Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), which involve significant risks and uncertainties. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and actual results may differ from those predicted. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future.
The Company cautions readers of this report that a number of important factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted and could affect the future prospects of the Company include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic conditions, including higher inflation or recessionary conditions, either nationally or in our market area, that are worse than expected; (ii) changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our interest margins, reduce the fair value of financial instruments or reduce the demand for our loan products; (iii) increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; (iv) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (v) changes in the quality and composition of our loan or investment portfolios and the adequacy of credit loss reserves; (vi) changes in
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real estate market values in our market area; (vii) decreased demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, or decreased demand for financial services in our market area; (viii) major catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods or other natural or human disasters and pandemics or infectious disease outbreaks, the related disruption to local, regional and global economic activity and financial markets, and the impact that any of the foregoing may have on us and our customers and other constituencies; (ix) legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business or changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; (x) the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts; (xi) technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; (xii) success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than expected; (xiii) the inability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and financial institutions into our business operations; (xiv) adverse changes in the securities markets; (xv) the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company’s operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; (xvi) the inability of third party service providers to perform; and (xvii) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by bank regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
Critical Accounting Policies
We consider accounting policies involving significant judgements and assumptions by management that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies. We consider these accounting policies to be our crucial accounting policies. The judgements and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these judgements and estimates under different conditions, resulting in a change that could have a material impact on the carrying values of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations.
Balance Sheet Analysis
General
Total assets decreased $76.2 million, or 3.8%, to $1.9 billion at March 31, 2025, from $2.0 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in assets was primarily due to decreases in net loans of $87.3 million and decreases of $1.0 million in accrued interest receivable, partially offset by increases in cash and cash equivalents of $11.2 million and increases of $1.3 million in equity securities.
Cash and cash equivalents increased $11.2 million, or 14.3%, to $89.5 million at March 31, 2025 from $78.3 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was a result of a decrease of $87.3 million in net loans and an increase of $8.9 million in stockholders’ equity, partially offset by a decrease in deposits of $84.4 million.
Equity securities increased $1.3 million, or 5.9%, to $23.3 million at March 31, 2025 from $22.0 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in equity securities was attributable to the purchase of $1.0 million in equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and market appreciation of $300,000 due to market interest rate volatility during the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Securities held-to-maturity decreased $129,000, or 0.9%, to $14.5 million at March 31, 2025 from $14.6 million at December 31, 2024 due to $129,000 in maturities and pay-downs of various investment securities.
Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, decreased $87.3 million, or 4.8%, to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2025 from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in loans consisted of decreases of $138.9 million in construction loans, $248,000 in non-residential loans, and $36,000 in one-to-four family loans. The decrease in our construction loan portfolio was due to normal pay-downs and principal reductions as construction projects were completed and either condominium units were sold to end buyers or multi-family rental buildings were refinanced by other financial institutions. The decrease in construction loans was offset by increases of $46.4 million in multi-family loans, $4.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $1.5 million in consumer loans.
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During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, we originated loans totaling $170.1 million consisting primarily of $110.2 million in construction loans, $49.1 million in multi-family loans, $10.1 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $730,000 in mixed-use loans. The $110.2 million in construction loans had 38.4% disbursed at loan closing, with the remaining funds to be disbursed over the terms of the construction loans.
The allowance for credit losses related to loans increased to $5.1 million as of March 31, 2025, from $4.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses related to loans was due to recoveries totaling $352,000 and provision for credit losses totaling $62,000, offset by charge-offs totaling $117,000.
Premises and equipment increased $84,000, or 0.3%, to $24.9 million at March 31, 2025 from $24.8 million at December 31, 2024 primarily due to the purchases of additional fixed assets.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock was $397,000, foreclosed real estate was $5.1 million, and property held for investment was $1.4 million at both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) increased $167,000, or 0.6%, to $25.9 million at March 31, 2025 from $25.7 million at December 31, 2024 due to increases in the BOLI cash value.
Accrued interest receivable decreased $1.0 million, or 7.9%, to $12.4 million at March 31, 2025 from $13.5 million at December 31, 2024 due to a decrease in the loan portfolio.
Right of use assets — operating decreased $145,000, or 3.6%, to $3.9 million at March 31, 2025 from $4.0 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to amortization.
Other assets decreased $328,000, or 2.8%, to $11.3 million at March 31, 2025 from $11.6 million at December 31, 2024 due to decreases of $1.7 million in tax assets and $10,000 in miscellaneous assets, partially offset by increases of $1.1 million in suspense accounts and $263,000 in prepaid expenses.
Total deposits decreased $84.4 million, or 5.1%, to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2025 from $1.7 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in deposits was primarily due to decreases in certificates of deposit of $125.1 million, or 12.5%, and non-interest bearing deposits of $9.9 million, or 3.5%, partially offset by increases in NOW/money market accounts of $45.9 million, or 18.8%, and savings account balances of $3.3 million, or 2.4%. The decrease of $125.1 million in certificates of deposit consisted of a decrease in retail certificates of deposit of $76.0 million, or 14.8%, and a decrease in brokered certificates of deposit of $54.8 million, or 12.6%, partially offset by an increase in non-brokered listing services certificates of deposit of $5.7 million, or 17.0%.
The decrease in retail certificates of deposit was due to a shift in deposits to our retail high yield money market accounts. The decrease in brokered certificates of deposit was due to management’s strategy to reduce the cost of funds by calling higher rate brokered deposits on their call date.
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance increased $680,000, or 42.0%, to $2.3 million at March 31, 2025 from $1.6 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to accumulation of real estate tax payments from borrowers.
Lease liability – operating decreased $136,000, or 3.3%, to $4.0 million at March 31, 2025 from $4.1 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to amortization.
Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $1.3 million, or 8.7%, to $13.3 million at March 31, 2025 from $14.5 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to a decrease in accrued expense of $2.8 million, partially offset by increases in dividends payable and other payables of $806,000, suspense accounts for loan closings of $346,000, and deferred compensation of $167,000. The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments increased $175,000, or 24.8%, to $879,000 at March 31, 2025 from $704,000 at December 31, 2024 due primarily to an increase of $101.4 million, or 18.0%, in off-balance sheet commitments.
Stockholders’ equity increased $8.9 million, or 2.8% to $327.2 million at March 31, 2025, from $318.3 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to net income of $10.6 million for the quarter ended
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March 31, 2025, an increase of $302,000 in earned employee stock ownership plan shares coupled with a reduction of $218,000 in unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, and the amortization expense of $478,000 relating to restricted stock and stock options granted under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, partially offset by dividends declared of $2.7 million and $13,000 in other comprehensive loss.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
Financial Highlights
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $10.6 million compared to net income of $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in net income of $807,000, or 7.1%, between periods was primarily due to a decrease in net interest income, an increase in the provision for credit losses, and an increase in non-interest expense, partially offset by an increase in non-interest income and a decrease in income tax expense.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income was $24.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $25.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in net interest income of $722,000, or 2.9%, was primarily due to an increase in interest expense that exceeded an increase in interest income and a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets that exceeded a decrease in the cost of funds for interest bearing liabilities.
Total interest and dividend income increased $86,000, or 0.2%, to $38.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $38.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in interest and dividend income was due to an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $159.9 million, or 9.2%, to $1.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $1.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024, partially offset by a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets by 72 basis points from 8.77% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to 8.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
Interest expense increased $808,000, or 6.2%, to $13.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in interest expense was due to an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $149.7 million, or 12.2%, to $1.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $1.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 24 basis points from 4.29% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to 4.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
Our net interest margin decreased 64 basis points, or 11.1%, to 5.11% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 5.75% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets that exceeded a decrease in the cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities.
Credit Loss Expense
The Company recorded a credit loss expense of $237,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to a credit loss expense reduction of $165,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The credit loss expense of $237,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was comprised of credit loss expense for loans of $62,000 and credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000.
The credit loss expense for loans of $62,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in the multi-family loan portfolio. The credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in unfunded off-balance sheet commitments.
The credit loss expense reduction of $165,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000, a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $3,000, and a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $17,000. The credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily attributed to favorable trend in the economy.
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With respect to the allowance for credit losses for loans, we charged-off $117,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to charge-offs of $21,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The charge-offs during both periods were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.
We recorded recoveries of $352,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to no recoveries during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The recoveries of $352,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 comprised of recoveries of $350,000 regarding a previously charged-off non-residential mortgage loan and $2,000 from a previously charged-off unpaid overdraft on a demand deposit account.
Based on a review at March 31, 2025 of the loans that were in the loan portfolio, our off-balance sheet credit exposures, and our HTM investment securities, management believes that the allowances for these three components are maintained at a level that represents our best estimate of inherent losses in the loan portfolio, off-balance sheet credit exposures, and HTM investment securities that were both probable and reasonably estimable.
Management uses available information to establish the appropriate level of the three ACLs. Future additions or reductions to the three ACLs might be necessary based on estimates that are susceptible to change as a result of changes in economic conditions and other factors. As a result, our three ACLs might not be sufficient to cover actual credit losses, and future provisions for credit losses could materially adversely affect our operating results. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our three ACLs. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the three ACLs based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $1.2 million compared to non-interest income of $554,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase of $681,000, or 122.9%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $382,000 in unrealized gain/(loss) on equity securities, $278,000 in other loan fees and service charges, $11,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest income, and $10,000 in BOLI income.
The increase in unrealized gain/(loss) on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $300,000 on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to an unrealized loss of $82,000 on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The unrealized gain of $300,000 on equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was due to market interest rate volatility during the three months ended March 31, 2025.
The increase of $278,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to an increase of $245,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees, an increase of $31,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees, and an increase of $2,000 in deposit account fees. The increase in BOLI income of $10,000 was due to an increase in the yield on BOLI assets.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense increased $938,000, or 9.7%, to $10.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $582,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $221,000 in other operating expense, $98,000 in outside data processing expense, $40,000 in occupancy expense, $19,000 in real estate owned expense, and $14,000 in advertising expense, partially offset by a decrease of $36,000 in equipment expense.
Salaries and employee benefits increased $582,000, or 10.9%, to $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to an increase in the number of full time equivalent employees to support the growth of the Company and an increase in employee compensation and benefits expense in order to retain key personnel.
Other non-interest expense increased $221,000, or 8.4%, to $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due mainly to increases of $157,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest expense, $106,000 in regulatory fees, $32,000 in legal expense, $8,000 in audit and accounting fees, $5,000 in expenses related to the hiring of personnel, $5,000 in office supplies, and $4,000 in insurance expense. These
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increases were offset by decreases of $40,000 in consulting fees, $27,000 in telephone expense, $20,000 in directors, officers and employees’ expense, $9,000 in directors’ compensation, and $1,000 in service contracts expense.
Miscellaneous other non-interest expense increased $157,000, or 43.9%, to $516,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $359,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to increases of $53,000 in miscellaneous expenses, $48,000 in miscellaneous charge-offs, $41,000 in public company expenses, $6,000 in postage expenses, $5,000 in check and correspondence bank charges, and $5,000 in dues and subscription expense.
Regulatory fees increased $106,000, or 14.2%, to $850,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $744,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to an increase in our total assets. Legal fees increased $32,000, or 48.5%, to $98,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $66,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to an increase in transactions requiring legal services. Audit and accounting expense increased $8,000, or 5.9%, to $143,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $135,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to normal increases by the Company’s accounting firms. Recruitment expense increased by $5,000, or 18.5%, to $32,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $27,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to the need to increase personnel. Office supplies increased by $5,000, or 9.8%, to $56,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $51,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to the growth of the Company. Insurance expense increased $4,000, or 3.9%, to $106,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $102,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to a general increase in insurance premiums.
Consulting fees decreased by $40,000, or 17.3%, to $191,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $231,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to less reliance on consultants. Telephone expense decreased by $27,000, or 15.9%, to $143,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $170,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to a reduction in telephone usage. Directors, officers, and employees’ expenses decreased $20,000, or 25.3%, to $59,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $79,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to reduction in traveling expense. Directors’ compensation decreased $9,000, or 3.7%, to $237,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $246,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to a reduction in the amortization of expenses related to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan awards of restricted stocks and options, partially offset by an increase in the quarterly retainer fees.
Outside data processing expense increased $98,000, or 15.4%, to $735,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $637,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to additional data processing services to support the growth of the Company. Occupancy expense increased $40,000, or 5.7%, to $747,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $707,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily as a result of the impact of inflation in operating cost.
Real estate owned expense increased $19,000, or 172.7%, to $30,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $11,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to higher operating expenses to maintain two foreclosed properties in 2025 compared to one foreclosed property in 2024.
Advertising expense increased $14,000, or 15.9%, to $102,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $88,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due mainly to an increase in advertising and promotional products.
Equipment expense decreased $36,000, or 14.2%, to $217,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $253,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to a reduced need to purchase additional equipment.
Income Taxes. We recorded income tax expense of $4.1 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we had approximately $204,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $195,000 in tax exempt income for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Our effective income tax rates were 27.8% and 29.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Average Balances and Yields
The following tables present information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets, the total dollar amounts of interest
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expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, and the resulting annualized average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average daily balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Loan fees, including prepayment fees, are included in interest income on loans and are not material. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balances only. In addition, yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis. Any adjustments necessary to present yields on a tax-equivalent basis are insignificant.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Average
Interest and
Yield/
Average
Interest and
Yield/
Balance
Dividends
Cost
Balance
Dividends
Cost
Loans receivable
$
1,767,849
$
36,882
8.35
%
$
1,612,343
$
36,703
9.11
%
Securities
36,751
235
2.56
33,848
197
2.33
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
397
9
9.07
842
21
9.98
Other interest-earning assets
93,476
1,081
4.63
91,552
1,200
5.24
Total interest-earning assets
1,898,473
38,207
8.05
1,738,585
38,121
8.77
Allowance for credit losses
(4,827)
(5,091)
Non-interest-earning assets
96,493
88,859
Total assets
$
1,990,139
$
1,822,353
Interest bearing demand
$
274,630
$
2,445
3.56
%
$
171,483
$
1,817
4.24
%
Savings and club accounts
138,903
730
2.10
182,771
1,202
2.63
Certificates of deposit
962,084
10,758
4.47
810,586
9,375
4.63
Interest-bearing deposits
1,375,617
13,933
4.05
1,164,840
12,394
4.26
Borrowed money
$
-
10
—
61,092
741
4.85
Interest-bearing liabilities
1,375,617
13,943
4.05
1,225,932
13,135
4.29
Non-interest-bearing demand
270,874
291,909
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities
18,086
18,090
Total liabilities
1,664,577
1,535,931
Equity
325,562
286,422
Total liabilities and equity
$
1,990,139
$
1,822,353
Net interest income/interest spread
$
24,264
4.00
%
$
24,986
4.48
%
Net interest margin
5.11
%
5.75
%
Net interest-earning assets
$
522,856
$
512,653
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
138.01
%
141.82
%
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Rate/Volume Analysis
The following tables set forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns.
Three Months Ended 3/31/2025
Compared to
Three Months Ended 3/31/2024
Increase (Decrease)
Due to
Volume
Rate
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income:
Loans receivable
$
13,238
$
(13,059)
$
179
Securities
18
20
38
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(10)
(2)
(12)
Other interest-earning assets
153
(272)
(119)
Total
$
13,399
$
(13,313)
$
86
Interest expense:
Interest bearing demand deposit
$
2,331
$
(1,703)
$
628
Savings accounts
(257)
(215)
(472)
Certificates of deposits
3,288
(1,905)
1,383
Borrowed money
(366)
(365)
(731)
Total
4,996
(4,188)
808
Net change in net interest income
$
8,403
$
(9,125)
$
(722)
Asset Quality
The following table sets forth information with respect to our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.
March 31,
December 31,
2025
2024
(Dollars in thousands)
Total non-accrual loans
$
—
$
—
Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more
—
—
Total non-performing loans
—
—
Real estate owned
5,120
5,120
Total non-performing assets
$
5,120
$
5,120
Total non-performing loans to total loans
—
%
—
%
Total non-performing assets to total assets
0.26
%
0.25
%
Non-performing assets totaled $5.1 million at March 31, 2025 and at December 31, 2024, respectively. These non-performing assets consisted of two foreclosed properties, with one foreclosed property totaling $4.4 million located in the Bronx, New York and one foreclosed property totaling $767,000 located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, we did not collect any interest income from loans that were in non-accrual status.
From time to time, as part of our loss mitigation strategy, we may modify loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing principal forgiveness, term extension, an other-than-insignificant payment delay, or interest rate reduction. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses. There were no new loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024.
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At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had no loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.
The following table sets forth an analysis of the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to loans for the periods indicated:
March 31,
December 31,
2025
2024
(Dollars In Thousands)
Allowance at beginning of period
$
4,830
$
5,093
Provision for credit losses
62
1,084
Net Charge-offs:
Residential real estate loans:
One- to four-family
—
—
Multifamily
—
—
Mixed-use
—
—
Total residential real estate loans
—
—
Non-residential real estate loans
(350)
—
Construction loans
—
—
Commercial and industrial loans
—
1,000
Consumer loans
115
347
Total net charge-offs
(235)
1,347
Allowance at end of period
$
5,127
$
4,830
Total loans outstanding
$
1,725,664
$
1,812,598
Average loans outstanding
1,767,849
1,701,079
Ratio of allowance to non-performing loans
—
%
—
%
Ratio of allowance to total loans
0.30
%
0.27
%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
(0.01)
%
0.08
%
Non-performing loans
$
—
$
—
The Company’s allowance for credit losses related to loans totaled $5.1 million, or 0.30% of total loans as of March 31, 2025 compared to $4.8 million, or 0.27% of total loans as of December 31, 2024. In addition, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments totaled $879,000 as of March 31, 2025 compared to $704,000 at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses related to held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $126,000 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
The allowance for credit losses related to loans increased $297,000 to $5.1 million at March 31, 2025 from $4.8 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was due primarily to recoveries of $352,000 and a credit loss expense of $62,000, offset by charge-offs totaling $117,000.
The allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments increased $175,000 to $879,000 at March 31, 2025 from $704,000 due to a credit loss expense of $175,000 at March 31, 2025.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We maintain liquid assets at levels we believe are adequate to meet our liquidity needs. We established a liquidity ratio policy that identifies three liquidity ratios consisting of (1) Cash/Deposits & Short Term Borrowings (“Cash Liquidity”), (2) Cash & Investments/Deposits & Short Term Borrowings (“On Balance Sheet Liquidity”), and (3) Cash & Investments & Borrowing Capacity/Deposits & Short Term Borrowings (“On Balance Sheet Liquidity & Borrowing Capacity”) to assist in the management of our liquidity. We also establish targets of 2.0% for the Cash Liquidity ratio, 8.0% for the On Balance Sheet Liquidity ratio, and 20.0% for the On Balance Sheet Liquidity & Borrowing Capacity ratio.
Our Cash Liquidity ratio, On Balance Sheet Liquidity ratio, and On Balance Sheet Liquidity & Borrowing Capacity ratio averaged 6.1%, 8.4%, and 74.2%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 6.7%,
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8.8%, and 65.6%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024. We adjust our liquidity levels to fund deposit outflows, pay real estate taxes on real estate loans, repay our borrowings, and fund loan commitments. We also adjust liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.
Our liquidity ratios cannot be calculated using amounts disclosed in our consolidated financial statements, as many of the calculations involve monthly, quarterly or annual averages. To calculate our liquidity ratios, the average liquidity base from the prior month is used as the denominator to calculate a daily liquidity ratio. The liquidity base consists of savings account balances, certificates of deposit balances, checking and money market balances, deposit loans and borrowings. The daily balances of these components are averaged to arrive at the liquidity base for the month, and the daily cash balances in selected general ledger accounts are used to derive our liquidity position. A daily liquidity ratio is calculated using the liquidity for the day divided by the prior month’s average liquidity base. At the end of each month, a monthly liquidity position is calculated using the average liquidity position for the month divided by the prior month’s average liquidity base. To calculate quarterly and annual liquidity ratios, we take the average liquidity for the three- or twelve-month period, respectively, and average it.
Our primary sources of liquidity are deposits, prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities of investment securities, other short-term investments, earnings, and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. We set the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits. In addition, we invest excess funds in short-term interest-earning assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements.
Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included with our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our primary investing activities are the origination of construction loans, commercial and industrial loans, multifamily loans, and to a lesser extent, mixed-use real estate loans and other loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, our loan originations totaled $170.1 million and $180.5 million, respectively. Cash received from the maturities and pay-downs on securities totaled $128,000 for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We purchased $1.0 million in equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to no purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to provide advances. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, 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 which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States), provided certain standards related to credit-worthiness have been met. We had an available borrowing limit of $15.5 million and $18.2 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. We had no Federal Home Loan Bank advances at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
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. We had an available borrowing limit of $941.3 million and $834.7 million from the FRBNY as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. We had no FRBNY borrowings at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
In addition, we are party to a loan agreement with ACBB under which we can borrow up to $8.0 million in short-term borrowings. There were no outstanding borrowings with ACBB at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
At March 31, 2025, we had unfunded commitments on construction and multi-family mortgage loans of $360.7 million, outstanding commitments to originate loans of $205.9 million, unfunded commitments under lines of credit of $81.9 million, and unfunded standby letters of credit of $14.9 million. At March 31, 2025, certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in less than one year totaled $809.0 million. Based on prior experience, management believes that a
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significant portion of such deposits will remain with us, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. In the event a significant portion of our deposits are not retained by us, we will have to utilize other funding sources, such as various types of sourced deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, or Federal Reserve Bank borrowings, in order to maintain our level of assets. Alternatively, we could reduce our level of liquid assets, such as our cash and cash equivalents. In addition, the cost of such deposits may be significantly higher or lower depending on market interest rates at the time of renewal.
The Company is a separate legal entity from the Bank and must provide for its own liquidity. In addition to its operating expenses, the Company is responsible for paying any dividends declared to its stockholders and for the repurchase, if any, of its shares of common stock. At March 31, 2025, the Company had liquid assets of $14.9 million and $4.1 million in loan participations originated by the Bank which are held by the Company.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet transactions reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash-flows.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and related notes of NorthEast Community Bancorp have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration for changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The primary impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.