EX-99.2 4 tm2514692d2_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
(dollars in thousands)  2025   2024 
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $67,555   $38,330 
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value   615,350    624,779 
           
Loans:          
Commercial and industrial   134,095    136,732 
Secured by real estate:          
Commercial mortgages   1,929,881    1,963,107 
Residential mortgages   1,065,380    1,084,090 
Home equity lines   33,452    36,468 
Consumer and other   1,126    1,210 
    3,163,934    3,221,607 
Allowance for credit losses   (28,308)   (28,331)
    3,135,626    3,193,276 
Restricted stock, at cost   24,329    27,712 
Bank premises and equipment, net   28,411    29,135 
Right-of-use asset - operating leases   18,358    18,951 
Bank-owned life insurance   117,471    117,075 
Pension plan assets, net   11,693    11,806 
Deferred income tax benefit   35,022    36,192 
Other assets   22,491    22,080 
   $4,076,306   $4,119,336 
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Checking  $1,072,766   $1,074,671 
Savings, NOW and money market   1,587,030    1,574,160 
Time   635,789    616,027 
    3,295,585    3,264,858 
Overnight advances        
Other borrowings   360,000    435,000 
Operating lease liability   20,348    21,964 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   17,533    18,648 
    3,693,466    3,740,470 
Stockholders' Equity:          
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share:          
Authorized, 80,000,000 shares;          
Issued and outstanding, 22,635,724 and 22,595,349 shares   2,264    2,260 
Surplus   79,866    79,731 
Retained earnings   353,043    354,051 
    435,173    436,042 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (52,333)   (57,176)
    382,840    378,866 
   $4,076,306   $4,119,336 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
(in thousands, except per share data)  2025   2024 
Interest and dividend income:          
Loans  $33,785   $33,543 
Investment securities:          
Taxable   5,374    6,993 
Nontaxable   956    960 
    40,115    41,496 
Interest expense:          
Savings, NOW and money market deposits   10,318    10,083 
Time deposits   6,403    6,977 
Overnight advances   71    263 
Other borrowings   4,501    6,012 
    21,293    23,335 
Net interest income   18,822    18,161 
Provision for credit losses   168     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses   18,654    18,161 
           
Noninterest income:          
Bank-owned life insurance   912    840 
Service charges on deposit accounts   829    880 
Net loss on sales of securities        
Other   976    1,054 
    2,717    2,774 
Noninterest expense:          
Salaries and employee benefits   9,711    9,974 
Occupancy and equipment   3,233    3,214 
Merger expenses   230     
Other   3,954    3,018 
    17,128    16,206 
Income before income taxes   4,243    4,729 
           
Income tax expense   487    294 
Net income  $3,756   $4,435 
           
Weighted average:          
Common shares   22,625,117    22,520,568 
Dilutive restricted stock units   86,270    73,827 
Dilutive weighted average common shares   22,711,387    22,594,395 
           
Earnings per share:          
Basic  $0.17   $0.20 
Diluted   0.17    0.20 
           
Cash dividends declared per share   0.21    0.21 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) 

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
(in thousands)  2025   2024 
Net income  $3,756   $4,435 
Other comprehensive income (loss):          
Change in net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities   6,921    (1,789)
Change in funded status of pension plan   118    200 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes   7,039    (1,589)
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,196    (397)
Other comprehensive income (loss)   4,843    (1,192)
Comprehensive income  $8,599   $3,243 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 
                   Accumulated     
                   Other     
   Common Stock       Retained   Comprehensive     
(dollars in thousands)  Shares   Amount   Surplus   Earnings   Loss   Total 
Balance, January 1, 2025   22,595,349   $2,260   $79,731   $354,051   $(57,176)  $378,866 
Net income                  3,756         3,756 
Other comprehensive income                       4,843    4,843 
Shares withheld upon the vesting and conversion of RSUs   (22,761)   (2)   (291)             (293)
Common stock issued under stock compensation plans   50,519    5    9              14 
Common stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan   12,617    1    142              143 
Stock-based compensation expense             275              275 
Cash dividends declared                  (4,764)        (4,764)
Balance, March 31, 2025   22,635,724   $2,264   $79,866   $353,043   $(52,333)  $382,840 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 
                   Accumulated     
                   Other     
   Common Stock       Retained   Comprehensive     
(dollars in thousands)  Shares   Amount   Surplus   Earnings   Loss   Total 
Balance, January 1, 2024   22,590,942   $2,259   $79,728   $355,887   $(57,728)  $380,146 
Net income                  4,435         4,435 
Other comprehensive loss                       (1,192)   (1,192)
Repurchase of common stock   (167,526)   (17)   (2,003)             (2,020)
Shares withheld upon the vesting and conversion of RSUs   (19,530)   (2)   (250)             (252)
Common stock issued under stock compensation plans   46,926    5    9              14 
Common stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan   27,116    3    305              308 
Stock-based compensation expense             401              401 
Cash dividends declared                  (4,717)        (4,717)
Balance, March 31, 2024   22,477,928   $2,248   $78,190   $355,605   $(58,920)  $377,123 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
(in thousands)  2025   2024 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:          
Net income  $3,756   $4,435 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Provision for credit losses   168     
(Credit) provision for deferred income taxes   (1,026)   (744)
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment   758    769 
Amortization of right-of-use asset - operating leases   593    656 
Premium amortization on investment securities, net   623    494 
Stock-based compensation expense   275    401 
Accretion of cash surrender value on bank-owned life insurance   (912)   (840)
Pension expense   231    306 
Decrease in other liabilities   (2,750)   (455)
Other increases in assets   (634)   (3,945)
Net cash provided by operating activities   1,082    1,077 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:          
Available-for-sale securities:          
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions   16,889    16,542 
Purchases   (1,162)   (60)
Net decrease in loans   57,482    10,833 
Net decrease in restricted stock   3,383    1,315 
Purchases of premises and equipment, net   (34)   (312)
Proceeds from death benefit of bank-owned life insurance   753     
Net cash provided by investing activities   77,311    28,318 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:          
Net increase in deposits   30,727    55,521 
Net decrease in overnight advances       (70,000)
Proceeds from other borrowings       100,000 
Repayment of other borrowings   (75,000)   (57,500)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld   (150)   56 
Repurchase of common stock       (2,020)
Cash dividends paid   (4,745)   (9,461)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (49,168)   16,596 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   29,225    45,991 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   38,330    60,887 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $67,555   $106,878 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:          
Cash paid for:          
Interest  $23,156   $22,263 
Income taxes   26    414 
Operating cash flows from operating leases   1,783    871 
Noncash investing and financing activities:          
Cash dividends payable   4,754     

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION 

 

The accounting and reporting policies of The First of Long Island Corporation (“Corporation”) reflect banking industry practice and conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of Long Island (“Bank”). The Bank has one wholly owned subsidiary: FNY Service Corp., an investment company. The Bank and FNY Service Corp. jointly own another subsidiary, The First of Long Island REIT, Inc., a real estate investment trust. 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 and amounts have been eliminated. For further information refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

The consolidated financial information included herein as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 is unaudited. However, such information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods. The December 31, 2024 consolidated balance sheet was derived from the Corporation's December 31, 2024 audited consolidated financial statements. When appropriate, items in the prior year financial statements are reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Use of Estimates. 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 includes, but is not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy and changes in the financial condition of borrowers.

 

2 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income (loss) (“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 available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities 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 table sets forth the components of accumulated OCI, net of tax.

 

       Current     
   Balance   Period   Balance 
(in thousands)  12/31/2024   Change   3/31/2025 
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities  $(50,842)  $4,761   $(46,081)
Unrealized actuarial loss on pension plan   (6,334)   82    (6,252)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax  $(57,176)  $4,843   $(52,333)

 

 

 

 

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

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
(in thousands)  2025   2024 
Change in net unrealized holding gains or losses on available-for-sale securities:          
Change arising during the period  $6,921   $(1,789)
Tax effect   2,160    (459)
    4,761    (1,330)
Change in funded status of pension plan:          
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in pension expense (1)   118    200 
Tax effect   36    62 
    82    138 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  $4,843   $(1,192)

 

(1) 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 and is included in the consolidated statements of income in the line item “Other noninterest income.”

 

3 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

The following tables set forth the amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Bank’s AFS investment securities at the dates indicated.

 

   March 31, 2025 
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
(in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Value 
State and municipals  $151,123   $9   $(17,573)  $133,559 
Pass-through mortgage securities   156,532    31    (25,368)   131,195 
Collateralized mortgage obligations   159,799    853    (19,365)   141,287 
SBA agency obligations   95,216    250    (1,022)   94,444 
Corporate bonds   119,000        (4,135)   114,865 
   $681,670   $1,143   $(67,463)  $615,350 

 

   December 31, 2024 
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 

 

The Bank did not have any securities classified as held-to-maturity at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. 

 

 

 

 

Small Business Administration (“SBA”) agency obligations are floating rate, government guaranteed securities backed by $72.9 million of commercial mortgages and $21.5 million of equipment finance loans at March 31, 2025.

 

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, investment securities with a carrying value of $295.7 million and $259.8 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits.

 

There were no holdings of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

 

There was no allowance for credit losses associated with the investment securities portfolio at March 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

 

Securities With Unrealized Losses. The following tables set forth securities with unrealized losses at the dates indicated presented by the length of time the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

   March 31, 2025 
   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  $14,051   $(441)  $116,155   $(17,132)  $130,206   $(17,573)
Pass-through mortgage securities   7,639    (47)   120,123    (25,321)   127,762    (25,368)
Collateralized mortgage obligations           92,361    (19,365)   92,361    (19,365)
SBA agency obligations           77,636    (1,022)   77,636    (1,022)
Corporate bonds           114,865    (4,135)   114,865    (4,135)
Total temporarily impaired  $21,690   $(488)  $521,140   $(66,975)  $542,830   $(67,463)

 

   December 31, 2024 
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)

 

Following is a discussion of unrealized losses by type of security, none of which are considered impaired at March 31, 2025.

 

State and Municipals

 

At March 31, 2025, approximately $130.2 million of state and municipal bonds had an unrealized loss of $17.6 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 March 31, 2025, pass-through mortgage securities of approximately $127.8 million had an unrealized loss of $25.4 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 March 31, 2025, collateralized mortgage obligations of approximately $92.4 million had an unrealized loss of $19.4 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.

 

SBA Agency Obligations

 

At March 31, 2025, SBA agency obligations of approximately $77.6 million had an unrealized loss of $1.0 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 March 31, 2025, approximately $114.9 million of corporate bonds had an unrealized loss of $4.1 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 March 31, 2025.

 

Sales of AFS Securities. There were no sales of AFS securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

 

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 March 31, 2025 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  $793   $790 
After 1 through 5 years   141,318    136,111 
After 5 through 10 years   40,235    36,259 
After 10 years   87,777    75,264 
Mortgage and asset-backed securities   411,547    366,926 
   $681,670   $615,350 

 

 

 

 

4 - LOANS

 

The following table sets forth the loans outstanding by class of loans at the dates indicated.

 

(in thousands)  March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024 
Commercial and industrial  $134,095   $136,732 
Commercial mortgages:          
Multifamily   840,726    848,558 
Other   841,829    851,277 
Owner-occupied   247,326    263,272 
Residential mortgages:          
Closed end   1,065,380    1,084,090 
Revolving home equity   33,452    36,468 
Consumer and other   1,126    1,210 
   $3,163,934   $3,221,607 

 

Allowance for Credit Losses. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Such disparate risk characteristics may include internal or external credit ratings, risk ratings, collateral type, size of loan, effective interest rate, term, geographic location, industry or historical or expected loss pattern. For loans individually evaluated, an allowance for credit losses (“ACL” or “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, rent regulation status, 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.

 

 

 

 

Chargeoffs and deterioration in current and forecasted economic conditions, including adjustments for economic uncertainty, were the main drivers of the provision recorded in the first quarter of 2025, partially offset by declines in loan portfolio balances, historical loss rates and allowances on individually evaluated loans.

 

The following tables present the activity in the ACL for the periods indicated.

 

   Balance at           Provision
(Credit) for
   Balance at 
(in thousands)  1/1/2025   Chargeoffs   Recoveries   Credit Losses   3/31/2025 
Commercial and industrial  $1,365   $(348)  $179   $207   $1,403 
Commercial mortgages:                         
Multifamily   8,734            (143)   8,591 
Other   7,597            (4)   7,593 
Owner-occupied   3,243            (156)   3,087 
Residential mortgages:                         
Closed end   7,107    (22)       269    7,354 
Revolving home equity   269            (5)   264 
Consumer and other   16                16 
   $28,331   $(370)  $179   $168   $28,308 

 

   Balance at           Provision
(Credit) for
   Balance at 
(in thousands)  1/1/2024   Chargeoffs   Recoveries   Credit Losses   3/31/2024 
Commercial and industrial  $2,030   $(664)  $7   $2   $1,375 
Commercial mortgages:                         
Multifamily   6,817            1,297    8,114 
Other   7,850            (311)   7,539 
Owner-occupied   3,104            (102)   3,002 
Residential mortgages:                         
Closed end   8,838            (857)   7,981 
Revolving home equity   339            (30)   309 
Consumer and other   14            1    15 
   $28,992   $(664)  $7   $   $28,335 

 

 

 

 

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

 

   March 31, 2025 
   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  $   $   $   $   $   $   $134,095   $134,095 
Commercial mortgages:                                        
Multifamily   6,798            1,184        7,982    832,744    840,726 
Other                           841,829    841,829 
Owner-occupied   95                    95    247,231    247,326 
Residential mortgages:                                        
Closed end   559                2,326    2,885    1,062,495    1,065,380 
Revolving home equity                           33,452    33,452 
Consumer and other                           1,126    1,126 
   $7,452   $   $   $1,184   $2,326   $10,962   $3,152,972   $3,163,934 

 

   December 31, 2024 
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 

 

At March 31, 2025, past due loans increased $7.2 million from year-end 2024. The increase was primarily due to one multifamily loan with an amortized cost of $6.8 million. This loan is included in the column “Past Due - 30-59 Days” in the March 31, 2025 table above.  

 

At March 31, 2025 and 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 tables above. The Bank did not hold any foreclosed residential real estate property at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.  

 

Accrued interest receivable from loans totaled $10.8 million and $10.7 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, and is included in the line item “Other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

 

 

Loan Modifications. The Bank did not modify the terms of any loans for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the form of principal forgiveness, an interest reduction, an other-than-insignificant payment delay or a term extension during the previous twelve months. 

 

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 the current year-to-date period by year of origination.

 

   March 31, 2025 
   Term Loans by Origination Year   Revolving     
(in thousands)  2025   2024   2023   2022   2021   Prior   Loans (1)   Total 
Commercial and industrial:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $6,431   $52,334   $16,123   $21,369   $10,072   $14,137   $6,869   $127,335 
Watch       2,925    409        2,727            6,061 
Special Mention               196                196 
Substandard           503                    503 
Doubtful                                
   $6,431   $55,259   $17,035   $21,565   $12,799   $14,137   $6,869   $134,095 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $(348)  $(348)
                                         
Commercial mortgages – multifamily:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $   $30,063   $41,395   $179,808   $165,203   $412,083   $125   $828,677 
Watch                                
Special Mention       4,067        6,798                10,865 
Substandard                       1,184        1,184 
Doubtful                                
   $   $34,130   $41,395   $186,606   $165,203   $413,267   $125   $840,726 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
                                         
Commercial mortgages – other:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $4,230   $76,709   $66,463   $191,070   $212,468   $270,491   $22   $821,453 
Watch                                
Special Mention                       5,844        5,844 
Substandard                       14,532        14,532 
Doubtful                                
   $4,230   $76,709   $66,463   $191,070   $212,468   $290,867   $22   $841,829 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
                                         
Commercial mortgages – owner-occupied:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $   $33,964   $21,742   $47,752   $43,458   $89,022   $2,290   $238,228 
Watch           238        4,817            5,055 
Special Mention               3,191    852            4,043 
Substandard                                
Doubtful                                
   $   $33,964   $21,980   $50,943   $49,127   $89,022   $2,290   $247,326 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 

 

 

 

 

 

   March 31, 2025 
   Term Loans by Origination Year   Revolving     
(in thousands)  2025   2024   2023   2022   2021   Prior   Loans (1)   Total 
Residential mortgages (2):                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $   $6,163   $26,120   $184,727   $153,766   $691,638   $33,452   $1,095,866 
Watch                                
Special Mention                                
Substandard                       2,908        2,908 
Doubtful                                
   $   $6,163   $26,120   $184,727   $153,766   $694,546   $33,452   $1,098,774 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $(22)  $   $(22)
                                         
Consumer and other:                                        
Risk rating:                                        
Pass  $   $   $34   $133   $   $100   $810   $1,077 
Watch                                
Special Mention                                
Substandard                                
Doubtful                                
Not Rated                           49    49 
   $   $   $34   $133   $   $100   $859   $1,126 
                                         
Current-period gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
                                         
Total Loans  $10,661   $206,225   $173,027   $635,044   $593,363   $1,501,939   $43,617   $3,163,876 
Total gross chargeoffs  $   $   $   $   $   $(22)  $(348)  $(370)

 

(1) Includes revolving lines converted to term of $4.3 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 $58,000 related to basis adjustments for loans in the closed portfolio under the portfolio layer method at March 31, 2025. These basis adjustments would be allocated to the amortized cost of specific loans within the pool if the hedge was de-designated. See "Note 7 - Derivatives" for more information on the fair value hedge.

 

 

 

 

5 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION 

 

The following table presents a summary of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) outstanding at March 31, 2025 and changes during the three month period 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, 2025   196,170   $12.53           
Converted   (49,365)   14.96           
Outstanding at March 31, 2025   146,805   $11.71    0.98   $1,813 

 

As of March 31, 2025, there was $867,000 of 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.

 

6 - 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 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) 
March 31, 2025:                    
Financial Assets:                    
Available-for-Sale Securities:                    
State and municipals  $133,559   $   $133,443   $116 
Pass-through mortgage securities   131,195        131,195     
Collateralized mortgage obligations   141,287        141,287     
SBA agency obligations   94,444        94,444     
Corporate bonds   114,865        114,865     
    615,350        615,234    116 
Derivative - interest rate swaps   873        873     
   $616,223   $   $616,107   $116 
                     
Financial Liabilities:                    
Derivative - interest rate swaps  $574   $   $574   $ 
                     
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   $ 

 

State and municipal AFS securities measured using Level 3 inputs. The Bank held three non-rated bond anticipation notes with a book value of $116,000 at March 31, 2025. 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 March 31, 2025.

 

There were no assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

 

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.

 

       Fair Value Measurements Using: 
           Quoted Prices   Significant     
           in Active   Other   Significant 
           Markets for   Observable   Unobservable 
   Carrying   Fair   Identical Assets   Inputs   Inputs 
(in thousands)  Amount   Value   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
March 31, 2025:                         
Financial Assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $67,555   $67,555   $67,555   $   $ 
Loans, net   3,135,626    2,900,997            2,900,997 
Restricted stock   24,329    n/a    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Accrued interest receivable   13,303    13,303        2,514    10,789 
                          
Financial Liabilities:                         
Checking deposits   1,072,766    1,072,766    1,072,766         
Savings, NOW and money market deposits   1,587,030    1,587,030    1,587,030         
Time deposits   635,789    634,364        634,364     
Overnight advances                    
Other borrowings   360,000    360,382        360,382     
Accrued interest payable   5,810    5,810        5,810     
                          
December 31, 2024:                         
Financial Assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $38,330   $38,330   $38,330   $   $ 
Loans, net   3,193,276    2,947,587            2,947,587 
Restricted stock   27,712    n/a    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Accrued interest receivable   13,407    13,407        2,701    10,706 
                          
Financial Liabilities:                         
Checking deposits   1,074,671    1,074,671    1,074,671         
Savings, NOW and money market deposits   1,574,160    1,574,160    1,574,160         
Time deposits   616,027    614,245        614,245     
Overnight advances                    
Other borrowings   435,000    434,492        434,492     
Accrued interest payable   7,672    7,672        7,672     

 

 

 

 

7 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 quarter ended March 31, 2025 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.

 

   March 31,
   2025
Notional amount  $300 million
Fixed pay rate  3.82%
Overnight SOFR receive rate  4.41%
Maturity  0.96 years

 

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

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2025   2024 
Loans - Residential Mortgages:          
Carrying amount of the hedged asset (1)  $436,422   $440,755 
Fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the hedged asset   58    (525)

 

(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 March 31, 2025, the amortized cost basis of the closed portfolio used in this hedging relationship was $436.4 million. The cumulative basis adjustment associated with this hedging relationship was $58,000 and the amount of the designated hedged item was $299,000.

 

During the first quarter of 2025, the Bank recorded a $356,000 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.

 

   March 31, 2025
      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  $36,373   $574   $ 
Interest rate swap with offsetting counterparty  3  $36,373   $   $574 
                   

 

   December 31, 2024
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 

 

The Bank did not record any back-to-back swap fee income during the first quarter of 2025

 

8 – 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 anticipates the transaction will 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.

 

 

 

 

9 – CommitmentS and ContingenT LIABILITIES

 

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 and/or its subsidiaries 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.

 

10 – 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.

 

11 – 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 Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("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.