Pioneer Bancorp, Inc./MD - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

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

For the transition period from _______ to _______

PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Company as Specified in its Charter)

Maryland	001-38991	83-4274253
(State of Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File No.)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

652 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, New York 12211

(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

(518) 730-3025

(Issuer’s Telephone Number including area code)

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

Title of each class

Trading
Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01

PBFS

The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such 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 (Section 232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

YES ☒ NO ☐

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


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☒

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

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

As of May 12, 2023, there were 25,977,679 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock.

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PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

INDEX


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
Item 1 – Consolidated Financial Statements-unaudited	3
Consolidated Statements of Condition	3
Consolidated Statements of Operations	4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	7
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	41
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	61
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures	61
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION	62
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings	62
Item 1A – Risk Factors	62
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	63
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities	63
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures	63
Item 5 – Other Information	63
Item 6 – Exhibits	64

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – Consolidated Financial Statements

PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	March 31,		June 30,
	2023		2022
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	27,258	$	29,831
Federal funds sold		3,275		3,466
Interest-earning deposits with banks		114,525		342,763
Cash and cash equivalents		145,058		376,060

Securities available for sale, at fair value		504,167		481,790
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $22,276 at March 31, 2023; and $22,467 at June 30, 2022)		23,972		23,952
Equity securities, at fair value		2,209		2,039
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock		1,139		1,091
Net loans receivable		1,086,220		982,566
Accrued interest receivable		8,152		4,623
Premises and equipment, net		42,175		38,018
Bank-owned life insurance		16,386		17,165
Goodwill		8,799		8,799
Other intangible assets, net		2,193		2,494
Other assets		23,828		25,632
Total assets	$	1,864,298	$	1,964,229

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	571,536	$	593,461
Interest bearing deposits		993,029		1,086,822
Total deposits		1,564,565		1,680,283
Mortgagors’ escrow deposits		4,459		5,586
Other liabilities		35,409		35,733
Total liabilities		1,604,433		1,721,602

Commitments and contingent liabilities - See Note 10

Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022)		—		—
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 25,977,679 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022)		260		260
Additional paid in capital		113,603		113,713
Retained earnings		168,531		151,090
Unallocated common stock of Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")		(10,745)		(11,256)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(11,784)		(11,180)
Total shareholders' equity		259,865		242,627
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,864,298	$	1,964,229

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Interest and dividend income:
Loans	$	14,658	$	9,312	$	39,676	$	29,440
Securities		2,624		747		7,081		1,783
Interest-earning deposits with banks and other		1,497		186		5,192		491
Total interest and dividend income		18,779		10,245		51,949		31,714

Interest expense:
Deposits		1,049		326		2,087		1,027
Borrowings and other		214		13		538		53
Total interest expense		1,263		339		2,625		1,080
Net interest income		17,516		9,906		49,324		30,634
Provision for loan losses		—		—		(280)		250
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		17,516		9,906		49,604		30,384

Noninterest income:
Bank fees and service charges		1,398		1,516		4,437		4,776
Insurance and wealth management services		1,715		1,798		5,636		5,360
Net (loss) gain on equity securities		(59)		26		170		144
Net gain on securities transactions		—		—		—		4
Net gain on sale of loans		—		—		—		3
Net gain on disposal of assets		—		213		—		275
Other		196		60		758		200
Total noninterest income		3,250		3,613		11,001		10,762

Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		7,068		6,531		20,881		18,994
Net occupancy and equipment		1,912		1,736		5,464		5,173
Data processing		1,143		978		3,256		3,057
Advertising and marketing		176		149		611		386
Insurance premiums		225		204		682		606
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance premiums		244		170		568		587
Professional fees		1,202		850		3,073		2,395
Litigation-related expense		—		1,200		—		1,200
Employee retention credit		—		—		—		(5,029)
Other		1,128		1,245		3,936		3,489
Total noninterest expense		13,098		13,063		38,471		30,858
Income before income taxes		7,668		456		22,134		10,288
Income tax expense		1,644		154		4,693		2,372
Net income	$	6,024	$	302	$	17,441	$	7,916

Net earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.24	$	0.01	$	0.69	$	0.31
Diluted	$	0.24	$	0.01	$	0.69	$	0.31

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted		25,169,382		25,118,467		25,163,018		25,112,102

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (unaudited)

(in thousands)


	For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

Net income	$	6,024	$	302	$	17,441	$	7,916

Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period		5,377		(9,974)		(819)		(12,323)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		—		—		(4)
		5,377		(9,974)		(819)		(12,327)
Tax expense (benefit)		1,406		(2,607)		(215)		(3,222)
		3,971		(7,367)		(604)		(9,105)
Defined benefit plan:
Change in funded status of defined benefit plans		—		—		—		—
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net actuarial loss		—		—		—		—
		—		—		—		—
Tax expense		—		—		—		—
		—		—		—		—
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		3,971		(7,367)		(604)		(9,105)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	9,995	$	(7,065)	$	16,837	$	(1,189)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)

(in thousands, except share amounts)



					Additional				Unallocated		Accumulated Other		Total
	Common Stock				Paid-in		Retained		Common		Comprehensive		Shareholders'
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Stock of ESOP		Loss		Equity

Balance as of July 1, 2021		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,815	$	140,811	$	(11,939)	$	(5,125)	$	237,822

Net income		—		—		—		1,357		—		—		1,357
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—		(187)		(187)
ESOP shares committed to be released (12,729 shares)		—		—		(17)		—		171		—		154
Balance as of September 30, 2021		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,798	$	142,168	$	(11,768)	$	(5,312)	$	239,146

Net income		—		—		—		6,257		—		—		6,257
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—		(1,551)		(1,551)
ESOP shares committed to be released (12,729 shares)		—		—		(13)		—		171		—		158
Balance as of December 31, 2021		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,785	$	148,425	$	(11,597)	$	(6,863)	$	244,010

Net income		—		—		—		302		—		—		302
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—		(7,367)		(7,367)
ESOP shares committed to be released (12,729 shares)		—		—		(30)		—		170		—		140

Balance as of March 31, 2022		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,755	$	148,727	$	(11,427)	$	(14,230)	$	237,085


					Additional				Unallocated		Accumulated Other		Total
	Common Stock				Paid-in		Retained		Common		Comprehensive		Shareholders'
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Stock of ESOP		Loss		Equity

Balance as of July 1, 2022		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,713	$	151,090	$	(11,256)	$	(11,180)	$	242,627

Net income		—		—		—		5,234		—		—		5,234
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—		(6,274)		(6,274)
ESOP shares committed to be released (12,729 shares)		—		—		(48)		—		170		—		122
Balance as of September 30, 2022		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,665	$	156,324	$	(11,086)	$	(17,454)	$	241,709

Net income		—		—		—		6,183		—		—		6,183
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—		—		—		1,699		1,699
ESOP shares committed to be released (12,729 shares)		—		—		(32)		—		171		—		139

Balance as of December 31, 2022		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,633	$	162,507	$	(10,915)	$	(15,755)	$	249,730

Net income		—		—		—		6,024		—		—		6,024
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—		—		—		3,971		3,971
ESOP shares committed to be released (12,729 shares)		—		—		(30)		—		170		—		140
Balance as of March 31, 2023		25,977,679	$	260	$	113,603	$	168,531	$	(10,745)	$	(11,784)	$	259,865

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in thousands)


	For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	17,441	$	7,916
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,044		2,047
Provision for loan losses		(280)		250
Net amortization on securities		288		1,185
ESOP compensation		401		452
(Earnings) loss on bank-owned life insurance		(364)		18
Net gain on the sale or disposal of premises and equipment and other real estate owned		—		(275)
Proceeds from sale of loans		100		108
Net gain on sale of loans		—		(3)
Net gain on equity securities		(170)		(144)
Net gain on securities transactions		—		(4)
Deferred tax expense		576		555
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(3,529)		(345)
Decrease in other assets		1,541		17,211
Decrease in other liabilities		(5,418)		(410)
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,630		28,561

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities, paydowns and calls of securities available for sale		104,417		58,976
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale		—		5,267
Purchases of securities available for sale		(127,901)		(230,892)
Proceeds from maturities and paydowns of securities held to maturity		6,255		2,982
Purchases of securities held to maturity		(6,275)		(17,113)
Proceeds from sales of equity securities		—		803
Net (purchases) redemptions of FHLBNY stock		(48)		63
Net (increase) decrease in loans receivable		(103,474)		114,102
Purchases of premises and equipment		(170)		(648)
Proceeds from bank-owned life insurance death benefit		1,143		—
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment, and other real estate owned		—		1,190
Cash paid for acquisitions		—		(1,657)
Net cash used in investing activities		(126,053)		(66,927)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (decrease) increase in deposits		(115,718)		180,518
Net decrease in mortgagors’ escrow deposits		(1,127)		(2,349)
Payments on acquisition contingent consideration		(734)		—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(117,579)		178,169

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(231,002)		139,803
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		376,060		324,963
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	145,058	$	464,766

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	2,615	$	1,082
Income taxes	$	2,050	$	1,000
Non-cash investing and financing activity:
Loans transferred to other real estate owned	$	—	$	550
Acquisition contingent consideration payable	$	—	$	858
Adoption of lease accounting standard:
Right of use assets	$	6,535	$	—
Lease liabilities	$	6,883	$	—

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

1.NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a mid-tier stock holding company whose wholly owned subsidiary is Pioneer Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is a New York State chartered savings bank whose wholly owned subsidiaries are Pioneer Commercial Bank, Anchor Agency, Inc. and Pioneer Financial Services, Inc. On July 17, 2019, the Company became the holding company of the Bank when it closed its stock offering in connection with the completion of the reorganization of the Bank into the two-tier mutual holding company form of organization.

The Company provides diversified financial services through the Bank and its subsidiaries, with 22 offices in the Capital Region of New York State. The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers a broad array of deposit, lending, and other financial services to individuals, businesses, and municipalities.

The interim financial data as of March 31, 2023 and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, is unaudited and reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented in conformance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for the remainder of fiscal 2023 or any other period.

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended June 30, 2022.

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank, and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ substantially from those estimates. The allowance for loan losses, valuation of securities and other financial instruments, the funded status and expense of employee benefit plans, legal proceedings and other contingent liabilities, and the realizability of deferred tax assets are particularly subject to change.

Reclassifications

Amounts in the prior period’s consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to the current period’s presentation.

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Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02 to its guidance on “Leases (Topic 842)”. This ASU requires substantially all leases to be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, including leases historically accounted for as operating leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 which allows for an optional transition method to adopt the lease standard by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance sheet of retained earnings in the period of adoption, with no adjustment to prior comparative periods. ASU 2016-02 and all subsequent amendments (collectively, “ASC 842”) requires adoption by the Company for years beginning after December 15, 2021, though early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASC 842 during the first quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and elected to apply the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance sheet and optional transition method to not present comparable prior year periods as allowed under ASU 2018-11. The Company made the following practical expedient elections: (1) elected the short-term lease exception, (2) did not elect hindsight, and (3) elected to not separate nonlease components from lease components for classes of underlying assets. The Company adopted the transitional practical expedients which did not require reassessment of whether existing arrangements contained a lease, reassessment of the historical lease classification, or reassessment of initial direct costs. The adoption of ASC 842 as of July 1, 2022 resulted in the recording of approximately $5.8 million of right-of-use (“ROU”) operating lease assets and approximately $6.1 million of operating lease liabilities, and approximately $706,000 of ROU finance lease assets and approximately $810,000 of finance lease liabilities. There were no adjustments to retained earnings.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes Topic 740. This update simplifies and improves accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the general rules and clarifying or amending other current guidance. The scope of FASB ASC Subtopic 740-10, Income Taxes -Overall, has been amended to require that, if a franchise (or similar tax) is partially based on income, (1) deferred tax assets and liabilities should be recognized and accounted for pursuant to FASB ASC 740, as should the amount of current tax expense that is based on income, and (2) any incremental amount incurred should be recorded as a non-income-based tax. Note that under the amended guidance, the effect of potentially paying a non-income-based tax in future years need not be considered in evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 to its guidance on “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. ASU 2016-13 requires credit losses on most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments to be measured using an expected credit loss model (referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model). Under this model, entities will estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument (considering estimated prepayments, but not expected extensions or modifications unless reasonable expectation of a troubled debt restructuring exists) from the date of initial recognition of that instrument. The ASU also replaces the current accounting model for purchased credit impaired loans and debt securities. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination (“PCD assets”), should be determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis. However, upon initial recognition, the allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price (“gross up approach”) to determine the initial amortized cost basis. The subsequent accounting for PCD financial assets is the same expected loss model described above. Further, the ASU made certain targeted amendments to the existing impairment model for available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities. For an AFS debt security for which there is neither the intent nor a more-likely-than-not requirement to sell, an entity will record credit losses as an allowance rather than a write-down of the amortized cost basis. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. An entity will apply the amendments in this ASU through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which aligns the implementation date for nonpublic entities’ annual financial statements with the implementation date for their interim financial statements and clarifies the scope of the guidance in the amendments in ASU 2016-13. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. ASU 2019-04 clarifies or addresses stakeholders’ specific issues about certain aspects of the amendments in ASU 2016-13 related to

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measuring the allowance for loan losses under the new guidance. The effective dates and transition requirements for the amendments related to this ASU are the same as the effective dates and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses clarifying certain amendments to various provisions of ASU 2016-13 relating to (1) purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, (2) financial assets secured by collateral maintenance agreements, (3) transition relief for troubled debt restructurings, and (4) disclosure relief when the practical expedient for accrued interest receivables is applied. The initial adjustment will not be reported in earnings and therefore will not have any material impact on our consolidated statements of operations, but it is expected to have an impact on our consolidated statements of condition at the date of adoption of this ASU. At this time, we have not calculated the estimated impact that this ASU will have on our allowance for loan losses, however, we anticipate it will have a significant impact on the methodology process we utilize to calculate the allowance. Alternative methodologies are currently being considered. Data requirements and integrity are being reviewed and enhancements incorporated into standard processes. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, amendments related to Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) for all entities after they adopt 2016-13 and amendments related to vintage disclosures that affect public business entities with investments in financing receivables, under Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors eliminates the recognition and measurement guidance for TDRs in Subtopic 310-40. The effective dates for the amendments in this Update are the same as the effective dates in ASU 2016-13. The amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively, except for the transition method related to the recognition and measurement of TDRs, an entity has the option to apply a modified retrospective transition method, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments in this update provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments (1) apply to contract modifications that replace a reference rate affected by reference rate reform, (2) provide exceptions to existing guidance related to changes to the critical terms of a hedging relationship due to reference rate reform (3) provide optional expedients for fair value hedging relationships, cash flow hedging relationships, and net investment hedging relationships, and (4) provide a one-time election to sell, transfer, or both sell and transfer debt securities classified as held to maturity that reference a rate affected by reference rate reform and that are classified as held to maturity before January 1, 2020. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The amendments for contract modifications can be elected to be applied as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020. The amendments for existing hedging relationships can be elected to be applied as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020 and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020. On December 21, 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extends the sunset (or expiration) date of ASC Topic 848, Reference Rate Reform, from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

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3.ACQUISITIONS

On December 10, 2021 and December 22, 2021, the Company, through its subsidiary, Pioneer Financial Services, Inc., completed the acquisition of certain assets of two practices engaged in the wealth management services business in the Capital Region of New York. The Company paid an aggregate of $1.5 million in cash and recorded $728,000 in contingent consideration payable to acquire the assets and recorded an $890,000 customer list intangible asset and goodwill in the amount of $1.3 million in conjunction with the acquisitions. During the nine months ended March 31, 2023, contingent consideration of $604,000 was paid. The effects of the acquired assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the respective acquisition dates. The above referenced acquisitions were made to expand the Company’s wealth management services activities.

On March 16, 2022, the Company, through its subsidiary, Pioneer Financial Services, Inc., completed the acquisition of certain assets of a practice engaged in the wealth management services business in the Capital Region of New York. The Company paid $165,000 in cash and recorded $130,000 in contingent consideration payable to acquire the assets and recorded a $118,000 customer list intangible asset and goodwill in the amount of $177,000 in conjunction with the acquisition. During the nine months ended March 31, 2023, contingent consideration of $130,000 was paid. The effects of the acquired assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The above referenced acquisition was made to expand the Company’s wealth management services activities.

4.EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) provided numerous tax provisions and other stimulus measures, including an employee retention credit (“ERC”), which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 extended and expanded the availability of the ERC. As expanded, the ERC is equal to 70% of qualified wages paid to employees (including employer qualified health plan expenses) and is capped at $10,000 of qualified wages for each employee, such that the maximum ERC that can be claimed is $7,000 per employee per applicable calendar quarter in 2021. As a result of the Company averaging fewer than 500 full-time employees, all wages paid to employees were eligible for the ERC.

The Company evaluated its eligibility for the ERC in the second fiscal quarter of 2022. The Company determined it qualified for the ERC for the first quarter of calendar 2021, using the alternative quarter election, because the Company’s gross receipts decreased more than 20% for the fourth quarter of 2020 from the respective quarter in 2019, and for the second and third quarters of calendar 2021 because the Company’s gross receipts decreased more than 20% for each quarter in 2021 from each of the respective quarters of 2019, the relevant criteria for the ERC. The Company has amended certain payroll tax filings to apply for a refund for each of the first three quarters of calendar 2021.

Since there is not any GAAP guidance for for-profit business entities that addresses the recognition and measurement of government assistance that is not in the form of a loan, an income tax credit or revenue from a contract with a customer, the Company accounted for the employee retention credit by analogy to FASB ASC Subtopic 958-605, Not-for-Profit Entities: Revenue Recognition (“ASC 958-605”). Under ASC 958-605, government grants are recognized when the conditions or conditions on which they depend are substantially met. The conditions for recognition of the ERC include meeting the rules as an eligible employer (meeting the rules for a decline in gross receipts) and incurring qualifying expenses (payroll costs).

During the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded an ERC benefit of $5.0 million in noninterest expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company has recorded an ERC grant receivable of $5.0 million in other assets in the consolidated statements of condition at March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022. The Company received the $5.0 million ERC refund along with interest totaling $171,000 in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023.

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5.INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	416,230	$	553	$	(16,186)	$	400,597
Municipal obligations		103,201		30		(171)		103,060
Other debt securities		273		304		(67)		510
Total available for sale securities	$	519,704	$	887	$	(16,424)	$	504,167

Securities held to maturity:
Corporate debt securities	$	20,000	$	—	$	(1,568)	$	18,432
Municipal obligations		3,972		—		(128)		3,844
Total held to maturity securities	$	23,972	$	—	$	(1,696)	$	22,276

Equity securities:
Common stock	$	1,040	$	1,169	$	—	$	2,209
Total equity securities	$	1,040	$	1,169	$	—	$	2,209


	June 30, 2022
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	380,708	$	143	$	(15,005)	$	365,846
Municipal obligations		115,480		55		(182)		115,353
Other debt securities		320		326		(55)		591
Total available for sale securities	$	496,508	$	524	$	(15,242)	$	481,790

Securities held to maturity:
Corporate debt securities	$	20,000	$	—	$	(1,349)	$	18,651
Municipal obligations		3,952		—		(136)		3,816
Total held to maturity securities	$	23,952	$	—	$	(1,485)	$	22,467

Equity securities:
Common stock	$	1,040	$	999	$	—	$	2,039
Total equity securities	$	1,040	$	999	$	—	$	2,039

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The estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses aggregated by security category and length of time such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, is summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
	Estimated		Unrealized		Estimated		Unrealized		Estimated		Unrealized
	Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	104,671	$	(1,506)	$	257,479	$	(14,680)	$	362,150	$	(16,186)
Municipal obligations		80,405		(171)		—		—		80,405		(171)
Other debt securities		27		(1)		93		(66)		120		(67)
	$	185,103	$	(1,678)	$	257,572	$	(14,746)	$	442,675	$	(16,424)

Securities held to maturity:
Corporate debt securities	$	18,432	$	(1,568)	$	—	$	—	$	18,432	$	(1,568)
Municipal obligations		3,844		(128)		—		—		3,844		(128)
	$	22,276	$	(1,696)	$	—	$	—	$	22,276	$	(1,696)


	June 30, 2022
	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
	Estimated		Unrealized		Estimated		Unrealized		Estimated		Unrealized
	Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	76,252	$	(3,771)	$	265,828	$	(11,234)	$	342,080	$	(15,005)
Municipal obligations		81,522		(182)		—		—		81,522		(182)
Other debt securities		53		(3)		137		(52)		190		(55)
	$	157,827	$	(3,956)	$	265,965	$	(11,286)	$	423,792	$	(15,242)

Securities held to maturity:
Corporate debt securities	$	18,651	$	(1,349)	$	—	$	—	$	18,651	$	(1,349)
Municipal obligations		3,816		(136)		—		—		3,816		(136)
	$	22,467	$	(1,485)	$	—	$	—	$	22,467	$	(1,485)

At March 31, 2023, there were 172 securities with unrealized losses. Unrealized losses on debt securities are primarily related to increases in credit spreads since the securities were purchased. Unrealized losses on other debt securities are not considered other-than-temporary based upon analysis completed by management considering credit rating of the instrument, length of time each security has spent in an unrealized loss position and the strength of the underlying collateral.

At March 31, 2023 management reviewed all other debt securities which were rated less than investment grade for impairment, resulting in no additional impairment charges during the three or nine months ended March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2023, 54 securities with an amortized cost of $225,000 and remaining par value of $1.5 million were evaluated.

The table below presents a rollforward of the credit losses recognized in earnings (dollars in thousands):


Balance, July 1, 2022	$	1,180
Reductions for amounts realized for securities transactions		—
Balance, March 31, 2023	$	1,180

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The fair value of debt securities and carrying amount, if different, by contractual maturity were as follows (dollars in thousands). Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.


	March 31, 2023
	Amortized		Estimated
	Cost		Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
Due in one year or less	$	183,597	$	181,863
Due after one to five years		335,834		321,794
Other debt securities		273		510
	$	519,704	$	504,167

Securities held to maturity:
Due in one year or less	$	1,861	$	1,733
Due after one to five years		2,111		2,111
Due after five to ten years		20,000		18,432
	$	23,972	$	22,276

There were no sales of securities available for sale for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023. There were no sales of securities available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the Company received $5.3 million in proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale, realizing gross gains of $4,000.

There were no sales of securities held to maturity for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

There were no sales of equity securities for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023. There were no sales of equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the Company received $803,000 in proceeds from the sale of equity securities.

The portion of unrealized gains and losses for the period that relates to equity securities still held at the reporting date are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				For the Nine Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Net (loss) gain recognized during the period on equity securities	$	(59)	$	26	$	170	$	144
Less: Net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period		—		—		—		17
Unrealized (losses) gains recognized during reporting period on equity securities still held at reporting date	$	(59)	$	26	$	170	$	127

At March 31, 2023, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of the Company’s equity. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the carrying value of available for sale securities pledged to secure Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”) advances and municipal deposits was $500.4 million and $470.6 million, respectively.

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6.NET LOANS RECEIVABLE

A summary of net loans receivable is as follows (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023		June 30, 2022
Commercial:
Real estate	$	431,626	$	453,549
Commercial and industrial (1)		83,640		103,197
Construction		86,325		71,101
Total commercial		601,591		627,847
Residential mortgages		396,004		270,268
Home equity loans and lines		85,406		81,238
Consumer		19,676		22,294
		1,102,677		1,001,647
Net deferred loan costs		5,757		3,443
Allowance for loan losses		(22,214)		(22,524)
Net loans receivable	$	1,086,220	$	982,566

(1)	Commercial and industrial loans included Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans of $170,000 and $1.8 million as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment (dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
			Residential
	Commercial		Mortgages			Home Equity	Consumer		Total
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	15,703	$	4,533	$	1,473	$	483	$	22,192
Provisions charged to operations		(866)		901		21		(56)		—
Loans charged off		—		(3)		—		(29)		(32)
Recoveries on loans charged off		18		25		—		11		54
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	14,855	$	5,456	$	1,494	$	409	$	22,214


	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
			Residential
	Commercial		Mortgages		Home Equity		Consumer		Total
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	17,650	$	3,223	$	1,347	$	418	$	22,638
Provisions charged to operations		(64)		(5)		—		69		—
Loans charged off		(10)		(49)		—		(53)		(112)
Recoveries on loans charged off		1		37		—		11		49
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	17,577	$	3,206	$	1,347	$	445	$	22,575


	For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023
			Residential
	Commercial		Mortgages		Home Equity		Consumer		Total
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	17,818	$	2,899	$	1,388	$	419	$	22,524
Provisions charged to operations		(2,992)		2,517		92		103		(280)
Loans charged off		(42)		(26)		—		(130)		(198)
Recoveries on loans charged off		71		66		14		17		168
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	14,855	$	5,456	$	1,494	$	409	$	22,214

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	For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022
			Residential
	Commercial		Mortgages		Home Equity		Consumer		Total
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	18,300	$	3,224	$	1,295	$	440	$	23,259
Provisions charged to operations		(238)		299		92		97		250
Loans charged off		(529)		(354)		(40)		(107)		(1,030)
Recoveries on loans charged off		44		37		—		15		96
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	17,577	$	3,206	$	1,347	$	445	$	22,575

The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
			Residential
	Commercial		Mortgages		Home Equity		Consumer		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Related to loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	152	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	152
Related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment		14,703		5,456		1,494		409		22,062
Ending balance	$	14,855	$	5,456	$	1,494	$	409	$	22,214

Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,168	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3,168
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		598,423		396,004		85,406		19,676		1,099,509
Ending balance	$	601,591	$	396,004	$	85,406	$	19,676	$	1,102,677


	June 30, 2022
			Residential
	Commercial		Mortgages			Home Equity	Consumer		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Related to loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	200	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	200
Related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment		17,618		2,899		1,388		419		22,324
Ending balance	$	17,818	$	2,899	$	1,388	$	419	$	22,524

Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,855	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3,855
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		623,992		270,268		81,238		22,294		997,792
Ending balance	$	627,847	$	270,268	$	81,238	$	22,294	$	1,001,647

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The following tables present information related to impaired loans by class as of (dollars in thousands):


							For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31, 2023						March 31, 2023
	Unpaid				Allowance for		Average		Interest
	Principal		Recorded		Loan Losses		Recorded		Income
	Balance		Investment		Allocated		Investment		Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial:
Real estate	$	2,503	$	2,477	$	—	$	2,595	$	100
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal		2,503		2,477		—		2,595		100
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial:
Real estate		691		691		152		704		26
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal		691		691		152		704		26
Total	$	3,194	$	3,168	$	152	$	3,299	$	126


							For the Year Ended
	June 30, 2022						June 30, 2022
	Unpaid				Allowance for		Average		Interest
	Principal		Recorded		Loan Losses		Recorded		Income
	Balance		Investment		Allocated		Investment		Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial:
Real estate	$	3,106	$	3,096	$	—	$	3,121	$	104
Commercial and industrial		—		—		—		—		—
Construction		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal		3,106		3,096		—		3,121		104
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial:
Real estate		721		721		182		738		37
Commercial and industrial		39		38		18		39		—
Construction		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal		760		759		200		777		37
Total	$	3,866	$	3,855	$	200	$	3,898	$	141

Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized using the cost recovery method. Interest income on impaired loans that were on nonaccrual status and cash-basis interest income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, and the year ended June 30, 2022 was nominal.

The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable and deferred loan fees, net due to immateriality.

At various times, certain loan modifications are executed which are considered to be troubled debt restructurings. Substantially all of these modifications include one or a combination of the following: extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; temporary reduction in the interest rate; change in scheduled payment amount including interest only; or extensions of additional credit for payment of delinquent real estate taxes or other costs.

There were no loans modified as troubled debt restructurings during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. There were no loans that had been modified as a troubled debt restructuring during the twelve months prior to March 31, 2023 which have subsequently defaulted during the three or nine months ended March

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31, 2023. There were no loans that had been modified as a troubled debt restructuring during the twelve months prior to March 31, 2022 which subsequently defaulted during the three or nine months ended March 31, 2022.

Loans subject to a troubled debt restructuring are evaluated as impaired loans for the purpose of determining the specific component of the allowance for loan losses.

The following table presents the recorded investment in nonaccrual and loans past due over 90 days still on accrual by class of loans (dollars in thousands):


	March 31,				June 30,
	2023				2022
			Past Due				Past Due
			90 Days				90 Days
			Still on				Still on
	Nonaccrual		Accrual		Nonaccrual		Accrual
Commercial:
Real estate	$	304	$	350	$	756	$	200
Commercial and industrial		—		953		38		378
Construction		—		2,731		—		—
Residential mortgages		4,150		—		3,975		—
Home equity loans and lines		1,587		—		1,672		—
Consumer		—		—		—		1
	$	6,041	$	4,034	$	6,441	$	579

Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually evaluated impaired loans.

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in loans by class of loans as of (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
	30 - 59		60 - 89		90 or more
	Days		Days		Days		Total		Loans Not
	Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Total
Commercial:
Real estate	$	4,449	$	3,510	$	534	$	8,493	$	423,133	$	431,626
Commercial and industrial		412		450		953		1,815		81,825		83,640
Construction		3,419		—		2,731		6,150		80,175		86,325
Residential mortgages		762		421		1,516		2,699		393,305		396,004
Home equity loans and lines		1,076		494		362		1,932		83,474		85,406
Consumer		286		2		—		288		19,388		19,676
Total	$	10,404	$	4,877	$	6,096	$	21,377	$	1,081,300	$	1,102,677

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	June 30, 2022
	30 - 59		60 - 89		90 or more
	Days		Days		Days		Total		Loans Not
	Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Total
Commercial:
Real estate	$	5	$	273	$	818	$	1,096	$	452,453	$	453,549
Commercial and industrial		—		97		402		499		102,698		103,197
Construction		—		—		—		—		71,101		71,101
Residential mortgages		398		563		1,046		2,007		268,261		270,268
Home equity loans and lines		477		412		633		1,522		79,716		81,238
Consumer		9		132		1		142		22,152		22,294
Total	$	889	$	1,477	$	2,900	$	5,266	$	996,381	$	1,001,647

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

Special Mention – Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.

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

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

Commercial loans not meeting the criteria above are considered to be pass rated loans.

The following tables present commercial loans summarized by class of loans and the risk category (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
			Special
	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial
Real estate	$	373,159	$	5,869	$	52,478	$	120	$	431,626
Commercial and industrial		74,697		1,963		6,980		—		83,640
Construction		85,048		—		1,277		—		86,325
	$	532,904	$	7,832	$	60,735	$	120	$	601,591


	June 30, 2022
			Special
	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial
Real estate	$	403,419	$	5,767	$	44,363	$	—	$	453,549
Commercial and industrial		96,511		3,540		3,108		38		103,197
Construction		71,101		—		—		—		71,101
	$	571,031	$	9,307	$	47,471	$	38	$	627,847

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

As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company had pledged $461.8 million and $377.1 million respectively, of residential mortgage, home equity and commercial loans as collateral for FHLBNY borrowings and stand-by letters of credit.

7.DERIVATIVES

In the normal course of servicing our commercial customers, the Company acts as an interest rate swap counterparty for certain commercial borrowers. The Company manages its exposure to such interest rate swaps by entering into corresponding and offsetting interest rate swaps with third parties that match the terms of the interest rate swap with the commercial borrowers. These positions directly offset each other and the Company’s exposure is the fair value of the derivatives due to potential changes in credit risk of our commercial borrowers and third parties.

The notional amount of the interest rate swaps does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate swap agreements. At March 31, 2023, the Company held derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, comprised of back-to-back interest rate swaps, with a total notional amount of $460.0 million, consisting of $230.0 million of interest rate swaps with commercial borrowers and $230.0 million of offsetting interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties on substantially the same terms. At June 30, 2022, the Company held derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, comprised of back-to-back interest rate swaps, with a total notional amount of $664.4 million, consisting of $332.2 million of interest rate swaps with commercial borrowers and $332.2 million of offsetting interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties on substantially the same terms.

The fair value of derivatives are classified as other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition. The estimated fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
	Derivative		Derivative
	Assets		Liabilities
Gross interest rate swaps	$	14,778	$	14,778
Less: master netting arrangements		(60)		(60)
Less: cash collateral applied		(14,530)		(16)
Net amount	$	188	$	14,702


	June 30, 2022
	Derivative		Derivative
	Assets		Liabilities
Gross interest rate swaps	$	14,194	$	14,194
Less: master netting arrangements		(1,375)		(1,375)
Less: cash collateral applied		(12,602)		(6)
Net amount	$	217	$	12,813

Under terms of the agreements with the third-party counterparties, the Company provides cash collateral to the counterparty for the initial trade. Subsequent to the trade, the margin is exchanged in either direction, based upon the estimated fair value of the underlying contracts. At March 31, 2023, the Company had received $14.5 million and deposited $16,000 as collateral for swap agreements with third-party counterparties. At June 30, 2022, the Company had received $12.6 million and deposited $6,000 as collateral for swap agreements with third-party counterparties.

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8.OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (dollars in thousands):


Details About Accumulated Other	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated								Affected Line Item in the Statement
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Other Comprehensive Loss								Where Net Income is Presented
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Unrealized gains/losses on securities (before tax):
Net gains included in net income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4	Net gain on securities transactions
Tax expense		—		—		—		(1)	Income tax expense
Net of tax		—		—		—		3

Amortization of defined benefit plan items (before tax):
Net actuarial loss		—		—		—		—	Salaries and employee benefits
Tax benefit		—		—		—		—	Income tax expense
Net of tax		—		—		—		—
Total reclassification for the period, net of tax	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3

The balances and changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
					Accumulated
	Unrealized				Other
	Gains/Losses		Defined		Comprehensive
	on Securities		Benefit Plans		Loss
2023:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of January 1, 2023	$	(15,447)	$	(308)	$	(15,755)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		3,971		—		3,971
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2023	$	(11,476)	$	(308)	$	(11,784)

2022:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of January 1, 2022	$	(1,574)	$	(5,289)	$	(6,863)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(7,367)		—		(7,367)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2022	$	(8,941)	$	(5,289)	$	(14,230)


	For the Nine Months Ended March 31,
					Accumulated
	Unrealized				Other
	Gains/Losses		Defined		Comprehensive
	on Securities		Benefit Plans		Loss
2023:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of July l, 2022	$	(10,872)	$	(308)	$	(11,180)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(604)		—		(604)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2023	$	(11,476)	$	(308)	$	(11,784)

2022:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of July l, 2021	$	164	$	(5,289)	$	(5,125)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(9,102)		—		(9,102)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3)		—		(3)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2022	$	(8,941)	$	(5,289)	$	(14,230)

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The amounts of income tax expense (benefit) allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holdings gains (losses) arising during the period	$	1,406	$	(2,607)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		—
		1,406		(2,607)
Defined benefit plans:
Change in funded status		—		—
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net actuarial loss		—		—
		—		—
	$	1,406	$	(2,607)


	For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Unrealized losses on securities:
Unrealized holdings losses arising during the period	$	(215)	$	(3,221)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		(1)
		(215)		(3,222)
Defined benefit plans:
Change in funded status		—		—
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net actuarial loss		—		—
		—		—
	$	(215)	$	(3,222)

9.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company maintains a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and a defined benefit post-retirement plan. Plan assets and obligations that determine the funded status are measured as of the end of the fiscal year.

Pension Plan

The Company maintains a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its full-time employees twenty-one years of age or older, with at least one year of service. Through December 31, 2009, pensions were paid as an annuity using a pension formula of 2.0% of the average of the five highest consecutive years of total compensation over the last ten years multiplied by credited service up to thirty years. Effective January 1, 2010, the plan was amended and service rendered thereafter is paid using a pension formula of 1.5%. Amounts contributed to the plan are determined annually on the basis of (a) the maximum amount allowable under Internal Revenue Service regulations and (b) the amount certified by a consulting actuary as necessary to avoid an accumulated funding deficiency as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The defined benefit pension plan was amended, effective August 31, 2019, to close the plan to new employees hired on or after September 1, 2019, therefore, no new employees hired on or after September 1, 2019 would be eligible to participate in the defined benefit pension plan.

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Net periodic pension cost included in salaries and employee benefits in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations included the following components (dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Service cost	$	383	$	764	$	1,150	$	2,292
Interest cost		471		514		1,414		1,542
Expected return on plan assets		(673)		(1,031)		(2,020)		(3,093)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		—		5		—		15
Net periodic pension cost	$	181	$	252	$	544	$	756

Contributions

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company made no cash contributions to the plan.

Post-Retirement Healthcare Plan

The Company offers a defined benefit post-retirement plan which provides medical and life insurance benefits to employees meeting certain requirements. Effective October 1, 2006, the plan was amended so that there have been no new plan participants for medical benefits. The cost of post-retirement plan benefits is recognized on an accrual basis as employees perform services. Active employees are eligible for retiree medical coverage upon reaching age sixty with twenty-five or more years of service. Employees with a minimum of thirty years of service are eligible for individual and spousal coverage. Retirees are eligible to participate in any bank-sponsored health insurance programs. The Company’s contributions for retiree medical are limited to a monthly premium of $210 for individual coverage and $420 for employee and spousal coverage. The Company’s funding policy is to pay insurance premiums as they come due.

Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost included in salaries and employee benefits in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations included the following components (dollars in thousands):


	For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Service cost	$	5	$	9	$	16	$	27
Interest cost		17		14		51		41
Amortization of net actuarial gain		(4)		—		(12)		—
Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost	$	18	$	23	$	55	$	68

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

On July 17, 2019, the Company established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) to provide eligible employees the opportunity to own Company stock. The ESOP is a tax-qualified retirement plan for the benefit of Company employees. The Company granted loans to the ESOP for the purchase of 1,018,325 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $13.40 per share. The loan obtained by the ESOP from the Company to purchase the common stock is payable annually over 20 years at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate. Loan payments are principally funded by cash contributions from the Bank. The loan is secured by the shares purchased, which are held in a suspense account for allocation among participants as the loan is repaid. The balance of the ESOP loan at March 31, 2023 was $11.4 million. Contributions are allocated to eligible participants on the basis of compensation, subject to federal tax limits. The number of shares committed to be released annually is 50,916 through the year 2038. Participants may receive the shares at the end of employment.

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Shares held by the ESOP include the following:


	As of March 31,
	2023	2022
Allocated	203,664	152,748
Committed to be allocated	12,729	12,729
Unallocated	801,932	852,848
Total shares	1,018,325	1,018,325

Total compensation expense recognized in connection with the ESOP for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 was $140,000 and $401,000, respectively.

Total compensation expense recognized in connection with the ESOP for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022 was $140,000 and $452,000, respectively.

10.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Off-Balance-Sheet Financing and Concentrations of Credit

The Company is a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include the Company’s commitments to extend credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized on the consolidated statements of condition. The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual notional amounts of those instruments which are presented in the tables below (dollars in thousands). The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.


	March 31, 2023
	Fixed Rate		Variable Rate		Total
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk (including unused lines of credit and unadvanced loan funds):
Commitments to extend credit	$	19,711	$	271,159	$	290,870
Standby letters of credit		—		28,465		28,465
	$	19,711	$	299,624	$	319,335


	June 30, 2022
	Fixed Rate		Variable Rate		Total
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk (including unused lines of credit and unadvanced loan funds):
Commitments to extend credit	$	59,970	$	219,978	$	279,948
Standby letters of credit		—		30,177		30,177
	$	59,970	$	250,155	$	310,125

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 require payment of a fee. Since certain commitments are expected to expire without being fully drawn, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral, if any, required by the Company for the extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

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Commitments to extend credit may be written on a fixed rate basis thus exposing the Company to interest rate risk, given the possibility that market rates may change between commitment and actual extension of credit.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee payment on behalf of a customer or to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing these instruments is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Since a portion of these instruments will expire unused, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer is evaluated individually for creditworthiness under the same underwriting standards used for commitments to extend credit and on-balance-sheet instruments. Bank policies governing loan collateral apply to standby letters of credit at the time of credit extension.

Certain residential mortgage loans are written on an adjustable basis and include interest rate caps which limit annual and lifetime increases in interest rates. Generally, adjustable rate mortgages have an annual rate increase cap of 2% to 5% and lifetime rate increase cap of 5% to 6% above the initial loan rate. These caps expose the Company to interest rate risk should market rates increase above these limits. At March 31, 2023, approximately $89.1 million of adjustable rate residential mortgage loans had interest rate caps. In addition, certain adjustable rate residential mortgage loans have a conversion option whereby the borrower may elect to convert the loan to a fixed rate during a designated time period. At March 31, 2023, approximately $646,000 of the adjustable rate mortgage loans had conversion options.

The Company periodically sells residential mortgage loans to the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”). At March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Bank had no loans held for sale. In addition, the Bank has no loan commitments with borrowers at March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022 with rate lock agreements which are intended to be held for sale, if closed. The Company generally determines whether or not a loan is held for sale at the time that loan commitments are entered into or at the time a convertible adjustable rate mortgage loan converts to a fixed interest rate. In order to reduce the interest rate risk associated with the portfolio of loans held for sale, as well as loan commitments with locked interest rates which are intended to be held for sale if closed, the Company enters into agreements to sell loans in the secondary market. At March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company had no commitments to sell loans to unrelated investors.

Concentrations of Credit

The Company primarily grants loans to customers located in the New York State counties of Albany, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, and Warren. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and construction-related sectors of the economy, and general economic conditions in the Company’s market area.

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Legal Proceedings and Other Contingent Liabilities

In the ordinary course of business, the Company and the Bank are involved in a number of legal, regulatory, governmental and other proceedings, claims or investigations that could result in losses, including damages, fines and/or civil penalties, which could be significant concerning matters arising from the conduct of their business, including the matters described below. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such matters, particularly where the claimants seek large or indeterminate damages, the Company generally cannot predict the eventual outcome of the pending matters, timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters, or eventual loss, fines or penalties related to each pending matter. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company will establish an accrued liability when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. The Company’s estimates of potential losses will change over time and the actual losses may vary significantly, and there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. As a matter develops, management, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluate on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable; or where a loss is reasonably possible, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, whether it is possible to estimate a range of possible loss. Once the loss contingency is deemed to be both probable and estimable, the Company establishes an accrued liability and records a corresponding amount of litigation-related expense. The Company continues to monitor the matters for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established. Excluding legal fees and expenses, litigation-related expense of $0 and $1.2 million was recognized for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For those matters for which a loss is reasonably possible and estimable, whether in excess of an accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, the Company’s estimated range of possible loss is $0 to $54.4 million in excess of the accrued liability, if any, as of March 31, 2023. These estimates are based upon currently available information and are subject to significant judgment, a variety of assumptions and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the accrued liability and estimated range of possible losses are unpredictable and may change from time to time, and actual losses may vary significantly from the current estimate and accrual. The estimated range of possible loss does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure.

Information is provided below regarding the nature of the matters and associated claimed damages. The Company and the Bank are defending each of these matters vigorously, and the Company believes that it and the Bank have substantial defenses, including affirmative defenses, counterclaims and cross-claims to the various allegations that have been asserted. In light of the significant judgment, variety of assumptions and uncertainties involved in the matters described below, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, and the large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters, or matters related to or resulting from the matters described below, could have an adverse material impact on the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or cause significant reputational harm and subject the Company to face civil litigation, significant fines, damage awards or other material regulatory consequences.

Mann Entities Related Fraudulent Activity

During the first fiscal quarter of 2020 (the quarter ended September 30, 2019), the Company became aware of potentially fraudulent activity associated with transactions by an established business customer of the Bank. The customer and various affiliated entities (collectively, the “Mann Entities”) had numerous accounts with the Bank. The transactions in question related both to deposit and lending activity with the Mann Entities.

For the fraudulent activity related to the Mann Entities, the Bank’s potential monetary exposure with respect to its deposit activity was approximately $18.5 million. In the first fiscal quarter of 2020, the Bank exercised its rights pursuant to state and federal law and the relevant Mann Entity general deposit account agreements to take actions to set off/recover approximately $16.0 million from general deposit corporate operating accounts held by the Mann Entities at the Bank to partially cover overdrafts/negative account balances in Mann Entity general deposit corporate operating accounts that primarily resulted from another bank returning/calling back $15.6 million in checks on August 30, 2019, that the Mann Entities had deposited into and then withdrawn from their accounts at the Bank the day before. In the first fiscal quarter of 2020, the Bank recognized a charge to non-interest expense in the amount of $2.5 million based on the net negative deposit balance of the various Mann Entities’ accounts after the setoffs/overdraft recoveries. Through the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2023, no additional charges to non-interest expense were recognized related to the deposit transactions with the Mann Entities.

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With respect to the Bank’s lending activity with the Mann Entities, its potential exposure was approximately $15.8 million (which represents the Bank’s participation interest in the approximately $35.8 million commercial loan relationships for which the Bank is the originating lender). In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, the Bank recognized a provision for loan losses in the amount of $15.8 million, related to the charge-off of the entire principal balance owed to the Bank related to the Mann Entities’ commercial loan relationships. During the third fiscal quarter of 2020 and the first fiscal quarter of 2021, the Bank recognized partial recoveries in the amount of $1.7 million and $34,000, respectively, related to the charge-off of the Mann Entities’ commercial loan relationships, which were credited to the allowance for loan losses. Through the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2023, no additional charges to the provision for loan losses were recognized related to the loan transactions with the Mann Entities.

Several other parties and regulatory agencies are asserting claims against the Company and the Bank related to the series of transactions between the Company or the Bank, on the one hand, and the Mann Entities, on the other. The Company and the Bank continue to investigate these matters and it is possible that the Company and the Bank will be subject to similar legal, regulatory, governmental or other proceedings and additional liabilities. The ultimate timing and outcome of any such proceedings, involving the Company, or the Bank, cannot be predicted with any certainty. It also remains possible that other private parties or governmental bodies will pursue existing or additional claims against the Bank as a result of the Bank’s dealings with certain of the Mann Entities or as a result of the actions taken by the Company or the Bank. The Company’s and the Bank’s legal fees and expenses related to these actions are significant and are expected to continue being significant. In addition, costs associated with potentially prosecuting, litigating or settling any litigation, satisfying any adverse judgments, if any, or other proceedings, could be significant. These legal, regulatory, governmental and other proceedings, claims or investigations, costs, settlements, judgments, sanctions or other expenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or cause significant reputational harm and subject the Company to face civil litigation, significant fines, damage awards or other material regulatory consequences. The Company is pursuing all available sources of recovery and other means of mitigating the potential loss, and the Company and the Bank are vigorously defending all claims asserted against them arising out of or otherwise related to the fraudulent activity of the Mann Entities. During the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Bank recognized insurance recoveries in the amount of $2.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, related to the partial reimbursement of defense costs incurred as a result of these matters, which were credited to noninterest expense – professional fees on the consolidated statements of operations.

Legal Proceedings

On October 31, 2019, Southwestern Payroll Services, Inc. (“Southwestern”) filed a complaint against the Company and the Bank (“Pioneer Parties”), Michael T. Mann, Valuewise Corporation, MyPayrollHR, LLC and Cloud Payroll, LLC (collectively, the “Mann Parties”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The complaint alleged that the Pioneer Parties (i) wrongfully converted certain funds belonging to Southwestern, (ii) engaged in fraudulent and wrongful collection and retention of funds belonging to Southwestern, and (iii) committed gross negligence and that Southwestern is entitled to a constructive trust limiting how the Pioneer Parties distribute the funds in question, which are about $9.8 million. On November 26, 2019, the Pioneer Parties moved to dismiss Southwestern’s fraud claim, which also postponed the Pioneer Parties’ deadline to file an answer until 14 days after the court decided the motion to dismiss. On December 10, 2019, Southwestern filed a response to the Pioneer Parties’ motion to dismiss and an amended complaint, which rendered the Pioneer Parties’ motion to dismiss moot. The amended complaint named several additional corporate entities affiliated with the Mann Parties as co-defendants and asserted claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, actual and constructive fraud, gross negligence, unjust enrichment and constructive trust, and an accounting. The amended complaint sought a monetary judgment of at least $9.8 million. Each party has filed numerous motions in the proceedings. On January 10, 2020, the Pioneer Parties moved again to dismiss Southwestern’s fraud claim in the amended complaint, which also postponed the Pioneer Parties’ deadline to file an answer to the amended complaint until 14 days after the court decided the motion to dismiss. On April 16, 2020, the court granted the Pioneer Parties’ motion to dismiss Southwestern’s fraud claim. On April 30, 2020, Southwestern filed a motion for both leave to file a second amended complaint and for reconsideration of the court’s dismissal of Southwestern’s fraud claim. On May 1, 2020, the Pioneer Parties filed their answer to Southwestern’s amended complaint. The Pioneer Parties asserted numerous affirmative defenses, counterclaims against Southwestern, and cross-claims against certain of the Mann Parties, including for common law fraud under New York law and violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (“RICO”). The Pioneer Parties contend that the actions of Southwestern and certain of the Mann Parties resulted in damages of $15.6 million, plus pre-judgment interest. On July 7, 2020, the court granted Southwestern leave to

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file a second amended complaint, which Southwestern filed on July 16, 2020. Southwestern’s second amended complaint asserted claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, actual and constructive fraud, gross negligence, unjust enrichment and constructive trust, and an accounting – and sought a monetary judgment of at least $9.8 million. On July 30, 2020, the Pioneer Parties filed an amended answer to Southwestern’s second amended complaint, which asserted the same affirmative defenses, counterclaims, and cross-claims as the Pioneer Parties’ prior answer to Southwestern’s amended complaint. On March 16, 2021, the Pioneer Parties filed a second amended answer to Southwestern’s second amended complaint, which asserted certain additional affirmative defenses but was otherwise identical to the Pioneer Parties’ amended answer. On October 8, 2021, Southwestern moved for leave to file a proposed third amended complaint, which would add Granite Solutions Groupe, Inc. (“Granite Solutions”) as a plaintiff and would assert claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, fraud, negligence/gross negligence, unjust enrichment/money had and received, violations of RICO, aiding and abetting conversion, and aiding and abetting fraud – and would seek a monetary judgment of at least $39.0 million. On September 12, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum decision and order denying Southwestern’s motion. On September 26, 2022, Southwestern appealed that decision to the district judge presiding over the case. On April 10, 2023, the district judge entered a memorandum decision and order reversing the decision and granting Southwestern leave to serve its third amended complaint, which adds Granite Solutions as a plaintiff and asserts claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, fraud, negligence/gross negligence, unjust enrichment/money had and received, violations of RICO, aiding and abetting conversion, and aiding and abetting fraud – and would seek a monetary judgment of at least $39.0 million, allegedly comprised of compensatory damages in excess of $13.0 million, penalties and interest, treble damages, and punitive damages. Southwestern served its third amended complaint on April 26, 2023. The Pioneer Parties vigorously dispute the assertions and claims in Southwestern’s third amended complaint.

The Pioneer Parties filed their answer to the third amended complaint on May 12, 2023. In addition to denying that Southwestern or Granite Solutions is entitled to any of the relief sought in the third amended complaint, the Pioneer Parties asserted numerous affirmative defenses, as well as counterclaims against Southwestern and cross-claims against certain of the Mann Parties for common law fraud under New York law and violations of RICO. The Pioneer Parties contend that the actions of Southwestern and certain of the Mann Parties have resulted in damages to the Pioneer Parties comprised of compensatory damages, treble damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The Pioneer Parties seek to recover these damages jointly and severally against all counterclaim and cross-claim defendants. This matter is currently in discovery.

On December 10, 2019, National Payment Corp. (“NatPay”) filed a motion to intervene as a plaintiff in Southwestern’s lawsuit against the Pioneer Parties and the Mann Parties as described above. On January 10, 2020, the Pioneer Parties filed opposition to NatPay’s motion to intervene. On August 4, 2020, the magistrate judge issued a decision recommending that NatPay be allowed to intervene, which was subsequently accepted by the court. NatPay filed its complaint in intervention on August 18, 2020. NatPay’s complaint includes claims for declaratory judgment, conversion, fraud, gross negligence, unjust enrichment and constructive trust, and for an accounting against the Pioneer Parties. The prayer for relief in NatPay’s complaint seeks “compensatory damages in an amount of no less than $4 million” (the complaint also seeks punitive damages and interest in unspecified amounts). On September 8, 2020, the Pioneer Parties filed their answer and affirmative defenses to NatPay’s complaint. On March 16, 2021, the Pioneer Parties filed an amended answer to NatPay’s complaint, which asserted certain additional affirmative defenses but was otherwise identical to the Pioneer Parties’ answer. On October 8, 2021, NatPay moved for leave to file a proposed amended complaint, which would assert claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, fraud, negligence/gross negligence, unjust enrichment/money had and received, violations of RICO, aiding and abetting conversion, and aiding and abetting fraud – and would seek a monetary judgment of at least $11.4 million. On September 12, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum decision and order granting NatPay’s motion only to the limited extent of allowing NatPay to assert its proposed claim for unjust enrichment and otherwise denied the motion On September 26, 2022, NatPay appealed that decision to the district judge presiding over the case. On April 10, 2023, the district judge entered a memorandum decision and order reversing the decision and granting NatPay leave to serve its amended complaint, which asserts claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, fraud, negligence/gross negligence, unjust enrichment/money had and received, violations of RICO, aiding and abetting conversion, and aiding and abetting fraud and seeks a monetary judgment of at least $11.4 million, allegedly comprised of compensatory damages in excess of $3.8 million, penalties and interest, treble damages, and punitive damages. NatPay served its amended complaint on April 13, 2023. The Pioneer Parties vigorously dispute the assertions and claims in NatPay’s amended complaint.

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The Pioneer Parties filed their answer to NatPay’s amended complaint on May 12, 2023. In addition to denying that NatPay is entitled to any of the relief sought in the third amended complaint, the Pioneer Parties asserted numerous affirmative defenses, as well as counterclaims against NatPay and cross-claims against certain of the Mann Parties for violations of RICO. The Pioneer Parties contend that the actions of NatPay and certain of the Mann Parties have resulted in damages to the Pioneer Parties comprised of compensatory damages, treble damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The Pioneer Parties seek to recover these damages jointly and severally against all counterclaim and cross-claim defendants. This matter is currently in discovery.

On January 21, 2020, Cachet Financial Services (“Cachet”), a third-party automated clearing house service provider, filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Central District of California, Los Angeles Division (“Bankruptcy Court”). The Bank is not listed as a creditor in the bankruptcy proceedings. On January 20, 2022, Cachet filed an adversary proceeding complaint against the Pioneer Parties in the Bankruptcy Court. The complaint alleges Michael T. Mann stole approximately $26.4 million from Cachet in August 2019 by manipulating Cachet’s “batch file specifications,” and that Mann subsequently caused approximately $8.5 million of those purportedly stolen funds to be deposited into accounts held by companies owned by Mann at Pioneer Bank. Cachet alleges Pioneer Bank refused Cachet’s request to return the approximately $8.5 million in purportedly stolen funds to Cachet. Cachet’s complaint asserts causes of action against the Pioneer Parties for (1) avoidance and recovery of constructive fraudulent transfers, (2) conversion, (3) unjust enrichment, (4) money had and received, (5) violation of California Penal Code § 496(a), and (6) declaratory relief. Cachet’s original complaint asserted “actual damages” of approximately $8.5 million, seeks three times its actual damages on its Section 496(a) claim (or approximately $25.6 million), and sought costs of suit and attorneys’ fees. On February 28, 2022, the Pioneer Parties filed a motion to withdraw the reference of the adversary proceeding to the Bankruptcy Court and to transfer venue of the action to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (the “Withdrawal/Venue Motion”). On October 26, 2022, the United States District Court for the Central District of California entered an order denying the Withdrawal/Venue Motion. On December 9, 2022, the Pioneer Parties filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On February 16, 2023, Cachet filed an amended complaint rather than oppose the Pioneer Parties’ motion to dismiss. Cachet’s amended complaint asserts the same causes of action as in the original complaint and seeks the same damages on those causes of action, but also asserts causes of action for violations of RICO and aiding and abetting fraud. For its RICO claims, Cachet seeks “treble damages according to proof and attorneys’ fees,” and for its aiding abetting fraud claim, Cachet seeks “general, consequential and special damages in an amount to be proven at trial.” On April 28, 2023, the Pioneer Parties filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The Pioneer Parties vigorously dispute the assertions and claims in Cachet’s amended complaint.

On February 4, 2020, Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiary Berkshire Bank (“Berkshire Bank”) filed a complaint against the Bank in the Supreme Court of the State of New York for Albany County resulting from Berkshire Bank’s participation interest in the commercial loan relationship to the Mann Entities. The complaint alleges that the Bank (1) breached the amended and restated loan participation agreement between the Bank and Berkshire Bank dated as of June 27, 2018, (2) breached the amended and restated loan participation agreement between the Bank and Berkshire Bank dated as of August 12, 2019, (3) engaged in constructive fraud, (4) engaged in fraudulent inducement, (5) engaged in fraudulent concealment, and (6) negligently misrepresented certain material information. The complaint seeks to recover $15.6 million and additional damages. On August 14, 2020, the Bank filed a motion to dismiss five of Berkshire Bank’s claims. On December 18, 2020, Berkshire Bank filed papers in opposition to the Bank’s motion to dismiss. On February 19, 2021, the Bank filed its reply in support of its motion to dismiss. On July 1, 2021, the court granted in part and denied in part the Bank’s motion to dismiss. On August 4, 2021, the Bank filed its answer to Berkshire Bank’s remaining claims. On November 30, 2022, Berkshire Bank filed an amended complaint asserting substantially similar claims to those asserted in the original complaint, except that it excised the claim that the court previously had dismissed and included claims for breach of the loan participation agreement between the Bank and Berkshire Bank dated as of June 29, 2017 and separate claims for fraudulent inducement with respect to each of the three loan participation agreements. On January 30, 2023, the Bank filed its answer to the amended complaint and asserted counterclaims against Berkshire Bank for breach of the amended and restated loan participation agreement between the Bank and Berkshire Bank dated as of August 12, 2019, as well as a claim for a declaratory judgment that Berkshire Bank ratified the agreement and may not contest its validity. The Bank vigorously disputes the claims and allegations in Berkshire’s amended complaint. This matter is currently in discovery.

On February 4, 2020, Chemung Financial Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, Chemung Canal Trust Company (“Chemung”), filed a complaint against the Bank in the Supreme Court of the State of New York for Albany

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County resulting from Chemung’s participation interest in the commercial loan relationship to the Mann Entities. The complaint alleges that the Bank (1) breached the participation agreement between the Bank and Chemung dated as of August 12, 2019, (2) engaged in fraudulent activities, (3) engaged in constructive fraud, and (4) negligently misrepresented and omitted certain material information. The complaint seeks to recover $4.2 million and additional damages. On August 14, 2020, the Bank filed a motion to dismiss three of Chemung’s four claims. On December 18, 2020, Chemung filed papers in opposition to the Bank’s motion to dismiss. On February 19, 2021, the Bank filed its reply in support of its motion to dismiss. On July 1, 2021, the court granted in part and denied in part the Bank’s motion to dismiss. On August 4, 2021, the Bank filed its answer to Chemung’s remaining claims. The Bank vigorously disputes the claims and allegations in Chemung’s complaint. This matter is currently in discovery.

On April 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), with the authorization of a delegate of the Secretary of the Treasury, filed a civil complaint against the Company and the Bank (and Cloud Payroll, LLC) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the Pioneer Parties wrongfully set off approximately $7.3 million from an account held by Cloud Payroll to apply towards debts allegedly owed to the Bank by Cloud Payroll and other affiliates of Michael Mann. The complaint alleges that the funds in question were comprised of payroll taxes and thus subject to a statutory trust under 26 U.S.C. § 7501 that prohibited the Bank from setting off those funds to apply towards debts owed to the Bank. The complaint seeks return of any payroll taxes, plus interest. The Pioneer Parties moved to dismiss the DOJ’s complaint against them on October 1, 2020. On October 21, 2020, the DOJ filed an amended complaint, which mooted the Pioneer Parties’ motion to dismiss the DOJ’s original complaint. The amended complaint dropped one of the DOJ’s claims against the Pioneer Parties but continues to seek return of any payroll taxes, plus interest. The amended complaint relates to the same set of facts described above in “Mann Entities Related Fraudulent Activity”, and the alleged payroll taxes, plus interest, sought in this proceeding may be part of the recovery sought in the Southwestern and NatPay complaints described above. On November 4, 2020, the Pioneer Parties filed their answer and affirmative defenses to the DOJ’s amended complaint. By order dated November 19, 2021, discovery in this matter was stayed to permit the parties to discuss a potential resolution. On November 9, 2022, the parties submitted a joint status report advising the court that the matter had not been resolved and requesting that the court enter a schedule for completion of discovery. The court thereafter entered an order on November 14, 2022 setting a schedule for completion of discovery. The Pioneer Parties’ vigorously dispute the claims and allegations in the DOJ’s amended complaint. This matter is currently in discovery.

On August 31, 2020, AXH Air-Coolers, LLC (“AXH”) filed a complaint against the Pioneer Parties, and unnamed employees of the Pioneer Parties in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The complaint alleges that the Pioneer Parties (i) wrongfully converted certain tax funds belonging to AXH, (ii) were unjustly enriched by the wrongful taking of tax funds belonging to AXH, and (iii) were grossly negligent in allowing AXH’s tax funds to be misappropriated, offset, converted, or stolen. The prayer for relief in AXH’s complaint seeks $336,000, plus penalties and interest, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages. The complaint relates to the same set of facts as the DOJ complaint as described above, and the alleged taxes sought in the DOJ, Southwestern, and NatPay complaints. On November 5, 2020, the Pioneer Parties moved to dismiss the complaint in its entirety. On November 22, 2021, the court dismissed AXH’s conversion, gross negligence, and accounting claims against the Pioneer Parties without prejudice. On December 12, 2021, AXH moved for leave to file a proposed amended complaint, which would assert claims for conversion, gross negligence, and unjust enrichment against the Pioneer Parties and seeks the same damages as AXH’s original complaint. The Pioneer Parties vigorously dispute the assertions and claims in AXH’s proposed amended complaint. On January 14, 2022, the Pioneer Parties filed papers in opposition to AXH’s motion for leave to file its proposed amended complaint, and the Pioneer Parties also cross-moved to dismiss AXH’s unjust enrichment claim or, in the alternative, for reconsideration of the court’s decision not to dismiss AXH’s unjust enrichment claim. On August 2, 2022, the court denied AXH’s motion for leave to file a proposed amended complaint asserting a claim for conversion but granted AXH leave to file an amended complaint containing claims for gross negligence and unjust enrichment. On August 12, 2022, AXH filed an amended complaint asserting gross negligence, unjust enrichment, and accounting claims against the Pioneer Parties. On August 26, 2022, the Pioneer Parties filed their answer to the amended complaint. The Pioneer Parties vigorously dispute the claims and allegations in AXH’s amended complaint. This matter is currently in discovery.

On December 1, 2020, the Bank filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C. (“TBC”), Mr. Pasquale M. Scisci and Mr. Vincent Commisso (collectively, with TBC, the “TBC Parties”), alleging professional malpractice by the TBC Parties in auditing the annual consolidated financial statements of Valuewise Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Valuewise Entities”) for the fiscal years 2010 to 2018. The

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Bank asserts that the TBC Parties were aware that the primary, if not the exclusive, reason the Valuewise Entities engaged TBC to audit their financial statements was to provide the Bank with accurate financial information that the Bank would rely on in evaluating whether to provide loans to the Valuewise Entities. The Bank contends that, among other matters, Mr. Michael Mann used the Valuewise Entities to defraud the Bank because of the professional malpractice of the TBC Parties and that if the TBC Parties had not committed professional malpractice by issuing unqualified “clean” opinions on the financial statements of the Valuewise Entities for fiscal years 2010 to 2018, the Bank would never have continued loaning money to the Valuewise Entities. The Banks seeks to recover damages of at least $34.1 million (plus interest) sustained by it as a result of the professional malpractice of the TBC Parties. The TBC Parties filed their answer to the Bank’s complaint on February 12, 2021. This matter has been proceeding through discovery. On February 28, 2022, the TBC Parties filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. The Bank filed its opposition to that motion on May 23, 2022 and the TBC Parties filed their reply in further support of the motion on July 15, 2022. The motion was submitted to the court for decision on July 20, 2022, and on October 4, 2022, the Court entered a decision and order denying the motion in its entirety. This matter is currently in discovery.

On May 14, 2021, the Bank filed a verified petition for a hearing, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(2), to adjudicate the validity of the Bank’s interest in approximately $14.9 million in cash and securities forfeited by Michael Mann pursuant to a preliminary order of forfeiture in U.S. v. Mann filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The Bank’s petition alleges that it has a valid security interest in the forfeited property, and that the forfeited property should thus be turned over to the Bank. On June 28, 2021, the government filed a motion to dismiss the Bank’s petition. On July 30, 2021, the Bank filed opposition to the government’s motion to dismiss the Bank’s petition. On August 13, 2021, the government filed a reply to the Bank’s opposition to the government’s motion to dismiss the Bank’s petition. On October 14, 2022, the magistrate judge assigned to the case entered a report and recommendation recommending the motion to dismiss the Bank’s petition be granted in part and denied in part. On October 28, 2022, the Bank filed an objection to the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation. The government filed its opposition to the Bank’s objection on November 21, 2022. The objection currently is pending before the court.

On August 15, 2022, Granite Solutions filed a complaint against the Pioneer Parties, Michael T. Mann, Valuewise Corporation, Cloud Payroll LLC, Ross Personal Consultants, Inc., Always Live Holdings, LLC, Kaningo LLC, Hire Flux, LLC, Hire Flux Holdings, LLC, Viverant LLC, and Heutmaker Business Advisors, LLC, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The complaint relates to the same set of facts as the DOJ and AXH complaints as described above, and the alleged taxes sought in the DOJ, Southwestern, and NatPay complaints. Like the proposed amended complaint in the Southwestern matter that sought to add Granite Solutions described above, the complaint asserts claims against the Pioneer Parties for declaratory judgment, conversion, fraud, negligence/gross negligence, unjust enrichment/money had and received, violations of RICO, aiding and abetting conversion, and aiding and abetting fraud. The complaint seeks compensatory damages in excess of $1 million, plus penalties and interest, treble damages, and punitive damages. On November 22, 2022, the court entered an order postponing the Pioneer Parties’ time to respond to the complaint until 30 days after the court’s entry of an order resolving the above-described appeals pending in the Southwestern/NatPay matter. On April 25, 2023, Granite Solutions voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice in light of the April 10, 2023 memorandum decision and order of the district court in the Southwestern/NatPay matter permitting Southwestern to serve a third amended complaint that, among other things, joins Granite Solutions as a plaintiff.

On September 2, 2022, two substantially similar putative class action complaints were filed against the Pioneer Parties in the Supreme Court of the State of New York for Albany County. The first complaint was filed by Brandes & Yancy PLLC and Ricardo’s Restaurant, Inc., two alleged clients of Southwestern which seek to assert claims on behalf of all current or former Southwestern clients based on the same set of facts as the DOJ, AXH, and Granite Solutions complaints as described above, and the alleged taxes sought in the DOJ, Southwestern, and NatPay complaints. The second complaint was filed by O’Malley’s Oven LLC and Legat Architects, Inc., two alleged clients of MyPayrollHR.Com, LLC and ProData Payroll Services, Inc., affiliates of Cloud Payroll, LLC (collectively, “Cloud Payroll”). Similar to the first complaint described above, the two named plaintiffs in the second complaint seek to assert claims on behalf of all current or former Cloud Payroll clients based on the same set of facts as the DOJ, AXH, and Granite Solutions complaints as described above, and the alleged taxes sought in the DOJ, Southwestern, and NatPay complaints. Both complaints assert claims against the Pioneer Parties for conversion, gross negligence, unjust enrichment, money had and received, tortious interference with contract, aiding and abetting fraud, and a declaratory judgment. Both complaints also seek to recover compensatory and punitive damages, plus pre-judgment interest, costs, expenses, disbursements, and reasonable attorneys’ fees. The Pioneer Parties acknowledged service of the complaints as of December 30, 2022. On February 28, 2023, the

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Pioneer Parties filed motions to dismiss the complaints. On April 7, 2023, the plaintiffs filed amended complaints that assert the same causes of action but include additional allegations. On April 27, 2023, the Pioneer Parties elected to withdraw their pending motions to dismiss and file renewed motions to dismiss the amended complaints. The Pioneer Parties’ deadline to file their renewed motions to dismiss currently is June 26, 2023. The Pioneer Parties vigorously dispute the assertions and claims in the amended complaints.

The Company and the Bank have received inquiries and requests for information from regulatory agencies relating to some of the entities and events that are the subjects of certain lawsuits described above. This has resulted in, or may in the future result in, regulatory agency investigations, litigation, subpoenas, enforcement actions, and related sanctions or costs. The Company and the Bank continue to cooperate with inquiries and respond to requests as appropriate.

The New York State Department of Financial Services (the “NYSDFS”) has made requests for production of documents, conducted interviews with Bank employees, and taken other investigatory actions with respect to the Bank’s practices associated with the Mann Parties. The Bank has complied with these requests, producing responsive, non-privileged documents to the NYSDFS. In Summer 2021, NYSDFS informed the Bank that if the parties could not reach a negotiated resolution related to NYSDFS’s findings arising from the Bank’s practices associated with the Mann Parties, NYSDFS would proceed to an administrative hearing on the issue. It is unknown whether the parties will be able to resolve the matter. A resolution could involve monetary penalties, injunctive relief, and other regulatory consequences. The monetary penalties could be up to $30.0 million, though, $15.0 million of these potential monetary penalties relate to and are not incremental to the damages sought by the plaintiffs in the Southwestern, NatPay, DOJ, Cachet, AXH, Granite Solutions, and putative class action proceedings described in this section.

The Company and the Bank continue to investigate these matters and it is possible that the Company and the Bank will be subject to similar legal, regulatory, governmental or other proceedings and additional liabilities. The ultimate timing and outcome of any such proceedings, involving the Company, or the Bank, cannot be predicted with any certainty. It also remains possible that other private parties or governmental bodies will pursue existing or additional claims against the Bank as a result of the Bank’s dealings with certain of the Mann Entities or as a result of the actions taken by the Pioneer Parties. The Company’s and the Bank’s legal fees and expenses related to these actions are significant and are expected to continue being significant. In addition, costs associated with potentially prosecuting, litigating or settling any litigation, satisfying any adverse judgments, if any, or other proceedings, could be significant. These legal, regulatory, governmental and other proceedings, claims or investigations, costs, settlements, judgments, sanctions or other expenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or cause significant reputational harm and subject the Company to face civil litigation, significant fines, damage awards or other material regulatory consequences.

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11.FAIR VALUE

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

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

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

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

The fair values of securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs) or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).

The fair value of interest rate swaps are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2). The fair value of derivatives are classified as a component of other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition.

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

Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned (“OREO”) are measured at fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may use a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

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Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):


			Fair Value Measurements at
			March 31, 2023 Using
					Significant
			Quoted Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Available for sale securities:
U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	400,597	$	400,597	$	—	$	—
Municipal obligations		103,060		—		103,060		—
Other debt securities		510		—		510
Total debt securities		504,167		400,597		103,570		—
Equity securities		2,209		2,209		—		—
Derivative assets		188		—		188		—
Total	$	506,564	$	402,806	$	103,758	$	—

Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	$	14,702	$	—	$	14,702	$	—
Total	$	14,702	$	—	$	14,702	$	—


			Fair Value Measurements at
			June 30, 2022 Using
					Significant
			Quoted Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Available for sale securities:
U.S. Government and agency obligations	$	365,846	$	365,846	$	—	$	—
Municipal obligations		115,353		—		115,353		—
Other debt securities		591		—		591
Total debt securities		481,790		365,846		115,944		—
Equity securities		2,039		2,039		—		—
Derivative assets		217		—		217		—
Total	$	484,046	$	367,885	$	116,161	$	—

Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	$	12,813	$	—	$	12,813	$	—
Total	$	12,813	$	—	$	12,813	$	—

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Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):


			Fair Value Measurements Using
					Significant
			Quoted Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
March 31, 2023
Impaired loans:
Commercial loans	$	539	$	—	$	—	$	539

June 30, 2022
Impaired loans:
Commercial loans	$	559	$	—	$	—	$	559

Impaired loans, which are assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, using the fair value of collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a carrying amount of $691,000 with a valuation allowance of $152,000 resulting in an estimated fair value of $539,000 as of March 31, 2023. Impaired loans, which are assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, using the fair value of collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a carrying amount of $759,000 with a valuation allowance of $200,000 resulting in an estimated fair value of $559,000 as of June 30, 2022.

The Company had no other real estate owned at March 31, 2023 or June 30, 2022.

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (dollars in thousands):

Significant

Significant Unobservable

Valuation

Unobservable

Input Range

Fair Value

Technique

Inputs

(Weighted Average)

March 31, 2023

Impaired loans:

Commercial loans

539

Appraisal of collateral (1)

Liquidation expense (2)

11.0%

June 30, 2022

Impaired loans:

Commercial loans

559

Appraisal of collateral (1)

Liquidation expense (2)

11.0%

(1)	Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral that generally include various level 3 inputs which are not identifiable.

(2)	Estimated selling costs.

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The carrying and estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities were as follows (dollars in thousands):


	March 31, 2023
						Fair Value Measurements Using
							Significant
					Active Markets		Other		Significant
					for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Estimated		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Amount		Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	145,058	$	145,058	$	145,058	$	—	$	—
Securities available for sale		504,167		504,167		400,597		103,570		—
Securities held to maturity		23,972		22,276		—		22,276		—
Equity securities		2,209		2,209		2,209		—		—
FHLBNY stock		1,139		1,139		—		1,139		—
Net loans receivable		1,086,220		1,062,938		—		—		1,062,938
Accrued interest receivable		8,152		8,152		—		8,152		—
Derivative assets		188		188		—		188		—

Financial liabilities
Deposits
Savings, money market, and demand accounts	$	1,497,346	$	1,497,346	$	—	$	1,497,346	$	—
Time deposits		67,219		65,078		—		65,078		—
Mortgagors’ escrow deposits		4,459		4,459		—		4,459		—
Accrued interest payable		36		36		—		36		—
Derivative liabilities		14,702		14,702		—		14,702		—


	June 30, 2022
						Fair Value Measurements Using
							Significant
					Active Markets		Other		Significant
					for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Estimated		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Amount		Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	376,060	$	376,060	$	376,060	$	—	$	—
Securities available for sale		481,790		481,790		365,846		115,944		—
Securities held to maturity		23,952		22,467		—		22,467		—
Equity securities		2,039		2,039		2,039		—		—
FHLBNY stock		1,091		1,091		—		1,091		—
Net loans receivable		982,566		947,332		—		—		947,332
Accrued interest receivable		4,623		4,623		—		4,623		—
Derivative assets		217		217		—		217		—

Financial liabilities
Deposits
Savings, money market, and demand accounts	$	1,599,703	$	1,599,703	$	—	$	1,599,703	$	—
Time deposits		80,580		78,646		—		78,646		—
Mortgagors’ escrow deposits		5,586		5,586		—		5,586		—
Accrued interest payable		27		27		—		27		—
Derivative liabilities		12,813		12,813		—		12,813		—

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Short-Term Financial Instruments

The fair value of certain financial instruments are estimated to approximate their carrying amounts because the remaining term to maturity or period to repricing of the financial instrument is less than ninety days. Such financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and payable, and mortgagor’s escrow deposits.

Securities

Fair values of securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and equity securities are determined as outlined earlier in this footnote.

FHLBNY Stock

The fair value of FHLB stock approximates its carrying value due to transferability restrictions.

Loans

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type, including residential real estate, commercial real estate, and consumer loans and whether the interest rates are fixed and/or variable.

The estimated fair values of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the respective loan portfolio.

Estimated fair values for nonperforming loans are based on estimated cash flows discounted using a rate commensurate with the credit risk involved. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

Derivatives

Fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are determined as outlined earlier in this footnote.

Deposits

The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings, money market and demand deposits, is regarded to be the amount payable on demand. The estimated fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using market rates for time deposits with similar maturities. The fair value estimates for deposits do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposits as compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

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12.REVENUE RECOGNITION

In general, for revenue not associated with financial instruments, guarantees and lease contracts, we apply the following steps when recognizing revenue from contracts with customers: (i) identify the contract, (ii) identify the performance obligations, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue when performance obligation is satisfied. Our contracts with customers are generally short term in nature, typically due within one year or less or cancellable by us or our customer upon a short notice period. Performance obligations for our customer contracts are generally satisfied at a single point in time, typically when the transaction is complete. In some cases, we act in an agent capacity, deriving revenue through assisting other entities in transactions with our customers. In such transactions, we recognized revenue and the related costs to provide our services on a net basis in our financial statements. These transactions primarily relate to insurance and brokerage commissions, and fees derived from our customers' use of various interchange and ATM/debit card networks.

Revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities is excluded from the scope of the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit card fees are also not in scope of the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. The accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as deposit related fees, interchange fees, and insurance and wealth management services commissions.

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				For the Nine Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-interest Income
In scope
Insurance services	$	690	$	869	$	2,405	$	2,507
Wealth management services		1,025		929		3,231		2,853
Service charges on deposit accounts		590		663		1,852		2,042
Card services income		691		719		2,212		2,322
Other		238		73		393		219
Non-interest income in scope		3,234		3,253		10,093		9,943

Non-interest income out of scope		16		360		908		819

Total non-interest income	$	3,250	$	3,613	$	11,001	$	10,762

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13.LEASES

The Company leases certain branches under various non-cancelable operating leases that may contain extension options. Reasonably certain extension options are included in the determination of lease term for accounting purposes. The Company has also entered into a long-term ground lease with a bargain purchase option and into office equipment leases which have been classified as finance leases. The leases may require additional payments for maintenance, taxes, insurance, service, and other costs which are not included in calculating the lease liability.

For all asset classes the Company made an accounting policy election to not separate lease components and non-lease components and treat both as a single lease component for lease accounting purposes. The ROU assets and lease liabilities are based on the stated lease consideration as identified in the underlying agreements.

When known or determinable, the Company uses the rate implicit in the lease in determining the present value of lease payments. Otherwise, the incremental borrowing rate is used which is based on information provided by FHLBNY for a secured borrowing arrangement of a comparable term.

The Company made an accounting policy election to not apply the lease accounting requirements to short-term lease arrangements with an initial term of 12 months or less.

The ROU assets are included in premises and equipment and lease liabilities are included in other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition.

The following tables include quantitative data related to the Company’s operating and finance leases:


		As of March 31, 2023
	(In thousands, except weighted-average information)
Right of use assets:
Finance leases		$	632
Operating leases			5,544
		$	6,176
Lease liabilities:
Finance leases		$	728
Operating leases			5,805
		$	6,533

Other information:
Weighted-average remaining lease term for finance leases (in years)			62.7
Weighted-average remaining lease term for operating leases (in years)			14.4
Weighted-average discount rate for finance leases			5.58	%
Weighted-average discount rate for operating leases			3.86	%

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		For the Three Months Ended		For the Nine Months Ended
		March 31, 2023		March 31, 2023

	(In thousands)
Lease expense:
Finance lease expense
Amortization of ROU assets		$	25	$	74
Interest on lease liabilities			8		24
Operating lease expense			151		455
Variable lease expense			58		158
Total:		$	242	$	711

Other information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases (i.e. interest)		$	16	$	17
Finance cash flows from finance leases (i.e. principal portion)		$	40	$	89
Operating cash flows from operating leases		$	147	$	438

Maturities of finance and operating lease liabilities are as follows:


	Finance leases		Operating leases

	(Dollars in thousands)
Within the twelve months ended March 31,
2024	$	131	$	589
2025		124		595
2026		73		560
2027		30		537
2028		30		538
Thereafter		2,580		4,849
Total undiscounted cash flows		2,968		7,668
Less: present value discount		(2,240)		(1,863)
Total lease liabilities	$	728	$	5,805

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14.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share represent income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unallocated ESOP shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations. There were no potentially diluted common stock equivalents as of March 31, 2023 or March 31, 2022.


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				For the Nine Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		2023		2022

	(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Net income applicable to common stock	$	6,024		302	$	17,441	$	7,916

Average number of common shares outstanding		25,977,679		25,977,679		25,977,679		25,977,679
Less: Average unallocated ESOP shares		808,297		859,212		814,661		865,577
Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share		25,169,382		25,118,467		25,163,018		25,112,102

Net earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.24	$	0.01	$	0.69	$	0.31
Diluted	$	0.24	$	0.01	$	0.69	$	0.31

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

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by forward-looking statements will be achieved. Certain forward-looking statements are included in this Form 10-Q, principally in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In addition to the factors described in Item 1A – Risk Factors, factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to:

●

changes in market interest rates due to economic conditions or other factors and/or the fiscal and monetary policy measures undertaken by the United States government in response to such economic conditions, which may adversely impact interest rates, the interest rate yield curve, interest margins, loan demand and interest rate sensitivity;

●

risks related to the variety of litigation and other proceedings described in the “Legal Proceedings” section;

●

general economic conditions, either locally, regionally, or nationally, including flat economic growth or recession, volatility and/or lack of liquidity in capital markets, added volatility to the global stock markets, and increased loan delinquencies and defaults;

●

the effects of inflationary pressures and the impact of rising interest rates on borrowers’ liquidity and ability to repay;

●

recent events involving the failure of financial institutions may adversely affect our business, and the market price of our common stock;

●

risks and uncertainties related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic and resulting governmental and societal response, added volatility to the global stock markets, and increased loan delinquencies and defaults;

●

competition within our market area from both financial institutions or non-financial institutions, including product and pricing pressures, which can in turn impact the Company’s credit spreads, changes to third-party relationships

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and revenues, changes in the manner of providing services, customer acquisition and retention pressures, and the Company’s ability to attract, develop and retain qualified professionals;

●

changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and charge-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;

●

our ability to access cost-effective funding;

●

fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions;

●

demand for loans and deposits in our market area;

●

changes in our partnership with a third-party mortgage banking company;

●

our ability to continue to implement our business strategies;

●

adverse changes in the securities markets;

●

changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;

●

any future FDIC insurance premium increases, or special assessment may adversely affect our earnings;

●

our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk;

●

our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

●

the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental polices impacting the value of the products of our borrowers;

●

our ability to successfully integrate into our operations any assets, liabilities or systems we may acquire, as well as new management personnel or customers, and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto;

●

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

●

our ability to maintain our reputation;

●

our ability to prevent or mitigate fraudulent activity;

●

changes in cost of legal expenses, including defending against significant litigation;

●

risks and uncertainties related to the restatement of certain of our historical consolidated financial statements;

●

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

●

our ability to attract and retain key employees;

●

our ability to evaluate the amount and timing of recognition of future tax assets and liabilities;

●

our compensation expense associated with equity benefits allocated or awarded to our employees in the future;

●

the potential deterioration of the U.S. economy due to financial, political or other shocks; and

●

changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Additional factors that may affect our results are discussed in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, under the heading “Risk Factors” and this Form 10-Q, under the heading “Risk Factors.” The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to reflect future events or developments.

Overview

Net Interest Income. Our primary source of income is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income, which is the income we earn on our loans and investments, and interest expense, which is the interest we pay on our deposits and borrowings.

Provision for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is increased (decreased) through charges (credits) to the provision for loan losses. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes that the collectability of the principal loan amount is not probable. Recoveries on loans previously charged-off, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan losses when realized.

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Non-interest Income. Our primary sources of non-interest income are banking fees and service charges, insurance and wealth management services income. Our non-interest income also includes net gains or losses on equity securities, net realized gains or losses on available for sale securities, loans or other assets and other income.

Non-Interest Expense. Our non-interest expenses consist of salaries and employee benefits, net occupancy and equipment, data processing, advertising and marketing, insurance premiums, federal deposit insurance premiums, professional fees, litigation-related expense and other general and administrative expenses, as well as employee retention credits.

Salaries and employee benefits consist primarily of salaries and wages paid to our employees, payroll taxes, and expenses for worker’s compensation and disability insurance, health insurance, retirement plans and other employee benefits, as well as commissions and other incentives.

Occupancy and equipment expenses, which are the fixed and variable costs of buildings and equipment, consist primarily of depreciation charges, rental expenses, furniture and equipment expenses, maintenance, real estate taxes and costs of utilities. Depreciation of premises and equipment is computed using a straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets or the expected lease terms, if shorter.

Data processing expenses are fees we pay to third parties for use of their software and for processing customer information, deposits and loans.

Advertising and marketing includes most marketing expenses including multi-media advertising (public and in-store), promotional events and materials, civic and sales focused memberships, and community support.

Insurance premiums include expense related to various insurance policies, excluding federal deposit insurance premiums.

Federal deposit insurance premiums are payments we make to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) for insurance of our deposit accounts.

Professional fees includes legal and other consulting expenses.

Litigation-related expense includes expenses related to legal proceedings, exclusive of legal fees and expenses.

Employee retention credit is the benefit recorded related to a refundable credit against certain employment taxes as described in “Recent Developments – Employee Retention Credit.”

Other expenses include expenses for professional services, office supplies, postage, telephone and other miscellaneous operating expenses.

Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

Recent Developments

Acquisitions

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contingent consideration of $604,000 was paid. The effects of the acquired assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the respective acquisition dates.

The above referenced acquisitions were made to expand the Company’s wealth management services activities.

Employee Retention Credit

Mann Entities Related Fraudulent Activity

For the fraudulent activity related to the Mann Entities, the Bank’s potential exposure with respect to its deposit activity was approximately $18.5 million. In the first fiscal quarter of 2020, the Bank exercised its rights pursuant to state and federal law and the relevant Mann Entity general deposit account agreements to take actions to set off/recover approximately $16.0 million from general deposit corporate operating accounts held by the Mann Entities at the Bank to partially cover overdrafts/negative account balances in Mann Entity general deposit corporate operating accounts that

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primarily resulted from another bank returning/calling back $15.6 million in checks on August 30, 2019, that the Mann Entities had deposited into and then withdrawn from their accounts at the Bank the day before. In the first fiscal quarter of 2020, the Bank recognized a charge to non-interest expense in the amount of $2.5 million based on the net negative deposit balance of the various Mann Entities’ accounts after the setoffs/overdraft recoveries. Through the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2023, no additional charges to non-interest expense were recognized related to the deposit transactions with the Mann Entities.

With respect to the Bank’s lending activity with the Mann Entities, its potential monetary exposure was approximately $15.8 million (which represents the Bank’s participation interest in the approximately $35.8 million commercial loan relationships for which the Bank is the originating lender). In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, the Bank recognized a provision for loan losses in the amount of $15.8 million, related to the charge-off of the entire principal balance owed to the Bank related to the Mann Entities’ commercial loan relationships. During the third fiscal quarter of 2020 and the first fiscal quarter of 2021, the Bank recognized partial recoveries in the amount of $1.7 million and $34,000, respectively, related to the charge-off of the Mann Entities’ commercial loan relationships, which were credited to the allowance for loan losses. Through the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2023, no additional charges to the provision for loan losses were recognized related to the loan transactions with the Mann Entities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which are prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expenses. We consider the accounting policies and estimates discussed below to be critical accounting policies and estimates. The estimates and assumptions that we use are based on historical experience and various other factors and are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, resulting in a change that could have a material impact on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. As an “emerging growth company” we may delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. We intend to continue to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Accordingly, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

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The following represent our critical accounting policies and estimates:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the amount estimated by management as necessary to absorb credit losses incurred in the loan portfolio that are both probable and reasonably estimable at the relevant balance sheet date. The amount of the allowance is based on significant estimates, and the ultimate losses may vary from such estimates as more information becomes available or conditions change. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate by management due to the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions used and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.

As a substantial percentage of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly affect the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. Management carefully reviews the assumptions supporting such appraisals to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.

Management performs an evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses at least quarterly. We consider a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, credit concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal loan reviews and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates by management that may be susceptible to significant change based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions.

The evaluation has specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are deemed to be impaired and classified as special mention, substandard, doubtful, or loss. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.

Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.

Legal Proceedings and Other Contingent Liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in a number of legal, regulatory, governmental and other proceedings, claims or investigations that could result in losses, including damages, fines and/or civil penalties, which could be significant concerning matters arising from the conduct of our business. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such matters, particularly where the claimants seek large or indeterminate damages, we generally cannot predict the eventual outcome of the pending matters, timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters, or eventual loss, fines or penalties related to each pending matter. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we will establish an accrued liability when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. Our estimate of potential losses will change over time and the actual losses may vary significantly, and there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. As a matter develops, management, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluate on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable; or where a loss is reasonably possible, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, whether it is possible to estimate a range of possible loss. Once the loss contingency is deemed to be both probable and estimable, we establish an accrued liability and record a corresponding amount of litigation-related expense. We continue to monitor the matters for further developments, including our interactions with various regulatory agencies with supervisory authority over us, that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established. These estimates are based upon currently available information and are subject to significant judgment, a variety of assumptions and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the accrued liability and estimated range of possible losses are unpredictable and may change from time to time, and actual losses may vary significantly from the current estimate and accrual which could have a material negative effect on our financial results. The estimated range of possible loss does not represent our maximum loss exposure.

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Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of a financial instrument is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the particular asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We estimate the fair value of a financial instrument and any related asset impairment using a variety of valuation methods. Where financial instruments are actively traded and have quoted market prices, quoted market prices as of the measurement date are used for fair value. When the financial instruments are not actively traded, other observable market inputs, such as quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data, may be used, if available, to determine fair value. When observable market prices do not exist, we estimate fair value. These estimates are subjective in nature and imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded.

Investment Securities. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities are reviewed by management on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant, for possible other-than-temporary impairment. In determining other-than-temporary impairment, management considers many factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions and whether the Company has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within non-interest income in the statement of operations. The assessment of whether other-than-temporary impairment exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

Pension Obligations. We maintain a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of our full-time employees hired before September 1, 2019. The benefits are developed from actuarial valuations and are based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. Actuarial assumptions such as interest rates, expected return on plan assets, turnover, mortality and rates of future compensation increases have a significant impact on the costs, assets and liabilities of the plan. Pension expense is the net of service cost, interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for temporary differences between carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in other expense. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Management determines the need for a deferred tax valuation allowance based upon the realizability of tax benefits from the reversal of temporary differences creating the deferred tax assets, as well as the amounts of available open tax carrybacks, if any.

We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax assets and liabilities. These judgments require us to make projections of future taxable income. The judgments and estimates we make in determining our deferred tax assets are inherently subjective and are reviewed on a regular basis as regulatory or business factors change. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance that results in additional income tax expense in the period in which it is recognized would negatively affect earnings.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. The excess of the cost of acquired entities over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is carried at its acquired value and is reviewed annually for impairment, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may be impaired.

Acquired identifiable intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful economic life. Customer relationship intangibles are generally amortized over fifteen years based upon the projected discounted cash flows of the accounts acquired. Core deposit premium related to the Bank’s assumption of certain deposit liabilities is

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being amortized over fifteen years. Acquired identifiable intangible assets that are amortized are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may be impaired.

Average Balances and Yields

The following tables set forth average balances, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments have been made, as the effects would be immaterial. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts, and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or interest expense, as applicable.


	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023							2022
	Average					Average		Average					Average
	Outstanding					Yield/Cost		Outstanding					Yield/Cost
	Balance			Interest		(4)		Balance			Interest		(4)

	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	1,079,801		$	14,658	5.62	%	$	990,459		$	9,312	3.87	%
Securities		531,222			2,624	2.02	%		414,199			747	0.73	%
Interest-earning deposits and other		130,280			1,497	4.74	%		368,872			186	0.20	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,741,303			18,779	4.45	%		1,773,530			10,245	2.36	%
Non-interest-earning assets		153,796							136,730
Total assets	$	1,895,099						$	1,910,260

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	179,275		$	243	0.55	%	$	209,461		$	59	0.11	%
Savings deposits		312,959			31	0.04	%		314,838			26	0.03	%
Money market deposits		433,142			650	0.61	%		456,442			92	0.08	%
Certificates of deposit		65,234			125	0.78	%		84,539			149	0.72	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		990,610			1,049	0.43	%		1,065,280			326	0.12	%
Borrowings and other		22,763			214	3.87	%		2,721			13	1.95	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,013,373			1,263	0.51	%		1,068,001			339	0.13	%
Non-interest-bearing deposits		588,574							574,523
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		39,929							25,489
Total liabilities		1,641,876							1,668,013
Total shareholders' equity		253,223							242,247
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,895,099						$	1,910,260
Net interest income				$	17,516						$	9,906
Net interest rate spread (1)						3.94	%						2.23	%
Net interest-earning assets (2)	$	727,930						$	705,529
Net interest margin (3)						4.14	%						2.28	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		171.83	%						166.06	%

(1)	Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(2)	Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

(3)	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

(4)	Annualized.

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	For the Nine Months Ended March 31,
	2023							2022
	Average					Average		Average					Average
	Outstanding					Yield/Cost		Outstanding					Yield/Cost
	Balance			Interest		(4)		Balance			Interest		(4)

	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	1,039,462		$	39,676	5.12	%	$	1,024,253		$	29,440	3.85	%
Securities		530,780			7,081	1.78	%		354,695			1,783	0.67	%
Interest-earning deposits and other		216,832			5,192	3.20	%		356,797			491	0.18	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,787,074			51,949	3.89	%		1,735,745			31,714	2.44	%
Non-interest-earning assets		150,372							136,860
Total assets	$	1,937,446						$	1,872,605

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	185,643		$	555	0.40	%	$	192,057		$	176	0.12	%
Savings deposits		319,229			83	0.03	%		308,346			77	0.03	%
Money market deposits		448,675			1,151	0.34	%		460,871			283	0.08	%
Certificates of deposit		68,177			298	0.58	%		88,523			491	0.74	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,021,724			2,087	0.27	%		1,049,797			1,027	0.13	%
Borrowings and other		22,415			538	3.21	%		3,742			53	1.89	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,044,139			2,625	0.34	%		1,053,539			1,080	0.14	%
Non-interest-bearing deposits		605,933							558,147
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		39,704							21,109
Total liabilities		1,689,776							1,632,795
Total shareholders' equity		247,670							239,809
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,937,446						$	1,872,604
Net interest income				$	49,324						$	30,634
Net interest rate spread (1)						3.56	%						2.30	%
Net interest-earning assets (2)	$	742,935						$	682,206
Net interest margin (3)						3.69	%						2.36	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		171.15	%						164.75	%

(1)	Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(2)	Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

(3)	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

(4)	Annualized.

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Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior two columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.


	Three Months Ended March 31,						Nine Months Ended March 31,
	2023 vs. 2022						2023 vs. 2022
					Total						Total
	Increase (Decrease) Due to				Increase		Increase (Decrease) Due to				Increase
	Volume		Rate		(Decrease)		Volume		Rate		(Decrease)

	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	888	$	4,458	$	5,346	$	441	$	9,795	$	10,236
Securities		261		1,616		1,877		1,221		4,077		5,298
Interest-earning deposits and other		(200)		1,511		1,311		(267)		4,968		4,701
Total interest-earning assets		949		7,585		8,534		1,395		18,840		20,235

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		(10)		194		184		(6)		385		379
Savings deposits		—		5		5		3		3		6
Money market deposits		(5)		563		558		(8)		876		868
Certificates of deposit		(37)		13		(24)		(100)		(93)		(193)
Total interest-bearing deposits		(52)		775		723		(111)		1,171		1,060
Borrowings and other		177		24		201		426		59		485
Total interest-bearing liabilities		125		799		924		315		1,230		1,545
Change in net interest income	$	824	$	6,786	$	7,610	$	1,080	$	17,610	$	18,690

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022

Total Assets. Total assets of $1.86 billion at March 31, 2023 decreased $99.9 million, or 5.1%, from $1.96 billion at June 30, 2022. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease of $231.0 million, or 61.4%, in cash and cash equivalents, offset in part by an increase of $103.7 million, or 10.5%, in net loans receivable and an increase of $22.4 million, or 4.6% in securities available for sale as we shifted the composition of earning assets from cash and cash equivalents to net loans and securities available for sale.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Total cash and cash equivalents of $145.1 million at March 31, 2023, decreased $231.0 million, or 61.4%, from $376.1 million at June 30, 2022. This decrease was primarily a result of a net decrease in deposits of $115.7 million coupled with an increase in net loans receivable of $103.7 million and an increase in securities available for sale of $22.4 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2023.

Securities Available for Sale. Total securities available for sale of $504.2 million at March 31, 2023 increased $22.4 million, or 4.6%, from $481.8 million at June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to purchases of U.S Government and agency obligations and municipal obligations of $127.9 million, offset in part by, maturities of $104.4 million and an increase in net unrealized losses of $819,000 during the nine months ended March 31, 2023.

Net Loans. Net loans of $1.09 billion at March 31, 2023 increased $103.7 million, or 10.5%, from $982.6 million at June 30, 2022. By loan category, residential mortgage loans increased by $125.7 million, or 46.5%, to $396.0 million at March 31, 2023 from $270.3 million at June 30, 2022, commercial construction loans increased by $15.2 million, or 21.4%, to $86.3 million at March 31, 2023 from $71.1 million at June 30, 2022, and home equity loans and lines of credit increased by $4.2 million, or 5.1%, to $85.4 million at March 31, 2023 from $81.2 million at June 30, 2022. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in commercial real estate loans of $21.9 million, or 4.8%, to $431.6 million at March 31, 2023 from $453.5 million at June 30, 2022, a decrease in commercial and industrial loans of $19.6 million, or 19.0%, to $83.6 million at March 31, 2023 from $103.2 million at June 30, 2022, and a decrease in consumer loans of $2.6 million, or 11.7%, to $19.7 million at March 31, 2023 from $22.3 million at June 30, 2022. The increase in residential mortgage loans and home equity loans and lines of credit were both related to loan funding outpacing loan payoffs. The increase in

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commercial construction loans was related to the funding of loan commitments which outpaced payoffs and conversion of loans to permanent financing. The decrease in commercial real estate loans was due to elevated loan prepayments. The decrease in commercial and industrial loans was primarily related to reduced line of credit utilization during the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as well as loan prepayments. The decrease in consumer loans was primarily related to reduced line of credit utilization during the nine months ended March 31, 2023.

Deposits. Total deposits of $1.56 billion at March 31, 2023 decreased $115.7 million, or 6.9%, from $1.68 billion at June 30, 2022. The decrease in deposits was related to a decrease in money market accounts of $38.2 million, or 7.7%, to $459.0 million at March 31, 2023 from $497.2 million at June 30, 2022, a decrease in demand accounts of $25.7 million, or 14.0%, to $157.2 million at March 31, 2023 from $182.8 million at June 30, 2022, a decrease in non-interest bearing demand accounts of $22.0 million, or 3.7%, to $571.5 million at March 31, 2023 from $593.5 million at June 30, 2022, a decrease in savings accounts of $16.7 million, or 5.1%, to $309.6 million at March 31, 2023 from $326.3 million at June 30, 2022 and a decrease in certificates of deposit of $13.3 million, or 16.6%, to $67.3 million at March 31, 2023 from $80.6 million at June 30, 2022. The decrease in deposits was primarily concentrated in certain larger and more rate-sensitive accounts. The effects of the Federal Reserve Board’s rapidly tightening monetary policy, inflation, and higher rate alternatives continued to have an impact on deposit balances. The Company’s deposit base was well diversified across customer segments, consisting of approximately 46.8% retail, 22.4% commercial and 30.8% municipal customer relationships at March 31, 2023. Estimated uninsured deposits, net of collateralized deposits, represented 14.7% of total deposits at March 31, 2023.

Total Shareholders’ Equity. Total shareholders’ equity of $259.9 million at March 31, 2023 increased $17.3 million, or 7.1%, from $242.6 million at June 30, 2022 primarily as a result of net income of $17.4 million for the nine month period ended March 31, 2023.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022

General. Net income increased by $5.7 million to $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $302,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net interest income of $7.6 million, offset in part by an increase in income tax expense of $1.5 million.

Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased $8.6 million, or 83.3%, to $18.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to increases in interest income on loans, securities, and interest-earning deposits and other. The increase was the result of a 209 basis points increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets to 4.45% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from 2.36% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets was driven by a significant increase in variable rate loan yields and yields on interest-earning deposits with banks due to rising market interest rates, as well as due to market related increases in interest rates on new loans and securities. Average interest-earning assets decreased by $32.2 million from $1.77 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to $1.74 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Interest income on loans increased $5.4 million, or 57.4%, to $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income on loans increased due to a 175 basis points increase in the average yield on loans to 5.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 3.87% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and a $89.3 million increase in the average balance of loans to $1.08 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $990.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in average yield on loans was primarily due to loans tied to variable short-term rates which increased significantly during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in the prior year, offset in part by a $298,000 decrease in PPP loan related interest income. The increase in the average balance of loans was principally due to purchases of residential mortgage loans.

Interest income on securities increased $1.9 million, or 251.3%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $747,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income on securities increased due to a 129 basis points increase in the average yield on securities to 2.02% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.73% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as well as, a $117.0 million increase in the average balance of securities to $531.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $414.2 million for the three months ended March 31,

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2022. The increase in the average balance of securities was due to purchases of U.S. government and agency and municipal obligation securities outpacing maturities and sales throughout the later part of fiscal year 2022 and continuing during the nine months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in average yield on securities was due to higher market rates of interest for new securities that were purchased during the nine months ended March 31, 2023 replacing scheduled maturities of lower yielding U.S. government and agency and municipal obligation securities.

Interest income on interest-earning deposits with banks and other increased $1.3 million to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $186,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income on interest-earning deposits with banks and other increased due to a 454 basis points increase in the average yield on interest-earning deposits with banks and other to 4.74% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.20% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily as a result of the increase in the Federal Funds target rate during calendar year 2022 and continuing in calendar year 2023, marginally offset by a decrease of $238.6 million in average balances on interest-earning deposits with banks and other to $130.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $368.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $924,000, or 272.6%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $339,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as a result of an increase in interest expense on deposits, as well as, on borrowings and other. The increase was primarily due to a 38 basis points increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.13% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as well as, a marginal shift in interest-bearing liabilities mix to higher interest rate liability accounts.

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $723,000, or 221.8%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $326,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased primarily due to a 31 basis points increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.43% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.12% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, offset in part by a decrease in average interest-bearing deposits of $74.7 million to $990.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.07 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest expense on borrowings and other liabilities increased $201,000 to $214,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $13,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as the Federal Reserve Board raised the Federal Funds target rate throughout calendar year 2022 and continued in calendar year 2023.

We continue to monitor the effects the precipitous increases in market rates are having on deposit rates and we anticipate the impact will lead to a continued increase in rates on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. The expected increase in rates on deposits is reflective of our strategy to maintain a strong core deposit base and continue to provide competitive offerings to customers. We have been and will be proactive in managing customer relationships with depositors, particularly larger consumer, commercial and municipal customers, as an important component of this strategy. In addition, we expect the increase in funding costs due to higher deposit costs and potentially an increase in the use of higher cost wholesale borrowings may result in pressure on net interest margin during Pioneer’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 (quarter ended June 30, 2023).

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $7.6 million, or 76.8%, to $17.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was a result of a 171 basis points increase in the net interest rate spread to 3.94% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 2.23% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Net interest margin increased 186 basis points to 4.14% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 2.28% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Net interest-earning assets increased by $22.4 million to $727.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $705.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Provision for Loan Losses. No provision for loan losses was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022. Net recoveries of $22,000 were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to net charge-offs of $63,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Non-performing assets decreased to $10.1 million, or 0.54% of total assets, at March 31, 2023, compared to $16.1 million, or 0.82% of total assets, at March 31, 2022. The allowance for loan losses was $22.2 million, or 2.00% of total loans outstanding, at March 31, 2023 and $22.6 million, or 2.29% of total net loans outstanding, at March 31, 2022.

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Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $363,000, or 10.0%, to $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in net gain on disposal of assets of $213,000 related to the sale of other real estate owned for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was consistent at $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Increases in salaries and employee benefits expense of $537,000, and professional fees of $352,000 were largely offset by a decrease in litigation-related expense of $1.2 million (see Part II, Item 1 – “Legal Proceedings,” for details). Salaries and employee benefits expense increased due to compensation expense from annual merit increases, hiring talent to fill open positions, as well as an enhanced annual award. Professional fees increased due to increased legal fees and expenses.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $1.5 million to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $154,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase in income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate was 21.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to 33.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 included New York State alternative tax on apportioned capital of 0.1875%.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022

General. Net income increased by $9.5 million, or 120.3%, to $17.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $7.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to a $18.7 million increase in net interest income and a $530,000 decrease in the provision for loan losses, offset in part by a $7.6 million increase in non-interest expense and an $2.3 million increase in income tax expense.

Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased $20.2 million, or 63.8%, to $51.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, from $31.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 due to increases in interest income on loans, securities, and interest-earning deposits and other. The increase was the result of a 145 basis points increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets to 3.89% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, from 2.44% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets was driven by a significant increase in variable rate loan yields and yields on interest-earning deposits with banks due to rising market interest rates, as well as due to market related increases in interest rates on new loans and securities. Average interest-earning assets also increased by $51.3 million from $1.74 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 to $1.79 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2023.

Interest income on loans increased $10.3 million, or 34.8%, to $39.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $29.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income on loans increased due to a 127 basis points increase in the average yield on loans to 5.12% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 3.85% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022, coupled with a $15.2 million increase in the average balance of loans to $1.04 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.02 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in average yield on loans was primarily due to loans tied to variable short-term rates which increased significantly during the nine months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in the prior year, offset in part by a $1.5 million decrease in PPP loan related interest income to $45,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in the average balance of loans was principally due to purchases of residential mortgage loans.

Interest income on securities increased $5.3 million, or 297.1%, to $7.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income on securities increased due to a 111 basis points increase in the average yield on securities to 1.78% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.67% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022, as well as, a $176.1 million increase in the average balance of securities to $530.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $354.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in the average balance of securities was due to purchases of U.S. government and agency and municipal obligation securities outpacing maturities and sales throughout the later part of fiscal year 2022 and continuing during the nine months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in average yield on securities was due to higher market rates of interest

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for new securities that were purchased during the nine months ended March 31, 2023 replacing scheduled maturities of lower yielding U.S. government and agency and municipal obligation securities.

Interest income on interest-earning deposits with banks and other increased $4.7 million to $5.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $491,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income on interest-earning deposits with banks and other increased due to a 302 basis points increase in the average yield on interest-earning deposits with banks and other to 3.20% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.18% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 primarily as a result of the increase in the Federal Funds target rate during calendar year 2022 and continuing in calendar year 2023, marginally offset by a decrease of $140.0 million in average balances on interest-earning deposits with banks and other to $216.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $356.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.5 million, or 143.1%, to $2.6 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 as a result of an increase in interest expense on deposits, as well as, on borrowings and other. The increase was primarily due to a 20 basis points increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.34% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.14% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022, as well as, a marginal shift in interest-bearing liabilities mix to higher interest rate liability accounts.

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $1.1 million, or 103.2%, to $2.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased primarily due to a 14 basis points increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.27% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 0.13% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 offset in part by a decrease in average interest-bearing deposits of $28.1 million to $1.02 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $1.05 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Interest expense on borrowings and other liabilities increased $485,000 to $538,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $53,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, as the Federal Reserve Board raised the Federal Funds target rate throughout calendar year 2022 and continued in calendar year 2023.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $18.7 million, or 61.0%, to $49.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $30.6 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was a result of a 126 basis points increase in the net interest rate spread to 3.56% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 2.30% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Net interest margin increased 133 basis points to 3.69% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from 2.36% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Net interest-earning assets increased by $60.7 million to $742.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $682.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022.

Provision for Loan Losses. A credit to the provision for loan losses of $280,000 was recorded for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 compared to a provision charge of $250,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The credit to the provision was primarily due to improved credit quality and lower net charge-offs. Net charge-offs of $30,000 were recorded for the nine months ended March 31, 2023, compared to net charge-offs of $934,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. Non-performing assets decreased to $10.1 million, or 0.54% of total assets, at March 31, 2023, compared to $16.1 million, or 0.82% of total assets, at March 31, 2022. The allowance for loan losses was $22.2 million, or 2.00% of total loans outstanding, at March 31, 2023 and $22.6 million, or 2.29% of total net loans outstanding, at March 31, 2022.

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Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased $239,000, or 2.2%, to $11.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $10.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in other income of $558,000 and an increase in insurance and wealth management services income of $276,000, offset in part by a decrease in bank fees and service charges of $339,000 and a decrease in net gain on disposal of assets of $275,000 related to the sale of other real estate owned for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in other income was primarily due to bank-owned life insurance income as a result of a death benefit. The increase in insurance and wealth management services income was due to the recent wealth management acquisitions. The decrease in bank fees and service charges was due to lower deposit service charges.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $7.6 million, or 24.7%, to $38.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $30.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to recognition in the prior-year period, of a non-recurring ERC benefit of $5.0 million which reduced non-interest expense, offset in part by the recognition, also in the prior-year period, of litigation-related expense of $1.2 million. The ERC, which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes, is one of the numerous tax provisions and other stimulus measures included in the CARES Act, as amended, providing financial assistance to businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The litigation-related expense includes expenses related to legal proceedings, exclusive of legal fees and expenses. The increase was also due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $1.9 million, an increase in professional fees of $678,000, and an increase in other expenses of $447,000. Salaries and employee benefits expense increased due to compensation expense from annual merit increases, hiring talent to fill open positions, as well as an enhanced annual award. Professional fees increased due to increased legal fees and expenses. Other expenses increased due to a tax-deductible contribution to the Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $2.3 million to $4.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 from $2.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2022, due to an increase in income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate was 21.2% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 compared to 23.1% for the nine months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily due to the increase in tax-exempt income for the nine months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the prior-year period.

Asset Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses

Asset Quality. Loans are reviewed on a regular basis. Management determines that a loan is impaired or non-performing when it is probable that at least a portion of the loan will not be collected in accordance with the original terms due to a deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower or the value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the measurement of the loan in the allowance for loan losses is based on the present value of expected future cash flows, except that all collateral-dependent loans are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the collateral. Non-accrual loans are loans for which collectability is questionable and, therefore, interest on such loans will no longer be recognized on an accrual basis. All loans that become 90 days or more delinquent are placed on non-accrual status unless the loan is well secured and is in the process of collection. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reversed, and further income is recognized only to the extent received on a cash basis or cost recovery method.

When we acquire real estate as a result of foreclosure, the real estate is classified as real estate owned. The real estate owned is recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair market value, less estimated costs to sell. Any excess of the recorded value of the loan over the fair market value of the property is charged against the allowance for loan losses, or, if the existing allowance is inadequate, charged to expense in the current period. After acquisition, all costs incurred in maintaining the property are expensed. Costs relating to the development and improvement of the property, however, are capitalized to the extent of estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring if, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, we grant a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise consider. This usually includes a modification of loan terms, such as a reduction of the interest rate to below market terms, capitalizing past due interest or extending the maturity date and possibly a partial forgiveness of the principal amount due. Interest income on restructured loans is accrued after the borrower demonstrates the ability to pay under the restructured terms through a sustained period of repayment performance, which is generally six consecutive months.

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The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated. There were no non-accruing troubled debt restructurings as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022.


	At			At
	March 31,			June 30,
	2023			2022

	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
Commercial real estate	$	304		$	756
Commercial and industrial		—			38
Commercial construction		—			—
Residential mortgages		4,150			3,975
Home equity loans and lines of credit		1,587			1,672
Consumer		—			—
Total non-accrual loans		6,041			6,441

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:
Commercial real estate		350			200
Commercial and industrial		953			378
Commercial construction		2,731			—
Residential mortgages		—			—
Home equity loans and lines of credit		—			—
Consumer		—			1
Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more		4,034			579

Real estate owned:
Commercial real estate		—			—
Commercial and industrial		—			—
Commercial construction		—			—
Residential mortgages		—			—
Home equity loans and lines of credit		—			—
Consumer		—			—
Total real estate owned		—			—

Total non-performing assets	$	10,075		$	7,020

Total accruing troubled debt restructured loans	$	2,173		$	2,191

Total non-performing loans to total loans		0.91	%		0.70	%
Total non-performing assets to total assets		0.54	%		0.36	%

Non-accrual loans were relatively unchanged at March 31, 2023 from June 30, 2022. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more increased $3.5 million to $4.0 million at March 31, 2023 from $579,000 at June 30, 2022 primarily due to one commercial construction loan relationship.

Classified Assets. Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets, such as debt and equity securities considered to be of lesser quality, as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.” 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 insured institution 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.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss allowance is not warranted. Assets which do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are designated as “special mention.”

When an insured institution classifies problem assets as either substandard or doubtful, it may establish general allowances in an amount deemed prudent by management to cover probable accrued losses. General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to cover probable accrued losses associated with lending activities, but which,

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unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When an insured institution classifies problem assets as “loss,” it is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount. An institution’s determination as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is subject to review by the regulatory authorities, which may require the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.

The following table sets forth our amounts of all classified loans and loans designated as special mention as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022.


	At		At
	March 31,		June 30,
	2023		2022

	(In thousands)
Classification of Loans:
Substandard	$	66,472	$	53,119
Doubtful		120		38
Loss		—		—
Total Classified Loans	$	66,592	$	53,157

Special Mention	$	7,832	$	9,307

Total substandard loans at March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, include three commercial real estate loan relationships in the accommodation and food service industry totaling $29.3 million and $30.3 million, respectively. Total substandard loans increased $13.4 million to $66.5 million at March 31, 2023 from $53.1 million at June 30, 2022 primarily due to two commercial real estate loan relationships that were downgraded during the third fiscal quarter of 2023. The two commercial real estate loan relationships were secured by multi-family and senior housing properties. Total special mention commercial loans decreased $1.5 million to $7.8 million at March 31, 2023 from $9.3 million at June 30, 2022 due primarily to one commercial real estate loan relationships being paid in full and other loan payments, partially offset by one commercial real estate loan relationship being downgraded to the special mention category.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the nature of the portfolio, credit concentrations, trends in historical loss experience, specific impaired loans, and economic conditions. Allowances for loans that are individually classified as impaired are generally determined based on collateral values or the present value of estimated cash flows. Because of uncertainties associated with national and regional economic conditions, collateral values, and future cash flows on impaired loans, it is reasonably possible that management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio and the related allowance may change materially in the near-term. The allowance is increased (decreased) by a provision for loan losses, which is charged (credited) to expense and reduced by full and partial charge-offs, net of recoveries. Changes in the allowance relating to impaired loans are charged or credited to the provision for loan losses. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on various factors, including, but not limited to, historical loss experience, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower, results of internal loan reviews and other qualitative and quantitative factors which could affect potential credit losses.

In addition, the NYSDFS and the FDIC periodically review our allowance for loan losses and as a result of such reviews, we may have to materially adjust our allowance for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs.

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The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.


	At or for the
	Nine Months Ended March 31,
	2023			2022

	(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance at beginning of period	$	22,524		$	23,259
Provision for loan losses		(280)			250

Charge offs:
Commercial real estate		31			112
Commercial and industrial		11			417
Commercial construction		—			—
Residential mortgages		26			354
Home equity loans and lines of credit		—			40
Consumer		130			107
Total charge-offs		198			1,030

Recoveries:
Commercial real estate		—			—
Commercial and industrial		71			26
Commercial construction		—			18
Residential mortgages		66			37
Home equity loans and lines of credit		14			—
Consumer		17			15
Total recoveries		168			96

Net charge-offs		30			934

Allowance at end of period	$	22,214		$	22,575

Allowance to non-performing loans		220.49	%		140.01	%
Allowance to total loans outstanding at the end of the period		2.00	%		2.29	%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period (1)		0.00	%		0.12	%

(1)	Annualized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity. Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the ordinary course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet the borrowing and deposit withdrawal requirements of our customers and to fund current and planned expenditures. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, and proceeds from calls, maturities and sales of securities. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. At March 31, 2023, we had the ability to borrow up to $382.8 million, of which none was utilized for borrowings and $70.0 million was utilized as collateral for letters of credit issued to secure municipal deposits. At March 31, 2023, we also had a $20.0 million unsecured line of credit with a correspondent bank with no outstanding balance, as well as the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York through the Bank Term Funding Program and the discount window lending program, and access to the reciprocal and brokered deposit markets. We cannot predict what the impact of the events described in “Recent Developments – Mann Entities Related Fraudulent Activity” above may have on our Liquidity and Capital Resources beyond the third quarter of fiscal 2023.

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The board of directors is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and deposit withdrawals of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We believe that we had enough sources of liquidity to satisfy our short and long-term liquidity needs as of March 31, 2023.

While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets are dependent on our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any period. At March 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents totaled $145.1 million. Securities classified as available-for-sale, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $504.2 million at March 31, 2023.

We are committed to maintaining a strong liquidity position. We monitor our liquidity position on a daily basis. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds to meet our current funding commitments. Certificates of deposit due within one year of March 31, 2023 totaled $48.7 million, or 3.11%, of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or borrowings than we currently pay. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by NYSDFS and the FDIC. At March 31, 2023, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

The Bank and Pioneer Commercial Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by 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 Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, banks 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. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank and Pioneer Commercial Bank to maintain minimum capital amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to average assets (as defined), and common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and total capital (as defined) to risk-weighted assets (as defined). Under Basel III rules, banks must hold a capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios in order to avoid limitations on distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The required capital conservation buffer is 2.50%.

As a result of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, the federal banking agencies developed a "Community Bank Leverage Ratio" (the ratio of a bank's tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets) for financial institutions with assets of less than $10 billion. A "qualifying community bank" that exceeds this ratio will be deemed to be in compliance with all other capital and leverage requirements, including the capital requirements to be considered “well capitalized” under Prompt Corrective Action statutes. The federal banking agencies may consider a financial institution's risk profile when evaluating whether it qualifies as a community bank for purposes of the capital ratio requirement. The federal banking agencies have set the Community Bank Leverage Ratio at 9%. A financial institution can elect to be subject to this new definition. The Bank and Pioneer Commercial Bank did not elect to become subject to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio as of March 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2023, the Bank and Pioneer Commercial Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject. Further, the most recent FDIC notification categorized the Bank and Pioneer Commercial Bank as well capitalized institutions under the prompt corrective action regulations. There have been no conditions or events since the notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s or Pioneer Commercial Bank’s capital classification.

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The actual capital amounts and ratios for the Bank and Pioneer Commercial Bank are presented in the following tables (dollars in thousands):


													To be Well
									For Capital				Capitalized Under
					For Capital				Adequacy Purposes				Prompt
	Actual				Adequacy Purposes				with Capital Buffer				Corrective Action
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
Pioneer Bank:
As of March 31, 2023

Tier 1 (leverage) capital	$	203,933	10.82	%	$	75,409	4.00	%		N/A	N/A		$	94,262	5.00	%
Risk-based capital
Common Tier 1	$	203,933	18.81	%	$	48,780	4.50	%	$	75,880	7.00	%	$	70,460	6.50	%
Tier 1	$	203,933	18.81	%	$	65,040	6.00	%	$	92,140	8.50	%	$	86,720	8.00	%
Total	$	217,588	20.07	%	$	86,720	8.00	%	$	113,820	10.50	%	$	108,400	10.00	%

As of June 30, 2022

Tier 1 (leverage) capital	$	185,892	9.48	%	$	78,405	4.00	%		N/A	N/A		$	98,006	5.00	%
Risk-based capital
Common Tier 1	$	185,892	17.98	%	$	46,515	4.50	%	$	72,357	7.00	%	$	67,189	6.50	%
Tier 1	$	185,892	17.98	%	$	62,021	6.00	%	$	87,862	8.50	%	$	82,694	8.00	%
Total	$	198,932	19.25	%	$	82,694	8.00	%	$	108,536	10.50	%	$	103,368	10.00	%


													To be Well
									For Capital				Capitalized Under
					For Capital				Adequacy Purposes				Prompt
	Actual				Adequacy Purposes				with Capital Buffer				Corrective Action
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
Pioneer Commercial Bank:
As of March 31, 2023

Tier 1 (leverage) capital	$	44,804	8.54	%	$	20,997	4.00	%		N/A	N/A		$	26,246	5.00	%
Risk-based capital
Common Tier 1	$	44,804	45.12	%	$	4,468	4.50	%	$	6,951	7.00	%	$	6,454	6.50	%
Tier 1	$	44,804	45.12	%	$	5,958	6.00	%	$	8,440	8.50	%	$	7,944	8.00	%
Total	$	44,804	45.12	%	$	7,944	8.00	%	$	10,426	10.50	%	$	9,930	10.00	%

As of June 30, 2022

Tier 1 (leverage) capital	$	39,264	7.65	%	$	20,532	4.00	%		N/A	N/A		$	25,665	5.00	%
Risk-based capital
Common Tier 1	$	39,264	40.43	%	$	4,370	4.50	%	$	6,797	7.00	%	$	6,312	6.50	%
Tier 1	$	39,264	40.43	%	$	5,826	6.00	%	$	8,254	8.50	%	$	7,768	8.00	%
Total	$	39,264	40.43	%	$	7,768	8.00	%	$	10,196	10.50	%	$	9,711	10.00	%

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. The financial instruments include commitments to originate loans, unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit, which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated statements of condition. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments.

At March 31, 2023, we had $290.9 million of commitments to originate or purchase loans, comprised of $159.7 million of commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit (including $33.4 million of unadvanced portions of commercial construction loans), $59.9 million of commitments under home equity loans and lines of credit, $63.8 million of commitments to purchase residential mortgage loans and $7.5 million of unfunded commitments under consumer lines of credit. In addition, at March 31, 2023, we had $28.5 million in standby letters of credit outstanding.

Contractual Obligations. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include data processing services, operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds and deposit liabilities.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

Our consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation.

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information relating to this item.

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and

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procedures must necessarily reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

Certain legal proceedings in which we are involved are discussed in “Part I, Item 1–Consolidated Financial Statements- Note 10 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities – Legal Proceedings and Other Contingent Liabilities.”

Item 1A – Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the following risk factors represent material updates and additions to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are a cautionary statement identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

Recent events involving the failure of financial institutions may adversely affect our business, and the market price of our common stock.

Recent developments and events in the financial services industry, including the large-scale deposit withdrawals over a short period of time at Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank that resulted in the failure of those institutions have resulted in decreased confidence in banks among depositors, other counterparties and investors, as well as significant disruption, volatility and reduced valuations of equity and other securities of banks in the capital markets. These events have occurred against the backdrop of a rapidly rising interest rate environment which, among other things, has resulted in unrealized losses in longer duration securities and loans held by banks, more competition for bank deposits and may increase the risk of a potential recession. These events and developments could materially and adversely impact our business or financial condition, including through potential liquidity pressures, reduced net interest margins, and potential increased credit losses. These recent events and developments have, and could continue to, adversely impact the market price and volatility of our common stock. These recent events may also result in changes to laws or regulations governing banks and bank holding companies or result in the impositions of restrictions through supervisory or enforcement activities, including higher capital requirements, which could have a material impact on our businesses. The cost of resolving the recent failures may prompt the FDIC to increase its premiums above the recently increased levels or to issue additional special assessments.

Lawmakers’ failure to address the federal debt ceiling in a timely manner, downgrades of the U.S. credit rating and uncertain credit and financial market conditions may affect the stability of securities issued or guaranteed by the federal government, which may affect the valuation or liquidity of our investment securities portfolio and increase future borrowing costs.

As a result of uncertain political, credit and financial market conditions, including the potential consequences of the federal government defaulting on its obligations for a period of time due to federal debt ceiling limitations or other unresolved political issues, investments in financial instruments issued or guaranteed by the federal government pose credit default and liquidity risks. Given that future deterioration in the U.S. credit and financial markets is a possibility, no assurance can be made that losses or significant deterioration in the fair value of our U.S. government issued or guaranteed investments will not occur. At March 31, 2023, we had approximately $400.6 million invested in U.S. government and agency obligations. Downgrades to the U.S. credit rating could affect the stability of securities issued or guaranteed by the federal government and the valuation or liquidity of our portfolio of such investment securities, and could result in our

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counterparties requiring additional collateral for our borrowings. Further, unless and until U.S. political, credit and financial market conditions have been sufficiently resolved or stabilized, it may increase our future borrowing costs.

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

None

Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5 – Other Information

None

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Item 6 – Exhibits


Exhibit No.		Description

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
31.2		Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
32		Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
101		The following materials from Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (Inline XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) related notes.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded in the cover page formatted in Inline XBRL)

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SIGNATURES

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

PIONEER BANCORP, INC.

(registrant)


May 15, 2023		/s/ Thomas L. Amell
		Thomas L. Amell
		President and Chief Executive Officer

May 15, 2023		/s/ Patrick J. Hughes
		Patrick J. Hughes
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer