Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6035 Savings Institution, Federally Chartered
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1810546. Latest filing source: 0001628280-26-013126.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read EBC's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read EBC's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,164,234,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
| Net income | 88,219,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
| Assets | 30,586,856,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-02. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001810546.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 415,166,000 | 445,017,000 | 413,328,000 | 435,159,000 | 605,181,000 | 796,459,000 | 946,766,000 | 1,164,234,000 | |
| Net income | 122,727,000 | 135,098,000 | 22,738,000 | 154,665,000 | 199,759,000 | 232,177,000 | 119,561,000 | 88,219,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.13 | 0.90 | 1.21 | 1.43 | 0.66 | 0.43 | |
| Operating cash flow | 205,009,000 | 196,223,000 | 69,851,000 | 174,490,000 | 229,942,000 | 261,692,000 | 283,836,000 | 432,420,000 | |
| Dividends paid | 0.00 | 0.00 | 51,564,000 | 65,886,000 | 66,671,000 | 82,541,000 | 105,717,000 | ||
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 23,224,000 | 201,618,000 | 0.00 | 27,683,000 | 106,589,000 | ||
| Assets | 11,378,287,000 | 11,628,775,000 | 15,964,190,000 | 23,512,128,000 | 22,646,858,000 | 21,133,278,000 | 25,557,880,000 | 30,586,856,000 | |
| Liabilities | 9,945,146,000 | 10,028,622,000 | 12,536,138,000 | 20,105,776,000 | 20,175,068,000 | 18,158,423,000 | 21,945,913,000 | 26,246,303,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 1,330,514,000 | 1,433,141,000 | 1,600,153,000 | 3,428,052,000 | 3,406,352,000 | 2,471,790,000 | 2,974,855,000 | 3,611,967,000 | 4,340,553,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 29.56% | 30.36% | 5.50% | 35.54% | 33.01% | 29.15% | 12.63% | 7.58% | |
| Return on equity | 8.56% | 8.44% | 0.66% | 4.54% | 8.08% | 7.80% | 3.31% | 2.03% | |
| Return on assets | 1.08% | 1.16% | 0.14% | 0.66% | 0.88% | 1.10% | 0.47% | 0.29% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 6.94 | 6.27 | 3.66 | 5.90 | 8.16 | 6.10 | 6.08 | 6.05 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013126; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-08. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001810546.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.31 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.33 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | -1.20 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 201,765,000 | 48,657,000 | 0.30 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 202,168,000 | 59,113,000 | 0.36 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 203,646,000 | 318,503,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 202,611,000 | 38,647,000 | 0.24 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 207,376,000 | 26,331,000 | 0.16 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 266,018,000 | -6,188,000 | -0.03 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 270,761,000 | 60,771,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 265,705,000 | -217,666,000 | -1.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 279,339,000 | 100,233,000 | 0.50 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 283,016,000 | 106,144,000 | 0.53 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 336,174,000 | 99,508,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 339,546,000 | 65,262,000 | 0.29 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-032760; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-032760; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-032760; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-032760.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section is intended to assist in the understanding of the financial performance of the Company and its subsidiaries through a discussion of our financial condition at March 31, 2026, and our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. This section should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s 2025 Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
When we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company,” we mean Eastern Bankshares, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context otherwise indicates.
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on certain current assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of management and are only expectations of future results. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among others, the following factors:
•changes in regional, national or international macroeconomic conditions, including tariffs, governmental shutdowns or changes in inflation, recessionary pressures or interest rates in the United States;
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•the possibility that future credit losses, loan defaults and charge-off rates are higher than expected due to changes in economic assumptions or adverse economic developments;
•general business and economic conditions on a national basis and in the local markets in which we operate, including those impacting credit quality;
•turbulence in the capital and debt markets and within the banking industry;
•decreases in the value of securities and other assets;
•decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans, investments and other needs;
•competitive pressures from other financial institutions;
•operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity incidents, fraud, new technological integration including AI, natural disasters and future pandemics, including COVID-19;
•a regulatory reform agenda that is significantly different from that of the prior administration, impacting the rulemaking, supervision, examination and enforcement priorities of the federal banking agencies, including risks related to the administration’s increased focus on widespread implementation of stablecoins and other digital assets;
•changes in regulation, regulatory policy, legislation, accounting standards and practices, and fiscal monetary policy, particularly in light of the shift in presidential administrations and the potential for related shifts in agency policy and leadership;
•the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in our financial statements will become impaired;
•risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings, including our 2025 merger with HarborOne Bancorp and HarborOne Bank, which is further described in Part I, Item 1 of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Recent Acquisitions – Bank Acquisitions”, including that revenue and expense synergies or other expected benefits may not materialize or in the time frame originally anticipated or may be more costly to achieve than anticipated and that the combined businesses may not perform as expected;
•potential risks related to the integration of our completed or pending acquisitions may not materialize or may be more costly to achieve than anticipated and that the combined businesses may not perform as expected;
•the risk that we may not be successful in the implementation of our business strategy;
•changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements; and
•other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2025 Form 10-K and as may be further updated in our filings with the SEC from time to time.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in our 2025 Form 10-K, as updated by the notes to our Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There have been no other material changes in critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2026.
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Overview
We are a bank holding company, and our principal subsidiary, Eastern Bank, is a Massachusetts-chartered bank that has served the banking needs of our customers since 1818. Our business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers. We had total assets of $30.6 billion at both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the New Hampshire Banking Department, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Our business consists of a full range of banking, lending (commercial, residential and consumer), savings and small business offerings, including our wealth management and trust operations that we conduct under our “Cambridge Trust Wealth Management, a division of Eastern Bank” brand name (“Cambridge Trust Wealth Management division”).
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 computed in accordance with GAAP was $65.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $217.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily due to losses on sales of available for sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025, which did not recur during the three months ended March 31, 2026. Refer to the later sections titled “Results of Operations” within this Item 2 for additional discussion.
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025 included items that our management considers non-core, which management excludes for purposes of assessing our operating net income, a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $88.6 million, compared to $67.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, representing an increase of $21.1 million, or 31.3%. This increase was primarily due to higher net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, partially offset by higher noninterest expense on an operating basis for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Results of Operations” within this Item 2 for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income/(loss) on a GAAP basis and further discussion of noninterest income/(loss) and noninterest expense.
Banking Business
Our banking business offers a range of commercial, retail, wealth management and banking service, and consists primarily of attracting deposits from the general public, including municipalities, and investing those deposits, together with borrowings and funds generated from operations, to originate loans in a variety of sectors and to invest in securities. Our financial condition and results of operations depend primarily on (i) attracting and retaining relatively low cost, stable deposits, (ii) using those deposits to originate and acquire loans and earn net interest income and (iii) operating expenses incurred.
Lending Activities
We use funds obtained from deposits, as well as funds obtained from the FHLBB advances, primarily to originate loans and to invest in securities. Our lending focuses on the following categories of loans:
Commercial Lending
•Commercial and industrial: Loans in this category consist of revolving and term loans extended to businesses and corporate enterprises for the purpose of financing working capital, facilitating equipment purchases and facilitating acquisitions. As of both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had total commercial and industrial loans of $4.3 billion, representing 19.0% and 18.6%, respectively, of our total loans as of each period end. The primary risk associated with commercial and industrial loans is the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at origination. Our primary focus for commercial and industrial loans is middle-market companies located in the markets we serve. In addition, we participate in the syndicated loan market and the SNC Program. Our commercial and industrial portfolio also includes our Asset Based Lending Portfolio (“ABL Portfolio”) and industrial revenue bonds (“IRBs”) which are municipal bonds issued to finance major capital projects. The majority of our IRB portfolio is in educational and other non-profit sectors.
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•Commercial real estate: Loans in this category include mortgage loans and lines of credit on commercial real estate, both investment and owner occupied. Property types financed include office, industrial, multi-family, affordable housing, retail, hotel, and other type properties. As of both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had total commercial real estate loans of $9.4 billion, representing 40.9% and 40.8%, respectively, of our total loans as of each period end. As of both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, owner occupied loans totaled $1.2 billion, representing 12.8% and 12.9%, respectively, of our commercial real estate loans as of each period end. Collateral values are established by independent third-party appraisals and evaluations. The primary repayment sources include operating income generated by the real estate, permanent debt refinancing and/or the sale of the real estate. Our commercial real estate loan portfolio also includes loans included in our SNC Program portfolio described above and IRB loans.
•Commercial construction: Loans in this category include construction project financing and are comprised of commercial real estate, business banking and residential loans for the purpose of constru
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and prospects based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those in this discussion as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a bank holding company, and our principal subsidiary, Eastern Bank, is a Massachusetts-chartered bank that has served the banking needs of our customers since 1818. Our business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers. We had total assets of $30.6 billion and $25.6 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the New Hampshire Banking Department, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Our business consists of a full range of banking, lending (commercial, residential and consumer), savings and small business offerings, including our wealth management and trust operations that we conduct under our “Cambridge Trust Wealth Management, a division of Eastern Bank” brand name (“Cambridge Trust Wealth Management division”).
On November 1, 2025, we completed our previously announced merger with HarborOne. In accordance with the terms of the definitive merger agreement, each share of HarborOne common stock was exchanged for either (i) 0.765 shares of Company common stock and cash in lieu of any fractional share or (ii) $12.00 in cash subject to allocation procedures. We issued 26.9 million shares of our common stock in the exchange and paid aggregate cash consideration of $74.6 million, which resulted in a transaction value of approximately $550.1 million based upon the closing price of our common stock on October 31, 2025 of $17.53 per share.
HarborOne, a Massachusetts corporation, was a federally registered bank holding company headquartered in Brockton, Massachusetts. HarborOne Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered trust company formed in 1917, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of HarborOne that operated through a network of 30 full-service banking offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and commercial lending offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island, with $5.5 billion in total assets and $4.3 billion in deposits as of October 31, 2025.
Net income from continuing operations, computed in accordance with GAAP, was $88.2 million and $119.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to losses on sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2025 which exceeded losses on sales of securities for the year ended December 31, 2024. Partially offsetting the increase in losses on sales of securities was a decrease in one-time expenses during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 associated with our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge. One-time expenses during the year ended December 31, 2024 included the initial allowance for loan losses associated with non-purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans, which was recorded subsequent to the completion of the merger through earnings and is hereafter referred to as the “non-PCD loan day-2” provision for the allowance for loan losses.
Net income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, included items that our management considers non-core, which management excludes for purposes of assessing our operating net income, a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $318.0 million compared to $196.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to increased net interest income and noninterest income on an operating basis for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to year ended December 31, 2024 partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense on an operating basis over the same period. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Results of Operations” below for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income on a GAAP basis and further discussion of noninterest income and noninterest expense.
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The following chart shows our basic earnings per share from continuing operations on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past four years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of GAAP earnings to operating earnings):
Earnings per share from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis, decreased from $0.66 for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $0.43 for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Operating earnings per share, on a basic basis, increased from $1.09 for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $1.57 for the year ended December 31, 2025, a 44.2% increase. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net interest income and noninterest income on an operating basis which were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense on an operating basis. Refer to the“Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
50
The following chart shows our efficiency ratio on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past five years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for additional information on the determination of each measure):
The GAAP efficiency ratio increased during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, which was primarily due to higher security losses during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to year ended December 31, 2024. The non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio decreased during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, which was primarily due to increased net interest income. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
Outlook and Trends
Interest Rates
Beginning in March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) voted to increase the federal funds rate multiple times from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 5.25% to 5.50% on July 26, 2023, when the FOMC stated that it will continue to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy. At its meeting on September 18, 2024, the FOMC decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 50 basis points from the range set at its July 26, 2023 meeting to a range of 4.75% to 5.00%. The FOMC further decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate at each of its meetings held on November 7, 2024, December 18, 2024, September 17, 2025, October 29, 2025, and December 10, 2025, with the most recent change reducing the target range for the federal funds rate to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. At its most recent meeting on January 28, 2026 the FOMC decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at the range set at its December 10, 2025 meeting and indicated, in considering additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, it will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The FOMC further indicated it is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and reducing the annual inflation rate to its 2 percent objective.
Inevitably, not all of our interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities will re-price simultaneously and in equal volume in response to changes in the federal funds rate, and therefore the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Management believes that several factors will affect the actual impact of interest rate changes on our balance sheet and operating results, including, but not limited to, actual changes in interest rates or expectations of future changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation, and the slope of the interest rate yield curve. We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and, where appropriate, hedging our exposure. Approximately 32% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans, gross of outstanding interest rate swaps as described further below, as of December 31, 2025 was indexed to a market rate that is expected to reprice with similar magnitude and direction as the federal
51
funds rate. A portion of these loans have been hedged using interest rate swaps to convert the floating rate interest receipts to a fixed rate. The notional amount of floating rate loans swapped totaled $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2025, representing approximately 8% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans at that date. For more detail regarding such hedging financial instruments, refer to Note 19, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to the section titled “Management of Market Risk” within this Item 7 for additional discussion including the estimated change to our net interest income under interest rate risk measurement methodologies that use a variety of hypothetical scenarios assuming immediate and parallel changes in interest rates that may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present certain non-GAAP financial measures, which management uses to evaluate our performance, and which exclude the effects of certain transactions, non-cash items and GAAP adjustments that we believe are unrelated to our core business and are therefore not necessarily indicative of our current performance or financial position. Management believes excluding these items facilitates greater visibility for investors into our core business as well as underlying trends that may, to some extent, be obscured by inclusion of such items in the corresponding GAAP financial measures. Except as otherwise indicated, the information presented for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 within this section excludes discontinued operations. Refer to Note 24, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding discontinued operations.
There are items in our financial statements that impact our results but which we believe are unrelated to our core business. Accordingly, we present operating net income, noninterest income on an operating basis, noninterest expense on an operating basis, total operating revenue, operating earnings per share, tangible net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, and the operating efficiency ratio, each of which excludes the impact of such items because we believe such exclusion can provide greater visibility into our core business and underlying trends. Such items that we do not consider to be core to our business include (i) gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, (ii) gains and losses on the sale of other equity investments, (iii) gains and losses on the sale of other assets, (iv) impairment charges on tax credit investments and associated tax credit benefits, (v) other real estate owned (“OREO”) gains and losses, (vi) merger and acquisition expenses, and (vii) certain discrete tax items.
We also present tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, average tangible shareholders’ equity, the ratios of tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations and tangible operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity and tangible book value per share, each of which excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, as we believe these financial measures provide investors with the ability to further assess our performance, identify trends in our core business and provide a comparison of our capital adequacy to other companies. We have included the tangible ratios because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management to assess performance and identify trends.
In the first quarter of 2025, we changed our computation of operating net income to exclude, as an adjustment to net income (loss) in arriving at operating net income, income from investments held in rabbi trust and rabbi trust employee benefit expense. Management believes these changes result in a more meaningful measure of our financial performance and allow for better comparability to peer companies. Prior period results have been recast for comparability purposes.
In the third quarter of 2024, we changed our return on average tangible shareholders’ equity and operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity computations to utilize tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations and tangible operating net income, respectively, in the numerators of the computations. Tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations excludes the amortization of intangible assets and the related tax effect and tangible operating net income excludes, in addition to the adjustments to derive operating net income, the amortization of intangible assets and related tax effect. In addition, in the third quarter of 2024, we changed the computation of our operating efficiency ratio to exclude, in addition to the adjustments made to operating net income, the amortization of intangible assets. Management believes the changes to such ratios result in a more meaningful measure of our financial performance and such measures are used by management when analyzing corporate performance.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative or substitute to GAAP net income (loss), or as an indication of our cash flows from operating activities, a measure of our liquidity or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. An item which we consider to be non-core and exclude when computing these non-GAAP financial measures can be of substantial importance to our results for any particular period. In addition, our methodology for calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the
52
same or similar performance measures and, accordingly, our reported non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to the same or similar performance measures reported by other companies.
The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items recorded for the time periods indicated below and reconciles them to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | 88,219 | $ | 119,561 | $ | (62,689) | ||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||
| Provision for non-PCD acquired loans (1) | — | 40,899 | — | |||||||
| Noninterest income components: | ||||||||||
| Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net | 269,638 | 16,798 | 333,170 | |||||||
| Gain on sale of other equity investment | (1,584) | (9,291) | — | |||||||
| Losses on sales of other assets | 731 | 2,620 | 3 | |||||||
| Noninterest expense components: | ||||||||||
| Impairment of lease acquired in a merger | 3,469 | — | — | |||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses (2) | 35,688 | 36,664 | 5,495 | |||||||
| Total impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 307,942 | 87,690 | 338,668 | |||||||
| Less net tax benefit associated with non-GAAP adjustment (3) | 78,184 | 10,631 | 108,705 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | $ | 229,758 | $ | 77,059 | $ | 229,963 | ||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 317,977 | $ | 196,620 | $ | 167,274 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period: | ||||||||||
| Basic | 203,174,651 | 181,126,320 | 162,293,020 | |||||||
| Diluted | 204,335,650 | 182,181,073 | 162,403,097 | |||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations, basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.66 | $ | (0.39) | ||||
| Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations, diluted | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.66 | $ | (0.39) | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, basic (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.57 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 1.03 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.56 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 1.03 |
(1)The provision for non-PCD acquired loans for the year ended December 31, 2024 was recorded prior to our adoption of ASU 2025-08, Financial Instrument- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans. Refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
(2)Comprised of merger and acquisition expenses incurred related to our acquisitions of HarborOne and Cambridge.
(3)The net tax benefit associated with these items is generally determined by assessing whether each item is included or excluded from net taxable income and applying our combined statutory tax rate only to those items included in net taxable income.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items with respect to our total revenue, noninterest income (loss), noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP financial measure, for the periods indicated:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 828,585 | $ | 607,597 | $ | 550,409 | $ | 568,054 | $ | 429,827 | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP) (1) | 20,512 | 18,620 | 17,181 | 12,736 | 6,093 | |||||||||||||
| Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP) | 849,097 | 626,217 | 567,590 | 580,790 | 435,920 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest (loss) income (GAAP) | (105,936) | 123,917 | (237,753) | 76,750 | 97,437 | |||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | (269,638) | (16,798) | (333,170) | (3,157) | 1,166 | |||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other equity investment | 1,584 | 9,291 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of other assets | (731) | (2,620) | (3) | 1,365 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 162,849 | 134,044 | 95,420 | 78,542 | 96,245 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 596,943 | $ | 508,368 | $ | 418,602 | $ | 388,649 | $ | 360,955 | ||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Reversal of) impairment charge on tax credit investments | — | — | — | — | (170) | |||||||||||||
| Impairment of lease acquired in a merger | 3,469 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses (2) | 35,688 | 36,664 | 5,495 | — | 35,456 | |||||||||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | — | — | — | — | 3,325 | |||||||||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss | — | — | — | 12,045 | — | |||||||||||||
| Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | — | — | — | — | 87 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 557,786 | 471,704 | 413,107 | 376,604 | 322,431 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Amortization of intangible assets | 34,179 | 14,569 | 1,804 | 1,198 | 219 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense for calculation of operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | $ | 523,607 | $ | 457,135 | $ | 411,303 | $ | 375,406 | $ | 322,212 | ||||||||
| Total revenue from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | 722,649 | $ | 731,514 | $ | 312,656 | $ | 644,804 | $ | 527,264 | ||||||||
| Total operating revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,011,946 | $ | 760,261 | $ | 663,010 | $ | 659,332 | $ | 532,165 | ||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio (GAAP) | 82.60 | % | 69.50 | % | 133.89 | % | 60.27 | % | 68.46 | % | ||||||||
| Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 51.74 | % | 60.13 | % | 62.04 | % | 56.94 | % | 60.55 | % |
(1)Interest income on tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis using a marginal tax rate of 22.0% for the year ended December 31, 2025, 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2024, 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, and 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(2)Comprised of merger and acquisition expenses incurred related to our acquisition of HarborOne, Cambridge, and Century. Merger and acquisition expenses previously reported for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 related to acquisitions by Eastern Insurance Group were excluded from the above table as they were reclassified to discontinued operations.
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The following table summarizes the calculation of our tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, and tangible book value per share, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP measure, as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 4,340,553 | $ | 3,611,967 | $ | 2,974,855 | $ | 2,471,790 | $ | 3,406,352 | ||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | 1,300,930 | 1,050,158 | 566,205 | 661,126 | 649,703 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 3,039,623 | 2,561,809 | 2,408,650 | 1,810,664 | 2,756,649 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | 30,586,856 | 25,557,880 | 21,133,278 | 22,646,858 | 23,512,128 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | 1,300,930 | 1,050,158 | 566,205 | 661,126 | 649,703 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 29,285,926 | $ | 24,507,722 | $ | 20,567,073 | $ | 21,985,732 | $ | 22,862,425 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity to assets ratio (GAAP) | 14.2 | % | 14.1 | % | 14.1 | % | 10.9 | % | 14.5 | % | ||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) | 10.4 | % | 10.5 | % | 11.7 | % | 8.2 | % | 12.1 | % | ||||||||
| Book value per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares issued and outstanding | 235,646,558 | 213,909,472 | 176,426,993 | 176,172,073 | 186,305,332 | |||||||||||||
| Book value per share (GAAP) | $ | 18.42 | $ | 16.89 | $ | 16.86 | $ | 14.03 | $ | 18.28 | ||||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 12.90 | $ | 11.98 | $ | 13.65 | $ | 10.28 | $ | 14.80 |
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The following table summarizes the calculation of our average tangible shareholders’ equity and ratio of net income (loss) from continuing operations and operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity (“operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity”), which reconciles to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | 88,219 | $ | 119,561 | $ | (62,689) | $ | 186,511 | $ | 145,531 | ||||||||
| Add: Amortization of intangible assets | 34,179 | 14,569 | 1,804 | 1,198 | 219 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets (2) | 9,433 | 4,036 | 509 | 337 | 62 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations (non-GAAP) | $ | 112,965 | $ | 130,094 | $ | (61,394) | $ | 187,372 | $ | 145,688 | ||||||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 317,977 | $ | 196,620 | $ | 167,274 | $ | 195,950 | $ | 160,589 | ||||||||
| Add: Amortization of intangible assets | 34,179 | 14,569 | 1,804 | 1,198 | 219 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets (2) | 9,433 | 4,036 | 509 | 337 | 62 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 342,723 | $ | 207,153 | $ | 168,569 | $ | 196,811 | $ | 160,746 | ||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 3,775,145 | $ | 3,268,863 | $ | 2,571,001 | $ | 2,831,533 | $ | 3,424,570 | ||||||||
| Less: Average goodwill and other intangibles | 1,079,099 | 791,489 | 643,977 | 655,653 | 414,441 | |||||||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 2,696,046 | $ | 2,477,374 | $ | 1,927,024 | $ | 2,175,880 | $ | 3,010,129 | ||||||||
| Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Return (loss) on average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | 2.34 | % | 3.66 | % | (2.44) | % | 6.59 | % | 4.25 | % | ||||||||
| Return (loss) on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 4.19 | % | 5.25 | % | (3.19) | % | 8.61 | % | 4.84 | % | ||||||||
| Operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 12.71 | % | 8.36 | % | 8.75 | % | 9.05 | % | 5.34 | % |
(1)Refer to the table above within this “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income (loss).
(2)The tax effect of amortization of intangible assets was calculated using our combined statutory tax rate of 27.6% for the year ended December 31, 2025, 27.7% for the year ended December 31, 2024, 28.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 28.1% for the years ended 2022 and 2021.
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Financial Position
Summary of Financial Position
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 316,869 | $ | 1,006,880 | $ | (690,011) | (68.5) | % | ||||||
| Securities available for sale | 3,825,569 | 4,021,598 | (196,029) | (4.9) | % | |||||||||
| Securities held to maturity | 599,557 | 420,715 | 178,842 | 42.5 | % | |||||||||
| Loans, net of allowance for loan losses | 22,753,224 | 17,549,402 | 5,203,822 | 29.7 | % | |||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 13,838 | 5,865 | 7,973 | 135.9 | % | |||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net | 1,300,930 | 1,050,158 | 250,772 | 23.9 | % | |||||||||
| Deposits | 25,470,751 | 21,319,340 | 4,151,411 | 19.5 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowed funds | 214,938 | 66,179 | 148,759 | 224.8 | % |
Cash and cash equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $690.0 million, or 68.5%, to $0.3 billion at December 31, 2025 from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in gross loans of $1.0 billion, excluding loans acquired from HarborOne, and a decrease in total deposits of $181.8 million, excluding deposits acquired from HarborOne. Also contributing to the overall decrease were net repayments of FHLB advances of $369.3 million, which includes repayment of advances assumed in connection with our merger with HarborOne. For further discussion of the change in securities, loans, and deposits, refer to the later “Loans,” and “Deposits” sections in this Item 7. For further information regarding our merger with HarborOne, refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Securities
Our current investment policy authorizes us to invest in various types of investment securities and liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate notes, asset-backed securities and state and municipal securities. The Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for approving and overseeing our investment policy, which it reviews at least annually. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, liquidity requirements, potential returns and market risk considerations. We do not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor do we purchase any high-risk investment products. We typically invest in the following types of securities:
U.S. government securities: As of December 31, 2025, our U.S. government securities consisted of U.S. Treasury securities. As of December 31, 2024, our U.S. government securities consisted of U.S. Agency bonds and U.S. Treasury securities. We maintain these investments, to the extent appropriate, for liquidity purposes, at zero risk weighting for capital purposes, and as collateral for interest rate derivative positions. U.S. Agency bonds include securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB, and the Federal Farm Credit Bureau.
Mortgage-backed securities: We invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities insured or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae, including collateralized mortgage obligations. We have not purchased any privately-issued mortgage-backed securities. We invest in mortgage-backed securities to achieve a positive interest rate spread with minimal administrative expense, and to lower our credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae.
Investments in residential mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. We periodically review current prepayment speeds to determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or accretion adjustments. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities. In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.
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State and municipal securities: We invest in fixed rate investment grade bonds issued primarily by municipalities in our local communities within Massachusetts and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The market value of these securities may be affected by call options, long dated maturities, general market liquidity and credit factors.
The following table shows the fair value of our securities by investment category as of the dates indicated:
Securities Portfolio Composition
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Available for sale securities, at fair value: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 2,533,309 | $ | 2,561,895 | ||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,060,331 | 1,161,111 | ||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 17,672 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 50,350 | 97,619 | ||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 181,579 | 183,301 | ||||
| Total available for sale securities, at fair value | 3,825,569 | 4,021,598 | ||||
| Held to maturity securities, at amortized cost: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 210,142 | 231,709 | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 185,185 | 189,006 | ||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 167,346 | — | ||||
| Corporate bonds | 36,884 | — | ||||
| Total held to maturity securities, at amortized cost | 599,557 | 420,715 | ||||
| Total | $ | 4,425,126 | $ | 4,442,313 |
Our securities portfolio has remained consistent with a balance of $4.4 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024. This consistency was due to the offsetting effect of sales of AFS securities of $1.6 billion, AFS and HTM maturities and principal paydowns of $0.5 billion, and purchases of AFS and HTM securities of $1.4 billion. Included in this activity are principal paydowns and proceeds from the sale of securities acquired in connection with our merger with HarborOne of $298.3 million, representing substantially all of the securities acquired at fair value. All acquired securities, with the exception of two corporate bonds, paid down or were sold immediately following the completion of the merger. No gain or loss was recognized upon the sale as the securities were marked to fair value in connection with our purchase accounting based upon quoted sale prices.
We did not have trading investments at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
A portion of our securities portfolio continues to be tax-exempt. Investments in federally tax-exempt securities totaled $348.8 million at December 31, 2025 compared to $183.1 million at December 31, 2024.
Our AFS securities are carried at fair value and are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of model inputs. Securities which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of both December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had no securities categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
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The following tables show contractual maturities of our AFS and HTM securities and weighted average yields at and for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Maturities of our securities portfolio are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the effect of scheduled principal repayments, prepayments, or early redemptions that may occur. Weighted average yields in the tables below have been calculated based on the amortized cost of the security:
Securities Portfolio, Weighted-Average Yield
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2025 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 2.54 | % | 2.43 | % | 2.21 | % | 2.92 | % | 2.91 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 2.10 | 3.94 | 1.98 | 2.02 | 3.02 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 4.19 | — | — | — | 4.19 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 2.52 | 2.93 | 3.74 | 4.15 | 3.75 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 3.68 | % | 3.86 | % | 2.78 | % | 2.83 | % | 3.00 | % | ||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | — | % | — | % | 2.87 | % | 2.87 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 2.16 | 2.35 | — | 2.21 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | — | — | — | 5.54 | 5.54 | |||||||||
| Corporate bonds | — | 7.35 | 7.10 | — | 7.11 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | % | 2.20 | % | 4.23 | % | 4.05 | % | 3.67 | % | ||||
| Total | 3.68 | % | 3.58 | % | 3.39 | % | 2.95 | % | 3.08 | % |
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2024 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 2.83 | % | 2.37 | % | 1.68 | % | 1.71 | % | 1.72 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.96 | 2.32 | 1.94 | 2.02 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 1.56 | — | — | 1.56 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 3.15 | 0.78 | — | — | 1.96 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 2.40 | 2.76 | 3.59 | 4.12 | 3.70 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 3.07 | % | 1.91 | % | 2.49 | % | 1.82 | % | 1.89 | % | ||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | — | % | — | % | 2.86 | % | 2.86 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 2.16 | 2.36 | — | 2.22 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | % | 2.16 | % | 2.36 | % | 2.86 | % | 2.57 | % | ||||
| Total | 3.07 | % | 1.95 | % | 2.47 | % | 1.88 | % | 1.95 | % |
(1)Investment security weighted-average yields were calculated on a level-yield basis by weighting the tax equivalent yield for each security type by the book value of each maturity category.
The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent (“FTE”) basis by adjusting tax-exempt income upward by an amount equivalent to the prevailing federal income taxes that would have been paid if the income had been fully taxable.
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Loans
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio, by category, as of the dates indicated, and the balance of loans, by category, that were acquired in connection with our merger with HarborOne as of the merger date of November 1, 2025:
| As of December 31, | HarborOne Acquired Loan Balances | Organic Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change ($) | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 4,324,615 | $ | 3,296,068 | $ | 1,028,547 | $ | 457,680 | $ | 570,867 | 17.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 9,529,071 | 7,119,523 | 2,409,548 | 2,145,652 | 263,896 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 567,597 | 494,842 | 72,755 | 123,528 | (50,773) | (10.3) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 1,603,489 | 1,448,176 | 155,313 | 217,328 | (62,015) | (4.3) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 5,516,114 | 4,063,659 | 1,452,455 | 1,334,072 | 118,383 | 2.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,758,099 | 1,385,394 | 372,705 | 200,754 | 171,951 | 12.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 275,511 | 271,422 | 4,089 | 11,526 | (7,437) | (2.7) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total gross loans | $ | 23,574,496 | $ | 18,079,084 | $ | 5,495,412 | $ | 4,490,540 | $ | 1,004,872 | 5.6 | % |
We consider our loan portfolio to be relatively diversified by borrower and industry. Our loans increased $5.5 billion, or 30.4%, to $23.6 billion at December 31, 2025 from $18.1 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase as of December 31, 2025 was primarily due to loans acquired in connection with our merger with HarborOne. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. Excluding the addition of acquired loans, our gross loans increased $1.0 billion, or 5.6%, which was primarily attributable to continued investment in resources targeted to grow our commercial and industrial loan portfolio and an increase in our commercial real estate investment loans driven by steady growth in our multifamily property type segment.
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We believe that our commercial loan portfolio composition is relatively diversified in terms of industry sectors, property types and various lending specialties. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the amortized cost balances of concentrations in our commercial loan portfolios were as follows:
| Commercial and Industrial | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 (1) | ||||||||||||
| Balance | Percentage (%) | Balance | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Education | $ | 754,918 | 17.6 | % | $ | 694,739 | 21.3 | % | |||||
| Accommodation | 557,724 | 13.0 | % | 266,386 | 8.2 | % | |||||||
| Wholesale Trade | 535,559 | 12.5 | % | 279,947 | 8.6 | % | |||||||
| Professional and Scientific | 377,082 | 8.8 | % | 326,486 | 10.0 | % | |||||||
| Real Estate | 347,760 | 8.1 | % | 342,537 | 10.5 | % | |||||||
| Health Care | 231,490 | 5.4 | % | 164,557 | 5.0 | % | |||||||
| Finance and Insurance | 229,626 | 5.3 | % | 174,313 | 5.3 | % | |||||||
| Utilities | 209,697 | 4.9 | % | 146,716 | 4.5 | % | |||||||
| Manufacturing | 207,666 | 4.8 | % | 114,510 | 3.5 | % | |||||||
| Transportation | 190,886 | 4.4 | % | 150,465 | 4.6 | % | |||||||
| Admin Support | 187,896 | 4.4 | % | 169,153 | 5.2 | % | |||||||
| Other industries | 465,398 | 10.8 | % | 436,766 | 13.3 | % | |||||||
| Total portfolio | $ | 4,295,702 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,266,575 | 100.0 | % |
(1)Certain loan property types, previously reported separately in our 2024 10-K, were combined to align with our presentation as of December 31, 2025.
| Commercial Real Estate | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 (1) | ||||||||||||
| Balance | Percentage (%) | Balance | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 3,658,965 | 38.9 | % | $ | 2,897,232 | 41.1 | % | |||||
| Retail | 1,246,853 | 13.2 | % | 963,192 | 13.7 | % | |||||||
| Office | 1,224,657 | 13.0 | % | 941,850 | 13.4 | % | |||||||
| Industrial | 1,179,350 | 12.5 | % | 746,945 | 10.6 | % | |||||||
| Hospitality | 625,431 | 6.7 | % | ROUND +0.001 | 259,178 | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Education | 394,154 | 4.2 | % | 336,645 | 4.8 | % | |||||||
| Self Storage | 265,796 | 2.8 | % | 236,231 | 3.4 | % | |||||||
| Other property types | 819,155 | 8.7 | % | 662,805 | 9.3 | % | |||||||
| Total portfolio | $ | 9,414,361 | 100.0 | % | $ | 7,044,078 | 100.0 | % |
(1)Certain loan property types, previously reported separately in our 2024 10-K, were combined to align with our presentation as of December 31, 2025.
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| Commercial Construction | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 (1) | ||||||||||||
| Balance | Percentage (%) | Balance | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 355,147 | 63.0 | % | $ | 386,932 | 78.7 | % | |||||
| Education | 53,929 | 9.6 | % | 3,602 | 0.7 | % | |||||||
| Industrial | 45,528 | 8.1 | % | 14,748 | 3.0 | % | |||||||
| For Sale Housing | 32,373 | 5.7 | % | 44,160 | 9.0 | % | |||||||
| Office | 25,098 | 4.5 | % | 1,406 | 0.3 | % | |||||||
| Assisted Living | 13,751 | 2.4 | % | 334 | 0.1 | % | |||||||
| Retail | 12,286 | 2.2 | % | 12,667 | 2.6 | % | |||||||
| Other property types | 25,373 | 4.5 | % | 27,800 | 5.6 | % | |||||||
| Total portfolio | $ | 563,485 | 100.0 | % | $ | 491,649 | 100.0 | % |
(1)Certain loan property types, previously reported separately in our 2024 10-K, were combined to align with our presentation as of December 31, 2025.
We believe that the loan to value ratio (“LTV”) is an important factor in monitoring the risk characteristics of our loans secured by real estate. The following tables show the distribution of loan balances, on an amortized cost basis, by LTV and year of origination for each of our portfolios of loans secured by real estate as of December 31, 2025:
| Balance of Commercial Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 5,557 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 17 | $ | 5,117 | $ | 10,691 | |||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 276,857 | 246,476 | 356,757 | 908,091 | 399,026 | 1,554,503 | 3,741,710 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 507,527 | 167,066 | 303,624 | 1,074,506 | 763,884 | 1,209,809 | 4,026,416 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 112,891 | 102,106 | 128,448 | 246,347 | 158,349 | 172,931 | 921,072 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% (3) | 7,983 | 7,985 | 10,464 | 92,247 | 14,495 | 53,017 | 186,191 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher (3) | 16,126 | 100,877 | 83,718 | 172,120 | 61,029 | 94,411 | 528,281 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 926,941 | $ | 624,510 | $ | 883,011 | $ | 2,493,311 | $ | 1,396,800 | $ | 3,089,788 | $ | 9,414,361 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 55.63 | % | 57.62 | % | 61.40 | % | 56.08 | % | 55.46 | % | 47.98 | % | 53.85 | % |
| Balance of Residential Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 36,054 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 81 | $ | 9,494 | $ | 45,629 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 57,894 | 34,945 | 44,934 | 166,634 | 341,915 | 508,179 | 1,154,501 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 79,079 | 41,804 | 81,350 | 315,508 | 545,916 | 732,794 | 1,796,451 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 147,791 | 91,375 | 161,637 | 527,751 | 366,559 | 239,854 | 1,534,967 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 79,745 | 43,424 | 84,016 | 210,841 | 73,481 | 58,004 | 549,511 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 53,521 | 29,490 | 25,667 | 31,777 | 1,939 | 8,727 | 151,121 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 454,084 | $ | 241,038 | $ | 397,604 | $ | 1,252,511 | $ | 1,329,891 | $ | 1,557,052 | $ | 5,232,180 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 72.58 | % | 72.31 | % | 71.42 | % | 68.53 | % | 59.92 | % | 55.75 | % | 63.10 | % |
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| Balance of Consumer Home Equity Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 282,821 | $ | 227,902 | $ | 178,434 | $ | 269,380 | $ | 157,527 | $ | 191,055 | $ | 1,307,119 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 5,601 | 7,117 | 6,692 | 10,442 | 6,064 | 95,322 | 131,238 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 9,286 | 9,749 | 10,191 | 16,728 | 6,431 | 85,603 | 137,988 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 8,041 | 10,340 | 8,082 | 16,708 | 9,589 | 67,619 | 120,379 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 5,087 | 5,386 | 5,777 | 9,971 | 4,833 | 25,608 | 56,662 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | — | — | — | — | 181 | 43 | 224 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 310,836 | $ | 260,494 | $ | 209,176 | $ | 323,229 | $ | 184,625 | $ | 465,250 | $ | 1,753,610 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 64.23 | % | 64.09 | % | 63.95 | % | 63.95 | % | 63.93 | % | 56.45 | % | 59.38 | % |
(1)Current LTV is calculated based upon exposure amount and the most recently available appraisal value as of the reporting period.
(2)Insufficient data available to calculate LTV.
(3)We generally require an LTV of 80% or less on new CRE loan originations. Certain CRE loans with LTVs greater than 80% may have additional collateral pledged which is not included in the computation of the amounts stated.
The maturity distribution of our loan portfolio is one factor used by management to evaluate the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio. The following table shows the maturity distribution of our loans, on a gross basis, as of December 31, 2025:
Scheduled Contractual Loan Maturity
| One Year or Less (1) | One to Five Years | Five to Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 553,366 | $ | 1,957,227 | $ | 968,902 | $ | 816,207 | $ | 4,295,702 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 1,161,538 | 4,162,041 | 3,687,460 | 403,322 | 9,414,361 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 131,675 | 208,628 | 152,007 | 71,175 | 563,485 | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 214,970 | 458,841 | 837,018 | 82,865 | 1,593,694 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 1,041 | 30,572 | 377,975 | 4,822,592 | 5,232,180 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,868 | 24,652 | 245,348 | 1,481,742 | 1,753,610 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 54,988 | 103,904 | 73,141 | — | 232,033 | |||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 2,119,446 | $ | 6,945,865 | $ | 6,341,851 | $ | 7,677,903 | $ | 23,085,065 |
(1)Includes demand loans, or loans without a stated maturity.
The interest rate risk of our loan portfolio is an important element in the management of net interest margin. We attempt to manage the relationship between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to produce an effective interest differential that is not significantly impacted by changes in the level of interest rates. The following table shows the interest rate risk of our loans, on a gross basis, due one year after December 31, 2025:
Loan Interest Rate Risk
| Due after December 31, 2026 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Adjustable | Total | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,224,146 | $ | 2,518,190 | $ | 3,742,336 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,433,539 | 3,819,284 | 8,252,823 | |||||||
| Commercial construction | 247,384 | 184,426 | 431,810 | |||||||
| Business banking | 510,859 | 867,865 | 1,378,724 | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 3,897,103 | 1,334,036 | 5,231,139 | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | 343,163 | 1,408,579 | 1,751,742 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 174,382 | 2,663 | 177,045 | |||||||
| Total loans | $ | 10,830,576 | $ | 10,135,043 | $ | 20,965,619 |
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Asset quality. We continually monitor the asset quality of our loan portfolio utilizing portfolio scorecards and various credit quality indicators. Based on this process, loans meeting certain criteria are categorized as delinquent or non-performing and further assessed to determine if non-accrual status is appropriate.
For the commercial portfolio, which includes our commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking loans, we monitor credit quality using a risk rating scale, which assigns a risk-grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial loan transaction. Management utilizes a loan risk rating methodology based on a 15-point scale with the assistance of risk rating scorecard tools. Pass grades are 0-10 and non-pass categories, which align with regulatory guidelines, are: special mention (11), substandard (12), doubtful (13) and loss (14).
Risk rating assignment is determined using one of 15 separate scorecards developed for distinctive portfolio segments based on common attributes. Key factors include: industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral and other considerations.
Special mention, substandard and doubtful loans totaled 5.0% and 4.9% of total commercial loans outstanding at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Our philosophy toward managing our loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations. We seek to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame.
For the retail portfolio, which includes residential real estate, consumer home equity, and other consumer portfolios, we monitor credit quality using the borrower’s FICO score. As of December 31, 2025, 72.8% of retail borrowers, based on amortized cost balances, have a FICO score of 740 or greater. The following table shows the balances by borrowers’ current FICO scores as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, 2025 | As of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | |||||||||||||||||
| Current FICO (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 56,429 | $ | 24,608 | $ | 17,455 | $ | 35,784 | $ | 26,906 | $ | 18,024 | ||||||||||
| 640 or lower | 154,600 | 82,198 | 6,677 | 118,720 | 65,538 | 3,656 | ||||||||||||||||
| 641 – 699 | 353,379 | 198,398 | 11,468 | 314,204 | 154,184 | 13,882 | ||||||||||||||||
| 700 – 739 | 702,495 | 329,713 | 22,350 | 521,330 | 257,035 | 23,199 | ||||||||||||||||
| 740 or higher | 3,965,277 | 1,118,693 | 174,083 | 2,938,344 | 881,625 | 168,418 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 5,232,180 | $ | 1,753,610 | $ | 232,033 | $ | 3,928,382 | $ | 1,385,288 | $ | 227,179 | ||||||||||
| Average FICO | 769.4 | 755.0 | 783.0 | 770.9 | 755.4 | 783.0 |
(1)Borrower FICO scores are updated on a semi-annual basis, and the most recent update occurred in December 2025. Borrower FICO scores related to loans acquired in connection with our merger with HarborOne were not updated in 2025, and are scheduled to be updated in the second quarter of 2026, as part of the annual process.
(2)Insufficient data available to report.
The delinquency rate of our total loan portfolio decreased to 0.56% at December 31, 2025 from 0.62% at December 31, 2024.
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The following table provides details regarding our delinquency rates as of the dates indicated:
Loan Delinquency Rates
| Delinquency Rate as of December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.17 | % | 0.00 | % | |
| Commercial real estate | 0.22 | % | 0.46 | % | |
| Commercial construction | 0.18 | % | — | % | |
| Business banking | 1.83 | % | 1.19 | % | |
| Residential real estate | 1.02 | % | 1.04 | % | |
| Consumer home equity | 0.99 | % | 1.29 | % | |
| Other consumer | 0.35 | % | 0.62 | % | |
| Total | 0.56 | % | 0.62 | % |
As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as non-accrual loans. However, based on our assessment of collateral and/or payment prospects, certain loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status. Income accruals are suspended on all non-accrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan is expected to remain on non-accrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest, the loan is liquidated, or the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) are comprised of non-performing loans (“NPLs”), OREO and non-performing securities. NPLs consist of non-accrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest. OREO consists of real estate properties, which primarily serve as collateral to secure our loans, that we control due to foreclosure. These properties are recorded at the fair value less estimated costs to sell on the date we obtain control. Any write-downs to the cost of the related asset upon transfer to OREO to reflect the asset at fair value less estimated costs to sell is recorded through the allowance for loan losses.
NPLs increased $36.5 million, or 27%, to $172.3 million at December 31, 2025 from $135.8 million at December 31, 2024. NPLs as a percentage of total loans decreased to 0.75% at December 31, 2025 from 0.76% at December 31, 2024. Refer to the later “Allowance for Credit Losses” section in this Item 7 for a discussion of the change in non-accrual loans which comprise our NPLs as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The total amount of interest recorded on NPLs during both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was not significant. The gross interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of those loans if they had been performing amounted to $7.9 million and $8.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In the course of resolving NPLs, we may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. We attempt to work-out alternative payment schedules with the borrowers in order to avoid foreclosure actions. The aggregate amortized cost balance as of December 31, 2025 of loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2025 which were determined to be modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty was $67.1 million. Included in such modifications were four commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties in our office risk segment. The aggregate amortized cost balance as of December 31, 2024 of loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2024 which were determined to be modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty was $30.7 million.
As of December 31, 2025, there were two loans with an aggregate balance of $0.3 million that had been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the during the twelve-month period then ended which had subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, there were three loans with an aggregate balance of $0.5 million that had been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the twelve-month period then ended which had subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Our policy is that any restructured loan, which is on non-accrual status prior to being modified, remain on non-accrual status for approximately six months subsequent to being modified before we consider its return to accrual status. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, we review it to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status.
Purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans are loans that we acquired that have shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and, therefore, it was deemed unlikely that all contractually required payments would be collected upon the merger date. We consider factors such as payment history, collateral values and accrual status when determining whether there was evidence of deterioration at the merger date. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the carrying
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amount of PCD loans was $659.7 million and $331.4 million, respectively. The increase in PCD loans was due to our acquisition of PCD loans in the fourth quarter of 2025 in connection with our merger with HarborOne which was completed on November 1, 2025 and which added $514.6 million in PCD loans on a gross amortized cost basis, including the day-1 gross-up adjustment of the allowance for loan losses and loan amortized cost balance.
Potential Problem Loans. In the normal course of business, we become aware of possible credit problems in which borrowers exhibit the potential to be unable to comply in the future with the contractual terms of their loans, but which currently do not yet meet the criteria for classification as NPLs. These loans are neither delinquent nor on non-accrual status. Our potential problem loans, or loans with potential weaknesses that were not included in the non-accrual loans or in the loans 90 or more past due categories, increased by $1.7 million, or 0.4%, to $413.7 million at December 31, 2025 from $412.0 million at December 31, 2024. These loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.8% at December 31, 2025 from 2.3% at December 31, 2024.
Commercial Real Estate Office Exposure. Our total office-related commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans (which is comprised of loans within our commercial real estate and construction portfolios that are secured by office space, medical office space, mixed-use, and laboratory/life sciences office properties where rental income is primarily from office space) totaled $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Included in this total as of December 31, 2025, were loans with a balance of $323.9 million which were acquired during year ended December 31, 2025 in connection with our merger with HarborOne. As of December 31, 2025, our office-related CRE loans are primarily concentrated in Massachusetts, where approximately 87.5% of the total recorded investment balance of office-related CRE loans are located, and approximately 19.6% of the total recorded investment balance of office-related CRE loans are located in the City of Boston.
Given prevailing market conditions such as reduced occupancy as a result of the increase in hybrid and fully remote work arrangements post-COVID and lower commercial real estate valuations, we are carefully monitoring these loans for signs of deterioration in credit quality. Such monitoring includes incremental risk management strategies undertaken by management including monthly internal CRE office exposure portfolio reporting, more frequent portfolio reviews, ongoing monitoring of market conditions, and additional portfolio analysis such as maturity risk analysis and rent rollover risk analysis. As of December 31, 2025, four of our office-related CRE loans, which had a total recorded investment balance of $36.7 million, were on non-accrual status of which $9.7 million were acquired during year ended December 31, 2025 in connection with our merger with HarborOne. As of December 31, 2024, twelve of our office-related CRE loans were on non-accrual status and had a total recorded investment balance of $87.0 million.
The following table sets forth the unpaid principal balance of office-related CRE loans by loan segment and credit quality indicator as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||
| Pass | $ | 1,065,028 | $ | 848,526 | ||
| Special mention | 38,503 | 30,409 | ||||
| Substandard | 105,824 | 71,088 | ||||
| Doubtful | 36,772 | 87,012 | ||||
| Total commercial real estate | $ | 1,246,127 | $ | 1,037,035 | ||
| Commercial construction | ||||||
| Pass | $ | 25,021 | $ | — | ||
| Special mention | — | 621 | ||||
| Substandard | — | 779 | ||||
| Doubtful | — | — | ||||
| Total commercial construction | $ | 25,021 | $ | 1,400 | ||
| Total | $ | 1,271,148 | $ | 1,038,435 |
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The following table sets forth the unpaid principal balance of office-related CRE loans by loan segment and collateral use type as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||
| Office | $ | 562,157 | $ | 540,219 | ||
| Medical office | 135,003 | 55,333 | ||||
| Mixed-use | 425,529 | 337,966 | ||||
| Laboratory/life science (1) | 123,438 | 103,517 | ||||
| Total commercial real estate | $ | 1,246,127 | $ | 1,037,035 | ||
| Commercial construction | ||||||
| Office | $ | 489 | $ | 1,400 | ||
| Medical office | 5,324 | — | ||||
| Mixed-use | 19,208 | — | ||||
| Laboratory/life science | — | — | ||||
| Total commercial construction | $ | 25,021 | $ | 1,400 | ||
| Total | $ | 1,271,148 | $ | 1,038,435 |
(1)In the second quarter of 2025, we refined the presentation of CRE office risk segments resulting in the addition of the “laboratory/life science” risk segment. Loans in this risk segment were reported in other risk segments as of December 31, 2024 and were reclassified above for comparative purposes.
Allowance for credit losses. For the purpose of estimating our allowance for loan losses, we segregate the loan portfolio into loan categories, for loans that share similar risk characteristics, that possess unique risk characteristics such as loan purpose, repayment source, and collateral that are considered when determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses for each category. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are evaluated individually.
While we use available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions or subtractions to/from the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in NPLs, changes in economic conditions, or other reasons. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of our examination process, periodically assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to assess whether the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with GAAP and applicable guidance.
We perform an evaluation of our allowance for loan losses on a regular basis (at least quarterly), and establish the allowance for loan losses based upon an evaluation of our loan categories, as each possesses unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, including:
•known increases in concentrations within each category;
•certain higher risk classes of loans, or pledged collateral;
•historical loan loss experience within each category;
•results of any independent review and evaluation of the category’s credit quality;
•trends in volume, maturity and composition of each category;
•volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals;
•national and local economic conditions and downturns in specific local industries;
•corporate goals and objectives;
•lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; and
•current and forecasted banking industry conditions, as well as the regulatory and competitive environment.
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Loans are evaluated on a regular basis by management. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of probability of default, or PD, loss given default, or LGD, and exposure at default, or EAD, which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories using both a formula-based approach and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. We use a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected credit loss in the loan portfolio. Under our current methodology, the allowance for loan losses contains reserves related to loans for which the related allowance for loan losses is determined on an individual loan basis and on a collective basis, and other qualitative components.
The allowance for loan losses increased by $102.9 million, or 44.9%, to $331.8 million, or 1.44% of total loans, at December 31, 2025 from $229.0 million, or 1.29% of total loans at December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for loan losses was primarily due to our merger with HarborOne, which was completed on November 1, 2025. In connection with the merger, we recorded an allowance for loan losses related to acquired loans of $103.7 million, as a gross-up of the corresponding loan balance. Excluding these amounts, the allowance for loan losses decreased by $0.8 million from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025. For further discussion of the change in the allowance for loan losses and the provision for allowance for loans losses, refer to Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the reserving method for loans receivable previously described. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our reserve for unfunded lending commitments increased by $3.3 million, or 25%, to $16.4 million at December 31, 2025 from $13.1 million at December 31, 2024.
The following table summarizes credit ratios for the periods presented:
Credit Ratios
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| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loan charge-offs (recoveries): | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 9,905 | $ | (59) | $ | (283) | $ | (1,053) | $ | 623 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 15,603 | 40,349 | 7,810 | (91) | 243 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | (1,242) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 1,322 | 1,309 | 2,778 | 223 | 3,567 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | (41) | (177) | (97) | (94) | (87) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 85 | (77) | (34) | (23) | (161) | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 1,409 | 1,906 | 1,953 | 1,625 | 1,373 | |||||||||
| Total net loan charge-offs | $ | 27,041 | $ | 43,251 | $ | 12,127 | $ | 587 | $ | 5,558 | ||||
| Average loans: | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,656,829 | $ | 3,198,008 | $ | 3,197,668 | $ | 2,944,064 | $ | 2,015,665 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 7,640,566 | 6,287,261 | 5,377,304 | 4,886,951 | 3,960,818 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 482,922 | 453,372 | 357,499 | 294,805 | 191,771 | |||||||||
| Business banking | 1,360,475 | 1,149,337 | 981,496 | 1,021,720 | 1,241,770 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 4,111,073 | 3,213,200 | 2,536,374 | 2,063,193 | 1,508,796 | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,494,421 | 1,292,616 | 1,193,270 | 1,129,757 | 869,110 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 221,257 | 216,900 | 188,476 | 197,659 | 233,932 | |||||||||
| Average total loans (1) | $ | 18,967,543 | $ | 15,810,694 | $ | 13,832,087 | $ | 12,538,149 | $ | 10,021,862 | ||||
| Total net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans outstanding during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.27 | % | 0.00 | % | (0.01) | % | (0.04) | % | 0.03 | % | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 0.20 | 0.64 | 0.15 | 0.00 | 0.01 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | (0.26) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.28 | 0.02 | 0.29 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 0.00 | (0.01) | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.01) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 0.01 | (0.01) | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.02) | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 0.64 | 0.88 | 1.04 | 0.82 | 0.59 | |||||||||
| Total net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding during the period | 0.14 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.06 | % | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 23,085,065 | $ | 17,778,354 | $ | 13,948,360 | $ | 13,562,528 | $ | 12,255,068 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans | $ | 172,339 | $ | 135,820 | $ | 52,557 | $ | 38,604 | $ | 32,993 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 331,841 | $ | 228,952 | $ | 148,993 | $ | 142,211 | $ | 97,787 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans | 1.44 | % | 1.29 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.05 | % | 0.80 | % | ||||
| Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans | 0.75 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.28 | % | 0.27 | % | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans | 192.55 | % | 168.57 | % | 283.49 | % | 368.38 | % | 296.39 | % |
(1)Average loan balances exclude loans held for sale
Non-accrual loans increased $36.5 million, or 27%, to $172.3 million at December 31, 2025 from $135.8 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to loans acquired from HarborOne and which were already on non-accrual or were transferred to non-accrual following the completion of the merger. As of December 31, 2025, the amount of loans on non-accrual which were acquired from HarborOne was $89.9 million. For additional information regarding the credit quality of our loans, see Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The following tables set forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories listed in loan portfolio composition and the related loan balances as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated:
Summary of Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 65,768 | 19.82 | % | 18.34 | % | $ | 41,090 | 17.95 | % | 18.24 | % | |||||||
| Commercial real estate | 164,376 | 49.53 | % | 40.42 | % | 116,175 | 50.74 | % | 39.37 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 21,058 | 6.35 | % | 2.41 | % | 8,462 | 3.70 | % | 2.74 | % | |||||||||
| Business banking | 22,921 | 6.91 | % | 6.80 | % | 19,899 | 8.69 | % | 8.01 | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 44,177 | 13.31 | % | 23.40 | % | 32,291 | 14.10 | % | 22.48 | % | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 9,171 | 2.76 | % | 7.46 | % | 7,472 | 3.26 | % | 7.66 | % | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 4,370 | 1.32 | % | 1.17 | % | 3,563 | 1.56 | % | 1.50 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 331,841 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 228,952 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 26,959 | 18.09 | % | 21.71 | % | $ | 26,859 | 18.89 | % | 23.21 | % | $ | 18,018 | 18.43 | % | 24.10 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 65,475 | 43.95 | % | 39.05 | % | 54,730 | 38.49 | % | 37.97 | % | 52,373 | 53.56 | % | 36.82 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 6,666 | 4.47 | % | 2.77 | % | 7,085 | 4.98 | % | 2.48 | % | 2,585 | 2.64 | % | 1.81 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 14,913 | 10.01 | % | 7.77 | % | 16,189 | 11.38 | % | 8.03 | % | 10,983 | 11.23 | % | 10.87 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 25,954 | 17.42 | % | 18.36 | % | 28,129 | 19.78 | % | 18.13 | % | 6,556 | 6.70 | % | 15.69 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 5,595 | 3.76 | % | 8.65 | % | 6,454 | 4.54 | % | 8.75 | % | 3,722 | 3.81 | % | 8.96 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 3,431 | 2.30 | % | 1.69 | % | 2,765 | 1.94 | % | 1.43 | % | 3,308 | 3.38 | % | 1.75 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | % | — | % | — | — | % | — | % | 242 | 0.25 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 148,993 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 142,211 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 97,787 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
To determine if a loan should be charged-off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed. Possible sources of repayment include the potential for future cash flows, liquidation of the collateral and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses and any recoveries of such previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, we charge off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portions of loans, are deemed uncollectible. For troubled, collateral-dependent loans, loss confirming events may include an appraisal or other valuation that reflects a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan or receivable, or a deficiency balance following the sale of the collateral.
For additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses, see Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for our membership in the FHLBB is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding and as a tool to manage interest rate risk. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. We purchase and/or are subject to redemption of FHLBB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and view the holdings as a necessary long-term investment for the purpose of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.
We held an investment in the FHLBB of $13.8 million and $5.9 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The amount of stock we are required to purchase is in proportional to our FHLB borrowings and level of total assets.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
The table below sets forth the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, as of the dates indicated below:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Balances not subject to amortization | ||||||
| Goodwill | $ | 1,117,148 | $ | 914,957 | ||
| Balances subject to amortization | ||||||
| Core deposit intangibles | 164,280 | 111,296 | ||||
| Customer list intangible | 18,711 | 22,841 | ||||
| Trade name intangible | 791 | 1,064 | ||||
| Total balances subject to amortization | 183,782 | 135,201 | ||||
| Total goodwill and other intangible assets | $ | 1,300,930 | $ | 1,050,158 |
The balance of our goodwill and other intangible assets was $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2025 from 2024 was due to our merger with HarborOne during the fourth quarter of 2025. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. We did not record any impairment to our goodwill or other intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For discussion of the impairment testing performed, refer to Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits originating within the markets we serve continue to be our primary source of funding our earning assets. Historically, we have been able to compete effectively for deposits in our primary market areas. The distribution and market share of deposits by type of deposit and type of depositor are important considerations in our assessment of the stability of our funding sources and our access to additional funds. Furthermore, we shift the mix and maturity of the deposits depending on economic conditions and loan and investment policies in an attempt, within set policies, to minimize cost and maximize net interest margin.
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The following table presents our deposits as of the dates indicated, and the balance of deposits, by category, that were acquired in connection with our merger with HarborOne as of the merger date of November 1, 2025:
Components of Deposits
| As of December 31, | HarborOne Acquired Deposit Balances | Organic Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 6,341,205 | $ | 5,992,082 | $ | 349,123 | $ | 829,583 | $ | (480,460) | (8.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest checking | 4,727,219 | 4,606,250 | 120,969 | 213,992 | (93,023) | (2.0) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 2,010,028 | 1,648,323 | 361,705 | 426,449 | (64,744) | (3.9) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 7,885,707 | 5,736,362 | 2,149,345 | 1,500,765 | 648,580 | 11.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificate of deposits | 4,506,592 | 3,336,323 | 1,170,269 | 1,362,373 | (192,104) | (5.8) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 25,470,751 | $ | 21,319,340 | $ | 4,151,411 | $ | 4,333,162 | $ | (181,751) | (0.9) | % |
Deposits increased by $4.2 billion, or 19.5%, to $25.5 billion at December 31, 2025 from $21.3 billion at December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to the addition of deposits acquired in connection with our merger with HarborOne, which was completed on November 1, 2025. Excluding the acquired deposit balances, deposits decreased $181.8 million, or 0.9%, at December 31, 2025 from December 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily driven by regular deposit outflows during the year ended December 31, 2025.
The Bank’s estimate of total uninsured deposits was $10.2 billion and $9.0 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. In accordance with the FDIC’s Call Report instructions, these estimates include accounts of wholly-owned subsidiaries, the holding company, and internal operating deposit accounts (together referred to as “internal deposit accounts”). In addition, these estimates include municipal deposit accounts for which securities were pledged by us to secure such deposits (“collateralized deposits”). For liquidity monitoring purposes, we exclude internal deposit accounts and collateralized deposits from our estimate of uninsured deposits. Our estimate of uninsured deposits, excluding internal deposit accounts and collateralized deposits, was $8.1 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The following table presents the classification of deposits on an average basis for the years indicated:
Classification of Deposits on an Average Basis
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 5,803,876 | — | % | $ | 5,348,124 | — | % | $ | 5,404,208 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest checking | 4,482,914 | 0.94 | % | 4,167,043 | 1.04 | % | 4,070,585 | 0.60 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings (1) | 1,683,451 | 0.30 | % | 1,487,842 | 0.21 | % | 1,535,578 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market investments | 6,309,936 | 2.35 | % | 5,283,231 | 2.66 | % | 4,918,343 | 2.11 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 3,487,640 | 3.93 | % | 3,146,139 | 4.78 | % | 2,303,520 | 4.24 | % | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 21,767,817 | 1.53 | % | $ | 19,432,379 | 1.74 | % | $ | 18,232,234 | 1.24 | % |
(1)Includes the reclassification of the escrow deposits of borrowers to deposit savings accounts recorded in the first quarter of 2025 for comparability purposes.
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Other time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, including certificates of deposits as of the dates indicated had maturities as follows:
Maturities of Time Certificates of Deposit $250,000 and Over
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Maturing in | (In thousands) | |||||
| Three months or less | $ | 734,723 | $ | 416,015 | ||
| Over three months through six months | 467,873 | 544,598 | ||||
| Over six months through twelve months | 202,541 | 156,565 | ||||
| Over twelve months | 8,465 | 5,161 | ||||
| Total | $ | 1,413,602 | $ | 1,122,339 |
Borrowings
Our borrowings may consist of both short-term and long-term borrowings and provide us with sources of funding. Maintaining available borrowing capacity provides us with a contingent source of liquidity.
The following table sets forth information concerning balances on our borrowings as of the dates indicated:
Borrowings by Category
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swap collateral funds | $ | 15,321 | $ | 48,590 | $ | (33,269) | (68.5) | % | ||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank advances | 199,617 | 17,589 | 182,028 | 1034.9 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 214,938 | $ | 66,179 | $ | 148,759 | 224.8 | % |
Our total borrowings increased by $148.8 million to $214.9 million at December 31, 2025 compared to $66.2 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to increased balances of FHLB advances which increased due to FHLB borrowings assumed in connection with our merger with HarborOne. Refer to the later “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” section in this Item 7 for additional discussion of our liquidity position.
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Results of Operations
Summary of Results of Operations
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 1,164,234 | $ | 946,766 | $ | 217,468 | 23.0 | % | ||||||
| Interest expense | 335,649 | 339,169 | (3,520) | (1.0) | % | |||||||||
| Net interest income | 828,585 | 607,597 | 220,988 | 36.4 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for allowance for loan losses | 26,200 | 67,380 | (41,180) | (61.1) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest (loss) income | (105,936) | 123,917 | (229,853) | (185.5) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 596,943 | 508,368 | 88,575 | 17.4 | % | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | 11,287 | 36,205 | (24,918) | (68.8) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 88,219 | $ | 119,561 | $ | (31,342) | (26.2) | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased by $217.5 million, or 23.0%, to $1.2 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $946.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to an increase in both the average balance and yields of our loan portfolio. Our yields on loans and securities are generally presented on an FTE basis where the embedded tax benefit on loans and securities are calculated and added to the yield. Management believes that this presentation allows for better comparability between institutions with different tax structures.
•Interest income on loans increased $201.3 million, or 24.9%, to $1.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $808.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in interest income on our loans was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of our loans and an increase in the yield on our loans. The average balance of our loan portfolio increased $3.2 billion, or 20.0%, to $19.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $15.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to loans acquired in connection with our 2025 merger with HarborOne, which was completed in November 2025, and our 2024 merger with Cambridge, which was completed in July 2024. The overall yield on our loans increased 20 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2025 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2024, which was primarily due to accretion of the discounts recorded related to loans acquired in our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge.
•Interest income on securities and other short-term investments increased by $16.2 million, or 11.7%, to $154.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $138.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in our combined yield on our securities and other short-term investments, which increased 76 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2025 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2024 due to sales of AFS securities and the purchase of new securities with higher yields. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in the average balance of our securities and other short-term investments during the year ended December 31, 2025, which resulted from sales and maturities and principal paydowns of AFS and HTM securities.
Interest Expense
During the year ended December 31, 2025 interest expense decreased by $3.5 million to $335.6 million from $339.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to deposit interest expense which decreased during the year ended December 31, 2025 by $5.0 million to $332.4 million from $337.4 million. This decrease was due to a decrease in rates paid on deposits.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income increased by $221.0 million, or 36.4%, to $828.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $607.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. Net interest income increased due to an increase in our net interest margin of 67 basis points, to 3.51%. Also contributing to the increase was an increase in the balance of average total interest-earning assets of $2.2 billion, or 9.8%, to $24.2 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $22.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024.
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The following chart shows our net interest margin over the past five years:
Net interest margin is determined by dividing FTE net interest income by average-earning assets. For purposes of the following discussion, income from tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis, using a marginal tax rate of 22.0%, 21.8%, and 21.8% for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Net interest margin increased 67 basis points basis points to 3.51% during the year ended December 31, 2025, from 2.85% during the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in the average balance and yield on interest-earning assets. Also contributing to the increase was a decrease in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities.
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The following tables set forth average balance sheet items, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances in the table reflect daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and costs, and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense. Average asset and liability balances included in discontinued operations are included in non-interest-earnings assets and liabilities, respectively.
Average Balances, Interest Earned/Paid, & Average Yields/Costs
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 13,140,791 | $ | 727,071 | 5.53 | % | $ | 11,087,978 | $ | 591,885 | 5.34 | % | $ | 9,913,968 | $ | 491,427 | 4.96 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential | 4,118,369 | 185,818 | 4.51 | % | 3,214,769 | 131,648 | 4.10 | % | 2,538,588 | 90,139 | 3.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,715,678 | 114,715 | 6.69 | % | 1,509,516 | 101,552 | 6.73 | % | 1,381,745 | 86,167 | 6.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 18,974,838 | 1,027,604 | 5.42 | % | 15,812,263 | 825,085 | 5.22 | % | 13,834,301 | 667,733 | 4.83 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 252,675 | 10,302 | 4.08 | % | 197,391 | 7,342 | 3.72 | % | 197,682 | 7,279 | 3.68 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 4,554,448 | 131,272 | 2.88 | % | 5,176,736 | 90,582 | 1.75 | % | 6,050,024 | 101,233 | 1.67 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 379,641 | 15,568 | 4.10 | % | 810,670 | 42,377 | 5.23 | % | 720,864 | 37,395 | 5.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 24,161,602 | 1,184,746 | 4.90 | % | 21,997,060 | 965,386 | 4.39 | % | 20,802,871 | 813,640 | 3.91 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 1,996,930 | 1,296,780 | 921,622 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 26,158,532 | $ | 23,293,840 | $ | 21,724,493 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 1,683,451 | $ | 5,054 | 0.30 | % | $ | 1,487,842 | $ | 3,172 | 0.21 | % | $ | 1,535,578 | $ | 223 | 0.01 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 4,482,914 | 42,133 | 0.94 | % | 4,167,043 | 43,187 | 1.04 | % | 4,070,585 | 24,235 | 0.60 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 6,309,936 | 148,287 | 2.35 | % | 5,283,231 | 140,695 | 2.66 | % | 4,918,343 | 104,002 | 2.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 3,487,640 | 136,930 | 3.93 | % | 3,146,139 | 150,349 | 4.78 | % | 2,303,520 | 97,621 | 4.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 15,963,941 | 332,404 | 2.08 | % | 14,084,255 | 337,403 | 2.40 | % | 12,828,026 | 226,081 | 1.76 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 90,506 | 3,245 | 3.59 | % | 47,307 | 1,766 | 3.73 | % | 399,019 | 19,969 | 5.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 16,054,447 | 335,649 | 2.09 | % | 14,131,562 | 339,169 | 2.40 | % | 13,227,045 | 246,050 | 1.86 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand accounts | 5,803,876 | 5,348,124 | 5,404,208 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 525,064 | 545,291 | 522,239 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 22,383,387 | 20,024,977 | 19,153,492 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 3,775,145 | 3,268,863 | 2,571,001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 26,158,532 | $ | 23,293,840 | $ | 21,724,493 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income - FTE | $ | 849,097 | $ | 626,217 | $ | 567,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (2) | 2.81 | % | 1.99 | % | 2.05 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (3) | $ | 8,107,155 | $ | 7,865,498 | $ | 7,575,826 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin - FTE (4) | 3.51 | % | 2.85 | % | 2.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 150.50 | % | 155.66 | % | 157.28 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average assets (5) | 0.34 | % | 0.51 | % | 1.07 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity (6) | 2.34 | % | 3.66 | % | 9.03 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expenses to average assets (7) | 2.28 | % | 2.18 | % | 2.35 | % |
(1)Non-accrual loans are included in loans.
(2)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
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(3)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin - FTE represents fully-taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. Refer to the earlier “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section within this Item 7 for additional information.
(5)Represents net income, including net income from discontinued operations in the case of the year ended December 31, 2023, divided by average total assets.
(6)Represents net income, including net income from discontinued operations in the case of the year ended December 31, 2023, divided by average equity.
(7)Includes noninterest expenses included in results of discontinued operations in the case of the year ended December 31, 2023. Refer to Note 24, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
Rate and Volume Analysis
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2025 vs. 2024 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rate | Volume | Rate | Volume | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 22,264 | $ | 112,922 | $ | 135,186 | $ | 39,550 | $ | 60,908 | $ | 100,458 | ||||||||||
| Residential | 14,402 | 39,768 | 54,170 | 15,163 | 26,346 | 41,509 | ||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | (625) | 13,788 | 13,163 | 7,078 | 8,307 | 15,385 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 36,041 | 166,478 | 202,519 | 61,791 | 95,561 | 157,352 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 757 | 2,203 | 2,960 | 74 | (11) | 63 | ||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 52,683 | (11,993) | 40,690 | 4,469 | (15,120) | (10,651) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | (7,733) | (19,076) | (26,809) | 290 | 4,692 | 4,982 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | 81,748 | $ | 137,612 | $ | 219,360 | $ | 66,624 | $ | 85,122 | $ | 151,746 | ||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 1,424 | $ | 458 | $ | 1,882 | $ | 2,956 | $ | (7) | $ | 2,949 | ||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | (4,191) | 3,137 | (1,054) | 18,365 | 587 | 18,952 | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | (17,747) | 25,339 | 7,592 | 28,532 | 8,161 | 36,693 | ||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | (28,637) | 15,218 | (13,419) | 13,640 | 39,088 | 52,728 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | (49,151) | 44,152 | (4,999) | 63,493 | 47,829 | 111,322 | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (73) | 1,552 | 1,479 | (4,071) | (14,132) | (18,203) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (49,224) | 45,704 | (3,520) | 59,422 | 33,697 | 93,119 | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 130,972 | $ | 91,908 | $ | 222,880 | $ | 7,202 | $ | 51,425 | $ | 58,627 |
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The following chart shows the composition of our yearly average interest-earning assets for the past five years:
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses represents the charge to expense that is required to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses.
We recorded a provision for allowance for loan losses of $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to a provision of $67.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. For information regarding the change in the allowance for loan loss, including factors leading to the provision for allowance for loan loss recorded during the year ended December 31, 2025, see Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management’s estimate of our allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2025 and the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2025, was supported, in part, by Oxford Economics’ December 2025 Baseline forecast (“the forecast”) which was used to develop management’s estimate of the effect of expected future economic conditions on the allowance for loan losses. The forecast assumed U.S. economic growth in 2026 will be larger than 2025 growth as U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”) will grow by 2.5%. This forecast reflects the impact of steady consumer spending along with a decrease in effective tariff rates, but a slight increase in the unemployment rate and and increase in the duration of a higher unemployment rate. Primary macroeconomic assumptions included in management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses included a rise in the unemployment rate. Further, the forecast assumed that the FOMC will decrease federal funds rates multiple times in 2026. Refer to the section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 7 for additional discussion. For additional discussion of our allowance for credit losses measurement methodology, see Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
To illustrate the sensitivity of the modeled result to the impact of a hypothetical change in the economic forecast, management calculated the allowance for loan losses assuming the downside economic forecast scenario and, separately, the upside economic forecast scenario. The downside scenario assumed the U.S. economy will experience a slight growth in GDP in 2025 of 0.2%. Use of the downside scenario would have resulted in an incremental increase in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $19.9 million as of December 31, 2025. The upside scenario assumed GDP growth of 3.4% in 2025 along with sustained recovery. Use of the upside scenario would have resulted in an incremental decrease in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $8.8 million as of December 31, 2025.
Our periodic evaluation of the appropriate allowance for loan losses considers the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs.
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Noninterest Income
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest income for the periods shown:
Noninterest (Loss) Income
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Investment advisory fees | $ | 69,921 | $ | 46,126 | $ | 23,795 | 51.6 | % | ||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 35,035 | 32,004 | 3,031 | 9.5 | % | |||||||||
| Card income | 18,260 | 16,612 | 1,648 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||
| Interest rate swap income | 3,755 | 2,819 | 936 | 33.2 | % | |||||||||
| Income from investments held in rabbi trusts | 9,963 | 9,675 | 288 | 3.0 | % | |||||||||
| Mortgage banking income (loss) | 2,877 | (887) | 3,764 | (424.4) | % | |||||||||
| Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net | (269,638) | (16,798) | (252,840) | 1,505.2 | % | |||||||||
| Miscellaneous income and fees | 23,038 | 27,695 | (4,657) | (16.8) | % | |||||||||
| Non-operating income | 853 | 6,671 | (5,818) | (87.2) | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest (loss) income | $ | (105,936) | $ | 123,917 | $ | (229,853) | (185.5) | % |
Noninterest income decreased by $229.9 million, or 185.5%, to a loss of $105.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $123.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to a $252.8 million increase in losses on sales of securities available for sale, a $5.8 million decrease in other non-operating income and a $4.7 million decrease in miscellaneous income and fees. These items were partially offset by a $23.8 million increase in investment advisory fees.
•Losses on sales of securities available for sale were $269.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase in losses was due to sales of securities with an aggregate book value of $1.9 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $1.1 billion of sales during the year ended December 31, 2024. Included in these total book value amounts are securities we acquired in our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge that were sold immediately following the closing of mergers at no gain or loss.
•Other non-operating income decreased primarily as a result of a gain on the sale of an other equity investment recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024 which exceeded the gain on sale of another other equity investment recognized during the year ended December 31, 2025.
•Miscellaneous income and fees decreased primarily as a result of non-recurring fee income received during the year ended December 31, 2024 as a result of the early withdrawal of an omnibus deposit contract which did not recur during year ended December 31, 2025.
•Investment advisory fees increased due to an increase in our assets under management, which increased due to our merger with Cambridge through which we acquired $5.0 billion in assets held in a fiduciary, custodial or agency capacity for customers. Our merger with Cambridge was completed in July 2024, and therefore contributed to increased trust and investment advisory fee income for a partial year in 2024 compared to a full year in 2025.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest expense for the periods shown:
Noninterest Expense
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 336,040 | $ | 287,626 | $ | 48,414 | 16.8 | % | ||||||
| Office occupancy and equipment | 45,553 | 41,932 | 3,621 | 8.6 | % | |||||||||
| Data processing | 78,619 | 70,464 | 8,155 | 11.6 | % | |||||||||
| Professional services | 14,641 | 12,753 | 1,888 | 14.8 | % | |||||||||
| Marketing | 9,626 | 7,754 | 1,872 | 24.1 | % | |||||||||
| FDIC insurance | 14,642 | 13,866 | 776 | 5.6 | % | |||||||||
| Amortization of other intangible assets | 34,179 | 14,569 | 19,610 | 134.6 | % | |||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 24,486 | 22,740 | 1,746 | 7.7 | % | |||||||||
| Non-operating expense | 39,157 | 36,664 | 2,493 | 6.8 | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 596,943 | $ | 508,368 | $ | 88,575 | 17.4 | % |
Noninterest expense increased by $88.6 million, or 17.4%, to $596.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 from $508.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to a $48.4 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, a $19.6 million increase in amortization of intangible assets, and a $8.2 million increase in data processing expense.
•Salaries and employee benefits expenses increased primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense, an increase in incentives, and an increase in health insurance expense.
◦Salaries and wages expense increased $34.6 million primarily due to an increase in the number of employees as a result of our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge, in addition to regular employee wage increases.
◦Incentives increased $8.7 million primarily due to an increase in the number employees participating in our incentive compensation plans which was primarily the result of our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge.
◦Health insurance expense increased $5.8 million primarily due to an increase in the number of employees, which was primarily driven by our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge.
•Amortization of intangible assets increased primarily due to an increase in intangible assets in connection with our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge, resulting in a corresponding increase in amortization expense.
•Data processing expense increased primarily due to increases in volume expenses, such as debit card processing expense and core data processing expense, in connection with our mergers with HarborOne and Cambridge. Also contributing to this increase was an increase in investment in key technology platforms.
Income Taxes
We recognize the tax effect of all income and expense transactions in each year’s consolidated statements of income, regardless of the year in which the transactions are reported for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth information regarding our tax provision included in continuing operations and applicable tax rates for the periods indicated:
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Tax Provision and Applicable Tax Rates
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Combined federal and state income tax provisions | $ | 11,287 | $ | 36,205 | ||
| Effective income tax rates | 11.3 | % | 23.2 | % | ||
| Blended statutory tax rate | 27.6 | % | 27.7 | % |
Income tax expense decreased by $24.9 million to $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2025 from the year ended December 31, 2024 and due to losses generated during the year ended December 31, 2024 for which a state tax benefit could not be realized.
For additional information related to our income taxes see Note 14, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
While our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for credit losses, or ACL, is established to provide for our current estimate of expected lifetime credit losses on loans measured at amortized cost and unfunded lending commitments at the balance sheet date and is established through a provision for credit losses charged to net income.
Management uses a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected lifetime losses in the portfolio. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of a financial asset’s probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”), which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The quantitative model estimates expected credit losses using loan level data over the estimated life of the exposure, considering the effect of prepayments. Economic forecasts, one of the most significant judgments influencing the ACL, are incorporated into the estimate over a reasonable and supportable forecast period of eight quarters, beyond which is a reversion to our historical loss average which occurs over a period of four quarters.
For further discussion of management’s economic forecast assumptions and our sensitivity analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2025, refer to the earlier “Provision for Loan Losses” discussion within the “Results of Operations” within this Item 7. For additional information on our allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Goodwill. Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting whereby goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired.
We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, which we performed as of November 30, 2025, using a quantitative impairment approach. An assessment is also performed to the extent relevant events and/or circumstances occur which may indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The quantitative impairment test compares the book value to the fair value of each reporting unit. If the book value exceeds the fair
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value, an impairment is charged to net income. As of December 31, 2025, management identified one reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment: the banking business.
We performed our annual assessment of impairment for the banking business as of November 30, 2025. The assessment included a comparison of the banking reporting unit’s carrying value of equity to estimated fair value of equity using the market capitalization method of the market approach. We evaluated conditions as of the assessment date and how a market participant would evaluate a control premium for the banking reporting unit. The implied control premium was estimated using the discounted cash flow method of the income approach by evaluating the present value of market participant cost savings and synergies. Based upon the assessment, we determined there was no impairment of our goodwill as of November 30, 2025.
Significant management judgment is necessary in the determination of the fair value of a reporting unit as the estimated fair value of equity and of the implied control premium requires estimation of future cash flows and the evaluation of the present value of market participant cost savings and synergies. The determination of fair value is a highly subjective process, and actual future cash flows may differ from forecasted results.
Our discount rate was based upon the estimated cost of equity under the Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, size premium, company specific premium and beta specific to a particular reporting unit.
For additional information on our goodwill and other intangibles, refer to Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Business Combinations. As indicated above, acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we recognize assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition, with the related transaction costs expensed in the period incurred. We use third party valuation specialists to assist in the determination of fair value of certain assets and liabilities at the merger date, including loans, core deposit intangibles, and time deposits. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain. For further discussion of our methodology for estimating the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities in connection with our merger with HarborOne, see Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The allowance for credit losses on acquired loans is recognized within business combination accounting. For further discussion of our accounting policies for estimating credit losses on acquired loans, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes by establishing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates. We make significant judgments regarding the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This requires subjective projections of future taxable income resulting from interest on loans and securities, as well as noninterest income. A valuation allowance is established if it is considered more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Interest and penalties paid on the underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense.
We periodically evaluate the potential uncertainty of our tax positions as to whether it is more-likely-than-not its position would be upheld upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
For additional information on our income taxes, refer to Note 14, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pension and other Post Retirement Benefit Plans. For information regarding our pension and other postretirement benefit plans including our pension contributions, investment strategies, assumptions, the change in benefit obligation and related plan assets, pension funding requirements and future net benefit payments, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 16, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our defined benefit pension plans are accounted for on an actuarial basis, which requires the selection of various assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“Defined Benefit Plan”), a discount rate, lump sum conversion rates, compensation and benefit limitation increase assumptions, mortality rates of participants and expectation of mortality improvement. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets that is utilized in determining Defined Benefit Plan pension expense is derived from periodic studies, which include a review of asset allocation strategies, investment policy, amount and types of expenses that will be paid from the Defined
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Benefit Plan, and the expected long-term return for the Defined Benefit Plan using recent forward looking capital market assumptions published by leading financial organizations. While the studies give appropriate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumptions are primarily long-term, prospective rates of return.
In November 2025, an investment policy study was completed for the Defined Benefit Plan. As a result of the study, it was determined that the weighted-average long-term rate of return on assets of 7.00% was reasonable as of December 31, 2025.
Another key assumption in determining net pension expense is the assumed discount rate used to discount plan obligations. We estimate the assumed discount rate for all pension plans using a cash flow matching approach, which uses projected cash flows matched to spot rates along the Financial Times Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) above-median yield curve to determine the weighted-average discount rate for the calculation of the present value of cash flows. We apply the individual annual yield curve rates instead of the assumed discount rate to determine the service cost and interest cost, which more specifically links the cash flows related to service cost and interest cost to bonds maturing in their year of payment.
For our Defined Benefit Plan and the Non-Qualified Benefit Equalization Plan, the interest rates used to convert annuities to the actuarial equivalent lump sum amounts were selected based on the applicable segment rates under Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e) (November 2025, released in December 2025) and rounded to the nearest 25 basis points.
The Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) most recently issued mortality improvement tables during the year ended December 31, 2021. We reviewed our recent mortality experience and we determined our current mortality assumptions were appropriate to measure our pension plan obligations as of December 31, 2025.
Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension obligations. The effects of actual results differing from assumptions and the changing of assumptions are included in unamortized net actuarial gains and losses that are subject to amortization to pension expense over future periods. The unamortized pre-tax actuarial loss on all of our pension plans was $11.7 million and $34.1 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The year-over-year change was primarily due to an increase in plan assets, partially offset by a decrease in discount rates.
The overfunded status of all of our pension plans improved during the year ended December 31, 2025 to $130.4 million from $110.9 million primarily due to: (i) actual pension plan investment returns greater than expected of $31.7 million; partially offset by (ii) changes in other actuarial assumptions and demographic data updates; and (iii) the unfavorable effect of a decrease in discount rates of $8.0 million.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for the pension plans, holding all other assumptions constant:
| Effect on 2025 Pension Expense | Effect on December 31, 2025 Pension Benefit Obligation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 845 | $ | 9,692 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | (809) | (9,304) | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in expected rate of return on plan assets | 1,311 | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in expected rate of return on plan assets | (1,311) | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in lump sum conversion rates | 454 | 2,625 | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in lump sum conversion rates | (436) | (2,522) |
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Relevant standards that we adopted during the year ended December 31, 2025:
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this update are intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures related to the existing requirements to disclose a rate reconciliation, income taxes paid and certain other required disclosures. Specifically, the amendments in this update:
1.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual basis: (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The update requires disclosure of such reconciling items according to requirements indicated in the update.
2.Require that all entities disclose certain disaggregated information regarding income taxes paid.
3.Require that all entities disclose certain disaggregated information regarding income tax expense.
4.Eliminate the requirement to: (1) disclose the nature and estimate of the range of reasonably possible changes in the unrecognized tax benefits balance in the next 12 months or (2) make a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made.
5.Remove the requirement to disclose the cumulative amount of each type of temporary difference when a deferred tax liability is not recognized because of exceptions to comprehensive recognition of deferred taxes related to subsidiaries and corporate joint ventures.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption should be done on a prospective basis and retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, Financial Instrument- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets. The amendments in this update provide for the following when estimating expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers:
1.In developing reasonable and supportable forecasts as part of estimating expected credit losses, all entities may elect a practical expedient that assumes that current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the asset.
2.An entity other than a public business entity that elects the practical expedient is permitted to make an accounting policy election to consider collection activity after the balance sheet date when estimating expected credit losses.
The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-08, Financial Instrument- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans. The amendments in this update expand the population of acquired financial assets subject to the gross-up approach in Topic 326, Financial Instrument- Credit Losses. In accordance with the amendments in this update, loans (excluding credit cards) acquired without credit deterioration and deemed “seasoned” (defined below) are purchased seasoned loans and accounted for using the gross-up approach at acquisition. Specifically, after an entity determines that a loan is a non-PCD asset based on its assessment of credit deterioration experienced since origination, the entity should apply the guidance described in the amendments to determine whether the loan is seasoned and, therefore, should be accounted for using the gross-up approach.
All non-PCD loans (excluding credit cards) that are acquired in a business combination are deemed seasoned. Other non-PCD loans (excluding credit cards) are seasoned if they were purchased at least 90 days after origination and the acquirer was not involved in the origination of the loans. We elected to early-adopt this ASU and applied the amendments to loans acquired in our merger with HarborOne. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information including the initial allowance for loan losses recognized on purchased seasoned loans acquired in the merger.
Relevant standards that were recently issued but which we had not yet adopted as of December 31, 2025:
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In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements–Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”). The amendments in this update modify the disclosure or presentation requirements for a variety of topics in the codification. Certain amendments represent clarifications to or technical corrections of the current requirements. The following is a summary of the topics included in the update and which pertain to the Company:
1.Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and loses are presented in the statement of cash flows;
2.Accounting changes and error corrections (Topic 250): Requires that when there has been a change in the reporting entity, the entity disclose any material prior-period adjustment and the effect of the adjustment on retained earnings in interim financial statements;
3.Earnings per share (Topic 260): Requires disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security and clarifies that certain disclosures should be made during interim periods, and amends illustrative guidance to illustrate disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings per share computation;
4.Commitments (Topic 440): Requires disclosure of assets mortgaged, pledged, or otherwise subject to lien and the obligations collateralized; and
5.Debt (Topic 470): Requires disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-06 are effective on the date which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation and S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the codification and will not become effective for any entity. Early adoption is not permitted and the amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis. We expect the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement–Reporting Comprehensive Income–Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). The amendments in this update require disclosure, in the notes to the financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. The amendments require that at each interim and annual reporting period an entity:
1.Disclose the amounts of (a) purchases of inventory, (b) employee compensation, (c) depreciation, (d) intangible asset amortization, and (e) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil and gas-producing activities (or other amounts of depletion expense) included in each relevant expense caption. A relevant expense caption is an expense caption presented on the face of the income statement within continuing operations that contains any of the expense categories listed in (a)–(e).
2.Include certain amounts that are already required to be disclosed under current GAAP in the same disclosure as the other disaggregation requirements.
3.Disclose a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively.
4.Disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2024-03 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update are to be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date of this update or (2) retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements.
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In April 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-03, Business Combinations (Topic 805) and Consolidation (Topic 810): Determining the Accounting Acquirer of a Variable Interest Entity. The amendments in this update are intended to improve the requirements for identifying the accounting acquirer in Topic 805, Business Combinations. The amendments in this update differ from current generally accepted accounting principles because, for certain transactions, they replace the requirement that the primary beneficiary always is the acquirer with an assessment that requires an entity to consider the factors to determine which entity is the accounting acquirer. The amendments in this update enhance the comparability of financial statements across entities engaging in acquisition transactions effected primarily by exchanging equity interests when the legal acquiree meets the definition of a business. Specifically, under the amendments, acquisition transactions in which the legal acquiree is a variable interest entity will, in more instances, result in the same accounting outcomes as economically similar transactions in which the legal acquiree is a voting interest entity. The amendments in this update do not change the accounting for a transaction determined to be a reverse acquisition or a transaction in which the legal acquirer is not a business and is determined to be the accounting acquiree. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2025-03 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within those annual periods. Adoption should be done on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We do not expect the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-09, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Hedge Accounting Improvements. The amendments in this update help clarify and refine hedge accounting requirements, including clarifications to documentation and designation in regards to hedge relationships. The update introduces improvements to hedge accounting to better align financial reporting with the economic results of an entity's risk management activities. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements. The amendments in this update clarify interim disclosure requirements and the applicability of Topic 270. The amendments in this update result in a comprehensive list of interim disclosures that are required by GAAP. In developing the list of disclosures required by other Topics, the Board focused on identifying the interim disclosures that are currently required under GAAP. The objective of the amendments is to provide clarity about the current requirements, rather than evaluate whether to expand or reduce interim disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update also include a disclosure principle that requires entities to disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have a material impact on the entity. The intent of the disclosure principle, which is modeled after a previous SEC disclosure requirement, is to help entities determine whether disclosures not specified in Topic 270 should be provided in interim reporting periods. The amendments in this update also clarify the applicability of Topic 270, the types of interim reporting, and the form and content of interim financial statements in accordance with GAAP. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2025-11 are effective for interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Adoption can be applied either prospectively or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Management of Market Risk
General. Market risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and/or income to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices. Interest rate sensitivity is the most significant market risk to which we are exposed. Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and income to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, as well as fluctuations in the level and duration of assets and liabilities, affect net interest income, our primary source of income. Interest rate risk arises directly from our core banking activities. In addition to directly impacting net interest income, changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the amount of loans originated, the timing of cash flows on loans and securities, and the fair value of assets and liabilities, as well as other aspects of our business.
Governance. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to attempt to control this risk within policy limits approved by the Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors (“RMC”), and within the Risk Appetite Statement formally adopted by the Board of Directors and described further below.
These limits reflect our tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons, are designed to encompass market rate shocks that would take place with both gradual and immediate effect and cover a range of scenarios from mild to extreme market shocks. More specifically, and as further described below, our policy limits govern:
•The maximum amount of acceptable earnings loss due to market risk in year one of a two-year earnings simulation, determined by net interest income analysis;
•The maximum amount of acceptable earnings loss due to market risk in year two of a two-year earnings simulation, determined by net interest income analysis;
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•The maximum amount of acceptable decline in the present value of equity due to market risk, determined by economic value of equity analysis;
•The maximum acceptable size of the investment portfolio relative to total assets;
•Concentration limits on investment asset types to ensure appropriate portfolio diversification;
•Maximum maturity and weighted average life per security at time of purchase in both a base case and a shocked rate scenario to measure extension risk;
•The maximum acceptable duration of the investment and hedging derivatives portfolio; and
•Guidelines on accounting classification of securities including held for trading, available for sale and held to maturity.
Policy limits are tested quarterly, and the results are reported to the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which is a subcommittee of management’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee (“ERMC”), and to RMC. RMC advises the Board of Directors with respect to the adequacy of capital allocated based on the level of risk as well as risk issues that could impact liquidity and/or capital adequacy. From time to time, we expect we will exceed policy limits, in which case we may seek corrective action after considering, among other things, market conditions, customer reaction, and the estimated impact on profitability. A remediation plan will be presented to ALCO, ERMC and RMC that carefully outlines the proposed corrective action.
We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and where appropriate, hedging our exposure to market risk. If assets and liabilities do not re-price simultaneously and in equal volume, the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Our objective is to maintain stability in the growth of net interest income through the maintenance of an appropriate mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and, when necessary and within limits that management determines to be prudent, through the use of off-balance sheet hedging instruments including, but not limited to, interest rate swaps, floors and caps.
Our asset-liability management strategy is devised and monitored by our ALCO in accordance with policies approved by RMC. ALCO operates under a charter developed and approved by ERMC. ALCO meets monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review, among other things, our sensitivity to interest rate changes, loan pricing and activity, investment activity and strategy, hedging strategies, deposit pricing and funding strategies with respect to overall balance sheet composition, as well as earnings simulations over multiple years. ALCO may meet more frequently if there are changes in the economic environment, such as rapid increases or decreases in interest rates due to or as a result of exogenous or unknown factors so that ALCO can make any necessary strategic adjustments to better manage interest rate risk. ALCO’s membership is comprised of executive management of the Company, and representatives from various lines of business are in regular attendance, including representation from Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”). ALCO reports regularly to RMC on these risks and objectives with independent oversight and reporting from our Financial and Model Risk Management group within ERM.
As a company offering banking and other financial services, certain elements of risk are inherent in our transactions and operations and are present in the business decisions we make. We, therefore, encounter risk as part of the normal course of our business, and we design risk management processes to help manage these risks. In its oversight of our risk management framework, the Board of Directors has adopted a formal Risk Appetite Statement (“RAS”) which defines the aggregate level of risk and the types of risk the Company is willing to assume to achieve its corporate strategy and objectives. The Board of Directors regularly assesses whether the approved policy limits, as described further above, conform to stated risk appetite. The Board of Directors monitors, on at least a quarterly basis, a set of key risk metrics, including those, but not limited to those, pertaining to market risk. Monitoring these metrics can help to identify trends in risk profile or emerging risks over time, and where applicable, determine where adjustments may be required to business strategy or tactics. Within our risk management framework, the functional responsibilities of risk management are divided into a tiered model, involving three lines of defense:
1.The Finance Department to which primary market risk ownership belongs including monitoring and tracking of risk, model development and maintenance, and execution of strategy and tactics to mitigate market risk;
2.The ERM Department which conducts independent risk and controls assessments to ensure appropriate risk identification, management, and reporting. The Model Risk Management group (“MRM”) within ERM is responsible for independent oversight of models used to measure market risk, including model and assumption implementation, development, and conceptual soundness; and
3.The Internal Audit Department which independently assesses the operating effectiveness of the first- and second-line processes and controls.
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Comments on Recent Developments. During the past several years, the U.S. economy has experienced both sharp increases and decreases in interest rates. Refer to the earlier section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 7, for a description of recent actions by the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) regarding changes to the range of the federal funds rate. Our market risk management framework is designed for the potential for such rapid changes in interest rates, by establishing policy limits on such rapid shocks and periodically back-testing modeled to actual results. Back-testing of top-line results as well as key assumptions is performed against established thresholds as part of our ongoing monitoring governance of our models, and results are reported to ALCO and MRM. Should back-testing results exceed established performance thresholds, the model and underlying assumptions will be reviewed for recalibration.
Net Interest Income Analysis. We analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through a net interest income (“NII”) model. We model our NII over a 12-month and 24-month period assuming no changes in interest rates and a static balance sheet, where cash flows from financial assets and liabilities are replaced with new business of similar terms at current rates. The impact of our interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments are included in the model results. We then model NII for the same period under the assumption that market rates increase and decrease instantaneously by certain basis point increments, which vary by period depending upon market conditions, with changes in interest rates representing immediate, permanent, and parallel shifts in the yield curve. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Changes in Interest Rates” column in the table below.
Many assumptions are made in the modeling process for both NII and economic value of equity (“EVE”, discussed further below), including but not limited to the repricing and maturity characteristics of existing and new business, loan and security prepayments, administered deposit rate betas, duration of deposits without stated maturity dates, and other option risks. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable for the various interest rate environments modeled. However, differences in actual results from these assumptions could change our exposure to interest rate risk. The models assume that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assume that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Additionally, the model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. We do not model negative interest rate scenarios.
Because of the limitations inherent in any modeling approach used to measure market risk, including NII and EVE sensitivity analysis, and because, in the event of changes in interest rates, management would take active steps to manage interest rate risk exposure among its financial assets and liabilities, modeling results, including those discussed in “Interest Rate Sensitivity” and “EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity” below, should not be relied upon as a forecast of actual NII or EVE, nor should they be interpreted as management’s expectations of actual results in the event of such interest rate fluctuations. The tables provide an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, and actual results may differ.
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The tables below set forth, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the modeled changes in our net interest income on an FTE basis that would result from the designated immediate changes in market interest rates:
Interest Rate Sensitivity
| As of December 31, 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Year 1 Change from Level | Policy Limit | |||
| 400 | (1.7) | % | (20) | % | |
| 200 | (0.6) | % | (12) | % | |
| 100 | (0.2) | % | (10) | % | |
| Flat | — | % | — | % | |
| (100) | (0.1) | % | (10) | % | |
| (200) | 0.0 | % | (12) | % | |
| (400) | 1.4 | % | (20) | % | |
| As of December 31, 2024 | |||||
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Year 1 Change from Level | Policy Limit | |||
| 400 | (2.1) | % | (20) | % | |
| 200 | (0.9) | % | (12) | % | |
| 100 | (0.4) | % | (10) | % | |
| Flat | — | % | — | % | |
| (100) | 0.2 | % | (10) | % | |
| (200) | 0.3 | % | (12) | % | |
| (400) | 2.4 | % | (20) | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
As of December 31, 2025, our model, as indicated above, shows modest changes in net interest income in rising and falling rate scenarios. In the rising rate scenarios, modeled funding costs are expected to outpace the growth in earning asset income. In the falling rate scenarios, net interest income is essentially unchanged, except for the shock down 400 basis point scenario, where funding costs are modeled to fall faster than interest earning asset yields. This represents a modest increase in asset sensitivity from December 31, 2024, driven by a modest decrease in asset duration, due in part to the reduced impact of the cash flow hedge portfolio. The simulation results are within policy limits and management therefore does not expect a material change to our current strategy over the near term. The rate scenarios that we model at each period end are dependent upon market conditions, which is why the rate scenarios that we model may differ from period-to-period.
Management may use techniques such as investment strategy, loan and deposit pricing, non-core funding strategies, and interest rate derivative financial instruments, within internal policy guidelines, to manage interest rate risk as part of our asset/liability strategy. Hedging strategies such as, for example, receive-fixed and pay-fixed swaps, interest rate caps, floors, or collars, may be used to protect against benchmark interest rates either rising or falling. The type of derivatives we primarily use to hedge market risk are interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedging instruments. When the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in March of 2022 from very low levels, management began evaluating a derivative strategy designed to limit our exposure to downward rate scenarios. In 2022, management executed receive-fixed interest rate swap agreements on floating-rate loans which have a total notional value of $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2025. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and management believes these derivatives provide significant protection against falling interest rates, as they have the effect of converting floating rate loan exposure to fixed rates. These receive-fixed swaps constitute the entirety of our current hedge portfolio. Management may, from time to time, due to actual or projected changes in market rates or our risk exposure, evaluate other hedging strategies, although we believe our current Net Interest Income and Economic Value of Equity simulation analyses support maintaining the current derivatives strategy. For additional information related to our interest rate derivative financial instruments, see Note 19, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Economic Value of Equity Analysis. We also analyze the sensitivity of our financial condition to changes in interest rates through our EVE model. This analysis calculates the difference between the present value of expected cash flows from assets and liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates.
The tables below represent an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in our EVE, resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve (+100, +200, +400 basis points and -100, -200, and -400 basis points) at both December 31, 2025 and 2024. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates.
Our earnings are not directly or materially impacted by movements in foreign currency rates or commodity prices. Movements in equity prices may have a modest impact on earnings by affecting the volume of activity or the amount of fees from investment-related business lines and by affecting the amount of unrealized gains and losses from securities held in rabbi trusts, the latter of which are partially offset by a corresponding but opposite impact to the amount of employee benefit expense associated with the change in value of plan assets.
EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity (2)
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | As of December 31, 2025 | EVE as aPercentage ofTotal Assets (3) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||
| Percent | Policy Limit | |||||||
| 400 | (3.0) | % | (30) | % | 22.17 | % | ||
| 200 | (0.6) | % | (20) | % | 21.81 | % | ||
| 100 | (0.3) | % | N/A | 21.43 | % | |||
| Flat | — | — | 21.02 | % | ||||
| (100) | (0.9) | % | N/A | 20.38 | % | |||
| (200) | (3.4) | % | (20) | % | 19.46 | % | ||
| (400) | (15.1) | % | (30) | % | 16.45 | % |
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | As of December 31, 2024 | EVE as aPercentage ofTotal Assets (3) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||
| Percent (%) | Policy Limit | |||||||
| 400 | (10.8) | % | (30) | % | 22.34 | % | ||
| 200 | (5.7) | % | (20) | % | 22.50 | % | ||
| 100 | (3.0) | % | N/A | 22.56 | % | |||
| Flat | — | — | 22.65 | % | ||||
| (100) | 3.2 | % | N/A | 22.73 | % | |||
| (200) | 5.6 | % | (20) | % | 22.63 | % | ||
| (400) | 8.8 | % | (30) | % | 22.06 | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)Total assets is the net present value of expected future cash flows.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
Liquidity. Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet deposit withdrawals and anticipated loan fundings, as well as current and planned expenditures. We seek to maintain sources of liquidity that are reliable and diversified and that may be used during the normal course of business as well as on a contingency basis.
Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, and proceeds from calls, maturities and sales of securities, subject to market conditions. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan and securities prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are unencumbered cash and cash equivalents and securities classified as available for sale, which could be liquidated, subject to market conditions. In the future,
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our liquidity position will continue to be affected by the level of customer deposits and payments, loan originations and repayments, as well as any acquisitions, dividends, and share repurchases in which we may engage. For the next twelve months, we believe that our existing resources, including our capacity to use brokered deposits and wholesale borrowings, will be sufficient to meet the liquidity and capital requirements of our operations. We may elect to raise additional capital through the sale of additional equity or debt financing to fund business activities such as strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, or other purposes beyond the next twelve months.
We participate in a reciprocal deposit network, which allows us to provide access to FDIC deposit insurance protection on customer deposits for consumers, businesses and public entities that exceed same-bank FDIC insurance thresholds. We can elect to sell or repurchase this funding as reciprocal deposits from other banks in the same network depending on our funding needs. As of both December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had no one-way sell deposits. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had repurchased $2.3 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, of previously sold reciprocal deposits.
Although customer deposits remain our preferred source of funds, maintaining additional sources of liquidity is part of our prudent liquidity risk management practices. We have the ability to borrow from the FHLBB. At December 31, 2025, we had $198.1 million in outstanding advances and the ability to borrow up to an additional $3.0 billion. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. At December 31, 2025, we had the ability to borrow up to $3.9 billion from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Discount Window. At December 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $316.9 million and secured borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank totaled $7.0 billion, providing total liquidity sources of $7.3 billion. These liquidity sources provided 90% coverage of all customer uninsured and uncollateralized deposits, which totaled $8.1 billion, or 32% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2025. For further discussion of uninsured deposits, refer to the “Deposits” discussion within the “Financial Position” within this Item 7.
Sources of Liquidity
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding | Additional Capacity | Outstanding | Additional Capacity | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposits (1) | $ | 84,703 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
| Reciprocal deposits | 2,267,539 | — | 2,063,135 | — | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank (2) | 198,058 | 3,049,296 | 17,589 | 2,375,565 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston—Discount Window (3) | — | 3,902,128 | — | 2,825,634 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,550,300 | $ | 6,951,424 | $ | 2,080,724 | $ | 5,201,199 |
(1)Additional borrowing capacity has not been assessed in this category.
(2)As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, loans with a carrying value of $5.0 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, and securities with a carrying value of $157.6 million and $1.0 billion, respectively, were pledged to the FHLBB resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity. The outstanding balance of FHLB borrowings as of December 31, 2025 shown above excludes the remaining premium related to borrowings assumed in connection with our merger with HarborOne of $1.6 million.
(3)As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, loans with a carrying value of $5.0 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, and securities with a carrying value of $414.2 million and $794.8 million, respectively, were pledged to the Discount Window, resulting in this additional borrowing capacity.
We believe that advanced preparation, early detection, and prompt responses can avoid, minimize, or shorten potential liquidity constraints. Our Board of Directors and management’s ALCO oversee the assessment and monitoring of risk levels, as well as potential responses during unanticipated stress events. As part of our risk management framework, we perform periodic liquidity stress testing to assess our need for liquid assets as well as backup sources of liquidity.
Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve (with respect to our consolidated capital requirements). At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. For additional information regarding our regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note 15, “Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include data processing services, operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds and deposit liabilities. The amounts below assume the contractual obligations and commitments will run through the end of the applicable term and, as such, do not include early termination fees or penalties where applicable.
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We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. The financial instruments include commitments to originate loans, unused lines of credit, unadvanced portions of construction loans and standby letters of credit, all of which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The following table summarizes our short-term (e.g. maturity of one year or less) and long-term (e.g. maturity of greater than one year) contractual obligations, other commitments and contingencies at December 31, 2025.
| One Year or Less | After One Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commitments to extend credit (1) | $ | 1,599,684 | $ | 5,703,067 | $ | 7,302,751 | ||||
| Standby letters of credit | 80,914 | 2,691 | 83,605 | |||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 17,696 | 84,829 | 102,525 | |||||||
| FHLB advances | 46,531 | 153,086 | 199,617 | |||||||
| Forward commitments to sell loans | 35,861 | — | 35,861 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,780,686 | $ | 5,943,673 | $ | 7,724,359 |
(1)Unused commitments that are deemed to be unconditionally cancellable are included in the less than one year category in the above table. Commitments to extend credit was comprised of $4.2 billion of commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit (including $658.0 million of unadvanced portions of construction loans), $2.6 billion of commitments under home equity loans and lines of credit, $226.0 million in overdraft coverage commitments, $44.5 million of unfunded commitments related to residential real estate loans and $154.4 million in other consumer loans and lines of credit as of December 31, 2025.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-25-008583.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and prospects based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those in this discussion as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a bank holding company, and our principal subsidiary, Eastern Bank, is a Massachusetts-chartered bank that has served the banking needs of our customers since 1818. Our business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers. We had total assets of $25.6 billion and $21.1 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the New Hampshire Banking Department, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Our business consists of a full range of banking, lending (commercial, residential and consumer), savings and small business offerings, including our wealth management and trust operations that we conduct through our Cambridge Trust Wealth Management division. Previously, our wealth management and trust operations were conducted through Eastern Wealth Management. Following our merger with Cambridge Bancorp, described further below, the wealth management divisions of both banks now operate under the “Cambridge Trust Wealth Management, a division of Eastern Bank,” brand name.
On July 12, 2024, we completed our previously announced merger with Cambridge and Cambridge Trust. In accordance with the terms of the definitive merger agreement, through which we agreed to acquire Cambridge through a merger with the Company as the surviving entity, each share of Cambridge common stock was exchanged for 4.956 shares of our common stock. The transaction qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and provided Cambridge shareholders with a tax-free exchange of their shares of Cambridge common stock in exchange for our common stock as the consideration they received in the merger. We issued 38.9 million shares of our common stock in the exchange which resulted in a transaction value of approximately $580.6 million based upon the closing price of our common stock on July 12, 2024 of $14.87 per share.
Cambridge, a Massachusetts corporation, was a federally registered bank holding company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge Trust, a Massachusetts-chartered trust company formed in 1890, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cambridge that operated through a network of 18 full-service banking offices in eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire with $5.3 billion in total assets and $3.9 billion in deposits as of July 12, 2024. Cambridge’s core services also included wealth management. Through its wealth management group, which had offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, it offered comprehensive investment management, as well as trust administration, estate settlement, and financial planning services. Cambridge had assets under management and administration of approximately $5.0 billion as of July 12, 2024. Cambridge Trust’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cambridge Trust Company of New Hampshire Inc. (“CTCNH”), offered trust services pursuant to New Hampshire law and was regulated by the New Hampshire Banking Department. CTCNH is now a subsidiary of Eastern Bank.
In recent years, we managed our business under two business segments: our banking business and our insurance agency business. On October 31, 2023, we sold substantially all of the assets and transferred certain liabilities of our insurance agency business. In the third quarter of 2023, following management’s decision to sell our insurance agency business, we reclassified the related assets and liabilities to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accordingly, the results of discontinued operations were reclassified to “net income from discontinued operations” on our Consolidated Statements of Income. For additional discussion of discontinued operations, refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion excludes amounts reported as discontinued operations.
Net income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, computed in accordance with GAAP, was $119.6 million, as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $62.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent increase to net income during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to the sale of available for sale securities at a loss in connection with our balance sheet repositioning completed in March 2023. Partially offsetting the increase to net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 were one-time expenses associated with our merger with Cambridge including the allowance for loan losses associated with non-purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans, which was recorded subsequent to the completion of the
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merger and is hereafter referred to as the “non-PCD loan day-2” provision for the allowance for loan losses, and merger and acquisition expenses recorded.
Net income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 included items that our management considers non-core, which management excludes for purposes of assessing our operating net income, a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $192.6 million compared to $163.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to increased net interest income and noninterest income on an operating basis for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to year ended December 31, 2023 partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense on an operating basis over the same period. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Results of Operations” below for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income on a GAAP basis and further discussion of noninterest income and noninterest expense.
The following chart shows our basic earnings per share from continuing operations on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past four years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of GAAP earnings to operating earnings):
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis, increased from $(0.39) for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $0.66 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The loss per share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 was a result of a loss on sale of AFS securities in March 2023, which was part of our balance sheet repositioning, as described above.
Operating earnings per share increased from $1.01 for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $1.06 for the year ended December 31, 2024, a 5.8% increase. The increase was primarily due to an increase net interest income and noninterest income on an operating basis which were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense on an operating basis. Refer to the“Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
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The following chart shows our efficiency ratio on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past five years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for additional information on the determination of each measure):
Both the GAAP efficiency ratio and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio decreased during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the GAAP efficiency ratio is primarily due to lower security losses during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio was primarily due to increased net interest income and increased noninterest income on an operating basis which increased at a greater rate than noninterest expenses on an operating basis. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
Outlook and Trends
Interest Rates
Beginning in March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) voted to increase the federal funds rate multiple times from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 5.25% to 5.50% on July 26, 2023, when the FOMC stated that it will continue to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy. At its meeting on September 18, 2024, the FOMC decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 50 basis points from the range set at its July 26, 2023 meeting to a range of 4.75% to 5.00%. At its meeting on November 7, 2024, the FOMC then decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.50% to 4.75%. At its most recent meeting on January 29, 2025, the FOMC decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at the range established following its November 7, 2024 meeting and indicated, in considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, it will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The FOMC further indicated it is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and reducing the annual inflation rate to its 2 percent objective.
Inevitably, not all of our interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities will re-price simultaneously and in equal volume in response to changes in the federal funds rate, and therefore the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Management believes that several factors will affect the actual impact of interest rate changes on our balance sheet and operating results, including, but not limited to, actual changes in interest rates or expectations of future changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation, and the slope of the interest rate yield curve. We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and, where appropriate, hedging our exposure. Approximately 31% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans, gross of outstanding interest rate swaps as described further below, as of December 31, 2024 was indexed to a market rate that is expected to reprice with similar magnitude and direction as the federal
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funds rate. A portion of these loans have been hedged using interest rate swaps to convert the floating rate interest receipts to a fixed rate. The notional amount of floating rate loans swapped totaled $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2024, representing approximately 13% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans at that date. For more detail regarding such hedging financial instruments, refer to Note 18, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to the section titled “Management of Market Risk” within this Item 7 for additional discussion including the estimated change to our net interest income under interest rate risk measurement methodologies that use a variety of hypothetical scenarios assuming immediate and parallel changes in interest rates that may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present certain non-GAAP financial measures, which management uses to evaluate our performance, and which exclude the effects of certain transactions, non-cash items and GAAP adjustments that we believe are unrelated to our core business and are therefore not necessarily indicative of our current performance or financial position. Management believes excluding these items facilitates greater visibility for investors into our core business as well as underlying trends that may, to some extent, be obscured by inclusion of such items in the corresponding GAAP financial measures. Except as otherwise indicated, the information presented for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 within this section excludes discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding discontinued operations.
There are items in our financial statements that impact our results but which we believe are unrelated to our core business. Accordingly, we present operating net income, noninterest income on an operating basis, noninterest expense on an operating basis, total operating revenue, operating earnings per share, tangible net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, and the operating efficiency ratio, each of which excludes the impact of such items because we believe such exclusion can provide greater visibility into our core business and underlying trends. Such items that we do not consider to be core to our business include (i) income and expenses from investments held in rabbi trusts, (ii) gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, (iii) gains and losses on the sale of other equity investments, (iv) gains and losses on the sale of other assets, (v) rabbi trust employee benefits expense, (vi) impairment charges on tax credit investments and associated tax credit benefits, (vii) expenses indirectly associated with our IPO, (viii) other real estate owned (“OREO”) gains, (ix) merger and acquisition expenses, including the “day-2” provision for allowance for loan losses for non-PCD acquired loans, (x) the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation (the “Foundation”) in connection with our mutual-to-stock conversion and IPO, (xi) settlement of putative consumer class action litigation matters related to overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees, and associated settlement expenses, (xii) the non-cash pension settlement charge recognized related to our Defined Benefit Plan, and (xiii) certain discrete tax items.
We also present tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, average tangible shareholders’ equity, the ratios of tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations and tangible operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity and tangible book value per share, each of which excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, as we believe these financial measures provide investors with the ability to further assess our performance, identify trends in our core business and provide a comparison of our capital adequacy to other companies. We have included the tangible ratios because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management to assess performance and identify trends.
In the third quarter of 2024, we changed our return on average tangible shareholders’ equity and operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity computations to utilize tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations and tangible operating net income, respectively, in the numerators of the computations. Tangible net income (loss) from continuing operations excludes the amortization of intangible assets and the related tax effect and tangible operating net income excludes, in addition to the adjustments to derive operating net income, the amortization of intangible assets and related tax effect. In addition, in the third quarter of 2024, we changed the computation of our operating efficiency ratio to exclude, in addition to the adjustments made to operating net income, the amortization of intangible assets. Management believes the changes to such ratios result in a more meaningful measure of our financial performance and such measures are used by management when analyzing corporate performance.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative or substitute to GAAP net income (loss), or as an indication of our cash flows from operating activities, a measure of our liquidity or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. An item which we consider to be non-core and exclude when computing these non-GAAP financial measures can be of substantial importance to our results for any particular period. In addition, our methodology for calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar performance measures and, accordingly, our reported non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to the same or similar performance measures reported by other companies.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items recorded for the time periods indicated below and reconciles them to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | 119,561 | $ | (62,689) | $ | 186,511 | ||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||
| Provision for non-PCD acquired loans | 40,899 | — | — | |||||||
| Noninterest income components: | ||||||||||
| (Income) losses from investments held in rabbi trusts | (9,675) | (9,305) | 10,762 | |||||||
| Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net | 16,798 | 333,170 | 3,157 | |||||||
| Gain on sale of other equity investment | (9,291) | — | — | |||||||
| Losses (gains) on sales of other assets | 2,620 | 3 | (1,365) | |||||||
| Noninterest expense components: | ||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit expense (income) | 4,241 | 3,742 | (5,161) | |||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses (1) | 36,664 | 5,495 | — | |||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss (2) | — | — | 12,045 | |||||||
| Total impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 82,256 | 333,105 | 19,438 | |||||||
| Less net tax benefit associated with non-GAAP adjustment (3) | 9,221 | 107,230 | 6,047 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | $ | 73,035 | $ | 225,875 | $ | 13,391 | ||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 192,596 | $ | 163,186 | $ | 199,902 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period: | ||||||||||
| Basic | 181,126,320 | 162,293,020 | 165,510,357 | |||||||
| Diluted | 182,181,073 | 162,403,097 | 165,648,571 | |||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations, basic | $ | 0.66 | $ | (0.39) | $ | 1.13 | ||||
| Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations, diluted | $ | 0.66 | $ | (0.39) | $ | 1.13 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, basic (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.06 | $ | 1.01 | $ | 1.21 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.06 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 1.21 |
(1)Comprised of merger and acquisition expenses incurred related to our acquisitions of Cambridge and Century Bancorp, Inc. (“Century”). Merger and acquisition expenses previously reported for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to acquisitions by Eastern Insurance Group were excluded from the above table as they were reclassified to discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion.
(2)Represents a non-cash settlement loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the Defined Benefit Plan. For additional information, refer to Note 15, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)The net tax benefit amount for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily resulted from the sale of securities classified as available for sale in the first quarter of 2023 and a $23.7 million tax benefit resulting from the transfer of certain securities from Market Street Securities Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary which was liquidated during the first quarter of 2023, to Eastern Bank.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items with respect to our total revenue, noninterest income (loss), noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP financial measure, for the periods indicated:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 607,597 | $ | 550,409 | $ | 568,054 | $ | 429,827 | $ | 401,251 | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP)(1) | 18,620 | 17,181 | 12,736 | 6,093 | 5,472 | |||||||||||||
| Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP) | 626,217 | 567,590 | 580,790 | 435,920 | 406,723 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income (loss) (GAAP) | 123,917 | (237,753) | 76,750 | 97,437 | 83,679 | |||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (losses) from investments held in rabbi trusts | 9,675 | 9,305 | (10,762) | 10,217 | 10,337 | |||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | (16,798) | (333,170) | (3,157) | 1,166 | 288 | |||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other equity investment | 9,291 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of other assets | (2,620) | (3) | 1,365 | 26 | (136) | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 124,369 | 86,115 | 89,304 | 86,028 | 73,190 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 508,368 | $ | 418,602 | $ | 388,649 | $ | 360,955 | $ | 429,491 | ||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit expense (income) | 4,241 | 3,742 | (5,161) | 5,515 | 4,789 | |||||||||||||
| (Reversal of) impairment charge on tax credit investments | — | — | — | (170) | 10,779 | |||||||||||||
| Indirect IPO costs (2) | — | — | — | — | 1,199 | |||||||||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses (3) | 36,664 | 5,495 | — | 35,456 | — | |||||||||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | — | — | — | 3,325 | — | |||||||||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss | — | — | 12,045 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation | — | — | — | — | 91,287 | |||||||||||||
| Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | — | — | — | 87 | 606 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 467,463 | 409,365 | 381,765 | 316,916 | 322,043 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Amortization of intangible assets | 14,569 | 1,804 | 1,198 | 219 | 596 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense for calculation of operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | $ | 452,894 | $ | 407,561 | $ | 380,567 | $ | 316,697 | $ | 321,447 | ||||||||
| Total revenue from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | 731,514 | $ | 312,656 | $ | 644,804 | $ | 527,264 | $ | 484,930 | ||||||||
| Total operating revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 750,586 | $ | 653,705 | $ | 670,094 | $ | 521,948 | $ | 479,913 | ||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio (GAAP) | 69.50 | % | 133.89 | % | 60.27 | % | 68.46 | % | 88.57 | % | ||||||||
| Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 60.34 | % | 62.35 | % | 56.79 | % | 60.68 | % | 66.98 | % |
(1)Interest income on tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis using a marginal tax rate of 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2024, 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
(2)Reflects costs associated with the IPO that were indirectly related to the IPO and were not recorded as a reduction of capital.
(3)Comprised of merger and acquisition expenses incurred related to our acquisition of Cambridge and Century. Merger and acquisition expenses previously reported for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 related to acquisitions by Eastern Insurance Group were excluded from the above table as they were reclassified to discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued
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Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table summarizes the calculation of our tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, and tangible book value per share, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP measure, as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 3,611,967 | $ | 2,974,855 | $ | 2,471,790 | $ | 3,406,352 | $ | 3,428,052 | ||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1) | 1,050,158 | 566,205 | 661,126 | 649,703 | 376,534 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 2,561,809 | 2,408,650 | 1,810,664 | 2,756,649 | 3,051,518 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | 25,557,880 | 21,133,278 | 22,646,858 | 23,512,128 | 15,964,190 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1) | 1,050,158 | 566,205 | 661,126 | 649,703 | 376,534 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 24,507,722 | $ | 20,567,073 | $ | 21,985,732 | $ | 22,862,425 | $ | 15,587,656 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity to assets ratio (GAAP) | 14.1 | % | 14.1 | % | 10.9 | % | 14.5 | % | 21.5 | % | ||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) | 10.5 | % | 11.7 | % | 8.2 | % | 12.1 | % | 19.6 | % | ||||||||
| Book value per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares issued and outstanding | 213,909,472 | 176,426,993 | 176,172,073 | 186,305,332 | 186,758,154 | |||||||||||||
| Book value per share (GAAP) | $ | 16.89 | $ | 16.86 | $ | 14.03 | $ | 18.28 | $ | 18.36 | ||||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 11.98 | $ | 13.65 | $ | 10.28 | $ | 14.80 | $ | 16.34 |
(1)Includes goodwill and other intangible assets which were associated with our insurance agency business for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
The following table summarizes the calculation of our average tangible shareholders’ equity and ratio of net income (loss) from continuing operations and operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity (“operating return
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on average tangible shareholders’ equity”), which reconciles to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | 119,561 | $ | (62,689) | $ | 186,511 | $ | 145,531 | $ | 8,861 | ||||||||
| Add: Amortization of intangible assets | 14,569 | 1,804 | 1,198 | 219 | 596 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets (3) | 4,036 | 509 | 337 | 62 | 168 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible net (loss) income from continuing operations (non-GAAP) | $ | 130,094 | $ | (61,394) | $ | 187,372 | $ | 145,688 | $ | 9,289 | ||||||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 192,596 | $ | 163,186 | $ | 199,902 | $ | 157,140 | $ | 88,276 | ||||||||
| Add: Amortization of intangible assets | 14,569 | 1,804 | 1,198 | 219 | 596 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets (3) | 4,036 | 509 | 337 | 62 | 168 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 203,129 | $ | 164,481 | $ | 200,763 | $ | 157,297 | $ | 88,704 | ||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 3,268,863 | $ | 2,571,001 | $ | 2,831,533 | $ | 3,424,570 | $ | 2,040,156 | ||||||||
| Less: Average goodwill and other intangibles (2) | 791,489 | 643,977 | 655,653 | 414,441 | 376,706 | |||||||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 2,477,374 | $ | 1,927,024 | $ | 2,175,880 | $ | 3,010,129 | $ | 1,663,450 | ||||||||
| Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Return (loss) on average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | 3.66 | % | (2.44) | % | 6.59 | % | 4.25 | % | 0.43 | % | ||||||||
| Return (loss) on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 5.25 | % | (3.19) | % | 8.61 | % | 4.84 | % | 0.56 | % | ||||||||
| Operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 8.20 | % | 8.54 | % | 9.23 | % | 5.23 | % | 5.33 | % |
(1)Refer to the table above within this “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income.
(2)Includes goodwill and other intangible assets included in assets of discontinued operations within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
(3)The tax effect of amortization of intangible assets was calculated using our combined statutory tax rate of 27.7%for the year ended December 31, 2024, 28.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 28.1% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Financial Position
Summary of Financial Position
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,006,880 | $ | 693,076 | $ | 313,804 | 45.3 | % | ||||||
| Securities available for sale | 4,021,598 | 4,407,521 | (385,923) | (8.8) | % | |||||||||
| Securities held to maturity | 420,715 | 449,721 | (29,006) | (6.4) | % | |||||||||
| Loans, net of allowance for loan losses | 17,549,402 | 13,799,367 | 3,750,035 | 27.2 | % | |||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 5,865 | 5,904 | (39) | (0.7) | % | |||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles, net | 1,050,158 | 566,205 | 483,953 | 85.5 | % | |||||||||
| Deposits | 21,291,619 | 17,596,217 | 3,695,402 | 21.0 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowed funds | 93,900 | 48,216 | 45,684 | 94.7 | % |
56
Cash and cash equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents increased by $313.8 million, or 45.3%, to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2024 from $693.1 million at December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to proceeds from the sale of AFS securities of $1.1 billion and proceeds from maturities and principal paydowns of AFS and HTM securities of $0.4 billion. Partially offsetting these increases were net repayments of FHLB advances of $739.9 million, which includes repayment of advances assumed in connection with our merger with Cambridge, a net decrease in deposits, excluding deposits acquired from Cambridge, of $178.3 million, and a net increase in gross loans, excluding loans acquired from Cambridge, of $171.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. For further discussion of the change in securities, loans, and deposits, refer to the later “Securities,” “Loans,” and “Deposits” sections in this Item 7. For further information regarding our merger with Cambridge, refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Securities
Our current investment policy authorizes us to invest in various types of investment securities and liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate notes, asset-backed securities and state and municipal securities. The Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for approving and overseeing our investment policy, which it reviews at least annually. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, liquidity requirements, potential returns and market risk considerations. We do not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor do we purchase any high-risk investment products. We typically invest in the following types of securities:
U.S. government securities: Our U.S. government securities consists of U.S. Agency bonds and U.S. Treasury securities. We maintain these investments, to the extent appropriate, for liquidity purposes, at zero risk weighting for capital purposes, and as collateral for interest rate derivative positions. U.S. Agency bonds include securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB, and the Federal Farm Credit Bureau.
Mortgage-backed securities: We invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities insured or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae, including collateralized mortgage obligations. We have not purchased any privately-issued mortgage-backed securities. We invest in mortgage-backed securities to achieve a positive interest rate spread with minimal administrative expense, and to lower our credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae.
Investments in residential mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. We periodically review current prepayment speeds to determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or
57
accretion adjustments. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities. In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.
State and municipal securities: We invest in fixed rate investment grade bonds issued primarily by municipalities in our local communities within Massachusetts and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The market value of these securities may be affected by call options, long dated maturities, general market liquidity and credit factors.
The following table shows the fair value of our securities by investment category as of the dates indicated:
Securities Portfolio Composition
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Available for sale securities, at fair value: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 2,561,895 | $ | 2,780,638 | ||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,161,111 | 1,124,376 | ||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | 17,672 | 216,011 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 97,619 | 95,152 | ||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 183,301 | 191,344 | ||||
| Total available for sale securities, at fair value | 4,021,598 | 4,407,521 | ||||
| Held to maturity securities, at amortized cost: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 231,709 | 254,752 | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 189,006 | 194,969 | ||||
| Total held to maturity securities, at amortized cost | 420,715 | 449,721 | ||||
| Total | $ | 4,442,313 | $ | 4,857,242 |
Our securities portfolio has decreased $0.4 billion, or 8.5%, to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2024 from $4.9 billion at December 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to sales of AFS securities of $1.1 billion and maturities and principal paydowns of AFS and HTM securities of $0.4 billion. Included in this activity are principal paydowns and proceeds from the sale of securities acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge of $883.0 million, representing all of the securities acquired at fair value. All acquired securities paid down or were sold immediately following the completion of the merger. No gain or loss was recognized upon the sale as the securities were marked to fair value in connection with our purchase accounting based upon quoted sale prices. Partially offsetting these items were purchases of AFS securities of $199.5 million.
We did not have trading investments at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
A portion of our securities portfolio continues to be tax-exempt. Investments in federally tax-exempt securities totaled $183.1 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $191.1 million at December 31, 2023.
Our AFS securities are carried at fair value and are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of model inputs. Securities which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had no securities categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
58
The following tables show contractual maturities of our AFS and HTM securities and weighted average yields at and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Maturities of our securities portfolio are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the effect of scheduled principal repayments, prepayments, or early redemptions that may occur. Weighted average yields in the tables below have been calculated based on the amortized cost of the security:
Securities Portfolio, Weighted-Average Yield
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2024 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 2.83 | % | 2.37 | % | 1.68 | % | 1.71 | % | 1.72 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.96 | 2.32 | 1.94 | 2.02 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 1.56 | — | — | 1.56 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 3.15 | 0.78 | — | — | 1.96 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 2.40 | 2.76 | 3.59 | 4.12 | 3.70 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 3.07 | % | 1.91 | % | 2.49 | % | 1.82 | % | 1.89 | % | ||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | — | % | — | % | 2.86 | % | 2.86 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 2.16 | 2.36 | — | 2.22 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | % | 2.16 | % | 2.36 | % | 2.86 | % | 2.57 | % | ||||
| Total | 3.07 | % | 1.95 | % | 2.47 | % | 1.88 | % | 1.95 | % |
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2023 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | 2.35 | % | 1.90 | % | 1.59 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.92 | 1.40 | 1.95 | 1.79 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 1.35 | — | — | 1.35 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | — | 1.96 | — | — | 1.96 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 1.33 | 2.41 | 3.34 | 4.09 | 3.66 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 1.33 | % | 1.76 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.73 | % | 1.72 | % | ||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | — | % | — | % | 2.87 | % | 2.87 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 2.18 | 2.25 | — | 2.22 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | % | 2.18 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.87 | % | 2.59 | % | ||||
| Total | 1.33 | % | 1.81 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.79 | % | 1.79 | % |
(1)Investment security weighted-average yields were calculated on a level-yield basis by weighting the tax equivalent yield for each security type by the book value of each maturity category.
The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent (“FTE”) basis by adjusting tax-exempt income upward by an amount equivalent to the prevailing federal income taxes that would have been paid if the income had been fully taxable.
59
Loans
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio, by category, as of the dates indicated, and the balance of loans, by category, that were acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge as of the merger date of July 12, 2024:
| As of December 31, | Cambridge Acquired Loan Balances | Organic Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change ($) | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,296,068 | $ | 3,034,068 | $ | 262,000 | $ | 339,581 | $ | (77,581) | (2.6) | % | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 7,119,523 | 5,457,349 | 1,662,174 | 1,692,705 | (30,531) | (0.6) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 494,842 | 386,999 | 107,843 | 141,420 | (33,577) | (8.7) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 1,448,176 | 1,085,763 | 362,413 | 120,454 | 241,959 | 22.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 4,063,659 | 2,565,485 | 1,498,174 | 1,528,534 | (30,360) | (1.2) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,385,394 | 1,208,231 | 177,163 | 87,785 | 89,378 | 7.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 271,422 | 235,533 | 35,889 | 24,196 | 11,693 | 5.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total gross loans | $ | 18,079,084 | $ | 13,973,428 | $ | 4,105,656 | $ | 3,934,675 | $ | 170,981 | 1.2 | % |
We consider our loan portfolio to be relatively diversified by borrower and industry. Our loans increased $4.1 billion, or 29.4%, to $18.1 billion at December 31, 2024 from $14.0 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase as of December 31, 2024 was primarily due to loans acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. Excluding the addition of acquired loans, our gross loans increased $171.0 million, or 1.2%, which was primarily attributable to increased balances of business banking and consumer home equity loans.
•Excluding Cambridge-acquired loans, our business banking portfolio increased by $242.0 million, or 22.3%, from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 which was primarily due to transfers from our commercial and industrial and commercial real estate portfolios. These transfers contributed to an overall decrease in the total balance of our commercial and industrial and commercial real estate portfolios and were partially offset by originations in those portfolios. In the normal course of business, loans are transferred from our commercial and industrial and commercial real estate portfolios to our business banking portfolio once the loan balances reach a certain dollar threshold.
•Excluding Cambridge-acquired loans, our consumer home equity portfolio increased by $89.4 million, or 7.4%, from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 which was primarily due to additional draws by borrowers on home equity lines of credit.
We believe that our commercial loan portfolio composition is relatively diversified in terms of industry sectors, property types and various lending specialties. As of December 31, 2024, the amortized cost balances of concentrations in our commercial loan portfolios were as follows:
| Commercial and Industrial | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Educational services | $ | 694,739 | 21.2 | % | ||
| Real estate | 342,537 | 10.5 | % | |||
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 326,486 | 10.0 | % | |||
| Wholesale trade | 279,947 | 8.6 | % | |||
| Accommodation | 266,386 | 8.2 | % | |||
| Finance and insurance | 174,313 | 5.3 | % | |||
| Admin support | 169,153 | 5.2 | % | |||
| Healthcare | 164,557 | 5.0 | % | |||
| Transportation | 150,465 | 4.6 | % | |||
| Utilities | 146,716 | 4.5 | % | |||
| Other industries | 551,276 | 16.9 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 3,266,575 | 100.0 | % |
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| Commercial Real Estate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Multi-family | $ | 2,045,617 | 28.9 | % | ||
| Industrial/warehouse | 746,945 | 10.6 | % | |||
| Retail | 680,803 | 9.7 | % | |||
| Office | 606,562 | 8.6 | % | |||
| Mixed use - multi-family | 443,060 | 6.3 | % | |||
| Affordable housing | 408,555 | 5.8 | % | |||
| School | 336,645 | 4.8 | % | |||
| Mixed use - office | 335,288 | 4.8 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail | 282,389 | 4.0 | % | |||
| Hotel/motel/hospitality | 259,178 | 3.7 | % | |||
| Other property types | 899,036 | 12.8 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 7,044,078 | 100.0 | % |
| Commercial Construction | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Affordable housing | $ | 284,753 | 57.9 | % | ||
| Multi-family | 81,056 | 16.5 | % | |||
| For sale housing | 44,160 | 9.0 | % | |||
| Mixed use - multi-family | 21,123 | 4.3 | % | |||
| Self storage | 18,829 | 3.8 | % | |||
| Industrial/warehouse | 14,748 | 3.0 | % | |||
| Retail | 12,667 | 2.6 | % | |||
| School | 3,602 | 0.7 | % | |||
| Other property types | 10,711 | 2.2 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 491,649 | 100.0 | % |
We believe that the loan to value ratio (“LTV”) is an important factor in monitoring the risk characteristics of our loans secured by real estate. The following tables show the distribution of loan balances, on an amortized cost basis, by LTV and year of origination for each of our portfolios of loans secured by real estate as of December 31, 2024:
| Balance of Commercial Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 43,574 | $ | 7,109 | $ | 32,943 | $ | 8,824 | $ | 4,511 | $ | 89,894 | $ | 186,855 | |||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 205,594 | 180,548 | 694,667 | 328,403 | 314,449 | 990,850 | 2,714,511 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 251,847 | 365,031 | 884,924 | 599,983 | 351,877 | 967,028 | 3,420,690 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 44,674 | 89,145 | 194,813 | 101,275 | 50,873 | 102,144 | 582,924 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% (3) | 1,565 | 2,579 | 1,281 | 1,334 | 4,201 | 18,233 | 29,193 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher (3) | 8,872 | 50,412 | — | 23,931 | 16,169 | 10,521 | 109,905 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 556,126 | $ | 694,824 | $ | 1,808,628 | $ | 1,063,750 | $ | 742,080 | $ | 2,178,670 | $ | 7,044,078 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 50.61 | % | 62.53 | % | 52.17 | % | 54.80 | % | 51.06 | % | 48.25 | % | 52.18 | % |
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| Balance of Residential Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 1,759 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 92 | $ | 850 | $ | 9,490 | $ | 12,191 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 34,313 | 40,790 | 126,909 | 295,233 | 153,786 | 284,833 | 935,864 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 37,710 | 53,498 | 210,370 | 397,051 | 245,752 | 352,349 | 1,296,730 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 78,420 | 129,490 | 398,544 | 277,243 | 115,649 | 119,082 | 1,118,428 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 39,841 | 75,171 | 194,594 | 54,419 | 33,598 | 46,708 | 444,331 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 23,029 | 24,551 | 50,615 | 14,788 | 3,136 | 4,719 | 120,838 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 215,072 | $ | 323,500 | $ | 981,032 | $ | 1,038,826 | $ | 552,771 | $ | 817,181 | $ | 3,928,382 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 71.63 | % | 72.37 | % | 70.29 | % | 59.92 | % | 59.12 | % | 54.93 | % | 62.98 | % |
| Balance of Consumer Home Equity Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 206,164 | $ | 187,290 | $ | 295,895 | $ | 173,121 | $ | 22,647 | $ | 216,058 | $ | 1,101,175 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 120 | 1,092 | 3,429 | 460 | 20,933 | 60,962 | 86,996 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 123 | 911 | 4,836 | 667 | 27,083 | 57,879 | 91,499 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 96 | 381 | 3,768 | 423 | 11,447 | 57,205 | 73,320 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 19 | 222 | 1,830 | 587 | 4,258 | 25,157 | 32,073 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | — | — | — | — | — | 225 | 225 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 206,522 | $ | 189,896 | $ | 309,758 | $ | 175,258 | $ | 86,368 | $ | 417,486 | $ | 1,385,288 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 59.19 | % | 55.36 | % | 60.13 | % | 60.93 | % | 56.26 | % | 59.00 | % | 58.42 | % |
(1)Current LTV is calculated based upon exposure amount and the most recently available appraisal value as of the reporting period.
(2)Insufficient data available to calculate LTV.
(3)We generally require an LTV of 80% or less on new CRE loan originations. Certain CRE loans with LTVs greater than 80% may have additional collateral pledged which is not included in the computation of the amounts stated.
The maturity distribution of our loan portfolio is one factor used by management to evaluate the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio. The following table shows the maturity distribution of our loans, on a gross basis, as of December 31, 2024:
Scheduled Contractual Loan Maturity
| One Year or Less (1) | One to Five Years | Five to Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 459,202 | $ | 1,249,584 | $ | 610,291 | $ | 947,498 | $ | 3,266,575 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 660,827 | 2,525,060 | 3,477,055 | 381,136 | 7,044,078 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 117,812 | 245,229 | 65,729 | 62,879 | 491,649 | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 181,395 | 380,930 | 781,912 | 90,966 | 1,435,203 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 1,246 | 22,254 | 315,913 | 3,588,969 | 3,928,382 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 2,300 | 22,932 | 249,510 | 1,110,546 | 1,385,288 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 41,656 | 77,208 | 107,151 | 1,164 | 227,179 | |||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 1,464,438 | $ | 4,523,197 | $ | 5,607,561 | $ | 6,183,158 | $ | 17,778,354 |
(1)Includes demand loans, or loans without a stated maturity.
The interest rate risk of our loan portfolio is an important element in the management of net interest margin. We attempt to manage the relationship between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to produce an effective interest differential that is not significantly impacted by changes in the level of interest rates. The following table shows the interest rate risk of our loans, on a gross basis, due one year after December 31, 2024:
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Loan Interest Rate Risk
| Due after December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Adjustable | Total | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 815,645 | $ | 1,991,728 | $ | 2,807,373 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 2,826,091 | 3,557,160 | 6,383,251 | |||||||
| Commercial construction | 216,568 | 157,269 | 373,837 | |||||||
| Business banking | 362,704 | 891,104 | 1,253,808 | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,648,971 | 1,278,165 | 3,927,136 | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | 172,727 | 1,210,261 | 1,382,988 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 183,061 | 2,462 | 185,523 | |||||||
| Total loans | $ | 7,225,767 | $ | 9,088,149 | $ | 16,313,916 |
Asset quality. We continually monitor the asset quality of our loan portfolio utilizing portfolio scorecards and various credit quality indicators. Based on this process, loans meeting certain criteria are categorized as delinquent or non-performing and further assessed to determine if non-accrual status is appropriate.
For the commercial portfolio, which includes our commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking loans, we monitor credit quality using a risk rating scale, which assigns a risk-grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial loan transaction. Management utilizes a loan risk rating methodology based on a 15-point scale with the assistance of risk rating scorecard tools. Pass grades are 0-10 and non-pass categories, which align with regulatory guidelines, are: special mention (11), substandard (12), doubtful (13) and loss (14).
Risk rating assignment is determined using one of 15 separate scorecards developed for distinctive portfolio segments based on common attributes. Key factors include: industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral and other considerations.
Special mention, substandard and doubtful loans totaled 4.9% and 4.1% of total commercial loans outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This increase was driven by several risk rating downgrades of loans in the commercial real estate and commercial and industrial portfolios.
Our philosophy toward managing our loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations. We seek to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame.
For the retail portfolio, which includes residential real estate, consumer home equity, and other consumer portfolios, we monitor credit quality using the borrower’s FICO score. As of December 31, 2024, 72.0% of retail borrowers, based on amortized cost balances, have a FICO score of 740 or greater. The following table shows the balances by borrowers’ current FICO scores as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | |||||||||||||||||
| Current FICO (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 35,784 | $ | 26,906 | $ | 18,024 | $ | 1,873 | $ | 22,213 | $ | 14,030 | ||||||||||
| 640 or lower | 118,720 | 65,538 | 3,656 | 69,423 | 45,632 | 3,647 | ||||||||||||||||
| 641 – 699 | 314,204 | 154,184 | 13,882 | 216,078 | 132,270 | 12,352 | ||||||||||||||||
| 700 – 739 | 521,330 | 257,035 | 23,199 | 410,644 | 214,096 | 22,169 | ||||||||||||||||
| 740 or higher | 2,938,344 | 881,625 | 168,418 | 1,884,447 | 796,957 | 154,821 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,928,382 | $ | 1,385,288 | $ | 227,179 | $ | 2,582,465 | $ | 1,211,168 | $ | 207,019 | ||||||||||
| Average FICO | 770.9 | 755.4 | 783.0 | 767.4 | 758.8 | 781.6 |
(1)Borrower FICO scores are updated on a semi-annual basis, and the most recent update occurred in August 2024.
(2)Insufficient data available to report.
The delinquency rate of our total loan portfolio increased to 0.62% at December 31, 2024 from 0.41% at December 31, 2023.
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The following table provides details regarding our delinquency rates as of the dates indicated:
Loan Delinquency Rates
| Delinquency Rate as of December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.00 | % | 0.13 | % | |
| Commercial real estate | 0.46 | % | — | % | |
| Commercial construction | — | % | — | % | |
| Business banking | 1.19 | % | 0.58 | % | |
| Residential real estate | 1.04 | % | 1.11 | % | |
| Consumer home equity | 1.29 | % | 1.43 | % | |
| Other consumer | 0.62 | % | 0.46 | % | |
| Total | 0.62 | % | 0.41 | % |
As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as non-accrual loans. However, based on our assessment of collateral and/or payment prospects, certain loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status. Income accruals are suspended on all non-accrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan is expected to remain on non-accrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest, the loan is liquidated, or the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) are comprised of non-performing loans (“NPLs”), OREO and non-performing securities. NPLs consist of non-accrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest. OREO consists of real estate properties, which primarily serve as collateral to secure our loans, that we control due to foreclosure. These properties are recorded at the fair value less estimated costs to sell on the date we obtain control. Any write-downs to the cost of the related asset upon transfer to OREO to reflect the asset at fair value less estimated costs to sell is recorded through the allowance for loan losses.
NPLs increased $83.3 million, or 158%, to $135.8 million at December 31, 2024 from $52.6 million at December 31, 2023. NPLs as a percentage of total loans increased to 0.76% at December 31, 2024 from 0.38% at December 31, 2023. Refer to the later “Allowance for Credit Losses” section in this Item 7 for a discussion of the change in non-accrual loans which comprise our NPLs as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The total amount of interest recorded on NPLs during both the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was not significant. The gross interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of those loans if they had been performing amounted to $8.8 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In the course of resolving NPLs, we may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. We attempt to work-out alternative payment schedules with the borrowers in order to avoid foreclosure actions. The aggregate amortized cost balance as of December 31, 2024 of loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2024 which were determined to be modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty was $30.7 million. Included in such modifications were four commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties in our office risk segment. The aggregate amortized cost balance as of December 31, 2023 of loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2023 which were determined to be modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty was $19.4 million.
As of December 31, 2024, there were three loans with an aggregate balance of $0.5 million that had been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the during the twelve-month period then ended which had subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, there were no loans that had been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the twelve-month period then ended which had subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Our policy is that any restructured loan, which is on non-accrual status prior to being modified, remain on non-accrual status for approximately six months subsequent to being modified before we consider its return to accrual status. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, we review it to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status.
Purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans are loans that we acquired that have shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and, therefore, it was deemed unlikely that all contractually required payments would be collected upon the merger date. We consider factors such as payment history, collateral values and accrual status when determining whether there was evidence of deterioration at the merger date. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023,
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the carrying amount of PCD loans was $331.4 million and $49.1 million, respectively. The increase in PCD loans was due to our acquisition of PCD loans in the third quarter of 2024 in connection with our merger with Cambridge which was completed on July 12, 2024 and which added $356.1 million in PCD loans on a gross amortized cost basis.
Potential Problem Loans. In the normal course of business, we become aware of possible credit problems in which borrowers exhibit the potential to be unable to comply in the future with the contractual terms of their loans, but which currently do not yet meet the criteria for classification as NPLs. These loans are neither delinquent nor on non-accrual status. Our potential problem loans, or loans with potential weaknesses that were not included in the non-accrual loans or in the loans 90 or more past due categories, increased by $38.3 million, or 10.2%, to $412.0 million at December 31, 2024 from $373.7 million at December 31, 2023. These loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 2.3% at December 31, 2024 from 2.7% at December 31, 2023. The increase in potential problem loans from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 was primarily due to the downgrade of certain commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans during the year ended December 31, 2024, including certain commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties in the office risk segment, and the addition of certain loans acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge. Refer to the below “Commercial Real Estate Office Exposure” section of this Item 7 for additional information.
Commercial Real Estate Office Exposure. Our total office-related commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans (which is comprised of loans within our commercial real estate and construction portfolios that are secured by office space, medical office space, and mixed-use properties where rental income is primarily from office space) totaled $1.0 billion and $0.8 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Included in this total as of December 31, 2024 were loans with a balance of $288.1 million which were acquired during year ended December 31, 2024 in connection with our merger with Cambridge. As of December 31, 2024, our office-related CRE loans are primarily concentrated in Massachusetts, where approximately 92.1% of the total recorded investment balance of office-related CRE loans are located, and approximately 20.4% of the total recorded investment balance of office-related CRE loans are located in the City of Boston.
Given prevailing market conditions such as reduced occupancy as a result of the increase in hybrid and fully remote work arrangements post-COVID and lower commercial real estate valuations, we are carefully monitoring these loans for signs of deterioration in credit quality. Such monitoring includes incremental risk management strategies undertaken by management including monthly internal CRE office exposure portfolio reporting, more frequent portfolio reviews, ongoing monitoring of market conditions, and additional portfolio analysis such as maturity risk analysis and rent rollover risk analysis. As of December 31, 2024, twelve of our office-related CRE loans, which had a total recorded investment balance of $87.0 million, were on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2023, two of our office-related CRE loans were on non-accrual status and had a total recorded investment balance of $14.0 million.
The following table sets forth the unpaid principal balance of office-related CRE loans by loan segment and credit quality indicator as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||
| Pass | $ | 848,526 | $ | 683,545 | ||
| Special mention | 30,409 | — | ||||
| Substandard | 71,088 | 104,962 | ||||
| Doubtful | 87,012 | 13,969 | ||||
| Total commercial real estate | $ | 1,037,035 | $ | 802,476 | ||
| Commercial construction | ||||||
| Pass | $ | — | $ | 15,986 | ||
| Special mention | 621 | 454 | ||||
| Substandard | 779 | — | ||||
| Doubtful | — | — | ||||
| Total commercial construction | $ | 1,400 | $ | 16,440 | ||
| Total | $ | 1,038,435 | $ | 818,916 |
The following table sets forth the unpaid principal balance of office-related CRE loans by loan segment and collateral use type as of the dates indicated:
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| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||
| Office | $ | 617,089 | $ | 425,682 | ||
| Medical office | 81,980 | 113,110 | ||||
| Mixed-use | 337,966 | 263,684 | ||||
| Total commercial real estate | $ | 1,037,035 | $ | 802,476 | ||
| Commercial construction | ||||||
| Office | $ | 1,400 | $ | 454 | ||
| Medical office | — | 14,961 | ||||
| Mixed-use | — | 1,025 | ||||
| Total commercial construction | $ | 1,400 | $ | 16,440 | ||
| Total | $ | 1,038,435 | $ | 818,916 |
Allowance for credit losses. For the purpose of estimating our allowance for loan losses, we segregate the loan portfolio into loan categories, for loans that share similar risk characteristics, that possess unique risk characteristics such as loan purpose, repayment source, and collateral that are considered when determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses for each category. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are evaluated individually.
While we use available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions or subtractions to/from the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in NPLs, changes in economic conditions, or other reasons. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of our examination process, periodically assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to assess whether the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with GAAP and applicable guidance.
We perform an evaluation of our allowance for loan losses on a regular basis (at least quarterly), and establish the allowance for loan losses based upon an evaluation of our loan categories, as each possesses unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, including:
•known increases in concentrations within each category;
•certain higher risk classes of loans, or pledged collateral;
•historical loan loss experience within each category;
•results of any independent review and evaluation of the category’s credit quality;
•trends in volume, maturity and composition of each category;
•volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals;
•national and local economic conditions and downturns in specific local industries;
•corporate goals and objectives;
•lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; and
•current and forecasted banking industry conditions, as well as the regulatory and competitive environment.
Loans are evaluated on a regular basis by management. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of probability of default, or PD, loss given default, or LGD, and exposure at default, or EAD, which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories using both a formula-based approach and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. We use a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected credit loss in the loan portfolio. Under our current methodology, the allowance for loan losses contains reserves related to loans for which
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the related allowance for loan losses is determined on an individual loan basis and on a collective basis, and other qualitative components.
The allowance for loan losses increased by $80.0 million, or 53.7%, to $229.0 million, or 1.29% of total loans, at December 31, 2024 from $149.0 million, or 1.07% of total loans at December 31, 2023. The increase in the allowance for loan losses was primarily due to our merger with Cambridge, which was completed on July 12, 2024. In connection with the merger, we recorded an allowance for acquired PCD loans of $55.8 million, as a gross-up of the corresponding loan balance, and an allowance for acquired non-PCD loans of $40.9 million, recognized through the provision for allowance for loan losses immediately following the completion of the merger. Excluding these amounts, the allowance for loan losses decreased by $16.7 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. For further discussion of the change in the allowance for loan losses and the provision for allowance for loans losses, refer to Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the reserving method for loans receivable previously described. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our reserve for unfunded lending commitments decreased by $1.0 million, or 7%, to $13.1 million at December 31, 2024 from $14.1 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower reserve rates and unfunded balances within the commercial construction portfolio, which were attributable to an improved economic forecast and draws by borrowers which served to reduce unfunded balances. The decrease in our reserve for unfunded lending commitments contributed to a decrease in our other non-interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2024.
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The following table summarizes credit ratios for the periods presented:
Credit Ratios
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loan charge-offs (recoveries): | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | (59) | $ | (283) | $ | (1,053) | $ | 623 | $ | 992 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 40,349 | 7,810 | (91) | 243 | (206) | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 1,309 | 2,778 | 223 | 3,567 | 4,855 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | (177) | (97) | (94) | (87) | (125) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | (77) | (34) | (23) | (161) | 421 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 1,906 | 1,953 | 1,625 | 1,373 | 2,129 | |||||||||
| Total net loan charge-offs | $ | 43,251 | $ | 12,127 | $ | 587 | $ | 5,558 | $ | 8,066 | ||||
| Average loans: | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,198,008 | $ | 3,197,668 | $ | 2,944,064 | $ | 2,015,665 | $ | 2,053,093 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 6,287,261 | 5,377,304 | 4,886,951 | 3,960,818 | 3,654,887 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 453,372 | 357,499 | 294,805 | 191,771 | 226,286 | |||||||||
| Business banking | 1,149,337 | 981,496 | 1,021,720 | 1,241,770 | 1,079,779 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 3,213,200 | 2,536,374 | 2,063,193 | 1,508,796 | 1,398,337 | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,292,616 | 1,193,270 | 1,129,757 | 869,110 | 902,634 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 216,900 | 188,476 | 197,659 | 233,932 | 334,257 | |||||||||
| Average total loans (1) | $ | 15,810,694 | $ | 13,832,087 | $ | 12,538,149 | $ | 10,021,862 | $ | 9,649,273 | ||||
| Total net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans outstanding during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.00 | % | (0.01) | % | (0.04) | % | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 0.64 | 0.15 | 0.00 | 0.01 | (0.01) | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 0.11 | 0.28 | 0.02 | 0.29 | 0.45 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | (0.01) | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.01) | (0.01) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | (0.01) | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.02) | 0.05 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 0.88 | 1.04 | 0.82 | 0.59 | 0.64 | |||||||||
| Total net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding during the period | 0.27 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.08 | % | ||||
| Total loans (2) | $ | 17,778,354 | $ | 13,948,360 | $ | 13,562,528 | $ | 12,255,068 | $ | 9,706,989 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans | $ | 135,820 | $ | 52,557 | $ | 38,604 | $ | 32,993 | $ | 41,005 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 228,952 | $ | 148,993 | $ | 142,211 | $ | 97,787 | $ | 113,031 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans | 1.29 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.05 | % | 0.80 | % | 1.16 | % | ||||
| Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans | 0.76 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.28 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.42 | % | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans | 168.57 | % | 283.49 | % | 368.38 | % | 296.39 | % | 275.65 | % |
(1)Average loan balances exclude loans held for sale.
(2)Amounts presented include unearned discounts and deferred fees, net
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Non-accrual loans increased $83.3 million, or 158%, to $135.8 million at December 31, 2024 from $52.6 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to loans acquired from Cambridge and which were already on non-accrual or were transferred to non-accrual following the completion of the merger. As of December 31, 2024, the amount of loans on non-accrual which were acquired from Cambridge was $59.3 million. For additional information regarding the credit quality of our loans, see Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following tables set forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories listed in loan portfolio composition and the related loan balances as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated:
Summary of Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 41,090 | 17.95 | % | 18.24 | % | $ | 26,959 | 18.09 | % | 21.71 | % | |||||||
| Commercial real estate | 116,175 | 50.74 | % | 39.37 | % | 65,475 | 43.95 | % | 39.05 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 8,462 | 3.70 | % | 2.74 | % | 6,666 | 4.47 | % | 2.77 | % | |||||||||
| Business banking | 19,899 | 8.69 | % | 8.01 | % | 14,913 | 10.01 | % | 7.77 | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 32,291 | 14.10 | % | 22.48 | % | 25,954 | 17.42 | % | 18.36 | % | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 7,472 | 3.26 | % | 7.66 | % | 5,595 | 3.76 | % | 8.65 | % | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 3,563 | 1.56 | % | 1.50 | % | 3,431 | 2.30 | % | 1.69 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 228,952 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 148,993 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 26,859 | 18.89 | % | 23.21 | % | $ | 18,018 | 18.43 | % | 24.10 | % | $ | 26,617 | 23.54 | % | 20.51 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 54,730 | 38.49 | % | 37.97 | % | 52,373 | 53.56 | % | 36.82 | % | 54,569 | 48.28 | % | 36.73 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 7,085 | 4.98 | % | 2.48 | % | 2,585 | 2.64 | % | 1.81 | % | 4,553 | 4.03 | % | 3.14 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 16,189 | 11.38 | % | 8.03 | % | 10,983 | 11.23 | % | 10.87 | % | 13,152 | 11.64 | % | 13.76 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 28,129 | 19.78 | % | 18.13 | % | 6,556 | 6.70 | % | 15.69 | % | 6,435 | 5.69 | % | 14.09 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 6,454 | 4.54 | % | 8.75 | % | 3,722 | 3.81 | % | 8.96 | % | 3,744 | 3.31 | % | 8.92 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 2,765 | 1.94 | % | 1.43 | % | 3,308 | 3.38 | % | 1.75 | % | 3,467 | 3.07 | % | 2.85 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | % | — | % | 242 | 0.25 | % | — | % | 494 | 0.44 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 142,211 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 97,787 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 113,031 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
To determine if a loan should be charged-off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed. Possible sources of repayment include the potential for future cash flows, liquidation of the collateral and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses and any recoveries of such previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, we charge off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portions of loans, are deemed uncollectible. For troubled, collateral-dependent loans, loss
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confirming events may include an appraisal or other valuation that reflects a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan or receivable, or a deficiency balance following the sale of the collateral.
For additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses, see Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for our membership in the FHLBB is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding and as a tool to manage interest rate risk. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. We purchase and/or are subject to redemption of FHLBB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and view the holdings as a necessary long-term investment for the purpose of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.
We held an investment in the FHLBB of $5.9 million at both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The amount of stock we are required to purchase is in proportional to our FHLB borrowings and level of total assets.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
The table below sets forth the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, as of the dates indicated below:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Balances not subject to amortization | ||||||
| Goodwill | $ | 914,957 | $ | 557,635 | ||
| Balances subject to amortization | ||||||
| Core deposit intangibles | 111,296 | 8,570 | ||||
| Customer list intangible | 22,841 | — | ||||
| Trade name intangible | 1,064 | — | ||||
| Total balances subject to amortization | 135,201 | 8,570 | ||||
| Total goodwill and other intangible assets | $ | 1,050,158 | $ | 566,205 |
The balance of our goodwill and other intangible assets was $1.1 billion and $0.6 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2024 from December 31, 2023 was due to our merger with Cambridge during the third quarter of 2024. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. We did not record any impairment to our goodwill or other intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. For discussion of the impairment testing performed, refer to Note 8, “Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible Asset” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits originating within the markets we serve continue to be our primary source of funding our earning assets. Historically, we have been able to compete effectively for deposits in our primary market areas. The distribution and market share of deposits by type of deposit and type of depositor are important considerations in our assessment of the stability of our funding sources and our access to additional funds. Furthermore, we shift the mix and maturity of the deposits depending on economic conditions and loan and investment policies in an attempt, within set policies, to minimize cost and maximize net interest margin.
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The following table presents our deposits as of the dates indicated, and the balance of deposits, by category, that were acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge as of the merger date of July 12, 2024:
Components of Deposits
| As of December 31, | Cambridge Acquired Deposit Balances | Organic Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 5,992,082 | $ | 5,162,218 | $ | 829,864 | $ | 979,895 | $ | (150,031) | (2.9) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest checking | 4,606,250 | 3,737,361 | 868,889 | 1,149,097 | (280,208) | (7.5) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 1,620,602 | 1,323,126 | 297,476 | 471,340 | (173,864) | (13.1) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 5,736,362 | 4,664,475 | 1,071,887 | 854,614 | 217,273 | 4.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificate of deposits | 3,336,323 | 2,709,037 | 627,286 | 418,771 | 208,515 | 7.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 21,291,619 | $ | 17,596,217 | $ | 3,695,402 | $ | 3,873,717 | $ | (178,315) | (1.0) | % |
Deposits increased by $3.7 billion, or 21.0%, to $21.3 billion at December 31, 2024 from $17.6 billion at December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to the addition of deposits acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge, which was completed on July 12, 2024. Excluding the acquired deposit balances, deposits decreased $178.3 million, or 1.0%, at December 31, 2024 from December 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in the balances of omnibus deposit accounts which decreased $285.3 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 and which contributed to the decrease in interest checking deposits, excluding the impact of our merger with Cambridge. Further, the remaining changes, which taken together comprise an overall increase, reflect organic deposit growth and a continued shift in deposit mix from non-interest-bearing/low-yielding deposit accounts to interest-bearing/higher-yielding deposit account types during the year ended December 31, 2024. The shift in deposit mix was due primarily to increases in rates paid on money market investment deposits and certificates of deposit, which attracted depositors to such products.
The Bank’s estimate of total uninsured deposits was $9.0 billion and $8.0 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In accordance with the FDIC’s Call Report instructions, these estimates include accounts of wholly-owned subsidiaries, the holding company, and internal operating deposit accounts (together referred to as “internal deposit accounts”). In addition, these estimates include municipal deposit accounts for which securities were pledged by us to secure such deposits (“collateralized deposits”). For liquidity monitoring purposes, we exclude internal deposit accounts and collateralized deposits from our estimate of uninsured deposits. Our estimate of uninsured deposits, excluding internal deposit accounts and collateralized deposits, was $6.9 billion and $5.5 billion at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
The following table presents the classification of deposits on an average basis for the years indicated:
Classification of Deposits on an Average Basis
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 5,348,124 | — | % | $ | 5,404,208 | — | % | $ | 6,647,518 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest checking | 4,167,043 | 1.04 | % | 4,070,585 | 0.60 | % | 4,890,709 | 0.24 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings | 1,466,914 | 0.21 | % | 1,515,713 | 0.01 | % | 2,015,651 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market investments | 5,283,231 | 2.66 | % | 4,918,343 | 2.11 | % | 5,057,445 | 0.27 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 3,146,139 | 4.78 | % | 2,303,520 | 4.24 | % | 463,261 | 0.70 | % | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 19,411,451 | 1.74 | % | $ | 18,212,369 | 1.24 | % | $ | 19,074,584 | 0.15 | % |
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Other time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, including certificates of deposits as of the dates indicated had maturities as follows:
Maturities of Time Certificates of Deposit $250,000 and Over
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Maturing in | (In thousands) | |||||
| Three months or less | $ | 416,015 | $ | 278,281 | ||
| Over three months through six months | 544,598 | 262,761 | ||||
| Over six months through twelve months | 156,565 | 316,408 | ||||
| Over twelve months | 5,161 | 10,146 | ||||
| Total | $ | 1,122,339 | $ | 867,596 |
Borrowings
Our borrowings may consist of both short-term and long-term borrowings and provide us with sources of funding. Maintaining available borrowing capacity provides us with a contingent source of liquidity.
The following table sets forth information concerning balances on our borrowings as of the dates indicated:
Borrowings by Category
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Escrow deposits of borrowers | $ | 27,721 | $ | 21,978 | $ | 5,743 | 26.1 | % | ||||||
| Interest rate swap collateral funds | 48,590 | 8,500 | 40,090 | 471.6 | % | |||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank advances | 17,589 | 17,738 | (149) | (0.8) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 93,900 | $ | 48,216 | $ | 45,684 | 94.7 | % |
Our total borrowings increased by $45.7 million to $93.9 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $48.2 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased balances of interest rate swap collateral funds. Refer to the later “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” section in this Item 7 for additional discussion of our liquidity position.
Results of Operations
The information presented within this section excludes discontinued operations with regard to the year ended December 31, 2023. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding discontinued operations.
Summary of Results of Operations
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 946,766 | $ | 796,459 | $ | 150,307 | 18.9 | % | ||||||
| Interest expense | 339,169 | 246,050 | 93,119 | 37.8 | % | |||||||||
| Net interest income | 607,597 | 550,409 | 57,188 | 10.4 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for allowance for loan losses | 67,380 | 20,052 | 47,328 | 236.0 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest income (loss) | 123,917 | (237,753) | 361,670 | (152.1) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 508,368 | 418,602 | 89,766 | 21.4 | % | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 36,205 | (63,309) | 99,514 | (157.2) | % | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 119,561 | $ | (62,689) | $ | 182,250 | (290.7) | % |
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Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased by $150.3 million, or 18.9%, to $946.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $796.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to an increase in the average balance of our loan portfolio and our yields and was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on securities and other short-term investments.
•Interest income on loans increased $155.9 million, or 23.9%, to $808.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $652.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in interest income on our loans was due to an increase in the average balance of our loans and an increase in the yield on our loans. The average balance of our loans increased $2.0 billion, or 14.3%, to $15.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $13.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023, which was primarily due to loans acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge of $3.7 billion. The increase in yield, which increased 39 basis points to 5.22% during the year ended December 31, 2024, from 4.83% during the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to accretion of the discount on loans acquired in our merger with Cambridge, increases in market rates of interest which resulted in increased yields on variable rate loans which repriced, and new loans originated at higher rates of interest.
•Interest income on securities and other short-term investments decreased by $5.6 million, or 3.9%, to $138.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $144.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in the average balance of our securities and other short-term investments, which decreased $0.8 billion, or 11.2%, to $6.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $7.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the average balance was primarily due to our sales of AFS securities during the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as maturities and principal paydowns on AFS and HTM securities. Partially offsetting the decrease in the average balance of our securities and other short-term investments, and contributing to the overall increase in interest income during the year ended December 31, 2024, was an increase in our yield on our securities and other short-term investments which increased 16 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2024 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the rate paid on our cash held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston from an average of 5.10% during the year ended December 31, 2023 to an average of 5.21% during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $93.1 million to $339.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $246.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The overall increase was attributable to an increase in deposit interest expense partially offset by a decrease in borrowings interest expense.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, interest expense on our interest-bearing deposits increased by $111.3 million to $337.4 million from $226.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was due to an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits. During the year ended December 31, 2024, average interest-bearing deposits increased $1.3 billion, or 9.8%, to $14.1 billion, from $12.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily as a result of our merger with Cambridge which added approximately $2.9 billion in interest-bearing deposits. Also contributing to the increase was an increase in rates paid on deposits. Rates paid on deposits increased by 63 basis points to 2.40% during the year ended December 31, 2024 from 1.77% during the year ended December 31, 2023. This was primarily due to our increasing overall deposit rates paid in response to an increase in market rates of interest and heightened industry-wide competition for deposits, as well as a shift in deposit mix from lower interest-bearing account types to higher interest-bearing account types.
Interest expense related to our borrowings decreased by $18.2 million to $1.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $20.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in borrowings interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to a decrease in our utilization of our FHLB borrowing capacity. Our utilization of FHLBB borrowings was greater during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 as we had bolstered our on-balance sheet liquidity in response to the bank failures in the first quarter of 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we paid down our FHLB advances primarily with the proceeds from the sale of our insurance agency business, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2023. Both of these factors resulted in a reduced average balance of borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Net Interest Income
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Net interest income increased by $57.2 million, or 10.4%, to $607.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, from $550.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Net interest income increased due to a increase in the balance of average total interest-earning assets of $1.2 billion, or 5.7%, to $22.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $20.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as an increase in our net interest margin during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The following chart shows our net interest margin over the past five years:
Net interest margin is determined by dividing FTE net interest income by average-earning assets. For purposes of the following discussion, income from tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21.8%, 21.8%, and 21.6% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Net interest margin increased 12 basis points basis points to 2.85% during the year ended December 31, 2024, from 2.73% during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2024 from the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in the average balance and yield on interest-earning assets which exceeded the increase in the cost of our interest-earning liabilities.
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The following tables set forth average balance sheet items, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances in the table reflect daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and costs, and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense. Average asset and liability balances included in discontinued operations are included in non-interest-earnings assets and liabilities, respectively.
Average Balances, Interest Earned/Paid, & Average Yields/Costs
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 11,087,978 | $ | 591,885 | 5.34 | % | $ | 9,913,968 | $ | 491,427 | 4.96 | % | $ | 9,147,540 | $ | 366,097 | 4.00 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential | 3,214,769 | 131,648 | 4.10 | % | 2,538,588 | 90,139 | 3.55 | % | 2,064,609 | 63,803 | 3.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,509,516 | 101,552 | 6.73 | % | 1,381,745 | 86,167 | 6.24 | % | 1,327,417 | 56,965 | 4.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 15,812,263 | 825,085 | 5.22 | % | 13,834,301 | 667,733 | 4.83 | % | 12,539,566 | 486,865 | 3.88 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 197,391 | 7,342 | 3.72 | % | 197,682 | 7,279 | 3.68 | % | 253,651 | 9,091 | 3.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 5,176,736 | 90,582 | 1.75 | % | 6,050,024 | 101,233 | 1.67 | % | 8,413,217 | 118,690 | 1.41 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 810,670 | 42,377 | 5.23 | % | 720,864 | 37,395 | 5.19 | % | 420,834 | 3,271 | 0.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 21,997,060 | 965,386 | 4.39 | % | 20,802,871 | 813,640 | 3.91 | % | 21,627,268 | 617,917 | 2.86 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 1,296,780 | 921,622 | 986,865 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,293,840 | $ | 21,724,493 | $ | 22,614,133 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 1,466,914 | $ | 3,136 | 0.21 | % | $ | 1,515,713 | $ | 217 | 0.01 | % | $ | 2,015,651 | $ | 209 | 0.01 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 4,167,043 | 43,187 | 1.04 | % | 4,070,585 | 24,235 | 0.60 | % | 4,890,709 | 11,675 | 0.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 5,283,231 | 140,695 | 2.66 | % | 4,918,343 | 104,002 | 2.11 | % | 5,057,445 | 13,479 | 0.27 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 3,146,139 | 150,349 | 4.78 | % | 2,303,520 | 97,621 | 4.24 | % | 463,261 | 3,258 | 0.70 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 14,063,327 | 337,367 | 2.40 | % | 12,808,161 | 226,075 | 1.77 | % | 12,427,066 | 28,621 | 0.23 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | 8 | — | — | % | 8 | — | — | % | 964 | 24 | 2.49 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 68,227 | 1,802 | 2.64 | % | 418,876 | 19,975 | 4.77 | % | 255,668 | 8,482 | 3.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 14,131,562 | 339,169 | 2.40 | % | 13,227,045 | 246,050 | 1.86 | % | 12,683,698 | 37,127 | 0.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand accounts | 5,348,124 | 5,404,208 | 6,647,518 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 545,291 | 522,239 | 451,384 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 20,024,977 | 19,153,492 | 19,782,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 3,268,863 | 2,571,001 | 2,831,533 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 23,293,840 | $ | 21,724,493 | $ | 22,614,133 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income - FTE | $ | 626,217 | $ | 567,590 | $ | 580,790 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (2) | 1.99 | % | 2.05 | % | 2.57 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (3) | $ | 7,865,498 | $ | 7,575,826 | $ | 8,943,570 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin - FTE (4) | 2.85 | % | 2.73 | % | 2.69 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 155.66 | % | 157.28 | % | 170.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average assets (5) | 0.51 | % | 1.07 | % | 0.88 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity (6) | 3.66 | % | 9.03 | % | 7.05 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expenses to average assets (7) | 2.18 | % | 2.35 | % | 2.08 | % |
(1)Non-accrual loans are included in loans.
(2)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
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(3)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin - FTE represents fully-taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. Refer to the earlier “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section within this Item 7 for additional information.
(5)Represents net income, including net income from discontinued operations, divided by average total assets. Discontinued operations is applicable to the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
(6)Represents net income, including net income from discontinued operations, divided by average equity. Discontinued operations is applicable to the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022..
(7)Includes noninterest expenses included in results of discontinued operations. Discontinued operations is applicable to the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
Rate and Volume Analysis
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 vs. 2023 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rate | Volume | Rate | Volume | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | 39,550 | $ | 60,908 | $ | 100,458 | $ | 92,755 | $ | 32,575 | $ | 125,330 | ||||||||||
| Residential | 15,163 | 26,346 | 41,509 | 10,365 | 15,971 | 26,336 | ||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 7,078 | 8,307 | 15,385 | 26,783 | 2,419 | 29,202 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 61,791 | 95,561 | 157,352 | 129,903 | 50,965 | 180,868 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 74 | (11) | 63 | 243 | (2,055) | (1,812) | ||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 4,469 | (15,120) | (10,651) | 19,613 | (37,070) | (17,457) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 290 | 4,692 | 4,982 | 30,315 | 3,809 | 34,124 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | 66,624 | $ | 85,122 | $ | 151,746 | $ | 180,074 | $ | 15,649 | $ | 195,723 | ||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 2,926 | $ | (7) | $ | 2,919 | $ | 68 | $ | (60) | $ | 8 | ||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 18,365 | 587 | 18,952 | 14,813 | (2,253) | 12,560 | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 28,532 | 8,161 | 36,693 | 90,904 | (381) | 90,523 | ||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 13,640 | 39,088 | 52,728 | 52,706 | 41,657 | 94,363 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 63,463 | 47,829 | 111,292 | 158,491 | 38,963 | 197,454 | ||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | — | — | — | (12) | (12) | (24) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | (6,318) | (11,855) | (18,173) | 4,673 | 6,820 | 11,493 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 57,145 | 35,974 | 93,119 | 163,152 | 45,771 | 208,923 | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 9,479 | $ | 49,148 | $ | 58,627 | $ | 16,922 | $ | (30,122) | $ | (13,200) |
The following chart shows the composition of our yearly average interest-earning assets for the past five years:
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Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses represents the charge to expense that is required to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses.
We recorded a provision for allowance for loan losses of $67.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a provision of $20.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a provision for allowance for loan losses of $40.9 million related to non-PCD loans acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge which closed on July 12, 2024. Excluding this amount, the provision for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $26.5 million. Management determined a provision to be necessary for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to $42.6 million in charge-offs of commercial real estate loans and due to an increase in specific reserves for commercial real estate loans collateralized by property in the office risk segment. Included in charge-offs of commercial real estate loans during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $41.3 million of charge-offs on loans collateralized by property in the office risk segment which transitioned to non-accrual status during the year ended December 31, 2024 and had not been previously reserved for on a specific reserve basis, and $19.8 million of charge-offs on PCD loans acquired in the merger with Cambridge.
Management’s estimate of our allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2024 and the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2024, was supported, in part, by Oxford Economics’ December 2024 Baseline forecast (“the forecast”) which was used to develop management’s estimate of the effect of expected future economic conditions on the allowance for loan losses. The forecast assumed U.S. economic growth in 2025 will be consistent with 2024 as U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”) will grow by 2.6%. This forecast reflects the impact of steady consumer spending but a slight increase in the unemployment rate. Primary macroeconomic assumptions included in management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses included a rise in the unemployment rate and a slight decline in the growth rate of U.S. GDP. Further, the forecast assumed that the FOMC will decrease federal funds rates several times in 2025. Refer to the section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 7 for additional discussion. For additional discussion of our allowance for credit losses measurement methodology, see Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
To illustrate the sensitivity of the modeled result to the impact of a hypothetical change in the economic forecast, management calculated the allowance for loan losses assuming the downside economic forecast scenario and, separately, the upside economic forecast scenario. The downside scenario assumed the U.S. economy will experience a slight growth in GDP in 2025 of 0.1%. Use of the downside scenario would have resulted in an incremental increase in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $16.9 million as of December 31, 2024. The upside scenario assumed GDP growth of 3.3% in 2025 along with sustained recovery. Use of the upside scenario would have resulted in an incremental decrease in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $6.3 million as of December 31, 2024.
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Our periodic evaluation of the appropriate allowance for loan losses considers the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs.
Noninterest Income
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest income for the periods shown:
Noninterest Income (Loss)
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Trust and investment advisory fees | $ | 46,126 | $ | 24,264 | $ | 21,862 | 90.1 | % | ||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 32,004 | 28,631 | 3,373 | 11.8 | % | |||||||||
| Debit card processing fees | 14,177 | 13,469 | 708 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||
| Interest rate swap income | 2,819 | 1,536 | 1,283 | 83.5 | % | |||||||||
| Income from investments held in rabbi trusts | 9,675 | 9,305 | 370 | 4.0 | % | |||||||||
| Losses on sales of commercial and industrial loans | — | (2,738) | 2,738 | (100.0) | % | |||||||||
| Losses on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net | (920) | (507) | (413) | 81.5 | % | |||||||||
| Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net | (16,798) | (333,170) | 316,372 | (95.0) | % | |||||||||
| Other | 36,834 | 21,457 | 15,377 | 71.7 | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest income (loss) | $ | 123,917 | $ | (237,753) | $ | 361,670 | (152.1) | % |
Noninterest income increased $361.7 million, or 152.1%, to $123.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from a net loss of $237.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to a $316.4 million decrease in losses on sales of securities available for sale, a $21.9 million increase in trust and investment advisory fees, a $15.4 million increase in other noninterest income, and a $3.4 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts.
•We recorded losses of $16.8 million and $333.2 million on sales of securities available for sale, net, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
◦In the second quarter of 2024, an early withdrawal of an omnibus deposit contract occurred which had a balance of $100.0 million at the time of the contract termination. Management made the decision to sell certain available for sale securities following the early termination in order to recoup liquidity.
◦In July 2024, following our merger with Cambridge, we sold all securities that we had acquired through the merger. However, such securities had been adjusted to fair value in connection with our merger purchase accounting based upon the quoted sale price. As such, no gain or loss was recognized from the sale of such securities.
◦In the fourth quarter of 2024, management made the decision to sell lower yielding available for sale securities at a loss to offset a gain recognized upon sale of an other equity investment we sold in the fourth quarter of 2024.
◦We recorded losses during the year ended December 31, 2023 as management made the decision to sell certain available for sale securities in connection with a balance sheet repositioning in March 2023.
•Trust and investment advisory fees increased due to an increase in our assets under management, which increased due to an increase in our wealth management and trust operations as a result of our merger with Cambridge through which we acquired $5.0 billion in assets held in a fiduciary, custodial or agency capacity for customers.
•Other noninterest income increased primarily as a result of a $9.3 million gain on sale of an other equity investment held by us, as described above. Also contributing to the increase was $7.8 million of fee income received as a result of the early withdrawal of an omnibus deposit contract which had a balance of $100.0 million, as described above.
•Service charges on deposit accounts increased primarily as a result of increased corporate account analysis charges as a result of an increase in our account analysis service prices charged to customers during the year ended December 31, 2024.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest expense for the periods shown:
Noninterest Expense
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change in Merger & Acquisition Expenses, Net (1) | Change Excluding Merger & Acquisition Expenses (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 302,345 | $ | 253,037 | $ | 49,308 | 19.5 | % | $ | 14,714 | $ | 34,594 | |||||||||
| Office occupancy and equipment | 46,515 | 35,992 | 10,523 | 29.2 | % | 4,581 | 5,942 | ||||||||||||||
| Data processing | 75,383 | 55,308 | 20,075 | 36.3 | % | 3,562 | 16,513 | ||||||||||||||
| Professional services | 20,073 | 17,385 | 2,688 | 15.5 | % | 3,240 | (552) | ||||||||||||||
| Marketing | 7,824 | 7,592 | 232 | 3.1 | % | 70 | 162 | ||||||||||||||
| FDIC insurance | 13,866 | 21,874 | (8,008) | (36.6) | % | — | (8,008) | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of other intangible assets | 14,569 | 1,804 | 12,765 | 707.6 | % | — | 12,765 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 27,793 | 25,610 | 2,183 | 8.5 | % | 5,002 | (2,819) | ||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 508,368 | $ | 418,602 | $ | 89,766 | 21.4 | % | $ | 31,169 | $ | 58,597 |
(1)We recorded merger and acquisition expenses of $36.7 million and $5.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to our merger with Cambridge. These columns display the period-over-period change in merger and acquisition expenses by financial statement line item and the change in account balances excluding such amounts.
Noninterest expense increased by $89.8 million, or 21.4%, to $508.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $418.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in merger and acquisition expenses of $31.2 million and the following items, which exclude merger and acquisition expenses: a $34.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $16.5 million increase in data processing, a $12.8 million increase in amortization of intangible assets, and a $5.9 million increase in office occupancy and equipment. These increases were partially offset by a $8.0 million decrease in FDIC insurance expenses.
•Merger and acquisition expenses increased as our merger with Cambridge was completed in the third quarter of 2024 around such time the majority of the related expenses were incurred.
•Salaries and employee benefits expenses increased primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense, an increase in share-based compensation, an increase in pension service cost.
◦Salaries and wages expense, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased $20.5 million primarily due to an increase in the number of employees as a result of our merger with Cambridge as well as regular annual wage increases.
◦Share-based compensation, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased due to an increase in the number of employees in the “2021 Equity Plan”, which was the result of our merger with Cambridge, as well as additional restricted stock awards granted to two new executives who were hired during the year ended December 31, 2024.
◦Pension service cost primarily increased due to an increase in the number of employees enrolled in our Defined Benefit Plan during the year ended December 31, 2024. Also contributing to the increase was an increase in the interest crediting rate on cash balance accounts in the plan during the year ended December 31, 2024.
•Data processing, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased primarily as a result of a increase in software expenses, which were primarily driven by an increase in cybersecurity software expenses. The increase in these expenses was driven by efforts to improve our cybersecurity technology to better protect against cybersecurity threats.
•Amortization of intangible assets increased primarily due to an increase in intangible assets in connection with our merger with Cambridge, resulting in a corresponding increase in amortization expense.
•Office occupancy and equipment, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased primarily due to the addition of properties resulting from our merger with Cambridge.
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•FDIC insurance expenses decreased primarily due to the FDIC's special assessment for which the majority was accrued for in the fourth quarter of 2023. In 2023, the FDIC announced that, as required by the FDIA, any losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) to support uninsured depositors would be recovered by a special assessment. On November 16, 2023, the FDIC published in the Federal Register its final rule that imposes special assessments to recover the loss to the DIF arising from the protection of uninsured depositors in connection with the systemic risk determination announced on March 12, 2023, following the closures of SVB and Signature Bank, as required by the FDIA. We recognized the special assessment estimate of $10.8 million in full upon finalization of the rule in the fourth quarter of 2023. In June 2024, we received the FDIC’s additional special assessment invoice, which included an incremental assessment amount of $1.9 million. We recorded this amount during the second quarter of 2024.
Income Taxes
We recognize the tax effect of all income and expense transactions in each year’s consolidated statements of income, regardless of the year in which the transactions are reported for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth information regarding our tax provision included in continuing operations and applicable tax rates for the periods indicated:
Tax Provision and Applicable Tax Rates
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Combined federal and state income tax provisions | $ | 36,205 | $ | (63,309) | ||
| Effective income tax rates | 23.2 | % | 50.2 | % | ||
| Blended statutory tax rate | 27.7 | % | 28.2 | % |
Income tax expense increased by $99.5 million to expense of $36.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2024 from a benefit of $63.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase to net expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to pre-tax losses resulting from losses on sales available for sale securities in the first quarter of 2023. Also contributing to the increase was a $7.4 million expense recorded in 2024 for the lost state tax benefit associated with the 2024 Massachusetts state tax net operating loss which cannot be carried over. The state tax net operating losses were due to the tax losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of the securities acquired in connection with our merger with Cambridge.
During the first quarter of 2023, we liquidated Market Street Securities Corporation (“MSSC”), a wholly owned subsidiary, and transferred all of MSSC’s assets to Eastern Bank. In connection with the liquidation and subsequent transfer of securities previously held by MSSC to Eastern Bank, the Company recognized an additional deferred income tax benefit of $23.7 million. This deferred income tax benefit resulted from a state tax rate change applied to the deferred tax asset related to the securities transferred to Eastern Bank.
For additional information related to the Company’s income taxes see Note 13, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
While our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for credit losses, or ACL, is established to provide for our current estimate of expected lifetime credit losses on loans measured at amortized cost and unfunded lending commitments at the balance sheet date and is established through a provision for credit losses charged to net income.
Management uses a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected lifetime losses in the portfolio. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are
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determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of a financial asset’s probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”), which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The quantitative model estimates expected credit losses using loan level data over the estimated life of the exposure, considering the effect of prepayments. Economic forecasts, one of the most significant judgments influencing the ACL, are incorporated into the estimate over a reasonable and supportable forecast period of eight quarters, beyond which is a reversion to our historical loss average which occurs over a period of four quarters.
For further discussion of management’s economic forecast assumptions and our sensitivity analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2024, refer to the earlier “Provision for Loan Losses” discussion within the “Results of Operations” within this Item 7. For additional information on our allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Goodwill. Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting whereby goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired.
We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, which we performed as of September 30, 2024, using a quantitative impairment approach. Following management’s decision to change its annual assessment date, we performed an assessment as of November 30, 2024, described further below. For additional information regarding the change in annual assessment date, refer to Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. An assessment is also performed to the extent relevant events and/or circumstances occur which may indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The quantitative impairment test compares the book value to the fair value of each reporting unit. If the book value exceeds the fair value, an impairment is charged to net income. As of December 31, 2024, management identified one reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment: the banking business.
We performed our annual assessment of impairment for the banking business as of September 30, 2024. The assessment included a comparison of the banking reporting unit’s carrying value of equity to estimated fair value of equity using the market capitalization method of the market approach. We evaluated conditions as of the assessment date and how a market participant would evaluate a control premium for the banking reporting unit. The implied control premium was estimated using the discounted cash flow method of the income approach by evaluating the present value of market participant cost savings and synergies. Based upon the assessment, we determined there was no impairment of our goodwill as of September 30, 2024.
In addition, following management’s decision to change the date at which our annual impairment assessment is performed, we performed our annual assessment for the banking business as of November 30, 2024, our new annual assessment date. The assessment included a comparison of the banking reporting unit’s carrying value of equity to estimated fair value of equity based on our market capitalization. The assessment also considered the changes in market conditions from the September 30, 2024 assessment. Based upon the assessment, it was determined there was no impairment of our goodwill as of November 30, 2024. Refer to Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of the change in annual impairment assessment date.
Significant management judgment is necessary in the determination of the fair value of a reporting unit as the estimated fair value of equity and of the implied control premium requires estimation of future cash flows and the evaluation of the present value of market participant cost savings and synergies. The determination of fair value is a highly subjective process, and actual future cash flows may differ from forecasted results.
Our discount rate was based upon the estimated cost of equity under the Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, size premium, company specific premium and beta specific to a particular reporting unit.
For additional information on our goodwill and other intangibles, refer to Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Business Combinations. As indicated above, acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we recognize assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition, with the related transaction costs expensed in the period incurred. We use third party valuation specialists to assist in the determination of fair value of certain assets and liabilities at the merger date,
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including loans, core deposit intangibles, customer list intangibles, trade name intangibles and time deposits. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain. For further discussion of our methodology for estimating the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities in connection with our merger with Cambridge, see Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The allowance for credit losses on PCD loans is recognized within business combination accounting. The allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans is recognized as a provision expense in the same period as the business combination. For further discussion of our accounting policies for estimating credit losses on acquired loans, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes by establishing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates. We make significant judgments regarding the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This requires subjective projections of future taxable income resulting from interest on loans and securities, as well as noninterest income. A valuation allowance is established if it is considered more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Interest and penalties paid on the underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense.
We periodically evaluate the potential uncertainty of our tax positions as to whether it is more-likely-than-not its position would be upheld upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
For additional information on our income taxes, refer to Note 13, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pension and other Post Retirement Benefit Plans. For information regarding our pension and other postretirement benefit plans including our pension contributions, investment strategies, assumptions, the change in benefit obligation and related plan assets, pension funding requirements and future net benefit payments, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 15, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our defined benefit pension plans are accounted for on an actuarial basis, which requires the selection of various assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“Defined Benefit Plan”), a discount rate, lump sum conversion rates, compensation and benefit limitation increase assumptions, mortality rates of participants and expectation of mortality improvement. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets that is utilized in determining Defined Benefit Plan pension expense is derived from periodic studies, which include a review of asset allocation strategies, investment policy, amount and types of expenses that will be paid from the Defined Benefit Plan, and the expected long-term return for the Defined Benefit Plan using recent forward looking capital market assumptions published by leading financial organizations. While the studies give appropriate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumptions are primarily long-term, prospective rates of return.
In November 2024, an investment policy study was completed for the Defined Benefit Plan. As a result of the study, it was determined that the weighted-average long-term rate of return on assets of 7.25% was reasonable as of December 31, 2024.
Another key assumption in determining net pension expense is the assumed discount rate used to discount plan obligations. We estimate the assumed discount rate for all pension plans using a cash flow matching approach, which uses projected cash flows matched to spot rates along the Financial Times Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) above-median yield curve to determine the weighted-average discount rate for the calculation of the present value of cash flows. We apply the individual annual yield curve rates instead of the assumed discount rate to determine the service cost and interest cost, which more specifically links the cash flows related to service cost and interest cost to bonds maturing in their year of payment.
For our Defined Benefit Plan and the Non-Qualified Benefit Equalization Plan, the interest rates used to convert annuities to the actuarial equivalent lump sum amounts were selected based on the applicable segment rates under Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e) and rounded up to the nearest 25 basis points to account for the increase in bond yields during December 2024.
The Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) most recently issued mortality improvement tables during the year ended December 31, 2021. We reviewed our recent mortality experience and we determined our current mortality assumptions were appropriate to measure our pension plan obligations as of December 31, 2024.
Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension obligations. The effects of actual results differing from assumptions and the changing of assumptions are included in
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unamortized net actuarial gains and losses that are subject to amortization to pension expense over future periods. The unamortized pre-tax actuarial loss on all of our pension plans was $34.1 million and $69.7 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The year-over-year change was primarily due to an increase in plan assets and an increase in discount rates, partially offset by a decrease in lump sum conversion rates assumptions used for determining the benefit obligation.
The overfunded status of all of our pension plans improved during the year ended December 31, 2024 to $110.9 million from $69.0 million primarily due to: (i) actual pension plan investment returns greater than expected of $12.7 million; and (ii) the favorable effect of an increase in discount rates of $22.2 million; partially offset by (iii) changes in other actuarial assumptions and demographic data updates; and (iv) the unfavorable effect of a decrease in lump sum conversion rates of $0.3 million.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for the pension plans, holding all other assumptions constant:
| Effect on 2024 Pension Expense | Effect on December 31, 2024 Pension Benefit Obligation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 873 | $ | 9,368 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | (835) | (8,989) | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in expected rate of return on plan assets | 1,128 | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in expected rate of return on plan assets | (1,128) | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in lump sum conversion rates | 454 | 2,959 | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in lump sum conversion rates | (434) | (2,841) |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Relevant standards that we adopted during the year ended December 31, 2024:
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, Investments–Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method (“ASU 2023-02”). This update permits reporting entities to elect to account for their tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, using the proportional amortization method if the following conditions are met:
1.It is probable that the income tax credits allocable to the tax equity investor will be available.
2.The tax equity investor does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the underlying project.
3.Substantially all of the projected benefits are from income tax credits and other income tax benefits. Projected benefits include income tax credits, other income tax benefits, and other non-income-tax-related benefits. The projected benefits are determined on a discounted basis, using a discount rate that is consistent with the cash flow assumptions used by the tax equity investor in making its decision to invest in the project.
4.The tax equity investor’s projected yield based solely on the cash flows from the income tax credits and other income tax benefits is positive.
5.The tax equity investor is a limited liability investor in the limited liability entity for both legal and tax purposes, and the tax equity investor’s liability is limited to its capital investment.
Under previously effective accounting standards, the proportional amortization method was allowable only for equity investments in low-income-housing tax credit structures. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received and recognizes the net amortization and income tax credits and other income tax benefits in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Updates made by ASU 2023-02 allow a reporting entity to make an accounting policy election to apply the proportional amortization method on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis. The Company had previously made an accounting policy election to account for its investments in low-income-housing tax credit investments using the proportional amortization method. This election was made upon the Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-01, Investments–Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects, which
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introduced the option to apply proportional amortization to low-income-housing tax credit investments. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2024 and such adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this update are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update:
1.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss (collectively referred to as the “significant expense principle”).
2.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. The other segment items category is the difference between segment revenue less the segment expenses disclosed under the significant expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit or loss.
3.Require that a public entity provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting in interim periods.
4.Clarify that if the CODM uses more than one measure of a segment’s profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, a public entity may report one or more of those additional measures of segment profit. However, at least one of the reported segment profit or loss measures (or the single reported measure, if only one is disclosed) should be the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles used in measuring the corresponding amounts in the public entity’s consolidated financial statements. In other words, in addition to the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles under U.S. GAAP, a public entity is not precluded from reporting additional measures of a segment’s profit or loss that are used by the CODM in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources.
5.Require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources.
6.Require that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280.
The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Relevant standards that were recently issued but which we had not yet adopted as of December 31, 2024:
In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements–Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”). The amendments in this update modify the disclosure or presentation requirements for a variety of topics in the codification. Certain amendments represent clarifications to or technical corrections of the current requirements. The following is a summary of the topics included in the update and which pertain to the Company:
1.Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and loses are presented in the statement of cash flows;
2.Accounting changes and error corrections (Topic 250): Requires that when there has been a change in the reporting entity, the entity disclose any material prior-period adjustment and the effect of the adjustment on retained earnings in interim financial statements;
3.Earnings per share (Topic 260): Requires disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security and clarifies that certain disclosures should be made during interim periods, and amends illustrative guidance to illustrate disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings per share computation;
4.Commitments (Topic 440): Requires disclosure of assets mortgaged, pledged, or otherwise subject to lien and the obligations collateralized; and
5.Debt (Topic 470): Requires disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-06 are effective on the date which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation and S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the codification and will not become effective for any entity. Early adoption is not permitted and the
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amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis. We expect the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this update are intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures related to the existing requirements to disclose a rate reconciliation, income taxes paid and certain other required disclosures. Specifically, the amendments in this update:
1.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual basis: (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The update requires disclosure of such reconciling items according to requirements indicated in the update.
2.Require that all entities disclose certain disaggregated information regarding income taxes paid.
3.Require that all entities disclose certain disaggregated information regarding income tax expense.
4.Eliminate the requirement to: (1) disclose the nature and estimate of the range of reasonably possible changes in the unrecognized tax benefits balance in the next 12 months or (2) make a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made.
5.Remove the requirement to disclose the cumulative amount of each type of temporary difference when a deferred tax liability is not recognized because of exceptions to comprehensive recognition of deferred taxes related to subsidiaries and corporate joint ventures.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption should be done on a prospective basis and retrospective application is permitted.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement–Reporting Comprehensive Income–Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). The amendments in this update require disclosure, in the notes to the financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. The amendments require that at each interim and annual reporting period an entity:
1.Disclose the amounts of (a) purchases of inventory, (b) employee compensation, (c) depreciation, (d) intangible asset amortization, and (e) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil and gas-producing activities (or other amounts of depletion expense) included in each relevant expense caption. A relevant expense caption is an expense caption presented on the face of the income statement within continuing operations that contains any of the expense categories listed in (a)–(e).
2.Include certain amounts that are already required to be disclosed under current GAAP in the same disclosure as the other disaggregation requirements.
3.Disclose a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively.
4.Disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2024-03 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update are to be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date of this update or (2) retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements.
Management of Market Risk
General. Market risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and/or income to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices. Interest rate sensitivity is the most significant market risk to which we are exposed. Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and income to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, as well as fluctuations in the level and duration of assets and liabilities, affect net interest income, our primary source of income. Interest rate risk arises directly from our core banking activities. In addition to directly impacting net interest income, changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the amount of loans originated, the timing of cash flows on loans and securities, and the fair value of assets and liabilities, as well as other aspects of our business.
Governance. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to attempt to control this risk within policy limits approved by the Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors (“RMC”), and within the Risk Appetite Statement formally adopted by the Board of Directors and described further below.
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These limits reflect our tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons, are designed to encompass market rate shocks that would take place with both gradual and immediate effect and cover a range of scenarios from mild to extreme market shocks. More specifically, and as further described below, our policy limits govern:
•The maximum amount of acceptable earnings loss due to market risk in year one of a two-year earnings simulation, determined by net interest income analysis;
•The maximum amount of acceptable earnings loss due to market risk in year two of a two-year earnings simulation, determined by net interest income analysis;
•The maximum amount of acceptable decline in the present value of equity due to market risk, determined by economic value of equity analysis;
•The maximum acceptable size of the investment portfolio relative to total assets;
•Concentration limits on investment asset types to ensure appropriate portfolio diversification;
•Maximum maturity and weighted average life per security at time of purchase in both a base case and a shocked rate scenario to measure extension risk;
•The maximum acceptable duration of the investment and hedging derivatives portfolio; and
•Guidelines on accounting classification of securities including held for trading, available for sale and held to maturity.
Policy limits are tested quarterly, and the results are reported to the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which is a subcommittee of management’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee (“ERMC”), and to RMC. RMC advises the Board of Directors with respect to the adequacy of capital allocated based on the level of risk as well as risk issues that could impact liquidity and/or capital adequacy. From time to time, we expect we will exceed policy limits, in which case we may seek corrective action after considering, among other things, market conditions, customer reaction, and the estimated impact on profitability. A remediation plan will be presented to ALCO, ERMC and RMC that carefully outlines the proposed corrective action.
We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and where appropriate, hedging our exposure to market risk. If assets and liabilities do not re-price simultaneously and in equal volume, the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Our objective is to maintain stability in the growth of net interest income through the maintenance of an appropriate mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and, when necessary and within limits that management determines to be prudent, through the use of off-balance sheet hedging instruments including, but not limited to, interest rate swaps, floors and caps.
Our asset-liability management strategy is devised and monitored by our ALCO in accordance with policies approved by RMC. ALCO operates under a charter developed and approved by ERMC. ALCO meets monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review, among other things, our sensitivity to interest rate changes, loan pricing and activity, investment activity and strategy, hedging strategies, deposit pricing and funding strategies with respect to overall balance sheet composition, as well as earnings simulations over multiple years. ALCO may meet more frequently if there are changes in the economic environment, such as rapid increases or decreases in interest rates due to or as a result of exogenous or unknown factors so that ALCO can make any necessary strategic adjustments to better manage interest rate risk. ALCO’s membership is comprised of executive management of the Company, and representatives from various lines of business are in regular attendance, including representation from Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”). ALCO reports regularly to RMC on these risks and objectives with independent oversight and reporting from our Financial and Model Risk Management group within ERM.
As a company offering banking and other financial services, certain elements of risk are inherent in our transactions and operations and are present in the business decisions we make. We, therefore, encounter risk as part of the normal course of our business, and we design risk management processes to help manage these risks. In its oversight of our risk management framework, the Board of Directors has adopted a formal Risk Appetite Statement (“RAS”) which defines the aggregate level of risk and the types of risk the Company is willing to assume to achieve its corporate strategy and objectives. The Board of Directors regularly assesses whether the approved policy limits, as described further above, conform to stated risk appetite. The Board of Directors monitors, on at least a quarterly basis, a set of key risk metrics, including those, but not limited to those, pertaining to market risk. Monitoring these metrics can help to identify trends in risk profile or emerging risks over time, and where applicable, determine where adjustments may be required to business strategy or tactics. Within our risk management framework, the functional responsibilities of risk management are divided into a tiered model, involving three lines of defense:
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1.The Finance Department to which primary market risk ownership belongs including monitoring and tracking of risk, model development and maintenance, and execution of strategy and tactics to mitigate market risk;
2.The ERM Department which conducts independent risk and controls assessments to ensure appropriate risk identification, management, and reporting. The Model Risk Management group (“MRM”) within ERM is responsible for independent oversight of models used to measure market risk, including model and assumption implementation, development, and conceptual soundness; and
3.The Internal Audit Department which independently assesses the operating effectiveness of the first- and second-line processes and controls.
Comments on Recent Developments. During the past several years, the U.S. economy has experienced both sharp increases and decreases in interest rates. As noted in the earlier section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 7, beginning in March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) voted to increase the federal funds rate multiple times from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 5.25% to 5.50% on July 26, 2023. The FOMC next adjusted the federal funds rate on September 18, 2024, when the FOMC reduced the target range by 50 basis points to a range of 4.75% to 5.00% and again on November 7, 2024, when the FOMC reduced the target range further by 25 basis points to a range of 4.50% to 4.75%. Our market risk management framework is designed for the potential for such rapid changes in interest rates, by establishing policy limits on such rapid shocks and periodically back-testing modeled to actual results. Back-testing of top-line results as well as key assumptions is performed against established thresholds as part of our ongoing monitoring governance of our models, and results are reported to ALCO and MRM. Should back-testing results exceed established performance thresholds, the model and underlying assumptions will be reviewed for recalibration.
Net Interest Income Analysis. We analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through a net interest income (“NII”) model. We model our NII over a 12-month and 24-month period assuming no changes in interest rates and a static balance sheet, where cash flows from financial assets and liabilities are replaced with new business of similar terms at current rates. The impact of our interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments are included in the model results. We then model NII for the same period under the assumption that market rates increase and decrease instantaneously by certain basis point increments, which vary by period depending upon market conditions, with changes in interest rates representing immediate, permanent, and parallel shifts in the yield curve. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Changes in Interest Rates” column in the table below.
Many assumptions are made in the modeling process for both NII and economic value of equity (“EVE”, discussed further below), including but not limited to the repricing and maturity characteristics of existing and new business, loan and security prepayments, administered deposit rate betas, duration of deposits without stated maturity dates, and other option risks. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable for the various interest rate environments modeled. However, differences in actual results from these assumptions could change our exposure to interest rate risk. The models assume that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assume that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Additionally, the model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. We do not model negative interest rate scenarios.
Because of the limitations inherent in any modeling approach used to measure market risk, including NII and EVE sensitivity analysis, and because, in the event of changes in interest rates, management would take active steps to manage interest rate risk exposure among its financial assets and liabilities, modeling results, including those discussed in “Interest Rate Sensitivity” and “EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity” below, should not be relied upon as a forecast of actual NII or EVE, nor should they be interpreted as management’s expectations of actual results in the event of such interest rate fluctuations. The tables provide an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, and actual results may differ.
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The tables below set forth, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the modeled changes in our net interest income on an FTE basis that would result from the designated immediate changes in market interest rates:
Interest Rate Sensitivity
| As of December 31, 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | Year 1 Change from Level | Policy Limit | |||
| 400 | (2.1) | % | (20) | % | |
| 200 | (0.9) | % | (12) | % | |
| 100 | (0.4) | % | (10) | % | |
| Flat | — | % | — | % | |
| (100) | 0.2 | % | (10) | % | |
| (200) | 0.3 | % | (12) | % | |
| (400) | 2.4 | % | (20) | % | |
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Year 1 Change from Level | Policy Limit | |||
| 400 | (6.1) | % | (20) | % | |
| 200 | (2.9) | % | (12) | % | |
| 100 | (1.4) | % | (10) | % | |
| Flat | — | % | — | % | |
| (100) | 1.0 | % | (10) | % | |
| (200) | 1.3 | % | (12) | % | |
| (400) | (0.4) | % | (20) | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
As of December 31, 2024, our model, as indicated above, shows a decline in our net interest income in rising rate scenarios. In the rising rate scenarios, funding costs are modeled to rise faster than income on earning assets, due, in part, to the mix of funding which has shifted towards higher rate paying deposits, which are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As shown in the table above, the model generated similar results as of December 31, 2023. That is, the model showed a decline in our net interest income in the rising rate scenarios as funding costs were modeled to rise faster than income on earning assets, due, in part, to the shift in our mix of funding. The simulation results are within policy limits and management therefore does not expect a material change to our current strategy over the near term. The rate scenarios that we model at each period end are dependent upon market conditions, which is why the rate scenarios that we model may differ from period-to-period.
Management may use techniques such as investment strategy, loan and deposit pricing, non-core funding strategies, and interest rate derivative financial instruments, within internal policy guidelines, to manage interest rate risk as part of our asset/liability strategy. Hedging strategies such as, for example, receive-fixed and pay-fixed swaps, interest rate caps, floors, or collars, may be used to protect against benchmark interest rates either rising or falling. The type of derivatives we primarily use to hedge market risk are interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedging instruments. When the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in March of 2022 from very low levels, management began evaluating a derivative strategy designed to limit our exposure to downward rate scenarios. In 2022, management executed a total of $2.4 billion in notional value of receive-fixed interest rate swap agreements on floating-rate loans. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and management believes these derivatives provide significant protection against falling interest rates, as they have the effect of converting floating rate loan exposure to fixed rates. These receive-fixed swaps constitute the entirety of our current hedge portfolio. Management may, from time to time, due to actual or projected changes in market rates or our risk exposure, evaluate other hedging strategies, although we believe our current Net Interest Income and Economic Value of Equity simulation analyses support maintaining the current derivatives strategy. For additional information related to our interest rate derivative financial instruments, see Note 18, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Economic Value of Equity Analysis. We also analyze the sensitivity of our financial condition to changes in interest rates through our EVE model. This analysis calculates the difference between the present value of expected cash flows from assets and liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates.
The tables below represent an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in our EVE, resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve (+100, +200, +400 basis points and -100, -200, and -400 basis points) at both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates.
Our earnings are not directly or materially impacted by movements in foreign currency rates or commodity prices. Movements in equity prices may have a modest impact on earnings by affecting the volume of activity or the amount of fees from investment-related business lines and by affecting the amount of unrealized gains and losses from securities held in rabbi trusts, the latter of which are partially offset by a corresponding but opposite impact to the amount of employee benefit expense associated with the change in value of plan assets.
EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity (2)
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | As of December 31, 2024 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||
| Percent | Policy Limit | |||||||
| 400 | (10.8) | % | (30) | % | 22.34 | % | ||
| 200 | (5.7) | % | (20) | % | 22.50 | % | ||
| 100 | (3.0) | % | N/A | 22.56 | % | |||
| Flat | — | — | 22.65 | % | ||||
| (100) | 3.2 | % | N/A | 22.73 | % | |||
| (200) | 5.6 | % | (20) | % | 22.63 | % | ||
| (400) | 8.8 | % | (30) | % | 22.06 | % |
| Change in Interest Rate (basis points) (1) | As of December 31, 2023 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||
| Percent (%) | Policy Limit | |||||||
| 400 | (17.3) | % | (30) | % | 18.76 | % | ||
| 200 | (9.9) | % | (20) | % | 19.37 | % | ||
| 100 | (5.5) | % | N/A | 19.73 | % | |||
| Flat | — | — | 20.22 | % | ||||
| (100) | 5.3 | % | N/A | 20.62 | % | |||
| (200) | 9.2 | % | (20) | % | 20.73 | % | ||
| (400) | 13.1 | % | (30) | % | 20.34 | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)Total assets is the net present value of expected future cash flows.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
Liquidity. Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet deposit withdrawals and anticipated loan fundings, as well as current and planned expenditures. We seek to maintain sources of liquidity that are reliable and diversified and that may be used during the normal course of business as well as on a contingency basis.
Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, and proceeds from calls, maturities and sales of securities, subject to market conditions. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan and securities prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are unencumbered cash and cash equivalents and securities classified as available for sale, which could be liquidated, subject to market conditions. In the future,
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our liquidity position will continue to be affected by the level of customer deposits and payments, loan originations and repayments, as well as any acquisitions, dividends, and share repurchases in which we may engage. For the next twelve months, we believe that our existing resources, including our capacity to use brokered deposits and wholesale borrowings, will be sufficient to meet the liquidity and capital requirements of our operations. We may elect to raise additional capital through the sale of additional equity or debt financing to fund business activities such as strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, or other purposes beyond the next twelve months.
We participate in the IntraFi Network, which allows us to provide access to FDIC deposit insurance protection on customer deposits for consumers, businesses and public entities that exceed same-bank FDIC insurance thresholds. We can elect to sell or repurchase this funding as reciprocal deposits from other IntraFi Network banks depending on our funding needs. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had no IntraFi Network one-way sell deposits. At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had repurchased $2.1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, of previously sold reciprocal deposits.
Although customer deposits remain our preferred source of funds, maintaining additional sources of liquidity is part of our prudent liquidity risk management practices. We have the ability to borrow from the FHLBB. At December 31, 2024, we had $17.6 million in outstanding advances and the ability to borrow up to an additional $2.4 billion. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. At December 31, 2024, we had the ability to borrow up to $2.8 billion from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Discount Window. At December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $1.0 billion and secured borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank totaled $5.2 billion, providing total liquidity sources of $6.2 billion. These liquidity sources provided 90% coverage of all customer uninsured and uncollateralized deposits, which totaled $6.9 billion, or 32% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024. For further discussion of uninsured deposits, refer to the “Deposits” discussion within the “Financial Position” within this Item 7.
Sources of Liquidity
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding | Additional Capacity | Outstanding | Additional Capacity | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| IntraFi Network reciprocal deposits | $ | 2,063,135 | $ | — | $ | 1,309,816 | $ | — | ||||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit (1) | — | — | 50,000 | — | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank (2) | 17,589 | 2,375,565 | 17,738 | 2,865,582 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - Bank Term Funding Program (3) | — | — | — | 2,449,438 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - Discount Window (4) | — | 2,825,634 | — | 775,869 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,080,724 | $ | 5,201,199 | $ | 1,377,554 | $ | 6,090,889 |
(1)The additional borrowing capacity has not been assessed for this category.
(2)As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, loans with a carrying value of $2.3 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively, and securities with a carrying value of $1.0 billion at December 31, 2024 were pledged to the FHLBB resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity. No securities were pledged to the FHLBB as collateral as of December 31, 2023.
(3)Securities with a carrying value of $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023 were pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston under the Bank Term Funding Program, resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity. The Bank Term Funding Program ceased extending new loans March 11, 2024. Accordingly, we had no additional capacity nor any securities pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston under the Bank Term Funding Program as of December 31, 2024.
(4)Loans with a carrying value of $3.1 billion and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and securities with a carrying value of $794.8 million and $168.8 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were pledged to the Discount Window, resulting in this additional borrowing capacity. The increase in the amount of securities pledged to the Discount Window at December 31, 2024 from December 31, 2023 was due to additional securities pledged which were previously pledged as collateral to the Bank Term Funding Program.
We believe that advanced preparation, early detection, and prompt responses can avoid, minimize, or shorten potential liquidity constraints. Our Board of Directors and management’s ALCO oversee the assessment and monitoring of risk levels, as well as potential responses during unanticipated stress events. As part of our risk management framework, we perform periodic liquidity stress testing to assess our need for liquid assets as well as backup sources of liquidity.
Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve (with respect to our consolidated capital requirements). At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. For additional information regarding our regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note
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14, “Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include data processing services, operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds and deposit liabilities. The amounts below assume the contractual obligations and commitments will run through the end of the applicable term and, as such, do not include early termination fees or penalties where applicable.
We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. The financial instruments include commitments to originate loans, unused lines of credit, unadvanced portions of construction loans and standby letters of credit, all of which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The following table summarizes our short-term (e.g. maturity of one year or less) and long-term (e.g. maturity of greater than one year) contractual obligations, other commitments and contingencies at December 31, 2024.
| One Year or Less | After One Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commitments to extend credit (1) | $ | 1,414,629 | $ | 5,245,520 | $ | 6,660,149 | ||||
| Standby letters of credit | 78,052 | 5,070 | 83,122 | |||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 16,488 | 83,946 | 100,434 | |||||||
| FHLB advances | 2,515 | 15,074 | 17,589 | |||||||
| Forward commitments to sell loans | 6,374 | — | 6,374 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,518,058 | $ | 5,349,610 | $ | 6,867,668 |
(1)Unused commitments that are deemed to be unconditionally cancellable are included in the less than one year category in the above table. Commitments to extend credit was comprised of $4.0 billion of commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit (including $659.4 million of unadvanced portions of construction loans), $2.3 billion of commitments under home equity loans and lines of credit, $221.4 million in overdraft coverage commitments, $26.6 million of unfunded commitments related to residential real estate loans and $129.9 million in other consumer loans and lines of credit as of December 31, 2024.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-24-006922.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and prospects based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those in this discussion as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a bank holding company, and our principal subsidiary, Eastern Bank, is a Massachusetts-chartered bank that has served the banking needs of our customers since 1818. Our business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing banking and other financial services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers. We had total assets of $21.1 billion and $22.6 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Our banking business consists of a full range of banking, lending (commercial, residential and consumer), savings and small business offerings, including our wealth management and trust operations that we conduct through our Eastern Wealth Management division.
In recent years, we managed our business under two business segments: our banking business and our insurance agency business. On October 31, 2023, we sold substantially all of the assets and transferred certain liabilities of our insurance agency business. In the third quarter, following management’s decision to sell our insurance agency business, we reclassified the related assets and liabilities to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accordingly, the results of discontinued operations were reclassified to “net income from discontinued operations” on our Consolidated Statements of Income. For additional discussion of discontinued operations, refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion excludes the results of discontinued operations, unless otherwise indicated.
Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, computed in accordance with GAAP, was $62.7 million, as compared to net income from continuing operations of $186.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The net loss from continuing operations and resulting decline from net income during the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to the sale of available for sale securities at a loss in connection with our balance sheet repositioning completed in March 2023. Refer to the later sections titled “Outlook and Trends” and “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” within this Item 7 for additional discussion. Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and net income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 included items that our management considers non-core, which management excludes for purposes of assessing our operating net income, a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $163.2 million compared to $199.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to increased noninterest expense on an operating basis and decreased net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to year ended December 31, 2022. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Results of Operations” below for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income on a GAAP basis and further discussion of noninterest income and noninterest expense.
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The following chart shows our basic earnings per share from continuing operations on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past four years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of GAAP earnings to operating earnings):
Earnings per share from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis, decreased from $1.13 for the year ended December 31, 2022 to a loss per share from continuing operations of $0.39 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in earnings per share from continuing operations to a loss per share from continuing operations was due to a decrease in net income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 to a net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 as a result of a loss on sale of AFS securities in March 2023, which was part of our balance sheet repositioning, as described above.
Operating earnings per share decreased from $1.21 for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $1.01 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a 16.7% decrease. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense and a decrease in net interest income. Refer to the“Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
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The following chart shows our efficiency ratio on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past five years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for additional information on the determination of each measure):
Both the GAAP efficiency ratio and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in the GAAP efficiency ratio was primarily due to our balance sheet repositioning which included a sale of AFS securities at a loss and which was completed in March 2023 as described above. The increase in the non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio was primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense and decrease in net interest income. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
Outlook and Trends
Acquisitions
Proposed Acquisition
On September 19, 2023, we entered into a definitive merger agreement with Cambridge Bancorp (“Cambridge”) and Cambridge Trust Company (“Cambridge Trust”) pursuant to which we have agreed to acquire Cambridge through a merger, with the Company as the surviving entity (the “Merger Agreement”). Under the Merger Agreement, each share of Cambridge common stock will be exchanged for 4.956 shares of our common stock. The transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and will provide Cambridge shareholders with a tax-free exchange of their shares of Cambridge common stock in exchange for our common stock as the consideration they will receive in the merger. We anticipate issuing approximately 39.4 million shares of our common stock in the merger. Based upon the closing price of our common stock on September 18, 2023 of $13.41 per share, the transaction is valued at approximately $528.1 million. The closing of the Cambridge acquisition remains subject to required shareholder and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. There can be no assurances as to whether, or when, we and Cambridge will obtain the required approvals or complete the merger.
Cambridge, a Massachusetts corporation, is a federally registered bank holding company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge Trust, a Massachusetts-chartered trust company formed in 1890, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cambridge that operates through a network of 22 full-service banking offices in eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire with $5.4 billion in total assets and $4.3 billion in deposits as of December 31, 2023. Cambridge’s core services also include wealth management. Through its wealth management group, which has offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, it offers
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comprehensive investment management, as well as trust administration, estate settlement, and financial planning services. Cambridge had assets under management and administration of approximately $4.6 billion as of December 31, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred and recorded merger and acquisition costs related to our proposed acquisition of Cambridge of $5.5 million. The following table presents Cambridge-related merger and acquisition costs by financial statement line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 5 |
| Office occupancy and equipment | 2 | |
| Data processing | 1,357 | |
| Professional services | 4,080 | |
| Other | 51 | |
| Total | $ | 5,495 |
Interest Rates
Beginning in March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) voted to increase the federal funds rate multiple times from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 5.25% to 5.50% on July 26, 2023, when the FOMC stated that it will continue to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy. At its most recent meeting on January 31, 2024, the FOMC decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at the range set following its July 26, 2023 meeting. The FOMC indicated, in consideration of adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, it will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risk. Further, it indicated that it does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward its long-term target of 2%.
Inevitably, not all of our interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities will re-price simultaneously and in equal volume in response to changes in the federal funds rate, and therefore the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Management believes that several factors will affect the actual impact of interest rate changes on our balance sheet and operating results, including, but not limited to, actual changes in interest rates or expectations of future changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation, and the slope of the interest rate yield curve. We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and, where appropriate, hedging our exposure. Approximately 33% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans as of December 31, 2023 was indexed to a market rate that is expected to reprice along with the federal funds rate. A portion of these loans have been hedged using interest rate swaps to convert the floating rate interest receipts to a fixed rate. The notional amount of floating rate loans swapped totaled $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2023, representing approximately 17% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans at that date. For more detail regarding such hedging financial instruments, refer to Note 18, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to the section titled “Management of Market Risk” within this Item 7 for additional discussion including the estimated change to our net interest income under interest rate risk measurement methodologies that use a variety of hypothetical scenarios assuming immediate and parallel changes in interest rates that may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates.
Increases in the federal funds rate, which began in March 2022, and greater industry-wide competition for deposits have had a significant impact on our cost of interest-bearing liabilities and funding betas. See note (1) to the following table for a description of our deposit beta. Beginning in the third quarter of 2022 and to assist in meeting our loan-growth needs, we placed additional reliance on wholesale funding in the form of borrowings and then, in the fourth quarter of 2022, we started to purchase brokered certificates of deposit. These funding sources generally have a higher cost than deposits originating within the markets we serve and are not our preferred sources of funding. During the first quarter of 2023, we completed a balance sheet repositioning by selling a portion of our AFS securities portfolio for total proceeds of $1.9 billion. The proceeds from the sale of such securities have been used to increase cash levels and reduce wholesale funds and, in turn, reduce the impact of our increasing of rates paid on deposits on our funding betas. In addition, in October 2023, we completed the sale of our insurance agency business, which included the sale of substantially all of the assets and transfer of certain liabilities of Eastern Insurance Group, for net cash proceeds at closing of $498.1 million. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce our short-term FHLB borrowings. For additional discussion of the sale, refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The following chart depicts our funding betas and cost of interest bearing liabilities for the previous twelve months as of December 31, 2023:
(1)Cycle beta calculated as the change in monthly average total interest-bearing liabilities cost in each respective month from the beginning of the cycle, defined as February 2022, divided by the respective change in the average monthly upper bound of the Federal Funds target range during the same period.
(2)The total cost of interest bearing liabilities is charted on the left-hand y-axis and cycle beta data is charted on the right-hand y-axis.
The above chart demonstrates a flattening of our liabilities costs immediately following the sale of AFS securities in March 2023 as the cash generated from the sale was used to reduce wholesale funding.
Bank Closures and Related FDIC Matters
On March 12 and 13, 2023, following the closures of Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) and Signature Bank and the appointment of the FDIC as the receiver for those banks, the FDIC announced that, under the systemic risk exception set forth in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”), all insured and uninsured deposits of those banks were transferred to the respective bridge banks for SVB and Signature Bank.
The FDIC also announced that, as required by the FDIA, any losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) to support uninsured depositors would be recovered by a special assessment. On November 16, 2023, the FDIC published in the Federal Register its final rule that imposes special assessments to recover the loss to the DIF arising from the protection of uninsured depositors in connection with the systemic risk determination announced on March 12, 2023, following the closures of SVB and Signature Bank, as required by the FDIA. The assessment base for the special assessments is equal to an insured depository institution’s (“IDI”) estimated uninsured deposits, reported as of December 31, 2022, adjusted to exclude the first $5 billion in estimated uninsured deposits from the IDI, or for IDIs that are part of a holding company with one or more subsidiary IDIs, at the banking organization level. The final rule calls for the FDIC to collect special assessments at an annual rate of approximately 13.4 basis points, over eight quarterly assessment periods. Because the estimated loss pursuant to the systemic risk determination will be periodically adjusted, the FDIC retains the ability to cease collection early, extend the special assessment collection period one or more quarters beyond the initial eight-quarter collection period to collect the difference between actual or estimated losses and the amounts collected, and impose a final shortfall special assessment on a one-time basis after the receiverships for SVB and Signature Bank terminate. The final rule set an effective date of April 1, 2024, with special assessments collected beginning with the first quarterly assessment period of 2024 (i.e., January 1 through March 31, 2024, with an invoice payment date of June 28, 2024).
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We estimate, based on the FDIC’s November 2023 final rule, that the total pre-tax amount of the Bank’s special assessment will be approximately $10.8 million, although the timing, amount and allocation of that special assessment remains subject to any actions by the FDIC, as described above, to cease collection early, extend the collection period, and impose a final shortfall special assessment. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, we recognized the special assessment in full upon issuance of the final rule in the fourth quarter of 2023.
In February 2024, we received notification from the FDIC that the estimated loss attributable to the protection of uninsured depositors at SVB and Signature Bank is $20.4 billion, an increase of approximately $4.1 billion from the estimate of $16.3 billion described in the final rule. The FDIC plans to provide institutions subject to the special assessment an updated estimate of each institution’s quarterly and total special assessment expense with its first quarter 2024 special assessment invoice, to be released in June 2024.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present certain non-GAAP financial measures, which management uses to evaluate our performance, and which exclude the effects of certain transactions, non-cash items and GAAP adjustments that we believe are unrelated to our core business and are therefore not necessarily indicative of our current performance or financial position. Management believes excluding these items facilitates greater visibility for investors into our core businesses as well as underlying trends that may, to some extent, be obscured by inclusion of such items in the corresponding GAAP financial measures. Except as otherwise indicated, the information presented within this section excludes discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
There are items in our financial statements that impact our results but which we believe are unrelated to our core business. Accordingly, we present operating net income, noninterest income on an operating basis, noninterest expense on an operating basis, total operating revenue, operating earnings per share, operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, and the operating efficiency ratio, each of which excludes the impact of such items because we believe such exclusion can provide greater visibility into our core business and underlying trends. Such items that we do not consider to be core to our business include (i) income and expenses from investments held in rabbi trusts, (ii) gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, (iii) gains and losses on the sale of other assets, (iv) rabbi trust employee benefits, (v) impairment charges on tax credit investments and associated tax credit benefits, (vi) expenses indirectly associated with our IPO, (vii) other real estate owned (“OREO”) gains, (viii) merger and acquisition expenses, (ix) the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation (the “Foundation”) in connection with our mutual-to-stock conversion and IPO, (x) settlement of putative consumer class action litigation matters related to overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees, and associated settlement expenses, and (xi) the non-cash pension settlement charge recognized related to our Defined Benefit Plan.
We also present tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, average tangible shareholders’ equity, the ratios of net income and operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity and tangible book value per share, each of which excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, as we believe these financial measures provide investors with the ability to further assess our performance, identify trends in our core business and provide a comparison of our capital adequacy to other companies. We have included the tangible ratios because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management to assess performance and identify trends.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative or substitute to GAAP net income from continuing operations, or as an indication of our cash flows from operating activities, a measure of our liquidity or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. An item which we consider to be non-core and exclude when computing these non-GAAP financial measures can be of substantial importance to our results for any particular period. In addition, our methodology for calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar performance measures and, accordingly, our reported non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to the same or similar performance measures reported by other companies.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items recorded for the time periods indicated below and reconciles them to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||
| Net (loss) income from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | (62,689) | $ | 186,511 | $ | 145,531 | ||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||
| Noninterest income components: | ||||||||||
| (Income) losses from investments held in rabbi trusts | (9,305) | 10,762 | (10,217) | |||||||
| Losses (gains) on sales of securities available for sale, net | 333,170 | 3,157 | (1,166) | |||||||
| Losses (gains) on sales of other assets | 3 | (1,365) | (26) | |||||||
| Noninterest expense components: | ||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit expense (income) | 3,742 | (5,161) | 5,515 | |||||||
| Impairment reversal on tax credit investments | — | — | (170) | |||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | — | — | (87) | |||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses (1) | 5,495 | — | 35,456 | |||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | — | — | 3,325 | |||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss (2) | — | 12,045 | — | |||||||
| Total impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 333,105 | 19,438 | 32,630 | |||||||
| Less net tax benefit associated with non-GAAP adjustment (3) | 107,230 | 6,047 | 21,021 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | $ | 225,875 | $ | 13,391 | $ | 11,609 | ||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 163,186 | $ | 199,902 | $ | 157,140 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period: | ||||||||||
| Basic | 162,293,020 | 165,510,357 | 172,192,336 | |||||||
| Diluted | 162,403,097 | 165,648,571 | 172,252,057 | |||||||
| (Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations, basic | $ | (0.39) | $ | 1.13 | $ | 0.85 | ||||
| (Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations, diluted | $ | (0.39) | $ | 1.13 | $ | 0.85 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, basic (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.01 | $ | 1.21 | $ | 0.91 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.00 | $ | 1.21 | $ | 0.91 |
(1)Comprised of merger and acquisition expenses incurred related to our acquisitions of Cambridge and Century Bancorp, Inc. (“Century”). Merger and acquisition expenses previously reported for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 related to acquisitions by Eastern Insurance Group were excluded from the above table as they were reclassified to discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion.
(2)Represents a non-cash settlement loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the Defined Benefit Plan. For additional information, refer to Note 15, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)The net tax benefit amount for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily resulted from the sale of securities classified as available for sale in the first quarter of 2023 and a $23.7 million tax benefit resulting from the transfer of certain securities from Market Street Securities Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary which was liquidated during the first quarter of 2023, to Eastern Bank. The net tax benefit amount for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 reflects the impact of the reversal of a $12.0 million valuation allowance associated with the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation in the amounts of $0.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively. The reversal of the valuation allowance in each period was considered appropriate based upon our determination of the realizability of such deductions for tax purposes at that time.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items with respect to our total (loss) revenue, noninterest (loss) income, noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP financial measure, for the periods indicated:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 550,409 | $ | 568,054 | $ | 429,827 | $ | 401,251 | $ | 411,264 | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP)(1) | 17,181 | 12,736 | 6,093 | 5,472 | 5,254 | |||||||||||||
| Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP) | 567,590 | 580,790 | 435,920 | 406,723 | 416,518 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest (loss) income (GAAP) | (237,753) | 76,750 | 97,437 | 83,679 | 91,476 | |||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (losses) from investments held in rabbi trusts | 9,305 | (10,762) | 10,217 | 10,337 | 9,866 | |||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | (333,170) | (3,157) | 1,166 | 288 | 2,016 | |||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of other assets | (3) | 1,365 | 26 | (136) | (131) | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 86,115 | 89,304 | 86,028 | 73,190 | 79,725 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 418,602 | $ | 388,649 | $ | 360,955 | $ | 429,491 | $ | 336,412 | ||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit expense (income) | 3,742 | (5,161) | 5,515 | 4,789 | 4,604 | |||||||||||||
| Impairment (reversal) charge on tax credit investments | — | — | (170) | 10,779 | — | |||||||||||||
| Indirect IPO costs (2) | — | 0 | — | — | 1,199 | — | ||||||||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses (3) | 5,495 | — | 35,456 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | — | — | 3,325 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss | — | 12,045 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation | — | — | — | 91,287 | — | |||||||||||||
| Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | — | — | 87 | 606 | — | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | $ | 409,365 | $ | 381,765 | $ | 316,916 | $ | 322,043 | $ | 331,808 | ||||||||
| Total (loss) revenue (GAAP) | $ | 312,656 | $ | 644,804 | $ | 527,264 | $ | 484,930 | $ | 502,740 | ||||||||
| Total operating revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 653,705 | $ | 670,094 | $ | 521,948 | $ | 479,913 | $ | 496,243 | ||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio (GAAP) | 133.89 | % | 60.27 | % | 68.46 | % | 88.57 | % | 66.92 | % | ||||||||
| Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 62.62 | % | 56.97 | % | 60.72 | % | 67.10 | % | 66.86 | % |
(1)Interest income on tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis using a marginal tax rate of 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2020, and 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
(2)Reflects costs associated with the IPO that are indirectly related to the IPO and were not recorded as a reduction of capital
(3)Comprised of merger and acquisition expenses incurred related to our acquisition of Cambridge and Century. Merger and acquisition expenses previously reported for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2018 related to acquisitions by Eastern Insurance Group were excluded from the above table as they were reclassified to discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The following table summarizes the calculation of our tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, and tangible book value per share, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP measure, as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 2,974,855 | $ | 2,471,790 | $ | 3,406,352 | $ | 3,428,052 | $ | 1,600,153 | ||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1) | 566,205 | 661,126 | 649,703 | 376,534 | 377,734 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 2,408,650 | 1,810,664 | 2,756,649 | 3,051,518 | 1,222,419 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | 21,133,278 | 22,646,858 | 23,512,128 | 15,964,190 | 11,628,775 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1) | 566,205 | 661,126 | 649,703 | 376,534 | 377,734 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 20,567,073 | $ | 21,985,732 | $ | 22,862,425 | $ | 15,587,656 | $ | 11,251,041 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity to assets ratio (GAAP) | 14.1 | % | 10.9 | % | 14.5 | % | 21.5 | % | 13.8 | % | ||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) | 11.7 | % | 8.2 | % | 12.1 | % | 19.6 | % | 10.9 | % | ||||||||
| Book value per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares issued and outstanding | 176,426,993 | 176,172,073 | 186,305,332 | 186,758,154 | — | |||||||||||||
| Book value per share (GAAP) | $ | 16.86 | $ | 14.03 | $ | 18.28 | $ | 18.36 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 13.65 | $ | 10.28 | $ | 14.80 | $ | 16.34 | $ | — |
(1)Includes goodwill and other intangible assets which were associated with our insurance agency business for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
The following table summarizes the calculation of our average tangible shareholders’ equity and ratio of net income from continuing operations and operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity (“operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity”), which reconciles to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income from continuing operations (GAAP) | $ | (62,689) | $ | 186,511 | $ | 145,531 | $ | 8,861 | $ | 124,736 | ||||||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) (1) | 163,186 | 199,902 | 157,140 | 88,276 | 119,450 | |||||||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 2,571,001 | $ | 2,831,533 | $ | 3,424,570 | $ | 2,040,156 | $ | 1,543,191 | ||||||||
| Less: Average goodwill and other intangibles (2) | 643,977 | 655,653 | 414,441 | 376,706 | 379,615 | |||||||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,927,024 | $ | 2,175,880 | $ | 3,010,129 | $ | 1,663,450 | $ | 1,163,576 | ||||||||
| Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | (2.44) | % | 6.59 | % | 4.25 | % | 0.43 | % | 8.08 | % | ||||||||
| Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | (3.25) | % | 8.57 | % | 4.83 | % | 0.53 | % | 10.72 | % | ||||||||
| Operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 8.47 | % | 9.19 | % | 5.22 | % | 5.31 | % | 10.27 | % |
(1)Refer to the table above within this “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income.
(2)Includes goodwill and other intangible assets included in assets of discontinued operations within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Financial Position
The information presented within this section excludes discontinued operations, which was applicable for the period ended December 31, 2022. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
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Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding the sale of our insurance agency business and discontinued operations.
Summary of Financial Position
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 693,076 | $ | 169,505 | $ | 523,571 | 308.9 | % | ||||||
| Securities available for sale | 4,407,521 | 6,690,778 | (2,283,257) | (34.1) | % | |||||||||
| Securities held to maturity | 449,721 | 476,647 | (26,926) | (5.6) | % | |||||||||
| Loans, net of allowance for loan losses | 13,799,367 | 13,420,317 | 379,050 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 5,904 | 41,363 | (35,459) | (85.7) | % | |||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | 566,205 | 568,009 | (1,804) | (0.3) | % | |||||||||
| Deposits | 17,596,217 | 18,974,359 | (1,378,142) | (7.3) | % | |||||||||
| Borrowed funds | 48,216 | 740,828 | (692,612) | (93.5) | % |
Cash and cash equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents increased by $523.6 million, or 308.9%, to $693.1 million at December 31, 2023 from $169.5 million at December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to proceeds from sales of AFS securities of $1.9 billion during the first quarter of 2023, proceeds from maturities and principal paydowns of AFS and HTM securities of $451.3 million and proceeds from the sale of commercial and industrial loans during the third and fourth quarters of 2023 of $211.4 million. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in deposits of $1.4 billion and an increase in gross loans of $397.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. For further discussion of the change in securities, loans, and deposits, refer to the later “Securities,” “Loans,” and “Deposits,” sections in this Item 7.
Securities
Our current investment policy authorizes us to invest in various types of investment securities and liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate notes, asset-backed securities and municipal securities. The Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for approving and overseeing our investment policy, which it reviews at least annually. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, liquidity requirements, potential returns and market risk considerations. We do not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor do we purchase any high-risk investment products. We typically invest in the following types of securities:
U.S. government securities: Our U.S. government securities consist of U.S. Agency bonds and U.S. Treasury securities. We maintain these investments, to the extent appropriate, for liquidity purposes, at zero risk weighting for capital purposes, and as collateral for interest rate derivative positions. U.S. Agency bonds include securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB, and the Federal Farm Credit Bureau.
Mortgage-backed securities: We invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities insured or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae, including collateralized mortgage obligations. We have not purchased any privately-issued mortgage-backed securities. We invest in mortgage-backed securities to achieve a positive interest rate spread with minimal administrative expense, and to lower our credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae.
Investments in residential mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. We periodically review current prepayment speeds to determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or
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accretion adjustments. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities. In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.
State and municipal securities: We invest in fixed rate investment grade bonds issued primarily by municipalities in our local communities within Massachusetts and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The market value of these securities may be affected by call options, long dated maturities, general market liquidity and credit factors.
The following table shows the fair value of our securities by investment category as of the dates indicated:
Securities Portfolio Composition
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Available for sale securities, at fair value: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 2,780,638 | $ | 4,111,908 | ||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,124,376 | 1,348,954 | ||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | 216,011 | 952,482 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 95,152 | 93,057 | ||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 191,344 | 183,092 | ||||
| Other debt securities | — | 1,285 | ||||
| Total available for sale securities, at fair value | 4,407,521 | 6,690,778 | ||||
| Held to maturity securities, at amortized cost: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 254,752 | 276,493 | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 194,969 | 200,154 | ||||
| Total held to maturity securities, at amortized cost | 449,721 | 476,647 | ||||
| Total | $ | 4,857,242 | $ | 7,167,425 |
Our securities portfolio has decreased $2.3 billion, or 32.2%, to $4.9 billion at December 31, 2023 from $7.2 billion at December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to the completion of a balance sheet repositioning in March 2023 through the sale of AFS securities for total proceeds of $1.9 billion. Refer to the sections titled “Outlook and Trends” and “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” within this Item 2 for additional discussion of such sales.
We did not have trading investments at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
A portion of our securities portfolio continues to be tax-exempt. Investments in federally tax-exempt securities totaled $191.1 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $182.9 million at December 31, 2022.
Our AFS securities are carried at fair value and are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of model inputs. Securities which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had no securities categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
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The following tables show contractual maturities of our AFS and HTM securities and weighted average yields at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Maturities of our securities portfolio are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the effect of scheduled principal repayments, prepayments, or early redemptions that may occur. Weighted average yields in the tables below have been calculated based on the amortized cost of the security:
Securities Portfolio, Weighted-Average Yield
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2023 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | 2.35 | % | 1.90 | % | 1.59 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.92 | 1.40 | 1.95 | 1.79 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 1.35 | — | — | 1.35 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | — | 1.96 | — | — | 1.96 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 1.33 | 2.41 | 3.34 | 4.09 | 3.66 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 1.33 | 1.76 | 1.62 | 1.73 | 1.72 | |||||||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | — | — | 2.87 | 2.87 | |||||||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 2.18 | 2.25 | — | 2.22 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | 2.18 | 2.25 | 2.87 | 2.59 | |||||||||
| Total | 1.33 | % | 1.81 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.79 | % | 1.79 | % |
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2022 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | 2.27 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.45 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.29 | 1.51 | 1.94 | 1.68 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 0.79 | 0.97 | — | 0.82 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | — | 1.97 | — | — | 1.97 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 1.22 | 2.26 | 3.17 | 4.05 | 3.66 | |||||||||
| Other debt securities | 0.84 | — | — | — | 0.84 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 0.89 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.47 | % | ||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | — | % | — | % | 2.86 | % | 2.86 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | — | 2.23 | — | 2.23 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | % | — | % | 2.23 | % | 2.86 | % | 2.59 | % | ||||
| Total | 0.89 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.72 | % | 1.54 | % |
(1)Investment security weighted-average yields were calculated on a level-yield basis by weighting the tax equivalent yield for each security type by the book value of each maturity.
The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent (“FTE”) basis by adjusting tax-exempt income upward by an amount equivalent to the prevailing federal income taxes that would have been paid if the income had been fully taxable.
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Loans
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio, by category, as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change ($) | Change (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,034,068 | $ | 3,150,946 | $ | (116,878) | (3.7) | % | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | 5,457,349 | 5,155,323 | 302,026 | 5.9 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 386,999 | 336,276 | 50,723 | 15.1 | % | |||||||||
| Business banking | 1,085,763 | 1,090,492 | (4,729) | (0.4) | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,565,485 | 2,460,849 | 104,636 | 4.3 | % | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,208,231 | 1,187,547 | 20,684 | 1.7 | % | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 235,533 | 194,098 | 41,435 | 21.3 | % | |||||||||
| Total gross loans (1) | $ | 13,973,428 | $ | 13,575,531 | $ | 397,897 | 2.9 | % |
(1)Amounts presented exclude unamortized premiums, unearned discounts and deferred fees and costs.
We consider our loan portfolio to be relatively diversified by borrower and industry. Our loans increased $0.4 billion, or 2.9%, to $14.0 billion at December 31, 2023 from $13.6 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase as of December 31, 2023 was primarily due to increases in our commercial real estate and residential real estate portfolios, partially offset by a decrease in our commercial and industrial portfolio, as further noted below:
•Our commercial real estate portfolio increased by $302.0 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 which was primarily attributable to an increase of $329.1 million in commercial real estate investment loan balances. Such loans represent loans secured by commercial real estate that are non-owner-occupied. The increase in such loan balances was primarily due to management’s active focus on originating loans collateralized by industrial/warehouse and multi-family property types, which are included in the commercial real estate investment loan category, due to management’s belief that the credit performance of such loans has a stable outlook. The increase in commercial real estate investment loan balances was partially offset by a decrease in commercial real estate owner-occupied loans of $24.3 million which was due to net paydowns of such loans during the year ended December 31, 2023 and charge-offs taken in the fourth quarter of 2023 on several loans. Refer to the later “Allowance for Credit Losses” section in this Item 7 for additional discussion of charge-offs on commercial real estate loans.
•Our residential real estate portfolio increased by $104.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in residential real estate loan balances was primarily due to fewer sales of originated loans resulting in more loans being held for investment, and purchases of loans which totaled $32.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
•Our commercial and industrial portfolio decreased by $116.9 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 which was primarily due to sales of commercial and industrial loans from our Shared National Credit Program portfolio of $214.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. This overall decrease was partially offset by new loan originations within the commercial and industrial portfolio which were primarily funded with the proceeds from the sales of loans.
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We believe that our commercial loan portfolio composition is relatively diversified in terms of industry sectors, property types and various lending specialties. As of December 31, 2023, the amortized cost balances of concentrations in our commercial loan portfolios were as follows:
| Commercial and Industrial | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Educational services | $ | 707,984 | 23.4 | % | ||
| Real estate | 336,681 | 11.1 | % | |||
| Accommodation | 295,799 | 9.8 | % | |||
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 289,023 | 9.6 | % | |||
| Wholesale trade | 278,151 | 9.2 | % | |||
| Admin support | 183,687 | 6.1 | % | |||
| Transportation | 162,326 | 5.4 | % | |||
| Healthcare | 146,187 | 4.8 | % | |||
| Arts & entertainment | 136,004 | 4.5 | % | |||
| Finance and insurance | 111,361 | 3.7 | % | |||
| Other industries | 372,428 | 12.4 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 3,019,631 | 100.0 | % |
| Commercial Real Estate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Multi-family | $ | 1,211,492 | 22.2 | % | ||
| Industrial/warehouse | 613,736 | 11.3 | % | |||
| Retail | 546,395 | 10.0 | % | |||
| Office | 425,744 | 7.8 | % | |||
| Affordable housing | 394,153 | 7.2 | % | |||
| Mixed use - multi-family | 377,239 | 6.9 | % | |||
| School | 365,840 | 6.7 | % | |||
| Mixed use - office | 263,556 | 4.8 | % | |||
| Self storage | 233,443 | 4.3 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail | 222,830 | 4.1 | % | |||
| Other property types | 799,419 | 14.7 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 5,453,847 | 100.0 | % |
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| Commercial Construction | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Multi-family | $ | 165,048 | 42.9 | % | ||
| Affordable housing | 131,663 | 34.2 | % | |||
| Retail | 17,099 | 4.4 | % | |||
| Self storage | 14,943 | 3.9 | % | |||
| Medical office | 14,915 | 3.9 | % | |||
| Mixed use - multi-family | 13,288 | 3.5 | % | |||
| Industrial/warehouse | 8,462 | 2.2 | % | |||
| Service station | 7,132 | 1.9 | % | |||
| For sale housing | 4,806 | 1.2 | % | |||
| Other property types | 7,281 | 1.9 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 384,637 | 100.0 | % |
We believe that the loan to value ratio (“LTV”) is an important factor in monitoring the risk characteristics of our loans secured by real estate. The following tables show the distribution of loan balances, on an amortized cost basis, by LTV and year of origination for each of our portfolios of loans secured by real estate as of December 31, 2023:
| Balance of Commercial Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 23,338 | $ | 14,940 | $ | 23,327 | $ | 2,997 | $ | 10,564 | $ | 61,644 | $ | 136,810 | |||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 163,073 | 532,745 | 240,243 | 281,646 | 181,582 | 710,930 | 2,110,219 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 269,540 | 659,477 | 491,880 | 223,767 | 303,597 | 537,961 | 2,486,222 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 78,380 | 239,304 | 108,548 | 56,985 | 55,866 | 66,899 | 605,982 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% (3) | 18,346 | 6,377 | — | 1,835 | 2,384 | 2,860 | 31,802 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher (3) | 10,426 | 23,910 | 17,668 | 13,887 | — | 16,921 | 82,812 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 563,103 | $ | 1,476,753 | $ | 881,666 | $ | 581,117 | $ | 553,993 | $ | 1,397,215 | $ | 5,453,847 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 57.57 | % | 55.36 | % | 57.13 | % | 50.15 | % | 50.61 | % | 45.86 | % | 52.43 | % |
| Balance of Residential Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 611 | $ | — | $ | 107 | $ | 871 | $ | — | $ | 11,623 | $ | 13,212 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 22,138 | 73,547 | 177,799 | 83,704 | 26,546 | 166,429 | 550,163 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 36,388 | 117,199 | 263,130 | 144,124 | 32,079 | 183,103 | 776,023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 95,195 | 302,911 | 141,798 | 97,531 | 22,409 | 69,551 | 729,395 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 78,299 | 196,878 | 54,755 | 21,875 | 13,068 | 32,475 | 397,350 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 25,790 | 46,830 | 32,092 | 8,301 | 1,500 | 1,809 | 116,322 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 258,421 | $ | 737,365 | $ | 669,681 | $ | 356,406 | $ | 95,602 | $ | 464,990 | $ | 2,582,465 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 75.95 | % | 74.37 | % | 60.83 | % | 61.33 | % | 61.48 | % | 54.80 | % | 65.23 | % |
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| Balance of Consumer Home Equity Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 167,977 | $ | 290,325 | $ | 177,770 | $ | 20,105 | $ | 29,103 | $ | 186,912 | $ | 872,192 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 1,310 | 3,861 | 544 | 24,676 | 20,701 | 50,761 | 101,853 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 1,061 | 5,860 | 726 | 30,821 | 19,241 | 47,258 | 104,967 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 567 | 4,177 | 486 | 12,326 | 21,394 | 50,636 | 89,586 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 436 | 2,310 | 706 | 3,621 | 9,671 | 25,792 | 42,536 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 171,351 | $ | 306,533 | $ | 180,232 | $ | 91,549 | $ | 100,110 | $ | 361,393 | $ | 1,211,168 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average LTV | 56.54 | % | 60.55 | % | 62.46 | % | 54.91 | % | 60.12 | % | 60.12 | % | 59.02 | % |
(1)Current LTV is calculated based upon exposure amount and the most recently available appraisal value as of the reporting period.
(2)Insufficient data available to calculate LTV.
(3)We generally require an LTV of 80% or less on new CRE loan originations. Certain CRE loans with LTVs greater than 80% may have additional collateral pledged which is not included in the computation of the amounts stated.
The maturity distribution of our loan portfolio is one factor used by management to evaluate the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio. The following table shows the maturity distribution of our loans, on a gross basis, as of December 31, 2023:
Scheduled Contractual Loan Maturity
| One Year or Less (1) | One to Five Years | Five to Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 367,051 | $ | 1,162,227 | $ | 632,396 | $ | 857,957 | $ | 3,019,631 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 392,134 | 1,602,501 | 3,089,413 | 369,799 | 5,453,847 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 63,374 | 175,006 | 104,921 | 41,336 | 384,637 | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 121,923 | 250,270 | 678,066 | 39,334 | 1,089,593 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 319 | 18,464 | 268,894 | 2,294,788 | 2,582,465 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,347 | 21,475 | 212,876 | 975,470 | 1,211,168 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 21,761 | 75,567 | 107,433 | 2,258 | 207,019 | |||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 967,909 | $ | 3,305,510 | $ | 5,093,999 | $ | 4,580,942 | $ | 13,948,360 |
(1)Includes demand loans, or loans without a stated maturity.
The interest rate risk of our loan portfolio is an important element in the management of net interest margin. We attempt to manage the relationship between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to produce an effective interest differential that is not significantly impacted by changes in the level of interest rates. The following table shows the interest rate risk of our loans, on a gross basis, due one year after December 31, 2023:
Loan Interest Rate Risk
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| Due after December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Adjustable | Total | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 780,341 | $ | 1,872,239 | $ | 2,652,580 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 2,312,672 | 2,749,041 | 5,061,713 | |||||||
| Commercial construction | 132,505 | 188,758 | 321,263 | |||||||
| Business banking | 257,683 | 709,987 | 967,670 | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,004,522 | 577,624 | 2,582,146 | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | 200,375 | 1,009,446 | 1,209,821 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 182,868 | 2,390 | 185,258 | |||||||
| Total loans | $ | 5,870,966 | $ | 7,109,485 | $ | 12,980,451 |
Asset quality. We continually monitor the asset quality of our loan portfolio utilizing portfolio scorecards and various credit quality indicators. Based on this process, loans meeting certain criteria are categorized as delinquent or non-performing and further assessed to determine if non-accrual status is appropriate.
For the commercial portfolio, which includes our commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking loans, we monitor credit quality using a risk rating scale, which assigns a risk-grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial loan transaction. Management utilizes a loan risk rating methodology based on a 15-point scale with the assistance of risk rating scorecard tools. Pass grades are 0-10 and non-pass categories, which align with regulatory guidelines, are: special mention (11), substandard (12), doubtful (13) and loss (14).
Risk rating assignment is determined using one of 15 separate scorecards developed for distinctive portfolio segments based on common attributes. Key factors include: industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral and other considerations.
Special mention, substandard and doubtful loans totaled 4.1% and 2.2% of total commercial loans outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This increase was driven by several risk rating downgrades of loans in the commercial and industrial and commercial real estate portfolios.
Our philosophy toward managing our loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations. We seek to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame.
For the retail portfolio, which includes residential real estate, consumer home equity, and other consumer portfolios, we monitor credit quality using the borrower’s FICO score. As of December 31, 2023, 70.9% of retail borrowers, based on amortized cost balances, have a FICO score of 740 or greater. The following table shows the balances by borrowers’ current FICO scores as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | |||||||||||||||||
| Current FICO (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 1,873 | $ | 22,213 | $ | 14,030 | $ | 5,195 | $ | 15,284 | $ | 27,400 | ||||||||||
| 640 or lower | 69,423 | 45,632 | 3,647 | 54,268 | 37,538 | 4,406 | ||||||||||||||||
| 641 – 699 | 216,078 | 132,270 | 12,352 | 193,215 | 114,751 | 13,026 | ||||||||||||||||
| 700 – 739 | 410,644 | 214,096 | 22,169 | 381,018 | 200,397 | 21,139 | ||||||||||||||||
| 740 or higher | 1,884,447 | 796,957 | 154,821 | 1,846,359 | 823,337 | 111,807 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,582,465 | $ | 1,211,168 | $ | 207,019 | $ | 2,480,055 | $ | 1,191,307 | $ | 177,778 | ||||||||||
| Average FICO | 767.4 | 758.8 | 781.6 | 767.3 | 763.3 | 772.2 |
(1)Borrower FICO scores are updated on a semi-annual basis, and the most recent update occurred in August 2023.
(2)Insufficient data available to report.
The delinquency rate of our total loan portfolio decreased to 0.41% at December 31, 2023 from 0.50% at December 31, 2022.
The following table provides details regarding our delinquency rates as of the dates indicated:
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Loan Delinquency Rates
| Delinquency Rate as of December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.13 | % | 0.12 | % | |
| Commercial real estate | — | % | — | % | |
| Commercial construction | — | % | — | % | |
| Business banking | 0.58 | % | 1.00 | % | |
| Residential real estate | 1.11 | % | 1.46 | % | |
| Consumer home equity | 1.43 | % | 1.33 | % | |
| Other consumer | 0.46 | % | 0.63 | % | |
| Total | 0.41 | % | 0.50 | % |
As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as non-accrual loans. However, based on our assessment of collateral and/or payment prospects, certain loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status. Income accruals are suspended on all non-accrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan is expected to remain on non-accrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest, the loan is liquidated, or the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) are comprised of non-performing loans (“NPLs”), OREO and non-performing securities. NPLs consist of non-accrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest. OREO consists of real estate properties, which primarily serve as collateral to secure our loans, that we control due to foreclosure. These properties are recorded at the fair value less estimated costs to sell on the date we obtain control. Any write-downs to the cost of the related asset upon transfer to OREO to reflect the asset at fair value less estimated costs to sell is recorded through the allowance for loan losses.
NPLs increased $14.0 million, or 36%, to $52.6 million at December 31, 2023 from $38.6 million at December 31, 2022. NPLs as a percentage of total loans increased to 0.38% at December 31, 2023 from 0.28% at December 31, 2022. Refer to the later “Allowance for Credit Losses” section in this Item 7 for a discussion of the change in non-accrual loans which comprise our NPLs as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
The total amount of interest recorded on NPLs during both the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was not significant. The gross interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of those loans if they had been performing amounted to $6.5 million and $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
In the course of resolving NPLs, we may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. We attempt to work-out alternative payment schedules with the borrowers in order to avoid foreclosure actions. As noted within Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we adopted ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023 which eliminated TDR accounting. Prior to the adoption of this standard, we reviewed each loan that was modified to identify whether a TDR had occurred. TDRs involved situations in which, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, we granted a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise have considered. Subsequent to our adoption of this standard, we apply the loan refinancing and restructuring guidance codified in paragraphs 310-20-35-9 through 35-11 of the Accounting Standards Codification to determine whether a modification results in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan.
ASU 2022-02 requires disclosure of loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The aggregate amortized cost balance as of December 31, 2023 of loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2023, determined in accordance with ASU 2022-02, which were determined to be modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty was $19.4 million. As of December 31, 2023, there were no loans that had been modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the year ended December 31, 2023 and which had subsequently defaulted during the period.
Under previous accounting guidance, in cases where a borrower experienced financial difficulties and we made certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms, the loan was classified as a TDR. Loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2022 which were determined to be TDRs, determined in accordance with previous accounting guidance in effect through December 31, 2022, totaled $12.6 million. As of December 31, 2022, there was one loan which totaled approximately $1.0 million that had been modified during the preceding 12 months, which was party to a TDR and which subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Our policy is that any restructured loan, which is on non-accrual status prior to being modified, remain on non-accrual status for approximately six months subsequent to being modified before we consider its return to accrual status. If the
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restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, we review it to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status.
Purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans are loans that we acquired that have shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and, therefore, it was deemed unlikely that all contractually required payments would be collected upon the acquisition date. We consider factors such as payment history, collateral values and accrual status when determining whether there was evidence of deterioration at the acquisition date. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of PCD loans was $49.1 million and $56.6 million, respectively.
Potential Problem Loans. In the normal course of business, we become aware of possible credit problems in which borrowers exhibit potential for the inability to comply with the contractual terms of their loans, but which currently do not yet meet the criteria for classification as NPLs. These loans are neither delinquent nor on non-accrual status. Our potential problem loans, or loans with potential weaknesses that were not included in the non-accrual loans or in the loans 90 or more days past due categories, increased by $186.7 million, or 99.8%, to $373.7 million at December 31, 2023 from $187.0 million at December 31, 2022. These loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 2.7% at December 31, 2023 from 1.4% at December 31, 2022. The increase in potential problem loans from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 was primarily due to the downgrade of certain commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans during the year ended December 31, 2023, including certain commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties in the office risk segment. Refer to the below “Commercial Real Estate Office Exposure” section of this Item 7 for additional information.
Commercial Real Estate Office Exposure. Our total office-related commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans (which is comprised of loans within our commercial real estate and construction portfolios that are secured by office space, medical office space, and mixed-use properties where rental income is primarily from office space) totaled $818.9 million and $819.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our office-related CRE loans are primarily concentrated in Massachusetts, where approximately 84.0% of the total recorded investment balance of office-related CRE loans are located, and approximately 19.8% of the total recorded investment balance of office-related CRE loans are located in the City of Boston.
Given prevailing market conditions such as rising interest rates, reduced occupancy as a result of the increase in hybrid work arrangements post-COVID, and lower commercial real estate valuations, we are carefully monitoring these loans for signs of deterioration in credit quality. Such monitoring includes incremental risk management strategies undertaken by management including monthly internal CRE office exposure portfolio reporting, more frequent portfolio reviews, ongoing monitoring of market conditions, and additional portfolio analysis such as maturity risk analysis and rent rollover risk analysis. As of December 31, 2023, two of our office-related CRE loans, which had a total recorded investment balance of $14.0 million, were on non-accrual status and had transitioned to non-accrual status during the third and fourth quarters of 2023. As of December 31, 2022, none of these loans were on non-accrual status.
The following table sets forth the unpaid principal balance of office-related CRE loans by loan segment and credit quality indicator as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||
| Pass | $ | 683,545 | $ | 739,117 | ||
| Special mention | — | 14,713 | ||||
| Substandard | 104,962 | 52,622 | ||||
| Doubtful | 13,969 | — | ||||
| Total commercial real estate | $ | 802,476 | $ | 806,452 | ||
| Commercial construction | ||||||
| Pass | $ | 15,986 | $ | 12,861 | ||
| Special mention | 454 | — | ||||
| Substandard | — | — | ||||
| Doubtful | — | — | ||||
| Total commercial construction | $ | 16,440 | $ | 12,861 | ||
| Total | $ | 818,916 | $ | 819,313 |
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The following table sets forth the unpaid principal balance of office-related CRE loans by loan segment and collateral use type as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||
| Office | $ | 425,682 | $ | 429,574 | ||
| Medical office | 113,110 | 112,674 | ||||
| Mixed-use | 263,684 | 264,204 | ||||
| Total commercial real estate | $ | 802,476 | $ | 806,452 | ||
| Commercial construction | ||||||
| Office | $ | 454 | $ | 10,323 | ||
| Medical office | 14,961 | — | ||||
| Mixed-use | 1,025 | 2,538 | ||||
| Total commercial construction | $ | 16,440 | $ | 12,861 | ||
| Total | $ | 818,916 | $ | 819,313 |
Allowance for credit losses. For the purpose of estimating our allowance for loan losses, we segregate the loan portfolio into loan categories, for loans that share similar risk characteristics, that possess unique risk characteristics such as loan purpose, repayment source, and collateral that are considered when determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses for each category. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are evaluated individually.
While we use available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions or subtractions to/from the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in NPLs, changes in economic conditions, or other reasons. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of our examination process, periodically assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to assess whether the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with GAAP and applicable guidance.
We perform an evaluation of our allowance for loan losses on a regular basis (at least quarterly), and establish the allowance for loan losses based upon an evaluation of our loan categories, as each possesses unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, including:
•known increases in concentrations within each category;
•certain higher risk classes of loans, or pledged collateral;
•historical loan loss experience within each category;
•results of any independent review and evaluation of the category’s credit quality;
•trends in volume, maturity and composition of each category;
•volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals;
•national and local economic conditions and downturns in specific local industries;
•corporate goals and objectives;
•lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; and
•current and forecasted banking industry conditions, as well as the regulatory and competitive environment.
Loans are evaluated on a regular basis by management. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of probability of default, or PD, loss given default, or LGD, and exposure at default, or EAD, which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories using both a formula-based approach and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. We use a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected credit loss
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in the loan portfolio. Under our current methodology, the allowance for loan losses contains reserves related to loans for which the related allowance for loan losses is determined on individual loan basis and on a collective basis, and other qualitative components.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the reserving method for loans receivable previously described. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The allowance for loan losses increased by $6.8 million, or 4.8%, to $149.0 million, or 1.07% of total loans, at December 31, 2023 from $142.2 million, or 1.05% of total loans at December 31, 2022. The increase in the allowance for loan losses was primarily the result of additional reserves required due to increased loan balances, an increase in reserve rates for commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties in the office and retail risk segments, and increased specific reserve balances, particularly as they relate to several commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties in the office and retail risk segments which transitioned to non-accrual status during the year ended December 31, 2023. Partially offsetting these increases in the allowance for loan losses, were partial charge-offs taken in the fourth quarter related to the previously discussed commercial real estate loans for which specific reserves had been previously established. Also partially offsetting the increase in the allowance for loan losses was our adoption of ASU 2022-02, as previously described above, which resulted in a change in reserving method for loans previously classified as TDRs. Upon adoption of ASU 2022-02, TDR loans for which the allowance for loan losses was determined by a discounted cash flow analysis transitioned to their respective pools of loans sharing similar risk characteristics and for which the allowance for loan losses is determined on a collective basis. As a result, the allowance for loan losses for such loans was reduced by $1.1 million.
For additional discussion of our allowance for credit losses measurement methodology, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For additional discussion of the change in allowance for loan losses, refer to the later “Provision for Loan Losses,” included in the “Results of Operations” section within this Item 7.
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The following table summarizes credit ratios for the periods presented:
Credit Ratios
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loan charge-offs (recoveries): | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | (283) | $ | (1,053) | $ | 623 | $ | 992 | $ | (2,625) | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 7,810 | (91) | 243 | (206) | (12) | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 2,778 | 223 | 3,567 | 4,855 | 5,370 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | (97) | (94) | (87) | (125) | (39) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | (34) | (23) | (161) | 421 | 153 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 1,953 | 1,625 | 1,373 | 2,129 | 1,811 | |||||||||
| Total net loan charge-offs | $ | 12,127 | $ | 587 | $ | 5,558 | $ | 8,066 | $ | 4,658 | ||||
| Average loans: | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,197,668 | $ | 2,944,064 | $ | 2,015,665 | $ | 2,053,093 | $ | 1,419,875 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 5,377,304 | 4,886,951 | 3,960,818 | 3,654,887 | 3,667,147 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 357,499 | 294,805 | 191,771 | 226,286 | 263,736 | |||||||||
| Business banking | 981,496 | 1,021,720 | 1,241,770 | 1,079,779 | 738,652 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,536,374 | 2,063,193 | 1,508,796 | 1,398,337 | 1,438,775 | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,193,270 | 1,129,757 | 869,110 | 902,634 | 948,089 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 188,476 | 197,659 | 233,932 | 334,257 | 471,602 | |||||||||
| Average total loans (1) | $ | 13,832,087 | $ | 12,538,149 | $ | 10,021,862 | $ | 9,649,273 | $ | 8,947,876 | ||||
| Total net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans outstanding during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | (0.01) | % | (0.04) | % | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | (0.18) | % | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 0.15 | 0.00 | 0.01 | (0.01) | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 0.28 | 0.02 | 0.29 | 0.45 | 0.73 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.01) | (0.01) | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.02) | 0.05 | 0.02 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 1.04 | 0.82 | 0.59 | 0.64 | 0.38 | |||||||||
| Total net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding during the period | 0.09 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.05 | % | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 13,973,428 | $ | 13,575,531 | $ | 12,281,510 | $ | 9,730,525 | $ | 8,987,046 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans | $ | 52,557 | $ | 38,604 | $ | 32,993 | $ | 41,005 | $ | 42,451 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 148,993 | $ | 142,211 | $ | 97,787 | $ | 113,031 | $ | 82,297 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans | 1.07 | % | 1.05 | % | 0.80 | % | 1.16 | % | 0.92 | % | ||||
| Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans | 0.38 | % | 0.28 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.42 | % | 0.47 | % | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans | 283.49 | % | 368.38 | % | 296.39 | % | 275.65 | % | 193.86 | % |
(1)Average loan balances exclude loans held for sale.
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Non-accrual loans increased $14.0 million, or 36%, to $52.6 million at December 31, 2023 from $38.6 million at December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in commercial real estate non-accrual loans of $30.1 million partially offset by a decrease in commercial and industrial non-accrual loans of $13.5 million. Non-accrual commercial real estate loans increased due to three loans, which are collateralized by properties in the office risk segment, transitioning to non-accrual status during the third and fourth quarters of 2023. No commercial real estate loans were delinquent as of December 31, 2023. Non-accrual commercial and industrial loans decreased primarily due to payoffs and curing of delinquency of such loans, which included the payoff during the year ended December 31, 2023 of one commercial and industrial loan which was on non-accrual and had a balance of $8.5 million as of December 31, 2022. For additional information regarding the credit quality of our loans, see Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following tables sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories listed in loan portfolio composition and the related loan balances as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated:
Summary of Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 26,959 | 18.09 | % | 21.71 | % | $ | 26,859 | 18.89 | % | 23.21 | % | |||||||
| Commercial real estate | 65,475 | 43.95 | % | 39.05 | % | 54,730 | 38.49 | % | 37.97 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 6,666 | 4.47 | % | 2.77 | % | 7,085 | 4.98 | % | 2.48 | % | |||||||||
| Business banking | 14,913 | 10.01 | % | 7.77 | % | 16,189 | 11.38 | % | 8.03 | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 25,954 | 17.42 | % | 18.36 | % | 28,129 | 19.78 | % | 18.13 | % | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 5,595 | 3.76 | % | 8.65 | % | 6,454 | 4.54 | % | 8.75 | % | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 3,431 | 2.30 | % | 1.69 | % | 2,765 | 1.94 | % | 1.43 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 148,993 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 142,211 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 18,018 | 18.43 | % | 24.10 | % | $ | 26,617 | 23.54 | % | 20.51 | % | $ | 20,919 | 25.42 | % | 18.27 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 52,373 | 53.56 | % | 36.82 | % | 54,569 | 48.28 | % | 36.73 | % | 34,730 | 42.20 | % | 39.34 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 2,585 | 2.64 | % | 1.81 | % | 4,553 | 4.03 | % | 3.14 | % | 3,424 | 4.16 | % | 3.05 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 10,983 | 11.23 | % | 10.87 | % | 13,152 | 11.64 | % | 13.76 | % | 8,260 | 10.04 | % | 8.58 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 6,556 | 6.70 | % | 15.69 | % | 6,435 | 5.69 | % | 14.09 | % | 6,380 | 7.75 | % | 15.90 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 3,722 | 3.81 | % | 8.96 | % | 3,744 | 3.31 | % | 8.92 | % | 4,027 | 4.89 | % | 10.38 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 3,308 | 3.38 | % | 1.75 | % | 3,467 | 3.07 | % | 2.85 | % | 4,173 | 5.07 | % | 4.48 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 242 | 0.25 | % | — | % | 494 | 0.44 | % | — | % | 384 | 0.47 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,787 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 113,031 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 82,297 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
To determine if a loan should be charged-off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed. Possible sources of repayment include the potential for future cash flows, liquidation of the collateral and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are promptly
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charged-off against the allowance for loan losses and any recoveries of such previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, we charge off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portions of loans, are deemed uncollectible. For troubled, collateral-dependent loans, loss confirming events may include an appraisal or other valuation that reflects a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan or receivable, or a deficiency balance following the sale of the collateral.
For additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses, see Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Separately, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we increased by $0.9 million our reserve on unfunded lending commitments, which was primarily due to an increase in the total exposure on unfunded lending commitments. This increase contributed to an increase in our non-interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for our membership in the FHLBB is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding and as a tool to manage interest rate risk. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. We purchase and/or are subject to redemption of FHLBB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and view the holdings as a necessary long-term investment for the purpose of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.
We held an investment in the FHLBB of $5.9 million and $41.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The amount of stock we are required to purchase is in proportional to our FHLB borrowings and level of total assets. Accordingly, the decrease in the FHLB stock is due to decreased borrowings.
Goodwill and core deposit intangible asset
The balance of our goodwill and core deposit intangible asset was $566.2 million and $568.0 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which excludes goodwill and other intangible assets included in discontinued operations as of December 31, 2022. We did not record any impairment to our goodwill or core deposit intangible asset during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. For discussion of the impairment testing performed, refer to Note 7, “Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible Asset” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits originating within the markets we serve continue to be our primary source of funding our earning assets. Historically, we have been able to compete effectively for deposits in our primary market areas. The distribution and market share of deposits by type of deposit and by type of depositor are important considerations in our assessment of the stability of our funding sources and our access to additional funds. Furthermore, we shift the mix and maturity of the deposits depending on economic conditions and loan and investment policies in an attempt, within set policies, to minimize cost and maximize net interest margin.
The following table presents our deposits as of the dates presented:
Components of Deposits
| As of December 31, | Change | Change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount ($) | Amount (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 5,162,218 | $ | 6,240,637 | $ | (1,078,419) | (17.3) | % | ||||||
| Interest checking | 3,737,361 | 4,568,122 | (830,761) | (18.2) | % | |||||||||
| Savings | 1,323,126 | 1,831,123 | (507,997) | (27.7) | % | |||||||||
| Money market investments | 4,664,475 | 4,710,095 | (45,620) | (1.0) | % | |||||||||
| Certificates of deposit (1) | 2,709,037 | 1,624,382 | 1,084,655 | 66.8 | % | |||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 17,596,217 | $ | 18,974,359 | $ | (1,378,142) | (7.3) | % |
(1)Brokered certificates of deposit are included in certificates of deposit and amounted to $50.0 million and $928.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Deposits decreased by $1.4 billion, or 7.3%, to $17.6 billion at December 31, 2023 from $19.0 billion at December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily the result of an overall decline in deposits due to concerns around the banking industry as a whole in early 2023, as discussed in the earlier “Outlook and Trends” section in this Item 7, as well as industry-wide competition for deposits and a decrease in brokered certificates of deposit of $878.6 million. Brokered certificates of deposit decreased as such accounts matured and were not renewed in full as we emphasized other means for increasing our overall liquidity as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in brokered certificates of deposit was more than offset by a shift in deposit mix of certain core deposits from demand and interest checking deposits, which decreased by $1.1 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, to certificates of deposit resulting in a net increase in certificates of deposit. This shift in deposit mix during the year ended December 31, 2023 was due primarily to increases in rates paid on certificates of deposit, which attracted depositors to such products.
The Bank’s estimate of total uninsured deposits was $8.0 billion and $9.0 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In accordance with the FDIC’s Call Report instructions, these estimates include accounts of wholly-owned subsidiaries, the holding company, and internal operating deposit accounts (together referred to as “internal deposit accounts”). In addition, these estimates include municipal deposit accounts for which securities were pledged by us to secure such deposits (“collateralized deposits”). For liquidity monitoring purposes, we exclude internal deposit accounts and collateralized deposits from our estimate of uninsured deposits. Our estimate of uninsured deposits, excluding internal deposit accounts and collateralized deposits, was $5.5 billion and $7.3 billion at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The following table presents the classification of deposits on an average basis for the years indicated:
Classification of Deposits on an Average Basis
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 5,404,208 | — | % | $ | 6,647,518 | — | % | $ | 5,547,615 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest checking | 4,070,585 | 0.60 | % | 4,890,709 | 0.24 | % | 2,866,091 | 0.07 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings | 1,515,713 | 0.01 | % | 2,015,651 | 0.01 | % | 1,483,271 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market investments | 4,918,343 | 2.11 | % | 5,057,445 | 0.27 | % | 3,870,712 | 0.06 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 2,303,520 | 4.24 | % | 463,261 | 0.70 | % | 280,141 | 0.21 | % | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 18,212,369 | 1.24 | % | $ | 19,074,584 | 0.15 | % | $ | 14,047,830 | 0.04 | % |
Other time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, including certificates of deposits as of the dates indicated had maturities as follows:
Maturities of Time Certificates of Deposit $250,000 and Over
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Maturing in | (In thousands) | |||||
| Three months or less | $ | 278,281 | $ | 39,322 | ||
| Over three months through six months | 262,761 | 45,053 | ||||
| Over six months through twelve months | 316,408 | 149,107 | ||||
| Over twelve months | 10,146 | 5,569 | ||||
| Total | $ | 867,596 | $ | 239,051 |
Borrowings
Our borrowings may consist of both short-term and long-term borrowings and provide us with sources of funding. Maintaining available borrowing capacity provides us with a contingent source of liquidity.
Our total borrowings decreased by $692.6 million to $48.2 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $740.8 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in FHLB advances, which were paid down primarily with the proceeds from the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our insurance agency business. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding the sale.
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The following table sets forth information concerning balances on our borrowings as of the dates indicated:
Borrowings by Category
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount ($) | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank short-term advances | $ | 95 | $ | 691,297 | $ | (691,202) | ||||
| Escrow deposits of borrowers | 21,978 | 22,314 | (336) | |||||||
| Interest rate swap collateral funds | 8,500 | 14,430 | (5,930) | |||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank long-term advances | 17,643 | 12,787 | 4,856 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 48,216 | $ | 740,828 | $ | (692,612) |
Results of Operations
The information presented within this section excludes discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding discontinued operations.
Summary of Results of Operations
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 796,459 | $ | 605,181 | $ | 191,278 | 31.6 | % | ||||||
| Interest expense | 246,050 | 37,127 | 208,923 | 562.7 | % | |||||||||
| Net interest income | 550,409 | 568,054 | (17,645) | (3.1) | % | |||||||||
| Provision for allowance for loan losses | 20,052 | 17,925 | 2,127 | 11.9 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest (loss) income | (237,753) | 76,750 | (314,503) | (409.8) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 418,602 | 388,649 | 29,953 | 7.7 | % | |||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (63,309) | 51,719 | (115,028) | (222.4) | % | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income from continuing operations | $ | (62,689) | $ | 186,511 | $ | (249,200) | (133.6) | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased by $191.3 million, or 31.6%, to $796.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $605.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily a result of an increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets which increased by 105 basis points compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. Partially offsetting the impact of increased yields was a decrease in the average balance of our interest-earning assets which decreased by $0.8 billion, or 3.8%, to $20.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $21.6 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022, which was attributable to a decrease in the average balance of securities.
•Interest income on loans increased $176.1 million, or 37.0%, to $652.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $476.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest income on our loans was due to an increase in our yields and an increase in the average balance. The overall yield on our loans increased 95 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2023 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in yield was primarily due to increases in market rates of interest which resulted in increased yields on variable rate loans which repriced and new loans originated at higher rates of interest. The average balance of our loans increased $1.3 billion, or 10.3%, to $13.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $12.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022. For further discussion of the change in the balance of loans, refer to the earlier “Loans” discussion within the “Financial Position” within this Item 7.
•Interest income on securities and other short-term investments increased $15.2 million, or 11.8%, to $144.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $129.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest income on our securities and other short-term investments was due to an increase in our
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yield on such investments. The yield on our securities and short-term investments increased 65 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2023 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in the yield on our cash held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (“FRBB”) from an average of 1.76% during the year ended December 31, 2022 to an average of 5.10% during the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition, our average cash balance at the FRBB increased by $299.7 million, or 73.4%, to $707.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $408.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 which compounded the effect on our interest income of the increase in rates paid by the FRBB. The increase in the average balance of cash held at the FRBB was primarily due to the deposit of proceeds from the sale of AFS securities (discussed earlier) in March 2023. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in our overall average securities balance, which decreased $2.1 billion, or 23.3%, to $7.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $9.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to the sales of AFS securities in March 2023. For additional discussion of the sales, refer to the section titled “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” within this Item 7.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $208.9 million to $246.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $37.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The overall increase was attributable to increases in both deposit interest expense and borrowings interest expense.
•Interest expense on our interest-bearing deposits increased by $197.5 million to $226.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $28.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to an increase in rates paid on deposits and an increase in the balance of average interest-bearing deposits. Rates paid on interest-bearing deposits increased by 154 basis points to 1.77% during the year ended December 31, 2023 from 0.23% during the year ended December 31, 2022. This was primarily due to our increasing overall deposit rates paid in response to an increase in market rates of interest and heightened industry-wide competition for deposits and an increase in brokered certificates of deposit which generally bear a higher rate of interest compared to other interest-bearing deposits. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $0.4 billion, or 3.1%, to $12.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $12.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 as a result of our increasing of rates paid on such deposits as well as purchases of brokered certificates of deposit. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 our average balance of purchased brokered certificates of deposit amounted to $575.6 million and $26.3 million, respectively.
•Interest expense related to our borrowings increased by $11.5 million to $20.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $8.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in borrowings interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is attributable to an increase in our utilization of our FHLB borrowing capacity and an increase in rates paid on such borrowings. We increased utilization of our FHLB borrowing capacity in order to support ongoing operations.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income decreased by $17.6 million, or 3.1%, to $550.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, from $568.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Net interest income decreased due to an increase in interest expense of $208.9 million, or 562.7%, to $246.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $37.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Also contributing to the decrease was a decrease in the balance of average net interest-earning assets of $824.4 million, or 3.8%, to $20.8 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $21.6 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022 . Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in yields on interest-earning assets.
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The following chart shows our net interest margin over the past five years:
Net interest margin is determined by dividing FTE net interest income by average-earning assets. For purposes of the following discussion, income from tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net interest margin increased 4 basis points basis points to 2.73% during the year ended December 31, 2023, from 2.69% during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2023 from the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to an increase in market rates of interest which resulted in an increase in our average yield on interest-earning assets that exceeded the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Also contributing to the increase was a decline in average interest earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, which was a driven by the completion of a balance sheet repositioning in March 2023 through the sale of AFS securities
The following tables set forth average balance sheet items, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances in the table reflect daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees and costs, and discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense. Average asset and liability balances included in discontinued operations are included in non-interest-earnings assets and liabilities, respectively.
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Average Balances, Interest Earned/Paid, & Average Yields/Costs
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 2,538,588 | $ | 90,139 | 3.55 | % | $ | 2,064,609 | $ | 63,803 | 3.09 | % | $ | 1,510,703 | $ | 47,143 | 3.12 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 9,913,968 | 491,427 | 4.96 | % | 9,147,540 | 366,097 | 4.00 | % | 7,410,024 | 288,557 | 3.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,381,745 | 86,167 | 6.24 | % | 1,327,417 | 56,965 | 4.29 | % | 1,103,042 | 36,019 | 3.27 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 13,834,301 | 667,733 | 4.83 | % | 12,539,566 | 486,865 | 3.88 | % | 10,023,769 | 371,719 | 3.71 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 197,682 | 7,279 | 3.68 | % | 253,651 | 9,091 | 3.58 | % | 260,399 | 9,335 | 3.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 6,050,024 | 101,233 | 1.67 | % | 8,413,217 | 118,690 | 1.41 | % | 4,890,737 | 58,312 | 1.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 720,864 | 37,395 | 5.19 | % | 420,834 | 3,271 | 0.78 | % | 1,514,351 | 1,886 | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 20,802,871 | 813,640 | 3.91 | % | 21,627,268 | 617,917 | 2.86 | % | 16,689,256 | 441,252 | 2.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 921,622 | 986,865 | 1,173,830 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 21,724,493 | $ | 22,614,133 | $ | 17,863,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 1,515,713 | $ | 217 | 0.01 | % | $ | 2,015,651 | $ | 209 | 0.01 | % | $ | 1,483,271 | $ | 230 | 0.02 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 4,070,585 | 24,235 | 0.60 | % | 4,890,709 | 11,675 | 0.24 | % | 2,866,091 | 1,997 | 0.07 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 4,918,343 | 104,002 | 2.11 | % | 5,057,445 | 13,479 | 0.27 | % | 3,870,712 | 2,342 | 0.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 2,303,520 | 97,621 | 4.24 | % | 463,261 | 3,258 | 0.70 | % | 280,141 | 598 | 0.21 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 12,808,161 | 226,075 | 1.77 | % | 12,427,066 | 28,621 | 0.23 | % | 8,500,215 | 5,167 | 0.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | 8 | — | — | % | 964 | 24 | 2.49 | % | — | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 418,876 | 19,975 | 4.77 | % | 255,668 | 8,482 | 3.32 | % | 26,495 | 165 | 0.62 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 13,227,045 | 246,050 | 1.86 | % | 12,683,698 | 37,127 | 0.29 | % | 8,526,710 | 5,332 | 0.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand accounts | 5,404,208 | 6,647,518 | 5,547,615 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 522,239 | 451,384 | 364,191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 19,153,492 | 19,782,600 | 14,438,516 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 2,571,001 | 2,831,533 | 3,424,570 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 21,724,493 | $ | 22,614,133 | $ | 17,863,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income - FTE | $ | 567,590 | $ | 580,790 | $ | 435,920 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (2) | 2.05 | % | 2.57 | % | 2.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (3) | $ | 7,575,826 | $ | 8,943,570 | $ | 8,162,546 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin - FTE (4) | 2.73 | % | 2.69 | % | 2.61 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 157.28 | % | 170.51 | % | 195.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average assets (5) | 1.07 | % | 0.88 | % | 0.87 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity (6) | 9.03 | % | 7.05 | % | 4.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expenses to average assets (7) | 2.35 | % | 2.08 | % | 2.49 | % |
(1)Non-accrual loans are included in loans.
(2)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin - FTE represents fully-taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. Refer to the earlier “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section within this Item 7 for additional information.
(5)Represents net income, including net income from discontinued operations, divided by average total assets.
(6)Represents net income, including net income from discontinued operations, divided by average equity.
(7)Includes noninterest expenses included in results of discontinued operations. Refer to Note 23, “Discontinued Operations” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
Rate and Volume Analysis
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 vs. 2022 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rate | Volume | Rate | Volume | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 10,365 | $ | 15,971 | $ | 26,336 | $ | (462) | $ | 17,122 | $ | 16,660 | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 92,755 | 32,575 | 125,330 | 8,201 | 69,339 | 77,540 | ||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 26,783 | 2,419 | 29,202 | 12,715 | 8,231 | 20,946 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 129,903 | 50,965 | 180,868 | 20,454 | 94,692 | 115,146 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 243 | (2,055) | (1,812) | (2) | (242) | (244) | ||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 19,613 | (37,070) | (17,457) | 12,245 | 48,133 | 60,378 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 30,315 | 3,809 | 34,124 | 3,611 | (2,226) | 1,385 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | 180,074 | $ | 15,649 | $ | 195,723 | $ | 36,308 | $ | 140,357 | $ | 176,665 | ||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 68 | $ | (60) | $ | 8 | $ | (89) | $ | 68 | $ | (21) | ||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 14,813 | (2,253) | 12,560 | 7,496 | 2,182 | 9,678 | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 90,904 | (381) | 90,523 | 10,217 | 920 | 11,137 | ||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 52,706 | 41,657 | 94,363 | 2,070 | 590 | 2,660 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 158,491 | 38,963 | 197,454 | 19,694 | 3,760 | 23,454 | ||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | (12) | (12) | (24) | — | 24 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 4,673 | 6,820 | 11,493 | 2,773 | 5,544 | 8,317 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 163,152 | 45,771 | 208,923 | 22,467 | 9,328 | 31,795 | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 16,922 | $ | (30,122) | $ | (13,200) | $ | 13,841 | $ | 131,029 | $ | 144,870 |
The following chart shows the composition of our yearly average interest-earning assets for the past five years:
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Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses represents the charge to expense that is required to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses.
We recorded a provision for allowance for loan losses of $20.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a provision of $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Management determined a provision to be necessary primarily due to increased loan balances and higher reserve rates relative to an increase in non-performing commercial real estate loans, which were reserved for on a specific reserve basis. The increase in our non-performing commercial real estate loans was primarily attributable to several commercial real estate loans, which are collateralized by properties in the investor office risk segment and retail risk segment, transitioning to non-accrual during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Management’s estimate of our allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2023 and the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2023, was supported, in part, by Oxford Economics’ December 2023 Baseline forecast (“the forecast”) which was used to develop management’s estimate of the effect of expected future economic conditions on the allowance for loan losses. The forecast assumed the U.S. economy will continue slow at the start of 2024 following a decline in gross domestic product (“GDP”) in the fourth quarter of 2023, as growth in various metrics continues to slow but little to no contraction in the first quarter of 2024. This forecast reflects the impact of positive consumer spending despite lower income growth. Primary macroeconomic assumptions included in management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses included an unemployment rate that remained low and a decrease in GDP. Further, the forecast assumed the FOMC will not begin to reduce the federal funds rate until late 2024 following an extended period of below-trend growth and further softening in the labor market conditions. Although the core consumer price index declined in 2023 from the prior year, inflation is expected to remain slightly above the FOMC’s 2% target through 2024. For additional discussion of our allowance for credit losses measurement methodology, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For discussion of our previous methodology for estimating the allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
To illustrate the sensitivity of the modeled result to the impact of a hypothetical change in the economic forecast, management calculated the allowance for loan losses assuming the downside economic forecast scenario and, separately, the upside economic forecast scenario. The downside scenario assumed the U.S. economy will experience a decline in GDP in 2024 of 0.7%. Use of the downside scenario would have resulted in an incremental increase in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $12.3 million as of December 31, 2023. The upside scenario assumed GDP growth of 2.5% in 2024 along with
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sustained recovery. Use of the upside scenario would have resulted in an incremental decrease in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $6.3 million as of December 31, 2023.
Our periodic evaluation of the appropriate allowance for loan losses considers the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs.
Noninterest Income
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest income for the periods shown:
Noninterest (Loss) Income
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | 28,631 | $ | 30,392 | $ | (1,761) | (5.8) | % | ||||||
| Trust and investment advisory fees | 24,264 | 23,593 | 671 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||
| Debit card processing fees | 13,469 | 12,644 | 825 | 6.5 | % | |||||||||
| Interest rate swap income | 1,536 | 6,009 | (4,473) | (74.4) | % | |||||||||
| Income (losses) from investments held in rabbi trusts | 9,305 | (10,762) | 20,067 | (186.5) | % | |||||||||
| Losses on sales of commercial and industrial loans | (2,738) | — | (2,738) | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net | (507) | 248 | (755) | (304.4) | % | |||||||||
| Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net | (333,170) | (3,157) | (330,013) | 10,453.4 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 21,457 | 17,783 | 3,674 | 20.7 | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest (loss) income | $ | (237,753) | $ | 76,750 | $ | (314,503) | (409.8) | % |
Noninterest income decreased $314.5 million, to a net loss of $237.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from income of $76.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to a $330.0 million increase in losses on sales of securities available for sale, a $4.5 million decrease in interest rate swap income, and losses on sales of commercial and industrial loans of $2.7 million. These items were partially offset by an $20.1 million increase in income from investments held in rabbi trusts, and an $3.7 million increase in other noninterest income.
•Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, increased by $330.0 million to $333.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to a balance sheet repositioning which was completed in March 2023 and included the sale of certain available for sale securities. Refer to the section titled “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” within this Item 7 for additional discussion of such sales.
•Interest rate swap income decreased primarily as a result of a less favorable mark-to-market adjustment during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
•We realized a loss on sale of commercial and industrial loans of $2.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Management made the decision to sell a portion of our commercial and industrial loans included in the SNC Program in order to fund new loan originations and to provide additional liquidity to support ongoing operations. No commercial loans were sold during the year ended December 31, 2022. For additional discussion, refer to Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
•Income from investments held in rabbi trusts increased primarily as a result of a favorable mark-to-market adjustment on equity securities held in these accounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 resulting from an increase in the market value of equity securities held in the rabbi trusts as compared to an unfavorable mark-to-market adjustment for the year ended December 31, 2022.
•Other noninterest income increased primarily as a result of an increase in FHLB dividend income during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of FHLB stock from $15.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 to $21.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the FHLB’s overall increases in dividends. Also contributing to the increase in noninterest income was an increase in commercial loan fee income, net of deferrals, which increased to $2.0 million as a result of increased commercial loan origination volume during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest expense for the periods shown:
Noninterest Expense
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 253,037 | $ | 233,097 | $ | 19,940 | 8.6 | % | ||||||
| Office occupancy and equipment | 35,992 | 37,445 | (1,453) | (3.9) | % | |||||||||
| Data processing | 55,308 | 52,938 | 2,370 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||
| Professional services | 17,385 | 15,805 | 1,580 | 10.0 | % | |||||||||
| Marketing | 7,592 | 9,294 | (1,702) | (18.3) | % | |||||||||
| Loan expenses | 4,466 | 6,384 | (1,918) | (30.0) | % | |||||||||
| FDIC insurance | 21,874 | 6,250 | 15,624 | 250.0 | % | |||||||||
| Amortization of core deposit intangible asset | 1,804 | 1,198 | 606 | 50.6 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 21,144 | 26,238 | (5,094) | (19.4) | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 418,602 | $ | 388,649 | $ | 29,953 | 7.7 | % |
Noninterest expense increased by $30.0 million, or 7.7%, to $418.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $388.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The overall increase was primarily due to an $19.9 million increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $15.6 million increase in FDIC insurance expense. Partially offsetting these increases were a $5.1 million decrease in other noninterest expenses and a $1.9 million decrease in loan expenses.
•Salaries and employee benefits increased primarily due to an $8.9 million increase in benefit expense related to our defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan (“DC SERP”). Participant benefits are adjusted based upon deemed investment performance. Accordingly, such investments experienced an increase in value during the year ended December 31, 2023 resulting in a corresponding increase in the related benefit expense. Also contributing to the increase was an increase of $6.8 million in salaries and wages expense, which was primarily due to costs of living salary and wage increases and the addition of new employees. Also contributing to the increase in salaries and employee benefits was an increase in the legacy long-term cash-based incentive plan compensation expense as well as an increase in the restricted stock award expense. Expense related to the long-term cash-based incentive plan increased to a net expense during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to a net credit (reduction of expense) during the year ended December 31, 2022, resulting from an increase in certain metrics to which the awards are tied during the year ended December 31, 2023 in contrast with a decrease in such metrics during year ended December 31, 2022. Restricted stock award expense increased $5.5 million due to incremental expense recognized in relation to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards granted in December 2022 and during the first and second quarters of 2023. Partially offsetting these items was a decrease of $4.1 million in the pension service cost, which was primarily driven by a change in the mix of employees which reduced the present value of benefits based upon salary growth levels in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2022.
•FDIC insurance expenses increased $15.6 million primarily due to the FDIC’s special assessment which we accrued for in the fourth quarter of 2023 following the finalization of the rule. Refer to the section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 7 for additional discussion of the FDIC’s special assessment.
•Other noninterest expenses decreased primarily due to a $2.8 million decrease in post-retirement bank-owned life insurance expense which was primarily caused by an increase in the discount rate used to determine the liability related to our split-dollar life insurance policies. This increase in the discount rate resulted in a decrease in the expense associated with such liabilities. Also contributing to this decrease was a $1.6 million decrease in other pension expense. This is primarily due to a greater return than expected on plan assets in our Defined Benefit Plan. For further discussion on the Company’s Defined Benefit Plan refer to Note 15, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Also contributing to this decrease was a $1.1 million decrease in the provision for credit losses on off balance sheet exposures, which was primarily due to a reduction in reserve rates.
•Loan expenses decreased primarily due to a decrease in the volume of consumer home equity line of credit (“HELOC”) applications received during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to during the year ended December 31, 2022. We had marketed our HELOC products during the first three quarters of 2022, which led to
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increased volume during that period. We ceased our HELOC promotion in the fourth quarter of 2022 which led to a subsequent decline in the volume of HELOC applications received.
Income Taxes
We recognize the tax effect of all income and expense transactions in each year’s consolidated statements of income, regardless of the year in which the transactions are reported for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth information regarding our tax provision included in continuing operations and applicable tax rates for the periods indicated:
Tax Provision and Applicable Tax Rates
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Combined federal and state income tax provisions | $ | (63,309) | $ | 51,719 | ||
| Effective income tax rates | 50.2 | % | 21.7 | % | ||
| Blended statutory tax rate | 28.2 | % | 28.1 | % |
Income tax expense decreased by $115.0 million to a benefit of $63.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 from a provision of $51.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in income tax expense, which resulted in a tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to lower income before income tax expense, which was a net loss during the year ended December 31, 2023, as a consequence of losses realized on sales of available for sale securities in the first quarter of 2023. For additional information related to the Company’s income taxes see Note 12, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
While our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for credit losses, or ACL, is established to provide for our current estimate of expected lifetime credit losses on loans measured at amortized cost and unfunded lending commitments at the balance sheet date and is established through a provision for credit losses charged to net income.
Management uses a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected lifetime losses in the portfolio. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of a financial asset’s probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”), which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The quantitative model estimates expected credit losses using loan level data over the estimated life of the exposure, considering the effect of prepayments. Economic forecasts, one of the most significant judgments influencing the ACL, are incorporated into the estimate over a reasonable and supportable forecast period of eight quarters, beyond which is a reversion to our historical loss average which occurs over a period of four quarters.
For further discussion of management’s economic forecast assumptions and our sensitivity analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2023, refer to the earlier “Provision for Loan Losses” discussion within the “Results of Operations” within this Item 7. For additional information on our allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 4, “Loans
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and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Goodwill. Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the net assets of the companies acquired are recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired.
We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, which we performed as of September 30, 2023, using a quantitative impairment approach. An assessment is also performed to the extent relevant events and/or circumstances occur which may indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The quantitative impairment test compares the book value to the fair value of each reporting unit. If the book value exceeds the fair value, an impairment is charged to net income. As of December 31, 2023, management identified one reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment: the banking business.
We performed our annual assessment of impairment for the banking business as of September 30, 2023. The assessment included a comparison of the banking business’ book value to the implied fair value using a pricing multiple of our tangible book value as well as a comparison of the banking business’ book value to its estimated fair value based upon its discounted cash flows. The assessment also included a market capitalization analysis. Based upon the assessment, we determined there was no impairment of our goodwill as of September 30, 2023.
Significant management judgment is necessary in the determination of the fair value of a reporting unit as the income approach (comparison of the business’ book value to its discounted cash flows) requires an estimation of future cash flows, considering after-tax results of operations, the extent and timing of credit losses, and appropriate discount and capital retention rates. The determination of fair value is a highly subjective process, and actual future cash flows may differ from forecasted results.
Our discount rate was based upon the estimated cost of equity under the Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, market risk premium, size premium, company specific premium and beta specific to a particular reporting unit.
For additional information on our goodwill and other intangibles, refer to Note 7, “Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible Asset” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes by establishing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates. We make significant judgments regarding the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This requires subjective projections of future taxable income resulting from interest on loans and securities, as well as noninterest income. A valuation allowance is established if it is considered more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Interest and penalties paid on the underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense.
We periodically evaluate the potential uncertainty of our tax positions as to whether it is more-likely-than-not its position would be upheld upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
For additional information on our income taxes, refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pension and other Post Retirement Benefit Plans. For information regarding our pension and other postretirement benefit plans including our pension contributions, investment strategies, assumptions, the change in benefit obligation and related plan assets, pension funding requirements and future net benefit payments, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 15, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our defined benefit pension plans are accounted for on an actuarial basis, which requires the selection of various assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“Defined Benefit Plan”), a discount rate, lump sum conversion rates, compensation and benefit limitation increase assumptions, mortality rates of participants and expectation of mortality improvement. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets that is utilized in determining Defined Benefit Plan pension expense is derived from periodic studies, which include a review of asset allocation strategies, investment policy, amount and types of expenses that will be paid from the Defined Benefit Plan, and the expected long-term return for the Defined Benefit Plan using recent forward looking capital market assumptions published by leading financial organizations. While the studies give appropriate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumptions are primarily long-term, prospective rates of return.
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In November 2023, an investment policy study was completed for the Defined Benefit Plan. As a result of the study, it was determined that the weighted-average long-term rate of return on assets of 7.50% was reasonable as of December 31, 2023.
Another key assumption in determining net pension expense is the assumed discount rate used to discount plan obligations. We estimate the assumed discount rate for all pension plans using a cash flow matching approach, which uses projected cash flows matched to spot rates along the Financial Times Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) above-median yield curve to determine the weighted-average discount rate for the calculation of the present value of cash flows. We apply the individual annual yield curve rates instead of the assumed discount rate to determine the service cost and interest cost, which more specifically links the cash flows related to service cost and interest cost to bonds maturing in their year of payment.
For our Defined Benefit Plan and the Non-Qualified Benefit Equalization Plan, the interest rates used to convert annuities to the actuarial equivalent lump sum amounts were selected based on the applicable segment rates under Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e) for the plan year beginning on November 1, 2023.
The Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) most recently issued mortality improvement tables during the year ended December 31, 2021. We reviewed our recent mortality experience and we determined our current mortality assumptions were appropriate to measure our pension plan obligations as of December 31, 2023.
Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension obligations. The effects of actual results differing from assumptions and the changing of assumptions are included in unamortized net actuarial gains and losses that are subject to amortization to pension expense over future periods. The unamortized pre-tax actuarial loss on all of our pension plans was $69.7 million and $99.0 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The year-over-year change was primarily due to an increase in plan assets and an increase in lump sum conversion rates, partially offset by a decrease in discount rate assumptions used for determining the benefit obligation.
The overfunded status of all of our pension plans improved during the year ended December 31, 2023 to $69.0 million from $56.8 million primarily due to: (i) actual pension plan investment returns less than expected of $33.7 million; (ii) the favorable effect of an increase in lump sum conversion rates of $5.8 million; and (iii) changes in other actuarial assumptions and demographic data updates; partially offset by (iv) the unfavorable effect of a decrease in discount rates of $7.7 million.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for the pension plans, holding all other assumptions constant:
| Effect on 2023 Pension Expense | Effect on December 31, 2023 Pension Benefit Obligation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 539 | $ | 9,376 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | (519) | (8,974) | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in expected rate of return on plan assets | 1,005 | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in expected rate of return on plan assets | (1,005) | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in lump sum conversion rates | 494 | 3,032 | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in lump sum conversion rates | (472) | (2,906) |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Relevant standards that we adopted during the year ended December 31, 2023:
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). This update modifies how an acquiring entity measures contract assets and contract liabilities of an acquiree in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. The amendments in this update require the acquiring entity in a business combination to account for revenue contracts as if they had originated the contract and assess how the acquiree accounted for the contract under Topic 606. ASU 2021-08 improves comparability of recognition and measurement of revenue contracts with customers both before and after a business combination. For public business entities, the amendments in this update were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments with early adoption permitted. On January 1, 2023, we adopted this standard on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
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In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures (“ASU 2022-02”). The amendments in this update eliminate the accounting guidance on troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) for creditors in ASC 310-40 and amend the guidance on vintage disclosures, referenced in ASC 326-20-50, to require disclosure of current-period gross write-offs by year of origination. This update supersedes the existing accounting guidance for TDRs in ASC 310-40 in its entirety and requires entities to evaluate all receivable modifications under existing accounting guidance in ASC 310-20 to determine whether a modification made to a borrower results in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. In addition to the elimination of TDR accounting guidance, entities that adopt this update will no longer consider renewals, modifications and extensions that result from reasonably expected TDRs in their calculation of the allowance for credit losses. Further, if an entity employs a discounted cash flow method to calculate the allowance for credit losses, it will be required to use a post-modification-derived effective interest rate as part of its calculation. This update also requires new disclosures for receivables for which there has been a modification in their contractual cash flows resulting from borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. For public business entities, the amendments in this update were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities may elect to apply the updated guidance on TDR recognition and measurement by using a modified retrospective transition method. The amendments on TDR disclosures and vintage disclosures should be adopted prospectively. On January 1, 2023, we adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method with respect to the updated guidance on TDR recognition and measurement and the prospective approach with regard to the TDR and vintage disclosures. Accordingly, we recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2023. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Relevant standards that were recently issued but which we had not yet adopted as of December 31, 2023:
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, Investments–Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method (“ASU 2023-02”). This update permits reporting entities to elect to account for their tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, using the proportional amortization method if the following conditions are met:
1.It is probable that the income tax credits allocable to the tax equity investor will be available.
2.The tax equity investor does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the underlying project.
3.Substantially all of the projected benefits are from income tax credits and other income tax benefits. Projected benefits include income tax credits, other income tax benefits, and other non-income-tax-related benefits. The projected benefits are determined on a discounted basis, using a discount rate that is consistent with the cash flow assumptions used by the tax equity investor in making its decision to invest in the project.
4.The tax equity investor’s projected yield based solely on the cash flows from the income tax credits and other income tax benefits is positive.
5.The tax equity investor is a limited liability investor in the limited liability entity for both legal and tax purposes, and the tax equity investor’s liability is limited to its capital investment.
Under existing accounting standards, the proportional amortization method is allowable only for equity investments in low-income-housing tax credit structures. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received and recognizes the net amortization and income tax credits and other income tax benefits in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Updates made by ASU 2023-02 allow a reporting entity to make an accounting policy election to apply the proportional amortization method on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis. We had previously made an accounting policy election to account for our investments in low-income-housing tax credit investments using the proportional amortization method. This election was made upon our adoption of ASU 2014-01, Investments–Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects, which introduced the option to apply proportional amortization to low-income-housing tax credit investments. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities in an interim period. On January 1, 2024, we adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements–Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”). The amendments in this update modify the disclosure or presentation requirements for a variety of topics in the codification. Certain amendments represent
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clarifications to or technical corrections of the current requirements. The following is a summary of the topics included in the update and which pertain to us:
1.Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and loses are presented in the statement of cash flows;
2.Accounting changes and error corrections (Topic 250): Requires that when there has been a change in the reporting entity, the entity disclose any material prior-period adjustment and the effect of the adjustment on retained earnings in interim financial statements;
3.Earnings per share (Topic 260): Requires disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security and clarifies that certain disclosures should be made during interim periods, and amends illustrative guidance to illustrate disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings per share computation;
4.Commitments (Topic 440): Requires disclosure of assets mortgaged, pledged, or otherwise subject to lien and the obligations collateralized; and
5.Debt (Topic 470): Requires disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-06 are effective on the date which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation and S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the codification and will not become effective for any entity. Early adoption is not permitted and the amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis. We expect the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this update are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update:
1.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss (collectively referred to as the “significant expense principle”).
2.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. The other segment items category is the difference between segment revenue less the segment expenses disclosed under the significant expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit or loss.
3.Require that a public entity provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting in interim periods.
4.Clarify that if the CODM uses more than one measure of a segment’s profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, a public entity may report one or more of those additional measures of segment profit. However, at least one of the reported segment profit or loss measures (or the single reported measure, if only one is disclosed) should be the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles used in measuring the corresponding amounts in the public entity’s consolidated financial statements. In other words, in addition to the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), a public entity is not precluded from reporting additional measures of a segment’s profit or loss that are used by the CODM in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources.
5.Require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources.
6.Require that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and adoption is required to be done on a retrospective basis. We expect the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
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In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this update are intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures related to the existing requirements to disclose a rate reconciliation, income taxes paid and certain other required disclosures. Specifically, the amendments in this update:
1.Require that a public entity disclose, on an annual basis: (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The update requires disclosure of such reconciling items according to requirements indicated in the update.
2.Require that all entities disclose certain disaggregated information regarding income taxes paid.
3.Require that all entities disclose certain disaggregated information regarding income tax expense.
4.Eliminate the requirement to: (1) disclose the nature and estimate of the range of reasonably possible changes in the unrecognized tax benefits balance in the next 12 months or (2) make a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made.
5.Remove the requirement to disclose the cumulative amount of each type of temporary difference when a deferred tax liability is not recognized because of exceptions to comprehensive recognition of deferred taxes related to subsidiaries and corporate joint ventures.
For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption should be done on a prospective basis and retrospective application is permitted.
Management of Market Risk
General. Market risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and/or income to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices. Interest rate sensitivity is the most significant market risk to which we are exposed. Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and/or income to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, as well as fluctuations in the level and duration of assets and liabilities, affect net interest income, our primary source of income. Interest rate risk arises directly from our core banking activities. In addition to directly impacting net interest income, changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the amount of loans originated, the timing of cash flows on loans and securities, and the fair value of assets and liabilities, as well as other aspects of our business.
Governance. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to attempt to control this risk within policy limits approved by the Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors, and within the Risk Appetite Statement formally adopted by the Board of Directors and described further below.
These limits reflect our tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons, are designed to encompass market rate shocks that would take place with both gradual and immediate effect and encompass a range of scenarios from mild to extreme market shocks. More specifically, and as further described below, our policy limits govern:
•The maximum amount of acceptable earnings loss due to market risk in year one of a two-year earnings simulation, determined by net interest income analysis;
•The maximum amount of acceptable earnings loss due to market risk in year two of a two-year earnings simulation, determined by net interest income analysis;
•The maximum amount of acceptable decline in the present value of equity due to market risk, determined by economic value of equity analysis;
•The maximum acceptable size of the investment portfolio relative to total assets;
•Concentration limits on investment asset types to ensure appropriate portfolio diversification;
•Maximum maturity and weighted average life per security at time of purchase in both a base case and a shocked rate scenario to measure extension risk;
•The maximum acceptable duration of the investment and hedging derivatives portfolio; and
•Guidelines on accounting classification of securities including held for trading, available for sale and held to maturity.
Policy limits are tested quarterly, and the results are reported to the Asset and Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) and to the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors (“RMC”). RMC advises the Board of Directors with respect to the adequacy of capital allocated based on the level of risk as well as risk issues that could impact liquidity and/
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or capital adequacy. From time to time, we expect we will exceed policy limits, in which case we may seek corrective action after considering, among other things, market conditions, customer reaction, and the estimated impact on profitability. A remediation plan will be presented to ALCO, Enterprise Risk Management Committee (“ERMC”) and RMC that carefully outlines the proposed corrective action.
We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and where appropriate, hedging our exposure to market risk. If assets and liabilities do not re-price simultaneously and in equal volume, the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Our objective is to maintain stability in the growth of net interest income through the maintenance of an appropriate mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and, when necessary and within limits that management determines to be prudent, through the use of off-balance sheet hedging instruments including, but not limited to, interest rate swaps, floors and caps.
Our asset-liability management strategy is devised and monitored by our ALCO, a subcommittee of the ERMC, in accordance with policies approved by the RMC. ALCO operates under a charter developed and approved by the ERMC. ALCO meets at least monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review, among other things, our sensitivity to interest rate changes, loan pricing and activity, investment activity and strategy, hedging strategies, deposit pricing and funding strategies with respect to overall balance sheet composition, as well as earnings simulations over multiple years. ALCO may meet more frequently if there are changes in the economic environment, such as rapid increases or decreases in interest rates due to or as a result of exogenous or unknown factors so that ALCO can make any necessary strategic adjustments to ensure risk is well-managed. ALCO’s membership is comprised of executive management of the Company, and representatives from various lines of business are in regular attendance, including representation from Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”). ALCO reports regularly to RMC on these risks and objectives with independent oversight and reporting from our Financial and Model Risk Management group within ERM.
As a company offering banking and other financial services, certain elements of risk are inherent in our transactions and operations and are present in the business decisions we make. We, therefore, encounter risk as part of the normal course of our business, and we design risk management processes to help manage these risks. In its oversight of our risk management framework, the Board of Directors has adopted a formal Risk Appetite Statement (“RAS”) which defines the aggregate level of risk and the types of risk the Company is willing to assume to achieve its corporate strategy and objectives. The Board ensures that approved policy limits, as described further above, conform to stated risk appetite. The Board monitors, on at least a quarterly basis, a set of key risk metrics, including those, but not limited to those, pertaining to market risk. Monitoring these metrics ensures that management is operating within the Board’s stated risk appetite, can help to identify trends in risk profile or emerging risks over time, and where applicable, determine where adjustments may be required to business strategy or tactics. Within our risk management framework, the functional responsibilities of risk management are divided into a tiered model, involving three lines of defense:
1.The Finance Department to which primary market risk ownership belongs including monitoring and tracking of risk, model development and maintenance, and execution of strategy and tactics to mitigate market risk;
2.The ERM Department which conducts independent risk and controls assessments to ensure appropriate risk identification, management, and reporting. The Model Risk Management group (“MRM”) within ERM is responsible for independent oversight of models used to measure market risk, including model and assumption implementation, development, and conceptual soundness; and
3.The Internal Audit Department which independently assesses the operating effectiveness of the first- and second-line processes and controls.
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Comments on Recent Developments. As noted in the earlier section titled “Outlook and Trends” and the later section titled “Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies” in this Item 7, we completed a balance sheet repositioning during the first quarter of 2023 by selling a portion of our AFS investment securities portfolio for total proceeds of $1.9 billion. Such securities were lower-yielding U.S. Agency bonds and government-sponsored residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities which were purchased when interest rates were historically low. In addition, as noted in the earlier section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 2, we completed the sale of our insurance agency business in the fourth quarter of 2023 for net proceeds at closing of $498.1 million. Prior to the sales of securities and of our insurance agency business, we placed greater reliance on wholesale funding, including brokered deposits, to meet our loan-growth needs. Wholesale funding generally has a higher cost than deposits originating within the markets we serve and are not our preferred sources of funding. Subsequent to such sales, a portion of the proceeds of which were used to reduce our wholesale funding balances, our reliance on such funding sources is lessened as we believe we have a stronger liquidity position.
As noted in the earlier section titled “Outlook and Trends” within this Item 7, beginning in March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) voted to increase the federal funds rate multiple times from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 5.25% to 5.50% on July 26, 2023, when the FOMC stated that it will continue to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy. Our market risk management framework is designed for the potential for such rapid changes in interest rates, by establishing policy limits on such rapid shocks and periodically back-testing modeled to actual results. Back-testing of top-line results as well as key assumptions is performed against established thresholds as part of our ongoing monitoring governance of our models, and results are reported to ALCO and MRM. Should back-testing results exceed established performance thresholds, the model and underlying assumptions will be reviewed for recalibration.
Net Interest Income Analysis. We analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through a net interest income (“NII”) model. We model our NII over a 12-month and 24-month period assuming no changes in interest rates and a static balance sheet, where cash flows from financial assets and liabilities are replaced with new business of similar terms at current rates. The impact of our interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments are included in the model results. We then model NII for the same period under the assumption that market rates increase and decrease instantaneously by certain basis point increments, which vary by period depending upon market conditions, with changes in interest rates representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Changes in Interest Rates” column in the table below.
Many assumptions are made in the modeling process for both NII and economic value of equity (“EVE”, discussed further below), including but not limited to the repricing and maturity characteristics of existing and new business, loan and security prepayments, administered deposit rate betas, duration of deposits without stated maturity dates, and other option risks. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable for the various interest rate environments modeled. However, differences in actual results from these assumptions could change our exposure to interest rate risk. The models assume that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assume that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Additionally, the model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. We do not model negative interest rate scenarios.
Because of the limitations inherent in any modeling approach used to measure market risk, including NII and EVE sensitivity analysis, and because, in the event of changes in interest rates, management would take active steps to manage interest rate risk exposure among its financial assets and liabilities, modeling results, including those discussed in “Interest Rate Sensitivity” and “EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity” below, should not be relied upon as a forecast of actual NII or EVE, nor should they be interpreted as management’s expectations of actual results in the event of such interest rate fluctuations. The tables provide an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, and actual results may differ.
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The tables below set forth, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the calculation of the estimated changes in our net interest income on an FTE basis that would result from the designated immediate changes in market interest rates:
Interest Rate Sensitivity
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | Net Interest Income Year 1 Forecast | Year 1 Change from Level | Policy Limit | ||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||
| 400 | $ | 541,166 | (6.1) | % | (20) | % | |||
| 200 | 559,901 | (2.9) | % | (12) | % | ||||
| 100 | 568,281 | (1.4) | % | (10) | % | ||||
| Flat | 576,482 | — | % | — | % | ||||
| (100) | 582,014 | 1.0 | % | (10) | % | ||||
| (200) | 584,105 | 1.3 | % | (12) | % | ||||
| (400) | 574,352 | (0.4) | % | (20) | % | ||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Net Interest Income Year 1 Forecast | Year 1 Change from Level | Policy Limit | ||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||
| 400 | $ | 528,247 | (8.4) | % | (20) | % | |||
| 300 | 539,739 | (6.4) | % | (16) | % | ||||
| 200 | 552,231 | (4.2) | % | (12) | % | ||||
| Flat | 576,477 | — | % | — | % | ||||
| (100) | 585,728 | 1.6 | % | (10) | % | ||||
| (200) | 586,771 | 1.8 | % | (12) | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
As of December 31, 2023, our model, as indicated above, shows a decline in our net interest income in rising rate scenarios. In the rising rate scenarios, funding costs are modeled to rise faster than income on earning assets, due, in part, to the mix of funding which has shifted towards higher rate paying deposits. As shown in the table above, the model generated similar results as of December 31, 2022. That is, the model showed a decline in our net interest income in the rising rate scenarios as funding costs were modeled to rise faster than income on earning assets, due, in part, to the shift in our mix of funding. The simulation results are within policy limits and management therefore does not expect a material change to our current strategy over the near term. The rate scenarios that we model at each period end are dependent upon market conditions, which is why the rate scenarios that we model may differ from period-to-period. As such, we did not previously model an instantaneous 400 basis point decrease in interest rates at December 31, 2022 given the lower level of interest rates compared to December 31, 2023.
Management may use investment strategy, loan and deposit pricing, non-core funding strategies, and interest rate derivative financial instruments, within internal policy guidelines, to manage interest rate risk as part of our asset/liability strategy. Hedging strategies such as, for example, receive-fixed and pay-fixed swaps, interest rate caps, floors, or collars, may be used to protect against benchmark interest rates either rising or falling. The type of derivatives we primarily use to hedge market risk are interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedging instruments. When the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in March of 2022 from very low levels, management began evaluating a derivative strategy designed to limit our exposure to downward rate scenarios. In 2022, management executed a total of $2.4 billion in notional value of receive-fixed interest rate swap agreements on floating-rate loans. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and management believes these derivatives provide significant protection against falling interest rates. These receive-fixed swaps constitute the entirety of our current hedge portfolio. Management may, from time to time, due to actual or projected changes in market rates or our risk exposure, evaluate other hedging strategies, although we believe our current Net Interest Income and Economic Value of Equity simulation analyses support maintaining the current derivatives strategy. For additional information related to our interest rate derivative financial instruments, see Note 18, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Economic Value of Equity Analysis. We also analyze the sensitivity of our financial condition in interest rates through our economic value of equity (“EVE”) model. This analysis calculates the difference between the present value of expected cash flows from assets and liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates. The impact of our interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments are included in the model results.
The tables below represent an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in our EVE, resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve (+100, +200, +400 basis points and -100, -200, and -400 basis points) at December 31, 2023 and (+200, +300, +400 basis points and -100, -200 basis points) at December 31, 2022. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates.
Our earnings are not directly or materially impacted by movements in foreign currency rates or commodity prices. Movements in equity prices may have a modest impact on earnings by affecting the volume of activity or the amount of fees from investment-related business lines and by affecting the amount of unrealized gains and losses from securities held in rabbi trusts, the latter of which are partially offset by a corresponding but opposite impact to the amount of employee benefit expense associated with the change in value of plan assets.
EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | Estimated EVE (2) | As of December 31, 2023 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Percent | Policy Limit | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| 400 | $ | 3,406,402 | $ | (712,648) | (17.3) | % | (30) | % | 18.76 | % | ||||||
| 200 | 3,709,501 | (409,549) | (9.9) | % | (20) | % | 19.37 | % | ||||||||
| 100 | 3,890,531 | (228,519) | (5.5) | % | N/A | 19.73 | % | |||||||||
| Flat | 4,119,050 | — | — | — | 20.22 | % | ||||||||||
| (100) | 4,339,006 | 219,956 | 5.3 | % | N/A | 20.62 | % | |||||||||
| (200) | 4,498,088 | 379,038 | 9.2 | % | (20) | % | 20.73 | % | ||||||||
| (400) | 4,660,358 | 541,308 | 13.1 | % | (30) | % | 20.34 | % |
| Change in Interest Rate (basis points) (1) | Estimated EVE (2) | As of December 31, 2022 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||||||||||
| Amount ($) | Percent (%) | Policy Limit | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| 400 | $ | 3,691,963 | $ | (691,696) | (15.8) | % | (30) | % | 18.48 | % | ||||||
| 300 | 3,834,512 | (549,147) | (12.5) | % | (25) | % | 18.72 | % | ||||||||
| 200 | 4,007,265 | (376,394) | (8.6) | % | (20) | % | 19.04 | % | ||||||||
| Flat | 4,383,659 | — | — | — | 19.66 | % | ||||||||||
| (100) | 4,527,743 | 144,084 | 3.3 | % | N/A | 19.74 | % | |||||||||
| (200) | 4,620,994 | 237,335 | 5.4 | % | (20) | % | 19.61 | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)Total assets is the net present value of expected future cash flows.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
Liquidity. Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet deposit withdrawals and anticipated loan fundings, as well as current and planned expenditures. We seek to maintain sources of liquidity that are reliable and diversified and that may be used during the normal course of business as well as on a contingency basis.
Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, and proceeds from calls, maturities and sales of securities, subject to market conditions. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan and securities prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are unencumbered cash and due from banks and securities classified as available for sale, which could be liquidated, subject to market conditions. In the future, our liquidity
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position will continue to be affected by the level of customer deposits and payments, as well as any acquisitions, dividends, and share repurchases in which we may engage. For the next twelve months, we believe that our existing resources, including our capacity to use brokered deposits and wholesale borrowings, will be sufficient to meet the liquidity and capital requirements of our operations. We may elect to raise additional capital through the sale of additional equity or debt financing to fund business activities such as strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, or other purposes beyond the next twelve months.
At December 31, 2023, we had $693.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $523.6 million from $169.5 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in cash levels was due primarily to a decrease of $2.3 billion in AFS securities from $6.7 billion at December 31, 2022 to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2023. In March 2023, we completed a balance sheet repositioning by selling lower yielding AFS securities. The sale allowed us to redeploy the proceeds in the current higher interest rate environment through increased cash levels and loan fundings, and the reduction of wholesale borrowings. The increased cash levels following our balance sheet repositioning provided strong balance sheet liquidity to support the needs of our depositors as part of our liquidity contingency planning during the uncertain environment created by the bank failures in the months of March and May 2023. Advances from the FHLBB were also used to support ongoing operations and totaled $17.7 million and $704.1 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Such advances were reduced at December 31, 2023 following the sale of our insurance agency business as the net proceeds from the sale at closing of $498.1 million were primarily used to paydown our FHLBB borrowings.
We participate in the IntraFi Network, which allows us to provide access to FDIC deposit insurance protection on customer deposits for consumers, businesses and public entities that exceed same-bank FDIC insurance thresholds. We can elect to sell or repurchase this funding as reciprocal deposits from other IntraFi Network banks depending on our funding needs. At both December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had no IntraFi Network one-way sell deposits. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had repurchased $1.3 billion and $0.7 billion, respectively, of previously sold reciprocal deposits.
Although customer deposits remain our preferred source of funds, maintaining additional sources of liquidity is part of our prudent liquidity risk management practices. We have the ability to borrow from the FHLBB. At December 31, 2023, we had $17.7 million in outstanding advances and the ability to borrow up to an additional $2.9 billion. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. At December 31, 2023, we had a $2.4 billion collateralized line of credit from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston through the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”). The BTFP was created by the Federal Reserve in March 2023. On January 24, 2024, the Federal Reserve Board announced the BTFP will cease making new loans as scheduled on March 11, 2024. Following expiration of the BTFP, management expects to pledge the existing BTFP collateral to the Federal Reserve Discount Window. At December 31, 2023, we had the ability to borrow up to $775.9 million from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Discount Window. In addition, we were able to acquire brokered deposits at our discretion to raise additional funds. At December 31, 2023, we had $50.0 million in brokered certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents were $693.1 million and secured borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank totaled $6.1 billion, providing total liquidity sources of $6.8 billion. These liquidity sources provided 123% coverage of all customer uninsured and uncollateralized deposits, which totaled $5.5 billion, or 31% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2023. For further discussion of uninsured deposits, refer to the “Deposits” discussion within the “Financial Position” within this Item 7.
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Sources of Liquidity
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding | Additional Capacity | Outstanding | Additional Capacity | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| IntraFi Network reciprocal deposits | $ | 1,309,816 | $ | — | $ | 664,971 | $ | — | ||||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit (1) | 50,000 | — | 928,648 | — | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank (2) | 17,738 | 2,865,582 | 704,084 | 1,976,166 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - Bank Term Funding Program (3) | — | 2,449,438 | — | — | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - Discount Window (4) | — | 775,869 | — | 538,894 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,377,554 | $ | 6,090,889 | $ | 2,297,703 | $ | 2,515,060 |
(1)The additional borrowing capacity has not been assessed for this category.
(2)As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, loans have been pledged to the FHLBB with a carrying value of $4.6 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively, to secure our total borrowing capacity.
(3)Securities with a carrying value of $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023 have been pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston under the Bank Term Funding Program, resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity.
(4)Loans with a carrying value of $1.1 billion at both December 31, 2023 and 2022 and securities with a carrying value of $168.8 million at December 31, 2023 were pledged to the Discount Window, resulting in this additional borrowing capacity. No securities were pledged to the Discount Window at December 31, 2022.
We believe that advanced preparation, early detection, and prompt responses can avoid, minimize, or shorten potential liquidity crises. Our Board of Directors and our management’s Asset Liability Committee have put a liquidity contingency plan in place to establish methods for assessing and monitoring risk levels, as well as potential responses during unanticipated stress events. As part of our risk management framework, we perform periodic liquidity stress testing to assess our need for liquid assets as well as backup sources of liquidity.
Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve (with respect to our consolidated capital requirements). At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. For additional information regarding our regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note 14, “Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include data processing services, operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds and deposit liabilities. The amounts below assume the contractual obligations and commitments will run through the end of the applicable term and, as such, do not include early termination fees or penalties where applicable.
We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. The financial instruments include commitments to originate loans, unused lines of credit, unadvanced portions of construction loans and standby letters of credit, all of which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The following table summarizes our short-term (e.g. maturity of one year or less) and long-term (e.g. maturity of greater than one year) contractual obligations, other commitments and contingencies at December 31, 2023.
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| One Year or Less | After One Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commitments to extend credit (1) | $ | 1,002,351 | $ | 5,025,005 | $ | 6,027,356 | ||||
| Standby letters of credit | 48,921 | 9,711 | 58,632 | |||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 12,160 | 44,148 | 56,308 | |||||||
| FHLB advances | 95 | 17,643 | 17,738 | |||||||
| Forward commitments to sell loans | 9,198 | — | 9,198 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,072,725 | $ | 5,096,507 | $ | 6,169,232 |
(1)Unused commitments that are deemed to be unconditionally cancellable are included in the less than one year category in the above table. Commitments to extend credit was comprised of $3.7 billion of commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit (including $826.2 million of unadvanced portions of construction loans), $2.1 billion of commitments under home equity loans and lines of credit, $201.3 million in overdraft coverage commitments, $5.1 million of unfunded commitments related to residential real estate loans and $60.1 million in other consumer loans and lines of credit as of December 31, 2023.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-23-005001.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and prospects based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those in this discussion as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a bank holding company, and our principal subsidiary, Eastern Bank, is a Massachusetts-chartered bank that has served the banking needs of our customers since 1818. Our business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers. We had total assets of $22.6 billion and $23.5 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
We manage our business under two business segments: our banking business, which contributed revenue of $645.4 million, or 86.7% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our insurance agency business, which contributed revenue of $98.8 million, or 13.3% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our banking business consists of a full range of banking, lending (commercial, residential and consumer), savings and small business offerings, including our wealth management and trust operations that we conduct through our Eastern Wealth Management division. Our insurance agency business consists of insurance-related activities, acting as an independent agent in offering commercial, personal and employee benefits insurance products to individual and commercial clients. Refer to the section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K titled “Business” within Item 1 for further discussion of our banking business and insurance agency business.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, computed in accordance with GAAP, was $199.8 million, as compared to $154.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of 29.2%. This increase was primarily due to an increase in net interest income. Our net interest income increased primarily due to an increase in our average interest-earning assets, which was primarily the result of our 2021 acquisition of Century. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for further discussion. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 included items that our management considers non-core, which management excludes for purposes of assessing our operating net income, a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $213.3 million compared to $165.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was largely driven by the aforementioned change in average interest-earning assets. Refer to the “Outlook and Trends” section below for further discussion. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a reconciliation of net operating earnings to GAAP net income.
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The following chart shows our basic earnings per share on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past three years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of GAAP earnings to operating earnings):
Earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, increased from $0.90 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $1.21 for the year ended December 31, 2022 a 34.4% increase. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net interest income and a decrease in the average number of common shares outstanding. The decrease in the average number of common shares outstanding was attributable to share repurchases in connection with our previously announced share repurchase programs.
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The following chart shows our efficiency ratio on a GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) basis over the past five years (refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for additional information on the determination of each measure):
The GAAP efficiency ratio and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased compared to the ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decreases were primarily attributable to increased net interest income, which resulted in a margin of increase in total revenue that exceeded the rates at which noninterest expense increased and noninterest income decreased for the same periods. Refer to the“Results of Operations” section below for additional discussion of the changes in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.
Outlook and Trends
Interest Rates
We believe that increases in the federal funds rate we expect to occur in the first half of 2023 will reduce our net interest income in 2023 as the increases in interest-bearing liability costs are anticipated to exceed the increase in yield on interest-earning assets. Beginning in March 2022, the FOMC voted to increase the federal funds rate multiple times from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 4.50% to 4.75% on February 1, 2023, when the FOMC stated that it “anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range [for the federal funds rate] will be appropriate in order to attain a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive to return inflation to 2 percent over time.”
Inevitably, not all of our interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities will re-price simultaneously and in equal volume in response to changes in the federal funds rate, and therefore the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Management believes that several factors will affect the actual impact of interest rate changes on our balance sheet and operating results, including, but not limited to, actual changes in interest rates or expectations of future changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation, and the slope of the interest rate yield curve. We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and, where appropriate, hedging our exposure. Approximately 34% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans as of December 31, 2022 was indexed to a market rate that is expected to reprice along with the federal funds rate. As rates have risen and the shape of the yield curve changed during the year ended December 31, 2022, a portion of these loans have been hedged using interest rate swaps to convert the floating rate interest receipts to a fixed rate. The notional amount of floating rate loans swapped totaled $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2022, representing approximately 18% of the outstanding principal balance of our loans at that date. For more detail regarding such hedging financial instruments, refer to Note 19, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We anticipate that an increase in market interest rates, whether due to an increase in the federal funds rate or otherwise, will decrease the fair value of those interest rate swaps
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and consequently reduce the positive impact on our net interest income that an interest rate increase would otherwise have. Refer to the section titled “Management of Market Risk” within this Item 7 for additional discussion including the estimated change to our net interest income under interest rate risk measurement methodologies that use a variety of hypothetical scenarios assuming immediate and parallel changes in interest rates that may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans
We are a participating lender in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP. We concluded PPP loan originations in the second quarter of 2021 as the SBA announced in May 2021 that PPP funds were exhausted. The majority of our PPP borrowers are existing commercial and small business borrowers, non-profit customers, retail banking customers and clients of our Eastern Wealth Management division and Eastern Insurance Group. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the remaining balance of our PPP loans was $9.8 million and $331.4 million, respectively. Net PPP loan fee accretion (fee accretion less cost amortization) for all PPP loans decreased by $25.3 million, or 73.8%, to $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $34.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our net interest margin was adversely affected as a result of the decline in net fee accretion, which is associated with the decreased volume of PPP loan payoffs. The impact to our net interest margin resulting from the decline in net PPP loan fee accretion during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 was 0.25% (change computed based upon average total loans for the year ended December 31, 2021).
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present certain non-GAAP financial measures, which management uses to evaluate our performance, and which exclude the effects of certain transactions, non-cash items and GAAP adjustments that we believe are unrelated to our core business and are therefore not necessarily indicative of our current performance or financial position. Management believes excluding these items facilitates greater visibility for investors into our core businesses as well as underlying trends that may, to some extent, be obscured by inclusion of such items in the corresponding GAAP financial measures.
There are items in our financial statements that impact our results but which we believe are unrelated to our core business. Accordingly, we present operating net income, noninterest income on an operating basis, noninterest expense on an operating basis, total operating revenue, operating earnings per share, operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, and the operating efficiency ratio, each of which excludes the impact of such items because we believe such exclusion can provide greater visibility into our core business and underlying trends. Such items that we do not consider to be core to our business include (i) income and expenses from investments held in rabbi trusts, (ii) gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, (iii) gains and losses on the sale of other assets, (iv) rabbi trust employee benefits, (v) impairment charges on tax credit investments and associated tax credit benefits, (vi) expenses indirectly associated with our IPO, (vii) other real estate owned (“OREO”) gains, (viii) merger and acquisition expenses, (ix) the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation (the “Foundation”) in connection with our mutual-to-stock conversion and IPO, (x) settlement of putative consumer class action litigation matters related to overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees, and associated settlement expenses, and (xi) the non-cash pension settlement charge recognized related to our Defined Benefit Plan.
We also present tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, average tangible shareholders’ equity, the ratios of net income and operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity and tangible book value per share, each of which excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, as we believe these financial measures provide investors with the ability to further assess our performance, identify trends in our core business and provide a comparison of our capital adequacy to other companies. We have included the tangible ratios because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management to assess performance and identify trends.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative or substitute to GAAP net income, or as an indication of our cash flows from operating activities, a measure of our liquidity or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. An item which we consider to be non-core and exclude when computing these non-GAAP financial measures can be of substantial importance to our results for any particular period. In addition, our methodology for calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar performance measures and, accordingly, our reported non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to the same or similar performance measures reported by other companies.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items recorded for the time periods indicated below and reconciles them to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||
| Net income (GAAP) | $ | 199,759 | $ | 154,665 | $ | 22,738 | ||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||
| Noninterest income components: | ||||||||||
| Losses (income) from investments held in rabbi trusts | 10,762 | (10,217) | (10,337) | |||||||
| Losses (gains) on sales of securities available for sale, net | 3,157 | (1,166) | (288) | |||||||
| (Gains) losses on sales of other assets | (1,492) | (571) | 20 | |||||||
| Noninterest expense components: | ||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit (income) expense | (5,161) | 5,515 | 4,789 | |||||||
| Impairment (reversal) charge on tax credit investments | — | (170) | 10,779 | |||||||
| Indirect IPO costs (1) | — | — | 1,199 | |||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | — | (87) | (606) | |||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses | 305 | 35,460 | 90 | |||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | — | 3,325 | — | |||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss (2) | 12,045 | — | — | |||||||
| Stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation | — | — | 91,287 | |||||||
| Total impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 19,616 | 32,089 | 96,933 | |||||||
| Less net tax benefit associated with non-GAAP adjustment (3) | 6,096 | 20,869 | 17,537 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | $ | 13,520 | $ | 11,220 | $ | 79,396 | ||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 213,279 | $ | 165,885 | $ | 102,134 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period: | ||||||||||
| Basic | 165,510,357 | 172,192,336 | 171,812,535 | |||||||
| Diluted | 165,648,571 | 172,252,057 | 171,812,535 | |||||||
| Earnings per share, basic | $ | 1.21 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.13 | ||||
| Earnings per share, diluted | $ | 1.21 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.13 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, basic (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 0.59 | ||||
| Operating earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 0.59 |
(1)Reflects costs associated with the IPO that are indirectly related to the IPO and were not recorded as a reduction of capital.
(2)Represents a non-cash settlement charge related to the Defined Benefit Plan. For additional information regarding this charge, refer to Note 17, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)The net tax benefit associated with these items is determined by assessing whether each item is included or excluded from net taxable income and applying our combined statutory tax rate only to those items included in net taxable income. The net tax benefit amount for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 reflects the impact of the reversal of a $12.0 million valuation allowance associated with the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation in the amounts of $0.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively. The reversal of the valuation allowance in each period was considered appropriate based upon our determination of the realizability of such deductions for tax purposes at that time.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items with respect to our total revenue, noninterest income, noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP financial measure, for the periods indicated:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 568,054 | $ | 429,827 | $ | 401,251 | $ | 411,264 | $ | 390,044 | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP)(2) | 12,736 | 6,093 | 5,472 | 5,254 | 5,696 | |||||||||||||
| Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP) | 580,790 | 435,920 | 406,723 | 416,518 | 395,740 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 176,161 | 193,155 | 178,373 | 182,299 | 180,595 | |||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Losses) income from investments held in rabbi trusts | (10,762) | 10,217 | 10,337 | 9,866 | (1,542) | |||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | (3,157) | 1,166 | 288 | 2,016 | 50 | |||||||||||||
| Gains (losses) on sales of other assets | 1,492 | 571 | (20) | (15) | 1,989 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 188,588 | 181,201 | 167,768 | 170,432 | 180,098 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 469,602 | $ | 443,956 | $ | 504,923 | $ | 412,684 | $ | 397,928 | ||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit (income) expense | (5,161) | 5,515 | 4,789 | 4,604 | (847) | |||||||||||||
| Impairment (reversal) charge on tax credit investments | — | (170) | 10,779 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Indirect IPO costs (1) | — | — | 1,199 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses | 305 | 35,460 | 90 | — | 244 | |||||||||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | — | 3,325 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Defined Benefit Plan settlement loss | 12,045 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation | — | — | 91,287 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | — | 87 | 606 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | $ | 462,413 | $ | 399,913 | $ | 397,385 | $ | 408,080 | $ | 398,531 | ||||||||
| Total revenue (GAAP) | $ | 744,215 | $ | 622,982 | $ | 579,624 | $ | 593,563 | $ | 570,639 | ||||||||
| Total operating revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 769,378 | $ | 617,121 | $ | 574,491 | $ | 586,950 | $ | 575,838 | ||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio (GAAP) | 63.10 | % | 71.26 | % | 87.11 | % | 69.53 | % | 69.73 | % | ||||||||
| Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 60.10 | % | 64.80 | % | 69.17 | % | 69.53 | % | 69.21 | % |
(1)Reflects costs associated with the IPO that are indirectly related to the IPO and were not recorded as a reduction of capital.
(2)Interest income on tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis using a marginal tax rate of 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2020, 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2019, and 21.7% for the year ended December 31, 2018.
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The following table summarizes the calculation of our tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, and tangible book value per share, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP measure, as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 2,471,790 | $ | 3,406,352 | $ | 3,428,052 | $ | 1,600,153 | $ | 1,433,141 | ||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | 661,126 | 649,703 | 376,534 | 377,734 | 381,276 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 1,810,664 | 2,756,649 | 3,051,518 | 1,222,419 | 1,051,865 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | 22,646,858 | 23,512,128 | 15,964,190 | 11,628,775 | 11,372,287 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | 661,126 | 649,703 | 376,534 | 377,734 | 381,276 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 21,985,732 | $ | 22,862,425 | $ | 15,587,656 | $ | 11,251,041 | $ | 10,991,011 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity to assets ratio (GAAP) | 10.9 | % | 14.5 | % | 21.5 | % | 13.8 | % | 12.6 | % | ||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) | 8.2 | % | 12.1 | % | 19.6 | % | 10.9 | % | 9.6 | % | ||||||||
| Book value per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares issued and outstanding | 176,172,073 | 186,305,332 | 186,758,154 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Book value per share (GAAP) | $ | 14.03 | $ | 18.28 | $ | 18.36 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 10.28 | $ | 14.80 | $ | 16.34 | $ | — | $ | — |
The following table summarizes the calculation of our average tangible shareholders’ equity and ratio of net income and operating net income to average tangible shareholders’ equity (“operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity”), which reconciles to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (GAAP) | $ | 199,759 | $ | 154,665 | $ | 22,738 | $ | 135,098 | $ | 122,727 | ||||||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) (1) | 213,279 | 165,885 | 102,134 | 129,696 | 121,796 | |||||||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 2,831,533 | $ | 3,424,570 | $ | 2,040,156 | $ | 1,543,191 | $ | 1,360,562 | ||||||||
| Less: Average goodwill and other intangibles | 655,653 | 414,441 | 376,706 | 379,615 | 380,304 | |||||||||||||
| Average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 2,175,880 | $ | 3,010,129 | $ | 1,663,450 | $ | 1,163,576 | $ | 980,258 | ||||||||
| Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | 7.05 | % | 4.52 | % | 1.11 | % | 8.75 | % | 9.02 | % | ||||||||
| Return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 9.18 | % | 5.14 | % | 1.37 | % | 11.61 | % | 12.52 | % | ||||||||
| Operating return on average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 9.80 | % | 5.51 | % | 6.14 | % | 11.15 | % | 12.42 | % |
(1)Refer to the table above within this “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for a reconciliation of operating net income to net income.
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Financial Position
Summary of Financial Position
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 169,505 | $ | 1,231,792 | $ | (1,062,287) | (86.2) | % | ||||||
| Securities available for sale | 6,690,778 | 8,511,224 | (1,820,446) | (21.4) | % | |||||||||
| Securities held to maturity | 476,647 | — | 476,647 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
| Loans, net of allowance for loan losses | 13,420,317 | 12,157,281 | 1,263,036 | 10.4 | % | |||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 41,363 | 10,904 | 30,459 | 279.3 | % | |||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | 661,126 | 649,703 | 11,423 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||
| Deposits | 18,974,359 | 19,628,311 | (653,952) | (3.3) | % | |||||||||
| Borrowed funds | 740,828 | 34,278 | 706,550 | 2,061.2 | % |
Cash and cash equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $1.1 billion, or 86.2%, to $169.5 million at December 31, 2022 from $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in gross loans of $1.3 billion, a decrease in total customer deposits of $654.0 million, net of purchases of brokered certificates of deposit, and share repurchases of $201.6 million. These items were partially offset by net cash inflows related to increased borrowed funds of $706.6 million and net cash inflows related to AFS and HTM securities of $263.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. For further discussion of the change in deposits, refer to the later “Deposits” section in this Item 7. For further discussion of the change in loans, refer to the later “Loans” section in this Item 7. For more information regarding our share repurchase programs, refer to Note 15, “Shareholders’ Equity” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For further discussion of the change in securities, refer to the later “Securities” section in this Item 7. For further discussion of the change in borrowed funds, refer to the later “Borrowed Funds” section in this Item 7.
Securities
Our current investment policy authorizes us to invest in various types of investment securities and liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate notes, asset-backed securities and municipal securities. The Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for approving and overseeing our investment policy, which it reviews at least annually. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, liquidity requirements, potential returns and market risk considerations. We do not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor do we purchase any high-risk investment products. We typically invest in the following types of securities:
U.S. government securities: At December 31, 2022 our U.S. government securities consisted of U.S. Agency bonds and U.S. Treasury securities. At December 31, 2021, our U.S. government securities consisted of U.S. Agency bonds, U.S. Treasury securities and Small Business Administration pooled securities. We maintain these investments, to the extent appropriate, for liquidity purposes, at zero risk weighting for capital purposes, and as collateral for interest rate derivative positions. U.S. Agency bonds include securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB, and the Federal Farm Credit Bureau.
Mortgage-backed securities: We invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities insured or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae, including collateralized mortgage obligations. We have not purchased any privately-issued mortgage-backed securities. We invest in mortgage-backed securities to achieve a positive interest rate spread with minimal administrative expense, and to lower our credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae.
Investments in residential mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. We periodically review current prepayment speeds to determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or
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accretion adjustments. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities. In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.
State and municipal securities: We invest in fixed rate investment grade bonds issued primarily by municipalities in our local communities within Massachusetts and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The market value of these securities may be affected by call options, long dated maturities, general market liquidity and credit factors.
The following table shows the fair value of our securities by investment category as of the dates indicated:
Securities Portfolio Composition
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Available for sale securities, at fair value: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 4,111,908 | $ | 5,524,708 | ||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,348,954 | 1,408,868 | ||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | 952,482 | 1,175,014 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 93,057 | 88,605 | ||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 183,092 | 280,329 | ||||
| Small business administration pooled securities | — | 32,103 | ||||
| Other debt securities | 1,285 | 1,597 | ||||
| Total available for sale securities, at fair value | 6,690,778 | 8,511,224 | ||||
| Held to maturity securities, at amortized cost: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | 276,493 | — | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 200,154 | — | ||||
| Total held to maturity securities, at amortized cost | 476,647 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 7,167,425 | $ | 8,511,224 |
Our securities portfolio has decreased $1.3 billion, or 15.8%, to $7.2 billion at December 31, 2022 from $8.5 billion at December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of AFS securities, sales of AFS securities, and maturities and principal paydowns of our AFS and held to maturity (“HTM”) securities. Partially offsetting this activity were AFS and HTM security purchases during the year ended December 31, 2022:
•At December 31, 2022, the unrealized loss on AFS securities was $1.1 billion compared to an unrealized loss of $0.1 billion at December 31, 2021, representing a $1.1 billion decrease in the fair value of such securities. The change from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 is primarily driven by rising market rates of interest.
•AFS securities sales totaled $431.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. AFS and HTM security maturities and principal paydowns totaled $1.0 billion and $17.4 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022.
•Partially offsetting the decrease in the securities portfolio from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 were purchases of AFS and HTM securities of $740.8 million and $493.7 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022.
We did not have trading investments at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
A portion of our securities portfolio continues to be tax-exempt. Investments in federally tax-exempt securities totaled $182.9 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $279.8 million at December 31, 2021.
Our AFS securities are carried at fair value and are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of model inputs. Securities which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of both December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had no securities categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
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Maturities of our securities portfolio are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the effect of scheduled principal repayments, prepayments, or early redemptions that may occur.
The following tables show contractual maturities of our AFS and HTM securities and weighted average yields at and for the period ended December 31, 2022 and contractual maturities of our AFS securities and weighted average yields at and for the period ended December 31, 2021. Weighted average yields in the tables below have been calculated based on the amortized cost of the security:
Securities Portfolio, Weighted-Average Yield
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2022 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | 2.27 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.45 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.29 | 1.51 | 1.94 | 1.68 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | — | 0.79 | 0.97 | — | 0.82 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | — | 1.97 | — | — | 1.97 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 1.22 | 2.26 | 3.17 | 4.05 | 3.66 | |||||||||
| Other debt securities | 0.84 | — | — | — | 0.84 | |||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | 0.89 | 1.02 | 1.25 | 1.66 | 1.47 | |||||||||
| Held to maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | — | — | 2.86 | 2.86 | |||||||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | — | 2.23 | — | 2.23 | |||||||||
| Total held to maturity securities | — | — | 2.23 | 2.86 | 2.59 | |||||||||
| Total | 0.89 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.72 | % | 1.54 | % |
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2021 (1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | 2.64 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.38 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.14 | 1.20 | 1.95 | 1.67 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | 1.11 | 0.73 | 1.00 | — | 0.88 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 0.15 | 0.78 | — | — | 0.50 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations (2) | (1.24) | 2.46 | 3.17 | 4.04 | 3.48 | |||||||||
| Small business administration pooled securities | — | 1.72 | — | 1.93 | 1.90 | |||||||||
| Other debt securities | 1.01 | 0.84 | — | — | 0.87 | |||||||||
| Total | 0.10 | % | 0.95 | % | 1.12 | % | 1.60 | % | 1.42 | % |
(1)Investment security weighted-average yields were calculated on a level-yield basis by weighting the tax equivalent yield for each security type by the book value of each maturity.
(2)The negative yield indicated in the “Within One Year” category is the result of premium amortization that is in excess of earned income.
The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a FTE basis by adjusting tax-exempt income upward by an amount equivalent to the prevailing federal income taxes that would have been paid if the income had been fully taxable.
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Loans
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio, by category, as of the dates indicated and net PPP loan activity for the year ended December 31, 2022:
| As of December 31, | Change (excluding net PPP loan activity) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change ($) | PPP Loan Activity, net | Change ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,150,946 | $ | 2,960,527 | $ | 190,419 | $ | (109,213) | $ | 299,632 | 10.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 5,155,323 | 4,522,513 | 632,810 | — | 632,810 | 14.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 336,276 | 222,328 | 113,948 | — | 113,948 | 51.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 1,090,492 | 1,334,694 | (244,202) | (212,331) | (31,871) | (2.4) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,460,849 | 1,926,810 | 534,039 | — | 534,039 | 27.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,187,547 | 1,100,153 | 87,394 | — | 87,394 | 7.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 194,098 | 214,485 | (20,387) | — | (20,387) | (9.5) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total gross loans (1) | $ | 13,575,531 | $ | 12,281,510 | $ | 1,294,021 | $ | (321,544) | $ | 1,615,565 | 13.2 | % |
(1)Amounts presented exclude unamortized premiums, unearned discounts and deferred fees and costs.
We consider our loan portfolio to be relatively diversified by borrower and industry. Our loans increased $1.3 billion, or 10.5%, to $13.6 billion at December 31, 2022 from $12.3 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase as of December 31, 2022 was primarily due to increases in our commercial real estate, residential real estate, and commercial and industrial portfolio balances, partially offset by a decrease in our business banking portfolio, as further noted below:
•Our commercial real estate portfolio increased by $632.8 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 which was primarily attributable to an increase of $622.0 million in commercial real estate investment loan balances. Such loans represent loans secured by commercial real estate that are non-owner-occupied. The increase in such loan balances was primarily due to management’s active focus on originating loans collateralized by industrial/warehouse and multi-family property types, which are included in the commercial real estate investment loan category, due to management’s stable outlook as it relates to the credit performance of such loans.
•Our residential real estate portfolio increased by 534.0 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 primarily due to the purchase of $380.2 million residential real estate loans from a third party during the year ended December 31, 2022. Also contributing to the overall increase in the balance of our residential real estate loans was a reduction in the volume of loan sales, which was precipitated by rising market rates of interest, and led to us retaining more of our residential real estate mortgage loan originations.
•Our commercial and industrial portfolio, excluding PPP loan balances, increased by $299.6 million, which was primarily attributable to an increase of $291.7 million in commercial and industrial participation loans during the year ended December 31, 2022. The majority of the increase in participation loans was in our SNC portfolio, which increased $205.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in such loan balances was primarily due to management’s active focus in increasing our exposures related to such arrangements due to strong historical credit performance and management’s stable outlook as it relates to the future credit performance of such loans. Partially offsetting this increase was a $109.2 million decrease in commercial and industrial PPP loan balances during the year ended December 31, 2022 as such loans were paid off or forgiven by the SBA resulting in a net portfolio increase of $190.4 million.
•Our business banking portfolio decreased by $244.2 million primarily as a result of a $212.4 million decrease in business banking PPP loan balances during the year ended December 31, 2022 as such loans were paid off or forgiven by the SBA.
We believe that our commercial loan portfolio composition is relatively diversified in terms of industry sectors, property types and various lending specialties. As of December 31, 2022, the amortized cost balances of concentrations in our commercial loan portfolios were as follows:
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| Commercial and Industrial | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Educational services | $ | 773,680 | 24.7 | % | ||
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 324,681 | 10.4 | % | |||
| Finance and insurance | 303,024 | 9.7 | % | |||
| Wholesale trade | 278,944 | 8.9 | % | |||
| Accomodation | 199,353 | 6.4 | % | |||
| Healthcare | 197,684 | 6.3 | % | |||
| Transportation | 185,925 | 5.9 | % | |||
| Manufacturing | 176,993 | 5.7 | % | |||
| Admin support | 159,967 | 5.1 | % | |||
| Real estate | 113,947 | 3.6 | % | |||
| Other industries | 418,330 | 13.3 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 3,132,528 | 100.0 | % |
| Commercial Real Estate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Multi-family | $ | 1,212,944 | 23.5 | % | ||
| Industrial/warehouse | 546,660 | 10.6 | % | |||
| Retail | 509,651 | 9.9 | % | |||
| Office | 441,910 | 8.6 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail/office | 428,650 | 8.3 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail/multi-family | 357,127 | 6.9 | % | |||
| School | 351,581 | 6.8 | % | |||
| Affordable housing | 319,681 | 6.2 | % | |||
| Self storage | 186,253 | 3.6 | % | |||
| Other property types | 796,906 | 15.6 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 5,151,363 | 100.0 | % |
| Commercial Construction | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Affordable housing | $ | 85,802 | 25.7 | % | ||
| Multi-family | 82,875 | 24.8 | % | |||
| Industrial/warehouse | 54,772 | 16.4 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail/multi-family | 26,150 | 7.8 | % | |||
| For sale housing | 20,646 | 6.2 | % | |||
| Assisted living | 14,767 | 4.4 | % | |||
| Office | 10,255 | 3.1 | % | |||
| Retail | 9,082 | 2.7 | % | |||
| 1-4 family | 7,575 | 2.3 | % | |||
| Service station | 6,375 | 1.9 | % | |||
| Other property types | 15,960 | 4.7 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 334,259 | 100.0 | % |
We believe that the loan to value ratio (“LTV”) is an important factor in monitoring the risk characteristics of our loans secured by real estate. The following tables show the distribution of loan balances, on an amortized cost basis, by LTV
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and year of origination for each of our portfolios of loans, including those acquired from Century, secured by real estate as of December 31, 2022:
| Balance of Commercial Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 26,231 | $ | 34,682 | $ | 3,594 | $ | 33,701 | $ | 16,111 | $ | 83,179 | $ | 197,498 | |||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 528,843 | 208,311 | 259,368 | 166,600 | 162,811 | 517,976 | 1,843,909 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 646,235 | 417,407 | 226,378 | 349,793 | 283,041 | 372,933 | 2,295,787 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 230,141 | 162,053 | 89,088 | 58,293 | 39,787 | 41,458 | 620,820 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% (3) | 52,027 | 13,068 | — | 2,426 | 1,424 | 1,157 | 70,102 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 61,449 | 6,370 | 14,327 | — | — | 41,101 | 123,247 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,544,926 | $ | 841,891 | $ | 592,755 | $ | 610,813 | $ | 503,174 | $ | 1,057,804 | $ | 5,151,363 | |||||||||||
| Average LTV | 58.74 | % | 57.08 | % | 51.72 | % | 52.68 | % | 53.91 | % | 45.03 | % | 53.79 | % |
| Balance of Residential Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 2,926 | $ | 118 | $ | 893 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,638 | $ | 17,575 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 65,099 | 172,890 | 81,685 | 26,678 | 21,196 | 159,541 | 527,089 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 110,503 | 259,847 | 148,747 | 30,546 | 21,890 | 164,443 | 735,976 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 271,503 | 169,608 | 100,406 | 29,310 | 13,531 | 75,190 | 659,548 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 233,927 | 59,104 | 33,932 | 9,832 | 12,917 | 37,755 | 387,467 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 82,136 | 40,862 | 17,988 | 7,381 | 1,134 | 2,899 | 152,400 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 766,094 | $ | 702,429 | $ | 383,651 | $ | 103,747 | $ | 70,668 | $ | 453,466 | $ | 2,480,055 | ||||||||||||
| Average LTV | 76.11 | % | 62.43 | % | 63.02 | % | 63.03 | % | 60.32 | % | 55.58 | % | 65.46 | % |
| Balance of Consumer Home Equity Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 and Prior | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 275,299 | $ | 208,698 | $ | 25,507 | $ | 37,073 | $ | 30,187 | $ | 211,075 | $ | 787,839 | ||||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 4,395 | 569 | 29,419 | 24,721 | 26,031 | 34,509 | 119,644 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 6,905 | 797 | 35,253 | 23,826 | 20,586 | 37,167 | 124,534 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 5,133 | 587 | 14,580 | 27,194 | 20,771 | 36,918 | 105,183 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 2,909 | 762 | 6,204 | 12,594 | 8,490 | 22,628 | 53,587 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | — | — | — | — | — | 520 | 520 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 294,641 | $ | 211,413 | $ | 110,963 | $ | 125,408 | $ | 106,065 | $ | 342,817 | $ | 1,191,307 | ||||||||||||
| Average LTV | 61.32 | % | 63.28 | % | 55.56 | % | 60.65 | % | 57.99 | % | 61.96 | % | 59.55 | % |
(1)Current LTV is calculated based upon exposure amount and the most recently available appraisal value as of the reporting period.
(2)Insufficient data available to calculate LTV.
(3)We generally require an LTV of 80% or less on new CRE loan originations. Certain CRE loans with LTVs greater than 80% may have additional collateral pledged which is not included in the computation of the amounts stated.
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The maturity distribution of our loan portfolio is one factor used by management to evaluate the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio. The following table shows the maturity distribution of our loans, on a gross basis, as of December 31, 2022:
Scheduled Contractual Loan Maturity
| One Year or Less (1) | One to Five Years | Five to Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 324,458 | $ | 1,195,402 | $ | 672,359 | $ | 958,727 | $ | 3,150,946 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 227,408 | 1,299,723 | 3,215,683 | 412,509 | 5,155,323 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 44,985 | 161,635 | 119,570 | 10,086 | 336,276 | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 124,912 | 268,262 | 659,813 | 37,505 | 1,090,492 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 671 | 12,731 | 295,898 | 2,151,549 | 2,460,849 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,657 | 17,943 | 216,407 | 951,540 | 1,187,547 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 26,987 | 83,395 | 79,606 | 4,110 | 194,098 | |||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 751,078 | $ | 3,039,091 | $ | 5,259,336 | $ | 4,526,026 | $ | 13,575,531 |
(1)Includes demand loans, or loans without a stated maturity.
The interest rate risk of our loan portfolio is an important element in the management of net interest margin. We attempt to manage the relationship between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to produce an effective interest differential that is not significantly impacted by changes in the level of interest rates. The following table shows the interest rate risk of our loans, on a gross basis, due one year after December 31, 2022:
Loan Interest Rate Risk
| Due after December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Adjustable | Total | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 830,924 | $ | 1,995,564 | $ | 2,826,488 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 2,188,212 | 2,739,703 | 4,927,915 | |||||||
| Commercial construction | 220,927 | 70,364 | 291,291 | |||||||
| Business banking | 263,466 | 702,114 | 965,580 | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,000,810 | 459,368 | 2,460,178 | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | 202,215 | 983,675 | 1,185,890 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 164,260 | 2,851 | 167,111 | |||||||
| Total loans | $ | 5,870,814 | $ | 6,953,639 | $ | 12,824,453 |
Asset quality. We continually monitor the asset quality of our loan portfolio utilizing portfolio scorecards and various credit quality indicators. Based on this process, loans meeting certain criteria are categorized as delinquent or non-performing and further assessed to determine if non-accrual status is appropriate.
For the commercial portfolio, which includes our commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking loans, we monitor credit quality using a risk rating scale, which assigns a risk-grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial loan transaction. Management utilizes a loan risk rating methodology based on a 15-point scale with the assistance of risk rating scorecard tools. Pass grades are 0-10 and non-pass categories, which align with regulatory guidelines, are: special mention (11), substandard (12), doubtful (13) and loss (14).
Risk rating assignment is determined using one of 15 separate scorecards developed for distinctive portfolio segments based on common attributes. Key factors include: industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral and other considerations.
Special mention, substandard and doubtful loans totaled 2.2% and 5.8% of total commercial loans outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This decrease was driven by risk rating upgrades in the construction and commercial and industrial portfolios.
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Our philosophy toward managing our loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations. We seek to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame.
For the retail portfolio, which includes residential real estate, consumer home equity, and other consumer portfolios, we monitor credit quality using the borrower’s FICO score. As of December 31, 2022, 72.3% of retail borrowers, based on loan balance, have a FICO score of 740 or greater. The following table shows the balances by borrowers' current FICO scores as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, 2022 | As of December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | |||||||||||||||||
| Current FICO (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 5,195 | $ | 15,284 | $ | 27,400 | $ | 3,954 | $ | 1,122 | $ | 27,448 | ||||||||||
| 640 or lower | 54,268 | 37,538 | 4,406 | 49,112 | 39,446 | 7,680 | ||||||||||||||||
| 641 – 699 | 193,215 | 114,751 | 13,026 | 184,740 | 106,621 | 18,078 | ||||||||||||||||
| 700 – 739 | 381,018 | 200,397 | 21,139 | 307,162 | 173,617 | 27,739 | ||||||||||||||||
| 740 or higher | 1,846,359 | 823,337 | 111,807 | 1,381,842 | 779,347 | 133,539 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,480,055 | $ | 1,191,307 | $ | 177,778 | $ | 1,926,810 | $ | 1,100,153 | $ | 214,485 | ||||||||||
| Average FICO | 767.3 | 763.3 | 772.2 | 764.7 | 764.5 | 765.7 |
(1)Borrower FICO scores are updated on a semi-annual basis, and the most recent update occurred in August 2022.
(2)Insufficient data available to report.
The delinquency rate of our total loan portfolio decreased to 0.50% at December 31, 2022 from 0.65% at December 31, 2021.
The following table provides details regarding our delinquency rates as of the dates indicated:
Loan Delinquency Rates
| Delinquency Rate as of December 31, (1) (2) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.12 | % | 0.06 | % | |
| Commercial real estate | — | % | 0.60 | % | |
| Commercial construction | — | % | — | % | |
| Business banking | 1.00 | % | 0.86 | % | |
| Residential real estate | 1.46 | % | 1.38 | % | |
| Consumer home equity | 1.33 | % | 0.90 | % | |
| Other consumer | 0.63 | % | 1.23 | % | |
| Total | 0.50 | % | 0.65 | % |
(1)In the calculation of the delinquency rate as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the total amount of loans outstanding includes $9.8 million and $331.4 million, respectively, of PPP loans.
(2)Delinquency rates as of December 31, 2022 were computed based upon amortized cost balances while delinquency rates as of December 31, 2021 were computed based upon recorded investment balances. The effect on the above delinquency rates of the difference in methodology is not significant.
As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as non-accrual loans. However, based on our assessment of collateral and/or payment prospects, certain loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status. Income accruals are suspended on all non-accrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan is expected to remain on non-accrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest, the loan is liquidated, or the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.
Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) are comprised of non-performing loans (“NPLs”), OREO and non-performing securities. NPLs consist of non-accrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest. OREO consists of real estate properties, which primarily serve as collateral to secure our loans, that we control due to foreclosure. These properties are recorded at the fair value less estimated costs to sell on the date we obtain control. Any write-downs to the
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cost of the related asset upon transfer to OREO to reflect the asset at fair value less estimated costs to sell is recorded through the allowance for loan losses.
NPLs increased $3.6 million, or 10%, to $38.6 million at December 31, 2022 from $35.0 million at December 31, 2021. NPLs as a percentage of total loans decreased to 0.28% at December 31, 2022 from 0.29% at December 31, 2021. Refer to the later “Allowance for Credit Losses” section in this Item 7 for a discussion of the change in non-accrual loans which comprise our NPLs as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, NPLs included loans that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing which were comprised solely of purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans. PCI loans were not subject to classification as non-accrual in the same manner as originated loans as their interest income related to the accretable yield recognized and not to contractual interest payments at the loan level. In connection with our adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2022, all PCI loans are now considered purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. Interest income recognition for PCD loans is consistent with originated loans and, therefore, PCD loans cease accruing interest at 90 days past due unless management believes that the applicable collateral held by the Company is clearly sufficient and in full satisfaction of both principal and interest. There were no PCD or originated loans at December 31, 2022 that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
The total amount of interest recorded on NPLs was not significant for both the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The gross interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of those loans if they had been performing amounted to $3.9 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In the course of resolving NPLs, we may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. We attempt to work-out alternative payment schedules with the borrowers in order to avoid foreclosure actions. We review each loan that is modified to identify whether a TDR has occurred. TDRs involve situations in which, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, we grant a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise consider. As noted within Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, loan modifications made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that met the criteria of either Section 4013 of the CARES Act or the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) are not deemed TDRs. This election afforded by the CARES Act and Interagency guidance expired on January 1, 2022.
In cases where a borrower experiences financial difficulties and we make certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms, the loan is classified as a TDR. Loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 which were determined to be TDRs were $12.6 million (post modification balance) and $0.8 million (post modification balance), respectively. The Company executed 51 and 5 TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As discussed further in the “COVID-19 Modifications” section below, we elected to apply the treatment of modifications to borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic afforded by the CARES Act and the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) which resulted in such loans not being deemed TDRs. This election, which expired on January 1, 2022, contributed to a significant decline in new TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Consequently, modifications designated as TDRs increased during the year ended December 31, 2022 as we are no longer executing COVID-19 modifications. The overall increase in TDR loans modified during the aforementioned periods consisted of an increase of $8.2 million and $3.6 million in commercial and consumer loan TDR modifications, respectively. One loan totaling $1.0 million that was modified during the preceding 12 months subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2022. No loans were modified during the preceding 12 months which subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2021.
It is our policy to have any restructured loans that are on non-accrual status prior to being modified remain on non-accrual status for approximately six months subsequent to being modified before we consider its return to accrual status. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, we review it to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status.
PCD loans are loans that we acquired that have shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and, therefore, it was deemed unlikely that all contractually required payments would be collected upon the acquisition date. We consider factors such as payment history, collateral values and accrual status when determining whether there was evidence of deterioration at the acquisition date. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of PCD loans was $56.6 million. As discussed further below, we adopted ASU 2016-13, commonly referred to as CECL, on January 1, 2022. Prior to such adoption, our acquired loans that exhibited evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination were designated as PCI loans. As of December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of PCI loans was $69.6 million.
COVID-19 Modifications. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented loan modification programs for our borrowers that allowed for either full payment deferrals (both interest and principal) or deferral of principal only. These modifications met the criteria of either Section 4013 of the CARES Act or the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications
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and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) and therefore are not deemed TDRs. We have deemed these modified loans “COVID-19 modifications.”
The Appropriations Act, which was enacted on December 27, 2020, extended certain expiring tax provisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and provided additional emergency relief to individuals and businesses. Included within the provisions of the Appropriations Act is the extension of Section 4013 of the CARES Act to January 1, 2022. As such, we applied CARES Act TDR relief to any qualifying loan modifications executed during the allowable time period.
The following table presents the balance of loans that received a COVID-19 modification and have not yet resumed repayment as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and excludes loans acquired from Century:
| Remaining COVID-19 Modifications as of December 31, 2022 (1) | Remaining COVID-19 Modifications as of December 31, 2021 (1) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | % of Total Portfolio | Balance | % of Total Portfolio | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | — | 0.0 | % | $ | 4,548 | 0.2 | % | |||||
| Commercial real estate | 12,826 | 0.3 | % | 93,519 | 2.1 | % | |||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | % | — | — | % | |||||||
| Business banking | — | 0.0 | % | 649 | 0.1 | % | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 262 | 0.0 | % | 5,870 | 0.3 | % | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | — | — | % | 1,365 | 0.1 | % | |||||||
| Other consumer | — | 0.0 | % | 706 | 0.3 | % | |||||||
| Total (2) | $ | 13,088 | 0.1 | % | $ | 106,657 | 0.9 | % |
(1)Remaining COVID-19 modifications reflect only those loans which underwent a modification and have not yet resumed payment. We define a modified loan to have resumed payment if it is one month past the modification end date and not more than 30 days past due.
(2)As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, remaining COVID-19 modifications included $12.8 million and $71.0 million, respectively, of loans to borrowers in the hotel industry.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the aggregate amount of loans that received a COVID-19 modification and have become a non-performing loan after the respective deferral period was $4.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively.
Potential Problem Loans. In the normal course of business, we become aware of possible credit problems in which borrowers exhibit potential for the inability to comply with the contractual terms of their loans, but which currently do not yet meet the criteria for classification as NPLs. These loans were neither delinquent nor on non-accrual status. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, our potential problem loans, or loans with potential weaknesses that were not included in the non-accrual loans or in the loans 90 days or more past due categories, totaled $187.0 million and $470.9 million, respectively.
Allowance for credit losses. Because we continued to qualify for emerging growth company (“EGC”) status under the Jumpstart Our Business (“JOBS”) Act until December 31, 2021, we were permitted to delay adoption of the CECL standard until the earlier of the date at which non-public business entities are required to adopt the standard and the date that we ceased to be an EGC. Included in the Appropriations Act was an extension of the adoption date to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the COVID-19 national emergency terminated. We elected this extension and, accordingly, adopted the CECL standard on January 1, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we followed the incurred loss allowance GAAP accounting model.
For the purpose of estimating our allowance for loan losses, we segregate the loan portfolio into loan categories, for loans that share similar risk characteristics, that possess unique risk characteristics such as loan purpose, repayment source, and collateral that are considered when determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses for each category. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are evaluated individually.
While we use available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions or subtractions to/from the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in NPLs, changes in economic conditions, or other reasons. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of our examination process, periodically assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to assess whether the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with GAAP and applicable guidance.
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We perform an evaluation of our allowance for loan losses on a regular basis (at least quarterly), and establish the allowance for loan losses based upon an evaluation of our loan categories, as each possess unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, including:
•known increases within each category;
•certain higher risk classes of loans, or pledged collateral;
•historical loan loss experience within each category;
•results of any independent review and evaluation of the category’s credit quality;
•trends in volume, maturity and composition of each category;
•volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals;
•national and local economic conditions and downturns in specific local industries;
•corporate goals and objectives;
•lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; and
•current and forecasted banking industry conditions, as well as the regulatory and competitive environment.
Loans are evaluated on a regular basis by management. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of probability of default, or “PD,” loss given default, or “LGD” and exposure at default, or “EAD,” which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories using both a formula-based approach and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. We use a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected credit loss in the loan portfolio. Under our current methodology, the allowance for loan losses contains reserves related to loans for which the related allowance for loan losses is determined on individual loan basis and on a collective basis, and other qualitative components.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the reserving method for loans receivable previously described. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The allowance for loan losses increased by $44.4 million, or 45.4%, to $142.2 million, or 1.05% of total loans, at December 31, 2022 from $97.8 million, or 0.80% of total loans at December 31, 2021. The increase in the allowance for loan losses was primarily a result of our adoption of CECL, as previously described above, and increased loan balances, as previously described above. The additional reserves required as a result of our adoption of CECL were primarily attributable to the loans we acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century which were recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition. Under ASU 2016-13, the credit mark that is a component of the day-one fair value adjustment on acquired loans cannot be considered in the allowance computation, whereas under the incurred loss model, the credit mark could be considered for reserve determination purposes. In connection with our adoption of this standard, we recorded an increase to the allowance for loan losses of $27.1 million which represented the one-time cumulative-effect adjustment.
For additional discussion of our allowance for credit losses measurement methodology, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For additional discussion of the change in allowance for loan losses, refer to the later “Provision for Loan Losses,” included in the “Results of Operations” section within this Item 7. For discussion of our previous methodology for estimating the allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Part II, Item 8 of the 2021 Form 10-K.
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The following table summarizes credit ratios for the periods presented:
Credit Ratios
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loan charge-offs (recoveries): | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | (1,053) | $ | 623 | $ | 992 | $ | (2,625) | $ | 893 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | (91) | 243 | (206) | (12) | (83) | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 223 | 3,567 | 4,855 | 5,370 | 5,970 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | (94) | (87) | (125) | (39) | (125) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | (23) | (161) | 421 | 153 | 225 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 1,625 | 1,373 | 2,129 | 1,811 | 1,676 | |||||||||
| Total net loan charge-offs (recoveries) | $ | 587 | $ | 5,558 | $ | 8,066 | $ | 4,658 | $ | 8,556 | ||||
| Average loans: | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 2,944,064 | $ | 2,015,665 | $ | 2,053,093 | $ | 1,419,875 | $ | 1,185,224 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,886,951 | 3,960,818 | 3,654,887 | 3,667,147 | 3,402,560 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 294,805 | 191,771 | 226,286 | 263,736 | 327,781 | |||||||||
| Business banking | 1,021,720 | 1,241,770 | 1,079,779 | 738,652 | 738,122 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,063,193 | 1,508,796 | 1,398,337 | 1,438,775 | 1,357,116 | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,129,757 | 869,110 | 902,634 | 948,089 | 934,681 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 197,659 | 233,932 | 334,257 | 471,602 | 619,406 | |||||||||
| Average total loans (1) | $ | 12,538,149 | $ | 10,021,862 | $ | 9,649,273 | $ | 8,947,876 | $ | 8,564,890 | ||||
| Total net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans outstanding during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | (0.04) | % | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | (0.18) | % | 0.08 | % | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 0.00 | 0.01 | (0.01) | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Business banking | 0.02 | 0.29 | 0.45 | 0.73 | 0.81 | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 0.00 | (0.01) | (0.01) | 0.00 | (0.01) | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 0.00 | (0.02) | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 0.82 | 0.59 | 0.64 | 0.38 | 0.27 | |||||||||
| Total net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans outstanding during the period | 0.00 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.10 | % | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 13,575,531 | $ | 12,281,510 | $ | 9,730,525 | $ | 8,987,046 | $ | 8,856,003 | ||||
| Total non-accrual loans | $ | 38,604 | $ | 32,993 | $ | 41,005 | $ | 42,451 | $ | 26,172 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 142,211 | $ | 97,787 | $ | 113,031 | $ | 82,297 | $ | 80,655 | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans | 1.05 | % | 0.80 | % | 1.16 | % | 0.92 | % | 0.91 | % | ||||
| Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans | 0.28 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.42 | % | 0.47 | % | 0.30 | % | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans | 368.38 | % | 296.39 | % | 275.65 | % | 193.86 | % | 308.17 | % |
(1)Average loan balances exclude loans held for sale.
Non-accrual loans increased $5.6 million, or 17%, to $38.6 million at December 31, 2022 from $33.0 million at December 31, 2021, primarily due to increases in non-accrual loans in our residential real estate and consumer home equity portfolios of $3.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Non-accrual residential real estate and consumer home equity loans increased primarily due to several loans moving to non-accrual status which had been acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century.
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The following tables sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories listed in loan portfolio composition and the related loan balances as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated:
Summary of Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial (1) | $ | 26,859 | 18.89 | % | 23.21 | % | $ | 18,018 | 18.43 | % | 24.10 | % | |||||||
| Commercial real estate | 54,730 | 38.49 | % | 37.97 | % | 52,373 | 53.56 | % | 36.82 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 7,085 | 4.98 | % | 2.48 | % | 2,585 | 2.64 | % | 1.81 | % | |||||||||
| Business banking (1) | 16,189 | 11.38 | % | 8.03 | % | 10,983 | 11.23 | % | 10.87 | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 28,129 | 19.78 | % | 18.13 | % | 6,556 | 6.70 | % | 15.69 | % | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 6,454 | 4.54 | % | 8.75 | % | 3,722 | 3.81 | % | 8.96 | % | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 2,765 | 1.94 | % | 1.43 | % | 3,308 | 3.38 | % | 1.75 | % | |||||||||
| Other | — | — | % | — | % | 242 | 0.25 | % | — | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 142,211 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 97,787 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial (1) | $ | 26,617 | 23.54 | % | 20.51 | % | $ | 20,919 | 25.42 | % | 18.27 | % | $ | 19,321 | 23.96 | % | 18.73 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 54,569 | 48.28 | % | 36.73 | % | 34,730 | 42.20 | % | 39.34 | % | 32,400 | 40.17 | % | 36.26 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 4,553 | 4.03 | % | 3.14 | % | 3,424 | 4.16 | % | 3.05 | % | 4,606 | 5.71 | % | 3.53 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Business banking (1) | 13,152 | 11.64 | % | 13.76 | % | 8,260 | 10.04 | % | 8.58 | % | 8,167 | 10.13 | % | 8.37 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 6,435 | 5.69 | % | 14.09 | % | 6,380 | 7.75 | % | 15.90 | % | 7,059 | 8.75 | % | 16.16 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 3,744 | 3.31 | % | 8.92 | % | 4,027 | 4.89 | % | 10.38 | % | 4,113 | 5.10 | % | 10.72 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 3,467 | 3.07 | % | 2.85 | % | 4,173 | 5.07 | % | 4.48 | % | 4,600 | 5.70 | % | 6.23 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 494 | 0.44 | % | — | % | 384 | 0.47 | % | — | % | 389 | 0.48 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 113,031 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 82,297 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 80,655 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
(1)PPP loans are included within these portfolios as of December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020; however, as of each such date, no allowance for loan losses was recorded on these loans due to the SBA guarantee of 100% of the loans.
To determine if a loan should be charged-off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed. Possible sources of repayment include the potential for future cash flows, liquidation of the collateral and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses and any recoveries of such previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, we charge off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portions of loans, are deemed uncollectible. For troubled, collateral-dependent loans, loss confirming events may include an appraisal or other valuation that reflects a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan or receivable, or a deficiency balance following the sale of the collateral.
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For additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses, see Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for our membership in the FHLBB is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding and as a tool to manage interest rate risk. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. We purchase and/or are subject to redemption of FHLBB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and view the holdings as a necessary long-term investment for the purpose of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.
We held an investment in the FHLBB of $41.4 million and $10.9 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The amount of stock we are required to purchase is in proportional to our FHLB borrowings and level of total assets. Accordingly, the increase in the FHLB stock is due to increased borrowing.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets were $661.1 million and $649.7 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in goodwill and other intangibles assets was due to the purchase of two insurance agencies during the year ended December 31, 2022. The aggregate amount of goodwill that was added as a result of these acquisitions was $8.7 million. For more information regarding our insurance agency acquisitions, refer to Note 3,“Mergers and Acquisitions” and Note 9,“Goodwill and Other Intangibles” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We did not record any impairment to our goodwill or other intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. We will continue to assess our goodwill and other intangible assets to determine if impairments are necessary.
Deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits originating within the markets we serve continue to be our primary source of funding our earning assets. We have been able to compete effectively for deposits in our primary market areas. The distribution and market share of deposits by type of deposit and by type of depositor are important considerations in our assessment of the stability of our fund sources and our access to additional funds. Furthermore, we shift the mix and maturity of the deposits depending on economic conditions and loan and investment policies in an attempt, within set policies, to minimize cost and maximize net interest margin. In addition, we may occasionally raise funds through the use of brokered deposits.
The following table presents our deposits as of the dates presented:
Components of Deposits
| As of December 31, | Change | Change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount ($) | Amount (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 6,240,637 | $ | 7,020,864 | $ | (780,227) | (11.1) | % | ||||||
| Interest checking | 4,568,122 | 4,478,566 | 89,556 | 2.0 | % | |||||||||
| Savings | 1,831,123 | 2,077,495 | (246,372) | (11.9) | % | |||||||||
| Money market investments | 4,710,095 | 5,525,005 | (814,910) | (14.7) | % | |||||||||
| Certificates of deposit (2) | 1,624,382 | 526,381 | 1,098,001 | 208.6 | % | |||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 18,974,359 | $ | 19,628,311 | $ | (653,952) | (3.3) | % |
(1)The Bank’s estimate of total uninsured deposits was $9.0 billion and $11.0 billion at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(2)Brokered deposits are included in certificates of deposits and amounted to $928.6 million at December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we had purchased no brokered certificates of deposit.
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Deposits decreased by $0.7 billion, or 3.3%, to $19.0 billion at December 31, 2022 from $19.6 billion at December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in money market investments of $0.8 billion, a decrease in demand deposits of $0.8 billion, and a decrease in savings deposits of $0.2 billion. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.1 billion in certificates of deposit. The overall decrease is primarily due to a runoff of higher cost deposits acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century, the runoff of government stimulus funds which had been deposited by our customers, higher market rates resulting in greater industry-wide competition for deposits, and a transfer of deposits during the second quarter of 2022. On January 14, 2022, we announced we had entered into an asset purchase agreement for the transfer of our cannabis-related and money service business deposits relationships, which we acquired from Century, to Needham Bank. On April 1, 2022, we completed the transfer of such deposits, which was subject to a post-transfer settlement period of 60 days. The total amount transferred, which includes amounts transferred during the post-transfer settlement period, was $278.0 million. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of $1.1 billion in certificates of deposit which was primarily attributable to the purchase of $928.6 million of brokered certificates of deposit during the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following table presents the classification of deposits on an average basis for the years indicated:
Classification of Deposits on an Average Basis
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 6,647,518 | — | % | $ | 5,547,615 | — | % | $ | 4,535,066 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest checking | 4,890,709 | 0.24 | % | 2,866,091 | 0.07 | % | 2,227,185 | 0.09 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings | 2,015,651 | 0.01 | % | 1,483,271 | 0.02 | % | 1,123,584 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market investments | 5,057,445 | 0.27 | % | 3,870,712 | 0.06 | % | 3,212,752 | 0.23 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 463,261 | 0.70 | % | 280,141 | 0.21 | % | 300,381 | 0.52 | % | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 19,074,584 | 0.15 | % | $ | 14,047,830 | 0.04 | % | $ | 11,398,968 | 0.10 | % |
Other time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, including certificates of deposits as of the dates indicated had maturities as follows:
Maturities of Time Certificates of Deposit $250,000 and Over
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Maturing in | (In thousands) | |||||
| Three months or less | $ | 39,322 | $ | 113,019 | ||
| Over three months through six months | 45,053 | 53,899 | ||||
| Over six months through twelve months | 149,107 | 33,295 | ||||
| Over twelve months | 5,569 | 23,827 | ||||
| Total | $ | 239,051 | $ | 224,040 |
Borrowings
Our borrowings may consist of both short-term and long-term borrowings and provide us with sources of funding. Maintaining available borrowing capacity provides us with a contingent source of liquidity.
Our total borrowings increased by $706.6 million to $740.8 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $34.3 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in FHLB advances, which we borrowed primarily to fund loan originations. The increase was also due, in part, to an increase in interest rate swap collateral funds, which represents collateral posted to us by our financial institution counterparties for over-the-counter interest rate swaps. At December 31, 2021, our financial institution counterparties were not required to post collateral to us due to the low level of market interest rates. Conversely, at December 31, 2022, following increases in market interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2022, our financial institution counterparties were required to post collateral to us of $14.4 million.
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The following table sets forth information concerning balances on our borrowings as of the dates indicated:
Borrowings by Category
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount ($) | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank short-term advances | $ | 691,297 | $ | 17 | $ | 691,280 | ||||
| Escrow deposits of borrowers | 22,314 | 20,258 | 2,056 | |||||||
| Interest rate swap collateral funds | 14,430 | — | 14,430 | |||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank long-term advances | 12,787 | 14,003 | (1,216) | |||||||
| Total | $ | 740,828 | $ | 34,278 | $ | 706,550 |
Results of Operations
Summary of Results of Operations
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 605,181 | $ | 435,159 | $ | 170,022 | 39.1 | % | ||||||
| Interest expense | 37,127 | 5,332 | 31,795 | 596.3 | % | |||||||||
| Net interest income | 568,054 | 429,827 | 138,227 | 32.2 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for (release of) allowance for loan losses | 17,925 | (9,686) | 27,611 | (285.1) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest income | 176,161 | 193,155 | (16,994) | (8.8) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 469,602 | 443,956 | 25,646 | 5.8 | % | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | 56,929 | 34,047 | 22,882 | 67.2 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 199,759 | $ | 154,665 | $ | 45,094 | 29.2 | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased by $170.0 million, or 39.1%, to $605.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $435.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was primarily a result of our acquisition of Century on November 12, 2021, which added approximately $6.6 billion in interest-earning assets. Overall, the average balance of our interest-earning assets increased $4.9 billion, or 29.6%, to $21.6 billion as of December 31, 2022 compared to $16.7 billion as of December 31, 2021, reflecting the addition of Century assets. Also contributing to the increase in interest and dividend income was an increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets which increased by 22 basis points to 2.86% during the year ended December 31, 2022. Our yields on loans and securities are generally presented on an FTE basis where the embedded tax benefit on loans or securities are calculated and added to the yield. Management believes that this presentation allows for better comparability between institutions with different tax structures.
•Interest income on securities and other short-term investments increased $61.6 million, or 91.1%, to $129.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $67.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in interest income on securities was primarily due to an increase in the average balance and yield of such securities. The average balance of our securities increased $2.4 billion, or 36.3%, to $9.1 billion as of December 31, 2022 compared to $6.7 billion as of December 31, 2021, which was primarily due to securities acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century of $3.1 billion partially offset by a net reduction in the balance of securities as a result of security sales, maturities and principal paydowns in excess of security purchases during the year ended December 31, 2022. The yield on our securities increased 40 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2022 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase is due primarily to HTM securities purchased at higher interest rates as well as an increase in yields on other short-term investments, the latter of which is due to increases in the rate received on reserve balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, commensurate with increases in the federal funds rate.
•Interest income on loans increased by $108.5 million, or 29.5%, to $476.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $367.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in interest
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income on our loans was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans and an increase in the yield on loans partially offset by a decrease in net accretion of PPP loan deferred fees and costs. The average balance of our loans increased $2.5 billion, or 25.1%, to $12.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $10.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2021, which was primarily due to loans acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century of $2.9 billion. The FTE yield on average loans increased 17 basis points to 3.88% during the year ended December 31, 2022. The slight increase in loan yields was primarily due to increases in market rates of interest and was partially offset by a decrease in net accretion of PPP loan deferred fees and costs which decreased $25.3 million to $9.0 million during year ended December 31, 2022 from $34.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $31.8 million, or 596.3%, to $37.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $5.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was attributable to increases in both deposit interest expense and borrowings interest expense.
•Interest expense on our interest-bearing deposits increased by $23.5 million, or 453.9%, to $28.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $5.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to an increase in rates paid on deposits and due to an increase in average interest-bearing deposits. Rates paid on interest-bearing deposits increased by 17 basis points to 0.23% during the year ended December 31, 2022 from 0.06% during the year ended December 31, 2021, which were increased in response to an increase in market rates of interest. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $3.9 billion, or 46.2%, to $12.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $8.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 which was primarily due to our acquisition of Century which added approximately $4.4 billion in interest-bearing deposits.
•Interest expense on borrowed funds increased by $8.3 million to $8.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was primarily attributable to an increase in the average balance. Average borrowed funds increased by $230.1 million, or 868.6%, to $256.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, due to an increase in FHLB advances, which we borrowed to fund loan originations.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income increased by $138.2 million, or 32.2%, to $568.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, from $429.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Net interest income increased due to an increase in yields on interest-earning assets which exceeded the increase in the costs of interest-bearing liabilities. Also contributing to the increase in net interest income was an increase in net interest-earning assets of $0.8 billion, or 9.6%, to $8.9 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $8.2 billion during the year ended December 31, 2021.
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The following chart shows our net interest margin over the past five annual periods including and excluding net PPP loan fee accretion:
Net interest margin is determined by dividing FTE net interest income by average-earning assets. For purposes of the following discussion, income from tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 21.8% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Net interest margin, including PPP loan interest income, increased 8 basis points to 2.69% during the year ended December 31, 2022, from 2.61% during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to an increase in market rates of interest and was partially offset by a decline in PPP net fee accretion of $25.3 million in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2021. For additional discussion of the decline in the PPP loan net fee accretion and increased interest rates, refer to the earlier “Outlook and Trends” section within this Item 7.
The following tables set forth average balance sheet items, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances in the table reflect daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.
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Average Balances, Interest Earned/Paid, & Average Yields/Costs
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 2,064,609 | $ | 63,803 | 3.09 | % | $ | 1,510,703 | $ | 47,143 | 3.12 | % | $ | 1,400,907 | $ | 49,767 | 3.55 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 9,147,540 | 366,097 | 4.00 | % | 7,410,024 | 288,557 | 3.89 | % | 7,014,044 | 281,816 | 4.02 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,327,417 | 56,965 | 4.29 | % | 1,103,042 | 36,019 | 3.27 | % | 1,236,893 | 43,729 | 3.54 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 12,539,566 | 486,865 | 3.88 | % | 10,023,769 | 371,719 | 3.71 | % | 9,651,844 | 375,312 | 3.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 253,651 | 9,091 | 3.58 | % | 260,399 | 9,335 | 3.58 | % | 265,511 | 9,899 | 3.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 8,413,217 | 118,690 | 1.41 | % | 4,890,737 | 58,312 | 1.19 | % | 1,560,610 | 31,831 | 2.04 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 420,834 | 3,271 | 0.78 | % | 1,514,351 | 1,886 | 0.12 | % | 1,288,714 | 1,758 | 0.14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 21,627,268 | 617,917 | 2.86 | % | 16,689,256 | 441,252 | 2.64 | % | 12,766,679 | 418,800 | 3.28 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 986,865 | 1,173,830 | 1,097,064 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 22,614,133 | $ | 17,863,086 | $ | 13,863,743 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 2,015,651 | $ | 209 | 0.01 | % | $ | 1,483,271 | $ | 230 | 0.02 | % | $ | 1,123,584 | $ | 242 | 0.02 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 4,890,709 | 11,675 | 0.24 | % | 2,866,091 | 1,997 | 0.07 | % | 2,227,185 | 2,033 | 0.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 5,057,445 | 13,479 | 0.27 | % | 3,870,712 | 2,342 | 0.06 | % | 3,212,752 | 7,492 | 0.23 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 463,261 | 3,258 | 0.70 | % | 280,141 | 598 | 0.21 | % | 300,381 | 1,548 | 0.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 12,427,066 | 28,621 | 0.23 | % | 8,500,215 | 5,167 | 0.06 | % | 6,863,902 | 11,315 | 0.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased (7) | 964 | 24 | 2.49 | % | — | — | — | % | 45,204 | 570 | 1.26 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 255,668 | 8,482 | 3.32 | % | 26,495 | 165 | 0.62 | % | 26,897 | 192 | 0.71 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 12,683,698 | 37,127 | 0.29 | % | 8,526,710 | 5,332 | 0.06 | % | 6,936,003 | 12,077 | 0.17 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand accounts | 6,647,518 | 5,547,615 | 4,535,066 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 451,384 | 364,191 | 352,518 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 19,782,600 | 14,438,516 | 11,823,587 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 2,831,533 | 3,424,570 | 2,040,156 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 22,614,133 | $ | 17,863,086 | $ | 13,863,743 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income - FTE | $ | 580,790 | $ | 435,920 | $ | 406,723 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (2) | 2.57 | % | 2.58 | % | 3.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (3) | $ | 8,943,570 | $ | 8,162,546 | $ | 5,830,676 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin - FTE (4) | 2.69 | % | 2.61 | % | 3.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 170.51 | % | 195.73 | % | 184.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average assets (5) | 0.88 | % | 0.87 | % | 0.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity (6) | 7.05 | % | 4.52 | % | 1.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expenses to average assets | 2.08 | % | 2.49 | % | 3.64 | % |
(1)Non-accrual loans are included in Loans.
(2)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin - FTE represents fully-taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. Refer to the earlier “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section within this Item 7 for additional information.
(5)Represents net income divided by average total assets.
(6)Represents net income divided by average equity.
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(7)Federal funds purchased and the related interest expense for the 2020 period primarily related to federal funds purchased for correspondent bank customers.
The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
Rate and Volume Analysis
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 vs. 2021 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rate | Volume | Rate | Volume | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | (462) | $ | 17,122 | $ | 16,660 | $ | (6,339) | $ | 3,715 | $ | (2,624) | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 8,201 | 69,339 | 77,540 | (8,852) | 15,593 | 6,741 | ||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 12,715 | 8,231 | 20,946 | (3,190) | (4,520) | (7,710) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 20,454 | 94,692 | 115,146 | (18,381) | 14,788 | (3,593) | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | (2) | (242) | (244) | (376) | (188) | (564) | ||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 12,245 | 48,133 | 60,378 | (17,822) | 44,303 | 26,481 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term investments | 3,611 | (2,226) | 1,385 | (162) | 290 | 128 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | 36,308 | $ | 140,357 | $ | 176,665 | $ | (36,741) | $ | 59,193 | $ | 22,452 | ||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | (89) | $ | 68 | $ | (21) | $ | (78) | $ | 66 | $ | (12) | ||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 7,496 | 2,182 | 9,678 | (544) | 508 | (36) | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 10,217 | 920 | 11,137 | (6,438) | 1,288 | (5,150) | ||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 2,070 | 590 | 2,660 | (852) | (98) | (950) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 19,694 | 3,760 | 23,454 | (7,912) | 1,764 | (6,148) | ||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds purchased | — | 24 | 24 | — | (570) | (570) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 2,773 | 5,544 | 8,317 | (24) | (3) | (27) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 22,467 | 9,328 | 31,795 | (7,936) | 1,191 | (6,745) | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | 13,841 | $ | 131,029 | $ | 144,870 | $ | (28,805) | $ | 58,002 | $ | 29,197 |
The following chart shows the composition of our quarterly average interest-earning assets for the past five quarters:
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Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses represents the charge to expense that is required to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses. During the year ended December 31, 2021, management determined the allowance for loan losses in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies” and ASC 310, “Receivables” (i.e., prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-13).
We recorded a provision for loan losses of $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a release of $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Management determined a provision to be necessary primarily due to increased loan balances. Also contributing to the provision for the year ended December 31, 2022 was an increase in the overall reserve rate. The reserve rate increased by 25 basis points to 1.05% at December 31, 2022 from 0.80% at December 31, 2021. We recorded a transition adjustment in connection with our adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2022 of $27.1 million which resulted in an increase in the reserve rate to 1.02% at that time based upon loan balances as of December 31, 2021. Subsequently, the reserve rate further increased by 3 basis points to 1.05% as of December 31, 2022 which was the result of changes in macroeconomic conditions.
To determine our allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2022 and the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2022, we used the Oxford Economics December 31, 2022 Baseline forecast (“the forecast”) to generate our modeled expected losses by loan portfolio in order to reflect management’s reasonable expectations of current and future economic conditions. The forecast assumed the U.S. economy will enter a recession in the second quarter of 2023, reflecting the combination of persistently high inflation, aggressive Federal Reserve monetary policy tightening, slower global gross domestic product (“GDP”) activity, and weaker corporate earnings, all of which are expected to adversely impact consumers’ and businesses’ willingness to spend. Primary macroeconomic assumptions included in management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses included continued low, but rising, unemployment rates which are expected to continue to rise until their peak in early 2024, and a peak-to-trough decline in GDP of 1.2%. Further, the forecast assumed that the FOMC will continue to raise interest rates into early 2023 following its most recent December 2022 increase but then remain flat into early 2024. For additional discussion of our allowance for credit losses measurement methodology, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For discussion of our previous methodology for estimating the allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 6, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021 Form 10-K”).
Our periodic evaluation of the appropriate allowance for loan losses considers the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs.
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Noninterest Income
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest income for the periods shown:
Noninterest Income
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance commissions | $ | 99,232 | $ | 94,704 | $ | 4,528 | 4.8 | % | ||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 30,392 | 24,271 | 6,121 | 25.2 | % | |||||||||
| Trust and investment advisory fees | 23,593 | 24,588 | (995) | (4.0) | % | |||||||||
| Debit card processing fees | 12,644 | 12,118 | 526 | 4.3 | % | |||||||||
| Interest rate swap income | 6,009 | 5,634 | 375 | 6.7 | % | |||||||||
| (Losses) income from investments held in rabbi trusts | (10,762) | 10,217 | (20,979) | (205.3) | % | |||||||||
| Gains on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net | 248 | 3,605 | (3,357) | (93.1) | % | |||||||||
| (Losses) gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | (3,157) | 1,166 | (4,323) | (370.8) | % | |||||||||
| Other | 17,962 | 16,852 | 1,110 | 6.6 | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 176,161 | $ | 193,155 | $ | (16,994) | (8.8) | % |
Noninterest income decreased by $17.0 million, or 8.8%, to $176.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $193.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $21.0 million decrease in income from investments held in rabbi trusts which resulted from a current period net loss from such investments, a $4.3 million decrease in gains on sales of securities available for sale which resulted from a current period net loss from such sales compared to a net gain in the comparative prior period, and a $3.4 million decrease in net gains on sales of mortgage loans. These decreases were partially offset by a $6.1 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts and an $4.5 million increase in insurance commissions.
•Income from investments held in rabbi trusts decreased to a net loss primarily as a result of an unfavorable mark-to-market adjustment on equity securities held in these accounts resulting from a decline in the market value of equity securities held in rabbi trusts.
•Gains on sales of securities available for sale, net, decreased to a net loss due to the decision by management to sell certain available for sale securities during the year ended December 31, 2022, a portion of which were acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century and were in a net unrealized loss position at the time of sale.
•Net gains resulting from the sale of mortgage loans held for sale decreased due to a reduction in the volume of our mortgage loan sales on the secondary market which was primarily due to rising market rates of interest.
•Service charges on deposit accounts increased primarily as a result of increased corporate account analysis charges as a result of greater commercial deposit customer activity. The increased customer deposit activity is primarily attributable to our acquisition of Century.
•Insurance commissions increased due to an increase in recurring commission income which was attributable to recent insurance agency acquisitions. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of such agency acquisitions.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest expense for the periods shown:
Noninterest Expense
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | Century Merger & Acquisition Expenses (1) | Change Excluding Merger & Acquisition Expenses (1) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 298,186 | $ | 295,916 | $ | 2,270 | 0.8 | % | $ | 15,947 | $ | 18,217 | |||||||||
| Office occupancy and equipment | 40,764 | 40,465 | 299 | 0.7 | % | 7,198 | 7,497 | ||||||||||||||
| Data processing | 57,273 | 50,839 | 6,434 | 12.7 | % | 1,286 | 7,720 | ||||||||||||||
| Professional services | 16,814 | 21,879 | (5,065) | (23.2) | % | 9,223 | 4,158 | ||||||||||||||
| Marketing | 9,540 | 8,741 | 799 | 9.1 | % | — | 799 | ||||||||||||||
| Loan expenses | 6,384 | 9,114 | (2,730) | (30.0) | % | — | (2,730) | ||||||||||||||
| FDIC insurance | 6,250 | 4,226 | 2,024 | 47.9 | % | — | 2,024 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 3,864 | 2,512 | 1,352 | 53.8 | % | — | 1,352 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 30,527 | 10,264 | 20,263 | 197.4 | % | 1,802 | 22,065 | ||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 469,602 | $ | 443,956 | $ | 25,646 | 5.8 | % | $ | 35,456 | $ | 61,102 |
(1)We recorded merger and acquisition expenses of $35.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 related to our acquisition of Century. These merger and acquisition expenses were deducted from the corresponding financial statement line items in the above table to compute the related change excluding such expenses for purposes of the below discussion.
Noninterest expense increased by $25.6 million, or 5.8%, to $469.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $444.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to the following financial statement line items (changes excluding merger and acquisition expenses included in such financial statement line items): an $18.2 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $22.1 million increase in other noninterest expenses, a $7.7 million increase in data processing, and a $7.5 million increase in office occupancy and equipment. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in merger and acquisition expenses of $35.2 million to $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $35.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021.
•Salaries and employee benefits, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased primarily due to salaries and wages for newly hired employees and former employees of Century who were retained following the acquisition. In addition, share-based compensation, which is related to restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) granted in the fourth quarter of 2021 and second quarter of 2022 and awards of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”) granted in the first quarter of 2022, increased $10.3 million. The increase is due to a full year of expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022 related to RSAs granted in 2021 and a partial year of expense during the year ended December 31, 2022 related to RSAs, RSUs and PSUs granted in 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized expense related to RSAs for approximately one month as such awards were granted on November 30, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, we had not granted any awards of RSUs or PSUs. Lastly, our deferrals of loan origination-related costs decreased by $9.9 million, resulting in a corresponding increase in salaries and employee benefits expenses. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $10.7 million in benefit expense related to our defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan (“DC SERP”). Participant benefits are adjusted based upon deemed investment performance. Accordingly, such investments experienced a decline in value during the year ended December 31, 2022 resulting in a corresponding decrease in the related benefit expense.
•Other noninterest expenses, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased primarily due to a pension settlement-related expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022 of $12.0 million related to the Defined Benefit Plan. For additional information regarding this charge, refer to Note 17, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Also contributing to the overall increase was an $2.2 million increase in liability insurance expense, which was primarily due to regular insurance rate premium increases and our acquisition of Century, which increased the number of our properties and, therefore, the scope of our required insurance coverage, a $1.9 million increase in customer bad check losses during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31,
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2021, consistent with a nationwide increase in mail-based check fraud, and a $1.5 million increase in our provision for off-balance sheet credit exposures which was primarily due to an increase in unfunded loan commitments. Partially offsetting these items was a decrease of $3.3 million in legal expenses associated with the settlement of two putative consumer class action litigation matters related to overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees. The accrual for such expenses was initially recorded during the second quarter of 2021 and final settlement of the legal matters occurred during the first quarter of 2022. For additional information, refer to Note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
•Data processing expenses, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, are primarily comprised of costs associated with the processing of customer transactions including loans and deposits and are partially impacted by fluctuations in related transaction volume. Such expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2022 from the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to our acquisition of Century in the fourth quarter of 2021 which resulted in the acquisition of additional loan and deposit customers.
•Office occupancy and equipment, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, increased during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to the addition of properties resulting from our acquisition of Century and which included a $2.1 million increase in depreciation expense, and lease impairment charges of $0.6 million, which were due to an early termination of a lease acquired from Century.
•Merger and acquisition expenses decreased $35.2 million to $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $35.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. In connection with our acquisition of Century, which we completed on November 12, 2021, we incurred merger and acquisition costs of $35.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. For additional information on our acquisition of Century, see Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes
We recognize the tax effect of all income and expense transactions in each year’s consolidated statements of income, regardless of the year in which the transactions are reported for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth information regarding our tax provision and applicable tax rates for the periods indicated:
Tax Provision and Applicable Tax Rates
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Combined federal and state income tax provisions | $ | 56,929 | $ | 34,047 | ||
| Effective income tax rates | 22.2 | % | 18.0 | % | ||
| Blended statutory tax rate | 28.1 | % | 28.1 | % |
Income tax expense increased by $22.9 million to $56.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 from $34.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in income tax expense was due primarily to higher pre-tax income during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 and an increase in our effective income tax rate. The increase in our effective income tax rate was due primarily to a partial release of $11.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 related to a valuation allowance established as of December 31, 2020 against our charitable contribution carryover deferred tax asset in connection with our 2020 charitable contribution to the Eastern Bank Foundation compared to a release of $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. For additional information related to our income taxes see Note 12, “Income Taxes” and Note 14, “Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Other Tax Credit Investments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Financial Position and Results of Operations of our Business Segments
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banking Business | Insurance Agency Business | Other/ Eliminations | Total | Banking Business | Insurance Agency Business | Other/ Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 568,054 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 568,054 | $ | 429,827 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 429,827 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for (release of) allowance for loan losses | 17,925 | — | — | 17,925 | (9,686) | — | — | (9,686) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 550,129 | — | — | 550,129 | 439,513 | — | — | 439,513 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 78,002 | 98,814 | (655) | 176,161 | 96,376 | 97,168 | (389) | 193,155 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 390,880 | 83,208 | (4,486) | 469,602 | 365,410 | 82,780 | (4,234) | 443,956 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 237,251 | 15,606 | 3,831 | 256,688 | 170,479 | 14,388 | 3,845 | 188,712 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 52,521 | 4,408 | — | 56,929 | 29,994 | 4,053 | — | 34,047 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 184,730 | $ | 11,198 | $ | 3,831 | $ | 199,759 | $ | 140,485 | $ | 10,335 | $ | 3,845 | $ | 154,665 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 22,498,175 | $ | 215,190 | $ | (66,507) | $ | 22,646,858 | $ | 23,376,521 | $ | 204,768 | $ | (69,161) | $ | 23,512,128 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 20,192,632 | $ | 48,943 | $ | (66,507) | $ | 20,175,068 | $ | 20,125,218 | $ | 49,719 | $ | (69,161) | $ | 20,105,776 |
Banking Segment
•Interest and dividend income increased by $170.0 million, or 39.1%, to $605.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $435.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was primarily due to an increase in average interest-earning assets. Average interest-earning assets increased $4.9 billion, or 29.6%, to $21.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $16.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Century, which closed on November 12, 2021 and added approximately $6.6 billion in interest-earning assets. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Interest and Dividends” section.
•Interest expense increased $31.8 million, or 596.3%, to $37.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $5.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was primarily due to increased rates paid on deposits which increased 17 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The overall change in average interest-bearing liabilities also contributed to the increase in interest expense and increased $4.2 billion, or 48.8%, to $12.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $8.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, with average total interest-bearing deposits, our largest category of average interest-bearing liabilities, growing $3.9 billion, or 46.2%, to $12.4 billion as of December 31, 2022 compared to $8.5 billion as of December 31, 2021. Average interest-bearing deposits increased primarily due to our acquisition of Century, which added $4.4 billion in interest-bearing deposits. Also contributing to the increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was average borrowings which increased $230.1 million to $256.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in borrowings was primarily to provide additional liquidity for the funding of loan growth. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Interest and Dividends” section.
•We recorded a provision for allowance for loan losses of $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a release of allowance for loan losses of $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. We determined a provision to be appropriate primarily due to overall increased loan balances during the year ended December 31, 2022. Comparatively, during the year ended December 31, 2021, following continued improvement in economic and credit conditions, we had determined that a release of the provision was necessary. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Provision for Loan Losses” section.
•Losses from investments held in rabbi trust accounts were $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 which represents a decrease of $18.7 million, or 201.9%, from income of $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily the result of an unfavorable mark-to-market adjustment on equity securities held in these accounts during the year ended December 31, 2022.
•Losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, were $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 which represents a decrease of $4.3 million from the year ended December 31, 2021, a period during which we recognized a net gain of $1.2 million. The net loss on sale was due to the decision by management to sell certain
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AFS securities during the year ended December 31, 2022, the majority of which were acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century and were in a net unrealized loss position at the time of sale.
•Gains on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net, were $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 which represents a decrease of $3.4 million from gains of $3.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the volume of our mortgage loan sales on the secondary market which was primarily due to rising market rates of interest.
•Partially offsetting the losses from investments held in rabbi trust accounts and losses on sales of securities available for sale during the year ended December 31, 2022 were service charges on deposit accounts which increased $6.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of increased corporate account analysis charges as a result of greater commercial deposit customer activity during the year ended December 31, 2022.
•Noninterest expense increased $25.5 million, or 7.0%, to $390.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $365.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $22.1 million in salaries and wages expense, a $10.4 million pension settlement-related expense during the year ended December 31, 2022 (representing the banking segment-only portion of the total settlement-related expense recognized), an increase of $10.3 million in share-based compensation, and an increase of $6.4 million in data processing expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $19.0 million in other compensation which was primarily attributable to decreased merger and acquisition-related expenses. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Noninterest Expense” section.
Insurance Agency Segment
•Noninterest income related to our insurance agency business increased by $1.6 million, or 1.7%, to $98.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $97.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to increased commission income. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Noninterest Income” section.
•Noninterest expense related to our insurance agency business remained relatively consistent during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 with a slight increase of $0.4 million, or 0.5%, to $83.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from $82.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The slight increase is primarily due to the previously mentioned pension settlement-related expense, of which $1.6 million related to the insurance agency segment.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
While our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses. Through December 31, 2021, the allowance for loan losses represented management’s best estimate of incurred probable losses in our loan portfolios based upon management’s assessment of various factors, including the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs. Our methodology for determining the qualitative component through December 31, 2021 included an assessment of factors affecting the determination of incurred losses in the loan portfolio. Such factors included trends in economic conditions, loan growth, credit underwriting policy exceptions, regulatory and audit findings, and peer comparisons, among others. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, effective January 1, 2022, we changed our reserve methodology to estimate expected credit losses over the contractual life of loans and leases. The allowance for credit losses, or ACL, is established to provide for our current estimate of expected lifetime credit losses on loans measured at amortized cost and unfunded lending commitments at the balance sheet date and is established through a provision for credit losses charged to net income.
Management uses a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of expected lifetime losses in the portfolio. Expected lifetime losses are estimated on a collective basis for loans sharing similar risk characteristics and are determined using a quantitative model combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors designed to address forecast
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risk and model risk inherent in the quantitative model output. For commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking portfolios, the quantitative model uses a loan rating system which is comprised of management’s determination of a financial asset’s probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”), which are derived from historical loss experience and other factors. For residential real estate, consumer home equity and other consumer portfolios, our quantitative model uses historical loss experience.
The quantitative model estimates expected credit losses using loan level data over the estimated life of the exposure, considering the effect of prepayments. Economic forecasts, one of the most significant judgments influencing the ACL, are incorporated into the estimate over a reasonable and supportable forecast period of eight quarters, beyond which is a reversion to our historical loss average which occurs over a period of four quarters.
Management’s estimate of the ACL as of December 31, 2022 was supported, in part, by Oxford Economic’s, December 2022 Baseline forecast (“the forecast”). The forecast assumed the U.S. economy will enter a recession in the second quarter of 2023, reflecting the combination of persistently high inflation, aggressive Federal Reserve monetary policy tightening, slower GDP activity, and weaker corporate earnings, all of which are expected to adversely impact consumers’ and businesses’ willingness to spend. Primary macroeconomic assumptions included in management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses included continued low, but rising, unemployment rates which are expected to continue to rise until their peak in early 2024, and a peak-to-trough decline in GDP of 1.2%. Further, the forecast assumed that the FOMC will continue to raise interest rates into early 2023 following its December 2022 increase but then remain flat into early 2024. Changes in the economic forecast could significantly affect the estimated credit losses which could potentially lead to materially different reserve amounts from one reporting period to the next.
To illustrate the sensitivity of the modeled result to the impact of a hypothetical change in the economic forecast, management calculated the allowance for loan losses assuming the downside economic forecast scenario and, separately, the upside economic forecast scenario were used. The downside scenario assumed the US economy will enter a recession in the first quarter of 2023 and experience a decline in GDP of 3.2% peak-to-trough. Use of the downside scenario would have resulted in an incremental increase in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $10.4 million as of December 31, 2022. The upside scenario assumed GDP growth of 1.4% in 2023, 1.9% in 2024 and sustained recovery. Use of the upside scenario would have resulted in an incremental decrease in the allowance for loan losses of approximately $3.1 million as of December 31, 2022.
For additional information on our allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes by establishing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates. We make significant judgments regarding the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This requires subjective projections of future taxable income resulting from interest on loans and securities, as well as noninterest income. A valuation allowance is established if it is considered more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Interest and penalties paid on the underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense.
We periodically evaluate the potential uncertainty of our tax positions as to whether it is more likely than not its position would be upheld upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
For additional information on our income taxes, refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pension and other Post Retirement Benefit Plans. For information regarding our pension and other postretirement benefit plans including our pension contributions, investment strategies, assumptions, the change in benefit obligation and related plan assets, pension funding requirements and future net benefit payments, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 17, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our defined benefit pension plans are accounted for on an actuarial basis, which requires the selection of various assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“Defined Benefit Plan”), a discount rate, lump sum conversion rates, compensation and benefit limitation increase assumptions, mortality rates of participants and expectation of mortality improvement. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets that is utilized in determining Defined Benefit Plan pension expense is derived from periodic studies, which include a review of asset allocation strategies, investment policy, amount and types of expenses that will be paid from the Defined Benefit Plan, and the expected long-term return for the Defined Benefit Plan using recent forward looking capital market assumptions published by leading financial organizations. While the studies give appropriate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumptions are primarily long-term, prospective rates of return.
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An investment policy study was completed for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan as of December 31, 2022. As a result of the study, it was determined that the weighted-average long-term rate of return on assets in effect at December 31, 2021 of 7.00%, should be increased to 7.50% at December 31, 2022.
Another key assumption in determining net pension expense is the assumed discount rate used to discount plan obligations. We estimate the assumed discount rate for all pension plans using a cash flow matching approach, which uses projected cash flows matched to spot rates along the Financial Times Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) above-median yield curve to determine the weighted-average discount rate for the calculation of the present value of cash flows. We apply the individual annual yield curve rates instead of the assumed discount rate to determine the service cost and interest cost, which more specifically links the cash flows related to service cost and interest cost to bonds maturing in their year of payment.
For our Defined Benefit Plan and the Non-Qualified Benefit Equalization Plan, the interest rates used to convert annuities to the actuarial equivalent lump sum amounts were selected based on the applicable segment rates under Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e) for the plan year beginning on November 1, 2022.
The Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) most recently issued mortality improvement tables during the year ended December 31, 2021. We reviewed our recent mortality experience and we determined our current mortality assumptions were appropriate to measure our pension plan obligations as of December 31, 2022.
Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension obligations. The effects of actual results differing from assumptions and the changing of assumptions are included in unamortized net actuarial gains and losses that are subject to amortization to pension expense over future periods. The unamortized pre-tax actuarial loss on all of our pension plans was $99.0 million and $128.4 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The year-over-year change was primarily due to an increase in discount rate assumptions used for determining the benefit obligation and lump sum conversion rates.
The overfunded status of all of our pension plans improved during the year ended December 31, 2022 to $56.8 million from $44.5 million primarily due to: (i) the favorable effect of an increase in discount rates of $97.6 million; (ii) the favorable effect of an increase in lump sum conversion rates of $39.3 million; and (iii) changes in other actuarial assumptions and demographic data updates; partially offset by (iv) the unfavorable effect of increased service and interest costs of $4.6 million; and (v) actual pension plan investment returns less than expected of $127.0 million.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for the pension plans, holding all other assumptions constant:
| Effect on 2023 Pension Expense | Effect on December 31, 2022 Pension Benefit Obligation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| 25 basis point decrease in discount rate | $ | 539 | $ | 7,786 | ||
| 25 basis point increase in discount rate | (519) | (7,472) | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in expected rate of return on plan assets | 1,005 | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in expected rate of return on plan assets | (1,005) | N/A | ||||
| 25 basis point decrease in lump sum conversion rates | 494 | 3,558 | ||||
| 25 basis point increase in lump sum conversion rates | (472) | (3,404) |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). This update modifies how an acquiring entity measures contract assets and contract liabilities of an acquiree in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. The amendments in this update require the acquiring entity in a business combination to account for revenue contracts as if they had originated the contract and assess how the acquiree accounted for the contract under Topic 606. ASU 2021-08 improves comparability of recognition and measurement of revenue contracts with customers both before and after a business combination. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments with early adoption permitted. We expect the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures (“ASU 2022-02”). The amendments in this update eliminate the accounting guidance
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on troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) for creditors in ASC 310-40 and amends the guidance on vintage disclosures, referenced in ASC 326-20-50, to require disclosure of current-period gross write-offs by year of origination. This update supersedes the existing accounting guidance for TDRs in ASC 310-40 in its entirety and requires entities to evaluate all receivable modifications under existing accounting guidance in ASC 310-20 to determine whether a modification made to a borrower results in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. In addition to the elimination of TDR accounting guidance, entities that adopt this update will no longer consider renewals, modifications and extensions that result from reasonably expected TDRs in their calculation of the allowance for credit losses. Further, if an entity employs a discounted cash flow method to calculate the allowance for credit losses, it will be required to use a post-modification-derived effective interest rate as part of its calculation. The update also requires new disclosures for receivables for which there has been a modification in their contractual cash flows resulting from borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities may elect to apply the updated guidance on TDR recognition and measurement by using a modified retrospective transition method. The amendments on TDR disclosures and vintage disclosures should be adopted prospectively. On January 1, 2023, we adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method with respect to the updated guidance on TDR recognition and measurement and the prospective approach with regard to the TDR and vintage disclosures. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements that may affect our financial position or results of operations, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management of Market Risk
General. Market risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and/or income to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices. Interest rate sensitivity is the most significant market risk to which we are exposed. Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of the net present value of assets and liabilities and/or income to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, as well as fluctuations in the level and duration of assets and liabilities, affect net interest income, our primary source of income. Interest rate risk arises directly from our core banking activities. In addition to directly impacting net interest income, changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the amount of loans originated, the timing of cash flows on loans and securities, and the fair value of securities and derivatives, as well as other effects. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control this risk within limits approved by the Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors.
These limits reflect our tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons. We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and where appropriate, hedging our exposure. If assets and liabilities do not re-price simultaneously and in equal volume, the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Our objective is to maintain stability in the growth of net interest income through the maintenance of an appropriate mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and, when necessary and within limits that management determines to be prudent, through the use of off-balance sheet hedging instruments including, but not limited to, interest rate swaps, floors and caps.
Net Interest Income. We analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through a net interest income model. We estimate what our net interest income would be for a 12-month period assuming no changes in interest rates. We then estimate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that market rates increase or decrease instantaneously by +200, +300, +400, -100 and -200 basis point increments, with changes in interest rates representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Changes in Interest Rates” column below. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. The relatively low level of market interest rates prevalent at December 31, 2021 precluded the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios. We do not model negative interest rate scenarios.
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The tables below set forth, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the calculation of the estimated changes in our net interest income on an FTE basis that would result from the designated immediate changes in market interest rates:
Interest Rate Sensitivity
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Net Interest Income Year 1 Forecast | Year 1 Change from Level | ||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| 400 | $ | 528,247 | (8.4)% | |||
| 300 | 539,739 | (6.4)% | ||||
| 200 | 552,231 | (4.2)% | ||||
| Flat | 576,477 | —% | ||||
| (100) | 585,728 | 1.6% | ||||
| (200) | 586,771 | 1.8% | ||||
| As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Net Interest Income Year 1 Forecast | Year 1 Change from Level | ||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| 400 | $ | 663,207 | 30.2% | |||
| 300 | 624,384 | 22.6% | ||||
| 200 | 586,319 | 15.1% | ||||
| Flat | 509,379 | —% | ||||
| (100) | 479,489 | (5.9)% |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities, except in the down 100 basis points scenario, where rates are floored at zero at all maturities.
As of December 31, 2022, our models, as indicated above, show a decline in our net interest income in rising rate scenarios and an increase in our net interest income in falling rate scenarios. In the rising rate scenarios, interest expense is expected to rise at a faster rate than interest income due, in part, to the extension of asset duration from our interest rate swap portfolio designated as cash flow hedges and the reduction of liability duration due to the increase in short term certificates of deposit and borrowings. Conversely, in the declining rate scenarios, the reduction in interest expense exceeds the reduction in interest income. The tables above indicate that at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, in the event of an instantaneous parallel 200 basis points increase in rates, we would have experienced a 4.2% decrease and a 15.1% increase, respectively, in net interest income on an FTE basis, and in the event of an instantaneous 100 basis points decrease in interest rates, we would have experienced a 1.6% increase and a 5.9% decrease at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, in net interest income, on an FTE basis. We also modeled an instantaneous 200 basis point decrease in interest rates at December 31, 2022, the results of which showed we would have experienced a 1.8% increase in net interest income, on an FTE basis. We did not model an instantaneous 200 basis points decrease in interest rates at December 31, 2021 given the relatively low level of interest rates. Management may use investment strategy, loan and deposit pricing, non-core funding strategies, and interest rate derivative financial instruments, within internal policy guidelines, to manage interest rate risk as part of our asset/liability strategy. These derivatives provide significant protection against falling interest rates. For additional information related to our interest rate derivative financial instruments, see Note 19, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
Economic Value of Equity Analysis. We also analyze the sensitivity of our financial condition in interest rates through our economic value of equity (“EVE”) model. This analysis calculates the difference between the present value of expected cash flows from assets and liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates.
The table below represents an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in our EVE, resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve (+200, +300, +400 basis points and -100, -200 basis points) at December 31, 2022 and (+200, +300, +400 basis points and -100 basis points) December 31, 2021. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the
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modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. The relatively low level of interest rates prevalent at December 31, 2021 precluded the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios, including negative interest rates.
Our earnings are not directly or materially impacted by movements in foreign currency rates or commodity prices. Movements in equity prices may have a modest impact on earnings by affecting the volume of activity or the amount of fees from investment-related business lines and by affecting the amount of unrealized gains and losses from securities held in rabbi trusts which are partially offset by a corresponding but opposite impact to the amount of employee benefit expense associated with the change in value of plan assets.
EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) | Estimated EVE (2) | As of December 31, 2022 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||||||||
| Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| 400 | $ | 3,691,963 | $ | (691,696) | (15.8) | % | 18.48 | % | ||||||
| 300 | 3,834,512 | (549,147) | (12.5) | % | 18.72 | % | ||||||||
| 200 | 4,007,265 | (376,394) | (8.6) | % | 19.04 | % | ||||||||
| Flat | 4,383,659 | — | — | 19.66 | % | |||||||||
| (100) | 4,527,743 | 144,084 | 3.3 | % | 19.74 | % | ||||||||
| (200) | 4,620,994 | 237,335 | 5.4 | % | 19.61 | % |
| Change in Interest Rate (basis points) (1) | Estimated EVE (2) | As of December 31, 2021 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||||||||
| Amount ($) | Percent (%) | |||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| 400 | $ | 4,573,359 | $ | 27,408 | 0.6 | % | 21.30 | % | ||||||
| 300 | 4,565,019 | 19,068 | 0.4 | % | 20.80 | % | ||||||||
| 200 | 4,589,035 | 43,084 | 0.9 | % | 20.39 | % | ||||||||
| Flat | 4,545,951 | — | — | 17.06 | % | |||||||||
| (100) | 4,270,433 | (275,518) | (6.1) | % | 17.75 | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities, except in the down 100 basis points scenario, where rates are floored at zero at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the interest rate risk measurement methodologies underlying the data presented in the tables in this section. Modeling changes require making certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. For example, the models assume that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assume that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the tables provide an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates, and actual results may differ.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
Liquidity. Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet deposit withdrawals and anticipated loan fundings, as well as current and planned expenditures. We seek to maintain sources of liquidity that are deep and diversified and that may be used during the normal course of business as well as on a contingency basis.
Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, and proceeds from calls, maturities and sales of securities, subject to market conditions. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan and securities prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are unencumbered cash and due from banks and securities classified as available for sale, which could be liquidated, subject to market conditions. In the future, our liquidity position will be affected by the level of customer deposits and payments, as well as acquisitions, dividends, and share
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repurchases in which we may engage. For the next twelve months, we believe that our existing resources, including our capacity to use brokered deposits and wholesale borrowings, will be sufficient to meet the liquidity and capital requirements of our operations. We may elect to raise additional capital through the sale of additional equity or debt financing to fund business activities such as strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, or other purposes beyond the next twelve months.
At December 31, 2022, we had $169.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $1.1 billion from $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021. The reduction in cash levels was due primarily to a $1.3 billion increase in total loans, on a gross basis, and a $654.0 million decrease in total deposits. Advances from the FHLBB were used to support ongoing operations and totaled $704.1 million at December 31, 2022.
We participate in the IntraFi Network, which allows us to provide access to multi-million dollar FDIC deposit insurance protection on customer deposits for consumers, businesses and public entities. We can elect to sell or repurchase this funding as reciprocal deposits from other IntraFi Network banks depending on our funding needs. At December 31, 2022, we had no IntraFi Network one-way sell deposits. At December 31, 2021, we had $520.5 million of IntraFi Network one-way sell deposits. At December 31, 2022, we had repurchased $665.0 million of previously sold reciprocal deposits. At December 31, 2021, no amounts were repurchased of previously sold reciprocal deposits. The additional capacity of $520.5 million at December 31, 2021 was considered a source of liquidity.
Although customer deposits remain our preferred source of funds, maintaining additional sources of liquidity is part of our prudent liquidity risk management practices. We have the ability to borrow from the FHLBB. At December 31, 2022, we had $704.1 million in outstanding advances and the ability to borrow up to an additional $2.0 billion. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. At December 31, 2022, we had a $538.9 million collateralized line of credit from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston with no outstanding balance. In addition, we are able to acquire brokered deposits at our discretion to raise additional funds. At December 31, 2022, we had $928.6 million in brokered certificates of deposit of which $40.5 million were IntraFi Network deposits and which are excluded from the Intrafi Network reciprocal deposits shown in the table below.
Sources of Liquidity
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding | Additional Capacity | Outstanding | Additional Capacity | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| IntraFi Network reciprocal deposits | $ | 664,971 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 520,461 | ||||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit (1) | 928,648 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank (2) | 704,084 | 1,976,166 | 14,020 | 1,839,540 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (3) | — | 538,894 | — | 456,148 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,297,703 | $ | 2,515,060 | $ | 14,020 | $ | 2,816,149 |
(1)The additional borrowing capacity has not been assessed for this category.
(2)As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, loans have been pledged to the FHLBB with a carrying value of $3.9 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, to secure our total borrowing capacity.
(3)Loans with a carrying value of $1.1 billion and $0.8 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, have been pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity.
We believe that advanced preparation, early detection, and prompt responses can avoid, minimize, or shorten potential liquidity crises. Our Board of Directors and our management’s Asset Liability Committee have put a liquidity contingency plan in place to establish methods for assessing and monitoring risk levels, as well as potential responses during unanticipated stress events. As part of our risk management framework, we perform periodic liquidity stress testing to assess our need for liquid assets as well as backup sources of liquidity.
Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve (with respect to our consolidated capital requirements). At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. For additional information regarding our regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note 16, “Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds and deposit liabilities. The amounts below assume the contractual obligations and commitments will run through the end of the applicable term and, as such, do not include early termination fees or penalties where applicable.
The following table summarizes our short-term (e.g. maturity of one year or less) and long-term (e.g. maturity of greater than one year) contractual obligations, other commitments and contingencies at December 31, 2022.
| One Year or Less | After One Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commitments to extend credit (1) | $ | 977,827 | $ | 4,702,611 | $ | 5,680,438 | ||||
| Standby letters of credit | 59,126 | 6,028 | 65,154 | |||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 14,858 | 28,212 | 43,070 | |||||||
| FHLB advances | 691,297 | 12,787 | 704,084 | |||||||
| Forward commitments to sell loans | 10,008 | — | 10,008 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,753,116 | $ | 4,749,638 | $ | 6,502,754 |
(1)Unused commitments that are deemed to be unconditionally cancellable are included in the less than one year category in the above table. Commitments to extend credit was comprised of $3.4 billion of commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit (including $713.3 million of unadvanced portions of construction loans), $2.0 billion of commitments under home equity loans and lines of credit, $198.6 million in overdraft coverage commitments, $24.9 million of unfunded commitments related to residential real estate loans and $56.1 million in other consumer loans and lines of credit as of December 31, 2022.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-22-004022.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and prospects based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those in this discussion as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a bank holding company, and our principal subsidiary, Eastern Bank, is a Massachusetts-chartered bank that has served the banking needs of our customers since 1818. Our business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers. We had total assets of $23.5 billion and $16.0 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We are subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
We manage our business under two business segments: our banking business, which contributed $531.1 million, which is 84.5%, of our total income for the year ended December 31, 2021, and our insurance agency business, which contributed $97.2 million, which is 15.5%, of our total income for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our banking business consists of a full range of banking, lending (commercial, residential and consumer), savings and small business offerings, including our wealth management and trust operations that we conduct through our Eastern Wealth Management division. Our insurance agency business consists of insurance-related activities, acting as an independent agent in offering commercial, personal and employee benefits insurance products to individual and commercial clients. See the section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K titled “Business” for further discussion of our banking business and insurance agency business.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 computed in accordance with GAAP was $154.7 million, as compared to $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Net income for years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included items that our management considers noncore, which are excluded for purposes of assessing operating earnings. Operating net income, a non-GAAP financial measure, for year ended December 31, 2021 was $165.9 million compared to operating net income of $102.1 million for year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 62.4% increase. This increase was largely driven by a decrease in the provision for allowance for loan losses which is attributable to greater prior period provisions that resulted from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bank’s borrowers during such periods, and current period releases of allowance for loan losses totaling $9.7 million. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a reconciliation of net operating earnings to GAAP net income.
On November 12, 2021, we acquired Century, which operated 29 banking offices in 21 cities and towns in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire for $641.9 million in cash. Century had total assets of approximately $6.8 billion at the time of our acquisition, at fair value and excluding goodwill and intangible assets.
Outlook and Trends
Interest Rates
We expect increases in the federal funds rate in 2022 which is anticipated to be beneficial to our net interest income and net interest margin. In its statement released on January 26, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee stated that it would soon be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate above the current range of 0.0% to 0.25% in response to inflation that is above their 2.0% target and a strong labor market. Approximately 40% of our loans are indexed to a market rate that is expected to reprice along with the federal funds rate. Refer to the section titled “Management of Market Risk” within this Item 7 for additional discussion including the estimated change to net interest income which assumes a variety of immediate and parallel changes in the U.S. Treasury yield curve.
CECL Adoption
We adopted the current expected credit losses accounting methodology (ASU 2016-13), commonly referred to as the “CECL standard” on January 1, 2022. The cumulative day one impact is estimated to be an increase of between $25.0 million and $30.0 million to the allowance which is attributable to the change in accounting methodology for estimating the allowance for credit losses from our adoption of ASU 2016-13 and includes the impact of loans acquired from Century. The portion of the total estimated impact that is attributable to loans acquired from Century is estimated to be between $25.0 million and $28.0 million. The anticipated increase in the allowance is expected to be a result of a) the change in accounting treatment
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for loans acquired from Century; and b) transitioning from an “incurred loss” model, which estimates the allowance for loan losses based upon current known and inherent losses within our portfolio, to an “expected loss” model, which estimates the allowance for credit losses based upon losses expected to be incurred over the life of loans in our portfolio. For further information, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans
We are a participating lender in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. We concluded PPP loan originations in the second quarter of 2021 as the SBA announced in May 2021 that PPP funds were exhausted. The majority of our PPP borrowers are existing commercial and small business borrowers, non-profit customers, retail banking customers and clients of our Eastern Wealth Management division and Eastern Insurance Group.
•During the year ended December 31, 2021, we originated approximately 6,600 PPP loans totaling $543.2 million. These loans have a maturity of five years. Fees received from the SBA and direct loan origination costs are being deferred over the five-year loan term. Through December 31, 2021, we had received $28.7 million in fees from the SBA and had deferred $4.0 million in direct loan origination costs related to 2021 originations.
•During the year ended year ended December 31, 2020, we originated approximately 8,900 PPP loans totaling $1.2 billion. The majority of these loans have a maturity of two years. Fees received from the SBA and direct loan origination costs are being deferred over the loan term, which is generally two years. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we received $37.1 million in fees from the SBA and deferred $4.6 million in direct loan origination costs. During the year ended December 31, 2021, certain 2020 originations were modified and we received a nominal amount of additional fees from the SBA.
•Net PPP fee accretion (fee accretion less cost amortization) for all PPP loans for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $34.3 million.
In connection with the Century acquisition, we acquired Century’s PPP loans with a remaining unpaid principal balance of $73.7 million at the time of our acquisition. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (commonly referred to as “purchase accounting”), remaining unearned fees received from the SBA and unamortized direct loan origination costs associated with these loans were written off with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. The net purchase discount associated with these loans was $1.1 million, of which $0.1 million was accreted into income during the year ended December 31, 2021.
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The following table shows certain data related to PPP originations by period. This table is specific to Eastern PPP loan originations and does not include data related to PPP loans that we acquired from Century:
| PPP Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Number of loans originated | 6,628 | 8,902 | 15,530 | |||||||
| Original balance of loans originated | $ | 543,212 | $ | 1,167,137 | $ | 1,710,349 | ||||
| Current balance of loans originated in respective periods | 254,725 | 12,746 | 267,471 | |||||||
| Total SBA fees received(1) | 28,699 | 37,249 | 65,948 | |||||||
| SBA fees recognized in interest income related to loans originated in respective periods(2) | 18,227 | 37,166 | 55,393 | |||||||
| Unaccreted SBA fees related to loans originated in respective periods | 10,472 | 84 | 10,556 |
(1)Total SBA fees received on 2020 originations includes additional fees received from the SBA in 2021 for originations that were modified in 2021.
(2)Reflects life-to-date accretion.
The following table shows certain data related to the remaining balance of our aggregate PPP loans (Eastern originations and Century originations) as of December 31, 2021:
| Loan Size | Loan Balance | Number of Loans | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| $0 to $50 thousand | $ | 37,513 | 2,234 | |||
| $50 thousand to $150 thousand | 45,097 | 512 | ||||
| $150 thousand to $1 million | 165,346 | 500 | ||||
| $1 million to $2 million | 45,851 | 32 | ||||
| $2 million to $5 million | 37,578 | 15 | ||||
| Over $5 million | — | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 331,385 | 3,293 |
The following table shows the balance of our PPP loans (Eastern originations and Century originations) by industry as of December 31, 2021:
| Industry | Loan Balance | Number of Loans | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Accommodation & food services | $ | 84,739 | 469 | |||
| Construction | 44,021 | 449 | ||||
| Health care & social assistance | 34,735 | 251 | ||||
| Professional, scientific & technical services | 28,368 | 426 | ||||
| Other services | 35,964 | 480 | ||||
| Manufacturing | 17,659 | 117 | ||||
| Retail trade | 13,191 | 291 | ||||
| Administrative & support | 17,368 | 180 | ||||
| Wholesale trade | 9,626 | 74 | ||||
| Transportation & warehousing | 12,912 | 169 | ||||
| Arts, entertainment & recreation | 9,912 | 104 | ||||
| All other | 22,890 | 283 | ||||
| Total | $ | 331,385 | 3,293 |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present certain non-GAAP financial measures, which management uses to evaluate our performance, and which exclude the effects of certain transactions, non-cash items and GAAP adjustments that we believe are unrelated to our core business and are therefore not necessarily indicative of our current performance or financial position. Management believes excluding these items facilitates greater visibility for investors into our core businesses as well as underlying trends that may, to some extent, be obscured by inclusion of such items in the corresponding GAAP financial measures.
There are items in our financial statements that impact our results but which we believe are unrelated to our core business. Accordingly, we present operating net income, noninterest income on an operating basis, noninterest expense on an operating basis, total operating revenue, operating earnings per share, and the operating efficiency ratio, each of which excludes the impact of such items because we believe such exclusion can provide greater visibility into our core business and underlying trends. Such items that we do not consider to be core to our business include (i) income and expenses from investments held in rabbi trusts, (ii) gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale, net, (iii) gains and losses on the sale of other assets, (iv) rabbi trust employee benefits, (v) impairment charges on tax credit investments and associated tax credit benefits, (vi) expenses indirectly associated with our IPO, (vii) other real estate owned (“OREO”) gains, (viii) merger and acquisition expenses, (ix) the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation (formerly known as the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, or the “Foundation”) in connection with our mutual-to-stock conversion and IPO, and (x) settlement of putative consumer class action litigation matters related to overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees, and associated settlement expenses.
We also present tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, and tangible book value per share, each of which excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, as we believe these financial measures provide investors with the ability to further assess our performance, identify trends in our core business and provide a comparison of our capital adequacy to other companies. We have included the tangible ratios because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management to assess performance and identify trends.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative or substitute to GAAP net income, or as an indication of our cash flows from operating activities, a measure of our liquidity or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. An item which we consider to be non-core and exclude when computing these non-GAAP financial measures can be of substantial importance to our results for any particular period. In addition, our methodology for calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar performance measures and, accordingly, our reported non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to the same or similar performance measures reported by other companies.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items recorded for the time periods indicated below and reconciles them to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||
| Net income (GAAP) | $ | 154,665 | $ | 22,738 | $ | 135,098 | ||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||
| Noninterest income components: | ||||||||||
| Income from investments held in rabbi trusts | (10,217) | (10,337) | (9,866) | |||||||
| Gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | (1,166) | (288) | (2,016) | |||||||
| (Gains) losses on sales of other assets | (571) | 20 | 15 | |||||||
| Noninterest expense components: | ||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit expense | 5,515 | 4,789 | 4,604 | |||||||
| Impairment (reversal) charge on tax credit investments | (170) | 10,779 | — | |||||||
| Indirect IPO costs (1) | — | 1,199 | — | |||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | (87) | (606) | — | |||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses | 35,460 | 90 | — | |||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | 3,325 | — | — | |||||||
| Stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation | — | 91,287 | — | |||||||
| Total impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 32,089 | 96,933 | (7,263) | |||||||
| Less net tax benefit (expense) associated with non-GAAP adjustment (2) | 20,869 | 17,537 | (1,861) | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | $ | 11,220 | $ | 79,396 | $ | (5,402) | ||||
| Operating net income (non-GAAP) | $ | 165,885 | $ | 102,134 | $ | 129,696 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period: | ||||||||||
| Basic | 172,192,336 | 171,812,535 | — | |||||||
| Diluted | 172,252,057 | 171,812,535 | — | |||||||
| Earnings per share, basic | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.13 | n.a. | |||||
| Earnings per share, diluted | $ | 0.90 | 0.13 | n.a. | ||||||
| Operating earnings per share, basic (non-GAAP) | $ | 0.96 | $ | 0.59 | n.a. | |||||
| Operating earnings per share, diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 0.96 | 0.59 | n.a. |
(1)Reflects costs associated with the IPO that are indirectly related to the IPO and were not recorded as a reduction of capital.
(2)The net tax benefit (expense) associated with these items is determined by assessing whether each item is included or excluded from net taxable income and applying our combined statutory tax rate only to those items included in net taxable income. The 2020 net tax benefit amount reflects the impact of the $12.0 million valuation allowance associated with the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation. The 2021 net tax benefit amount reflects the impact of the reversal of $11.3 million of the $12.0 million valuation allowance associated with the stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation.
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The following table summarizes the impact of non-core items with respect to our total revenue, noninterest income, noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP financial measure, for the periods indicated:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 429,827 | $ | 401,251 | $ | 411,264 | $ | 390,044 | $ | 338,514 | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP) | 6,093 | 5,472 | 5,254 | 5,696 | 10,607 | |||||||||||||
| Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP) | 435,920 | 406,723 | 416,518 | 395,740 | 349,121 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 193,155 | 178,373 | 182,299 | 180,595 | 197,727 | |||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from investments held in rabbi trusts | 10,217 | 10,337 | 9,866 | (1,542) | 6,587 | |||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | 1,166 | 288 | 2,016 | 50 | 11,356 | |||||||||||||
| Gains (losses) on sales of other assets | 571 | (20) | (15) | 1,989 | 6,075 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest income on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | 181,201 | 167,768 | 170,432 | 180,098 | 173,709 | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 443,956 | $ | 504,923 | $ | 412,684 | $ | 397,928 | $ | 389,413 | ||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rabbi trust employee benefit expense (income) | 5,515 | 4,789 | 4,604 | (847) | 2,888 | |||||||||||||
| Impairment (reversal) charge on tax credit investments | (170) | 10,779 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Indirect IPO costs (1) | — | 1,199 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses | 35,460 | 90 | — | 244 | 149 | |||||||||||||
| Settlement and expenses for putative consumer class action matters | 3,325 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Stock donation to the Eastern Bank Foundation | — | 91,287 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of other real estate owned | 87 | 606 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense on an operating basis (non-GAAP) | $ | 399,913 | $ | 397,385 | $ | 408,080 | $ | 398,531 | $ | 386,376 | ||||||||
| Total revenue (GAAP) | $ | 622,982 | $ | 579,624 | $ | 593,563 | $ | 570,639 | $ | 536,241 | ||||||||
| Total operating revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 617,121 | $ | 574,491 | $ | 586,950 | $ | 575,838 | $ | 522,830 | ||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio (GAAP) | 71.26 | % | 87.11 | % | 69.53 | % | 69.73 | % | 72.62 | % | ||||||||
| Operating efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 64.80 | % | 69.17 | % | 69.53 | % | 69.21 | % | 73.90 | % |
(1)Reflects costs associated with the IPO that are indirectly related to the IPO and were not recorded as a reduction of capital.
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The following table summarizes the calculation of our tangible shareholders’ equity, tangible assets, the ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets, and tangible book value per share, which reconciles to the most directly comparable respective GAAP measure, as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP) | $ | 3,406,352 | $ | 3,428,052 | $ | 1,600,153 | $ | 1,433,141 | $ | 1,330,514 | ||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | 649,703 | 376,534 | 377,734 | 381,276 | 373,042 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP) | 2,756,649 | 3,051,518 | 1,222,419 | 1,051,865 | 957,472 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | 23,512,128 | 15,964,190 | 11,628,775 | 11,372,287 | 10,873,073 | |||||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | 649,703 | 376,534 | 377,734 | 381,276 | 373,042 | |||||||||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 22,862,425 | $ | 15,587,656 | $ | 11,251,041 | $ | 10,991,011 | $ | 10,500,031 | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity to assets ratio (GAAP) | 14.5 | % | 21.5 | % | 13.8 | % | 12.6 | % | 12.2 | % | ||||||||
| Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) | 12.1 | % | 19.6 | % | 10.9 | % | 9.6 | % | 9.1 | % | ||||||||
| Book value per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares issued and outstanding | 186,305,332 | 186,758,154 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Book value per share (GAAP) | $ | 18.28 | $ | 18.36 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 14.80 | $ | 16.34 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
Financial Position
Summary of Financial Position
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,231,792 | $ | 2,054,070 | $ | (822,278) | (40.0) | % | ||||||
| Securities available for sale | 8,511,224 | 3,183,861 | 5,327,363 | 167.3 | % | |||||||||
| Loans, net of allowance for loan losses | 12,157,281 | 9,593,958 | 2,563,323 | 26.7 | % | |||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 10,904 | 8,805 | 2,099 | 23.8 | % | |||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | 649,703 | 376,534 | 273,169 | 72.5 | % | |||||||||
| Deposits | 19,628,311 | 12,155,784 | 7,472,527 | 61.5 | % | |||||||||
| Borrowed funds | 34,278 | 28,049 | 6,229 | 22.2 | % |
Cash and cash equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $0.8 billion, or 40.0%, to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021 from $2.1 billion at December 31, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to available for sale security purchases partially offset by deposit growth.
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Securities
Our current investment policy authorizes us to invest in various types of investment securities and liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate notes, asset-backed securities and municipal securities. We do not engage in any investment hedging activities or trading activities, nor do we purchase any high-risk investment products. We typically invest in the following types of securities:
U.S. government securities: At December 31, 2021 and 2020 our U.S. government securities consisted of U.S. Agency bonds, U.S. Treasury securities and Small Business Administration pooled securities. We maintain these investments, to the extent appropriate, for liquidity purposes, at zero risk weighting for capital purposes, and as collateral for interest rate derivative positions. U.S. Agency bonds include securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Bank, and the Federal Farm Credit Bureau.
Mortgage-backed securities: We invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities insured or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae, including collateralized mortgage obligations. We have not purchased any privately-issued mortgage-backed securities. We invest in mortgage-backed securities to achieve a positive interest rate spread with minimal administrative expense, and to lower our credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
Investments in residential mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or acceleration of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. We periodically review current prepayment speeds to determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or accretion adjustments. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities. In addition, the market value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates.
State and municipal securities: We invest in fixed rate investment grade bonds issued primarily by municipalities in our local communities within Massachusetts and by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The market value of these securities may be affected by call options, long dated maturities, general market liquidity and credit factors.
The Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for approving and overseeing our investment policy, which it reviews at least annually. This policy dictates that investment decisions be made based on the safety of the investment, liquidity requirements, potential returns and market risk considerations.
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The following table shows the fair value of our securities by investment category as of the dates indicated:
Securities Portfolio Composition
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 5,524,708 | $ | 2,148,800 | ||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,408,868 | 17,081 | ||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | 1,175,014 | 666,709 | ||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 88,605 | 70,369 | ||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 280,329 | 280,902 | ||||
| Small Business Administration pooled securities | 32,103 | — | ||||
| Other debt securities | 1,597 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 8,511,224 | $ | 3,183,861 |
The following table presents the composition of securities acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century at fair value as of the November 12, 2021 acquisition date:
Acquired Securities at Fair Value
| As of November 12, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||
| Available for sale securities: | ||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 1,675,002 |
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,055,228 | |
| U.S. Agency bonds | 346,538 | |
| State and municipal bonds and obligations | 6,532 | |
| Small Business Administration pooled securities | 31,827 | |
| Other debt securities | 1,895 | |
| Total | $ | 3,117,022 |
Our securities portfolio has increased year-to-date. Available for sale securities increased $5.3 billion, or 167.3%, to $8.5 billion at December 31, 2021 from $3.2 billion at December 31, 2020. This increase is due to investment purchases during the year ended December 31, 2021 and securities acquired in the Century acquisition as shown in the table above. Partially offsetting the increase in the securities portfolio from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021, was the reduction in the unrealized gain on the securities. At December 31, 2021 the unrealized loss was $76.0 million compared to an unrealized gain of $58.7 million at December 31, 2020, representing a $134.6 million decrease. This change is primarily driven by a steepening yield curve.
We did not have trading or held-to-maturity investments at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
A portion of our securities portfolio continues to be tax-exempt. Investments in federally tax-exempt securities totaled $279.8 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $280.9 million at December 31, 2020.
Our available for sale securities are carried at fair value and are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of model inputs. Securities which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no securities categorized as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
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The following table shows investment security weighted-average yields by category of security and contractual maturity at December 31, 2021. Weighted-average yields in the table below have been calculated based upon the amortized cost of the security:
Securities Portfolio, Weighted-Average Yield
| Securities Maturing as of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within One Year | After One Year But Within Five Years | After Five Years But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | Total | ||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | ||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities | — | % | 2.64 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.38 | % | ||||
| Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 1.14 | 1.20 | 1.95 | 1.67 | |||||||||
| U.S. Agency bonds | 1.11 | 0.73 | 1.00 | — | 0.88 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 0.15 | 0.78 | — | — | 0.50 | |||||||||
| State and municipal bonds and obligations (2) | (1.24) | 2.46 | 3.17 | 4.04 | 3.48 | |||||||||
| Small business administration pooled securities | — | 1.72 | — | 1.93 | 1.90 | |||||||||
| Other debt securities | 1.01 | 0.84 | — | — | 0.87 | |||||||||
| Total | 0.10 | % | 0.95 | % | 1.12 | % | 1.60 | % | 1.42 | % |
(1)Investment security weighted-average yields were calculated on a level-yield basis by weighting the tax equivalent yield for each security type by the book value of each maturity.
(2)The negative yield indicated in the “Within One Year” category is the result of premium amortization that is in excess of earned income.
The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis (“FTE”) by adjusting tax-exempt income upward by an amount equivalent to the prevailing federal income taxes that would have been paid if the income had been fully taxable.
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Loans
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio, by category, as of the dates indicated, the loans, by category, that were acquired from Century, and their balances as of the acquisition date of November 12, 2021 and net PPP loan activity for the year ended December 31, 2021:
| As of December 31, | Organic Change (excluding net PPP loan activity) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change ($) | Century Acquired Balance (1) | PPP Loan Activity, net (3) | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 2,960,527 | $ | 1,995,016 | $ | 965,511 | $ | 1,405,127 | $ | (475,561) | $ | 35,945 | 1.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,522,513 | 3,573,630 | 948,883 | 606,139 | — | 342,744 | 9.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 222,328 | 305,708 | (83,380) | 2,647 | — | (86,027) | (28.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 1,334,694 | 1,339,164 | (4,470) | 240,703 | (292,905) | 47,732 | 3.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 1,926,810 | 1,370,957 | 555,853 | 418,119 | — | 137,734 | 10.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,100,153 | 868,270 | 231,883 | 237,522 | — | (5,639) | (0.6) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 214,485 | 277,780 | (63,295) | 9,429 | — | (72,724) | (26.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross loans (2) | $ | 12,281,510 | $ | 9,730,525 | $ | 2,550,985 | $ | 2,919,685 | $ | (768,466) | $ | 399,766 | 4.1 | % |
(1)Balances of loans acquired through our acquisition of Century represent unpaid principal balances and do not include the fair value adjustment recorded upon acquisition. Refer to Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)Amounts presented exclude unamortized premiums, unearned discounts and deferred fees and costs.
(3)Amounts exclude change attributable to acquired PPP loans.
We consider our loan portfolio to be relatively diversified by borrower and industry. Our loans increased $2.6 billion, or 26.2%, to $12.3 billion at December 31, 2021 from $9.7 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase as of December 31, 2021 was primarily due to loans acquired from Century of $2.9 billion partially offset by a decrease in our PPP loan balances within our commercial and industrial balances and business banking portfolios. The changes to our loan portfolio, excluding the impact of the Century acquisition and PPP loan activity, are further detailed below:
•The $342.7 million increase in our commercial real estate loans from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 was primarily a result of an increase of $296.3 million in our investment commercial real estate loan balances, which represents loans secured by commercial real estate that are non-owner-occupied, during the year ended December 31, 2021.
•The $59.4 million increase in our retail portfolio was primarily a result of an increase of $137.7 million in residential real estate loans during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was partially offset by a decrease in our other consumer and consumer home equity portfolios of $72.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively. The increase in residential real estate loans is due to the Company retaining more residential real estate loans as held for investment rather than selling such loans on the secondary market. The decrease in other consumer is primarily the result of the continued run-off of our indirect auto loan portfolio.
We believe that our commercial loan portfolio composition is relatively diversified in terms of industry sectors, property types and various lending specialties. As of December 31, 2021, concentrations in our commercial loan portfolios were as follows and includes loans acquired from Century:
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| Commercial and Industrial | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Educational services | $ | 821,187 | 27.7 | % | ||
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 288,532 | 9.7 | % | |||
| Wholesale trade | 264,988 | 9.0 | % | |||
| Finance and insurance | 180,398 | 6.1 | % | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | 171,976 | 5.8 | % | |||
| Healthcare and social assistance | 171,316 | 5.8 | % | |||
| Manufacturing | 170,490 | 5.8 | % | |||
| Accommodation and food services | 153,683 | 5.2 | % | |||
| Administrative and support | 148,979 | 5.0 | % | |||
| Real estate, rental and leasing | 124,239 | 4.2 | % | |||
| Other industries | 464,739 | 15.7 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 2,960,527 | 100.0 | % |
| Commercial Real Estate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Multi-family | $ | 807,437 | 17.9 | % | ||
| Office | 492,669 | 10.9 | % | |||
| Industrial/warehouse | 486,344 | 10.8 | % | |||
| Retail | 471,147 | 10.4 | % | |||
| School | 365,706 | 8.1 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail/office | 330,017 | 7.3 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail/multi-family | 268,017 | 5.9 | % | |||
| Affordable housing | 259,467 | 5.7 | % | |||
| Hotel/motel/hospitality | 178,561 | 3.9 | % | |||
| Other property types | 863,148 | 19.1 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 4,522,513 | 100.0 | % |
| Commercial Construction | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Percentage (%) | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Affordable housing | $ | 82,739 | 37.2 | % | ||
| For sale housing | 39,852 | 17.9 | % | |||
| Multi-family | 35,195 | 15.8 | % | |||
| Industrial/warehouse | 14,584 | 6.6 | % | |||
| Assisted living | 13,364 | 6.0 | % | |||
| Mixed use - retail/multi-family | 10,904 | 4.9 | % | |||
| 1-4 Family | 5,705 | 2.6 | % | |||
| Self storage | 1,832 | 0.8 | % | |||
| Other property types | 18,153 | 8.2 | % | |||
| Total portfolio | $ | 222,328 | 100.0 | % |
We believe that the loan to value ratio (“LTV”) is an important factor in monitoring the risk characteristics of our loans secured by real estate. The following tables show the distribution of loan balances by LTV and year of origination for each of our portfolios of loans, including those acquired from Century, secured by real estate as of December 31, 2021:
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| Balance of Commercial Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 61,950 | $ | 22,373 | $ | 6,732 | $ | 20,132 | $ | 261,885 | $ | 373,073 | ||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 185,482 | 190,888 | 103,556 | 134,336 | 815,035 | 1,429,296 | ||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 288,153 | 161,905 | 385,692 | 251,312 | 884,864 | 1,971,926 | ||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 123,506 | 84,920 | 108,505 | 62,527 | 83,969 | 463,427 | ||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% (3) | 32,503 | 17,520 | 6,026 | 12,471 | 33,790 | 102,310 | ||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 23,480 | 70,561 | 21,121 | 6,968 | 60,351 | 182,481 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 715,073 | $ | 548,167 | $ | 631,632 | $ | 487,747 | $ | 2,139,894 | $ | 4,522,513 | ||||||||||
| Average LTV | 53.62 | % | 58.94 | % | 57.70 | % | 54.58 | % | 45.50 | % | 50.38 | % |
| Balance of Residential Real Estate Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 1,625 | $ | 912 | $ | — | $ | 353 | $ | 16,781 | $ | 19,671 | ||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 168,814 | 80,959 | 29,190 | 25,491 | 179,865 | 484,318 | ||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 269,429 | 151,061 | 35,746 | 27,426 | 182,219 | 665,880 | ||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 194,495 | 123,898 | 34,120 | 16,938 | 114,558 | 484,009 | ||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 67,897 | 38,350 | 12,595 | 11,838 | 51,790 | 182,470 | ||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | 44,916 | 22,738 | 11,332 | 6,335 | 5,141 | 90,462 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 747,175 | $ | 417,918 | $ | 122,982 | $ | 88,380 | $ | 550,354 | $ | 1,926,810 | ||||||||||
| Average LTV | 60.44 | % | 62.13 | % | 61.42 | % | 58.04 | % | 49.98 | % | 55.58 | % |
| Balance of Consumer Home Equity Loans Originated During the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 and Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Current LTV (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 151,593 | $ | 32,587 | $ | 46,792 | $ | 35,381 | $ | 281,388 | $ | 547,740 | ||||||||||
| 50.00% or lower | 35,473 | 35,608 | 29,780 | 31,195 | 43,929 | 175,986 | ||||||||||||||||
| 50.01% - 69.99% | 17,384 | 46,029 | 29,276 | 30,422 | 46,852 | 169,962 | ||||||||||||||||
| 70.00% - 79.99% | 9,246 | 23,367 | 31,219 | 29,311 | 46,508 | 139,652 | ||||||||||||||||
| 80.00% - 89.99% | 4,393 | 7,460 | 17,156 | 10,691 | 26,891 | 66,591 | ||||||||||||||||
| 90.00% or higher | — | — | — | — | 221 | 221 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 218,089 | $ | 145,050 | $ | 154,223 | $ | 137,001 | $ | 445,790 | $ | 1,100,153 | ||||||||||
| Average LTV | 38.32 | % | 52.01 | % | 56.09 | % | 55.48 | % | 55.61 | % | 53.47 | % |
(1)Current LTV is calculated based upon exposure amount and the most recently available appraisal value as of the reporting period.
(2)Insufficient data available to calculate LTV.
(3)We generally require an LTV of 80% or less on new CRE loan originations. Certain CRE loans with LTVs greater than 80% may have additional collateral pledged which is not included in the computation of the amounts stated.
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The maturity distribution of our loan portfolio is one factor used by management to evaluate the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio. The following table shows the maturity distribution of our loans, including those acquired from Century, as of December 31, 2021:
Scheduled Contractual Loan Maturity
| One Year or Less (1) | One to Five Years | Five to Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 287,526 | $ | 1,070,642 | $ | 605,759 | $ | 996,600 | $ | 2,960,527 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 383,101 | 1,199,267 | 2,504,355 | 435,790 | 4,522,513 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 47,057 | 95,735 | 58,079 | 21,457 | 222,328 | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 140,904 | 496,620 | 663,716 | 33,454 | 1,334,694 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 398 | 5,024 | 302,715 | 1,618,673 | 1,926,810 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 2,260 | 19,989 | 183,738 | 894,166 | 1,100,153 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 25,660 | 115,894 | 66,449 | 6,482 | 214,485 | |||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 886,906 | $ | 3,003,171 | $ | 4,384,811 | $ | 4,006,622 | $ | 12,281,510 |
(1)Includes demand loans, or loans without a stated maturity.
The interest rate risk to our loan portfolio is an important element in the management of net interest margin. We attempt to manage the relationship between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to produce an effective interest differential that is not significantly impacted by changes in the level of interest rates. The following table shows the interest rate risk of our loans, on a gross basis, due one year after December 31, 2021:
Loan Interest Rate Risk
| Due after December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Adjustable | Total | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 845,673 | $ | 1,827,328 | $ | 2,673,001 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | 1,368,467 | 2,770,945 | 4,139,412 | |||||||
| Commercial construction | 116,240 | 59,031 | 175,271 | |||||||
| Business banking | 492,037 | 701,753 | 1,193,790 | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 1,502,419 | 423,993 | 1,926,412 | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | 141,295 | 956,598 | 1,097,893 | |||||||
| Other consumer | 185,028 | 3,797 | 188,825 | |||||||
| Total loans | $ | 4,651,159 | $ | 6,743,445 | $ | 11,394,604 |
Asset quality. We continually monitor the asset quality of our loan portfolio utilizing portfolio scorecards and various credit quality indicators. Based on this process, loans meeting certain criteria are categorized as delinquent, impaired, or non-performing and further assessed to determine if non-accrual status is appropriate.
For the commercial portfolio, which includes our commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and business banking loans, we monitor credit quality using a risk rating scale, which assigns a risk-grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial loan transaction. Management utilizes a loan risk rating methodology based on a 15-point scale with the assistance of risk rating scorecard tools. Pass grades are 0-10 and non-pass categories, which align with regulatory guidelines, are: special mention (11), substandard (12), doubtful (13) and loss (14).
Risk rating assignment is determined using one of 14 separate scorecards developed for distinctive portfolio segments based on common attributes. Key factors include: industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral and other considerations. The new risk rating methodology, inclusive of the expanded grade levels and the scorecard tools, has increased, and is expected to continue to increase granularity and distribution of risk rating assignment with more precision and effectiveness; provide customized and enhanced templates to incorporate more risk factors and attributes applicable to loan and collateral types; increase precision and effectiveness of credit risk identification; and provide a foundation for enhanced reporting, including migration of risk rating analysis.
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Special mention, substandard and doubtful loans totaled 5.8% and 7.7% of total commercial loans outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This decrease was driven by risk rating upgrades in the construction and commercial and industrial portfolios.
Our philosophy toward managing our loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations. We seek to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame.
For the retail portfolio, which includes residential real estate, consumer home equity, and other consumer portfolios, we monitor credit quality using the borrower’s FICO score. As of December 31, 2021, 70.8% of retail borrowers, based on loan balance, have a FICO score of 740 or greater. The following table shows the balances by borrower’s current FICO score as of the dates indicated:
| As of December 31, 2021 | As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | Residential Real Estate | Consumer Home Equity | Other Consumer | |||||||||||||||||
| Current FICO (1) | (Dollars in thousands) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Not available (2) | $ | 3,954 | $ | 1,122 | $ | 27,448 | $ | 15,762 | $ | 224 | $ | 35,097 | ||||||||||
| 640 or lower | 49,112 | 39,446 | 7,680 | 50,705 | 36,699 | 15,762 | ||||||||||||||||
| 641 – 699 | 184,740 | 106,621 | 18,078 | 137,028 | 93,647 | 28,357 | ||||||||||||||||
| 700 – 739 | 307,162 | 173,617 | 27,739 | 223,544 | 144,304 | 38,203 | ||||||||||||||||
| 740 or higher | 1,381,842 | 779,347 | 133,539 | 943,918 | 593,396 | 160,361 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,926,810 | $ | 1,100,153 | $ | 214,485 | $ | 1,370,957 | $ | 868,270 | $ | 277,780 | ||||||||||
| Average FICO | 764.7 | 764.5 | 765.7 | 762.9 | 763.3 | 757.5 |
(1)Borrower FICO scores are updated on a semi-annual basis, and the most recent update occurred in August 2021. With respect to loans acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century, borrower FICO scores were updated in December 2021.
(2)Insufficient data available to report.
The delinquency rate of our total loan portfolio increased to 0.65% at December 31, 2021 from 0.49% at December 31, 2020.
The following table provides details regarding our delinquency rates as of the dates indicated:
Loan Delinquency Rates
| Delinquency Rate as of December 31, (1) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.06 | % | 0.11 | % | |
| Commercial real estate | 0.60 | % | 0.06 | % | |
| Commercial construction | — | % | — | % | |
| Business banking | 0.86 | % | 1.40 | % | |
| Residential real estate | 1.38 | % | 1.21 | % | |
| Consumer home equity | 0.90 | % | 0.60 | % | |
| Other consumer | 1.23 | % | 0.98 | % | |
| Total | 0.65 | % | 0.49 | % |
(1)In the calculation of the delinquency rate as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the total amount of loans outstanding includes $0.3 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, of PPP loans.
As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as non-accrual loans. However, based on our assessment of collateral and/or payment prospects, certain loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status. Income accruals are suspended on all non-accrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan is expected to remain on non-accrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest, the loan is liquidated, or the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.
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Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) are comprised of non-performing loans (“NPLs”), OREO and non-performing securities. NPLs consist of non-accrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest. OREO consists of real estate properties, which primarily serve as collateral to secure our loans, that we control due to foreclosure. These properties are recorded at the fair value less estimated costs to sell on the date we obtain control. Any write-downs to the cost of the related asset upon transfer to OREO to reflect the asset at fair value less estimated costs to sell is recorded through the allowance for loan losses.
NPLs decreased $8.3 million, or 20%, to $35.0 million at December 31, 2021 from $43.3 million at December 31, 2020. NPLs as a percentage of total loans decreased to 0.29% at December 31, 2021 from 0.45% at December 31, 2020 primarily due to a decrease in residential non-accrual loans, commercial real estate non-accrual loans, and commercial and industrial loans greater than 90 days past due and still accruing. The decreases in these categories was partially offset by an increase in consumer loans greater than 90 days and still accruing. For additional discussion of non-accrual loans, refer to the later “Credit Ratios” section.
The total amount of interest recorded on NPLs was $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The gross interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of those loans if they had been performing amounted to $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The total amount of interest recorded on NPLs was $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The gross interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of those loans if they had been performing amounted to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
In the course of resolving NPLs, we may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. We attempt to work-out alternative payment schedules with the borrowers in order to avoid foreclosure actions. We review any loans that are modified to identify whether a TDR has occurred. TDRs involve situations in which, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, we grant a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise consider. As described further below, loan modifications made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic met the criteria of either Section 4013 of the CARES Act or the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) and therefore are not deemed TDRs.
All TDR loans are considered impaired and therefore are subject to a specific review for impairment loss. The impairment analysis discounts the present value of the anticipated cash flows by the loan’s contractual rate of interest in effect prior to the loan’s modification or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The amount of impairment loss, if any, is recorded as a specific reserve to each individual loan in the allowance for loan losses. Commercial loans (commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction, and business banking) and residential loans that have been classified as TDRs and which subsequently default are reviewed to determine if the loan should be deemed collateral dependent.
TDR loans modified during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $0.8 million and $4.2 million, respectively (post modification balance). The overall decrease in TDR loans consisted of a decrease of $2.3 million in commercial loan TDRs and a decrease of $1.2 million in consumer loan TDRs. No loans were modified during the preceding 12 months which subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2021.
It is our policy to have any restructured loans that are on non-accrual status prior to being modified remain on non-accrual status for approximately six months subsequent to being modified before we consider its return to accrual status. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, we review it to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status.
PCI loans are loans we acquired that have shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and, therefore, it was deemed unlikely that all contractually required payments would be collected upon the acquisition date. We consider factors such as payment history, collateral values and accrual status when determining whether there was evidence of deterioration at the acquisition date. The carrying value and prospective income recognition of PCI loans are predicated on future cash flows expected to be collected. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 the carrying amount of PCI loans was $69.6 million and $9.3 million, respectively. The increase of $60.3 million was primarily attributable to PCI loans acquired from Century of $67.3 million, partially offset by borrower principal payments during the year ended December 31, 2021.
COVID-19 Modifications In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented loan modification programs for our borrowers in 2020 that allowed for either full payment deferrals (both interest and principal) or deferral of principal only. These modifications met the criteria of either Section 4013 of the CARES Act or the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) and therefore are not deemed TDRs. We have deemed these modified loans “COVID-19 modifications.”
The Appropriations Act, which was enacted on December 27, 2020, extended certain expiring tax provisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and provides additional emergency relief to individuals and businesses. Included
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within the provisions of the Appropriations Act was the extension of Section 4013 of the CARES Act to January 1, 2022. As such, we applied CARES Act TDR relief to qualifying loan modifications executed during the allowable time period.
The following table presents the balance of loans that received a COVID-19 modification and have not yet resumed repayment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and excludes loans acquired from Century:
| Remaining COVID-19 Modifications as of December 31, 2021 (1) | Remaining COVID-19 Modifications as of December 31, 2020 (1) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | % of Total Portfolio | Balance | % of Total Portfolio | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 4,548 | 0.2 | % | $ | 34,076 | 1.7 | % | |||||
| Commercial real estate | 93,519 | 2.1 | % | 231,794 | 6.5 | % | |||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | % | 10,987 | 3.6 | % | |||||||
| Business banking | 649 | 0.1 | % | 23,434 | 1.7 | % | |||||||
| Residential real estate | 5,870 | 0.3 | % | 26,772 | 2.0 | % | |||||||
| Consumer home equity | 1,365 | 0.1 | % | 3,432 | 0.4 | % | |||||||
| Other consumer | 706 | 0.3 | % | 2,187 | 0.8 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 106,657 | 0.9 | % | $ | 332,682 | 3.4 | % |
(1)Remaining COVID-19 modifications reflect only those loans which underwent a modification and have not yet resumed payment. We define a modified loan to have resumed payment if it is one month past the modification end date and not more than 30 days past due.
As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate amount of loans that received a COVID-19 modification and have become a non-performing loan after the respective deferral period is $4.7 million and are included in the total remaining COVID-19 modifications shown in the table above.
COVID-19 Pandemic-Impacted Industries. Management evaluated the risk present in our commercial loan portfolios with respect to COVID-19 pandemic-impacted industries as of December 31, 2021 and, in connection with that evaluation, identified commercial real estate loans collateralized by properties with office space as a high risk industry sector primarily resulting from the delay in many companies’ return to office plans. As of December 31, 2021, we believe loans to our borrowers in office, retail, restaurant, and hotel industry categories represent those which have experienced and will likely continue to experience the most adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate outstanding balance of loans to our borrowers in office, retail, restaurant, and hotel industry categories was $1.1 billion, $549.0 million, $188.9 million, and $189.0 million respectively, representing 8.8%, 4.5%, 1.5% and 1.5% of total loans, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate outstanding loan balance of loans to our borrowers in office, retail, restaurant, and hotel industry categories was $1.0 billion, $496.4 million, $197.4 million, and $178.7 million, respectively, representing 10.6%, 5.1%, 2.0%, and 1.8% of total loans, respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, the current balance of loans modified which we considered to be COVID-19 modifications was $987.0 million, of which 40% were for full payment deferrals, while 60% were for full deferral of principal only. This includes $631.7 million in commercial real estate (including commercial construction loans), $105.7 million in commercial and industrial loans, $133.5 million in business banking loans, $88.5 million in residential real estate loans, and $27.5 million in consumer loans. The balance of COVID-19 modifications that have not resumed scheduled repayment or have become delinquent as of December 31, 2021 was $106.7 million compared to $332.7 million as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2021, the percentage of loans to our borrowers in retail, restaurant and hotel industries that were modified primarily due to the effects on borrowers of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic slowdown beginning in late March 2020 which have not yet resumed payment were less than 0.1%, 2.9%, and 37.6%, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, there were no loans to our borrowers in office industries that were modified primarily due to the effects on borrowers of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic slowdown beginning in late March 2020 and which have not yet resumed payment. As of December 31, 2020, the percentage of loans to our borrowers in office, retail, restaurant, and hotel industries that were modified primarily due to the effects on borrowers of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic slowdown beginning in late March 2020 which have not yet resumed payment were 7.7%, 2.1%, 12.7%, and 39.4%, respectively.
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In the normal course of business, we become aware of possible credit problems in which borrowers exhibit potential for the inability to comply with the contractual terms of their loans, but which currently do not yet meet the criteria for classification as NPLs. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we reviewed all of our credit exposures in industries that were expected to experience significant problems due to the pandemic and resulting economic contraction. As part of that review, we downgraded our hotel loans, restaurant loans and other loans that we expected to have associated challenges as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans were neither delinquent nor on non-accrual status. Management evaluated loans to borrowers in our office segment as of December 31, 2021 and observed increases in vacancy rates in properties collateralized by such properties. Due to the long-term nature of leases at such properties, the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on borrowers’ ability to repay is not currently reasonably estimable. However, based upon management’s regular evaluation of such loans, downgrades to the respective risk ratings have occurred and may occur again at such time heightened risk is identified. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, our potential problem loans (including these COVID-19 pandemic-impacted loans), or loans with potential weaknesses that were not included in the non-accrual loans or in the loans 90 days or more past due categories, totaled $470.9 million and $563.3 million, respectively. Included in these potential problem loans was $335.9 million and $319.5 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, of loans in COVID-19 impacted industries, which includes borrowers in office industries as previously described at both December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Allowance for loan losses. Because we continued to qualify for emerging growth company status under the Jumpstart Our Business (“JOBS”) Act until December 31, 2021, we were permitted to delay adoption of the CECL standard until the earlier of the date at which non-public business entities are required to adopt the standard and the date we ceased to be an EGC. Included in the Appropriations Act was an extension of the adoption date to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the COVID-19 national emergency terminates. We elected this extension and, accordingly, adopted the CECL standard on January 1, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we followed the incurred loss allowance GAAP accounting model. See “Risk Factors—Our loan loss allowance at December 31, 2021 may be difficult to evaluate in comparison to our peers” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For the purpose of estimating our allowance for loan losses, we segregate the loan portfolio into homogenous loan pools that possess unique risk characteristics such as loan purpose, repayment source, and collateral that are considered when determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses for each category.
While we use available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions or subtractions to/from the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in NPLs, changes in economic conditions, or other reasons. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of our examination process, periodically assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to assess whether the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with GAAP and applicable guidance.
We perform an evaluation of our allowance for loan losses on a regular basis (at least quarterly), and establish the allowance for loan losses based upon an evaluation of our loan categories, as each possess unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, including:
•estimated future loss in all impaired loans in each category;
•known increases in concentrations within each category;
•certain higher risk classes of loans, or pledged collateral;
•historical loan loss experience within each category;
•results of any independent review and evaluation of the category’s credit quality;
•trends in volume, maturity and composition of each category;
•volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals;
•national and local economic conditions and downturns in specific local industries;
•corporate goals and objectives;
•expertise of our lending staff;
•lending policy and practices; and
•current and forecasted banking industry conditions, as well as regulatory environment.
Loans are periodically evaluated using changes in asset quality, historical losses, and other loss allocation factors, which form our basis for estimating incurred losses. For risk rated loans, our risk-rating system takes into consideration a number of quantitative and qualitative factors, such as the borrower’s financial capacity, cash flow, liquidity, leverage, adequacy of collateral, tangible net worth, management team, industry, sales and supplier concentration, credit history,
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additional support and the impact of outside factors on repayment ability. Homogenous populations of loans that are not risk rated loans, are analyzed by loan category, taking into account delinquency ratios and historical loss experience.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories using both a formula-based approach and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. We use a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of credit loss incurred in the loan portfolio. Under our current methodology, the allowance for loan losses contains specific, general and other components.
The specific component consists of reserves for impaired loans (defined as those where we determine it is probable we will not collect all payments when due, typically classified as either doubtful or substandard). All commercial, residential and consumer loan portfolios are periodically reviewed to identify the loans with deteriorating performance. The reports used to identify those loans include, but are not limited to, delinquency reports, risk rating migration (for risk rated loans), asset quality reports, watch loan list and other credit risk management reports. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the measurement will be based on the present value of expected future cash flows, except for collateral-dependent loans, where the impairment is based on the fair value of the collateral.
The general loss reserves methodology, which is applied to categories of loans with similar characteristics, covers all non-impaired loans and is based on our portfolio’s segment historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. The general loss reserve methodology considers multiple qualitative factors that may impact the loss experience during the incurred loss horizon period, including internal infrastructure factors, external macroeconomic factors, internal credit quality factors and external industry data, tailored to the specific loan category.
For additional discussion of our risk rating methodology, see Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The following table summarizes credit ratios for the periods presented:
Credit Ratios
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loan charge-offs (recoveries): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 623 | $ | 992 | $ | (2,625) | $ | 893 | $ | (4,489) | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 243 | (206) | (12) | (83) | (147) | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | (21) | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 3,567 | 4,855 | 5,370 | 5,970 | 4,800 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | (87) | (125) | (39) | (125) | 43 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | (161) | 421 | 153 | 225 | (16) | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 1,373 | 2,129 | 1,811 | 1,676 | 1,707 | |||||||||||||
| Total net loan charge-offs (recoveries) | $ | 5,558 | $ | 8,066 | $ | 4,658 | $ | 8,556 | $ | 1,877 | ||||||||
| Average loans: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 2,015,665 | $ | 2,053,093 | $ | 1,419,875 | $ | 1,185,224 | $ | 1,074,875 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 3,960,818 | 3,654,887 | 3,667,147 | 3,402,560 | 3,131,900 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 191,771 | 226,286 | 263,736 | 327,781 | 253,244 | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 1,241,770 | 1,079,779 | 738,652 | 738,122 | 701,704 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 1,508,796 | 1,398,337 | 1,438,775 | 1,357,116 | 1,220,600 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 869,110 | 902,634 | 948,089 | 934,681 | 913,830 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 233,932 | 334,257 | 471,602 | 619,406 | 670,881 | |||||||||||||
| Average total loans (1) | $ | 10,021,862 | $ | 9,649,273 | $ | 8,947,876 | $ | 8,564,890 | $ | 7,967,034 | ||||||||
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding during the period: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | (0.18) | % | 0.08 | % | (0.42) | % | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 0.01 | (0.01) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | — | — | — | (0.01) | |||||||||||||
| Business banking | 0.29 | 0.45 | 0.73 | 0.81 | 0.68 | |||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | (0.01) | (0.01) | 0.00 | (0.01) | 0.00 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | (0.02) | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 0.59 | 0.64 | 0.38 | 0.27 | 0.25 | |||||||||||||
| Total net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans outstanding during the period | 0.06 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.02 | % | ||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 12,281,510 | $ | 9,730,525 | $ | 8,987,046 | $ | 8,856,003 | $ | 8,227,041 | ||||||||
| Total non-accrual loans | 32,993 | 41,005 | 42,451 | 26,172 | 18,165 | |||||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses | $ | 97,787 | $ | 113,031 | $ | 82,297 | $ | 80,655 | $ | 74,111 | ||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans | 0.80 | % | 1.16 | % | 0.92 | % | 0.91 | % | 0.90 | % | ||||||||
| Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans | 0.27 | % | 0.42 | % | 0.47 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.22 | % | ||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans | 296.39 | % | 275.65 | % | 193.86 | % | 308.17 | % | 407.99 | % |
(1)Average loan balances exclude loans held for sale.
Non-accrual loans decreased $8.0 million, or 20%, to $33.0 million at December 31, 2021 from $41.0 million at December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in non-accrual loans in our business banking portfolio and commercial real estate portfolio, partially offset by an increase in non-accrual loans in our commercial and industrial portfolio.
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The allowance for loan losses decreased by $15.2 million, or 13.5%, to $97.8 million, or 0.80% of total loans (including PPP loans), at December 31, 2021 from $113.0 million, or 1.16% of total loans at December 31, 2020. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses was primarily a result of improved macroeconomic conditions, risk rating upgrades in the commercial portfolios during the period and loans acquired from Century for which the estimated incurred losses were substantively included in the initial fair value determination as of the acquisition date of November 12, 2021. The economic environment during the year ended December 31, 2021 was assisted by government stimulus, the impacts of loan deferral programs, reductions in unemployment and reductions in COVID-19 related restrictions. These, along with other factors, resulted in a release of allowance for loan losses of $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to a provision for allowance for loan losses of $38.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories listed in loan portfolio composition as of the dates indicated:
Summary of Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial (1) | $ | 18,018 | 18.43 | % | 24.10 | % | $ | 26,617 | 23.54 | % | 20.51 | % | |||||||
| Commercial real estate | 52,373 | 53.56 | % | 36.82 | % | 54,569 | 48.28 | % | 36.73 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial construction | 2,585 | 2.64 | % | 1.81 | % | 4,553 | 4.03 | % | 3.14 | % | |||||||||
| Business banking (1) | 10,983 | 11.23 | % | 10.87 | % | 13,152 | 11.64 | % | 13.76 | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 6,556 | 6.70 | % | 15.69 | % | 6,435 | 5.69 | % | 14.09 | % | |||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 3,722 | 3.81 | % | 8.96 | % | 3,744 | 3.31 | % | 8.92 | % | |||||||||
| Other consumer | 3,308 | 3.38 | % | 1.75 | % | 3,467 | 3.07 | % | 2.85 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 242 | 0.25 | % | — | % | 494 | 0.44 | % | — | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,787 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 113,031 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
(1)PPP loans are included within these portfolios as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; however, as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, no allowance for loan losses have been recorded on these loans due to the SBA guarantee of 100% of the loans.
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | Allowance for Loan Losses | Percent of Allowance in Category to Total Allocated Allowance | Percent of Loans in Category to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 20,919 | 25.42 | % | 18.27 | % | $ | 19,321 | 23.96 | % | 18.73 | % | $ | 14,892 | 20.09 | % | 16.97 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 34,730 | 42.20 | % | 39.34 | % | 32,400 | 40.17 | % | 36.26 | % | 30,807 | 41.57 | % | 34.40 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial construction | 3,424 | 4.16 | % | 3.05 | % | 4,606 | 5.71 | % | 3.53 | % | 5,588 | 7.54 | % | 4.87 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Business banking | 8,260 | 10.04 | % | 8.58 | % | 8,167 | 10.13 | % | 8.37 | % | 6,497 | 8.77 | % | 9.25 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 6,380 | 7.75 | % | 15.90 | % | 7,059 | 8.75 | % | 16.16 | % | 6,954 | 9.38 | % | 15.69 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer home equity | 4,027 | 4.89 | % | 10.38 | % | 4,113 | 5.10 | % | 10.72 | % | 4,040 | 5.45 | % | 11.32 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other consumer | 4,173 | 5.07 | % | 4.48 | % | 4,600 | 5.70 | % | 6.23 | % | 4,751 | 6.41 | % | 7.50 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 384 | 0.47 | % | — | % | 389 | 0.48 | % | — | % | 582 | 0.79 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 82,297 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 80,655 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 74,111 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
To determine if a loan should be charged-off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed. Possible sources of repayment include the potential for future cash flows, liquidation of the collateral and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses and any recoveries of such previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, we charge off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portions of loans, are deemed uncollectible. For troubled, collateral-dependent loans, loss confirming events may include an appraisal or other valuation that reflects a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan or receivable, or a deficiency balance following the sale of the collateral.
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For additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses, see Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We adopted the CECL standard on January 1, 2022 and will use the CECL methodology to determine our allowance for loan loss in future periods. For information about risks associated with our adoption of the CECL standard, see “Risk Factors—“We increased our allowance for loan losses as a result of our adoption as of January 1, 2022 of the new accounting standard for determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses and may be required to do so again in the future.” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for our membership in the FHLBB is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding and as a tool to manage interest rate risk. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. We purchase and/or are subject to redemption of FHLBB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and view the holdings as a necessary long-term investment for the purpose of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.
We held an investment in the FHLBB of $10.9 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets were $649.7 million and $376.5 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in goodwill and other intangibles assets was due to our acquisition of Century which resulted in the addition of goodwill and intangible assets of $259.0 million and $11.6 million, respectively, as well as two insurance agency acquisitions which resulted in additional goodwill and intangible assets that are not considered to be material. This was partially offset by amortization of definite-lived intangibles during the year ended December 31, 2021. We did not record any impairment to our goodwill or other intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. We routinely assess our goodwill and other intangible assets to determine if impairments are necessary.
Deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits originating within the markets we serve continue to be our primary source of funding our earning assets. We have been able to compete effectively for deposits in our primary market areas. The distribution and market share of deposits by type of deposit and by type of depositor are important considerations in our assessment of the stability of our fund sources and our access to additional funds. Furthermore, we shift the mix and maturity of the deposits depending on economic conditions and loan and investment policies in an attempt, within set policies, to minimize cost and maximize net interest margin.
The following table presents our deposits, including those acquired from Century in 2021, as of the dates presented:
Components of Deposits
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 7,020,864 | $ | 4,910,794 | $ | 2,110,070 | 43.0 | % | ||||||
| Interest checking | 4,478,566 | 2,380,497 | 2,098,069 | 88.1 | % | |||||||||
| Savings | 2,077,495 | 1,256,736 | 820,759 | 65.3 | % | |||||||||
| Money market investments | 5,525,005 | 3,348,898 | 2,176,107 | 65.0 | % | |||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 526,381 | 258,859 | 267,522 | 103.3 | % | |||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 19,628,311 | $ | 12,155,784 | $ | 7,472,527 | 61.5 | % |
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(1)The Bank’s estimate of total uninsured deposits was $11.0 billion and $5.5 billion at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The increase in estimated uninsured deposits between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 was primarily due to our acquisition of Century.
The following table presents the composition of deposits acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century at fair value as of the November 12, 2021 acquisition date:
Acquired Deposits at Fair Value
| As of November 12, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||
| Demand | $ | 1,744,600 |
| Interest checking | 1,406,039 | |
| Savings | 1,011,569 | |
| Money market investments | 1,611,947 | |
| Certificates of deposit | 325,666 | |
| Total deposits | $ | 6,099,821 |
Deposits increased by $7.5 billion, or 61.5%, to $19.6 billion at December 31, 2021 from $12.2 billion at December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily a result of our acquisition of Century through which we acquired $6.1 billion total deposits. For more information regarding deposits acquired as a result of the Century acquisition, see Note 26, “Subsequent Events” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on form 10-K. Excluding deposits acquired from Century, interest checking deposits, money market deposits and demand deposits, the deposit types primarily contributed to the increase in legacy deposits (e.g., deposits not acquired from Century) and increased $0.7 billion, $0.6 billion and $0.4 billion, respectively. The increases in these deposit categories reflect strong deposit flows, in part due to government stimulus.
The following table presents the classification of deposits on an average basis for the years indicated:
Classification of Deposits on an Average Basis
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | Average Amount | Average Rate | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand | $ | 5,547,615 | — | % | $ | 4,535,066 | — | % | $ | 3,369,375 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest checking | 2,866,091 | 0.07 | % | 2,227,185 | 0.09 | % | 1,842,993 | 0.21 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings | 1,483,271 | 0.02 | % | 1,123,584 | 0.02 | % | 991,244 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market investments | 3,870,712 | 0.06 | % | 3,212,752 | 0.23 | % | 2,769,934 | 0.69 | % | |||||||||||
| Time accounts | 280,141 | 0.21 | % | 300,381 | 0.52 | % | 392,035 | 1.02 | % | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 14,047,830 | 0.04 | % | $ | 11,398,968 | 0.10 | % | $ | 9,365,581 | 0.29 | % |
Other time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, including certificates of deposits as of the dates indicated had maturities as follows:
Maturities of Time Certificates of Deposit $250,000 and Over
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Maturing in | (In thousands) | |||||
| Three months or less | $ | 113,019 | $ | 29,224 | ||
| Over three months through six months | 53,899 | 12,264 | ||||
| Over six months through twelve months | 33,295 | 13,187 | ||||
| Over twelve months | 23,827 | 4,402 | ||||
| Total | $ | 224,040 | $ | 59,077 |
Borrowings
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Our borrowings may consist of both short-term and long-term borrowings and provide us with sources of funding. Maintaining available borrowing capacity provides us with a contingent source of liquidity.
Our total borrowings increased by $6.2 million, or 22.2%, to $34.3 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $28.0 million at December 31, 2020.
The following table sets forth information concerning balances on our borrowings as of the dates indicated:
Borrowings by Category
| As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank advances | $ | 14,020 | $ | 14,624 | $ | (604) | (4.1) | % | ||||||
| Escrow deposits of borrowers | 20,258 | 13,425 | 6,833 | 50.9 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 34,278 | $ | 28,049 | $ | 6,229 | 22.2 | % |
Results of Operations
Summary of Results of Operations
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Amount ($) | Percentage (%) | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 435,159 | $ | 413,328 | $ | 21,831 | 5.3 | % | ||||||
| Interest expense | 5,332 | 12,077 | (6,745) | (55.8) | % | |||||||||
| Net interest income | 429,827 | 401,251 | 28,576 | 7.1 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for loan losses | (9,686) | 38,800 | (48,486) | (125.0) | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest income | 193,155 | 178,373 | 14,782 | 8.3 | % | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 443,956 | 504,923 | (60,967) | (12.1) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 34,047 | 13,163 | 20,884 | 158.7 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 154,665 | $ | 22,738 | $ | 131,927 | 580.2 | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased by $21.8 million, or 5.3%, to $435.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $413.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily a result of our acquisition of Century on November 12, 2021 which added approximately $6.6 billion in interest-earning assets. Overall, the average balance of our interest-earning assets increased $3.9 billion, or 30.7%, to $16.7 billion as of December 31, 2021 compared to $12.8 billion as of December 31, 2020, reflecting the addition of Century assets and the purchase of investment securities resulting from the investment of the proceeds from our October 2020 IPO. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in the yield on average interest-earning assets which decreased by 64 basis points to 2.64% during the year ended December 31, 2021. Our yields on loans and securities are generally presented on an FTE basis where the embedded tax benefit on loans or securities are calculated and added to the yield. Management believes that this presentation allows for better comparability between institutions with different tax structures.
•Interest income on securities and federal funds sold and other short-term investments increased $26.4 million, or 64.1%, to $67.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $41.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in interest income on securities was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of such securities of $3.6 billion, or 114.0%, to $6.7 billion as of December 31, 2021 compared to $3.1 billion as of December 31, 2020, which was partially offset by a decrease in the yield on such securities. The increase in the average balance of securities was attributable to security purchases of $3.3 billion during the year ended December 31, 2021, reflecting the investment of the proceeds from our October 2020 IPO, and investment securities acquired of $3.1 billion as a result of our acquisition of Century.
•Interest income on loans decreased by $4.6 million, or 1.2%, to $367.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $372.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in interest income on our
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loans was primarily due to the decrease in yield on average loans which was driven by the downward adjustment of the interest rates on our existing adjustable-rate loans as a result of lower interest rates. The FTE yield on average loans decreased 18 basis points to 3.71% during the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in loan yields was partially offset by an increase in net accretion of PPP loan deferred fees and costs of $20.4 million to $34.3 million during year ended December 31, 2021 from $13.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. Also partially offsetting the decline in average yield was a slight increase in the average balance of loans of $371.9 million, or 3.9%, from $9.7 billion to $10.0 billion which was primarily the result of our acquisition of Century which added $2.9 billion in loans as of November 12, 2021, partially offset by a decline in PPP loan balances of $0.7 billion reflecting pay-offs of such balances.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $6.7 million, or 55.8%, to $5.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $12.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was a result of lower funding costs associated with the decline in the market interest rates.
•Interest expense on our interest-bearing deposits decreased by $6.1 million, or 54.3%, to $5.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $11.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
•Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased by $0.6 million, or 78.3%, to $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $0.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Average interest-bearing deposits increased $1.6 billion, or 23.8%, for year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the Century acquisition. The increase in deposit costs associated with the increase in average deposits was more than offset by the reduction in rates paid on deposits during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income increased by $28.6 million, or 7.1%, to $429.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, from $401.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. Net interest income increased slightly as the reduction in interest income associated with the lower interest rate environment was more than offset by a related reduction in interest expense. In addition, the average balances of interest-earning assets substantially increased during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to year ended December 31, 2020 which reflects assets acquired in connection with our acquisition of Century and the investment of the proceeds from our October 2020 IPO in investment securities.
Net interest margin is determined by dividing FTE net interest income by average-earning assets. For purposes of the following discussion, income from tax-exempt loans and investment securities has been adjusted to an FTE basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 21.8% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Net interest margin decreased 57 basis points to 2.61% during the year ended December 31, 2021, from 3.19% during the year ended December 31, 2020.
The following tables set forth average balance sheet items, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances in the table reflect daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.
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Average Balances, Interest Earned/Paid, & Average Yields
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | Average Outstanding Balance | Interest | Average Yield /Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | 1,510,703 | $ | 47,143 | 3.12 | % | $ | 1,400,907 | $ | 49,767 | 3.55 | % | $ | 1,439,845 | $ | 53,736 | 3.73 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 7,410,024 | 288,557 | 3.89 | % | 7,014,044 | 281,816 | 4.02 | % | 6,089,410 | 291,055 | 4.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,103,042 | 36,019 | 3.27 | % | 1,236,893 | 43,729 | 3.54 | % | 1,419,692 | 60,009 | 4.23 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | 10,023,769 | 371,719 | 3.71 | % | 9,651,844 | 375,312 | 3.89 | % | 8,948,947 | 404,800 | 4.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | 260,399 | 9,335 | 3.58 | % | 265,511 | 9,899 | 3.73 | % | 287,128 | 10,852 | 3.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | 4,890,737 | 58,312 | 1.19 | % | 1,560,610 | 31,831 | 2.04 | % | 1,148,591 | 31,642 | 2.75 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other short-term investments | 1,514,351 | 1,886 | 0.12 | % | 1,288,714 | 1,758 | 0.14 | % | 144,856 | 2,977 | 2.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 16,689,256 | 441,252 | 2.64 | % | 12,766,679 | 418,800 | 3.28 | % | 10,529,522 | 450,271 | 4.28 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-earning assets | 1,173,830 | 1,097,064 | 874,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 17,863,086 | $ | 13,863,743 | $ | 11,404,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | 1,483,271 | $ | 230 | 0.02 | % | $ | 1,123,584 | $ | 242 | 0.02 | % | $ | 991,244 | $ | 210 | 0.02 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | 2,866,091 | 1,997 | 0.07 | % | 2,227,185 | 2,033 | 0.09 | % | 1,842,993 | 3,947 | 0.21 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | 3,870,712 | 2,342 | 0.06 | % | 3,212,752 | 7,492 | 0.23 | % | 2,769,934 | 19,150 | 0.69 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | 280,141 | 598 | 0.21 | % | 300,381 | 1,548 | 0.52 | % | 392,035 | 3,994 | 1.02 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 8,500,215 | 5,167 | 0.06 | % | 6,863,902 | 11,315 | 0.16 | % | 5,996,206 | 27,301 | 0.46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 26,495 | 165 | 0.62 | % | 72,101 | 762 | 1.06 | % | 291,413 | 6,452 | 2.21 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 8,526,710 | 5,332 | 0.06 | % | 6,936,003 | 12,077 | 0.17 | % | 6,287,619 | 33,753 | 0.54 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand accounts | 5,547,615 | 4,535,066 | 3,369,375 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 364,191 | 352,518 | 203,925 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 14,438,516 | 11,823,587 | 9,860,919 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net worth | 3,424,570 | 2,040,156 | 1,543,191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and retained earnings | $ | 17,863,086 | $ | 13,863,743 | $ | 11,404,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income - FTE | $ | 435,920 | $ | 406,723 | $ | 416,518 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate spread (2) | 2.58 | % | 3.11 | % | 3.74 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest-earning assets (3) | $ | 8,162,546 | $ | 5,830,676 | $ | 4,241,903 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin - FTE (4) | 2.61 | % | 3.19 | % | 3.96 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | 195.73 | % | 184.06 | % | 167.46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average assets (5) | 0.87 | % | 0.16 | % | 1.18 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity (6) | 4.52 | % | 1.11 | % | 8.75 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expenses to average assets | 2.49 | % | 3.64 | % | 3.62 | % |
(1)Non-accrual loans are included in Loans.
(2)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(5)Represents net income divided by average total assets.
(6)Represents net income divided by average equity.
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The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
Rate and Volume Analysis
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. 2020 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | Increase (Decrease) Due to | Total Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rate | Volume | Rate | Volume | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential | $ | (6,339) | $ | 3,715 | $ | (2,624) | $ | (2,541) | $ | (1,428) | $ | (3,969) | ||||||||||
| Commercial | (8,852) | 15,593 | 6,741 | (49,997) | 40,758 | (9,239) | ||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | (3,190) | (4,520) | (7,710) | (9,110) | (7,170) | (16,280) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | (18,381) | 14,788 | (3,593) | (61,648) | 32,160 | (29,488) | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable investment securities | (376) | (188) | (564) | (145) | (808) | (953) | ||||||||||||||||
| Taxable investment securities | (17,822) | 44,303 | 26,481 | (9,452) | 9,641 | 189 | ||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other short-term investments | (162) | 290 | 128 | (5,100) | 3,881 | (1,219) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | (36,741) | $ | 59,193 | $ | 22,452 | $ | (76,345) | $ | 44,874 | $ | (31,471) | ||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | $ | (78) | $ | 66 | $ | (12) | $ | 4 | $ | 28 | $ | 32 | ||||||||||
| Interest checking accounts | (544) | 508 | (36) | (2,611) | 697 | (1,914) | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments | (6,438) | 1,288 | (5,150) | (14,325) | 2,667 | (11,658) | ||||||||||||||||
| Time accounts | (852) | (98) | (950) | (1,660) | (786) | (2,446) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | (7,912) | 1,764 | (6,148) | (18,592) | 2,606 | (15,986) | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (235) | (362) | (597) | (2,332) | (3,358) | (5,690) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (8,147) | 1,402 | (6,745) | (20,924) | (752) | (21,676) | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in net interest income | $ | (28,594) | $ | 57,791 | $ | 29,197 | $ | (55,421) | $ | 45,626 | $ | (9,795) |
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses represents the charge to expense that is required to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses. We currently follow the incurred loss model for determining the provision for loan losses and adopted what is commonly referred to as the “CECL standard” on January 1, 2022.
We recorded a release of the allowance for loan losses of $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a provision of $38.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Given the continued improved economic and credit conditions during year ended December 31, 2021, we determined that a release of the allowance was necessary. In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we downgraded the risk ratings for all commercial loans we expected at the time to be significantly impacted by the pandemic, including our hotel and restaurant loan portfolios, which resulted in a total provision of $28.6 million recorded in the first quarter of 2020.
Our periodic evaluation of the appropriate allowance for loan losses considers the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs.
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Noninterest Income
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest income for the periods shown:
Noninterest Income
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance commissions | $ | 94,704 | $ | 94,495 | $ | 209 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 24,271 | 21,560 | 2,711 | 12.6 | % | |||||||||
| Trust and investment advisory fees | 24,588 | 21,102 | 3,486 | 16.5 | % | |||||||||
| Debit card processing fees | 12,118 | 10,277 | 1,841 | 17.9 | % | |||||||||
| Interest swap income (losses) | 5,634 | (1,381) | 7,015 | 508.0 | % | |||||||||
| Income from investments held in rabbi trusts | 10,217 | 10,337 | (120) | (1.2) | % | |||||||||
| Losses trading securities gains, net | — | (4) | 4 | (100.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gains on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net | 3,605 | 7,066 | (3,461) | (49.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gains on sales of securities available for sale, net | 1,166 | 288 | 878 | 304.9 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 16,852 | 14,633 | 2,219 | 15.2 | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 193,155 | $ | 178,373 | $ | 14,782 | 8.3 | % |
Noninterest income increased by $14.8 million, or 8.3%, to $193.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $178.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to a $7.0 million increase in interest rate swap income, and a $3.5 million increase in trust and investment advisory fees, which were partially offset by a $3.5 million decrease in net gains resulting from the sale of mortgage loans held for sale.
•Interest rate swap income increased primarily as a result of a favorable mark-to-market adjustment due to the current interest rate and economic environment.
•Trust and investment advisory fees increased primarily as a result of higher asset values associated with the principal assets in customers’ accounts.
•Net gains resulting from the sale of mortgage loans held for sale decreased primarily due to a combination of fewer residential real estate loans originated as held for sale as we designate more residential mortgage loans originated as held for investment and increases in market rates of interest.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest expense for the periods shown:
Noninterest Expense
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Amount | % | |||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 295,916 | $ | 261,827 | $ | 34,089 | 13.0 | % | ||||||
| Office occupancy and equipment | 40,465 | 33,796 | 6,669 | 19.7 | % | |||||||||
| Data processing | 50,839 | 45,259 | 5,580 | 12.3 | % | |||||||||
| Professional services | 24,477 | 18,902 | 5,575 | 29.5 | % | |||||||||
| Charitable contributions | — | 95,272 | (95,272) | (100.0) | % | |||||||||
| Marketing | 8,741 | 8,879 | (138) | (1.6) | % | |||||||||
| Operational losses | 7,786 | 2,493 | 5,293 | 212.3 | % | |||||||||
| Loan expenses | 6,516 | 6,727 | (211) | (3.1) | % | |||||||||
| FDIC insurance | 4,226 | 3,734 | 492 | 13.2 | % | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 2,512 | 2,857 | (345) | (12.1) | % | |||||||||
| Other | 2,478 | 25,177 | (22,699) | (90.2) | % | |||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 443,956 | $ | 504,923 | $ | (60,967) | (12.1) | % |
The Company recorded merger and acquisition expenses of $35.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 related to the Century acquisition. These merger and acquisition expenses were included in the following line items of the consolidated statements of income:
Century Merger & Acquisition Expenses
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||
| Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 15,947 |
| Office occupancy and equipment | 7,198 | |
| Data processing | 1,286 | |
| Professional services | 9,223 | |
| Other | 1,802 | |
| Total merger and acquisition expenses | $ | 35,456 |
Noninterest expense decreased by $61.0 million, or 12.1%, to $444.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $504.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a $95.3 million decrease in charitable contributions and a $24.5 million decrease in other noninterest expenses, excluding merger and acquisition expenses. Partially offsetting these decreases were $35.5 million in merger and acquisition expenses, for which there were none during the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $18.1 million, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, and an increase in operational losses of $5.3 million.
•Charitable contributions decreased as the Company made no contributions during the year ended December 31, 2021 following the Company’s $91.3 million stock contribution to the Eastern Bank Foundation made in connection with the Company's IPO during the year ended December 31, 2020.
•Other noninterest expenses, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, decreased primarily due to reduced costs associated with the conversion of each of our noncontributory, defined benefit plan (“Defined Benefit Plan”) and Benefit Equalization Plan (“BEP”) from a traditional final average earnings plan design to a cash balance plan design, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2020 and was effective as of November 1, 2020. In addition, other noninterest expenses, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, decreased due to a reduction in impairment charges taken on certain tax credit investments. Non-service cost expenses for the Defined Benefit Plan and the BEP decreased by $13.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Impairment charges taken on certain tax credit investments decreased primarily due to write-downs taken of $10.8 million on certain tax credit investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting during the year ended December 31, 2020, which was primarily composed of a $7.6
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million impairment charge reflecting management’s estimate of the future benefit of the investments. During the year ended December 31, 2021 we recorded a net recovery of impairment charges of $0.2 million. For additional information on this impairment charge see Note 13, “Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Other Tax Credit Investments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
•Merger and acquisition expenses were $35.5 million and resulted from our acquisition of Century which we completed on November 12, 2021. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2020 as there were no acquisitions. For additional information on our acquisition of Century, see Note 3, “Mergers and Acquisitions” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
•Salaries and employee benefits increased primarily as a result of an increase of $7.1 million in ESOP expense, for which fewer expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2020, in which the ESOP was established in October of such year. Also contributing to the increase were pension service costs which increased $6.9 million from the year ended December 31, 2020 which resulted from an increase in the projected retirement benefits earned by plan participants during the year ended December 31, 2021. The higher pension service costs were more than offset by a decrease in the non-service cost components of net periodic pension expense for the Defined Benefit Plan and the BEP, as discussed further above.
•Operational losses increased primarily as a result of an accrual of $3.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 for legal expenses associated with the preliminary settlement of the putative consumer class action litigation matters related to overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees.
Income Taxes
We recognize the tax effect of all income and expense transactions in each year’s consolidated statements of income, regardless of the year in which the transactions are reported for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth information regarding our tax provision and applicable tax rates for the periods indicated:
Tax Provision and Applicable Tax Rates
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| Combined federal and state income tax provisions | $ | 34,047 | $ | 13,163 | ||
| Effective income tax rates | 18.0 | % | 36.7 | % | ||
| Blended statutory tax rate | 28.1 | % | 28.1 | % |
Income tax expense increased by $20.9 million to $34.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2021 from $13.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in income tax expense was due primarily to higher pre-tax income during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, which lessened the impact on the effective rate related to favorable permanent differences, including investment tax credits and tax exempt income. Partially offsetting this increase was a release of $11.3 million related to a valuation allowance of $12.0 million, established as of December 31, 2020 against our charitable contribution carryover deferred tax asset in connection with our 2020 charitable contribution to the Foundation. For additional information related to the Company’s income taxes see Note 12, “Income Taxes” and Note 13, “Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Other Tax Credit Investments” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Financial Position and Results of Operations of our Business Segments
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Banking Business | Insurance Agency Business | Other/ Eliminations | Total | Banking Business | Insurance Agency Business | Other/ Eliminations | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 429,827 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 429,827 | $ | 401,251 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 401,251 | ||||||||||||||
| (Release of) provision for allowance for loan losses | (9,686) | — | — | (9,686) | 38,800 | — | — | 38,800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 439,513 | — | — | 439,513 | 362,451 | — | — | 362,451 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 96,376 | 97,168 | (389) | 193,155 | 82,334 | 96,739 | (700) | 178,373 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 365,410 | 82,780 | (4,234) | 443,956 | 431,705 | 77,806 | (4,588) | 504,923 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 170,479 | 14,388 | 3,845 | 188,712 | 13,080 | 18,933 | 3,888 | 35,901 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 29,994 | 4,053 | — | 34,047 | 7,870 | 5,293 | — | 13,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 140,485 | $ | 10,335 | $ | 3,845 | $ | 154,665 | $ | 5,210 | $ | 13,640 | $ | 3,888 | $ | 22,738 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,376,521 | $ | 204,768 | $ | (69,161) | $ | 23,512,128 | $ | 15,831,175 | $ | 200,216 | $ | (67,201) | $ | 15,964,190 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 20,125,218 | $ | 49,719 | $ | (69,161) | $ | 20,105,776 | $ | 12,547,838 | $ | 55,501 | $ | (67,201) | $ | 12,536,138 |
Banking Segment
•Average interest-earning assets increased $3.9 billion, or 30.7%, to $16.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $12.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting the addition of Century assets and the purchase of investment securities representing the investment of the proceeds from our October 2020 IPO. Our acquisition of Century closed on November 12, 2021 and added approximately $6.6 billion in interest-earning assets. The increase in average interest-earning assets resulted in an increase in interest income and was partially offset by a decline in market rates of interest. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Interest and Dividends” section.
•Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $1.6 billion, or 22.9%, to $8.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $6.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, with average total interest-bearing deposits, our largest category of average interest-bearing liabilities, growing $1.6 billion, or 23.8%, to $8.5 billion as of December 31, 2021 compared to $6.9 billion as of December 31, 2020. The increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was more than offset by a reduction in rates paid on deposits resulting in an overall decrease in interest expense. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Interest and Dividends” section.
•We recorded a release of allowance for loan losses of $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a provision of $38.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Given continued improved economic and credit conditions during the year ended December 31, 2021, we determined that a release of the provision was necessary. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Provision for Loan Losses” section.
•Gains related to interest rate swaps were $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to losses of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of 508.0%. This change was due primarily to a favorable mark-to-market adjustment which resulted in an increase in income of $9.8 million which was partially offset by a decrease of $2.7 million attributable to a decline in transactional volume.
•Trust and investment advisory fees increased $3.5 million from $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $24.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily as a result of higher asset values associated with the principal assets in customers’ accounts. Assets under management as of December 31, 2021 were $3.4 billion compared to $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2020.
•Noninterest expense decreased during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to charitable contributions which decreased as no contributions were made during the year ended December 31, 2021 following the our $91.3 million stock contribution to the Eastern Bank Foundation made in connection with our IPO during the year ended December 31, 2020. This decrease was partially offset by costs associated with our acquisition of Century of $35.5 million. For additional discussion, refer to the earlier “Noninterest Expense” section.
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Insurance Agency Segment
•Noninterest income related to our insurance agency business remained relatively consistent with a slight increase of $0.4 million, or 0.4%, to $97.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $96.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
•Noninterest expense related to our insurance agency business increased $5.0 million, or 6.4%, to $82.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from $77.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, due to increases in salaries, wages and benefits to employees in this business unit.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
While our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the amount estimated by us as necessary to absorb loan losses incurred in the loan portfolio that are probable and reasonably estimable at the balance sheet date. The amount of the allowance is based on significant judgments and estimates, and the ultimate losses may vary from such estimates as more information becomes available or conditions change. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy due to the high degree of judgement involved in determining the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, subjectivity of assumptions used and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of the regulatory examination process, periodically assess the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase the provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs, in accordance with GAAP.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated at least quarterly. While we use current information in establishing the allowance for losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if economic conditions or conditions relative to borrowers differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluation. We use a methodology to systematically estimate the amount of credit loss incurred in the portfolio. Commercial real estate, commercial construction, commercial and industrial, and business banking loans are evaluated using a loan rating system, historical losses and other factors which form the basis for estimating incurred losses. Portfolios of more homogeneous populations of loans, including residential mortgages and consumer loans, are analyzed as groups using delinquency ratios, historical loss experience and charge-offs.
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are deemed to be impaired. For impaired loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the loan is lower than the carrying value of the loan. The general component covers non-impaired, non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. Through December 31, 2021, we followed the incurred loss methodology for determining our allowance for loan loss. We adopted the CECL standard effective January 1, 2022.
For additional information on our allowance for loan losses, refer to Note 5, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes by establishing deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates. We make significant judgments regarding the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This requires subjective projections of future taxable income resulting from interest on loans and securities, as well as noninterest income. A valuation allowance is established if it is considered more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Interest and penalties paid on the underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense.
We periodically evaluate the potential uncertainty of our tax positions as to whether it is more likely than not its position would be upheld upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
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For additional information on our income taxes, refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more often if warranted, using a quantitative impairment approach. The quantitative impairment testing compares book value to fair value of the reporting unit. If book value exceeds fair value, an impairment is charged to earnings and allocated to the appropriate reporting unit.
We evaluate other intangible assets, all of which are definite-lived, for impairment whenever there is an indication of impairment, and we evaluate annually the remaining useful lives of those intangible assets. We amortize other intangible assets over their respective estimated useful lives.
For additional information on our goodwill and other intangibles, refer to Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Securities. Debt securities are classified at the time of purchase as either “trading,” “available for sale,” or “held to maturity.” Equity securities are measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income.
We evaluate impaired securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, current market conditions, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, performance of collateral underlying the securities, the ratings of the individual securities, the interest rate environment, our intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery, as well as other qualitative factors. The term other-than-temporary impairment is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent. It indicates that the prospects for near-term recovery are not necessarily favorable or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values greater than or equal to the carrying value of the investment.
If a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis of an investment is judged to be other than temporary, the investment is written down to fair value. The portion of the impairment related to credit losses is included in net income, and the portion of the impairment related to other factors is included in other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on sales of securities are recognized at the time of sale on the specific-identification basis.
For additional information on our investment securities, refer to Note 3, “Securities” and Note 20, “Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pension and other Post Retirement Benefit Plans. We provide pension benefits for employees using a noncontributory, defined benefit plan, through membership in the SBERA. Effective November 1, 2020, the Defined Benefit Plan was amended to convert the plan from a traditional final average earnings plan design to a cash balance plan design. Benefits earned under the final average earnings plan design were frozen at October 31, 2020. Starting November 1, 2020, future benefits are earned under the cash balance plan design. Our employees become eligible after attaining age 21 and one year of service. Under the final average earnings plan design, benefits became fully vested after three years of eligible service for individuals employed on or before October 31, 1989. For individuals employed subsequent to October 31, 1989 and who were already in the Defined Benefit Plan as of November 1, 2020, benefits became fully vested after five years of eligible service. Under the cash balance plan design, benefits become fully vested after three years of eligible service. Our annual contribution to the plan is based upon standards established by the Pension Protection Act. The contribution is based on an actuarial method intended to provide not only for benefits attributable to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future.
Plan assets are invested in various investment funds and held at fair value which generally represents observable market prices. Pension liability is determined based on the actuarial cost method factoring in assumptions such as salary increases, expected retirement date, mortality rate, and employee turnover. The actuarial cost method used to compute the pension liabilities and related expense is the projected unit credit method. The projected benefit obligation is principally determined based on the present value of the projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate (which is the rate at which the projected benefit obligation could be effectively settled as of the measurement date). The discount rate which is utilized is determined using the spot rate approach whereby the individual spot rates on the Financial Times and Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) above-median yield curve are applied to each corresponding year’s projected cash flow used to measure the respective plan’s service cost and interest cost. Periodic pension expense (or income) includes service costs, interest costs based on the assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, if applicable, based on the market value of assets and amortization of actuarial gains and losses. Net period benefit cost excluding service cost is included within other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income. Service cost is included in salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income. The amortization of actuarial gains and losses for the Defined Benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“DB SERP”) and Outside Directors' Retainer Continuance Plan (“ODRCP”) is determined using the 10%
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corridor minimum amortization approach and is taken over the average remaining future service of the plan participants for the ODRCP, and over the average remaining future life expectancy of plan participants for the DB SERP. The amortization of actuarial gains and losses for the Defined Benefit Plan and BEP are determined without using the 10% corridor minimum amortization approach and is taken over the average remaining future service of the plan participants. The overfunded or underfunded status of the plans is recorded as an asset or liability on the consolidated balance sheets, with changes in that status recognized through other comprehensive income, net of related taxes. Funded status represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation of the plan and the market value of the plan’s assets.
For additional information on our employee benefit plans, refer to Note 16, “Employee Benefits” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value in our financial statements. The accounting for a derivative instrument is determined by whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, by the type of hedging relationship. Our derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are classified as cash flow hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows associated with a recognized asset or liability, or a forecasted transaction). Our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments include interest rate swaps, foreign exchange contracts offered to commercial customers to assist them in meeting their financing and investing objectives for their risk management purposes, and risk participation agreements entered into as financial guarantees of performance on customer-related interest rate swap derivatives. The interest rate and foreign exchange risks associated with customer interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are mitigated by entering into similar derivatives having offsetting terms with correspondent bank counterparties.
For additional information on our derivatives, refer to Note 18, “Derivative Financial Instruments” and Note 19, “Balance Sheet Offsetting” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fair Value Measurements. “Fair value” is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We estimate the fair value in recording acquisition transactions and for financial instruments and any related asset impairment using a variety of valuation methods. For acquisition transactions, the Company uses quotable market prices or observable data when possible in valuing acquired assets and liabilities. Where financial instruments are actively traded and have quoted market prices, quoted market prices as of the measurement date are used for fair value. When the financial instruments are not actively traded, other observable market inputs, such as quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data, may be used, if available, to determine fair value. When observable market prices do not exist, we estimate fair value. These estimates are subjective in nature and imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment we exercise in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
For additional information on our fair value measurements, refer to Note 20, “Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and relevant amendments (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”). This update was created to replace the current GAAP method of calculating credit losses. Specifically, the standard replaces the existing incurred loss impairment guidance by requiring immediate recognition of expected credit losses. For financial assets carried at amortized cost that are held at the reporting date (including trade and other receivables, loans and commitments, held-to-maturity debt securities and other financial assets), credit losses are measured based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable supportable forecasts. The standard also amends existing impairment guidance for available for sale securities, in which credit losses will be recorded as an allowance versus a write-down of the amortized cost basis of the security. It will also allow for a reversal of impairment loss when the credit of the issuer improves. The guidance requires a cumulative effect of the initial application to be recognized in retained earnings at the date of initial application.
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”). The amendments in ASU 2018-19 were intended to clarify that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. This update requires entities to include expected recoveries of the amortized cost basis previously written off or expected to be written off in the valuation
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account for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. In addition, the amendments in this update clarify and improve various aspects of the guidance for ASU 2016-13. For public entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer (excluding smaller reporting entities) the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. to provide economic relief measures including the option to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13 to the earlier of the ending of the national emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 crisis or December 31, 2020. On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (the “Appropriations Act”) was enacted to fund the federal government through their fiscal year, extend certain expiring tax provisions and provide additional emergency relief to individuals and businesses related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Included within the provisions of the Appropriations Act is an extension of the adoption date for ASU 2016-13 from December 31, 2020 to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the COVID-19 national emergency terminates.
Effective January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13.
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements that may affect our financial position or results of operations, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management of Market Risk
General. Market risk is the sensitivity of income to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices. Interest rate sensitivity is the most significant market risk to which we are exposed. Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of income to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, as well as fluctuations in the level and duration of assets and liabilities, affect net interest income, our primary source of income. Interest rate risk arises directly from our core banking activities. In addition to directly impacting net interest income, changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the amount of loans originated, the timing of cash flows on loans and securities, and the fair value of securities and derivatives, as well as other effects. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control this risk within limits approved by the Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors.
These limits reflect our tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons. We attempt to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and where appropriate, hedging its exposure. If assets and liabilities do not re-price simultaneously and in equal volume, the potential for interest rate exposure exists. Our objective is to maintain stability in the growth of net interest income through the maintenance of an appropriate mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and, when necessary and within limits that management determines to be prudent, through the use of off-balance sheet hedging instruments such as interest rate swaps, floors and caps.
Net Interest Income. We analyze our sensitivity to changes in interest rates through a net interest income model. We estimate what our net interest income would be for a 12-month period assuming no changes in interest rates. We then calculate what the net interest income would be for the same period under the assumption that the U.S. Treasury yield curve increases or decreases instantaneously by +200, +300, +400 and -100 basis point increments, with changes in interest rates representing immediate and permanent, parallel shifts in the yield curve. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Changes in Interest Rates” column in the table below. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. The relatively low level of interest rates prevalent at December 31, 2021 and 2020 precluded the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios. We do not model negative interest rate scenarios.
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The tables below set forth, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the calculation of the estimated changes in our net interest income on an FTE basis that would result from the designated immediate changes in the U.S. Treasury yield curve.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
| As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Net Interest Income Year 1 Forecast | Year 1 Change from Level | ||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| 400 | $ | 663,207 | 30.2% | |||
| 300 | 624,384 | 22.6% | ||||
| 200 | 586,319 | 15.1% | ||||
| Flat | 509,379 | —% | ||||
| (100) | 479,489 | (5.9)% | ||||
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||
| Change inInterest Rates(basis points) (1) | Net Interest Income Year 1 Forecast | Year 1 Change from Level | ||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| 400 | $ | 571,842 | 50.0% | |||
| 300 | 524,847 | 37.7% | ||||
| 200 | 478,307 | 25.5% | ||||
| Flat | 381,259 | —% | ||||
| (100) | 362,186 | (5.0)% |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities, except in the down 100 basis points scenario, where rates are floored at zero at all maturities.
The tables above indicate that at December 31, 2021 and 2020, in the event of an instantaneous parallel 200 basis points increase in rates, we would have experienced a 15.1% and 25.5% increase, respectively, in net interest income on an FTE basis, and in the event of an instantaneous 100 basis points decrease in interest rates, we would have experienced a 5.9% and a 5.0% decrease at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in net interest income, on an FTE basis. Management may use interest rate derivative financial instruments, within internal policy guidelines, to manage interest rate risk as part of our asset/liability strategy. These derivatives provide significant protection against falling interest rates.
Economic Value of Equity Analysis. We also analyze the sensitivity of our financial condition in interest rates through our economic value of equity (“EVE”) model. This analysis calculates the difference between the present value of expected cash flows from assets and liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates.
The table below represents an analysis of our interest rate risk (excluding the effect of our pension plans) as measured by the estimated changes in our EVE model, resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve (+200, +300, +400 basis points and -100 basis points) at December 31, 2021 and 2020. The model requires that interest rates remain positive for all points along the yield curve for each rate scenario which may preclude the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios during periods of lower market interest rates. The relatively low level of interest rates prevalent at December 31, 2021 and 2020 precluded the modeling of certain falling rate scenarios, including negative interest rates.
Our earnings are not directly or materially impacted by movements in foreign currency rates or commodity prices. Movements in equity prices may have a modest impact on earnings by affecting the volume of activity or the amount of fees from investment-related business lines.
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EVE Interest Rate Sensitivity
| Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1) | Estimated EVE (2) | As of December 31, 2021 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||||||||
| Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| 400 | $ | 4,573,359 | $ | 27,408 | 0.6 | % | 21.30 | % | ||||||
| 300 | 4,565,019 | 19,068 | 0.4 | % | 20.80 | % | ||||||||
| 200 | 4,589,035 | 43,084 | 0.9 | % | 20.39 | % | ||||||||
| Flat | 4,545,951 | — | — | 17.06 | % | |||||||||
| (100) | 4,270,433 | (275,518) | (6.1) | % | 17.75 | % |
| Change in Interest Rate (basis points) (1) | Estimated EVE (2) | As of December 31, 2020 | EVE as a Percentage of Total Assets (3) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Increase (Decrease) in EVE from Level | ||||||||||||||
| Amount ($) | Percent (%) | |||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| 400 | $ | 4,385,795 | $ | 452,022 | 11.5 | % | 29.09 | % | ||||||
| 300 | 4,297,682 | 363,909 | 9.3 | % | 28.06 | % | ||||||||
| 200 | 4,205,867 | 272,094 | 6.9 | % | 27.00 | % | ||||||||
| Flat | 3,933,773 | — | — | 24.38 | % | |||||||||
| (100) | 3,663,432 | (270,341) | (6.9) | % | 22.65 | % |
(1)Assumes an immediate uniform change in interest rates at all maturities, except in the down 100 basis points scenario, where rates are floored at zero at all maturities.
(2)EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.
Liquidity, Capital Resources, Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
Liquidity. Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise in the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet deposit withdrawals and anticipated loan fundings, as well as current and planned expenditures. We seek to maintain sources of liquidity that are deep and diversified and that may be used during the normal course of business as well as on a contingency basis.
The net proceeds from our IPO significantly increased our liquidity and capital resources at both Eastern Bankshares, Inc. and Eastern Bank. Over time, the initial level of liquidity will be reduced as net proceeds from the IPO are used for general corporate purposes, including the funding of loans. Our financial condition and results of operations were enhanced by the net proceeds from the stock offering and resulted in increased net interest-earning assets and net interest and dividend income. As previously discussed in “Overview” within this section, on November 12, 2021, we completed our previously announced merger with Century for $641.9 million in cash. Although, the transaction reduced the net proceeds from the IPO, we continue to expect that, due to the increase in equity resulting from the net proceeds raised in our IPO, our return on equity has been and will continue to be adversely affected until we can effectively deploy the remaining proceeds of the IPO.
Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, and proceeds from calls, maturities and sales of securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are cash and due from banks and securities classified as available for sale. In the future, our liquidity position will be affected by the level of customer deposits and payments, as well as acquisitions, dividends, and stock repurchases in which we may engage. We believe that our existing resources will be sufficient to meet the liquidity and capital requirements of our operations for the foreseeable future.
We participate in the IntraFi Network (formerly “Promontory”), which allows us to provide access to multi-million dollar FDIC deposit insurance protection on customer deposits for consumers, businesses and public entities. We can elect to sell or repurchase this funding as reciprocal deposits from other IntraFi Network banks depending on our funding needs. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had a total of $520.5 million and $364.8 million of IntraFi Network one-way sell deposits, respectively. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, no amounts were repurchased of previously sold reciprocal deposits. The additional capacity of $520.5 million and $364.8 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, should be considered a source of liquidity.
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Although customer deposits remain our preferred source of funds, maintaining additional back up sources of liquidity is part of our prudent liquidity risk management practices. We have the ability to borrow from the FHLBB. At December 31, 2021, we had $14.0 million in outstanding advances and the ability to borrow up to an additional $1.8 billion. We also have the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. At December 31, 2021, we had a $456.1 million collateralized line of credit from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston with no outstanding balance. Additionally, at December 31, 2020 we had the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”). The Federal Reserve ended the PPPLF as of July 30, 2021. Accordingly, at December 31, 2021, we no longer had additional capacity under the PPPLF. We had a total of $790.0 million of discretionary lines of credit at December 31, 2021.
Sources of Liquidity
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding | Additional Capacity | Outstanding | Additional Capacity | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| IntraFi Network deposits | $ | — | $ | 520,461 | $ | — | $ | 364,794 | ||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank (1) | 14,020 | 1,839,540 | 14,624 | 1,581,016 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (2) | — | 456,148 | — | 503,512 | ||||||||||
| Federal Reserve Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility | — | — | — | 1,026,117 | ||||||||||
| Unsecured lines of credit | — | 790,000 | — | 620,000 | ||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 14,020 | $ | 3,606,149 | $ | 14,624 | $ | 4,095,439 |
(1)As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, loans have been pledged to the FHLBB with a carrying value of $2.6 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, to secure our total borrowing capacity.
(2)Loans with a carrying value of $0.8 billion and $0.9 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, have been pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity.
We believe that advanced preparation, early detection, and prompt responses can avoid, minimize, or shorten potential liquidity crises. Our Board of Directors and our management’s Asset Liability Committee have put a liquidity contingency plan in place to establish methods for assessing and monitoring risk levels, as well as potential responses during unanticipated stress events. As part of our risk management framework, we perform periodic liquidity stress testing to assess our need for liquid assets as well as backup sources of liquidity.
Capital Resources. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve (with respect to our consolidated capital requirements). At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we exceeded all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and were considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. For additional information regarding our regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note 15, “Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements” within the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include data processing services, operating leases for premises and equipment, agreements with respect to borrowed funds and deposit liabilities. The amounts below assume the contractual obligations and commitments will run through the end of the applicable term and, as such, do not include early termination fees or penalties where applicable.
The following table summarizes our short-term (e.g. maturity of one year or less) and long-term (e.g. maturity of greater than one year) contractual obligations, other commitments and contingencies at December 31, 2021.
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| One Year or Less | After One Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||
| Commitments to extend credit (1) | $ | 1,083,198 | $ | 4,092,323 | $ | 5,175,521 | ||||
| Standby letters of credit | 55,424 | 10,178 | 65,602 | |||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 15,731 | 38,991 | 54,722 | |||||||
| FHLB advances | 17 | 14,003 | 14,020 | |||||||
| Forward commitments to sell loans | 24,440 | — | 24,440 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,178,810 | $ | 4,155,495 | $ | 5,334,305 |
(1)Unused commitments that are deemed to be unconditionally cancellable are included in the less than one year category in the above table. Commitments to extend credit was comprised of $3.0 billion of commitments under commercial loans and lines of credit (including $423.2 million of unadvanced portions of construction loans), $1.9 billion of commitments under home equity loans and lines of credit, $197.2 million in overdraft coverage commitments, $38.6 million of unfunded commitments related to residential real estate loans and $59.9 million in other consumer loans and lines of credit as of December 31, 2021.