BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES (BHB) Business

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K” or “Annual Report”) that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Form 10-K the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “assume,” “should,” “predict,” “could,” “would,” “intend,” “targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” and “potential,” and other similar words and expressions of the future, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but other statements not based on historical information may also be considered forward-looking, including statements about our future financial and operating results and plans, objectives, and intentions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of our company to differ materially from any results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, including, but not limited to:

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Other factors not identified above, including those described in the Annual Report under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  Most of these factors are

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difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond our control. You should consider these factors in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by us. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events unless we are required to do so by law.

GENERAL

Bar Harbor Bankshares (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” or similar terms) is the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (the "Bank”), which is the only community bank headquartered in Northern New England with branches in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Bank is a regional community bank that thinks differently about banking. The Bank provides the technology offerings and capabilities of larger banks, accompanied by access to local decision makers who are acutely focused on their local markets. Having recently celebrated the 139th anniversary of the Bank’s founding, we remain focused on helping our customers achieve their goals as the key to the Bank’s success. With over 450 dedicated professionals and more than 60 locations, we are committed to servicing and building enduring relationships by providing a higher standard of banking. We offer a variety of financial products and services designed around our customers in order to serve their banking and financial needs. Through these efforts, we continue to be a relationship-focused community bank, maintaining our credit quality and serving businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals within our footprint. Our corporate goal is to be one of the most consistently high performing community banks in New England, and our business model is centered on the following:

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●Employee and customer experience is the foundation of superior performance, which leads to significant financial benefit to shareholders

●Geography, heritage, and performance are key while remaining true to a community-focused culture

●Commitment to risk management while balancing growth and earnings

●Service and sales driven culture with a focus on core business growth

●Fee income is fundamental to our profitability through trust and treasury management services, customer derivatives, and secondary market mortgage sales

●Investment in processes, products, technology, training, leadership, and infrastructure

●Expansion of our brand and business to deepen market presence

●Opportunity and growth for existing employees while adding catalyst recruits across all levels

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Shown below is a profile and geographical footprint of the Bank as of December 31, 2025:

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We serve established and growing markets in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont with more than 48 thousand, 73 thousand, and 23 thousand customers, respectively in those states. Within these markets, tourism, agriculture, and fishing industries remain strong and continue to drive economic activity. These core markets have also maintained their strength through diversification into various service industries.

Maine

We have 22 full-service branches in operation and two wealth management offices principally located in the regions of downeast, midcoast, and central Maine, which are generally characterized as rural areas. We also have a commercial loan production office in Portland, Maine. In Maine, we consider our primary market areas to be Hancock, Penobscot, Washington, Kennebec, Knox, and Sagadahoc counties. The economies in these counties are based primarily on tourism, healthcare, fishing and lobstering, agriculture, state government, and small local businesses. They are also supported by a large contingent of retirees.

New Hampshire

We have 30 full-service branches in operation and five wealth management offices in New Hampshire located in the Lake Sunapee, Upper Valley, Northern New Hampshire, and Merrimack Valley regions. There are several distinct markets within each of these regions. The towns or cities of Nashua, Manchester, and Concord are considered part of the Merrimack Valley. Nashua, New Hampshire is a regional commercial, entertainment, and dining destination. With its border to Massachusetts, it also enjoys a vibrant high-tech industry and a robust retail industry due in part to New Hampshire’s absence of a sales tax. The Upper Valley region of New Hampshire includes the towns of Lebanon and Hanover, which are home to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth College, respectively. Northern New Hampshire includes the communities of Woodsville, Plymouth, and Littleton, with Littleton serving as the region’s primary economic hub. The regional economy is largely driven by tourism and agriculture. The Lake Sunapee market is a popular year-round recreation and resort area that includes both Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee and includes the towns of Claremont, New London, and Newport.

Vermont

We have 10 full-service branches in operation in Vermont. The branches are primarily located in central Vermont within Rutland, Windsor, and Orange counties. These markets are home to many attractions, including Killington Mountain and the city of Rutland. Popular vacation destinations in this region include Woodstock and Brandon.

SUBSIDIARY ACTIVITIES

Bar Harbor Bankshares is a legal entity separate and distinct from its first-tier bank subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and its second-tier subsidiaries, Bar Harbor Wealth Management (“BHWM”) and Cottage Street Corporation.

There are two Connecticut statutory trusts for which all of the common stock is owned by the Company. These capital trusts are unconsolidated, and their only material asset is a $20.6 million trust preferred security related to the junior subordinated debentures reported in Note 8 – Borrowed Funds of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information are required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements, and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

The Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and amendments to those documents filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are also available free of charge on our website at www.barharbor.bank under the Shareholders Relations link as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, Securities and Insider Trading Policy and the charters of our Board of Directors’ audit committee, governance committee, and compensation and human resources committee are also available on our website (www.barharbor.bank) and in print free of charge to any shareholder

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who requests them. Requests should be sent by mail to our corporate secretary at our executive office. We intend to disclose on our website any amendments or waivers to our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers or Code of Conduct and Business Ethics that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5.05 of Form 8-K.

Investors should note announcements of material information to investors and others are performed using SEC filings, press releases, and postings on our website (www.barharbor.bank), including news and announcements regarding financial performance, key personnel, brands, and business strategy. Information posted on the corporate website could be deemed material to investors. Investors are encouraged to review the information posted on these channels. Updates may be made, from time to time, to the list of channels used to communicate information that could be deemed material, and any such change will be posted on www.barharbor.bank. The information on the website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part hereof or incorporated into this or any other filings with the SEC.

COMPETITION

Major competitors in our market areas include local independent banks, local branches of large regional and national bank affiliates, thrift institutions, savings and loan institutions, mortgage companies, and credit unions.

We effectively compete with other financial institutions by emphasizing quality customer service, making decisions at the local level, maintaining long-term customer relationships, building customer loyalty, and providing products and services designed to address customers’ specific needs. However, no assurance can be provided regarding the ongoing ability to compete effectively with other financial institutions in the future.

No part of the business is materially dependent upon one or a few customers or upon a particular industry segment, the loss of which would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

General

Loans are originated in four basic portfolio categories, which are discussed below. These portfolios include the categories commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, residential real estate and other consumer loans. Loan interest rates and other key loan terms are affected principally by our lending policy, asset/liability strategy, loan demand, competition, and the supply of money available for lending purposes. The amount of long-term fixed-rate lending and adjustable-rate lending is monitored according to the Bank’s interest rate management policy. Loans originated are held for investment except for certain residential mortgages that are underwritten with the intention to be sold in the secondary mortgage market.

Loan Portfolio Analysis

The following table sets forth the year-end composition of the loan portfolio in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the portfolio for the years indicated. Further information about the composition of the loan portfolio is contained in Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Commercial Loan Exposure and Industries

All commercial loans are assigned Standard Industrial Classification codes, North American Industry Classification System codes, and state and county codes.  The following table summarizes the major industries of the commercial loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:

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Within our non-owner-occupied commercial real estate portfolio (considered “Commercial construction” and “Commercial real estate non-owner occupied” above), the top 10 loans represent approximately 18.1% of total commercial real estate loans outstanding. The average loan size in the CRE segment is approximately $1.8 million. Delinquencies within the segment were nominal at less than 0.02% as a percentage of the total segment as of December 31, 2025. Maximum loan-to-value ratios at origination are governed by established policy and regulatory guidelines. The weighted average loan-to-value ratio for the top 10 loans within the non-owner occupied segment was 61.0% as of December 31, 2025. The top 10 office loans represent approximately 7.6% of the total commercial real estate segment exposure inclusive of unfunded commitments and 8.3% of the outstanding balances. The weighted average loan-to-value for the top 10 loans within the office segment is 66.6%. Our total commercial portfolio has a pass rating of 95%, included in the commercial portfolio are office loans of $250.3 million which have a pass rating of 86%.

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Maturity and Sensitivity of the Loan Portfolio

The following table shows contractual maturities of selected loan categories at December 31, 2025. The contractual maturities do not reflect premiums, discounts, deferred costs, or prepayments.

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Problem Assets

There is a preference to work with borrowers to resolve problems rather than proceeding to foreclosure. For commercial loans, this may result in a period of forbearance or restructuring of the loan, which is normally done at current market terms and may not result in a “troubled” loan designation. For residential mortgage loans, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) guidelines are followed to attempt a restructuring that will enable owner-occupants to remain in their homes. However, if these processes fail to result in a performing loan, foreclosure or other proceedings will be initiated no later than the 120th day of a delinquency, as necessary, to minimize any potential loss. Management reports on delinquent loans and non-performing assets to the Company’s Board of Directors monthly through the Board Risk Committee. Loans are generally removed from accruing status when they reach 90 days delinquent, except for certain loans which are well secured and in the process of collection. Loan collections are managed by a combination of the related business units and the managed assets group.

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The following table presents the problem assets for the years indicated:

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Allowance for Credit Losses

Our loan portfolio is regularly reviewed by management to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”). The allowance represents management’s estimate of expected losses that are probable and estimable as of the date of the financial statements. The ACL is comprised of reserves measured on a collective (pool) basis based on a lifetime loss-rate model when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis, generally larger non-accruing commercial loans.  The ACL is discussed further in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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The following table presents an analysis of the ACL for the years indicated:

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The following table presents year-end data for the approximate allocation of the ACL by loan categories at the dates indicated. For each loan category, the table shows the amount of the allowance allocated to that category as a percentage of the outstanding loans in that category. The allocation of the allowance to each category is not indicative of future losses and does not restrict the use of any of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.

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INVESTMENT SECURITIES ACTIVITIES

The objective of the investment portfolio is to provide liquidity when loan demand is high, and to absorb excess funds when demand is low. The securities portfolio also provides a medium for certain interest rate risk measures intended to maintain an appropriate balance between interest income from loans and total interest expense. For additional information, see Item 7A of this Annual Report.

We invest in what we believe to be high-quality investment-grade securities. Investment decisions are made in accordance with the investment and treasury policies and include consideration of risk, return, duration, and portfolio concentrations. For further discussion on investments see Note 3 – Available-for-sale Debt Securities of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities for the years indicated:

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The following table presents the amortized cost and weighted average yields of available-for-sale debt securities by maturity:

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Interest swap derivatives are utilized to minimize fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by interest rate volatility either in the form of interest rate swaps on wholesale funding and variable rate loans designated as cash flow hedges or partial interest rate hedges on securities accounted for as fair value hedges. For further discussion on derivatives see Note 11 – Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Derivative products are offered in the form of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps, to commercial loan customers to facilitate their risk management strategies. An interest rate swap is entered into with a customer, while at the same time an offsetting interest rate swap with another financial institution is entered into to offset. These interest rate swap transactions allow customers to effectively fix the interest rate on their loans. Customer loan derivative income is recognized for the upfront fee paid by the customer at origination. These swaps are designated as economic hedges and transactions are cleared through arrangements with third-party financial institutions.

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Mortgage banking activities result in two types of derivative instruments. Interest rate lock commitments are offered to residential loan customers, to allow them the ability to lock into a fixed interest rate prior to closing, for loans intended to sell are classified as non-hedging derivatives. To offset this risk, an offsetting forward sale commitment may be entered into with national financial institutions to purchase the loans selected for sale under a best efforts or mandatory delivery contract accounted for as an economic hedge.

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Floating-rate fundings are certain hedging transactions and certain products, such as floating-rate loans and mortgages, determine the applicable interest rate or payment amount by reference to a benchmark rate, such as the secured interbank overnight financing rate (“SOFR”), or to an index, basket or other financial metric.

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DEPOSIT ACTIVITIES

A variety of deposit products to consumers, businesses and institutional customers with a wide range of interest rates and terms are offered. Deposits consist of interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit. Deposits are solicited primarily in the market area, excluding brokered deposits. Competitive pricing policies, marketing and customer service to attract and retain deposits are relied upon.

Customer-related deposit fees are a significant source of fee income and principally derived from debit card interchange fees earned from transaction fees that merchants pay whenever a customer uses a debit card to make a purchase. Customer deposit fees are also earned from a variety of deposit accounts with various fee schedules and terms, which are designed to meet the customer’s financial needs. Other depositor-related fee services provided to customers include ATMs, remote deposit capture, ACH origination, wire transfers, internet bill pay, and other cash management services.

Pricing of deposits is managed in keeping with the asset/liability management, liquidity and profitability objectives, subject to market competitive factors. Based on our experience, deposits are relatively stable sources of funds. Despite this stability, the ability to attract and maintain these deposits and rates are significantly affected by market conditions.

The following table presents the average balances and weighted average rates for deposits for the years indicated:

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Estimated uninsured non-maturity deposits were $424.6 million as of December 31, 2025 and $404.7 million as of December 31, 2024. Estimated uninsured time deposits were $112.4 million and $85.3 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

The following table presents the scheduled maturities of time deposits greater than $250 thousand at December 31, 2025:

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BORROWING ACTIVITIES

Borrowings may be utilized as an alternative source of funds which can be invested at a positive interest rate spread when additional capacity to fund loan demand is desired or when asset/liability management goals are met to diversify funding sources and enhance interest rate risk management.

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Borrowings historically have included advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston ("FHLB"), securities sold under repurchase agreements, and a correspondent bank unsecured line of credit. Advances may be obtained from the FHLB by collateralizing the advances with certain loans and investment securities. These advances may be made pursuant to several different credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate, range of maturities and call features.

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We also have subordinated notes, junior subordinated debenture and other sources of liquidity that are fully described in Note 8 –Borrowed Funds of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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RETAIL BROKERAGE SERVICES

Bar Harbor Financial Services principally serves the brokerage needs of individuals ranging from first-time purchasers to sophisticated investors. It also offers a line of life insurance, annuity, and retirement products, as well as financial planning services. These products are not deposits, are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency, are not guaranteed by the Bank or any affiliate, and may be subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal.

Bar Harbor Financial Services is a branch office of Osaic Institutions, Inc., (“Osaic”) a full-service third-party broker-dealer, conducting business under the assumed business name “Bar Harbor Financial Services.” Osaic is an independent registered broker-dealer and is not affiliated with the Company or its subsidiaries. Osaic was formed by a group of member banks, and is one of the largest providers of third-party investment and insurance services to banks and their customers in New England. Through Osaic, the expertise, capabilities, and experience of a well-established third-party broker-dealer is obtained in a cost effective manner.

TRUST MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Bank has one wholly-owned subsidiary, BHWM, that provides a comprehensive array of fiduciary services including trust and estate administration, wealth advisory services, and investment management services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities. As a New Hampshire-chartered trust company, BHWM is subject to New Hampshire laws applicable to trust companies and fiduciaries. Professional advisors help individuals and families structure accounts that will meet their long-term financial needs. To many wealth management clients, the effective transfer of wealth to future generations is of paramount importance. The trust services act as a fiduciary for various types of trusts and serves as the investment manager for these accounts. Outside of trust services, they also provide 401(k) plan services, financial, estate and charitable planning, investment management, family office, municipal and tax services. The

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employees include credentialed investment professionals with extensive experience. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, trust management services had total assets under management (“AUM”) of $3.0 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively.

HUMAN CAPITAL

We are very fortunate to have a committed team throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont who are capable, determined and empowered to drive our company forward. As of December 31, 2025, we had 530 full time equivalent employees. None of our colleagues are represented by unions.  All employment decisions are based on talent and potential for growth. Our ability to attract and retain top-tier talent while sustaining and deepening the current relationships is critical to maintaining a best-in-class customer and colleague experience. The opportunity for personal and professional development is a critically important focus of ours and one that helps us retain top talent. We are keenly aware of our ability to be a positive impact in the communities we serve, as such we are committed to supporting, developing, and encouraging colleague engagement with their communities.

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We invest in our employees and continuously encourage them to build the skills they need to become an even more valuable team member. Opportunities are provided for colleagues to take on challenging and intriguing work to advance their career goals and transition into new roles as the banking industry evolves. In addition, we provide colleagues with access to a variety of programs developed to align with the knowledge, skills and capabilities that are critical to our organization’s success both now and in the future.

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Attracting, retaining, and rewarding high-performing talent is key to our success. Our total rewards program is designed to recognize and reward top talent and keep colleagues engaged effectively. A critical component of our total rewards program is compensation.  Our compensation strategy is deeply rooted in a pay for performance philosophy.  The intent of this strategy is to align colleague contributions and rewards with the success of the organization. We participate in several market studies, including peers in the banking industry, to ensure competitive pay, benefits, and programs. Annual merit increases align with market data and performance to ensure fair and equitable practices are adhered to.  Incentive programs are a meaningful component of colleague compensation and are tied to both company and individual performance. To complement these programs, colleagues are also able to provide and receive recognition through our online portal, Bar Harbor Connect.  When recognized colleagues receive points that they can then redeem for rewards of their choice such as gift cards, logo items, and concert tickets.

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Beyond compensation, our total rewards program underscores our commitment to colleague’s health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefit packages, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and several other voluntary programs.  We also contribute to employee-owned health savings accounts and utilize our wellness program to encourage colleagues to stay fit physically and mentally. The retirement savings programs include a 401(k) plan with a generous company match that vests immediately, along with an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) that allows colleagues to be owners of the Company at a reduced price. ESPP provides a benefit to our colleagues while also encouraging them to think and make decisions like shareholders.

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REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

The following discussion addresses elements of the regulatory framework applicable to the Company.  This regulatory framework is intended primarily to protect the safety and soundness of depository institutions, the federal deposit insurance system and depositors, rather than the shareholders of a bank holding company such as the Company.

The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes, regulations, policies and guidelines described below.

Regulation of the Company

As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), and the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions (the “BFI”).

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The Federal Reserve Board has the authority, among other things, to order bank holding companies to cease and desist from unsafe or unsound banking practices; to assess civil money penalties; and to order termination of non-banking activities or termination of ownership and control of a non-banking subsidiary by a bank holding company.

Source of Strength. Bank holding companies are required to serve as a source of financial strength for their subsidiary banks. Under this requirement, the Company is expected to commit resources to support the Bank, including at times when the Company may not have the resources to provide support to the Bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a bank subsidiary will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

Acquisitions and Activities.  The BHC Act prohibits a bank holding company, without prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, from acquiring all or substantially all the assets of a bank, acquiring control of a bank, merging or consolidating with another bank holding company, or acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, the acquiring bank holding company would control more than 5% of any class of the voting shares of such other bank or bank holding company.

The BHC Act also generally prohibits a bank holding company from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to its subsidiary banks.  However, among other permitted activities, a bank holding company may engage directly or indirectly in, and acquire control of companies engaged in, activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking, subject to certain notification requirements.

Limitations on Acquisitions of Company Common Stock. The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under rebuttable presumptions of control established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of control of voting securities of a bank holding company constitutes an acquisition of control under the Change in Bank Control Act, requiring prior notice to and non-objection by the Federal Reserve Board, if, immediately after the transaction, the acquiring person (or persons acting in concert) will own, control, or hold with power to vote 10% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company, and if either (i) the bank holding company has registered securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or (ii) no other person will own, control, or hold the power to vote a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction.

In addition, the BHC Act prohibits any company from acquiring control of a bank or bank holding company without first having obtained the approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Among other circumstances, under the BHC Act, a company has control of a bank or bank holding company if the company owns, controls or holds with power to vote 25% or more of a class of voting securities of the bank or bank holding company, controls in any manner the election of a majority of directors or trustees of the bank or bank holding company, or the Federal Reserve Board has determined, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that the company has the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of the bank or bank holding company. The Federal Reserve Board has established presumptions of control under which the acquisition of control of 5% or more of a class of voting securities of a bank holding company, together with other factors enumerated by the Federal Reserve Board, could constitute the acquisition of control of a bank holding company for purposes of the BHC Act. Additionally, an existing bank holding company must obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire 5% or more of a class of voting securities of a bank or bank holding company.

Maine law also requires that any “person or company” obtain the approval of the Maine Superintendent of Financial Institutions before acquiring control of a Maine financial institution. For purposes of Maine law, a “person” means an individual or individuals acting in concert, and a company may be deemed to control a Maine financial institution, among other circumstances, if it would be presumed to control the financial institution under the Change in Bank Control Act, including through acting in concert with other persons or entities.

Other Regulations

As a Maine corporation, the Company is subject to certain limitations and restrictions under applicable Maine corporate law.  For example, state law restrictions in Maine include limitations and restrictions relating to indemnification of

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directors, distributions and dividends to shareholders, transactions involving directors, officers or interested shareholders, maintenance of books, records, and minutes, and observance of certain corporate formalities.  Further, as a Maine financial institution holding company, the Company is also subject to certain requirements and restrictions under applicable Maine banking law.

The Company is also under the jurisdiction of the SEC and is subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange American exchange (“NYSE American”) under the trading symbol “BHB,” and is subject to the rules of NYSE American for listed companies.

Regulation of the Bank

As a Maine-chartered financial institution that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Bank is subject to supervision, regular examination, and regulation by the BFI and the FDIC as its primary federal regulator and as its deposit insurer. The Bank is also subject to various Maine business and banking regulations and the regulations issued by the CFPB (as enforced by the FDIC). The Federal Reserve Board may also directly examine the subsidiaries of the Company, including the Bank.

The FDIC and the BFI have the authority to issue cease and desist orders; to terminate insurance of deposits; to assess civil money penalties; to issue directives to increase capital; to place the bank into receivership; and to initiate injunctive actions against banking organizations and institution-affiliated parties.

Deposit Insurance. The deposit obligations of the Bank are insured by the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) up to $250,000 per depositor with respect to deposits held in the same right and capacity. The DIF is funded mainly through quarterly insurance assessments on insured banks based on their assessment base. The FDIC calculates deposit insurance assessment rates for established small banks, generally those banks with less than $10 billion of assets that have been insured for at least five years, using supervisory ratings, financial ratios, and other factors. For 2025, the FDIC insurance expense for the Bank was $1.9 million.

The FDIC has the authority to adjust deposit insurance assessment rates at any time. In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the “FDIA”), the FDIC may terminate deposit insurance, among other circumstances, upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.

Acquisitions and Branching. Prior approval from the BFI and the FDIC is required in order for the Bank to acquire another bank or establish a new branch office. Well capitalized and well managed banks may acquire other banks in any state, subject to certain deposit concentration limits and other conditions, pursuant to the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes a state-chartered bank, such as the Bank, to establish new branches on an interstate basis to the same extent a bank chartered by the host state may establish branches.

Activities and Investments of Insured State-Chartered Banks. The FDIA generally limits the types of equity investments an FDIC-insured state-chartered bank, such as the Bank, may make and the kinds of activities in which such a bank may engage, as a principal, to those that are permissible for national banks. Further, the GLBA permits national banks and state banks, to the extent permitted under state law, to engage via financial subsidiaries in certain activities that are permissible for subsidiaries of a financial holding company. In order to form a financial subsidiary, a state-chartered bank must be “well capitalized,” and such banks must comply with certain capital deduction, risk management and affiliate transaction rules, among other requirements.

Brokered Deposits. The FDIA and FDIC regulations generally limit the ability of an insured depository institution to accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit unless the institution’s capital category is “well capitalized” or, with the FDIC’s approval, “adequately capitalized.” Additionally, increased reliance on brokered deposits can increase an institution’s deposit insurance assessment.

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Community Reinvestment Act. The CRA requires the FDIC to evaluate the Bank’s performance in helping to meet the credit needs of the entire community it serves, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with its safe and sound banking operations, and to take this record into consideration when evaluating certain applications. Failure of an institution to receive at least a “satisfactory” rating could inhibit the institution or its parent company from undertaking certain activities, including engaging in activities permitted as a financial holding company under GLBA and acquisitions of other financial institutions. The Bank has achieved a rating of “satisfactory” on its most recent examination dated.

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On October 24, 2023, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule revising their framework for evaluating banks’ records of community investment under the CRA. On July 16, 2025, these agencies issued a proposal to rescind the October 2023 final rule and reinstate the CRA framework that existed prior to the October 2023 final rule, which has remained in effect. The Bank’s most recent performance evaluation was conducted using the CRA framework that existed prior to the October 2023 final rule.

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Lending Restrictions. Federal law limits a bank’s authority to extend credit to directors and executive officers of the bank or its affiliates and persons or companies that own, control or have power to vote more than 10% of any class of securities of a bank or an affiliate of a bank, as well as to entities controlled by such persons. Among other things, extensions of credit to insiders are required to be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons. Also, the terms of such extensions of credit may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and may not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the bank’s capital.

Capital Adequacy and Safety and Soundness

Regulatory Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have issued substantially similar risk-based and leverage capital rules applicable to U.S. banking organizations such as the Company and the Bank. These rules are intended to reflect the relationship between a banking organization’s capital and the degree of risk associated with its operations based on transactions recorded on-balance sheet as well as off-balance sheet items. The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum levels discussed below, due to the banking organization’s financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.

The capital adequacy rules define qualifying capital instruments and specify minimum amounts of capital that banking organizations are required to maintain as a percentage of assets or risk-weighted assets. Common equity Tier 1 capital generally includes common stock and related surplus, retained earnings and, in certain cases and subject to certain limitations, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill, other non-qualifying intangible assets and certain other deductions. Tier 1 capital generally consists of the sum of common equity Tier 1 elements, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, and related surplus and, in certain cases and subject to limitations, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries that do not qualify as common equity Tier 1 capital, less certain deductions. Tier 2 capital generally consists of hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt securities, cumulative perpetual preferred stock, term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock, and, subject to limitations, ACL on loans. The sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital less certain required deductions represents qualifying total risk-based capital. Newly-issued trust preferred securities generally are not counted as Tier 1 capital, but the Company’s currently outstanding trust preferred securities were grandfathered and continue to count toward its Tier 1 capital.

Under the capital rules, risk-based capital ratios are calculated by dividing common equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and total capital, respectively, by risk-weighted assets. Assets and off-balance sheet credit equivalents are assigned one of several categories of risk weights based primarily on relative risk. Under the Federal Reserve Board’s rules applicable to the Company and the FDIC’s capital rules applicable to the Bank, the Company and the Bank are each required to maintain a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5%, a minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 6.0%, a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 8.0% and a minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4.0%. Additionally, these rules require an institution to maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital in an amount above the minimum risk-based capital requirements for “adequately capitalized”

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institutions of more than 2.5% of total risk weighted assets, or face restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, pay discretionary bonuses, and to engage in share repurchases.

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Under the FDIC’s prompt corrective action rules, an FDIC supervised institution is considered “well capitalized” if it (i) has a total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 10.0% or greater; (ii) a Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 8.0% or greater; (iii) a common equity Tier 1 equity ratio of 6.5% or greater, (iv) a leverage capital ratio of 5.0% or greater; and (v) is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. The Bank is considered “well capitalized” under this definition.

Generally, a bank, upon receiving notice that it is not adequately capitalized (i.e., that it is “undercapitalized”), becomes subject to the prompt corrective action provisions of Section 38 of FDIA that, for example, (i) restrict payment of capital distributions and management fees, (ii) require that its federal bank regulator monitor the condition of the institution and its efforts to restore its capital, (iii) require submission of a capital restoration plan, (iv) restrict the growth of the institution’s assets and (v) require prior regulatory approval of certain expansion proposals. A bank that is required to submit a capital restoration plan must concurrently submit a performance guarantee by each company that controls the bank. A bank that is “critically undercapitalized” (i.e., has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%) will be subject to further restrictions, and generally will be placed in conservatorship or receivership within 90 days.

Safety and Soundness Standards. Guidelines adopted by the federal bank regulatory agencies pursuant to the FDIA establish general standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, and compensation and benefits. Among other things, the guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder.

Dividend Restrictions

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and its other subsidiaries. Revenues and cash flows of the Company (on a non-consolidated basis) are derived primarily from dividends paid to it by the Bank. The right of the Company, and consequently the right of shareholders of the Company, to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of its subsidiaries, through the payment of such dividends or otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiaries, including, with respect to the Bank, depositors of the Bank, except to the extent that certain claims of the Company in a creditor capacity may be recognized.

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Restrictions on Bank Holding Company Dividends. The Federal Reserve Board has the authority to prohibit bank holding companies from paying dividends if such payment is deemed to be an unsafe or unsound practice. The Federal Reserve Board has indicated generally that it may be an unsafe or unsound practice for bank holding companies to pay a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period for which the dividend is being paid. Further, under the Federal Reserve Board’s capital rules, the Company’s ability to pay dividends is restricted if it does not maintain the required capital conservation buffer. See “-Capital Adequacy and Safety and Soundness-Regulatory Capital Requirements” above.

Restrictions on Bank Dividends. The FDIC has the authority to use its enforcement powers to prohibit a bank from paying dividends if, in its opinion, the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Federal law also prohibits the payment of dividends by a bank that will result in the bank failing to meet its applicable capital requirements on a pro forma basis. Maine law requires the approval of the BFI for any dividend that would reduce a bank’s capital below prescribed limits. In addition, the ability of shareholders to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the Bank through the payment of such dividends or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank (including depositors).

Certain Transactions by Bank Holding Companies with their Affiliates

There are various statutory restrictions on the extent to which insured depository institutions may lend to, provide credit to, or otherwise engage in “covered transactions” with their holding companies or other affiliates. An insured depository

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institution (and its subsidiaries) may not lend money to, or engage in covered transactions with, its non-depository institution affiliates if the aggregate amount of “covered transactions” outstanding involving the bank, plus the proposed transaction, exceeds the following limits: (i) in the case of any one such affiliate, 10% of the capital stock and surplus of the insured depository institution; and (ii) in the case of all affiliates, 20% of the capital stock and surplus of the insured depository institution. For this purpose, “covered transactions” are defined by statute to include, among other things: a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate, a purchase of or investment in securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets from an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any person or company, or the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. “Covered transactions” are also subject to certain collateral security requirements. “Covered transactions” as well as other types of transactions between a bank and a bank holding company must be conducted under terms and conditions, including credit standards, that are at least as favorable to the bank as prevailing market terms.

Moreover, Section 106 of the Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970 provides that, to further competition, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tying arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property of any kind, or the furnishing of any service.

Consumer Protection Regulation

General. The Company and the Bank are subject to federal and state laws designed to protect consumers and prohibit unfair or deceptive business practices including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Housing Act, Home Ownership Protection Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (“FACT Act”), the GLBA, the Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”), the CRA, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, National Flood Insurance Act and various state law counterparts. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must interact with customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans and providing other services. Further, the CFPB also has a broad mandate to prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices and is specifically empowered to require certain disclosures to consumers and draft model disclosure forms. Failure to comply with consumer protection laws and regulations can subject financial institutions to enforcement actions, fines and other penalties. The FDIC examines the Bank for compliance with consumer protection laws and enforces CFPB rules with respect to the Bank.

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The Dodd-Frank Act prescribes certain standards that mortgage lenders must consider before making a residential mortgage loan, including verifying a borrower’s ability to repay such mortgage loan and allows borrowers to assert violations of certain provisions of the TILA as a defense to foreclosure proceedings. Additionally, the CFPB’s qualified mortgage rule, requires creditors, such as the Bank, to make a reasonable good faith determination of a consumer’s ability to repay any consumer credit transaction secured by a dwelling. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act included provisions that ease certain requirements related to residential mortgage transactions for certain institutions with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets.

Privacy and Customer Information Security. The GLBA requires financial institutions to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. In general, the Bank must provide its customers with an initial and annual disclosure that explains its policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, the Bank is prohibited from disclosing such information except as provided in such policies and procedures. However, an annual disclosure is not required to be provided by a financial institution if the financial institution only discloses information under exceptions from GLBA that do not require an opt out to be provided and if there has been no change in its privacy policies and procedures since its most recent disclosure provided to consumers. The GLBA also requires that the Bank develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information (as defined under GLBA), to protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. The Bank is also required to send a notice to customers whose sensitive information has been compromised if unauthorized use of the information is reasonably possible. Most states, including the states where the Bank operates, have enacted legislation concerning breaches of data security and the duties of the Bank in response to data breaches. Congress continues to consider federal legislation that would require consumer notice of data security breaches. In addition, individual states in our market area

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have promulgated data security regulations with respect to personal information of their residents. Pursuant to the FACT Act, the Bank had to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program to detect, prevent, and mitigate identity theft in connection with the opening of certain accounts or certain existing accounts. Additionally, the FACT Act amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act to generally prohibit a person from using information received from an affiliate to make a solicitation for marketing purposes to a consumer, unless the consumer is given notice and a reasonable opportunity and method to opt out of the making of such solicitations.

Anti-Money Laundering

The Bank Secrecy Act. Under the Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”), a financial institution is required to have systems in place to detect certain transactions, based on the size and nature of the transaction. Financial institutions are generally required to report to the U.S. Treasury any cash transactions involving at least $10,000. In addition, financial institutions are required to file suspicious activity reports for any transaction or series of transactions that involve more than $5,000 and which the financial institution knows, suspects or has reason to suspect involves illegal funds, is designed to evade the requirements of the BSA or has no lawful purpose. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”), which amended the BSA, together with the implementing regulations of various federal regulatory agencies, has caused financial institutions, such as the Bank, to adopt and implement additional policies or amend existing policies and procedures with respect to, among other things, anti-money laundering compliance, suspicious activity, currency transaction reporting, customer identity verification and customer risk analysis. In evaluating an application to acquire a bank or to merge banks or effect a purchase of assets and assumption of deposits and other liabilities, the applicable federal banking regulator must consider the anti-money laundering compliance record of both the applicant and the target.

Office of Foreign Assets Control. The U.S. has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These sanctions, which are administered by U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial or other transactions relating to a sanctioned country or with certain designated persons and entities; (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons); and (iii) restrictions on transactions with or involving certain persons or entities. Blocked assets (for example, property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the Bank.

Other Significant Banking Regulations Applicable to the Bank

BHWM, a New Hampshire chartered non-depository trust company and an indirect subsidiary of the Bank, is subject to supervision, regular examination, and regulation by the New Hampshire Banking Department.

In accordance with New Hampshire law, BHWM’s Capital Plan requires minimum capital of $1.0 million to be invested in qualifying assets. As of December 31, 2025, BHWM’s total capital was $15.2 million and it had liquidation reserves of $505 thousand held in a money market account. BHWM also had operating reserves of $12.8 million held primarily at the Bank. As of December 31, 2025, BHWM had an appropriate liquidation reserve and minimum capital in excess of statutory requirements, and held all funds in accordance with prudent investor standards and other applicable laws.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Bank and BHWM are each also subject to ERISA, and related regulations, to the extent it is a “fiduciary” under ERISA with respect to some of its clients. ERISA and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, impose duties on persons who are fiduciaries under ERISA, and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of each ERISA plan that is a client of the Bank or BHWM, as applicable, as well as certain transactions by the fiduciaries (and several other related parties) to such plans.

The foregoing laws and regulations generally grant supervisory agencies and bodies broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict BHWM from conducting business in the event it fails to comply with such laws

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and regulations. Possible sanctions that may be imposed in the event of such noncompliance include the suspension of individual employees, limitations on business activities for specified periods of time, revocation of registration as an investment adviser, commodity trading adviser and/or other registrations, and other censures and fines.