NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc./MD/ 10-K

ITEM 1. BUSINESS General Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that was incorporated in May 2021 to be the successor to NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc., a federally chartered corporation (the “Mid-Tier Holding Company”), upon completion of the second-step conversion of NorthEast Community Bank (the “Bank”) from the two-tier mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure. NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC was the former mutual holding company for the Mid-Tier Holding Company prior to the completion of the second-step conversion. In conjunction with the second-step conversion, each of NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC and the Mid-Tier Holding Company merged out of existence and now cease to exist. The second-step conversion was completed on July 12, 2021, at which time the Company sold, for gross proceeds of $97.8 million, a total of 9,784,077 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. As part of the second-step conversion, each of the existing outstanding shares of Mid-Tier Holding Company common stock owned by persons other than NorthEast Community Bancorp, MHC was converted into 1.3400 shares of Company common stock. As a result of the second-step conversion, all share information has been subsequently revised to reflect the 1.3400 exchange ratio, unless otherwise noted. The Bank is a New York State-chartered savings bank and the Company’s primary activity is the ownership and operation of the Bank. The Bank is headquartered in White Plains, New York. The Bank was founded in 1934 and is a community oriented financial institution dedicated to serving the financial services needs of individuals and businesses within its market area. The Bank currently conducts business through its eleven branch offices located in Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties in New York and Essex, Middlesex and Norfolk Counties in Massachusetts and three loan production offices located in White Plains, New York, New City, New York and Danvers, Massachusetts. The Bank’s principal business consists of originating primarily construction loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and industrial loans, multifamily and mixed-use residential real estate loans, and non-residential real estate loans. The Bank offers a variety of retail deposit products to the general public in the areas surrounding its main office and its branch offices, with interest rates that are competitive with those of similar products offered by other financial institutions operating in its market area. The Bank also utilizes borrowings as a source of funds. The Bank’s revenues are derived primarily from interest on loans and, to a lesser extent, interest on investment securities and mortgage-backed securities. The Bank also generates revenues from other income including deposit fees, service charges and investment advisory fees. The Bank previously offered investment advisory and financial planning services under the name of Harbor West Wealth Management Group, a division of the Bank, through a networking arrangement with a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. In December 2023, the Bank entered into an agreement to sell all of the Bank’s assets relating to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to a third party and the asset sale was completed in January 2024. The Bank no longer generates investment advisory fees following the completion of the transaction. Our executive offices are located at 325 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601 and our telephone number is (914) 684- 2500. Our website address is www.necb.com. Information on our website should not be considered a part of this report. Throughout this report, references to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the Company or the Bank, or both, as the context indicates. Market Area We are headquartered in White Plains, New York, which is located in Westchester County, and we operate through our main and annex offices in White Plains, two full-service branch offices in the New York City borough of Manhattan (New York County), one full-service branch office in the New York City borough of the Bronx (Bronx County), two full-service branch offices in Rockland County, New York, two full-service branch offices in Orange 1 Table of Contents County, New York, one full-service branch office in Sullivan County, New York, and three full-service branches in Danvers (Essex County), Framingham (Middlesex County) and Quincy (Norfolk County), Massachusetts, and loan production offices in White Plains, New York, New City, New York and Danvers, Massachusetts. We generate deposits through our main office and eleven branch offices. We conduct lending activities primarily in the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and, to a lesser extent, in New Jersey. We also have a limited number of loans in Connecticut, a state in which we no longer originate loans. Our construction loans originated in Orange, Rockland and Sullivan Counties in New York and Brooklyn (Kings County) are almost exclusively located within homogeneous communities that demonstrate significant population growth concentrated in well-defined existing, and newer expanding, communities. Construction loans originated in Bronx County are located in high demand, high absorption areas. These communities are substantially different from New York State and nationwide economic fluctuations and are considered to be high absorption areas, i.e. , where the demand for rental or purchase properties is far greater than available supply. With respect to the markets in which we primarily originate non-construction loans, our market area includes a population base with a broad cross section of wealth, employment and ethnicity. We operate in markets that generally have experienced relatively slow demographic growth, a characteristic typical of mature urban markets located throughout the Northeast region. New York County is a relatively affluent market, reflecting the influence of Wall Street along with the presence of a broad spectrum of Fortune 500 companies. Comparatively, Bronx County is home to a broad socioeconomic spectrum, with a significant portion of the respective populations employed in relatively low and moderate wage blue collar jobs. Westchester and neighboring counties are affluent markets, serving as desired suburban locations for commuting into New York City and White Plains as well as reflecting growth of higher paying jobs in the counties. The counties of Massachusetts in which the Danvers, Framingham, and Quincy offices currently operate include a mixture of rural, suburban and urban markets. The economies of these areas were historically based on manufacturing, but, similar to many areas of the country, the underpinnings of these economies are now more service oriented, with employment spread across many economic sectors including service, finance, health-care, technology, real estate and government. While our New York and Massachusetts markets have different economic characteristics, our customer base in these states tends to be similar and is comprised mostly of owners of low- to moderate-income apartment buildings or non-residential real estate in low- to moderate-income areas. We periodically evaluate our network of banking offices to optimize the penetration in our market area. Our business strategy currently includes opening new branches in and around our market area. Competition We face significant competition for the attraction of deposits and origination of loans. Our most direct competition for deposits and loans has historically come from the numerous national, regional and local community financial institutions operating in our market area, including a number of independent banks and credit unions, in addition to other financial service companies, such as brokerage firms and other similar entities. In addition, we face competition for investors’ funds from money market funds and other corporate and government securities. Competition for loans also comes from the increasing number of non-depository financial service companies entering the commercial real estate or construction lending market, such as financial technology companies, securities companies and specialty finance companies. We believe that our long-standing presence in our market areas in New York and Massachusetts, and our personal service philosophy enhance our ability to compete favorably in attracting and retaining individual and business customers. We actively solicit deposit-related customers and compete for deposits by offering customers personal attention, professional service, and competitive interest rates. 2 Table of Contents Lending Activities We originate loans primarily for investment purposes. The largest segment of our loan portfolio is construction loans followed by multi-family real estate loans. We also originate mixed-use and non-residential real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans. We consider our lending territory to be the New York State/New York City Metropolitan area and the Massachusetts/Boston Metropolitan area. We also originate a limited number of loans in New Jersey. Although we no longer originate loans in Connecticut, we also have a limited number of loans in this state. At December 31, 2023, $1.4 billion, or 88.1%, of our portfolio was secured by loans in the New York State/New York Metropolitan Area, $159.2 million, or 10.0%, of our portfolio was secured by loans in the Massachusetts/Boston Metropolitan Area and $28.3 million, or 1.9%, of our portfolio was secured by loans in Connecticut and New Jersey. Construction Loans. We have been originating construction loans secured by the construction of multi-family and single family properties in Massachusetts and by the construction primarily of multi-family, residential condominium properties, and occasionally non-residential properties located in New York State, primarily in Bronx, Orange, Rockland and Sullivan Counties, for more than a decade. Since the latter part of 2013, we have primarily made construction loans to borrowers and developers who we know or who are referred to us by existing customers for construction in high absorption, homogeneous communities in our New York State market area. The demand for housing (whether for rent or for purchase) is far greater in these high absorption communities than the available supply. This lack of balance between supply and demand leads to available units being under contracts of sale or leases signed very soon after certificates of occupancy are received by the building owners. Generally, in homogeneous communities, units that are under construction have purchase contracts before they are complete. We will make construction loans on condominium buildings, containing between two to more than 250 units or for single family homes and single family housing developments of as many as 400 homes, in each case in high absorption and/or homogeneous areas. For such loans, we do not offer permanent financing. We originate land acquisition and development loans whereby the land is ready to build with all permits in place or construction is “as of right.” We also originate occasional land loans to existing well established borrowers with the understanding the borrower will obtain all required permits prior to the borrower requesting a construction loan to develop the property. Construction loans are typically for 18 to 36 month terms, pay interest only during that period, and are indexed to the prime rate plus a margin. All construction loans are underwritten on an “as is” basis and an “as completed” basis and must meet our normal loan to value ratio requirements. In addition, if construction loans are for condominiums, as a backstop, the project will be underwritten as if they will be rental properties. We generally require the borrower to contribute 50% of the total raw land acquisition cost. If an existing structure is to be demolished, the loan to value ratio will be limited to 50% of the improved land value alone. To ensure sufficient construction funds are available for a project, we may elect to finance up to 100% of the construction costs, which includes a 10% contingency, in an amount not to exceed 70% of the “as complete” appraised value. We also require the borrower to submit various construction documentations, including but not necessarily limited to cost estimates, property surveys, approved building plans and specifications, and approved building permits. We generally require our borrowers to fund an interest reserve in advance. We do not fund interest reserves from the loan proceeds. As a project progresses and the borrower requests funds to continue the project, we require an independent consultant to inspect the project to verify that the work has been completed prior to disbursing the funds sought. We also obtain a title continuation update to confirm that no liens have been placed on the project. Inspections for the purpose of funding/advancing proceeds are conducted by one of our employees as well as by a third-party construction inspector approved by us. Construction loans in Orange, Rockland and Sullivan Counties consist primarily of loans to construct contemporary town-house style condominium buildings and complexes containing from four to 250 units. Construction loans in Bronx County consist primarily of loans to construct affordable rental apartment buildings containing between ten and 50 or more apartments. Most buildings are granted real estate tax abatements under New York City’s former 421- A program or an equivalent program due to the affordable nature of the apartments in the buildings. 3 Table of Contents Our average construction loans range from $5.0 million to $10.0 million on buildings and complexes ranging from 20 to 40 units. We also lend on projects, completed in stages, of up to $45 million. For projects above $33 million, we generally partner with a participating bank from outside our market area. We typically grant separate land and construction loans and occasionally site development loans secured by the project. At December 31, 2023, if we were to count land, construction and development loans as separate loans, our construction loan portfolio consisted of 560 loans totaling $1.7 billion in committed amount, comprised of outstanding disbursed balances of $1.2 billion and undisbursed loans in process of $486.3 million. At December 31, 2023, if we were to combine land, construction and development loans as one loan on a project, our construction loan portfolio consisted of 322 loans totaling $1.7 billion in committed amount, comprised of outstanding disbursed balance of $1.2 billion and undisbursed loans in process of $486.3 million. At December 31, 2023, the construction loan portfolio was comprised primarily of 556 New York construction loans with $1.7 billion in committed amount, comprising of outstanding disbursed balances of $1.2 billion and undisbursed loans in process of $480.3 million. All construction loans were performing according to their terms at December 31, 2023, except for two non-performing construction loans with an aggregate outstanding disbursed balance of $4.4 million secured by the same project located in the Bronx, New York. These two non-performing construction loans are in foreclosure. If we were to combine land, construction and development loans as one loan on a project, the average loan size in our construction loan portfolio was $5.4 million in committed amount, comprised of outstanding disbursed balances of $3.8 million and undisbursed loans in process of $1.5 million at December 31, 2023. Our largest outstanding construction loan at December 31, 2023 had a committed amount of $28.0 million, an outstanding balance of $27.0 million, and an undisbursed available balance of $959,000. This loan was performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2023 and is secured by the development of a multi-family building located in the Bronx, New York that will include 111 apartment units with a first floor community space. Our largest committed construction loan project at December 31, 2023 was comprised of four loans with a total commitment of $43.6 million of which 50.0% of the commitment has been sold to another financial institution thereby reducing our committed portion to $21.8 million. Our portion of these construction loans had an outstanding balance of $17.4 million and an undisbursed available balance of $4.4 million at December 31, 2023 and was performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2023. These loans are secured by the development of a 160,000 square foot class A office building located in Monsey, New York. At December 31, 2023, our largest outstanding credit relationship with one borrower totaled $47.1 million, comprising of four construction loans with $31.2 million in committed amount, three commercial and industrial lines of credit with $15.0 million in committed amount, and five stand-by letters of credit with $855,000 in committed amount. Of the $47.1 million in committed amount, $11.2 million of the commitment in construction loans has been sold to two other financial institutions thereby reducing our committed portion to $35.9 million. Our portion of these construction loans had an outstanding balance of $17.5 million and undisbursed loans in process of $2.5 million at December 31, 2023. The three commercial and industrial lines of credit had an outstanding balance of $2.9 million and undisbursed available balance of $12.1 million at December 31, 2023. The five stand-by letters of credit have not been drawn upon. All of these loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, our largest outstanding committed construction loan relationship with one borrower totaled $37.6 million, comprising of four construction loans with $37.6 million in committed amount, an aggregate outstanding balance of $22.0 million, and undisbursed loans in process of $15.6 million. All of these loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2023. Commercial and Industrial Loans. We provide credit to commercial and industrial businesses that are located within our market area. We also provide commercial and industrial loans to real estate developers in the New York Metropolitan Area. Pursuant to our lending policy, we generally limit the aggregate of all loans and lines of credit (including unused commitments) to any one borrower to no more than 10% of our Tier 1 Capital. Our policy requires a 4 Table of Contents guaranty of all owners of the borrower who own 20% or more of the business and we impose collateral requirements on our commercial and industrial loans. Interest rates and payments on our commercial and industrial loans are typically indexed to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal and adjusted as the prime rate changes. At December 31, 2023, the average balance of loans in our commercial and industrial loan portfolio was $639,000. At December 31, 2023, the largest outstanding commercial and industrial loan was comprised of an unsecured line of credit with an outstanding balance of $10.0 million and no remaining available line of credit. This borrower also had one construction loan with an outstanding disbursed balance of $1.7 million with no remaining undisbursed available balance and two other commercial and industrial loans with aggregate outstanding balances of $1.3 million and remaining available line of credit of $750,000 at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, our largest outstanding commercial and industrial line of credit relationship with one borrower was comprised of two lines of credit totaling $20.0 million, with no outstanding balances and remaining available lines of credit totaling $20.0 million. All the aforementioned commercial and industrial loans were performing according to their terms at December 31, 2023. Multifamily and Mixed-Use Real Estate Loans. We offer adjustable-rate mortgage loans secured by multifamily and mixed-use real estate. These loans are comprised primarily of loans on moderate income apartment buildings located in our lending territory and include, loans on cooperative apartment buildings (in the New York area), and loans for Section 8 multifamily housing. In New York, most of the apartment buildings that we lend on are rent-stabilized or free market buildings. Mixed-use real estate loans are secured by properties that are intended for both residential and business use. We originate multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans in Massachusetts and, on a limited basis, in New Jersey. We offer construction/renovation loans on multifamily and mixed-use rental properties in high absorption areas, dependent on vacancy rates in relation to borough or town averages. In recent years, except for Massachusetts, we have de-emphasized multifamily and mixed-use real estate lending as we have focused more on construction lending. We have been originating multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans in the New York State/New York Metropolitan Area for 89 years. In the New York State/New York Metropolitan Area, our ability to continue to grow our portfolio is dependent on the continuation of our relationships with mortgage brokers, as the multifamily and mixed-use real estate loan market is primarily broker driven. We have longstanding relationships with mortgage brokers in the New York market area, who are familiar with our lending practices and our underwriting standards. We also deal directly with building owners throughout our lending area. At December 31, 2023, multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans to borrowers in the New York State/New York Metropolitan Area totaled $71.3 million. In the Massachusetts/Boston Metropolitan Area, where we have also originated such loans, the primary source of mortgage loan originations are from personal contacts by our loan officer and referrals from existing customers. We generally retain for our portfolio all of the loans that we originate in Massachusetts. At December 31, 2023, multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans to borrowers in the Massachusetts/Boston Metropolitan Area totaled $151.2 million. We originate a variety of adjustable-rate and balloon multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans. The adjustable-rate loans have fixed rates for a period of one, two, three and five years and then adjust every one, two, three or five years thereafter, based on the terms of the loan. Maturities on these loans can be up to 15 years, and typically they amortize over a 20 to 30- year period. Interest rates on our adjustable-rate loans are adjusted to a rate that equals the applicable one-, two-, three- or five-year Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of New York or FHLB of Boston advance rate plus a margin. The balloon loans have a maximum maturity of five years. The lifetime interest rate cap is five percentage points over the initial interest rate of the loan (four percentage points for loans with one-, two- and three-year terms). The typical multifamily or mixed-use real estate loan refinances within the first five-year period and, in doing so, generates prepayment penalties ranging from one to five points of the outstanding loan balance. Under our loan-refinancing program, borrowers who are current under the terms and conditions of their contractual obligations can 5 Table of Contents apply to refinance their existing loans to the rates and terms then offered on new loans after the payment of their contractual prepayment penalties. In making multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans, we primarily consider the net operating income generated by the real estate to support the debt service, the borrower’s financial resources, the income level and managerial expertise of the borrower, the marketability of the property and our lending experience with the borrower. We typically require a personal guarantee of the borrower. We rate the property underlying the loan as Class A, B or C. Our current policy is to require a minimum debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of earnings after subtracting all operating expenses to debt service payments) of between 1.25x and 1.40x depending on the rating of the underlying property. The average multifamily loan debt-service coverage is 2.91x and the average loan-to-value ratio of our multifamily real estate loans is 31.2%. The average mixed-use real estate loan debt-service coverage is 2.95x and the average loan-to-value ratio of our mixed-use real estate loans is 38.6%. On multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans, our current policy is to finance up to 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the property securing the loan on purchases and refinances of Class A and B properties and up to 65% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price for properties that are rated Class C. Properties securing multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans are appraised by independent appraisers, inspected by us and generally require Phase 1 environmental surveys. The majority of the multifamily real estate loans in our portfolio are secured by ten unit to 100 unit apartment buildings. At December 31, 2023, the majority of our mixed-use real estate loans are secured by properties that are at least 85% residential. Loans secured by multifamily and mixed-use real estate generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Of primary concern in multifamily residential and mixed-use real estate lending is the borrower’s credit-worthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the project. Payments on loans secured by income producing properties often depend on successful operation and management of the properties. As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject, to a greater extent than residential real estate loans, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. In reaching a decision on whether to make a multifamily residential or mixed-use real estate loan, we consider the net operating income of the property, the borrower’s expertise, credit history and profitability, and the value of the underlying property. As of December 31, 2023, the largest outstanding multifamily real estate loan had a balance of $13.0 million and was performing according to its terms. This loan is secured by a 62-unit two building apartment complex located in Boston, Massachusetts. Our largest mixed-use real estate loan had a balance of $4.1 million and was performing according to its terms at December 31, 2023. This loan is secured by a mixed-use building with eight apartment units and a ground floor restaurant commercial unit located in the West Village section of New York City. As of December 31, 2023, the average loan size in our multifamily and mixed-use portfolio was approximately $1.6 million. Non-Residential Real Estate Loans . Our non-residential real estate loans are generally secured by office buildings, medical facilities, and retail shopping centers that are primarily located within our lending area. At December 31, 2023, our non-residential real estate loan portfolio was comprised mainly of $15.7 million of loans secured by properties in the New York State/New York Metropolitan Area, $3.9 million of loans secured by properties in the Massachusetts/Boston Metropolitan Area, and $1.5 million of loans secured by properties in Connecticut and New Jersey. We have de-emphasized the origination of non-residential real estate loans in recent years as we began increasing our origination of construction loans and multifamily loans. Our non-residential real estate loans are structured in a manner similar to our multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans, typically at a fixed rate of interest for three to five years and then a rate that adjusts every three to five years over the term of the loan, which is typically 15 years. Interest rates and payments on these loans generally are based on the one-, two-, three- or five-year FHLB of New York or FHLB of Boston advance rate plus a margin. The lifetime interest rate cap is five percentage points over the initial interest rate of the loan (four percentage points for loans with 6 Table of Contents one-, two- and three-year terms). Loans are secured by first mortgages that generally do not exceed 75% of the property’s appraised value. Properties securing non-residential real estate loans are appraised by independent appraisers and inspected by us. We also charge prepayment penalties, with five points of the outstanding loan balance generally being charged on loans that refinance in the first year of the mortgage, scaling down to one point on loans that refinance in year five. These loans are typically repaid or the term extended before maturity, in which case a new rate is negotiated to meet market conditions and an extension of the loan is executed for a new term with a new amortization schedule. Our non-residential real estate loans tend to refinance within the first five-year period. Our assessment of credit risk and our underwriting standards and procedures for non-residential real estate loans are similar to those applicable to our multifamily and mixed-use real estate loans. In reaching a decision on whether to make a non-residential real estate loan, we consider the net operating income of the property, the borrower’s expertise, credit history and profitability and the value of the underlying property. In addition, with respect to rental properties, we will also consider the term of the lease and the credit quality of the tenants. We have generally required that the properties securing non-residential real estate loans have debt service coverage ratios (the ratio of earnings after subtracting all operating expenses to debt service payments) of between 1.25x and 1.40x. The average non-residential loan debt-service coverage ratio is 2.20x and the average loan-to-value ratio of our non-residential loans is 38.8%. Phase 1 environmental surveys are required for most loans and property inspections are required for all loans. At December 31, 2023, we had $21.1 million in non-residential real estate loans outstanding, or 1.3% of total loans. At December 31, 2023, the largest outstanding non-residential real estate loan had an outstanding balance of $2.2 million and was performing in accordance with its terms. This loan is secured by three properties located in Brooklyn, New York consisting of a 17,850 square foot single story warehouse building, a 7,650 square foot single story bus maintenance garage, and a 0.39 acre paved parking lot. As of December 31, 2023, the average balance of loans in our non-residential loan portfolio was $621,000. Consumer Loans. We offer personal loans, loans secured by savings accounts or certificates of deposit (share loans), and overdraft protection for checking accounts which is linked to statement savings accounts and has the ability to transfer funds from the statement savings account to the checking account when needed to cover overdrafts. We no longer offer the overdraft protection for checking accounts linked to statement savings accounts. We also consider any checking accounts with overdrawn balances as a consumer loan even though the customer typically deposits sufficient funds the next business day to cover the overdrawn balance. At December 31, 2023, our portfolio of consumer loans was $1.2 million, or 0.08% of total loans, comprised primarily of checking accounts with overdrawn balances of $1.2 million and lines for overdraft protection with balances of $10,000. Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In addition, consumer loan collections depend on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and therefore are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness, or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans. Originations, Purchase, Participations and Sales of Loans . Loan originations come from a number of sources. The primary source of loan originations are our in-house loan officers and referrals from customers and, to a much lesser extent, mortgage loan brokers and local realtors. Historically, we have primarily originated our own loans and retained them in our portfolio. While in the past we purchased a limited number of participations from one financial institution that also serves high absorption areas in Brooklyn, New York, we currently do not have any purchased participation loan in our portfolio. We also purchased whole residential and non-residential mortgage loans from a Massachusetts financial 7 Table of Contents institution during 2021. At December 31, 2023, these whole purchased loans totaled $2.4 million and were performing according to their terms. We occasionally sell participations interests in construction loans we have originated in high absorption areas to other community banks in order to maintain compliance with our loans-to-one borrower limits. We have also historically sold participation interests in our construction loans to the Company and we may continue to do so in the future. At December 31, 2023, the Company held $14.1 million in participation interests in construction loans originated by the Bank. Through our loan participations, we and the other participating lenders generally share ratably in cash flows and points and fees and gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s noncompliance with the contractual terms of the loan. Loan Approval Procedures and Authority . Our lending activities follow written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by our board of directors and management. All construction, multifamily, mixed use and nonresidential real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans must be approved by a unanimous vote of the members of the Loan Committee, which is composed of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and a Senior Vice President. At each monthly meeting of the board of directors, the board reviews all commitments issued, regardless of size. Loans to One Borrower . Pursuant to New York law and federal banking regulations, the aggregate amount of loans that the Bank is permitted to make to any one borrower or a group of related borrowers is generally limited to 15% of its capital, surplus fund and undivided profits (25% if the amount in excess of 15% is secured by “readily marketable collateral”). At December 31, 2023, based on the 15% limitation, the Bank’s loans-to-one-borrower limit was approximately $38.3 million. On the same date, the Bank had no borrowers with outstanding balances in excess of this amount. Loan Commitments . We issue commitments for adjustable-rate mortgage loans conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events. Commitments to originate mortgage loans are legally binding agreements to lend to our customers and generally expire in 60 days. Delinquencies . When a borrower fails to make a required loan payment, we take a number of steps to have the borrower cure the delinquency and restore the loan to current status. We make initial contact with the borrower toward the end of the month when the payment is due and then again when loan becomes ten to 15 days past due. If payment is not received by the 30th day of delinquency, additional letters are sent and phone calls are made to the customer. When the loan becomes 60 days past due and if the borrower is unresponsive, we generally commence foreclosure proceedings against any real property that secures the loan or attempt to repossess any personal property that secures a commercial and industrial or consumer loan. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure sale, the property securing the loan generally is sold at foreclosure. We may consider loan workout arrangements with certain borrowers under certain circumstances. Management informs the board of directors on a monthly basis of the amount of loans delinquent more than 30 days, all loans in foreclosure and all foreclosed and repossessed property that we own. Investment Activities We have legal authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies and of state and municipal governments, municipal securities, deposits at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions. At December 31, 2023, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of mutual funds, residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae with stated final maturities of 10 years or more, and municipal securities with maturities of one years or more. 8 Table of Contents Our investment portfolio is primarily viewed as a source of liquidity. Our investment management policy is designed to provide adequate liquidity to meet any reasonable deposit outflows and any anticipated increase in the loan portfolio through conversion of secondary reserves to cash and to provide safety of principal and interest through investment in securities under limitations and restrictions prescribed in banking regulations. Consistent with liquidity and safety requirements, our policy is designed to generate a significant amount of stable income and to provide collateral for advances and repurchase agreements. The policy is also designed to serve as a counter-cyclical balance to earnings in that the investment portfolio will absorb funds when loan demand is low and will infuse funds when loan demand is high. Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds General. Deposits, borrowings and loan repayments are the major sources of our funds for lending and other investment activities. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general interest rates and market conditions. Deposit Accounts. The vast majority of our depositors are residents of the States of New York and Massachusetts. Deposits are obtained primarily from customers residing in or working in the communities in which our branches are located, and we rely on our long-standing relationships with our customers to retain these deposits. We also obtain deposits from our commercial and industrial and construction loan customers. These deposits tend to be a stable source of funds. We offer a broad selection of deposit instruments, including checking accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, non-interest bearing demand accounts (such as checking accounts and certificates of deposits. Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit, and the interest rate among other factors. In determining the terms of our deposit accounts, we consider the rates offered by our competition, profitability to us, matching deposit and loan products and customer preferences and concerns. We generally review our deposit mix and pricing weekly. Our current strategy is to offer competitive rates, but not be the market leader in every type and maturity. In addition, we utilize brokered, listing service and military deposits, which represent a viable and cost effective addition to our deposit gathering and maintenance strategy, often at a lower “all-in” cost when compared to our retail branch network. This strategy allows us to very effectively match the maturity of these deposits to the term of our construction loans, which make up a majority of the loans in our loan portfolio. Borrowings. We may utilize advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to supplement our supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. The Federal Home Loan Bank functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for member financial institutions. As a member, we are required to own capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and are authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of our mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities that are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States), provided certain standards related to credit-worthiness have been met. Advances are made under several different programs, each having its own interest rate and range of maturities. Depending on the program, limitations on the amount of advances are based either on a fixed percentage of an institution’s net worth or on the Federal Home Loan Bank’s assessment of the institution’s credit-worthiness. Under its current credit policies, the Federal Home Loan Bank generally limits advances to 25% of a member’s assets, and short-term borrowings of less than one year may not exceed 10% of the institution’s assets. The Federal Home Loan Bank determines specific lines of credit for each member institution. We had approximately $14.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank advances outstanding at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, we had the ability to borrow an additional $29.7 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”) approved on August 30, 2023 the Bank’s eligibility to pledge loans under the Borrower-in-Custody program of the FRBNY thereby allowing the Bank to borrow from the Discount Window at the FRBNY. As of December 31, 2023, we had $50.0 million in FRBNY borrowings and an available borrowing limit of $865.1 million. In addition, we are party to a loan agreement with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank under which we can borrow up to $8.0 million in short-term borrowings. There were no outstanding borrowings with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank at December 31, 2023. 9 Table of Contents Investment Advisory and Financial Planning Activities The Bank previously offered investment advisory and financial planning service under the name Harbor West Wealth Management Group, a division of the Bank through a networking arrangement with a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. However, in January 2024, the Bank sold all assets relating to the Harbor West Wealth Management Group to a third party and no longer directly offers wealth management services. Regulation and Supervision General The Bank is a New York-chartered savings bank. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services, as its chartering agency, and by the FDIC, as its primary federal regulator. The Bank is required to file reports with, and is periodically examined by, the FDIC and the New York State Department of Financial Services concerning its activities and financial condition, and must obtain regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, including, but not limited to, mergers with or acquisitions of other financial institutions. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The regulation and supervision of the Bank establish a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and borrowers and, for purposes of the FDIC, the protection of the insurance fund. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate credit loss reserves for regulatory purposes. The Bank has elected to be deemed a “savings association” under the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended. As a result, the Company is a savings and loan holding company and is required to comply with the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) applicable to savings and loan holding companies. The Company is required to file certain reports with the Federal Reserve Board and is subject to examination by and the enforcement authority of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company is also subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws. Any change in applicable laws or regulations, whether by the New York State Department of Financial Services, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board, the State of New York or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the operations and financial performance of the Company and the Bank. In addition, the Company and the Bank will be affected by the monetary and fiscal policies of various agencies of the United States Government, including the Federal Reserve Board. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, it is impossible for management to accurately predict future changes in monetary policy or the effect of such changes on the business or financial condition of the Company and the Bank. Set forth below is a brief description of material regulatory requirements that are applicable to the Bank and the Company. The description is limited to certain material aspects of the statutes and regulations addressed, and is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on the Bank and the Company. Bank Regulation New York Banking Law . The Bank derives its lending, investment, and other authority primarily from the applicable provisions of New York State banking law and the regulations of the New York State Department of Financial Services, as limited by FDIC regulations. Under these laws and regulations, banks, including the Bank, may invest in real estate mortgages, consumer and commercial loans, certain types of debt securities (including certain corporate debt securities, and obligations of federal, state, and local governments and agencies), certain types of corporate equity securities, and certain other assets. Under New York State banking law, New York State-chartered stock form savings banks and commercial banks may declare and pay dividends out of their net profits, unless there is an impairment of capital. Approval of the 10 Table of Contents Superintendent is required if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in a calendar year would exceed the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years, less prior dividends paid. New York State banking law gives the Superintendent authority to issue an order to a New York State-chartered banking institution to appear and explain an apparent violation of law, to discontinue unauthorized or unsafe practices, and to keep prescribed books and accounts. Upon a finding by the New York State Department of Financial Services that any director, trustee, or officer of any banking organization has violated any law, or has continued unauthorized or unsafe practices in conducting the business of the banking organization after having been notified by the Superintendent to discontinue such practices, such director, trustee, or officer may be removed from office after notice and an opportunity to be heard. The Superintendent also has authority to appoint a conservator or a receiver for a savings or commercial bank under certain circumstances. Capital Requirements. Federal regulations require FDIC-insured depository institutions to meet several minimum capital standards: a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 6.0%, a total capital to risk-based assets ratio of 8%, and a Tier 1 capital to average assets leverage ratio of 4%. For purposes of the regulatory capital requirements, common equity Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common stockholders’ equity and retained earnings. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common equity Tier 1 and additional Tier 1 capital. Additional Tier 1 capital includes certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Total capital includes Tier 1 capital (common equity Tier 1 capital plus additional Tier 1 capital) and Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital is comprised of capital instruments and related surplus, meeting specified requirements, and may include cumulative preferred stock and long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, intermediate preferred stock and subordinated debt. Also included in Tier 2 capital is the allowance for credit losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and, for institutions that made such an election regarding the treatment of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Institutions that have not exercised the AOCI opt-out have AOCI incorporated into common equity Tier 1 capital (including unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities). The Bank exercised the opt-out and therefore does not include AOCI in its regulatory capital determinations. Calculation of all types of regulatory capital is subject to deductions and adjustments specified in the regulations. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of calculating risk-based capital ratios, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets (such as recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes, residual interests) are multiplied by a risk weight factor assigned by the regulations based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Higher levels of capital are required for asset categories believed to present greater risk. For example, a risk weight of 0% is assigned to cash and U.S. government securities, a risk weight of 50% is generally assigned to prudently underwritten first lien one- to four-family residential mortgages, a risk weight of 100% is assigned to commercial and consumer loans, a risk weight of 150% is assigned to certain past due loans and a risk weight of between 0% to 600% is assigned to permissible equity interests, depending on certain specified factors. In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted asset above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The capital conservation buffer requirement began being phased in starting on January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increased each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019. At December 31, 2023, the Bank exceeded the fully phased in regulatory requirement for the capital conservation buffer. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act enacted in May 2018 required the federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, to establish for banks with assets of less than $10 billion of assets a community bank leverage ratio (the ratio of a bank’s tangible equity capital to average total consolidated assets) of 8 to 10%. A qualifying community bank with capital meeting the specified requirements (including off balance sheet exposures of 25% or less of total assets and trading assets and liabilities of 5% or less of total assets) and electing to follow the alternative framework is considered to meet all applicable regulatory capital requirements including the risk- 11 Table of Contents based requirements. The community bank leverage ratio was established at 9%, effective January 1, 2021. A qualifying bank may opt in and out of the community bank leverage ratio framework on its quarterly call report. A bank that ceases to meet any qualifying criteria is provided with a two-quarter grace period to comply with the community bank leverage ratio requirements or the general capital regulations by the federal regulators. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank had not elected the community bank leverage ratio alternative reporting framework. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act required each federal banking agency to revise its risk-based capital standards for insured institutions to ensure that those standards take adequate account of interest-rate risk, concentration of credit risk, and the risk of nontraditional activities, as well as to reflect the actual performance and expected risk of loss on multifamily residential loans. The FDIC, along with the other federal banking agencies, adopted a regulation providing that the agencies will take into account the exposure of a bank’s capital and economic value to changes in interest rate risk in assessing a bank’s capital adequacy. The FDIC also has authority to establish individual minimum capital requirements in appropriate cases upon determination that an institution’s capital level is, or is likely to become, inadequate in light of the particular circumstances. Standards for Safety and Soundness. As required by statute, the federal banking agencies adopted final regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement safety and soundness standards. The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, the internal audit system, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings and compensation, fees and benefits. The agencies have also established standards for safeguarding customer information. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. Investments and Activities. Under federal law, all state-chartered banks insured by the FDIC have generally been limited to activities as principal and equity investments of the type and in the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act and the FDIC permit exceptions to these limitations. For example, state-chartered banks may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise grandfathered state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange and in the shares of an investment company registered under federal law. The maximum permissible investment is 100% of Tier 1 capital, as specified by the FDIC’s regulations, or the maximum amount permitted by New York State banking law, whichever is less. Such grandfathering authority may be terminated upon the FDIC’s determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk to the Bank or if the Bank converts its charter or undergoes a change in control. In addition, the FDIC is authorized to permit such institutions to engage in other state authorized activities or investments (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) that meet all applicable capital requirements if it is determined that such activities or investments do not pose a significant risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund. Interstate Banking and Branching. Federal law permits well capitalized and well managed bank and savings and loan holding companies to acquire banks in any state, subject to Federal Reserve Board approval, certain concentration limits and other specified conditions. Interstate mergers of banks are also authorized, subject to regulatory approval and other specified conditions. In addition, amendments made by the Dodd-Frank Act permit banks to establish de novo branches on an interstate basis to the extent that branching is authorized by the law of the host state for the banks chartered by that state. Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or greater. An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 4.5% or greater. 12 Table of Contents An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 4.5%. An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 3.0%. An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank was a “well capitalized” institution under FDIC regulations. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions and prohibitions, including restrictions on growth, restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, restrictions or prohibitions on the payment of dividends, and restrictions on the acceptance of brokered deposits. Furthermore, if an insured depository institution is classified in one of the undercapitalized categories, it is required to submit a capital restoration plan to the appropriate federal banking agency, and the holding company must guarantee the performance of that plan. Based upon its capital levels, a bank that is classified as well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, or undercapitalized may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition, or an unsafe or unsound practice, warrants such treatment. An undercapitalized bank’s compliance with a capital restoration plan is required to be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5.0% of the institution’s total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized. If an “undercapitalized” bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.” “Significantly undercapitalized” banks must comply with one or more of a number of additional restrictions, including but not limited to an order by the FDIC to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets, cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks or dismiss directors or officers, and restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, compensation of executive officers and capital distributions by the parent holding company. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to additional measures including, subject to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator within 270 days after it obtains such status. The previously referenced law establishing a “community bank leverage ratio” adjusted the referenced categories for qualifying institutions that opt into the alternative framework for regulatory capital requirements. Institutions that exceed the community bank leverage ratio are considered to have met the capital ratio requirements to be “well capitalized” for the agencies’ prompt corrective rules. Transaction with Affiliates and Regulation W of the Federal Reserve Regulations. Transactions between banks and their affiliates are governed by federal law. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. In a holding company context, the parent bank or savings and loan holding company and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the bank (although subsidiaries of the bank itself, except financial subsidiaries, are generally not considered affiliates). Generally, Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation W limit the extent to which the bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10.0% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus, and with all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20.0% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus. Section 23B applies to “covered transactions” as well as to certain other transactions and requires that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans to, purchase of assets from, and issuance of a guarantee to an affiliate, and other similar transactions. Section 23B transactions also include the provision of services and the sale of assets by a bank to an affiliate. In addition, loans or other extensions of credit by the financial institution to the affiliate are required to be collateralized in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act. Sections 22(h) and (g) of the Federal Reserve Act place restrictions on loans to a bank’s insiders, i.e. , executive officers, directors and principal stockholders. Under Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act, loans to a director, an executive officer and to a greater than 10.0% stockholder of a financial institution, and certain of their affiliated interests, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated interests, may not exceed specified limits. Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act also requires that loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders be made on terms and conditions substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to persons who are not insiders and also requires prior board approval for certain loans. In addition, the aggregate amount of 13 Table of Contents extensions of credit by a financial institution to insiders cannot exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers. Enforcement. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured state-chartered savings banks, including the Bank. The enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, issue cease and desist orders and remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations, breaches of fiduciary duty and unsafe or unsound practices. Federal Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. Deposit accounts in the Bank are insured up to a maximum of  $250,000 for each separately insured depositor. The FDIC imposes an assessment for deposit insurance on all depository institutions. Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned and certain adjustments specified by FDIC regulations, with less risky institutions paying lower rates. Assessment rates (inclusive of possible adjustments) for most banks with less than $10 billion of assets currently range from 1 1∕2 to 30 basis points of each institution’s total assets less tangible capital. The FDIC may increase or decrease the scale uniformly, except that no adjustment can deviate more than two basis points from the base scale without notice and comment rulemaking. The FDIC’s current system represents a change, required by the Dodd-Frank Act, from its prior practice of basing the assessment on an institution’s volume of deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum target Deposit Insurance Fund ratio from 1.15% of estimated insured deposits to 1.35% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC was required to seek to achieve the 1.35% ratio by September 30, 2020. Insured institutions with assets of $10 billion or more were supposed to fund the increase. The FDIC indicated in November 2018 that the 1.35% ratio was exceeded. Insured institutions of less than $10 billion of assets received credits for the portion of their assessments that contributed to raising the reserve ratio between 1.15% and 1.35% effective when the fund rate achieves 1.38%. The Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the 1.5% maximum fund ratio, instead leaving it to the discretion of the FDIC and the FDIC has exercised that discretion by establishing a long range fund ratio of 2%. The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Future insurance assessment rates cannot be predicted. Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule order or regulatory condition imposed in writing. We do not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance. Privacy Regulations. FDIC regulations generally require that the Bank disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares a customer’s “non-public personal information,” to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter. In addition, the Bank is required to provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having their personal information shared with unaffiliated third parties and not to disclose account numbers or access codes to non-affiliated third parties for marketing purposes. The Bank currently has a privacy protection policy in place and believes that such policy is in compliance with the regulations. Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, as implemented by FDIC regulations, a non-member bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA does require the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a non-member bank, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution, including applications to acquire branches and other 14 Table of Contents financial institutions. The CRA requires the FDIC to provide a written evaluation of an institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. The Bank’s latest FDIC CRA rating was “Satisfactory”. On October 24, 2023, the FDIC, the OCC and the Federal Reserve issued a final rule amending the agencies’ CRA regulations. The final rule (i) encourages banks to expand access to credit, investment and banking services in low- and moderate-income communities, (ii) adapts to changes in the banking industry, including mobile and online banking, (iii) provides greater clarity and consistency in the application of CRA regulations and (iv) tailors CRA evaluations and data collection to bank size and type. Under the final rule, the agencies will evaluate bank performance across the varied activities they conduct and communities in which they operate so that the CRA continues to be an effective tool to address inequities in access to credit and financial services. The final rule also updates existing CRA regulations to evaluate lending outside traditional assessment areas generated by the growth of non-branch delivery systems, such as online and mobile banking, branchless banking, and hybrid models. In addition, the final rule implements a new metrics-based approach to evaluating bank retail lending and community development financing, using benchmarks based on peer and demographic data. Most of the final rule’s requirements will become effective beginning on January 1, 2026 and the remaining requirements, including the final rule’s data reporting requirements, will become effective on January 1, 2027. The Bank is also subject to provisions of the New York State banking law which imposes continuing and affirmative obligations upon banking institutions organized in New York State to serve the credit needs of its local community (the “NYCRA”) which are substantially similar to those imposed by the federal CRA. Pursuant to the NYCRA, a bank must file copies of all federal CRA reports with the New York State Department of Financial Services. The NYCRA requires the New York State Department of Financial Services to make a written assessment of a bank’s compliance with the NYCRA every 24 to 36 months, utilizing a four-tiered rating system and make such assessment available to the public. The NYCRA also requires the Superintendent to consider a bank’s NYCRA rating when reviewing a bank’s application to engage in certain transactions, including mergers, asset purchases and the establishment of branch offices or automated teller machines, and provides that such assessment may serve as a basis for the denial of any such application. The Bank’s latest NYCRA rating was “Outstanding”. Consumer Protection and Fair Lending Regulations. New York savings banks are subject to a variety of federal statutes and regulations that are intended to protect consumers and prohibit discrimination in the granting of credit. These statutes and regulations provide for a range of sanctions for non-compliance with their terms, including imposition of administrative fines and remedial orders, and referral to the Attorney General for prosecution of a civil action for actual and punitive damages and injunctive relief. Certain of these statutes authorize private individual and class action lawsuits and the award of actual, statutory and punitive damages and attorneys’ fees for certain types of violations. USA PATRIOT Act. The Bank is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act, which gave federal agencies additional powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing, and broadened anti-money laundering requirements. By way of amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act provided measures intended to encourage information sharing among bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents, and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act. Other Regulations. Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. Loan operations are also subject to state and federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the: ● Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves; ● Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit; 15 Table of Contents ● Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies; and ● Rules and regulations of the various federal and state agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal and state laws. The deposit operations of the Bank also are subject to, among others, the: ● Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; ● Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (also known as “Check 21”), which gives “substitute checks,” such as digital check images and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check; and ● Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services. Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Act authorizes the Federal Reserve Board to require depository associations to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily negotiable order of withdrawal and regular checking accounts). The amounts are adjusted annually and, for 2019, the regulations provided that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: a 3% reserve ratio is assessed on net transaction accounts up to and including $127.5 million; and a 10% reserve ratio is applied above $127.5 million. The first $16.9 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by the Federal Reserve Board) were exempted from the reserve requirements. The Bank complied with the foregoing requirements during 2019. On March 15, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board reduced reserve requirement to 0% effective as of March 26, 2020, which eliminated reserve requirements for all depository institutions. Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. At December 31, 2023, the Bank had a maximum borrowing capacity from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York of $43.7 million comprising of $29.7 million in available borrowings and $14.0 million in outstanding borrowings. The Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that Federal Home Loan Bank. The Bank was in compliance with requirements for the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York with an investment of $859,000 at December 31, 2023. Holding Company Regulation As a savings and loan holding company, the Company is subject to Federal Reserve Board regulations, examinations, supervision, reporting requirements and regulations regarding its activities. Among other things, this authority permits the Federal Reserve Board to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the Bank. Pursuant to federal law and regulations and policy, a savings and loan holding company such as the Company may generally engage in the activities permitted for financial holding companies under Section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act and certain other activities that have been authorized for savings and loan holding companies by regulation. Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company from, directly or indirectly or through one or more subsidiaries, acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings association, or savings and loan holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Federal Reserve Board or from acquiring or retaining, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a non-subsidiary holding company or savings association. A savings and loan holding company is also prohibited from acquiring more than 5% of a company engaged in activities other than those authorized by federal law or acquiring or retaining control of a depository institution that is not insured by the FDIC. In 16 Table of Contents evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings associations, the Federal Reserve Board must consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors. The Federal Reserve Board is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings associations in more than one state, except: (i) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and (ii) the acquisition of a savings association in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings association specifically permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions. Capital Requirements. The Company is subject to the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy guidelines for savings and loan holding companies (on a consolidated basis) which have historically been similar to, though less stringent than, those of the FDIC for the Bank. The Dodd-Frank Act, however, required the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves. Consolidated regulatory capital requirements identical to those applicable to the subsidiary banks apply to savings and loan holding companies; as is the case with institutions themselves, the capital conservation buffer was phased in between 2016 and 2019. However, the Federal Reserve Board has provided a “small bank holding company” exception to its consolidated capital requirements, and legislation and the related issuance of regulations by the Federal Reserve Board has increased the threshold for the exception to $3.0 billion. As a result, the Company is not be subject to the capital requirement until such time as its consolidated assets exceed $3.0 billion. Source of Strength. The Dodd-Frank Act also extends the “source of strength” doctrine to savings and loan holding companies. The regulatory agencies must promulgate regulations implementing the “source of strength” policy that holding companies act as a source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions by providing capital, liquidity and other support in times of financial stress. Dividends and Stock Repurchases. The Federal Reserve Board has the power to prohibit dividends by savings and loan holding companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank and savings and loan holding companies, which expresses the Federal Reserve Board’s view that a holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company’s net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve Board also indicated that it would be inappropriate for a holding company experiencing serious financial problems to borrow funds to pay dividends. Under the prompt corrective action regulations, the Federal Reserve Board may prohibit a bank or savings and holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is classified as “undercapitalized.” Federal Reserve Board policy also provides that a holding company should inform the Federal Reserve Board supervisory staff prior to redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock if the holding company is experiencing financial weaknesses or if the repurchase or redemption would result in a net reduction, as of the end of a quarter, in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred. Acquisition of the Company. Under the Federal Change in Bank Control Act, a notice must be submitted to the Federal Reserve Board if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire direct or indirect “control” of a savings and loan holding company or savings association. Under certain circumstances, a change of control may occur, and prior notice is required, upon the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the company or institution, unless the Federal Reserve Board has found that the acquisition will not result in a change of control. Under the Change in Control Act, the Federal Reserve Board generally has 60 days from the filing of a complete notice to act, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Any company that acquires control would then be subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company. 17 Table of Contents Federal Securities Laws. The Company’s common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and, as a result, the Company is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is intended to improve corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. We have policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations, and we review and document such policies, procedures and systems to ensure continued compliance with these regulations. Change in Control Regulations. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person, or group of persons acting in concert, may acquire control of a savings and loan holding company such as the Company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been given 60 days’ prior written notice and not disapproved the proposed acquisition. The Federal Reserve Board considers several factors in evaluating a notice, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and competitive effects. Control, as defined under the applicable regulations, means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of the company or to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the company. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a savings and loan holding company’s voting securities constitutes a rebuttable presumption of control under certain circumstances, including where, as in the case of the Company, the issuer has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, federal regulations provide that no company may acquire control of a savings and loan holding company without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Any company that acquires such control becomes a “savings and loan holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. Emerging Growth Company Status The Company is an emerging growth company and, for so long as it continues to be an emerging growth company, the Company may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As an emerging growth company, the Company is not subject to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which would require that our independent auditors review and attest as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We have also elected to use the extended transition period to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. Such an election is irrevocable during the period a company is an emerging growth company. Accordingly, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of public companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. The Company will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the Company’s second-step conversion and offering, which occurred on July 12, 2021; (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.1 billion (adjusted for inflation) or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (iv) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million at the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year. Personnel At December 31, 2023, we had 135 full-time employees and six part-time employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining unit. We believe our relationship with our employees is good. 18 Table of Contents Subsidiaries The Company’s only direct subsidiary is the Bank. The Bank maintains the following subsidiaries: New England Commercial Properties LLC , a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in October 2007 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank. New England Commercial Properties, LLC currently owns one foreclosed property located in Pennsylvania. NECB Financial Services Group, LLC , a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in the third quarter of 2012 as a complement to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to sell life insurance and fixed rate annuities. NECB Financial Services Group, LLC is licensed in New York State. We terminated our license in Connecticut on February 22, 2024 due to the sale of all the Bank’s assets relating to Harbor West Wealth Management Group to a third party in January 2024. 72 West Eckerson LLC , a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in April 2015 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the Bank branch locations in Spring Valley, New York and Monroe, New York. 166 Route 59 Realty LLC , a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in April 2021 to facilitate the purchase or lease of real property by the Bank and currently owns the Bank branch located in Airmont, New York. 3 Winterton Realty LLC , a New York limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in October 2021 to facilitate the purchase of real property by the Bank and currently owns the Bank branch located in Bloomingburg, New York. Executive Officers Our executive officers are elected annually by the board of directors and serve at the board’s discretion. The following individuals currently serve as our executive officers: ​ ​ ​ Name Position Kenneth A. Martinek ​ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jose M. Collazo ​ President and Chief Operating Officer Donald S. Hom ​ Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ​ Below is information regarding our executive officer who is not also a director. Mr. Hom has held his current position for the period indicated below. Age presented is as of December 31, 2023. Donald S. Hom joined the Company and the Bank in 2007, serving as Chief Financial Officer since 2013. Prior to joining the Company and the Bank, Mr. Hom served for 23 years as a bank examiner and financial analyst for a Federal banking regulatory agency and six years as the chief executive officer of a New Jersey community bank. Age 69. ​