EX-99.1 3 tm2514692d2_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

         
December 31, (dollars in thousands)  2024   2023 
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $38,330   $60,887 
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value   624,779    695,877 
           
Loans:          
Commercial and industrial   136,732    116,163 
Secured by real estate:          
Commercial mortgages   1,963,107    1,919,714 
Residential mortgages   1,084,090    1,166,887 
Home equity lines   36,468    44,070 
Consumer and other   1,210    1,230 
    3,221,607    3,248,064 
Allowance for credit losses   (28,331)   (28,992)
    3,193,276    3,219,072 
Restricted stock, at cost   27,712    32,659 
Bank premises and equipment, net   29,135    31,414 
Right-of-use asset - operating leases   18,951    22,588 
Bank-owned life insurance   117,075    114,045 
Pension plan assets, net   11,806    10,740 
Deferred income tax benefit   36,192    28,996 
Other assets   22,080    19,622 
   $4,119,336   $4,235,900 
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Checking  $1,074,671   $1,133,184 
Savings, NOW and money market   1,574,160    1,546,369 
Time   616,027    591,433 
    3,264,858    3,270,986 
Overnight advances       70,000 
Other borrowings   435,000    472,500 
Operating lease liability   21,964    24,940 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   18,648    17,328 
    3,740,470    3,855,754 
Stockholders' Equity:          
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share: Authorized, 80,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding, 22,595,349 and 22,590,942 shares   2,260    2,259 
Surplus   79,731    79,728 
Retained earnings   354,051    355,887 
    436,042    437,874 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (57,176)   (57,728)
    378,866    380,146 
   $4,119,336   $4,235,900 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2024   2023   2022 
Interest and dividend income:               
Loans  $137,092   $127,866   $116,352 
Investment securities:               
Taxable   26,412    22,663    9,795 
Nontaxable   3,826    4,954    8,063 
    167,330    155,483    134,210 
Interest expense:               
Savings, NOW and money market deposits   45,254    32,164    7,180 
Time deposits   27,509    19,267    5,296 
Overnight advances   401    950    1,207 
Other borrowings   20,947    16,237    4,814 
    94,111    68,618    18,497 
Net interest income   73,219    86,865    115,713 
Provision (credit) for credit losses   359    (326)   2,331 
Net interest income after provision (credit) for credit losses   72,860    87,191    113,382 
                
Noninterest income:               
Bank-owned life insurance   3,456    3,197    3,017 
Service charges on deposit accounts   3,376    3,034    3,157 
Net loss on sales of securities       (3,489)    
Gain (loss) on disposition of premises and fixed assets   21    240    (553)
Other   5,215    3,354    6,242 
    12,068    6,336    11,863 
Noninterest expense:               
Salaries and employee benefits   39,720    37,373    41,096 
Occupancy and equipment   12,586    13,140    13,407 
Merger expenses   1,161         
Branch consolidation expenses   1,934         
Other   12,763    13,546    12,523 
    68,164    64,059    67,026 
Income before income taxes   16,764    29,468    58,219 
Income tax (benefit) expense   (312)   3,229    11,287 
Net income  $17,076   $26,239   $46,932 
                
Weighted average:               
Common shares   22,527,300    22,550,562    22,868,658 
Dilutive restricted stock units   121,393    82,609    99,895 
Dilutive weighted average common shares   22,648,693    22,633,171    22,968,553 
                
Earnings per share:               
Basic  $0.76   $1.16   $2.05 
Diluted  $0.75   $1.16   $2.04 
                
Cash dividends declared per share  $0.84   $0.84   $0.82 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Year Ended December 31, (in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Net income  $17,076   $26,239   $46,932 
Other comprehensive income (loss):               
Change in net unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities   (1,362)   9,133    (83,835)
Change in funded status of pension plan   2,292    1,183    (8,176)
Change in net unrealized loss on derivative instruments           1,750 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes   930    10,316    (90,261)
Income tax expense (benefit)   378    3,277    (27,807)
Other comprehensive income (loss)   552    7,039    (62,454)
Comprehensive income (loss)  $17,628   $33,278   $(15,522)

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

                   Accumulated     
                   Other     
   Common Stock       Retained   Comprehensive     
(dollars in thousands)  Shares   Amount   Surplus   Earnings   (Loss)/Income   Total 
Balance, January 1, 2022   23,240,596   $2,324   $93,480   $320,321   $(2,313)  $413,812 
Net income                  46,932         46,932 
Other comprehensive loss                       (62,454)   (62,454)
Repurchase of common stock   (915,868)   (92)   (17,797)             (17,889)
Shares withheld upon the vesting and conversion of RSUs   (27,287)   (3)   (573)             (576)
Common stock issued under stock compensation plans   100,973    10    52              62 
Common stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan   44,966    5    834              839 
Stock-based compensation             2,466              2,466 
Cash dividends declared                  (18,656)        (18,656)
Balance, December 31, 2022   22,443,380    2,244    78,462    348,597    (64,767)   364,536 
Net income                  26,239         26,239 
Other comprehensive income                       7,039    7,039 
Shares withheld upon the vesting and conversion of RSUs   (48,941)   (5)   (865)             (870)
Common stock issued under stock compensation plans   133,796    14    46              60 
Common stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan   62,707    6    836              842 
Stock-based compensation             1,249              1,249 
Cash dividends declared                  (18,949)        (18,949)
Balance, December 31, 2023   22,590,942    2,259    79,728    355,887    (57,728)   380,146 
Net income                  17,076         17,076 
Other comprehensive income                       552    552 
Repurchase of common stock   (167,526)   (17)   (2,003)             (2,020)
Shares withheld upon the vesting and conversion of RSUs   (62,941)   (6)   (788)             (794)
Common stock issued under stock compensation plans   183,949    19    43              62 
Common stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan   50,925    5    591              596 
Stock-based compensation             2,160              2,160 
Cash dividends declared                  (18,912)        (18,912)
Balance, December 31, 2024   22,595,349   $2,260   $79,731   $354,051   $(57,176)  $378,866 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

     
Year Ended December 31, (in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:               
Net income  $17,076   $26,239   $46,932 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Provision (credit) for credit losses   359    (326)   2,331 
(Credit) provision for deferred income taxes   (7,574)   (1,149)   670 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment   3,096    3,108    3,612 
Amortization of right-of-use asset - operating leases   3,637    2,644    2,699 
Gain on early termination of operating leases   (96)        
Premium amortization on investment securities, net   2,436    2,227    1,578 
Net loss on sales of securities       3,489     
(Gain) loss on disposition of premises and fixed assets   (21)   (240)   553 
Stock-based compensation expense   2,160    1,249    2,466 
Accretion of cash surrender value on bank-owned life insurance   (3,456)   (3,197)   (3,017)
Pension expense (credit)   1,226    1,492    (129)
Decrease in other liabilities   (1,550)   (384)   (3,770)
Other increases in assets   (2,343)   (2,990)   (2,501)
Net cash provided by operating activities   14,950    32,162    51,424 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:               
Available-for-sale securities:               
Proceeds from sales       145,451     
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions   74,228    56,413    45,054 
Purchases   (6,928)   (220,911)   (69,562)
Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale   1,092         
Net decrease (increase) in loans   24,431    61,555    (207,427)
Net decrease (increase) in restricted stock   4,947    (6,296)   (4,839)
Purchases of premises and equipment, net   (1,468)   (2,862)   (3,598)
Proceeds from disposition of premises and facilities held-for-sale   383    2,291    6,601 
Proceeds from death benefit of bank-owned life insurance   576         
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   97,261    35,641    (233,771)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:               
Net (decrease) increase in deposits   (6,128)   (193,648)   149,389 
Net (decrease) increase in overnight advances   (70,000)   70,000    (125,000)
Proceeds from other borrowings   350,000    275,000    300,000 
Repayment of other borrowings   (387,500)   (213,500)   (75,322)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld   (198)   (28)   263 
Repurchase of common stock   (2,020)       (17,889)
Cash dividends paid   (18,922)   (18,918)   (18,591)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (134,768)   (81,094)   212,850 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (22,557)   (13,291)   30,503 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   60,887    74,178    43,675 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $38,330   $60,887   $74,178 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:               
Cash paid for:               
Interest  $92,782   $64,319   $17,142 
Income taxes   7,798    3,676    11,610 
Operating cash flows from operating leases   3,605    3,072    4,148 
Noncash investing and financing activities:               
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities       1,280    18,386 
Cash dividends payable   4,734    4,744    4,713 
Bank premises transferred to held-for-sale           2,407 
Loans transferred from portfolio to held-for-sale   1,006         

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE A SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The First of Long Island Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of Long Island, and subsidiaries wholly-owned by the Bank, either directly or indirectly, FNY Service Corp. and The First of Long Island REIT, Inc. (“REIT”). The Corporation’s financial condition and operating results principally reflect those of the Bank and its subsidiaries. The consolidated entity is referred to as the “Corporation,” and the Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Bank.” All intercompany balances have been eliminated.

 

The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation reflect banking industry practice and conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States. The following is a summary of the Corporation’s significant accounting policies.

 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported asset and liability balances, revenue and expense amounts, and the disclosures provided, including disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, based on available information. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Information available which could affect these judgements include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and deposits with other financial institutions that generally mature within 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions.

 

Investment Securities

 

Current accounting standards require that investment securities be classified as held-to-maturity (“HTM”), available-for-sale (“AFS”) or trading. The trading category is not applicable to any securities in the Bank's portfolio because the Bank does not buy or hold debt or equity securities principally for the purpose of selling in the near term. HTM securities, or debt securities which the Bank has the intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses (“ACL” or “allowance”), if any. AFS securities, or debt securities which are neither HTM securities nor trading securities, are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, included in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). Equity securities, if any, are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment.

 

Interest income includes amortization or accretion of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized or accreted using the level-yield method. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed securities. Premiums on municipal securities are amortized to the earlier of the stated maturity date or the first call date, while discounts on municipal securities are accreted to the stated maturity date. Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined using the specific identification method.

 

Management measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities, if any, on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

 

For AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, management first evaluates whether it has the intent to sell or would otherwise be required to sell before the recovery of amortized cost, and then whether the decline in fair value has resulted from an actual or estimated credit loss event. Management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, changes to the rating of the security, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss is likely, management then assesses whether it has the intent to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost and determines the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security as compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, an allowance is recorded for the estimated credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance is recognized in OCI. Accrued interest receivable on AFS securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

 

 

 

 

Loans Held-for-Sale

 

Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Any subsequent declines in fair value below the initial carrying value are recorded as a valuation allowance established through a charge to noninterest income.

 

Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

 

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost, net of the ACL. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding plus or minus net deferred loan costs and fees. Accrued interest receivable is reported in “Other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest on loans is credited to income based on the principal amount outstanding. Direct loan origination costs, net of loan origination fees, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments.

 

The past due status of a loan is based on the contractual terms in the loan agreement. Unless a loan is well secured and in the process of collection, the accrual of interest income is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest payments. The accrual of interest income on a loan is also discontinued when it is determined that the borrower will not be able to make principal and interest payments according to the contractual terms of the current loan agreement. When the accrual of interest income is discontinued on a loan, any accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current period income. Interest received on nonaccrual loans is applied to the outstanding principal balance until the loans qualify for return to an accrual status, if ever. Return to an accrual status occurs when all the principal and interest amounts contractually past due are brought current and all future payments are reasonably assured.

 

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the Bank’s loan portfolio. The ACL is established through provisions for credit losses charged against income. When available information confirms that specific loans, or portions thereof, are uncollectible, these amounts are charged against the ACL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL.

 

Management identifies loans in the Bank’s portfolio that must be individually evaluated for loss due to disparate risk characteristics. For loans individually evaluated, an allowance is estimated based on either the fair value of collateral or the discounted value of expected future cash flows. In estimating the fair value of real estate collateral, management utilizes appraisals or evaluations adjusted for costs to dispose and a distressed sale adjustment, if needed. Estimating the fair value of collateral other than real estate is also subjective in nature and sometimes requires difficult and complex judgements. Determining expected future cash flows can be more subjective than determining fair values. Expected future cash flows could differ significantly, both in timing and amount, from the cash flows actually received over the loan’s remaining life. Individually evaluated loans are excluded from the estimation of credit losses for the pooled portfolio.

 

For loans collectively evaluated for credit loss, management segregates its loan portfolio into distinct pools, certain of which are combined in reporting loans outstanding by class of loans: (1) commercial and industrial; (2) small business; (3) multifamily; (4) owner-occupied; (5) other commercial real estate; (6) construction and land development; (7) residential mortgage; (8) revolving home equity; (9) consumer; and (10) municipal loans. Historical loss information from the Bank’s own loan portfolio from December 31, 2007 to present provides a basis for management’s assessment of expected credit losses. The choice of a historical look-back period that begins in 2007 covers an entire economic cycle and impacts the average historical loss rates used to calculate the final ACL. Due to the extensive loss data available, management selected the vintage approach to measure the historical loss component of credit losses for most of its loan pools. For the revolving home equity and small business pools, the lifetime PD/LGD (probability of default/loss given default) method is used to measure historical losses.

 

Modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty are included in loans collectively evaluated for credit loss. An assessment of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty is made on the date of a modification. A charge to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification.

 

 

 

 

Management believes that the methods selected fairly reflect the historical loss component of expected losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio. However, since future losses could vary significantly from those experienced in the past, on a quarterly basis management adjusts its historical loss experience to reflect current and forecasted conditions. In doing so, management considers a variety of general qualitative and quantitative factors (“Q-factors”) and then subjectively determines the weight to assign to each in estimating losses. Qualitative characteristics include differences in underwriting standards, policies, lending staff and environmental risks. Management also considers whether further adjustments to historical loss information are needed to reflect the extent to which current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts over a one year to two year forecasting horizon differ from the conditions that existed during the historical loss period. These quantitative adjustments reflect changes to relevant data such as changes in unemployment rates, gross domestic product (“GDP”), vacancies, average growth in pools of loans, delinquencies or other factors associated with the financial assets. The immediate reversion method is applied for periods beyond the forecasting horizon. The Bank’s ACL allocable to pools of loans that are collectively evaluated for credit loss results primarily from these qualitative and quantitative adjustments to historical loss experience. Because of the nature of the Q-factors and the degree of judgement involved in assessing their impact, management’s resulting estimate of losses may not accurately reflect current and future losses in the portfolio.

 

The ACL is an amount that management currently believes will be adequate to absorb current expected credit losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. The process for estimating credit losses and determining the ACL as of any balance sheet date is subjective in nature and requires material estimates. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets

 

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Corporation, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

 

Bank Premises and Equipment and Operating Leases

 

Land is carried at cost. Other bank premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 31 to 40 years. Building and leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the remaining lives of the buildings or leases, as applicable, or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter. The lives of the respective leases range from five years to fifteen years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from three years to ten years. Premises and equipment held-for-sale, if any, is included in “other assets” on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets and carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Writedowns upon transfer to held-for-sale are included in “other noninterest expense” on the consolidated income statements. Fair value is based on an appraisal, where available, adjusted for estimated costs to sell.

 

The Bank determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Bank’s leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, the Bank uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments. Leases with an initial lease term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The Bank’s ROU asset and lease liability may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Bank will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Bank-owned Life Insurance

 

The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of insurance policies on the lives of certain current and past employed officers. Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement, if any.

 

Restricted Stock

 

The Bank is a member of and is required to own stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of NY (“FHLBNY”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of NY (“FRBNY”). The amount of FHLBNY stock held is based on membership and the level of FHLBNY advances. The amount of FRBNY stock held is based on the Bank’s capital and surplus balances. These stocks do not have a readily determinable fair value, are carried at cost, classified as restricted stock and periodically evaluated for impairment based on the prospects for the ultimate recovery of cost. Cash dividends, if any, are reported as interest income on taxable investment securities.

 

 

 

 

Other Real Estate Owned

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs and is included in “other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. Chargeoffs recorded at the time of acquisition are charged to the ACL. Subsequently, decreases in the property’s estimated fair value are charged to earnings and credited to a valuation allowance and recoveries in fair value are credited to earnings and charged to the valuation allowance. Such adjustments to earnings are included in other noninterest expense along with any additional property maintenance costs incurred in owning the property. Rental income received from tenants of other real estate owned is included in other noninterest income.

 

Long-term Assets

 

Premises and equipment, intangible assets, BOLI and other long-term assets, if any, are reviewed for impairment when events indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.

 

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments

 

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. The face amount of these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering collateral held or ability to repay. The Bank estimates credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures by considering the likelihood of an outstanding commitment converting into an outstanding loan and applying an estimate of expected lifetime credit losses used on similar portfolio segments, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Bank. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded in the line item “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $449,000 and $590,000, respectively, at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The ACL is adjusted through a provision for credit loss which is included in the line item “other noninterest expense” in the consolidated statements of income and amounted to ($141,000), $169,000 and ($71,000) in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Off-balance sheet credit instruments are recorded on the balance sheet when they are funded or drawn down.

 

Derivatives

 

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Corporation designates the derivative as one of three types based on the Corporation's intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. These three types are (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment ("fair value hedge"), (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedge"), or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation ("non-designated derivative"). For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item is attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The changes in the fair value of a derivative that is not designated is recorded currently in earnings, as noninterest income.

 

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in noninterest income or noninterest expense. Cash flows from hedges are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same manner as the items being hedged.

 

The Corporation formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Corporation also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item. The Corporation discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminated, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as interest expense. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in OCI are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

 

 

 

 

Income Taxes

 

A current tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. A deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized. The measurement of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is based on provisions of the enacted tax law. The effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not considered. The Corporation recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in noninterest income or noninterest expense as appropriate.

 

Retirement Plans

 

Pension expense is the sum of service cost, interest cost, amortization of actuarial gains and losses and plan expenses, net of the expected return on plan assets and participant contributions. The service cost component of pension expense is included in salaries and employee benefits on the consolidated statements of income. All other components of pension expense are included in other noninterest income. Employee 401(k) plan expense is equal to the amount of the Corporation’s matching contributions and is included in salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Loss Contingencies

 

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

Operating Segments

 

While the chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the Bank’s various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the financial operations of the Bank are aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

 

Investment Services

 

Assets held in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Corporation and, accordingly, are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Bank records investment services fees on the accrual basis.

 

Reclassifications

 

When appropriate, items in the prior year financial statements are reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

The Corporation calculates basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) using the treasury stock method. Basic EPS excludes the dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding RSUs were converted into shares of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Corporation. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive RSUs. There were 21,329, 101,480 and 33,017 RSUs excluded from the calculation of EPS at December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Other than the RSUs described in “Note I – Stock-Based Compensation,” the Corporation has no securities that could be converted into common stock nor does the Corporation have any contracts that could result in the issuance of common stock.

 

Stock-based Compensation 

 

The Corporation’s stock-based compensation plans are described in “Note I – Stock-Based Compensation.” Compensation cost is determined for RSUs issued to employees and non-employee directors based on the grant date fair value of the award.

 

Compensation expense for RSUs is recognized over the applicable performance or service period, which is usually the vesting period. Compensation expense is adjusted at the end of the performance period, if applicable, to reflect the actual number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock into which the RSUs will be converted. The Corporation accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and OCI. OCI includes revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under GAAP are included in comprehensive income but excluded from net income. OCI for the Corporation consists of net unrealized holding gains or losses on AFS securities and derivative instruments and changes in the funded status of the Bank’s defined benefit pension plan, all net of related income taxes. Accumulated OCI is recognized as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

 

The following sets forth the components of accumulated OCI, net of tax:

 

       Current     
   Balance   Period   Balance 
(in thousands)  12/31/2023   Change   12/31/2024 
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities  $(49,809)  $(1,033)  $(50,842)
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension plan   (7,919)   1,585    (6,334)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax  $(57,728)  $552   $(57,176)

 

The components of OCI and the related tax effects are as follows:

 

(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Change in net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:               
Change arising during the period  $(1,362)  $5,644   $(83,835)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (1)       3,489     
    (1,362)   9,133    (83,835)
Tax effect   (329)   2,887    (25,825)
    (1,033)   6,246    (58,010)
Change in funded status of pension plan:               
Unrecognized net gain (loss) arising during the period   1,492    165    (8,176)
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in pension expense (2)   800    1,018     
    2,292    1,183    (8,176)
Tax effect   707    390    (2,520)
    1,585    793    (5,656)
Change in unrealized loss on derivative instrument:               
Amount of gain during the period           1,324 
Reclassification adjustment for net interest expense included in net income (3)           426 
            1,750 
Tax effect           538 
            1,212 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  $552   $7,039   $(62,454)

 

(1) Represents net realized losses arising from the sale of AFS securities, included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item “Net loss on sales of securities.” See “Note B – Investment Securities” for the income tax benefit related to these net realized losses, included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item “Income tax (benefit) expense.”
(2) Represents the amortization of net actuarial loss relating to the Corporation's defined benefit pension plan. This item is a component of net periodic pension cost (see "Note J Retirement Plans") and included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item "Other noninterest income."
(3) Represents the net interest expense recorded from derivative transactions and included in the consolidated statements of income under “Interest expense.”

 

 

 

 

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

 

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." The ASU requires incremental segment information disclosures, including disclosures of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, a description of other segment items by reportable segment, and any additional measures of a segment's profit or loss used by the chief operating decision maker when deciding how to allocate resources. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted, and retrospective adoption is required for all prior periods presented. The adoption of the ASU for the year ended December 31, 2024 modified the Corporation’s disclosures but did not impact its financial position or results of operations. See “Note R – Segment Information” for disclosures required by ASU 2023-07.

 

Impact of Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

 

The pronouncements discussed in this section are not intended to be an all-inclusive list, but rather only those pronouncements that could potentially have an impact on the Corporation’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which includes amendments that further enhance income tax disclosures, primarily through disaggregation of specific rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. Other than the new disclosure requirements, ASU 2023-09 will not have an impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE B INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

The following tables set forth the amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Bank’s AFS investment securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

   2024 
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
(in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Value 
State and municipals  $151,909   $8   $(16,374)  $135,543 
Pass-through mortgage securities   158,789    8    (29,357)   129,440 
Collateralized mortgage obligations   166,014    595    (21,550)   145,059 
SBA agency obligations   102,308    262    (1,143)   101,427 
Corporate bonds   119,000        (5,690)   113,310 
   $698,020   $873   $(74,114)  $624,779 

 

   2023 
State and municipals  $155,294   $317   $(11,990)  $143,621 
Pass-through mortgage securities   165,734        (27,131)   138,603 
Collateralized mortgage obligations   201,500    1,836    (21,074)   182,262 
SBA agency obligations   126,228    331    (1,083)   125,476 
Corporate bonds   119,000        (13,085)   105,915 
   $767,756   $2,484   $(74,363)  $695,877 

 

Small Business Administration ("SBA") agency obligations are floating rate, government guaranteed securities backed by $78.3 million of commercial mortgages and $23.1 million of equipment finance loans at December 31, 2024.

 

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, investment securities with a carrying value of $259.8 million and $203.9 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits.

 

There were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

There was no allowance for credit losses associated with the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2024 or 2023.

 

 

 

 

Securities With Unrealized Losses. The following tables set forth securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2024 and 2023 presented by length of time the securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

   2024 
   Less than   12 Months         
   12 Months   or More   Total 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
(in thousands)  Value   Loss   Value   Loss   Value   Loss 
State and municipals  $14,719   $(318)  $117,168   $(16,056)  $131,887   $(16,374)
Pass-through mortgage securities   9,364    (179)   119,191    (29,178)   128,555    (29,357)
Collateralized mortgage obligations   3,726    (33)   92,366    (21,517)   96,092    (21,550)
SBA agency obligations           83,439    (1,143)   83,439    (1,143)
Corporate bonds           113,310    (5,690)   113,310    (5,690)
Total temporarily impaired  $27,809   $(530)  $525,474   $(73,584)  $553,283   $(74,114)

 

   2023 
   Less than   12 Months         
   12 Months   or More   Total 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
(in thousands)  Value   Loss   Value   Loss   Value   Loss 
State and municipals  $29,522   $(719)  $95,725   $(11,271)  $125,247   $(11,990)
Pass-through mortgage securities   2,361    (1)   134,558    (27,130)   136,919    (27,131)
Collateralized mortgage obligations           102,528    (21,074)   102,528    (21,074)
SBA agency obligations   98,879    (1,083)           98,879    (1,083)
Corporate bonds           105,915    (13,085)   105,915    (13,085)
Total temporarily impaired  $130,762   $(1,803)  $438,726   $(72,560)  $569,488   $(74,363)

 

Following is a discussion of unrealized losses by type of security, none of which are considered impaired at December 31, 2024.

 

State and Municipals

 

At December 31, 2024, approximately $131.9 million of state and municipal bonds had an unrealized loss of $16.4 million. Substantially all the state and municipal bonds are considered high investment grade and rated Aa2/AA- or higher. The unrealized loss is primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity and not credit quality. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The Bank does not have the intent to sell these securities, nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.

 

Pass-through Mortgage Securities

 

At December 31, 2024, pass-through mortgage securities of approximately $128.6 million had an unrealized loss of $29.4 million. These securities were issued by U.S. government and government-sponsored agencies and are considered high investment grade. The unrealized loss is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The Bank does not have the intent to sell these securities, nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

 

At December 31, 2024, collateralized mortgage obligations of approximately $96.1 million had an unrealized loss of $21.6 million. These securities were issued by U.S. government and government-sponsored agencies and are considered high investment grade. The unrealized loss is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The Bank does not have the intent to sell these securities, nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.

 

 

 

 

SBA Agency Obligations

 

At December 31, 2024, SBA agency obligations of approximately $83.4 million had an unrealized loss of $1.1 million. These securities were issued by the SBA, a U.S. government agency and are considered high investment grade. The unrealized loss is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality. The issuer continues to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The Bank does not have the intent to sell these securities, nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.

 

Corporate Bonds

 

At December 31, 2024, approximately $113.3 million of corporate bonds had an unrealized loss of $5.7 million. The corporate bonds represent senior unsecured debt obligations of six of the largest U.S. based financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo. Each of the corporate bonds has a stated maturity of ten years and matures in 2028. The bonds reprice quarterly based on the ten year constant maturity swap rate.

 

Each of the financial institutions is considered upper medium investment grade and rated A3 or higher. The unrealized loss is attributable to changes in credit spreads and interest rates and the illiquid nature of the securities. The Bank does not have the intent to sell these securities, nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. Each of these financial institutions has diversified revenue streams, is well capitalized and continues to make timely interest payments. Management evaluates the quarterly financial statements of each company to determine if full payment of principal and interest is in doubt and does not believe there is any impairment at December 31, 2024.

 

Sales of AFS Securities. Sales of AFS securities were as follows:

 

(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Proceeds  $   $145,451   $ 
                
Gains  $   $   $ 
Losses       (3,489)    
Net gain (loss)  $   $(3,489)  $ 

 

Income tax benefit related to the net realized losses was $1.1 million in 2023 and is included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item “Income tax (benefit) expense.”

 

Sales of HTM Securities. The Bank did not have any securities classified as HTM in 2024, 2023 or 2022.

 

 

 

 

Maturities. The following table sets forth by maturity the amortized cost and fair value of the Bank’s state and municipal securities and corporate bonds at December 31, 2024 based on the earlier of their stated maturity or, if applicable, their pre-refunded date. The remaining securities in the Bank’s investment securities portfolio are mortgage and asset-backed securities, consisting of pass-through mortgage securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and SBA agency obligations. Although these securities are expected to have substantial periodic repayments they are reflected in the table below in aggregate amounts.

 

(in thousands)  Amortized Cost   Fair Value 
Within one year  $1,403   $1,397 
After 1 through 5 years   138,656    131,981 
After 5 through 10 years   40,201    36,546 
After 10 years   90,649    78,929 
Mortgage and asset-backed securities   427,111    375,926 
   $698,020   $624,779 

 

NOTE C – LOANS

 

The following table sets forth the loans outstanding by class of loans for the periods indicated.

 

   At December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Commercial and industrial  $136,732   $116,163 
Commercial mortgages:          
Multifamily   848,558    857,163 
Other   851,277    829,090 
Owner-occupied   263,272    233,461 
Residential mortgages:          
Closed end   1,084,090    1,166,887 
Revolving home equity   36,468    44,070 
Consumer and other   1,210    1,230 
   $3,221,607   $3,248,064 

 

 

 

 

The following tables present the activity in the ACL for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

 

   Balance at           Provision (Credit) for   Balance at 
(in thousands)  1/1/2024   Chargeoffs   Recoveries   Credit Losses   12/31/2024 
Commercial and industrial  $2,030   $(938)  $67   $206   $1,365 
Commercial mortgages:                         
Multifamily   6,817    (168)       2,085    8,734 
Other   7,850            (253)   7,597 
Owner-occupied   3,104            139    3,243 
Residential mortgages:                         
Closed end   8,838    (1)   52    (1,782)   7,107 
Revolving home equity   339            (70)   269 
Consumer and other   14    (32)       34    16 
   $28,992   $(1,139)  $119   $359   $28,331 

 

   Balance at           Provision (Credit) for   Balance at 
(in thousands)  1/1/2023   Chargeoffs   Recoveries   Credit Losses   12/31/2023 
Commercial and industrial  $1,543   $(2,026)  $81   $2,432   $2,030 
Commercial mortgages:                         
Multifamily   8,430            (1,613)   6,817 
Other   7,425        15    410    7,850 
Owner-occupied   3,024            80    3,104 
Residential mortgages:                         
Closed end   10,633    (176)       (1,619)   8,838 
Revolving home equity   362            (23)   339 
Consumer and other   15    (8)       7    14 
   $31,432   $(2,210)  $96   $(326)  $28,992 

 

   Balance at           Provision (Credit) for   Balance at 
(in thousands)  1/1/2022   Chargeoffs   Recoveries   Credit Losses   12/31/2022 
Commercial and industrial  $888   $(511)  $154   $1,012   $1,543 
SBA PPP   46            (46)    
Commercial mortgages:                         
Multifamily   8,154            276    8,430 
Other   6,478            947    7,425 
Owner-occupied   2,515            509    3,024 
Residential mortgages:                         
Closed end   11,298    (372)       (293)   10,633 
Revolving home equity   449            (87)   362 
Consumer and other   3    (1)       13    15 
   $29,831   $(884)  $154   $2,331   $31,432 

 

 

 

 

The provision recorded in 2024 was mainly due to chargeoffs and deterioration in current and forecasted economic conditions, including adjustments for rent stabilization status of multifamily properties, partially offset by declines in historical loss rates, allowances on individually evaluated loans, and loan balances. The credit provision recorded in 2023 was mainly due to improvements in historical loss rates, the economic forecasts of unemployment and GDP and other portfolio metrics and a decrease in outstanding mortgage loans, partially offset by net chargeoffs and allowances for individually evaluated loans. The provision recorded in 2022 was mainly due to an increase in outstanding mortgage loans, chargeoffs and deteriorating economic conditions, partially offset by lower historical loss rates.

 

Aging of Loans. The following tables present the aging of loans past due and loans in nonaccrual status by class of loans.

 

   December 31, 2024 
   Past Due   Nonaccrual             
(in thousands)  30-59
Days
   60-89
Days
   90 Days or
More and
Still
Accruing
   With an
Allowance
for Credit
Loss
   With No
Allowance
for Credit
Loss
   Total Past
Due Loans
&
Nonaccrual
Loans
   Current   Total
Loans
 
Commercial and industrial  $174   $96   $   $   $   $270   $136,462   $136,732 
Commercial mortgages:                                        
Multifamily               1,190        1,190    847,368    848,558 
Other                           851,277    851,277 
Owner-occupied                           263,272    263,272 
Residential mortgages:                                        
Closed end                   2,039    2,039    1,082,051    1,084,090 
Revolving home equity                           36,468    36,468 
Consumer and other                           1,210    1,210 
   $174   $96   $   $1,190   $2,039   $3,499   $3,218,108   $3,221,607 

 

   December 31, 2023 
Commercial and industrial  $73   $   $   $722   $   $795   $115,368   $116,163 
Commercial mortgages:                                        
Multifamily                           857,163    857,163 
Other   1,624                    1,624    827,466    829,090 
Owner-occupied                           233,461    233,461 
Residential mortgages:                                        
Closed end   1,389                331    1,720    1,165,167    1,166,887 
Revolving home equity                           44,070    44,070 
Consumer and other                           1,230    1,230 
   $3,086   $   $   $722   $331   $4,139   $3,243,925   $3,248,064 

 

At December 31, 2024, there was one residential real estate loan for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process with an amortized cost of $844,000. This loan is included in the column "Nonaccrual - With No Allowance for Credit Loss" in the December 31, 2024 table above. The Bank did not hold any foreclosed residential real estate property at December 31, 2024. There were no loans in the process of foreclosure nor did the Bank hold any foreclosed residential real estate property at December 31, 2023 or 2022.

 

Accrued interest receivable from loans totaled $10.7 million and $10.4 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in the line item “Other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Loans to Directors and Executive Officers. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, loans outstanding to executive officers and directors, including their immediate families and companies in which they are principal owners, totaled $1.6 million

 

Loan Modifications. From time to time, the Bank may modify the terms of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the form of principal forgiveness, an interest reduction, an other-than-insignificant payment delay or a term extension. In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification. The Bank performs the evaluation under its internal underwriting policy.

 

 

 

 

The Bank did not modify the terms of any loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during 2024, 2023 or 2022. 

 

There were no modifications for which there was a payment default during 2024, 2023 and 2022 that were modified during the 12 month period prior to default. A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms.

 

Risk Characteristics. Credit risk within the Bank’s loan portfolio primarily stems from factors such as changes in the borrower’s financial condition, credit concentrations, changes in collateral values, economic conditions, rent regulation and environmental contamination of properties securing mortgage loans. The Bank’s commercial loans, including those secured by real estate mortgages, are primarily made to small and medium-sized businesses. Such loans sometimes involve a higher degree of risk than those to larger companies because such businesses may have shorter operating histories, higher debt-to-equity ratios and may lack sophistication in internal record keeping and financial and operational controls. In addition, most of the Bank’s loans are made to businesses and consumers on Long Island and in the boroughs of New York City (“NYC”), and a large percentage of these loans are mortgage loans secured by properties located in those areas. The primary sources of repayment for residential and commercial mortgage loans include employment and other income of the borrowers, the businesses of the borrowers and cash flows from the underlying properties. In the case of multifamily mortgage loans, a substantial portion of the underlying properties are rent stabilized or rent controlled. These sources of repayment are dependent on the strength of the local economy.

 

Credit Quality Indicators. The Bank categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the borrower’s ability to service their debt including, but not limited to, current financial information for the borrower and any guarantors, payment experience, credit underwriting documentation, public records, due diligence checks and current economic trends. Management analyzes loans and classifies them using risk rating matrices consistent with regulatory guidance as follows.

 

Watch: The borrower’s cash flow has a high degree of variability and is subject to economic downturns. Liquidity is strained and the ability of the borrower to access traditional sources of credit is diminished.

 

Special Mention: The borrower has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in the Bank’s credit position at some future date. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose the Bank to risk sufficient to warrant adverse classification.

 

Substandard: Loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful: Loans have all the inherent weaknesses of those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, based on existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

 

Risk ratings on commercial and industrial loans and commercial mortgages are initially assigned during the underwriting process and affirmed as part of the approval process. The ratings are periodically reviewed and evaluated based on borrower contact, credit department review or independent loan review.

 

The Bank's loan risk rating and review policy establishes requirements for the annual review of commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans. The requirements include details of the scope of coverage and selection process based on loan-type and risk rating. The Bank reviews at least 80% of its commercial real estate loan portfolio on an annual basis and uses a third-party review firm as part of its credit quality monitoring program. Lines of credit are also reviewed annually at each proposed reaffirmation. The frequency of the review of other loans is determined by minimum principal balance thresholds and the Bank’s ongoing assessments of the borrower’s condition.

 

Residential mortgage loans, revolving home equity lines and other consumer loans are initially evaluated utilizing the borrower’s credit score. A credit score is a tool used in the Bank’s loan approval process, and a minimum score of 680 is generally required for new loans. Credit scores for each borrower are updated at least annually. However, regardless of credit score, loans may be classified, criticized or placed on management’s watch list if relevant information comes to light.

 

 

 

 

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans by class of loans, vintage and risk rating. Loans shown as Pass are all loans other than those risk rated Watch, Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful. Also presented are gross chargeoffs recorded in 2024 by year of origination.

 

   December 31, 2024 
   Term Loans by Origination Year   Revolving     
(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022   2021   2020   Prior   Loans (1)   Total 
Commercial and industrial:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $56,696   $19,121   $15,949   $10,648   $16,300   $3,455   $7,627   $129,796 
Watch   3,080    409    92    2,728                6,309 
Special Mention           123                    123 
Substandard       504                        504 
Doubtful                                
   $59,776   $20,034   $16,164   $13,376   $16,300   $3,455   $7,627   $136,732 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $(938)  $(938)
                                         
Commercial mortgages – multifamily:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $30,166   $41,537   $187,624   $166,205   $33,783   $383,847   $125   $843,287 
Watch                                
Special Mention   4,081                            4,081 
Substandard                       1,190        1,190 
Doubtful                                
   $34,247   $41,537   $187,624   $166,205   $33,783   $385,037   $125   $848,558 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $(168)  $   $(168)
                                         
Commercial mortgages – other:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $70,093   $71,739   $192,125   $213,387   $97,405   $186,484   $22   $831,255 
Watch                                
Special Mention                                
Substandard                       20,022        20,022 
Doubtful                                
   $70,093   $71,739   $192,125   $213,387   $97,405   $206,506   $22   $851,277 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
                                         
Commercial mortgages – owner-occupied:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $41,024   $21,903   $48,339   $50,201   $23,042   $68,067   $1,496   $254,072 
Watch       246    3,222    4,871                8,339 
Special Mention               861                861 
Substandard                                
Doubtful                                
   $41,024   $22,149   $51,561   $55,933   $23,042   $68,067   $1,496   $263,272 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 

 

 

 

 

 

   December 31, 2024 
   Term Loans by Origination Year   Revolving     
(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022   2021   2020   Prior   Loans (1)   Total 
Residential mortgages (2):                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $6,183   $26,528   $186,504   $155,595   $32,133   $675,051   $36,468   $1,118,462 
Watch                                
Special Mention                                
Substandard                   582    2,039        2,621 
Doubtful                                
   $6,183   $26,528   $186,504   $155,595   $32,715   $677,090   $36,468   $1,121,083 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $(1)  $   $(1)
                                         
Consumer and other:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $   $37   $151   $   $   $100   $873   $1,161 
Watch                                
Special Mention                                
Substandard                                
Doubtful                                
Not Rated                           49    49 
   $   $37   $151   $   $   $100   $922   $1,210 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $(32)  $(32)
                                         
Total Loans  $211,323   $182,024   $634,129   $604,496   $203,245   $1,340,255   $46,660   $3,222,132 
Total gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $(169)  $(970)  $(1,139)

 

(1) Includes revolving lines converted to term of $3.8 million of commercial and industrial, $1.0 million of owner-occupied commercial mortgage and $6.9 million of residential home equity.
(2) Certain fixed rate residential mortgage loans are included in a fair value hedging relationship. The amortized cost excludes an adjustment of $525,000 related to basis adjustments for loans in the closed portfolio under the portfolio layer method at December 31, 2024. These basis adjustments would be allocated to the amortized cost of specific loans within the pool if the hedge was de-designated. See "Note N - Derivatives" for more information on the fair value hedge.

 

NOTE D PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT AND OPERATING LEASES

 

Premises and equipment. Bank premises and equipment consist of the following:

 

   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Land  $9,002   $9,002 
Buildings and improvements   22,410    22,250 
Leasehold improvements   13,030    12,412 
Furniture and equipment   37,763    37,010 
Construction in process   44    642 
    82,249    81,316 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (53,114)   (49,902)
   $29,135   $31,414 

 

 

 

 

Land and buildings held-for-sale of $383,000 were sold for their carrying value in the second quarter of 2024. These assets were measured at the lower of cost or fair value on a nonrecurring basis and reported in the line item “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023.

 

Operating Leases. The Bank leases certain branch and back-office locations under long-term, non-cancelable operating lease agreements. The leases expire at various dates through 2038 and had a weighted average remaining term of 10.61 and 11.15 years at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Many of the Bank’s leases include renewal options of up to 10 years with the longest option extending to 25 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Bank’s sole discretion.

 

The weighted average discount rate for leases in place at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 3.31% and 3.29%, respectively. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Bank had one such lease in 2024, 2023 and 2022 and recognized rent expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

 

The Bank’s branch optimization strategy resulted in charges of $1.9 million in 2024 and $905,000 in 2022 related to the closing or relocation of leased branch office space. The charges include rent and depreciation expenses, lease acceleration costs and asset disposal charges. These charges are included in the consolidated statements of income in “branch consolidation expenses” in 2024 and partially included in “gain (loss) on disposition of premises and fixed assets” in 2022.

 

Rental payments required by the Bank’s lease agreements may increase over time based on certain variable components such as real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges.

 

The components of rent expense were as follows:

 

   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Operating lease cost  $3,262   $3,480   $3,271 
Variable lease cost   430    463    490 
Short-term lease cost   7    78    10 
   $3,699   $4,021   $3,771 

 

The following is a maturity analysis of the operating lease liability at December 31, 2024.

 

Year (dollars in thousands)  Total 
2025  $3,949 
2026   2,642 
2027   2,430 
2028   1,844 
2029   1,689 
Thereafter   13,699 
Total lease payments   26,253 
Less: interest   4,289 
   $21,964 

 

NOTE E DEPOSITS

 

The following table sets forth the remaining maturities of the Bank’s time deposits at December 31, 2024.

 

Year (dollars in thousands)  Total 
2025  $518,169 
2026   60,690 
2027   18,160 
2028   16,037 
2029   2,275 
Thereafter   696 
   $616,027 

 

 

 

 

Time deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 totaled $73.4 million and $70.3 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Deposits from executive officers, directors and their affiliates were approximately $8.3 million and $8.4 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Time deposits maturing in 2025 and 2026 include $130.0 million and $45.0 million, respectively, of brokered deposits.

 

NOTE F BORROWED FUNDS

 

Borrowings at December 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of overnight advances and fixed rate Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances as follows.

 

   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Overnight advances:          
FHLB overnight advances  $   $70,000 
           
Other borrowings:          
FHLB advances   435,000    472,500 
   $435,000   $542,500 

 

Accrued interest payable on borrowed funds is included in “accrued expenses and other liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets and amounted to $1.3 million and $1.4 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

FHLB advances are collateralized by a blanket lien on residential and commercial mortgage loans with a lendable value of $1.2 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Based on this collateral and the Corporation’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Corporation was able to borrow up to a total of $493.7 million at December 31, 2024. Each advance is non-amortizing and, for those advances with a term greater than one day, generally are subject to a prepayment penalty. 

 

Advances through the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window generally include overnight advances which are fully collateralized by certain pledged loans under the Federal Reserve Bank's Borrower-in-Custody ("BIC") program. At December 31, 2024, the Corporation had loans pledged under the BIC program of $113.3 million. There were no overnight advances outstanding under the BIC program at December 31, 2024 and 2023. At December 31, 2024, the Corporation had borrowing capacity available under the BIC program of $89.6 million.

 

The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2024 the contractual maturities and weighted average interest rates of FHLB advances for each of the next five years. There are no FHLB advances with contractual maturities beyond three years at December 31, 2024.

 

Contractual Maturity (dollars in thousands)  Amount   Weighted
Average Rate
 
Overnight  $    —% 
2025   230,000    4.50 
2026   150,000    4.27 
2027   55,000    4.22 
2028        
2029        
After 2029        
    435,000    4.39 
   $435,000    4.39%

 

 

 

 

NOTE G INCOME TAXES

 

The Corporation, the Bank and its subsidiaries, except for the REIT, file a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes charged to earnings in 2024, 2023 and 2022 had effective tax rates of (1.9%), 11.0% and 19.4%, respectively. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Corporation’s effective tax rate.

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2024   2023   2022 
Statutory federal income tax rate   21.0%   21.0%   21.0%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit   (16.2)   (4.8)   1.7 
Tax-exempt income, net of disallowed cost of funding   (4.5)   (3.3)   (2.8)
BOLI income   (4.8)   (2.3)   (1.1)
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation   1.1    0.4     
Non-deductible officer compensation   0.9        0.1 
Other   0.6        0.5 
    (1.9)%   11.0%   19.4%

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The following table sets forth the components of the provision for income taxes.

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Current:               
Federal  $6,677   $3,469   $9,287 
State and local   585    909    1,330 
    7,262    4,378    10,617 
Deferred:               
Federal   (4,548)   1,771    358 
State and local   (3,026)   (2,920)   312 
    (7,574)   (1,149)   670 
   $(312)  $3,229   $11,287 

 

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Asset. The following table sets forth the components of the Corporation’s net deferred tax asset.

 

   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Deferred tax assets:          
Unrealized loss on AFS securities  $22,399   $22,070 
Allowance for credit losses and off-balance sheet credit exposure   8,775    9,036 
Operating lease liability   6,703    7,627 
Net operating loss carryforwards   5,822    2,869 
Interest expense limitation   4,436     
Transaction costs - capitalized   350     
Stock-based compensation   255    519 
Contract incentive   50     
Asset writedown   46    51 
Retirement expense   34    35 
Interest on nonperforming loans   2    14 
    48,872    42,221 
Valuation allowance        
    48,872    42,221 
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Right-of-use asset   5,783    6,908 
Prepaid pension   3,603    3,274 
Depreciation   1,685    1,509 
Deferred loan costs   1,357    1,365 
Prepaid expenses   144    146 
Interest rate swap fair market value adjustment   108    23 
    12,680    13,225 
Net deferred tax asset  $36,192   $28,996 

 

At year-end 2024, the Corporation did not have any federal net operating loss carryforwards. At year-end 2024, the Corporation had state and local gross operating loss carryforwards of $85.8 million, which begin to expire in 2043. Deferred tax assets are recognized for net operating losses because the benefit is more likely than not to be realized. 

 

In evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets in the jurisdiction from which they arise, all available positive and negative evidence is considered, including projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. Assumptions about future taxable income use internal budgets and plans prepared to manage our business and therefore require the use of significant judgment. Based on projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Corporation believes the net deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.

 

The Corporation had no material unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2024, 2023 or 2022. The Corporation has not taken any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase within the next 12 months.

 

The Corporation is subject to Federal, New York State ("NYS"), NYC, New Jersey and Connecticut income taxes. The Corporation did not incur any amounts for interest and penalties due to taxing authorities for calendar years 20242023 or 2022. The tax years 2022 through 2024 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, NYS, NYC, New Jersey and Connecticut.

 

NOTE H REGULATORY MATTERS

 

Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements. The Corporation and the Bank are subject to the Basel III regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action (“PCA”) regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Failure to meet the minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements of the Corporation and Bank. The most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the PCA provisions and there are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed that category.

 

 

 

 

In accordance with the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, the federal banking agencies adopted, effective January 1, 2020, a final rule whereby financial institutions and financial institution holding companies that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets and meet other qualifying criteria, including a leverage ratio of greater than 9% (“qualifying community banking organizations”), are eligible to opt into a community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) framework. Qualifying community banking organizations that elect to use the CBLR framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than 9% are considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the agencies’ capital rules and will be considered to have met the well capitalized ratio requirements under the PCA statutes. The agencies reserved the authority to disallow the use of the CBLR framework by a financial institution or holding company, based on the risk profile of the organization.

 

The Corporation and the Bank elected to adopt the CBLR framework. As a qualifying community banking organization, the Corporation and the Bank may opt out of the CBLR framework in any subsequent quarter by completing its regulatory agency reporting using the traditional capital rules.

 

The Corporation and the Bank exclude accumulated OCI components from Tier 1 and Total regulatory capital.

 

During 2020, the Corporation and the Bank elected the optional five-year transition period provided by the federal banking agencies for recognizing the regulatory capital impact of the implementation of CECL.

 

The Corporation’s and the Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios under the CBLR rules at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the tables below.

 

   2024 
   Actual Capital   To Be Well Capitalized
Under CBLR Framework
 
(dollars in thousands)  Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
Tier 1 capital to average assets:                    
Consolidated  $430,428    10.12%  $382,731    9.00%
Bank   429,693    10.11    382,683    9.00 

 

   2023 
   Actual Capital   To Be Well Capitalized
Under CBLR Framework
 
(dollars in thousands)  Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
Tier 1 capital to average assets:                    
Consolidated  $435,643    10.05%  $389,969    9.00%
Bank   438,648    10.13    389,874    9.00 

 

Other Matters. The source of funds for the Corporation’s dividend payments to shareholders is dividends received from the Bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the minimum capital requirements described above. During 2025, the Bank could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $6.3 million plus any 2025 net profits retained to the date of the dividend declaration.

 

Regulation D of the Board of Governors of The Federal Reserve System may require banks to maintain reserves against certain deposit balances. There was no reserve requirement in 2024 or 2023.

 

NOTE I STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

On April 20, 2021, the stockholders of the Corporation approved the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”). Upon approval of the 2021 Plan, no further awards could be made under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”).

 

2021 Plan. Under the 2021 Plan, awards may be granted to employees and non-employee directors as stock options, restricted stock awards or RSUs, with a one year minimum vesting period for at least 95% of the awards granted. All awards granted under the 2021 Plan will immediately vest upon an involuntary termination following a change in control, total and permanent disability, as defined, or death.

 

 

 

 

The Corporation has 750,000 shares of common stock reserved for awards under the 2021 Plan, plus 23,167 shares that remained available for grant as full value RSUs or restricted stock awards under the 2014 Plan. RSUs granted under the 2014 Plan that expire or are forfeited after April 20, 2021 are added to the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance of awards under the 2021 Plan. At December 31, 2024, 358,333 equity awards remain available to be granted under the 2021 Plan.

 

2014 Plan. Under the 2014 Plan, awards were granted to employees and non-employee directors as non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards and RSUs. Substantially all of the awards granted under the 2014 Plan were RSUs. All awards granted under the 2014 Plan will immediately vest upon an involuntary termination following a change in control, total and permanent disability, as defined, or death, and with certain exceptions, will immediately vest in the event of retirement, as defined.

 

Details of RSUs. The following table summarizes the vesting schedule of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2024.

 

   Total 
Number of RSUs:     
Vested and convertible at December 31, 2024   28,021 
Scheduled to vest during:     
2025   95,773 
2026   26,210 
2027   38,635 
2028   5,340 
2029   2,191 
    196,170 

 

The RSUs in the table above include performance-based RSUs with vesting based on the financial performance of the Corporation in 2024 and 2025 and service-based RSUs with various service-based vesting periods. The grant date fair value of RSUs is equal to the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the grant date, discounted for dividends that are not paid on these RSUs.

 

The fair values of awards made in 2024, 2023 and 2022, and the assumptions utilized in determining such values, are presented below.

 

   2024 
   Performance-Based   Service-Based
   Vesting   Vesting
Grant date fair value  $10.89   $7.63 to $10.89
Market price on grant date  $12.46   $9.90 to $12.46
Expected annual dividend  $0.84   $0.84
Expected term (in years)  2.0   1.0 to 5.0
Risk-free interest rate  4.43%   4.27% to 5.16%
    
   2023
Grant date fair value  $16.57   $11.77 to $16.57
Market price on grant date  $18.14   $12.57 to $18.14
Expected annual dividend  $0.84   $0.84
Expected term (in years)  2.0   1.0 to 5.0
Risk-free interest rate  4.24%   4.01% to 4.80%
            
   2022
Grant date fair value  $20.07   $17.70 to $20.07
Market price on grant date  $21.64   $18.12 to $21.64
Expected annual dividend  $0.80   $0.42 to $0.80
Expected term (in years)  2.0   1.0 to 5.0
Risk-free interest rate  1.12%   1.12% to 4.56%

 

 

 

 

The following table presents a summary of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2024 and changes during the year then ended.

 

           Weighted-     
       Weighted-   Average   Aggregate 
       Average   Remaining   Intrinsic 
   Number of   Grant-Date   Contractual   Value 
   RSUs   Fair Value   Term (yrs.)   (in thousands) 
Outstanding at January 1, 2024   213,879   $16.04           
Granted   231,467    10.54           
Converted   (178,693)   13.85           
Forfeited   (70,483)   13.32           
Outstanding at December 31, 2024   196,170   $12.53    0.93   $2,291 
Vested and convertible at December 31, 2024   28,021   $12.22       $327 

 

RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2024 include 58,394 performance-based RSUs, of which 28,021 are vested and convertible at year-end, and 137,776 service-based RSUs. The performance-based RSUs have a maximum payout potential of 1.50 shares of the Corporation’s common stock for each RSU awarded. Based on the Corporation’s performance in 202467,339 shares were forfeited on the performance-based RSUs and reflected in the table above. Service-based RSUs have a maximum payout potential of one share of the Corporation’s common stock for each RSU awarded.

 

The total intrinsic value of RSUs converted in 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $2.5 million, $2.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

 

Stock Option Activity. There were no stock options outstanding at December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. No stock options were exercised in 2024, 2023 and 2022. 

 

Compensation Expense. The Corporation recorded expense for share-based payments of $2.2 million, $1.2 million and $2.5 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and related income tax benefits of $661,000, $383,000 and $760,000, respectively.

 

Unrecognized Compensation Cost. As of December 31, 2024, there was $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs. The total cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

 

Other. The Corporation uses newly issued shares for the conversion of RSUs. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, 5,256, 4,573 and 3,315 shares, respectively, of the Corporation’s common stock were issued to members of the Board of Directors in payment of director fees. 

 

NOTE J RETIREMENT PLANS

 

The Bank has a 401(k) plan and a defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan” or “Plan”). Employees are immediately eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan provided they are at least 18 years of age. Participants may elect to contribute up to 100% of gross compensation, as defined, subject to the limitations of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Bank may, at its sole discretion, make matching contributions to each participant's account based on the amount of the participant's contributions. Participants are fully vested in their elective contributions and, after five years of participation in the 401(k) plan, are fully vested (20% vesting per year) in the matching contributions, if any, made by the Bank. The Bank’s expense for matching contributions was $577,000, $571,000 and $530,000 for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

An internal management committee (the “Committee”) oversees the affairs of the Pension Plan and acts as named fiduciary. The Committee utilizes a formal Investment Policy Statement which includes the investment guidelines and policies contained in the Investment Management Agreement. The Investment Policy Statement is periodically revised by the Committee as deemed appropriate.

 

 

 

 

Employees are eligible to participate in the Pension Plan after attaining 21 years of age and completing 12 full months of service. Pension benefits are generally based on a percentage of average annual compensation during the period of creditable service. The Bank makes contributions to the Pension Plan which, when taken together with participant contributions equal to 2% of their compensation, will be sufficient to fund these benefits. The Bank’s funding method, the unit credit actuarial cost method, is consistent with the funding requirements of applicable federal laws and regulations which set forth both minimum required and maximum tax deductible contributions. Employees become fully vested after four years of participation in the Pension Plan (no vesting occurs during the four year period).

 

Significant Actuarial Assumptions. The following table sets forth the significant actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 and the benefit cost for each of the Plan years then ended.

 

   2024   2023   2022 
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at year end:               
Discount rate   5.68%   5.16%   5.44%
Rate of increase in compensation levels   4.00%   4.00%   3.50%
                
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net pension cost:               
Discount rate   5.16%   5.44%   2.97%
Rate of increase in compensation levels   4.00%   3.50%   3.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets   6.00%   6.00%   5.25%

 

The increase in the discount rate from 5.16% in 2023 to 5.68% in 2024 decreased the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2024 by approximately $2.8 million. Changes due to experience, including changes in participant demographics, resulted in a net actuarial gain of approximately $247,000 during 2024.

 

The decrease in the discount rate from 5.44% in 2022 to 5.16% in 2023 increased the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2023 by approximately $1.5 million. The increase in the salary scale from 3.50% in 2022 to 4.00% in 2023 increased the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2023 by approximately $296,000. Changes due to experience, including changes in participant demographics, resulted in a net actuarial loss of approximately $1.0 million during 2023.

 

Net Pension Cost. The following table sets forth the components of net periodic pension cost.

 

(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Service cost plus expected expenses and net of expected plan participant contributions  $1,467   $1,378   $2,133 
Interest cost   2,439    2,341    1,641 
Expected return on plan assets   (3,480)   (3,245)   (3,903)
Amortization of net actuarial loss   800    1,018     
Net pension cost (credit)  $1,226   $1,492   $(129)

 

The components of net pension cost (credit) other than the service cost component were included in the line item “Other noninterest income” in the consolidated statements of income. The service cost component was included in the line item “Salaries and employee benefits” in the consolidated statements of income.

 

 

 

 

Funded Status of the Plan. The following table sets forth the change in the projected benefit obligation and Plan assets for each year and, as of the end of each year, the funded status of the Plan and accumulated benefit obligation.

 

(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Change in projected benefit obligation:               
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year  $48,798   $44,460   $56,587 
Service cost   1,738    1,630    2,357 
Interest cost   2,439    2,341    1,641 
Benefits paid   (2,550)   (2,430)   (2,361)
Assumption changes   (2,766)   1,778    (15,343)
Experience loss and other   (247)   1,019    1,579 
Projected benefit obligation at end of year   47,412    48,798    44,460 
                
Change in fair value of plan assets:               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year   59,538    55,509    75,684 
Actual return on plan assets   1,946    6,127    (18,113)
Plan participant contributions   392    455    425 
Benefits paid   (2,550)   (2,430)   (2,361)
Expenses   (108)   (123)   (126)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year   59,218    59,538    55,509 
Funded status at end of year  $11,806   $10,740   $11,049 
Accumulated benefit obligation  $44,092   $45,185   $41,551 

 

During 2024, the Bank did not make a contribution to the Plan and the Bank has no minimum required pension contribution for the Plan year ending September 30, 2025. The Bank does not expect to make a contribution in 2025.

 

Plan Assets. The objective for the Plan’s assets is to generate long-term investment returns from both income and capital appreciation which outpaces the rate of inflation, while maintaining sufficient liquidity to ensure the Plan’s ability to pay all anticipated benefit and expense obligations when due. The Plan may maintain a de minimis amount of cash equivalents, with the remaining assets allocated across two broadly-defined financial asset categories: (1) equity, both domestic and international; and (2) fixed income of various durations and issuer type. The goal of the equity allocation is to supplement the Bank’s contributions to the Plan when the Plan is underfunded and increase surplus when the Plan is overfunded. The fixed income component will include longer-duration bonds designed to match and hedge the characteristics of the Plan’s liabilities. Cash equivalents, under normal circumstances, will be temporary holdings for the purpose of paying expenses and monthly benefits.

 

For fixed income investments: (1) the minimum average credit quality shall be investment grade (Standard & Poor’s BBB or Moody’s Baa) or higher; and (2) no more than 5% of the portfolio may be invested in securities with ratings below investment grade, and none may be rated below investment grade at the time of purchase.

 

Reasonable precautions are taken to avoid excessive concentrations to protect the portfolio against unfavorable outcomes within an asset class. Specifically, the following guidelines are in place:

 

  ·  With the exception of fixed income investments explicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, no single investment security shall represent more than 5% of total Plan assets; and

 

  · With the exception of passively managed investment vehicles seeking to match the returns of broadly diversified market indices or diversified investment vehicles chosen specifically to hedge the interest rate risk embedded in Plan liabilities, no single investment pool or investment company (mutual fund) shall comprise more than 10% of total plan assets.

 

 

 

 

The portfolio will be rebalanced to the target asset allocation, if needed, no less often than quarterly. Unless expressly authorized in writing by the Committee, the following investing activities are prohibited:

 

  · Purchasing securities on margin;

 

  · Pledging or hypothecating securities, except for loans of securities that are fully collateralized;

 

  · Purchasing or selling derivative securities for speculation or leverage; and

 

  · Engaging in investment strategies that have the potential to amplify or distort the risk of loss beyond a level that is reasonably expected given the objectives of the portfolio.

 

The Plan’s actual asset allocations, target allocations and expected long-term rates of return by asset category are set forth in the following tables.

 

   December 31, 2024
   Target
Allocation
  Percentage of
Plan Assets
  Weighted
Average Expected
Long-term Rates
of Return
Cash equivalents  0% - 1%  0.0%  N/A
Equity mutual funds  20% - 30%  25.0%  5.5% to 12.2%
Fixed income mutual funds  70% - 80%  75.0%  3.2% to 7.0%
      100.0%  3.7% to 8.3%

 

   December 31, 2023
Cash equivalents  0% - 1%  0.3%  <1.00%
Equity mutual funds  20% - 30%  25.0%  6.1% to 8.5%
Fixed income mutual funds  70% - 80%  74.7%  4.9% to 6.1%
      100.0%  5.2% to 6.7%

 

The ranges for the weighted average expected long-term rates of return for equity funds, bond funds and total plan assets set forth in the preceding table represent an average of all expected allocation percentile returns. For these purposes the trustee utilizes a third party capital markets model (the “model”), which forecasts distributions of future returns for a wide array of broad asset classes. The theoretical and empirical foundation of the model is that the returns of various asset classes reflect the compensation investors require for bearing different types of systematic risk. At the core of the model are estimates of the dynamic statistical relationship between risk factors and asset returns, obtained from statistical analysis based on available historical monthly financial and economic data.

 

 

 

 

Fair Value of Plan Assets. The fair value of Plan assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023 is summarized below.

 

       Fair Value Measurements Using: 
(in thousands)  Total   Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level
3)
 
December 31, 2024:                    
Equity mutual funds:                    
US Equity  $9,434   $9,434   $   $               — 
Non-US Equity   5,356    5,356         
Total equity mutual funds   14,790    14,790         
Fixed income mutual funds   44,428        44,428     
Total Plan Assets  $59,218   $14,790   $44,428   $ 
                     
December 31, 2023:                    
Cash equivalents  $196   $   $196   $ 
Equity mutual funds:                    
US Equity   8,940    8,940         
Non-US Equity   5,928    5,928         
Total equity mutual funds   14,868    14,868         
Fixed income mutual funds   44,474    44,474         
Total Plan Assets  $59,538   $59,342   $196   $ 

 

An explanation of matrix pricing and the definitions of Level 1, 2 and 3 fair value measurements are included in “Note M – Fair Value of Financial Instruments” to these consolidated financial statements.

 

Estimated Future Benefit Payments. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be made by the Plan.

 

Year (in thousands)  Amount 
2025  $3,067 
2026   3,105 
2027   3,242 
2028   3,389 
2029   3,485 
2030 - 2034   18,842 

 

 

 

 

NOTE K OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Expenses included in other operating expenses that exceed one percent of the aggregate of total interest income and noninterest income in one or more of the years shown are as follows.

 

(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Computer services  $2,173   $1,436   $1,501 
FDIC Insurance   1,927    1,944    1,162 
Telecommunications   844    1,354    1,669 

 

NOTE L COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

Financial Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk. In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into various types of off-balance-sheet arrangements to meet the financing needs of its customers. These off-balance-sheet financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit. These instruments involve varying degrees of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and expose the Bank to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the Bank’s customers. The Bank's exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual notional amount of these instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit, and generally uses the same credit policies for letters of credit, as it does for on-balance sheet instruments such as loans.

 

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk are as follows:

 

   2024   2023 
(in thousands)  Fixed Rate   Variable
Rate
   Fixed Rate   Variable
Rate
 
Commitments to extend credit  $1,811   $181,527   $1,877   $237,083 
Standby letters of credit   7,082        6,852     

 

A commitment to extend credit is a legally binding agreement to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Unused home equity, small business and commercial lines of credit are a large component of the Bank’s variable rate loan commitments. Since some of the commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are expected to expire without being drawn upon and, with respect to unused lines of credit, can be frozen, reduced or terminated by the Bank based on the financial condition of the borrower, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Home equity lines generally expire ten years from their date of origination and small business lines generally have a three year term. Other real estate loan commitments generally expire within 60 to 90 days and commercial line commitments generally expire within one year. The amount of collateral obtained, if any, by the Bank upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include mortgages on commercial and residential real estate, securities, deposit accounts with the Bank or other financial institutions and security interests in business assets and equipment. At December 31, 2024, the Bank’s fixed rate loan commitments are primarily overdraft lines of credit on deposit accounts.

 

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to assure the performance or financial obligations of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Bank generally holds collateral and/or obtains personal guarantees supporting these commitments. Standby letters of credit are considered financial guarantees and are recorded at fair value.

 

 

 

 

Employment Agreements. At December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and executive vice presidents, collectively referred to as the senior executives, have employment agreements with the Corporation under which they are entitled to severance compensation in the event that their employment is terminated without cause or they terminate their employment following an event constituting Good Reason, as defined, whether or not such termination occurs in connection with a change in control. The Chief Executive Officer’s amended and restated employment agreement has a term of three years beginning January 1, 2022. Each of the other senior executives has an employment agreement with a term of two years and various effective dates. These two year and three year employment agreements automatically renew for an additional period of one year on January 1 of each year unless the Corporation gives written notice of non-renewal at least 30 days prior to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of these employment agreements expire on December 31 of the calendar year in which the executive attains normal retirement age (“Retirement Age Termination Date”), which for these purposes is age 65. At the appropriate time and at its option, the Corporation can extend the employment agreements for two years beyond their retirement age termination dates. The current aggregate annual salaries provided for in these employment agreements is $2.7 million.

 

Litigation. From time to time, the Corporation and its subsidiaries may be a named defendant in legal actions incidental to the business. For some of these actions there is always a possibility that the Corporation will sustain a financial loss.

 

As previously disclosed in the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 28, 2024, the Bank was notified by a customer of suspicious wire transfer activity in July 2024 involving the customer's bank accounts. The wire transfer activity arose as the result of unauthorized access to banking information within the customer's control, and upon completion of an internal procedural investigation, the Bank determined that it followed its reasonable procedures regarding online wire transfers. On January 22, 2025, the customer filed a lawsuit against the Corporation and the Bank claiming monetary damages of approximately $11.1 million, the net amount of funds involved in the suspicious wire transfer activity. The Corporation and Bank intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuit and no accrual for potential losses have been made.

 

NOTE M FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value. When measuring fair value, the Corporation uses a fair value hierarchy, which is designed to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The hierarchy involves three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Corporation can access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Corporation’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

The Corporation deems transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy to have occurred on the date of the event or change in circumstance that caused the transfer. There were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy in either 2024 or 2023.

 

 

 

 

The fair values of the Corporation’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are set forth in the table that follows. The fair values of AFS securities are determined on a recurring basis using matrix pricing (Level 2 inputs). Matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities, does not rely exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather on the relationship of such securities to other benchmark quoted securities. Where no significant other observable inputs were available, Level 3 inputs were used. The fair values of interest rate swaps are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date resulting in a Level 2 classification.

 

   Fair Value Measurements Using: 
       Quoted Prices   Significant     
       in Active   Other   Significant 
       Markets for   Observable   Unobservable 
       Identical Assets   Inputs   Inputs 
(in thousands)  Total   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
December 31, 2024:                    
Financial Assets:                    
Available-for-Sale Securities:                    
State and municipals  $135,543   $   $135,407   $136 
Pass-through mortgage securities   129,440        129,440     
Collateralized mortgage obligations   145,059        145,059     
SBA agency obligations   101,427        101,427     
Corporate bonds   113,310        113,310     
    624,779        624,643    136 
Derivative - interest rate swaps   1,274        1,274     
   $626,053   $   $625,917   $136 
                     
Financial Liabilities:                    
Derivative - interest rate swaps  $395   $   $395   $ 
                     
December 31, 2023:                    
Financial Assets:                    
Available-for-Sale Securities:                    
State and municipals  $143,621   $   $143,429   $192 
Pass-through mortgage securities   138,603        138,603     
Collateralized mortgage obligations   182,262        182,262     
SBA agency obligations   125,476        125,476     
Corporate bonds   105,915        105,915     
    695,877        695,685    192 
Derivative - interest rate swaps   582        582     
   $696,459   $   $696,267   $192 

 

State and municipal AFS securities measured using Level 3 inputs. The Bank held three non-rated bond anticipation notes with a book value of $136,000 at December 31, 2024. These bonds have a one year maturity and are issued by local municipalities that are customers of the Bank. Due to the short duration of the bonds, book value approximates fair value at December 31, 2024.

 

Land and Buildings. Premises and facilities held-for-sale of $383,000 were sold for their carrying value in the second quarter of 2024. These assets were measured at the lower of cost or fair value on a nonrecurring basis and reported in the line item “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023.

 

Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time. Such estimates are generally subjective in nature and dependent upon a number of significant assumptions associated with each financial instrument or group of similar financial instruments, including estimates of discount rates, liquidity, risks associated with specific financial instruments, estimates of future cash flows, and relevant available market information. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. In addition, fair value estimates do not reflect the value of anticipated future business, premiums or discounts that could result from offering for sale at one time the Corporation’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument, or the income tax consequences of realizing gains or losses on the sale of financial instruments.

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the Corporation’s financial statements.

 

   Level of   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 
   Fair Value   Carrying       Carrying     
(in thousands)  Hierarchy   Amount   Fair Value   Amount   Fair Value 
Financial Assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents   Level 1   $38,330   $38,330   $60,887   $60,887 
Loans, net   Level 3    3,193,276    2,947,587    3,219,072    2,945,864 
Restricted stock   n/a    27,712    n/a    32,659    n/a 
Accrued interest receivable   Level 2    2,701    2,701    3,057    3,057 
Accrued interest receivable   Level 3    10,706    10,706    10,438    10,438 
                          
Financial Liabilities:                         
Checking deposits   Level 1    1,074,671    1,074,671    1,133,184    1,133,184 
Savings, NOW and money market deposits   Level 1    1,574,160    1,574,160    1,546,369    1,546,369 
Time deposits   Level 2    616,027    614,245    591,433    586,856 
Short-term borrowings   Level 1            70,000    70,000 
Long-term debt   Level 2    435,000    434,492    472,500    471,276 
Accrued interest payable   Level 2    7,672    7,672    6,344    6,344 

 

NOTE N – DERIVATIVES

 

As part of its asset liability management activities, the Corporation may utilize interest rate swaps to help manage its interest rate risk position. The notional amount of an interest rate swap does not represent the amount exchanged by the parties. The exchange of cash flows is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the interest rate swap agreements.

 

Fair Value Hedge. On March 16, 2023, the Bank entered into a three year interest rate swap with a notional amount totaling $300 million which was designated as a fair value hedge of certain fixed rate residential mortgages. The Bank pays a fixed rate of 3.82% and receives a floating rate based on the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) for the life of the agreement without an exchange of the underlying notional amount. The hedge was determined to be effective during the year ended December 31, 2024 and the Corporation expects the hedge to remain effective during the remaining term of the swap. The gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in interest income.

 

The following table summarizes information about the interest rate swap designated as a fair value hedge.

 

   December 31, 2024 
Notional amount (in millions)  $300 
Fixed pay rate   3.82%
Overnight SOFR receive rate   4.49%
Maturity (in years)   1.21 

 

The following table presents the amount recorded on the balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for the fair value hedge as of the years indicated.

 

   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Loans - Residential Mortgages:          
Carrying amount of the hedged asset (1)  $440,755   $465,495 
Fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the hedged asset   (525)   (506)

 

(1) This amount represents the amortized cost basis of the closed loan portfolio used to designate the hedging relationship in which the hedged item is the stated amount of assets in the closed portfolio anticipated to be outstanding for the designated hedge period. At December 31, 2024, the amortized cost basis of the closed portfolio used in this hedging relationship was $441.3 million. The cumulative basis adjustment associated with this hedging relationship was $525,000 and the amount of the designated hedged item was $878,000.

 

During 2024, the Bank recorded a $4.1 million credit from the swap transaction as a component of interest income in the consolidated statements of income.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges. The Bank enters into interest rate swap agreements (“back-to-back swap”) that are not designated as hedging instruments. A back-to-back swap allows a borrower to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate. The Bank originates a variable rate loan with a borrower and simultaneously enters into offsetting back-to-back swaps with the borrower and an unaffiliated dealer counterparty to minimize interest rate risk. In connection with each swap transaction, the Bank agrees to pay interest to the borrower on a notional amount at a variable interest rate and receives interest from the borrower on a similar notional amount at a fixed interest rate. Concurrently, the Bank agrees to pay the dealer counterparty the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receives the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. Because the Bank acts as an intermediary for its borrower, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts offset each other and do not impact the Bank’s results of operations.

 

   December 31, 2024 
       Notional   Fair Value   Fair Value 
(in thousands)  Positions   Amount   Asset   Liabilities 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments included in other assets / other liabilities:                
Interest rate swap with borrower   3   $36,523   $395   $ 
Interest rate swap with offsetting counterparty   3   $36,523   $   $395 

 

During 2024, the Bank recorded $465,000 in back-to-back swap fee income, included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item “Other noninterest income.”

 

NOTE O – REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

 

The noninterest income section of the consolidated statements of income includes the following types of revenues earned from the Bank's contracts with customers.

 

Deposit Account Revenues. Fees are earned and collected on a monthly basis for account maintenance and activity-based service charges on deposit accounts. The services are performed for customers over time, requiring a time-based measure of progress. Customers may be required to maintain minimum balances and average balances. Additional fees may also be earned for overdrafts, replacement of debit cards, bill payment, lockbox services and ACH services and are earned and collected as transactions take place. All deposit account fees are accrued to income as earned, either monthly or at the point of sale, and are included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item "Service charges on deposit accounts."

 

Transaction and Branch Service Fees. The following revenue streams are components of “Other noninterest income” on the consolidated statements of income. These components totaled $4.2 million, $3.3 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Other items included in “Other noninterest income,” such as non-service components of net pension cost, real estate tax refunds, back-to-back swap fee income and gains on sales of fixed assets are outside of the scope of Accounting Standards Codification 606.

 

Debit Card Revenues. The Bank earns a fee when its customers use their debit cards in point-of-sale transactions. These fees are generally known as interchange fees. Interchange fees from cardholder transaction represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recorded daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder. 

 

Merchant Card Services. Together with a third-party vendor, the Bank offers its small business customers debit/credit card readers for them to accept and process card payments. The vendor aggregates the charges, collects the fees and remits the Bank’s portion on a monthly basis. Fees are accrued to income as earned and collected.

 

Branch Services Revenues. The Bank charges fees for safe deposit box rentals, wire transfers, money orders, checkbook printing, official checks and ATM usage. Fees are earned, collected and generally recorded as revenue when the service is provided.

 

Investment Services Revenues. Customer assets are held in a fiduciary capacity and the Bank provides trust services to those customers as it transitions its remaining accounts to the LPL Financial platform. The services are performed for customers over time, requiring a time-based measure of progress. Fees are assessed based on market values of customer assets held as of a certain point in time, and income cannot be estimated prior to the end of the measurement period. Volatility in equity and other market values impacts the amount of revenue earned. Fees are generally earned and collected on a monthly or quarterly basis and accrued to income as earned.

 

 

 

 

Investment Management Services. The Bank provides investment management, trust, estate and custody services and offers retail investment services through a partnership with an outside service provider, LPL Financial. Fees are variable and based on various factors including the market value of financial assets under management. Fees are accrued to income as earned and collected.

 

NOTE P PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Condensed financial information for the Corporation (parent company only) is as follows:

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Assets:          
Cash and due from banks  $4,585   $695 
Investment in subsidiary bank, at equity   377,412    383,151 
Prepaid income taxes   603    42 
Deferred income tax benefits   973    1,010 
Other assets   62    9 
   $383,635   $384,907 
Liabilities:          
Other liabilities  $35   $17 
Cash dividends payable   4,734    4,744 
    4,769    4,761 
Stockholders' equity:          
Common stock   2,260    2,259 
Surplus   79,731    79,728 
Retained earnings   354,051    355,887 
    436,042    437,874 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (57,176)   (57,728)
    378,866    380,146 
   $383,635   $384,907 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Income:               
Dividends from subsidiary bank  $25,500   $15,000   $36,450 
Interest on deposits with subsidiary bank   13    6    5 
Other       13     
    25,513    15,019    36,455 
Expenses:               
Salaries   1,770    779    2,065 
Other operating expenses   902    1,070    795 
    2,672    1,849    2,860 
                
Income before income taxes   22,841    13,170    33,595 
Income tax benefit   (526)   (504)   (791)
Income before undistributed earnings of subsidiary bank   23,367    13,674    34,386 
Equity in undistributed earnings   (6,291)   12,565    12,546 
Net income  $17,076   $26,239   $46,932 
                
Comprehensive income (loss)  $17,628   $33,278   $(15,522)

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023   2022 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:               
Net income  $17,076   $26,239   $46,932 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Undistributed earnings of subsidiary bank   6,291    (12,565)   (12,546)
Deferred income tax provision (credit)   37    78    (199)
Stock-based compensation expense   2,160    1,249    2,466 
(Increase) decrease in other assets   (53)   16    (1)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities   18    (3)   5 
Other (increases) decreases   (499)   3,730    (530)
Net cash provided by operating activities   25,030    18,744    36,127 
                
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:               
Capital contributions to Bank subsidiary            
                
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:               
Repurchase of common stock   (2,020)       (17,889)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld   (198)   (28)   263 
Cash dividends paid   (18,922)   (18,918)   (18,591)
Net cash used in financing activities   (21,140)   (18,946)   (36,217)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents*   3,890    (202)   (90)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   695    897    987 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  $4,585   $695   $897 
                
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Financing Activities:               
Cash dividends payable  $4,734   $4,744   $4,713 

 

* Cash and cash equivalents is defined as cash and due from banks and includes the checking and money market accounts with the Corporation’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary.

 

NOTE Q  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

Proposed Merger with ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. On September 4, 2024, the Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“ConnectOne”), pursuant to which the companies will combine in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Corporation will merge into ConnectOne, with ConnectOne as the surviving corporation (the "merger"), and the Bank will merge into ConnectOne Bank, with ConnectOne Bank as the surviving institution (the “bank merger” and, together with the merger, the “transaction”). Upon closing of the transaction, the Corporation's shareholders will receive 0.5175 shares of ConnectOne common stock for each share of the Corporation's common stock (the “merger consideration”). The Corporation held a special meeting of shareholders on February 14, 2025 at which time the Corporation's shareholders approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder. The merger remains subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Corporation expects the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2025. 

 

The foregoing description of the proposed merger and the Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 2.1. 

 

 

 

 

NOTE R  SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Corporation has determined that the chief operating decision makers ("CODM") are the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as from time to time the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer, are not in day-to-day management of the Corporation but there are times when board approval of operating decisions is required, such as for strategic plans, budgets, establishing executive compensation practices, declaring shareholder dividends and for execution of material transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions.

 

The Bank provides banking products and services as well as access to third-party financial products and services to business and retail clients through its network of physical locations and various digital channels. The CODM uses comparisons to Board of Director approved strategic plans and budgets and comparisons to peer metrics to assess performance and determine compensation. Comparisons include tracking actual performance to budgets, prior periods and peer performance. Metrics include, among others, net income, return on average equity, return on average assets, and total shareholder return. Interest on loans and investments, service charges, BOLI earnings and interchange fees provide most of the revenues in the banking operation. Interest expense on borrowings and deposits, provisions for credit losses, salaries and benefits, operating facilities and expenses related to technology are the significant expenses in the banking operation. All operations are domestic.

 

Because these operations are closely linked and largely dependent upon each other, they are managed, and the financial performance is evaluated on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, and consistent with prior years, all of the Corporation's operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment. Accounting policies for the segment are the same as those described in "Note A - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." 

 

 

 

 

 

Crowe LLP

Independent Member Crowe Global

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Shareholders and the Board of Directors of

The First of Long Island Corporation

Melville, New York

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The First of Long Island Corporation (the "Company") as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 12, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

Critical Audit Matter

 

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments.  The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

 

Qualitative and Quantitative Loss Factors in the Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses requires substantial judgment by management. As of December 31, 2024, the balance of the allowance for credit losses was $28.3 million. As described in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, management estimates the allowance for credit losses balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

 

Management adjusts its historical loss experience to reflect current and forecasted conditions. In doing so, management considers a variety of general qualitative and quantitative loss factors (“Q-factors”). We consider management’s application of Q-factors in the allowance for credit losses to be a critical audit matter due to the extent of audit effort and degree of auditor judgment required to evaluate the Q-factors given the volume and nature on inputs and the significant management judgment required.

 

To address this matter, we tested the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls related to the Q-factors, including the following:

 

·Management’s application of qualitative and quantitative judgments related to the Q-factors and the resulting allocation to the allowance for credit losses;
·Management’s review over the completeness and accuracy of the data used as the basis for the Q-factors;
·Management’s testing over the mathematical accuracy of the allowance for credit losses calculation; and
·Management’s Allowance for Credit Losses Committee review of the allowance for credit losses and provision for credit losses.

 

Our substantive procedures related to the Q-factors included the following:

 

·Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s application of Q-factors and the resulting allocation to the allowance for credit losses;
·Testing the completeness and accuracy of certain data used in the qualitative factor calculations; and
·Testing the mathematical accuracy of the allowance for credit loss calculation.

 

  /s/ CROWE LLP
  Crowe LLP

 

 

 

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2003.

 

New York, New York

March 12, 2025