Act does not place territorial restrictions on the activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies.

 

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 enables bank holding companies to acquire banks in states other than the bank holding company’s home state and to open branches of such banks in other states, subject to certain restrictions. The Dodd-Frank Act, discussed below, authorized interstate de novo branching regardless of state law.

 

Regulation of Malvern Bank

 

As a national bank, Malvern Bank is subject to the supervision of, and to regular examination by the OCC. Various laws and the regulations applicable to Malvern Bancorp and Malvern Bank impose restrictions and requirements in many areas, including capital requirements, the maintenance of reserves, establishment of new offices, the making of loans and investments, consumer protection, employment practices, bank acquisitions and entry into new types of business. There are various legal limitations, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, that govern the extent to which a bank subsidiary may finance or otherwise supply funds to or engage in certain other types of transactions with its holding company or its holding company’s non-bank subsidiaries. Under federal law, no bank subsidiary may, subject to certain limited exceptions, make loans or extensions of credit to, or investments in the securities of, its parent or the non-bank subsidiaries of its parent (other than direct subsidiaries of such bank which are not financial subsidiaries) or take their securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. Each bank subsidiary is also subject to collateral security requirements for any loans or extensions of credit permitted by such exceptions.

 

 

Capital Requirements

 

Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), each federal banking agency has promulgated regulations specifying the levels at which a financial institution would be considered “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” or “critically undercapitalized,” and authorizing certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions based on the capital level of the institution.

 

In July 2013, the FRB and the OCC published final rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, referred to as the Basel III rules. Basel III (i) introduced a new capital measure called “Common Equity Tier 1,” or CET1, (ii) specified that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) applied most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures to CET1 and not to the other components of capital, thus potentially requiring higher levels of CET1 in order to meet minimum ratios, and (iv) expanded the scope of the reductions/adjustments from capital as compared to existing regulations.

 

Under Basel III, the minimum capital ratios for Malvern Bank are as follows:

 

 

4.5 percent CET1 to risk-weighted assets

 

 

6.0 percent Tier 1 capital (i.e., CET1 plus Additional Tier 1) to risk-weighted assets

 

 

8.0 percent Total capital (i.e., Tier 1 plus Tier 2) to risk-weighted assets

 

 

4.0 percent Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets as reported on consolidated financial statements (known as the “leverage ratio”)

 

Basel III also requires Malvern Bank to maintain a 2.5 percent “capital conservation buffer”, composed entirely of CET1, on top of the minimum risk-weighted asset ratios, effectively resulting in minimum ratios of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0 percent, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5 percent, and (iii) total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5 percent. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets or (iii) total capital to risk-weighted assets above the respective minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers based on the amount of the shortfall.

 

Basel III provides for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in common equity issued by nonconsolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10 percent of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15 percent of CET1. The deductions and other adjustments to CET1 were being phased in incrementally between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2018. However, in November 2017, banking regulators announced that the phase in of certain of these adjustments for non-advanced approaches banking organizations, such as Malvern Bank, was frozen.

 

Under current capital standards, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income items included in capital are excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under Basel III, the effects of certain accumulated other comprehensive items are not excluded; however, non-advanced approaches banking organizations, including Malvern Bank, were permitted to make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items effective as of January 1, 2015. We made this one-time election in the applicable bank regulatory reports as of March 31, 2015.

 

 

With respect to Malvern Bank, Basel III also revised the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of FDICIA, by (i) introducing a CET1 ratio requirement at each capital quality level (other than critically undercapitalized); (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category; and (iii) requiring a leverage ratio of 5 percent to be well-capitalized. The OCC’s regulations implementing these provisions of FDICIA provide that an institution will be classified as “well capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent, and (v) meets certain other requirements. An institution will be classified as “adequately capitalized” if it meets the aforementioned minimum capital ratios under Basel III. An institution will be classified as ”undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 4.5 percent or (iv) has Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 4.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “significantly undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 3.0 percent or (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity to total assets ratio that is equal to or less than 2.0 percent. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in a lower capitalization category if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating. Similar categories apply to bank holding companies. The capital ratios applicable to depository institutions under Basel III currently exceed the ratios to be considered well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations. See “—Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act” below.

 

Basel III prescribes a standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets that expand the risk-weighting categories from the four Basel I-derived categories (0 percent, 20 percent, 50 percent and 100 percent) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets.

 

In November 2019, the federal banking regulators published final rules implementing a simplified measure of capital adequacy for certain banking organizations that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Under the final rules, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, depository institutions and depository institution holding companies that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets and meet other qualifying criteria, including a leverage ratio of greater than 9%, off-balance-sheet exposures of 25% or less of total consolidated assets and trading assets plus trading liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets, are deemed “qualifying community banking organizations” and are eligible to opt into the “community bank leverage ratio framework.” A qualifying community banking organization that elects to use the community bank leverage ratio framework and that maintains a leverage ratio of greater than 9% is considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements under the Basel III rules and, if applicable, is considered to have met the “well capitalized” ratio requirements for purposes of its primary federal regulator’s prompt corrective action rules, discussed below. The final rules include a two-quarter grace period during which a qualifying community banking organization that temporarily fails to meet any of the qualifying criteria, including the greater-than-9% leverage capital ratio requirement, is generally still deemed “well capitalized” so long as the banking organization maintains a leverage capital ratio greater than 8%. A banking organization that fails to maintain a leverage capital ratio greater than 8% is not permitted to use the grace period and must comply with the generally applicable requirements under the Basel III rules and file the appropriate regulatory reports. We do not have any immediate plans to elect to use the community bank leverage ratio framework but may make such an election in the future.

 

As indicated in the following table, as of September 30, 2022, Malvern Bank’s current capital levels exceed the required capital amounts to be considered “well capitalized” and also meet the fully-phased in minimum capital requirements, including the related capital conservation buffers, as required by the Basel III capital rules. The Company is not subject to regulatory capital requirements imposed by Basel III on bank holding companies because it is deemed to be a small bank holding company.

 

 

Malvern Bank’s capital ratios as of September 30, 2022 are as follows:

 

                                   

To Be Well

                 
                                   

Capitalized

                 
                                   

Under Prompt

   

Excess Over

 
                   

Required for Capital

   

Corrective

   

Well-Capitalized

 
   

Actual

   

Adequacy Purposes

   

Action Provisions

   

Provision

 
   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
   

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Tier 1 leverage (core) capital (to adjusted tangible assets)

  $ 166,340       16.30 %   $ 40,820       4.00 %   $ 51,025       5.00 %   $ 115,315       11.30 %

Common equity Tier 1 (to risk-weighted assets)

    166,340       19.27       38,836       4.50       56,096       6.50       110,244       12.77  

Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    166,340       19.27       51,751       6.00       69,042       8.00       97,298       11.27  

Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    175,512       20.34       69,042       8.00       86,302       10.00       89,210       10.34  

 

Failure to meet any of the capital requirements could result in enforcement actions by the regulators, including a capital directive, a cease and desist order, civil money penalties, the establishment of restrictions on the institution’s operations, termination of federal deposit insurance and the appointment of a conservator or receiver.

 

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010

 

On July 21, 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act which has significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and impacted the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act required various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The discussion below generally discusses the material provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act applicable to the Company and the Bank and is not complete or meant to be an exhaustive discussion.

 

 

The following aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are related to the operations of the Bank:

 

 

A new independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was established within the FRB, empowered to exercise broad regulatory, supervisory and enforcement authority with respect to both new and existing consumer financial protection laws. Financial institutions with assets of $10 billion or less, such as the Bank, are subject to the supervision and enforcement of their primary federal banking regulator with respect to the federal consumer financial protection laws.

 

 

Tier 1 capital treatment for “hybrid” capital items like trust preferred securities was eliminated subject to various grandfathering and transition rules.

 

 

The prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposits was repealed.

 

 

State consumer financial law is preempted only if it would have a discriminatory effect on a national bank, prevents or significantly interferes with the exercise by a national bank of its powers or is preempted by any other federal law. The OCC must make a preemption determination on a case-by-case basis with respect to a particular state law or another state law with substantively equivalent terms.

 

 

Deposit insurance has been permanently increased to $250,000.

 

 

The deposit insurance assessment base calculation equals the depository institution’s total assets minus the sum of its average tangible equity during the assessment period.

 

 

The minimum reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund increased to 1.35 percent of estimated annual insured deposits or assessment base; however, FDIC was directed to “offset the effect” of the increased reserve ratio for insured depository institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion. On October 18, 2022 the FDIC adopted a final rule to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rates for insured depository institutions by 2 basis points, beginning with the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The increased assessment rate schedules would remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund meets or exceeds 2 percent. As a result of the new rule, the FDIC insurance costs of insured depository institutions, including Malvern Bank, would generally increase.

   

The following aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are related to the operations of the Company:

 

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act was amended to direct federal regulators to require depository institution holding companies to serve as a source of strength for their depository institution subsidiaries.

 

 

Public companies are required to provide their shareholders with a non-binding vote: (i) at least once every three years on the compensation paid to executive officers, and (ii) at least once every six years on whether they should have a “say on pay” vote every one, two or three years.

 

 

A separate, non-binding shareholder vote is required regarding golden parachutes for named executive officers when a shareholder vote takes place on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or other transactions that would trigger the parachute payments.

 

 

Securities exchanges are required to prohibit brokers from using their own discretion to vote shares not beneficially owned by them for certain “significant” matters, which include votes on the election of directors, executive compensation matters, and any other matter determined to be significant.

 

 

Stock exchanges, which includes Nasdaq, will be prohibited from listing the securities of any issuer that does not have a policy providing for (i) disclosure of its policy on incentive compensation payable on the basis of financial information reportable under the securities laws, and (ii) the recovery from current or former executive officers, following an accounting restatement triggered by material noncompliance with securities law reporting requirements, of any incentive compensation paid erroneously during the three-year period preceding the date on which the restatement was required that exceeds the amount that would have been paid on the basis of the restated financial information. See “—Incentive Compensation” below.

 

 

Disclosure in annual proxy materials will be required concerning the relationship between the executive compensation paid and the financial performance of the issuer.

 

Transactions with Affiliates, Directors, Executive Officers and Shareholders

 

Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and FRB Regulation W generally:

 

limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate;

 

limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with all affiliates; and

 

require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank or subsidiary, as those provided to a non-affiliate.

 

 

An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the bank. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans to the affiliate, the purchase of assets from the affiliate, the issuance of a guarantee on behalf of the affiliate, the purchase of securities issued by the affiliate, and other similar types of transactions.

 

A bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and greater than 10 percent shareholders, as well as entities such persons control, is subject to Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O promulgated thereunder by the FRB. Among other things, these loans must be made on terms (including interest rates charged and collateral required) substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals or be made as part of a benefit or compensation program and on terms widely available to employees and must not involve a greater than normal risk of repayment. In addition, the amount of loans a bank may make to these persons is based, in part, on the bank’s capital position, and specified approval procedures must be followed in making loans which exceed specified amounts.

 

Incentive Compensation

 

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities with at least $1 billion in total assets, such as Malvern Bancorp and the Bank, that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. In addition, these agencies must establish regulations or guidelines requiring enhanced disclosure to regulators of incentive-based compensation arrangements. The agencies proposed such regulations in April 2011 and subsequently proposed revised regulations in May 2016, but the revised regulations have not been finalized. If the revised regulations are adopted in the form proposed, they will impose limitations on the manner in which Malvern Bancorp may structure compensation for its executives and employees.

 

In 2010, the FRB, OCC and FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act.

 

The FRB will review, as part of its regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as Malvern Bancorp, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

 

Dividend Limitations

 

Malvern Bancorp is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. Malvern Bancorp’s revenues (on a parent company only basis) result in substantial part from dividends paid by the Bank. The Bank’s dividend payments, without prior regulatory approval, are subject to regulatory limitations. Under the National Bank Act, dividends may be declared only if, after payment thereof, capital would be unimpaired and remaining surplus would equal 100 percent of capital. Moreover, a national bank may declare, in any one year, dividends only in an amount aggregating not more than the sum of its net profits for such year and its retained net profits for the preceding two years. However, declared dividends in excess of net profits in either of the preceding two years can be offset by retained net profits in the third and fourth years preceding the current year when determining the Bank’s dividend limitation. In addition, the bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit the Bank from paying dividends or otherwise supplying funds to Malvern Bancorp if the supervising agency determines that such payment would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

 

 

Loans to Related Parties

 

Malvern Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10 percent shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of the National Bank Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Regulation O, as promulgated by the FRB. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to any such parties (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and (ii) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital. In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Malvern Bancorp and its subsidiaries, other than the Bank under the authority of Regulation O, may not extend or arrange for any personal loans to its directors and executive officers.

 

Lending Limits

 

As a national bank, the Bank’s lending limit to any one borrower is 15 percent of the Bank’s capital and surplus (defined as Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital calculated under the risk-based capital standards applicable to the Bank plus the allowance for loan losses (“ALLL” or “allowance”) not included in the Bank’s Tier 2 capital) for most loans ($26.3 million at September 30, 2022) and 25 percent of the Bank’s capital and surplus for loans secured by readily marketable collateral ($43.9 million at September 30, 2022). At September 30, 2022, the Bank’s largest committed relationship totaled $19.2 million.

 

2018 Regulatory Reform

 

In May 2018 the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “2018 Act”), was enacted to modify or remove certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some of those implemented under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”). While the 2018 Act maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion and for large banks with assets of more than $50 billion. Many of these changes could result in meaningful regulatory relief for community banks such as the Bank.

 

The 2018 Act, among other matters, expands the definition of qualified mortgages which may be held by a financial institution and simplifies the regulatory capital rules for financial institutions and their holding companies with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion by instructing the federal banking regulators to establish a single “Community Bank Leverage Ratio” of between 8 and 10 percent to replace the leverage and risk-based regulatory capital ratios. The Act also expands the category of holding companies that may rely on the “Small Bank Holding Company and Savings and Loan Holding Company Policy Statement” (the “SBHC Policy”) by raising the maximum amount of assets a qualifying holding company may have from $1 billion to $3 billion. This expansion also excludes such holding companies from the minimum capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, the 2018 Act includes regulatory relief for community banks regarding regulatory examination cycles, call reports, the Volcker Rule (proprietary trading prohibitions), mortgage disclosures and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans.

 

 

Community Reinvestment

 

Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by OCC regulations, a national bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community. The CRA requires the OCC, in connection with its examination of a national bank, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such association. The CRA also requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. Malvern Bank received an overall “satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent examination. A bank which does not have a CRA program that is deemed satisfactory by its regulator will be prevented from making acquisitions.

 

 

In June 2020, the OCC promulgated new CRA regulations that significantly changed the regulatory landscape for national banks to comply with CRA requirements. These new regulations, commonly referred to as the “June 2020 Rules”: (1) clarify and expand the bank lending, investment, and services that qualify for positive CRA consideration; (2) updates how banks delineate the assessment areas in which they are evaluated; (3) provide additional methods for evaluating CRA performance in a consistent and objective manner; and (4) require reporting that is timely and transparent. The June 2020 Rules were created by the OCC without coordination with the other federal bank regulatory agencies.

 

Following the 2020 presidential elections, and the appointment of a new Acting Comptroller (the head of the OCC), the OCC reviewed and revisited the June 2020 Rules. On December 14, 2021, the OCC issued a final rule that effectively rescinded the June 2020 Rules, and replaced them with the rules that were jointly adopted in 1995 by the federal bank regulatory agencies, with some amendments. As a result, the CRA landscape largely returned to the status that applied to the Bank pre-June 2020.

 

 

Corporate Governance

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 added new legal requirements for public companies affecting corporate governance, accounting and corporate reporting, to increase corporate responsibility and to protect investors. Among other things, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:

 

 

required our management to evaluate our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

imposed on our chief executive officer and chief financial officer additional responsibilities with respect to our external financial statements, including certification of financial statements within the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer;

 

 

established independence requirements for audit committee members and outside auditors;

 

 

created the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board which oversees public accounting firms; and

 

 

increased various criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.

 

Nasdaq, where Malvern Bancorp’s common stock is listed, has corporate governance listing standards, including rules strengthening director independence requirements for boards, as well as the audit committee and the compensation committee, and requiring the adoption of charters for the nominating, corporate governance, compensation and audit committees.

 

Privacy and Data Security Laws

 

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act includes limitations on financial institutions’ disclosure of nonpublic personal information about a consumer to nonaffiliated third parties, in certain circumstances requires financial institutions to limit the use and further disclosure of nonpublic personal information by nonaffiliated third parties to whom they disclose such information, and requires financial institutions to disclose certain privacy policies and practices with respect to information sharing with affiliated and nonaffiliated entities as well as to safeguard personal customer information. We have a detailed privacy policy, which is available on our website. We maintain consumers’ personal information securely, and only share such information with third parties for marketing purposes in accordance with our privacy policy and with the consent of the consumer. In addition, we take measures to safeguard the personal information of our borrowers and investors and protect against unauthorized access to this information.

 

USA PATRIOT Act

 

As part of the USA PATRIOT Act, Congress adopted the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Anti Money Laundering Act”). The Anti Money Laundering Act authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other government agencies, to adopt special measures applicable to financial institutions such as banks, bank holding companies, broker-dealers and insurance companies. Among its other provisions, the Anti Money Laundering Act requires each financial institution: (i) to establish an anti-money laundering program; (ii) to establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls that are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering in United States private banking accounts and correspondent accounts maintained for non-United States persons or their representatives; and (iii) to avoid establishing, maintaining, administering, or managing correspondent accounts in the United States for, or on behalf of, a foreign shell bank that does not have a physical presence in any country.

 

 

Regulations implementing the due diligence requirements require minimum standards to verify customer identity and maintain accurate records, encourage cooperation among financial institutions, federal banking agencies, and law enforcement authorities regarding possible money laundering or terrorist activities, prohibit the anonymous use of “concentration accounts,” and require all covered financial institutions to have in place an anti-money laundering compliance program.

 

The OCC, along with other banking agencies, have strictly enforced various anti-money laundering and suspicious activity reporting requirements using formal and informal enforcement tools to cause banks to comply with these provisions.

 

A bank which is issued a formal or informal enforcement requirement with respect to its Anti Money Laundering program will be prevented from making acquisitions.

 

Insurance of Accounts

 

The deposits of the Bank are insured to the maximum extent permitted by the Deposit Insurance Fund and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. As an insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, insured institutions. It also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity determined by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the FDIC. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against national banks, after giving the OCC an opportunity to take such action.

 

The FDIC’s risk-based premium system provides for quarterly assessments. Each insured institution is placed in one of four risk categories depending on supervisory and capital considerations. Within its risk category, an institution is assigned to an initial base assessment rate which is then adjusted to determine its final assessment rate based on its brokered deposits, secured liabilities and unsecured debt. To implement the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC amended its deposit insurance regulations (1) to change the assessment base for insurance from domestic deposits to average assets minus average tangible equity and (2) to lower overall assessment rates. The revised assessments rates are between 2.5 to 9 basis points for banks in the lowest risk category and between 30 to 45 basis points for banks in the highest risk category.

 

In addition, all institutions with deposits insured by the FDIC are required to pay assessments to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, or FICO, a mixed-ownership government corporation established to recapitalize the predecessor to the Deposit Insurance Fund. The Bank paid these assessments until the FICO bonds matured in 2019 and the FICO assessments ended.

 

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including the Bank, if it determines after a hearing that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed by an agreement with the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is not aware of any existing circumstances which could result in termination of the Bank’s deposit insurance.

 

As noted above, the Dodd-Frank Act raises the minimum reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15 percent to 1.35 percent and requires the FDIC to offset the effect of this increase on insured institutions with assets of less than $10 billion (small institutions). The FDIC has adopted a rule to accomplish this by imposing a surcharge on larger institutions commencing when the reserve ratio reaches 1.15 percent and ending when it reaches 1.35 percent. The reserve ratio reached 1.15 percent on June 30, 2016. Accordingly, surcharges began on July 1, 2016. Small institutions will receive credits for the portion of their regular assessments that contributed to growth in the reserve ratio between 1.15 percent and 1.35 percent. The credits will apply for each quarter the reserve ratio is above 1.38 percent, in amounts as determined by the FDIC. On October 18, 2022 the FDIC adopted a final rule to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rates for insured depository institutions by 2 basis points, beginning with the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The increased assessment rate schedules would remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund meets or exceeds 2 percent. As a result of the new rule, the FDIC insurance costs of insured depository institutions, including Malvern Bank, would generally increase.

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank System.

 

Malvern Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, which is one of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”). Each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures established by the board of directors of the FHLB. At September 30, 2022, the Bank had $80.0 million of FHLB advances and $150.0 million available on its line of credit with the FHLB.

 

As a member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of Pittsburgh in an amount equal to at least 1.0 percent of its aggregate unpaid residential mortgage loans or similar obligations at the beginning of each year. The Bank was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in FHLB of Pittsburgh stock at September 30, 2022 and 2021 of $4.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

 

Federal Reserve System.

 

The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally requires all depository institutions to maintain reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily interest-bearing checking and regular checking accounts). The regulations are adjusted annually and generally provide that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts. However, as announced on March 15, 2020, The Federal Reserve Board reduced reserve requirement ratios to zero percent, effective March 26, 2020, in light of the shift to an ample reserves regime. This action eliminates the need for thousands of depository institutions to maintain balances in accounts at Reserve Banks to satisfy reserve requirements, thereby freeing up liquidity in the banking system to support lending to households and businesses.

 

In addition, as a national bank, the Bank is required to hold capital stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The required shares may be adjusted up or down based on changes to the Bank’s common stock and paid-in surplus. The Bank is in compliance with these requirements, with a total investment in Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia stock of $2.7 million at both September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia pays dividends on the common stock held by the Bank at a current rate of 6%. Dividends received from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, totaled $161,000 for the year ended September 30, 2022.

 

Federal Securities Laws.

 

Malvern Bancorp has registered its common stock with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, Malvern Bancorp is subject to the proxy and tender offer rules, insider trading reporting requirements and restrictions, and certain other requirements under the Exchange Act.

 

Other Regulations. 

 

Malvern Bank is subject to federal consumer protection statutes and regulations promulgated under those laws, including, but not limited to, the:

 

 

Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;

 

 

the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”) and Regulation X, which governs certain mortgage loan origination activities and practices and the actions of servicers related to escrow accounts, loan servicing transfers, lender-placed insurance, loss mitigation, error resolution and other customer communications; and

 

 

Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain the confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of federal agencies or law enforcement, seeking the production of customer financial records.

 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Ownership of our common stock involves certain risks. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as all other information contained in this Report. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We are subject to credit risk in connection with our lending activities, and our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted by economic conditions and other factors that adversely affect our borrowers.

 

Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and in a timely manner. The risks of non-payment and late payments are assessed through our underwriting and loan review procedures based on several factors including credit risks of a particular borrower, changes in economic conditions, the duration of the loan and in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral and other factors. Despite our efforts, we do and will experience loan losses, and our financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment, natural disasters, terrorist acts, cyber-attacks, or a combination of these or other factors.

 

Our loan portfolio has been significantly affected by the economic disruptions resulting from COVID-19, which contributed to our loan losses and delinquencies increasing, and we may need to significantly add to our allowance for loan losses.

 

The economic disruptions related to COVID-19 have resulted in a significant increase in delinquencies and loans on nonaccrual status across our loan portfolio as certain industries were particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, which adversely affected the ability of certain of our borrowers to repay their loans.

 

For example, in November 2021 we announced that we completed a sale to a single investor of certain problem loans. Specifically, the Company sold three loans with a book balance of $29.3 million with a write down of approximately $10.4 million. The loans sold included approximately $12.2 million of non-accruing loans and $17.1 million of performing troubled debt restructurings. The Company had classified the loans as “held for sale” at September 30, 2021 after taking write downs to reflect the anticipated sale price of such loans. Including the write down, the Company recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of approximately $10.6 million at the quarter ended September 30, 2021. The loan sale had a material negative impact on the Company’s earnings for the quarter and year ended September 30, 2021. Notwithstanding the sale of the above-mentioned loans, as of the date of the filing the Company still retains one non-performing commercial real estate loan in the metropolitan New York area carried at a fair value of $13.3 million, classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2022, which could potentially be sold at an additional loss and could further have a material negative impact on our earnings and financial condition. Additionally the Bank is paying real estate taxes associated with the property to maintain its collateral position. It is also possible that the prior and any future impact of COVID-19 on the economy and our loan portfolio may increase our exposure to elevated loan losses and delinquencies, and as a result, we may further increase our allowance for loan losses.

 

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings will decrease.

 

We make various assumptions and judgements about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the required amount of the allowance for loan losses, we evaluate certain loans individually and establish loan loss allowances for specifically identified impairments. For all non-impaired loans, including those not individually reviewed, we estimate losses and establish loan loss allowances based upon historical and environmental loss factors. If the assumptions used in our calculation methodology are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in further additions to our allowance. COVID-19 further impacted the assumptions and methodologies typically used in making allowances for loan losses, and the availability and reliability of materials and other market information, including appraisals, have been impacted by COVID-19, making assumptions more subjective. At September 30, 2022, our allowance for loan losses was 1.12 percent of total loans. Significant additions to our allowance could materially decrease our net income.

 

Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by changing economic conditions.

 

A return to a recessionary period, continued increased inflation, continued disruption in global and domestic supply chains, and other economic conditions could negatively impact our customers in a manner that would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Volatility in the housing markets, real estate values and unemployment levels, and the deterioration of economic conditions in our market area, could affect our customers’ ability to take out loans, repay loans and adversely affect our results of operations and future growth potential in the following ways:

 

 

Loan delinquencies may increase;

 

 

Problem assets and foreclosures may increase;

 

 

Demand for our products and services may decline;

 

 

The carrying value of our OREO may decline; and

 

 

Collateral for loans made by us, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing a customer’s borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our loans.

 

 

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

 

Our net income depends primarily upon our net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on loans, investments and other interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on deposits and borrowed funds. The level of net interest income is primarily a function of the average balance of our interest-earning assets, the average balance of our interest-bearing liabilities, and the spread between the yield on such assets and the cost of such liabilities. These factors are influenced by both the pricing and mix of our interest-earning assets and our interest-bearing liabilities which, in turn, are impacted by such external factors as the local economy, competition for loans and deposits, the monetary policy of the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (the “FOMC”), and market interest rates.

 

Different types of assets and liabilities may react differently, and at different times, to changes in market interest rates. We expect that we will periodically experience gaps in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities. That means either our interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or re-price more quickly than interest-earning assets, an increase in market rates of interest could reduce our net interest income. Likewise, when interest-earning assets mature or re-price more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could reduce our net interest income. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, which are affected by many factors beyond our control, including inflation, deflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, domestic and international events and changes in the United States and other financial markets.

 

We also attempt to manage risk from changes in market interest rates, in part, by controlling the mix of interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities. However, interest rate risk management techniques are not exact. A rapid increase or decrease in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance.

 

Our high concentration of commercial real estate loans exposes us to increased lending risk.

 

As of September 30, 2022, the primary composition of our total loan portfolio was as follows:

 

 

commercial real estate loans of $406.9 million, or 50.2 percent of total loans;

 

 

residential real estate loans of $176.0 million, or 21.7 percent of total loans;

 

 

commercial and industrial loans of $102.7 million, or 12.7 percent of total loans;

 

 

construction and development loans of $24.9 million, or 3.1 percent of total loans; and

 

 

consumer loans of $19.8 million, or 2.4 percent of total loans.

 

Commercial real estate loans expose us to a greater risk of loss than do residential mortgage loans. Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to residential loans. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one commercial loan or one credit relationship exposes us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to one residential mortgage loan. Any significant failure to pay on time by our customers or a significant default by our customers would materially and adversely affect us.

 

We can give you no assurance that the economy and the real estate market in particular will grow or that any rate of growth will accelerate to historic levels. Many factors could significantly reduce or halt growth in our local economy and real estate market. Accordingly, it may become more difficult for commercial real estate borrowers to repay their loans in a timely manner, as commercial real estate borrowers’ ability to repay their loans frequently depends on the successful development and/or operation of their properties. The deterioration of one or more of our commercial real estate loans could cause a material increase in our level of nonperforming loans, which would result in a loss of revenue from these loans and could result in an increase in the provision for loan and lease losses and/or an increase in charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse impact on our net income. We also may incur losses on commercial real estate loans due to declines in occupancy rates and rental rates, which may decrease property values and may reduce the likelihood that a borrower may find permanent financing alternatives. Weaknesses in the commercial real estate market in general could negatively impact our collateral. Any weakening of the commercial real estate market may increase the likelihood of default of these loans, which could negatively impact our loan portfolio’s performance and asset quality. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, we could incur material losses. Any of these events could increase our costs, require management time and attention, and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, and could result in further losses in the future.

 

Our nonperforming assets could adversely affect our net income in various ways. We do not record interest income on nonaccrual loans or OREO, thereby adversely affecting our net interest income, net income and returns on assets and equity, and our loan administration costs increase, which together with reduced interest income adversely affects our efficiency ratio. When we take collateral in foreclosure and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the collateral to its then-fair market value, which may result in a loss. These nonperforming loans and other real estate owned also increase our risk profile and the level of capital our regulators believe is appropriate for us to maintain in light of such risks. The resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant time commitments from management and can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities. If we experience increases in nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets, our net interest income may be negatively impacted and our loan administration costs could increase, each of which would have an adverse effect on our net income and related ratios, such as return on assets and equity.

 

We engage in lending secured by real estate and may be forced to foreclose on the collateral and own the underlying real estate, subjecting us to the costs and potential risks associated with the ownership of the real property, or consumer protection initiatives or changes in state or federal law may substantially raise the cost of foreclosure or prevent us from foreclosing at all.

 

Since we originate loans secured by real estate, we may have to foreclose on the collateral property to protect our investment and may thereafter own and operate such property, in which case we would be exposed to the risks inherent in the ownership of real estate. Our inability to manage the amount of costs or size of the risks associated with the ownership of real estate, or write-downs in the value of our owned real property, including OREO, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Additionally, consumer protection initiatives or changes in state or federal law may substantially increase the time and expense associated with the foreclosure process or prevent us from foreclosing at all. If new state or federal laws or regulations are ultimately enacted that significantly raise the cost of foreclosure or raise outright barriers, such laws or regulations could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

 

Appraisals and other valuation techniques we use in evaluating and monitoring loans secured by real property, other real estate owned and repossessed personal property may not accurately describe the net value of the asset.

 

In considering whether to make a loan secured by real property, we generally require an appraisal of the property. However, an appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made and, as real estate values may change significantly in value in relatively short periods of time (especially in periods of heightened economic uncertainty and changing interest rates), this estimate may not accurately describe the net value of the real property collateral after the loan is made. As a result, we may not be able to recover the full amount of any remaining indebtedness when we foreclose on and sell the relevant property. In addition, we rely on appraisals and other valuation techniques to establish the value of our other real estate owned, or OREO, and personal property that we acquire through foreclosure proceedings and to determine certain loan impairments. If any of these valuations are inaccurate, our combined and consolidated financial statements may not reflect the correct value of our OREO, and our allowance for loan losses may not reflect accurate loan impairments. This could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The concentration of our commercial real estate loan portfolio subjects us to heightened regulatory scrutiny.

 

The FDIC, the FRB and the OCC have promulgated joint guidance on sound risk management practices for financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. Under the joint guidance, a financial institution that, like us, is actively involved in commercial real estate lending should perform a risk assessment to identify concentrations. A financial institution may have a concentration in commercial real estate lending if, among other factors: (i) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100 percent or more of total risk-based capital or (ii) total reported loans for construction, land development and other land and loans secured by multifamily and non-owner occupied non-farm residential properties (excluding loans secured by owner-occupied properties) represent 300 percent or more of total risk-based capital and the institution’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50 percent or more during the prior 36 month period. In such event, management should employ heightened risk management practices, including board and management oversight and strategic planning, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing.

 

Our total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represented 15.0 percent of risk-based capital at September 30, 2022, as compared to 35.7 percent of capital at September 30, 2021. This ratio is below the regulatory commercial real estate concentration guideline level of 100 percent for land and construction loans. Our total reported commercial real estate loans to total risk-based capital was 250.8 percent at September 30, 2022, as compared to 298.88 percent of capital at September 30, 2021. This ratio is below the regulatory commercial real estate concentration guideline level of 300 percent for all investor real estate loans.

 

Strong competition within our market area could hurt our profits and slow our growth.

 

The banking and financial services industry in our market area is highly competitive. We may not be able to compete effectively in our markets, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The increasingly competitive environment is a result of changes in regulation, advances in technology and product delivery systems, and consolidation among financial service providers. Larger institutions, and institutions with an on-line presence, have greater resources and access to capital markets, with higher lending limits, higher rates of interest on deposits, more advanced technology and broader suites of services. Competition at times requires increases in deposit rates and decreases in loan rates, and adversely impact our net interest margin.

 

 

Climate change and related legislative and regulatory initiatives may materially affect the Companys business and results of operations.

 

The effects of climate change continue to create an alarming level of concern for the state of the global environment. As a result, the global business community has increased its political and social awareness surrounding the issue, and the United States has entered into international agreements in an attempt to reduce global temperatures, such as reentering the Paris Agreement. Further, the U.S. Congress, state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies continue to propose numerous initiatives to supplement the global effort to combat climate change. Similar and even more expansive initiatives are expected under the current administration, including potentially increasing supervisory expectations with respect to banks’ risk management practices, accounting for the effects of climate change in stress testing scenarios and systemic risk assessments, revising expectations for credit portfolio concentrations based on climate-related factors and encouraging investment by banks in climate-related initiatives and lending to communities disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. The lack of empirical data surrounding the credit and other financial risks posed by climate change render it difficult, or even impossible, to predict how specifically climate change may impact our financial condition and results of operations; however, the physical effects of climate change may also directly impact us. Specifically, unpredictable and more frequent weather disasters may adversely impact the real property, and/or the value of the real property, securing the loans in our portfolios. Additionally, if insurance obtained by our borrowers is insufficient to cover any losses sustained to the collateral, or if insurance coverage is otherwise unavailable to our borrowers, the collateral securing our loans may be negatively impacted by climate change, natural disasters and related events, which could impact our financial condition and results of operations. Further, the effects of climate change may negatively impact regional and local economic activity, which could lead to an adverse effect on our customers and impact the communities in which we operate. Overall, climate change, its effects and the resulting, unknown impact could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to the Merger

 

The consummation of the recently-announced merger with First Bank is contingent upon the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including shareholder and regulatory approvals, that may be outside of our control and that we may be unable to satisfy or obtain or which may delay the consummation of the merger or result in the imposition of conditions that could cause the parties to abandon the Merger.

 

As noted in “Note 21 Subsequent Events” in “—Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”, on December 13, 2022, Malvern Bancorp, Malvern Bank and First Bank entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Malvern Bancorp will merge with and into First Bank immediately followed by the merger of Malvern Bank with and into First Bank, with First Bank continuing as the surviving corporation in each case (collectively, the “Merger”).

 

Before the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement can be completed, approvals must be obtained from regulatory authorities, shareholders and other customary closing conditions must have been satisfied or waived. The required regulatory approvals may require changes to the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. There can be no assurance that our or First Bank’s regulators will not impose any additional conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions on the parties, or that they will not have the effect of delaying or preventing the completion of the Merger, imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the surviving entity following the Merger or otherwise reducing the anticipated benefits of the Merger.

 

Uncertainties about the effect of the Merger may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Merger is consummated and for a period of time thereafter, and could cause customers and others that deal with us to seek to change their existing business relationships with us. It is not unusual for competitors to use mergers as an opportunity to target the merging parties’ customers and to hire certain of their employees. Employee retention may be particularly challenging during the pendency of the Merger, as employees may experience uncertainty about their roles with the surviving entity following the Merger.

 

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that restrict our ability to, among other things, initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate, inquiries or proposals with respect to, or, subject to certain exceptions generally related to our Board of Directors’ exercise of fiduciary duties, engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information relating to, any alternative acquisition proposals. These provisions, which include payment of a termination fee of $5,900,000 (the “Termination Fee”) payable to First Bank, which, under certain circumstances, may discourage any potential competing acquirer having an interest in acquiring us from proposing a transaction, or may result in the offer of a lower per share price to acquire us than might otherwise have been proposed.

 

The value to be recognized by our shareholders from the Merger is subject to material uncertainties.

 

The Merger Agreement provides that upon the closing of the Merger our shareholders will receive per share of common stock of Malvern, $7.80 in cash and 0.7733 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of First Bank, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement if Malvern’s adjusted shareholders’ equity as of the tenth day prior to the closing of the Merger does not equal or exceed $140,000,000. The cash consideration and exchange ratio for the conversion of our common stock into common stock of First Bank (the “First Bank Common Stock”) were set based upon information available to the boards of directors and financial advisors of each company at the time of Merger Agreement was entered into. The market price of our common stock and of First Bank Common Stock fluctuates constantly in response to a variety of factors that are inherently unpredictable and outside of our control, including changes in our and First Bank’s business, operations and prospects, and regulatory considerations, the historical and anticipated future financial results of our respective banking operations and general market and economic developments affecting the United States and international businesses and financial markets. The substantial differences between our business and the business of First Bank will subject our shareholders to new and different risks than those they are familiar with. A period of months may transpire between the date that our shareholders are asked to approve the Merger and the earliest date the Merger can be closed, during which time the price of the Company’s common stock and First Bank Common Stock will continue to fluctuate and Malvern’s adjusted shareholders’ equity may continue to fluctuate. As a result, at the time that our shareholders must decide whether to approve the Merger Agreement, they may not necessarily know the precise value of the merger consideration they will receive, which could be materially different than the value of the merger consideration at the closing of the Merger.

 

 

Failure to complete the proposed Merger could negatively impact our business, financial results and stock price.

 

If the proposed Merger is not completed for any reason, our ongoing business may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the Merger, we would be subject to a number of related risks, including the following:

 
 

We may be required, under certain circumstances, to pay First Bank the Termination Fee under the Merger Agreement and reimbursement of First Bank's fees and expenses up to $350,000, which may adversely affect our financial performance and the price of our common stock;

 

 

We will have incurred substantial expenses and will be required to pay significant costs relating to the Merger, whether or not it is completed, such as legal, accounting, due diligence, financial advisor and printing fees;

 

 

The Merger Agreement places certain restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to completion of the Merger, which may adversely affect our ability to execute certain of our business strategies and cause certain other projects to be delayed or abandoned;

 

 

Matters relating to the Merger require substantial commitments of time and resources by our management team that could have been devoted to the pursuit of other opportunities beneficial to us as an independent company; and

 

 

We may be subject to negative reactions from the financial markets and from our customers and employees that could materially affect our business, financial results and stock price; the market price of our common stock could decline to the extent that current market prices of our common stock reflect a market assumption that the Merger will be completed.

 

Litigation could prevent or delay the closing of the proposed Merger or otherwise negatively impact our business and operations.

 

We may be subject to legal proceedings related to the agreed terms of the proposed Merger, the manner in which the Merger was considered and approved by our board of directors or any failure to complete the Merger or perform our obligations under the Merger Agreement. Such litigation, regardless of the merits, could delay or block the consummation of the Merger, have an adverse effect on our financial condition and impose material costs on us or the surviving entity. One of the conditions to the closing of the Merger is that no regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order of a governmental authority (including any federal, state or local court or administrative or regulatory agency) which prohibits the consummation of the Merger be in effect. If any plaintiff were successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting us or First Bank from completing the Merger on the agreed upon terms, then such injunction may prevent the Merger from becoming effective or from becoming effective within the expected timeframe.

 

Operational, Compliance and Legal Risks

 

The fair value of our loans held-for-sale and investment securities can fluctuate due to market conditions outside of our control.

 

As of September 30, 2022, the fair value of loans held-for-sale was $13.8 million, which primarily consisted of one commercial real estate loan in the New York metropolitan area with a fair value of $13.3 million, and two residential loans with a carrying value of $548,000. The fair value of our investment available-for-sale securities portfolio was $49.8 million as of September 30, 2022.

 

With respect to our loans held-for-sale, various assumptions are used in connection with calculating the fair value of such loans and the ultimate exit price for such loans might differ materially from the fair value estimates. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of loans held-for-sale in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes. These factors include, but are not limited to, general market conditions, changes in market interest rates, as well as all of the various other risks and assumptions noted throughout this Report with respect to market and other changes that can impact our loan portfolio in general. Additionally, and as mentioned elsewhere in this Report, loans made to our borrowers in the New York metropolitan area have been particularly affected by COVID-19 and otherwise, and commercial real estate properties in the New York metropolitan area have suffered declines in occupancy rates and rental rates, as well as general decreases in property values. Any weakening of the commercial real estate market in this market may impact the one loan in the New York metropolitan area with a fair value of $13.3 million. Any of these factors (including the ultimate sale price of any loans held-for-sale), among others, could cause realized and/or unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on us and our financial condition.

 

With respect to our investment securities portfolio, we have historically adopted a conservative investment strategy, with concentrations of securities that are backed by government sponsored enterprises. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions in respect of the securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and continued instability in the capital markets. Any of these factors, among others, could cause other-than-temporary impairments and realized and/or unrealized losses in future periods and declines in other comprehensive income, which could have a material adverse effect on us. The process for determining whether impairment of a security is other-than-temporary usually requires complex, subjective judgments about the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer and any collateral underlying the security in order to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security.

 

 

Our financial instruments expose us to certain market risks and may increase the volatility of earnings and AOCI.

 

We hold certain financial instruments measured at fair value. For those financial instruments measured at fair value, we are required to recognize the changes in the fair value of such instruments in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) each quarter. Therefore, any increases or decreases in the fair value of these financial instruments have a corresponding impact on reported earnings or AOCI. Fair value can be affected by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including our credit position, interest rate volatility, capital markets volatility, and other economic factors. Accordingly, we are subject to mark-to-market risk and the application of fair value accounting may cause our earnings and AOCI  to be more volatile than would be suggested by our underlying performance.

 

Our business strategy could be adversely affected if we are not able to attract and retain skilled employees or if we lose the services of our senior management team.

 

Our ability to grow will depend upon our ability to continue to attract, hire and retain skilled employees. The unanticipated loss of members of our senior management team, including in connection with the Merger could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and ability to execute our strategic goals. Our success will also depend on the ability of our officers and key employees to continue to implement and improve our operational and other systems, to manage multiple, concurrent customer relationships and to hire, train and manage our employees. COVID-19, along with general economic conditions, has made it more difficult to retain existing employees and to attract new employees.  Paying increased salaries to retain employees may negatively impact our financial condition.

 

We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to extensive laws and regulations.

 

We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the FRB, our primary federal regulator, the OCC, the Bank’s primary federal regulator, and by the FDIC, as insurer of the Bank’s deposits. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which an institution and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and the depositors and borrowers of the Bank. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses. We are also subject to regulation and enforcement by the SEC, as a publicly-traded reporting company, and by Nasdaq, the stock exchange where our common stock is listed. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, or any enforcement or related action, may have a material impact on our operations and financial condition. Additionally, being subject to such regulations and oversight, and being subject to any enforcement or related actions, increases the professional fees we incur in connection with legal, accounting and audit expense, which could in turn impact our financial condition.

 

On October 18, 2022 the FDIC adopted a final rule to increase initial base deposit insurance assessment rates for insured depository institutions by 2 basis points, beginning with the first quarterly assessment period of 2023. The increased assessment rate schedules would remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund meets or exceeds 2 percent. As a result of the new rule, the FDIC insurance costs of insured depository institutions, including Malvern Bank, would generally increase.

 

A new accounting standard will likely require us to increase our allowance for loan losses and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has adopted a new accounting standard, the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”), that will be effective for the Company and the Bank for fiscal years beginning October 1, 2023.  The CECL standard will require financial institutions to determine periodic estimates of lifetime expected credit losses on loans and recognize the expected credit losses as allowances for loan losses.  This will change the current method of providing allowances for loan losses that are probable, which would likely require us to increase our allowance for loan losses, and to greatly increase the types of data we would need to collect and review to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses.  Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or expenses incurred to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Uncertainty relating to the LIBOR determination process and LIBOR discontinuance may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

LIBOR is the reference rate used for many of our transactions, including our lending and borrowing and our purchase and sale of securities that we use to manage risk related to such transactions. However, a reduced volume of interbank unsecured term borrowing coupled with recent legal and regulatory proceedings related to rate manipulation by certain financial institutions has led to international reconsideration of LIBOR as a financial benchmark. The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates the process for establishing LIBOR, announced in July 2017 that the sustainability of LIBOR cannot be guaranteed. The administrator for LIBOR announced on March 5, 2021 that it will permanently cease to publish most LIBOR settings beginning on January 1, 2022 and cease to publish the overnight, one-month, three-month, six-month and 12-month USD LIBOR settings on July 1, 2023. Accordingly, the FCA has stated that is does not intend to persuade or compel banks to submit to LIBOR after such respective dates. Until such time, however, FCA panel banks have agreed to continue to support LIBOR.

 

 

The market transition away from LIBOR to an alternative reference rate is complex and could have a range of adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. In particular, any such transition could:

 

 

adversely affect the interest rates paid or received on, and the revenue and expenses associated with, the Company’s floating rate obligations, loans, deposits and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, or other securities or financial arrangements given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally;

 

 

adversely affect the value of the Company’s floating rate obligations, loans, deposits and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, or other securities or financial arrangements given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally;

 

 

prompt inquiries or other actions from regulators in respect of the Company’s preparation and readiness for the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate;

 

 

result in disputes, litigation or other actions with counterparties regarding the interpretation and enforceability of certain fallback language in LIBOR-based securities; and

 

 

require the transition to or development of appropriate systems and analytics to effectively transition our risk management processes from LIBOR-based products to those based on the applicable alternative pricing benchmark.

 

In addition, the implementation of LIBOR reform proposals may result in increased compliance costs and operational costs, including costs related to continued participation in LIBOR and the transition to a replacement reference rate or rates. We cannot reasonably estimate the expected cost.

 

We are dependent on our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers, and cyber-attacks, systems failures, interruptions or breaches of security could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Information technology systems are critical to our business. We use various technology systems to manage our customer relationships, general ledger, securities, deposits, and loans. We have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of system failures, interruptions, and security breaches (including privacy breaches), but such events may still occur and may not be adequately addressed if they do occur. In addition, any compromise of our systems could deter customers from using our products and services. Although we rely on security systems to provide security and authentication necessary to effect the secure transmission of data, these precautions may not protect our systems from compromises or breaches of security.

 

We also outsource a majority of our data processing to certain third-party providers. If these third-party providers encounter difficulties, or if we have difficulty communicating with them, our ability to adequately process and account for transactions could be affected, and our business operations could be adversely affected. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of customer information through various other vendors and their personnel.

 

The occurrence of any system failures, interruption, or breach of security could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers and business, thereby subjecting us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or could result in financial loss or expose us to litigation and possible financial liability. Furthermore, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks or cyber-attacks. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Legislative changes may increase our tax expense.

 

In 2019 New Jersey adopted legislation that increased our state income tax liability and could increase our overall tax expense. The legislation imposed a temporary surtax on corporations earning New Jersey allocated income in excess of $1 million of 2.5 percent for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, and of 1.5 percent for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021. However, in 2020, this surtax was extended through December 31, 2023, at the 2.5 percent level. The legislation also required combined filing for members of an affiliated group for years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, changing New Jersey’s current status as a separate return state, and limits, to varying degrees related to the Company’s size, operating area and organizational structure, the deductibility of dividends received. These changes are not temporary. Although regulations implementing the legislative changes have not yet been issued, it is possible that the Company will lose the benefit of at least certain of its tax management strategies and, if so, our total tax expense will increase.

 

 

Beginning January 1, 2023, the Pennsylvania corporate net income tax rate will decrease 1 percentage point to 8.99 percent. Each year thereafter the rate will decrease 0.5 percentage points until it reaches 4.99 percent at the beginning of 2031. Additionally, the law includes a provision that will increase the amount of capital investment pass-through business owners can deduct on their individual income tax returns the year the investments were made.

 

Any changes in administration could also lead to changes in federal tax laws as well as changes in regulatory requirements and oversight. We are subject to changes in tax law that could increase our effective tax rates. These law changes may be retroactive to previous periods and as a result could negatively affect our current and future financial performance. An increase in our corporate tax rate could have an unfavorable impact on our earnings and capital generation abilities. Similarly, our clients could experience varying effects from changes in tax laws and such effects, whether positive or negative, may have a corresponding impact on our business and the economy as a whole. In addition, changes to regulatory requirements and oversight could increase our costs of regulatory compliance and may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability.

 

Increasing scrutiny and evolving expectations from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social and governance practices may impose additional costs on us or expose us to new or additional risks.

 

Companies are facing increasing scrutiny from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders related to their environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices and disclosure. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to the environment, health and safety, diversity, labor conditions and human rights. Increased ESG related compliance costs could result in increases to our overall operational costs. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, and our stock price. New government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expanding mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, and disclosure.

 

Risks Related to COVID-19

 

The global COVID-19 pandemic led to periods of significant volatility in financial, real estate, commodities and other markets and it could harm our business and results of operations.

 

In December 2019, a COVID-19 outbreak was reported in China, and, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. Since that time, COVID-19 has had many variants and spread throughout the United States, including in the regions and communities in which the Company operates. In response, many state and local governments, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey, instituted various emergency restrictions that substantially limited the operation of non-essential businesses and the activities of individuals. These restrictions resulted, and if implemented again could continue to result, in significant adverse effects on our borrowers and many different types of small and mid-sized businesses within the Company’s client base, particularly those in the retail, hotel, construction, commercial real estate, medical, leisure, hospitality and food and beverage industries, among others, and resulted in a significant number of layoffs and furloughs of employees nationwide and in the regions and communities in which we operate.

 

The ultimate effect of COVID-19, its variants, and related events, including those described above and those not yet known or knowable, could have a negative effect on the stock price, business prospects, financial condition and results of operations of the Company, including as a result of quarantines, market volatility, market downturns, changes in consumer behavior, business closures, deterioration in the credit quality of borrowers or the inability of borrowers to satisfy their obligations to the Company (and any related forbearances or restructurings that may be implemented), declines in the value of collateral securing outstanding loans, branch or office closures and business interruptions.

 

COVID-19 resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as quarantines and shelter in place orders. These measures may be implemented again and could adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition, as well as the business, operations and financial conditions of our customers and business partners. The Company maintains a Telework Policy that allows for a modified work schedule of in-person and remote working. We may decide to take further related actions as may be required by government authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees and customers. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19 or its variants, or otherwise be satisfactory to government authorities.

 

We are subject to increasing credit risk as a result of COVID-19, which could adversely impact our profitability.

 

Our business depends on our ability to successfully measure and manage credit risk. We are exposed to the risk that the principal of, or interest on, a loan will not be paid timely or at all or that the value of any collateral supporting a loan will be insufficient to cover our outstanding exposure. In addition, we are exposed to risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions and risks inherent in dealing with loans and borrowers. As the overall economic climate in the U.S., generally, and in our market areas specifically, experienced, and may continue to experience, material disruption due to COVID-19 and its resulting variants, our borrowers have had, and may continue to have, difficulties in repaying their loans. Governmental actions providing payment relief to borrowers and guarantors affected by COVID-19 could preclude our ability to initiate foreclosure proceedings in certain circumstances and, as a result, the collateral we hold may decrease in value or become illiquid, and the level of our nonperforming loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and require significant additional provisions for loan losses. Additional factors related to the credit quality of certain commercial real estate and multifamily residential loans included the duration of state and local moratoriums on evictions for non-payment of rent or other fees, which moratoriums could be implemented again. The payment on these loans that are secured by income producing properties are typically dependent on the successful operation of the related real estate property and may subject us to risks from adverse conditions in the real estate market or the general economy.

 

 

Bank regulatory agencies and various governmental authorities urged financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations because of the effects of COVID-19. We have worked to support our borrowers to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on them and on our loan portfolio, including through loan modifications that defer payments for those who experienced a hardship as a result of COVID-19. Although regulatory guidance provides that such loan modifications are exempt from the calculation and reporting of troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and loan delinquencies, we cannot predict whether any such loan modifications may ultimately have an adverse impact on our profitability in future periods. Our inability to successfully manage the increased credit risk caused by COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The impact of COVID-19 on the metropolitan New York area commercial real estate market was, and continues to be, particularly uncertain. Loans made to our borrowers in the New York area have been particularly affected by COVID-19. We may continue to incur losses on commercial real estate loans due to any prior and future declines in occupancy rates and rental rates and decreases in property values. The Bank currently has one $13.3 million non-accrual commercial real estate loan held for sale in the metropolitan New York area. The effects of COVID-19 variants create further ambiguity on the strength or likelihood of a full financial recovery or a full recovery in the commercial real estate market, and the expiration of federal and state stimulus programs, eviction moratoriums, and other support programs may present additional challenges. Changing consumer and business preferences related to shopping, travel, and returning to the office have led and may continue to lead to medium-and long-term income and valuation challenges in certain commercial real estate sectors. Any further weakening of the commercial real estate market may increase the likelihood of default of these loans, which could negatively impact our loan portfolio’s performance and asset quality. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, we could incur material losses. Any of these events could increase our costs, require management time and attention, and materially and adversely affect us.

 

Interest rate volatility stemming from COVID-19 and related events could negatively affect our net interest income, lending activities, deposits and profitability.

 

Our net interest income, lending activities, deposits and profitability could be negatively affected by volatility in interest rates caused by uncertainties and other matters stemming from COVID-19 and related events.  In March 2020, the FRB lowered the target range for the federal funds rate to a range from 0 to 0.25 percent, citing concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on markets and stress in certain sectors.  More recently, the FRB has continued to increase the federal funds rates to combat inflation. A prolonged period of extremely volatile and unstable market conditions may increase our funding costs and negatively affect market risk mitigation strategies. Higher income volatility from changes in interest rates and spreads to benchmark indices could cause a loss of future net interest income and a decrease in current fair market values of our assets. Fluctuations in interest rates will impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our net income, operating results, and financial condition.

 

Unpredictable future developments related to or resulting from COVID-19 could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is not possible to predict the ultimate impact of COVID-19 and its variants on the stock price, business prospects, financial condition or results of operations of the Company. Any future development is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and new COVID-19 variants, the continued effectiveness of any work from home arrangements, third party providers’ ability to support our operation, and any actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response. We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 and related risks, although the development and fluidity of the situation precludes any specific prediction as to its ultimate impact on us. However, if COVID-19 continues to spread, evolve, or otherwise results in a continuation or worsening of the current economic and commercial environments, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios could be materially adversely affected and many of the risks described herein will be heightened.

 

Our prior participation in the SBA PPP loan program could expose us to risks related to noncompliance with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company was a participating lender in the PPP, a loan program administered through the SBA, which was created to help eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons fund their operational costs during COVID-19. Under this program, the SBA guaranteed 100% of the amounts loaned under the PPP. As previously announced, the Company subsequently sold the entirety of its PPP loan portfolio; however, we may be required to repurchase, and as a result be exposed to credit risk, on sold PPP loans in certain circumstances if a determination is made by the SBA that there was a deficiency by the Bank with respect to the manner in which the loan was originated, funded, or serviced.

 

General Risk Factors

 

Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential for significant losses.

 

Our risk management framework is designed to effectively manage and mitigate risk while minimizing exposure to potential losses. We seek to identify, measure, monitor, report and control our exposure to risk, including strategic, market, liquidity, compliance and operational risks. While we use a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and mitigation techniques, these techniques are inherently limited because they cannot anticipate the existence or future development of currently unanticipated or unknown risks. Recent economic conditions and heightened legislative and regulatory scrutiny of the financial services industry, among other developments, have increased our level of risk. Accordingly, we could suffer losses as a result of our failure to properly anticipate and manage these risks.

 

We could be adversely affected by failure in our internal controls.

 

A failure in our internal controls could have a significant negative impact not only on our earnings, but also on the perception that customers, regulators and investors may have of us. We continue to devote a significant amount of effort, time and resources to continually strengthening our controls and ensuring compliance with complex accounting standards and banking regulations. Compliance with increased or new standards and regulations applicable to our Company may entail management spending increased time addressing such standards and regulations. Further, the Company may be required to expend additional capital resources on professional advisors, which could increase operational expenses and therefore negatively impact our net income.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None

 

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

At September 30, 2022, the Bank owns and maintains the premises in which the Bank is headquartered and five full-service financial centers which are located in Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Berwyn and Lionville, Pennsylvania. The Bank also leases the following: one financial center located in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania; one private banking office located in Villanova, Pennsylvania; one credit administrative office located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania; one private banking office located in Morristown, New Jersey; one private banking office located in Palm Beach, Florida; and one representative office located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The specific location of each of the offices are as follows:

 

Paoli Headquarters

 

42 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301

Paoli Financial Center

 

34 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301

Malvern Financial Center

 

100 West King Street, Malvern, PA 19355

Coventry Financial Center

 

1000 Ridge Road, Pottstown, PA 19465

Berwyn Financial Center

 

650 Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312

Lionville Financial Center

 

537 West Uwchlan Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335

Glen Mills Financial Center

 

940 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342

Villanova Private Banking Office

 

801 East Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085

Quakertown Credit Administrative Office

 

2100 Quakertown Point Drive, Quakertown PA 18951

Morristown Private Banking Office

 

163 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960

Palm Beach Private Banking Office

 

205 Worth Avenue, Suite 308, Palm Beach, FL 33480

Allentown Representative Office   1275 Glenlivet Drive, Ste. 100, Allentown, PA 18106

 

Management believes the current facilities are suitable for their present and intended purposes, and the Company is evaluating our real estate strategy as it relates to the impact of COVID-19 and an increase in the number of employees working remotely.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

 

PART II.

 

Item 5. Market for the Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

The common stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the ticker symbol “MLVF”. As of December 15, 2022, the Company had approximately 369 stockholders of record, not including the number of persons or entities whose stock is held in nominee or “street” name through various brokerage firms and banks.

 

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, no cash dividends per share of common stock were declared by the Company. It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business. Although we have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock, our Board of Directors periodically reviews whether to declare or pay cash dividends taking into account, among other things, general business conditions, our financial results, future prospects, capital requirements, legal and regulatory restrictions, and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant.

 

Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company and the restrictions set forth in the Merger Agreement. Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay without regulatory approval. For information on the statutory and regulatory limitations on the ability of the Company to pay dividends to its stockholders and on the Bank to pay dividends to the Company, see “Item 1. Business-Supervision and Regulation—Dividend Limitations.”

 

Information on Unregistered Sales and Stock Repurchases

 

There were no unregistered sales of the Company’s stock during the fourth quarter of 2022. There were no repurchases of shares of the Company's securities during the fourth quarter of 2022.

 

Item 6. Reserved.

 

 

 

 

Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The purpose of this analysis is to provide the reader with information relevant to understanding and assessing the Company’s financial condition and results of operations for the periods indicated. To fully appreciate this analysis, the reader is encouraged to review the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto appearing under Item 8 of this report, and statistical data presented in this document.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

See the first page of this Report for information regarding forward-looking statements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. In particular, the Company has identified the determination of the ALLL, OREO, fair value measurements, the evaluation of deferred tax assets, the other-than-temporary impairment evaluation of securities, and the valuation of our derivative positions to be critical because management must make subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements contains a summary of our significant accounting policies. Management believes our policy with respect to the methodology for the determination of the allowance for loan losses involves more complexity and requires management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. Changes in these judgments, assumptions or estimates could materially impact results of operations. This critical policy and its application are periodically reviewed with the Audit Committee and our Board of Directors.

 

The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include ALLL, fair value of financial estimates, along with assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

 

Operating, Accounting and Reporting Considerations related to COVID-19

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy. In response to the crisis, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provided an estimated $2.2 trillion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and stimulate the economy by supporting individuals and businesses through loans, grants, tax changes, and other types of relief. Under Section 4013 of the CARES Act and based upon regulatory guidance promulgated by federal banking regulators, qualifying short-term loan modifications resulting in payment deferrals that are attributable to the adverse impact of COVID-19 are not considered to be troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Some of the provisions applicable to the Company include, but are not limited to:

 

 

Accounting for Loan Modifications – The CARES Act provides that a financial institution may elect to suspend (1) the requirements under GAAP for certain loan modifications that would otherwise be categorized as a TDR and (2) any determination that such loan modifications would be considered a TDR, including the related impairment for accounting purposes. The suspension is applicable for the term of the loan modification that occurs during the applicable period for a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The suspension is not applicable to any adverse impact on the credit of a borrower that is not related to the pandemic.

 

 

 

Paycheck Protection Program – The CARES Act established the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), an expansion of the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”), administrated directly by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

 

Also in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the National Credit Union Administration (“NCUA”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), in consultation with the state financial regulators (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a joint interagency statement (issued March 22, 2020; revised statement issued April 7, 2020). Some of the provisions applicable to the Company include, but are not limited to:

 

 

Accounting for Loan Modifications – Loan modifications that do not meet the conditions of the CARES Act may still qualify as a modification that does not need to be accounted for as a TDR. The agencies confirmed with FASB staff that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who are current on payments prior to any relief granted to them are not TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or insignificant delays in payments. Loan modifications were made in accordance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act and the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions working with customers affected by COVID-19 and therefore were not classified as TDRs.

 

Past Due Reporting – With regard to loans not otherwise reportable as past due, financial institutions are not expected to designate loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 as past due because of the deferral. A loan’s payment date is governed by the due date stipulated in the legal agreements. If a financial institution agrees to a payment deferral, these loans would not be considered past due during the period of the deferral.

 

Nonaccrual Status and Charge-offs – During short-term COVID-19 modifications, these loans generally should not be reported as nonaccrual or as classified.

 

On December 27, 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law. The $900 billion relief package includes legislation that extends certain relief provisions of the CARES Act that were set to expire on December 31, 2020. This new legislation extends this relief to the earlier of 60 days after the national emergency declared by the President is terminated or January 1, 2022.

 

Paycheck Protection Program

 

The CARES Act established the PPP, an expansion of the EIDL, administrated directly by the SBA.

 

The Company started accepting and processing applications for loans under the PPP in early April 2020, when the program was officially launched by the SBA and Treasury Department under the CARES Act. The Company sold the entirety of its PPP loan portfolio in December 2020.

 

Liquidity Sources

 

Management has reviewed all primary and secondary sources of liquidity in preparation for any unforeseen funding needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritized based on available capacity, term flexibility, and cost. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had adequate sources of liquidity.

 

Capital Strength

 

The Bank’s capital ratios continue to exceed the highest required regulatory benchmark levels. As of September 30, 2022, common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 19.27 percent, Tier 1 leverage ratio was 16.30 percent, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 19.27 percent and the total risk-based capital ratio was 20.34 percent.

 

 

Deferral and Modification Requests

 

The CARES Act provided guidance around the modification of loans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which outlined, among other criteria, that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as defined under the CARES Act prior to any relief, are not TDRs. This includes short-term modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant. Borrowers are considered current under the CARES Act and related regulatory guidance if they are less than 30 days past due on their contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had three COVID-19 pandemic related loan modification agreements totaling $32.0 million representing 4.1 percent of gross loans outstanding. Further details regarding these modifications are provided in the table below. At September 30, 2021, the Company had eight COVID-19-related modified loan deferrals totaling $61.2 million or 6.7% of total loans. Of the remaining $32.0 million deferrals, none of the deferrals are paying the contractual interest payments. For loans subject to the program, each borrower is required to resume making regularly scheduled loan payments at the end of the modification period and the deferred amounts will be moved to the end of the loan term. Management anticipates this activity will continue beyond fiscal year 2022.

 

   

September 30, 2022

 
   

Number of Loans

   

Loan Modified Exposure

   

Gross Loans September 30, 2022

   

Percentage of Gross Loans Modified

 
           

(Dollars in thousands)

         

Residential mortgage

    -     $ -     $ 175,957       0.00 %

Construction and Development:

                               

Residential and commercial

    -       -       24,362       0.00 %

Land loans

    -       -       550       0.00 %

Total Construction and Development

    -       -       24,912       0.00 %
                                 

Commercial:

                               

Commercial real estate

    3       32,041       406,914       7.87 %

Farmland

    -       -       11,506       0.00 %

Multi-family

    -       -       55,295       0.00 %

Commercial and industrial

    -       -       102,703       0.00 %

Other

    -       -       13,356       0.00 %

Total Commercial

    3       32,041       589,774       5.74 %
                                 

Consumer:

                               

Home equity lines of credit

    -       -       13,233       0.00 %

Second mortgages

    -               4,395       0.00 %

Other

    -       -       2,136       0.00 %

Total Consumer

    -       -       19,764       0.00 %

Total loans

    3     $ 32,041     $ 810,407       3.95 %

 

 

   

September 30, 2021

 
   

Number of Loans

   

Loan Deferment Exposure

   

Gross Loans September 30, 2021

   

Percentage of Gross Loans Modified

 
           

(Dollars in thousands)

         

Residential mortgage

    2     $ 667     $ 198,710       0.07 %

Construction and Development:

                               

Residential and commercial

    -       -       61,492       0.00 %

Land loans

    -       -       2,204       0.00 %

Total Construction and Development

    -       -       63,696       0.00 %
                                 

Commercial:

                               

Commercial real estate

    6       60,567       426,915       6.63 %

Farmland

    -       -       10,297       0.00 %

Multi-family

    -       -       66,332       0.00 %

Commercial and industrial

    -       -       115,246       0.00 %

Other

    -       -       10,954       0.00 %

Total Commercial

    6       60,567       629,744       6.63 %
                                 

Consumer:

                               

Home equity lines of credit

    -       -       13,491       0.00 %

Second mortgages

    -       -       5,884       0.00 %

Other

    -       -       2,299       0.00 %

Total Consumer

    -       -       21,674       0.00 %

Total loans

    8     $ 61,234     $ 913,824       6.70 %

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

The evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes, among other factors, an analysis of historical loss rates by loan category applied to current loan totals and qualitative factors. However, actual loan losses may be higher or lower than historical trends, which vary. Actual losses on specified problem loans, which also are provided for in the evaluation, may vary from estimated loss percentages, which are established based upon a limited number of potential loss classifications. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses will be adequate to absorb loan losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible based on the evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The evaluation takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, and specific problem loans and current economic conditions which may affect our borrowers’ ability to pay.

 

The evaluation also details historical losses by loan category and the resulting loan loss rates which are projected for current loan total amounts. Loss estimates for specified problem loans are also detailed. In addition, the OCC, as an integral part of its examination process, periodically reviews our allowance for loan losses. The OCC may require us to make additional provisions for loan losses based upon information available at the time of the examination. All of the factors considered in the analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses may be subject to change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provisions for loan losses may be required that could materially adversely impact earnings in future periods.

 

 

Qualitative or environmental factors that may result in further adjustments to the quantitative analyses include items such as changes in lending policies and procedures, economic and business conditions, nature and volume of the portfolio, changes in delinquency, concentration of credit trends, and value of underlying collateral. The total net adjustments due to qualitative factors, pay-offs and charge-offs decreased the allowance for loan losses by approximately $2.4 million to $9.1 million from $11.5 million at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

.

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair value disclosures. Investment securities available for sale, equity securities and interest rate swap agreements are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans, other real estate owned and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

Under the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, the Company groups its assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

 

 

Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

 

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

 

Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

 

Under FASB ASC Topic 820, the Company bases its fair values on 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. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in FASB ASC Topic 820.

 

Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon the Company’s or other third-party’s estimates, are often calculated based on the characteristics of the asset, the economic and competitive environment and other such factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, that could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations. At September 30, 2022, the Company had $14.0 million of assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 measurements.

 

Income Taxes

 

We make estimates and judgments to calculate some of our tax liabilities and determine the realizability of some of our DTAs, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenues and expenses. We also estimate a reserve for DTAs if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the recorded DTAs will not be realized in future periods. These estimates and judgments are inherently subjective. Historically, our estimates and judgments to calculate our deferred tax accounts have not required significant revision to our initial estimates.

 

 

In evaluating our ability to recover DTAs, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results and our forecast of future taxable income. In determining future taxable income, we make assumptions for taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require us to make judgments about our future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we use to manage our business. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record a valuation allowance against our DTAs. An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

 

Realization of a DTA requires us to exercise significant judgment and is inherently uncertain because it requires the prediction of future occurrences. Our net DTA amounted to $3.7 million and $3.5 million at September 30, 2022 and at September 30, 2021, respectively. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company evaluates on a quarterly basis, all evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance for DTAs is needed. In conducting this evaluation, management explores all possible sources of taxable income available under existing tax laws to realize the net DTA beginning with the most objectively verifiable evidence first, including available carry back claims and viable tax planning strategies. If needed, management will look to future taxable income as a potential source. Management reviews the Company’s current financial position and its results of operations for the current and preceding years. That historical information is supplemented by all currently available information about future years. The Company understands that projections about future performance are subjective. The Company did not have a DTA valuation allowance as of September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities

 

Securities are evaluated on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether declines in their value are other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline and whether management intends to sell or expects that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery of the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value for a debt security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

Derivatives

 

The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.

 

Interest rate swaps are valued by a third party, using models that primarily use market observable inputs, such as yield curves, and are validated by comparison with valuations provided by the respective counterparties. The credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements is measured on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. The significant assumptions used in the models, which include assumptions for interest rates, are independently verified against observable market data where possible. Where observable market data is not available, the estimate of fair value becomes more subjective and involves a high degree of judgment. In this circumstance, fair value is estimated based on management’s judgment regarding the value that market participants would assign to the asset or liability. This valuation process takes into consideration factors such as market illiquidity. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount recorded on the balance sheet for an asset or liability with related impacts to earnings or other comprehensive income.

 

 

Other assets increased from $13.9 million at September 30, 2021, to $18.7 million at September 30, 2022, due to current year gains on our cash flow hedge and an increase in receivables related to an OREO sale. Other liabilities decreased from $12.3 million at September 30, 2021, to $6.0 million at September 30, 2022, primarily due to the payments related to prior year participation loans purchased settled during fiscal year 2022.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net income for the year ended September 30, 2022, was $7.0 million as compared to a net loss of ($92,000) in fiscal year 2021. For fiscal year 2022, the fully diluted earnings per common share was $0.92 as compared with fully diluted loss per common share of ($0.01) in fiscal year 2021.

 

The increase in net income and diluted earnings per share were primarily due to no provision recorded in fiscal year 2022 compared to a $11.2 million provision for the same period ending 2021. 

 

For the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s return on average equity (‘‘ROAE’’) was 4.79 percent and its return on average assets (‘‘ROAA’’) was 0.63 percent. The comparable ratios for the year ended September 30, 2021 were ROAE of (0.06) percent and ROAA of (0.01) percent.

 

Net Interest Income and Margin

 

Net interest income is the difference between the interest earned on the portfolio of earning assets (principally loans and investments) and the interest paid for deposits and borrowings, which support these assets.

 

The following table presents the components of net interest income for the periods indicated.

 

Net Interest Income

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 
           

Increase

                   

Increase

         
           

(Decrease)

                   

(Decrease)

         
           

from Prior

   

Percent

           

from Prior

   

Percent

 

(In thousands)

 

Amount

   

Year

   

Change

   

Amount

   

Year

   

Change

 

Interest income:

                                               

Loans, including fees

  $ 31,832     $ (4,538 )     (12.48 )   $ 36,370     $ (5,071 )     (12.24 )

Investment securities

    2,575       1,019       65.49       1,556       384       32.76  

Dividends, restricted stock

    342       (117 )     (25.49 )     459       (172 )     (27.26 )

Interest-bearing cash accounts

    250       219       706.45       31       (1,032 )     (97.08 )

Total interest income

    34,999       (3,417 )     (8.89 )     38,416       (5,891 )     (13.30 )

Interest expense:

                                               

Deposits

    3,534       (3,214 )     (47.63 )     6,748       (6,098 )     (47.47 )

Short-term borrowings

    4       (44 )     (91.67 )     48       48       100.00  

Long-term borrowings

    776       (1,253 )     (61.75 )     2,029       (869 )     (29.99 )

Subordinated debt

    1,371       (160 )     (10.45 )     1,531              

Total interest expense

    5,685       (4,671 )     (45.10 )     10,356       (6,919 )     (40.05 )

Net interest income

  $ 29,314     $ 1,254       4.47     $ 28,060     $ 1,028       3.80  

 

Net interest income is directly affected by changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which support those assets, as well as changes in the rates earned and paid.

 

Net interest income for the year ended September 30, 2022 increased $1.3 million, or 4.47 percent, to $29.3 million, from $28.1 million for fiscal year 2021. The Company’s net interest margin increased 33 basis points to 2.95 percent in fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, from 2.62 percent for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. During fiscal year 2022, our net interest margin was impacted by a decrease in the costs of money market and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts.

 

 

As previously mentioned, the increase in net interest income during fiscal year 2022 was attributable in part to decrease in costs on money market and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts. The Company experienced an increase of $5.3 million in average noninterest-bearing deposits during fiscal year 2022 and a decrease of $67.0 million in average interest-bearing demand, savings, money market and time deposits during fiscal year 2022. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s net interest spread increased by 33 basis points reflecting a decrease in both the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities of 6 basis points and 39 basis points, respectively.

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, average interest-earning assets decreased by $78.8 million to $1.0 billion, as compared with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The change in average interest-earning asset volume was primarily due to decreased loan volume. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $114.4 million in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021, primarily due to a decrease in average interest-bearing deposits.

 

The factors underlying the year-to-year changes in net interest income are reflected in the tables presented above. The table on page 36 presents the Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates shows the Company’s consolidated average balance of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, the amount of income produced from interest-earning assets and the amount of expense incurred from interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

Total Interest Income

 

Interest income for the year ended September 30, 2022, decreased by $3.4 million, or 8.9 percent, as compared with the year ended September 30, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in loan volume, partially offset by an increase in investments.

 

The average balance of the Company’s loan portfolio decreased $129.3 million in fiscal year 2022 to $854.8 million from $984.1 million in fiscal year 2021, primarily driven by a decrease in loan volume.

 

The average loan portfolio represented 86.1 percent of the Company’s interest-earning assets (on average) during fiscal year 2022 and 91.8 percent for fiscal year 2021. Average investment securities increased during fiscal year 2022 by $38.4 million compared to fiscal year 2021. Interest-bearing cash increased in fiscal year 2022 by $14.3 million compared to fiscal year 2021. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased from 3.58 percent in fiscal year 2021 to 3.52 percent in fiscal year 2022.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2022, was impacted by both rate related and volume related factors. The changes resulted in decreased expense of $4.7 million primarily due to a decrease in rates paid on money market and other interest-bearing deposits from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2022.

 

The cost of total average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.64 percent for the year ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of 39 basis points, from 1.03 percent for the year ended September 30, 2021.

 

The Company’s net interest spread, (i.e., the average yield on average interest-earning assets minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities) increased 33 basis points to 2.88 percent in fiscal year 2022 from 2.55 percent for fiscal year 2021. The increase in fiscal year 2022 reflected a decreased cost in interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Rate/Volume Analysis

 

The following table quantifies the impact on net interest income and margin resulting from volume changes in average balances of interest earning assets, interest bearing liabilities, and average related yields and associated funding costs over the past two years. Any change in interest income or expense attributable to both changes in volume and changes in rate has been allocated in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of change in each category.

 

 

Analysis of Variance in Net Interest Income Due to Volume and Rates

 

   

Fiscal Year 2022/2021

 
   

Increase (Decrease)

 
   

Due to Change in:

 
   

Average

   

Average

   

Net

 

(In thousands)

 

Volume

   

Rate

   

Change

 

Interest-earning assets:

                       

Loans, including fees

  $ (4,785 )   $ 247     $ (4,538 )

Investment securities

    1,036       (17 )     1,019  

Interest-bearing cash accounts

    20       199       219  

Dividends, restricted stock

    (118 )     1       (117 )

Total interest-earning assets

    (3,847 )     430       (3,417 )

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                       

Money market deposits

    (63 )     (742 )     (805 )

Savings deposits

    7       (16 )     (9 )

Certificates of deposit

    (667 )     (462 )     (1,129 )

Other interest-bearing deposits

    (117 )     (1,154 )     (1,271 )

Total interest-bearing deposits

    (840 )     (2,374 )     (3,214 )

Borrowings

    (1,255 )     (202 )     (1,457 )

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    (2,095 )     (2,576 )     (4,671 )

Change in net interest income

  $ (1,752 )   $ 3,006     $ 1,254  

 

The following table, ‘‘Average Statements of Condition with Interest and Average Rates’’ presents for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s average assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. The Company’s net interest income, net interest spreads and net interest income as a percentage of interest-earning assets (net interest margin) are also reflected. No tax equivalent adjustments have been made as the amounts are not material.

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 
   

Average

   

Interest

   

Average

   

Average

   

Interest

   

Average

 
   

Outstanding

   

Earned

   

Yield

   

Outstanding

   

Earned

   

Yield/

 
   

Balance

   

/Paid

   

/Rate

   

Balance

   

/Paid

   

Rate

 
   

(In thousands)

 

ASSETS

                                               

Interest earning assets:

                                               

Loans receivable(1)

  $ 854,808     $ 31,832       3.72 %   $ 984,125     $ 36,370       3.70 %

Investment securities

    96,024       2,575       2.68       57,666       1,556       2.70  

Deposits in other banks

    35,956       250       0.70       21,626       31       0.14  

FHLB stock

    6,313       342       5.42       8,487       459       5.41  

Total interest earning assets(1)

    993,101       34,999       3.52       1,071,904       38,416       3.58  

Non-interest earning assets

                                               

Cash and due from banks

    59,813                       94,986                  

Bank owned life insurance

    26,120                       25,713                  

Other assets

    24,331                       28,530                  

Other real estate owned

    4,882                       5,581                  

Allowance for loan losses

    (9,309 )                     (12,454 )                

Total non-interest earning assets

    105,837                       142,356                  

Total assets

  $ 1,098,938                     $ 1,214,260                  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                               

Interest bearing liabilities:

                                               

Money Market accounts

  $ 331,076     $ 921       0.28 %   $ 343,640     $ 1,726       0.50 %

Savings accounts

    54,374       46       0.09       48,558       59       0.12  

Certificate accounts

    112,457       1,153       1.03       159,109       2,282       1.43  

Other interest-bearing deposits

    299,881       1,414       0.47       313,460       2,681       0.86  

Total deposits

    797,788       3,534       0.44       864,767       6,748       0.78  

Borrowed funds

    88,824       2,151       2.42       136,197       3,608       2.65  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    886,612       5,685       0.64       1,000,964       10,356       1.03  

Non-interest bearing liabilities

                                               

Demand deposits

    55,925                       50,619                  

Other liabilities

    11,251                       16,684                  

Total non-interest-bearing liabilities

    67,176                       67,303                  

Shareholders’ equity

    145,150                       145,993                  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 1,098,938                     $ 1,214,260                  

Net interest spread

                    2.88 %                     2.55 %

Net interest margin

                    2.95 %                     2.62 %

Net interest income

          $ 29,314                     $ 28,060          

 


(1)

Includes non-accrual loans during the respective periods. Calculated net of unamortized deferred loan fees, loan discounts, undisbursed portions of loans-in-process, and allowance for loan losses.

 

 

Other Income

 

The following table presents the principal categories of other (“non-interest”) income for each of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2022.

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
                   

Increase

   

%

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

(Decrease)

   

Change

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Service charges and other fees

  $ 1,237     $ 1,323     $ (86 )     (6.50 )%

Rental income-other

    196       217       (21 )     (9.68 )

Net gains on sale and call of available for sale securities

          779       (779 )     (100.00 )

Net gains on sale of loans

    100       788       (688 )     (87.31 )

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

    794       656       138       21.04  

Total other income

  $ 2,327     $ 3,763     $ (1,436 )     (38.16 )%

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, total other income decreased $1.4 million compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. This decrease was primarily a result of decreases of $779,000 in net gain on sale and call of available for sale securities and $688,000 in net gain on sale of loans, partially offset by an increase of $138,000 in excess of death benefit on banked-owned life insurance.

 

 

The increase on the sale of investments resulted from managing and optimizing normal portfolio activity during 2021. The decrease in the gain on sale of loans was primarily the result of a strategic effort to originate and sell residential loans in the low interest rate environment throughout fiscal year 2021 and the gain on sale of PPP loans during 2021.

 

Other Expense

 

The following table presents the principal categories of other expense for each of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2022.

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
                   

Increase

   

%

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

(Decrease)

   

Change

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Salaries and employee benefits

  $ 9,393     $ 9,143     $ 250       2.73 %

Occupancy expense

    2,138       2,198       (60 )     (2.73 )

Federal deposit insurance premium

    277       313       (36 )     (11.50 )

Advertising

    129       109       20       18.35  

Data processing

    1,259       1,267       (8 )     (0.63 )

Professional fees

    3,831       3,178       653       20.55  

Other real estate owned expense, net

    305       866       (561 )     (64.78 )

Pennsylvania shares tax

    592       678       (86 )     (12.68 )

Other operating expense

    4,842       3,199       1,643       51.36  

Total other expense

  $ 22,766     $ 20,951     $ 1,815       8.66 %

 

Total other expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 increased $1.8 million, or 8.7%, to $22.8 when compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $1.6 million, or a 51.4% increase in other operating expenses.  The increase in other operating expenses was mainly due to $1.5 million of real estate tax expense and $359,000 valuation allowance adjustment related to a $13.3 million loan held for sale. In addition, professional fees increased by $653,000 to $3.8 million at September 30, 2022, from $3.2 million at September 30, 2021, primarily due to legal fees associated with loan workouts and related matters concerning nonperforming loans. These increases were offset by a decrease in other real estate owned (“OREO”) expenses of $561,000 to $305,000 at September 30, 2022, when compared to $866,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

 

Financial Condition

 

Investment Portfolio

 

For the year ended September 30, 2022, the average volume of investment securities increased by $38.4 million to approximately $96.0 million or 9.7 percent of average interest-earning assets, from $57.7 million or 5.4 percent of average interest-earning assets, for the year ended September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2022, the total investment portfolio amounted to $110.0 million, an increase of $39.2 million from September 30, 2021. The increase in the investment portfolio was primarily due to purchases in the investment portfolio of $53.8 million, partially offset by maturities, calls and principal repayments in the amount of $6.1 during fiscal year 2022. At September 30, 2022, the principal components of the investment portfolio were government agency obligations, federal agency obligations, including mortgage-backed securities, obligations of U.S. states and political subdivision, corporate bonds and notes, a trust preferred security and equity securities.

 

 

During the year ended September 30, 2022, volume related factors increased investment revenue by $1.0 million. The yield on investments was relatively flat decreasing by two basis points to 2.68 percent from a yield of 2.70 percent during the year ended September 30, 2021.

 

As of September 30, 2022, the estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities disclosed below was primarily dependent upon the movement in market interest rates, particularly given the negligible inherent credit risk associated with these securities. These investment securities are comprised of securities that are rated investment grade by at least one bond credit rating service. Although the fair value will fluctuate as the market interest rates move, management believes that these fair values will recover as the underlying portfolios mature and are reinvested in market rate yielding investments. The Company does not intend to sell and expects that it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities until such time as the value recovers or the securities mature. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2022, represents other-than-temporary impairment.

 

Securities available-for-sale are a part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, liquidity management and other factors. The Company continues to reposition the investment portfolio as part of an overall corporate-wide strategy to produce reasonable and consistent margins where feasible, while attempting to limit risks inherent in the Company’s balance sheet.

 

For fiscal year 2022, there were no sales of available-for-sale investment securities. For fiscal year 2021, proceeds of available-for-sale investment securities sold amounted to $17.3 million and gross realized gains on investment securities sold amounted to $779,000,

 

The varying amount of sales from the available-for-sale portfolio reflects the significant volatility present in the market. Given the historic low interest rates prevalent in the market, it is necessary for the Company to protect itself from interest rate exposure. Securities that once appeared to be sound long-term investments can, after changes in the market, become securities that the Company wishes to sell to avoid losses and mismatches of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at a later time.

 

 

The table below illustrates the maturity distribution and weighted average yield for investment securities at September 30, 2022, based on a contractual maturity.

 

                                   

More than Five

                                         
                   

More than One Year

   

Years through Ten

   

More than Ten

                         
   

One year or less

   

through Five Years

   

Years

   

Years

   

Total

 
           

Weighted

           

Weighted

           

Weighted

           

Weighted

                   

Weighted

 
   

Amortized

   

Average

   

Amortized

   

Average

   

Amortized

   

Average

   

Amortized

   

Average

   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Average

 
   

Cost

   

Yield

   

Cost

   

Yield

   

Cost

   

Yield

   

Cost

   

Yield

   

Cost

   

Value

   

Yield

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Available for Sale Securities:

                                                                                       

U.S. government agencies

  $       %   $       %   $       %   $ 5,000       2.59 %   $ 5,000     $ 3,580       2.59 %

State and municipal obligations

                1,231       2.07 %     820       1.75 %     9,964       2.34 %     12,014       9,660       2.26 %

Single issuer trust preferred security

                      %     1,000       3.41 %           %     1,000       946       3.41 %

Corporate debt securities

                3,500       3.06 %     30,990       3.36 %     1,500       3.75 %     35,990       32,128       3.35 %

US Treasury Note

                1,488       2.09 %                             1,488       1,443       2.09 %

Mortgage- backed securities ("MBS")

                                                                                       

MBS

                                        2,403       2.92 %     2,403       2,087       2.92 %

Total

  $       %   $ 6,218       2.63 %   $ 32,810       3.32 %   $ 18,867       2.61 %   $ 57,895     $ 49,844       3.26 %

Held to Maturity Securities:

                                                                                       

U.S. government agencies and obligations

  $ 4,190       3.20 %   $ 4,500       2.80 %   $ 2,500       1.99 %   $ 18,000       2.73 %   $ 29,190     $ 24,283       2.76 %

State and municipal obligations

    251       1.01 %     3,672       1.82 %     617       1.89 %     13,478       2.23 %     18,017       15,491       2.10 %

Corporate debt securities

                3,263       3.82 %                             3,263       3,168       3.82 %

Mortgage- backed securities

                                                                                       

Mortgage Backed Security ("MBS"), fixed-rate

                                        2,278       1.98 %     2,278       1,789       1.98 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"), fixed-rate

                            576       1.69 %     5,443       2.47 %     6,018       5,535       2.39 %

Total

  $ 4,441       3.07 %   $ 11,435       2.78 %   $ 3,693       1.92 %   $ 39,198       2.47 %   $ 58,767     $ 50,266       2.56 %

Equity Securities:

                                                                                       

Mutual fund

          %     500       2.00 %     874       2.00 %           %     1,374       1,374       2.00 %

Total

  $       %   $ 500       2.00 %   $ 874       2.00 %   $       %   $ 1,374     $ 1,374       2.00 %

Total Investment Securities

  $ 4,441       3.07 %   $ 18,153       2.70 %   $ 37,377       3.16 %   $ 58,066       2.51 %   $ 118,037     $ 101,484       2.90 %

 

For information regarding the carrying value of the investment portfolio, see Note 6 and Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Company’s investment securities, as of September 30, for each of the last two years.

 

   

2022

   

2021

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:

               

U.S. government agencies

  $ 3,580     $ 4,993  

State and municipal obligations

    9,660       2,765  

Single issuer trust preferred security

    946       875  

Corporate debt securities

    32,128       32,180  

MBS Securities

    2,087        

U.S. Treasury Note

    1,443        

Total available-for-sale

  $ 49,844     $ 40,813  

Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:

               

U.S. government agencies

  $ 29,190     $ 10,000  

State and municipal obligations

    18,017       6,062  

Corporate debt securities

    3,264       3,383  

Mortgage-backed securities:

               

Mortgage Backed Security ("MBS"), fixed-rate

    2,278          

Collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"), fixed-rate

    6,018       9,062  

Total held-to-maturity

  $ 58,767     $ 28,507  

Equity Securities:

               

Mutual fund

  $ 1,374     $ 1,500  

Total equity securities

  $ 1,374     $ 1,500  

Total investment securities

  $ 109,985     $ 70,820  

 

For additional information regarding the Company’s investment portfolio, see Note 6 and Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Loan Portfolio

 

Lending is the Company’s primary business activity. The Company’s loan portfolio consists of residential, construction and development, commercial and consumer loans, serving the diverse customer base in its market area. The composition of the Company’s portfolio continues to change due to the local economy. Factors such as the economic climate, interest rates, real estate values and employment all contribute to these changes in the composition of the Company’s portfolio. Growth is generated through business development efforts, repeat customer requests for new financings, penetration into existing markets and entry into new markets.

 

The Company seeks to create growth in commercial lending, which primarily includes commercial real estate, multi-family, farmland, and commercial and industrial lending, by offering customer-focused products and competitive pricing and by capitalizing on the positive trends in its market area. Products offered are designed to meet the financial requirements of the Company’s customers. It is the objective of the Company’s credit policies to diversify the commercial loan portfolio to limit concentrations in any single industry.

 

At September 30, 2022, total gross loans amounted to $810.4 million, a decrease of $103.4 million or 11.3 percent as compared to September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2022, total net loans amounted to $801.9 million, a decrease of $101.1 million or 11.2 percent as compared to September 30, 2021. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the gross loan portfolio saw declines of $22.8 million in residential mortgage loans, $40.0 million in commercial loans, and $38.8 million in construction and land loans.

 

The average balance of our total loans decreased $129.3 million, or 13.1 percent, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, while the average yield on loans increased 2 basis points to 3.72 percent for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, from 3.70 percent for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. During fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021, the volume-related factors contributed to a decrease of interest income on loans of $4.8 million, while the rate-related changes increased interest income by $247,000.

 

 

The following table presents information regarding the components of the Company’s loan portfolio (which does not include loans held for sale, except as noted below) on the dates indicated.

 

   

September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

  $ 175,957     $ 198,710     $ 242,090     $ 220,011     $ 197,219  

Construction and Development:

                                       

Residential and commercial

    24,362       61,492       65,703       40,346       37,433  

Land

    550       2,204       3,110       3,420       9,221  

Total construction and development

    24,912       63,696       68,813       43,766       46,654  

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial real estate

    406,914       426,915       495,398       547,727       498,229  

Farmland

    11,506       10,297       7,517       7,563       12,066  

Multi-family

    55,295       66,332       67,767       62,884       45,102  

Commercial and industrial

    102,703       115,246       116,584       99,747       73,895  

Other

    13,356       10,954       10,142       4,450       6,164  

Total commercial

    589,774       629,744       697,408       722,371       635,456  

Consumer:

                                       

Home equity lines of credit

    13,233       13,491       17,128       19,506       14,884  

Second mortgages

    4,395       5,884       10,711       13,737       18,363  

Other

    2,136       2,299       2,851       2,030       2,315  

Total consumer

    19,764       21,674       30,690       35,273       35,562  

Total loans

    810,407       913,824       1,039,001       1,021,421       914,891  

Deferred loan fees and costs, net

    537       629       326       663       566  

Allowance for loan losses

    (9,090 )     (11,472 )     (12,433 )     (10,095 )     (9,021 )

Loans receivable, net

  $ 801,854     $ 902,981     $ 1,026,894     $ 1,011,989     $ 906,436  

 

At September 30, 2022, our net loan portfolio totaled $801.9 million or 76.8 percent of total assets. Our principal lending activity has been the origination of residential, commercial, and commercial real estate loans. Through our loan policy, we utilize strict underwriting guidelines to maintain low average loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios and require maximum gross debt ratios and minimum debt coverage ratios.

 

Loans are subject to federal and state law and regulations. Interest rates charged by us on loans are affected principally by the demand for such loans and the supply of money available for lending purposes and the rates offered by our competitors. These factors are, in turn, affected by general and economic conditions, the monetary policy of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Bank, legislative tax policies and governmental budgetary matters.

 

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential mortgage loans, construction and development loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. The residential mortgage loan segment has one class, one- to four-family first lien residential mortgage loans. The construction and development loan segment consists of the following classes: residential and commercial construction loans and land loans. Residential construction loans are made for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built and occupied by the homeowner. Commercial construction loans are made for the purpose of acquiring, developing, and constructing a commercial use structure and for acquisition, development, and construction of residential properties by residential developers. The commercial loan segment consists of the following classes: commercial real estate loans, multi-family real estate loans, and other commercial loans, which are also generally known as commercial and industrial loans or commercial business loans. The consumer loan segment consists of the following classes: home equity lines of credit, second mortgage loans and other consumer loans, primarily unsecured consumer lines of credit.

 

Residential Lending. Residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in the Company’s market areas and surrounding areas. At September 30, 2022, $176.0 million, or 21.7 percent, of our total loans in our portfolio consisted of single-family residential mortgage loans.

 

 

Our single-family residential mortgage loans generally are underwritten on terms and documentation conforming to guidelines issued by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”). Applications for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are taken by our loan origination officers and are accepted at any of our banking offices and are then referred to the lending department in order to process the loan, which consists primarily of obtaining all documents required by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae underwriting standards, and completing the underwriting, which includes making a determination whether the loan meets our underwriting standards such that the Bank can extend a loan commitment to the customer. We generally have retained for our portfolio a substantial portion of the single-family residential mortgage loans that we originate. We currently originate fixed-rate, fully amortizing mortgage loans with maturities of 10 to 30 years. We also offer adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans where the interest rate either adjusts on an annual basis or is fixed for the initial one, three, five or seven years and then adjusts annually. However, due to the low interest rate environment and demand for fixed rate products, we have not originated a significant amount of ARM loans in recent years. At September 30, 2022, $49.8 million, or 28.3 percent, of our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans consisted of ARM loans.

 

In prior years, the Company purchased single-family residential mortgage loans and consumer loans from a network of mortgage brokers. The Company now has correspondent lending relationships, but the Bank independently underwrites these loans.

 

We underwrite one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 95 percent, provided that the borrower obtains private mortgage insurance on loans that exceed 80 percent of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less, of the secured property. We also require that title insurance, hazard insurance and, if appropriate, flood insurance be maintained on all properties securing real estate loans. We require that a licensed appraiser from our list of approved appraisers perform and submit to us an appraisal on all properties secured by a first mortgage on one- to four-family first mortgage loans. Our mortgage loans generally include due-on-sale clauses, which provide us with the contractual right to deem the loan immediately due and payable in the event the borrower transfers ownership of the property. Due-on-sale clauses are an important means of adjusting the yields of fixed-rate mortgage loans in portfolio and we generally exercise our rights under these clauses.

 

Construction and Development Loans. The amount of our outstanding construction and development loans in our portfolio decreased to $24.9 million or 3.0 percent of gross loans at September 30, 2022 from $63.7 million or 7.0 percent of gross loans as of September 30, 2021. We generally limit construction loans to builders and developers with whom we have an established relationship, or who are otherwise known to officers of the Bank. Our construction loans also include single-family residential construction loans which may, if approved, convert to permanent, long-term mortgage loans upon completion of construction (“construction/perm” loans). During the initial or construction phase, these construction/perm loans require payment of interest only, which generally is tied to the prime rate, as the home is being constructed. On residential construction to perm loans the final interest rate is approved upon the earlier of the completion of construction or one year. These loans if approved by the appropriate approving authority, convert to long-term (generally 30 years), amortizing, fixed-rate single-family mortgage loans.

 

Our portfolio of construction loans generally have a maximum term as approved based upon the underwriting (for individual, owner-occupied dwellings), and loan-to-value ratios less than 80 percent. Residential construction loans to developers are made on either a pre-sold or speculative (unsold) basis. Limits are placed on the number of units that can be built on a speculative basis based upon the reputation and financial position of the builder, his/her present obligations, the location of the property and prior sales in the development and the surrounding area. Generally, a limit of two unsold homes (one model home and one speculative home) is placed per project.

 

Prior to committing to a construction loan, we require that an independent appraiser prepare an appraisal of the property. Each project also is reviewed and inspected at its inception and prior to every disbursement of loan proceeds. Disbursements are made after inspections based upon a percentage of project completion and monthly payment of interest is required on all construction loans.

 

Our construction loans also include loans for the acquisition and development of land for sale (i.e., roads, sewer and water lines). We typically make these loans only in conjunction with a commitment for a construction loan for the units to be built on the site. These loans are secured by a lien on the property and are limited to a loan-to-value ratio not exceeding 75 percent of the appraised value at the time of origination. The loans have a variable rate of interest and require monthly payments of interest. The principal of the loan is repaid as units are sold and released. We limit loans of this type to our market area and to developers with whom we have established relationships. In most cases, we also obtain personal guarantees from the borrowers.

 

Our loan portfolio included one loan secured by unimproved real estate and lots (“land loan”), with an outstanding balance of $550,000, constituting 0.1 percent of total loans, at September 30, 2022.

 

 

In order to mitigate some of the risks inherent to construction lending, we inspect properties under construction, review construction progress prior to advancing funds, work with builders with whom we have established relationships, require annual updating of tax returns and other financial data of developers and obtain personal guarantees from the principals. At September 30, 2022, approximately $134,000, or 1.5 percent, of our allowance for loan losses was attributed to construction and development loans. We had no construction and development loans that were non-performing at September 30, 2022 or September 30, 2021. We had no construction and development loans that were performing TDRs at September 30, 2022 or September 30, 2021.

 

Commercial Lending. At September 30, 2022, our loans secured by commercial real estate amounted to $406.9 million and constituted 50.2 percent of our gross loans at such date. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the commercial real estate loan portfolio decreased by $20.0 million, or 4.7 percent. During fiscal year 2022, we had no charge-offs of commercial real estate loans, as compared to $11.9 million of charge-offs of commercial real estate loans for fiscal year 2021.

 

Our commercial real estate loan portfolio consists primarily of loans secured by office buildings, retail and industrial use buildings, strip shopping centers, mixed-use and other properties used for commercial purposes located in our market area.

 

Although terms for commercial real estate and multi-family loans vary, our underwriting standards generally allow for terms up to 10 years with the interest rate being reset in the fifth year and with amortization typically not greater than 25 years and loan-to-value ratios of not more than 80 percent. Interest rates are either fixed or adjustable, based upon the index rate plus a margin, and fees ranging from 0.5 percent to 1.50 percent are charged to the borrower at the origination of the loan. Prepayment fees are charged on most loans in the event of early repayment. Generally, we obtain personal guarantees of the principals as additional collateral for commercial real estate and multi-family real estate loans.

 

Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences. This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. As of September 30, 2022, there were no non-accruing commercial real estate mortgage loans, other than one commercial real estate mortgage loan held-for-sale that was non-accruing in the amount of $13.3 million. As of September 30, 2022, $6.1 million, or 67.2 percent of our allowance for loan losses, was allocated to commercial real estate mortgage loans. As of September 30, 2022, our commercial real estate loans held in our portfolio that were deemed performing troubled debt restructurings decreased to $594,000 from $12.2 million as of September 30, 2021.

 

At September 30, 2022, our multi-family loan portfolio included 23 loans with an aggregate book value of $55.3 million secured by multi-family (more than four units) properties, constituting 6.8 percent of our gross loans at such date. As of September 30, 2022, we had no non-accruing multi-family loans.

 

At September 30, 2022, we had $102.7 million in commercial business loans, or 12.7 percent of gross loans outstanding, in our portfolio. Our commercial business loans generally have been made to small to mid-sized businesses located in our market area. The commercial business loans in our portfolio assist us in our asset/liability management since they generally provide shorter maturities and/or adjustable rates of interest in addition to generally having higher rates of return which are designed to compensate for the additional credit risk associated with these loans. The commercial business loans which we have originated may be either a revolving line of credit or for a fixed term of generally 10 years or less. Interest rates are adjustable, indexed to a published prime rate of interest, or fixed. Generally, equipment, machinery, real property or other corporate assets secure such loans. Personal guarantees from the business principals are generally obtained as additional collateral.

 

Generally, commercial business loans are characterized as having higher risks associated with them than single-family residential mortgage loans. As of September 30, 2022, we had no non-accruing commercial loans in our loan portfolio. At such date, approximately $1.0 million, or 10.5 percent of the allowance for loan losses was allocated to commercial business loans.  At September 30, 2022, one commercial business loan totaling $625,000 was deemed a performing troubled debt restructuring loan.

 

 

In our underwriting procedures, consideration is given to the stability of the property’s cash flow history, future operating projections, current and projected occupancy levels, location, and physical condition. Generally, our practice is to impose a debt service ratio (the ratio of net cash flows from operations before the payment of debt service/debt service) of not less than 120 percent. We also evaluate the credit and financial condition of the borrower, and if applicable, the guarantor. Appraisal reports prepared by independent appraisers are obtained on each loan to substantiate the property’s market value and are reviewed by us prior to the closing of the loan.

 

Consumer Lending. In our efforts to provide a full range of financial services to our customers, we offer various types of consumer loans. Our consumer loans amounted to $19.8 million or 2.4 percent of our total loan portfolio at September 30, 2022. The largest components of our consumer loans are home equity lines of credit, which amounted to $13.2 million at September 30, 2022, and loans secured by second mortgages, consisting primarily of home equity loans, which amounted to $4.4 million at September 30, 2022. Our consumer loans also include automobile loans, unsecured personal loans and loans secured by deposits. Consumer loans are originated primarily through existing and walk-in customers and direct advertising.

 

Our home equity lines of credit are variable rate loans tied to LIBOR, treasury, and prime rates. Our second mortgages may have fixed or variable rates, although they generally have had fixed rates in recent periods. Our second mortgages have a maximum term to maturity of 15 years. Both our second mortgages and our home equity lines of credit generally are secured by the borrower’s primary residence. However, our security generally consists of a second lien on the property. Our lending policy provides that the maximum loan-to-value ratio on our home equity lines of credit is 80 percent when the Bank has the first mortgage. However, the maximum loan-to-value ratio on our home equity lines of credit is reduced to 75 percent when the Bank does not have the first mortgage. At September 30, 2022, the unused portion of our home equity lines of credit was $27.9 million.

 

Consumer loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than residential loans; however, they have additional credit risk due to the type of collateral securing the loan or in some cases the absence of collateral. In the year ended September 30, 2022, we recovered $57,000 of previously charged-off consumer loans mostly consisting of second mortgage loans, as compared to $129,000 of recoveries, mostly consisting of second mortgage loans during the year ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2022, we had $148,000 of non-accruing second mortgage loans and $20,000 of non-accruing home equity lines of credit, representing a decrease of $133,000 over the amount of non-accruing second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit at September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2022, $317,000 of our consumer loans were classified as substandard consumer loans. At September 30, 2022, an aggregate of $88,000 of our allowance for loan losses was allocated to second mortgages and home equity lines of credit.

 

 

The following table presents the contractual maturity of our loans held in our portfolio at September 30, 2022. The table does not include the effect of prepayments or scheduled principal amortization. Loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

 

   

At September 30, 2022, Maturing

 
           

After One

                         
           

Years

   

After Five

                 
   

In One Year

   

Through

   

Through

   

After

         
   

or Less

   

Five Years

   

Fifteen Years

   

Fifteen Years

   

Total

 
   

(In thousands)

         

Residential mortgage

  $ 222     $ 5,444     $ 38,539     $ 131,752     $ 175,957  

Construction and Development:

                                       

Residential and commercial

    22,702       1,660                   24,362  

Land

          550                   550  

Total construction and development

    22,702       2,210                   24,912  

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial real estate

    25,038       245,227       134,879       1,770       406,914  

Farmland

          2,449       9,057             11,506  

Multi-family

    15,487       20,441       19,367             55,295  

Commercial and industrial

    26,655       66,705       3,377       5,966       102,703  

Other

    8,198       5,158                   13,356  

Total commercial

    75,378       339,980       166,680       7,736       589,774  

Consumer:

                                       

Home equity lines of credit

          845       4,485       7,903       13,233  

Second mortgages

    532       1,199       2,664             4,395  

Other

    407       1,588       27       114       2,136  

Total consumer

    939       3,632       7,176       8,017       19,764  

Total

  $ 99,241     $ 351,266     $ 212,395     $ 147,505     $ 810,407  

Loans with:

                                       

Fixed rates

  $ 22,375     $ 128,535     $ 80,279     $ 86,473     $ 317,662  

Variable rates

    76,866       222,731       132,116       61,032       492,745  

Total

  $ 99,241     $ 351,266     $ 212,395     $ 147,505     $ 810,407  

 

For additional information regarding loans, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Related Provision

 

The purpose of the allowance for loan losses (“ALLL” or “allowance”) is to absorb the impact of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Additions to the allowance are made through provisions charged against current operations and through recoveries made on loans previously charged-off. The allowance is maintained at an amount considered adequate by management to provide for potential loan losses based upon a periodic evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. In establishing an appropriate allowance, an assessment of the individual borrowers, a determination of the value of the underlying collateral, a review of historical loss experience and an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories, delinquencies and problem loans are considered. Such qualitative factors as changes in lending policies and procedures, economic and business conditions, nature and volume of the portfolio, changes in delinquency, concentration of credit trends, value of underlying collateral, the level and trend of interest rates, and peer group statistics are also reviewed. At September 30, 2022, the level of the allowance was $9.1 million as compared to a level of $11.5 million at September 30, 2021. The Company made no loan loss provisions in fiscal year 2022 compared with $11.2 million in fiscal year 2021. Provision expense was higher during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, due primarily to four commercial loans that were transferred to held-for-sale. The level of the allowance during the fiscal years of 2022 and 2021 reflects the change in average volume, credit quality within the loan portfolio, the level of charge-offs, and loan volume recorded during the periods and the Company’s focus on the changing composition of the commercial and residential real estate loan portfolios.

 

 

At September 30, 2022, the allowance amounted to 1.12 percent of total gross loans. In management’s view, the level of the allowance at September 30, 2022 is adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment regarding the adequacy of the allowance constitutes a ‘‘Forward Looking Statement’’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from management’s analysis, based principally upon the factors considered by management in establishing the allowance.

 

Although management uses the best information reasonably available to it, the level of the allowance remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. The OCC, as an integral part of its examination process, periodically reviews the Company’s allowance. The OCC may require the Company to increase the allowance based on its analysis of information available to it at the time of its examination. Furthermore, the majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey and the State of Pennsylvania. Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic factors impacting real estate in the Bank’s market areas and a deterioration of the economic climate, as well as, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company’s control, including those as a result of COVID-19. The allowance as a percentage of total loans amounted to 1.12 percent and 1.21 percent at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net charge-offs were $2.4 million in fiscal year 2022, compared to net charge-offs of $12.1 million in fiscal year 2021. Charge-offs were higher primarily in the commercial and industrial loan portfolio segment in fiscal year 2022.

 

At September 30, 2022, the Company held one non-accrual commercial real estate loan transferred to held-for-sale with an aggregate book balance of $13.3 million, for which the Company continues to evaluate a sale of this loan.

 

 

Five-Year Statistical Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The following table reflects the relationship of loan volume, the provision and allowance for loan losses and net charge-offs for the past five years.

 

   

September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Average loans outstanding

  $ 854,808     $ 945,457     $ 1,026,221     $ 977,876     $ 860,366  

Total loans at end of period

  $ 810,407     $ 947,023

(1)

  $ 1,039,001     $ 1,021,421     $ 914,891  

Analysis of the Allowance of Loan Losses

                                       

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 11,472     $ 12,433     $ 10,095     $ 9,021     $ 8,405  

Charge-offs:

                                       

Residential mortgage

                      17       60  

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial real estate

          11,930       8,330       1,418       276  

Commercial and industrial

    2,415       379                   45  

Consumer:

                                       

Home equity lines of credit

                62              

Second mortgages

    106             3       45       88  

Other

          4       1       37       2  

Total charge-offs

    2,521       12,313       8,396       1,517       471  

Recoveries:

                                       

Residential mortgage

    5       41       25       79       58  

Construction and Development:

                                       

Residential and commercial

          4                    

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial real estate

    75       1       6       23       11  

Commercial and industrial

    2       2       2       4       4  

Consumer:

                                       

Home equity lines of credit

    1       17       1       1       1  

Second mortgages

    55       108       88       94       52  

Other

    1       3       2       11       7  

Total recoveries

    139       176       124       212       133  

Net charge-offs

    2,382       12,137       8,272       1,305       338  

Provision for loan losses

          11,176       10,610       2,379       954  

Balance at end of year

  $ 9,090     $ 11,472     $ 12,433     $ 10,095     $ 9,021  

Ratio of net charge-offs during the year to average loans outstanding during the year

    0.28 %     1.28%       0.81 %     0.13 %     0.04 %

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans at end of year

    1.12 %     1.21%       1.20 %     0.99 %     0.99 %
 

(1)

Balance includes loans held for sale.

For additional information regarding loans, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Implicit in the lending function is the fact that loan losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower and prevailing economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses has been allocated in the table below according to the estimated amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to provide for the possibility of losses being incurred within the following categories of loans at September 30, for each of the past five years.

 

 

The table below shows, by type of loan, the amounts of the allowance allocable to such loans and the percentage of such loans to total loans.

 

   

September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

 
           

Loans

           

Loans

           

Loans

           

Loans

           

Loans

 
           

to

           

to

           

to

           

to

           

to

 
           

Total

           

Total

           

Total

           

Total

           

Total

 
   

Amount

   

Loans

   

Amount

   

Loans

   

Amount

   

Loans

   

Amount

   

Loans

   

Amount

   

Loans

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

  $ 708       21.7 %   $ 934       21.8 %   $ 1,667       23.3 %   $ 1,364       21.6 %   $ 1,062       21.6 %

Construction and Development:

                                                                               

Residential and commercial

    131       3.0       428       6.7       465       6.3       523       3.9       393       4.1  

Land loans

    3       0.1       15       0.2       23       0.3       20       0.3       49       1.0  

Commercial:

                                                                               

Commercial real estate

    6,040       50.2       7,043       46.7       8,682       47.7       5,903       53.7       5,031       54.4  

Farmland

    57       1.4       56       1.1       47       0.7       49       0.7       66       1.3  

Multi-family

    298       6.8       450       7.3       511       6.5       369       6.2       232       4.9  

Commercial and industrial

    1,158       12.7       2,221       12.6       578       11.2       615       9.8       443       8.1  

Other

    55       1.7       54       1.2       51       1.0       21       0.4       24       0.7  

Consumer:

                                                                               

Home equity lines of credit

    67       1.6       76       1.5       130       1.7       122       1.9       82       1.6  

Second mortgages

    17       0.5       87       0.6       196       1.0       267       1.3       326       2.0  

Other

    19       0.3       20       0.3       29       0.3       23       0.2       51       0.3  

Total allocated

    8,553       100.0       11,384       100.0       12,379       100.0       9,276       100.0       7,759       100.0  

Unallocated

    537             88             54             819             1,262        

Balance at end of period

  $ 9,090       100.0 %   $ 11,472       100.0 %   $ 12,433       100.0 %   $ 10,095       100.0 %   $ 9,021       100.0 %

 

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, it is recognized that the process, methodology and underlying assumptions require a significant degree of judgment and uncertainty. The estimation of loan losses is not precise; the range of factors considered is wide and is significantly dependent upon management’s judgment, including the outlook and potential changes in the economic environment and general market conditions.  At present, components of the commercial loan segments of the portfolio are new originations and the associated volumes continue to see increased growth.  At the same time, historical loss levels have decreased as factors utilized in assessing the portfolio.  Any unallocated portion of the allowance reflects management’s estimate of probable inherent but undetected losses within the portfolio due to uncertainties in economic conditions, delays in obtaining information, including unfavorable information about a borrower’s financial condition, the difficulty in identifying triggering events that correlate perfectly to subsequent loss rates, and risk factors that have not yet manifested in loss allocation factors.

 

Asset Quality

 

The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and mix. The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to attempt to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of current collateral values, and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.

 

It is generally the Company’s policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due as to interest or principal payments for a period of 90 days. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected and a satisfactory period of ongoing repayment exists. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more are generally well secured and in the process of collection. For additional information regarding loans, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Non-Performing, Past Due Loans and OREO

 

Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more. Non-accrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been suspended. It is the Company’s general policy to consider the charge-off of loans at the point they become past due in excess of 90 days, with the exception of loans that are both well-secured and in the process of collection. Troubled debt restructurings represent loans on which a concession was granted to a borrower, such as a reduction in interest rate to a rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risks, and which are currently performing in accordance with the modified terms. For additional information regarding loans, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, the amount of the Company’s non-accrual loans, accruing loans past due 90 days or more, OREO and troubled debt restructurings.

 

   

At September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Non-accrual loans:

                                       

Residential mortgage

  $ 585     $ 879     $ 2,036     $ 1,532     $ 1,817  

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial real estate

                14,414             520  

Commercial and industrial

          2,517                    

Total commercial

          2,517       14,414             520  

Consumer:

                                       

Home equity lines of credit

    20       23       26       30       34  

Second mortgages

    148       278       254       259       290  

Other

                            26  

Total consumer

    168       301       280       289       350  

Total non-accrual loans

    753       3,697       16,730       1,821       2,687  

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

    243             58       502       374  

Total non-performing loans

    996       3,697       16,788       2,323       3,061  

Other real estate owned

    259       4,961       5,796       5,796        

Total non-performing assets

  $ 1,255     $ 8,658     $ 22,584     $ 8,119     $ 3,061  

Troubled debt restructured loans — performing

  $ 4,979     $ 17,601     $ 13,418     $ 12,170     $ 18,640  

 

Non-accrual loans, excluding loans held-for-sale, totaled $753,000 at September 30, 2022, and $3.7 million at September 30, 2021. The decrease in non-accrual loans was primarily due a charge-off of $2.4 million related to one non-accrual commercial and industrial loan during the fiscal year and then transferred to OREO at a carrying value of $259,000. The decrease in OREO of $4.7 million at September 30, 2022, compared to September 30, 2021, was attributed to a sale at carrying value and the transfer of a new commercial and industrial loan to OREO during fiscal year 2022 totaling $259,000. Non-accrual loans to total loans were 0.09% and 0.39% at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans were 1,207.2% at September 30, 2022 compared to 310.3% at September 30, 2021.

 

Performing TDR loans were $5.0 million at September 30, 2022, and $17.6 million at September 30, 2021. The decrease is primarily related to two TDR commercial real estate loans totaling $17.1 million that were sold during the fiscal year 2021.

 

At September 30, 2022, non-performing assets ("NPAs") totaled $1.3 million, or 0.12% of total assets, as compared with $8.7 million, or 0.72% of total assets, at September 30, 2021. The decrease in NPAs is due to the decrease in non-accrual loans and OREO as described above. 

 

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The Company recorded a $1.9 million income tax expense in fiscal year 2022 compared to a $212,000 income tax benefit in fiscal year 2021. For a more detailed description of income taxes see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Please refer to the note on Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

 

Asset and Liability Management

 

Asset and liability management encompasses an analysis of market risk, the control of interest rate risk (interest sensitivity management) and the ongoing maintenance and planning of liquidity and capital. The composition of the Company’s statement of condition is planned and monitored by the Company’s Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”). In general, management’s objective is to optimize net interest income and minimize market risk and interest rate risk by monitoring the components of the statement of condition and the interaction of interest rates.

 

Short-term interest rate exposure analysis is supplemented with an interest sensitivity gap model. The Company utilizes interest sensitivity analysis to measure the responsiveness of net interest income to changes in interest rate levels. Interest rate risk arises when an earning asset matures or when its interest rate changes in a time period different than that of a supporting interest-bearing liability, or when an interest-bearing liability matures or when its interest rate changes in a time period different than that of an earning asset that it supports. While the Company matches only a small portion of specific assets and liabilities, total earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are grouped to determine the overall interest rate risk within a number of specific time frames. The difference between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities is referred to as the interest sensitivity gap. At any given point in time, the Company may be in an asset-sensitive position, whereby its interest-sensitive assets exceed its interest-sensitive liabilities, or in a liability-sensitive position, whereby its interest-sensitive liabilities exceed its interest-sensitive assets, depending in part on management’s judgment as to projected interest rate trends.

 

The Company’s interest rate sensitivity position in each time frame may be expressed as assets less liabilities, as liabilities less assets, or as the ratio between rate sensitive assets (“RSA”) and rate sensitive liabilities (“RSL”). For example, a short-funded position (liabilities repricing before assets) would be expressed as a net negative position, when period gaps are computed by subtracting repricing liabilities from repricing assets. When using the ratio method, an RSA/RSL ratio of 1 indicates a balanced position, a ratio greater than 1 indicates an asset-sensitive position and a ratio less than 1 indicates a liability-sensitive position.

 

A negative gap and/or a rate sensitivity ratio less than 1 tends to expand net interest margins in a falling rate environment and reduce net interest margins in a rising rate environment. Conversely, when a positive gap occurs, generally margins expand in a rising rate environment and contract in a falling rate environment. From time to time, the Company may elect to deliberately mismatch liabilities and assets in a strategic gap position.

 

At September 30, 2022, the Company reflected a positive interest sensitivity gap with an interest sensitivity ratio of 1.20:1.00 at the cumulative one-year position. Based on current rising interest rate environment, that at the current time is estimated to continue through the first half of 2023, emphasis will be on controlling liability costs and duration in our efforts to insulate the net interest spread for a potential future decline in rates.

 

 

The following table sets forth the amounts of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at September 30, 2022, which we expect, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown (the “GAP Table”). Except as stated below, the amount of assets and liabilities shown which reprice or mature during a particular period were determined in accordance with the earlier of term to repricing or the contractual maturity of the asset or liability. The GAP Table sets forth approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at September 30, 2022, on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments, and scheduled rate adjustments within a three-month period and subsequent selected time intervals. The loan amounts in the GAP Table reflect principal balances expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of contractual amortization and anticipated prepayments of adjustable-rate loans and fixed-rate loans, and as a result of contractual rate adjustments on adjustable-rate loans.

 

           

More than

   

More than

   

More than

                 
   

6 Months

   

6 Months

   

1 Year

   

3 Year

   

More than

   

Total

 
   

or Less

   

to 1 Year

   

to 3 Years

   

to 5 Years

   

5 Years

   

Amount

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Interest-earning assets(1):

                                               

Loans receivable(2)

  $ 253,251     $ 50,474     $ 207,513     $ 166,576     $ 131,840     $ 809,654  

Investment securities and restricted securities

    14,284       4,110       17,699       34,352       46,644       117,089  

Other interest-earning assets

    48,590                               48,590  

Total interest-earning assets

    316,125       54,584       225,212       200,928       178,484       975,333  

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                                               

Demand and NOW accounts

    17,921       17,921       71,685       71,685       61,607       240,819  

Money market accounts

    34,117       34,117       136,467       53,338       21,660       279,699  

Savings accounts

    2,595       2,595       10,378       10,125       29,595       55,288  

Certificate accounts

    49,315       45,503       47,136       8,068       1,481       151,503  

Borrowings

    91,667       13,333                         105,000  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    195,615       113,469       265,666       143,216       114,343       832,309  

Interest-earning assets less interest- bearing liabilities

  $ 120,510     $ (58,885 )   $ (40,454 )   $ 57,712     $ 64,141     $ 143,024  

Cumulative interest-rate sensitivity gap(3)

  $ 120,510     $ 61,625     $ 21,171     $ 78,883     $ 143,024          

Cumulative interest-rate gap as a percentage of total assets at September 30, 2022

    11.54 %     5.90 %     2.03 %     7.55 %     13.69 %        

Cumulative interest-earning assets as a percentage of cumulative interest-bearing liabilities at September 30, 2022

    161.61 %     119.94 %     103.68 %     110.99 %     117.18 %        

 


(1)

Interest-earning assets are included in the period in which the balances are expected to be redeployed and /or repriced as a result of anticipated prepayments, scheduled rate adjustments and contractual maturities.

(2)

For purposes of the gap analysis, loans receivable excludes non-accrual loans gross of the allowance for loan losses, undisbursed loan funds, unamortized discounts and deferred loans fees.

(3)

Interest-rate sensitivity gap represents the net cumulative difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Net Portfolio Value and Net Interest Income Analysis. Our interest rate sensitivity is also monitored by management through the use of models which generate estimates of the change in its net portfolio value (“NPV”) and net interest income (“NII”) over a range of interest rate scenarios. NPV is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts. The NPV ratio, under any interest rate scenario, is defined as the NPV in that scenario divided by the market value of assets in the same scenario.

 

The table below sets forth as of September 30, 2022 and 2021 the estimated changes in our NPV that would result from designated instantaneous changes in the United States Treasury yield curve. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rates changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit decay, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results.

 

   

As of September 30, 2022

   

As of September 30, 2021

 
           

Dollar

   

Percentage

           

Dollar

   

Percentage

 

Changes in Interest Rates

         

Change from

   

Change from

           

Change from

   

Change from

 

(basis points)(1)

 

Amount

   

Base

   

Base

   

Amount

   

Base

   

Base

 
   

(In thousands)

 

+300

  $ 203,397     $ 15,661       8 %   $ 152,219     $ (11,099 )     (7 )%

+200

    205,164       17,429       9       158,876       (4,442 )     (3 )

+100

    199,001       11,266       6       162,206       (1,112 )     (1 )

0

    187,836                   163,318              

-100

    174,443       (13,293 )     (7 )     177,047       13,729       8  

 


(1)

Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates. A basis point equals 0.01%.

 

 

In addition to modeling changes in NPV, we also analyze potential changes to NII for a twelve-month period under rising and falling interest rate scenarios. The following table shows our NII model as of September 30, 2022.

 

   

Net Interest

                 

Changes in Interest Rates in Basis Points (Rate Shock)

 

Income

   

$ Change

   

% Change

 
   

(In thousands)

         

200

  $ 33,953     $ 1,281       4 %

100

    33,509       837       3  

Static

    33,099       427       1  

(100)

    31,644       (1,028 )     (3 )

 

As is the case with the GAP Table, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in NPV and NII require the making of certain assumptions which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the models presented assume that the composition of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the NPV measurements and net interest income models provide an indication of interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on net interest income and will differ from actual results.

 

Estimates of Fair Value

 

The estimation of fair value is significant to a number of the Company’s assets, including loans held for sale, investment securities available-for-sale and interest rate swaps. These are all recorded at either fair value or the lower of cost or fair value. Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors. Circumstances that could cause estimates of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities to change include a change in prepayment speeds, discount rates, or market interest rates. Fair values for most available-for-sale investment securities are based on quoted market prices. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic condition risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Liquidity

 

The liquidity position of the Company is dependent primarily on successful management of the Bank’s assets and liabilities to meet the needs of both deposit and credit customers. Liquidity needs arise principally to accommodate possible deposit outflows and to meet customers’ requests for loans. Scheduled principal loan repayments, maturing investments, short-term liquid assets and deposit inflows, can satisfy such needs. The objective of liquidity management is to enable the Company to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations in a timely and cost-effective manner.

 

Management monitors current and projected cash flows and adjusts positions as necessary to maintain adequate levels of liquidity. Under its liquidity risk management program, the Company regularly monitors correspondent bank funding exposure and credit exposure in accordance with guidelines issued by the banking regulatory authorities. Management uses a variety of potential funding sources and staggering maturities to reduce the risk of potential funding pressure. Management also maintains a detailed contingency funding plan designed to respond adequately to situations which could lead to stresses on liquidity. Management believes that the Company has the funding capacity to meet the liquidity needs arising from potential events. The Company maintains borrowing capacity through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh secured with loans and marketable securities.

 

The Company’s primary sources of short-term liquidity consist of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale.

 

At September 30, 2022, the Company had $53.3 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $136.6 million at September 30, 2021. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents year over year was due to decreased deposits to $785.3 million at September 30, 2022 from $938.2 million at September 30, 2021 combined with an increase in investment securities to $110.0 million at September 30, 2022 from $70.8 million at September 30, 2021. In fiscal year 2021, t he Company decided to build liquidity during the economic downturn, with the cash received from loan paydowns and payoffs throughout the year.

 

 

Deposits

 

Total deposits decreased to $785.3 million at September 30, 2022, from $938.2 million at September 30, 2021. Total interest-bearing deposits decreased from $884.3 million at September 30, 2021, to $727.3 million at September 30, 2022, a decrease of $157.0 million or 17.8 percent. Time deposits $250,000 and over increased $46.5 million at September 30, 2022, as compared to September 30, 2021, and represented 41.6 percent of total time deposits at September 30, 2022, compared to 14.8 percent at September 30, 2021. We had brokered deposits totaling $9.1 million at September 30, 2022, compared to $6.1 million at September 30, 2021.

 

The Company continues to place the main focus of its deposit gathering efforts in the maintenance, development, and expansion of its core deposit base.

 

The following table depicts the Company’s deposits classified by interest rates with percentages to total deposits at September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

   

September 30,

   

September 30,

         
   

2022

   

2021

   

Dollar

 
   

Amount

   

Percentage

   

Amount

   

Percentage

   

Change

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Balances by types of deposit:

                                       

Savings

  $ 55,288       7.0 %   $ 50,582       5.4 %   $ 4,706  

Money market accounts

    279,699       35.6       385,480       41.1       (105,781 )

Interest bearing demand

    240,819       30.7       336,645       35.9       (95,826 )

Non-interest bearing demand

    58,014       7.4       53,849       5.7       4,165  
    $ 633,820       80.7     $ 826,556       88.1     $ (192,736 )

Certificates of deposit

    151,503       19.3       111,603       11.9       39,900  

Total

  $ 785,323       100.0 %   $ 938,159       100.0 %   $ (152,836 )

 

At September 30, 2022, our certificates of deposit and other time deposits with a balance of $250,000 or more amounted to $63.0 million, of which $47.7 million are scheduled to mature within twelve months. At September 30, 2022, the weighted average remaining maturity of our certificate of deposit accounts was 7.9 months. The following table presents the maturity of our certificates of deposit and other time deposits with balances of $250,000 or more at September 30, 2022.

 

   

Amount

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Maturity Period:

       

Three months or less

  $ 13,130  

Over three months through six months

    18,512  

Over six months through twelve months

    16,083  

Over twelve months

    15,322  

Total

  $ 63,047  

 

Borrowings

 

Borrowings from the FHLB of Pittsburgh are available to supplement the Company’s liquidity position and, to the extent that maturing deposits do not remain with the Company, management may replace such funds with advances. As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s outstanding balance of FHLB advances totaled $80.0 million and $90.0 million, respectively. The $80.0 million in advances as of September 30, 2022 represents two short-term FHLB advances of fixed-rate borrowing with rollover of 90 days and three additional short term-borrowings.  

 

During both fiscal year 2022 and 2021, the Company did not purchase any securities sold under agreements to repurchase as a short-term funding source.

 

 

Cash Flows

 

The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the changes in cash and cash equivalents resulting from the Company’s operating, investing and financing activities. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $83.3 million from the balance at September 30, 2021 of $136.6 million. Net cash of $5.9 million was provided by operating activities in fiscal year 2022 compared to net cash of $14.8 million provided by operating activities in fiscal year 2021. Net cash provided by investing activities amounted to $73.6 million in fiscal year 2022 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $58.0 million in fiscal year 2021. Net cash of $162.9 million was used in financing activities in fiscal year 2022 compared to net cash of $2.4 million provided by financing activities in fiscal year 2021.

 

In the normal course of operations, the Company engages in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with GAAP, are not recorded in its financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments, lines of credit and letters of credit.

 

The contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit represent the amounts of potential accounting loss should the contract be fully drawn upon, the customer defaults and the value of any existing collateral becomes worthless. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk at September 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

 

   

September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Commitments to extend credit:(1)

               

Future loan commitments

  $ 12,585     $ 32,889  

Undisbursed construction loans

    9,285       12,672  

Undisbursed home equity lines of credit

    27,942       25,722  

Undisbursed commercial lines of credit

    80,535       86,842  

Overdraft protection lines

    1,482       1,549  

Standby letters of credit

    7,742       9,026  

Total commitments

  $ 139,571     $ 168,700  

 


(1)

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments may require payment of a fee and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses.

 

We anticipate that we will continue to have sufficient funds and alternative funding sources to meet our current commitments.

 

Shareholders Equity

 

Total shareholders’ equity amounted to $146.4 million, or 14.0 percent of total assets at September 30, 2022, compared to $142.2 million, or 11.8 percent of total assets at September 30, 2021. Book value per common share was $19.18 at September 30, 2022, compared to $18.65 at September 30, 2021.

 

 

Capital

 

The Bank’s capital ratios as of September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, are as follows:

 

                                   

To Be Well

                 
                                   

Capitalized

                 
                                   

Under Prompt

   

Excess Over

 
                   

Required for Capital

   

Corrective

   

Well-Capitalized

 
   

Actual

   

Adequacy Purposes

   

Action Provisions

   

Provision

 
   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 

As of September 30, 2022:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Tier 1 leverage (core) capital (to adjusted tangible assets)

  $ 166,340       16.30 %   $ 40,820       4.00 %   $ 51,025       5.00 %   $ 115,315       11.30 %

Common equity Tier 1 (to risk-weighted assets)

    160,340       19.27       38,836       4.50       56,096       6.50       110,244       12.77  

Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    166,340       19.27       51,751       6.00       69,042       8.00       97,298       11.27  

Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    175,512       20.34       69,042       8.00       86,302       10.00       89,210       10.34  

As of September 30, 2021:

                                                               

Tier 1 leverage (core) capital (to adjusted tangible assets)

  $ 157,518       13.14 %   $ 47,946       4.00 %   $ 59,933       5.00 %   $ 97,585       8.14 %

Common equity Tier 1 (to risk-weighted assets)

    157,518       16.13       43,934       4.50       63,460       6.50       94,058       9.63  

Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    157,518       16.13       58,579       6.00       78,105       8.00       79,413       8.13  

Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    169,072       17.32       78,105       8.00       97,632       10.00       71,440       7.32  

 

 

Looking Forward

 

One of the Company’s primary objectives is the improvement of asset quality and capital preservation. Additional objectives are balancing asset and revenue growth, while at the same time expanding market presence and diversifying the Company’s financial products. However, it is recognized that objectives, no matter how focused, are subject to factors beyond the control of the Company, which can impede its ability to achieve these goals. The following factors should be considered when evaluating the Company’s ability to achieve its objectives:

 

 

The financial market place is rapidly changing. Banks are no longer the only place to obtain loans, nor the only place to keep financial assets. The banking industry has lost market share to other financial service providers. The future is predicated on the Company’s ability to adapt its products, provide superior customer service and compete in an ever-changing marketplace. Net interest income, the primary source of earnings, is impacted favorably or unfavorably by changes in interest rates. Although the impact of interest rate fluctuations is mitigated by ALCO strategies, significant changes in interest rates can have a material adverse impact on profitability.

 

The ability of customers to repay their obligations is often impacted by changes in the regional and local economy. Although the Company sets aside loan loss provisions toward the allowance for loan losses when management determines such action to be appropriate, significant unfavorable changes in the economy could impact the assumptions used in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance.

 

Technological changes will have a material impact on how financial service companies compete for and deliver services and products. It is recognized that these changes will have a direct impact on how the marketplace is approached and ultimately on profitability. The Company has taken steps to improve its traditional delivery channels. However, continued success will likely be measured by the Company’s ability to anticipate and react to future technological changes.

 

This ‘‘Looking Forward’’ discussion constitutes a forward-looking statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the Company’s forward-looking statements due to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the factors referred to above, on the first page of this Report and in other sections of this Report.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

This Item has been omitted based on the Company’s status as a smaller reporting company.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2022, the related Consolidated Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income, Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Cash Flows for the year ended September 30, 2022, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the Company’s Audit Committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

 

 

Critical Audit Matter Description

 

As described in Notes 2 and 7 to the financial statements, the Company has recorded an allowance for loan losses in the amount of $9.1 million as of September 30, 2022, representing management’s estimate of the probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of that date.  The allowance is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision (credit) for loan losses charged to earnings.  

 

The determination of the allowance for loan losses requires significant judgment by management including the determination of qualitative adjustments to historical loss experience.

 

How the Critical Audit Matter was addressed in the Audit

 

Our principal audit procedures to evaluate management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses included tests of the following:

 

 

Management’s determination of general reserves, including determination of historical loss experience and qualitative adjustments to historical loss experience.

 

The accuracy of management’s calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including relevant internal controls

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2022.

 

 

 

/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C.

 Boston, Massachusetts

 December 27, 2022

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Baker Tilly US, LLP

 

We served as the Company's auditor from 2018 to 2022.

 

Allentown, Pennsylvania

 January 10, 2022

 

 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

Assets

        

Cash and due from depository institutions

 $4,677  $99,670 

Interest bearing deposits in depository institutions

  48,590   36,920 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

  53,267   136,590 

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $57,895 and $40,756 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively)

  49,844   40,813 

Equity Securities, at fair value

  1,374   1,500 

Investment securities held to maturity, at cost (fair value of $50,266 and $28,913 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively)

  58,767   28,507 

Restricted stock, at cost

  7,104   7,776 

Loans held-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $13,780 and $33,199 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively)

  13,780   33,199 

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $9,090 and $11,472 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively

  801,854   902,981 

Other real estate owned

  259   4,961 

Accrued interest receivable

  4,252   3,512 

Property and equipment, net

  5,231   5,777 

Deferred income taxes, net

  3,722   3,530 

Bank-owned life insurance

  26,233   26,056 

Other assets

  18,673   13,941 

Total Assets

 $1,044,360  $1,209,143 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        

Liabilities

        

Deposits:

        

Noninterest-bearing

 $58,014  $53,849 

Interest-bearing

  727,309   884,310 

Total Deposits

  785,323   938,159 

FHLB advances

  80,000   90,000 

Subordinated debt

  25,000   24,934 

Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance

  1,002   1,022 

Accrued interest payable

  543   572 

Other liabilities

  6,047   12,288 

Total Liabilities

  897,915   1,066,975 

Commitments and Contingencies (see note 15 and 16)

          

Shareholders’ Equity

        

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

      

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 7,828,344 and 7,633,828 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2022 and 7,816,832 and 7,622,316 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2021

  76   76 

Additional paid-in-capital

  85,917   85,524 

Retained earnings

  67,247   60,296 

Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) shares

  (756)  (901)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

  (3,176)  36 

Treasury stock, at cost: 194,516 shares at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively

  (2,863)  (2,863)

Total Shareholders’ Equity

  146,445   142,168 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 $1,044,360  $1,209,143 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

Interest and Dividend Income

        

Loans, including fees

 $31,832  $36,370 

Investment securities, taxable

  2,181   1,449 

Investment securities, tax-exempt

  394   107 

Dividends, restricted stock

  342   459 

Interest-bearing deposits

  250   31 

Total Interest and Dividend Income

  34,999   38,416 

Interest Expense

        

Deposits

  3,534   6,748 

Short-term borrowings

  4   48 

Long-term borrowings

  776   2,029 

Subordinated debt

  1,371   1,531 

Total Interest Expense

  5,685   10,356 

Net Interest Income

  29,314   28,060 

Provision for Loan Losses

     11,176 

Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses

  29,314   16,884 

Other Income

        

Service charges and other fees

  1,237   1,323 

Rental income

  196   217 

Net gains on sale and call of available-for-sale securities

     779 

Net gains on sale of loans

  100   788 

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

  794   656 

Total Other Income

  2,327   3,763 

Other Expense

        

Salaries and employee benefits

  9,393   9,143 

Occupancy expense

  2,138   2,198 

Federal deposit insurance premium

  277   313 

Advertising

  129   109 

Data processing

  1,259   1,267 

Professional fees

  3,831   3,178 

Other real estate owned expense, net

  305   866 

Pennsylvania shares tax

  592   678 

Other operating expenses

  4,842   3,199 

Total Other Expenses

  22,766   20,951 

Income (Loss) before income tax expense

  8,875   (304)

Income tax expense (benefit)

  1,924   (212)

Net Income (Loss)

 $6,951  $(92)

Earnings (loss) Per Common Share:

        

Basic

 $0.92  $(0.01)

Diluted

 $0.92  $(0.01)

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

        

Basic

  7,563,648   7,537,408 

Diluted

  7,564,212   7,538,116 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

 

Net Income (Loss)

 $6,951  $(92)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:

        

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities

  (8,107)  950 

Tax effect

  1,702   (199)

Net of tax amount

  (6,405)  751 

Reclassification adjustment for net gains arising during the period(1)

     (779)

Tax effect

     163 

Net of tax amount

     (616)

Adjustment for loss recorded on replacement of derivative

     (9)

Amortization of unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity(2)

  8   4 

Tax effect

  (8)  (1)

Net of tax amount

     3 

Fair value adjustment on derivatives

  4,050   1,258 

Tax effect

  (857)  (263)

Net of tax amount

  3,193   995 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

  (3,212)  1,124 

Total comprehensive income

 $3,739  $1,032 

 


(1)

Amounts are included in net gains on sale and call of available-for-sale securities on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in total other income.

(2)

Amounts are included in interest and dividends on investment securities on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity

Years Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

 

                  

Accumulated

         
      

Additional

      

Unearned

  

Other

      

Total

 
  

Common

  

Paid-In

  

Retained

  

ESOP

  

Comprehensive

  

Treasury

  

Shareholders’

 
  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Shares

  

Income (Loss)

  

Stock

  

Equity

 
  

(In thousands, except share data)

 

Balance, October 1, 2020

 $76  $85,127  $60,388  $(1,047) $(1,088) $(2,863) $140,593 

Net Loss

        (92)           (92)

Other comprehensive income

              1,124      1,124 

Committed to be released ESOP shares (14,400 shares)

     102      146         248 

Stock based compensation

     295               295 

Balance, September 30, 2021

 $76  $85,524  $60,296  $(901) $36  $(2,863) $142,168 

Net Income

        6,951            6,951 

Other comprehensive loss

              (3,212)     (3,212)

Committed to be released ESOP shares (14,400 shares)

     86      145         231 

Stock based compensation

     307               307 

Balance, September 30, 2022

 $76  $85,917  $67,247  $(756) $(3,176) $(2,863) $146,445 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   

Year Ended September 30,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

               

Net income (loss)

  $ 6,951     $ (92 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation expense

    627       630  

Provision for loan losses

          11,176  

Deferred income taxes expense

    597       150  

ESOP expense

    231       248  

Stock based compensation

    307       223  

Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net

    388       184  

Amortization of loan origination fees and costs

    133       (304 )

Amortization of mortgage service rights

    (4 )     28  

Amortization of subordinated debt issuance costs

    66       158  

Net gain on sale and call of investment securities available for sale

          (779 )

Net gain on sale of secondary market loans

    (100 )     (788 )

Proceeds on sale of secondary market loans

    5,627       21,910  

Originations of secondary market loans

    (5,527 )     (21,122 )

Valuation write down of other real estate owned

    198       835  

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

    (794 )     (656 )

(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable

    (740 )     165  

Decrease in accrued interest payable

    (29 )     (156 )

Operating lease liability payments

    (531 )     (893 )

Amortization of right of use asset

    529       841  

Change in fair value of equity securities

    126       23  

Decrease in other liabilities

    (5,710 )     (360 )

Decrease in other assets

    3,555       3,335  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

    5,900       14,756  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

               

Investment securities available-for-sale:

               

Purchases

    (18,808 )     (29,325 )

Sales

          17,297  

Maturities, calls and principal repayments

    1,676       2,178  

Investment securities held-to-maturity:

               

Purchases

    (35,031 )     (24,336 )

Maturities, calls and principal repayments

    4,434       10,646  

Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale

    18,900        

Net decrease in loans

    101,254       79,841  

Proceeds from death benefit on bank-owned life insurance

    617        

Net decrease in restricted stock

    672       1,846  

Proceeds from sales and disposals of property and equipment

          42  

Purchases of property and equipment

    (81 )     (175 )

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities

    73,633       58,014  

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

               

Net (decrease) increase in deposits

    (152,836 )     47,253  

Proceeds for short-term borrowings

    20,000        

Proceeds for long-term borrowings

    200,000       300,000  

Repayment of long-term borrowings

    (230,000 )     (340,000 )

Repayment of other borrowed money

          (4,225 )

(Decrease) in advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance

    (20 )     (719 )

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

          72  

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

    (162,856 )     2,381  

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    (83,323 )     75,151  

Cash and Cash Equivalent – Beginning

    136,590       61,439  

Cash and Cash Equivalent – Ending

  $ 53,267     $ 136,590  

Supplementary Cash Flows Information

               

Interest paid

  $ 5,714     $ 10,511  

Non-cash transfer of loans to OREO

  $ 259     $ 33,199  

Income taxes paid

  $     $ 2,372  

Non-cash proceeds from sale of OREO

  $ 4,676     $  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
-64-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Note 1 Organizational Structure and Nature of Operations

 

Malvern Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Malvern Bancorp”), a Pennsylvania corporation, is a registered bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Holding Company Act”). Malvern Bancorp is the holding company for Malvern Bank, National Association (“Malvern Bank” or the “Bank”), a national bank that was originally organized in 1887 as a federally-chartered savings bank.

 

The Company’s primary business is the ownership and operation of the Bank. The Bank’s principal business consists of attracting deposits from businesses and the general public and investing those deposits, together with borrowings and funds generated from operations, in commercial and multi-family real estate loans, one- to four-family residential real estate loans, construction and development loans, commercial business loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans, as well as investing in investment securities. We also maintain a portfolio of investment securities, primarily comprised of corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, U.S. agency and bank qualified municipal obligations. Malvern Bank now serves as one of the oldest banks headquartered on the Philadelphia Main Line. For more than a century, the Bank has been committed to helping people build prosperous communities as a trusted financial partner, forging lasting relationships through teamwork, respect and integrity.

 

We derive substantially all of our income from our net interest income (i.e., the difference between the interest we receive on our loans and securities and the interest we pay on deposits and other borrowings). The Bank’s revenues are derived principally from interest on loans and investment securities, loan commitment and customer service fees and our mortgage banking operation. Deposits serve as the primary source of funding for our interest-earning assets, but we also generate non-interest revenue through insufficient funds fees, stop payment fees, safe deposit rental fees, card income, including credit and debit card interchange fees, gift card fees, and other miscellaneous fees. In addition, the Bank generates additional non-interest revenue associated with residential loan origination and sale, back-to-back customer swaps, loan servicing, late fees and merchant services. The Bank’s primary expenses are interest expense on deposits and borrowings, provisions for loan losses and general operating expenses.

 

The Bank conducts business from its headquarters in Paoli, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, and through its nine other banking locations in Chester and Delaware counties, Pennsylvania, Morristown, New Jersey, its New Jersey regional headquarters and Palm Beach, Florida. The Bank also maintains one representative office in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Bank’s primary market niche is providing personalized service to its client base.

 

The Bank has the following subsidiary interests:

 

 

The Bank owns 100 percent of Malvern Insurance Associates, LLC (“Malvern Associates”), a Pennsylvania limited liability company. Malvern Associates is a licensed insurance broker under Pennsylvania and New Jersey law.

 

 

 Certain mortgage-backed securities of the Bank are held through Delaware statutory trusts, 5 percent of which are owned by the Bank and 95 percent of which are owned by Coastal Asset Management Co., a Delaware corporation which is wholly owned by the Bank.

 

 

The Bank owns 100 percent of Joliet 55 LLC, an Illinois limited liability company. Joliet 55 LLC held an other real estate owned (“OREO”) asset, which was subsequently sold in October 2022. 

 

 

 The Bank owns a 10 percent non-controlling interest in Bell Rock Capital, LLC (“Bell Rock”), an investment advisor registered with the SEC.

 

 

The Bank owns a 3.1 percent non-controlling interest in Bankers Settlement Services Capital Region, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company which acts as a title insurance agent or agency.

 

The banking industry is highly regulated. The Bank is supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), and the Company is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”).

 

Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates events and transactions that occur after the statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2022 and through the date these consolidated financial statements are being issued for potential recognition and disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. The effect of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence of conditions that existed at the statement of financial condition date are recognized in the audited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2022.

 

On December 13, 2022, Malvern Bancorp, Malvern Bank and First Bank entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Malvern Bancorp will merge with and into First Bank immediately followed by the merger of Malvern Bank with and into First Bank, with First Bank continuing as the surviving corporation in each case (collectively, the “Merger”). The Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the board of directors of each of First Bank, Malvern Bancorp and Malvern Bank.

 

At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock of Malvern Bancorp will be converted into the right to receive $7.80 in cash and 0.7733 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of First Bank, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement if Malvern's adjusted shareholders' equity as of the tenth day prior to the closing of the Merger does not equal or exceed $140,000,000.

 

The Merger is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

 

Commercial Loan Foreclosure

 

The court entered into a Judgment of Foreclosure with respect to a commercial real estate loan held for sale at a carrying value of $13.3 million (i) directing the sale the property at public auction prior to December 13, 2023, (ii) upon sale of the property, directing the payment to Malvern of the sum of approximately $17.2 million plus interest at the note rate from September 16, 2022 through December 14, 2022 and at the statutory rate of 9% thereafter through the date of the foreclosure sale, (iii) directing that Malvern pay the transfer of the foreclosure sale and (iv) if Malvern is the successful bidder, directing that Malvern must place the property back on the market for sale or leasing within 180 day of the foreclosure sale.

 

- 65-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements at and for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 include the accounts of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. During the quarter-ended September 30, 2021, the Company identified and corrected an immaterial error totaling approximately $350 thousand related to an adjustment to non-accrued interest on charged off loans.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term, are used in connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of the Company’s deferred tax assets and the fair value of financial instruments.

 

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within Chester County, Pennsylvania and Morris County, New Jersey. Our lending efforts are also focused in Bucks County, Montgomery County and Delaware County, which are also in southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as New Jersey and the New York metropolitan marketplace and Palm Beach Florida. Note 6 discusses the types of investment securities that the Company invests in. Note 7 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in. The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or customer. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is influenced by, among other factors, the region’s economy. 

 

Operating, Accounting and Reporting Considerations related to COVID-19

 

COVID-19 has negatively impacted the global economy. In response to the crisis, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provided an estimated $2.2 trillion to fight COVID-19 and stimulate the economy by supporting individuals and businesses through loans, grants, tax changes, and other types of relief. Under Section 4013 of the CARES Act and based upon regulatory guidance promulgated by federal banking regulators, qualifying short-term loan modifications resulting in payment deferrals that are attributable to the adverse impact of COVID-19, are not considered to be troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Some of the provisions applicable to the Company include, but are not limited to:

 

 

Accounting for Loan Modifications – The CARES Act provides that a financial institution may elect to suspend (1) the requirements under GAAP for certain loan modifications that would otherwise be categorized as a TDR and (2) any determination that such loan modifications would be considered a TDR, including the related impairment for accounting purposes. The suspension is applicable for the term of the loan modification that occurs during the applicable period for a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The suspension is not applicable to any adverse impact on the credit of a borrower that is not related to COVID-19.

 

Paycheck Protection Program – The CARES Act established the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), an expansion of the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”), administrated directly by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

 

Also in response to COVID-19, the Board of Governors of the FRB, FDIC, NCUA, OCC, and CFPB, in consultation with the state financial regulators (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a joint interagency statement (issued March 22, 2020; revised statement issued April 7, 2020). Some of the provisions applicable to the Company include, but are not limited to:

 

- 66-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

 

Accounting for Loan Modifications – Loan modifications that do not meet the conditions of the CARES Act may still qualify as a modification that does not need to be accounted for as a TDR. The agencies confirmed with FASB staff that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who are current prior to any relief are not TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or insignificant delays in payments. Loan modifications were made in accordance with Section 4013 of the CARES Act and the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions working with customers affected by COVID-19 and therefore were not classified as TDRs.

 

Past Due Reporting – With regard to loans not otherwise reportable as past due, financial institutions are not expected to designate loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 as past due because of the deferral. A loan’s payment date is governed by the due date stipulated in the legal agreements. If a financial institution agrees to a payment deferral, these loans would not be considered past due during the period of the deferral.

 

Nonaccrual Status and Charge-offs – During short-term COVID-19 modifications, these loans generally should not be reported as nonaccrual or as classified.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic. Since then, COVID-19 evolved and mutated, including through its variants, and adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, local, national and global economic activity. Actions taken to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 included restrictions on travel, localized quarantines, and government-mandated closures of certain businesses. While most of these restrictions have been loosened, these same or new restrictions may be implemented again. Although vaccines for COVID-19 have largely been made available in the U.S., the ultimate efficacy of the vaccines will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, the number of people who receive the vaccines as well as the vaccines’ effectiveness against contracting and spreading COVID-19 and any of its existing or new variants. The spread of the outbreak caused significant disruptions to the U.S. economy and disrupted the financial industry and real estate markets in the areas in which the Company operates, and it may continue to do so.

 

On March 3, 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the targeted federal funds interest rate range by 50 basis points to 1.00 percent to 1.25 percent. This range was further reduced to 0 percent to 0.25 percent on March 16, 2020, and as of September 30, 2022 the range was 0 percent to 0.25 percent. As mentioned in further detail in this Report, our net interest income is influenced by both the pricing and mix of our interest-earning assets and our interest-bearing liabilities which, in turn, are impacted by such external factors as the monetary policy of the Federal Open Market Committee. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, including the targeted federal funds interest rate, which are affected by many factors beyond our control.

 

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted to, among other things, provide emergency assistance for individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the CARES Act provided some relief to individuals, families and businesses, the negative impact of COVID-19 remains.  The effects of COVID-19 may materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in future periods. It is unknown how long the adverse conditions associated with COVID-19 will last and what the complete financial effect will be to the Company. It is possible that estimates made in the financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted as a result of these conditions, including, without limitation, estimates regarding expected loan losses on loans receivable, market values of loans held-for-sale, and other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities.

 

On December 27, 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law and has been subsequently extended. The $900 billion relief package included legislation that extended certain relief provisions of the CARES Act that were set to expire until 60 days following notice of termination or January 11, 2023.

 

- 67-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from depository institutions and interest-bearing deposits.

 

The Company maintains cash deposits in other depository institutions that occasionally exceed the amount of deposit insurance available. Management periodically assesses the financial condition of these institutions and believes that the risk of any possible credit loss is minimal.

 

Generally, the Company is required to maintain average reserve balances in vault cash with the Federal Reserve Bank based upon outstanding balances of deposit transaction accounts. However, as announced on March 15, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board reduced reserve requirement ratios to zero percent, effective March 26, 2020, in light of the shift to an ample reserves regime. This action eliminates the need for thousands of depository institutions to maintain balances in accounts at Reserve Banks to satisfy reserve requirements, thereby freeing up liquidity in the banking system to support lending to households and businesses. Therefore, at September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were no reserve requirements with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.  

 

Investment Securities

 

Held-to-maturity (“HTM”) are securities that includes debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and the ability to hold to maturity. These securities are reported at amortized cost and adjusted for unamortized premiums and discounts. Securities held for trading are securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term; these securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in current earnings. At September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no investment securities classified as trading. Equity investment securities, made up of mutual funds for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) qualified investments, are stated at fair value with any changes in fair value reported in non-interest income. Debt securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time, including securities that may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity and changes in the availability of and the yield of alternative investments, are classified as available for sale. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Securities held as available for sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Management determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized using level yield method over the remaining lives of the securities with the exception of premiums on callable debt securities which are amortized to the earliest call date.

 

Securities are evaluated on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether declines in their value are other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline and whether or not management intends to sell or expects that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery of the fair value. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value for a debt security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

Loans Receivable

 

The Company, through the Bank, grants mortgage, construction, commercial and consumer loans to customers. Substantially all of our loans are to individuals, businesses and real estate developers in Chester County, Pennsylvania and neighboring areas in southern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the New York metropolitan marketplace, Delaware and Florida markets. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon, among other factors, the real estate and general economic conditions in these areas.

 

- 68-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees and costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans using the interest method. The Company is amortizing these amounts over the contractual lives of the loans.

 

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential loans, construction and development loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. The residential loan segment has one class, one- to four-family first lien residential mortgage loans. The construction and development loan segment consists of the following classes: residential and commercial and land loans. Residential construction loans are made for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built. Commercial construction loans are made for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing a commercial structure. The commercial loan segment consists of the following classes: commercial real estate loans, multi-family real estate loans, and other commercial loans, which are also generally known as commercial and industrial loans or commercial business loans. The consumer loan segment consists of the following classes: home equity lines of credit, second mortgage loans and other consumer loans, primarily unsecured consumer lines of credit.

 

For all classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collection of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual loans, including impaired loans, generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. The past due status of all classes of loans receivable is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments.

 

In addition to originating loans, the Company purchases consumer and mortgage loans from brokers in our market area. Such purchases are reviewed for compliance with our underwriting criteria before they are purchased, and are generally purchased without recourse to the seller. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans are amortized as adjustments to interest income using the effective yield method.

 

Reserves for unfunded lending commitments represent management’s estimate of losses inherent in its unfunded loan commitments and is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses ("ALLL", or "allowance") represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the consolidated statement of financial condition date and is recorded as a reduction to loans. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. All, or part, of the principal balance of loans receivable are charged off to the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment or collateral recovery of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely. Non-residential consumer loans are generally charged off no later than when they become 120 days past due on a contractual basis or earlier in the event of the borrower’s bankruptcy or if there is an amount deemed uncollectible. Because all identified losses are generally charged off, no portion of the allowance is restricted to any individual loan or groups of loans, and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.

 

The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably estimated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, the composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

- 69-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For loans that are classified as impaired, a specific reserve is recognized when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class that are not considered impaired.

 

These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon historical loss rates for each of these classes of loans, as adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative risk factors include:

 

 

1.

Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices.

 

 

2.

National, regional, and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various market segments, including the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.

 

 

3.

The nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans.

 

 

4.

The experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff.

 

 

5.

The volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans as well as any other loan modifications.

 

 

6.

The quality of the Company’s loan review system, and the degree of oversight by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

 

7.

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

 

 

8.

Value of underlying collateral.

 

 

9.

A single calculation figure which is subsequently applied to the loan portfolio by loan type (commercial, residential and consumer) based upon the percent of each to total loans. It is derived from a review of peer group banks with similar asset size within the same general geographic area of the Bank.

 

The qualitative factors are applied to the historical loss rates for each class of loan. In addition, while not reported as a separate factor, changes in the value of underlying collateral (for regional property values) for collateral dependent loans is considered and addressed within the economic trends factor. A quarterly calculation is made adjusting the reserve allocation for each factor within a risk weighted range as it relates to each particular loan type, collateral type and risk rating within each segment. Data is gathered and evaluated through internal, regulatory, and government sources quarterly for each factor.

 

Another key assumption is the loss emergence period (“LEP”), which represents the historical data period utilized to calculate loss rates. We used 1 year for our LEP for all loan portfolio segments which encompasses our relevant loss experience.

 

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

 

In addition, the allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial and consumer loans. Credit quality risk ratings include categories of “pass,” “special mention,” “substandard” and “doubtful.” Assets classified as “pass” are those protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral. Assets which do not currently expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant classification as substandard or doubtful but possess certain identified weaknesses are required to be designated “special mention.” If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the Company will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.”

 

- 70-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Residential Lending.  Residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in the Company’s market area and surrounding areas. We currently originate fixed-rate, fully amortizing mortgage loans with maturities of 10 to 30 years. We also offer adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans where the interest rate either adjusts on an annual basis or is fixed for the initial one, five or seven years and then adjusts annually.

 

We underwrite one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 95 percent, provided that the borrower obtains private mortgage insurance on loans that exceed 80 percent of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less, of the secured property. We also require that title insurance, hazard insurance and, if appropriate, flood insurance be maintained on all properties securing real estate loans. We require that a licensed appraiser from our list of approved appraisers perform and submit to us an appraisal on all properties secured by a first mortgage on one- to four-family first mortgage loans.

 

In underwriting one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, the Company evaluates both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. Most properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent fee appraisers reviewed and approved by the Bank’s third-party appraisal management companies. The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan. Real estate loans originated by the Company generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the security property. The Company has not engaged in sub-prime residential mortgage loan originations. Our single-family residential mortgage loans generally are underwritten on terms and documentation conforming to guidelines issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company, or Freddie Mac, and the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.

 

Construction and Development Lending. We originate construction loans for residential and, to a lesser extent, commercial uses within our market area. We generally limit construction loans to builders and developers with whom we have an established relationship, or who are otherwise known to officers of the Bank. Our construction and development loans currently in our loan portfolio typically have variable rates of interest tied to the prime rate which improves the interest rate sensitivity of our loan portfolio.

 

Construction and development loans generally are considered to involve a higher level of risk than one-to four-family residential lending, due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers and the effect of economic conditions on developers, builders and projects. Additional risk is also associated with construction lending because of the inherent difficulty in estimating both a property’s value at completion and the estimated cost (including interest) to complete a project. The nature of these loans is such that they are more difficult to evaluate and monitor. In addition, speculative construction loans to a builder are not pre-sold and thus pose a greater potential risk than construction loans to individuals on their personal residences. In order to mitigate some of the risks inherent in construction lending, we inspect properties under construction, review construction progress prior to advancing funds, work with builders with whom we have established relationships, require annual updating of tax returns and other financial data of developers and obtain personal guarantees from the principals.

 

Commercial Lending.  Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences. This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, or a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired.

 

Most of the Company’s commercial business loans have been extended to finance local and regional businesses and include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory and accounts receivable. The commercial business loans which we originate may be either a revolving line of credit or for a fixed term of generally 10 years or less. Interest rates are adjustable, indexed to a published prime rate of interest, or fixed. Generally, equipment, machinery, real property or other corporate assets secure such loans. Personal guarantees from the business principals are generally obtained as additional collateral.

 

- 71-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Consumer Lending. The Company currently originates most of its consumer loans in its primary market area and surrounding areas. The Company originates consumer loans on both a direct and indirect basis. Consumer loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than residential mortgage loans; however, they have additional credit risk due to the type of collateral securing the loan or in some case the absence of collateral. We are continuing to evaluate and monitor the credit conditions of our consumer loan borrowers and the real estate values of the properties securing our second mortgage loans as part of our on-going efforts to assess the overall credit quality of the portfolio in connection with our review of the allowance for loan losses.

 

Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans which are unsecured or are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles or recreational equipment. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.  Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

 

Once all factor adjustments are applied, general reserve allocations for each segment are calculated, summarized and reported on the ALLL summary. ALLL final schedules, calculations and the resulting evaluation process are reviewed quarterly.

 

In addition, Federal bank regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance 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. Based on management’s comprehensive analysis of the loan portfolio, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, cash flow, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

 

A specific reserve is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral.

 

For commercial loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal and the condition of the property. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

 

For commercial and industrial loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable aging or equipment appraisals or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.

 

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous residential mortgage and consumer loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual loans of this nature for impairment disclosures, unless such loans become impaired or are troubled and the subject of a restructuring agreement.

 

- 72-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

 

Loans whose terms are modified are classified as TDRs if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a TDR may be modified by means of extending the maturity date of the loan, reducing the interest rate on the loan to a rate which is below market, a combination of rate adjustments and maturity extensions, or by other means including covenant modifications, forbearances or other concessions. However, the Company generally only restructures loans by modifying the payment structure to interest only or by reducing the actual interest rate, TDRs are considered impaired loans.

 

We do not accrue interest on loans that were non-accrual prior to the TDR until they have performed in accordance with their restructured terms for a period of at least six months. We continue to accrue interest on TDRs which were performing in accordance with their terms prior to the restructure and continue to perform in accordance with their restructured terms. Management evaluates the ALLL with respect to TDRs under the same policy and guidelines as all other performing loans are evaluated with respect to the ALLL.

 

Loan Servicing

 

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. For sales of mortgage loans, a portion of the cost of originating the loan is allocated to the servicing right based on relative fair value. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into other income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

 

Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. The Company also sells loans in the secondary market with servicing released.

 

Other Real Estate Owned

 

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of the previously established carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other expenses from OREO, included in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Restricted Stock

 

Restricted stock represents required investments in the common stock of correspondent banks and is carried at cost. As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, restricted stock consists of the common stock of the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB and Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”).

 

Management’s evaluation and determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on their assessment of the ultimate recoverability of their cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of an investment’s cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB and ACBB as compared to the capital stock amount for the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB and ACBB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB and ACBB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB and ACBB, and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB and ACBB.

 

- 73-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

During the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were net repurchases of restricted stock of $672,000 and $1.8 million, respectively. Also, as of September 30, 2022 and 2021, the number of outstanding restricted shares was 97,339 and 103,793, respectively. There were approximately $342,000 and $459,000 of dividends on restricted stock received or recognized in interest and dividend income for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line and accelerated methods over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 39 years beginning when assets are placed in service. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets

 

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. The Company accounts for certain participation interests in commercial loans receivable (loan participation agreements) sold as a sale of financial assets pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 860, Transfers and Servicing. Loan participation agreements that meet the sale criteria under ASC 860 are derecognized from the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at the time of transfer. If the transfer of loans subject to loan participation does not meet the sale criteria or participating interest criteria under ASC 860, the transfer is accounted for as a secured borrowing and the loan is not de-recognized and a participating liability is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

 

The Company invests in bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses. BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Bank on a chosen group of employees. The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. This life insurance investment is carried at the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Earnings from the increase in cash surrender value of the policies and death benefits in excess of cash surrender value, are included in other income in the statements of operations.

 

Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Bank’s 401(k) plan allows eligible participants to set aside a certain percentage of their salaries before taxes. The Company may elect to match employee contributions up to a specified percentage of their respective salaries in an amount determined annually by the Board of Directors. The Company’s matching contribution related to the plan resulted in expenses of $121,000 and $77,000 for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

The Company also maintains a fully funded and frozen Supplemental Executive and a Director Retirement Plan (together, the “Plans”). The accrued amount for the Plans included in other liabilities was $631,000 and $709,000 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Distributions from the Plan for each of the fiscal years 2022 and 2021 were $78,000 and $79,000, respectively. The expense associated with the Plans was $12,000 and $4,000 for each of the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

- 74-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Derivatives and Hedging

 

The Company records cash flow hedges at the inception of the derivative contract based on the Company’s intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. The Company documents the strategy for entering into the transactions and the method of assessing ongoing effectiveness. Cash flow hedges represent a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability. For a cash flow hedge that is effective, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as noninterest income.

 

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in other income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged. To determine fair value, the Company uses third party pricing models that incorporate assumptions about market conditions and risks that are current at the reporting date. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

 

The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as other income. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

 

There were no swap fees recognized through the Bank’s commercial loan hedging program during fiscal year 2022 and 2021.

 

Advertising Costs

 

The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred. Advertising expense was $129,000 and $109,000 in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. DTAs and DTLs are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on DTAs and DTLs of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. These calculations are based on many complex factors including estimates of the timing of reversals of temporary differences, the interpretation of federal income tax laws and a determination of the differences between the tax and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities.

 

A valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that a portion of the DTAs will not be realized. The Company’s policy is to evaluate the DTA on a quarterly basis and record a valuation allowance for our DTA if we do not have sufficient positive evidence indicating that it is more likely than not that some or all of the DTA will be realized. The Company’s policy is to account for interest and penalties as components of income tax expense.

 

- 75-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the statement of financial condition when they are funded.

 

Segment Information

 

The Company has one reportable segment, “Community Banking.” All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based on how each of the activities of the Company supports the others. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the Company to fund itself with deposits and other borrowings and manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one segment or unit.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale debt securities, are reported as a separate component of the shareholders’ equity section of the statement of financial condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

 

For securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity, the Company records the amortization and/or accretion of unrealized holding losses at the date of transfer on such investment securities, in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.

 

The Company also records changes in the fair value of interest rate derivatives used in its cash flow hedging activities, net of deferred income tax, in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the previous year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s results of operations.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

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

 

The majority of our revenue-generating transactions are not subject to ASC 606, including revenue generated from financial instruments, such as our loans, investment securities, derivatives as well as revenue related to BOLI, sales of investment securities, rental income, and gain on sale of loans. Revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606, which are presented in our consolidated statements of operations as components of other income include certain fees such as credit card fee income, DDA service and fee income, and debit card fees.

 

Loans Held-For-Sale 

 

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Gains and losses on loan sales (sales proceeds minus carrying value) are recorded in other income, and direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in other income upon sale of the loan.  Servicing is retained at the Bank for loans sold in the secondary market and are placed as a mortgage servicing asset on the consolidated statement of financial condition. Loans held-for-sale totaled $13.8 million and $33.2 million at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fair value on these loans is determined based on the terms of the loan appraised value of loan collateral, such as interest rate, maturity date, reset term, as well as sales of similar assets.

 

- 76-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Treasury stock 

 

The Company records common stock purchased for treasury at cost. At the date of subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on the first-in, first-out basis.

 

Leases

 

The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 842Leases. Most of our leases are recognized on the consolidated statement of financial condition by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability for each lease, which are included in other assets/liabilities. The right-of-use asset represents the right to use the asset under lease for the lease term, and the lease liability represents the contractual obligation to make lease payments. The right-of-use asset is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

 

As a lessee, the Company enters into operating leases for certain bank branches, office space, and office equipment. The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are initially recognized based on the net present value of the remaining lease payments, which include renewal options where management is reasonably certain they will be exercised. The net present value is determined using the incremental borrowing rate based on the FHLB liquidity and funding rates at commencement date. The right-of-use asset is measured at the amount of the lease liability adjusted for any prepaid rent, lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. The right-of-use asset and lease liability are amortized over the individual lease terms. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Yet to Be Adopted

 

Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied currently will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. Additionally, this ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  As amended, ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this amendment will have on its consolidated financial statements. Although no financial impacts have been determined the Company expects this ASU to have a significant impact on the methodology for calculating the ALLL.

 

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures.  These amendments eliminate the TDR recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, require that an entity evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.  For public business entities, these amendments require that an entity disclose current-period gross writeoffs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this amendment will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Reference Rate Reform. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The guidance allows for companies to: (1) account for certain contract modifications as a continuation of the existing contract without additional analysis; (2) continue hedge accounting when certain critical terms of a hedging relationship change and assess effectiveness in ways that disregard certain potential sources of ineffectiveness; and (3) make a one-time sale and/or transfer of certain debt securities from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale or trading. This ASU is available for adoption by the Company and applies prospectively to contract modifications and hedging relationships.  The one-time election to sell and/or transfer debt securities classified as held-to-maturity may be made at any time. ASU 2020-04 is effective March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022.  The Company has elected certain optional expedients related to hedge accounting and will continue to monitor and assess the impact as the reference rate transition occurs over the next two years and proactively adopt applicable expedient(s). In connection with ongoing procedures to monitor the work of the Alternative Rates Committee of the FRB and Federal Reserve Bank of New York in identifying an alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rate the bank will continue to assess the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as the currently identified benchmark rate.

 

Derivatives and Hedging. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-01, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Fair Value Hedging—Portfolio Layer Method.  This update will allow non-prepayable financial assets to be included in a closed portfolio hedge using the portfolio method, rather than only prepayable assets. It also allows entities to hedge multiple layers rather than just a single layer of closed portfolio of financial assets or one or more beneficial interests secured by a portfolio of financial instruments. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that the adoption of this amendment will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

- 77-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

 

 

 

Note 3 Non-Interest Income

 

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted the amendments of ASU 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606. A significant amount of the Company’s revenues are derived from net interest income on financial assets and liabilities, which are excluded from the scope of the amended guidance. Some sources of revenue included within non-interest income fall within the scope of Topic 606, while other sources do not. The Company recognizes revenue when the performance obligations related to the transfer of goods or services under the terms of the contract are satisfied. Some obligations are satisfied at a point in time while others are satisfied over a period of time. Revenue is recognized as the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. When consideration includes a variable component, the amount of consideration attributable to variability is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that significant revenue recognized will not be reversed when uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The Company’s contracts generally do not contain terms that require significant judgement to determine the variability impacting the transaction price. The Company has included the following table regarding the Company’s non-interest income for the periods presented.

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

 

Rental income

 $196  $217 

Net gains on sale and call of investments

     779 

Net gains on sale of loans

  100   788 

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

  794   656 

Non-interest income within the scope of other GAAP topics

  1,090   2,440 

ATM fees

  8   13 

Credit card fee income

  27   22 

DDA fee income

  113   91 

DDA service fees

  100   90 

Debit card fees

  295   283 

Other loan fee income

  518   574 

Other fee income

  169   242 

Other non-interest income

  7   8 

Non-interest income from contracts with customers

  1,237   1,323 

Total Non-interest Income

 $2,327  $3,763 

 

- 78-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 4 Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding reduced by unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding and common stock equivalents (“CSEs”) that would arise from the exercise of dilutive securities reduced by unearned ESOP shares. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Company granted a total of 13,848 restricted shares, which are considered CSEs, and options to acquire a total of 6,000 shares of common stock were granted. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted a total of 12,363 restricted shares, which are considered CSEs, and options to acquire a total of 7,000 shares of common stock were granted.    

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted average shares (denominator) used in the earnings per share computations.

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

2022

  

2021

 

Net Income (loss)

 $6,951  $(92)

Weighted average shares outstanding

  7,627,992   7,616,151 

Average unearned ESOP shares

  (64,344)  (78,743)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

  7,563,648   7,537,408 

Plus: effect of dilutive options and restricted stock

  564   708 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

  7,564,212   7,538,116 

Earnings (loss) per share:

        

Basic

 $0.92  $(0.01)

Diluted

 $0.92  $(0.01)

 

 

Note 5 Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

The Company maintains an ESOP for substantially all of its full-time employees. The current ESOP trustee is Pentegra. Shares of the Company’s common stock purchased by the ESOP are held until released for allocation to participants. Shares released are allocated to each eligible participant based on the ratio of each such participant’s base compensation to the total base compensation of all eligible plan participants. As the unearned shares are committed to be released and allocated among participants, the Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the fair value of the ESOP shares during the periods in which they become committed to be released. To the extent that the fair value of the ESOP shares released differs from the cost of such shares, the difference is charged or credited to additional paid-in capital. During the period from May 20, 2008 to September 30, 2008, the ESOP purchased 241,178 shares of common stock for approximately $2.6 million, at an average price of $10.86 per share, which was funded by a loan from Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc. (the Company’s predecessor). The ESOP loan, which bears an interest rate of five percent, is being repaid in quarterly installments through 2026 principally from the Bank’s contributions to the ESOP. Shares are released to participants proportionately as the ESOP loan is repaid. During each of the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were 14,400 shares committed to be released. At September 30, 2022, there were 57,165 unallocated shares and 202,053 allocated shares held by the ESOP. The unallocated shares had an aggregate fair value of approximately $821,000 at September 30, 2022.

 

- 79-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 6 - Investment Securities

 

The Company’s investment in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at September 30, 2022 and 2021. Investment securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses included in equity, net of tax. Accordingly, the carrying value of such securities reflects their fair value at the balance sheet date. Fair value is based upon either quoted market prices, or in certain cases where there is limited activity in the market for a particular instrument, assumptions are made to determine their fair value. Held-to-maturity securities, which are carried at amortized cost, are investments where there is positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Equity securities are stated at fair value with any changes in fair value reported in non-interest income.

 

Transfers of debt securities from the available-for-sale category to the held-to-maturity category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held-to-maturity investment security. Premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted using the effective interest method over the life of the security as an adjustment of yield. Unrealized holding gains or losses that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income are amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount.

 

The following tables present information related to the Company’s investment securities at September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
      

Gross

  

Gross

     
  

Amortized

  

Unrealized

  

Unrealized

  

Fair

 
  

Cost

  

Gains

  

Losses

  

Value

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:

                

U.S. government agencies

 $5,000  $  $(1,420) $3,580 

State and municipal obligations

  12,014      (2,354)  9,660 

Single issuer trust preferred security

  1,000      (54)  946 

Corporate debt securities

  35,990      (3,862)  32,128 

MBS Securities

  2,403      (316)  2,087 

U.S. Treasury

  1,488      (45)  1,443 

Total

 $57,895  $  $(8,051) $49,844 

Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:

                

U.S. government agencies

 $29,190  $  $(4,907) $24,283 

State and municipal obligations

  18,017      (2,526)  15,491 

Corporate debt securities

  3,264      (96)  3,168 

Mortgage-backed securities:

                

MBS

  2,278      (489)  1,789 

Collateralized mortgage obligations, fixed-rate

  6,018      (483)  5,535 

Total

 $58,767  $  $(8,501) $50,266 

Equity Securities

                

Mutual funds

  1,500      (126)  1,374 

Total Mutual funds

  1,500      (126)  1,374 

Total investment securities

 $118,162  $  $(16,678) $101,484 
                 

 

- 80-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6 - Investment Securities (Continued)

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
      

Gross

  

Gross

     
  

Amortized

  

Unrealized

  

Unrealized

  

Fair

 
  

Cost

  

Gains

  

Losses

  

Value

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:

                

U.S. government agencies

 $5,000  $  $(7) $4,993 

State and municipal obligations

  2,767   1   (3)  2,765 

Single issuer trust preferred security

  1,000      (125)  875 

Corporate debt securities

  31,989   243   (52)  32,180 

Total

 $40,756  $244  $(187) $40,813 

Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:

                

U.S. government agencies

 $10,000  $11  $  $10,011 

State and municipal obligations

  6,062   104   (49)  6,117 

Corporate debt securities

  3,383   224      3,607 

Mortgage-backed securities:

                

Collateralized mortgage obligations, fixed-rate

  9,062   129   (13)  9,178 

Total

 $28,507  $468  $(62) $28,913 

Equity Securities

                

Mutual funds

  1,500         1,500 

Total Mutual funds

  1,500         1,500 

Total investment securities

 $70,763  $712  $(249) $71,226 

 

For fiscal year 2022, there were no sales of available-for-sale investment securities. During the same period, $1.8 million of available-for-sale investment securities and $4.4 million of held-to-maturity investment securities were called or matured. For fiscal year 2021 proceeds of available-for-sale investment securities sold amounted to $17.3 million. There were gains of $779,000 associated with these sales.  During the same period, $2.2 million of available-for-sale investment securities and $10.6 million of held-to-maturity investment securities were matured or called.

 

The varying amount of sales from the available-for-sale portfolio over the past few years reflect the significant volatility present in the market. Given the historic low interest rates prevalent in the market, it is necessary for the Company to protect itself from interest rate exposure. Securities that once appeared to be sound investments can, after changes in the market, become securities that the Company has the flexibility to sell to avoid losses and mismatches of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at a later time.

 

- 81-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 6 - Investment Securities (Continued)

 

The following tables indicate gross unrealized losses not recognized in income and fair value, aggregated by investment category and the length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2022, and 2021.

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
  

Less than 12 Months

  

More than 12 Months

  

Total

 
  

Fair

  

Unrealized

  

Fair

  

Unrealized

  

Fair

  

Unrealized

 
  

Value

  

Losses

  

Value

  

Losses

  

Value

  

Losses

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:

                        

U.S. government agencies

 $  $  $3,580  $(1,420) $3,580  $(1,420)

State and municipal obligations

  9,660   (2,354)        9,660   (2,354)

Single issuer trust preferred security

        946   (54)  946   (54)

Corporate debt securities

  26,717   (3,273)  5,411   (589)  32,128   (3,862)

MBS Securities

  2,087   (316)        2,087   (316)

U.S. Treasury Note

  1,443   (45)        1,443   (45)

Total

 $39,907  $(5,988) $9,937  $(2,063) $49,844  $(8,051)

Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:

                        

U.S. government agencies

 $18,662  $(3,028) $5,621  $(1,879) $24,283  $(4,907)

State and municipal obligations

  15,491   (2,526)  -   -   15,491   (2,526)

Corporate securities

  3,167   (96)  -   -   3,167   (96)

Mortgage-backed securities:

                        

MBS

  -   -   1,789   (489)  1,789   (489)

CMO, fixed-rate

  5,536   (483)  -   -   5,536   (483)

Total

 $42,856  $(6,133) $7,410  $(2,368) $50,266  $(8,501)

Equity Securities

                        

Mutual funds

  1,500   (126)        1,374   (126)

Total Mutual funds

  1,500   (126)        1,374   (126)

Total investment securities

 $84,263  $(12,247) $17,347  $(4,431) $101,484  $(16,678)

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

Less than 12 Months

  

More than 12 Months

  

Total

 
  

Fair

  

Unrealized

  

Fair

  

Unrealized

  

Fair

  

Unrealized

 
  

Value

  

Losses

  

Value

  

Losses

  

Value

  

Losses

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:

                        

U.S. government agencies

 $4,993  $(7) $  $  $4,993  $(7)

State and municipal obligations

  1,819   (3)        1,819   (3)

Single issuer trust preferred security

        875   (125)  875   (125)

Corporate debt securities

  8,475   (25)  2,973   (27)  11,448   (52)

Total

 $15,287  $(35) $3,848  $(152) $19,135  $(187)

 

As of September 30, 2022, the estimated fair value of the securities disclosed above was primarily dependent upon the movement in market interest rates, particularly given the inherent credit risk associated with these securities. These investment securities are comprised of securities that are rated investment grade by at least one bond credit rating service. Although the fair value will fluctuate as the market interest rates move, management believes that these fair values will recover as the underlying portfolios mature and are reinvested in market rate yielding investments.

 

As of September 30, 2022, the Company's available for sale securities had a 13.9 percent decrease in value from amortized cost. As of September 30, 2022, the Company held fourteen corporate securities, eleven state and municipal obligations, one single issuer trust preferred security, one US agency security, one US Treasury Note and one mortgage-backed security that were in an unrealized loss position. The Company does not intend to sell and expects that it is not more likely than not that it will not be required to sell these securities until such time as the value recovers or the securities mature. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2022, represents other-than-temporary impairment. The decrease in market value is primarily due to an increase in overall in interest rates, primarily the recent FED interest rate hikes.

 

Investment securities having a carrying value of $2.1 million and $2.9 million at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits. At September 30, 2022 , $9.8 million were pledged to secure prospective FRB discount window borrowings. At September 30, 2022 and 2021, no investment securities were pledged to secure hedges. In addition, no investment securities were pledged to secure short-term borrowings of FHLB borrowings at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.

 

- 82-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 6 - Investment Securities (Continued)

 

The following table presents information for investment securities at September 30, 2022, based on scheduled maturities. Actual maturities can be expected to differ from scheduled maturities due to prepayment or early call options of the issuer.

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
  

Amortized Cost

  

Fair Value

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale:

        

Due in one year or less

 $  $ 

Due after one year through five years

  6,218   5,946 

Due after five years through ten years

  32,810   29,272 

Due after ten years

  16,464   12,539 

Mortgage-backed securities:

        

MBS

  2,403   2,087 

Total

 $57,895  $49,844 

Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity:

        

Due in one year or less

 $4,441  $4,420 

Due after one year through five years

  11,435   11,091 

Due after five years through ten years

  3,117   2,593 

Due after ten years

  31,478   24,838 

Mortgage-backed securities:

        

MBS

  2,278   1,789 

Collateralized mortgage obligations, fixed-rate

  6,018   5,535 

Total

 $58,767  $50,266 

Equity Securities

        

Mutual funds

        

Due in one year or less

 $1,000  $874 

Due after five years through ten years

  500   500 

Total

  1,500   1,374 

Total investment securities

 $118,162  $101,484 

 

- 83-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Loans receivable in the Company’s portfolio, excluding loans held-for-sale, consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

 $175,957  $198,710 

Construction and Development:

        

Residential and commercial

  24,362   61,492 

Land

  550   2,204 

Total Construction and Development

  24,912   63,696 

Commercial:

        

Commercial real estate

  406,914   426,915 

Farmland

  11,506   10,297 

Multi-family

  55,295   66,332 

Commercial and industrial

  102,703   115,246 

Other

  13,356   10,954 

Total Commercial

  589,774   629,744 

Consumer:

        

Home equity lines of credit

  13,233   13,491 

Second mortgages

  4,395   5,884 

Other

  2,136   2,299 

Total Consumer

  19,764   21,674 

Total loans

  810,407   913,824 

Deferred loan fees and cost, net

  537   629 

Allowance for loan losses

  (9,090)  (11,472)

Total loans receivable, net

 $801,854  $902,981 

 

- 84-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the primary classes of the allowance for loan losses, segregated into the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of and for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

Year Ended September 30, 2022

 
      

Construction and

                                         
      

Development

  

Commercial

  

Consumer

         
                                  

Home

                 
                                  

Equity

                 
      

Residential

      

Commercial

          

Commercial

      

Lines

                 
  

Residential

  

and

      

Real

      

Multi-

  

and

      

of

  

Second

             
  

Mortgage

  

Commercial

  

Land

  

Estate

  

Farmland

  

family

  

Industrial

  

Other

  

Credit

  

Mortgages

  

Other

  

Unallocated

  

Total

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Allowance for loan losses:

                                                    

Beginning balance

 $934  $428  $15  $7,043  $56  $450  $2,221  $54  $76  $87  $20  $88  $11,472 

Charge-offs

                    (2,415)        (106)        (2,521)

Recoveries

  5         75         2      1   55   1      139 

Provisions

  (231)  (297)  (12)  (1,078)  1   (152)  1,350   1   (10)  (15)  (6)  449    

Ending Balance

 $708  $131  $3  $6,040  $57  $298  $1,158  $55  $67  $21  $15  $537  $9,090 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

 $54  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $54 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

 $654  $131  $3  $6,040  $57  $298  $1,158  $55  $67  $21  $15  $537  $9,036 

Loans receivable:

                                                    

Ending balance

 $175,957  $24,362  $550  $406,914  $11,506  $55,295  $102,703  $13,356  $13,233  $4,395  $2,136     $810,407 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

 $477  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $     $477 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

 $175,480  $24,362  $550  $406,914  $11,506  $55,295  $102,703  $13,356  $13,233  $4,395  $2,136     $809,930 

 

- 85-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

  

Year Ended September 30, 2021

 
      

Construction and

                                         
      

Development

  

Commercial

  

Consumer

         
                                  

Home

                 
                                  

Equity

                 
      

Residential

      

Commercial

          

Commercial

      

Lines

                 
  

Residential

  

and

      

Real

      

Multi-

  

and

      

of

  

Second

             
  

Mortgage

  

Commercial

  

Land

  

Estate

  

Farmland

  

family

  

Industrial

  

Other

  

Credit

  

Mortgages

  

Other

  

Unallocated

  

Total

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Allowance for loan losses:

                                                    

Beginning balance

 $1,667  $465  $23  $8,682  $47  $511  $578  $51  $130  $196  $29  $54  $12,433 

Charge-offs

           (11,930)        (379)           (4)     (12,313)

Recoveries

  41   4      1         2      17   108   2      175 

Provisions

  (774)  (41)  (8)  10,290   9   (61)  2,020   3   (71)  (217)  (7)  34   11,176 

Ending Balance

 $934  $428  $15  $7,043  $56  $450  $2,221  $54  $76  $87  $20  $88  $11,472 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

 $  $  $  $18  $  $  $1,488  $  $  $38  $  $  $1,544 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

 $934  $428  $15  $7,025  $56  $450  $733  $54  $76  $49  $20  $88  $9,928 

Loans receivable:

                                                    

Ending balance

 $198,710  $61,492  $2,204  $426,915  $10,297  $66,332  $115,246  $10,954  $13,491  $5,884  $2,299     $913,824 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

 $  $  $  $286  $  $  $2,517  $  $  $102  $     $2,905 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

 $198,710  $61,492  $2,204  $426,629  $10,297  $66,332  $112,729  $10,954  $13,491  $5,782  $2,299     $910,919 

 

- 86-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

In assessing the adequacy of the ALLL, it is recognized that the process, methodology and underlying assumptions require a significant degree of judgment and uncertainty. The estimation of loan losses is not precise; the range of factors considered is wide and is significantly dependent upon management’s judgment, including the outlook and potential changes in the economic environment.  At present, reduction of commercial loan portfolio and increased historical loss levels are factored in accessing the portfolio. Any unallocated portion of the allowance reflects management’s estimate of probable inherent but undetected losses within the portfolio due to uncertainties in economic conditions, delays in obtaining information, including unfavorable information about a borrower’s financial condition, the difficulty in identifying triggering events that correlate perfectly to subsequent loss rates, and risk factors that have not yet manifested themselves in loss allocation factors.

 

The impaired loans with no specific allowance decreased from $39.7 million at  September 30, 2021 to $19.2 million at September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to three commercial real estate loans totaling $18.9 million being sold from the period beginning October 2021 and ending December 31, 2021 period, and one commercial and industrial loan with a carrying value of $259,000 after a $2.4 million partial charge down being transferred to OREO. The following table presents impaired loans in the portfolio by class, segregated by those for which a specific allowance was required and those for which a specific allowance was not necessary as of September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

          

Impaired

         
          

Loans

         
          

With No

         
  

Impaired Loans With

  

Specific

         
  

Specific Allowance

  

Allowance

  

Total Impaired Loans

 
                  

Unpaid

 
  

Recorded

  

Related

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

  

Principal

 
  

Investment

  

Allowance

  

Investment

  

Investment

  

Balance

 
  

(In thousands)

 

September 30, 2022:

                    

Residential mortgage

 $477  $54  $2,342  $2,819  $3,029 

Commercial:

                    

Commercial real estate

        13,826   13,826   15,475 

Farmland

        2,213   2,213   2,213 

Commercial and industrial

        684   684   684 

Consumer:

                    

Home equity lines of credit

        20   20   25 

Second mortgages

        152   152   191 

Total

 $477  $54  $19,237  $19,714  $21,617 

September 30, 2021:

                    

Residential mortgage

 $  $  $2,594  $2,594  $2,766 

Commercial:

                    

Commercial real estate

  286   18   33,543   33,829   33,368 

Farmland

        2,254   2,254   2,254 

Commercial and industrial

  2,517   1,488   630   3,147   3,584 

Consumer:

                    

Home equity lines of credit

        23   23   28 

Second mortgages

  102   38   696   798   874 

Total

 $2,905  $1,544  $39,740  $42,645  $42,874 

 

- 87-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents the average recorded investment in impaired loans in the portfolio and related interest income recognized for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

Average

  

Interest Income

 
  

Impaired

  

Recognized on

 
  

Loans

  

Impaired Loans

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Year Ended September 30, 2022:

        

Residential mortgages

 $2,406  $126 

Commercial:

        

Commercial real estate

  13,306   89 

Farmland

  2,231   79 

Commercial and industrial

  1,519   21 

Consumer:

        

Home equity lines of credit

  17    

Second mortgages

  816   3 

Total

 $20,295  $318 
         

Year Ended September 30, 2021:

        

Residential mortgages

 $3,305  $82 

Commercial:

        

Commercial real estate

  32,812   556 

Farmland

  1,814   70 

Commercial and industrial

  951   17 

Consumer:

        

Home equity lines of credit

  48    

Second mortgages

  720   6 

Total

 $39,650  $731 

 

No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

 

- 88-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by loans considered to be rated as pass and the categories of special mention, substandard and doubtful within the Company’s internal risk rating system as of September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
      

Special

             
  

Pass

  

Mention

  

Substandard

  

Doubtful

  

Total

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

 $173,083  $  $2,874  $  $175,957 

Construction and Development:

                    

Residential and commercial

  24,362            24,362 

Land

  550            550 

Commercial:

                    

Commercial real estate

  373,729   32,682   504      406,914 

Farmland

  9,293      2,213      11,506 

Multi-family

  55,295            55,295 

Commercial and industrial

  97,219      5,484      102,703 

Other

  13,356            13,356 

Consumer:

                    

Home equity lines of credit

  13,143      90      13,233 

Second mortgages

  4,110   58   227      4,395 

Other

  2,136            2,136 

Total

 $766,276  $32,740  $11,391  $  $810,407 

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
      

Special

             
  

Pass

  

Mention

  

Substandard

  

Doubtful

  

Total

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

 $195,658  $  $3,052  $  $198,710 

Construction and Development:

                    

Residential and commercial

  61,492            61,492 

Land

  2,204            2,204 

Commercial:

                    

Commercial real estate

  376,721   48,705   1,489      426,915 

Farmland

  8,043      2,254      10,297 

Multi-family

  57,052   9,280         66,332 

Commercial and industrial

  106,910      8,336      115,246 

Other

  10,954            10,954 

Consumer:

                    

Home equity lines of credit

  13,390      101      13,491 

Second mortgages

  4,908   68   908      5,884 

Other

  2,299            2,299 

Total

 $839,631  $58,053  $16,140  $  $913,824 

 

- 89-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table presents loans on which we are no longer accruing interest by portfolio class at the dates indicated.

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

 $585  $879 

Commercial:

        

Commercial and industrial

     2,517 

Consumer:

        

Home equity lines of credit

  20   23 

Second mortgages

  148   278 

Total non-accrual loans

 $753  $3,697 

 

Under the Bank’s loan policy, once a loan has been placed on non-accrual status, we do not resume interest accruals until the loan has been brought current and has maintained a current payment status for not less than six consecutive months. Non-accrual loans excluding loans held-for-sale totaled $753,000 at September 30, 2022, and $3.7 million at September 30, 2021. The decrease in non-accrual loans was primarily due a charge-off of $2.4 million related to one non-accrual commercial and industrial loan during the fiscal year 2022 and then transferred to OREO at a carrying value of $259,000. Interest income that would have been recognized on non-accrual loans had they been current in accordance with their original terms was $20,000 for fiscal year 2022 and $1.2 million for fiscal year 2021. At September 30, 2022 there were $243,000 loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, no loans were past due and still accruing interest at September 30, 2021.

 

Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by whether a loan payment is “current,” that is, it is received from a borrower by the scheduled due date, or the length of time a scheduled payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories as of September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

                           
                         
      

30-59

  

60-89

  

90 Days or

      

Total Loans

  

Accruing 90 Days

 
  

Current

  

Days Past Due

  

Days Past Due

  

More Past Due

  

Total Past Due

  

Receivable

  

or More Past Due

 
  

(In thousands)

 

September 30, 2022:

                            

Residential mortgage

 $173,852  $1,198  $477  $430  $2,105  $175,957  $243 

Construction and Development:

                            

Residential and commercial

  24,362               24,362    

Land

  550               550    

Commercial:

                            

Commercial real estate

  406,809   105         105   406,914    

Farmland

  9,293   2,213         2,213   11,506    

Multi-family

  55,295               55,295    

Commercial and industrial

  101,328   1,375         1,375   102,703    

Other

  13,356               13,356    

Consumer:

                            

Home equity lines of credit

  13,160   53   20      73   13,233    

Second mortgages

  4,384   3      8   11   4,395    

Other

  2,132   4         4   2,136    

Total

 $804,521  $4,951  $497  $438  $5,886  $810,407  $243 

 

- 90-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

              

90

          

Accruing 90

 
      

30-59

  

60-89

  

Days or

          

Days or

 
      

Days Past

  

Days Past

  

More Past

      

Total Loans

  

More Past

 
  

Current

  

Due

  

Due

  

Due

  

Total Past Due

  

Receivable

  

Due

 
  

(In thousands)

 

September 30, 2021:

                            

Residential mortgage

 $197,062  $796  $241  $611  $1,648  $198,710  $ 

Construction and Development:

                            

Residential and commercial

  61,492               61,492    

Land

  2,204               2,204    

Commercial:

                            

Commercial real estate

  426,915               426,915    

Farmland

  10,297               10,297    

Multi-family

  66,332               66,332    

Commercial and industrial

  115,246               115,246    

Other

  10,954               10,954    

Consumer:

                            

Home equity lines of credit

  13,394   97         97   13,491    

Second mortgages

  5,697   4   83   100   187   5,884    

Other

  2,296   3         3   2,299    

Total

 $911,889  $900  $324  $711  $1,935  $913,824  $ 

 

Restructured loans deemed to be TDRs are typically the result of extension of the loan maturity date or a reduction of the interest rate of the loan to a rate that is below market, a combination of rate and maturity extension, or by other means including covenant modifications, forbearance and other concessions. However, the Company generally only restructures loans by modifying the payment structure to require payments of interest only for a specified period or by reducing the actual interest rate. Once a loan becomes a TDR, it will continue to be reported as a TDR during the term of the restructure.

 

The Company had 20 loans classified as TDRs with an aggregate outstanding balance of $6.1 million and 26 loans with aggregate outstanding balance of $18.2 million at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At September 30, 2022, these loans were also classified as impaired. 17 of the TDR loans continue to perform under the restructured terms through September 30, 2022, and we continued to accrue interest on such loans through such date.

 

The decrease is primarily related to two TDR commercial real estate loans totaling $11.4 million that were sold during the December 31, 2021 period.

    

Loans that have been classified as TDRs have modified payment terms and in some cases modified interest rates from the original loan agreements and allow the borrowers, who were experiencing financial difficulty, to relieve some of their overall cash flow burden, including but not limited to making interest only payments for a period of time. Some loan modifications classified as TDRs may not ultimately result in the full collection of principal and interest, as modified, and result in potential incremental losses. These potential incremental losses have been factored into our overall estimate of the allowance for loan losses. The level of any defaults will likely be affected by future economic conditions. A default on a TDR loan occurs when the borrower is 90 days past due or a foreclosure or repossession of the applicable collateral has occurred.

 

- 91-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

Due to financial difficulties experienced by the borrower, TDRs may arise where the Company obtains through physical possession one or more collateral assets in satisfaction of all or part of an existing credit. Once possession is obtained, the Company reclassifies the appropriate portion of the remaining balance of the credit from loans to OREO, which is included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. For any residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, the Company is considered to possess the related collateral only if legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure, or the borrower conveys all interest in the residential real estate property to the Company through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. Excluding OREO, the Company had $359,000 and $185,000 of residential real estate properties in the process of foreclosure at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company also has one commercial real estate loan held for sale at a carrying value of $13.3 million in process of foreclosure at September 30, 2022.

 

          

Troubled Debt Restructured

 
          

Loans That Have Defaulted on

 
  

Total Troubled Debt

  

Modified Terms Within The

 
  

Restructurings

  

Past 12 Months

 
  

Number of

  

Recorded

  

Number of

  

Recorded

 
  

Loans

  

Investment

  

Loans

  

Investment

 
  

(In thousands)

 

At September 30, 2022:

 

             

Residential mortgage

  14  $2,632  $  $ 

Commercial:

                

Commercial real estate

  3   594       

Farmland

  1   2,213       

Commercial and industrial

  1   625       

Consumer

                

Second mortgages

  1   4       

Total

  20  $6,068  $  $ 

At September 30, 2021:

 

             

Residential mortgage

  16  $3,180   4  $640 

Commercial:

                

Commercial real estate

  5   12,180       

Farmland

  1   2,254       

Commercial and industrial

  1   549       

Consumer

                

Second mortgages

  3   78       

Total

  26  $18,241   4  $640 

 

The following table reports the performing status of all TDR loans. The performing status is determined by the loan’s compliance with the modified terms.

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
      

Non-

      

Non-

 
  

Performing

  

Performing

  

Performing

  

Performing

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Residential mortgage

 $1,543  $1,089  $2,540  $640 

Commercial:

                

Commercial real estate

  594      12,180    

Farmland

  2,213      2,254    

Commercial and industrial

  625      549    

Consumer

                

Second mortgages

  4      78    

Total

 $4,979  $1,089  $17,601  $640 

 

- 92-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following table shows the new TDRs for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

Restructured During Period

 
      

Pre-

  

Post-

      

Pre-

  

Post-

 
      

Modifications

  

Modifications

      

Modifications

  

Modifications

 
      

Outstanding

  

Outstanding

      

Outstanding

  

Outstanding

 
  

Number

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

  

Number

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

 
  

of Loans

  

Investments

  

Investments

  

of Loans

  

Investments

  

Investments

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings:

                        

Commercial:

                        

Commercial real estate

  2  $504  $504     $  $ 

Farmland

           1   2,287   2,287 

Commercial and industrial

           1   549   549 

Total

  2  $504  $504   2  $2,803  $2,836 

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate dollar amount of loans to principal officers, directors and their affiliates in the normal course of business of the Company.

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 $11,921  $13,733 

New loans

  3,042   2,792 

Repayments

  (4,860)  (4,604)

No longer Director/Officer

  (524)   

Balance at end of year

 $9,579  $11,921 

 

At September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company was servicing loans for the benefit of others in the amounts of $10.8 million and $13.1 million, respectively. A summary of mortgage servicing rights included within other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition and the activity therein follows for the periods indicated:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 $83  $111 

Amortization

  4   (28)

Balance at end of year

 $87  $83 

 

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the fair value of servicing rights was determined using a base discount rate between 10.5 percent and 11.5 percent. The fair market value is evaluated by a third-party vendor on a quarterly basis for impairment purposes only. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, we sold $5.5 million of long-term, fixed-rate residential mortgage loans with servicing released. These transactions resulted in a gain of $100,000. For the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company only sold loans with servicing released. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we sold $21.9 million of long-term, fixed-rate residential mortgage loans with servicing released. These transactions resulted in a gain of $788,000. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Company only sold loans with servicing released. No valuation allowance on servicing rights has been recorded at September 30, 2022 or 2021.

 

Under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, and separately based upon regulatory guidance promulgated by federal banking regulators (collectively, the “Interagency Statement”), qualifying short-term loan modifications resulting in payment deferrals that are attributable to the adverse impact of COVID-19 are not considered to be TDRs. As such, the applicable loans are reported as current with regard to payment status and continue to accrue interest during the payment deferral period. At September 30, 2022, the Company had three COVID-19 related modified loans totaling $32.0 million. At September 30, 2021, the Company had eight COVID-19 related modified loans totaling $61.2 million.  

 

- 93-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 7 - Loans Receivable and Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

 

The following tables set forth the composition of these loans by loan segments as of September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
  

Number of Loans

  

Loan Modification Exposure

  

Gross Loans September 30, 2022

  

Percentage of Gross Loans Modified

 
      

(Dollars in thousands)

     

Residential mortgage

    $  $175,957   0.00%
                 

Construction and Development:

                

Residential and commercial

        24,362   0.00%

Land loans

        550   0.00%

Total Construction and Development

        24,912   0.00%
                 

Commercial:

                

Commercial real estate

  3   32,041   406,914   7.87%

Farmland

        11,506   0.00%

Multi-family

        55,295   0.00%

Commercial and industrial

        102,703   0.00%

Other

        13,356   0.00%

Total Commercial

  3   32,041   589,774   5.74%
                 

Consumer:

                

Home equity lines of credit

        13,233   0.00%

Second mortgages

        4,395   0.00%

Other

        2,136   0.00%

Total Consumer

        19,764   0.00%

Total loans

  3  $32,041  $810,407   3.95%

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

Number of Loans

  

Loan Modified Exposure

  

Gross Loans September 30, 2021

  

Percentage of Gross Loans Modified

 
      

(Dollars in thousands)

     

Residential mortgage

  2  $667  $198,710   0.07%
                 

Construction and Development:

                

Residential and commercial

        61,492   0.00%

Land loans

        2,204   0.00%

Total Construction and Development

        63,696   0.00%
                 

Commercial:

                

Commercial real estate

  6   60,567   426,915   6.63%

Farmland

        10,297   0.00%

Multi-family

        66,332   0.00%

Commercial and industrial

        115,246   0.00%

Other

        10,954   0.00%

Total Commercial

  6   60,567   629,744   6.63%
                 

Consumer:

                

Home equity lines of credit

        13,491   0.00%

Second mortgages

        5,884   0.00%

Other

        2,299   0.00%

Total Consumer

        21,674   0.00%

Total loans

  8  $61,234  $913,824   6.70%

 

- 94-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
 

Note 8 - Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

     
 

Estimated

        
 

Useful

 September 30, 
 

Life (years)

 

2022

  

2021

 
   

(In thousands)

 

Land

 $706  $706 

Building and improvements

10-39

  12,039   11,992 

Construction in process

  29   5 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

3-7

  5,914   5,904 
    18,688   18,607 

Accumulated depreciation

  (13,457)  (12,830)
   $5,231  $5,777 

 

Depreciation expense was $627,000 and $630,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

 

Note 9 - Deposits

 

Deposits classified by interest rates with percentages to total deposits at September 30, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
      

Percent of

      

Percent of

 
      

Total

      

Total

 
  

Amount

  

Deposits

  

Amount

  

Deposits

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Balances by types of deposit:

                

Savings

 $55,288   7.04% $50,582   5.39%

Money market accounts

  279,699   35.62   385,480   41.09 

Interest bearing demand

  240,819   30.66   336,645   35.88 

Non-interest bearing demand

  58,014   7.39   53,849   5.74 
   633,820   80.71   826,556   88.10 

Certificates of deposit

  151,503   19.29   111,603   11.90 

Total

 $785,323   100.00% $938,159   100.00%

 

Total deposits decreased $152.8 million, or 16.3%, from $938.2 million at September 30, 2021 to $785.3 million at September 30, 2022. The decrease in deposits was primarily related to a reduction of $105.8 million in money market deposits and $95.8 million in interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by an increase of $39.9 million in time deposits. The total amount of certificates of deposit of $250,000 and greater at September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $63.0 million and $16.5 million, respectively. We had brokered deposits totaling $9.1 million and $6.1 million at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, deposits of certain municipalities and local government agencies are collateralized by $37.3 million of letters of credit with the FHLB.

 

- 95-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 9 - Deposits (Continued)

 

Interest expense on deposits consisted of the following for the fiscal years ended September 30,2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Savings accounts

 $46  $59 

Money market accounts

  921   1,726 

Interest bearing demand

  1,153   2,681 

Certificates of deposit

  1,414   2,282 

Total deposits

 $3,534  $6,748 

 

The following is a schedule of certificates of deposit maturities:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Maturing in the Fiscal Year Ending September 30,

    

2023

 $94,817 

2024

  38,387 

2025

  8,749 

2026

  6,679 

2027

  1,389 

Thereafter

  1,482 
  $151,503 

 

Deposits from related parties held by the Company at September 30, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $44.3 million and $43.2 million, respectively. 

 

The Company continues to focus on the maintenance and development of its deposit base strategically with its funding requirements and liquidity needs, with an emphasis on serving the needs of its communities to provide a long-term relationship base to efficiently compete for and retain deposits in its market.

 

 

 

Note 10 - Borrowings

 

Under terms of its collateral agreement with the FHLB, the Company maintains otherwise unencumbered qualifying assets in an amount at least equal to its borrowings.

 

Under an agreement with the FHLB, the Company has a line of credit available in the amount of $150.0 million, of which there was no balance outstanding at  September 30, 2022 or 2021. The interest rate on the line of credit at September 30, 2022 and 2021 was 3.01 percent and 0.29 percent, respectively.

 

The summary of borrowings as of September 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
      

Weighted

      

Weighted

 
      

Average

      

Average

 
  

Amount

  

Rate

  

Amount

  

Rate

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Due by September 30:

                

2022

 $     $90,000   0.76%

2023

  80,000   3.07%      

Total FHLB Advances

 $80,000   3.07% $90,000   0.76%

 

- 96-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 10 - Borrowings (Continued)

 

At September 30, 2022, the Company had $80.0 million in outstanding short-term fixed rate FHLB advances, which are included in the table above, and $267.3 million in potential FHLB advances available to us, which is based on the amount of FHLB stock held or levels of other assets, including U.S. government securities, and certain mortgage loans which are available for collateral. At September 30, 2022, two FHLB advances were used to hedge the variable cash flows, these advances are on a three month rolling contractual maturity.

 

During both fiscal years 2022 and 2021, the Company did not purchase any securities sold under agreements to repurchase as a short-term funding source. The Company had no secured borrowing agreements included in other liabilities, with a third party at September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

Note 11 - Derivatives

 

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates.

 

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. 

 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. At September 30, 2022, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with FHLB advances.

 

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates approximately $2.0 million to be reclassified to earnings in interest expense. The Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a maximum period of twenty months (excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments).

 

The Company also executes interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.  These derivatives are not designated as hedges and are not speculative.  Rather, these derivatives result from a service the Company provides to certain customers, which the Company implemented during the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. As the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings. 

 

- 97-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 11 - Derivatives (Continued)

 

The tables below present the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30, 2022

  

Asset derivatives

 

Liability derivatives

         

Statement of

        

Statement of

         

Financial

        

Financial

  

Notional

  

Fair

 

Condition

 

Notional

  

Fair

 

Condition

  

Amount

  

Value

 

Location

 

Amount

  

Value

 

Location

  

(In thousands)

Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument:

                  

Interest rate swap agreement

 $60,000  $4,017 

Other assets

 $  $ 

Other liabilities

Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:

                  

Interest rate swap agreement

 $44,132  $3,711 

Other assets

 $44,132  $3,712 

Other liabilities

 

  

September 30, 2021

  

Asset derivatives

 

Liability derivatives

         

Statement of

        

Statement of

         

Financial

        

Financial

  

Notional

  

Fair

 

Condition

 

Notional

  

Fair

 

Condition

  

Amount

  

Value

 

Location

 

Amount

  

Value

 

Location

  

(In thousands)

Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument:

                  

Interest rate swap agreement

 $40,000  $14 

Other assets

 $30,000  $47 

Other liabilities

Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:

                  

Interest rate swap agreement

 $44,748  $4,671 

Other assets

 $44,748  $4,673 

Other liabilities

 

 

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

 

(In thousands)

 

as of September 30, 2022

                        
                         
                         
          

Net Amounts of

             
      

Gross Amounts

  

Assets

  

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of

 
  

Gross

  

Offset in the

  

presented in the

  

Financial Condition

 
  

Amounts of

  

Statement of

  

Statement of

      

Cash

     
  

Recognized

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Collateral

  

Net

 
  

Assets

  

Condition

  

Condition

  

Instruments

  

Received

  

Amount

 

Derivatives

 $7,728  $  $7,728  $  $4,210  $3,518 

 

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

 

(In thousands)

 

as of September 30, 2022

                        
                         
                         
          

Net Amounts of

             
      

Gross Amounts

  

Liabilities

  

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of

 
  

Gross

  

Offset in the

  

presented in the

  

Financial Condition

 
  

Amounts of

  

Statement of

  

Statement of

      

Cash

     
  

Recognized

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Collateral

  

Net

 
  

Liabilities

  

Condition

  

Condition

  

Instruments

  

Posted

  

Amount

 

Derivatives

 $3,712  $  $3,712  $  $  $3,712 

 

- 98-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 11 - Derivatives (Continued)

 

Offsetting of Derivative Assets

 

(In thousands)

 

as of September 30, 2021

                        
                         
                         
          

Net Amounts of

             
      

Gross Amounts

  

Assets

  

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of

 
  

Gross

  

Offset in the

  

presented in the

  

Financial Condition

 
  

Amounts of

  

Statement of

  

Statement of

      

Cash

     
  

Recognized

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Collateral

  

Net

 
  

Assets

  

Condition

  

Condition

  

Instruments

  

Received

  

Amount

 

Derivatives

 $4,685  $  $4,685  $  $  $4,685 

 

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities

 

(In thousands)

 

as of September 30, 2021

                        
                         
                         
          

Net Amounts of

             
      

Gross Amounts

  

Liabilities

  

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of

 
  

Gross

  

Offset in the

  

presented in the

  

Financial Condition

 
  

Amounts of

  

Statement of

  

Statement of

      

Cash

     
  

Recognized

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Financial

  

Collateral

  

Net

 
  

Liabilities

  

Condition

  

Condition

  

Instruments

  

Posted

  

Amount

 

Derivatives

 $4,720  $  $4,720  $221  $8,257  $(3,758)

 

The tables below present the net gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and the Consolidated Statements of Operations relating to the cash flow derivative instruments for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

For the Year Ended September 30, 2022

 
  

Amount of Gain

  

Amount of Loss

 
  

Recognized

  

Reclassified

 
  

in OCI on

  

from OCI to

 
  

Derivative

  

Interest Expense

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 $4,050  $141 

Total derivatives

 $4,050  $141 

 

  

For the Year Ended September 30, 2021

 
  

Amount of Loss

  

Amount of Gain

 
  

Recognized

  

Reclassified

 
  

in OCI on

  

from OCI to

 
  

Derivative

  

Interest Expense

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 $255  $(995)

Total derivatives

 $255  $(995)

 

- 99-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 11 - Derivatives (Continued)

 

The tables below present the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

 

For the Year Ended September 30, 2022

 
   

Amount of Loss

 
 

Consolidated

 

Recognized

 
 

Statements

 

in Income on

 
 

of Operations

 

derivatives

 
 

(In thousands)

 

Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:

     

Interest rate swap agreement

Other income

 $2 

Total

 $2 

 

 

For the Year Ended September 30, 2021

 
   

Amount of Loss

 
 

Consolidated

 

Recognized

 
 

Statements

 

in Income on

 
 

of Operations

 

derivatives

 
 

(In thousands)

 

Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:

     

Interest rate swap agreement

Other income

 $2 

Total

 $2 

 

The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

 

At September 30, 2022 and 2021, the fair value of derivatives was in a net asset and liability position, respectively, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements. There were no adjustments for nonperformance risk at September 30, 2021. There were no collateral posting requirements at September 30, 2022. At September 30, 2021, the Company had minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties and has posted collateral of $8.3 million, against its obligations under these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2022, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value and would have been required to pay any additional amounts due in excess of amounts previously posted as collateral with the respective counterparty.

 

 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurement,” to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair value disclosures for the Company’s financial instruments. Investment securities available for sale, equity securities, and derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans, other real estate owned and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

The Company groups its assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

 

Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

Level 3—Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

 

- 100-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The Company bases its fair values on 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. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.

 

Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon the Company’s or other third-party’s estimates, are often calculated based on the characteristics of the asset, the economic and competitive environment and other factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset.

 

Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.

 

The Company monitors and evaluates available data to perform fair value measurements on an ongoing basis and recognizes transfers among the levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the date event or a change in circumstances that affects the valuation method chosen. There were no changes in valuation technique or transfers between levels as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

The tables below present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
  

Total

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Assets:

                

Investment securities available-for-sale:

                

Debt securities:

                

U.S. government agencies

 $3,580  $  $3,580  $ 

State and municipal obligations

  9,660      9,660    

Single issuer trust preferred security

  946      946    

Corporate debt securities

  32,128      32,128    

MBS Securities

  2,087      2,087    

U.S. Treasury

  1,443      1,443    

Total investment securities available-for-sale

 $49,844  $  $49,844  $ 

Equity securities:

                

Mutual fund

 $1,374  $874  $  $500 

Total equity investment securities

 $1,374  $874  $  $500 
                 

Derivative instruments

 $7,728  $  $7,728  $ 
                 

Liabilities:

                

Derivative instruments

 $3,712  $  $3,712  $ 

 

- 101-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

Total

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Assets:

                

Investment securities available-for-sale:

                

Debt securities:

                

U.S. government agencies

 $4,993  $  $4,993  $ 

State and municipal obligations

  2,765      2,765    

Single issuer trust preferred security

  875      875    

Corporate debt securities

  32,180      32,180    

Total investment securities available-for-sale

 $40,813  $  $40,813  $ 

Equity securities:

                

Mutual fund

 $1,500  $1,000  $  $500 

Total equity investment securities

 $1,500  $1,000  $  $500 
                 

Derivative instruments

 $4,685  $  $4,685  $ 
                 

Liabilities:

                

Derivative instruments

 $4,720  $  $4,720  $ 

 

The following tables present additional information about the securities available-for-sale measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company utilized significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) to determine fair value for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021:

 

  

Fair value measurements using

 
  

significant unobservable inputs

 
  

(Level 3)

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Balance, October 1, 2021

 $500 

Payments received

   

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)

    

Included in earnings

   

Included in other comprehensive income

   

Purchases

   

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

   

Balance, September 30, 2022

 $500 

 

  

Fair value measurements using

 
  

significant unobservable inputs

 
  

(Level 3)

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Balance, October 1, 2020

 $500 

Payments received

   

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)

    

Included in earnings

   

Included in other comprehensive income

   

Purchases

   

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

   

Balance, September 30, 2021

 $500 

 

- 102-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

All of the Company’s available for sale investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the securities’ terms and conditions, among other things.  From time to time, the Company validates prices supplied by the independent pricing service by comparison to prices obtained from third-party sources or derived using internal models.

 

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2021 that were still held at the end of each respective fiscal year, the following table provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related individual assets or portfolios at September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30, 2022

 
  

Total

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Other real estate owned

 $259  $  $  $259 

Impaired loans(1)

  13,722         13,722 

Total

 $13,981  $  $  $13,981 

 

  

September 30, 2022

  

Fair Value at

  

Valuation

   

Range/(Weighted

  

September 30, 2022

  

Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Average)

  

(In thousands)

Other real estate owned

 $259  

Appraisal of Collateral(2)

 

Collateral discount(3)

 

33.6%/(33.6%)

Impaired loans(1)

  13,722  

Appraisal of Collateral(2)

 

Collateral discount(3)

 

(10.4%) – (12%)/(10.5%)

Total

 $13,981       

 


 

(1)

Consisted of three loans with an aggregate balance of $13.7 million and with $54,000 in specific loan loss allowance.

 

(2)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral primarily using comparable sales.

 

(3)

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as time, changes in economic conditions and estimated liquidation expense.

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

Total

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Other real estate owned

 $4,961  $  $  $4,961 

Impaired loans(1)

  33,876   18,900      14,976 

Total

 $38,837  $18,900  $  $19,937 

 

  

September 30, 2021

  

Fair Value at

  

Valuation

   

Range/(Weighted

  

September 30, 2021

  

Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Average)

  

(In thousands)

Other real estate owned

 $4,961  

Appraisal of Collateral(2)

 

Collateral discount(3)

 

6.4%/(6.4%)

Impaired loans(1)

  33,876  

Appraisal of Collateral(2)

 

Collateral discount(3)

 

(4.0%) – (12%)/(8%)

Total

 $38,837       

 


(1)

Consisted of eight loans with an aggregate balance of $35.4 million and with $1.5 million in specific loan loss allowance.

(2)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral primarily using comparable sales.

(3)

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as time, changes in economic conditions and estimated liquidation expense

 

- 103-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC 825. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methods. However, considerable judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. FASB ASC 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

 

The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of September 30, 2022 and 2021. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since September 30, 2022 and 2021 and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

 

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—These assets are carried at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

Investment Securities— Fair value measurements for available for sale, held to maturity and equity securities are typically obtained from independent pricing services that we have engaged for this purpose. When available, we, or our independent pricing service, use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon models that incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and for structured securities, cash flow and, when available, loan performance data. Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, our independent pricing service’s applications apply available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing to prepare evaluations. For each asset class, pricing applications and models are based on information from market sources and integrate relevant credit information. All of our securities available for sale are valued using either of the foregoing methodologies to determine fair value adjustments recorded to our financial statements.

 

Loans Receivable—We do not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. As such, valuation techniques discussed herein for loans are primarily for estimating fair value for FASB ASC 825 disclosure purposes. However, from time to time, we record nonrecurring fair value adjustments to loans to reflect partial write-downs for impairment or the full charge-off of the loan carrying value. The valuation of collateral dependent impaired loans is discussed below. The fair value estimate for FASB ASC 825 purposes differentiates loans based on their financial characteristics, such as product classification, loan category, pricing features and remaining maturity. Prepayment and credit loss estimates are evaluated by loan type and rate. The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows using discount rates based on current industry pricing, adjusted for prepayment and credit loss estimates.

 

Impaired Loans—Collateral dependent impaired loans are valued utilizing independent appraisals that rely upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets. These appraisals include adjustments to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience. The appraisals are adjusted downward by management, as necessary, for changes in relevant valuation factors subsequent to the appraisal date and are considered level 3 inputs.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable—This asset is carried at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

Restricted Stock—Although restricted stock is an equity interest in the Federal Reserve Bank, FHLB or ACBB, it is carried at cost because it does not have a readily determinable fair value as its ownership is restricted and it lacks a market. The estimated fair value approximates the carrying amount.

 

- 104-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

Other Real Estate Owned—Assets acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure are recorded at estimated fair value less estimated selling costs when acquired, thus establishing a new cost basis. Fair value is generally based on independent appraisals. These appraisals include adjustments to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience, and are considered level 3 inputs. When an asset is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan losses. If the estimated fair value of the asset declines in subsequent periods, a write-down is recorded through expense. The valuation of foreclosed assets is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in the future because of, among other factors, changes in the economic conditions.

 

Deposits—Deposit liabilities are carried at cost. As such, valuation techniques discussed herein for deposits are primarily for estimating fair value for FASB ASC 825 disclosure purposes. The fair value of deposits is discounted based on rates available for time deposits of similar maturities. Fair value approximates book value for savings accounts, checking and negotiable order of withdrawal accounts (“NOW accounts”), and money market accounts.

 

Borrowings—Advances from the FHLB are carried at amortized cost. However, we are required to estimate the fair value of borrowings under FASB ASC 825. The fair value is based on the contractual cash flows discounted using rates currently offered for new notes with similar remaining maturities.

 

Subordinated Debt—The calculation of fair value in level 2 is based on observable market values where available.

 

Derivatives—The fair value of derivatives are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (level 2). Our derivatives are traded in an over-the-counter market where quoted market prices are not always available. Therefore, the fair values of derivatives are determined using quantitative models that utilize multiple market inputs. The inputs will vary based on the type of derivative, but could include interest rates, prices and indices to generate continuous yield or pricing curves, prepayment rate, and volatility factors to value the position. The majority of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services.

 

Accrued Interest Payable—This liability is carried at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.

 

Commitments to Extend Credit and Letters of Credit—The majority of the Company’s commitments to extend credit and letters of credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans and are not included in the table below. Because commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are generally unassignable by either the Company or the borrower, they only have value to the Company and the borrower. The estimated fair value approximates the recorded deferred fee amounts, which are not significant.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights—The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on observable market prices when available or the present value of expected future cash flows when not available. Assumptions, such as loan default rates, costs to service, and prepayment speeds significantly affect the estimate of future cash flows.

 

- 105-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

 

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

 

 

Carrying

                 
  

Amount

  

Fair Value

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 

 

(In thousands)

 

September 30, 2022:

                    

Financial assets:

 

  

  

  

  

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $53,267  $53,267  $53,267  $  $ 

Investment securities available-for-sale

  49,844   49,844      49,844    

Investment securities held-to-maturity

  58,767   50,266      50,266    

Equity securities

  1,374   1,374   874      500 

Loans receivable, net (including impaired )

  801,854   763,311         763,311 

Loans Held For Sale

  13,780   13,780         13,780 

Accrued interest receivable

  4,252   4,252      4,252    

Restricted stock

  7,104   7,104      7,104    

Mortgage servicing rights (included in Other Assets)

  87   117      117    

Derivatives (included in Other Assets)

  7,728   7,728      7,728    

Financial liabilities:

 

  

  

  

  

 

Savings accounts

  55,288   55,288      55,288    

Checking and NOW accounts

  240,819   240,819      240,819    

Money market accounts

  279,699   279,699      279,699    

Certificates of deposit

  151,503   153,087      153,087    

Borrowings (excluding sub debt)

  80,000   80,022      80,022    

Subordinated debt

  25,000   25,045      25,045    

Derivatives (included in Other Liabilities)

  3,712   3,712      3,712    

Accrued interest payable

  543   543      543    
                     

September 30, 2021:

                    

Financial assets:

 

  

  

  

  

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $136,590  $136,590  $136,590  $  $ 

Investment securities available-for-sale

  40,813   40,813      40,813    

Investment securities held-to-maturity

  28,507   28,913      28,913    

Equity securities

  1,500   1,500   1,000      500 

Loans receivable, net (including impaired )

  902,981   900,357         900,357 

Loans Held For Sale

  33,199   33,199   19,583      13,616 

Accrued interest receivable

  3,512   3,512      3,512    

Restricted stock

  7,776   7,776      7,776    

Mortgage servicing rights (included in Other Assets)

  83   83      83    

Derivatives (included in Other Assets)

  4,685   4,685      4,685    

Financial liabilities:

 

  

  

  

  

 

Savings accounts

  50,582   50,582      50,582    

Checking and NOW accounts

  390,494   390,494      390,494    

Money market accounts

  385,480   385,480      385,480    

Certificates of deposit

  111,603   113,323      113,323    

Borrowings (excluding sub debt)

  90,000   90,215      90,215    

Subordinated debt

  24,934   25,027      25,027    

Derivatives (included in Other Liabilities)

  4,720   4,720      4,720    

Accrued interest payable

  572   572      572    

 

- 106-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 13 - Income Taxes

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company evaluates on a quarterly basis all evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance for DTAs is needed. In conducting this evaluation, management explores all possible sources of taxable income available under existing tax laws to realize the net DTA beginning with the most objectively verifiable evidence first, including available carry back claims and viable tax planning strategies. If needed, management will look to future taxable income as a potential source. Management reviews the Company’s current financial position and its results of operations for the current and preceding years. That historical information is supplemented by all currently available information about future years. The Company understands that projections about future performance are subjective.

 

Deferred income taxes at September 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

DTAs:

        

Allowance for loan losses

 $2,155  $2,807 

Non-accrual interest

  224   276 

Supplement executive retirement plan

  149   173 

Federal and State net operating loss

     155 

Unrealized loss on investments available-for-sale

  1,691    

Depreciation

  132   53 

Lease liability

  308   448 

Other

  230   113 

Total DTAs

  4,889   4,025 

Valuation allowance for DTAs

      

Total DTAs, Net of Valuation Allowance

 $4,889  $4,025 

DTLs:

        

Unrealized gain on investments available-for-sale

     (3)

Unrealized gain on derivatives

  (846)   

Mortgage servicing rights

  (19)  (20)

Right of use asset

  (300)  (440)

Other

  (2)  (32)

Total DTLs

  (1,167)  (495)

DTAs, Net

 $3,722  $3,530 

 

Of these DTAs, the carryforward periods for certain tax attributes are as follows:

 

 

The Company had recorded federal net operating loss carryforwards of $563,000 as of September 30, 2021. All federal net operating loss carryforwards have been utilized as of September 30, 2022.

 

 

The Company had recorded state net operating loss carryforwards of $36,500 as of  September 30, 2021. All state net operating losses have been utilized as of September 30, 2022.

 

- 107-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 13 Income Taxes (Continued)

 

Income tax expense (benefit) for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was comprised of the following:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Federal:

        

Current

 $2,423  $(62)

Deferred

  (847)  (112)
   1,576   (174)

State:

        

Current

  457    

Deferred

  (109)  (38)
   348   (38)

Total income tax expense (benefit)

 $1,924  $(212)

 

A reconciliation from the expected federal income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory federal income tax rate to the actual income tax benefit included in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Tax at statutory rate

 $1,864   21.0% $(64)  (21.0)%

Adjustments resulting from:

                

State tax, net of federal benefit

  275   3.1   (30)  (9.8)

Tax-exempt interest

  (93)  (1.0)  (26)  (8.6)

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

  (167)  (1.9)  (138)  (45.3)

Other

  45   0.5   46   15.1 

Total

 $1,924   21.7% $(212)  (69.6)%

 

It is the Company’s policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were no material uncertain tax positions related to federal and state income tax matters. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities for the years ended September 30, 2019 to September 30, 2022.

 

The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 provides for the repeal of the tax bad debt deduction computed under the percentage-of-taxable-income method. Upon repeal, the Company was required to recapture into income, over a six-year period, the portion of its tax bad debt reserves that exceeds its base year reserves (i.e., tax reserves for tax years beginning before 1988). The base year tax reserves, which may be subject to recapture if the Company ceases to qualify as a bank for federal income tax purposes, are restricted with respect to certain distributions and have been treated as a permanent tax difference.

 

- 108-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 14 Leases

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company adopted the guidance of ASC 842 Leases and recorded right-of-use ("ROU") assets and related lease liabilities. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets in other assets and operating lease liabilities are included in other liabilities on our consolidated statements of financial condition. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, in order to determine the present value of future payments for office leases we used our incremental borrowing rate based on the FHLB liquidity and funding rates. Our lease terms may include options to extend when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

As of September 30, 2022, the Company leases one financial center located in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania; one private banking office located in Villanova, Pennsylvania; one private banking office in located Morristown, New Jersey; one private banking office located in Palm Beach, Florida; one representative office located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and one administrative office in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The Company has elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for one private banking office lease and two representative office leases whose terms are twelve months or less and are considered short-term leases. The financial center lease, two private banking office leases, and one administrative office lease include options to extend for terms of five years. These options have not been recognized as part of our ROU assets and lease liabilities as the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise these options. The Company has also entered into three leases for office equipment for which ROU assets and lease liabilities have been recognized. All the aforementioned leases have been accounted for as operating leases.

 

The components of lease expense for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

In thousands

 

Operating lease cost

 $484  $661 

Short-term lease cost

  108   95 

Total

 $592  $756 

 

Supplemental information at and for the years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 related to leases was as follows:

 

  

September 30, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

(Dollars in thousands)

  

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Supplemental balance sheet information

        

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 $1,267  $1,796 

Operating lease liabilities

 $1,299  $1,830 

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)

  3.57   4.50 

Weighted average discount rate

  2.00%  1.99%

 

  

Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2021

 
  

(In thousands)

  

(In thousands)

 

Supplemental cash flow information

        

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 $531  $893 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations

 $  $3,279 

 

- 109-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 14 Leases (Continued)

 

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

 

  

Operating Leases

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Years ended September 30:

    

2023

 $431 

2024

  431 

2025

  432 

2026

  153 

2027

  51 

Total lease payments

 $1,498 

Less: imputed interest

  (199)

Total

 $1,299 

 

The Company receives rents from the lease of office and residential space owned by the Company. Rental income is included in Other Income. Future minimum rental commitments under these leases are (in thousands):

 

Years ending September 30:

    

2023

 $63 

2024

  64 

2025

  46 

2026

  31 

Total

 $204 

 

 

Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company 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, unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statements of financial condition.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

 

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. 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 substantially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Most letters of credit expire within one year. At both September 30, 2022 and 2021, the unsecured portion of the letters of credit extended by the Company was approximately $7.7 million and $9.0 million, respectively. The current amount of the liability for guarantees under letters of credit was not material as of September 30, 2022 or 2021.

 

- 110-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 15 Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

At September 30, 2022 and 2021, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Commitments to extend credit:

        

Future loan commitments

 $12,585  $32,889 

Undisbursed construction loans

  9,285   12,672 

Undisbursed home equity lines of credit

  27,942   25,722 

Undisbursed commercial lines of credit

  80,535   19,901 

Undisbursed commercial unsecured lines of credit

     66,941 

Overdraft protection lines

  1,482   1,549 

Standby letters of credit

  7,742   9,026 

Total Commitments

 $139,571  $168,700 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but generally includes personal or commercial real estate.

 

Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit are collateralized except for the overdraft protection lines of credit and commercial unsecured lines of credit. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management’s credit evaluation, and generally includes personal or commercial real estate.

 

Various legal claims arise from time to time in the normal course of business which, in the opinion of management, will have no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Note 16 - Regulatory Matters

 

Shareholders Equity

 

On March 14, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 194,516 shares, or approximately 2.5 percent of the Company’s current outstanding common stock. On February 28, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors extended the timeframe for its current stock repurchase program from March 31, 2020, to December 31, 2020. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Company purchased 177,653 shares of its common stock in the open market under the repurchase plan at an average cost of $14.23 per share. There were no stock repurchases during fiscal year 2022.

 

Regulatory Capital Requirements

 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings and other factors.

 

In July of 2013, the respective U.S. federal banking agencies issued final rules implementing Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act capital requirements to be fully phased in on a global basis on January 1, 2019. The regulations establish a new tangible common equity capital requirement, increase the minimum requirement for the current Tier 1 risk-weighted asset (“RWA”) ratio, phase out certain kinds of intangibles treated as capital and certain types of instruments and change the risk weightings of certain assets used to determine required capital ratios. The new common equity Tier 1 capital component requires capital of the highest quality predominantly composed of retained earnings and common stock instruments. For community banks such as Malvern Bank, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5 percent became effective on January 1, 2015. The new capital rules also increased the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.0 percent to 6.0 percent beginning on January 1, 2015. The rules also establish a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent above the new regulatory minimum capital requirements, which must consist entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital and would result in the following minimum ratios: (1) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0 percent, (2) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5 percent, and (3) a total capital ratio of 10.5 percent. An institution is subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions.

 

- 111-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 16 - Regulatory Matters (Continued)

 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of tangible and core capital (as defined in the regulations) to total adjusted tangible assets (as defined) and of risk-based capital (as defined) to risk-weighted assets (as defined).

 

The following table summarizes the Bank’s compliance with applicable regulatory capital requirements as of September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

                  

To Be Well

 
                  

Capitalized

 
                  

Under Prompt

 
          

For Capital

  

Corrective

 
  

Actual

  

Adequacy Purposes

  

Action Provisions

 
  

Capital

      

Capital

      

Capital

     

(In thousands)

 

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 

As of September 30, 2022:

                        

Tier 1 Leverage (Core) Capital (to average assets)

 $166,340   16.30% $40,820   4.00% $51,025   5.00%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  166,340   19.27%  38,836   4.50%  56,096   6.50%

Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  166,340   19.27%  51,751   6.00%  69,042   8.00%

Total Risk-Based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  175,512   20.34%  69,042   8.00%  86,302   10.00%

As of September 30, 2021:

                        

Tier 1 Leverage (Core) Capital (to average assets)

 $157,518   13.14% $47,946   4.00% $59,933   5.00%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  157,518   16.13%  43,934   4.50%  63,460   6.50%

Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  157,518   16.13%  58,579   6.00%  78,105   8.00%

Total Risk-Based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  169,072   17.32%  78,105   8.00%  97,632   10.00%

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Bank’s equity determined using GAAP and its regulatory capital amounts as of September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Bank GAAP equity

 $163,164  $157,554 

Net unrealized loss (gain) on securities available for sale, net of income taxes

  6,360   (45)

Net unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, net of income taxes

  (3,184)  9 

Tangible Capital, Core Capital and Tier 1 Capital

  166,340   157,518 

Allowance for loan losses and reserve for off-balance sheet commitments

  9,172   11,554 

Total Risk-Based Capital

 $175,512  $169,072 

 

 

Note 17 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in shareholders’ equity are as follows:

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Net unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities

 $(8,051) $57 

Tax effect

  1,691   (12)

Net of tax amount

  (6,360)  45 

Fair value adjustment on derivatives

  4,030   (11)

Tax effect

  (846)  2 

Net of tax amount

  3,184   (9)

Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 $(3,176) $36 

 

- 112-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 17 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Continued)

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income and related tax effects are presented in the following table:

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Net unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities

 $(8,107) $950 

Reclassification adjustment for net gains arising during the period

     (779)

Adjustment for loss recorded on replacement of derivative

     (9)

Amortization of unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale transferred to held-to-maturity

  8   4 

Fair value adjustment on derivatives

  4,050   1,258 

Other comprehensive (loss) income before taxes

  (4,049)  1,424 

Tax effect

  837   (300)

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

 $(3,212) $1,124 

 

- 113-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 18 Equity Based Incentive Compensation Plan

 

The Company maintains the Malvern Bancorp, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which permits the grant of long-term incentive and other stock and cash awards. The purpose of the 2014 Plan is to promote the success of the Company and the Bank by providing incentives to officers, employees and directors of the Company and the Bank that will link their personal interests to the financial success of the Company and to growth in shareholder value. The maximum total number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for grants under the 2014 Plan is 400,000. As of September 30, 2022, there were 283,776 remaining shares available for future grants.

 

Restricted stock and option awards granted during fiscal year 2022 vest in 20 percent increments beginning on the one- year anniversary of the grant date and accelerate upon a change in control of the Company. The options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. All issuances are subject to forfeiture if the recipient leaves or is terminated prior to the awards vesting. Shares of restricted stock have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock while options do not.

 

All awards are issued at fair value of the underlying shares at the grant date. The Company expenses the cost of the awards, which is determined to be the fair market value of the awards at the date of grant.

 

During fiscal year 2022 and 2021, stock options covering a total 6,000 and 7,000 shares of common stock, respectively, were granted. During fiscal year 2022, 2,000 stock options were forfeited. Total compensation expense related to options granted under the 2014 Plan was $35,000 for both fiscal years 2022 and 2021. 

 

During fiscal year 2022, 13,848 shares of restricted stock were awarded and 2,336 shares were forfeited. During fiscal year 2021, 12,363 shares of restricted stock were awarded and no shares were forfeited. Of the 13,848 shares issued during the fiscal year 2022, 4,517 were fully vested and issued at a cost of $72,000.   The compensation expense related to restricted and unrestricted stock awards was approximately $271,000 for fiscal year 2022 and $260,000 for fiscal year 2021.

 

Stock-based compensation expense for the cost of the awards granted is based on the grant-date fair value. For stock option awards, the fair value is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. Additionally, there may be other factors that would otherwise have a significant effect on the value of employee stock options granted but are not considered by the model. Accordingly, while management believes that the Black-Scholes option-pricing model provides a reasonable estimate of fair value, the model does not necessarily provide the best single measure of fair value for the Company’s employee stock options.

 

- 114-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 18 - Equity Based Incentive Compensation Plan (Continued)

 

Stock Options

 

The assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option grants for the year ended September 30, 2022 are as follows:

 

Weighted average fair value of awards

 $5.93 

Risk-free rate

  3.03%

Dividend yield

  %

Volatility

  30.04%

Expected life (years)

  6.5 

 

The assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option grants for the year ended  September 30, 2021 are as follows:

 

Weighted average fair value of awards

 $6.06 

Risk-free rate

  1.25%

Dividend yield

  %

Volatility

  29.72%

Expected life (years)

  6.5 

 

The following is a summary of currently outstanding options at September 30, 2022:

 

          

Weighted

     
          

Average

     
      

Weighted

  

Remaining

     
      

Average

  

Contractual

  

Aggregate

 
      

Exercise

  

Term

  

Intrinsic

 
  

Shares

  

Price

  

(In Years)

  

Value

 

Outstanding, beginning of year

  32,830  $20.96      $1,940 

Granted

  6,000  $16.05      $ 

Exercised

    $      $ 

Forfeited/cancelled/expired

  (2,000) $19.49      $ 

Outstanding, end of year

  36,830  $20.24   6.828  $ 

Exercisable at end of year

  18,880  $21.50   5.564  $ 

Nonvested at end of year

  17,950  $18.90         

 

The following is a summary of currently outstanding options at September 30, 2021:

 

          

Weighted

     
          

Average

     
      

Weighted

  

Remaining

     
      

Average

  

Contractual

  

Aggregate

 
      

Exercise

  

Term

  

Intrinsic

 
  

Shares

  

Price

  

(In Years)

  

Value

 

Outstanding, beginning of year

  25,830  $21.57      $ 

Granted

  7,000  $18.69      $ 

Exercised

    $      $ 

Forfeited/cancelled/expired

    $      $ 

Outstanding, end of year

  32,830  $20.96   7.392  $1,940 

Exercisable at end of year

  13,310  $21.53   6.193  $1,940 

Nonvested at end of year

  19,520  $20.56         

 

As of September 30, 2022, there was $84,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options under the Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.42 years.

 

- 115-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 18 - Equity Based Incentive Compensation Plan (Continued)

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

The table below summarizes the activity for the Company’s restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2022:

 

      

Weighted

 
      

Average

 
  

Shares

  

Fair Value

 

Outstanding, beginning of year

  31,486  $21.10 

Granted

  13,848   15.84 

Vested

  (15,581)  19.60 

Forfeited/cancelled/expired

  (2,336)  19.98 

Outstanding, end of year

  27,417  $19.34 

 

The table below summarizes the activity for the Company’s restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2021:

 

      

Weighted

 
      

Average

 
  

Shares

  

Fair Value

 

Outstanding, beginning of year

  30,653  $21.98 

Granted

  12,363   18.69 

Vested

  (11,530)  20.82 

Forfeited/cancelled/expired

      

Outstanding, end of year

  31,486  $21.10 

 

As of September 30, 2022, there was $416,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares of restricted stock granted under the 2014 Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.09 years.

 

- 116-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 

Note 19 Subordinated Debt

 

On February 7, 2017, the Company issued $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.125 percent fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2027 (the “Notes”). The Notes have a stated maturity of February 15, 2027, are redeemable, in whole or in part, on or after February 15, 2022, and at any time upon the occurrences of certain events. The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.125 percent per year, from and including February 7, 2017 to, but excluding February 15, 2022. From and including February 15, 2022 to the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly at a variable rate equal to the then current 3-month LIBOR plus 414.5 basis points. As September 30, 2022, the interest rate on the note was6.65%. The Notes were structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The Company’s subordinated debt totaled $25.0 million at September 30, 2022

 

 

Note 20 Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only

 

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

 

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $5,552  $6,878 

Investment in subsidiaries

  163,164   157,554 

Loans receivable, net

  755   934 

Other assets

  2,198   1,916 

Total Assets

 $171,669  $167,282 

Liabilities

        

Subordinated debt

 $25,000  $24,934 

Accrued interest payable

  158   196 

Accounts payable

  66   (16)

Total Liabilities

  25,224   25,114 

Shareholders’ Equity

  146,445   142,168 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 $171,669  $167,282 

 

- 117-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 20 Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only (Continued)

 

Condensed Statements of Operations

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Income

        

Interest income

 $39  $51 

Total Interest Income

  39   51 

Expense

        

Long-term borrowings

  1,371   1,536 

Total Interest Expense

  1,371   1,536 

Other operating expenses

  366   560 

Total Other Expenses

  366   560 

Total Expense

  1,737   2,096 

Loss before Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries and Income Tax Benefit

  (1,698)  (2,045)

Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries

  8,356   1,473 

Income tax benefit

  (293)  (480)

Net Income (Loss)

 $6,951  $(92)

 

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

 

Net Income (Loss)

 $6,951  $(92)

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax:

        

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

  (8,107)  950 

Tax effect

  1,702   (199)

Net of tax amount

  (6,405)  751 

Reclassification adjustment for net gains arising during the period(1)

     (779)

Tax effect

     163 

Net of tax amount

     (616)

Adjustment for loss recorded on replacement of derivative

     (9)

Accretion of unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity(2)

  8   4 

Tax effect

  (8)  (1)

Net of tax amount

     3 

Fair value adjustment on derivatives

  4,050   1,258 

Tax effect

  (857)  (263)

Net of tax amount

  3,193   995 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

  (3,212)  1,124 

Total comprehensive income

 $3,739  $1,032 

 


(1) Amounts are included in net gains on sales and calls of investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in total other income.

(2) Amounts are included in interest and dividends on investment securities on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

- 118-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 20 Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only (Continued)

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

  

Year Ended September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

        

Net income (loss)

 $6,951  $(92)

Undistributed net income of subsidiaries

  (8,356)  (1,473)

ESOP expense

  231   248 

Stock based compensation

  307   295 

Amortization of subordinated debt issuance costs

  66   158 

Increase in other assets

  (786)  (850)

Increase in other liabilities

  82   11 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

  (1,505)  (1,703)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

        

Net decrease in loans

  179   170 

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities

  179   170 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

        

Proceeds from other borrowings

     5,000 

Repayments of other borrowings

     (5,000)

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

      

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

  (1,326)  (1,533)

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning

  6,878   8,411 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Ending

 $5,552  $6,878 

 

 

-119-

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

Note 21 Subsequent Event

 

On December 13, 2022, Malvern Bancorp, Malvern Bank and First Bank entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Malvern Bancorp will merge with and into First Bank immediately followed by the merger of Malvern Bank with and into First Bank, with First Bank continuing as the surviving corporation in each case (collectively, the “Merger”). The Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the board of directors of each of First Bank, Malvern Bancorp and Malvern Bank.

 

At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock of Malvern Bancorp will be converted into the right to receive $7.80 in cash and 0.7733 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of First Bank, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement if Malvern's adjusted shareholders' equity as of the tenth day prior to the closing of the Merger does not equal or exceed $140,000,000.

 

The Merger is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

 

Commercial Loan Foreclosure

 

The court entered into a Judgment of Foreclosure with respect to commercial real estate loan held for sale at a carrying value of $13.3 million (i) directing the sale the property at public auction prior to December 13, 2023, (ii) upon sale of the property, directing the payment to Malvern of the sum of approximately $17.2 million plus interest at the note rate from September 16, 2022 through December 14, 2022 and at the statutory rate of 9% thereafter through the date of the foreclosure sale, (iii) directing that Malvern pay the transfer of the foreclosure sale and (iv) if Malvern is the successful bidder, directing that Malvern must place the property back on the market for sale or leasing within 180 day of the foreclosure sale.

 

 

- 120-

 
 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2022. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2022.

 

Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13(a)-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. An adequate system of internal control encompasses the processes and procedures that have been established by management to, among other things:

 

 

Maintain records that accurately reflect the Company’s transactions;

 

 

Prepare consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP that can be relied upon by external users; and

 

 

Prevent and detect unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect of the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect and correct misstatements on a timely basis. Also, the application of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).

 

As of September 30, 2022, based on management’s assessment, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with management’s evaluation that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

 

None.

 

 

PART III.

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Information with Respect to Nominees for Director, Continuing Directors and Executive Officers” and “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in February 2023 (the “Proxy Statement”).

 

Corporate Governance

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as well as other officers and employees of the Company and the Bank. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Company’s website at ir.malvernbancorp.com.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Management Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table provides information about the Company’s common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options under the 2014 Plan as of September 30, 2022. The 2014 Plan permits the grant of equity awards and other awards, including stock options and restricted stock.

 

                   

Number of securities

 
                   

remaining available for

 
                   

future issuance under

 
   

Number of securities to

   

Weighted-average

   

equity compensation

 
   

be issued upon exercise

   

exercise price of

   

plans (excluding

 
   

of outstanding options,

   

outstanding options,

   

securities reflected in

 
   

warrants and rights

   

warrants and rights

   

column (a))

 

Plan Category

 

(a)

   

(b)

   

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    36,830     $ 20.24       283,776  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

                 

Total

    36,830     $ 20.24       283,776  

 

The remaining information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Management Compensation — Related Party Transactions” and “Information with Respect to Nominees for Director, Continuing Directors and Executive Officers” in the Proxy Statement.

 

Item 14: Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Proposal– Audit Fees” in the Proxy Statement.

 

 

PART IV.

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

 

(a)(1)

The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from Item 8 hereof:

 

Report of Wolf & Co. P.C., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 392)

 

Report of Baker Tilly US, LLP, Independent Registered Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 23)

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

(2)

All schedules are omitted because they are not required or applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

 

(3)

Exhibits

 

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K and this list includes the Exhibit Index.

 

No.

 

Description

 

Location

2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 13, 2022, by and among First Bank, Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and Malvern Bank, National Association.   (0)

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

(1)

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

(2)

4.0

 

Form of Stock Certificate of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.

 

(3)

4.1

 

Indenture, dated February 7, 2017, by and between Malvern Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee

 

(4)

4.2

 

Forms of 6.125% Subordinated Note due 2027 (included as Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 to the Indenture referenced above)

 

(5)

4.3

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities

 

Filed herewith

10.1

 

Malvern Bancorp 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan*

 

(6)

10.2

 

Change of Control Agreement, dated May 23, 2016, with Joseph D. Gangemi*

 

(7)

10.3

 

Change of Control Agreement, dated May 23, 2016, with William Woolworth*

 

(8)

10.4

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated May 25, 2017, among Malvern Bancorp, Inc., Malvern Bank and Anthony C. Weagley*

 

(9)

10.5

 

Amendment to Change in Control Agreement, dated May 25, 2017, between Joseph Gangemi and Malvern Bank, including his Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and Cooperation Agreement*

 

(10)

10.6

 

Employment Agreement, dated May 25, 2017, among Malvern Bancorp, Inc., Malvern Bank and William J. Boylan, including his Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and Cooperation Agreement*

 

(11)

10.7

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 11, 2018, among Malvern Bancorp, Inc., Malvern Bank and Anthony C. Weagley

 

(12)

10.8   Form of Voting Agreement, dated December 13, 2022, by and between First Bank and certain stockholders of Malvern Bancorp, Inc.   (13)

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Filed herewith

23.1

 

Consent of Wolf & Company

 

Filed herewith

23.2   Consent of Baker Tilly   Filed herewith

31.1

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

 

Filed herewith

31.2

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith

32.0

 

Section 1350 Certification

 

Filed herewith

101.INS

 

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

 

Filed herewith

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.**

 

Filed herewith

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.**

 

Filed herewith

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.**

 

Filed herewith

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.**

 

Filed herewith

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document.**

 

Filed herewith

104

 

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

 

Filed herewith

 


*

Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

**

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at September 30, 2022 and 2021, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as detailed footnote tagging.

 

(0)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. filed with the SEC on December 14, 2022.

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. filed with the SEC on February 17, 2017.

 

(2)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. filed with the SEC on February 17, 2017.

 

(3)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.0 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Registration Statement Form S-1, filed May 31, 2012 (SEC File No. 333-181798).

 

(4)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 8, 2017.

 

(5)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 8, 2017

 

(6)

Incorporated by reference from Appendix A of the definitive proxy statement filed by Malvern Bancorp, Inc. with the SEC on January 2, 2015.

 

(7)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 27, 2016.

 

(8)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 27, 2016.

 

(9)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 1, 2017.

 

(10)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 1, 2017.

 

 

(11)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 1, 2017.

 

(12)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.8 to Malvern Bancorp, Inc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 14, 2018.

 

(13)

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to the current Report on Form 8-K of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. filed with SEC on December 14, 2022.

 

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.

 

None

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

 

 

MALVERN BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

 

December 27, 2022

 

By:

/s/ Anthony C. Weagley

 

 

 

Anthony C. Weagley

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities described below on December 27, 2022.

 

/s/ Anthony C. Weagley

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Anthony C. Weagley

 

(principal executive officer)

 

 

 

/s/ Howard Kent

 

Chairman of the Board

Howard Kent

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Cynthia Felzer Leitzell

 

Director

Cynthia Felzer Leitzell

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Norman Feinstein

 

Director

Norman Feinstein

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Andrew Fish

 

Director

Andrew Fish

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Stephen P. Scartozzi

 

Director

Stephen P. Scartozzi

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Julia Corelli

 

Director

Julia Corelli

   
     

/s/ Joseph D. Gangemi

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Joseph D. Gangemi

 

(principal financial and accounting officer)

 

 

-126-