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UNITY BANCORP INC /NJ/ - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

OR

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

For the transition period from ____ to ____.

Commission File Number 1-12431

Graphic

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey

22-3282551

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

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

64 Old Highway 22, Clinton, NJ

08809

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (908) 730-7630

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

UNTY

NASDAQ

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

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, as amended, during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:    Yes     No

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

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

Large accelerated filer  

Accelerated filer  

Nonaccelerated 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 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common equity stock, as of October 31, 2021 common stock, no par value: 10,374,214 shares outstanding.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

    

Page #

PART I

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1

Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

3

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

9

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

10

ITEM 2

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

49

ITEM 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

72

ITEM 4

Controls and Procedures

72

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

72

ITEM 1

Legal Proceedings

73

ITEM 1A

Risk Factors

73

ITEM 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

73

ITEM 3

Defaults upon Senior Securities

73

ITEM 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

73

ITEM 5

Other Information

73

ITEM 6

Exhibits

74

EXHIBIT INDEX

75

Exhibit 31.1

Exhibit 31.2

Exhibit 32.1

SIGNATURES

76

2

Table of Contents

PART I        CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1        Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

21,823

$

22,750

Interest-bearing deposits

 

194,549

 

196,561

Cash and cash equivalents

 

216,372

 

219,311

Securities:

Debt securities available for sale (amortized cost of $39,558 in 2021 and $45,921 in 2020)

 

39,763

 

45,617

Securities held to maturity (fair value of $5,164 in 2021)

 

5,151

 

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values (amortized cost of $4,563 in 2021 and $2,112 in 2020)

 

4,893

 

1,954

Total securities

 

49,807

 

47,571

Loans:

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for sale

 

20,130

 

9,335

SBA loans held for investment

 

37,986

 

39,587

SBA PPP loans

81,907

118,257

Commercial loans

 

924,037

 

839,788

Residential mortgage loans

 

420,835

 

467,586

Consumer loans

71,071

66,100

Residential construction loans

 

108,925

 

87,164

Total loans

 

1,664,891

 

1,627,817

Allowance for loan losses

 

(22,537)

 

(23,105)

Net loans

 

1,642,354

 

1,604,712

Premises and equipment, net

 

20,106

 

20,226

Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI")

 

26,587

 

26,514

Deferred tax assets

 

10,987

 

9,183

Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock

 

4,403

 

10,594

Accrued interest receivable

 

9,684

 

10,429

Goodwill

 

1,516

 

1,516

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

9,299

 

8,858

Total assets

$

1,991,115

$

1,958,914

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Deposits:

 

  

 

  

Noninterest-bearing demand

$

520,572

$

459,677

Interest-bearing demand

 

244,015

 

204,236

Savings

 

622,087

 

455,449

Time, under $100,000

 

217,302

 

264,671

Time, $100,000 to $250,000

 

65,570

 

95,595

Time, $250,000 and over

 

36,639

 

78,331

Total deposits

 

1,706,185

 

1,557,959

Borrowed funds

 

60,000

 

200,000

Subordinated debentures

 

10,310

 

10,310

Accrued interest payable

 

158

 

248

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

18,195

 

16,486

Total liabilities

 

1,794,848

 

1,785,003

Shareholders’ equity:

 

  

 

  

Common stock

93,409

 

91,873

Retained earnings

 

114,337

 

90,669

Treasury stock

(11,547)

(7,442)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

68

 

(1,189)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

196,267

 

173,911

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

1,991,115

$

1,958,914

Shares issued

11,063

10,961

Shares outstanding

10,363

10,456

Treasury shares

700

505

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Interest-bearing deposits

$

48

$

24

$

105

$

236

FHLB stock

 

41

 

79

 

157

 

268

Securities:

 

 

  

 

 

Taxable

 

292

 

383

 

837

 

1,331

Tax-exempt

 

8

 

11

 

26

 

50

Total securities

 

300

 

394

 

863

 

1,381

Loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans

 

864

 

631

 

2,423

 

2,323

SBA PPP loans

1,751

1,036

5,228

1,760

Commercial loans

 

11,280

 

10,099

 

32,490

 

29,848

Residential mortgage loans

 

4,606

 

5,490

14,640

 

16,814

Consumer loans

736

843

2,274

2,678

Residential construction loans

 

1,628

 

1,168

 

4,330

 

3,321

Total loans

 

20,865

 

19,267

 

61,385

 

56,744

Total interest income

 

21,254

 

19,764

 

62,510

 

58,629

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest-bearing demand deposits

 

247

 

318

 

863

 

1,025

Savings deposits

 

390

 

502

 

1,241

 

2,000

Time deposits

 

659

 

2,157

 

3,293

 

7,056

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

 

235

 

460

 

922

 

1,449

Total interest expense

 

1,531

 

3,437

 

6,319

 

11,530

Net interest income

 

19,723

 

16,327

 

56,191

47,099

Provision for loan losses

 

 

2,000

 

500

 

6,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

19,723

 

14,327

 

55,691

 

41,099

NONINTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Branch fee income

 

294

 

237

 

858

 

761

Service and loan fee income

 

804

 

419

 

1,937

 

1,185

Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net

 

 

534

 

741

 

1,099

Gain on sale of mortgage loans, net

 

968

 

1,713

 

3,785

 

4,317

BOLI income

 

138

 

147

 

399

 

474

Net security gains (losses)

 

202

 

(96)

 

535

 

(187)

Other income

 

403

 

382

 

1,175

 

1,043

Total noninterest income

 

2,809

 

3,336

 

9,430

 

8,692

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Compensation and benefits

 

5,720

 

5,761

 

18,116

 

16,752

Processing and communications

 

747

 

722

 

2,303

 

2,199

Occupancy

 

654

 

639

 

1,991

 

1,892

Furniture and equipment

 

627

 

637

 

1,935

 

1,933

Professional services

 

315

 

274

 

1,035

 

805

Advertising

 

261

 

191

 

932

 

688

Other loan expenses

 

452

 

216

 

759

 

473

BSA expenses

 

214

 

626

 

664

 

1,176

Deposit insurance

198

197

637

444

Director fees

 

189

 

191

 

600

 

572

Loan collection & OREO expenses

 

62

 

33

 

67

 

220

Other expenses

 

421

 

550

 

1,084

 

1,386

Total noninterest expense

 

9,860

 

10,037

 

30,123

 

28,540

Income before provision for income taxes

 

12,672

 

7,626

 

34,998

 

21,251

Provision for income taxes

 

3,213

 

1,866

 

8,625

 

4,952

Net income

$

9,459

$

5,760

$

26,373

$

16,299

Net income per common share - Basic

$

0.91

$

0.54

$

2.53

$

1.51

Net income per common share - Diluted

$

0.90

$

0.54

$

2.50

$

1.50

Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic

 

10,372

 

10,630

 

10,412

 

10,768

Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted

 

10,507

 

10,706

 

10,546

 

10,875

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

    

    

    

    

Income tax

    

Before tax

Income tax

Net of tax

Before tax

expense

Net of tax

(In thousands)

amount

expense

amount

     

amount

(benefit)

amount

Net income

$

12,672

3,213

9,459

$

7,626

1,866

5,760

Other comprehensive income (loss) income

Debt securities available for sale:

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period

 

481

122

359

(1,060)

(298)

(762)

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) on securities included in net income

 

198

42

156

(96)

(20)

(76)

Total unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale

 

283

 

80

 

203

 

(964)

 

(278)

 

(686)

Adjustments related to defined benefit plan:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Amortization of prior service cost

 

20

6

14

Total adjustments related to defined benefit plan

 

 

 

 

20

 

6

 

14

Net unrealized gains from cash flow hedges:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedges arising during the period

 

86

24

62

220

63

157

Total unrealized gains on cash flow hedges

 

86

 

24

 

62

 

220

 

63

 

157

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

369

 

104

 

265

 

(724)

 

(209)

 

(515)

Total comprehensive income

$

13,041

$

3,317

$

9,724

$

6,902

$

1,657

$

5,245

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

For the nine months ended

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

    

    

    

    

Income tax

    

Before tax

Income tax

Net of tax

Before tax

expense

Net of tax

(In thousands)

amount

expense

amount

amount

(benefit)

amount

Net income

$

34,998

$

8,625

$

26,373

$

21,251

$

4,952

$

16,299

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

Debt securities available for sale:

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period

 

1,042

257

785

(728)

(197)

(531)

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) on securities included in net income

 

533

113

420

(186)

(38)

(148)

Total unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale

 

509

 

144

 

365

 

(542)

 

(159)

 

(383)

Adjustments related to defined benefit plan:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Amortization of prior service cost

 

332

94

238

62

18

44

Total adjustments related to defined benefit plan

 

332

 

94

 

238

 

62

 

18

 

44

Net unrealized gains (losses) from cash flow hedges:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during the period

 

911

257

654

(1,530)

(442)

(1,088)

Total unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

 

911

 

257

 

654

 

(1,530)

 

(442)

 

(1,088)

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

1,752

 

495

 

1,257

 

(2,010)

 

(583)

 

(1,427)

Total comprehensive income

$

36,750

$

9,120

$

27,630

$

19,241

$

4,369

$

14,872

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

    

    

    

Accumulated

    

other

Total

Stock

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

shareholders’

(In thousands)

Shares

Amount

earnings

(loss) income

aa

stock

equity

Balance, December 31, 2020

 

10,456

$

91,873

$

90,669

$

(1,189)

$

(7,442)

$

173,911

Net income

 

8,496

 

8,496

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

655

 

655

Dividends on common stock ($0.08 per share)

 

30

(834)

 

(804)

Common stock issued & related tax effects (1)

 

36

277

 

277

Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost

(70)

(1,349)

(1,349)

Balance, March 31, 2021

10,422

 

92,180

 

98,331

 

(534)

(8,791)

 

181,186

Net income

 

 

 

8,418

 

 

8,418

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

337

 

337

Dividends on common stock ($0.09 per share)

 

 

33

 

(938)

 

 

(905)

Common stock issued & related tax effects (1)

 

34

 

597

 

 

 

597

Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost

 

(40)

(877)

 

(877)

Balance, June 30, 2021

 

10,416

 

92,810

 

105,811

 

(197)

(9,668)

 

188,756

Net income

 

9,459

 

9,459

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

265

 

265

Dividends on common stock ($0.09 per share)

 

34

(933)

 

(899)

Common stock issued & related tax effects (1)

 

32

565

 

565

Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost

(85)

(1,879)

(1,879)

Balance, September 30, 2021

 

10,363

$

93,409

$

114,337

$

68

$

(11,547)

$

196,267

(1)Includes the issuance of common stock under employee benefit plans, which includes nonqualified stock options and restricted stock expense related entries, employee option exercises and the tax benefit of options exercised.

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

    

    

    

Accumulated

    

other

Total

Stock

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

shareholders’

(In thousands)

Shares

Amount

earnings

income (loss)

stock

aa

equity

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

10,881

$

90,113

$

70,442

$

154

$

$

160,709

Net income

 

 

 

5,368

 

 

5,368

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

(986)

 

(986)

Dividends on common stock ($0.08 per share)

 

 

30

 

(871)

 

 

(841)

Common stock issued & related tax effects (1)

 

13

 

227

 

 

 

227

Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost

(11)

(172)

(172)

Balance, March 31, 2020

10,883

 

90,370

 

74,939

 

(832)

 

(172)

 

164,305

Net income

 

 

 

5,171

 

 

 

5,171

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

74

 

 

74

Dividends on common stock ($0.08 per share)

 

 

29

 

(857)

 

 

 

(828)

Common stock issued & related tax effects (1)

 

45

 

704

 

 

 

 

704

Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost

(200)

(2,819)

(2,819)

Balance, June 30, 2020

 

10,728

 

91,103

 

79,253

 

(758)

 

(2,991)

 

166,607

Net income

 

 

 

5,760

 

 

 

5,760

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

(515)

 

 

(515)

Dividends on common stock ($0.08 per share)

 

 

29

 

(845)

 

 

 

(816)

Common stock issued & related tax effects (1)

 

4

 

342

 

 

 

 

342

Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost

(162)

(2,144)

(2,144)

Balance, September 30, 2020

 

10,570

$

91,474

$

84,168

$

(1,273)

$

(5,135)

$

169,234

(1)Includes the issuance of common stock under employee benefit plans, which includes nonqualified stock options and restricted stock expense related entries, employee option exercises and the tax benefit of options exercised.

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

26,373

$

16,299

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

 

  

 

Provision for loan losses

 

500

 

6,000

Net amortization of purchase premiums and discounts on securities

 

180

 

183

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,125

 

1,295

PPP deferred fees and costs

368

3,888

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(2,300)

 

(2,292)

Net security gains

 

(47)

 

(322)

Stock compensation expense

 

1,189

 

1,059

Valuation writedowns on OREO

 

 

200

Gain on sale of mortgage loans, net

 

(4,953)

 

(3,590)

Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net

 

(741)

 

(1,099)

Origination of mortgage loans sold

 

(245,933)

 

(191,667)

Origination of SBA loans held for sale

 

(15,221)

 

(4,154)

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans, net

 

250,886

 

195,257

Proceeds from sale of SBA loans held for sale, net

 

6,466

 

13,517

BOLI income

 

(399)

 

(474)

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

 

4

 

Net change in other assets and liabilities

 

2,677

 

(1,287)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

20,174

 

32,813

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

Purchases of securities held to maturity

 

(10,248)

 

Purchase of equity securities

 

(2,500)

 

Purchases of securities available for sale

 

(12,251)

 

(2,717)

Purchases of FHLB stock, at cost

 

(38,314)

 

(58,780)

Maturities and principal payments on securities held to maturity

 

5,094

 

Maturities and principal payments on debt securities available for sale

 

11,434

 

11,239

Proceeds from sales of debt securities available for sale

 

7,048

 

6,635

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

 

53

 

111

Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock

 

44,505

 

60,570

Proceeds from sale of OREO

 

 

812

Net decrease (increase) in SBA PPP loans

35,998

(142,845)

Net increase in loans

 

(64,936)

 

(57,259)

Proceeds from BOLI

 

326

 

315

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

 

20

 

Purchases of premises and equipment

 

(1,105)

 

(435)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(24,876)

 

(182,354)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

Net increase in deposits

 

148,226

 

243,326

Proceeds from new borrowings

 

20,000

 

200,000

Repayments of borrowings

 

(160,000)

 

(243,000)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

445

 

396

Fair market value of shares withheld to cover employee tax liability

 

(195)

 

(182)

Dividends on common stock

 

(2,608)

 

(2,485)

Purchase of treasury stock

(4,105)

(5,135)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

1,763

 

192,920

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(2,939)

 

43,379

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

219,311

 

158,016

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

216,372

$

201,395

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES

 

  

 

  

Cash:

 

  

 

  

Interest paid

$

6,409

$

11,702

Income taxes paid

10,290

6,762

Noncash investing activities:

  

Establishment of lease liability and right-of-use asset

1,803

28

Transfer of SBA loans held for sale to held to maturity

1,193

Capitalization of servicing rights

$

125

$

575

The accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Unity Bancorp, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

September 30, 2021

NOTE 1. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Unity Bancorp, Inc. (the "Parent Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Unity Bank (the "Bank" or when consolidated with the Parent Company, the "Company"), and reflect all adjustments and disclosures which are generally routine and recurring in nature, and in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of interim results. The Bank has multiple subsidiaries used to hold part of its investment and loan portfolios. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation, with no impact on current earnings or shareholders’ equity. The financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and has not been audited. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Amounts requiring the use of significant estimates include the allowance for loan losses, valuation of deferred tax and servicing assets, the carrying value of loans held for sale and other real estate owned, the valuation of securities and the determination of other-than-temporary impairment for securities and fair value disclosures. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. The markets served by the Company were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which started during the first quarter of 2020. The Company continues to assess the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The interim unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of interim results. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire year. As used in this Form 10-Q, “we” and “us” and “our” refer to Unity Bancorp, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiary, Unity Bank, depending on the context. Certain information and financial disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted from interim reporting pursuant to SEC rules. Interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Risks and Uncertainties

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected local, national and global economic activity. Actions taken to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 included restrictions on travel, localized quarantines, and government-mandated closures of certain businesses. The spread of the outbreak caused significant disruptions to the U.S. economy and disrupted banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates.

On March 3, 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the targeted federal funds interest rate range by 50 basis points to 1.00 percent to 1.25 percent. This range was further reduced to 0 percent to 0.25 percent on March 16, 2020. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted to, among other things, provide emergency assistance for individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These reductions in interest rates and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in future periods. It is unknown how long the adverse conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will last and what the complete financial effect will be to the Company. It is possible that estimates made in the financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted as a result of these conditions.

On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR to the LIBOR administration after 2021. The

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announcement also indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the LIBOR administrator or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. Similarly, it is not possible to predict whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable benchmark for certain loans and liabilities including our subordinated debentures, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR or the effect of any changes in views or alternatives on the values of the loans and liabilities, whose interest rates are tied to LIBOR. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes, alternative reference rates, the elimination or replacement of LIBOR, or other reforms may adversely affect the value of, and the return on our loans, and our investment securities.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

The Company has a process in place to identify securities that could potentially incur credit impairment that is other-than-temporary. This process involves monitoring late payments, pricing levels, downgrades by rating agencies, key financial ratios, financial statements, revenue forecasts and cash flow projections as indicators of credit issues. Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concern warrants such evaluation. This evaluation considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest rate-related impairment of a security is other-than-temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1) the extent and length of time the fair value has been below cost; (2) the reasons for the decline in value; (3) the financial position and access to capital of the issuer, including the current and future impact of any specific events and (4) for fixed maturity securities, the intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity and for equity securities, our ability and intent to hold the security for a forecasted period of time that allows for the recovery in value.

Management assesses its intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit losses. For debt securities that are considered other-than-temporarily impaired with no intent to sell and no requirement to sell prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, the amount of the impairment is separated into the amount that is credit related (credit loss component) and the amount due to all other factors. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows. The remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of future expected cash flows is due to factors that are not credit related and is recognized in other comprehensive income. For debt securities where management has the intent to sell, the amount of the impairment is reflected in earnings as realized losses.

The present value of expected future cash flows is determined using the best estimate cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or the current yield to accrete an asset-backed or floating rate security. The methodology and assumptions for establishing the best estimate cash flows vary depending on the type of security. The asset-backed securities cash flow estimates are based on bond specific facts and circumstances that may include collateral characteristics, expectations of delinquency and default rates, loss severity and prepayment speeds and structural support, including subordination and guarantees. The corporate bond cash flow estimates are derived from scenario-based outcomes of expected corporate restructurings or the disposition of assets using bond specific facts and circumstances including timing, security interests and loss severity.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

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Loans

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale represent the guaranteed portion of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, other than loans originated under the Paycheck Protection Program, and are reflected at the lower of aggregate cost or market value. The Company originates loans to customers under an SBA program that historically has provided for SBA guarantees of up to 90 percent of each loan. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portion of its SBA loans to a third party and retains the servicing, holding the nonguaranteed portion in its portfolio. The net amount of loan origination fees on loans sold is included in the carrying value and in the gain or loss on the sale. When sales of SBA loans do occur, the premium received on the sale and the present value of future cash flows of the servicing assets are recognized in income. All criteria for sale accounting must be met in order for the loan sales to occur; see details under the “Transfers of Financial Assets” heading above.

Servicing assets represent the estimated fair value of retained servicing rights, net of servicing costs, at the time loans are sold. Servicing assets are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on stratifying the underlying financial assets by date of origination and term. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Any impairment, if temporary, would be reported as a valuation allowance.

Serviced loans sold to others are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and fees collected for loan servicing are credited to noninterest income when earned, net of amortization on the related servicing assets.

Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment are stated at the unpaid principal balance, net of unearned discounts and deferred loan origination fees and costs. In accordance with the level yield method, loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the estimated life of the related loans as an adjustment to the loan yield. Interest is credited to operations primarily based upon the principal balance outstanding.

Loans are reported as past due when either interest or principal is unpaid in the following circumstances: fixed payment loans when the borrower is in arrears for two or more monthly payments; open end credit for two or more billing cycles; and single payment notes if interest or principal remains unpaid for 30 days or more.

Nonperforming loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest as a result of principal or interest being in default for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt (nonaccrual loans). When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, interest accruals are discontinued and all past due interest previously recognized as income is reversed and charged against current period earnings. Generally, until the loan becomes current, any payments received from the borrower are applied to outstanding principal until such time as management determines that the financial condition of the borrower and other factors merit recognition of a portion of such payments as interest income. Loans may be returned to an accrual status when the ability to collect is reasonably assured and when the loan is brought current as to principal and interest.

Loans are charged off when collection is sufficiently questionable and when the Company can no longer justify maintaining the loan as an asset on the balance sheet. Loans qualify for charge-off when, after thorough analysis, all possible sources of repayment are insufficient. These include: 1) potential future cash flows, 2) value of collateral, and/or 3) strength of co-makers and guarantors. All unsecured loans are charged off upon the establishment of the loan’s nonaccrual status. Additionally, all loans classified as a loss or that portion of the loan classified as a loss is charged off. All loan charge-offs are approved by the Board of Directors.

Troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") occur when a creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to a debtor’s financial condition, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. These concessions typically include reductions in interest rate, extending the maturity of a loan, or a combination of both. Interest income on

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accruing TDRs is credited to operations primarily based upon the principal amount outstanding, as stated in the paragraphs above.

The Company evaluates its loans for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company has defined impaired loans to be all TDRs and nonperforming loans individually evaluated for impairment. Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of a similar nature (consumer and residential mortgage loans), and on an individual basis for all other loans. Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, based on a loan’s observable market price or the fair value of collateral, net of estimated costs to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent. If the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the Company establishes a valuation allowance, or adjusts existing valuation allowances, with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses.

For additional information on loans, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the section titled "Loan Portfolio" under Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management considers adequate to provide for probable loan losses as of the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and is reduced by net charge-offs.

The level of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of probable losses in the loan portfolio, after consideration of prevailing economic conditions in the Company’s market area, the volume and composition of the loan portfolio, and historical loan loss experience. The allowance for loan losses consists of specific reserves for individually impaired credits and TDRs, reserves for nonimpaired loans based on historical loss factors and reserves based on general economic factors and other qualitative risk factors such as changes in delinquency trends, industry concentrations or local/national economic trends. This risk assessment process is performed at least quarterly, and, as adjustments become necessary, they are realized in the periods in which they become known.

Although management attempts to maintain the allowance at a level deemed adequate to provide for probable losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon certain factors including changes in market conditions and underlying collateral values. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for loan losses. These agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

The Company maintains an allowance for unfunded loan commitments that is maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses. Adjustments to the allowance are made through other expenses and applied to the allowance which is maintained in other liabilities.

For additional information on the allowance for loan losses and unfunded loan commitments, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the sections titled "Asset Quality" and "Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments" under Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes according to the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates applicable to taxable income for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

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Valuation reserves are established against certain deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Increases or decreases in the valuation reserve are charged or credited to the income tax provision. When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that ultimately would be sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. The evaluation of a tax position taken is considered by itself and not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits would be recognized in income tax expense on the income statement.

NOTE 2. Litigation

The Company may, in the ordinary course of business, become a party to litigation involving collection matters, contract claims and other legal proceedings relating to the conduct of its business. In the best judgment of management, based upon consultation with counsel, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company will not be affected materially by the final outcome of any pending legal proceedings or other contingent liabilities and commitments.

NOTE 3. Net Income per Share

Basic net income per common share is calculated as net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period.

Diluted net income per common share is computed similarly to that of basic net income per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares, principally stock options, were issued during the reporting period utilizing the Treasury stock method.

The following is a reconciliation of the calculation of basic and diluted income per share:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

Net income

$

9,459

$

5,760

$

26,373

$

16,299

Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic

 

10,372

 

10,630

 

10,412

 

10,768

Plus: Potential dilutive common stock equivalents

 

135

 

76

 

134

 

107

Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted

 

10,507

 

10,706

 

10,546

 

10,875

Net income per common share - Basic

$

0.91

$

0.54

$

2.53

$

1.51

Net income per common share - Diluted

 

0.90

 

0.54

 

2.50

 

1.50

Stock options and common stock excluded from the income per share calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive

 

270

 

430

 

234

 

413

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NOTE 4. Income Taxes

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition of income taxes and provides criteria for the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also includes guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition of income taxes.

On July 1, 2018, New Jersey’s Assembly Bill 4202 was signed into law. The bill, effective January 1, 2018, imposed a temporary surtax on corporations earning New Jersey allocated taxable income in excess of $1 million at a rate of 2.5 percent for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, and at 1.5 percent for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021. In addition, New Jersey adopted mandatory unitary combined reporting for its Corporation Business Tax, which became effective for periods on or after January 1, 2019.

On September 29, 2020, New Jersey’s Assembly Bill 4721 was signed into law. The bill, retroactively effective January 1, 2020, extends the 2.5% corporate income surtax until December 31, 2023. If the federal corporate tax rate is increased to a rate of at least 35% of taxable income, the surtax will be suspended.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company reported income tax expense of $3.2 million for an effective tax rate of 25.4 percent, compared to an income tax expense of $1.9 million and an effective tax rate of 24.5 percent for the prior year’s quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company reported income tax expense of $8.6 million for an effective tax rate of 24.6 percent, compared to an income tax expense of $5.0 million and an effective tax rate of 23.3 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company did not recognize or accrue any interest or penalties related to income taxes during the three or the nine months ended September 30, 2021 or 2020. The Company did not have an accrual for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2021 or December 31,2020, as deductions taken and benefits accrued are based on widely understood administrative practices and procedures and are based on clear and unambiguous tax law. Tax returns for all years 2016 and thereafter are subject to future examination by tax authorities.

NOTE 5. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables show the changes in other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, net of tax:

For the three months ended September 30, 2021

 

 

Adjustments

 

Net unrealized

 

Accumulated

 

Net unrealized

 

related to

 

(losses) gains

 

other

 

(losses) gains on

 

defined benefit

 

from cash flow

 

comprehensive

(In thousands)

securities

 

plan

 

hedges

 

(loss) income

Balance, beginning of period

$

(52)

$

$

(145)

$

(197)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

359

62

 

421

Less amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

156

 

156

Period change

 

203

 

 

62

 

265

Balance, end of period

$

151

$

$

(83)

$

68

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For the three months ended September 30, 2020

 

 

Adjustments

 

Net unrealized

 

Accumulated

 

Net unrealized

 

related to

 

(losses) gains

 

other

 

gains (losses) on

 

defined benefit

 

from cash flow

 

comprehensive

(In thousands)

securities

 

plan

 

hedges

 

loss

Balance, beginning of period

$

584

$

(265)

$

(1,077)

$

(758)

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

 

(762)

157

 

(605)

Less amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(76)

(14)

 

(90)

Period change

 

(686)

 

14

 

157

 

(515)

Balance, end of period

$

(102)

$

(251)

$

(920)

$

(1,273)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021

 

 

Adjustments

 

Net unrealized

 

Accumulated

 

Net unrealized

 

related to

 

(losses) gains

 

other

 

(losses) gains on

 

defined benefit

 

from cash flow

 

comprehensive

(In thousands)

securities

 

plan

 

hedges

 

(loss) income

Balance, beginning of period

$

(214)

$

(238)

$

(737)

$

(1,189)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

785

654

 

1,439

Less amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

420

(238)

 

182

Period change

 

365

 

238

 

654

 

1,257

Balance, end of period

$

151

$

$

(83)

$

68

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020

 

 

Adjustments

 

Net unrealized

 

Accumulated

 

Net unrealized

 

related to

 

gains (losses)

 

other

 

gains (loss) on

 

defined benefit

 

from cash flow

 

comprehensive

(In thousands)

securities

 

plan

 

hedges

 

income (loss)

Balance, beginning of period

$

281

$

(295)

$

168

$

154

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

 

(531)

(1,088)

 

(1,619)

Less amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(148)

(44)

 

(192)

Period change

 

(383)

 

44

 

(1,088)

 

(1,427)

Balance, end of period

$

(102)

$

(251)

$

(920)

$

(1,273)

NOTE 6. Fair Value

Fair Value Measurement

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,” which requires additional disclosures about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an 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. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income and cost approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company often utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value

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hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed as follows:

Level 1 Inputs

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Generally, this includes debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market (i.e. New York Stock Exchange), as well as certain U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government and sponsored entity agency mortgage-backed securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2 Inputs

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets.
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the term of the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds or volatilities) or “market corroborated inputs.”
Generally, this includes U.S. Government and sponsored entity mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities and derivative contracts

Level 3 Inputs

Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable (i.e. supported by little or no market activity) and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
These assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Debt Securities Available for Sale

The fair value of available for sale ("AFS") debt securities is the market value based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers (Level 1). If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of the Company’s AFS debt securities portfolio was $39.8 million. Approximately 28 percent of the portfolio was made up of residential mortgage-backed securities, which had a fair value of $11.0 million at September 30, 2021. Approximately $10.9 million of the residential mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). The underlying loans for these securities are residential mortgages that are geographically dispersed throughout the United States.

Most of the Company’s AFS debt securities were classified as Level 2 assets at September 30, 2021. The valuation of AFS debt securities using Level 2 inputs was primarily determined using the market approach, which uses quoted prices

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for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and all other relevant information. It includes model pricing, defined as valuing securities based upon their relationship with other benchmark securities.

Included in the Company’s AFS debt securities are two corporate bonds which are classified as Level 3 assets at September 30, 2021, which were previously classified as Level 2 assets.  The valuation of these corporate bonds is determined using broker quotes, third-party vendor prices, or other valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow techniques.  Market inputs used in the other valuation techniques or underlying third-party vendor prices or broker quotes include benchmark and government bond yield curves, credit spreads, and trade execution data. 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Level 3 available for sale debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Balance at beginning of period (1)

 

$

4,675

 

$

6,243

$

4,400

 

$

6,238

Purchases/additions

Sales/reductions

 

 

 

 

Realized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains

 

275

 

(728)

 

550

 

(723)

Balance at end of period

$

4,950

$

5,515

$

4,950

$

5,515

(1) Includes AFS debt securities classified as Level 2 at December 31, 2019, which were transferred to Level 3 during the period ended December 31, 2020.

Equity Securities with Readily Determinable Fair Values

The fair value of equity securities is the market value based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers (Level 1). If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of the Company’s equity securities portfolio was $4.9 million.

All of the Company’s equity securities were classified as Level 2 assets at September 30, 2021. The valuation of equity securities using Level 2 inputs was primarily determined using the market approach, which uses quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and all other relevant information.

There were no changes in the inputs or methodologies used to determine fair value during the period ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the periods ended December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

Loans Held for Sale

Fair Value for loans held for sale is derived from quoted market prices for similar loans, in which case they are characterized as Level 2 assets in the fair value hierarchy.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements is the market value based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers (Level 1). If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

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The Company’s derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 assets, as the readily observable market inputs to these models are validated to external sources, such as industry pricing services, or are corroborated through recent trades, dealer quotes, yield curves, implied volatility or other market-related data.

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2021 Using

Quoted Prices in

Assets/Liabilities

Active Markets

Significant Other

Significant

Measured at Fair

for Identical

Observable

Unobservable

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

Assets (Level 1)

    

Inputs (Level 2)

    

Inputs (Level 3)

Measured on a recurring basis:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Debt securities available for sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

State and political subdivisions

$

1,062

$

$

1,062

$

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

11,008

 

 

11,008

 

Corporate and other securities

 

27,693

 

 

22,743

 

4,950

Total debt securities available for sale

$

39,763

$

$

34,813

$

4,950

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values

 

4,893

 

 

4,893

 

Total equity securities

$

4,893

$

$

4,893

$

Loans held for sale

 

22,537

 

 

22,537

 

Total loans held for sale

$

22,537

$

$

22,537

$

Interest rate swap agreements

 

(115)

 

 

(115)

 

Total swap agreements

$

(115)

$

$

(115)

$

Fair value Measurements at December 31, 2020 Using

Quoted Prices in

Assets/Liabilities

Active Markets

Significant Other

Significant

Measured at Fair

for Identical

Observable

Unobservable

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

Assets (Level 1)

    

Inputs (Level 2)

    

Inputs (Level 3)

Measured on a recurring basis:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Debt securities available for sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

U.S. Government sponsored entities

$

2,003

$

$

2,003

$

State and political subdivisions

 

2,969

 

 

2,969

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

17,410

 

 

17,410

 

Corporate and other securities

 

23,235

 

 

18,835

 

4,400

Total debt securities available for sale

$

45,617

$

$

41,217

$

4,400

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values

 

1,954

 

 

1,954

 

Total equity securities

$

1,954

$

$

1,954

$

Loans held for sale

 

10,712

 

 

10,712

 

Total loans held for sale

$

10,712

$

$

10,712

$

Interest rate swap agreements

 

(1,026)

 

 

(1,026)

 

Total swap agreements

$

(1,026)

$

$

(1,026)

$

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Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following tables present the assets and liabilities subject to fair value adjustments (impairment) on a non-recurring basis carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the hierarchy (as described above):

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2021 Using

Quoted Prices

Significant

in Active

Other

Significant

Assets/Liabilities

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

Net Credit

Measured at Fair

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

During

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Period

Measured on a non-recurring basis:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Financial assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Impaired collateral-dependent loans

$

7,639

$

$

$

7,639

$

(968)

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020 Using

Quoted Prices

Significant

in Active

Other

Significant

Net (Credit)

Assets/Liabilities

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

Provision

Measured at Fair

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

During

(In thousands)

    

Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Period

Financial assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

OREO

$

$

$

$

$

(225)

Impaired collateral-dependent loans

 

11,959

 

 

 

11,959

 

3,693

Certain assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

Appraisal Policy

All appraisals must be performed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice ("USPAP"). Appraisals are certified to the Company and performed by appraisers on the Company’s approved list of appraisers. Evaluations are completed by a person independent of Company management. The content of the appraisal depends on the complexity of the property. Appraisals are completed on a “retail value” and an “as is value.”

OREO

The fair value of OREO is determined using third party appraisals, which may be discounted based on management’s review and changes in market conditions (Level 3 Inputs).

Impaired Collateral-Dependent Loans

The fair value of impaired collateral-dependent loans is derived in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.”  Fair value is determined based on the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. Partially charged-off loans are measured for impairment based upon a third party appraisal for collateral-dependent loans. When an updated appraisal is received for a nonperforming loan, the value on the appraisal may be discounted in the manner discussed above. If there is a deficiency in the value after the Company applies these discounts, management applies a specific reserve and the loan remains in nonaccrual status. The receipt of an updated appraisal would not qualify as a reason to put a loan back into accruing status. The Company removes loans from nonaccrual status generally when the borrower makes three months of contractual payments and demonstrates the ability to service the debt going forward. Charge-offs are determined based upon the loss that management believes the Company will incur after evaluating collateral for impairment based upon the valuation methods described above and the ability of the borrower to pay any deficiency.

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The valuation allowance for impaired loans is included in the allowance for loan losses in the consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2021, the valuation allowance for impaired loans was $3.1 million, a decrease of $968 thousand from $4.1 million at December 31, 2020.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including those financial instruments for which the Company did not elect the fair value option. These estimated fair values as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop estimates of fair value. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and estimation methodologies could have had a material effect on these estimates of fair value. The methodology for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of other financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For these short-term instruments, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Securities

The fair value of securities is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

SBA Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of SBA loans held for sale is estimated by using a market approach that includes significant other observable inputs.

Loans

The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current market rates that reflect the interest rate risk inherent in the loan, except for previously discussed impaired loans.

FHLB Stock

Federal Home Loan Bank stock is carried at cost. Carrying value approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the issues.

Servicing Assets

Servicing assets do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. The Company estimates the fair value of servicing assets using discounted cash flow models incorporating numerous assumptions from the perspective of a market participant including market discount rates and prepayment speeds.

Accrued Interest

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

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Deposit Liabilities

The fair value of demand deposits and savings accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e. carrying value). The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current market rates.

Borrowed Funds and Subordinated Debentures

The fair value of borrowings is estimated by discounting the projected future cash flows using current market rates.

Standby Letters of Credit

At September 30, 2021, the Bank had standby letters of credit outstanding of $3.2 million. The fair value of these commitments is nominal.

The table below presents the carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments presented as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

September 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

Fair value

Carrying

Estimated

Carrying

Estimated

(In thousands)

    

level

    

amount

    

fair value

    

amount

    

fair value

Financial assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Level 1

$

216,372

$

216,372

$

219,311

$

219,311

Securities (1)

 

Level 2

 

49,807

 

44,656

 

47,571

 

47,571

SBA loans held for sale

 

Level 2

 

20,130

 

22,537

 

9,335

 

10,712

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses (2)

 

Level 2

 

1,622,224

 

1,635,816

 

1,595,377

 

1,613,593

FHLB stock

 

Level 2

 

4,403

 

4,403

 

10,594

 

10,594

Servicing assets

 

Level 3

 

1,217

 

1,217

 

1,857

 

1,857

Accrued interest receivable

 

Level 2

 

9,684

 

9,684

 

10,429

 

10,429

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

Level 2

 

1,706,185

 

1,704,827

 

1,557,959

 

1,561,502

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

 

Level 2

 

70,310

 

71,399

 

210,310

 

212,358

Accrued interest payable

 

Level 2

 

158

 

158

 

248

 

248

(1)Includes corporate securities that are considered Level 3 and reported separately in the table under the “Fair Value on a Recurring Basis” heading. These securities had book values of $5.0 million and market values of $4.7 million.
(2)Includes collateral-dependent impaired loans that are considered Level 3 and reported separately in the tables under the “Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis” heading. Collateral-dependent impaired loans, net of specific reserves totaled $7.6 million and $12.0 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Limitations

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

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Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-statement of condition financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the effect of fair value estimates have not been considered in the above estimates.

NOTE 7. Securities

This table provides the major components of debt securities available for sale ("AFS"), held to maturity (“HTM”) and equity securities with readily determinable fair values ("equity securities") at amortized cost and estimated fair value at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

September 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

    

    

Gross

    

Gross

    

    

    

Gross

    

Gross

    

Amortized

unrealized

unrealized

Estimated

Amortized

unrealized

unrealized

Estimated

(In thousands)

cost

gains

losses

fair value

cost

gains

losses

fair value

Available for sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

U.S. Government sponsored entities

$

$

$

$

$

2,000

$

3

$

$

2,003

State and political subdivisions

 

1,062

 

8

 

(8)

 

1,062

 

2,935

 

34

 

 

2,969

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

10,576

 

433

 

(1)

 

11,008

 

16,765

 

645

 

 

17,410

Corporate and other securities

 

27,920

 

243

 

(470)

 

27,693

 

24,221

 

132

 

(1,118)

 

23,235

Total debt securities available for sale

$

39,558

$

684

$

(479)

$

39,763

$

45,921

$

814

$

(1,118)

$

45,617

Held to maturity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government sponsored entities

$

2,000

$

18

$

$

2,018

$

$

$

$

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

3,151

 

 

(5)

 

3,146

 

 

 

 

Total securities held to maturity

$

5,151

$

18

$

(5)

$

5,164

$

$

$

$

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

$

4,563

$

401

$

(71)

$

4,893

$

2,112

$

$

(158)

$

1,954

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This table provides the remaining contractual maturities and yields of securities within the investment portfolios. The carrying value of securities at September 30, 2021 is distributed by contractual maturity. Mortgage-backed securities and other securities, which may have principal prepayment provisions, are distributed based on contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ materially from contractual maturities as a result of early prepayments and calls.

After one through

After five through

Total carrying

 

Within one year

five years

ten years

After ten years

value

 

(In thousands, except percentages)

    

Amount

    

Yield

    

Amount

    

Yield

    

Amount

    

Yield

    

Amount

    

Yield

    

Amount

    

Yield

 

Available for sale at fair value:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

State and political subdivisions

$

201

 

3.90

%  

$

425

 

2.91

%  

$

 

%  

$

436

 

2.74

%  

$

1,062

 

3.03

%  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

41

 

1.70

 

496

 

2.93

 

1,010

 

2.27

 

9,461

 

1.94

 

11,008

 

2.01

Corporate and other securities

 

 

 

1,000

 

5.13

 

12,496

 

4.61

 

14,197

 

2.24

 

27,693

 

3.41

Total debt securities available for sale

$

242

 

3.53

%  

$

1,921

 

4.07

%  

$

13,506

 

4.43

%  

$

24,094

 

2.13

%  

$

39,763

 

3.02

%

Held to maturity at cost:

U.S. Government sponsored entities

$

 

%  

$

 

%  

$

 

%  

$

2,000

 

2.49

%  

$

2,000

 

2.49

%

Residential mortgage-backed securities

3,151

2.17

3,151

2.17

Total securities held to maturity

$

 

%  

$

 

%  

$

 

%  

$

5,151

 

2.29

%  

$

5,151

 

2.29

%

Equity Securities at fair value:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Total equity securities

$

 

%  

$

 

%  

$

 

%  

$

4,893

 

2.17

%  

$

4,893

 

2.17

%

The fair value of securities with unrealized losses by length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:

September 30, 2021

Less than 12 months

12 months and greater

Total

    

Total

    

    

    

    

    

    

number in a

Estimated

Unrealized

Estimated

Unrealized

Estimated

Unrealized

(In thousands, except number in a loss position)

loss position

fair value

loss

fair value

loss

fair value

loss

Available for sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

State and political subdivisions

 

1

$

437

$

(8)

$

$

$

437

$

(8)

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

2

$

305

$

(1)

$

$

$

305

$

(1)

Corporate and other securities

 

8

3,404

(99)

5,887

(371)

9,291

(470)

Total temporarily impaired securities

11

$

4,146

$

(108)

$

5,887

$

(371)

$

10,033

$

(479)

Held to maturity:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

1

$

3,146

$

(5)

$

$

$

3,146

$

(5)

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

1

$

3,146

$

(5)

$

$

$

3,146

$

(5)

December 31, 2020

Less than 12 months

12 months and greater

Total

    

Total

    

    

    

    

    

    

number in a

Estimated

Unrealized

Estimated

Unrealized

Estimated

Unrealized

(In thousands, except number in a loss position)

loss position

fair value

loss

fair value

loss

fair value

loss

Available for sale:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Corporate and other securities

 

9

$

4,793

$

(20)

$

9,157

$

(1,098)

$

13,950

$

(1,118)

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

9

$

4,793

$

(20)

$

9,157

$

(1,098)

$

13,950

$

(1,118)

Unrealized Losses

The unrealized losses in each of the categories presented in the tables above are discussed in the paragraphs that follow:

U.S. government sponsored entities and state and political subdivision securities: The unrealized losses on investments in these types of securities were caused by the increase in interest rate spreads or the increase in interest rates at the long end of the Treasury curve. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the par value of the investments. Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized

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cost basis, which may be at maturity, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities:  The unrealized losses on investments in mortgage-backed securities were caused by increases in interest rate spreads or the increase in interest rates at the long end of the Treasury curve. The majority of contractual cash flows of these securities are guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price significantly less than the par value of the investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of  September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Corporate and other securities: Included in this category are corporate and other debt securities. The unrealized losses on corporate and other debt securities were due to widening credit spreads. The Company evaluated the prospects of the issuers and forecasted a recovery period; and as a result determined it did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020. The contractual terms do not allow the securities to be settled at a price less than the par value. Because the Company does not intend to sell the securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity, the Company did not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Realized Gains and Losses

Gross realized gains and losses on securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 are detailed in the table below:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Available for sale:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Realized gains

$

$

16

$

43

$

317

Realized losses

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities available for sale

 

 

16

 

43

 

317

Net gains on sales of securities

$

$

16

$

43

$

317

The net realized gains are included in noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income as net security gains. There were no gross realized gains and $43 thousand of gross realized gains during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $16 thousand and $317 thousand of gross realized gains during the same period a year ago. There were no gross realized losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, or 2020.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the net gain is attributed to:

the sale of six corporate bonds with a total book value of $7.0 million and resulting gains of $39 thousand, and
the call of one taxable municipal security with a book value of $496 thousand and resulting gains of $4 thousand.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the net gain is attributed to:

the sale of two corporate bonds with a total book value of $2.7 million and resulting gains of $77 thousand,
the sale of three mortgage-backed securities with a total book value of $2.8 million and resulting gains of $57 thousand,
the sale of one tax-exempt municipal security with a book value of $381 thousand and resulting gains of $27 thousand,

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the sale of one taxable municipal security with a book value of $456 thousand and resulting gains of $140 thousand, and
the call of three tax-exempt municipal securities with a total book value of $1.8 million and resulting gains of $16 thousand.

Equity Securities

Included in this category are Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") investments and the Company’s current other equity holdings of financial institutions. Equity securities are defined to include (a) preferred, common and other ownership interests in entities including partnerships, joint ventures and limited liability companies and (b) rights to acquire or dispose of ownership interests in entities at fixed or determinable prices.

The following is a summary of unrealized and realized gains and losses recognized in net income on equity securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities

$

198

$

(112)

$

488

$

(509)

Net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period

 

4

 

 

4

 

5

Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date

$

202

$

(112)

$

492

$

(504)

Pledged Securities

Securities with a carrying value of $1.3 million and $1.6 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged to secure deposits, secure other borrowings and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

NOTE 8. Loans

The following table sets forth the classification of loans by class, including unearned fees, deferred costs and excluding the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

(In thousands)

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

SBA loans held for investment

$

37,986

$

39,587

SBA PPP loans

81,907

118,257

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

SBA 504 loans

 

22,371

 

19,681

Commercial other

 

116,461

 

118,280

Commercial real estate

 

710,869

 

630,423

Commercial real estate construction

 

74,336

 

71,404

Residential mortgage loans

 

420,835

 

467,586

Consumer loans

 

 

Home equity

 

68,609

 

62,549

Consumer other

2,462

3,551

Residential construction loans

108,925

87,164

Total loans held for investment

$

1,644,761

$

1,618,482

SBA loans held for sale

 

20,130

 

9,335

Total loans

$

1,664,891

$

1,627,817

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Loans are made to individuals as well as commercial entities. Specific loan terms vary as to interest rate, repayment, and collateral requirements based on the type of loan requested and the credit worthiness of the prospective borrower. Credit risk tends to be geographically concentrated in that a majority of the loan customers are located in the markets serviced by the Bank. Loan performance may be adversely affected by factors impacting the general economy or conditions specific to the real estate market such as geographic location and/or property type. A description of the Company’s different loan segments follows:

SBA Loans: SBA 7(a) loans, on which the SBA has historically provided guarantees of up to 90 percent of the principal balance, are considered a higher risk loan product for the Company than its other loan products. The guaranteed portion of the Company’s SBA loans is generally sold in the secondary market with the nonguaranteed portion held in the portfolio as a loan held for investment. SBA loans are for the purpose of providing working capital, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. Loans are guaranteed by the businesses’ major owners. SBA loans are made based primarily on the historical and projected cash flow of the business and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. It contained substantial tax and spending provisions intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act included a range of other provisions designed to support the U.S. economy and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on financial institutions and their customers, including through the authorization of various relief programs and measures that the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Small Business Administration, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) and other federal banking agencies have implemented or may implement.

The CARES Act provided assistance to small businesses through the establishment of the SBA Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"). The PPP provided small businesses with funds to pay up to 24 weeks of payroll costs, including certain benefits. The funds were provided in the form of loans that may be fully or partially forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The payments on these loans were deferred for up to six months. Loans made after June 5, 2020, mature in five years, and loans made prior to June 5, 2020, mature in two years but can be extended to five years if the lender agrees. Forgiveness of the PPP loans is based on the borrower maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Most small businesses with 500 or fewer employees were eligible. Applications for the PPP loans started on April 3, 2020 and was extended through August 8, 2020. As an existing SBA 7(a) lender, the Company opted to participate in the program. Applications for the renewed PPP loan program started on January 13, 2021 and were available until March 31, 2021.

Commercial Loans: Commercial credit is extended primarily to middle market and small business customers. Commercial loans are generally made in the Company’s market place for the purpose of providing working capital, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. The SBA 504 program consists of real estate backed commercial mortgages where the Company has the first mortgage and the SBA has the second mortgage on the property. Loans will generally be guaranteed in full or for a meaningful amount by the businesses’ major owners. Commercial loans are made based primarily on the historical and projected cash flow of the business and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided. Generally, the Company has a 50 percent loan to value ratio on SBA 504 program loans at origination.

Residential Mortgage, Consumer and Residential Construction Loans: The Company originates mortgage and consumer loans including principally residential real estate and home equity lines and loans and residential construction lines. The Company originates qualified mortgages which are generally sold in the secondary market and nonqualified mortgages which are generally held for investment. Each loan type is evaluated on debt to income, type of collateral and loan to collateral value, credit history and the Company’s relationship with the borrower.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company enrolled in the “Upgrade Consumer Unsecured Loan Program” to purchase consumer unsecured loans. This loan product is a fixed rate, fully amortizing term for up to five years and $50 thousand. Restrictions were placed on the loans purchased to limit the purchases to borrowers residing in New Jersey, southern New York, and eastern Pennsylvania and to limit purchases to borrowers with higher credit quality with a 700 FICO minimum. Upgrade services the loans on behalf of the Company. Upgrade is a financial technology

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company that utilizes artificial intelligence to underwrite personal loan and credit card installment loans to retail customers, in addition to credit monitoring and education tools.

Inherent in the lending function is credit risk, which is the possibility a borrower may not perform in accordance with the contractual terms of their loan. A borrower’s inability to pay their obligations according to the contractual terms can create the risk of past due loans and, ultimately, credit losses, especially on collateral deficient loans. The Company minimizes its credit risk by loan diversification and adhering to credit administration policies and procedures. Due diligence on loans begins when we initiate contact regarding a loan with a borrower. Documentation, including a borrower’s credit history, materials establishing the value and liquidity of potential collateral, the purpose of the loan, the source of funds for repayment of the loan, and other factors, are analyzed before a loan is submitted for approval. The loan portfolio is then subject to on-going internal reviews for credit quality which in part is derived from ongoing collection and review of borrowers’ financial information, as well as independent credit reviews by an outside firm.

The Company’s extension of credit is governed by the Credit Risk Policy which was established to control the quality of the Company’s loans. This policy and the underlying procedures are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

Credit Ratings

For SBA 7(a) and commercial loans, management uses internally assigned risk ratings as the best indicator of credit quality. A loan’s internal risk rating is updated at least annually and more frequently if circumstances warrant a change in risk rating. The Company uses a 1 through 10 loan grading system that follows regulatory accepted definitions.

Pass: Risk ratings of 1 through 6 are used for loans that are performing, as they meet, and are expected to continue to meet, all of the terms and conditions set forth in the original loan documentation, and are generally current on principal and interest payments. These performing loans are termed “Pass”.

Special Mention: Criticized loans are assigned a risk rating of 7 and termed “Special Mention”, as the borrowers exhibit potential credit weaknesses or downward trends deserving management’s close attention. If not checked or corrected, these trends will weaken the Bank’s collateral and position. While potentially weak, these borrowers are currently marginally acceptable and no loss of interest or principal is anticipated. As a result, special mention assets do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Included in “Special Mention” could be turnaround situations, such as borrowers with deteriorating trends beyond one year, borrowers in startup or deteriorating industries, or borrowers with a poor market share in an average industry. "Special Mention" loans may include an element of asset quality, financial flexibility, or below average management. Management and ownership may have limited depth or experience. Regulatory agencies have agreed on a consistent definition of “Special Mention” as an asset with potential weaknesses which, if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Bank’s credit position at some future date. This definition is intended to ensure that the “Special Mention” category is not used to identify assets that have as their sole weakness credit data exceptions or collateral documentation exceptions that are not material to the repayment of the asset.

Substandard: Classified loans are assigned a risk rating of an 8 or 9, depending upon the prospect for collection, and deemed “Substandard”. A risk rating of 8 is used for borrowers with well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of debt. The loan is inadequately protected by the current paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Normal repayment from the borrower is in jeopardy, although no loss of principal is envisioned. There is a distinct possibility that a partial loss of interest and/or principal will occur if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified “Substandard”.

A risk rating of 9 is used for borrowers that have all the weaknesses inherent in a loan with a risk rating of 8, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection of debt in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Serious problems exist to the point where partial loss of principal is likely. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important, reasonably specific pending factors that may work to strengthen the assets, the loans’ classification as estimated losses is deferred until a

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more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidation procedures; capital injection; perfecting liens on additional collateral; and refinancing plans. Partial charge-offs are likely.

Loss: Once a borrower is deemed incapable of repayment of unsecured debt, the risk rating becomes a 10, the loan is termed a “Loss”, and charged-off immediately. Loans to such borrowers are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off these basically worthless assets even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.

For residential mortgage, consumer and residential construction loans, management uses performing versus nonperforming as the best indicator of credit quality. Nonperforming loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest (nonaccrual loans) as a result of principal or interest being in default for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt. These credit quality indicators are updated on an ongoing basis, as a loan is placed on nonaccrual status as soon as management believes there is sufficient doubt as to the ultimate ability to collect interest on a loan.

At September 30, 2021, there were $1.5 million of residential consumer loans in the process of foreclosure, compared to $4.8 million at December 31, 2020.

The tables below detail the Company’s loan portfolio by class according to their credit quality indicators discussed in the paragraphs above as of September 30, 2021:

September 30, 2021

SBA & Commercial loans - Internal risk ratings

(In thousands)

    

Pass

    

Special mention

    

Substandard

    

Total

SBA loans held for investment

$

37,150

$

518

$

318

$

37,986

SBA PPP loans

81,907

81,907

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA 504 loans

 

22,371

 

 

 

22,371

Commercial other

 

106,839

 

5,254

 

4,368

 

116,461

Commercial real estate

 

687,207

 

21,549

 

2,113

 

710,869

Commercial real estate construction

 

74,336

 

 

 

74,336

Total commercial loans

 

890,753

 

26,803

 

6,481

 

924,037

Total SBA and commercial loans

$

1,009,810

$

27,321

$

6,799

$

1,043,930

    

    

Residential mortgage, Consumer & Residential construction loans - Performing/Nonperforming

(In thousands)

    

    

Performing

    

Nonperforming

    

Total

Residential mortgage loans

$

418,209

$

2,626

$

420,835

Consumer loans

 

  

 

 

  

Home equity

 

68,609

 

 

68,609

Consumer other

2,462

2,462

Total consumer loans

71,071

71,071

Residential construction loans

106,288

2,637

108,925

Total residential mortgage, consumer and residential construction loans

$

595,568

$

5,263

$

600,831

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The tables below detail the Company’s loan portfolio by class according to their credit quality indicators discussed in the paragraphs above as of December 31, 2020:

    

December 31, 2020

SBA & Commercial loans - Internal risk ratings

(In thousands)

    

Pass

    

Special mention

    

Substandard

    

Total

SBA loans held for investment

$

36,991

$

525

$

2,071

$

39,587

SBA PPP loans

118,257

118,257

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA 504 loans

 

19,681

 

 

 

19,681

Commercial other

 

109,672

 

5,533

 

3,075

 

118,280

Commercial real estate

 

603,482

 

25,206

 

1,735

 

630,423

Commercial real estate construction

 

71,404

 

 

 

71,404

Total commercial loans

 

804,239

 

30,739

 

4,810

 

839,788

Total SBA and commercial loans

$

959,487

$

31,264

$

6,881

$

997,632

Residential mortgage, Consumer & Residential construction loans - Performing/Nonperforming

(In thousands)

 

  

Performing

Nonperforming

Total

Residential mortgage loans

 

  

$

462,369

$

5,217

$

467,586

Consumer loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Home equity

 

  

 

61,254

 

1,295

 

62,549

Consumer other

3,551

3,551

Total consumer loans

64,805

1,295

66,100

Residential construction loans

85,414

1,750

87,164

Total residential mortgage, consumer and residential construction loans

 

  

$

612,588

$

8,262

$

620,850

Nonperforming and Past Due Loans

Nonperforming loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest (nonaccrual loans) as a result of principal or interest being in default for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest are not included in nonperforming loans and generally represent loans that are well collateralized and in the process of collection. The risk of loss is difficult to quantify and is subject to fluctuations in collateral values, general economic conditions and other factors. The Company values its collateral through the use of appraisals, broker price opinions, and knowledge of its local market.

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The following tables set forth an aging analysis of past due and nonaccrual loans as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

September 30, 2021

    

    

    

90+ days

    

    

    

    

3059 days

6089 days

and still

Nonaccrual

Total past

(In thousands)

past due

past due

accruing

(1)

due

Current

Total loans

SBA loans held for investment

$

1,297

$

$

$

660

$

1,957

$

36,029

$

37,986

SBA PPP loans

81,907

81,907

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

SBA 504 loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,371

 

22,371

Commercial other

 

69

 

 

128

 

2,094

 

2,291

 

114,170

 

116,461

Commercial real estate

 

3,686

 

569

 

 

785

 

5,040

 

705,829

 

710,869

Commercial real estate construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

74,336

 

74,336

Residential mortgage loans

 

5,102

 

2,266

 

1,960

 

2,626

 

11,954

 

408,881

 

420,835

Consumer loans

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Home equity

 

34

 

 

 

 

34

 

68,575

 

68,609

Consumer other

2,462

2,462

Residential construction loans

2,385

176

2,637

5,198

103,727

108,925

Total loans held for investment

12,573

2,835

2,264

8,802

26,474

1,618,287

1,644,761

SBA loans held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,130

 

20,130

Total loans

$

12,573

$

2,835

$

2,264

$

8,802

$

26,474

$

1,638,417

$

1,664,891

(1)At September 30, 2021, nonaccrual loans included $139 thousand of loans guaranteed by the SBA.

December 31, 2020

    

    

    

90+ days

    

    

    

    

3059 days

6089 days

and still

Nonaccrual

Total past

(In thousands)

past due

past due

accruing

(1)

due

Current

Total loans

SBA loans held for investment

$

792

$

1,280

$

$

2,473

$

4,545

$

35,042

$

39,587

SBA PPP loans

118,257

118,257

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA 504 loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,681

 

19,681

Commercial other

 

186

 

201

 

 

266

 

653

 

117,627

 

118,280

Commercial real estate

 

3,109

 

1,971

 

 

1,059

 

6,139

 

624,284

 

630,423

Commercial real estate construction

 

1,047

 

 

 

 

1,047

 

70,357

 

71,404

Residential mortgage loans

 

3,232

 

2,933

 

262

 

5,217

 

11,644

 

455,942

 

467,586

Consumer loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Home equity

 

393

 

 

187

 

1,295

 

1,875

 

60,674

 

62,549

Consumer other

3

1

4

3,547

3,551

Residential construction loans

120

796

1,750

2,666

84,498

87,164

Total loans held for investment

8,882

7,182

449

12,060

28,573

1,589,909

1,618,482

SBA loans held for sale

 

448

 

 

 

 

448

 

8,887

 

9,335

Total loans

$

9,330

$

7,182

$

449

$

12,060

$

29,021

$

1,598,796

$

1,627,817

(1)At December 31, 2020, nonaccrual loans included $371 thousand of loans guaranteed by the SBA.

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Impaired Loans

The Company has defined impaired loans to be all nonperforming loans individually evaluated for impairment and TDRs. Management considers a loan impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract. Impairment is evaluated on an individual basis for SBA and commercial loans.

The following table provides detail on the Company’s impaired loans that are individually evaluated for impairment with the associated allowance amount, if applicable, as of September 30, 2021:

    

September 30, 2021

    

Unpaid

    

    

principal

Recorded

Specific

(In thousands)

balance

investment

reserves

With no related allowance:

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

$

414

$

313

$

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial real estate

 

1,716

 

1,716

 

Total commercial loans

 

1,716

 

1,716

 

Residential mortgage loans

2,391

2,339

Residential construction loans

2,637

2,637

Total impaired loans with no related allowance

 

7,158

 

7,005

 

With an allowance:

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

 

460

 

207

 

161

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial other

 

2,823

 

2,713

 

2,672

Commercial real estate

 

986

 

139

 

139

Total commercial loans

 

3,809

 

2,852

 

2,811

Residential mortgage loans

287

287

30

Consumer loans

Home equity

427

427

137

Total impaired loans with a related allowance

 

4,983

 

3,773

 

3,139

Total individually evaluated impaired loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

 

874

 

520

 

161

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial other

 

2,823

 

2,713

 

2,672

Commercial real estate

 

2,702

 

1,855

 

139

Total commercial loans

 

5,525

 

4,568

 

2,811

Residential mortgage loans

2,678

2,626

30

Consumer loans

Home equity

427

427

137

Residential construction loans

2,637

2,637

Total individually evaluated impaired loans

$

12,141

$

10,778

$

3,139

(1)Balances are reduced by amount guaranteed by the SBA of $139 thousand at September 30, 2021.

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The following table provides detail on the Company’s impaired loans that are individually evaluated for impairment with the associated allowance amount, if applicable, as of December 31, 2020:

    

December 31, 2020

    

Unpaid

    

    

principal

Recorded

Specific

(In thousands)

balance

investment

reserves

With no related allowance:

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

$

1,799

$

1,698

$

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial real estate

 

1,462

 

1,462

 

Total commercial loans

 

1,462

 

1,462

 

Residential mortgage loans

4,080

3,975

Consumer loans

Home equity

1,295

1,295

Residential construction loans

1,750

1,750

Total impaired loans with no related allowance

 

10,386

 

10,180

 

With an allowance:

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

 

434

 

404

 

324

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial other

 

3,160

 

3,160

 

3,106

Commercial real estate

 

1,730

 

1,080

 

576

Total commercial loans

 

4,890

 

4,240

 

3,682

Residential mortgage loans

1,242

1,242

101

Total impaired loans with a related allowance

 

6,566

 

5,886

 

4,107

Total individually evaluated impaired loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

 

2,233

 

2,102

 

324

Commercial loans

 

 

 

Commercial other

 

3,160

 

3,160

 

3,106

Commercial real estate

 

3,192

 

2,542

 

576

Total commercial loans

 

6,352

 

5,702

 

3,682

Residential mortgage loans

5,322

5,217

101

Consumer loans

Home equity

1,295

1,295

Residential construction loans

1,750

1,750

Total individually evaluated impaired loans

$

16,952

$

16,066

$

4,107

(1)Balances are reduced by amount guaranteed by the SBA of $371 thousand at December 31, 2020.

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The following tables present the average recorded investments in impaired loans and the related amount of interest received during the time period in which the loans were impaired for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. The average balances are calculated based on the month-end balances of impaired loans. When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan is in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method, and therefore no interest income is recognized.

    

For the three months ended September 30, 

2021

2020

    

    

    

    

Interest

Interest

income

Average

received

Average

recognized

recorded

on impaired

recorded

on impaired

(In thousands)

investment

loans

investment

loans

SBA loans held for investment (1)

$

917

$

18

$

1,928

$

24

Commercial loans

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

Commercial other

 

727

 

1

 

50

 

Commercial real estate

 

1,355

 

42

 

1,081

 

26

Commercial real estate construction

33

Residential mortgage loans

3,571

13

4,850

63

Consumer loans

Home equity

427

5

760

29

Consumer other

2

Residential construction loans

2,659

18

Total

$

9,658

$

97

$

8,669

$

175

(1)Balances are reduced by the average amount guaranteed by the SBA of $173 thousand and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

    

For the nine months ended September 30, 

2021

2020

    

    

    

    

Interest

Interest

income

Average

received

Average

recognized

recorded

on impaired

recorded

on impaired

(In thousands)

investment

loans

investment

loans

SBA loans held for investment (1)

$

1,384

$

99

$

1,440

$

30

Commercial loans

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA 504 loans

 

 

 

200

 

32

Commercial other

 

457

 

11

 

51

 

25

Commercial real estate

 

1,904

 

119

 

1,137

 

67

Commercial real estate construction

33

Residential mortgage loans

4,705

13

5,533

129

Consumer loans

Home equity

572

23

536

53

Consumer other

1

Residential construction loans

2,691

38

25

Total

$

11,714

$

303

$

8,922

$

369

(1)Balances are reduced by the average amount guaranteed by the SBA of $202 thousand and $687 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

TDRs

The Company’s loan portfolio also includes certain loans that have been modified as TDRs. TDRs occur when a creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to a debtor’s financial condition, grants a concession to the debtor that it

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would not otherwise consider, unless it results in a delay in payment that is insignificant. These concessions typically include reductions in interest rate, extending the maturity of a loan, or a combination of both. Under the CARES Act and regulatory guidance issued in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, loan payment deferrals for periods of up to 180 days granted to borrowers adversely effected by the pandemic are not considered TDR’s if the borrower was current on its loan payments at year end 2019 or until the deferral was granted. When the Company modifies a loan, management evaluates for any possible impairment using either the discounted cash flows method, where the value of the modified loan is based on the present value of expected cash flows, discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, or by using the fair value of the collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral-dependent. If management determines that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized by segment or class of loan, as applicable, through an allowance estimate or charge-off to the allowance. This process is used, regardless of loan type, and for loans modified as TDRs that subsequently default on their modified terms.

TDRs of $1.1 million and $663 thousand are included in the impaired loan numbers as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The increase in TDRs was due to the addition of two loans, partially offset by principal pay downs. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no specific reserves on the TDRs. The TDRs are in accrual status since they are performing in accordance with the restructured terms. There are no commitments to lend additional funds on these loans.

There were two loans modified as TDRs during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. There were no loans modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 that were deemed to be TDRs. The following table details loans modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, including the number of modifications and the recorded investment at the time of the modification:

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021

Number of

Recorded investment

(In thousands, except number of contracts)

contracts

at time of modification

Home equity

2

$

427

Total

2

$

427

To date, the Company’s TDRs consisted of principal reduction, interest only periods and maturity extensions. There were no loans modified as a TDR within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted at some point during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. In this case, the subsequent default is defined as 90 days past due or transferred to nonaccrual status.

NOTE 9. Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company has an established methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. At a minimum, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is reviewed by management on a quarterly basis. For purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses, the Company has segmented the loans in its portfolio by loan type. Loans are segmented into the following pools: SBA 7(a), commercial, residential mortgages, consumer, and residential construction loans. Certain portfolio segments are further broken down into classes based on the associated risks within those segments and the type of collateral underlying each loan. Commercial loans are divided into the following five classes: commercial real estate, commercial real estate construction, unsecured business line of credit, commercial other, and SBA 504. Consumer loans are divided into two classes as follows:  home equity and other.

The standardized methodology used to assess the adequacy of the allowance includes the allocation of specific and general reserves. The same standard methodology is used, regardless of loan type. Specific reserves are made to individual impaired loans and TDRs (see Note 1 for additional information on this term). The general reserve is set based upon a representative average historical net charge-off rate adjusted for the following environmental factors: delinquency and impairment trends, charge-off and recovery trends, volume and loan term trends, changes in risk and

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underwriting policy trends, staffing and experience changes, national and local economic trends, industry conditions and credit concentration changes. Within the five-year historical net charge-off rate, the Company weights the past three years more heavily as it believes it is more indicative of future charge-offs. All of the environmental factors are ranked and assigned a basis points value based on the following scale: low, low moderate, moderate, high moderate and high risk. Each environmental factor is evaluated separately for each class of loans and risk weighted based on its individual characteristics.

For SBA 7(a) and commercial loans, the estimate of loss based on pools of loans with similar characteristics is made through the use of a standardized loan grading system that is applied on an individual loan level and updated on a continuous basis. The loan grading system incorporates reviews of the financial performance of the borrower, including cash flow, debt-service coverage ratio, earnings power, debt level and equity position, in conjunction with an assessment of the borrower’s industry and future prospects. It also incorporates analysis of the type of collateral and the relative loan to value ratio.
For residential mortgage, consumer, and residential construction loans, the estimate of loss is based on pools of loans with similar characteristics. Factors such as credit score, delinquency status and type of collateral are evaluated. Factors are updated frequently to capture the recent behavioral characteristics of the subject portfolios, as well as any changes in loss mitigation or credit origination strategies, and adjustments to the reserve factors are made as needed.

According to the Company’s policy, a loss (“charge-off”) is to be recognized and charged to the allowance for loan losses as soon as a loan is recognized as uncollectable. All credits which are 90 days past due must be analyzed for the Company’s ability to collect on the credit. Once a loss is known to exist, the charge-off approval process is immediately expedited. This charge-off policy is followed for all loan types.

The allocated allowance is the total of identified specific and general reserves by loan category. The allocation is not necessarily indicative of the categories in which future losses may occur. The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any segment of the portfolio.

The following tables detail the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 2021

    

SBA held

    

    

    

    

    

for

Residential

(In thousands)

investment

Commercial

Residential

Consumer

construction

Total

Balance, beginning of period

$

1,686

$

15,011

$

4,604

$

601

$

899

$

22,801

Charge-offs

 

(145)

 

(158)

 

 

(3)

 

 

(306)

Recoveries

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

42

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

 

(145)

 

(158)

 

42

 

(3)

 

 

(264)

Provision for (credit to) loan losses charged to expense

 

(763)

 

983

 

(540)

 

151

 

169

 

Balance, end of period

$

778

$

15,836

$

4,106

$

749

$

1,068

$

22,537

For the three months ended September 30, 2020

    

SBA held

    

    

    

    

    

for

Residential

(In thousands)

investment

Commercial

Residential

Consumer

construction

Total

Balance, beginning of period

$

1,004

$

12,336

$

5,439

$

611

$

844

$

20,234

Charge-offs

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Recoveries

 

3

 

1

 

 

 

 

4

Net recoveries

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

 

3

Provision for loan losses charged to expense

 

388

 

963

 

485

 

66

 

98

 

2,000

Balance, end of period

$

1,394

$

13,300

$

5,924

$

677

$

942

$

22,237

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2021

    

SBA held

    

    

    

    

    

for

Residential

(In thousands)

investment

Commercial

Residential

Consumer

construction

Total

Balance, beginning of period

$

1,301

$

14,992

$

5,318

$

681

$

813

$

23,105

Charge-offs

 

(591)

 

(551)

 

 

(4)

 

 

(1,146)

Recoveries

 

34

 

2

 

42

 

 

 

78

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

 

(557)

 

(549)

 

42

 

(4)

 

 

(1,068)

Provision for (credit to) loan losses charged to expense

 

34

 

1,393

 

(1,254)

 

72

 

255

 

500

Balance, end of period

$

778

$

15,836

$

4,106

$

749

$

1,068

$

22,537

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020

    

SBA held

    

    

    

    

    

for

Residential

(In thousands)

investment

Commercial

Residential

Consumer

construction

Total

Balance, beginning of period

$

1,079

$

9,722

$

4,254

$

681

$

659

$

16,395

Charge-offs

 

(27)

 

(518)

 

(200)

 

 

 

(745)

Recoveries

 

83

 

504

 

 

 

 

587

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

 

56

 

(14)

 

(200)

 

 

 

(158)

Provision for (credit to) loan losses charged to expense

 

259

 

3,592

 

1,870

 

(4)

 

283

 

6,000

Balance, end of period

$

1,394

$

13,300

$

5,924

$

677

$

942

$

22,237

The following tables present loans and their related allowance for loan losses, by portfolio segment, as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

September 30, 2021

    

SBA held

    

    

    

    

    

for

Residential

(In thousands)

investment

Commercial

Residential

Consumer

construction

Total

Allowance for loan losses ending balance:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

161

$

2,811

$

30

$

137

$

$

3,139

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

617

 

13,025

 

4,076

 

612

 

1,068

 

19,398

Total

$

778

$

15,836

$

4,106

$

749

$

1,068

$

22,537

Loan ending balances:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

520

$

4,568

$

2,626

$

427

$

2,637

$

10,778

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

119,373

 

919,469

 

418,209

 

70,644

 

106,288

 

1,633,983

Total

$

119,893

$

924,037

$

420,835

$

71,071

$

108,925

$

1,644,761

December 31, 2020

    

SBA held

    

    

    

    

    

for

Residential

(In thousands)

investment

Commercial

Residential

Consumer

construction

Total

Allowance for loan losses ending balance:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

324

$

3,682

$

101

$

$

$

4,107

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

977

 

11,310

 

5,217

 

681

 

813

 

18,998

Total

$

1,301

$

14,992

$

5,318

$

681

$

813

$

23,105

Loan ending balances:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

2,102

$

5,702

$

5,217

$

1,295

$

1,750

$

16,066

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

155,742

 

834,086

 

462,369

 

64,805

 

85,414

 

1,602,416

Total

$

157,844

$

839,788

$

467,586

$

66,100

$

87,164

$

1,618,482

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Changes in Methodology

The Company did not make any changes to its allowance for loan losses methodology in the current period.

Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

In addition to the allowance for loan losses, the Company maintains a reserve for unfunded loan commitments at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses. Adjustments to the reserve are made through other expense and applied to the reserve which is classified as other liabilities. At September 30, 2021, a $358 thousand commitment reserve was reported on the balance sheet as an “other liability”, compared to a $288 thousand commitment reserve at December 31, 2020, due to a larger loan portfolio requiring a larger general reserve.

NOTE 10. New Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." ASU 2016-13 was issued to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with an expected credit loss methodology and requires consideration of a broader range of information to determine credit loss estimates. Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an allowance for credit losses. Purchased credit impaired loans will receive an allowance account at the acquisition date that represents a component of the purchase price allocation. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, with such allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost.

In May 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-05, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief." ASU 2019-05 was issued to address concerns with the adoption of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2019-05 gives entities the ability to irrevocable elect the fair value option in Subtopic 825-10 for certain existing financial assets upon transition to ASU 2016-03. Financial assets that are eligible for this fair value election are those that qualify under Subtopic 825-10 and are within the scope of Subtopic 326-10, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measured at Amortized Costs." An exception to this is held-to-maturity debt securities, which do not qualify for this transition election. The effective date for the amendment is the same as the effective date in ASU 2016-03. In November 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-10, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates." ASU 2019-10 was issued to defer the effective dates for certain guidance in its Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") for certain entities. The amendments in this update amend the mandatory effective dates for ASC 326, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses", for entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-11, "Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses." ASU 2019-11 was issued to address issues raise by stakeholders during the implementation of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2019-11 provides transition relief when adjusting the effective interest rate for troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") that exist as of the adoption date, extends the disclosure relief in ASU 2019-04 to disclose accrued interest receivable balances separately from the amortized cost basis to additional disclosures involving amortized cost basis, and provides clarification regarding application of the guidance in paragraph 326-20-35-6 for financial assets secured by collateral maintenance provisions that provides a practical expedient to measure the estimate of expected credit losses by comparing the amortized cost basis of a financial asset and the fair value of collateral securing the financial asset as of the reporting date. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendment are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13.

ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." ASU 2019-12 removes the exception to the incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or a gain from other items and removes the exception to the interim period income tax accounting when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. ASU 2019-12 also simplifies the accounting for income taxes by

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requiring that an entity recognize a franchise tax that is partially based on income as an income-based tax, that an entity evaluate when a step up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which the book goodwill originally was recognized, and that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. For public business entities, ASU 2019-12 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2020-01, "Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815 (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)." ASU 2020-01 clarifies that the observable price changes in orderly transactions that should be considered when applying the measurement alternative in accordance with ASC 321 include transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting under ASC 323. ASU 2020-01 also addresses questions about how to apply the guidance in Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” for certain forward contracts and purchased options to purchase securities that, upon settlement or exercise, would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The ASU clarifies that, for the purpose of applying ASC 815-10-15-141(a), an entity should not consider whether, upon the settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method in ASC 323 or the fair value option in accordance with the financial instruments guidance in Topic 825, “Financial Instruments.” For public business entities, ASU 2020-01 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2020-03, "Codification Improvement to Financial Instruments." ASU 2020-03 clarifies that all entities are required to provide the fair value option disclosures in paragraphs 825-10-50-24 through 50-32 of the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). ASU 2020-03 also clarifies that the contractual term of a net investment in a lease determined in accordance with ASC 842, “Leases,” should be the contractual term used to measure expected credit losses under ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” ASU 2020-03 also addresses amendments to ASC 860-20, “Transfers and Servicing – Sales of Financial Assets,” clarifying that when an entity regains control of financial assets sold, an allowance for credit losses should be recorded in accordance with ASC 326. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendment are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2020-03 on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." ASU 2020-04 provides temporary optional guidance intended to ease the burden of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying existing guidance to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions that are expected to be affected by reference rate reform and meet certain scope guidance. ASU 2020-04 provides various optional expedients, including the following, for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met:

An entity can change certain critical terms of the hedging instrument or hedged item or transaction without having to dedesignate the relationship.
For fair value hedging relationships in which the designated interest rate is LIBOR or another rate that is expected to be discontinued, an entity may change the hedged risk to another permitted benchmark rate without dedesignating the relationship.
For cash flow hedging relationships in which the designated hedged risk is LIBOR or another rate that is expected to be discontinued, an entity may assert that the occurrence of the hedged forecasted transaction remains probable.
Certain qualifying conditions for the shortcut method and other methods that assume perfect effectiveness may be disregarded.

In addition, ASU 2020-04 permits an entity to make 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 were classified as held to maturity before January 1, 2020. ASU 2020-04 was effective upon its issuance on March 12, 2020. However, it cannot be applied to contract modifications that occur after December 31, 2022. With certain exceptions, the ASU also

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cannot be applied to hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after that date. The Company is currently evaluating the various optional expedients as well as impact of the adoption of ASU 2020-04 on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2020-06, “Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity.” ASU 2020-06 was issued to address the complexities of guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including:

Removing the accounting models that require beneficial conversion features or cash conversion features associated with convertible instruments to be recognized as a separate component of equity.
Adding certain disclosure requirements for convertible instruments.
Amending the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity.
Simplifying the diluted earnings per share calculation for certain situations.

For public business entities, ASU 2020-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2020-06 on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope.” ASU 2021-01 was issued to clarify certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting applied to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. In addition, the ASU clarifies that a receive-variable-rate, pay-variable-rate cross-currency interest rate swap may be considered eligible as a hedging instrument in a net investment hedge if both legs of the swap do not have the same repricing intervals and dates as a result of the reference rate reform. ASU 2021-01 became effective January 7, 2021. The Company currently uses the shortcut method as the practical expedient.

NOTE 11. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swap agreements, which derive their value from underlying interest rates. These transactions involve both credit and market risk. The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivatives are based. Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures. Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any. Such difference, which represents the fair value of the derivative instrument, is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as other assets or other liabilities.

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to any derivative agreement. The Company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect any counterparties to fail their obligations. The Company deals only with primary dealers.

Derivative instruments are generally either negotiated OTC contracts or standardized contracts executed on a recognized exchange. Negotiated OTC derivative contracts are generally entered into between two counterparties that negotiate specific agreement terms, including the underlying instrument, amount, exercise prices and maturity.

Risk Management Policies – Hedging Instruments

The primary focus of the Company’s asset/liability management program is to monitor the sensitivity of the Company’s net portfolio value and net income under varying interest rate scenarios to take steps to control its risks. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the effectiveness of entering into any derivative agreement by measuring the cost of such an agreement in relation to the reduction in net portfolio value and net income volatility within an assumed range of interest rates.

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Interest Rate Risk Management – Cash Flow Hedging Instruments

The Company has variable rate debt as a source of funds for use in the Company’s lending and investment activities and for other general business purposes. These debt obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest expense increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest expense decreases. Management believes it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of its interest payments and, therefore hedges its variable-rate interest payments. To meet this objective, management enters into interest rate swap agreements whereby the Company receives variable interest rate payments and makes fixed interest rate payments during the contract period.

At September 30, 2021, the Company had 2 interest rate swaps designed as cash flow hedging instruments with notional amounts totaling $40.0 million, compared to 5 with notional amounts totaling $80.0 million at December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2021, the Company had $1.3 million in cash collateral pledged for these derivatives which was included in cash and due from banks, compared to $1.5 million at December 31, 2020. A summary of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swap agreements used to hedge variable rate debt at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively is as follows:

(In thousands, except percentages and years)

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

 

Notional amount

$

40,000

$

80,000

Fair value

$

(115)

$

(1,026)

Weighted average pay rate

 

1.05

%  

 

1.19

%

Weighted average receive rate

 

0.18

%  

 

0.89

%

Weighted average maturity in years

 

1.88

 

2.20

Number of contracts

 

2

 

5

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company received variable rate London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") payments from and paid fixed rates in accordance with its interest rate swap agreements. At September 30, 2021, the unrealized loss relating to interest rate swaps was recorded as a derivative liability. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with long-term debt are reported in other comprehensive income. The following table presents the net gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income and the consolidated financial statements relating to the cash flow derivative instruments at September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

2021

 

2020

Gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives

$

62

$

157

$

654

$

(1,088)

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NOTE 12. Employee Benefit Plans

Stock Option Plans

The Company has incentive and nonqualified option plans, which allow for the grant of options to officers, employees and members of the Board of Directors. Grants under the Company’s incentive and nonqualified option plans generally vest over 3 years and must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. Transactions under the Company’s stock option plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are summarized in the following table:

    

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted 

average

average 

remaining

Aggregate

exercise

contractual 

intrinsic

Shares

price

life in years

value

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

 

672,800

$

16.42

 

6.8

$

1,952,568

Options granted

 

89,000

 

19.21

 

 

Options exercised

 

(60,467)

 

7.36

 

 

Options forfeited

 

(2,000)

 

18.64

 

 

Options expired

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2021

 

699,333

$

17.55

 

6.9

$

4,091,753

Exercisable at September 30, 2021

423,179

$

16.04

 

5.7

$

3,113,588

On April 25, 2019, the Company adopted the 2019 Equity Compensation Plan providing for grants of up to 500,000 shares to be allocated between incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, performance units and deferred stock. The Plan replaced all previously approved and established equity plans then currently in effect. As of September 30, 2021, 281,500 options and 91,150 shares of restricted stock have been awarded from the plan. In addition, 2,000 unvested options and 1,500 unvested shares of restricted stock were cancelled and returned to the plan leaving 130,850 shares available for future grants.

The fair values of the options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions. There were no options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2021 or 2020:

For the nine months ended September 30, 

2021

    

2020

Number of options granted

89,000

 

101,000

Weighted average exercise price

$

19.21

$

20.39

Weighted average fair value of options

$

7.72

$

5.54

Expected life in years (1)

 

8.38

 

8.66

Expected volatility (2)

 

43.69

%  

 

27.13

%

Risk-free interest rate (3)

 

1.14

%  

 

1.55

%

Dividend yield (4)

 

1.68

%  

 

1.61

%

(1)The expected life of the options was estimated based on historical employee behavior and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.
(2)The expected volatility of the Company’s stock price was based on the historical volatility over the period commensurate with the expected life of the options.
(3)The risk-free interest rate is the U.S. Treasury rate commensurate with the expected life of the options on the date of grant.
(4)The expected dividend yield is the projected annual yield based on the grant date stock price.

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Upon exercise, the Company issues shares from its authorized but unissued common stock to satisfy the options. The following table presents information about options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

Number of options exercised

 

23,869

 

60,467

 

54,611

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

$

358,798

$

$

876,580

$

475,222

Cash received from options exercised

$

177,362

$

$

444,988

$

395,518

Tax deduction realized from options

$

66,291

$

$

178,904

$

139,216

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2021:

Options outstanding

Options exercisable

    

Weighted average 

    

Weighted 

    

    

Weighted

Options

remaining contractual 

average 

Options

average

Range of exercise prices

outstanding

life (in years)

exercise price

exercisable

exercise price

$6.01 - $12.00

 

135,800

 

3.6

 

8.85

 

135,800

 

8.85

$12.01 - $18.00

 

130,533

 

7.4

 

16.40

 

67,201

 

15.75

$18.01 - $24.00

 

433,000

 

7.8

 

20.62

 

220,178

 

20.57

Total

 

699,333

 

6.9

$

17.55

 

423,179

$

16.04

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("FASB ASC") Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” requires an entity to recognize the fair value of equity awards as compensation expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for such an award (vesting period). Compensation expense related to stock options and the related income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 are detailed in the following table:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Compensation expense

$

221,092

$

185,408

$

651,239

$

558,682

Income tax benefit

$

63,896

$

53,583

$

188,208

$

161,459

As of September 30, 2021, unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock option plans totaled approximately $1.2 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock is issued under the 2019 Equity Compensation Plan to reward employees and directors and to retain them by distributing stock over a period of time. Restricted stock awards granted to date vest over a period of 4 years and are recognized as compensation to the recipient over the vesting period. The awards are recorded at fair market value at the time of grant and amortized into salary expense on a straight line basis over the vesting period. The following table summarizes nonvested restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021:

    

    

Average grant

Shares

date fair value

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2020

 

87,972

$

19.26

Granted

 

48,000

 

20.46

Cancelled

 

(1,500)

 

15.09

Vested

 

(28,758)

 

18.79

Nonvested restricted stock at September 30, 2021

 

105,714

$

19.99

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Restricted stock awards granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Number of shares granted

 

8,000

 

2,000

48,000

 

17,000

Average grant date fair value

$

22.82

$

13.01

$

20.46

$

16.20

Compensation expense related to restricted stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is detailed in the following table:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Compensation expense

$

184,189

$

166,331

$

537,939

$

500,409

Income tax benefit

$

53,231

$

48,069

$

155,464

$

144,618

As of September 30, 2021, there was approximately $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards granted under the Company’s stock incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.

401(k) Savings Plan

The Bank has a 401(k) savings plan covering substantially all employees. Under the Plan, an employee can contribute up to 75 percent of their salary on a tax deferred basis. The Bank may also make discretionary contributions to the Plan. The Bank contributed $158 thousand and $154 thousand to the Plan during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $618 thousand and $524 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has a deferred fee plan for Directors and eligible management. Directors of the Company have the option

to elect to defer up to 100 percent of their respective retainer and Board of Director fees, and each eligible member of

management has the option to elect to defer up to 100 percent of their total compensation. Director and executive deferred compensation totaled $35 thousand and $34 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $551 thousand and $555 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The interest paid on the deferred balances totaled $34 thousand and $35 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $102 thousand and $96 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 respectively. The deferred balances distributed totaled $3 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $9 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

Benefit Plans

In addition to the 401(k) savings plan which covers substantially all employees, in 2015 the Company established an unfunded supplemental defined benefit plan to provide additional retirement benefits for the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and unfunded, non-qualified deferred retirement plans for certain other key executives.

On June 4, 2015, the Company approved the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) pursuant to which the President and CEO is entitled to receive certain supplemental nonqualified retirement benefits. The retirement benefit under the SERP is an amount equal to sixty percent (60%) of the average of the President and CEO’s base salary for the thirty-six (36) months immediately preceding the executive’s separation from service after age 66, adjusted annually thereafter by a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The total benefit is to be made payable in fifteen annual installments. The future

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payments are estimated to total $6.4 million. A discount rate of four percent (4%) was used to calculate the present value

of the benefit obligation.

The President and CEO commenced vesting in this retirement benefit on January 1, 2014, and vests an additional three percent (3%) each year until fully vested on January 1, 2024. In the event that the President and CEO’s separation from service from the Company were to occur prior to full vesting, the President and CEO would be entitled to and shall be paid the vested portion of the retirement benefit calculated as of the date of separation from service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a Change in Control, and provided that within 6 months following the Change in Control the President and CEO is involuntarily terminated for reasons other than “cause” or the President and CEO resigns for “good reason,” as such is defined in the SERP, or the President and CEO voluntarily terminates his employment after being offered continued employment in a position that is not a “Comparable Position,” as such is also defined in the SERP, the President and CEO shall become one hundred percent (100%) vested in the full retirement benefit.

No contributions or payments have been made during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic pension cost of the defined benefit plan recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Service cost (1)

$

18

$

32

$

(51)

$

95

Interest cost

 

38

 

37

 

107

 

111

Amortization of prior service cost (2)

 

 

20

 

332

 

62

Net periodic benefit cost

$

56

$

89

$

388

$

268

(1)Reduction in service cost totaling $137 thousand to be recognized over one year due to the recalculation of the President and CEO’s salary projection.
(2)Prior service cost fully amortized as of June 30, 2021

The following table summarizes the changes in benefit obligations of the defined benefit plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

$

3,845

$

3,571

Service cost (1)

 

(51)

 

95

Interest cost

 

107

 

111

Benefit obligation, end of period

$

3,901

$

3,777

(1)Reduction in service cost totaling $137 thousand to be recognized over one year due to the recalculation of the President and CEO’s salary projection.

On October 22, 2015, the Company entered into an Executive Incentive Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) with certain key executive officers other than the President and CEO. The Plan has an effective date of January 1, 2015.

The Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan. For any Plan Year, a guaranteed annual Deferral Award percentage of seven and one half percent (7.5%) of the participant’s annual base salary will be credited to each Participant’s Deferred Benefit Account. A discretionary annual Deferral Award equal to seven and one half percent (7.5%) of the participant’s annual base salary may be credited to the Participant’s account in addition to the guaranteed Deferral Award, if the Bank exceeds the benchmarks set forth in the Annual Executive Bonus Matrix. The total Deferral

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Award shall never exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the participant’s base salary for any given Plan Year. Each Participant shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in all Deferral Awards as of the date they are awarded.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had total year to date expenses of $84 thousand related to the Plan. The Plan is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as accrued expenses.

Certain members of management are also enrolled in a split-dollar life insurance plan with a post retirement death benefit of $250 thousand. Total expenses related to this plan were $1 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and $4 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

NOTE 13. Regulatory Capital

On September 17, 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule providing simplified capital requirements for certain community banking organizations (banks and holding companies) with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, implementing provisions of The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”). Under the proposal, a qualifying community banking organization would be eligible to elect the community bank leverage ratio framework, or continue to measure capital under the existing Basel III requirements. The new rule was effective beginning January 1, 2020, and qualifying community banking organizations may elect to opt into the new community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) in their call report beginning in the first quarter of 2020.

A qualifying community banking organization (“QCBO”) is defined as a bank, a savings association, a bank holding company or a savings and loan holding company with:

A leverage capital ratio of greater than 9.0%;
Total consolidated assets of less than $10.0 billion;
Total off-balance sheet exposures (excluding derivatives other than credit derivatives and unconditionally cancelable commitments) of 25% or less of total consolidated assets; and
Total trading assets and trading liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets.

On April 6, 2020, the federal banking regulators implemented the applicable provisions of the CARES Act, which modified the CBLR framework so that: (i) beginning in the second quarter 2020 and until the end of 2020, a banking organization that has a leverage ratio of 8% or greater and meets certain other criteria may elect to use the CBLR framework; and (ii) community banking organizations will have until January 1, 2022, before the CBLR requirement is re-established at greater than 9%. Under the interim rules, the minimum CBLR was 8% beginning in the second quarter and for the remainder of calendar year 2020, and is 8.5% for calendar year 2021, and 9% thereafter. The numerator of the CBLR is Tier 1 capital, as calculated under the Basel III rules. The denominator of the CBLR is the QCBO’s average assets, calculated in accordance with the QCBO’s Call Report instructions less assets deducted from Tier 1 capital.

The Bank has opted into the CBLR, and is therefore not required to comply with the Basel III capital requirements.

The following table shows the CBLR ratio for the Company and the Bank at September 30, 2021 and at December 31, 2020:

At September 30, 2021

At December 31, 2020

 

Company

    

Bank

 

 

Company

    

Bank

 

CBLR

 

10.70

%  

10.23

%  

 

10.09

%  

9.80

%  

NOTE 14. Leases

The Company follows ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which revised certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leasing transactions. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities on its balance sheet that arise from all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The core principle requires the lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a "right-of-use" asset.

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Operating leases in which the Bank is the lessee are recorded as right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities and are included in Prepaid expenses and other assets and Accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the Bank’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Bank does not currently have any finance leases in which it is the lessee.

Operating lease ROU assets represent the Bank’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate that represents our incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate was calculated for each lease by taking a variable rate FHLB ARC product (based on Libor plus a spread) and then swapping it to a fixed rate borrowing by adding a fixed mid swap rate for the desired term. The borrowing rate for each lease is unique based on the lease term. Operating lease expense, which is comprised of amortization of the ROU asset and the implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and is recorded in Occupancy expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Bank’s leases relate primarily to bank branches, office space and equipment with remaining lease terms of generally 1 to 10 years. Certain lease arrangements contain extension options which typically range from 1 to 5 years at the then fair market rental rates. As these extension options are not generally considered reasonably certain of exercise, they are not included in the lease term.

Certain real estate leases have lease payments that adjust based on annual changes in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"). The leases that are dependent upon CPI are initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date and are included in the measurement of the lease liability.

Operating lease ROU assets totaled $3.8 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $2.4 million at December 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2021, operating lease liabilities totaled $3.9 million, compared to $2.4 million at December 31, 2020.

The table below summarizes our net lease cost:

    

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Operating lease cost

$

155

$

148

$

452

$

443

Net lease cost

$

155

$

148

$

452

$

443

The table below summarizes the cash and non-cash activities associated with our leases:

    

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

2021

2020

2021

2020

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

 

  

  

  

  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

$

152

$

142

$

442

$

426

ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities

$

1,803

$

28

$

1,803

$

28

The table below summarizes other information related to our operating leases:

(In thousands, except percentages and years)

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

 

Weighted average remaining lease term in years

 

9.95

5.96

Weighted average discount rate

 

3.59

%  

5.45

%

Operating lease right-of-use assets

$

3,805

$

2,365

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The table below summarizes the maturity of remaining lease liabilities:

(In thousands)

    

September 30, 2021

2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021)

$

157

2022

 

607

2023

 

541

2024

 

492

2025

 

501

2026 and thereafter

 

2,099

Total lease payments

$

4,397

Less: Interest

 

(529)

Present value of lease liabilities

$

3,868

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had not entered into any material leases that have not yet commenced.

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

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the 2020 consolidated audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. When necessary, reclassifications have been made to prior period data throughout the following discussion and analysis for purposes of comparability. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which may be identified by the use of such words as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “should”, “planned”, “estimated” and “potential”. Examples of forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Unity Bancorp, Inc. that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. These factors include, in addition to those items contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item IA-Risk Factors, as updated by our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the following: changes in general, economic, and market conditions, legislative and regulatory conditions, the development of an interest rate environment that adversely affects Unity Bancorp, Inc.’s interest rate spread or other income anticipated from operations and investments and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our employees, operations and customers.

Overview

Unity Bancorp, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) is a bank holding company incorporated in New Jersey and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Unity Bank (the “Bank” or, when consolidated with the Parent Company, the “Company”) is chartered by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and commenced operations on September 13, 1991. The Bank provides a full range of commercial and retail banking services through the Internet and its nineteen branch offices located in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. These services include the acceptance of demand, savings, and time deposits and the extension of consumer, real estate, Small Business Administration ("SBA") and other commercial credits. The Bank has multiple subsidiaries used to hold part of its investment and loan portfolios.

The Company has two other wholly-owned subsidiaries: Unity (NJ) Statutory Trust II and Unity Risk Management, Inc. On July 24, 2006, the Trust issued $10.0 million of trust preferred securities to investors. These floating rate securities are treated as subordinated debentures on the Company’s financial statements. However, they qualify as Tier I Capital for regulatory capital compliance purposes, subject to certain limitations. Unity Risk Management, Inc. is the Company’s captive insurance company that insures risks to the Bank not covered by the traditional commercial insurance market. The Company does not consolidate the accounts and related activity of Unity (NJ) Statutory Trust II, but it does consolidate the accounts of Unity Risk Management, Inc.

COVID-19

On March 13, 2020, the Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) pandemic was declared a national emergency by the President of the United States. The spread of COVID-19 has negatively impacted the national and local economy, disrupted supply chains and increased unemployment levels. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have been faced with restrictions in an effort to prioritize public health. The initial temporary closure and gradual reopening of many businesses and the implementation of social distancing and stay-at-home policies has impacted many of the Company’s customers.

The Company is committed to supporting its customers, employees and communities during this difficult time and has adapted to the changing environment. We have taken and continue taking steps to protect the health and safety of our employees and to work with our customers experiencing economic consequences from the epidemic. The Company has and is working with its loan customers to provide short term payment deferrals and to waive certain fees. These accommodations are likely to have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations during the duration of the epidemic, and, depending on how quickly the businesses of our customers rebound after the emergency, could lead to an increase in nonperforming assets.

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The full impact of the pandemic remains unknown and continues to evolve. The outbreak has had a significant adverse impact on certain industries the Company serves, including retail, accommodations, and restaurants and food services. Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many restrictions have been lifted as vaccines are administered and people start to feel safer. It is still unknown what changes in the behavior of customers, businesses and their employees will result from the COVID-19 pandemic. While states have re-opened, several restrictions remain in place, which have resulted in lower commercial activity. This decrease in commercial activity may result in our customers’ inability to meet their loan obligations to us. In addition, the economic pressures and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in changes in consumer spending behaviors, which may negatively impact the demand for loans and other services we offer. Because of the significant uncertainties related to the ultimate duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our customers and prospects, and on the local and national economy, there can be no assurances as to how the crisis may ultimately affect the Company's loan portfolio, and business as a whole. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which remain uncertain. As such, the Company could be subject to certain risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.

CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. It contained substantial tax and spending provisions intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act included a range of other provisions designed to support the U.S. economy and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on financial institutions and their customers, including through the authorization of various relief programs and measures that the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Small Business Administration, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) and other federal banking agencies have implemented or may implement.

The CARES Act provided assistance to small businesses through the establishment of the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"). The PPP provided small businesses with funds to pay up to 24 weeks of payroll costs, including certain benefits. The funds were provided in the form of loans that would be fully or partially forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The payments on these loans were deferred for up to six months. Loans made after June 5, 2020, mature in five years, and loans made prior to June 5, 2020, mature in two years but can be extended to five years if the lender agrees. Forgiveness of the PPP loans is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Most small businesses with 500 or fewer employees were eligible. Applications for the PPP loans started on April 3, 2020 and the application period was extended to August 8, 2020, and then reopened pursuant to the terms of the Economic Aid Act discussed below. As an existing SBA 7(a) lender, the Company opted to participate in the program.

The Company approved 1,224 applications and provided funding of approximately $143.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company has $3.6 million of PPP loans originated under the CARES Act remaining on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2021 and believes that the majority of these loans will be forgiven by the SBA.

Economic Aid Act

On December 27, 2020, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues (“Economic Aid”) Act was signed into law. It provided additional assistance to the hardest-hit small businesses, nonprofits, and venues that were struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Economic Aid Act provided funding for a second round of PPP loans for small businesses and nonprofits experiencing significant revenue losses, made programmatic improvements to PPP, funded grants to shuttered venues, and enacted emergency enhancements to other SBA lending programs.

The PPP allowed certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan with the same general loan terms as their First Draw PPP Loan, and for borrowers that did not initially receive a PPP loan to apply for one. Most small businesses with 300 or fewer employees that could demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020 were eligible. Applications for PPP loans under the Economic Aid Act started on January 13, 2021 and were available until March 31, 2021. The Company participated in the re-opened PPP loan process.

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The Company approved 955 applications and provided funding of approximately $101.0 million. As of September 30, 2021, the Company has $78.3 million of PPP loans originated under the Economic Aid Act in its portfolio.

Deferrals

On March 22, 2020, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus.” This guidance encourages financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers that may be unable to meet their contractual obligations because of the effects of COVID-19. The guidance goes on to explain that, in consultation with the FASB staff, the federal bank regulatory agencies concluded that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as of the implementation date of a relief program are not TDRs. Section 4013 of the CARES Act also addresses COVID-19 related modifications and specifies that COVID-19 related modifications on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019, are not TDRs.

Beginning in March 2020, the Company proactively communicated with its customers to address their financial needs. The Company worked closely with its customers to educate and guide them on their options for financial assistance, including disaster loans, the PPP and payment relief through deferrals and waived fees. As a result of our proactive approach to provide financial assistance to our customers, loans have been modified through payment deferrals and are not categorized as TDRs, in accordance with regulatory guidance and the CARES Act. The table below summarizes the loans that are in deferral as of September 30, 2021:

(In thousands)

Total loan portfolio balance

Unpaid principal balance of full deferrals

Unpaid principal balance of principal only deferrals

Unpaid principal balance of deferrals

% total deferrals to total loans

SBA loans held for sale

$

20,130

$

$

$

0.00

%

SBA loans held for investment

37,986

0.00

SBA PPP loans

81,907

0.00

Commercial loans

 

924,037

 

12,527

 

5,056

 

17,583

1.90

Residential mortgage loans

 

420,835

 

 

 

0.00

Consumer loans

71,071

0.00

Residential construction loans

 

108,925

 

 

 

0.00

Total loans

$

1,664,891

$

12,527

$

5,056

$

17,583

1.06

%


Consent Order

In July 2020, Unity Bank agreed to the issuance of a Consent Order by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and agreed to an Acknowledgement and Consent of the FDIC Consent Order with the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance for the State of New Jersey. The Consent Order requires the Bank to strengthen its Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”)/anti-money laundering (“AML”) program, and to address related matters. The Bank hired a consulting firm to assist management in effectively addressing all matters pertaining to the order. Although the Bank believes it is complying with all requirements of the Consent Order, we can give no assurance that the FDIC and the NJDOBI will agree that the Bank is fully complying or that the Bank will not incur material additional expense in complying with the Consent Order.

Earnings Summary

Net income totaled $9.5 million, or $0.90 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $5.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Return on average assets and average common equity for the quarter were 1.96 percent and 19.57 percent, respectively, compared to 1.28 percent and 13.76 percent for the same period a year ago.

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Third quarter highlights include:

Net interest income increased 20.8 percent compared to the prior year’s quarter due to commercial loan growth, receipt of SBA PPP loan fees on forgiveness, residential construction loan growth and SBA loan growth.
Net interest margin equaled 4.27 percent this quarter compared to 3.78 percent in the prior years’ quarter.
The Company reported no provision for loan losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $2.0 million in the prior year’s quarter. The decrease was due to an improved economic environment.
Noninterest income decreased 15.8 percent compared to the prior year’s quarter primarily due to a decrease in the gains on residential mortgage loan sales and a decision to not sell SBA available for sale loans in the third quarter.
Noninterest expense decreased 1.8 percent compared to the prior year’s quarter primarily due to a reduction in BSA expenses.
The effective tax rate was 25.4 percent compared to 24.5 percent in the prior year’s quarter.

The Company’s performance ratios may be found in the table below.

For the three months ended September 30, 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

 

    

2021

    

2020

 

2021

    

2020

 

Net income per common share - Basic (1)

$

0.91

$

0.54

$

2.53

$

1.51

Net income per common share - Diluted (2)

$

0.90

$

0.54

$

2.50

$

1.50

Return on average assets

 

1.96

%  

 

1.28

%

 

1.86

%  

 

1.26

%

Return on average equity (3)

 

19.57

%  

 

13.76

%

 

19.13

%  

 

13.20

%

Efficiency ratio (4)

 

44.15

%  

 

50.80

%

 

46.28

%  

 

50.98

%

(1)Defined as net income divided by weighted average shares outstanding.
(2)Defined as net income divided by the sum of the weighted average shares and the potential dilutive impact of the exercise of outstanding options.
(3)Defined as net income divided by average shareholders’ equity.
(4)The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure of operational performance. It is defined as noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income less any gains or losses on securities.

Net Interest Income

The primary source of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividends earned on earning assets and fees earned on loans, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Earning assets include loans to individuals and businesses, investment securities, interest-earning deposits and federal funds sold. Interest-bearing liabilities include interest-bearing demand, savings and time deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings. Net interest income is determined by the difference between the yields earned on earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities (“net interest spread”) and the relative amounts of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company’s net interest spread is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand, deposit flows and general levels of nonperforming assets.

COVID-19 adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect economic activity globally, nationally and locally. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, market interest rates declined significantly, with the 10-year Treasury bond falling below 1.00% on March 3, 2020 for the first time. Additionally, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the target federal funds rate to 0% to 0.25% on March 16, 2020. These reductions in interest rates and other effects of the COVID-19 outbreak may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, tax-equivalent net interest income amounted to $19.7 million, an increase of $3.4 million or 20.8 percent when compared to the same period in 2020. The net interest margin increased 49 basis points to 4.27 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 3.78 percent for the same period in 2020. The net interest spread was 4.09 percent for the third quarter of 2021, a 66 basis point increase compared to the same period in 2020.

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During the three months ended September 30, 2021, tax-equivalent interest income was $21.3 million, an increase of $1.5 million or 7.5 percent when compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was mainly driven by the increase in the balance of average loans and the increase in the yield on loans, partially offset by a decrease in the balance of average securities, and the decrease in the yield on securities.

Of the $1.5 million net increase in interest income on a tax-equivalent basis, $785 thousand of the increase was due to increased average earning assets and $703 thousand was due to higher yields on the earning assets.
The average volume of interest-earning assets increased $116.7 million to $1.8 billion for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $1.7 billion for the same period in 2020. This was due primarily to a $62.0 million increase in average loans, primarily commercial, residential construction and SBA loans and a $66.9 million increase in federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by a $9.9 million decrease in investment securities.
The yield on total interest-earning assets increased 2 basis points to 4.60 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020. The yield on the loan portfolio increased 19 basis points to 5.01 percent.

Total interest expense was $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $1.9 million or 55.5 percent compared to the same period in 2020. This decrease was driven by the decreased rates on interest-bearing deposits, the decreased volume of borrowed funds and subordinated debentures and the decreased rates on borrowed funds and subordinated debentures compared to a year ago:

Of the $1.9 million decrease in interest expense, $1.5 million was due to a decrease in the rates on interest-bearing liabilities, and $455 thousand was due to a decrease in the volume of average interest-bearing liabilities.
Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $1.2 billion for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $254 thousand or 0.2 percent compared to the prior year’s quarter.
The average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreased 64 basis points to 0.51 percent. The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 65 basis points to 0.45 percent for the third quarter of 2021 and the cost of borrowed funds and subordinated debentures decreased 4 basis points to 1.65 percent.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, tax-equivalent net interest income amounted to $56.2 million, an increase of $9.1 million or 19.3 percent when compared to the same period in 2020. The net interest margin increased 32 basis points to 4.13 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 3.81 percent for the same period in 2020. The net interest spread was 3.90 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a 48 basis point increase compared to the same period in 2020.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, tax-equivalent interest income was $62.5 million, an increase of $3.9 million or 6.6 percent when compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was mainly driven by the increase in the balance of average loans, partially offset by a decrease in the yield on loans, and the decrease in the average balance of securities and the rates on federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits.

Of the $3.9 million net increase in interest income on a tax-equivalent basis, $5.1 million of the increase was due to increased average earning assets, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease to yields on the earning assets.
The average volume of interest-earning assets increased $165.6 million to $1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $1.7 billion for the same period in 2020. This was due primarily to a $138.6 million increase in average loans, primarily SBA PPP, commercial, and residential construction loans, a $46.6 million increase in federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by a $17.8 million decrease in investment securities.
The yield on total interest-earning assets decreased 14 basis points to 4.60 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020. The yield on the loan portfolio decreased 4 basis points to 4.95 percent.

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Total interest expense was $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $5.2 million or 45.2 percent compared to the same period in 2020. This decrease reflects decreased rates on interest-bearing deposits and decreased rates on borrowed funds and subordinated debentures compared to a year ago, partially offset by increased volume on interest-bearing deposits.

Of the $5.2 million decrease in interest expense, $4.5 million was due to a decrease on the rates on interest-bearing liabilities, and $696 thousand was due to a decrease in the volume of average time deposits.
Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $37.9 million or 3.2 percent compared to the prior year’s period.
The average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreased 62 basis points to 0.70 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 64 basis points to 0.64 percent and the cost of borrowed funds and subordinated debentures decreased 2 basis points to 1.65 percent.

The following table reflects the components of net interest income, setting forth for the periods presented herein: (1) average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, (2) interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (3) average yields earned on interest-earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (4) net interest spread, and (5) net interest income/margin on average earning assets. Rates/Yields are computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21 percent in 2021 and 2020.

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Consolidated Average Balance Sheets

(Dollar amounts in thousands, interest amounts and interest rates/yields on a fully tax-equivalent basis)

For the three months ended

 

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

 

  

Average

  

  

  

Average

  

  

  

Balance

Interest

Rate/Yield

Balance

Interest

Rate/Yield

 

ASSETS

Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing deposits

$

133,660

$

48

 

0.14

%  

$

66,759

$

24

 

0.14

%

Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock

 

3,706

 

41

 

4.36

 

5,996

 

79

 

5.24

Securities:

Taxable

 

41,738

 

292

 

2.78

 

50,118

 

383

 

3.04

Tax-exempt

 

1,176

 

10

 

3.26

 

2,678

 

15

 

2.23

Total securities (A)

 

42,914

 

302

 

2.79

 

52,796

 

398

 

3.00

Loans:

SBA loans

 

54,686

 

864

 

6.27

 

49,751

 

631

 

5.05

SBA PPP loans

110,239

1,751

6.30

138,221

1,036

2.98

Commercial loans

 

898,589

 

11,280

 

4.98

 

792,255

 

10,099

 

5.07

Residential mortgage loans

 

417,166

 

4,606

 

4.38

 

463,575

 

5,490

 

4.71

Consumer loans

 

66,782

 

736

 

4.37

 

68,234

 

843

 

4.92

Residential construction loans

105,908

1,628

6.10

79,333

1,168

5.85

Total loans (B)

 

1,653,370

 

20,865

 

5.01

 

1,591,369

 

19,267

 

4.82

Total interest-earning assets

$

1,833,650

$

21,256

 

4.60

%  

$

1,716,920

$

19,768

 

4.58

%

Noninterest-earning assets:

Cash and due from banks

 

23,085

 

23,487

Allowance for loan losses

 

(22,733)

 

(21,680)

Other assets

 

75,961

 

75,807

Total noninterest-earning assets

 

76,313

 

77,614

Total assets

$

1,909,963

$

1,794,534

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

227,152

$

247

 

0.43

%  

$

182,170

$

318

 

0.69

%

Savings deposits

 

558,354

 

390

 

0.28

 

447,745

 

502

 

0.45

Time deposits

 

345,811

 

659

 

0.76

 

449,333

 

2,157

 

1.91

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,131,317

 

1,296

 

0.45

 

1,079,248

 

2,977

 

1.10

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

 

56,322

 

235

 

1.65

 

108,137

 

460

 

1.69

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

1,187,639

$

1,531

 

0.51

%  

$

1,187,385

$

3,437

 

1.15

%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

514,518

 

422,759

Other liabilities

 

16,077

 

17,838

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities

 

530,595

 

440,597

Total shareholders' equity

 

191,729

 

166,552

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

1,909,963

$

1,794,534

Net interest spread

$

19,725

 

4.09

%  

$

16,331

 

3.43

%

Tax-equivalent basis adjustment

 

  

 

(2)

 

 

  

 

(4)

 

Net interest income

 

  

$

19,723

 

 

  

$

16,327

 

Net interest margin

 

  

 

 

4.27

%  

 

  

 

  

 

3.78

%

(A)Yields related to securities exempt from federal and state income taxes are stated on a fully tax-equivalent basis. They are reduced by the nondeductible portion of interest expense, assuming a federal tax rate of 21 percent in 2021 and 2020, as well as all applicable state rates.
(B)The loan averages are stated net of unearned income, and the averages include loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued.

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Consolidated Average Balance Sheets

(Dollar amounts in thousands, interest amounts and interest rates/yields on a fully tax-equivalent basis)

For the nine months ended

 

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2020

 

  

Average

  

  

  

Average

  

  

  

balance

Interest

Rate/Yield

balance

Interest

Rate/Yield

 

ASSETS

Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing deposits

$

116,563

$

105

 

0.12

%  

$

69,940

$

236

 

0.45

%

FHLB stock

 

4,527

 

157

 

4.63

 

6,284

 

268

 

5.70

Securities:

Taxable

 

38,374

 

837

 

2.92

 

54,635

 

1,331

 

3.25

Tax-exempt

 

1,774

 

33

 

2.46

 

3,329

 

62

 

2.49

Total securities (A)

 

40,148

 

870

 

2.90

 

57,964

 

1,393

 

3.21

Loans

SBA loans

 

51,446

 

2,423

 

6.30

 

49,337

 

2,323

 

6.29

SBA PPP loans

138,846

5,228

5.03

79,895

1,760

2.94

Commercial loans

 

871,163

 

32,490

 

4.99

 

781,942

 

29,848

 

5.10

Residential mortgage loans

 

435,694

 

14,640

 

4.49

 

462,497

 

16,814

 

4.86

Consumer loans

63,872

2,274

4.76

71,031

2,678

5.04

Residential construction loans

 

96,491

 

4,330

 

6.00

 

74,251

 

3,321

 

5.97

Total loans (B)

 

1,657,512

 

61,385

 

4.95

 

1,518,953

 

56,744

 

4.99

Total interest-earning assets

$

1,818,750

$

62,517

 

4.60

%  

$

1,653,141

$

58,641

 

4.74

%

Noninterest-earning assets:

Cash and due from banks

 

23,456

 

22,048

Allowance for loan losses

 

(23,026)

 

(18,773)

Other assets

 

75,856

 

73,429

Total noninterest-earning assets

 

76,286

 

76,704

Total assets

$

1,895,036

$

1,729,845

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

218,539

$

863

 

0.53

%  

$

169,396

$

1,025

 

0.83

%

Savings deposits

 

515,065

 

1,241

 

0.32

 

431,492

 

2,000

 

0.60

Time deposits

 

401,839

 

3,293

 

1.10

 

455,900

 

7,056

 

2.07

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,135,443

 

5,397

 

0.64

 

1,056,788

 

10,081

 

1.28

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

 

74,882

 

922

 

1.65

 

115,624

 

1,449

 

1.67

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

1,210,325

$

6,319

 

0.70

%  

$

1,172,412

$

11,530

 

1.32

%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

484,284

 

375,229

Other liabilities

 

16,069

 

17,209

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities

 

500,353

 

392,438

Total shareholders’ equity

 

184,358

 

164,995

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

1,895,036

$

1,729,845

Net interest spread

$

56,198

 

3.90

%  

$

47,111

 

3.42

%

Tax-equivalent basis adjustment

 

  

 

(7)

 

 

  

 

(12)

 

  

Net interest income

 

  

$

56,191

 

  

 

  

$

47,099

 

  

Net interest margin

 

  

 

  

 

4.13

%  

 

  

 

  

 

3.81

%

(A)Yields related to securities exempt from federal and state income taxes are stated on a fully tax-equivalent basis. They are reduced by the nondeductible portion of interest expense, assuming a federal tax rate of 21 percent in 2021 and 2020, as well as all applicable state rates.
(B)The loan averages are stated net of unearned income, and the averages include loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued.

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The rate volume table below presents an analysis of the impact on interest income and expense resulting from changes in average volume and rates over the periods presented. Changes that are not due to volume or rate variances have been allocated proportionally to both, based on their relative absolute values. Amounts have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21 percent in 2021 and 2020.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021 versus September 30, 2020

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 versus September 30, 2020

Increase (decrease) due to change in:

Increase (decrease) due to change in:

(In thousands on a tax-equivalent basis)

    

Volume

    

Rate

    

Net

    

Volume

    

Rate

    

Net

    

Interest income:

Interest-bearing deposits

$

24

$

$

24

$

102

$

(233)

$

(131)

FHLB stock

 

(27)

 

(11)

 

(38)

 

(67)

 

(44)

 

(111)

Securities

 

(70)

 

(26)

 

(96)

 

(396)

 

(127)

 

(523)

Loans

 

858

 

740

 

1,598

 

5,412

 

(771)

 

4,641

Total interest income

$

785

$

703

$

1,488

$

5,051

$

(1,175)

$

3,876

Interest expense:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Demand deposits

$

66

$

(137)

$

(71)

$

266

$

(428)

$

(162)

Savings deposits

 

107

 

(219)

 

(112)

 

308

 

(1,067)

 

(759)

Time deposits

 

(414)

 

(1,084)

 

(1,498)

 

(760)

 

(3,003)

 

(3,763)

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

(241)

 

(1,440)

 

(1,681)

 

(186)

 

(4,498)

 

(4,684)

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

 

(214)

 

(11)

 

(225)

 

(510)

 

(17)

 

(527)

Total interest expense

 

(455)

 

(1,451)

 

(1,906)

 

(696)

 

(4,515)

 

(5,211)

Net interest income - fully tax-equivalent

$

1,240

$

2,154

$

3,394

$

5,747

$

3,340

$

9,087

Decrease in tax-equivalent adjustment

 

2

 

5

Net interest income

$

3,396

$

9,092

Provision for Loan Losses

There was no provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the provision for loan losses totaled $500 thousand, compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2020. The decreases in provision for loan losses for the three and nine month periods were primarily due to the increased risk of loan defaults in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.

Each period’s loan loss provision is the result of management’s analysis of the loan portfolio and reflects changes in the size and composition of the portfolio, the level of net charge-offs, delinquencies, current economic conditions and other internal and external factors impacting the risk within the loan portfolio. Additional information may be found under the captions “Financial Condition - Asset Quality” and “Financial Condition - Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments.”  The current provision is considered appropriate under management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

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Table of Contents

Noninterest Income

The following table shows the components of noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Branch fee income

$

294

$

237

$

858

$

761

Service and loan fee income

 

804

 

419

 

1,937

 

1,185

Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net

 

 

534

 

741

 

1,099

Gain on sale of mortgage loans, net

 

968

 

1,713

 

3,785

 

4,317

BOLI income

 

138

 

147

 

399

 

474

Net security gains (losses)

 

202

 

(96)

 

535

 

(187)

Other income

 

403

 

382

 

1,175

 

1,043

Total noninterest income

$

2,809

$

3,336

$

9,430

$

8,692

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, noninterest income decreased $527 thousand to $2.8 million, compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date, noninterest income increased $738 thousand to $9.4 million. Quarterly noninterest income decreased primarily due to a decrease in the gains on the residential mortgage loan sales and the decision to not sell SBA available for sale loans in the third quarter while year-to-date noninterest income increased primarily due to an increase in servicing and loan fee income and an increase in the fair market value of our equity securities.

Changes in our noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the prior year period reflect:

Branch fee income increased $57 thousand and $97 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, primarily due to service charges on deposit related accounts.
Service and loan fee income increased $385 thousand and $752 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, primarily due to an increase in loan payoff charges and loan prepayment penalties.
There were no SBA loan sales during the third quarter of 2021, compared to $5.9 million with a net gain of $534 thousand in the prior year’s quarter. Year-to-date, SBA loan sales totaled $5.7 million in 2021 and $12.4 million in 2020 with net gains of $741 thousand and $1.1 million, respectively.
Mortgage loan sales were $45.5 million with a gain of 2.13% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $92.1 million with a gain of 1.86% for prior year’s quarter. Year-to-date, mortgage loan sales were $217.0 million with a gain of 1.74%, compared to $203.2 million with a gain of 2.12%, respectively. Residential mortgage loans are sold as a tool to manage liquidity needs within the Bank.
Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") income decreased $9 thousand and $75 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
Net security gains totaled $202 thousand during the third quarter of 2021, compared to losses of $96 thousand in the prior year’s quarter. Year-to-date, net security gains totaled $535 thousand compared to losses of $187 thousand in the prior year. There were approximately $198 thousand in gains compared to losses of $112 thousand which resulted from increases in the market values of equity securities during the third quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Other income, which includes check card related income and miscellaneous service charges, increased $21 thousand and $132 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily due to increases in Visa Check card interchange fees resulting from a promotion of cards.

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Table of Contents

Noninterest Expense

The following table presents a breakdown of noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands)

    

2021

    

2020

2021

    

2020

Compensation and benefits

$

5,720

$

5,761

$

18,116

$

16,752

Processing and communications

 

747

 

722

 

2,303

 

2,199

Occupancy

 

654

 

639

 

1,991

 

1,892

Furniture and equipment

627

637

1,935

1,933

Professional services

315

274

1,035

805

Advertising

261

191

932

688

Other loan expenses

452

216

759

473

BSA expenses

214

626

664

1,176

Deposit insurance

198

197

637

444

Director fees

189

191

600

572

Loan collection & OREO expenses

 

62

 

33

 

67

 

220

Other expenses

 

421

 

550

 

1,084

 

1,386

Total noninterest expense

$

9,860

$

10,037

$

30,123

$

28,540

Noninterest expense decreased $177 thousand to $9.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, while year-to-date expense increased $1.6 million to $30.1 million, primarily due to increased expenses related to a one time deferred compensation adjustment.

Changes in noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 versus 2020 reflect:

Compensation and benefits expense, the largest component of noninterest expense, decreased $41 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to the prior year’s quarter. Year-to-date compensation and benefits expense increased $1.4 million, primarily due to a one time deferred compensation adjustment and a decrease in residential mortgage commissions paid.
Processing and communications expense, which includes items processed and electronic banking fees, increased $25 thousand and $104 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively.
Occupancy expense increased $15 thousand and $99 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively. The year-to-date increase was primarily due to ground maintenance expenses.
Furniture and equipment expense, which includes network and software maintenance, decreased $10 thousand and increased $2 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively.
Professional service fees increased $41 thousand and $230 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, primarily due to higher legal, audit and tax expenses.
Advertising expenses increased $70 thousand and $244 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively, primarily due to a reduced level of marketing expenses in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 and increased initiatives in mortgage advertising and community related events.
Director fees decreased $2 thousand and increased $28 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively.
Other loan expenses, which consist of expenses such as appraisals, loan property tax expenses, and credit reports, increased $236 thousand and $286 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively, primarily due to SBA expense reimbursements.
Loan collection and OREO costs increased $29 thousand and decreased $153 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively, primarily due to the increase in loan legal expenses and the sale of all OREO properties.

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Table of Contents

Other expenses decreased $129 thousand and decreased $302 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, versus 2020, respectively, primarily due to a decrease in the reserve for legal expenses.

Income Tax Expense

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company reported income tax expense of $3.2 million for an effective tax rate of 25.4 percent, compared to income tax expense of $1.9 million and an effective tax rate of 24.5 percent for the prior year’s quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company reported income tax expense of $8.6 million for an effective tax rate of 24.6 percent, compared to an income expense of $5.0 million and an effective tax rate of 23.3 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

On July 1, 2018, New Jersey’s Assembly Bill 4202 was signed into law. The bill, effective January 1, 2018, imposed a temporary surtax on corporations earning New Jersey allocated income in excess of $1 million at a rate of 2.5% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, and at a rate of 1.5% for years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021. In addition, New Jersey adopted mandatory unitary combined reporting for its Corporation Business Tax, which became effective for periods on or after January 1, 2019.

On September 29, 2020, New Jersey’s Assembly Bill 4721 was signed into law. The bill, retroactively effective January 1, 2020, extends the 2.5% corporate income surtax until December 31, 2023. If the federal corporate tax rate is increased to a rate of at least 35% of taxable income, the surtax will be suspended.

For additional information on income taxes, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Condition at September 30, 2021

Total assets increased $32.2 million or 1.6 percent, to $2 billion at September 30, 2021, when compared to year end 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $37.6 million in net loans, primarily due to strong commercial loan growth and residential construction loan growth, partially offset by a decrease in residential mortgage loans, and a $36.4 million decrease in SBA PPP loans due to loans being forgiven and paid off.

Total deposits increased $148.2 million, primarily due to increases of $166.6 million in savings deposits, $60.9 million in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and $39.8 million in interest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by a decrease of $119.1 million in time deposits. Borrowed funds decreased $140 million due to decreased FHLB advances resulting from core deposit growth, SBA PPP forgiveness and residential mortgage paydowns.

Total shareholders’ equity increased $22.4 million over year end 2020, primarily due to earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income and an increase in common stock, partially offset by treasury stock purchases and dividends paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

These fluctuations are discussed in further detail in the paragraphs that follow.

Securities Portfolio

The Company’s securities portfolio consists of AFS and HTM debt securities and equity investments. Management determines the appropriate security classification of AFS and HTM at the time of purchase. The investment securities portfolio is maintained for asset-liability management purposes, as well as for liquidity and earnings purposes.

AFS debt securities are investments carried at fair value that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for other business purposes. Activity in this portfolio is undertaken primarily to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, to take advantage of market conditions that create economically attractive returns and as an additional source of earnings. AFS debt securities consist primarily of obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities, obligations of state and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, and corporate and other securities.

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AFS debt securities totaled $39.8 million at September 30, 2021, a decrease of $5.9 million or 12.8 percent, compared to $45.6 million at December 31, 2020. This net decrease was the result of:

$11.4 million in principal payments, maturities and called bonds,
$7.0 million from the sale of six corporate bonds,
$176 thousand in net amortization, partially offset by
$12.3 million in additions from the purchase of two corporate bonds and five asset backed securities, and
$510 thousand of appreciation in the market value of the portfolio. At September 30, 2021, the portfolio had a net unrealized gain of $206 thousand compared to a net unrealized loss of $304 thousand at December 31, 2020. These net unrealized losses are reflected net of tax in shareholder’s equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.

The weighted average life of AFS debt securities, adjusted for prepayments, amounted to 6.1 years and 4.6 years at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

HTM securities, which are carried at amortized cost, are investments for which there is the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. The portfolio is primarily comprised of mortgage-backed securities and U.S Government sponsored entities.

HTM securities were $5.2 million at September 30, 2021, an increase of $5.2 million or 100.0 percent, compared to year end 2020. This net increase was the result of:

$10.2 million addition from the purchase of two collateralized mortgage obligations and one agency bond, partially offset by
$5.1 million in principal payments, and
$4 thousand in net amortization.

The weighted average life of HTM securities, adjusted for prepayments, amounted to 3.8 years. As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of HTM securities was $5.2 million.

Equity securities are investments carried at fair value that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for other business purposes. Activity in this portfolio is undertaken primarily to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, to take advantage of market conditions that create economically attractive returns and as an additional source of earnings. Equity securities consist of Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") investments and the equity holdings of financial institutions.

Equity securities totaled $4.9 million at September 30, 2021, an increase of $2.9 million or 150.4%, compared to $2.0 million at December 31, 2020. This net increase was the result of:

$2.5 million addition from the purchase of one equity security,
$492 thousand in market value adjustments throughout the year, partially offset by
$53 thousand from the sale of one equity security.

The average balance of taxable securities amounted to $38.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $54.6 million for the same period in 2020. The average yield earned on taxable securities decreased 33 basis points, to 2.92 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 3.25 percent for the same period in the prior year. The average balance of tax-exempt securities amounted to $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $3.3 million for the same period in 2020. The average yield earned on tax-exempt securities decreased 3 basis points, to 2.46 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 2.49 percent for the same period in 2020.

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Securities with a carrying value of $1.3 million and $1.6 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged to secure other borrowings, to collateralize hedging instruments and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

Approximately 39 percent of the total investment portfolio had a fixed rate of interest at September 30, 2021.

See Note 7 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding Securities.

Loan Portfolio

The loan portfolio, which represents the Company’s largest asset group, is a significant source of both interest and fee income. The portfolio consists of SBA, commercial, residential mortgage, consumer, and residential construction loans. Each of these segments is subject to differing levels of credit and interest rate risk.

Total loans increased $37.1 million or 2.3 percent to $1.7 billion at September 30, 2021, compared to year end 2020. Commercial, residential construction and consumer loans increased $84.2 million, $21.8 million and $5.0 million respectively, partially offset by decreases of $46.8 million, $36.4 million and $1.6 million in residential mortgage, SBA PPP and SBA loans, respectively.

The following table sets forth the classification of loans by major category, including unearned fees and deferred costs and excluding the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

September 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

    

    

% of

    

    

% of

(In thousands, except percentages)

Amount

total

Amount

total

SBA loans held for investment

$

37,986

 

2.3

%  

$

39,587

 

2.4

%

SBA PPP loans

81,907

4.9

118,257

7.3

Commercial loans

 

924,037

 

55.5

 

839,788

 

51.6

Residential mortgage loans

 

420,835

 

25.3

 

467,586

 

28.7

Consumer loans

71,071

4.3

66,100

4.0

Residential construction loans

 

108,925

 

6.5

 

87,164

 

5.4

Total loans held for investment

$

1,644,761

 

98.8

%

$

1,618,482

 

99.4

%

SBA loans held for sale

 

20,130

 

1.2

 

9,335

 

0.6

Total loans

$

1,664,891

 

100.0

%  

$

1,627,817

 

100.0

%

Average loans increased $138.6 million or 9.12 percent to $1.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 from $1.5 billion for the same period in 2020. The increase in average loans was due to increases in average commercial, residential construction and consumer loans, partially offset by decreases in average mortgage, SBA PPP and SBA loans. The yield on the overall loan portfolio decreased 4 basis points to 4.95 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in the prior year.

SBA 7(a) loans, on which the SBA historically has provided guarantees of up to 90 percent of the principal balance, are considered a higher risk loan product for the Company than its other loan products. These loans are made for the purposes of providing working capital or financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate. Generally, an SBA 7(a) loan has a deficiency in its credit profile that would not allow the borrower to qualify for a traditional commercial loan, which is why the SBA provides the guarantee. The deficiency may be a higher loan to value (“LTV”) ratio, lower debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratio or weak personal financial guarantees. In addition, many SBA 7(a) loans are for startup businesses where there is no history or financial information. Finally, many SBA borrowers do not have an ongoing and continuous banking relationship with the Bank, but merely work with the Bank on a single transaction. The guaranteed portion of the Company’s SBA loans are generally sold in the secondary market with the nonguaranteed portion held in the portfolio as a loan held for investment.

SBA 7(a) loans held for sale, carried at the lower of cost or market, amounted to $20.1 million at September 30, 2021, an increase of $10.8 million from $9.3 million at December 31, 2020.  SBA 7(a) loans held to maturity amounted to $38.0

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million at September 30, 2021, a decrease of $1.6 million from $39.6 million at December 31, 2020.  The yield on SBA loans, which are generally floating and adjust quarterly to the Prime rate, was 6.30 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 6.29 percent in the prior year.

The guarantee rates on SBA 7(a) loans range from 50 percent to 90 percent, with the majority of the portfolio having a guarantee rate of 75 percent at origination. The guarantee rates are determined by the SBA and can vary from year to year depending on government funding and the goals of the SBA program. The carrying value of SBA loans held for sale represents the guaranteed portion to be sold into the secondary market. The carrying value of SBA loans held to maturity represents the unguaranteed portion, which is the Company’s portion of SBA loans originated, reduced by the guaranteed portion that is sold into the secondary market. Approximately $90.5 million and $98.9 million in SBA loans were sold but serviced by the Company at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are not included on the Company’s balance sheet. There is no relationship or correlation between the guarantee percentages and the level of charge-offs and recoveries on the Company’s SBA 7(a) loans. Charge-offs taken on SBA 7(a) loans effect the unguaranteed portion of the loan. SBA loans are underwritten to the same credit standards irrespective of the guarantee percentage.

The CARES Act provided assistance to small businesses through the establishment of the PPP. The PPP provided small businesses with funds to pay up to 24 weeks of payroll costs, including certain benefits. The funds are provided in the form of loans that may be fully or partially forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The payments on these loans were deferred for up to six months. Loans made after June 5, 2020, mature in five years, and loans made prior to June 5, 2020, mature in two years and can be extended to five years if the lender agrees. Forgiveness of the PPP loans is based on the employer/borrower maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Most small businesses with 500 or fewer employees were eligible. Applications for the PPP loans started on April 3, 2020 and the application period was extended through August 8, 2020. As an existing SBA 7(a) lender, the Company opted to participate in the program. The application period was then reopened under the provisions of the Economic Aid Act. Applications for PPP loans under the Economic Aid Act started on January 13, 2021 and were available until March 31, 2021.

Commercial loans are generally made in the Company’s marketplace for the purpose of providing working capital, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. These loans amounted to $924.0 million at September 30, 2021, an increase of $84.2 million from year end 2020. The yield on commercial loans was 4.99 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 5.10 percent for the same period in 2020. The SBA 504 program, which consists of real estate backed commercial mortgages where the Company has the first mortgage and the SBA has the second mortgage on the property, is included in the Commercial loan portfolio. Generally, the Company has a 50 percent LTV ratio on SBA 504 program loans at origination.

Residential mortgage loans consist of loans secured by 1 to 4 family residential properties. These loans amounted to $420.8 million at September 30, 2021, a decrease of $46.8 million from year end 2020. Sales of mortgage loans totaled $245.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The yield on residential mortgages was 4.49 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 4.86 percent in the 2020 period. Residential mortgage loans maintained in portfolio are generally to individuals that do not qualify for conventional financing. In extending credit to this category of borrowers, the Bank considers other mitigating factors such as credit history, equity and liquid reserves of the borrower. As a result, the residential mortgage loan portfolio of the Bank includes adjustable rate mortgages with rates that exceed the rates on conventional fixed-rate mortgage loan products but which are not considered high priced mortgages.

Consumer loans consist of home equity loans and loans for the purpose of financing the purchase of consumer goods, home improvements, and other personal needs, and are generally secured by the personal property being purchased. These loans amounted to $71.1 million, an increase of $5.0 million from year end 2020. The yield on consumer loans was 4.76 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 5.04 percent for the same period in 2020.

Residential construction loans consist of short-term loans for the purpose of funding the costs of building a home. These loans amounted to $108.9 million, an increase of $21.8 million from year end 2020. The yield on residential construction

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loans was 6.00 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 5.97 percent for the same period in 2020.

There are no concentrations of loans to any borrowers or group of borrowers exceeding 10 percent of the total loan portfolio and no foreign loans in the portfolio.

In the normal course of business, the Company may originate loan products whose terms could give rise to additional credit risk. Interest-only loans, loans with high LTV or debt service ratios, construction loans with payments made from interest reserves and multiple loans supported by the same collateral (e.g. home equity loans) are examples of such products. However, these products are not material to the Company’s financial position and are closely managed via credit controls that mitigate their additional inherent risk. Management does not believe that these products create a concentration of credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolio. The Company does not have any option adjustable rate mortgage loans.

The majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate. Declines in the market values of real estate in the Company’s trade area impact the value of the collateral securing its loans. This could lead to greater losses in the event of defaults on loans secured by real estate. At September 30, 2021 approximately 90 percent of the Company’s loan portfolio was secured by real estate compared to 87 percent at December 31, 2020.

TDRs

TDRs occur when a creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to a debtor’s financial condition, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. These concessions typically include reductions in interest rate, extending the maturity of a loan, or a combination of both. Deferrals complying with the terms of the CARES Act and regulatory guidance (i.e., deferrals of up to six months to borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, where the borrower was current at either December 31, 2019 or prior to the deferral being granted) are not considered TDR’s. When the Company modifies a loan, management evaluates for any possible impairment using either the discounted cash flows method, where the value of the modified loan is based on the present value of expected cash flows, discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, or by using the fair value of the collateral less selling costs. If management determines that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized by segment or class of loan, as applicable, through an allowance estimate or charge-off to the allowance. This process is used, regardless of loan type, and for loans modified as TDRs that subsequently default on their modified terms.

At September 30, 2021, there were three loans totaling $1.1 million that were classified as TDRs and deemed impaired, compared to one loan totaling $663 thousand at December 31, 2020. Restructured loans that are placed in nonaccrual status may be removed after six months of contractual payments and the borrower showing the ability to service the debt going forward. The TDRs are in accrual status since they are performing in accordance with the restructured terms. There are no commitments to lend additional funds on these loans.

The following table presents a breakdown of performing and nonperforming TDRs by class as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

September 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

    

Performing

    

Nonperforming

    

Total

    

Performing

    

Nonperforming

    

Total

(In thousands)

TDRs

TDRs

TDRs

TDRs

TDRs

TDRs

Commercial real estate

$

630

 

$

 

$

630

$

663

 

$

 

$

663

Home equity

427

427

Total

$

1,057

 

$

 

$

1,057

$

663

 

$

 

$

663

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Through September 30, 2021, TDRs consisted of principal reduction, interest only periods and maturity extensions. The following table shows the types of modifications done by date by class through September 30, 2021:

September 30, 2021

    

Commercial

    

Home

    

(In thousands)

real estate

equity

Total

Type of modification:

Principal reduction

$

630

 

$

 

$

630

Interest only with nominal principal

427

427

Total TDRs

$

630

 

$

427

 

$

1,057

Asset Quality

Inherent in the lending function is credit risk, which is the possibility a borrower may not perform in accordance with the contractual terms of their loan. A borrower’s inability to pay their obligations according to the contractual terms can create the risk of past due loans and, ultimately, credit losses, especially on collateral deficient loans. The Company minimizes its credit risk by loan diversification and adhering to strict credit administration policies and procedures. Due diligence on loans begins when we initiate contact regarding a loan with a borrower. Documentation, including a borrower’s credit history, materials establishing the value and liquidity of potential collateral, the purpose of the loan, the source of funds for repayment of the loan, and other factors, are analyzed before a loan is submitted for approval. The loan portfolio is then subject to on-going internal reviews for credit quality, as well as independent credit reviews by an outside firm.

The risk of loss is difficult to quantify and is subject to fluctuations in collateral values, general economic conditions and other factors. In some cases, these factors have also resulted in significant impairment to the value of loan collateral. The Company values its collateral through the use of appraisals, broker price opinions, and knowledge of its local market.

Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and OREO. Nonperforming loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest (nonaccrual loans) as a result of principal or interest being delinquent for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, interest accruals discontinue and all past due interest previously recognized as income is reversed and charged against current period income. Generally, until the loan becomes current, any payments received from the borrower are applied to outstanding principal, until such time as management determines that the financial condition of the borrower and other factors merit recognition of a portion of such payments as interest income. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest are not included in nonperforming loans. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing generally represent loans that are well secured and in process of collection.

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The following table sets forth information concerning nonperforming assets and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest at each of the periods presented:

(In thousands, except percentages)

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

    

September 30, 2020

 

Nonperforming by category:

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment (1)

$

660

$

2,473

$

3,446

Commercial loans

 

2,879

 

1,325

 

527

Residential mortgage loans

 

2,626

 

5,217

 

3,722

Consumer loans

1,295

1,293

Residential construction loans

 

2,637

 

1,750

 

Total nonperforming loans

$

8,802

$

12,060

$

8,988

OREO

 

 

 

711

Total nonperforming assets

$

8,802

$

12,060

$

9,699

Past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial loans

$

129

$

$

Residential mortgage loans

1,960

262

Consumer loans

187

Residential construction loans

176

Total past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest

$

2,265

$

449

$

Nonperforming loans to total loans

 

0.53

%  

 

0.74

%  

 

0.56

%

Nonperforming loans and TDRs to total loans (2)

 

0.59

 

0.78

 

0.60

Nonperforming assets to total loans and OREO

 

0.53

 

0.74

 

0.60

Nonperforming assets to total assets

 

0.44

 

0.62

 

0.50

(1) Guaranteed SBA loans included above

$

139

$

371

$

812

(2) Performing TDRs

 

1,057

 

663

 

673

Nonperforming loans were $8.8 million at September 30, 2021, a $3.3 million decrease from $12.1 million at December 31, 2020 and a $187 thousand decrease from $9.0 million at September 30, 2020. Since year end 2020, nonperforming loans in the residential mortgage, SBA and consumer loan segments decreased, partially offset by an increase in nonperforming commercial and residential construction loans. Included in nonperforming loans at September 30, 2021 are approximately $139 thousand of loans guaranteed by the SBA, compared to $371 thousand at December 31, 2020, and $812 thousand at September 30, 2020, respectively. In addition, there were $2.3 million of loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest at September 30, 2021, compared to $449 thousand at December 31, 2020 and none as of September 30, 2020.

The Company also monitors potential problem loans. Potential problem loans are those loans where information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with loan repayment terms. These loans are categorized by their non-passing risk rating and performing loan status. Potential problem loans totaled $32.1 million at  September 30, 2021.

See Note 8 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding Asset Quality.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

Management reviews the level of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis. The standardized methodology used to assess the adequacy of the allowance includes the allocation of specific and general reserves. Specific reserves are made to individual impaired loans, which have been defined to include all nonperforming loans and TDRs. The general reserve is set based upon a representative average historical net charge-off rate adjusted for certain environmental factors such as: delinquency and impairment trends, charge-off and recovery trends, volume and loan term trends, risk and underwriting policy trends, staffing and experience changes, national and local economic trends, industry conditions and credit concentration changes.

When calculating the five-year historical net charge-off rate, the Company weights the past three years more heavily. The Company believes using this approach is more indicative of future charge-offs. All of the environmental factors are

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ranked and assigned a basis points value based on the following scale: low, low moderate, moderate, high moderate, and high risk. The factors are evaluated separately for each type of loan. For example, commercial loans are broken down further into commercial and industrial loans, commercial mortgages, construction loans, etc. Each type of loan is risk weighted for each environmental factor based on its individual characteristics.

According to the Company’s policy, a loss (“charge-off”) is to be recognized and charged to the allowance for loan losses as soon as a loan is recognized as uncollectable. All credits which are 90 days past due must be analyzed for the Company’s ability to collect on the credit. Once a loss is known to exist, the charge-off approval process is immediately expedited.

The allowance for loan losses totaled $22.5 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $23.1 million at December 31, 2020, and $22.2 million at September 30, 2020, with a resulting allowance to total loan ratio of 1.35 percent at September 30, 2021, 1.42 percent at December 31, 2020, and 1.38 percent at September 30, 2020. Net charge-offs amounted to $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $158 thousand for the same period in 2020. Net charge-offs to average loan ratios are shown in the table below for each major loan category.

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

(In thousands, except percentages)

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

Balance, beginning of period

$

22,801

$

20,234

$

23,105

$

16,395

Provision for loan losses charged to expense

 

 

2,000

 

500

 

6,000

Less: Chargeoffs

 

  

 

 

 

SBA loans held for investment

 

145

 

1

 

591

 

26

Commercial loans

 

158

 

 

551

 

519

Residential mortgage loans

 

 

 

 

200

Consumer loans

3

4

Total chargeoffs

 

306

 

1

 

1,146

 

745

Add: Recoveries

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment

 

 

3

 

34

 

83

Commercial loans

 

 

1

 

2

 

504

Residential mortgage loans

42

42

Total recoveries

 

42

 

4

 

78

 

587

Net charge-offs (recoveries)

 

264

 

(3)

 

1,068

 

158

Balance, end of period

$

22,537

$

22,237

$

22,537

$

22,237

Selected loan quality ratios:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net chargeoffs (recoveries) to average loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

SBA loans held for investment

 

0.35

%  

 

%  

 

0.39

%  

 

(0.06)

%  

Commercial loans

 

0.07

 

 

0.08

 

Residential mortgage loans

 

(0.04)

 

 

(0.01)

 

0.06

Consumer loans

0.02

0.01

Total loans

0.06

0.06

0.01

Allowance to total loans

 

1.35

 

1.38

 

1.35

 

1.38

Allowance to nonperforming loans

 

256.07

%  

 

247.41

%  

 

256.07

%  

 

247.41

%  

In addition to the allowance for loan losses, the Company maintains a reserve for unfunded loan commitments that is maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses. Adjustments to the reserve are made through other expense and applied to the reserve which is maintained in other liabilities. At September 30, 2021, a $358 thousand commitment reserve was reported on the balance sheet as an “other liability”, compared to a $288 thousand commitment reserve at December 31, 2020.

See Note 9 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments.

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Deposits

Deposits, which include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, savings deposits and time deposits, are the primary source of the Company’s funds. The Company offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers, with primary focus on building and expanding relationships. The Company continues to focus on establishing a comprehensive relationship with business borrowers, seeking deposits as well as lending relationships.

Total deposits increased $148.2 million to $1.7 billion at September 30, 2021, from year-end 2020. This increase in deposits was due to increases of $166.6 million in savings deposits, $60.9 million in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and $39.8 million in interest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by a decrease of $119.1 million in time deposits.

The Company’s deposit composition at September 30, 2021, consisted of 36.5 percent savings deposits, 30.5 percent noninterest-bearing demand deposits 18.7 percent time deposits, and 14.3 percent interest-bearing demand deposits.

Borrowed Funds and Subordinated Debentures

Borrowed funds consist primarily of adjustable and fixed rate advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. These borrowings are used as a source of liquidity or to fund asset growth not supported by deposit generation. Residential mortgages and commercial loans collateralize the borrowings from the FHLB.

Borrowed funds and subordinated debentures totaled $70.3 million and $210.3 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are broken down in the following table:

(In thousands)

    

September 30, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

FHLB borrowings:

Fixed rate advances

$

40,000

$

40,000

Adjustable rate advances

 

 

30,000

Overnight advances

 

20,000

 

130,000

Subordinated debentures

 

10,310

 

10,310

Total borrowed funds and subordinated debentures

$

70,310

$

210,310

The $140.0 million decrease in total borrowed funds and subordinated debentures was due to a $110.0 million decrease in FHLB overnight advances and a $30.0 million decrease in FHLB adjustable rate advances . The following transactions impacted borrowed funds and subordinated debentures:

FHLB Borrowings

At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had $40.0 million in fixed rate advances. The terms of this transaction are as follows:

A $40.0 million FHLB borrowing with a maturity date August 22, 2024, at a fixed rate of 1.810%.

At September 30, 2021, there were no adjustable rate ("ARC") advances. At December 31, 2020, the $30.0 million FHLB adjustable rate advances consisted of one $20.0 million advance and one $10.0 million advance.

At September 30, 2021, there were FHLB overnight borrowings of $20.0 million at a rate of 0.340%, compared to $130.0 million at a rate of 0.340% at December 31, 2020.

In September 2021, the FHLB issued a $75.0 million municipal deposit letter of credit in the name of Unity Bank naming the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as beneficiary, to secure municipal deposits as required under New Jersey law.

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At September 30, 2021, the Company had $401.6 million of additional credit available at the FHLB. Pledging additional collateral in the form of 1 to 4 family residential mortgages, commercial loans and investment securities can increase the line with the FHLB.

Subordinated Debentures

On July 24, 2006, Unity (NJ) Statutory trust II, a statutory business trust and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unity Bancorp, Inc., issued $10.3 million of floating rate capital trust pass through securities to investors due on July 24, 2036. The subordinated debentures are redeemable in whole or part, prior to maturity but after July 24, 2011. The floating interest rate on the subordinated debentures is three-month LIBOR plus 159 basis points and reprices quarterly. The floating interest rate was 1.718% at September 30, 2021 and 1.835% at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2020, the subordinated debentures had a swap instrument which modified the borrowing to a 3 year fixed rate at 3.435%. The swap instrument matured on June 23, 2021.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The principal objectives of the asset and liability management function are to establish prudent risk management guidelines, evaluate and control the level of interest-rate risk in balance sheet accounts, determine the level of appropriate risk given the business focus, operating environment, capital, and liquidity requirements, and actively manage risk within the Board approved guidelines. The Company seeks to reduce the vulnerability of operations to changes in interest rates, and actions in this regard are taken under the guidance of the Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) of the Board of Directors. The ALCO reviews the maturities and re-pricing of loans, investments, deposits and borrowings, cash flow needs, current market conditions, and interest rate levels.

The Company utilizes Modified Duration of Equity and Economic Value of Portfolio Equity (“EVPE”) models to measure the impact of longer-term asset and liability mismatches beyond two years. The modified duration of equity measures the potential price risk of equity to changes in interest rates. A longer modified duration of equity indicates a greater degree of risk to rising interest rates. Because of balance sheet optionality, an EVPE analysis is also used to dynamically model the present value of asset and liability cash flows with rate shocks of 200 basis points. The economic value of equity is likely to be different as interest rates change. Results falling outside prescribed ranges require action by the ALCO. The Company’s variance in the economic value of equity, as a percentage of assets with rate shocks of 200 basis points at September 30, 2021, is an increase of 5.6 percent in a rising-rate environment and a decrease of 11.9 percent in a falling-rate environment. The variances in the EVPE at September 30, 2021 are within the Board-approved guidelines of +/- 20.0 percent. In a falling rate environment with a rate shock of 200 basis points, benchmark interest rates are assumed to have floors of 0.00%. At December 31, 2020, the economic value of equity as a percentage of assets with rate shocks of 200 basis points was an increase of 4.1 percent in a rising-rate environment and a decrease of 7.5 percent in a falling-rate environment.

Liquidity

Consolidated Bank Liquidity

Liquidity measures the ability to satisfy current and future cash flow needs as they become due. A bank’s liquidity reflects its ability to meet loan demand, to accommodate possible outflows in deposits and to take advantage of interest rate opportunities in the marketplace. Our liquidity is monitored by management and the Board of Directors, which reviews historical funding requirements, our current liquidity position, sources and stability of funding, marketability of assets, options for attracting additional funds, and anticipated future funding needs, including the level of unfunded commitments. Our goal is to maintain sufficient asset-based liquidity to cover potential funding requirements in order to minimize our dependence on volatile and potentially unstable funding markets.

The principal sources of funds at the Bank are deposits, scheduled amortization and prepayments of investment and loan principal, sales and maturities of investment securities, additional borrowings and funds provided by operations. While scheduled loan payments and maturing investments are relatively predictable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

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The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows provides detail on the Company’s sources and uses of cash, as well as an indication of the Company’s ability to maintain an adequate level of liquidity. At September 30, 2021, the balance of cash and cash equivalents was $216.4 million, a decrease of $2.9 million from December 31, 2020. A discussion of the cash provided by and used in operating, investing and financing activities follows.

Operating activities provided $20.3 million and $32.8 million of net cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The primary sources of funds were net income from operations and adjustments to net income, such as the proceeds from the sale of mortgage and SBA loans held for sale, partially offset by originations of mortgage and SBA loans held for sale.

Investing activities used $25.0 million and $182.4 million in net cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Cash was primarily used to purchase FHLB stock, and fund new loans, partially offset by proceeds from the redemption of FHLB stock.

Securities. The Consolidated Bank’s available for sale investment portfolio amounted to $39.8 million and $45.6 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. This excludes the Parent Company’s securities discussed under the heading “Parent Company Liquidity” below. Projected cash flows from securities based on current estimates over the next twelve months are $8.2 million.
Loans. The SBA loans held for sale portfolio amounted to $20.1 million and $9.3 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Sales of these loans provide an additional source of liquidity for the Company. As an existing SBA 7(a) lender, the Company opted to participate in the PPP program. Forgiveness of these loans provided $158.9 million of additional liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Outstanding Commitments. The Company was committed to advance approximately $358.1 million to its borrowers as of September 30, 2021, compared to $288.4 million at December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2021, $143.3 million of these commitments expire within one year, compared to $114.2 million at December 31, 2020. The Company had $3.2 million and $4.5 million in standby letters of credit at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which are included in the commitments amount noted above. The estimated fair value of these guarantees is not significant. The Company believes it has the necessary liquidity to honor all commitments. Many of these commitments will expire and never be funded.

Financing activities used $1.8 million and $192.9 million in net cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily due to repayment of borrowings, partially offset by proceeds from new borrowings and an increase in the Company’s deposits.

Deposits. As of September 30, 2021, deposits included $224.3 million of New Jersey Municipality deposits, as compared to $142.6 million at year end 2020.  These deposits are generally short in duration and are very sensitive to price competition. The Company believes that the current level of these types of deposits is appropriate. Included in the portfolio were $205.1 million of deposits from thirteen municipalities with account balances in excess of $5.0 million. The withdrawal of these deposits, in whole or in part, would not create a liquidity shortfall for the Company.
Borrowed Funds. Total FHLB borrowings amounted to $60.0 million and $200.0 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, the Company can borrow additional funds based on the market value of collateral pledged. At September 30, 2021, pledging provided an additional $401.6 million in borrowing capacity from the FHLB.

Parent Company Liquidity

The Parent Company’s cash needs are funded by dividends paid by and rental payments on corporate headquarters from the Bank. Other than its investment in the Bank, Unity Risk Management, Inc. and Unity Statutory Trust II, the Parent Company does not actively engage in other transactions or business. Only expenses specifically for the benefit of the Parent Company are paid using its cash, which typically includes the payment of operating expenses, cash dividends on common stock and payments on trust preferred debt.

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At September 30, 2021, the Parent Company had $943 thousand in cash and cash equivalents and $4.0 million in investment securities valued at fair market value, compared to $640 thousand and $1.0 million at December 31, 2020.

Regulatory Capital

On September 17, 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule providing simplified capital requirements for certain community banking organizations (banks and holding companies) with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, implementing provisions of The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”). Under the proposal, a qualifying community banking organization would be eligible to elect the community bank leverage ratio framework, or continue to measure capital under the existing Basel III requirements. The new rule was effective beginning January 1, 2020, and qualifying community banking organizations may elect to opt into the new community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) in their call report beginning in the first quarter of 2020.

A qualifying community banking organization (“QCBO”) is defined as a bank, a savings association, a bank holding company or a savings and loan holding company with:

A leverage capital ratio of greater than 9.0%;
Total consolidated assets of less than $10.0 billion;
Total off-balance sheet exposures (excluding derivatives other than credit derivatives and unconditionally cancelable commitments) of 25% or less of total consolidated assets; and
Total trading assets and trading liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets.

On April 6, 2020, the federal banking regulators implemented the applicable provisions of the CARES Act, which modified the CBLR framework so that: (i) beginning in the second quarter 2020 and until the end of 2020, a banking organization that has a leverage ratio of 8% or greater and meets certain other criteria may elect to use the CBLR framework; and (ii) community banking organizations will have until January 1, 2022, before the CBLR requirement is re-established at greater than 9%. Under the interim rules, the minimum CBLR will be 8% beginning in the second quarter and for the remainder of calendar year 2020, 8.5% for calendar year 2021, and 9% thereafter. The numerator of the CBLR is Tier 1 capital, as calculated under the Basel III rules. The denominator of the CBLR is the QCBO’s average assets, calculated in accordance with the QCBO’s Call Report instructions less assets deducted from Tier 1 capital.

The Bank has opted into the CBLR, and is therefore not required to comply with the Basel III capital requirements.

The following table shows the CBLR ratio for the Company and the Bank at September 30, 2021 and at December 31, 2020:

At September 30, 2021

    

At December 31, 2020

 

 

Company

    

Bank

 

Company

    

Bank

 

CBLR

 

10.70

%  

10.23

%  

10.09

%  

9.80

%  

For additional information on regulatory capital, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity increased $22.4 million to $196.3 million at September 30, 2021 compared to $173.9 million at

December 31, 2020, primarily due to net income of $26.4 million. Other items impacting shareholders’ equity

included $4.1 million in treasury stock purchased at cost, $2.6 million in dividends paid on common stock, $1.5 million from the issuance of common stock under employee benefit plans, and $1.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax. The issuance of common stock under employee benefit plans includes nonqualified stock options and restricted stock expense related entries, employee option exercises and the tax benefit of options exercised.

Repurchase Plan

On February 4, 2021, the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 750 thousand shares, or approximately 7.5 percent of its outstanding common stock. The new plan took effect after the Company’s prior share repurchase program was

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completed and all authorized shares were repurchased on February 16, 2021. A total of 195 thousand shares were repurchased at an average price of $20.97 during the nine months ended September, 2021, of which 20 thousand shares were repurchased under the prior repurchase plan, leaving 575 thousand shares available for repurchase. The timing and amount of additional purchases, if any, will depend upon a number of factors including the Company’s capital needs, the performance of its loan portfolio, the need for additional provisions for loan losses, whether related to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, the market price of the Company’s stock and the general impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. A total of 373 thousand shares were repurchased during the same period in 2020. The table below sets forth information regarding our repurchases during the quarter:

Total Number of

Maximum Number

Total

Shares Purchased

of Shares that may

Number of

Average

as Part of Publicly

yet be Purchased

Shares

Price Paid

Announced Plans

Under the Plans

Period

Purchased

per Share

or Programs

or Programs

July 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021

46,343

$

21.77

46,343

613,911

August 1, 2021 through August 31, 2021

27,000

22.41

27,000

586,911

September 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021

11,712

22.36

11,712

575,199


Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The financial statements and notes thereto, presented elsewhere herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time and due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the operations. Unlike most industrial companies, nearly all the Company’s assets and liabilities are monetary. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

ITEM 3         Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s assessment of market risk as reported in Item 6 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. (See Interest Rate Sensitivity in Management’s Discussion and Analysis herein.)

ITEM 4         Controls and Procedures

a)The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2021. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective for recording, processing, summarizing and reporting the information the Company is required to disclose in the reports it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
b)No significant change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting has occurred during the quarterly period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s controls over financial reporting.

PART II          OTHER INFORMATION

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ITEM 1            Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is subject to other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. The Company currently is not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that it believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, or the results of the operation of the Company.

ITEM 1A         Risk Factors

Information regarding this item as of September 30, 2021 appears under the heading, “Risk Factors” within the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

ITEM 2          Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

See the discussion under the heading “Shareholders Equity - Repurchase Plan” under Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and results of Operations.”

ITEM 3          Defaults upon Senior Securities – None

ITEM 4          Mine Safety Disclosures - N/A

ITEM 5          Other Information – None

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ITEM 6          Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

Description

Exhibit 10.1

Amendment No. 3 to Unity Bancorp, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan with James A Highes (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current report on Form 8-K filed September 9, 2021)

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a 14(a) or Rule 15d 14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a 14(a) or Rule 15d 14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a 14(b) or Rule 15d 14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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EXHIBIT INDEX

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

Exhibit No.

Description

31.1

Exhibit 31.1-Certification of James A. Hughes. Required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Exhibit 31.2-Certification of George Boyan. Required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Exhibit 32.1-Certification of James A. Hughes and George Boyan. Required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

**101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document

**101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

**101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

**101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

**101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

**101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

**104

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

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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.

UNITY BANCORP, INC.

Dated:

November 4, 2021

/s/ George Boyan

George Boyan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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