# Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (BWFG)

Informational only - not investment advice.

CIK: 0001505732
SIC: 6022 State Commercial Banks
SIC breadcrumb: [Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate](/division/H/) > [Depository Institutions](/major-group/60/) > [SIC 6022 State Commercial Banks](/industry/6022/)
Latest 10-K filed: 2026-03-04
SEC page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1505732
Filing source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1505732/000150573226000046/bwfg-20251231.htm

## Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
| --- | ---: | --- | ---: | --- |
| Revenue | 198327000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-04 |
| Net income | 35198000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-04 |
| Assets | 3359859000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-04 |

## Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-04. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001505732.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

| Metric | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Revenue |  |  | 60,990,000 | 71,201,000 | 80,064,000 | 82,948,000 | 77,487,000 | 81,376,000 | 117,945,000 | 188,454,000 | 191,994,000 | 198,327,000 |
| Net income |  |  | 12,350,000 | 13,830,000 | 17,433,000 | 18,216,000 | 5,904,000 | 26,586,000 | 37,429,000 | 36,663,000 | 9,770,000 | 35,198,000 |
| Diluted EPS |  |  | 1.62 | 1.78 | 2.21 | 2.31 | 0.75 | 3.36 | 4.79 | 4.67 | 1.23 | 4.45 |
| Operating cash flow |  |  | 17,372,000 | 20,572,000 | 19,977,000 | 6,631,000 | -1,512,000 | 34,558,000 | 82,668,000 | 31,927,000 | 29,936,000 | 28,273,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 2,042,000 | 938,000 | 8,401,000 | 1,874,000 | 3,351,000 | 645,000 |  |  | 4,958,000 | 2,045,000 | 613,000 | 1,144,000 |
| Dividends paid |  |  | 1,661,000 | 2,149,000 | 3,759,000 | 4,079,000 | 4,389,000 | 5,025,000 | 6,189,000 | 6,241,000 | 6,283,000 | 6,267,000 |
| Share buybacks |  |  |  | 0.00 | 0.00 | 988,000 | 1,037,000 | 5,077,000 | 5,540,000 | 0.00 | 2,137,000 | 1,334,000 |
| Assets |  |  | 1,628,919,000 | 1,796,607,000 | 1,873,665,000 | 1,882,182,000 | 2,253,747,000 | 2,456,264,000 | 3,252,449,000 | 3,215,482,000 | 3,268,476,000 | 3,359,859,000 |
| Liabilities |  |  | 1,483,024,000 | 1,635,580,000 | 1,699,469,000 | 1,699,785,000 | 2,077,145,000 | 2,254,277,000 | 3,013,980,000 | 2,949,730,000 | 2,997,956,000 | 3,058,370,000 |
| Stockholders' equity |  |  | 145,895,000 | 161,027,000 | 174,196,000 | 182,397,000 | 176,602,000 | 201,987,000 | 238,469,000 | 265,752,000 | 270,520,000 | 301,489,000 |
| Free cash flow |  |  | 8,971,000 | 18,698,000 | 16,626,000 | 5,986,000 |  |  | 77,710,000 | 29,882,000 | 29,323,000 | 27,129,000 |

### Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

| Metric | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Net margin |  |  | 20.25% | 19.42% | 21.77% | 21.96% | 7.62% | 32.67% | 31.73% | 19.45% | 5.09% | 17.75% |
| Return on equity |  |  | 8.46% | 8.59% | 10.01% | 9.99% | 3.34% | 13.16% | 15.70% | 13.80% | 3.61% | 11.67% |
| Return on assets |  |  | 0.76% | 0.77% | 0.93% | 0.97% | 0.26% | 1.08% | 1.15% | 1.14% | 0.30% | 1.05% |
| Liabilities / equity |  |  | 10.17 | 10.16 | 9.76 | 9.32 | 11.76 | 11.16 | 12.64 | 11.10 | 11.08 | 10.14 |

## Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001505732.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

| Quarter | End date | Revenue | Net income | Diluted EPS | Method |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 |  |  | 1.55 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 |  |  | 1.18 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 |  |  | 1.33 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 46,506,000 | 7,983,000 | 1.02 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 48,263,000 | 9,777,000 | 1.25 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 49,394,000 | 8,524,000 |  | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 48,281,000 | 3,763,000 | 0.48 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 47,679,000 | 1,118,000 | 0.14 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 48,191,000 | 1,926,000 | 0.24 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 47,843,000 | 2,963,000 |  | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 48,477,000 | 6,888,000 | 0.87 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 48,649,000 | 9,088,000 | 1.15 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 50,591,000 | 10,078,000 | 1.27 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 50,610,000 | 9,144,000 |  | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 50,536,000 | 11,275,000 | 1.41 | reported discrete quarter |

## Macro Cross-References
- [CPIAUCSL](/indicator/CPIAUCSL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- [UNRATE](/indicator/UNRATE/): Unemployment Rate
- [FEDFUNDS](/indicator/FEDFUNDS/): Federal Funds Effective Rate
- [CES0500000003](/indicator/CES0500000003/): Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- [DFEDTARU](/indicator/DFEDTARU/): Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- [DFEDTARL](/indicator/DFEDTARL/): Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- [DGS3MO](/indicator/DGS3MO/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- [DGS2](/indicator/DGS2/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- [DGS10](/indicator/DGS10/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- [DGS30](/indicator/DGS30/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- [T10Y2Y](/indicator/T10Y2Y/): 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- [CPILFESL](/indicator/CPILFESL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- [CPIUFDSL](/indicator/CPIUFDSL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- [CPIENGSL](/indicator/CPIENGSL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- [CUSR0000SAH1](/indicator/CUSR0000SAH1/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- [PCEPI](/indicator/PCEPI/): Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- [PCEPILFE](/indicator/PCEPILFE/): Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- [PPIACO](/indicator/PPIACO/): Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- [T10YIE](/indicator/T10YIE/): 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- [U6RATE](/indicator/U6RATE/): Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- [PAYEMS](/indicator/PAYEMS/): All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- [CIVPART](/indicator/CIVPART/): Labor Force Participation Rate
- [EMRATIO](/indicator/EMRATIO/): Employment-Population Ratio
- [UNEMPLOY](/indicator/UNEMPLOY/): Unemployed
- [CE16OV](/indicator/CE16OV/): Employment Level
- [ICSA](/indicator/ICSA/): Initial Claims
- [JTSJOL](/indicator/JTSJOL/): Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- [JTSQUR](/indicator/JTSQUR/): Quits: Total Nonfarm
- [GDPC1](/indicator/GDPC1/): Real Gross Domestic Product
- [A191RL1Q225SBEA](/indicator/A191RL1Q225SBEA/): Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- [INDPRO](/indicator/INDPRO/): Industrial Production: Total Index
- [TCU](/indicator/TCU/): Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- [HOUST](/indicator/HOUST/): New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- [PERMIT](/indicator/PERMIT/): New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- [RSAFS](/indicator/RSAFS/): Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- [PCE](/indicator/PCE/): Personal Consumption Expenditures
- [DSPIC96](/indicator/DSPIC96/): Real Disposable Personal Income
- [PSAVERT](/indicator/PSAVERT/): Personal Saving Rate
- [M2SL](/indicator/M2SL/): M2
- [BOPGSTB](/indicator/BOPGSTB/): U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- [MSPUS](/indicator/MSPUS/): Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- [HSN1F](/indicator/HSN1F/): New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- [RHORUSQ156N](/indicator/RHORUSQ156N/): Homeownership Rate in the United States
- [TTLCONS](/indicator/TTLCONS/): Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- [RRVRUSQ156N](/indicator/RRVRUSQ156N/): Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- [TOTALSL](/indicator/TOTALSL/): Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- [REVOLSL](/indicator/REVOLSL/): Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- [DRCCLACBS](/indicator/DRCCLACBS/): Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- [GDP](/indicator/GDP/): Gross Domestic Product
- [GPDI](/indicator/GPDI/): Gross Private Domestic Investment
- [GCE](/indicator/GCE/): Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- [PCEC](/indicator/PCEC/): Personal Consumption Expenditures
- [NETEXP](/indicator/NETEXP/): Net Exports of Goods and Services
- [GFDEBTN](/indicator/GFDEBTN/): Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- [GFDEGDQ188S](/indicator/GFDEGDQ188S/): Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- [FYFSD](/indicator/FYFSD/): Federal Surplus or Deficit
- [FGRECPT](/indicator/FGRECPT/): Federal Government Current Receipts
- [FGEXPND](/indicator/FGEXPND/): Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- [MANEMP](/indicator/MANEMP/): All Employees, Manufacturing
- [USCONS](/indicator/USCONS/): All Employees, Construction
- [USTRADE](/indicator/USTRADE/): All Employees, Retail Trade
- [USFIRE](/indicator/USFIRE/): All Employees, Financial Activities
- [USGOVT](/indicator/USGOVT/): All Employees, Government
- [AWHAETP](/indicator/AWHAETP/): Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- [DGORDER](/indicator/DGORDER/): Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- [NEWORDER](/indicator/NEWORDER/): Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- [BUSINV](/indicator/BUSINV/): Total Business Inventories
- [EXPGS](/indicator/EXPGS/): Exports of Goods and Services
- [IMPGS](/indicator/IMPGS/): Imports of Goods and Services
- [IR](/indicator/IR/): Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- [PPIFIS](/indicator/PPIFIS/): Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand

## Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1505732/000150573226000074/bwfg-20260331.htm

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary.
Confidence: high
Filing date: 2026-05-06
Report date: 2026-03-31

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This section presents management’s perspective on our financial condition and results of operations. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q. To the extent that this discussion describes prior performance, the descriptions relate only to the periods listed, which may not be indicative of future financial outcomes. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2025 in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

General

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Bankwell Bank, or the Bank, we serve small and medium-sized businesses and retail clients. We have a history of building long-term client relationships and attracting new clients through what we believe is out superior service and our ability to deliver a diverse product offering.

The following discussion and analysis presents our results of operations and financial condition on a consolidated basis. However, because we conduct all of our material business operations through the Bank, the discussion and analysis relates to activities primarily conducted at the Bank.

We generate most of our revenue from interest on loans and investments and fee-based revenues. Our primary source of funding for our loans is deposits. Our largest expenses are interest on deposits and salaries and related employee benefits. We measure our performance primarily through our net interest margin, efficiency ratio, ratio of ACL-Loans to total loans, return on average assets and return on average equity, among other metrics, while maintaining appropriate regulatory leverage and risk-based capital ratios.

Executive Overview

We strive to be the preferred banking provider, offering a compelling alternative to larger institutions. Our strategy rests

on our competitive strengths:

•Strategic Market Reach: While we serve our client base within 100 miles of our branch network, we also selectively pursue commercial banking opportunities beyond this radius, leveraging established business relationships and technology to support our clients’ growth.

•Experienced Leadership: Our Executive Management Team brings a proven track record of success and deep industry expertise.

•Dedicated Board of Directors: Our Board combines valuable expertise with close community ties, ensuring we understand and respond to local needs and are positioned to capitalize on market opportunities.

•Disciplined Risk Management: We employ a robust and proactive risk management framework to safeguard assets, ensure regulatory compliance, and support sustainable growth.

•Strong Capital Position: Our capital position has facilitated our growth and is integral to the execution of our business

plan, and;

•Scalable Operating Platform: Designed for efficiency and scalability, our platform supports our growth and provides a

seamless customer experience.

46

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Actual results could differ from our current estimates, as a result of changing conditions and future events. We believe that accounting estimates related to the measurement of the ACL-Loans, the valuation of derivative instruments, investment securities and deferred income taxes, and the evaluation of investment securities for are particularly critical and susceptible to significant near-term change.

Earnings and Performance Overview

Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 were $30.2 million, versus $23.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase in revenues was mainly attributable to a decrease in interest expense, higher gains from loans sales, and an increase in earning asset yields.

Net income available to common shareholders was $11.3 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, and $6.9 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the aforementioned increase in revenues and a decrease in provision for credit losses.

Returns on average shareholders' equity and average assets for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were 14.88% and 1.35%, respectively, compared to 10.16% and 0.86%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on loans and securities and interest paid on deposits and other borrowings, and is the primary source of our operating income. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the amount and composition of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. Included in interest income are certain loan fees, such as deferred origination fees and late charges. We convert tax-exempt income to a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis using the statutory federal income tax rate adjusted for applicable state income taxes net of the related federal tax benefit. The average balances are principally daily averages. Interest income on loans includes the effect of deferred loan fees and costs accounted for as yield adjustments. Premium amortization and discount accretion are included in the respective interest income and interest expense amounts.

FTE net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $27.0 million and $22.2 million, respectively.

FTE interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased by $2.0 million, or 4.2%, to $50.6 million, compared to FTE interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025. This increase was due to an increase in interest and fees on loans due to higher overall loan balances.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased by $2.8 million compared to interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The decrease in interest expense was driven by a decrease in interest expense on deposits, resulting from a decrease in rates on interest bearing deposits.

47

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential

The following table presents the average balances and yields earned on interest earning assets and average balances and weighted average rates paid on our funding liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

For the Quarter Ended

March 31, 2026

March 31, 2025

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate (4)

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate (4)

Assets:

Cash and Fed funds sold

$

244,216 

$

1,965 

3.26 

%

$

349,235 

$

3,557 

4.13 

%

Securities(1)

192,116 

1,829 

3.81 

150,650 

1,477 

3.92 

Loans:

Commercial real estate

1,900,235 

29,511 

6.21 

1,848,208 

28,285 

6.12 

Residential real estate

32,293 

464 

5.75 

41,585 

633 

6.09 

Construction

163,728 

2,939 

7.18 

178,878 

3,468 

7.76 

Commercial business

682,398 

12,815 

7.51 

508,417 

10,007 

7.87 

Consumer

74,237 

1,058 

5.78 

81,483 

1,082 

5.38 

Total loans

2,852,891 

46,787 

6.56 

2,658,571 

43,475 

6.54 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

5,789 

64 

4.49 

4,596 

110 

9.71 

Total earning assets

3,295,012 

$

50,645 

6.15 

%

3,163,052 

$

48,619 

6.15 

%

Other assets

86,396 

89,743 

Total assets

$

3,381,408 

$

3,252,795 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

Interest bearing liabilities:

NOW

$

98,330 

$

49 

0.20 

%

$

99,487 

$

109 

0.45 

%

Money market

1,058,395 

9,065 

3.47 

893,361 

8,521 

3.87 

Savings

97,719 

671 

2.79 

88,167 

658 

3.03 

Time

1,218,184 

12,145 

4.04 

1,378,468 

15,484 

4.56 

Total interest bearing deposits

2,472,628 

21,930 

3.60 

2,459,483 

24,772 

4.10 

Borrowed Money

156,441 

1,720 

4.46 

133,917 

1,639 

4.96 

Total interest bearing liabilities

2,629,069 

$

23,650 

3.65 

%

2,593,400 

$

26,411 

4.13 

%

Noninterest bearing deposits

400,021 

333,796 

Other liabilities

44,967 

50,555 

Total liabilities

3,074,057 

2,977,751 

Shareholders' equity

307,351 

275,044 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

3,381,408 

$

3,252,795 

Net interest income(2)

$

26,995 

$

22,208 

Interest rate spread

2.50 

%

2.02 

%

Net interest margin(3)

3.28 

%

2.81 

%

(1)Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.

(2)The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $109 thousand and $142 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

(3)Annualized net interest income as a percentage of earning assets.

(4)Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

48

Effect of changes in interest rates and volume of average earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities

The following table shows the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of average earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities have affected net interest income. For each category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, information is provided relating to: changes in volume (changes in average balances multiplied by the prior year’s average interest rates); changes in rates (changes in average interest rates multiplied by the prior year’s average balances); and the total change. Changes attributable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately based on the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of change in each.

Three Months Ended

 March 31, 2026 vs 2025

Increase (Decrease)

(In thousands)

Volume

Rate

Total

Interest and dividend income:

Cash and Fed funds sold

$

(940)

$

(652)

$

(1,592)

Securities

396 

(43)

353 

Loans:

Commercial real estate

804 

421 

1,225 

Residential real estate

(135)

(33)

(168)

Construction

(282)

(247)

(529)

Commercial business

3,288 

(481)

2,807 

Consumer

(100)

76 

(24)

Total loans

3,575 

(264)

3,311 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

24 

(70)

(46)

Total change in interest and dividend income

3,055 

(1,029)

2,026 

Interest expense:

Deposits:

NOW

(1)

(60)

(61)

Money market

1,475 

(930)

545 

Savings

68 

(55)

13 

Time

(1,703)

(1,637)

(3,340)

Total deposits

(161)

(2,682)

(2,843)

Borrowed money

263 

(182)

81 

Total change in interest expense

102 

(2,864)

(2,762)

Change in net interest income

$

2,953 

$

1,835 

$

4,788 

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses is based on management’s periodic assessment of the adequacy of our ACL-Loans and ACL-Unfunded Commitments which, in turn, is based on interrelated factors such as the composition of our loan portfolio and its inherent risk characteristics, the level of nonperforming loans and net charge-offs, both current and historic, economic and credit conditions, the direction of real estate values, and regulatory guidelines. The provision for credit losse

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

## Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture.
Confidence: high

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This section presents management’s perspective on our financial condition and results of operations. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this annual report. To the extent that this discussion describes prior performance, the descriptions relate only to the periods listed, which may not be indicative of future financial outcomes. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

General

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (the "Parent Corporation") is a bank holding company headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut. The Parent Corporation offers a broad range of financial services through its banking subsidiary, Bankwell Bank (the "Bank" and, collectively with the Parent Corporation and the Parent Corporation's subsidiaries, "we", "our", "us", or the "Company").

The Bank is a Connecticut state chartered commercial bank, founded in 2002, whose deposits are insured under the Deposit Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank provides a wide range of services to clients in our market, an area encompassing approximately a 100 mile radius around our branch network. In addition, the Bank pursues certain types of commercial lending opportunities outside our market, particularly where we have strong relationships. The Bank operates full-service branches in New Canaan, Stamford, Fairfield, Westport, Darien, Norwalk, and Hamden, Connecticut. The Bank also operates in a limited service Domestic Representative Office in New Canaan, Connecticut and in Garden City, New York. During 2025, the Bank received regulatory approval from the FDIC, the CT DOB, and the NY DFS to establish a new full-service branch in Brooklyn, New York, which opened during the first quarter of 2026.

The following discussion and analysis presents our results of operations and financial condition on a consolidated basis. However, because we conduct all of our material business operations through the Bank, the discussion and analysis relates to activities primarily conducted at the Bank.

We generate most of our revenue from interest on loans and investments and fee-based revenues. Our primary source of funding for our loans is deposits. Our largest expenses are interest on these deposits and salaries and related employee benefits. We measure our performance primarily through our net interest margin, efficiency ratio, ratio of ACL-Loans to total loans, return on average assets and return on average equity, among other metrics, while maintaining appropriate regulatory leverage and risk-based capital ratios.

Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods presented. The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and the selected consolidated statement of income data for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 have been derived mainly from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes that we have included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 and the selected consolidated statement of income data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 has been derived mainly from audited consolidated financial statements that are not presented in this Annual Report.

The selected historical consolidated financial data as of any date and for any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved as of any future date or for any future period. You should read the following selected statistical and financial data in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes that we have presented elsewhere in this Annual Report.

30

Selected Financial Data

At or For the Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Statements of Income:

Interest income

$

198,327 

$

191,994 

$

188,454 

$

117,945 

$

81,376 

Interest expense

99,392 

108,712 

93,986 

23,202 

13,490 

Net interest income

98,935 

83,282 

94,468 

94,743 

67,886 

Provision (credit) for credit losses

1,040 

22,620 

866 

5,437 

(57)

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

97,895 

60,662 

93,602 

89,306 

67,943 

Noninterest income

9,388 

3,718 

4,842 

3,040 

5,657 

Noninterest expense

58,788 

51,051 

50,401 

44,363 

39,739 

Income before income tax

48,495 

13,329 

48,043 

47,983 

33,861 

Income tax expense

13,297 

3,559 

11,380 

10,554 

7,275 

Net income

35,198 

9,770 

36,663 

37,429 

26,586 

Per Share Data:

Basic earnings per share

$

4.49 

$

1.24 

$

4.71 

$

4.84 

$

3.38 

Diluted earnings per share

$

4.45 

$

1.23 

$

4.67 

$

4.79 

$

3.36 

Book value per share (end of period)(a)

39.19 

35.43 

34.84 

31.73 

26.53 

Tangible book value per share (end of period)(a)(b)

38.85 

35.09 

34.50 

31.39 

26.19 

Dividend payout ratio(b)(e)

17.98 

%

65.04 

%

17.13 

%

16.70 

%

19.05 

%

Shares outstanding (end of period)(a)

7,693,121 

7,635,998 

7,628,288 

7,516,699 

7,612,807 

Weighted average shares outstanding–basic

7,750,191 

7,710,076 

7,587,768 

7,563,363 

7,706,407 

Weighted average shares outstanding–diluted

7,826,280 

7,737,952 

7,647,411 

7,640,218 

7,761,811 

Performance Ratios:

Return on average assets(b)(f)

1.09 

%

0.31 

%

1.13 

%

1.44 

%

1.17 

%

Return on average common shareholders’ equity(b)(f)

12.32 

%

3.60 

%

14.55 

%

16.72 

%

13.86 

%

Average shareholders’ equity to average assets(b)(f)

8.82 

%

8.48 

%

7.74 

%

8.61 

%

8.46 

%

Net interest margin(b)(f)

3.16 

%

2.70 

%

2.98 

%

3.78 

%

3.17 

%

Efficiency ratio(b)

54.1 

%

57.9 

%

50.8 

%

45.4 

%

53.9 

%

Asset Quality Ratios:

Total past due loans to total loans(c)

0.31 

%

1.63 

%

0.78 

%

0.60 

%

1.72 

%

Nonperforming loans to total loans(c)

0.57 

%

1.97 

%

1.81 

%

0.61 

%

0.88 

%

Nonperforming assets to total assets(d)

0.49 

%

1.88 

%

1.53 

%

0.51 

%

0.68 

%

ACL-Loans to nonperforming loans

188.33 

%

54.45 

%

56.79 

%

136.43 

%

101.90 

%

ACL-Loans to total loans(c)

1.08 

%

1.07 

%

1.03 

%

0.84 

%

0.89 

%

Net (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans(b)(f)

(0.01)

%

0.81 

%

0.03 

%

— 

%

0.23 

%

Statements of Financial Condition:

Total assets

$

3,359,859 

$

3,268,476 

$

3,215,482 

$

3,252,449 

$

2,456,264 

Gross portfolio loans(c)

2,840,072 

2,705,888 

2,718,607 

2,675,448 

1,894,881 

Investment securities

192,122 

146,099 

127,623 

121,634 

108,409 

Deposits

2,829,481 

2,787,570 

2,736,757 

2,800,818 

2,123,998 

FHLB borrowings

110,000 

90,000 

90,000 

90,000 

50,000 

Subordinated debt

69,697 

69,451 

69,205 

68,959 

34,441 

Total equity

301,489 

270,520 

265,752 

238,469 

201,987 

Capital Ratios:

Tier 1 capital to average assets

Bankwell Bank

10.56 

%

10.09 

%

9.81 

%

9.88 

%

9.94 

%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

Bankwell Bank

11.87 

%

11.64 

%

11.30 

%

10.28 

%

11.18 

%

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

Bankwell Bank

12.94 

%

12.70 

%

12.32 

%

11.07 

%

12.00 

%

Total shareholders’ equity to total assets

8.97 

%

8.28 

%

8.26 

%

7.33 

%

8.22 

%

Tangible common equity ratio(b)

8.90 

%

8.20 

%

8.19 

%

7.26 

%

8.13 

%

31

(a)Excludes unvested restricted stock awards.

(b)This measure is not a measure recognized under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and is therefore considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of this measure and a reconciliation of this measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure.

(c)Calculated using the principal amounts outstanding on loans.

(d)Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned.

(e)The dividend payout ratio is the dividends per share divided by diluted earnings per share.

(f)Return on average assets is calculated by dividing net income by average assets. Return on average common shareholders' equity is calculated by dividing net income by average shareholders' equity. Average shareholders' equity to average assets is calculated by dividing average shareholders' equity by average assets. Net interest margin is calculated by dividing net interest income (interest income minus interest expense) by average earning assets. Net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average loans is calculated by dividing net loan (charge offs) recoveries by average total loans.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

We identify “efficiency ratio”, “net interest margin”, “tangible common equity ratio”, “tangible book value per share”, “total revenue”, “return on average assets”, and “return on average common shareholders’ equity” as “non-GAAP financial measures.” In accordance with the SEC’s rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheet or statements of cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios or statistical measures calculated using exclusively either financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, operating measures or other measures that are not non-GAAP financial measures or both.

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this annual report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this annual report may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar or with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this annual report when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Efficiency ratio is defined as non-interest expenses, less merger and acquisition related expenses, other real estate owned expenses and amortization of intangible assets, divided by our operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus non-interest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities and gains and losses on other real estate owned. In our judgment, the adjustments made to operating revenue allow investors and analysts to better assess our operating expenses in relation to our core operating revenue by removing the volatility that is associated with certain one-time items and other discrete items that are unrelated to our core business.

Tangible common equity is defined as total shareholders’ equity, excluding preferred stock, less goodwill and other intangible assets. We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes from period to period in common shareholders’ equity exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill, an intangible asset that is recorded in a purchase business combination, has the effect of increasing both common equity and assets while not increasing our tangible common equity or tangible assets.

Tangible common equity ratio is defined as the ratio of tangible common equity divided by total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. We believe that the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total shareholders’ equity to total assets.

Tangible book value per share is defined as book value, excluding the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, if any, divided by shares of our common stock outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock awards.

Total revenue is defined as the sum of net interest income before provision of loan losses and noninterest income.

Return on average common shareholders’ equity is defined as net income attributable to common shareholders divided by total average shareholders’ equity less average preferred stock, if any.

32

The information provided below presents a reconciliation of each of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Efficiency Ratio

Noninterest expense

$

58,788 

$

51,051 

$

50,401 

$

44,363 

$

39,739 

Less: other real estate owned expenses

269 

707 

— 

— 

— 

Less: Amortization of intangibles

— 

— 

— 

— 

76 

Adjusted noninterest expense (numerator)

$

58,519 

$

50,344 

$

50,401 

$

44,363 

$

39,663 

Net interest income

$

98,935 

$

83,282 

$

94,468 

$

94,743 

$

67,886 

Noninterest income

9,388 

3,718 

4,842 

3,040 

5,657 

Adjustments for: gains/(losses) on sales of securities

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Adjustments for: gains/(losses) on sale of other real estate owned

238 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Adjusted operating revenue (denominator)

$

108,085 

$

87,000 

$

99,310 

$

97,783 

$

73,543 

Efficiency ratio

54.1 

%

57.9 

%

50.8 

%

45.4 

%

53.9 

%

Tangible Common Equity and

Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets

Total shareholders’ equity

$

301,489 

$

270,520 

$

265,752 

$

238,469 

$

201,987 

Less: preferred stock

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Common shareholders’ equity

301,489 

270,520 

265,752 

238,469 

201,987 

Less: Intangible assets

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

Tangible Common shareholders’ equity

$

298,900 

$

267,931 

$

263,163 

$

235,880 

$

199,398 

Total assets

$

3,359,859 

$

3,268,476 

$

3,215,482 

$

3,252,449 

$

2,456,264 

Less: Intangible assets

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

Tangible assets

$

3,357,270 

$

3,265,887 

$

3,212,893 

$

3,249,860 

$

2,453,675 

Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets

8.90 

%

8.20 

%

8.19 

%

7.26 

%

8.13 

%

Tangible Book Value per Share

Total shareholders’ equity

$

301,489 

$

270,520 

$

265,752 

$

238,469 

$

201,987 

Less: preferred stock

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Common shareholders’ equity

301,489 

270,520 

265,752 

238,469 

201,987 

Less: Intangible assets

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

2,589 

Tangible common shareholders’ equity

$

298,900 

$

267,931 

$

263,163 

$

235,880 

$

199,398 

Common shares issued

7,899,943 

7,859,873 

7,882,616 

7,730,699 

7,803,166 

Less: shares of unvested restricted stock

206,822 

223,875 

254,328 

214,000 

190,359 

Common shares outstanding

7,693,121 

7,635,998 

7,628,288 

7,516,699 

7,612,807 

Book value per share

$

39.19 

$

35.43 

$

34.84 

$

31.73 

$

26.53 

Less: effects of intangible assets

0.34 

0.34 

0.34 

0.34 

0.34 

Tangible Book Value per Common Share

$

38.85 

$

35.09 

$

34.50 

$

31.39 

$

26.19 

Total Revenue

Net interest income

$

98,935 

$

83,282 

$

94,468 

$

94,743 

$

67,886 

Add: noninterest income

9,388 

3,718 

4,842 

3,040 

5,657 

Total Revenue

$

108,323 

$

87,000 

$

99,310 

$

97,783 

$

73,543 

Noninterest income as a percentage of total revenue

8.67 

%

4.27 

%

4.88 

%

3.11 

%

7.69 

%

Return on Average Common Shareholders’ Equity

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders

$

35,198 

$

9,770 

$

36,663 

$

37,429 

$

26,586 

Total average shareholders’ equity

$

285,611 

$

271,200 

$

252,061 

$

223,874 

$

191,808 

Less: average preferred stock

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Average Common Shareholders’ Equity

$

285,611 

$

271,200 

$

252,061 

$

223,874 

$

191,808 

Return on Average Common Shareholders’ Equity

12.32 

%

3.60 

%

14.55 

%

16.72 

%

13.86 

%

33

Executive Overview

We strive to be the preferred banking provider, offering a compelling alternative to larger institutions. Our strategy rests on our competitive strengths:

•Strategic Market Reach: While we serve our client base within 100 miles of our branch network, we also selectively pursue commercial banking opportunities beyond this radius, leveraging established business relationships and technology to support our clients’ growth.

•Experienced Leadership: Our Executive Management Team brings a proven track record of success and deep industry expertise.

•Dedicated Board of Directors: Our Board combines valuable expertise with close community ties, ensuring we understand and respond to local needs and are positioned to capitalize on market opportunities.

•Disciplined Risk Management: We employ a robust and proactive risk management framework to safeguard assets, ensure regulatory compliance, and support sustainable growth.

•Strong Capital Position: Our capital position has facilitated our growth and is integral to the execution of our business plan, and;

•Scalable Operating Platform: Designed for efficiency and scalability, our platform supports our growth and provides a seamless customer experience.

Key Financial Measures

The primary measures we use to evaluate and manage our financial results are set forth in the tables below. Although we believe these measures are meaningful in evaluating our results and financial condition, they may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other financial services companies and may not provide an appropriate basis to compare our results or financial condition to the results or financial condition of our competitors. The following tables set forth the key financial measures we use to evaluate the success of our business and our financial position and operating performance.

Key Financial Measures(a)

At or For the Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Selected balance sheet measures:

Total assets

$

3,359,859 

$

3,268,476 

Gross portfolio loans

2,840,072 

2,705,888 

Deposits

2,829,481 

2,787,570 

FHLB borrowings

110,000 

90,000 

Subordinated debt

69,697 

69,451 

Total equity

301,489 

270,520 

Selected statement of income measures:

Total revenue(b)

108,323 

87,000 

Net interest income before provision for credit losses

98,935 

83,282 

Income before income tax expense

48,495 

13,329 

Net income

35,198 

9,770 

Basic earnings per share

$

4.49 

$

1.24 

Diluted earnings per share

$

4.45 

$

1.23 

34

Key Financial Measures(a)

At or For the Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

Other financial measures and ratios:

Return on average assets

1.09 

%

0.31 

%

Return on average common shareholders’ equity(b)

12.32 

%

3.60 

%

Net interest margin(b)

3.16 

%

2.70 

%

Efficiency ratio(b)

54.1 

%

57.9 

%

Tangible book value per share (end of period)(b)(d)

$

38.85 

$

35.09 

Net (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans(c)

(0.01)

%

0.81 

%

Nonperforming assets to total assets(e)

0.49 

%

1.88 

%

ACL-Loans to nonperforming loans

188.33 

%

54.45 

%

ACL-Loans to total loans(c)

1.08 

%

1.07 

%

(a)We derived the selected balance sheet measures as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and the selected statement of income measures for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Average balances have been computed using daily averages. Our historical results may not be indicative of our results for any future period.

(b)This measure is not a measure recognized under GAAP and is therefore considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of this measure and a reconciliation of this measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure.

(c)Calculated using the principal amounts outstanding on loans.

(d)Excludes unvested restricted stock awards.

(e)Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned.

35

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from our current estimates, as a result of changing conditions and future events.

We believe that accounting estimates related to the measurement of the ACL-Loans, the valuation of derivative instruments, investment securities, and deferred income taxes are particularly critical and susceptible to significant near-term change.

Allowance for Credit Losses-Loans ("ACL-Loans") and Allowance for Credit Losses-Unfunded commitments ("ACL-Unfunded commitments")

The ACL-Loans is measured on each loan’s amortized cost basis, excluding interest receivable, and is initially recognized upon origination or purchase of the loan, and subsequently remeasured on a recurring basis. The ACL-Loans is recognized as a contra-asset, and credit loss expense is recorded as a provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income. Loan losses are charged off against the ACL-Loans when management believes the loan is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL-Loans. Loans are normally placed on nonaccrual status if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the full payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, or the loan is past due for a period of 90 days or more unless the obligation is well-secured and is in the process of collection. The Company generally does not recognize an allowance for credit losses ("ACL") on accrued interest receivables, consistent with its policy to reverse interest income when interest is 90 days or more past due.

The Company also records an ACL-Unfunded commitments, which is based on the same assumptions as funded loans and also considers the probability of funding. This ACL is recognized as a liability, and credit loss expense is recorded as a provision for unfunded loan commitments within the provision for credit losses in the Consolidated statements of income.

For collectively evaluated loans and related unfunded commitments, the Company uses third‑party software that incorporates multiple models to estimate expected credit losses in calculating the ACL.

For collectively evaluated loans and related unfunded commitments, the Company uses third-party software that incorporates multiple models to estimate expected credit losses in calculating the ACL. Management selected lifetime loss rate models, utilizing CRE, C&I, and Consumer specific models, to calculate the expected losses over the life of each loan based on exposure at default, loan attributes and reasonable, supportable economic forecasts. The models selected by the Company in its ACL calculation rely upon historical losses from a broad cross section of U.S. banks that also utilize the same third party for ACL calculations. Management reviewed the third party’s analysis of the banks included in the models as part of their model development dataset and determined the Company’s loan portfolio composition by property type, balance distribution by loan age, and delinquency status are similar, which supports the use of these loss rate models. The Company also noted the third party’s model development dataset has loan concentrations that are evenly distributed across the United States, while the Company’s portfolio is mainly concentrated in the Northeast. Based on the disparate regional concentration, management determined that a select group of peer banks is necessary to scale the loss rate models to produce an ACL that is more representative of the Company’s loan portfolio. This peer-based calibration, called a "peer scalar", utilizes the loss rates of a subset of peer banks to appropriately scale the initial model results. These peers have been selected by the Company given their similar characteristics, such as loan portfolio composition and location, to better align the models’ results to the Company’s expected losses.

Key assumptions used in the models include portfolio segmentation, risk rating, forecasted economic scenarios, the peer scalar, and the expected utilization of unfunded commitments, among others. Our loan portfolios are segmented by loan level attributes such as loan type, size, date of origination, and delinquency status to create homogenous loan pools. Pool level metrics are calculated, and loss rates are subsequently applied to the pools as the loans have similar characteristics.

To account for economic uncertainty, the Company incorporates multiple economic scenarios in determining the ACL. The scenarios include various projections based on variables such as Gross Domestic Product, interest rates, property price indices, and employment measures, among others. The scenarios are probability-weighted based on available information at the time the calculation is conducted. As part of our ongoing governance of ACL, scenario weightings and model parameters are reviewed periodically by management and are subject to change, as deemed appropriate.

The Company also considers qualitative adjustments to expected credit loss estimates for information not already captured in the quantitative loss estimation models. Qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Qualitative loss factors are based on the Company’s judgment of market, changes in loan composition or concentrations, performance trends, regulatory changes, uncertainty of macroeconomic forecasts, and other asset specific risk characteristics.

Individually evaluated loans consist of loans with credit quality indicators which are substandard or doubtful. Additionally, when loans do not share risk characteristics with other financial assets they are also evaluated individually. Management applies its normal loan review procedures in making these judgments. The Company individually evaluates all insurance premium

36

loans as well as cash-secured loans to individuals. While these loans are considered consumer loans, the third-party Consumer ACL model is designed for unsecured lending, whereas these loans are secured. To account for the fully secured structure of these loan types, management determined each loan will be individually evaluated, regardless of the credit quality indicators. These loans are evaluated based upon their collateral, which primarily consists of cash, cash surrender value life insurance, and in some cases real estate. In determining the ACL-Loans for individually evaluated loans, the Company generally applies a discounted cash flow method for instruments that are individually assessed. For collateral dependent financial assets where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable and where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. Fair value is generally calculated based on the value of the underlying collateral less an appraisal discount and the estimated cost to sell.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities ("ACL-Securities")

Pursuant to ASC 326, the Company individually evaluates the available for sale debt securities and held to maturity securities for impairment credit losses quarterly. Available for sale securities include U.S. Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and corporate bonds. U.S. Treasuries and mortgaged-backed securities are guaranteed by the U.S. Government and as a result, management has a zero loss expectation. No ACL-Securities was recorded for these securities as of December 31, 2025. For the corporate bond portfolio, the Company developed a metric which includes each issuer’s current credit ratings and key financial performance metrics to assess the underlying performance of each issuer. The analysis of the issuers’ performance and the intent of the Company to retain these securities support the determination that there was no expected credit loss, and therefore, no ACL-Securities were recognized on the corporate bond portfolio as of December 31, 2025. Of our held to maturity securities portfolio, four securities' fair values were less than their respective amortized costs as of December 31, 2025. Since these are highly rated state agency and municipal obligations, the Company's expectation of nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. No allowance for ACL-Securities was recorded for these securities as of December 31, 2025.

Earnings and Performance Overview

2025 Earnings Overview

Our net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $35.2 million, an increase of $25.4 million, or 260.3%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. Diluted earnings per share was $4.45 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to diluted earnings per share of $1.23 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Our returns on average shareholders' equity and average assets for the year ended December 31, 2025, were 12.32% and 1.09%, respectively, compared to 3.60% and 0.31%, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2024. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $35.2 million, versus $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was primarily due to the aforementioned increase in revenues, a decrease in provision for credit losses, partially offset by an increase in income tax expense.

Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the year ended December 31, 2025 were $108.3 million, versus $87.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2025 was attributable to increased earning asset yields, a decrease in interest expense on deposits, and higher gains from loan sales.

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $98.9 million, an increase of $15.7 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. Our net interest margin increased 46 basis points to 3.16% for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in the net interest margin was due to an increase in yields on loans and a decrease in funding costs.

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on loans and securities and interest paid on deposits and other borrowings, and is the primary source of our operating income. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Included in interest income are certain loan fees, such as deferred origination fees and late charges. We convert tax-exempt income to a Fully Taxed Equivalent (FTE) basis using the statutory federal income tax rate adjusted for applicable state income taxes net of the related federal tax benefit. The average balances are principally daily averages. Interest income on loans includes the effect of deferred loan fees and costs accounted for as yield adjustments. Premium amortization and discount accretion are included in the respective interest income and interest expense amounts.

FTE net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $99.5 million and $83.7 million, respectively. FTE net interest income increased due to a decrease in interest expense and an increase in interest income attributable to higher loan yields.

37

FTE basis interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased $6.5 million, or 3.37%, to $198.9 million compared to FTE basis interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024, due primarily to an increase in commercial real estate loans. Average interest earning assets were $3.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, increasing by $40.4 million, or 1.30%, from the year ended December 31, 2024.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential

The following table presents the average balances and yields earned on interest-earning assets and average balances and weighted average rates paid on our funding liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate(4)

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate(4)

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets:

Cash and fed funds sold

$

288,987 

$

11,490 

3.98 

%

$

283,353 

$

13,970 

4.93 

%

Securities(1)

157,033 

6,309 

4.02 

142,744 

5,098 

3.57 

Loans:

Commercial real estate

1,849,502 

115,827 

6.18 

1,905,973 

112,804 

5.82 

Residential real estate

36,788 

2,223 

6.04 

47,767 

2,978 

6.23 

Construction

182,440 

14,322 

7.74 

162,180 

12,197 

7.40 

Commercial business

554,862 

44,205 

7.86 

514,800 

42,006 

8.03 

Consumer

70,186 

4,093 

5.83 

41,869 

2,847 

6.80 

Total loans

2,693,778 

180,670 

6.62 

2,672,589 

172,832 

6.36 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

5,000 

397 

7.95 

5,666 

477 

8.41 

Total earning assets

3,144,798 

$

198,866 

6.24 

%

3,104,352 

$

192,377 

6.09 

%

Other assets

92,684 

92,885 

Total assets

$

3,237,482 

$

3,197,237 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:

Interest bearing liabilities:

NOW

$

100,341 

$

374 

0.37 

%

$

96,091 

$

175 

0.18 

%

Money market

908,304 

34,149 

3.76 

851,283 

34,767 

4.08 

Savings

92,637 

2,728 

2.95 

90,587 

2,785 

3.07 

Time

1,291,785 

55,577 

4.30 

1,335,680 

63,531 

4.76 

Total interest bearing deposits

2,393,067 

92,828 

3.88 

2,373,641 

101,258 

4.27 

Borrowed money

138,305 

6,564 

4.75 

159,320 

7,454 

4.68 

Total interest bearing liabilities

2,531,372 

$

99,392 

3.93 

%

2,532,961 

$

108,712 

4.29 

%

Noninterest bearing deposits

368,777 

332,611 

Other liabilities

51,722 

60,464 

Total liabilities

2,951,871 

2,926,036 

Shareholders’ equity

285,611 

271,201 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,237,482 

$

3,197,237 

Net interest income(2)

$

99,474 

$

83,665 

Interest rate spread

2.31 

%

1.80 

%

Net interest margin(3)

3.16 

%

2.70 

%

(1)Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.

(2)The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency was $539 thousand and $383 thousand, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Tax exempt income was converted to a fully taxable equivalent basis at a 20 percent tax rate for 2025 and 2024.

(3)Net interest income as a percentage of total earning assets.

(4)Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

38

Effect of changes in interest rates and volume of average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities

The following table shows the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities have affected net interest income. For each category of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided relating to: changes in volume (changes in average balances multiplied by the prior year’s average interest rates); changes in rates (changes in average interest rates multiplied by the prior year’s average balances); and the total change. Changes attributable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately based on the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of change in each.

Year Ended

December 31, 2025 vs 2024

Increase (Decrease)

Volume

Rate

Total

(In thousands)

Interest and dividend income:

Cash and fed funds sold

$

273 

$

(2,754)

$

(2,481)

Securities

539 

672 

1,211 

Loans:

Commercial real estate

(3,409)

6,432 

3,023 

Residential real estate

(666)

(88)

(754)

Construction

1,574 

551 

2,125 

Commercial business

3,216 

(1,017)

2,199 

Consumer

1,708 

(463)

1,245 

Total loans

2,423 

5,415 

7,838 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

(54)

(25)

(79)

Total change in interest and dividend income

$

3,181 

$

3,308 

$

6,489 

Interest expense:

Deposits:

NOW

$

8 

$

191 

$

199 

Money market

2,252 

(2,870)

(618)

Savings

62 

(119)

(57)

Time

(2,043)

(5,911)

(7,954)

Total deposits

279 

(8,709)

(8,430)

Borrowed money

(1,014)

124 

(890)

Total change in interest expense

(735)

(8,585)

(9,320)

Change in net interest income

$

3,916 

$

11,893 

$

15,809 

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses is based on management’s periodic assessment of the adequacy of our ACL-Loans which, in turn, is based on such interrelated factors as the composition of our loan portfolio and its inherent risk characteristics, the level of nonperforming loans and net charge-offs, both current and historic, local economic and credit conditions, the direction of real estate values, and regulatory guidelines. The provision for credit losses is charged against earnings in order to maintain our ACL-Loans and reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.

The provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $1.0 million compared to a $22.6 million provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in the provision for credit losses during the year was primarily due to net charge offs taken during the year ended December 31, 2024.

39

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is a component of our revenue and is comprised primarily of fees generated from loan and deposit relationships with our clients, fees generated from sales and referrals of loans, income earned on bank owned life insurance and gains on sales of investment securities. The following table compares noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Years Ended

December 31,

Change

2025

2024

$

%

(Dollars in thousands)

Gains and fees from sales of loans

$

5,078 

$

523 

$

4,555 

Favorable

Bank owned life insurance

1,416 

1,356 

60 

4.4 

Service charges and fees

2,826 

1,963 

863 

44.0 

Other

68 

(124)

192 

Favorable

Total noninterest income

$

9,388 

$

3,718 

$

5,670 

Favorable

Noninterest income increased by $5.7 million to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2025 was mainly driven by higher gains from SBA loan sales.

Noninterest Expense

The following table compares noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Years Ended

December 31,

Change

2025

2024

$

%

(Dollars in thousands)

Salaries and employee benefits

$

30,285 

$

23,746 

$

6,539 

27.5 

%

Occupancy and equipment

10,124 

9,494 

630 

6.6 

Data processing

3,107 

3,251 

(144)

(4.4)

Professional services

5,988 

4,482 

1,506 

33.6 

Director fees

1,351 

1,840 

(489)

(26.6)

FDIC insurance

2,685 

3,350 

(665)

(19.9)

Marketing

608 

452 

156 

34.5 

Other

4,640 

4,436 

204 

4.6 

Total noninterest expense

$

58,788 

$

51,051 

$

7,737 

15.2 

%

Noninterest expense increased by $7.7 million, or 15.2%, to $58.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits resulting from incremental new hires in support of strategic initiatives. Additionally, professional services increased, reflecting higher recruiting costs aligned with these initiatives.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $13.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, were 27.4% and 26.7%, respectively.

Our net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2025 was $11.4 million, compared to $9.7 million at December 31, 2024.

On October 8, 2015, the Bank established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bankwell Loan Servicing Group, Inc., which serves as a Passive Investment Company (“PIC”). The PIC is organized in accordance with Connecticut statutes to hold and manage certain loans that are collateralized by real estate. Income earned by the PIC is exempt from Connecticut income tax and any dividends paid by the PIC to the Bank are not taxable income for Connecticut income tax purposes.

40

Financial Condition

Summary

Assets totaled $3.4 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to assets of $3.3 billion at December 31, 2024. Gross loans totaled $2.8 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to gross loans of $2.7 billion at December 31, 2024. Deposits totaled $2.8 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to deposits of $2.8 billion at December 31, 2024.

Shareholders’ equity totaled $301.5 million as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $31.0 million compared to December 31, 2024, primarily a result of net income of $35.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The increase was partially offset by dividends paid of $6.3 million.

Loan Portfolio

We originate commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial business loans and consumer loans in our market. We also pursue certain types of commercial lending opportunities outside our market, particularly where we have strong business relationships. Our loan portfolio is the largest category of our earnings assets.

The following table compares the composition of our loan portfolio for the dates indicated:

2025

2024

Change

Total

%

Total

%

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Real estate loans:

Residential

$

33,139 

1.17 

%

$

42,766 

1.58 

%

$

(9,627)

Commercial

1,930,979 

67.99 

1,899,134 

70.19 

31,845 

Construction

153,778 

5.41 

173,555 

6.41 

(19,777)

2,117,896 

74.57 

2,115,455 

78.18 

2,441 

Commercial business

645,321 

22.72 

515,125 

19.04 

130,196 

Consumer

76,855 

2.71 

75,308 

2.78 

1,547 

Total loans

$

2,840,072 

100.00 

%

$

2,705,888 

100.00 

%

$

134,184 

Primary loan categories

Residential real estate.   Residential real estate loans decreased by $9.6 million, or 22.5%, at December 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024 and amounted to $33.1 million, representing 1.2% of total loans at December 31, 2025. The Bank ceased originating residential mortgage loans in 2017.

Commercial real estate.   Commercial real estate loans were $1.9 billion and represented 68.0% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2025, an increase of $31.8 million, or 1.7%, from December 31, 2024. Commercial real estate loans are secured by a variety of property types, including healthcare facilities, office buildings, retail facilities, commercial mixed use and multi-family dwellings.

The following table compares the composition of our commercial real estate loan portfolio by non-owner occupied and owner occupied loans at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

2025

2024

Change

Total

%

Total

%

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial real estate loans:

Non-owner occupied

$

1,128,993 

58.47 

%

$

1,174,712 

61.86 

%

$

(45,719)

Owner occupied

801,851 

41.53 

724,203 

38.14 

77,648 

Total commercial real estate loans(1)

$

1,930,844 

100.00 

%

$

1,898,915 

100.00 

%

$

31,929 

(1) Excludes the positive fair value effect of the portfolio layer swap of $135 thousand and $219 thousand for Commercial Real Estate at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Construction.   Construction loans were $153.8 million at December 31 2025, a decrease of $19.8 million, or 11.4%, from December 31, 2024. Commercial construction loans consist of commercial development projects, such as apartment buildings and condominiums, as well as office buildings, retail and other income producing properties and land loans.

41

Commercial business.   Commercial business loans were $645.3 million and represented 22.7% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2025, an increase of $130.2 million, or 25.3%, from December 31, 2024. Commercial business loans primarily provide working capital, equipment financing, financing for leasehold improvements and financing for expansion and are generally secured by assignments of corporate assets, real estate and personal guarantees of the business owners.

Consumer loans. Consumer loans were $76.9 million and represented 2.7% of our total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $1.5 million, or 2.1%. We do not expect our consumer loans to become a material component of our loan portfolio, as we do not engage in any material amount of consumer lending. This portfolio segment includes loans to finance insurance premiums secured by the cash surrender value of life insurance and marketable securities, overdraft lines of credit, and personal loans to high net worth individuals.

The following table compares the composition of our commercial real estate loan portfolio by property type, and collateral location as of December 31, 2025:

Commercial Real Estate

CT

All Other NY

NYC

NJ

FL

OH

PA

All Other

Total(1)

(Dollars in thousands)

Residential care(2)

$

8,650 

$

48,404 

$

57,534 

$

8,800 

$

257,220 

$

98,205 

$

44,332 

$

272,021 

$

795,166 

Retail

78,625 

72,057 

7,233 

13,060 

2,164 

3,323 

33,114 

87,374 

296,950 

Multifamily

167,155 

22,445 

49,816 

7,021 

— 

— 

21,322 

— 

267,759 

Office

55,487 

10,030 

8,394 

28,909 

2,173 

— 

— 

58,009 

163,002 

Industrial / warehouse

63,432 

19,166 

18,722 

16,753 

2,633 

— 

— 

10,764 

131,470 

Mixed use

48,847 

20,319 

43,270 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

112,436 

Medical office

27,447 

11,998 

1,352 

— 

— 

4,675 

3,900 

20,819 

70,191 

1-4 family investment

10,921 

1,580 

1,833 

2,088 

16,888 

— 

— 

— 

33,310 

All other(3)

11,572 

26,286 

22,702 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

60,560 

$

472,136 

$

232,285 

$

210,856 

$

76,631 

$

281,078 

$

106,203 

$

102,668 

$

448,987 

$

1,930,844 

(1) Excludes the positive fair value effect of the portfolio layer swap of $135 thousand for Commercial Real Estate at December 31, 2025.

(2) Primarily consists of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

(3) Includes Special use, self storage, and land.

As of December 31, 2025, the Bank had $163.0 million of loans collateralized by offices, which represented 8.4% of the total loan portfolio. Most of the properties in this portfolio are in suburban locations. 91.0% of this portfolio was pass rated, and there was one relationship totaling $5.3 million on nonaccrual status.

As of December 31, 2025, we had $267.8 million of loans collateralized by multifamily properties, which represented 9.4% of the total loan portfolio. 78.2% of the portfolio is pass rated and current; these properties are all located in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, with the majority in suburban locations, with eight properties totaling $49.8 million located in New York City. 78.3% of the New York City exposure is located in Brooklyn, 11.9% in Manhattan, and the remaining 9.8% in Queens.

42

The following table presents an analysis of the commercial real estate portfolio's loan to value at origination and by property type as of December 31, 2025.

Commercial Real Estate

Total CRE Portfolio(1)

Percentage of Total CRE Portfolio

Loan to Value at Origination %

(Dollars in thousands)

Property Type

Residential care(2)

$

795,166 

41.2 

%

65.4 

%

Retail

296,950 

15.4 

63.3 

Multifamily

267,759 

13.9 

62.5 

Office

163,002 

8.4 

64.0 

Industrial / warehouse

131,470 

6.8 

64.1 

Mixed use

112,436 

5.8 

57.9 

Medical office

70,191 

3.6 

61.3 

1-4 family investment

33,310 

1.7 

61.1 

All other

60,560 

3.1 

51.4 

Total

$

1,930,844 

100.0 

%

63.4 

%

(1) Excludes the positive fair value effect of the portfolio layer swap of $135 thousand for Commercial Real Estate at December 31, 2025.

(2) Primarily consists of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

The following table presents an analysis of the maturity of our commercial real estate, commercial construction and commercial business loan portfolios as of December 31, 2025.

December 31, 2025

Commercial

Real Estate(1)

Commercial

Construction

Commercial

Business(1)

Total

(In thousands)

Amounts due:

One year or less

$

711,704 

$

87,579 

$

222,034 

$

1,021,317 

After one year:

One to five years

981,990 

60,344 

268,599 

1,310,933 

Over five years

237,150 

5,855 

154,668 

397,673 

Total due after one year

1,219,140 

66,199 

423,267 

1,708,606 

Total

$

1,930,844 

$

153,778 

$

645,301 

$

2,729,923 

(1) Excludes the positive fair value effect of the portfolio layer swap of $135 thousand for Commercial Real Estate and $20 thousand for Commercial Business.

43

The following table presents an analysis of the interest rate sensitivity of our commercial real estate, commercial construction and commercial business loan portfolios due after one year as of December 31, 2025.

December 31, 2025

Adjustable

Interest Rate

Fixed Interest

Rate

Total

(In thousands)

Commercial real estate

$

397,731 

$

821,409 

$

1,219,140 

Commercial construction

55,027 

11,172 

66,199 

Commercial business

271,246 

152,021 

423,267 

Total loans due after one year

$

724,004 

$

984,602 

$

1,708,606 

Asset Quality

We actively manage asset quality through our underwriting practices and collection operations. Our Board of Directors monitors credit risk management. The Directors' Loan Committee ("DLC") has primary oversight responsibility for the credit-granting function including approval authority for credit-granting policies, review of management’s credit-granting activities and approval of large exposure credit requests, as well as loan review and problem loan management and resolution. The committee reports the results of its respective oversight functions to our Board of Directors. In addition, our Board of Directors receives information concerning asset quality measurements and trends on a monthly basis. While we continue to adhere to prudent underwriting standards, our loan portfolio is not immune to potential negative consequences as a result of general economic weakness, such as a prolonged downturn in the real estate market on a regional or national scale, or extreme climate events. Decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for loans. In addition, adverse changes in the economy or in a borrower's business could have a negative effect on the ability of borrowers to make scheduled loan payments, which would likely have an adverse impact on earnings.

The Company has established credit policies applicable to each type of lending activity in which it engages. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of each client and extends credit of up to 80% of the market value of the collateral, depending on the borrower's creditworthiness and the type of collateral. The borrower’s ability to service the debt is monitored on an ongoing basis. Real estate is the primary form of collateral. Other important forms of collateral are business assets, time deposits and marketable securities. While collateral provides assurance as a secondary source of repayment, the Company ordinarily requires the primary source of repayment for commercial loans, to be based on the borrower’s ability to generate continuing cash flows. Management discontinued residential mortgage loan originations in 2017 and ceased offering home equity loans and lines of credit in 2019. The Company’s policy for residential lending generally required that the amount of the loan may not exceed 80% of the original appraised value of the property. In certain situations, the amount may have exceeded 80% LTV either with private mortgage insurance being required for that portion of the residential loan in excess of 80% of the appraised value of the property or where secondary financing is provided by a housing authority program second mortgage, a community’s low/moderate income housing program, or a religious or civic organization.

Credit quality indicators. The Company measures credit risk within its loan portfolios through the use of a credit risk rating system. The risk rating reflects management’s assessment of a loan’s overall risk, considering the character and creditworthiness of the borrower and any guarantor, the borrower’s capacity to service the debt, the availability of credit enhancements or other sources of repayment, and the quality, value, and coverage of collateral, if applicable. The following table presents credit risk ratings as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024:

Credit Risk Ratings

At December 31,

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Pass

$

2,711,179 

$

2,557,136 

Special Mention(1)

80,429 

93,214 

Substandard

48,464 

54,083 

Doubtful

— 

1,455 

Loss

— 

— 

Total loans

$

2,840,072 

$

2,705,888 

(1) 100.0% and 99.6% of Risk Rated 6 loans are current on payments, 99.3% and 93.0% are guaranteed by ultra-high net worth sponsors as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

44

Credit risk management involves a partnership between our relationship managers and our credit approval, portfolio management, credit administration and collections staff. Disciplined underwriting, portfolio monitoring and early problem recognition, together with active management of any problem credits, are important aspects of maintaining our high credit quality standards.

Acquired Loans.   Loans acquired in acquisitions are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Acquired loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments will not be collected are initially recorded at fair value without recording an ACL-Loans. The fair value of the loans is determined by using market participant assumptions to estimate the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest.

Under the accounting model for acquired loans, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the “accretable yield”, is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans. Accordingly, acquired loans are not subject to classification as nonaccrual in the same manner as originated loans. Rather, acquired loans are considered to be accruing loans because their interest income relates to the accretable yield recognized and not to contractual interest payments. The excess of the loans' contractually required payments over the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference. As such, charge-offs on acquired loans are first applied to the nonaccretable difference and then to any ACL-Loans recognized subsequent to the acquisition. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate that the loan pool is a credit loss, which would require the establishment of an ACL-Loans by a charge to the provision for credit losses.

Nonperforming Assets.   Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and property acquired through foreclosures or repossession. The following table presents nonperforming assets and additional asset quality data for the dates indicated:

At December 31,

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Nonaccrual loans:

Real estate loans:

Residential

$

557 

$

791 

Commercial

14,445 

44,814 

Commercial business

1,302 

7,672 

Construction

— 

— 

Total nonaccrual loans

16,304 

53,277 

Property acquired through foreclosure or repossession, net

— 

$

8,299 

Total nonperforming assets

$

16,304 

$

61,576 

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.49 

%

1.88 

%

Nonperforming loans to total loans

0.57 

%

1.97 

%

Total nonaccrual loans were $16.3 million as of December 31, 2025. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets was 0.49% at December 31, 2025, when compared to 1.88% at December 31, 2024. The ACL-Loans at December 31, 2025 was $30.7 million, representing 1.08% of total loans.

Nonaccrual Loans. Loans greater than 90 days past due are generally put on nonaccrual status. Loans are also placed on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, full collection of principal and interest is doubtful. Interest previously accrued, but uncollected, is reversed against current period income. Subsequent payments are recognized on a cash basis or principal recapture basis depending on a number of factors including probability of collection and if a credit loss is identified. A nonaccrual loan is restored to accrual status when it is no longer delinquent and collectability of interest and principal is no longer in doubt. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to any borrower on nonaccrual status.

Past Due Loans. When a loan is 15 days past due, the Company sends the borrower a late notice. The Company attempts to contact the borrower by phone if the delinquency is not corrected promptly after the notice has been sent. When the loan is 30 days past due, the Company mails the borrower a letter reminding the borrower of the delinquency, and attempts to contact the borrower personally to determine the reason for the delinquency and ensure the borrower understands the terms of the loan. If necessary, after the 90th day of delinquency, the Company may take other appropriate legal action. A summary report of all loans 30 days or more past due is provided to the Board of Directors of the Company periodically. Loans greater than 90 days past due are generally put on nonaccrual status. A nonaccrual loan is restored to accrual status when it is no longer delinquent

45

and collectability of interest and principal is no longer in doubt. A loan is considered to be no longer delinquent when timely payments are made for a period of at least six months (one year for loans providing for quarterly or semi-annual payments) by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms.

The following table presents past due loans as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:

30–59 Days Past Due

60–89 Days Past Due

90 Days or Greater Past Due

Total Past Due

(In thousands)

As of December 31, 2025

Residential real estate

$

557 

$

— 

$

— 

$

557 

Commercial real estate

56 

— 

5,901 

5,957 

Construction

— 

— 

— 

— 

Commercial business

1,106 

17 

1,273 

2,396 

Consumer

5 

— 

— 

5 

Total loans

$

1,724 

$

17 

$

7,174 

$

8,915 

As of December 31, 2024

Residential real estate

$

130 

$

226 

$

652 

$

1,008 

Commercial real estate

359 

— 

35,585 

35,944 

Construction

— 

— 

— 

— 

Commercial business

4 

11 

7,143 

7,158 

Consumer

— 

— 

— 

— 

Total loans

$

493 

$

237 

$

43,380 

$

44,110 

Total past due loans totaled $8.9 million and represented 0.31% of total loans as of December 31, 2025, decreasing $35.2 million from December 31, 2024.

Modifications.   Loans are considered modified when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the Bank has granted concessions to a borrower due to the borrower’s financial condition that we otherwise would not have considered. These concessions may include modifications of the terms of the debt such as reduction of the stated interest rate other than normal market rate adjustments, extension of maturity dates, or reduction of principal balance or accrued interest. The decision to modify a loan, rather than aggressively enforcing the collection of the loan, may benefit us by increasing the ultimate probability of collection.

Modified loans are classified as accruing or nonaccruing based on management’s assessment of the collectability of the loan. Loans which are already on nonaccrual status at the time of the modifying generally remain on nonaccrual status for approximately six months before management considers such loans for return to accruing status. Accruing modified loans are placed into nonaccrual status if and when the borrower fails to comply with the modified terms and management deems it unlikely that the borrower will return to a status of compliance in the near term. There were no nonaccrual loans modified during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

46

The following table presents information on modified loans:

At December 31,

2025

2024

(In thousands)

Accruing modified loans:

Residential real estate

$

2,193 

$

2,261 

Commercial real estate

— 

— 

Commercial business

293 

— 

Accruing modified loans

2,486 

2,261 

Nonaccrual modified loans:

Residential real estate

$

558 

$

652 

Commercial real estate

8,543 

9,217 

Commercial business

— 

54 

Nonaccrual modified loans

9,101 

9,923 

Total modified loans

$

11,587 

$

12,184 

As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, loans classified as modified totaled $11.6 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

Potential Problem Loans.   We classify certain loans as “special mention”, “substandard”, or “doubtful”, based on criteria consistent with guidelines provided by our banking regulators. Potential problem loans represent loans that are currently performing, but for which known information about possible credit problems of the related borrowers causes management to have doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in disclosure of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future. We cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions or other factors may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become 90 days or more past due, be placed on nonaccrual, become modified, or require increased allowance coverage and provision for credit losses. Potential problem loans are assessed for loss exposure using the methods described in Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption “Credit Quality Indicators”.

We expect the levels of nonperforming assets and potential problem loans to fluctuate in response to changing economic and market conditions, and the relative sizes of the respective loan portfolios, along with our degree of success in resolving problem assets. We take a proactive approach with respect to the identification and resolution of problem loans.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans ("ACL-Loans")

Our Board of Directors has adopted an Allowance for Credit Losses policy designed to provide management with a methodology for determining and documenting the allowance for credit losses for each reporting period. We evaluate the adequacy of the ACL-Loans at least quarterly, and in determining our ACL-Loans, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. The balance of our ACL-Loans is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, the Bank’s and peer banks’ historical loss experience, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates. See additional discussion regarding our Allowance for Credit Losses-Loans ("ACL-Loans") and Allowance for Credit Losses-Unfunded commitments ("ACL-Unfunded commitments") under the caption "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates."

Our general practice is to identify problem credits early and recognize full or partial charge-offs as promptly as practicable when it is determined that it is probable that the loan will not be repaid according to its original contractual terms, including principal and interest. Full or partial charge-offs on collateral dependent loans are recognized when the collateral is deemed to be insufficient to support the carrying value of the loan. We do not recognize a recovery when an updated appraisal indicates a subsequent increase in value of the collateral.

Our charge-off policies, which comply with standards established by our banking regulators, are consistently applied from period to period. Charge-offs are recorded on a monthly basis, as incurred. Partially charged-off loans continue to be evaluated on a monthly basis and additional charge-offs or loan loss provisions may be recorded on the remaining loan balance based on the same criteria.

47

The following table presents the activity in our ACL-Loans and related ratios for the dates indicated:

At December 31,

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at beginning of period

$

29,007 

$

27,946 

Charge-offs:

Residential real estate

— 

(141)

Commercial real estate

(67)

(13,111)

Construction

— 

(1,771)

Commercial business

(29)

(7,909)

Consumer

(84)

(84)

Total charge-offs

(180)

(23,016)

Recoveries:

Residential real estate

— 

141 

Commercial real estate

279 

1,126 

Commercial business

231 

(3)

Consumer

60 

23 

Total recoveries

570 

1,287 

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

390 

(21,729)

Provision charged to earnings

1,308 

22,790 

Balance at end of period

$

30,705 

$

29,007 

Net (recoveries) or charge-offs to average loans

(0.01)

%

0.81 

%

ACL-Loans to total loans

1.08 

%

1.07 

%

At December 31, 2025, our ACL-Loans was $30.7 million and represented 1.08% of total loans, compared to $29.0 million, or 1.07% of total loans at December 31, 2024.

The carrying amount of total individually evaluated loans at December 31, 2025 was $78.9 million. This compares to a carrying amount of $113.9 million for total individually evaluated loans at December 31, 2024.

The following table presents the allocation of the ACL-Loans, the ACL-Loans percentage, and the related loan segments to total loans percentage:

At December 31,

2025

2024

ACL-Loans Amount

ACL-Loans Percentage

Loan Segment to Total Loans Percentage

ACL-Loans Amount

ACL-Loans Percentage

Loan Segment to Total Loans Percentage

(Dollars in thousands)

Residential real estate

$

55 

0.18 

%

1.17 

%

$

94 

0.32 

%

1.58 

%

Commercial real estate

20,255 

65.97 

67.99 

21,838 

75.29 

70.19 

Construction

2,251 

7.33 

5.41 

2,059 

7.10 

6.41 

Commercial business

6,635 

21.61 

22.72 

4,070 

14.03 

19.04 

Consumer

1,509 

4.91 

2.71 

946 

3.26 

2.78 

Total

$

30,705 

100.00 

%

100.00 

%

$

29,007 

100.00 

%

100.00 

%

The allocation of the ACL-Loans at December 31, 2025 reflects our assessment of credit risk and probable loss within each portfolio. We believe that the level of the ACL-Loans at December 31, 2025 is appropriate to cover probable losses.

48

Investment Securities

We manage our investment securities portfolio to provide a readily available source of liquidity for balance sheet management, to generate interest income and to implement interest rate risk management strategies. Investments are designated as either marketable equity, available for sale, held to maturity or trading securities at the time of purchase. We do not currently maintain a portfolio of trading securities. Investment securities available for sale may be sold in response to changes in market conditions, prepayment risk, rate fluctuations, liquidity, or capital requirements. Investment securities available for sale are reported at fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of tax, until realized. Investment securities held to maturity are reported at amortized cost. Marketable equity securities are reported at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings.

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities as of the dates indicated are presented in the following table:

At December 31,

2025

2024

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

(In thousands)

Marketable equity securities

$

2,334 

$

2,248 

$

2,264 

$

2,118 

Securities available for sale:

U.S. Government and agency obligations

151,730 

149,924 

95,443 

91,582 

Corporate bonds

11,000 

10,485 

17,000 

15,846 

Total securities available for sale

$

162,730 

$

160,409 

$

112,443 

$

107,428 

Securities held to maturity:

State agency and municipal obligations

29,465 

31,045 

36,525 

36,662 

Government mortgage-backed securities

— 

— 

28 

29 

Total securities held to maturity

$

29,465 

$

31,045 

$

36,553 

$

36,691 

At December 31, 2025, the carrying value of our investment securities portfolio totaled $192.1 million and represented 6% of total assets, compared to $146.1 million and 4% of total assets at December 31, 2024. The increase of $46.0 million primarily reflects purchases of available for sale securities. We purchase investment grade securities with a focus on liquidity, earnings and duration exposure.

The net unrealized losses on our investment portfolio at December 31, 2025 was $0.7 million and included $2.0 million of gross unrealized gains. The net unrealized loss position on our investment portfolio at December 31, 2024 was $4.9 million and included $1.3 million of gross unrealized gains.

49

The following tables summarize the amortized cost and weighted average yield of securities in our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, based on remaining period to contractual maturity. Information for mortgage-backed securities is based on the final contractual maturity dates without considering repayments and prepayments.

Due Within 1 Year

Due 1–5 Years

Due 5–10 Years

Due After 10 Years or No Contractual Maturity

At December 31, 2025

Amortized

Cost

Yield

Amortized

Cost

Yield

Amortized

Cost

Yield

Amortized

Cost

Yield

(Dollars in thousands)

Marketable equity securities

$

— 

— 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

2,334 

2.19 

%

Securities available for sale:

U.S. Government and agency obligations

35,088 

1.94 

97,864 

3.64 

17,024 

2.29 

1,754 

3.55 

Corporate bonds

— 

— 

4,000 

7.81 

7,000 

3.88 

— 

— 

Total securities available for sale

$

35,088 

1.94 

%

$

101,864 

3.81 

%

$

24,024 

2.75 

%

$

1,754 

3.55 

%

Securities held to maturity:

State agency and municipal obligations

$

— 

— 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

2,764 

4.73 

%

$

26,701 

6.08 

%

Government mortgage-backed securities

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Total securities held to maturity

$

— 

— 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

2,764 

4.73 

%

$

26,701 

6.08 

%

Due Within 1 Year

Due 1–5 Years

Due 5–10 Years

Due After 10 Years or No Contractual Maturity

At December 31, 2024

Amortized

Cost

Yield

Amortized

Cost

Yield

Amortized

Cost

Yield

Amortized

Cost

Yield

(Dollars in thousands)

Marketable equity securities

$

— 

— 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

2,264 

2.19 

%

Securities available for sale:

U.S. Government and agency obligations

24,920 

3.39 

47,541 

2.03 

16,038 

2.53 

6,944 

2.10 

Corporate bonds

— 

— 

— 

— 

15,500 

4.18 

1,500 

4.50 

Total securities available for sale

$

24,920 

3.39 

%

$

47,541 

2.03 

%

$

31,538 

3.34 

%

$

8,444 

2.53 

%

Securities held to maturity:

State agency and municipal obligations

$

6,820 

7.08 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

2,808 

4.73 

%

$

26,897 

6.07 

%

Government mortgage-backed securities

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

28 

5.46 

Total securities held to maturity

$

6,820 

7.08 

%

$

— 

— 

%

$

2,808 

4.73 

%

$

26,925 

6.07 

%

50

Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI")

BOLI amounted to $54.2 million as of December 31, 2025. The purchase of life insurance policies results in an income-earning asset on our consolidated balance sheet that provides monthly tax-free income to us. We expect to benefit from the BOLI contracts as a result of the tax-free growth in cash surrender value and death benefits that are expected to be generated over time. BOLI is included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at its cash surrender value. Increases in the cash surrender value are reported as a component of noninterest income in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds

Our sources of funds include deposits, including brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings, subordinated debt and proceeds from the sales, maturities and payments of loans and investment securities.

Total deposits represented 84% of our total assets at December 31, 2025. While scheduled loan and securities repayments are relatively stable sources of funds, loan and securities prepayments and deposit inflows are influenced by prevailing interest rates and local economic conditions and are inherently uncertain.

Deposits

We offer a wide variety of deposit products and rates to consumer and business clients consistent with FDIC regulations. Our executive management team meets regularly to determine pricing and marketing initiatives. In addition to being an important source of funding for us, deposits also provide an ongoing stream of fee revenue.

We participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service ("CDARS") and Insured Cash Sweep Service ("ICS") programs. We use CDARS and ICS to place client funds into certificate of deposit accounts and money market accounts, respectively, into other participating banks. These transactions occur in amounts that are less than FDIC insurance limits to ensure that deposit clients are eligible for FDIC insurance on the full amount of their deposits. Reciprocal amounts of deposits are received from other participating banks that do the same with their client deposits, and we also execute one-way buy transactions. CDARS one-way and ICS one-way buy transactions are considered to be brokered deposits for bank regulatory purposes.

Time deposits may also be generated through the use of listing services. We utilize both consumer‑facing listing platforms, which allow depositors to view our advertised time‑deposit rates and open a time certificate of deposit via Bankwell Direct, as well as listing services used by financial institutions. Interested financial institutions will contact us directly to acquire a time certificate of deposit. There is no third party brokerage service involved in these transactions.

The following table sets forth the composition of our deposits for the dates indicated:

At December 31,

2025

2024

Amount

Percent

Weighted

Average

Rate

Amount

Percent

Weighted

Average

Rate

(Dollars in thousands)

Noninterest-bearing demand

$

403,652 

14.27 

%

— 

%

$

321,875 

11.54 

%

— 

%

NOW

90,205 

3.19 

0.37 

105,090 

3.77 

0.18 

Money market

1,007,844 

35.62 

3.76 

899,413 

32.27 

4.08 

Savings

97,418 

3.44 

2.95 

90,220 

3.24 

3.07 

Time

1,230,362 

43.48 

4.30 

1,370,972 

49.18 

4.76 

Total deposits

$

2,829,481 

100.00 

%

3.88 

%

$

2,787,570 

100.00 

%

4.27 

%

Total deposits were $2.8 billion at December 31, 2025, an increase of $41.9 million, or 1.5%, from December 31, 2024.

Brokered certificates of deposits ("Brokered CDs") totaled $505.0 million and $651.5 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Brokered money market accounts totaled $53.7 million and $53.5 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Certificates of deposits from national listing services were $42.3 million and $109.1 million as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. There were no certificates of deposits from one-way buy CDARS or one-way buy ICS at December 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024. Brokered deposits are comprised of Brokered CDs, brokered money market accounts, one-way buy CDARS, and one-way buy ICS.

51

As of December 31, 2025, our FDIC insured deposits were $1.9 billion, or 68% of total deposits. Additionally, $78.6 million of deposits are insured by standby letters of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, or 3% of total deposits.

At December 31, 2025 and 2024, time deposits, including CDARS and Brokered CDs, with a denomination of $100 thousand or more totaled $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, maturing during the periods indicated in the table below:

At December 31,

2025

2024

(In thousands)

Maturing:

Within 3 months

$

318,803 

$

421,808 

After 3 but within 6 months

352,251 

326,115 

After 6 months but within 1 year

379,021 

419,098 

After 1 year

3,265 

19,429 

Total

$

1,053,340 

$

1,186,450 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Other Borrowings

The Bank is a member of the FHLB, which is part of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members are required to own capital stock of the FHLB, and borrowings are collateralized by qualifying assets not otherwise pledged. The maximum amount of credit that the FHLB will extend varies from time to time, depending on its policies and the amount of qualifying collateral the member can pledge. The Bank had satisfied its collateral requirement at December 31, 2025.

We utilize advances from the FHLB as part of our overall funding strategy, to meet short-term liquidity needs and to manage interest rate risk arising from the difference in asset and liability maturities. Total FHLB advances were $110.0 million at December 31, 2025 and $90.0 million at December 31, 2024.

The Bank has additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB up to a certain percentage of the value of qualified collateral. In accordance with agreements with the FHLB, the qualified collateral must be free and clear of liens, pledges and encumbrances. At December 31, 2025, the Bank had pledged $847.6 million of eligible loans and investment securities as collateral to support borrowing capacity at the FHLB of Boston. As of December 31, 2025, the Bank had immediate availability to borrow an additional $426.0 million based on qualified collateral.

Advances from the FHLB include short-term advances with original maturity dates of one year or less. The following table sets forth certain information concerning short-term FHLB advances as of and for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,

2025

2024

(Dollars in thousands)

Average amount outstanding during the period

$

72,083 

$

90,000 

Amount outstanding at end of period

110,000 

90,000 

Highest month end balance during the period

150,000 

90,000 

Weighted average interest rate at end of period

4.42 

%

3.91 

%

On October 14, 2021, the Company completed a private placement of a $35.0 million fixed-to-floating rate subordinated note (the “2021 Note”) to an institutional accredited investor. The Company used the net proceeds to repay the outstanding balance of subordinated debt issued in 2015 and for general corporate purposes.

The 2021 Note bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.25% per year until October 14, 2026. Thereafter, the interest rate will reset quarterly at a variable rate equal to the then current three-month term SOFR plus 233 basis points. The 2021 Note has a stated maturity of October 15, 2031 and is non-callable for five years. Beginning October 15, 2026, the Company may redeem the 2021 Note, in whole or in part, at its option. The 2021 Note is not redeemable at the option of the holder. The 2021 Note has been structured to qualify for the Company as Tier 2 capital under regulatory guidelines.

On August 19, 2022, the Company entered into a Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement with certain qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold 6.0% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2032 (the “2022 Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $35.0 million. The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the 2022 Notes for general corporate purposes.

52

The 2022 Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year until August 31, 2027. Thereafter, the interest rate will reset quarterly at a variable rate equal to the then current three-month term SOFR plus 326 basis points. The 2022 Notes have a stated maturity of September 1, 2032 and are non-callable for five years. Beginning August 19, 2027, the Company may redeem the 2022 Notes, in whole or in part, at its option. The 2022 Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. The 2022 Notes have been structured to qualify for the Company as Tier 2 capital under regulatory guidelines.

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses interest rate swap instruments to fix the interest rate on short-term FHLB borrowings or brokered deposits, all of which are designated as cash flow hedges. The hedge strategy converts the rate of interest on short-term rolling FHLB advances or brokered deposits to long-term fixed interest rates, thereby protecting the Bank from interest rate variability in the contractually specified interest rates.

The Company has one pay-fixed portfolio layer method fair value swap, designated as a hedging instrument, with a total notional amount of $150 million. The Company designated the fair value swap under the portfolio layer method. Under this method, the hedged item is designated as a hedged layer of a closed portfolio of financial loans that is anticipated to remain outstanding for the designated hedged period.

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and result from a service the Company provides to certain loan clients. The Company executes interest rate swaps with commercial banking clients to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting derivatives that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. As the interest rate derivatives associated with this program do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the client derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings. Information about derivative instruments at December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:

As of December 31, 2025

Derivative Assets

Derivative Liabilities

Original Notional Amount

Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

Original Notional Amount

Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

(In thousands)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swap

$

25,000 

Other assets

$

1,925 

$

— 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

— 

Fair value swap

$

— 

Other assets

$

— 

$

150,000 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

156 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps(1)

$

38,500 

Other assets

$

3,045 

$

38,500 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

3,045 

(1) Represents interest rate swaps with commercial banking clients, which are offset by derivatives with a third party.

53

As of December 31, 2024

Derivative Assets

Derivative Liabilities

Original Notional Amount

Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

Original Notional Amount

Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

(In thousands)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps

$

75,000 

Other assets

$

3,259 

$

— 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

— 

Fair value swap

$

— 

Other assets

$

— 

$

150,000 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

259 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps(1)

$

38,500 

Other assets

$

4,213 

$

38,500 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

4,213 

(1) Represents interest rate swaps with commercial banking clients, which are offset by derivatives with a third party.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity Management

Liquidity is defined as the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet all present and future funding requirements at reasonable costs. Our primary source of liquidity is deposits. While our generally preferred funding strategy is to attract and retain low cost deposits, our ability to do so is affected by competitive interest rates and terms in the marketplace. Other sources of funding include discretionary use of purchased liabilities (e.g., FHLB term advances and other borrowings), cash flows from our investment securities portfolios, loan sales, loan repayments and earnings. Investment securities designated as available for sale may also be sold in response to short-term or long-term liquidity needs.

The Bank’s liquidity position is monitored daily by management. The Asset Liability Committee, or ALCO, establishes guidelines to ensure maintenance of prudent levels of liquidity. ALCO reports to the Company’s Board of Directors.

The Bank has a detailed liquidity funding policy and a contingency funding plan that provide for the prompt and comprehensive response to unexpected demands for liquidity. We employ a stress testing methodology to estimate needs for contingent funding that could result from unexpected outflows of funds in excess of “business as usual” cash flows. The Bank has established unsecured borrowing capacity with the Pacific Coast Bank (PCBB), Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (ACBB), and Zion’s Bank and also maintains additional collateralized borrowing capacity with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("FRBNY") and the FHLB in excess of levels used in the ordinary course of business. Our sources of liquidity include cash, unpledged investment securities, borrowings from the FRBNY, FHLB, lines of credit from PCBB, ACBB, and Zion's Bank, the brokered deposit market and national CD listing services.

Capital Resources

Shareholders’ equity totaled $301.5 million as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $31.0 million compared to December 31, 2024, primarily a result of net income of $35.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The increase was partially offset by dividends paid of $6.3 million. As of December 31, 2025, the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 8.90% and $38.85, respectively.

The Bank and the Company are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. At December 31, 2025, the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject and exceeded the regulatory minimum capital levels to be considered well-capitalized under the regulatory framework. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s ratio of total common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 11.87%, total capital to risk-weighted assets was 12.94%, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 11.87% and Tier 1 capital to average assets was 10.56%. At December 31,

54

2025, the Company met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject and exceeded the regulatory minimum capital levels to be considered well-capitalized under the regulatory framework. At December 31, 2025, the Company’s ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 10.23%, total capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.69%, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 10.23% and Tier 1 capital to average assets was 9.11%.

Under the current guidelines, banking organizations must have a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0%, a minimum common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%, and a minimum Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio of 4.0% in order to be "adequately capitalized." In addition to these requirements, banking organizations must maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of common Tier 1 equity in an amount above the minimum risk-based capital requirements for “adequately capitalized” institutions equal to 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets, resulting in a requirement for the Company and the Bank to effectively maintain common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and total capital ratios of 7.0%, 8.5% and 10.5%, respectively. The Company and the Bank must maintain the capital conservation buffer to avoid restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, pay discretionary bonuses, or to engage in share repurchases.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2025. Payments for borrowings do not include interest. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts.

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less Than

1 Year

1–3

Years

4–5

Years

After

5 Years

(in thousands)

Contractual Obligations:

FHLB advances

$

110,000 

$

110,000 

$

— 

$

— 

$

— 

Subordinated debt

70,000 

— 

— 

— 

70,000 

Operating lease agreements

12,602 

2,546 

4,836 

3,891 

1,329 

Time deposits with stated maturity dates

1,230,362 

1,224,995 

5,309 

58 

— 

Total contractual obligations

$

1,422,964 

$

1,337,541 

$

10,145 

$

3,949 

$

71,329 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, we are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our clients. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the financial statements. The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement we have in particular classes of financial instruments.

We enter into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of the Bank’s commitments to extend credit are contingent upon clients maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. The Bank minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures.

Commitments to extend credit totaled $520.6 million at December 31, 2025. The following table summarizes our commitments to extend credit as of the date indicated. Since commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the amounts shown do not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements. In addition, borrowers may be required to meet certain performance requirements to continue to draw on these commitments. We manage our liquidity in light of the aggregate amounts of commitments to extend credit and outstanding standby letters of credit in effect from time to time to ensure that we will have adequate sources of liquidity to fund such commitments and honor drafts under such letters of credit.

Loan pipeline, while not legally binding, represents the Company's future potential funding obligations which are currently in an advanced stage of underwriting and are subject to various conditions before disbursement. Loans in the pipeline are typically short-term, usually within 90 days.

55

As of December 31, 2025

Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period

Total

Less Than

1 Year

1–3

Years

4–5

Years

After

5 Years

(in thousands)

Other Commitments:

Loan pipeline

$

294,781 

$

294,781 

$

— 

$

— 

$

— 

Loan commitments

197,415 

117,691 

75,241 

750 

3,733 

Undisbursed construction loans

26,244 

7,014 

9,466 

3,859 

5,905 

Unused home equity lines of credit

2,189 

— 

— 

— 

2,189 

Total other commitments

$

520,629 

$

419,486 

$

84,707 

$

4,609 

$

11,827 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for details of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on our financial statements.
