Dime Commercial Bancshares, Inc. /NY/ 10-K

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data For the Company’s consolidated financial statements with the notes thereto, see pages hereafter. ​ DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (Dollars in thousands except share amounts) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, ​ 2021 2020 Assets ​ ​ Cash and due from banks ​ $ 393,722 ​ $ 243,603 Securities available-for-sale, at fair value ​ ​ 1,563,711 ​ ​ 538,861 Securities held-to-maturity ​ ​ 179,309 ​ ​ — Marketable equity securities, at fair value ​ ​ — ​ ​ 5,970 Loans held for sale ​ 5,493 ​ 5,903 Loans held for investment, net: ​ ​ ​ Real estate ​ 8,294,204 ​ 4,978,195 Commercial and industrial ("C&I") ​ 933,559 ​ 641,533 Other loans ​ ​ 16,898 ​ ​ 2,316 Allowance for credit losses ​ ( 83,853 ) ​ ( 41,461 ) Total loans held for investment, net ​ 9,160,808 ​ 5,580,583 Premises and fixed assets, net ​ 50,368 ​ 19,053 Premises held for sale ​ ​ 556 ​ ​ — Restricted stock ​ 37,732 ​ 60,707 Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI") ​ 295,789 ​ 156,096 Goodwill ​ 155,797 ​ 55,638 Other intangible assets ​ ​ 8,362 ​ ​ — Operating lease assets ​ 64,258 ​ 33,898 Derivative assets ​ ​ 45,086 ​ ​ 18,932 Accrued interest receivable ​ ​ 40,149 ​ ​ 34,815 Other assets ​ 65,224 ​ 27,551 Total assets ​ $ 12,066,364 ​ $ 6,781,610 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Liabilities ​ ​ Interest-bearing deposits ​ $ 6,538,551 ​ $ 3,744,371 Non-interest-bearing deposits ​ 3,920,423 ​ 780,751 Total deposits ​ 10,458,974 ​ 4,525,122 Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") advances ​ 25,000 ​ 1,204,010 Other short-term borrowings ​ ​ 1,862 ​ ​ 120,000 Subordinated debt, net ​ 197,096 ​ 114,052 Operating lease liabilities ​ 66,103 ​ 39,874 Derivative liabilities ​ ​ 40,728 ​ ​ 37,374 Other liabilities ​ 83,981 ​ 40,082 Total liabilities ​ 10,873,744 ​ 6,080,514 ​ ​ ​ Commitments and contingencies (See Note 23) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Stockholders' equity: ​ ​ Preferred stock, Series A ($ 0.01 par, $ 25.00 liquidation value, 10,000,000 shares authorized and 5,299,200 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020) ​ 116,569 ​ 116,569 Common stock ($ 0.01 par 80,000,000 shares authorized, 41,610,939 shares and 34,813,302 shares issued at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and 39,877,833 shares and 21,232,984 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively) ​ 416 ​ 348 Additional paid-in capital ​ 494,125 ​ 278,295 Retained earnings ​ 654,726 ​ 600,641 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred taxes ​ ( 6,181 ) ​ ( 5,924 ) Unearned equity awards ​ ( 7,842 ) ​ — Common stock held by the Benefit Maintenance Plan ("BMP") ​ — ​ ( 1,496 ) Treasury stock, at cost ( 1,733,106 shares and 13,580,318 shares at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively) ​ ( 59,193 ) ​ ( 287,337 ) Total stockholders' equity ​ 1,192,620 ​ 701,096 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ​ $ 12,066,364 ​ $ 6,781,610 ​ See notes to consolidated financial statements. 44 Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ 2021 2020 2019 Interest income: ​ ​ ​ Loans ​ $ 359,016 ​ $ 216,566 ​ $ 218,160 Securities ​ ​ 22,634 ​ ​ 14,159 ​ ​ 14,518 Other short-term investments ​ 2,976 ​ 3,282 ​ 5,590 Total interest income ​ 384,626 ​ 234,007 ​ 238,268 Interest expense: ​ ​ ​ Deposits and escrow ​ 16,527 ​ 33,038 ​ 62,079 Borrowed funds ​ 10,490 ​ 23,265 ​ 28,768 Total interest expense ​ 27,017 ​ 56,303 ​ 90,847 Net interest income ​ 357,609 ​ 177,704 ​ 147,421 Provision for credit losses ​ 6,212 ​ 26,165 ​ 17,340 Net interest income after provision for credit losses ​ 351,397 ​ 151,539 ​ 130,081 Non-interest income: ​ ​ ​ Service charges and other fees ​ 15,998 ​ 5,571 ​ 5,805 Title fees ​ ​ 2,338 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Loan level derivative income ​ ​ 2,909 ​ ​ 8,872 ​ ​ 910 BOLI income ​ ​ 7,071 ​ ​ 4,859 ​ ​ 2,830 Gain on sale of Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans ​ ​ 23,033 ​ ​ 1,118 ​ ​ 1,102 Gain on sale of residential loans ​ ​ 1,758 ​ ​ 1,884 ​ ​ 438 Net gain on equity securities ​ ​ 131 ​ ​ 361 ​ ​ 531 Net gain on sale of securities and other assets ​ ​ 1,705 ​ ​ 4,592 ​ ​ 31 Loss on termination of derivatives ​ ​ ( 16,505 ) ​ ​ ( 6,596 ) ​ ​ — Other ​ 3,630 ​ 612 ​ 521 Total non-interest income ​ 42,068 ​ 21,273 ​ 12,168 Non-interest expense: ​ ​ ​ Salaries and employee benefits ​ 108,331 ​ 60,756 ​ 52,065 Severance ​ ​ 1,875 ​ ​ 4,000 ​ ​ — Occupancy and equipment ​ 30,697 ​ 16,177 ​ 16,175 Data processing costs ​ 16,638 ​ 8,329 ​ 7,816 Marketing ​ 4,661 ​ 1,458 ​ 2,664 Professional services ​ ​ 9,284 ​ ​ 3,394 ​ ​ 3,938 Federal deposit insurance premiums ​ 4,077 ​ 2,257 ​ 609 Loss from extinguishment of debt ​ ​ 1,751 ​ ​ 1,104 ​ ​ 3,780 Curtailment loss (gain) ​ ​ 1,543 ​ ​ ( 1,651 ) ​ ​ — Merger expenses and transaction costs ​ ​ 44,824 ​ ​ 15,256 ​ ​ — Branch restructuring costs ​ ​ 5,059 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Amortization of other intangible assets ​ ​ 2,622 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Other ​ 13,937 ​ 6,748 ​ 8,340 Total non-interest expense ​ 245,299 ​ 117,828 ​ 95,387 Income before income taxes ​ 148,166 ​ 54,984 ​ 46,862 Income tax expense ​ 44,170 ​ 12,666 ​ 10,676 Net income ​ ​ 103,996 ​ ​ 42,318 ​ ​ 36,186 Preferred stock dividends ​ ​ 7,286 ​ ​ 4,783 ​ ​ — Net income available to common stockholders ​ $ 96,710 ​ $ 37,535 ​ $ 36,186 Earnings per common share: ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 2.45 ​ $ 1.74 ​ $ 1.56 Diluted ​ $ 2.45 ​ $ 1.74 ​ $ 1.55 ​ See notes to consolidated financial statements . ​ ​ 45 Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ 2021 2020 2019 Net income ​ $ 103,996 ​ $ 42,318 ​ $ 36,186 Other comprehensive income (loss): ​ ​ ​ Change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period ​ ( 28,865 ) ​ 16,432 ​ 9,693 Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on securities and other assets ​ ​ ( 1,207 ) ​ ​ ( 4,592 ) ​ ​ ( 31 ) Change in pension and other postretirement obligations: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense ​ ( 1,092 ) ​ ( 1,272 ) ​ 729 Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss (gain) ​ ​ 1,543 ​ ​ ( 1,651 ) ​ ​ — Change in the net actuarial gain or loss ​ ​ 6,563 ​ ​ 2,817 ​ ​ ( 296 ) Change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period ​ 5,277 ​ ( 24,449 ) ​ ( 8,254 ) Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives ​ ​ 16,505 ​ ​ 6,596 ​ ​ — Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense ​ ​ 940 ​ ​ 6,127 ​ ​ ( 955 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes ​ ( 336 ) ​ 8 ​ 886 Deferred tax (benefit) expense ​ ( 79 ) ​ ( 8 ) ​ 326 Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax ​ ( 257 ) ​ 16 ​ 560 Total comprehensive income ​ $ 103,739 ​ $ 42,334 ​ $ 36,746 ​ See notes to consolidated financial statements. ​ 46 Table of Contents ​ DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Dollars in thousands except per share data) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accumulated ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Other ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Comprehensive ​ ​ ​ ​ Common ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Number of ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Additional ​ ​ ​ ​ Loss, ​ Unearned ​ Stock ​ Treasury ​ Total ​ ​ Shares of ​ Preferred ​ Common ​ Paid-in ​ Retained ​ Net of Deferred ​ Equity ​ Held by ​ Stock, ​ Stockholders’ ​ Common Stock Stock Stock Capital Earnings Taxes Awards BMP at cost Equity Beginning balance as of January 1, 2019 ​ 23,380,783 ​ $ — ​ $ 348 ​ $ 277,701 ​ $ 565,713 ​ $ ( 6,500 ) ​ $ ( 3,623 ) ​ $ ( 1,509 ) ​ $ ( 230,049 ) ​ $ 602,081 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 36,186 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 36,186 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 560 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 560 Exercise of stock options 19,676 ​ — ​ — ​ 367 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 367 Release of shares, net of forfeitures 180,027 ​ — ​ — ​ 1,456 ​ — ​ — ​ ( 4,951 ) ​ — ​ 3,626 ​ 131 Stock-based compensation — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 1,843 ​ — ​ — ​ 1,843 Shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits ( 123 ) ​ — ​ — ​ ( 13 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 13 ​ ( 4 ) ​ ( 4 ) Shares received related to tax withholding ​ ( 4,029 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 133 ) ​ ​ ( 133 ) Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 20,082 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 20,082 ) Repurchase of shares of common stock ( 796,126 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 24,191 ) ​ ( 24,191 ) Ending balance as of December 31, 2019 22,780,208 ​ — ​ 348 ​ 279,511 ​ 581,817 ​ ( 5,940 ) ​ ( 6,731 ) ​ ( 1,496 ) ​ ( 250,751 ) ​ 596,758 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 42,318 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 42,318 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 16 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 16 Exercise of stock options, net 1,972 ​ — ​ — ​ 38 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 38 Release of shares, net of forfeitures 52,894 ​ — ​ — ​ ( 1,254 ) ​ — ​ — ​ ( 492 ) ​ — ​ 1,830 ​ 84 Stock-based compensation — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 7,223 ​ — ​ — ​ 7,223 Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net ​ — ​ ​ 116,569 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 116,569 Shares received related to tax withholding ( 125,061 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 3,060 ) ​ ( 3,060 ) Cash dividends declared and paid to preferred stockholders — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 4,783 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 4,783 ) Cash dividends declared and paid to common stockholders — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 18,711 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 18,711 ) Repurchase of shares of common stock ( 1,477,029 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 35,356 ) ​ ( 35,356 ) Ending balance as of December 31, 2020 21,232,984 ​ 116,569 ​ 348 ​ 278,295 ​ 600,641 ​ ( 5,924 ) ​ — ​ ( 1,496 ) ​ ( 287,337 ) ​ 701,096 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cumulative change in accounting principle (Note 1) — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 1,686 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 1,686 Adjusted balance on January 1, 2021 21,232,984 ​ 116,569 ​ 348 ​ 278,295 ​ 602,327 ​ ( 5,924 ) ​ — ​ ( 1,496 ) ​ ​ ( 287,337 ) ​ 702,782 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 103,996 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 103,996 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 257 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 257 ) Reverse merger with Bridge Bancorp Inc. 19,992,284 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 65 ​ ​ 206,641 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 2,603 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ 287,107 ​ ​ 491,210 Exercise of stock options, net 20,629 ​ — ​ — ​ 258 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 173 ​ 431 Release of shares, net of forfeitures 431,440 ​ — ​ 3 ​ 10,411 ​ — ​ — ​ ( 10,646 ) ​ — ​ 1,385 ​ 1,153 Stock-based compensation — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 5,407 ​ — ​ — ​ 5,407 Shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits ( 41,101 ) ​ — ​ — ​ ( 1,359 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 1,496 ​ ( 1,130 ) ​ ( 993 ) Shares received related to tax withholding ​ ( 3,342 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 111 ) ​ ​ ( 111 ) Cash dividends declared to preferred stockholders ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 7,286 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 7,286 ) Cash dividends declared to common stockholders ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 44,311 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 44,311 ) Redemption of real estate investment trust ("REIT") preferred stock ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 121 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 121 ) Repurchase of shares of common stock ​ ( 1,755,061 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ( 59,280 ) ​ ( 59,280 ) Ending balance as of December 31, 2021 ​ 39,877,833 ​ $ 116,569 ​ $ 416 ​ $ 494,125 ​ $ 654,726 ​ $ ( 6,181 ) ​ $ ( 7,842 ) ​ $ — ​ $ ( 59,193 ) ​ $ 1,192,620 See notes to consolidated financial statements . ​ 47 Table of Contents ​ DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ 2021 2020 2019 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income ​ $ 103,996 ​ $ 42,318 ​ $ 36,186 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: ​ ​ ​ Net gain on sales of securities available-for-sale and other assets ​ ( 1,705 ) ​ ( 4,592 ) ​ ( 31 ) Net gain on equity securities ​ ( 131 ) ​ ( 361 ) ​ ( 531 ) Net gain on sale of loans held for sale ​ ( 24,791 ) ​ ( 3,002 ) ​ ( 1,540 ) Loss on termination of derivatives ​ ​ 16,505 ​ ​ 6,596 ​ ​ — Net depreciation, amortization and accretion ​ 7,805 ​ 5,069 ​ 5,075 Amortization of other intangible assets ​ ​ 2,622 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Stock-based compensation ​ 5,407 ​ 7,223 ​ 1,843 Provision for credit losses ​ 6,212 ​ 26,165 ​ 17,340 Originations of loans held for sale ​ ( 48,610 ) ​ ( 50,359 ) ​ ( 23,154 ) Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale ​ 77,184 ​ 62,383 ​ 38,666 Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI ​ ( 6,721 ) ​ ( 3,725 ) ​ ( 2,830 ) Gain from death benefits from BOLI ​ ​ ( 350 ) ​ ​ ( 1,134 ) ​ ​ — Deferred income tax benefit ​ 8,596 ​ ( 1,965 ) ​ ( 2,383 ) Decrease (increase) in other assets ​ 118,641 ​ ( 13,106 ) ​ 3,186 Decrease in other liabilities ​ ( 118,333 ) ​ ( 11,578 ) ​ ( 3,336 ) Net cash provided by operating activities ​ 146,327 ​ 59,932 ​ 68,491 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: ​ ​ ​ Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale ​ 138,077 ​ 94,252 ​ 148,857 Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities ​ 6,101 ​ 546 ​ 570 Purchases of securities available-for-sale ​ ( 1,095,028 ) ​ ( 219,621 ) ​ ( 317,656 ) Purchases of securities held-to-maturity ​ ​ ( 40,249 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Acquisition of marketable equity securities ​ — ​ ( 261 ) ​ ( 266 ) Proceeds from calls and principal repayments of securities available-for-sale ​ 411,031 ​ 153,119 ​ 129,680 Proceeds from calls and principal repayments of securities held-to-maturity ​ ​ 1,360 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Purchase of BOLI ​ ( 40,000 ) ​ ( 40,000 ) ​ — Proceeds received from cash surrender value of BOLI ​ ​ 1,464 ​ ​ 3,020 ​ ​ — Loans purchased ​ ( 9,855 ) ​ ( 29,892 ) ​ — Proceeds from the sale of portfolio loans transferred to held for sale ​ 684,898 ​ 47,830 ​ 9,684 Net decrease (increase) in loans ​ 282,683 ​ ( 327,736 ) ​ 18,953 Sales (purchases) of fixed assets, net ​ 14 ​ ( 954 ) ​ ( 1,719 ) Redemptions (purchases) of restricted stock, net ​ 46,337 ​ ( 4,688 ) ​ 1,532 Net cash received in business combination ​ ​ 715,988 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ​ 1,102,821 ​ ( 324,385 ) ​ ( 10,365 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: ​ ​ ​ Increase (decrease) in deposits ​ 518,682 ​ 176,027 ​ ( 82,882 ) (Repayments) proceeds from FHLBNY advances, short-term, net ​ ( 1,228,865 ) ​ 127,500 ​ 240,500 Repayments of FHLBNY advances, long-term ​ ​ ( 190,150 ) ​ ​ ( 113,190 ) ​ ​ ( 470,050 ) Proceeds from FHLBNY advances, long-term ​ ​ 25,000 ​ ​ 97,450 ​ ​ 196,450 (Repayments) proceeds of other short-term borrowings, net ​ ( 118,138 ) ​ 10,000 ​ 110,000 Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net ​ ​ — ​ ​ 116,569 ​ ​ — Proceeds from exercise of stock options ​ 431 ​ 38 ​ 367 Release of stock for benefit plan awards ​ 1,153 ​ 84 ​ 131 Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards ​ ( 111 ) ​ ( 3,060 ) ​ ( 133 ) BMP ESOP shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits ​ ( 993 ) ​ — ​ ( 4 ) Treasury shares repurchased ​ ( 59,280 ) ​ ( 35,356 ) ​ ( 24,191 ) Redemption of REIT preferred stock ​ ( 121 ) ​ — ​ — Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders ​ ​ ( 7,286 ) ​ ​ ( 4,783 ) ​ ​ — Cash dividends paid to common stockholders ​ ( 39,351 ) ​ ( 18,711 ) ​ ( 20,082 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ​ ( 1,099,029 ) ​ 352,568 ​ ( 49,894 ) Increase in cash and cash equivalents ​ 150,119 ​ 88,115 ​ 8,232 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD ​ 243,603 ​ 155,488 ​ 147,256 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD ​ $ 393,722 ​ 243,603 ​ 155,488 ​ ​ ​ ​ SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: ​ ​ ​ Cash paid for income taxes ​ $ 34,771 ​ 15,755 ​ 11,944 Cash paid for interest ​ 28,460 ​ 59,138 ​ 92,707 Securities transferred to held-to-maturity ​ ​ 140,399 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Loans transferred to held for sale ​ 692,751 ​ 62,243 ​ 22,921 Premises transferred to (from) held for sale ​ ​ 2,799 ​ ​ ( 514 ) ​ ​ 514 Operating lease assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 9,769 ​ ​ 1,524 ​ ​ 49,747 Cumulative change due to Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") Standard adoption ​ 1,686 ​ — ​ — Net non-cash liabilities assumed in Merger (See Note 2) ​ 324,937 ​ — ​ — 48 Table of Contents ​ ​ ​ ​ DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars In Thousands except for share amounts) 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation On February 1, 2021, Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Dime”) merged with and into Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a New York corporation (“Bridge”) (the “Merger”), with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” (the “Holding Company”). At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $ 0.01 per share, was converted into the right to receive 0.6480 shares of the Holding Company’s common stock, par value $ 0.01 per share. At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $ 0.01 (the “Dime Preferred Stock”), was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Holding Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock. Immediately following the Merger, Dime Community Bank, a New York-chartered commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Dime, merged with and into BNB Bank, a New York-chartered trust company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridge, with BNB Bank as the surviving bank, under the name “Dime Community Bank” (the “Bank”). The audited consolidated financial statements presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include the collective results of the Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, which are collectively herein referred to as “we”, “us”, “our” and the “Company.” The Merger was accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting, which means that for accounting and financial reporting purposes, Legacy Dime was deemed to have acquired Bridge in the Merger, even though Bridge was the legal acquirer. Accordingly, Legacy Dime’s historical financial statements are the historical financial statements of the combined company for all periods before February 1, 2021 (the “Merger Date”). The Company’s results of operations for 2021 include the results of operations of Bridge on and after the Merger Date. Results for periods before the Merger Date reflect only those of Legacy Dime and do not include the results of operations of Bridge. The number of shares issued and outstanding, earnings per share, additional paid-in capital, dividends paid and all references to share quantities of the Company have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the equivalent number of shares issued to holders of Legacy Dime common stock in the Merger. The assets and liabilities of Bridge as of the Merger Date have been recorded at their estimated fair value and added to those of Legacy Dime. See Note 2. Merger for further information. As of December 31, 2021, we operated 60 branch locations throughout Greater Long Island and Manhattan. The Company is a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dime Community Bank. The Bank was established in 1910 and is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York. The Holding Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1988 to serve as the holding company for the Bank. The Company functions primarily as the holder of all of the Bank’s common stock. Our bank operations include Dime Community Inc., a real estate investment trust subsidiary which was formerly known as Bridgehampton Community, Inc., as an operating subsidiary. Our bank operations also include Bridge Abstract LLC (“Bridge Abstract”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, which is a broker of title insurance services. In September 2021, the Company dissolved two REITs, DSBW Preferred Funding Corporation and DSBW Residential Preferred Funding Corporation, which were wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Bank, and the preferred shares outstanding were redeemed by its shareholders. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and general practices within the financial institution industry. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and the Bank and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The following is a description of the significant accounting policies that the Company follows in preparing its consolidated financial statements. 49 Table of Contents Use of Estimates To prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management makes judgments, estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Risks and Uncertainties In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which has spread to most countries, including the United States. The pandemic has adversely affected economic activity globally, nationally and locally. In March 2020, the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, local state governments, including New York (in which the Bank has retail banking offices), have taken preventative or protective actions such as travel restrictions, advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego their time outside of their homes, and other forced closures for certain types of non-essential businesses. The impact of these actions is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial markets in the United States. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020. The CARES Act is intended to provide relief and lessen a severe economic downturn. The stimulus package includes direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also includes extensive emergency funding for hospitals and healthcare providers. In December 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law to provide additional relief. It is possible that there will be continued material, adverse impacts to significant estimates, asset valuations, and business operations, including intangible assets, investments, loans, deferred tax assets, and derivative counter party risk. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash and deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, and interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions. Securities - Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting in observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of debt securities and report accrued interest separately in accrued interest receivable in the consolidated balance sheet. A debt security is placed on non-accrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a security placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income. There were no non-accrual debt securities at December 31, 2021 and there was no accrued interest related to debt securities reversed against interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method. Restricted Stock – Restricted stock represents Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB” or “FHLBNY”) capital stock, Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) capital stock, and Bankers’ Bank Capital Stock, which are reported at cost. The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a particular amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The Bank is a member of the FRB. Membership requires the purchase of shares of FRB capital stock. The Bank has a relationship with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”). The relationship requires the purchase of shares of ACBB capital stock. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. ​ Loans Held for Sale - Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market, as well as identified problem loans which are subject to an executed note sale agreement, are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or net realizable proceeds. Loans 50 Table of Contents originated and intended for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. Certain problematic loans in which the Company identified for sale were re-classified as held for sale and carried at the lower of cost or their expected net realizable proceeds when management had the intent to sell or there was a pending note sale agreement. ​ Loans - Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of partial charge-offs, deferred origination costs and fees and purchase premiums and discounts. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct and indirect costs incurred in connection with loan originations are deferred and amortized to income over the life of the related loans as an adjustment to yield. When a loan prepays, the remaining unamortized net deferred origination fees or costs are recognized in the current year. Interest on loans is credited to income based on the principal outstanding during the period. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of loans and report accrued interest separately from the related loan balance in accrued interest receivable on consolidated balance sheets. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Loans that are 90 days past due are automatically placed on non-accrual and previously accrued interest is reversed and charged against interest income. However, if the loan is in the process of collection and the Bank has reasonable assurance that the loan will be fully collectable based upon an individual loan evaluation assessing such factors as collateral and collectability, accrued interest will be recognized as earned. If a payment is received when a loan is non-accrual or a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) loan is non-accrual, the payment is applied to the principal balance. A TDR loan performing in accordance with its modified terms is maintained on accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Unless otherwise noted, the above policy is applied consistently to all loan segments. Allowance for Credit Losses - On January 1, 2021, we adopted the CECL Standard, which requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets at amortized cost, such as loans receivable, securities, and off-balance sheet credit exposures, held as of the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts to cover lifetime expected losses. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses is established and maintained through a provision for credit losses based on expected losses inherent within the financial asset holdings. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis, and additions to the allowance are charged to expense and realized losses, net of recoveries, are charged against the allowance. Allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities – Management classifies its held-to-maturity portfolio into the following major security types: Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. All of the securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio are issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities or agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. To the extent that debt securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio share common risk characteristics, estimated expected credit losses are calculated by pools of such debt securities. The historical lifetime probability of default and severity of loss in the event of default is derived or obtained from external sources and adjusted for the expected effects of reasonable and supportable forecasts over the expected lifetime of the securities. For a debt security in the held-to-maturity portfolio that does not share common risk characteristics with any of the pools of debt securities, expected credit loss on each security is individually measured based on net realizable value, or the difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the recorded amortized cost basis of the security. With respect to certain classes of debt securities, primarily U.S. Treasuries and securities issued by Government Sponsored Entities or agencies, the Company considers the history of credit losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may indicate that the expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is or continues to be zero, even if the U.S. government were to technically default. Therefore, for those securities, the Company does not record expected credit losses. Allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities - Management evaluates available-for-sale debt securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent of the unrealized loss, and the near-term prospects of the issuer. Impairment may result from credit deterioration of the issuer or collateral underlying the security. In performing an assessment of whether any decline in fair value is due to a credit loss, all relevant information is considered at the individual security level. For asset-backed securities performance indicators considered related to the underlying assets include default rates, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing assets, debt-to-collateral ratios, third party guarantees, current levels of subordination, vintage, geographic concentration, analyst reports and forecasts, credit ratings and other market data. In assessing whether a credit loss exists, we compare the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the 51 Table of Contents amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount the fair value is less than amortized cost basis. Declines in fair value that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses, such as declines due to changes in market interest rates, are excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Management also assesses whether it intends to sell or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. Allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment – The Company utilizes a model which compares the amortized cost basis of the loan to the net present value of expected cash flows to be collected. Expected credit losses are determined by aggregating the individual cash flows and calculating a loss percentage by loan segment, or pool, for loans that share similar risk characteristics. For a loan that does not share risk characteristics with other loans, the Company will evaluate the loan on an individual basis. The methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment is considered a critical accounting policy by management given the judgement required for determining assumptions used, uncertainty of economic forecasts, and subjectivity of any qualitative factors considered. The Company evaluates its loan pooling methodology at least annually. The Company has identified the following loan pools used to measure the allowance for credit losses as follows: ​ One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment loans - Loans in this classification consist of residential real estate and one-to-four family real estate properties, and may have a mixed-use commercial aspect. Included in one-to-four family loans are also certain SBA loans in which the loan is secured by underlying real estate as collateral. The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. Owner-occupied properties are generally underwritten based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser and the credit quality of the individual borrower. Investment properties require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.25x. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and housing prices. ​ Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use loans - Loans in this classification consist of multifamily residential real estate with a minimum of five residential units, and may have a mixed-use commercial aspect of less than 50% of the property’s rental income. The Bank’s underwriting standards for multifamily residential loans generally require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.20x. Repayment of multifamily residential loans is dependent, in significant part, on cash flow from the collateral property sufficient to satisfy operating expenses and debt service. Future increases in interest rates, increases in vacancy rates on multifamily residential or commercial buildings, and other economic events, such as unemployment rates, which are outside the control of the borrower or the Bank could negatively impact the future net operating income of such properties. Similarly, government regulations, such as the existing New York City Rent Regulation and Rent Stabilization laws, could limit future increases in the revenue from these buildings. ​ Commercial real estate and commercial mixed-use loans - Loans in this classification consist of commercial real estate, both owner-occupied and non-owner occupied, and may have a residential aspect of less than 50% of the property’s rental income. The Bank’s underwriting standards for commercial real estate loans generally require: (1) a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% based upon an appraisal performed by an independent, state licensed appraiser, and (2) sufficient rental income from the underlying property to adequately service the debt, represented by a minimum debt service ratio of 1.25x. Included in commercial real estate loans are also certain SBA loans in which the loan is secured by underlying real estate as collateral. The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. Repayment of commercial real estate loans is often dependent upon successful operation or management of the collateral properties, as well as the success of the business and retail tenants occupying the properties. Repayment of such loans is generally more vulnerable to weak economic conditions, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices. ​ Acquisition, development, and construction loans - Loans in this classification consist of loans to purchase land intended for further development, including single-family homes, multi-family housing, and commercial income properties. In general, the maximum loan-to-value ratio for a land acquisition loan is 50% of the appraised value of the property. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates and commercial real estate prices. 52 Table of Contents ​ Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Loans - Loans in this classification consist of lines of credit, revolving lines of credit, and term loans, generally to businesses or high net worth individuals. The owners of these businesses typically provide recourse such that they guarantee the debt. The lines of credit are generally secured by the assets of the business, though they may at times be issued on an unsecured basis. Generally speaking, they are subject to renewal on an annual basis based upon review of the borrower’s financial statements. Term loans are generally secured by either specific or general asset liens of the borrower’s business. These loans are granted based upon the strength of the cash generation ability of the borrower. Included in C&I loans are also certain SBA loans in which the loan is secured by underlying assets of the business (excludes SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans from allowance for credit losses as these loans carry a 100% guarantee from the SBA). The Bank may sell a portion of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA, to a third-party investor. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates. ​ Other Loans – Loans in this classification consist of installment and consumer loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The credit quality of this portfolio is largely dependent on economic factors, such as unemployment rates. ​ Troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) – As allowed by ASC 326, the Entity elected to maintain pools of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were TDRs as of the date of adoption. A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is considered to be a TDR. The allowance for credit loss on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except when the value of a concession cannot be measured using a method other than the discounted cash flow method. When the value of a concession is measured using the discounted cash flow method, the allowance for credit loss is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the original interest rate of the loan. The allowance for credit losses on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment, except that the original interest rate is used to discount the expected cash flows, not the rate specified within the restructuring. Management estimates the allowance for credit losses on each loan pool using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historically observed credit loss experience of peer banks within our geography provide the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses on similar loan pools. Within the model, assumptions are made in the determination of probability of default, loss given default, reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, prepayment rate, curtailment rate, and recovery lag periods. Statistical regression is utilized to relate historical macro-economic variables to historical credit loss experience of the peer group. These models are then utilized to forecast future expected loan losses based on expected future behavior of the same macro-economic variables. Adjustments to the quantitative results are adjusted using qualitative factors. These factors include: (1) lending policies and procedures; (2) international, national, regional and local economic business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various markets; (3) the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; (4) the experience, ability, and depth of the lending management and other relevant staff; (5) the volume and severity of past due loans; (6) the quality of our loan review system; (7) the value of underlying collateral for collateralized loans; (8) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (9) the effect of external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the existing portfolio. Collectively evaluated loans and the associated allowance for credit losses totaled $ 8.98 billion and $ 41.4 million at December 31, 2021, respectively. ​ Individually evaluated loans – Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis based on various factors, and are not included in the collective pool evaluation. Factors that may be considered are borrower delinquency trends and non-accrual status, probability of foreclosure or note sale, changes in the borrower’s circumstances or cash collections, borrower’s industry, or other facts and circumstances of the loan or collateral. For a loan that does not share risk characteristics with other loans, expected credit loss is measured based on net realizable value, that is, the difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the amortized cost basis of the loan. For these loans, the Company recognizes expected credit loss equal to the amount by which the net realizable value of the loan is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan (which is net of previous charge-offs), except when the loan is collateral dependent, that is, when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. In these cases, expected credit loss is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral. The fair value of the collateral is adjusted for the estimated costs to sell the loan if repayment or satisfaction of a loan is dependent on the sale (rather than only on the operation) of the collateral. Individually evaluated loans and the associated allowance for credit losses totaled $ 51.4 million and $ 22.3 million at December 31, 2021, respectively. ​ 53 Table of Contents The fair value of real estate collateral is determined based on recent appraised values. Appraisals are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. All appraisals undergo a second review process to ensure that the methodology employed and the values derived are reasonable. Generally, collateral values for real estate loans for which measurement of expected losses is dependent on collateral values are updated every twelve months. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation and management’s expertise and knowledge of the borrower and its business. Once the expected credit loss amount is determined, an allowance is provided for equal to the calculated expected credit loss and included in the allowance for credit losses. Pursuant to the Company’s policy, credit losses must be charged-off in the period the loans, or portions thereof, are deemed uncollectable. Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures – The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition, is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life, which is the same as the expected loss factor as determined based on the corresponding portfolio segment. ​ Loans acquired in a business combination – The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, on January 1, 2021 which now requires the Company to record purchased financial loans with credit deterioration (“PCD loans”), defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD loans. Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition were recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from the acquisition of purchased loans with credit deterioration was allocated to each individual loan. The determination of PCD classification on acquired loans can have a significant impact on the accounting for these loans. ​ At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses on PCD loans that share similar risk characteristics, management determined the allowance for expected credit losses in a similar manner to loans held for investment. That is, these loans were also segmented by loan pool and utilized a model which compares the amortized cost basis of the loan to the net present value of expected cash flows to be collected. Expected credit losses were determined by aggregating the individual cash flows and calculating a loss percentage by loan segment, or pool, for loans that share similar risk characteristics, and considers assumptions such as probability of default, loss given default, reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, prepayment rate, curtailment rate, and recovery lag periods. Management may consider adjustments to the quantitative results by using similar qualitative factors as those used for the determination of the estimated credit loss of loans held for investment. The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date. Pooled PCD loans and the associated allowance for credit losses totaled $ 138.3 million and $ 6.2 million at December 31, 2021, respectively. ​ At acquisition date, the initial allowance for PCD loans that do not share risk characteristics with pooled PCD loans, the Company evaluated the loan on an individual basis. The expected credit loss was measured based on net realizable value, that is, the difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the amortized cost basis of the loan. For these loans, the Company recognizes expected credit loss equal to the amount by which the net realizable value of the loan is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan (which is net of previous charge-offs), except when the loan is collateral dependent, that is, when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. In these cases, expected credit loss was measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral. The fair value of the collateral is adjusted for the estimated costs to sell the loan if repayment or satisfaction of a loan is dependent on the sale (rather than only on the operation) of the collateral. The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date. Individually evaluated PCD loans and the associated allowance for credit losses totaled $ 75.2 million and $ 13.9 million at December 31, 2021, respectively. ​ A purchased financial asset that does not qualify as a PCD asset is accounted for similar to an originated financial asset. Generally, this means that an entity recognizes the allowance for credit losses for non-PCD assets through net income at the time of acquisition. In addition, both the credit discount and non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets that do not qualify as PCD assets shall be allocated to each individual asset. This combined discount or premium shall be accreted to interest income using the effective yield method. 54 Table of Contents ​ The fair value of acquired loans involved third-party estimates utilizing input assumptions by management which may be complex or uncertain. The determination of the fair value of acquired loans is based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers factors such as type of loan and related collateral, and requires management’s judgement on estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events. Management considers this to be a critical accounting estimate given the significant assumptions and judgement on uncertain factors. For PCD loans, an estimate of expected credit losses was made for loans with similar risk characteristics and was added to the purchase price to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to non-credit factors and results in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. For acquired loans not deemed PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the lives of the related loans. ​ For further discussion of our loan accounting and acquisitions, see Note 2 – Merger and Note 5 – Loans. ​ Derivatives – The Company may engage in two types of derivatives depending on the Company’s intentions and belief as to the likely effectiveness as a hedge. These two types are (1) a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”) or (2) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”). For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings as non-interest income. Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement same as the cash flows of the items being hedged. The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an on-going basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in or cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended. When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as non-interest income. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transaction will affect earnings. The Company is exposed to losses if a counterparty fails to make its payments under a contract in which the Company is in the net receiving position. The Company anticipates that the counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations under the agreements. All the contracts to which the Company is a party settle monthly. In addition, the Company obtains collateral above certain thresholds of the fair value of its hedges for each counterparty based upon their credit standing and the Company has netting agreements with the dealers with which it does business. OREO - Properties acquired as a result of foreclosure on a real estate loan or a deed in lieu of foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of residential real estate collateralizing a one-to-four family residential loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. These assets are subsequently accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Declines in the recorded balance subsequent to acquisition by the Company are recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed. Premises and Fixed Assets, Net - Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives generally ranging from forty to fifty years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives generally ranging from three to ten years . 55 Table of Contents Leases - On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 "Leases (Topic 842)" and subsequent amendments thereto, which requires the Company to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the standard under a modified retrospective approach as of the date of adoption and elected to apply several of the available practical expedients, including: ● Carryover of historical lease determination and lease classification conclusions ● Carryover of historical initial direct cost balances for existing leases ● Accounting for lease and non-lease components in contracts in which the Company is a lessee as a single lease component Adoption of the leasing standard resulted in the recognition of operating right-of-use assets, and operating lease liabilities of $ 41.6 million as of January 1, 2019. These amounts were determined based on the present value of remaining minimum lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as of the date of adoption. There was no material impact to the timing of expense or income recognition in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Prior periods were not restated and continue to be presented under legacy GAAP. Disclosures about the Company’s leasing activities are presented in Note 8. The Company made a policy election to exclude the recognition requirements of ASU 2016-02 on short-term leases with original terms of 12 months or less. Short-term lease payments are recognized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases may include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at the Company’s discretion, and are included in the operating lease liability if it is reasonably certain that the renewal option will be exercised. Certain real estate leases may contain lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes, and insurance, which are generally accounted for separately and are not included in the measurement of the lease liability since they are generally able to be segregated. The Company does not sublease any of its leased properties. The Company does not lease properties from any related parties. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of the asset may be impaired. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of every year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstance indicate the asset might be impaired. Other intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Core deposit intangible assets are amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives of ten years . Servicing Right Assets ("SRA") – When real estate or C&I loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. SRAs are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, anticipated net servicing income. All separately recognized SRAs are required to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. The estimated fair value of loan servicing assets is determined by calculating the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, using assumptions of prepayments, defaults, servicing costs and discount rates derived based upon actual historical results for the Bank, or, in the absence of such data, from historical results for the Bank’s peers. Capitalized loan servicing assets are stratified based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans ( i.e., collateral, interest rate, servicing spread and maturity) for the purpose of evaluating impairment. A valuation allowance is then established in the event the recorded value of an individual stratum exceeds its fair value. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds, default rates, and losses. Transfers of Financial Assets – Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, 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 the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. BOLI – BOLI is carried at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. Increases in the contract value are recorded as non-interest income in the consolidated statements of income and insurance proceeds received are recorded as a reduction of the contract value. 56 Table of Contents Income Taxes – Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount deemed more likely than not to be realized. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not satisfying the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no unrecorded tax positions at December 31, 2021 or 2020. Employee Benefits – The Bank maintains two noncontributory pension plans that existed before the Merger: (i) the Retirement Plan of Dime Community Bank (“Employee Retirement Plan”) and (ii) the BNB Bank Pension Plan, covering all eligible employees. As the sponsor of a single employer defined benefit plan, the Company must do the following for the Employee Retirement Plan and BNB Bank Pension Plan: (1) recognize the funded status of the benefit plans in its statements of financial condition, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value (with limited exceptions) and the benefit obligation. For a pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other postretirement benefit plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation; (2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit or cost. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, including the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and the transition asset or obligation are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; (3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statements of financial condition (with limited exceptions); and (4) disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. The Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”), Outside Director Retirement Plan, and the Benefit Maintenance Plan (“BMP”) were terminated by resolution of the Legacy Dime Board of Directors. The effective date of the Dime terminations was February 1, 2021, the Merger Date. The Company provides a 401(k) plan, which covers substantially all current employees. Newly hired employees are automatically enrolled in the plan on the 60 th day of employment, unless they elect not to participate. ​ The Holding Company and Bank maintain the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Incentive Plan”), the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, (the “2019 Equity Incentive Plan”), and the 2012 Stock-Based Compensation Plan (the “2012 Equity Incentive Plan”), (collectively the “Stock Plans”); which are discussed more fully in Note 20 Stock-Based Compensation. Under the Stock Plans, compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees based on the fair value of the awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Holding Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Basic and Diluted EPS - Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into common stock, and prior to 2021, if all likely aggregate Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") performance-based share awards (“PSA”) were issued. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury shares are excluded. Vested restricted stock award ("RSA") shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Unvested RSA and PSA shares are recognized as a special class of participating securities under ASC 260, and are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, and changes in the funded status of the pension plan, which are also recognized as separate components of equity. Comprehensive and accumulated comprehensive income are summarized in Note 3. Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information - The Company has one reportable segment, "Community Banking." All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent and assessed based on the manner in which it supports the other activities of the Company. For example, lending is dependent upon the ability of the Bank to fund 57 Table of Contents itself with retail deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate and credit risk. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there was no customer that accounted for more than 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue. ​ Reclassifications – There have been no material reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to their current presentation. ​ Adoption of New Accounting Standards ​ Standards Adopted in 2021 ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2021 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020. Under Section 4014 of the CARES Act, financial institutions required to adopt ASU 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 were provided an option to delay the adoption of the CECL Standard framework. The Company elected to defer adoption of the CECL Standard until January 1, 2021. The CECL Standard requires that the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date be based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This standard requires financial institutions and other organizations to use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under the CECL Standard while prior period amounts will continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The adoption of the CECL Standard resulted in an initial decrease of $ 3.9 million to the allowance for credit losses and an increase of $ 1.4 million to the reserve for unfunded commitments in other liabilities. The after-tax cumulative-effect adjustment of $ 1.7 million was recorded in retained earnings as of January 1, 2021. There were no held-to-maturity securities as of January 1, 2021 and, therefore, no impact from the adoption of the CECL Standard. ​ Standards That Have Not Yet Been Adopted ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to loan and lease agreements, derivative contracts, and other transactions affected by the anticipated transition away from LIBOR toward new interest rate benchmarks. ASU 2020-04 also provides numerous optional expedients for derivative accounting. ASU 2020-04 is effective March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Once optional expedients are elected, the amendments in this ASU must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that Topic or Industry Subtopic within the Codification. We are evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04 and expect the LIBOR transition will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. ​ ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope ASU 2021-01 clarifies that all derivative instruments affected by changes to the interest rates used for discounting, margining, or contract price alignment due to reference rate reform are in the scope of ASC 848. Entities may apply certain optional expedients in ASC 848 to derivative instruments that do not reference LIBOR or another rate expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform if there is a change to the interest rate used for discounting, margining or contract price alignment. ASU 2020-01 is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-01 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. ​ 2. MERGER As described in Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, on February 1, 2021, we completed our Merger with Legacy Dime. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Legacy Dime merged with and into Bridge with Bridge as the surviving corporation under the name “Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.” At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime common stock, par value $ 0.01 per share, was converted into 0.6480 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $ 0.01 per share. 58 Table of Contents At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Legacy Dime’s Series A preferred stock, par value $ 0.01 was converted into one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Dime Preferred Stock. In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $ 115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50 % Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime. The Merger constituted a business combination and was accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting. As a result, Legacy Dime was the accounting acquirer and Bridge was the legal acquirer and the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, the historical financial statements of Legacy Dime became the historical financial statements of the combined company. In addition, the assets and liabilities of Bridge have been recorded at their estimated fair values and added to those of Legacy Dime as of the Merger Date. The determination of fair value required management to make estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events that are subjective and subject to change. The Company issued 21.2 million shares of its common stock to Legacy Dime stockholders in connection with the Merger, which represented 51.5 % of the voting interests in the Company upon completion of the Merger. In accordance with FASB ASC 805-40-30-2, the purchase price in a reverse acquisition is determined based on the number of equity interests the legal acquiree would have had to issue to give the owners of the legal acquirer the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition. The table below summarizes the ownership of the combined company following the Merger, for each shareholder group, as well as the market capitalization of the combined company using shares of Bridge and Legacy Dime common stock outstanding at January 31, 2021 and Bridge’s closing price on January 31, 2021. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. Ownership and Market Value ​ ​ Number of ​ ​ ​ ​ Market Value at ​ ​ Bridge ​ Percentage ​ $ 24.43 Bridge (Dollars and shares in thousands) ​ Outstanding Shares ​ Ownership ​ Share Price Bridge shareholders ​ 19,993 ​ 48.5 % $ 488,420 Legacy Dime shareholders ​ ​ 21,233 ​ ​ 51.5 % ​ ​ 518,720 Total ​ ​ 41,226 ​ ​ 100.0 % ​ $ 1,007,140 ​ The table below summarizes the hypothetical number of shares as of January 31, 2021 that Legacy Dime would have to issue to give Bridge owners the same percentage ownership in the combined company. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hypothetical Legacy Dime Ownership ​ ​ Number of ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Legacy Dime ​ Percentage (Shares in thousands) ​ Outstanding Shares ​ Ownership Bridge shareholders ​ 30,853 ​ 48.5 % Legacy Dime shareholders ​ ​ 32,767 ​ ​ 51.5 % Total ​ ​ 63,620 ​ ​ 100.0 % ​ The purchase price is calculated based on the number of hypothetical shares of Legacy Dime common stock issued to Bridge shareholders multiplied by the share price as demonstrated in the table below. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Dollars and shares in thousands) ​ ​ ​ Number of hypothetical Legacy Dime shares issued to Bridge shareholders ​ ​ 30,853 Legacy Dime market price per share as of February 1, 2021 ​ $ 15.90 Purchase price determination of hypothetical Legacy Dime shares issued to Bridge shareholders ​ $ 490,560 Value of Bridge stock options hypothetically converted to options to acquire shares of Legacy Dime common stock ​ ​ 643 Cash in lieu of fractional shares ​ ​ 7 Purchase price consideration ​ $ 491,210 ​ ​ 59 Table of Contents The following table provides the purchase price allocation as of the Merger Date and the Bridge assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value as of the Merger Date as recorded by Dime Community Bancshares. We recorded the estimate of fair value based on initial valuations available at the Merger Date. We finalized all valuations and recorded final adjustments during the fourth quarter of 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2021, we obtained additional information and evidence that resulted in a subsequent adjustment to decrease the estimated fair value of our acquired BNB Bank Pension Plan assets, which resulted in an increase to goodwill resulting from the Merger of $ 458 thousand, net of tax. The subsequent adjustment to assets acquired was recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ Purchase price consideration ​ $ 491,210 ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair value of assets acquired: ​ ​ ​ Cash and due from banks ​ ​ 715,988 Securities available-for-sale ​ ​ 651,997 Loans held for sale ​ ​ 10,000 Loans held for investment ​ ​ 4,531,640 Premises and fixed assets ​ ​ 37,881 Restricted stock ​ ​ 23,362 BOLI ​ ​ 94,085 Other intangible assets ​ ​ 10,984 Operating lease assets ​ ​ 45,603 Other assets ​ ​ 117,016 Total assets acquired ​ ​ 6,238,556 Fair value of liabilities assumed: ​ ​ ​ Deposits ​ ​ 5,405,575 Other short-term borrowings ​ ​ 216,298 Subordinated debt ​ ​ 83,200 Operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 45,285 Other liabilities ​ ​ 97,147 Total liabilities assumed ​ ​ 5,847,505 Fair value of net identifiable assets ​ ​ 391,051 Goodwill resulting from Merger ​ $ 100,159 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As a result of the Merger, we recorded $ 100.2 million of goodwill. The goodwill recorded is not deductible for income tax purposes. ​ 60 Table of Contents The Company is required to record PCD assets, defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD assets. Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition are recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods as they arise. Any non-credit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration shall be allocated to each individual asset. At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis shall be allocated to individual assets to appropriately allocate any non-credit discount or premium. The non-credit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date. Information regarding loans acquired at the Merger Date are as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ PCD loans: ​ Unpaid principal balance ​ $ 295,306 Non-credit discount at acquisition ​ ( 9,050 ) Unpaid principal balance, net ​ 286,256 ​ ​ ​ ​ Allowance for credit losses at acquisition ​ ​ ( 52,284 ) Fair value at acquisition ​ ​ 233,972 ​ ​ ​ ​ Non-PCD loans: ​ Unpaid principal balance ​ 4,289,236 Premium at acquisition ​ 8,432 Fair value at acquisition ​ 4,297,668 ​ ​ ​ Total fair value at acquisition ​ $ 4,531,640 ​ Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to investing and financing activities regarding the Merger are as follows for the year ended December 31, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ Business combination: ​ Fair value of tangible assets acquired ​ $ 6,227,572 Goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible assets acquired ​ 111,143 Liabilities assumed ​ 5,847,505 Purchase price consideration ​ ​ 491,210 ​ Other intangible assets consisted of core deposit intangibles and a non-compete agreement with estimated fair values at the Merger Date of $ 10.2 million and $ 780 thousand, respectively. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized over a life of 10 years on an accelerated basis. The non-compete agreement is being amortized over a life of 13 months . ​ Pro Forma Combined Results of Operations The following pro forma financial information presents the consolidated results of operations of Legacy Dime and Bridge as if the Merger occurred as of January 1, 2019 with pro forma adjustments. The pro forma adjustments give effect to any change in interest income due to the accretion of discounts (premiums) associated with the fair value adjustments of acquired loans, any change in interest expense due to estimated premium amortization/discount accretion associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired time deposits and other debt, and the amortization of the core deposit intangible that would have resulted had the deposits been acquired as of January 1, 2019. Merger related expenses incurred by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2021 are not reflected in the pro forma amounts. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had Legacy Dime merged with Bridge at the beginning of 2019. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts) 2021 2020 2019 Net interest income $ 365,075 ​ $ 338,310 ​ $ 294,842 Non-interest income ​ ​ 43,419 ​ ​ 40,976 ​ ​ 37,555 Net income ​ ​ 132,536 ​ ​ 84,257 ​ ​ 85,660 Net income available to common shareholders ​ ​ 124,323 ​ ​ 78,453 ​ ​ 84,380 Earnings per share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ ​ 3.20 ​ ​ 1.91 ​ ​ 2.05 Diluted ​ ​ 3.20 ​ ​ 1.90 ​ ​ 2.05 ​ ​ 61 Table of Contents ​ 3. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, was as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accumulated ​ ​ ​ ​ Defined ​ ​ ​ ​ Other ​ ​ ​ ​ Benefit ​ ​ ​ ​ Comprehensive (In thousands) Securities Plans Derivatives Income (Loss) Balance as of January 1, 2020 ​ $ 4,621 ​ $ ( 6,024 ) ​ $ ( 4,537 ) ​ $ ( 5,940 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications ​ 11,221 ​ 802 ​ ( 12,153 ) ​ ( 130 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ​ ( 3,148 ) ​ ( 864 ) ​ 4,158 ​ 146 Net other comprehensive income (loss) during the period ​ 8,073 ​ ( 62 ) ​ ( 7,995 ) ​ 16 Balance as of December 31, 2020 ​ $ 12,694 ​ $ ( 6,086 ) ​ $ ( 12,532 ) ​ $ ( 5,924 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications ​ ( 19,733 ) ​ 5,520 ​ 14,883 ​ 670 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ​ ( 825 ) ​ ( 740 ) ​ 638 ​ ( 927 ) Net other comprehensive (loss) income during the period ​ ( 20,558 ) ​ 4,780 ​ 15,521 ​ ( 257 ) Balance as of December 31, 2021 ​ $ ( 7,864 ) ​ $ ( 1,306 ) ​ $ 2,989 ​ $ ( 6,181 ) ​ The before and after tax amounts allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities: ​ ​ ​ Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period ​ $ ( 28,865 ) ​ $ 16,432 ​ $ 9,693 Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net gain on securities and other assets ​ ( 1,207 ) ​ ( 4,592 ) ​ ( 31 ) Net change ​ ( 30,072 ) ​ 11,840 ​ 9,662 Tax (benefit) expense ​ ( 9,514 ) ​ 3,767 ​ 3,084 Net change in unrealized holding gain or loss on securities, net of reclassification adjustments and tax ​ ( 20,558 ) ​ 8,073 ​ 6,578 Change in pension and other postretirement obligations: ​ ​ ​ Reclassification adjustment for expense included in other expense ​ ( 1,092 ) ​ ( 1,272 ) ​ 729 Reclassification adjustment for curtailment loss (gain) ​ ​ 1,543 ​ ​ ( 1,651 ) ​ ​ — Change in the net actuarial gain or loss ​ 6,563 ​ 2,817 ​ ( 296 ) Net change ​ 7,014 ​ ( 106 ) ​ 433 Tax expense ​ 2,234 ​ ( 44 ) ​ 167 Net change in pension and other postretirement obligations ​ 4,780 ​ ( 62 ) ​ 266 Change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives: ​ ​ ​ Change in net unrealized gain or loss during the period ​ 5,277 ​ ( 24,449 ) ​ ( 8,254 ) Reclassification adjustment for loss included in loss on termination of derivatives ​ ​ 16,505 ​ ​ 6,596 ​ ​ — Reclassification adjustment for expense included in interest expense ​ 940 ​ 6,127 ​ ( 955 ) Net change ​ 22,722 ​ ( 11,726 ) ​ ( 9,209 ) Tax expense (benefit) ​ 7,201 ​ ( 3,731 ) ​ ( 2,925 ) Net change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives, net of reclassification adjustments and tax ​ 15,521 ​ ( 7,995 ) ​ ( 6,284 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax ​ $ ( 257 ) ​ $ 16 ​ $ 560 ​ ​ ​ 62 Table of Contents ​ 4. SECURITIES The following tables summarize the major categories of securities as of the dates indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gross ​ Gross ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortized ​ Unrealized ​ Unrealized ​ Fair (In thousands) Cost Gains Losses Value Securities available-for-sale: ​ ​ ​ ​ Agency notes ​ $ 82,476 ​ $ — ​ $ ( 2,222 ) ​ $ 80,254 Treasury securities ​ ​ 247,916 ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 3,147 ) ​ ​ 244,769 Corporate securities ​ 148,430 ​ 4,354 ​ ( 754 ) ​ 152,030 Pass-through mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") issued by government sponsored entities ("GSEs") ​ 528,749 ​ 4,271 ​ ( 6,566 ) ​ 526,454 Agency collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") ​ 527,348 ​ 2,705 ​ ( 8,795 ) ​ 521,258 State and municipal obligations ​ ​ 39,175 ​ ​ 73 ​ ​ ( 302 ) ​ ​ 38,946 Total securities available-for-sale ​ $ 1,574,094 ​ $ 11,403 ​ $ ( 21,786 ) ​ $ 1,563,711 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gross ​ Gross ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortized ​ Unrecognized ​ Unrecognized ​ Fair (In thousands) Cost Gains Losses Value Securities held-to-maturity: ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ $ 118,382 ​ $ 59 ​ $ ( 1,141 ) ​ $ 117,300 Agency CMOs ​ 60,927 ​ — ​ ( 873 ) ​ 60,054 Total securities held-to-maturity ​ $ 179,309 ​ $ 59 ​ $ ( 2,014 ) ​ $ 177,354 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gross ​ Gross ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortized ​ Unrealized ​ Unrealized ​ Fair (In thousands) Cost Gains Losses Value Securities available-for-sale: ​ ​ ​ ​ Agency notes ​ $ 47,500 ​ $ 12 ​ $ ( 91 ) ​ $ 47,421 Corporate securities ​ 62,021 ​ 2,440 ​ — ​ 64,461 Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ 135,842 ​ 7,672 ​ ( 31 ) ​ 143,483 Agency CMOs ​ 274,898 ​ 8,674 ​ ( 76 ) ​ 283,496 Total securities available-for-sale ​ $ 520,261 ​ $ 18,798 ​ $ ( 198 ) ​ $ 538,861 ​ As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $ 652.0 million of securities available-for-sale on the Merger Date. As of December 31, 2020, there were no securities held-to-maturity. The Company transferred $ 140.4 million of securities available-for-sale to securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no transfers from securities held-to-maturity during the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no transfers to or from securities held-to-maturity during years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The carrying amount of securities pledged at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $ 726.4 million and $ 99.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10 % of stockholders’ equity. The amortized cost and fair value of securities are shown by contractual maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately. ​ 63 Table of Contents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ Amortized ​ Fair (In thousands) ​ Cost ​ Value Available-for-sale ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Within one year ​ $ 852 ​ $ 858 One to five years ​ ​ 281,148 ​ ​ 277,877 Five to ten years ​ ​ 222,851 ​ ​ 224,137 Beyond ten years ​ ​ 13,145 ​ ​ 13,127 Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO ​ ​ 1,056,098 ​ ​ 1,047,712 Total ​ $ 1,574,094 ​ $ 1,563,711 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Held-to-maturity ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs and agency CMO ​ $ 179,309 ​ $ 177,354 Total ​ $ 179,309 ​ $ 177,354 ​ The following table presents the information related to sales of securities available-for-sale for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Securities available-for-sale ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Proceeds ​ $ 138,077 ​ $ 94,252 ​ $ 148,857 Gross gains ​ ​ 1,327 ​ ​ 4,592 ​ ​ 551 Tax expense on gains ​ ​ 421 ​ ​ 1,444 ​ ​ 175 Gross losses ​ ​ 120 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 520 Tax benefit on losses ​ ​ 38 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 166 ​ Marketable equity securities were fully liquidated in connection with the termination of the BMP. Prior to termination, the Company held marketable equity securities as the underlying mutual fund investments of the BMP, held in a rabbi trust. A summary of the sales of marketable equity securities is listed below for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 2020 2019 Proceeds: ​ ​ ​ ​ Marketable equity securities ​ $ 6,101 ​ $ 546 ​ $ 570 ​ The remaining gain or loss on securities shown in the consolidated statements of income was due to market valuation changes. Net gains on marketable equity securities of $ 131 thousand, $ 361 thousand and $ 531 thousand were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There were no sales of securities held-to-maturity during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. 64 Table of Contents The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time the securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ Less than 12 ​ 12 Consecutive ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Consecutive Months ​ Months or Longer ​ Total ​ ​ Fair ​ Unrealized ​ Fair ​ Unrealized ​ Fair ​ Unrealized (In thousands) Value Losses Value Losses Value Losses Securities available-for-sale: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Agency notes ​ $ 58,607 ​ $ 1,369 ​ $ 21,647 ​ $ 853 ​ $ 80,254 ​ $ 2,222 Treasury securities ​ ​ 244,769 ​ ​ 3,147 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 244,769 ​ ​ 3,147 Corporate securities ​ ​ 37,620 ​ ​ 754 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 37,620 ​ ​ 754 Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ ​ 422,634 ​ ​ 6,333 ​ ​ 4,748 ​ ​ 233 ​ ​ 427,382 ​ ​ 6,566 Agency CMOs ​ ​ 349,879 ​ ​ 8,672 ​ ​ 3,182 ​ ​ 123 ​ ​ 353,061 ​ ​ 8,795 State and municipal obligations ​ 18,887 ​ 302 ​ — ​ — ​ ​ 18,887 ​ ​ 302 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Securities held-to-maturity ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ $ 97,328 ​ $ 1,141 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 97,328 ​ $ 1,141 Agency CMOs ​ ​ 60,054 ​ ​ 873 ​ — ​ — ​ ​ 60,054 ​ 873 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Less than 12 ​ 12 Consecutive ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Consecutive Months ​ Months or Longer ​ Total ​ ​ Fair ​ Unrealized ​ Fair ​ Unrealized ​ Fair ​ Unrealized (In thousands) Value Losses Value Losses Value Losses Securities available-for-sale: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Agency notes ​ $ 22,409 ​ $ 91 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 22,409 ​ $ 91 Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ 5,007 ​ 31 ​ — ​ — ​ 5,007 ​ 31 Agency CMOs ​ 6,563 ​ 30 ​ 4,954 ​ 46 ​ 11,517 ​ 76 ​ As of December 31, 2021, none of the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities were in an unrealized loss position due to credit and therefore no allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities was required. Additionally, the calculated allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities was inconsequential given the high-quality composition of the Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio and therefore no allowance for credit losses was recorded. With respect to certain classes of debt securities, primarily U.S. Treasuries and securities issued by Government Sponsored Entities, the Company considers the history of credit losses, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may indicate that the expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is or continues to be zero, even if the U.S. government were to technically default. Accrued interest receivable on securities totaling $ 4.4 million at December 31, 2021 was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet and excluded from the amortized cost and estimated fair value totals in the table above. ​ Management evaluates available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions to determine whether the impairment is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Consideration is given to (1) the extent to which the fair value is less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. ​ At December 31, 2021, substantially all of the securities in an unrealized loss position had a fixed interest rate and the cause of the temporary impairment was directly related to changes in interest rates. The Company generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary, which is consistent with its experience. The following major security types held by the Company are all issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and therefore either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government; Agency Notes, Treasury Securities, Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs, Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. The corporate bonds within the portfolio have maintained an investment grade rating by either Kroll, Egan-Jones, Fitch, Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. None of the unrealized losses are related to credit losses. The state and municipal obligations within the portfolio have all maintained an investment grade rating by either Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the debt. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity. ​ 65 Table of Contents 5. LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT, NET The following table presents the loan categories for the period ended as indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment ​ $ 669,282 ​ $ 184,989 Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ 3,356,346 ​ 2,758,743 Commercial real estate ("CRE") ​ 3,945,948 ​ 1,878,167 Acquisition, development, and construction ("ADC") ​ 322,628 ​ 156,296 Total real estate loans ​ 8,294,204 ​ 4,978,195 C&I ​ 933,559 ​ 641,533 Other loans ​ 16,898 ​ 2,316 Total ​ 9,244,661 ​ 5,622,044 Allowance for credit losses ​ ( 83,853 ) ​ ( 41,461 ) Loans held for investment, net ​ $ 9,160,808 ​ $ 5,580,583 ​ As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $ 4.53 billion of loans held for investment on the Merger Date. Included in C&I loans was Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans totaling $ 66.0 million and $ 313.4 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. SBA PPP loans carry a 100 % guarantee from the SBA. The Company may hold an allowance for credit losses as a result of individual loan analysis. In June 2021, the Company sold $ 596.2 million of SBA PPP loans and recorded a gain of $ 20.7 million in Gain on sale of SBA loans in the consolidated statements of income. The following tables present data regarding the allowance for credit losses activity for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Real Estate Loans ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-Four ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Family ​ Multifamily ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Residential and ​ Residential ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cooperative/ ​ and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Condominium ​ Residential ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total Real ​ ​ ​ ​ Other ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Apartment Mixed-Use CRE ADC Estate C&I Loans Total Beginning balance as of January 1, 2019 ​ $ 198 ​ $ 13,446 ​ $ 3,777 ​ $ 397 ​ $ 17,818 ​ $ 3,946 ​ $ 18 ​ $ 21,782 Provision (credit) for credit losses ​ 86 ​ ( 3,233 ) ​ 266 ​ 847 ​ ( 2,034 ) ​ 19,368 ​ 6 ​ 17,340 Charge-offs ​ ( 22 ) ​ ( 83 ) ​ ( 145 ) ​ — ​ ( 250 ) ​ ( 10,447 ) ​ ( 8 ) ​ ( 10,705 ) Recoveries ​ 7 ​ 12 ​ 2 ​ — ​ 21 ​ 3 ​ — ​ 24 Ending balance as of December 31, 2019 ​ $ 269 ​ $ 10,142 ​ $ 3,900 ​ $ 1,244 ​ $ 15,555 ​ $ 12,870 ​ $ 16 ​ $ 28,441 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Provision for credit losses ​ 386 ​ ​ 9,934 ​ ​ 5,165 ​ ​ 749 ​ 16,234 ​ 9,928 ​ ​ 3 ​ 26,165 Charge-offs ​ ( 11 ) ​ ​ ( 3,190 ) ​ ​ ( 6 ) ​ ​ — ​ ( 3,207 ) ​ ( 10,095 ) ​ ​ ( 7 ) ​ ( 13,309 ) Recoveries ​ — ​ ​ 130 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ 130 ​ 34 ​ ​ — ​ 164 Ending balance as of December 31, 2020 ​ $ 644 ​ $ 17,016 ​ $ 9,059 ​ $ 1,993 ​ $ 28,712 ​ $ 12,737 ​ $ 12 ​ $ 41,461 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Impact of adopting CECL as of January 1, 2021 ​ 1,048 ​ ​ ( 8,254 ) ​ ​ 4,849 ​ ​ 381 ​ ( 1,976 ) ​ ( 1,935 ) ​ ​ ( 8 ) ​ ( 3,919 ) Adjusted beginning balance as of January 1, 2021 ​ ​ 1,692 ​ ​ 8,762 ​ ​ 13,908 ​ ​ 2,374 ​ ​ 26,736 ​ ​ 10,802 ​ ​ 4 ​ ​ 37,542 PCD Day 1 ​ 2,220 ​ ​ 3,292 ​ ​ 23,124 ​ ​ 117 ​ 28,753 ​ 23,374 ​ ​ 157 ​ 52,284 Provision (credit) for credit losses ​ 1,975 ​ ​ ( 3,921 ) ​ ​ ( 4,497 ) ​ ​ 2,366 ​ ( 4,077 ) ​ 6,016 ​ ​ 1,364 ​ 3,303 Charge-offs ​ ( 20 ) ​ ​ ( 391 ) ​ ​ ( 3,406 ) ​ ​ — ​ ( 3,817 ) ​ ( 4,984 ) ​ ​ ( 777 ) ​ ( 9,578 ) Recoveries ​ 65 ​ ​ 74 ​ ​ 37 ​ ​ — ​ 176 ​ 123 ​ ​ 3 ​ 302 Ending balance as of December 31, 2021 ​ $ 5,932 ​ $ 7,816 ​ $ 29,166 ​ $ 4,857 ​ $ 47,771 ​ $ 35,331 ​ $ 751 ​ $ 83,853 ​ The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans on non-accrual status as of the period indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ Non-accrual with ​ ​ Non-accrual with ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) No Allowance Allowance ​ Reserve One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment $ - ​ $ 7,623 ​ $ 1,278 CRE 1,301 ​ 3,752 ​ ​ 797 C&I ​ 348 ​ ​ 26,918 ​ ​ 16,973 Other ​ - ​ ​ 365 ​ ​ 361 Total $ 1,649 ​ $ 38,658 ​ $ 19,409 ​ The Company did not recognize interest income on non-accrual loans during the year ended December 31, 2021. 66 Table of Contents ​ The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method of ASC 326 as of the dates indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Real Estate Loans ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-Four ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Family ​ Multifamily ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Residential and ​ Residential ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cooperative/ ​ and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Condominium ​ Residential ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total Real ​ ​ ​ ​ Other ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Apartment Mixed-Use CRE ADC Estate C&I Loans Total Allowance for loan losses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Individually evaluated for impairment ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 6,474 ​ $ — $ 6,474 Collectively evaluated for impairment ​ 644 ​ 17,016 ​ 9,059 ​ 1,993 ​ 28,712 ​ 6,263 ​ 12 ​ 34,987 Total ending allowance balance ​ $ 644 ​ $ 17,016 ​ $ 9,059 ​ $ 1,993 ​ $ 28,712 ​ $ 12,737 ​ $ 12 $ 41,461 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Loans: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Individually evaluated for impairment ​ $ — ​ $ 1,863 ​ $ 2,704 ​ $ — ​ $ 4,567 ​ $ 12,502 ​ $ — $ 17,069 Collectively evaluated for impairment ​ 184,989 ​ 2,756,880 ​ 1,875,463 ​ 156,296 ​ 4,973,628 ​ 629,031 ​ 2,316 ​ 5,604,975 Total ending loans balance ​ $ 184,989 ​ $ 2,758,743 ​ $ 1,878,167 ​ $ 156,296 ​ $ 4,978,195 ​ $ 641,533 ​ $ 2,316 $ 5,622,044 ​ Impaired Loans (prior to the adoption of ASC 326) A loan is considered impaired when, based on then current information and events, it is probable that all contractual amounts due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the loan. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays or shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. The Bank considers TDRs and all non-accrual loans, except non-accrual one-to-four family loans in less than the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) Limits, to be impaired. Non-accrual one-to-four family loans equal to or less than the FNMA Limits, as well as all consumer loans, are considered homogeneous loan pools and are not required to be evaluated individually for impairment unless considered a TDR. Impairment is typically measured using the difference between the outstanding loan principal balance and either: 1) the likely realizable value of a note sale; 2) the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of likely disposal costs, if repayment is expected to come from liquidation of the collateral; or 3) the present value of estimated future cash flows (using the loan’s pre-modification rate for certain performing TDRs). If a TDR is substantially performing in accordance with its restructured terms, management will look to either the potential net liquidation proceeds of the underlying collateral or the present value of the expected cash flows from the debt service in measuring impairment (whichever is deemed most appropriate under the circumstances). If a TDR has re-defaulted, generally the likely realizable net proceeds from either a note sale or the liquidation of the collateral is considered when measuring impairment. Measured impairment is either charged off immediately or, in limited instances, recognized as an allocated reserve within the allowance for loan losses. 67 Table of Contents The following tables summarize impaired loans with no related allowance recorded and with related allowance recorded as of the periods indicated (by collateral type within the real estate loan segment): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ Unpaid ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Principal ​ Recorded ​ Related (In thousands) ​ Balance Investment (1) Allowance With no related allowance recorded: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ ​ $ 1,863 ​ $ 1,863 ​ $ — CRE ​ ​ 2,704 ​ 2,704 ​ — Total with no related allowance recorded ​ ​ 4,567 ​ 4,567 ​ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ With an allowance recorded: ​ ​ ​ ​ C&I ​ ​ 12,502 ​ 12,502 ​ 6,474 Total with an allowance recorded ​ ​ 12,502 ​ 12,502 ​ 6,474 Total ​ ​ $ 17,069 ​ $ 17,069 ​ $ 6,474 (1) The recorded investment excludes net deferred costs, due to immateriality. The following table presents information for impaired loans for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended ​ Year Ended ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ December 31, 2019 ​ ​ Average ​ Interest ​ Average ​ Interest ​ ​ Recorded ​ Income ​ Recorded ​ Income (In thousands) Investment (1) Recognized (2) Investment (1) Recognized (2) With no related allowance recorded: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment ​ $ 1,179 ​ $ — ​ $ 9 ​ $ 9 Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ 1,188 ​ 6 ​ 415 ​ 29 CRE ​ 1,195 ​ 1 ​ 3,765 ​ 244 Total with no related allowance recorded ​ 3,562 ​ 7 ​ 4,189 ​ 282 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ With an allowance recorded: ​ ​ ​ ​ C&I ​ 10,605 ​ 1 ​ 5,125 ​ 13 Total ​ $ 14,167 ​ $ 8 ​ $ 9,314 ​ $ 295 (1) The recorded investment excludes net deferred costs, due to immateriality. (2) Cash basis interest and interest income recognized on accrual basis approximate each other. The following tables summarize the past due status of the Company’s investment in loans as of the dates indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Loans 90 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Days or ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 30 to 59 ​ 60 to 89 ​ More Past Due ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Days ​ Days ​ and Still ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ ​ ​ Total (In thousands) Past Due Past Due Accruing Interest Non-accrual Past Due Current Loans Real estate: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment ​ $ 3,294 ​ $ 877 ​ $ 1,945 ​ $ 7,623 ​ $ 13,739 ​ $ 655,543 ​ $ 669,282 Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ 30,983 ​ 3,339 ​ — ​ — ​ 34,322 ​ 3,322,024 ​ 3,356,346 CRE ​ 23,108 ​ 887 ​ — ​ 5,053 ​ 29,048 ​ 3,916,900 ​ 3,945,948 ADC ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 322,628 ​ 322,628 Total real estate ​ 57,385 ​ 5,103 ​ 1,945 ​ 12,676 ​ 77,109 ​ 8,217,095 ​ 8,294,204 C&I ​ 3,753 ​ 7,040 ​ 1,056 ​ 27,266 ​ 39,115 ​ 894,444 ​ 933,559 Other ​ ​ 104 ​ ​ 3 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 365 ​ ​ 472 ​ ​ 16,426 ​ ​ 16,898 Total ​ $ 61,242 ​ $ 12,146 ​ $ 3,001 ​ $ 40,307 ​ $ 116,696 ​ $ 9,127,965 ​ $ 9,244,661 ​ 68 Table of Contents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Loans 90 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Days or ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 30 to 59 ​ 60 to 89 ​ More Past Due ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Days ​ Days ​ and Still ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ ​ ​ Total (In thousands) Past Due Past Due Accruing Interest Non-accrual Past Due Current Loans Real estate: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-four family residential, including condominium and cooperative apartment ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 44 ​ $ 858 ​ $ 902 ​ $ 184,087 ​ $ 184,989 Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ — ​ — ​ 437 ​ 1,863 ​ 2,300 ​ 2,756,443 ​ 2,758,743 CRE ​ 15,351 ​ — ​ — ​ 2,704 ​ 18,055 ​ 1,860,112 ​ 1,878,167 ADC ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 156,296 ​ 156,296 Total real estate ​ 15,351 ​ — ​ 481 ​ 5,425 ​ 21,257 ​ 4,956,938 ​ 4,978,195 C&I ​ — ​ 917 ​ 2,848 ​ 12,502 ​ 16,267 ​ 625,266 ​ 641,533 Other ​ ​ 8 ​ ​ 1 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1 ​ ​ 10 ​ ​ 2,306 ​ ​ 2,316 Total ​ $ 15,359 ​ $ 918 ​ $ 3,329 ​ $ 17,928 ​ $ 37,534 ​ $ 5,584,510 ​ $ 5,622,044 ​ Accruing Loans 90 Days or More Past Due: ​ The Company continued accruing interest on loans with an outstanding balance of $ 3.0 million at December 31, 2021, and loans with an outstanding balance of $ 3.3 million at December 31, 2020, all of which were 90 days or more past due. These loans were either well secured, awaiting a forbearance extension or formal payment deferral, or will likely be forgiven through the PPP or repurchased by the SBA, and, therefore, remained on accrual status and were deemed performing assets at the dates indicated above. Collateral Dependent Loans: ​ At December 31, 2021, the Company had collateral dependent loans which were individually evaluated to determine expected credit losses. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ Real Estate ​ Associated Allowance (In thousands) ​ Collateral Dependent ​ for Credit Losses CRE ​ $ 3,837 ​ $ 600 C&I ​ ​ 348 ​ ​ - Total ​ $ 4,185 ​ $ 600 ​ Related Party Loans Certain directors, executive officers, and their related parties, including their immediate families and companies in which they are principal owners, were loan customers of the Bank during 2021. The following table sets forth selected information about related party loans for the year ended December 31, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended ​ ​ December 31, (In thousands) 2021 Beginning balance ​ $ 1,700 Acquired in Merger ​ ​ 4,217 New loans ​ ​ 1,243 Effect of changes in composition of related parties ​ ​ ( 239 ) Repayments ​ ​ ( 692 ) Balance at end of period ​ $ 6,229 ​ TDRs As of December 31, 2021, the Company had TDRs totaling $ 942 thousand. The Company has allocated $ 483 thousand of allowance for those loans at December 31, 2021, with no commitments to lend additional amounts. There were no outstanding TDRs at December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, TDR modifications included reduction of outstanding principal, extensions of maturity dates, or favorable interest rates and loan terms than the prevailing market interest rates and loan terms. ​ 69 Table of Contents During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company modified one CRE loan as a TDR, which subsequently paid off during the year. ​ The following table presents the loans by category modified as TDRs that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Modifications During the Year Ended December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pre- ​ ​ Post- ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Modification ​ ​ Modification ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Outstanding ​ ​ Outstanding ​ ​ Number of ​ ​ Recorded ​ ​ Recorded (Dollars in thousands) ​ Loans ​ ​ Investment ​ ​ Investment One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment ​ 2 ​ $ 467 ​ $ 467 CRE ​ 1 ​ ​ 10,000 ​ ​ - C&I ​ 1 ​ ​ 456 ​ ​ 456 Total ​ 4 ​ $ 10,923 ​ $ 923 ​ There were no loans modified in a manner that met the criteria of a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Bank had no loan commitments to borrowers with outstanding TDRs. There were no TDR charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2021. TDRs did not have a material impact to the allowance for credit losses. There were no TDRs that subsequently defaulted. ​ Loan payment deferrals due to COVID-19 Consistent with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company established a formal payment deferral program in April 2020 for borrowers that had been adversely affected by the pandemic. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had seven loans, representing outstanding loan balances of $ 5.7 million, that were deferring full principal and interest (“P&I” deferrals). The table below presents the full P&I deferrals as of December 31, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ Number ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ of Loans Balance % of Portfolio ​ (Dollars in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-four family residential and cooperative/condominium apartment 5 ​ $ 1,922 ​ 0.3 % CRE 1 ​ 3,487 ​ 0.1 ​ C&I ​ 1 ​ ​ 251 ​ - ​ Total 7 ​ $ 5,660 ​ 0.1 % ​ Pursuant to guidance under Section 4013 of the CARES Act, a qualified loan modification, such as a payment deferral, is exempt from classification as a TDR as defined by GAAP. This applies if the loan was current as of December 31, 2019 and the modifications are related to arrangements that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate of the loan. This guidance was expected to expire on December 31, 2020. The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law December of 2020, extended the exemption for TDR classification. This provision expired on January 1, 2022 and, therefore, the Company will not have additional loans modified under this exemption going forward. Risk-ratings on COVID-19 loan deferrals are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Credit Quality Indicators The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit structure, loan documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying them as to credit risk. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings: ​ 70 Table of Contents Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Bank’s credit position at some future date. Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of then existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The following is a summary of the credit risk profile of loans by internally assigned grade as of the periods indicated, the years represent the year of origination for non-revolving loans: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 (In thousands) ​ 2021 ​ 2020 ​ 2019 ​ 2018 ​ 2017 ​ 2016 and Prior ​ Revolving ​ Revolving-Term ​ Total One-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass ​ $ 129,679 ​ $ 86,028 ​ $ 80,195 ​ $ 75,354 ​ $ 77,829 ​ $ 129,276 ​ $ 49,878 ​ $ 12,537 ​ $ 640,776 Special mention ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,124 ​ ​ 335 ​ ​ 752 ​ ​ 334 ​ ​ 2,158 ​ ​ 846 ​ ​ 747 ​ ​ 6,296 Substandard ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,944 ​ ​ 2,038 ​ ​ 597 ​ ​ 2,202 ​ ​ 14,512 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 894 ​ ​ 22,187 Doubtful ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 23 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 23 Total one-to-four family residential, and condominium/cooperative apartment ​ ​ 129,679 ​ ​ 89,096 ​ ​ 82,568 ​ ​ 76,726 ​ ​ 80,365 ​ ​ 145,946 ​ ​ 50,724 ​ ​ 14,178 ​ ​ 669,282 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass ​ ​ 590,462 ​ ​ 341,206 ​ ​ 455,277 ​ ​ 151,226 ​ ​ 332,749 ​ ​ 1,145,609 ​ ​ 12,277 ​ ​ 825 ​ ​ 3,029,631 Special mention ​ ​ — ​ ​ 11,040 ​ ​ 14,486 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 11,817 ​ ​ 26,252 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 63,595 Substandard ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,501 ​ ​ 35,326 ​ ​ 32,390 ​ ​ 54,238 ​ ​ 137,387 ​ ​ 2,278 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 263,120 Doubtful ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Total multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ ​ 590,462 ​ ​ 353,747 ​ ​ 505,089 ​ ​ 183,616 ​ ​ 398,804 ​ ​ 1,309,248 ​ ​ 14,555 ​ ​ 825 ​ ​ 3,356,346 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CRE: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass ​ ​ 872,049 ​ ​ 848,694 ​ ​ 529,182 ​ ​ 306,360 ​ ​ 298,904 ​ ​ 815,238 ​ ​ 43,183 ​ ​ 6,188 ​ ​ 3,719,798 Special mention ​ ​ 6,003 ​ ​ 1,024 ​ ​ 39,305 ​ ​ 18,983 ​ ​ 11,039 ​ ​ 17,438 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 93,792 Substandard ​ ​ 4,431 ​ ​ 1,732 ​ ​ 7,082 ​ ​ 45,496 ​ ​ 31,747 ​ ​ 41,763 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 132,251 Doubtful ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 106 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 106 Total CRE ​ ​ 882,483 ​ ​ 851,450 ​ ​ 575,675 ​ ​ 370,839 ​ ​ 341,690 ​ ​ 874,439 ​ ​ 43,183 ​ ​ 6,188 ​ ​ 3,945,947 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ADC: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass ​ ​ 142,123 ​ ​ 76,259 ​ ​ 56,885 ​ ​ 23,456 ​ ​ 6,809 ​ ​ 774 ​ ​ 1,066 ​ ​ 588 ​ ​ 307,960 Special mention ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,078 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,078 Substandard ​ ​ — ​ ​ 90 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 13,500 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 13,590 Doubtful ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Total ADC ​ ​ 142,123 ​ ​ 77,427 ​ ​ 56,885 ​ ​ 36,956 ​ ​ 6,809 ​ ​ 774 ​ ​ 1,066 ​ ​ 588 ​ ​ 322,628 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ C&I: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass ​ ​ 93,802 ​ ​ 121,291 ​ ​ 53,116 ​ ​ 49,634 ​ ​ 36,238 ​ ​ 23,615 ​ ​ 446,134 ​ ​ 9,764 ​ ​ 833,594 Special mention ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,625 ​ ​ 239 ​ ​ 2,191 ​ ​ 585 ​ ​ 52 ​ ​ 3,225 ​ ​ 1,286 ​ ​ 9,203 Substandard ​ ​ 402 ​ ​ 5,744 ​ ​ 5,789 ​ ​ 6,011 ​ ​ 2,832 ​ ​ 2,844 ​ ​ 28,545 ​ ​ 13,597 ​ ​ 65,764 Doubtful ​ ​ 550 ​ ​ 1,621 ​ ​ 9,968 ​ ​ 752 ​ ​ 11,107 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,000 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 24,998 Total C&I ​ ​ 94,754 ​ ​ 130,281 ​ ​ 69,112 ​ ​ 58,588 ​ ​ 50,762 ​ ​ 26,511 ​ ​ 478,904 ​ ​ 24,647 ​ ​ 933,559 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pass ​ ​ 1,828,115 ​ ​ 1,473,478 ​ ​ 1,174,655 ​ ​ 606,030 ​ ​ 752,529 ​ ​ 2,114,512 ​ ​ 552,538 ​ ​ 29,902 ​ ​ 8,531,759 Special mention ​ ​ 6,003 ​ ​ 15,891 ​ ​ 54,365 ​ ​ 21,926 ​ ​ 23,775 ​ ​ 45,900 ​ ​ 4,071 ​ ​ 2,033 ​ ​ 173,964 Substandard ​ ​ 4,833 ​ ​ 11,011 ​ ​ 50,235 ​ ​ 97,994 ​ ​ 91,019 ​ ​ 196,506 ​ ​ 30,823 ​ ​ 14,491 ​ ​ 496,912 Doubtful ​ ​ 550 ​ ​ 1,621 ​ ​ 10,074 ​ ​ 775 ​ ​ 11,107 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,000 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 25,127 Total Loans ​ $ 1,839,501 ​ $ 1,502,001 ​ $ 1,289,329 ​ $ 726,725 ​ $ 878,430 ​ $ 2,356,918 ​ $ 588,432 ​ $ 46,426 ​ $ 9,227,762 ​ 71 Table of Contents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Special ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Pass Mention Substandard Doubtful Total Real Estate: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ One-to-four family residential and condominium/cooperative apartment ​ $ 183,293 ​ $ — ​ $ 1,696 ​ $ — ​ $ 184,989 Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use ​ 2,523,258 ​ 56,400 ​ 179,085 ​ — ​ 2,758,743 CRE ​ 1,831,712 ​ 13,861 ​ 32,594 ​ — ​ 1,878,167 ADC ​ 142,796 ​ 13,500 ​ — ​ — ​ 156,296 Total real estate ​ 4,681,059 ​ 83,761 ​ 213,375 ​ — ​ 4,978,195 C&I ​ 613,691 ​ 2,131 ​ 13,315 ​ 12,396 ​ 641,533 Total Real Estate and C&I ​ $ 5,294,750 ​ $ 85,892 ​ $ 226,690 ​ $ 12,396 ​ $ 5,619,728 ​ For other loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on payment activity. Other loans that are 90 days or more past due are placed on non-accrual status, while all remaining other loans are classified and evaluated as performing. The following is a summary of the credit risk profile of other loans by internally assigned grade: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Performing ​ $ 16,533 ​ $ 2,315 Non-accrual ​ 365 ​ 1 Total ​ $ 16,898 ​ $ 2,316 ​ ​ ​ 6. LOAN SERVICING ACTIVITIES The Bank services real estate and C&I loans for others having principal balances outstanding of approximately $ 471.9 million and $ 377.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting loan payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors, paying taxes and insurance and processing foreclosure. In connection with loans serviced for others, the Bank held borrowers’ escrow balances of $ 2.9 million and $ 3.9 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. There are no restrictions on the Company’s consolidated assets or liabilities related to loans sold with servicing rights retained. Upon sale of these loans, the Company recorded an SRA in other assets, and has elected to account for the SRA under the "amortization method" prescribed under GAAP. The activity for SRAs for the periods indicated are as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Servicing right assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Beginning of year ​ $ 1,710 ​ $ 1,459 ​ $ 1,315 Acquired in the Merger ​ ​ 2,070 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Additions ​ 885 ​ 703 ​ 509 Amortized to expense ​ ​ ( 809 ) ​ ​ ( 452 ) ​ ​ ( 365 ) End of year ​ ​ 3,856 ​ ​ 1,710 ​ ​ 1,459 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Valuation allowance: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Beginning of year ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Additions expensed ​ ( 80 ) ​ — ​ — End of year ​ ​ ( 80 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Servicing right assets, net ​ $ 3,776 ​ $ 1,710 ​ $ 1,459 ​ The fair value of SRAs was $ 3.9 million and $ 1.7 million, at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The fair value at December 31, 2021 was determined using discount rates ranging from 7.8 % to 12.0 %, prepayment speeds ranging from 5 % to 38 %, depending on the stratification of the specific servicing right, and a weighted average default rate of 1.24 %. The fair value at December 31, 2020 was determined using discount rates ranging from 4.0 % to 17.0 %, prepayment speeds ranging from 5 % to 20 %, depending on the stratification of the specific servicing right, and a weighted average default rate of 1.30 %. ​ 72 Table of Contents 7. PREMISES AND FIXED ASSETS, NET AND PREMISES HELD FOR SALE Premises and Fixed Assets, Net ​ As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $ 37.9 million of premises and fixed assets, net on the Merger Date. ​ The following is a summary of premises and fixed assets, net: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 Land ​ $ 10,824 ​ $ 1,600 Buildings ​ 21,323 ​ 10,265 Leasehold improvements ​ 26,120 ​ 23,445 Furniture, fixtures and equipment ​ 25,110 ​ 20,945 Premises and fixed assets, gross ​ $ 83,377 ​ $ 56,255 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization ​ ( 33,009 ) ​ ( 37,202 ) Premises and fixed assets, net ​ $ 50,368 ​ $ 19,053 ​ Depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $ 6.5 million, $ 4.1 million and $ 4.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Premises Held for Sale ​ The aggregate recorded balance of the Company’s premises held for sale was $ 556 thousand at December 31, 2021. There were no premises held for sale as of December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company transferred two real estate properties utilized as retail branches to premises held for sale totaling $ 2.8 million. ​ During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold one real estate property utilized as a retail branch totaling $ 2.2 million and recorded a gain of $ 550 thousand in Gain on sale of securities and other assets in the consolidated financial statements. There were no sales of premises held for sale during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. ​ 8. LEASES As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $ 45.6 million of operating lease assets and $ 45.3 million of operating lease liabilities on the Merger Date ​ During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company elected to terminate one if its corporate headquarters office space leases, which resulted in a decrease to the Company’s operating lease liabilities of $ 11.6 million, and an early termination fee of $ 12.0 million. The early termination fee is reported in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income. ​ During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company elected to terminate three leases in connection with the combination of three branches into other locations, which resulted in a decrease to the Company’s operating lease liabilities of $ 3.7 million, and an early termination fee of $ 4.0 million. The early termination fee is reported in branch restructuring costs in the consolidated statements of income. ​ Maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2021 are as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Rent to be (In thousands) Capitalized 2022 $ 11,934 2023 ​ 10,694 2024 ​ 10,587 2025 ​ 10,352 2026 ​ 9,631 Thereafter ​ 17,306 Total undiscounted lease payments ​ 70,504 Less amounts representing interest ​ ( 4,401 ) Operating lease liabilities ​ $ 66,103 ​ 73 Table of Contents Other information related to our operating leases was as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended ​ ​ December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Operating lease cost ​ $ 14,341 ​ $ 6,522 $ 6,588 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 13,975 ​ ​ 7,030 6,907 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, ​ 2021 Weighted average remaining lease term 6.6 years Weighted average discount rate 1.79 % ​ ​ ​ 9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill ​ At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill was $ 155.8 million and $ 55.6 million, respectively. ​ The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of every year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstance indicate the asset might be impaired. It was determined during the annual impairment testing that no impairment was needed for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 as the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit was determined to exceed the carrying amount of the reporting unit. ​ The following table presents the change in Goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ ​ 2021 ​ 2020 ​ 2019 Beginning of year ​ $ 55,638 ​ $ 55,638 ​ $ 55,638 Acquired goodwill 1 ​ ​ 100,159 ​ ​ - ​ ​ - Impairment ​ - ​ ​ - ​ ​ - End of year ​ $ 155,797 ​ $ 55,638 ​ $ 55,638 (1) See Note 2. Merger for additional information regarding the acquired goodwill Other Intangible Assets ​ As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $ 10.2 million of core deposit intangible assets and a $ 780 thousand non-compete agreement intangible asset on the Merger Date. ​ The following table presents the carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets that are amortizable and arose from the Merger. There were no intangible assets at December 31, 2020. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ Core Deposit ​ ​ Non-complete ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ ​ Intangibles ​ Agreement ​ Total Gross carrying value ​ $ 10,204 ​ $ 780 ​ $ 10,984 Accumulated amortization ​ ( 1,962 ) ​ ​ ( 660 ) ​ ​ ( 2,622 ) Net carrying amount ​ $ 8,242 ​ $ 120 ​ $ 8,362 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $ 2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. There was no amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. ​ 74 Table of Contents Estimated amortization expense for 2022 through 2025 and thereafter is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ ​ Total 2022 ​ $ 1,878 2023 ​ ​ 1,425 2024 ​ ​ 1,163 2025 ​ ​ 958 Thereafter ​ ​ 2,938 Total ​ $ 8,362 ​ ​ 10. RESTRICTED STOCK The following is a summary of restricted stock: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 FHLBNY capital stock ​ $ 12,819 ​ $ 60,707 FRB capital stock ​ 24,748 ​ — Bankers' Bank capital stock ​ 165 ​ — Restricted stock ​ $ 37,732 ​ $ 60,707 ​ FHLBNY Capital Stock The Bank is a member of the FHLBNY. Membership requires the purchase of shares of FHLBNY capital stock at $ 100 per share. Members are required to own a particular amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors. As a result of the Merger, the Bank acquired $ 13.9 million of FHLBNY capital stock on the Merger Date. The Bank decreased its outstanding FHLBNY advances by $ 1.18 billion during the year ended December 31, 2021, resulting in a reduction of required FHLBNY stock. The Bank owned 128,184 shares and 607,074 shares at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Bank recorded dividend income on the FHLBNY capital stock of $ 1.9 million, $ 3.0 million and $ 3.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. ​ FRB Capital Stock The Bank is a member of the FRB. Membership requires the purchase of shares of FRB capital stock at $ 50 per share. As a result of the Merger, the Bank acquired $ 9.3 million of FRB capital stock on the Merger Date. The Bank owned 494,965 shares at December 31, 2021 and no shares at December 31, 2020. The Bank recorded dividend income on the FRB capital stock of $ 442 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2021 and no dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. ​ Bankers’ Bank Capital Stock The Bank has a relationship with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank. The relationship requires the purchase of shares of ACBB capital stock between $ 2,500 and $ 3,250 per share. As a result of the Merger, the Bank acquired $ 165 thousand of ACBB capital stock on the Merger Date. The Bank owned 60 shares at December 31, 2021 and no shares at December 31, 2020. The Bank recorded dividend income on the ACBB capital stock of $ 1 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2021 and no dividend income during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. ​ 11. DEPOSITS Deposits are summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Average ​ ​ ​ ​ Average ​ ​ ​ (Dollars in thousands) Rate Liability Rate Liability Savings 0.03 % $ 1,158,040 0.12 % $ 414,809 Certificates of deposit ("CDs") 0.58 ​ 853,242 0.84 ​ 1,322,638 Money market 0.07 ​ 3,621,552 0.24 ​ 1,716,624 Interest-bearing checking 0.18 ​ 905,717 0.10 ​ 290,300 Non-interest-bearing checking — ​ 3,920,423 — ​ 780,751 Total 0.09 % $ 10,458,974 0.36 % $ 4,525,122 ​ 75 Table of Contents As a result of the Merger, the Company acquired $ 5.41 billion of deposits on the Merger Date. ​ The following table presents a summary of scheduled maturities of CDs outstanding at December 31, 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Maturing ​ Weighted Average (Dollars in thousands) Balance Interest Rate 2022 $ 701,259 ​ 0.51 % 2023 ​ 98,015 ​ 0.87 ​ 2024 ​ 27,402 ​ 1.20 ​ 2025 ​ 15,078 ​ 1.12 ​ 2026 ​ 9,110 ​ 0.52 ​ 2027 and beyond ​ 2,378 ​ 0.67 ​ Total ​ $ 853,242 ​ 0.58 % ​ CDs that met or exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit of $250 thousand were $ 200.1 million and $ 279.0 million December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. ​ 12. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s loan portfolio. The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The Company engages in both cash flow hedges and freestanding derivatives. Cash Flow Hedges Cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The Company uses these types of derivatives to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing or forecasted issuances of short-term borrowings. For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $ 57 thousand will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company terminated 34 derivatives with notional values totaling $ 785.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $ 16.5 million which was recognized in loss on termination of derivatives in non-interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company terminated two derivatives with notional values totaling $ 30.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $ 175 thousand, which was expected to be recognized in interest expense over the remaining term of the original derivative. Due to the terminations during the year ended December 31, 2021, the remaining termination value was recognized as part of the loss on terminations during the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company terminated six derivatives with notional values totaling $ 95.0 million, resulting in a termination value of $ 6.6 million, which was recognized as losses on termination of derivatives within non-interest income. ​ ​ 76 Table of Contents The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated statements of financial condition as of the periods indicated. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ Fair Value ​ Fair Value ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ Fair Value ​ Fair Value (Dollars in thousands) Count Amount Assets Liabilities Count Amount Assets Liabilities Included in derivative assets/(liabilities): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances 4 ​ $ 150,000 ​ $ 4,358 ​ $ — — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — Interest rate swaps related to FHLBNY advances — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — 32 ​ $ 655,000 ​ $ — ​ $ ( 18,442 ) ​ The table below presents the effect of the cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 2020 2019 Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income ​ $ 5,277 ​ $ ( 24,449 ) ​ $ ( 8,254 ) Gain recognized on termination of derivatives ​ ​ 16,505 ​ ​ 6,596 ​ ​ — (Loss) gain reclassified from other comprehensive income into interest expense ​ ( 940 ) ​ ( 6,127 ) ​ 955 ​ All cash flow hedges are recorded gross on the balance sheet. ​ The cash flow hedges involve derivative agreements with third-party counterparties that contain provisions requiring the Bank to post cash collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank did not post collateral to the third-party counterparties. As of December 31, 2020, posted collateral to the other third-party counterparties was $ 5.4 million. Freestanding Derivatives The Company maintains an interest-rate risk protection program for its loan portfolio in order to offer loan level derivatives with certain borrowers and to generate loan level derivative income. The Company enters into interest rate swap or interest rate floor agreements with borrowers. These interest rate derivatives are designed such that the borrower synthetically attains a fixed-rate loan, while the Company receives floating rate loan payments. The Company offsets the loan level interest rate swap exposure by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap or interest rate floor with an unaffiliated and reputable bank counterparty. These interest rate derivatives do not qualify as designated hedges, under ASU 815; therefore, each interest rate derivative is accounted for as a freestanding derivative. The notional amounts of the interest rate derivatives do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate derivative agreements. The following tables reflect freestanding derivatives included in the consolidated statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ Fair Value ​ Fair Value (In thousands) Count Amount Assets Liabilities Included in derivative assets/(liabilities): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower 111 ​ $ 604,529 ​ $ 28,291 ​ $ — Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower 74 ​ 620,459 ​ — ​ ( 11,865 ) Loan level interest rate floors with borrower ​ 45 ​ ​ 392,764 ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 5,644 ) Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties 111 ​ 604,529 ​ — ​ ( 28,291 ) Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties ​ 74 ​ ​ 620,459 ​ ​ 11,865 ​ ​ — Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties 45 ​ 392,764 ​ 5,644 ​ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ Fair Value ​ Fair Value (In thousands) Count Amount Assets Liabilities Included in derivative assets/(liabilities): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Loan level interest rate swaps with borrower 65 ​ $ 570,277 ​ $ 24,764 ​ $ — Loan level interest rate floors with borrower 41 ​ 364,643 ​ — ​ ( 5,832 ) Loan level interest rate swaps with third-party counterparties 65 ​ 570,277 ​ — ​ ( 24,764 ) Loan level interest rate floors with third-party counterparties 41 ​ 364,643 ​ 5,832 ​ — ​ ​ 77 Table of Contents Loan level derivative income is recognized on the mark-to-market of the interest rate swap as a fair value adjustment at the time the transaction is closed. Total loan level derivative income is included in non-interest income as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 ​ 2019 Loan level derivative income ​ $ 2,909 ​ $ 8,872 ​ $ 910 ​ The interest rate swap product with the borrower is cross collateralized with the underlying loan and, therefore, there is no posted collateral. Certain interest rate swap agreements with third-party counterparties contain provisions that require the Company to post collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount. As of December 31, 2021, posted collateral was $ 14.0 million. Credit Risk Related Contingent Features The Company’s agreements with each of its derivative counterparties state that if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations and could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty. The Company’s agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties state that if the Bank fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution, the Bank could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty. As of December 31, 2021, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $ 16.5 million for those related to loan level derivatives. If the Company had breached any of the above provisions at December 31, 2021, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value with the respective counterparty. There were no provisions breached for the year ended December 31, 2021. 13. FHLBNY ADVANCES The Bank had borrowings from the FHLBNY (“Advances”) totaling $ 25.0 million and $ 1.20 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, all of which were fixed rate. The average interest rate on outstanding FHLBNY Advances was 0.35 % and 0.53 % at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In accordance with its Advances, Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement with the FHLBNY, the Bank was eligible to borrow up to $ 4.19 billion as of December 31, 2021 and $ 2.11 billion as of December 31, 2020, and maintained sufficient qualifying collateral, as defined by the FHLBNY. Certain FHLBNY Advances may contain call features that may be exercised by the FHLBNY. At December 31, 2021 there were no callable Advances. During the years ended December 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company’s prepayment penalty expense was recognized as a loss on extinguishment of debt. The following table is a summary of FHLBNY extinguishments for the periods presented: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ (Dollars in thousands) ​ ​ 2021 ​ 2020 ​ 2019 ​ FHLBNY advances extinguished ​ $ 209,010 ​ $ 70,750 ​ $ 313,900 ​ Weighted average rate ​ ​ 1.31 % ​ 1.15 % ​ 2.35 % Loss on extinguishment of debt ​ $ 1,751 ​ $ 1,104 ​ $ 3,780 ​ ​ 78 Table of Contents The following tables present the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of FHLBNY advances for each of the next five years. There were no FHLBNY advances with an overnight contractual maturity at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There are no FHLBNY advances with contractual maturities after 2022 at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 (Dollars in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted Contractual Maturity Amount Average Rate 2022, fixed rate at 0.35 % ​ $ 25,000 0.35 % Total FHLBNY advances ​ $ 25,000 0.35 % ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted Contractual Maturity Amount Average Rate 2021, fixed rate at rates from 0.24 % to 2.09 % ​ $ 1,144,010 0.52 % 2022, fixed rate at rates from 0.33 % to 1.79 % ​ ​ 60,000 ​ 0.60 ​ Total FHLBNY advances ​ $ 1,204,010 0.53 % ​ ​ ​ 14. SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed $ 115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 4.50 % Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debentures due 2027 of Legacy Dime on the Merger Date. During the year ended December 31, 2017, Legacy Dime issued $ 115.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due June 2027, which become callable commencing on June 15, 2022. The notes will mature on June 15, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). From and including June 13, 2017 until but excluding June 15, 2022, interest will be paid semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15 at a fixed annual interest rate equal to 4.50 %. From and including June 15, 2022 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate shall reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 266 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. Debt issuance cost directly associated with subordinated debt offering was capitalized and netted with subordinated notes payable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. In September 2015, the Company issued $ 80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debentures. $ 40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after five years , have a stated maturity of September 30, 2025 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.25 % per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2020. From and including September 30, 2020 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 360 basis points. The remaining $ 40.0 million of the subordinated debentures are callable at par after ten years , have a stated maturity of September 30, 2030 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.75 % per year, from and including September 21, 2015 until but excluding September 30, 2025. From and including September 30, 2025 to the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 345 basis points. The subordinated debentures totaled $ 197.1 million at December 31, 2021 and $ 114.1 million at December 31, 2020. Interest expense related to the subordinated debt was $ 8.5 million, $ 5.3 million and $ 5.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The subordinated debentures are included in tier 2 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under current regulatory guidelines and interpretations. ​ 15. OTHER SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS The following is a summary of other short-term borrowings: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Repurchase agreements ​ $ 1,862 ​ $ — AFX ​ — ​ 120,000 Other short-term borrowings ​ $ 1,862 ​ $ 120,000 ​ Repurchase Agreements The Bank utilizes securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) as part of its borrowing policy to add liquidity. Repurchase agreements represent funds received from customers, generally on an overnight basis, which are 79 Table of Contents collateralized by investment securities, of which 100 % were pass-through MBS issued by GSEs with a carrying amount of $ 3.8 million at December 31, 2021. Repurchase agreements are financing arrangements with $ 1.9 million maturing during the first quarter of 2022. At maturity, the securities underlying the agreements are returned to the Bank. The primary risk associated with these secured borrowings is the requirement to pledge a market value-based balance of collateral in excess of the borrowed amount. The excess collateral pledged represents an unsecured exposure to the lending counterparty. As the market value of the collateral changes, both through changes in discount rates and spreads as well as related cash flows, additional collateral may need to be pledged. In accordance with the Bank’s policies, eligible counterparties are defined and monitored to minimize exposure. Interest expense on repurchase agreements for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $ 3 thousand. There was no interest expense on repurchase agreements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. AFX The Bank is a member of AFX, through which it may either borrow or lend funds on an overnight or short-term basis with other member institutions. The availability of funds changes daily. Interest expense on AFX borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $ 1 thousand, $ 45 thousand, and $ 226 thousand, respectively. ​ 16. INCOME TAXES The Company’s consolidated Federal, State and City income tax provisions were comprised of the following: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, 2021 ​ Year Ended December 31, 2020 ​ Year Ended December 31, 2019 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ State ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ State ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ State ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Federal and City Total Federal and City Total Federal and City Total Current ​ $ 23,759 ​ $ 11,815 ​ $ 35,574 ​ $ 13,107 ​ $ 1,524 ​ $ 14,631 ​ $ 10,129 ​ $ 2,930 ​ $ 13,059 Deferred ​ 5,490 ​ 3,106 ​ 8,596 ​ ( 1,181 ) ​ ( 784 ) ​ ( 1,965 ) ​ ( 1,437 ) ​ ( 946 ) ​ ( 2,383 ) Total ​ $ 29,249 ​ $ 14,921 ​ $ 44,170 ​ $ 11,926 ​ $ 740 ​ $ 12,666 ​ $ 8,692 ​ $ 1,984 ​ $ 10,676 ​ The preceding table excludes tax effects recorded directly to stockholders’ equity in connection with unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale (including losses on such securities upon their transfer to held-to-maturity), interest rate derivatives, and adjustments to other comprehensive income relating to the minimum pension liability, unrecognized gains of pension and other postretirement obligations and changes in the non-credit component of OTTI. These tax effects are disclosed as part of the presentation of the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. The provision for income taxes differed from that computed at the Federal statutory rate as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Tax at federal statutory rate ​ $ 31,115 ​ $ 11,546 ​ $ 9,841 ​ State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit ​ 11,601 ​ 567 ​ 1,567 ​ Benefit plan differences ​ ( 107 ) ​ ( 240 ) ​ ( 261 ) ​ Adjustments for prior period returns and tax items ​ ( 238 ) ​ 125 ​ 19 ​ Investment in BOLI ​ ( 1,485 ) ​ ( 1,020 ) ​ ( 594 ) ​ Equity based compensation ​ ( 301 ) ​ 96 ​ ( 33 ) ​ Salaries deduction limitation ​ 3,419 ​ 1,428 ​ 126 ​ Transaction costs ​ ​ 181 ​ ​ 256 ​ ​ — ​ Other, net ​ ( 15 ) ​ ( 92 ) ​ 11 ​ Total ​ $ 44,170 ​ $ 12,666 ​ $ 10,676 ​ Effective tax rate ​ 29.81 % 23.04 % 22.78 % ​ 80 Table of Contents The increase in the effective tax rate in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily the result of the loss of benefits from the Company’s REIT due to the increase in the Company’s total assets, and non-deductible expenses during 2021. ​ Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The components of Federal, State and City deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 Deferred tax assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ Allowance for credit losses and other contingent liabilities ​ $ 29,777 ​ $ 13,261 Employee benefit plans ​ — ​ 4,227 Tax effect of purchase accounting fair value adjustments ​ — ​ 287 Tax effect of other components of income on derivatives ​ — ​ 5,831 Tax effect of other components of income on securities available-for-sale ​ ​ 3,608 ​ ​ — Operating lease liability ​ 20,532 ​ 12,673 Other ​ 1,976 ​ 2 Total deferred tax assets ​ 55,893 ​ 36,281 Deferred tax liabilities: ​ ​ Tax effect of other components of income on derivatives ​ ​ 1,371 ​ ​ — Tax effect of other components of income on securities available-for-sale ​ — ​ 6,161 Employee benefit plans ​ ​ 2,803 ​ ​ — Tax effect of purchase accounting fair value adjustments ​ ​ 3,945 ​ ​ — Difference in book and tax carrying value of fixed assets ​ 3,950 ​ 906 Difference in book and tax basis of unearned loan fees ​ 2,413 ​ 2,490 Operating lease asset ​ 19,871 ​ 10,774 Other ​ 1,141 ​ 685 Total deferred tax liabilities ​ 35,494 ​ 21,016 Net deferred tax asset (recorded in other assets) ​ $ 20,399 ​ $ 15,265 ​ The Company and its subsidiary are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of the State, City of New York and the State of New Jersey. ​ Under generally accepted accounting principles, the Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. 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 enacted tax rates expected to be recovered or settled. ​ No valuation allowances were recognized on deferred tax assets during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020, since, at each period end, it was deemed more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would be fully realized. ​ In connection with the Merger, the Company acquired a federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The Company recorded a deferred tax asset that it expects to realize within the carryforward period. At December 31, 2021, the remaining federal NOL carryforward was $ 2.7 million. At December 31, 2021, the Company had New York State NOL carryforward of $ 1.6 million, and recorded a deferred tax asset that it expects to recover within the carryforward period. At December 31, 2021, the Company had New York City NOL carryforward of zero . The New York State NOLs at December 31, 2021 included NOLs acquired in connection with the Merger. ​ At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Bank had accumulated bad debt reserves totaling $ 15.1 million for which no provision for income tax was required to be recorded. These bad debt reserves could be subject to recapture into taxable income under certain circumstances, including a distribution of the bad debt benefits to the Holding Company or the failure of the Bank to qualify as a bank for federal income tax purposes. Should the reserves as of December 31, 2021 be fully recaptured, the Bank would recognize $ 4.8 million in additional income tax expense. The Company expects to take no action in the foreseeable future that would require the establishment of a tax liability associated with these bad debt reserves. ​ The Company is subject to regular examination by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which it conducts significant business operations. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional examinations in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from ongoing assessments. ​ Under current accounting rules, all tax positions adopted are subjected to two levels of evaluation. Initially, a determination is made, based on the technical merits of the position, as to whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. In conducting this evaluation, management is required to presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority possessing full knowledge of all 81 Table of Contents relevant information. The second level of evaluation is the measurement of a tax position that satisfies the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. This measurement is performed in order to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. The Company does not anticipate any material change to unrecognized tax benefits during the year ended December 31, 2022. ​ As of December 31, 2021, the tax years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, remained subject to examination by all of the Company's relevant tax jurisdictions. The Company is currently not under audit in any taxing jurisdictions. ​ 17. MERGER RELATED EXPENSES Merger-related expenses were recorded in the consolidated statements of income as a component of non-interest expense and include costs relating to the Merger, as described in Note 2. Merger. These charges represent one-time costs associated with merger activities and do not represent ongoing costs of the fully integrated combined organization. Accounting guidance requires that merger-related transactional and restructuring costs incurred by the Company be charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with employee severance and other merger-related compensation expense incurred in connection with the Merger totaled $ 15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs expense in the consolidated statements of income. Transaction costs (inclusive of costs to terminate leases) in connection with the Merger totaled $ 28.9 million and $ 4.7 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and were recorded in merger expenses and transaction costs in the consolidated statements of income. There were no costs associated with merger expenses and transaction costs for the year ended December 31, 2019. ​ 18. BRANCH RESTRUCTURING COSTS On June 29, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Bank planned to combine five branch locations into other existing branches. The combinations took place in October 2021. Costs associated with early lease terminations and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets totaled $ 5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and were recorded in branch restructuring costs in the consolidated statements of income. There were no branch restructuring costs for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. ​ 19. RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS The Bank maintains two noncontributory pension plans that existed before the Merger: (i) the Retirement Plan of Dime Community Bank (“Employee Retirement Plan”) and (ii) the BNB Bank Pension Plan, covering all eligible employees. Bank of America, N.A. (“BANA”) was the Trustee for the Employee Retirement Plan and BNB Bank Pension Plan assets as of December 31, 2021. Pentegra Retirement Trust was the trustee for the Employee Retirement Plan prior to the transfer to BANA during the year ended December 31, 2021. The assets of both plans are overseen by the Retirement Committee (“Committee”), comprised of management, who meet quarterly and set investment policy guidelines. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (MLPF&S) and Blackrock are the investment managers of the assets of both plans. The Committee meets with representatives of MLPF&S and reviews the performance of the plan assets. Pension plan assets include cash and cash equivalents, equities and fixed income securities. ​ Employee Retirement Plan The Bank sponsors the Employee Retirement Plan, a tax-qualified, noncontributory, defined-benefit retirement plan. Prior to April 1, 2000, substantially all full-time employees of at least 21 years of age were eligible for participation after one year of service. Effective April 1, 2000, the Bank froze all participant benefits under the Employee Retirement Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Bank used December 31 as its measurement date for the Employee Retirement Plan. 82 Table of Contents The funded status of the Employee Retirement Plan was as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation: ​ ​ Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year ​ $ 26,891 ​ $ 25,405 Interest cost ​ 562 ​ 732 Actuarial (gain) loss ​ ( 903 ) ​ 2,204 Benefit payments ​ ( 1,589 ) ​ ( 1,450 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year ​ 24,961 ​ 26,891 ​ ​ ​ Plan assets at fair value (investments in trust funds managed by trustee) ​ ​ Balance at beginning of year ​ 27,142 ​ 25,202 Return on plan assets ​ 3,140 ​ 3,390 Benefit payments ​ ( 1,589 ) ​ ( 1,450 ) Balance at end of year ​ 28,693 ​ 27,142 Funded status at end of year ​ $ 3,732 ​ $ 251 ​ The net periodic cost for the Employee Retirement Plan included the following components: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 2020 2019 Interest cost ​ $ 562 ​ $ 732 ​ $ 901 Expected return on plan assets ​ ( 1,846 ) ​ ( 1,713 ) ​ ( 1,528 ) Amortization of unrealized loss ​ 824 ​ 914 ​ 913 Net periodic benefit (credit) cost ​ $ ( 460 ) ​ $ ( 67 ) ​ $ 286 ​ The change in accumulated other comprehensive loss that resulted from the Employee Retirement Plan is summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 Balance at beginning of period ​ $ ( 7,119 ) ​ $ ( 7,506 ) Amortization of unrealized loss ​ 825 ​ 914 Gain (loss) recognized during the year ​ 2,197 ​ ( 527 ) Balance at the end of the period ​ $ ( 4,097 ) ​ $ ( 7,119 ) Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax ​ $ 2,808 ​ $ 4,858 ​ Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost of the Employee Retirement Plan benefit obligations were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ At or for the Year Ended December 31, ​ 2021 2020 2019 Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost 2.55 % 2.97 % 4.04 % Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at period end 2.55 2.15 2.97 ​ Expected long-term return on plan assets used for net periodic benefit cost 7.00 7.00 7.00 ​ Expected long-term return on plan assets used to determine benefit obligation at period end 7.00 7.00 7.00 ​ ​ Plan Assets The Employee Retirement Plan’s overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of approximately 97 % of investments for long ‐ term growth and 3 % for near‐term benefit payments with a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies, and fund managers. Cash equivalents consist primarily of short-term investment funds. Equity securities primarily include investments in common stock, mutual funds, depository receipts and exchange traded funds. Fixed income securities include corporate bonds, government issues, mortgage-backed securities, high yield securities and mutual funds. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return is estimated based on current trends in Employee Retirement Plan assets, as well as projected future rates of return on those assets and reasonable actuarial assumptions based on the guidance provided by Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 27 for the real and nominal rate of investment return for a specific mix of asset classes. The long-term rate of return considers historical returns for the S&P 500 index and corporate bonds representing cumulative returns of approximately 9.0 % and 5.0 %, respectively. These returns were considered along with the target allocations of asset categories. When these overall return expectations were applied to the Employee Retirement Plan’s target allocation, the expected annual rate of return was determined to be 7.00 % at both December 31, 2021 and 2020. 83 Table of Contents The Bank did not make any contributions to the Employee Retirement Plan during the year ended December 31, 2021. The Bank does not expect to make contributions to the Employee Retirement Plan during the year ending December 31, 2022. The weighted-average allocation by asset category of the assets of the Employee Retirement Plan was summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, ​ 2021 2020 Asset category ​ Equity securities 54 % 67 % Debt securities (bond mutual funds) 42 30 ​ Cash equivalents 4 3 ​ Total 100 % 100 % ​ The allocation percentages in the above table were consistent with future planned allocation percentages as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The following tables present a summary of the Employee Retirement Plan’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated. (See Note 24 for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements Using: ​ ​ Quoted ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prices in ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Active Markets for ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total Description: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ — ​ $ 1,001 ​ $ — ​ $ 1,001 Equities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. large cap ​ 8,579 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,579 U.S. mid cap/small cap ​ 2,896 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 2,896 International ​ 3,560 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 3,560 Equities blend ​ 479 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 479 Fixed income securities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Corporate ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,288 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,288 Government ​ ​ 1,406 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,406 Mortgage-backed ​ — ​ ​ 1,858 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,858 High yield bonds and bond funds ​ — ​ ​ 7,626 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 7,626 Total Plan Assets ​ $ 16,920 ​ $ 11,773 ​ $ — ​ $ 28,693 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2020 ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements Using: ​ ​ Quoted ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prices in ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Active Markets for ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total Description: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ 720 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 720 Mutual Funds (all registered and publicly traded) : ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. Large Cap ​ ​ 3,336 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 3,336 U.S. Mid Cap ​ 1,571 ​ — ​ — ​ 1,571 U.S. Small Cap ​ 618 ​ — ​ — ​ 618 International Equity ​ 4,678 ​ — ​ — ​ 4,678 Fixed income ​ 8,300 ​ — ​ — ​ 8,300 Common collective investment funds: ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. Large Cap ​ — ​ 5,564 ​ — ​ 5,564 U.S. Mid Cap ​ — ​ 742 ​ — ​ 742 U.S. Small Cap ​ — ​ 1,613 ​ — ​ 1,613 Total Plan Assets ​ $ 19,223 ​ $ 7,919 ​ $ — ​ $ 27,142 ​ 84 Table of Contents Benefit payments are anticipated to be made as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ Amount 2022 ​ $ 1,501 2023 ​ 1,490 2024 ​ 1,477 2025 ​ 1,412 2026 ​ 1,368 2027 to 2031 ​ 6,503 ​ BNB Bank Pension Plan During 2012, Bridge amended the BNB Bank Pension Plan by revising the formula for determining benefits effective January 1, 2013, except for certain grandfathered Bridge employees. Additionally, new Bridge employees hired on or after October 1, 2012 were not eligible for the BNB Bank Pension Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Bank used December 31 as its measurement date for the BNB Bank Pension Plan. The funded status of the BNB Bank Pension Plan was as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation: ​ Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year ​ $ — Acquired in the Merger ​ ​ 33,897 Service cost ​ 893 Interest cost ​ 609 Actuarial gain ​ ​ ( 304 ) Benefit payments ​ ( 600 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year ​ 34,495 ​ ​ Plan assets at fair value (investments in trust funds managed by trustee) ​ Balance at beginning of year ​ — Acquired in the Merger ​ ​ 43,685 Return on plan assets ​ 4,772 Benefit payments ​ ( 600 ) Balance at end of year ​ 47,857 Funded status at end of year ​ $ 13,362 ​ The net periodic cost for the BNB Bank Pension Plan included the following components: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 Service cost ​ $ 893 Interest cost ​ ​ 609 Expected return on plan assets ​ ( 2,883 ) Net periodic benefit credit ​ $ ( 1,381 ) ​ The change in accumulated other comprehensive income that resulted from the BNB Bank Pension Plan is summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 Balance at beginning of period ​ $ — Gain recognized during the year ​ 2,193 Balance at the end of the period ​ $ 2,193 Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax ​ $ ( 1,503 ) ​ 85 Table of Contents Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost of the BNB Bank Pension Plan benefit obligations were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ At or for the Year Ended December 31, ​ ​ 2021 Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost 2.69 % Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at period end 2.69 Expected long-term return on plan assets used for net periodic benefit cost 7.25 Expected long-term return on plan assets used to determine benefit obligation at period end 7.25 ​ Plan Assets The BNB Bank Pension Plan’s overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of approximately 97 % of investments for long ‐ term growth and 3 % for near‐term benefit payments with a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies, and fund managers. Cash equivalents consist primarily of short-term investment funds. Equity securities primarily include investments in common stock, mutual funds, depository receipts and exchange traded funds. Fixed income securities include corporate bonds, government issues, mortgage-backed securities, high yield securities and mutual funds. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return is estimated based on current trends in BNB Bank Pension Plan assets, as well as projected future rates of return on those assets and reasonable actuarial assumptions based on the guidance provided by Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 27 for the real and nominal rate of investment return for a specific mix of asset classes. The long-term rate of return considers historical returns for the S&P 500 index and corporate bonds representing cumulative returns of approximately 9.0 % and 5.0 %, respectively. These returns were considered along with the target allocations of asset categories. When these overall return expectations were applied to the BNB Bank Pension Plan’s target allocation, the expected annual rate of return was determined to be 7.25 % at December 31, 2021. The Bank did not make any contributions to the BNB Bank Pension Plan during the year ended December 31, 2021. The Bank does not expect to make contributions to the BNB Bank Pension Plan during the year ending December 31, 2022. The weighted-average allocation by asset category of the assets of the BNB Bank Pension Plan was summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, ​ ​ 2021 Asset category Equity securities 60 % Debt securities (bond mutual funds) 37 Cash equivalents 3 Total 100 % ​ 86 Table of Contents The following tables present a summary of the BNB Bank Pension Plan’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated. (See Note 24 for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements Using: ​ ​ Quoted ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prices in ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Active Markets for ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total Description: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ — ​ $ 1,581 ​ $ — ​ $ 1,581 Equities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ U.S. large cap ​ 13,623 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 13,623 U.S. mid cap/small cap ​ 5,669 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 5,669 International ​ 8,332 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,332 Equities blend ​ 900 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 900 Fixed income securities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Corporate ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,696 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,696 Government ​ ​ 1,700 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,700 Mortgage-backed ​ — ​ ​ 2,549 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 2,549 High yield bonds and bond funds ​ — ​ ​ 11,807 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 11,807 Total Plan Assets ​ $ 30,224 ​ $ 17,633 ​ $ — ​ $ 47,857 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Benefit payments are anticipated to be made as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ Amount 2022 ​ $ 1,119 2023 ​ 1,264 2024 ​ 1,274 2025 ​ 1,360 2026 ​ 1,563 2027 to 2031 ​ 9,153 ​ 401(k) Plan The Company maintains a 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) that existed before the Merger. The 401(k) Plan covers substantially all current employees. Legacy Dime employees that continued to be employed following the Merger Date, that met eligibility requirements, were automatically enrolled in the plan unless they elected not to participate. Newly hired employees are automatically enrolled in the plan on the first day of the month following the 60 th day of employment, unless they elect not to participate. Participants may contribute a portion of their pre-tax base salary, generally not to exceed $ 19,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021. Under the provisions of the 401(k) plan, employee contributions are partially matched by the Bank as follows: 100 % of each employee’s contributions up to 1 % of each employee’s compensation plus 50 % of each employee’s contributions over 1 % but not in excess of 6 % of each employee’s compensation for a maximum contribution of 3.5 % of a participating employee’s compensation. Participants can invest their account balances into several investment alternatives. The 401(k) plan does not allow for investment in the Company’s common stock. Legacy Dime employees were allowed to rollover Company common stock shares in-kind held in the former Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) and hold in the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) held Company common stock within the accounts of participants totaling $ 9.7 million at December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, total expense recognized as a component of salaries and employee benefits expense for the 401(k) Plan was $ 2.0 million. ​ Dime KSOP Plan The Dime Community Bank KSOP Plan (“Dime KSOP Plan”) was terminated by resolution of the Legacy Dime Board of Directors. The effective date of the Dime KSOP Plan termination was February 1, 2021, the date of the Merger. As such, all participants were required to transfer their assets out of the Dime KSOP Plan. The KSOP held Legacy Dime common stock within the accounts of participants totaling $ 40 thousand and $ 33.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020. During the years 87 Table of Contents ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, total expense recognized as a component of salaries and employee benefits expense for the Dime KSOP Plan was $ 0.3 million, $ 1.9 million and $ 1.9 million, respectively. ​ BMP and Outside Director Retirement Plan The Holding Company and Bank maintained the BMP, which existed in order to compensate executive officers for any curtailments in benefits due to statutory limitations on benefit plans. As of December 31, 2020, the BMP had investments, held in a rabbi trust, in the Common Stock of $ 2.2 million. Benefit accruals under the defined benefit portion of the BMP were suspended on April 1, 2000, when they were suspended under the Employee Retirement Plan. Effective July 1, 1996, the Company established the Outside Director Retirement Plan to provide benefits to each eligible outside director commencing upon the earlier of termination of Board service or at age 75 . The Outside Director Retirement Plan was frozen on March 31, 2005, and only outside directors serving prior to that date are eligible for benefits. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Bank used December 31 as its measurement date for both the BMP and Outside Director Retirement Plan. In connection with the Merger, the Outside Director Retirement Plan and the BMP were terminated, resulting in lump sum payments to the participants in the amounts of $ 2.8 million for the Outside Director Retirement Plan and $ 6.2 million for the BMP. The total expense recognized as a curtailment loss during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $ 1.5 million. The combined funded status of the defined benefit portions of the BMP and the Director Retirement Plan was as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation: ​ ​ Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year ​ $ 9,328 ​ $ 9,360 Interest cost ​ 12 ​ 234 Benefit payments ​ ( 9,063 ) ​ ( 771 ) Actuarial (gain) loss ​ ( 277 ) ​ 505 Projected benefit obligation at end of year ​ — ​ 9,328 Plan assets at fair value: ​ ​ Balance at beginning of year ​ — ​ — Contributions ​ 9,063 ​ 771 Benefit payments ​ ( 9,063 ) ​ ( 771 ) Balance at end of period ​ — ​ — Funded status at end of year ​ $ — ​ $ ( 9,328 ) ​ The combined net periodic cost for the defined benefit portions of the BMP and the Director Retirement Plan included the following components: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Interest cost ​ $ 12 ​ $ 234 ​ $ 351 Curtailment loss ​ ​ 1,543 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Amortization of unrealized loss ​ — ​ 179 ​ 59 Net periodic benefit cost ​ $ 1,555 ​ $ 413 ​ $ 410 ​ The combined change in accumulated other comprehensive loss that resulted from the BMP and Director Retirement Plan is summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 Balance at beginning of year ​ $ ( 1,820 ) ​ $ ( 1,494 ) Amortization of unrealized loss ​ — ​ 179 Gain (loss) recognized during the year ​ 277 ​ ( 505 ) Curtailment credit ​ ​ 1,543 ​ ​ — Balance at the end of year ​ $ — ​ $ ( 1,820 ) Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax ​ $ — ​ $ 1,228 ​ 88 Table of Contents Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost and benefit obligations for both the BMP and Director Retirement Plan were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ At or For the Year Ended December 31, ​ 2020 2019 Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost – BMP 2.60 % 3.80 % Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost – Director Retirement Plan 2.68 3.84 ​ Discount rate used to determine BMP benefit obligation at year end 1.55 2.60 ​ Discount rate used to determine Director Retirement Plan benefit obligation at year end 1.69 2.68 ​ ​ Postretirement Benefit Plan The Bank offered the Postretirement Benefit Plan to its retired employees who provided at least five consecutive years of credited service and were active employees prior to April 1, 1991. Postretirement Benefit Plan benefits were available only to full-time employees who commence or commenced collecting retirement benefits from the Retirement Plan immediately upon termination of service from the Bank. The Postretirement Benefit Plan was amended effective March 31, 2015 to eliminate plan participation for post-amendment retirees. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime approved the termination of the Postretirement Benefit Plan in anticipation of the Merger. As a result of the decision to terminate the plan, no additional benefits will be paid after January 31, 2021, and a curtailment gain of $ 1.6 million was recognized through net periodic cost during the year ended December 31, 2020. The funded status of the Postretirement Benefit Plan was as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 ​ 2020 Reconciliation of projected benefit obligation: ​ ​ Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year ​ $ 13 ​ $ 1,608 Interest cost ​ — ​ 42 Actuarial loss ​ — ​ 105 Curtailment gain ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 1,577 ) Benefit payments ​ ( 13 ) ​ ( 165 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year ​ — ​ 13 Plan assets at fair value: ​ ​ Balance at beginning of year ​ — ​ — Contributions ​ 13 ​ 165 Benefit payments ​ ( 13 ) ​ ( 165 ) Balance at end of period ​ — ​ — Funded status at end of year ​ $ — ​ $ ( 13 ) ​ The Postretirement Benefit Plan net periodic cost included the following components: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2020 2019 Interest cost ​ $ 42 ​ $ 56 Curtailment gain ​ ​ 1,651 ​ ​ — Amortization of unrealized loss ​ ( 9 ) ​ ( 20 ) Net periodic benefit cost ​ $ 1,684 ​ $ 36 ​ The change in accumulated other comprehensive loss that resulted from the Postretirement Benefit Plan is summarized as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2020 Balance at beginning of period ​ $ 188 Amortization of unrealized loss ​ ( 9 ) Recognition of prior service cost ​ ​ ( 74 ) Loss recognized during the year ​ ( 105 ) Balance at the end of the period ​ $ — Period end component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax ​ $ — ​ 89 Table of Contents Major assumptions utilized to determine the net periodic cost were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ At or For the Year Ended December 31, ​ 2020 2019 Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost 2.69 % 3.82 % Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at period end 0.29 2.69 ​ ​ ​ 20. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Before the Merger, Bridge and Legacy Dime granted share-based awards under their respective share-based compensation plans, (collectively, the “Legacy Stock Plans”), which are both subject to the accounting requirements of ASC 718. In May 2021, the Company’s shareholders approved the Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Incentive Plan”) to provide the Company with sufficient equity compensation to meet the objectives of appropriately incentivizing its officers, other employees, and directors to execute our strategic plan to build shareholder value, while providing appropriate shareholder protections. The Company no longer makes grants under the Legacy Stock Plans. Awards outstanding under the Legacy Stock Plans will continue to remain outstanding and subject to the terms and conditions of the Legacy Stock Plans. At December 31, 2021, there were 1,123,844 shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. In anticipation of the Merger, Legacy Dime accelerated and vested all unvested and outstanding share-based awards such that there were no outstanding awards as of December 31, 2020. In connection with the Merger, all outstanding stock options granted under Legacy Dime’s equity plans, were legally assumed by the combined company and adjusted so that its holder is entitled to receive a number of shares of Dime’s common stock equal to the product of (a) the number of shares of Legacy Dime common stock subject to such award multiplied by (b) the Exchange Ratio and (c) rounded, as applicable, to the nearest whole share, and otherwise subject to the same terms and conditions (including, without limitation, with respect to vesting conditions (taking into account any vesting that occurred at the Merger Date)). In connection with the Merger, all outstanding stock options and time-vesting restricted stock units of Bridge, which we refer to as the Bridge equity awards, which were outstanding immediately before the Merger Date continue to be awards in respect of Dime common stock following the Merger, subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to such awards before the Merger Date. ​ Stock Option Activity The following table presents a summary of activity related to stock options granted under the Legacy Stock Plans, and changes during the period then ended: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Average ​ Aggregate ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted- ​ Remaining ​ Intrinsic ​ ​ Number of ​ Average Exercise ​ Contractual ​ Value ​ Options Price Years (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Options outstanding at January 1, 2021 as adjusted for conversion ​ 18,685 ​ $ 23.23 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Options acquired ​ 180,020 ​ ​ 35.39 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Options exercised ​ ( 48,031 ) ​ 30.66 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Options forfeited ​ ( 29,421 ) ​ 35.38 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Options outstanding at December 31, 2021 121,253 ​ $ 35.39 7.2 ​ $ 14 Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2021 121,253 ​ $ 35.39 7.2 ​ $ 14 ​ Information related to stock options during each period is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 2020 2019 Cash received for option exercise cost ​ $ 431 ​ $ 38 ​ $ 367 Income tax (expense) benefit recognized on stock option exercises ​ ( 15 ) ​ — ​ 39 Intrinsic value of options exercised ​ 171 ​ 8 ​ 229 ​ 90 Table of Contents The range of exercise prices and weighted-average remaining contractual lives of both outstanding and vested options (by option exercise cost) as of December 31, 2021 were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Outstanding Options Vested Options ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ ​ ​ Average ​ ​ ​ Average ​ ​ ​ ​ Contractual ​ ​ ​ Contractual ​ ​ ​ ​ Years ​ ​ ​ Years ​ Amount Remaining Amount Remaining Exercise Prices: $ 34.87 46,799 8.1 46,799 8.1 $ 35.35 42,475 7.1 42,475 7.1 $ 36.19 31,979 6.1 31,979 6.1 Total 121,253 7.2 121,253 7.2 ​ Restricted Stock Awards The Company has made RSA grants to outside Directors and certain officers under the Legacy Stock Plans and the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. Typically, awards to outside Directors fully vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, while awards to officers vest over a pre-determined requisite period. All awards were made at the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense on all RSAs is based upon the fair value of the shares on the respective dates of the grant. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain RSAs to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. Total expense recognized as part of the acceleration was approximately $ 2.5 million. ​ The following table presents a summary of activity related to the RSAs granted, and changes during the period then ended: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ Average ​ ​ Number of ​ Grant-Date ​ Shares Fair Value ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unvested allocated shares outstanding at January 1, 2021 ​ — ​ $ — Shares acquired in the Merger ​ 101,778 ​ ​ 25.98 Shares granted 390,027 ​ 26.48 Shares vested ​ ( 9,838 ) ​ ​ 25.41 Shares forfeited ( 35,044 ) ​ 25.89 Unvested allocated shares at December 31, 2021 446,923 ​ $ 26.45 ​ Information related to RSAs during each period is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) ​ ​ 2021 ​ 2020 ​ 2019 Compensation expense recognized ​ $ 5,253 ​ $ 4,217 ​ $ 1,540 Income tax benefit (expense) recognized on vesting of RSAs ​ 27 ​ ( 211 ) ​ 11 ​ As of December 31, 2021, there was $ 6.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years. ​ Performance-Based Share Awards The Company maintains a LTIP for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each award, threshold ( 50 % of target), target ( 100 % of target) and stretch ( 150 % of target) opportunities are eligible to be earned over a three-year performance period based on the Company’s relative performance on certain goals that were established at the onset of the performance period and cannot be altered subsequently. Shares of common stock are issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. Shares are issued at the stretch opportunity in order to ensure that an adequate number of shares are allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period. Compensation expense on PSAs is based upon the fair value of the shares on the date of the grant for the expected aggregate share payout as of the period end. 91 Table of Contents During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain PSAs to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. Total expense recognized as part of the acceleration was approximately $ 1.7 million. There were no outstanding PSAs at December 31, 2020. This plan continued into 2021, and as of December 31, 2021, 38,948 shares have been granted. The following table presents a summary of activity related to the PSAs granted, and changes during the period then ended: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted- ​ ​ ​ ​ Average ​ ​ Number of ​ Grant-Date ​ Shares Fair Value Maximum aggregate share payout at January 1, 2021 ​ — ​ $ — Shares granted 38,948 ​ 31.40 Maximum aggregate share payout at December 31, 2021 38,948 ​ $ 31.40 Minimum aggregate share payout — ​ ​ — Expected aggregate share payout 29,951 ​ $ 30.72 ​ Information related to PSAs during each period is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) ​ 2021 2020 2019 Compensation expense recognized ​ $ 154 ​ $ 2,279 ​ $ 132 Income tax benefit recognized on vesting of PSAs ​ — ​ 60 ​ — ​ As of December 31, 2021, there was $ 765 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested PSAs based on the expected aggregate share payout to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years. ​ Sales Incentive Awards Legacy Dime maintained a sales incentive award program for certain officers, which meets the criteria for equity-based accounting. For each quarter an individual earned their shares based on their sales performance in that quarter. The shares then vested one year from the quarter in which they are earned. Shares of common stock were issued on the grant date and held as unvested stock awards until the end of the performance period. They were issued at the maximum opportunity in order to ensure that an adequate number of shares were allocated for shares expected to vest at the end of the performance period. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Legacy Dime modified certain performance-based share awards to accelerate the vesting of all outstanding awards in connection with the Merger. Total compensation expense recognized as part of the acceleration was approximately $ 341 thousand. There were no outstanding sales incentive share awards at December 31, 2020. Total compensation expenses of $ 727 thousand and $ 171 thousand were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. There was no sales incentive awards compensation expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021. There was no activity related to sales incentive awards during the year ended December 31, 2021. ​ ​ ​ 21. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if "in the money" stock options were exercised and converted into common stock, and prior to 2021, if all likely aggregate PSAs were issued. In determining the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS, treasury shares are excluded. Vested RSA shares are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. Unvested RSA and PSA shares not yet awarded are recognized as a special class of participating securities under ASC 260, and are included in the calculation of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted EPS. 92 Table of Contents The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands except share and per share amounts) ​ 2021 2020 2019 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income available to common stockholders ​ $ 96,710 ​ $ 37,535 ​ $ 36,186 Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities ​ ( 1,215 ) ​ ( 149 ) ​ ( 184 ) Income attributable to common stock ​ $ 95,495 ​ $ 37,386 ​ $ 36,002 Weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities ​ 39,327,959 ​ 21,729,484 ​ 23,240,571 Less: weighted average participating securities ​ ( 425,533 ) ​ ( 191,536 ) ​ ( 137,563 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding ​ 38,902,426 ​ 21,537,948 ​ 23,103,008 Basic EPS ​ $ 2.45 ​ $ 1.74 ​ $ 1.56 ​ ​ ​ ​ Income attributable to common stock ​ $ 95,495 ​ $ 37,386 ​ $ 36,002 Weighted average common shares outstanding ​ 38,902,426 ​ 21,537,948 ​ 23,103,008 Weighted average common equivalent shares outstanding ​ 611 ​ 500 ​ 82,903 Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding ​ 38,903,037 ​ 21,538,448 ​ 23,185,911 Diluted EPS ​ $ 2.45 ​ $ 1.74 ​ $ 1.55 ​ Common and equivalent shares resulting from the dilutive effect of "in-the-money" outstanding stock options are calculated based upon the excess of the average market value of the common stock over the exercise price of outstanding in-the-money stock options during the period. There were 167,053 and 15,498 weighted-average stock options outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which were not considered in the calculation of diluted EPS since their exercise prices exceeded the average market price during the period. There were no "out-of-the-money" stock options for the year ended December 31, 2019. ​ 22. PREFERRED STOCK On February 5, 2020, Legacy Dime completed an underwritten public offering of 2,999,200 shares, or $ 75.0 million in aggregate liquidation preference, of its 5.50 % Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $ 0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $ 25.00 per share (the “Legacy Dime Preferred Stock”). The net proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock at the time of closing were $ 72.2 million. On June 10, 2020, Legacy Dime completed an underwritten public offering, a reopening of the February 5, 2020 original issuance, of 2,300,000 shares, or $ 57.5 million in aggregate liquidation preference, of the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock. The net proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock at the time of closing were $ 44.3 million. At the Effective Time of the Merger, each outstanding share of the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock was converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same powers, preferences and rights as the Legacy Dime Preferred Stock. The Company expects to pay dividends when, as, and if declared by its board of directors, at a fixed rate of 5.50 % per annum, payable quarterly, in arrears, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year. The Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no stated maturity. The Company may redeem the Preferred Stock at its option at a redemption price equal to $ 25.00 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends), subject to regulatory approval, on or after June 15, 2025 or within 90 days following a regulatory capital treatment event, as described in the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering. 23. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit The contractual amounts of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at year-end were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2021 ​ 2020 (In thousands) Fixed Rate Variable Rate Fixed Rate Variable Rate Available lines of credit ​ $ 69,333 ​ $ 981,726 ​ $ — ​ $ 210,660 Other loan commitments ​ 89,537 ​ 136,553 ​ 14,613 ​ 68,286 Stand-by letters of credit ​ 34,852 ​ 689 ​ 8,610 ​ — 93 Table of Contents ​ At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Bank had outstanding firm loan commitments that were accepted by the borrower aggregating $ 226.1 million and $ 82.9 million, respectively. The year-over-year increase in loan commitments was related to the Merger. Substantially all of the Bank’s commitments expire within three months of their acceptance by the prospective borrower. The credit risk associated with these commitments is based on the loan type which is comprised of multifamily residential, residential mixed-use, commercial real estate, commercial mixed-use, C&I, and one-to-four family residential loans. At December 31, 2021, the Bank had an available line of credit with the FHLBNY equal to its excess borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2021, this amount approximated $ 3.2 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Bank completed a securitization of $ 280.2 million of its multifamily loans through a Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) sponsored “Q-deal” securitization completed in December 2017. With respect to the securitization transaction, the Company also has continuing involvement through a reimbursement agreement executed with Freddie Mac. To the extent the ultimate resolution of defaulted loans results in contractual principal and interest payments that are deficient, the Company is obligated to reimburse FHLMC for such amounts, not to exceed 10 % of the original principal amount of the loans comprising the securitization pool at the closing date. ​ Litigation ​ The Company is subject to certain pending and threatened legal actions which arise out of the normal course of business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, particularly in proceedings where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, or which are in their early stages. The Company cannot predict with certainty the actual loss or range of loss related to such legal proceedings, the manner in which they will be resolved, the timing of final resolution or the ultimate settlement. Consequently, the Company cannot estimate losses or ranges of losses related to such legal matters, even in instances where it is reasonably possible that a loss will be incurred. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, the resolution of all ongoing legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The Company accounts for potential losses related to litigation in accordance with GAAP. ​ 24. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values: Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 Inputs – Significant other observable inputs such as any of the following: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability ( e.g. , interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates), or (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs). Level 3 Inputs – Significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Significant unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). Significant unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Securities The Company’s marketable equity securities and available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, which were determined utilizing prices obtained from independent parties. The valuations obtained are based upon market data, and often utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. For securities that do not trade on a daily basis, pricing applications apply available information such as benchmarking and matrix pricing. The market inputs normally sought in the evaluation of securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes (obtained 94 Table of Contents only from market makers or broker/dealers recognized as market participants), issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. For certain securities, additional inputs may be used or some market inputs may not be applicable. Prioritization of inputs may vary on any given day based on market conditions. All MBS, CMOs, treasury securities, and agency notes are guaranteed either implicitly or explicitly by GSEs as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, corporate securities are rated "investment grade" at the time of purchase and the financials of the issuers are reviewed quarterly. Obtaining market values as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for these securities utilizing significant observable inputs was not difficult due to their liquid nature. Derivatives Derivatives represent interest rate swaps and estimated fair values are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date. The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated, segmented by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ at December 31, 2021 Using ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Level 1 ​ Level 2 ​ Level 3 (In thousands) Total Inputs Inputs Inputs Financial Assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ Securities available-for-sale: ​ ​ ​ ​ Agency notes ​ $ 80,254 ​ $ — ​ $ 80,254 ​ $ — Treasury securities ​ ​ 244,769 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 244,769 ​ ​ — Corporate securities ​ 152,030 ​ — ​ 152,030 ​ — Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ 526,454 ​ — ​ 526,454 ​ — Agency CMOs ​ 521,258 ​ — ​ 521,258 ​ — State and municipal obligations ​ ​ 38,946 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 38,946 ​ ​ — Derivative – cash flow hedges ​ 4,358 ​ — ​ 4,358 ​ — Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net ​ 40,728 ​ — ​ 40,728 ​ — Financial Liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net ​ 40,728 ​ — ​ 40,728 ​ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ at December 31, 2020 Using ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Level 1 ​ Level 2 ​ Level 3 (In thousands) Total Inputs Inputs Inputs Financial Assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ Marketable equity securities (Registered mutual funds) ​ ​ ​ ​ Domestic equity mutual funds ​ $ 1,769 ​ $ 1,769 ​ $ — ​ $ — International equity mutual funds ​ 468 ​ 468 ​ — ​ — Fixed income mutual funds ​ 3,733 ​ 3,733 ​ — ​ — Securities available-for-sale: ​ ​ ​ ​ Agency notes ​ 47,421 ​ — ​ 47,421 ​ — Corporate securities ​ 64,461 ​ — ​ 64,461 ​ — Pass-through MBS issued by GSEs ​ 143,483 ​ — ​ 143,483 ​ — Agency CMOs ​ 283,496 ​ — ​ 283,496 ​ — Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net ​ ​ 30,596 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 30,596 ​ ​ — Financial Liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ Derivative – cash flow hedges ​ 18,442 ​ — ​ 18,442 ​ — Derivative – freestanding derivatives, net ​ 30,596 ​ — ​ 30,596 ​ — 95 Table of Contents ​ Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. Financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include certain individually evaluated loans (or impaired loans prior to the adoption of ASC 326) reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2021 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements Using: ​ ​ ​ Quoted Prices ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In Active ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Markets for ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ Carrying ​ Assets ​ Inputs ​ Inputs (In thousands) Value (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Individually evaluated loans ​ $ 1,900 ​ $ — $ — $ 1,900 ​ Individually evaluated loans with an allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2021 had a carrying amount of $ 1.9 million, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $ 2.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $ 600 thousand. Collateral dependent individually analyzed loans as of December 31, 2021 resulted in a credit loss provision of $ 600 thousand, which is included in the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no collateral dependent impaired loans (prior to the adoption of the CECL Standard) with an allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2020. Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value The following tables present the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments other than those measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis for the dates indicated, segmented by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ at December 31, 2021 Using ​ ​ Carrying ​ Level 1 ​ Level 2 ​ Level 3 ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Amount Inputs Inputs Inputs Total Financial Assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and due from banks ​ $ 393,722 ​ $ 393,722 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 393,722 Securities held-to-maturity ​ ​ 179,309 ​ — ​ 179,309 ​ — ​ 179,309 Loans held for investment, net ​ 9,158,908 ​ — ​ — ​ 9,169,872 ​ 9,169,872 Accrued interest receivable ​ 40,149 ​ — ​ 4,481 ​ 35,668 ​ 40,149 Financial Liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Savings, money market and checking accounts ​ 9,605,731 ​ 9,605,731 ​ — ​ — ​ 9,605,731 Certificates of Deposits ("CDs") ​ 853,242 ​ — ​ 857,342 ​ — ​ 857,342 FHLBNY advances ​ 25,000 ​ — ​ 25,014 ​ — ​ 25,014 Subordinated debt, net ​ 197,096 ​ — ​ 202,334 ​ — ​ 202,334 Other short-term borrowings ​ 1,862 ​ 1,862 ​ — ​ — ​ 1,862 Accrued interest payable ​ 870 ​ — ​ 870 ​ — ​ 870 ​ 96 Table of Contents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Value Measurements ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ at December 31, 2020 Using ​ ​ Carrying ​ Level 1 ​ Level 2 ​ Level 3 ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) Amount Inputs Inputs Inputs Total Financial Assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and due from banks ​ $ 243,603 ​ $ 243,603 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 243,603 Loans held for investment, net ​ 5,580,583 ​ — ​ — ​ 5,598,787 ​ 5,598,787 Accrued interest receivable ​ 34,815 ​ 2 ​ 1,584 ​ 33,229 ​ 34,815 Financial Liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Savings, money market and checking accounts ​ 3,202,484 ​ 3,202,484 ​ — ​ — ​ 3,202,484 CDs ​ 1,322,638 ​ — ​ 1,328,554 ​ — ​ 1,328,554 FHLBNY advances ​ 1,204,010 ​ — ​ 1,207,890 ​ — ​ 1,207,890 Subordinated debt, net ​ 114,052 ​ — ​ 114,340 ​ — ​ 114,340 Other short-term borrowings ​ ​ 120,000 ​ ​ 120,000 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 120,000 Accrued interest payable ​ 1,734 ​ — ​ 1,734 ​ — ​ 1,734 ​ ​ 25. REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital requirements that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classifications also are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total, tier 1, and common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of tier 1 capital to average assets. Tier 1 capital, risk-weighted assets and average assets are as defined by regulation. The required minimums for the Company and Bank are set forth in the tables that follow. The Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Under the Basel III Capital Rules the Company and the Bank are subject to the following minimum capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: a) 4.5 % based on common equity tier 1 capital ("CET1"); b) 6.0 % based on tier 1 capital; and c) 8.0 % based on total regulatory capital. A minimum leverage ratio (tier 1 capital as a percentage of total average assets) of 4.0 % is also required under the Basel III Capital Rules. The Basel III Capital Rules additionally require institutions to retain a capital conservation buffer, composed of CET1, of 2.5 % above these required minimum capital ratio levels. Including the capital conservation buffer, the Company and the Bank effectively have the following minimum capital to risk-weighted assets ratios: a) 7.0 % based on CET1; b) 8.5 % based on tier 1 capital; and c) 10.5 % based on total regulatory capital. The Company and the Bank made the one-time, permanent election to continue to exclude the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss items included in stockholders’ equity for the purposes of determining the regulatory capital ratios. As of December 31, 2021, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, tier 1 risk-based, common equity tier 1 risk-based, and tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below. Since that notification, there are no conditions or events that management believes have changed the institution’s category. 97 Table of Contents The following tables present actual capital levels and minimum required levels for the Company and the Bank under Basel III rules at December 31, 2021 and 2020: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ For Capital ​ To Be Categorized (Dollars in thousands) ​ Actual ​ Adequacy Purposes (1) ​ as “Well Capitalized” (1) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Minimum ​ ​ ​ ​ Minimum December 31, 2021 Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Tier 1 capital / % of average total assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ $ 1,215,586 10.0 % $ 488,506 4.0 % $ 610,633 5.0 % Consolidated Company ​ 1,037,235 8.5 ​ 490,420 4.0 ​ N/A N/A ​ Common equity Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ 1,215,586 12.5 ​ 436,539 4.5 ​ 630,557 6.5 ​ Consolidated Company ​ 920,666 9.5 ​ 436,700 4.5 ​ N/A N/A ​ Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ 1,215,586 12.5 ​ 582,052 6.0 ​ 776,070 8.0 ​ Consolidated Company ​ 1,037,235 10.7 ​ 582,267 6.0 ​ N/A N/A ​ Total capital / % of risk-weighted assets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ 1,304,242 13.4 ​ 776,070 8.0 ​ 970,087 10.0 ​ Consolidated Company ​ 1,304,891 13.4 ​ 776,356 8.0 ​ N/A N/A ​ (1) In accordance with the Basel III rules. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ For Capital ​ To Be Categorized (Dollars in thousands) ​ Actual ​ Adequacy Purposes (1) ​ as “Well Capitalized” (1) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Minimum ​ ​ ​ ​ Minimum December 31, 2020 Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Tier 1 capital / % of average total assets ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ $ 653,393 10.2 % $ 257,143 4.0 % $ 321,428 5.0 % Consolidated Company ​ 651,382 10.0 ​ 261,949 4.0 ​ N/A N/A ​ Common equity Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ 653,393 12.5 ​ 235,243 4.5 ​ 339,796 6.5 ​ Consolidated Company ​ 534,813 10.2 ​ 235,499 4.5 ​ N/A N/A ​ Tier 1 capital / % of risk-weighted assets ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ 653,393 12.5 ​ 313,658 6.0 ​ 418,210 8.0 ​ Consolidated Company ​ 651,382 12.4 ​ 313,999 6.0 ​ N/A N/A ​ Total capital / % of risk-weighted assets ​ ​ ​ ​ Bank ​ 695,300 13.3 ​ 418,210 8.0 ​ 522,763 10.0 ​ Consolidated Company ​ 808,289 15.4 ​ 418,666 8.0 ​ N/A N/A ​ (1) In accordance with the Basel III rules. ​ ​ 98 Table of Contents 26. CONDENSED HOLDING COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following statements of condition as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, reflect the Holding Company’s investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, using, as deemed appropriate, the equity method of accounting: DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 ASSETS: ​ ​ Cash and due from banks ​ $ 27,364 ​ $ 106,014 Securities available-for-sale, at fair value ​ ​ 3,068 ​ ​ — Marketable equity securities, at fair value ​ — ​ 5,970 Investment in subsidiaries ​ 1,366,796 ​ 703,107 Other assets ​ 4,285 ​ 1,018 Total assets ​ $ 1,401,513 ​ $ 816,109 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: ​ ​ Subordinated debt, net ​ $ 197,096 ​ $ 114,052 Other liabilities ​ 11,797 ​ 961 Stockholders’ equity ​ 1,192,620 ​ 701,096 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity ​ $ 1,401,513 ​ $ 816,109 ​ ​ DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (1) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2021 2020 2019 Net interest loss ​ $ ( 8,427 ) ​ $ ( 5,147 ) ​ $ ( 5,147 ) Dividends received from Bank ​ 20,000 ​ 30,000 ​ 52,500 Non-interest income ​ 136 ​ 361 ​ 531 Non-interest expense ​ ( 4,361 ) ​ ( 1,176 ) ​ ( 1,003 ) Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of direct subsidiaries ​ 7,348 ​ 24,038 ​ 46,881 Income tax credit ​ 4,051 ​ 1,819 ​ 1,785 Income before equity in undistributed earnings of direct subsidiaries ​ 11,399 ​ 25,857 ​ 48,666 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries ​ 92,597 ​ 16,461 ​ ( 12,480 ) Net income ​ $ 103,996 ​ $ 42,318 ​ $ 36,186 (1) Other comprehensive income for the Holding Company approximated other comprehensive income for the consolidated Company during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. 99 Table of Contents DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Year Ended December 31, ​ 2021 2020 2019 Cash flows from operating activities: ​ ​ ​ Net income ​ $ 103,996 ​ $ 42,318 ​ $ 36,186 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ Equity in undistributed earnings of direct subsidiaries ​ ( 92,597 ) ​ ( 16,461 ) ​ 12,480 Net gain on marketable equity securities ​ ( 131 ) ​ ( 361 ) ​ ( 531 ) Net accretion ​ ( 157 ) ​ 146 ​ 147 Decrease (increase) in other assets ​ 761 ​ ( 502 ) ​ 26 Increase in other liabilities ​ 269 ​ 214 ​ 388 Net cash provided by operating activities ​ 12,141 ​ 25,354 ​ 48,696 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ Proceeds sales of marketable equity securities ​ 6,101 ​ 546 ​ 570 Purchases of securities available-for-sale and marketable equity securities ​ ( 3,000 ) ​ ( 261 ) ​ ( 266 ) Reimbursement from subsidiary, including purchases of securities available-for-sale ​ — ​ 2 ​ 26 Net cash received in business combination ​ ​ 11,545 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Net cash provided by investing activities ​ 14,646 ​ 287 ​ 330 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ Redemption of preferred stock ​ — ​ ( 3 ) ​ ( 1 ) Proceeds from preferred stock issuance, net ​ ​ — ​ ​ 116,569 ​ ​ — Proceeds from exercise of stock options ​ 431 ​ 38 ​ 367 Release of stock for benefit plan awards ​ 1,153 ​ 84 ​ 131 Payments related to tax withholding for equity awards ​ ( 111 ) ​ ( 3,060 ) ​ ( 133 ) BMP ESOP shares received to satisfy distribution of retirement benefits ​ ( 993 ) ​ — ​ ( 4 ) Treasury shares repurchased ​ ( 59,280 ) ​ ( 35,356 ) ​ ( 24,191 ) Cash dividends paid to preferred stockholders ​ ( 7,286 ) ​ ( 4,783 ) ​ — Cash dividends paid to common stockholders ​ ( 39,351 ) ​ ( 18,696 ) ​ ( 20,082 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ​ ( 105,437 ) ​ 54,793 ​ ( 43,913 ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks ​ ( 78,650 ) ​ 80,434 ​ 5,113 Cash and due from banks, beginning of period ​ 106,014 ​ 25,580 ​ 20,467 Cash and due from banks, end of period ​ $ 27,364 ​ $ 106,014 ​ $ 25,580 ​ ​ 100 Table of Contents ​ Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. ​