Kentucky First Federal Bancorp 10-Q

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this report, as well as other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that are not historical facts are considered “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and “potential,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements include statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our ability to fully and timely address the deficiencies that resulted in the Agreement that First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky has entered into with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”); First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky’s ability to satisfy the Individual Minimum Capital Requirements imposed by the OCC; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. Kentucky First Federal Bancorp’s actual results, performance or achievements may materially differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such material differences include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions; prices for real estate in the Company’s market areas; the interest rate environment and the impact of the interest rate environment on our business, financial condition and results of operations; our ability to successfully execute our strategy to increase earnings, increase core deposits, reduce reliance on higher cost funding sources and shift more of our loan portfolio towards higher-earning loans; our ability to pay future dividends and if so at what level; our ability to receive any required regulatory approval or non-objection to pay dividends to shareholders; our ability to pay dividends from First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard and First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky to the Company in order for the Company to pay dividends to shareholders; the ability of First Federal MHC to receive approval of its members to waive the payment of any Company dividends to First Federal MHC; competitive conditions in the financial services industry; changes in the level of inflation; the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts; changes in the demand for loans, deposits and other financial services that we provide; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected; competitive pressures among financial services companies; the ability to attract, develop and retain qualified employees; our ability to maintain the security of our data processing and information technology systems; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of matters before regulatory agencies; changes in law, governmental policies and regulations, rapidly changing technology affecting financial services, and the other matters mentioned in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024 and for the period ended December 31, 2024 and in this Form 10-Q. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake the responsibility, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. General The Company was incorporated as a mid-tier holding company under the laws of the United States on March 2, 2005, upon the completion of the reorganization of First Federal of Hazard into a federal mutual holding company form of organization (the “Reorganization”). On that date, Kentucky First Federal also completed its minority stock offering and its concurrent acquisition of Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc. (“Frankfort First Bancorp”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Federal of Kentucky, Frankfort Kentucky (“First Federal of Kentucky”) (the “Merger”). Following the Reorganization and Merger, the Company has operated First Federal of Hazard and First Federal of Kentucky (collectively, the “Banks”) as two independent, community-oriented savings institutions. On December 31, 2012, the Company acquired CKF Bancorp, Inc., a savings and loan holding company which operated three banking locations in Boyle and Garrard Counties in Kentucky. In accounting for the transaction, the assets and liabilities of CKF Bancorp were recorded on the books of First Federal of Kentucky in accordance with accounting standard ASC 805, Business Combinations. Our results of operations are dependent primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on our loans and securities and our cost of funds, consisting of the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Results of operations are also affected by the provision for losses on loans and service charges and fees collected on our deposit accounts. Our general, administrative, and other expense primarily consists of employee compensation and benefits expense, occupancy and equipment expense, data processing expense, other operating expenses and state and federal income taxes. Results of operations are also significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in interest rates, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities. 34 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Regulatory Developments Regarding First Federal of Kentucky On August 13, 2024, First Federal of Kentucky entered into a formal written agreement (the “Agreement”) with the OCC, which became effective as of the same date. The Agreement will remain effective until it is amended by First Federal of Kentucky and the OCC, or the OCC modifies, waives or terminates the Agreement. As a result of the Agreement, pursuant to 12 C.F.R. § 5.51(c)(7)(ii), First Federal of Kentucky is in “troubled condition,” and is not an “eligible savings association” for purposes of 12 C.F.R. § 5.3, unless otherwise informed in writing by the OCC. In addition to the Agreement, the OCC has also imposed individual minimum capital requirements (“IMCRs”) on First Federal of Kentucky. The IMCRs require First Federal of Kentucky to maintain a common equity tier 1 capital ratio of at least 9.0%, a tier 1 capital ratio of at least 11.0%, a total capital ratio of at least 12.0%, and a leverage ratio of at least 9.0%. Under the terms of the Agreement, First Federal of Kentucky is required to take the following actions within the time frames specified in the Agreement: ● create a compliance committee composed of at least three of First Federal of Kentucky’s directors to monitor and oversee First Federal of Kentucky’s compliance with the provisions of the Agreement and submit quarterly evaluation reports to First Federal of Kentucky’s board of directors regarding actions First Federal of Kentucky has taken to comply with the Agreement and the results and status of such actions; ● submit to the OCC, adopt and implement an acceptable revised written three-year strategic plan establishing objectives for First Federal of Kentucky’s overall risk profile, balance sheet mix, funding structure, interest rate risk, liquidity and capital adequacy, earnings performance, and asset and core deposit growth, together with strategies to achieve those objectives; ● submit to the OCC, adopt and implement an acceptable revised written succession plan for First Federal of Kentucky that is designed to promote adequate staffing and continuity of capable management; ● adopt a revised written liquidity risk management program for First Federal of Kentucky that provides for the identification, measurement, monitoring, and control of First Federal of Kentucky’s liquidity risk exposure, and that emphasizes the importance of cash flow projections, diversified funding sources, a cushion of highly liquid assets, robust liquidity stress testing scenario analyses, and a formal, well-developed contingency funding plan as primary tools for measuring and managing liquidity risk; and ● adopt a revised written interest rate risk program that includes risk management systems to identify, measure, monitor, and control interest rate risk. 35 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) The Agreement requires First Federal of Kentucky’s Board to (i) ensure that First Federal of Kentucky timely adopts and implements all corrective actions required by the Agreement and (ii) verify that First Federal of Kentucky adheres to the corrective actions and that they are effective in addressing First Federal of Kentucky’s deficiencies that resulted in the Agreement. First Federal of Kentucky’s Board and management are committed to fully addressing the provisions of the Agreement within the required time frames. As of the date of this filing, First Federal of Kentucky’s Board and management believe that First Federal of Kentucky has made progress toward addressing the deficiencies that resulted in the Agreement and intends to satisfy the Agreement’s requirements as expeditiously as possible. For additional information, see Exhibit 10.1 to the Company Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2024 and Item 1A, “Risk Factors - We are required to comply with the terms of a formal written agreement and IMCRs issued by the OCC, and lack of compliance could result in monetary penalties and /or additional regulatory actions ” and Note K - Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Capital of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2024. Asset/Liability Management Management and the boards of the subsidiary Banks are responsible for the asset/liability management issues that affect the individual Banks. Either Bank may work with its sister Bank to mitigate potential asset/liability risks to the Banks and to the Company as a whole. Management utilizes a third-party to perform interest rate risk (“IRR”) calculations for each of the Banks. Management monitors and considers methods of managing the rate sensitivity and repricing characteristics of each of the Bank’s balance sheet components to maintain acceptable levels of change in the economic value of equity (“EVE”) as well as evaluating the impact on earnings in the event of changes in prevailing market interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity analysis is used to measure our interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in EVE that are a result of changes in the net present value of its cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items. These changes in cash flow are estimated based on hypothetical instantaneous and permanent increases and decreases in market interest rates. General market participants believe that the FOMC will now continue interest rate decreases. Our March 31, 2025 EVE is anticipated to increase by approximately 5.9% and 3.2% under sudden and sustained decrease in prevailing market interest rates of 100 basis points and 200 basis points, respectively. The company continues to strive for acceptable EVE in both increasing and decreasing interest rate environments. Computations or prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments, and deposit run-offs. These computations should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions the Banks may undertake in response to changes in interest rates. Certain shortcomings are inherent in this method of computing EVE. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in differing degrees to changes in market interest rates. The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. 36 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Average Balance Sheets The following table represents the average balance sheets for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, along with the related calculations of tax-equivalent net interest income, net interest margin and net interest spread for the related periods. Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025 2024 Average Balance Interest And Dividends Yield/ Cost Average Balance Interest And Dividends Yield/ Cost (Dollars in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Loans 1 $ 334,305 $ 13,158 5.25 % $ 323,370 $ 10,927 4.51 % Mortgage-backed securities 9,143 229 3.34 11,300 288 3.40 Other interest-earning assets 22,058 862 5.21 14,817 619 5.57 Total interest-earning assets 365,506 14,249 5.20 349,487 11,834 4.51 Less: Allowance for credit losses (2,138 ) (1,925 ) Non-interest-earning assets 12,713 12,452 Total assets $ 376,081 $ 360,014 Interest-bearing liabilities: Demand deposits $ 15,208 $ 30 0.26 % $ 17,159 $ 23 0.18 % Savings 49,778 169 0.45 54,154 165 0.41 Certificates of deposit 184,011 5,826 4.22 156,984 4,122 3.50 Total deposits 248,997 6,025 3.23 228,297 4,310 2.52 Borrowings 62,748 2,186 4.65 65,645 2,432 4.94 Total interest-bearing liabilities 311,745 8,211 3.51 293,942 6,742 3.06 Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 13,632 14,738 Noninterest-bearing liabilities 2,883 1,732 Total liabilities 328,260 310,412 Shareholders’ equity 47,821 49,602 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 376,081 $ 360,014 Net interest spread $ 6,038 1.69 % $ 5,092 1.46 % Net interest margin 2.20 % 1.94 % Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 117.25 % 118.90 % 1 Includes loan fees, immaterial in amount, in both interest income and the calculation of yield on loans. Also includes loans on nonaccrual status. 37 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Average Balance Sheets (continued) The following table represents the average balance sheets for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, along with the related calculations of tax-equivalent net interest income, net interest margin and net interest spread for the related periods. Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 2024 Average Balance Interest And Dividends Yield/ Cost Average Balance Interest And Dividends Yield/ Cost (Dollars in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Loans 1 $ 333,187 $ 4,456 5.35 % $ 328,385 $ 3,841 4.68 % Mortgage-backed securities 8,574 72 3.36 10,787 97 3.60 Other interest-earning assets 25,536 318 4.98 17,936 235 5.24 Total interest-earning assets 367,297 4,846 5.28 357,108 4,173 4.67 Less: Allowance for credit losses (2,146 ) (2,130 ) Non-interest-earning assets 12,982 12,611 Total assets $ 378,133 $ 367,589 Interest-bearing liabilities: Demand deposits $ 17,037 12 0.28 % $ 16,197 $ 7 0.17 % Savings 50,340 $ 70 0.56 51,366 53 0.41 Certificates of deposit 193,060 2,013 4.17 161,144 1,526 3.79 Total deposits 260,437 2,095 3.22 228,707 1,586 2.77 Borrowings 56,172 620 4.42 72,821 822 4.52 Total interest-bearing liabilities 316,609 2,715 3.43 301,528 2,408 3.19 Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 11,752 15,659 Noninterest-bearing liabilities 1,623 1,365 Total liabilities 329,984 318,552 Shareholders’ equity 48,149 49,037 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 378,133 $ 367,589 Net interest spread $ 2,131 1.85 % $ 1,765 1.48 % Net interest margin 2.32 % 1.98 % Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 116.01 % 118.43 % 1 Includes loan fees, immaterial in amount, in both interest income and the calculation of yield on loans. Also includes loans on nonaccrual status. 38 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from June 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025 Financial Position and Results of Operations At March 31, 2025 the Company and the Banks were considered well-capitalized with capital ratios in excess of regulatory requirements. However, an extended economic recession could adversely impact the Company’s and the Banks’ capital position and Company in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2024, in addition to the formal written Agreement, the OCC has also imposed individual minimum capital requirements (“IMCRs”) on First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky. The IMCRs require First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky to maintain a common equity tier 1 capital ratio of at least 9.0%, a tier 1 capital ratio of at least 11.0%, a total capital ratio of at least 12.0%, and a leverage ratio of at least 9.0%. As of March 31, 2025, First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky’s common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 16.72%, its tier 1 capital ratio was 16.72%, its total capital ratio was 16.72%, and its leverage ratio was 10.13%. Assets: At March 31, 2025, the Company’s assets totaled $380.7 million, an increase of $5.8 million, or 1.5%, from total assets at June 30, 2024, due primarily to the increase in cash and cash equivalents, as well as an increase in accrued interest receivable of $258,000 or 22.1%. Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents overall increased $9.5 million or 51.8% to $27.8 million at March 31, 2025. Most of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held in fed funds sold that the company began utilizing more in the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Fed funds sold totaled $17.1 million at March 31, 2025, an increase of $16.4 million compared to June 30, 2024. Cash and due from financial institutions increased $666,000 or 34.8% while interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $7.6 million on 48.3% compared to June 30, 2024. Investment securities: At March 31, 2025, our securities portfolio, which consisted of mortgage-backed securities, decreased $1.4 million or 15.0% and totaled $8.2 million compared to June 30, 2024. Loans : Loans, net and loans held-for-sale in the aggregate decreased $2.3 million or 0.7% and totaled $330.6 million and $272,000, respectively at March 31, 2025. Loans receivable, net, decreased by $2.5 million or 0.7% to $330.6 million at March 31, 2025. Loans held-for-sale increased by $162,000 at March 31, 2025. Management continues to look for high-quality loans to add to its portfolio and will continue to emphasize loan originations to the extent that it is profitable, prudent and consistent with our interest rate risk strategies. Because market interest rates have become more favorable, the Company has had more success in selling mortgages into the secondary market, which has led to an increase in loans held-for-sale. Non-Performing and Classified Loans: At March 31, 2025, the Company had non-performing loans (loans 90 or more days past due or on nonaccrual status) of approximately $3.8 million, or 1.1% of total loans compared to $3.9 million or 1.2%, of total loans at June 30, 2024. The Company’s ACL totaled $2.2 million at March 31, 2025 and the ACL totaled $2.1 million at June 30, 2024, respectively. The ACL at March 31, 2025, represented 56.9% of nonperforming loans and 0.6% of total loans, while at June 30, 2024, ACL represented 54.6% of nonperforming loans and 0.6% of total loans. The Company had $6.0 million in assets classified as substandard for regulatory purposes at March 31, 2025, including real estate owned (“REO”) of $10,000. Classified loans as a percentage of total loans (including loans acquired) was 1.8% and 2.1% at March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. Of substandard loans, 100.0% were secured by real estate on which the Banks have priority lien position. The table below shows the aggregate amounts of our assets classified for regulatory purposes at the dates indicated: (dollars in thousands) March 31, 2025 June 30, 2024 Substandard assets $ 5,954 $ 7,171 Doubtful assets – – Loss assets – – REO 10 10 Total classified assets $ 5,964 $ 7,181 At March 31, 2025, the Company’s real estate acquired through foreclosure represented 0.2% of substandard assets compared to 0.1% at June 30, 2024. During the period presented the Company made no loans to facilitate the purchase of its other real estate owned by qualified buyers. Loans to facilitate the sale of other real estate owned, which were included in substandard loans, totaled $0 at March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. 39 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from June 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025 (continued) The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of REO at the dates indicated: March 31, 2025 June 30, 2024 Number of Properties Net Carrying Value Number of Properties Net Carrying Value One-to-four-family 1 $ 10 1 $ 10 Building lot – – – – Total REO 1 $ 10 1 $ 10 At March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024, the Company had $681,000 and $797,000 of loans classified as special mention, respectively. This category includes assets which do not currently expose us to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification, but does possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving our close attention. Liabilities: Total liabilities increased $5.6 million, or 1.7% to $332.6 million at March 31, 2025, as deposits increased $21.2 million or 8.3%. Certificates of deposit increased $22.1 million or 12.5% and totaled $198.6 million at March 31, 2025, of which $44.0 million were brokered deposits. Demand deposit accounts decreased $2.4 million or 7.5% and totaled $29.8 million at quarter end. Savings accounts increased $1.6 million or 3.4% and totaled $49.0 million at the end of the current period. Accrued interest payable increased $468,000 or 265.9%. Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $15.6 million or 22.6% to $53.4 million at March 31, 2025 as the company continues to decrease reliance on Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Shareholders’ Equity: At March 31, 2025, the Company’s shareholders’ equity totaled $48.2 million, an increase of $155,000 or 0.3% from June 30, 2024. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily associated with accumulated other comprehensive loss decreasing $150,000 or 44.6% from a loss of $336,000 at June 30, 2024 to a loss of $186,000 at March 31, 2025. On January 16, 2024, the Company announced the suspension of quarterly dividends indefinitely. Holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive such dividends as our Board of Directors may declare out of funds available for such payments under applicable law and regulatory guidance. We cannot predict when or whether the Company will be able to pay future common stock dividends and if so, the amount of any such common stock dividends. Our ability to pay future dividends and if so at what level will also be dependent on numerous factors, including: our ability to receive any required regulatory approval or non-objection to pay dividends or for the payment of dividends from First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard and First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky to the Company or from the Company to shareholders; our ability to fully and timely address the deficiencies that resulted in the Agreement that First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky has entered into with the OCC; First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky’s ability to satisfy the IMCR’s imposed by the OCC; the ability of First Federal MHC to receive approval of its members to waive the payment of any Company dividends to First Federal MHC; and our ability to successfully execute our strategy to increase earnings and core deposits, reduce reliance on higher cost funding sources and shift more of our loan portfolio towards higher-earning loans. See “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and this Form 10-Q for additional discussion regarding dividends. 40 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine-month Periods Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 General Net income totaled $5,000 or $0.00 diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $648,000 from net loss of $643,000 or ($0.08) diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2024. The increase in net earnings for the nine-months ended March 31, 2025, was primarily attributable to increased net interest income, and higher non-interest income, which were partially offset by lower income tax benefit and higher non-interest expense. Net Interest Income Net interest income increased $946,000 or 18.6% to $6.0 million due primarily to interest income increasing more than interest expense increased period to period. Interest income increased $2.4 million or 20.4%, while interest expense increased $1.5 million or 21.8% to $8.2 million for the nine-months recently ended. Over the last two years, the repricing of many of our assets has been slowed by contractual limits on rate changes, whereas the cost of most liabilities did not have this constraint. As market rates have steadied and even fallen slightly, the increase in cost of liabilities has slowed while we have begun to see our increase in interest income be greater than our increase in interest expense. The average rate earned on interest-earning assets increased 69 basis points to 5.20% and was the primary reason for the increase in interest income, although average interest-earning assets also increased $16.0 million or 4.6% to $365.5 million for the recently-ended nine months. The increase in interest income was due primarily to an increase of $2.2 million or 20.4% in interest income from loans, which totaled $13.2 million for the period. The increase in interest income from loans period-to-period was due to increases in both the average balance of loans and the average rate earned on those loans. The average balance of loans increased $10.9 million or 3.4% to $334.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, while the average rate increased 74 basis points to 5.25%. Although the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $17.8 million or 6.1% to $311.7 million for the nine months just ended, the average rate paid increased 45 basis points to 3.51%. The cost of liabilities increased rapidly due to higher costs of both wholesale and retail funding. The recent decrease in interest rates have allowed our liabilities to decline as well. Net interest spread increased from 1.46% for the prior year nine-month period to 1.69% for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2025. Provision for Credit Losses Management determined that a $36,000 provision for credit loss was prudent during the recently-ended nine-month period. 41 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine-month Periods Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (continued) Non-interest Income Non-interest income increased $190,000 or 95.5% to $389,000 for the nine-months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the prior year period, primarily because of an increase in net gains from sale of loans of $148,000 or 1057.1%. Recently, the market has become more conducive to the sale of fixed rate mortgages to the secondary market. Non-interest Expense Non-interest expense increased $245,000 or 4.0% to $6.4 million for the nine-months ended Mach 31, 2025, primarily due to higher other non-interest expense due mostly to increased professional expenses. The increase in professional fees is primarily attributable to corrective actions taken to address the provisions of the previously disclosed agreement that First Federal Savings Bank of Kentucky entered into with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Income Tax Income tax benefit decreased $194,000 or 97.0% to an income tax benefit of $6,000 for the nine-months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the prior year period due to decreased losses. The effective tax rates for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were -600.0% and -23.8%, respectively. Included in net income is earnings of $65,000 on bank-owned life insurance which is non-taxable. 42 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 General Net income totaled $7,000 or $0.00 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $114,000 or 106.5% from net loss of $107,000 or $(0.01) diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2024. The increase in net earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was primarily attributable to higher net interest income, which was partially offset by higher non-interest income. Net Interest Income Net interest income increased $366,000 or 20.7% to $2.1 million due primarily to interest income increasing more than interest expense increased period to period. Interest income increased $673,000 or 16.1%, while interest expense increased $307,000 or 12.7% to $2.7 million for the recently-ended quarter. During the interest rate increases seen in the market starting March 2022, our funding sources repriced more quickly than our assets repriced, due to being liability sensitive and restrictions on maximum asset repricing amounts. As rates have begun to plateau or even decrease, our assets have started to reprice more quickly than our liabilities. The average rate earned on interest-earning assets increased 60 basis points to 5.28% and was the primary reason for the increase in interest income, although average interest-earning assets also increased $10.2 million or 2.9% to $367.3 million for the recently-ended quarterly period. The increase in interest income was due primarily to an increase of $615,000 or 16.0% in interest income from loans, which totaled $4.5 million for the period. The increase in interest income from loans period-to-period was due to increases in both the average balance of loans and the average rate earned on those loans. The average balance of loans increased $4.8 million or 1.5% to $333.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, while the average rate increased 67 basis points to 5.35%. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $15.1 million or 5.0% to $316.6 million for the quarter just ended, and the average rate paid increased 24 basis points to 3.43%. The cost of liabilities increased rapidly due to higher costs of both wholesale and retail funding. Net interest spread increased from 1.48% for the prior year quarterly period to 1.85% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025. Provision for Credit Losses Management determined that a provision for credit loss of $21,000 was prudent due to our current expected credit loss analysis performed during the recently-ended quarter. 43 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (continued) Non-interest Income Non-interest income increased $3,000 or 3.8% to $81,000 for the recently-ended quarter primarily due to increased net gain of sale on loans, increasing $14,000 or 175.0% for the three-months recently ended. Recently, the market has become more conducive to the sale of fixed rate mortgages to the secondary market, although such activity slowed during the winter months. Non-interest Expense Non-interest expense increased $160,000 or 7.9% and totaled $2.2 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to increased outside service fees which increased $81,000 or 112.5% due to increased fees as well as engaging additional third party services. Income Tax Income tax expense increased $46,000 or 121.1% from a benefit of $38,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to an expense of $8,000 for the recently-ended period. The effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, were 53.3% and -26.2%, respectively. Included in net income is earnings of $21,000 on bank-owned life insurance which is non-taxable. 44 Kentucky First Federal Bancorp ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk This item is not applicable as the Company is a smaller reporting company.