NEW PEOPLES BANKSHARES INC 10-Q

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Caution About Forward-Looking Statements We make forward-looking statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding expectations, intentions, projections and beliefs concerning our profitability, liquidity, and allowance for credit losses, interest rate sensitivity, market risk, growth strategy, and financial and other goals. The words “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” or other similar words or terms are intended to identify forward looking statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from projections include: the success or failure of our efforts to implement our business plan; any required increase in our regulatory capital ratios; satisfying other regulatory requirements that may arise from examinations, changes in the law and other similar factors; deterioration of asset quality; changes in the level of our nonperforming assets and charge-offs; fluctuations of real estate values in our markets; our ability to attract and retain talent; demographical changes in our markets which negatively impact the local economy; the uncertain outcome of current or future legislation or regulations or policies of state and federal regulators; the successful management of interest rate risk; the successful management of liquidity; changes in general economic and business conditions in our market area and the United States in general; credit risks inherent in making loans such as changes in a borrower’s ability to repay and our management of such risks; competition with other banks and financial institutions, and companies outside of the banking industry, including online lenders and those companies that have substantially greater access to capital and other resources; demand, development and acceptance of new products and services we have offered or may offer; deposit flows and competition for deposits; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; the occurrence of significant natural disasters, including severe weather conditions, floods, health related issues and other catastrophic events; geopolitical conditions, including trade restrictions and tariffs, and acts or threats of terrorism, international hostilities, or actions taken by the U.S. or other governments in response to trade restrictions and tariffs, and acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, which could impact business and economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad; technology utilized by us, including the successful core operating system conversion in 2025; our ability to successfully manage cybersecurity, including generative artificial intelligence risks; our ability to assist in managing third party fraud against customer accounts including but not limited to check, credit and debit card, and electronic funds transfer fraud; our reliance on third-party vendors and correspondent banks; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; changes in governmental regulations, tax rates and similar matters; and, other risks, which may be described, from time to time, in our filings with the SEC. 23 Because of these uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Critical Accounting Policies For discussion of our significant accounting policies, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Certain critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. Our most critical accounting policies relate to our allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses reflects the estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our borrowers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, our estimates would be updated, and additional provisions could be required. For further discussion of the estimates used in determining the allowance for credit losses, we refer you to the section on “Asset Quality” in this discussion. Overview and Highlights Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $1.9 million, an increase of $122,000, or 6.83%, from the same period in 2024. Net interest income increased 9.81%, or $680,000, from $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 to $7.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the yield and average balance of earning assets, specifically loans which increased 27 basis points (”bps”) and $23.5 million when comparing the first three months of 2025 to 2024. The balance sheet grew to $880.7 million in total assets as of March 31, 2025, from $854.9 million as of December 31, 2024. Gross loans increased $13.2 million to $670.7 million as of March 31, 2025. Additionally, interest-bearing deposits in other banks increased $12.3 million to $66.6 million as of March 31, 2025. During the first three months of 2025 total deposits increased $26.9 million or 14.53% annualized to $776.9 million. A dividend of $0.08 per share was paid to shareholders during the first quarter of 2025, a 14.3% increase over the dividend paid in 2024. During the first quarter of 2025, we extended a previously announced stock repurchase program, to continue through March 31, 2026. Since the inception of the program through March 31, 2025, the Company has repurchased 308,139 shares at an average price of $2.46 per share. Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 Quarter-to-date highlights include: · Returns on average assets and equity of 0.90% and 10.78% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.86% and 11.11% for the first quarter of 2024, respectively; · Net interest margin was 3.69% for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 3.48% for the first quarter of 2024; · Net interest income was $7.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $680,000, or 9.81%, compared to the first quarter of 2024; · Noninterest income was $2.4 million, an increase of $92,000, or 3.96%, during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024; and · Noninterest expense was $7.3 million, an increase of $295,000, or 4.23%, for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024. During the first quarter of 2025, interest income increased $737,000 to $11.4 million due to the combination of an increase of 19 bps in the yield on earning assets to 5.51% and a $32.7 million increase in the average balance of earning assets. The loan portfolio was the primary driver of both increases, as the yield rose 27 bps to 6.10%, while the average balance increased $23.5 million for the comparative quarters ending March 31, 2025 and 2024. Investment securities contributed $172,000 as the average balance, excluding the unrealized loss, increased $6.7 million and the yield rose 52 bps, as we reinvest cash flows and grow the portfolio in a higher interest rate environment. The increased interest income was partially offset by increased interest expense which rose $57,000 to $3.7 million during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to $3.7 million reported for the same period in 2024. Interest-bearing deposits accounted for $298,000 of the increase as the average rate increased 7 bps and the average balance increased $37.0 million for the comparative quarters ending March 31, 2025 and 2024. The increase attributable to interest-bearing deposits was partially offset by a decrease in the cost of borrowed funds, which decreased 57 bps to 5.26%, as the related interest expense decreased $241,000. The decline was also impacted by the decreased average balance related to a $10 million borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank under the Bank Term Funding Program that was repaid in October 2024, combined with $4.2 million in principal payments made on trust preferred securities in October 2024 and January 2025. In addition, the variable rate paid on the trust preferred securities decreased as overnight and short-term borrowing rates declined during the last half of 2024. As a result, the cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreased 4 bps to 2.73% during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the first quarter of 2024. As a result, net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 increased $680,000, or 9.81%, when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024, while the net interest margin increased 21 bps to 3.69% for the quarter ending March 31, 2025, as compared to 3.48% for the same period in 2024 due to the increase in the yield on earning assets outpacing the cost of funds. 24 The following table shows the rates paid on earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated: Net Interest Margin Analysis Average Balances, Income and Expense, and Yields and Rates Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 2024 Average Income/ Yields/ Average Income/ Yields/ (Dollars are in thousands) Balance Expense Rates Balance Expense Rates ASSETS Loans (1) (2) $ 659,022 $ 9,912 6.10% $ 635,571 $ 9,213 5.83% Federal funds sold 139 2 4.40% 121 2 5.31% Interest bearing deposits in other banks 64,406 692 4.36% 61,940 826 5.36% Taxable investment securities 111,306 745 2.71% 104,566 573 2.19% Total earning assets 834,873 11,351 5.51% 802,198 10,614 5.32% Less: Allowance for credit losses (7,788) (7,426) Non-earning assets 37,411 38,791 Total assets $ 864,496 $ 833,563 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 72,394 $ 137 0.77% $ 72,144 $ 137 0.76% Savings and money market deposits 186,941 779 1.69% 160,832 543 1.36% Time deposits 274,564 2,533 3.74% 263,972 2,471 3.77% Total interest-bearing deposits 533,899 3,449 2.62% 496,948 3,151 2.55% Other borrowings 10,000 88 3.51% 20,000 209 4.13% Trust preferred securities 12,186 204 6.69% 16,186 324 7.91% Total borrowed funds 22,186 292 5.26% 36,186 533 5.83% Total interest-bearing liabilities 556,085 3,741 2.73% 533,134 3,684 2.77% Non-interest-bearing deposits 227,045 226,246 Other liabilities 9,580 9,519 Total liabilities 792,710 768,899 Shareholders’ equity 71,786 64,664 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 864,496 $ 833,563 Net interest income $ 7,610 $ 6,930 Net interest margin 3.69% 3.48% Net interest spread 2.78% 2.55% (1) Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale have been included in average loan balances. (2) Tax exempt income is not significant and has been treated as fully taxable. Net interest income is affected by changes in both average interest rates and average volumes (balances) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The following table sets forth the amounts of the total changes in interest income and interest expense which can be attributed to rates and volume for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. 25 Volume and Rate Analysis Increase (decrease) Three Months Ended 2025 Compared to 2024 (Dollars in thousands) Volume Effect Rate Effect Rate and Volume Effect Change in Interest Income/ Expense Interest income: Loans $ 1,367 $ 1,714 $ (2,382) $ 699 Federal funds sold 1 (1) - - Interest bearing deposits in other banks 132 (622) 356 (134) Taxable investment securities 148 544 (520) 172 Total earning assets 1,648 1,635 (2,546) 737 Interest expense: Interest-bearing demand deposits 2 3 (5) - Savings and money market deposits 355 534 (653) 236 Time deposits 399 (62) (275) 62 Other borrowings (413) (124) 416 (121) Trust preferred securities (316) (197) 393 (120) Total interest-bearing liabilities 27 154 (124) 57 Change in net interest income $ 1,621 $ 1,481 $ (2,422) $ 680 The provision for credit losses charged to the income statement for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was $259,000 compared to a net reversal of $43,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The March 2025 provision reflects the impact of valuation allowances for two specifically assessed borrower relationships, while the reversal recorded in 2024, was due to the resolution of a loan relationship for which a specific allowance allocation had been assigned, along with net recoveries on previously charged-off loans recorded during the first quarter of 2024. Also, the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments was $92,000 for the first quarter of 2025 due to growth in construction loans which are expected to be drawn over the next 12-18 months. For a discussion of the factors affecting the allowance for credit losses, including provision expense, refer to Note 7, Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans, in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Noninterest income increased $92,000 to $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 from $2.3 million for the comparable quarter in 2024. Modest decreases in earnings from service charges and card processing activities totaling $68,000 were offset by a branded card incentive payment of $141,000. Modest decreases in service charges and card processing revenues over the past several quarters result from changes in customer spending habits. Noninterest expense was $7.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to $7.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The $295,000 dollar increase resulted from increases in salaries and benefits, and occupancy costs, which combined for an increase of $266,000, and increases in advertising and ATM network expenses which combined for an increase of $66,000. The increase in salaries and benefits is attributed to normal recurring salary adjustments and staffing costs for the recently opened loan production office. Occupancy costs were impacted by $47,000 in costs incurred in “refreshing” a branch office and $42,000 in costs for snow and ice removal to keep our branch locations open and safe during the winter storms. ATM and card processing expense increases of $52,000 related to normal recurring cost increases, while advertising increases were due to product and service marketing efforts and costs incurred for a brand update. These increases were partially offset by a combined decrease of $31,000 in loan and loan related expenses and other operating expenses. The conversion of our core operating system is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. While estimated deconversion costs of approximately $850,000 were accrued for in 2024, we cannot be certain that all costs associated with this transition were captured and that there may be non-capitalized costs incurred and charged to expense during 2025. The efficiency ratio, which is defined as noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, decreased to 72.55% during the first quarter of 2025 from 75.42% for the first quarter of 2024. We continue to assess our operational procedures and structure to improve efficiencies and contain costs. 26 Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $584,000, an increase of $53,000, or 9.98%, from $531,000 recorded during the same period in 2024. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was 23.43%, compared to 22.92% for the same period in 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate is largely the result of earnings generated in states that assess an excise or income tax. Balance Sheet Total assets as of March 31, 2025 were $880.7 million, an increase of $25.8 million, or 12.25% annualized, from $854.9 million as of December 31, 2024. Gross loans of $670.7 million as of March 31, 2025 reflected an increase of $13.2 million from $657.5 million as of December 31, 2024. Liquid assets in the form of cash and cash equivalents increased $15.6 million, or 93.57% annualized, during the first quarter of 2025. Investment securities increased $2.6 million during the first three months of 2025 due to purchases of $2.9 million, and a decrease in the unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities of $2.4 million which more than offset maturities, payments and amortization of $2.7 million. Gross loans receivable increased $13.2 million to $670.7 million as of March 31, 2025 from $657.5 million as of December 31, 2024. Commercial and residential real estate loans increased $5.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively, from December 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025. Consumer loans increased $1.9 million or 27.04% annualized, which included the purchase of $2.5 million of individual loans during the quarter. Commercial and agriculture loans increased $1.4 million and $979,000, respectively, during the first quarter of 2025. Deposits totaled $776.9 million as of March 31, 2025 compared to $750.0 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase of $26.9 million, or 14.53% annualized, was due to efforts to attract and retain time deposits and money market account relationships, combined with cyclical funds inflows. As a result of these efforts and seasonality, total time deposits increased $3.9 million, money market accounts increased $10.0 million, and noninterest bearing deposits increased $9.1 million during the first quarter of 2025. The increase in time and money market deposits contributed to the increase in our cost of interest-bearing deposits, which increased 7 bps to 2.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, as previously discussed, due to the shift in the mix of the deposit portfolio as average deposit growth over the last year has mainly occurred in the higher-rate products as depositors seek to maximize their return on these deposits. As of March 31, 2025, borrowed funds totaled $22.0 million, a decrease of $3.0 million from December 31, 2024. Since December 31, 2024, a $3.0 million principal reduction was paid toward outstanding trust preferred securities. This repayment, made from available liquidity, will improve net interest income and the net interest margin in future periods. During the first three months of 2025, total shareholders’ equity increased $1.8 million to $72.6 million as of March 31, 2025, due to net income of $1.9 million and a decrease in the net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities of $1.9 million. These increases to capital were offset by dividends paid to shareholders of $1.9 million, and the repurchase of common stock totaling $68,000. Consequently, book value per share increased to $3.07 as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.99 as of December 31, 2024. The Bank remains well capitalized per regulatory guidance. As previously announced, on January 24, 2025, the Board of Directors extended the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through March 31, 2026. During the first quarter of 2025 the Company repurchased 22,777 shares at an average price of $3.00 per share. Since the commencement of the repurchase plan in 2022, 308,139 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $2.46 per share. Asset Quality The allowance for credit losses was $7.8 million, or 1.17% as a percentage of total loans, as of March 31, 2025, and $7.7 million, or 1.17%, as of December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments was $496,000 as of March 31, 2025, as compared to $404,000 at December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments was due to an increase in loan commitments, specifically residential and commercial real estate construction loan commitments. Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of average loans were 0.01% during the first three months of 2025 compared to 0.02% during the fourth quarter of 2024 and (0.09)% during the first quarter of 2024. Nonperforming assets, which include nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, totaled $4.6 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase of $1.2 million, or 35.83%, since year-end 2024. Nonaccrual loans increased $1.2 million during the first three months of 2025 due principally to a single loan relationship totaling $802,000 being placed in nonaccrual status. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.52% as of March 31, 2025, and 0.39% as of December 31, 2024. 27 Other real estate owned decreased $30,000 to $57,000 as of March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, due to the sale of a property during the first quarter of 2025. Expenses associated with other real estate owned were $1,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to expenses of $4,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024. For detailed information on nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, refer to Note 6 Loans and Note 10 Other Real Estate Owned in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Loans rated substandard or below totaled $5.3 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase of $1.3 million from $4.0 million as of December 31, 2024, largely due to a single loan relationship totaling $802,000 that was downgraded during the first quarter of 2025. Total past due loans decreased to $5.0 million as of March 31, 2025 from $6.2 million as of December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level that management deems appropriate to absorb any potential future losses and known impairments within the loan portfolio, whether or not the losses are actually ever realized. Through our quarterly assessment, we continue to adjust the CECL model to best reflect the risks in the portfolio. However, future provisions may be deemed necessary. During the first three months of 2025, we maintained the adjustments to our qualitative factors initiated in 2024, to consider risk factors associated with commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans. Those changes, along with recoveries of loans previously charged off and the assessment of the historical and specific risks associated with the loan portfolio, resulted in a provision for credit losses of $259,000, of which $167,000 was a provision for the loan portfolio; and $92,000 was a provision for unfunded commitments. The following table summarizes components of the allowance for credit losses and related loans as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024: Selected Credit Ratios March 31, December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2025 2024 Allowance for credit losses - loans $ 7,832 $ 7,684 Total loans 670,731 657,536 Allowance for credit losses to total loans 1.17% 1.17% Nonaccrual loans $ 4,507 $ 3,273 Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.67% 0.50% Ratio of allowance for credit losses loans to nonaccrual loans 1.74X 2.35X Charge-offs net of recoveries $ 19 $ 78 Average loans $ 659,022 $ 641,022 Net (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans1 0.01% 0.01% 1 - Annualized Deferred Tax Asset and Income Taxes Due to timing differences between the book and tax treatments of several income and expense items, a net deferred tax asset, excluding the deferred tax asset on the unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale of $2.7 million and $3.2 million, existed as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Our income tax expense was computed at the federal corporate income tax rate of 21% of taxable income and a blended state tax rate of 2.4%. We have no significant nontaxable income or nondeductible expenses. Capital Resources The Company meets the eligibility criteria to be classified as a small bank holding company in accordance with the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement issued in February 2015 and is therefore not obligated to report consolidated regulatory capital. The Bank continues to be subject to various capital requirements administered by banking agencies. The Bank’s capital ratios along with the minimum regulatory thresholds to be considered well-capitalized are presented in Note 4 in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. 28 As of March 31, 2025, the Bank remains well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. The ratios mentioned above for the Bank comply with the Federal Reserve rules to align with the Basel III Capital requirements. Book value per common share was $3.07 and $2.99 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The increase in book value was due largely to a decrease in the unrealized loss on available for sale investment securities earnings for the quarter of $1.9 million combined with net earnings for the quarter of $1.9 million, which more than offset the dividend payment of $0.08 per share and the repurchase of common shares of $68,000 during the first quarter of 2025. Other key performance indicators are as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2025 2024 Return on average assets1 0.90 % 0.86 % Return on average shareholders’ equity1 10.78 % 11.11 % Average equity to average assets 8.30 % 7.76 % 1 - Annualized Under current economic conditions, we believe it is prudent to continue to retain capital sufficient to support planned asset growth while being able to absorb potential losses that may occur if asset quality deteriorates, and based upon projections, we believe our current capital levels will be sufficient. During the first quarter of 2025, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share to our shareholders. Future payments of cash dividends will depend on a number of factors including but not limited to maintaining positive retained earnings, compliance with regulatory rules governing the payment of dividends, strategic plans, and sufficient capital at the Bank to allow payment of dividends to the Company. On April 28, 2022 the board of directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock through March 31, 2025. As previously reported, this plan was extended by the Board of Directors through March 31, 2026. The actual means and timing of any purchases, number of shares and prices or range of prices will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company’s common stock, general market and economic conditions, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has repurchased 308,139 shares at an average price of $2.46 per share since inception of the plan. During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 22,777 shares at an average price of $3.00 per share. There is no assurance that the Company will purchase any additional shares under this program. Liquidity We closely monitor our liquidity and our liquid assets in the form of cash, due from banks, federal funds sold and unpledged available-for-sale investments. Collectively, those balances were $145.8 million as of March 31, 2025, up from $128.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase is primarily due to deposit growth exceeding funding needs for loan growth. A surplus of short-term assets is maintained at levels management deems adequate to meet potential liquidity needs As of March 31, 2025, all of our investments are classified as available-for-sale, providing an additional source of liquidity in the amount of $62.5 million, which is net of the $36.1 million of securities pledged as collateral. Generally, the investment portfolio serves as a source of liquidity while yielding a higher return at the purchase date when compared to other short-term investment options, such as federal funds sold and overnight deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (the FRB). Due to the unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, the sale of investments, other than shorter-term investments with minimal unrealized losses or more recently purchased investments, would not be a main source of liquidity at this time due to the immediate impact on regulatory capital; however, the majority of the portfolio is considered high credit quality investments and would be available to pledge against borrowed funds. Total investment securities increased $2.6 million, or 11.16%, annualized during the first quarter of 2025 from $96.0 million as of December 31, 2024 to $98.6 million as of March 31, 2025. The Bank also has additional borrowing capacity on lines for which investments and certain loans are currently pledged. Our loan to deposit ratio was 86.34% and 87.67% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. 29 Available third-party sources of liquidity as of March 31, 2025 include the following: a line of credit with the FHLB, access to brokered certificates of deposit markets and the discount window at the Federal Reserve Bank. We also have the ability to borrow $30.0 million in unsecured federal funds through credit facilities extended by correspondent banks. We have used our line of credit with the FHLB to issue letters of credit totaling $14.0 million to the Treasury Board of Virginia for collateral on public funds. No draws on these letters of credit have been issued. The letters of credit are considered to be draws on our FHLB line of credit. In May 2023, we borrowed $10.0 million from the FHLB, through a fixed rate 5-year advance, to support loan fundings and other general liquidity needs. An additional $189.8 million was available as of March 31, 2025 on the $213.8 million line of credit. Full use of the FHLB borrowing capacity would require the Company to pledge additional assets. As of March 31, 2025 we held brokered time deposits of $3.0 million, unchanged from December 31, 2024. Internet accounts are limited to customers located in our primary market area and the surrounding geographical area. The average balance of and the rate paid on deposits is shown in the net interest margin analysis tables. Total reciprocal Certificate of Deposit Registry Services (“CDARS”) time deposits were $7.3 million and $7.0 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Aside from the availability of CDARS time deposits, we also offer a similar deposit product for transaction account customers through Intrafi Cash Service (“ICS”). As of March 31, 2025 approximately $22.0 million were placed in this product as compared to $23.7 million at December 31, 2024. Both the CDARS and ICS offerings assist us in maintaining deposit relationships, while assuring the depositors’ funds retain federal deposit insurance coverage. Additional liquidity is available through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window for overnight funding needs. We may collateralize this line with investment securities and loans at our discretion; however, while we do not anticipate using this as a primary funding source, securities with an estimated market value of $28.8 million were pledged as of March 31, 2025. Time deposits of $250,000 or more were approximately 7.23% of total deposits at March 31, 2025 and 6.84% of total deposits at December 31, 2024. In January 2025, we made a voluntary principal payment of $3.0 million on an outstanding trust preferred security. We may consider making future principal payments based on our available liquidity and considering other funding opportunities that may be available. With the on-balance sheet liquidity and other external sources of funding, we believe the Bank has adequate liquidity and capital resources to meet our requirements and needs for the foreseeable future. However, liquidity can be further affected by a number of factors such as counterparty willingness or ability to extend credit, regulatory actions and customer preferences, some of which are beyond our control. With the current economic uncertainty resulting from inflation, the impact of proposed tariffs and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, we continue monitoring our liquidity position, specifically cash on hand in order to meet customer demands. Additionally, our contingency funding plan is reviewed quarterly with our Asset Liability Committee. Off Balance Sheet Items and Contractual Obligations There have been no material changes during the three months ended March 31, 2025, to the off-balance sheet items and the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2024 Form 10-K. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Not Applicable.